My first attempt at a rocket stove...

so I started out with 5 cans,

and after gathering up tools and supplies (mainly a can opener, metal cutters, perlite, quickrete, and a marker) I put together this,

Its a rocket stove with a horizontal feed and really this was just a test run. Ultimately I would like to make one that is much more insulated (this one has about 1" of perlite/quickrete and got VERY hot on the outside container) and that has a vertical feed. I will attach it to an insulated box that I will fashion using an old bbq grill, a cast iron grill sheet and lots of insulation. I want to take the wheels off the bbq pit and make it look like it belongs in a pretty kitchen. It will have exhaust leading outside. Anyway, I am proud of myself for finally attempting this and that it kind of worked. More results will be coming...

Gratuitous Hair Post!

I flat-ironed my hair a couple of days ago, just for a change. I was surprised at how much it had grown and had full and long it looked. I took a picture of it bone straight from behind and the ends looked super raggedy, so I gave myself a trim and beveled some waves into it with the flat-iron. I also added some castor oil/EVOO, which gave it some glossiness. I am not too happy with all the splits and single strand knots and obvious breakage but I plan to do better from here on out. Here's a pic of my straightened hair.

Tiny Home on Wheels

We are still unsure of where we will be buying land, as Jarvas's job is a determining factor and right now he is "transitioning". Building an earthen home is dependent on "owning" or having unlimited access to land. In the meantime, I thought a good idea up. I can build a small home that is mobile in about 8 weeks, so that when we do buy land and start construction on our earthen home we will have a comfortable place to live. I estimate 6-12 months to build the earthen home, and that number varies depending on materials used, prep work involved (splitting and curing lumber takes up to 6 months), and financing plan (pay all up front or pay as we get). Living on the land we are building on would be optimal, for convenience and cost effectiveness. Obviously I don't want to live in a tent for 6+ months. The idea of a tiny home on wheels is intrigueing. Also it would give me some building experience of which I currently have none. I would like to build this home for somewhere between 5-7K. Later I will use it as a guest cottage or resale it.

Right now my first step will be buying a flatbed trailer and figuring out were I am going to park it...

My inspiration:

Counting Calories.

I can get obsessive about stuff, and then completely lose interest. Back when I was actively trying to lose weight, my game plan was to maintain a 1600-1700 calorie diet and engage in moderate daily excercise. I think this a reasonable plan but the problem is with monitoring calorie intake. It actually makes me think and obsess over food more, which ultimately leads to a complete disinterest in monitoring food intake. In the back of my mind I am always thinking, I shouldn't have to think this hard about food to eat reasonably. Unfortunately, my inner guide on when to stop eating is a little submissive and constantly overrided (is that a word?) by my compulsive habit of overindulgence. Anyway, just for interest fact I counted up the calories to this mornings breakfast and had a little bit of an epiphany, I say a little bit, because I actually already knew what I realized but the significance became more obvious as applied to my meals.

My "brunch" consisted of:

1/2 spicy sausage 110 calories
2 scrambled eggs 150 calories
1 medium red potatoe 200 calories
1 tbsp olive oil mayo 50 calories
1 cup chocolate milk 220 calories
salt, pepper, fresh dill and green onions

Now all together this adds up to a whopping 730 calories, however considering this is 2 meals in 1, that isn't too bad. But if it were just one meal, the chocolate milk definitely should be eliminated. Besides the fact that milk and me don't agree, that is an insane amount of calories for 8 oz of beverage. To think that this is a beverage commonly served to children in addition to their meal, makes it no surprise that obesity in American children is becoming epidemic.

Anyway, the meal itself was very filling and without the chocolate milk was about 500 calories, which is right on target. A 1600-1700 calorie diet typically includes three 400-500 calorie meals and two 100-200 calorie snacks. To stay within this range without obsessively counting calories, I follow these guidelines:

- drink water when thirsty
- I can have one 8 oz beverage a day
- I keep my portion sizes reasonable
- eat last meal before 8 p.m.
- I can have a small fun snack after 8 p.m.

I think this plan is awesome, and so far my only weakness has been BlueBell icecream, of which I eat a whole pint in one sitting, which is usually between 600-700 calories. I would say that is why I haven't lost a pound.