I’m photo shy. I like Lemony Snicket. And I’m not Muslim; it was just a cold November day in Japan.
Hi there. My name is Jennifer. I live in northern California with my blind rescue kitty Brie (sometimes called “Walnut” for her brain capacity, and sometimes “Toxokitty” for her history of toxoplasmosis) and my long-suffering spouse Kevin. The two humans are vegetarians; the cat eats meat. I started this blog in 2009 as part of a work project to get links for a client, but it ended up turning into my own space to mouth off about the many environmental issues our planet is facing. Although there are scattered recipes and DIY tutorials and book reviews, this is mostly an idea and introspection driven blog.
Although I come from the wishy-washiest humanities background ever (BA in British Lit, MA in Children’s Lit, if you really must know), this is steadily becoming more of a science driven green blog. (Latest update: I’m back in school to beef up my science background before applying to graduate programs in botany and plant science.) I blame part of this on my innate contrariness. I hate accepting a party line. I hate binary thinking. I like evidence and scientific consensus (i.e. lots of people who are smarter and more knowledgeable than I am agreeing on something). I believe the problems we are facing are complicated, and that any answers will also be complex and full of compromises.
I say what I think on this blog. My blog doesn’t make me any money, and I’m enough of an idealist to be proud that I have a space that isn’t compromised by commercial interests. Also, I have no social instincts, so I don’t say things to make you like me. Peer pressure bounces off my bubble of social oblivion.
I have no idea what you want to know about me, so here are some more or less random factoids.
- You will probably never meet me in real life. I’ve worked with kids with Asperger’s who were more social than I am.
- I enjoy cooking. And I know a fair bit about plant poisons. My spouse is a brave man.
- My favorite wheel to be behind is a potter’s wheel. Mud-flinging for adults!
- I took all my meals for a year in the great hall of a bona fide English castle. If you’ve never been to Durham in northern England, I highly recommend it.
- Green is my favorite color, followed by dark turquoise. I like earth colors.
- I told my parents when I was ten that I never wanted kids, and I haven’t changed my mind.
- I am terrible at being empathetic and nurturing, and equally bad at communicating emotions. Apparently this means that I suck at being female.
- I remember voices and scents much better than I remember faces.
- I had a lot of nosebleeds as a child, and the vivid, iron-y smell of my own blood was one of the reasons why I eventually stopped eating meat.
- On a general species level, I prefer cats to humans. Exceptions are made on an individual basis.
You can contact me by leaving a comment, following me on Twitter, or emailing me at noteasy2begreen at gmail dot com.
It's Not Easy To Be Green 
Posted by Jamaise on 05/05/2010 at 21:38
Hello 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Wishing Penny. I’d love to see you add a following or email subscription feature here. I’m interesting in what you’re saying and would love to have a way to keep track.
Posted by ailanna on 05/06/2010 at 08:25
Hi Jamaise!
It never occurred to me to do so…didn’t think there’d ever be enough interest. Thanks for proving me wrong! The shiny new button has been added. 🙂
Posted by dina on 07/03/2010 at 09:00
hi thanks for following my blog. i love your kitty, I had a kitty who looked just like her that I lost to cancer
Posted by Stacy Jae on 07/12/2010 at 14:08
Jennifer,
I read your post about soapnuts. Do you have a green house to grow your own?
If you would like to host a giveaway for your readers to try soapnuts for themselves, Maggie’s Pure Land actually has sustainable harvest practices and makes liquid laundry soap with Organic Essential Oils (as opposed to the synthetic chemical preservatives used in other soapnut liquids).
Check it out: http://www.maggiespureland.com/sustainable.html
Have a Happy Day!
Posted by Kristine on 10/15/2010 at 10:12
Great to find you. I’m also a veggie-eating, animal-loving, book-liking, child-free…..ah, I’m boring myself already…..I’m basically an East Coast you. Greetings from Virginia : )
Posted by ailanna on 10/15/2010 at 11:28
Yay, a doppelganger! 🙂 I’ll check out your website soon.
Posted by Lisa on 10/23/2010 at 12:14
Hey, I found you via grist and I’m glad I did 🙂
Posted by Small Footprints on 10/27/2010 at 13:18
Hi! I just love your writing … every post I’ve read since finding you, makes me think and reflect. It is a refreshing and wonderful experience. I’d love to “have you over” to Reduce Footprints as a guest author, if you’d be interested … I think my readers would love your passion and thoughtful writing. If you’d be interested, just let me know:
reducefootprints at gmail dot com
I would, of course, link back to this blog and hopefully that would bring you some new readers.
Thanks!
Small Footprints
Posted by Katy on 11/08/2010 at 13:34
Thanks for stopping by! I’m loving reading your posts…but I have a confession (which, is buried in my blog somewhere). I currently am eating meat. I got pregnant a couple months ago (which should be announced on the blog sometime this week), and it was the only thing I wanted to eat. Unfortunately. I can’t wait to not feel like a pod person and go back to ways that don’t cause so much internal conflict. So…loving reading, and kicking myself at the same time. 🙂
Posted by Nerissa Barry on 12/02/2010 at 09:03
Hi!
Seeing that you’re a green advocate I wanted to reach out and see if you were interested in an article that I recently have written. It’s on the Olympics and the steps they’re taking to go green and decrease the environmental impact that it has. While sports is something far from the topic of your blog, I think that you will find it interesting and informative, and not overwhelming on the sports content.
I want to spread awareness of the fact that even though the Olympic Games are fantastic and unifying, they are it’s quite a carbon-rich event and are not that environmentally sound.
I look forward to hearing back from you, have a great day.
Posted by Evita on 03/14/2011 at 15:04
Hi Jennifer
What a pleasure to get to know you more! I LOVE your bio 🙂 It put a big smile on my face.
I look forward to connecting with you more and would love to chat more some time indeed!
Thank you for what you stand for and the example with which you lead.
Posted by Confessions of An Aspiring Greenie « Always Well Within on 05/14/2011 at 23:34
[…] 0 Jennifer Mo is right. It’s not easy to be green. […]
Posted by Jennifer on 05/22/2011 at 10:28
Wow, so cool to find someone with whom I have so much in common. Consciously childfree, veg-head, prefer solitude, my favorite people are my kitties, same attitudes about consumerism, and the same name.
Posted by Jennifer on 05/22/2011 at 20:02
I guess I’m not as unique as I thought! 😉 Glad you found me, look forward to getting to know you more!
Posted by Louisa on 08/21/2011 at 12:38
just found your blog through twitter and I am very pleased that I did, there is some really great stuff here, I will be keeping up with it, love your kitty!
Louisa
Posted by Jennifer on 08/21/2011 at 15:32
Glad you found me, and welcome!
Posted by Tamara Ramirez on 12/06/2011 at 23:06
Hi, Jennifer! My name is Tamara. I’m new to your blog (and new to doing some blogging myself) but have a long-time interest in environmental issues. Recently, I’ve been thinking about how the internet – especially blogs – can be a place for telling personal stories that are also forms of environmental activism. I was hoping I could draw on your expertise in this area for a post that I’m working on for my blog. If it’s ok, I’d love to (virtually) talk with you a bit about your experience with creating and posting to this blog and then share our conversation through a link on my blog at artplaceidentity@blogspot.com. I’m hoping to gather some insights about what it means to share personal stories with an activist dimension online from people who have more expertise in this area than I do. I just started blogging recently for a Visual Research Methods class I’m taking, (I’m a graduate student in Cultural Studies) and I chose to pursue my interest in this topic as part of a project for this class.
One of the things that really interests me about your blog is that it is both personal, because it’s about your own life and own experiences, and political, because it advocates green living. Maybe this is a chicken-and-egg question, but I’m wondering what role each of those aspects of the blog played in your decision to start it up. Was it more a personal experiment – a way to investigate and shape your own ideas about certain environmental issues? Or, were you already committed to a certain set of environmental values and began blogging as a way to raise awareness about them? Some of both? Neither? Has this changed over time?
I also wanted to ask you about the audience for your blog. When you post, who is it you primarily write for? Is it people you know off-line, or is it mainly for an online community? Is there a particular activist community that you’ve communicated with through your blog? How does their feedback shape your experience with the blog? How does the blog form (short posts, links, pictures) shape your decisions about what to include on the blog?
Finally, what do most appreciate about the experience of blogging, personally? What influence that you hope your blog will have on others?
Thanks very much for the work you do on your blog and for considering this invitation to share your perspective on these questions. Any thoughts you have would be very greatly appreciated!
All the best,
Tamara Ramirez
Posted by applpy on 07/03/2012 at 08:22
Hi,
I just came by your blog today by way of your post on the Just Farmers blog. I would like to thank you for a wonderfully balanced view, sorely lacking in the ongoing debate on this and other food related issues. I blog on food issues as well and attempts to put forth a perspective based on scientific data has often been met with charges of being a “shill for Monsanto”. I respect the anxiety of consumers but the assault on rational assessment of facts is of concern. I will be following your work!
Posted by Fran on 07/29/2012 at 10:55
Jen, I was reading about your adventures with Kale. I did not see that you discovered that adding lemon to your smoothies will take the edge of that bitterness. I use 1/4 to half a lemon at times on my green smoothies because I use Moringa powder and that stuff is nasty on it’s own. LOL, but the lemon actually helps and does not hinder the rest of the fruit flavor so bad. Later on, you get used to the flavor and you crave it. Good luck.
Posted by abbspepper on 08/13/2012 at 23:15
What a fabulous ‘about’ page. Here’s another cat-loving (I’m typing round one who wants a cuddle NOW), slightly gender-indifferent, ambivalent semi-green sort of woman – living in the Carpathian mountains after 30 years in cities. Remarkably, mountainous Transylvania, albeit very green in itself, is populated by hard-working smallholders who aspire to urban delights, especially American-style consumerist, materialist urban delights. I look forward to exploring your blog – found you through Ian Peatey’s guest posts, but will enjoy your humour and candour.
Posted by Dylan Schoenhals on 11/13/2012 at 05:33
Nose bleeds can be caused by benign conditions such as too much heat or exposure to the sun and also it can be caused by more serious ilness like cancer.-
Our personal web portal
http://www.melatoninfaq.com/melatonin-for-children/
Posted by Lana on 01/01/2013 at 13:32
Hi Jennifer, Just stumbled upon your blog and feel like you are saying things that roam around in my head, only more eloquently! I loved your post about the holidays – I get so annoyed with constant Eco-gift advertising. Tchotchkes made from recycled materials are still tchotchkes! Happy 2013.
Posted by Maria Jefferies on 02/05/2013 at 08:37
Hello There,
My name is Maria and I’m a professional blogger.
I have over 5 years of experience writing for the web and have covered plenty of topics about Fashion. I just came across your blog and would like to contribute some relevant, useful topics about Fashion on your blog at no cost.
At this point in my writing career, I simply want to get more visibility for your writing and I will write for free as long as you are okay with me adding a small author bio section next to each blog post about myself.
Please let me know if you’re interested and if you’d like for me to submit a sample blog post for your approval.
Thanks a bunch,
Maria
Posted by Anastasia on 03/05/2013 at 09:22
Hi Jennifer,
It’s in your freezer, it’s ready in minutes and it’s always an elegant choice. We’re talking about shrimp. Grill it, sauté it, toss it on pasta or serve it with grits. Shrimp is not only easy to cook but it’s easy to purchase sustainably. To celebrate this crustacean, we were hoping that you could feature America’s most popular seafood with a recipe (below) and note about how Oregon pink shrimp is especially noteworthy.
The Oregon pink shrimp fishery was recently re-certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council. The Marine Stewardship Council is the international leader in defining, certifying and promoting sustainable seafood. This link will direct you to a news release.
The MSC blue eco-label is the only guarantee you need to ensure the seafood you’re buying is sustainable. Widely available in Whole Foods, Costco, Big Y, Target and Wal-mart and at many other major retailers including McDonalds, MSC-certified seafood offers convenience with a conscience. A quick visit to the MSC product finder website will allow you to find many varieties of MSC-certified shrimp.
Below you will find an Oregon pink shrimp cake recipe. Follow this link for a photo of the shrimp cake dish and a photo of a shrimp boat. We invite you to post all three. If you are interested in speaking to a representative of the Oregon pink shrimp fishermen, we will gladly arrange it.
Best,
Anastasia
Oregon Pink Shrimp Cakes
1-1/2lbs Oregon pink shrimp (DO NOT WASH)
1 cup plain bread crumbs
2 celery stalks, finely minced
1 small onion, finely minced
1 small green pepper, finely minced
1 teaspoon dry mustard
½ teaspoon Tabasco
1 large egg
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Additional bread crumbs for coating the cakes
½ cup oil for frying (or more as needed)
Combine all ingredients except the breadcrumbs for coating and the oil for frying.
Form the mixture into 8 1″ thick cakes. Coat cakes on both sides with the additional breadcrumbs, patting the crumbs lightly into cakes.
Preheat 10″ to 12″ sauté pan over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup oil. Cook 4 cakes at a time, 4 minutes per side. They should be nicely browned on both sides and heated through. Keep the cooked cakes warm in the oven while you prepare the remaining 4. Use fresh oil for the second batch.
Recipe courtesy of Gary Puetz, the Seafood Steward
Wasabi Tartar Sauce
¾ cup sour cream
¾ cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
1 tablespoon fresh garlic, finely minced
1 tablespoon white vermouth
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon lime zest
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 teaspoons Wasabi paste (jalapeno pepper, finely minced can be substituted)
Use food processor to puree ginger, Wasabi, garlic, vermouth, sesame oil, lime juice and zest. Puree for 3 minutes.
Add mayonnaise and sour cream and process until smooth.
Recipe courtesy of Gary Puetz, the Seafood Steward
Posted by EcoEntrepreneur² on 05/04/2013 at 08:41
Hi Jennifer,
I like your blog. Would you consider including our eco-friendly wine racks and herb pot holders on your blog? We handcraft our products in San Diego. Our products can be viewed at http://www.etsy.com/shop/thinkeco2.
Thanks for the consideration.
Jules
Posted by Markus Wentlandt on 05/21/2013 at 05:03
Hey check out this guerilla ad to save the life in the ocean
best
markus
Posted by Miguel on 05/14/2014 at 07:15
You are a great example to many. I hope you can continue doing what you do and if you ever need help feel free to contact me. I am an advocate for green living and always available to help the cause. Wish you all the best and look forward to reading more of your articles.
Posted by Makason on 07/21/2014 at 21:49
Dear Jennifer,
Love the blog. Wanted to share a new Eco product that addresses the “coffee impact” while also solving the biggest problem in that industry, leaky coffee lids.
You can see more about The SpilliNator here : bit.ly/theSpilliNator
Just wrapped a successful kickstarter with the project.
Thank you for your consideration!
Makason
Posted by Joseph on 09/26/2014 at 03:45
Hola he disdrutado con tu artículo no te conocía a partir de hoy.
Mi más sincera felicitación tienes un sitio super interesante Gracias por
compartir con todos.
Posted by Lena on 10/14/2014 at 17:09
This is a great blog. Thanks for sharing – your entries are refreshing and inspiring. I just learned of some great new “green” cleaning products that I think readers of this blog might enjoy. It is a brand called Legacy of Clean, and all their household cleaners (kitchen and bath cleaners, dish soap, laundry detergent, wipes, etc.) are all ammonia-free, chlorine-free and contain no harsh chemicals. Their products are all made with naturally-derived cleaners like coconut, lemon oil, aloe vera, etc., making them safe for use around pets and babies. Their cleaners are also highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way, since there are no harmful fillers. You can learn more about the brand and purchase the products at http://www.thewellnessdepot.net. They also have some other really great pure, natural products, like makeup and vitamins. I hope you enjoy the site as much as I did. Let me know what you think! 🙂
Posted by Maad Sharaf on 07/20/2015 at 07:02
Dear Jenny,
I am Maad and I have been following your outstanding blog since a long time. It’s amazing how we share the same values and purposes off life.
Let me introduce you an international nonprofit team leading the development of GreenAdvisor – a game-changing idea to empower everyone to protect our planet.
Please take a moment to view our campaign on kickstater and we would highly appreciate your effort and time if you could share it on your blog/facebook in order to welcome this project to life.
Thanks alot in advance.
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Posted by Eli on 09/30/2015 at 20:05
Hi I was wondering if you could email me the citation for this page? Thanks.