New Beginnings

I’m a gardener. Finally.

Rusty — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 22:33:28 +0000

Like most modern (and not so modern) women, I am many things. Mother. Wife. Marketer. Writer. Greenie. Liberal. Buddhist. Recovering Alkie. And now I’m a garderner. Yep. That’s right, bitches (it just sounded cool…I don’t really think you’re a bitch. Really). I finally got beyond the talk and threw down. The weekend before last, Jeff and I got out there and worked for a full day and a half. I prepped the beds and he fixed the existing fence and put up the missing length.

We planted two of the beds with: peppers, tomatoes, garlic, onions, shallots, basil, cilantro, squash, cucumbers, lettuce and kale. I planted a kitchen herb garden in a big garden urn outside my door, too. We also beefed up our already existing compost pile. Now my darling husband is dismantling pallets to use for a 3 bin compost system (3 3×3 bins – 1 for carbon, 1 for nitrogen, 1 for compost).

After a lifetime of killing plants, I feel pretty proud and excited about this new venture. Not only is it good for the environment and good for my family…it’s good for me. I get to participate in that secret club of gardening where peace and stillness is found in the dirt and the green, pretty things that grow from it. I’m pretty stoked.

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Indie Doc Film: Garbage Dreams

Rusty — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:53:54 +0000

I watched this on PBS’ Independent Lens last night. An amazing short documentary film on how recycling and garbage is the lifeblood of this community. And how the culture and way of life is being destroyed by foreign companies that DON’T recycle or reuse…landfill, landfill, landfill. This community of recyclers is proud to recycle 80% of the garbage they collect back into raw goods to be sold to manufacturers. I encourage you to watch it.

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/garbage-dreams/

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Five years. 5. F.I.V.E.

Rusty — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:06:50 +0000

Unhappiness is best defined as the difference between our talents and our expectations.

-Edward De Bono

A couple of weeks ago, any post I would have written would have come out as either crazy mumbo jumbo or a rant that would scare any newcomer to sobriety. Now that I’m a little more stable , I have half a chance of writing something coherent. Lucky you. So, my friends, what does five years of sobriety look like? Better yet, how does it look compared to all of my wild expectations? Hmmm, each question lends itself to a very different answer.

Expectations. They are ridiculous. Or, should I say, my expectations for myself and those around me are ridiculous. Where I should be in my recovery – in my life – is right where I am. That’s not to say that I shouldn’t strive for betterment, enlightenment, progress. I do. But to place a certain quantifiable value on the quality of my life based on how many years I’ve been sober is just a little silly, isn’t it. And yet. I still do it. Worse yet, I still do it for other people, too. Obviously, this recovery thing is a process (oh yea, progress, not perfection). So annoying.

As I mentioned, a couple of weeks ago I was pretty batty. Hella crazy. Depressed and miserable. I won’t bore you with the details, but I will tell you that a lot of it came down to one thing: hormones. Melody had warned me years ago that unbalanced hormones can be the root of many medical problems. And that some mental/psychological issues can actually be medical problems caused by effed up hormones. Guess what. I had my hormones done and they are completely out of whack. Fast forward a couple of weeks and some progesterone and exercise later and I am no longer swimming around in the dark, murky poor me pond. Frankly, it’s a huge relief.

“So, where you at?” Well, I’m right here. There is drama, I can’t deny that. There is no getting around the fact that this economy sucks. Sucks. But, truthfully, I cannot even count the ways in which my life is blessed. How amazing that I get to be weird ole’ me in this fabulous world. My husband is awesome. My kids are thriving: despite the hormonal charges of impending puberty, my son is loving and sweet; my daughter loves school, loves basketball and soccer, and loves puppies. My family is loving and supportive of my recovery and my path. We are part of an amazing Sangha, to which I am able to lend my talents in the form of service. My company has launched a new family of connectivity products that has been well received by the industry. I joined the Master Recyclers program and am enjoying the challenge. I am an Eco-Consultant for a very cool and progressive company, Green Irene. Seriously, can it get much better?

If you found this site because you’re struggling with alcohol and trying to figure out what the hell is happening to you: hi and welcome! Please feel free to comment or ask questions. Please understand, though, that my experience and success has come from AA. There are other pieces to my puzzle, such as Buddhism, creativity, and health, but the core piece is the 12 steps. Not acupuncture, yoga, magic pills, SMART, religion, whatever. And, dude, if I can do it, anyone can.

Love,
Rusty

12 Step Buddhist Retreat I know that I’ve mentioned many times that I am...

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Clean Beauty Wallet Card

Rusty — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:02:34 +0000

By popular demand, the file below contains a printable Wallet Card that lists common beauty and cleaning product ingredients to avoid. This card can be a handy reference while shopping, and it can be a fun marketing tool to hand out to current and potential clients.

WalletCard_CleanBeauty_0209

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12 Step Buddhist Retreat

Rusty — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:52:01 +0000

I know that I’ve mentioned many times that I am a 12 stepper, as well as a Buddhist. I think I’ve even shared some resources that I found helpful while trying to figure out my spiritual and recovery paths. I haven’t, however, updated this theme in a couple of years. Nor have I really expanded on how the two paths are really only one.

This past weekend I had the privilege of spending a couple of days at the first annual 12 Step Buddhist retreat at Breitenbush. What started as an uncomfortable and awkward endeavor transformed into a revealing, peaceful, amazing journey of fellowship, recovery, and spirituality. I left on Sunday feeling refreshed and committed. I left with a sense of purpose with my own personal path, but also a sense of understanding and companionship in my relationship with my husband that wasn’t there before.

If you’re looking for a way to integrate your recovery (or the recovery of someone you love) with the principles of Buddhism, I highly recommend Darren Littlejohn’s book, The 12-Step Buddhist: Enhance Recovery from Any Addiction. And if you have the opportunity to participate in any of his classes, meditations, or groups, I suggest you go. His retreat was my first and I promise it won’t be my last.

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TodaysMama.com is looking for writers!

Rusty — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:02:02 +0000

Local Bloggers Wanted! APPLY HERE: http://www.todaysmama.com/author_entry.php

TodaysMama.com is looking for moms in cities across the country to blog about local topics they are passionate about. Sample local categories include:

Arts
Deals and Steals
Education
Entertainment
Family Activities/Places to Go
Food/Dining
Green Living
Health and Fitness
Parenting
Politics
Recreation
Style
Have a topic you’d love to blog about? Tell us about it and we’ll consider adding it to the list.

Our goal is to inform, enrich and inspire the lives of our readers. We want to be the gathering place for the best of local information for mothers and families right alongside the best national content on the web.

Local Sites and Networks
We are looking for bloggers in all of our local regions. Even if you don’t see your area listed, please apply. We’ll expand rapidly in 2010!

Time Commitment
One post a week is required at a minimum, however you are free to post as often as you’d like. We also require at least a year long commitment to the position.

Benefits
– Additional exposure to a targeted demographic
– Expanded network of other moms and bloggers
– Inclusion in local press releases
– Participation in scheduled media appearances and interviews
– Ongoing training and insights
– Linking opportunities for your blog or website

Compensation
Local bloggers are paid a competitive rate based on page views. Payment systems are set up through PayPal. Local Bloggers are Independent Contractors and will receive a 1099.

What Happens Once I Apply?
One of our editors will be in touch with you soon to follow up.

APPLY HERE: http://www.todaysmama.com/author_entry.php

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Meet your new local Eco-Consultant

Rusty — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:23:43 +0000

That’s right, folks. I have started my own practice as a trained Green Irene Eco-Consultant for the Rogue Valley/Southern Oregon area. I can help families and small offices implement proven green solutions and help lead them to a healthier, safer, and more sustainable lifestyle, along with saving them money! Green Irene is not your typical direct sales gig…a lot of the advice we provide is free and we often refer you to products outside our line. This is really about helping you go green.

The main service I offer is a 60-to 90-minute Green Home Makeover. The steps I recommend and the products I offer, as well as referrals to specialists, can help save you energy and water. I can also help improve your indoor air quality, remove toxic chemicals from your home, reduce the waste you generate (which ends up in landfills) and improve the purity of the water your family drinks. By doing an inventory of your wasteful incandescent lighting, I can also show you how to save $1,000s on your electric bill.

After I have finished the consultation, I will show you tips and products to make your home healthier. I can help you replace your wasteful incandescent bulbs, install low-flow shower heads, upgrade your thermostat and show you toxic-free cleaning options. There are many other green options I offer, which you can find in my online product catalog.

I also offer Green Office Makeovers for small businesses to help them adopt and implement green practices. The tools and solutions I can show businesses will not only help them take their first steps to going green, but also show how to successfully reduce costs and waste. I will present a set of recommendations and concrete steps in areas like energy conservation, creating a toxic-free workplace, green purchasing strategies and sustainable travel and transportation.
Along with the Green Home Makeover and Green Office Makeover, you will receive a three-month “Ask Green Irene” Membership. This extensive, green database allows you to research green questions that may arise after the initial Green Home Makeover and Green Office Makeover. It also allows you the ability to email questions to a Green Irene researcher for an answer to any green question not yet covered in the database.

I welcome you to visit my website at www.GreenIrene.com/rustyrogue where you can find more information about my consulting services as well as look at the products I offer in my product catalog (click on the SHOP NOW icon).

I look forward to talking with you soon about steps you can take for a healthier, greener home and office!

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Why Women Drink

Rusty — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:29:27 +0000

An interesting article, if a little over stereotypical in it’s attempt to be the opposite. Yes, AA was started by middle class, middle aged, white guys. Yes, the language from the Big Book doesn’t speak directly to us. But (big fat but), the program has a solution for us, too. Especially, with the help of a supportive sponsor, other women in the program, and a few other materials, such as A Woman’s Way through the Twelve Steps and The Little Read Book for Woman.
Why They Drank: After Accident, Other Alcoholic Moms Tell Their Stories – Diane Schuler

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Addiction Transfer, really?

Rusty — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:07:27 +0000

So here’s my question of the day: If we become alcoholics after gastric bypass (or other WLS) surgery and then call it “addiction transfer,” aren’t we shortchanging ourselves from proving that we suffer from a medically-based disease? I think we are…what do you think? For the record, I don’t deny the very obvious psychological components intertwined in all addiction, which is why a spiritual antidote is necessary. But, I truly believe that there must be a medical explanation to what has happened.

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WTF are “Natural Flavors” and are they really natural?

Rusty — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:24:10 +0000

Uh, no. Just a little Internet research will tell you that Natural Flavors are, in fact, created by scientists in labs. Because something is synthesized or created in a laboratory does not necessarily make it evil or bad for you. However, it does make one wonder how safe our food labeling is if MSG can be hidden with the less frightening term “natural flavors.”

The more I read about our food supply chain (reading now: “Recipe for America: Why Our Food System is Broken and What We Can Do to Fix It”) the more I realize how out of control it is. And the more I want to get back to a place where my family eats real, whole food.

For more information on eating gardening or local and whole foods, check out:

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