Change The World Wednesday

Welcome! If you're new to our challenges, please click HERE.

How did you do with last week's challenge? Was it difficult? Easy? Let's see what our Honor Society had to say:

Sissy joined us ... she's already made the switch to reusable mugs/glasses so ... she's ahead of the game!

Aine Butler-Smith dropped in and supported this challenge. By the way ... Aine is starting a wonderful weekly theme on her blog ... it's called Women Who Inspire Me Wednesday.

Mrs. Green is also ahead of the game with this activity - she hasn't used a disposable cup for over a year. She wrote a great article and in it she asks, "How long do you think it takes us to get through 1 million disposable coffee cups?" Check our her article, HERE, for the answer.

Harmony brought up an interesting point in her article ... she talked about the volume of disposable cups ... how most people don't crush them but instead just toss them ... and they take up a lot of space.

Kate, from The Holdfast Seeker, doesn't have a problem with reusable mugs but ... her husband is another matter. She's going to put reusable mugs in his car as a gentle hint.

Green Gal has also been using reusable mugs. Way to go, GG!!

The Dafthermit took the challenge ... he said he gets some looks when he carries his "wee tatty cup". I was hoping he'd post a picture of it in this article.

Kira stumbled in and joined us ... she vowed that on her next trip to Starbucks, she'd bring her own cup.

Bob wrote a wonderful article entitled Are You Up To The Challenge. In it he reminds us that all the little things add up.

EcoGrrl joined in the fun. I just love her comments ... she always raises the bar for us. She has made reusable mugs a part of her life and ... she challenges us to consider reusable containers for bulk products as well ... and she further challenges us to give up carbonated beverages. Excellent!! Please join me in wishing EcoGrrl a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Ann stopped in and in her article she brings up some interesting thoughts about glass. Think glass is the most environmental choice? Read her article before making a decision.

Artangel took the challenge ... rather than use the plastic cups in the machine at work, she pledges to bring her own cups. Now, I don't know if she intended this post to be in support of the challenge, but I thought it was perfect ... using these cups would really inspire one to give up the disposable variety!

Wright Stuff dropped by. She shared that in the UK, while places like Starbucks aren't currently giving discounts for bringing in one's own mug, many stores are offering reward points if patrons bring their own reusable shopping bag. And then she got busy and wrote to a big coffee chain, suggesting that they offer discounts. That's fabulous! I hope you'll keep us posted, Wright Stuff.

Tali Schiffer accepted the challenge and wrote a lovely article (you can read it HERE). I loved what she said about drinking coffee: "As for coffee, I'd rather sit and drink it instead of taking it ToGo ..." Mmm ... doesn't that sound nice?

Amy joined us ... she admits, in this post, that it was harder than she thought ... but it opened her eyes and got her thinking about ways to improve.

Sharon from Plumrose Lane came by. She's another one who is way ahead of the game and has been carrying her own reusable mugs for awhile.

The gang at Inspiration Avenue got in the act. They posted a lovely article about our challenges ... read it HERE. If you like art challenges, swing by Inspiration Avenue on Mondays ... they host a weekly challenge (and here's a secret ... participating in the weekly challenge gets one entered into a monthly giveaway).

Rebeca took the challenge ... she brings a mug to work and plans to extend that idea by avoiding all disposables cups/glasses this week. Great job, Rebeca!

Inge' was worried that she went a little overboard with her post entitled A Little Greener Me ... but I think it was wonderful. She's doing a lot to live green and has plans for even more. I can't wait to see what she has up her sleeve.

Lesley, our guest author from Monday, took the challenge. In her Change The World post, she says it'll be easy because she has no life ... lol ... I don't believe it for a minute!

Rewinn is another Eco-Superstar ... he's been using reusable mugs for awhile. In his article, Coffee Cup Love, he offers some wonderful suggestions ... like splurging on several stainless steel cups (which he picks up at a thrift store). I love his last line ... but sorry ... you'll have to read the article to see it.

What A Card accepted the challenge. She admits to faltering this week but has the best attitude ... she views it as an area for improvement! She talks about her lessons learned HERE.

Ange just got back from a trip where she managed never to use a disposable cup/glass. Fabulous! She also reminds us that it's "healthier to SIT and Eat than eat on the run". I totally agree!

Art Ist, from One A Day, joins in all of our challenges ... he's my very supportive "Other Half".

Wow ... our Honor Society is one impressive group of people! I've Stumbled and Tweeted their articles ... and I'd like to suggest that you do the same ... it's a great way to get the "green" word out there.

Okay ... the moment you've been waiting for ... a new challenge.

Last week, as I was visiting everyone's site, I noticed a very cool feature on What A Card's blog. At the end of most posts, she includes a green tip ... and it just so happens that one of her tips makes a wonderful challenge. She has graciously agreed to allow us to use it:

This week, "plan an oven- and stove-free day, and no cheating and going out to eat! Have sandwiches, cut up fruit, veggies with dip, leftovers from a previous dinner that you can heat in the microwave**. Plan ahead and make a pasta salad you can eat cold for a few days. Have hummus, feta cheese, and spinach on a pita or wrap. There are tons of healthy, delicious meals you can have without having to turn on the stove! As an added plus, many of the meals are quick and easy to prepare!"

**I'd like to bump up What A Card's challenge ... how about including microwave-free, as well.

I think this is going to be a fun challenge ... how about you?

WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!