Reduce

Let's talk about the 3 R's.  Actually I'll write them for you, but this post I'll only be discussing the first one. 

REDUCE    REUSE   RECYCLE

REDUCE: This one I feel like encompasses so much. 

We should try and reduce the things we buy.  Live by a simple rule.  If you don't need it, don't buy it.  I think that many of us have a nasty habit of always attaining more stuff.  Stuff, stuff, stuff.

I went to Belize a while ago and stayed with some people native to the rainforest.  They lived in grass huts.  Inside their small huts there was NOTHING.  Each of them had a hammock to sleep in that they wrapped around the frame of the hut during the day.  They also had an extra set or two of clothing that they would wrap in the hammock.  That's it.  Quite a few people in my group kept making the comments that it really made them so grateful for all the things they have.  For me it was the opposite.  It made me think that I could really live with a lot less.
 
I'm not saying I'm ready to give up all my comforts, but next time I see a really cute pair of shoes, I could really decide if having "51" pairs of shoes is really that important.  Maybe I don't need that 51rst pair. If we stopped consuming so much, there wouldn't be so much "stuff" produced.  Supply and demand. 

We can also reduce the waste we create.   When they started curbside recycling in my last hometown my hubby and I shouted for joy. It was amazing how little "garbage" we had after the recyclables were sorted out.  Try and make extra effort to reduce the garbage you make. 
Use less paper towels (or none at all- we don't use paper towels here). 
Try using one square less of toilet paper. 
Reuse the backs of papers for daily lists.
Compost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I'm a huge fan of this)
When buying products at a store- opt for the one with less packaging.
Just try to incorporate one little change a month, or one a week- depending on how aggressive you want to be. 
Remember our lifestyles don't have to drastically change, but if everyone does a little- it can help a lot. 
What are some ideas you all can think of.  Let's share ideas with each other.  Please comment!
 

While your at it...

So I guess to go right along with the last post, I wanted to say a few things about planting your own garden.  Everyone needs to get outside and grow something for themselves at least once in their lives.  Feel a connection to the earth.  If you get personal with mother nature, you feel more responsible about how you treat her.  There is little better than picking and eating a home-grown, garden fresh vegetable that you grew yourself!  I love to feel the dirt in my hands, and see what I can create. 

Growing plants is literally a MIRACLE.  I know all the science of it, but it is still so fascinating to me to see plants with such substance come from NOTHING.  A teeny, tiny seed.  There has been research where a scientist planted  a willow tree in a pot for 5 years.  The soil was weighed before and after and there was only a difference of  2 OUNCES.  Isn't that amazing?   I've included a pic of my garden a while ago.  I know I have lots more of my various gardens but this is all I could find.

So try your herb garden first, and then move on to a vegetable garden.  Even if you only grow tomatoes or carrots(or both) in a pot on your patio.  You might find that you enjoy it more than you thought.  It does feel great to "get fresh" with mother nature!