Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Continuing On ....
WOW! I cannot believe that it has been such a long time since we have posted. However, I am sure that has no bearing on how we are progressing with our green lifestyle. Yesterday we had a G3 meeting in St. Paul and we talked about what was working and what did not work (namely using the recipe in the book for unclogging drains). We all agreed that we continue to be willing to try new things and slowly transform our homes. It is interesting the things that people choose to hang onto - whether that be virgin toilet paper, candles or draino. What would it take for me to stop buring candles? I just love the comforting smells - and the warmth they give my home. I feel like I have come a long way since we started this group -- but I feel like there is much more to come!!!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Conversations about what makes a differences to us
Well the G3club of San Diego met yesterday – well two of us met and had a great conversation. Granted not all of it was about shopping, but we did get a chance to talk about a few things that have been more difficult for us to find/do/figure out, as well as some good conversation with Jenn’s roommate who passed through our conversation a few times.
One of the things that still baffles us is this whole recycling thing. I think it is one of those issues that the more you know the less you know. So we continue to tackle that subject, especially with plastic. For an interesting website visit life without plastic Can we move to a world w/o plastic – I for one think that would be a huge challenge.
The other thing that we decided to do here – since food seems to be more important to us than clothes at the moment – is that Jenn and I are going to make a local and seasonal food list. There are a few in the area – but it seems hard to find ones that makes sense to us. So we are compiling a monthly list of in season and local fruits and veggies. (local is within 100 miles) Wish us luck – we are starting with just July and August and see where that takes us.
What I have found so far from “reading” this book with others is that we are all interested in ways that we can be involved with being greener – whatever that might look like. AND the more we talk about living more sustainably in our lives the more it becomes infectious in the lives of those around us. This is getting more and more exciting!!!
One of the things that still baffles us is this whole recycling thing. I think it is one of those issues that the more you know the less you know. So we continue to tackle that subject, especially with plastic. For an interesting website visit life without plastic Can we move to a world w/o plastic – I for one think that would be a huge challenge.
The other thing that we decided to do here – since food seems to be more important to us than clothes at the moment – is that Jenn and I are going to make a local and seasonal food list. There are a few in the area – but it seems hard to find ones that makes sense to us. So we are compiling a monthly list of in season and local fruits and veggies. (local is within 100 miles) Wish us luck – we are starting with just July and August and see where that takes us.
What I have found so far from “reading” this book with others is that we are all interested in ways that we can be involved with being greener – whatever that might look like. AND the more we talk about living more sustainably in our lives the more it becomes infectious in the lives of those around us. This is getting more and more exciting!!!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Our collective green power!!!
Rachel: Erin - we had a small G3 meeting here in MN - but one with great conversation and awesome ideas!!! We did revisit the exercise chapter, since we did not meet last month. We found that each of us comfortable with the physcial part of exercise - but less so with the mediation and quiet pieces. It got me thinking about our conversation about nuturing ourselves through doing someting mental, physical, spiritual and emtional every day. I will put some more thought into that - and we can share with the group.
We did get on to talking about shopping. We all felt as though we are much more mindful about what we are bringing into our homes. Bethanie shared her loved of second-hand stores and tips to shopping there. We also talked about the differences between buying something second-hand and buying organic made products. Out of the entire discussion came the commitment that we are going to do a Green Girls Clothing Swap here in MN!!! :) I have been doing some research - and we are planning on having it sometime this summer. Maybe we can do it when you are home. So - to all of the MN Green Girls more information to come.
Mom noted at the end of the meeting that groups of women certainly can do powerful things. We are all on our own journey of green"ness" - but together we can make such a bigger impact. So - I am in awe of all of the power we have individually - but how that is maginfied when we work together.
We did get on to talking about shopping. We all felt as though we are much more mindful about what we are bringing into our homes. Bethanie shared her loved of second-hand stores and tips to shopping there. We also talked about the differences between buying something second-hand and buying organic made products. Out of the entire discussion came the commitment that we are going to do a Green Girls Clothing Swap here in MN!!! :) I have been doing some research - and we are planning on having it sometime this summer. Maybe we can do it when you are home. So - to all of the MN Green Girls more information to come.
Mom noted at the end of the meeting that groups of women certainly can do powerful things. We are all on our own journey of green"ness" - but together we can make such a bigger impact. So - I am in awe of all of the power we have individually - but how that is maginfied when we work together.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Traveling and Being Green
It is nice to be back home after a whirlwind visit to our nation's capitol. Traveling certainly made me ultra-conscious of how difficult it is to maintain a gorgeously green lifestyle. The excess of food, water bottles, gift bags, paper handouts etc. was overwhelming. I did bring along my own water bottle and was able to use that throughout the day and made sure to hang up my towels so that they didn't get washed. It dawned on me that my culmulative actions at home are becoming easier - but when I am out of my element it is easy to slip back into prior habits.
How does everyone else maintain their G3 status when traveling?
Back on the homefront my garden is growing (as is the grass .... need to mow!), the compost it composting and I am intent on seeking out some nice second-hand stores for when the "need" for a new outfit strikes!! I would love to hear from everyone else how they are doing.
How does everyone else maintain their G3 status when traveling?
Back on the homefront my garden is growing (as is the grass .... need to mow!), the compost it composting and I am intent on seeking out some nice second-hand stores for when the "need" for a new outfit strikes!! I would love to hear from everyone else how they are doing.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
shopping and TMI/S
Erin: Rachel, I have been thinking a lot about shopping and what things I bring into my house and then have to take care of. In the past few years I have spent a lot of time trying to weed through all the things that Tim and I both brought into our marriage and what things I cared to keep moving around. (can you believe that we have moved 4 times in the last 5 years!) All that packing makes me hyper aware of STUFF. IN addition to which we now have added "necessities" for Dara. It can get to be over whelming. TOO MUCH STUFF
One of the women in my church commented to me the other day that even though she tries to keep on top of it all she feels there is just too much information coming at her. So she would rather just not do anything, but then there is all this guilt. Which makes me think of a few things.
1 - What makes becoming "gorgeously green" more do-able?
2 - What gives people the courage and/or energy to make the necessary changes?
Wherever people are on this journey, I think the questions still are important to ask. For me, right now, I am inspired by the women in these discussions, I am inspired by the more eco-friendly products that I see - which brings me back to shopping and too much information/stuff.
I think it is important that we share our conversations and stories, but I also think it is important to remind each other that no one person can save the world. If we can each take ONE opportunity, learn ONE new habit, share ONE success then we are well on the way to a greener lifestyle - What do you think?
Rachel: Erin, yes - I need to remind myself that it really is about ONE thing at a time. I too am struggling a bit with the shopping thing. I think that I really don't buy very much stuff - but then why do I have so much garbage? And why aren't all of my closets nice and roomy? Uggg .... I have to constantly remind myself to reuse/repurpose the things that I already have. I thought a bit about the San Francisco Compact - where the group didn't buy anything new for a whole year (except for necessities)!!!! Now, I don't think that I am ready to go that far --- but what I am going to commit to in June is to scope out some second-hand clothing stores .... but the cool ones!!! When I lived in San Franciso there were some great places to shop for second-hand clothing (some never worn) but it felt like you were in a hip boutique. I know they must exist here - so I am going to do some scoping. Plus, maybe I can get some stuff that I could NEVER afford new. Again, it isn't completely ceasing to be part of the economy - just doing my ONE thing to be gorgeous and green!!! :)
The other thing that I neeed to remember - is that this is a process. It is not about doing something one month - and then stopping while doing something new. It is about making small changes that turn into my lifestyle. I am still using coconut oil every day on my skin - and as a deep moisturizer for my hair. And I LOVE how my skin looks. I still am struggling with other products .... but am making some progress. I will put out my plea again for a great sunscreen!!!! I am meditating irregularly - but better than nothing at all - and the same with my sun salutations. I have yet to go to the Bikram Yoga class - out of total fear of looking stupid. .... So I need to get over myself and just do it. I know that I have all of the G3 girls behind me!! I am faithfully going to the library, bringing my own bags not only to the grocery store but to Nordstrom, buying as much local food as I can (too bad bananas don't grow in MN!!!), composting, trying to not use my car if my destination is less than 10 miles away, using green cleaning products, tending to my garden and I have not used my dryer in the past 6 weeks (and, yes, mom, I have done laundry!!). I have not turned on my AC (even when it was 97 in MN in May!!!) and am using my push reel mower - even if it only bends over the dandelions. So -- all of my ONE things have turned into a greener lifestyle. All of the ONE things do add up --- and I would love to hear from everyone else what their ONE thing is.
One of the women in my church commented to me the other day that even though she tries to keep on top of it all she feels there is just too much information coming at her. So she would rather just not do anything, but then there is all this guilt. Which makes me think of a few things.
1 - What makes becoming "gorgeously green" more do-able?
2 - What gives people the courage and/or energy to make the necessary changes?
Wherever people are on this journey, I think the questions still are important to ask. For me, right now, I am inspired by the women in these discussions, I am inspired by the more eco-friendly products that I see - which brings me back to shopping and too much information/stuff.
I think it is important that we share our conversations and stories, but I also think it is important to remind each other that no one person can save the world. If we can each take ONE opportunity, learn ONE new habit, share ONE success then we are well on the way to a greener lifestyle - What do you think?
Rachel: Erin, yes - I need to remind myself that it really is about ONE thing at a time. I too am struggling a bit with the shopping thing. I think that I really don't buy very much stuff - but then why do I have so much garbage? And why aren't all of my closets nice and roomy? Uggg .... I have to constantly remind myself to reuse/repurpose the things that I already have. I thought a bit about the San Francisco Compact - where the group didn't buy anything new for a whole year (except for necessities)!!!! Now, I don't think that I am ready to go that far --- but what I am going to commit to in June is to scope out some second-hand clothing stores .... but the cool ones!!! When I lived in San Franciso there were some great places to shop for second-hand clothing (some never worn) but it felt like you were in a hip boutique. I know they must exist here - so I am going to do some scoping. Plus, maybe I can get some stuff that I could NEVER afford new. Again, it isn't completely ceasing to be part of the economy - just doing my ONE thing to be gorgeous and green!!! :)
The other thing that I neeed to remember - is that this is a process. It is not about doing something one month - and then stopping while doing something new. It is about making small changes that turn into my lifestyle. I am still using coconut oil every day on my skin - and as a deep moisturizer for my hair. And I LOVE how my skin looks. I still am struggling with other products .... but am making some progress. I will put out my plea again for a great sunscreen!!!! I am meditating irregularly - but better than nothing at all - and the same with my sun salutations. I have yet to go to the Bikram Yoga class - out of total fear of looking stupid. .... So I need to get over myself and just do it. I know that I have all of the G3 girls behind me!! I am faithfully going to the library, bringing my own bags not only to the grocery store but to Nordstrom, buying as much local food as I can (too bad bananas don't grow in MN!!!), composting, trying to not use my car if my destination is less than 10 miles away, using green cleaning products, tending to my garden and I have not used my dryer in the past 6 weeks (and, yes, mom, I have done laundry!!). I have not turned on my AC (even when it was 97 in MN in May!!!) and am using my push reel mower - even if it only bends over the dandelions. So -- all of my ONE things have turned into a greener lifestyle. All of the ONE things do add up --- and I would love to hear from everyone else what their ONE thing is.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Positive Thoughts
Rachel: Erin ... as I sit here by myself (although, I know Carrie had planned on coming) during what was suppose to be our MN G3 meeting I know that even though I am physcially alone - all of the "girls" are doing what they can to be green today. Hopefully that means not turning on the air conditioning - even though the temps topped out at 93 today!!! HOT!!!
Here is what I was going to add to our meeting tonight ....
Meditation - this has been hard for me, but I am committed to trying to tack onto my 5 minutes per day. I also have decided that I am going to try Bikram Yoga. It has been calling to me - coming up in many different conversations - and there is a studio 4 blocks from my house with a great special this month. So - I am saying it out loud and going to go next week.
I received some AWESOME green birthday presents -- GC to buy plants, a drying rack and a tumbler compost bin. It is so much fun to use all of them!!!! :) I do want to buy a clothes line - so looking into a retractable one - if anyone has ideas, please let me know!!
Finally - SUNSCREEN! Does anyone have any good suggestions? I was completely overwhlemed with the first chapter of the book (meaning, we probably need to continue to revisist the products we are using) and didn't pay attention to the sunscreen part. I want something that doesn't look all white ... but covers and works!
Ok - this was a long post, but I wanted to share my thoughts. I truly am hoping that everyone is moving forward on their journey - and I am sending out all of the green energy I can muster today!! :)
Erin: Rachel, I am always surprised to hear about how hard meditation is for people, not because I think it is easy - but for some reason I have this image that it should be easy. Our lives are so busy that it is incredibly hard to quiet your mind.
Anyway, we had a small group this month as well, but had a good discussion about moving forward and that we probably need to revisit the "body products" section as well. BTW I like Burts Bees sunblock, but it does not rub in or stay on like coppertone.
This next section on shopping gets harder for me because of the story of stuff. too much to think about sometimes, but I do think that there is a lot of good products out there that also benefit the world in a positive way; providing jobs, quality of life, raising awareness. So I am digging into this chapter in a new way.
Ok - actually we are off to the store now to get some more cloth diapers for Dara.
Here is what I was going to add to our meeting tonight ....
Meditation - this has been hard for me, but I am committed to trying to tack onto my 5 minutes per day. I also have decided that I am going to try Bikram Yoga. It has been calling to me - coming up in many different conversations - and there is a studio 4 blocks from my house with a great special this month. So - I am saying it out loud and going to go next week.
I received some AWESOME green birthday presents -- GC to buy plants, a drying rack and a tumbler compost bin. It is so much fun to use all of them!!!! :) I do want to buy a clothes line - so looking into a retractable one - if anyone has ideas, please let me know!!
Finally - SUNSCREEN! Does anyone have any good suggestions? I was completely overwhlemed with the first chapter of the book (meaning, we probably need to continue to revisist the products we are using) and didn't pay attention to the sunscreen part. I want something that doesn't look all white ... but covers and works!
Ok - this was a long post, but I wanted to share my thoughts. I truly am hoping that everyone is moving forward on their journey - and I am sending out all of the green energy I can muster today!! :)
Erin: Rachel, I am always surprised to hear about how hard meditation is for people, not because I think it is easy - but for some reason I have this image that it should be easy. Our lives are so busy that it is incredibly hard to quiet your mind.
Anyway, we had a small group this month as well, but had a good discussion about moving forward and that we probably need to revisit the "body products" section as well. BTW I like Burts Bees sunblock, but it does not rub in or stay on like coppertone.
This next section on shopping gets harder for me because of the story of stuff. too much to think about sometimes, but I do think that there is a lot of good products out there that also benefit the world in a positive way; providing jobs, quality of life, raising awareness. So I am digging into this chapter in a new way.
Ok - actually we are off to the store now to get some more cloth diapers for Dara.
Monday, May 11, 2009
body and soul - spring cleaning
Erin: Rachel, it is now just a few short days into the month of May and while we (as a group) have been making some changes and "spring cleaning" our beauty products it is also time to do some spring cleaning with work-outs and mind-fulnesss.
Here are 2 quick thoughts and experiences I had this weekend.
1 - New work-out plans are always difficult for me to get my mind around. Since having a baby it has been extremely hard to do any kind of work-out or meditation or even writing with regularity. When that happens my mind gets mushy. I think that the g3club really pushes me to at least try some new things. I am realizing that ironman competitions may be a thing of the past - but mindfulness, meditation and basic active lifestyle help me to be more appreciative of the earth and people around me.
2 - While working at our Fair Trade Fair, last Saturday, I saw a great journal that I really thought I "needed". After all it was tree-free (made out of Elephant dung). I am taking a writing class next month and it is always nice to start fresh - but I have a number of cool notebooks that sit empty at my house. Needless to say I refrained from buying yet another notebook - although I continue to think about this one I saw. Probably if it comes by my line of site again I will get it after all.
Being green sometimes saves green, but sometimes we can still have fun and nice things.
Here are 2 quick thoughts and experiences I had this weekend.
1 - New work-out plans are always difficult for me to get my mind around. Since having a baby it has been extremely hard to do any kind of work-out or meditation or even writing with regularity. When that happens my mind gets mushy. I think that the g3club really pushes me to at least try some new things. I am realizing that ironman competitions may be a thing of the past - but mindfulness, meditation and basic active lifestyle help me to be more appreciative of the earth and people around me.
2 - While working at our Fair Trade Fair, last Saturday, I saw a great journal that I really thought I "needed". After all it was tree-free (made out of Elephant dung). I am taking a writing class next month and it is always nice to start fresh - but I have a number of cool notebooks that sit empty at my house. Needless to say I refrained from buying yet another notebook - although I continue to think about this one I saw. Probably if it comes by my line of site again I will get it after all.
Being green sometimes saves green, but sometimes we can still have fun and nice things.
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