Chic Eco Freak Seeks Equally Freaky; Superhero Capes Preferred

I used to be embarrassed about being tree hugger girl. Recycling girl. Compost girl. While standing in the dining hall during dinner hours and instructing people that they should compost their paper napkins I would think, “God, I look ridiculous. People must think I have no life.” Even though I knew that what I was doing was important, it seemed pretty boring and stupid at the time.

Then something occurred to me. Some people probably do think that I’m an annoying, plant-worshiping, environmental nerd. But a lot of people think it’s cool. It was pretty lonely standing next to a trash can of food slop in plastic gloves and an apron for a few hours, but in reality, I am one of over three million college students who volunteer (www.nationalservice.gov).

And there are so many activists in the world who are much more dedicated to their causes than me--Bono, Al Gore, Angelina Jolie. I’ve never thought, “Jeez, why can’t the Dahli Lama just give it a break for a second and play some Super Smash Brothers this weekend like a normal person?”

In fact, the only negative thought I can possibly have regarding other activists is guilt because they are much more generous with their time and resources than me. I discovered that there is no reason to be ashamed of being a passionate person. And as soon as I stopped being embarrassed about being an eco-freak, I was suddenly way more hip and interesting.
When I asked Ashley George, the coordinator for the Center for Service and Civic Engagement, one reason why someone should volunteer, she said, activism is “essential to the functioning of our communities and connect[s] us as human being to each other in a way that can’t happen in many other capacities.” Okay—so I didn’t feel particularly connected to humanity during my existence as compost girl, but that’s because I hadn’t found a type of service that could grab my attention. It turned out that environmental architecture was my thing.

With this in mind, I have an assignment for the semester: be a freak. Find an issue that gets you foaming at the mouth, (maybe Champlain being a dry campus, skateboard bans in your hometown, or littering,) and do something about it. Research it. Tell your friends about it. Write a letter to someone with power. Design a t-shirt about it. Meet other people who are interested in it. Bring it up in class discussions. Dress up as it for Halloween, and when people ask, tell them about it!

You might feel foolish and a little obsessed at first, but I think you’ll find that your friends respect you for not hiding the most interesting aspects of your personality from them. Yes, a few laugh and say, “dude, you’re wasting your time,” but in the end, other people will see that they are the absurd ones, not you. Especially for the guys, girls love it when you get worked up about animal abuse or homelessness or cancer research, so don’t be afraid to flout your cause. There are plenty of other bonuses to becoming an expert about an issue, too. You’ll have a subject to write your next research paper about. You’ll meet other people with the same interest as you. You’ll be able to volunteer your time for something that actually interests you. You’ll become aware of other related issues that may interest you even more. And you may find a career focus or lifelong hobby.

The only way to get motivated to do all these things, though, is to find an issue that gets you jazzed. So pick up a newspaper or watch the news--even the Daily Show can get you started. Once you get going, it won’t seem more like work any longer--more like a mission. Ever notice that Superman and Batman seem to be the most popular and lovable characters on their shows? It’s because everyone loves daring, generous, and optimistic people, so be the coolest person you know this year and do something BIG.

What I Did over my Summer Staycation: A Story about 7 Eco-Experiments

I’m totally into the “green” trend that’s been going on, but I want to do more than wear t-shirts with recycling signs on them, so this summer I experimented with 7 eco-ideas that were easy and cheap to try.  Here’s my countdown of the sweetest greens of the season:  

            7.  Goodwill:  Let’s face it, Goodwill is not the store to buy favorite jeans or a pair of running shoes.  Some of the stuff you and I need just has to be brand new.  Other stuff doesn’t.  Goodwill is my one-stop shopping for t-shirts that are ironically outdated, Halloween costumes, and sweet 80s-themed accessories.  For those of us who appreciate vintage, Goodwill is an oasis of overalls in a desert of maxi-length dresses and gladiator sandals.  This summer, I bought a practical and cute sweater at Goodwill for $5 and some dishware for my new apartment that only knocked me back $12.  Brand new, the combined cost for my two purchases would have probably been around $50.  Donating to Goodwill or shopping there is a rewarding way to recycle, reduce, and reuse, since it helps keep clothes and household goods out of landfills and in the homes of people who need them. 

            6.  Organic Make-Up:  I’ve been suspicious of all-natural beauty products ever since I bought an organic face wash at Trader Joes that made my eyes burn and smelled like swamp water.  Naturally, this made it difficult for me to part with $10 to buy myself some organic tinted moisturizer at Rite Aid last month, but it was a purchase that I didn’t regret.  My new, Organic Wear make-up doesn’t stink and works just as well as other brands that have an ingredient list with a word count that gives the 7^th Harry Potter a run for its money.  Sometimes my moisturizer does get liquidy and I have to shake it before using, but I would not say that this minor inconvenience makes me less than a completely satisfied customer.     

            5.  Recycled Toilet Paper:  This stuff is certainly not a luxury brand, but it gets the job done at an affordable price.  Recycled paper is definitely worth the trees it saves, but like any product that claims to be “recycled,” “organic,” or “all natural” be sure to check the packaging (or online) to see how eco-friendly its claims really are.  

            4.  Cloth Napkins:  Cloth napkins are the most colorful way to reduce and reuse this summer.  Shop around for some inexpensive ones that match (or clash trendily) with your dining décor.  They last for years, take up barely any room in the washing machine, and will make your friends jealous.  Who doesn’t want to dine in style? 

            3.  Homemade Bread and Other Delicacies:  I didn’t bake it myself, but I got the most delicious bread at my local farmer’s market last week.  Not only did the bread travel less than 20 miles from oven to mouth, but it also allowed me to support the friendly, local woman who sold it to me with my $4 purchase from her small business.  Our market also had strawberries, radishes, lettuce, organic meat, and a tempting variety of desserts available, so I’m planning to treat myself to a trip to the Augusta farmer’s market every weekend this summer. 

            2.  Best Product of the Summer:  When I bought Yes to Carrots face wash a few days ago, I instantly became addicted.  It made my skin smoother and softer than any other cleanser I have ever used.  Now I can’t wait to get out to Target, Rite Aid, or Walgreens to try some more Yes to Carrots products like their lotion, lip balm, and shampoo.  The packaging for these treasures is recyclable and the products contain at least 95% organic ingredients.  Yes to Carrots is also not tested on animals, so you can indulge in these vitamin-laden beauty necessities without guilt for about 10 to 15 dollars.

            1.  Food Inc.: A $6.50 movie pass changed the way I eat when I went to see Food Inc. last night.  This is the best horror film/food documentary since Supersize Me came out in 2004.  Food Inc. gives a thorough explanation of exactly what we are buying at grocery stores and in restaurants and why our current farming techniques need to change.  For example, I learned that since Mickey D’s is the #1 buyer of beef in the U.S., it is up to them (not the farmers) to decide how beef is produced and -- trust me -- it’s not a pretty story.  Go to http://www.foodincmovie.com/ to see the trailer and learn more.   

            If you feel inspired to try out some other green products please comment about them, so that I can decide that I need them.  For me, supporting the planet is a worthy excuse to indulge, so I’ll keep you posted about more eco-goodies as I discover them.