Brian Prescott

Naturally, I dress in layers. When it gets cooler, I add an additional layer.

Another thing that has worked well: I purchased styrofoam panels several years ago. They were cheap at the time, about $9 for a pack of 6. I cut them to fit the windows and put them in the windows in cold weather as soon as the sun goes down; take them out when the sun starts hitting the windows in the morning. In the summer months I use the same panels during part of the day to reflect the hot sun out of the windows.

My grandmother was the same way, Rachel. She grew up in an era where they didn't have much, but appreciated everything they had. She never 'bought' into consumerism, and so she valued and CHERISHED so much the few things she had and was given. I think you hit the nail on the head in your second paragraph where you talked about how we are flooded by so many things that we give little value to what we have.

I believe to go back to that way of living, we need to go back to a simpler lifestyle, have fewer things, and don't look to consumerism, or 'shopping therapy' to make us happy.

There is a school of being called 'Zen Living' which focuses more on living in the present moment. Things like "Do one thing at a time; give it your full attention. Do it slowly, deliberately, and completely. Do less. Put space between things." It's being totally present to live and not depending on an influx of new 'stuff' to try and make us happy.

If I plan ahead, and have time, my favorite way to reheat food is to put it in a covered glass casserole dish in the sun oven. Not only does the oven get hot, but the sun shines through the covered class dish and directly onto the food! Using the cover on the dish prevents the food from drying out. I can even add a couple drops of water if necessary.