Habit Breaker Check In

It's been a few months. It's a good time to check in and see what habits you're been able to adopt this month, what new information you've learned, and what you're struggling with. Habits are hard to break. So it's really important to pat yourself on the back for any little improvement. Not only is it reinforcement, it begins the domino effect of doing more and making it feel more convenient/easy to do so.

My report card:
I've ramped up my reusable bag usage. I'm great at grocery, pharmacy and farmer's market. For some reason, I still forget when I go clothes and shoes shopping. I'm working on that.

I'm reading labels more, conscious of times my son and I leave the water running, and always have lemons in the house. I've stopped leaving my car idling unnecessarily.

My biggest struggle has been standby power. I plug things out. I plug it in to use it. The next time I go to use it, I realize it's still plugged in. I'm not sure why it's a battle for me to remember this, but at least I'm conscious of it.

So some good, some weak areas, but I'm proud of a lot of new consciousness and new information. Being informed makes me feel good and able to change. I hope you're feeling the same way.

Aggressive Driving = Aggressive Fuel Use

Why's everyone looking at me when I post this? I know, I know, I'm the worst offender here. Yes, I know moderate driving can save me an average of 31% on my fuel consumption (and possibly up to 37%)--at least, I know that now.

I'm taking my pedal off the metal. I promise. Will you?

Take a Breath . . .quotes

Nathaniel Emmons: 
Habit is either the best of servants or the worst of masters.

Still Hitting the bottle?

I know I've been harping on water bottles lately, but maybe this will this help you switch to a recyclable water bottle: Bottled water costs between $1 and $4 per gallon, and 90 percent of the cost is in the bottle, lid and label.*

*from Earth911.com

Nuke it!

I know a few people who don't have a microwave. I am not one of those people. I use mine regularly--reheating leftovers, making popcorn, steaming frozen vegetables, etc. But of course there are certain things that I'm happy to take the longer route of firing up the conventional oven for like pizza. Pizza is just not worth it's weight in dough when heated in a microwave.

For years my microwave been my secret kitchen assistant that I guiltily yet constantly used, but now, I'm feeling green and like gloating! The truth is, microwaves are up to 75% more energy efficient than baking in the oven! Who knew the microwave was such a good alternative. Who knew all those years I thought I was being lazy I was actually really thinking of the environment. . .

Sent From Your Electronic Heart

There will be a few people/entities that won't agree with me on this one, but I'll still suggest that for the next birthday or event, how about sending and e-card instead of a paper one? I'm talking saving paper, fuel, and the inevitable trash when it gets thrown out two weeks later!

I know the post office will disagree. Hallmark will protest. And my friend in Florida will roll her eyes at because she thinks e-cards are crass. But I don't think any of the sentimentality in the thought is lost if it appears on your screen versus in your mailbox. What else matters? I mean, when was the last time you had the pleasure of opening a card and finding good old cash in it anyway? See? It may as well be electronic! And by the way, those plastic gift cards? They can be sent from the e-heart too . . .

Cruise Into Savings

Speaking of cars . . . You know that set of buttons around your steering wheel you almost never use? Well, you’ve already bought them, so it's time to make them earn their cost. By using cruise control when possible, you can save an average of 7% and potentially up to 14% of the fuel during a trip.

Apparently, cruise control not only eliminates the frequent speeding up and slowing down we do when our foot's on the pedal, but we're less inclined to weave and make unnecessary moves when in cruise mode (guilty as charged!); however, this benefit is only on flat roads and not in mountainous ones where the mechanisms will overwork trying to maintain your set speed.

So the car is driving itself and saving you money -- sounds like a good deal to me.

Take a Breath . . .

Don't be deterred! You can make a change . . . 

"Bad habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of."

-unknown

Hot Enough For You?

Here's an easy energy saver that I hadn't even thought about: ovens only need about five minutes to heat to the temperature you've set. This is the point where I confess I've never paid attention to how long I've left my oven preheating, but I'm sure it's gone even as long as 20 minutes while I got just one more thing done around the house . . .

Now I'm sure many of you have fancy newer ovens that let you know when the oven is ready. That's great if you actually pay attention to it. And for the rest of us, here's what I do now: I always set the timer when I put things in the oven. Now I also use the timer for preheating. Easy enough for me. Easy enough for you.