All together now.....

http://www.missoulian.com/news/local/article_49b3d804-0d65-11df-a475-001cc4c03286.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=green&utm_term=green+friendly&utm_content=green+friendly

What a great concept - green businesses coming together for a common cause - Green! I'm finding that a lot of organizations, businesses and individuals are setting sail on the "green" agenda but seem to be passing each other likes ships in the night.

This Valley has long had a reputation of being a community of self serving individuals but look closely and you will find pockets of change. We seem to be in survivor mode and learning quickly that together we can better manifest change.

Stay tuned for the GoingGreen events calendar - a calendar of ALL the green events throughout the Vegas Valley. You will be able to find like minded individuals and businesses to share your passions and ideas for a better tomorrow.

Healthy You - Healthy Earth

Starting a new fitness routine can be an overwhelming task, it is important to find and make the changes that are right for you and your lifestyle. By being realistic in designing your new routine and setting achievable goals you are more likely to stick with it and feel successful.

Finding your personal sustainability program (what I like to call your Green Scene) is a lot like your personal fitness program, it needs to make sense to you.

A healthier you can lead to a healthier world. Take a look at your workout routine and your diet for opportunities to make simple changes that can improve not only your health but our environment.

1. Cut back on meat (http://www.ajcn.org/) consumption and eat more veggies! (http://www.mypyramid.gov/)

2. Use reusable bottles (http://mysigg.com/) for water.

3. Choose Eco Friendly workout facilities. (Studio222 Personal Training centers http://www.studio222lasvegas.com and Molasky – Active 24Hour Fitness http://www.24hourfitness.com/FindClubDetailGeneric.do?clubid=00914)

4. Take your workout outside, go for a hike, bike ride or walk through your neighborhood.

5. Be mindful of purchasing environmental workout clothing (http://www.greenyour.com/body/fitness-health/exercise/tips/buy-eco-friendly-workout-clothes), shoes and equipment (www.REI.com).

And most importantly:

6. Reduce – Reuse – Recycle http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/rrr/index.htm at any stage of your workout routine.

By reusing or recycling the items you do have and no longer want you are dramatically reducing the amount of waste going into our local landfills.

John Grant Discusses Green Marketing

John Grant Discusses Green Marketing

Refreshing to lead with innovation and not with a green stick! I'm really on the fence about WalMart and their green plan - seems to me they are missing a big opportunity to educate their customers. I'm going over to WalMart this afternoon to ask random employees what they know about the "Green Transparency"...stay tuned!

Admittedly I have a green crush on John Grant.

To plastic bag it is human - to not plastic bag it is divine!

Happy New Year! I've been collecting new year's resolutions from friends and co-workers...a lot of changes coming in 2010:

"No more cheese." "Drink more water." "Only drinking on the weekends." "Call my friends and family more often."

But I haven't heard many "environmental" resolutions.

My boyfriend was trying to cut back on his plastic bottle consumption back in 2009 and bought a water filter but when I tried to talk to him about cutting back on plastic bag consumption in 2010 I got quite an argument in response.

Plastic bag use is a very personal matter and for some, a touchy subject. It's like talking to someone about their smoking habit or level of alcohol consumption. Yes, they are aware of the damage plastic bags are causing to the environment but... Yes, they know that they should bring a reusable bag but...

Clearly, using a plastic bag when shopping is a habitual convenience and just like all other habits it will take a 30 day commitment to change.

It has been on the forefront of the green movement for years and yet, surprisingly it is still there. Each year, Americans throw away some 100 billion polyethylene plastic bags. (Only 0.6 percent of plastic bags are recycled.) www.worldwatch.org

You have to start somewhere - and don't be so hard on yourself and give up when you forget and have to use a plastic bag. Just be sure to recycle it.

• I wad up old plastic bags (yes, I've used a plastic bag or two in my past) and stick them in my purse.
• My dad gives me 10-20 convention tote bags and I keep them in the trunk of my car.
• If I find myself in a store without a bag I try to hand carry out what I can. (I get a lot of strange looks from folks but it is worth it.)
• If I have to buy yet another $.50 reusable bag from Trader Joe's because I've forgotten mine than I use the bag as a "gift bag" for the next birthday or special event. Passing it forward so to speak.
• I've gotten my son involved too - we play a game to see who will remember the bag. He gets $1.00 every time I forget and he has to remind me.

Raising awareness doesn't hurt either, many cashiers have commented on my "no bag please" request with a puzzled look on their face only to say "I should try that too".

I've noticed a lot of stores have reusable bags available for purchase (never more than $.50) but aren't promoting them. Next time you are at TARGET ask them for one of their bags and they will take $.05 off of your bill. Even Food4Less has bags available but for some reason they are over in the toiletries isle and not by the cash register - you just have to ask.

Habits can be formed or broken in 30 days so will you take on the January 2010 challenge to stop using plastic bags?!

What is your environmental resolution for 2010?