Do we have to wear tie dyes and flowers in our hair too?

Ok, maybe that's going a little too far :)  When you think about it, this month's topic is more about adopting new habits than fasting from a particular item or object.  So, if you are not ready to take up gardening, composting, recycling, conserving, buying only local/thrift store or used items, and driving only one car.... then here are some other suggestions Jen provides for you to consider:

• Eliminate 7 convenience products that contribute to landfills/deforestation or pollution (paper towels, water bottles, baggies, paper plates, fast food, plastic grocery bags and soda cans)
• Take inventory of your pantry, bathroom cabinets and cleaning supplies - assess the following 7 areas
• what items come heavily packaged with multiple layers of cardboard or plastic?
• what could you buy in bulk rather than individual packages?
• can you buy a concentrated product, add water and re-use an old spray container?
• with what products could you reduce plastic consumption?
• where can you replace paper with cloth?
• what products are unnecessary and could be eliminate altogether?
• what containers could be reused?

Something else to think about from this chapter is a quote Jen refers to from Wendell Berry "The ecological teaching of the Bible is simply inescapable:  God made the world because he He wanted it made.  He thinks the world is good, and He loves it.  It is His world; He has never relinquished title to it.  And He has never revoked the conditions, bearing on His gift to us of the use of it, that oblige us to take excellent care of it.  If God loves the world, then how might any person of faith be excused for not loving it or justified in destroying it?"

I look forward to digging in deeper with you all on the 13th when we get together again next time.