Before this challenge, I could say with complete confidence, that I would never be making my own almond milk.  Homemade.  From scratch.  The only thing I cook from scratch is water.  Yep, boiling water.  And I’m good at it.

I have to say, frustration set in yesterday.  Why am I doing this again?  Why do I do any of this crazy stuff?  Making milk?  Seriously.  My oldest son, somewhat jokingly, said I’m insane and might need to go see a doctor for it.  He also said he would trade this challenge and do 5 more years of the no retail shopping challenge.  “Can I just go to my dad’s house while you finish this?”  No.  He asked that right after I gave him his allowance to buy the food he likes, so he doesn’t have to participate in this 100%.  

Back to the milk.  I had to buy almonds.  The new, fancy Kroger by my house doesn’t sell in bulk.  I had to go to my old neighborhood Kroger, which I like better anyway, to buy them in bulk.

LESSON #1:  If you’re going to place your bulk into a reusable shopping bag, be sure to tell the cashier before she dumps it out looking for the PLU.

No, the disaster didn’t happen, but only because I explained it quickly.  She still looked confused, but didn’t spill my almonds.

LESSON #2:  This whole process is time consuming.

All I did last night was rinse and soak the almonds.  Well, I also had to borrow a blender.  I have one, but it’s broken.  Tonight, the fun begins!  This is going to take a lot of almonds!  My kids and I can blow through some milk.  It doesn’t look too complicated.

LESSON #3:  This is crazy expensive!

This applies to almond milk and pretty much everything in this challenge.  I bought approximately 2 pounds of almonds.  I have no idea how much milk that will make.  $16.78.  Ouch.  This better make a lot of milk!

I’ll update you tomorrow on the almond milk.  I’ve heard it tastes great, especially the homemade milk.

Cat Litter Update

This is completely frustrating.  It’s no wonder people don’t try to use environmentally-friendly options, BECAUSE THERE AREN’T ANY!  Yes, there are some options that are better than others, but most of the containers can’t even be recycled.  Here’s the scoop (pun intended):

• Petco.  Where the pets go.  Well, I sure hope my cats can drive themselves over there.  I called and talked to a manager to see if I could buy the bulk litter in my own container.  I was told no, as it would mess up their inventory.  PetSmart doesn’t have bulk options.
• Shredded paper.  I thought, hey!  I’ll just go to work and empty out the 2 shredder bins.  Bingo!  Cat litter!  Nope, both bins were empty.  The cleaning people are such overachievers.  ;)
• Accepting litter from friends.  I don’t want handouts, as that defeats the purpose of finding alternative methods.  I accepted a small bag of Yesterday’s News litter, made from recycled newspapers.  This isn’t something I will do regularly, but it buys me a little time.

I like trying new ways to do things and think about bettering the world, but honestly, it’s stressing me out a bit.  Only because of the timing.  We’re taking a vacation during this time, a road trip, none the less.  No fast food.  No prepackaged food for the car.

I have to agree with my son.  I’d rather do 5 years of no retail shopping than to do this.  I’m sure some good will come out of it.  It always does.

Photo credit: catsdrivingthings.tumblr.com