Thursday, July 24, 2008

pat yourself on the back day

Various bloggers, myself included, have recognized our green "failures" from time to time - we forget to bring our reusable bags into the store, we make an unplanned stop for coffee with friends and don't have our reusable mugs along, or we indulge in a can of soda even though we've sworn it off. Acknowledging these little lapses is an important thing to do so that we can move forward past them. We recognize that overall, our efforts and successes are more important than our slip-ups in the end, and we move on.

Today, though, I'm declaring an official "pat yourself on the back day" - a day to acknowledge one thing that you're proud of yourself for doing this week, or month, and to give yourself credit for it. As important as it is to acknowledge the little mistakes we make, I think it's equally crucial to reflect on the things we're doing right.

My pat on the back is for something pretty simple really. My book club meets at the biggest Whole Foods I've ever been in. They have two cafe / bistro areas in there. The first serves ice cream, pastries, coffee and such, and the second serves sandwiches, fries, wine, and more entree like items. I've figured that if I enter the building at the end near the ice cream, I can enjoy one scoop by the time I get to the bistro at the other end where we meet, just in time to enjoy a glass of wine over our book discussion. Mindful eating? Not really. Discretionary eating? Absolutely. But I really love their cardamom ice cream, and I haven't found anywhere else to get it, so I'm probably going to continue this little habit.

On the other hand, I remembered to bring along the (washed) disposable plastic cup they'd served it in last time, and when I ordered, I handed it back to the girl, who looked shocked for a second, then thanked me for bringing it, and filled it up for me.

It's a little thing, but I was very proud of myself, for some reason, of having remembered to bring that little cup along.

So let's hear from you - what's one thing you'd like to pat yourself on the back for? It can be a little thing or a big thing, but leave a comment and tell us what it is, and give yourself some credit!

15 comments:

Joyce said...

We didn't need to put the trash out this week! And there are three of us!

Chile said...

I was sorely tempted to go out for crappy fast food today, but I didn't. Woohoo!

Now I'm off to make a nice healthy dinner. :)

hmd said...

Ok. This was a biggie. Hubby and I have been talking about it for a long time. Despite some initial progress, my health has deteriorated again over the last two months, so today, I announced to my boss that I'm quitting my job next month. I was a little wigged out at first, but after I did it, I felt really good. The plan is to take a year off, concentrate on feeling better and figure out what the heck I want to be when I grow up (I know, at 34 I should have it figured out by now - oh well). But I did what I think is right for me right now. I did it. I really did it...

Joan said...

I went to the grocery store today didn't buy the overly processed stuff we usually eat. Tonight my 11 year old daughter served us strawberries with real whip cream she made not from a can you turn upside down and squirt.

Chile said...

Congratulations, Heather! I've been there and have never regretted the decision.

Green Bean said...

Awesome! I love that Melissa.

What did I do? I asked for help. I do my city's green task force newsletter. It's pretty simple - cut and paste what people give me, cut and paste a post from my blog, insert some photos, pretty everything up, and proof. The technical aspect, though, has been SO difficult for me. I've used 2 different programs and both will change my font styl and size after I'm done and then not allow me to change them back. I've spent hours, swear words and even a couple tears on this. Yesterday, I told the head of the task force that we need to recruit someone technical to help me. She sent up a flare and we got 3 responses. I only needed one - he's awesome. The other two we're hoping will help us out with other stuff, like the website and a logo. Guess what?! Everyone wins too. The people who wanted to get involved, get involved and I stop biting everyone's head off the week I'm working on the newsletter.

Deb said...

I love the fact that you start at the ice cream end first - that's my girl! I just got home from my five day vacation and picked 27 cukes, 2 green peppers, 2 red hot peppers, 3 larger than life zucchinis and 6 yellow squash - and I am quite proud of myself ! For dinner I served fresh veggies from the garden over pasta! Move over, Barbara Kingsolver, my green thumb is improving!

Anonymous said...

Cardamom ice cream? Intriging. Note to myself, must try.

I am biking to my daughters' school to reorganize their library tomorrow. I am borrowing a pat from the future. Talk about rewarding oneself...

Michele said...

I made a green and thrifty decision about Christmas this year, am very proud of the way my family jumped on board w/an unconventional plan for the holiday season.

Sam said...

Congrats Heather! I'm going to talk to my boss on Monday about quitting and I'm thinking of taking a break for a year too, maybe a small stint at part time employment toward the end of the year. But I need a break really badly.

I bought brown rice from the bulk bin in a paper bag. I have a habit of using the plastic baggies (which I reuse later), but I'm trying to cut down on my plastic consumption.

Anonymous said...

What a great idea! At the end of each month, I write an "accountability post" where I list the changes I've made, and it always makes me feel so good! I've been dwelling a lot on the changes I can't afford to make this month, so I appreciate the purpose of this post.

Each month, there are a few things that seem too little to mention. For example, this month, I took reusable bags to the my CSA pickup this month for my 12 pints of blueberries, and I asked the person in charge if they can reuse the plastic packaging and if they can reuse egg cartons. They can; now I just need to remember to take them to her at the next pickup!

Melissa said...

joyce, that is impressive!

chile, sometimes it's what we don't do as much as what we do, isn't it?

heather, wow, that is a biggie! congratulations!!! btw, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up either :)

joan, isn't it wonderful how delicious our healthy choices can be sometimes!?

green bean, it can be so hard to admit we can't do it all alone sometimes, can't it? pat on the back for you!

debbie, when is your book coming out? ;)

cindyw, the ice cream is sooo worth trying! borrowing from the future is fine in my book!

rapunzel, you are thinking ahead!

beany, it's funny, I've never thought of using a paper bag for my bulk stuff. I have reusable produce bags but for sugar, etc. I can't use those. good idea!

green resolutions, remembering stuff is often the hardest part for me! I have a huge stack of berry containers to return to my csa because I forget them EVERY single week. For like 3 months now! but they'll be returned eventually!

hmd said...

Thanks! I'm not sure it feels real yet, but I'm pretty excited about it. I'll be blogging about it soon, I'm sure. :)

Kale for Sale said...

I've been working at buying less food and still coming up with fresh and delicious meals. It's a miracle every time because it looks like there is nothing to eat but my creative juices kick into high gear and my cute guy thinks I'm magic. It's good fun.

Melissa said...

kale for sale, isn't it crazy how hard it can be to buy less food? let him keep thinking you're magic, btw...that could come in handy :)