365 Days, 365 Ways...To Go Green

I used to live by an organic strawberry farm as a kid so I LOVE strawberries. Every year we would spend a day picking bushels of strawberries and eating as many as our stomach could hold, directly off the bushes. Those freshly picked strawberries were juicy and so sweet that my mouth would pucker. For my 365 day challenge I decided I would start buying more organic fruits and vegetables starting with strawberries. I chose strawberries first because they are not only pesticide ridden but they are irradiated. Irradiation allows soft fruits to last longer in the supermarket so organic strawberries which are not irradiated will definitely spoil faster. That's the price I am willing to pay for fresh, sweet strawberries. Eventually I hope to grow my own. Yum!

Today Al Gore spoke at Arizona State University about his award winning film An Inconvenient Truth and after the event everyone was given a free complact florescent bulb (CFL). According to Energy Star If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR CFL, we would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars. So instead of waiting for my incandescent lights to burn out I made the switch and replaced the last 19 of my 33 household lights with CFLs. They are a little more expensive but the cost is coming down significantly and they pay for themselves in the first 500 hours. Besides the spiral shape they now come in different sizes and shapes for both indoors and outdoors.

The conversions from incandescent are on the CFL package but in my example I was replacing a 60 watt incadescent so the CFL equivalent was 13 watts.

They do contain a small amount of mercury so clean up with caution if you break one (no vacuums) and recycle them when they die.

Here is an example of my savings and a quick formula for my math loving readers...

(wattage of the bulb) X (life of the bulb) X ($.10/1000) = cost to run a light bulb

(60W bulbs I replaced) X (8000 hrs) X ($.10/1000) = $48 cost to run 1 60W lightbulb assuming that a regular light bulb will last 8000 hours like a CFL. It won't!

(15W what I purchased) X (8000) X $.10/1000) = $12 to run 1 15W CFL and the difference is money in my pocket. That's a savings of $684 minus $76 (purchase price for 19 bulbs) = a great return on investment! Plus I am helping to prevent greenhouse gases which for me it most important.

Are you ready to make the switch and save Mother Earth?

I went shopping for garden hoses to day and was shocked when I read the warning label.......
WARNING: This hose is not intended for drinking water use. For potable water purchase an APEX drinking water safe hose. This hose contains chemicals containing lead known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects and other repoductive harm. Do not drink water from this hose. Wash hands after use.

Normally we don't drink from the water hose but our dogs do and sometimes I'm tempted because I loved drinking cold water from a garden hose on a hot summer day as a child. I came home and did a web search after looking for a safe drinking water hose in 3 different stores without luck. Not all hoses have the warning label so to be safe I found out you have to buy hoses that state they are safe for drinking. Most articles I read concentrated on drinking the water but the warning also says 'wash hands after use' which leads me to believe there is potential for absorption through the skin.

Hoses are made from polyvinyl chloride plastic and lead is used as a stabalizer. Lead can cause anemia, brain damage and developmental and reproduction problems. Since not all hoses carry the warning I wanted to find a hose that specifically said safe for drinking. Consumer Reports has a list of hoses safe for drinking but actually finding one has been a challenge. I just sent an e-mail to Gardner Supply Company to see if the hose they feature is safe for drinking and where I can purchase one. I'm assuming just on-line but I had to check. I also remember seeing a similar warning on spray nozzles for garden hoses but that's for another post.

Today I created my first herb spiral using the urbanite I rescued from the patio at the remodel. It was easy and fun. I used small chunks of urbanite to create the base in the shape of a cone, covered it with a mixture of soil, organic manure, organic mulch and worm castings, arranged the urbanite in a spiral and planted the herbs. I then covered the the plants with an organic mulch I made from tree branches I pruned a few months ago. It was that quick! Herb spirals are unique because each side of a spiral is in the sun at different times during the day. They are also compact. What a simple way to start organic gardening and save the landfill!

That pretty much sums up my favorite energy bars from Healthco Canada. Once my day starts I find myself skipping meals and definitely forgetting to eat my veggies. Then I discovered ReBars with 20 different vegetables and fruits in every bar. The original ReBar tastes like fruit leather but not as sweet, the Seeds and Greens ReBars have a crunchy honey taste and the ReBar energy bar tastes like chocolate. Pretty amazing for bars with with organic spinach, kale, beets and collards to name a few. Today I discovered they have a few new products so placed an order for their new Cacao Hemp Nut and Seed bars.

Check out Cheryl Crowe's Stop Global Warming College Tour on People.com. Attend in person if you are in Texas or on the east coast. Can't attend then join the Stop Global Warming Virtual March! Join the march and make a commitment to change! It's not too late to take the 365 day challenge to GO GREEN!

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I spent the day in Tucson, Arizona learning how to build a strawbale wall. I doubt I will ever build an entire strawbale house but I do plan to put a 1/2 wall or 2 on around the patio I am building. Though strawbale construction can be used in any part of the country it is definitely a material that should be utilized more in the Southwest or parts of the midwest, like Nebraska, because of the lack of timber. The bales were placed on a cement foundation, reinforced with rebar and bamboo and finally, cemented together with an earth/clay mixture. Here is the almost final wall. It still needs a 2nd coat of mud to even it out a bit and a coat of natural paint.

What are you going to do for Earth Day? It's just a few days away! Well, I have decided to shop. I finally went out on the Smart Spaces Inside and Out shopping page and found some amazing Earth Day deals . I bought the twin stainless sports bottles. Twin because it's 2 for 1 and that's an incredible bargain! I saved money, bought a green product and
I don't have to worry about drinking from leaching plastic water bottles
I have extra money in my pocket since I will no longer buy bottled water
I will give the landfill a break - even though I recycle most water bottles end up in the
landfill
I educated myself on the bottled water industry so more about that on another blog
I cleaned out an entire shelf and recycled the 20 reusable bottles I had for water AND
I did it all without getting out of bed!

PS I also bought a few bottles for gifts!

I haven't called my local city water department to see if they use clorine to disinfect our drinking water; I let my nose determine that. It doesn't happen every morning but most mornings when I turn on my shower I get a not so gentle whiff of chlorine. I also noticed a few weeks ago that Lowes carries clorine water filters for showers. When green products become mainstream I figure it's telling me something! Today I bought and installed shower filters for all 3 of my bathrooms and a chlorine bath ball to filter the water when I want to soak in the bathtub after a long day. If I am not willing to soak my clothes in chlorine any longer why should I soak in it.

.....but only if you have gasoline in your tank. With gas prices edging close to $3.00 a gallon and up it's getting expensive to fill my gas tank. A friend recently filled her truck to the tune of $90! All this focus on gasoline made me realize that if I have to buy gasoline how can I buy it from the most environmental responsible companies? I read around 15 different reports and they all seemed to contradict each other so frustration set in. Finally I settled on a report from the Sierra Club which seemed to back up most of the other reports I had read. In truth no one company got high marks however Exxon Mobile gets the environmental black mark in my book. First step - I won't buy gas from Exxon Mobile. There is an Arco station near me that has the most resonable gas in the neighborhood but I didn't know who they were affiliated with. It ends up their parent company is BP. ConocoPhillips and BP have joined the US Climate Action Partnership to reduce greenhouse gases which is a plus but doesn't make them perfect. Despite their efforts the Sierra Club report puts Conoco Phillips at the bottom of the barrel with Exxon Mobile so I will wait and see if they improve before buying gasoline from them. I will also continue to monitor BPs environmental profile on Coop America. Or maybe I'll just walk!

My dog Addie has allergies. Money sucking, time sucking allergies! The Vet bills were piling up, I had exhausted every organic, allergy-free dog food I could find and she was still shaking her ears and eating her feet. It was time to switch to a holistic veterinarian which was easier than it sounds. After calling 8 different holistic veterinarians I found a match with a plus - she comes to the house. After one more change in dog food (Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Fish) and some holistic ear drops today Addie is a much happier dog and I am happy to say allergie free. Thank you Dr. Lyons!

I love spoiling my dogs but my lab has allegies so she doesn't get many treats. I decided it was time to make her some healthy organic treats. I made this recipe this morning - great for puppy breath, she gets her veggies and she doesn't mind sharing with her 'sister' Bristow.

2 cups organic brown rice flour
1 Tablespoon activated charcoal (not the briquets!)
3 Tablespoons expeller pressed canola oil
1 free range egg
1/2 cup chopped fresh organic mint
1/2 cup chopped fresh organic parsley
1'2 cup finely grated organic carrots or other veggies
2/3 cup lowfat organic milk
Preheat oven to 400F. I oiled a cookie sheet with olive oil. I put the flour and charcoal in a bowl and then added all the other ingredients. I dropped teaspoon size balls on the cookie sheet and baked them 15-20 minutes. After they cooled I refrigerated them. Addie and Bristow approve and mom's treats are never recalled!.

I know this is not a new change for me but I love this product so much that I want everyone to try it. It's called Deadeye a vinegar based natural weed killer . I kills weeds in minutes and my yard stays toxin and Roundup free.

What is there to say except lets go shopping! http://www.organiccoupons.org/. Checkout the offfline coupons. I signed up for Annie's Homegrown newsletter to take advantage of the coupon offers, I'm signing up for the $10 Seventh Generation coupon next! Cash in my pocket - oh yeah!

...because he can. I took inventory of my bedroom and I have a TV, digital alarm clock, my laptop and cell phone most arms length distance from me during the night. I recently read that the being that close to electronic equipment can interrupt a good nights sleep so until I learn more I moved my computer to the den, my cell phone off of my bed and into my bathroom (no that annoying green light isn't flashing in my eyes all night long - another benefit), and moved everything else at least 6 feet away from my bed. I also moved the TV to the den because, well, bedrooms are meant for sleeping. Sweet dreams!

Yep, I sure do! I never owned a bike as a child so one of my first purchases as an adult was my own bike. I rode for a few years and even completed an MS150 race. Yesterday when I was cleaning the garage I found it - my latest bike - flat tires and all. Bike riding for me has always been for pleasure but as I was dusting off my bike I realized that I live in a great neighborhood where I should use my bike for transportation. I need a basket but I'm getting ahead of myself here. Instead I simply aired up the tires and rode to the neighborhood grocery store for some organic apples and milk. I also got off the couch and got some exercise, a well deserved break, a new view of the neighborhood and nature and I saved on gas! I have decided that this is worth repeating, often!

Living a green lifestyle can be challengine, creative, sometimes expensive, and at times just plain simple. American's live very hectic lives and I am no exception. I tend to eat on the run most days and most meals barely thinking of the process it took for that salad to end up on my fork. I have decided to be more mindful of at least one meal a day because every meal is not only Thanksgiving it is a miracle. I love a quote from Carl Sagan the great scientist - If you want to create an apple pie from scratch you have to first create the universe. Chew on that one for a bite - it says it all!

What is corn based, biodegradeable, eliminates chlorine and 60 other contaminants, can be tossed in the compost bin after 80 uses (yes, 80) and saves you money while serving up clean, filtered, drinking water? It's the New Wave Enviro Better Water Bottle with a filter! What an inovative, green concept! It's even good enough for Oprah to feature on her Earth Day special. Time to get to the head of the line and order mine!!

Though I plan to attend a few Earth Day events what will be most important to me on Earth Day is to connect with Nature. Yesterday when I was on the road I noticed a family having a picnic. What a great idea for Earth Day! So what do you pack for an Earth Day picnic?

A magnifying glass
A small net to temporarily capture a butterfly or bug
A note book to list all of the animals you saw that day besides flys and ants
A garbage bag to clean up the bug's homes if there is trash laying around
Lay on you back and notice the clouds
While you are cloud watching tell stories or think of ways to protect Mother Earth
Go to the library and get a book about Earth Day to read at the picnic or act it out
Make it a nighttime picnic and bring a flashlight - what bugs are night bugs?
Discuss where the food you brought to the picnic came from
Remember every meal is Thanksgiving even on a picnic
Celebrate being a family

Oprah's Favorite Things goes green today with Matt Damon and Sheryl Crowe. I am so excited. I asked 10 colleagues 'what are you doing for Earth Day? This is what they answered.....
"Do we still celebrate Earth Day"
" I remember celebrating it when I was a kid."
"We'll be on the lake in our big, polluting speed boat."
"You're kidding, right?"
"Laughter"
I was shocked and saddened. I know the Power of O can make a difference and I hope Oprah's
commitment to the environment continues to change minds because apparently there are many minds that still need changing. I am expecially excited because one of Oprah's Favorite Green Things is the New Wave Enviro's Corn Based Reusable Filter Water Bottle. The Better Water Bottle is one of the many products featured on Smart Spaces Inside and Out's Earth Day sale (yes, we still do celebrate Earth Day)!
If you are lucky enough to find our site don't forget to stay awhile. Read a little, learn a lot and share your favorite green things. Become part of our community and take part in the 365 Day Challenge! Visit often! We'll be looking for you!

I watched Oprah's green show today. What favorite things am I going to incorporate? Number 1 - signing up for Greendimes. Since I have all my bills sent electronically I shouldn't be getting any mail. Right? Wrong! My mailbox fills daily with ads and it's annoying. The routine is 1. walk to the mailbox 2. take my mail out of the mailbox 3. walk back home 4. drop everything in the recycle bin. 5. Done!
So today I signed up for Greendimes and every month they plant a tree for me - just for me! So for $36.00 a year I save our forests, plant 12 trees (one a month) and save a trip to the mailbox! Thanks Matt, thanks Oprah!

I am taking the day to reflect. We will be finishing our remodel this week so while I am laying baseboards I can think about how I am really doing to not only stop global warming but to create a healthier environment. I recycle but since I fill a recycle bin a week I must be honest with myself and realize that I am not trying to buy items with less packaging or simply by less all around. I telecommute and am riding my bike a few times a week but could I cut down on my driving even more? More than anything I need to continue to educate myself and only support those companies that are truly trying to make sustainable changes, to vote with my dollars, get involved and spread the word. I am looking foward to this year of change!

I bought a white porcelain Neti Pot today to reduce my sneezing. Allergies! A friend of mine has been using one for years and recommended it. I also found out that it's great for cleaning out the sinuses when you live in a polluted environment. I started thinking of the pollution warnings that I see on my way to work. In many parts of the world Neti Pots are used as often as a toothbrush. It can also be used to moisten dry nasal passages. I live in the desert so I know that feeling! OK, so it wasn't easy to use I am not sure if I have ever purposefully poured water up my nose before. After a few choking fits I got it and the rest was easy. I love the simplicity - one pot, some water and kosher salt and all is well.