A Sunday visit to an Eco-Brewpub

The tradition of visiting Portland brewpubs started when I was pregnant last year.  Sounds kind of odd, I know!  My husband, Ryan, and I were stumped for things to do on rainy Sundays.  We came up with the idea of visiting family friendly brewpubs around Portland…Ryan could taste the beer and I could eat the food (because at that time eating was all I wanted to do)!  On occasion, we would meet friends for the festivities and other Sunday’s it was just the 2 of us…planning for the arrival of our little one.

Yesterday we made a visit to Portland’s first Eco-Brewpub, Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB).  We met our friends who have a 3 year old and we brought along the little guy, our almost one year old.  Of course, we were seated in the family friendly area of the restaurant which includes a play area for the kiddos.  The space was originally a repair shop for Caterpillar bulldozers and was later used as office space.  Although the space is not LEED certified, the owner and brewmaster has made “every effort to protect ‘our’ future”.  The menu includes organic beer and sustainable food, both of which our party was very pleased with!

Play area

More than just beer, cheese, and bread

On our trip to Whole Foods today we ended up leaving with more than just beer, cheese, and bread.  We signed up to get 100% renewable power for our home from new wind and new biomass sources!  Through PGE (Portland General Electric) residential customers can sign up for this renewable power program which ranks first in the nation for residential customers.  Basically, 100% of our monthly usage is offset with renewable resources (wind and/or biomass).  And, it’s only supposed to increase our monthly cost by less than 10%!  This is something I have wanted to do since we lived in Colorado and I feel good that we have made the decision to do it! 

If you live in the Portland area, check out this website to find out more: www.greenpoweroregon.com

I felt like I was 16 all over again!

Opening gifts on my birthday this year reminded me of my 16th birthday. On my 16th birthday my parents surprised me with the gift of a bright yellow 1983 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer!  The car had been my mom’s for some time and it was now being passed on to me for my 16th birthday.  I remember being so excited to drive the car, but I had to get my license first.  Later that day, I passed the drivers test and was able to take off for the first time in my very own car…what freedom!

My sister and I shared the car after she turned 16 the following year

This year, my husband surprised me with the gift of a Blizzard Pearl 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid! This time I had my license, but I had to wait for the car.  He had hoped to get it to me ON my birthday, but it was still in the Port of Portland so I had to wait.  Luckily, it was only one day and we went to pick up my brand new car.  I felt like I was 16 all over again! 

I have wanted to get a new car for some time, but we were waiting for a good time financially.  I wanted a safe family car, needed the room of an SUV, but also wanted to make the right choice for the environment.  And, with gas prices continually going up it couldn’t hurt to get great gas mileage!  It has all the bells and whistles…navigation, back up camera, MP3 compatability, Bluetooth, heated seats, etc.  I have only had it 10 days, but so far I am thrilled with my new car!