About This Site:

Many years ago after I graduated with a masters degree in sustainable business practices, a close friend asked me, now that I was an “expert,” what the best energy source was.  I have been asked questions like this one many times over the years, be it energy source, cleaning product, food item, mode of transportation, etc.  Ultimately the answer typically comes down to “it depends.”  More than anything else, Sustainability means applying as much information as you can to understand the weight and impacts of your choices – and knowing that ANY choice you make will have an impact of some kind.  The purpose of this site is to document my exploration of different ways to reduce my own footprint and live mindfully.
BUT FIRST! I hereby slap the biggest disclaimer I can on myself and this site: I do not live the life of an ascetic, nor have I ever claimed to be an expert. I drive not one, but two gasoline-powered cars; I own boots made from vegan leather and cow leather (understanding the drawbacks of both); I have an embarrassingly water-intensive hobby (homebrewing).
If you are here, I assume you are interested in learning more about small (or big) steps you can take to reduce your impact on the planet.  For my part, I will share what I have learned through reading, listening, and doing. What I share may not be the most recent or complete information, but I will do my best to make sure it is.
Friendly discussion is welcome and encouraged on this site, but all I ask is that is that everyone who comes here treats others with respect and civility.
We are all learning.

Recent Blog Posts

Learning something new every day...

Fast Food, Part 3 – Islam and Morocco

While I have some friends and colleagues who are Muslim, I knew little of the religion’s general food restrictions beyond pork and alcohol. With Islam currently practiced by 2 billion people across the globe, it seemed like a perfect opportunity to examine the overlap between halal (“legal”) and vegan foods. Interestingly, many highly Muslim countries already had vegan or vegan-friendly cuisines to start.

Fast Food, Part 2 – Eastern Orthodoxy and Georgia

My knowledge of the Eastern Orthodox church is limited, aside from their fantastic food festivals and some basic history about their split with Catholicism in 1054. Given their continued practice of strict fasts throughout the year, countries with ties to this church have developed some delicious (and even indulgent) vegan-friendly dishes. I happily produced a delicious Georgian recipe in my own kitchen.

Fast Food, Part 1 – Catholicism and Italy

Coming into 2026 I wanted to make a concerted effort to eat less dairy. Coming into Lent, I was curious to learn more about how religion has influenced one of my favorite vegan-friendly cuisines: Italian. Not all heavily Catholic countries lend themselves to plant-based diets, so I’m kicking off a Lenten exploration of culinary adaptations to religious limitations (and religious adaptations to culinary limitations).