As you will notice from the date, it has been a couple of weeks since our last entry on this journey. For me, Robb, the first 90 days was the important period to log. However, since changing decades of habits is not a quick fix, the journey doesn't end after 90 days. As "Our 90 Day JTZW" was our first blog, we are still finding how blogging fits into our lives, always with the intention of cultivating sustainability and therefore, balance. Up to this point, our process has largely been one of journal entries and playing catch up to get them in the blog. It appears that we are finally at the point where we can make our entries as we go.
Thanks for with it,
Melissa and Robb
3/29/09
Conscious Consumerism
Melissa went to Aveda Salon to have her hair colored - Aveda uses up to 90% plant-derived dyes and practices animal and environmental conscious practices as well as encourages holistic health for employees - signs near the restrooms encourage employees to do yoga, to seek balance in their lives with their relationships, etc.
Aveda uses compostable cups for water from Eco Products out of Boulder, CO. Plastic lining is made from plants not oil and the cup has stats on consumers making a difference in gas use and ounds of green house gases when consumers use their products.
3/30/09
Education
We went to hear John Perkins, the author of "Confessions of an Economic Hitman," speak at at Regis University, Colorado. We highly recommend this book. While being a harsh eye opener, it is actually a pretty fast read. Fascinating!
4/1/09
Conscious Consumerism
Purchased endangered species chocolate and emailed them the following letter:
Dear Endangered Species Chocolate,
Thank you for being a conscious company. I am writing to tell you that I intentionally purchase your chocolate rather than your competitors because you engage in the following practices:
1. Endangered Species Chocolate buys naturally shade-grown chocolate, supporting farming techniques that do NOT require the cutting of trees or clearing of land.
2. Endangered Species Chocolate purchases chocolate in a 100% ethical manner---farmers are treated well and receive a fair price for their cocoa.
3. Endangered Species Chocolate donates 10% of their net profits to support species, habitat, and humanity.
4. Endangered Species Chocolate educates and encourages positive social participation---ES educates the consumer about endangered species and their habitat; encourages action (with specific things that are easy to do and are effective) to protect endangered species; educates the consumer on sustainable living practices such as reusing the wrapper and how to compost yard waste; and encourages the individual to give back to community.
5. Endangered Species Chocolate uses packaging that is recyclable.
In addition to these wonderful practices that match my values, you make delicious chocolate.
Thank you. You have a loyal customer who hopes you continue to support endangered species--both animal and human--on an ecologically sustainable, socially just, and peaceful planet.
Peace,
Karen Melissa Vuto Stronglove
Boulder, Colorado
4/3/09
Conscious Consumerism
Melissa takes CU-Boulder students to see Milk.
Buys running shoes - first looking into environmental and labor practices, chose Brooks b/c it is a great running shoe and practices such as:
* Recently introduced HPR Green, a silica-based, petroleum-free sole used in the Adrenaline ASR 4 and Cascadia 2 that reduces the amount of petroleum used in production by more than one pound for every 10 pairs
* Works with FLA's collegiate-licensing program
* Relies on production techniques that eliminate waste by 50 percent
Used this website to help with quick research:
http://www.greenguideinstitute.org/doc/122/athleticshoes/3
A guide to recycling running shoes:
http://www.runtheplanet.com/shoes/selection/recycle.asp
Other site I found:
http://www.bridgingthegap.org/egap.php?id=214
4/4/09
Volunteering
Worked on construction of a home with Habitat for Humanity in North Boulder
Grocery shopped - Melissa had to choose between packaging for organic butternut squash from California or fresh organic butternut squash from Mexico - we need to garden and grow our own produce!
4/7/09
Conscious Consumerism
Melissa wrote a letter to GT Dave's Kombucha company b/c they switched to plastic caps from metal caps. They replied that it is a temporary solution they are seeking to re-do. Robert made phone calls for junk mail activism.
4/8/09
Conscious Consumerism
Melissa and Robert wrote Turley's thanking them for using local and organic produce, plus compostable take out bags and take out flatware.
4/9/09
Conscious Consumerism
Melissa wrote Now and Zen asking for compostable pudding cups or at the least *recycleable* plastic pudding cups.
4/10/09
Junk mail
Robert emailed Money Mailer to remove our address from their list. On the back of the envelope, at the very bottom, in fine black print there are directions for removing your address. Go to www.moneymailer.com/contact.
in our previous blogs, but apparently, as long as appliances are plugged in, they are sucking power, even when they are turned off. Our solution to this situation is to unplug an appliance when we are not using it, like the toaster oven. As you can see, it is pretty easy to plug it back in when we need to.
reach, like the ones behind the bed, we are using power strips with on/off switches. Melissa's reading light is one example: when she wants to turn it on or off, she hits the switch on the power strip that is plugged in under the bed. It is amazing how many things are plugged in, sucking energy, that we rarely use, such as lamps in the downstairs area. Now, those lights remained unplugged until we need them when we simply plug them back in. 
there are many plugs as is the case with entertainment centers. The picture to the right shows, our DVD player, VCR, Amplifier and TV are all plugged into one power strip which is turned off when we are not using any of the fore mentioned electronics. In my office it's pretty simple; since I already have most of my computer, monitor and electronics hooked up to a surge protector. This surge protector does not have an on/off switch, so I just unplug it when I leave the office for more than, say, a half hour.
