Krista Shue Mast

Way to go Krista! 

Mary Ruth, I do live in Kidron and would love some back up if Quince would allow someone to collect recycling for them. I plan on going on Tuesday to follow up with my offer. I'll keep you posted! Thanks for your offer to help! 

Krista,
Do you live in Kidron? If so, is this at the Quince? If so, I would love to help out with this. I can understand hesitancy coming from a business owner b/c of the fear of someone not following through ... I don't doubt you at all... just could see that as a busy business owner this could be the case! I hope they are more receptive the next time you stop in! Keep me posted!

Good effort, Krista!  I hope they take you up on your offer...and if they do maybe I'll go out of my way to take the girls there for a little treat ( bacon maple doughnut). 😉

Krista, I HEAR YOU! My challenge is to avoid purchasing plastic, which I am able to do reasonably well...but only when I have time to plan ahead. When I'm in a hurry, convenience trumps and there goes another plastic package in my stash. I'm learning that avoiding plastic often means making it myself (especially food). It's astounding how many grocery-store staples and snacks all come packaged in plastic wrappers. Even simple stuff like bread!

I totally agree that as a long-term solution, avoiding trash means a shift in life-style. Like stocking up on local food when stuff is in season to have it on hand (in the freezer) to eat throughout the year. Shopping for staples in the bulk food section... and bringing your own bags... takes planning ahead. Considering "do I need this?" and sometimes, no wait often, realizing no. Checking around freecycle, craigslist, or local buy/sell/trade facebook groups to avoid buying new.

It does take time. Imagine that. It helps to know others are also striving to make good choices, too. And it helps to remember we make these choices out of compassion and desire, not out of guilt or obligation.

Interesting side note: I'm putting all the plastic I've purchased since the start of the challenge in a pile, and it's small. Growing, but still small. But then I look at the stuff I am throwing away from before the challenge started... so much more!! Rather than see my inability to completely avoid plastic during this challenge, I'm taking encouragement from the fact that I've been able to drastically reduce the amount of plastic I'm consuming compared to before.

I'm thinking a post-EcoChallenge potluck would be a great way for us to share things we've learned and think about how we can continue encouraging each other. I'd love to hear more of your reflections - struggles and successes! Stay tuned for party details! :)

I hear ya! You can do this!

I have not tried a body cloth, but I'll have to! SURE house coffee in Wooster also has paper recyclable bags. I had forgotten about the bulk beans at Buehlers. Good tips, thanks!

For the ears... Have you tried the Norwex body cloth!? I discovered this while camping this weekend. For me, it works like a charm. Or, if you want the deep clean, my nurse-practitioner friend recommends a kit you can get at any drug store, which is a squeezy tool you fill with warm water in the shower (looks like an aspirator for getting out baby boogies. Don't use the same one, ew.) You use this tool to squirt warm water into your ears, and then follow up with a few drops of ear oil that apparently comes with the kit. I haven't tried it, but I thought I'd pass the tips along!

And coffee... have you tried Beuhler's? They have bulk Equal Exchange!

go Krista!!!!