Every Day is Earth Day

A lot has happened since April 22, 1970.  That was the first time a day of awareness was dedicated to our small pebble, the Earth.   I try to live my life as sustainably as possible and set an example for others who struggle with this idea.  But why is it a struggle?

It's so much easier to live the "throw it away" lifestyle.  It amazes me that people still throw glass bottles or old newspapers in the garbage.  I know some municipalities don't have recycling, but here in Winnetka, we do, but yet not everybody cares enough to do it.  It's all about living with a small footprint - an image that I just love.  There are so many of us that I think tiny footprints would be a good thing.

Here's a few things you can do this Wednesday, April 22, 2009 to celebrate Earth Day:

• Buy the best canvas shopping bags at:  Canvas Bags  or purchase reusable bags when you shop at Grand Foods in Winnetka                            
• Purchase earth friendly products from:  Earth Friendly Products or buy these products directly at Grand Foods in Winnetka and Whole Foods in Glenview
• Make recycled craft projects with your children:  Craft Projects
• Watch "Garbage Moguls" airing on Earth Day on National Geographic at 8 pm Central Time
• Learn how to keep your grass green and healthy without chemicals:     Easy Organic Lawn Care 
• Reduce your use of plastics:  Reducing Plastic Use
• Learn about additives and chemicals to avoid in your personal care products:  The Dirty Dozen
• Just because we have beautiful Lake Michigan at our doorstep doesn't mean the water supply is endless.  Try turning off shower water when soaping up or shampooing.
• Try compositing - it's easy and fun.  A Google search for them will bring up dozes of sites and it's a great learning experience for children.
• Ditch the plastic water bottles forever - get a water purifier instead.
• Pick up plastic bags stuck in trees and blowing across streets.

  The environment is everyone's responsibility - it's not fair to assume someone else will take care of it.  These are just baby steps that all of us could embrace with little difficulty.  Celebrate Earth Day by reusing, reducing, and recycling!