Bags, bags and more bags!

Grocery shopping is right up there next to having a tooth pulled or cleaning a toilet on my fun list, I don't love it. I try to keep my shopping to once a week or even longer. I avoid it like the plague. So when I spent more time than I care to admit at the grocery store this past week, I was none too happy. Chalk it up to poor planning and spur of the moment parties for the holiday weekend, but I seemed to be there almost everyday. After filling my cart each time I would proceed to the check stand to total the damage. Every time you go to check out the inevitable questions is asked, "Paper or plastic". So my friends what is the answer?

NEITHER!!

One of the easiest things to do to go a little greener is to bring your own bags with you to the store. There are all kinds of cute reusable bags out there. You just have to find some that fit your personality and/or budget. Most grocery stores sell them for $1 and they are durable and will last a good long time. I got three of mine free on Earth Day at Dans with one of their promotions. They aren't hard to find or come by.

Try these cute little numbers:
http://www.reusablebags.com/store/envirosax-mikado-pouch-reusable-shopping-bags-p-1077.html?osCsid=400874fb80d37f53c123832bd2fccef6

or these: http://www.reusablebags.com/store/envirosax-planet-green-pouch-reusable-shopping-bags-p-1564.html

Any search on google will turn up plenty of fun options.

The real trick is to remember to take them into the store with ya! Mine are nifty in that they fold up to about the size of a cd case, so I keep them tucked between my car seat and the center console. They are right there when I unbuckle and that helps me remember to take them in. I also keep one in my purse (it's very compact) for the smaller shopping excursions.

Another great thing about bring your own bag is that most stores give you a "bag credit". It ranges from 5-10 cents per bag, which isn't a ton, but hey it's better than nothing.

Some interesting plastic facts:

Plastic bags are:
-Made from petroleum, a nonrenewable resource.
-A serious litter problem since they are lightweight and hard to contain (blow around).
-Non-biodegradable, breaking into smaller particles BUT never fully disappearing.
-Mistaken for food by marine animals (particularly sea turtles).
-One of the most numerous items of litter along with cigarette butts and Styrofoam.
-A major part of waste in our landfills.
(http://www.earthresource.org/campaigns/capp/capp-sea-turtles.html)

One more thing to think about: There is what is called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch - a heap of debris floating in the Pacific that's twice the size of Texas, according to marine biologists.
The enormous stew of trash - which consists of 80 percent plastics and weighs some 3.5 million tons, say oceanographers - it floats where few people ever travel, in a no-man's land between San Francisco and Hawaii. (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/19/SS6JS8RH0.DTL&hw=pacific+patch&sn=001&sc=1000) CRAZY!!

OK enough of heavy stuff. I promise to keep this "environ-light" so we don't get too overwhelmed. Small changes can make a difference is our motto.

What are friends for?

My friend Shelley has been a fabulous resource for me! THANK YOU Shelley, I owe you much. One of the many great things she told me about was the food co-op that we have here in the Wasatch front area. It is not only a fantastic bargain it is also healthy and green in that they try and buy as much food locally as they can which cuts down on the whole transportation yuck, supports local businesses and the produce is fresher! Yahoo! Do a search online to see if there is a food co-op in your neck of the woods.


Here is how ours works. The co-op (http://www.foodco-op.net/) is a project of the CrossRoads Urban Center, which is a non-profit community organization that has been helping meet peoples basic needs since 1966. They are a "volunteer-powered, nonprofit food buying network, bringing people together for good food, community & savings of up to 50% on high quality fresh foods." (taken from their newsletter). They are buying the same quality (often even better) of produce you get at the grocery stores, but can offer it at such great prices because of the amount of food they are buying.

They have three different options to choose from. You can get 1 share for $23.00 which includes:
(This was March's, it changes every month)
2- 8 oz. Top Sirloin Steaks
4-5oz. PorkChops
2 lbs. Chicken legs and thighs
1 lb. Leaned ground beef (85/15)
3 varieties of fresh fruits
5 varieties of fresh vegs.
1 loaf of Stone ground artisan bread
16 oz. rice

Or you can get my favorite, a harvest share, which is like the standard share but has no meat and more fruits (three) and vegs. (six). This was only $14.00!! (1 pkg. mushrooms, 1 bunch asparagus, 1 bag of red potatoes, 4 artichokes, 8 kiwi, 6 oranges, 6 green apples, 2 bunches green onions, 1 head of red lettuce plus bread and rice).

Harvest Share

During the summer months they offer a farmer's market share for $13.50. The Farmer's Market Share is provided by East Farms in Syracuse (http://www.eastfarms.net/. Everything in it is locally grown to organic standards, and items vary according to the season. It is offered throughout the summer and fall. It includes seven vegetable and herbs to you can plant.


There are add ons that are great deals too. You can get the Nutty guy sampler, which is 4 lbs. of different nuts from the Nutty Guys (http://nuttyguys.com/) for only $11.50. Screamin' deal!


You order the 1st Friday of the month and then pick it up at your team site (right in your neighborhood) usually the 3rd Saturday of the month. Pick-up is really slick and takes 10 minutes tops. You sign in, pick up your share (you get to individually pick the produce) and then sign out. Make sure to bring your own bags! The only thing they ask is 2 hours of volunteering in your community and that isn't much for what you are getting!


We have loved doing the co-op. We have tried new fruits and veggies that we might not have and love it! My youngest son devoured the kiwi fruit and we didn't even know he liked em! It helps me get more fruits and veggies in everyone. The only thing I wish is that it was a weekly option rather than just once a month. There are options there however but that will be a different blog. I must fix my kids breakfast!

Here we GO!

I would say that I always have had a soft spot for all things "green", "environmentally friendly or "earth friendly". I remember joining the environmental club the year it started in high school, though it didn't go far, I was excited to be a member. These types of issues have always seemed to strike a cord with me and have been a part of how I define myself. Perhaps it was because I was raised by a father who recycled and was energy conscious before it was p.c. to do it or a mom who was frugal and the queen of bargains. Whatever the reason, being environmentally conscious or friendly has always been an interest.

So, as I've read books, blogs, website and talked to people over the years as issues have come up with my family (i.e. food allergies, asthma, health problems, attention issues and the likes) my quest for the more natural and good things in life has come to pass. And that my friends is what this is all about. Sharing! Sharing what I know or have learned (which sometimes doesn't seem like much) and hoping to learn more from any of you that has information. As a mother of three, working part-time, trying to keep my house clean and have a little fun, life is busy, so if we can share what we know with each other it will make life a little more simple and happy. And isn't that what we want?