New Year's Resolution Time...

So year after year, we all make a list of things we want to change in our lives. Depending on will power, interest and organization (whatever it may be), we either fall off the wagon, or change our lifestyle. I'm going to give it another go this year and here is my list of New Year's resolutions:

1. To be more self-sufficient and more earth-friendly.

I really want to change my habits and be more conscious about how my actions are impacting the Earth. I've never really thought about the effect of my personal habits and how they are affecting our home... until now...

"As a matter of fact, the average American generates about 4.6 pounds of solid trash a day!  That means each average American produces about 9.2 pounds of trash in only two days.  In a year’s time, that equals 1,460 pounds of trash per person.  If you consider the population of the United States, you will see that as a country, they get rid of about 210 million tons of junk every year!"[[http://library.thinkquest.org/]]

It's kind of like that saying, "Don't eat where you shit." We are shitting everywhere (pardon my language). When is it going to stop and when are we going to hold ourselves responsible? I, myself have been making too many excuses and not acting on my beliefs.

So there are two parts to resolution #1:
A) To be more self-sufficient

B) To be more eart-friendly

To accomplish resolution"A", I am going to recycle. I've started before the New Year so here is a picture of my set-up:

For the local folks, here is some more information about our recycling center. Surrounding areas of Tyler, must take their reycle bins to the self-service plant in Tyler due to no other options.

The Tyler Recycling Collection Center is a self-service drop-off center.

Address: 418 N. Bois D' Arc

Phone: (903)531-1388

Hours of Operation

Wednesday & Thursday: 7:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Friday: 7:15 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday: 8 a.m. to noon

The center is closed on Monday and Tuesday to process the recyclables.

The following items are accepted:

1. Clear, Green and Brown Glass Bottles and Jars (must be rinsed with lids removed and separated by color -- NO WINDOW PANES OR MIRRORS);
2. Aluminum Cans (no aluminum pie plates or tin cans);
3. #1 PET plastic -- rinsed -- examples: soda and water bottles;

4. #2 HDPE plastic ALL COLORS -- rinsed -- examples: milk jugs and detergent bottles;
5. Cardboard; Newspapers; Magazines; Ads/Junk Mail; Mixed office paper; Electronics (NO APPLIANCES OR TELEVISIONS); Cell Phones and Cell Phone Chargers.

Other recyclables:
--Plastic bags may be recycled by returning them to any Wal-Mart or Brookshire’s.

--Compact Fluorescent Bulbs can be recycled at any Home Depot.

--RECHARGEABLE batteries can be recycled at Batteries Plus and Interstate Batteries in Tyler.

Recycling Organic waste:

http://www.solucionespracticas.org.pe/fichastecnicas/pdf/recycling_organic_waste.pdf

*To identify plastic acceptable containers, look at the bottom of the container. A recycling triangle can be seen with three chasing arrows and a number in the center. The initials PET, PETE or HDPE may or may not be visible.

To achieve resolution "B", I am going to grow my own vegetable garden. I was succesful this year with my apartment patio garden of tomatoes and peppers. Now that I have my own yard, I am going to add several more plants (carrots, greens, etc).

 

Resolution #2

I hate to be a cliche, but I'm adding losing weight to my resolution list. I have been yo-yo dieting since I was.. well too young to want to admit. I would really like to lose weight (in a healthy way) and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

And fellow Texans, we are a proud bunch. BUT, maybe it's time for a change for us... we are the 12th most obese state!

"The most recent state-by-state data on obesity rates for youth 10 to 17 are from 2007 and also were included in last year's report. According to the data, 20.4 percent of children and adolescents in Texas are considered obese." [http://healthyamericans.org]

Resolution #3:



I'm going to try some recipes from
this book I purchased



To swap one meal a week with a vegetarian dish. I know that this doesn't sound difficult, but I know it will be hard to maintain... because I don't cook. I am hoping that with a gradial change, I can eat less meats. 

 

 Well, wish me luck in 2012 and don't be

afraid to share your resolutions.