A trip to Whole Foods

I have decided I definitely need a new camera since I am going to be going out of the country multiple times this summer. Not just that but a recent photography project for art produced several shaky and disappointing pics. I am speaking of cameras in a blog about Whole Foods: one because I am sleepy and we are experiencing stream of consciousness typing and two because I would have taken a pretty picture of my refrigerator garden for you if not for the poor quality of my inherited and out-dated device.

Anyways, in an effort to attempt to go vegan for the Lean and Green Challenge (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/nkuleanandgreen) at school, I purchased all sorts of wonderfully earth friendly goodies. Including mayo made of soy and solar power. A brand of soy turkey and ham, lots and lots of organic veggies and locally brewed coffee to accompany my bamboo filters and Goodwill coffee pot.

I almost went to yoga today but I realized that I have public exercise issues that I seriously need to work out.. haha "punny."

Lean and Green Challenge

NKU is hosting a contest that challenges people to reduce their weight and their carbon footprint.

Of course I signed up! Today is the first day. I am tracking how many fruits, veggies, whole grains, and water I consume. As well as the amount of exercise I do in a day. There are also events on campus such as the Farmer's Market, which I can earn more points by attending!

I'll keep you posted ;)

The Buzz

Some exciting stuff is going on at school this year!

I have the opportunity to collaborate with three very creative minds on a piece inspired by environmental theatre of the 1960's. We created a script in which our classmates will stumble upon Mother Earth meditating on a nature trail. Mother Nature will then express how beautiful she was and the devastation her children caused. She will tell us"we are all to blame." Then the class is invited to improv, using a litter mask (created/decorated with litter found on NKU's campus). "I am to blame for..." But then Mother Nature leaves us with some optimism, "we are all a part of the solution." Without the mask our audience will announce, "I am the solution, I will...."

In addition to this exciting project and am preparing for my Capstone, a year long independent research project for my Honor's minor. The plan is to study sustainability on a global and local level. I am traveling to Ecuador to study the local sustainable economy, not to mention visit the Andes and Amazon. For the local level of my project I hope to draw upon my experiences at Boone County.

This is a monumental school year for me... I feel incredibly lucky to work on these various projects and have so many wonderful mentors.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event (Updated)

Saturday November 6th, 9am - 2pm. For more information go here: http://www.nkyhhw.org/. You MUST register before the event. Look for these documents:

Hazordous Waste Horror

Boone, Kenton and Campbell County Solid Waste Management, Emergency Management and Sanitation District are organizing a Northern Kentucky Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event. The event will take place Nov. 6th from 9 am to 2 pm at Turfway Park in Florence. We will accept the following from Northern Kentucky residents: electronics, oil, bulbs, propane tanks, batteries, tone/ink cartridges and prescription drugs.

We are looking for volunteers to help run the event, if you are interested contact Kelly or Rosie at 334-3151.

YOU WILL NEED TO PRE-REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT

More information to come. ;)

Spinach and Litterbugs

We'll start on a positive note: food. I love buying my own food. Seems simple enough, right? But you don't realize how much freedom grocery shopping allows until someone else fills the cabinet with butt busting yummies. Since I have been in my new apartment I have lost ten pounds.

As my collegiate budget permits I am buying organic and all natural. My eggs are cage free, my spinach liberated of plastic wrappings and I eat soy milk with my cereal. Hurray! I am proud to say I have even started reading vegetarian cookbooks. I vow to give some recipes a try, as terrifying as the results may be.

Another uplifting aspect of my new life is school transportation. I have two excellent sources of such... my legs! I live amazingly close to school and the walks have been terrific. I am also on the bus route and public transportation also suites my fancy for days of extreme weather.

Now for some negative updates... I hate litter. So that's not news, I know I know but just yesterday while driving home, my boyfriend and I had to pull over on the highway. A sheet of industrial plastic, LITTER, had wrapped itself around my tire. Not only was this inconvenient, it was incredibly dangerous. More than 50% of litter comes from motorists and yet roadways are the worst place to dispose of your unwanted items.

There is no place like home...

Okay okay so here's the scoop on my moving in experience. As previously stated I was trying to decide whether to buy a new or used couch. Well I ultimately decided to buy a new couch from Value City. Number one to avoid bed bugs and number two because it was cheaper than some of the used couches I found on Craig's List. I also checked Snooty Fox Furniture Den, which was a neat store.

Although, I redeemed myself! I purchased a used bed from my boyfriend's mother and my Mom brought my childhood twin bed for the guest bedroom. Grandma bought my silverware from Goodwill and gave me an old cafe table and chairs. Yay for old stuff (and no I am not talking about my Grandma)!

If you are ever in the neighborhood for furniture, check with friends and family. You are likely to get a cheaper price and you are recycling.

Now, cleaning products. I am happy to say I bought all green cleaning products: