[ on attempts at green living ]

A while back (in November), I compiled a list of ways I was attempting to live my life as greenly as possible. I still am making attempts, and thought it was about time for an update.

What I Do To Live Green:

• I have CF bulbs in all of my lights
• I moved to a much smaller apartment: I use less electricity, water, etc.
• I've started bringing bags everywhere I shop, or refusing bags when I can easily carry what I've purchased
  
• I try to take short, quick showers
• I open my blinds instead of turning on lights
• I'm still a vegetarian, with the exception of seafood
• I still rarely eat out
• I still never use plastic utensils or paper plates
• My air conditioning is at a comfortable 85 degrees, which is quite cool compared to the three-digit weather we've been having for weeks already
• I make sure to turn the a/c off when I'm not at home or when I just don't feel like I need it
• I not only turn off my computer when not home, but flip the switch on the entire surge protector -- vampire electricity is a bitch
• I also unplug my television and dvd player when I'm not using it, as well as any and all chargers
• I now ride my bike to work, as it's only a half-mile away -- I can now go days without getting in my car
• I dry almost all of my clothing on a drying rack, and those that I don't, I dry on the Energy Preferred setting on my dryer

What I Am Hoping To Do To Live Green:

• Get a basket or one of those towing-thingies for my bike so I can take it to the market instead of my car
• Take advantage of the farmer's market I've discovered that is only a few blocks from my apartment, twice a week
• Find a way to start recycling again -- my apartment complex doesn't have a recycling program, but I'm sure I can find one

I like feeling like I'm making an effort. Just one person making a small effort won't change things... but if everyone made small changes and small efforts... the change would be incredible!

What do you do to live green?

[ the quest to live green ]

Well, hello there. Welcome to the first post I've ever planned out in advance! I've been wanting to write about my efforts to live green for a while, as well as get ideas from other people. Sooooo, here we go.

Living green is one of my 101 in 1001 goals. I've become more and more concerned with trying to live as green as possible. There are some things I do, some things I could do, and some things I can't do. And I'm sure there are ways to live green that I haven't even thought of. So that is the point of this post. Telling you what I've done to live green, and hopefully getting some feedback on how others live green.

What I Do To Live Green:

• I have CF bulbs in most of my lights
• I always bring my own bag & crate to the market
• I recycle all my plastics, newspapers, paper & cardboard
• I'm a vegetarian (well, almost... I do eat seafood, but not super frequently)
• I turn off lights when they're unnecessary
• I turn off the water when it isn't necessary (like when brushing my teeth, washing dishes, etc)
• I rarely eat out
• I never use plastic utensils or paper plates
• I turn the a/c to a higher temperature
• I use the fans in our apartment
• I dry most of my clothes on a line
• I turn my computer off when I'm not at home or sleeping

What I Could Do To Live Green:

• Put CF bulbs in all of my lights
• Walk to the grocery store when we only need a few things
• Unplug my chargers and printer when not in use
• Take my canvas bags to all stores, not just the market

What I Can't Do To Live Green

• Carpool
• Take the bus or bike to work
• Any new appliances
• Any major home changes, as I rent

So now, I need your help. What else can I do to live green? Thanks in advance for any and all ideas!



TIATF:

All the information on living green. And the move towards living green. And how living green or trying to live green no longer automatically categorizes you as a dirty hippie.

[ gingerbread ]

TIATF:

I have got to say, there is only one single reason I get excited for the ridonkulously early holiday shopping season.

GINGERBREAD LATTES, PEOPLE.

I'm usually not a Starbucks person. Personally, I think their coffee tastes like ass, and everything else is too overpriced for it to be worth it.

But, there are two little exceptions.

One, is the glorious Pumpkin Spice Latte, which rocks my October. I still only treat myself to one or two (sometimes three), because they are wicked expensive. But so very very tasty.

And two, is the fan-frickin-tabulous Gingerbread Latte, which comes out the millisecond Halloween is over. Again, I typically only indulge a few times, but mmmmm. The $3.85 I paid for my small (which is called a Tall, never really got that) is totally worth it today. I got it frappuccino-ized too, because it's hot-hot-hot today. Global warming is here, and I'm battling it with my Gingerbread Latte/Frappuccino.

Speaking of the environment, I had to fight the grocery lady today. She wanted to give me THREE bags for: one container of soy milk, two boxes of cereal, five apples and four bananas. Are you serious!?!? AND, the lady at Target DID give me THREE BAGS for three bottles of apple juice. Umm... what?!?!?!?!?

Ladies... you two are the reason the planet is in trouble. Hooooly shit.

Rant over.

Moral of the story:

Today, I am thankful for Gingerbread Lattes. Yummy!