[SustainableTompkins] Seeking input for "Just & Sustainable Lifestyles" resource

[Bethany Schroeder]

I really  like Deb's idea. In Berkeley I explored the possibility of 
rotating dinner sites in a small neighborhood, so that working parents 
could have family meals without so much of the overhead and we could all 
reduce the energy to some degree of cooking, etc. Several of us had good 
conversations about how to make the project work but we never got it off 
the ground. It's something I'd still like to do, even though there'd be 
a little bit of organizing around where to go.

Maybe we could think about this in a somewhat regional way, say 
neighborhoods in South Hill and West Hill, etc. If you live on the 
hospital side of the lake (West Hill more or less) and would like to 
consider sharing meals, contact me off the list. Others living in other 
regions might consider doing the same.

And Elan, if we're able to do anything real with this idea it might end 
up being of interest to one of your students.

BTW, co-housing communities in the west often open up one or more of 
their common meals (for a price) to "neighbors." Does EcoVillage?

Bethany


Deb Eichten wrote:
>  A  variation of  communal cooking is returning to a system of  partnering
> on baking/cooking my single parent mother used in the 1950's.
> 
> On alternate Saturdays she and her sister, who was also working outside the
> home to support a family, would alternate one baking bread, coffee cakes,
> and cookies the other making a large entree which could be shared between
> the households with even leftovers to be made into casserole or lunch meals
> for approximatley 3 days.  This helped ease the burdon for both women but
> especially my mom who worked a fulltime clerical day job + part time sales
> clerk two evenings and Saturdays.
> 
> Since many people no longer live near family members, it is increasingly
> difficult to reach out and find someone with whom to partner.  Perhaps a
> "sign-up if interested" sheet could be done of individual small
> neighborhoods.
> 
> 
> On 2/4/08, Elan Shapiro <elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us> wrote:
>> Hi Folks
>> I would appreciate people's input, based on your experience or
>> knowledge, for a resource & "tip" sheet that a team of us are putting
>> together for the "Just & Sustainable Lifestyles" ST monthly gathering
>> on Wednesday Feb 13. The recent list serve postings about plastic
>> bags and about food justice  have quite  a few  tips along these
>> lines in them, though the issue of how overworked, underpaid people
>> find the time to implement most of them is a critical limiting factor
>> .
>>
>> Please send your resources, experiences, and concise "top tips" on:
>> 1)      Ways that "sustainable choices" are becoming more affordable
>> & or accessible (broadly defined) & more multicultural in our
>> community AND  ways that sustainable choices can actually save money
>> and/or time (see addendum about " sustainable choices" below)
>>
>> 2) Ways  that making "sustainable choices" positively impacts not
>> only our endangered life support systems but also our  community's
>> health and equity, including groups disenfranchised by our current
>> ways of operating. (How can sustainability, social justice , and
>> higher quality of life be seen as & work together as one cause?)
>>
>> We will share electronically with the list a collation of what we
>> collect from you as well as the short synthesis , which will also be
>> available at the gathering. Of course, you are welcome to share your
>> ideas directly with the list as well, though I'm concerned about
>> adding to "list  overwhelm" and list dropout & inclusion issues.
>>
>> Also, if you would like to share a personal story about "sustainable
>> choices" and  these issues at the event, or if you know someone from
>> a different cultural background than your own who might like to share
>> something,  please let me know.
>>
>> Thanks for taking the time and hope to see you at the event (Human
>> Services Bldg., Wednesday, Feb 13, 6-8 PM, ) .
>>
>> Elan
>>
>> Addendum: Please note my assumption that  "sustainable choices" are
>> broader than the usual (energy & environment) ways most people use
>> the word "sustainable". This could include enhancing community (and
>> personal) health, connections, and economic self-reliance; empowering
>> disenfranchised citizens; advancing affordable housing, health care,
>> and interracial understanding; etc. especially in ways that take into
>> account systemic connections and long-term impacts.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Elan Shapiro
>> Sustainable Tompkins Community Partnership Coordinator
>> Sustainable Living Associates, Principal
>> Frog's Way B&B
>> 211 Rachel Carson Way
>> Ithaca, NY 14850
>> 607-275-0249    607-592-8402 Cell
>>
>> "We must be the change we want to see in the world"
>>                  Mohandas Gandhi
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