- consider a sponge bath
- use the water from your sponge bath to wash your underwear and socks
- use only as much water as you need to cook (this will also save on the fuel needed to heat the water)
- consider flushing the toilet less
- keep a bowl of water in the sink to rinse your hands while you're prepping instead of running the tap every time
- consider using the water from your dehumidifier to water plants
- use the water from washing veggies to water plants or wash dishes
- consider a tankless water heater (hot water on demand means you don't have to run so much water)
Friday, February 26, 2010
Water saving tips
How to make the most of your water:
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Changing habits and kicking addictions
DH and I talked a little this morning about how much our home life-style has changed in the last two years. I remember how overwhelming the journey seemed. I remember looking up at the mountain that we were to climb. Then I just focused on where we were and the next little step. And with each little step we took, a habit would change. And as habits changed, the journey was not so overwhelming.
Two years ago we still had dairy in the house, shopped at No Frills (we still do, but for different things), ate factory farmed eggs/animal products, used inefficient dryer and washer, lived in a poorly insulated and energy inefficient house, had carpeting through the house, had cable TV, ate potato chips (the flavoured stuff), ate at buffets or all-you-can-eat restaurants albeit maybe once a month or every two months, bought GMO corn, used GMO canola oil, ate GMO soy products... we changed little by little. We still do some of the things we did two years ago but they aren't habits anymore.
None of the things I listed above that we used to do two years ago was bad - until we felt a conviction. Becoming more aware of where things come from and where they're going makes us think and sometimes reprogram our everyday behaviours. For example, I used to eat and buy chips while knowing that it was bad for me and for my children (monkey see monkey do). However, I would still partake in the chip buying and chip eating even though the awareness was in my head. But the awareness grew. I started to analyze it deeper and deeper.
Picture me talking to myself:
"Why do I want to buy chips?"
"Because I want to eat them."
"Why do I want to eat them?"
" Because they are tasty."
"But they are bad for me."
"Just this one bag."
"No, I must not!"
Then my body just propels itself toward the large chip display advertised for $0.99. I pick up a bag, put the bag down, pick up the bag, fight within myself, then pay for the chips. I open the bag up, start eating from it and shake my head in pleasure and defeat at the same time.
I struggled with a chip addiction for several years. For some years, the problem seemed to be under control. The less I thought about it, and the less I ate it, the less I wanted it. BUT, the more I ate it, the more I wanted it. How did I finally kick this addiction?
It was last summer about the same time what I wrote the posting on hidden MSG, that I said "no" to the chip addiction. It was not easy, but through the experiences and past failed attempts to quit (see, I had been practicing) I was equipped with the right frame of mind.
Every time I used to finish a bag of chips, the bag would be left for me to throw away in the residual waste basket. And I would feel horrible that I was sending a chip bag to landfill. So, every time I wanted a bag of chips, I would remind myself that I would be left with a bag for landfill if I did get the chips. Also, I reminded myself of the MSG (and my headaches). I reminded myself of the good example I wanted to set for my children. So the first few days passed. Then the first few weeks. Then months... then I allowed to eat some chips again in social situations, but I haven't allowed myself to be controlled by them, to buy them against my will. Moderate is only possible when there's no addiction.
Habits are not easy to change. And good habits don't really need to be changed. But, habits that impact us negatively can be changed as long as we are aware of their impact on us, on the environment and on our children. Habits are not easy to transform, but I believe the mind can reprogram the brain. Then little by little, the mountain is not that hard to climb. Just focus on the next little step.
Two years ago we still had dairy in the house, shopped at No Frills (we still do, but for different things), ate factory farmed eggs/animal products, used inefficient dryer and washer, lived in a poorly insulated and energy inefficient house, had carpeting through the house, had cable TV, ate potato chips (the flavoured stuff), ate at buffets or all-you-can-eat restaurants albeit maybe once a month or every two months, bought GMO corn, used GMO canola oil, ate GMO soy products... we changed little by little. We still do some of the things we did two years ago but they aren't habits anymore.
None of the things I listed above that we used to do two years ago was bad - until we felt a conviction. Becoming more aware of where things come from and where they're going makes us think and sometimes reprogram our everyday behaviours. For example, I used to eat and buy chips while knowing that it was bad for me and for my children (monkey see monkey do). However, I would still partake in the chip buying and chip eating even though the awareness was in my head. But the awareness grew. I started to analyze it deeper and deeper.
Picture me talking to myself:
"Why do I want to buy chips?"
"Because I want to eat them."
"Why do I want to eat them?"
" Because they are tasty."
"But they are bad for me."
"Just this one bag."
"No, I must not!"
Then my body just propels itself toward the large chip display advertised for $0.99. I pick up a bag, put the bag down, pick up the bag, fight within myself, then pay for the chips. I open the bag up, start eating from it and shake my head in pleasure and defeat at the same time.
I struggled with a chip addiction for several years. For some years, the problem seemed to be under control. The less I thought about it, and the less I ate it, the less I wanted it. BUT, the more I ate it, the more I wanted it. How did I finally kick this addiction?
It was last summer about the same time what I wrote the posting on hidden MSG, that I said "no" to the chip addiction. It was not easy, but through the experiences and past failed attempts to quit (see, I had been practicing) I was equipped with the right frame of mind.
Every time I used to finish a bag of chips, the bag would be left for me to throw away in the residual waste basket. And I would feel horrible that I was sending a chip bag to landfill. So, every time I wanted a bag of chips, I would remind myself that I would be left with a bag for landfill if I did get the chips. Also, I reminded myself of the MSG (and my headaches). I reminded myself of the good example I wanted to set for my children. So the first few days passed. Then the first few weeks. Then months... then I allowed to eat some chips again in social situations, but I haven't allowed myself to be controlled by them, to buy them against my will. Moderate is only possible when there's no addiction.
Habits are not easy to change. And good habits don't really need to be changed. But, habits that impact us negatively can be changed as long as we are aware of their impact on us, on the environment and on our children. Habits are not easy to transform, but I believe the mind can reprogram the brain. Then little by little, the mountain is not that hard to climb. Just focus on the next little step.
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