Mini-Hiatus!

I think I mentioned in my last post that I'm moving...as it happens, I'm moving on Wednesday! I have TONS of things to do, and as such, I haven't been able to post! Wanted to let you all know to please bear with me until I get myself back together. I have some great things I want to let you know about. A couple of things I'm mulling over (as I pack):

Sulfated vs. Non-sulfated Shampoos

Container Gardens

Composting

Why are 'organic,' 'wild-caught' and 'free-range' important?

I will also be looking into online resources that allow you to simultaneously save energy and money. I found out something really cool about American Electric Power that I can't wait to share!

Thanks for you patience!

The Green Gemini

My Carbon Footprint

So I went to this lovely website: The Nature Conservancy to determine my carbon footprint. In case you don't know, your carbon footprint is the number of tons of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) that you emit into the atmosphere every year. My current carbon footprint is 26, which is below the U.S. National average of 27. While I'm pleased to be below the national average, there are many things I can do to make my footprint even smaller.

Currently, I have my air-conditioning off and only my ceiling fan on. It's cool outside, so I also have my windows open. I won't lie though, it has been a hot summer, and I've had the air on most of it (my electric bill has not made me happy, either). To my credit, I've actually had the thermostat on 84 nearly all summer though, so my air didn't run continuously. I've also been making a more conscious effort to recycle this summer, although not as much as I should be.

There are a few things I need to work on. I don't unplug electronic appliances that I'm not using, which is not good. I also don't compost, which is something I really wish I did.

I'm moving into a new apartment next week, so I'm going use my new place as an opportunity to start fresh and build new habits. I expect great things!

The Green Gemini

Welcome!

I'm proud to announce my new blog, The Green Gemini! I'm on a personal crusade to change my habits in general, and my hope and intention is to be energy-conscious and healthy. I think this is going to be a really interesting process, and I'm looking forward to it. This blog is going to be Going Green and Healthy Eating on a BUDGET! Yes, I have one of those, and I am oh-so-serious about sticking to it!

Here are my personal goals so far:

Reduce my carbon footprint:

I am a case-worker for a living, and I drive A LOT! I would estimate at this point that I drive 300-600 miles a month. I do NOT drive an energy-efficient car, and right now, I can't afford to trade my car in. My immediate goal is to drive only when absolutely necessary (like for work). I've been planning out my driving trips so that I'm using as little gas as possible and it saves time as well. I'm planning to go get my bike now that I have a place to store it.

The second part of reducing my carbon footprint involves the energy use in my home. I'm moving into a larger apartment, and my unit is all-electric. I'm researching ways to use less energy, such as fluorescent light bulbs, which not only save energy but will save me money as well!

Reduce the amount of processed foods I eat:

I have been talking with friends and family about organic vs. non-organic for a while. I happened to watch Oprah a couple weeks ago, and saw her show about the movie Food Inc. While I haven't seen the movie yet, I decided then and there to stop TALKING about eating more healthily but to actually DO IT. I also vowed to start cooking more (I cook a lot already though honestly), and to cut out fast food. The fast food part is going to be a process for me, because it requires a lifestyle change, i.e., preparing food ahead of time, and packing meals either the night before or the morning of. I don't own a microwave, which forces me to actually COOK, using an actual stove. :-) It's amazing how many people don't use their stove that often any more. I am also being smarter about my food choices, and where I shop.

I hope that you enjoy following along with me, and I also hope that I inspire you to make some changes of your own.

The Green Gemini