Today as I was researching my “In the News” section for my site I kept coming upon the same theme of giving something up for a day, a month and even a year: Don’t buy anything new for a year, don’t use toilet paper for a year, unplug everything for a day, use a bike instead of a car for a day; all in the quest of helping to save the environment, which I love and do my best to pitch in, although I’m not where some people are.

So I asked myself, what do I already do and/or what can I give up for a day?

1. I hang out my clothes and let the sun dry them whenever possible.

2. I recycle all paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and aluminum that I can in house and/or at our local recycling center.

3. I recycle clothes and shoes to people in need that I know, and to the local homeless shelter and local welfare back to work closet. Some things, like old towels, I reuse as rags.

4. I use baking soda and vinegar when ever I can to clean.

5.  I go around and unplug everything when hubbie b*itches about the electric bill! However I’m checking my breaker box labels to see which rooms I can “unplug” while I’m sleeping.

6. Even through we have a well and don’t have a water bill, the well uses electricity for it’s pump, etc. So I’ve started “collecting” the water when we need to ‘run it’ waiting for it to warm up, like for the dog food or shower. (I’m driving my hubbie crazy!) I use this water to water indoor and outdoor plants. I also collect the water from the wall AC unit into a 5 gallon container, yes it’s plastic, and this has been a life saver for our vegetable garden this year due to the drought.

7. I grow, can and freeze as much food as I can.

8. I “batch” my errands all together to save gas, time and money.

9. I use the Post Office’s boxes, envelopes and tape for my shipping whenever possible.

10. I have left over’s and/or cold food’s whenever possible.

What I’ll give up for a day, week or month:

1. I just purchased a solar cooker and will be cooking my first meal today while the sun is hot and shinny! I vow to cook at least 2 meals a week, if not more, using the power of the sun. If you are interested in cooking by the sun please visit this fabulous nonprofit organization Solar Cookers (www.solarcookers.org)

2. I’m looking for a bike and will use it to take my packages to the post office when needed and weather permitting. Round trip ride is 4 miles. Generally 3-4 trips a week. Of course I’ll need a basket and a bell!

3. I’m not much of a shopper or spender. So I’ll vow for the month of Sept. not to buy anything new (except food products). (I’m going to see if I can find a used, free bike at www.freecycle.org or www.craigslist.org).

4. For one day I will go without TV.

5. For one week I will watch no more then 2 hours of TV a day.

6. One day a week I will not turn on my computers and/or printers.

7. For one month I will give up my treadmill and walk the dog instead. We both could lose a few pounds!

8. I’m sure I’ll thnk of some more as soon as I post this!

My pledge to you…I will continue using toilet paper!

Let me know what you are willing to give up for a day, week or month at janet(at)overhall.com