Earth Day is technically April 22nd every year. I just read on the website http://ww2.earthday.net/ that it "is the largest secular holiday in the world, now celebrated by more than one billion people." Pretty impressive! I think Earth Day has really evolved to Earth month, though. Adjusting it from one single day to the month allows for various dates and events to be planned. So great!

Here's my daughter learning about composting from Bianca Howard with the City of Raleigh SWS. Bianca is AWESOME, in case you have a question or need a speaker for an event. She's a Gator, too!

If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I'm a hard-core environmentalist. "Hard-core" is subjective, as you know. My version of "hard-core" is probably light years behind the general perception. I just think we should all REALLY TRY to be good stewards of our earth. I have two kids to lug around. Therefore, riding a bike from N. Raleigh to Brier Creek (daycare) really isn't going to work for a number of reasons. However, once my kids are a little older and can stay by themselves or walk independently without huge amounts of direction, we are definitely going to be hiking up to the grocery store with a goofy rolly cart for groceries. Great exercise. Also, distance is like money in a way. If you speed around all day in a car, you have this strange perception that getting someplace takes no time--unless you are on foot or bike (the reality). Money is similar in that a kid has to learn that a dime buys practically nothing (though it is shiny and fun to hold) compared to a $5 bill that might buy a little something. In their eyes, for a very long time, the two pieces of currency mean the same until we explain the difference.

Anyway, here's my challenge for today:

Name three (3) things you/your family can do to be good stewards of the earth. It would be great to see some different things up here versus the sos (same old stuff).

My three:

1. Read Amy Dacyczyn (spell that three times!)'s "Tightwad Gazette" books. I thought my dad was frugal. She puts him to shame. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/102-0475386-1459357?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Amy%20Dacyczyn

2. If you can't use plastic storage containers and then wash them in the dishwasher...use and wash your plastic storage bags. This works unless you store meat. If you store meat in a plastic bag, the fat lady has sung and it's over. I dry mine on the baby bottle rack.

3. Encourage everyone you know (since you already do this!) to buy water and energy efficient appliances. Be a little pushy! They'll make fun of you, but do you really care what they think as long as they are buying the right appliances???

One pet peeve while we are on the subject: I really hate leaf blowers. Get off your buns and go rake leaves the old fashioned way. It's QUIETER (neighbors will like you much better) and it's good exercise. Neighbors come over and chit-chat so you get nice breaks... It's all good!!