My name is Melanie Wagner-Collins. Nice to meet you.

I am a mom of three young daughters. I’m busy. I’m distracted. I’m overwhelmed. Changing habits is a challenge for me. After reading some environmental information, my husband began replacing our light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs. I cried. A serious tantrum. I’m not kidding. I know it sounds pathetic but I didn’t like the new light it gave off. I wasn’t used to it and it threw me off kilter. It didn’t take long before I adapted and stopped noticing the change in light. And felt just a wee bit foolish about the fore-mentioned tears. Sometimes we need to grow up and make some changes.

I started to do a bit of research on our planet and quickly realized that it was time to make some more changes. I began using reusable grocery bags and was beginning to feel downright cranky when I was still forced to use plastic produce and bulk bags. What was the alternative? Certainly it was easy enough to skip the bag for some bananas, but not so easy when I had nine apples and a dozen tomatoes. And what about the almonds and quinoa and gummy bears?

Guess where those plastic bags would go when I got home and had put my groceries away? Same place as yours, in the “bag drawer” or “bag cupboard” which is usually jammed with plastic bags. Some would get reused, but the fact is we have far more bags than we could ever actually need to use. Over time they add up to a significant number. Using less plastic and paper bags is such a necessary thing to do; it's such an easy habit to change. I just needed the right tools to do it. An attractive and nicely-sized bag that works with my wardrobe (can you say diva) and has reusable cotton bags that are easily accessed.