Story of Stuff

This video, Story of Stuff, sold me (haha, punny) on not purchasing new items.

It was both sad and frustrating to me and ultimately, made me realize that I would prefer to buy things used, borrow things from friends, or just be content with what I have. The one exception to this rule, moving forward, is that I will still probably buy new clothes for myself for work but I will probably make sure I keep an eye on sustainability, fairness for workers, and materials used.

The amount of waste we used to produce as just two people was staggering. Since we stopped buying things and trying to recycle as much as possible, I have noticed that we put out a good amount of recycling and one (not even full) trash bag each week. When you don't buy that much stuff, there isn't that much to throw out!

We do throw out a lot of food waste like peelings and such. Hopefully, we can start composting soon so we can also eliminate most of this waste from our garbage.

It blew my mind to watch the Story of Stuff and to see how much we consume without thinking.

What do you think?!

The Forest Feast - Minimalist Cookbook Love

Erin Gleeson of The Forest Feast is not a self-proclaimed minimalist (that I know of!) but I would argue that her beautiful new cookbook could fit in perfectly on any vegetarian minimalist's shelf. It's worth buying, even if you're not the kind of person who buys many things.

Here's a little info about Erin from her About section of her lovely website:

For many years I worked as a food photographer in New York City, shooting for cookbooks, magazines, top chefs and restaurants, The New York Times Dining section, and The James Beard Foundation. I also have an MFA in photography from SVA and I taught photography to college students at The Fashion Institute of Technology for 4 years. But in the summer of 2011, my husband Jonathan’s new job prompted a move to Northern California (just south of San Francisco) where we found a lovely cabin in the woods. Inspired by local, seasonal ingredients in my weekly CSA box, I create “photographic recipe illustrations” that are mostly vegetarian and laid out visually. I hope to inspire healthy recipe ideas anyone can make- dishes that are easy enough after a long day at work, yet impressive enough for a party. For more info on me, check out this interview.

I stumbled across Erin's blog a while ago because I know her brother-in-law but then I stayed as a loyal reader for the past year and a half because her work is just magnificent. A talented photographer, artist, and chef, Erin creates vegetarian recipes from local farmers markets and CSA boxes. Then, she takes lovely pictures of everything and has a simple, beautiful, and easy-to-follow recipe.

I've cooked many recipes from her blog including Guacamole Deviled Eggs, Yam and Feta Stuffed Squash Blossoms (OMG yum), and Red Roasted Carrots. As promised, each recipe is easy, healthy, and delicious for both dinner when it's just us or when we have company.

Friday night, we made the Potato and Green Bean Salad, Yam and Feta Stuffed Squash Blossoms (with goat cheese instead of feta) AND the Guacamole Deviled Eggs. It was a Forest Feast Shabbat! And it was awesome.

Seriously, a work of art!!

If you love to cook but sometimes feel like minimalism and cooking do not love one another, check out Erin's scrumptious cookbook. I promise you will NOT be disappointed.

Erin did not ask me to write this post nor did I receive any compensation or a free cookbook for doing so. I simply love her work and want to share it with the world. Enjoy!

*Photos by Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast*

What now?! Minimalism and Happiness

Since beginning my minimalist journey, I have become happier with my physical possessions and spending habits. I have not spent nearly as much on things I do not need and my physical possessions are weighing less on me (metaphorically) as they take us less room (literally).

I decided to read Gretchen Rubin's book The Happiness Project when I realized that I had a problem some other new minimalists also have: I didn't know how to spend my newly reclaimed time.

I don't want to watch tv or do passive things. I read a fair amount, for school and for pleasure. I play guitar sometimes and that's always nice. But when it came to my day to day activities, I was feeling a little aimless. I was grasping in the dark! I could write for a little while. Maybe I'll do a little homework. I want to work out but I wasn't being consistent.

I always stick to things better when I have two things in place: 1 - a plan, 2 - accountability.

The Happiness Project is Rubin's account of her one year project to become happier by instilling new habits. I have read some really nasty reviews of the book before but I read the blurb about it again and it felt like it could help me in exactly what I was looking for (creating a plan and accountability).

I like that Rubin uses Ben Franklin's idea of a "resolutions chart" each day. She marks off with a check (yay, I did it!) or an X (try again tomorrow) whether or not she sticks to one of 3-5 specific resolutions for a whole month. She did different ones for 12 months and the idea is that once your really stick to a resolution for a month, it becomes habit or you realize that you need to change the resolution. I dig it.

The other thing that I really like from the book is reading about different ways to change your mindset when it comes to happiness in life. Don't love washing dishes? Try to create more "attitude of gratitude" while washing dishes. Think to yourself, "Wow, I am so lucky that I can afford hot water, beautiful dishes, and delicious food that I need to clean off of those dishes." She cites lots of studies about happiness that tell us that the way you think about the things you choose to do affects the way you feel about those things. I buy it and I'm going to try it more.

Minimalism CAN bring happiness into our lives but only in that it frees up our time and money to really pursue the things we want to pursue. I could sell and give away most of my stuff and barely ever buy things but never engage in the things I want to engage and minimalism because worthless. Then, I'm just stuff-less and wealthier than I would have been otherwise.

I have succeeded in step 1 of minimalism by closely scrutinizing my possessions and spending habits (both time and money). I'm looking forward to taking the leap to step 2 in which I figure out how I want to really spend my time and money and then actually DO those things!

Links I Love - Meditation / Hitbod'dut

In Mussar, hitbod'dut (literally aloneness or seclusion) is the practice of sitting alone in silence for an amount of time (maybe 10 or 15 minutes). Hitbod'dut gives you the opportunity to reflect and just "turn off" your brain for a little while. Often, your thoughts will turn to things you have to do, bills you have to pay, or errands that need to run but eventually (and definitely with some practice) you may begin to experience a state of calm and serenity.

Hitbod'dut, or meditation, can help us feel refreshed and ready to greet the rest of the day with gusto. Sitting for a few minutes can also help us calm our mind and leave us capable of focusing on whatever task is next.

Here are some amazing links to help you get started with some easy meditation:

Calm - I feel like I'm in a spa when I use this website. There's also an app for your phone so you can meditate on the go. (Thanks to Tammy at Rowdy Kittens for this awesome link.)

Meditation for Beginners at Zen Habits - Leo Babauta is a wonderful blogger and minimalist. His website was one of the firsts I read to get more into minimalism.

More Meditation, More Gratitude, Better Living - This is a lovely post from Joshua Becker at Becoming Minimalist. Joshua's story was mainly the one that helped me kick off my own minimalist journey.

Meditation for Real People - Courtney Carver at Be More With Less is also one of my favorite minimalist bloggers.

Do you meditate? If so, do you have any favorite posts that started you off or any favorite apps or other things that help you keep up your practice?