Tag Archives: giving

R3000 Challenge: Pauper to Princess

June 27, 2017family, food, friends, generosity, giving, R3000 Grocery ChallengeDebbie

I promise I had this weeks meals planned.
With my R40 left, my meal plan was as follows:

Basil, cherry tom and chicken pasta,

Roast Chicken with veg,

Toasted sarmies with leftover roast chicken and cheese,

Soup (with whatever Food Lovers veg are on their mad Wednesday special).

And then this.

A gift.

You know when you settle for second best and then out of nowhere you land up hitting the bulls eye? Accepting that humble vulnerable spot, only be be bumped unexpectedly to first place?

That was us. Today. I’d counted the apples and pears for lunchboxes, gone 2 days with no milk in my coffee, eaten the crusts of my boys’ leftover peanut butter sandwiches (okay not really), but I was crawling apprehensively towards the finish line, nervous.

But it takes a village, and it seems my humble public meekness around our food budget brought out some of the most wonderful and generous acts of said village. Today we received THREE days worth of Day to Day meals (not even two as seen in the text above) as well as home-reared free range eggs, biscuits, dried fruit snacks AND jelly tots for the kids.

This evening we had steak, tomorrow we’ll be smacking our lips with smoked chicken and the next day pork chops. Fresh, healthy, local, nutritious family meals, when I was absolutely mentally prepared for (and content with) leftovers on toasted sarmies.

I sit here, on my bed, writing this, STUFFED. And grateful. While it may seem like I’ve been carried across the finish line (and maybe I have), there is a deeper lesson I’ve taken away from today. It’s that people are awesome. Share your journey – the hardships, the struggles, the challenges, the achievements. Be vulnerable. Accept gifts, give gifts, share. Share life, share food, share tears, joy, conversation, thoughts, ideas, generosity, abundance, privilege, concern, love.

Marcelle. You’re a great example of someone who shares. Thank you x

All gushy titles seemed lame – just read this won’t you?

December 22, 2016Christmas, generosity, giving, thoughtfulnessDebbie

So, my mom is awesome. She made this beautiful advent calendar and she pops fun goodies in it every night. Each morning the boys wake up and run across the back garden to gran and grandpas for their surprise treat in the advent calendar. Then there are the mornings I can see their alarm is still on and Clay has to wait in the kitchen. DISASTER. If I say he can’t yet run across, he literally melts into a puddle on the floor. And my morning starts with my bucket of patience being stabbed with a searing knife.

You’d swear I’d never mentioned or explained the words contentment or patience to him hey? (The word brat may or may not have also entered the conversation).

To be honest I’m eagerly anticipating the end of all this sugar-filled advent fun. It brings such joy to my folks and the boys, but it’s become an expectation. And you can’t blame them. They’re 2 and 4.

This present giving stuff is complicated man. Family gifts, or individual, or BOTH. Experiences or STUFF, fulfilling needs or wants? Extravagant or minimalistic? Homemade or store bought? So many people I chat to just wish we didn’t have to do it. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE receiving presents, and I love giving presents. But the stress, financial pressure, time, energy and is-it-enough thinking it involves… meh.

I’m inspired by Joshua Beckers take on a lot of it, but as I intentionally slow down towards Christmas I’m more and more inspired to be people orientated. And that looks very different in each situation. Sure I’m personally trying to move towards minimalism, and not over-clutter or store things so deep in cupboards I don’t even know they’re there. Boom. Conviction. You feeling it?

How about donating to the fund of that young mom battling cancer, or cooking a delicious feast for someone who doesn’t have. How about donating to that that crowd-funding project and help someone live their dream (or support local businesses with interest free loans) . What about giving extra thought to the one who is anticipating her first Christmas without a loved one or the single parent who is not really coping right now…

(Because when family, friends and strangers gave money to us as we raised funds for Clay’s first eye op – it.changed.our.world).

How about instead of (like on autopilot) heading to the store to buy, wrap and throw gifts under the tree, challenge yourself to try give differently. WHAT does that look like? Because this intentional stuff CHANGES LIVES. It’s not a toy that’s played with for 17 seconds and then tossed aside.

Think about it…

Your Gift Guide for a Green Christmas

November 26, 2015Christmas, gifting, giving, Green Gift Guide, holidays, homemade, LocalDebbie

Ahhhhhh! PANIC. It is 4 weeks until Christmas. In a moment of spontaneous and wild personal challenge, I imagined myself making ALL of my family’s Christmas presents this year. Be it bake, DIY, grow (plants) or create. I’m still (very) hesitant to commit to that, and if I’m honest, it’s a rather ridiculous ask, so should I go the store bought route (as I’m typing this I know I’m headed down that road, let’s be honest) I thought I’d put together a gift guide for a Green Christmas.

First prize: I LOVE the idea of homemade Christmas presents. Besides following the idea of minimalism and collecting/giving away less ‘stuff’ and needless clutter, it is thoughtful, intentional, meaningful and can cost you less than rushing out in a panic and spending WAY more than what you imagined. Also, you can avoid the malls. WIN.

You can go wild making homemade edibles such as jams, biscuits, chutneys, salsa or jars of cookie dough premix. Then you could always get creative with things such as face scrubs, Christmas ornaments, a reusable heat pack, bath fizzies, homemade Christmas stockings and and and. Honestly, Pinterest has an overwhelmingly intimidating array of ideas.

But, should you not be Martha Stewart or feel your hand is happier holding that shiny credit card, here are a few green gift ideas for you to browse… from the light green to the dark green – feast your eyes on these beauties.

Hold up! I must emphasise and encourage something. Can we mix it up a little this Christmas and think about where we are shopping and where our money is going? How about this year you put more thought into buying local, be it from a market, a neighbour or even an online store.

I love this quote:

“When you buy from a small business, you’re not helping a CEO buy a third vacation home. You are helping a little girl get dance lessons, a little boy get his team jersey, a mom put food on the table, a dad pay his mortgage or a student pay for college.”

Isn’t that so true?

And now that you’ve been suitably inspired – let’s shop!

STOCKING STUFFERS!

My parents always filled my stocking with necessary things for the upcoming year, my favorite being a small pink calculator I received when I was about 8. How I loved that thing. So in keeping with that tradition, here are some of my favourite fairly innexpensive, everyday goodies. (I’ve already purchased my entire family new toothbrushes for the upcoming year).

Green Lite Eco Fire Lighters – R21
The Environmental Toothbrush (adult or child) – R39
SOiL Organic Relax/Revive/Relief Remedy Roller – R34
oh-lief Natural Lip Balm (Grapefruit)
Pure Simple Castile Soap – R29.50

WOMEN:

Africa Organics Baobab Clay Wash – R46
Africa Organics Kalahari Melon Body Wash (200ml) – R42
SOiL Organic Relax/Revive/Relief Remedy Roller – R34
oh-lief Roman Chamomile Body Lotion (200ml) – R145
oh-lief Natural Lip Balm (Grapefruit)
oh-lief Roman Chamomile Natural Hand Lotion
The Victorian Garden Watermelon & Cucumber Eye Makeup Remover (100ml) – R69.

MEN:

Pure Beginnings Shave Crème (150ml) – R74,
Beaucience Facial Wash – R60,
Green Lite Eco Fire Lighters – R21,
The Environmental Toothbrush (adult or child) – R39,
Beaucience Facial Scrub – R70,
Pure Simple Shaving Soap – R29.50.

BABIES & KIDS:

Pure Beginnings Kids Hygiene Hand Wash – R59.50
GreenKid Toddler Sippy – R149
Pure Beginnings Soothing Baby Lotion – R73
GreenKid Glass Baby Bottle – R139
oh-lief Baby Gift Set – R185
Soywax Happy Crayons – R98
The Environmental Toothbrush (child) – R39
GreenKid Silicon Sleeve (for Glass Bottle) – R59

Then, there are always other gorgeous brands I love which have a stunning range of perfect Christmas gifts. Such as SOiL Essential Oils,(R45 up) – GROWbags (R195 – R305), and the good old Wonderbag (R195 – R320).

While writing and sending cards can be a timely and tedious task, it is so thoughtfully and sincerely enjoyed by more and more people in our techno-savvy and disconnected world. Remember the good old days when your family received heaps of cards at Christmas time? Why not bring the tradition back and write to those you love? Send it snail mail with a good old stamp (remember those?)

And that’s about it. Shopping done! I aim to please…

Have a very merry Christmas friends,
xxx

Picture credit: Anyone Can Decorate Blog