Since we began Project Green Foot, we have celebrated a few holidays along the way. For the most part, all our friends and family have been supportive and respectful of our “no-waste gifts” theme, and we have been very appreciative of this. I think everyone knows by now how much I dislike creating waste, and when different holidays pop up, it is no different. I feel as though there are so many waste-less ways to show you care!

This past week was my birthday, and my 2 sis-in-laws came through again with 2 thoughtful and waste-free gifts. First, I received a Whole Foods gift card because she knows I am a Whole Foods junky. I am going to burn a whole right through that gift card in no time. Oh wait, I already have. I purchased dates and raisins on Saturday. Yes, my sis-in-law got me a date for my birthday – I wonder if her brother (J.P) knows?

Have you ever seen a baby elephant? Aren't they just the cutest?

“A tiny newborn elephant is orphaned, often its mother and family gunned down to serve the Ivory trade, its life support gone; any survivors fleeing in terror; its fate now suffering and death in hopeless and lonely isolation it cannot understand. For an elephant, the family is all important; its very existence dependent upon its mother's milk for the first two years of life and a life that should span three score years and ten, equivalent to that of man. In a perfect world that elephant life would be filled with fun and joy through the companionship of friends and a close-knit and loving family, whose love is pure and unconditional all the days of its life.”

Reading that made me so sad. I guess you know where I am going with this. My sis-in-law is going to foster a baby elephant on behalf of me and J.P. for both our birthdays through The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. We haven't chosen the elephant yet, but I want to adopt them all.

At the end of a great birthday with J.P and little E, I bet you can guess where we went to get some grub? If you can’t, just scroll down to restaurants, and it should be crystal clear.

1-PURCHASES

Farmers market (all grown in Texas)

• 25 small cucumbers
• 4 cartons of strawberries
• 4 cartons of medium tomatoes
• 4 red peppers
• 15 super large carrots- I mean gigantic
• 10 oranges
• 10 apples
• 1 extra-large piece of ginger
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 bunch of basil
• 1 bunch of parsley
• 2 medium red onions
• 1 large bunch of red lettuce

Sub-Total: 83.00

Whole Foods

Bulk

• 2 bunches of bananas (11.84  lbs)
• Californian dates (2.57 lbs)
• California raisins (1.94 lbs)
• Californian lemons (1.80 lbs)
• Texan grapefruit (3.59 lbs)
• 3 Californian avocados

Non-Bulk

• 2 cartons of coconut milk
• 2 bottles of Kombucha
• Tempeh
• Compost bags
• Sunflower seed oil
• Apple cider vinegar

Sub-total: 28.66 (because of gift card- thanks to Amy and the boys!)

Restaurants

• Wednesday: J.P had his weekly lunch at Chipotle. 10.07
• Thursday: We had Chipotle for my birthday 19.00
• Saturday: We went to Spiral Diner (all vegan/organic) for a second birthday lunch 39.00

Sub-Total: 68.07

Total: 179.73

2-COMPOSTING
I was a juice monster once again this past week. However, I was addicted to green juices this time- mainly cucumber, celery, and lettuce with a splash of ginger and orange. Little E really enjoys sharing stealing my juices. I can’t really complain though- much better than downing some sugar filled drink.

Since I am juicing so much, we have lots more to compost. I really need to come up with some creative ways to use my juice pulp. I am just so darn lazy sometimes. Anyone have any easy and quick suggestions?

The total weight of our compost was 20 lbs.

3-RECYCLING
I am proud to say that we have reduced our recycling by a significant amount, just by not purchasing certain items- mostly prepackaged, and sticking to buying in bulk. Purchasing in bulk will be a big challenge once we are back in Montreal. I did, however, find out that Prana in Montreal sells their products in bulk and I will be purchasing from them directly. It will be less expensive, and less waste. This made my week, well besides my birthday and all.

4-TRASH
We had little trash this past week. Just the usual suspects- receipts, pieces of plastic from my Kombucha bottles, and a few random pieces of plastic. I can’t believe that we are on week 35 and only have a trash can of garbage. This bring the biggest smile to my face, this means that if we can do it, so can you! Only you- can prevent stuff from going to a landfill!

5-TRAVEL
This week, we drove to the little gym, the farmers market, Whole Foods, Arlington two times for little E's daycare, the park and we did some local driving to Chipotle and Spiral Diner!

The total distance traveled on the TDI was  478.4 km (297 mi) and we filled up about  48.8L ( 12.9 gals) for 50.00, and we still have gas in the car right now!

Disclosure CMP.LY/5