Monday, September 30, 2013

Meet & Greet Monday (#MtaGt) - Grist

Welcome to Meet & Greet Monday, a regular series designed to grow our green community.

A link-up for green blogs on Reduce Footprints Blog

Grab our banner for your site:

The rules:

1. Use the link-up tool below to share your green-living blog or collection of environmental posts.
2. Visit at least one other blog and/or the featured site and leave a pertinent comment.
3. The link-up closes on Thursday at 6:00 pm (EDT).
4. Random.org determines the featured site each week.

Last week everyone was invited to link up two articles. Random.org chose Ahead of IPCC report, fossil-fuel groups organize climate denial campaign, an article found at Grist. If you aren't familiar with Grist, here's is a bit from their site: "Grist has been dishing out environmental news and commentary with a wry twist since 1999 — which, to be frank, was way before most people cared about such things. Now that green is in every headline and on every store shelf (bamboo hair gel, anyone?), Grist is the one site you can count on to help you make sense of it all." Back to this article ... the focus is a global campaign, funded by fossil-fuel interests, which aims to discredit the summary climate assessment report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Using quotes from The Guardian, Skeptical Science, and Inside Climate News, the author, John Upton, talks about the less-than-scientific "facts" being offered by climate deniers. He also links to a report entitled International Climate Science Coalition Lacks Credibility, Launches Heartland Institute Anti-Science Report" put out by the Koch-funded Heartland Institute. Ahead of IPCC report, fossil-fuel groups organize climate denial campaign is an interesting article and makes one think twice about the so-called facts we see on the news and online. It reminds us, once again, the importance of digging for the truth ... a truth based on scientific fact, not fiction.

For previous features & blogs, check out the Meet & Greet Page: http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/p/meet-greet.html.

Our link-up is live. Please list your blog, visit and have fun!

PLEASE NOTE ... we're accepting links from blogs this week ... stay tuned as this will change from time to time.





Saturday, September 28, 2013

Especially For You!

I wanted a page which offers you something different ... something in addition to the posts I share on this blog. So, I created one! It includes daily green tips ... easy things like Water boils faster with the lid ON ... cover up and save energy!

It's also a place where I can share great content from other sources. For example, I discovered a site called "Stagetecture" and a post entitled Easy Ways to Grow Vegetables in Containers this Fall.

I also wanted to offer you special deals ... discounts, freebies, etc. on Eco-friendly products. No, I'm not part of an affiliate program ... I just thought it would be fun to introduce you to great products and companies via a special offer. Here are just a few of the offers currently available:

Infant Pants made from Luxurious Bamboo lower and stretchy Merino Wool Upper



Lisa is offering 10% off anything in her shop. She makes beautiful, Eco-friendly baby products.

Handmade Hair Accessories


Roechelle makes lovely hair accessories, greetings cards and natural soaps. She's offering a 15% discount on orders over $20.00.

doTerra Essential Oils



Susan would like to offer you a free sample of Peppermint, slim and sassy or on guard when you join her site.




Eco-Friendly Note Cards
JC has note cards made from her original fine art photographs. They are made from 100% post consumer waste and printed sustainably. She's offering you a 20% discount on any order on the site and, if you choose to buy the note cards, you'll get 5 for the price of 4.

Sun Rocket Solar Hot Water Kettle



The folks at SunRocket want to give you a 15% discount on a Solar Hot Water Kettle.










So where is this fabulous page? And how do you get the special deals?

Head over to the Reduce Footprints Fan Page. You'll find the daily tips and shared content as you scroll down the page.

The Special Offers can be found by clicking the tab at the top of the Reduce Footprints Blog or by clicking HERE.

Not really into Facebook? Well, good news ... you can click over to the page and browse around without joining or "liking".

So check it out! And let me know what you think.


Thursday, September 26, 2013

What stops you from taking a green vacation?

When planning a vacation, do you consider the environment? Do you research Eco-friendly accommodations, methods of travel and food? If our recent survey is any indication, then most of our vacations could use some "greening". Let's take a look at the results:

Green Vacation Survey Results

We had some comments:
  • I had a great experience WWOOF'ing when I was in Australia in February, working on an organic farm (pictures here: http://ecogrrl.net/2013/02/26/where-i-be-chillin-part-four/) in exchange for room & board. It was great! When I fly, whenever possible I take Alaska Airlines who has the best record when it comes to fuel efficiency (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/alaska-airlines-is-most-fuel-efficient-us-carrier-2013-09-10) and sustainability (http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/national/2012/09/alaska-airlines-touts-environmental.html), and seek out farmer's markets, vegetarian restaurants, and take public transportation in the cities I'm in. Learning what shade of green different cities are in is really interesting to me. As many know, many European countries, along with Australia, have significantly more sustainable measures built in to their systems, from water savings to solar to reduced packaging in general. We have a lot, even here in Portland, to learn from other countries' practices.
  • I prefer staying with friends and relatives.
  • We rack up a horrendous carbon footprint getting there (it's where our family lives), but then go car-free, eat local, etc.
  • I recently took a trip to Portland with my mom, and we took nothing but public transit the entire time! A small step, admittedly, but I was pretty proud of us :)
  • I realize I missed the survey but wanted to say that for me living lightly involves every part of my life, vacations are no different. I use the same amount of water and will even bring recyclables home if I can't find a location to drop it in.


While most of us have greened our daily life, vacations seem to fall through the cracks.

The definition of vacation might be part of the problem. According to Merriam Webster, it is "a respite or a time of respite from something". That typically means a break from our normal routine and includes activities that we don't allow ourselves at other times. We indulge in special foods, travel to exotic destinations and stay in hotels. In preparation, we might buy new clothes or luggage. We might consider disposable items for their convenience ... after all, we're on vacation.

Once at our destination, the indulgences continue. We might allow ourselves longer and more frequent showers. Perhaps we turn on the room's air conditioning. We eat at restaurants ... we drive more ... we waste more.

While Eco-friendly tourism is available, it tends to be expensive. An eleven-day Patagonia trip can be as much as $5,995/Person. Nine days in Costa Rica's rainforests can run you more than $2,000/Person.

Most Ecotourism companies offer a very narrow list of activities. They usually include hiking, camping, and exploring natural areas. Working on a farm or living with local families might be offered. These types of vacations, while rewarding, aren't for everyone.

Of course, none of those reasons mean we should give up on Eco-friendly vacations. Let's explore some of the ways that we can take a break without hurting the environment:

  • Plan ahead

    Research destinations which offer activities within walking distance. Investigate hotels and their environmental practices and policies. Consider modes of travel and choose the most Eco-friendly option for your destination. Research restaurants and plan to visit ones offering local foods. Plan to enjoy activities such as visiting a nature preserve, walking the beach, or picnicking at a local park.
  • Before leaving home

    Browse second hand shops for "new" vacation clothing and avoid buying disposable products. Need luggage? Borrow from a friend or buy used items. Turn off lights, electrical appliances, heating/cooling, hot water heaters and anything which won't be used while you're away.
  • At your destination

    Maintain your green ethics. Refuse disposable items or "free" gifts offered by the resort. Turn off lights when not in use and avoid air conditioning. Keep showers to a minimum. Avoid waste and recycle. Walk or take public transportation. Enjoy whole, local foods. Buy souvenirs which are usable rather than items which will be tossed once you return home.
  • Consider all types of vacations

    "Staycations", by their nature, have a low carbon footprint. Don't rule out Ecotourism. Visit family and friends. Exchange homes with someone from your destination of choice. Consider camping.
Eco-friendly tent camping.
Vacations offer us the opportunity to see new places. They entertain us and provide a break from "normal". With planning and special attention, they can honor the earth as well as refresh our lives. How will you "green" your next vacation?

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) - Refrigerator TLC

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)!

Wondering how to live greener? You've come to the right place. Each week we challenge ourselves to try a new task ... or "amp up" something we're already doing. We raise our awareness, learn from each other and develop Eco-friendly skills which will improve our lives and protect our planet. Doing so together gives us power ... the power to Change The World!

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.

This post contains great information and I encourage you to read through it at your leisure ... however, if you are short on time, you might find the following quick links helpful:


How was "National Ceiling Fan Day" for you? Our challenge asked that we turn off our air conditioning units and use, instead, ceiling fans and portable fans to keep comfortable. In my area the temperatures have been cool so this challenge wasn't tough at all. When it is hot in our area we avoid central cooling and use other methods ... we adjust curtains, use ceiling fans and even utilize vertical gardening to keep our apartment comfortable. I'd like to revisit this challenge during hot weather.

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.

Lois accepted the challenge with a slight twist: "I don't like a/c and am happy not to have it. I have one fan that takes care of my cooling needs. Although right now cooling isn't a problem, it's staying warm....yet I have not turned on the heat and will keep it off on the 18th." She also wrote Change the World Wednesday and a Book Review where she talks about efficient ways to stay cool (like being a "night owl") and reviews an interesting book entitled The Healthy Home.

Argentum Vulgaris is heading into spring and, anticipating the hot summer months in Brazil, offers his favorite way to stay cool. Want a hint? It involves a wet bed. Find out more about that in Change the World Wednesday – 18th Sept.

In Eco-friendly NCFD: #CTWW + #Giveaway Lunch Box, Amber gives us an update on the hair removal challenge, offers some tips for keeping comfortable without air conditioning and hosts a giveaway for a great lunch box. A lot going on at Amber's place.

EcoGrrl says "People spend $400/mo on heating? Where is this? How big is their house? I spend $40/mo on heat/hot water and I don't (nor do most in the NW) have A/C. Still blown away at how someone could be spending $500/mo on the combined, and that's not including water. Boggles the mind. (PS I have a ceiling fan in my living room by Modern Fan which I adore. I always wanted one in my bedroom but have nightmares if I'm lying below a fan, LOL) :) "

AvaReed shares this "Just bought a new wall fan, and will certainly let it rest for a whole day on the Thursday. It wouldn't hurt to be a part of the very first NCFD. ;) "

Alicia had this to say: "We have 6 ceiling fans in our home and we love using them. They make such a big difference!My husband a lot of the times turns off the air conditioner in the shop and uses a stand fan."

Melanie G accepted the challenge and says, " We prefer to use our ceiling fan whenever possible. When we do have our AC on, we keep it at 75* and will use fans to keep cool. A big glass of ice water helps too!"

CTWW got a headline spot in Tweets for Good. Other interesting topics include a post entitled Why It's Time to Ditch Your Office and another about Gazprom's arctic drilling.

CelloMom offers us a lot of great information: "Cold days: make yourself warm by moving around in the morning; that will keep your body warm all day, and allows you to lower the thermostat. Here's one way to warm yourself up, and be nice to your car at the same time: http://cellomomcars.blogspot.com/2011/12/keeping-up-pressure.html. Hot days: Sweat is not all bad. Consent to perspire, and you may emerge from the heat acne-free. Here's why: http://cellomomcars.blogspot.com/2012/07/temperature-control-sweat-vs-air.html."

Kristina had this to say, " It wouldn't be fair for me to take this challenge right now. It is that perfect time of year in New England when you don't need AC OR Heat! LOL. I know all too well how much AC (and heating systems) draw on our electric use, and we heat with gas! It's the fans themselves that drive our bills up. I keep setting out programmable thermostats higher/lower depending on the season to reduce the cost."

Sunflowers & Edibles mentioned a couple of CTWW articles ... was one of them yours?

Our Twitter friends joined the conversation and shared the following:

From @lindaackman
- Easy one...no central air...I have only 6 weekends of nice weather in Wisconsin & a Husband who feels the same way!!
- WINDOW'S OPEN & BRING IN THE BREEZE... Besides the Mold & Funk trapped & breeding in filtering units is deadly toxin ~ FACT
- You are making me feel like a "ROCK STAR" here... I am huge on Keep the Chemicals to yourself.. :) I even buy Organic soap
- TRUTH & FACT my friend ~ Hubby was raised in Miami & a little college time in Texas... He is 6 ft 6 inches & prefers WARM!

From @conservationm
- Always an honor to make this list. This #CTWW let's encourage more people to consider how OUR actions are impact OUR planet.

From @rulesofgreen
- Colder weather here but we are still not turning on the heater for this week's #CTWW challenge

From @pinkladyapril
- I'd be lost without our ceiling fans. We have 2 - in lounge & master bedroom. Air con is unusual in the UK & fans are fab...
- however now it's getting cold here we're trying to avoid putting the heating on so it's jumpers & woolly socks! :-)

From @givetreegifts
- We use ceiling fans all year round to help circulate warm or cool air
- On summer evenings, we open windows & screen doors to let cool air flow through the house from front to back w/ a fan to draw air in
- During summer daylight hours we keep the blinds drawn when we're out of the house or during peak sunshine hours.Â

The #CTWW Gang are those folks who tweet our challenges using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I recommend following them ... they share great things. Let's meet them:

@89linz @a_kiasi @al_ostrovsky
@aleamilham @almosttruth @anitaadamsnc
@authors_secret @beatepdx @biculturalmama
@biggreenpen @bike2power @bobbiskozyktchn
@bstoneblog @bubblynature @busyathome
@catholickitchen @cdnmomscook @cleaninggirl
@cleansediva @clothaddicts @conservationm
@counselorholley @cravingslunatic @cupcakekalechip
@darrylerentzen @delaneyclare @dianecapri
@didutweetme @diethood @dkrasn916
@dusdifissette @eco_novice @ecoexpert1
@ecothrifty @ecwrites @evelynmccpeters
@familyfocusblog @ferrarokitchen @ff2ffblog
@foodiearmywife @foodiestuntman @gerardsaliot
@ginavalley @girlichef @givetreegifts
@gogreenbeans @gottagetbaked @greeningwestfor
@groovygreenlivi @guayaba @herbgir1972
@hezzid @hismerecry @inthekitchenkp
@ithoughtiknewma @jadekerrion @jbjourneys
@jenniharris4 @jnjgogreen @juanitascocina
@julialittlebit @krmbalclothing @laalicia
@lady_bren @ladyjcmuses @leslie_limon
@lorcadamon @lovelypantry @mamapoolecooks
@manusmenucom @marjoriemcatee @martindredmond
@messybakerblog @mom2tle @mombloggerplr
@mommasmeals @mommyladyclub @nebulousmooch
@nicolehcook @nolafusion @officialcwerner
@ourfavadventure @proamusa @rckweddings
@realityarts @redkathy @reginaryerson
@reneedobbs @rowenastarling @rulesofgreen
@ruralmoms @seetfei @shannongrissom
@skipbang @sonisfood @soulfullab
@spafloating @ssunithi @supperforasteal
@taranoland @theworld4realz @treesgroup
@tsmp_blogguide @useventphotos @vintagekitchen1
@violetsbuds @wallet_appetite @wencdj
@writelane @zenfarmz

My Final Thoughts:

I've said it before ... and you'll probably hear me say it again ... whenever something is convenient, the alarm in our head should go off. Convenience often comes at a high environmental cost. Turning on central air conditioning or heat is definitely easy to do and in minutes we are comfortable. But the cost is high. Finding alternate methods to stay comfortable may take a bit more effort but they help us walk gently on the earth. I think the effort is worthwhile! Do you agree?

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

This Week's Challenge:

Autumn has arrived! Let's do a few "chores" this week. Here you go ...

This week head into the kitchen and give your refrigerator a little TLC (tender loving care):
  • Vacuum the refrigerator coils to keep the compressor running efficiently.
  • Check that the refrigerator is level ... the door should automatically swing shut instead of staying open.
  • 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.
  • Make sure that it is not over-full. Allowing room for cool air to circulate will keep everything at the right temperature.

OR ...

Choose any of the activities on our recent post entitled Eco-Friendly Tips For Autumn


Ready to take on this challenge ... and the cold months ahead? I know that you are!

Until next time ...

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



Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Guest Post - Why Bamboo Flooring is the Eco Friendly Alternative to Wood

The trouble with wood flooring

Wood flooring can be a gorgeous addition to any home, as wood is often both more beautiful than carpeting and also more durable. A good wood floor can improve the property value of your home as well, and as wood floors are relatively easy to install, the cost of making the switch is relatively low.

However, as with any major change to your home, wood floors present unique challenges to the homeowner. One of your biggest concerns when installing a wood floor may be the environmental impact of the change, since the creation of a beautiful hardwood floor requires a good deal of logging and not all tree harvesting is done in an environmentally friendly way.

While there are many suppliers that source their wood from second-growth forests that are grown especially for their wood, it can be easy to stumble across less scrupulous suppliers that are harvesting their wood directly from shrinking rainforests or vulnerable wilderness habitats. Even with the various certifications that exist to show that wood has been sustainably harvested, it can become nearly impossible to be certain that your new floor was brought to you by a responsible and ethical company.

An Eco-friendly alternative

Bamboo flooring avoids all of these issues. Because bamboo is a type of grass, not a tree, it grows incredibly fast--many times faster than any other wood source. A single bamboo plant can grow incredibly quickly, sometimes as much as 3 feet in a single day. That means that a piece of wood that would take years for a rainforest to produce can emerge from a bamboo stand in one growing season.

Because bamboo grows so quickly, it's much easier for bamboo forests to meet the ever-growing demands of the wood industry. Bamboo flooring takes much less resource to produce than traditional hardwoods, and bamboo harvesting has a much smaller environmental impact because of this. Wood taken from a bamboo stand can simply be replenished within a year or two, as opposed to ordinary forests, which when cut down often never recover. In their home ecologies, bamboo species thrive in warm temperatures and take advantage of heavy, intense rainy seasons. This tropical plant is used to putting out huge volumes of new growth as quickly as possible, which makes it an ideal substitute for hardwoods.

A different variety for every need

There are dozens of different species of bamboo, and each grows in its own unique way. Clumping bamboo tends to grow new stalks in a small area, while running bamboo sends out "runners" that create new plants all along the root system in a chain. Both species are fast growing, but running bamboo is the fastest-spreading type, and uncontained can swiftly take over large areas. In fact, when introduced to foreign environments, some bamboo species are considered invasive and can quickly overwhelm local ecosystems.

Thanks to the huge variety of bamboo species currently living, your new bamboo flooring will have a unique and beautiful texture completely unlike any other hardwood floor. The long grains and fibres of the bamboo plant give this type of wood a very intricate, organic pattern that is especially beautiful in modern homes, and bamboo floors can be found in an astonishing array of colours and shades.

Durability first

Since the fibres of the plant are springy and flexible but just as woody as any tree, bamboo makes an ideal flooring material. Typical bamboo floors are smooth with a satin-like texture, and take stains, sealers, and top coats extremely well.

But how durable is bamboo flooring? The answer depends on the additives included in the material. Stalks of bamboo aren't simply cut down and sawed into planks the way trees are. Bamboo fibres, before they become solid wood floors, are broken down into strands and then woven and reintegrated with adhesives to bind them more closely together.

Traditional construction bamboo, made by laying the bamboo stocks crosswise against the planking of the floor, has a Janka rating hardness of between 900 and 1300, a good mid-level rating. This type of bamboo may be susceptible to small scratches if you move your furniture regularly, but can be protected with rugs and sealers.

Strand-woven bamboo, however, is woven much more tightly among the strands, and uses more adhesive to create a higher hardness rating of between 2000 and 3200, near the peak end of the Janka scale. These floors are as tough as any hardwood and will certainly stand the test of time. Shop carefully for your specific needs.

Which bamboo is best for you?

Whether you're looking for a cherry red or a lighter blonde colour, there's certainly a bamboo available for you. Be sure to carefully research the flooring that will best suit your needs, and enjoy your beautiful new floor!


Mark Hutchison founded bamboo flooring company Bamboozle, based in Perth, Western Australia. You can connect with Mark on Google Plus, too.
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Monday, September 23, 2013

Meet & Greet Monday (#MtaGt) - Eco Thrifty Living

Welcome to Meet & Greet Monday, a regular series designed to grow our green community.

A link-up for green blogs on Reduce Footprints Blog

Grab our banner for your site:

The rules:

1. Use the link-up tool below to share your green-living blog or collection of environmental posts.
2. Visit at least one other blog and/or the featured site and leave a pertinent comment.
3. The link-up closes on Thursday at 6:00 pm (EDT).
4. Random.org determines the featured site each week.

Eco Thrifty Living, this week's featured blog, is owned and authored by Zoe Morrison. I love this blog ... it's a bit like visiting with a good neighbor and discussing day-to-day life. Zoe takes us into her confidence, sharing her thoughts, concerns and the interesting things she learns. For example, in a post entitled Homegrown shower and shaving gel! she has an "Ah Ha" moment with her Aloe Vera plants. In What to do with chapped or dry lips? she reveals that she was using petroleum jelly on her lips before discovering the associated health risks. She went on to learn that her lips, given the opportunity, could moisturize themselves. If you have solar panels, you might be interested in How to keep an eye on the efficiency of your solar panels! I found recipes, instructions on how to make an herb planter out of pallets and several ideas for Eco-friendly gift giving. One of my favorite sections of this blog is the Budgeting page. Zoe was determined to slash her family's budget and, as she puts it, "thrive, not just survive". She has set up a table which includes the items she targeted, a bit about the changes she's made, and the savings realized. One of the more dramatic savings (£270.00/$400.41) involved growing herbs, vegetables and tea rather than buying it. Amazing! Eco Thrifty Living is a terrific blog with diverse content. If you have a moment, sit down with Zoe ... you'll come away with useful ideas and a lot to think about.


For previous features & blogs, check out the Meet & Greet Page: http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/p/meet-greet.html.

Our link-up is live.

Let's switch things a bit this week ... let's share posts. You are welcome to link two (2) articles ... one from your blog and one from another blog.





Friday, September 20, 2013

Eco-Friendly Tips For Autumn

Have you noticed the slight chill to the air lately? Autumn is upon us. The days are getting shorter, leaves are beginning to fall and summer produce has all but ended.


Autumn leaves


Before settling in for the season, let's look around our homes and ensure that everything is ready for the colder months ahead.

Here are this year's Eco-friendly tips for Autumn:

Inside Our Homes

  • 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 or call a furnace maintenance company. If you have a gas furnace, have it professionally inspected once a year.
  • Install a programmable thermostat and set it for 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius) ... it'll save money and use less fuel/electricity.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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."
  • Do you have a fireplace? This is a good time to have the chimney cleaned and get vent systems checked.
  • Check windows for proper caulking. If you have single-pane windows, add storm windows. Even a plastic film over windows will reduce heat loss.
  • Consider installing new, efficient windows.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Perhaps it's time to get new insulation ... if so, consider getting blown-in recycled cotton/denim insulation.


A cozy room interior


In The Kitchen

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Our Laundry Room

  • Clean the ducts and area behind the dryer.
  • Clean the filter after every use and every once in awhile, give it a good wash.

Mmm ... Food

  • Preserve summer produce for use in the winter.
  • 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.

How About Clothing

  • 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.
  • 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.


Back to School


It's Back To School

  • 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.
  • Invest in reusable lunch items (lunch boxes, beverage bottles, utensils, napkins, etc.).
  • Prepare lunches made from whole foods and avoid any processed items, especially items which come in single-use packages.
  • Have a "Swap" party ... invite guests to bring children's clothing and useable school supplies to trade.
  • 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).
  • 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.

Entertaining Is Fun

  • 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.


Home exterior in the autumn


Let's Head Outdoors

  • Check your roof for any missing or damaged tiles or shingles.
  • If you make any roof repairs, consider painting your roof white or installing light colored roofing.
  • 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).
  • Keep weeds and shrubs trimmed. Keep them away from outside heating/cooling units for best airflow.
  • Install foam covers over outside water spigots to prevent freezing.
  • Check for water leaks both inside and outside.
  • 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".
  • 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.
  • 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.

Don't Forget The Car

  • 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.
  • 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.

Sharing and Caring"

  • Now is a great time to help others with their Eco-friendly Autumn chores. Check with elderly neighbors to see if they could use help cleaning up their gardens, caulking windows, etc
  • Donate your time at a community garden ... there's a lot of clean-up to be done at this time of year.
  • Support environmental programs and education. In Canada consider helping via environmental donations


A little action now will ensure that your winter is warm, safe and Eco-friendly.


A cozy kitten


What are your favorite tips for an Eco-friendly autumn?



If you're moving into spring instead of autumn, check out our post entitled "17 Eco-Friendly Tips For Spring."



Image courtesy of Aduldej, porbital, graur razvan ionut, Witthaya Phonsawat and Willem Siers / FreeDigitalPhotos.net








Thursday, September 19, 2013

Guest Post - Hybrid Cars–A Step Towards A Greener World

What is the future of the car industry? Whilst electric powered cars used to be nothing more than a pipe-dream, as we watched vehicles like the ill fated Sinclair C5 fail to capture the UK public's imagination, it now seems like advances in battery technology are providing the public with the means to use electrically powered engines in the same way in which they've used petrol engines for decades. However, it seems like we're not quite ready for an overall switch to electrically powered cars – as batteries appear to limit the range of these vehicles to around 100 miles, making them only suitable for local journeys. Instead we're seeing a large number of manufacturers producing hybrid cars, which combine petrol and electric engines as a step towards more ecologically sound transportation.

Hybrid Technologies On The Rise


Although it might not seem like a big number, according to the Society of Motoring Manufacturers and Traders, hybrids accounted for 1.4% of all new cars sold in 2012, representing a 0.1% increase on the 2011 figure. When you consider however that 2012 saw a record high of around 2,050,000 new vehicle registrations in the UK this figure is not so insignificant, coming in at just under 30,000 new hybrid cars. This shows that as a nation we are beginning to make the moves needed to cut emissions to EU (European Union) proposed target of 95g/km in 2020 – it is estimated that if we are to achieve this drop, then the number of hybrids will need to rise to account for 16% of the new car market.

Everyone's Doing It


It's not just the economy and mid-range car manufacturers who're producing hybrid vehicles – even some of the world's most prestigious companies are now developing cars that work with petrol and electric power. Take for instance the Ferrari LaFerrari, which uses an engine that's primarily driven by petrol with an electric drive system that adds to the power available from the car at high speeds. Although this isn't the conventional form of hybrid engine – it does show the advances that are being made in this field. Porsche, the well known German sports car company, have gone one step further than Ferrari, and have actually produced a fully functioning electric motor and clutch hybrid unit that will be used to power a large number of their cars in the future.

Exhausts


Everyone knows that traditional petrol and diesel run engines produce a large amount of harmful emissions, which not only add to the UK's greenhouse gas and CO2 emissions, but also produce a number of other harmful gases, such as sulphur dioxide, which is responsible for acid rain, carbon monoxide, an odourless, colourless poison and even unused hydrocarbon fumes that are toxic to the environment. Although hybrid cars don't completely stop the expulsion of such gases, they do reduce emissions of these dangerous substances significantly.

Renewable Energy


There was a time when people would argue against hybrid engines, claiming that all electricity is generated by the consumption of fossil fuels. However, with a growing renewable energy culture in the UK, it is now actually greener to use electricity than petrol to power our cars. It's even possible to get some of this environmentally friendly technology yourself in the form of solar panels, wind turbines, or even micro CHP (Combined Heat & Power) systems, which actually turn spare energy from your home's heating system into usable power.

Regenerative Braking


Many hybrid cars use a special system that allows the car to transfer kinetic energy that's lost in the braking process back into electricity that's used to top up the battery with a little charge. Not only does this make the car more energy efficient, cutting down on the amount of power needed by the car, but it also reduces the amount of wear on the brake shoes, which means that the part doesn't have to be changed as often – cutting down on the consumption of this disposable part and the overall carbon footprint of the car.

Safer Cars... Or Better For The Environment?


Whilst these vehicles might cost a little more than their petrol driven counterparts, a survey performed in the US by the Highway Loss Data Institute has found out that hybrid car drivers are 25% less likely to suffer an injury in a crash. They believe the reason for this is that hybrid cars tend to be heavier than normal cars and therefore absorb more momentum in a vehicle on vehicle collision or scrapes, although this may not be the case in the future, as many manufacturers are now trying to make their hybrids even more energy efficient by using lighter alloys and less materials in their composition, reducing the amount of emission generated in the production of the car.

And Finally...


Of course, the last thing to mention is that, in the UK, you generally have to pay less road tax on cars with hybrid engines, as your tax band is worked out by the amount of CO2 produced by your car, together with the type of engine. Obviously you can use all this cash you save to plant a tree in your garden or shop for some organic vegetables. However, it is also worth noting that even though as a nation there are more cars on UK roads than ever before, the report we mentioned earlier in this article from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has noted that last year car emissions fell by 3.6% since 2011 and a whopping 26.5% from the 2000 figures. They cite the use of AFVs (alternatively fuelled vehicles) such as hybrids as a large part in this large reduction of emissions, showing that all the individual decisions to purchase one of these slightly more expensive cars has actually added up to a big change in the environment.


This article was supplied by the second hand car part location service – www.breakerlink.com/
.


Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) - National Ceiling Fan Day

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)!

Wondering how to live greener? You've come to the right place. Each week we challenge ourselves to try a new task ... or "amp up" something we're already doing. We raise our awareness, learn from each other and develop Eco-friendly skills which will improve our lives and protect our planet. Doing so together gives us power ... the power to Change The World!

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.

This post contains great information and I encourage you to read through it at your leisure ... however, if you are short on time, you might find the following quick links helpful:


Last week we "greened" our shaving routine. Did you resemble "Bigfoot" or did you find an Eco-friendly way to remove hair? I use a razor with a replaceable head. To get maximum use, I employ some techniques to extend the blade's life. Keeping the blade clean and dry is important because water will encourage metal corrosion. Stropping keeps tiny particles off the blade. To do this on the razors which most of us use today, simply wipe the blade in the opposite direction from shaving. Another method to prolong the blade is to apply a bit of oil (something which is skin-safe) which slows the oxidation of the metal. Shaving creams, especially the ones which come in a pressurized can, are not kind to us or the environment. I use Eco-friendly soap, hair conditioner or olive oil as my shaving "cream".

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.

Alicia uses very Eco-friendly hair removal strategies: "I use our shaving bar for my legs and underarms. It has Bentonite Clay in it and it makes your razor last almost twice as long. This is great because we don't have to buy razors that often! I do wax above my upper lip and for this I make my own "wax". The recipe I use calls for 2 cups of sugar ( I use the organic evaporated cane juice ) 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1/4 cup of water. You put it all in a saucepan and stir frequently until it reaches 250 degrees on a candy thermometer. You let it cool and then pour in a glass container with a top. When you want to use it just apply with a wooden Popsicle stick. Then take some cotton strips press down and pull quickly. It works so well and is all natural."

The McBride’s Organic Farm Daily included a CTWW mention. Other stories include 30 Tips for Someone Just Diagnosed with Food Allergies, Antibiotics Used in Livestock: Making Us Even Sicker Than We Thought and Washington state testing alfalfa for GMO contamination.

Lois wasn't ready to go "au naturel" but she does extend the life of her razors. Her current model has lasted for eight years. How is that possible? Find out in Change the World Wednesday: Hair Removal.

Are you interested in milk pasteurization? How about probiotics? Are you concerned about nut allergies in school lunches? Read about those topics and CTWW in this edition of The Flora Foster Daily.

Katie accepted our challenge. She shares, "Great challenge! I use natural soap to shave with (same soap as used for showering) and moisturize with coconut oil afterwards. For some body parts, I borrow DH's electric trimmer. I will think about making more improvements to be green with hair removal!" By the way, on a recent visit to Katie's blog, I saw a great article about the difference between apple sauce and apple butter. Who knew ... I didn't!

Amber gave us an update on the banana/refrigerator challenge in Eco-friendly Hair Removal: #CTWW. She also shared some tips on razors ... have you ever heard of a razor made from yogurt cups? Oh yeah!

In this edition of Tweets for Good, you'll find a bunch of CTWW posts ... is one of them yours?

I love how (sometimes) our challenges encourage interesting dialogue. For example, consider EcoGrrl's comments: " "hair removal routine" - you mean like waxing? I never understood that. I use a Preserve razor made from recycled plastic and just buy refill blades, and shave legs/pits twice a week. I use the lather from my soap or shampoo on my legs - have been doing this since I started shaving and not only does it work better than shaving cream, it's not creating more waste. Waxing to me is just strange, particularly around the privates - there is a major lack of self-acceptance out there and a whole lot of women with the twisted perception that they should look like 9 year old girls down there and it's creepy as hell to me. Any behaviors where we are deliberately causing pain to ourselves in order to please someone else disturbs me."

Argentum Vulgaris uses the "Mother Nature" method of hair removal. What??? Yep, check it out in Change the World Wednesday – 11th Sep ... he includes pictures!

The Sustainable Education Initiative gave CTWW a headline spot. The paper also includes a savory cream of spinach soup recipe, a guide to drying herbs/spices and information on 2 newly established Amazon parks, covering 2.4m acres, in Brazil.

Kristina had no problem meeting this challenge. She says, "I don't use disposable razors. I have the kind that just needs the blade replaced every so often. My daughter recently started shaving her legs and I bought her one too. No disposables here! I have never used a shaving cream - just soap. Seems to work fine for me." Kristina recently wrote an article about recent announcements that Walmart and P&G are phasing out harmful chemicals. She voices a concern, however, towards the end of the post. What do you think about their efforts?

This edition of Shopping Charity included CTWW as well as several other tweets I shared this week. You'll also find information on Personalized Boxed Tree Gifts by Joanne, a regular CTWW Gang Member (did you know that she has a company called Give Tree Gifts?).

Sunflowers & Edibles included one of your CTWW posts ... was it yours? You'll also find an article entitled Planting Apple Trees in Autumn which I tweeted this week.

Our Twitter friends joined the conversation and shared the following:

From @officialcwerner
- My #CTWW You can have an herb garden in small spaces!! Planted in a plastic tub, backyard is limited for space. pic.twitter.com/Vd08GZuRSE

From @sammyobeid
- Not shaving helps save the Earth. Yea, so when I don't shave say "Thank You Sammy!"

From @evelynmccpeters
- your post about the bananas inspired me to make peanut butter, yogurt and banana homemade Frosty Paws for the dogs!

The #CTWW Gang are those folks who tweet our challenges using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I recommend following them ... they share great things. Let's meet them:

@89linz @_lyal_ @a_kiasi
@alanscott707 @aleamilham @almosttruth
@anitaadamsnc @beatepdx @biggreenpen
@bike2power @bobbiskozyktchn @bstoneblog
@catholickitchen @ccuisiniere @cleaninggirl
@cleansediva @clothaddicts @clubcontent
@collegegogreen @conservationm @counselorholley
@cravingslunatic @dehelen @dianecapri
@dusdifissette @ecoexpert1 @ecogrrlnetwork
@ecothrifty @ecwrites @eddiegear
@elenareviews @energysherlock @evelynmccpeters
@familyfocusblog @florafoster2 @foodiestuntman
@ginavalley @givetreegifts @gogreenbeans
@gottagetbaked @guayaba @herbgir1972
@hismerecry @inthekitchenkp @ithoughtiknewma
@jenniharris4 @jnaquins @jnjgogreen
@julialittlebit @laalicia @lady_bren
@leslieveg @luvnnature @maddluv
@mamapoolecooks @martindredmond @mcbridesorganic
@mcmillendc @messybakerblog @mom2tle
@momgamerwriter @mommasmeals @mommyladyclub
@momscaf_neo @nebulousmooch @newmememedia
@nicolehcook @nolafusion @officialcwerner
@ourfavadventure @pinkladyapril @proamusa
@rckweddings @realityarts @redkathy
@rowenastarling @rulesofgreen @ruralmoms
@sammyobeid @seetfei @shannongrissom
@skipbang @soulfullab @sowhatirun
@spafloating @ssunithi @supperforasteal
@tammycurry @tsmp_blogguide @useventphotos
@veganyackattack @violetsbuds @wahmdiva
@wencdj @whopaysthepiper @yardbutler
@zenfarmz

My Final Thoughts:

Once again, it's all about our choices. Something simple like shaving can serve it's purpose in an Eco-friendly way or can add waste to landfills and toxic chemicals to waterways. Even when the market's shelves are stocked with less-than-desirable products and it seems that we don't have options, we can raise our voice and let manufacturers know that we want a green product. Perhaps, if we keep insisting on "green", they will accommodate us! It is certainly worth the effort!

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

This Week's Challenge:

If you saw Yesterday's Post, then you know what this week's challenge entails. If you didn't read that post, hop over and check it out ... and then ... accept the challenge:


This week we are joining my friends at Fanimation in celebrating the the first ever National Ceiling Fan Day (NCFD). Did you know that the average central cooling unit draws anywhere from 3,500 to 5,000 watts of energy? Compare that to the 6-30 watts used by a ceiling fan and we quickly see why ceiling fans are energy efficient. So, for at least one full day this week, power off your air conditioners and rely on ceiling fans and/or portable fans to keep cool.

OR ...

If you don't use/have an air conditioning unit, please offer tips for staying cool in Eco-friendly ways.

OR ...

If it's cold in your area, please turn off your heating system and find alternate ways to keep warm (put on more clothing, use blankets, reverse the direction of your fan, adjust curtains, etc.).


Are you up for this challenge? I know that you are! Let's conserve some energy!

Until next time ...

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



Monday, September 16, 2013

Meet & Greet Monday (#MtaGt) - EcoGrrl

Welcome to Meet & Greet Monday, a regular series designed to grow our green community.

A link-up for green blogs on Reduce Footprints Blog

Grab our banner for your site:

The rules:

1. Use the link-up tool below to share your green-living blog or collection of environmental posts.
2. Visit at least one other blog and/or the featured site and leave a pertinent comment.
3. The link-up closes on Thursday at 6:00 pm (EDT).
4. Random.org determines the featured site each week.

I'm so happy that random.org chose EcoGrrl for our feature this week ... she's one smart, environmentally-conscious woman! I've followed her blog for a long time and it's always been great. But in the last couple of years, she has kicked up her efforts even further and created a site full of interesting, pertinent information. For example, the EcoGrrl Interviews feature people from all over the world who share a passion for living green. EcoGrrl's questions aren't run of the mill ... she asks thoughtful, and thought-provoking, questions like "What do you turn to when you need strength?" and "In what environment(s) do you feel most in your element?" Across the top of the blog, readers will find various topics like Books I Adore, Wellness and In My Garden. Each collection of articles is well written with an honesty that readers have come to expect from EcoGrrl. She questions everything and challenges us to consider all sides of an issue, never assuming that the accepted or popular thoughts on a subject are correct. There's one section of EcoGrrl's blog entitled "9-to-5" ... the posts in this section are all about careers. So how does that work into green living? Well, EcoGrrl started her own business, about 14 months ago, as a recruiting consultant. She takes her passion for sustainability and applies it to her work, building relationships with (and for) her clients ... relationships which contribute to a strong community ... and as we all know, a strong community is a key factor to helping our earth. Stop by and visit EcoGrrl ... it's definitely worth your time!


For previous features & blogs, check out the Meet & Greet Page: http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/p/meet-greet.html.

Our link-up is live. Please list your blog, visit and have fun!

PLEASE NOTE ... we're accepting links from blogs this week ... stay tuned as this will change from time to time.





Thursday, September 12, 2013

Taking a Green Vacation

Have you ever caught yourself thinking that certain rules can be relaxed when doing something special, like taking a vacation? We often allow ourselves to indulge ... perhaps eating less-than-healthy foods or spending a bit more money than usual. It is, after all, a special time and meant to be a break from the "norm".

Image of two lounge chairs on the beach.


Thinking about how we love our holidays, I wondered if we take a break from living green. Do we use more water if we're staying in a hotel? Do we ignore the high environmental cost of air travel or opt for the convenience of disposable items? Do we relax our green ethics when we're on vacation?

That's the focus of this month's survey (which will stay open for one week).


Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.



Image courtesy of hinnamsaisuy / FreeDigitalPhotos.net


Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) - Hair Removal

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)!

Wondering how to live greener? You've come to the right place. Each week we challenge ourselves to try a new task ... or "amp up" something we're already doing. We raise our awareness, learn from each other and develop Eco-friendly skills which will improve our lives and protect our planet. Doing so together gives us power ... the power to Change The World!

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.

This post contains great information and I encourage you to read through it at your leisure ... however, if you are short on time, you might find the following quick links helpful:


Before we get started:

I'd like to congratulate Mrs. Green on a brilliant Zero Waste Week event! She worked long hours to bring us tips, ideas and even recipes designed to eliminate food waste. Take a bow, Mrs. Green! (standing applause with cheers of "Bravo" from the audience) You did a fabulous job and made a huge, worldwide impact. I, for one, look forward to next year and another wonderful event!

Last week we "saved" overripe bananas from landing in the trash bin. One participant got very creative and turned them into a body scrub. Wow! In my house, bananas never go to waste. When they become too ripe to enjoy, we simply toss them into the freezer for use, later, in smoothies and baking. Did you know that mashed bananas can be used in place of oil in baking? Yep ... perfect for any recipes which lend themselves to a banana flavor.

The second part of our challenge asked that we clean out the refrigerator, organizing it such that foods which are close to "expiring" are moved to the front where we'll have a better opportunity to use them. There were forgotten items lurking in the dark recesses of my fridge. Some needed tossing out but more than just a few were usable. It's an activity which we'll be repeating often!

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.

EcoGrrl has this challenge "down": "1) Bananas when they get soft/dark are perfect for banana bread and smoothies! As far as banana peels, if it's not composted, they can be buried below rose bushes as they're great soil fertilizer! 2) I don't have enough food in my fridge to have to clean it out. The more whole foods I eat, and the simpler I live, the less that I have that requires refrigeration. Almond milk, regularly-used condiments, and produce (which I prep ASAP and put in little glass containers so they always get used) are all I've got in my fridge these days :) "

Eco Thrifty Living has been working hard, all week, to reduce food waste. In I've decided to give it away! she talks about her lessons learned and came to a conclusion which will help others. Be sure to check out her other posts in the series ... she offers a lot of information.

Argentum Vulgaris gave us a full account of his waste. Most of it went onto the compost pile instead of in the trash bin. Did a special birthday event derail his efforts? Find out in Change the World Wednesday – 4th Sep where AV also talks about using bananas with brown spots and refrigerator hygiene.

In Zero Waste Week #CTWW Amber made an interesting discovery about food waste in her house. It isn't about what gets wasted ... it's about who does the wasting. How many of you can relate to her situation?

Brenna shared CTWW in the Change The World Paper #ecotalk. Quite a number of your posts got a nice mention! Was yours one of them?

The Flora Foster Daily gave CTWW a headline spot. Other interesting articles include one about getting a good night's sleep and one about a Silicon Valley tycoon who’s paying young people to skip college.

Lois only had 3 wasted food items last week ... but even these items went to a compost pile instead of the trash. She recently acquired an appliance which allowed her to successfully meet this week's challenge. It wouldn't have been possible a couple of weeks ago. Can you guess what she got? Read more at Change the World Wednesday, All About Food.

Petunia GreenBeans gave CTWW a headline spot in Tweets for Good. I found a fascinating article entitled The Playbook on How to Become an Agent of Innovation and one about wildfires and climate change.

McBride’s Organic Farm Daily mentioned CTWW. I also found a recipe for a gluten-free zucchini bread and an articled entitled What’s killing our bees? The answer is complicated.

Tammy Curry mentioned CTWW in Sustainable Education Initiative. Other interesting content includes posts about fig beetles, a cooler which keeps beer cold without ice, and the possibility of seeing water footprint labels on consumer goods.

Alicia shared some wonderful ideas for bananas: "We use lots of bananas and when they start to get to ripe we make banana bread, banana pudding made with almond and coconut milks and then freeze the rest. We make "green drinks" everyday and I just juice the greens but my husband likes his with a half of banana mixed in. I chop the bananas into chunks and freeze them in small containers. It makes it easy to drop a few into the blender for the smoothies. Our four year old grandson loves the ice cream that you can make by just putting frozen bananas in the food processor and processing until it is smooth and creamy.So I always like keeping some on hand for that.We compost the peels also. We already rotate the items in the fridge but because of this challenge I see I need to get the freezer organized. I am going to rotate the foods by the date they were frozen."

Earth Source Services shared our challenge in Sunflowers & Edibles. One of your articles was also included in this paper ... was it yours?

Lisa wrote Zero Waste Week. She did some serious research and found a couple of unique things to do with overripe bananas. Want a hint? One use involves Monarch Butterflies.

Our Twitter friends joined the conversation and shared the following:

From @HerbGir1972
- A Positive Attitude Moves Ideas Toward An Advantageous Outcome. #DoSomething #Good
- If you can make one person smile in a days time, you've done good. (Imagine if everyone tried this) #CTWW #Simplicity #HealingAttitude
- We grow our own (food), lessening gas emissions from trips to the store, &
Omitting loads of unhealthy chemicals on & in our food
- If we must ride we try to do all errands in one trip, as much as possible
- We live about 25 minutes from anything so not driving is really not an option, but we lessen it as much as possible
- We collect rainwater as well for pet watering, and plant watering.
- Most Organic stuffs can be composted/vermiposted into usable soil amendments or brew a compost tea.

From @myzerowaste
- When you're in a hurry, do you hack more off the veggies than you should when you trim them asks @smallftprints #zerowasteweek
- "Procrastination, is rewarded with blue mold" My fave #zerowasteweek quote to date from @smallftprints!
- Bread ends are food processed, dried, toasted & frozen for tasty crumbs in @smallftprints household #zerowasteweek

From @pinkladyapril
- I've slipped a bit recently due to being ill. Now is the time to get back on track by cleaning out the fridge! #ctww

From @ladyjcmuses
- This is a must! It's on my list for this week. :)

From @officialcwerner
- My #CTWW I love this one! Bought green onions last week. I used the tops and put the bulbs in water to root and Viola pic.twitter.com/C3xfNGNddJ
- They have been planted for three days and already sprouting new tops! #CTWW pic.twitter.com/T00W1KggMq
- I wanted to update on the growth of the green onion experiment. This is another 3 days of growth #ctww pic.twitter.com/DrD5SODfVz

The #CTWW Gang are those folks who tweet our challenges using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I recommend following them ... they share great things. Let's meet them:

@_lyal_ @a_kiasi @almosttruth
@anitaadamsnc @anktangle @asnlifecoach
@beatepdx @biculturalmama @bobbiskozyktchn
@bristol_sltru @catholicfoodie @cleansediva
@climatemama @clothaddicts @conservationm
@craftgal @cravingslunatic @dehelen
@diethood @dusdifissette @eco_novice
@ecoexpert1 @ecogrrlnetwork @ecothrifty
@energysherlock @evelynmccpeters @familyfocusblog
@findingninee @florafoster2 @foodiearmywife
@foodiestuntman @givetreegifts @gogreenbeans
@gottagetbaked @gr8fulgirl11 @groovygreenlivi
@guayaba @herbgir1972 @hezzid
@hismerecry @irishcarter1 @ithoughtiknewma
@jadekerrion @jaemacjustsayin @jenniharris4
@jenosaurus @jnaquins @johnjhartnett
@juanitascocina @katemanchester @kayelleallen
@laalicia @lady_bren @ladyjcmuses
@lifelovemusic1 @lorcadamon @maddluv
@mamapoolecooks @manusmenucom @marjoriemcatee
@martindredmond @mcbridesorganic @mcmillendc
@messybakerblog @mom2tle @mombloggerplr
@momgamerwriter @mommasmeals @mommyladyclub
@momscaf_neo @nebulousmooch @nicolehcook
@nolafusion @officialcwerner @redkathy
@rowenastarling @rulesofgreen @ruralmoms
@sammyobeid @seetfei @shannongrissom
@skipbang @soulfullab @soundless2
@spafloating @squishablebaby @ssunithi
@supperforasteal @tammycurry @taranoland
@tsmp_blogguide @useventphotos @varunner7
@wallet_appetite @wencdj @westywrites
@whywelovegreen @yfnjman

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

This Week's Challenge:

Quite some time ago, our friend Joanne (aka @givetreegifts on Twitter) shared a post about Eco-Friendly Hair Removal. Sounds like a challenge to me! Here you go ...

This week, green your hair removal routine. If you can, simply don't shave ... that's the most Eco-friendly option. If furry body parts aren't your thing, consider body sugaring or use environmentally safe shaving equipment and non-toxic shaving lotion. Avoid disposable razors and lotions in canisters. Joanne's recommended reading, which includes several tips, can be found HERE. For a discussion on razors, check out my post entitled The "Best" Shave.

Are you up for this challenge? Let's make hair removal safe for us ... and the earth!

Until next time ...

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