I ran into this contest the other day - it is sponsored by a website called Care2.com. If you have a favorite farmers market, you can click here and vote for that market, giving them a chance to win some cash to help fund their operation.
And if you don't visit a local farmer's market, you may want to find one near you. Not only are you able to find great fruits and veggies (that are super fresh because they haven't spent a bunch of time shipping from who knows where), but you are supporting your local economy. Quite often you can get stuff in season for a better price than your standard supermarket. And you are reducing your impact on the environment by reducing the amount of fuel that it took to deliver your food to you.
Another option that may be available are the "U Pick" farms and orchards. In my time I have picked cherries, peaches and apples. Just last week my wife and kids went out and picked blueberries and black raspberries (YUM!!!!) - and again, lower prices and lower footprint!
There is a lot of great produce in season, you just have to know where to look for it. So grab your shopping bags and head on down to the local farmer's market and enjoy the bounty of nature.
6/25/09
Time to Go (Outside)
If you happen to live in certain parts of the Midwest, now is kind of a magical time. It's Lightning Bug (or Firefly) season....every evening as I take the dogs out I am treated to an awesome display of dancing lights. And anyone who has seen the joy and wonder in the eyes of children when they encounter these creatures for the first time knows just how wonderful it is.
Turn it Off
One of the hazards of modern living is that we can separate ourselves from the natural world. We move from one conditioned space to another, not paying much attention to what's going on around us. When we lose this connection, it becomes difficult for us to connect our actions with the impacts they have on our planet. And when you can't see how your actions impact the lives of others or the planet, there is little incentive to change.
And while spending lots of time indoors may not seem all that dangerous, this disconnect can be bad news, especially for kids. Less time spent outside typically means that we get less exercise, which can lead to health problems. We forget where food comes from, and instead of opting for fruits and vegetables we turn to processed foods (more health problems). And while moderate use of things like computers and TV can be okay, too much time with any of these things can do more harm than we think (emotions, violence, decreased learning).
And when you turn off all of the electronic babysitters and head outside, good things can happen. You reduce your electricity usage which we all know saves us money and helps reduce air pollution. You will probably get some good exercise without even trying. And you might just see something new, or introduce your kids to some fun that you had forgotten.
Go Exploring
And I know I should get outside more often - but it just doesn't happen. Sometimes it's the weather (too hot, too cold, raining, snowing), or I'm just tired (or lazy), or I have something I need to do, or somewhere I need to be. Sometimes we get the idea that if we're going to reconnect with nature that we have to gear up and go out into the forest like Survivor Man.
We forget that connecting with nature can be as simple as taking a walk down to the neighborhood park. Or planting a flower/vegetable bed in the front lawn. Or as simple as walking the dogs. One of the great things about nature is that the show is always changing - different times of the day and different seasons all hold their own surprises. So just pick a day and step outside - you might just be amazed at what you see.
Turn it Off
One of the hazards of modern living is that we can separate ourselves from the natural world. We move from one conditioned space to another, not paying much attention to what's going on around us. When we lose this connection, it becomes difficult for us to connect our actions with the impacts they have on our planet. And when you can't see how your actions impact the lives of others or the planet, there is little incentive to change.
And while spending lots of time indoors may not seem all that dangerous, this disconnect can be bad news, especially for kids. Less time spent outside typically means that we get less exercise, which can lead to health problems. We forget where food comes from, and instead of opting for fruits and vegetables we turn to processed foods (more health problems). And while moderate use of things like computers and TV can be okay, too much time with any of these things can do more harm than we think (emotions, violence, decreased learning).
And when you turn off all of the electronic babysitters and head outside, good things can happen. You reduce your electricity usage which we all know saves us money and helps reduce air pollution. You will probably get some good exercise without even trying. And you might just see something new, or introduce your kids to some fun that you had forgotten.
Go Exploring
And I know I should get outside more often - but it just doesn't happen. Sometimes it's the weather (too hot, too cold, raining, snowing), or I'm just tired (or lazy), or I have something I need to do, or somewhere I need to be. Sometimes we get the idea that if we're going to reconnect with nature that we have to gear up and go out into the forest like Survivor Man.
We forget that connecting with nature can be as simple as taking a walk down to the neighborhood park. Or planting a flower/vegetable bed in the front lawn. Or as simple as walking the dogs. One of the great things about nature is that the show is always changing - different times of the day and different seasons all hold their own surprises. So just pick a day and step outside - you might just be amazed at what you see.
6/15/09
Time for River Sweep
On Saturday, June 20, 2009, communities all along the Ohio River will be holding "River Sweep". This is a day, as the name implies, for cleaning up trash along the banks of the Ohio River. I plan to participate - I like spending some time along the river cleaning up. It gets me outside where I can enjoy the scenery and it's something where I can see the difference when I am done.
Why It's Important
Other than the fact that litter and debris is ugly, trash also pollutes the water. Some stuff, like plastics, can leak toxic chemicals into the water, which cause problems:
Time to Get Involved!
I would encourage everyone to get involved, and it doesn't just have to be on this one day. All over the US (and the world) there are rivers and lakes that could use a good cleaning. Even if you don't live near a body of water, anything you can do to pick up litter helps. Rain water can carry trash a long way - including out into the oceans. This is also a great way to involve your kids. Allowing them to see for themselves the harm that pollution causes, and letting them know that there is something they can do about it is a great life lesson.
Sometimes we don't see litter as a big problem (or as "our" problem) and don't think it's a big deal. But pollution is pollution - and in the case of trash it can cause serious harm to our water. And water, as we all know, is necessary for our survival. So get up and pick up! See you there!
Why It's Important
Other than the fact that litter and debris is ugly, trash also pollutes the water. Some stuff, like plastics, can leak toxic chemicals into the water, which cause problems:
- Some of us get our drinking water from lakes and rivers. If there are bad things in the that water, then we have to spend more resources (money, time, whatever) to make the water clean to drink. Some places in the world aren't blessed with our resources, so people make do with dirty water that often leads to illness or death.
- It hurts the fish and the animals that prey on them - like humans. How many times have you seen a river or lake and wanted to go fishing, and then seen the sign stating that you shouldn't eat the fish you pull from the river.
Time to Get Involved!
I would encourage everyone to get involved, and it doesn't just have to be on this one day. All over the US (and the world) there are rivers and lakes that could use a good cleaning. Even if you don't live near a body of water, anything you can do to pick up litter helps. Rain water can carry trash a long way - including out into the oceans. This is also a great way to involve your kids. Allowing them to see for themselves the harm that pollution causes, and letting them know that there is something they can do about it is a great life lesson.
Sometimes we don't see litter as a big problem (or as "our" problem) and don't think it's a big deal. But pollution is pollution - and in the case of trash it can cause serious harm to our water. And water, as we all know, is necessary for our survival. So get up and pick up! See you there!
6/1/09
All Work.....
One of the good things (and one of the difficult things) about the Internet is the vast amount of material that is available on a given topic. There are a wide variety of websites and blogs that contain information and stories about "going green" and doing what you can to reduce your environmental impact. Recently, I came across a posting on Treehugger.com - this is one of those sites where you can find articles on just about anything. Here's a link to the most recent article that made me stop - go ahead and read it, I'll wait......
Take a Deep Breath...
When I first read this, it really struck me. One of the constant struggles in my life, is to balance work and living. And in this technology ridden culture, it is all too easy to fall into the work trap. Just check the email one last time....just get out one more memo....just do one more thing...
Monday, I came home from work (a day at the main office) and set down my Blackberry and computer - didn't pick them up the rest of the night. I made an awesome (if I do say so myself) steak dinner for my family, read a great story by an aspiring writer, spent some time taking care of the yard as the cool evening breezes began to set in, and connected with my brother on the phone. All of this because I set aside work for living.
A Gentle Reminder...
One of the commandments that I find myself struggling with the most, is #4 - Remember the Sabbath. As Christians, we are commanded to take a day of rest - why that should be so difficult, I'll never know. But it is for me, and I am willing to bet it may be true for many of you as well. There's always one more thing to do, one more task, one more job. But God tells us to set aside a day for rest - and the commandments aren't just a set of do's and don'ts meant to burden us, but rather the blueprint for how He made us. And if we are willing to truly live them out, they lead to freedom, not restriction.
This article was a gentle reminder to me that endlessly toiling will not provide. For if we have faith, He will provide what we need. That's not to say that we shouldn't work, but that work is not the end goal. And if we took the time to produce quality and not quantity, would this world not be in better shape? If our economic model were built on producing quality goods that lasted, could be repaired and were serviced by people who really cared, would we (as a society) have the same problems we now face?
So let's use this moment in time, this "bad" economy to reshape our priorities....to really put our lives in the proper perspective.....to follow His commands for us and allow ourselves to be free. I'm ready to embrace this opportunity and walk in faith - will you come with me?
Take a Deep Breath...
When I first read this, it really struck me. One of the constant struggles in my life, is to balance work and living. And in this technology ridden culture, it is all too easy to fall into the work trap. Just check the email one last time....just get out one more memo....just do one more thing...
Monday, I came home from work (a day at the main office) and set down my Blackberry and computer - didn't pick them up the rest of the night. I made an awesome (if I do say so myself) steak dinner for my family, read a great story by an aspiring writer, spent some time taking care of the yard as the cool evening breezes began to set in, and connected with my brother on the phone. All of this because I set aside work for living.
A Gentle Reminder...
One of the commandments that I find myself struggling with the most, is #4 - Remember the Sabbath. As Christians, we are commanded to take a day of rest - why that should be so difficult, I'll never know. But it is for me, and I am willing to bet it may be true for many of you as well. There's always one more thing to do, one more task, one more job. But God tells us to set aside a day for rest - and the commandments aren't just a set of do's and don'ts meant to burden us, but rather the blueprint for how He made us. And if we are willing to truly live them out, they lead to freedom, not restriction.
This article was a gentle reminder to me that endlessly toiling will not provide. For if we have faith, He will provide what we need. That's not to say that we shouldn't work, but that work is not the end goal. And if we took the time to produce quality and not quantity, would this world not be in better shape? If our economic model were built on producing quality goods that lasted, could be repaired and were serviced by people who really cared, would we (as a society) have the same problems we now face?
So let's use this moment in time, this "bad" economy to reshape our priorities....to really put our lives in the proper perspective.....to follow His commands for us and allow ourselves to be free. I'm ready to embrace this opportunity and walk in faith - will you come with me?
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