Since I’m on holiday, Jessica Gonacha is stepping in for me today to share a post for Indie is the New Green. Jess is sharing some of her New Year resolutions….or intentions as she likes to call them…as well as sharing her wonderful illustrations as well. Thanks, Jess!
by guest contributor Jessica Gonacha
What better time of year than January 1st to start being more mindful of our effects on the planet? I feel sort-of funny about the idea of resolutions, because they just seem like they’re just waiting to be broken—I prefer to set New Year intentions. It feels more gentle. So, in order to start sending my intention for the new year out into the world, I thought I would share it with you!
. . . I intend to be mindful in my actions in each moment, considering their effects on the planet and making choices that will help to heal the earth instead of harm it. . .
Now, I feel that I’m a pretty mindful person when it comes to environmental stuff, but I am also aware that there is much I don’t know and much that I can add to my life to more fully live this intention. That said, here are some ideas of small, simple, but powerful ways that we can help our planet and live with the intention of healing, not harming. And yes, they are all on my to-do list. 🙂
1. Turn your Christmas tree into compost or mulch– check out earth911.com to find the nearest place to recycle your tree.
2. Get yourself off the junk mail list with the Direct Marketing Association — you can register online for free at DMA.org or mail in a form along with $1 to be removed from national marketing campaigns, which will reduce junk mail by 75%! Catalog Choice is another site where you can remove your name from catalog lists.
3. Eat more local food (you’ve heard the term ‘locavore’, right? — read Michael Pollan’s books, find your local farmers’ markets and go every week! You’ll be eating food that is healthier, more flavorful, and there will be much less transportation (which = less oil, gas, carbon dioxide) involved in getting the food from its source to your table.
4. Find somewhere to recycle hazardous materials– and do it (again, earth911 is a great resource to get you started)
5. Air dry all your laundry! Get yourself a couple of drying racks and get to it, or string yourself a clothesline in the backyard!– I have done this for years, but I will be trying to sway Ryan away from his dryer obsession in 2009. 🙂
6. Make your own eco-friendly cleaning supplies to use around the house– you’ll save money, you won’t be contributing to the alarming amount of nasty chemicals that are being put into the earth and our bodies every day, and you’ll be reusing bottles instead of buying new ones every time you run out of cleaning products!
7. Switch over to organic make-up—read more about your cosmetics’ safety at Skin Deep, and then learn about eco-friendly make-up at All Natural Cosmetics.
Happy New Year to you all! Have fun setting your new eco-friendly routines and intentions in 2009!
About the contributor: Jessica Gonacha is an artist from Atlanta, Georgia who is endlessly creating. Her work includes paintings, drawings, illustrations, and paper goods and is vibrant, colorful, and charming. Her work can be found on her site, in her Etsy shop and in the Indie Fixx Shop. You can also read more about Jessica and her work on her blog.