If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that I’m always looking for a way to make the most efficient use of my time. Often, that means multitasking. So, I clean the kitchen or prepare vegetables while pasta water comes to a boil. I outline articles while I walk the dog. I pray morning and evening prayer while I commute by subway.

So, as you might imagine, I’m really excited about plogging. What is plogging, you may ask? It’s a Swedish term for the practice of going for a run and stopping as you go to pick up trash on your route. Now, I can’t carry a partially full trash bag while I run and all that stopping and bending throws off my stride. If you can do it, pat yourself on the back. (Literally, we’ll wait.) So, I do my own version. I call it a trash walk.

A trash walk is pretty simple. I set out with two bags: one for trash and one for recyclables. I usually wear gardening gloves. As I walk through my neighborhood, I pick up whatever trash I come across. When the bags are full, I stop picking things up and turn for home. This has so many benefits:

• My neighborhood is cleaner.
• Recyclables that are discarded on the street actually get recycled.
• I get out in the fresh air.
• I get exercise — walking, bending, and carrying the increasingly heavy bags.

The great thing about this is how flexible it is. You can do a few blocks or a few miles. he whole family can get involved. Neighbors can do it together. You can do it at a convenient time of day.

So now, I can get some exercise and take care of creation. that’s some good multi-tasking!