Hello there blog buds!
Today is the first day of Cindy’s 30 Day Core Challenge so head on over to her blog today to check it out if you are interested. I’ll be ‘watching’ this challenge from the sidelines only because I started the Physique 57 ‘program’ to review and as such, have more challenge to my core than I can handle already! 
Cindy, I’m thinking I’ll schedule the next Flex It Friday at the end of your challenge (making this one for ABS) so you can show off all of your hard work! Whaddya think??? Are you game?
I hope you all had a marvelous weekend! Mine flew by too quickly as usual. As I mentioned in my Sunday morning post, we were planning an outdoor run since the weather was warming up somewhat. We did get out for a run at 7:30 a.m. but apparently “Mr. Warm Up” was sleeping in. It was 28 degrees, but WINDY so it felt bitter cold. But it was still AMAZING! I just love running outside. The sun was shining and the sky was blue. Idyllic. We just did a leisurely 3.5 miles and then spent a good 15 minutes stretching really well afterward.
It was fan-tabulous!
You know what makes beautiful runs even better? Getting to have your ‘post-workout’ drink at Starbucks!! I met up with another of my best friends for some chat time after the run and had a delicious grande decaf soy no-foam latte. And the cutest miniature donut you’ve ever seen! It was too adorable to resist. I am a sucker for miniature things. Maybe that explains why Rascal has me wrapped around his paw… he IS a MINIATURE Pinscher!
Could you resist this little face??
Didn’t think so! 
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Switching gears: I was thinking over the weekend about another part of The Kind Diet that really resonated with me but that I didn’t include as a part of the review. It has to do with the phrase “REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE”.
I feel good about the amount of recycling we do in our household (vs. throwing things in the trash). We are very lucky that our waste management company (Eagle Waste) includes recycling FOR FREE when you use them for your trash pickup. You just have to have some marked bins. What Alicia reminded me of after reading her book is that while recycling is great, you still want to focus on REDUCING and REUSING before you even go that next step of recycling.
I’d gotten so used to recycling that I confess I had kind of forgotten about the other two. When I would rinse a glass jar that maybe had spaghetti sauce in it, I’d have normally placed that right into the recycle bin and felt that I was doing a good thing by recycling it.
Well, sort of.
Yes, it’s 100% better than choosing the trash bin. But this weekend it occurred to me that there was NO REASON to recycle those glass jars when I could absolutely REUSE them. I can take my lunch in one so that I have something of glass to microwave my food in (since I do NOT like to heat my food anywhere near plastic if I can help it.) Or I can store leftover veggie broth. Or drink a cup of coffee out of one (or WINE!)
So yesterday when I did my weekly fridge organizing to make room for the groceries, I kept ALL of the glass containers out of the recycle bin, washed them and put them in my cabinet next to our drinking glasses. I did the same with my Tokyo Joe’s plastic ‘take-out’ containers. They are just as good as the GladWare that I have picked up once or twice at the store (the thin kind that is considered ‘disposable’ but that I use just like Tupperware.)
Now I know this is a health & fitness blog, but I feel that the health of the Earth qualifies for inclusion here every once in a while. Because the healthier Mother Earth is, the healthier WE can be too! And I figured if I needed a nudge to ‘remember’ to REUSE before I recycle, then maybe you might like a nudge too!
Are you a big recycler? How do you REDUCE and REUSE? Please feel free to share any tips that YOU use for reducing and reusing in the comments section so that we can all learn and be kind to our environment!
Have a beautiful evening friends!
– Shari B. =)
#1 by Claude Russek on June 27, 2011 - 10:26 am
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Most people want to be eco-friendly but for the most part at least currently sometimes going green technlogoy is not financially a good idea currently.I have looked at eco-friendly and green technology alternatives like igo green charger and have adapted where it makes financial sense. So far I have also installed solar panels on my home but while looking for a electric car I find the cost doesnt justify it for me. While I am passionate about making green choices and opting for green technology whenever possible it is up to people like you and I to spread awareness and let the companies know there is a demand. Your website looks popular and I think you can help influence society with your insight and green technology tips. By the way I found your site by searching ” Remembering to REDUCE and REUSE | FitFeat ” and you were the first result. So I think your website is a perfect platform to discuss ideas that are thought provoking to help influence your readers to go green. – Good luck with your site, you deserve all the success! Please continue to talk about more eco-tips/green tech, every idea helps us get closer day by day!
#2 by Carrie on January 15, 2010 - 11:49 am
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Shari,
Have you heard of The Feecycle Network? I’m a part of a few of the groups in it. Basically, you post items online that you want to give away for free and other people can then take them off your hands. The plus is that you don’t have to throw the stuff away and it’s definitely being “reused!” I’ve gotten some great stuff and given some good stuff away on this network. Check it out at http://www.freecycle.org/.
#3 by Shari B. on January 18, 2010 - 9:24 am
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Hi Carrie,
Yes, I have heard of Freecycle! Isn’t that an awesome idea?? I’ve been to the site, but haven’t used it personally because for some reason we use craigslist for free stuff too… so next time I’ll have to give Freecycle a try!
Way to REUSE and REDUCE, Carrie!
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#4 by Carrie on January 13, 2010 - 10:24 am
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Shari, thanks for GREAT reminder! I’m like you – I remember to recycle everything, but I forget about the reduce and reuse (especially the reuse!) principles. I’m going to be more conscious of that in the future!
#5 by Shari B. on January 14, 2010 - 6:39 am
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Hi Carrie! Glad to give a nudge… I definitely needed one too!
#6 by Joan on January 12, 2010 - 6:47 pm
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Just as I happen to be reading this post asking about recycling my hubster comes home from work with another stack of ‘recycle’ paper from his job. Apparently paper can’t go thru their printer 2x so blanks get put in a recycle bin. He brings them home for us to use in our printer which doesn’t care how many time paper passes thru. We use these sheets, both sides to print stuff before I recycle them to our bin or shredder. Did that make any sense?
Also love to compost stuff!
.-= Joan´s last blog ..January Cheer! =-.
#7 by Shari B. on January 12, 2010 - 8:20 pm
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Hi Joan,
Yes that totally makes sense – some of our printers at work seem to have that problem because the paper builds up static electricity after it goes through and then ALL the pages stick together. How cool that he gets to bring that paper home – which saves trees AND helps you save money!
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#8 by Fallon on January 11, 2010 - 5:03 pm
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I started saving my glass jars from nut butters and such to use for overnight oats or to eat a parfait out of them etc. I love it. It is easy for travel as well. Plus it is glass and I know that it is better to eat from that then plastic if you have to heat up something inside.
.-= Fallon´s last blog ..I <3 Gelato =-.
#9 by Shari B. on January 12, 2010 - 5:20 pm
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Hi Fallon! Thanks for sharing! Ooooh overnight oats in a glass jar, another GREAT tip!!
#10 by Cindy on January 11, 2010 - 4:52 pm
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I am game! (but I have to flash my abs?) haha
thanks for my challenge shout Lady! put a big ole smile on my face!
I know you like miniature cupcakes too~
and lil rascal IS just the sweetest thing ever !!
okay, I love to reuse and recycle. LOVE it. I am always saving the packaging things come in if I can use it for other things. THAT and I just bought a canvas bag for groc shopping. I re use the plastic bags for trash liners but am sick of getting bags only to put them in the bin. SICK I SAY!
So each week I will buy one and in a few more weeks I will have enough to say NO THANKS to paper OR plastic.
I resuse my glass mason jars to hold my bulk grains and things….like quinoa, millet, flours (like coconut) and the like. I buy a LOT of things in bulk so that is fun to see them in glass jars in the pantry!
glad you got an outside run and a friend visit at SBUX
.-= Cindy´s last blog ..Are you ready? =-.
#11 by Shari B. on January 12, 2010 - 5:19 pm
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Hi Cindy! We use Target bags for our recycle ‘liners’ similar to what you mention (Target bags are sturdier and fit better than the other grocery store bags for some reason). Our local Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocer went completely BAGLESS not too long ago, to force people to bring their own bags, which I think is a great idea. Because of that, I usually remember to keep a canvas bag or two in my car now!
Oh… good idea on the glass jars for bulk items! I have some extra azuki (adzuki) beans and some quinoa, so I can use your idea! Thanks for sharing!