2011 is just eight weeks away and the murmurings of new year’s resolutions have begun. I decided to approach this year’s goals by asking myself:

What kind of person do I want to be going forward?

I cycled through a variety of answers (e.g. a better photographer, less of a gossip, etc.), all of which were worthy goals, but settled on one that I felt would be easily incorporated into my daily life and would have a larger benefit-radius than many of my usual me-centric resolutions.

My 2011 Resolution is to be a more ethical consumer, with an emphasis on environmentally sustainable goods and independent local businesses. The guidelines for this year can be found  here. As I learn more about ethical consumption and best sustainable practices these guidelines will be updated.

Basic Goal: To only purchase items (food, clothing, sundries) that are environmentally and economically sustainable for a minimum of one year.

Hopeful Outcomes:

• support the local economy (farms and businesses)
• help the environment
• financially support environmentally sustainable and fair trade practices
• initiate lifestyle habits that I can carry forward
• reduce clutter
• waste less food
• limit impulse buying

As a life-long resident of the Pacific Northwest, I know am not the first person to pursue ethical and sustainable consumption. I first learned about fair trade goods from a college suitemate over a cup of white chocolate mocha. This blog is intended to help me work through this year’s goal. I certainly don’t have all the answers now, so as I solve problems (like where can I get eco-friendly fashionable boots?), I hope to share my findings with you. A quick Google search of “sustainable living” will return thousands of hits for magazines, TV shows, books, and blogs.

I’ve been so excited about this resolution that I am starting early to figure out certain logistics. My first conundrum–accessing more organic food options will require using more gas. The nearest Trader Joe’s is 10 miles away, the nearest Whole Foods is 15 miles away. Whereas, our Fred Meyer is less than 2 miles away.

Resolutions are most successful went made public. Thank you for helping me keep to mine. Good luck in 2011!