St. Paul G3 Party - first meeting!! :)

The first G3 party in St. Paul was a great success. We gathered on the greenest of holidays – St. Patrick’s Day – at my house to kick off what will be a series of great discussions. I do have to admit that I did not take notes – but many of us walked away with “homework” assignments – so please watch the blog for new links, information about recycyling in the very confusing Twin Cities, what nail polish we can safely use and other topics relevant to the gorgeous group of girls who gathered in my living room. As we chatted, discussed, talked, shared and laughed last night it was very comforting that I am not alone in my questions and concerns. We all came to the “table” with our own experiences, desires and fears about how we can confidently move forward.

A couple of things stood out from the night (although, I know I am not capturing the entire story and I hope others weigh in with their thoughts) … First, Angie talked about giving up plastic bags and using Rume Bags (http://www.rumebags.com/). And I thought, well, I always take my bag to the grocery store – and never use the plastic bags to put my produce in … so, what’s the big deal. Well …. the big deal is that I don’t take my bags anywhere EXCEPT the grocery store. I hadn’t thought about taking a bag to Nordstrom, Target or the other places I shop. Why not? I don’t know …. but I felt the big DUH!!! So, I am committing to that from now on. Second – we talked about how confusing it is to recycle. We all want to do it – but are we doing it right? And, if we are not doing it right what happens. I kept seeing flashes of the movie “Trashed” in my mind. So, if I am not recycling right are they just throwing it all in the trash? Carrie volunteered to look up all of the “rules” for the counties in the Twin Cities. But – gosh, why does it need to be so difficult? Third – there was a general consensus that the next month – examining all of our beauty products is going to be very difficult. We don’t want to give up the products that have made us beautiful and youthful so far – i.e. nail polish (mom), conditioner (me – as the new green product I am trying SUCKS!) and hair dye (all of us!!!!). What is a green girl to do? So – we committed to supporting each other in making good decisions – and there are no wrong answers. We are also being budget friendly – meaning, not throwing out what we are currently using until it is empty – and trying to find similar products with similar prices.

So – what have I done today … the day after? I did use my utterly useless hair conditioner and committed to my Thom’s of Maine deodorant (which actually does work for even the sweatiest people!). I also didn’t use my car today – and walked to all of my meetings. AND, ordered a compost bucket for under my sink. I didn’t order any of the Rume Bags – but that is on the list. I am moving forward – without limitations – to being the kindest person I can be to my body and to the earth.


ERIN:
Good Job Rachel - it is helpful to think of just changing one thing at a time and make a committment to at least TRYING new products and activities. I think that getting into experimenting with these things helps us to change in small ways insteead of trying to do everything and giving up.

These first meetings will challenge all of us to start seeing the world differently and maybe give us some traction on the journey to becoming and being Gorgeously Green.