Some Results So Far

Here is a recap of the results from the habits we've developed over 2009 and into this year that have translated into both readily measurable reductions in our resource use and waste production as well as qualitative reductions (more difficult to calculate).

Bottom line so far is that nothing we've done would I consider difficult.

Our process has been to

1. Try out a new method, such as lowering the thermostat or making different choices at the grocery store
2. Keep it up for a week or two, and see if we can establish it as a family habit.
3. Track it over time

Other than choosing food products that are often somewhat more expensive than their non-organic or mass produced counterparts, the two things that we've spent any real money on are buying lightbulbs and insulating the basement.

-electricity:  down 24.70%
-natural gas:  down 3.98% (from 1386 to 1333 CCF's, pretty small change but we didn't get to our basement insulation project until late in the year.)
-water: down 16.16% (from 115 to 99 CCF's)
-auto fuel: down 64.28 %  (from 84 gallons a month down to 30)

Some qualitative results that we don't have numbers for (but in some cases are absolutes):

-We haven't bought any plastic food storage bags since Fall of 2008
-We haven't purchased a single bottle of water since December of 2008
-Our use of products in plastic packaging is way down (but I haven't tracked that numerically). We buy food and home products in clear glass, metal cans, and cardboard, and only very rarely (and after looking for alternatives) in plastic packaging of any sort.
-As of December of 2009, all of the beef we consume is organic, grass fed, and locally produced
-the poultry (including eggs) we buy is also organic and local
-we're still working on the fish question, generally avoiding farm-raised fish, but treading carefully into the wild-caught supplies, not feeling fully informed yet about the impact on specific fisheries
-As of January of 2009 all of the fresh fruits and vegetables we purchase are organic and most are locally produced
-The milk and cream we buy is also all local and organic

Plenty of our food items are still coming from far away (rice, pasta, greens in winter, citrus fruit), but we're not having any trouble finding all organic versions of those foods.

We still have a long way to go ( I now see this as a lifestyle rather than as a journey with an end) and have some ambitious food production and neighborhood networking plans for the balance of 2010.  I am encouraged, after a year and a few months, by how easy this has been so far.