well I've done it. I've pared down my book collection to one shelf. Mind you Jeannette Winterson occupies about a quarter of the books I now call my own. I took a third load over to Impact thrift store today and my apartment is starting to look clean and sleek. Less mess, less clutter. I don't think I can pare down to pure minimalist standards, especially while raising a child, but I can get pretty close. My next step is to get rid of 3 empty book shelves that are littering my small apartment. Going to Wegmans tonight for some organic veggies, soy milk, tofu and various healthful sundries. I've been a pescatarian for about a month now. No beef, pork or poultry, only fish. I also am off dairy. I think I am doing this all for moral reasons. I am reading a book called Slaughterhouse and the conditions and processes in slaughterhouses are so unbelievable and horrendous that I've given up all meat. Not to mention the meat is dirty and very poorly regulated by the USDA. I would go vegan but salmon burgers, my favorite, are keeping me from it. Maybe later on I'll give up fish if entertained by the right argument against it.
Another book I am reading which I highly recommend is "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver. It's about her family's 1 year adventure of only eating local foods, farming their foods, and living in Appalachia. She describes the fresh rhubarb so beautifully that I find myself staring at it in the grocery store dreamily. And eggplant too..