By trying to make the best green decisions I can.  I am always thinking what is the best way to fo this greener or healthier.  By having it be part of who I am, is how I live the change.

Although I know that there is a lot I have to improve in I think I'm living the change. Living the change is not about being the most organic, or the hybrid owner. It's about being an environmentally conscious member of society that doesn't get discouraged to pick up that piece of trash no matter how small of an effect that will have on the environment, someone that recycles regardless if no one else in the neighborhood does. Like you said chris, small steps. :)

 

I try to use my car less often, boycotted certain products that I can afford to cut back on, switched to compact fluorescent lightbulbs, eating healthier and more organically. I have basically tried to apply all of the following greener habits listed in lime's blog Top 10 ways to be green

 

But most importantly, I think, the intention and those small steps are what living the change is all about. :-)

I come from a culture of respect/reuse/recycle.  My grandparents immigrated from Sweden in the late 1800's.  I was raised with flour-sack hand towels, rag rugs and hand-me-downs.  (All, of which, I still use today.)

There's been outside infuences over the years causing me to reject the culture of old; I've been guilty of succumbing to some of those accepted beliefs. 

No longer... I've re-embraced the new 'modern' movement to respect/reuse/recycle; my grandparents would be proud.

I've done the CFL's, unplugged, sealed up and am recycling everything I can.  My friends can see - 'show by example'. 

Eating organically - being the best person I can and living the change. 

 

Lime.com is helping me and educating me so I can be best I can be. 

 

 

 

   

 

I am so much more conscientious now that I am a member of Lime. I turn out lights, (actually I don't turn them on unless it is really too dark to see) I run the water less, I recycle as much a possible (I even started bringing home my yogurt cups and trash since we don't have a recycle bin at work), and I use less plastic. I have been conserving gasoline for a good year now because of gas prices but now it's more to save fossil fuels, I don't make unnecessary trips, I set the cruise control on 65 mph, and I don't gun it from a dead stop.

I want to help out as much as possible. And I think by being aware of my impact on the Earth I am "Living the Change." Now if I could only get my husband to get on board with all this green living!

I reuse/recycle the most I can.

I buy less platic bottled drinks: a cool trick: choose a strong medium size bottle, put  2 Caffeine free Mandarin Green Tea (From Ce;estial Seasonings Tea (   http://www.celestialseasonings.com/index.html   ). You can buy those teas im most suprmarkets. And you have a "green" cool drink always at bay.

 

I turn the lights off and stand by lights off whenever I can. I do a few things in 1 trip with a car instead of a few trips.  

I use e cards and e mail often and use recycled envelops when I do write.

 

I am careful with water too (more showers, less baths)

 

I shop in Thrifts Shops too (kinda recycling, huh?)

 

I shop with "as new" items on Amazon.com (kinda recycling again!) 

 

it is a can do!

 

Pascal Gillon, BASc

Founder

infogatherer.com 

 

 

I too have a husband who is reluctant to make the change.  I keep nagging and will until he takes me seriously.  He understands the need, but is just lazy when it comes to readjusting his priorites.  Lets keep working on them.  At least he takes the bins out on recycling day.

I was living the way most people live in America. Home-Work-Home with all the appropriate headings and list of priorities under each. I honestly do not know how I started the change all I I know is that living the way I was living was killing me. Over weight and over medicated. I was disposing more of my income that I was keeping. I started the change slowly.

I did my homework, searched the internet, ask people at Whole Food and other places, and watched a lot of Lime TV. I read books and rented DVD’s on many different subjects. I started slowly and I am still working my way up and around. I have discovered that you have to not only change your life style but, change you "mind set" as well. We sometimes change our life style to handled different things in our lives. Sometimes it what is in vouge or the latest trends. I have discovered that if I change my "mind set" the life style will follow. To live the change is make a change. I am still making changes, I am not always successful as I want to be, but I know all things are always a work in progress. Peace

I like your thinking on changing your mind set.  I know that so many people, myself included, do things becuase they are trendy or we ought to be doing it.  But having a mind set and doing things to fit into that philosophy sounds like the better way to go.  You definitely got me thinking.  thanks!!!

I live the change by spreading the word on making our world a better place.  I promote peace, acts of kindness, ceasing global warming, and making our environment better.

 

I also sell Shaklee products.  Shaklee is a company that promotes a better environment.  I love selling products that I support.  The company is amazing with awesome incentives and they give their employees so much!  I have a job that I truly love. 

Great words from "What About Bob"... baby steps. I started recycling and eating organic when I can. I laughed at myself when I started shoving plastic and glass bottles I had bought in my (thankfully large) purse to put in the recycling bin when I got home. I turn the lights off and try to use cold water whenever I can. I unplug everything when I'm not using it, and take the bus when it's more practical than having the boyfriend drive me somewhere (and have to drive back home). I also reuse plastic bottles when I can (mostly to take to the gym, or with me to class). I try to spread the word and I'm starting to gain progress on my rather stubborn boyfriend to hop on the boat. He does admit that organic steaks taste much better (duh!). It's a start! 

My husband is still "green" behind the ears so to speak as well.  He is very slow in coming around and about the most he does is take out the bins.  But slowly he is putting the things "in" the bins so that is a start.  My kids are learning and that is one of the most important things I am doing.

My motivation for going green is my daughter, my health and the world I live in. Over the past 3 years I have incorporated the following:
- Eating Organic
- Buy local produce from Farmers Market
- Drive ultra low emmsion vehicale
- using organic skin care and cosmetics
- Bought green energy for my house
- Motto " reduce, reuse and recylce
- Reuse Canvas bags at grocery store
- Bring a bag with me when I shop or ask for no bag please if the item is small.
- CFL bulbs in my house
- Solor outdoor lighting
- Energy star appliances
- Own a Rain Barrell
- Planted an herb and native plant garden
- Compost
- Plant a tree when your child is born - We are planting a Paulownia tree - look it up it has amazing eco benefits too.
 - GoZero everytime I buy online ( plant a tree to off set the carbon from shipping)
- Give green gifts for Birthdays and Anniversary's
- Own a Organic Sustainable business: www.SunshineOrganics.net
- Wash Cloths in Cold water and only if I can do a full load.
- Email Holiday cards
- Online Banking and Bill pay
- Buy Organic bath and bedding, and clothing when possible
- Recycle - Recycle - Recyle
- Encourage people and companies to get greener and give them alternatives
- Use Non Toxic, Biodegradeable cleaners 
I am sure there is more.  But that is what we do!

You are doing an admirable job.  I espcially like the one about sending emails for birthdays.  I stopped giving my children and husband cards, not only are they not green, but very expensive.  I would rather put my money somewhere else that benefits the planet.

for the sake of saving time typing it all out I have duplicated much of your list since mine is very similar.

My motivation for children and way of life I have over the last 20+ years been:
- Eating Organic when possible - definately dairy in the last 4 years.
- Buy local produce from Farmers Market & the local crop share
- using organic skin care and bath products

- use Chiropractics when possible - no meds = no   manufacturing/waste

-used cloth diapers/wipes/nursing gear, make baby foods, stay at home mom preparing the meals, hang all my laundry.
-  " reduce, reuse and recylce
- Reuse Canvas bags at grocery store or paper only.  We use washable/ multipurpose bags for home shopping and school.
- CFL bulbs in my house
- Solor outdoor lighting
- Energy star appliances
- Own a Rain Barrell
- Planted an herb and native plant garden
- Compost
- Gift many tree seedlings away per year in addition to our plantings
-buy as little in store or online as possible -- make at home.
- Give green gifts for Birthdays and Anniversary's
- Own a EcoFriendly, Wastefree, Organic line Business for mom, baby and family: www.eapoos.com and a store at www.yinia.com since 2002!  I have a shop and office space at home and eliminate my commute. :)
- Wash Clothes in Cold water when possible and only if I can do a full load.

- I make my own laundry soap and cleaners, buying from product from a homesteader.
- Buy Organic clothing when possible
- Recycle - Recycle - Recyle
- Encourage our teacher and my children to learn and be the next generation of responsible Greenies.
- Use low toxic, low waste impact cleaners from www.ourhouseworks.com

- I take recycled flannel fabrics and sew and prepare & donate them for the local www.wildlifeworks.org facility that saves and rehabs our environmentally displaced and injured wildlife.

-I use my time and talents as an artist and business owner to create product for charity.  Helping those impacted around the world.

I am sure there is more.  But that is what we do!

 

I admire your ability to multi-task and especially your talent for making your own laundry soap.  You put me to shame.  But it's all about what we each can do.  Have you checked out the blog on the home page about having a green birthday party.  It is a real dilemma with kids and she came up with some great ideas.  You may find it fun to read.

http://www.lime.com/blog/belindamom/16101/the_birthday_report 

I have switched to healthy products that I get rewarded for purchasing. I received over $60 in free items on my last order and I benefit from receiving 10% of my cell phone bill back every month in dollars to use for products as well.

If any of you are interested in learning more about all the benefits of being greener, please visit my website:

 

www.freewebs.com/noriskopportunityforyou

Thank you!

Rhonda ^_^

Questing to help myself and others reduce waste, respect our resources, reuse materials and recycle, my fiance and I started a business that can help do just that.  We hope to see a "Green Business" trend in our community grow.

For us, it started with an "Oops our dog ripped my car's front leather seat!" and then the need to repair it.  We did not want to buy new for cost and waste reasons - the chair was fine but now just had a few rips. The kits we tried were too generic, made a mess and were hard to color match. So we researched better, longer lasting, family safe products and developed processes that could efficiently fix it and many other materials as well.   

...and now we share the fruits of our labor with others looking to do save money and reduce waste too!

Ms. Materi-all
Professional Material
Repair & Restoration Services
Serving NY's Hudson Valley Region
www.materi-all.com