Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Slow Living 2012 - Month 1

Welcome to Month 1 of Slow Living 2012 - a diary to help keep track of my goals and progress for the year. If you would like to do a similar post on your blog using these categories, leave a link in the comments section and I'll include your link in my sidebar. For more information on this journal and a run down of each category, click here.


NOURISH:  We've been eating garden fresh nori rolls,  frozen bolognaise into pasta bakes, and lots of homegrown cucumber salads. Must make a batch or two of healthy tween snacks..especially with school starting.


PREPARE (stockpile & preserve): During month one I added the following to our preserves cupboard: Old fashioned orange squash, bottled peaches, tomato passata, bottled apricots, strawberry & blueberry jam and bottled pear & plum mix. 


REDUCE waste, repair & re-purpose: I've discovered twiggy pea wig-wams make wonderful tomato supports for no additional effort! I also stumbled across a new way of shopping at ethic.

CREATE: January saw a small selection of homemade jams and soap packaged as gifts.

GREEN: During the month I also made our third batch of homemade laundry detergent. I'm officially a convert!

GROW: Growing: tomatoes, mini-eggplant, pumpkin, carrots, beans.  Harvesting: zucchini, cucumber, potatoes, apricots(!)

DISCOVER: Lots of books are off the shelf at the moment, both gifts and the from the library. I really want to set aside more time for reading during February. Last month with school holidays in full swing, it was a write off!

I have a soft spot for Anita Diamant and have thoroughly enjoyed the preserving books.


ENHANCE community: This month by month diary!

ENJOY life!: I took great pleasure in seeing the eldest turn 12 and watching her prepare for secondary school.

homemade pea wigwams turned tomato growers!

Joining in this month are:


Like to join in too? Leave a link to your blog post in the comments section and I'll include it here and in my sidebar!
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38 comments:

  1. I became a homemade laundry detergent convert over a year ago :) :) it's fabulous , cleans great and is so cheap to make :) :) Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather :)

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    1. Absolutely, Heather, we wouldn't be without it! It's so quick to make, too..just 15-20 minutes! :)

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  2. Are you just going to update this diary once a week or each day? Greta idea. I absolutely love the link there to the little shop you found. I would so love to open something like that here where I live. There is simply nothing like it around for over 100k's. Cheers, Wendy

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    1. Hi Wendy, I'll be updating this diary at the end of each month - it would be wonderful if you decided to join in!

      Ethic is amazing...I have been stashing away some empty containers to go into a 'designated ethic box'.. I can't wait to go back!

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  3. Hi Christine, I am in. I hve done my first diary entry,
    http://aclotheslineoutheback.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/joining-in.html

    I think you are amazing for doing this.
    Cheers, Deb

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    1. Fantastic, Deb!! I've added your link to the blog (and you are too kind). :)

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  4. Dear Christine,
    Thanks for this great idea! I have also linked to your post.
    Here is my entry:
    http://dhilmaa.blogspot.com/2012/02/slow-living-2012.html
    Also, I have got many great cooking recies from your blog and have tried them with great success!! Keep up the great work and here's to a slow 2012!

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  5. Wonderful, Dhilma! Cheers to a slow 2012!! :)

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  6. Here's mine, it was so enjoyable to think back through the month and all the good stuff we've been up to! Thanks Christine... looking forward to reading others peoples too.

    http://eatatdixiebelles.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/slow-living-january-2012.html

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  7. It's gotta be a good thing to focus on the good stuff, dixiebelle! It's so much fun to have you joining in! :)

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  8. I'd love to join in Christine. I have found so many great ideas from reading your blog and others.
    http://all--in--the--family.blogspot.com.au/

    Thanks for the opportunity to join.

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  9. Hi Christine. Here is my post: http://fromaplant.blogspot.co.nz/2012/02/slow-living-journal-january.html This was a great way to think back on what I have been doing and focus on where to next! Looking forward to following along :)

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  10. It's great to have you along, from a plant! I've added your link. ;)

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  11. I really like this idea, Christine...I just did my post today ...maybe I will join in next month though. Your month though sounds kind of like mine, discovery , planning and doing! We are loving the homemade laundry detergent and would never go back to the other now !

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  12. Here's my link
    http://lubelyamai.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/slow-living-in-2012.html

    I get so inspired by other people's blog posts, I can't wait to see what this year brings. Thanks Christine.

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  13. Hi Christine, Thank you posting this, I would like to join you as well and have posted my monthly update here http://jugglingthehome.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/slow-living-essential-month-1.html . I am eager to look at everyone elses as well to discover new ideas.

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  14. Anytime, Kim! It was so satisfying today breezing past all the laundry detergents at the shops ;)

    Great, Carole and Sheridan - I've popped your links in the post - I'm looking forward to reading your posts..as soon as I pick up eldest from school! ;) Thanks for playing along.

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  15. What a wonderfully thought provoking post Christine...you really made me think about what i am doing also! I love making the laundry detergent now and i never thought i would say that sentance!!

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  16. I joined in! Just posted on my blog www.faeryfaysflowersknits.blogspot.com.au/

    What fun!:-) Thanks Christine!

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  17. Hi Christine
    I would love to play but just too tired the last few days. I might join in next month. Love reading everyones posts though.

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  18. http://mavenintraining.blogspot.co.nz/ Joining in month by month. A good way to refocus and be more motivated!

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  19. Hi there, Could you help me please, or anyone else.I'm trying to put a picture behind my blog title as you have yours and i can add the photo but it is way too long? Sorry im a newbie to this and cant find how to make the picture shorter. Can anyone help?

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  20. Linking up with you on this post http://lifeatarbordalefarm.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/slow-living-2012-month-1.html

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  21. Thanks for supporting this, people! I hope we all get a lot out of it! Racheal, I replied to your query on your blog ;)

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  22. Cheers, Christine! This is a fantastic idea and will flourish, no doubt, in such a supportive community. I believe that January is shot for me, but I promise to participate in February. Thanks so much for sharing and for providing such a fantastic source of inspiration via your blog.

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  23. Saw this over at Faery Fay's Knits and Flowers... what a beautiful initiative. I think I will start this in my own journal. Beautiful.

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  24. Great, Emily, looking forward to it!

    It's a bit of fun, rebekah, I hope you enjoy it as much as I am :)

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  25. I have just written up my post for month of January. A wonderful idea to reflect back on the month. And love the inspiration from others. http://purplepearorganics.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/slow-living-month-by-month.html

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  26. Fantastic, Kate, have added you to the list! ;)

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  27. Ok Christine, I've posted my first month's worth and had more fun than I thought I would, thinking back to what I'd achieved! Thanks for the push in the right direction!!
    I'm also enjoying looking at what others have been doing too!
    Here's the link - http://sistersun.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/slow-living-2012-january-belated.html

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    1. I'm glad you had fun, Evi! I've added your link ;)

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  28. LOVE your home made wigwams. And I'm super impressed with the ethical store. What a wonderful pace to shop. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all grocery stores looked like that.

    I've finally posted my January entry: http://www.littleecofootprints.com/2012/02/slow-living-diary-january-2012.html

    Thank you for starting this. Its a lovely idea :-)

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    1. Ahh, ethic. Yes, I was back there just this morning, Tricia, such a good feeling not carting home unnecessary packaging! (Plus yummy, organic fruity treats help too!).

      Wonderful that you're joining in - your link is up. :)

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  29. Hi Christine

    Just discovered your blog through little eco footprints and have fallen in love with this diary template (and your blog :) )

    I'm Joining in at http://slowfoodfastchildren.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/slow-living-monthly-journal-january.html

    Cheers
    Kea

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  30. Have added your link, Kea! Nice to 'meet' you! :)

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  31. Hello again Christine, I have joined in over at http://domesticartisan.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/slow-living.html
    Thanks again for the wonderful community spirit, Stacey.

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  32. Oh when you have a look, I also put your photo button up on the right handside referencing your blog, I hope that's ok? If not I am more than happy to remove it. Thanks.

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  33. Lovely to have you join in, Stacey! You are more than welcome to use the pic ;)

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Thanks for taking the time to stop by and say hi. I enjoy reading your comments and just love to hear what you are up to.

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