Every week I talk about food waste.  Why?  Other than it’s so cool and fun?  In the hope that it will make me aware of how much food (and money) I’m throwing away when something gets tossed in the garbage and not eaten.

Americans waste more than 40 percent of the food we produce for consumption. That comes at an annual cost of more than $100 billion.    via Wasted Food

Kristen, over at The Frugal Girl started documenting her food waste in March 2008, added pictures and then challenged her readers to join the fight.  Don’t be a Grouch, keep it out of the can.

I know this cream cheese looks pretty tasty but want you can’t see is a fine mist of mold over much of the top.  And yes, I do know that mold on cheese is not that big a deal.  On hard cheese I do tend to cut it off but this is whipped and I tend to be somewhat cautious with what I eat while breastfeeding Baby S.  And I would care about Toddler L too, especially as this cream cheese what bought for him.  But after the first two crackers he decided he didn’t want any more.

In fact, the last time he had it was while driving to Portland.  I had just bought the tub when I realized we were leaving town in a couple of days.  So I packed it in a cooler and took it on the road.  Crackers and cheese should be a good car snack, not too messy.

Toddler L had a cracker smeared and asked for another.  A few minutes later here’s the scene;

Toddler L, from the back seat: “Crackerhead.”

I turn and look.

Toddler L, nicely strapped into his car seat: “cracker…where’d it go?…where’d it go?”

My darling child has taken his cracker, using the cream cheese as glue and stuck it to his forhead.

After smearing it through his hair.

Why?

I have no flippin’ idea.

Toddler L has a look of nonchalance on his face and doesn’t seem at all concerned that my eyes are tearing up as I try to hold in the laughter.  I can’t afford to encourage this behaviour, who knows where he would take it from here.

But alas, that was the end of his interest in cream cheese.

So instead I thought I’d share a few of the images that do inspire me.  Our trip to Portland and subsequent drive down the Oregon and California coastline has reminded me of one thing…

Get outside.  Life is happening all around us.

this way

that way

over here

stop and smell the roses

down

and up

a little boy in a great big world

may we always keep that sense of wonder

ahhh, brotherly love

my perfect family

I have become more aware of my impact on the planet and how to reduce it.  This is a good thing.  And in my nice, tidy little world I have quite a bit of control over it.  All my control is gone when I travel.  Okay, not all.  But enough that it makes me anxious.  I feel like I need to pack an extra large suitcase so I can bring back all of our cans, bottles and papers that won’t get recycled depending on where we are.  Crazy, I know.  But once I buy something I feel like I’m responsible for it, including it’s proper disposal.

This weekend we are headed to Portland.  It’s one of the most environmentally aware cities in the country.  I have high hopes that we won’t see as much plastic and waste.  But I’m also realistic.

So, do I take that extra suitcase or just live with the guilt that I can’t be responsible for everything everywhere?

Here are some tips I found.  They don’t answer my questions but they are good to keep in mind.

• Along with your cutest sundress, flip-flops and biodegradable sunscreen (it’s Portland, we won’t need any of these things – unfortunately), remember to include a reusable water bottle, a to-go mug for your morning coffee and a reusable shopping bag.  I already carry my own water bottle, but I like the idea of my coffee mug too.

• You may be able to find recycling at rest areas so bring along extra bags to sort these in the car.  This doesn’t really apply to an air travel trip, but will still be on the look-out for blue bins wherever we are.

• If you get to the beach and you find that you’ve forgotten to bring along a volleyball, look for a store that specializes in used equipment. With any luck you can sell it right back to them at the end of your stay.  I think this is an untapped business idea.  I can just see equipment stands every half mile down the beach like the lifeguard stations.

• Ask ahead before booking at a campground or hotel about their recycling capabilities.  I didn’t do it ahead of time but I will definitely be asking when we check into our hotel.

• Bring your own toiletries in reusable containers rather than using then tossing the mini shampoos that hotels provide.  This one gets mixed reviews.  It’s a good idea, but those hotel containers also become the travel toiletries for all the husband’s business travel. So bringing them home is almost like recycling.

There you have it.  I’ll be precycling what I can, checking out the local thrift stores as part of our entertainment and maybe even get in a Zip Car ride while there.

I guess I should just relax and enjoy the ride.

♦ ♦ ♦

On a completely different green note, I’ll leave you with this.  It has nothing to do with travel, I just thought it was a great idea.

low-maintenance idea for adding a touch of green: succulents in cordial glasses