The Holiday season is upon us and I'm wondering who is shopping green this year?
I don't see many people out shopping in a frenzy yet. Is this a sign of our troubled economy or is it a sign of consumers becoming more conscious of their purchases? Hopefully the latter.
It is this time of year that we are the most wasteful. Buying and spending more than we should on those that we love. And its not just the gifts...it's the fuel we waste doing all that shopping. Driving from here to there to save a few bucks. And then to yet another 15 different stores trying to find just the right gift. Don't get me wrong I like to shop just as much as the next person, however, I'm trying to consolidate my shopping this year. I'm making lists and getting things online whenever possible. I know people hate to pay shipping, but if we figured what we spend in gas and time making all those trips, paying for shipping is actually cheaper on our wallets and easier on the environment. Try shopping with a friend and carpooling together. I know most of my shopping is being done online this year and when I do go out it will be an enjoyable relaxing trip where I can enjoy all the sights of the season without all the stress.
Many of the stores you would generally shop at like department stores or toy stores all have great, easy to use websites. The sales are generally the same or in some cases even better, because they can show every item from every store on their site.
You can also find much more unusual,unique and hard to find items on the internet. The internet is like the biggest shopping mall of all time! You can find everything from the latest Barbie or Game system to the most unique jewelry and art made by hand from artisans all over the world. Want to get the one you love something really unique and special? A gift they'll never forget? Look online! When you shop online, the world is your shopping mall.
Did you know? Especially during the holiday season it is much safer to pay with your credit card online than in a store? It is much harder for a thief to get onto a secure website than it is to go to a department store or a shopping mall and steal someones wallet or purse, or simply take down the numbers of your card while standing in line behind you! I didn't write this to make you afraid to shop, but many people are wary of shopping online because they feel the internet is not safe. If you are not sure whether a site is safe or not, look for a "secure site" logo. It will differ from company to company, but if the site is verified as secure by an outside company it will say so.
So... save a little GREEN this holiday season! Keep some green in your wallet by shopping online and save some environmental green by reducing your shopping trips this year!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Winter is coming
Well, it's officially cold in New Jersey. Fall has come to an end and I am already waiting for spring to get here. My vegetable garden has been pulled out and It seems as if I've been raking leaves forever. The beginning of a long winter. I don't know how people do it in Minnesota or North Dakota. I guess they like the cold. I just want to hibernate. At least the inside of my house gets the attention it needs. Can't wait for Spring!
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle for a Greener Life
Today, being Green is a necessity. It's not just for hippies and tree huggers any more. Actually being a tree hugger is a good thing, but that's another article. We are in a time that if we continue our bad habits, the children of our not too distant future will not have one.
The 20th Century brought technological growth and change for the masses, however, it was not always for the good of the environment. Now we are suffering from the effects of change. We need to get back to basics and lead less extravagant lives. We all have lots of stuff. Generally everything we buy is new, and that takes a toll on our environment. What we manufacture takes energy, causes a certain amount of pollution, and uses precious natural resources.
We need to reduce our waste, reuse what we can and recycle just about everything. Just recycling our cans and bottles is not enough anymore. (Lots of us don't even do that!)
We can reduce waste, just by not purchasing so much stuff. Every time we buy something, we throw away the packaging, bags are used to put our stuff in and paper is used to print receipts. Not to mention the energy it takes to power the store we bought the item in and the energy we used driving our vehicles to get there. If you need something try to condense your shopping trips or order it over the Internet.
Reuse what you can. By reusing items or re-purposing them, we can save money, energy, and keep our stuff from unnecessarily being sent to the land fill. Use old broken dishes for the bottom of you flower pots for drainage. Use old socks or t-shirts as dust rags or to wash the car. I know it seems small and simple, however if everyone did it we could make a significant change for the better.
Recycle everything. We can recycle leaves, grass clippings and food scraps into a composter and it will turn into beautiful rich organic compost that is good for the earth. (Some countries in Europe have made this a requirement.) Recycle your cans, bottles, paper, clothing, old household items, furniture etc. Habitat for Humanity will accept old cabinets, doors, windows, appliances, furniture etc. The Veteran's Association will come pick up clothes and small household items right at your door. Good Will has drop off locations where you can take your unwanted clothing and household items. Share your children's clothes they so quickly outgrow with family or friends. It is amazing how much money you can save by sharing. Vintage and slightly used clothing stores are popping up as cool chain stores for teenagers and young adults. Plato's closet is a nationwide chain that sells gently used brand name clothes for the young adult. You can take in your unwanted brand name clothes, (in good condition)and they will pay you for them, then you can shop and get fantastic deals on the latest fashions. There is even a shoe company that makes their shoes from recycled materials, and when you are done with them, you can send them back to the company and they will recycle them back into new shoes. (Oka-B Shoes)
The products to live greener are out there, and becoming more readily available. By reducing our household waste we can reduce the amount of greenhouse emissions coming from our already overtaxed landfills. By Reusing and recycling our unwanted stuff we can cut down on production, which also saves the environment's resources and reduces pollution. By purchasing less and purchasing only environmentally friendly products, it will also force the manufacturing companies to adopt cleaner, greener processes.
The general consensus has been that to live green one must sacrifice and perform tasks that are difficult and unpleasant. Living Green is simple. You may have to plan a little more or take a few more steps to the recycling buckets, but it is simple and necessary.
Many people are resistant to change. But change is good! By simplifying our lives, our lives become simpler, easier and more peaceful. We are always busy running here or there, keeping tight schedules, have to go pick up this or that. Take it easy…stay home and relax. Life is only as complicated as we make it. Getting back to a simpler life is not only good for the health of our environment, it is also good for our personal health as well. Being relaxed and taking things a bit easier creates a balance in our minds and bodies. Stress is the number one contributing factor of disease. Take the word DISEASE and break it down… DIS EASE. That says it all.
If we all make these small changes in our lives, the effects would be huge! We can collectively make a difference in our lives today and drastically change our future for the better. Your children will thank you for it.
The 20th Century brought technological growth and change for the masses, however, it was not always for the good of the environment. Now we are suffering from the effects of change. We need to get back to basics and lead less extravagant lives. We all have lots of stuff. Generally everything we buy is new, and that takes a toll on our environment. What we manufacture takes energy, causes a certain amount of pollution, and uses precious natural resources.
We need to reduce our waste, reuse what we can and recycle just about everything. Just recycling our cans and bottles is not enough anymore. (Lots of us don't even do that!)
We can reduce waste, just by not purchasing so much stuff. Every time we buy something, we throw away the packaging, bags are used to put our stuff in and paper is used to print receipts. Not to mention the energy it takes to power the store we bought the item in and the energy we used driving our vehicles to get there. If you need something try to condense your shopping trips or order it over the Internet.
Reuse what you can. By reusing items or re-purposing them, we can save money, energy, and keep our stuff from unnecessarily being sent to the land fill. Use old broken dishes for the bottom of you flower pots for drainage. Use old socks or t-shirts as dust rags or to wash the car. I know it seems small and simple, however if everyone did it we could make a significant change for the better.
Recycle everything. We can recycle leaves, grass clippings and food scraps into a composter and it will turn into beautiful rich organic compost that is good for the earth. (Some countries in Europe have made this a requirement.) Recycle your cans, bottles, paper, clothing, old household items, furniture etc. Habitat for Humanity will accept old cabinets, doors, windows, appliances, furniture etc. The Veteran's Association will come pick up clothes and small household items right at your door. Good Will has drop off locations where you can take your unwanted clothing and household items. Share your children's clothes they so quickly outgrow with family or friends. It is amazing how much money you can save by sharing. Vintage and slightly used clothing stores are popping up as cool chain stores for teenagers and young adults. Plato's closet is a nationwide chain that sells gently used brand name clothes for the young adult. You can take in your unwanted brand name clothes, (in good condition)and they will pay you for them, then you can shop and get fantastic deals on the latest fashions. There is even a shoe company that makes their shoes from recycled materials, and when you are done with them, you can send them back to the company and they will recycle them back into new shoes. (Oka-B Shoes)
The products to live greener are out there, and becoming more readily available. By reducing our household waste we can reduce the amount of greenhouse emissions coming from our already overtaxed landfills. By Reusing and recycling our unwanted stuff we can cut down on production, which also saves the environment's resources and reduces pollution. By purchasing less and purchasing only environmentally friendly products, it will also force the manufacturing companies to adopt cleaner, greener processes.
The general consensus has been that to live green one must sacrifice and perform tasks that are difficult and unpleasant. Living Green is simple. You may have to plan a little more or take a few more steps to the recycling buckets, but it is simple and necessary.
Many people are resistant to change. But change is good! By simplifying our lives, our lives become simpler, easier and more peaceful. We are always busy running here or there, keeping tight schedules, have to go pick up this or that. Take it easy…stay home and relax. Life is only as complicated as we make it. Getting back to a simpler life is not only good for the health of our environment, it is also good for our personal health as well. Being relaxed and taking things a bit easier creates a balance in our minds and bodies. Stress is the number one contributing factor of disease. Take the word DISEASE and break it down… DIS EASE. That says it all.
If we all make these small changes in our lives, the effects would be huge! We can collectively make a difference in our lives today and drastically change our future for the better. Your children will thank you for it.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
The Jora Composter
When I find a product I love, I want to share. This particular product is revolutionary in the world of composting.
The Jora Composters are by far the best composters I have ever come across! And I have tried many. The Jora comes in two sizes, the JK125, for up to 4 people and the JK270 (which I have) for the larger family, up to 12 people.(We have 7)
This composter was invented in Sweden, where the recycling regulations are very strict. Jora designed the JK125 and JK270 for the homeowner. They also designed commercial composters for schools, businesses and Apartment Complexes.
The major difference between the Jora Composters and others is that the Jora is insulated. It regulates the temperature for year round composting. Both sizes have a dual chamber, so you are always making fresh compost. Once one chamber is full, simply start on the other chamber and let the first mature, so you always have a fresh supply. The first batch takes less than 8 weeks, once you have both chambers going you will have fresh compost every 3-4 weeks year round! Most composters stop composting in the winter months when the temperatures drop. Not the Jora! I know I enjoy composting throughout the winter months. My food scraps don't end up in the trash and I have fresh soil for indoor gardening and seed starting.
Another benefit of these composters is that they are made of metal. They are recyclable and they are packed and shipped flat (like most things from Sweden) and that saves on shipping and fuel. You gotta love a company that thinks green.
Try one of the Jora Composters! I know you will love it. I do. The environment and your plants will thank you.
The Jora Composters are by far the best composters I have ever come across! And I have tried many. The Jora comes in two sizes, the JK125, for up to 4 people and the JK270 (which I have) for the larger family, up to 12 people.(We have 7)
This composter was invented in Sweden, where the recycling regulations are very strict. Jora designed the JK125 and JK270 for the homeowner. They also designed commercial composters for schools, businesses and Apartment Complexes.
The major difference between the Jora Composters and others is that the Jora is insulated. It regulates the temperature for year round composting. Both sizes have a dual chamber, so you are always making fresh compost. Once one chamber is full, simply start on the other chamber and let the first mature, so you always have a fresh supply. The first batch takes less than 8 weeks, once you have both chambers going you will have fresh compost every 3-4 weeks year round! Most composters stop composting in the winter months when the temperatures drop. Not the Jora! I know I enjoy composting throughout the winter months. My food scraps don't end up in the trash and I have fresh soil for indoor gardening and seed starting.
Another benefit of these composters is that they are made of metal. They are recyclable and they are packed and shipped flat (like most things from Sweden) and that saves on shipping and fuel. You gotta love a company that thinks green.
Try one of the Jora Composters! I know you will love it. I do. The environment and your plants will thank you.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Appreciation and Gratitude
Appreciation and Gratitude are two of the strongest and most powerful emotions we humans can generate. Appreciation and Gratitude are also the most lost emotions in today's societies.
How often do we feel grateful for someone letting us into merging traffic? How often do we feel grateful that the lines are not long at the grocery store? How often do we appreciate that our morning went smoothly? We usually take it for granted.
Taking time to appreciate the little things in our everyday and to feel grateful for what we have, is powerful. It brings us peace and allows us to feel joy. This is why the musician plays, why children imagine, why the gardener grows.
If we start to appreciate what we already have, even little things, our awareness grows. We are nicer to ourselves, our neighbors and even our environment. Appreciation and gratitude allow us to care and feel good about what we are doing.
For so long we as a whole have been in a "ME" attitude. Expecting without giving. This has taken a toll on us, our health, our families, and our environment. Our awareness over the last 100 years has shrunken to only what immediately affects us.
It is my intention, to live joyously, appreciate everyday, and feel grateful for this wonderful life. By feeling these positive emotions, I am able to expand. Expand enough to become aware of the wonders around me.
This world we live in, is a direct reflection of our thoughts and actions. It is in dire need of repair. It needs to feel our appreciation for it. The earth needs to be nurtured, cared for and loved.
Living a responsible, sustainable lifestyle is essential.
Everything around us is life. The water, the air, the ground.
How can life continue to be if we only take and never give back?
It is all in our hands. All of it...Everyday. Life is not for someone else to care for. Be responsible for your actions.
I do believe Ghandi said it best..."You must be the change you wish to see".
How often do we feel grateful for someone letting us into merging traffic? How often do we feel grateful that the lines are not long at the grocery store? How often do we appreciate that our morning went smoothly? We usually take it for granted.
Taking time to appreciate the little things in our everyday and to feel grateful for what we have, is powerful. It brings us peace and allows us to feel joy. This is why the musician plays, why children imagine, why the gardener grows.
If we start to appreciate what we already have, even little things, our awareness grows. We are nicer to ourselves, our neighbors and even our environment. Appreciation and gratitude allow us to care and feel good about what we are doing.
For so long we as a whole have been in a "ME" attitude. Expecting without giving. This has taken a toll on us, our health, our families, and our environment. Our awareness over the last 100 years has shrunken to only what immediately affects us.
It is my intention, to live joyously, appreciate everyday, and feel grateful for this wonderful life. By feeling these positive emotions, I am able to expand. Expand enough to become aware of the wonders around me.
This world we live in, is a direct reflection of our thoughts and actions. It is in dire need of repair. It needs to feel our appreciation for it. The earth needs to be nurtured, cared for and loved.
Living a responsible, sustainable lifestyle is essential.
Everything around us is life. The water, the air, the ground.
How can life continue to be if we only take and never give back?
It is all in our hands. All of it...Everyday. Life is not for someone else to care for. Be responsible for your actions.
I do believe Ghandi said it best..."You must be the change you wish to see".
Monday, September 15, 2008
Getting Ready for a Green Christmas
Christmas is not usually what one thinks of when thinking Green. This year let's green up our holidays.
There are many ways to reduce our energy consumption during this time of year.
1. Switch from traditional Christmas lights to L.E.D. Lights. They will reduce your energy consumption greatly, the average string of 50 lights uses 300 watts of energy, the same 50 set of LED lights only uses 4 watts of energy and last up to 100,000 hours.
Talk about savings! Not only are we saving a huge amount of energy, we are also keeping precious dollars in our bank accounts.
2. Put all your lights on timers. By putting all your lights on timers (inside and out), you will save energy by controlling the amount of hours your lights are on.
I don't know about you, but I've fallen asleep with the lights on many times!
3. Try buying gifts that will actually get used for more than a week or two. Books, movies, actual toys like soccer balls, roller skates (toys that use kid power). Buying all that plastic crap that the kids see on TV is just like throwing money down the drain, and polluting our environment. Buy them art supplies that will foster their creativity or a musical instrument. We are so caught up in giving our kids what THEY think will make them happy. The toy of the month is not going to make them happy. It may satisfy them for a week or two, but not more than that.
Help them to find their passion, something they will love and grow with.
4. Don't waste food. The holidays are the biggest eating time of the year. We cook more we bake like crazy, we basically overindulge. This means that much food gets wasted. Make sure any and all food scraps go into the compost, not the trash can! Freeze or share what you cannot eat yourselves. If you have an abundance of leftovers, take it to your local homeless shelter, a shut in neighbor, or maybe invite someone less fortunate to share your meal. Cookies, cakes and pies given to a shelter or nursing home would be greatly appreciated.
5. Use eco friendly wrappings. Use recycled gift bags, Comics, decorate brown paper bags for wrapping paper. At the very least do not throw your wrapping paper into the trash! Wrapping paper can be recycled just like any other paper.
These are easy tips to Green up your Christmas. Now I'd like to pose a question and get some feedback...
What do you think is more environmentally friendly? A live Christmas tree that has been cut down, or an artificial Christmas tree that is reusable, but made of polyethylene that causes pollution during production?
There are many ways to reduce our energy consumption during this time of year.
1. Switch from traditional Christmas lights to L.E.D. Lights. They will reduce your energy consumption greatly, the average string of 50 lights uses 300 watts of energy, the same 50 set of LED lights only uses 4 watts of energy and last up to 100,000 hours.
Talk about savings! Not only are we saving a huge amount of energy, we are also keeping precious dollars in our bank accounts.
2. Put all your lights on timers. By putting all your lights on timers (inside and out), you will save energy by controlling the amount of hours your lights are on.
I don't know about you, but I've fallen asleep with the lights on many times!
3. Try buying gifts that will actually get used for more than a week or two. Books, movies, actual toys like soccer balls, roller skates (toys that use kid power). Buying all that plastic crap that the kids see on TV is just like throwing money down the drain, and polluting our environment. Buy them art supplies that will foster their creativity or a musical instrument. We are so caught up in giving our kids what THEY think will make them happy. The toy of the month is not going to make them happy. It may satisfy them for a week or two, but not more than that.
Help them to find their passion, something they will love and grow with.
4. Don't waste food. The holidays are the biggest eating time of the year. We cook more we bake like crazy, we basically overindulge. This means that much food gets wasted. Make sure any and all food scraps go into the compost, not the trash can! Freeze or share what you cannot eat yourselves. If you have an abundance of leftovers, take it to your local homeless shelter, a shut in neighbor, or maybe invite someone less fortunate to share your meal. Cookies, cakes and pies given to a shelter or nursing home would be greatly appreciated.
5. Use eco friendly wrappings. Use recycled gift bags, Comics, decorate brown paper bags for wrapping paper. At the very least do not throw your wrapping paper into the trash! Wrapping paper can be recycled just like any other paper.
These are easy tips to Green up your Christmas. Now I'd like to pose a question and get some feedback...
What do you think is more environmentally friendly? A live Christmas tree that has been cut down, or an artificial Christmas tree that is reusable, but made of polyethylene that causes pollution during production?
Monday, September 1, 2008
Backyard Safety
If you have children, grandchildren or even have friends with kids there are some things you should be aware of. Most people assume their backyard is a safe place, please take a good look around and become really aware of your surroundings and the potential dangers that may lurk for little ones.
An unlocked garden shed is an invitation for danger. Sharp tools and chemicals are enticing to small children. They like to do what the grown ups do. A pair of hand pruners left out can mean a trip to the hospital for stitches. Tools left around the yard even while you are working, can be hazardous. If your kids like to help, get them child size tools. It will be much easier for them and more enjoyable for you. Using power tools like a chain saw or hedge trimmers should only be used when children are not present.
If you have a pond, please beware of small children that want to have a closer look at the fishies. If you have ever had to pull a child out of a pond, you know how scary that can be. Even at only 2 feet deep it is dangerous. Either keep a pond screen over it (one they cannot fall into) or never leave them alone in the yard.
Pools are the biggest danger in the yard. Pools are great fun and we have always had one, I’d hate to go through a hot New Jersey summer without one! But they are dangerous if not monitored properly. One cannot be safe enough when it comes to small children or anyone for that matter that cannot swim.
An inground pool should have its own fence and locking gate around it. A pool alarm is also a good measure to take. It floats on the water and if the water is disturbed an alarm goes off. An above ground pool should always have the ladder up and locked when not in use.
Never, never, never leave anyone, especially a child alone in the pool. Not even for a minute. If the responsible adult must leave the pool, make an unbreakable rule that everyone comes out of the pool, even if it is just for a minute. If you have ever known a child that has drown, this rule would never be broken. Drownings are avoidable. Drownings are preventable. Simple safety measures must be taken. The heartbreak of losing a child in a drowning is unimaginable.
We never like to think of bad things happening and we should not focus on them. Being aware is enough. If we are aware and use good safety practices, we nearly eliminate the element of an accident occurring in our own backyard.
An unlocked garden shed is an invitation for danger. Sharp tools and chemicals are enticing to small children. They like to do what the grown ups do. A pair of hand pruners left out can mean a trip to the hospital for stitches. Tools left around the yard even while you are working, can be hazardous. If your kids like to help, get them child size tools. It will be much easier for them and more enjoyable for you. Using power tools like a chain saw or hedge trimmers should only be used when children are not present.
If you have a pond, please beware of small children that want to have a closer look at the fishies. If you have ever had to pull a child out of a pond, you know how scary that can be. Even at only 2 feet deep it is dangerous. Either keep a pond screen over it (one they cannot fall into) or never leave them alone in the yard.
Pools are the biggest danger in the yard. Pools are great fun and we have always had one, I’d hate to go through a hot New Jersey summer without one! But they are dangerous if not monitored properly. One cannot be safe enough when it comes to small children or anyone for that matter that cannot swim.
An inground pool should have its own fence and locking gate around it. A pool alarm is also a good measure to take. It floats on the water and if the water is disturbed an alarm goes off. An above ground pool should always have the ladder up and locked when not in use.
Never, never, never leave anyone, especially a child alone in the pool. Not even for a minute. If the responsible adult must leave the pool, make an unbreakable rule that everyone comes out of the pool, even if it is just for a minute. If you have ever known a child that has drown, this rule would never be broken. Drownings are avoidable. Drownings are preventable. Simple safety measures must be taken. The heartbreak of losing a child in a drowning is unimaginable.
We never like to think of bad things happening and we should not focus on them. Being aware is enough. If we are aware and use good safety practices, we nearly eliminate the element of an accident occurring in our own backyard.
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