This whole project thing is complicated. People keep asking me questions about it and I don't have answers I am happy with. I realize that I could go all crazy with this and we could be living like a new hybrid amish/environmentalist/wacko people, but I'm trying to draw the line in the sand. It's just that the beach is soooooooo big and it's hard to find the proper parameters. I want us to be stretched and challenged, but there still needs to be some fun in it so that we can keep going and finish strong in September. The point is to learn and grow, not wither up and die alone. We want to encourage relationships with friends and family, not have people scared to spend time with us. And for the record, we will still be buying and using toilet paper (recycled, bleach and chlorine free)! Many changes have gradually been being made over the past months, and most of them have gone unnoticed by the boys - for example, I made vegan pancakes last night with apple sauce and hemp milk - they loved them! (it was very chilled at our house last night too...)
The big categories of the project have been defined as: transportation, consumerism/resource usage, and organic eating. Now it's time to sit down and set the basic parameters in each category. I know that there are people out there are doubtful and think we're nuts, and there are even some (mom!) who are a bit mad about this project. But, we will be fine. Thank you for your concerns and we welcome your questions, but we are trying to make a life choice shift and to be proactive in the way we live our lives. There is nothing wrong with breaking from the mold, trying something new and growing a little bit.
Who knew that going without a car and not eating processed/packaged foods would equate with living on the edge??
2 comments:
Wohoo! I'm so excited about this huge challenge you three are taking on. Its inspiring!
Have you heard of the No Impact Man documentary? Here is a video trailer for it and it sounds similar to what you guys are doing. http://www.noimpactdoc.com/index_m.php# I think he also wrote a book. I haven't seen it yet, but the trailer alone inspired me.
Good luck guys, I look forward to reading your updates. Who knows, maybe we'll join you one of these days.
Erin B
The beach is large indeed! Speaking as someone who tends toward the environmental wacko side, I have to say that I didn't get there all at once. I just kept making small changes, and the more changes I made, the easier (and more fun) it became to make even more changes!
The funny thing is that each time I'd start to contemplate a new change, at first it really seemed crazy and over the top. But then once I'd done it I'd invariably look back and think that the "traditional" way was really a heck of a lot crazier! OK... not everything... some things were just too much, but you sort it out as you go.
And try not to worry about people thinking you're nuts. What's REALLY nuts is the status quo!
Yours in Frugal Green-ness,
Rebecca The Greeniac
www.GreeniacDigest.com
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