Sustainability: Vote For That!

Do you feel that there is nothing you can do to make a difference?

You want to, but what can one person do?

One person can do a lot when they join with others who are already voting for sustainability.

Taking action is like voting for what you want to see happen in the world.

For example-

I just took action to tell the EPA to protect our waters from harmful nitrogen and phosphorus pollution.

Check it out: http://action.sierraclub.org/ProtectOurWaters

These are the kinds of simple things we can do to make a difference. After we take action it is important to let others know about it (that is what I am doing right now). The more people who hear about it the better.

Another way to vote for sustainability is with your money. If you purchase items derived from sustainable sources you are choosing/voting for what you want to see more of. Production is driven by what people spend their money on.

Another way to make a difference at the same time as making money is to invest in socially responsible companies. By supporting these companies and avoiding others helps to grow the right kinds of business. You can learn more here.

My Diet: Is It Sustainable?

I try to purchase organic and local food when I can (with my cloth grocery bags of course).

Our grocery store is not well-stocked with sustainable items, and I don't have a local farmers market, Whole Foods, Harris Teeter or Trader Joe's, but I do what I can.

I try to eat/serve less beef, pork and chicken with a preference for turkey.

I wish I could say that I buy locally raised, organic free-range turkey, but they are not available here in Seoul where I live.

So here is my daily diet (yes, I always eat the same thing):

Breakfast: Cherrios + organic flax cereal + local milk + organic cliff bar (energy bar)+ tap water

Lunch: plain oatmeal + local milk + organic and nonorganic fruits + mixed nuts+ tap water

Dinner: turkey bacon, tortilla, organic and local veggies or

spaghetti and peas and local bakery bread or

turkey slices and organic broccoli and rice or

Amy's organic frozen dinners or

turkey hotdogs and carrots

Dessert: organic dark cocoa

I have recently eliminated juice in favor of the real fruit (example: oranges instead of orange juice) which is more sustainable. I also try to only drink tap water over bottled water which is also more sustainable. Local bakery bread is more sustainable than organic bread that has been shipped a long way to your grocery store.I am still waiting for an organic spaghetti sauce that actually tastes good. Any suggestions? Also, I am waiting for our grocery store to stock organic rice, oatmeal, nuts and oat cereal. You know what? I just decided that I am going to speak to the manager of our local grocery store about this- maybe I can help things along.

I would also like to incorporate more beans and less meat in my diet- especially black beans, but I need some good recipes that will make my kids like it. hmmm???

So, yes, my diet could be more sustainable... but for now this is where I am.

Someday I will grow my own veggies on my deck. Taking one step at a time.

Meanwhile I think I'll rent the movie Food, Inc. to learn more.

Yummy Organic Gardens and Beautiful Shady Trees

Healthy families, healthy food, clean air and water...

This is what sustainable actions will bring- today and in our future.

A key to receiving this abundance is through tree planting and organic gardening.

We can be a part of this solution.

I recently found an awesome deal online- for only a $10 membership donation you can get 10 free trees or have 10 trees planted for you in your name: click here to see.

Planting trees wherever we can is always a good idea. Here is a great website that teaches you how to plant your own trees: Click here.

At the same time, we need to stop supporting deforestation. This means we need to help curtail the demand for products that are reliant on deforestation. We can do this by purchasing recycled paper and cardboard products/packaging as well as recycling our own paper and cardboard. We can also buy wood products made from sustainable wood farms. Some examples are here and here.

Organic gardening equals clean water and healthier food.

The reason that this is true is because conventional gardening/farming uses pesticides that get washed into our water supplies and leave a residue on our food. When we buy from organic farmers this leads to a healthier planet that supports healthy life.

Purchasing organic food is great, but we can go a step further and grow our own organic fruit and vegetable gardens. Here is a great site to teach you how to grow an organic garden: click here.

Short on space? You can grow veggies in pots on your porch or deck: click here to learn more.

Through our combined efforts we can truly make the earth a garden of beauty for us and future generations.