I'm not a huge fan of big New Year's Resolutions, mostly because they usually set you up for failure and guilt that you weren't able to keep them. What I am a fan of is making small changes in your life. Making goals that are smaller make them easier to achieve and therefore more likely to be encouraged to reach your next small goal.

Here are 10 New Year's Resolutions that you can choose from that will help make your life more green.

1. Take your own bags to the store at least once a week.
   
2. If you regularly buy coffee or tea, take your own mug at least once a week. Once you've washed your mug, place it by your purse or wallet to remember to bring it with you in the morning.


3. If you take long showers, set a timer to figure out how long you're currently spending in there. Then cut 30 seconds from your shower each week until it's under 5 minutes. Even if you can't get under 5 minutes, cutting a few minutes off your shower each day will save a lot of water.


4. Eat food that is in season. Make a calendar that you can hang up on your refridgerator that shows what produce is in season. One calendar can be found here, but will be dependent on region. Then cook a meal with at least one of the produces in season once a week.


5. Drive less by combining trips. Cut down on one driving trip a week by combining that trip with another.


6. Put one book on your reading list for the year that will expand your knowledge on environmental issues and making your life more green. Some recommendations includeIn Defense of Food by Michael Pollan and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver that were recommended by Annie. Other recommended books includeHot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas Friedman and Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough and Michael Braungart. Borrow the book from a friend who owns it, check it out from the library, buy a used copy, or make sure to pass on your new one to a friend to ensure it has a long and productive life.


7. Save paper that has only been printed on one side to print on the other.


8. Add a green news site like TreeHugger or Grist to your usual webpage visits to expand your knowledge and understanding of the green movement.


9. Change one lightbulb to a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL). Buy several so that the next time a light goes out, you can replace it with another CFL.


10. Use weatherstripping, caulk, and/or a fabric draft stopper around doors and windows to prevent drafts from coming into your home and therefore reducing your heating costs during winter and cooling costs during summer.


What other simple things can we do to tread a bit more lightly on the planet in the new year? Share your simple suggestions here so we can all live a little greener in 2009!