I have Soda Stream brand. We like it.

Mine look similar to Barb's. They're white, which isn't shown here, and are 3 years old this month. Most likely there's a newer version available now. I have no complaints, and I use them all the time (almost daily) to listen to my audio books while I work around the house.

There were some craft blogs I used to love until they monetized and did just that. It seemed like every other word was a link to a sponsor. Ugh.

But you've been given so very many options and not a single one is right for you? Not one? Do you see how that looks to those trying to give you suggestions? It's not as though Murphy and everyone else said you must to it this way, my way. They've tried. You shot down Every. Single. Suggestion.

I enjoyed it, but I'm a fan of historical mysteries anyway.

Count me in with those who don't sympathize with the woman in the video. I do get that men often try to fix things when all you want is for the to listen, but I don't think this video captures that. It just make the woman look dumb and whiney. Um, lady, there's a #$%#& nail in your head! It IS about the nail!

I missed a good part of last week's thread. Stacia, I'm sorry about your pup. :grouphug: This past week I finished The Plantagenets and The Queen's Man. I gave up on both Grantchester and Cover Her Face. Grantchester (actually called Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death) was okay but I think I just wasn't in the mood. Cover Her Face was taking too long to get anywhere. I'm back to reading Alexander Hamilton (it's the same bio Lin-Manuel Miranda read that inspired him to write the musical) and trying to decide on my next mystery/thriller/suspense novel. Not sure where I want to go with that.

I've been looking at some of the cart type bags/bins and considering them. Are they heavy though once you load them with your purchases? I often ask the bagger to split up my items and use all of the bags I brought in rather than try to fit a bunch of items in only a few bags. They think they're doing me a favor by not filling all my bags so I have to teach them how to bag my stuff. If dh or ds is home it's not a problem, but if no one is home, I need the bags to be light. I'd rather carry in 6 light bags than 2 or 3 heavy ones. My back issues prohibit me from carrying heavy bags. I know you know what it's like Jean. Do you find it to be a problem?

I had it done 10 years ago but had put it off for a good 15 years before that. Afterwards I couldn't believe I waited so long. I can breathe through my nose, which is something I was never ever able to do to any real extent before the surgery. It didn't change the shape of my nose though I wouldn't have been sad if it did. It was one of the best medical decisions I ever made for myself.

Things we do - -Recycle what we can - our city's recycle program keeps improving but can be much better. -Take some things to the grocery store that the city doesn't recycle (plastic bags, styrofoam) -Recycle batteries - Target has a bin for this -Compost both kitchen waste and yard waste -We use paper coffee filters but they're unbleached and we toss them into the compost bin along with the grounds -Use cloth for paper towels (I cut up old bath towels when we got new ones) and cloth napkins -Only run the dishwasher every few days -Only do large loads of laundry -Take reusable bags when shopping, including bags for produce -Use stainless steel water bottles -I bring my own coffee cup to Starbucks -Use containers rather than ziploc bags for storing leftovers -Get almost all books from the library -We cut up scrap paper to use as note paper Things that aren't good- -I too use a Swiffer because of my back and knee pain. I did try using microfiber or other reusable cloths, but they have to be rinsed more often and that requires too much bending. Sometimes pain wins and this is one of those areas. -We drive a lot but there isn't much in our town. A few grocery stores, a Walmart and a Target. Basics like hairdressers and doctors, but not much else. Also, all of our family and friends live out of town. We're looking at moving to be closer to those we want to spend time with. -I've tried repeatedly to use a clothes line but the humidity in Florida makes it difficult. Often times you can leave clothes out all day and if it doesn't rain they still don't get dry because the air is too humid. I sometimes dry things on racks in the house but there's only so much room for that. -Air conditioner runs 24/7 most of the year.

double post

Who is the author of the book? My library has a book called Zero Waste Lifestyle. Amazon has two called Zero Waste Home by two different authors, and two called Zero Waste Lifestyle by two different authors.

You just eat them usually with other appetizer food, especially as part of an antipasto. We usually use toothpicks to pick them up, but you could use cocktail forks.

I would support a ban, but it wouldn't happen here. And my city requires trash to be in a plastic bag. We keep it to a minimum so we're not using plastic bags all over the house. Our kitchen trash can has a plastic bag, and the trash from elsewhere in the house gets dumped into that bag on trash night. Cart Care and Use: All refuse shall be placed in bags prior to deposit in the carts. http://www.titusville.com/Page.asp?NavID=762 Also, recycling is voluntary here and they don't accept plastic bags or styrofoam. Fortunately one of our grocery chains (Publix) has recycle bins where you can take those items. I think Target has a few too.

I have some from Target similar to those. I don't think Target has them anymore, but I love how they fold up small enough to fit in a purse. Until they get used to them and learn how. If it becomes normal for people to bring bags, baggers will adapt. I do find the cashiers at Walmart are the least friendly towards reusable bags. Exactly. Think Globally, Act Locally is not just an empty saying. It matters. It really isn't hard. Plus, even if it is a fad for some people, why should that stop me from making changes? That idea makes no sense. I've been using my own bags for years, and I collected them over time. Most were free, others were inexpensive. For a while, a bunch of stores in my area gave away a free bag every Earth Day. Some still do. i don't care if my bag is free advertising for a grocery store or department store, or isn't adorable. As long as it does the job for me, I'll use it. Yep. If you aren't interested in making a difference just say so. There have been more than enough options suggested and linked here. Every single one of them is too hard for you or you don't like it for whatever reason. Just be honest with yourself. You don't care about reducing.

I use these, which I actually found out about here in an old reusable bags thread. They weigh about the same as the plastic bags in the produce department so they don't add any more to your item weight than the store provided bag would. I throw them in the washer and dryer. Oh, and they're see through enough for the cashier to read the sku number on the item. What Mercy said. If it lasts for years it's really not expensive. I balked at paying $100 for a new pair of shoes until I realized the pair that wore out lasted for 10 years, making the shoes cost a whopping $10 a year. And sometimes a little bit of effort goes a long way. Sometimes doing the right thing is inconvenient. There have been a number of links with many different options. Some of the bags linked are even durable and washable. Right? Sheesh.

Skip stuffing???? :eek: :eek: :eek:

My mother's marinated artichoke hearts. We used to have a full Italian-American meal followed by a full traditional American Thanksgiving meal when we lived in NJ and were surrounded by family. That included an antipasto, which included marinated artichoke hearts. It started when we moved to Florida and instantly became a much smaller family. We still wanted a bit of our old tradition but were unable to find the marinated artichoke hearts we used to buy in stores in New Jersey. Mom decided she'd just make her own based on the memory of what they taste like. We've been having them as appetizers at both Thanksgiving and Christmas since 1970. Years later, Publix finally began carrying that brand we left behind in NJ. We were so excited and bought some, then were very disappointed. Either the recipe had changed or we became so used to my mom's copycat version, that we no longer liked the jarred ones. When I met dh, he and his son fell instantly in love with them, and my mom always had to make extra because my brother and niece were already fans of the dish. Fortunately I watched her make them often enough that I've been able to carry on the tradition. Now dh's very not-Italian, not-ethnic-at-all family loves them and wouldn't consider it Thanksgiving or Christmas without them. I can't give a recipe because the amounts are just one of those things you have to eye. I would say at least two med. cloves of garlic for each can of artichoke hearts and maybe 1/2 tsp. oregano per can. Those are just guesses though. I measure nothing for this dish. Canned artichoke hearts packed in water (unseasoned) fresh garlic, minced dried oregano olive oil Drain the artichoke hearts. In a bowl mix the artichoke hearts, minced garlic, and dried oregano. Add olive oil and stir to coat. Place in a glass jar or glass container. Cover and let marinate for at least 12 hours (24 is better). Serve as appetizer.

I try to buy local whenever possible, but I'm not concerned about that local food being organic. Organic does not mean chemical-free or pesticide-free, and very often the "natural" pesticides and fertilizers used by big organic producers are more harmful to humans, animals, and/or the environment than non-natural versions.

Sigh. I said I didn't want to get into this, but... The farmers who had windblown seeds were already using Monsanto seeds to some extent. They weren't/aren't happily saving heirloom seeds that were then "contaminated" by Monsanto seeds. And with that, I'm out. I posted numerous links. However, facts can't change minds that don't want to be changed (BTW, I was on board the pro-organic and anti-Monsanto train at one time, until I allowed science and facts to show me how to get off).

Again, misinformation. Read Myth # 2 at this link (NPR) http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2012/10/18/163034053/top-five-myths-of-genetically-modified-seeds-busted

I love Budget Bytes!

...because I know "cage free" and "free range" are merely buzz words to get more of my money. If the terms actually meant something I'd be more inclined to buy them.

I'm not at all concerned about GMOs because...Science. I'm also not concerned about Monsanto. It's not the monster it's made out to be. Also, many (most?) farmers are not interested in saving seeds. Those who are don't have to buy patented seeds. What I am concerned about is misinformation. http://www.thefarmersdaughterusa.com/2016/02/no-farmers-dont-want-save-seeds.html Want to help family farmers? Don't support organic and non-GMO http://www.thefarmersdaughterusa.com/2015/08/4-easy-ways-you-can-help-support-family-farms.html http://www.thefarmersdaughterusa.com/2013/08/dont-trust-quacks-lesson-on-glyphosates.html http://www.thefarmersdaughterusa.com/2013/07/anti-gmo-follow-money.html http://www.thefarmersdaughterusa.com/2013/05/defense-of-gmos-is-personal.html http://www.thefarmersdaughterusa.com/2012/09/debunking-organic-myth-part-1.html Pretty sure I'll get some flaming because there are those who aren't interested in either science or what actual farmers have to say. Also, I'm not up to arguing over this. I understand the science and the big business that the organic movement is. http://www.forbes.com/sites/kavinsenapathy/#2e304536124d https://www.good.is/articles/march-against-myth https://www.facebook.com/Ksenapathy

Neither is Ree, no matter how hard she tries to make people believe it.