Let's call this Day 66 :)

I thought it would be easier to keep writing this blog once summer started, but it's actually harder for 2 reasons:

1) I've been busy studying for grad school entrance exams, which I need to pass in order to avoid paying to retake undergraduate classes when I start a masters. Zoinks.

2) It took less than 66 days to make living to create a better world a habit. :) That is, in the beginning, I had to actively think of an action to improve the world each day and then choose to do those things. After researching and writing the blogs to support those actions, I'm more convinced than ever of the benefits and necessity of making lifestyle changes that benefit the world. I'm convinced to the point that the changes are things I now do naturally.

For Example:

I now naturally decide whether or not trash can be recycled rather than simply throwing it in the trash.
I use re-usable bags instead of plastic bags.
I choose to buy locally and/or fair trade whenever possible and consider whether or not items I wish to purchase can be purchased locally.
I choose not to support factory farming by eating a vegetarian diet.
We're volunteering for Big Brothers Big Sisters. We're doing something that truly matters, and we get a cool little brother in the process.
I vote every chance I get.
I watch the news and listen to npr every day to stay informed.
I go to every community event I can, and I really look forward to them!
I turn off lights, appliances, my car, etc...when I'm not using them to save energy.
I try to re-use instead of re-buy.
I recognize that every dollar I spend supports something, so I'm increasingly conscious of what my dollars support and spend accordingly.
Most importantly, I'm more connected to the world around me and consciously try to be compassionate of people, animals, and the environment with everything I do.

I try. I try, and it makes a difference. Day by day the world gets better because of the choices I make. Do your choices make the world better? I'm not so naive as to suggest the quaint notion that my actions alone will change change the course of the world, but human beings are, by nature, social. We are connected to each other. No man is an island. Thus, my actions will influence those around me and radiate out. So will your actions. Our collective actions will change the world. It is our collective actions that make the world what it is now-the dwindling resources, increasing air pollution, diminishing clean water, slavery, massive ocean 'landfills,' abused and neglected people, abused and neglected animals, endangered animals, plastic bag paradise, etc... I don't kid myself into thinking these things don't matter. They do. "If nothing matters, then there's nothing to save."

Collective change starts with one person, like me. Or, you. All we have to do is commit and try. And, keep trying.
The End. :)

Animal Friends

Unusual animal friends

A little over a year ago, I watched a story on the LA morning news about a bear that had been spotted in the city. Somehow it had wondered into a neighborhood and was "relaxing" in a tree in someone's front yard. The news station was filming the bear and the efforts to capture it and remove it from the city. I never saw the conclusion of the story. Unfortunately, I had to go to work, so I don't know what ultimately happened to the bear.

I mention this story because the basic premise of the news cast was that the bear was some place it didn't belong. Everyone was scared of it and speculating on how it had gotten into our city. Didn't it know that this was a place for people and not bears? I felt bad for the bear though. Imagine how scared it must have felt trapped in a tree presumably far from home with helicopters circling around. Don't misunderstand me, of course. I'm not saying that the bear should have been left alone in the tree. Bears can, after all, be a danger for people to encounter. However, I do have to ask: Was the bear really out of place? Or, could it be that we've over-extended our place?

In truth, bears probably lived in the valley well before human beings did. Furthermore, it's no big secret that society is continually "developing." We're constantly expanding the boundaries of our cities, chopping down forests for new strip malls, destroying habitats for subdivisions, etc... Where are the animals supposed to go? Where should they seek shelter and find food? Then, when they move out of our communities, how long will it be until we expand again and demand they relinquish their new homes?

Wildlife and plantlife are vital to the functioning of the planet in which we live-all of us. together. They are also integral to, if not the source of, the earth's beauty. Wal-Marts and apartment complexes are not beautiful nor do they add anything crucial to the functioning of the earth. If Wal-Mart is gone, life will be able to continue. If the forests and rivers are gone, life as we know it will cease.

I think it's necessary to realize that the earth does not belong to humans. It's shared. Everyone recognizes that the aliens in Indepence Day who steal planets and use up their resources are the bad guys. Let's not be the bad guys. Let's share! :)

To that end, we filled our birdfeeder today. Admittedly, I'm using this action as an excuse to make a post about habitat destruction and urban wildlife sanctuaries. Is it necessary to insist that animals live outside our properties? Why not create places for them to eat and safely raise their young? If you have children, you could even fence off a spot for wildlife. Regrettably, we only have a small porch, so a birdfeeder is the extent of what we can provide. But, the birds LOVE it. And, for whatever the reason, rabbits, squirrels, turkey, and deer feel comfortable hanging out around our porch, too. It's pretty amazing!

Bullet Point Statistics:

• Habitat destruction caused by human activities is the number threat to wildlife survival.
  


• 4500 acres of forest fall to chainsaws every hour



• Approximately 1 animal species goes extinct every 20 minutes
  

On a side note: Urban Sprawl isn't necessary to accomodate our growing population. At least, it doesn't need to occur so quickly. Think of all the abandoned buildings and properties in inner cities. Why not revamp the land already developed?

A video

Role Models

We interviewed to be a Big Couple with Big Brothers Big Sisters today! Next step: training! In a few weeks, we should have our very own "little." We're so excited!

Also, for yesterday's 'g' thang, I applied for a credit card at Chase bank. However, it was not just any credit card. In truth, I don't actually advocate the use of credit cards unless absolutely necessary. But, Chase has a credit card that earns rewards. "How do rewards make the world a better place?" you ask. These particular rewards can and will be credited to one of several national charities, such as the world wildlife fund. You can choose a charity from a list. Organizations can actually make millions of dollars this way because those rewards add up. So, make your credit card work for good!

Another credit card that actively improves the world is the Green America Visa, which is available through One Pacific Coast Bank. www.opcb.com With this card, every purchase you make supports various green projects.

Finally, I've been interviewed for a fellow blog! It'll be posted tomorrow. :)

A store of which to be Proud!

In the beginning, the recycling bin that I set up at work saw very little action. That's not to say there wasn't any paper around to recycle. There was plenty. My co-workers were just in the habit of throwing it all in the trash cans rather than recycling it. Initially, I actually started pulling paper out of the trash cans to make sure something got recycled. Before you judge me, let me just say that I only pulled from the tops of the cans and did not reach to the bubblegum graveyard bottoms.

However, after about a week, something strange started to happen. The recycling bin started attracting paper. After about 2 weeks, the force of recycling increased even more to include things other than paper. (The sign on the bin says "paper only," but I can't turn away a cardboard box, among other things, that longs to be recycled.) I'm pleased to report that, in just a few weeks time, my co-workers adopted recycling to the point that they now save entire boxes of things that would otherwise be thrown out to see if I'll recycle them instead. (e.g. boxes of un-used promotional flyers) Everyone now thinks before they throw away, and that's all it takes to start a recycling trend.

Today, I took the david's bridal recycling to the recycling center, and it actually took up my entire backseat.

The Lesson: Start making positive changes for the world and others will join your efforts faster than hollywood remakes movies, which is pretty darn fast.

From a Girl who loves Newsies

Today, I read the news! Like I've said in previous posts, it's important to be informed about what's going on in the world. In this way, I can stay aware of what issues need to be addressed and the ways that others are helping to make the world a better place. When you know what's going on around you, then you can discover ways to contribute and make positive impacts!

Be aware that often news venues are "slanted." Some are right-slanted and some are left-slanted. They are all slanted though. So, I try to vary my news sources to get the most accurate picture possible.

If you feel like you need a way to force yourself to read news but want to start reading it, then I suggest subscribing to a periodical. That way, news comes to you regularly whether you like it or not. Start by reading only the stories with headlines that appeal to you. If you're like me, you'll gradually find yourself reading more and more. Recycle when you're done of course. :)
OR, I also watch The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. The comic twist makes them a sort of gateway drug for news.

My favorite news websites are
www.commondreams.org

www.nytimes.com

Also, I would love to subscribe to www.thenation.com if I had a bit of extra money lying around for periodical subscriptions.

Finally, don't overlook your local paper when choosing a periodical. It needs your support! :)

1 post: 2 days! Such efficiency!

This weekend has been an example of how easily (and quickly) living to create a better world can become a lifestyle. Between yesterday and today we've surpassed my "1 deed per day to improve the world" goal.
Here's what we did:
1) We recycled. That is, we took our home recycling to a recycling center.

2) We went to 3 community events! Let me just go on record saying that community functions are actually really fun. I was a skeptic, but they're wonderful. Since making a point to become involved in Bloomington life and to take advantage everything the town has to offer, I appreciate the area and even enjoy it. Admittedly, I prefer city life, but Bloomington is actually a great little town. I used to focus on where I would rather be living and on all of the reasons that I'd rather not live here, which I think is a common mindset among people in general. However, this isn't a healthy or productive way to live; this mindset actually impeded my happiness severely.
Accept your community as your community. Take responsibility for it and pride in it. Participate in it! You'll be happier and your community will be richer because you're a part of it.

3) We bought groceries at the local Farmer's Market. Find a farmer's market and
Look up your state, and find out what's in season at a local farmer's market. 'Currently growing' food is fresh and perfectly ripened, and, therefore, tastes better. Purchasing from a farmer's market also fuels the local economy without using extra-fuel to get to you and, in turn, is better for the environment and the community. :)

4) We bought groceries at a local food co-op. What is a co-op? This link will also help you find a co-op near you.

5) We didn't use a single plastic bag!

6) We didn't eat any meat. We have almost been vegetarians for an entire month now, and it's great. I highly recommend it! Also, read this book. This book was recommended to me, and now I'm recommending it to you. It's not a book of 'reasons to be a vegetarian;' it's a book about why people eat meat and how dietary/farming habits have changed in the last century. I think people should know where their food comes from because we put it in our body every day, which makes it a pretty big deal. It's a fast read, too.

7) We rented a movie from a locally-owned rental shop, which actually had a much better selection than Family Video. I wouldn't recommend the movie we watched though: Another Year .
It got good reviews, but I really have no idea why. It's boring and appears to have no story line. However, if you enjoy realistic characters and dialogue, give it a watch.

8) We hung out with friends! Good company. Good drinks. And, of course, video games. It was a great way to relax!

9) I called my Dad. Well, I will call him in 10 minutes. Don't forget the people who love you!

Let me finish this post by emphasizing that we didn't go out of our way to do any of these things. Once you know what actions improve the world and how to do them, it's natural. It's about replacing old habits with new habits. Also, don't feel overwhelmed by the idea that you have to do everything possible to improve the world. You don't. Just do something, and build from there. :)

Kids are Cool

I'm home again!

For Wednesday, I played a game and donated rice to the hungry at freerice.com. This is maybe the easiest thing a person could do to make someone's life better and, in turn, make the world a better place. You simply go the website and play trivia games for as long as you like. For every question that you get right, the organization that runs the website will donate a set amount of rice to struggling people. It's pretty addictive because you can watch your rice bowls get fuller and fuller!
Also, I want to recognize my Mom who, rather than purchasing a new phone when hers quit working, started using one of the other, many, abandoned cell phones we left behind at her house. In this way, a cell phone avoided becoming trash and no nonrenewable resources were used to produce a new phone for her. Way to go, Mom!

For Thursday, I did 2 things and you can accept your favorite as my 'g' thang for that day:
1) I clicked the many buttons on thehungersite.com. Each button makes a different donation. It's actually easier than playing Free Rice!
2) I was at an airport for 5 hours, so I used the time to reconnect with friends. To me, there's no experience worth having unless you share it with someone. In other words, people are the most important thing in my life because, without them, what's the point really? Staying connected with the people you love lets them know you care about them. How can letting people you love know you love them be anything but good for the world? Spread the love!

Today! Josh and I took the first step to becoming a BigCouple with Big Brothers and Big Sisters. We may not be accepted as volunteers in the program, but, the important thing is that we want to be and so we're giving it a try! There are thousands of kids in the world who lack good role models and/or who need to know someone loves them. That's what Big Brothers Big Sisters is about. I'm passionate about kids and making sure that all kids know they're loved and get a chance to be kids. That's why we want to volunteer.
There are scores of organizations in the world that need volunteers. All a person has to do is figure out what issues he/she is passionate about-what wrongs need to be righted-and get started volunteering for an organization that matches those passions. It doesn't have to be a big volunteer commitment. Even showing up randomly for an event here and there is something. If everyone did that, than there would always be plenty of volunteers. In turn, the impact of organizations, like Big Brothers Big Sisters, would grow as would the positive impact they have on the world.

Rafiki Would Be Proud

Starting today, I'll be in Georgia with my family for the next couple days. My sister is graduating from OCS! Congratulations! :)

In any case, that means that I spent a significant portion of the day either on an airplane or alone in an airport. You may or may not believe me, but I'm something of an introvert at heart. So, though I find most of flying uncomfortable, I like to take advantage of traveling as an opportunity to think. That said, as my world-bettering action, I wrote a personal mission statement today. I think a person needs to take the time to self-reflect and evaluate her purpose in the world. Think about what you personally care about and where your passions lie. Think about what you hope to accomplish in life. For me, this type of 'meditation' focuses me and energizes me. It also ensures that my actions are not simply robotic replicas of something I've been told to do but are actually sincere manifestations of the things I believe in. When this concept is applied to altering one's life habits to make the world a better place, even small changes are more likely to endure if they are spurred on by true conviction rather than merely a feeling du jour. So, look inside and consider what principles you believe in and feel passionate about. Then, think of ways to live out those beliefs.

My mission statement is this:
I endeavor to hurt nothing unnecessarily and to, day by day, champion the causes of those who and that which cannot speak for themselves so that the world might sustain and that life might improve for all those living now and for generations to come.

Additional Thoughts:
I respect and understand that everyone has reasons for doing the things they do.

The world is not ours to abuse and destroy. Arrogance created this idea, and selfishness perpetuates it. The refusal to use the creativity endowed to us as human beings to find and use methods of living and producing that are at most minimally harmful merely because it is at present cheaper and easier is, ultimately, not even self-serving but is merely and detrimentally lazy.

It's a work in progress! :-P

Mudpies not Mudslinging!

Woot! This blog hit a new record high for daily reads! Making a positive difference in the world is gaining in popularity! yay!

Tonight, I'm watching the Republican presidential debate. Regardless of one's personal, political leanings, the world can only become a better place when its citizens are aware of what's happening in the world around them and become involved. Today, I'm involved by listening.

Also, it's important to listen to all sides of an issue. Don't write off everything a Republican says just because you are a Democrat, and don't write off everything a Democrat says just because you're a Republican. Republicans, Democrats, liberals, conservatives, Christians, Muslims, Jews, CEO's, workingmen-Few people are all right or all wrong, which means that everyone has something to offer. Fighting, name-calling, and mudslinging are not the paths to a better world-even preschoolers learn this concept. Sharing and listening to ideas is how solutions are found, and all change starts as an idea.

Also, voting is our opportunity to influence the future of our world. It's important to be an informed voter. I intend to listen to what the candidates have to say and vote for whichever candidate's ideas most closely match my own. True that I'm only one vote, but I won't be the only person to vote for my favorite candidate. If we all choose to believe that our votes are "only one vote" and therefore have no influence, then we all really won't have an influence. So, it's a good idea to vote! You've got nothing to lose!

Litter is for Catboxes

Trash is inevitable. Litter is a choice. As much as it pains me to admit it, I don't think it's possible to live a completely trash-free life. Well, it is possible, but it would require significant lifestyle changes. This blog is about first steps toward a better world. It's not a master class. For example, I'm sure that I'm not alone in saying I'm not ready for the mooncup (skip this link if you're a man.). I firmly believe that we should all do what we can to create a better world and then build on that. The important thing is to do something. When people do nothing, then nothing gets better.

That said, we can all put our trash in a trash can. Today, I saw some litter in a parking lot, so I put it in a trash can. Picking up litter does make the world a better place, but I must admit I'm annoyed that it had to be done because putting trash in a trash can in the first place seems like an easy thing to do. Why didn't the person who dropped it dispose of it properly to begin with?

Landfills are made to contain trash and its harmful effects, but parking lots and roadsides are not. Trash discarded carelessly as litter becomes more than just an eyesore; it becomes a harmful part of the ecosystem. It destroys water systems, suffocates wildlife, smothers plant growth, carries germs, attracts disease-carrying pests, etc...Plus, it's expensive to clean up. Litter has become such a problem that the Pacific Ocean is now home to what's known as "The Great Pacific Garbage Patch"-a swirling column of garbage twice the size of Texas that weighs appr. 3 million tons. An estimated 80% of this aquatic mess came from land-based sources, that is, our litter.
Everyone thinks that, if they drop just one water bottle in the parking lot or throw just one cigarette butt on the sidewalk, it's not a big deal. And, it's not as long as you are the only person discarding your trash in this way, and as long as it only happens once or even twice. But, what happens if all 6.8 billion people in the world all have that same train of thought and all drop a water bottle in a parking lot? "The Great Pacific Garbage Patch" is what happens.

Sound bite of the World!

I've noticed that my blog has been reaching a wider world audience lately! I'm really excited about this, but I also feel like I need to step up my game a little bit so that "Nothin' but a 'G' Thang" isn't a disappointment. lol

To make the world a better place, I supported street musicians today. By that, I mean that I heard music I liked, so I put money in the tip jar. This seems minor, but never under-estimate the benefits of art on the world. Art expresses the human experience. It also plays a significant, if not primary, role in preserving our cultures. For example, being midwest-born and raised, I feel a sense of home and a connection to my heritage every time I hear bluegrass music. When people listen and feel these sensations together, they also connect with each other. Furthermore, when we listen to the music of others (e.g. african drumming, punk rock, euro pop), we can start to understand and connect to others.



Though music, and art in general, is different around the world, it all expresses human experiences, and those are surprisingly universal. Maybe, if we all understood that our similarities are more significant than our differences, then we would be able to see all people as people. And then, maybe life could cease to be us vs. them, and just be 'us.' Admittedly, it's a long range goal, but I think it's a worthy pursuit nonetheless. It'll never happen without art.



Support street musicians. This is how they can afford to continue to be musicians, and it encourages them to continue being artists. Support art education and music education. Go to concerts. Listen to the music of others. Art is not a waste. It's a necessity.



Benefits of art on the Brain

Practical and more immediate benefits of music

Statistics on music study

Chocolate addicts for a Better World

OK, here's my plan. Writing a 'catch-up' post is going to take some time, so I'm going to write it later at some point when I have gobs of time. I promise I'll write it, but, for now, I'm going to move on as if I didn't miss 4 posts this week.

Today, I bought fair trade chocolate. It's delicious. You can taste the justice in it.
Fair trade basically means that goods go from the artisan to you the buyer with few steps in between and, most importantly, everyone involved in the creation and distribution of the goods is paid a fair and livable wage. Fair trade respects workers, provides a sustainable way of life for developing communities, supports preservation of the environment, and empowers women and minorities. It is also anti-slavery and anti-child labor.

Most people see slavery and child labor as problems of the past. In truth, however, an estimated 30 million people are enslaved worldwide today. This means that more people are enslaved today than there were when slavery was legal. Many commonly purchased goods, such as chocolate, use slavery and child labor at various points in the supply chain. The cocoa industry, including suppliers of companies like Hershey's, employs over 100,000 children thousands of whom are slaves. That's not to mention the workers who are simply forced to work excruciating hours and not paid a wage they can survive on. Purchasing these goods condones these practices.

Buying fair trade ensures that you are not supporting oppression of any type. Fair trade chocolate costs only $1-2 more than non fair-trade chocolate. Plus, it's delicious. By being willing to pay a little more for fair trade, we ensure that others can lead lives of better quality in freedom and that children can be children. Is saving $1 on chocolate worth enslaving others for life? Is my life worth so much more than theirs?

Note: Organic products are not necessarily fair trade.

Find fair trade products here

fair trade federation

Time to Game!

I haven't forgotten about you! Please forgive me for not writing for a few days, and don't think that I've given up on my 66 'g' thang goal. I, like most of you, work, and I've worked 11 hour days the past 3 days. That doesn't mean I'm not doing good. It just means I haven't written about it... I'm sorry. I truly am.

That said, I worked today also, and now, I'm going to relax and watch a movie. Tomorrow, I'll update you on the world improving deeds of the week! But, for now, I need to relax. Incidentally, it's important to relax because you can't make the world a better place if you lack the energy or are too stressed to do so. So, play video games and watch movies sometimes-it's good for your soul! haha Video Games aren't all bad it turns out. In fact, as a closet gamer, I'd say they aren't bad at all!

Check out this organization. I joined a few weeks ago, and my Green Pages just arrived today! I'm so pumped! Green America can provide you with the information needed to have a greener lifestyle and support others who believe in the cause, too. If you want to make the world a better place, join up with others who want the same thing! That's what I did. :) We'll create more change if we work together.

Drinking and Walking is Legal: Though not Endorsed as Safe by this Blog

Don't worry, my faithful readers, I didn't abandon you or my 66 day goal! My birthday was this weekend, and I didn't get a chance to write. However, I did do 3 'g' thangs-one for every day since last we 'met.'

1) Josh and I participated in a community event (Indiana Brewers Guild Craft Beer Fest!). I think that in today's world a lot of people feel isolated. By that, I mean that people used to know their neighbors and care about what happened in their communities. Even when people didn't like their neighbors, I think that they cared about each other because they felt connected enough to realize that they were all fellow human beings and that they were stronger together than apart. People were more involved in their communities because they felt a sense of ownership towards them. Why a sense of ownership then but not now? Decades ago people were born, bred, and dead in the same location for the most part. This made them connected to the location and, in turn, to the other people in that location. Now, people move for work and all sorts of other reasons, and they are often in one location for only a handful of years. This mobility makes any given home/community potentially temporary, and this feeling of "temporary" makes people less inclined to form attachments within their communities. This is unfortunate because all opportunities for connection, whether temporary or permanent, are valuable. They make life rich and fulfilling rather than empty and lonely.

Communities weaken when people don't invest (not merely financial investment) in them. If communities weaken, then so do the people living in them. For instance, one person spouting ideas to herself in the bathroom mirror can enact little change, but a group of 5 people spouting ideas has 5 times the influence needed enact change. Community events bring people of the community together. They make people feel connected to each other. Community events make stronger communities, and stronger communities make a better world. Plus, they're a great place to meet and make friends!

2) We walked to and from Beer Fest rather than drove. Cars create pollution. Feet don't create pollution. A good rule of thumb for reducing pollution caused by transportation is to always use the slowest form of transportation possible. Is there a bus stop near your house? Do you have time to take the bus with others rather than drive your own separate car to buy milk? If yes, then take the bus because it's going that way anyway. Your car, on the other hand, doesn't have to start at all. Was Beer Fest a mere 1.2 miles away? Yes, it was. So, we walked. Nevermind the 95 degree heat... haha It's nothing a good beer can't make you forget!

3) Josh took me shopping for my birthday! My birthday presents were purchased locally. I know I've written about local shopping before, but "goodgollymissmollie" shared a link about the topic with me that I think is worth passing on. :) The 350 Project has some great stats regarding why shopping locally is a better choice than national chains or online shopping. For example, $63 of every $100 spent locally returns to the community. In national chains, only $43 goes back into the community. Nothing goes into the community when we shop online.

The Great Letter Extravaganza!

To demonstrate that a person can and should speak up when he/she has an idea, I wrote a letter to the vice-president of David's Bridal today. For those of you who don't know, I work there. In the letter, I respectfully suggested that the company's stores start offering re-usable bags as an alternative to the plastic bags we offer our customers now. Please see my post entitled, "American Beauty," for details on why plastic bags are a global problem worth addressing.

With this particular letter, my goal is to improve my workplace and our environmental impact. In general, however, I also really believe that corporations are among the strongest, if not the strongest, forces in the world today. They have the power influence trends on a very large scale. But, more importantly, they get that power from us, their customers. More specifically, they get it from our collective buying power. For the most part, corporations want to keep their customers happy. This is why we should let them know when we disapprove of or desire a change in their practices. If enough people speak up, they'll listen. Wal-Mart will consider changing a policy if only 20 people write a letter about it. :)

If you want to write a letter to David's Bridal requesting re-usable bags, too, the corporate office address is:
1001 Washington St.
Conshohocken, PA 19428

Just be respectful. Corporate presidents are people, too! Seriously.

Business letter format

If a Squash Can Make You Smile

One of my life dreams is to be an old woman with an extensive garden. Both of my grandma's and my Mom all garden, so it might be in my blood. Despite having been bred to grow plants, however, I feel like I know almost nothing about gardening. I think that the best way to learn, though, is to just jump in with both feet. To start planting and tending and ask questions/seek advice as I need it.

So, today I tended my garden. I'm sorry if this seems like a cop-out of a daily 'g' deed, but I feel like having a garden has enough global benefits that it needs to be discussed. So, I chose today to write about it! And, I really did tend my plants today, too.

A few weeks ago, Josh and I joined the new "grow-your-own-food" movement and started our own urban garden. We bought a few pots, purchased seedlings at the local Farmer's Market, and planted some vegetables. We are the proud parents of 4 broccoli plants, 4 green bell pepper plants, and 1 tomato plant. We're planning to expand the operation in the coming years, but, for now, it's a fledgling hobby.

Growing your own food is good for the world for several reasons:
1) You know exactly where your food comes from and what went into producing it. For instance, you can be sure that no harmful chemicals were used and/or that no workers were exploited.
2) Fuel and resources are saved as no form of transportation, other than walking, is necessary to bring the food from garden to table.
3) Plants improve air quality and so combat pollution.
4) Organic gardening actually revitalizes the soil itself.
5) Biodynamic gardening creates a sort of habitat for certain wildlife and encourages a symbiotic relationship with nature. Plus, it maximizes food production in a given space.
6) Growing food is cheaper than buying food.
7) Gardening together is a positive experience to share with others, OR gardening alone is good way to relax.
8) No tomato will ever taste as satisfying as the one you grow yourself.

More on Biodynamic Gardening. "Biodynamic gardens make it possible to grow lots of food in very little space." Incidentally, this could be a solution to the emerging food shortage.

Happy Dirt Digging!