The first – and hardest – step of a journey is in the mind…

Well, I haven't lived in Europe so I'll have to take your word for it. You do realize that the flimsy homes and wasted resources are just examples of how the people are actually taken advantage of by the sellers of these products and services, don't you?

It all boils down to making a buck, and the end-user is the one being taken advantage of.

Well, I will have to admit that we have one of the big cars, live in a flimsy house and have a washer that takes 25 minutes:)

Except for the car there really isn't many alternatives - in our $$ category. It is funny though, because these are things that I really think about every time I go to Europe.

Marianne - of course I realize this. At the same time I know that the only way this can change is if people insist on having other - better - products. For example, when I go to Switzerland there is the great beauty everywhere - and everything is very expensive. However, when you look closely, things are expensive because the cheap stuff is simply not in stores - you don't find it, period. The Swiss wouldn't buy it, so nobody sells it. Take eggs as an example: all hens in Switzerland are free-range - you don't have any others. So all eggs are a little more expensive. You know what - they also taste much better! Because free-range hens are so much healthier that they don't have to be medicated all the time, and because they are fed better quality stuff. I am convinced they are better for you too...

JR, this is not meant as a criticism to anyone - we just all need to be more aware, that's all. If you were driving a little Golf, your gas costs would be cut in half - and you would still be able to all 4 of you go somewhere...
My Golf is a diesel. It uses 5 liters of diesel/100km - about 62 MPG. So I can afford to drive to Sweden and pay $10 per gallon to fill up - although it irks me too, that fuel is so much more expensive. Especially since it is $75 more per month to heat my little apartment, meaning this year I will pay $900 more in heating than last year...

I agree with some parts of this. But if you lived in Michigan you would see that a small car like a Prius just isn't practical. Try driving that tin can in the snow belt along Lake Michigan. Or transporting three large dogs. I like my SUV.

We have an energy saver front loading washer and dryer. They are VERY good at both saving on energy costs and getting our clothes clean.

Our home is very energy efficient- for as big as it is, we have never had an energy bill over $300 that I can recall.

I think more people would recycle, use energy efficient appliances and go organic if it wasn't more expensive. And for those that keep saying that organic isn't more, they have obviously not shopped at a large grocery store in Michigan.

I have to tell you, there is little about Europe that I wish to emulate, and the only reason I would ever travel there is to visit you.

A Diesel? Diesel is almost $5 a gallon here! And the older diesel engines pollute more than gas.

I think driving a small car is nessacary in these times not only for the environment but for our pockets. Last year my husband bought me a new car, I chose a Nissan Versa because I just liked it. Now I am so thankful we have it with the way gas prices have gone up. My little guy and I try to walk if where we need to go is in walking distance. I spend about $35.00 on gas every three weeks.

As for washing machines, I remember my Mothers old fashioned wringer machine. The neighbors had the sleek new machines but Mother had that wringer type. She used to let the clothes soak. In the summer she had it outdoors and I remember how laundry was an all day job. I used to only use my dryer in the winter but now my back is so bad I just can't hang my clothes on a line anymore.

I think you are exactly right. When I lived in Germany, I was impressed that everything was made to last -- clothes, cars, houses -- everything was about quality, and meant to serve for a lifetime. I was ashamed of the flimsy, throw-away mentality we Americans have in our manufacturing, lifestyle, and attitudes in general.

Having to use our sewage system on an emergency only basis this last week made me realize how much water we waste. and how much we could conserve if we had a different mindset, not just during crisis.

I'll agree-- being in Europe is refreshing. They do a lot of things better.

In response to Shannon- I can assure you that my Prius is not a "tin can". I'll agree, it's impractical if you live in an area with consistently bad weather, or if you need to haul things, or, as you said, have large animals to transport and whatnot. But for those of us who do live a lifestyle where a small car is perfectly suitable, it irks me to see people driving around in Hummers and unnecessarily large SUVs.

I come from Bergen County, NJ-- it's a county where a majority of people work in NYC, but don't want to live in the city. Fair enough. But that makes it a place filled with urban sprawl, and houses upon houses. The roads are all paved. You don't need to go off-roading for any practical purpose. There aren't enough farms to validate the number of fancy pickup trucks I see, nor enough rough areas that require the oversized SUVs. And to quote a friend, chances are, if you can afford the bulletproof tires and shatterproof glass on a Hummer, you likely aren't living in an area where you'll need it.

Waste, for me, indicates gluttony and laziness. I'd rather spend a little more money and buy a quality product that'll cut down on environmental impact.

thanks for sharing great article

Great comments everyone - thank you!

Shannon, I would LOVE to have you come for a visit - you are always welcome!
... there are lots of areas in Europe that get plenty of snow - they drive 4W cars, but not SUVs... though I do agree you need a big car to transport 3 large dogs!

I think it's about really thinking about the impact one's decisions will make - not just on ourselves, but on the environment as well...

Apryl, I remember the wringer washer my Mom used too! We got a dryer to use in winter long before we got a "real" washing machine! I grew up in a small town in CA, and it seems to me we were not into the "everything needs to be bigger/faster/easier" as much back then...

Sherrie - everyone who has ever spent time in Europe notices this! When I talk to the friends on base in Stuttgart they all agree this is something they enjoy about living away from the US for a while: a new/different perspective.

Exactly Tory, there are some people for whom a large car is a must. But when I drive around Florida, or California, and I am surrounded by SUVs and trucks, I can't help but wonder what these people need them for - except to polish egos... There is no snow in Orlando or SF. And now they don't have the $$s to fill them up anymore...
You could get a nice Mercedes for the price of a Hummer, and it would use LOTS less - and be easier to park - and be great for the ego to boot!

Cristina, you made some very valid points. One of the things I learned through traveling is that Europeans are not quick to justify what they do while Americans feel a need to justify or qualify their consumption of goods and resources.

I did just fine with four children and multiple pets in a simple station wagon. I didn't need a behemoth vehicle to get things done. My wagon was easier to park than an SUV, better on gas mileage and warmed faster in cold weather and cooled quicker too in hot weather.

Americans seem to believe that pricing is high (i.e prohibitive) without considering the consequent costs of trash removal, medical bills arising from poorer nutrition and other issues that behoove them to simply pay the going rates. My parents always told me to buy high quality goods for durability and longevity and to limit my spending to necessities over luxuries--with reserves set aside for retirement and health costs. It's been a sensible approach for my family.

Bravo, Cristina! I love this!

Hummers just plain make me angry... they always have. I feel badly enough for driving a gas-guzzling Jeep which gets between 13 and 21 miles per gallon. I assure you that if I could afford to sell it, I would no longer own it. But the resale value on it has plummeted so that we owe $10K more on it than we could sell it for. (My husband bought it before we got together a little over two years ago, or it would NOT have been done. I just cannot justify driving it, especially here in Florida where there is NO reason for 4WD, and I can't imagine a need for a V8 engine. I have never had one before and my vehicles have always gotten good gas mileage. For what it's worth, my husband is now looking at Hybrid vehicles... I am SO proud I have been a part of that change. $4 a gallon gas has helped too, but I was there first.

I wish the kind of washer you describe was available here... I'd buy one without a second thought.

Thanks for doing your part to make us more aware. It's so easy to see our way as the only way...

Dear Julie, I have heard washers like that are available in Canada...

Excellent article Cristina. I lived in Australia for 12 years, and although it took a while to get used to the lack of convenience we enjoy here, there were many things that I liked.

Here, we have created a society built around automobiles -- and we are only just learning how much that can cost. It costs more than the price of gasoline. In Oz, there was convenient shopping within walking distance and I walked to the grocery store, the butcher shop, the fruit and veggie shop, the hairdresser, the pizza parlor, etc. On two occasions, I even had a job close enough to home to walk to. I think those were the healthiest days of my life. I would love to be able to walk to get things done here, but we have eliminated all of the neighborhood shops and must travel great distances to buy anything.

I also miss the great public transportation. Even in a huge city like Sydney, it was so easy to hop on a train to get to work or to go downtown -- even to go to the beach. I had a car most of the time, but I only used it when I really needed to.

Christina, you are spot on, you knew I would say that, right:)

1. Washers - yay - they have come around and that technology is now available in the good ole USA.

That realatively new expensive Whirlpool by Sears that does everything, but make a cup of coffee - is a collaberation.

It does both, it has the usual cycles incl a handwashing cycle which I just love, because it really works. But, the big difference is that it comes with two additional cycles, which work the European way. One is called a sanitary cycle which takes I believe about two hours, and the other is called whitest whites which takes 90 minutes and is basically the regular wash cycle known to Europeans.

So when it came time for a new washer, that is exactly what we bought, the BF had a cow when he saw the price tag, but so what, it's worth it. They even had one in my favorite color – red -, but unfortunately it was $200 more, just because of the color, rats:)
I'm still thinking about spray painting or decoupaging just it for fun:) Well, old hippies never die:)

We don't have a dryer, living in Florida and having a garden, I line dry of course. You know what, there are a good number of people who do, about 15% of the population from what I see and most of them are poor or elderly trying to save a buck on electricity.
None of our friends would consider line dry. I get that certain kind of smile when they drop by with the comment, "Oh, you hang your clothes to dry in the garden, how quaint, I didn't know people still did that." Usually followed by, "I remember my Mom or grandma would hang up the sheets when I was little and they always smelled so good."

It's about choices and thought and awareness.

2. I could say all day long that people in Europe have large dogs too and manage to transport them and I wonder how people in the mountains like the Alps get around in the snow and the mud - it wouldn't make a difference.
If you are honest like Shannon, it is more that it threatens your everyday convenience and your wallet. I agree that it is a way of life that is not always practical nor even doable, because we do not have the infrastructure yet, I sure hope that one day we will.

Where I live, if I had to rely on public transportation I'd be in big trouble and if anything that is my biggest complaint, what's up with that?
So, say I take my bike instead, where are the path ways for the bikes, heck I doubt I'd let my kid ride a bike anywhere on our busy neighborhood streets.
There are always complaints from the many motorized wheelchair users in our community who say they cannot safely traverse or even cross the street. They are right.

Oh and just for the record - that washer - I generally just use the cold water quick wash, except for undies, sanitary and whites.

Rose, thank you for all this good information!

I lived in Germany for three years. It was right after we got married. I was a babe in the woods. Very young and very inexperienced at being a wife. I used my new German washer ... washed Chris' clothes.... All whites and at the time he had a tube sock with just a stripe of red... WELL chrissy had pink clothes... I ended up having a very nice white snake pink shirt lol! I was not used to washing in such high temps and of course the degrees were in Celsius ( LOL)( AND yes to wash a load it took forever but it stopped often which is good)
But yes in Germany we had the trains, which save gas and money.And when we were there the businesses were not all lit up when not open.The gas was extremely high back then, and also the electric and phone were quite expensive.

The people were not as wasteful as we are here. They recycled everything.
I loved my experience there! Thanks for posting this. It had me giggling thinking about poor chris and his pink clothing!

Oh Amy, I love it - so you saw: 100° and you thought: not so warm, for washing, and you BOILED everything, LOL!

Germans are still not wasteful - they are the masters at recycling, other Europeans laugh about that sometimes... but: one day we will all do it, we won't have a choice anymore! But maybe we won't have to collect things all separately anymore: German engineers are working on processes to separate everything later, so it can be collected together, because it has proven so very difficult to get non-Germans to collect separately!

Well, I lived in the USA, when there were very few cars, back in the late twenties, and early thirities, and we washed in a tub with a washboard, and I hung clothes out to dry for years and years, and I am sure there is a flavor to Europe or parts of it that might be fine for awhile, bu t I am not sure I want to go back in time, maybe if I was much younger, I could do it all then.

Hi Cristina ~ In relation to the Group members of PROPHETIC PULSE ~ A Paradigm Shift ~ tell us how can you advise us of the waste mentioned in your Article in terms of our FUTURE? What do you see happening? What can WE do about what you SEE?

Blessings ~
Rene

With fuel prices going up for us (finally) we are all of a sudden changing our ways--though changes have been on the drawing table for a while and many people do conserve and plan and recycle. It's about time.....

think I am pretty energy frugal. I walk to a lot of things, don't use a clothes dryer that often. My sheets and pillow cases are currently drying outside. HMMMMM. they will smell wonderful tonight. My grannies are drying on my wooden rack and my tshirts and nighties on hangers on over the door racks. I like to to the first agitation in my machine and then turn it off for awhile and let the clothes soak. I have plenty of time to do that. I eat many of my veggies raw and get more good from then besides saving energy to cook them. I frequently cook in my microwave as opposed to stove top.
I turn lights off when I leave the room.....sometimes when others are still in the room. LOL I grew up in an energy conscious time, WW II so I learned those lessons very young.

Cristina...I completely agree with you. We have a small car, from April till October or November we dry our clothes on a clothesline and we use no AC throughout all the rooms in the house except for Papa's bedroom.

Having lived overseas for 18 of my 55 years, I certainly agree with you. Too many people in the USA want bargains and this had led to diminished quality in almost everything from our foods to basics for our households. We, as a culture, have become so obsessed with cheap that it has had a negative effect on the very quality of things we proclaim to value.

I'd have to agree Christina. Moving here from England seems to involve a huge change in the way of life, and I was amazed at how much lower the quality of so many things is here. Bigger, but only better if you're way richer than I'll ever be.

I just bought a front loading washing machine for the Blue Belle. It takes 4.5 gallons per load instead of 18. It sanitizes with silver in warm or cold water as opposed to hot water. It takes 1 hour and 20 minutes for a load. Drives my staff crazy, but I am so pleased to be saving so much water and energy, I don't care. After our recent flood / forced reduction in water usage, you really become aware of how much you can save if you only try.

Way to go Sherrie!