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 cleaned house. Why? Because, as we seal up doors and windows in preparation for the cold months ahead, we trap air inside our homes. If that air is toxic (containing dust, mold or chemicals from cleaning products and room deodorizers), then we have a problem; namely, putting our health in jeopardy with every breath we take. The "fix" is easy! We give our homes a thorough cleaning using safe, Eco-friendly cleansers.
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.
Amber got busy and tidied up her home. In Eco-friendly Ways to Scrub Your Home: #CTWW she offers tips for cleaning the sink, garbage disposal, walls and the bathtub. Each method uses cleansers made from natural ingredients ... items you probably have in your home.
This edition of Shopping Charity includes several CTWW mentions of your posts ... hop over to find out if yours was mentioned.
Argentum Vulgaris is heading into summer so his windows are always open, allowing fresh air to circulate. He offers another way to improve indoor air quality in Change the World Wednesday – 2nd Oct. Want a hint? Think green!
Lois was busy, last week, getting her home ready for the cold months. One of her tasks made an immediate difference. Change the World Wednesday; Autumn talks about her home improvements and the timing of her least favorite chore.
La Alicia, a dedicated CTWW Gang Member, jumped over from twitter this week and says "it's that time of year for a tidy up and checking to make sure the house is ready for the change of seasons! ;) Happy Wednesday!"
The Miljöbloggen Daily included our challenge this week. Other interesting content includes a video entitled Compassion in world farming and an article on how Australia has a chance to slow global warming down.
Change The World Wednesday got a headline spot in Tweets for Good. I also found posts entitled UK to help World Food Programme reach an extra 230,000 Syrian children, The Power of Words: How You Say "No" Matters and Loans that change lives.
Clare joined us and shares, My home could certainly do with a Spring Clean, but it's not going to get it this week, I'm afraid. The summer rains are starting so it's time to clean the gutters and roofs of dead leaves etc, and spray coconut oil and vinegar to discourage spiders (they grow big here and I'm terrified!). Still, at least I don't need to check seals on doors and windows - they're open all the time - but fridge seals are certainly important, and I need to replace the seal on my oven door - thanks for the reminder, and I wish everyone a great week! While I was visiting Clare, I found this post which adds to our conversation: 6 Ways to Avoid Formaldehyde in Your Home.
Was your article picked up in this edition of Sunflowers & Edibles? How about in this EDITION? Both of those papers include interesting posts and photos ... check them out!
I love McBride’s Organic Farm Daily which includes, among other things, CTWW and an article on the problems with pesticides?
Alicia has been having computer problems (as in ... her's died). But, she jumped on a borrowed laptop and dropped by to see us. She shares this: So glad to be back after a little bit of computer challenge the past several weeks. We have already started doing pre cold weather cleaning. We make all of our cleaners so everything is non toxic.We have been checking doors and windows for any leaks. Our back door is sort of the French kind that have windows on both sides of the door. I am looking for insulated curtains for them which I think is going to make a big difference. We have just started and there is so much more to get done before the cold weather gets here!
Most homeowners cringe when they hear the words "winterize your home". It means a lot of work and a lot of money ... right? Not necessarily! Lisa shows us just how easy and inexpensive it can be in Simple non-costly Ways to Winterize your Home. She shares some video tutorials to help us along.
Our Twitter friends joined the conversation and shared the following:
From @OfficialCWerner
- Here is my #ctww #CTWW progress! Going to pot these and put them in the kitchen this week! They are so happy! pic.twitter.com/1lnwWNuxtk
From @GiveTreeGifts
- 10 toxic hotspots in the home: How to get rid of toxins in each room of your house ow.ly/pqTKh
- 10 Ways to Detox Your Home ow.ly/pqTUZ
- Non-toxic Home Cleaning & Care ow.ly/pqU6P
- Non-Toxic Cleaners You Can Make at Home ow.ly/pqUgM
- Green Cleaning Recipes: Make your own non-toxic natural cleaners with these simple recipes ow.ly/pqUlx
From @dusdifissette
- "Let us not be content to wait and see what will happen, but give us the determination to make the right things happen." Horace Mann
From @HerbGir1972
- Doing Anything Especially Green this weekend? New Practices #CTWW Crew? A: #Oktoberfest support some local artisians & Farmers.
- We're going to try to change all our outer lighting to #solar (and times to save the battery life). #CutTheWires #CTWW
- Doing Anything Especially Green this weekend? New Practices #CTWW Crew? A: #Oktoberfest support some local artisians & Farmers.
From @KrmbalClothing
- Great links for what to do w old shoes #CTWW RT @downsizinghome: It's #MotivationMonday! http://downsizingthehome.wordpress.com/2013/09/26/where-have-all-your-shoes-gone/
From @GlobalIHN
- Learn more about the global burden of indoor air pollution http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjxoK2aVrq0&feature=youtu.be
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:
My Final Thoughts:
Cleaning our homes is a good idea ... it removes dust, dirt and other "stuff" which endangers the air we breathe. That said, we must also be conscientious about what we introduce into our homes, avoiding items which negate our hard work. For example, plastic shower curtains "off gas" harmful chemicals. Room deodorizers, like those plug-in varieties, spray a toxic mist into the air. Many commercial cleaning solutions pollute our air and our water systems. Avoid pollutants and clean ... it guarantees easy breathing this winter.
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 always makes me think of food ... beautiful dishes made from the summer's harvest, holiday fare, comfort food. If you've followed me for any length of time, then you know that I believe our food choices are one of the easiest ways to live green, with plant-based foods being the most earth-friendly. Ready to eat? Here you go ...
This week prepare at least one vegan meal. Vegan means no animal products ... no chicken, pork, fish, beef ... not even milk, cheese, or eggs. I encourage you to consider whole foods and avoid processed items. If you're feeling ambitious, go for a whole day or even a week ... make a switch for a month and you'll be my hero!
WANT MORE? HERE YOU GO ...
If you've embraced this challenge, or have already made it a lifestyle, please share tips and ideas. Leave a comment on this post or use the link-up below to share vegan recipes and/or articles about incorporating plant-based foods into your diet. Posts can be your own or your favorites from around the blogosphere.
If you've embraced this challenge, or have already made it a lifestyle, please share tips and ideas. Leave a comment on this post or use the link-up below to share vegan recipes and/or articles about incorporating plant-based foods into your diet. Posts can be your own or your favorites from around the blogosphere.
Are you ready to head into the kitchen? I know that you are!
Until next time ...
WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!