Being Green: Eat Right, Marry Well, Big Picture.

Visit them all, or pick the one that matters to you today.

1. On the Green Path: Get Outside and Play!
2. Being Green: Eat Right, Marry Well, Big Picture (You are here)
3. Green Home Ec: Line Your Eco Nest
4. Green Work: Building a Green Career
5. Big Green World: Think Globally, Act Locally

(We owe that phrase, secondhand, to a particularly excellent teacher down at Cal Poly.)

Eat Right:

• Listen to your body. (Eat what's right for you, not a universal "diet.")
• Moderation in all things. (Indulge a little, lay off a little, explore a little.)
• Get creative and colorful. (Color is nutrition, so decorate your plate.)

Yes, you can cut back on meat, buy local and organic, grow your own food, avoid refined and chemical foods, make sprouts and smoothies. But you know that already. What's working for you? Do what's right for you, your family, and your budget.

Marry Well:
A good marriage makes a huge difference to your chance of living a long, healthy, and happy life. 

But a bad marriage can derail your dreams, estrange you from friends and family, or even endanger your life.  

Don't jump a train that's going nowhere. Hitch up to whoever supports you and brings out your best self.  (That means friends, sisters, brothers, mentors, in addition to the love of your life.)

Choose wisely.  Love well.  Be true.  Be you.

Big Picture:
Don't get stuck in the details.  A look at the whole can bring fresh insight, boost your creative power, and remind you of what really matters.  Sometimes it allows you to relax and laugh at your struggles.  Other times, you realize you need more help, quick!

Keep your perspective.

Why is this green advice?  

Being healthy, happy, and aware are the cornerstones of being effective at anything.  That includes taking on an environmentally sustainable lifestyle. 

Misery, sacrifice, and martyrdom are not sustainable.  The drama may be riveting, but it takes a lot of energy and turns most people off.  The actions of 'most people' have the biggest effect on our shared environment.

Saving the world is really about people.  Like any other lifestyle choice, 'greenies' do it because it feels good - noble, or energetic, or right.  Other people may get the same kicks from preaching, bargain shopping, or babysitting their grandkids. 

Saving the world is selfish.  For everyone.  We want the world we know and love, "the good ol' days."   We want to live where people thrive, instead of giant cockroaches or dinosaurs.

So do what makes you thrive.

Meet your needs and feed your family.   

Fall in love each day, with something or someone that makes you smile.

Watch for opportunities to live up to your goals, gifts, and heritage.

Then reach out and add your mark to the big picture.