Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)! If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

There's a lot of great information in this post and I encourage you to read through it ... however, if you don't have the time right now, you might find the following quick links helpful:

• The #CTWW Gang
• The Honor Society
• My Final Thoughts on Our Last Challenge
• This Week's Challenge

How did you do with the SWOT analysis last week? I found it interesting! Thinking about green living in a slightly different way often brings about revelations ... things we didn't know about ourselves which could help us on our path or, conversely, could hinder our progress. Considering obstacles and opportunities allows us to form a plan ... to be as efficient as possible in reducing our environmental impact. In my opinion, the exercise is valuable because it's very easy to get into a routine ... to do things in the same way over and over again. If the "way" is efficient, then great ... but if it's outdated or has become inefficient, then we need to make changes. Often, the only way to see it clearly is to perform a personal analysis ... an honest appraisal of our actions.

The Honor Society are those people who help us spread the "green" word by writing an article about our challenges and/or leaving pertinent comments. Here's what they had to say:

Argentum Vulgaris felt that he couldn't do a fair analysis of his efforts because ... well ... we're all a bit biased. However, he gave it a shot and in this POST he gives us the results.

Mrs. Green had a tough time with this challenge. In Are you a green SWOT? she completes the analysis but shares that she's not really sure what to do with the information.

Alicia had this to say " I think we have several strengths. We really make an effort to be as "green" as possible. Some of the weaker points are that we live pretty far out so we can't be very gas efficient and also we could do better at buying more household items that are made from sustainable materials like Bamboo. Opportunities like solar panels would allow us to be greener."

Steve did a fabulous, in-depth analysis and came up with a practical plan of action. In reading his SWOT, it was obvious that he spent considerable time thinking about this. In the end he formulated actions which are doable in his life ... doable and effective. Click HERE to read his post. I hope you'll do a follow up, Steve, and let us know how your plan works out.

In a post about World Car-Free Day, Ann included our CTWW banner. You can read her thoughts in this ARTICLE.

The #CTWW Gang are those folks who share our challenges on twitter using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I highly recommend following them ... they have a lot of great things to say. Let's meet them:

@janetbotes	@whopaysthepiper	@earthyurban
@beatepdx	@markcoruk	@endangeredwrld
@mcbridesorganic	@rulesofgreen	@julialittlebit
@greensteve_com	@ecowarriorme	@naturallyfrugal
@aapremlall	@a_kiasi	@tammycurry
@allnaturalkatie	@nolafusion	@groovygreenlivi
@littlegreenblog	@clinicalposters	@ecoexpert1
@canopyavenue	@live_esp	@wandabrendlemos
@oxymoronhippy	@fat2skinnywoman	@mommyltloriley
@erinely	@myzerowaste	@rich_redding
@pinkladyapril	@ggirlggreen	@accessorygal
@envirofusion	@rckweddings	@givetreegifts
@rozdb	@ntiveheart	@originalcloth
@jnjgogreen	@noteasy2begreen	@theriverwanders
@insignifblog	@delaneyclare	@etsnetworksinc
@laalicia	@madeinusablog	@ruralmoms
@bylittlenea	@turningclockbac	@gwened02

My Final Thoughts:

Accomplishing anything in life requires that we capitalize on strengths and opportunities ... and overcome weaknesses and threats. Performing a SWOT analysis is helpful in identifying those elements and formulating a plan. It is another tool in our green-living box.

Thanks, everyone! If you wrote an article, I have Stumbled, Tweeted, Facebooked and posted it on Google +. You can help spread the "green" word by using the share feature at the bottom of this post.

This Week's Challenge:

What would you like to do this week? How about Reader's Choice? Here you go ...

This week, if you are moving into Autumn, choose one task from this LIST and accomplish it. Of course, we'd like to hear all about it.

Or ...

If you are moving into Spring, choose a task from this POST. Again, we'd like to know what you chose to do and how you did it.

Or ...

If none of those activities appeal to you, choose a previous challenge from the list HERE. And yep ... tell us about it!

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

As always, our mantra ...

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

Meet & Greet Monday (#MtaGt)

Welcome to Meet & Greet Monday!

                                 Banner by Art Ist

Grab our banner for your site:<a href="http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/search/label/Meet%20and%20Greet" target="_blank"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9PJq5sfxJMA/TzwEe2915zI/AAAAAAAAAhM/oRuwPOsrj78/s220/meet--and-greet-003-1000.jpg"/></a>
Do you have an Eco-friendly blog or site? Do you occasionally write about the environment or ways to live green? If you answered yes to any, you're invited to link up. Here are the rules:

1. If you have a green-living blog, site and/or write about the environment, sustainability, etc., please use the "linky" below to list your site.
2. If you only occasionally write about green living, please use tags such as "green", "Eco", "Environment", etc. and then link to that collection of posts so that visitors will be directed to pertinent articles.
3. Visit at least one other site (and while not required, it would be nice if you told them that you found them here).
4. The linky will stay active until Thursday at 6:00 pm (EST).
5. Using Random.org, I will choose one of the sites listed and feature it next week.

Our featured site this week is ... CelloMom On Cars Facebook Page. This page is really interesting ... it's full of articles about green living and the environment! CelloMom recently included several posts on "World Car-Free Day" which happens each year on September 22nd ... but as she says, it really doesn't matter which day one chooses ... going car-free is beneficial on any day. In another article, I learned about a program in Oregon where school kids are given classes on how to ride a bicycle safely. There are articles about "Big Trash" and how we can boycott it ... a post on why government should be listening to constituents ... and one on corn and the many places it shows up (lipstick???). Scrolling further through the page, I found a photo of a freeway loaded with cars ... all I can say is "WOW". How about a Floating Cycle Roundabout ... or a Solar Energy Spill? I could spend a lot of time on CelloMom On Cars Facebook Page. Check it out ... I'm sure you'll like it!

This week's linky is now live so ... list your site, visit and have fun:

39 Tips For Fall

This weekend marks the beginning of fall in our part of the world, which is a good time to take a look at ways to green our routine. We've been compiling this list of ideas over the past several years ... they are tried and true. Some are major and may require planning and budgeting ... others are minor and only require a bit of our time. All of them are Eco-friendly and help us walk a little gentler on the earth.

If you're moving into spring instead of fall, click HERE for some ways to get ready for the warmer months.

Here are your fall tips:

1. Check the air pressure in your tires. Cooler temperatures lower tire pressure and that, in turn, lowers fuel efficiency. So check your tires and make sure that they are properly inflated.
2. If you have a garage, park the car in it. As the weather gets colder, using a garage will alleviate the need to warm up the car before driving ... and will save fuel.
3. Clean and test the furnace. Did you know that your furnace needs cleaning? Yep ... it collects all kinds of dust and debris which not only affects it's performance but could cause a fire. Before you really need the heat, get out your owner's manual for instructions on how to clean it. No manual? Check here or call a furnace maintenance company. If you have a gas furnace, have it professionally inspected once a year.
4. Install a programmable thermostat and set it for 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius) ... it'll save money and use less fuel/electricity.
5. Move furniture or any obstructions from vents, baseboard heaters, registers on the floor or radiators so that air moves freely. This is also a good time to vacuum these areas to remove any dust or debris. And here's a tip if you have a radiator ... place a reflecting panel behind it ... you can purchase one at a home center or make one yourself with a plywood panel and aluminum foil.
6. Remove window air conditioners for the winter. If they can't be removed, seal them with caulking or tape and cover them with an airtight, insulated jacket.
7. Open blinds during the day to attract warmth. Close them at night to retain the warmth. If you're making a change, opt for honeycomb blinds which are especially insulating.
8. Vacuum the refrigerator coils to keep the compressor running efficiently. It's also a good time to check that the refrigerator is level ... the door should automatically swing shut instead of staying open.
9. Check the seal on the refrigerator door ... try closing it on a piece of paper. If you can pull the paper out easily, it's time to replace the gaskets. Repeat this process at several spots along the door to ensure that the entire seal is working.
10. Here's another tip for running the refrigerator efficiently ... don't over fill it. Allowing room for cool air to circulate will keep everything at the right temperature.
11. And how about another refrigerator tip ... plan ahead and defrost frozen items in the refrigerator instead of on the counter top ... the frozen items will help keep your refrigerator cool thus making it run less.
12. Clean the ducts and area behind the dryer. And don't forget, clean the filter after every use and every once in awhile, give it a good wash.
13. Check windows for proper caulking. If you have single-pane windows, add storm windows. Even a plastic film over windows will reduce heat loss.
14. Consider installing new, efficient windows.
15. Check doors for weather stripping and replace as necessary. If drafts sneak in under exterior doors, replace the threshold or block the drafts with a rolled-up towel or blanket.
16. Hang a thick curtain in front of the door to block cold air from entering the house. Use a shower curtain rod and loop hangers so that the curtain can be easily pushed to the side to open the door.
17. Electrical outlets, especially on outside walls, and light fixtures are prime places for cold air to leak into your home. Add foam gaskets behind covers and switch plates, and use safety plugs in unused outlets. Be sure to shut off the power at the fuse box or circuit panel before doing this.
18. If your home has no sidewall insulation, place heavy furniture like bookshelves, armoires and sofas along exterior walls, and use decorative quilts as wall hangings. This will help block cold air.
19. Perhaps it's time to get new insulation ... if so, consider getting blown-in recycled cotton/denim insulation.
20. Check your roof for any missing or damaged tiles or shingles.
21. If you make any roof repairs, consider painting your roof white or installing light colored roofing.
22. Clean the roof gutters and make sure downspouts are pointed away from the house. Now would also be a good time to install a rain barrel ... rather than allow water to drain into one spot, a rain barrel would allow you to direct the water to where it's most needed. One tip, a 50 gal barrel fills with just 1/2" of rain from the roof, so drain the overflow from the barrel far away from the house so that it won't flood the basement (if you have one).
23. Keep weeds and shrubs trimmed. Keep them away from outside heating/cooling units for best airflow.
24. Install foam covers over outside water spigots to prevent freezing.
25. Check for water leaks both inside and outside.
26. Wrap the water heater in an insulating blanket.
27. If you have a ceiling fan, reverse the direction ... the fan should be run in a clockwise direction (stand under the fan and if you feel a breeze, reverse the direction so that air is being drawn upwards). This pushes the air up against the ceiling and down the walls, to gently re-circulate the warm air without creating a cooling "wind chill effect."
28. Do you have a fireplace? This is a good time to have the chimney cleaned and get vent systems checked.
29. Bring in any houseplants that have spent the summer outdoors. They'll help clean the air. Hint ... for about a week, bring them in at night and then put them out during the day. This will ensure that they aren't "shocked".
30. Do a little outdoor landscaping. Trees and bushes, planted in the fall, have ample time to develop strong, deep root systems before the heat of the next summer. This increases their chances of surviving and typically means less watering during hot months. For a discussion on fall gardening, click HERE.
31. As the autumn leaves begin to fall, consider raking them up rather than using a "blower" (it's great exercise). Once raked up, use them as mulch to protect plants throughout the winter or add them to a compost pile.
32. Preserve summer produce for use in the winter.
33. Even though fresh, local produce isn't as abundant during this season, there are still many options available. Visit local farms or farmer's markets and find out what's available and then, eat locally and in season. Visit Sustainable Table to learn which crops are growing in your area.
34. Before packing away those summer clothes, go through them and determine which items to keep, which items to repurpose into something else (cleaning rags, craft projects, etc.) and which to donate.
35. Bring out all those warm sweaters, socks, slippers and blankets so that when the temperature falls you'll be ready to bundle up instead of raising the thermostat.
36. Are your kids returning to school? Consider buying clothes, backpacks, etc. from second hand stores and/or thrift shops. If you're buying new items at a store, opt for earth-friendly products and don't forget to pay attention to packaging. Also consider investing in reusable lunch items (beverage bottles, utensils, napkins, etc.) to further minimize your child's impact on the planet.
37. Do your kids ride the bus to school? Often buses sit in front of a school, idling while they wait for kids to climb aboard. Suggest, to your school or the bus company, that bus drivers turn off the engine when waiting for their passengers. And, of course, if it's possible for your kids to walk to school ... all the better (for them and the earth).
38. Speaking of school buses, as the weather gets cooler, there's a tendency to drive kids to the bus stop. To save that fuel, bundle up and walk your kids to the bus stop instead.
39. In the fall, entertaining moves indoors. There are football parties, cozy dinner parties and later events like Halloween and Thanksgiving. When planning your fall event, consider reusable plates, napkins and utensils, decorations from nature, clean burning soy candles and plenty of plant-based foods on your menu.

Do you have any fall tips that we haven't covered? We'd love to hear them!

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)! If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

There's a lot of great information in this post and I encourage you to read through it ... however, if you don't have the time right now, you might find the following quick links helpful:

• The #CTWW Gang
• The Honor Society
• My Final Thoughts on Our Last Challenge
• This Week's Challenge

Last week was a fun challenge ... we gave up food which typically comes in plastic packaging and opted, instead, for food in Eco-friendly or NO packaging. While that sounds easy enough, one stroll down a supermarket isle will reveal just how difficult it is. If a market has bulk foods available, it is a bit easier ... provided one uses their own containers. Farmer's markets are good choices but again ... one must bring their own bag or container. The challenge becomes more difficult when we look for foods which aren't available locally ... things like dried beans and lentils which are typically grown in centralized locations and are often packaged in plastic bags. And what about the cooler months, when local produce is less abundant ... fresh veggies can be found but they tend to come in "clam shells". Avoiding plastic food containers isn't easy! But as you'll see in this post, it is doable.

The Honor Society are those people who help us spread the "green" word by writing an article about our challenges and/or leaving pertinent comments. Here's what they had to say:

Janet Botes shared this: "I'm in for this week's challenge, there's a farmers market walking distance from us every Saturday from 10am to 2pm, if I remember correctly. In Hope street, Cape Town, South Africa. I've bought food, especially veggies there before, just haven't made the effort again in a long time. I'll start doing that, taking my cloth bags for all my purchases!" How did it go, Janet?

Argentum Vulgaris has talked, before, about the challenges he faces in Brazil when buying food. Supermarkets, there, package most everything in plastic. Still ... he's found a way around it for certain items. So ... he took the challenge this week and headed off to the market to see what he could find. How did he do? Find out HERE.

Hannah shared a link for some Organic Cotton Produce EcoBags ... great for loose items at supermarkets.

Here's a good idea! Baked goods, drinks, cookies, etc., often come in plastic. One way around these items is to simply make them at home. Check out this recipe from Kristina for Fabulous Chewy Granola Bars!

Green Gal had this to say: "I'm shopping for my first round of college foodstuffs for my new apartment, and yesterday when I went shopping, I tried to get the healthiest and most environmentally friendly options--ie avoiding high fructose corn syrup and getting a glass bottle of apple juice instead of a plastic carton. I still have plenty more to get this week, so when I'm at the store next, I will pay attention to products that come in plastic and in another form, photograph the different kinds, and post about a few of the most ubiquitous or often-used ones! Perhaps I'll realize in doing so that there are non-plastic alternatives to something I consistently buy in plastic. Looking forward to the challenge!" By the way, Green Gal posted a terrific article about furnishing her college dorm room in an Eco-friendly way ... she offers a ton of tips. Check it out!

Ann shared our banner in this POST which shows how city officials "mow" a park's grassy areas in a fun way.

In Focusing on the 3 R's Jen talks about reducing rather than recycling, which is really at the heart of our challenge. She offers us a strategy and makes an interesting point ... sometimes the changes we make to live healthier and "greener" end up missing the mark. Check out what happened when she bought a GMO-free product.

Mrs. Green chose to tackle a non-food item this week. She's been on the hunt for a laundry detergent which is both environmentally friendly and effective. She recently found a product, purchased it, tried it and was one happy little camper with the results! And then ... she read the package! What she found motivated her to put pen to paper. Curious? Read Are the Co-operative helping protect the environment? I can't wait to hear how this one turns out!

I love CelloMom's comment this week: "Our big step this week was when I got CelloDad to get us some olives - in our glass Mason jar. He was reluctant to be an oddball about this, and was much relieved, and amazed, when nobody at the deli counter batted an eye. He later confided that he considered buying it in the plastic container, and then transferring the olives to the glass jar before coming home. But he didn't: what a cool dude!" He is a cool dude!!

In Keep Calm and Carry On? Tina shares that her household has been trying to avoid all plastic containers. In her opinion food is the easiest and that's where she suggests people start. She also talks about the other items which she's finding alternative packaging for ... and wow, pretty impressive if one can do it! Could you?

Alicia mentioned, in last week's comments, that she was concerned about buying organic spinach and spring mix in those large plastic "boxes". In fact, her comments contributed to this week's challenge. So ... was she able to find alternatives? Here's what she had to say: "Well I have been on the hunt for fresh spinach and spring mix lettuce in bulk and am happy to say that I have found it at several locations. Buying it this way will eliminate a lot of plastic containers that we have to recycle as of now. This challenge has gotten me all excited to check other ways to eliminate plastic containers that some of our other food comes in. Thanks!" Yay ... way to go, Alicia!!

Kris is frustrated ... and I would be too! She tries hard ... she makes the effort ... only to find that the stores where she usually buys bulk products are now changing their policies ... for health reasons. Check out Plastic at the Grocery Store to find out what's happening. I'm not sure how to battle this one. Have you got a suggestion?

In Say No To Plastic Campaign Ctww Gang Melandria offers us her perspective on eliminating plastic and why it's important. She lives in the Philippines and the use of plastic has resulted in some unique problems. Want a hint? Think floods.

Our Twitter friends shared their thoughts this week:

From @givetreegifts
- Buying organic produce at the farmer's market means you get a healthier local product without the unnecessary plastic packaging
- Packaging-free grocery store opens in Austin, Texas: http://www.foodmag.com.au/news/packaging-free-grocery-store-opens-in-austin-texas
- Reduce, reuse, recycle: http://www.guampdn.com/article/20120815/OPINION02/208150305/We-all-must-reduce-reuse-recycle

From @live_esp
- Love this challenge! I use my reusable produce bag for nuts, beans, etc.

From @earthyurban
- Some Small act could make a big difference in someone else's life today. It's #CTWW so do something that sparks greatness today.

From @ecowarriorme
- A difficult challenge this week but we had a fruit basket delivered to work-only disposable packaging is banana peel.

From @cellomomoncars
- Why I'm cutting down on the plastic habit RT @PlasticPollutes #Plastic poisons our food chain: http://plasticpollutioncoalition.org/learn/basic-concepts/

From @ecoexpert1
- This week's #CTWW challenge - stop / reduce buying food in plastic packaging. Sure, do the obvious stuff - but how to improve?

The #CTWW Gang are those folks who share our challenges on twitter using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I highly recommend following them ... they have a lot of great things to say. Let's meet them:

@janetbotes	@littlegreenblog	@earthyurban
@element5alive	@markcoruk	@sidneybizclinic
@genuineseonet	@kellyrules	@mcbridesorganic
@rulesofgreen	@fat2skinnywoman	@cleansediva
@smallbits	@ecowarriorme	@groovygrapevine
@accessorygal	@jenross32	@greenlivingidea
@miljobloggen	@a_kiasi	@spilldmilkshake
@ucscsustain	@clinicalposters	@nathan_strange
@ecoexpert1	@onlygreen_naomi	@changes4charlie
@hans_karl	@live_esp	@wandabrendlemos
@cellomomoncars	@theorganicblond	@aapremlall
@ourtinyearth	@erinely	@pinkladyapril
@rich_redding	@welovetoread	@ggirlggreen
@galenkatttant	@almosttruth	@rckweddings
@givetreegifts	@nurturedbeauty	@melandriaromero
@jnjgogreen	@madeinusablog	@mzprohov
@moha_doha	@theriverwanders	@biggreenpen
@delaneyclare	@etsnetworksinc	@laalicia
@groovygreenlivi	@bylittlenea	@lissygreenbean
@gwened02	@victoryoak

My Final Thoughts:

When plastic food containers first hit the market, I'm sure that they were considered a modern-day marvel ... convenient, cheap and could be easily manufactured by the billions. Plastic grocery bags may have even been considered Eco-friendly since they eliminated the need for paper bags thereby saving trees. What wasn't recognized is the negative impact they would have on the environment and our health ... how plastic would be the cause of dead zones in the ocean ... how chemicals from plastic would leach into our food and cause health problems ... how it would destroy wildlife when it was mistaken as food ... and how it would turn into huge mountains of landfill waste. It turns out that plastic isn't a modern-day marvel but rather a bane on society. It's something to think about when we reach for that seemingly innocent plastic bag of food.

Thanks, everyone! If you wrote an article, I have Stumbled, Tweeted, Facebooked and posted it on Google +. You can help spread the "green" word by using the share feature at the bottom of this post.

This Week's Challenge:

We've worked hard on CTWW lately so this week let's do a little reflecting. Our challenge comes from Steve and I think it'll be an eye-opener! Here you go ...

This week, perform a SWOT analysis (modified for green living). Looking at your own green living efforts, analyze the following:

S	=	Strengths
		(your own strengths)
W	=	Weaknesses
		(again your own)
O	=	Opportunities
		(external factors that might allow you to be even greener)
T	=	Threats
		(external factors that threaten your green living)

And then ...

Report back with your results. Did the analysis surprise you? Will you be making any changes based on the results? We'd like to know all!

Until next time ...

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

Meet & Greet Monday (#MtaGt)

Welcome to Meet & Greet Monday!

                                 Banner by Art Ist

Grab our banner for your site:<a href="http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/search/label/Meet%20and%20Greet" target="_blank"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9PJq5sfxJMA/TzwEe2915zI/AAAAAAAAAhM/oRuwPOsrj78/s220/meet--and-greet-003-1000.jpg"/></a>
Do you have an Eco-friendly blog or site? Do you occasionally write about the environment or ways to live green? If you answered yes to any, you're invited to link up. Here are the rules:

1. Let's add a twist this week. If you have a green-living blog, site and/or write about the environment, sustainability, etc., please use the "linky" below to list up to three links (your site, Facebook Page and/or Twitter Account).

2. If you only occasionally write about green living, please use tags such as "green", "Eco", "Environment", etc. and then link to that collection of posts so that visitors will be directed to pertinent articles.
3. Visit at least one other site (and while not required, it would be nice if you told them that you found them here).
4. The linky will stay active until Thursday at 6:00 pm (EST).
5. Using Random.org, I will choose one of the sites listed and feature it next week.

Our featured blog this week is ... EcoGrrl by Aimee (aka EcoGrrl). Aimee's blog is an eclectic assortment of interesting posts. One might find photos which document her weekends or delicious recipes made with local ingredients (many of which come from her own garden). Under a tab called "Evergreen" Aimee shares her green efforts and she's done a lot ... things like giving up her car, buying an older home rather than new construction, and installing Energy Star appliances. In a series called Tuesday Guilty Pleasures, readers get acquainted with the music that moves Aimee ... selections from Crystal Gayle, Rod Stewart and Janet Jackson. Some of the most touching posts are ones where Aimee shares her thoughts about love, loss and life ... they are poetic and beautiful. Visiting EcoGrrl is rather like peeking into a personal journal ... a glimpse of all the day-to-day elements which make up a life. Aimee has the wonderful ability to make readers feel. I hope you'll stop by and visit EcoGrrl.

This week's linky is now live so ... list your site, visit and have fun:

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)

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

There's a lot of great information in this post and I encourage you to read through it ... however, if you don't have the time right now, you might find the following quick links helpful:

• The #CTWW Gang
• The Honor Society
• My Final Thoughts on Our Last Challenge
• This Week's Challenge

Last week we joined forces with Mrs. Green and participated in (Inter)National Zero Waste Week 2012. The theme this year was "One More Thing" and we were asked to review our recycling/trash habits and come up with "one more thing" to reduce landfill waste. There were all kinds of ideas ... using free software to prevent computers from being tossed, finding delicious ways to use leftover food, and creating art from found objects. It was an inspiring week!

The Honor Society are those people who help us spread the "green" word by writing an article about our challenges and/or leaving pertinent comments. Here's what they had to say:

Ann wrote a wonderful article about bamboo and suggests that it might be the path to zero waste. Read her thoughts HERE and see what you think.

Clare has a unique situation ... she lives on a tiny island and, while some recycling opportunities are available, what happens to recycled items gives her cause for concern. In Recycling, Zero Waste and Wine she talks about her challenges. Check it out and see if you have any solutions to the problem.

Janet Botes accepted our challenge ... so nice to "see" you Janet. She shared this: "I've been recycling for a couple of years, and the mission now is to reduce and reuse. Sometimes I do well, other times I feel a bit overwhelmed. I often pick up things in the street, and try to use them in artworks, or create functional pieces in the home and garden. In this photograph: https://twitter.com/janetbotes/status/243989988994322432/photo/1, the wooden box was found discarded in a bin, and I made the edges of our broken wine glasses safe with paper, glue and pieces of see-through plastic. The empty wine bottle with the dried lavender is a symbol and reminder of a weekend away in the mountains. Some more of my recycled art can be seen on my website gallery (http://www.janetbotes.co.za/gallery.html) under sculptures & installations and under craft works." By the way, Janet is a very talented artist ... be sure to click on the links above to see her work ... it's stunning!

Can Linux help us reduce landfill waste? I wouldn't have thought so ... until I read Scott's article entitled Recycling With Linux. Now that is really thinking outside the box!

If you're like Kris then you might have some non-rechargeable batteries around (they sneak in when we're not looking). Three of hers recently "bit the dust" and in an effort to recycle them, she found a wonderful resource which she shares HERE. Thanks, Kris!

Tina has an interesting "take" on this challenge. She says: "We started recycling about 3.5 years ago when decided as a family we needed to take on the challenge not only to choose organic whenever we could, but also to go green. I remember being so excited, so proud that we could fill up our little tub and have another on stand by. Estatic when the city handed out new, larger bins the same size as our trash bin! That feeling held strong until about a year later when it suddenly dawned on me that yes, recycling is a good thing but reducing our waste by the choices we made or reusing items where we could we be the better choice. Except for glass jars and melting down crayons to reuse, I have not been to good with reusing/repurposing items that would normally go in the recycling bin. I do get ideas on Pinterest for ideas to use later but as of now I just don't have the time. BUT I have cut back, to reduce waste by choosing to buy in bulk, make meals from scratch so less packaging there too, take my own containers to refill, use resuable bags instead of choosing paper bags, definitely do not use lunch bags or water bottles and donate certain items that others DO have the time to reuse. When I ran My Baby's Green store I was able to use boxes, newspapers, packaging supplies that were given to me from neighbors and our own shipments. I honestly only had to purchase a handful of material myself. Besides being green, it also saved money that I passed along to customers which I LOVED! What we do as a family is a start and it works for us. Our challenge as a family is to take the next step which with all else going on it may be another year but hopefully less!! It could happen sooner if someone in my family would take the job as this warden's assistant :o)" Read more in Take the Challenge to Change Our Recycling Habits.

Katie took a slightly different approach to this challenge. She believes that recycling items, unless they are being used by her family, is "waste" because it takes energy to recycle them into useable products. If one can eliminate the need to recycle, without sending something to a landfill, then waste is reduced even further. I love this idea! Katie focused on two items, one from the recycle bin and one from the trash bin, and came up with a plan. You can read about it in Reducing Our Trash and Recycle Waste [#CTWW].

Alicia shared this: "We like Tina also use packaging materials sent to us. That we are able to recycle in this area. We try to be really aware of our recycling habits but I see areas all of the time that we can improve on. One area is I buy large containers of organic spinach and spring mix from Sams and they come in these rather large plastic containers. I recycle them but wish I could find them in minimal packaging so I am going to be on the lookout for that this week because I buy a lot of these two products and over a years time that is a whole lot of heavy plastic to recycle. I so admire Mrs. Green and I think the Zero Waste Week is just awesome!" Thanks, Alicia ... packaging is a huge issue ... I hope you'll come back and give us an update.

"I have coffee, my teeth are out, and I am pondering" ... with an opening line like that, you know you have to read what Argentum Vulgaris has to say about this challenge. In Change the World Wednesday – 5th Sept you'll learn how one composted item not only reduces landfill waste but saves money in the spring. Thanks, AV ... your opening line painted quite a picture. :-)

Jacqueline shared a terrific zero-waste idea involving cosmetics and body care products. You'll find that in this POST. She also shared a wonderful article about reducing food waste ... and she includes a delicious recipe. You can find that HERE.

Rewinn says: "This challenge made me scratch my head, because I'm used to thinking of myself as minimizing waste. But there's always room for improvement, and perhaps a good place to look is at those home projects I've been avoiding ... such as The Paint Locker."

EcoGrrl accepted the challenge and had this to say: " Me - avoiding clamshells of any form. I don't use many at all but I looked at my rigid plastic recycling bin and that fills it up the fastest when I do. Since recycling plastic is downcycling, each little bit I don't buy in the first place helps AND usually keeps my diet a wee bit slimmer and my wallet a wee bit fatter :)"

Green Gal says: "I'm in! I'll be finished with all academic responsibilities by the end of the day today, and then I can relax, blog, and pay attention to my waste and recycling. Expect a post on Sunday/Monday!" While she didn't get to a post, she did a great job on the challenge itself. Scroll down to what our Twitter friends shared and look for @lissygreenbean to find out what she did. Fabulous, Green Gal!

From a previous challenge on greening our kids, Diane wrote ENERGY STAR Essay Contest Shines Spotlight on Energy-Saving Kids. She includes a link to CTWW and shares a bit about what others were doing to encourage their children to live green. Be sure to read through the post because some of our favorite "greenies" were mentioned!

Our Twitter friends shared their thoughts this week:

From @themac533
- Plans for eating local through winter: freeze 1/2 side local smoked pork, sprout alfalfa/mung/clover and coax kale/winter greens along
- Portions of recycled materials R used, plastics R harmful 2 human/eco health & filling lanfills. When we will demand better packaging?
- Suggest spending a bit more on items that will last longer; inspires you to take more care of them. We've become a disposable society.
- If you bike, buy from bike shops. They'll fit you properly, offer a wide range of bikes. Many buy cheap 1s, leave to rust, buy a new 1.

From @givetreegifts
- Went camping this weekend. We were alarmed at how much garbage was generated at the campground by single use products
- Use your old dishes and cutlery for camping. Your meals will be much more enjoyable & you'll spare the environment in the process
- Zero waste is easy if you frequent the farmer's market. No plastic and you can compost anything that isn't edible.

From @live_esp
- We don't keep paper towels in our home!

From @ourtinyearth
- This week, consider your recycling habits and decide on one more thing which you can do to reduce landfill waste

From @gwened02
- one more thing... *thinks*

From @anitaadamsnc
- Excellent source of #green #recycling info. It's time to be creative! = Make #art where you can:)
- Finishing my statement: "Where one can't recycle - make art!"

From @cevbs
- looking for a way to change the renewable energy world? CEVBs would make jobs and spur development of clean technology: http://www.cleanenergyvictorybonds.org/

From @penguintrax
- problem is, the process to turn bamboo into fiber can be very damaging to the environment.
- happy to pass along knowledge. Another thing is that the process to make the fiber destroys the antimicrobial properties

From @allnaturalkatie
- I have read about bamboo potentially not being so eco-friendly. I try to avoid bamboo clothing.

From @susiekline
- I try my hardest to be green! Just looking at my pile of shredded blls wondering if I should start composting...

From @changes4charlie
- We take supplements that some can fit 3-4 times as much in the bottle. I'm not fooled so why try?At #CTWW suggestion-reduce landfills!
- Great! Taking steps to #Reduce and/or #Reuse are also ways to keep garbage out of our landfills! Even better!

From @lissygreenbean
- Enjoyin home life w fam so here's my short & sweet #CTWW post: I got all used kitchen stuff 4 new apartment = 0 packaging & 0 new materials!

From @janetbotes
- Every upcycled piece of decor, art or ornament has an inherent integrity/meaning to it, enriching our home & lives!

From @ecowarriorme
- This week we are trying to reduce waste going to landfill but I aim to reduce recycling in the paperless (sic) office.

The #CTWW Gang are those folks who share our challenges on twitter using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I highly recommend following them ... they have a lot of great things to say. We had a record number of people tweeting this week ... WhooHoo! Let's meet them:

@EarthyUrban	@crazedmom	@nicolebodwin
@a_kiasi	@biggreenpurse	@clinicalposters
@blissfulbeet	@loriruff	@mehimandthecats
@theorganicblond	@mommyltloriley	@cevbs
@myzerowaste	@rich_redding	@oneloveorganics
@mikestanlon	@mtndewmama	@givetreegifts
@rozdb	@jnjgogreen	@sevwinters
@lowewriter	@linkiescontests	@groovygreenlivi
@gwened02	@casilayne	@stilettofiles
@ecowarriorme	@masqcrew	@theangryscot
@ecogrrlnetwork	@whywelovegreen	@dpixel
@laalicia	@aobibliophile	@TheRiverWanders
@crazykids6	@ggirlggreen	@WandaBrendleMos
@oneadayart	@whooptee	@moha_doha
@CanopyAvenue	@bylittlenea	@babyesmomma
@lisaladrido	@markcoruk	@janeofaustralia
@adriennewarren5	@TrashN2Tees	@rulesofgreen
@columbusjunk	@morefunmom	@AlmostTruth
@susiekline	@Changes4Charlie	@inthekitchenkp
@spilldmilkshake	@ecoexpert1	@allnaturalkatie
@nurturedbeauty	@accessorygal	@rckweddings
@serenaakeroyd	@technewsgadget	@kiboomu
@e_b_christinec	@lookingforisis	@insignifblog
@theaatkinson	@fat2skinnywoman	@whopaysthepiper
@element5alive	@chicaintraining	@technicallyeasy
@stellasamson	@smallbits	@mimibarbour
@genuineseonet	@sandsapps	@dapperhouse
@live_esp	@rewinn	@emmaindy
@messagebubble	@aapremlall	@ourtinyearth
@chrisina_loyd	@changes4charlie	@themac533
@gamodernmom	@biggreenpen	@ETSNetworksInc
@lissygreenbean

My Final Thoughts:

Green living is not a single activity which, when complete, can be deemed "finished". It's a continuing process of learning and acting ... of searching for that "one more thing" which will make life better. In the words of Thomas Foxwell Buxton ... "With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable."

Thanks, everyone! If you wrote an article, I have Stumbled, Tweeted, Facebooked and posted it on Google +. You can help spread the "green" word by using the share feature at the bottom of this post.

This Week's Challenge:

This week's challenge was suggested by both Jacqueline and Cat ... and was mentioned this week by Alicia and EcoGrrl. Here it is ...

This week, pick a food item which you normally buy in a package (especially a plastic package) and find a better alternative. For example, rather than buy beans in a plastic bag, look for them in the bulk isle of the market and fill your own container. Rather than buy produce in plastic "clam shells", see if you can find them loose, without packaging. If you typically shop at a supermarket (where almost everything is packaged in plastic) consider shopping at a farmer's market, food co-op, wholesale market or organic food store for better options. The idea, here, is to find at least one "green" alternative to plastic packaging ... and, while doing without might be an appropriate alternative, we're more interested in finding the food in acceptable/no packaging for this challenge.

Or ...

If, in your area, you find it nearly impossible to buy food which isn't packaged in plastic, please speak to your market's owner/manager to see if they can offer any alternatives. Talk to neighbors and members of the community to search out options.

Or ...

If none of the above works out, please write letters to your government officials and/or start a petition asking for plastic free food packaging.

What do you think? Are you up for this challenge?

Don't forget ... if you think that any of our challenges can be improved, you are welcome to "Up The Ante" by asking us to do better than the stated activity.

Until next time ...

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

Meet & Greet Monday (#MtaGt)

Welcome to Meet & Greet Monday!

                                 Banner by Art Ist

Grab our banner for your site:<a href="http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/search/label/Meet%20and%20Greet" target="_blank"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9PJq5sfxJMA/TzwEe2915zI/AAAAAAAAAhM/oRuwPOsrj78/s220/meet--and-greet-003-1000.jpg"/></a>
Do you have an Eco-friendly blog or site? Do you occasionally write about the environment or ways to live green? If you answered yes to any, you're invited to link up. Here are the rules:

1. If you have a green-living blog and/or write about the environment, sustainability, etc., please use the "linky" below to list your site.
2. If you only occasionally write about green living, please use tags such as "green", "Eco", "Environment", etc. and then link to that collection of posts so that visitors will be directed to pertinent articles.
3. Visit at least one other site (and while not required, it would be nice if you told them that you found them here).
4. The linky will stay active until Thursday at 6:00 pm (EST).
5. Using Random.org, I will choose one of the sites listed and feature it next week.

Our featured site this week is ... Green T with Tamara. If you live in the Los Angeles (LA) area, you might recognize Tamara Henry (aka "Green T") ... she is one of the news anchors and reporters for Santa Monica City TV 16, co-host of "Metro Motion" and has worked as an anchorwoman in the area for over twelve years. If you don't live in the LA area, you might remember seeing her on The Tonight Show, Access Hollywood, Oxygen, Style Network, Bravo, or the USA Network. Or maybe you remember her from the Miss Arkansas Pageant in the late 1990s. Yes, folks ... she's a bona fide celebrity and she's using that celebrity to help the earth. From the website: "GreenTwithTamara.TV is committed to providing unique, original, insightful, inspiring, and entertaining content related to how humans (even beauty queens) impact the planet, and how we can evolve to live a better, brighter future." When one visits the site, they'll find a ton of videos which are designed to open up conversations, teach us, motivate us and give us hope. Under the tab "Green Room" one will find pictures of Tamara with a bunch of other celebrities as she spreads the word. Clicking on the button labelled "Blog" takes us to Tamara's blog where we can read all about the videos, appearances, write-ups, etc. which feature Tamara and her green message. It's great to see a "star" using her celebrity for so much good! Check out her site ... it's rather like attending a Hollywood Gala.

This week's linky is now live so ... list your site, visit and have fun:

Vegan Recipe - Big Honkin' Chopped Salad

One of my favorite features on Reduce Footprints is our monthly vegan recipe. Meatless meals are good for the planet and good for our health. And ... it's a terrific opportunity to meet talented chefs who whip up delicious dishes to tempt our taste buds. This month's Guest Chef is, indeed, very talented!

Please meet Sam, author (and head chef) of The Quantum Vegan. The Quantum Vegan is a wonderful blog with a variety of interesting posts ... interviews with authors and chefs, product and restaurant reviews and even discussions on eating disorders. And then there are recipes ... lots of recipes ... lots of delicious recipes ... things like “Cheesy” Sweet Potato Hash Browns for breakfast, Toasted Zucchini-Cabbage Sandwiches for lunch and, one of my personal favorites, Millet Salsa Bowls for dinner. Looking for a desert recipe? How does a Mocha Brownie Torte sound? Or maybe “Dandy” Chocolate Chip Walnut Bars? Maybe you're just in the mood for a snack and would find Tangy Shredded Salad to your taste ... or Garlic-Dill White Bean Hummus. Is your mouth watering? Mine is! Each recipe is clear and concise and includes ingredients which most of us have in our kitchens. More importantly, each recipe (at least the ones I've tried) are fabulous ... they meet my main criteria: 1) they are easy to put together and 2) they taste great. The Quantum Vegan is for anyone who loves good food. I hope you'll check it out!

Sam has graciously agreed to share a recipe with us. It looks delicious!

Big Honkin' Chopped Salad

After seeing Forks Over Knives, I was inspired to start swapping out the vegan convenience foods in my diet with more whole foods. Without frozen burritos or ready-in-4-minutes organic ramen to rely on, I had to start being more creative about lunch. It was time to seek out new recipes!

Inspired by the "Hugh Jass Salad" in the Peas & Thank You cookbook (we won't mention how long it took me to work out that joke), I started making big salads with lots of add-ins, which evolved into big chopped salads with crunchy toppings and improvised "dressings." Chopped salad is a great way to get in a lot of vegetables at once, plus the chopping mixes everything together so you get a little bit of each flavor in every bite. Add some grains and beans, and you've got a whole meal in one bowl! Another bonus is that it's extremely portable, so if you're in need of a healthy lunch on the go, you can't go wrong with a big honkin' salad.

This is my basic recipe, but you can mix and match depending on what you have on hand. Sometimes I swap out some of the summer squashes for a few brussels sprouts or throw in some pea shoots. Quinoa and chickpeas is my favorite grain/bean combo, but I've used red rice and pinto beans, millet and white beans and bulgur and kidney beans in the past. Uncle Sam cereal is my favorite topping since it's just wheat flakes and flax seeds, but you can use anything healthy and crunchy. Chopped walnuts come to mind!

Ingredients

2 cups mixed greens (I use spring mix)
1 cup kale, roughly chopped
1 cup red cabbage, roughly chopped
1 cup zucchini, summer squash, or a mix, sliced
1/2 cup bell peppers, diced large
1/4 cup carrots, sliced
1/4 cup cucumbers, sliced
1/2 serving cold cooked grains (usually about 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup beans of your choice
2Tbsp. Uncle Sam cereal
2Tbsp hummus, homemade or store bought, thinned with water to desired consistency
pepper to taste (optional)

1) Dump the greens, kale, cabbage, squashes, peppers, carrots and cucumbers into a food processor. Pulse until chopped but not mushy. Transfer to a big salad bowl.

2) Add the grains and beans. Drizzle on the hummus "dressing" and mix until well combined.

3) Sprinkle on the pepper and Uncle Sam cereal, grab a fork, and enjoy!

Sam, a.k.a. the Quantum Vegan, has been vegan for three years and has spent that time experimenting with recipes in a quest to discover as much delicious vegan food as possible. She loves sharing pictures and comments via the Quantum Vegan blog and finding new recipes from other amazing vegan bloggers around the web!

MMM ... I can't wait to try out that recipe! Thanks, so much, to Sam for stopping by today and sharing this dish with us!

If you have a vegan recipe which you'd like to share, please send it to me HERE. And for all the recipes we've shared so far, be sure to visit our recipe page using the tabs at the top of this blog ... or by clicking HERE.

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW #ZeroWaste)

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) ... and (Inter)National Zero Waste Week (#ZeroWaste)! If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

There's a lot of great information in this post and I encourage you to read through it ... however, if you don't have the time right now, you might find the following quick links helpful:

• The #CTWW Gang
• The Honor Society
• My Final Thoughts on Our Last Challenge
• This Week's Challenge

Last week we considered ways to eat locally even in the winter months when there isn't a lot of fresh produce available. Some people reported back that they are busy preserving food. Others decided to talk to their CSA farmers to see if winter crops might be an option. And still others decided to plant some cool-temperature veggies and grow their own local food. It was a fun week with people sharing resources, recipes and encouragement.

The Honor Society are those people who help us spread the "green" word by writing an article about our challenges and/or leaving pertinent comments. Here's what they had to say:

Argentum Vulgaris had a hard time with this challenge, mainly because getting to an area which has local produce is difficult and expensive without a car. Not one to be deterred, however, he manages to eat some local items. Can you guess what they are? Check out this POST for the answer.

How do Scott & Michelle, who live in Rochester, NY, maintain a Locavore lifestyle ... especially when their area has a short growing season? Scott says that they make choices ... they have a plan ... and (perhaps most important) they execute the plan. Read about that HERE.

Green Steve took a look at eating local from all sides ... he considered food miles, the economy of developing countries, growing your own food, what "local" actually means, etc. He did a LOT of research and offered readers plenty to think about. His post also generated some good discussions. Take a look at Is The Local Diet All It’s Cracked Up To Be? and see if you agree with his conclusions.

Clare offered us two wonderful posts this week. The first one, Food in Season – Preserving, gives us an example of how one family eats locally all year long. We're not talking about supplementing their diet ... we're talking about meeting all their nutrient needs by growing and/or buying local foods in season and using them throughout the year. Inspiring! The second post, Eating Locally, All Year, talks about Clare's own experiences finding local produce on a tiny island which, until recently, didn't import items out of season.

CelloMom was all set to grow winter vegetables in her back yard and then ... she remembered a row of carrots she once planted ... and that changed her plans. In How to eat locally in winter? you'll find out what she's going to do. I think it's totally workable ... what do you think?

Rewinn took the challenge. In Happy Labor Day: Get Ready For Local food for the Winter! he talks about how and what he'll be preserving this year. He also offers a couple of tips on getting local, seasonal produce for less money ... and a tip for making better use of one's freezer (think chilling your drink with Berries or Swiss Chard). Yeah, you know you want to read it!

Alicia joined the challenge and shared this: " When we lived in California it was really easy to buy and eat locally grown food most all year round. Moving back to Tennessee made it more of a challenge.We have a garden and I also go to the local Farmers Markets in the area. I freeze, can and dehydrate lots of things during the Summer months so that we can still enjoy eating local homegrown chemical free food during the Winter months. I put up peppers, squash, okra and lots of herbs. I freeze large amounts of tomatoes for making tomato sauce. chili, soups and stews. I dry lots of herbs to use as seasoning and I love making herb vinegars.I also love canning and freezing wonderful Summer fruit for use in pies, jellies and jams. Apples will be ready for picking here at the local orchards soon. I will freeze lots of them for making apple pies, apple butter and one of our grandsons favorites applesauce. There are lots of farmers that now grow Fall gardens of cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower as well as wonderful Fall peas. These are all so easy to freeze. I love making relish with the cabbage and my husband and son like pickled cauliflower I have made an abundance of Pesto to have for this Winter and dried a whole lot of mint so that we can have tasty mint tea. These are things that we do so that we still can enjoy the abundant Summer harvest in the Winter. It really cuts the food cost and saves us from having to buy a lot of fruits and veggies in the Winter that have had to be shipped from so far away. It is really so worth the effort that you have to put out now for the reward later. You will be so glad you did when all you have to do is go open your freezer or go to your pantry and pull out jars of wonderful goodies that you have canned. I know this has been a long comment but I am really passionate about this!" In Tomato Time And Do You Watch What You Say? you'll find out a bit about Alicia's current efforts.

Mrs. Green spent a lot of time thinking about this challenge ... and then got a little depressed about it. Did she give up? Nope ... she took a look at what she can do. Check out Could you eat local, seasonal food? to learn all about it.

Cat wrote Local Food where she talks about what she considers local, the availability of items in the Nordics and a few options she might consider, including a food circle (doesn't that sound intriguing).

Ann included our CTWW banner in this POST where she talks about litter.

We had a few comments on previous challenges:

Kristina shared a healthy, homemade recipe for a product which can be used as a moisturizer, eye cream, makeup remover and, with a few added ingredients, a deodorant (read the comments for that info). Check out Coconut Oil Does Triple Beauty Duty for all the details. Thanks, Kristina!

Katie shared this about last week's challenge: "Last week's challenge sounds awesome! Sorry I missed it. I was getting ready for an international trip. However, I enjoyed reading your excerpts and links to the posts. My toxic-free started after a bad reaction to Aveeno (an "all-natural") shampoo. Looking forward to writing about eating local during the winter months! Great idea. I need to prep." She also wrote Wasteful Restaurant Water about our challenge to conserve water. Regarding a challenge to give up paper towels, she shares "I have to give an update on the challenge. Once the paper towel roll finished, my husband didn't go down to the basement to get another roll for several weeks. We were both working long hours and must have not cooked as much. I put out some wash cloth size towels close to the area where the paper towels were. After a few weeks, he did get a roll because he was doing a painting job. Either way, a few weeks was awesome. Then, I hid the paper towel roll in the cabinet above the microwave. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Wrong! This only lasted for a few hours. I missed him searching for the paper towel roll, unless he found it accidentally. I did order some organic cloth napkins for us to use. We need to put them in rotation." Thanks, Katie!

Our Twitter friends had some great tips & ideas to share this week:

From @givetreegifts
- Expert tips on making and storing preserves: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/9503231/Expert-tips-on-making-and-storing-preserves.html
- Food in Jars: Marisa McClellan offers year-round canning tips: http://o.canada.com/2012/08/22/food-in-jars-2/
- The joy of canning: http://galvestondailynews.com/story/336330
- Preserving summer in a jar...Jams and jellies will create warm memories for wintry days: http://www.calgaryherald.com/life/food-restaurants/Preserving+summer/7018241/story.html
- Small-batch preserving perfect for those on a budget: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/aug/12/small-batch-preserving-perfect-for-those-on-a/
- Author offers tips for making jam...ideas for making preserves and butters that will stock your winter pantry: http://articles.mcall.com/2012-08-07/entertainment/mc-making-fruit-jams-mcclellan-20120807_1_peach-jam-blueberry-jam-butters

From @live_esp
- good one! Freezing fruits & veggies is a great way to stay local + freezing won't reduce nutritional value much!

From @cellomomoncars
- Peel & chop! fruits & veg are mushy when defrosted, so prep so that all you have to do is put it directly in the pan

From @nonmom
- There is nothing like a tomato from your own garden.
- My garden is too small for canning so in winter I go w/frozen veggies. But that fresh tomato I had tonight was divine!

From @themac533
- In Atlantic Canada a root cellar was tradit'ly used to store carrots, cabbage, turnip, potatoes and pickles (to eat local) all winter.
- Many still use them or have a cold room for the same purpose. Carrots packed in clean sand can last for months inside. Need cool/dark.

The #CTWW Gang are those folks who share our challenges on twitter using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I highly recommend following them ... they have a lot of great things to say. Let's meet them:

@whopaysthepiper	@anitaadamsnc	@MadeinUSABlog
@rulesofgreen	@greensteve_com	@smallbits
@ecowarriorme	@greenlifetweets	@jaydemia
@AlmostTruth	@earthyurban	@Changes4Charlie
@rckweddings	@littlegreenblog	@ecoexpert1
@WhatYouCanDo	@lswebb	@live_esp
@rtb808	@cellomomoncars	@FreshGreenKim
@nonmom	@allnaturalkatie	@pinkladyapril
@chrysalisdesign	@ggirlggreen	@WandaBrendleMos
@accessorygal	@greenglobaltrvl	@themac533
@givetreegifts	@AAPremlall	@sidneybizclinic
@ShoppingCharity	@WendySchauer	@theriverwanders
@McBridesOrganic	@CanopyAvenue	@laalicia
@groovygreenlivi	@bylittlenea	@gwened02

My Final Thoughts:

There are so many reasons to eat locally ... it's good for the environment, our health and the local economy. Foods produced by people in our community come with a certain accountability ... we can speak with farmers and learn about their farming practices, the safety of their harvest methods and the efficiency of getting their crops to market. Local foods encourage variety and biodiversity ... small producers, without the restraints of our current centralized production methods, are free to grow whatever they like ... and often try varieties of fruits and vegetables which aren't typically available in supermarkets. If we grow our own produce, we know exactly what went into the soil and don't have to wonder if what we're eating will hurt us. The same is true if we preserve food for use throughout the year. In reality, except for some time and effort on our part, there really isn't a down side to eating local. It may take awhile to get to a point where all of our nutritional needs can be met locally or to make preserving food a part of our lives ... but in the long run, it's definitely worth it.

Thanks, everyone! If you wrote an article, I have Stumbled, Tweeted, Facebooked and posted it on Google +. You can help spread the "green" word by using the share feature at the bottom of this post.

This Week's Challenge:

For this week's challenge, we're going to join Mrs. Green in (Inter)National Zero Waste Week. This year's theme is "One More Thing" and specifically targets recycling. From the Zero Waste Facebook page: "What 'one more thing' could you recycle in order to reduce your landfill waste at home?" So ... here's your challenge:

This week, consider your recycling habits and decide on one more thing which you can do to reduce landfill waste. Let us know what you're doing, and how, so that we can all learn and be inspired.

And then, if you'd like ...

Visit the (Inter)National Zero Waste Week blog page or the Facebook Page and share your efforts with everyone participating in this year's event (close to 1000 people from all over the world).

Will you accept this challenge and do one more thing?

Until next time ...

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

Meet & Greet Monday (#MtaGt)

Welcome to Meet & Greet Monday!

                                 Banner by Art Ist

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Do you have an Eco-friendly blog or site? Do you occasionally write about the environment or ways to live green? If you answered yes to any, you're invited to link up. Here are the rules:

1. If you have a green-living blog and/or write about the environment, sustainability, etc., please use the "linky" below to list your site.
2. If you only occasionally write about green living, please use tags such as "green", "Eco", "Environment", etc. and then link to that collection of posts so that visitors will be directed to pertinent articles.
3. Visit at least one other site (and while not required, it would be nice if you told them that you found them here).
4. The linky will stay active until Thursday at 6:00 pm (EST).
5. Using Random.org, I will choose one of the sites listed and feature it next week.

Let's add a twist this week ... you are welcome to include two links ... one link to your own site and one link to a favorite Eco-site. Be sure to let your favorite site know that you are introducing them to us.

Our featured blog this week is ... Canopy Avenue. My first impression of this blog is that it is unassuming and clean ... it doesn't bombard one's senses with flashing adverts or data overload. Rather, it is beautiful and straight forward, giving readers access to the types of information they are looking for. Even the name of the blog seems to illicit a feeling of calm ... a feeling that all the distractions of life have been set aside so that one can simply pay attention to what's important. And "important" sums up the posts which you'll find on Canopy Avenue ... articles like "How to Reduce Exposure to BPA", "How to Be a Better Green Consumer" and "13 Ways to be an Eco Traveller". Each post is thoughtful and informative without being "preachy" or "in your face". Canopy Avenue is a relatively young blog but I have a feeling that it will quickly become a "go-to" site for clear, understandable information on living a green life. Check it out ... I think you'll like it!

This week's linky is now live so ... list your site, visit and have fun: