"7 Resolutions, with a green twist": http://earth911.com/news/2009/12/28/7-resolutions-with-a-green-twist/
For the final Advent posting, I was thinking about what could I say that I haven't yet said that would still be relevant to us as we enjoy this season of anticipation and preparation. Seemingly, this pause in the flurry of the year is nearing an end, yet...it's doesn't have to be. If we accept the idea of advent into our minds as well as our hearts, then our general outlook on life can become one of expectation and preparation, and truly, this joyous season can burgeon into a calendar full of adventian happenings. With that in mind, I came to the website listed above, and I particularly appreciate the sheer simplicity of it. "Resolutions" can be such a loaded word, one that is full of expectations of failure and forced unpleasantness. Does it have to be? Or, can we approach the coming of the new year resolved to usher in an updated perspective on the way that we live our lives and interact with others. Indeed, resolutions can be the advent of this evolving mindset.
#1: More family time. There's a reason this is #1, no? NO ONE equates "more family time" with any electronic or disparate activity as our lives are ever more becoming centered around. Indeed, "more family time" often becomes synonymous with "get off of your rump and do something cool with someone cool outside, which is just cool." Or something like that.
#2: Resurrect the workout. The site brings up an interesting point: what an incredible amount of energy consumption that is used just to power a gym. That's an interesting take on this tried and true resolution standard. But we live in a cold winter climate, so what is one to do? I don't know that I have a steadfast answer for this one, but I do know that exercise does not have to look like exercise. Feel free to volunteer to play with my 2-year old sometime for a few hours and see how much of a workout you get; she loves to race. Maybe, just maybe, this resolution really relates more to #1 rather than buy-a-new-membership-at-the-nearest-gym-for-$40-a-month.
#3: Kick the nic. Check out this section in particular. We hear ad naseum about the harmful or polluting chemicals that are released by just one cigarette, but what about the environmental impact of that same cigarette before it is ever lit? According to the site which cites www.treehugger.com, 1 tree is wasted just to create every 300 cigarettes, and tobacco is a pesticide-intensive crop. And the trash--those butts add up.
#4: Balance your budget. 8 ways to go green and save hundreds (good reminders): http://earth911.com/news/2008/11/03/8-ways-to-go-green-and-save-hundreds/
#5: Up your volunteering efforts. Helping others in the community in which you live can have some serious upsides beyond just the actual service that you provide. You have a voice and a message and lifestyle that you can share. Vocally or by example, people watch you and will notice. You never know when the chance arises to start a conversation.
#6: Take a load off! Eco-tourism is actually real and a growing trend towards more environmentally conscious means of travel, destinations and activities. Its starts with something as simple as being aware of how you pack (think weight of luggage and reusable containers) but can also influence the mode of transportation and hotel choice. Regardless, take a load off--mentally and physically. Free your mind and your body to possibilities and simplicity.
#7: Train your brain. I love this one. It encourages you to simply READ. Educate yourself as you are interested. An educated mind simply cannot be an ignorant mind. It's good to know validate the why of the green movement, and information is readily available to any who are willing to inquire.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Pledge to Simply the Holidays
https://sites.google.com/site/transitionyorkpa/simplicity-now/pledgetosimplifytheholidays
Check out this pretty cool website courtesy of Dave Swinehart. Don't think that it's too late to participate in this pledge to simply the holidays, either!
I'm particularly excited about a couple of these ideas, which I find to be unique and interesting ideas. Definitely go the website, but just to tease your holiday appetite (which has probably been whetted a thousand ways already), here are a few of my favorites.
*Give the gift of time: the older I get, the more that I appreciate this as a service for a friend or family member that I love or as a present that someone gives me.
*Consider less gimmicky, less commercial gifts for children: the suggestions on the website (art supplies, books, creative toys) are always what is highest on my list for my daughter when others ask me what she would "like" for Christmas. ALWAYS.
*Create a paperless holiday letter: doesn't it take as much time as (if not less) than addressing all of those holiday cards. OR, at least seek out ways to make your own cards or choose those that are made with 100% recycled materials.
*Give a handmade gift: have you heard of etsy.com? Perfect!
*Reduce junk mail: apparently, you can remove your name from common mailing lists...there's a website to consult for tips on how to do this on the Pledge website.
Don't we all have a responsibility to our Earth and our local if not global community to be aware of why we do what we do? And we can still have a good old traditional holiday celebration in a smarter, more focused manner, can't we??? I, for one, pledge to do so.
Check out this pretty cool website courtesy of Dave Swinehart. Don't think that it's too late to participate in this pledge to simply the holidays, either!
I'm particularly excited about a couple of these ideas, which I find to be unique and interesting ideas. Definitely go the website, but just to tease your holiday appetite (which has probably been whetted a thousand ways already), here are a few of my favorites.
*Give the gift of time: the older I get, the more that I appreciate this as a service for a friend or family member that I love or as a present that someone gives me.
*Consider less gimmicky, less commercial gifts for children: the suggestions on the website (art supplies, books, creative toys) are always what is highest on my list for my daughter when others ask me what she would "like" for Christmas. ALWAYS.
*Create a paperless holiday letter: doesn't it take as much time as (if not less) than addressing all of those holiday cards. OR, at least seek out ways to make your own cards or choose those that are made with 100% recycled materials.
*Give a handmade gift: have you heard of etsy.com? Perfect!
*Reduce junk mail: apparently, you can remove your name from common mailing lists...there's a website to consult for tips on how to do this on the Pledge website.
Don't we all have a responsibility to our Earth and our local if not global community to be aware of why we do what we do? And we can still have a good old traditional holiday celebration in a smarter, more focused manner, can't we??? I, for one, pledge to do so.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
The Holiday Bulge
How's this for a holiday bulge? Landfills absorb an additional 1 million tons of waste every year during the holidays, Thanksgiving through New Years (up 25% from any other time of year). And unlike us, a landfill can't jump on a treadmill to work off some of those pounds. Once it's there, it's harder to get rid of than those love handles from too many Christmas cookies. So let's make an early holiday season resolution to think ahead about how we're going to prevent some of these unnecessary pounds. It takes a lot of used wrapping paper to make 1 million TONS.
*Wrapping paper is usually not toxic. And while you could iron and re-use it (my grandmother does!), you could also simply bag it up and recycle it just as you would newspapers. BUT, metallic wrapping paper and curling ribbon shouldn't be included in your recycling stash.
*Consider using butcher paper, brown paper bags, newspapers, fabric, or any other unique material. Seriously, even if it's not the most beautiful gift covering, wouldn't you feel supremely special that someone spent that time and attention on a gift for you?
*For that matter, why not have the kids in your life color some pictures to use as wrapping paper?
*Don't forget that tissue paper can be just as problematic and wasteful as the actual wrapping paper.
*That paper tube that the wrapping paper comes on is also recyclable.
*Don't forget to re-use those bows and ribbons; why throw them away?
*Some groups/organizations sell recycled-content wrapping paper for fundraisers. That's not a bad idea.
*Gift cards--everyone loves them (yes, please!) and besides the card itself and maybe an envelope that it comes in (both of which are generally recyclable), where's the packaging? Unless you wrap the wrapped gift card...
*Baskets and other containers can often make personal and eye catching gift bags as well.
Yeah, these ideas take some time and thought, but that's what meaningful holidays are all about!
*Wrapping paper is usually not toxic. And while you could iron and re-use it (my grandmother does!), you could also simply bag it up and recycle it just as you would newspapers. BUT, metallic wrapping paper and curling ribbon shouldn't be included in your recycling stash.
*Consider using butcher paper, brown paper bags, newspapers, fabric, or any other unique material. Seriously, even if it's not the most beautiful gift covering, wouldn't you feel supremely special that someone spent that time and attention on a gift for you?
*For that matter, why not have the kids in your life color some pictures to use as wrapping paper?
*Don't forget that tissue paper can be just as problematic and wasteful as the actual wrapping paper.
*That paper tube that the wrapping paper comes on is also recyclable.
*Don't forget to re-use those bows and ribbons; why throw them away?
*Some groups/organizations sell recycled-content wrapping paper for fundraisers. That's not a bad idea.
*Gift cards--everyone loves them (yes, please!) and besides the card itself and maybe an envelope that it comes in (both of which are generally recyclable), where's the packaging? Unless you wrap the wrapped gift card...
*Baskets and other containers can often make personal and eye catching gift bags as well.
Yeah, these ideas take some time and thought, but that's what meaningful holidays are all about!
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