Category Archives: Uncategorized

Unexpectedly, last weekend, my husband and I found a new apartment. The lease on our current place isn’t up until April of 2016, but on a walk through our neighborhood last Sunday morning, we saw a “For Rent” sign on … Continue reading →

Human ingenuity is really a remarkable thing. Lately I’ve been watching episodes of the new “Cosmos” series hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson, and I’ve marveled at the human discoveries described on the show that have led us to where we … Continue reading →

One of the most interesting discoveries I’ve made this year as I’ve pursued ridding my life of plastic is this: I’m paying more attention. When I make a purchase, when I walk down a city block, when I see an … Continue reading →

When it comes to washing the dishes, I’m a bit of a fiend. I can say with genuine sincerity that I actually feel a swell of happiness when I perfectly clean a dish—I feel deeply satisfied by the way it … Continue reading →

I have to admit that I’ve been feeling a little bummed out lately with my dedication to this blog and to my commitment to giving up plastic. Most of the posts I’ve written this summer, I realized last week, have … Continue reading →

One of my life’s greatest joys is travel. I love road trips, getting in the car and leaving familiar paths and buildings behind, suddenly finding myself on that open road that quiets miles beyond each city. What I really love, … Continue reading →

In doing some research on how plastic harms marine life, I came across the following quote: “The ultimate challenge lies in detecting the loss of biodiversity in coastal and marine systems. The last fallen mahogany would lie perceptibly on the … Continue reading →

This week, starting on August 1st, Chicago put into effect a citywide ban on plastic bags. This ordinance affects every chain store in the city that sells “perishable or non-perishable” goods—food, clothes, knick-knacks, etc.—meaning that stores like Jewel-Osco, Target, and … Continue reading →

I am a brand loyalist. I use many of the same products from week to week, year to year, with very little experimentation. If I develop a strong love for a product, I have a very hard time branching out … Continue reading →

I always used to think of plastic as a singular material, a transparent cup, for example, or a clear, lightweight bottle. Still, when I hear the word “plastic,” I think of these images rather than picturing the myriad forms that … Continue reading →