In our four-family household, second only to our house payment expense is the cost of our food, including meals out. Outside dining represents about 15%-20% of our monthly food expenditures. In doing some research, I found that our household falls into the minority for how the average American home spends its food dollars.

Most people assume that it will require a lot of extra money to eat an organic, whole foods diet. In addition to costing more, many assume it will be more difficult (i.e., less convenient) to eat in a healthier way. Through my own experience, I’ve learned it’s not only easy to eat an organic, whole foods, healthy diet, but it’s also possible to do it on a budget.

One area to take a look at is where your food dollars have been going thus far. If you don’t already do so, plan to save your receipts from groceries and eating out for a few weeks. This will give you the necessary data to help you begin making plans for the future of your food expenditures. First, it will allow you to see what your buying patterns have been up to now. For instance, are you one of the less than 30% of Americans who tends to buy fresh food to cook and eat at home—with an occasional meal out—or do you fall into the majority who are spending nearly half of their food dollars on restaurants and fast food? There’s even a small percentage of our population who spend more than a third of their food budget on alcohol!

Once you know where you stand, you can begin to make your food dollars stretch further, which will include what you buy, how you eat, and what you drink. As you consider strategies to incorporate, remember that you don’t have to do everything all at once. The goal is to create permanent lifestyle changes. You’re more likely to stick to those lifestyle changes if you’ve had a chance to adopt and incorporate them a little at a time and then get comfortable with those changes before adding more. There are really three paths to follow: develop a food-efficient diet, keep a food-efficient kitchen, and spend your food dollars as wisely as possible. Hopefully, you’ll find that not only are these changes enjoyable and good for your wallet, but they can also maximize the flavor and nutrition of the food you’re eating.

There are five main principles to follow which will help you develop a food-efficient diet. In the weeks to come, I’ll elaborate on those principles as well as all three paths to follow. I intend to provide tips and strategies so you can s-t-r-e-t-c-h your food dollars while enriching your diet.

In the meantime, this might be a good week to take a look at your past spending. Remember to separate food at home from outside dining. Be sure to also include those little extras, such as drive-through coffee or stops for an after-school ice cream or smoothie.

Good luck!

Saturday, March 26th at 8:30 PM local time is Earth Hour. Sixty minutes of lights out circling the globe. A worldwide collective display of commitment to protect the one thing that unites us all–the planet!

The following comes from earthhour.org. “Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries/territories participating. Global landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, CN Tower in Toronto, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.

Earth Hour is organized by WWF. With almost 5 million supporters and a global network in over 100 countries/territories, it’s one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth’s natural environment and build a future where people live in harmony with nature.”

Will you join in this worldwide celebration this year? Here are some ideas for participating: A candlelit evening (this year our 28th wedding anniversary falls on Earth Hour so now we have two reasons for a romantic candlelit evening). A time to share spooky stories in the dark. Maybe a time to go outside and share a community bonfire. How might you enjoy the evening and join the world in sharing our oneness?

And then at 9:30 PM and beyond, how might you continue to help the Earth? One action we’ve taken in our family is to keep outside lights off unless we’re expecting guests. We also make sure appliances not in use are unplugged. This year, I plan to use only my electric tea kettle to heat water. The water warms up quicker and less energy is expended than when we heat water on the stove. What might you change in your daily life that will benefit the planet? Share your ideas here and at WWF.

Every small action counts. And our actions do add up. By working together we can create a better future.

My friend, Sue Scudder, author of “The Voice Across the Veil,” sent this video out today. Please take a few minutes to watch it. Namaste.

Tuesday, March 8th, was the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. During Women’s History Month, we continue to celebrate and acknowledge women–past, present, and future–and our power to make a difference in our world. One way we have the opportunity to have an impact is as conscious consumers. Did you know that more than 80% of what is purchased in the U.S. is done by women and the remaining 20% is also influenced by us? We have the power to effect where our dollars are spent and what we support.

Here are two ways we women can make a difference and/or influence others in our lives:

1. Protest products.

Sharon Cummings stated in a recent care2.com article, “The duty of deciding what goes down in the kitchen is often times held by women in our families; therefore, women have the opportunity to choose healthy foods and make conscious dietary decisions. Although many markets deliberately overwhelm you with tempting choices, the products you bring home to your house deserve more reflection than their convenience factor, and even what their label reads. Pay attention to where your food is coming from–the process that it took to get to your grocery store, the factory that likely produced it, the animals that may have been harmed in making it, the company’s values, the environmental footprint it leaves in its wake.

Although we have immense choice in our food products, we should focus on buying foods that are karmically clean, choosing local and organic products and produce, and steering away from meat and dairy when possible. As you educate yourself to make the best decision for the health of your family and the planet, do not be afraid to protest products and encourage your friends to do so too. Many successful boycotts and protests are driven by women; such as the original environmentalista, Rachel Carson’s call to action in Silent Spring; or, more recently, Stacy Malkan leading the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. It is up to us to make the most educated decisions that feed our families and nurture our homes and our bodies.

2. Support Local.

Small farms have been dwindling and more are joining those ranks each day. We have the power to turn the tides by supporting local farms and helping them thrive once again. It’s a win-win for everyone since we consumers benefit from eating freshly picked, local produce filled with all the original vitamins and nutrients that otherwise get lost in the process of early picking and lengthy transporting around our nation or even internationally. This cuts down on gas emissions, especially food that is transported by air, which releases tons of global warming emissions. Whenever possible, eat fresh fruits and vegetables when they are in season in your area or region and support sustainable agriculture.

What is sustainable agriculture? The University of California’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program states: “Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals–-environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity.” For local farmers and growers, this means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations, along with responsible stewardship of natural and human resources.

One source for locating local farmers and growers, community supported agriculture (CSA) programs or local farmers’ markets is Local Harvest. Through this website, you can identify growers and local farmers’ markets in your area. March is a great time to contact local farms or CSAs as they are preparing for the upcoming planting season. Many offer the opportunity to buy in, which provides you with food throughout the upcoming spring/summer/fall season while providing them with “seed money” to plant their crops.

TIME Magazine named collaborative consumption one of the top 10 green stories of 2010, calling it “one of the most heartening environmental trends.” This video gives you a quick overview of exactly what collaborative consumption is:

WHAT’S MINE IS YOURS from rachel botsman on Vimeo.

The days of knocking on your neighbor’s door to borrow a cup of sugar may be mostly a thing of the past, but that doesn’t mean sharing needs to be out of style. With our modern world and modern technology, borrowing and sharing is taking on a high-tech twist and if you’re not yet using any of these resources, now is a great time to get involved.

Websites that connect people who are interested in sharing, borrowing, trading, and bartering their stuff instead of buying new are on the rise. Collaborative consumption is driven by a few factors: cost (it’s generally cheaper to rent than buy), connecting (sharing is a social activity), and, of course, the environment. If you only need to paint your house every ten years, why waste the earth’s resources (not to mention your own) on a new paint sprayer? Many of us dream of second homes, but is it really necessary to build one? Why not make use of the homes that others already own to take that much-needed time away? By doing so, we’re using and enjoying what already exists rather than creating MORE and we’re helping to support the maintenance of a home that may just be sitting there.

Airbnb: Are you looking for somewhere to stay? Accommodations in more than 8,200 cities in 168 countries are represented at Airbnb, which connects travelers who need a place to crash with residents who have space to offer. Houses and apartments make up the bulk of the selection, but more unusual offerings like yurts and treehouses can also be found.

B-cycle: Bikes are a great (and green) way to get from one place to another, but they can also be inconvenient–what if you only need two wheels for one leg of your journey? B-cycle offers a solution, setting up stations where members can pick up and drop off a bike. The service is currently in Chicago, Denver, Des Moines, Louisville, and San Antonio.

Chegg: Most college students are shocked that first semester when the textbook bill comes in. Instead of having to spend hefty sums of money on those extra-heavy books, Chegg allows students to rent their textbooks and even plants a tree every time a book is checked out.

SnapGoods: Need a tent for a camping trip? A set of tools for a home improvement project? A Kindle to see if reading on a tablet really is as good as picking up a book? If you want to try something out, someone near you probably has it–SnapGoods plays matchmaker for the two of you.

SwapBabyGoods.com: Babies are expensive. They also grow fast. An outfit may only get one wear, toys may be outgrown after a short time, and sometimes well-meaning family and friends load you up on something you already have plenty of. One parent’s trash is another parent’s treasure–see what you can swap at this niche site.

VRBO: This is another great site for sharing the wealth! People who own or manage rental properties share their properties in many places around the world. Over 150,000 homes are listed on this site in more than 100 countries worldwide.

These are just a few of the growing number of online resources out there. Start browsing the web and become a collaborative consumer! It’s a win-win for everyone including Mother Earth!

For more information on collaborative consumption, read “What’s Mine Is Yours: The Rise of Collaborative Consumption,” by Rachel Botsman and Roo Rogers.

Today I needed inspiration to stay my course, to be a beacon of light in the darkness of uncertainty, and to be reminded that every one of us does make a difference. I’m sharing these quotes because I imagine you may need a little bit of encouragement on your own journey. Have a blessed day! In love and light…

LOOKING TO NATURE FOR GUIDANCE:

We can learn whatever we need in nature because we are part of nature. Human beings are part of Creation. We live by the same laws as all of nature. Anne Wilson Schaef
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Learn from the birds what food the thickets yield;
Learn from the beasts the physic of the field;
The arts of building from the bee receive;
Learn of the mole to plow, the worm to weave. Alexander Pope
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Whenever I have found myself stuck in the ways I relate to things, I return to nature. It is my principal teacher, and I try to open my whole being to what it has to say. Wynn Bullock
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Trust one who has tried it, you will find more in woods than in books; trees and stones will teach you what you can never learn from masters. Saint Bernard de Clairvaux
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One should pay attention to even the smallest crawling creature for these too may have a valuable lesson to teach us. Black Elk
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Look! Look! Look deep into nature and you will understand everything. Albert Einstein
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RESTORING THE EARTH:

The very process of the restoring the land to health is the process through which we become attuned to Nature and, through Nature, with ourselves. Chris Maser, Forest Primeval
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Adopting the bold stance involved in restoration work can catalyze a different kind of transformation. By becoming active partners in regenerating the health of their localities–and, in a less dramatic way, of the Earth as a whole–people start to reverse the soul-numbing patterns of exploiting and abusing the source of so many life-sustaining gifts. They also begin to release the often-repressed, but nonetheless crippling, emotions–guilt and shame, grief and despair, loneliness and powerlessness–associated with going along with the relentless machinery of corporate consumer culture. Elan Shapiro
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I know of no restorative of heart, body, and soul more effective against hopelessness than the restoration of the Earth. Barry Lopez, Helping Nature Heal
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There can be no purpose more enspiriting than to begin the age of restoration, reweaving the wondrous diversity of life that still surrounds us. Edward O. Wilson, The Diversity of Life
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I received an email this week about the continuing rainforest destruction in Indonesia. One of the big contributors to its destruction is the printing of children’s books. To explain the issue and provide ways you can help, I am posting here information from RAN’s website. This information was published in 2010 prior to the holiday season and is still just as relevant.

“Did you know that some of the books you buy could be contributing to Indonesian rainforest destruction?

* Read the full report: Rainforest-Safe Kids’ Books: How do Publishers Stack Up?
* For a list of rainforest-safe books, visit www.ran.org/readinglist.”

Yesterday, the USDA approved Monsanto’s genetically engineered alfalfa seed. It will be planted this spring unless we take action to convince President Obama to stop this. Yesterday, I received two emails from Food & Water Watch urging action–to send a letter and to make a call to President Obama. President Obama is the only one who can stop the widespread planting of Monsanto’s GE alfalfa. Last night, I sent off an electronic letter. This morning I am calling the White House.

As much as I didn’t intend to have my blog become political, I cannot stay silent on issues such as this one–one that has immediate and future detrimental effects for everyone. Please send a letter by going to this link, and follow it up with a phone call to the White House.

Although yesterday’s news is disheartening, we cannot give up. Actions to stop the introduction of genetically engineered crops and food have been stopped before. TODAY, we are ALL needed to act again! If genetically engineered alfalfa is introduced this spring, there are many ramifications, including the risk to the continuation of organically certified dairy because of crop contamination. No matter what steps are taken to keep the GE crops separate (if any actions are taken at all), we have no control over the winds nor the winged creatures who spread seeds and pollination.

Please take a stand with me today for our own health and the health of our children and future generations. We already know there are dangerous effects from GE crops, but we don’t yet know the far-reaching impact. Please take action so that we and our children are not the testing sites for this grand experiment and manipulation of nature!

A few days ago, someone else’s actions got me thinking about how often I act unconsciously as I go about my day-to-day activities.

I watched someone who was visiting us take a tissue, wad it up, step into the bathroom, and flush it down the toilet. I hadn’t seen anyone do that in a very long time! I was horrified to see her do it. Then, I remembered how years ago I used to do the exact same thing! Later, as I thought about it more, I realized how many changes I’ve made in my own life to reduce waste and be more conscious about my own consumerism and “userism,” yet I wondered where I am still acting unconsciously.

As I thought about some of my everyday behaviors, I noted that I’ve made changes in many areas. I no longer flush the toilet unnecessarily or run the water while I brush my teeth. I’ve gotten better at thinking about conserving. I turn off lights when not in a room; I unplug appliances. We rarely put our outside lights on at night–how important is that evening ambiance really, unless you’re expecting guests? I try to combine errands when going out in my car so I’m not making unnecessary trips. I don’t leave the television on when I’m not in the room or keep music playing when no one is listening. There are so many ways that I have changed through the years, and these behaviors have become automatic. They’re now really unconscious–I just do them.

But what about those unconscious behaviors I haven’t yet looked at, like buying products with unnecessary packaging or products manufactured in countries where people are being exploited and/or where manufacturing regulations are non-existent? Or whenever we make a Greek salad with tomatoes and cucumbers in winter? What about my beautiful water fountains that I keep plugged in even when I’m not in the room? Or my laptop that goes into sleep mode but is still plugged in? These are just a few of the ways in which I know I’m using excess energy or creating unnecessary waste.

I also know that sometimes I take “contrary” actions with consciousness. For instance, my daughter needed vampire teeth for her Halloween costume last month. She picked out the ones that looked the most real. At 15 years old, she did comment to me that it was such a waste to buy a pair of teeth that came in such a big package (they were placed in a coffin-shaped plastic container with a black velvety liner), but she really wanted this particular set since they looked so real. So we bought them.

I know I live with ambiguities and contradictions. And I know I make tradeoffs and choices. We still heat our home through a central heating system, but we do make sure our filters are changed at least twice each winter (this year, I’m striving for monthly). We still have lawns in our yard which require watering every summer season (we did just learn the cost of our water will increase by 30% over the next three years so we may be rethinking whether the lawn gets watered at all). We don’t however fertilize our lawns to keep them super green. We do what we can and we strive to do more. Someday we want to eliminate this big lawn we inherited when we bought this house.

We must all celebrate what we are doing and acknowledge the changes we have made. But each day is an opportunity to look at how we can improve and increase our efforts of sustainability and conservation. It’s easy to become complacent, feeling proud of all we are doing in our family to make changes. I know however that complacency is a dangerous bedfellow. So, as we get comfortable with the positive changes we are making and as those changes become automatic or unconscious, then it may be the right time for the next ones.

And with a little pre-planning, some of the unconscious not-so-wonderful habits can become conscious new life-affirming ones. Here are a few ideas:

1. Carry a travel thermos/mug in your car at all times. When you need a latte, chai or plain cup of coffee or tea, carry your own mug into the coffeehouse.
2. Carry food storage containers in your car. Carry one into the restaurant with you to use for your leftovers rather than accepting their styrofoam one.
3. Always have reusable bags in your car and remember to carry them into the store with you. Whether it’s a department store, grocery store, craft store, dollar store, or even the library, you can BYOB.
4. When hosting a holiday gathering (we are entering the season of parties and events), think about what kinds of plates, cups and napkins you’re using. Can you use reusable items or at least post-consumer and/or recyclable ones?

How might you act more consciously “green” as you go about your day-to-day life?

I received an email today from the Non-GMO Project. I’m sharing this with you because GMOs are a growing concern in the United States. As stated in the email which follows, “The Grocery Manufacturers Association estimates that GMOs currently are in approximately 80% of conventional processed foods in the United States, but they are not labeled. This is in sharp contrast to most other developed nations around the world, where there are significant restrictions or outright bans on GMOs because they’re not considered proven safe.” Please read on to learn more about GMOs, the Non-GMO Project, and Non-GMO Month.

As Concerns about Food Safety and GMOs Intensify, Retailers Launch First National Non-GMO Month

Click here to download a PDF of this press release, including Non-GMO Month graphics.

Go to this link to find out which retailers are participating in Non-GMO Month. There will also be a special Non-GMO Day on 10-10-10. When you go to the Non-GMO Project website you can learn more about this. I will be posting more on my blog as we get closer.