I am posting the link of the week early this week since I will be scrambling as I prep for a 3 day minivay this weekend. Hooray!
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
This weeks link takes me to one of my favorite reads as far as blogs go: Miss Minimalist. Want to know how to simplify your life? Want to know how to downsize? Want to know how to make your money work for you and the environment and NOT against you? Check out 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life. Is it logical? Yes. Is it do-able? Totally. Moreover, it is a completely inspiring list. :)
Enjoy!!!!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Link of the Week- BlissTree
I was approached last week and asked if I could make more links readily available to readers.
Ummm,......OF COURSE I CAN!!!!!
So, in response, I have now started a link of the week. :)
Bliss Tree-100 things
This week's link is from my friends over at blisstree.com.
I often hear folks exclaim that they have to run to the store and buy something random, at least 3-4 times a week. Of course, when I why that venture is so important, I often get the response of, "Well I cannot MAKE IT at home!?!?!" Actually..........yes you can......at least SOME of it.
I am living proof that homemade is almost always the cheaper alternative, as well as the tastier one. For example, the Lay's company has made a fortune across the country selling their dips on the shelves of every grocery and quickstop, but I can bet you that my homemade dip is cheaper, tastier, and better for you.
The proof??? I made FOUR PANS of dip for one four hour UFC viewing event in my home last month. It cost me a total of $3, contained fresh-local & canned ingredients, AND left no non-recyclable waste. (It was also REALLY neat to hear grown men say, "This is made with chickpeas? REALLY?" HAHAHA.)
So, take a moment and wander over to BlissTree and check out their list of 100 things you can make yourself.....and maybe even give a few a try. :)
Ummm,......OF COURSE I CAN!!!!!
So, in response, I have now started a link of the week. :)
Bliss Tree-100 things
This week's link is from my friends over at blisstree.com.
I often hear folks exclaim that they have to run to the store and buy something random, at least 3-4 times a week. Of course, when I why that venture is so important, I often get the response of, "Well I cannot MAKE IT at home!?!?!" Actually..........yes you can......at least SOME of it.
I am living proof that homemade is almost always the cheaper alternative, as well as the tastier one. For example, the Lay's company has made a fortune across the country selling their dips on the shelves of every grocery and quickstop, but I can bet you that my homemade dip is cheaper, tastier, and better for you.
The proof??? I made FOUR PANS of dip for one four hour UFC viewing event in my home last month. It cost me a total of $3, contained fresh-local & canned ingredients, AND left no non-recyclable waste. (It was also REALLY neat to hear grown men say, "This is made with chickpeas? REALLY?" HAHAHA.)
So, take a moment and wander over to BlissTree and check out their list of 100 things you can make yourself.....and maybe even give a few a try. :)
"What IS a muse nowadays, much less an environmental one?"
Yesterday, when handing my card to a fellow in the bee industry, I was asked the question, "What IS a muse nowadays, much less an environmental one?" Although my business cards, letterhead, blog, and twitter all proudly display the title, this is the fist time anyone has asked the question!
Dictionary.com defines a muse as follows:
noun
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/muse
With that preface in mind, it was several years ago that friends and family began taking notice of my innate ability to save the environment, live cheaply, AND inspire others to do so at the same time. Quite often when someone was in need or had an interest, I became the go-to girl for finding a way of fulfilling that need that was beneficial for all parties involved: person & environment.
What it all comes down to is SO simple-it's about thinking outside the box, and radiating it. :)
You just moved into an apartment and you have no furniture?? Show me what you do have, find me a curb on a Sunday night, and give me a week-I will have your entire place furnished and have saved good items from piling up in the landfill.
Hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year and need a table to sit eight? No problem-I need 2 old doors, a saw,some screws, and a can of paint.......easily found on craigslist.com. This year, why not make the dinner BYOC (bring your own chair) for added fun??? Start a new tradition!!!!
No cash for Christmas gifts this year??? Everyone loves something homemade. :) There are a TON of recipes and ideas on the web nowadays-USE THEM!!!! (I make candles for my loved ones from all recycled materials that folks give me year long that they would normally throw out.)
For years, I have been putting bugs into the ears of folks I know from every walk of life. It is for this reason that I was dubbed "The Environmental Muse" by my good friend Frankie of Frankie B. Designs. No matter where I go, or what I do, I always try to leave things better then I found them. I always try to make the right decision for both the environment and others-these two should go hand-in-hand anyways.
So, if 1 person reads this blog.....ever.....then hopefully they can take away a little green inspiration with them. Knowing that I have made a difference in one life, one patch of green..............well, that makes all the difference. :)
Dictionary.com defines a muse as follows:
noun
1.
Classical Mythology .
a.
any of a number of sister goddesses, originally given as Aoede (song), Melete (meditation), and Mneme (memory), but latterly and more commonly as the nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne who presided over various arts: Calliope (epic poetry), Clio (history), Erato (lyric poetry), Euterpe (music), Melpomene (tragedy), Polyhymnia (religious music), Terpsichore (dance), Thalia (comedy), and Urania (astronomy); identified by the Romans with the Camenae.
b.
any goddess presiding over a particular art.
2.
( sometimes lowercase 
) the goddess or the power regarded as inspiring a poet, artist, thinker, or the like.
) the goddess or the power regarded as inspiring a poet, artist, thinker, or the like. 3.
( lowercase ) the genius or powers characteristic of a poet.
) the genius or powers characteristic of a poet. Origin:
1350–1400; ME Muse < MF < L Mūsa < Gk Moûsa
1350–1400; ME Muse < MF < L Mūsa < Gk Moûsa
With that preface in mind, it was several years ago that friends and family began taking notice of my innate ability to save the environment, live cheaply, AND inspire others to do so at the same time. Quite often when someone was in need or had an interest, I became the go-to girl for finding a way of fulfilling that need that was beneficial for all parties involved: person & environment.
What it all comes down to is SO simple-it's about thinking outside the box, and radiating it. :)
You just moved into an apartment and you have no furniture?? Show me what you do have, find me a curb on a Sunday night, and give me a week-I will have your entire place furnished and have saved good items from piling up in the landfill.
Hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year and need a table to sit eight? No problem-I need 2 old doors, a saw,some screws, and a can of paint.......easily found on craigslist.com. This year, why not make the dinner BYOC (bring your own chair) for added fun??? Start a new tradition!!!!
No cash for Christmas gifts this year??? Everyone loves something homemade. :) There are a TON of recipes and ideas on the web nowadays-USE THEM!!!! (I make candles for my loved ones from all recycled materials that folks give me year long that they would normally throw out.)
For years, I have been putting bugs into the ears of folks I know from every walk of life. It is for this reason that I was dubbed "The Environmental Muse" by my good friend Frankie of Frankie B. Designs. No matter where I go, or what I do, I always try to leave things better then I found them. I always try to make the right decision for both the environment and others-these two should go hand-in-hand anyways.
So, if 1 person reads this blog.....ever.....then hopefully they can take away a little green inspiration with them. Knowing that I have made a difference in one life, one patch of green..............well, that makes all the difference. :)
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Ebay- foe or friend???
Keeping a trunk full of dusty books because one day you will use them to make a boatload of cash to contribute to your retirement??? Why not find out if it REALLY is worth it?? Take the EBay reality check quiz and find out if you are sitting on a potential treasure trove or if you are just harboring a moth-bearing mess that lines the pockets of publishers everywhere.
Ebay Reality Check – The True Value of Your Treasures
Ebay Reality Check – The True Value of Your Treasures
Three way disposables: Trash, Compost, Recycle (Can the general populace handle it?)
Quite recently, I had the pleasure of going to see Cirque Du Soleil with my friend Maria. Their new touring show, oVo, was performing under the Grand Chapiteau on the Plateau at National Harbor, here in the DC Metro Area. It was a fabulous show and I highly recommend that everyone see Cirque at least once in their lifetime; it really is breathtaking.
Aside from the fantastic performance, I learned that the Cirque troop provides all equipment and services for all their shows! Everything you see there-the tents, bathrooms, food stands, fencing, etc.-is all a piece of their traveling show. It also became very apparent to me that the trashcans were even part of their traveling equipment......especially when I noticed the chalkboards overhead. Each trashcan had a sign denoting what it was meant to contain: Recycles, Compost, Trash.
As overjoyed as I was at seeing all this, I quickly became VERY saddened by the response of the general populace. Show attendees were cramming trash of all types into every can available. Food was being discarded on the ground, paper towels were being used in excess at the bathroom stations, candy wrappers were strewn in the tent area, and the list goes on. Even with disposal options CLEARLY lined up and labeled, the attendees of this event couldn't follow the simplest of instructions-could this be the issue with the general public as well???
I challenge you to look around and observe your surroundings this week. When green implementations are outlined for you, are you more likely to use them? Do you NEED a neon sign to begin to get your attention? I would be interested to know. :)
Aside from the fantastic performance, I learned that the Cirque troop provides all equipment and services for all their shows! Everything you see there-the tents, bathrooms, food stands, fencing, etc.-is all a piece of their traveling show. It also became very apparent to me that the trashcans were even part of their traveling equipment......especially when I noticed the chalkboards overhead. Each trashcan had a sign denoting what it was meant to contain: Recycles, Compost, Trash.
As overjoyed as I was at seeing all this, I quickly became VERY saddened by the response of the general populace. Show attendees were cramming trash of all types into every can available. Food was being discarded on the ground, paper towels were being used in excess at the bathroom stations, candy wrappers were strewn in the tent area, and the list goes on. Even with disposal options CLEARLY lined up and labeled, the attendees of this event couldn't follow the simplest of instructions-could this be the issue with the general public as well???
I challenge you to look around and observe your surroundings this week. When green implementations are outlined for you, are you more likely to use them? Do you NEED a neon sign to begin to get your attention? I would be interested to know. :)
Friday, September 24, 2010
My good friend Tina Dean: Going Green with Noah: Plastic Eco-Diaper OOAK Bag - Review and Giveaway
Going Green with Noah: Plastic Eco-Diaper OOAK Bag - Review and Giveaway: "My mom used to crochet. My sister, Sarah, just began crocheting. I know its hard and appreciate greatly those who can! Not only do I k..."
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The power of the words REuse, REpurpose, & REduce
One of the things that I try to do on a daily basis is to challenge myself to think outside of the box. For instance, when I look at an old butter container, I see: a planter, a pencil holder, a bell, a Christmas ornament, a squirrel guard, a dog travel dish, a waterproof sunflower, and many other things. It is thinking like this that has helped me to REuse and REpurpose everyday items that we, as humans, take for granted......thus REducing my environmental impact. :)
Two great sites are helping that happen more often now: Craigslist & Freecycle.
http://www.freecycle.org/
http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites
These two sites offer everything from firewood to french maid costumes, and often for FREE. These measures keep items in use and out of landfills, while keeping families outfitted. I cannot rave enough about how much these sites have helped myself, my family, and my friends.
Families around the globe are now thinking twice before they run out and purchase brand new items, because they want the planet to be around and be healthy for their children and their grandchildren. One such family was in the Reader's Digest in 2008 as buying nothing for a month. That one month changed the Hoch's life forever and showed them exactly what they needed to live, and they were happier and healthier for it. :)
http://www.rd.com/home-garden/hochman-family-cuts-spending/article99718.html
More recently, a family in Okotoks, Canada ventured into the news as a family that bought nothing for the YEAR!!!
http://newswire.freecycle.org/2010/04/16/western-wheel-family-stops-buying-new-stuff-for-one-year/
Personal friends of mine, the Moseleys, have moved across the nation well over four times now, and every time they move, they empty their house via craigslist & freecycle. When they get to their new place, they re-furnish via craigslist & freecycle. Shara Moseley once told me, "It is so rewarding living this way-it makes you value the important things in life, and not possessions." The Moseley family has now been REusing, REpurposing, and REducing for over six years. <3
So the next time you go to throw out that perfectly fine laundry basket that you never use, THINK TWICE. Offering it up to the trash gods might be the quickest thing to do, but is it the best thing to do???
Two great sites are helping that happen more often now: Craigslist & Freecycle.
http://www.freecycle.org/
http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites
These two sites offer everything from firewood to french maid costumes, and often for FREE. These measures keep items in use and out of landfills, while keeping families outfitted. I cannot rave enough about how much these sites have helped myself, my family, and my friends.
Families around the globe are now thinking twice before they run out and purchase brand new items, because they want the planet to be around and be healthy for their children and their grandchildren. One such family was in the Reader's Digest in 2008 as buying nothing for a month. That one month changed the Hoch's life forever and showed them exactly what they needed to live, and they were happier and healthier for it. :)
http://www.rd.com/home-garden/hochman-family-cuts-spending/article99718.html
More recently, a family in Okotoks, Canada ventured into the news as a family that bought nothing for the YEAR!!!
http://newswire.freecycle.org/2010/04/16/western-wheel-family-stops-buying-new-stuff-for-one-year/
Personal friends of mine, the Moseleys, have moved across the nation well over four times now, and every time they move, they empty their house via craigslist & freecycle. When they get to their new place, they re-furnish via craigslist & freecycle. Shara Moseley once told me, "It is so rewarding living this way-it makes you value the important things in life, and not possessions." The Moseley family has now been REusing, REpurposing, and REducing for over six years. <3
So the next time you go to throw out that perfectly fine laundry basket that you never use, THINK TWICE. Offering it up to the trash gods might be the quickest thing to do, but is it the best thing to do???
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