Yesterday, I didn't watch TV, worked on the computer or surf the internet all day.  It was actually harder to stay unplugged for the whole day compared to reducing my fruit juice intake to two cups per day.  Made me think of when I was in college and my devoted Jewish friends would ask me in advance to turn on the lights etc. on the Sabbath since they weren't allowed to.  It's pretty tough to stick with.   I didn't realize how much time I spent on technology driven gadgets until yesterday.  I didn't miss any breaking news and actually felt a bit calmer and more cheerful.  I think I will try staying unplugged again this upcoming Sunday.  I found alot more time to cook, clean and just stare out into space.  I actually slept the best I've ever slept in a long time. 

Today, I am trying to go "meatless" and be vegeterian for the day.  The morning was easy since I usually have cereal, but dinner is going to be the ultimate test since I usually fill up on my meat protein then.  Wish me luck.  I don't know if I can be a complete vegeterian but I figure being "meatless" once a week as well as "unplugged" once a week can only help my health and the environment as well.  Baby steps towards the goal...

This morning I was bold and asked my husband if we (kids and me) can join him on his morning run.  However, there were things we had to deal with.  It could have been a logistical nightmare since the run starts at 6:30am. However, not a problem with my kids since they are up by 5am.  It was hard for him to "share" his alone time with us but we went together and I'm glad we did.  However, I don't think my husband wants to "share" his alone time again.  Need to think of something else to do with kids sans husband.

The weekends tend to be hard for me sometimes since we deviate from our regular weekday schedule.  However, I am trying to take on the gamblers' mentality (focus on the wins and not the losses). 

In the past I have been pretty good, recycling magazines.  However, I found out that my local library has a magazine exchange table where anyone can drop off and pick up magazines for free.  This is such a great service.  I actually grabbed a few September 2009 issues.  It's such a great idea (too bad I didn't think of it myself).  I dropped off my magazines and feel really good that it is actually not being recycled but "reused."  If your local library does not have such a service, speak to the librarian and most probably they can easily setup a table to support this effort.  Let me know how it goes.  

Today I am going to reduce the amount of fruit juices and sugared drinks I have to just two a day.  I know that I cannot give it completely up since I am always on the run and don't have enough time to "eat" real fruit so I guess drinking it is better than nothing.  Anyway, I have a sweet tooth so I don't even know how much fruit drinks I usually drink but I've read a few studies that said Americans drink too much "sugared" drinks each day.  My kids love fruit juices but I'm going to limit them, too (too bad for them, mom wants to make a change and the whole family suffers .....)

I think I am having major sugar withdrawal right now since I didn't even have my first serving yet (am trying to save my fruit juice drinks to go with my lunch and dinner).  I'm eyeing an over-riped banana on my kitchen counter right now so I think I am going to eat it to get my sugar fix.  Note to self, "Must buy more fresh fruits..."

Today, I decided that I will start going to the gym.  I've had a Y membership for over a year and haven't gone to any of the group classes.  I better cancel the membership if we don't use it.  It's so expensive.  I have never been the most athletic person.  In fact, when I was in high school, I used to come up with clever excuses each day to avoid going to PE. (I hated changing out of my "cool clothes" and God forbid into a gym shirt).  I even volunteered one semester to be the designated "attendance assistant" just to avoid breaking out into a sweat.  

Some how, after having two kids, I am concerned with my health.  I want to be around to take care of them and also to be a healthy role model.  I wanted to try going to a group aerobics class since I find running on the treadmill too repetitious.  The instructor started the class by saying, "If you don't want to work hard, leave!"  How motivating...
There is a whole new language when you join any aerobics class, my instructor started throwing terms like "Do the grapevine, Do the Y step... Shuffle,... "  I was like "what the *@%^ is she talking about?"  I noticed that I was perpetually behind everyone else by at least a step or two.  Whenever, I figured out what a move was, she switched up on me.  Now I know how my kids feel when I change my house rules on them (Not fair!?!).  The instructor kept on saying motivating words like, "You got it!"  I was so embarrassed that 60+ seniors were more fit than me.  I'm glad I stayed towards the back of the room so I don't think anyone noticed my lack of coordination.  I dread going back but I think I did okay for the first time. 

I was never a quitter, but my toddler woke up everyone at 5am this morning and I had to rush my five year old to school so I was a big grump until he was dropped off.  Anyway, I decided that I'll pick him up from school and walk home (we usually drive, but we can walk the distance if we really wanted to).  It is just so much easier to drive but I am trying to reduce my "carbon footprint" and save $ on gas while I'm at it so hoping this will kick off a healthy eco-friendly trend for us.  It was not that bad,  the walk in the hot Florida sun was actually nice.  However, I had to leave my house fifteen minutes earlier than usual.  It sucks because it seems to take forever to get my toddler out the door.  I need to get her shoes on, then lather her up in sunblock lotion (I'm a sunblock fanatic).  Hoping to be able to keep this up again tomorrow and to add on another change....

I know it is so hard to change our ways.  Sometimes it is even scary.  So I decided to commit to changing one activity each day for the next 365 days (whole year!).  I'll be writing here each day to let you know what I did and how it went.  Stay posted.
Today, I decided to buy 50% organic foods from the local supermarket.  It wasn't that bad since most organic food have the USDA Organic seal nowadays.  I came prepared with coupons in tow, so my grocery bill actually was about the same as my regular weekly grocery bill.

Starting September 15th, 2009, I will be posting information on how you can receive free products.  Please let me know what types of eco-friendly products you would be interested in receiving and are interested in either my submitting a comment or you may contact me using the contact form.   


Looking forward to giving away free products!!!

I was initially skeptical but I purchased organic t shirts at Walmart for my kids and they love them.  I like how soft they feel and the colors do not fade over time.   Great value!  Let me know what you think?