Sleepy Green

Sorry it's a day late...

http://twitter.com/worldveganday

http://www.worldveganday.org/

Welcome back to the sleepy green blog. I've been neglecting my blog recently in favour of social networking sites.
Have I been neglecting my greeness? Well, I had a pretty Compacty birthday, I asked for money not presents; I received some gifts of clothes - cardigan (acrylic), scarf (acrylic), cotton socks - long & short, so won't have to buy socks for another 2 years! Long sleeved t-shirt - cotton. All stuff that is 'me' & will get loads of use. My bf bought me a replacement for my worn out rucksack, so I'm using that. I had a gift card, so I could buy underwear with it or maybe Xmas presents. I had some perfume, Charlie Red, not sure of it's green credentials or of The Body Shop's - I had shampoo & Conditioner, I think it's probably best to use these so not to waste them.
I also had a huge bar of milk chocolate and a Green & Black's selection, more later...
I had quite a bit of birthday money, so have been tempted with netbooks and mobile's but can't justify buying either.
The only new thing I recall buying this year is a dry bag whilst on a rainy camping holiday in September. No excuse; I'd got wet and couldn't help treating myself ;-)
I've been buying birthday cards, it just doesn't seem appropriate to send hand made.
I have however got back into crafts; I made 3 mobile / bag charms as Xmas presents, but need more beads to finish them. I got a video from youTube on how to make them.
I need to buy a gift for a newborn baby and also find something to wear for a wedding. I've looked on ebay and there's one possible suit, so I've asked for the measurements of it.
I have a bit of a dilemma when it comes to the wedding food, most people panic if they have to feed a vegetarian, let alone vegan, so I asked for vegetarian food & hoped it wouldn't all be egg sandwiches! My boyfriend has told them I'm vegan & only eat vegetables! So now they are asking about wheat and all sorts, they are going to phone me again and check if the food is ok. Am I being a nuisance or a hyprocrite? Should I stick to my principals and go for vegan food? Also put up with all the stupid questions people ask? Do you eat bread? Yes!
What about my weakness for dairy milk chocolate? Doesn't that make me lacto-vegetarian? I know, I know there are good vegan chocolates out there, but they are so expensive and just don't hit the chocolate craving where it hurts. What to do?

At last, I managed to make it show as an image!

http://www.wearewhatwedo.org/actiontracker

Saturday was the one year mark for not buying new; my "Jubilee day" according to the original Compact. I've managed to go a whole year without buying any new clothes! I did buy a folding bike, but I defend that by saying it is green and will last for many many years ;-)
I've bought a few health and safety items, which were allowed under the original Compact and a few presents for friends and family - they weren't taking part in my not buying new year.
So to celebrate I have allowed myself to buy a couple of new things that I have been wanting all year - I've ordered the organic hankies and I've bought an ink converter for my fountain pens. I can justify these as they'll be green - no more disposable tissues and no throw away pens - I'm all set for green writing now with a refillable fountain pen or two ;-)

I also couldn't resist buying Christmas cards from Oxfam, at the bargain price of 50p! Does recycled count as second hand? Perhaps not!
But I don't think this is too bad considering I have bought 23 new items in the last year and that most of these aren't available second hand.

And for the next year?

I am back on the 'wagon' - lets see if I can do better this year!

Oh just had to buy some wrapping paper for BF's birthday, bought 'plain' paper so it can be recycled, not the metallic stuff that can't be recycled - I learnt that from Dick Strawbridge's book 'It's not Easy being Green'.

On a greener note, I've just emptied my first bottle of refillable shampoo, not bad considering I bought it in March! http://sleepygreen.blog.co.uk/2009/03/03/what-do-you-want-to-do-green-today-5685108/#trackbackForm

My footprint is
1.49 planets

What is your footprint? http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/home

OK now I'm very excited, it's almost a year! I've bought 20 things new, some of which were on the 'allowed' list, some were not. But I've done a year!!

My new things to buy list has got shorter too; I found turtle bags on ebay, second user if you like ;-)

Oh, and the mooncup has paid for itself on the savings from not buying disposables, a good investment...

More stuff has left the flat via ebay; I have bought a new to me hooded top, which is gorgous, good for 'Its not that hot / not that cold days! I got my turtle bags which were torturing me, it was a want more than a need, but they were 2nd hand.

I've had a swap accepted on read it swap it, "It's not easy being green" book - good things come to those who wait...

As the title suggests, T minus 10 days!
Should I do another year? Do better second time around?

Buying nothing new is catching on...

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/campaigns/greenwatch/4447985.I_m_not_buying_anything_new_for_a_whole_year_/

T minus 18 days until I've been buying nothing new for a year! No new purchases, still at 20 items for the year. :-)

I'm into week two of avoiding Tesco, I have bought just one bottle of wine from them, which was a particular one BF wanted! Need to get to Co-Op before he goes shopping next week!

I have a bit of an advantage when it comes to avoiding supermarkets, as I work opposite one of the best health food shops ever ;-) IMHO

Today I've bought flour to try my hand at flatbread making, yeast, soya milk, tofu, chick peas, seitan (wheaty thing) slices for yummy sandwiches (got to keep an eye on my protein intake, all this fruit and veg is great but need to get enough protein), phew what else? vegan butter, and a peanut crunch bar (yum). :) Oh and a vegan sausage snack, some veggie burger mix and the kitchen sink, just kidding ;-)