Here are a few easy and cheap idea's to remember to keep our environment healthier.
Carpool - If you can try to carpool with someone else by you.
Compost - Place a compost bin next to the garbage and encourage guests to compost their compostable scraps (this will also educate non-composting guests).
Reuse Plasticware or use Silverware - Place a bucket of soapy water next to the garbage(and compost) and encourage guest instead of throwing out the plasticware to place it in the bucket so you can wash and reuse later. Also if you are having a small gathering of people or have enough silverware use that instead.
Mind your Cup - Place a market out next to the cups to encourage guest to mark there names on the cups so if they misplace them they know which is which. This will save of the amount of cups to enter the landfill. Of course if you have enough "non-disposable" cups to go around that is always the best, however I know most of us (including myself don't)
Biodegradable Plates - Typically biodegradable plates are much more expensive however Chinet plain plates are biodegradable and have always been. Instead of throwing the plates away encourage guest to compost them. Just watch your green and brown ratios (plates are brown). Typically what I do after a party of composting plates when we and my neighbor cut the lawn I add in both his and my lawn clippings so I can add extra greens to offset the brown.
Share the Wealth - After the party is over typically the host is left with tons of food and drinks some of which are un-opened. Either share the leftovers with your guest or donate to a shelter.
RECYCLE - I don't know how many times I go to a party and people forget to put out the recycle bin. Don't forget the recycle bin!
As always have a happy and safe 4th of July.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Conversation between God and Saint Francis (Suburbanites and our Environment)
I was given this by a friend I dont know who orginally wrote it and if anyone knows please let me know so I can give proper reference.
When I orginally read this it really opened my eyes to what we are doing as a civilization.
GOD: St. Francis, you know all about gardens and nature. What in the World is going on down there in the USA? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistle and stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect, no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honeybees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colors by now. But all I see are these green rectangles.
ST. FRANCIS: It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers weeds and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass.
GOD: Grass? But it's so boring. It's not colorful. It doesn't attract butterflies, birds and bees, only grubs and sod worms. It's temperamental with temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there?
ST. FRANCIS: Apparently so, Lord. They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn.
GOD: The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy.
ST. FRANCIS: Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it, sometimes twice a week.
GOD: They cut it? Do they then bale it like hay?
ST. FRANCIS: Not exactly Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags.
GOD: They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?
ST. FRANCIS: No, sir -- just the opposite. They pay to throw it away.
GOD: Now, let me get this straight. They fertilize grass so it will grow. And when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?
ST. FRANCIS: Yes, sir.
GOD: These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back On the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the gro wth and saves Them a lot of work.
ST. FRANCIS: You aren't going to believe this, Lord. When the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.
GOD: What nonsense. At least they kept some of the trees. That was a Sheer stoke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the autumn they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. Plus, as they rot, the leaves form compost to enhance the soil. It's a natural circle of life.
ST. FRANCIS: You'd better sit down, Lord. The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and pay to have them hauled away.
GOD: No. What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the Winter and to keep the soil moist and loose?
ST. FRANCIS: After throwing away the leaves, they go out and buy Something which they call mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves.
GOD: And where do they get this mulch?
ST. FRANCIS: They cut down trees and grind them up to make the mulch.
GOD: Enough! I don't want to think about this anymore. St. Catherine, you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?
ST. CATHERINE: Dumb and Dumber, Lord. It's a real stupid movie about.............
GOD: Never mind, I think I just heard the whole story from St. Francis.
When I orginally read this it really opened my eyes to what we are doing as a civilization.
GOD: St. Francis, you know all about gardens and nature. What in the World is going on down there in the USA? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistle and stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect, no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honeybees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colors by now. But all I see are these green rectangles.
ST. FRANCIS: It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers weeds and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass.
GOD: Grass? But it's so boring. It's not colorful. It doesn't attract butterflies, birds and bees, only grubs and sod worms. It's temperamental with temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there?
ST. FRANCIS: Apparently so, Lord. They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn.
GOD: The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy.
ST. FRANCIS: Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it, sometimes twice a week.
GOD: They cut it? Do they then bale it like hay?
ST. FRANCIS: Not exactly Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags.
GOD: They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?
ST. FRANCIS: No, sir -- just the opposite. They pay to throw it away.
GOD: Now, let me get this straight. They fertilize grass so it will grow. And when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?
ST. FRANCIS: Yes, sir.
GOD: These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back On the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the gro wth and saves Them a lot of work.
ST. FRANCIS: You aren't going to believe this, Lord. When the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.
GOD: What nonsense. At least they kept some of the trees. That was a Sheer stoke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the autumn they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. Plus, as they rot, the leaves form compost to enhance the soil. It's a natural circle of life.
ST. FRANCIS: You'd better sit down, Lord. The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and pay to have them hauled away.
GOD: No. What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the Winter and to keep the soil moist and loose?
ST. FRANCIS: After throwing away the leaves, they go out and buy Something which they call mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves.
GOD: And where do they get this mulch?
ST. FRANCIS: They cut down trees and grind them up to make the mulch.
GOD: Enough! I don't want to think about this anymore. St. Catherine, you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?
ST. CATHERINE: Dumb and Dumber, Lord. It's a real stupid movie about.............
GOD: Never mind, I think I just heard the whole story from St. Francis.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Women Changing the World: Plastics
I just received this video and I think everyone needs to watch this and carefully listen to what she has to say. We all need to be making this changes today to help save tomorrow. After watching this video visit her site http://www.fakeplasticfish.com
Friday, May 1, 2009
Bad Green Marketing
OK, I just needed a forum to vent my frustration. I am so tired of watching chemical and pharmaceutical companies claiming to be natural and green. THEY ARE LIARS! The same company that was just scolded at for putting toxic chemicals in there baby products is now offering "Green" home cleaners..........SERIOUSLY!!!! They cant keep our kids safe but yet they are going to offer green solutions for our homes and the environment.
We as consumers need to be aware at what we are purchasing. These companies are taking advantage of what this grassroots movement is doing. They are taking good meaning people and brainwashing them (greenwashing) into thinking these products are safer for them and the environment.
I urge everyone PLEASE research your products before buying anything labeled Green. If you don't know what to use you have come to the right place. I urge you to read my post "What is Green" the one right below. And if you have any questions just send me a comment or email.
Just please don't fall into a marketing trap.
We as consumers need to be aware at what we are purchasing. These companies are taking advantage of what this grassroots movement is doing. They are taking good meaning people and brainwashing them (greenwashing) into thinking these products are safer for them and the environment.
I urge everyone PLEASE research your products before buying anything labeled Green. If you don't know what to use you have come to the right place. I urge you to read my post "What is Green" the one right below. And if you have any questions just send me a comment or email.
Just please don't fall into a marketing trap.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
What is Green
The term Green has no regulation and so many companies are out there claiming to be Green but are they truly Green? What does Green really mean?
Well for a product to be Green to me it has to follow a certain set of standards.
1. 100% safe and Non-Toxic
2. Evironmentally Responsible Packaging - super concentrated, so less bottles enter the landfill, reusable and recyclable, biodegradable or compostable
3. Company making a Positive Environmental Impact - ask yourself what is Company X doing to better our environment and health
4. Keeping Green in my Wallet – being Green is about being resourceful and not all about buying Green. Can a single product be used for multiple uses. Green should never cost more in the long run, granted typically true Green products are more expensive upfront due to quality ingredients, fair trade..ect but they should last longer than their “non green” counterparts and thus saving us money.
5. Not Tested on Animals - being Green is about being Earth Friendly, we cant be Earth Friendly and harming animals
Well for a product to be Green to me it has to follow a certain set of standards.
1. 100% safe and Non-Toxic
2. Evironmentally Responsible Packaging - super concentrated, so less bottles enter the landfill, reusable and recyclable, biodegradable or compostable
3. Company making a Positive Environmental Impact - ask yourself what is Company X doing to better our environment and health
4. Keeping Green in my Wallet – being Green is about being resourceful and not all about buying Green. Can a single product be used for multiple uses. Green should never cost more in the long run, granted typically true Green products are more expensive upfront due to quality ingredients, fair trade..ect but they should last longer than their “non green” counterparts and thus saving us money.
5. Not Tested on Animals - being Green is about being Earth Friendly, we cant be Earth Friendly and harming animals
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
No Fur Bunnies with Vroom Solo
As many of you know I have two very cute but very furry huskies and with huskies comes lots of vacuuming. Typically I vacuum every day to pick up the little furry bunnies floating around the kitchen and foyer floor. The thing I hate most about vacuuming is dragging my Dyson all over, don't get me wrong I couldn't own my dogs without my Dyson. But it is a pain to unravel the cords and drag it around to do a quick pickup of fur bunnies, spilled dog food bowl or a tossed cracker cup compliments of my toddlers. Well....this problem was solved with the Vroom.
I was recently given the chance to try out the Vroom Solo and share my experiences and I have to say I am amazed by how well this little thing works. First off if you are not familiar with the Vroom it is a self contained vacuum that is stored under the sink in either a kitchen size or bath sized model and also has a 22 ft hose. It is a simple as lifting the handle and away you go. This is great for all of life little messes and if you have pet and kids you have to check this product out.
Test Time
To put it to the test I took a rake to Atlas, a rake is the master of the shedding tools, get he most hair out with minimal effort problem is it makes a HUGE mess. Well within minutes my entire floor was covered in dog fur in huge piles. So once I was done I got out the Vroom and all dog hair was gone, in the time it would have taken me to get out the big vacuum and unravel it and I had the fur completely cleaned up.
For more information and to see a demo of this product visit www.vroomyourroom.com
I was recently given the chance to try out the Vroom Solo and share my experiences and I have to say I am amazed by how well this little thing works. First off if you are not familiar with the Vroom it is a self contained vacuum that is stored under the sink in either a kitchen size or bath sized model and also has a 22 ft hose. It is a simple as lifting the handle and away you go. This is great for all of life little messes and if you have pet and kids you have to check this product out.
Test Time
To put it to the test I took a rake to Atlas, a rake is the master of the shedding tools, get he most hair out with minimal effort problem is it makes a HUGE mess. Well within minutes my entire floor was covered in dog fur in huge piles. So once I was done I got out the Vroom and all dog hair was gone, in the time it would have taken me to get out the big vacuum and unravel it and I had the fur completely cleaned up.
For more information and to see a demo of this product visit www.vroomyourroom.com
Monday, April 13, 2009
5 Ways to be Greener this Earth Day
5 Simple Ways to be Greener this Earth Day
- Use Non-Toxic Cleaners – Every year we toss tons of bottles into landfills and pollute our indoor air quality but putting unnecessary toxins in our air, which can extremely effect our and our families health. Make the change and purchase a Get Clean Kit, this kit is everything you need for a cleaner healthier home, plus because everything is super concentrated you will be saving tons of bottles from entering the landfills.
- Did you know by purchasing a get clean kit It is like purchasing $3,400 of home cleaning products.
- Eliminates 108 lbs of packaging waste from our landfills
- Eliminates 248 lbs of greenhouse gasses
- Start Composting – Composting is a simple way to not only avoid scraps from entering our landfills but it does wonder for your plants. Did you know composting can lessen the amount of garbage you put at for pickup and even decrease your garbage pickup bill.
- Drink CLEAN Water – Every year we throw tons of plastic water bottles into landfills, start using filtered water and refillable water bottles like SIGG and Klean Kanteen and ditch the plastic bottles. Check out the Best Water Pitcher, this pitcher is fridge door friendly and filters ordinary tap water.
- Buy Local Produce– Support your local economy and start shopping at the local farms. There is nothing better than some farm fresh food and in most instances it will be cheaper than the supermarkets. For local farms near you go to www.localharvest.org
- Recycle your Indoor Air – Simply open your windows for 5 mins and let some fresh air in. Also check out the AirSource 3000 air purifier that dramatically reduces all three of the major forms of indoor air pollution, including particles such as pollen, pet dander, dust and cigarette smoke; microbes such as mold and bacteria; gases and odors. It purifies the air up to 3000 sq. ft. making it ideal for most homes.
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