Meet & Greet Monday (#MtaGt)

Welcome to Meet & Greet Monday!

                                 Banner by Art Ist

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Do you have an Eco-friendly blog or site? Do you occasionally write about the environment or ways to live green? If you answered yes to any, you're invited to link up. Here are the rules:

1. If you have a green-living blog and/or write about the environment, sustainability, etc., please use the "linky" below to list your site.
2. If you only occasionally write about green living, please use tags such as "green", "Eco", "Environment", etc. and then link to that collection of posts so that visitors will be directed to pertinent articles.
3. Visit at least one other site (and while not required, it would be nice if you told them that you found them here).
4. The linky will stay active until Thursday at 6:00 pm (EST).
5. Using Random.org, I will choose one of the sites listed and feature it next week.

Our featured blog this week is ... My Healthy Green Family. This blog is a wonderful collaboration between two close friends ... Free Range Mama and Green Mama. They share a passion for healthy, Eco-friendly living and discuss topics which are not only relevant to parents but to anyone trying to live green in today's world. I found some interesting posts about GMOs, pesticides, organic vs. local produce, plastics, gardening and even one on which sugars are the most Eco-friendly. I also found recipes for delicious treats like Fresh Summer Fruit Smoothies and Homemade Dill Pickles. Have you considered making your own deodorant? You'll find an easy recipe on this site. There are reviews to help us choose products wisely and an occasional giveaway to give us a chance to try those products out. And scattered liberally within these posts, you'll find pictures of their beautiful families ... pictures which show their children actively involved in learning about the earth and how to protect it. Whether you are a family of many ... or a household of one ... My Healthy Green Family has something for you. Head on over and check it out ... I know you'll love it!

This week's linky is now live so ... list your site, visit and have fun:

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)! If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

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<a href="http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/p/change-world-wednesday.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eDlzgS2YKCc/TMco2DzIyWI/AAAAAAAAAaA/Mx6ahn0vziM/S220/CTWW1Graphic1.jpg"/></a>

There's a lot of great information in this post and I encourage you to read through it ... however, if you don't have the time right now, you might find the following quick links helpful:

• The #CTWW Gang
• The Honor Society
• My Final Thoughts on Our Last Challenge
• This Week's Challenge

Last week we took to the streets and, while taking a walk, we picked up litter. I found this challenge interesting ... not for it's health advantages or even it's Eco-benefits but rather because of the progress I've seen over the years. Nearly three years ago, I did a post on littering. At the time, I saw a lot of litter when I walked ... including trash left on hiking trails, deep in the forest. But this week I noticed that I'm not seeing as much litter. In fact, I found very little trash. While it isn't perfect yet, there's definitely been improvement. So maybe ... just maybe ... our green word is getting out there!

The Honor Society are those people who help us spread the "green" word by writing an article about our challenges and/or leaving pertinent comments. Here's what they had to say:


In this POST EcoWarriorMe (EWM) shares a recent stroll through a park. One of the first things that EWM found was a plastic bag hanging from a tree. Then ... further on ... something else came into view. Can you guess what it is?

Ilhami Uyar reminds us that we only have one world and therefore must guard it. So true, my friend!

Stephanie, who suggested our challenge, says that she loves to pick up trash.

Brian had an interesting comment, and dilemma, regarding this challenge. Here's what he had to say: "This is an interesting challenge in that we (my wife and I) are trying to teach our son the importance of picking up trash. The problem is this, the neighbor packs their trash well above the top of the trash can and when the wind blows their trash ends up in our yard. My son likes to ask "why do I have to pick it up? It's their trash not mine." It is difficult to get him to understand that even though his comment is true we still have to do the best we can to keep things clean, even if that means picking up the neighbors trash. We are really trying to teach him that if everyone said "it's not my problem it's theirs", nothing gets done and everyone will pay the price for that." Wow ... that last statement is powerful and one that adults need to think about as well.

Argentum Vulgaris regularly picks up trash in front of his home and whenever he's out walking. In a local park, recently, he noticed some young men who left empty soda bottles and disposable cups sitting on the curb. So what did he do? Check out Change the World Wednesday – 18th April for the answer. A hint ... those of you who have been following AV for awhile won't be one bit surprised!

Those of us who know Mrs. Green know that she is a "waste-minimizing diva" ... seriously ... she and her family have actually been on the news because of their fabulous ability to minimize their waste. So when I read her comment and the word "failure", I was more than just a little curious. Fail??? Mrs. Green??? No Way!! In Mrs Green plans to save the world with crisps, you'll find out exactly what she's referring to.

By the way, Mrs. Green introduced me to K. Emily Bond and her approach to reducing waste. Wow ... I was so impressed with how she evaluates her trash. Curious? Check it out HERE. Now I ask you ... how many of you would be willing to do that?

Ann wrote an interesting post entitled Save the world: Senior citizens and Lifelink personal alarm and included our banner and link to our challenge. Thanks, Ann!

Welcome back to Kris ... we've missed you! Kris wrote this POST where she talks about how her area doesn't have a lot of litter ... not in her neighborhood and not along the path where she runs. Yay! But she's concerned about the amount of trash which is generated from buying new stuff. She's soon to be a first-time mommy and talks about staying green while anticipating her daughter's arrival.

It's so nice to see Rewinn again ... we've missed you, Rewinn!! In Walking Clean And Green: A Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) Challenge! he talks about another aspect of picking up trash ... and oh, I love this one ... it's an added bonus, beyond the exercise and helping the earth. Brilliant!

Welcome to Tori Peterson who is brand new to our challenges. Regarding a previous challenge, she shares that she loves to read and often turns off the TV to do so. In her words, "I just love reading in general, and love the way you can get swept up in a book. Often it is so much better than watching TV." I couldn't agree more, Tori!

Welcome to Pamela, another new member of our Honor Society. She shares that her children's 4H group recently joined with people from the community to clean up the town park. How great is that ... I love it when a whole community comes together to do good! Your kids are Eco-Super Stars, Pamela!!

Alicia has a unique litter situation. She lives on five acres and has a small section of woods towards the back of her property. It seems that previous owners used the area as their own personal landfill, tossing out glass jars, jugs, bottles and even metal. So, Alicia and her family are busy removing and recycling those items. She shares that, while there are still items to remove, she and her family have made real progress with the cleanup. By the way ... a huge CONGRATULATIONS TO ALICIA!! Her fabulous Eco-products will be included in this year's official Emmy Award Show gift bags. WhooHoo!

Some of our Twitter friends shared their thoughts this week:

From @givetreegifts
- In honor of #CTWW I'm giving my sister and brother in law a compost bin for their anniversary. Believe it or not, they're thrilled.

From @nonmom
- Keeping w/this wk's challenge of reducing waste, my #CTWW is I use reuseable containers DAILY 4 my lunch etc. at wk. Saves all around :)

From @rozdb
- Spring fresh #Penticton #Okanagan & I'm ready for my neighbourhood walk on Change The World Wednesday

From @rubbishgeek
- thanks for the mentions on #CTWW - for this week's challenge I recommend you take a look at @2handsproject -inspiring stuff!

From @gwened02
- Car free day today much easier getting dropped off by OH instead of parking
- Thought I'd missed the train but it was late

From @theriverwanders
- I do so many green things @smallftprints would be proud.

The #CTWW Gang are those folks who share our challenges on twitter using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I highly recommend following them ... they have a lot of great things to say. Let's meet them:

@tif_hamilton @groovygreenlivi @givetreegifts @nonmom @laalicia @beckleecottage @parkridgedds @rozdb @thenewauthor @trusk4u

@ggirlggreen @gwened02 @tiffanystoybox @whopaysthepiper @weidknecht @DPixel @peopletowels @waxelene @skipbang

@EarthyUrban @littlegreenblog @HealthyHomeMag @TheRiverWanders @WandaBrendleMos @littlegreenblog @dazediva @digamama @rubbishgeek

My Final Thoughts:

Litter is more than just unsightly. It often finds it's way into our storm drains and ends up in our water ways. There it pollutes and contaminates our environment with harmful toxins. Some litter is mistaken as food by animals who ingest it and die when it suffocates them or can't be digested. Every single piece of litter is potentially dangerous to our earth and all species living on it. The good news is that this is one environmental situation that we have total control over ... we can stop littering and when we see litter, we can pick it up.

Thanks, everyone! If you wrote an article, I have Stumbled, Tweeted, Facebooked and posted it on Google +. You can help spread the "green" word by using the share feature at the bottom of this post.

This Week's Challenge:

This week's challenge is from Gaby who says "Grow one vegetable. You can actually just buy a bag of soil, lay it down, cut it open, and plant seeds in it. No green thumb necessary!" With hints of warmer temperatures and flowers beginning to bloom, I think it's a perfect activity.

This week plant a vegetable or herb. And then, tell us what you decided to grow and where (your yard, a container, a pot on the window sill, etc.).

Or ...

If you are a gardening guru and plant veggies each year, please offer us any tips, ideas and advice. We'd like to know if you plant in containers or till the soil ... how do you fertilize your garden ... and what about keeping pests away. We want to know it all!

Thanks, Gaby ... I can't wait to see how everyone does on this one!

If you have a challenge idea, please send it to me HERE. I keep all ideas and will get to each and every one.

Until next time ...

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

Meet & Greet Monday (#MtaGt)

Welcome to Meet & Greet Monday!

                                 Banner by Art Ist

Grab our banner for your site:
<a href="http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/search/label/Meet%20and%20Greet" target="_blank"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9PJq5sfxJMA/TzwEe2915zI/AAAAAAAAAhM/oRuwPOsrj78/s220/meet--and-greet-003-1000.jpg"/></a>

Do you have an Eco-friendly blog or site? Do you occasionally write about the environment or ways to live green? If you answered yes to any, you're invited to link up. Here are the rules:

1. If you have a green-living blog and/or write about the environment, sustainability, etc., please use the "linky" below to list your site.
2. If you only occasionally write about green living, please use tags such as "green", "Eco", "Environment", etc. and then link to that collection of posts so that visitors will be directed to pertinent articles.
3. Visit at least one other site (and while not required, it would be nice if you told them that you found them here).
4. The linky will stay active until Thursday at 6:00 pm (EST).
5. Using Random.org, I will choose one of the sites listed and feature it next week.

Our featured blog this week is ... EcoWarriorMe. This is a fascinating blog ... it seems to pick up where most "green" blogs leave off in that it goes a step further and asks if the Eco-actions we support today are, in themselves, causing other environmental problems. For example, in one post there is an interesting discussion on the costs of Wind Energy. In another article we take a look at gardening and examine if it's really an Eco-friendly activity. In November, 2011, the author discusses species conservation and whether our focus should change from the current list to other species who have a better chance of survival. In every article, we are challenged to think beyond what we think we know about green-living and the environment ... to look a bit further and investigate the consequences of each action, green or otherwise. I highly recommend this blog! In an ever-changing world, one in which green living is often the flavor of the week, EcoWarriorMe helps us to examine and re-examine our practices. And if one approaches each article with an open mind, we are bound to come away with the knowledge we need to make the best decisions possible.

Thanks to everyone who listed their sites last week!

If you'd like to track and/or promote Meet & Greet on Twitter, please use the hashtag #MtaGt.

This week's linky is now live so ... list your site, visit and have fun:

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)! If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

There's a lot of great information in this post and I encourage you to read through it ... however, if you don't have the time right now, you might find the following quick links helpful:

• The #CTWW Gang
• The Honor Society
• My Final Thoughts on Our Last Challenge
• This Week's Challenge

Last week we challenged ourselves to turn of the TV/Computer and read. I love this challenge because, in my opinion, there isn't much that's better than relaxing with a good book. It was, however, a real challenge to pull myself away from the computer. Let's see how everyone else did on this one!

The Honor Society are those people who help us spread the "green" word by writing an article about our challenges and/or leaving pertinent comments. Here's what they had to say:

Brian, who suggested this challenge, shares that he typically reads using his Kindle. He enjoys taking "reading" breaks throughout the day and gets a lot of reading done in the evening (using a CFL energy star bulb in his lamp). His favorite place to read, though, is outside on a nice day ... just him, his book and nature. Doesn't that sound great!!

Typically our friend, Argentum Vulgaris, dives into every challenge, offering us his unique take on accomplishing it. But this time he's having a bit of trouble ... and I'm betting you'll never guess why. Curious? Find out HERE.

During Earth Hour, Mrs. Green enjoyed "switching off" and relaxing with her family. While it was certainly an Eco-friendly activity, she also realized that it was valuable for another reason ... and that reason prompted her to take on our challenge. In How to make reading books green, you'll find out what she's reading and how to "green up" our reading experiences. She also includes some terrific links.

EcoGrrl usually turns off the TV on weekends and reads. She reads used books or gets them from the library so that nothing new is created just for her. Does she use an eReader? Check out her comments about that HERE.

Alicia makes time each morning to read. Before turning on the computer, she heads to her office and reads her Bible and shares that it's a great way to start the day. While her lamps have energy efficient bulbs, she prefers to sit by the window and use the morning sunlight. That sounds so nice, Alicia!

Some of our Twitter friends shared their thoughts:

From @givetreegifts
-We've started to turn off the television after the news & picking up a book instead. It's a better way to unwind & have a good sleep.
-I'm really enjoying getting back to reading again. It's nice to use one's own imagination instead of staring at a noise box. GR8 idea

From @pinkladyapril
-oh my! I love to read! I'll do this tomorrow afternoon when I have the house to myself. Prefer proper bks to ereaders

From @gwened02
-sounds like a great idea. I will do this, just need to pick a night

From @nonmom
-Keeping w/ the #CTWW challenges this month I do try to buy local produce & from companies & farmers that I know. Very imp to support them :)

The #CTWW Gang are those folks who share our challenges on twitter using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I highly recommend following them ... they have a lot of great things to say. Let's meet them:

@givetreegifts @tif_hamilton @thenewauthor @hismerecry @littlegreenblog @pinkladyapril @gwened02 @nonmom @beckleecottage

@darmell @tiffanystoybox @laalicia @whopaysthepiper @theriverwanders @groovygrapevine @groovygreenlivi @rubbishgeek @peopletowels

@EarthyUrban @noteasy2begreen @smallbits @waxelene @myqualitytime @ecowarriorme @WandaBrendleMos @HealthyHomeSens @ShoppingCharity

My Final Thoughts:

In our hectic, fast paced world we often forget the value of simply sitting quietly while reading a book. Turning off our computers and TVs not only saves energy but it helps us to reconnect with our imaginations ... our creativity.

Thanks, everyone! If you wrote an article, I have Stumbled, Tweeted, Facebooked and posted it on Google +. You can help spread the "green" word by using the share feature at the bottom of this post.

This Week's Challenge:

This week's challenge is from Stephanie. I thinks it's a great activity for spring!

This week take a walk and pick up trash. Then, come back here and tell us what you found (photos of what you collected would be great)!

Or ...

Reflect on ways that we can reduce our trash and then ... try out those methods for a week. Report back on what you tried, how difficult/easy it was, etc.

Thanks, Stephanie ... this is going to be enlightening!!

If you have a challenge idea, please send it to me HERE. I keep all ideas and will get to each and every one.

Ready for our mantra? All together now ...

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

Meet & Greet Monday (#MtaGt)

Welcome to Meet & Greet Monday!

                                 Banner by Art Ist

Grab our banner for your site:
<a href="http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/search/label/Meet%20and%20Greet" target="_blank"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9PJq5sfxJMA/TzwEe2915zI/AAAAAAAAAhM/oRuwPOsrj78/s220/meet--and-greet-003-1000.jpg"/></a>

Do you have an Eco-friendly blog or site? Do you occasionally write about the environment or ways to live green? If you answered yes to any, you're invited to link up. Here are the rules:

1. If you have a green-living blog and/or write about the environment, sustainability, etc., please use the "linky" below to list your site.
2. If you only occasionally write about green living, please use tags such as "green", "Eco", "Environment", etc. and then link to that collection of posts so that visitors will be directed to pertinent articles.
3. Visit at least one other site (and while not required, it would be nice if you told them that you found them here).
4. The linky will stay active until Thursday at 6:00 pm (EST).
5. Using Random.org, I will choose one of the sites listed and feature it next week.

Last week we opened the linky up to include blogs, Facebook accounts and Twitter accounts ... and we invited the world to join in the fun. Using random.org, I chose one entry to feature this week ... #16 ... Art Ist's Facebook Account. For those of you who have followed my blog for awhile, you know who Art Ist is ... for those who don't know, he's my "other half". He has created banners for Reduce Footprints, participated in all of the challenges (even though you'll rarely see comments from him) and last week he designed our gruesome blog background for the special event. I might be a bit biased but ... I believe that he is a very talented artist. He's also an Eco-friendly artist ... he uses found materials as canvases for his painting, reuses clay for his sculptures and, rather than buying new (and usually plastic) tools, he looks around the house for items (old silverware works great for sculpting). Art's creations are as varied and interesting as the man himself ... one might find him working on a painting or designing a home. He might sculpt a figure in the morning and be out shooting photos in the afternoon. And with each medium, he treats the viewer to a different perspective of our world. Head on over to his Facebook page and add him as a friend ... then browse through his timeline to see what he's been working on lately. I think you'll enjoy it!

Thanks to everyone who listed their sites last week!

If you'd like to track and/or promote Meet & Greet on Twitter, please use the hashtag #MtaGt.

This week's linky is now live so ... list your site, visit and have fun:

Special Event Finale and Giveaway

Update ... winners to our giveaway have been chosen and emails will be going out ... so watch your inbox!

Here's are the answers to the questions asked in the giveaway:

The composers of the music are - J. Thorn and Curtis Luck.

The photos answers are as follows:
Photo 1 = The blood drop from the header of the website
Photo 2 = The chain from the locket on the Blood Chronicles page
Photo 3 = The Blood Ripples from the blood pool on the Media Room page
Photo 4 = The center of the Born of Blood cover from the home page
Photo 5 = The MuseItUp Logo from the home page

See you Monday everyone!!



Welcome to the Grand Finale of our week-long event celebrating the debut novel, Born of Blood, by my friend and very talented author, S.B. (Brian) Knight. How appropriate that today is Friday the 13th (oooh ... a chill just ran down my spine).

It has been an amazing week! We kicked off the celebration with a special Meet & Greet Monday ... hopefully you all got a chance to link up your sites, Facebook & Twitter accounts ... and made some new friends (if you didn't, it stays open until 6:00 pm tonight). On Tuesday, Brian talked to us about "green" publishing and how both the process of getting books into our hands (as well as the books themselves) has changed over the years and become efficient and Eco-friendly. Our regular Change The World Wednesday challenge stayed on topic asking us to turn off the TV & Computer ... and read. Thursday found Brian and I chatting ... about books, writing and green living. And then ... some of you joined the conversation and told us a bit about yourselves ... about which book genres are your favorite and your feelings on whether there is hope for our environment. If you missed any of this week's celebration, you can "catch up" HERE. Brian's book tour may be leaving "our place" but it's far from over. For his complete schedule, click HERE.

I was very fortunate, a long time ago, to read a preliminary draft of Born of Blood. Honestly, I wasn't sure I'd like it ... dark fantasy novels don't entice me. But, because I admire Brian, I tried to approach it with an open mind. And wow ... from the first chapter to the last word, I was hooked. To say it was a "page turner" would be an understatement! I haven't yet read the final version of this novel but I can only imagine that it is even better than the original draft. If you're unfamiliar with the storyline ... here's the description from Amazon:

In BORN OF BLOOD, Jesse Banks unknowingly, steps into the middle of a battle between good and evil that has raged on for generations. As the danger escalates, she begins to put the pieces of her clouded past together.

Jesse discovers the truth about her ancestors and the horror that relentlessly pursued them — a horror that now pursues her. To survive, she must join the fight. But the immortal monster that stalks her has other, more sinister, plans, and will stop at nothing to see those plans accomplished. Can Jesse escape a fate worse than death and defeat an age-old evil?

Sounds intriguing, doesn't it? Born of Blood is the first book, of three, in the Blood Chronicles saga. I can't wait to see how this story continues!

I'd like to thank Brian for making us a part of this wonderful event! And Brian ... I wish you continued success, my friend!


Born of Blood by S.B. Knight is available at:
MuseItUp Bookstore
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk

Don't have an eReader device? No problem ... download a free application HERE for use on your computer, iPhone, etc.


Okay ... now for the moment you've been waiting for ... it's GIVEAWAY TIME! Brian has generously offered us a bunch of prizes:

Two lucky Reduce Footprints' readers will each win a $5 gift card to MuseItUp Bookstore
One lucky reader will win a signed copy of Born of Blood

And then ... in a special Bonus Round

One lucky reader will win a $10 gift card to MuseItUp Bookstore

Wow ... sounds great, right? You can enter in the rafflecopter forms below. This giveaway is open to everyone and will end tonight (Friday) at midnight (EST). Winners will be contacted by email.

Good luck to everyone!! To begin ... take a good look at these photos:

Photo #1

Photo #2

Photo #3

Photo #4

Photo #5

Now enter the Born of Blood Rafflecopter giveaway (may take a moment to load ... if it doesn't, please refresh the page):


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Did you enter? Yes? Great ... move on to the Bonus Round:


a Rafflecopter giveaway


On Saturday I will post the answers to the photo questions so ... if you're curious, come back then!

Thanks Everyone!

A Conversation between S.B. Knight & Small Footprints

We're continuing our Born of Blood celebration today with an interview ... an interview with a twist. S.B. Knight asked me 5 questions about books and reading ... I asked him 5 questions about environmental issues. I hope you'll have as much fun reading our responses as we had writing them!

Question to Small Footprints: What are your top 3 genres? Why?

My favorite genres are historical fiction, mysteries and non-fiction spirituality. I find historical fiction fascinating ... it gives me a glimpse of what life was like in another era. Since we typically define our history in terms of dramatic events such as war, religious persecution, etc., the story lines are often about how people overcome tragic events ... and stories about the indomitable human spirit are truly "feel good" experiences. When I find a really good mystery, I can't put it down ... I'm anxious to solve it but disappointed if I can do so too quickly. A talented mystery author can weave a story with intrigue and make my jaw drop when the puzzle is finally solved. It's exciting and I like the mental workout! Non-fiction spirituality is the only genre of books that I'll actually buy, keep and read over and over again. I'm especially interested in Tao ... the fundamental nature of the universe. It's a fabulous concept!

Question to S.B. Knight: Writing and publishing books has historically been environmentally expensive. As an author, how do you reduce your environmental impact throughout the writing process?

This is a very exciting time to be an author. With the introduction of eReaders and the availability of computers in virtually every home it allows writers to really cut back on the environmental impact. In earlier times writers would use stacks of paper to prepare one manuscript. This is not true anymore.

During the writing of my first manuscript I printed out a copy each time I edited it. That soon evolved to printing two pages on one sheet. Now I don't print my manuscripts, I write them on a laptop and complete my edits without wasting paper. My publisher and editors do a great deal of work on the computers as well which saves a great deal of paper.

I also like that I write on the laptop. With it fully charged I can write for up to six hours which allows me to unplug it from the wall, write, and save power.

Question to Small Footprints: Who are your top 3 authors?

Well, S.B. Knight is #1 on my list!! I also enjoy Susan Wittig Albert ... she writes The China Bayles Mystery series. I'm currently enjoying the Earth's Children series by Jean Auel ... I suppose one might call her books historical fiction since they offer possible theories on how humans evolved. In the non-fiction arena I really like Thich Nhat Hanh ... his work is beautiful and has the power to change the world.

Question to S.B. Knight: Do you incorporate green living into your novels? In other words, are any of your characters seen as Eco-friendly or do we find them protecting the earth in any way?

Well, would saving the earth from unimaginable evil qualify? At this point in time I would say no. I mean, my characters don't harm the environment in any way. In the Blood Chronicles the characters are fighting for survival and to basically save the world.

As my writing evolves and expands I plan to incorporate more aspects into my character development. Being Eco-friendly is very high on that list.

Question to Small Footprints: If you could have dinner with your favorite author, what would you talk about?

Oh ... knowing me I'd probably talk about vegan food, veggie gardening and living green. But I'd also like to know about their background ... where they've lived, what their family life is like, where they go for vacation ... things like that.

Question to S.B. Knight: Many people say that the environmental actions we take today have no benefit ... that it's already too late. Do you believe that statement to be true?

This response may seem harsh but I am speaking honestly. I believe the people who say things like this are using excuses not to change their lifestyle or take responsibility for what they are doing. To say something like this is equal to saying you're not taking cold medicine because you're already sick.

No, this statement is not true. As long as we inhabit this planet there is always hope. We may be running out of time but we will never run out of hope. Sometimes that is all you need to make a true impact.

Question to Small Footprints: When you read books do the characters remind you of people you know? Do you picture people you know as the characters?

Hm ... that's an interesting question. No, I don't believe I've ever read a book with characters who remind me of people I know ... or pictured anyone familiar in the story lines. I'm not sure that I'd enjoy the book if it touched that close to home ... and it would certainly jade my perception of the story.

Question to S.B. Knight: I know that you have children. How do you get them involved in protecting the earth?

Right now we are teaching the importance of turning off lights so it saves energy and the amount I'm charged on my electric bill. We also practice recycling cans, paper, cardboard, and plastic. I have a garden every year that everyone helps with and that is really good because they appreciate where the food is coming from. Finally, I change the oil in my vehicles and recycle the oil which they observe as well.

Question to Small Footprints: What is the number 1 thing that attracts you to a particular book?

Actually, I think I'm initially attracted by the physicality of the book ... the size, the color and the title. I will typically pass on small books because I don't want something which I can read quickly. As strange as it sounds ... some colors make me want to read a book while others definitely don't. I've probably passed on some great stories simply because of the title and, in truth, I can't really say which words entice me. After the physicality, there are two more "tests" I put a book through ... the gender of the author and the first few lines. I will almost always choose a book written by a woman rather than a man (I know ... it's an unfair bias) ... and if a book doesn't "hook" me in the first few lines, it loses me. I'm pretty sure, SB, that reading your book is going to debunk some of my book prejudices.

Question to S.B. Knight: You often participate in our Change The World Wednesday challenges, offering terrific ideas. What factors, in your life, have encouraged you to live "green."

I was raised in the country. My parents planted a garden, cut wood to burn in the fireplace, and took good care of everything they owned. They did this because we lived on a tight budget. These practices saved a great deal of money and still hold true to this day. I follow in those footsteps.

Why do we recycle as much as we do? After designing landfills I understand how quickly they fill up and I also know what takes up the most space (cardboard is on that list). Recycling also saves money by limiting trips to the landfill which saves on gas. Honestly though, we understand that recycling and being Eco-friendly is the right thing to do. We want to pass that on to future generations.

That was fun ... thanks to Brian for both answering my questions and challenging me to think a bit about my reading preferences.

Now it's your turn ... how would you answer these questions? Leave us a comment ... we're dying to know! And here's a little "heads up" ... I can't say for sure ... I make no promises ... but SB has been randomly rewarding those who leave comments this week so ... leaving one on this post just might bring you a surprise.

Join us tomorrow for the grand finale of our week ... it's going to be a lot of fun complete with prizes.

Born of Blood by S.B. Knight is available at:
MuseItUp Bookstore
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk

Don't have an eReader device? No problem ... download a free application HERE for use on your computer, iPhone, etc.

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)! If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

There's a lot of great information in this post and I encourage you to read through it ... however, if you don't have the time right now, you might find the following quick links helpful:

• The #CTWW Gang
• The Honor Society
• This Week's Challenge

Last week we completed the Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast. Here's how the week went:

• Day 43 - Buy food that's being grown or produced locally
• Day 44 - Have a voice in determining the future of the environment
• Day 45 - Justice and care for the earth
• Day 46 - Replace the light bulb you removed on Day 6

The Honor Society are those people who help us spread the "green" word by writing an article about our challenges and/or leaving pertinent comments. Let's see what they had to say this week:

From Alicia:

• Oh I am excited about this challenge. Because of the warmer Winter here in Tennessee most of my herbs never stopped producing and since we are already having such an early Spring they have been growing by leaps and bounds.I am so enjoying making mint and lemon balm tea, using the chives in our salads.I will be making Rosemary potatoes and using our Thyme and Marjoram with some of our local veggies. We have been blessed to have local broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and kale here.

From EcoGrrl:

• Always local! Tropical fruits are for special occasions which includes bananas. Just harvested collards and seeing the tops of my peas and onions seeded last month now peeking out of the ground, not to mention the excitement of buds on my new columnar apple trees :)
• I found some deliciously WARM cfl's at ikea the other day for my basement -this haven't used incandescent in years but realized my current cfl's are so old (and still burning) that they give off the cold/bluish light, so i'll put those in the garage :) Good job this month on the project! I've been working 70 hr weeks so haven't been able to participate as much, sorry :(

From Brian:

• This is a good challenge. I am fortunate enough to still have vegetables in my freezer from my garden. I did purchase approximately 60 ears of corn from a local farmer. That is the only way to go if you want really good corn. I have noticed that even with the mild winter the stores are stocking vegetables that look old. I like knowing that many of the veggies I'm eating came from my garden or people I know. I hope all of you will join me and SmallFootPrints next week. It is going to be a blast. Books and saving the environment...how can it get any better than that? It can but you will have to join us to find out.

From Kristina:

• Junk mail used to drive me crazy! I made an effort a few years ago to reduce it and it worked! Here are my tips: No More Junk in Your Mail, More Ways to Reduce Your Junk Mail (And Stress). What really annoys me about junk mail is that the USPS is selling our addresses to companies. I saw an add in Newsweek recently from USPS. "Target any market. Reach Every Door" was the promise! Not my door please.

From Argentum Vulgaris:

• Change the World Wednesday – Special VII

From Brenna:

• This is a great challenge. We are buying a lot more from a local farm this year and hope to grow more of our own food too. Usually we can't get enough to grow so that the scavengers (children) don't eat it all right off the plant!

From Plumbing Baltimore:

• Thank you for providing such a useful information..i hope it will prove worthwhile in my business..
  Maryland Drain Cleaning Services (http://www.plumbing-baltimore-md.com/)

From EcoWarriorMe:

• #CTWW - Daily Challenges 2012

Some of our Twitter friends shared their thoughts:

From @givetreegifts
-We've managed to cut back our junk mail to only a few pieces a week that manage to slip through. It's worth the effort so be vigilant
-Video:Rid Your Life of Junk Mail http://video.about.com/personalorganizing/Rid-Your-Life-of-Junk-Mail.htm

From @nonmom
-On my sidetrip I have parked the car & stuck to walking. Also used the hotel recycling to cut down waste & used my #Brita bottle.

From @ecowarriorme
-Farmer's markets in Glasgow alternate between Queen's Park (1st & 3rd Sat) and Partick (2nd & 4th) http://www.scottishfarmersmarkets.co.uk/calendar/
-We will. Starting soon with potatoes, carrots and beans.#ctww home grown & local produce.
-We use CFL throughout the house, started changing over about 8 or 9 years ago.

The #CTWW Gang are those folks who share our challenges on twitter using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I highly recommend following them ... they have a lot of great things to say. Let's meet them:

@freshgreenkim @givetreegifts @wfm_jenkintown @nonmom @laalicia @tif_hamilton @theriverwanders @element5alive @ecowarriorme @groovygrapevine

@mom2tle @beckleecottage @b4ingreenliving @ggirlggreen @thenewauthor @almosttruth @groovygreenlivi @dazediva @healthyhomesens

@whopaysthepiper @ocean_saver_mmk @peopletowels @wandabrendlemos @accessorygal @noteasy2begreen @scjgreenchoices @EarthyUrban @greenkidsguide

This Week's Challenge:

Our challenge this week continues the theme of our "Born of Blood" special event and is suggested by my co-host, SB Knight. If you've missed any of the events so far, you can "catch up" HERE. And be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this post for information on Brian's debut novel.

We're back to weekly challenges and next week I'll again be Stumbling, Tweeting, Facebooking and Google+ing your posts. Ready? Here you go:

This week take at least one evening, turn off the computer and television ... and read a book. This exercises the mind and imagination while saving electricity. Please share what you read and how you read it (book or eReader).

So what do you think ... are you up for this challenge?

Join us tomorrow when SB Knight and I will be interviewing each other with a twist ... he'll be answering questions about the environment and I'll be answering questions about reading. And in case you haven't noticed .. SB has been randomly choosing folks who leave a comment and passing out gifts so ... "talk" to us!


Born of Blood by S.B. Knight is available at:
MuseItUp Bookstore
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk

Don't have an eReader device? No problem ... download a free application HERE for use on your computer, iPhone, etc.


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

The new age of publishing - Guest Post by SB Knight

Our week-long event continues with a fascinating guest post by SB Knight who shares his insight on publishing and the environment. If you missed yesterday's Meet & Greet ... never fear ... it will stay open until Friday evening and you can link up HERE.

The new age of publishing!

Printing, publishing, and the process of delivering the written word to readers all over the world has drastically changed. Actually, there are certain milestones throughout history that have greatly impacted the world of writing. Of course it all started with chipping symbols in store and/or painting them. From there we developed ink and the quill. Jump a few years and the world invented the ink pen. Technology took a nap but rebounded with the typewriter. Boy was that an invention. Books were published at a rapid rate by that time. Things did not slow down after that, soon the computer and laptop sprang onto the scene. To complete the leap we now have eBooks and eReaders. What is very sad is even with all of these advances the one thing that trailed behind was the environmental impact. Trees suffer the largest impact from book publishing but other hazards exist from the adhesive used for the binding to the ink used on the pages. Yes, we enjoy reading and although it is not often that books end up in the landfill or burned the true impact to the environment happens on the production side instead of the aftermarket such as we see with so many other items such as cardboard, empty plastic bottles, etc.

That was the bad news. Here is the good news. Technology, commerce, and financial feasibility have collided and a change is being seen in the publishing world. Allow me to get the most obvious out of the way right now. With the popularity of eBooks and eReaders the impact to our forest and trees is decreasing. Some may think that the fact that eBooks must be charged will use more energy but the Kindle, for example, can hold a charge for thirty days easy. That is twelve charges a year. I’m willing to bet that is on par or maybe even less than what a television uses in a year’s time.

With that out of the way let’s move on to the second most obvious jump in environmentally safe processes for publishing books. That would be…say it with me…recycled paper. Now here is a little something about recycled paper; each time paper is processed the fibers that make up the page breaks down which means the paper breaks down and loses quality. You know what I’m talking about, when you get paper at work and it looks flimsy and off white, maybe even a little thin but the package reads that it is recycled. It is recycled but it is recycled with paper products that have been processed a number of times. Publishing companies originally used virgin paper which is processed right from the tree with no added recycled materials. That has changed, Eco-friendly publishing companies use recycled paper with almost a 50/50 split of virgin paper and recycled material. This provides the thickness, crisp color, and paper quality everyone expects from a published book. This greatly cuts down the impact on trees. We may even see the day when there is no virgin paper used at all.

How do we know how much virgin paper and recycled material is actually used? I’m glad you asked. There are certification programs provided through councils and initiatives that track virgin paper use, recycled paper use, deforestation, and protection of regulated forest areas. Here are a few:

• Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
• Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

Other techniques and processes that lessen the impact on the environment are soy based ink and a process called coldset drying. This process not only saves energy but it greatly reduces pollutants from entering the atmosphere.

As you can see publishing companies have made great strides in reducing their footprints on the environment. I now have a fun assignment for you. What? I heard that groan but trust me, you will enjoy this. Click on the following website and take the quiz (click on ‘click to begin’) http://www.webcomlink.com/enviro/. With each correct answer the tree grows. Once you are done scroll down for more information about all the topics I talked about here. So, what do you think of the environmentally friendly techniques and processes publishing companies are taking? One more thing – how many questions did you get right on the quiz? Be honest.

Thanks to Brian for a wonderful post. I don't know about you ... but I learned a lot! Oh ... and to answer your question, Brian ... I completed the assignment and, thanks to the information you provided, I got all but one question right!

Join us tomorrow when we'll start a brand new "Change The World Wednesday" challenge ... inspired by the release of Brian's debut novel Born of Blood.

Born of Blood by S.B. Knight is available at:
MuseItUp Bookstore
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk

Don't have an eReader device? No problem ... download a free application HERE for use on your computer, iPhone, etc.

Meet & Greet Monday (#MtaGt)

Welcome to what is sure to be a special week. Right here on Reduced Footprints we will be celebrating both the environment and the release of SB Knight’s debut novel Born of Blood. What does a book release and being Eco-friendly have in common? Well, you will have to stay tuned to find out the answer to that question. For starters SB Knight will be joining us all week which is great because we have so much planned.

• The fun starts today as we open the Meet and Greet.
• Tuesday, SB Knight will deliver a special guest post about the environmentally friendly steps and techniques that authors and publishers are doing now to lessen their impact on the environment.
• Wednesday, Small Footprints has a special challenge planned.
• Thursday will be interview day as SB and Small Footprints trade questions and answers.
• To wrap up the week on Friday the 13th there will be games, contests, and conversation.

As you can see, you don’t want to miss a day this week. Oh, did I mention the prizes? SB will be giving out copies of Born of Blood as well as gift cards to the MuseItUp Bookstore throughout the week and during the Friday activities.

So let’s get things started. Today’s Meet and Greet is going to be a little different. First we are going to open it up to everyone. If you’re a writer, author, blogger, Eco-friend, visitor ... it doesn’t matter because everyone is welcomed to join in today. Here is the second twist, normally we leave our website URLs but today I want to open that up to include Twitter names and/or Facebook URLs. This is a great opportunity to reach out and meet new people. Here are the rules:

1. Everyone is invited to include up to three links (your blog's URL, your Twitter account and/or your Facebook account).
2. Please visit S.B. Knight by clicking on at least one of the first three links.
3. Linky will stay open until Friday, April 13th, at 6:00 pm
4. Make some new friends and have fun!

By the way, scroll to the bottom of this post to find out where Born of Blood can be purchased. Okay ... let the Meet and Greet begin:

Please note ... to add a twitter account, remove the "http://" when adding your account's address.



Born of Blood by S.B. Knight is available at:
MuseItUp Bookstore
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk

Don't have an eReader device? No problem ... download a free application HERE for use on your computer, iPhone, etc.

#CTWW - Final Daily Challenge

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday Daily (#CTWW)! If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

Here's today's challenge:

Replace the light bulb you removed on Day 6 with a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), which can save 150 lbs. of carbon dioxide a year - unless you've decided you don't need it at all. Review the actions you've taken during this carbon fast. Make a list of those you plan to keep doing. Reflect on what else you can do on an ongoing basis.

Great job everyone! With this challenge we conclude the Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast.

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for Mar. 6, 2012

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday Daily (#CTWW)! If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

Here's today's challenge:

Justice and care for the earth are inseparable. Overcoming poverty depends on a sustainable future. Learn more about it and find out how you can get involved HERE. The Earth Charter is a declaration of fundamental ethical principles for building a just, sustainable and peaceful global society in the 21st century. It seeks to inspire in all people a new sense of global interdependence and shared responsibility for the well-being of the whole human family.

Until tomorrow ...

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for Apr. 5, 2012

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday Daily (#CTWW)! If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

Here's today's challenge:

A recent Union of Concerned Scientists report finds that not only are power plants sucking up enormous amounts of our drinking water, but we don't even know the extent of the problem because companies aren't accurately tracking their water usage. Read the report and then consider what you are willing to do in order to ensure that we have a voice in determining the future of the environment.

Until tomorrow ...

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

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)! If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

There's a lot of great information in this post and I encourage you to read through it ... however, if you don't have the time right now, you might find the following quick links helpful:

• The #CTWW Gang
• The Honor Society
• Today's Challenge

We have completed 6 weeks of the Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast and there are only a few days left (daily challenges will end on Sunday). Here's how last week went:

• Day 36 - Bicycle sharing
• Day 37 - Address your "standby" habits
• Day 38 - Read about climate change
• Day 39 - Celebrate Earth Hour
• Day 40 - Walk, bike, take public transportation or carpool
• Day 41 - Eco Justice
• Day 42 - End junk mail

The Honor Society are those people who help us spread the "green" word by writing an article about our challenges and/or leaving pertinent comments. Let's see what they had to say this week:

From Michelle:

• I have heard about this kind of program - I love the idea and practicality of it. Unfortunately it wouldn't be very practical for my family since we live a number of miles from any shopping. ;)

From Argentum Vulgaris:

• Change the World Wednesday – Special VI

From Stephanie:

• I think it is great! Montreal has it as well. They revamped the streets downtown to give more room to cyclists as well. :)

From Kristina:

• Missed this one last week. Reduce your junk mail! It accounts for so much wasted paper. Here are some tips: No More Junk in Your Mail
• I didn't know that the Huffington Post had a segment just for climate change! Thanks. I heard Bill McKibben speak last week: Bill McKibben: Inspiration through Depression
• It is so sad and embarrassing! I heard Bill McKibben say that people who did not cause climate change are already feeling the effects.

From Ann:

• Thursday Theme Song: We are the world. How wonderful when the Haves go all out to help the withouts.

From Alicia:

• I agree I think this is a great idea.When we lived in California people biked everywhere. California is a very bike friendly state. Here in Tennessee we live out in the country so it is not very practical for us but I think it would be wonderful to do if we lived closer to town.
• This is a great thing to do. We have been doing this for several years now and it really makes a difference.

From EcoGrrl:

• I'll try to remember but in the meantime I'm doing the SOLVE beach cleanup today :)
• Met a client across the street from my house this morning (walk), now getting ready to bike to the recycling center to drop off my plastics, then bike to the Green Microgym for a workout. Living without a car has been SO much simpler than with one :)

From Chimney Sweep Portland:

• Really nice info. you can watch v here: http://ecocrap.wordpress.com/2012/03/21/change-the-world-wednesday-special-v/

From EcoWarriorMe:

• Herve Kempf explains this well in his book: "How the Rich Are Destroying the Earth" (http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Rich-Are-Destroying-Earth/dp/1603580352)

Some of our Twitter friends shared their thoughts:

From @givetreegifts
-How much time & $ would you save if you skipped the commute & worked out of your home? Inquire with your company & reduce ur footprint
-I've become accustomed to the blinking 12:00 when we replug our coffee maker, dvd, etc. If it saves $ & energy I'm in.

From @rubbishgeek
-Businesses - get great advice from @CO2Sense inc saving costs,managing your carbon footprint + measure energy use eepurl.com/klCqn

From @dbievents
-@GiveTreeGifts just sell it to your boss as a 'green initiative' lol nothing beats #workingfromhome
-Just in time for #CTWW!! Reduce your footprint by recycling - check out this post by @DBIEvents_Sarah http://dbievents.blogspot.com/2012/03/diy-style-tip-latex-paint-happy-wedding.html

From @greenchelmsford
-Chelmsford Earth Fair 4/28 Come one, come all! http://www.scribd.com/doc/87044136/Earth-Fair-2012
-Town of Chelmsford upcoming Recycling Events: http://www.scribd.com/doc/87044206/Feb-March-2012-Events-Flyer-Rev-d
-Where to Begin? - Chelmsford, MA Patch http://chelmsford.patch.com/blog_posts/where-to-begin-60a2351f
-Creative Homemade Compost Bins - Chelmsford, MA Patch http://chelmsford.patch.com/blog_posts/creative-homemade-compost-bins

From @greenkidsguide
-Keep toxins out of your body by focusing on the 3 points of entry via @GreenKidsGuide http://greenkidsguide.com/2012/03/18/3-points-of-entry/

From @skipbang
-Vampire appliances suck! Unplug phone chargers & appliances when not in use.

From @pinkladyapril
-I walk to work - actually during the week I walk nearly everywhere. We only have one car & hubby needs it for work

The #CTWW Gang are those folks who share our challenges on twitter using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I highly recommend following them ... they have a lot of great things to say. Let's meet them:

@groovygreenlivi @givetreegifts @rubbishgeek @dbievents @greenchelmsford @dbievents_sarah @whopaysthepiper @ggirlggreen @b4ingreenliving @nurturedbeauty @theorganicblond @dpixel @ecopassport

@greenearthbazar @peopletowels @earthyurban @laalicia @almosttruth @tif_hamilton @groovygrapevine @thenewauthor @accessorygal @TheRiverWanders @wandabrendlemos @greenkidsguide @theblissfulchef

@element5alive @rubbishgeek @healthyhomemag @lullabyorganics @noteasy2begreen @beckleecottage @chainedheartdes @LittleGreenBlog @skipbang @mom2tle @greendreamin @pinkladyapril @alwayswellwithn

Today's Challenge:

REMINDER: Beginning Monday, April 9th, Reduce Footprints will be hosting a HUGE week-long event. Last week I gave you a little hint: How will Born of Blood save the environment? In this week's Meet & Greet post, I gave you a little more information. So let me add a little more intrigue to the event ... next week you'll learn something about me that you might not know, you'll get further acquainted with my friend (and regular CTWW participant), Brian, and you'll have a "chance" at something terrific! So don't miss it!

There are only a few days left of our daily challenges ... can you make it??? I know that you can! Here's today's challenge:

Buy food that's being grown or produced locally, using local farms and local farmers' markets where possible - See http://www.nofa.org/, http://theorganicfoodguide.com/ and http://www.massfarmersmarkets.org/. Bonus: Grow some of your own food and herbs in your garden, allotment or window sill, or join a community garden.

Until tomorrow ...

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

Meet & Greet Monday (#MtaGt)

Welcome to Meet & Greet Monday!

                                 Banner by Art Ist

Grab our banner for your site:
<a href="http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/search/label/Meet%20and%20Greet" target="_blank"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9PJq5sfxJMA/TzwEe2915zI/AAAAAAAAAhM/oRuwPOsrj78/s220/meet--and-greet-003-1000.jpg"/></a>

Do you have an Eco-friendly blog or site? Do you occasionally write about the environment or ways to live green? If you answered yes to any, you're invited to link up. Here are the rules:

1. If you have a green-living blog and/or write about the environment, sustainability, etc., please use the "linky" below to list your site.
2. If you only occasionally write about green living, please use tags such as "green", "Eco", "Environment", etc. and then link to that collection of posts so that visitors will be directed to pertinent articles.
3. Visit at least one other site (and while not required, it would be nice if you told them that you found them here).
4. The linky will stay active until Thursday at 6:00 pm (EST).
5. I will randomly choose one of the sites and feature it next week.

Last week we posted articles. Using random.org I chose one of them to feature this week. The winner is ... Local Sustainable Tomato Salsa by our very own Stephanie. From the title you may think that this is a recipe post ... and while Stephanie does share a delicious recipe with us, the article is so much more ... and very interesting. It starts with the premise that everything ... everything we eat, wear, buy ... everything we do ... has a water footprint. When we eat a food, it's water footprint becomes part of our water footprint. With that in mind, Stephanie searches out a food which, because of how and where it's grown, has a smaller footprint. The post gives us yet another way to look at our choices and how they affect our environment. It's a terrific article ... so head on over and check it out!

Thanks to everyone who listed an article last week. If you'd like to track and/or promote Meet & Greet on Twitter, please use the hashtag #MtaGt.

Be sure to join us next Monday when my friend, Brian Knight, and I kick off a week-long event. We'll begin with a very special Meet & Greet and continue with fun activities each day. The grand finale on Friday will be an exciting surprise ... you don't want to miss it! So mark your calendars ... it's THE EVENT OF THE YEAR ... right here on Reduce Footprints. Oh the excitement!!

This week's linky is now live so ... list your site, visit and have fun:

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for Apr. 3, 2012

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday Daily (#CTWW)! If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

Here's today's challenge:

End junk mail that wastes resources. Stop unwanted catalogs (CatalogChoice.org), credit card offers (1-888-5-OPTOUT), and other junk mail (DMAchoice.org). You can even hire someone to do this for you (and buy a carbon offset in the process) at 41pounds.org.

Until tomorrow ...

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for Apr. 2, 2012

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday Daily (#CTWW)! If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

Here's today's challenge:

Reflect on, and discuss, the fact that the richest 20% of the world's population consumes 80% of the world's resources, and those who contribute least to the causes suffer most from the effects of climate change.

Until tomorrow ...

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for Apr. 1, 2012

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday Daily (#CTWW)! If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

Here's today's challenge:

Find the lowest carbon impact method of getting around today (walk, bike, take public transportation or carpool). Learning to reduce the amount of miles we drive is one of the most effective ways to reduce our carbon footprint. The average person makes 44 car trips a year which are under a mile. Try to maximize efficiency by doing shopping on your way home from work or somewhere else you have to go. When you need a car, consider a local ride-share service such as www.ridebuzz.org or use ZipCar. Consider the advantages of walking: a four-mile round trip by foot keeps about 15 pounds of pollutants out of the air we breathe (WorldWatch Institute). To learn more about the environmental benefits of walking, see the Commuter Choice Program.

Until tomorrow ...

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