The next in my series of the article review: "7 Resolutions for a Green New Year" taken from the Dec/Jan issue of Mary Janes Farm, a great magazine on Organic/Country Living. For those that have read the previous posts, I have to change to format a bit, due to a technical problem that a simply cannot figure out! So for now, the article will be first, then I'll identify what I have to say. Please forgive the lack of astetics.

4. Get a Water Bottle
"I will refill a watger bottle each day instead of buying new ones."
Not only are billions of plastic water bottles landfill-bound in the U.S. each year, but the water they contain is generally no better for you than the stuff that comes from your own kitchen sink (especially if you use a filter), and it costs up to 10,000 times the price of tap water! Opt for a glass or stainless steal bottle, and refill it as needed, for free. Check out the variety of stainless steel bottles available from Klean Kanteen (www.kleankanteen.com).

Anna says: This is one of my personal pet peeves that I actually see all the time in a couple of close friends of ours...I'll post my rant about that later. But, seriously, why would people spend money, lots of money, on WATER! If you don't like the way yours tastes, get a filter. Or, at the very least, buy larger containers of water, not the little bottles...arg! And the author is right, in my opinion, Klean Kanteen has the best stainless steel bottles. Of all the ones we own, my husband and I argue over who gets to take the Klean Kanteen to work each day!

5. Grow Green
"Starting this month, I will grow one green thing that I can eat."
The quickest and easiest way to start growing your own food is sprouting. Sprouts are super easy and they offer superb nutrition that costs less than any other fresh grocery store food. Sprouting doesn't require soil, sunshine, or even a green thumb. Ready to eat in three to five days, sprouts equal oranges and tomatoes in vitamin C and a hamburger patty in protein!

Anna says: I JUST read a great article in the a special early spring edition of Better Homes and Gardens about growing your own sprouts! I'm going to try it! Especially since it is very hard to grow anything in Minnesota in the winter! I'm starting to get it down for the summer (emphasis on the word starting!) but winter is entirely different. Also, I've been looking for ways to get more protein in our diets. Stay tuned...