Going green in the suburbs

So with this new blog I have thought about how I can change my attitude by changing my life. The best way to start is by changing some of my bad habits, at least the ones that effect the environment. This is going to be a big challenge for me.

First: I hate cooking. So this leads to me eating a lot of fast food which is bad for 3 reasons: 1a: Gets really expensive, 1b: Is usually very unhealthy, and 1c: Produces and uses a lot of trash (i.e. plastic utensils and the containers that the food comes in). To alter this habit I really have to get over my hatred of cooking. I really don't know where it came from because my mother is a great cook and she enjoys cooking (at least I think she enjoys it). I already ask for no bags when I do fast food and I have tried to start carrying around a fork that I clean and reuse (yes I know it's strange to carry forks around in your purse).

Second: This is going to be tough too. I need to start using public transportation. The problem in the suburbs is that there isn't a lot of options out here. There is the train but you still have to drive to get to it. There are a couple of buses but again not many. There is bicycling but what happens when the weather is bad. I know these are all excuses (you will learn that I am very good at making up excuses). I would really like to get a hybrid or a scooter to use to run errands that way I can at least begin to cut back on driving a gas guzzling machine. I just don't have the money right now to purchase a different mode of transportation. This is also a good place to plug a movie called "Fuel" which teaches people about alternatives to gas power. It will be in theaters nation wide this fall.

Third: We live in a very disposable culture which produces a lot of waste. This issue I have already started dealing with a little bit but I will explain this in a later blog. I do bring my own bags everywhere, not just for groceries, and I try to encourage everyone to do this also.

I think this will be a good start since I am starting with 2 of the hardest first. I will keep everyone updated on my progress and please share your ideas and tips on how to become "greener."