On the Road Again

Well, the whole notion of moving has turned my green efforts upside down over the past seven months or so. I swear I use nearly a roll of paper towels each day trying to keep the house clean and neat. Plus, I find it hard to do the recycling and such, because I can't keep piles and bins of random stuff laying around the house anymore - it's all got to be clean and tidy!

It is frustrating, because I feel like we'd made good strides here. BUT, hopefully, in the long run, we'll end up in a smaller, more energy efficient home, have a bigger yard where we can do more gardening, and get back to the positive habits we'd started to tackle.

In any event, as I was "decluttering" for the next round of potential buyers to wander through the home, I realized that we've saved up nearly a dozen pair of sneakers. So, it's off to ship to Nike today. At least that's one less thing we've added to the local landfill!

Hope you're doing well with your green dreams! Rachel

One year later

WOW - can't believe I've totally neglected this for nearly a year. Seems life just got in the way and the things we've been doing to "go green" have become more habit than novelty at this point. We now take the trash down and the huge barrel has four tiny grocery bags of trash in it, compared to having been packed full. The recycle bin for tops that. And, the kitchen waste hits the composter. So, the first steps have become habit now.

We're in the process of moving, so I think "forward progress" in this area will remain stalled for a bit longer. BUT, our aim is to move to a location where we can delve further into living a more self-sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle.

I've been reading a book called "City Chicks" by Patricia Foreman and am inspired to adopt hens after we move. Perhaps bees and a couple of goats. Would like to expand our gardening and learn to store some of the "harvest" so that we can keep that food coming in longer too.

So, there are things to write about in the future. Stay tuned and in the meantime, enjoy the wonderful days ahead!

Milk Jugs to Binders - So Creative!

In my work life, I've been researching green office supplies that I can use to produce a new paper-based product that we've designed. The industry really seems to be catching up a bit. In fact, the printer that we've been talking with (Aim Group Two - great people if you're looking!) found these binders made from recycled milk jugs. Amazing what people can do these days!

Details here: http://bit.ly/GklhK

Recycle Tortilla Chips!

Alright, alright - it's a bit of a stretch there. I'm not crafting home decorations or inventing new ways to power my lights with tortilla chips, but haven't we all had this trouble . . . you want to open a new bag of tortilla chips, but there's still an open bag full of crumbs. Sigh. Do you waste? Do you pretend it's not there until the cupboard is piled high with practically empty bags?

No . . . instead, follow any one of these 10 suggestions from the Mother Nature Network.

Now, I can get rid of those chips AND put some of the veggies we're harvesting these days to good use! Thanks, MNN!

Neat Great Products Out There

Stumbled upon this article from Parenting.com and it has lots of really cute "green" products in it - things from bags to solar powered laptop chargers. Worth peeking at: http://www.parenting.com/gear-gallery/Gear/22-Cheap-Ways-to-Go-Green/1/

Stealing Eco-Friendly Style

When I'm not in the garden and reading up on what's earth friendly these days, I work as a marketing consultant. This means I'm often out at networking groups. This morning, I had the chance to meet Tracy Turney of Red Handed and was so excited by her product that I just have to share!

Tracy has been passionate about both fashion and her personal responsibilites to the environment and others for years. In 2008, she lauched Red Handed, a line of handbags that allow you to "carry a beautiful weight upon your shoulder." Each handbag

in the Red Handed line is designed and prototyped by Tracy, using eco-friendly materials. In addition, Red Handed choose materials from countries that stand strong against child labor and unfair working conditions. And, Red Handed does not use animal products in their line.

All that said, Tracy was carrying her new Maesy purse at the meeting today and I LOVED it! I liked the classic, steamlined cut that it had - without the stiff texture that some leather purses have.

So, if you're in the market, I definitely recommend Tracy's Red Handed line. Oh - and she said there's a new line about to come out - less applique. Wonder if she'll carry one to the meeting so that I can get a sneak peek ;)

First Step to Legally Protecting Environment?

According to WRAL, effective October 2009, it will be illegal to through plastic bottles in the trash. The details and the questions are all in this article here: http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/5265295/

I wonder what you think of this idea? Do tell!