OK folks, it’s New Year’s resolution time. Everyone’s golden opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start a new habit (or kick an old one) is knocking at our door.

Perhaps losing weight or starting an exercise regimen has made its way onto the list of goals for 2012. Again.

Why not try a completely fresh approach to the new year? May I suggest that you consider a resolution to create a more sustainable lifestyle for yourself?

If you are seeking to "green up" your life, begin with small changes you are truly interested in and can easily incorporate into your life. 

For example, if it’s just flat out too bothersome to start a composting system in your backyard, then don’t. You’re much more likely to stay the course if you’re doing something you find easily fits into your current lifestyle that you actually enjoy doing.

Start with one new behavior, get comfortable with the change until it is a consistent habit and then choose another to add. We’re all on our own green journey; it’s really not important where you are on the journey, but that your train (or hybrid) has left the station, and that you keep moving forward.

Some ideas to get you started:

• Meat-free Mondays:  eating less meat or giving it up altogether (especially beef) is the one thing you can do that will have the biggest impact on the planet.  The global livestock industry is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than all the planes, trains and automobiles in the world combined.  If you are a hard-core meat eater, try giving it up one day a week, then move to two and so on. 
• Say goodbye to plastic (and paper) bags.  “But I always forget my bags in the car or at home,” is the number one excuse I hear people use for why they aren’t utilizing reusable bags.  And ya know what?  I’ve used the same excuse, that is, until I told myself I would just flat out never use a plastic or paper bag again.  So, when I forget my reusable bags in my car or at home, I load all of my groceries back into the cart and carry them by hand.  It’s really not that difficult, yet is enough of an inconvenience that the process serves as a fantastic reminder to bring my own bags in next time!
• While you’re at it, give plastic water bottles the boot.  If you haven’t already, please buy yourself and each member of your family a reusable bottle and a Brita pitcher (if you don’t have a filter on your fridge).  There is zero reason to spend your hard-earned cash on bottled water.  Not only does the production and transportation of the bottles negatively impact the environment, there is solid proof that the water in those bottles is the same as what is coming out of your tap.  Only, it’s infinitely more expensive.
• Support local, independently owned businesses for the majority of your purchases: For each dollar you spend at a locally owned independent business, approximately 80 percent goes back to the community versus about 35 percent from a franchise or chain.  Local independent businesses assist the community through a “multiplier effect”: one dollar spent at a locally owned business will return five times that amount within the community through employees’ wages and purchases of materials and supplies at other independent businesses. In addition, these businesses will turn that dollar back into the community through school funding, social services, and contributions to local non-profit organizations.  Support businesses right here in Peachtree Corners.  Frequent the restaurants that sponsor your children’s sports teams and school functions. 
• Stop spraying your yard. The chemicals sprayed on your lawns by conventional companies are toxic to our families, our pets and our water.  If you must spray (HOA regulations or personal preference), I highly recommend the local, organic lawn company, Earth Balance .

Going green is a little like losing weight through exercising.  It takes a little push to get started, but once you do, it feels great.  And, getting thoroughly in shape doesn’t happen overnight.  Just stay the course, remain consistent and before you know it, you’ll be a green guru.  One step at a time.