A few months ago a friend of a friend came over to see my new house. We knew little about each other, except that we would supposedly like each other. I knew that she had a fabulous eco newsletter. She knew I had a trend company and a new book, Modern Girls Guide to Sticky Situations coming out. She came in and it was an immediate love fest. As we chatted and she admired my house and the details, she asked about my rare and interesting kitchen counter top. “What’s it made of,” She inquired. “It’s rolled granite” I proudly replied, “Cool, she hesitated, “And why is it eco friendly?” she curiously asked. There was a long pause, and in that moment I realized the error. She must have been erroneously told to come to my house on the presumption hat it was an eco remodel. Which it was not.. “Um,” I sheepishly answered, “I’m not sure it is…” T Some parts thankfully were. Other parts woefully were not. Sticky, my friends….An awkward few moments ensued and then we resumed along the path towards friendship. But it made me realize how sad I was NOT to have seized that moment during rebuilding to have taken the extra step to do everything RIGHT! And why…presumed cost!
So a I decided that if not every material in my house could be green, I could at least take as many steps to make the monstrosity as eco friendly as possible. I wish I could say we were perfect (why husband dearest WHY must you leave THREE lights on in the Living room all night????) but here are a few tips we’ve taken to heart:
• Packing a waste free lunch: (and making sure my kids actually come home with the contents) (www.laptoplunches.com are great for adults and kids)
• Using a hoto sharing site to share my family photos instead of printing them all out and sending them to all of my relatives (I love kodakeasyshare.com and smugmug.com
• Buying my petfood online In bulk: fewer trips to the store, less waste, and my 2 dogs one cat and hamster never go hungry. (www.only naturalpet.com is great)
• Anyone who finds an unused cellphone charger plugged in gets a quarter…and if they find the perpetrator (ie me or my husband) that person gets fined $.25 (however pulling the cell phone out while it’s being charged DOES NOT COUNT!)
• We recycle old cell phones
• we use recyclable bags. My favs are from www.oboe.com
• We’ve reduced our junk mail by going to catalogchoice.org and taken ourselves of unneeded lists (plus I don’t waste as much money!)
• and of course I check out gorgeouslygreen.com for the best tips around
So while it might be a while before I can put in eco friendly countertops and solar panels, at least Im doing my part for now. And Im not too embarassed to invite even the most eco-savvy guest over to my house.
Jane has a new book out this week, “The Modern Girl’s Guide To Sticky Situations” and she was on Good Morning America Today May 13 – so look out for her and her fantastic book!
I MUST SAY I AM INTRIGUED MYSELF AND WOULD LIKE TO INVITE ,MYSELF TO LUNCH!!