Itty Bits: Shorter Showers

Posted on February 26th, 2010 by Tonia 5 Comments

It’s not easy being green.” -Kermit the Frog

Most of us don’t live off the grid in the woods.  We have houses that need maintenance…We have jobs that require us to have cars…We have families that have needs and wants.  But, I definitely believe that a “normal” urban life can also be a green life. 

It’s important to remember that low-impact-living is a process, not something that happens over night.  I have found that when I try to make too big of changes, I end up not being able to sustain the new practice and revert back to my old ways.  Our weekly goals/challenges are all about taking small, sustainable steps towards a greener lifestyle.  Please leave us a comment if you have an idea for an Itty Bits Challenge!

Last week our challenge was to time our showers and keep them under five minutes.  How did you do?  It was tough for me, but I’m proud to say I was able to do it.  If there was anyone who needed to take this challenge, it was me {taking hot showers in the winter is just the ticket to get your core heated up, so I tend to stand around in there and lolly-gag.}  I’d like to shorten my time even more.  I think if I do it gradually, I won’t even notice the difference.

Our next challenge is perhaps something many of you are already doing:  Use reusable shopping bags.  Mike and I have about 10 different reusable bagsfor groceries…and yet, embarrassingly, we often forget them and are forced to choose between paper or plastic.  This is a bad habit that I am dying to change…hence, a perfect Itty Bits Challenge!

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Bits of green around the web, with a spring theme:

You Grow Girl teaches how to start your own compost pile (urban friendly!)

Maple syrup season is only two months away!  I can’t wait for the annual harvest at my parents house in northern Wisconsin.  Making maple syrup is a 25-year-long tradition in my family. Give it a try!  Learn how here.

Yep, it’s true, environmental awareness feels like a burden sometimes.  We’re not alone in feeling that way.  The Environment Report discusses common green dilemas in their daily podcast.

If you’re spring-breaking this year, make it an eco-vacation.

Not only are these my favorite kind of dog, but they’re made in my homeland of Peru and your purchase supports fair trade artists in developing countries.

A pot-hole garden.

A mini homemade greenhouse.

A backyard chicken coop.

The best damn minimalist-living blog out there.

A family that’s living the dream.

That’s all for this week!  Happy weekend, and don’t forget your reusable bags when you head to the store!

5 Comments

  1. Tabatha says:

    If you plan your grocery shopping for one day of the week it will be easier to remember to bring your reusable bags

  2. Tonia says:

    Thanks Tabatha, that’s a good plan. Being newly engaged, I am just learning how to shop and cook for two…so a lot of nights after work we look in the ‘fridge and say “Uh oh…better run to the store.” It would be much better to actually plan out meals ahead of time and do one trip to the store to get everything we need for that week. 😉 I might need to do a whole post about this…

  3. Social comments and analytics for this post…

    This post was mentioned on Twitter by IttyBittyImpact: Itty Bits: Find out how we did with our Shorter Showers Challenge: http://bit.ly/94MsTo

  4. Joanna says:

    I have the same regret each time I forget my oh so helpful reusable shopping bags on the hook at home. Since becoming a stay at home momma, I have taken on the shopping and most of the cooking. One thing that is helping me to cut down on multiple trips to the store (= less gas consumption by default), lowering my bill and remember my bags is that I signed up for emealz.com. It’s a site that emails you a full week’s menu for a store or diet of your choosing with all sale items for that week. And it’s real food too- not macaroni and cheese dinners :) p.s. loving itty bitty impact!

  5. […] last Itty Bits Challengewas to NEVER FORGET TO BRING YOUR REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS WITH YOU WHEN YOU GO TO THE STORE!!  I […]

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