Epic Failure

My self-imposed, 21-day Earth Day challenge was to leave off of plastic containers and packaging. So far, it has been an epic failure. In the week leading up to the start of the challenge, I realized that there were a number of things that I would have to give up. I don't think a cracker exists in America that doesn't, in some way, involve plastic packaging. Even my organic corn chips that come in the Earth-friendly brown paper bag have a little plastic viewing window!

My first problem was all of the plastic in my house. I gave up Ziploc baggies a year ago because they are just too tempting to dispose of, but I still have Ziploc brand food storage containers. I went online to order non-plastic versions, but even the glass containers come with plastic lids. Hmph! My next deviation from the plan was when I made a rare trip to the local vegan store to buy some supplies. Finally, I was able to find the much raved about Daiya cheese and Gardein meat replacements. I couldn't resist them. I'd wanted them for so long. I could've waited until my challenge was over, but what would that prove? Then, on an impulse, I went to Starbucks. I didn't have a travel mug with me (which is made out of plastic, anyway) and nearly KICKED myself when I got my coffee -- the cup may be compostable, but the lid is made out of plastic. ARGH!!!

So far, all this challenge has taught me is how pervasive plastics are. Many of them are recyclable, so that helps. But it takes petroleum, water, and energy to make them in the first place. I started realizing that almost all of the fantastically compassionate products I buy come in not-so-compassionate packaging. It got me to thinking: how can companies that cares so deeply about cruelty-free, non-GMO, organic foods not think twice about packaging their foods in materials that are not recyclable and/or won't degrade in the natural environment?

Commence 21-Day Earth Day Challenge

So, today is the day that I embark on a life without plastic. Well, actually I will embark on a life without packaging and container plastics. In other words, I will rid my life of all plastics except for those that may be found in existing items (computers and other electronics, plant pots, shoes, etc.). For the next 21 days, I will not buy anything new that contains plastic and I will not use anything that contains plastic (with the exception of the existing items listed above). When I came up with this challenge last week, I didn't realize everything I'd be giving up. No crackers, no chips (even those corn chips that come in a paper bag have a little plastic window), no packaged bread (sorry, Dave's Killer Bread). I already own and reuse a number of those plastic produce bags to store my weekly delivery of local, organic produce in (I figure it's ok to keep reusing those guys, rather than getting rid of them, although I will spend the next 21 days researching alternatives to those as well). My goal is to come out of this with a greater awareness of all the things that contain plastic and to train myself to buy alternatives as much as possible. This should be a crash course in learning what those alternatives are...as well as a crash course in making breads, crackers, tortillas, and pita from scratch. Stay tuned!

Earth Day Eve

Well, it is officially Earth Day Eve. And not just ANY Earth Day Eve, but the 40th one! Earth Day Eve should be spent thinking, reflecting, and planning for how to make a tremendous one-person (or one-household), positive impact on the environment and/or its inhabitants for the next year. So, tonight I am going to watch "Food, Inc." (again) on PBS then I will think, reflect, and plan for any additional commitments that I will make to help improve the state of the Earth. Please enter your zip code into the PBS schedule to find when the movie will be playing in your area.

In addition to watching "Food, Inc." I intend to make a home-cooked, vegan meal, using local organic produce and then cut all electricity use for the rest of today. I'm really excited to catch up on my Vegetarian Times magazine over candlelight :-) I will also spend some time coming to grips with the fact that I won't be able to use any plastic containers/packaging for the next 21 days.

How do you plan to celebrate Earth Day Eve?

Compassionate Living: What Does it Mean?

The definition of "compassion" is "a deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it" (www.wiktionary.com). But, what is missing from the definition of compassion is the actual taking of action needed to relieve suffering. That is where compassionate living comes in. It is not enough to simply be deeply aware of another's suffering, nor is it enough to merely wish to relieve that suffering. What IS critically important is taking personal actions to actually relieve the suffering of others. There is great deal of suffering in our world and it's hard to know where to start. Our planet is suffering from human-induced pollution and climate change, billions of non-human animals suffer from inhumane treatment and unnecessary death, and humans all around the globe suffer from not having enough food or access to clean drinking water. Most of us are content to donate a couple of hundred bucks to charity each year and call it good; still others of us may choose a vegan lifestyle. But are any of us really doing enough? When is the last time that you went out of your way to reduce the suffering of another living thing? The truth of the matter is that we only give what is convenient for us to give or what is within our comfort level. Most of us really don't push ourselves on a continual basis. Unravelling the web of suffering can be difficult and the deck is definitely stacked against those who are the least powerful (typically the natural world, animals, and impoverished persons). One could argue that the practice of buying products from China has negative impacts on the environment and continues the opression of people; another could argue that the practice provides jobs and elevates the standard of living for otherwise impoverished Chinese people. Additionally, the very existence of many corporations and industries hinges upon how compassionately we live. For example, if enough people decided to leave off of meat because they wanted to reduce the suffering of billions of U.S. food animals, the agriculture, chemical, and feed companies would lose billions of dollars. Therefore, these entities are not above lying to and manipulating consumers into believing whatever it takes to keep the money rolling in. Furthermore, it is nearly impossible to live in a society as large as ours while completely eliminating all suffering. For example, buying organic products is absolutely the right thing to do for the Earth and its inhabitants, unfortunately most organic farms use by-products of the slaughter industry (i.e. bone meal) to fertilize their crops. In the face of all of this, it can be difficult to know what is right or wrong. The key to reducing suffering is to educate oneself and to critically analyze the factors and make a choice that is consistent with your beliefs and knowledge. Metaphorically speaking, we simply have to get off of the ride. It is no longer ethical to live a life of consumption without consideration for who or what was harmed or will be harmed in the production of each good or service. You do not have to become compassionte living overnight. You can start by switching from all of those household products that are tested on animals (Drano, comet, etc.), and move to humane products that are more earth friendly anyway (Seventh Generation, Method, etc.). Ultimately, the goal of living a compassionate life is to live in a manner where you cause very little or no suffering. But getting there is a journey that can be long and winding or short and direct. Where to start how to start; these are things that are yours to choose. But NOT starting to live a compassionate lifestyle, in this day in age, is simply not an option.