Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day Everyone! Going out to celebrate? Why not stay out longer and be a mooch! That's right -- be an energy mooch! If you've got dinner plans or just meeting someone for coffee later tonight might as well mooch off the communal energy at your restaurant or cafe!

This means less energy usage at your own home and you're using someone else's lights. You may even convince the restaurant or cafe to serve by candlelight in honour of today. C'est tres romantique, non? And while you're out, why not take an after dinner walk. You'll enjoy more time with your dinner buddy, get some leisurely exercising worked into your day, and you're enjoying the lovely outdoors!

Another celebratory idea is having your own energy-free/waste-free dinner at home. Invite friends over! Serve a nice hearty salad with some cheese and crackers over beeswax candlelight, serve yourself a glass of organic wine, user reusable plates and utensils, and opt for conversation (or read if you're alone).

Enjoy Earth Day!

Eating Out: B.Y.O.C

Eating out is fun but when you've had your fill and there's still a good amount of food left on your plate, the take-out packaging will be hard to swallow and stomach. Usually restaurants use Styrofoam packaging or something else that isn't great for landfills for your doggy-bag so why not try getting into the habit of bringing your own container with you? I try to be good and bring one along when I know I am going out to a restaurant. Or I try to keep a secret stash in my car if I dine out last minute. Your waiter may be taken aback but will hopefully appreciate the gesture. Plus, other patrons may see what you're doing and bring their own container the next time they dine out. Teach by example, I say!

(photo from tupperware.com)

The Last Straw

Just say no to straws! Is it really necessary to sip your drink through a straw when it is perfectly fine to drink from the cup? Everytime I go to restaurants I see waiters and waitresses with apron pockets full of straws and I think of all those straws being used and then tossed into the garbage after every table is cleared. It's been easy so to refuse the straw altogether when my drink is brought over but it's tough when they already put the straw into the drink for you with the little bit of paper on the tip (you know what I'm talking about). So I think I just need to be better at letter them know right off the bat that I don't need straw once I give the waiter/waitress my drink order.

The coffee stirrers at work? I have my own spoon from home that I keep in my desk drawer that I use to stir in my sugars into my teas. Sometimes if I am in a bind I put my sugar into my ceramic cup first then I pour in the liquid. Instant mixing! Silly, I know, but hey, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, n'est pas?