Earth day and the conclusion of my A-Z series

HAPPY EARTH DAY!! 

And what a perfect occasion to finally complete my A-Z going green series.  Sorry for prolonging this series but I hope you enjoyed the information and even learned something.  My goal is that it made you pause and reflect on your own life.  My hope is that you will adapt at least one green tip into your daily routine. 

Q-Z:

Q – Question businesses that do not have a written and implemented green policy and philosophy.  Find about what your favorite stores say about green issues. 

R – RECYCLE:  Recycling is one of the easiest ways you can positively impact the environment. Even when at-home recycling pick up is not available,  your apartment complex does not offer the service, or when your current recycling service is limited, there are local facilities which accept a greater variety of recyclable products including plastics, metals, glass, cardboard, paper etc.  In many states, these facilities are even free.  Please check out your local resources and recycling everything that is recyclable.

S – buy in Season: April – zucchini, rhubarb, artichokes, asparagus, spring peas, broccoli, lettuce, pineapples, and mangoes.  May – okra, zucchini, rhubarb, artichokes, asparagus, spring peas, broccoli, lettuce, cherries, pineapples, and apricots.  Check out this site!

T - Think green when you Travel:  Be aware of your CO2 footprint (take a train over flying when possible, carpool, or choice non-stop flights), support the local economy while avoiding tourism souvenirs like shells and animal products, which harm the local environment and animal life, and never liter especially while camping. 

U – Use reusable diapers!  Never have I been a proponent of reusable diapers.  But I recently learned about a diaper service that sets to-be parents up with reusable diapers and deliver fresh diapers and picks up foiled diapers weekly.  I very well could be the only person who didn’t know about a service but this changes everything!  I am warming up to the idea and several wise mothers have informed me that reusable diapers help children become potty trained sooner. YIPPIE! National Association of Diaper Services

V – aVoid overnight shipping:  In fact, ground shipping tends to be six times more energy efficient than air. Avoiding overnight delivery will also save you a bundle of money, since companies add a hefty price for the service.

W – Wrap, that is try new Reynolds Wrap, made from 100% recycled aluminum foil. And yes, recycle and reuse tin foil.

X – Xing! I can’t think of anything for X so I must repeat one of my favorites… Use Reusable Bags!!  I LOVE them.

Y - You, and You alone, can make a big impact on the environment, both positively and negatively. Start by talking about green issues at home.  Making reusing, recycling, and conserving a part of your family’s routine.

Z – Zipcar: See if a car exchange service like Zipcar is right for you. 

Thanks for reading and have a great Earth Day!!  Stop reading this and get outside…. Seriously stop reading J

Moving to Baltimore

We are officially moving to Baltimore, Maryland on May 2nd.  Josh got accepted into a 12 week Internal Medicine rotation.  This is considered a "special" rotation because Josh starts the rotation before receiving his Step 1 scores.  Josh takes his first medical licensing exam (USMLE Step 1) on May 1st.   Most medical students have to wait the dreaded 2-8 weeks to receive their life-changing Step scores.  Fortunately, this special rotation gives Josh a "head start".  We are still hoping to end up back in Saginaw in August to complete Josh's remaining rotations.  We are keeping our fingers crossed.  

If anyone has lived in Maryland, I could definitely use some help finding an affordable, safe apartment that accepts short term leases.  Help would be greatly appreciated!!

Med School Information and Dates, if you are interested!:

-3rd and 4th year medical students are required to complete 48 weeks of "core rotations" (internal medicine, ER, family, psychiatry, OBGYN, and surgery) as well as a 30 weeks of elective rotations, which can consist of any sub specialty that the medical student is interested in.  Basically, the next two years will be Josh's big introduction into clinical medical and a hands on exploration of a variety of specialties.  This is the stage where most future doctors determine which field of medicine they wish to pursue.  

- In March 2011, Josh will enter into the national "Match".  Every graduated medical student throughout the United States enters the same Match.  (Unless the student is able to make prior arrangements with a Residency program).   The Match is designed to match graduated medical students with a Residency program at a particular hospital.  

Tony's

On the travel channel, we discovered a famous restaurant named Tony's about 20 minutes from Saginaw. Tony's is a glorified diner known for their 1 lb BLT and their half gallon banana spilt sundaes. Naturally, we had to see what all the fuss was about!! Sam and Katrina enjoying half a pig

Do your arteries hurt?

Now that's what I'm talking about

Dessert is the always the best part of the meal