Roni's Weigh » Just Tips

Don’t Forget About Your Life Lines

roni — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:34:34 +0000

I so did NOT want to cook tonight. I had chicken defrosted for dinner but my energy was tapped after a day out with both boys.

I stared at the messy kitchen with no motivation.

None.

Not an ounce.

Nothing.

Nada.

Nil

Dude I was tiiiired. All I wanted to do was sit on the couch.

I came *this* close to ordering a pizza.

That’s when I decided to…

phone a friend.

Reaching out on twitter and Facebook I said,

Trying to muster up energy to make dinner. I’ve got nothing left in me today. Remind me how much better I feel when I cook versus ordering a pizza because I’m moments from picking up the phone.

A few people chimed in and that’s when AllTheWeigh said…

Make dinner and take a pic…we’ll drool, feel inspired to make our own chicken.

I was re-energized!

Before I knew it, this was simmering on my stove…

Click here to see how I made it.

SO much better than take-out pizza AND my family loved it too.

Don’t be afraid to use your Life Lines.

Whatever they may be.

That’s why they’re there.

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Weekly Tracker Template

roni — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:55:50 +0000

My new weekly tracker spreadsheet is working like a charm! I’m using it to track old Weight Watcher Points, but you can really use it for anything. Here is the template embedded click here to download the Excel spreadsheet or here to save a copy in google docs. It contains all the formulas to calculate the totals.

Hope it helps! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments.

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How to Eat Light AND Cheap at McDonald’s

roni — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 21:07:49 +0000

Order a: Side Salad with vinaigrette, small fry, a McChicken plain and a courtesy water.

Open the chicken sandwich, remove the bun and cut into chunks.

Top the side salad with the cut up chicken and drizzle about 1/4 of a packet of dressing.

~ 410 calories, 20g of fat, 43g carbs, 5g of fiber, 13g of protein. That’s 9 Old WWP or 11 new WWPP.

Total cost: $3.18

And not a bad looking meal!

Swap the apple dippers for fries and shave 200 calories and 11 g of fat from the meal for the same price. Although, I don’t know about you, when I go to McDonald’s I’m getting fries. ;)

Disclaimer: I’m not claiming McDonald’s to be healthy. I’m just saying it is possible to eat light and cheap there (as with any fast food place). You just have to WANT to.

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5 "Old" Weight Watchers Resources (NOT PointsPlus)

roni — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:27:53 +0000

I announced a few weeks ago that I would not be counting points on Weight Watchers any longer. I came to my decision partially because of my discontent with with new PointsPlus plan and partially because after 6 years, I just don’t need points as much as I used to.

I have heard from many who are also unhappy with PointsPlus yet still want and need the structure of a plan. If you are one of those people, know that you aren’t alone. Here are a few resources to help you find your way.

SparkPeople Group – Classic WW/Tuning the New Plan to Our Needs!

From their description, "This board is for WW followers who have been struggling with recent plan changes, have decided to revert back to one of the old WW plans, or simply want to make the new plan their own!"

This group also meets on the Less to Lose Weight Watchers Message board and welcomes all struggling with the new plan regardless of how much you want to lose. They start a new post daily called Old Plans Preferred & Working with PP.

OneMorePound.com

Nice resource for both the original Points and the new PointsPlus. They have calculators, restaurant lists, recipes, tips and articles.

Dotties Weight Loss Zone

Dottie may be the original online Weight Watchers poster girl. I’ve been visiting her site for over 6 years. She has one of the largest collections of Weight Watcher Point information I’ve ever seen. She’s adding pointsPlus but is thankfully keeping the original point listing as well.

Old Weight Watchers Points and Plan Write Ups

On a blog post from PrettyCanHurt.com, the author writes up the gist of the old plan pretty well. Including how to calculation daily targets and activity points.

Starling Fitness has a fabulous post from 2005 called, What You Need To Know About Weight Watchers. It’s VERY comprehensive.

Wendie Plan Calculator

The Wendie Plan has been around forever. Many believe it helps beat weight loss plateaus. Their calculator support the old points as well as PointsPlus.

A special thanks to Nat for helping me compile the list!

I hope that helps those of you who are disgruntled. :)

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5 Ways to Stretch Your Food Dollar and Shrink Your Waist Line

roni — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 03:56:50 +0000

This post idea has been floating around the old noggin for quite some time now. As I was watering down some salad dressing the other day, I realized there are many habits I have adopted over the years that not only help me cut calories but save money as well.

Water down Juice and Sweet Drinks: Many juices are loaded with too much sugar (even natural sugars) and can easily be watered down to cut calories and increase volume. I really believe tastes are learned. Start with adding a 1-2 oz of water to a cup of juice and work your way up. I can now mix almost half and half and be totally satisfied. I’m getting double the juice for half the cost and half the calories too!
Always Ask for Thin Sliced: For awhile I was buying pre-cut packaged ham and cheese for sandwiches then I realized how thick the slices were, especially the cheese. Ordering cold cuts from the deli counter allowed me to request thin sliced everything. Now adding one thin slice of cheese and piling in the ham actually uses less and tastes just as satisfying! Of course I pad all my sandwiches with veggies as well. ;)
Bulk up Ground Meats with Vegetables: Whatever you are making, tacos, meat loaf, chili, even pizza! When you brown your ground beef bulk it up! Add veggies chopped small. Some, specifically mushrooms and zucchini, can barely be noticed and others add AMAZING flavor. Try peppers, onion, spinach, even kale! Just chop it up small. You’ll increase volume while reducing calories, increasing nutrients and stretching your meat!
Buy Meats in Bulk: This one may be a no brainer but buying in bulk is helpful in more ways than you may think. The per pound price is generally cheaper, saving you cash and allowing you to come home and separated it in servings sizes that make sense for your family. Having quick and easy protein sources available on hand also make it easier to whip something up on those days you feel pressed for time. For ground meats I use this technique saving space and making defrosting cinch!
Stretch Salad Dressings: I rarely buy creamy dressing as I normally make my own. I’m a simple oil/vinegar base type of girl but this summer I bought a bottle of Poppyseed dressing and fell in love. It was sweet, creamy and thick. Boy was it THICK. Once I used a bit, I decided to add a splash of water to the bottle to help it pour. I shook it up and realized I couldn’t even tell I watered it down. As I used more, I added more water. I’ve had a full bottle of this dressing even after of 3 months of using it! Of course there is a point were you will make it too watery but any water you add will stretch it further saving you cash and calories. Note: I do something similar with BBQ sauce as well. Adding a bit of Worcestershire sauce to thin it out and add flavor.

Do you have any tips that help save cash and calories?

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My Thanksgiving Plans

roni — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:23:01 +0000

Writing everything down has always helped me get organized or at least FEEL more organized and I’m in desperate need of that feeling right now. I have 5 family members coming in tonight for the Thanksgiving and 3 more tomorrow morning. I’m very excited about the holiday but as Chief Cook and Host of the festivities, I have a wee bit of extra responsibility.

So I thought why not share my Thanksgiving plans. It will help me get organized, makes my shopping list and maybe give you some ideas as well. Albeit it’s awfully close to the big day so I doubt I’ll be any help at this point.

Breakfast

Last year I started a tradition that part of me regrets. Not because I think it’s a "bad" thing but because I tend to go overboard and these things are a HUGE temptation for me. One is fine but this momma can eat at least 3 before her internal full meter starts to even jiggle.

Curious yet? :) Ok, Ok, I make these….

They are fast, easy, tasty, and a CROWD pleaser! With the kids up at the crack of down and grandparents downing coffee just to stay awake, nothing beats the smell of a cinnamon bun.

I would love to make my overnight steel cooked oats and have a breakfast topping bar with dried fruit, berries and nuts but I fear it’s going a bit overboard for my family and honestly, the thought of the extra work at this point makes me shudder. I use my crock pot for the sweet potatoes anyway and I have a system where everything is in the pots they are going to be cooked in the night before.

And in all Honesty, I’m actually excited for the cinnamon buns as it’s the only time of year I eat them. So they are a total treat for me. :)

Turkey Trot

Why am I so worried about a stupid cinnamon bun? I just remembered next on my agenda is the turkey trot! Last year the Husband, Mom and the kids joined me. They walked. I ran. Not sure if anyone is tagging along this year but I’m registered and ready to go. So excited as I get to wear my running for two shirt and now I’m really showing!

I don’t want to put any pressure on myself but I’d love to finish it in about 35 minutes. That seems to be my pace now at 5 months. Regardless of how long it takes I’m excited, the running and the event put in me a good mood the rest of the day and in a weird way, help me deal with the stress of the holiday.

Note: Haven’t decided if I should put the turkey in before I leave yet. It’s a timing thing.

Snack Spread

When I get back I put out the snack spread which holds everyone off until dinner. On my list..

Vegetable tray with hummus and dressing for dipping. I was going to go only hummus but I thought I’d ease the family into this year and see how they like it. So I’ll also have the white creamy stuff as back up.

Cheese and cracker plate. I rarely buy block cheese anymore as it’s another one of those things I have a hard time stopping once I start. But on Thanksgiving I’ll buy a few blocks and put together a platter with whole wheat crackers and a good salami.

Nuts! I always buy a bag of mixed nuts in the shells for the holidays. Actually I buy them all season. The fact that they are in the shells helps me not go overboard while adding the fun factor to make them appealing to the kids. Little many loves to open them up and is getting quite good at it!

Fruit Bowl. This year I’ll have clementines, apples and pears out for quick grabbing. It’s amazing how many gravitate to fresh fruit when it’s made readily available.

The DINNER!

Ok, on my menu this year….

Turkey, of course. We are a bird stuffing family. I have a recipe for stuffing I experimented a while back with but alas the husband is a stove top man. With all my healthy additions to the meal I decided this year to cave and make the stuffing with a stovetop base. However! I will be using the whole grain version, adding sausage and a TON of fresh veggies, including leeks (got them from the farm,) celery, spinach and carrots. I may even add some pecans but that may be pushing it. ;)

Mashed Potatoes are covered! My "lightened" Recipe is a crowd pleaser so I’ll be making a bunch. Click here for my Creamy Mashed Potatoes "Formula"

Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes. These are also a crowd pleaser. This year I’m going to add some carrots because I’m overloaded with them. The best part of this dish is the prep and forget about it aspect. Simply put everything in the crock pot and bam! Amazing sweet potatoes ready at meal time. Click here for the slow cooker sweet potato recipe.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts. This was an addition last year and everyone loved them. I will make them like this but I’m considering adding some pecans and maybe a splash of balsamic vinegar. Haven’t decided yet though. Straight up seems to please everyone.

Corn. This is for the husband mostly. He’s a corn man. :) So I prepare some simply and put it on the side.

Cranberry sauce. We are a canned cranberry sauce family. I don’t care what people say about it, canned cranberry sauce is one of those things you only eat ones a year and it’s totally fun. I’m a HUGE fan. That reminds me.. got to put it in the fridge now to chill it for tomorrow! :)

Reduced Fat Crescent Rolls. This is our roll of choice for the meal. Everyone loves them and I just buy the reduced fat variety out of habit. We can’t tell the difference.

The only other thing I’m considering is a Harvest Type salad. I happen to have tons of spinach and arugula and I’m thinking that with some pears, dried cranberries, pecans, maybe a bit of cheese and a quick dressing would be a fun addition. I’m gonna gauge the family on that one tomorrow morning.

Post Dinner…

NOTHING. I have nothing planned except clean up and if it’s nice out.. getting the family outside for a game of spit or a nice walk. If it’s not.. we will be firing up the old Wii for the family fun. ;)

Dessert and Coffee

A few hours later we’ll have some Dessert and coffee. I picked up some butter cookies and biscotti from a local store and tonight I’ll bake up some quick Simple Pumpkin Spice Mini-Loaves. I’m also on the way to the store to pick up some last minute supplies, if an apple pie happens to catch my eye I’m game. It’s a favorite of mine.

That’s it! That’s my Thanksgiving! I hope you all have a wonderful, happy, healthy holiday. Be present and NO worries about your "diet." No one will remember what you ate our how you looked but they will remember the time you spent with them.

If you are BlogToLose member.. I’ll be peaking in on our post challenge! Have fun with it!

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Ask Roni: Appeasing the Snack Gods

roni — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 03:34:56 +0000

Hi Roni,

I just had to email you to tell you that I was feeling a bit stressed about staying on track this evening (this week, I am trying to spread my 35 Weekly Points out throughout the week, whereas I usually plow through them pretty quickly within the first few days of my week) and I decided to read through your blog (I’ve read it for a long time now and I visit your site daily, for inspiration…or commiseration!) :)

I am so glad I read back through old blog posts! It’s funny how you might know something for a long time but then start second-guessing yourself about how to approach the plan or how to handle emotions and feelings about the "journey" and the sometimes struggle that may be involved.

I was wondering, when you came to the end of your day in terms of Points and didn’t want to use any more (for whatever reason), do you ever start getting that urge, that little "voice" saying, "Hmmm, I wonder what I can snack on?!" How do you deal with that? I know that I can almost expect that reaction every night after I scan my Points Tracker page and upload it to my blog (it’s my way of staying accountable, recently, because after I post it, I figure if I eat more than what it shows, I’m really just hurting myself and my own success) how counter-productive is THAT?! But that urge shows up like clock-work no matter how satisfying of a day I’ve had. It’s like my "inner child" wants to rebel because she’s been told "No more!" Does that sound weird?! It’s the best way I can think of to explain it! :P

I know it’s more of a psychological reaction than a physiological one, but how do you overcome this in your experience? So many times, I’ve said, "OK, well, I’ll just eat such and such." when I’ve wanted to wait until morning, and then I end up using a greater number of Points than intended, and I feel guilty and upset with myself, and I’m sure you are familiar with the cycle of "Why did I do that?! I knew I didn’t want to eat more than X amount of Points! I shouldn’t have done that!" and all the other berating that goes along with letting yourself down and not meeting your own expectations.

I want to turn a corner on the WW plan. There are certain cycles of eating, thinking, and reacting that I need to change – and my biggest obstacle is myself!

Thanks for your advice and insight!

Robyn

OMG… Robyn, this happens to me ALL THE TIME! Honestly it’s what inspires me the most to get creative in the kitchen. Like putting chocolate syrup in tea, blending banana and cocoa, making nachos out of soy crisps, filling scoops with veggies, stuffing won tons with ricotta and/or pizza toppings, coating popcorn in chocolate and honey, turning zucchini slices into mini pizzas, I could go on and on and on. I mean tonight I actually grilled a cherry and chocolate sandwich!

I tend to use that voice to my advantage and try to appease it by eating something healthy for me, that’s low in points and fun. Normally the act of making something up is more satisfying then actually eating it. Like when I made the mini apple pies. The process was fun and it slows me down from just grabbing and eating my weight in chips or chocolate (which I’ve been known to do on many occasions.)

Then again there are days I’m just lazy and yea, I initial get mad at myself as well. Those are the days I kick myself in the butt and move on. No sense in beating myself up by eating even MORE. Which is what I used to do.

I think you hit the nail on the head with "my biggest obstacle is myself!" It is for me as well. There was/is no physical reason why I couldn’t lose weight. It was just getting over the mental aspects and realizing there is no such thing as perfection. And yea, some days I’m just gonna want ice cream and that’s ok. ;)

I hope that helps!

-Roni

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10 Eating Out Strategies for the ‘Real World’

roni — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 03:46:02 +0000

I eat out. There, I said it.

What can I say? I’m a working mom married to a fast food junky. I do my best to cook most evenings. I enjoy cooking. I like knowing what goes in my meals and in my family. And there is no doubt a big part of my 70 lb. weight loss was learning how to cook lighter and healthier. GreenLiteBites was/is my outlet to share what I was/am learning.

However, I live in the real world and in the real world it’s just not possible to cook every night. In the real world you get stuck in traffic after work not getting home until 7PM. In the real world you forget to defrost something. In the real world your significant other and children don’t like what you want to make, they rather burgers or "fried chicken from the old man on the bucket" (exact quote from the 4 year old TONIGHT.) In the real world sometimes you just don’t want to mess up the kitchen or, better yet, clean up the kitchen just to cook. In the real world, sometimes, YOU just want to be waited on.

Early on in my weight loss journey I decided that if I was going to lose weight I had to do it on my terms. I tried so many times in the past to lose weight by extraordinary means that weren’t sustainable long term and guess what. . . it didn’t work. Or it did but I gained back everything and then some.

Nope. not this time. I needed to learn to navigate this real world we live in and so far I’ve been successful. I’ve been maintaing that loss for 4 years!

So here they are my 10 Eating Out Strategies for the ‘Real World’

Ask for what you want.: This seems quite obvious to me but I realize some people are fearful to do so. I actually had a conversation today with a college student who said "I wish I could ask them to make switches at restaurants." I’m like, "umm yea.. you CAN! Have you ever tried?" She genuinely looked shocked when I told her I do it all the time and that most restaurants will accommodate. It NEVER hurts to ask.
Always say “no butter”.: It’s on the veggies. It’s on the buns. It’s on the potatoes. It’s EVERYWHERE! I don’t think it’s that big of a deal but these calories add up and fast. Plus I think sometimes the butter takes away from the food itself. Since reducing my butter intake a small amount is all I need if any at all. So save yourself the calories and simply say no butter and if they give you a hard time, tell them you are lactose intolerant. Works every time.
Always ask for the dressing on the side.: You can do the fork trick if you want (dip the the fork in the dressing before taking a bite of salad) or simply pour on your own. Either way you will use a ton less then letting them dress the salad for you. Like the butter thing, you’ll start to get so used to less dressing that when you forgot to ask for it on the side the amount they put on it will shock you.
Double Veggies: At most restaurants you get two sides. A starch and a veggie is typical. Most times I will tell them to skip the potato/rice/noodles/whatever and simply replace with double vegetables. Just be sure to tell them to skip that butter! :)
Reduce the amount of bread you consume: Notice I said reduce not eliminate. Remember we live i the real world. :) Sometimes you just want bread but there are simple ways to reduce it. Some people remove the top of their burgers or sandwiches. I’m more of a ripper. I rip off most of the bun as I eat it leaving just enough to hold it together. When I get a wrap there is usually a flap of miscellaneous wrap that is unnecessary. I rip it off. If there is bread offered at the table I either send it back or have a piece and do the double veggie thing. It’s all a about compromise for me.
Share!: Split an appetizer and an entrée with a significant other. Get one fry for the table and split with the family. Want dessert? Cool. Share with friends. Most items are big enough for at least 2 if not more.
Always get a small.: I don’t care what it is. There is rarely is a reason to go any bigger. Smalls are the old large, I think we forget that. Ice cream? geesh.. go kid sized and it’s usually the perfect amount. Which reminds me always ask if there is a kids size. Many places have them but don’t advertise.
Have defaults.: In 2005, when I started my blog and weight loss journey, I wrote up my Fast Food Options page. I researched our normal go to spots and equipped myself with defaults. I don’t even look at the menus anymore. There is no question what I’m going to get. It removes all pressure.
Brothy Soups: Soups are lifesavers but you have to stick to the brothy ones. Out with friends and everyone wants an appetizer? Get a soup. You don’t feel like you are missing out and think of the calorie difference between a bowl of chicken noodle and an order of mozzarella sticks.
Skip the Cheese/Mayo/Creamy Dressings/Sour Cream/etc.: Or severely reduce them by ordering on the side. Again this comes down to additional calories that are just not needed. A burger is a burger without cheese. You may like these things and that’s fine but a little bit goes a long way.

There you have it, 10 Eating Out Strategies for the ‘Real World’ from someone who just finshed her grilled chicken breast & baked beans from KFC. I splurged on half a biscuit and split some potato wedges with the family. Not bad for a fast food dinner. Not bad at all.

I think the most important thing to remember is that you are not in an all or nothing situation (it took me 15 years to figure that out). Just because you are going to eat out doesn’t mean all bets are off. Simply order smart, enjoy your meal and have NO REGRETS.

Update: Michelle reminded me below… I forgot to ask for your practical eating tips. Please share!

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My Strategy to Beat Up 5 Guys (It’s not what you’re thinking!)

roni — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:49:55 +0000

When will I learn not to ask the husband where he wants to go to dinner? WHEN?

By the middle of the work week I’m spent and going out to dinner gives me a much needed break in the evening. So tonight on my home I gave the husband a ring and ask what he wanted to do for dinner. He blurts out.. "Five Guys?"

Aaarrrgh.

Do you guys know Five Guys? It’s a burger joint that ONLY sells burgers. Don’t get me wrong I love a good burger and they have a GOOD burger. I mean real greasy, real beefy burgers. And the fries. Oh the FRIES! They are thick, have skin on them and blow any fast food joint’s sorry excuse for fries out the window.

So I decided to not to worry about it, let the husband have his choice of dinner for a change and go with it. Sometimes you just need to go with it.

I ordered a "Little Hamburger" (Note: it’s not little. It’s perfect. Their regular burger has 2 patties! Who needs 2 patties?!?) and a regular fry for the family to split. Not a large. Not a regular order for each family member. But a regular fry for the whole family.

Here’s my logic when ordering.

I don’t NEED cheese. I used to never have a burger without cheese. Actually, I used to order everything with extra cheese. Then I realized I was wasting anywhere from 2-4 points on cheese alone. What’s the point? A burger is good without it. Now I load it up with veggies instead.. lettuce, tomato, pickles, peppers. I don’t miss the cheese at all. It’s just not necessary.
I’m a picker. I mean seriously, if I’m sitting at a table and there is food in front of me I’m eating it. It’s as simple as that. So to help curb the mindless fry munching I learned to order just enough fries so I can finish them and not feel like a slug afterwards. When the fries are gone they’re gone and there is nothing left to munch. So we get one order for the 3 of us and it’s always perfect. No waste and no overindulging.
WATER. I only drink water when I go out. For starters it’s cheaper. Just ask for a courtesy cup and you’re are good to go. Second, it’s calorie free. You can give me all the crap you want about water not tasting good. It’s flavorless. you don’t like it. Yada yada but I’m here to tell you it’s an acquired taste just like everything else. How many people liked coffee or beer the first time they took a sip. Now how many "can’t live without it." Well, let me tell you, I can’t live without water. I’ve made it a habit. Sure, I could go for diet soda if I want a calorie free option (that’s an acquired taste too) but I don’t want all that crap in my body. That’s just my personal thoughts on the matter. I’m now stepping down from the soap box. :)

So my Five Guys greasy burger meal is still a Five Guys greasy burger meal but instead of your average 1,460 calories (34WWP) (based on what I used to order: Regular cheese burger and regular fry for me alone) I only consumed about 790 (19WWP) by making a few small changes.

Not too shabby huh?

So next time you are about to freak-out about going out, don’t. Little things make big differences. Simply make the best choices you can and go on your merry way. It’s really not that big of a deal.

I’m pretty sure this is what everyone means then they say "lifestyle." This isn’t something I do because I’m trying to lose weight this is just what I do now.

Does anyone have any other strategies they’d like to share when going out? I should compose a list of all my tricks. I have tons!

Note: I have no relationship with Five Guys. I used nutritional information from their web site to calculate that calories.

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56 Simple Ways to Live Just a Little Bit Greener

roni — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:09:51 +0000

Last week I held the Living Greener and Healthier Giveaway and you guys submitted so many AWESOME ideas. With a 148 comments and counting I thought it would be a good idea to summarize all of your awesome tips. I have to admit I’m totally inspired to take on some of these suggestion and make them habits especially with today being Earth Day and all. :)

Collect Recyclables at work.
Reuse glass and plastic jars you purchase products in for storage or decorative pieces.
Bring your own reusable coffee travel cups to the coffee shop.
Buy your coworkers reusable mugs and classes and have the office ditch the styrofoam.
Replace paper towels at home with reusable rags.
Bring canvas bags when you go shopping.
Compost.
Walk more.
Ditch the plastic water bottles and get a reusable one.
Reuse paper products (like toilet paper rolls) for arts and crafts.
Use Bio Bags for your pet’s you know what. ;)
Use covers or upside down plates when storing food in the fridge instead of plastic wrap.
Reuse the plastic containers food comes in (like yogurt) to store your own leftovers.
Make you’re own cleaner with a bit of water, vinegar, baking soda and dish soap.
Keep your heat as low as possible (you own blankets, right?)
Open a window before turning on the AC.
Shorten your shower.
Use microfiber clothes as a Paper towel replacement.
Buy local at farm stands and farmers markets.
Buy at Goodwill!
Don’t throw away anything before checking FreeCycle.
Catch Rain water in pots to water the house plants.
Use half a dryer sheet.
Use reusable containers instead of baggies in lunch boxes.
Buy bulk.
Garden!
See trash? Pick it up!
Volunteer!
Make cloth sandwich bags.
Eat more vegetarian meals.
Can your own fruits and veggies.
Carpool.
Bring your own silverware to work.
Use a reusable lunch box.
Ditch plastic freezer bags and go with reusable containers.
Turn off the water when brushing your teeth.
Buy concentrated laundry detergent.
Hang your clothes instead of using the dryer.
Buy energy efficient light bulbs.
Pay your bills online.
Go with a tankless hot water heater.
Print two sided or not at all.
Save memos, drafts and bad prints as scrap paper.
Eat out less.
Use used coffee grounds as fertilizer.
Place a brick in your toilet take to use less water.
Only wash clothes in cold water.
Never run your dishwasher if it’s not full.
Have cats? Try green kitty liter.
Bring your own tupperware for leftovers at a restaurant. GENIUS!
Turn off all lights if you aren’t in the room.
Shut down your computer for the night.
Recycle junk mail.
Freeze leftovers.
Use yogurt and pudding cups for crafts or seedlings.
Remember… Reducing is better than reusing, reusing is better than recycling, recycling is better than throwing it in the trash.

Awesome ideas! Right!?

Now… For you guys with even greater, BIGGER and better ideas for making a green impact, SunChips and National Geographic want to give you chance to make it happen. Submit your idea to the Green Effect Contest. The five best will receive $20,000 to help make the idea a reality. The winners will be profiled in National Geographic magazine and will travel to Washington, DC to share the project with environmental leaders. How cool is that?!?

For me? Right now. I’ll be going down my 57 item check list. The toddler and I are off to plant our first seedlings. :~)

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