Living green and guilt-free

I'm fortunate to be part of a growing green initiative that allows employees to work remotely from the comfort of their home. Studies show increased productivity, savings on overhead and energy consumption, and a reduction in gas emissions.

My work day begins pre-dawn, and if you've ever worked from home, you'll appreciate that sometimes I'll go at it for 8 hours straight before realizing I've not eaten, brushed my teeth, showered or moved from the same position except to flush. So when I tell you something aside from work caught my eye, you'll understand the rarity of such a diversion.

What stole the moment? A TV commercial.

But not just any ole commercial, a Kohler, Model K 8002, water tile, body spray shower commercial. We're talking wall to wall tiles, each having 54 nozzles raining steamy, hot water upon one's aching, over-stressed body.

And just as I was entering shower euphoria, green guilt accosted me. Why even invest in such magnificent (and costly) hardware if only to enjoy its pleasure for a short moment? Let's face it, enjoying a long, 40-minute shower these days just wouldn't be right, especially since we're experiencing a nasty drought and there seems to be more people in the world than water.

But then again, why shouldn't I enjoy such luxuries? It's not like I work just because I love getting up at 5:30 a.m. each day to imprison myself to a computer screen. Simply put, I work because I have to... especially if I expect to eat.

And why should going green require we give up that one thing that makes life worthwhile, that makes having to work a 9-to-5 that much easier? Green should not be a dark and bleak existence. Life is balance.

So, maybe what we need to do is figure out how to have those things that make life worth living (in my case a long, 40-minute shower using state-of-the-art Kohler body spray tiles) while still helping to conserve the earth.

For example, if I compost, recycle, and conserve water by using smart, simple tips six days a week, shouldn't I be able to enjoy day seven guilt-free?

What if I place a bucket inside the shower stall to collect the extra water my body doesn't absorb and reuse it to water plants or the garden?

If big business can buy credits to offset their carbon footprints, why can't the average Joe achieve the same result by offsetting his own green efforts?

So don't give up your dreams or your dream car just because it is not a Hybrid. Instead find other ways to balance out your green efforts.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Twice a week have a meatless meal. So when you eat that big fat juicy steak (that probably has more carbon miles than all the taxis in New York), you can eat it guilt-free.
2. Carpool at least 2-3 times a week so come the weekend, you can enjoy a long, guilt-free drive in your little red corvette.
3. Try the many water conservation tips provided in these PSAs so you can take that 40-minute shower (don't forget the bucket).
4. Repurpose those worn drapes into decorative pillow cases to keep from adding to the growing trash in overcrowded landfills.
5. Donate those shoes you haven't worn in more than 10 years that are eating up dust in your closet. Shoes were actually made for walking, and I'm sure someone less fortunate would be happy to do just that.

I bet you can come up with your own ways to balance out your green efforts so that you can enjoy life, guilt free, while saving the earth. Should I be lucky enough to get a hefty pay raise, I intend to enjoy all 54 nozzles, which could mean dusting off a few pairs of shoes myself.