First I hear about the "Pink Slime" in McDonald's hamburgers as well as 7 million pounds of the gunk being shipped to feed our children at school.  In case you didn't know it's a mix of meat trimmings and Ammonium Hydroxide, mixed with ground beef and other fillers to create the oh-so-appetizing Quarter Pounder and Little Johnny's school lunch.

Then, I read about Orange Juice and how that's made.  Oh, don't worry, it's made from oranges (that are juiced, have the flavor removed, stored for up to a year and then chemicals added back in to give it it's flavor).

What's the next freaky food additive?  Soylent Green?

So, you've been reading my exploits about the "Goin' Green" attempts I've tried and some of the struggles I've had on the path To Greenness.

I'm pretty sure my green efforts got derailed when we closed the office and moved the business into the house.  I really had no idea the impact of that decision.  The "hidden" costs did not outweigh the benefit of saving some money.  In fact, I think I just about lost my marbles.

No bike riding meant weight gain and very little physical outlet and definitely made me less joyful.  No office meant no on-site meetings and no interaction with people.  No interaction made me just want to stay in bed.

So, we did a test and found that the office is The Control and moved back in last week!  Got to have the office to stay motivated and joyful AND it's not always about the money.  Good to know.

I'll keep you posted on our next test and the results.  (pushing to go back to one car, wish me luck)

So, the Goin' Green thing started simply enough--ride my bike the two blocks to the office rather than drive.  We then went to one car.  It was amazing how quickly we noticed the bank account a bit more flush and my hips a bit thinner.  Very motivating.  And, as you've read, lead to other Goin' Green attempts--driving the speed limit (or close to it), hanging clothes out to dry, and even bringing linen napkins and real flat ware for a picnic (very elegant and drew lots of attention).

As I've said, though, it isn't easy being green.  Since closing the office I don't ride my bike as often I'm sad to say, tossing the clothes into the dryer is really convenient and we've added a second car.  I'm wondering if I'm commitment phobic or lazy but how do you stay on the green path?

Please tell me--I need some help to stay the course.

After a great couple of days at NEMOA, with early mornings and late nights, it was time for the journey home.  As you may have read, I've been working on conservation efforts for the environment that just happen to trickle down to finances.  In this particular instance, you get MUCH better gas mileage if you drive around 60mph.

I tested this out on a trip to Lancaster County PA with the kids and have practiced in my treks to appointments and meetings, errands, etc. and have found it to be true.

BUT, it's a whole different ball of wax when you're 300 miles from home, tired and on the Mass Turnpike where the minimum speed seemed to be 75!  So, my confession is that my will power waned and I couldn't resist jumping into the traffic fray, getting home to my very own bed and drove a pretty consistent 75-80mph.

There.  You have it.  I've come clean.  It's not so easy being green.

So this goin' green started easily enough and, as you've read, there has been a trickle down effect in my personal life that has now migrated to my business as well.

The economy has impacted the business, like so many others, and I was forced to lay-off employees.  Since then, I've been going to my lovely little office and spending my time with empty desks rather than co-workers.

I started to think about the extra space and overhead.  Our home has a lovely den area with skylights and brick walls--perfect for a SOHO.  I don't need another space with additional utility bills, internet bills, printers and gadgets and all the other stuff I've managed to accumulate.

Yep, the next step in getting back to basics is using only what you need (a good argument for Variable Digital Print BTW).

I'll miss my office downtown, sure, but in this process I have learned that the office was a burden I hadn't even realized existed.

Who knows what's next for me on this path of greenery?                          I'll keep you posted.

So, once I was onto the reusable drink containers, I moved into the laundry room.  Is it really necessary to dry beach/pool and bath towels, and sheets in the dryer?

We have ample sunlight in the backyard and have set up a clothes line.  My husband gets a real kick out of me hanging laundry in the back yard (kind of outta character for me) but we all love the clean smell of the linens and a dip in our utility bill.

I am amazed at how into this I am and how easy it is.  These days it's all about getting back to basics--in life, in business and definitely in direct marketing!

I really wasn't sure how things would go with one car.  But I've learned I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my bike and feel so good physically and emotionally when I'm riding around town, running errands, seeing peeps all over our little enclave that I just want to do it more.

So now when we walk out of the house, the kids walk to their bikes (sans prompting) rather than the car.  It's great!

Then I realized how much we could save if I purchase thermos' for our bike rides, and other outings rather than buying individual bottles for our consumption.  So, for $7.99 each I purchased the best, best, best insulated container called "Cool Gear".  Keeps drinks cold for hours, fits in the bikes drink holder, saves money AND helps us stay green.

I was totally psyched to see everyone at the NEMOA golf-outing last Monday.  All plans made, child-care taken care of and then...the transmission went in our only car.  So a week without any car left us juggling extended family's schedules with our needs to get groceries, go to meetings and just get stuff done. So bummed I missed the golf-outing, but heard it was fun.  Maybe that second car isn't such a bad idea...

We're into month 2 of one car and one souped-up bike.  The weather has definitely been cooperating in my almost daily treks to the office and around town.  I LOVE tooling around town and LOVE the liberation from the pump and costly expense of paying for and maintaining a second car.

Was riding to the office in 85 degree weather in a silk blouse fun?  Can't say it was but it comes with the territory.

Will we be able to continue with one car?  It's doubtful, but we are definitely going to be driving less locally.  In fact, today the car is in the driveway while we use pedal power to get around.  Life's all about choices and I'm proud of this choice.

The Audi Q7 lease is up, we live in a walking school district and the office is 3 blocks from the house.  Those three facts are what are fueling our motivation to try to live with one car.

A few weeks ago it all seemed like a great idea.  I even got a rear bike rack and pannier (check out the picture of my cruiser!) so I can zip around town and to the office and not break my back trying to walk around with my 20+ pound brief case.

With the return date of the Audi looming, I start to be mindful of how this is truly going to affect my family, my business and me.  Seminars and meetings to attend, doctor's appointments for sick children, running errands--all that is going to have to be scheduled, coordinated and juggled.  I must admit I'm starting to freak out.  I think I've already got enough to schedule, coordinate and juggle.

However, I think of not having to cough up $80 (and more soon) for a fill-up, or thousands in costly maintenance and repairs, and the fact that I really think we can, and should, do this.  I just can't seem to come up with a downside to walking or riding bikes to school and the office.

Maybe I'm being overly optimistic with the warm weather just around the corner, but I'm a glass-is-half-full kind of girl anyway.  Could this all end with us running to a car dealership and plunking down a pile of cash in order to buy a car IMMEDIATELY?

Wish us luck and stay tuned...