Commitment to Green Living

While searching in the online card catolog for my local library I came across this 2009, copyright marvel.

Within the first twenty-five pages I learned many new to me ways to reduce my cooking print.

Our garbage disposal broke after 28 years of service. I had just read on page 24 how we do not need garbage disposals.

We do use our compost bins but have thought a garbage disposal was a standard kitchen small appliance. After much discussion we decide rather than replace we would eliminated the garbage disposal.

We are saving water, electricity and the resources that would have been used to build a garbage disposal. Plus we are saving all the processes involed in sorting out any solid matter that would have gone into the drain and the sewage system. All in all a good thing is to scrape plates into our green bin for the compost. This is one of hundreds of tips and explanations for becoming mindful in the kitchen. After many years of mindful living I am shocked at how much more I can do. 

My husband and I have made a commitment to living green. Everytime I read another green tip that helps in my green way I am so pleased. It is a joint affair that is fun and we are finding elegant ways to live in harmony with natural.

We are working towards waste free living, my goal for 2011! This means I will be mindful of all the useage of my resources. I shall follow my products back to their sources. I will make informed decisions. If you can request this book from your library I strongly recommend reading and putting into practice as many of these green living ways as possible. Some things I have been doing for years. We use cloth napkins and no paper towels. We have an indoor recycle bin so we do not have to open the door to the unheated garage in the winter very often. I noticed yesterday morning I was opening the refrigerator every time I wanted some co-conut milk for my coffee.
My solution was to use a pretty creamer, fill it with co-conut milk once and place it by the coffee carafe.  Pretty and a greener way to live.

Diane MacEachern's Big Green Purse is another amazing book. She covers many aspects of our lives. I especially like the way she reveals "green washing" marketing techniques. Now that green living is popular we must be aware when a company is only using the green movement to sell products.
Knowing what you are really buying is worth reading the labels and being informed. Making smart purchases will also save you money.

We are enjoying our smoothies.
We are having a great time cooking together.

Denny Waxman, a 30 year veteran of living the micro-biotic way of live has reminded me of how important being in harmony with nature is for health.
Macrobiotics comes from the Greek words meaning "great life."

This seven step approach to living is life transforming.
I am on step one, "take time for your meals everyday."
It is advised to spend twenty minutes at the table for each meal.
I have a timer.
We are spending more time at our kitchen table.
We are having kitchen table time.