Focus on the Impact, Not the Instant

The other day, a commercial caught my attention where there was a group of about 5 women hanging out in the backyard, eating dinner, drinking wine, and gossiping about something. As the camera focused on the food, you could see it was on paper plates, and as the spot faded out, the tagline "Focus on the Drama, Not the Dishes" appeared.

Paper and foam plates are obviously already one of my pet peeves, but this tagline made me even more mad. It doesn't even matter which brand produced this commercial, because they're all promoting unnecessary waste.

In the right instances, I can understand a bigger need to choose convenience over sustainability. If you're hosting a huge party and don't have extra help or a kitchen staff on hand, then it's understandable to go for disposable plates. But even then, you can make a greener choice by choosing plates/bowls/silverware made of recycled paper or plastic, or dinnerware made of bamboo or compostable material. Whole Foods uses this composite cardboard that can be composted. A few years ago when P and I hosted a Saints party, I went with Susty Party's compostable plates and bowls. (The napkins are made of recycled paper and the forks and knives are recycled and recyclable plastic.)

 

And, this post isn't about restaurants providing to-go orders or containers. No, this is about the scenarios like the ones in that commercial. A group of five or six women gathered at someone's house. A family sitting down together for dinner. These are not the times for paper plates.

While it may seem so easy and convenient, remember the lasting impact that disposable plates have on the environment. Foam, especially, never biodegrades. So your alternative to washing a few extra dishes actually lives on forever.

It's much more sustainable, and cost-effective, to invest in reusable dinnerware that you love. And it doesn't have to be fancy china or super heavy dinnerware. Melamine is a popular alternative to ceramic, especially for children and outdoor dining, because it's lightweight and unbreakable. However, try to avoid microwaving, baking or running melamine through the dishwasher, because heat can cause some of the chemicals to leach out into your food.

And yes, they do make BPA-free melamine.

When you invest in a set of reusable plates and cups for home, you can pick ones that mirror your home's style and your personality. My future in-laws keep the striped plates above for when we have backyard cookouts, and I love how much use we've gotten out of them in the past couple years.

The plate in the title image is also melamine, and works super well for the lake house. Instead of packing my lunch in a paper towel or on a disposable plate, I fixed it on the plate and carried it out to the water.

 Backyard grillin' at the lake house, using regular plates, especially since there were only four of us.

 Thanksgiving gumbo at the lake house last year.

Taco night at home, and I wouldn't even fathom using disposable plates to eat in the dining room (or let's be real, in the living room at the coffee table).

And what about at work? I purchased a sale bowl and plate to keep at my desk, and they have served to eliminate a lot of single use potential from my day. One afternoon recently, I stopped by our company lunch hall to grab a salad, but instead of using a clamshell container, I just brought my own bowl.

Part of my workplace reusable arsenal.

Each year, my company also hosts a (very delicious) cookoff. My first year was spaghetti, and yes, all the styrofoam bothered me. Since I haven't worked yet worked out a great solution that everyone else would agree to, I at least changed my own impact for the next year. I brought my own sample-size cup (and if you look in the Saints party photo, you might see this exact bowl and its three siblings!) and my fork, and saved about eight styrofoam cups from being used. 

And yes, jambalaya might be the least Instagrammable food there is. I'm sorry. It tasted good though!
 

Maybe a gratuitous photo of poké bowls, but I'm not sorry. I'm craving some poké so this will have to do for now. The photo on the left is legit poké from Kailua, Hawaii, but is unfortunately in a foam cup, with disposable chopsticks. About a year after our vacation, I made my own version (after nearly having a heart attack at the cost of sashimi at Whole Foods), and it was pretty damn tasty. And this time, in a reusable bowl!

Loved the use of reusable dinnerware at an engagement party earlier this year. And the food was delicious. Excuse the paper napkin! This was a large party, and there was kitchen help for the evening to help with the dishes.

A weekend in New Orleans with fresh baked cookies on this adorable shaped plate.

Not all airport food options are sustainable, but one of the United lounges in the Houston airport provided simple reusable dinnerware for my breakfast during a layover last year. Gimme all the scones.

So, when you're at home, or hosting a small gathering, don't default to using disposable dinnerware. Remember the impact all that waste has on our environment, and make the sustainable choice! Choose reusable.

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How to Commute to Work Via Bicycle | National Bike to Work Week and Day

Happy National Bike to Work Week! With a pretty rainy week in the forecast for South Louisiana, it may be a little more "adventurous" for those who plan to bike to work.

Biking to work can be a fun and fuel-efficient alternative to commuting. I've only participated in Bike to Work Day once, when I was conveniently three miles from home and on a relatively safe route. These days, my commute is longer and passes through an area I would not feel as safe riding in.

If it's an option for you (as in, you don't work from home, or commute 20 miles one way), check out some tips below for making the trip a smooth one.

 

Check the weather. 

If you're going to get some rain, make sure you have a rain jacket (or a sweet rain cape) and waterproof bag so your belongings don't get wet. Umbrellas are useless on a bike. Stash a towel in your bag.

Plan your route. 

Google Maps has a bike transit option in their directions, or you can use MapMyRide to create a bike-friendly, safe route from your home to your office. You'll probably deviate a bit from your routine commute in order to follow bike paths or less-busy streets, but it'll give you some variety in the morning. Mapping your route will also help you determine how much extra time your ride will take.

Get a tune-up.

Before you head out, have your bike tuned up so all gears are working, chains are in place, tires and tubes are in good shape, and your handlebars and seat are secure. Check the batteries in your front and rear lights and replace them if you need to, which will eliminate one extra thing you need to pack.

Pack right.  

Packing a good bag is the key to being prepared and traveling light. In your bag, keep a small air pump and tire patches, in case of emergencies. Wear tennis shoes or flats, and pack your nice work shoes. Biking in heels LOOKS nice, but is not fun, and can be a hazard.

Pack deodorant, oil-absorbing sheets, dry shampoo, perfume and makeup. If you ride to work regularly, keep spares of your toiletries and beauty products at work so you don't have to add them to your bag every time. Especially if you have an appointment or meeting, you don't want to look sweaty and disheveled.

Pack weather gear if necessary. Most times, you'll need sunglasses (even if it was raining earlier).

Pannier bags are great because they allow for packing items on both sides of your rear tire. A backpack stays close to you and can support a little more weight, but can make your back super sweaty.

Don't forget your helmet!

Plan your outfit accordingly. 

Unless you're able to show up to work in bike shorts and sneakers, you'll need to find a movable work-appropriate outfit. Pencil skirts can be too restricting for ladies, and swingier skirts can cause some inadvertent Marilyn Monroe moments. Cover up!

Style your hair to work under a helmet, since you need to wear one. And you've already packed your brush and dry shampoo, so you can touch up anything flat.

Black pants and a button down may be covered in sweat at the end of a ride. Stretchier material is more forgiving during rides.

Wear short sleeves or a sleeveless top, or pack a change of clothes in your bag.

Remember your rights and laws. 

Travel smart and follow the rules of the road. Bicyclists have rights, but you also have a responsibility, and everyone needs to share the road.

Be safe! 

Travel where you are comfortable, and if you bike in the dark on either part of your commute, make sure you have bright, working lights. Always be observant of your surroundings. Be careful listening to music with headphones - make sure you can still hear what's going on around you.

Figure out your parking situation. 

Depending on your office situation, you may need to lock your bike outside, or there may be an empty space inside you can "borrow".

Figure out in advance where you'll be able to safely store your bike for the day, and ask permission from a building manager or your boss, if necessary. If you leave it outside, lock it away from highly trafficked areas like sidewalks, and close to your office if possible.

And don't forget your bike lock and key!

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Photo Friday | Simple Changes

I'm all about sharing small steps you can take to be greener, and sometimes it takes a visual reminder to do the green thing.

A lot of times, people are hesitant to recycle because it's not as easy as throwing something away. To that I say...make it easy for yourself! Setting a recycling bin directly next to your trash can makes it just as easy to recycle.

I listened to a Keep America Beautiful webinar this week about college sustainability programs implementing campus recycling. One of the recurring projects was replacing desk trash cans with a recycling bin and accompanying smaller trash bin, to encourage the practice of zero-waste while at work.

I put this same concept to practice at my own desk months back, without needing to purchase a special bin! I simply converted my company-provided trash bin to a recycling bin by adding a Recycling sign, and a note to our cleaning crew to not empty it or place a liner in it. I repurposed a small Christmas treat tin to be my trash can by wrapping it with a sheet of card stock (such effort, I know!) Each week, I empty the bins.

This way, it's easier to recycle something, and I remind myself daily to reduce the amount of trash I create.

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Reducing Lunch Break Waste

Is this a familiar scene for you? A quick frozen lunch at your desk while you catch up on the news or award show fashions. It's convenient, but it's wasteful.

I admit, for the steps I take to be both healthy and less wasteful, this is one area where I sometimes fall short. When I'm lazy, cheap or out of food at home, I fall back on frozen lunches in plastic trays, with plastic films, in cardboard boxes. Or cans of soup. Although the plastic trays are recyclable, let's work on being completely reusable!

So, if you're looking to reduce your waste at your desk for lunch time, there are a few easy ways to do it:

Food

When you cook dinner, purposely cook extra so you have leftovers for lunch. Adjust the recipe so you can make a bigger dish. "Box up" the leftovers in smaller reusable containers instead of one larger one, so in the morning you can grab and go. I tend to cook during the week and enjoy leftovers a couple times, and I keep some lunch food on hand for my fiance as well (usually lunch meat and lettuce). However, the turkey comes in a plastic zip lock bag and the lettuce is wrapped in plastic. Shame on me!

Try to stay away from prepackaged foods. Tip for me AND you: If you're heading to the deli, bring your own container, such as for the salad bar or deli meat counter. Just weigh your container first so you know how much to subtract from the food weight. (A tip I read once: Write the container's weight on a piece of tape and stick it on the lid or the outside, so you and the cashier can easily see it.)

When you're grocery shopping, don't buy individually packaged snacks - buy the larger box and divide the portions up yourself. (Dig into the archives for a dedicated blog post on this!)

Dishes

Many offices are stocked with disposable cutlery and dishes, since there's no one person in charge of keeping dishes clean. Unfortunately. However, that doesn't mean you have to use them! Bring your own reusable dinnerware. I keep two coffee mugs (one regular size, one giganto), a plate, a bowl, a big mug, and a fork and spoon at my desk, along with a towel I use for drying (then bring home to throw in the wash). That way, when I heat up leftovers for lunch, I don't have to use anything disposable in the process!

 

 

The key is planning ahead, and that's what I'm working to achieve more as I work to be less wasteful. It might be easy to grab a frozen lunch when the fridge is looking sparse...but with some planning, I can have leftovers or a simple lunch ready to go in the morning.

So, let's work on this one together! Easy, quick, workday lunches without a pile of trash!

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Be Car-Free! (At Least Sometimes.)

Do you ever wish of living a car-free life? Unfortunately, in many places, it's just not as possible to achieve.

Bigger cities have great alternative transportation options, from commuter trains to subways to buses to pedicabs to bike share programs to decent taxi services. Bonus points for hybrid taxis!

Lafayette...not so much. (Let's not even talk about the taxi service here.)

So even if you can't make a full transition and ditch your car permanently, there are still alternatives to driving that help you go green and use less gas.

• Walk. Need to make a quick trip or visit a nearby friend? Get your walk on!
• Ride your bike. It's no surprise that I love riding my bike around town. Especially for local events and festivals, it's the perfect mode of transportation. It can be grueling during the summer months and sunshine though, so always stay hydrated and bring extra water. If you want to commute to work, make sure your route is safe. Biking can be a viable option for longer trips, especially if you have the time. But it also works great for a short trip to the grocery store.
• Carpool. Especially for work commutes, carpooling works great if you live near coworkers. Share a ride, and share the responsibilities. You'll each cut the amount of fuel and wear-and-tear on your own car.
• Ride the bus. Lafayette does have a fleet of buses that run on compressed natural gas, making them better for the environment. Plus, the buses are equipped to carry your bicycle, so you can combine two alternate forms of transportation!
• Rent a car. If you're planning a weekend trip or a vacation, look into a renting a car that is more fuel efficient than yours. You'll still be driving, but it may be better for the environment - and your wallet! Depending on what you normally drive, your fuel savings may end up paying for the car rental.
• Take fewer trips. During the week, bring your lunch to work and stay in, instead of driving somewhere to eat every day. You'll save money on fuel and food! Outside of work, combine all your errands into one trip and plan out the shortest route to cover it.

Think you can try ditching your car for one trip this week? What trip would it be and what would you do instead of driving?

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Why, It's National Bike to Work Week!

Unless you work from home or don't have to work at all, you probably spend most of your driving time and gas going to and from your office. During National Bike Month, one week is dedicated as Bike to Work Week, in order to bring awareness to using alternative transportation on your daily commute (or at least some of the time!)

If you're able, biking to work is a great alternative to driving. Two years ago, my boyfriend and I were both able to bike to work one day during Bike to Work Week because we each lived between three and five miles from our offices at the time, and we got extra exercise in by riding and meeting up for lunch.

How hard is it to do? Not very!

If you live within a few miles from your office, consider taking your bicycle out for a spin one day this week and leaving the car at home.

COMMUTING TIPS

• Check the weather. If you're hardcore, you can handle a little drizzle. If it's storming, don't put yourself in danger. Plus, you probably shouldn't show up to work looking like a wet dog. If it's going to be hot and sunny, plan your outfit to accommodate.
• Plan your route. Google Maps has a bike transit option in their directions, or you can use MapMyRide to create a bike-friendly, safe route from your home to work. You'll probably deviate a bit from your road commute, but it'll give you some variety in the morning. You can also estimate the time it'll take to ride using one of the map features.
• Check in on your bike. It's important to make sure everything on your bike is in proper working order, and get it tuned up if not. And make sure your tires are inflated!
• Pack your supplies. You'll need a few different things than you normally do. Start with a helmet, because rush hour is an extra scary time to be out on the road. If you don't have a basket or pannier bag on your bike, find a good backpack to keep all your stuff for work. If you leave early in the morning or head home later in the evening, make sure you have proper working lights. Stash an extra pair of shoes, your deodorant, or anything you may need to freshen up once you arrive.
• Plan your outfit accordingly. Unless you're able to show up to work in bike shorts and sneakers, you'll need to find a movable work-appropriate outfit. Pencil skirts can be too restricting for ladies, and black pants and a button down may be covered in sweat at the end of a ride. Stretchier material is more forgiving during rides. Wear short sleeves or a sleeveless top and bring a jacket or sweater in your bag.
• Remember your rights and laws. Travel smart and follow the rules of the road. Bicyclists have rights, but you also have a responsibility, and everyone needs to share the road.
• Figure out your parking situation. Can you leave your bike outside during the day, or will you need to bring it inside? How easy will it be to bring inside? Figure out in advance where you'll be able to safely store your bike for the day. And don't forget your bike lock and key!

Check out the Eco Cajun Guide to Bicycle Commuting to Work posted last year!

Do you plan to commute by bike this week?

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and i'm like, forget you...office trash can

When you spend a large chunk of your time at your office, it's important to remember to be green there as well as at home. And it's easy to make small changes to be greener during your 8-5. From printing less, printing double-sided and using a real coffee mug, you can cut down on a LOT of trash every week.

In my office, everyone has their own trash can. It always has a liner, so when the cleaning crew picks up our trash, they leave a fresh liner. Even if there's literally one tissue or yogurt lid. And most of the time, that's all I have.

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a greener caffeine fix

Ch-ch-checkin' my new year's resolutions off, one by one! A new regular feature on Eco Cajun, I said?

Well, welcome to What's the Alternative to...?! Each week, I'll look at the more eco-friendly alternative to many common items a lot of us use.

I'll kick things off this week with one of everyone's favorite inventions.

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bringing recycling to your workplace

Because we all love it so much, our workplaces are where we spend basically the second largest chunk of our time. And Lord knows, we can go through some paper and plastic during our days at work.

So, you might be wondering, how do you bring recycling and conservation to work? Start small.

At my former workplace, I started by hoarding my waste paper and soft drink cans in a desk drawer during the week, then bringing them home to put in our curbside bin. It worked for awhile, and then I acquired a business curbside bin from the recycling company for our office. Over the years, I always assumed the responsibility for getting the recyclables from inside the office to the bin, and the bin to the curb.

Do you have a lot of scrap paper that's still usable? Three-hole punch the sheets and stick them in a spare binder to create a salvaged notebook!

In my current workplace, I've gone back to keeping a small recycling bin under my desk, and take turns bringing home the larger bin in our department's copy room. And of course, I regularly have more recyclables than actual trash. (My trash basically consists of a green tea bag every morning.) I love that I'm not the only one collecting paper, water bottles and cardboard boxes!

But after working on the beginner level, I'm already dreaming up ways to go bigger. My company is pretty large, and recycling on a larger scale would really make an impact. Small bins throughout offices, larger bins for each department and weekly collection...it's what a girl dreams of! (Or, okay, just the weird compulsive litter-picker upper writing this.)

The key to getting your company on board with recycling is to do your research, figure out who to talk to and create a plan. Start with yourself, make recycling a habit and become the spokesperson, if you will.

Find out who does your trash collection and find out if they also do recycling. A good strategy in creating your recycling plan is to figure out the feasibility of adding recycling collection to the existing trash collection - what are the costs? Can you score recycling bins for your office at a good price? Are you willing to educate everyone on what's recyclable and what's not? What about confidential documents - should they just be trashed, or do you have a shredder? Draft your plan (then read over it and edit! Writer tips. You're welcome.)

Once you have your plan, figure out who to talk to within your company that can make a decision. Meet with them and show them your plan and make your case. Because recycling is a good idea for all companies, you should get a Yes!

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taking the walk

I'm not much of a risk-taker by any means, but I can manage to push myself when it's necessary. After all, the tattoo on my wrist refers to a song about a tightrope walker, with my favorite lyric being, "On the tightrope, your goal is quite clear: Don't lose yourself in your fear."

Leaving anything after almost seven years is tough, no matter the stress, tears and crap you went through. It's still a long relationship by any standard. But it was time to move on.

I'm grateful to have stayed at my previous job for so long, and I'm proud of the green efforts I brought to it. There was always more I wanted to do, but the impact I was able to make still makes me proud. Hundreds of pounds of paper, cardboard, cans and plastic were recycled. So many sheets of paper were conserved by printing double-sided, or by not printing at all. Energy was conserved through setting my computer to sleep at night and by turning off as many lights not in use as possible.

As I settle into somewhere new, I'm getting a broader understanding of recycling in a different environment. There's no recycling bin picked up weekly, but there's a dedicated recycling bin next to the printer that the department handles. I took a plastic storage bin I already owned (and used to move in my desk accessories) and made it my personal desk recycling bin.

 

There's a greater amount of disposable coffee cups, plates and forks than I'd like, so I brought my own silverware and coffee mug for my desk, along with a towel. (I'm hunting for a plate and bowl to keep at my desk!) I've also been extra diligent to bring a Kanteen full of water every day, along with snacks in reusable containers (instead of single-serve snack bags).

I needed a pen cup, but instead of ordering one, I found a spare mason jar in my cabinet and gave it a cheerful blue coat of spray paint!

One thing I love is some of the office lights being on a motion sensor. If you're out of your office or a room for a certain period of time, the light automatically turns off until you walk back in again. Saving energy without having to do any work!

While being overwhelming, it's been inspiring and invigorating to start anew. I'm broadening my experiences, and I've also been getting new ideas for my blog and content. There's so much I want to do and write about, and get further involved in the green scene.

Today is the two-year anniversary of the official Eco Cajun relaunch, and I'm so thankful for everyone who reads my posts, follows me on Twitter, likes me on Facebook and follows me on Instagram. Y'all are so great, and y'all keep me going when I'm not feeling very wordy!

So here's to at least another two years of being Eco, being Cajun and rambling too much!

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a guide to bicycle commuting to work

With today's Bike to School ride starting on UL Lafayette's campus at 5:00, and next Wednesday's Bike to Work Day, one might wonder how to commute to work on a bicycle, if you're lucky enough to live within range.

By doing a little planning, you too can be riding merrily along to work! Or more likely, frantically rushing while still partly asleep, and still arriving a few minutes late.

To start, get on Google Maps and look up bicycle directions from your home to your office. These will follow recognized bike paths and roads with designated bike lanes to give you a safer route. Then, calculate the extra amount of time it will take you to get to work, and adjust your morning routine accordingly.

Then plan where you will be able to keep your bike while at work. You may be able to lock it up outside somewhere, but if you're in a larger building with other occupants, you may have to ask building management for permission or a recommendation, or you may even have to find a way to transport your bike up to your office. Figure out where you can leave your bike before you set off from home.

GET A HELMET! I know, helmets are ugly and mess up your hair. But it's better to have flat hair than a crushed skull. And commuting during rush hour is much more dangerous than at a more leisurely time. There are more cars on the road before and after work, and drivers are not necessarily paying attention as they are hurrying to get wherever they are going.

Luckily there are cute helmet options. If you buy a helmet you actually like, you will be more likely to wear it. I own this great, punchy green Nutcase and I love its sleeker look (and the company's cheeky persona) compared to those cheap, vented options. Eleanor's, based in New York, also has the daintiest selection of female helmets, and I may or may not want all of them. But, take your time and do some researching online to find a helmet brand and style that you like the best – there are tons of them out there!

After your helmet, make sure you have a solid lock and key for your bicycle. Most locks have a security grade on the packaging, so look for the toughest one you can find. Most locks won't deter a seasoned bike thief, but it will seriously reduce your chances of having your bike stolen. And don't lock your bike where it could block access to something or where there are signs against leaving items locked somewhere.

If you ride early in the morning or late in the evening, keep a set of bright, working lights on your bike, and always ride with your lights on if it's dark outside. There's nothing I hate more than seeing a cyclist at night with no lights!

Once you decide which day you're going to bike, think about anything you have happening at work that day and take it into your outfit and cargo considerations. If you have a meeting, you'll need to wear or bring your nicer outfits. Or if you bring a work laptop to and from home each day, you'll need to figure out how to transport it.

It's also a good idea to pack a travel-sized deodorant and cologne or perfume in your bag so you can freshen up once you arrive at work. For ladies, packing a travel can of dry shampoo can also be a life saver to so you don't have to rock the windblown look all day. Julie from Green Philly Blog recently shared a list of the 7 essentials your commuter kit should hold over at Be Well Philly.

Bike Pretty, based in San Francisco, has great information on how to wear skirts to work on a bike and how to bike in heels - it CAN be done, they swear! I, however, have never attempted it. (I have had one bad experience with a slightly loose ballet flat in the middle of a busy intersection. I choose not to dwell on the bad decisions I've made.) Melissa from Bike Pretty gave an interview to SmartyGirl Leadership where she gave some great tips for maintaining style while commuting on your bike!

For ladies, skirts can be one of the trickiest parts of riding, and especially for commuting. But, some inventive people created bike-friendly pencil skirts, such as the Iva Jean Reveal Skirt and BetaBrand's Bike to Work skirt. The secret lies within the zippers placed on the skirt - when you unzip them, you are essentially turning the skirt into an A-line one, allowing for the freedom to pedal. When you get to work, zip zip, and you're back to that chic pencil skirt!

Another point for riding in skirts: how to cover up so gusts of wind don't become your most mortifying moment. Green Philly Blog shares some tips on how to wear a dress without creating a disaster, such as tying the excess fabric in a maxi skirt to keep it from getting caught in anything, and wearing looser skirts. But the most important is to remain covered up. Tuck excess skirt fabric under you to keep it from flapping. Leggings or tights are a chic way to cover up in colder weather. For summer weather, I picked up a pair of basic volley shorts from Academy - they cover everything but are tight enough to not create fabric bulges or stick out from under skirts. (Finding an eco-friendly option is always the best, but finding an inexpensive option is still important!)

What about wearing high heels to work? There is a debate among female cyclists over whether biking in high heels is smart or stupid. Bike Pretty is pro-heels, and she makes good points. In the end, it's a personal choice for you to make. If you want to start biking in heels, practice a little near your house before setting off for work. Practice getting comfortable mounting, dismounting, braking, stopping and starting again in your heels. Once you know how to move your feet differently, you'll be good to go! I do not believe I have ever tried biking in heels, instead opting for flats, TOMS, sandals and boots. But I also don't commute to work regularly on my bicycle.

What about for the guys? You can still look stylish while commuting too! Bike Pretty did a post earlier this year on biking in suits. Just as we have the convertible pencil skirts, guys now have the option of a bike-friendly suit and office clothing, like these from Parker Dusseau, made with pit zips, discreet reflective piping and moisture-wicking fabric.

Now you'll need to figure out how you want to carry your belongings. If it's on the warmer side, wearing a backpack will only drench your shirt with sweat. Bikes that can hold front or rear baskets or panniers are the best for commuting, so you have somewhere to stow your belongings and keep yourself free for riding.

Panniers are bike-optimized bags that can be easily removed, and are perfect for bikes with rear racks - some can be draped over so you have storage on both sides of your tire, and others have fasteners to go on the rack itself. Eleanor's has a great selection of panniers for ladies, but you can find different options all over.

Just make sure your bag or basket doesn't exceed any weight limit or cause your bike to be unmanageable. A heavy front-bike basket makes steering and turning much more difficult.

If you are able, you can also carry a few extra work clothing pieces instead of wearing them on the ride (such as a suit jacket or your pair of heels for the day).

Pack your bag efficiently, and don't forget your commuter essentials bag, and you're ready to hit the road!


Have you ever commuted to work by bike? What were your favorite and least favorite parts about it?

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cutting down paper [weekly simple eco tip, 9.18]

I was visiting the eye doctor recently, an event I have had the pleasure of experiencing for the past 18 years. So I know the routine. But this year, it was a little different and I was pleasantly surprised. And a little jealous I didn't think of this idea sooner.

Image: UT Tyler

If you have a particular form you routinely complete, and it must be printed out for a signature or anything else, this paper-saving tip is clever.

Simply print out the form you use and laminate it. Then use a dry erase marker to sign it. Then scan it. That way you have the paper on file in case you need it in the future. And then once you've scanned it, just wash off the information and use it again!

I believe it was the standard HIPAA form at the eye doctor's office, but it was a nice thought that even though we have to physically sign the form, they are taking steps to reduce their paper usage. And all by simply having patients sign a laminated sheet of paper with a dry erase marker, so the record can be stored on a secured computer.

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weekly simple eco tip, 8.28

Even if you're already in the habit of recycling, it's still pretty easy to get a little lax on what is accepted and what's not. You might be cleaning out and you come across an item you aren't sure about and think, "Meh!" as you toss it in the recycling bin. Or is that just me? Hm. Well.

In any case, from time to time it's good to refresh yourself on what is accepted in your recycling program. Different programs may accept different items. Your city's Environmental Quality or Waste department should have a list of what can be recycled. For those who use the Recycling Foundation in Louisiana, their list is on their website. Lafayette residents can also download a copy of the PRIDE Guide, which contains a list of what's accepted in the curbside recycling program. Waste Management lists their accepted recycling materials on their website as well.

One easy way to remember what to recycle (and to educate others!) is to make your own list and stick it on your recycling bin! I created one list of what is and isn't accepted in our company recycling bin after finding one too many completely unacceptable items in the bin (I'm looking at you, person who threw an orange in there!) As a bonus, if you have children, or guests over, the list will help them to learn what goes in your recycling bin.

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magnet crafts, weekly simple eco tip, 7.17

Magnets are a popular advertising/promotional item, and as such, there are always random ones around the home or office. And they are great for reusing!

One of my recent craft projects was to make a pocket to keep on the front of my refrigerator, to hold important papers or other things I don't want to lose just yet. Our area phone books always have attorney magnets on the front as advertising, and they come in so handy for crafts.

This project took about 10 minutes, tops. First, gather your materials - some old magnets, a folder and some shipping tape. Then, tape the sides of the folder together to create your pocket. Last, glue or spray mount the magnets to the back of the pocket. Just be sure to spray the correct side of the magnet - I speak from experience. My brain? Not always so sharp. But anyway, that's it! A quick and easy way to get a magnetic pocket for your fridge.

These magnets are also pretty perfect for homemade dishwasher dirty/clean magnets. I've made both separate and all-in-one kinds and use them daily at home and at work.

But you don't have to be limited to these ideas - you can reuse promo magnets in all sorts of ways! They can be attached to the back of a photograph or a lightweight picture frame, or if you had heavier-duty ones, to the back of a dry erase board or notepad for grocery lists.

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weekly simple eco tip, 5.30

Computers are great at helping us be green in so many ways. Why not take a few steps to make your computer itself a bit more energy efficient?

Change the settings on your computer to maximize energy efficiency, and set it to run in a low-power state while you aren't using it (if you can't turn it off altogether).

At work, ask your company's IT person if there is an energy efficiency system in place. If not, ask them to consider setting one up. It helps save money along with saving energy.

There are a few different ways you can help your computer consume less energy while you use it. Turn your volume down, turn your screen brightness down, or set your sleep and hibernate settings to kick in faster. Don't leave laptop chargers plugged in all the time.

And beyond that, look for an energy efficient computer!

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weekly simple eco tip, 2.13

One of the easiest changes I made in reducing paper waste was creating a binder of scrap paper to use as a notepad. It serves its purpose in meetings, when taking messages, writing my to-do lists or just making notes for different projects.

The paper comes from printer error pages, blank pages that came at the end of documents and printed emails with only a signature. There's always a plentiful supply of these kinds of papers around the office, keeping my binder always fully stocked.

By deciding to source your own note paper, you'll eliminate the need to buy notepads, saving money and extra unused paper.

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weekly simple eco tip, 12.12.12

Offices create a lot of waste, but there's one easy way you can help to cut down on that waste, and in the process, save your office some money on paper expenses.

Before you print, check your print settings, and adjust them accordingly.

If you don't have to print single-sided, don't! Always check that you'll be printing double-sided, cutting the number of pages you use in half. If you don't have a doubled-sided printing feature, look into getting or requesting a printer that does, and make the case that it will help save paper.

If you don't have to print in color, don't! Go for grayscale printing if the color aspects are not necessary. You can also look for a 'draft'-type printer setting, which reduces the amount of color printed. Black ink is less expensive than color, so this is one easy way to conserve your color ink and save a bit of money.

And if you're printing a document, run a quick print preview and make sure you don't have a small amount of text on its own page. One of the biggest things I see in my own office is pages with part of an email signature or runoffs from a spreadsheet . If you see pages with one or two lines of text in your document, make some adjustments so it can fit on the page before. Change your margins or scale the document to fit on as few pages as possible. 

Make these your habit to check for, or even make the adjusted settings your default, and you'll be on your way to saving paper, ink and money! Then you won't feel like smashing your printer in a field.

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office transformation

I started writing in August about a project in my office that was important to me. After enduring yet another brutal Louisiana summer, I took some time to research solar film installation and local companies. I took all that research and wrote a proposal to my bosses about why it was a good idea to install the solar film on our 30+ 100-year-old single-pane windows. And I was shocked when they agreed that it should be done and put me charge of making the project happen. 

 Image: Newspapers in my office exposed to constant sunlight. The left newspaper was on top and the right newspaper was underneath. Check out the damage from just a few months!

So, with the help of Lafayette Shutters, Blinds and More, I set off transforming my office into a more energy-efficient and comfortable place. It took a couple days for the project to be finished, but we could see the difference after the first pane was done.

We went with a film by Vista Films that had a greenish tint to it, and 65% solar heat rejection. It also has a 61% glare reduction. In the proposal, I compared this film to another brand, and my boss made the decision to go with Vista because it was simply a stronger film. The return on investment for the film is between 1 1/2 and 2 years, I believe. So for what we spent on installation, we would save on our utility bills and recoup the cost in 2 years or less. That's pretty incredible. 

On that sunny Wednesday afternoon, after the first pane got its film application, we could clearly see the difference. The sunlight was not pouring in the window and the colors outside were more defined and vivid. Our copier is located underneath a window, and since the film was put on, I've noticed that it's less necessary to wear sunglasses while making copies in the afternoon. (Not that I ever did that, mind you, but I certainly came close a few times.)

 Image: The solar film installation crew in the middle of a window.

Image: Close-up of one window: the top pane has film, the bottom pane does not.

Now, of course, there were a few setbacks to the project, as there typically are. With the fact that we were all dealing with 100-year-old single-pane windows, we were also dealing with aged caulking and a few measurement flaws. And that is how we ended up with one window down on the sidewalk below. While care was being taken with each window, one just managed to come loose and take a tumble, taking the solar film along with it. It was also the time I realized I'm really not ready to be a homeowner, because me in charge of figuring out how to replace that window? Was not really something I wanted to. But we got everything settled and the window was replaced and solar-filmized the next day.

After a short break to repair the caulking on a few more windows, the solar film installation was wrapped up and we've been enjoying the benefits ever since then. The scenery outside is more vivid and less washed-out, and the film managed to keep some of the heat at bay. (The other issue was malfunctioning air conditioners, and that seemed to be fixed a few weeks ago with new units put in.)

Getting this project done was a proud moment in my life and work, because I put effort into the proposal that paid off and helped me bring my environmentalism into the office. One thing that I think helped was knowing who I was writing to. One of my bosses has a very clear writing style, and I made sure to reflect it in the proposal. And I showed all of the statistics and presented photographs as evidence.

And while solar film doesn't help as much toward keeping heat in during the winter, it does have some effect, and I'm looking forward to that as well. If it ever gets cold down here!

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