365 Days, 365 Ways...To Go Green

I went to Whole Foods today. I was expecting to talking to the manager about the stores plans to add more locally grown products. Currently I buy my apples and Nana's Salsa as part of their 'buy local program' but I wanted more. They must have read my mind because Maya from Maya's garden was there and she will be selling her fresh produce at Whole Foods! Hip Hip Hurray! I bought to die for carrots, and turnips, some edible flowers and an assortment of greens. We had an amazing feast for dinner that night. I actually ate most of the carrots almost immediately because I haven't had a 'fresh from the garden' veggie for decades. Maya's Garden doesn't sell organic food which seemed to put a few customers off. If you get in that situation ask the farmer about their farming practices. Certifying a farm as organic is a expensive, lengthy practice so many small farmers like Maya practice organic but haven't yet acheived for certification. Buying local and organic has so many benefits......pesticide free food, picked in many cases the day you buy it so it hasn't lost nutrients in transport, it didn't sit in a truck for 1500 miles, you're helping a local business, your health and the environment, plus, it's simply delicious. Buying organic could also be a cure for world hunger according to the associated press. Need I say more? Time to find out where your local farmer's market is, check out the Whole Foods nearest to you or call up you local farmers and ask where the best place is for you to buy their produce. Get to know the people and the place that will be putting food on your table. What a concept!

We love Braggs Aminos. We spray it on eggs, salads, meat and fish. An awesome substitute for Soy Sauce and Tamari, it is made from non-GMO soybeans and has a slight salty taste. I have had a bottle in my cupboard for years but it wasn't until I purchased a few spray bottles recently that it became everyone's favorite steak sauce! Hands down, our family favorite was A1 Steak Sauce but we stopped using it a few years ago when high fructose corn syrup was added as an ingredient. We tried Tamari Sauce after that but didn't like that genetically modified (GMO) soy beans were an ingredient.

Braggs are made from fermented non GMO soy beans using hydrochloric acid and baking soda. The latter gives it it's salty taste. Just a note - if you are on a raw food diet the ingredients are heated so Braggs Aminos are not for you.

I sniff these daily at work and normally end up with lightheadedness and a headachey, nauseous feeling. I can control the offgassing of the paints I use but I never thought about the offgassing of typical office supplies, specifically the magic markers. Time to do some research and make a switch.

Magic Markers and Sharpies used to contain a chemical called Xylene and according to the Household Products Database Sandford markers still do. I apparently had some older markers in my office so I disposed of them through our hazard waste faciltity and bought some safer markers. I bought pens with the AP Seal.....retractable pen style highlighters and BIC Magic Markers. The AP Seal is one of many seals placed on art products by the Art and Creative Materials Institute to certify products as non-toxic.

OK I want some soapbox time. I recently filled up my car to the tune of $45 and my tank wasn't empty. Plus, I am lucky, I live 5 miles from work, all the shops and grocery stores I frequent are less than 5 miles away, and when I can swing it I telecommute. I also require my employees to telecommute as often as they can however it is not condoned by the company I work for. In fact, despite the fact that there is no reason why we cannot perform our jobs while working from home, my company wants me in the office and it's not the only company that feels like telecommuting is unacceptable.

Telecommuting has the potential to save money but it could help eliminate smog and the health consequences that comes with it as well as traffic congestion and we all know how our blood pressure rises when we are caught in traffic for hours. The environmental impacts could be enormous.

Currently the public is being asked to make all of the changes but I think the government needs to put more pressure on our employers. There are endless possibilities - telecommuting is probably the best but alternate work schedules could also help if it is impossible for an employee to telecommute. It's time to put the pressure on organizations to do their part.

Here are the links to writing your congressman and senators and

Other alternative are to gather a team of people who will work with Human Resources at our company and put a telecommuting/alternative work schedule process into place. It's time to think out of the box.....any other suggestions?

Some companies do it right - great product, treat employees well and give back. Dr. Bonner soaps are environmentally safe, free trade and do not test on animals I have been using Dr. Bonner's liquid soap for years and consistenly find other uses for it. It's peppermint smell energizes me whether I use it in the shower or in my bath water. It is an oil so I don't use it for laundry because of the potential for staining and I have never been brave enough to use it as a mouth wash. There is also a eucalyptus soap which I just ordered that I understand repels mosquitos. I thought that was worth a try. Speaking of bugs, I put a few tablespoons in a small spray bottle to get rid of white flys, spider mites and aphids.

Since the ingredients are all oils I was amazed how much it suds thanks to the coconut oil. It appears pricey but a little goes a long way. I love the bottle. The slogans and cryptic messages make me laugh. I haven't found too many engaging soap bottles. Also heard it's great for pets. Think I'll try it on my cat -- ready Casper?!

http://www.eatwellguide.org/Last year I was so busy that all my Mom got for Mother's Day was a phone call and she was fine with that because the first thing mom's want for their special day is time with you. The great thing about time it that it's eco-friendly, sustainable, it's great if you're on a budget, it seems to be in short supply lately and it's making a memory. It's always my first request - time with my family ( and this year I am also hoping someone cleans my garage).

So you are going to spend some time with Mom this year. Take her to lunch, on a picnic, to the movies, shopping, on a hike, help her declutter her closet - you know your Mom so this part should be fun.

Ok so you've planned a great day or telephone time with mom but this year you really want to spoil her. Well, the fun part of being green is that green gifts are always unique. The Mom's Day mainstay is flowers but eco-friendly flowers are not just flowers -- they are pesticide free flowers and no one wants their Mom taking a sweet whiff of pesticides. It's also not to late to shop online at Smart Spaces Inside and Out. They have some great ideas for Mom's for gardening, home decorating or just staying beautiful. Not sure what to chose - a gift certificate is the ticket.

Here are some other great sites to help you with your shopping
Organic flowers
Local Harvest
Organic Bouquet
Find Organic places for Mom's day meals
I love the Eat Well Guide
Get Mom an organic gift basket
https://www.oraganic.com/index.asp?cid=57&sid=160&main_cat=GiftsFlowers
Eco Express

Happy Mother's Day to the women who have the hardest job in the world. We love you!

I bought a new hepa filtered vacuum a few months ago because my old vacuum smelled musty. I tried putting potpourri, sachets, flavored tea bags in the vacuum bag hoping to at least mask the smell.....nothing worked. I looked at every product in the grocery store but I didn't want introduce chemicals into my home.

Finally I found an amazing product. I put it in my vacuum bag and no odor......Odorzout was the answer to my stinky situation! It's opposites attract in action. Negative odorzout attracts positive dust which houses the odor causing bacteria. It doesn't mask odors with artificial perfumes it ELIMINATES them.....safely.

OK I found an amazing 'green' product and now I'm having fun with it. Tennis shoes, litter boxes, carpeting, furniture all odor free! I put it in my laundry, refrigerator and garden. Check out the Odorzout website and give your nose a break.

Another product I love is Smells Be Gone!

Yesterday I was cutting up the plastic rings from a six pack of soda and a co-worker asked what I was doing? I grew up around the Great Lakes and we learned early that six-pack rings maime and kill wildlife (and can last up to 450 years). The penguin in the movie Happy Feet was freed from the plastic ring that was strangling him but not all animals are as lucky. Be a responsible recycler and cut up those rings before you put them in the recycle bin. It's easy enough to do and you could save a life doing it!

I got up this morning, went outside and checked the air pressure in my tires. Not one tire had the correct air pressure. The air pressure is on the sidewalls of my tires or I could have called a local dealership. No excuses. This is an easy one with multiple benefits - your pocketbook, your tires, your life, and Mother Earth.

Business trips are pretty rote. You have an expense account, you can afford an SUV rental car because of special corporate contracts, you stay at great hotels, eat at fancy restaurants or treat yourself to room service and work long hours. OK, it's not all perfect.

Fast forward to last week when I was in Kansas City on business. It was time for a change. I still had an expense account but this trip I rented a compact car that I knew would get better gas mileage than an SUV. I discovered there was a Wild Oats in Overland Park so I found a hotel with a kitchen so I could cook my own meals. No restaurants or room service. Instead I spoiled myself with organic strawberries, freshly made organic salads and my favorite - freshly juiced organic green drinks. The benefits were endless. I had more energy, more time to myself and I was supporting the environment by eating wholesome organic foods.

Thanks Wild Oats see you in a few weeks when I return for the second half of my business trip.

I grew up in the country so once a month the highlight was a trip to the library. I can still remember the creaky wooden floors of our small town library and standing in line with as many books as the librarian would allow me to take home. As an adult I buy used books and resell them or put them on my book case. Until yesterday I hadn't been in a library for years. The new libraries no longer have the creaky wooden floors but the aisles of books haven't changed much over the years. I browsed the shelves, perused the magazines and got my library card. When I got home I checked out the web features. I can order books from home and the libraries loan to each other so if you want a book you'll most likely get it. I like the convenience of going to the library on the web but I hope I never lose the desire to pick up a well worn book off the library shelf excited about discovering the wonders between it's pages.

or if I want to take the heatlhier road I won't make my bed at all. Dust mites love cold and humid and aren't fans of hot and dry. Even in the dryest of climates we perspire when we sleep and making the bed keeps moisture in between the sheets and dust mites love moisture. So if you want a healthier, allergy free night's sleep 'make' your bed by turning down your covers in the rmoning and even better airing out the bedding. On another note if you sleep in you heat up the bed and those little mites are not fans of heat. I do believe the mites have changed my life for better - sleeping in and not having to make my bed! Sounds good to me!

Coop America recently listed the 10 things you should NEVER buy. I decided to see how I am doing and grade myself A-F.

F Styrofoam cups - since I thought I could recycle them I bought them. I since discovered I can't recycle them where I live I have become very aware how many stores use them. Time to improve that score.

B Paper Towels - I love the microfibre cloths. I haven't purchsed any paper towels this year but did buy some last.

A Bleached coffee filters. That's easy I don't drink coffee so I don't buy any filters. If I were a coffee drinker I wouldn't like the idea that they are bleached.

A Teak and Mahogany. Haven't had the need but awareness is everything.

A Chemical pesticides and herbicides. Haven't used them in over 10 years thanks to my puppies.

C Conventional household cleaners. I gave myself a C because I need to recheck that the cleaners I use are indeed healthy. I have a new awareness now so I need to see how I'm doing.

A Higher octane gas than you need. With the price of gas that is not a problem. Never was really. I also don't buy gas from the most offending oil companies.

C Toys made with PVC plastic. I gave myself a C because I may not buy toys but I do buy other items made from PVC. Time to find out substitues and make the switch.

B Plastic forks and spoons. I don't buy them but I do use them when I eat out. I save them and reuse them but I could do better.

I guess the real point here is NEVER. Not sometimes, occassionally or once in awhile but NEVER. Guess I have some work to do. How about you?

It's been a great Mother's Day. I gave my Mom dinner at a local restaurant with my 2 sisters. They live less than a mile from each other so they never do anything together. My younger sister said she can't remember if the 3 of them have ever had lunch together. I love 2000 miles away so when Mom visits we have many quality time opportunities.

My daughter and son are in the garage preparing for my Mother's Day gift. I'm excited. I didn't want gifts this year, or flowers or even a card. Today we will take our shovels, hoes and rakes into the yard to pull weeds, move rock and prepare a small part of my yard ready to plant a hummingbird and butterfly garden. Currently my yard is xeriscaped which means I have a lot of rock and desert plants. The rock is not feet friendly so today we're taking the first steps to getting rid of it. I want a yard I can walk around and enjoy. Afterwards we'll just hang out, eat a little, nap a bit and enjoy each other's company. I can't think of a better way to spend the day.

Wishing all you Mom's an equally great day! And don't forget to be especially kind to Mother Earth today! Peace!

Did you know that you lawn mower is a major air pollutant. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, gas mowers cause 5% of the nation's air pollution. Cut your lawn or drive 95 miles and you have contributed the same amount of air pollution into our atmosphere. Need more convincing? Check out Green Grass Cutters.

Ok I was convinced but until I replace my grass with more native plants I have to mow it - responsibly. Our local utility company has an exchange program so I drove my gas mower to the recycling location and drove away with a $100 rebate. Next stop Home Depot where I purchased a Black and Decker electric lawn mower. Final stop - my yard - where I plugged it in and in no time had a nicely trimmed lawn and clean air. What I liked most about the mower was the sound - quiet. Now I can mow the lawn in the early morning hours without waking up the neighbors. Also, no more trudging to the local gas station to fill up my gas can which seems to be empty every time I want to mow the lawn. What will be a challenge will be reminding myself that I am plugged into an electric outlet by a long extention cord. I can see my self running over it if I'm not careful. My experience with vacuum cleaner cords might come in handy after all.

Have a larger yard and need a cordless mower? Do your homework as there are many brands and they are not all equal. Happy mowing?

I am a lazy when it comes to eating my veggies and I have found that drinking them works best for me. My old juicer finally died so it was time to do some research and buy a new one. It arrived yesterday and I have used it 3 times so far. I love it!!! After much research I settled on the Omega 8003 because as they advertise it IS easy to use, VERY easy to clean and even juices wheat grass. I also got it on a killer sale so like it or not that was a deciding factor. I wanted a Greenstar but just too much $$ for now. All in all I'm thrilled. My favorite recipe is the one I start every day with....

A handful of spinach and dandelion greens
3-4 carrots
3-4 stalks of celery
1 apple
and as you wish - beets, garlic, turnips, collard greens, parsley - whatever is
fresh and organic.

Warning - the above drink can be a bit strong so add greens sparingly at first.

I used to think that Olympic swimmers with asthma became swimmers to improve their asthma but it appears that swimming in chlorinated pools may be the cause not the cure. About.com has 4 indepth articles in the dangers of swimming in chlorinated pools as well as one pool water purifying alternative - ozone. The problem seems to be more serious when the pool are indoors however the smell of our outdoors chlorine pool was nastyand our whole family had red eyes and bouts of swimmer's ear most of the summer. Time for a change. I chose the ionizer system because the company who sells them, Sigma Systems, is here is AZ. So far so good. I love knowing that the time I am spending in my pool is now healthy time.

Benefit- now that my pool water is chemical free I plan to plant fruit trees near the pool pump so I can use the backwashed water to water the trees.

I have carpeting.....and dogs.....for the time being at least. Because of the dogs I clean my carpets at least once a month but the 'green' cleaner I was using is expensive. Time to experiment. I finally settled on using Simple Green diluted with vinegar. My carpet cleaner doesn't work well if there is too much sudsing so the vinegar solved that. I was so pleased with the results and it cost less than $3.00 to clean 5 rooms. I also finished the job with a straight vinegar and water rinse. I plan to use some tea tree oil next time or maybe even some lavendar essential oil in the final rinse since both have antimicrobial qualities. See it's easy being green!

I have changed my shower soap to Dr. Bonners, added chlorine filters to my shower head and now it's time to replace my mildew ridden shower curtains which a few years ago would have meant a trip to Target and about a $7.00 bill; or a visit to the Dollar Store and purchase them for 1/2 the price. Half the price to bring yet another PVC product into my homeand not just any PVC, the most toxic type of PVC, but I really don't need to know how toxic vinyl shower liners are because my nose knows. The smell if a new liner is obnoxious. Luckily the alternatives are endless or so I thought.
I looked at shower curtains made from 100% polyester that don't require a shower curtain liner but a quick google on polyester changed my mind, again. Most polyester is manufactured using antimony a carcinogen which is also toxic to the heart, lungs, liver and skin not to mention the recycling nightmare they become. Not exactly what I want to have in my shower. More googling.
My final choice was a shower curtain from IKEA made from PEVA a non-chlorinated plastic. I also liked the HEMP shower curtains but decided to wait until they came in colors. Another option would have been to install a glass door.
I had no idea that purchasing shower curtains would be so complicated but I think I finally have the last bit of chlorine out of my bathroom.

My dad the consumate sustainability guy. Never buy him a card. He'll throw a fit. My mom bought him a card 10 years in a row once only to hear him complain about spending money one something he was just going to throw away. Then she told him that she had been using the same card all those years. I guess that falls into the reduce, reuse category.

So what to get a guy who wants nothing......ive him my nephew! I called my nephew last night and asked him if he would be willing to give grandpa 10 hours of his time to do whatever grandpa needed if I paid him. Since he lives in the country where finding work is a challenge he immediately said 'yes'!

When I called dad today to wish him a Happy Father's Day I told him what his gift was. He was speachless and then said 'wow, that's a creative gift'. I did it - no complaints from dad this year and I even think he was pleased.

My dad is happy, my nephew is happy and I found a 'green' father's day gift so I'm happy. In corporate America that's called a win-win-win! Have a creative, green Father's Day to all the great Dad's out there.

I was raking rocks this morning and stepped on an ant hill so I was covered with ant bites in minutes. We have fire ants and their bites itch and fester for days. I decided to cut off a leaf from my aloe vera plant (which, by the way, is huge) and rub the bites with the gel. So far so good, not one ant bite is itching. In the past I would have ran to Walgreens and spent time and at least $5 buying some lotion or spray that may or may not stop the itching and more than likely be toxic. Instead the aloe gel was free, non-toxic and effective. I love being green!

I haven't purchased a new dryer in 15 years. I happened to be in the mall (not a likely place for me, BTW), happened upon a appliance outlet store which just happened to have an eco washer and dryer, reduced from the outlet price. The brand (Fisher Paykel) wasn't on the 'best eco washer and dryers to buy list' but they were within my budget so I bought the set and I love them.

I no longer worry about what water level I should chose for the load I'm washing. My machine figures it out for me! I peeked at a load of towels I was washing today and noticed that the new washer uses substantially less water than my old washer. Note to myself - I won't be getting the gallons of water I thought I would when I set up a greywater collection system. Oh, the challenges if being green:-).

I don't have a clothesline set up yet but the dryer has a 'damp' setting so I can fluff my clothes and then hang them on a hanger to finish drying. Since I live in Arizona I have convinced myself that my damp drying process also adds moisture to the dry air in my house. I can hope, right?