Happy Earth Day!

I love earth day. It makes my earth loving heart happy. Every year it gets better & every year I am happy with my progress in becoming more "green".


A few years ago we decided to stop using paper towels in our home. I'm happy to say that for the last 2 years we have not bought any paper towels. It took a little getting used to at first. I found it hardest when I needed to clean mirrors or windows. I was just so used to using paper towels for those jobs. Now I use a dry rag for cleaning mirrors & the tv. We keep dish towels in the kitchen for drying our hands & cleaning up spills. However, we are still using paper napkins & I think it's about time we switch over to cloth napkins.

For earth day last year, I decided to purchase some reusable shopping bags & get better at using those instead of plastic. Again, it took some getting used to. Mostly just remembering to bring them with me to the store. It's become a habit now & I actually like the reusable bags so much more. The structure of the store's reusable bags allows for the food to get packed in them so much better than the plastic. I've already gone to Walgreens today for a free bag, you should too!

I've also been working for a few years on trying to eat less meat. For the environment, for our health & because the Word of Wisdom says so. We gotta get off the meat, people. If you have any good, meatless, family friendly recipes, please do share.

And a bit of good news, Starting next month my city is implementing mandatory recycling. I'm so excited about it. All residents of my city are required to recycle. How cool is that?! The city realizes that it will save them money on garbage collection if everybody is recycling & they are claiming that fines will be issued to households that are not separating recyclables from their trash. I love it! Such great progress. Have I mentioned that I live in a cool city? Well, I do.

So....that was a lot to read, I know. In summary. This year I will:
* Stop buying paper napkins & make cloth ones
* Eat less meat
* I think I'll make my own swiffer dusters as well & wash them between uses.

Happy Earth Day!

Resolutions

I love the reflection that occurs this time of year. The chance it gives us to look at ourselves & try to be better. I want to have two main resolutions this year.

The first is to focus more on the environment. Try harder to reuse, recycle & consume less. I think this is going to be great because I know there is a lot I need to learn & although I am only one person, I believe that the way that I live can make a difference.

SO....I am beginning this one by eliminating paper towels in our home. I found this fact: During the past 35 years, the amount of waste each person creates has almost doubled from 2.7 to 4.6 pounds per day. The most effective way to stop this trend is by preventing waste in the first place. I feel that paper towels are a huge waste. When rags & dish cloths can do the same job. I will keep you updated on other changes I make through the year. I figure one step at a time is a good way to go at this.

My second resolution is going to be a service project. I want to do something good for those in need. I have not figured out exactly what this project will be, but again I'll let you know when I get it figured out.

So, those are my two resolutions, but there are also a lot of things that I want to focus more on. They are:
*eating healthy
*keeping a house of order
*spiritual needs. Better scripture study & family home evening.

Goals are a good thing. Hope I can keep with these.