My phone rang just as I was about to start-up my human-powered mower. Jeff Hawkes of Lancasteronline.com was calling.

Jeff is contributing to an online series featuring local tipsters who will offer helpful suggestions on a variety of topics. He asked if I’d be willing to provide a few tips on reducing one’s carbon footprint. “Sure!” I replied, although I wondered what I would have to say. 

To make it even more challenging, Jeff asked me to come up with carbon reducing actions that people don’t ordinarily think of.

“Wow, I wish he would have asked me before Susan and I took our train adventure from Philadelphia to New Orleans!” I said to myself. I had a lot of time to think while watching the states go by. Surely I could have come up with something then! 

Oh well, it’s about time for lunch. We always have something tasty and nutritious, especially over the last 6 years since we began eating a vegan diet (no meat, dairy or eggs). Lunch usually inspires me. Maybe I’ll be able to come up with a few not-so-obvious tips for reducing one’s carbon footprint while eating my sandwich made of hummus from Allentown,PA, bread from Philadelphia plus some lettuce and radishes from our garden here in Lancaster.