Travel the World without Adding to its Landfills

Whether you're preparing for holiday travel, a honeymoon, or you're referring to this blog post before summer vacation, it's important to pay attention to just how wasteful your trip can be.

Buying a ton of travel-sized items and single-use packages can get expensive and leaves behind a lot of unnecessary trash.

Don't worry, it's very possible to make your travel and your packing more eco-friendly. Of course, flying and driving farther distances require extra natural resources, but by being mindful of what you've packed, you can lighten your load and reduce your impact on those resources.

As I've prepared and gotten ever more excited for our honeymoon, I've looked at how I can make the trip as green as possible. (Beyond making my list of yoga poses for photos in Google Keep to stay paperless!)

We don't fly often (if only we had money...and more time off!), but when we do, we always try to travel light. While just being easier to manage, it also reduces the weight on the plane (every little bit counts). Typically when we fly, I'm able to stick to only a carry-on suitcase, and I love not having too much stuff with me. (Which is funny, because on any given day, I am normally NOT traveling light!)

For our honeymoon, I set out to fix one problem I always encounter when I fly - those damn quart size bags for toiletries. Y'all know I don't like single-use Ziploc bags, but every time we fly I end up with one, and it almost always gets destroyed by the time I get home.

So I shopped around for a reusable option. Most of what I found online was expensive, and I ended up purchasing a reusable zipper bag at my local Target to save the impact of shipping one clear bag. While it was the least expensive option I found, it also came with empty travel-size containers that I probably won't need to use, and the bag itself isn't recyclable.

Finding a more sustainable option (especially last-minute) can be more expensive, but with less procrastinating, I probably could have found something better. At least I plan to use this one for the next few years!

Instead of buying travel-sized toiletry items, stock up on reusable travel-size containers, and refill them as you need. I've had these squeezable tubes for a few years, and love using them over generic plastic containers. They're made of a food-grade silicone and are BPA-free.

If you're looking at upgrading or replacing your luggage, consider investing in pieces made of eco-friendly materials. Even if it's just your backpack to take on the plane, you can find some made of recycled cotton.

Travel Well magazine shares a few of their picks for eco travel gear. As I read through the list, I realize we check off a few items I didn't know were focused on sustainability. My husband swears by his Eagle Creek packing cubes for efficiency and organization. The brand's website includes a statement on environmental responsibility, and I appreciate that they focus on creating lasting products, not ones that will end up in a landfill after two or three uses:

We are keenly aware of the environmental impact of everything we produce and so strive to minimize material waste, and source and manufacture with the least environmentally impactful materials. Many customers tell us they’ve been carrying their Eagle Creek gear for years. And that’s our intention; we make gear that lasts to lessen the amount of waste in landfills.

Osprey is another outdoor-focused brand that has a commitment to sustainability. Their packs have recycled and recyclable packaging, are free of BPA, PVC/phthalates and triclosan, and they limit waste in production. I use my Osprey backpack fairly often, although most of the time it's carrying my yoga clothes to the gym.

For our honeymoon, I plan to use my backpack as my carry-on item and adventure pack. And check out that sweet logo! Quick tangent: I wanted a patch with the Eco Cajun logo to stick on my backpack for the trip, but couldn't find an online vendor to print only one. While talking to a coworker one day, I got the inspiration to reuse the button my bridesmaid made for my bachelorette party. It's a plastic button that snaps apart - and conveniently, it's the exact same size as my Eco Cajun stickers. Free and reused...I'd call that a win!

If you're traveling with gifts, especially during the holidays, leave them unwrapped in your luggage. Anything is subject to be searched by TSA, and if they have to unwrap your gifts, that's a lot of wasted paper. Save the wrapping for when you arrive at your destination.

Download your airline's mobile app, which will allow you to use mobile boarding passes. If you don't have paper passes, you won't crinkle or lose them!

When you travel, bring your reusable bottle. While TSA won't let you bring liquids through the checkpoint on it, you can fill it up with your favorite drinks post-security checkpoint.


In the airport, take advantage of available recycling and even compost bins. Choose items that are packaged in recyclable materials, instead of materials like Styrofoam.

Bring a cloth napkin for on the plane, and decline the paper napkins from the flight attendants. Most major airlines recycle the plastic cups from the drink service, so make sure your cup is empty when you give it back.

Before you embark on a road trip, check that your vehicle is up to date on maintenance and oil changes. When everything is inspected and working properly, you'll maximize fuel efficiency and engine use.

Fill up your tires to their proper inflation to increase fuel efficiency (and for safety).

Pack what you can inside the car, as those roof luggage racks reduce efficiency and increase drag.

Especially on car rides, it's easy to load up with bottles of water and small bags of chips or candy. By stocking up before you leave home, you can eliminate a lot of the waste. Pick up your snacks at the grocery store beforehand, instead of loading up at the gas station after you've left home. Get the larger bags of snacks instead of the single-serve, and portion them out into smaller reusable containers to bring in the car.

Fill some reusable bottles with your drink of choice. As you stop for the restroom or to refuel, refill your bottles.

Pack gifts or extra items, like games for children, in cloth bags. They can hold a lot of items and are stronger than plastic bags. Plus, they can serve multiple purposes while you're on your trip.

Essential Eco-Friendly Travel Gear

• Reusable quart-size bag for carry-on luggage
• Good quality travel-size toiletry containers
• Reusable water bottle and/or coffee mug
• Reclosable and reusable snack containers
• Cloth bags
• Airline apps for mobile boarding passes and flight information
• Cloth napkins
• Eco-friendly luggage/bags/accessories (a few brands I'm familiar with:)
• Timbuk2
• Baggu
• Tchoup Industries
• Osprey
• Rareform

What are some ways you cut down on trash when you travel?

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The Dangers of Unsecured Loads

Are you done snickering yet?

No?

How about now?

Okay. So we're talking about unsecured loads today - a very glamorous subject, as per the usual.

There are different categories of litter - from intentional and accidental, to illegal dumping, to unsecured loads - the kind where all the crap in the back of a truck or in a trailer isn't properly contained and it flies out while traveling.

When I participated in the litter index survey for Keep Lafayette Beautiful a few months ago, as we were riding around, we came across this massive collection of Pepsi bottles on the curb and in the road. So of course, we turned around and stopped to help clean it up. The driver had a regular truck and trailer, and they were hauling cases of the soft drinks to their destination. He and his passenger did stop to clean up their own mess (thank you!!!), and were appreciative that we were there to help so quickly after it happened. The driver explained that when they rounded a turn, some of the cases fell off the trailer and into the grass and road.

We got all the litter cleaned up, but this is still a loss of resources and money. And unfortunately, many loads that get lost or dropped don't get cleaned up so quickly. The litter can be left behind for days or even weeks, or can be swept into storm drains or waterways.

So, whether it's cases of soft drinks, bags of yard waste, bags of trash, or even furniture - always secure the load you're transporting! If your stuff falls out and litters the roadway or roadside, it's still your fault, and you're still littering.

Photo: Metro Waste Authority

The dangers of unsecured loads go beyond litter and pollution. Items that fall out of a truck bed or trailer (or car trunk) can pose a serious hazard to the cars behind you, and can cause wrecks.

According to the Department of Transportation:

At 55 miles per hour, an object weighing just 20 pounds that falls from a vehicle strikes with the impact of half a ton.

Robin Abel, whose daughter was blinded in a car wreck caused by a loose piece of furniture, advocated for a Washington state law that brings jail time and fines to those who cause a death or injury by failing to tie down a load. According to this same article, as of 2014, only 15 states had laws that include criminal penalty for failing to tie down loads. Only 10 states had education programs on the safety and importance of securing loads.

What about Louisiana?, you may be asking.

Ahem. LRS 32:383 states:

(2)  Any load of garbage, refuse, sludge, and other discarded material being transported by a commercial hauler shall be covered while being transported in such a manner as to prevent the load from spilling or dropping from the vehicle.

(3)  Any violation of Paragraph (2) of this Subsection for failure to cover any load of garbage, refuse, sludge, and other discarded material shall be punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.

(4)  The penalty provisions of Paragraph (3) of this Subsection shall not apply when the load was properly covered and subsequently became uncovered as the result of an accident or circumstances beyond the control of the operator of the vehicle.

Louisiana can fine up to $500 or assign jail time up to six months, or both, for unsecured loads, unless the spill was purely an accident. And this applies to regular vehicles, cargo trucks, and freight containers on the road and waterways.

So, when you're packing up items to transport, always make sure everything is secure. It will save you money from fines, it will save other drivers from avoidable hazards, and it will save the environment from your litter and pollution.

Hey, let's bring it full circle - LOVE THE BOOT, DON'T POLLUTE!

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Share the Road, Save Our Bike Lanes

During the development of the Lafayette Comprehensive Plan, one of the community elements that stood out time and time again was the inclusion of bike lanes on more city streets. And as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette improves its campus and its location within the city, bike lanes on and around campus have proliferated. The lanes have helped give the heart of Lafayette more accessibility by bike and by foot.

More bicycles on the road can mean fewer cars, and when it comes to major events in town, it alleviates parking issues. Biking to Festival International is a no-brainer to me, and biking to UL Lafayette football games is a perfect way to leave the car at home.

Enjoying a ride down the newly striped bike lane, heading toward Moncus Park at the Horse Farm, on Bertrand Drive in Lafayette.

It's been amazing to watch Lafayette progress, even in just the past few years, to become a more bicycle-friendly city. I've been very vocal on the blog on my own love of riding and the benefits riding has for my fiance and me. (Read through all blog posts tagged with 'bikes'!)

We've had our share of scary moments and encounters with rude, obnoxious or distracted drivers. But it hasn't deterred us from riding.

The addition of bike lanes throughout the city has been a welcome one, giving us a greater sense of safety and protection while riding. Many times, we choose to ride on residential roads because the speeds are slower and traffic is lighter. If a residential road has a bike lane? Well, that's pretty much one of the best roads to be on. During National Bike Month last May, I researched and wrote this post on Lafayette's bike lanes, including one that is again receiving attention.

Unfortunately, there has been a petition filed with the Lafayette Consolidated Government to remove the bike lanes that were added to West Bayou Parkway last year.

West Bayou Parkway was scary to ride down before, even though it's residential and the homes are beautiful. It's a connector to larger roads in the city, serving as a great alternate route for bike riders. There aren't sidewalks on a large portion of the road, even though we aren't supposed to ride on them anyway. Because of the proximity to Red's, it's a popular route for joggers and runners, who should be on a sidewalk - except when there is not one. When the bike lanes were added, I cheered with a sigh of relief we would have our own space to ride, instead of worrying about cars speeding around the curves or riding our ass instead of just passing.

There are so many reasons someone may ride a bicycle in and around Lafayette. Athletes ride for competition or sport. So many people, younger and older, ride for exercise, leisure, solitude, or a social activity. Adults commute to work for the 'alone time', gas savings and exercise. Children ride to learn, have fun, visit friends or get to school. College students commute because it's more cost effective.

But most importantly, many people have no other choice. They may not have the money to buy or maintain a vehicle, but still need to get to work or to the store. They may not even have a driver's license. They may not have time to wait for a city bus.

Not everyone enjoys the same luxuries. Just because the majority of Lafayette residents have a car and use them the majority of the time, it doesn't mean there should be no options for bike riders or even pedestrians. Bike lanes provide the same sense of "space" to pedestrians, joggers or runners, especially in areas where there are no sidewalks.

Bicyclists, especially, are not supposed to ride on sidewalks. It's stated in Louisiana statutes that bicycles belong on the road, sharing lanes with cars. Bike lanes simply help that organization, and actually make it easier for cars to travel alongside bikes without having to slow down to pass (three feet!)

Progress does not mean taking out bike lanes that have been installed. Yes, it may not be one of the hardest things to reverse, but it's about much more than another can of paint. The move is a roll backwards. (Not a step, because these people aren't walking; they are driving every single place they need to go.)

Bike lanes benefit a large swath of people in our community, and creating bike paths and lanes in a connected pattern gives our community so many more options.

It's a true sense of sharing the road - something that should be done no matter what, but is done much more visibly with a dedicated bike lane.

Progress is giving all residents of our community an option to safely travel where they need to go, especially if it's on foot or on a bicycle. Bike lanes are one of the best ways to promote safety and encourage alternate transportation.

Please support keeping the bike lanes on West Bayou Parkway by signing the petition started by Forward Lafayette.

And follow Forward Lafayette on Facebook.

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Special Guest Post | Monique Koll

I'm really excited for today's blog post, as I wrap up National Bike Month. I've gotten to know biking and triathlon enthusiast and veterinarian Monique Koll over the past year, and I reached out to her to write a guest post, which she gracefully accepted.

In October 2012, Monique and a friend were riding their bicycles in Scott, Louisiana, when she was hit from behind by an unlicensed driver. After recovering in the hospital, walking again when doctors said she may never be able to, Monique became a bicycle safety advocate. She was the first executive director for the organization BikeLafayette; held a position on the Lafayette Consolidated Government Bicycle Subcommittee and Disability Awareness Committee; incorporated and became the first president of the statewide Bike Walk Louisiana; and self-published a book last year, titled Determinational - in addition to returning to practicing veterinary medicine! I learned a lot of her first-person narrative while I helped her edit her book, and her determination (for lack of a better word!) and feist stuck with me. She has been dealt tough cards in her life, but won't let it slow her down.

As a follow-up to my blog posts this month on bicycle laws, safety and routes, I hope this personal perspective serves as a reminder for bicyclists and drivers to all share the road. Look out for each other!

Photo by Brad Bowie, courtesy of Monique Koll

Photo courtesy of Monique Koll

Racing is something I still dream about, almost every week. "Crotalus," a Fuji Acer named after the rattlesnake genus because they never tire, was my love and my addiction. I would play hooky to go on 50-mile bicycle rides, just me and my bike and the wind, chasing shadows through the long, windy roads between sugarcane fields in south Louisiana. I had just started the sport of triathlon and I had a lot to learn, that was my excuse.

Being partially paralyzed doesn't really suit anyone, and definitely not me. The bad stuff that happens in life is always mindless, and being hit by an unlicensed/uninsured driver, breaking my neck...well I prayed for death. I am an accomplisher. A veterinarian, mother, pianist, mountain climber. People now sometimes say I'm an inspiration, someone to look up to. They are so sweet! 

Two months in the hospital, close to a year more in a wheelchair, may never be able to walk again...that was not my reality. The truth is, any of us in that position would work as hard as I did to recover everything that was lost. I now never believe in a reality that I don't like. I learned my lesson trying to fit into limitations set forth by others.

I can't ride again, not really, not yet. But that doesn't keep me away. I referee triathlons now.

Also, in the time I couldn't walk and could barely use my hands, I became heavily involved in bicycle advocacy on the local level in Acadiana. As I learned more and more, it wasn't just safe bicycle paths that were deficient in Lafayette, but all forms of "active transportation." Active transportation includes cycling, walking, pushing a stroller, using a wheelchair, horses, skateboarding...everything but individual motorized vehicles.

Cities become grey and lifeless without these methods of transportation, and Lafayette was headed in that direction fast. Yes, Lafayette, the colorful Cajun heartbeat in Acadiana! Scary. Luckily, city planners on the national level recognize this, and have found ways to make cities beautiful and livable, instead of just car-worshipping concrete jungles. The Lafayette city planners are on board, so, safe!

I took it upon myself to educate our community in beautiful cities, and how to keep our heritage by being open to all modes of transportation. I had a volunteer office with the city planners, sat on the Bicycle Subcommittee and Disability Awareness Committee in the Lafayette Consolidated Government, was the first executive director of BikeLafayette, and incorporated and became the first president of the statewide Bike Walk Louisiana, to help promote policy-making for active transportation. This is not anti-car, just pro-happy living.

I still plan on riding again; I think about it every day. I sometimes wake up sobbing because I swore I was finally able to... But the choice is to keep going and do good, or feel miserable for life. And that's just not in my cards.

Photo by Travis Gauthier/Zoom Photo Studio, courtesy of Monique Koll

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Walking the Walk

After the Project Front Yard press conference and awards ceremony and the Keep Louisiana Beautiful annual conference, I've been feeling inspired to DO more. I love writing and researching for the blog, but I'm feeling compelled to be more active out and about. It's not just about talking the sustainable talk, but about walking the walk.

So...here we go!

What I've Made a Habit (/Obsession)

Picking up more litter I come across. 

This is probably my biggest focus in the fight against trash everywhere. I was shopping one afternoon, and in two stores, I came across drinks left on the shelf. I mean, seriously y'all. If you bring a drink with you, don't leave it on the shelf! 

 

On my afternoon walks, I pass a pond, and one day, I found styrofoam cups floating near the bank. Even in a skirt, I went over, pulled the cups out, and threw them away. It was nasty. 

 

It's just ridiculous how much trash is everywhere all the time. I've found pedicure spacers in the parking lot of a clothing store. Why!?! 

And I take it upon myself to pick up what I can, because it's not just a job for inmates or store employees. It shouldn't be their job to pick up and throw away what someone is too lazy to throw away themselves. I look at it as a way of advocating for people to take some responsibility, if they see a random person like me picking up trash and throwing it away...taking an extra 10 seconds out of her day.

Using cloth bags at any store, not just grocery stores. On that recent shopping trip, I made multiple stops, and had a cloth bag for each one. It was awesome to not come home with a wad of plastic bags! I've started to keep some of the packable shopping bags in my purse, so no matter where I am, or if I'm not in my own car, I've got something to use.

Bringing my own and recycling as much as possible. 

Last weekend at Festival Acadiens, I only used a trashcan for my food trays (couldn't avoid those, dangit.) My drink cups were all recycled, and I brought water in my insulated Kanteen. I kept my fork to reuse, and brought a cloth napkin.

And I never forget my trusty Downtown Alive reusable cup! (However, some of the beertenders still fill a disposable plastic cup and then pour it into my cup, so that's defeating the entire purpose.)

Avoiding styrofoam.

Especially after watching Bag It! and listening to Marcus Eriksen speak at the Keep Louisiana Beautiful conference, I made a goal to renew my vow to use styrofoam as little as possible. I refuse to use a styrofoam cup, and will pass on items if they are packaged with foam.

Maximizing my fuel efficiency.

I've adjusted to driving a hybrid, and I'm working on getting my average miles per gallon as high as I can. I had been averaging about 46-47 MPG on a tank, but more recently I've been pushing it to 48-50, and the highest average I hit (for a day) was 53 MPG!

Getting involved!

I'm pretty sure we look like a stock photo for having fun while recycling, but cleanups actually do make a fun time. I pitched in recently with ReCover Acadiana and Project Front Yard on their Embrace-a-Space program and helped pick up litter along a Lafayette street.

Photo courtesy Project Front Yard

 

Coming up next week, Keep Lafayette Beautiful is participating in United Way's The Big Event, spearheading a team on a park beautification project. With thousands of student volunteers coming together on one day, there will be a huge impact on Lafayette, from trash cleanup to beautification to service.

What I Want to Improve

Being more vocal.
I've got a few ideas in the works for talking to businesses and companies about ways they can easily be more sustainable. I just need to finish them and make some connections!

Beyond that, I just want to keep advocating for reducing, reusing and recycling, on my own and in conjunction with other awesome organizations.

 
Getting more produce bags.
As much as I use cloth bags at the grocery store, I always forget to bring my reusable produce bags. And when I do, I only bring the three I have, which never covers all the produce I pick up. So I ordered more this week!
 
Bringing my own to-go container to restaurants. I have still not gotten in the habit of doing this. Although we don't dine out often, and I don't usually have leftovers, I still want to at least have one in case. Or at least have one for my fiance to use.

I also want to get in the habit of bringing a more sustainable container to places that typically use disposable plates. I've got the drink container habit down, but not food.

Transitioning to more organic and natural beauty products and clothes. This will eventually be some feature posts, when I get to it. I have started researching and getting new chemical-free products, and it's almost been a success. (Two words: natural deodorant. One face: :( )


What sustainability habit do you want to improve on?

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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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Summertime Fuel Efficiency

In these dog days of summer, getting into a hot car can feel about the same as stepping into a sauna. With this July being the warmest on record for Lafayette (as if you couldn't feel that lovely oven air every afternoon), it's important to stay cool for your safety.

It's possible to stay cool in your car without sacrificing your fuel efficiency. In some ways, the summertime can actually increase your fuel economy: your engine warms up to an efficient temperature faster, summer grades of gasoline can have slightly more energy and warm air causes less aerodynamic drag than cold air.

The biggest culprit to reducing your fuel efficiency is your good old air conditioner. And second place goes to windows rolled down. According to the Department of Energy, under very hot conditions, air conditioners use can reduce a conventional vehicle's fuel economy by more than 25%. The effect on hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles can be even larger.
Rolling the windows down increases drag, or wind resistance, requiring that your vehicle use more energy to push through the air, moreso at higher speeds.

You probably don't want to use a big portion of your gas to simply cool off inside, and there are easy ways to stay comfortable and efficient:

• Park in the shade or use a windshield sunshade so that the cabin doesn't get as hot.
• Roll the windows down at lower speeds in the city and use the AC on the highway.
• Don't use the AC more than needed or set the temperature lower than needed. Once you're comfortable, turn it down a little.
• Drive with the windows open for a short time before using the AC. Letting hot air out of the cabin first will put less demand on the AC and help your vehicle cool faster.
• Don't idle with the AC running before driving. Turn the AC on after you begin to drive or after airing out the cabin briefly. Most AC systems will cool the vehicle faster while driving.
• Read your owner's manual. Most manuals explain how the AC system controls work and how to best use and maintain the AC system.
• For plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, pre-cooling the cabin while plugged into the charger can extend your vehicle's range. Also, using a warmer temperature setting for the AC will use less battery power.

(Tips courtesy of fueleconomy.gov)

Although parking in shade is the best, it's not always possible. Many parking lots don't even have trees, and those that do have limited shade parking. And funny how those are the spots taken first.

So, sunshades are one of my favorite ways to keep cool. They don't cost much, they can show off your style, and they work WONDERS on a hot day. Auto Anything reports that sunshades can reduce the temperature inside your car up to 40 degrees. And whether it's natural shade or a sunshade, if your car is cooler inside to begin with, your air conditioner doesn't have to work as hard, minimizing its impact on your gas tank.

The shades range from the foil accordion-fold style to the pop-up style. Some are reversible to work in the wintertime, keeping the heat IN. (Can we all please dream of having this problem? #TooMuchSummer) The shades also protect your vinyl and any belongings inside, and keep your metal seat belt buckles from getting too hot. All without requiring gas or electricity.

Other tips from CNET for staying cool:

• Use your bottom air vents. Since heat rises, the best method is to push the hot air out from the bottom to cool the vehicle as quick as possible, by helping the stale hot air escape through the open windows. Once the hot air is pushed out, switch to the upper vents to stay cool while driving.
• Switch your A/C settings. Set the intake on "fresh air" and not "recirculation" when you first enter your vehicle. Recirculation draws in the interior air and typically works best once the vehicle has reached its desired temperature.

And no matter where you park, for how long or whether you use a sunshade, never leave children or pets inside the car. Even with taking these measures, cars can still get too hot for safety very quickly.

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Can't Hear Me Coming, Can You, Russ?

Fact: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is my favorite movie. Not just favorite Christmas movie, but favorite any movie. I can pretty much recite the entire thing by heart, and I'm not above watching it in the summertime or anytime it's on TV. Hip hip hooray, it's Christmas Vacatiooon! My mom is rolling her eyes right now. My dad is singing along.

Oh wait, this was supposed to be about the car. Yeah, so now that I've had my Prius for three weeks, I've decided I think I want my Corolla back.



JUST KIDDING! Corolla who?

It's insanely nice to have a car with technology, and power locks. I've put entirely too many miles on it already, because it's just fun to drive. Although, I've been probably a little too obsessed over monitoring my efficiency through the entire drive. I've set up my displays to closely resemble flying an airplane. Constantly watching the MPG stats. Keeping an eye on the hybrid system indicator. Checking the energy monitor to see how the engine and hybrid system is operating.

And when I stop, I check my trip's "score"...how high of an MPG did I get?? I'm mad anytime it's under 50, and I fist pump the air anytime it's close to or above 60.

Beyond the hybrid engine, the Prius takes other factors into account in making an eco-friendly car. The car is built to reduce drag, further increasing fuel efficiency. The hood and windshield are a smooth slope, so wind whooshes right past. The seats in the higher models are made of SofTex, an eco-friendly material. On my model, the daytime running lights and tail lights are LED. When driving in eco mode, the air conditioner power is lowered a little - but it's nothing noticeable even in this summer heat.

What I love

• Averaging 50 miles to the gallon, and making it to almost 500 miles on a tank before needing to fill up.
• The quiet of the engine when I'm running on the battery and electrical engine. (I still always think of that time on The Office when Andy and Dwight were dueling and Andy snuck up on Dwight in his silent Prius.)
• Bluetooth connectivity for music and my phone (Hey, funny story. My sales guy helped me do the initial Bluetooth setup, and the music on my phone started playing. Without me even doing anything, my car played MMMBop before we even left the dealership. Could this car BE any more me!? </chandler>)

• Cruise control. Yeah, I never had it before.
• Hello, backup camera!
• How my hatchback door sounds like a spaceship when I open it.
• The interior design. During the test drive, I wasn't sure how much I liked the nontraditional center console area, but now I really love the little shelf on the bottom for all my crap. It's nicer than keeping everything in the cup holders.

• How I've kept the inside clutter-free for almost three weeks. The only things in my trunk are my cloth shopping bags and yoga mat. Because of COURSE they are.

What I don't love

• How I seem to attract every single red light now. Always when I finally get to a good cruising speed, and then I have to stop... and use gas to rev up to start again.
• How the backup camera beeps like I'm a damn garbage truck until I put the car in drive. 

What I'm still getting used to

• The one thing I can say my old car had that this one doesn't is an automatic headlight sensor. The headlights would turn on automatically when it was getting dark outside. Now, I have to actually remember to turn my lights on - and off.
• Putting the car into park with a button. The future is here, y'all.
• Because of the hatchback windshield design, my rear view is a lot lower to the ground than before. And because of the hatchback itself, it feels like cars are all up in my trunk when we're stopped.

Blonde moment

• I drove around on probably a few different nights thinking my headlights were on, when, in fact, they were my fog lights. I thought my actual headlights were the brights. Derp.

Oh, and I notice every other Prius driver on the road now. I'm giddily proud to be part of the club. Is there some kind of secret hand signal you give to other Prius drivers?

No? And I'm a dork?

...I'll go get your phone. (Name that commercial!)

But seriously, I'm happy with this bad boy. It was a big leap to take, and I'm aware I have many months of paying on it (and I don't love that), but it was the right move. Thank you to everyone at Courvelle Toyota for the help and hard work!

I can't wait to see where this car takes me in the future.

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Birthday | The Next Decade

The #Countdownto30 has officially hit 0! Today, I'm celebrating turning 30, as gracefully as I can attempt, and having a great weekend with my boo.

It's been a hell of a ride so far this year, since I created my Countdown to 30 bucket list six months ago. I'm honestly proud of myself for checking as much off my bucket list as I did. And I'm proud of how much ass I've kicked so far this year. I'm finally starting to feel like a grownup with my stuff together. Although there are still more than a few hot mess days that happen.

Goal: Age like a fine wine.

✔ Buy a new car. What WHAT! Starting off my 30s in STYLE. With about a week and a half to spare, I said goodbye to the car I've had since high school and drove home in a pretty sweet Prius. I'm in love, y'all. One of my many favorite features is the trip summary once I park. It's already become an obsession of seeing how many miles per gallon I can get on each trip.

1/2 ✔ Travel somewhere new. So I haven't really made it to visiting any new cities in the past six months, but as I was talking to a friend recently, I realized I could look at it as visiting new places within my own city. I've gotten to visit local businesses that are either new or new to me, and it gives me a newfound love for my hometown.

1/2 ✔ Clean out, donate and start fresh. Well. I've done alright at purging some more clothes and other things, but unfortunately it's all still sitting in a pile in our house. We still haven't gotten to that damn garage sale, but are planning it for this month. My fiance has sold some of the items in other ways, so we are still making progress.

✔ Learn how to sew better. A couple months back, my fiance's stepmom and I had a sewing date (split into two sessions), and she helped me make a beach/pool bag from a repurposed scarf I had. It turned out way better than I expected, and I had a blast learning how to use a sewing machine. I eventually want to invest in one for the house so I can alter clothes that need a better fit.

Bonus ✔ Try aerial yoga. Not long after I wrote about my current yoga obsessions, I learned about a local yoga studio that offers aerial yoga. Sure, I had never heard of it before, but it took about .2 seconds to intrigue me, and I signed up for the intro class. I cannot WAIT to try the full class. It's like you flyin', yeah!

Bonus ✔ Got a ring put on it. Although not really a bucket list item, it is a pretty great accomplishment that happened during the last six months. My mother is proud to report that I am not officially an old maid.

Bonus ✔ Eco Cajun goals. From a full blog redesign to a magazine cover and a weekly interview on 106.3 during Earth Month, it's been a good year so far for this little site.

So I'm feelin' PRET-TY GOOD about the next decade in my life!

As I did last year, I'm giving y'all a lil Eco Cajun birthday Spotify mix. Some of my current song obsessions with some good summer tunes mixed in.


Now, I believe there is a birthday drink or three calling my name! #ByeFelicia

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traveling and touristing sustainably

Whether you're spending a week at the beach, visiting a new city, or simply visiting far-away family, there are plenty of ways to make your trip greener.

I'll start by using one of my favorite green words to describe packing: EFFICIENCY. 

• Instead of packing everything you own into a set of suitcases, pare it down and bring only what you'll need. Pack pieces that match more than one other piece so you can wear it more than once. Wrap jewelry in socks or scarves and pack those inside shoes, using that available space to cut down elsewhere. 
• Bringing a smaller or lighter suitcase is not only easier on you, it's less of a weight load on your vehicle as well. Of course, that won't make a lick of difference on an airplane, but it at least might save you an overweight bag charge!
• Pack a reusable water bottle to encourage yourself to drink more water and use less water bottles. Metal water bottles ARE allowed through the TSA checkpoint if they are empty. It's even better to leave the top off during screening to help go smoothly.
• If you plan on shopping on your trip (and seriously, what female doesn't!?), stuff a reusable bag into your suitcase or purse to use as your shopping bag. It'll come in handy more than you realize. 
• If you fly with only a carry-on suitcase (which I usually do!), you get to follow the TSA 3-1-1 rules for liquids. Instead of purchasing travel size toiletries, get a set of empty travel size bottles and refill them for each trip with your existing toiletries. 
• For those of you going on beach trips, aka, everyone in South Louisiana who migrates over to the Gulf Coast at some point, you know how much stuff goes along with your suitcase. Skip the styrofoam coolers for your beer and food, and bring a regular one. Bring large containers of snacks and make your own snack bags instead of bringing the individually bagged versions. Use food storage containers instead of disposable zip-top bags. 
• Once you're packed and before you leave, take a walk around your house to make sure unnecessary electronics are unplugged to avoid drawing power. Adjust your thermostat so it runs less, because there's no point to cool an empty home. Just set it to be cooled down when you're scheduled to arrive home. It's also extra important to unplug electronics that draw vampire power as a safety precaution as well.

• Fuel efficiency is super important on vacation, since there are already enough other expenses. If you're going on a road trip in your own car, make sure your tires are inflated and everything is in proper working order. A smoothly running car is more efficient than one that needs work. It's also safer to travel farther in a car that doesn't need service.
• If you have multiple cars traveling together, see how you can cut down on the number by carpooling. If there's extra space, maximize it! Plus, when you carpool, chances are, you'll get some gas money recouped.
• On to flying. Of course, airplanes burn a metric crap-ton (scientific fact) of fuel. I'm not sure what kind of impact any carbon-neutral initiatives are having, but I don't imagine it would be very much. By packing more efficiently and having a lighter suitcase, however, you can reduce your personal load impact. While you're in the airport, you can also be less wasteful. Ask for drinks in your reusable bottle, and refuse a plastic bag at the newsstand. Chances are, you have some kind of bag with you already! I believe at least United has recycling collection onboard the plane, where they accept drink cans and newspapers in a separate bag for recycling instead of trash. Put your items in the recycling collection!
• Nonstop flights are greener than multiple-layover flights because the majority of fuel is burned during landing and takeoff, but of course, sometimes that's just out of your control. Where you have the option, consider it.

A few eco-friendly gadgets can make your trip a whole lot easier! I've already hammered in the reusable shopping bag and water bottle, but to go further than that:

• Look into getting a power bank for your cell phone or other battery-powered gadgets. It should charge through your computer's USB port, which doesn't add much electricity generation, if any. The power bank will come in tremendously handy while you're out exploring and your phone is draining quickly. Plug it into your phone, turn the bank on and throw everything back into your bag! A good power bank should be able to fully charge a smartphone without dying itself.
• GoToobs are food-safe, BPA-free silicone squeezy toiletry bottles. Among the reusable travel size containers, these are more eco-friendly than simple cheap plastic.
• If you're really set on reducing your waste, pack a set of reusable silverware (or rather, bambooware!) Bamboo is very sustainable and fast-growing, and these utensil sets are heat and stain resistant and won't absorb food flavors. They even come in a handy recycled bag!
• I would suggest solar-powered chargers for electronics, but the few experiences I've had with solar powered chargers have not been very electric (waka waka!). Read your reviews before investing in solar-powered chargers. 
• Need portable speakers? Use a cup! Lifehacker has a "DIY" speaker for an iPad (aka cut a hole in a cup), but for phones or iPods, you can simply use the cup both as a holder and a speaker.

Wherever you travel, don't forget your green habits at home! Take the effort to reduce, reuse and recycle.

• Instead of requesting a fresh towel every day in your hotel, save your towel an extra day. Hotels that practice conservation (or at least put a little card in the room to make it look like they practice conservation, but that should probably be reserved for another post) will let you know where to place towels you want to keep and towels you want to exchange. The EPA acknowledges Green Seal and Green Leaf as reputable organizations that measure and rate the environmental initiatives in hotels.
• Don't waste water or electricity. Yes, I know hotel air conditioning is like free air conditioning, but it's still pulling extra power from somewhere! You may not have to conserve as much as you would at home, but you should still conserve.
• Recycle plastic bottles, glass bottles, cans, paper and plastic wherever there are recycling bins, especially as you're out exploring.
• Respect the natural environment around you. Don't trample landscaping or leave litter everywhere. Don't feed the animals.
• Look for eco-friendly transportation methods. Rent a hybrid vehicle (or a fuel-efficient compact if price is an important factor), take public transportation (and some large cities have eco-friendly public transportation!), rent bicycles or simply walk around if you can. 
• If you packed a reusable water bottle and shopping bag, use them!
• Learn about the green initiatives in your home-away-from-home. What do they do differently from your hometown? It can be interesting and inspiring to see how others practice environmentalism. 
• Eat local foods! Not only do you get to experience the real culture of your destination, you can be greener knowing the food doesn't travel as far to get to you. One of my favorite vacation rules of thumb is "If I have the same restaurant in my hometown, I won't eat it on vacation."

Other sources for tips:

• Huffington Post - 9 Eco-Friendly Travel Products
• 6 Ways to Green Your Summer Trip
• ABC News - Green Ideas: Tips for Eco-Friendly Travel
• US EPA - What Can I Do to Help The Environment When I Travel?
• RYOT - 10 eco-friendly travel tips

When you're on vacation, it doesn't mean you have an excuse to trash someone else's hometown. As Sweet Greens puts it, leave no trace! Leave a beautiful place for others to have as good a vacation as you!

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a better bertrand

Lafayette's first Better Block demonstration was a success! The rain held off, people came out, and Bertrand Drive became a thriving roadway for everyone.

Trees lined the road to separate the drive lanes from the bike and pedestrian lanes, and crosswalks were marked throughout the space. There were food trucks, a coffee shop, a pop-up boutique, a beer station, a snoball stand, adoptable animals and other organizations. Beyond that, there was a pop-up park, a dog park and a band playing. 

The energy in the air was electric. Everyone walked around at a slightly slower pace, enjoying the outdoors, the activities and the new layout of the street. We noticed that people were a bit more friendly than usual, and people were more aware of their surroundings. My boyfriend noticed a man pick up a piece of litter and throw it away as he walked past. How often does that happen normally!? There was a great sense of community happening, and I think it's something that can sustain itself on a regular basis if we made more permanent changes. If there was a permanent bike lane, I could guarantee there would be plenty of riders using regularly.

We took advantage of the bike corral run by Bike Lafayette. I love having a dedicated place to leave our bikes, knowing they'll be watched!

We got to view the draft master plan for the Horse Farm, and what I remember most is the plan for a treehouse! If the Horse Farm looks anything like the master plan, it's going to be pretty incredible.

One of the sweet puppies with Lafayette Animal Aid.

The Better Block organizers reused the materials from the downtown parklet and moved it over to Bertrand for the day! The pallets used in the parklet and the Better Block entrance sign are all reclaimed wood.

What should be our official city motto.

We enjoyed lunch from Blanchard's Barbeque, and I discovered what may be one of my favorite dishes ever - these pulled pork tacos.

On a super humid day, snoballs are one of the best cures. I'm not sure who ran the snoball stand, but we were delighted to find out they were free! (We responsibly threw away the styrofoam, and I was sad that it wasn't something we could recycle.)

While the humidity was pretty ridiculous, I was so glad the rain held off, and we had a great time enjoying Bertrand in a whole new way. No matter how often you drive down a street normally, you get a different sense of appreciation for that road once you get to use it in a different way. From riding our bikes down the outside lane, to getting lunch at a food truck on the side of the road, to walking on the road itself as we check out the different areas, it was a unique afternoon in a familiar place.

Did you make it out to Better Block Bertrand? What was your favorite part?

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"it's the last days of summer in san francisco"

I've reluctantly returned to the real world after a vacation in San Francisco, a city in a state I'd never visited before. And I think it's changed me a little inside. I'm a born and bred Cajun girl, and I always tend to visit Massachusetts when I set foot on an airplane, so I consider myself as having a little bit of Masshole in me. Before this trip, I'd never been further west than San Antonio, Texas. And now I've been on the West Coast and dipped my toes into the (super cold) Pacific Ocean (or I guess more specifically, Monterey Bay).

Flying to San Francisco on a clear evening gave my boyfriend and me a strange feeling. Since our phones were on airplane mode, the time didn't switch to the correct time zone yet, so our phones and our bodies said it was 10pm, but the sunlight outside told us it was only 8pm. It felt like we were briefly living in suspended time, where we keep going, but the sun continues shining.

There are just so many good things I could say about San Francisco and our trip. I'm normally very good with directions and navigating, and in some moments on this trip, I was completely turned around and had to re-orient myself. The weather, the scenery and the lifestyles were different from anything I've experienced - yet so similar to experiences I do have. For example, the first day we toured the city, I got a distinct feeling of a combination of New Orleans' French Quarter and downtown Portland, Maine. 

The weather was beyond perfect all week. In fact, my only complaint about it was that it was too warm for all the clothes I'd packed. The highs were in the 60s, but with the sun and all the trekking we did, my light sweaters were too much. And in the evenings it was wonderfully crisp. The house we stayed in doesn't have air conditioning, because they don't need it. In the evenings we cracked the windows and let the natural air circulate through the house and cool us off. That just cannot happen down here. We'd either swelter in the humidity or get eaten alive by mosquitoes.

After a week, I really began to get used to the scenery, especially watching the mountains roll by as we rode the train into the city. And I didn't realize how used to it I was getting until we returned home and I was surrounded by the flat scenery of my town. Nothing compares to those mountain views. I'd do anything to have them just a little longer. (My boyfriend and I joked about printing pictures to hang in our windows.) I miss seeing them each morning as I make my way to work.

We saw such a variety of landmarks, from the typical touristy things like Alcatraz, Lombard Street, and the Golden Gate Bridge, to pop culture icons like the Full House house, Mrs. Doubtfire house and Amoeba Records, to wine country, to a beautiful college campus, to the beach, to the headquarters of Apple, Google and Facebook. We went to an Oakland A's baseball game. We went mini-golfing. We rented a Prius for one day - and my boyfriend drove it in the city (which was almost a roller-coaster ride). We rented bicycles for one day and rode 18 miles across the city hills and the Golden Gate Bridge (this Southern girl barely survived - it was intense in many ways). We walked around Golden Gate Park one afternoon as the fog swirled in. And "swirled" is about the only word I can think to describe it. We literally watched it move in, in this ethereal pattern, weaving between the trees in the park, giving the whole area a gray cast. It just felt so appropriate, and I could mentally play only Matt Nathanson's newest album, as it's an homage to the city Matt calls home. 

And the greenness of everything. It was so strange and yet felt so natural. Louisiana is almost light-years behind California and it was never more noticeable than in the few days after we returned home. I saw about three plastic bags all week, everywhere we went. We got a plastic bag for our restaurant leftovers one night, and it was biodegradable corn-based plastic. I used my Klean Kanteen at least 10 times during the week: each morning to carry coffee, and in the afternoons to alternately carry Gatorade, water or an occasional soft drink. I toted a reusable bag each day for any purchases. The one time we needed our own vehicle, we rented a Prius and enjoyed watching how our driving performed. I saw more public recycling bins than trash cans. I saw public compost bins next to those recycling bins. I saw wind turbines and a solar- and wind-powered Alcatraz tour boat. There were so many bicyclists. The bike lanes were painted green, separated from the road or dedicated bike paths. We used public transit. We saw zero-emission buses and hybrid taxis. 

What I loved most about it is that being green was just commonplace. You didn't have to take extra measures to recycle or reduce your plastic use. The alternatives were there in front of you. Here, it almost feels like you have to shout from the rooftops that you are recycling or being green in some way, in order to even be able to do it. And there, you just go about your normal day, being green at each step. 

Visiting San Francisco definitely opened my eyes, inspired me, and changed me. I hope to be able to return sooner rather than later. The week was hectic, and every muscle and tendon ached at some point, but it also gave me a chance to reflect a lot. By the end of the trip, I was ready to return home to see my family and my kitty, but I was not ready to get back to the pace of every day. I'm just so grateful that we were able to get away for a week and take a real trip, instead of a halfhearted vacation. We got to visit with my boyfriend's cousin and her fiancé (our gracious hosts) and get a taste of what it's like to live in California. I spent most of the week mentally playing California by Phantom Planet (not helped by my recent viewing of The OC Season 1).

Calistoga Bike Shop, where we rented bikes for a winery tour.

Chandelier made with wine bottles at Lava Vine.

  

Touring San Francisco with new TOMS and hot coffee in my Klean Kanteen.

A green bike lane. 

I was highly jealous we didn't get to ride the eco-friendly tour boat, but then again, we would not have been able to ride on the top deck!

Wind turbines, recycling bins and compost bins at Crissy Field.

Taking a small rest break while on our 18-mile bike trek.

Trash disposal is not the only option.

The Golden Gate Bridge on a gorgeously clear afternoon.

Waiting for my lunch order at a vegetarian restaurant near the UC Berkeley campus. The mushroom sandwich was pretty killer, and we got in a nice picnic on the campus.

Compost bin on the UC Berkeley campus.

The beach in Santa Cruz.

Cigarette butt disposal in Santa Cruz.

I wish all bike lanes were able to have a raised divider like this near the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz.

Apple headquarters.

Google headquarters. I LOVED all the Google bikes around their campus.

I was surprised to see a plastic bag within San Francisco, until I saw it's compostable. Well-done! I might've brought it home with me.

Haight Ashbury from the bus window.

The fog in Golden Gate Park.

A marker for a pedestrian path and bike lane somewhere in the city. The Walk man is also a symbol of one of my favorite Hanson songs.

Is it time for our next vacation??

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