Let me start by saying this...I am a Target shopping, Starbucks drinking, iPhone using, meat eating wife and mother with a full time job outside of the home. As an info junkie with a heavy user internet dependency the very notion of off grid living strikes terror in my Twitter fed mind. Lately however I have started to become overwhelmed with the "stuff" in my life and I am looking for ways to reform my consumer behaviors. I am here to learn and to share. I am not here to apologize for my lifestyle choices nor am I here to climb up on a soapbox and judge anyone else's. I am just trying to find a reasonable pathway to a greener more conscientious existence. It won't happen overnight but I believe every change starts with a first step and this is just one of many I have taken so far.

I am also a small business owner and advocate. I am personally and professionally invested in improving my community through supporting local businesses. I am particularly interested in promoting businesses that are socially responsible and civic minded.

So what do I mean by "opt out"? The term "opt out" is my personal short hand to refer to behaviors that are contrary to many of my old consumer behaviors. For example...several weeks ago instead of going to the chain restaurant that is less than a block from my office I chose to patron area food trucks. The food was yummy, reasonably priced and I walked away from the experience with an overwhelming sense of well being. I'd spent my money supporting a bunch of local foodees that have essentially gone rogue. Viva La Food Truck Revolution! This weekend instead of grocery shopping at the super store around the corner from my house I will buy fresh locally grown produce from a farmers market. Finally...my favorite pair of jeans is one or two washes away from being so threadbare that I can no longer wear them in public. Instead of heading over to Lucky jeans to shell out another $120 I have been looking for a replacement pair on ebay. To me these are opting out behaviors and I hope to adopt more of them. It is my hope that this blog will become a platform for sharing "opting out" behaviors and best practices.