For quite some time I have been thinking about what I can do to help keep our environment healthy for future generations.  In the past, I have always concluded that it would be too time consuming and I was too busy to go through all the trouble of being environmentally responsible.  I have been recycling for some time, but I feel like recycling alone is not enough.  Some of the feeds I received have been very helpful in giving me ideas on what to do to become more conservative–environmentally that is.  One article titled “Cool People who Care”  discusses the way to achieve lasting change is to take it one step at a time.  So I have decided to add one or two changes a week to my routine.  This way I can ease my way into becoming green.  This week I have decided to carry my own canvas tote to the grocery store and give up plastic bags.  One reason for this is that as I was driving to work one cold and windy day last week, I saw at least six of these bags blowing across the street or down the sidewalk.  I even saw one hanging from a tree limb.  When I arrived home that evening, I looked around my kitchen and found these bags everywhere:  on shelves, in cabinets, even hanging from the door knob.  Not only are these bags unsightly, they do not break down easily.  Many places such as San Francisco are now banning the use of plastic bags.  According to an article in the New York Times (courtesy of my feed), New York is requiring retailers to offer plastic bag recycling   I realize that my small effort to eliminate the use of plastic bags will not make a huge difference in the whole scheme of things, but again…one step at a time.