Mary Ann Kingsley

I know my family is learning new habits that will make it easier for them to reduce their use of plastics as they start living on their own.  I learn from them as well!

What if I asked my local Thai take out place to only provide plastic cutlery on demand?

I think the greatest benefit of growing your own garden is that you have to think about the system as a whole.  Before you plant, you have to think about what soil nutrients you have (this is the first time I've used my own composted soil in the garden), once planted, you have to think about water management and insect control and plant maintenance.  Then when the season is over, you need to think about next year.

We need to have a system-oriented, long range perspective to all our resource use in order to understand the consequences of our decisions.

Yes!  I am seeing more and more biodegradable straws in restaurants and in grocery stores!

I use a mason jar every morning for my breakfast of oatmeal.  I just buy the big containers of plain old fashioned oats, pour a little in the medium sized mason jar, add water, put in microwave for 2 minutes (you have to watch at the end and stop and start the microwave to avoid spilling over).  Then add flavoring - usually peanut butter, sometimes jam, or nuts and honey.  Put the lid on and take with me on my long drive to work (I bring along a spoon!).  When done, put the lid back on and its easy to clean at night because the oatmeal doesn't dry up and turn into concrete.  This saves money by not buying individual servings, saves packaging, and is very easy and tastes great!