Time is the most precious asset.  There never seems to be enough time for children's activities, work obligations, triathlon training, errands, etc.  However, we managed to squeeze some time this past weekend to get away and camp at Pilot Mountain State Park.  The weather was perfect.  There are plenty of hiking trails with varying difficulties.  

I am often asked, "How do you do it all?''  The answer is, "I don't."  There are tradeoffs that we make and we constantly re-prioritize like everyone else.  

The campsite came with a grill, picnic table and tent pad area.  Also, the campsites are generously spaced apart from each other so you have plenty of privacy and space.  We hope to visit many more state parks soon.  It was nice to get away.  

I have been advocating for more recycling programs at retail stores and am happy to share that a number of retail stores are beginning to develop robust recycling programs.  You can recycle glass, paper, plastics and ink cartridges at Target stores.

Here is a link to more information regarding Target's recycling program.

Also, if you are looking into getting some used cardboard boxes, you can also ask a Target store manager if the store can spare some for you.  Most Target store managers will be happy to have you reuse their cardboard boxes.  

I am hoping that Target add a recycling program for clothes so I don't have to make a separate trip to Goodwill or salvation army.  Target should partner with Goodwill and/or Salvation Army to collect clothes for recycling.  As individuals stock up on Target clothes, Target can help us find homes for gently used clothes.

There are five great ways you can encourage Target and other retailers to continue to support eco-friendly efforts:

- Click on the Target link above (Target tracks the number of hits to their recycling landing page to see how many people are interested in their recycling, eco-friendly efforts.  Therefore, the more you visit the website, the more eco-friendly activities Target will pursue in the future).

- Participate in the Target recycling program.  As the recycling bins fill up, Target management will know that they are making a difference.

- Highlight/compliment the Target staff on their eco-friendly living efforts.  The information is funneled back to Target management.

- Mention to Target that you enjoy and prefer to shop at Target because they are active eco-friendly living supporters and help out local communities.

- Mention to other retail stores that you visit and shop that you are concerned about the environment and would like them to explain their eco-friendly living practices to you.  

To celebrate National Bike Month, we rode our bikes on the American Tobacco Trail this afternoon and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.  In addition to getting in some exercise, we enjoy seeing the wonderful views along the way.  Here is a photo of a creek where we saw a number of turtles and fish.

Biking is a great form of exercise and eco-friendly means of transportation.  

Instead of having your old textbooks lying around in the house or sitting in a landfill, you can sell your textbooks to Barnes and Noble bookstore.

The following is a link to how you can sell your textbooks to Barnes and Noble bookstore

Do your part in reducing waste.  Another option is posting your textbooks sales on popular sites such as craigslist.com.

Yesterday, my family attended the Spring Daze Festival at Bond Park.  There were a number of exhibits focused on water conservation, recycling and eco-friendly artware.  We enjoyed the mild weather.  We have decided to order a compose bin.  We have debated this for a while and weighed the pros (great for the environment, ability to reduce waste by composing our discarded food scrappings, nutrient rich soil for our garden) vs. the cons (possibly a source of foul smell, which was adamantly dis-spelled by the compose bin sales representative).  I will be posting photos of our compose bin when it arrive within two weeks.  Actually, it was our kids' idea to purchase the compose bin.  I am happy that our eco-friendly ways have been a positive influence on them!

As I plan for my next half marathon and first triathlon races later this year, I also signed up to compete at local 5k races.  I usually sign up to compete in small 5k races with a low anticipated turnout (usually happens with inaugural races) so that I can run a race without the crowds and focus on the race experience.

In addition to recycling your standard paper, newspaper, magazines and plastic bottles, you might want to consider recycling electronics as well.  A number of electronic stores, such as Best Buy, will accept your old electronics (regardless of where you purchased the electronics) for recycling purposes. 

Also, before you bring your items to Best Buy for recycling efforts, you might want to find out if your items are eligible for trade in store credit so that you can earn some savings towards any new electronic purchases.

This is a wonderful way for you to pursue some spring cleaning at home and remove old video cables, cellphones, videoplayers, etc.  For more information, please visit http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Global-Promotions/Recycling-Electronics/pcmcat149900050025.c?id=pcmcat149900050025