tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49781491625453166672024-03-13T17:48:51.039-07:00APLSAPLS is an acronym that stands for "Affluent Persons Living Sustainably". The premise is that if you're living in the "developed world" you're richer than you probably realize, and are therefore affluent. Moreover, those of us who embrace a lighter lifestyle are rich in ways that have nothing to do with financial wealth. If you're also striving for a more sustainable lifestyle, count yourself among the APLS!Green Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133847111288382381noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-76950901970570585172010-07-18T20:56:00.000-07:002010-07-18T20:56:00.244-07:00Final APLS Carnival Wrap-Up: Finding community at the farmers marketAt a farmers market, you fill up on far more than fresh produce. You savor a little slice of your community.<br /><br />That's the message I heard from the contributors to the July APLS carnival on farmers markets.<br /><br />It's the individual connections you make that breaks the mold from simply shopping to something special. Take Mrs. Green at <a href="http://littlegreenblog.com/family-and-food/nutrition/my-weekly-indulgence/">Little Green Blog</a>, whose relationship with an apple vendor has spanned pregnancy cravings to now the pre-teen years. "The people ...put their great energies into the things I eat, they want to know me... they show me photos of their family, they ask about my life, they pack my box, find me things, suggest new ideas and for that, I’m deeply grateful," she writes.<br /><br /><br />As for <a href="http://going-green-mama.blogspot.com/2010/07/why-i-love-my-farmers-market.html">myself</a>, I'm happy to watch those relationships build, not only for myself, but for my children, who are getting to know the very people who provide them with their food.<br /><br /><br />Robin at <a href="http://simplegreenorganichappy.com/2010/06/newark-coop-farmers-market/">Simple Green Organic Happy</a> reminds us of the connections she builds on a weekly basis, from the traditions she builds with her children to the faces she meets each week. "On the surface, we’re just getting our food for the week. But we warm ourselves in something bigger than that. Our ideals, and our health, and our community. Our kids. It’s a hell of a lot to put on a business card."<br /><br />Kellie at the <a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2010/07/apls-fun-times-at-farmers-market.html">Green Phone Booth</a> reminds us that while markets don't have supermarket variety, they make up for it in other ways. She writes:<br /><br /><blockquote><p>Where else can you have breakfast, meet your neighbors, snack all day long,<br />buy handmade gifts, locally grown flowers, freshly baked bread, eat lunch with<br />friends you haven't seen in weeks and learn more about others in your community?<br />If you ask me, it's definitely worth the price of "expensive jelly."</p><p></p></blockquote>Speaking of community, many thanks to all of you who have participated in the carnival since it launched two years ago. After a lot of thought, I've decided that this month will be the last month I will coordinate the APLS carnival. I've appreciated learning from the many voices who have shared with us these last two years.<br /><br />Wishing you all the best!<br />Robbie @ Going Green MamaRobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915194141694632310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-22743611391111728212010-07-03T05:11:00.000-07:002010-07-03T05:13:43.751-07:00July topic: Farmers market favesVisiting a farmers market or a farm stand has been one of the hallmarks of summer in my family. I can't wait for those first initial days, when the tiny starts are out, and love to see the bright colors that blossom in the heat of summer. It's all so tempting.<br /><br />For July, I'd like to share your favorite farmers market experience. Is there a particular market you're tied to? A favorite memory? Favorite foods or recipes to share?<br /><br />Share you memories. Email your posts to me by July 15, and we'll post our wrap-up here on July 18.Robbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915194141694632310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-54834866757882160342010-06-16T18:22:00.000-07:002010-06-16T18:26:56.219-07:00June topic: Challenges to conversationismAn interesting post on a friend's Facebook page today leads us to our next topic:<br /><blockquote><br />Why are we, as a nation, so resistant to the idea of conservation instead of more oil exploration? ... Yes, our lives look a lot different than years gone by but we have a lot of waste and excess that makes life cushy but is not necessary.<br /></blockquote><br />Weigh in! Post a comment or a blog link below. Instead of a round-up, let's just see where the conversation takes us...Robbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915194141694632310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-19980114651982793662010-05-12T18:22:00.000-07:002010-05-12T18:24:33.575-07:00Back for June!You've spoken. We'll keep it going!<br /><br />I'll be posting the June topic in a few days. Given the craziness of the last month, I've had to limit my blog time.<br /><br />Thanks for your patience!<br />Robbie @ Going Green MamaRobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915194141694632310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-42982662996129494322010-04-23T03:25:00.000-07:002010-04-23T03:29:57.901-07:00APLS Carnival: Now what?Back in summer 2008, the <a href="http://theaplsblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/welcome.html">APLS Carnival kicked off</a> as a community to discuss sustainability, greener living and more. We welcomed bloggers from around the country, and we've had some fabulous discussions on these topics and more:<br /><br /><a href="http://consciousshopper.blogspot.com/2009/12/green-journeys.html">Green journeys</a><br /><a href="http://crstn85.blogspot.com/2009/09/does-size-matter-apls-carnival.html">Does Size Matter?</a><br /><a href="http://going-green-mama.blogspot.com/2008/12/apls-carnival.html">Children as Natural Resource</a><br /><a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2008/11/november-apls-carnival.html">Buying Local</a><br /><a href="http://farmersdaughterct.wordpress.com/2008/10/14/apls-october-blog-carnival-education/">Education</a><br /><a href="http://greenbeandreams.blogspot.com/2008/09/apls-blog-carnival-affluence.html">Affluence</a><br /><br />I've learned much from these discussions, and met a number of wonderful people along the way.<br /><br />But, like a TV show that's been put on hiatus, after a lull this summer, we've struggled to get bloggers active in this community like we once had. So I'll put this question to you: What would you like to see with the APLS Carnival? Does the old method of monthly topics still appeal to you? If it does, how can we attract a larger participation? What do you think?<br /><br />Share your thoughts below or shoot me an e-mail at goinggreenmama at gmail.<br /><br />Robbie @ Going Green MamaRobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915194141694632310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-87114036684921593292010-04-21T17:37:00.000-07:002010-04-21T17:38:34.043-07:00April Carnival is LiveThe carnival is up over at the <a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com">Green Phone Booth</a>. Come check it out and add your two cents!Erin aka Conscious Shopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02055472303320074413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-52093753670999231032010-04-15T18:52:00.000-07:002010-04-15T18:54:58.136-07:00Extended Deadline for April CarnivalI'm extending the deadline for the April Carnival from today to Monday April 19th. That means you get four extra days to finish your posts! I'll be posting the carnival next Wednesday, and I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts.<br /><br />If you missed it, the topic is "<a href="http://theaplsblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/which-is-more-important-personal-or.html">Which is more important: personal or political action</a>?"Erin aka Conscious Shopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02055472303320074413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-48515004876696464602010-03-25T06:43:00.000-07:002010-03-25T06:59:05.187-07:00Which is More Important: Personal or Political Action?Recently, I was reading <a href="http://www.grist.org/article/2010-03-09-ask-umbra-on-annie-leonard-and-the-story-of-stuff/">an interview on Grist with Annie Leonard</a> of <a href="http://www.storyofstuff.com/">Story of Stuf</a>f fame, and there were two things she said that I found very interesting:<span><br /></span><blockquote><span>Q. </span><strong>What would you encourage people to do on an individual level?</strong> <p><span>A. </span>People ask me that a lot, and I like to see where they are so I ask them, "What can you think of to do?" They say, "I can recycle. I can ride my bike more. I can buy organic. I can buy this instead of this." Really individual actions as opposed to, "I can work with my neighbors to shut down this toxic factory." We have a consumer part of ourselves and a citizen part of ourselves. And throughout this country's history, the citizen parts of ourselves have accomplished enormously wonderful things to make this country a better place. But in recent decades, I feel like the consumer part of ourselves is spoken to and validated and nurtured so much that we've over-identified with it and the citizen part of ourself has atrophied. We just need to start reinvigorating that citizen muscle. So the number one thing to do is to hook up with others who share your values and start making some real change.<span><br /></span></p><p><span>Q. </span><strong>Has there been any stuff that's been difficult for you to give up or part with or not consume?</strong></p> <span>A. </span>Not really, partly because I just don't really focus on the individual piece so much. I really don't fall into that camp where it's your fault because you left the water running when you brushed your teeth. So I just don't spend a lot of time around the guilt and the individual action stuff. </blockquote>I often see this divide in the environmental world between advocates of personal versus political change, our consumer side versus our citizen side, and individual versus large-scale actions. Many encourage people to focus on small changes like changing their lightbulbs, while others say that those small changes don't matter and we should be focusing on broadscale changes of the entire system.<br /><br />So for this month's APLS Carnival, I'm asking the questions:<br /><ul><li>Are personal changes too small to matter?<br /></li><li>Should people who have full time jobs and kids and church responsibilities, etc. be expected to find time to organize their neighbors to shut down toxic factories?<br /></li><li>Are people who do only the personal changes being lazy?<br /></li><li>Are people who expect political changes to solve all of our problem pushing the blame on others instead of taking responsibility?<br /></li><li>Is consumer action less important than citizen action, and vice versa?<br /></li><li>Where's the balance?</li></ul>These are just some questions to get your ideas rolling. Email your posts to consciousshopperblog [at] gmail [dot] com by April 15. The carnival will be hosted at the Green Phone Booth on April 20th.Erin aka Conscious Shopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02055472303320074413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-38620554980749465012010-03-20T05:41:00.001-07:002010-03-20T05:41:49.292-07:00March Carnival: PrioritizingThis month's carnival on how you set your green priorities is up at <a href="http://goodlifelane.blogspot.com/2010/03/prioritizing-apls-post.html">the Good Life</a>. Check it out!Robbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915194141694632310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-16912613894177482482010-03-03T17:58:00.000-08:002010-03-03T18:00:21.373-08:00Decisions...Decisions....<p>The March APLS post is hosted by <a href="http://goodlifelane.blogspot.com/">wilkeorama</a>...</p><p>It's a big green world out there and despite wanting to do it all, there are limits to our abilities. (Even Superheroes from the <a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/">Green Phone Booth</a> are talking about their shortcomings!) </p><p>Sometimes we tell ourselves that we can let one thing go because we are going above and beyond in another area. For example, one might go all out and grow a great garden but not compost. </p><p>Other times we struggle to do a number of things, but don't seem to be able to divide our attention and energy successfully. </p><p>This month's topic is about the decisions we make, big or small, that affect our actions as self-proclaimed APLS. How do you decide what gets to be top priority in your green life? What types of activities are a MUST for you, and what gets left on the chopping block? Please email your submissions to wilkeorama at gmail by March 15. </p><p>I look forward to reading about everyone's priorities! Thank you!</p>Robbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915194141694632310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-28264690745431081692010-02-24T18:32:00.001-08:002010-02-24T18:32:40.837-08:00Carnival is liveThe February carnival is up! Check it out at <a href="http://going-green-mama.blogspot.com/">going-green-mama.blogspot.com.</a>Robbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915194141694632310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-22940086437332910662010-02-11T09:07:00.000-08:002010-02-11T09:08:53.614-08:00Winter motivation: February carnival topicThey say the darkest hour is just before dawn. And in this late-winter month, it is all too true.<br /><br />It’s easier to stay motivated in the fall, as you prepare for the holidays celebrations. And in January, we have great intentions with our resolutions.<br /><br />But as the weeks progress, it’s hard to stay focused. It’s cold to dig in and get motivated outdoors. The walls seem to close in as we’re stuck inside. And perhaps a little too much expressions of holiday cheer have left you debt-ridden and with few resources to take the next steps of your big green dreams.<br /><br />So how do you stay motivated in these winter months? Share us your tips on how you stay motivated as part of this month’s APLS carnival.<br /><br />Post your comments below or e-mail your posts to goinggreenmama at gmail dot com by Feb. 22. We’ll post the highlights at <a href="http://going-green-mama.blogspot.com/">Going Green Mama</a> on Feb. 24.Robbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915194141694632310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-85901303670612303732010-01-26T03:44:00.000-08:002010-01-26T03:51:45.015-08:00February Carnival topic: Winter motivationThey say the darkest hour is just before dawn. And I'm beginning to figure it's the same with greener and more sustainable living.<br /><br />It's easy being green in the spring and summer. Look around you: The opportunities about to live lighter: Gardening, farmers marketing, even simple things like friendlier weather for opening the windows and cycling and walking instead of driving.<br /><br />And in the late fall/early winter, the focus turns towards making a lighter footprint without lightening the joy of the holiday season.<br /><br />And perhaps January is about your resolutions for the coming year.<br /><br />But what happens as winter goes on? Cold days and fewer opportunities may mean some people lose their motivation. Or maybe it's simply a time for you to regroup and plan for the coming seasons.<br /><br />So this month, I'll ask you: How do you stay focused on greener and more sustainable living in the dead of winter?<br /><br />E-mail your posts by Feb. 15 to goinggreenmama at gmail, and we'll include them in our carnival posting by Feb. 18. If you're thinking spring, we're also looking for hosts for the spring months, so indicate that as well.<br /><br />Have a wonderful month!<br />Robbie @ Going Green MamaRobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915194141694632310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-89339781810934208602010-01-19T18:29:00.000-08:002010-01-19T18:29:45.853-08:00The January Carnival Is Live!Thanks everyone for submitting your posts! There is a lot of good info in this months carnival so be sure to <a href="http://www.retrohousewifegoesgreen.com/2010/01/greener-valentines-day.html">check it out</a>.<br />
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-Lisa at <a href="http://www.retrohousewifegoesgreen.com/">Retro Housewife Goes Green</a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02583524755306491510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-66241237382218620212010-01-14T07:35:00.000-08:002010-01-14T07:39:05.623-08:00January carnival reminder and call for new hostsGood morning! Just a reminder that the deadline for the January APLS carnival is Sunday. Please email Lisa at love_cats05 on yahoo with your post. Details are below.<br /><br />Also, we're on the lookout for hosts and topics for 2010. If you'd like to host a month or suggest a topic, post a comment below or email me at goinggreenmama on gmail.<br /><br />Have a great day!<br />Robbie @ Going Green MamaRobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915194141694632310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-15609676340243947132009-12-29T17:04:00.000-08:002009-12-29T17:04:20.211-08:00January Carnival: Greening Valentine's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVDqiKmcDBmMoVzxYmdAujrvry1XGUDvXqBJAke_Pt8u_Ln7igah-xIXB2oNAXNVaVay_nEvTx9MgeURCSnOrbaekbPiLwWypmlp39nJcgambtssrlC_pIDhWwVq8-DqgMqYgx-51daY/s1600-h/greenleaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVDqiKmcDBmMoVzxYmdAujrvry1XGUDvXqBJAke_Pt8u_Ln7igah-xIXB2oNAXNVaVay_nEvTx9MgeURCSnOrbaekbPiLwWypmlp39nJcgambtssrlC_pIDhWwVq8-DqgMqYgx-51daY/s200/greenleaf.jpg" /><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i></i></span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/3457362743/">Photo Credit: D Sharon Pruitt</a></i></span><br />
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</div>January's carnival topic is on how we can green Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day often means lots of waste but is that how it has to be?<br />
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This month I want to hear your ideas on how to make Valentine's Day a little greener. The tips can be for a green Valentine's for the kids, adults, or both. <br />
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Please email your submissions to love_cats05(at)yahoo(dot)com by January 17th and I will have it up on January 19th. <br />
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Thanks,<br />
Lisa @ <a href="http://www.retrohousewifegoesgreen.com/">Retro Housewife Goes Green</a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02583524755306491510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-69156417436173980692009-12-18T04:57:00.000-08:002009-12-18T05:04:28.938-08:00December Carnival is Live!The December Carnival is up over at <a href="http://consciousshopper.blogspot.com/2009/12/green-journeys.html">The Conscious Shopper</a>! Head on over to read some fascinating tidbits about some great green bloggers, including several newbies to the APLS Carnival.<br /><br />Thanks again to everyone for all your submissions!Erin aka Conscious Shopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02055472303320074413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-54084122228855531702009-12-09T18:18:00.000-08:002009-12-09T18:23:10.628-08:00Reminder: December APLS Carnival on "Green Journeys"A quick little reminder that submissions for this month's APLS carnival are due on December 15th to consciousshopperblog@gmail.com.<br /><br />I'm looking forward to reading about all of your green journeys...Why did you decide to go green? What are the biggest changes you've made toward living a sustainable life? What are your shortcomings?<br /><br />I think this is a very simple topic for the busy holiday season, yet also very appropriate since December is a good month for looking back and planning ahead.<br /><br />Can't wait to hear what you have to say!Erin aka Conscious Shopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02055472303320074413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-49699522264786569602009-11-22T19:26:00.000-08:002009-11-23T19:07:45.393-08:00December APLS Carnival Topic: Green JourneysWhen people find out that I'm a vegetarian, one of the first questions is always, "How long have you been a vegetarian?" and then "Why did you become a vegetarian?"<br /><br />Going veggie was my first eco-related lifestyle change, but it took ten years of feet-dragging and a crashing housing market before I finally committed to greening my life about a year and a half ago.<br /><br />That's a very abbreviated version of the story of my green journey...What's your story?<br /><br />December is a good month for reflecting on beginnings and endings, where you started and how far you've come. So in that spirit, I'd like to hear about your green journey for this month's APLS Carnival.<br /><br /><ul><li>What triggered you to start trying to live a sustainable life?<br /></li><li>What are the biggest changes you've made to live sustainably?<br /></li><li>How far have you come since you started your green journey?<br /></li><li>And what do you feel you still need to work on?</li></ul>Please email your submissions to consciousshopperblog@gmail.com by December 15. I'll post the carnival on December 18 at my blog <a href="http://www.consciousshopper.blogspot.com/">The Conscious Shopper</a>.<br /><br />I'm looking forward to hearing your story!Erin aka Conscious Shopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02055472303320074413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-63996205241446829622009-11-18T06:56:00.000-08:002009-11-18T07:01:44.672-08:00November APLS Carnival is Live!The November edition of the APLS Carnival is now live at <a href="http://www.greeningfamilies.com/families/sustainable-living-and-you-november-apls-carnival/">Sustainable Living and You: November APLS Carnival</a>.<br /><br />As the holiday rush begins, take some time to relax and read this month's thoughtful entries. They will definitely encourage you to think about all the blessings in your life.<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving!Steph @ Greening Familieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433969162173404332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-8864354004193633322009-11-03T05:05:00.000-08:002009-11-03T05:07:18.076-08:00November APLS Carnival Topic: Sustainable Living and YouWhen I began making changes to live a more sustainable life, I frequently thought, "There is no way I'll be able to do that!" when reading descriptions of what others were doing. I was simply overwhelmed at the distance between my lifestyle and theirs. Now I'm doing many of the things from which I initially recoiled and know that they were changes well worth making. I've talked to others who have felt those same feelings so wanted to explore this notion of changing behavior in hopes of encouraging folks to start making changes that currently feel enormous. I know there are some more modifications I have on my list that seem a bit overwhelming right now!<br /><br />The questions I would like you to consider when writing about this topic include: <div class="im"><br />What have your efforts to live a more sustainable life taught you about yourself? Have you been able to change a behavior you initially thought you could not? What has surprised you about your own capacity in your efforts to live more sustainably?<br /><br /></div>If possible, please include specific examples of changes as I think those would be particularly useful to people trying to make those and similar changes in their own lives.<br /><br />I'm really looking forward to reading what everyone has to say! Please email your submissions to <a href="mailto:steph@greeningfamilies.com" target="_blank">steph@greeningfamilies.com</a> by November 15. I'll post the carnival by November 18 so we can all learn from, and be inspired by, each other!<br /><br />Thanks much,<br />Steph @ Greening FamiliesSteph @ Greening Familieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433969162173404332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-45789180335365327812009-10-18T21:13:00.000-07:002009-10-18T21:17:41.769-07:00October Carnival is up!The October <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">APLS</span> blog carnival, <a href="http://kelliebrown.blogspot.com/2009/10/proselytizing-green-october-apls.html">Proselytizing Green</a>, is now up on my blog, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Greenhab</span>. We have some great posts from a number of contributors this month, so stop by and learn how your fellow green <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">bloggers</span> spread the word.<br /><br />If you didn't have a chance to participate, but have something to share on the subject, be sure to leave a comment over on my blog.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781471734145665351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-45190543264919963892009-10-15T07:14:00.000-07:002009-10-15T07:20:30.168-07:00Reminder: October APLS CarnivalHi fellow <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">APLS</span>! This is just a friendly reminder that the deadline for the October <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">APLS</span> carnival is coming up. In light of Blog Action Day, I thought I'd extend the carnival deadline to Saturday, October 17<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span>. If you're anything like me, you were up late blogging last night and may need a little break.<br /><br />Again, the topic is "proselytizing green". Do you shout the green word from the mountain tops, try to lead by example, or keep your opinions to yourself? How and when do you spread the word?<br /><br />Email me your blog at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">greenhabgoods</span> {at} <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">gmail</span> by Saturday evening to be included in the October carnival.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781471734145665351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-42667813119643531782009-09-22T09:17:00.000-07:002009-09-22T10:01:59.806-07:00October APLS Carnival Topic: Proselytizing Green<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYqluSmqADswnSBYNlL_u1sP4CUvOqRa7ZP2ISI9IrQjTKsU5BoTEYI2Y5LyN8VfqXWIpZbgFu3V1qhcD_3-QagdO0EOnH0TRF-3AGypUQq2v0U7NjJht-a1Z62n6SDK175xju2zfsV4/s1600-h/preach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYqluSmqADswnSBYNlL_u1sP4CUvOqRa7ZP2ISI9IrQjTKsU5BoTEYI2Y5LyN8VfqXWIpZbgFu3V1qhcD_3-QagdO0EOnH0TRF-3AGypUQq2v0U7NjJht-a1Z62n6SDK175xju2zfsV4/s200/preach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384335472424827298" border="0" /></a><br />I wish I could sit down with all of you and chat over a nice big cup of organic tea...or wine (really, let's be honest). There are so many things I want to ask you and so many topics we could cover. I've finally narrowed down the topic for the October APLS carnival and have selfishly picked the subject of "Proselytizing Green".<br /><br />I started my <a href="http://kelliebrown.blogspot.com/">Greenhab</a> blog a few years ago so I'd have a place to track my family's progress and ramble on about the ways in which we were greening our lives. For a while I felt like I was preaching the green word until I realized that the people reading my blog (other than my mom I guess) were already like-minded people.<br /><br />Over time, I became more confident in mentioning environmental injustices to some friends, family and coworkers, but I'm not really an "in your face" type of gal. Now that my kids are in school I'm encountering things like fundraisers, wasteful lunches, junk-filled parties and the absence of recycling. I feel like the stinky hippy parent in a school full of affluent unstinky soccer moms. On the inside I'm throwing up a little in my mouth while, on the outside, I'm all "smile wave".<br /><br />So, I'm wondering when, where, how, and how much you proselytize living green? When do you just let it go? When is it not worth it to start something? Or do you always speak up? How loud? Are you a tell-it-like-it-is person? Or do you try to take a gentle approach? And, although I use "proselytize" in the loosest way, does living a sustainable lifestyle feel almost like a religion to you?<br /><br />Okay, I think those are enough questions for now. Talk amongst yourselves! But don't forget to send me your thoughts by Friday, October 16th. The carnival will be up on my blog on Monday the 19th of October. Email me at greenhabgoods {at} gmail {dot} com.<br /><br />As always, please feel free to interpret the topic loosely. I don't want anyone to feel boxed in by the questions I've asked above, they're just some thoughts that came to mind. I'm sure if we were chatting over tea we'd have lots to share on the subject!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781471734145665351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978149162545316667.post-4764348250974170612009-09-16T18:26:00.000-07:002009-09-16T18:28:13.474-07:00September Carnival Is UpThe round up of the September contributions is now posted at: <a href="http://crstn85.blogspot.com/2009/09/does-size-matter-apls-carnival.html">http://crstn85.blogspot.com/2009/09/does-size-matter-apls-carnival.html</a><br /><br />Thanks for all your contributions!<br />TinaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com