Sustainable Living 5

One thing I do on a daily basis to live more sustainably is to use cloth napkins.  Whenever we use cloth napkins, that means we aren't using paper napkins - paper napkins that come wrapped in a plastic wrapper.  Typically, I use cloth napkins at dinner and still use paper napkins for breakfast and lunch.  I need to get better about using cloth napkins at every meal. One thing that keeps me from making this a habit at every meal is the need to iron the napkins after they've been laundered.  I'm going to work on fitting ironing into my regular schedule so that I can all but eliminate the need for paper napkins.

Helpful Download

I stumbled upon this free download that I wish I had known about when I went out and purchased a magnet for my dishwasher.  Frustrated at times with finding the dishwasher empty and the sink full of dirty dishes, I realized I needed some way to let family members know that they could put dishes in the dishwasher.  I found a nice little magnet that said "clean" and "dirty" that I could affix to the front of the dishwasher to indicate the status of the dishes inside.  However, a free download from Carina Gardner would have been better as so many companies promote their businesses with magnetic business cards and calendars.  It would have been simple to print out the form, glue it to a free magnet, and then cut it to size.  Get your free download here.

Sustainable Living 4

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Continuing with documenting the ways I try to live a sustainable life, I want to emphasize the need to stay out of stores.  During my no shopping challenge last year, I only went to the store when I knew I needed something; I never went to just "browse."  Browsing leads to desire for things you don't need - and really don't want - all because you are suddenly aware of these new things.  And the desire and purchase of said items adds to the waste stream.  

On a recent outing to Target to purchase some necessities, I found myself drawn to all sorts of bobbles and began mentally justifying purchasing those items.  All those shiny new items seemed to call to me from the shelves.  I could have easily filled my cart with things I didn't need, that were probably made overseas by individuals in virtual bondage, using our precious resources, and that would just contribute our already toxic world via the chemicals in the manufacturing process, and would ultimately go to our already clogged landfills.  

One might argue that the products already exist and, therefore, my decision to not purchase would not change anything.  However, by refusing to buy frivolous items means those items end up on clearance, meaning the store would not realize the expected profits and would not order as much the next season.  Remember supply and demand?  If we don't demand as much, the manufacturers and stores won't supply as much.  So, one of the most important steps in living a sustainable life is to avoid recreational window shopping.  Looking leads to buying.

Wellness Wednesday

Here's a visual reminder of how calories can add up quickly, even when one isn't eating a lot:

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That's approximately what an averaged size, sedentary woman should consume in calories all day!

Human Trafficking Awareness Day

President Obama has declared January Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Congress has designated tomorrow, January 11, as Human Trafficking Awareness Day.  There is an estimated 27 million slaves or individuals living in slave-like conditions around the world.  13 million of these are children.  Although slavery is illegal in every country, many turn a blind eye to the plight of those suffering in bondage.  Slaves can be found in the US in the sex trade and labor market and around the world in places like coffee, tea, and cacao plantations and in garment factories.  For more information on modern day slavery, go to the Polaris Project. 



If you live in the first world, you are in some way culpable in the exploitation of other human beings.  Go to Slavery Footprint to see how many slaves you keep in bondage through your lifestyle and purchasing choices.  Then, if you live in the US, go to Fair Trade USA to learn about food products made without slave labor and to Green America to learn about sweatshop-free clothing.  Or do your own internet search to find resources to help fight human trafficking.

Veganism

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One of my goals this quarter is to move toward veganism.  Once again, I'm joined on this quest by my friend Shona of LALA dex press.  We're both huge cheese fans but know that, for us, the right thing to do is to move away from regular (or at least daily) consumption of this product.  Go here to see how Shona is approaching this topic.

For me, moving towards veganism will not mean completely eliminating animal products from my diet.  First of all, I will continue to eat eggs as we have chickens who are very well cared for so our eggs are cruelty free.  Secondly, eating vegetarian away from home has enough challenges.  Many restaurants in my area offer very few entrees that don't have meat in them; those that don't have meat almost always contain cheese.  Finally, when I eat at the homes of friends or at other social functions, most people who know me are kind enough to go out of their way to accommodate my vegetarianism; telling them I'm a vegan would be too much for them to handle.  However, in my daily life, I'm giving up cheese and dairy.  

I'm not going to purchase any more cheese at the store.  I have a small stockpile of cheese in my refrigerator that I'm working through but once it's gone, I won't be replacing it.  I will be buying small amounts of milk for my husband as he drinks Cuban cafe con leche and it wouldn't be fair for me to force my choices on him.  As for cheese, he's not a big fan so that won't be a sacrifice for him.  Also, I won't be using milk in my cooking anymore but will be substituting rice milk where appropriate in recipes calling for cow's milk.

Giving up cheese also goes along with my sustainability goal.  Since I like to eat a variety of cheeses, that always means a variety of plastic packaging.  Now that I'm giving up cheese, that means less waste that will go to landfill.  So giving up cheese and dairy is really a part of my sustainability goal.

Quote for the Day

"God is more within us than we are ourselves."

~St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Founder of the Sisters of Charity