I am a bad test taker. I really am. I have test anxiety and don’t do well on tests as a result. This is the only reason I can come up with for doing so poorly on those stupid environmental impact, ecological footprint tests. Seriously, I can’t think of any other reason. It cannot be something I am doing or not doing that might actually give me a score of 2.6 planets or a carbon output of 5 tons/year. I kind of want to cheat on these tests. How stupid is that? These tests are designed to make us more aware of our impact and I want to cheat. Stupid, I know. But true.

I feel like I am working to make changes to my life and that I am very conscious of living a life that reflects my values. Taking tests like these ones though can sometimes make me feel like I am failing at doing that.

Then I remember that I am a work in progress.

These tests are good to take because they give me a reality check. I am still using more resources than one person should use. Hence, the 2.6 planets. However, it is important to remember that they don’t look at the details of the whole picture. They aren’t meant to. They are meant to be short and easy (so people will actually be willing to take them) and to give you a general idea of the impact you are making. I think that they are good for serving this purpose. I do have a ways to go, but I have also come very far. When I first took one of those tests a couple of years ago I was at around 7 planets. So, when I remember that, I realize how far I have come. There are still many changes I can and need to make. And…there are also a lot that I have already made while walking this path that have indeed made a big difference.

I will continue to use these tests to mark my progress, point me in the right direction, AND I will remember that they don’t tell the whole story.

Off to continue my journey.

I love hearing about the changes that people are making in their life to live a more sustainable life. It is fun to hear about all the different ways it can be done and I am regularly encouraged and stretched when stories are shared. I feel like there are so many people and families that I have learned from while going through this process. Izzie and her family are one of those and I have so much respect for them. They are great people with wonderful hearts and who do a lot to bless the world everyday.

We are a family of three, Aaron, Izzie and 9-month old Ilon, living in Dallas trying to “go green� one/change at a time.

At the beginning of this year we both started making one change a month toward improving how we live. Some family changes we’ve made: If it’s yellow, let it mellow, consistent recycling, and shopping locally. I, Izzie, usually ere on the extreme side of things, going full speed with an idea and sooner or later crashing because I’ve taken on too much. My husband takes things a little slower. For example, Aaron’s one/change for February: Use less paper; March: Shower less; April: Take smaller bites. I laughed at first until he actually accomplished his goals: using less water (and therefore less energy due to decreased hygiene and therefore decreased, well, you know), and eating at a slower pace; which helped him realize he was full sooner and also to slow down and enjoy the meal. My changes so far have included taking the train or walking to most of my activities, cloth bags for shopping, and turning the water off when I’m washing my face (the last one inspired by my husband.). I, however, end up numerous places with too many bags and a long walk home, no umbrella and a long wait for the train in the rain, or standing in the grocery store having heart palpitations because I’ve again forgotten my cloth bags and am picturing thousands of plastic sacks floating down rivers… What we’re learning is to take things one-step at a time, plan well, and enjoy the accomplishment of each change.

The hardest part about “going green�, other than simple selfishness, has been doing it with a child. Ironically, having a child is also one of my main motivations for living better. One change we have made is to make all our own baby food using fresh, local ingredients as much as we can. This involves an incredible amount of careful planning. The veggies and fruit must be bought, steamed, and blended before consumed. These steps seem simple until you have a loud hungry baby with only cold, hard sweet potatoes to offer. Those delightful little pre-made cartons of pureed guava and pears become very appealing… But the fun trip to the farmer’s market, tasting the food before you buy it, talking to the people who grew it, makes you feel one step closer to home. Our sweet 9-month old has become a stroller baby, riding around town as we walk to the grocery store, library, post office, you name it she’s been there. She has a string of admirers that know her, and it has opened up many conversations with strangers. Somehow “going green� has made me feel more connected to people, to our neighborhood.

Changes we hope to make in the future include cloth diapers (ick), no car (in Dallas??), home-made bread, and possibly those worms under the sink. I can only imagine what it would look like if Ilon got into those…

I am excited to start these changes now. I want us to get in the habit of constantly looking at our life to see what is good and what needs to change. I want Ilon to see this and be a part of it. The cool thing is that there is always another change you can make. Life doesn’t stay the same, and neither do we!

Wednesday morning it was announced that the popular eco-site treehugger was acquired by Discovery Communications. This is really exciting for the folks over at treehugger. It will give them and their content a lot of exposure. According to the press release, Discovery plans on using the site in conjunction with it’s ‘Planet Green’ programming.
In related news, Jasmine over at Worsted Witch will be writing full time over there (starting in a couple of weeks). So congratulations to her.