Jennie J.
Columbia, SC
Hello. I am an accountant and I work for a very conservative firm so I was very surprised to see that our CEO send at his monthly update letter which included a link to Earth Hour at the bottom. I had no idea what Earth Hour was an clinked on this link. My interest in the green movement has been less than par but Earth Hour really inspired me. I contribute this to the $ savings I saw as a result of last year's Earth Hour. I tried to get our whole office involved and all my friends. I was so inspired that I began reading everything I could get my hands on, including "Gorgeously Green." I have started a Green Team in our SC office and the two offices in NC have already talked about forming the same committee. We have created a newsletter which comes out on the 15th of every month which not only will talk about work, but we have a Green around the home section, an energy saving section, a featured article, and one monthly challenge. We were just given money for our upcoming months budget and plan to start small by buying corn cups, getting recycling bins, forming a recycling committee, and if anyone will sign a pledge not to use a plastic water bottle each day we will give them a reusable bottle to use instead. We are planning three community service projects and are still in the beginning stages but we are just very excited and have started making personal changes daily. I now use reusable shopping bags, buy organic/local whenever possible, changed our light bulbs, clean my floors with vinegar, and have started buying "green gifts" for all my upcoming friends' weddings!

Shea C.
Cameron Park, CA
Feeding my family is a daily struggle.  One likes vegetables, but not cooked carrots, the other loves tomatoes not broccoli, the oldest smells everything first and my husband....well as long as there are meat and potatoes on the plate, he'll eat. I want to bring balance into our meals.  A little variation wouldn't hurt either, but that's another subject altogether.  I take great pride in cooking for my family.  I want to give them the best and healthiest food I possibly can.  My one change this year is going to be going organic.   Now I've tried this in a baby step with milk some months prior.  I think it lasted about 3 months before we ended up with non-organic in the fridge.  My biggest obstacle is my husband.  I need to educate myself more on the benefits of eating organic food so that I can convince him that the extra cost involved would be worth it.  He's a dollars and sense guy and I'm the healthy sense gal.  The two are colliding right now and unfortunately cost is winning out.  My goal is to educate everyone in my family that going organic is not a Mom decision, but a family lifestyle that benefits us all.  I am going to start today.  There's no better time than now.

Courtney H.
New Orleans, LA
My husband and I live in post-Katrina New Orleans where environmental change is not so easy. This month we commit to recycling all aluminum, plastic, paper, and glass. We live in a 1- bedroom condo, share a car (not hybrid ... yet), and bought an energy efficient washer-dryer unit all in the name of helping the planet. We also no longer eat meat as of January 2008 after reading the water conservation and environmental benefits! Thank you so much!

Kay R.
West River, MD
I will no longer get plastic or paper bags from stores.  I started this practice about a week ago.  I was trying to do this at the grocery store since the beginning of 2008 with several reusable bags that I have purchased at the grocery store.

I have been doing well.  But I would  forget to bring those bulky bags with me to other stores(Target, drug store, etc).  Now that I have received my Gorgeously Green ChicoBag that will no longer be a problem!  Because they fold into a small pouch when not being used, I can keep it in my purse at all times.  As soon as I bring it home & empty its contents, I have gotten in the habit of forming it back into the pouch & put in back into my purse right away. You can even put it on your key ring with the clip on it.  It is so roomy & strong that I do include it with my other reusable bags for groceries.  "Paper or plastic?"  No thank you, I have my own.

Kristine W.
Sun Prairie, WI
I attended the Oprah show that Sophie and Julia were at. I sent in an email because I was interested in composting. This was an amazing show and I learned so much. I sat down the next day and went through Sophie's book. I purged my cabinets of all the harmful pollutants listed in the book, taking them to our nearby disposal plant. My family and I went to Whole Foods that weekend and bought all natural products, such as cotton balls, make-up, shampoo, soap, deodorant and essential oils just to name a few. It was quite an investment, but well worth it. I have also picked up the book, Let it Rot, and I'm reading through that so I can start composting in my backyard. The city of Madison is going to have a composter sale May 2-4 as part of the Go Green Wisconsin program. We will pick up at least one (maybe two) composters at that sale. Lastly, we are going to start supporting our local farmers, through a community farm produce pick-up. I didn't know there were options like this out there. We have a farm by us that we can buy local vegetables, fruit, eggs and chicken and get money back from our health care provider!! This is so exciting and my kids can't wait to go to the farm starting in May. If I hadn't attended the show I would not be as enthusiastic about all these changes.

Sarah W.
Keene, NH
I am forming a green team at my office. A diverse group of people from all different departments have volunteered to gather once a month for two hours to strategize and put into place ways we can make our work days greener.
 
Many of us already compost at home, recycle, etc., yet when we are at our office, we are careless with our use of resources, because we don’t pay the bills (directly), or have to take the trash out. We will be mapping out a plan with immediate changes that can be made within our office walls and spreading our impact to the services we provide to our customers.
 
I’m really looking forward to our first meeting (in two weeks) because everyone has new ideas, and I know that together we’ll really be able to affect a lot of positive changes in our company, and with our clients.

Frances A.
Trenton, SC
I have young children who like to use lots of soap to wash hands. I put a rubber band around the pump part of the soap dispenser. No more telling them to only use a half pump of soap because it will now only go down halfway!

Lynne B
Nashua, NH
Reading Gorgeously Green has changed my life and entire way of thinking!  I have always been conscious of the earth and the way we live—I’ve been a vegetarian for 11 years, I don’t buy leather, try to buy recycled goods, have always bought non-animal tested products and so on.  But when I started reading the book I realized that it goes so much deeper than that and even though I’ve made an effort I can do more. I’m reading chapter five right now and so far I have decided to make better choices in my cosmetic buying habits by purchasing not only non-animal tested items but to really look at the ingredients.  I’ve also decided to carry reusable totes and refuse plastic bags as well as change my household cleaners to green ones and vinegar.  I am also doing my best to educate those around me.  I have two young children at home and now know that if I want the earth to be a clean, safe place for them then I have to work hard at that now.  I also want to set an example for them so that the cycle doesn’t continue.  Thanks for a great book and great way of thinking!

Heidi S.
Laguna Hills, CA
My one change may seem small to some, but is huge for me. I love to shop. And of all the fabulous stores to choose from, my all time favorite is Target! You can get anything and everything there. Target is about a mile and a half down the street from my house. Not good! I spend hundreds at Target every week.
So, I have decided that every time I want to go to Target I will walk. Without driving I will be saving on gas, not polluting the air, getting exercise, and best of all, I can only buy what I really need because I wont be able to carry a boat load of items back to my house. This may be one small step for mankind, but it's one GIANT leap for me!

Merideth W.
Tempe, AZ
After receiving the book Gorgeously Green from my sister as a birthday gift, I really haven't been able to put it down. In college I had a major that forced me to think about how much we consume as a society and what that does to the earth and its inhabitants, including all animal species.
I haven't been able to put the book down and have made several changes that Sophie has suggested. The major change that I have done that I truly believe does the greatest good for the whole planet, is using reusable shopping bags. Many people think just to use them when they go grocery shopping, but don't realize how many other places that they purchase goods. I take my bags to the mall, major retail stores, drug stores, anywhere I think I might purchase something. Every time I use them, I put them back in my car so I won't forget them. If I walk into a store and forget them, I walk right back out and get them out of my trunk. There are no excuses when it comes to saving a plastic bag from a land fill, pond, lake, ocean, or any other habitat where it could cause harm. I truly believe in reusable shopping bags and how much of an impact it could potentially make if everyone used them.

Alison D.
Denville, NJ
Hi Sophie! Saw you on Oprah, you were fantastic! I am so excited to get a composter. I cant decide between the standup composter (outside) or the worm composter (creeps me out just a little bit), but either way, I cringe every time I throw food away in the garbage.
I live alone and try each week to "shrink" my garbage. I am down to one small bag. I recycle all my cans, bottles, papers, junk mail, etc. I have been thinking about this for a while but just needed this push to compost. I will be going to the garden store this weekend to pick one out!

Cadi L.
Mason, MI
My friend, Carly, and I have been recently searching for used fabrics.  We go to thrift stores, Goodwills, our grandmothers closets, and garage sales to find old t-shirts and blankets or any fabric that we can take apart and reuse. We are turning her grandmas shed into a sewing room for us and eventually, once we acquire enough fabric, will start deconstructing what we have and turn them into reusable tote bags and coin purses. Its great for us because we enjoy doing it, but even better for the Earth because the fabrics are getting reused and made into something pretty rather than being left in a dark room or being thrown away!

Chelsea B.
Port Angeles, WA
I'm a college student living a teeny tiny dorm room, and being green is harder here than it is at home. The closest campus convenience store packs my groceries into paper bags which I take home once or sometimes twice a day. Even though they are recyclable, it's an enormous waste of paper and the bags just end up in the recycling bin after one use. After reading Gorgeously Green, I ordered the chico bag and plan to use it when getting food on and off campus. I hope this little change will inspire others to do the same as well as urge the campus stores to start offering cloth bags as an alternative to paper. Happy Earth Day!

Denise E.
San Diego, CA
Just recently I have gotten my fiancé to realize the importance of recycling and using only one bottle for filtered water instead of buying a bunch of plastic bottled water.  Therefore, I’m not sure if I can get him to make this next change (or if it will even work), but I thought we could try using the shredded confidential documents as kitty litter.  This way if someone is trying to steal our identity they may think twice about taping together our shredded documents, and the cats will be using something to go potty that won’t track all over the house.  Sounds good in theory, but we shall see.

Cherie T.
New Bern, NC
Hi, my name is Cherie, and I live in New Bern, North Carolina.  I have already gotten the cloth bags from my local grocer.  When I use them at Wal-Mart; they think I am crazy, or something.  I have started changing all of my light bulbs.  My husband keeps changing them back.  And then I change them back again.  He doesn't like them.  But I tell him you have to wait a few minutes, and they will get brighter.  I need to change all of his light bulbs in the garage.  He has a habit of leaving the lights on.  I hate that.

Kelly K.
Sanford, FL
Hello!  I am writing in about the one thing I am changing this year.  Oh, there are many things I will be changing, but our water supply is my biggest concern.  So my change is to conserve water and to get my friends and family to join with me.
 
I have already begun my adventure of saving water.  My shower was the first place I started.  I used to let the water run while I shampooed, conditioned, washed up and shaved.  It would take me at least 10 minutes.  Now, my water only runs for 3-4 minutes!  I rinse, turn water off and shampoo, turn water on and rinse, turn water off and condition hair and scrub up, turn water on and rinse.  Then I wash my face in the sink and use that water to shave with afterwards.  It works perfectly!  And I get a closer shave using the sink where I can see better!  Other changes are done when I am running water waiting for it to heat up.  I put a large glass or bowl to catch the cold water until it is warm.  I use that water later on to water plants or to wash my produce (and then that water goes in the plants).  Water I boil veggies or pasta in, I let that cool and use for plants also.  

Michelle B.
Hilton Head Island, SC
I really enjoyed your visit on Oprah. I learned so much, and immediately went to purchase your book. I love how easy it is to be green! (Sorry Kermit!)

My one change is to think conscientiously. I believe this thinkling will lead to new actions.Since I have started doing this, I have realized how harmful my past attitude was. I am making small changes as I recognize the potential long-term benefits, to myself and my children. I wish I knew more when they were babies. I would have made different choices concerning their food, toys & soap.

I have since changed to reuseable grocery bags, coffee mug, and refillable water bottles. I have changed some of my toiletries and cosmetics, as I can, since it is costly to do all at once. My appliances and home were already energy-efficient. My food choices were acceptable before, but will continue to change. What I love most about this one change, is that my friends are now becoming more conscientious because they have asked about my new choices! I also believe that my children will have the opportunity to learn to be more respectful of our world.

Maggie O.
Chicago, IL
My main green thing to do this month is to make my own household cleaners. I've used the gorgeously green all-purpose heavy-duty cleaner suggested in the book. I love that I am using something safe in my home and non-toxic to the environment. My daughter loves to watch me make concoctions, which gives me a chance to teach her that taking care of the world is our responsibility.

Stacey M.
Toronto, ON Canada
Ok, this may be silly, but I always seem to get holes in my socks and end up throwing them away and buying new ones. So, yesterday I renewed the age-old tradition of darning my socks. That's right, I took out some thread and a needle and in about 2 mintues had a wonderfully repaired and reinforced sock. No need to throw that pair out, or the next and no need to waste money or material for a new pair. Something really small, but really easy!

Khristina L.
Fishers, IN
Today I brought my own coffee mug to Starbucks today-- did you know they give you a $.10 discount?  Going green and saving green, I'm committed! So my one change is no starbucks unless it's in my own mug.

Linda M.
Corinth, TX
I've been making a conscious effort to carry enough recyclable bags when I shop. I rarely have need of a store bag.  If I do, it becomes my next small trash liner.  I keep extras in the car "just in case" and one that folds very compactly in my purse.

I'm now moving forward to the next step of taking my own organic cotton cloth produce and flour sacks to put fresh produce in.  I can even use the open weaved bags to germinate sprout seeds.  When they are dirty, just wash and dry.  Ready to go again.  The cloth bags keep fresh product crisper longer while in the refrigerator also.  I did not realize how many plastic bags were used in just one trip through the fresh produce area until I started doing this.  Some items don't even need a bag until checkout and then I can put it into one of my other sacks.

Brittani B.
Melbourne, FL
Since having my son, I have come to reflect more and more upon what kind of home am I leaving him. This all prompting me to make more eco-friendly changes today for his tomorrow. As a result of a skin condition he experienced at 10 months, I began to investigate the chemicals in our home. The most shocking were the bath and beauty products. As a result, I began making all of our body products including soaps, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, etc... all from organic products. My family and friends are big fans. But most importantly I have them investigating everything that goes on their body, in their body and in their home. My rule is if you can't eat it, you shouldn't keep it.

Linda T.
Lake Oswego, OR
After seeing you on Oprah - I am taking my 2 teenager girls downtown this weekend - using the lightrail and free cable car system and we are shopping for "safe" cosmetics.  I was amazed at the chemicals in our make-up and certainly do not want my girls growing up using this stuff.  We will make that change effective immediately.