waste not, want not

grocery shopping day...hand in hand, on guard with my plastic kit!

This is what I bought:

I couldn't buy: Yoghurt, asparagus, broccolini, a head of lettuce.

I went to the deli section and saw some yummy looking veal stuffed with prosciutto, bocconcini and rocket. Got my plastic container out of my bag and said: 4 pieces please and please use my container.

The shop assistant said: I'm sorry ma'am, but we cannot use your container. I am sorry but it's due to our hygiene regulations. See(she picked up a plastic container from her side) we know that this is not contaminated but we cannot be sure that your container is not.

So, out of weakness and wanting the damn veal I almost said "yes" to her container...but thought I can not do this half hearted.

I said in response: I understand, look I am trying to cut down my plastic use, I will leave it, thanks anyway.

She said: Ma'am it's nothing to do with you, I am sure you are very clean, It's just some other customer might be really dirty and come in with a mouldy container and we would be responsible for the contamination. It's regulation.

I said: I understand, that's fine but I am making some lifestyle changes and this regulation doesn't fit in with me?!

She said: Ma'am it's nothing to do with you....

At this point I felt like an alien, all the shop staff were looking at me and it started to become a little scene, that people were taking notice of. So I let the "ma'am, ma'am" shop assistant have her last say and went off with a smile: Thanks anyway!

What can we do? Maybe if we walk around with contracts stating that we are 100% responsible for any contamination that arises from our own plastic container?

Any suggestions? I would love to hear!

So today's waste from my shopping trip was:

and I am proud as punch!

lu flux

In staying on theme of a great read...I found out about beautiful Lu through Frankie(issue30!)

The cutest and greatest "green" fashion label!

"

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(www.luflux.com)

I esp. love their "pair look"(that's what they say in Japan for a matching look for you and your lover!)

grrr.

I could get married in that.

hello!

take'n it slow

Frankie is 30...jul/aug 2009! As i flip through, I find my dear friend Jessika Steiner hanging in the pages! I did not know she was a writer(a talented one I must add!) until now. It's such a nice surprise to find out that your friends have different talents and special gifts that you never knew of?!

She has written an article on taking things slow.  On groups around the world that are saying "no" to speed and "yes" to slow. That having things 'instant' isn't actually the best and enjoying the process and patience of growing with life is important for our well being.

I'm with you Jessi...'dear plastic' is pro for take'n it slow!

consciousness

Just when I thought I was doing so well, I slipped! These beautiful smelling, so so sweet friends of mine are surrounded by plastic. I completely didn't even think past the strawberries until I arrived home.

I committed my first plastic crime and I am very sorry...

It has made me realise just how aware, alert and on-guard I have to be when I am shopping! Shopping is no longer a "no-brainer" and supermarkets are dangerous plastic contaminated places!

"No problem in the world can be solved from the same consciousness that created it. We must learn to see the world anew" Albert Einstein

first things first!

Day one: I woke up, with my guard on...plastic ready and decided to cook my special(!) mr. some eggs and bacon with some healthy greens. Checked the fridge but I had run out of greens?! So I thought, I would pick some up on my way home from my jog. Hmm...purchasing loose salad leaves means:PLASTIC BAGS. 

After some thought, I decided to jog holding firmly onto a calico shopping bag and a small recycled plastic bag!

This made me think about my diet and what I want to achieve. 

Plastic is not our enemy...it's our colourful, shiny friend. It is very useful and is almost vital with our everyday life. I don't want to get rid of it completely, I don't think that is possible. 

What I think is possible is to change our view of plastic and our disposable consumer mentality.

My first rule is to recycle all the plastics I have hidden away (plastic bags, containers and bottles) and not introduce more plastic that is disposable into my life.

To help me do this, I created a kit! Very simple. Made up of RECYCLED plastic bags, paper bags and round/ rectangle take-away containers!

I made two...one for me and one for mr!

Then I popped mine into my car.

Now it sits happily in the back...and I am plastic ready for on the go!

P.s. I just found out that there was a "dear plastic" song by the sugar cubes( Bjork's band before she became famous for just being Bjork!) 

Super exciting, 'cos she is one super inspiration!

plastic free diet

Today I made a pledge. I am going on a diet to be plastic free.

This video on plastics in the sea broke my heart (Toxic Garbage Island on VBS TV)

I immediately thought I must tell everyone...but then remembered a little something from an article...that you can't tell people what to do...'...you need to inspire them'

Hmmm, before I can do that, I need to make some changes myself.

So... David de Rothschild is making a boat out of recycled plastics...and I am going on a diet!