the house behind

Today is Earth Day, the day when people of all backgrounds and generations are called to defend the only home we share, Earth. This is the day we find ways to use our voice, take action, and show your support for Planet Earth. By uniting, it is the hope that Planet Earth can endure and future generations will have a home.

I am particularly passionate about our planet and finding ways to save and preserve Mother Earth. As a woman of fact and science, the climate is changing and we are using up resources at an alarming rate. I also believe that every change, however small, makes a difference. Like shaving minor things off your budget, eating at home more, turning off the lights, etc., bit by bit, the savings add up.

I feel the same way about protecting our planet which, coincidentally, goes hand-in-hand with saving money. The following are my suggestions, small but tangible ways to save money and save the planet.

1. Plant a tree. The Japanese call it forest bathing or, “shinrin-yoku. It is where one focuses on the forest atmosphere; smells, sights, sounds. This practice, which feels like a form of medication to me, encourages mindfulness and promotes relaxation. Shinrin-yoku may even improve your health. Think of this as an investment in multiple ways. I just found two, TWO fruit frees for just $10 at my local grocery store. Seasonally, the store puts trees out for sale and towards the end of the promotion, the leftovers go on special. Two trees for just $10 is a bargain both for me and Mother Earth. I bought apple and plum and am planting them in honor of Earth Day and to celebrate the fact that I finally discovered a specific corner (it is a big corner) of The Enchanted Forest is where new saplings survive. Any other location of The Enchanted Forest is too shady and new trees generally won’t survive but my peach tree and Japanese Maple are doing great so lesson learned. I like to plant trees that give back not just in beauty and grace, but in fruit.
2. Zero waste doesn’t mean recycling more. It means finding ways to recycle LESS because you are losing less. Using less means you are spending less. Make it a mindset.
3. Go glass. As all my plastic containers split, break, leak or otherwise come to the end of their use, of course I am recycling them. I am not replacing them with anything but glass. Glass can be recycled nearly forever and for endless applications. Go glass, it is simply better for the environment. Plus, when I look in the fridge, I can actually see what I have.
4. Eating more plants means a better diet and overall health. The whole Meatless Monday trend should really mean a nearly meatless week. Meat should be the diet exception, not the rule. According to the Earth Day website, a single pound of beef requires 1,800 gallons of water. The website goes on to say that on top of depleting valuable resources, producing meat contributes a staggering level of greenhouse gas emissions. However, a plant- based burger generates 90% less GHGs and has 99% less water impact and has 93% less impact on land use. Plus, my chickpea burgers are absolutely delicious.
5. Forgo fashion fads. As I’ve said in past blogs, hit the thrift stores. Find gently used clothing that needs a new home. I have a friend who celebrates a lot of holidays in her religion. Each requires an outfit, fairly formal and jewelry yet she spends very little on this because she hunts local thrift stores for bargains and deals. If you buy new, think natural fabric fibers which include cotton, linen, bamboo, flax, jute, silk, wool, and alpaca. Eschew polyester, nylon, spandex and acrylic. The latter are made from petroleum, a high-emissions fossil fuel. When you buy natural fabrics, you help reduce the amount of microplastics in Earth’s rivers and oceans which come from synthetic fibers shed during washing. Alternately, purchase organic and you can help reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides which in turn will help keep Earth’s water sources clean. Another benefit of hunting thrift stores is the fabric you can find. One of my granddaughters taught herself to sew and asks that when we go thrifting, we look out for drapes, curtains and any clothing that yields a lot of fabric so she can take the fabric and turn it into new clothes. It’s a wonderful practice.
6. Downsize your entire life. Do you really need to consume so much? Will it make you happier? As I approach retirement, I ask myself these questions over and over as I continue to trim my consumption from many standpoints. I am already using less power, less gas, less water, less cable, less of everything and honestly, I have not missed a single bit of it.
7. Stop using paper towels and plastic flatware. Just stop, period. Use your cloth napkins, dish towels and regular flatware. Go plastic-less. It makes a genuine difference.
8. Use what you already have. I don’t need lotions, sprays, hair care or any new skin care products, nothing like that. I have more than already. I have therefore resolved to not buy any of these products for literally, the next few years because I truly have plenty.
9. Find new uses for old things. Reuse an old, fitted sheet to cover your picnic table, repurpose an old tissue box to store plastic bags, recycle an old ice cube tray to corral small items in your office drawer. A toy wagon can double as a planter in your garden and bring back years of memories and joy. A coffee can or colander gets a new life as an herb planter. The options are endless. Just look at what you have before you consider buying anything.
10. Bike it or hike it. My friends and I are on the hunt for gently used secondhand bikes so we can bike over to each other’s homes instead of driving. It may take us time to hunt down bargains, but we are determined. Not only are we going to be using less resources by not driving but we will expend more calories.

Chickpea Burgers

Ingredients:

1 cup dry chickpeas

bay leaf

1-2 eggs

1/2 cup or so of homemade breadcrumbs

1/2 cup finely diced mixed vegetables (you can also do just onion)

Method:

Soak the chickpeas overnight before cooking until tender. I use my Instapot and it takes about 25 minutes. If you have a spare lemon around, cut it in half and boil the chickpeas with the lemon and water to cover until tender. Cool.

Mix the chickpeas (mashed or in your food processor) with the rest of the ingredients. Start with one egg to bind and see if you need a second one. Chill the mix before shaping into patties and frying dry in your air fryer or in a bit of oil in a frying pan. You can also bake them until crisp in the oven at 350-degF for about 20-25 minutes. Serve as you would beef burgers on buns with your favorite fixings.

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