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pot of gold

3/15/2018

"At the end of the rainbow you find a pot of gold." ~Jo, regarding this soup

Here is another subtle change on a regular around these parts. This was an experiment in left-overs gone oh, so good. :) Left over spaghetti squash (we probably had about 2-3 cups- but the amount is pretty irrelevant) + half of a can of coconut milk (uncharacteristically grabbed on a whim) + a little switch in the spices = yum. Had to capture it here, so I don't forget. Hope you don't mind. :)

Pot of Gold
part of an onion, diced
olive oil
4 cups water
left-over cooked spaghetti squash (or any squash/sweet potato)
potato, diced not peeled
2 carrots, sliced not peeled
handful or two of uncooked rice
jar of cooked beans
1 Tbsp. boullion
1/2 tsp. turmeric
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper flakes
1 tsp. grated ginger
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
half of a can of coconut milk

Amounts are approximate. Use what you have. Saute onion in olive oil until translucent. Whirl squash or sweet potato in a blender with a cup of water. Add water, squash (that Julia + I thought looked identical enough to a pineapple smoothie that it could be a good prank), + all the rest (except the coconut milk). Bring to a boil. Turn heat down + simmer until rice is cooked, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, stir in coconut milk, + enjoy!

Love,
Jane

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everyday zero-waste :: bedroom

3/13/2018

7 Comments

Moving through our house + reassessing each room in terms of zero-waste has brought me to the bedroom. I admit that this may be my way of distracting myself from calling spring cleaning what it is. Since cleaning is not something I love, I often try to cloak it in another activity like rearranging furniture. Most often it is a combination of the three: cleaning, zero-wasting/minimizing + moving furniture. :) I thrive on a change of perspective. As with the living room, I'm using Bea's five steps toward zero-waste to deeply consider how I want to use this room + what we actually need (+ don't need) to make that happen.

Our bedroom functions most predominately for sleep, so I would like this room to be as restful + clutter-free as possible. When we started from scratch (all 3 times), I considered a bed to be the only true necessity for the bedroom (+ I would still love for that to be all that is found here). Yet, I like to hang out in here sometimes during the day. This room is south facing + receives quite a lot of sunlight. So recently, I've added a comfy, but very clean-lined chair. After a lot of years sitting on my bed + the floor (which are also nice), my back appreciates it. The whole room received a rearrange, so that I could place the chair by the window. :) My sewing is done here on my desk. In order to keep things calm + uncluttered, I keep the sewing machine in the closet. Less clothes means there is room for it. :)

Refuse :: Refuse what we don't need.
-television- We can watch a movie on a laptop, if we want to.
-dresser- Mr. Tribe + I can fit our everyday wardrobes into our (non-walk-in) closet. We don't need a dresser. The top of a dresser can be fun to style, but ultimately just attracts clutter.
-desk- Here is where we need to really know ourselves. Do my girls like to do homework at a desk, or would they really rather spread out on the floor...or on the bed? Desks are helpful, when they are helpful! We don't need to get rid of something just to have less. I have a desk in my room now, because it gives me a space to set up my sewing machine + still be able to eat dinner at the dining table. Julia has a desk that lets her keep her keyboard at the ready + to draw or do homework. Jo never used her desk, so let it go. We just consciously reconsider each item...and then reconsider it again + again. :)
-workout equipment- We know if we use it. ;) I'd rather take a walk or do some yoga.
-bedside tables- I thought these were necessary once upon a time, because every bedroom tour featured them. At some point, I realized that I never touched the stuff inside mine...Mr. Tribe just piled receipts + pocket lint on his...and I got to dust them. :) Now our bed is low enough that we can reach our alarms on the floor.
-Any other furniture that seemed like a good idea, but never gets used. If it has piles of clothes or clutter on it, it's probably not necessary. I make the tiny effort to put clothes onto a hanger/shelf or in the laundry basket right away.
-freebies- It is not obligatory to accept others' cast-offs...even when we are just starting out. It's ok to say, "Oh thank you for thinking of me, but I don't think I really need it." No further explanation necessary. This applies to free t-shirts too. :)

Reduce :: Reduce what we do need.
-clothing- This is big! Check out the Fairdare. :)
-pillows- Ideally we'd each have one. I just need to find the right ones. (Recommendations welcome!)
-bedding- One set of sheets is enough for us. It goes right from the dryer back onto our bed. Sheets + towels are the only things we put in the dryer that was given to us.
-decorations- My goal is to have a restful space. I stop "seeing" things after a while anyway.
-curtains- This (like everything here) involves personal preference, but I prefer light curtains + find it easier to wake up with some light streaming through.

Reuse :: Keep it in use + out of the landfill. No new resources necessary.
-clothes- Wear, care for, tailor, repair + mend what is already in the closet. Sell or donate the excess. Buy second-hand.
-extra bedding- Cut it up + make bulk bags for the grocery store or replacement pillow cases or a slipcover for a thrifted chair or pajama pants. Donate it to a shelter.
-old t-shirts- Cut them up for cleaning rags (no sewing necessary).
-furniture- Craigslist is a great place to find desks, dressers, headboards or chairs, if deemed necessary. It also works for letting things go...as does the stoop or driveway.
-baskets- Laundry baskets may be found at a thrift shop, yard sale, or on Craigslist.

Recycle ::
-unusable bedding + clothing- Bring them to Goodwill + they will get them to places that reuse the fibers in carpet padding, insulation, + rags.
-unwearable athletic shoes- Get them to Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe program + they will be made into sports surfaces.
-cardboard shoeboxes
-dry cleaner hangers- return to the dry cleaner for re-use

Rot ::
-pillow feathers
-natural fiber sweater pills or lint (including dryer lint)
-hair
-fallen plant leaves

Enjoy the uncluttered, restful space...or take a nap. :)

Love,
Jane

7 Comments

100% organic cotton

3/12/2018

1 Comment

A big company like Prana deserves credit for an accomplishment like this. All of the cotton used in their spring collection is 100% organic! I'd love if they would use less polyester (recycled or not), but this is a big deal.

Another thing that I do appreciate about Prana (when I've ordered it for Mr. Tribe) is the fact that it comes just like the picture above shows...no plastic bag. Those "little" things add up! Just think of all those plastic bags saved! Ugh! (What is the point of them anyway?)

fair-trade certified + tencel
shirt-dress

fair-trade certified +
100% organic cotton

fair-trade certified + 100% organic cotton top

fair-trade certified +
100% organic cotton

organic cotton + hemp leggings

fair-trade certified +
100% organic cotton

It takes a little work to find the Prana pieces that are made with both fair-trade certified labor + natural fibers...but pieces are searchable under the "fabric" tab. Here are a few of the pieces that I can appreciate...both men's + women's.

This is progress, friends! (Now to get removed from that mailing list...again.)

Love,
Jane

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quality

3/9/2018

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It isn't enough just looking for quality in the products we buy,
we must ensure than there is quality in the lives of the people who make them.
~Orsola De Castro

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surprising squash

3/8/2018

4 Comments

My mom probably gets quite a kick out of this, because I was the girl still sitting at the table well after the dishes were done + everyone else had moved on to other things...still sitting there with a plate of cold squash to finish before I could leave the table. But now...we love spaghetti squash! :) Our favorite farmer asked if I knew about it years ago. He told me how to make it + sent me off with one. That year, Julia asked for it for her birthday meal. :) Thank you, Steve! We appreciate you in so many ways!

Spaghetti squash fits right in with my no fuss meal prep preferences. Cut it in half...scoop out the seeds+ loose goop...rub a bit of olive oil onto the cut sides...place it face down...bake at 375F for one hour...and scrape it with a fork to release the pasta like strands. Add tomato sauce + cheese (+ whatever else makes spaghetti at your house) + you've got a delicious meal!

This dish was amazing thanks to The First Mess Cookbook by Laura Wright. I don't feel like I should share her exact recipe, but it's on page 166 + I made it with broccoli, spinach, cashews, chia seeds, + her delicious peanut sauce. It was fantastic + so full of flavor! Check your library.

Please excuse the blurry, off-center photo featuring my sock...the days have gotten long enough to take photos at dinner time...but only outside. It was freezing + I had to be quick. :)

Love,
Jane

4 Comments

ethical prom

3/7/2018

4 Comments

via

This post is proof that I need you for all the good ideas! Thank you, Darbi, for suggesting an ethical prom post..."from clothing, to food, to money"! This one is so much fun!

Prom is something that gets idealized in our minds. With it come some costly traditions that seem a like imperatives...but I want to challenge a few of those. First we want to take a moment to consider what it is we really desire from prom. Do we want a ride in a limo, an expensive dress + a fancy meal? Or is what we're really after a fantastically fun + memorable time with good friends full of laughter + to feel like a beautiful version of our true selves?

I'm going to move forward in the state of mind of someone who chose the second set of desires. :) So a few thoughts:
#1: Be you! Let your style shine. That doesn't necessarily mean that you have to be an extrovert. Introverts often have well thought out style. So...if you want to wear Doc Martins or Converse to prom...do it! If you want to wear a velvet pant suit or...a t-shirt with a tulle skirt or...whatever makes you feel most like you...go for it! Have fun!
#2: Keep comfort in mind. I know I sound like a mama, but it comes from experience, strapless dresses need constant tending + sky-high heels are painful. Just sayin'. ;)
#3: Dare to be different in all the best ways. Prom doesn't have to cost the earth or an arm + a leg. The traditional stuff might seem like a right of passage, but it doesn't always (or usually) live up to the hype or make the most headway toward the ultimate goals above.

via

Ok, so...on to the fun part...clothing ::
-This is just my opinion...but I think that secondhand is often more interesting than what can be found at the mall...and no one else will be wearing the same dress. Plus it's the most ethical choice + often cheaper. Special occasion wear isn't usually worn very often, so pre-owned pieces can often be found in good/great condition.
-Raid someone else's closet (with permission, of course). Do a Pretty in Pink + alter it. Old prom dresses or bride's maid dresses might be offered up to you + often offer a lot of fabric, if not style. :) Maybe you could even organize a swap event.
-Try local thrift/consignment shops. Keep in mind that you can shorten a dress, remove sleeves, or tailor it (tailoring works best if the dress is a bit too big...not if it's too small).
-Consider making your dress, if you or someone you know sews. I was able to make my own dress exactly how I wanted it + saved money too.
-Etsy- there are so many options that could be fun to make your own (a few are pictured). Check out other resale sites like: Tradesy, Poshmark, Depop, eBay or Instagram. (Pay close attention to measurements.)
-Find inspiration...Gatsby's Daisy, Frida Kahlo flowers in your hair, Sharon Stone's 1996 (without the jacket) + 1998 Oscar looks, Audrey Hepburn, Diane Keaton... (I like these classic looks, because the photos are less likely to haunt the future you.) ;)
-The first collection of pictures above is 1920s inspired. A handmade dress could get a little extra sparkle from an Etsy art deco beaded appliqué. A thrifted or new slip dress could take on a distinctly twenties vibe layered under an Etsy beaded tank + a beaded appliqué sewn onto a ribbon and worn as a hairband (check the craft store for supplies). It's great that these dresses could easily be worn with a tee or jean jacket for everyday + the tank could work with cut-offs or jeans.
-Use what you already have. You may already have a pair of shoes + jewelry that work well (or borrow/swap some).
-Consider pieces that can be worn again. The two dresses on the left (just above) could be worn more casually with sandals or sneakers (maybe bring the length of the center one up a bit) + a denim or army jacket.
-Constant adjustment is no fun...stitch in a couple of straps made from matching ribbon or some of the fabric left over from alterations, if desired. Too tight...too short...too low cut...too much work.
-Feel + look amazing + then forget about your clothes + have fun!!

Hair + make-up:
-Be you. You already know what make-up looks best. Do your own make-up + just use your favorite products. Do your own hair or let someone you trust help. The salon most often makes me feel like someone other than me + doesn't usually know how my hair works...so the style doesn't last. Natural is truly beautiful, approachable, cheaper, less work, less stressful + more dependable. :)

via

Food:
-A picnic- I know that getting all dressed up + going out to a nice restaurant sounds enticing + traditional...but something totally different could be amazing + memorable! A fire pit + a bag of marshmallows (stick the bag in the plastic recycling bin at the grocery store)...pizza boxes (recycle the tops/compost the bottoms) at the park with a bunch of friends all dressed up. (I felt super conspicuous walking into a restaurant full of normally dressed adults...all of us in our prom gear.)
-There is something appealing to me about the thought of going to a drive-up restaurant like Sonic or In-N-Out with a bunch of friends before prom + making a big happy scene around those picnic tables. Or bring a tablecloth + candles to Chipotle + make a memory. Laughter + silliness is probably more fun than serious conversation in a serious restaurant. (Yup, trash.)
-Parents are not the coolest thing about prom night, but I bet there are a lot of mamas + papas out there who would love to put on a cook-out or potluck dinner in the backyard for a bunch of their favorite people + to clean up afterward. Simple food + friends = perfection.
-Farm to table restaurant. It doesn't have to be the most expensive one.

Transport:
-Riding bikes or skateboards could be super eco-cool + make for some awesome visuals!
-Embrace the ironic. Decorate your parents' minivan. Load it up with friends + have a ball. It's only a way to get around.
-Get your cool cousin to drive you. He can even pretend to be a Lyft driver, if it helps. :)
-Lyft? Uber?
-Carpool, because friends are the best part!
-Limo or party bus, if that's the thing, but pack it full + spread the cost around.

Stay safe + sober. You'll want to remember this. Laugh until your face hurts. Be silly. Have fun + make memories with your beautiful friends! :)

Love,
Jane

4 Comments

a small, fair wardrobe :: for work

3/6/2018

2 Comments

I am currently a stay-at-home mama, so my wardrobe is a little different than it would be, if I was going to work five days per week. I wanted to think about what a small, fair work wardrobe might look like for me...so I gave it a try. I think that these pieces could actually work just as well for my life now...but would be enough for a work-away-from- home/weekend life as well. I am so in love with this little wardrobe! It's not even for me (in reality), but it seriously made me so happy just thinking about it + knowing that it is possible to have such variety from such a small number of pieces!

Here are some of the ways that I would happily wear these pieces:
-that linen jacket with either of the pants or over the dress...so cute...and that jacket is secondhand!
-the black jacket would look cool over the dress + could swing from casual to quite dressy depending on shoes + whether the v-neckline was worn to the front or to the back
-the black jacket with a black tee + the white jeans...an all black pant suit...or either of the pants with the white top + the black jacket...so many different looks
-the navy dress could be worn alone as a dress...or could be worn buttoned up over pants...or it could be worn as a duster over the dress or either of the pants + tee...roll-up the sleeves or not...unbutton the sides or not
-the navy top could be worn with the dress or either of the pants + the black jacket could be worn over top too
-either of the pants could be worn with the tee or button down
-the button down could be tied or worn open over the dress
-a tee could be worn over or under the dress
-and then...switch out the shoes with any of these combinations + that can change the style in a instant too!

I think it would take quite a long time for me to tire of these 12 pieces!

A few things that I kept in mind as I gathered the pieces:
-each piece needs to work with most of the others
-comfort is a value of mine whether I'm at work or not
-basic colors are not boring...and I do not tire of them as easily as more "exciting" colors
-layers can add interest + work for different seasons + levels of heat/air-conditioning
-shoes can change the entire feel of basic pieces...choose them wisely
-vary the price points...thrift as much as possible (I would look for each of the new pieces second-hand before buying them new)
-use what is already in the closet- most of us already have a couple of tees, a pair of black pants, a button-down, etc...this is just inspiration

A little can go a very long way, if chosen well!

Love,
Jane

All of the photos of these gorgeous pieces via links.

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everyday zero-waste :: mornings

3/5/2018

8 Comments

I've had my ups + downs with zero-waste mornings. Some switches were simple (package-free soap...once I found it). Some switches involved a progression, (first recycled/recyclable plastic toothbrushes) because it took a few years for the alternative (bamboo toothbrushes) to arrive in our country. Some things like shampoo involved quite a lot of trial + error. Face moisturizer that I liked was found one year, but the maker had disappeared by the time I needed a replacement. Now I'm happy to have found a new replacement! The transition hasn't been super quick or easy...but I'm happy with quite a lot of what I'm using at the moment. :)

Some of my favorites:
-Meow Meow Tweet skin cream :: for my face
-home made toothpaste
-home made lip balm
-Lush conditioner bar :: tried + didn't like this for my hair...now I use it on my body at the end of my shower + follow with a quick rinse...I don't feel greasy + don't need to apply lotion
-wooden comb :: strangely it feels like my hair dries faster now...which I like, because I don't use a hairdryer
-bamboo toothbrush

Love,
Jane

8 Comments

weekend reads + such

3/3/2018

0 Comments

Check out the updated fair athletic wear post. There are some new resources, like Tasc + Mission Workshop. As always, look for these brands on ebay or other resale sites for used items at lower prices.

Speaking of athletic wear, these shoes are made from plastic bottles.
Climate friendly farming to fiber we can use.
This brought back memories of those transportive fashion catalogs.
I was too late this time (8 minutes in!), but this collaboration is just that good.
Garment worker interactive reports.
"Do you agree there's a monster at the front door?"

I believe that this monster can finally be tamed
Deep in the hearts of the hearts of the youth
There is a magical flower blooming parachutes
Plenty to go around
~Trevor Hall

Have an amazing + hopeful weekend, friends!
Love,
Jane

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thrive

3/2/2018

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"A simple closet is the gateway to a simple life.

Once you begin to enjoy the benefits of dressing with less, you'll get very curious about living with less. Once I realized how little I needed in the closet not only to get by but to thrive, I wondered what else was holding me back from even more thriving and happiness."
~Courtney Carver in Soulful Simplicity

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pot of gold

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