Vegan Livin’ is Easy January 12, 2009

Aside from getting egg at a local breakfast place when I ordered tofu and going to my husband’s company party where I had pre-ordered a vegetarian lasagna (not vegan) months ago, and then a resulting awful stomachache… my transition to veganism has been really great.  Those are the only non-vegan things I’ve eaten and the restaurant that brought me eggs instead of tofu paid for my meal and also gave me a coupon for another free meal!  Anyhow, I’m really loving the peace of mind it’s brought me, just knowing that my decisions in this area are all finally lining up with my values completely, is so so nice.  And the food? Delicious, oh yes, even when eating out.  Don’t let anyone ever tell you that you can’t live without meat, eggs and dairy.  You will get all of the nutrients you need (ok, assuming you don’t live on vegan cupcakes and cereal or something) and most likely you will find yourself eating a healthier, wider, more delicious array of vegetables, grains, fruits and more!  If you’re looking into the vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, here are my favorite links to get you started:

Food:

• Happy Herbivore - Lindsay at Happy Herbivore creates wonderful fat-free, whole foods vegan recipes that are always sure to please. She rarely uses meat analogues, so I think her recipes are great for beginners who may be a little scared of seitan, tempeh and tofu.  Try her nacho “cheeze” and spinach and artichoke dip and you’ll find yourself all the more assured that it is easy peasy to give up dairy.  I’m drooling right now just thinking about those nachos.  They are Brian’s favorite, too.
• Post Punk Kitchen – If i’ve got a question about something, whether food related or not, I will often go onto the PPK website, click “forums” and then search whatever it is I’m thinking of and it never fails me.  Plus, the recipes are amazing.  Scrambled tofu will have you living egg-free in no time.  It’s the perfect recipe for the tofu virgin – especially wrapped up in a tortilla with some breakfast potatoes.  It’s my all-time favorite brunch.
• Happy Foody – Sara was the first person to introduce me, via her blog of course, to vegetarian living.  It’s not that I hadn’t heard of vegetarianism before, obviously, but she was the first to inspire me to learn more.  And the recipes from her food blog are some of the first I made and still some of my favorites.  Her favorite salad dressing is now the favorite for Brian and I too. 
• Dreena Burton’s Blog and Recipes – Dreena Burton has published several cookbooks.  Her recipes are healthy and delicious!
• I’ve posted some of my favorite recipes in the past here and here.

Books:

• Diet for a New America by John Robbins – a book I’ve mentioned again and again.  Well worth the read.
• Eat to Live by Joel Fuhrman – In this book, the author advocates a (at least 95%) vegan diet. It is well-researched and documented and will give you all the reasons you need to go vegan from a health perspective.

Cookbooks:

• Veganomicon – It’s like the vegan version of the Joy of Cooking, meaning it’s a comprehensive type of book that will set you up for success if all you’ve ever cooked is something from a box.  Try some sample recipes and you’ll be hooked and buy the book the next time you have a spare twenty bucks.  Isa Chandra Moskowitz also wrote Vegan with a Vengeance, another favorite vegan cookbook.  Here’s a bunch of her recipes for you to try until you can come up with that twenty bucks.  I love her coffeecake and waffles.  That woman knows how to do brunch.  I can’t wait for her latest book to come out!
• The Joy of Vegan Baking – a comprehensive baking book.  If you are a afraid of losing your ability to bake familiar favorites without milk, eggs and butter, this book will put your fears to rest for sure.  This book also has a few unconventional and healthy recipes as well, like the raw strawberry pie that I love.

Wishlist…

• Get it Ripe by Jae Steele,
• Mediterranean Vegan Kitchen by Donna Klein
• The Voluptuous Vegan by Myra Kornfeld
• Eat, Drink & Be Vegan by Dreena Burton

More web stuff:

• Vegan&Vintage
• Vegan Beauty Review
• Vegan Etsy – go here and here for fabulous vegan handmade things

Resources for Research and Making the Transition:

• Vegan Outreach is my fave

Now, go give it a try why don’t you!

Resolute. January 5, 2009

I believe the credit for the above photo goes to Herbivore Clothing Company, but I can’t seem to find where I got it from now…

 

As New Years was approaching, I began to think about the past year, as we all do, and of course, the year to come.  It seems a convenient time to me to make a resolution in my life to make a permanent change.  Something has been weighing on my heart and my mind a lot lately.  

I bought a sweater a few months ago and saw that the tag said “angora” and I bought it anyway because I loved the fit and styling so much, but the decision has weighed on me.  My dad took me shopping after Christmas and wanted to buy me warm socks at REI.  He loves the SmartWool brand and really wanted to get some for me.  I didn’t have the heart to have the “please no animal product” conversation with him.  He bought me four pair, two of which I’ll be taking back and two of which I’ve been wearing.  And it’s been weighing on me.  I’ve somewhat been in the market for a new pair of boots and can’t bring myself to buy leather ones, even though I love these, because it’s been weighing on me.  Every time I crack the eggs for some cornbread or put the cheese on top of my pizza, something just doesn’t feel right in my spirit.  

So, I’m making the change… toward the vegan way of life.  When I went vegetarian a year and a half ago, I cut out most dairy and eggs as well.  The only reason I’ve not gone vegan yet is because I haven’t wanted to deal with what others will say and I don’t want to inconvenience anyone (admittedly myself on occasion), but this is hardly a good reason to continue to make choices that don’t line up with my values.  Factory farming practices are shockingly horrifying.  Really.  I don’t want to be a part of it in any way, shape or form.  It is not good for anyone involved – not the animals, not the environment, surely, not the people perpetuating the violence and not for the health of those who consume those products.  It would be wrong for me to continue to support these practices, particularly against my own conscience.  At this point I plan to keep the things I already own that are not vegan, because I don’t think it would benefit anyone for me to just throw them out, but from here on out all purchases shall be cruelty free.  

While it may seem like an extreme choice to some, for me I think for the most part it will just be woven into the fabric of my life, as so many other changes have been.  I’ve learned that nothing is so difficult as it seems it will be, especially when motivated by something more important than any minor inconvenience.  This is not meant as a judgment upon anyone else, though sadly, I know some will perceive it that way.  It’s just another step toward becoming who I am.  Wish me luck!  I think it’s going to feel really good.  Happy New Year!

Silver Lining October 17, 2008

photo credit: mattyp/flickr.com

We are all feeling it.  I know it.  We all are.  Food prices have gone up.  Gas prices overall have gone up and as we enter into fall and winter weather, we are reminded that the cost of heating our homes has gone up as well.  Whether the effects have been big or small, I imagine some have come your way.  My prayer for this season of economic struggle in our nation is that we face it.  Let’s face it, we can’t afford our old ways of living.  We can’t afford to keep on with the same old habits of consumption.  We can’t afford to keep seeking out happiness and convenience in the same old ways.  I hope that in this time as we face the financial crisis, we will all admit that it’s not working.  We need to change.  

My prayer is that this season of economic struggle, a struggle that is being compared to the great depression, inspires us all to look to the generations before us and glean from their wisdom.  I pray this economy helps to teach us to slow down and make things ourselves.  I pray this season encourages mothers to stay committed to breast-feeding.  I pray people are inspired to take the time to enjoy walking or riding their bike to the store instead of driving.  Let it be a time where families enjoy more home cooked meals around the table and turn off the TV and various electronics and find ways to spend quality time together.  Let this be a time where we get to know our neighbors.  A time when we borrow from and share with each other instead of buying.  Let this holiday season be a time where we buy hand made or buy used as a way to support one another.  I hope it is a time when people slow down from this fast paced life and enjoy the meditative nature of things like hanging clothes on the line rather than throwing them in the dryer.  I pray it is a time where people enjoy better health as they eat more whole foods and less take-out and processed snacks, even if it is because they can’t afford it.  I pray that we will find joy in cuddling up in warm sweaters and heavy blankets as we turn down our heaters.  I pray that our hearts begin to swell with gratitude for things we used to take for granted.  I pray that we find our joy in simple everyday things. I pray that we will remember that our treasure is in heaven and in the things that are eternal: each other.  I pray that we will embrace the inspiration to change and let this become a time where we find ourselves happier and enriched by the sacrifices demanded by our shrinking pocket books.  Oh, I do pray that we can see the silver lining and make some lemonade in these sour times.  And let’s do it together, shall we.

A Prayer of Consecration August 17, 2008

artwork pictured above is by my friend Rhiannon Rosenbaum

I was handed a piece of paper with this printed out prayer on it years ago.  It has so impacted me that I thought I should share it with you all.

A Prayer of Consecration by Dr. FB Meyer:

   In my inner life I desire to be kept absolutely and lovely. O Holy and Spotless One, be in me the Crystal Fountain of Purity! O Lamb of God, be in me the source of absolute meekness and humility! O lover of Men, be in me a fire of unwaning, all-subduing tenderness! Make me instantly sensitive to the least taint of impurity and uncharity. Before ever the suggestion has assumed a tangible shape, may I detect it and shelter in you.

   In my home life, may I be made a blessing; its sunbeam when the days are dark, its inspiration when the days are sad and hopeless, its tender comfort when the days are full of pain and tears. Always thinking before myself, never imposing my private sorrows or moods; ever with a girded loin and a lighted torch; washing my face and anointing my head and confiding my griefs to you only, that I may ever have a heart at leisure to soothe and sympathize.

In my religious life may the neglect of prayer and your holy word be things of the past. Wake me morning by morning to hear as a disciple. Enable me to spring up at your call and like all your servants arise up early  in the morning to gather the manna before the dew is gone from it. May my fellowship with you be unbroken throughout the day, that I may often look up into your face, even if I do not have time to speak. Draw me, and I will run after you.

‘Each moment call from the earth away my soul that only waits your call’

In my daily calling make me diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. May I do my work not for the wages that I may get, not to secure an advance, but so as to please you. May it be the one object of my daily striving to do all to the glory of God. – not with eye–service as pleasing men, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord, doing the will of God as it is indicated in the circumstances of my life, and looking for my reward from your hand, O Divine Master!

   In my use of money I would not be anxious about he future, nor hoard up and keep for myself of that which you have given me. I want to be your very slave, counting myself and all I have as your purchased property, and using all things as your representative steward.

In my use of time and health and all the opportunities of life I desire to act with reverent care, redeeming the time, buying up each opportunity, conserving my body as pure temple of the Holy Ghost, and so partaking of recreation, food, natural scenery, travel and all lawful pastimes that I may better serve your purpose in my creation and redemption. Show me what my talents are which you have entrusted me, and help to make the two four and the five ten.

Now bless me, even me, O Lord; I am yours; your Father gave me to you before the world was made; you did purchase me for yourself by our most precious blood, you have begun a good work within me by our Holy Spirit; and now afresh take me to your heart and seal me with your Spirit. May he enlighten, comfort and sanctify me, teaching me to pray and opening the eyes of my heart that I may know you and the power of your resurrection that as you have ascended to the heavens, so may I also in my heart and mind ascend there, and dwell continually with you, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

Duplicate June 23, 2008

photo credit:homardbleu/flickr.com

I desire to live a simple life.  This, I realize, is a vague statement.  But, that’s exactly it… I’ve been trying to figure out what it means to live simply.  I believe that it’s about being content with what I have, taking only what I need and being generous with myself and what I have to give.

 I’ve been meditating on this conversation:

A man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

 ”Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”

 ”Which ones?” the man inquired.

   Jesus replied, ” Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother and love your neighbor as yourself.”

 ”All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

-Matthew 19:16-22

and, also, these words from John the Baptist:

“The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.” -Luke 3:11

I think, first of all, what God desires is our hearts. What’s important is our love for other people and our willingness and desire to give.  The young rich man he was talking to wasn’t willing and I think that was the biggest issue.  I don’t know that this passage means that we must go and sell all of our possessions.  I think it means we must be generous and willing to give all we have with a happy heart.  That said, I like the seemingly practical instruction from John the Baptist.  It’s been on my mind.  As I go through my house throughout the day, I’ve been asking myself questions like:

“Why do I have 5 spatulas in the kitchen when I only ever use 2 at a time?” (same with pot-holders, strainers, other utensils, etc)

“Do I need 6 pairs of jeans (when I only wear 3)?”

“Why am I keeping this (thing that someone gave me that I don’t really love)?”

“How many pairs of pajamas do I really wear or really need?”

“When was the last time I used this?”

I think it’s important to be intentional about giving.  In our culture, it’s SO EASY to HOARD.  We are bombarded by messages everywhere that tell us that we NEED more STUFF and that our current state of being is not good enough.  We need to have things to make us happy, to give us status, to make life easier, to save us time (oh, TIME, why is it that we think we never have enough of you?).  In our culture it is so very common to live with so much extra stuff and extra space and to live with a continual desire for more. But, I want to duplicate things in my life that are not material.  It takes some reflection to realize what we really need and what is just extra, just duplicates.  Just because I don’t have a whole lot of excess cash flow doesn’t mean I don’t have excess.  

Now, I’m not saying that we necessarily ought to strip down our possessions to the absolute bare minimum (one pair of pants, one shirt, one pot, one fork, etc.).  I do think it’s valuable to realize that I could live that way and still be content, or could I?  This whole subject demands a lot of soul searching.  Which is interesting because it’s just stuff.  But what we look like, what our homes look like and what we do or don’t buy and give away says a lot about who we are and what our priorities are, I think.  I say this not to judge others, but to judge myself (in a good way ). 

We as a people are drowning under our consumption.  We clutter up our houses and our souls with it.  The environment is suffering under its weight.  The people across the globe paid awfully low wages to work long hours in poor conditions are suffering under its weight.  I was listening to the following song the other day as I was thinking about these things:

“We’re living the American dream.  The people highest up have got the lowest self esteem.  The prettiest people do the ugliest things for the road to riches and diamond rings…  We buy a lot of clothes, but we don’t really need ‘em – things we buy to cover up what’s inside.  Because they made us hate ourselves and love their wealth.” – Kanye West

His words ring true to me on large and small scales. (I know, who would have thought I would have quoted Kanye West in the middle of this discussion?  But I liked it)  Am I willing to change my way of life and not follow this crazy way of living called the American dream?  How much of what I desire, hold onto and purchase is born out of a desire to heal my broken self-esteem?  And at what cost?  Stuff won’t ever fix my distorted self-image, but getting my vision off of myself and onto the needs of others might.

It’s difficult and yet so simple.  Go to goodwill next time you need something.  Check freecycle.  Give away that thing that has been sitting in your closet for a year.  Have two?  Give one.

Get rid of your duplicate possessions and duplicate generosity instead.

Don’t Wait… Just Do It June 12, 2008

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”  So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.  After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.  - John 6:5-15

There’s a lesson I’ve been learning.  It’s come up a lot over the course of the last year or so.  It’s taken me a while to really get it.  

A few months ago, the pastor at Mosaic, Matt Atkins, was talking about the above passage from the book of John. He pointed out that our tendency is to wait for abundance in order to give.  But, this is not how God operates.  This is not how life operates.  If we wait until we have everything we think we need before we will act, how long will we sit on our butts and do nothing?

Poverty is not the state of not having, it is the fear of not getting that causes me to hold on to what I have. Think about that one for a minute…  Now, I’m not talking about poverty in the sense of those who truly have only the clothes on their backs.  I’m talking about this sense we all have that we are lacking or poor in some way.  Not necessarily poverty of money (although this certainly is the case sometimes) but poverty more often of time, energy, ability, etc.

This is definitely something I experience all the time.  I’ve been catching myself, and I think the Spirit is revealing to me, those times when I think things like:

“I don’t have time”

“I can’t”

“It’s too difficult”

“I don’t know how”

“Not right now”

“I don’t feel like it”

Then I remember that before I’m ready, I need to be prepared to act because the provision from God comes as I step out and trust Him, rather than waiting for him to give me “enough” of whatever it is that I think I need.  

Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.  

So, friends, confirm God’s invitation to you, his choice of you. Don’t put it off; do it now. Do this, and you’ll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.  -2 Peter 1:3-9 (The Message)

  And, you know what?  It’s so true.  The provision comes in the obedience.  He has given us everything we need to live this life that He’s called us to.  So often I need listen to the Spirit within me and just do it, whatever it may be, and stop dwelling on my own inadequacies and insecurities or the seeming impracticalities.  What you believe and your attitude toward things is so powerful.  When I stop myself and decide to “just do it” most of the time I find that I did end up having the time, energy, ability, etc.  It’s transforming the way I look at things and it’s affecting all sorts of little things in my life.  My house is cleaner than it has been ages  I think this lesson is a lot bigger than having a clean house, though.  It’s about giving myself away.  today.  before I feel like I have it all together.  

  I’m finding that there’s so much more peace in my life when I’m not approaching everything with a fearful, defeated mentality.  Hallelujah.

One Year, One Step at a Time May 29, 2008

It’s been about a year now since I first started making changes in my life toward a “greener”, healthier and more mindful life.  While I often focus on how much more I could be doing differently, as this little milestone approaches, I’ve been thinking about how different things really are for me now.  It’s pretty crazy.  So, I figured I’d list out some of the changes I’ve made.  And who knows, maybe help someone else who’s looking to make changes as well. 

 

  At Home:        

• No more paper towels.  I think this was my first change, any easy one. I use old cotton dish towels for cleaning and cloth napkins for snacks.  It’s just as convenient and I feel much better about not being so wasteful and saving some money while I’m at it.
• Switched to natural “shampoo” and bar soap (wrapped in paper).  I really like it.  I think I’m getting really comfortable with the whole “unshampoo” thing.
• Switched to baking soda as a deoderant. 
• Switched to natural household cleaners and dish soap.  Here’s a recent post with recipes.
• I try to recycle everything I can.  (Look here for tips if you live in Whatcom County.)
• I’m constantly looking for ways to reuse - anything from produce and ziploc bags to applesauce jars.
• Switched to cloth diapering.  Now that I think about it, I can’t imagine going back.  
• Switched to natural baby wash
• Unplug things like phone/computer chargers, the coffee maker, etc.
• Only run full loads of laundry, wash on cold and use natural laundry detergent. 
• I definitely use the dryer way less.   There are some things that I still feel like need to go in the dryer or they don’t fit right/are too wrinkled.  and things take forever to dry here in Bellingham, especially in the summer when the heater isn’t on to help out. 
• I have fairly successfully weaned myself from my addiction to long showers and hot baths. I would like to work on taking shorter, cooler showers, though.  I like my showers abnormally scorchingly hot, so there’s plenty of room for improvement.
• I turn off the water when I brush my teeth, try to be mindful at the kitchen sink, etc.
• I’m much more mindful of what lights are on and turn them off when not in use. We do have lots of natural light in our apartment, so this is pretty easy.
• I reuse clothes that aren’t dirty, rather than throwing them in the laundry after wearing. 
• Bring my own bags to the grocery store (and other stores) or just say no if I don’t need a bag.

   When I’m out and about:

• Bring my own bags to the grocery store (and other stores) or just say no if I don’t need a bag.
• I carry a little cloth napkin with me so that I don’t use paper towels in public restrooms or paper napkins to clean up messes or my baby’s face.  When I forget, I wipe my hands on my pants
• I bring my own mug to coffee shops and I love my Sigg for drinking water (I haven’t bought bottled water in a year!) I bring my own plates and forks to Mosaic and other potluck, BBQ situations.
• Generally try to stay away from disposables.

Diet/Health:

• I haven’t eaten meat since sometime in June 2007 (except for that one time at Mosaic when I didn’t notice the bacon in my broccoli salad until it was in my mouth.  that was pretty funny
• I’ve cut way back on dairy (no cow milk, except in lattes, no yogurt, no creamy dressings and sauces and waay less cheese, if any, when I cook, etc.)
• I eat a salad for lunch every day and I love love LOVE it! I also incorporate more raw food in general.
• Stopped eating processed packaged cereals and cut way back on packaged foods of all sorts (I still have a way to go on this one)
• Stopped purchasing packaged drinks for myself and recently stopped drinking soda.
• Stopped chewing gum/mints.  Too much packaging and artificial sweeteners and I used to have it all the time.
• Switched to this bread.  

   Goals:        

• Compost!  I need to figure out a way to do this while living in an apartment and not having extra money…
• De-clutter and donate on a continual basis.
• Shop at thrift stores (more).
• Buy more in bulk to reduce packaging. (Note to self: buy loose-leaf tea and dry beans)
• Replace all Teflon and similar cookware with cast iron and stainless steel.
• Buy locally grown foods when possible.
• Walk more, drive less.
• Make progress in the living with less plastic category.
• Cut back/cut out refined sugar.  But, this is difficult.  it’s more addictive than cocaine.  

Overall, I think I’ve realized that the biggest change is not in all of my actions, it is the change in how I think about things.  I’m so much more aware of being wasteful and the implications of my actions. It changes the way I approach just about everything.  So, even though there’s so much more I could be doing, I know that I’ll get there eventually because the biggest change is the one IN me.  

photo credit: sabine butterblume/flickr

Favorite March 30, 2008

I just wanted to post this link. This particular post is an older post that I bookmarked a long time ago because I just totally resonated with everything she said, so I thought I would post it here in case you might enjoy it too.

Perfection March 21, 2008

I’ve been thinking about perfection, grace and holiness.  Sometimes the more I read, the more I feel burdened about the things I do and think that need to change.  This is a good thing, to a certain extent, but perfection of action has never been the point.  Aiming for perfection brings guilt, discouragement and crankiness.  So you see, we need Grace.  We have unending grace in Jesus.  Grace that empowers us to change, enables us to change and makes us want to.  Without it, there is no point.  I would turn into one of those bitter people who preaches your ear off and makes you feel like dirt if you disagree with them or don’t practice what they preach. That’s not who i want to be. That isn’t who i am. That isn’t grace or holiness.
The point of the things I’ve written about on this blog is grace and compassion.  Grace with others, grace with yourself, grace because of and in Jesus.  I want to me motivated by love and proceed in it.  Therefore, I hope you will never hear that kind of condescension or preaching from me. more importantly, i pray you won’t find it in my heart. It’s not there now, since I’m more consumed by thoughts of my inadequacy than anything, but these issues are two sides of the same coin.   Neither one is love, grace or holiness. I’m learning how important it is to just take the next step and not take my eyes off of Christ. That’s what I’m aiming for: to become more like Him, not to attain my own sense of perfection. so, I suppose can stop feeling inadequate now Grace.

Another Plastic Evil February 21, 2008


I just watched this video and read this great post about how plastic is recycled.  I really found it shocking, but after a moment’s thought, I wasn’t really shocked at all.  Of course our recycling is getting shipped off to China and creating toxic fumes.  Ugh.  Of course it is.  Every convenience we have here in the western world is at someone’s expense it seems. (This video is about the UK, but i have read elsewhere that this certainly is happening in the US.) 

Cutting back the plastic completely seems nearly impossible for me, but here are some ideas:  

- Buy things in bulk or just simply the option with less packaging. (bring your own container to the bulk bin!)
- Choose salad dressing, sauces, spices, juice and anything else in glass.
- Choose concentrated detergents, powdered detergent or you could try making your own!
- Bring reusable bags to the store of course!
- Bring your own mug for coffee. disposable coffee cups have a plastic lining and usually a plastic lid.
- Let your fruit roll around in the cart rather than in a plastic bag.
- Bring used or reusable bags for produce and bulk items.
- Stop drinking bottled water and bottled soda (bottled water apparently isn’t any better for you than tap!)
- Bring your own plates and cutlery when you are going somewhere that will have disposables: potluck, picnic, etc. (most paper plates are lined with plastic)  

- Choose bar soap instead of liquid.
- Choose reusable whenever possible!

Check out these great blogs by people who are trying to reduce their plastic consumption:

• Fake Plastic Fish
• Life Less Plastic
• Living Plastic Free