GRAZE ORGANIC
{please visit graze organic here}
These days being eco-friendly is as trendy as it is necessary—and that is a good thing! Being good to the earth is admirable no matter the reason and January is the perfect time to reevaluate your ecological footprint. Last year I vowed to eliminate my addiction to plastic water bottles—the convenience just had me hooked. While I have yet to completely ditch this habit, I’ve definitely improved in the area. This year I’m hoping to continue that effort and expand my green living.
As a brown bagger myself, I know first hand that bringing your lunch is a great way to save money and eliminate waste. Not actually using brown paper bags is of course the first step! Second you can ditch your disposable plastic baggies too. Heather Jacobs and Leslie Sarracino came up with an eco-friendly replacement for those convenient reclosable bags. Their company Graze Organic offers the solution with one hundred percent organic cotton and muslin resealable bags that are as cute as they are responsible. Adorable artwork adorns each bag and is silkscreened by hand with water based ink. By keeping their operations local and using these natural options Graze’s ecological footprint remains small. Best of all after your initial purchase of these bags not only will you be moving to greener pastures but you’ll save money too. After a few uses you just throw ‘em in the washing machine and reuse and reuse and reuse. It’s an easy way to go green this year!
We have decided to go green at the school where I work. We are using the computers more instead of making copies, we are installing solar, had an energy audit, and are recycling paper. All of these things together can really make a difference!
Hi! I live in Cape Town in South Africa and our suburb does not have a recycling collection service. Last year I started collecting all our plastic, tin, paper and glass waste and taking it to a recycling depot that provides employment for underprivileged people. Without this, they would have no income. I plan to continue this year and make more people aware of the project.
I’ve been trying to eat only local sustainably raised meat when I can, but I would like to make that an all-the-time thing instead of just a when-it’s-convenient thing.
I have always taken really long showers, which is a horrible waste of resources. Although we got a lowflow showerhead a while back, that only cuts back on water used…if I’m still taking long showers, then, well, the showerhead only helps so much.
So, I’m going to take shorter showers and turn the water off when I’m not using it in the shower. After all, you can buy “eco-friendly” products until you’re blue in the face, but in the end, you have to change your habits to really make a difference!
Hi! Love your site – just had to say that. My green resolution is to join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) plan and get a box of locally grown produce. This means I will be cooking more, cooking organic, and also enjoying the beautiful tradition of sharing a meal with others.
I am 32 and I will be getting a car this year for the first time. I just recently overcame my fear of driving and got my license. Up until this, I had walked nearly everywhere I needed to go most of my life, so my carbon footprint is doing pretty good just in that area. My intent this year will be that even though I am getting this car, I will try very hard to resist temptation and I will still walk to where I have to go if it is within reasonable walking distance. Good for the environment and good for my derriere.
My green resolution this year is to fly less. Being in Scotland while my family are in California means a lot of intercontinental travel. I already recycle, walk and take public transit everywhere, try to eat seasonally available food and try to promote living green. Those things are easy for me and don’t require much of a sacrifice. Not flying home is a bit harder, but with skype and email, I am going to spend my holidays camping in Scotland and waiting until I return home next year to see my family. This means more letters and emails and phone calls, but I should get better at that kind of stuff anyway.
To stop forgetting my re-usable shopping bags, I do that A LOT!
My resolution is actually to get some of these little bags to stop using plastic baggies! I’ve done well in other areas, and doing better with baggies but I could use a boost – these would be just the thing!
The first priority is to remember my re-bags – I always forget them and I get so frustrated. We kind of slacked this winter with our composting so I am going to get more dedicated with that again,
My green resolution is to use cloth diapers with our second child (who will be born any day). Using cloth will help keep disposable diapers out of landfills (gross). And washing them myself will help reduce the energy consumed by the diaper services who wash mass amounts of cloth at a time.
I’ve already made the switch to organic foods, I use my own canvas bags at the store, I use a Sigg water bottle instead of throw away plastic bottles, I plant my own container garden in the spring, I recycle nearly everything, and I drive a fuel efficient car. My next green endeavor will be to support my local green market and farmers more. I want to reduce my carbon footprint even more and go more local than I have in the past. I’ve also decided to cut back on the amount of meat I eat, instead going with beans or other vegetarian options at least once or twice a week.
I’m trying to let less food go to waste, and cook more at home. To up the incentive, I’ve subscribed to an organic food box delivery – every three weeks I get a box of random vegetables. It’s a fun challenge to figure out how to use everything!
Since I’m part of a vegan/veggie household we began to grow our own vegetables and herbs. It’s a slow process and one full of challenges but at some point soon we are hoping to be able to feed ourselves completely from our own garden (we live in Venice Beach so it’s more of a challenge than other, more rural, places). Anything that we may need to buy we try to make a point to obtain them from farmers markets to support our local farmers and businesses.
And we also ride our bikes whenever possible. Not only is it green but it’s wonderful exercise!
We finally got a small compost pail for the kitchen, so my green resolution is to compost our food scraps all year, and longer.
I’m trying to decrease or eliminate my use of plastic wrap and tin foil. Instead I’ll invert plates over bowls of leftovers or use recycled glass bottles and containers.
My green resolution is to stop using plastic water bottles. I also plan to bring my use of non-reusable resources to a minimum.
Stop using so many paper towels and encourage my family members to recycle more … especially junk mail :)
I have sort of a rolling-admission approach to green resolutions….I don’t just make them at New Year’s, I try to do something, then pick another thing, then another, then another. Here are a few things on tap for the near future:
- stop worrying that people think I’m nuts about the toys and baby products I give to my daughter. China just got busted for substituting cadmium for lead in toys…I need to stay alert.
- finish developing the course I proposed (and got approved!): sustainability in action. In other words: get teenagers to read about pertinent environmental topics and then create a project to do something green in our school.
- get a rain barrel and just deal with the fact that I can’t find a pretty one made out of of a recycled wine barrel.
I’m doing my best to re-use as much as I can. Before I throw away a container, or even recycle it I try to think of a way I can use it. I’ve been using my sour cream container for left overs, I take it to work for lunch the next day and THEN recycle it. I’m also trying to fix things before I run out and buy another one.
Step one: bought a USED prius. I drive 35 miles roundtrip daily for work/school so I thought a fuel efficient vehicle would help!
Step two: bought an inside bicycle trainer to get used to riding (it’s COLD in the winter here!)
Step three: Cycle everywhere within 10 miles of my home during warm weather.
Use more green and natural skin care, make-up, hair care to keep my body free of preservatives. Also I just got 2 Sigg bottles to be able to stop using so many water bottles – I drink tons of water and it was getting out of control – now I can just refill my bottles with filtered water and save the earth in the process!!!
I have a few goals for greener living on my blog. My really important ones are to host more Clothing swaps and Freecycle parites. I’ve held one thus far and practically have a new wardrobe (5 different outfits and ONLY 5 women attended). The next swap will be February to kick off my 30th birthday week! WOOT!
Hi! Um, I live in Calgary, a nice little prairie town, and I resolve, whenever craving my daily dose of Java, to only buy coffee from the Good Earth Cafe. All their to-go cups are bio-degradable, their coffees are all fair trade, and they can boast a 100% organic menu. Eco-awareness doesn’t have to hurt our the economy afterall ~
I found myself the proud owner of a 80-something year old baby pink chair that had been infested by at least 2 of the 3-blind mice. With what they left behind I decided that it would be my goal to re-finish the chair that most would toss in with their weekly pile of garbage.
I hope to make the trend of re-loving and re-homing furniture my aspiration of 2010 as I make my new house a home.
I’m going to start taking my own bags to the grocery store and use my waterbottle
My green resolution this year is a tad different… My family will only be spending green. As in, cold hard cash. No plastic this year! Living smaller, more honestly, and more freely.
My green resolution this year is DONT BUY MORE STUFF…..just food supplies and other essentials…this is hard, i admit, but i have faith i can do it. Of course, giveaways are not considered in this category!!!
I’m going to start taking my own bags to the grocery store and for shopping :)
My green resolution this year is to reduce my use harmful chemicals. Last year I started using handkerchiefs and reusable menstrual products (I sew my own pads and use a Diva Cup!), to reduce waste, and this year I want to use as many natural, healthy products that I can. I recently switched to shampoo bars from LUSH (no packaging!) and I make my own laundry detergent using Dr. Bronner’s soap, washing soda, and Borax. I want to continue on this path this year!
I got a Sigg water bottle for Christmas, so I’m going to start using that exclusively and stop using plastic water bottles. I’m also going to start using my own canvas bags for shopping. I have plenty, but I always forget to take them into the store with me, and I’m trying to do better with that.
I am going to make sure i turn off all lights in all rooms that aren’t being used at that moment, I’m such a light aholic so I must turn it off and light up some candles instead!
I bought all the “green” cleaning products. so far no complaints. Also I have been doing my genealogy for years. I have hard copies of everything. Well, I bought one of those cruzer ?? that you stick in your computer and save your work on ? Forget what its called. But this is new for me, and having no paper trail is a huge sacrifice. I know its all on that plug in devise, but to me thats scary!! Im trying!
I need to use fewer paper towels. As an earth-loving germaphobe, I’m afraid overusing them is my most wasteful vice.
use less water while washing the dishes. there is no need to leave the faucet running!
to spend less time in front of the computer and on the cell phone, and more time planting my first garden!
We’re already in the habit of using our canvas bags for food shopping, but this we’re trying to also make a new habit of bringing them in to every single store for every single purchase! And we didn’t bother to purchase special shopping bags, since the manufacturing adds to the problem – we are using canvas bags we’ve sdomehow gathered over the years that are never used.
As a family that always packs our lunches and snacks, reusable baggies sound AWESOME!
start utilizing reusable grocery bags on a regular basis!
I want to buy more local produce, use less paper towels and work on round 2 of my garden to see what I can produce this year!
I’m focussing on buying in season produce this year. Not only does it reduce carbon waste and support local growers, its also easier on the pocket book. Plus things generally taste better when they’re not grown out of season under forced conditions, or transported over half the globe. I’m also cutting down on detergents, and choosing second hand shopping over the mall, for craft supplies and housewares, as well as clothing.
I resolve to never leave the house without an extra bag. Whenever I go to the grocery store I take a cloth bag with me. But sometimes I stop into a store on a whim, and am caught without a bag. Not anymore!
My green resolution is to convince my parents to recycle and install a water filter. Their DOG drinks bottled water!!
I’m a teacher so my goal is to really work to make my classroom more green and educate my fourth graders about how to bring those principles home too.
Less bottled water, I brush my teeth with the water OFF, and the best of all….. I made my own recycled paper notebooks for school!
I have been working on two goals: using cloth napkins instead of paper towels for kiddie wipe-ups and using cloth baggies (truly!) instead of wrap.
We will be changing out ALL our bulbs in our house to florescent! It will be expensive up front – but in the long run it’s good for the environment AND our pocket books!
To start a vermiculture “bin” I eat enough produce and can always find newspaper to add plus a patio to allow those little worms to do their stuff then use the results to add to the plants I will add to the patio. (veggies and herbs)
To resist the allure to buy a car and continue to walk too and from work each day.
I’ve vowed to plant a garden this Spring to cut down on my global footprint from the vegetables purchased at big name supermarkets. I’ve no idea how to garden but I’m so excited to learn, nothing is better than picking a tomato and eating it still warm from the sun.
I am trying to eliminate paper napkins..and eventually paper towels. But for now, baby steps. And we are planning a move to a smaller home, about half the square footage of our current home.