Recently, a programmed aired on SBS called "The Eco Challenge". It was a show about two families who initially had their water, electricity, garbage collection and vehicles taken away and then given back one by one if they could meet particular usage targets. Our family got involved while the show aired and we tracked our electricity, water and vehicle usage. The 8 year old son really enjoyed doing this.
More recently we have been thinking about foods and additives. We were looking at my Grandmother's recipes ( she is 99 years old) and thinking that - there were no additives in her day - everything was made from scratch. She also operated under the principle of "Prior Preparation and Planning Prevents Poor Performance" ( The Six P's). If she was late home and hadn't cooked a family meal, she could never just duck into town and buy a pizza !
Then... we started thinking more..... take riding your bike for example. If you approach it from a 'green living' point of view you might ride a bike to work or school or to the shop because you want to cut your pollution emissions. If you approach it from a frugal point of view you might want to cut your spending on fuel. If you approach it from a health point of view you might want to get fit, stay fit or lose some weight. Regardless of your viewpoint the reality is that living more of an old fashioned way is a winner all round !
So, we started on Monday. We didn't drive to town ( which is a 13.5km return journey) we walked to the boys school and picked them up and walked home ( 15 minute walk each way) and yesterday Hubbie rode with the children to school and then rode to pick them up. He then took his motorbike to town to do his errands rather than take the car.
So..... all steps in the right direction. Hopefully the results of this new style of living will be... health, wealth and happiness along with a sense of achievement. My biggest challenge will be cutting our grocery budget and not driving to town on the 4 days that I work. Hmmmm have to give that one some more thought.
April Theme: Re-organise and Transition
In the Southern Hemisphere, April is in Autumn. The days here are still warmish, but there is a sneaking whisper in the wind. That whisper ...
-
When I first start blogging in 2007 - no-one knew what a blog was. I can remember showing someone once who said 'oh that's ridicu... -
I was lucky enough to be interview recently by Gavin from 'The Greening of Gavin'. It was so much fun chatting with Gavin an... -
“Do not ask your children to strive for extraordinary lives. Such striving may seem admirable, but it is the way of foolis...
1 comment:
Hello, I followed you here via technorati which had you listed as reacting to my blog.
I just wanted to say that you're doing exactly the right thing by reading other blogs to gain inspiration. I've found that I stay completely on track if I have contact with others on this same path.
Good luck with your new life. I'll be back to see how you're getting on.
Post a Comment