I know I have fallen behind in my blogging. As usual it's all craziness. So in order to try and bring some organization to what has become a mess of a green challenge. I am going to do a little recap here and let you know how the challenges are working out in addition to try and catch up with them. We are 10 weeks into the new year, which means I should have 10 challenges underway.
Green Challenge #1: Turn off the faucet while brushing my teeth.
GC #2: No more elevators or escalators.
This challenge is actually harder to carry out than I expected. The reason is not actually due to my laziness or lack of being physically fit. It is because our world is set up to use the escaltors or elevators. In the airport it is extremely hard to find a stairwell compared to an escaltor which is plopped down right in front of you. The same goes for the mall - stairs are easier to find, but still not always as conviently located. I do my best, but feel that this challenge will be felt more once I am back in the hospital on a regular basis. I guess I better keep this challenge in mind when I look for a place to live next year!
GC #3: No more tampons.
Let's just say I am still more than happy with my moon cup and think it is a wonderful device, even if it does gross out over half the general population.
GC #4: No more plastic or non-reusable bags.
Going well, it helps that I have many reusable bags that fold up and easily fit into my purse. I also have my re-usable grocery bags hanging on hook near my garage door which helps to remind me to grab some before I head out the door! One of my favorite very compact brands is the Chico Bag!
GC #5: I'm giving up my hair dryer.
I promised to report in whenever I used my hairdryer. Well, I have used it once since the challenge. It was cold cold morning in Hershey that I broke down and dried my hair. Didn't use it on my birthday though! And shall I tell you in advance I will be using one Friday - I go get my haircut AND next Thursday for match day! (Ahhh...it's a week away)
GC #6: Eating only locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Ok, I've changed the criteria on this challenge. Originally, I said from the state in which I reside. Well, let's just say depending on where Sief and I end up next year, there may be little fruits/veggies grown. And...I'm trying to increase my veggie and fruit intake. Limiting myself to only locally grown is hard when traying to expand my palate. So....here's the compromise - fruits and veggies grown only in the US and if it's in season locally then I have to go to the farmer's market to pick up the fresh produce. That still means no more bananas :(
GC #7: No gum in those plastic packages.
GC #8: No more bottled water.
This hasn't been too hard, because I was sort of doing this already, but I'm working on using my reusable coffee mug for tea/coffee in the morning and not consuming any beverages out of plastic. Slow and steady.
Ok, so I still have two more green challenges to account for, which I will post before this Sunday. I promise. Part of the reason why I have not been posting is because things have been all craziness lately and....well sometimes doing the research to figure out the impact that some of the daily things we take for granted is depressing. I'm currently reading a book entitled "No Impact Man," which is the story of a man, his wife, and daughter who tried to live no impact for a year in Manhattan. The impact that he inevitably makes by being human he tries to make up by doing something to counteract it, thus in theory ending up "no impact." I'll be quoting this book more later on my blog. I'm very slow in getting through this book, again becuase to a certain extent it's depressing to think about the potential of all of our actions over the last however many years and the fact that some of this knowledge is out there and yet it continues to happen. Money makes the world go round and if there is no big money in being/going green then there is no reason for it to happen. Sometimes ignorance truly is bliss.
But....I will do my best to try and not be too cynical.
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On a happier note: 1 week until Match day! 15 days until I will no longer be in class (those 15 days include the weekends and 2 days I get off for match day) and 67 days until graduation. The end is near - can you feel it?
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