When I started this blog I had promised to be completely honest about any problems I might find with being 'Green'. I expected a lot more challenges then what I have actually found, but the biggest challenge was the least expected.
For Christmas I received many wonderful items, most of them were needed and/or 'Green'. So that was not a problem. Both my mom and mother-in-law sent me wonderful gifts that were very 'Green'. I got lots of yarn and I am so excited to use it and I won't have to buy yarn for awhile, which keeps more green in my pocket =).
The biggest problem I found that we had was, of all things, with Wal-Mart gift cards. Greg and I decided not to use them all on just food, we thought we should get something nice for ourselves. So we walked through Wal-Mart and every signal item we came across we would look at it and say, 'No, I don't really need it', 'Waste of space', 'I could find a used one at Goodwill or online', 'I could make one' and so on....
We did not buy a thing that night. I don't know when this all started because a few years ago I was able to blow through gift cards in no time. I wonder...has this has happened to anyone else, and how have you handled it? The best idea we could come up with was using Wal-Mart gift cards to buy gift cards to other places where there were things we did need/want/could use...but that almost makes us feel, oh, I don't know...evil?
Monday, December 26, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Green Thing #11 - Walking!
Luckily, my work is only a mile and a half away and it only takes about 20 minutes to walk it. I do plan to take the bus if it is pouring down rain, which I have only had to do once.
The benefits from walking are amazing. You will feel and look healthier. It wakes me up so that I don't look like I am dragging to work. It saves you gas money. It reduces your "footprint". If you start walking instead of using a treadmill, you will also save energy (which also saves you money).
Walking is definitely a win/win; the only downfall is that you do have to plan ahead...but if you're green, that should come naturally!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
All-Purpose Cleaner.
Green thing #10-
Making an All-Purpose cleaner is easier then I thought. All you need is a spray bottle (an old Windex bottle would work, or the spray bottles in the dollar section of Target), vinegar, and water. Fill half the bottle with water and half the bottle with vinegar. Done.
Too easy!
There is other ways to make it if you want to be harder on yourself. I personally like to add freshly squeezed lemon juice because it makes it smell good and helps clean.
I use this on my counters, tub, kitchen/bathroom floor, sinks, toilet, stove, fridge and pretty much anything in the kitchen. It works just as good, if not better, then any store bought product.
Making an All-Purpose cleaner is easier then I thought. All you need is a spray bottle (an old Windex bottle would work, or the spray bottles in the dollar section of Target), vinegar, and water. Fill half the bottle with water and half the bottle with vinegar. Done.
Too easy!
There is other ways to make it if you want to be harder on yourself. I personally like to add freshly squeezed lemon juice because it makes it smell good and helps clean.
I use this on my counters, tub, kitchen/bathroom floor, sinks, toilet, stove, fridge and pretty much anything in the kitchen. It works just as good, if not better, then any store bought product.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Green Thing #9 Making things! (Part 2)
If you buy the Swiffer Sweeper Wet Refills you will spend about 50 cents each (if you shop at Sam's Club). If you only use one a week, you will spend about $25 in a year. The bigger your house, the more often you use it, the more you spend. It can add up fast! Also you have to consider the implications it has on the environment. I am not sure what cleansers they use or the amount that goes in the landfills, but I don't want to add to the problem.
To be a part of the solution and to save some green, I have started making swiffer sweeper cloths. My mom, who is not green at all, even loves them.
I crochet my swiffer cloths without a pattern but here is a website that has patterns for knitting, sewing or crochet if you need one.
http://tipnut.com/make-your-own-swiffer-cloths/
All I did for my mom's and mine was...
1. Measure the swiffer. Plan for an extra inch because cotton shrinks.
2. F hook and Cotton yarn (Number 4) found at Wal-Mart.
3. 54 ch. to equal 13 inches.
4. I use half double Crochet stitch (or hdc) through both loops
5. Continue until it is about 6 inches wide.
6. I put velcro on mine to keep it secure.
If you do not crochet, knit, or sew you can buy them online. If you Google "swiffer sweeper reusable" you will see a ton of options. Or you can talk to me ;)
The only downside to using reusable swiffers is you have to take some time to make them or plan ahead because they are not sold in stores.
My next post will be on floor cleansers since I did not cover that here:)
Thanks for reading!
To be a part of the solution and to save some green, I have started making swiffer sweeper cloths. My mom, who is not green at all, even loves them.
I crochet my swiffer cloths without a pattern but here is a website that has patterns for knitting, sewing or crochet if you need one.
http://tipnut.com/make-your-own-swiffer-cloths/
All I did for my mom's and mine was...
1. Measure the swiffer. Plan for an extra inch because cotton shrinks.
2. F hook and Cotton yarn (Number 4) found at Wal-Mart.
3. 54 ch. to equal 13 inches.
4. I use half double Crochet stitch (or hdc) through both loops
5. Continue until it is about 6 inches wide.
6. I put velcro on mine to keep it secure.
If you do not crochet, knit, or sew you can buy them online. If you Google "swiffer sweeper reusable" you will see a ton of options. Or you can talk to me ;)
The only downside to using reusable swiffers is you have to take some time to make them or plan ahead because they are not sold in stores.
My next post will be on floor cleansers since I did not cover that here:)
Thanks for reading!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Making things is green too!
Green thing #8- Making Stuff!
Greg and I both like to make our own stuff and presents for others. I am currently making dish clothes. If you know how to knit or crochet they are super easy and fast.
But don't forget to buy yarn that is locally grown cotton (at least in the USA), and it is more green if it is organic, non bleached and non dyed. This is a little harder to find but it is out there. You can also buy the material or the finished product from green websites. I do not use a pattern for my rags since it is just a square or rectangle.
These also make great gifts. With Christmas right around the corner this is perfect when you don't have the money but still want to show someone that you care.
Remember... Use these instead of paper towels =)
Greg and I both like to make our own stuff and presents for others. I am currently making dish clothes. If you know how to knit or crochet they are super easy and fast.
But don't forget to buy yarn that is locally grown cotton (at least in the USA), and it is more green if it is organic, non bleached and non dyed. This is a little harder to find but it is out there. You can also buy the material or the finished product from green websites. I do not use a pattern for my rags since it is just a square or rectangle.
These also make great gifts. With Christmas right around the corner this is perfect when you don't have the money but still want to show someone that you care.
Remember... Use these instead of paper towels =)
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Cloth Napkins
Green Thing #7- Cloth Napkins
I know I already wrote about paper towels, however I believe napkins deserve a post of their own. This is the first green step I took after Greg and I got married. People had bought us so many cloth napkins that we decided we did not need to waste our money on paper. They are easy to use, clean, and require almost no effort. Since I do not use bleach (I will explain that in another blog), I have learned to use black or darker colored napkins when we have messy foods such as BBQ sause, ketchup, and basically anything red, or with potential to stain.
For the ones that DO get stained, I don't throw them away because that is not green at all, they still work just fine. I simply don't use them when we have company.
Don't forget to hang dry your napkins with the rest of your clothes. =)
If you are a crafty person, you can make your own napkins- http://thingshomespun.blogspot.com/2011/10/cloth-napkins.html
VS. 
I know I already wrote about paper towels, however I believe napkins deserve a post of their own. This is the first green step I took after Greg and I got married. People had bought us so many cloth napkins that we decided we did not need to waste our money on paper. They are easy to use, clean, and require almost no effort. Since I do not use bleach (I will explain that in another blog), I have learned to use black or darker colored napkins when we have messy foods such as BBQ sause, ketchup, and basically anything red, or with potential to stain.
For the ones that DO get stained, I don't throw them away because that is not green at all, they still work just fine. I simply don't use them when we have company.
If you are a crafty person, you can make your own napkins- http://thingshomespun.blogspot.com/2011/10/cloth-napkins.html
"A family of four can save $130 annually by switching from paper napkins to reusable napkins, according to Sierra Club." http://www.reuseit.com/take-action/lifestyle-guides/reduce-reuse-and-save
VS. Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Yesterday...
Green Thing #6- Hiking :)
I took a hike yesterday. My camera was the only thing that took energy (it has rechargeable batteries), but my camera takes up little compared to a TV or laptop. I did this while Greg was working so I did not have to drive extra since he works at a camp ground. I also got some amazing pictures out of the deal, and got some exercise without using a machine. Very green day! Now I have to go hang dry my laundry =)
I took a hike yesterday. My camera was the only thing that took energy (it has rechargeable batteries), but my camera takes up little compared to a TV or laptop. I did this while Greg was working so I did not have to drive extra since he works at a camp ground. I also got some amazing pictures out of the deal, and got some exercise without using a machine. Very green day! Now I have to go hang dry my laundry =)
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