Happy New Year!

I am not one for resolutions but I think it is a good time of year to be reflective.

2007 was the best year I have had so far. I was able to create a little more, cook a little more, bake a little more, eat a little less, exercise a little more, love a little more and stress a little less. I will continue to do these things and hopefully make next year just as good as the last.

One thing I am going to work on this year is making small steps to reduce the amount of waste I (we) create. My 2008 initiative is reducing my use of plastic bags. They are so harmful for the environment, here are some facts:

• Americans throw away about 100 billion plastic bags annually, 0.6 percent of which are recycled.
• It takes 1,000 years for a plastic bag to break down in a landfill, according to the Environmental Protection Agency
• Plastic bags are made from crude oil and natural gas, both nonrenewable resources
• For more on what bags to to our environment and our wild animals, visit here or here.

I went to Whole Foods yesterday and purchased my reusable 80% recycled bags. They are part of the a Better Bag campaign and I happen to think they are quite sassy! I figure, just by making this small change, that I can save at least 400 grocery bags from being used just this year alone. They were 99 cents each and if one breaks, you can bring it back to the store for a free exchange. They sure are making it easy. This is my new bag:

Additionally, I have two other ways to save excess waste when you shop. I try to get one large bag from the first retailer I visit, and add the additional purchases I make to that one bag. I also carry a large purse and actually use that extra space to carry small purchases that I don't need bags to carry. This might be the excuse you needed to go buy that fancy new big handbag you see in all those fashion mags! Somehow my husband might not see how my large handbag will save the environment, but its worth a try, right?!?