Save the Earth Java

I dislike the phrase, "Go Green." The phrase is to simple and bothersome to me and too cliche. In dissection of the phrase It is apparent that it has caught on to the bandwagon and achieved popular status from its simplicity. The problem is that it is popular and that is about the extent of it. In my biased and narrow minded examination of the way things are I don't really see any changes in the habits of others since "Go Green" has been falling of the tounges of everyone around. If it has changed people, enough to make a dent in the environmental crisis storm we are in the center of then I fear that as soon as the uniquness of the phrase fizzles out along with it the dreams and efforts of those that are motivated by it will also turn into wet ash. Therefore I will not use the phrase "Go Green."

I however, am trying to make a difference to changing the status quo of our environment. As most know 2009 is about simplifying my life. When I was 10 I started and environmental group in my neighborhood. We met in our tree house. One year for Christmas we made over 1300 reindeer candy canes and sold them. The profits went to the Surfrider foundation! We raised money and participated in the earth walk in 1993. My parents always encouraged us as children to be "environmentally aware." We had book after book and our parents engaged us in a variety of projects such as creating volleyball nets out of plastic six pack rings in order to keep our minds actively thinking about what we could do to make a difference. In college I pursued a Master's Degree in environmental studies but was influenced into environmental law. After my path was so diverted I finally became an RN, however I never lost my compassion and desire to assist the environment with its wellness.

I don't per se believe in "Going green." I believe in being green, and blue, and red and black. I believe in living a life of variety and wellness that flows in harmony with the environment. When you understand your lifestyle through awareness and an open mind then it will become obvious to you how it impacts the world. "Go Green." is a catchy slogan for propaganda but it doesn't teach, instill and steward values that are necessary to change.

I don't feel that I'm in a place to teach and instill those values directly but I do hope that by publicizing the changes that I have made in my life that I can encourage others to understand and maybe adopt some of the methods that I have developed for making an impact.

In recent years every time I purchase coffee from a coffee shop I think about the impact the purchase had on the environment. Not just the cup, lid and holder I'm using but the resources for shipping, the energy utilized to run the coffee shop and the lands that the beans are from. I posted a few posts back about the "This is not a paper cup," cup from DCI, which I have every intention of purchasing. Along with this purchase I think that I have found a solution that will decrease my purchases from coffee shops/houses by about 90%. You see Erik and I only purchase from coffee shops when we are out and about or on our way to work. We usually purchase due to the quality of the coffee we receive. Starbucks lost our buisness when they came out with the lame Pike's Place brew. Didriech's went out of buisness, so most of our purchases are from CB&TL due to their brew quality.

In one of our random weekend trips Will introduced us to some gourmet beans he has shipped in from Ethiopia and the wonders of the French Press. Wife Santa brought a French press into the house for the holidays, and revolutionized our lives!

Since the French press has made it's home on our kitchen counter we have lost all desire to set foot in a coffee shop. We hardly use the coffee maker/brewer we have and we waste a lot less coffee.

I will provide updates about how well this whole plan is working but so far I must say...I think saving the earth will be much more energizing and tasteful than I had thought. This is a double stamp for us, amazing java and less waste! Aw the joys of simplicity! The flavor of coffee tastes even better when its doing a WORLD of good!