It IS easy being green

Last week I was plowing through the dairy section with my family when I ran into a friend of mine. Our children exchanged pleasantries, in their own little way, while I grabbed our usual bag of string cheese. Her daughter asked if she could also have a bag of string cheese to which my friend quickly responded… “That’s not good for the environment honey. It’s wrapped in a lot of plastic. I will get you cheese that isn’t packaged like that.” I walked away shamefully with my large plastic bag filled with 12 individually plastic wrapped cheese sticks. Knowing that this kind of plastic isn’t good for the environment or my children’s health, I chose simplicity over a green decision. Did I feel guilty? Yes. Will I continue to buy the string cheese? Probably. My point to this story is this… It IS easy being green when you don’t beat yourself up over the little things.


What’s the definition of being “green” anyway? Do we have an agency that approves a “green card”? Oh wait, we do have one of those…but I digress. I’m here to officially anoint you “green” if the only thing you do this year is switch out your toilet paper for the recycled version. Sure, going green is a noble thing to do, but let’s face it, saving the planet is not on peoples top priority list. Saving money, however, is. I read a fabulous book titled, “Going Green, Saving Green.” Although my family isn’t going to do everything the book suggests due to comfort reasons, there were simple things that could save us money and the environment. In fact, I calculated the simple things we were willing to do and it is estimated to save us $5,000 a year!

Below are a few simple things you can do to save money AND wear that green badge of honor. The cost savings are expected savings for one year. Start with one thing and start to add additional tips as you’re comfortable. Some of these might not seem very “green”, but the less stuff we buy, and how we buy it, can make a big difference to the environment. Before you know it, you’ll be calling yourself an environmentalist!

DON'T SPEED, OIL CHANGED, TIRE PRESSURE $634
BRING LUNCH FROM HOME $400
PURCHASE CLOTHES AT GOODWILL $500
GROW SUMMER VEGETABLES $300
TURN THERMOSTAT DOWN 3 DEGREES $200
TURN LIGHTS OFF WHEN LEAVING ROOM $40
TURN FRIDGE TO LOWEST SETTING $50
CLOSE FIREPLACE DAMPER WHEN NOT IN USE $100
SPENDING FREEZE ONE WEEK MONTH $600
BORROW MOVIES AND BOOKS FROM LIBRARY $160
BUY FOOD IN BULK $260
BAKE OWN BREAD $208

MEAT ONCE WEEK $624

SHOP WITH LIST STICK TO IT $26

DON'T THROW AWAY EDIBLE FOOD $600

BRING OWN BAGS TO STORE $20

PHOSPHAT FREE DISH DETERGENT

USE KITCHEN CLOTHS RATHER THAN PAPERTOWELS

USE MATCHES NOT LIGHTERS

BUY RECYCLED PRINTER PAPER

USE POWER STRIPS TO REALLY TURN OFF STUFF

WASH FURNICE FILTER

TURN WATER TO 120 DEGREES

UTILITY AUDIT BY PSE

MORE INDOOR PLANTS TO CLEAN POLLUTANTS

DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK...

Ok… so I enjoy quoting infamous rappers from time-to-time. But isn’t that part of my charm? It’s been a long time friends since we last spoke. Well, technically, since I last typed and you last read. My excuse? Third trimester and new baby. But hey, baby girl is one month old today so I thought it was time to get back into the swing of things.

As for the future of this blog, you will continue to learn new and interesting things bi-monthly. My plan is to post articles Monday morning so you can have that cup of coffee and ease into your work week. If you enjoy reading this blog please share with your friends. If not, go ahead and share with your enemies.

TREAT OR TRICK?

I write this article as I’m anxiously awaiting little children, dressed in costume, to knock at my door asking for crack. Ok, so not crack exactly, but close enough. The sugar high they are about to experience will lift them up, let them down, and then leave them wanting more. Halloween is also a night where I go completely against my personal beliefs for the sake of the neighborhood. Giving children highly processed sugar is something I don’t normally support. Frankly, I’d rather pour pure maple syrup in their mouths than give them a snickers bar. Why so sensitive…because white sugar is truly the evil one on Halloween.

WHITE SUGAR IS…

Highly processed. White sugar comes from refining the sugar cane crystals to remove all the sugar cane juice flavor, and with that, all the nutrients. Your body knows what to do with food that is natural. Put something processed in it and it gets confused. I believe it goes something like this… “Hey, there aren’t any nutrients in this! What the heck am I suppose to do with it now?” This confusion creates an imbalance in your body that causes havoc. TRICK!

Leaches vitamins and minerals from your blood and bones. As mentioned above, your body recognizes that white sugar is missing vitamins, minerals, and fiber. This causes it to take vitamins and minerals from your body to process the sugar. In essence, white sugar is a thief that is stealing good things from your body. TRICK!

Makes you fat. Fat free candy surely can’t make you fat right? TRICK! Excess refined sugar is immediately converted to fat. Moment on your lips and lifetime on your hips is no

Suppresses your immune system. My sister-in-law would always tell me to lay off of the sugar in the cold and flu months because it decreases your immune system. Is it a coincidence that the cold and flu season coincide with the sugar seasons? Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Valentine’s Day. I didn’t know why, until recently. The shortest explanation I have found is in the book “The Kind Diet.” (1) Essentially, our pancreas releases a hormone called insulin to deal with the excess sugar. Once this has been metabolized, there is too much insulin left over. This causes an imbalance in your hormones and particularly affects your immune system. TRICK! Although I do believe sugar decreases your immune system, I’m still sticking with my previous recommendation… that it’s more important to concentrate on your ph balance than how much sugar you’re consuming. (See article Balancing Act)

My 3 ½ year old is now asking me for MORE treats with a sparkle in his eyes that is more scary than cute. I do give my kids processed sugar every once in a while. My thought is that the more I forbid something, the more enticing it is. Halloween night is one of those exceptions. Normally, if he sees candy at the store and wants some, I explain that it’s “bad” sugar and then offer him “good” sugar when we get home. He’s not being deprived of anything and is very happy eating his good sugar.

So what IS “good” sugar? In my opinion, “good” sugar is anything you can find that is closest to nature. Meaning barely processed if processed at all. Here are a few examples: Agave nector, honey, maple syrup, brown rice syrup, molasses, stevia, barley malt, and sugar in the raw. THESE ARE REAL TREATS! They are delicious and much healthier for your body. I haven’t had white sugar in my house for several months now. There have been no complaints in my house over the cookies, pies, cakes, and muffins I make. Honesty, I bet my husband has no idea he hasn’t had white sugar in months. Well, at least when he’s home.

When it comes to white sugar, the trick is on you. Start exchanging your white sugar with the examples listed above, and you’re treating your taste buds and your body. Now that isn’t so scary, is it?


(1) “The Kind Diet” By Alicia Silverstone. Published in 2009.