Growing Up Green.

Happiness is a kid in gum boots.

Hope is the child that takes the time not only to pick up their rubbish but to encourage others to do the same.

Confidence is in seeing our offspring pitching in to help the school raise money for a veggie garden.

Imagination is seeing the child of the digital age play for five hours with the cardboard box you bought that new furniture home in.

Faith is what our children need to have in us.  It is in the little things that we do that children learn. They take the lead from us and act it out in their own circles. Little steps make a big difference and being aware and conscious of our actions enables us to become better role models.

Love is what families do best. Love life, look to the future, leave a light footprint.

I’ll do anything for the planet but I won’t do that!

As Sydney hangs up the suit for the long weekend I started to think about the non-green things that I just couldn’t do without.  I thought I would share some of them with you!

1)  Toilet Paper.  Good old loo roll, what would I do without it! It must be one of the most extravagant and wasteful things that one can do with paper. It has to be bleached, softened and can now be perfumed for goodness sake. Then, you wipe your butt on it. Great! I have been to India and I have used my hand to wipe. I can’t say that I enjoyed it but the alternative of a stick with a small sponge on the end was not appealing (I know where my hand has been!).  Maybe there will come a day when I have to stop being such a princess about it and ditch the paper. I can’t see that day coming very soon.

2) Chocolate.  I love chocolate and am sure that I will face an early grave due to the copious amounts of trashy milk chocolate that I consume. However, I am not sure that my choc habit is that “Green”.  I know that there are ecologically responsible bars out there but I am a little addicted to the cheap stuff. Maybe if I just avoid the shops I will be OK……

3) A good Coffee. Another extravagance! I hate getting my take out coffee in paper cups but I always forget to take my own receptacle. If we all bought one cup of take out coffee a day there would be a mountain of disposable cups large enough to make a bridge to the moon. I really need to either sit and drink or remember to pack my mug next time I leave the house.

4) Lycra.  Made from polyurethane and polyethylene glycol this fabric is nowhere near good for the environment.  Although I am not a big fan of the 80’s aerobic look it is hard to go past the benefits that this fabric brings to clothes.  I don’t buy a lot of clothing and tend to keep things until they literally fall apart. I am hoping that this tactic gives me some eco points…..

5) Cars. I am a bit of a car fan. I love driving although I happily take the train or walk whenever possible. The mini was the best invention ever (closely followed by the Aston Martin).  I am part of a one car family and we have addressed our car usage so it doesn’t get a look in for the short trips. However, it would take a lot to get rid of it entirely. I am really hoping that things like fuel cells and electric cars powered by solar take off soon so that I can drive worry free.

6) Newspapers. I love to read the paper on a weekend. Sprawling across the floor, snatching a quiet moment in the hammock or scurrying off to the bedroom with the weekend section. It’s all good!  I have been getting most of my daily news fix via the internet but nothing beats the feeling of pouring over the pages of a hideously large and scrawling paper in search for some topical insights or new opportunities.

I probably have more things if I think about it long enough but these got me daydreaming earlier today. What would live be like………..?