So my new friend, Crunchy Chicken, has a new challenge for May. (Click here for her full details if you're interested.) Basically you can choose to try one or all of these challenges for a week - or the whole month. I don't want to whine too much, but Oh My Gosh!
1. No plastic - Don't buy or consume anything (purchases, food, etc.) that is encased in plastic. I don't care if it's recyclable. If you want to go all the way, this will include your shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.
So if I tried this I'd be a stinking person - not using anything encased in plastic ... hello my toothpaste and shampoo, heck my toothbrush is plastic! I could most likely do everything else ... like basically not purchasing anything encased in plastic. Well, I've been meaning to put those canvass bags into my car for shopping purposes! I might do the first half of this one. Might.
2. No paper products - This encompasses the obvious: no newspapers, paper towels, toilet paper, pads or tampons, paper plates, paper or coffee cups.
No paper is really possible, but am I up for no toilet paper, I mean using rags for EVERYTHING? hmmmm, I'll have to think about that (and purchase something to use too - that would be either another failure in the Buy Nothing challenge, or hold off on May's challenge.)
3. No driving - This one is pretty straightforward. Check out your public transit and bus routes, get yourself a monthly bus pass, get your bike tuned up or dust off those walking/running shoes. No driving does not work in my neck of the woods - no public transit here! nadda, zilchola, nothing, not one option. No sidewalks even to walk or ride a bike on, and there is no way I'm taking a 4yr old to school by walking on a busy highway! (We could stay home all week and skip school ... hmmmmmm, tempting!)
4. Local food only - Depending on where you live, this may be fairly easy or quite difficult. For those of you with plenty of farmers markets to choose from and tons of different foods coming into season, it won't be too hard. Local bakery items (unless Sara Lee is local to you), local organic or sustainable dairy products, eggs, meats and wineries and breweries are all acceptable. Don't be afraid to forage for those dandelions!
As for local food, well it is the WRONG time of year for that; we be living off of meet only! Or, find someone that canned some veggies and buy them. Again, another option, if I know anyone that cans! And as for foraging for dandelions, uh, maybe in late May, but heck, we had snow two days ago here! It is barely spring in MI. Seattle may be warm, crunchy, but not here!
5. No garbage output - You should only be producing waste that is compostable and it should go into your compost pile or your municipal food waste pickup.
Can I say that while we do have garbage that is collected each week, we are WAY below the quantity our neighbors are producing. I'll have to start reviewing our garbage habits and see what I can change or eliminate purchasing in the first place. I am not too "aware" of my packaging purchasing. This one might be more possible than I thought. (Or, I can just become a hoarder and not throw out anything!he he)
6. No excessive water usage - Now, I'm not expecting you to dehydrate yourselves. What this one is about is conserving water. That means, very little water for showering, bathing, washing. Try to use the least amount of gallons of water you can. Pretend like there is a severe water shortage. Drink as much as you need to, just imagine you have to retrieve all your water in buckets from a stream 1 mile away.
No excessive water usage, I might be able to sort of comply with that. After all, I did live in CA for 14 years! I take fairly short showers, which I could try to take baths in the girls tub to help conserve water, I already only use the dishwasher ... we have low flow toilets and faucets ... If I had a washing machine that had a suds-saver option like my mother used to have I could totally save water.
7. No electricity - For some of you this may be easier if you rely on gas for heating and cooking. But for the most case, this will give you an idea what it will be like to not rely on power for a period of time. If you only want to try this one out for a day or a week, that's fine. It will be like a self-imposed power outage.
The last option of No Electricity ... yea, never! Well, when I'm camping I do this, but I need to cook for two hungry young folk, and I have a freezer and fridge full of food, and....
Anyway, lots of rationalizations, but apparently it just comes down to the fact that I am not willing to walk the walk here. I'll might try it in moderation, cause I feel week and pitiful with all these excuses. ...might.
sigh....
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