Got an economic stimulus check? Wanna poke a finger in the eye of the notion that we're supposed to all go frivolously consumerist because of it? You could put the money toward all kinds of savvy energy efficiency stuff--light bulbs, a down payment on solar panels, rain barrels and so forth. Even if we each put just 10% of our rebates to better use...think what might happen?
Oh, and it could be fun!
Some ideas:
• Purchase reusable drinking containers to cut down on plastic in landfills and protect our families all from bisphenol-a (BPA).
• Donate to organizations like Kitchen Gardeners International or your local food bank and help more folks get quality food on their tables during lean times. (Turn your tax rebate into a tax deduction, too.) If climate change is top-of-mind, don't forget We Can Solve It.
• Throw an "Eat Local" or “Taste the Terroir” party featuring fresh food from your farmer's market or your own garden--or both! If you're hesitant to use your good china in the garden, use biodegradable sugar (or recyclable bamboo) plates (our Whole Foods sells the former). If yours is an "invitation only" kind of crowd, use recycled cards or, better still, an online invitation service. Be sure to invite a diverse group of people to spread the word about locavore-ism. For added impact, take donations of non-perishable food to share with your food bank.
• Purchase quality art supplies (paper, non-toxic paints, kid safe scissors, etc.) to entertain your brood this summer at home rather than driving them all over the place. Purchase buckets--decorate them even with non-toxic paints--to take all that water out of the kiddie pool and use it to water your plants at the end of the day.
• Buy some eco-positive art and decorate your home to reflect your values (I'm partial to Joe Wirtheim's stuff, personally.). Prefer to support homegrown artists? Contact your local arts council.
• Create a pro-gardening lending library by visiting your local book resell shop. Next encourage friends to read something other than beach novels this summer. (See my Amazon widget at right for my own recommendations.) Or you could have it both ways and give copies of Sarah Addison Allen's Garden Spells...a frothy, easy-readin', cheap thrills bestseller centered on one family's magical garden (see below). Got guilt over buying new books and using up those trees? Don't forget Eco-libris.
Other ideas? Post 'em in Comments below.
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