Living Green in a Convenience Based Family
Ranked #23,168 in Healthy Living, #333,997 overall
One Person Can Make a Difference!!
As children we are taught that one person can make a difference. Being kind to the new kid can change his life. Teaching our kids right from wrong gives them the tools for a great life. One mother, father, or family making even little changes in their life can have wonderful long term effects on the environment. We need to choose to make a difference. Even if you only choose 1 thing at a time... DO IT! We will not be here forever, our children, their children, and generations to come will have to live with the ramifications of the choices we make today and tomorrow. Let's work together and find GREEN choices we can all live with, regardless of our income, lifestyle, or any excuse we can think of!
Living Green? You Have to be Kidding!
Yes dear, even you can do it.
Living Green... that phrase is thrown around so much now. What does it really mean? How can I live that way and still enjoy living?! But I can't... it won't work because... I don't have enough... where I live... Besides, my family won't like it!! Have I hit just about all the excuses?? Good, enough! It's time to get off our ... excuses... and do something. Even if it is only 1 change, GREAT! Do it! There are so many simple, easy (yes - easy) ways to impact our world. Enjoy looking but please, please don't stop there. Make the choice to try some of the ideas. You will totally surprise yourself at how easy it is to begin to "Live Greener."
Try This EASY Step to Become More GREEN!
Install one in each faucet and immediately save both types of GREEN!
Just a Quick Thought
Every so often I read a quote that just simply HITS me. This is one of them.It comes from sparkpeople.com, SparkPeople's Healthy Reflections a daily newsletter I recieve.
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"Is there anything that Ziggy doesn't know? In the cartooning universe, he's often placed in hopeless situations, pitted against a world that doesn't make sense. He's an agreeable punch line for the quirks of human nature. Yet he's able to brush off his mishaps and focus on the opportunities that today brings. He can also look to the future with hope, knowing full well that more struggles may lie ahead. Most of all, he can look at himself and have a good chuckle. Do you make yourself anxious about things that might happen or stew over mistakes you've made? Don't let a preoccupation with tomorrow or yesterday rob your ability to face that crazy world with a smile. For Ziggy, today is today. It's not a good day; it's not a bad day. It's a day. And he knows that it's important to give that day the value it deserves."
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THEY ARE RIGHT!! Just take one day at a time and make 1 choice at a time! We can only truly affect today.
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"Is there anything that Ziggy doesn't know? In the cartooning universe, he's often placed in hopeless situations, pitted against a world that doesn't make sense. He's an agreeable punch line for the quirks of human nature. Yet he's able to brush off his mishaps and focus on the opportunities that today brings. He can also look to the future with hope, knowing full well that more struggles may lie ahead. Most of all, he can look at himself and have a good chuckle. Do you make yourself anxious about things that might happen or stew over mistakes you've made? Don't let a preoccupation with tomorrow or yesterday rob your ability to face that crazy world with a smile. For Ziggy, today is today. It's not a good day; it's not a bad day. It's a day. And he knows that it's important to give that day the value it deserves."
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THEY ARE RIGHT!! Just take one day at a time and make 1 choice at a time! We can only truly affect today.
Saving Green This Summer
When It's Green... How to Have More Green
There are so many ways to save money during the warmer months. Here are just a few. If you want to share more, please feel free to share them here OR go to my other squid site and add it there. O.k, here goes!
- This one is EASY, replace your air conditioner filters. This is very easy to overlook. Dirty filters restrict the flow of air and lower the efficiency of the air conditioner. This means the air conditioner will be running longer and you will have higher cooling costs. A dirty filter increases cooling costs. Filters are cheap, so replace them regularly.
- This one is EASY, replace your air conditioner filters. This is very easy to overlook. Dirty filters restrict the flow of air and lower the efficiency of the air conditioner. This means the air conditioner will be running longer and you will have higher cooling costs. A dirty filter increases cooling costs. Filters are cheap, so replace them regularly.
- Dry your laundry outside. If you have the ability to hang up laundry outside, let the wonderful sun and warm summer breezes do the drying for you. If you can't hang up clothes outside, put your dryer on a lower heat setting and/or only partially dry your larger clothes and letting them air dry the rest of the way. I use to hang the sheets over the railing to finish drying!
- Dry your laundry outside. If you have the ability to hang up laundry outside, let the wonderful sun and warm summer breezes do the drying for you. If you can't hang up clothes outside, put your dryer on a lower heat setting and/or only partially dry your larger clothes and letting them air dry the rest of the way. I use to hang the sheets over the railing to finish drying!
- When it gets warm... we WILL use the air conditioner. For those of you who can survive without it... I applaud you! I, on the other hand ,need to be cool... (ask the family!) So, if you are like me, here is how you save green and still stay cool. Shut the windows, close the blinds when the sun moves to that side of the house, and use a fan. Don't let the sun heat the house up. Turn the temperature up 5 degrees and let a fan move the air around. You will be shocked at how much money you can save and still be cool.
Green living books
I have most of these books. They are very easy to read, though not necessarily well written, and easy to follow. I love having them on my bookshelf. I refer to them often. They are also inexpensive, great resources for the price. Let me know if you have any other suggesstions!
Green Links I Have Found
Take a Look, You might Like Them!
These are green (or green want-to-be)links I have come across. I either liked the site, the person was awesome or BOTH. Either way I wanted to shout them out to you.
- Melaleuca Product Store
- Melaleuca's gateway to environmentally-safe wellness; from pharmaceuticals to fitness bars, EcoSense cleaners to Vitality For Life vitamins, Envia to Nicole Miller. Contact me for more info on how to get this amazing and AFFORDABLE products sent right to your doorstep!!
naturalhome@gmail.com
Check out the company, it will truly inspire you!. - Green Tips - Quick Fixes, Easy Changes, & Long Haul Choices!
- This site specialized in tips on how to live Green There IS something for everyone here! They can be quick fixes, easy changes, or more difficult long haul choices! So, pull up a chair and make a choice! Quick, easy, or difficult, here is where you'll find great ideas!
- Buy Green, Be Smart, Save Money
- Now a days, we are all looking fore two things - becoming more Green and saving money. Saving money and still being Green is more possible today than it ever has been. Having a central place to look at great Green products that I don't have to take a loan out to buy is wonderful.
- Recycle, Reuse, Really??!
- Everyone tells us to recycle. That's great but then I think, who, what, when, where, and why? (you were right, I do use these questions all the time!) As I search and research - is that a form of reusing... - I will share them here with you. Some ideas are very simple - you probably already do them ;and some are mind-boggling! Wow! I am recycling ideas!
- Adventures in Wellness
- One woman's adventure in wellness. Follow as she tries new the things and tells all.
- MonaVie - Natural Home
- MonaVie's refreshing açai blends are products with a purpose. From powerful antioxidant support to joint and heart health, each formula delivers key nutrients to help you maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Drink it. Feel it. Share it!
- Recycle Your CDs!!!
- Do you burn CD-ROMs on your computer and get errors, where you have to toss the CD-ROM? Do you get tons of CD-ROMs in the mail for Internet providers and trial programs? I do and all these unwanted CD-ROMs are piling up. You can recycle them but it isn't as easy as a plastic bottle or aluminum can,
Great Green Go-tos
Pick one or all.. just "shift" with something!!
Links about me, us, or mine!
Personal, fun, family, or business. Please take a look; it makes me happy! The more you look, the more I'll add.
- Five kids and counting down!
- 22 years - 5 kids - diapers to college graduates, 9 moves, sports, and thousands of stories to go with each! Life is wonderful. Come take a ride with me. Funny, poignant, sometimes heartbreaking- family life is NEVER boring... ok - sometimes it is, but that makes the rest of the time even more fun!
- How To Travel With Kids
- Traveling is interesting. Traveling with kids is an adventure. Traveling by car with many kids takes a straight jacket! Here are a few tips I have used that kept me out of the straight jacket!
My first advise e-article!
Random Information You Might Not Know!
So how much can I save...
The national average cost of water is $2.00 per 1,000 gallons. The average American family spends about $474 each year on water and sewage charges. American households spend an additional $230 per year on water heating costs. By replacing appliances such as the dishwasher and inefficient fixtures such as toilets and showerheads, you can save a substantial amount each year in water, sewage, and energy costs.
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If everyone in the U.S. said "no thanks" to ATM receipts, it would save a roll of paper so long it could circle the equator fifteen times(1)
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Turn your car off instead of idling when waiting for the kids at school. When a car idles for more than 30 seconds, it's actually using more gas, therefore putting more greenhouse gas pollution into the air and using precious fuel!(1)
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Paper or plastic? How about neither. Each year the United States uses 30 billion plastic and 10 billion paper grocery bags, requiring approximately 14 million trees and 12 million barrels of oil. Everyone can do their part for the environment by keeping a reusable bag handy for shopping trips.(1)
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(1)www.filterforgood.com/tips_from_josh.php?WT.srch=1
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If you reduce your use of paper towels you could save $5-$10 per month
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By turning off electrical appliances such as TVs, computers, lights you could save an average of $20 to $30 a month!!
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If everyone in the U.S. said "no thanks" to ATM receipts, it would save a roll of paper so long it could circle the equator fifteen times(1)
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Turn your car off instead of idling when waiting for the kids at school. When a car idles for more than 30 seconds, it's actually using more gas, therefore putting more greenhouse gas pollution into the air and using precious fuel!(1)
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Paper or plastic? How about neither. Each year the United States uses 30 billion plastic and 10 billion paper grocery bags, requiring approximately 14 million trees and 12 million barrels of oil. Everyone can do their part for the environment by keeping a reusable bag handy for shopping trips.(1)
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(1)www.filterforgood.com/tips_from_josh.php?WT.srch=1
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If you reduce your use of paper towels you could save $5-$10 per month
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By turning off electrical appliances such as TVs, computers, lights you could save an average of $20 to $30 a month!!
Paper or plastic? No Thanks! I Want to Save a Plastic Tree!
Find the solution that fits you best.
Reusable shopping bags and other innovative, practical products all designed to help you consume less, preserve natural resources, and save money too.
Green in the Kitchen
Hot - Cold - Wet - and Other!
Being Green in the kitchen is easier than it might seem. Remember, just shift 1 idea and habit and you will make a difference.
HOT---
1. The stove - make certain to use the right size pot for the job and the right size burner. Don't be like my hubby - bigger pots and bigger burners MUST be better! Not only will using the right size take less time to heat, it will also use much less energy.
2. Pre-heating the oven. Don't pre-heat your oven if you will be cooking your food for more than 1 hour. Even when baking sweets and breads, there is no need to pre-heat for more than 10 minutes.
3. Microwave - USE IT! It is more than just a convenient left-overs warmer! If you have only used yours to make tea... MOM... you are missing one of the easiest ways to "shift" towards Green. Buy a microwave cookbook and begin saving energy. A microwave is around 4 times more efficient than using an electric oven.
COLD----
1.Refrigerator... keep it closed! Teach the kids (regardless of the age) to not spend an hour with their heads in it! This could save you as much as $50 a year.
2. Garbage Disposal - If you don't already compost, consider it. If you are like me and love your disposal, use cold water not hot. I was concerned about keeping it clean only using cold water so a friend recommended putting a little dish washing soap down it every couple of days to clean it. Mine always smells fresh and clean.
Wet----
Drinking water. Every TV station is running wonderful ads for Br... brand water filtering systems. They are correct. Plastic bottles that are used only once are a hideous blemish on the face of our environment. If you can't stand using tap water, than filter it and use reusable containers. PLEASE.
Other--
Stopped buying paper towels, and switched to reusable washcloths or hand towels.
A paper towel holder is great for drying washcloths or little kitchen towels.
You can use an old vertical napkin holder to organize your monthly bills.
HOT---
1. The stove - make certain to use the right size pot for the job and the right size burner. Don't be like my hubby - bigger pots and bigger burners MUST be better! Not only will using the right size take less time to heat, it will also use much less energy.
2. Pre-heating the oven. Don't pre-heat your oven if you will be cooking your food for more than 1 hour. Even when baking sweets and breads, there is no need to pre-heat for more than 10 minutes.
3. Microwave - USE IT! It is more than just a convenient left-overs warmer! If you have only used yours to make tea... MOM... you are missing one of the easiest ways to "shift" towards Green. Buy a microwave cookbook and begin saving energy. A microwave is around 4 times more efficient than using an electric oven.
COLD----
1.Refrigerator... keep it closed! Teach the kids (regardless of the age) to not spend an hour with their heads in it! This could save you as much as $50 a year.
2. Garbage Disposal - If you don't already compost, consider it. If you are like me and love your disposal, use cold water not hot. I was concerned about keeping it clean only using cold water so a friend recommended putting a little dish washing soap down it every couple of days to clean it. Mine always smells fresh and clean.
Wet----
Drinking water. Every TV station is running wonderful ads for Br... brand water filtering systems. They are correct. Plastic bottles that are used only once are a hideous blemish on the face of our environment. If you can't stand using tap water, than filter it and use reusable containers. PLEASE.
Other--
Stopped buying paper towels, and switched to reusable washcloths or hand towels.
A paper towel holder is great for drying washcloths or little kitchen towels.
You can use an old vertical napkin holder to organize your monthly bills.
More Great Green Helpers on Amazon
Just a Few of My Favorite Things...
Random Green Tips
Some are EASY and some ... NOT!
Continue to check back as these will grow and or change!!1.Install a programmable thermostat to automatically use less A/C or heat while you're at work and asleep, and combat sky-high energy costs.
2.Make the switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Compact fluorescent bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 10x longer. They're more expensive than traditional light bulbs,but the price is becoming more and more reasonable.
3. Find out which appliances are wattage hogs.
Gadgets such as the Kill-A-Watt and the Watt Minder help you find the biggest energy users in your home. Plug an appliance into one of these devices and it will tell you how much energy it uses per hour, month, or year, and how much it's costing you.If you are interested in the bigger picture, the Power Cost Monitor tracks, in real-time, the electricity use in your entire house and shows how much it is costing you. The monitor attaches to your electric meter.
4.Keep fit AND reduce greenhouse gases! These are "DUH" suggestions, but we all need to be reminded of them from time to time!
A)WALK - When the distance is short; walk!
B)RIDE YOUR BIKE- if you don't have one, help stimulate the economy and purchase one, for you and your friend!
C) TAKE THE STAIRS!- Your legs and backend will get a real workout,and you will not be using electricity for an elevator or step machine.
REMEMBER - CHOOSE ONE THING TO DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND DO IT!!
Find what you need to be GREEN.
This should help you find what you need to make your life GREEN. Just click and purchase. Delivered to your home.
Carbon Footprint Calculator
This is the internet's best online carbon footprint calculator and it's free to use.
Green living in the news
Become your own expert... read, read, read!!
The more you know, the better your choices will be! Look for articles that talk about things you can do, but also what businesses are doing to be more Green.
- White Lotus Home Celebrates Earth Day and Collaborates with Green Experts for ...
- White Lotus Home, a company that began on the first Earth Day, 1981, honors the spirit of Earth Day by collaborating with green living experts from around the country to bring helpful tips on making sure homes, particularly bedrooms, are non-toxic.
- Green Living Enterprises Media Advisory/Save the Date
- (3BL Media) Toronto, ON - May 25, 2012 - Celebrating its 20th year, Pollution Probe's 2012 Clean Air Commute is a week of fun and friendly competition among workplaces to show how much they (heart) clean air! During the week, employees walk, cycle, ...
- Hatley greenhouse thrives on sustainability
- HATLEY -- A Hatley greenhouse that began 21 years ago with just a few sawhorses stacked with plants has become a thriving business and a model of sustainable living for the community. At Majestic Farms Greenhouse & Landscaping, 6301 Townline Road, ...
- Exploring The Last Green Valley: Dorrance Inn popular with visitors for centuries
- By Charlene Perkins Cutler Visitors have been coming to The Last Green Valley for centuries ? literally. While many people came to the region and settled here in the earliest years, others passed through on a longer journey and enjoyed the region's ...
Green Tips For Cold Weather!
Saving Green is Always GREEN.
As the weather gets colder - let's think Green.
TIPS---
1.Add weather- stripping to your doors and windows.
2.Insulate around outlets and light switches that are on outside walls.
3.Have your heating units professionally cleaned and serviced. Just like you, when they're "healthy" they will work better!
4.Lower the thermostat 5 degrees lower than you use to. Every degree you lower your thermostat you save about 3% on your heating bill. You can buy a new sweater with the savings!
5.When you're finished baking, leave the door open -BUT only if it is safe.(please don't if you have younger ones around!!!)
6. Teach the kids - or hubby - to close the doors behind them, even if they'll "Be right back in!"
7. Wrap your Water Heater. If your water heater is not ready to be replaced (by a 5* rated one!)then wrap it. $15-25 and you will save more than that in heat loss!
TIPS---
1.Add weather- stripping to your doors and windows.
2.Insulate around outlets and light switches that are on outside walls.
3.Have your heating units professionally cleaned and serviced. Just like you, when they're "healthy" they will work better!
4.Lower the thermostat 5 degrees lower than you use to. Every degree you lower your thermostat you save about 3% on your heating bill. You can buy a new sweater with the savings!
5.When you're finished baking, leave the door open -BUT only if it is safe.(please don't if you have younger ones around!!!)
6. Teach the kids - or hubby - to close the doors behind them, even if they'll "Be right back in!"
7. Wrap your Water Heater. If your water heater is not ready to be replaced (by a 5* rated one!)then wrap it. $15-25 and you will save more than that in heat loss!
Reader Feedback
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Super_Natural
Mar 29, 2009 @ 9:02 pm | delete
- Lots of great tips here! This is a really well done lens! When you have a chance, I'd love for you to visit my green living lens. Be sure to say hello when you stop by!
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Mar 27, 2009 @ 11:04 pm | delete
- Great lens! I use the Brita water filter and I love it! 5 stars :)
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TheGreenerMe
Mar 8, 2009 @ 6:14 pm | delete
- Welcome to a Million Ways to Go Green!
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Gmomofive
Jan 10, 2009 @ 3:50 pm | delete
- You are a featured lens on Green Tips- Quick Fixes, Easy, & Long Haul Choices! this week.
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smallhandsdesigns
Dec 17, 2008 @ 1:17 am | delete
- love it! great content - and the tip about ATM receipts is one I will definitely apply to my life!
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Karissa
Nov 17, 2008 @ 2:25 pm | delete
- Great article! Very informative with good tips. Thanks for getting this green living info out there to families - there really is so much we can do to make a difference. :o)
I'd like to share! For some more great green living family tips on organic produce and cloth diapers visit http://www.rocksolidchristianfamily.com/green-living.
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EverythingMouse Nov 12, 2008 @ 9:50 pm | delete
- I completely agree that one person can make a difference. We all have to work together to do what we can.
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RinchenChodron
Nov 7, 2008 @ 4:47 pm | delete
- Hi - great lens! I find the best way to freshen the disposal is to grind up lemon rind or grapefruit - releases the oils and kills germs!
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TheGreenerMe
Nov 5, 2008 @ 7:19 pm | delete
- Great work! It certainly isn't too hard to make small changes in your lifestyle to be a little "greener," and can definitely fatten your wallet a little bit too. Giving this one a lensroll to our weatherstripping lens!
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jamaicamike
Nov 4, 2008 @ 8:51 am | delete
- This Is An Excellent Lens Thanks For Your support Also......Great Info For The Modern Family!!! Kudos
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green-mahma
Oct 30, 2008 @ 7:24 pm | delete
- Enjoyed your lens. Congrats on being ranked #85.
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by Gmomofive
I am a simple wife and mother of 5... ok... not so simple! My oldest daughter has moved home. The next one is in South Florida. The rest of us live in... more »
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