Sunday, April 27, 2008
Getting from here to there without destroying the planet
So, my husband and I are newer to our area, and part of my job is to drive to peoples' homes. I have a pretty terrible sense of direction, so I always have to print out from Google maps. This week I went to 4 homes, which means 4 maps. I realized how wasteful that was, and since I am a gadget geek, I immediately realized my next big purchase: GPS! No papers to print ever! I researched and found one that I like a lot and is relatively inexpensive: Garmin nuvi 200. It retails for $199 at Best Buy (or Worst Buy, if you are a stickler for customer service), but checking my local Target ad (online, of course!) I see that Target has it for $149 this week! Score!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Good books
I just finished "Wake Up and Smell The Planet", which was a great book. At times, a little intimidating with too much info at once, but great overall. I just picked up and started Gorgeously Green today and so far, it's really awesome. She talks about the daily struggles to go green without going overboard, but also knowing which battles to fight.
So far this is not something I have talked about, but while my resolution is thrilling and exciting every single day and every single task I do, it can also be overwhelming sometimes, and (just like with any resolution) it's a daily struggle with my former-self to do it. Sometimes it's easier to to just throw the clothes in the dryer than to individually hang them all, ya know? I'd rather just buy the packaged catnip sometimes than struggle to grow it (they keep eating it while it's still in the dirt!). We have become so dependent on conveniences that sometimes it's just tough.
Every day I remind myself that I am doing this so that, when my time comes, I will rest well knowing that I did the best I could for as long as I could to leave the planet as wonderful as possible for my offspring and theirs. Every day with each item I re-use, each item I recycle and each time I turn out a light when leaving a room, I am ensuring my legacy - a happy planet and healthier environment for my yet unborn family.
I know - it's a little hokey. But hey, we can all have different reasons as long as the end result is all the same, right?!
So far this is not something I have talked about, but while my resolution is thrilling and exciting every single day and every single task I do, it can also be overwhelming sometimes, and (just like with any resolution) it's a daily struggle with my former-self to do it. Sometimes it's easier to to just throw the clothes in the dryer than to individually hang them all, ya know? I'd rather just buy the packaged catnip sometimes than struggle to grow it (they keep eating it while it's still in the dirt!). We have become so dependent on conveniences that sometimes it's just tough.
Every day I remind myself that I am doing this so that, when my time comes, I will rest well knowing that I did the best I could for as long as I could to leave the planet as wonderful as possible for my offspring and theirs. Every day with each item I re-use, each item I recycle and each time I turn out a light when leaving a room, I am ensuring my legacy - a happy planet and healthier environment for my yet unborn family.
I know - it's a little hokey. But hey, we can all have different reasons as long as the end result is all the same, right?!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Happy Earth Day!
Happy Earth Day 2008! Today I am wearing a green coloured shirt, and all of my clothes were line dried last nite instead of dried in the dryer.
If you want to do one small thing to impact the environment positively but don't know where to start....
-Sign up for e-statements for credit cards or bank statements
-Switch one lightbulb in your home to CFL
-Plant an herb that you use frequently in a garden
-Wash today's laundry on cold water
-Pay a bill online or over the phone instead of mailing your check in
Just a few suggestions - have a great Earth Day!!!!!!
If you want to do one small thing to impact the environment positively but don't know where to start....
-Sign up for e-statements for credit cards or bank statements
-Switch one lightbulb in your home to CFL
-Plant an herb that you use frequently in a garden
-Wash today's laundry on cold water
-Pay a bill online or over the phone instead of mailing your check in
Just a few suggestions - have a great Earth Day!!!!!!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Cleaning with no harsh chemicals
Today I cleaned our toilet with only baking soda and my hands (in gloves, of course!) and it is gleaming like it never gleamed before.
I also saw my green girls at LUSH today and came home with more natural stuff - natural face masks, to be exact - all hand-made and filled with green goodness! Of course, they were brought home in my reusable tote!!!!
Thank goodness the weather is great - we turned off the furnace today, which is exciting.
I also saw my green girls at LUSH today and came home with more natural stuff - natural face masks, to be exact - all hand-made and filled with green goodness! Of course, they were brought home in my reusable tote!!!!
Thank goodness the weather is great - we turned off the furnace today, which is exciting.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Travels
Joel and I wanted to go to MN for our wedding anniversary, but it's 300 miles each way, and with the cost of gas, and my efforts to go green, we decided instead to go tour the Jelly Belly factory and then to head to IKEA and Woodfield in Chicago - it's about half the distance. Bonus - riding the Jelly Belly train!
I got a bunch of items from some secret swaps and I rinsed out the containers and intend to use them again - they are great sizes for samples and traveling!
I got a bunch of items from some secret swaps and I rinsed out the containers and intend to use them again - they are great sizes for samples and traveling!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Things I did previous to today....
For my first "real" post, I figure I should go over the things I have already done this year. I have:
-Started reycling. It sounds so simple, but we never did it. So we have started recycling. This also includes shredding our mail and using the shred in outgoing packages.
-Reduced the amount of packaging I use. I am FAR more aware of packaging than I used to be. We now use solid shampoos and conditioners instead of bottled, I use a solid face wash instead of a cream, Joel shaves with a shaving bar instead of a shave gel, and we re-use other containers as much as we can. Also, most of the products we use in the shower/bath are vegan!
- Been printing as little as possible. We are a lot more aware of how much paper we were using, so instead of printing, we try to find more eco-friendly ways to remember things - including re-using the sheets from our daily calendar.
-Signed up for e-bank statements. That way I have them saved in my email and it's less waste and resources for the bank!
-Refused un-neccessary plastic bags when shopping. Why did I need a bag for one magazine, anyways? Part and parcel of this is that we are also trying to purchase and use "green" bags more, which are typically made from recycled plastic bottles, and are a lot stronger than plastic.
-Switched most lightbulbs in our apt to CFLs (compact fluorescents). These last longer, use less energy and seem to actually be brighter! Bonus - they were on sale at our grocery store, so I stocked up!
-Turned off lights when leaving the room. Seems easy, right? Try making it a habit. It can be really hard! This also includes unplugging the cell phone charger when not in use!!!
-Used less water. My showers are a little shorter, I always turn off the water when I brush my teeth, I don't just let it run, waiting for it to get cold/hot, etc. I have also started using the dishwasher a lot more - dishwashers are more energy efficient than handwashing!
-Started freecycling. If I am going to get rid of something, I find someone to give it to. Less waste, and I feel like a better friend/neighbor/relative!
-Switched to bamboo! I now wear bamboo socks, we sleep on bamboo sheets, and we are replacing old (ratty!) towels with bamboo ones. Bamboo is a renewable resource, and as a bonus, it gets softer the more you wash it! Don't worry about the old ones - we are using those to clean with! I even tricked my dad into using bamboo socks, and he likes them!
-Switched to a fabric shower liner instead of a plastic one. Fabric is washable, lasts longer, and collects less mildew!
-Started using more "green" cleaning products. We have switched a few of the old chemical ones out for something more eco-friendly, and we are using rags to clean now instead of paper towels.
-Made our kitties go green! We are working on completely replacing their litter less, and instead, scooping it more frequently and maybe using baking soda to keep the stinks away.
-Air-dried laundry. I use my drying rack now instead of the dryer. Bonus - it saves me $1 each time!
- Started washing all clothes in cold water. There is really no difference, and cold water uses less electricity.
-Turned the thermostat down! Ours went down 2 degrees this winter, and instead we got out more blankets for warmth. We also burn candles to give additional warmth when it's cold out, plus the make the house smell great!
-Started driving the more gas-efficient vehicle more, and combined as many trips as possible. Esp with the increasing gas prices, this really helps!
-Used only 100% windpower at home. With Alliant, we chose to use 100% wind power in our home. We pay a little more, but it's definitely worth it!
See? All of those are pretty easy, cheap, reasonable things to do, and they really add up!
-Started reycling. It sounds so simple, but we never did it. So we have started recycling. This also includes shredding our mail and using the shred in outgoing packages.
-Reduced the amount of packaging I use. I am FAR more aware of packaging than I used to be. We now use solid shampoos and conditioners instead of bottled, I use a solid face wash instead of a cream, Joel shaves with a shaving bar instead of a shave gel, and we re-use other containers as much as we can. Also, most of the products we use in the shower/bath are vegan!
- Been printing as little as possible. We are a lot more aware of how much paper we were using, so instead of printing, we try to find more eco-friendly ways to remember things - including re-using the sheets from our daily calendar.
-Signed up for e-bank statements. That way I have them saved in my email and it's less waste and resources for the bank!
-Refused un-neccessary plastic bags when shopping. Why did I need a bag for one magazine, anyways? Part and parcel of this is that we are also trying to purchase and use "green" bags more, which are typically made from recycled plastic bottles, and are a lot stronger than plastic.
-Switched most lightbulbs in our apt to CFLs (compact fluorescents). These last longer, use less energy and seem to actually be brighter! Bonus - they were on sale at our grocery store, so I stocked up!
-Turned off lights when leaving the room. Seems easy, right? Try making it a habit. It can be really hard! This also includes unplugging the cell phone charger when not in use!!!
-Used less water. My showers are a little shorter, I always turn off the water when I brush my teeth, I don't just let it run, waiting for it to get cold/hot, etc. I have also started using the dishwasher a lot more - dishwashers are more energy efficient than handwashing!
-Started freecycling. If I am going to get rid of something, I find someone to give it to. Less waste, and I feel like a better friend/neighbor/relative!
-Switched to bamboo! I now wear bamboo socks, we sleep on bamboo sheets, and we are replacing old (ratty!) towels with bamboo ones. Bamboo is a renewable resource, and as a bonus, it gets softer the more you wash it! Don't worry about the old ones - we are using those to clean with! I even tricked my dad into using bamboo socks, and he likes them!
-Switched to a fabric shower liner instead of a plastic one. Fabric is washable, lasts longer, and collects less mildew!
-Started using more "green" cleaning products. We have switched a few of the old chemical ones out for something more eco-friendly, and we are using rags to clean now instead of paper towels.
-Made our kitties go green! We are working on completely replacing their litter less, and instead, scooping it more frequently and maybe using baking soda to keep the stinks away.
-Air-dried laundry. I use my drying rack now instead of the dryer. Bonus - it saves me $1 each time!
- Started washing all clothes in cold water. There is really no difference, and cold water uses less electricity.
-Turned the thermostat down! Ours went down 2 degrees this winter, and instead we got out more blankets for warmth. We also burn candles to give additional warmth when it's cold out, plus the make the house smell great!
-Started driving the more gas-efficient vehicle more, and combined as many trips as possible. Esp with the increasing gas prices, this really helps!
-Used only 100% windpower at home. With Alliant, we chose to use 100% wind power in our home. We pay a little more, but it's definitely worth it!
See? All of those are pretty easy, cheap, reasonable things to do, and they really add up!
The start of something exciting
Today is the start of something really exciting. My resolution for 2008 was simple - make an effort to be more eco-aware. I have done this in a lot of ways since Jan 1, and before, actually, and now I have decided to document it, hoping to inspire at least a few other people to see that small steps can really add up to something great, and that one person really can make a difference.
My name is Cathie, and I am currently 28 years old. My husband and I live in WI with our delightful furry babies in a decidedly blue-collar town.
This will be my journey in blogsphere for 2008. Please leave comments if you wish. I love knowing that people will actually read what I have to say.
My name is Cathie, and I am currently 28 years old. My husband and I live in WI with our delightful furry babies in a decidedly blue-collar town.
This will be my journey in blogsphere for 2008. Please leave comments if you wish. I love knowing that people will actually read what I have to say.
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