Change The World Wednesday

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW). If you are new to our challenges, please click HERE for more information.

Last week, our friend the Wayland Cook, suggested that we cook over a wood fire. Since it's cold in many parts of the world right now, we expanded the challenge to include energy-efficient, indoor cooking. As always, the Honor Society stepped up and embraced this challenge ... and, as always, they are impressive with their creative tips and ideas for cooking efficiently, no matter which method is chosen. Here they are:

Kelly uses a crockpot for energy efficient cooking and she shared a great tip ... rather than use electric appliances (mixers, bread machines, etc.) try doing things by hand. For example, she suggests mashing potatoes using a hand masher instead of a mixer and kneading bread instead of using a bread machine. Kelly also plans to try out a solar cooker this summer. Hope you'll come back and tell us how it works, Kelly!

EcoGrrl used her microwave to efficiently whip up her morning oatmeal. She also reminds us to buy food in bulk and bring our own containers to the store. Mmm ... that homemade jam which she swirled through her oatmeal sounded delicious! By the way ... HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY, ECOGRRL! Here's wishing you happiness always!

Cinella accepted the challenge and, in this POST, lists a bunch of ways to cook efficiently ... indoors or out. She lives in Texas and they've been experiencing some nice weather so she's hoping to do some cooking outdoors. She also uses the crockpot weekly and buys local, organic foods. Yay! For those of you who are interested in page ranks (and improving them), you'll be excited to know that Cinella linked up the Honor Society and the #CTWW Gang in her post. Thanks so much, Cinella!

UPDATE - If you like giveaways (especially "green" giveaways), you can get extra entries into Cinella's Giveaway Event by participating in this week's challenge. WhooHoo!
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS.
Thanks, Cinella!

Eco Yogini is new to our challenges. She's here, via EcoGrrl's blog, all the way from Halifax. Welcome EY! She says that it's cold in Canada so she won't be cooking outside ... but she does have a slow cooker (wonder what yummy dishes she came up with?). Thanks for joining us, EY ... and if you try out that solar oven, let us know how it works for you!

Our Village is a Little Different found us through the Wednesday Blog Hop (you'll find a link in my side bar). She says that they are buried under snow ... so no outdoor cooking. And a recent post on her blogs says that more snow is on the way! Nice to "see" you and we hope you'll drop by again!

Marcy, one of our favorite chefs, wrote this POST and included quite a few tips on how to cook efficiently. Here's a hint on one of them ... fast food. It's not what you think but ... you'll have to read the post to find out about this tip. Thanks, Marcy!

Amy (aka the Wayland Cook), who suggested this challenge, has had snow and cold temperatures lately so, they moved their efficient cooking from the wood fire outside to a wood fire inside. You'll be amazed at how she and her husband modified their wood stove to become an efficient cooking stove. In this POST, she includes pictures and information. Wow ... Impressive!

Our friend, Argentum Vulgaris, has been missing in action due to computer problems. He's back with us and has written this POST. In it, he talks about various cooking fuels available in Brazil and shares his choice ... here's a hint: he spends approximately $16 (R$28) every 5 months on cooking fuel. Can you guess what he uses? AV also shares an update on his Papaya trees in that post ... including pictures. Thanks, AV ... nice to have you back!

Kelly is another new follower from the Wednesday Blog Hop. She brings up a good point ... using a slow cooker (crockpot) is not only energy efficient, it's time efficient as well. Thanks for joining in the fun, Kelly ... hope to see you again!

TLN stopped in. She is still working on the laundry challenge, trying to find a detergent that works and is Eco-friendly. She promises to keep us informed as she experiments. Thanks, TLN ... and here's wishing you relief from the hot temperatures you're experiencing in Sydney!

Carli joined us. She's a new follower from the Wednesday Blog Hop. Carli has a great blog and lately she's been discussing balance and having time for everything she wants/needs to do in life. It's an interesting discussion with some creative solutions. Thanks for coming by, Carli ... hope to see you again!

Sam, another new follower, stopped in this week. After reviewing our list of challenges, she is happy to report that she has, and continues, to accomplish many of them. WhooHoo! If you are in college, have a child in college, know of anyone in college or simply want good advice for living, check out Sam's blog. A recent article discussed making one's own lunch and the benefits of doing so. Thanks, Sam!

Thepearlworld joined us all the way from Finland. So nice to "see" you. She writes a blog called Our Fancy Things. In it she says, "I decided to start a new blog. This one will be open for everybody. It's our new life. New chance. It's not about living like it was the last day, it's more about living like every day was the first one." What a fabulous sentiment! (One note ... I was unable to leave comments on this blog so, if the author is reading this, there might be something wrong with the comments setting of your blog.)

Rewinn's energy-efficient method of choice is the crockpot. In this POST, he shares his recipe for Bone Soup. I found Rewinn's thoughts on waste very interesting ... it has to do with respect. Check it out! Thanks, Rewinn!

Mrs. Green took the challenge and wrote a wonderful article (read it HERE). In it she offers many energy saving cooking techniques, including how to save 20% on your energy bill while using an electric stove/oven. It's reaffirms that small actions make a big difference. Thanks, Mrs. Green!

In this POST, Kris talks about getting a toaster oven as an energy-efficient option to using the oven. Let us know, Kris, if you get one and how you like it!

In addition to bloggers, we had a bunch of twitter members talking about our challenge using the hashtag #CTWW:

@waylandcook
@cjrthemommyblog
@givetreegifts
@bblonskidesigns
@mysticle
@noteasy2begreen
@sugadug
@littlegreenblog

These are great folks to follow so, if you're on twitter, be sure to stop by and check them out!

Great job everyone! If you wrote an article, I have Stumbled, Tweeted and Facebooked it.

Let's talk about a new challenge. This one comes from our friend Kris. She says, "Most household cleaners contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment. An alternative would be to make your own. Usually this can be done for less than it costs to buy a household cleaner and it's more environmentally friendly (win-win if you ask me!). Or, if you choose not to make your own, change to a household cleaner that is "green". example: use vinegar instead of jet-dry (and similar products)."

We've done a similar challenge, early on, but it's worth trying again ... perhaps with a slight twist. Here you go:

This week, if you've never tried Eco-friendly cleansers (either commercial or handmade), please try one out.

Or ...

If you've used commercial Eco-friendly cleansers but have never made your own, try making one (a simple cleanser can be made with equal parts vinegar and baking soda, with a few drops of essential oil added in to make it smell nice ... it's perfect for cleaning bathrooms and kitchens). We'd also like to know which commercial brands you use and your analysis of them.

Or ...

If you always use homemade cleansers, please share your recipe with us. We'd also like to know what you've tried, what works and what doesn't.

So what do you think ... are you up for this challenge? I know that you are!!

Thanks, Everyone!

WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!