My 2009 ecoSolution

I’ve decided to throw away the 2009 Resolutions.  Every year my list seems to be a repeat of the year before… SSDY (that’s for Same Solutions Different Year )

This year, I’ve adopted an ecoSolution.  I have just one and it fits all my criteria:  easy to remember, easy to do, easy to afford, easy to clean, easy to apply to all areas of life.  I’m sure you’re very intrigued…  So here it is…

Accumulate less stuff.

Honestly, once getting into this mindset, life suddenly becomes simple. simple. simple.

It’s the addiction to the accumulation of stuff that has most of America in a real frenzy.  Of course, this addiction has also fueled our economy and made many industries very happy.  But in the end we lost most of what is important – sense of responsibility, pride, creativity, and love for nature.  Of course, I’m implying a very personal philosophy to my post, but I truly believe that if each of us were to sit down and take a look at our surroundings, we would find that most of it feeds a lifestyle of sofa-warming, potato-chip stuffing, and a whole lot of mindless activity.

This addiction is far from healthy, it’s rather toxic.  As a nation we’re starting to see it’s symptoms in nearly every sector…

So, my ecoSolution is to become more grounded with a lifestyle of less stuff.  Lighten my load, and spur some more creativity.

Eco-crastination: The Naturally Green Holiday Budget

I’ve walked the malls more this holiday season than the last 10 years combined.  Believe it or not, I haven’t purchased a single item!  Since I am such a winter wimp, I go to get out of the house, walk a little in warmth, and just observe.  Usually observing others is quite entertaining this time of year, but actually I’ve been more entertained and enlightened by my own thoughts and actions.

Choosing a greener and healthier lifestyle has significantly changed my perspective on accumulating “stuff”.   In addition, shopping for others has been more difficult because I can’t just purchase an item that I fear may go unused, or is full of chemicals, or isn’t earth-friendly somehow.   Most would call it procrastination, I call it eco-crastination!  Instead of spending and spending, by being more eco-thoughtful, I will ultimately choose one nice item rather than buying three of four different items for each person.  Usually, the longer I have to think about gift-giving, the more I want to buy and give.  In reality, just one thoughtful gift is worth more to the receiver than mounds of stuff!

Of course, I am speaking from a perspective of years of studying the benefits of being eco-thoughtful.  Perhaps my brother wouldn’t agree??  

Here are a few of the gifts under my tree:

1. Home-made granola for my husband’s clients, our friends, dog-sitter, favorite waitress at a local restaurant, and post carrier.  The granola was packaged in jars I saved from the past month.  I boiled water and sterilized them, filled them with granola, and made cute little tags from old greeting cards.  Extremely economical… 25 jars of granola for less than $12!   I’ve even received requests for the recipe!

2. USDA Certified Organic Rose Hydrating Mist (beautiful smelling chemical-free body spritzer) for my sister-in-law.  The bottle is a very light-weight airless pump that is wonderful to keep in her purse!  Purchased at www.organicology.com.

3. Splendid art work by my 8-month-old son for his Aunts & Uncles.  We printed a picture of him with each person on a separate piece of recycled paper.  Gave him a few crayons and let him put his own touch on it!  So cute!  (Of course, we made sure the crayon stayed out of his mouth…)

4. Hand & Foot Impressions of my son on home-made non-toxic play-doh for Grammy, Poppy, Grandma, & Grandpa.

5. Locally-made tote for my sister.  Purchased at www.SalwaOwens.etsy.com.

6. Restaurant gift-cards for our parents.

7.  Everything wrapped from paper and bags saved from last holiday!

Love it! Love it! Love it!  Just writing this puts me in the Eco-holiday mood!  Let’s turn up the tunes, dance to Let It Snow!, and enjoy a truly green Christmas!