Throwback Thursday & Mabon Blessings

I've decided to do a little throwback posts on Thursdays, a chance to step back in time for a moment and revisit some moments from the past here in Blogland. This is from my first year of blogging, on this day in 2007. I've copied and pasted from the original, but updated a tiny bit where appropriate. 

Ahh..Autumn, my favorite time of year! Witches are everywhere, Samhain is right around the corner! Even here in the tropics the weather changes ever-so-slightly, the sun shines differently, there's a little breeze. I turn inward, my Kitchen Witch comes out and I start spending more time over the hearth. 

To celebrate Mabon, made a batch of Three Sisters from the cookbook, A Witch in the Kitchen by Cait Johnson. 

Three Sisters Harvest Stew 

This is a dish rich with textures, colors, and history. The "three sisters" refer to what the early Native Americans called corn, squash and beans. 

2 tablespoons olive oil 

1 large onion, chopped 

3 to 4 garlic cloves, chopped 

1 large carrot cut into 1-inch pieces 

3/4 cup butternut squash, cubed (for a quicker-cooking variation, use 1 cup yellow or crookneck squash, cubed) 

1 can beans, drained (garbanzos, with their harvest gold color, are my favorite, but you could try butter beans, small red beans, or pintos - whatever pleases you) 

1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels 

sea salt 

1 dried chipotle pepper (optional) 

Water or vegetable broth, as needed 

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 

 In a large stew pot, heat the olive oil. Add the chopped onion and stir to coat with the oil. Sauté until golden, the add the garlic, carrot pieces, squash, beans, corn, sage, sea salt to taste, and the chipotle pepper, if you desire. Though the pepper is optional, the smoky taste is reminiscent of the first hearth fires of the season, perfect for autumn. Simmer the stew, adding the water or vegetable broth as needed, until the squash is tender, the add the parsley and stir thoroughly. Serve piping hot.

Notes: I used garbanzo beans as called for, frozen diced butternut squash for convenience, and Trader Joe's fire-roasted corn. I didn't have a chipotle pepper so I used a little Chipotle in Adobo for spice. So yummy! I would say this makes more like 4 servings, not 6, but perhaps that's because I eat it as a main course, and I have a big appetite. ;) 

Brightest Mabon Blessings,

Rapunzel~

New (Birth) Year Resolution: Buy (Almost) Nothing New for a Year

 

Like many of us, I've been reading a lot lately about overconsumption, consumerism, capitalism, etc. and how these things are impacting our planet. Obviously, it's not good, and something needs to change, but how? How much can one person truly do to make a difference? 

I started looking at my own habits, and while I think I have some good ones (veganism, recycling, etc), there is definitely room for improvement. One glaringly obvious way, evidenced by my closet and my checkbook, is my clothing consumption. Now, I'm no fashionista, don't don designer duds nor dress to impress every day, but I do have a healthy shoe collection and like a new outfit as much as any girl. The problem is, I lean toward "fast fashion" for the very reason everyone does: It's cheap and it's available. I swear, I keep Old Navy in business. I'm there every season, stocking up on inexpensive sweaters in the cool months, tanks and light dresses during the warm ones. The quality isn't terrible, and the items last long enough, but inevitably they end up being donated to the charity shop or, god forbid, the landfill. 

(In my defense, my weight tends to fluctuate which requires shopping for the right size since I rarely hold onto my "fat clothes." Good advice from the weight loss gurus, but not practical for those of us yo-yo dieters.)

So, what to do? How can I continue to wear the cute clothes I enjoy without contributing to the problem and also lessening the strain on my budget? One easy suggestion: Buy Second Hand. Now, I have been a thrift shopper for many years, spent hours with my mom or my daughters treasure hunting at one thrift store or another. I rarely leave a shop empty handed, always find some little token, a small dopamine-popping treat for myself or others. I don't rely on these places for the bulk of my wardrobe, though. The items are side dishes, not the entrees. This is where the change has to happen. 

For the next year, I'm committing to these rules:

• Buy (mostly) second hand, with certain exceptions. Lingerie, workout wear, socks, sneakers, etc. will be new, just due to my own personal hygiene phobias. I have purchased vintage boudoir nighties on occasion, but that's a story for another time. *wink* 
• Buy (mostly) only when needed, not on impulse, but that rule will be flexible because who truly can determine whether those stilettos are a need or a want? I mean, seriously!

Vintage handbag & pearls, new peep toe slingbacks

• Clean out & clear out closet, sell or donate unwanted items. 
• Shop mindfully, paying attention to quality as well as price. Choose items that have some staying power, but a few trendy pieces are acceptable. 
• Be bold! Don't be afraid to break the rules! Wear what you want, not what "fashion" dictates. Be yourself, what's comfortable, but also try on some new looks and see how it feels! 

That's what I have so far, and I've already made progress. Last week I took a pile of donations to our local humane society thrift store, and when I decided to reward myself with a new dress, I went to Poshmark instead of the mall. 

I've been looking at some older photos of myself, from back when my kids were small, and remembering how much I liked those longer flowy dresses. I have a similar one (from Old Navy), a cute button down that's flattering and comfy, but it's been hard to find others. Well, apparently the 90's are now considered vintage (yikes!) and those dresses are all over the second hand clothing sites, often being touted as "cottage core." Hmm..ok. Well, how lucky for me! 

I ended up purchasing a couple, both from the same brand, Betsy Lauren. This black floral maxi fit perfectly out of the package, just needed a quick wash and light iron! I love the lattice back and the button front! 

I don't know about my dress being truly "vintage," but
Beren's Jeep certainly is! 

I wore it out to brunch yesterday, felt pretty cute, and was delighted by the compliments from the adorable young server..and my handsome hubby.  

The details: 

        Item: Vintage 1990s Betsy Lauren dress

        Purchased: Poshmark

        Cost: $18 plus tax & shipping: $25.51 Total

        Expression on hubby's face: Priceless. ;) 

 Would anyone like to join me on this challenge? I know my friend Benzaiten has been chatting about this issue as well. Maybe we mature goddesses can start to make a difference, heal the world one second hand dress at a time! 

Rapunzel~