Getting from here to there without destroying the planet

So, my husband and I are newer to our area, and part of my job is to drive to peoples' homes. I have a pretty terrible sense of direction, so I always have to print out from Google maps. This week I went to 4 homes, which means 4 maps. I realized how wasteful that was, and since I am a gadget geek, I immediately realized my next big purchase: GPS! No papers to print ever! I researched and found one that I like a lot and is relatively inexpensive: Garmin nuvi 200. It retails for $199 at Best Buy (or Worst Buy, if you are a stickler for customer service), but checking my local Target ad (online, of course!) I see that Target has it for $149 this week! Score!

Good books

I just finished "Wake Up and Smell The Planet", which was a great book. At times, a little intimidating with too much info at once, but great overall. I just picked up and started Gorgeously Green today and so far, it's really awesome. She talks about the daily struggles to go green without going overboard, but also knowing which battles to fight.

So far this is not something I have talked about, but while my resolution is thrilling and exciting every single day and every single task I do, it can also be overwhelming sometimes, and (just like with any resolution) it's a daily struggle with my former-self to do it. Sometimes it's easier to to just throw the clothes in the dryer than to individually hang them all, ya know? I'd rather just buy the packaged catnip sometimes than struggle to grow it (they keep eating it while it's still in the dirt!). We have become so dependent on conveniences that sometimes it's just tough.

Every day I remind myself that I am doing this so that, when my time comes, I will rest well knowing that I did the best I could for as long as I could to leave the planet as wonderful as possible for my offspring and theirs. Every day with each item I re-use, each item I recycle and each time I turn out a light when leaving a room, I am ensuring my legacy - a happy planet and healthier environment for my yet unborn family.

I know - it's a little hokey. But hey, we can all have different reasons as long as the end result is all the same, right?!

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day 2008! Today I am wearing a green coloured shirt, and all of my clothes were line dried last nite instead of dried in the dryer.

If you want to do one small thing to impact the environment positively but don't know where to start....

-Sign up for e-statements for credit cards or bank statements
-Switch one lightbulb in your home to CFL
-Plant an herb that you use frequently in a garden
-Wash today's laundry on cold water
-Pay a bill online or over the phone instead of mailing your check in

Just a few suggestions - have a great Earth Day!!!!!!

Cleaning with no harsh chemicals

Today I cleaned our toilet with only baking soda and my hands (in gloves, of course!) and it is gleaming like it never gleamed before.

I also saw my green girls at LUSH today and came home with more natural stuff - natural face masks, to be exact - all hand-made and filled with green goodness! Of course, they were brought home in my reusable tote!!!!

Thank goodness the weather is great - we turned off the furnace today, which is exciting.

Travels

Joel and I wanted to go to MN for our wedding anniversary, but it's 300 miles each way, and with the cost of gas, and my efforts to go green, we decided instead to go tour the Jelly Belly factory and then to head to IKEA and Woodfield in Chicago - it's about half the distance. Bonus - riding the Jelly Belly train!

I got a bunch of items from some secret swaps and I rinsed out the containers and intend to use them again - they are great sizes for samples and traveling!