One Resolution Done. I Hope.

Chad and I have the same problem with our attempts to live in harmony with the earth as have many before us: We live on a budget.

Inside Whole Paycheck.

Not that I think earth-friendly living is necessarily costly, but in this era of free-range eggs, grass-fed beef, and organic produce, all of which are more costly than their more traditional counterparts, it's easy to believe that only those with disposable income can afford to love the earth. All it takes to "confirm" this suspicion is one trip to Whole Foods (also known as Whole Paycheck).



However, that's not an accurate picture of reality. Chad & I each have a genealogy filled with working-class people who had to spend every penny wisely. Indeed, our families had sustainable lifestyles long before we knew there was such a thing.

Reuse everything that is reusable. Don't waste. Walk when you can instead of driving. Grow your own vegetables. These tenets of the eco-friendly crowd are all part of the lifestyle that I grew up in, and to me are just common sense.

And it's to this end, reusing, that I'm learning how to make my own yogurt. Because there are only so many ways to reuse yogurt containers, and only so much limited shelf space to keep them in. And while I am willing to forgo yogurt for the good of the planet, my husband is not, and I feel guilty every time I throw away one of those non-recyclable plastic containers.

So, today is the day! I have armed myself with milk, plain yogurt for a starter, jars, a large pot, and thermometers to keep tabs on the temperature. I'll let you know how it goes.