My 2010 Resolution. Create More Messes!

Updated 12/10/2011:

It occurred to me the other day that we are starting a new decade.  One of those “duh” moments.  But when I stopped to think about the last decade with its turmoil from 9/11 to our almost collapse of the economy, I can only wish that we are ushering in a new year full of hope.  Hope in our humanity.

We are definitely on a greener path with a focus on retrofitting our older buildings in a more energy efficient way.  Demanding that our personal care products be safe.  Returning to the ways of our grandparents in growing our own food.  Being mindful of our own impact on the environment by reducing our plastic consumption and recycling more.  But,  I ask can we do a better job?

The answer is yes.  We can always do a better job starting with ourselves.  So, what are my own goals for next year?

To create more messes.

Okay.  That goal may seem a little odd with my personality since I picture myself as a sort of control freak, neatnik, and organizing fiend.   So, what does it mean to create more messes?

Pictured above is my dirty sink of muffin pans, utensils, and the like from baking up a storm.  Part of my mission for going green was to grow my own food.  Each year, I have expanded my garden to include new beds of different vegetables.  But at the end of the growing season, what do you do with all the produce?  Cook, can, store and eat.

I am not one to simply steam, boil, and brew.  Instead, I scourer the internet in search of interesting recipes for parsnips, squash, pumpkin (given to me by my neighbor), tomatoes, and the like.  One of my finds is the Gluten free Goddess website full of mouth watering recipes that are not only healthy but gluten free.  You haven’t lived until you have baked with sorghum or quinoa flour.

So what’s baking in the kitchen?  Tonight was pumpkin corn muffins in which I substituted my squash for the pumpkin,  roasted vegetable chowder which included my parsnips, and corn muffins which if my sons like them, will be a home to my own, soon to be milled, corn flour.  (Just got an attachment for my Kitchen Aid mixer to mill flour.)  As I page through countless recipes, I murmur to myself, I could grow that.  I could grow that too.

So, readers, I urge you to consider growing a garden, albeit even a small one. Consider growing herbs in a container or perhaps tomatoes and peppers.  Whatever your heart desires. Food tastes so much different when you pluck it from the vine rather than throw it in your cart at the grocery store.

If gardening is impossible or you just dislike the whole idea, consider buying from your local farmer or joining a co-op to bring fresh produce into your house.

So, readers, what are your favorite recipe websites? (If it is yours, you can boast!)

Reduce my Clutter.

Pig Latin for consume less.  Now that it is cold outside, I have turned my attention to my poor house which has remained neglected during those long summer months.  The other day, I saw that I had doubles and triples of the same item!

Remember last year, when I gave you the 30 day challenge to clean up the clutter.  Well, sadly, I preached well but could not get through my own clutter.   It can get very overwhelming.  This year, I vowed to break up my rooms in little pieces and concentrate on fixing what needs to be fixed and purging what needs to be purged.   But with purging  with the not buying motto.  Don’t buy what you don’t need.

Make my passion more visible.

I urge everyone to step back before the new year and examine their life.  Are you happy?  A simple question but a complex one as well.

So, are you happy?  What would your life look like if you were happy or fulfilled?

Are you wondering how being happy is green?  Well, consider this.  How many people are overweight, on medication for depression, or ill from their lifestyle?  Simply walking more, eating better, and enjoying life’s simplest moments can lead you to  better health.  You reduce your own footprint by being healthy. (Less pills to be manufactured.  Less miles traveled to the doctor.  You get the picture.)

But being passionate about something in your life and letting others see that passion elevates you to a new level. (Check out my Green Jobs page if you want a new green path.)

So, readers, I ask you what makes you light up?  For me, I am passionate about gardening (duh) and teaching others to live a greener lifestyle.  But what would make me more fulfilled?  To know that my message is being heard and that the mission of Green Talk, ie. the conversation, is taking place on the website between  my readers and me. My growth comes from you, readers. Green Talk is simply the conduit to the discussion.

I know.  Green Talk suffers from ADD because I am passionate about so many green facets it is hard to pin down what the website is about.  That’s what makes Green Talk so unique.  A flavor for everyone.

Green Talk is a mish mash of articles dealing with  green building, recycling and reuse, nontoxic chemical products, gardening, passionate green businesses, and general green living just to name a few. Whew, that was a mouthful. (For those of you who spotted my plastic in the sink.  Guilty.  But I reuse those bags over and over again.)  I told you I love every facet of being green.

So, I have promised Green Talk  (my youngest child) that this year I will make it easier for my readers to search for their green interest by redesigning the site.  (Any suggestions are welcome.)

Help me this year to find out how my message can be best heard.

Join the Conversation

• What are your New Year resolutions, green or otherwise?
• How can you make next year a greener year for you and your family?
• What would you like to see in the coming decade?

Wishing all of you a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year full of peace and joy. Right now all I wish is to clean up those dirty dishes and go to bed!

This post is part of the Green Moms’ Carnival on Green New Year Resolutions being hosted by Katy at Nontoxic Kids.

 

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