January: Nutrition and Health
February: Kindness and Generosity
March: Order and Purpose
April: Strength and Flexibility
May: Relationships
June: Adventure and Fun
July: Community and Environment
August: Knowledge and Interests
September: Sleep and Tranquility
October: Simplicity and Moderation
November: Gratitude and Positivity
December: Spirituality and Resolution
Taking care of the community and environment is very important to me, but I'm also guilty of being a walking contradiction at times. I believe in buying locally, but I definitely visit Walmart more than the farmer's market or co op. I think recycling and reducing waste is crucial to protecting the environment, but my recycling bin doesn't make it to the curb every week. I will have my moments where I'm extremely aware of turning off lights, the AC, and running water and then many more where it's the last thing on my mind. I've watched the earth-friendly documentary "No Impact Man" and had hands-on experience in college with self-sustainability, and although I already know that I will never have the discipline to live to those extremes, I can and should be doing way more to live in a way that respects and protects the Earth and my community. Most of my actions that have a negative impact are done out of sheer laziness or convenience, and that is not a good enough excuse when I am a role model, as a teacher and future parent, to a generation that will inherit the planet and carry on my habits. So here's the plan:
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
As I'm typing this, I'm looking at the remnants of my lunch from Stonemill Bread Co. The good side is that it is local and fresh; the bad side is I'm staring at a styrofoam cup and several empty containers and packages all from my one small meal. It would be unreasonable for me to say that I want to be completely waste-free, but that doesn't mean I can't cut down in many ways. Next time I get takeout, I will request less bags and try to reuse containers for leftovers and lunches. My large, reusable shopping bags will stay in my car for each grocery trip, and I'm not sure how, but I'm going to remember to bring them in with me this time!
Our current trash system has brought a whole new meaning to "out of sight, out of mind." I am sometimes astonished at how full our trashcan is each week (and with just two people in our house!), yet it is quickly forgotten when the trash is emptied and whisked away to a landfill somewhere. I went TODAY, for the first time ever, and bought some bins to separate recyclables and looked up info about my city's recycling program. I think having these bins by the trashcan will be a constant reminder to recycle every day, every week.
(And when I bought the bins, I bypassed bags for all my other purchases and just had them load everything in these. See, I'm already making less of an impact!)
Food
I went to a wedding last weekend that was on a farm. The food was unbelievably fresh and delicious, which is probably why I helped myself to two plates. The steak kabobs were from the family's cow that was alive just a couple days before and the fruits and vegetables were recently picked out of the garden by the bride's friends (green beans, potatoes, tomatoes with basil, cantaloupe, mint, and blueberries...yum!). Maybe it goes without saying, but tasting a ripe green bean that was just picked off the plant is a totally different experience, nutritionally and for the taste buds, than having a soggy green bean out of a can. Being fortunate enough to grow up with a large garden in my grandparent's backyard and now having a mother-in-law with two vegetable gardens, I have known for a long time that what most Americans call food is not really food at all. You can't taste the beauty and freshness of the earth in a Happy Meal or Snickers, and there can't be anything right about eating artificial or genetically modified foods. This is not to say that I haven't enjoyed my fair share of junk food and that chocolate cake is off the menu, but I am eating for two these days and want to raise my family to be healthy and aware of what REAL food is. This month, I plan for the majority of my meals to be fresh, preferably organic, local food and to plant a little herb garden (a vegetable garden is going in my backyard next year, I swear!).
Think Local
I'm not one of those people that thinks big corporations are corrupting our world and shouldn't be supported. Places like Walmart have provided many of my friends and family members with a job, supported many fundraisers for my school, and once started out as the little man themselves. I would be devasted, though, if some of my favorite local diners, boutiques, and grocery stores went out of business. Even if these places are more expensive or less convenient, I'm happy knowing my money is going to hard-working people that live in my hometown, plus the service and products are usually better anyway! Between the farmer's market, fruit stands, the co op, and the family garden, I have plenty of places to get healthy food that supports the local farmers and economy. And between places like Ultra Studios and Maude, I really don't need to go shopping in the mall. We'll see how this goes, but I will try to be more mindful of choosing local businesses when I get out to run my errands.
Go Green
Although all of the above things are part of the green movement, there are other things I can do to be an advocate for the environment. Buying green cleaning supplies and beauty products is one major way, not to mention it is safer and better for your body. (The best cleaning tip I've ever taken: Put some vinegar and a full pot of water in your coffee maker and press start. Scrub baking soda in your bath/shower/sink and then pour the hot water from the coffeepot over everything. It cleans your bathroom, drains, and coffee maker squeaky clean and it is all natural and cheap!) Reducing the amount I use my car and utilities in my house will also be a huge priority this month. Turning off power strips and unplugging appliances, as well as switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs, can add up to quite a bit of savings on energy bills. It also wouldn't hurt for me to get out and plant some flowers and trees, fill our bird feeder with some seeds, and appreciate living in The Natural State!
"We all moan and groan about the loss of the quality of life through the destruction of our ecology, and yet every one of us, in our own little comfortable ways, contributes daily to that destruction. It's time now to awaken in each one of us the respect and attention our beloved Mother deserves."
-Ed Asner
