Tuesday, February 9, 2010
In our effort to live more simply, more green, and more healthfully, I can easily become overwhelmed with how far away we are from the ideal. It's a constant negotiating act: balancing time and money with our convictions to live in a the most holistic manner. I've decided to give myself permission to take baby steps, slowly changing little by little as resources and time allow.
Here are some recent changes I've made and then a few that I'm tackling next.
Recent steps already taken:
1)Buy bulk of produce from local sources
2)Stopped heating or microwaving plastics/switched to metal water bottles
3)Choose only meat, dairy and eggs from local farms and/or is free range
4)Started a compost pile
5)Reduced my dependency on coffee
Next steps:
1)Bulk up on more green foods: broccoli, kale, spinach, cabbage etc. (green smoothies, yay!)
2)Drink significantly more water (at least 8 cups)
3)Become consistent in cooking whole local chickens and making/freezing chicken stock
4)Start a vegetable garden this spring (I'm so excited about buying seeds!)
5)Soak and boil dried beans rather than using out of a can
I would love to hear other thoughts about small changes-- what are the baby steps you are making?
5 comments:
You made quite a few more changes than I have.
I'm already good about drinking water and not drinking coffe, so yay??!
I've tried to eat less processed foods. I've quit eating cereal, and instead try to eat rice, quinoa, or oatmeal and fruit for breakfast.
I haven't bought frozen meals in like a month, instead we're cooking and trying to eat left overs. I loved coming home late from work and heating up a frozen meal, especially the ethnic ones. It was like going to the restaurant without spending the money. I'm going to learn to make one Indian dish, and Eggplant stir-fry so I don't feel like I'm missing out.
The hardest thing I've done is cut back on the "sugar-free" foods I love to eat that have chemicals in them that make them taste fabulous!
oh, and i'm trying to take vitamins everyday. :)
Great ideas. I have a vegetable garden and a compost pile. It's been difficult to get in a consistent habit of buying local produce and meats, both here in Dayton and in Yellow Springs where I work. At home, I dry my washed clothes on racks instead of the electric dryer in order to save energy, and we have programmable thermostats.
Also, as an aside, thanks for linking to the Huffman Historic District blog. We're neighbors?
I'm so inspired by your changes, Jenny. We're doing some of the same, and we've named this month "frugal february" to try to make a game out of living simply. Some of this means just finding every way we can to save money, but the nice thing about saving money is that it is also generally pretty good for the environment! I haven't driven my car once since we got back from Kansas City! I take the bus everywhere, or walk.
Almost every morning I make green smoothies for us, and they're pretty addicting now- I like mixing spinach and kale, and adding a little flax oil (having the oil in the shake helps your body absorb the nutrients from the greens, I read).
We have added reason to live frugally- someone just made an offer on our house! :( we're sad. So, we have to find a new place to live, and I think we're going to try to buy a place before the fall. Lots to catch up on! Miss you...
awesome for you! this is a great blog :)
All great ideas, especially the green smoothies!
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