DAY OCHO

Another normal day. Except it was FOOD DAY at work, so I didn't have to bring in or buy lunch. I brought in my guacamole and it was a hit, except I was binge eating all day. However, no one brought in any HOT FOOD this week, so it was a bit dissapointing.

OBSERVATION/GOAL: Next FOOD DAY, I will bring in a plate to use (as in a REAL, washable plate). There were disposable paper and styrofoam plates to use, and they were small. And people would make several trips. So, this essentially leads to people grabbing a few small items and then throwing away their plate, then going back later and getting ANOTHER plate . . . Even when trying to be conscious of my waste, I used three plates. And the napkins! I am so messy so I go through napkins/paper towells so quickly. At home, I use/reuse a kitchen towell with my meals instead of paper towells, so perhaps bringing in a cloth towell for my "messes" would be another way to "minimize."

I also had my monthly chiro appointment, which I walked to (less than a block). My old chiro made us change into gowns for our adjustments; my current one doesn't. Which makes SENSE and saves energy/water that it would take to WASH several gowns every day. Paper is used on the part of the table where our heads go, and that is then thrown away (like in a doctor's office) . . . I guess this is part of the competing interests between sanitation and preservation . . . Don't really know what to say about that (Except: last time I was at the gym, they didn't have the buckets with disposable wipes out anymore, and I saw a worker wiping down all the machines . . . perhaps they are going to change to reusable cloths and spray disinfectant?).

Then, I had to go to the doctor to have my leg looked at. I could have walked had my LEG NOT HURT FROM WALKING (it's about 5 blocks away), but I just drove . . . plus, it was close to being a time where I wouldn't have had to return to work. Again, same general observations: the use of paper products to "sanitize." But I again didn't have to change into a gown (it seemed like in the past you would ALWAYS have to change into a gown for ANYTHING . . . I think they only time I have to now is for the dreaded yearly exam . . . ). It's just a hard balance to strike between sterilty and environmental concerns . . .

Last night, I made the DRIVE to DSM (all highway, so better mileage) to go to dinner with some friends. At the onset of dinner there was mention of my dinner being covered, but I said not to worry about it b/c I had already been treated to a birthday dinner and the other birthday girl hadn't yet, so I was okay with treating myself. Although I was near all the shopping places, I did NOT shop after!!!

Total Expenses: $32 (two $10 copay plus $12 for dinner)