Merv and I have been trying to go green and practice sustainable living as much as we can for some time now. It has not been easy, but we are getting used to it bit by bit :)

I thought that we’d share with you some of the stuff we’ve been doing (and trying to do), and we can exchange ideas! [Please feel free to leave a comment.]

For starters, I’d already blogged here earlier on in Merv’s blog on reducing our usage of plastic bags.

And here’s a list of some of the lifestyle changes we’ve made:

• We take along our own shopping bags along every time we go shopping - regardless of whether we’re buying groceries or clothes. Earlier on, we bought some handy (and pretty!) lightweight shopping bags that roll up into convenient balls and fit nicely into my handbag, ready to be used whenever I buy anything! We fit as much shopping as we can into these bags. [Let’s say you buy 3 t-shirts on one shopping trip, from 3 different shops in the mall – you definitely don’t need one separate bag for each t-shirt!]
  Tip: Look for empty cardboard boxes at Tesco – you are allowed to fill the box with your groceries and take them home that way! And… the box can then be sent for recycling! And… you get extra green points on your Tesco loyalty card – which will eventually translate into more savings on your groceries! - You earn one point for each plastic bag that you forgo. :)

• We try to remember to bring along our own containers or food carriers whenever we buy back (tapao) food. I’ve also been bringing an empty tupperware to work to tapau food from the canteen downstairs.

• We also try to buy products that come in recyclable containers. We used to buy milk and juices that come in tetrapak packaging, but then realised that tetrapak recycling facilities are not yet available in Malaysia (only in the UK and Europe). This would translate into more non-biodegradable rubbish for our landfills. So we decided to switch to brands that come in plastic bottles instead – so that we can at least send those for recycling.

• Separate all rubbish into recyclable (i.e empty plastic bottles, soft drink cans, paper) and non-recyclable items. All our recyclable trash is put into a big box and sorted out once or twice a month, then sent for recycling. We usually send ours to the local Tzu-Chi association, where they will in turn sell off the items and use the proceeds for charity.

I’ll add more as I think of them and if any of you have ideas to share, please let me know!

After 2.5 years of utilising annual leave to study + monthly salary deductions of RM100 (until i pass) + travelling down to KL countless times for workshops + 4 papers + 2 re-sits (in total) + mountains of handwritten notes…

IT IS FINALLY OVER!!! :D

… to the G-Y-M :D Heh… After many hesitations and procastinations (on my part) - I have finally signed off a portion of my monthly salary to join a gym!

So what finally made me bite the bullet? :D I went home to Ipoh one weekend in December. Dropped by La Salle Centre to say hi. Bumped into Bro. Matt, who none too subtly told me “You have GRROOOWWNNN!!” -_-

Soooo… what else can you do after a Brother (a La Salle Brother from school nonetheless) tells you that you have PUT ON WEIGHT??!! Join gym lo… much to Merv’s delight - haha. Now he got kaki to go gym with. The man’s been at me to join the gym for the past few months but i resisted cos I’ve always been of the why-pay-good-money-to-exercise-when-you-can-run-around-outside-your-home-for-free school of thought.

But… 1 month down the road, I’ve had no regrets so far. We aimed to go everyday but so far are averaging about 3-4 days of the week, which is pretty good anyway methinks :) We’ve even started going for the classes (earning aching muscles the next day, but feels good anyway).

And really, it makes a diff when you have someone to go gym with. If I’d joined it alone I’d probably be too lazy to go even on weekends, much less after work on weekdays :P Plus it is kinda fun and non-boring cos you get to play around with the different exercise machines there (and watch tv while you exercise!)

For now, I’m not even looking at the weight-loss angle first. Just want to get the momentum going (making gym a regular activity) and building up from there. So here’s to leading a healthier and more active lifestyle!