Have you ever thought about living in a way that is 'sustainable'? What exactly does that mean? 

Sustainable living refers to a lifestyle whose main aim is to reduce the use of Earth's natural resources and/or live in more of a symbiotic way with the Earth's systems. The goal is to live a life that is cohesive with the biosphere, not damaging or detrimental to it. Preserving a natural balance is the goal. This entails following the 2 "R's" - respect and responsibility. If you respect nature and its system, you work and live to maintain the natural order and balance. You are mindful of ecology and the earth's cycles.

Eample: In designing a home environment that practises systainability, you may choose to use septic system, composting toilets, aquaponics, compost, organic gardening and bring in guinea hens to control bugs and sheep to eat your grass so there is no need to cut or weed it.

OK...maybe you're not ready for sheep in your front yard (how about the back), but you get my drift! Sustainability also looks at how waste water is disposed of, how sewage and household refuse is disposed of and even how you get your drinking water.

Just think...if the grid went down for a week, how would you fare? Do you have a way to protect your food, get water and keep the toilet going?

How about cook? Do you have a backup way that doesn't depend on your kitchen working?

Another way to get involved with sustainability is to support CSA. By buying produce, meat, honey and grain from local organic farmers, you help them stay in business to bring you a very healthy product, and...you benefit from eating locally grown food. No shipping, no gasing, no irridiation, no banned chemicals on your food.

One of the main concepts of sustainable living involves community. The intential community movement embodies more than just the ideal of sustainability. With a group of persons involved in this model of living, you can have your own broods, livestock, bees and farms. You can even pool skills for building projects, security and taking care of draft animals.

Just think...if your life was more sustainable, you are better able to weather any economic storm. So, now may truly be the perfect time for you to start creating a sustainable lifestyle. It just makes sense.