watch out kermit

Last Friday I received the funniest compliment. We were out for Mom’s Night Out and were talking about trying to keep the foods we buy healthy and my girlfriend complimented me on being “green.” Yup- that’s right me – “green.” I’m sure if my brother-in-law B is reading this he is enjoying such a thought.

I have a reputation for being the opposite of an environmentalist because I think global warming is a myth. My view is based on a decent amount of research, a belief that we don’t hold a candle to what God does to the environment (volcanoes for example), and my own everyday life experience with cold
Wisconsin weather. However, it bugs me that because I don’t buy into the propaganda I must be anti- environment – hey I have to live here too– but I digress, that’s another blog all together.

Since Friday, I’ve given it some thought and I have come to the conclusion that I am pretty “green.” For example, I am big into recycling. Who doesn’t aspire for their garage to look like it just came out of the pages of Martha Stewart? Besides Tim used to live in apartments that were built near an old land fill. We used to sit out on the veranda for a romantic dinner enjoying the view of a big hill with pipes releasing toxic gasses into the air. Trust me this would motivate anyone to recycle their empty wine bottles.  

Also, I buy locally whenever I can. For example, I frequent farmer’s markets. I think it’s really quaint to get out my basket and gather my fresh produce early on Saturday morning. I even buy my eggs from a local farmer. The kids get a kick out of seeing the chickens and I think my big blue-ish brown irregular eggs are so pretty.

I can salsa, apple sauce, and jelly. I know that sounds so old fashion – but there is nothing better than having a row of freshly processed jars cooling on a windowsill after a good long day of hard work. Better yet, I save money because I don’t have to buy all those foods that my family loves to eat all year.

 

Recently, I started buying Oberweis milk. I have been reading about the importance of buying dairy without all the hormones and I decided that I ought to feed my kids foods that are as healthy as possible. We go through so much milk and I feel like I am always chasing to get more, so I have also decided to have it delivered. I am told that the benefits for the environment range from the increased health of the cows down to charming re-usable glass bottles.

If all this is not enough I am thinking of buying a bunch of canvas bags to take to Pick and Save with me. I keep all the plastic bags and have a big bag of bags in my coat closet. I use them for garbage bags and for just about everything else I can come up with. However, it’s always over flowing and I honestly don’t know what to do with all the bags. The mess drives me nuts to the point that I may risk looking “bright florescent neon green” with re-usable bags.

The thought of it makes me laugh. Can you see me fumbling with 4 kids, a cart of groceries, the store card, counting out my correct change and then handing the bagger my canvas bags? I guess if anyone harasses me in the checkout lane I can use the famous Kermit come-back– “Hey, it’s not easy being green!”