Long time no Type

Well I kinda stopped blogging when I got my new job but we go again.

I know a lot of people think I fell off the planet after I stopped updating Marks health blog so I'm going to change the point of this blog from solely green things to just my life in general (which happens to be somewhat green.)

So here is the last few months in a nut shell:
I'm currently in Iowa living near the family. I work for a really cool company that does interpreting via video phone. They are amazingly flexible with my schedule so that really helps since I keep driving back up to Minnesota. Why you may ask, well to visit my boyfriend. I realize this may be a shocker for some of you but God has blessed me with a truly amazing man who, loves me, looks out for me, and somehow understands what I went though with Mark.

While I'm down in Iowa I get a very interesting experience. My mom jokes that we are just trying to be the next evening sitcom. I live next door to my parents (literally) and my brothers fiance lives with me and my brother lives with my parents (until their wedding next June.) It has been a lot of fun, and pretty crazy, but that's just how we are.

Well that's it in a nutshell.

Still in HIS Grip,
Amber

Use it all up Challange

How many of us have multiple bottles of everything in our bathroom?

Well I do and It took two boxes to move all of that. What better way to de-clutter our lives than to use up all the stuff I already have. So here is my challenge to you (and myself:)

Don't buy any new lotions, soaps, or shampoos until you use up ALL that you have. Go through your stash and throw out anything that is expired or that you will never use, and get rid of some of the clutter in your life.

I'm going to take this a step further myself, I'm going through my whole house room by room and throwing out anything I don't need, or use. Now this is strange for me because before I moved up here I did the same thing. But now that I'm here there are boxes in my basement that I haven't even opened so obviously I still have more stuff than necessary. Its amazing how many things we think we need but really we don't. I hope that by the time I move back up north I've significantly cut down on my clutter and also my desire for "stuff."

The Compact

So I must admit I'm a bit of a chicken, I can't commit to the compact for a whole year, But I am going to commit to it until I move and hopefully I will extend it till I get my new house in Iowa.

What is the compact?

Well to tell you the truth I don't know all of the gory details... but basicly it is a commitment to not buy anything new, you can buy used, hand made, or nothing for a set amount of time. (excluding food)

How is this green?

Obviously we are not causing anything to be manufactured soley for me. I understand that I, doing this on my own, won't actully affect the manufacturing industry. However if I did it longer I could possiably and If others do it to...

Other benefits?

Used is cheaper and buying nothing saves a TON of money!

All or nothing part 2

So now that I have a little extra time I thought I would explain yesterdays post a little more in depth.

I've come to realize that just like everything else in my life I need to do this green thing all or nothing and I'm going to go for all. There are so many things that I do everyday that would make my life and the world better if I would just stop. Somethings are really hard to change we need to recondition ourselves to consciously make decisions to make the world a better place.

The reason I'm so interested in going green is simple, I think it will make me healthier as a person to make my world more healthy. By eating fresh non-packaged healthy foods I'm not only using less plastic and other packaging material but I'm putting better foods into my body. By riding my bike as much as possible I'm putting less toxins in the air, which is better for me to breath. This could go on and on but I'm sure you get the idea.

So here I go...

All or Nothing

So I'm pretty sure I just made a huge jump forward in my desire to live a green life. I just bought a Prius. There are many reasons I decided on this not only the fule economy but that was a BIG reason. I'll write more later...

Challange

I'm Taking a challange starting Feb 25th anyone want to join?

This is the blog of a friend of mine named Sara it explains the challange in detail.

http://happyfoody.wordpress.com/2008/02/13/the-happy-foody-green-smoothie-challenge/

Cash Budget

Hey I have a great new way to reduce my clutter! I'm trying out a new system of withdrawing cash for all of my weekly expenses, except gas and uncommon purchuses (for example if I get a new couch.) I'm still fine tuning what is a uncommon purchase (does a gift for someone else come out of my weekly budget?) So far its been a great way to regin in my impulsive buying, cash is harder to sepend that swiping my debit card.

How is the green? Simple really the less I buy the less manufacturing, transporting, and garbage I create!