Photo Friday | Mickey's Loop Bike Ride

Happy Friday, everyone! It's been yet another whirlwind week...while I keep hoping that one of these weeks will be a little less busy, I've pretty much accepted the fact that I will have about five minutes of downtime a week before the baby arrives, ha.

Who all is looking forward to a day off next week, even if it's smack dab in the middle of the week?

But looking ahead on the calendar to an event I saw on Facebook this week...the third annual Mickey's Loop Memorial Bike Ride is scheduled for Wednesday, July 11. The loop bike lane is named for Mickey Shunick, and passes in front of her memorial bicycle on St. Landry Street near downtown. Forward Lafayette and TRAIL Events are putting on the ride again this year.

This year, the bike ride is in honor of JeanPaul Judice, who was killed earlier in January while riding his bicycle after a pickup soccer game.

https://www.facebook.com/events/182573212438731/

My husband and I participated in the first Mickey's Loop Memorial Bike Ride back in 2016, and it was definitely a hot, sunny evening. If you participate in the ride, be sure to bring a lot of water, and don't forget your helmet and lights.


Because of the heat, I won't be able to participate in the ride this year, although I wish I could get in a bunch more miles on my bicycle before September! Baby and I will still be supporting all of the riders in spirit and remembering the legacies of all those who have been killed while riding their bicycles.


Visit the Facebook event page for the memorial ride to get all the latest updates.
0

Photo Friday | Summer Season

Now that it's officially summer, time for fun in the sun is at its peak level.


I know that most people in the South can vouch that it's been summertime for a month and a half now, and we've certainly been getting in pool time since early May. But with the summer solstice comes those longer (and usually hotter) days, more hours at the pool and more backyard cookouts.

I've put together a short roundup of some of my previous blog posts that can help you make your summertime activities more eco-friendly. Consider it some complimentary poolside or beach reading! 😎



Hope you all have a great weekend!
0

International Day of Yoga

June 21 is known as the annual International Day of Yoga, a day I can fully get behind. If you're local to Lafayette, pick up a copy of this week's Times of Acadiana, or click here to read my column listing the local events happening in honor of International Day of Yoga.


0

The Great Cloth Diaper Debate

There is a short list of questions I get asked very often during this pregnancy. "When are you due?" (September.) "Is it a boy or a girl?" (Girl!) "Do you have a name picked out?" (We are narrowing it down.) "Are you going to use cloth diapers?" (Read on.)


0

Photo Friday | Zero-Waste Cravings

I've been diligent about my health and nutrition throughout my pregnancy so far, but I can't lie - I still give in to my cravings.

And while I don't miss wine or frozen margaritas all that much (shocking, I know!) I have found myself craving a cold refreshing drink sometimes. As I've decreased my sugar intake over the last year or so, snoballs are just entirely too syrupy sweet for me now.

However, ironically, I've been crazing a good old frozen Coke as the temperatures have skyrocketed.

This week as one of my cravings hit, I realized I would feel better by going the zero-waste route, instead of walking out of the store with a single-use plastic cup (even if it is recyclable). I brought a widemouth stainless steel tumbler and my widest stainless steel straw, the one perfect for smoothies and frozen treats.


I was able to easily fill up my tumbler, and when I checked out, I told the cashier how many ounces the tumbler holds, so she would quickly be able to ring up the equivalent size. One thing about bringing your own containers is getting looks of confusion from cashiers at gas stations, grocery stores or wherever. But if you make it as easy as possible for them to ring something up, and be confident, you shouldn't run into many issues.

And let me tell you: on a hot, sunny day, that frozen Coke absolutely hit the spot. I had forgotten about the other bonus of bringing my own reusables: the drink stayed frozen longer than it would have in plastic! The insulated tumbler works wonders, and the straw keeps the drink cold all the way through.

My zero-waste journey is absolutely not perfect, but swaps like these certainly make a difference.

And now, I shall go back to drinking my 80 daily ounces of water from my giant reusable Ragin Cajuns football cup...



0

Photo Friday | World Oceans Day

This past Wednesday was World Environment Day and the focus was on ways to beat plastic pollution, one of the biggest threats to our environment.


It's only fitting that for World Oceans Day today, that focus on plastic pollution continues. Plastic pollution is a detriment to both our land and marine environments, along with our wildlife.

Graphic via Pela Case

0

Another Year Older

Today marks another year around the sun, and now it's time to officially update my age in any of my bios (if that doesn't sound like adulting, I don't know what does!)


As I get older, birthdays seem much less material and about gifts, and more about spending quality time doing things you love with the ones you love. And more about wearing eco-friendly outfits that make you feel great about yourself! I love this secondhand dress that I scored locally for $7 and my Sseko Designs ethical sandals.


This year, being in the midst of preparing for the baby, work and household projects, what I want most is to spend some time with my little family (as you can see, Dax is resting up for the party), and honestly, just take it easy for an evening.

Another thing I'm excited about is the birthday fundraiser feature on Facebook - I chose to create a fundraiser for charity:water, an organization I've followed for a handful of years now. They work to provide clean drinking water to communities who don't have access to it.

It's the least I can do to give back, even just a little bit, and make birthday gifts a little extra meaningful this year!

Photo: charity:water





0

Father's Day Gift Guide

Since I put together a Mother's Day gift guide last month, I figured it was only fair to give some attention to the dads and dad-figures out there!

Help Dad take it easy with this collection of eco-friendly gift ideas.



0

Photo Friday | Bicycle Safety Festival and Summer Reading Kickoff

Tomorrow will be a busy day for two of my favorite eco-friendly things: bicycles and libraries!

Happening tomorrow at Parc Putnam in Downtown Lafayette, the third annual Bicycle Safety Festival and Lafayette Public Library's Summer Reading Kickoff is helping to herald in summer vacation.


Parc Putnam is on Lafayette Street across from the federal courthouse - there is plenty of street parking, but of course, I encourage you to ride your bicycles there! The Congress Street bike lane is conveniently adjacent to Lafayette Street, allowing you a safer ride. (In previous years, the festival was held at Parc San Souci.)

0
Back to Top