We enjoyed spending thanksgiving with our extended family.  Instead of stuffing ourselves with all of the extra food, we ate reasonable portions and my sister in law showed me how to freeze the leftovers (which I have never done before).  When you freeze food, it usually lasts two weeks longer than just refrigerating leftovers.  To prepare/defrost frozen food, you need to place the food in a microwave safe container, add some water (you need to add some moisture) and then heat it up.  


We are getting our Christmas tree ready for Christmas.  We've used the same plastic tree for over ten years and plan to use it for many more.  We also save the Sunday newspaper so that we can use them as wrapping paper.  In keeping with an eco-friendly tradition that we started a few years ago, we will not be lighting the Christmas tree (to save energy, electricity and money).  Although most probably we will light it up on Christmas Eve for a while.

Celebrations are a joyous time in our lives.  These various occasions calls for quite a bit of preparation and planning.  The following are simple steps for you to keep your celebrations eco-friendly all year long.  This also saves money as you plan your upcoming home entertainment events as well.

1) Buy and use decorations that can be relevant for various occasions
For example, I have three table clothes (in red, golden yellow and blue) that can be used for various celebrations (Valentine's Day, Christmas, Birthday parties, Fourth of July, etc.).  By keeping to a versatile color scheme, you save on money and time (don't have to shop for new decorations each time you have a planned party).

2) Use the chinaware not paper plates
For some reason, some people equate casual parties with paper plates usage.  Break this trend and use your dinnerware.  The amount of time it takes you to toss the bags of garbage filled with paper plates, you would have already loaded your dishwasher with the dinnerware.  Also, when paper plates are available, individuals tend to use new ones for second servings and generate even more waste.  For some reason, individuals are able to better keep track of actual dinnerware.

3) Have a dozen permanent markers available for marking up the plastic disposable cups so individuals are less likely to use new ones.  For your more sophisticated parties, consider using actual glasses.

4) Lower your thermostat
When there are more people at a home or single location, the crowd generates heat so you can lower your thermostat and people will not notice the five degree difference but you will notice it in your utility bill.

5) Use actual household plants for centerpieces instead of fresh cut flowers or consider displaying various bowls of fruit.

6) Designate a recycle garbage can and label it accordingly.  Instead of having possible recyclable bottles and other recyclable items tossed out, a simple designated recycle garbage can will enable guests to clean up and recycle responsibly.

7) Forget about giving away party favors and if you really feel compelled to give party favors, make them eco-friendly.
I've attended a fair number of kids' birthday parties and don't really want another bag filled with dollar bought plastic toys that break easily and are basically glorified landfill items.   So, avoid giving away party favors and if you really feel compelled to give something away consider giving away one or more of these eco-friendly items: mini-bag of seeds, recycled crayons, homemade mini-journals, BPA free water bottles, recyclable lunch bags, recyclable shopping bags/totes and  cloth made coin pouches.

As the year ends, I am very grateful for family and friends.  I'm also happy to report that I've met most of my 2010 goals.  As for 2011, I'm looking forward to getting more involved with local not for profit charitable events and adopting more eco-friendly living concepts into my life.  

I am focusing on building on past success.  I went from being a spectator of sports to being active in many ways (getting a new bike, taking on spinning classes, gardening) and want to continue towards healthier living.  My kids are there to cheer me on when I don't feel like doing anything after work.  They grill me with, "did you exercise today?, did you eat healthy today?, etc."  Makes me think do I sound like such a broken record to them?

Having ran my first race in 2010, my goal for 2011 is to run three.  I might even throw in a bike/run race as well.  Put a stake in the ground and list your goals.  

Wishing you a happy and joyous 2011.

2010 is about to come to an end, it's been a very busy year.  We have several potluck dinners planned with our friends and are very excited.  For the potluck dinner that we are hosting, our overall theme is organic, eco-friendly food.  We are serving simple organic fruit and homemade steamed organic vegetables with organic chicken.