Mom Goes Green

I constantly try to find ways to conserve water.  It seems like a no-brainer of being green.

But I just received a little “schooling” from the back of one of our daughter’s books (the only books I seem to read these days!).  It’s a tidbit I had never heard, never realized or maybe never paid attention to, even if I had heard it.  The fact is this:

Only 1% of our Earth’s water is usable:  97% is salt water, 2% is frozen in glaciers and it’s disappearing at an alarming rate.  10% of the U.S. relies on the Great Lakes for their water supply and they are at their lowest point in 80 years.

(I’d also like to point out that it seems like there has to be at least 1% frozen on my roof and about to rip down my gutters, thanks to our recent arctic weather, but that’s beside the point!…)  I just never recognized that we are really, TRULY, working with such a limited supply of water.

When I blasted Starbuck’s for pitiful practices and water-wasting ways, I gave some ideas for conserving water, like efficiently using appliances, capturing water, checking for leaks and the-ever-popular “shorter showers”, but I only scratched the surface of indoor water usage.  So first, ask yourself if you want to make sure we conserve that mere 1% we’re counting on. Then take the time to read 111 ways to conserve water.  No kidding.  111 ways… and although some of them never even crossed my mind, their impact can be huge.

The average American uses 100 gallons of water per day… care to help me change that?

So who hasn’t been to the grocery store lately and watched as the price of food goes up and the packaging seems to be getting smaller?  It’s a frustrating fact as everyone continues to cut back.

A few months ago I complained about the cost of organics.  The fact that “grocers charge more because they CAN” is really bothersome, but true. As I mentioned, it’s definitely not an inexpensive choice and now (as reported by Environmental Leader) the growth in the sales of organic foods has slooowed down by 20%, compared to the same time last year.

And next, I ask you, when was the last time you had a coupon or discount on organic and natural products?  Even scouring the coupons often turns up a whole lot of nothin’, but Affluent Pauper is helping us change all of that.

Instead of spending time searching for coupons, just check here.  They supply an incredible list of organic products and money-saving coupon offers, all neatly collected in one place, so they do all of the legwork for us.  As I looked through the list I was thinking “well, I buy that, and that, and THAT…!” and wouldn’t it be nice to have a coupon for something that wasn’t over-processed and full of a bunch of unhealthy, unnatural ingredients!  I’ll drink (an organic glass of milk!) to that one!

The list is even updated on the first Monday of every month, so it’s worth a periodic visit to see what continually gets added.

So, don’t give up on “the green”… check the list, pick your products and save some green along the way!

Okay, so that isn’t entirely true, but our kids sure would love it if it was (yea, wouldn’t we all if it wasn’t so “chubbifying” either!  Mega carbs also equals “spare tire”, but…)

Our kids would love it if our weekly conversations went something like this…
MONDAY:
Kids:  “Maaaaawm?  What’s for dinner?”
Me:  “Pasta.”
TUESDAY:
Kids:  “Maaaaawm?  What’s for dinner?”
Me:  “Pasta.”
WEDNESDAY:
Kids:  “Maaaaawm?  What’s for dinner?”
(well, you get the picture…)

My point is that going veg and serving something other meat proteins just once a week can actually be a very green practice.  Some interesting facts to consider:  “It requires 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef. You will also save some trees because for each hamburger that originated from animals raised on rainforest land, approximately 55 square feet of forest have been destroyed.”

Sure, not all of the beef we consume comes from rainforest regions, but regardless of where it’s raised it does require a lot of resources and has quite an impact on the environment.  Another fact to consider:  “2.2 lbs of beef is responsible for greenhouse gas emissions which have the same effect as the carbon dioxide released by an ordinary car traveling at 50 miles per hour for 155 miles”, thanks to their… umm… let’s just say “digestive system”!  How crazy is THAT?!

Pork and poultry also have their downsides that include a burden on resources, water and land contamination, and all sources of really gross things that I won’t detail.  Even fishing creates pollution in our waters and the concern of over-fishing, and fish-farming is a whole other issue of antibiotics, toxic materials… oh, geez… my head is spinning.  Seriously.

I could go on and on.  But the bottom line is this, it is both environmental and healthy to consider going meat-less just once a week.  That’s it.  No trickery.

So, shop that pasta aisle, select something fortified, pick up some fresh veggies, whip up a creative dish once a week and tell your family, “I love you… now love your veggies too and let’s be a little green.”