A warming planet along with increasing populations in some parts of the world + decreasing populations in other parts are influences having an impact on the future of food. We've heard about American farmland being bought by foreign entities, other American farms being too flooded to plant at all this year, record temperatures in India along with dwindling water supply, famine in war-torn Yemen, and innovations like 3D printed food + large scale indoor hydroponics operations. The future of food feels a bit uncertain to say the least.

The world's food systems (including growing, raising livestock, transport, processing + packaging) are responsible for one-fourth of greenhouse gas emissions. What we choose to eat matters in the fight against climate change right now. Here are some ways to eat against climate change right now:

-eat local + seasonal :: grow something, farmer's market, CSA, local produce at the grocery store :: this decreases emissions from transport + supports small, organic, crop-diverse, independent farms + farmers

-less meat (+ cheese) :: the less the better :: 14.5% of global emissions come from livestock production :: 80% of current rainforest deforestation is driven by cattle ranching for beef export

​-choose organic :: pesticides threaten the health of farmers, deplete soil health, contaminate water supplies + aren't good for us or our children to eat

-choose unpackaged food :: fresh fruits + vegetables, bulk, returnable/reusable packaging :: plastic stays with us for at least 200 years + breaks down into pieces that end up in the ocean + air :: recycling produces more emissions + requires new plastic to be mixed with the recycled plastic

-bring your own bags :: shopping bags, produce bags, bulk bags :: paper + plastic bags require resources + emissions to create, transport + recycle...and are just unnecessary  :)

-buy only what's necessary :: shop with a list + eat it all :: throwing out food wastes not only the food itself, but all the emissions that went into making it + getting it into your hands 

-compost :: dumping food in the trash creates methane + doesn't decompose, because it's wrapped up in plastic + buried in the landfill :: compost turns into fertile soil

A few notes for myself:
-make getting to the farmer's market a priority again (ours doesn't operate during the cold months)
-vegetarian + fish on occasion. I don't think about it much at all anymore. I think that's because it's easy now...but I just want to turn up my awareness again. (I'm not worried about things like a little beef broth or eating meat at a friend's house...but don't want to get too lax.)
-decrease cheese

None of this information is new, but I find it good to check in with my actual habits (rather than intentions) periodically. Eating against climate change feels powerful at least in some small, doable way. The small oddities we present are the ones that spark conversation, so I'm not afraid to be a little strange now + then.  :) (For me, however, having friends make entirely custom meals for my family is too much to ask.) Even if one argues that eating for the planet isn't all that powerful or influential...it is a healthier way to eat. It is necessary...and not really that hard.  :)

Love,
Jane

There is beauty to be found in the most unassuming moment...
just after dinner is eaten + before the dishes need to be done,
waiting in the pick-up line,
walking the dog, 
bedtime with a child, 
just before the knob is turned,
just after the knob is turned,
before eyes are opened onto a whole new day,
in a familiar hug,
a familiar number on caller ID,
just outside the door,
just by looking up,
just by slowing down.
Beauty. It's waiting.

May was a beautiful month full of weather extremes + one big event for us...a wedding. In May, we bared our arms + legs to the sun...watched the rain fall for days + days...and camped out in the basement tracking a giant tornado. Clothing-wise, I wore a lot of varied pieces + combinations to keep warm + cool...often in the same day. These soft pants I purchased at the end of April were definitely my most worn piece. They are the perfect weight, so comfortable + go with everything from tanks to sweaters. 

I had the chance to test out this organic cotton/hemp tank quite a bit too. It's the perfect length, layers well, washes well + the arm scythe is just right. Note to self: a good purchase is quite easy to confirm (just not always so easy to find).  :)

The wedding had me a little more flustered about what to wear than I'd like to admit. My wardrobe is quite casual...just the way I like it. This wedding had me hearing all these little shoulds + shouldn'ts in my mind about lengths + colors of dresses, as well as what-ifs regarding temperatures for this outdoor affair in the upper midwest. I ended up collecting a few options, choosing the one that felt most "me" + confirming that absolutely no one cared what I wore.  :) So...there was a bit more returning of pieces this month than I'd like to admit or do again. 

For accountability's sake (May):
no wardrobe additions kept

Love,
​Jane

Ikea is a great place to get some exercise on a really cold or hot day. It's a great place to go for a lamp that uses energy efficient bulbs, a natural fiber rug or an all wood chair. Ikea is also good for a few other things...like an ice-cream cone or a crazy, loaded veggie hotdog served without any plastic.

It's where we take our spent batteries (the ones we were using before we started using rechargeable batteries) + compact lightbulbs. (SO glad to find a place to take these!)

If Julia is along, it is a place to buy bulk candy (+ to look for free unpackaged samples). We bring our own cloth bag, of course.  ;)

Ikea is the place I found my new favorite plant for $2. Oh, + I also found the solid wood shelf brackets that I went for.  ;) Thanks, Ikea.

Not sponsored :: I just appreciate so much of what this big brand does.  :)

Love,
Jane

Last week I mentioned growing, eating + wearing plants. Today I thought I'd add making with plants...linen specifically. Again, linen is a natural fiber that is breezy + cool in the summer. It is sturdy + long-lasting...gets better with age, time + wear...resists odors, so can go a little bit longer between washes ...and looks best a little rumpled. 

Of course, linen can be used for a wide variety of garments + in conjunction with any number of sewing patterns. The patterns collected here were chosen to mirror the readymade, fair pieces in the previous post + to inspire a few linen basics that could constitute a lovely, simple, summer wardrobe. A few breezy tops, a pair or two of versatile pants, a pair of shorts + a lovely dress could be all that's needed to make it through the hot months to come when used in combination with a few existing pieces in a wardrobe (or not).

I'm never advocating making or buying a whole new wardrobe...just showing a few pieces that could inspire seeing what might be "enough". If I like the idea of the pieces here, I might take out all of the warm weather pieces in my own wardrobe...see that I have all that I need to complete this formula...all but one or two tops...now I have a shopping/making list.  :) I might then feel much better about letting a worn out piece or two go (or sewing it into a produce bag, sachets to fill with lavender from the garden, or a new top...scraps saved for patching).

Here are a few of the linen basics I've made and worn over + over in the past few years.
-bantam tank
-fen top
-roberts overalls

All lovely photos via links. Lots more linen-compatible, indie sewing patterns to be found here a post that can be accessed at any time from the bottom of the ethical brands page.

Love,
Jane