[tempus vernum]

What we do:

-recycle
-use cloth in every area we can (some is limited because of ds's immune system but we are so glad he's in last phase of chemo we can move towards cloth again)
-garden
-compost
-use no harsh cleaners or cosmetics
-eat almost entirely organic
-buy in bulk reducing packaging
-buy from local farmers
-team up when getting things from farmers a little farther away (i.e. went to buy beef this weekend and bought some for a fellow GCM'er )
-try to run errands all on one day per week
-use energy efficient light bulbs and keep blinds open all the time
-keep heat down and sweaters on
-recycle clothes that aren't dirty
-hang laundry as soon as it's over 50 degrees
-speak openly about beliefs and try to get others on board
-cut down on driving weather permitting - walk or bike as many places as possible.
-grocery shop every 10 to 14 days instead of once per week (eat produce strategically - stuff that spoils first, eat first ) Plan meals accordingly
-stop buying stuff - our new rule if its not consumable it must be on a list for 30 days. It really cuts back on what we buy!

SOME LOFTY GOALS (hoping we can acheive these if we downsize our mortgage)
-start timing showers - 10 minutes each (at least for me - dh thinks I'm crazy).
-sell house in spring and downsize mortgage and space
-save money for solar panels on new house
-save money for hybrid car or money to convert current cars to more efficient energy
-purchase ONLY "green" electricity from electric company (this is hard cuz it costs more )
-set up "hydroponic" garden in basement when ds is done with chemo (can't have indoor plants until then) and produce the majority of our own produce
-only grocery shop once a month because we are growing most of our own produce
-go back to everything cloth (except TP and tissue) when ds done with chemo
-replace freezer, refrigerator, washer and dryer (they are old and use too much energy)