Traveling.....

Well, I hate to say it but while my current job consists of me traveling from Sundays through Friday nights, it's impossible to not consume on an as-needed basis. I'm pretty good at being conscious about what I eat and consume, but I'm not trying to make any points with that right now.

Yes, I go to coffee shops (no Starbucks unless I'm in dire need of a coffee and I'm on a time schedule and no time to research the area, etc etc) and yes I drink iced coffees in the summer time. It's easier on my stomach, and, well it's fucking hot outside. So I have to accept the fact that I'll be getting a plastic cup every single time. The only way I can currently combat this is by saving each cup and bringing them home to put in the recycling container. The rental car was pretty full of cups, a few cans, and Vitamin Water bottles when I pulled in the drive last night. That's about the best I can do outside of not buying anything while driving. Now, this job I'm in requires 2, maybe 3, sometimes 7 hours of one-way driving almost every day. I bring my water bottle with me even when I fly somewhere, but sometimes I just need that extra something while driving those long hours. In this manner, I guess I treat my body as the compact.

Today, I traded in my 8 year old plastic Rubbermaid bottle for a new Nalgene bottle (the Rubbermaid one went in the recycling bin). I know I didn't "need" to spend the money as the container was functional with not really any faults. But I take the bottle literally everywhere I go and with the recent studies linked to Bisephenol A, combined with the fact my now-old bottle didn't fit in a single cup holder anywhere, I consider this $9 purchase more of an investment in functionality. We ate lunch in Normal, and bought a delicious cup of joe from the micro-roaster on the east end of town. Considering I had to drive to Bloomington to return my rental car and we didn't get a chance to eat anything at all before leaving the house, we are doing just fine in my book. Amber also picked up a pair of sweet Teva hiking shoes that were 50% off. She didn't have anything really for camping/hiking and would have to buy something anyways when we go this fall. I consider that a damn fine deal.

Off to Nebraska and southern/western Missouri starting tomorrow. Will see how it goes....