#grocery stores waste so much... and do not donate to shelters | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

deanswins · 1 year

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Alina and her cat Darkles

One fateful morning, Alina laid on her bed and scrolled through her phone, watching random cat videos on the internet, because she loved cats, when the sudden realization dawned upon her that she can adopt her own cat.

She had wanted a pet since she was ten years old, but her foster parents had a weird allergy to cats and she never really felt the same about others, so she had promised herself that once she would have her own home, she would get one. Yet, she had been completely immersed in building a life for herself that she had forgotten about it completely.

Since it was Sunday, her day off, she decided that she would visit her nearest animal shelter on her way back from her weekly grocery shopping trip. Her stomach flipped with excitement as soon as she stood up from her bed with a loud yawn, feeling jaunty. This will be something she would do for herself, something she would take care of. Her own possession.

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She could have went grocery shopping every start of the month, but she was not organized like that nor did she know how to calculate how much of things she would need. Weekly was safe, and in case she ran out of something in the middle of it, she could easily run to the small store below her apartment complex.

During today’s trip, Alina purchased everything a cat would need. She found affordable cans of food, a bag of treats, and other kinds of liquid-like items. Since she hadn’t met the cat she would be taking home, she naturally bought a variety of everything. She didn’t often splurge, but today called for a special occasion. She just hoped that the cat would love everything, so her money wouldn’t go to waste. Otherwise though, she made a note to ask the people in shelter if she can donate it to them.

As a child of ten, she had dreams of holding the cat in her lap, of sleeping beside it, of showing it off to her then newly made friend, Genya, because she had a cat named David. She would lay in her bed and would dream of cuddling it close to her chest, and just rubbing her hands atop it's head. It may sound weird and obsessive to some, but Alina had deep love for cats. If she couldn't adopt, she always fed any stray ones she found on the streets of Keramzin.

Her foster mother, Ana Kuya, would reassure her constantly that she could always have what she wanted when she would be an adult, and also, because she deserved good things for her. Life had not been fair to her.

She stopped outside the pet shelter named Little Palace. Alina found the name kind of funny but adorable for the little pets it kept. Right across the shelter was the animal pet shop named Grand Palace. It was the ugliest shop she had ever laid eyes on, the bright royal blue color of the signboard hurt her eyes extra under the morning sunlight. The pet shop liked to steal customers from the Little Palace, this she knew because her friend Ruby volunteered in the shelter when they were in college. They would bribe the people with all the varieties of newly imported animal breeds, their accessories received from Ketterdam, and special made small fur coats from Fjerda they had in their store.

Alina despised the shop from the bottom of her heart.

She parked her vehicle outside the shelter and exited the car, locking it behind her. There was an extra bounce in her step today because she was going to get herself a friend for life. She just hoped and prayed to the saints that the cat would be everything she dreamed about.

There was an elderly woman standing by the desk, her hair jet black and eyes haunted. Alina jumped at the hollowness within them. It was as if her soul was empty. She shivered at the thought of such people who show no emotions or feelings. How bland and dull their life was. Alina put aside her personal thoughts about the woman and greeted her with a bright smile. After all, she was the epitome of sunlight. It's what her boyfriend, Mal, often told her.

"May I assist you?" The woman asked, still emotionless. She didn't even bother returning Alina's smile. Her name tag read: Baghra.

Alina's smile didn't falter, but remained on her lips albeit slightly smaller now that her action was not reciprocated. She didn't like judging others based on their exterior, so she didn't really take Baghra's lack of smile to the heart.

"I am looking to adopt a cat," she shifted from one leg to another. Alina had no specific preferences, but that the animal to be unbearably cute. Of course, she would like for the cat to be healthy and in excellent shape, but it wasn't a top priority. Any cat that would capture her heart would be it.

"Do you have any specific breed in mind?" asked Baghra, her voice still monotonous as though she was a machine. Alina realized that these were the questions she probably repeated a hundred times a day, or as many times a customer came in looking for animals.

"Not really, I'd just like to see them." replied Alina, hoping to sound as normal as possible without letting any giddiness show. For some reason, Alina believed that this woman wouldn't really care for her positive attitude and sunshine personality.

"Follow me."

Alina walked behind the woman, who was approximately three inches shorter than her, and noticed how elegantly she walked. Her black skirt ended just above her ankles while her cardigan was long enough to end just above her knees. Alina didn't know why was she analyzing this woman, but there was something gripping about her. As though she's seen more than anyone else, lived more lives than anyone else, and has been through more than enough.

"Since you don't have any breed you are looking for, I will show you the recent ones we received," she waved at the cages on her left, that were full of mostly kittens and a few full grown cats. "Majority of them are babies of the cats who live here for a while, and some are newly rescued ones. They are all in perfect shapes, good health and active."

Alina watched in fascination as some cats stared back at her with equal curiosity, some were curled into a ball and asleep, some were having a feast while others just laid lazily in their spots. This is heaven, she thought, this is what it is like to be in heaven. She observed them all, hoping for that tick in her heart that would tell her that this is the one she should adopt, but her eyes were simply scanning.

"Here," continued Baghra, leading her to the other side when Alina was simply watching the cats, rubbing their little paws with the pad of her index finger, and just talking gibberish. "These are some of the cats we have had for months, still waiting to find a home. They all are very well behaved, but probably less attractive to customers than kittens. As you can see..."

Baghra's voice became background noise and out of focus when Alina's eyes met the grey quartz ones of a very black cat who was staring back at her. Her heart skipped a fucking beat. She almost jumped toward the cage as she watched it closely, her mouth turning upwards in recognition, is this the one?

"Ah, this one we have had for almost seven months now, the longest we have had to keep a cat." The tone of her voice changed, and Alina wondered why as she brought a finger for the black cat to smell and inspect.

"How come?"

"Well, he doesn't take to people right away."

Alina wondered how was that possible by the way the cat was sniffing her fingers, and was now licking her with his little pink tongue. His eyes were large and curious, and it was though he liked her. She offered him a grin of her own, letting him know that she felt the same way.

"Can I try?"

It seemed that Baghra understood what she meant, because she took out a tangle if keys and picked one and unlocked the small door to the cage and backed away, slowly. Alina didn't make a move, but she let the cat come out on his own accord. There was a step and two, and Alina, unable to wait longer, pulled him in her arms. There was a small 'meow' as he snuggled further into her chest. She giggled.

"That's a first." Baghra nodded toward the cat, her voice a little thick. "Well, you have to be careful with that one. He likes to bite sometimes, playfully and intentionally."

Alina shrugged, so far he was perfectly content and happy snuggled up. She petted his head as she trained her eyes on him and his little movements. Like the way his small paws rested on her arm, or the way his head was affectionately rubbing up and down her shirt.

"Does he have a name?"

Baghra cleared her throat. "Yes, Darkling. A younger co-worker of mine named him when he was brought here months ago. I think she would be deeply sad to see him go as we have gotten used to having him around."

Alina smiled in understanding, she caressed his head once more. "How was he found?"

"He was bleeding by the side of the road," she cleared her throat, as if to get rid of a lump. "A bunch of young troublesome children had kicked him to almost death. Thankfully, someone found him and took him to the vet then was brought here. He was in a terrible, terrible shape, his left eye was half shut, his arm was broken, his legs were trembling for days, he-" she cleared her throat again. "He was scared of us for a while. It took him a long time to get used to the idea that we won't be treating him the same as those idiots."

Alina felt her heart break for this little cat, even though he was no longer in that pain. But Alina knew trauma and she knew animals had them too. No wonder he didn't like people. Instantly, she felt special because he had trusted her enough to even allow himself to be held. She caressed him behind the ear.

"And now? Is he in good shape?"

"In excellent health as well. The vet had patched him up real well, informed us how to take care of him and feed him. After two months, tops, he was back to his original form." Baghra then opened her mouth and then closed it. Then she stepped forward and reached a hand to behind his ear, Darkling leaned into her touch. "He may not show it, but he is very sensitive, and observant of course, he also likes a lot of attention and cuddles. Just...be there for him."

Alina squeezed the bundle in her arms gently and finally, unable to resist, she placed a soft kiss on his forehead. "I will, I promise."

After she finished inquiring more about the cat, his habits and routine, Alina finally left the shelter with her new pet in her arms. Even though the excitement was there, it was dwindled a bit with the new fear that would she be enough for him? Would he miss having other cats around him to look at? Or his regular caretakers since the past few months?

Alina found solace in the fact that he did not make a fuss when they left, nor did he look longingly back at Baghra, but was very happy to be going home with her.

She promised herself that it will all be alright, watching him find a comfortable spot in her passenger seat and looking up at her, the same curiosity evident in his shimmering grey eyes.

She decided to lovingly call him Darkles.

ii.

Darkles was not fond of Mal. In fact, 'not fond' was a minimal choice of word. Darkles hated Mal with all his might.

Alina tried to ponder upon what exactly rubbed him wrong about her boyfriend, but then she realized that Mal had been tentative toward him upon their first meeting.

After she had returned home from the shelter, she already had plans to meet him in the afternoon anyway. She arranged little Darkles corner, put away his food inside a designated cabinet for him, and put his liter aside as well. Darkels spent an entire hour exploring the corners of her studio apartment, along with her bathroom. He seemed to purr almost right after the end of his tour, which conveyed to Alina that he was extremely happy to be here with her. She kissed his little nose and he booped hers in return.

Alina wondered if Baghra was wrong about him. He was the most affectionate cat she had ever come across. But despite being that, he was somber and calm. He wasn't playful in the sense that he didn't wreck havoc, but would gently run around and toss around the floor.

When Mal had entered the apartment, he was wearing a large grin as he held a box of pastries from the bakery next to his house. However, his smile dropped a little when he noticed the black fur ball in her arms, his eyebrows raised in question.

"Where did this come from?"

Alina felt annoyed right that instant. He spoke of him as though Darkles was an object, a thing she found in the middle of nowhere. Yet, she told herself that Mal was rarely ever in the presence of animals, he didn't feel the same way about them as she did. Mal liked looking at animals, mostly wild ones, at the zoo or in the television, but he didn't have instincts for a pet. Despite all of that, she had hoped that he would be at least a little thrilled for her as he knew her desire for wanting to adopt a cat as a child.

When Mal put down the box on the dining table and took off his shoes, he stepped forward to pet Darkles. His hand raised hesitantly, as if unsure and scared, but before he could move, Darkles attacked his hand with a paw of his own. Alina had asked Baghra and had confirmed that his nails were cut, but it seemed like he had hidden claws as Mal's back of the hand started bleeding where the scratches were. Alina had put down her cat and petted him a little, cooing at him and hurried to get alcohol swab for Mal.

When she returned, he seemed a bit angry, but wouldn't say a word. After she insisted that he just tell her what was wrong, he instantly exploded.

"I just can't believe that you would pet him after he hurt me like that," he seethed, his voice a tone louder than usual. "It's just embarrassing to me, is all."

Alina was taken aback, she had finished wiping his wound and had thrown away the swab in the bin when she finally found her voice. "He is just a cat, Mal. It's normal for animals to not get accustomed to others immediately, they tend to see others as threats. He has been through a lot and maybe he doesn't like being touched right away. He needs time to adjust, seeing as I just got him today."

She continued, "as for petting him, he is an animal without a voice. He doesn't have the intellect you and I do, so be mindful of what you say. He will try to defend himself when he feels that he is in trouble. It's common sense."

Of course, she did not expect such understanding of animal mind from Mal, as bis day to day job demands that he use his brain to type out numbers and add and subtract them. Alina hated math, and she despised accounting even more. Ironically, Mal excelled in both while in school and college.

She noticed his jaw click, clench and unclench, then he sighed, a short nod. "You're right, I-it was very stupid of me to over react like that."

Alina loved Mal for many reasons, but this one was a reminder that he always accepted his mistakes and apologized for them. His tenderness was what made her fall for him in the first place. She walked up to him, noticing Darkles watching them silently from the corner, she placed the bandages on his wounds and let his hands rest above hers as she moved forward and pecked the corner of his lips.

"Would you like some tea-" She found herself being tangled with a black ball and had almost fallen on the floor if it weren't for Mal steadying her. She looked down to find her cat meowing at her with no pause or breath.

She had suspected he was hungry so she poured some of the biscuits she bought in a bowl and placed it on the floor, but Darkles remained in his position, glaring discreetly at Mal.

Though he eventually learned to get used to the idea of having a cat around, and while Darkles accepted grudgingly that this human was not going anywhere, it didn't stop things from going bad.

After they both had lunch, and were busy making out, stripping and finding their way to the bed, they both felt eyes on them. Mal voiced that he felt uncomfortable under the excruciating stare and suggested they lock the cat in the bathroom, but Alina refused. Locking Darkles anywhere on his first night with her would ruin their trust and friendship, she was not going to risk it just so Mal can hit. Instead, she pulled the covers over them and hid their naked bodies from her new pet.

As soon as Mal was about to enter her, the cat had jumped up and scratched Mal on the back of his head, making him cry out in pain. Alina grabbed Darkles and pulled him toward her, his little body shaking and vibrating with possible anger as he kept on growling.

"What is that monster?!" Mal snapped, his eyebrows knotted in fury as he pulled back his pants along with his shirt.

Alina felt her blood boil at the insult Mal chose to call her cat and her protective instinct, clutching him close to her and almost hiding him behind her body. She put him down long enough to put on some pieces of clothes herself.

"Do not call him that," her voice raised. "He is an innocent little cat. He doesn't know what is happening around him, it's his first time here, around a couple. He doesn't know whether you're attacking me or not. He is just being protective."

Mal fumed, running a hand down his face. "I don't understand why would you even bother to get him, Alina. Animals are physically taxing, they tire you out. Besides, are you not supposed to bring anyone in your home now because your cat might find them a threat?"

"I don't know what is more annoying, my inability to understand what you are trying to say or the fact that you don't remember my desire to have a pet of my own since a decade and more!"

Mal clenched his jaw, then unclenched. "If you wanted a pet, might as well have gotten a goldfish. Then at the least, I wouldn't have to worry about some animal jumping me when I am trying to fuck you. I mean, what exactly is your cat implying here? That I can't shag my own girlfriend?"

Alina opened and closed her mouth several times before she took a deep, calming breath. It wasn't that she was rendered speechless because Mal was right, but she was suppressing the curses and anger flowing through her and was trying to prevent any damage to be done. She loved Mal and didn't want to say anything that would consequently hurt both of them.

But sometimes, Mal acted like a conceited bastard.

"I think you should leave," she said, her voice calm and cool like ice. "There is no point in arguing right now. I just need time alone to deal with this and help Darkles adjust."

It looked like that he was about to retort an answer but thought better of it. He nodded, his lips turning into a thin line and hesitantly walked up to her to kiss her temple. Darkles twisted in her arms.

"Call me later?"

Alina gulped and nodded curtly, not bothering to use her voice. She wasn't going to call him today that was for sure, but she didn't want to have another argument.

As soon as Mal left, she noticed a visible relaxation engulf her cat. She raised an eyebrow at him, but he snuggled closer, as if finally found eternal peace.

Mal's prediction about her cat having trouble with the rest of her friends had turned out to be false. When her best friend, Genya, visited them to meet the new member of Alina's family of two, Darkles took instant liking to her and rubbed his head against her palm. Zoya, another friend of theirs, joined them an hour later, and though Darkles was indifferent to her, but he didn't try to kill her.

Alina assumed that maybe he found other males threatening until her college friend, Nikolai, visited them a week later after his return from Os Kervo. After silently studying him for a long time, his eyes traveling from Alina to Nikolai repeatedly, he cautiously moved toward Nikolai and let him be picked up. He placed is head softly against his shoulder, then ended up nuzzling the crook of his neck.

Alina felt slightly jealous but happy that another friend was safe from Darkles' attack.

That night, she laid in bed with Darkles curved into a ball next to her, as she stared at the ceiling even though it was barely visible in the dark. Endless questions traveled through her mind, wondering what could possibly be the problem with Mal. He hadn't come again since the first time, instead, Alina had decided that it was better than she would go to him instead.

Assuming that way it would be safer, but when she returned afterward, her cat didn't snuggle next to her or even let herself be touched. Alina pouted but then proceeded to take a shower and get into bed, letting the cat have some alone time. Later in the middle of the night, she woke up to Darkles curled around her chest.

It occurred to her that he was probably able to smell Mal on her and didn't like it.

"Darkles," she spoke softly, her voice a bit hoarse. "Why do you not like Mal?" There was a tiny, barely audible meow. "He is not a bad person, in fact, he is very nice. He is my boyfriend, you know. He loves me, he takes care of me and you should try to give him a chance."

Meow. Though it sounded defensive.

Alina furrowed her eyebrows. "What will you do if we get married? I mean he is bound to ask me the question at some point soon. It has been four years since we officially started dating, and we are almost close to thirty. Will you still try to bite his head off?"

Darkles purred. Alina realized that it was a lost cause to try to convince him to give her boyfriend another chance so she let go of the conversation for now. Instead, she dozed off dreaming about engagement rings and proposals, white lilies and flower bouquets.

It had been two months since she had adopted her beloved Darkles, who had grown very attached to her and physically affectionate. Alina loved that feeling of being missed when she returned from work or outside, but she hated the idea of leaving him alone for hours. She went out and bought a baby monitor to be able to watch him from work, in case he needed her. She often wished she could bring him to work with her, but pets weren't allowed where she worked.

Alina was on her usual weekly grocery shopping trip, she had run out of laundry detergent and fresh milk. As she entered, she realized that she was also craving some strawberry tart and had walled toward the dessert aisle the store had, when she stumbled upon a familiar face. A woman in a long black coat stood by the counter, intently watching the desserts on display. Her black hair were pulled back, her one hand cupping her chin.

Her presence alone sent a shiver down Alina's spine. She wondered what kind of life would she have had lead if she was fallen under her care instead of Ana Kuya's. She would probably have turned out to be like her, uptight, unsmiling, somber and apathetic.

Alina wondered if she should say hello, but thought better of it. She probably did not like people's unexpected company and didn't want to be bothersome. She pretended to examine the other baked goods, waiting for Baghra to finish her business.

"What can I get for you?" The lady behind the counter chirped. Meanwhile, Alina picked up breadsticks, turned them upside down and examined them and put them back.

"Two applie pies, one vanilla pound cake, and two chocolate puddings you have there." Baghra replied in her monotonous voice, as though she recorded herself.

Alina wondered just how much sweet did she eat, ordering so many desserts like that. Then she wondered if she had children or grandchildren in her case.

"Are these for your kids?" The lady asked, probably making conversation seeing as she was still wearing a smile. But Baghra didn't smile back once.

"My son."

Alina raised her eyebrows at this piece of information. She didn't even consider that Baghra would have children, let alone a son who was probably a little replica of her.

The lady grinned. "Well, I'll add these lollipops we received today. They are complimentary."

"He's twenty-eight years old," said Baghra, "but I am sure he will appreciate them."

Alina stifled the noise that came out of her mouth that was something between a gasp and a laugh when she heard his age, which in turn made her cough. As much as she was trying to conceal her presence from Baghra, fate had it that she announced herself.

She pretended that she was here to actually get bread, and so picked up a random one from the top shelf and threw it in her cart and then slowly tilted her head to the side, half smiling. She pretended to be shocked to see Baghra and offered her a wide grin.

She could have been an actor.

"Hello," she said in her usual voice, she pushed the cart a little forward so now she was standing beside her and watching the woman wrap desserts for the twenty four year old son. "It's a complete coincidence to see you here."

Despite recognizing her, the woman made no effort to smile. Alina surmised that she had a malfunction of some sort where she couldn't lift her lips up or have the decency to be nice.

Baghra nodded in acknowledgment, her lips twitched a bit but there was nothing else. She continued to wait for the lady behind the counter to box her order up. Alina felt slightly stupid but also, she understood that not everyone owed her warm smiles and greetings. She couldn't force such reactions out of people.

After Baghra picked up her order and left, Alina placed hers and made it back to her car with her paper bags.

As she drove home, she wondered how her son looked like, and whether if he was like his mother or smiled. Alina wondered if Baghra smiled, at least, at her own son. Then she shook her head, wondering why was she so consumed with the thoughts of the woman. Yet, something about her was so fascinating.

When she reached home, she found Darkles lounging upon the shoes next to the door, probably waiting for her. She greeted him loudly and placed her bags upon the counter, she picked him up and gave him a loud, wet kiss to which he snuggled in her hold.

"Can you guess who I met today?"

Meow

"Your previous..." Alina wondered what would Baghra be for this little guy. "Caretaker? Right, the woman who looked after you. Well, one of them. Baghra. Do you remember her?"

Meow

Alina sighed. She would never know if that meow meant yes or no, but she went along with the former answer. She rubbed his head and put him down. She checked her voice messages, and found two: one from Mal and one from Genya.

Hey, babe. I was calling to let you know that I am taking you out tonight for dinner to this fancy place I saw earlier this week. So dress nice. Love you.

Alina felt giddy all of a sudden, she grinned to herself and wondered if today would be the day, if today was the day that he would propose, would ask her to be his forever. She voiced these thoughts to Darkles who began sulking and growling as soon as he heard Mal's voice.

"What's wrong, kitty?"

Nothing.

"You're being ridiculous, Darkles. I would still love you the most."

"Mal is just my partner," she said, crouching down next to him. She ran her fingers on his back, softly. "I love him too, but just not the way I love you. You're my companion for life in a different way, and Mal would be one too but in another way. Of course, you understand, where I am going with this, right?"

More silence.

"Darkles..." she licked her lips. "You're being unreasonable. What do you want me to do? I can not date you, unless of course you have the ability to turn into a human."

His ears perked up.

"You cannot turn into a human," she giggled. "You are my best friend, Darkles. You will always be my little cat."

She rubbed his back now, all the way to his tail. He pushed his little head toward her palm and lazily blinked up at her adoringly. Alina bent a little to plop a kiss on his forehead.

"I have to go get ready now before Mal comes," she announced to her little companion, standing up and straightening her clothes.

She was trying to be patient, she truly was. Yet, as she sat across from Mal, watching him eat his steak in such comfort, she wanted to hurl at him. They had been in the restaurant for over thirty minutes at this point and there was no sign of any ring mysteriously showing up in his champagne, or in her food, or her napkin, or Mal getting down on one knee and surprising her with it from his pocket. Much to her dismay, this was a normal, uneventful date night like any other.

She sulked. She twisted her Alfredo with her fork, glaring at the chicken as if it was it's fault that her boyfriend of four years did not want to marry her. Not right now at least.

Alina did not enjoy uncertainty, one that lasted this long. She liked knowing where her life was heading, where she was going to end up and with whom. She had always planned out her life from as long as she could remember. She didn't imagine that Mal would fall on his knee after six months, but she was sure that four years is a long time to know how you felt about someone and whether you wanted to spend the rest of your life with them.

It broke her heart more often than she let on that Mal never brought up any conversation regarding his plans with her.

Alina bit her lip, restraining herself from saying anything to fuel the fire. Lately, the reasons she loved Mal had been slipping and her strength to hold on had been weakening. Then again, he wasn't doing much to keep her intact.

"So," his voice brought her out of her beef with the chicken and the pasta. "Do you remember two months ago about the promotion that Raevsky was talking about?"

Alina had no mind to force herself to remember such useless details, not when her entire mood for the evening had been ruined. So she faintly nodded, unclear whether she meant that she remembered or not.

"Well," he grinned wide enough to show his pearl white teeth. "Your man has moved from being an accountant to financial analyst."

Alina watched him, her expression deadpanned. She had absolutely no clue what financial analysts did, but even if she was slightly curious, she was too pissed to ask him at this moment. When Alina didn't smile right away, his grin withered.

"Babe?" he asked gently, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion now.

"This is why we are having dinner here?" she asked after a while, placing her fork back to her uneaten plate of pasta. "Because you got a job promotion?"

"Yes?" he replied back, almost unsure. "Was I not supposed to? I am confused why are you so unaffected by this?"

Alina suppressed her bitter smile, "what exactly am I going to get out of this?"

"Well, your boyfriend is going to get a bigger office, a new car and possibly a new apartment even. I will have a higher paying salary and couple more benefits at my sleeve, so you should be proud of me."

She bit the inside of her cheek, repeating his answer in her head. To be honest, he did not give much of an answer to her question. Yet, she noticed how in all of his reasonings, there wasn't a single mention of her or them together.

"You didn't answer my question, Mal. Why exactly am I going to get out of your promotion?" she asked again, her tone exasperated. "Considering the fact, you are not my husband. All these luxuries offered to you will be yours alone, I will not be part of it. In fact, in your entire answer, you did not mention me once. Me, your supposed girlfriend. You just want me to be happy for you, and which I am, truly, but I am also tired of waiting."

She picked up her napkin from her lap and threw it on the table next to the plate. She picked up her clutch and stormed out of the restaurant, leaving a very confused Mal. Who, apparently, also followed suit because as soon as she stepped out, she heard her name being called. She paid him no mind as she waited by the edge of the footpath and signaled for a taxi to stop.

"Alina, wait!" He grabbed her by the wrist and turned her toward him. "What do you mean by all of that? What are you tired of waiting for? Of course those benefits will be for both of us. We will be going on car rides together in my new car, and better pay means better gifts and vacations. We can always go on those trips you mention about–"

It then occurred to her that he had not even once thought about their life together. He had always lived in the moment, present for what was happening then. He never planned a date a day before, but always the very day he would be taking her. There was no...organization in his life, that much had known. Yet, she hoped that at least he saw marriage in his life, preferably with her.

"Mal," she said, interrupting him. "Where do you see us?"

"What do you mean?"

"Where do you see us in the the next, say, two years?" she held on to his hand, hoping that he would give her an answer she was looking for.

I see us together, living together, engaged, married, with children, and a house filled with our belongings, our things, our love...I see us in love in the next two years.

"Hopefully, together." is what he said instead, his face breaking out in nervous laughter. "Alina, where is this coming from?"

"We have been together for four years and not once have you thought about marrying me, have you?" she felt the tears prickling just at the corner of her eye, threatening to fall with mere provocation.

"I-you know how I feel about marriages," he said sullenly, his voice faltering. "I haven't-I thought you were happy. You never once complained."

"That's because I thought you were waiting for the right time. I didn't know you did not want to marry me-" she broke off, wrenching her hand free from his grip and turning away. "Saints, I am so fucking stupid."

"Alina—"

"No, Mal," she stopped him right then, she hugged her clutch closer to her as if it will save her from bursting into tears. "You had four years to explain to me about your choices and thoughts. And for the record, you did not tell me how you felt about marriages. You never brought up the topic and I was too fool to really see the reality of things. You never wanted me."

Mal held her by the elbow again but she pulled back, stepping backward. "Of course I want you, babe. I just like the way we have been. It's perfect, really good-"

"Well, it isn't enough for me," she replied sternly, her emotions void. "I don't want to spend the rest of my life being uncertain and going to restaurants to celebrate promotions, it's a great thing really, I am proud of you. But I want more and it's clear you can't give it to me. I have to go."

She called the taxi once more and without looking back, and not being called to stop, she got into the backseat and went home. Her heart was broken now in to million shards scattered across Os Alta.

iii.

Alina remained in bed for the next two weeks, sobbing and crying, watching romantic movies with tragic and occasionally ones with happier endings. However, it did no good to heal the damage that her heart had been through.

Her friends were consistently calling and texting her to make sure that she is well and alive. They had come to her apartment many times over the weeks, without warning or ringing of bell. Alina had given them spare keys for emergencies and Genya said that this was a close call to one. Despite feeling sympathetic toward her, Genya had been a bit more upbeat than usual. She suspected it was because Genya didn't exactly approve of her relationship with Mal but for her sake, remained quiet, and so she was quite happy that it was over.

Ruby had been dropping by after her Master's classes in the evening with home-baked brownies and sometimes even dumplings from a place near her institute. She had been rather a silent shoulder without the attitude of I-told-you-so. Despite adoring Genya, she appreciated that fact about Ruby.

However, as much as she loved her friends for being there for her—including Nikolai who had offered to beat Mal up, there was only one thing that kept her sane and intact, and that was her little furball, Darkles. He had been curled beside her, allowing his body to be treated as a comforting pillow. Alina wondered astonishingly how Baghra claimed that he was not fond of people, because he was adjusting exceptionally well with her. He rubbed his head on her forearm, sometimes nipped at her fingers playfully, nuzzled her neck and ear, and even lain on her chest when she was feeling extra sad.

As she laid on her side, rubbing the back of his ear and staring into his grey quartz eyes, she half smiled at him. "You always knew something was off about Mal, didn't you?"

He purred, feeling quite proud of himself and Alina giggled for the first time in so long. She hummed to herself, "and I chalked it up to you not approving other men around me."

She turned to lay on her back and stared up at the ceiling. "Well, Darkles, I guess it's just you and me now."

"Why is your phone off?" Genya bursted inside, her arms filled with take out bags and a large bottle of kvas cradled in her left arm like a little child. "I have been calling you non-stop since four hours."

Alina sighed as she closed her laptop that had been lent by the company she worked for. She had to catch up with a lot of work she missed out while she was suffering through her wallowing period, but now she had enough energy to actually work. She had already called and informed her supervisor that she would be working remotely for the next month, Polina had been a little reluctant but understood her circumstances and accepted. She may have wee bit exaggerated.

"Mal won't stop calling or texting," she replied, standing up to clean the table so that Genya could put the food on the table. "The sound of vibrations and phone ringing was making Darkles go insane so I just unplugged the phone and shut my mobile off. Sorry, you can email me until further notice."

Genya sat everything down, she had brought Roasted Lamb sandwiches, Dumpling in sour cream as well as cabbage rolls. Alina was starving and so they both sat down to feast. She made a mental note on having her heart broken more frequently if this was the way she was going to be spoiled by her friends.

"Have you spoken to him at all since the fight?" asked Genya as she poured kvas into their glasses.

"No," replied Alina, taking a bite out of her cabbage roll. "And I don't plan to. He wasted four years of my life and I don't owe him shit."

"It still baffles me that not once did you bring up the topic to him," she sighed, "what exactly did you two talk about?"

Alina shrugged. "I did bring it up, occasionally, but he would smoothly change the subject into something else. I always thought that he was just waiting for the right time. He never indicated anything differently."

"And now," Genya passed her the sandwich. "Does he know why you two have broken up?"

"I don't know and I don't care," she sighed loudly. "Look, can we just eat our lunch in pease? I honestly am no longer bothered. I don't need him anymore, I have you guys and my cat, Darkles. It's all I need."

Genya didn't look convinced. "Maybe you should just talk to him, just once. To just clarify that you both are aware of what you guys want. Perhaps, it was a misunderstanding and he does want to marry you-"

"Honestly Genya, the last person I expected to defend him was you!" Alina exclaimed exasperatedly. "It was clear as the day that he didn't and nor did he ever thought about marrying, let alone just me. I am tired of thinking about it, about him, and how I could have achieved so much more than spending the last four years of my life running around him. I could have gone to Os Kervo for better career choices, or even travelled to Ketterdam."

Genya visibly resigned and leaned behind on the chair. Silence fell upon them as the sounds of chewing and clinking of glass atop the table filled their surroundings. Alina was truly exhausted out of her mind dwelling and crying, she just wanted to move on to better things. She was no longer hoping for marriage, because her heart had been shattered. She loved Mal and she didn't think that she could ever fall in love again, but constantly nursing and worrying about how damaged her heart was will only hold her back. She needed to figure out the next step in her life, so at least she could plan accordingly. Talking to Mal was not a fucking option. No way.

"You know," said Genya after a while, she leaned on the table with her elbows. "If you had moved to Ketterdam or wherever, you would not have met Darkles."

Alina smiled, but then shook her head. "Not true. Darkles and I are meant to be. I would have moved to the end of this world and would still have found him."

Alina turned behind her to see a small black body curled and fast asleep.

Alina sat on her couch with her legs tucked underneath her, while she held tightly on to Darkles who was purring at her every rub and caress. She was deep and lost in thought, she simply thinking about how various things. She wondered about how her life would have turned out to be like if she had parents, or at least one parent, and if she had siblings.

Yet, she did not regret the steps she had taken to lead where she had reached. It wasn't easy either, she had to bust her ass and work extremely hard to be able to afford a studio apartment, and to purchase a car on monthly installments which she was still paying for.

When Alina thought more about it, she realized that Mal had never discussed them as one. He had always referred to them as two individuals, which they were, but so were their plans and things. He had never intended to take the next step of moving in together, but she didn't even push it because she liked living on her own. Even so, Mal couldn't even bother to think of it on his own.

"Darkles," she whispered softly. "Please don't ever leave me, or lie to me. I love you, I love you so much. You are my best friend, my companion, my little furball. I love you."

Meow. Meow. Meoow.

Everything will be alright, she told herself, as long as she had it planned out, and had Darkles.

She was leaving her office building when noticed a familiar pair of shoes standing in front of her. She wanted to bolt but couldn't make a run for it without screaming bloody murder.

Alina froze, her eyes slowly looked up to find the very familiar blue eyes that she had come to resent lately. He looked...the same. Mostly. His hair had grown longer and was disheveled, he had a light beard that was barely visible because it was blonde-ish. He had a concerned look on his face, but other than that, he looked normal. It didn't make him look exhausted but rather right out of bed.

"Alina." he pleaded when she, instead of melting by his presence like he probably had expected, started storming away toward her car.

"Alina, please." his voice was closer than before, and Alina knew that she was not fast enough to outrun him. "I have been trying your phone, your landline. I came by your apartment complex but the guard won't let me up. I just want to talk. Can we, please, just talk?"

Alina's shoulders slumped forward, suddenly too tired to fight him once again. She had just restored her energy back from the last fight that she didn't want to waste it on him once more. She turned around, her jaw clenched as she nodded curtly.

They silently walked to the coffee shop nearby, the one Alina occasionally stopped by before work to get coffee on the days she would be late to work or did not feel like doing any work at home. Their coffee was cheap, and it didn't put any particular dent on her wallet.

Mal placed an order of once cappuccino for himself and one iced latte for Alina, and they proceeded to seat themselves at the far corner, beside the window. The noises of people conversing and laughing drowned the sound of music playing in the background, Alina noticed it to be a familiar tune.

"So," he began first, placing his elbows upfront and watching her intently. "I think we should start from the beginning."

When Alina did not reply, he sighed and continued. "Alina, please. I-I need to know where did we go wrong. I thought you liked our arrangement, I thought th-"

"Arrangement?" she finally cut in, her eyebrows scrunching. "Is that what you refer to what we had?"

"Alina-

"No," she raised her hand, preventing him from further talking. "I think the issue is obvious here, Mal. It is my fault that I did not bring it up firsthand and instead, let it drag for this long. Instead of letting you take me to the Winter Fete by the castle for our first anniversary, I should have asked you what did you see for us in the future. Then again, Mal, getting Winter Fete tickets is not an easy thing. It must have taken you a lot to be able to secure the tickets, didn't it? Any girl would deem herself special in my place."

Alina paused because the waitress had come to place their cups on the table, upon turning she smiled and winked at Mal. She didn't think much of it because this was the norm for them whenever they went out and were surrounded by the female population.

"Alina," he said once more. It almost felt like he could not do more than just call her name again and again. "I-I do love you, you know that. To me, there was never the prospect of marriage and that knowledge was widespread in our college. I thought you knew that. I did not know that it meant that much to you."

Alina suppressed her tears, feeling like the biggest idiot to ever exist. "Mal, it's all I ever talked about. About having a big family, about wanting one. I always admired yours, I told you that repeatedly. I always mentioned how I wish I had my own big family. And to attain that, I would want to get married–I..I just can't–"

She covered her face as she felt the hot sting of tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I am sorry," he had barely whispered but she heard him. "I wish I can make this better for you."

"You can't," she said after a minute of silence, sniffing. "Unless you decide that you want to marry me."

"I-I can try-"

"No, absolutely not. I do not want you to coerce yourself into a life you don't want. That way, we both will be miserable. Let this be the end, let's move on and just–focus on what we want."

Mal looked into her eyes, as though searching for the answer that would somehow satisfy him. Then he nodded. "I will always love you, Alina. You have been the brightest star in my life, my true north. I-I am going to miss you."

She debated whether she should offer her friendship to him, but concluded that it would be too painful for her to see him be with other people and no longer her. It was best to just completely walk away. She bent forward and placed her hand on his, one last skin contact as she squeezed it and smiled sadly.

"Me too, Mal, me too."

One Tuesday evening, Alina was doing laundry when she heard a crash from behind her. She turned around to see Darkles standing beside a now broken lamp, unfazed. She dropped her basket as she removed him from the place of danger, inspecting him for any shards or sharp object, but to her relief, he was safe.

The lamp was her favorite. It was in the shape of sun.

It was a gift from Mal.

Alina wondered how did her cat figured out who the lamp was from or was it an accident. She doubted the latter.

Darkles was happier than usual. He started eating his meals more properly in timely manner instead of consuming everything he could in one go as he was previously.

He strutted around, purring and meowing for no reason. He would always turn to her and slowly blink, as if conveying a secret message only he understood.

He wrapped himself in her clean laundry and would wait by the door whenever she went to work. Though he used to do this before as well but it seemed that he did it with a happier mood.

Alina felt as though the cat was actually a person and not an animal. There have been moments when he would watch her, his grey eyes glinting and flickering. There were moments when she felt as though he was softly smiling at her.

Of course, she was being delusional. Darkles was just a cat.

iv.

Alina was locking her apartment when she heard some noise behind her. Her heart picked up at the thought that maybe she finally had a new neighbor.

She excitedly turned around and was met with a sight to behold. A tall man, much taller than her, with dark hair that reached behind his ears and pale skin, long neck, and slender body stood with a somber look on his face. Yet, aside from his attractiveness and height, what caught her eyes were the grey quartz eyes.

For a minute, Alina thought how similar they were to her cat.

Then she cleared her throat to erase her ridiculous thoughts and offered a hesitant smile to the man.

"I don't mean to hold you for long, but can you help me with this lock?" His voice was calm and collected, as though he could be anywhere but here. "I have been trying to get in for the past hour but no such luck."

Alina nodded, not trusting herself with her voice as she walked up toward her supposed neighbor. She should ask him before it turned out that he was a serial killer.

"I'm sorry but are you moving in here?" her voice sounded foreign to her at that moment. Her eyes were trained on his hands, how long and nice his fingers were.

He cleared his throat, "ah, yes. I do apologize for not clarifying that earlier. I just moved back here from Fjerda and well, I didn't want to reside with my mother longer than I already had."

Alina noticed his face changing, from eyes wide that he let on too much information to his mask falling back. She grabbed the key from his hand as she held the handle and placed a foot on the bottom of the door. She clutched the handle downward with one hand and twisted the key in the hole with the other while she kicked the door hard and let the door slam against the wall behind with a loud thud, then instantly regretted as it might have been rusty and could have broke on contact.

"The apartment has been empty since longer than a year I think and no one comes to check on it," she explained as he watched the hallway and then trained his eyes back to her, his gaze lingering. "Anyway, welcome neighbor. I live across from you if you need any help with anything else."

He nodded, his face still somber. It somehow reminded her of Baghra but with more emotions. "Thank you, miss..."

"Alina Starkov," she waved her hand. "But you can call me Alina."

The corner of his lip twitched, or was that her imagination?

"Aleksander Morozova," he extended her hand. "Nice to meet you."

THE END

#the darkling x alina #aleksander x alina #alternate universe #the darkling as a cat #shadow and bone #alina starkov #ben barnes #darklina #ruin and rising #the grisha trilogy #aleksander morozova #baghra #alina x mal #siege and storm #leigh bardugo #jessie mei li #grisha trilogy alternate universe

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lexa-lives-in-us · 3 years

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Saving Tips for Hard Times

I found this old document where I collected a series of tips to save money. This is all part of my experience of when I was near homeless, and some work depending on where you live, some don’t. Here we go.

BILLS:

1. The optimum temperature for refrigerator operation is 5°C, and -18°C for freezer operation. As a rule of thumb, for each additional degree of refrigeration output about six percent more electricity is used.

2. Unplug your appliances. Lamps, microwave, tv, computers etc. They don't need to be plugged until you use them, and it saves energy to keep them unplugged. Therefore, money.

3. Do homework for phone companies and internet plans. Call them! Often they are toll free and if you mentioned that you were already with them or thinking of going with them and then found out another company had a better deal, they could offer you deals for lower prices. I had to do it all the time for my phone, until they couldn't really offer anything better.

4. BIKE. Invest in a used bike if you can, especially for the warmer months. It offsets the transit costs and better your health.

5. WALK. That's the same as the bike, honestly.

6. Pay your bills on time, you will avoid late fees which can up to HUNDREDS of dollars wasted over the course of a year. If you can, set up automatic payments so you don’t forget.

FRIDGE:

1. Every time the refrigerator door is opened, cold air escapes and warm ambient air enters. To compensate for the temperature increase in its interior, the refrigerator must then use energy to bring the temperature back down. Always avoid opening the door unnecessarily and for too long.

2. When defrosting frozen food place it in the refrigerator. Not only does this ensure that the food is carefully defrosted, its presence cools down the refrigerator interior, reducing the amount of work that the compressor has to do, and therefore lowering energy consumption.

3. Never put warm food in the refrigerator as this will heat up the interior, as well as other stored foods. Hot food should always be allowed to cool to room temperature before placing it in the refrigerator

MONEY:

1. Keep all the containers like glass bottles, juice bottles, jars, cans etc. Look for your Return-It depot and have trips to return them. They give back coins for laundry, small expenses etc

2. Use that junk mail. Go through it, find coupons for food, for essentials like toilet paper or shampoo.

3. CHECK. THAT. DOLLARSTORE. They often have things like pasta, ketchup, toilet paper, batteries etc for literally 1 dollar. Pasta is pasta, toilet paper is toilet paper. Seriously. Don't need to spend 5$ on a shampoo bottle when you can have it for 1/5 of the price.

4. Do homework and check with different banks for which one offers a better plan. Some of them are willing to help out. Sit down with their advisors, find the best solution!

5. Use the envelope system! For example, one envelope with a label “food” the other with “entertainment” the other with “bills”. Then set the right amount of cash for each. That’s what you’re allowed to spend each month. If you realize you need more for food, grab it from the entertainment envelope. Adapt and arrange as needed.

6. If you can, set up an automatic saving (example 50$ every paycheck) for both regular saving AND an emergency fund.

7. Use the 24-Hour Rule. Avoid purchasing expensive or unnecessary items on impulse with a self-imposed 24-hour rule. For any non-essential item, wait 24 hours before purchasing. It’s perfect for online shopping where your items can simply be added to your cart to purchase later.

8. Make a grocery list BEFORE going to the grocery store and STICK to it. You’re going to avoid buying things you don’t really need.

9. DO. NOT. SHOP. WHILE. YOU. ARE. HUNGRY. Or you’ll end up buying food that you actually don’t need just because you feel snacky!

10. Only use ATMs from your bank, or you get charged small fees.

11. Set a “No Spend Day” per week, where you consciously DO NOT spend any money for that day.

12. Ditch the paper: Cutting out paper towels and using cloths and napkins that you can simply wash and reuse is a simple way to save.

13. After you wear clothes, hang them outside your wardrobe, on a door or something. You can air them out a bit, then stick them in the closet without washing. You can basically reuse the same clothes two or three times without having to wash them, sometimes they just need a bit of air and they won’t smell AT ALL.

14. If you don’t own or want to spend money on an iron, hang whatever blouse you need to iron in the bathroom while you shower. The steam will humidify the fabric and straighten it up.

15. Hang stuff to dry. Really don’t need to spend money on the dryer.

16. Sign up to the library. They have so many books and DVDs nowadays. You can also just go, sit at the library and stay warm for a while, so that you don’t have to sit at home and either suffer the cold or use money on your own heat.

17. Budget, budget, budget. Get a lil notebook, write down the monthly expenses, cut what you don’t need. It gets easier with time.

FOOD:

1. Make a meal plan. Write 10-14 days worth of dishes that you can do (lunch, dinner, everything you need). You can then toss them around as you go on with your week, but that way you have a pretty clear idea of what you use and the food you go through for how long. It also reduces the risks of getting take out since you already have plans for what to eat.

2. Cook double! Seriously. Make that dinner and double it up. Leftovers can be frozen or put in the fridge for the day after.

3. Meal prep. Once a week, prep a bunch of different recipes. Let them cool down, stick them in the freezer. At that point you’ll already have all these meals at the ready to just thaw/microwave or oven up.

4. You don’t need pop. You don’t need alcohol. You most likely don’t need milk, but go for it if you wanna. Just remember dairy products go bad WAY more quickly than non dairies, so consider getting food and drinks with no dairy in them. Mainly, though. Water. Just drink water. Lots of it too! Sometimes our brain can’t tell the difference between hunger and thirst. You think you’re snacky? Drink some water instead! It’ll quell your hunger.

5. Freeze fruit! If you think you’re not gonna be able to eat fruit in time, put it in a Tupperware or a ziplock and slap it in the freezer. You’ll be able to then use it for smoothies.

6. Use the Italian saying “Colazione da re, pranzo da nobili, cena da poveri.” Which quite literally means “Breakfast as a king, lunch as a noble, dinner as a poor.” Breakfast should be very filling, carbs, protein, vitamins. It carries you for the whole day. Lunch should be quite filling too! But supper doesn’t really need a lot of it, and if you REALLY have to skip a meal, skip supper. Your body doesn’t need that much sustenance while sleeping.

7. This is for the desperate times but I’ve done it, and I would do it again if I ever had to. Go to markets that have like… Fruits and veggies. Talk to them. Ask them “HEY, can I have the fruit/veggie that you have to throw away?” Ask them if you can have the ugly produce, the one that doesn’t look pretty enough to be put out. Or ask them to have whatever extra they have to dump because is past the expiry date. EXPIRY DATE IS USUALLY MUCH LONGER THAN WHAT THE LABEL SAYS. I wouldn’t risk it with dairy stuff or with things that are VERY expired, but one or two days? Totally fine, I promise. And if you have to? Dumpster Dive. Especially at markets with fruit and veggies that have to be sold on the same day (because it’s not considered “fresh” past that day.) Or behind pizza places like Dominos or Panago or whatever chain. They get pizza orders wrong all the time. Just give a peak behind these buildings and look inside their boxes. You have no idea how many times I found perfectly fine pizzas. For free! IF YOU DUMPSTER DIVE, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE GLOVES, A MASK AND PLASTIC BAGS TO PUT YOUR STUFF IN. ONCE AT HOME, DISCARD GLOVES AND WASH PRODUCE THROUGHLY. Also check tumblr for your divers community, they usually know the best spots.

CLOTHES:

1. Thrift shop! So many GOOD used clothes are out there! Honestly! My whole wardrobe is thrifted and everything looks brand new. It takes a bit of research and maybe that shirt you liked is not in your size, but you can find EVERYTHING, from socks to bras, at a thrift store. Don’t thrift underwear though. You want to go new with those.

2. Invest in some needle and thread, then open youtube. There are SO MANY tutorials that teach you how to mend holes in socks and underwear. And really, no one will really notice if a mend is perfectly done or not. After a week, you’ll forget it too! But that prevents you from throwing away clothes that could just be mended a little.

3. Something doesn’t fit you? Too small, too big? YouTube, homie. They have tutorials on how to fix these kinda things! All you need, again, is needle and thread.

4. Organize clothes swaps with friends and/or neighbors. Everyone brings clothes they don’t need, put them in a pile. Go through the pile and grab whatever there is. There’s no money exchange, one could go home with 1 item and one could go home with 50 items. Who cares? The extra stuff… DONATE IT TO A SHELTER.

Feel free to add more, and stay safe!

#saving #saving tips #saving tip #money management #savings #small savings #homeless #saving account #my tips #signal boost #thrifting #dumpster diving #recycle #creative reuse #reduce reuse recycle #reducereuserecycle

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creativelilgarden · 4 years

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creativelilgarden

I don’t know what to write. It’s hard to focus on anything. If I let myself think, I fall down a rabbit hole of despair and pessimism. I distract myself with others through a screen, all wearing the same facade I use to talk to you. But when I write for you it’s hard to construct that version of myself. I can’t instinctively move the muscles in my face into a smile. I can’t raise the pitch of my voice to feign happiness. I can’t rehearse a “I’m holding up how are you?” I can only sieve my thoughts and arrange them on this paper.

It’s hard to navigate how I feel. I’m okay, my basic needs are met. I have shelter, I have my health, I have my family, I have food. But I’m not nourished. I’m not satiated because we are all going without. And I can’t help but feel guilty for knowing there are people with much less than me yet I still feel empty.

I scroll mindlessly through Instagram. A constant stream of information to keep my mind at bay. But then I came across her post. “I’m at a loss for words and I can barely breathe. Dad, I love you so much and I’m so sorry I couldn’t be with you through all of this. Rest in the sweetest peace. The last thing he texted my family before he was incubated was ‘I fought the good fight but my body has nothing left. Love you all.’ No one is invincible.” Above I see her and her dad standing side by side at her graduation. He looks younger than mine. My graduation is supposed to be in May and all I want is that picture. Me and my cap and gown, standing next to my father who has supported me for twenty one years. I think of how covid stole that day from me, and how it could steal him before it's rescheduled.

Even writing this my throat is closing in. My eyes feel tight holding back falling water. My brain tries to misdirect my thoughts. Searching for anything lighter, anything to remove my discomfort. To move from misery to mindlessness. But to write this I can’t.

All I want to think about are the things I can control. I spend hours watching skincare routines and workout montages, two categories of YouTube I used to ignore, implementing them into my groundhog’s day routine in hopes I’ll emerge from this a better version of myself. Though every new video I watch feels the need to comment on the state of our world, to avoid claims of being insensitive. They all promote various charities that I know I should be donating to. I remember that come graduation I will be entering the worst economy in decades, my job prospects essentially erased. I don’t know if I can donate because I’m not sure if I'll have an income in one month. I remind myself that I still pay $2000 a month for space in a city which I was forced to vacate. I waste my day away watching privileged YouTubers in LA, who are very much still employed, guilt me into feeling as though I’m not doing enough.

As the sun rises and falls in a blink of an eye, I recall all the responsibilities I am still obligated to fulfill. I recall the thousands of dollars in debt I am for a piece of paper that will help me find a job. Even though there are now no jobs. Two more months of these four classes until I get that piece of paper. I can’t quit now so I read the assigned texts. I have to brush my hair and turn on my camera and microphone and be interested in what is being said. I see all the people I saw weekly, who I will never see in Real Life again.

But I feel tired. I lay in bed cocooned in softness and warmth. I feel as though I have become a part of it. I only look forward to resting my eyes because I’m tired of seeing what life has become. I catch myself falling asleep earlier and earlier, extending the amount of time I get to be in The Other World.

In The Other World I am back home in New York. In my quaint apartment by choice with just my cat to keep me company. I can walk the streets of Manhattan side by side to strangers without a second thought. My friends are not hidden behind a screen but in the flesh, closer than six feet away. Together we can go to restaurants and share dishes or drinks, or sit outside and share a joint. My boyfriend isn’t a world away. We get to be together a year after our first date, and celebrate the memory together.

In The Other World people aren’t being laid off and parents and grandparents aren’t dying. Grocery stores and pharmacies aren’t a battle zone but a tedious ritual we perform once a week. In The Other World I don’t monitor death tolls and the news is still focused on the 2020 election. I dread going to work, but still attend dragging my feet. I walk the East Village to get to my classes, which don’t begin with asking if everyone is safe and okay. It is just a given that we are unless stated otherwise.

I only like to think about The Other World at night when I have access to live in it. Thinking about it now only drags me further into dread. Dread for how many days this continues and how many more lives will have to be lost.

I don’t know what else to say because I have gone too far into my brain. All signs are saying turn around and watch another Glossier skin care review.

#covid19 #memoir #writing #writeblr #writer #free write #write

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eretzyisrael · 5 years

Link

A staggering 2.5 million tons of food is wasted annually in Israel, according to a report by Leket Israel, Israel’s National Food Bank. Of that waste, roughly 50 percent is rescuable — and though fit for consumption, doesn’t make it to anyone’s table.

That’s where SpareEat comes in. This new startup, which launched its eponymously named app in early August, connects restaurants, supermarkets, and cafés with surplus foodstuffs to hungry Tel Aviv residents ready to pay for the food that would otherwise be tossed out.

Of course, there’s an incentive for the customer: the surplus fare is heavily discounted, sometimes even half the original price.

“There is so much food wasted on a day-to-day basis. I don’t think it can be completely avoided but a lot could be saved,” Elie Fischer, co-founder of SpareEat, tells NoCamels.

Fischer and his cousin Laetitia Jessner had toyed with the idea of founding a startup for some three years. Fischer’s work background includes 10 years as a restaurateur and working in the food and beverage field of the hotel industry.

SpareEat co-founders Laetitia Jessner and Elie Fischer. Courtesy

“There’s a lot of food wasted especially in the hotel industry,” he says. “It is difficult to see how much is thrown away.”

A French immigrant, Fischer was aware of Europe’s popular food rescue apps including Too Good To Go, which connects users to unsold, surplus food; Olio, which connects people in the same neighborhood to share surplus food – cooked and raw materials; Foodcloud, which partners supermarkets with charities to give unsold food items to homeless shelters and families in need; and Karma, which helps consumers find unsold food from nearby restaurants, bars, and cafés.

“We wanted to do an entrepreneurial project with meaning for a while. This idea came up and we believed it was a shame this app hadn’t come out in Israel yet,” he says.

So, Fischer and Jessner set out to interview people on the street, eateries and hotels to see if such an app is needed in Israel. They found an enthusiastic audience.

Some 400 people downloaded the app within the first 10 days of its launch. SpareEat has 16 businesses on board, with more in the pipeline. Fischer says the short-term goal is to get at least 60 restaurants, cafés, grocery stores and hotels connected to the app by the end of October.

“The biggest challenge in Israel is changing awareness. The food waste market is still new,” says Fischer.

Shoppers at Shuk HaCarmel in Tel Aviv. Deposit Photos

Indeed, Deena Fiedler, Director of PR and Resource Development at Leket Israel says food waste awareness in Israel is not where it is in the rest of the world. Leket Israel has been leading the way in food rescue since 2003, and today serves 175,000 Israelis weekly.

“Regarding public awareness on food waste, there have been definite strides made but much work still needs to be done to educate the public. Issues of food waste still need to become part of the daily discourse,” Fiedler tells NoCamels.

The habit of throwing out food is just one issue of food waste. Fiedler says many potential food donors didn’t want to take part in donating surplus food because of possible liability charges.

“One recent accomplishment, which has given the issue of food waste a boost, is the newly passed legislation, the Food Donation Act. After 10 years of Leket Israel’s intensive work with the Knesset, in October 2018, the Knesset finally passed Israel’s first-ever Food Donation Act which protects food donors from liability. As a result of this law, many potential food donors who were on the fence about donating their surplus food, opened their doors to Leket Israel. This gave Leket access to even more excess food to improve the lives of even more Israelis in need across the country,” she says.

Indirectly, that legislation means more restaurants and supermarkets can take part in SpareEat’s plan as well.

Alena restaurant in Tel Aviv. Illustrative. Photo by Nimrod Sondars

Fischer knows that an app alone will not change the way people think about food waste. In addition to making his business a success, he reiterates the importance for SpareEat to raise awareness of food waste and preventing meals from being thrown away. He is a firm believer that every little bit helps.

“People can make a little difference and get something in return. If they buy four, five, six meals a week from food surplus, when you put it all together, it makes a difference,” he says. “Worldwide, we can see that the young generation is raising its voice for ecology. Food surplus is not in the media enough. People are just starting to become aware.”

SpareEat is not a charity. The customer is not charged to use the iOS or Android app. Businesses pay SpareEat a commission for each transaction but in return make money on food they would otherwise have thrown away.

“We started in Tel Aviv. We hope to get the interest of the crowd and expand to the rest of Israel,” Fischer says. “The app is in English so the plan is to expand to other countries, too.”

#Israel #restaurant #food waste #social awareness

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sjecblogarchive · 8 years

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LENTEN GREEN CALENDAR

02/08/2016

BY SJECWARRENTON

LENTEN GREEN CALENDAR

Over the 40 days of Lent, learn about eco-justice (caring for creation and all humans in it) and take action on the issues of waste, energy, water, consumption, and food. Join the Saint James’ Green Team on your Lenten journey by taking this calendar and a mite box, which are available in the Parish Hall. You or your child may choose one thing to take on or give up from the list of actions below compiled by our youth and/or follow the daily devotional adapted from PCUSA Earth Ministries. In our mite box, we will deposit “fines” for not sticking to our chosen discipline or the daily devotional. The boxes will then be collected on Easter Day, and the money designated for a green action.

ENERGY

Deposit fines if you don’t turn off lights as you leave rooms. Consider installing movement sensors so lights only activate when needed.

Deposit fines for every set of closed drapes, blinds, or shutters.

The sun is the cheapest and most environmentally sound heat and light source.

Deposit fines for each secondary appliance that remains plugged in and consumes energy when not in use. TVs, computers, and CD players can consume almost as much energy when in standby mode as they do during the relatively small amount of time they’re being used.Deposit fines every time you or someone in your family turns up the thermostat in your home. Install a thermostat with timer.

WATER

Deposit fines every time you let the water run while brushing your teeth instead of turning it off until rinsing.Deposit fines for every minute you let the water run to “warm up the shower.”

Deposit fines for each time you run your dishwasher, washing machine, fill a mop bucket, or take a bath and create something known as “Gray Water”. Gray water can be used again to water your garden, if it contains only biodegradable soaps and cleaners.

EARTH

Deposit fines every time you throw something recyclable in the trash. Purchase a separate bin.

Deposit fines for each item you throw away that could have been composted. Pretty much anyorganic matter can find a home in a compost pile or bin. Then, you have a nutritious soil enhancer, and you’re doing your part to reduce landfill waste.

Deposit fines for each cleaning item in your home that includes chemicals that are deemed bad for the environment. Several brands of non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products are available at both natural grocery shops and chain stores.

Deposit fines for each item in your home that is deemed as disposable vs. things that are reusable. Many things come in reusable forms, so choose reusable food containers over plastic wrap. Choo se rechargeable batteries over the conventional single-use kind. Use rags, towels, and cloth napkins instead of paper ones.

Deposit fines for each harmful item in your garage, basement,or kitchen sink cupboard such as Styrofoam, old paint cans, used motor oil, garden pesticides and weed killers, used batteries, old computers or electronics, harsh cleaning chemicals, or pest killers. The Fauquier County dump accepts all these items.

Deposit fines for each mile you drove to day. If you commute on a regular basis, look into carpooling or alternative means of transportation. If you live and work in Old Town, take a walk to work.

Deposit fines for each piece of paper used in filing your tax return. If you are able, file your taxes electronically to cut back on paper usage. You can look into having your tax forms emailed to you instead of mailed. Deposit fines for each old newspaper or plastic grocery bag in your home. Donate old newspapers to animal shelters and take your plastic shopping bags back to participating grocery stores. Better yet, purchase cloth or canvas grocery bags and skip that part altogether.

Deposit fines each time you buy a plastic bottle of water. Make it a habit to carry a reusable water bottle instead. You can even buy one with a built-in filter to avoid tap water if that’s important to you.

Deposit fines each time you use one side of paper instead of using both sides to do work or drawing.

View the entire green Lenten calendar

CATEGORIES GENERAL

TAGS ENVIRONMENT, GREEN TEAM, LENT, RECYCLE

#environment #green team #lent #recycle

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heynells-blog1 · 6 years

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May Money Diaries // Recommitting to Low Waste Food Shopping

For the month of May, I’ll be recording my weekly expenses and sharing them as my “May Money Diaries”. Inspired by the “Money Diary” series on Refinery 29 and The Luxe Strategist, I thought it would be interesting to see how I hold up against my budget and long-term financial goals. I think I’m quite disciplined with my spending, but I ocassionally have slip-ups - these usually occur around food (eating out with friends) and coffee shops.

Photo 1 of many vegan low-waste | zero waste food hauls to come!

Monday was my usual full day of babysitting, and I ended the day with a kickboxing class in Greenwich Village.

During my lunch break, I bought 1 pack of vegan cheese and 1 pack of tempeh at Trader Joe’s - I amost bought a bar of 90% dark chocolate, but I returned it because I had 3/4 remaining from last week’s dark chocolate bar.

Last week, I forgot to include the $20 online donation I made to my friend’s AIDS Walk New York fundraising page - so I added it to Monday’s expenses.

I feel like a queen whenever I record a $0 day. I went about my usual babysitting and work from home schedule, and I made and ate meals at home.

Since I meal prep at least 60% of my food during the weekend, I only spend 5-10 minutes prepping each meal and enjoying it within my alloted 30 minute meal time. I made vegan meals using groceries from last weekend. I tend to buy enough to last for 1.5 weeks because I want to get rid of any temptation to “eat out” just because I’m feeling “kind of tired”.

It was a smooth morning going from baby sitting in Jersey City to my work meeting in Williamsburg. I was pleased at not paying for subway fare - kudos to my boss for providing me with prepaid student fare tickets.

I wanted to have another $0 day. But after my work meeting, I needed a coffee shop for WiFi and to shelter me from the rain. I didn’t have a lot of options in finding a coffee shop near my afternoon babysitting gig that wasn’t crammed with people. I settled for the coffee shop closest to my kids’ pick-up location, though it had an expensive menu. In my opinion, $3.50 for an iced green tea is overpriced, but that day it was so humid and my throat was begging for a cold drink. I also didn’t want to take away time from working.

$0 Day #2! Babysat in the morning, went back home to work and eat lunch, then left to head into NYC for a work meeting - subway paid for [again] with my student fare cards.

My meeting ended early and I considered walking from Union Square to Chinatown; but I decided to use the 1 hour till babysitting to sit and work in the cafe. I knew I wouldn’t be able to do any work the next day, so I did as much as I could before my afternoon babysitting gig.

I got hungry waiting for my kids and from using lots of brainpower during the meeting, so I helped myself to a few snacks from my kids’ pantry. I’m grateful that their mom is transitioning to being vegan, so the kitchen is well-stocked with vegan snacks.

And because I was determined to have a $0 day, I made and ate dinner at home.

Hail Friday! I woke up a little anxious because I was going to meet my partner’s parents for the first time AND I also needed to stop by Whole Foods’ bulk bin section and Union Square Greenmarket before 1:30pm. I had a lot to do before and after my 9:30AM babysitting gig.

In the past few weeks, I’ve been disgusted at the amount of plastic I’ve been using because I used to be committed to making less trash at least 70% of the time. I began losing track of my habits last winter, right after I finished my compost apprenticeship with Earth Matter NY. I got caught up in the stress of my dual work schedule that I started shopping out of convenience versus considering the long-term environmental consequences of my actions. I used and bought a ton of items that came in plastic. After realizing how far I’d fallen from my progress on making less trash and being plastic-free, I decided to recommit to baby steps on living a low-waste | zero-waste lifestyle.

Whole Foods’ Bulk Bins

I rushed to get to Whole Foods by 8AM because I wanted to have enough time to peruse their bulk bins and determine my food choices - before babysitting at 9:30AM. After 5 minutes of careful deliberation, I got roasted and unsalted peanuts, roasted and unsalted almonds, and black beans; those are some of my common vegan food staples and those were also some of the cheaper options.

I wish I knew how many pounds I got of each item, as I just filled my small cotton produce bags halfway or to the top. Since I was rushing, I didn’t look for a scale. I wasn’t worried about getting too much because I knew I would consume those items daily. In particular, I got A LOT of peanuts because I decided that I would no longer buy peanut butter from a jar since most store jars are made out of plastic. Instead, I’ll just add 1/4 or 1/3 cup of peanuts to my oatmeal every morning. I probably got enough peanuts to last me for 2-3 months.

Because I love vegan cheese and I don’t have time to make it, I bought 1 packet of Daiya vegan cheddar. I don’t feel bad because I actually need it and it’s a manageabe food splurge. I died a little bit inside knowing that the bag was made of plastic, but I reminded myself that the point of being low waste | zero waste is doing what one can, within their money and time, to make sustainable choices. Also, it’s challenging to avoid plastic because it’s used almost everywhere. Instead of being hard on myself, I’d rather focus on taking this in as a learning experience and figure out a solution for future cheese cravings - this is how I’m practicing conscious decision-making.

The total amount I spent at Whole Foods was $26.87. It’s a lot for 4 items, but I predict the amount of peanuts, almonds, and black beans will last me for at least 2-3 months and will save me some time for grocery shopping (since I won’t have to go back weekly to refill my cloth bags). The vegan cheese will probably be consumed within 1 month.

Union Square Greenmarket

After babysitting my Upper West Side child, I took the subway down to Union Square Greenmarket to buy fresh produce for me and homemade vegan dessert for my partner’s parents.

For $11.75 I bought 5 apples, portobello mushrooms, spinach, and parsley to last me for 1 week. I didn’t buy a lot of fresh produce because I still have leftovers from last week’s food haul, and I didn’t want any produce to go to waste.

I spent $16.50 on a vegan apple pie, vegan sweet potato and pumpkin pie, and a vegan sunflower double chocolate cookie from Body & Soul Bakeshop. I love Body & Soul because they make everything by hand and use local ingredients, and I think the prices for all their baked goods are fair and reasonable. The two vegan pies were for my partner’s parents, while the [huge] cookie was for me and my partner to share. I felt good after paying for everything because I spent less than my $20 budget and the cookie was so chewy, delicious, and moist with dark chocolate.

For the Rest of Friday ...

I spent the afternoon with my partner’s parents. After eating with them, my partner and me went to the movies to watch Deadpool 2. My partner paid for my ticket because he had an offer that only required him to pay $4 for the ticket. Since the movie ended late and we got stuck in traffic heading back to Jersey City, we didn’t have time to get dinner together.

It was a $0 day because I ate 2 meals at home (using food from last week’s food haul), and my parents paid for lunch at one of my favourite restaurants in Jersey City. My parents always pay for meals on the weekend because it’s the only time they get to see and actually talk to me.

On Sundays, I rarely spend any money because I either eat my meals at home or I cook food / eat out with my partner. I’m not spending ay money today because I’m eating whatever food I have in the fridge and in my pantry.

Considering that I spent more this week compared to last week, I’m relatively calm because I know $26.87 of that was on food expected to last me for 2-3 months.

My mom surprised me with unexpected food purchases for this week - 1 pack of vegan Italian sausage, 1 pack of vegan burgers, avocados, raspberries, and strawberries. I felt a little bad that she bought the vegan saursages and burgers because I wonder if she did that because she knows I’m getting tired of eating beans and chickpeas. With my mom’s purchases, I know I have enough sources of protein and oatmeal toppings. I predict that next week’s farmers market haul will consist mainly of vegetables.

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katie9koch-blog · 4 years

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Journal 4

Being in Camilles group it was really interesting to learn about food waste and how much food is wasted especially in Canada. She showed a video about how Walmarts in Canada are throwing out so much good food that is not even expired. It made me feel a bit disgusted with large corporations like this that have little care for the damage they are making to the planet. It was interesting to hear about other countries like Italy that have strict laws on food waste and even some that make it cheaper for these corporations to donate the food to shelters and people in need. The man in the video talked to one of the heads at Walmart and he gave such vague statements that showed he knew it was a problem but did not have any plans for action in place. I feel like if these statistics Camille showed us were presented to all the Walmart employees hopefully they would start to be more conscious about their waste and make a change for the better. The man in the video also talked to an agriculture rep for Canada to see if any changes were going to be made in the future and if he is aware of the food waste problem. The man just like the Walmart employee did not seem too interested and again gave vague answers about his plans. Since that video was in 2016 I am now interested in researching if there have been any changes that he has made. Camille explained that she looked throughout the government website and could barely find anything on food waste. I dug a little deeper and discovered that the government posted an article about what they are doing to prevent food waste during the coronavirus. It explains that “some producers across Canada are left with surpluses of quality food, while increased demand from grocery stores alone is not expected to clear the inventory before it spoils”. This is all happening at the same time food banks are requiring more food and help. They have now created a program called the “Surplus Food Rescue Program” which is dedicated to two main objectives. 1. Provide assistance to organizations serving vulnerable populations to acquire and process surplus commodities and food that would otherwise be lost or destroyed and distribute them to populations in need. 2. Connect surplus food commodities to vulnerable populations to avoid food waste. I thought that this was a really good positive during this time of need and that agriculture Canada is taking action to stop food waste. It made me think about my food waste and things that I should start doing to help prevent it. Since my parents mainly shop and prepare dinners it's hard to think of ways that I could help. The main thing I can think of is making my work lunches not using plastic ziplock bags. Instead make sure I put them in reusable glass or Tupperware containers. I think it's important to learn about food waste. I don’t think i’ve ever heard it addressed until now listening to Camille. I'm sure I was aware of it but I had never thought about it as much as I have now.

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easyfoodnetwork · 4 years

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Mutual Aid Groups Reckon With the Future: ‘We Don’t Want This to Just Be a Fad’

Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

Mutual aid networks swelled during the pandemic. How will they continue to grow and serve once it’s over?

In the early days of the pandemic, storied community activists and those newly unemployed, or working from home for the first time, came together to join or form mutual aid networks across the country. These groups have spent months building volunteer rolls, creating community connections, and perfecting the use of Slack as a virtual dispatcher. And with states opening back up despite the pandemic wearing on, some are trying to shift the resources and energy to fight a mounting challenge: food insecurity, which will outlast the pandemic.

Some projects aim to rewrite entire lanes of our food system: seeds and gardening advice distributed to hubs around the country, a quickly growing network of free fridges to store fresh food, and fleets of cyclist couriers ready to fill in the gaps. The new movement is also centered around food dignity: letting people eat according to their preferences, rather than subsist on whatever donations are available at a food bank that week.

“Distribution is the number-one reason why food injustice happens,” says Sasha Verma, a member of the operations team of Corona Courier, a mutual aid group that serves most of New York City. “We are helping all these people who can’t leave their homes. Who was helping them before? I don’t fucking know.”

After months managing dozens of daily dispatches across the city, in June, the group decided to pivot to a longer-term strategy it hopes will establish a groundwork for food security, without relying so much on central dispatching or coordination. It set up “pods” of about 50 families and buildings across the city, matching them with couriers who could address their needs more directly, which helps form community bonds. Basically, the plan is a slightly formalized way of matching folks in need of food with neighbors who can help them get it.

The pandemic, and its wave of unemployment, attracted tons of first-timers to mutual aid groups; folks who had the privilege of never experiencing food insecurity saw first-hand how hard it is just to get groceries to hungry people. Verma says she joined her group, a citywide grocery and supply delivery effort that attracted more than 500 volunteers, because she had a hunch no government or charity agency was up for the challenge ahead. That sunk in when she found out the state unemployment office was sending people to the newly formed Corona Courier instead of a more established service.

“I’m not surprised, because they can’t even do something as simple as what we were doing, which is just buying someone else groceries,” she says.

Corona Courier groceries are usually paid for through donations from Abolition Action Grocery Fund (which you can donate to here), an offshoot of the NYC Democratic Socialists of America’s COVID-19 Relief Fund. It’s raised nearly $80,000 so far, mostly from donations of about $25. That kind of small fundraising is key to the future of the efforts, organizers say. Mutual aid groups often have a distaste for some of the traditional nonprofits, which they say are bogged down by bureaucracy and red tape, and that they believe exclude people who don’t fit their specific requirements for aid. One of the guiding missions of this new era of support is to trust in people to take what they need.

“When we think about institutionalized food aid — for instance, CalFresh or food stamps or other means of distributing food to people — there’s a lot of means testing,” Gabriela Alemán of the Mission Meals Coalition, a San Francisco mutual aid organization that started in March, told the Extra Spicy podcast recently. “There’s a lot of questioning of, ‘Do these people deserve it? By what parameters do they deserve it? And how do we give it to them by however much we decide that they need?’”

Mission Meals Collective, she said, wants to instill trust in its members so there are no roadblocks to people seeking food through its resources, and eliminate the “savior complex” of other institutions that think they know best what a community needs. The group has set up a Patreon membership program to keep donations flowing every month.

“We’re not here to police people in what they do or don’t need,” she told the podcast. “I think also people fundamentally don’t understand that under-resourced communities, just because one family or one household might be under-resourced, that doesn’t mean that they completely forget their own sense of humanity for their neighbor.”

Liz Baldwin, the founder of Corona Courier, says her group hopes to expand its pod system to more families in the future (they’re still accepting volunteers, too), but keeping the agility of a loosely organized mutual aid group is crucial.

“I worked for [a nonprofit], and I just see how bureaucracy can really scramble missions,” she says. “There’s no part of me that’s like, ‘I should take this project and form it into a nonprofit.’ I think you lose the ability to really interact with individuals and try to help them in a way that makes sense for them. A lot of times what happens in nonprofits is that money gets kind of weird.”

Food insecurity is not just a pandemic problem: About 11 percent of Americans, or or 35 million people, were food insecure in 2018, meaning they didn’t have enough food to meet the nutritional needs of all members of their households due to money or access, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Advocates have little hope the federal government will help, while state and local governments are strapped for cash and food pantries are being strained. About 40 percent of people visiting food banks during the pandemic are first-time visitors, according to NBC News.

Mutual aid as a concept is not new, but it’s never been activated on this scale before, with the entire country on lockdown and so many able-bodied people out of work with nothing to do but help. It doesn’t hurt that this is the first crisis of the digital workflow era, when Slack, Zoom, and Airtable make complex coordination easy. Picking up an aid request can fit between gossip with coworkers on another Slack channel.

“We don’t want this to just be a fad. We want this to be a movement where we can be sustainable over the winter,” says Ash Godfrey, one of the people behind Chicago’s Love Fridge project. “This is something that 10 years from now could be a thing. We want people to do it right.”

The group was recently contacted by a city alderman to talk about adding a fridge outside of his office. Godfrey wasn’t expecting help from the government, but this connection fits its plans for serving the community for years to come.

“We believe that this relationship will give us more credibility as a movement,” Godfrey says. “While we are a community and people’s movement first and foremost, the more support we can get from those with resources and power, the stronger we will be. We are here to stay and having the alderman’s support is affirmation.”

The Love Fridge is now working to solve a major roadblock to its longevity: surviving brutal Chicago winters. The group is setting up a volunteer management program (which you can get involved with here) to make sure the fridges are maintained daily, working on blueprints for shelters around the machines, and talking with a community fridge group in Canada about how to survive a bitter January and February.

“If there’s a fridge everywhere, can you imagine the lives that would change?” Godfrey says.

Free fridges are not a panacea to food insecurity, says Sam Pawliger, who is heading up a community fridge project out of the Clinton Hill Fort Greene Mutual Aid group in Brooklyn. But they do help break down a barrier: Even a person who might feel embarrassed to call a mutual aid group for help could walk down the street to grab a sandwich from a fridge.

The fridge has been adding some elements to fill the gaps where food pantries fall short: When organizers found out residents of a nearby shelter were not allowed to bring food inside, they attached a can opener to the fridge and added disposable cutlery to an attached shelf.

“I saw this as something that we could stand up quickly to help build solidarity with our neighbors,” Pawliger says, “and as a resource to both combat food waste and food insecurity, both of which are major issues in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill in terms of food security.”

Of course, being able to produce your own food with consistency is the most secure thing. This is what Nate Kleinman hopes to inspire with the Cooperative Gardens Commission, which he helped start in March to collect and send seeds to hubs across the country. Kleinman learned the potential of mutual aid when working with Occupy Sandy in New Jersey in 2012, which was key to helping dig out homes and provide supplies to people deeply affected by the hurricane.

“In a lot of ways, Occupy Sandy changed the way that the official powers that be in disaster relief do their work,” he says, citing a 2013 report from the Department of Homeland Security that praised the work of the all-volunteer group and its non-hierarchical structure. “There’s a much bigger recognition and importance of mutual aid organizations in disaster relief.”

In the start of the pandemic, Kleinman saw a seed shortage coming: Many commercial companies were dealing with a huge surge in demand; others were shutting down entirely. The commission is providing donated seeds and advice for folks with home plots, community farms, and tribal gardens. The project started at the outset of the pandemic, but its goals are targeted at getting people to rethink how they eat.

“Seeds are at the root of all food security. This is a ‘teach a person to fish’ kind of issue,” he says. “If we’re giving people what they need to actually grow food themselves, that’s going to be much more sustainable in the long term at addressing food security.”

The group is working with local partners across the country to get seeds to disadvantaged or marginalized communities, places that were dealing with food insecurity before the coronavirus hit. Unlike other mutual aid groups, which tend to be located in population centers, the seeds can reach people in rural areas, with hubs in Mississippi, Texas, western North Carolina, and more. So far, they’ve set up 217 hubs across the country and reached an estimated 10,000 gardens, Kleinman says. And they’re accepting more resource donations on their website.

Donated seeds are sent in bulk to the group’s Philadelphia base, where they are then repackaged and distributed to the hubs. Some are sent to people through the mail, others have set up distribution hubs in neighborhood libraries and other public areas. Now, the group is focusing on fall seeds: cabbage, leafy greens, root vegetables, radishes, and cover crops, to keep the soil healthy for years to come.

“People have taken for granted that there will always be farm workers and farms producing food, and with the clamp down that also happened before the pandemic at the border, the challenges for migrant workers are very real,” Kleinman says. “I think it would be surprising if there weren’t more food shortages in the immediate future.”

The idea of exorcising capitalism from food access is an ambitious one. But organizers say the pandemic has shown that community-based mutual aid may be the only way forward.

“When I sparked this up, I never thought about, ‘What’s the government going to do for me?’” says Ramon Norwood, the founder of the Love Fridge. “That’s what we’re learning with the pandemic. It’s not enough. It shouldn’t just be the bare minimum.”

Tim Donnelly is a Brooklyn-based freelance reporter and editor. Follow him on Twitter.

from Eater - All https://ift.tt/31RetWc https://ift.tt/3hYIxVG

Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

Mutual aid networks swelled during the pandemic. How will they continue to grow and serve once it’s over?

“I’m not surprised, because they can’t even do something as simple as what we were doing, which is just buying someone else groceries,” she says.

“If there’s a fridge everywhere, can you imagine the lives that would change?” Godfrey says.

The idea of exorcising capitalism from food access is an ambitious one. But organizers say the pandemic has shown that community-based mutual aid may be the only way forward.

Tim Donnelly is a Brooklyn-based freelance reporter and editor. Follow him on Twitter.

from Eater - All https://ift.tt/31RetWc via Blogger https://ift.tt/3hRhI5u

#Blogger #cooking #Eater #food #recipes

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upshotre · 5 years

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ODD NEWS: Chef ditches job to become 'dumpster diver' - and makes £16,000 in six months

A chef who quit her full-time job working in a busy kitchen to spend her days searching through people's old rubbish claims she has made £16,000 in just six months. April Smith, 35, says she has saved £3,250 on food bills and has acquired beauty products and household goodies worth another £16,250, by diving into giant supermarket dumpsters and turning other people's trash into treasure. Although she was nervous to give up work at first, she's now completely hooked and gets withdrawals and anxiety if she skips a day in case she has missed any interesting goodies. She said: "I’m lucky because I live close to a tonne of stores, so I rarely drive more than 10 miles for a dive. "At first, I was really nervous, then I gave it a go, thinking, 'What’s the worst thing that can happen to me?' "I was scared when I went out to do my first dive back in March, but I came home with £812 worth of beauty products, which had been marked down for clearance but not sold, so the store just chucked them out. I was hooked from that very first dive.” While dumpster diving is not illegal in April's home town of Illinois, the authorities do not encourage it but, so far, April has not encountered any problems. She said: "I think some people frown upon it, but I don't think I'm doing any harm and I haven't had any trouble, as I'm always discreet." April, who moved back in with her mum and dad after quitting her job, drives her haul home in a big truck but, to protect her territory, she is secretive about precisely where she dives and when. She said: “I tend to dive in the mornings, between 9.30am and 1pm - although Sunday night is also a good time to go out. Stores do their inventory on a Monday, so they often chuck a load of stuff out on a Sunday night.” Whereas some divers target IT stores, where they rummage for high end goods, like iPads, iPhones and even laptops, April sticks to household and beauty products. "These are the products I want," she said. "I have started to sell on some of the unspoilt beauty products I've rescued - packaging them up into a ‘mystery box’ of goodies. "But I usually give most of the stuff I get away. I donated a lot of the make-up from that first haul to a women’s shelter 20 miles away. “It makes me angry that stores throw good stuff away instead of donating it, and I thought maybe the women at the shelter would appreciate having something nice.” With a degree in culinary arts, April is a whizz at creating delicious dishes from dumpster food she has recovered, and is expecting to increase the value of her food hauls over the winter, as food will stay fresher for longer. Still, despite fresh produce going off more quickly in the hotter summer months, she still thinks she has saved £3,250 in grocery bills since March. And her all-time favourite dumpster find is food related. She saved a huge amount on food She said: “My mum bought me a top-of-the-range kitchen mixer for my 18th birthday, so I couldn’t believe it when I found all the attachments for it just chucked in a dumpster. “They would have cost £650 brand new. I would never have spent that kind of money, but with my background in cooking, I will definitely be using all of them and so it’s my favourite find so far.” Raised in a family that never wasted anything, as both her parents had grown up in households which were cash poor, they passed on their values to April, who cannot stand seeing perfectly good produce being thrown away. “Growing up, nothing in our home ever went to waste,” she said. “It makes my soul sick when I see how much stuff people throw away, especially because I’ve visited countries where poverty is everywhere.” But April, who lives in a nice house, dresses well and drives a decent car, says she does not fit most people's preconceptions of a dumpster diver. She laughed: “People think you have to be homeless and look dishevelled to be a dumpster diver, but you don’t. “We’re not hoarders either. I donate everything that I am not keeping. I don’t like stuff lying about the place, so I have converted a small closet into a storage facility at my parents’ home, but if it’s not in there, then I’m giving it away.” Having noticed a number of followers from the Philippines on her social media channels, April is planning a trip there next month and, unless she can find one in a dumpster, she is buying a light-weight duffle bag to fill with goodies she has dived for to take with her and give away to people she meets. Read the full article

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angry-old-asian-man · 7 years

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The Adulting Tips Masterpost

A lot of you are newly adult or soon to be. This generally isn't what this blog is for, but I've come to realise it's sorely needed--apparently also Millennials, many kids of Boomers, but some kids of my generation--didn't really learn how to be an adult and try to avoid it? I'm part of the latchkey generation. That happened with a guardian when I was in high school anyway, but when my dad and granparents were still alive and I lived with them, I got taught stuff and learned stuff. Then some, I did figure out, either as a latchkey and abused kid, or just as I went once I was on my own. I've been on my own for this entire century. So lemme pass on a little bit of helpful tips to prepare you, whatever your situation. THIS IS THE ADULTING MASTERPOST! You know stuff like "you need to learn how to manage money," or "having a fridgerator is a good thing." This is a bit deeper. It aims to be comprehensive and there are multiple sections. The need for this is pretty Western. When I mention "X also exists in Japan," I mean that and America are all I ever lived in and I'm saying there's a chance this thing is nearly universal. Let's begin: Things every home should have: A wet-vac (shop-vac) A hand drill Hemostat clamp (trust me--they're a irreplaceable household tool) (not the veterinary ones) A tape measure A fire extinguisher Surge-protecting outlet extenders ALWAYS KNOW WHERE YOUR FUSE/BREAKER BOX IS A flashlight or two (yeah, you have a phone. Get dedicated flashlights) A pail or two a bit bigger than a sand pail A cold compress and a heating pad A well-stocked toolbox A well-stocked first aid kit A few extension cords, at least one outdoor-use grounded one Some all-metal pots and pans I would recommend a landline phone, but they now depend on electricity coming through a modem, so they're not a lifesaver as they once were. Speaking of which, a radio that can run on batteries. Even better if it has shortwave (SW) bands, in Japan and America, at least, meteorological stations exist on SW (短波[たんぱ]) Bug bait on reserve--whatever bug is the worst in your area. On that note, many spiders, such as daddy long legs, will actually eat bugs like gnats and ants. Don't panic if the spider isn't a poisonous variety--they're there to help. A strong cement. Not Krazy Glue, but actual cement Always know where is your nearest: Hardware store Urgent care and hospital Library City hall Thrift store (these may have different names such as Recycle shop, outside of America) Recycling/E-waste centre (but please donate to that thrift store if your old electronics are still functional!) Public transit, even if you drive. Cars break down. On a similar note, memorise one taxi company number. Pay phone (just trust me) Repair shop for your appliances/electronics. Sometimes you just can't do it at home, hopefully you can always afford it Learn to do as much as you can, though Learn the hours of your closest corner store in case you need some medicine for a sick baby or sick self, etc. Befriend at least one or two neighbours. You'll be a great help to each other. Have plans for whatever natural disaster is known to strike your area. Tips for the ones I know: The best tip for earthquakes are: You can't outrun them Door arches are way better shelters than flimsy modern tables Arrange your house for the least things falling on people--especially in bed For hurricane, the evacuation route will change, but have a plan if you don't have your own car on how to get out of town Learn basic repair of household items. Good pantry foods (always keep some of these, according to your diet/intolerances): Powdered milk or canned milk (evaporated is not sweetened and therefore more versitaile) Pickled vegetables Dried fruits, vegetables, and grains Canned meats Beans you like, canned or dried Dollar/100 yen/whatever-your-equivalent-is stores should have most of the above. Get whatever groceries you can here. Suggestions include dried cuttlefish and canned media crema, too Pan spray is totally your friend unless you want oily food LEARN TO COOK! I know today's young adults don't, and we men have been discouraged from it unless as a job, but that's bad for both your health and wallet. Yes, even if you don't gain weight. You don't have to be four-star caliber, just be able to make basic food that tastes as you like (having friends/family like your cooking is super-rewarding, though) On that note, keep something that is simple to prepare (nattou and insta-rice/can of soup) for "low spoon" days if applicable If at all possible, please regularly see your doctor. Not seeing one doesn't make you "superior"/"manly" / "strong" /"not part of the sheeple," it makes you an idiot. An idiot with bad health Shower daily if at all possible. People have been bathing since Ancient Greece/Stone-Age Japan. It literally reduces bacterial illness. People in equatorial climates like Haiti bathe twice daily--might need this in more places with global warming Simple destressing tips: Live in a warm costal area? Invest in a beach towel and a large cold thermos Cold rainy/snowy? A nice sweater (okay for me, I'd get a yukata if I did, this varies), keep around one nice canister of tea/coffee/bouillon/pipe tobacco/bottle of wine/whatever. Pull up a seat, enjoy the view Don't do this after ten PM and before ten AM, and take night working/chronically ill neighbours into consideration, but enjoy your records out loud once in a while. Multitasking is actually rapid task switching. Actual multitasking is non-extant Find an easily accessible/low cost hobby you enjoy. It could be productive, like hunting, fishing, repairing and upselling stuff you find at thrift shops, or it could be absolutely nothing to do with gathering resources, like hiking or reading Edwardian poetry. Do it regardless. Carve out a little time once a week. If you're a single parent, there are ways to make it bonding time for most ages Make your bed. Trust me People Stuff, Yourself and Others: Above all, be kind to yourself. There's a whole lot of people that will be hard on you, no need to add yourself to that number Do unto others as you'd have done to you. But don't worry about some bullshit moral high ground with people who demean, belittle, and attack you. They don't deserve you Don't fall into that "I have a partner, so now I'm not supposed to socialise with anyone else/without them." That is SO not healthy. That can destabilise your relationship. Rapunzel didn't do well in that tower--isolation, even if self imposed, is very bad for you Having a counsellor isn't a bad thing. There might be people you don't wanna tell, but trauma is real--ask a veteran or assault survivor. If you think you need one and you can get to one, go. It's okay. There are thresholds, but consider different opinions. Not "your people are inferior savages" --that's crossing a line. But one of my best friends, I found out, likes modern folk rock. I only like the original folk rock, like America (band). You might argue whether more business and job creation in your town or building a new public middle school is better for the poor in your community, and you might disagree. There are certain beliefs that are bad (these are most always a belief in inherent inferiority /servility/ primitive, dangerous, or mystic quality in a [non-dominant] demograph, also known as bigotry--this is that inexcusable line) but not everyone who disagrees on everything is bad. I also tend to stay away from "morally superior lifestyle" (moral vegan, moral "I only watch TV on the Web," moral "I only smoke expensive weed and not stuff poor people of colour do," (this is a very real dichotomy in California, USA), moral yoga-er which can apparently also seep into pricing Indians out of yoga, I've heard, the quinoa/pork belly/greens gentrification--a lot of this morality in being rich [and white] is very western and rooted in Victorian British culture) because that's pure classism, see bigotry, but your mileage may vary. Disagreements on "I like mayo, you like Miracle Whip" or "Jobs for the poor! No, library for the poor!" are pretty trivial. You still both seem like good people. (And there are totally times for Miracle Whip, L O L!) Growing up means being able to handle your own stuff--it doesn't mean having to hate cartoons (Thank Archie for that misconception. At the same time, note that was never absolute. See stuff like Fritz the Cat, City Hunter, Lupin III, Patsy Walker. Before Archie, think about Betty Boop and early Blondie in the actual context of the 1920s) It doesn't mean you have to hate puns and the music you liked in High School. I love both, and I'm making you this list. Don't be embarrassed about what you like. Life's too short. Don't worry now or ever. Like 50 Shades? As long as you know that in real life, you should stay safe from abuse, and you know real BDSM isn't that and don't treat people in that community shitty or put yourself in danger. Be critical of what you like but only dislike it if its shittiness ruined it for you, like how I feel about David Bowie after "China Girl." And people having limits is okay. White people frequently tell me I have no right to dislike David Bowie after that song because... I have no right to complain about the fetishisation/assault/other oppression of Asians because they want to keep oppressing me, I guess? I have a right even if I weren't attacked more times than I can count because of the treatment of Asians in America. They have no right to tell me what to enjoy or not to enjoy. Similarly, people might tell you your interest makes you immature or whatever ("O M G, you STILL listen to New Kids on the Block!? What are you, 13?") this is like the point about the person who likes Miracle Whip v the person who likes mayonnaise. What you like isn't impervious to criticism, but it doesn't make you morally anything. You might not want to tell your co-workers you write fic, but just know sometimes things aren't worth dealing with and still liking The Muppet Movies even when you turn 35 someday is no judgement on you. (I have a couple of those on VHS) I've been literally beaten for reading in my mother tongue and not only ever English. I buy/check out my books. I don't have to listen to them. And that's the thing about being an adult. You're in control. Yeah, you're responsible for you, and depending, you might not have anyone to fall back on. My dad died in my high school years. My grandparents had already died when he did. Some decided they really didn't want to fulfill the duties of parents because you turned out too different. That isn't fun. I know, as you see. But it would seem young people now are afraid to grow up? It's a good thing. As long as you do no harm, you're (supposed to be) free. You can bake a cake and have it for breakfast on Sunday morning. A la mode, even. Watch that movie--no one should be able to tell you no! ((They can tell you wait if they have to sleep or the TV is shared, but they shouldn't be able to disallow you--controlling shit like that for an adult happens, but that's the realm of abusive partners or staying at mum and dad's for the weekend) If I think of anything else, I'll edit this post. For now, that's it. (Remember to brush your teeth!)

#adulting #being an adult #adult problems #life advice #life hacks #advice from adults

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espmstudentproject-blog · 5 years

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Ways to be a Green Beauty Queen

The beauty industry has been booming in the past few years, however there are negative consequences to this success. The reality is, your beauty routine is pretty trashy and so much waste is produced in our every day routines.

(1)

Go Reusable

At the end of your beauty routine, look in the trash and realize how many products you use just to throw away seconds later: makeup wipes, cotton rounds, q-tips, cotton balls, and so many more. There are reusable or alternative options for all of these. The most common are gentle cloths for the face and eyes that you can throw in the washing machine at your convenience.

Be Ethical

It’s a common theme that environmental issues are tied to unethical practices. Just a few examples are the deforestation for the production of palm oil, the use of low-wage laborers who are treated poorly, and the sad yet real testing and slaughtering of animals from anything to food products, to makeup, to medicine.

Be conscious of the brands you are purchasing from. In mainstream makeup, it’s hard to find brands that aren’t entirely swallowed by packaging and harsh chemicals. Many mainstream brands have chemicals in their products that are incredibly harmful. Possibly harmful to your own body, and after washing it down the drain, those chemicals make their way to waterways and seriously harm all sorts of aquatic life. (2)

Another problem in practically every industry is greenwashing. Greenwashing is a company misleading consumers into thinking they are more environmentally friendly or sustainable than they really are. For example putting green leaves on packaging with the statement “plant-based” might sound great, but in reality these are backless claims that actually provide zero relevant information, as the FDA has no control over these labels. (3)

I have some basic tips to give out. Buy cruelty free, I mean let’s be real, no one wants to put on mascara thinking about tortured bunnies. Do your research on eco friendly brands, a whole other side of the makeup industry is just a google away. Always look for products with less packaging, and opt for greater quantities versus smaller sizes, as this gives you more product for less packaging (ratio-wise). Last but not least, properly dispose of your products! Recycle what you can, and be aware of the waste you’re producing. If you find yourself not utilizing something you’ve already bought, look into donating the product. Many women’s shelters take gently used makeup. You can donate your (cleaned) old mascara wands to the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge.

In 2017, the beauty industry produced 76.8 billion plastic packaging units, not accounting for plastic accessories such as application tools. Realistically, how much of that plastic was recycled, or even able to be recycled? (Only 12% of plastic is recycled.) Plastic is a dead-end product in the first place, every time it’s recycled it loses some of its quality. Glass and aluminum in contrary are materials that can be recycled endlessly without losing quality. (4)

(5)

Reevaluate Your Practices

In the beauty community it’s really easy to get caught up in the new products that are being constantly released and the overall culture of owning a large quantity of products. The reality is, the average individual really only needs 1 of each product. I myself have makeup pallets from years ago that I have barely made a dent in, yet still ended up purchasing more. When you have an excess amount of products, the reality is you have too much clutter, then the product expires and you have to throw it out. (Yes, the majority of makeup and skincare products have expiration dates)

Completely finish your product before tossing it (responsibly) and buying a replacement.

There are also so many multi-use products out there, for example blush, lipstick, and eyeshadow trios. These products provide less clutter, a simpler routine, and a more environmentally conscious practice.

Miscellaneous Tips and Tricks

Pumps can’t be recycled! Remove from product before recycling.

Use face masks from big tubs versus sheet masks, the tubs contain a much quantity of masks, which sheet masks are one and done, producing much more waste.

Bring a reusable bag when you go shopping, they’re not just useful for groceries!

When you bring in five of their empty tubs, the eco-conscious brand Lush gives you a free face mask!

DIY your own products! There are so many things from hair to face masks that can be made at home with typical ingredients you find in your kitchen.Try your hand at a DIY and skip the plastic packaging from store bought products.

Ditch your cotton rounds, makeup makes, and beyond for reusable and more cost effective options.

Skip the heat on your hair. Save energy by utilizing no heat styles, better for your hair and your planet.

Just buy less! Ask yourself if you really need these products, chances are they’re damaging to the environment and to your wallet. If it’s a necessity, switch to a more sustainable version (I promise, it’s out there.)

If you’re turned away from more eco-friendly products because they’re more costly than the traditional plastic and chemical laden alternative.. well there’s a reason. The higher cost typically comes from better quality ingredients and better packaging. Just remember the moola you’re spending is for yourself and the planet that supports you.

Like the majority of industries, the beauty world is slowly coming to terms with how damaging it is to the environment. There are a few brands paving the green way, while the rest continue to concentrate on profit and sheer quantity over ethics. We as consumers hold so much power. If your fav brand isn’t practicing sustainability, pass the message on to the company. Brands really care what their consumers think, and any voice can be loud enough to make a change.

References

1. Unknown. Victoria’s Elate Cosmetics. https://www.google.com/search?biw=1425&bih=723&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=osuCXKbdDYjQsAWmwIagDw&q=beauty+makeup+environment+sustainability&oq=beauty+makeup+environment+sustainability&gs_l=img.3...12066.18977..19599...0.0..0.72.1624.27......1....1..gws-wiz-img.......35i39j0j0i67j0i5i30j0i8i30.-y0DHNH7JaQ#imgrc=3pNQ0YxDEM4TzM: (accessed March 8, 2019).

2. Spary, Sara. From Lush To Boots: Is the Beauty Industry Doing Enough To Tackle Its Plastics Problem? [Online] Sept. 8, 2018. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/is-the-beauty-industry-doing-enough-to-tackle-its-plastics-problem_uk_5b5af57de4b0de86f49618a3?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAEWHWdpT5RZe8UFJFioArni1lhCVOzlI-1EK09FaqvUU-t0wS0WQQlrApazDa9aWWDQF2kj4Nv2LxNpGtLrhh1e380pPyyMoGgvxeGXNtqKrlEC5Ul89r15SMULdeviITgx3ZlJlin3fTJvEjiZPlJV8VXc1hWYyKz20ds58h7ss (accessed March 8, 2019).

3. Green America. The Ugly Side of Cosmetics. [Online] https://www.greenamerica.org/green-living/ugly-side-cosmetics (accessed March 8, 2019).

4. Westervelt, Amy. The Beauty Industry Has a Plastics Problem. [Online] Dec 26, 2018. https://www.teenvogue.com/story/the-beauty-industry-has-a-plastics-problem (accessed March 8, 2019).

5. Unknown. Walgreens. https://www.google.com/search?biw=1425&bih=723&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=T5SGXIj-BNCctAWApLnABQ&q=walgreens+beauty+aisle&oq=walgreens+beauty+aisle&gs_l=img.3...4688.7921..8193...1.0..0.66.462.8......1....1..gws-wiz-img.......0i24.Os2REjgkW-k#imgrc=DQLBuG60h0YkSM: (accessed March 8, 2019).

March 8, 2019

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iead · 5 years

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A Better You and Me,

I often spill my personal feelings on here, but aside from working on myself on a mental and emotional level, I’ve been trying to be a better human for this planet!

For a couple years now, I’ve been more aware of my wasteful and damaging habits. After becoming more aware of this, I started to make conscious decisions when it came to everything.

1. It is so easy for us to purchase single use products, because they’re made to be more convenient for us. This goes for cotton pads/rounds, makeup wipes, water bottles, food packaging/wrappers, disposable cups and plates, plastic utensils, plastic bags for produce, etc. Nowadays, it has been so easy to get a hold of reusable items! Bring your own bags to grocery stores, carry around a travel mug for when you decide to go to a coffee shop, buy silicone ziploc bags - there’s endless options!

2. Buy local! There’s so much pollution that goes along with the transportation of products. When it comes to produce, check this out http://www.fma.alabama.gov/BuyLocal.aspx !! Food isn’t the only thing you should buy local, but we should also support independent businesses! From my experience, most of the local stores I shop from are ethically and sustainably made. Like how cool is it to support individuals and groups who care about the quality of their products and put the most into their creativity?!

3. Fast fashion is easily accessible and can also be really cheap. When I was younger, with my only income being occasional allowances and birthday money, this was the only option I opted for. But you know what else is accessible and cheap? Buying secondhand! Majority of the time, we feel tempted to buy the hottest new trends from these unethically/non-sustainably made brands and often forget what really goes behind in manufacturing these products. Of course, this is just the first step in becoming aware of the harmful processes that goes into these brands.

Also, I always check the material used for my clothing! Even if we buy secondhand, checking for harmful fabrics is key! I always try to stray away from fabrics ranging from polyester, acrylic, synthetics, nylon, and anything that contains chemicals to cater to specific concerns. I try my best to opt for fabrics that cause minimal to no harm, including natural and organic fibers. Even if I do purchase these fabrics, I try my best to reduce the amount of times I wash them. (Pro tip via Studio86, freeze your clothes to get rid of odor! This reduces microfiber pollution!) Even if you absolutely have to wash your clothing, cold water and a low dry setting is the way to go!

4. This ties into number three on this list. And it’s donating your unwanted clothing. We should always make sure that the clothing is in a good state before throwing it in a bag to donate to a local thrift shop. If not, you can always up-cycle! Although donating is appreciative, it also has its cons. When giving away clothes, try to find places that will actually put it to use, such as shelters. Another option is selling it or directly giving them to family and friends. What a lot of people don’t know is that donation centers sometimes don’t, or can’t, put out all of the clothing that has been donated. This causes these centers, who don’t recycle them, to bring these clothes to landfills - feeding into the cause of pollution!

5. Buy cruelty-free! I cannot stress this enough. All in all, animal testing is unreliable, cruel, and unethical. Why buy products from a company who tests on animals when brands who don’t are just as easily accessible, in the same price range, AND are equal or better in quality? In some cases, cruelty-free brands have ingredients that are more beneficial for your skin.

6. Something I have been working on is reducing my intake of animal products. In the past few years, I haven’t been much of a meat eater and have gradually strayed from incorporating it into my diet. My only issue now is transitioning to mainly plant-based, and I say issue because... cheese and sushi lol :( At first, it was the taste and texture of meat that caused me to not be interested in it anymore. But the more I learned about the pros of vegetarianism/plant-based, the more ethics became my reason and not solely just the taste and texture. There are so many benefits from transitioning your diet and lifestyle, ranging from the environment and your health.

These are only a fraction of steps I’ve taken to better myself when it comes to how I treat this planet. There’s so much more I want to incorporate into my life and am currently working on! I believe these are all possible for everyone to integrate into their lifestyle, so try it out and help conserve our planet!

#sustainability #ethicallymade #crueltyfree #zerowaste #conservation #sustainable #ethical

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instantdeerlover · 4 years

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Mutual Aid Groups Reckon With the Future ‘We Don’t Want This to Just Be a Fad’ added to Google Docs

Mutual Aid Groups Reckon With the Future ‘We Don’t Want This to Just Be a Fad’

Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

Mutual aid networks swelled during the pandemic. How will they continue to grow and serve once it’s over?

“I’m not surprised, because they can’t even do something as simple as what we were doing, which is just buying someone else groceries,” she says.

“If there’s a fridge everywhere, can you imagine the lives that would change?” Godfrey says.

The idea of exorcising capitalism from food access is an ambitious one. But organizers say the pandemic has shown that community-based mutual aid may be the only way forward.

Tim Donnelly is a Brooklyn-based freelance reporter and editor. Follow him on Twitter.

via Eater - All https://www.eater.com/21408710/how-mutual-aid-groups-plan-to-fight-food-insecurity-post-pandemic

Created September 2, 2020 at 11:26PM /huong sen View Google Doc Nhà hàng Hương Sen chuyên buffet hải sản cao cấp✅ Tổ chức tiệc cưới✅ Hội nghị, hội thảo✅ Tiệc lưu động✅ Sự kiện mang tầm cỡ quốc gia 52 Phố Miếu Đầm, Mễ Trì, Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Nội http://huongsen.vn/ 0904988999 http://huongsen.vn/to-chuc-tiec-hoi-nghi/ https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xa6sRugRZk4MDSyctcqusGYBv1lXYkrF

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