6 Reasons to Add Greenery to your Surroundings

I don’t know about you, but I have a black thumb. It seems, however, that with practice, my plant killing tendencies are slowly reversing and turning into plant nurturing ones. Granted, I have not been successful in keeping many plants alive - I am just so forgetful and one of those over thinkers when it comes to keeping them alive! I used to fear for any added pets or children, but it turns out that cats are easier to keep alive than a sweet little succulent plant. Go figure.

My mother and grandmother always had plants, and they were gorgeous, so it’s amazing to me that that knack of keeping small trees and flowers alive did not transfer over to me. Too bad. Guys, I even struggle with keeping fresh basil alive!

I used to cringe when people gave me potted plants as gifts, because I knew that if they ever came back, that plant would not be a thriving thing of beauty. No, it would be shrivelled and black - or worse, the pot would be left and the plant dumped out.

Anyway, now that I have experienced some success in keeping some small plants alive, my eyes have been open to how wonderful having some greenery around can be! I mean, I always knew it was a good thing but I guess I never truly embraced it.

If you’re like me and hesitant to bring home (or accept as gifts!) some greenery, this post is for you!

Improves air quality. By reducing carbon dioxide and increasing humidity. Even NASA had a study on this years ago. Check out this excerpt:

“Both plant leaves and roots are utilized in removing trace levels of toxic vapors from inside tightly sealed buildings. Low levels of chemicals such as carbon monoxide and formaldehyde can be removed from indoor environments by plant leaves alone.” When talking about the relationship between plants and space travelers, NASA notes that plants, "provide nourishment for the body when eaten as food, and they improve the quality of indoor air. Plants take the carbon dioxide from air to produce oxygen that humans can breathe."

Pretty cool!

Creates a mood. Especially when your plant pots are super cute and match your decor. Am I right or am I right?

Fosters creativity. I don’t know about you, but when I’m in a space with natural settings, I feel much more creative. In the Summer I love working on my deck for this very reason. I do some of my best writing outside, and when I can bring the outside in, it fosters my creativity.

Reduces stress. Or is this just me?

Adds life to your surroundings. Plants are living things. Add some literal life to your surroundings by putting some plants out.

Creates appreciation for nature in general. I promise once you start taking care of these, you’ll start appreciating others’ gardens and houseplants more! You may even start recognizing and putting a name to the leaf!

So you’re sold. Now you want to get out and buy all the green things. There are still some things to consider, however. Here are some tips to choose the best houseplants for you:

Consider your plant abilities. Are you like me with a black thumb? Find some easy-to-care-for plants that will take talent to kill. Succulents are a good start. Do some research as to My personal favourite are snake plants, as I can successfully keep them alive, PLUS they are gorgeous.

Consider the size of your home. How much space do you have in your home? Can you handle having a larger plant, or are smaller ones better? Plants need space to get breathing air too! Do you have a lot of windows to let in sunlight, or do you need to get a plant that prefers shade?

Consider the humidity and temperature. Some plants require more humidity than others. If you want a tropical plant, this is definitely something you will want to consider as they need more humidity. Keeping plants that require more humidity away from your heat and air conditioning units is definitely something you’ll want to think about as they dry the air and change the temperature, obviously.

Consider your family and pets. Does your family have any allergies to any of the plants you plan on bringing home? Are the plants toxic to your fur babies? Do your research before bringing home your new plant friend.

Do your research, whatever you decide. Know how to water, fertilize, and care for the plants you bring into your home. Like people, each plant has unique needs for the best care. Most importantly, have fun learning and don’t give up!

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Do you have houseplants? What kind? Any tips for someone with a black thumb?

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How We Cut Down Our Grocery Bill Without Cutting Down on Food

The grocery budget. The bane of my existence. I know I can’t be the only one who struggles with the whole grocery budget thing, so I decided to share today about how we cut down our budget without changing our diet.

A few years ago, our grocery bill was pretty much through the roof. For only two people, we were sure spending quite a bit on groceries. Naturally, the bill would be even higher in months like December (Christmas parties galore!) and July (Camping trips, anyone?). We knew we had to make a change and fast.

After we paid off the first third of our student loans back, we decided it was time to really be tight with our grocery budget and we have thus far been successful. In fact, our way of looking at our budget has simplified altogether as a result of this and managing and saving money has never been easier. I decided to focus on the grocery part of things today. Stay tuned for a budgeting post!

What Is Included in my Grocery Budget?

For us, “grocery” includes anything that we eat and any other expendables such as toiletries (shampoo, soap, etc.). Basically anything you can get at your local grocery store that is a necessary consumable for survival. So if you have kiddos and choose to buy diapers, that would fall under that category, and for a cat, food and litter would also fall under this category.

How Much is in my Grocery Budget?

For our budget, our rule of thumb is $100/month per person who lives in our house. You will probably want to consider pets as well as they have food and waste needs as well. We count our fur baby as half a person at $50/month and we never actually end up spending that much on her. This keeps things SUPER simple, because you’re only thinking about one number to stay under per week!

Being Strict About Shopping

In order to keep this realistic, it is EXTREMELY important that you only go to the grocery store once a week, or once every two weeks. Have you ever noticed that every time you go to the store you end up dropping anywhere between $30 and $50 a time? Yes. That is why you need to be strict with yourself and only go once a week.

I get it, you might run out of milk or something. So write it down, and go to the store and ONLY BUY MILK! Keep those blinders on!

Writing lists also helps you use coupons effectively if you do that to save money.

Related: How Not to go Broke From Buying Groceries

Make A Meal Plan and Shopping List

This is key if you want to stick to the once a week shopping trip. That one time a week trip needs to be guided by a strict shopping list. I get it, you forget to write things down sometimes, but try to visualize everything you will need for the week as you plan and write the grocery list down. Then, when you go to the store, stick to it! We also keep a running shopping list on our fridge. So when we run out of things like ketchup or salad dressing, we can add it to the list quickly and easily.

Related: Confessions of a Meal Planner

Shopping Our Kitchen

Every few months, we make it a point to shop our kitchen for our meal plans. This essentially means that we try to use up everything in our pantry and freezer before buying more. I know that a lot of people like to keep a fully stocked pantry, however, sometimes this leaves you prone to buying too many duplicates or forgetting what you have. We make sure that our pantry is laid out in a way that we can see everything we have when we open the door. We use clear glass containers so we can see the amounts of everything we have as well. We use up our things before adding them to the list.

By doing this, we have also been able to take better note of what items we use more than others and know what we need to write down on the list. Some items are only bought once for an experiment or special event and never needed again.

Related: Confessions of a Meal Planner Part 2

Eat A Lot of Fresh Produce

Getting in your share of veggies actually helps you keep your budget down! Targeting fruits and vegetables that are in season is really great for your budget, and your body as well! Processed food - especially the plant based kind - can be pricey!

Related: 10 Apps and Extensions We Use to Save Money

Making/Growing Our Own Staples

I’ve learned how to make a few of our staples which has cut down on our grocery bill. Bread is the one that has saved us the most so far, since my husband likes heavier bread being from Europe and all. Things like ketchup and almond milk cost about the same to make as to buy (I’ve done the math and it’s true for our area unless the ingredients are on sale).

I know a lot of people who save a lot on their grocery budget by growing their own food! We haven’t done this yet for ourselves since I have a black thumb...

Shop Sales Strategically

Buy more of your staples when they are on sale, and avoid the sales of things you don’t generally eat - unless you have it on your meal plan or know for sure you will eat it. I’ve seen the tendency of people to buy things simply because they are on sale, only to have them go to waste later!

Having Fun and Being Positive

We allow ourselves to have a few splurges a month (like a pint of our favourite vegan ice cream that costs way too much!), but the best thing to keep in mind is not that you are restricting your budget, but that you are creating a way of life that keeps you mindful of everything you spend and everything you eat! It’s a good thing-trust me.

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Controlling your grocery spending can be hard to do, but I believe in you! Reduce your spending and increase your savings! It will be worth it.

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Pom Pom Toque

It has been a while since I shared some crochet creations. I haven’t really had time to sit down and get some projects out. I actually have a really fun project just sitting on the sidelines until I find some time to sit down and finish it.

I was able to get some fun toques done! Or hats. Or….beanies? Whatever you call it where you are from.

I don’t remember where I found the pattern for this particular hat (it is a pretty standard hat that just uses a double crochet across until you’re done…), but the highlight was definitely making the pom pom to go on top. Who doesn’t love a good pom pom?

I actually made this (and a second matching one) for some sweet pen pals of mine, but I had to sneak in some pictures before sending them off to their new home! Of course, the lake seemed like the perfect place to do such things. I can’t believe how beautiful Lake Michigan is in December! These colors were almost unreal!

I’m going to have to whip up some more! Good thing they’re fun and easy to put together and make great gifts!

The pom pom was definitely my favorite thing about the process. I had made a few before, and really enjoyed it. There is a certain sense of satisfaction when you make your own pom pom with nothin but a piece of cardboard, scissors, and your hands. Honestly, that’s why I like to crochet! It’s fun to do things and be creative!

Hope you didn’t mind me sharing some more of my hobby! Perhaps I should start writing out my patterns.

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Did you crochet yourself something warm this Winter?

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Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts

I don’t know how things were for you growing up, but for me, Brussels sprouts were the thing to avoid at all costs. All. Costs. I thought they were the most bland, disgusting things ever grown in someone’s garden.

Turns out, I just experienced a bad cook. Huh.

I’m never one to turn down food, especially if it’s a good roasted vegetable. I’ve come to learn that vegetables don’t have to be bland or boring. Foods that are good for you don’t have to taste awful (although medicine does, am I right?).

I remember when I first had some sprouts that tasted, well, good! I was shocked and amazed and I decided that Brussels sprouts and me could be friends again.

This delicious side was inspired by my amazing Christmas vacation in Canada. It had been years since being able to go home to Canada for the holidays with my family, and I was over the moon at the miracle that occurred that allowed my hubby and me to go! We had a fantastic, albeit short, week.

Anyway, while there, my legendary mom whipped up some amazing Brussels sprouts. I had thirds.

It has been a very long, and very cold Winter, so I’ve loved finding solace in these delicious sprouts - even back in the good old US of A. They are delicious hot or cold and the hint of sweetness makes it perfect. They are the perfect side for pretty much anything. Not going to lie - I’ve even put them inside of ramen. For breakfast. Don’t judge.

I’ll keep this short so you can get right to the good stuff!

Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts

What you need:

• 1lb Brussels Sprouts

• 1 TBSP Olive Oil (or vegan butter. alternatively, use water)

• 1 TBSP Maple Syrup

• 2 tsp Roasted Garlic and Red Peppers Seasoning (optional) (I use this brand from Amazon)

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1/2 tsp sea salt

What to do:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

2) Wash and cut the sprouts in half. In a bowl, add all ingredients and toss until Brussels sprouts are completely coated

3) Spread your veggies on a prepped baking sheet

4) Bake for 45 minutes or until tender

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How do you like your Brussels sprouts?

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