Terry Murphy

Busy month, which in some ways makes this easier. I have to keep it simple. Cooking vegan soups ahead of time, having salad stuff prepped makes for quick dinners.

Although this was not on my list, I am putting it there. I live in a small town (Belmont) next to a large city (Boston) and a progressive city (Cambridge). Belmont has started cutting down mature trees. A lot of them. Three on my street yesterday. Before my street got hit, I attended the "Shade Tree Committee" meeting to inquire about the trees on other streets that i saw coming down. ... But the group never addressed this, only to spend time talking about the 300 trees they will be planting ... "sometime". A neighbor (who bought his house last year because he loved the trees) and I are going to sound the alarm on this. It is insane. There are a few trees that should be cut down ... one has been dead for a year and the other one is so hollowed out I can punch a hole in it. But no, we're talking trees that have about 50 years worth of growth. So, yes, I am angry and I am going to put on my activist hat.

Today I bit the bullet and realized that we would be eating seafood and meat in the coming months ... or at least I would be cooking it. So I put in an order with our local farm (small, family-owned) and paid premium prices for local seafood and meat. I realize this is not the answer to solving climate change nor supporting animal rights, but I also know what the household expectations are so I work to make the best of it.

My biggest problem is remembering. I did take my garbage with me and I did have my own bags etc., but it takes this challenge for me to remember my goal. What happens in May?

Last summer we were under drought warnings. I found myself taking my gray water and watering the plants. I decided to work under the same premise, regardless of conditions.

Realized I have trained myself to take brief showers ... even when I have the luxury of super hot water in the gym shower and it feels great on tired muscles. A bell goes off in my head and I stop the pleasure. Walking OUT of the gym gets me even higher than a hot shower, so I aim for that instead.

Don't believe people when they tell you the little things don't matter .. that only 9 percent of our plastic gets recycled. So reduce your plastic use by 10 percent, 50 percent, whatever and your attacking the problem from a different angle. Weakening their argument ..

I started planning meals again to avoid waste and buy what I need. I also joined Misfits ... which is worth checking out. Boston also has a Too Good To Go app that alerts you when local restaurants, bakeries etc., have excess food at a discount cost. Example: For less than $5 at Iggy's Bakery (one of the finest suppliers of bread/baked goods in the area), we got six multiseed bagels, a large baguette and a large loaf of focaccia bread. We shared it with a neighbor. You can refine your search and while you don't know what you'll be getting for your $5, you can guess based on the source. This food would not have gone to a food bank, but instead ended up as compost or basic food waste.