There are two main questions I get asked above all others:

1. Where can I find product X? (coconut oil, castile soap, agar agar, etc)
2. What can I use to accomplish task Y? (veganic gardening, spice grinding, etc)

So now there’s an awesome one-stop-shop, to answer all these questions! My Amazon store is specially stocked with products that I selected. I enjoy and endorse every single item, as either something I own . . . or something I wish I owned! You can shop assured that everything there has been vetted by yours truly. And of course, I’ll get a commission for every purchase. A win-win! But to be clear -

You know that I always advocate buying secondhand!!! So maybe you simply use the store as a shopping guide. Check out the items I recommend, then go find them used on Craigslist – I fully support it!

But, sometimes you want or need to buy new. So for those times . . .

Last week’s mini mission was to follow Bonzai Aphrodite on Twitter. If you’re not following yet, please add me! And please give a little tweet about BA – maybe link your favorite recipe or DIY tip, or mention me in #followfriday. Thanks guys!


#2
This week we’re continuing with social media and moving from Twitter to Facebook (what a strange world we live in, right?!) Bonzai Aphrodite has a Facebook page, and I’d love if you joined (ie, ‘like’) us there! Then, at some point this week, please post about BA on your own Facebook page. Perhaps you could ‘share’ an article, or even just hype the site in your status update. Whatever works for you, but that’s it! It’s just a quick little mission but it really really helps!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

A bit of mama-baby morning yoga on our vacation last weekend.

Oi there! Hello and hooray for the weekend! First and foremost I want to extend a huge-mongous THANK YOU to Kathryn S. for hitting up my tip jar this week. Thank you so, so much! All donations go right back into this site, helping to grow Bonzai bit by bit. Thank you for contributing to the cause!

Yay weekend!!! It’s time to slow down, and as always, here on Bonzai it’s time for comments, critiques, thoughts, support, and suggestions.

This week we’ve got an *awesome* discussion going on over in the Shareholder’s Meeting. So if you haven’t yet, please do pop in and check it out! In the meantime let’s keep the FFF nice and light this week. I adored reading all your love lists last weekend, so let’s do it again. Tell me three random things that make you happy today (mine = long long walks lost in thought, dreaming big dreams for Bonzai Aphrodite and getting right to work on them, making lists and lists within lists and meta lists to list the lists) Hooray for gratitude!

As a fun aside, I had an article posted on G Living this week! It’s a silly little light-hearted intro to kombucha, one of my favorite topics!

And as usual, the Feedback Forum will remain here at the top of the page all weekend, so if you’ve got an idea or a question or you just want to introduce yourself and say ‘Oi!’, you can stop back by any time. This is your community, so get involved and have your say!

I hope your weekend is utterly inspired!

Into the third week of our 12th monthly mission, and hopefully you’re all still chugging along. Because of the nature of this particular endeavor, we’ve been touching base each Monday to re-inspire ourselves and remain on track. As well, these frequent check-ins provide a much-needed support network. There’s nothing like strong community to help you overcome a tough challenge – and dealing with inner demons is the toughest!

In my own struggle, I had another salt slip yesterday. What is it about Sundays man??! I can do so well through the week without even trying at all. Then come Sunday it’s just an uphill battle from the moment I rise. I’ve been eating loooots of nuts and seeds these days (and *really* high raw – feels SO good!), and once again I got too salty with the almonds and cashews. *sigh* So, my next big goal is to not only make it through this week (should be easy) but to clear the weekend without backsliding. I’ll be proud to report a clean bill to you next check-in, I promise!

And what about you my dears? Have you been good to yourselves? Or has it been hard? Let us know where you’re at with this Mission, and how we could possibly help.

Good luck and keep truckin’! BONZAI!

Oi there! Firstly and foremostly I want to extend an enormous THANK YOU to Carolyn C, for dropping a sweet little something in my tip jar over there . –> Thanks so much lady, I appreciate it more than you know, and it really helps motivate me to keep on keepin’ on with this crazy project!

And now, hooray for the weekend! It’s summer, it’s pride month, and we’re coming up on the very longest day of the year (happy solstice!). And of course here on Bonzai it’s time for comments, critiques, thoughts, support, and suggestions.

So here’s my main question of the week: What do you want to do for a Monday Monthly Mission? Lend me your thoughts my friends! Any ideas? Inspiration? And in general what do you want to see more of here on Bonzai Aphrodite?

Okay, here’s something silly and awesome. So I’ve been super nostalgic ever since Waits was born, remembering and reliving my own wee youth (I have a theory about how falling in love with your child is also falling in love with your own childhood self, and allows all sorts of crazy layers of life lessons and self love and on and on, but I digress). So I’m an 80s kid and grew up on Raffi – anyone out there know what I’m talking about? Can I get a ‘Baby Beluga’?! w00t w00t! So anyway, I still remember the name of my very favorite song, ‘Joshua Giraffe’. I decided to look it up for kicks, and whattaya know, someone made a silly little video and put it up on youtube. I gave it a listen and was cracking up – you guys it’s TOTALLY ABOUT ANIMAL LIBERATION. ahahahaha! I was a 5-year-old animal rights radical! =D

Check it out:

As usual, the Feedback Forum will remain here at the top of the page all weekend, so if you’ve got an idea or a question or you just want to introduce yourself and say ‘Oi!’, you can stop back by any time. This is your community, so get involved and have your say!

Have a radical weekend!

But don’t you worry, in this series of essays I’m going to address many of the main issues that arise while making – and managing – a ‘green’ baby. From the truth about cloth diapers, to DIY supplies, to why we made the radical and unexpected decision to actually vaccinate our son (no judgments, no worries). But for now let’s start at the very beginning, with the simple stuff.

That’s right: STUFF

Having a baby is one of the most commercialized, consumption-centered events in existence. From the maternity clothes to the party planning to the safety gear – it’s traditionally a product-driven affair. Don’t believe me? Try Googling ‘newborn checklist’ for a laugh at the lengthy inventory that’s supposedly required to bring a baby into your home. Or just go browse Babies ‘R Us for a real fright. Eek!

So in case you haven’t realized it yet (and I certainly didn’t at first), being a parent is all about making choices. An endless series of serious choices. Everyone chooses a different path in parenthood, and that’s as it should be. For me, a lifelong nonconformist, I suspected that my biggest divergence from the traditional route would be in my resolute lack of desire to acquire STUFF.

I try to live lightly and that certainly wasn’t changing because of a baby. In fact, it strengthened my resolve to leave the littlest footprint possible. When I thought of living rooms littered with primary-colored plastic play sets, and all manner of pastel paraphernalia, it made my head spin. That is not for me! No, there had to be a way to avoid over-consumption . . .

~~~

The first thing I did was some serious communication, and this is hands down the most important action you can take. Make a list of your criteria, then prioritize. Be prepared to compromise. A shower invitation with a small note that reads, “The parents-to-be would appreciate non-gendered toys and clothes in natural fibers”, is a lot friendlier than one that declares, “The parents-to-be would prefer only second hand items, non-gendered cotton clothing, no plastic or electronic toys, and please keep things exclusively organic”. It may be true, but it’s just not inviting!

For example, my original intention was to have everything secondhand, but after a few conversations I realized that this was unrealistic. I just couldn’t expect my Granny to go digging through bargain bins down at the thrift. And that’s okay. I was willing to compromise here, with the understanding that not everybody shares – or even really understands – my lifestyle. There were other areas where I was less flexible (***)

There’s many ways to subtly communicate your wishes. Enlist those who know you best to help spread the word (I’m thinking bffs, moms, and mother-in-laws here) It’s really easy to drop a hint in general conversation – “Oh man, I saw the cutest organic onesie from Company X. I think their entire line is organic . . . wouldn’t it be great if all the baby’s clothes were organic? So much better for their precious little skin, ya know?” And there you have it: message sent!

The bottom line is, if it’s important to you (and I’m guessing it is), you’re going to have to communicate.

*** Just an aside for vegans, you may need to gently remind folks of unsuitable items. This includes fibers like wool (very common in baby clothes and people think us crunchy types are all about it), toys which may include bits of fur, feathers, and leather, care products which commonly include beeswax and lanolin, and books or toys expressing animal exploitation, ie farm stuff. A lot of loved ones forget that veganism extends beyond diet.

My awesome mother-in-law made sleepers out of my father-in-law’s old tee shirts!

So once you’ve been clear on what you *don’t* want, it’s time to focus on what you DO want – and that’s the fun part! (for everyone) As noted above, you can find hundreds of ‘new baby needs’ lists all over the Net. Yes, I looked at these. I used them as a rough guide and made my OWN list, which was about 1/3 as long. Making a list is important. It means that when people ask what you want/need, you’ll be able to give them a specific answer. If you don’t, you’ll just end up with tons of clothes. And believe me, you’re already going to get plenty of clothes. They’re just too cute! People can’t resist them! (myself included)

So know what essentials you’ll really need, write it down, and keep track. You don’t want to end up with 3 changing tables and no car seat!

~~~

In this day and age it’s likely your loved ones are spread all over the world, so it’s a good idea to register, and it’s key to register *online*. This gives you a lot more creative control, and yet another way to indirectly express your wishes. If everything you pick is organic, they’ll get the message even if they don’t use the registry. There are tons of online registries like Babies R Us or Target, but I chose Amazon. There’s a couple different reasons for this (and no, Amazon is not paying me to say this, haha)

1) You can get so many things used! In your Amazon profile, under your picture, is a spot for a quote or caption. In mine I wrote ‘please buy secondhand when possible’! Books, music, toys – your relatives can get lots of secondhand baby stuff and satisfy your eco-leanings.
2) The options on Amazon are astounding, and surprisingly progressive. BPA-free baby bottles? Check! Organic hemp wipes? You got it! You really will be able to meet all your greenest needs here.
3) Amazon is not just baby-centric. You probably already have an Amazon account, maybe even an Amazon wishlist. One of the main reasons I keep a registry/wishlist is to simply keep track of things, so they don’t slip my mind forever. I’ll hear some amazing interview with an author and quickly pop over and add the book to the list before I forget about it. Or I’ll remember some song I loved as a child, track down the CD, and add it to the registry for when Waits is older (can’t wait!!!) It’s super handy when you’re already juggling 5 million things with breastfeeding brain fog on top of it all.
4) The ‘universal registry’. This is a spectacular feature that allows you to add pretty much anything on the entire internet. That’s how my wishlist is full of Herbivore stuff, and that’s how *your* baby registry could be filled with one-of-a-kind handmade Etsy toys, or whatever else your heart desires. Awesome, awesome feature.

Bonzai reader Jacquelyn sent us these beautiful handmade bibs and burp rags!

So once you’ve whittled down your wants, you’ve expressed your quirky hippie desires to all the baffled elders, and you’ve helped them out by building a badass registry full of eco-friendly options, there’s only one piece of advice left: Be Thankful. You WILL get stuff you don’t want. The vegan WILL get wool, the BPA-paranoid WILL get freaky cheap made-in-China teethers, and team gender-neutral will get TONS of frilly pink dresses. And it’s okay. More than any other event, having a baby is a time of coming together, and people love to share in it. They may not see the world like you do, but they are being generous, and you should be grateful and gracious in return. Because when it comes down to it, they’re just lovin’ on your baby in the way that they know how. And your baby deserves all the lovin’ it can get!

( . . . and nobody says you have to use the item, or even keep it, but that’s for discretion, and a later date)

BONZAI!

A few months back I was contacted by a BA reader named Jen, regarding the issue of organ donation. Jen and her partner Ken are currently embarked on a 7,000 mile trike tour across the United States, to raise awareness for this important cause. And she shared with me their story:

“Our motivation for doing this comes through Jen’s 11 year old daughter Alexandria Kai Ballentine. In 1999 Alex and her mother (Jen) had a discussion concerning organ donation. Alex told Jen that if something happened to her she did not want her organs wasted if they could be given to someone that could use them. A very mature decision for one so young . . . a decision that became significant when just six months later Alex was hit by a car and killed while walking across the street. Jen honored her daughter’s wishes and donated Alex’s organs. This selfless act saved five lives and gave two others the gift of sight. It was the Ultimate Charity. This tour is in her memory.”

I was so moved by this, and immediately knew I had to share Jen’s journey with all of you. I am awed by her openness and by her strength, and I am humbled by her choice to move from tragedy into positive action. You can learn more about Jen and Ken’s grand adventure, here.

So this month, I urge all of you to join me in registering as an organ donor. I did it online, and it only took five minutes – five minutes that could save five lives. For more information please visit DonateLife.net

In the words of Jen,

“All of us have the power to save lives . . . Last year 28,000 lives were saved as a result of organ donation. You or someone you love may one day need a transplant . . . please don’t take your organs with you!”

So please, accept this mission. BONZAI!

AND HELLO SPRING!!!

This past Saturday, March 20th, was the vernal equinox that marks the first day of spring – and you better believe I was thinking of you guys on that day! I’m still technically on maternity leave, but I wanted to ‘come out of hibernation’, as it were, (how season-appropriate!) to acknowledge the passing of another winter. And to celebrate!

A very happy and very tired new mama, haha.

Here in Portland the first day of spring coincided with the first day of the 2010 Farmer’s Market. There was no way I was going to miss that! So we ventured forth – my husband, my son, my father, and I – for Waits’ very first outing (and first of *many* Farmer’s Markets, I’m sure)

And I know I’ve confessed to being a freaky autumn lover, but I gotta say: there’s nothing quite like a little sunny lovin’ after a long winter. So I’ve put together another love list, of things that make me excited for springtime!

My wee sunbather, the next generation of farm-fresh-food enthusiasts.

Why I <3 Spring

• BEING OUTSIDE! After 10 weeks of bed rest, birth, and then these quiet postpartum days, I’m so looking forward to getting out and being active!
• Walking my sweet boydogs. I’ve so missed my daily neighborhood meandering. Now I’ll be roving with the little one strapped to my chest, and it’ll feel so great to get back into shape!
• Garden Season! Oh, but of course. My plate is pretty full and I’ll have to scale back my ambitions this year, but that won’t stop me from getting my hands as dirty as possible. I’m planning a bigger and better patio herb garden, and I’ll be filling my planter boxes with tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes (lordy I’m ready for good tomatoes again!)
• Getting my vitamin D direct from the source.
• Backyard makeovers! While I may not be gardening as much this year, Damian and I have grand plans for a complete landscaping overhaul. It will be Damian’s next big project, and it’s going to be RAD.
• Sweet sexy sundresses. Unpacking my warm weather wardrobe, and hiding away all the coats and scarves. Bare legs and sandals and the delicious smell of sunscreen (which, to my mind, means grand adventures). Wearing light-as-air cotton, and glittery flip-flops, and . . . my son! =)
• Last Thursday, and First Thursday, and all the other magnificent art culture that Portland has to offer. My son and I will be making the rounds, to be sure.
• Foodie season! Oh man, I do love soups and hearty winter fare, but I’m so ready for FRESH veggies, RAW meals, and all the delicious VARIETY that we get this time of year. Asparagus, artichokes, berries (!!!), oh my. Can. Not. Wait.
• Making sun tea! With fresh mint, grown in my own yard.
• Nature. Playing at the river, hiking in the gorge, exploring the arboretum, and more more more!
• Green smoothies for breakfast. Eating really, really healthy.
• And mostly, taking the time to smell those fresh spring blooms, to slow down and really look around, to love on my new family, and to appreciate this incredible life!

‘Papa San’ calms his grandson. That’s my Dad – don’t we look so alike??

I hope that you’re all enjoying these first few kisses of springtime (or autumn’s invigorating chill, for those of you in the southern hemisphere). I’m going to go back into hiding now, and continue to enjoy these precious, once-in-a-lifetime first weeks, with my newborn firstborn.

For those of you interested, I finally finished writing my [incredibly verbose - would you expect anything less? haha] Birth Story, which you can read here.

For the visually-minded, Waits has his very own microblog (maintained by Damian), here, with tons of photos and even a few words.


And finally, some thank you’s are in order.

A huge and heartfelt THANK YOU to Matt J, the L family, and Barbara B, for the generous contributions to my tip jar. You guys help to make all this possible, and I hope you know how much your support means to me.

A special THANK YOU to Katherine D, who sent me a Neti Pot off of my wishlist. I’m so excited to finally have one, and just in time for pollen season too. You rock!!!

And the sincerest of THANK YOUs to Jacquelyn, who sent me and my son a package of beautiful handmade bibs and burp cloths. These are amazing, I’m so impressed with your craft, and so incredibly touched at the sweet gesture. They are treasures, truly.

So thank you again, and thank you to all of you out there. You’re all my inspiration. I hope you’ll bear with me on my hiatus, and I hope to see you still here when I return!


Now, my dears, what are YOU looking forward to in the coming season?

I was always the sort to eschew the new years resolutions. “Everyone always breaks them anyway,” I’d say. I think my friends and I all tried to quit smoking together one year. I lasted about 3 months – others didn’t even last the night.

But then in early 2008, I found myself in a very, very bad place. Would you believe I was a totally bitter, negative person? It’s true. I’d never dealt with depression before and it took me damn near a year to figure out what was going wrong. The sadness itself was brought on by a multitude of factors, but suffice to say it left me in a pretty bad way. I was lonely, lost, unmotivated, and squarely in the center of a quarter-life crisis. I knew I needed to do something radical, before I lost myself forever.

So I did. Not overnight and not without trial (and error), but I wrote a journal about the breakthrough, here, if you’re interested. I began to practice positivity as a lifestyle. I made sweeping changes, looked at myself critically, imagined what I wanted to become. A lot of the work I did during that time served as inspiration for this article. And of course, it led me here (among other places). Just a few months later I was launching Bonzai Aphrodite.

The turn of the year seemed a perfect time to put my vision down on paper. I do believe that having a reference point, the simple act of writing something down and thus entering it into the world, can be a powerful force in manifesting that goal. I had 10 new intentions that I kept in a Word doc on my desktop. It’s entitled 2009 – Living the Dream, and along with my ‘resolutions’, I record my strategies for happiness, my sources of inspiration, and a list of the books I’ve read (I always try to read more than I did the year before). I make sure to open it at least once a month, to read over my 10 intentions and remember the bigger picture.


Resolutions for a New Year:

1) I can be whoever I want to be.
2) CLARITY → VISUALIZE → MANIFEST
3) Practice being a good wife. Be good to Damian. Try to make sure that every day, his life is better because of me.
4) Make realistic, ambitious lists. Cross off everything. Then, allow satisfaction and relaxation.
5) GET PREGNANT IN 2009. Get happy before getting pregnant. Get happy.
6) Enjoy food. Eat healthily. Eat with intention and moderation and pleasure.
7) Walk the boys every day I am able.
Exercise every day I am able.
9) Worry less about money. Worry less about the future. Worry less.
0) Never get a ‘real’ job in 2009!




This year there are less intentions – I’m coming from a very different place, after all. But I still have a few (always will, I hope!), and on new years day I’ll write them down in a new Word doc.

What about you, my dears? Do you believe in setting intentions? Do you you make new year’s resolutions, or are you more the type to skip the gimmick?

Lots of Love and wishing you all the best and brightest year of your lives!

You guys are awesome! Happy New Year!!!