Michelle Conlin and her "No Impact" Year

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  • Emily 0 comments
  • We are looking forward to a fantastic conversation with Michelle and an incredible group of co-hosts on Wednesday!!!
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    about 1 year ago

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  • robin 0 comments
  • Sounds great! Can't wait to join you all.
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    about 1 year ago

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  Emily
  Hi panamamama, It's all text, so follow along if you can! We would love to have you!!!!!
  about 1 year ago
  • panamamama 1 comment
  • Wish I could listen in, watching my son's class for a bit today...
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    about 1 year ago

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  Deborah
  cannot wait to read this whole conversation in peace tonight!!!!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Renee Limon
  Isn't it amazing what a great motivator guilt can be?
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  Renee, There were times when I had some serious soul-searching moments about whether to go on...There were some rough moments, like caffeine withdrawal and learning to live without a fridge and walking up and down nine flights of stairs to get to our apartment. But at the end of the day I committed to Colin that this is something we would do together...Also: I was sick with guilt about my own wasteful treatment of the environment. I wanted to do something that make amends for the damage I had done.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  Michelle, I can only imagine how surprising it all was for you!!! How long until the realization sunk in?
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sarah56
  that's adorable. but what happened next!?
  about 1 year ago
  
  Renee Limon
  Michelle -- do you ever wish you'd never done the project, and that normal life had not been so radically disrupted?
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  I immediately jumped in-WITHOUT fully thinking through the reprucussions. I went all wifely and lobbed a supportive yes, something I would second guess later. I was excited that Colin was so excited so I wanted to be supportive. I didn't know at the time what I was signing on for or how radical the experiment would be.
  about 1 year ago
  • Deborah 7 comments
  • I won't be around for this one. I am so curious, Michelle--did you jump at this or were you coaxed into it? The *no electricity* would have me shaking in my boots.
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    about 1 year ago

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  Brandie
  That's how I watched it - via netflix instant play. My 7yo watched part it with me! It was very interesting!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  My eight and ten year olds are budding environmentalists too - great idea to read this aloud to them!! I'm doing the same!!!
  about 1 year ago
  • Sara Sophia 2 comments
  • "No Impact Man" is in my Netflix cue right now! I can't wait to hear more about this families adventure in green....a subject so close to my heart. I wonder how Michelle dealt with giving up the conveniences we normally partake of without a second thought---and if she feels it gets easier with practice ;) I'll definitely be reading this chat outloud to my 8 year old....a young environmentalist in the making
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    about 1 year ago

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  robin
  Glad to do it! Love this topic so much!!!!!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  Robin, I'm so pleased you can be here!! Thanks for spreading the word on Twitter too!!!!
  about 1 year ago
  • robin 2 comments
  • Reheating my coffee now in preparation for a fun and informative hour! This is my first LIVE chat in ages. I usually have to re-read all the text in the evenings. So glad to be here today....
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    about 1 year ago

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  • Frugal Mama 0 comments
  • welcome, robin and sara!
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    about 1 year ago

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  • Renee Limon 0 comments
  • Hi all! One half of EnviroMom is here ;-)
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    about 1 year ago

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  Cindy
  I've seen it but would love to get everyone I know to watch. That's good info - i will post.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sarah56
  gonna DVR and will tweet it too
  about 1 year ago
  
  urbanmama
  lol, of course! I DVR stuff all the time. It's the only way I can watch the 8PM shows, since my kids have a late bedtime.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Gayle
  Thanks so much for the tune-in info!
  about 1 year ago
  
  rockinmama
  Thanks! I'm going to TIVO it (can I say that?) LOL!
  about 1 year ago
  • urbanmama 5 comments
  • Sara, in case the Netflix queue is jammed, you can also watch No Impact Man on Planet Green this Sat. at 10PM (if you get that channel)
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    about 1 year ago

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  • Gayle 0 comments
  • Hey everyone!!
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    about 1 year ago

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  Cooper
  Hi there!!!!!!!
  about 1 year ago
  • rockinmama 1 comment
  • Hi!
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    about 1 year ago

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  huntstevens
  I actually freeloaded on their wifi and ate at FreshCity (thank goodness for the 'shared' seating) :-)
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  With your own to-go cup, right? :)
  about 1 year ago
  
  huntstevens
  thank goodness no! there was something very ironic about doing a green chat from a mccafe?!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Gayle
  Hopefully you're not at a rest stop this time!
  about 1 year ago
  • huntstevens 4 comments
  • Hello everyone! Great to see you again and thrilled to be here!
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    about 1 year ago

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  • Emily 0 comments
  • Hi everyone!!! Welcome!! I am so looking forward to this convo!!!
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    about 1 year ago

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  • Erin O 0 comments
  • Hi everyone!
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    about 1 year ago

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  • Brandie 0 comments
  • Hello all! =)
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    about 1 year ago

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  Chrysula
  We left because one of our children has over sensitivity issues, mild depression and a sleep disorder. The stimulation of the city was literally tearing her apart. The city was actually a much easier place to minimize our possessions and carbon footprint. It's harder in the 'burbs with requiring a car etc. But I have some stores and pediatrician within walking distance, I run instead of going to a gym, we focus a lot on water conservation as I come from Australia and grew up with constant drought and water rationing. Americans prolific use of water horrifies me.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Frugal Mama
  Hi Chrysula, I'd love to hear about your family's dreams and sacrifices. Got you re the high life in Manhattan! (Although it still calls me...)
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  Chrysula, I'm so interested in your point! Did you leave NYC in order to live more greenly or frugally or for another larger goal for your family?
  about 1 year ago
  • Chrysula 3 comments
  • The idea of sacrifice for a vision or dream greater than just the grown-ups in the family drives everything my husband and I do. Otherwise we'd still be living the high life in Manhattan :). Really interested to hear everyone's perspectives. I can't stay long, will be dipping in and out!
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    about 1 year ago

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  Cooper
  What an awesome group!!!!!!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  Oh and a reminder!!! To see the latest posts and comments, refresh the page!!!
  about 1 year ago
  • Emily 2 comments
  • Michelle, welcome to TheMotherhood.com! Many of us have followed you for years, since No Impact Man got started! We have so much to talk about and share, and are excited to hear from you about your experiences over the last four years! We have a fabulous group of bloggers co-hosting (thank you, thank you for being here all of you!!): Amy Suardi, Frugal Mama Beth Terry, Fake Plastic Fish Caryn Bailey, Raising Gen Green and Rockin Mama Diane MacEachern, Big Green Purse Maureen O'Connor, Alternative Consumer Renee Limon, EnviroMom Sandie Chen, Urban Mama Susan Hunt Stevens, Practically Green Tom Feegal, Green My Parents Links to all their blogs are in the sidebar. And now let's dive in together!!!!!!
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    about 1 year ago

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  Cindy
  Thank you Emily and Cooper for making this possible.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Cindy
  Michelle - I'm so excited to be in the same space as you. Been following No Impact Man and your story for a couple of years now. I am far from being where I want to be regarding living green - but i have learned so much. Renewing my commitment today - got a little lazy this summer. I have a house full of teens and twenty somethings and it's no easy task when you're surrounded by some who are less aware. Same issue at work I think I may have to make a little more noise.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  Sara Sophia, That's such a good point! And one of the reasons I love our Talks here in TheMotherhood! I always look at things differently afterwards. After talking with Annabelle Gurwitch from Wa$ted (also on Planet Green), I will never "look" at paper towels the same again!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Cooper
  So exciting that you are here, Michelle! Your story is amazing! Thank you so much for joining us!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sara Sophia
  I think that when we start actually LOOKING at what we do consumption wise...and how we expend our resources...its a lot easier to start making changes. The first step is to actually NOTICE and CARE ;) Then you can research ways to make your life make more sense.
  about 1 year ago
  
  robin
  I just realized I had unnecessary lights on in three rooms. Just ran and turned them off. Ugh!
  about 1 year ago
  • Michelle Conlin 6 comments
  • Hi everyone! I'm very excited to be here. I'm looking forward to talking about living in a more sustainable way for the next hour....does anyone have any thoughts about living more and wasting less?
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    about 1 year ago

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  Gayle
  Hello GMP!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  Hi - Diane from Big Green Purse finally here!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  Welcome! We're so glad you're here!!!
  about 1 year ago
  • GreenMyParents 3 comments
  • Good morning everyone, here is the team from GMP!
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    about 1 year ago

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  Frugal Mama
  It's best to actually get rid of the TV for a period. Then there is no choice. Once you see that you can get a long without out, and are in fact happier and more accomplished (hopefully), it will be easier to resist it once you bring it back (if other family members insist on it).
  about 1 year ago
  
  urbanmama
  I don't think we can do no TV, because I'm an entertainment journalist. It would be like Michelle not reading the Financial Times or the Wall Street Journal. BUT I do limit the TV, so they can get out and play in the yard.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sarah56
  It's easier the more you do it? Did your resolve ever collapse?
  about 1 year ago
  
  Renee Limon
  Brandie -- yes! You really have to wear blinders when you shop!! And it's so much harder when you shop with kids, as they see all that crap and want it with a vengeance.
  about 1 year ago
  
  urbanmama
  Isn't that amazing? After reading The Omnivore's Dilemma we've tried to eat less meat, but the meat we do eat is from Polyface Farms, which delivers to different neighborhoods in the DC/VA/MD area. Wonderful quality straight from an amazing farming family!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Frugal Mama
  I totally agree on no TV. I'm such a better person without it! My kids don't watch it either (maybe a movie once a month). Gotta work on my husband. This year, we don't have any reception -- decided not to sign up for cable -- but I don't know if I can get him to give it up permanently. I just feel he -- and we -- are happier people without it.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Brandie
  Re: sticking to the edge of the grocery store - it seems to me, stores in our area have picked up on this and now you can finds all sorts of crap mixed in with all the other things around the perimeter of the store!! Is anyone else noticing that trend in their area too?
  about 1 year ago
  
  huntstevens
  Whether it's city or suburbs, I am still amazed by the statistic that eating vegetarian for a day a week is like driving a hybrid. That's one way to make a big impact..
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  My first tip is to get rid of the TV. It was my idea to get rid of our TV because I realized it had become the enemy in our own living room. Also: as Michael Pollan always says, stick to the perimeter of the grocery store--less packaging. Avoid the deadly and trans-fat and high-fructose-loaded middle aisles. Bike and walk when you can. Have family dinners. Play charades. Try not spending a dime for one day, one week, one month...it is amazing how liberating, exciting and freeing this one tip can be. Take the family on a freegan expedition--there is nothing like seeing how one can live like a queen out of the consumer culture's waste bins....does that help?
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  Take-out is such a good point! We like to do take-out on Monday nights and it always bugs me that there is so much plastic and paper and extra napkins, etc. I'd love advice on how to have an easy, bring in the food night for our family without all the trash associated!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Brandie
  Great question - I thought similar things!
  about 1 year ago
  • urbanmama 11 comments
  • My question for Michelle: I lived in NYC from ages 17-31, and I think it's a lot easier to do *some* of the green-living in a city than in the suburbs (other than the sacrificing take-out). How do you think those of us in the suburbs can live "smaller" in order to live more meaningfully?
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    about 1 year ago

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  Sarah56
  Confession to Cooper: I am so bad at this sort of thing, I hired a wallpaper hanger dude to come over and he did an awesome job. People stay in that loo for extended periods of time, just gazing at all those incredible images!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Cooper
  Sarah! That is so cool! How did you do it, Mod Podge or straight wallpaper paste?
  about 1 year ago
  
  Frugal Mama
  I agree -- I'd love to see the research too re the what is greener -- online or paper publications.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sarah56
  Green idea: use the gorgeous newspaper/magazines for wrapping paper and book covers! I have a bathroom papered in New Yorker mag covers.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  I would love to see the research! It would be interesting to know the real cost of going online for short bursts and for longer periods!!!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Brandie
  Can you ladies compromise - get the paper on Sunday only and allow yourself one magazine ... do everything else via the internet?
  about 1 year ago
  
  huntstevens
  There is a study floating around somewhere that actually shows some print media has less impact than electronic (assuming it's recycled) because of the energy and carbon impact of server farms. As someone who used to work at a newspaper, we cited that pretty heavily ;-)
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sara Sophia
  Some more eco-conscious magazines such as Boho have gone the route of a %100 recycled publication. It would be amazing in the future if we saw more mags do that. And as a homeschooling Mom we ALWAYS save our issues to use as art projects. I think its important to be selective and maybe only subscribe to one or two.
  about 1 year ago
  
  rockinmama
  I've been slowly canceling all my subscriptions. To be honest it's freed up a lot of time. I felt compelled to read every single one because I was paying for them.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Cooper
  That is interesting. Did no impact include electronic devices?
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  I'm a journalist. And I actually was going to work every day at BusinessWeek while this experiment was going on...so my office became my media Four Seasons. I had access to everything there...at first I did notice that the quality of my story ideas went down without cable news...But I found ways to access media sources on the Internet so my work wouldn't suffer. I have actually not resumed subscriptions. I digest nearly everything online now.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  Yeah, this has been hard for me. I stopped getting hard copies of everything - and got so tired of reading everything online. I don't get many magazines any more, but do get the Sunday paper.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Frugal Mama
  I love to read hard copies of newspapers and magazines, and even though I guess they are not as green as reading online, I like to support the publishing industry because it is line with other values of mine, like reading and being unplugged. I've been taking my magazines to doctors offices, so at least they get a lot of use out of them before they are thrown out (recycled hopefully).
  about 1 year ago
  • Gayle 13 comments
  • Michelle - I thought it was interesting that you stopped getting newspapers and magazines during your year. Did you miss getting news that way, and have you resumed your subscriptions?
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    about 1 year ago

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  Gina Rau
  I grew up in OC and can totally relate. When we moved to Portland we realized how much driving we did there - 30 min drive to the mall, 20 mins to the grocery store. Urban sprawl meant a big impact on our time in the car and the environment. Now we just don't do it. If we need to drive across town for something, we make a full day of it so that we're taking advantage of that time. We've learned how to coordinate efforts with friends so that we share chores and errands. It's a very different "way of living" than I think is the norm in So Cal - but totally doable!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Brandie
  Similar issue here - no real public transportation. We did purposefully move close to our town's downtown so we can walk/bike to some things. Now I'll admit, I don't always do it when I can! That said, I do sometimes wish we lived with more land. I desire chickens, goats, and alpacas in a very big way!
  about 1 year ago
  • rockinmama 2 comments
  • I also have a question for Michelle...it's easier for us to do things like buy locally and in season, minimize our waste, recycle, etc. But living in So. Cal. it's really difficult to get around without a car. Public transportation isn't timely or practical because LA and OC are so spread out.....Thoughts?
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    about 1 year ago

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  Emily
  So well said, Michelle!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  Oh yes, I know this one well. I always feel like people think we are the eco police! I guess my best advice on this is to simply remind ourselves and our kids that everyone has the right to the dignity of their own choices....
  about 1 year ago
  
  Cooper
  Great question!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sara Sophia
  Amen to that! My kids are met with that constantly. We don't live in a very "green aware" area---and its a constant battle for them to understand why their friends "don't care".
  about 1 year ago
  • GreenMyParents 4 comments
  • one of our team would like to hear about how you can help kids deal with friends and parents who say it is a pain for the group if one wants to minimize her impact and the others want to just do what they are used to? (sounds like a new kind of peer pressure!)
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    about 1 year ago

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  • Brandie 0 comments
  • I'm curious what changes you made for your year that you continue to make today?
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    about 1 year ago

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  Family_Manager
  Yes, it is satisfying, but it is a lot of hard work. Fences have to be maintained (and the supplies bought, if you don't already have them), you need hay for the winter--which involves tractors (consuming gas, emitting fumes)--you need to keep the deer out, and so, so many things. It is definitely a full-time job...and, if you need to work another full-time job to pay the bills, it's difficult to balance. But I do love where--and how--I live.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Frugal Mama
  Hi there, I think growing your own food and raising your own livestock is already a huge achievement. It must be extremely satisfying, in addition to very low impact.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sara Sophia
  That is the same for us! We live in the Georgia boonies and although we do all we can HERE....our nearest Whole Foods is two hours away! Michelle, what is your advice for those are on their own basically as far as location goes.
  about 1 year ago
  • Family_Manager 3 comments
  • I have a similar question as rockinmama...I live in the middle of nowhere; it is eleven miles minimum to get to anything. I can grow my own food/raise livestock on my own land, but I still need to travel to buy a minimum level of feed. Biking into town in a foot of snow in the winter doesn't work. Do you think that this would have been more challenging for you to do if you lived in a rural, secluded area?
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    about 1 year ago

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  Gina Rau
  We grow some food of our own (small garden) and have canned some favorites. I don't think we save any money and it certainly is more effort and time, but I believe that being involved in our food is important for me and my children. They know how to grow food and love plucking something from our garden to munch on while playing outdoors - even if it's a snow pea or lettuce.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  Yes, I think it's really only affordable if you grow your own (and sadly, I have too much sun to do that). On the other hand, it beats watching tv.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Brandie
  You are right (and I can what I can, when I can, and also do jams and other things like that). The only thing I can say, is that you know the ingredients in them and sometimes that is worth the extra price. I do know some people now feel that canning in general is a big waste of time and there is another way you can preserve fruits/veggies - and I wish I could remember what it's called so you could look it up, but I'm drawing a complete blank right now!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sara Sophia
  We had that same experience the first time we "put up" our homemade spaghetti sauce ;) It gets better as the next time you can...you won't have to purchase supplies. And it always helps to grow your own tomatoes!
  about 1 year ago
  
  GreenMyParents
  so true, Mason and Ziane (age 15) are just posting a new video the made for youth about how a $1.50 investment in seeds yielded over $35.00 of produce for them this summer... i hear they are replanting and starting a miniFarmers market at school for the fall.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Erin O
  I've had a similar experience with growing vegetables in a backyard garden. It's not necessarily so expensive, but it's a big time investment for a small yield ... and of course, I have to keep buying vegetables at the store until mine are fully grown and ready for picking.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Cooper
  Not to go off topic, but I am planning to do just that with tomatoes tonight. Any suggestions Diane?
  about 1 year ago
  • Diane Mac 7 comments
  • One thing I've tried doing is canning and freezing my own food. But honestly, it takes hours and hours, and costs much more. I worked all day Sunday to "put up" tomatoes - at the end of about 8 hrs, I had only 5 pints, and it cost me about $30 - 10 times more than what I would have paid for organic, jarred tomato sauce at the store.
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    about 1 year ago

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  Brandie
  (I want to add this is not the first vacation we've taken like that). And also, 4 times my husband has gone to the boundary waters and there is NOTHING up there - no internet, cell phone, etc, etc and he LOVES it! I think it's healthy to get a break form it all!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Brandie
  We had a similar experience Robin! Although we were in the middle of no where, no tv, my phone didn't have reception, the cabins we stayed in had wi-fi, which totally cracked me up! So we did have a little outside contact, but we spent most of our day without it and it was nice! =)
  about 1 year ago
  
  Cooper
  What a wonderful reminder!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Frugal Mama
  Wow, we should all try vacation like that. Too often the TV in your hotel room is so in-your-face that's it's almost impossible to ignore.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Erin O
  Sounds amazing!!
  about 1 year ago
  
  robin
  Since returning home, however, I realize that the REAL challenge is implementing the break from technology in our "regular" lives. I could use some helpful ideas especially with my son back in school and all the homework and activities we have to navigate. I miss the forest.....
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  I have had that same experience with my kids.
  about 1 year ago
  • robin 7 comments
  • We just returned from a week of hiking and kayaking in the Pacific Northwest. We had no TV and it was amazing how much we read and talked and just reconnected with each other. Internet and cell phone coverage was spotty and eventually we just stopped checking for it. It was the most wonderful, spiritual, healthy vacation we have EVER had in our lives...
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    about 1 year ago

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  • Diane Mac 0 comments
  • Michelle, in the movie, it seemed like you and your husband disagreed about having more children. Do you still want more children, and is he still opposed to it?
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    about 1 year ago

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  Emily
  Amy, so so funny! I remember seeing one for the first time as a kid and having fun with my brothers squirting the ceiling until my mom heard the commotion!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Frugal Mama
  Ah the bidet! A foreign concept for us, but perhaps worth exploring here. My husband is Italian and when we went back to visit one time, my daughter pointed to the bidet and said, 'That's a weird bath for we-we's." And daughter no. 2 replied, "I'm not putting my we-we in there!"
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  A friend is adding a bidet to her bathroom during her renovation - hadn't realized she might have an environmental reason for doing so!!!
  about 1 year ago
  
  rockinmama
  Interesting....the Europeans have been using the bidet for centuries....apparently they knew what they were doing...
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  There are millions of cleaner, more sanitary ways to deal with all things of this matter. For example, the bidet....which I jerry rigged for our family and found to be much cleaner...
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sara Sophia
  Okay now I REALLY WANT TO SEE THE MOVIE :D
  about 1 year ago
  • rockinmama 6 comments
  • Michelle....did you really forego using toilet paper? How does one do that?
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    about 1 year ago

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  robin
  Thanks, Emily and thanks, Sara for posting everyone's Twitter handles. Really helpful and fast. I am @wisdomlabyrinth @labyrinthwell and @OceanPrayer. Great to connect with you all!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sarah56
  Am blogging from @practicallygrn in case you want to follow
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sarah56
  Thank you!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  So great! I'm tweeting too, and it's SO GREAT!!! Here are the Twitter IDs for all the hosts as well: @fakeplasticfish @rockinmama @urbanmama @practicallygrn @dianemaceachern @frugal_mama @GreenMyParents @enviromom @altcon @gweiswasser and @maiaKG from Discovery helped organize the Talk and I'm @EmilyMcKhann
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  I am Michelle Conlin on Twitter. Thanks!
  about 1 year ago
  • Sarah56 5 comments
  • Michelle, I am tweeting this convo, because it's great and I now our followers will love it -- do you have a twitter handle? Or can you be Mrs. @NoImpactMan? Is that okay with you?
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    about 1 year ago

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  Emily
  Thank you, Cindy! I love hearing how easy you make it sound! We have a garden so this should be very doable!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Cindy
  Emily - if you live in an apartment that's a little harder, but if you have a yard it is so easy. I don't really have much of a formula, sometimes reading about it can be intimidating. It just comes down to layering green (fruit and veggie scraps, etc.) with brown (dry leaves, paper, cardboard), you turn the top layer every time you put something in (i use a pitchfork) and that's about it. Water it sparingly every now and then. Oh btw - I use a free container that the city provided years ago when they started doing a composting program.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  I hate to admit this, but we don't compost. I've looked at the various supplies from Lee's catalogue and elsewhere and have been intimidated by the whole process. If anyone has a simple solution, I would love to hear it! Do we need two big containers outside so the older compost doesn't get mixed in with the new?
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  It's actually not hard to "line dry" inside. We don't have a yard and yet we hang most of our clothes on a drying rack perched on the dining room table.
  about 1 year ago
  
  urbanmama
  Composting is actually a lot of fun -- as long as you keep the flies at bay (Bat House!!). We got our bins from the county & the Audubon Society, and then you get a stainless steel tub for all the compost stuff, and you're good to go!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sara Sophia
  This is true. Because we can hang out our laundry here...use well water rather than city water, compost, grow our own veggies, etc.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  Did you ever think about getting an electronic composter like a lot of offices use? Or would that use too much energy for your taste?
  about 1 year ago
  • Michelle Conlin 7 comments
  • I noticed several people have asked questions about public transportation. I think New York City made No Impact possible....it is a walker and biker paradise. If we had lived elsewhere I don't think we would have been able to give up carbon-based transportation, though we have talked about a horse and buggy at a country house! I think we all have to do what we can do.....I live in New York so I can't compost outside. But if you live in the country or the suburbs you probably can, etc....each clime has its own waste-less opportunities.
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    about 1 year ago

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  Brandie
  I think that's fair. I think, and clearly Michelle would no better, that that was part of some of the early criticism - that it was so far it would be gimmicky and impossible to repeat and then actually turn people off!
  about 1 year ago
  • Diane Mac 1 comment
  • Is this fair? @NoImpact strikes me a little like @greenpeace: so extreme that it pulls people into the center.
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    about 1 year ago

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  Gina Rau
  Thanks for sharing what you're still doing. I wish we could do more of these - not until we move. We did drop cable and one car last summer and haven't missed either a bit.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Brandie
  Is it pretty humid there? (I've never been to NYC!!). We do run our air, but it's set to 81 - it seems to be enough to pull out the humidity and make it comfortable, but way better than walking into an air conditioned place in the middle of summer and wanting to put a coat in because it's SO cold. That just seems so over the top!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Erin O
  Thanks for the insight, Diane!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sara Sophia
  I grew up with no air conditioning in a log cabin in Georgia. It was hot but, your body acclimates. We used fans, did little more than read on the hottest afternoons, played in the creek a LOT, and drank tons of lemonade
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  Coffee and a/c - those would be my biggies too!!!!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  There's a lot of research on this. It has to do with how many dishes you can wash at one time in the washer; the efficiency of the rinse; etc. I use a dishwasher.
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  I was just there a couple of weeks ago for the BLogHer conference, and I'd rather have a 95 degree day in Oakland over an 85 degree day in NYC. Many places were over-airconditioned, but I wonder if I could handle no airconditioning at all in NYC.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Erin O
  I have heard that dishwashers actually use less water per dish, and it seemed suspect to me at the time. Do you know anything about that? Is it based on the idea that people leave the tap running when they're washing dishes by hand, wasting extra water?
  about 1 year ago
  
  Renee Limon
  I pray you were able to strike a compromise with coffee... Maybe shade-grown fair trade? As a fellow coffee addict, I felt your pain.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  Re the AC - do you use fans? If not, isn't your child miserable? I've been in NYC in the summer and it's brutal!
  about 1 year ago
  • Michelle Conlin 10 comments
  • As for the things we continue to do....I'll give a quick list.... We still have bike everywhere We still eat locally from our farmer's market We have no air conditioning or dishwasher We have a community garden though I'm afraid it's been neglected of late due to our travels We still have no TV We have turned on the electricity and our new mantra is to just do what makes sense in the moment we are no longer doing the radical experiment of NO impact
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    about 1 year ago

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  Emily
  Awww ... so sweet! And I must say ADORABLE!!!!
  about 1 year ago
  
  GreenMyParents
  Agree! we all loved her too
  about 1 year ago
  
  Gayle
  Awww. That's adorable.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  From the moment Isabella came out, she was just a good hang. She always has been....I claim no credit for this. She emerged at the hospital a good little hang and a dreamy little fish and she remains so. Yesterday she spent SEVEN hours straight in a pool. My kind of girl. Thank you!
  about 1 year ago
  • Renee Limon 4 comments
  • Michelle -- your daughter was amazing in the movie. So easy-going and found the fun in all the changes. That was awesome to see.
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    about 1 year ago

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  Sara Sophia
  Michelle, that entire statement makes me want to do a happy dance. I believe thinking along these lines REALLY makes people aware of the adventure of LIFE...rather than just going along with the status quo. Its not about judgement and who is doing "better" but, really examining our choices and seeing what else is out there.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  That's such a great idea, great organizing principle. Lots of applause coming from my computer!!
  about 1 year ago
  
  GreenMyParents
  and that individual "challenge" as part of a "group challenge" ... as in, if I teach my parents to save energy, i will get closer to my challenge of earning $100.... and i am part of the big goal of all my friends doing it too to prove that the changes are often simple, fun and have real tangible rewards now. it saves money, not costs more!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  That's a GREAT idea. The thing about No Impact is that it ended up becoming one of the great adventures of my adult life. The No Impact Project, Colin's no profit, is now conducting No Impact Weeks all over the country...it is amazing to see people's eyes light up when they live this way for even ONE week. It makes people completely re-examine and question their lives--in the best possible way. If you or anyone you know is interested, just check out the website at the No Impact Project to get started...
  about 1 year ago
  
  huntstevens
  We think adding a lot of gaming aspects to going green is really smart--people motivate other people to change and like rewards and recognition
  about 1 year ago
  • GreenMyParents 5 comments
  • clearly the "game" aspect of @NoImpact inspires some level of "copy cat "dreaming" and people imagining what it might be like to play that way, look at their own "roles" and "rules" and "goals" of their improvisational life.... every kid knows that framework instantly.
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    about 1 year ago

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  Brandie
  Oh, so bummed to read that about Lush. I will say we tried Dr. Bronners - we must have done something wrong because holy cow - it was so drying it was painful. :( And in general I'm not big into primping myself and all that jazz (I honestly don't use beauty products) but OMG - I had to rewash my hair that day, I had to lather skin with lotion. So anyone else deal with that and have a remedy for it?
  about 1 year ago
  
  Gina Rau
  Thanks for the tip on Burt's Bees shampoo bar - I actually have a trial size at home. Even though we think we're buying "natural" products for our family, I'm still concerned about the ingredients and plan to do more research before we replace anything.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sara Sophia
  @BethTerry there is ONE Lush bar I use in particular that suits my preference of less fragrance and more green-ness---I actually haven't FOUND any solid shampoos on Etsy...though I've looked! If you have any sellers you'd recommend I'd LOVE to have a link
  about 1 year ago
  
  huntstevens
  Here's the link to the Vermont Organics: http://www.vermontsoap.com/barsoaps.shtml We got the aloe baby soap
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  Yep, I'm a Burt's Bees fan. Thanks, Beth.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Brandie
  We're not ... other than in general I don't do any beauty care so I don't have to buy it. I'll have to check out Lush and huntstevens - can you link us to an on-line store or give us the name?
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  Diane, you can also try Burt's Bees solid rosemary/mint shampoo bar, which doesn't have the questionable ingredients and fragrances that Lush does.
  about 1 year ago
  
  urbanmama
  You could also buy big tubs of Dr. Bronner's-type liquid soaps and dilute them into smaller bottles.
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  I'm concerned about Lush because of their ingredients, although I do appreciate no packaging. I find that there are quite a few Etsy sellers making great products, and they are real people so you can ask for no or minimal packaging. Of course, there is the shipping...
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  I guess you buy Lush online? Or at a place like Whole Foods? Great Tip!
  about 1 year ago
  
  huntstevens
  We just found this great vermont organic bar children's bar soap that can also be used as shampoo--minimal packaging on the soap and no plastic bottle (and nut free for my allergy kid!)
  about 1 year ago
  
  Erin O
  Great question! I've struggled with that myself and would love suggestions.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sara Sophia
  I buy solid shampoos and conditioners via Lush cosmetics which are sustainably produced and need NO packaging. Love their stuff and it makes airport security a breeze ;)
  about 1 year ago
  • Diane Mac 13 comments
  • I'd love to hear what everyone is doing about reducing the impact of packaging, esp. when it comes to personal care products (shampoos, conditioners, lotions, etc.)
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    about 1 year ago

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  • urbanmama 0 comments
  • Michelle -- with all of the time-based experiment books/documentaries after Super Size Me (year without shopping, year according to biblical law, etc.), were you guys afraid it would seem gimmicky instead of genuine?
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    about 1 year ago

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  Maureen O
  Beth - It must be gratifying to see the influence you've had on so many others.
  about 1 year ago
  
  huntstevens
  Beth--your plastic free life is a total inspiration. Especially the plastic count chart. I don't think I've every looked at our own plastic the same way since seeing it. My current obsession is plastic food film. It's really all that remains in our garbage, but it's a lot!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Gina Rau
  Do you think others will be able to learn from your lessons and maybe find a few things that they can adapt and implement in their own lives?
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  Excactly! That's how I feel about my plastic-free life. My point is to find out what can be done and show people what's possible. I know I tend to be extreme in every project I take on. If each person does a fraction of it, I'd be happy.
  about 1 year ago
  • Michelle Conlin 4 comments
  • It is extreme. We never wanted anyone else to do this. We weren't advocating this as something people should take up. The point of the experiment was for US to be radical so that we could discover what was on the other side if we stopped listening to the culture altogether. Our hope is that the lessons we learned would somehow prove useful to our family and useful to others who were concerned about the environment.
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    about 1 year ago

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  robin
  Wow....great testimony, Michelle.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  Thinking about this one....I actually think I learned something from every single thing we did. If the change wasn't external then it was internal and the internal psychic changes were the most important of all...
  about 1 year ago
  • Diane Mac 2 comments
  • Michelle, what big sacrifice or change did you make during your "experiment" that in retrospect didn't really make much of a difference after all.
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    about 1 year ago

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  Renee Limon
  I loved when you guys talked about all the positive impacts -- like radically improving your health, and getting out of the apartment, and engaging more with your community. It's odd that people will fixate on something different like 'no TP' and ignore all the amazing transformative stuff that came along for the ride.
  about 1 year ago
  • Michelle Conlin 1 comment
  • As for gimmicks....yes, I was afraid it would seem that way. But I felt the larger issue--doing something about the environmental crisis--was more important.
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    about 1 year ago

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  urbanmama
  That was my concern. Being a locavore is very expensive.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Brandie
  So for those who are already don't have discretionary spending, would they still be able to afford buying food the way you guys did do you think?
  about 1 year ago
  
  GreenMyParents
  GMP champion, AJ, age 14, would be happy to help calculate the future value of your present eco-economic savings if a family socks it away and factors in "compounded interest" ... he wonders "how many lightbulbs do you have to change to pay for college ?" (or other ways of saving...gas, insurance, etc)
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  I often refer to No Impact as the ultimate post-sub-prime financial plan. We cut our discretionary expenses by up to 80% at times....We didn't have any life emergencies like a home fire or some such that devoured that savings. As far as tracking money, I am good old-fashioned pencil and paper sort of person. The magical financial trick for me was that once I made a decision to NOT spend, it became a great fun adventure to abstain. Like a game.
  about 1 year ago
  
  urbanmama
  I'd love to hear about the economic perspective as well, because as the hippie from the community garden said, you two are an affluent couple in NYC. How can lower income families buy local, for example, when the Union Sq. Market prices (for example) are so prohibitive?
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  Ooh, that's a great question.
  about 1 year ago
  • GreenMyParents 6 comments
  • Michelle... we love you! we would love to hear a bit about the economic perspective of your accomplishment too? did you save money every where ? or did you find that you had to make unanticipated investments that gobbled up your savings ? what worked best to track the money ?
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    about 1 year ago

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  • BethTerry 0 comments
  • There are people who will look at it as a gimmick, and people who will respond. I was one of those who heard about the project 3 years ago, and it changed my life... completely.
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    about 1 year ago

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  Brandie
  What about some sort of cotton cloth wrapped around your pinky finger? I mean, you aren't even supposed to put q-tips in your ear really. Not really sure though!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Lisa Sharp
  @Beth haha my husband will not stop using them. He tries to hide the fact that he uses them because I keep telling him he will burst his ear drum but I keep finding them in the trash lol.
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  @lisa, yeah, but rubbing around in there with a Qtip just feels so good even though it's really so bad. (Oops. TMI again, right?)
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  @brandie, yes cotton swabs are out because of the plastic packaging. Wonder if there's a way to make my own.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Brandie
  Our winter market has carrots and potatoes too! ;-)
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  As for winter eating...turnips, turnips, turnips....I have yet to eat another turnip.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Brandie
  In the winter it can be difficult to eat locally - but sometimes farmers will have root veggies and you can find some non-CAFO meat to buy. I know it doesn't feel like much, but it's a start!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  My kids are the first to remind us that we won't eat at the fast food places or let the junk in the house. Always makes me smile. (And I wonder if it will last into adolescence.)
  about 1 year ago
  
  Lisa Sharp
  Oh btw pour hydrogen peroxide in your ears (one at a time) lay on your side for about 10 minutes and then dump in the sink, cleans your ears out safely and better than a Q-Tip
  about 1 year ago
  
  Lisa Sharp
  Well my health care is free because I'm Native American but still great. :)
  about 1 year ago
  
  Gina Rau
  I would definitely miss Qtips. How did you eat locally during the winter months?
  about 1 year ago
  
  GreenMyParents
  Wow. Lisa that is so awesome. (imagine how much you will save in health care costs by achieving that level of better health!) right on! We have found that when Moms & Dads make dietary promises, it is often the "reminders" from kids that help them stay on target.... and of course, you are setting a wonderful example for everyone around you! Great !!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Brandie
  That's awesome (the weight loss)! So what was stuck in your ear? Beth are ear cleaning kits out because of the plastic? Also, what about an ear candle to pull wax out?
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  Qtips ... I would miss those too! I love eating local foods too and am not sure how we'll find them come winter when our local farmer's market closes! Now, if only the pounds would fall off too ....
  about 1 year ago
  
  Lisa Sharp
  I love hearing this because my organic diet and green lifestyle caused me to lose 30 lbs (so far), no longer have high insulin, high blood pressure, etc... My doctor has noticed how much better I'm doing.
  about 1 year ago
  
  rockinmama
  That is amazing......truly.....so how did she remove it? Or should I wait for the movie?
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  I keep wondering what I will do when I run out of Qtips. I am using them so sparingly now, but I know they won't last forever. :-)
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  Immediate and automatic weight loss. I lost 15 pounds. Colin lost about 20 or 25. I was a sugar-addicited trans fat junkie before the project and also pre diabetic. The local eating wiped that condition out. I also suffered from rashes and miraculously those went away too. I felt healthier and I was healthier. The only funny health incident was the no Q tip thing....at one point something got stuck in my ear and I had to go to the doctor to have her remove it.....
  about 1 year ago
  • rockinmama 18 comments
  • Michelle, can you speak a bit on the health benefits realized from the experiment....
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    about 1 year ago

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  Brandie
  So how green is her school? Do you have plans to work with them to help them be more green or you happy with the school she is going to in that area?
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  Awww ... Kindergarten! That's a big milestone! I hope it goes great for her, and you!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  Bella is our best enviro teacher. She grew up this way so it is natural to her. As for notoriety, it hasn't really been an issue yet for Isabella. She starts kindergarten in two weeks so we shall see....!
  about 1 year ago
  • Maureen O 3 comments
  • I really enjoyed the movie, especially how skeptical you seemed initially ... Was wondering - How has your daughter handled both the notoriety and low impact lifestyle changes?
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    about 1 year ago

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  Lisa Sharp
  Is it TMI to say I'm using a LunaPad right now? :)
  about 1 year ago
  
  suzanne siemens
  Hi Michelle, thanks for mentioning the DivaCup! We love it too. It was us (@lunapads) at lunapads.com that sent it to you (via Colin). We love telling women the many ways you can reuse personal care products like cloth menstrual pads, period panties, cloth wipes for toilet paper, or a simply peri bottle for rinsing your perinium! cheers from @luna_gal and @luna_diva
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sara Sophia
  @Brandie Thats the same for us. We want to go solar SO SO SO BADLY (and my husband wants to build a windmill quite rabidly) but its just not in our $$ range right now :(
  about 1 year ago
  
  Brandie
  WE keep looking into adding some solar power/wind power to our house. It's just out of our reach right now. So sad, because I'd do it in a heartbeat if the money were there!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  Michelle, I'm going to research this one! Hard to even imagine. :)
  about 1 year ago
  
  Gina Rau
  I love the idea of a mega purge. I've been wanting to do this for a while (fave blog is Zen Habits) but haven't had the time - I do mini purges instead throughout the year. Ultimately, we want to downsize to a smaller house once we can sell ours without a loss.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  One of my favorite tips: The Diva Cup. This is an alternative to tampons, pads, etc. It is so far superior, to me, that it blew my mind when I first tried it. At first I was completely grossed out and skeptical. Someone sent me one when they heard about No Impact. However, once I tried it I never went back.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  Cindy, what a wonderful idea!!! Not only would you have help planting a fantastic variety of plants, but you'd get to know your neighbors in a whole new way!!!!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Lisa Sharp
  I have never canned but I do a lot of freezing of things we buy in bulk and such. We only shop once a month so I have a very stocked freezer. I make our own freezer meals and also make them for my in-laws.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  One thing I have been fantasizing about is doing yet another massive, mega purge....I do purges of our nanoplex--our 750-square-foot apartment--regularly. But this one would be the Mother of All Purges. I want to see how little stuff we can actually live with. I also love the idea of a clean, spartan space. Zen meets Eco meets Eames sort of thing.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Tracy Mayor
  Our community just started curbside composting. It's amazing -- you can put *way* more stuff in than you can in your own little compost (like meat, eggshells, cat litter, all kinds of stuff.) And it's great for families like mine, who composted half-heartedly before only because we don't have enough need for all the compost we were creating. Between full-on composting and plastics recycling, our trash is down to 1/4 of a barrel or less every week.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Cindy
  I have a great space for gardening and i have been thinking about community gardening in my yard with some neighbors, share the expense, labor and bounty.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  Beth, it would be interesting to do a comparison like you suggest. Ah, if we only had life cycle analysis to help with those kinds of calculations...
  about 1 year ago
  
  huntstevens
  Yes! Just by taking off shoes, you can reduce the toxins on your floor by over 80%. And if you get your floor tested, you will learn about all sorts of nasty stuff on it including lead, chemicals. Our kids love playing on it and I want to keep it that way--just keep the toxins lower.
  about 1 year ago
  
  urbanmama
  We're hoping to go down to one car and have my husband bike/Metro to work. It could mess up our weekends, since we have three busy kids, but we think we can make it work.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Erin O
  Cool way to get kids excited about vegetables instead of complaining about how gross they are!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Frugal Mama
  Susan -- you mean no shoes in the house? Is that to prevent outdoor toxins from entering the home?
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  My kids LOVE our veggie garden and surprised me by doing most of the planting and weeding this summer (and eating as they walked by)! I'm getting ready to start composting. And thanks to the conversation today, will shift to solid soaps and shampoos. Such a cool idea!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Erin O
  Growing herbs is a great investment! They're so expensive at the grocery store - $3.99 in my area for a small (plastic) package of cilantro, rosemary, basil, etc.
  about 1 year ago
  
  huntstevens
  2010 was the year of the garden, a csa and public transportation. 2011 is looking like rain barrels and I'm really considering how to enforce (and follow) a no shoe rule...
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  Diane, I sometimes actually wonder if eating in restaurants (sustainable ones) doesn't have less impact than eating at home when you consider the packaging waste that most people create by buying single sizes or single family portions of food to cook at home.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  Boy, I wish I had enough sun for a garden...
  about 1 year ago
  
  Gayle
  I grew vegetables and herbs this year for the first time. Very rewarding. (We had to take down a dead tree and now have a lot more sun).
  about 1 year ago
  • Diane Mac 23 comments
  • I'd love to hear about what one thing people are thinking of doing that they haven't done yet. I'd been thinking about "packaging" my own organic food (freezing, canning), but am reconsidering, given my experience over the weekend.
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    about 1 year ago

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  Michelle Conlin
  Please contact Colin or the No Impact Project for all questions on offsets, etc. I'm afraid I may misquote the specifics and I don't want to dole out info that isn't 100% accurate....Thanks!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Lisa Sharp
  Huntstevens that is a great idea. The only offsets we pay for is through our electric company. We support their wind power program. But they truly are doing it right. They are building a new wind farm right now because so many people are signing up. In Oklahoma we may need a new power plant in around 10 years but our power company thinks with a lot of the programs they are doing that they can put that off or not have to at all!
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  However, Diane, there is question as to whether many of the projects really are worthy. A book I recommend is Green Gone Wrong by Heather Rogers. VERY eye-opening.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Tracy Mayor
  uh oh can someone tell me what's up with the carbon offests? I haven't been paying enough attention, though we did give offset gift certificates out for some Xmas presents last year...
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  I think of carbon offsets as a clever way to generate financial support for worthy projects that would otherwise never get funding. But I worry that people feel like they can continue to pollute because they've paid a measly carbon offset fee.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  You are right. Colin has been doing a lot of travel for No Impact. And he is wise the ways of the problems associated with carbon offsets. He has a precise method by which he calculates all of this in terms of his offsets, etc....if you have more specific questions about how he offsets please ask him...again, he is the traveler here...Bella and I keep it cool and local on the bike!
  about 1 year ago
  
  huntstevens
  I'm skeptical about carbon offsets too, but one of our readers gave me the great idea of using the offset calculators and then putting that amount of money into a savings account and using it for home efficiency projects that are more $$. I loved the creativity of that!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  Great question - especially if, like me, you're a skeptic about carbon offsets.
  about 1 year ago
  • BethTerry 8 comments
  • Michelle, how do you guys reconcile the impact of all the air traveling you have to do to promote the No Impact Project now?
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    about 1 year ago

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  Lisa Sharp
  Hi everyone. Beth I can't believe I almost forgot when I ended up able to be here lol.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sarah56
  Hi Lisa!
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  Hi Lisa!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  Welcome, Lisa!! So pleased to see you here!!!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  Hi, Lisa!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Frugal Mama
  Hi Lisa, You're not to late -- jump right in!
  about 1 year ago
  • Lisa Sharp 6 comments
  • Forgot it was et! I always do that. Hopefully I didn't miss to much. :)
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    about 1 year ago

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  Frugal Mama
  UrbanMama: Yes, you are right. You pay a big price for walkable communities. I guess others see the value in them too. Hopefully developers will get the idea -- although the planned communities these days are not that appealing. I also struggle with the cost of organic and local food. With our next place, I'm going to try to value the community over the amenities in the house, since you can't have it all!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Family_Manager
  I limit my travel to two days a week; Tuesdays are my errand day, and then we travel on Saturdays to do family things. Our family of five travels in a little Yaris, so at least our gas usage is minimal.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Lisa Sharp
  I try and buy locally, and for me this includes buying from locally owned stores. Once a month my husband and I go to a near by town (ours is tiny and you pretty much can shop at wal-mart and that's it) and go to two locally owned natural food stores. I know many of the people that raise our food. I get eggs from my mom (very nice right now with recalls). Also being an activist is a big deal for me. I'm on the board for my local recycling coalition, go to Green Drinks, about to join a group trying to save our aquifer. I recycle, compost, I don't have a car or drive (my husband does though), I use natural products in our home, and pretty much I'm always trying to reduce my impact and also help others to be greener.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sara Sophia
  Ahem. :P Sorry to be so long-winded!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sara Sophia
  @Brandie, we homeschool too! I do find that it saves us a ton on waste and we are able to be a lot more thoughtful that way---although it isn't an option for everyone. @Beth Terry....EXACTLY. That is completely my mantra. I have a little soapbox about all the crap the world feels like it needs to own. I'd rather my children have less (1-2 gifts for the holidays) and appreciate and WANT it, rather than shower them with belongings they just don't need. If all American parents could visit a 3rd world country and see what is considered precious to children there, they would really take a second look at societies norms and whether or not they are "okay" with all that excess.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Chrysula
  We chose a location near the train station, we refuse to own more than one car. I only shop once every 7-10 days. I buy bulk, store food and carefully rotate. I am obsessed about water useage, coming from drought country all my life growing up in Australia. Next year we're finally planting a garden. I am excited and dreading it, as I've lived a high density urban life for the last 20 years. I hate gardening. But I see the power of a garden, not just for our own produce but for what I can teach my children about work, the life cycle and how planting small seeds lead to tangible and life sustaining results.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Maureen O
  We re-use as much "garbage" as possible; try to do as many errands a day by walking instead of driving; and consume less in general.
  about 1 year ago
  
  huntstevens
  One of the things that inspired me to call my blog and now our company Practically Green is the fact that my parents are in Washington State, my in laws are in Florida and they were not going to buy the "I can't come to see you because it isn't green" argument. So we decided if we could dramatically change in other ways, then flying for really important stuff was OK. And I loved Brighter Planets advise to take non-stops, avoid night flights, and choose a Top Ten Green Airline (Jet Blue was #1 for awhile)
  about 1 year ago
  
  Brandie
  Oh, we compost and recycle too! Also we do lost of garage sale and resale shopping.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Frugal Mama
  Beth: Yes, I totally love how walking forces you to slow down and "smell the flowers." Susan: I love how you shift the focus to things you love and how you can get more of them: fresh air, good food, educational programs, socializing. That's probably a great way to avoid the "green ghetto" and avoiding turning people off when they hear "save the earth."
  about 1 year ago
  
  Brandie
  Oh, and I homeschool - so my kids don't have to worry about packing a lunch/bringing home so many worksheets. We don't do worksheets in our homeschooling at all. (and yes, it does work) and just think of all the trees my kids are saving!!! Because I see the piles of papers the other kids bring home! We also don't buy special text books - we often check out books from the library and I buy used whenever possible! Little things I know, but I believe it helps!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  We've had the "one trash can" rule in our family for years. With all the recycling, composting, and giving-away we do, it's been pretty easy to stick to it.
  about 1 year ago
  
  urbanmama
  The sad thing is that usually the most pedestrian friendly places to live are the most expensive, so it's difficult to be green transportation-wise when you don't have the budget to live in a place like Seattle/DC/NYC/San Francisco, etc. Same goes with buying locally. It's a lot more costly than buying stuff from the local Safeway. We try to support local farmers via a CSA or direct-from-the-farm meat delivery. I'm not a great cook, so I'm trying to get excited about cooking more and eating out less (my husband is the cook, but he works late). We compost, use all reusable supplies for our kids' lunches, and give things to friends/neighbors instead of throwing stuff away.
  about 1 year ago
  
  GreenMyParents
  Yesterday, we had a long creative meeting with @Ideo and over a dozen youth joined via iChat and Skype for well over an hour with about 8 or more designers and experts! ... we think the executives and designers saw how effectively a lively group video conference/chat can work ... even for brainstorming new product ideas, features etc... it was so low tech, very low impact, and worked brilliantly! New rules, but the meeting was a huge success and magic!
  about 1 year ago
  
  robin
  I have switched to nearly all environmentally friendly cleaning supplies (this is easy when you don't clean too much - ha!) and I am really cutting down on the loads of laundry I do. I don't run "super" loads anymore and I choose shorter cycles and hang whatever I can to dry. We wear things more than just once, too!
  about 1 year ago
  
  rockinmama
  We buy local/organic, recycle, reuse as much as we can, freecycle and donate (rather than throwing things away), and have been working hard to cut our eating out. We buy sustainable fish and much have pretty much cut all dairy, beef, pork out of our diet. Working towards composting and our next car will be a hybrid (although we're considering whether we can live with only one car).
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  I hear everyone on the flying. I am writing all of you from an island in Minnesota. Paradise. But we had to fly to get here and then take a boat to the island. I'm trying to visit my family in Minnesota once, for a longer time period, rather than the short to-and-fro trips I used to do.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Brandie
  We do a little bit of everything but nothing too much! Which mostly feels too easy - we bring our own bags, walk when we can, shop locally if possible, keep the air set high, keep the heat set low, we train it when possible. We just got back from a trip - not hubs dropped us off at our local train station b/c of luggage, but we took local Metra train into Chicago, where we took Amtrak to Boston. Awesome trip (we must like it, it's our third time!) The train ended there though so we did have to rent a car to get to NH and Maine. Although someone told me train isn't as eco-friendly as it's claimed ... anyone know about that? Anyway, we have our own garden, we don't use paper towels, I stay plastic free on the easy things, etc, etc.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Gina Rau
  A big thing for us is reducing waste. Our kids take a hot lunch to school each day with no waste - they take cloth napkins & our utensils too. We're mindful about what we buy and make use of as much "trash" as we possibly can. Our neighbors often use our trash can when theirs overflows because we have one small bag each week compared to their many.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Renee Limon
  Our thing is putting out only one can of trash per month. It keeps everything in check for us. What's funny is you start with one thing, and then it leads to another. We're also one car, sometimes veg, shopping local, etc.
  about 1 year ago
  
  huntstevens
  We try and think about it wholistically, asking how we can change our time and money allocations--away from unsustainable products, unhealthy food, unhealthy activities, and boring things like electricity and gas bills--and towards the things we love: delicious and healthy food, fresh air, a night out on the town, an after school program.
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  Frugal Mama, don't you find that you notice a lot more things in your neighborhood by foot than by car? Sara Sophia, it's so true that there is a balance. I think it's worth it to have a few really nice, sustainable things than a ton of crap.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Frugal Mama
  I forgot to mention one of the dilemmas involved in small town business districts: if you are frugal, it's hard to spend your money in small shops who charge higher prices. But if we want those cute little shops to survive, we have to support them.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  The biggest challenge for me is limiting travel. I love traveling the world - It can be low-impact when I get to where I'm going, but usually, I need to fly. And the offsets just don't make much of a difference.
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  I've unfortunately flown more this year than ever before and have two more trips planned via plane before the year is out. All of them are for worthwhile reasons, but still... it's hard to reconcile.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Frugal Mama
  We have moved a lot (one of the sacrifices we make for my husband's career) and we try to choose walkable places to live. It's a win-win: use the car less, and enjoy old-fashioned foot traffic interaction with people and places. Problem is, it's harder and harder to find places like this.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sara Sophia
  I upcycle clothing for my children...had an Etsy shop for awhile until it became just too much to keep up with....and we literally make EVERYTHING we can ourselves. Its fun, educational and totally doesn't feel like work. We also try to purchase completely green----if we reduce our actual AMOUNT of product/service we feel we need....then the cost is offset naturally. We have greened up our holidays as well by reducing the amount of gifts we give, giving handmade, and avoiding commercialism like the plague :D
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  For me, it's mostly no plastic. That's the mission of Fake Plastic Fish. But then, we also don't own a car at all. I live in Oakland, which is walkable, bikeable, and has great public transit. We shop at farmers market. We don't eat processed food. And recently, I went vegetarian, although I'm not at the vegan stage yet.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  Focusing locally is big for me - the artwork in my house (such as it is) was all created by local artists. I buy my food locally; the folks I contract with for services for my business are local. And then, of course, buying less and buying recycled.
  about 1 year ago
  • Michelle Conlin 29 comments
  • I'm curious what all of you do to live more sustainably....I'd love to learn from all of you what you are doing to realize your family's larger goals......for example, one of the things we do is no-impact vacations where we take the train and our bikes to a local spot instead of going far, far away.......
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    about 1 year ago

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  Frugal Mama
  Diane was praising Bon Ami on her blog. Do you still love it, Diane?
  about 1 year ago
  
  Renee Limon
  Beth -- you are like the miracle-worker of baking soda ;-)
  about 1 year ago
  
  Brandie
  I use that and then a mix of 7th generation, method, and a few other things here and there!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sarah56
  Tea tree oil is awesome. It works great to un-stink/un-stick yoga mats, so I bet it has lots of uses
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  Seriously, Beth? You just sprinkle it on the dishes to clean them?
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  I wash dishes now with baking soda. Really. Not dish soap.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  I do like Dr. Bronner's, though!
  about 1 year ago
  
  urbanmama
  Love Dr. Bronner's -- you can make everything from it, it seems.
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  Dr. Bronner's bar soap but not liquid because of plastic bottle. Even though it's recycled plastic, they don't take it back for further recycling, although I'm working on them about it. :-)
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  Soap nuts! But I know you're not a fan of those, Diane.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  Borax. Dr. Bronner's.
  about 1 year ago
  
  huntstevens
  I admit it, I still buy pre-made green cleaning products. But I used your baking soda and vinegar trick for the drain the other day! ;-)
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  I add some tea tree oil sometimes.
  about 1 year ago
  • Diane Mac 13 comments
  • Is anyone using anything besides baking soda and vinegar for household cleaning these days?
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    about 1 year ago

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  • Maureen O 0 comments
  • This may have already been asked -- What's next for the Low Impact family?
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    about 1 year ago

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  Sarah56
  I'm using @MichelleConlin
  about 1 year ago
  • BethTerry 1 comment
  • Michelle, are you on Twitter? I keep referring to you as wife of @NoImpactMan, but I'd rather use your Twitter ID if you have one.
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    about 1 year ago

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  Michelle Conlin
  We will be watching the premiere in my parents' sun porch with family. We are excited about the premiere on Planet Green. Thanks for the congratulations!
  about 1 year ago
  
  huntstevens
  Yes, congrats! I remember hearing first about No Impact Man in Green as a Thistle's book Sleeping Naked is Green. So cool that it's now a movie!
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  Or have you seen it so many times that it's memorized by now?
  about 1 year ago
  • Emily 3 comments
  • Michelle, are you doing anything special for the television premier of No Impact Man on Saturday on Planet Green? Will you watch it? ;) Congratulations on that, btw!!!!!
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    about 1 year ago

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  Brandie
  Holland - that is awesome!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Family_Manager
  As a farmer, I should say that the "horse-and-buggy" is not a super-simple solution. Horses need pasture, lots of daily care, and then there's vet bills from time to time. Our ancestors did it, but it was a lot of work. Starting from scratch is hard, but if there was an established farm with an already-trained mature horse you could use that you could team up with, it would make the project all the easier.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Holland
  We have three families that live within 1/2 mile of each other and we've been trying small ways to "cohouse"; Using 1 lawn mower for all three families, trading different magazine subscriptions, co-op babysitting, prepare large meals and share with one another, etc. They are small things but keep us moving in a good direction.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Maureen O
  Is going off-grid a goal?
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  Good luck with the Weeks. That's very inspiring.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sarah56
  Fantastic! Love the recycled sloop idea!
  about 1 year ago
  • Michelle Conlin 6 comments
  • A question came in about what is next for the No Impact Family. The nonprofit we have set up, The No Impact Project, is in full throttle. Thousands of people are doing No Impact Weeks all across the country. I am looking forward to continuing to support this effort in every way I can. The thing I love about it is that it helps empower people in their own lives. It reinforces one of my own personal mantras: the John Milton "I cannot praise a cloistered virtue." On a personal note......We are tossing a lot of ideas around. One idea is to secure a piece of land where we can have a community of small homes. Another idea is horse-and-buggy as transport in a country house situation. We have also talked about getting an old, banged-up sailboat--restoring it and then using it as our summer house, only we would sleep on the sailboat and visit friend on the Long Island Sound.
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    about 1 year ago

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  Cindy
  I was also very touched by the way you handled things together.
  about 1 year ago
  
  GreenMyParents
  it really demonstrated how life is a journey and you guys (presumably a few folks that were not even in the movie) were (mostly) open minded travelers exploring a new domain together! disappointed sometimes, but mostly delighted.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  Thank you so much. I can't tell you how much that means to hear that.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  So beautifully said, and I agree 100%!!!!!!
  about 1 year ago
  • urbanmama 4 comments
  • As a film critic, I have to say that you were the "breakout star" of the documentary. I loved how honest you were and how you struggled with how easy it seemed for Colin. And honestly, I loved how strong your marriage seemed to be throughout everything. I know that things get edited for maximum impact (ha ha), but really, your support for each other was one of the best things about the doc.
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    about 1 year ago

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  Emily
  I've been using #TheMotherhood as a hashtag to keep track of the tweets ....
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  Well, that's easy.
  about 1 year ago
  • Michelle Conlin 2 comments
  • My twitter feed is@michelleconlin. Thanks!
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    about 1 year ago

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  Lisa Sharp
  I feel your pain Gina, I don't get Planet Green. Thankfully I have Netflix. :)
  about 1 year ago
  
  Gayle
  Sorry, no - you can't watch it online. If you don't have Planet Green, you could watch with a friend who does (me!) or rent from Netflix.
  about 1 year ago
  
  urbanmama
  If you don't have Netflix or GreeneCine, and you don't have a subscription to Green Planet, you could try a local video store (esp. one that carries independent films) or as Brandie said, go to a friend's house who has the cable channel or Netflix.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Brandie
  Netflix has it - both on DVD and instant play. The instant play is unlimited, so maybe find a friend who has netflix and asked to borrow or watch it at their house with them?
  about 1 year ago
  
  Gina Rau
  Excellent...it's going on my netflix list right now. Thank you
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  I rented the DVD from my local video store. I bet its on NetFlix, and you can also watch it online at the Discovery Channel, right Gayle?
  about 1 year ago
  • Gina Rau 6 comments
  • I'm curious how we'd be able to see the movie if we don't have cable? I've been waiting (anxiously) for years since I first heard about the project.
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    about 1 year ago

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  suzanne siemens
  at our house, in addition to a small weekly allowance, if the kids get birthday $ etc. they need to split the $ into 3 pots: spend, save and share (usually for a charitable donation). if we set out for an excursion, we always discuss what we are buying and why (which implies what we are "not" going to buy ;)
  about 1 year ago
  
  Brandie
  We are big with allowance and if you want it, save for it. If it's something big we might do a 50/50 program - you pay half, we'll pay half. It's how my 10 year old got her computer. She saved up 150 in about 8 months! (she also has a job where she gets a paycheck so that helps her tremendously! She gets half her pay, and we take the other half to a savings account). She is so amazingly proud of herself for buying that computer! I won't lie, I wouldn't have been able to do that at 10! LOL! I tend to be a if I have money I need to spend it now kind of person!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sarah56
  So many excellent toys, books, games, other amusements can be MADE and not bought. Loved Michelle's recommendation for charades. My kids and I used to spend hours playing alphabet, i.e. making letters with our bodies :)
  about 1 year ago
  
  Holland
  Dave and Marshall Ramsey have written a series of kid's books that teach about financial responsibility that both my kids (11, 5) have enjoyed. He teaches about the "envelope system" (spending, saving, giving) in a way that they seem to relate to.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Erin O
  Good suggestion, Diane. It teaches the difference between "wants" and "needs" and makes those toys they buy more meaningful!
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  Diane, that's exactly what my parents did. We thought they were so unfair when we were growing up because we had to earn every penny we got. I appreciate it now.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Frugal Mama
  Our daughters are 6 and 8. Two years ago we started allowances: 50 cents per week. Now they have to learn to save if they want to buy something when we are at the store. It's been great for reducing pleading!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Diane Mac
  When you make kids pay for things with money they have to earn, it puts the value of those things in a whole new light. :-)
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  Isabella is 5. If we go to a store, she is at the age where she wants to get something. I try as best I can to limit this with a simple "We're not buying anything today" or "Not today." Sometimes she can get a little something. But more often not.
  about 1 year ago
  • BethTerry 9 comments
  • Michelle, how old is Isabella now? Is she at the age where she sees the brand new toys her friends have and begs for them? If so, how do you handle it? I'm not a mom, but readers of my blog who are moms ask that question all the time.
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    about 1 year ago

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  Lisa Sharp
  The alert was just canceled! Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Brandie
  :(
  about 1 year ago
  
  Lisa Sharp
  Thanks, I don't know a lot other than they came over our sirens (they are super fancy ones) and gave a bit of info and said to call if anyone has any info. Last time we had an Amber Alert in our town the girl (Caitlin Wooten) was killed. Even got our town on Dr. Phil (he is from here).
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sara Sophia
  Praying right now.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sarah56
  WHOA, please keep us posted
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  Oh Lisa, that's so worrisome. I am sending all best wishes for the family and little boy.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Erin O
  So sorry to hear that ... how awful for his parents.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Michelle Conlin
  In my prayers.
  about 1 year ago
  • Lisa Sharp 8 comments
  • Everyone please be thinking about my town right now. Just had an Amber Alert go over our sirens. It's for a 1-2 year old boy.
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    about 1 year ago

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  GreenMyParents
  YES!
  about 1 year ago
  • Diane Mac 1 comment
  • Mood check: given what's happening in the world (e.g., oil spill), Obama so far, what you're doing - are you feeling hopeful, or not so much?
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    about 1 year ago

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  robin
  Thanks, Michelle, for your leadership and your inspiration.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Lisa Sharp
  Thank you so much Michelle!! Thank you guys for all you have done and are still doing.
  about 1 year ago
  
  rockinmama
  Thank you for taking the time to speak with us!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Emily
  Michelle, I love your big beautiful heart and the community YOU have created through your No Impact Year, your writing, your film, being here and so much more.
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  Thank you for spending time with us, Michelle! I'm so glad to have finally "met" you after following Colin's blog for so long and seeing the film.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Brandie
  Thank you for being here and talking to us!! =)
  about 1 year ago
  
  urbanmama
  Thank YOU and all the best to you, Colin and Isabella! Maybe we'll see you biking around the City the next time we're up there ;-)
  about 1 year ago
  
  GreenMyParents
  you rock! we love you
  about 1 year ago
  
  huntstevens
  Thanks for being such an inspiration!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sara Sophia
  Thank YOU so so much. I'll be watching No Impact Man with my husband tonight. This has been a lovely chat and I feel like I've learned so much
  about 1 year ago
  
  Renee Limon
  Amen green sista. Thanks for being here today. It was fun!!
  about 1 year ago
  • Michelle Conlin 11 comments
  • To everyone: Thank you so much for being a part of this. As hard as the project was at times, it is events like this one that make it more than worth it. I think that's because it makes me feel less alone and more a part of a community. It has connected me to people and the planet in ways I could have never imagined. And at the end of the day, I found that is what I am always craving: a sense of shared purpose with a community. Thanks for making that happen today! All my very best, Michelle
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    about 1 year ago

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  • Maureen O 0 comments
  • Nice "meeting" all of you, this was fun. And hey, I tweeted the conversation, too. All best, Maureen
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    about 1 year ago

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  Emily
  What a great idea to have NoImpact viewing parties and a NoImpact weekend at the same time!!!!
  about 1 year ago
  
  GreenMyParents
  we are hosting several group viewing parties at the homes of a few different GreenMyParents champions across the country ... Nate, 15, has even decided to try a NoImpact weekend with his family!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Lisa Sharp
  I don't get Planet Green but I may have to watch you guys again on Netflix. :)
  about 1 year ago
  • Michelle Conlin 3 comments
  • You can watch No Impact Man on Saturday night at 10 pm Eastern on Planet Green. Go environment!
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    about 1 year ago

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  • BethTerry 0 comments
  • Michelle, are there any low impact steps that are easier for you than for Colin?
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    about 1 year ago

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  • Diane Mac 0 comments
  • Bye, all.
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    about 1 year ago

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  • Erin O 0 comments
  • Thank you, Michelle, and everyone who was here today! I saw some fantastic suggestions that I'm excited to implement in my own life!
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    about 1 year ago

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  Emily
  I will post it to TheMotherhood blog - www,BeenThere.typepad.com - and will link to it here! It might be a day or two because I'm on vacation this week, and I'm so looking forward to writing it and re-reading the conversation in its entirety to see what I missed!!!
  about 1 year ago
  
  BethTerry
  Thanks for organizing this talk, Emily!
  about 1 year ago
  
  Lisa Sharp
  Wish I could have been here for more, got here late then had to run outside to hear the Amber Alert. Thanks everyone!
  about 1 year ago
  
  urbanmama
  Thanks for the opportunity to co-host! I had such a lovely time.
  about 1 year ago
  
  Sarah56
  Emily, for later: where can we the link to your summary post? So many terrific obsverations and comments today. Thanks!
  about 1 year ago
  • Emily 5 comments
  • Wow, I cannot believe an hour has gone by!!! What an AMAZING conversation!!!! Michelle, thank you soooooo much for being here! Congratulations on No Impact Man airing this Saturday on Planet Green (10:00 pm ET, for everyone who has TV and cable)!! Thank you wonderful co-hosts! All of you offered such wisdom and good ideas - I can't wait to write up a summary post - though truthfully, it's going to go on forever because everything is SO SO GOOD!!! It's been a fantastic hour and you all have made my day. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!
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    about 1 year ago

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  • GreenMyParents 0 comments
  • bye everyone! thank you!
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    about 1 year ago

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  Cindy
  Thanks for posting the info about this Beth. See u on FB.
  about 1 year ago
  • BethTerry 1 comment
  • Bye bye everyone. Hope to chat again soon.
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    about 1 year ago

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  • Cindy 0 comments
  • Bye everyone! Just want to say read t he book too - it's got a whole lot of material and resources that i am sure you'd all find useful.
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    about 1 year ago

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  • robin 0 comments
  • Thanks for a great chat! I learned so much....Peace for your Paths, Robin
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    about 1 year ago

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  • Bye everyone! I loved connecting with all on such dear and near issues. Thanks Gayle and Emily for organizing and Michelle for sharing your time and wisdom! --Amy
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    about 1 year ago

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  • Hi everyone! This was such an AMAZING conversation!!! I've posted the highlights to a blog post on our blog Been There: http://bit.ly/cKzwjx Thank you all for making this so informative and magical!!!!
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    about 1 year ago

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  • Looks like I can get the movie on Netflix, right? My cable plan does not cover Planet Green (unfortunately), but I am so wanting to see this tonight that I think I will try the Netflix/Wii free trial deal that everyone tells me is awesome. I guess that is still being environmentally conscious, right? Anyone else watch "No Impact Man" this way? Did it work fine? Thanks!
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    about 1 year ago