Resolution/Revolution

My New Year's resolution this year is to try to create less waste in order to preserve this earth for my grandchildren so that they don't have to live in a space craft orbiting earth for posterity becoming obese and stupid (think WALL-E.)

I already try to use everything - those 9 egg whites left after making egg nog for Christmas were baked into an angel food cake.  The little bit of champagne left over after New Year's Eve was turned into mimosas the next morning.  Half a can of sweetened condensed milk left after baking L's birthday cake went into my coffee for the past few mornings.

Food scraps go into the compost or to the chickens.

I recycle everything I can - cardboard, paper, metal and plastic, but wouldn't it be great to have LESS of that too?

I read an article recently, talking about why we should use bar soap for EVERYTHING.  One of the biggest reasons is to reduce plastic waste.  JP has been using his organic coconut oil soap to wash his few head hairs for years, but I don't like to not condition my hair.  Did you know that there are now shampoo and conditioner bars available?

I started using this grapefruit scented conditioner bar from byhumankind.com right after Christmas.  It smells great and works really well.  The only downside is that it is quite expensive at $15 for a small 1.8 oz bar.  I did read somewhere that it lasts for something like 75 washes...time will tell.

A few days later, I found this Love Beauty and Planet shampoo bar at Target for $4.99.  I didn't notice until I started using it that it is supposed to be for color treated hair, but I still feel like it works really well and does not require much to get a good lather going. 

So...shampoo and conditioner in 100% recyclable (paper/cardboard) packaging - good for the environment and works well.  I'm on my way to using bar soap for EVERYTHING...baby steps.

We just got a new keurig machine before the holidays, and now I am feeling excessive guilt about all of the waste created with those little pods.  Good news though, I have a refillable/reusable pod - haven't tried it yet though.

The girls have been eating vegetarian for several years, in order to eat more sustainably.  I join them much of the time.  Over the weekend, I tried a new recipe for Ratatouille.  It was DELICOUS, although not super attractive.  Remember in Ratatouille the movie, where the food critic, Anton Ego, is given the Ratatouille made by Remy the Rat?  He loved it because it was comfort food from his childhood, but Remy mixed it up a bit and made it attractive.  I've made both:

Ratatouille comfort food vs.

Remy style Ratatouille

Long story short - trying to be kind to the environment this year.  Let's all do it!