Not too long ago my son and I were grocery shopping. He pointed to a particular treat that he wanted to try, but instead of asking for it he said "That looks really good, but it creates too much container waste." I had to chuckle a bit. His statement either means I'm doing a good job of teaching him environmental responsibility or I'm a little over the top about it all.

Our nutrition habits are one area where we can reduce our impact on the environment. Healthcastle.com recently posted about five changes you can make for a lower carbon diet:

• Buy local. Visit your local farmer's market, but be sure to ask where the produce is from. (I know at the farmer's market near me there is at least one booth that ships produce in from around the country.)
• Go seasonal. Buying off-season means your produce was either shipped from a faraway locale or it was grown in a hot house.
  
• Avoid high carbon foods. Even if they're produced locally, meat and dairy are high carbon foods. Reduce your intact by minimizing portion sizes and serving vegetarian meals more often.
• Use fewer packaged foods. Not only are packaged foods big waste creators, they often have additives and artificial ingredients that aren't nutritionally beneficial.
  
• Bring home leftovers. If you've got leftovers at a restaurant, don't leave them behind -- it creates unnecessary waste and is a waste of money, too.

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Why don't more people power-walk? I think it comes down to fear, and embarrassment. The thought that "nobody else is out there doing it, so there must be a reason...what am I missing?"

Truth is there is no reason, not a good one anyway. Just not many people get into power-walking, (or speed-walking, or race-walking, or whatever else you want to call it), but it's great exercise and is easier on your joints than running or jogging. Sure, you might feel a little funny at first (or look a little funny, lets be honest), but why let that stop you if it sounds like fun? Get yourself a buddy (strength in numbers!), avoid busy streets and pathways until you get more comfortable, and most importantly do it for yourself only and don't let what other people think bother you!

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