Happy Earth Day!

"Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect." ~Chief Seattle, 1855

I love Earth Day. Renewal. Reminder. Education. It's all good.

As my family well knows I get excited about recycling and garbage reduction. Our recycle bins are well used. My compost bin is well stocked. Our garbage pick up is down to about once every three weeks. By the way, Mabel restoration isn't the greenest activity in the world...

I love to figure out a more natural (and usually less expensive) way to make things. Recently I have begun to make my own laundry detergent, dishwashing machine detergent and flavored creamer (still perfecting this, but it is pretty darn good!). It's been fun.

I am not a gardener. I've tried, but it isn't really "my thing" so what I can do is shop local and support my local economy including businesses, farms, etc. One of my favorite places is The Green Barn. Love it there.

Finally, today (and tomorrow) if you live locally you should go to Sole Obsession and pick up some Simple shoes (if you don't live locally give Kelly a call - she ships! yay!).  These are mine. I love them. A lot.

So. To recap:
*Recycle.
*Reuse.
*Reduce waste.
*Make stuff.
*Buy local.
*Earth Day everyday.
*and a link to past Earth Day posts that aren't quite so random and disjointed! :)

Happy Day friends!

"Man must feel the earth to know himself and recognize his values.... God made life simple. It is man who complicates it." ~Charles A. Lindbergh

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." ~Native American Proverb

Earth Day is like a new year. It is a gentle reminder to refocus on my actions. Here is my post from last year which expresses my thoughts on Earth Day. I love Earth Day (and everyday) and hope that it reminds people what we should be doing on a daily basis.

Happy Earth Day friends!

Now, I am off to clean out the coat closet and possibly the pantry - wish me luck!

also, looking forward to the premiere of Big Green Lies tonight. I love me some good, green t.v.
also, I also have been loving The Green Phone Booth blog lately - good stuff there.

Earth Day Everyday!

Earth Day Everyday is my favorite "Earth Day" slogan. I just wanted to put that out there right now at the beginning.

Okay...now on to my Earth Day post. I like Earth Day. I like that there is a day set aside for Bernie or whatever you want to call the earth. I think that the idea of Earth Day was a great one due to the fact that people need a little reminder sometimes, a little nudge to make them remember that we only have this one earth and we need to take care of it. Most people I know (myself included) try to be good stewards of the earth. But let's be honest, just like a diet we fall off the wagon every now and then. We do what is easy instead of what is right. We grab a disposable water bottle instead of a refillable one. We throw away cans instead of recycling. Admit it - once in awhile this happens. Sometimes we go through the actions of recycling, walking to the neighborhood store instead of driving out of rote habit (which is fine) instead of really remembering why we do these things. It is because we were put on this planet, given this earth and it is our job to take care of it.

I think Earth Day is an excellent opportunity for education and renewal. A time to remember. A time to reflect on what we have done and what we can do in the future. A time to get back on the wagon if we may have fallen off or take on something new!

What a day!

I was lucky today to have Earth Day conversations with many people in many different circumstances from my doctor during this morning's appointment, the checker at Trader Joe's, the barista at Starbucks, my little brother, Tami at a funeral...I think the one thing we all agreed on is that Earth Day is and should be Everyday!

So, what do you to celebrate Earth Day Everyday?

Here are a few of the things I do regularly:

• I use a reusable water bottle (my Lucy one rocks!).
• I use my reusable shopping bags (as often as possible).
• Recycle, recycle, recycle...
• Signed up to reduce junk mail (did this a few years ago - fantastic)
• I try not to use my air conditioning in my car (I am bad at this one).
• I try to buy locally when I can. Local produce rocks! Love the Green Barn!
• Switched light bulbs to CFLs.
• ....
  

Like most people I slip. I may forget my water bottle or my shopping bags, however, for the most part I try to do these things and more. Just trying to do my part.

I just picked up a few books that discuss ways to lessen your imprint on the earth. So far they are interesting and I haven't read them through yet. When I do I will make sure to post on the book blog. Promise!

Happy Earth Day. Today. Tomorrow. Forever!


a note about the picture: not an Earth Day picture, but it is green! :) I took the photo on the way to my doctor's office today (I detoured down by the Marina...good shots down there).

Happy Earth Day!

more later...Do your part. Be earth smart! :)