I don't know about you, but my holiday shopping doesn't usually begin until December. Maybe it's because I grew up in the desert, where I have to put myself into the holiday spirit by sipping pumpkin spice frozen drinks and playing constant Christmas music throughout December to remember that it is December, because it is … Continue reading Unique holiday gifts inspired by change
I guess it's time to admit that while I speak German and lived in Germany, my real beauty obsession comes from the French. I love their natural, effortless femme, I love the Breton stripes and Coco Chanel suits. I love how their hair is tossed up in a carefree knot and their skin always looks … Continue reading Très chic! Why using natural shampoos takes patience
I was Couchsurfing at a house in northern Germany when I met the first person I had ever heard say, "Ich stehe nicht auf Plastik." The phrase means, "I do not agree with," or, "I am not keen on" plastic. It was the most bizarre comment to me at the time. This was 2011. The … Continue reading Not so keen on plastic in my food
Apache Junction may not seem like much, but for history buffs like myself, this little nook of Arizona has a slew of history to be uncovered. Shadowed by the eerie Superstition Mountains, Apache Junction sits at the intersection of the Apache Trail and U.S. Route 60, which runs roughly parallel to the better-known Route 66. And … Continue reading Visiting Arizona’s Historical Superstition Mountains
I remember my grandma would always try to make sure I had healthy food when I went to her house. I'll never forget one specific occasion she said, "Oh Kaysha, look at those chubby little fingers!" I can't remember how old I was, but my ice cream and over-eating habits began to catch up with … Continue reading It’s okay to eat chocolate sometimes
Beginning a garden in Phoenix wasn't just going to be difficult because of the heat, I also don't own the property where I live and thus didn't want to plant anything into the ground. Could I successfully keep garden plants without planting a real garden, in Phoenix? The seasons are different from most other states. … Continue reading My green thumb
The next step I took in my journey to reducing my environmental impact and creating a more sustainable way of living was to begin my worm (vermicompost) bin. It's a tricky endeavor in the desert. I read all the Pinterest posts on starting a worm bin and scoured the online forums and decided I was ready to … Continue reading DIY home worm bin – for beginners!
The more I learned about sustainable farming, the more things I realized that I needed to change. I needed to use less plastic, ditch plastic bags altogether, switch to glass whenever possible, and recycle more than I trash. When we lived in Seattle I was impressed by the city's system of recycling. There was even a … Continue reading Do you know how to recycle? I didn’t
Even on the clearest of Seattle mornings I can often see the fog rolling away over the ocean, while the smell of fresh fish still lingers on the morning dew. I live near Ballard and the docks where the Deadliest Catch boats tie up, and gruff fisherman unload their loot. Mornings when I wake up with the windows open, I'm … Continue reading No time for sleep in Seattle
Planning a trip to Washington, D.C. can be a complicated endeavor, especially when 56 students from 12 different countries are involved. When the plans for the trip began some time last October, we began by reaching out to the museums, the White House, Pentagon and the like, explaining our unique group of travelers that would … Continue reading What does it mean to be an American?
