On my walk...Simple Sustainable Living (part 2)

Dear friends, I embarked on this blogging journey and new adventure on August 5th, 2023, with the intention of sharing a wide range of topics. In my last blog post, I mentioned a short series on embracing a simple, sustainable lifestyle, filled with tips and tricks from my own journey. That was the plan.

DETOURE However, as is often the case when simplifying our lives, unexpected events can disrupt our intentions. Last Monday, as I hurriedly walked to the post office in my new walking shoes, trying to balance mailing a letter and picking up my sweet granddaughter from first grade, I had an unusual mishap—I fell! I'm usually quite nimble and cautious, understanding the risks of a fall. Falling, regardless of age or condition, can veer your life off course, and that's exactly what happened to me.

My lack of attention and the new, grippy shoes led to a fall right in front of the high school. I heard a loud crack, felt my shoulder hit the concrete, and cried out in pain. With the help of kind strangers, I ended up in the emergency room and later visited an orthopedic doctor. I'm hanging in there. I've spent some introspective days nursing my wounds and reflecting on my choices and actions. And now, I'm back, albeit with a beautiful boot on my foot and a sling on my arm. In addition to the shoulder injury, I somehow managed to break a small bone in my ankle.

NEW SKILLS

I'm now learning to dictate my blogs in Microsoft Word and then transfer them to my blog, adding pictures and links as needed. It's a slow process, but it works, and it helps me share my experiences. While it will take some time to fully recover from this unexpected turn of events, I'm slowly making my way back to my to-do list. One area of simplification that I've been working on is reducing my driving time. Although I still drive a gasoline-powered car, my goal is to use it as sparingly as possible to conserve energy and reduce costs. I'm hopeful that I'll transition to an electric car in the near future, but for now, it's on hold. So, my friends, I'm grounded for now. My wings are temporarily clipped, and I'm here with you, communicating through a dictation program, and learning to embrace healing and patience.

As I'm already in a good position to live simply and sustainably, I don't have much chaos in my life or home. However, with some unplanned downtime, I've noticed areas where I can simplify further and be even more sustainable.

For example, it's fall here in the northwest, and it's time to swap out my summer wardrobe for warmer clothing. As a one-handed, one-footed person, I tackled this project slowly but surely. I arranged three boxes: one for items I'll wear this fall and winter, one for items to donate to a worthy cause, and one for items that could potentially be consigned. This project took me most of the day, but I ended up with fewer hangers, which means I now have a carefully curated closet filled with things I'll actually wear and enjoy.

KITCHEN TOOLS FOR SUSTAINABILITY

While working cautiously in my kitchen to prepare simple meals, I realized that I needed to update my storage containers. I prefer using glass containers with lids and some silicone storage bags in various sizes to reduce waste in food storage. I've included a couple of links below to products I use or would consider purchasing for your reference. It's been a practice of mine to avoid disposable storage bags for a couple of years now, and I don't miss them. I can wash the glass containers, and I simply wash and turn the storage bags inside out, placing them on the dish drainer to dry. They're dishwasher-safe too. When it comes to glass containers, I prefer those that are oven, microwave, and dishwasher safe, allowing for seamless transitions from refrigerator to oven or microwave and easy cleaning afterward.

I'll miss my walks during my five-week recovery period as I won't be able to venture out

without my supportive medical equipment. However, I'll still find joy in the beauty of the northwest when I have a ride here and there, and I'm grateful for that.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. I'll be in touch again soon. Enjoy the fall weather, wherever you are.

Warm regards, Linda

The Garden Gate Cottage

Here are some sustainable kitchen organization products that you can consider to help you keep your kitchen tidy and eco-friendly:

Glass Storage Containers Set: Designed to keep your food fresh, your kitchen organized, and the planet green. Eco-Friendly & Durable: airtight, BPA-free lids seal in the freshness, ensuring your food stays delicious and nutritious for longer. Glass containers are safe for the

microwave, oven, dishwasher, and freezer. The smooth surface makes

cleaning a breeze, and you can reheat your food without worrying about harmful

chemicals leaching into it. The lids are made from bamboo and can be used as a cutting board for cheese or vegetables or fruits AND the silicone seals ar great for keeping food fresh.

While I do reuse paper bags whenever possible due to their recyclability, these silicone bags have taken my sustainability efforts to the next level. They're not only reusable but also dishwasher safe, which makes cleaning a breeze. No more single-use plastic bags clogging up landfills!

Overall, this 24-pack of reusable silicone food storage bags has been a fantastic addition to my kitchen. They're environmentally friendly, versatile, leakproof, and family-approved. I can't recommend them enough, and you can purchase them through the link provided. Make the switch to a more sustainable kitchen and join me in reducing single-use plastic waste!

Reusable Beeswax Wraps for Food Set of 6 Organic Wax Wraps for Food Reusable; Reusable Beeswax Paper Food Wrap; Reusable Wax Food Wrap for Bread, Sandwich; Bees Wax Paper for Covering Food Bowls These wraps are great for covering leftovers or wrapping sandwiches. They are washable and can be used multiple times, reducing the need for plastic wrap. Natissy beeswax paper food wraps are a blend of cotton, beeswax, jojoba oil & pine tree resin.

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