Posts from — March 2010

Look around your community and you are sure to discover that there are people who are doing amazing things to make this world a better and greenier place to live.  Their stories are fascinating and are stellar examples of how we can be more eco.  Over the next few months, we are going out into our community and world and talking with some of these eco-stars.  We will share their stories here at Tread Light Living.

This month, we had the chance to talk with Gina Diamond from Green Diamond Consulting

So you are an eco-lifestyle coach. That sounds pretty cool. What does an eco-lifestyle coach do and how can you help us?

An eco lifestyle coach is a mentor who helps people experience positive change by becoming more conscious and taking realistic and joyful actions that “do the most good and the least harm” to self, other people, animals and/or the environment.

All my work is tailored to the individual, business, or group I am serving.  It is about what is going to work for you, your family, your organization, etc.  I strive to foster reverence, respect and responsibility so that you can be of service and live a fulfilling, healthy and peaceful life.  I can help you go greener at work, at home or on the road and reap the many benefits of doing so including being part of the solution and building community.

You definitely live what you teach. We have seen you biking around the streets of Seattle. How hard was it for you to make the transition to a sustainable lifestyle?

There were certainly challenges – things I would have perhaps done differently, which is a blessing because now I can share those experiences with my clients.  What does work is making one change at a time and when that change becomes habit I move on to the next.  It is all about being realistic with what I am really willing to do and trying to find the fun/humor/joy in it.  When I started biking in the rain, which wasn’t a first step by any means, I hated it but persisted because I ”was doing good.”  but how much good was I really doing if I was miserable.  One day it dawned on me. If I could find the joy in biking like I did as a kid, perhaps I would feel differently about it and I do!

What were some of the challenges of becoming more sustainable in your life? Any surprise benefits?

The biggest challenges is weighing the trade-offs of any given action and knowing which option does the “most good.”  I don’t always know, so I usually follow my intuition.

Surprises – yes!!  I am much healthier.  My cholesterol came down when I began eating less cheese and eggs and more veggies.  I lost weight as a result of riding my daughter to school.  I have a lot more energy.  Going greener has opened up many doors, caused me to build relationships with amazing people and the biggest, I feel totally satisfied that I am doing my part.  No matter what the future holds, I know I am doing my part.  That feels good!

Do you have any eco-heroes or people who inspire you to live greener, cleaner?

I love the guy that wrote the better world shopping guide.  Anyone who does 20 years of research and has a holistic definition of sustainability is a hero in my book.

What are some of the easiest things that a person can do today to be more “eco” in their life?

What is easy for one person can be very difficult for another.  I don’t like giving blanket answers because my work is so individualized.  What I can say is pick one think that you are willing to do and go do it.  Maybe you are willing to eat a little less beef this week.  Maybe you are willing to carpool to your kid’s friend’s b-day party.  Maybe you are willing to visit the Ballard Farmer’s Market this weekend. It doesn’t matter where you start as long as you are taking positive action.

Thanks Gina for sharing your story and advice with us.  To find our more about Gina’s services, visit Green Diamond Consulting

A special gift to our fans and customers, for every service that is booked with Green Diamond Consulting during the month of March, Gina will donate 50% of her fees to Haiti via World Concern.org.

March can be a drab month–waiting for winter to end and the first signs of spring to emerge. That’s why, whether you’re Irish or not, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is a cool idea–especially if you make it eco! Here are some simple, fun, affordable ideas for you and the family that will make those not included green with envy!

1. Gather your friends and neighbors for your own St. Patrick’s Day walking parade. Whether it’s around a cul de sac or down a street or two, you’re sure to have a great time if you dress in green and wish everyone the luck ‘o the Irish as you pass by! Encourage participants to make hats out of whatever they have around the house or before the parade, ask guests to bring an old white/beige t-shirt and meet at your house. Cut shamrock shapes into potatoes and stamp on the shirts with eco-friendly fabric paints.

2. Decorate at least one room in the house with the spirit ‘o the green. Gather everything green you have lying around from books to clothing to flower pots etc., even green sheets. Set the timer for ten minutes and let the kids decorate the room. Then have a party there! Put on some Irish music, learn a jig and celebrate.

3. Skip the corned beef. It’s not really Irish anyway! (According to the History Chanel, no one in Ireland ate this except for a few royals. But when the Irish immigrated to New York’s lower East side, they were looking for a cheaper alternative to bacon and probably learned about corned beef from their Jewish neighbors.) Since one of the most Earth-friendly habits you can get into is eating less (or no) beef, focus on the veggies. Cabbage is great if people like it, but if they don’t, potatoes are usually a favorite.  How about setting up a potato bar and color the taters green with pureed veggies like kale, spinach, arugula, or pea pods. Add spice with green salsa or more interesting taste with sage.

4. End a party or St. Pat’s family dinner with homemade organic oatmeal cookies and pistachio, lime or mint ice cream/sherbert/sorbet.

5. For evening entertainment, borrow or rent A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. The story centers on an Irish immigrant family in Brooklyn in the 1900’s and their young daughter’s struggle to stay positive in the midst of poverty. Better yet, choose to start reading the book of the same name on St. Patrick’s Day.

6. If you want to enjoy the occasion with a touch of beer, always a St. Paddy’s Day favorite, check out the many organic alternatives.

Thanks to Corey and Lynn for sharing these amazing ideas on ways to Green our St.Patty’s Day celebrations. Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and co-authors ofCelebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net