May 31 2006
Living Green
The month of May is coming to a close, but green will continue to be a way of life around my house. In recent years, we have made conscious decisions to live as lightly as possible on this earth… but of course, there is always room for improvement, and I am striving to live a greener and more sustainable life.
Such crafting groups as the Summer of Stash, the Stashalong, Use What You Have, and various others may not be an overtly green group, but their mission and theme falls into the category. Sustain your hobby and passions with the things you already own! Creativity does not hinge upon new supplies and items! In my opinion, the most creative projects are ones that are repurposed from an older discarded item!
Thankfully, there are also some other great resources out there to help live greener in all facets of life. I came across the online magazine/blog Treehugger a few months ago, and I am completely addicted! Their writing/blogging staff covers so many issues from renewable energy to fashion; food to interior design, and there is always something new to learn in this forum. Their approach is also very welcomed: not doomsday or militant – simply stating the facts and alternatives, and what you can do to make a difference, no matter where you are in the world. Very similar to TH, is Grist, another online magazine. Their stories and posts are often more of a political-bent and they also have some satirical humor.
Many thanks to Nonnahs for her post on green living last week – in it, I found out about a new source. The Ideal Bite is a website with a blog, and a newsletter with simple tips (that can be emailed to you everyday!) on how to live a more sustainable and responsible life. Today’s tip is very timely – perfect for summer!
What’s in your picnic basket?
The Bite
The sun shines, flowers bloom, and Biters everywhere start to wander outside, picnic baskets in hand. Unfortunately, disposable plastic sporks and their ilk are crowding landfills faster than you can say “splendor in the grass.” So, here are some tips to minimize picnic-related garbage.The Benefits
Cut down on trash while saving cash by avoiding prepackaged foods and switching to reusable utensils. Reusable cloth tablecloths last longer than plastic or paper ones, and score some serious style points. We have it on good authority that worms enjoy picnics as much as the rest of us – your picnic leftovers make great compost, so pack out what you bring in.
We bring these issues “home” with each purchase we make, each mile we drive in the car, and each activity I do throughout the day. Do you have some tips on how you live green? I would love to hear them!
My green kitchen – in more ways than one.
Making conscious decisions is key. Think about the future!
I see rusty scupper.
Living green is always the best way to live.
it’s not easy being green……
So true. If everyone did a little bit, it would make a big difference! When I moved to our current house, I changed out all the light bulbs for the efficient ones, and found a trash company that did recycling (not easy in my area!) I pay a little more, but it’s worth it!
“green lifestyle” is something chris and i have always strived for… then we had kids… seems we produce more waste than ever! thank you for the links.. the daily reminders will help keep us in check and give prespective
Thanks for the links. I’ll have to check them out. I need to strive to be better about the little things. Maybe these sites will help me get started.
Great reminder of our impact on the earth, Lolly. I always notice, when we’re camping for reenacting, how little rubbish we produce. No paper products, no plastic products, everything is reusable.
What a great post! I have been trying to enjoy nature more this summer and thinking about all the things that I love about it. You helped to remind me that I also need to think about all the ways that I can help protect nature. Thanks! And thanks for hosting such a great KAL.
Awesome post- what a fabulous way to end the month! I’m so glad you like Ideal Bite – isn’t it great?
What a really great post! And beautiful photos. Green inside outside and all around. Thanks!
Another fab post, Lolly! Thanks for the links too! I am trying to live greener every day, just a bit. Our office is recycling water bottles. I know we shouldn’t be using them at all, but at least recycling is something small to help out. Hubby and I bought some new, sturdier plastic storage containers from Costco that are better than the old Glad and Ziploc ones we were using a few times and tossing. Bit by bit…
SOOO true. My biggest way of living green is selling and using cloth diapers. Most people never think of this as being such an environmental impact but it really is….by using cloth on my daughter I save $3000 over the life of her in diapers, I only use $17 worht of water over her diapering “life” to wash (water is a renewable resource too), my daughter never has diaper rash so I save on putting yucky ointments on her skin and I don’t contribute to the 1 BILLION trees cut down a year to produce diapers! Good all the way around! GO GREEN!
I just found Ideal Bite through Nonnahs post as well.. and I love the tips. I’m lucky that our trash service offers recycling but I feel that it doesn’t cover enough – I wish they would recycle paper here too. I make it a point to bring my own (canvas) bags to the store with me when I go shopping.. its definitely little things that make a difference.
Terrific post. Great information and great inspiration, too.
Good reminders for us all. Your colors for PS are always so vibrant. The next two months will really be up my alley!
Great post. We are trying to live more green at our office, we shred all our waste paper. We were going to send it for recycling, but then discovered our local Humane Society uses it for their animals cages, and so we are donating it to them. That way it gets a second use, and someone that needs it has access to it.
I’m also hosting a Charity Drive for that humane society, collecting toys and blankets, made from yarn leftovers, etc. or even fabric squares, to help the animals in need. It’s always nice when someone else can use something we may just simply throw away.
i looooooove GREEN…honestly i have it everywhere…a green purse, a green bag with different shades of green all over it, green capris, green flip flops, green tops, i love eating GREENS too….ahhhh fun stuff
haha yea i love ir mom for getting me those cookies! i LOVE manatees too, and the BAG is GREEN! haha…i will def. take pictures of the cookies on for my blog. later tater ! 
I LOVE your green flower border. It reminds me of today’s button project on Kiddley.com How cute would that be made up in all greens & whites? You are right – every little bit helps and we can all do our part. Imagine how clean the world would be if everyone swept their own doorstep.
Thanks for those links, Lolly, they are great resources. I always like to keep these issues in mind.
I try to make as many of those small choices as possible in hopes of minimizing my impact on the earth – I’m a vegetarian, I don’t have a car and get around by walking, biking and public transportation, and I support organic farming practices.
Similar to Amanda’s comment, I have to tell the ladies that all of those pads and tampons you use take up a lot of space in landfills, plus they are potentially dangerous to your health. There are a variety of reuseable and not-as-gross-as-you-might-think menstrual products out there. My favorite is called the Keeper, it’s a little rubber cup that can be used for 10 years or more! You can also use old clothes to make your own cloth pads. Worth checking out…
Hey there girl – here is a great blog which always has amazing tips and articles about living green – not to mention the girl behind the blog is very sweet (just like another girl behind the blog whose name begins with an L)
We walk everywhere we can, take the bus for longer trips, and drive rarely (went only 300 miles in 1.5 months between fill-ups!), use cloth diapers on our son, breastfeed him (free, attractive packaging, no waste, and we’re not contributing to companies that sabotage 3rd world countries!), use laundry detergent that is biodegradable & phosphate-free (and use front-loading machines, so we only use 1/4 cup of soap per load), all of our appliances are energy-star compliant, we bought a barbecue and have been using that instead of the electric stove to cook dinner, and when my period returns (another great thing about breastfeeding: my son is 6 months old & I haven’t had a period yet!) I’ll be using cloth pads that I sew myself from my husband’s ugly old t-shirts (he has a lot of them).
Maybe I should’ve joined Project Spectrum, because I’ve been knitting a green thing (in secret, as a gift) all month. What I love seeing on the blogs is all that greeniness. What a great concept, Lolly!
it’s a bit harder to live green but so worth it!
Eat and buy organic! No pesticides to pollute our environment!
What a great green post to end the month of May! I look forward to checking out these links – thanks for sharing! It looks like you had a wonderful holiday weekend as well.
Thanks for the links – I will definitely check them out. I love the idea of “knitting green,” ie, reuse, recycle, etc, which definitely includes using what you have!
thank you for the voice of encouragement! i can do this (S.O.S.). YES I CAN! thanks lolly, d
Thanks for all the interesting links.
I already got my first Ideal Bite email.
Hi – Just came across your blog via bloglines. First I was surprised to find another Nonnahs as I’ve used that name online for years (but spelled as n0nnahs). But in terms of green living, about 18 months ago I discovered Freecycle after moving abroad and needing some basic items for my new life. You may already be aware of it. There are freecyclists around the world. If you have items that you no longer want you can offer them up there and claim items other people are wanting to get rid of. Depending on the rules of your local freecycle you may be able to actually ‘request’ items. This is how I came to have a large collection of yarn and needles to practice with when I took up knitting for the 3rd time in my life (this time it’s a full-on addiction). Anyway, it’s a great site and people will literally take anything – excess top soil, logs, 20 year old computers, etc.
Green is second to blue for me. Good post. We enjoyed your visit on Monday as usual. Good times. XXOO
I try to buy most of my clothes (other than undergarments and socks) used from our wonderul local thrift store. I also try to go through my possessions and take those that aren’t needed to the thrift store (sales of which support adults with developmental disabilities). Double bonuses!
I like the flower graphic very cute. I took three large trash bags to the recycling bins. It is worth it to see them not get taken to some landfill.
Cute pic of the kitty cats in front of the door…
Love You!
Thanks for sending those links! I’m always trying to think about how to live more green each day.
I agree with you 100%! Thanks so much for the fab links!
I’m so glad you posted about this, it’s been on my mind alot. I’ve been reading Worsted Witch (http://www.worstedwitch.com/) lately and she brings up a lot of great points. I work to reduce packaging, use less energy and be mindful of the chemicals I use while cleaning to reduce contamination in the water. It’s a big uphill process, but I think if just one family at a time made changes, we would start seeing the results on a wider scale. I’ve been trying to eat local as well, to reduce the number of “food miles” food has to travel to get to me. Who wants to add to the pollution problem?
Excellent post. Thanks for the links too.
It’s amazing what you can do green if you actually think about it. When I moved into this neighborhood, my garbage collectors actually left me notes telling me I wasn’t getting my trash to the curb in time for pick up – because I didn’t have trash every week! It started an interesting discussion on my street. Thanks for the reminders as we go into the hectic summer season
I ride my bike to work–I can save 1 gallon of gas per day. We recycle and compost. We don’t turn on the AC until after July 4th. This started out years ago when we did Civil War Reenacting, and were reenacting during the July 4th weekend, when it is HOT. We discovered that if we didn’t live in AC, we were much better acclimated to the heat, and the tradition has stuck. If July is cool (i.e., night-time temps still in the 60′s) we won’t turn it on until the lows are in the 70′s for a week. AC is set at 72, and goes up to 80 during the day. Heat in the winter is set at 68, and goes down to 60 during the day and at night. I’m called the thermostat Nazi at my house
I used cloth diapers for my kids, and breastfed, and now buy organic or grow my own. Sometimes I wonder if it makes a difference at all when I see my non-recycling neighbors with their 2 SUV’s….
Yay for green! I try so hard to be as green as i can but as you said, there’s always room for improvement. I recycle, use cloth nappies, am concious about how much water/gas/electricity i use, we don’t own a car (we walk everywhere or use public transport if we need to), i reuse where i can and try to reduce my footprint on the planet. I started Wardrobe Refashion as a way to encourage others to stop buying new manufactured clothing and to reuse what they have, buy secondhand or make their own. It’s amazing how much of a strain the clothing industry puts on the Earth, how the fabric is made, how it is transported to the factory it’s to be made into clothes, how the workers are treated etc etc etc. i won’t go on.
And would you know it, my favourite colour is green!