#41 Going Green Part 1

My green lifestyle numbers(carbon footprint)are:5.3 metro tons of CO2 per year and the usual is 9.44.(2.4 at home, 1.8 on the road and 1.2 in the air.)I do not drive very much and only fly twice per year on short trips. I am conservative with the heat and air as well as washing dishes by hand instead of using the dishwasher.

One of the ways we save on electricity is very simple. We asked our apartment complex to install 2 light switches on the inside by the front door. If I am coming home late at night, I can switch an outside fluorescent bulb on but turn it off on the days when I come home in the daylight. The other switch is for a floor lamp so I can turn it on as soon as I walk in the front door so I do not have to stumble in the dark. That way I do not have to leave lights on all day just to assist my entrance into the apartment when I come home at night.

We changed all our light bulbs to the new green fluorescent bulbs not long ago. They are not only more efficient but do not burn out as often as regular bulbs so that takes fewer replacement bulbs.

It's the little things that count. GO GREEN!!!

As to greening my diet: When I was growing up, my family and I always went to the Farmers Market. We lived in the city and only grew a few tomato plants in our backyard. The fresh fruit and veggies were wonderful. Quite often we would take a weekend outing to pick peaches and berries right from the trees and vines. Those were some great family times as well as ways to get fresh items for our meals.

I have to admit I frequented the farmers market much more when we lived in the New England area. That was partly due to what a treat farm grown food was as opposed to buying at the grocers. It was also a way to celebrate the onset of warm weather and the absence of snow and the cold.

I have gotten away from visiting the farmers market because it is just easier to run to the grocer and be done with it, but I sure miss the fun and the taste of fresh veggies and fruit. Pennington Farms in East Texas are known for their fresh items, so I make sure to grab a watermelon at the Melon Shed when they are in season(June through September). They advertise themselves as having the freshest peanuts and melons around.