Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)

Welcome! If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the activities we've taken on so far.

We've just finished over six weeks of daily challenges and wow ... what an experience. There was a little bit of everything ... and hopefully we all went away with a new perspective ... and maybe some new practices. For me, receiving challenges each day was fun ... sometimes the different wording or slight "slant" on a theme makes me see things differently. And, of course, your comments and articles always inspire me.

Here's a brief recap of the final challenges:

1. Day 43 asked us to check into a renewable energy plan. Click HERE to read comments by EcoGrrl, Zoe and Mrs. Green.
2. Day 44 asked us to give away unwanted and unused possessions. Read comments by EcoGrrl, Nicki Woo, Melanie and Kristina HERE.
3. Day 45 asked us to consider whether or not we really need the light bulb which we removed earlier and if so, to replace it with a CFL. Click HERE to read comments by Rewinn, Nicki Woo and Daddy Forever.
4. Day 46 asked us to review the list of challenges and consider which ones we'll continue to practice. You'll find comments by EcoGrrl, Ann and Kristina HERE.
5. Day 47 was our final day and congratulations were in order. We had comments from Kat Magendie and Ann HERE.

We had some wonderful articles (which I Stumbled, Tweeted, and Facebooked):

• Could you go carless for the environment?
• Shopping Charity for 4/20/11
• Week 9
• Where to Recycle Clothes and Shoes
• Electronics Reuse and Recycling
• Good Earth Friday
• Double Up to Save the Environment
• Shopping Charity for 4/23/11
• Are we too dependent on the computer?
• Save the aspiring writer
• Ditch bottled water for the environment
  

Our #CTWW Gang talked about our challenges using the hashtag #CTWW. Here they are:

@smallbits
@waylandcook
@shoppingcharity
@noteasy2begreen
@peopletowels
@cjrthemommyblog
@givetreegifts
@jnjgogreen
@greenglamgo
@dpixel

Thanks to all of you!!

So, are you ready for another challenge? Keep America Beautiful has a campaign going on, right now, called Great American Cleanup™ 2011 (this year's theme is "Green Starts Here"). Energizer Batteries has teamed up with our National Parks for a program called Now that's positivenergy™. Both programs ask volunteers to help clean up public areas. That's the basis of this week's challenge:

Find a local opportunity through Great American Cleanup™, Now that's positivenergy™, or an Eco-group of your choosing, and participate in an environmental activity (clean-up, recycling, gardening, etc.).

Or ...

If you'd rather not join a group, plan your own activity. Perhaps organize a party to "build" a garden for someone (visit Cooking Rut to find out how 1,000 New Gardens Montana built Marcy's garden). Maybe hold a recycling drive in your neighborhood. Or even gather your family for a "clean-up" walk, picking up litter as you enjoy the day. Try to get friends, neighbors and/or family involved.

Or ...

If you're already volunteering your time to environmental causes, we'd like to hear about it. Please write a post telling us what you're involved in, how you got started, tips, advice, etc.

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

Until next week:

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

Guest Post by Renee Bedford

The Eco-Friendly Hostess

Whether it's a spring or summertime gathering, you can easily plan and create a Green party. From venue, to invitations, to the food you serve and what you serve it on, you may reduce the carbon footprint by cutting on waste and resource consumption - all while entertaining your guests in style! Choose a few or all of the tips below to Green your warm-weather parties!

Invites and Venue

• Instead of sending out expensive and seldom recycled party invitations, try going virtual. Sending invitations via email is eco-friendly as well as cost-effective. Save money and reduce paper waste by using Paperless Post, Evite, Sendomatic, or a similar online invitation service.

• If you want a more traditional approach, try using party invites made from recycled paper. Send out cards made of natural paper, soy ink, and natural embellishments like flowers, twigs, and leaves. Make sure to only buy supplies you need and will use to prevent waste.

• Choose daytime outdoor events. They typically use less energy than indoor evening events. But if you're having it at dinner, keep your space lit with Green lights. Switch all bulbs to CFLs and LEDs and save a dramatic amount of energy compared to traditional incandescent light bulbs.

• Make sure your location is easily accessible, and encourage attendees to carpool, bike or walk. Provide information about public transportation options.

Party Favors and Decor

• Party favors can be eco-friendly and reusable. Try giving away a T-shirt, a stainless steel water bottle, potted herbs or fair trade chocolates. If you prefer homemade party favors, consider baking cookies or brownies in decorative containers. Remember, it's the thought that matters and guests will be impressed either way.

• Always use recycled wrapping paper when giving gifts or party favors. Fabric gift bags are crafty ways to present party favors, too. Giving eco-friendly party favors to guests can encourage them to go Green themselves.

• When considering decorations, avoid plastic tablecloths and use paper or cloth. Consider natural decorations that are biodegradable or reusable. Examples are interesting succulents, flowering plants, stones, and bare branches decorated with ornaments or ribbon.

• Always buy locally. Every time something is shipped, a truck or plane burns fuel to get the item to you. Therefore, buying locally is one excellent way to be eco-friendly!

Food and Beverages

• Serve from a local and organic menu when possible, and offer a vegetarian option. Buying from local vendors at farmers' markets cuts back on carbon emissions because fewer miles traveled from farm to table means fewer emissions produced from the vehicle transporting the food. Also, try to buy foods produced organically and look for seasonal items to save money and get the best produce available. To avoid waste, be careful not to overbuy. Arrange with a local food bank to pick up leftovers at the end of the party.

• Offer fresh juice as a refreshing drink or fill cups with some fancy organic beer. Beer brewed with organically harvested barley and hops is tastier and better for the body. Avoid plastics and non-recyclables. Skip individual plastic water bottles and juice boxes. Drinks in aluminum, glass or plastic containers are recyclable. Or large reusable water dispensers can be used for water or to mix frozen juices.

• Use reusable serving dishes, plates, cups, and utensils - it's the Greenest option. If using disposable food ware, make sure it's compostable or made with recycled content, like paper plates made from recycled paper.

Party Fun

• Eco-friendly piñata: Use a paper bag and newspaper to make a Green pinata. Fill it up with organic lollipops, organic apple bars, organic raisin packs and organic chocolate balls that were wrapped in Earth print foil! You can make the goodies too - it all depends on the time you have.

• Olympics: Set up a series of fun activities including relay races, jump rope and kickball. For treats, hand out organic cookie "medals" or energy bars such as Clif Zbar.

• Backyard Eco-camping: Start the party at dusk. Set up tents in the backyard, tell spooky stories, gaze at the stars and identify constellations. For treats, have your guests make their own organic s'mores and trail mix.

This spring or summer, reduce unwanted waste and impress friends with a festive Green party. Plan an eco-friendly bash that will save money and the environment!

Renee Bedford is a mom and wife who believes in teaching her children to be self-reliant and prepared. She knows that not only will these skills keep them safer, but they will also make them smarter! Besides being a committed mother, she also works for the Christmas Tree Market, where they sell an array of classic and unique artificial Christmas trees.

#CTWW - Final Daily Challenge for 4/24/11

This is the final challenge for the 2011 Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast:

We hope you have found these challenges thought provoking and useful. It is our hope that you will continue to incorporate as many of these- and other- environmental practices into your ongoing lifestyle as possible. Thank you for your participation, and for your concern and determination to ensure that the earth will remain viable for generations to come.

Congratulations to everyone who participated!
YOU DID A FABULOUS JOB!!
We'll pick up our regular Wednesday challenges next week. Until then ...

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

#CTWW - Daily Challege for 4/23/11

Here's today's challenge:

Review the actions you've taken during this carbon fast. Make a list of those you plan to keep doing. Reflect on what else you can do on an ongoing basis.

Thank you, everyone, for participating!!

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for 4/22/11

Here's your Earth Day challenge:

Replace the light bulb you removed on Day 2 of our challenges, but only after considering whether you really need it. If you do, replace it with a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), which can save 150 lbs. of carbon dioxide a year. And why not help someone else cut their emissions by giving them a CFL as a gift as well?

See you tomorrow ...

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for 4/21/11

Today's challenge is up:

Give away unwanted and unused possessions to a local second hand store or organization. This is a great way to reuse things and stop them from going into a landfill.
Bonus: Organize a recycling event for your religious group, workplace or local community to exchange possessions that are no longer needed.

"See" you tomorrow:

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

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)

Welcome! If this is your first visit, please click HERE for more information.

We are currently participating in daily challenges and have completed our sixth week (they began on Wednesday, March 9th, and will continue through April 24th). You'll find additional information by clicking HERE (information is located towards the bottom of the article).

Let's get started with a look at this week's activities:

1. Day 36 challenges us to give up our cars.
2. Day 37 asks us to double up our journeys.
3. Day 38 suggests that we say "no" to bottled water.
4. Day 39 wants us to look for an alternatives to using our cars.
5. Day 40 encourages us to volunteer for groups that work towards Eco-justice**.
6. Day 41 asks us to end junk mail.
7. Day 42 challenges to use our washing machines efficiently.
   

**Just a note on Eco-Justice ... I actually had never heard the term before. After a bit of investigation, I learned that it can mean several things:

• Some use the term referring to environmental justice for all people regardless of sex, race, religion, etc. In this vein, supporters fight to protect social-economic groups who have historically been subjected to higher levels of pollution due to their close proximity to landfills, hazardous waste sites, etc.
  
• Another definition applies the concept of justice to the environment, giving value to other, non-human parts of nature, entirely independent of their usefulness to humanity. In this vein, the natural world is included in an evaluation of ethics and morality.
• Eco-justice is also a movement being embraced by many religious organizations. Basically, this movement encourages churches to protect "God's creation by working towards social justice and environmental sustainability".

Our Honor Society wrote some great articles this week (which I have promoted through the usual social networks):

• In this POST, Mrs. Green talks about calculating her carbon footprint. While she and her family came in well below the national average, Mrs. Green was disappointed with her score and wonders what other actions she could take to reduce it further.

• Argentum Vulgaris made a life-altering decision 19 years ago. In the process, he learned that he doesn't need something which many of us take for granted. Can you guess what it is? You can find out HERE.

• The DR Daily gave our challenge a front page spot. They found us through a tweet by @TheRiverWanders.

• Mrs. Green asks: "Is planting a tree the answer to going green?" She shares some interesting thoughts and really make me think about my own position on the subject. Here's her POST?

• The Shopping Charity gave us a nice spot in their paper! And, in this EDITION they picked up my tweet about one of your articles. Who was the lucky author? Head over to find out.
  

• Ann posted our change the world Wednesday banner in this POST.

• Mrs. Green wrote this ARTICLE about maximizing fuel efficiency. In it she reminds us that carrying too much weight (perhaps in the trunk) reduces efficiency. Thanks, Mrs. Green ... I had forgotten about that.

• Kristina wrote two wonderful articles about reducing junk mail. You'll find them HERE and HERE. One of her suggestions is to ask your credit card company NOT to send you convenience checks. Brilliant!!

• Have you checked your tire pressure? Mrs. Green has ... you can read about it in this POST.
  

We also had some wonderful comments:

-From Jenn:

• Jenn is a new follower and says that she hand washes her dishes. Thanks, Jenn ... nice to have you with us!

-From Jessica:

• Jessica is another new follower and shares that she always looks for ways to challenge herself to be greener. Thanks for joining us, Jessica!

-From EcoGrrl:

• Even though EcoGrrl doesn't drive, she's going to encourage her friend to leave the car parked. Hopefully, together, they will use public transportation to go to their soccer team's season opener. Did it work out, EcoGrrl?
• She had some great comments on saying "no" to water bottles including a caution about water filtration pitchers ... they contain plastic filters which need to be changed often. While they can be recycled, EcoGrrl points out that they are "downcycled" meaning that they don't become water filters again ... so, not using them is still the best option. She also shared an article about choosing a good, safe reusable water bottle HERE.
• EcoGrrl asked for some examples of Eco-justice groups. I did some searching but found it difficult to come up with local groups. My suggestion is to investigate volunteer opportunities with any environmental group.
• She washes her clothes with cold water exclusively and shares that high-efficiency laundry detergents are made for cold water. She also suggests drying clothes on a lower temperature setting ... they dry just as fast and less energy is used. Thanks, EcoGrrl!
  

-From NikkiD:

• Nikki says that she hates having to leave the house once she's home from work so ... she tries to double up on journeys. She says that doing so is more out of laziness and a desire to save gas but ... I say that it just goes to show that living "green" conserves energy (our own) and money ... in addition to helping the planet. Thanks, Nikki!

-From Nicki Woo:

• Nicki had an interesting thought ... if the nation consumed just 1/2 of the bottled water that it now consumes, it would be huge. Wow ... you're right, Nicki!

-From Melanie:

• Melanie is part of the "green team" at work and encourages her co-workers to buy reusable water bottles. She's also bought a filtration system and reusable bottles for her parents, significantly reducing their plastic waste. As she says: "... its much easier to refill a bottle rather than BUY one!"
  

-From Kristina:

• Kristina says that doubling up on journeys makes sense, especially if one has children (think loading and unloading toddlers). To maker her trips more efficient, she keeps a "to do" list of errands and/or things to pick up ... then, when she goes out she never forgets a thing. And ... she uses a smart phone to keep these lists so ... no paper waste. Yay!
• Not wanting to buck the system, she sent her daughter to school with disposable drink containers per the school's instructions. Then she learned that they really didn't have a good reason for the request so she started packing a reusable container in her daughter's backpack. Wow ... sounds like an opportunity to suggest that the school make a "green" improvement to the system. Kristina is going to tackle her children's sports activities ... currently, parents share the responsibility of bringing drinks for the team ... usually bottled water. She's going to suggest that the kids bring reusable containers and then parents bring one large container of water ... preferably a reusable container. Let us know how that goes, Kristina!!
• She would love to walk to nearby stores but shares that her area doesn't have sidewalks, making it unsafe to do so. For anyone in that situation, contact local authorities to see if community plans include building sidewalks ... and suggest it if they aren't being planned. Also, check out this SITE to see how Columbia, Missouri, is tackling the problem (includes some great suggestions on how to advocate bike/walking trails, etc.).
• Kristina washes her clothes in cold water and only washes a full load. She realized a few things, however ... for example, the sensor in both the washer and dryer may not work properly which could mean that water temperatures are not what you'd like them to be and/or dryer times are unusually long. She solved the problem by using other settings.
  

-From Ann:

• How do you spend your holidays? Relaxing? Not our dear Ann ... she volunteers for a group called "Zero Waste". They visit festivals and teach others about the importance of recycling and they pick up trash. Brilliant, Ann ... you are a true super-star!!
• Ann feels fortunate that she lives within a 15 minute walk of the market. When she needs to drive for groceries, she carpools.
  
• She's also fortunate that good, clean water is available from her tap. She made a great comment that her son won't drink out of the plastic bottles because they smell.
• Ann tries to sun dry her clothes but she lives in an area with high humidity so it's not always possible. She also shares a tip ... if one spins fitted sheets for too long, the elastic will fail. Thanks, Ann!
• Junk mail is no problem for Ann ... in her city residents simply place a sticker on their mailboxes refusing it. If it is delivered, the carrier (who works for a private mail company) will be fired. Wow!
  

-From İlhami Uyar:

• Mr. Uyar reminds us that walking/bycyling is very good for our bodies. I totally agree!

-From FreshGreenKim:

• Kim won the Versatile Blogger Award (Congrats, Kim) and passed it on to Reduce Footprints. WhooHoo! You'll see the award in the sidebar. However, if you've followed my blog for any length of time, then you know I'm terrible about meeting all the requirements of awards (my bad). But I do appreciate the honor!!

-From Alicia:

• Alicia hates junk mail so was happy to find the links included in our challenges. By the way, Alicia writes a blog called Eco-Friendly Homemaking ... it's really wonderful so, if you have a minute, stop by!

-From Tiffany:

• Tiffany likes the suggestion to walk, ride a bike, etc. instead of using the car. Nice to 'see' you Tiffany ... it's been awhile. Tiffany recently wrote an excellent article on plastic bags. If you have a minute, be sure to head to her blog and check it out ... it's well worth reading.

-From NicoleB:

• Nicole washes all of her clothing in cold water ... except for diapers. She's wondering if any parents have had success with getting them clean in cold water. Anyone have a tip for Nicole? She's also going to try wool dryer balls which are supposed to significantly reduce drying time. Anyone tried them? We'd love to know how they worked out for you!

Our #CTWW Gang was busy again this week tweeting about our challenges using the hashtag #CTWW. They're great folks and if you're on twitter I recommend following them:

@waylandcook
@jnjgogreen
@skipbang
@smallbits
@cjrthemommyblog
@theriverwanders
@peopletowels
@givetreegifts
@pollbuster
@ShoppingCharity
@noteasy2begreen
@smilinggreenmom
@allisonbrattart
@accessorygal


We're getting close to the end of our daily challenges ... only a few more to go. Are you up for it? I know that you are!! Here's the next one:


Ask your electricity and gas suppliers if they have a green or renewable energy plan such as that offered by NSTAR Green. Make the switch to a green plan today. Bonus: Switch to an energy company that supplies 100 percent renewables such as Good Energy.


My thanks to all of you for stepping up and meeting these challenges! Until tomorrow ....

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for 4/19/11

Today's challenge is up:

Only use your washing machine when you have a full load, and run it on cold whenever possible. Run at maximum spin to reduce drying time and avoid using a tumble drier. A typical washing machine uses 90% of its energy to heat the water. Generally, cold water gets your clothes just as clean and saves about 2 pounds of CO2 per load.

Until tomorrow ...

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for 4/18/11

Happy Monday - Here's your challenge:

End junk mail that wastes resources. Stop unwanted catalogs (CatalogChoice.org), credit card offers (1-888-5-OPTOUT), and other junk mail (DMAchoice.org.) You can even hire someone to do this for you (and buy a carbon offset in the process) at 41pounds.org.

See you tomorrow:

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for 4/17/11

Today's challenge is up:

Consider volunteering for groups which work for eco-justice.

Until tomorrow ...

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for 4/16/11

Here's today's challenge:

Look for alternatives to using your car. Cycle, walk, run, share lifts with colleagues or use public transportation. A short, four-mile round trip by foot keeps about 15 pounds of pollutants out of the air we breathe (WorldWatch Institute). Contact a local ride-share organization such as www.ridebuzz.org. To learn more about the environmental benefits of walking, see the Commuter Choice Program.

"See" you tomorrow:

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for 4/15/11

Here's today's challenge:

Say no to bottled water and drink tap water. Buy a refillable washable bottle to use instead. More than 150 billion liters of bottled water are sold worldwide every year. This contributes significantly to landfill and transport emissions. To eliminate undesirable chemicals and additives in your drinking water, purchase a low cost filtering system (http://www.waterfiltercomparisons.com/).

See you tomorrow ...

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for 4/14/11

Today's challenge is up:

Double up journeys: do shopping on your way home from work, school or somewhere else you have to go today. Share lifts with friends or try to do all of your errands together. Learning to reduce the amount of miles we travel is one of the most effective ways we can reduce our carbon footprint. The average person makes 44 car trips per year which are each under a mile. It's estimated that greener driving could save over 2 million tons of carbon emissions per year in the UK. Calculate your carbon emissions from driving HERE.

Until tomorrow ...

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

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)

Welcome! If this is your first visit, please click HERE for more information.

We are currently participating in daily challenges and have completed our fifth week (they began on Wednesday, March 9th, and will continue through April 24th). You'll find additional information by clicking HERE (information is located towards the bottom of the article).

Let's get started with a look at this week's activities:

1. Day 29 challenged us to have a truly "green" lawn.
2. Day 30 asked us to calculate our carbon footprint.
3. Day 31 suggested that we wash our dishes by hand.
4. Day 32 challenged us to plant a tree.
5. Day 33 asked us to travel in the most Eco-friendly way.
6. Day 34 asked to slow down and keep our driving speed to 55-60 mph.
7. Day 35 challenged us to check our tire pressure.
   

Our Honor Society wrote the following articles (which have been Stumbled, Tweeted and Facebooked):

• Mrs. Green wrote this POST on how to eat local.

• Argentum Vulgaris shows us that patience and hard work can produce a lovely lawn in this ARTICLE. And by the way, he didn't use any chemicals!

• One of our twitter friends, The River Wanders, talked about our challenge and it got picked up in the Alan Dana Twitter Daily. WhooHoo!

• Have you ever heard of using horsetail to cure potato blight? How about using comfrey to fertilize? Mrs. Green talks about these natural gardening tips and more HERE.

• From a previous challenge, Jennifer wrote this lovely POST about a recent weekend she spent in the Sierra Nevadas. In it, she shares how commuting with nature ties in with living a green life.

• Cinella wrote about our challenge HERE and she posts the challenges on her Facebook page HERE. Thanks, Cinella!

• The Shopping Charity Daily gave our challenge a front page spot HERE. In addition to our challenge, you'll find articles on bone marrow transplants and the Powerful Impact of Giving Program, Autism Awareness, and Travel Tips for Long Car Rides. Lots of interesting information in this publication.

• Ann gave our challenge a mention in this POST. Thanks, Ann!

• Cinella conducted a driving experiment ... she kept track of her gas mileage while altering the variables like speed and brand of gas. I thought the results were fascinating! We've all heard that reducing speed can save gas but how significant are the savings? And ... what's your guess on the savings from different brands? Do you think there are any? All the answers can be found HERE.

• Rewinn wrote this ARTICLE about driving smart. He talks about breaking, speeds and offers a great story about a martial arts student on his way to the Dojo. By the way, Rewinn has joined People for Bikes ... check it out HERE and take the pledge.
  

We had some great comments by our Honor Society:

-From Kristina:

• Kristina says she has a "black thumb" but really likes the idea of creating a "green" lawn. She wonders how involved it is to keep an organic lawn.
• Here's an interesting dilemma, if dishes get dirty at a faster rate than glasses and one waits until the top rack of the dishwasher is full to run it, how can one wash dishes efficiently? Any comments on Kristina's situation?
  

-From EcoGrrl:

• EcoGrrl brings up a very good point about lawns ... they are not natural. But clover and moss are. She has replaced much of her lawn with items like vegetables, roses, etc. and says there's an added bonus to doing so ... one doesn't have to mow vegetables.
• She disagrees that hand washing dishes is more Eco-friendly and offers us this quote "A European study comparing hand washing to machine dish washing found that hand washers used as much as 27 gallons of water and 2.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy to wash 12 place settings, compared with the 4 gallons and 1.5 kWh used by a hyperefficient dishwasher to wash the same number of dishes."
• EcoGrrl shares that it's really not the right time of year to plant a tree (it's best to plant at the start of winter or at the very end). She plans to add some trees to her driveway, though, next year. If you're in the Portland area, check out this resource: Friends of Trees.
• A true "super star", EcoGrrl has done without a car for awhile. How does she get around? On a bike. She says that having a community of friends who also travel this way makes going out a lot more fun and points out that there are definite advantages ... like not having to search for a parking space.
• While others see a challenge that doesn't apply to them and breathe a sigh of relief, EcoGrrl asks if there isn't something more she can be doing. Since she doesn't own a car and rides a bike everywhere, the challenges on driving didn't apply to her. Stay tuned, EcoGrrl, because after Easter we'll be back to challenges that either I design or ones suggested by our Honor Society and those will have levels of participation! Thanks, as always, for your dedication to living green!
  

-From Nicki Woo:

• Nicki says that she feels "greener" simply by reading our list of activities. Many of the challenges are on her "to do" list and she's moving them to the top.
  

-From Bridget:

• Bridget found us through Cinella's Blog! WhooHoo! Nice to "see" you! She says that she's always looking for ways to be a little greener ... and will be reading through our challenges to "catch up".

-From Mighty 2 Save:

• Mighty 2 Save is one of our newest followers and she headed over to calculate her carbon footprint. Hope you'll come back and let us know how you did, M2S ... and welcome to the group!

-From Argentum Vulgaris:

• AV doesn't fly, doesn't have a car, uses public transportation when necessary and uses the barest minimum of electricity (he doesn't even have a TV). So, calculating his carbon footprint using the suggested calculator doesn't really work for him. He said if they calculated ... well, we're not going to go there. But he did HERE.

-From Ange:

• Ange uses a dishwasher but says that its "CHOKKERS" before she turns it on. So nice to "see" you Ange ... it's been awhile!
  
• She recently planted tomatoes and coriander ... and helped plant a couple of trees the previous weekend. Yes indeedy, Ange ... that counts and meets Day 32's challenge.
  

-From Jennifer:

• Jennifer agrees that EcoGrrl may have a point about using a dishwasher. However, as she points out, not all dishwashers are energy efficient. If, like her, one has an old dishwasher, its more efficient to wash by hand. She also offers that not letting the water run and using both sides of the sink to wash then rinse uses minimal water.
• Jennifer noticed that the front tire on the driver's side of her car was a little low so this challenge gave her the push to adjust it! Whoot!
  

-From Melanie:

• Melanie says that walking/riding a bike to work is one of her goals. Recently, she and her husband walked their dog to the market and carried groceries back home. Yay! While the groceries were a bit heavier than she thought ... it was doable. By the way, CONGRATS to Melanie for winning the Versatile Blogger Award. She passed the award on to some of her favorite blogs. Guess who was included? Oh, you know I won't tell ... but you can find out HERE.

-From Alyson:

• Alyson is doing two tree plantings this month ... one in her parents back yard and the other as an Earth Day Event at a local park. Her 3-year old son has already adopted a love of trees and the environment ... he asked for an apple tree for Christmas, which he got, and they will be planting it soon. How wonderful is that!!
• She grew up in a home that washed dishes by hand so it's second nature for her to do so. While she does have a dishwasher, she only runs it when necessary. How does "hubby" feel about it? He's on-board and getting the hang of it!
• Alyson thought the challenge about checking tire pressure was a great reminder ... she's going to have her husband checked our their tires.
  

-From Ann:

• Ann washes dishes by hand and lets them air dry. Yay! Thanks, Ann!
• She shares that in her area, the speed limit is quite slow (50km per hour). They have solar-powered displays in many areas reminding drivers of their speed.
  

-From Alex:

• Alex is a new follower and says "I am a big believer in preserving our planet's natural beauty and doing everything we can to reduce our "footprints". Well said, Alex ... and nice to have you with us!

-From Cinella:

• Cinella checks her tire pressure once a month and her husband tells her that there is a tire that actually saves on gas mileage. Hopefully, she'll come back and tell us about that.
  

Our #CTWW Gang is growing ... all of these folks talked about our challenges using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're on twitter, stop by and say hello to them:

@dpixel
@theriverwanders
@givetreegifts
@accessorygal
@waylandcook
@anothergreengal
@cjrthemommyblog
@AlanDana
@smallbits
@skipbang
@jnjgogreen
@shoppingcharity
@greenexistence
@rewinn
@whopaysthepiper


Thank you, everyone!

Are you as anxious as I am to see what the next week brings? Well ... let's get started. Here's today's challenge:

Consider giving up your car (and congratulations if you already have!) The General Manager of Boston's MBTA just gave up his and now uses a ZipCar (http://www.zipcar.com/) when he needs an automobile. "It's pretty easy. You go online and pick the kind of car and location you want and select the time, then wave your ZipCard at the windshield to unlock the doors." In Boston, "They're all over the place; there's probably 50 within walking distance of my home.''

See you tomorrow ...

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for 4/12/11

Here's today's challenge:

Check the tire pressure in your car and fill it to the recommended psi. Low tire pressure means higher fuel consumption.

Until tomorrow ...

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for 4/11/11

Happy Monday, everyone! Here's your challenge:

Keep your highway driving speed between 55 and 60 mph today. For most vehicles, 55 mph is the most fuel efficient highway speed and will save you up to 20-30% in fuel costs compared to driving at 75 mph. Automobile emissions are one of the leading causes of greenhouse gases. Don't idle your car at drive-up windows. If you have to stop for more than 10 seconds, you will save gas and reduce greenhouse emissions by turning off your engine.

Until tomorrow ...

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for 4/10/11

Today's challenge is up:

If you must leave your home today, find the most environmentally friendly way to get around. Walk, bike, take public transportation or carpool. Reflect on those already being affected by climate change through floods, droughts and changes to harvest patterns.

Until tomorrow ...

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for 4/9/11

Here's today's challenge:

Plant a tree. One tree will absorb about a ton of carbon dioxide over the course of its lifetime. Trees also provide shade that could reduce your air conditioning bill significantly. Some communities provide matching funds and expertise for public tree-planting projects. Find out if there's such a program in your state. If not, consider starting one.

See you tomorrow ...

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge For 4/8/11

Here's today's challenge:

Wash your dishes by hand and let them air-dry. If you must use a dishwasher, run it only when you have a full load, and skip the energy-intensive drying cycle by choosing the "air-dry" option. Or, just stop the machine once the water has drained and leave the door open overnight.

Until tomorrow ...

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for 4/7/11

We're on Day 30 of our challenges ... and here it is:


Calculate your carbon footprint today at climatecare.org, carbonfund.org or www.nativeenergy.com and find out what more you can do about climate change, including purchasing carbon offsets.

Until tomorrow ...

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

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)

Welcome! If this is your first visit, please click HERE for more information.

We are currently participating in daily challenges and have completed our fourth week (they began on Wednesday, March 9th, and will continue through April 24th). You'll find additional information by clicking HERE (information is located towards the bottom of the article).

This week I thought I'd switch things around a bit ... don't want any of us getting bored. So ... let's take a look at the week's activities:

1. Day 22 asked us to defrost our freezer and do a little refrigerator maintenance.
2. Day 23 challenged us to get rid of chemicals from our homes.
3. Day 24 concerned fireplaces and using them efficiently.
4. Day 25 asked us to contact our elected officials regarding climate change.
5. Day 26 suggested that we go for a walk.
6. Day 27 challenged us to buy local food.
7. Day 28 asked us to clean or replace our air filters.

The following posts were written by our Honor Society:

• Mrs. Green gave us an update on the Onzo Electricity Monitor HERE. This review (second of four) is about actually living with the monitor. Her verdict on the device is ... well, you'll have to read the post to find out.

• The Shopping Charity included two posts from a member of our Honor Society in this EDITION. Was it your articles that got mentioned? Another participant got mentioned in this ONE, and still another got a nice mention in this ONE.
  

• In this POST, Argentum Vulgaris gives us an old trick for saving water. And AV, we prefer to think of you as "experienced" ... not "old". By the way, Congrats on winning an award from Mrs. Green.

• A big WELCOME to one of our newest Honor Society members, Kristina from The Greening of Westford. So nice to have you with us!! In this POST, she shared a whole list of homemade, Eco-friendly cleanser recipes.

• Kristina shared another post with us (read it HERE). Here's a riddle ... which product scrubs your face, cleans fruits & veggies, removes grease from the top of a kitchen cabinet ... and is Eco-friendly? Nope, my lips are sealed ... you'll have to visit TGofW. Be sure to read the comments for several other, creative uses for this product.

• In this POST, Kristina shares spring cleaning tips for the refrigerator and panty ... but totally forgot about cleaning the refrigerator coils so, updated her post to include that along with a nice mention of Reduce Footprints. Thanks Kristina!!
  

• The Shopping Charity gave our Wednesday challenge a spot on the front page of this DAILY PUBLICATION. WhooHoo!

• In this POST, Rewinn reminds us that just because a cleanser is labeled "green" doesn't mean that it is actually Eco-friendly. He shares two sites where one can check on their favorite commercial cleanser and whether or not it contains toxins. What brand do you think he uses?

• Do you know what a Choko is? Ann writes about it HERE and offers us a delicious looking recipe for a meatless meal. Thanks, Ann!

• Mrs. Green shares a very interesting post which debates the environmental impact of local meat vs. non-local plant-based foods. It's really an interesting discussion and I hope you'll drop by and check it out HERE.

• Kristina went to a Green Living Fair and her state representative was there. She's talked to him before about a program she started. Can you guess what kind of program it is? Find out HERE. Very cool, Kristina!!

• In this ARTICLE, Mrs. Green talks about paper. She has some clever strategies for reusing it and says that one of the best things we can do is prevent waste. She suggests getting ourselves off junk mail lists.

• Argentum Vulgaris gives us a simple Sunday reflection in this POST. In it, he suggests that the earth would be better off without man. It's a thought-provoking article.

• Rewinn not only used the link to find out about his elected officials, he found his congressman's facebook page. Read about that HERE.

• Mrs. Green took the freezer challenge and "upped" it ... she doesn't have a freezer. Read about that HERE.

• Rewinn does the responsible (but cheap) thing by storing these items in his freezer. Can you guess what they are? Mrs. Green knows (she wrote about Rewinn & this item). Read this POST to find out.

• I'd like to welcome Marianne to our site. She wrote a lovely POST on buying local foods in Germany. Be sure to browse around her site ... it's a brand new blog and promises to be very interesting! Thanks for joining us, Marianne!

• Kris visited a new, local shop and wrote about it HERE. She also had some wonderful, locally made pizza. As I read her post, I thought about something which is often a deterrent to buying local ... the cost. Unfortunately, purchases from smaller, local shops are often more expensive than the larger, box store purchases. So I applaud you, Kris, for spending a little more by supporting your local establishments.

• The Argentum Vulgaris Daily gave one of you a front page spot. Was it your post?

• Alyson has an awesome way to get, and share, local foods ... she and her husband have joined together with 4 other families to start a farm. Not only will the 4 families share in the harvest, they hope to start a CSA and share with others, as well. Read about it HERE. Alyson also suggests joining a food co-op to gain access to local foods.

• Mrs. Green wrote this ARTICLE about living with an open fire. In it she offers some practical advice for using a fireplace efficiently. Thanks, Mrs. Green!

• Rewinn found a way to enjoy $115 worth of heating oil while only spending $100. How did he do it? He'll tell you his simple, money saving method HERE.
  

As always, I tweeted, stumbled and facebooked your articles.

We also had great comments:

-From Nicole B.

• Nicole shared that keeping a full jug of water in the freezer has an added benefit ... if the power goes out, it will keep frozen food cold longer (hopefully until the power comes back on).

-From The Greening of Westford

• Kristina is reducing junk mail and going electronic whenever possible. She also shares that some stores now offer customers the option of getting receipts through email. Kristina also uses the back of her children's homework when she needs to print something out and wonders why schools don't promote double-sided printing.
• Not only will Kristina being replacing her air filter, she reminds everyone that it's time to have the heating/cooling ducts cleaned as well. Great tip!
  

-From EcoGrrl

• EcoGrrl has a frost-free freezer and one which doesn't have coils to clean. Nice! Her problem is that she's been eating all her frozen foods from last year's harvest so her freezer is practically empty. So ... she's eating locally grown food and not wasting a thing. Nicely done, EcoGrrl!
• While she isn't making her cleaning supplies 100% of the time, EcoGrrl only buys minimal products and then, they are purchased in bulk and without packaging. She also tried cleaning her oven with baking soda and says it works great!
• No fireplace for EcoGrrl - but she does have a fire pit in the backyard, that she built, and uses for weenie roasts.
• Since she doesn't run her furnace very often, EcoGrrl only finds it necessary to change her air filter once a year. She has a question for everyone ... has anyone used the permanent electrostatic filters that are washed clean? I haven't ... anyone else?
  

-From Kris

• Kris is another lucky person ... her refrigerator needs no defrosting and has no coils to clean. She didn't know about the jug idea, though, and plans to try it out.
• No fireplace for Kris - her gas fireplace had a leak so it was capped off. She's surprised that fake "wood" is more Eco-friendly that real wood. For an interesting post on the subject, click HERE.
• Kris runs trails at a local park and says that when she's running, she's in awe of nature. Nicely put, Kris!
  

-From What A Card

• WAC says that it's not giving up meat for a day that is the problem ... it's giving up dairy and honey. But she's making thoughtful choices, buying her products locally from farmers she's familiar with.

-From Alyson

• Alyson says that getting rid of toxins from her home is her April challenge. She is especially going to focus on make-up products.
• She also believes in connecting with nature. In her words, "Reflection, meditation, and being aware of how incredible mother earth is, is how we will be able to connect with the earth and our fellow humans. We must connect this way, in order to do our best to protect our planet." Beautifully put, Alyson!
• Alyson liked the challenge about replacing the air filter ... she's going to do that!
  

-From Linda (in Asheville)

• Linda uses baking soda for her cleaning.

-From Argentum Vulgaris

• AV points out that a person would have to be crazy to have a fireplace in Rio ... ah, yeah! He shares that in Christchurch, NZ (where his mom lives) open fireplaces in homes have been banned for more that 15 years.
  

-From Ann

• Ann asks the question: "Do we need deodorants and body sprays?" She hasn't used them since her early 20's.
• Auckland is quite warm so Ann doesn't need a fireplace. However, during the times that are a bit cool, she uses a wheat heat bag which she makes herself. I wonder if Ann would be willing to share instructions with us?
• Ann's favorite nature place is Western Spring in Auckland which is a natural lake full of aqua birds, fish and eels. Sounds lovely!
  

-From İlhami Uyar

• Mr. Uyar reminds us that, if we are good to the environment, it will be good to us. It is a simple statement with huge implications.

-From Melanie

• Melanie's husband gave her the idea to organize a run/walk within her community to help raise awareness about littering, pollution and keeping the city safe. Before doing that, however, she's planning to get a group together to clean up litter on a local walking path. Very nice, Melanie!
• Guess who volunteers at her local farmer's market? Yep, it's our very own Melanie who looks forward to spending her Friday evenings there from June through September. Nice! By the way, Melanie and her husband are starting Meatless Mondays ... stay tuned because she promises to tell us more about that.
  

-From Linda (in Evanston)

• Linda has reduced the amount of toxic cleansers in her home. She uses vinegar to wash windows and get rid of mineral deposits from hard water ... hydrogen peroxide to take out stains from clothing and carpeting and ... baking soda to scrub bathtub and sink. Fabulous, Linda!

-From Jennifer

• Jennifer spent a few days in the Sierra Nevadas where she listened to snow melting off the eaves. She says it was "wonderfully refreshing". Mmm!

-From Five Towns air Conditioning & Vent Cleaning

• Welcome to Five Towns ... so nice to see you! Regarding our challenge to reflect on nature, Five Towns says, "These are beautiful suggestions and must be adhered to even through the stress and busy schedules of to days life. There is a lot of pollution and ill health from it...there should be some steps taken to improve the condition." Well put, Five Towns!

-From Kevon

• Kevon is a new visitor and liked one of our challenges from November. Thanks for stopping by!

-From Brian

• Brian left a great comment about air filters. In his words, "This is critically important for many reasons but be careful with the filters you use. If you use a filter with a tight mesh in it then you will choke off the air flow even more which will make your unit run longer and work harder. The proper air filter is one that you can see a newspaper ad through but not to the point where you can read the ad. It is also important to change the filter often because it will decrease the amount of dust in your house and in your HVAC system." Great information, Brian ... thanks so much!

-From The Accessory Lady

• The Accessory Lady headed to her coop and purchased oyster mushrooms and honey. Ahh ... definitely sounds like spring has arrived in her area!
  

Our #CTWW Gang was out in force, talking about our challenges on twitter using the hashtag #CTWW:

@skipbang
@greenexistence
@waylandcook
@rewinn
@ShoppingCharity
@groovygreenlivi
@jnjgogreen
@whopaysthepiper
@cjrthemommyblog
@merillat
@dpixel
@givetreegifts

WOW!! I am just so impressed by everyone's involvement and dedication to living a greener life. If anyone ever doubts that together we make a difference, just direct them to this post ... the activities being accomplished and the information being shared ... well, how can we NOT be making a difference!! Thanks to everyone who participated ... you are the rock stars of the environment!!

Okay ... never ones to let any dust settle on us, shall we tackle another challenge? Here you go:

Have a truly "Green" lawn and garden by avoiding use of toxic chemicals. Visit the National Coalition for Pesticide-Free Lawns (http://www.beyondpesticides.org/pesticidefreelawns/) website for more information.

See you tomorrow everyone!

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for 4/5/11

Today's activity is up:

Clean or replace air filters as recommended. Replacing a dirty furnace filter can save 15% of the energy used.

See you tomorrow ...

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for 4/4/11

Welcome to Monday ... here's our challenge for the day:

Buy food that's being grown or produced locally, using local farms and local farmers' markets where possible.

Until tomorrow ...

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for 4/3/11

Today's challenge is up:

Reflect on the beauty and power of nature. Consider everything we get from the earth. Go for a walk near your home and notice what's beautiful around you. Consider organizing a walk for people from your community.

See you tomorrow ...

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for 4/2/11

Here's today's challenge:

Take action: Find out who your elected representatives are (http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbg/dbq/officials/) and tell them what you're doing to reduce your carbon footprint. Urge them to create and implement strong national and international laws to stop climate chaos. Find out what energy saving or climate change activities are going on in your local area.

Until tomorrow ...

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

#CTWW - Daily Challenge for 4/1/11

Happy April 1st! Here's your challenge:

Consider the carbon impact of having a fire in your fireplace. Think about adding a fireplace fan, insert, or high-efficiency wood or pellet stove. Clean your chimney at least once a year. The EPA compared emissions from real logs and five brand name artificial logs and found that fake logs had 75 percent less emissions than real wood. They also warm your house more efficiently since they burn longer and hotter.

See you tomorrow ...

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

Vegan Recipe - Cornbread

It's the first Friday of the month and that means it's time to share another vegan recipe. This month I'm sharing my favorite cornbread with you. This recipe is so easy and produces a delicious, cake-like bread. We like it with a bowl of chili or thick soup. I hope you enjoy it!


CORNBREAD
(Sorry ... it's so good that I didn't have a chance to take a picture before digging in.)

Serves 9

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. ground flax seed
• 6 Tbsp. water
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 4 tsp. baking powder
• 3/4 tsp. table salt
• 1 cup soy milk
• 1/4 cup canola oil

Method:

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position; heat oven to 425 degrees. Spray 8-inch-square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
   
   
2. Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the ground flax seed, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer the ground flax seed in the water for 3 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
   
   
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well-combined.
   
   
4. Add the ground flax seed mixture, soy milk, and canola oil to the flour mixture. Beat just until smooth (do not over beat).
   
   
5. Turn into prepared baking pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
   
   
6. Cool on wire rack 10 minutes, invert cornbread onto wire rack, then turn right side up and continue to cool until warm, about 10 minutes longer. Cut into pieces and serve.

My notes:

• For a delicious twist, try using coconut milk instead of soy milk (we like Silk brand).
  
• Rather than boil the water, I simply grind the flax seed in the blender, add the water and continue to blend for about a minute until it thickens.

If you have a vegan recipe which you'd like to share, please send it to me HERE. All of our featured recipes can be found by clicking the "Vegan Recipe" tab at the top of this blog or by clicking HERE.