RACHEL: Erin - What a beautiful weekend we had in MN. I know compared to the land of sunshine not such a big deal - but it really was a great spring weekend for the rest of us! :) I was able to get out in the yard and doing spring cleaning (Thanks Mom and Mike!) - and now I am itching to start planting my vegetable garden. I am struggling with green lawn care and weed control. I did skip ahead to that chapter and one of her thoughts that hit home is that putting chemicals on my lawn is like subjecting my neighbors to second-hand smoke. Now - I don't want to subject myself to all those chemicals - but it reminded me that it is not just about me!!!
I have been struggling a little bit with the meditation piece of my goals for the month. Moving my body is easy - but slowing down and centering myself has been a challenge. I am not giving up - just saying that it has been a challenge. Completely separate from that - I have decided to give up paper towels. Eeeeekkk .... especially since I HATE doing laundry! This will be a challenge for me - but one small step that I can make for myself and for everyone else!
Would love to hear how everyone else is doing this month!
Erin: Rachel - of course it is not Always 70 and sunny here, but we are spoiled. I mostly now pray for rain. The problem is - like anywhere, when it rains everything is washed down the gutters and into the ocean. I watched the other day at the gardener put chemicals on our lawn. I have commented to our landlord - but green grass seems to be the priority. Sadly, Dara will not be able to play on our lawn - EVER.
As for centering and work-outs I think that the centering part is hard for all of us in western society. Even for me - when it is part of my life's work. Let's see if we can add some sites that might help. That is really what I will be working on this month.
Also check out the link to "how green is your work out" on the side.
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Hi all, I am having trouble posting to this site. I did write a long message - which has now disappeared. so a short one this time....
ReplyDeleteA colleague and I agreed to no paper cups this month. Mike and I aren't using paper towels (except in extreme instances), and I haven't read the new chapter but hope to get to it this week. However, the use of the mesh bags for grocery produce is great. I have learned that two sets of bags would be good - one in the refrig and one to take...otherwise you need to repack when you get home.
Hard to slow down since this really will be the busiest next two weeks...higher ed wrap up for the end of spring term is always crazy.
Hope to hear from others
I am writing to you from beautiful Decorah, Iowa, where I've been for work the past four days.
ReplyDeleteThe front desk clerk at my hotel must think I am an environmentalist Nazi from the comment card I left them this morning. Please let me know if I am over-reacting, but here's the situation.
Upon checking in on Friday, there was a laminated card on the bed that said if you wanted your sheets changed, to put the sign back on the bed, and if you wanted to re-use your towels, simply hang them up.
I follow directions, so did accordingly. I was upset to find the towels all replaced upon returning to my room the next night. This was troubling me all day, so when I saw a housekeeper in the hallway, I inquired why my towels were replaced. She said, "Oh, we always replace the towels." Grrrrr.
Another gripe: the hotel is known for their great breakfast. The issue: Styrofoam plates, bowls, and cups. I have witnessed folks heating up their plates of waffles and biscuits 'n gravy in the microwave, which has been proven to leak toxic chemicals into your food, not to say what it does to our water sources when put into landfills. I also googled Syrofoam and learned that hot liquids actually absorb toxins from the cups, so you're putting them straight into your body.
So, I filled out their lovely feedback form and said that they should stop feigning a commitment to the environment and actually DO it. If reusable plates are not possible, at least replace the Styrofoam with paper cups and plates, and for goodness sake, let your guests reuse their towels! I also added that I hoped they recycled the newspapers that they distributed every morning! Oh, and, please add a recycling bin for travelers to discard of their cans and bottles!
Whew. I don't know if my comments alone will result in any changes at this hotel, but at least they will be more aware that their GUESTS are aware of the shortcuts they're taking.
Bethany,
ReplyDeletewhat a great service you did on behalf of all of us. It is crazy that "mainstream" ideas are not getting through. Everywhere I look the "green" articles, comments, options are available. Guess we all still have work to do, I know I have lots of my own to do, but it certainly is easier to see where changes can happen.
I am off to Boulder for work this week, so won't be able to be at the g3 meeting. Sadly I also haven't gotten to read this month's chapter, but i have been getting Zeke out for walks more often and the garden is also calling for more outdoor action.
Happy spring!