Monday, October 15, 2007

Blog Action Day: The Environment

I could be better. I should be better. But I do recycle my newspapers, bottles and cans and I shut off the water when I brush my teeth. But I COULD be better. I SHOULD be better.

Reduce my consumption of all things.
Reuse my things that I already have.
Recycle those things I can no longer use.

Cliche, I know. But if I actually lived everyday following these simple rules, I could be doing better. I WOULD be doing better.

I no longer consume any animal products. That is good. If I could only get Dan to do the same, that would be better.

I save and re-use my plastic grocery bags. That is good. If I bought and used (read: I have bought many but always forget to bring them) reusable shopping bags, that would be better.

I recycle my plastic water bottles. That is good. If I just used filtered water and filled up my own (I already own a nice insulated bottle) that would be better.

What do you do that is good? What could you do that was better?

12 comments:

bazu said...

I think just being aware of these issues and feeling compelled to do better puts you ahead of the game! One thing I wish I could do more- eat locally! But I couldn't part with my bananas and avocados... so I walk that fine line...

mustardseed said...

Yeah I should bring my own bag. i'm gonna go right up to my mom, ask her where's the shopping bag and stuff it in her handbag. (:

Oh when is just the burgers coming up? I'm so eager to get the book!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

I bring my own shopping totes with me to do food-shopping; I recycle; I'm vegan.

I could definitely use less paper products - I'm still working on that.

MeloMeals said...

I made your weiners! I only added some liquid smoke, roasted garlic pepper instead of regular and some caraway and crushed red pepper flakes.

Fantastic! I LOVE them! I rarely love seitan. I can't wait to do hot dogs next.

Joni Marie Newman said...

Melody...That sounds delicious. Isn't it cool how they are so versatile that you can change the flavor to anything you want it to be?

Joni Marie Newman said...

mustard...The burger book is a long ways out, I am shooting for it to be available by the 2008 holiday shopping season...but don't worry, I will post recipes along the way.

mustardseed said...

Oh..okay thanks! One question about the mac and cheese casserole: We really don't have Silk cream or anything of that sort in Singapore, only the dairy form. I think I may find them at health food stores-at ridiculous prices.
But I do want my mac and cheese..

Joni Marie Newman said...

Mustard...Just use plain soymilk...the creamer is just s thicker version of the plain soymilk anyways.

mustardseed said...

THANK YOU!! Yes mac and cheese comin' up! Oh nutritional yeast does wonders. My friend thinks my tofu nutritional yeast cheese spread has an eerie resemblance to the dairy form.

Thanks alot Joni you make my school lunches a load more interesting!

Vegan_Noodle said...

Sounds like you are doing a good job! There is always room to do better. I've had to force myself to cut way way back on eating soy yogurt, since that kind of plastic isn't recycled in my area. Improvements? Lots...drive my car less and walk more, buy less prepackaged foods, I could go on.... Great post!

Jody from VegChic said...

Thinking about it and trying to reduce is really the most important thing you can do. Also, being vegan actually does more than saying driving a Prius.

On my blog action day post, I mentioned that it takes 280+ gallons of oil to produce one cow and that a pound of beef required 3/4 gallon. Next time you hear someone complain about gas prices, try giving them that fact.

As for me, I am a Prius driving vegan. I recycle and reuse/donate everything I can. In my cube at work, I keep a TechnoTrash can for recycling CDs/disks/old computer cables etc... I use canvas bags when possible.

Like you, I always feel like I can do more. My goal is to start riding my bike more next year.

Johanna said...

Re: tote bags for shopping--if you drive, you can always leave a few in your trunk... If you don't, Reusablebags.com sells a whole bunch of bags in their "Ultra Compact" section that fold up super-tiny so you can stick them in your purse (or clip them onto a backpack, etc.)!

Aside from using reusable bags for my shopping & being vegan, I also use flushable litter for our cats (so I don't have to keep plastic bags around to throw out the clumps), use cloth menstrual pads, & use only hankerchiefs (cut from old bedsheets) @ home to blow my nose!

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All recipes written by me, Joni Marie Newman, unless otherwise noted. Please feel free to refer to or link back to any of my recipes, but please ask for permission, and remember to give credit when reprinting recipes in their entirety. I do provide links to affiliate programs (such as Amazon) in which I receive a small commission for items purchased. I do not provide paid reviews. All reviews done on products or books are of my own unsolicited opinion. On occasion I may receive a book or product to review. I will note when this is the case, but rest assured, it will not affect the authenticity of my review. Thanks!--Joni