Showing posts with label money-saving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label money-saving. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Spork!
I have a confession: I hate plastic ware. You know, forks, spoons, knives, chopsticks that are designed to be used once and then live forever in a landfill? As an anthropologist I have a legitimate concern that when the aliens come to Earth in a million years they will believe we worshiped plastic because it will be all that remains.
Reflecting back to a travel day that included oatmeal for breakfast, an airport salad for lunch and a burrito bowl for dinner (taken back to the hotel) I counted two spoons, two forks, and two knives that entered my custody. And I was smart enough at the time to stir my coffee with my spoon rather than a stir stick. My dinner wouldn't have been so bad except the restaurant only distributed those "handy" packs of a complete set of plasticware accompanied by a paper napkin and salt and pepper.
My aversion got so bad that when I was on the run I started to order food based on whether or not it required the use of utensils. This was an enlightening way to travel and I ate lots of bananas and burritos. Now, I'm a big fan for one-handed-foods, like fruits, bagels, burritos and sandwiches, but there comes a time on the road when one wants to mix it up and eat a salad or soup.
The answer to all of my problems was a small piece of bamboo formed into a fork on one end and a spoon on the other. Not only was it small and convenient, it fit nicely into my purse and didn't draw any unwanted attention from security professionals. I keep one in the inner pocket of my purse and use it whenever I have a meal on the go. I also keep one in my car and a bag of many others to give as gifts.
Sustainable, reusable, handy, and very easy to wash in the sink, the travel-spork has been all over the country with me. Maybe you should buy a pack, too?
I use Bambu reusable sporks. I hear they also make some 'single use' varieties, but that doesn't make any sense to me. Here is a link to the product on ReUseIt.com (note: I get no kickbacks from either company).
Happy travels, and let's keep those aliens guessing!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
BYOB
Bottle, that is. It is astounding the number of disposable water bottles people use, particularly when traveling. We all become hobos, and cling desperately to anything people are willing to give us (including free tiny water bottles on the airplane). Convenient as they might be, they are certainly no good for the planet. I'll help you break down some barriers that I had:
Barrier 1: Ick.
Reusing a water bottle for a week without washing it is disgusting. Agreed. I thought for a bit about carrying a small bottle of dish soap with me for this purpose, and was not terribly pleased with the idea. Then I found these little alka-seltzer-like tablets sold by SIGG to clean their bottles. Fill the bottle with hot tap water, allow to fizz, rinse and voila.
Barrier 2: Taste=ick.
Last summer I went to an unnamed theme park in the deep south with my husband. In July. As a friend recently said, the weather "felt like it licked me." In an effort to encourage the purchase of cool, crisp, clean spring water, said amusement park had no interest in cooling or filtering their drinking fountain water. Warm and slightly metallic in taste (although up to standards and perfectly potable), I thought desperately about solutions. Two exist: purchase gallon (or three gallon) containers at the grocery store and load up before you head to the park, or purchase some tiny flavor packets to help mediate the flavor. We did both: cool, delicious water in the morning, and purple-flavored water in the afternoon, when we were too hot, tired, and crabby to care much.
Barrier 3: Airport shenanigans.
It is true, you cannot transport large quantities of liquids through airport security. You can, however, transport an empty water bottle. Just dump it out before you walk through and refill on the other side. Too clumsy? Get one that clips to the outside of your purse/backpack.
Barrier 4: lazy.
I can't help with lazy. Maybe there is a blog that can. Just give it a try? Buy a small, resealable water bottle (kids size) and try it on the next trip. If you like it, buy one for everyone you know next holiday season.
Barrier 1: Ick.
Reusing a water bottle for a week without washing it is disgusting. Agreed. I thought for a bit about carrying a small bottle of dish soap with me for this purpose, and was not terribly pleased with the idea. Then I found these little alka-seltzer-like tablets sold by SIGG to clean their bottles. Fill the bottle with hot tap water, allow to fizz, rinse and voila.
Barrier 2: Taste=ick.
Last summer I went to an unnamed theme park in the deep south with my husband. In July. As a friend recently said, the weather "felt like it licked me." In an effort to encourage the purchase of cool, crisp, clean spring water, said amusement park had no interest in cooling or filtering their drinking fountain water. Warm and slightly metallic in taste (although up to standards and perfectly potable), I thought desperately about solutions. Two exist: purchase gallon (or three gallon) containers at the grocery store and load up before you head to the park, or purchase some tiny flavor packets to help mediate the flavor. We did both: cool, delicious water in the morning, and purple-flavored water in the afternoon, when we were too hot, tired, and crabby to care much.
Barrier 3: Airport shenanigans.
It is true, you cannot transport large quantities of liquids through airport security. You can, however, transport an empty water bottle. Just dump it out before you walk through and refill on the other side. Too clumsy? Get one that clips to the outside of your purse/backpack.
Barrier 4: lazy.
I can't help with lazy. Maybe there is a blog that can. Just give it a try? Buy a small, resealable water bottle (kids size) and try it on the next trip. If you like it, buy one for everyone you know next holiday season.
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