Looking for local, Orange County based companies that are eco-focused?  Finally, a great resource for Orange County specific green companies has been created:  The OC Green Guide

The site states:  “Born out of necessity, OC Green Guide was developed for those who need a convenient and concise guide to all things ‘green’ in Orange County. Where once there was often fruitless guess work in finding a non-toxic paint source, the latest organic restaurant or even a local source for solar panels; our OC Green Guide provides you with a fast and accurate way to track down all that Orange County has to offer in terms of green and organic businesses and services.”

What a great resource for those of us who are interested in living greener!

For my inaugural post, which happens to fall in January, it only seems fitting to address the issue of goal setting. As is my annual ritual, I have once again plopped myself and my notebook computer down at Panera on 17th Street in Costa Mesa for several afternoons now, and, armed with a chocolate chip cookie and latte, drafted my goals for the year ahead. This year, I’ve added a new category to my list – Green Goals. 2007 was the year that introduced me to the wonders of green. I’ve always been clear that it is my favorite color (may have something to do with my green eyes), but last year the planets aligned and my journey towards living greener began. I went to work for a green Real Estate company, Surterre Properties, which led to my discovery of the EcoBroker designation. I became the first EcoBroker Certified agent at Surterre Properties and the first in Coastal Orange County. This led to the opportunity to meet some outstanding green vendors whose products and services make greener living, greener real estate, and greener moving a reality. This blog will serve as an opportunity for me to introduce you to the truly outstanding ones that I have already found, and those that I will meet in the months ahead.The opportunity to live in a healthier home environment, be more energy efficient (and save money!), and make choices that will help to preserve the beauty of our surrounding environment and the planet are ideas that really excite me. Who doesn’t want these things? As a result, I’m committed to living greener from here on out. I, like most of you, am just beginning on this journey, and a journey it will be. What I love about the green movement is that it can be incremental. I can make little changes in my life and over time, they will yield big changes. I view it as an evolution, and I hope that you will choose to evolve along with me.So, where to start. For me, 2007 was a year of doing the basics and getting educated…changing out my light bulbs to compact fluorescents…watching An Inconvenient Truth…reading…websurfing…networking. I decided to make 2008 a bit more clear. I wrote down my greener living goals, and I am sharing them with you. I challenge you to go green with me. I will document my journey, and share my trials and tribulations with you here. I hope it helps you with your own green living inspiration and I look forward to hearing of your own adventures and ideas.

Stacey’s Greener Living Goals 2008:

1. Recycle at home
2. Use recycled bags when grocery shopping
3. Use mug instead of coffee cup whenever possible
4. Sign up for paperless billing for monthly bills/statements
5. Convert to safer household cleaning products
6. Go to a landfill
7. Participate in the Costa Mesa Water Studies Committee
8. As finances permit, purchase:
   - Energy Star Washer/Dryer
   - Energy Star Refrigerator
   - Energy Star Oven
   - Energy Star Dishwasher
   - Paint home with non-VOC paint
   - Improve insulation of ducting system and attic
   - Programmable thermostat
   - Eco-Sheets/bedding/pillows