Comments on: Week 34 Results: 2.6 oz. of plastic waste

By: terrible person

terrible person — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 18:09:00 +0000

In terms of what I’ve given up, well, I didn’t use that much plastic in the first place, and I still continue to use some, and what I HAVE given up, I mean, it just makes sense to. Who wants to waste? Who wants to be poisoned? Especially when there are alternatives, often cheaper. Yes, sometimes I find something I’d like to buy, or need to buy, and it’s wrapped in plastic, and Beth wants me to find it in a plastic-free form, and I think, “Where am I going to find it? Please don’t make me keep looking, when we really need this, soon.” But then, again, I think, do I really want to waste? Do I really want to poison myself? Do I really want to throw off Beth’s plastic count? Do I really want to get her mad at me? And it becomes worth it to wait to find the right product.

So many habits have become second nature now. It’s like what Hedwig sings in “Wig in a Box”: “And the strangest things seem suddenly routine.”

By: Tracey

Tracey — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:17:00 +0000

Honestly, I miss mindless take out options. I live so frugally, that when I do go out to eat, such as at my local Vietnamese pho place, I agonize over bringing my own leftover container, which mortifies my teenager, stuffing myself to the breaking point, or taking styrofoam home. I am such a pain-in-the-@#$ naturally, that avoiding plastic makes me feel even more so!

VEGAN CHEEZE SAUCE

1. Heat up cashew butter with oil or margarine on the stove, stirring constantly until it puffs up.

2. Add an equal amount of water and stir in and heat until it thickens.

3. Turn off the heat. Add nutritional yeast until it's the required texture.

4. Add salt and seasonings to taste.

Did you know that real corks are a problem, too? You can recycle them here, though. I reuse them in my health practice.

By: Joanna

Joanna — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:30:00 +0000

Your blog is really inspiring, makes me think hard. I'm puzzled by one thing, though, and that is about the cheese ... here in Britain, we can buy good cheese without plastic, it's generally locally-produced, often made with unpasteurised milk (so tastes better anyway), and is available at farmers' markets, good butchers, cheese shops, independent food retailers, farm shops. Isn't there anything like that where you are?

Thanks for sharing

Joanna

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:23:00 +0000

Staying warm is the hardest one for me… not at night, but in the middle of the day. I’m still struggling forward, but it’s cold here!

I can’t see myself giving up my car right now… maybe in the future, but not in my current city with my current job. I’m a performing musician… you just can’t make enough money out here without being willing to drive an hour for work on occasion, and there is no public transportation between cities… YET…

By: N. & J.

N. & J. — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:00:00 +0000

I think one of the most difficult changes is the ability to just cruise through the aisles and buy whatever. Now everything requires much more forethought and research. And that’s not bad it’s good but it’s been difficult to adjust to that level of awareness. I also miss hot showers and long showers…

There are lots of things I would have a hard time giving up entirely. My car, air travel to visit family, all fruits and vegetables from foreign countries, cheese but I don’t know that that means I will never give those things up I think that its a process and the more I learn to live with less the easier it will be to give up more.

By: Burbanmom

Burbanmom — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 12:47:00 +0000

Long, Hot Showers! I miss them dearly and, on super-chilly days when I’m sick with a cold, I will (guiltily) indulge in one!