Instead of focusing on recycling, what if we focused on reducing and reusing?  I am a huge proponent of trying to find everyday items that can be reused.  For example, buy your jams and jellies in glass containers and reuse them for containers to organize your life or dry goods.  There are many items that if we took the time to think through the purchase as to how we could reuse them we might make better purchases.

Another example might be replacing a disposable “something” with something of more substance.  I have a friend who has a routine which involves going to her favorite coffee store, getting her coffee to-go and putting on her little cardboard sleeve on the cup and then walking to work.  What if I could replace the to-go disposable cup with a glass to-go cup that she owned and the cardboard sleeve with a hardy fabric sleeve (something fashionable).  That way each time she bought her coffee she was not contributing to the waste cycle or the recycle function which still takes energy to produce.

I challenge you to find more ways to reduce the amount of goods that need to be recycled or wasted.  I am carrying my to-go drink container everywhere I go.  When I go to my favorite diner, I always bring my cup and the owner smiles and knows why I bring it.

Today we are in he midst of an economic downturn and more and more people are thinking about turning their yards into something more functional such as a garden.  I spoke with a family of four recently who had told me of their concern that they were not bringing in enough money to pay all their bills.  They had applied for Foodstamps, but were turned down.  The husband had recently lost his job due to downsizing and was eager to work anywhere just to help make ends meet. The live in a prominent neighborhood and did not want their neighbors to know of their economic woes.  I quickly ascertained that their primary concern was to put good and healthy food on the table.  I suggested that they could utilize part of their backyard to start a garden.  The wife quickly dismissed the fact and said that her neighbors would laugh at them.  I then suggested container gardening or interspersing vegetable plants in their already landscaped backyard, so that it would be part of their esthetically pleasing plan.  She thought that was quite clever and is now reading a plethora of gardening books.

Another young couple that I spoke with this past week were also concerned about the economy and were taking steps to become more self sufficient.  They stated that they were already in process of figuring out what vegetable plants that were going to plant this Spring and were big fans of compost.  I told them that I was very pleased to hear that they were educating themselves on the benefits of growing their own Organic produce.  I told them that when you are the “Farmer” you have more intimate knowledge of your produce and can make a greater impact upon your diet.

Now is the time to go to you local library, gardening shop, research the internet and find your local food growing experts to think about ways that you can start your own garden.  I know that I am planning on tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, peas, green beans, eggplant, and squash.  What are you going to plant in your “Economic Victory Garden”?

I recently attended AmericasMart gift show in Atlanta and noticed that there were quite a few boothes that seemed to offer some kind of reusable container for your favorite beverage. There were stainless steel containers (my favorite), aluminum containers, recycled plastic bottles, titanium cups, etc.   There were some that were plain and some that had special designers put their own artistic spin on why to use a non-disposable option.

This is an area that I have been at fault for many years.  I do tend to eat out quite a bit and I love drinks to-go.  I am normally talking and meeting  quite a bit at lunch and I rarely finish my drink and ask for it to-go.  Now, I have no excuse and bring my handy dandy stainless steel drink container along with me.  I know that it sounds presumptious, but it did take my waitress by surprise today when I told her she could skip the glass and just pour my iced tea into my personal container.  Her comment to me was, “well, aren’t we prepared now.”

I guess that is one of the key components that people tend to forget.  Learning to be more Green is about taking conscious steps to be more prepared and not allowing yourself to be caught going back to old wasteful habits. 

If you don’t have your drink container, now is the time to get one – make one – bring it with you everywhere you go.

If you see me and I don’t have mine with me, please make sure to give me a hard time.  I will make sure to look for yours as well.

I was asked by a few people how my holidays were and what my kids got for Christmas presents. Before I could expound upon how awesome it was to be home and enjoy a nice time with my family, someone stated “she probably just gave her kids some granola and sticks to play with since she is a tree hugger.”

It was clear that this person did not know me and also did not understand that I take the statement “Tree Hugger – Planet Lover” to heart. Instead of trying my best to explain what type of a person I am, I shrugged it off by stating that “Yes, we had a waste-free Christmas and we tried our best to buy all local gifts not made overseas.”

Sometimes when you live your life in a truly sustainable fashion,  people tend to pick on and poke fun.  They don’t really understand why you do what you do and they are a bit afraid that you might know something that they do not.  They feel better about themselved by putting others down and dismissing that there could be anything more than what they know to be true.

I’ve spent most of my life in education and awareness campaigns working with the general public.  The biggest thing that I have learned is that only when a person is ready and willing, will they ever truly understand it.  It is sort of like that high school algebra class (that I took – which by the way Thanks!  Mrs. Wagner) that doesn’t make sense until you really listen and digest the material.  I spent a whole year watching and listening to algebra lessons and by the end of the year I still didn’t get it.  I remember writing on my final exam “See you next year!”  It wasn’t until I made the decision that I was really going to learn it and participate, that any of it made sense.

Being “Green” isn’t just about recycling.  Being “Green” is about understanding the connection and responsibility that we have with our environment and community.

My challenge to you:

Place yourself in the path of positive people who can encourage you in your endeavors.  Stop trying to convert others to your ways.  Other people will see by your actions what wonderful things you are doing and they might even join you.

This year is one filled with hope, anticipation and a spirit of “Yes We Can”.

Many people are making their goal list for 2009 and on the top of many of them are living a bit more “Green” and sustainable.

I applaud the many people who I have met this past year that are taking steps to recognize that their positive actions do have impact.

Let’s give 2009 a theme to strive toward. Since the USA is dealing with many economic upheavals, let’s turn that lemon and make it lemonade. This is the year of the “Conscious Consumer”

I challenge everyone to thoroughly think about what they are going to purchase, how they are going to purchase and what impact that purchase will make on the rest of our global society.

Let’s see if USA’s consumers can start demanding more healthy and sustainable products for everyone. I know that will be one of my missions this year.

Happy New Year!