A Little List

Happy 4th everyone!

Today's issue will be short and sweet, because Kellan & I are going out with my mother to celebrate! Park & fireworks :)

So here's a small list of quick little switches you can make towards a greener lifestyle:

- This may seem like common sense, but WALK WHERE EVER YOU CAN! Other green blogs might encourage you to purchase an eco-friendly car, but as much as I'd love to do that (and love for everyone else to, as well), I know that it's just not in the cards for some of us. So for a more realistic switch, realize and embrace the fact that your greatest source of transportation is your own two feet! Walking, biking, roller blading, whatever your pick. Walk to close destinations; not only does it save you gas money, but cutting your vehicle emissions helps the planet!


- I mentioned this in the previous blog, but SWITCH TO REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS! How many lots like THIS do you see on a daily basis?

Regardless of how good you are about properly recycling plastic bags, they often still wind up caught in trees, clogging gutters, dirtying our streets. This is harmful to our planet and wildlife and there aren't enough clean up projects running. Reusable shopping bags cost about $1 at most places. Buy one each shopping trip and pretty soon, you'll no longer need to use plastic!


- You'll hear me say this a bajillion times, but SWITCH TO ORGANIC! Organic is the way to go. By purchasing non-organic and GMO foods, you're funding the people who are poisoning our food and making us sick and adding to the cycle. Make the switch and if enough people do it, with a higher demand for organic foods the cost will become lower and lower.


- Do your research! Nowadays, I research anything I plan on purchasing. You'd be surprised how many green options are out there for you!


-If you are a gardener, STOP USING PESTICIDES AND MIRACLE GROW IN YOUR GARDENS! These chemicals are known to be harmful and there is a much cheaper way to keep your plants healthy and bountiful- used coffee grounds! Stop throwing away the grounds after you're done brewing. Keep them and spread them around your plants. It saves you money, room in your garbage can and is much better for the Earth! Did you know that Starbucks has a program where they save their grounds and leave bags of them for customers to take home to their gardens? GO STARBUCKS! ;)


- Most of all- think. Re-imagine things. You can come up with your own solutions for around the home and cutting down your footprint. There are plenty of resources that help make a green conversion simple!

Lastly, here are some links for you!

Disney Offers Green Tips!
Treehugger.com offers a plethora of info!
Organic Farming Movement
ReUseIt.com!


Enjoy the fireworks! :)

"We are not to throw away those things which can benefit our neighbor..."

First off, just did Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred DVD- WOWZERS, my body is on fire! P.S. If you're interested in dieting and weight loss, check out my friend Jessica's blog- Losing to Win!

Secondly, I owe my readers an apology. I went on an unplanned hiatus due to some issues and obstacles on the home front. I am now in a position where I can blog freely and with confidence again. Despite the lack of posts, I have still been making little changes to contribute to my green conversion and will catch you up on said changes now and in the next few articles. Thanks to all of you who stood by, constantly checking for new updates. :)

Here is the newest post you've all been waiting for:

Recycling.
One of the most important aspects of a green conversion. And the truth is- it's simple. There are tons of materials that are able to be recycled: paper, cardboard, most thin plastics, glass and tin/aluminum cans, etc. All it takes is discipline.

Admittedly so, I used  to be terrible at remembering to recycle. Its the lazy part of me that feels it would just be easier to toss it in with the rest of the trash than make an extra trip down three flights of stairs to put something in the recycling bin. Now I have made things a little easier for myself. I have 2 bins by my door where I sort them as I empty them and then bring them down when they get full.

But it doesn't stop there. Here are some other ways to recycle :

- If you haven't already switched to reusable shopping bags, keep your plastic ones together. Most grocery stores have bins to recycle plastic bags, like this:


- Make sure to recycle hazardous material in the proper way. Some batteries (car, cell phone, etc) can be harmful to our environment if not properly disposed of!

-Recycling really just means to convert waste into usable material. You can recycle tons of things by yourself without putting them into recycling bins for pick up! Empty jars can be used to organize small pieces- screws, beads, buttons, etc. Empty cereal boxes (or any used cardboard, for that matter) can be cut into pieces and given to your kids to draw on.  There are tons of things that can be reused, all it takes it a little imagination.


I have become very strict with recycling in my home. I ensure that everyone in my family knows the designated spots for recyclable goods and encourage my guests to recycle as well. I just don't tolerate wasting resources anymore.  It's made me more creative with solutions for around the house. And its certainly made the world a little greener for Kellan ;)

For more info and facts on recycling, visit
Recycling Revolution

Sorry, readers!!

I am so sorry guys, I know I promised a new post for today, however, my fiance was in the hospital and had to have surgery. I was at the hospital with him for hours and then running around. He's now home and I've been taking care of him and a baby. I should get a chance to finish up the new post within a few days.

I'm so sorry, readers. Thanks for staying loyal :)

Long time no blog ;)

Hey, everyone! I am so sorry I haven't been posting as often. I've been doing a lot for my upcoming wedding and June 8th was my birthday, so I had multiple outings with family, etc. I'm working on two articles right now and am also in the process of planning a CONTEST :) as well as a little side project, on Etsy most likely. We will see. :)

Keep an eye out for the new article, should be posted in a day or two!

Love you all <3

Some wise words

Currently researching the next entry, but until then.....

 

 

"I really wonder what gives us the right to wreck this poor planet of ours. "- Kurt Vonnegut

Looking for a cheaper way to eat more veggies and fruits?

CSA is the answer! But what is a CSA program, exactly?
Well, CSA stands for "Community Supported Agriculture".

Basically, farmers make a certain amount of subscriptions available to the public. People purchase these subscriptions or memberships and are then entitled to a weekly share of the crops that the farm produces throughout the farming season, which is usually about 20 weeks, beginning in the spring.

I recently found out about these programs, while researching farmers markets. Unfortunately, most farms offering CSA's in my area have already sold out of their shares- but there's always next year! Any who, in my research I found that you can purchase a full share (3-4 people) or a half share ( 1-2 people). The price for these programs can be anywhere from $250-$600 per season. Some farms base pricing on a sliding scale determined by income and some even offer the option of paying a deposit and payments throughout the season. The farm I was especially interested in was called Scratch Farm in Cranston, RI and for my family size, I would pay $250. This is an amazing deal for FRESH and organic produce!

Normally, for 4-5 months worth of organic fruits and veggies for my family, I'd pay anywhere between $800-$950 in that time! Save $700 bucks? I'll take it!

Another advantage besides pricing is the fact that you're receiving these crops at their peak! Freshly picked directly from a farm and into your homes. No irradiation, no traveling through various states (or even countries) while the nutrients and vitamins are ruined!

Do your family a favor and look into a CSA program.

For more on CSA's, visit :
What is a CSA?


AND to search for CSA's (and farmer's markets)  in your area, visit:
Local Harvest !!

Keep an eye out for the next few articles in the works! An update on my organic farming adventure and an entry on recycling!

Pets are family, so they can go green too!

Now, if you don't know me, my cat, Beanie, is my first born daughter. ;) I treat her as such, so naturally, I want the best for her so she can be healthy.

To keep it simple, I'll cover the 3 main areas that are in most need of an overhaul: Waste, Food & Accessories.

 I never realized how many chemicals are in traditional cat litter, not to mention how bad some of the more popular types are for the environment.

The most common types nowadays are bentonite clay and silica gel. Both types claim to clump harder but they leave more of a fine dust. Not only is silica dust CARCINOGENIC but it can bother people with asthma, as well as harm your pets in ways such as lung infections and urinary tract problems. Not the kind of stuff I want my princess Beanie exposed to. Silica and clay also don't biodegrade well. There has also been proof that bentonite clay, when it's licked off the fur and travels to the digestive tract, absorbs potassium which inhibits the absorption of dietary iron. Bad news.

Luckily, if you are a cat owner, you can avoid all that. Simply switch to a green option such as recycled newspaper pellets or corn fibers. In my experience, I found that the newspaper pellets were difficult to scoop and often times left a mushy clump. Recently, I have discovered this:



This stuff rocks! It's made from 100% natural corn fibers. It does the job- clumps easily, and the baking soda helps to eliminate odor. With regular scooping, our litter box goes for over a week without smell! I also find there is less litter tracked all over the house. Lastly, this stuff isn't all that much more expensive than it's crappy alternative ;)

Another way you can go green is switching your pets food! Did you know that organic options for both cats and dogs are now widely available? Yup. And wholistic pet food is the way to go! Most cat and dog foods are made with corn and grain and any good veterinarian will tell you that cats and dogs are not meant to eat those things! Wholistic foods are made without grains and corn product to ensure a healthy pet! Also, by feeding your pets organic, you ensure that they're not eating animal by-product, which is basically meat from animals that is deemed unfit for human consumption, so why would you want to feed dear Rufus that crap? Gross. I'm currently in the process of switching Beanie's food, but she seems to enjoy it much more! I've been told to expect a more active cat and one with a healthier coat, so let's see! :)

Lucky for you devoted pet lovers, there are also many green alternatives for your pet's gear as well. Main pet retailers such as PETCO and Petsmart are selling eco-friendly pet beds:
Pet Dreams Eco-Friendly Dog Bed- interior is made from recycled plastic bottles!

PETCO sells a brand of organic pet toys called SimplyFido:



Check them out: http://www.simplyfido.com/toy_collections.html



Hemp collars, organic cotton pet clothing, all-natural grooming products- you name it, they've got it! PETCO has even released their own brand called Planet Petco that produces products made from safe and non-toxic materials!

Turning your pets into little earth-loving greenies isn't so hard or expensive, all it takes is a little research and effort!

For more you can do to go green with your pets, visit:
Treehugger.com's "How To Go Green: Pets".