Change The World Wednesday

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW). If you're new, please click HERE to read all about this weekly activity.

Last week our friend Kris, of Outwardly Pleasant, suggested that we share information about composting. I really liked this challenge because it gave those of us who compost an opportunity to talk about it (and learn from each other), and gave those who don't compost plenty of information to get started. Let's see how our Honor Society did:

EcoGrrl gave us a lot of great information about composting. Did you know that butter cube paper and small amounts of oil are compostable? I didn't! And, she shares that the composted soil doesn't have to be completely "done" ... a few bits and pieces of decomposing matter around your plants will be okay. Thanks, EcoGrrl!! By the way, EcoGrrl recently posted a great picture diary of her year ... it is fun and joyful ... and you can read it HERE.

In this POST, Kris talks about the pros and cons of several composting bins including trash cans on wheels and paint buckets. Can you guess what she finally decided on? No ... I'm not telling ... but she says she's giddy about getting started.

Our friend, Maurie, dropped in. From a previous challenge about gifts from the closet, she offers Giving in a Different Light. It is a wonderful piece which suggests, among other things, that we give from a place of peace ... isn't that lovely? Thanks, Maurie ... and your new blog is just great!

In How To Make Dirt, Inge' offers a lot of information about bins and composting. She uses both a hand-built bin and a commercial bin ... and reveals which she likes better and why. She also talks about composting various items which I hadn't thought about ... so be sure to head over and give her article a read.

Coffee Table Poetry (@coffeetablepoet) gave us a nice spot in her publication called Coffee Table Poetry Musings. In addition to our challenge, she features pieces on Festivus (a secular holiday celebrated on December 23), the most engaging books of 2010, and a piece on a plush blue Dachshund named Eliza. Thanks, CTP!

Cinella wants to start composting and has everything she needs to get started. However, she's wondering if she can do it all by herself. I'd say ... sure thing, Cinella ... you can do it! She also posted a video update of our challenge about gifts from the closet HERE. Sometimes our challenges have amazing results ... and that's how I feel about this video. Thanks, Cinella, for letting us join you as you gave your daughter a most precious gift from your closet.

T.Rusk4u stopped by. She and her husband tried composting but a huge nest of wasps decided to make the compost pile their home. Unfortunately, when her husband went to turn the contents of the bin, he got stung multiple times. Has anyone else had problems like this and/or suggestions for preventing unwanted insects? Thanks, TR, for sharing your story ... sorry that it didn't work out for you!

Mrs. Green shared Six things you never knew you could compost. I have to admit that she includes a couple of items that I never considered. Here's a hint ... one item accumulates in a bag ... another item accumulates in a brush. Thanks Mrs. Green!

From our challenge to gift from the closet, Ann suggests that a gift can "change the world". For example, her church offers handmade items, helping the small business person ... and her friend asks that her children give her a goat which will be given to a family in Africa. It's a great reminder that gifts can do more than please the receiver ... they can truly change the world. In this POST, Ann once again offers her readers a link to our challenge and she talks about fishing and depleting the oceans. Thanks, Ann!

Have you ever heard of "poo" smelling earthy and rich? Jenni, from Domestic Efforts, talks about worm composting (vermiculture) in this POST ... and she not only says that worm "poo" smells good ... she says it is gorgeous! It's fascinating and encourages me to give it a try. Thanks, Jenni!

ReWinn gives us an update on his Lazy Efficient Man's Compost Heap HERE. He brings up a good point ... the exact balance of green and brown materials isn't vital. He simply gives his compost a toss, now and then, and adds whatever is needed. Hey ReWinn ... I think it's a great idea to suggest composting at your next block party. A whole neighborhood composting ... imagine indeed!

Thanks to everyone who contributed information this week ... I learned a lot! If you wrote a post, I've Stumbled, Tweeted and Facebooked it.

Our #CTWW Gang was busy this week, tweeting about our challenge using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're on twitter, these are great folks to follow:

@learnfromnature
@myzerowaste
@cjrthemommyblog
@dpixel
@accessorygal
@recyclecraft
@gardengurlie86
@traffordeco
@johnthurm
@foodlinknw
@coffeetablepoet
@reneeandsharon
@waylandcook

Wow ... that's a lot of chatter about Change The World Wednesday! And once again you prove that small efforts can make a difference!

Okay ... ready for something new? Since everyone is busy with the holidays, and because I'll be spending time with my family in the Pacific Northwest, this week's challenge will begin today and end on January 12th. With the cold temperatures that many of us are experiencing, I'm guessing that this challenge will, indeed, be a challenge. Here you go:

This month, find and enjoy local foods. Research what items are local in your area and then incorporate them into your family meals. Let us know (through a post or comments on this challenge) how you found local foods, which items are available in your area, and how you used them.

I'm not including a part two to this challenge because ... this is something we can all do. Are you up for the challenge?? If you need a bit of help, and live in the USA, check my side bar for links to Sustainable Table. And here's a hint to help you along ... local does not necessarily mean fresh.

I wish you all a wonderful holiday season ...
and a very Happy New Year!!

For the last time this year .... please join me in our mantra ....

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

"See" you all in 2011!