Yesterday was my birthday so my first year of learning to tread more lightly on the earth is over. It's been a great year and one of tremendous growth and learning. When I began this journey I had no idea how much it would change my life. I now make my own laundry soap, let the sun dry my clothes, use much less electricity, compost like crazy, try to grow some vegetables, capture rain water in a barrel, recycle EVERYTHING and recently I was asked if I was the "chicken lady." Who knew? I'm involved more in my local government trying to change environmental (and chicken) policies and I've met a wonderful new group of people that also want to make a difference for the earth and teach their children that less can be more. A little romantic? Maybe. Extra work around the house? You bet. Do I feel more grounded and connected to the processes that make up daily life as a human being? Absolutely. Will I keep it up? Always!
So what's new for this year? Food. Food has been the one thing that I have never been able to conquer. I am a stress eater and always have been. Food is love and comfort. I eat when I'm happy and when I'm stressed...it sucks. This year I plan to change my eating habits in ways that are also gentler on the earth...some of which I've started already. To help me on my way, I'm taking a class at the Indian Creek Nature Center called "What's Eating America?" It's a discussion course by the Northwest Earth Institute that considers the effects of modern industrial eating habits on culture, society, and ecological systems. The insert says: "Given the array of food choices and advice, eating in modern industrial society can be wrought with confusion, contradictions, and anxiety." Anxiety - now there's something I can identify with. Augh!
Comments