Top 5 Green Actions

Lately I've been noticing that I am easily distracted. I get my mind set on doing something based on what an "expert in the field" is saying only to turn around and hear another "expert" telling me I need to be doing something else. With all the modes of communication available to me it's easy to be bogged down with excessive information. I feel like they are just throwing bits and pieces of stories at me and hoping something will stick.

This is especially true when it comes to living green. There are about a hundred thousand things everyone could be doing to build a better world but it would be impossible for every person to do each of these things. I've narrowed it down to what I believe are the top five things. These are the actions I personally can see myself continuing to do or working toward doing more often.

1. Buying less stuff

We live in a culture where buying and having more stuff and a bigger place to keep it all is marketed as the fastest way to find happiness. I believe this to be wrong. Work on finding happiness within yourself through relationships, hobbies and activities. Collect only things that you actually need, rather than things that are advertised to make you think you want them.

• 12 Weeks of Wellness is a good place to start your journey to healthiness and happiness.
• Try my 30-Day Self Improvement Challenge.

2. Buying products from socially responsible companies

There are certain things you will probably never stop buying and for each person these special items may be different. Be sure that you are purchasing your favorite items from socially and environmentally responsible companies. Follow the links to my guides below for more information:

• Green is the New Black - clothing
• Earth Angel - sustainable makeup and cosmetics
• Greening Your Home: Part 1 - furniture, flooring, wall treatment, building; Part 2 - decorating; and Part 3 - cleaning
• All that Glitters May Not Be Your Best Friend - wearing sustainable bling
• Cleanliness is Next to Godliness - Hair Care 
• The Perfect Ten - manicures, pedicures and nails
• Sustainable Holidays

And be sure that when you do make purchases you bring your reusable bag.

3. Using alternative forms of transportation

The most significant change an individual could make toward reducing their carbon footprint is to cut down on how much they drive. Trains, buses, bikes, carpool. Avoid spending time in a vehicle occupied only by yourself and your imaginary friend. Read more in Getting Around.

4. Eating less meat and more sustainably grown and harvested food

Meat
Recognize the importance of knowing where your food comes from and what is being used to grow or raise it. Find out more, read Buying Food: The Naked Truth about Local and Organic. Decide for yourself whether fish should be on your menu: 

• Can the Ocean Keep Up with the Hunt? - A summary of the video
• Mission Blue - My review on the documentary

5. Conserving energy and water at home

When it comes to conserving energy and water, small adjustments can have a big impact. Protect the environment by conserving energy and water with these 100+ tips. Additionally, check out The Pros and Cons of Wind Power.

12 Weeks of Wellness: Excite

We've made it, it's the final week of wellness. Congratulate yourself because you just spent the last twelve weeks investing in your health. I'm so proud of you! The last order of business is to focus on your external appearance. Your self-confidence runs deep and, believe it or not, promotes your health. Go forth and project this into the world.

This week excite: update your closet to suit your personal style and make an impression

Click the week for more information for why these are important to your wellness

12 Weeks of Wellness: Practice

The 10th week of wellness is upon us. It's important to remember to have fun in life. If you have a hobby already great keep at it, keep practicing! If you don't, I am giving you permission to give yourself time to relax and do something you enjoy. I will even send signed notes that you can give to your boss. That probably won't do anything but I am willing to do that for you anyway. Just shoot me an email.

PHYSICAL & SOCIAL

• Any team sport
• yoga
• Extreme sports
• Contemporary dance
• Boxing
• Martial arts
• Volunteering
• Traveling
• Bodybuilding

ARTISTIC

• Taking up an instrument
• Pottery
• Photography
• Learning graphic design
• Watercolor painting
• Wood-working
• Sculpting
• Building models

INTELLECTUALLY STIMULATING

• Learning a new language
• Researching a topic
• Blogging
• Playing simulation games
• Creating a comic book
• Writing poetry
• Songwriting
• Completing word games and puzzles
• Becoming a chess master

COLLECTIONS

• Wine
• Shot glasses
• Postcards
• Comic books
• Memorabilia
• LPs
• Sports cards and paraphernalia
• Beanie babies
• Beer bottles
• Antique lighters
• Cigars
• Pulp literature
• License plates
• Decks of cards
• Stamps

This week practice: take up a new hobby

Click the week for more information on each of these topics that are important to your wellness:

12 Weeks of Wellness: Balance

Food companies have us hooked by strategically including choice ingredients in their food: sugar, salt and fat. These three ingredients offer instantaneous bliss that causes us to continue to pursue happiness by overindulging. You really can't eat just one. Be sure to pay attention to the amount of sugar and salt you are consuming to avoid some serious health problems in the present and in the future.

This week balance: limit your overall sugar and salt intake

CLICK THE WEEK FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WHY THESE ARE IMPORTANT TO YOUR WELLNESS

12 Weeks of Wellness: Freshen

We're more than halfway through our 12 weeks of wellness; this week we'll focus on the home and making your space safe, stress-free zone where you can find relaxation and comfort.

To freshen your space in a sustainable way, check out my Greening your Home Posts: Part 1 and Part 2

This week freshen: nest and take care of your space