Tilly is bouncing a ball around in an attempt to coax either me or Maddie off of our chair for some playtime, but we’re too cozy to give in to her.
I just came in from dumping my compost container onto the pile. Over the summer Neal and I talked quite a bit about ways we could leave a smaller footprint. His work is in the environmental field, after all. He started to take the bus, which has been great not just for saving gas, but also reducing stress. A month or so ago, we decided to reduce the garbage we put out by starting a compost pile, and while I haven’t kept track of the amount that has gone out back instead of the garbage can, I’d bet it’s at least one full can.
There’s a veggie garden and lessons in canning planned for next summer. Little changes. That’s what we’re striving for, and I’d love it if you left a comment with your suggested little change.
I love your little changes philosophy! We’ve been doing the same thing – composting, gardening, etc. This year, when we needed to buy a second vehicle (sigh, we’ve held out so long!), we bought a diesel Jetta. Much more fuel efficient, and smaller, too! It may be another vehicle, but at least it’s not a big 4×4 truck – small changes. :0)
There is a great series of free videos on how to can here: http://canningusa.com/Podcasts/Podcasts.htm
We joined a community supported agriculture (CSA) plan this year for several reasons — supporting local agriculture and cutting down on the distance our food needs to travel to reach us. As an added bonus, we’ve gotten all kinds of veggies we never see at the store (or even our local farmer’s market) and have been challenged to try new foods and recipes. It’s really wonderful having a 1:1 relationship with the people growing your food.
I’d love to take public transit and did for a little while. Sadly, the bus system here in Nashville turned my <3 mile drive into a 1-2 hour commute each way. Lots of added stress that I don't need and extra time that I don't have available.
Good for you and Neal!
Do you have a local farmers’ market? Or farm that you can get fresh veggies from? Or even eggs? Growing up, I was the neighborhood ‘egg girl’. *L* My mother gardened, canned, and raised chickens. My third grade teacher asked us one day if we knew where our dinner from the night before had come from. I think she was a little freaked out that I really knew. *L*
Since it’s still harvest, you could see if you have anyone in the area that has fruit that needs a home. People with fruit trees often find themselves drowning in fruit without enough time to do something with it before it spoils.
Have you thought of getting a dehydrater? They are so much fun and make great very healthy snacks as well as preserve foods for later. Can you tell I’ve spent my life in California? *L* Yeah, I’m stopping now. :p
I’m normally a super cheapskate and on a budget, but receintly started trying to buy local organic as much as possible. Some things are not too much more, and it’s better in so many ways. The eggs are so good! I can’t quite do milk yet though, it’s more than double the price in our stores and we drink a lot. I hope to get my garden going again this summer, and I’ve already got my name on the list for the local CSA farm. You pay a set price and get a share of the veggies all summer.
One easy, little thing I did several years ago was switch from store-supplied paper or plastic bags to bring-from-home canvas bags. Trader Joe’s sells some great canvas and reinforced plastic ones for cheap. I, however, seem to have amassed quite the collection over the years, from bookstores to trips abroad!
Learn to make your own yogurt. It tastes better, is better, and eliminates a few more throwaway cartons.
Getting a couple or more chickens is a good idea, first of all, for their delicious eggs, and second, they like to eat table scraps. Just another composting idea. Don’t know how much space you’ve got, but there are lots of ideas on the internet for “urban chicken coops” and whatnot. Bantys are especially adorable and fun, and make lovely eggs. (We had one that was a pet. She loved Red Vines and beating up our old cat.)
We have one car and try to use our bikes and legs as much as possible. Having a bike trailer has made shopping a doable experience. We’re lucky, though, to not have many miles to travel to do grocery trips and outings.
You could knit or crochet some great market bags. It’s a good stash-busting project.