Babywearing and A Bike Ride: Our “No Waste” Experience….

Hiya readers!

I promised you I’d get back to you on my “no waste” excursion up into town. Well, I finally edited the video and it’s a bit shabby (riding one handed is not suggested)… so please don’t hate! LOL!

This is just a little blip of my adventures. I’m not embarrassed when it comes to taking along my own resuables/containers into a business that sells food or any item that I can take home with me without waste….BUT I wasn’t really comfortable asking people if it was okay to film them and do it *all* on camera. Don’t ask me why…. but I’m working on it.

Last week, Beth Terry at Fake Plastic Fish asked

Do you bring your own containers for take out or bulk buying and have you blogged about it? I want links!

When I saw the question in my twitter stream I realized I had not blogged about the topic but have exercised the right to bring my containers on many occasions. I’ve wanted to chronicle my adventures for some time now, so, I figured Beth’s question was the perfect motivation to get this done. Beth is such an inspiration to many people including myself and I’m always thinking “What would Beth Terry do”? I know that sounds funny… but it’s so true. When it comes to plastic; she’s a pioneer in finding an alternative. You rock, Beth!

So, this past weekend when I geared myself up for a bike ride into town I proudly wore Baby C and carried my resuable tea mug and container to have  filled on my outing. I stopped at the local almond shop where I discussed buying in bulk with the owner and also made a purchase and left with a container full of flavored (chile lime) almonds! Yum. All of the processing is done on location except for a few candied items they carry ( the almonds were grown locally but stopped way back in the day, late 70′s, I believe. Almond fields still remain but for the most part are abandoned).

After the almond stop, I rode next door to SageBrush Cafe where they happily filled up my Mighty Leaf refillable mug with Chamomile Mint tea by Numi (fair trade). They offer a 25 cent discount for bringing in your own mug. Super cool! Not only that but they serve their drinks in eco friendly cups; you could even compost the sleeves, if you wanted! I love supporting businesses who care about the planet. It’s a great little community hang out. Maybe, someday they’ll have a recycling section for the lids and other waste!! Gotta luv, wishful thinking…

The next day (Valentine’s Day) we’d gone to the farmer’s market earlier where I didn’t get any footage but I promise you it was no waste. We bring our own bags and fill them up every time. Absolutely no plastic bags involved our entire weekend. In the video, we head up to the local deli (my primary “no waste” location). They love it when I bring in my own containers because it saves them the trouble from having to wrap up the meat or cheese. The owner always comments on how much he appreciates it … “you’re saving a tree today” he usually adds. The people who work there know me and they don’t usually ask if I need my items in a bag nor do they give me any extras. I love it too. As an environmental writer for our local community paper I feel likes it’s part of my duty to set an example for my fellow neighbors AND obviously for you to!

Oh, and for the record… I somewhat feel the need to explain the deli stop … in a nutshell … the hub is not happy with having pb and jelly, avocado sammies or any other veggie alternative for lunch at the moment. He’s a little picky in this area. I’m also not very savvy yet on packing a veggie/vegan lunch that is satisfying. Especially,h for someone who does physical labor throughout their day. Since meat has always been part of our diet he asked if we could make a trip to the deli (it’s his week to make sandwiches for the company and he wanted some meat!). Me? I’m happy without it. I’m way more motivated on that front than he is and always have been.

Okay, stepping off the soapbox. Like I said in the beginning… don’t be hater! LOL!

I also wanted you to know I spared you a clip of my elated self after leaving the coffee shop. My batteries died in the flip so I had to do a swap a’roo and use my measly digital camera. With my lack of editing knowledge I could not converge them. I was so excited and empowered by my experience  it seriously made me giddy inside. Not to mention the compliment by the local artist who called me a “stylish mom” had me on cloud nine…I’m sorry you don’t get to see that part.

I highly encourage everyone, (Mom’s & Dad’s) to bring your own containers next time you’re out for takeout! Yesterday, I received my Glass Dharma straws in the mail… so I’m definitely looking forward to refusing plastic straws from here on out…. and bringing you a review on them (stay tuned, there will be giveaway)!

Hope you enjoy the video and my eco geeky self.

OMG! I found this organic onesie while waiting for my iced tea (worked myself up into a sweat -lol!!).

I wanted to purchase it but it was too small!

Here I am … I know, I know… I should have taken a picture of the mug and my container with almonds. What was I thinking? Damn nerves.

Visualize them in the picture. I do! It works…hee, hee!!! 

Maybe, I’ll do a bulk buying vlog next since it’s not so intimidating… maybe!

So, humor me, do you bring your own containers? If not, what’s stopping you?