Forward on Climate Rally

Have you ever opened an email, read it and thought to yourself, "This is important.  I need to be there.  Sign me up!"  That's what immediately popped in my head back at the beginning of January when I opened the first email from 350.org about the Forward on Climate Rally in DC.  My immediate desire to want to be there stemmed from this quality that I have about believing in the difference we can make together versus being one person.  As individuals sure we can do a lot, but together... that's where amazing stuff happens.

Going to the Forward on Climate rally was a chance to let President Obama truly see how passionate and committed we are about him rejecting the Keystone Pipeline and moving our country away from dirty energy to clean renewable energy sources.

So on February 15, my family and I made the 5 1/2 hour drive to Washington, DC because we knew it was important for us to be there.  Having never been to Washington, DC we spent Friday and Saturday going to museums, ice skating and touring our nation's capitol.  Then on Sunday, we made our way to the Washington Monument to join the largest climate rally in history!

Walking to the Washington Monument was a sight to behold... people were streaming in from all directions... all headed to the same place-- Forward on Climate.  

The temperatures hovered around freezing, the wind was biting and my kids were definitely affected by it all.... and expressing it.  As we were crossing the street, a random act of kindness was bestowed upon us.  A man overheard my kids say they were cold, reached in his pocket and as he gave me some hand warmers he said, "for your kids. hopefully they'll help warm them up."  Unfortunately, the hand warmers or hot chocolate just couldn't get my kids past their cold feet. :(  My husband decided to do the best thing for our three kids and took them to some museums to warm up while I stayed at the rally.

There I was in the middle of over 40,000 people... 

I'll be honest, I was a little nervous when my family first left.  Then just like that, I quickly realized that not only were these 40,000+ people passionate about our environment and clean energy... they were also SUPER friendly. The energy was unbelievable.  The speakers were inspiring and moving... there's something about hearing someone else say what you've been thinking AND hearing those words loud and clear over a speaker system.  You ever had that feeling where it feels like your heart is smiling?  My heart was smiling.  Being at the rally felt like everything was exactly as it should be.  People coming together... really coming together for a common cause.  

One thing that I often say about the issue of climate change is that it has no barriers.  This movement is about everyone.  Being at the rally, it was easy to see that this movement goes beyond race, religion, ethnicity, age, nationality... we're all connected in this great big beautiful world.  And at the Forward on Climate Rally it really showed.

I saw first hand that there are a whole lot of people who care.  People who want to make the world a better place.  People who care about the future of our planet.

Were you at the rally?  What did you think?

Oh yeah... check out this highlight video and be inspired.

We told Obama how we feel about the climate.  Now he needs to hear it from our Senators, too!

Take action with The Sierra Club here:  Write Your Senators

Sooo.... what's next?  350.org is asking for our thoughts on what the next steps should be.

Take their survey here: 350.org "What's Next"

Forward On Climate

This weekend, thousands will descend upon Washington DC to rally for the climate.  To let President Obama know that together WE care about the future of our planet.  That the threat of global warming is real and needs to be addressed with more than words...

We talk about being the change we wish to see in this world, but we all know that talk can only get us so far.  In order to create change, we have to put what we talk about into action.  Now is the time to do something.  To stand up for something that matters.  We can't do it alone and we can't wait for someone else to do it for us.  We have to do it together.  

On Sunday, my family and I will join 350.org, The Sierra Club, and many other groups for the Forward on Climate Rally in Washington, DC because I have no doubts that together we can help create real meaningful change... 

What kind of difference can we make together versus being just one person?

I'm ready to find out.  Join us. 

Our Daily Ocean: Day 179

From the moment the Wrightsville Beach smoke-free beach ordinance passed in November, I have been waiting for the moment when I go to the beach and take this picture:

It's really official!  "NO SMOKING" is on the signs at Wrightsville Beach! AND... I helped make that happen!  It feels awesome to have played a part in helping Wrightsville Beach become the first smoke-free beach in North Carolina!  Yeah, I'm smiling. 

While I'm super excited, I'm also realistic in knowing that it may take some time before we start seeing the positive impacts of the new ordinance.  The reality is that the cigarette litter problem will never be perfect.  But, what I do know is that it's going to be better.  And, that's something to be very excited about.

20 minutes on February 12, 2013 at Access 29

Litter by weight: 1 lb 3.9 oz
Cigarette butts: 81

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 179 days:

54,415

Our Daily Ocean: Day 178

Lately, the weather has been completely wacky.  Some days it will be cold (you know the way it's supposed to be during winter) and then other days it will be so warm and beautiful that I kick off my flip flops, roll up my jeans and tie my jacket around my waist.

Tuesday was that kind of day.  Flip flops off, feet in the water!

Each beach clean up I do is different.  While there are definitely always similarities... for various (and sometimes not so obvious) reasons they are all unique.  Sometimes I find things that I've never found before... like this little piece of plastic from a Nike shoe.  Umm...why in the world did Nike glue a piece of plastic onto shoes?? Hmmm....  Speaking of Nike, I'm a bit obsessed with this song.

My friend Sara just put up her last post on her blog The Daily Ocean.  She's moving over to her new website www.dailyocean.org. <-- go check it out!  Having completed 365 non-consecutive beach clean ups, she's now headed off the sand and on the road for her speaking tour.  Be sure to check out her website and sign up to receive updates here.

20 minutes on January 29, 2013 at Access 16

Litter by weight: 9.7 oz

Cigarette butts: 119

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 178 days:

54,334

Our Daily Ocean: Day 177

You know how when the weather is gorgeous and you want nothing more than just to be outside?  That's how it was on Martin Luther King, Jr Day.  Yeah, this is a long overdue post from Monday January 21!!

Feathered clouds, sun dogs, sea gulls.... I love the days when the sky is so alive that it pulls my eyes up from the sand.  I'm so in awe of the beauty of the world we live in... I really get lost in it sometimes.  ...and getting lost in it is good because it keeps my eyes wide open... taking everything in... I take in the wonder and beauty... but at the same time, I'm not closing my eyes to the realities.  I feel it's so important to look at the broad picture and to also take the time to see the little details... whether good or bad.  

 Since I did this clean up on Martin Luther King, Jr Day... I think it's only appropriate to share one of my favorite quotes of his:

"Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.  You don't have to have a college degree to serve.  You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve.  You only need a heart full of grace.  A soul generated by love."

20 minutes on January 21, 2012 at Access 16

Litter by weight: 12.3 oz

Cigarette butts: 167

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 177 days: 

54,215

Black Bean Veggie Burgers

Let me get this out there.  I love burgers.  When I was a kid, I would look forward to going to my grandparents because they made the best barbecued burgers.  Then as an adult, I would make hamburgers like they were going out of style.  Then in 2009, when I decided to stop eating meat... the first thing I thought was, "well, at least I don't have to give up burgers!  I'll eat veggie burgers!"  Of course, I started off on my veggie burger adventure with the store-bought frozen versions... until I learned how to make homemade versions that had so much more flavor that to buy the premade frozen versions just seemed so pointless... blah.

Now over the years, I've tried plenty of homemade veggie burgers... and I have never been disappointed.  BUT... there is one that I make all the time and one that I would happily make to my most carnivorous of friends and family.  Behold:

When I posted the above picture of  my lunch (which happened to be leftovers... shhhh) on Instagram & Facebook... comments blew up with:

"Yummmmmm!!  Recipe please!"                "You amaze me...."

"You're crazy!!!! Looks amazing!!!!"                    "It looks like a sloppy fat beef burger..."

"Post recipe, please!"               "teach me your awesomeness"

Well, I knew that I was going to have to share my favorite homemade burger recipe! :)  So friends here you go... awesomeness is yours!

Homemade Black Bean Burgers

2 (15oz) cans black beans (rinsed and drained) 

OR 1 cup dried black beans* (soaked and cooked)

2 large organic pastured eggs 

1 TBSP olive oil* + for frying

1 tsp cumin*

1/2 tsp salt*

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper*

1 red bell pepper, chopped fine

1 shallot (or equivalent amount onion), minced

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro

1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs**

1. Place beans in food processor and pulse until beans are mostly smashed with half beans still remaining.  (Don't over-process or the burgers will be mush.)
2. In a large bowl, whisk eggs together with 1 TBSP olive oil, cumin, salt, cayenne pepper.  Stir in beans and remaining ingredients until just combined.
3. Make 6 patties from the mixture.  I like to form 6 semi-smooshed balls. (I flatten when in pan) If the mixture seems too wet and your patties aren't holding together, just add a little extra breadcrumbs (or vital wheat gluten).  Remember you can always add, but you can't take out!
4. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat until shimmering.  Add burgers (don't overcrowd!) and cook until well browned on both sides (about 4 min each side).
5. Serve. 

My favorite way to eat devour mine is on a homemade burger bun with caramelized onions, bbq sauce, jalapeños, and avocado. (...and sometimes cheese)   YUM.

* ingredients bought in bulk with my own containers

** Homemade bread crumbs:  Every time I have bits of leftover bread, I run it through my food processor to create breadcrumbs.  I store my homemade breadcrumbs in a glass jar in my freezer.

Also, just in case you missed the link: 
Plastic-Free Recipe: Burger Buns

Our Daily Ocean: Day 176

For the past several days, warm weather has been making winter feel like spring.  It's been really really nice!!  As far as my beach clean ups have gone-- knowing the beach has been getting more traffic than normal-- I've been pleasantly surprised by the minimal amount of litter I've been finding on the beach.

See that plastic bottle of water?  It's only one now, but come summer littered single-use plastic water bottles will abound.  ...and to be completely frank, bottled water is one example of a littered item that is completely unnecessary.  Of course, there are more problematic issues to bottled water than just the littered plastic bottle that could send me on a long winding tangent... instead, I'll recommend watching the documentary "Tapped" (it's available on Netflix) and grabbing a reusable water bottle.  

It's always worth reminding ourselves that with our own conscious purchasing habits we have the power to change the system.  If we all get together to make a change... that change is unstoppable.

20 minutes on January 15, 2013 at Access 36

Litter by weight: 7.5 oz

Cigarette butts: 46

 Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 176 days:

54,048

Our Daily Ocean: Day 175

Warm weather is here!! Most likely not to stay, but it's here and it feels like early Spring!!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!  Warmer weather brings out a lot of people to the beach and... well... 

Love was in the air at Wrightsville Beach.  Ok, a lot of love was in the air.   In one small section, I found a beer can and then....  a used condom.  I cringed.  Then, I saw another.  Seriously?!  You've got to be kidding me!!  And when I found a third used condom, I just laughed.  I guess they had a good time.  

A little mannerism to remember for all those who get it on at the beach:

 Wrap it and trash it, PLEASE

20 minutes on January 13, 2013

Litter by weight: 2 lbs 6 oz

Cigarette butts: 48

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 175 days:

54,002

Wet Wednesday: Drains to Ocean

The ocean is downhill from everywhere.  

Our Daily Ocean: Day 174

It was 46 degrees this morning when I stepped onto Wrightsville Beach.  Having forgotten my coat, I took a deep breath, thought warm thoughts and set my timer for 20 minutes.

Typical of a cold winter day, the beach was very quiet.... which has to be my favorite thing about winter at the beach.  With only the sound of the ocean, I am alone with my thoughts... and picking up litter becomes somewhat meditative.  To be honest, without a timer set... I could walk the beach without realizing how far I've gone.

One thing that I kept thinking about while on the beach was: Being conscious to how we are connected to our world (and not separate from it or each other) is one of the most important things we can do.  Because when we become conscious to this fact, we realize that everything we do (or don't do) matters.  We know that when we take that refuse that plastic bag, we show others that there's another way.  We do it for the oceans, we do it for the animals, we do it for our air and water quality, we do it for more than we know... because one thing we know for sure is that we're all connected in this great big beautiful world.

Want to help rid New Hanover County of plastic bags?  Go here (yes, it matters)

20 minutes on January 8, 2013 at Access 36

Litter by weight: 8.7 oz
Cigarette butts: 112

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 174 days:

53,954