What is one small habit that you can build into your daily life that will benefit both you and the environment? The answer is so simple and so obvious that it is easy to overlook - at the same time it is easy to achieve if you set your mind to it! Why not 'give it a go' today? It's never too early or too late to make and keep a New Year Resolution. Here at IResolveTo.Com, we preach about making every day New Year's Day - a new blank page on which you can write your life story. In this case, this one small resolution can make a huge difference for both you and the environment: Bring your lunch to work each day!
It's Monday, Tip Day for ways to 'Give The Boot To Our Carbon Footprints'. In 2008 my New Year 
Resolution is to 'show gratitude' for my blessings by 'giving back' and the environment is one of my recipients. I dedicate three columns each week to news, information and ideas about small, daily steps we can take to reduce our Carbon Footprints. Consider the huge, positive, long-range impact on the environment if each one of us performs 'habitual' actions - like driving fewer vehicle miles, using more energy efficient light bulbs, and turning off lights when we leave rooms. My goal, as an individual, is to urge others to follow my lead, and take a few small steps each and every day toward protecting the environment.
So, "how," you ask, will bringing your lunch benefit both you and the environment. I firmly believe in multi-tasking when it comes to my dreams, resolutions, and daily goals because they blend together to create the rich, unique tapestry that is my life. For instance, one of my Lifetime Resolutions is to exercise daily, while my 2008 resolution is to 'show gratitude by giving back'. I'm raising money by walking 60-miles in the Washington, DC Breast Cancer 3-Day in October. That one resolution is helping me to 'give back' and to 'exercise daily' - multi-tasking my way to success!
Let me give you 5 reasons why bringing your lunch is a good, healthy habit to build into your daily routine, and a great way to multi-task toward achievement:
- If pack a small re-usable cooler and avoid fast food joints during your mid-day break you can reduce your Carbon Footprint by eliminating food wrapper waste in your local landfill!
- If you spend 5-minutes in the morning bagging your lunch you can reduce stress. Instead of spending half your lunch hour waiting in line for food, you can grab your lunch-pail, a good book and a bench in your favorite park, and in turn, enjoy a nice calm, relaxing break.
- If you do a little planning before and during your grocery shopping you can purchase the kind of healthy, wholesome food - including fruits and and vegetables - that will enable you to shave inches off your waist and thighs, and pounds off your figure, particularly if you combine healthy eating habits with a good brisk walk to and from your lunchtime venue!
- If you are reducing stress, cutting unwanted pounds, lowering your blood pressure, increasing your exercise and relaxation - you stand to improve your overall health - and do it by just making one small change that takes five minutes in the morning, packing your lunch!
- If you're spending less money on daily fast food you're putting more money into your own pocket (and perhaps even your savings account). Consider this: If you spend $10.00 each day for fast food and coffee, and instead purchase food and drinks for $5.00 that you will brown-bag, you will save $50 each week, and an incredible $2,450 in a 49 week work-year!
So, why not 'give it a go'? What do you have to lose? By creating this one new habit, which takes as little as 5-minutes in the morning, you could improve your life and the environment in 'five incredible ways!'
Remember: I Resolve To . . . Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year. It's your choice. Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality in five simple, common sense steps: Dare To Dream, Decide, Define, Develop A Plan, and Do It Daily. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good! Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who makes resolutions, keeps resolutions, and enjoys the journey! Let's Go For It!
Need More Inspiration? Wear Your Resolution! Make Every Day New Year's Day. Make Every Day Count. Visit my resolution shop by clicking this link: http://www.cafepress.com/iresolveto
Kim M. Simpson - June 23, 2008
Copyright © I Resolve To™ . . . * All Rights Reserved
Comments