Thursday, October 30, 2014

Survey says that "greenies" will conserve ...

Survey says that "greenies" will conserve ...
Earlier this month, I asked you about solar power.

The question came up because someone told me that rather than conserve, they would just add additional solar panels to their home.

So I wanted to know what dedicated "greenies" would do if all of their power came from the sun.

The answers are interesting and complex:

Survey Results


Survey says that "greenies" will conserve ...

Survey Comments


  • Of course I would still conserve if I were getting all my energy from solar. To do otherwise would mean I had used more rare earth minerals and other elements by buying more panels than I actually needed.
  • The answer is, it depends. If i was 100% solar and was attached to the grid and they were paying me for the extra i was producing then i'd make the attempt to save as much as i could. But, i'd still turn off lights when not in use, because your affecting the longevity of the bulbs. The thermostat? no. again if i wasn't being paid for the extra energy then that is being wasteful. The sun is giving you the energy use it.
  • Why? If the solar power had to be used just for my own home there's no reason. If a traditional power company purchased the unused solar power and in return lowered the cost of energy to its other customers, I probably would. But from what I understand that doesn't occur.
  • I still think everything in moderation is key. I don't think anyone should over consumer anything...take only what you need.
  • I would be donating unused energy to the grid thus saving fossil fuels
  • Solar is not technically 100% renewable energy, given that it takes a tremendous amount of energy and materials to extract, manufacture, distribute, install and eventually, replace/repair/dispose. There are statistics that it takes approximately 4-8 years of 'free, renewable energy' to pay back the energy that it takes to get it to your home. While I am all for renewables, we MUST reduce first. Otherwise, renewables will never be affordable or desirable to the masses. You might enjoy this post: http://greengirlsuccess.com/2014/06/03/green-tech-or-low-tech/
  • Well, I already do which wasn't an option on this questionnaire :). I wouldn't be changing my current habits. As a side note, solar for my small small home costs about $13-15,000 upfront to have it installed - which for me is not something I have lying around and would take 20 years for me to recup the cost since my electric is only $40/mo averag. While there are incentives and tax breaks, yes, you still have to come up with the whole chunk in advance, which makes it still close to impossible for most working class folks to afford. In Australia it's a microscopic cost in comparison...
  • You know what, I have actually never thought about this before. I guess I'm kind of ashamed to say "no." But I guess society is sold the idea that if something is renewable (or plentiful) then you don't *have* to conserve. Conserving isn't good in its own right, it's only good if the resource in question is limited. But all energy use by me is energy I'm taking from something else. For example, if I power my TV from a power station that's a square mile of solar panels, those solar panels are blocking the sun from reaching the soil, and the bacteria in the soil, and the seedlings that would otherwise be sprouting. The earth is a zero-sum game, it seems. Maybe the idea behind conservation needs to change. Maybe the way it's sold to the public needs to change. Maybe instead of conservation, it could be use-appropriate consumption, or resource sharing, or something that implies balance and cooperation, instead of just staving off the next shortage until the next boom comes along. Thanks for making me think about this question! :)
  • Absolutely! No need to be wasteful, especially if the energy is being stored in a battery for future use. If there's an emergency or a long stretch of cloudy/stormy days that backup power will come in handy.
  • As we are 100% on solar power, and not meaning to be aggressive in my reply, responding to your question from our personal experience the answer depends entirely on what power input you have from your solar panels and what battery storage capacity you have. On cold, but sunny days our panels produce more power than on hot, sunny days. If you are aware that you are in for a couple of days of overcast weather, you tend to use as little power as possible in order to eke out the power that you have available. Once you reach float or absorb stage with your batteries (in our case our batteries are at that stage from +/- 12 noon onwards), you can use whatever power is being produced by your panels freely as your batteries cannot absorb any further charge. I, therefore, tend to switch on my washing machine then ;) One has to plan for those days of minimal power input, more than for the days where power is freely available. Investing in double glazing, manual kitchen / household gadgets, low watt (3 watt) LED lights, A+ (or better) appliances you can live your life quite normally. (Switching off 3 watt light globes when you're not in the room is still a good idea, but if you had ten on at the same time, they combined would only use 30 watts of power / hour, which will hardly make a dent on your battery power during a 4 - 5 hour evening. Basically, getting back to basics and ditching power guzzling air-conditioners / heaters / electric stoves, you shouldn't have a problem. A broom cleans as well as a vacuum cleaner, and a dishcloth in a sink of good hot, soapy water vs a dishwasher, etc - it just requires more effort from the human wielding the appliance :)

My Thoughts


Survey says that "greenies" will conserve ...
I've thought a lot about this question.

One one hand, if we invest in enough solar panels, and they can supply a lavish lifestyle, then why not use liberally?

On the other hand, those panels aren't made out of air ... they require materials. So living large (power-wise) means that resources are being used to build additional solar panels for our lavish use. That seems wrong.

Our new home (a passive solar home) will be equipped with solar and photovoltaic panels. We are installing a net-zero system. That means that the total amount of energy we use, which will come from "the grid", will roughly be equal to the amount of solar energy we create (which will be sold back to "the grid").

You might be wondering why we chose this system as opposed to an "off grid" system.

Batteries which store solar energy are, at this time, expensive and have a short lifespan. Simply put, they are not cost effective for us. Hopefully, one day, they will be less expensive and more efficient. At that time, we'll upgrade and become grid free.

As I mentioned above, we are building a passive solar home. The house's orientation, along with the materials used to build it, will allow us to use nature to both warm and cool our home. With the net-zero system, we have the potential of generating more power than we use. That means that the grid will use less energy from other sources (in my area, most energy comes from coal).

I will continue to conserve so that the solar energy we generate will go that much further in reducing the need for "dirty" energy. If we generate more power than we use, then "the grid" benefits. That makes it very appealing to conserve.

Thanks to everyone who participated and left a thoughtful comment. As always, I learn so much from you!


Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) - Comfort Zones

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 looked for small things to make a difference. Awhile back my truck was stolen and with it, my glass straw. I don't go out often but have noticed that all restaurants automatically place a straw on the table or tray. So I decided to forgo any straw and just drink the old fashioned way ... straight from the glass. Not only does it save plastic and paper (used to individually wrap each straw), it saves the need to manufacture more. It also keeps these items out of landfills.

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.

Laurel accepted our challenge and wrote Small Changes for #CTWW. She offers a bunch of creative ideas and even suggests additional challenges for her readers (check out #3).

Argentum Vulgaris doesn't use straws and avoids another "small" item. It's something which a lot of people don't even think about but it does add up to a lot of waste. Can you guess what it is? Find out in Change the World Wednesday – 22nd Oct.

Deborah joined us and said, "With regards to CTWW Small Things, I agree that small changes add up to create a cumulative difference! In our home we are improving indoor air quality by replacing toxic air fresheners with DIY essential oil diffusers and replacing toxic cleaning products with DIY Citrus Vinegars. This post on UrbanNaturale.com was designed to help people make small green changes in their daily lives so i am sharing it this week here on Reduce Footprints: "The Green 18: Quick and Easy Tips for Living Green Every Day"

Cinella accepted the challenge and shared this: "I recently bought a pack of reusable straws... gonna make a reusable pouch to carry one in :) " You can read more about that project, including a link with photos, in #CTWW: Challenge Accepted!

Lois stopped by and left these comments: "I have been losing track of the days and missed writing a post for Change the World Wednesday. So a quick recap here, I don't use straws, use as little toilet paper as possible (plus only use recycled paper). I not only turn off lights but have replaced the light fixtures that used three or four bulbs with one LED bulb per fixture, Currently with the house in a constant state of flux remodeling and cleaning I've taken to using the flashlight on my phone to safely negotiate my way through a room late at night instead of turning on the overheads. I have a couple of plants although I lost one in the move, I don't take baths and I changed out the shower hose for a low flow model. Since moving into the new house I've also sold the huge fridge for a small dorm-sized model." By the way, Lois recently wrote a very interesting article on Global Dimming. Have you ever heard that phrase before? Visit her blog to learn more.

Inge' offers several small things in Change The World Wednesday: Small Things. One of her ideas involves newspapers. Very clever!

Mrs. Green has chosen an interesting task to fulfil this challenge: "Thanks for this SF - as ever you've read my mind! This week Mr G knocked a plant off the side and I'm ashamed to say it's still there waiting for some TLC! I'm so embarrassed by my (lack of) actions! So, under your watchful gaze I'm prioritising the repotting job first thing tomorrow... And I have a plan up my sleeve for shower times too ;) How the small things make a difference. Thanks for keeping me accountable!"

In this edition of Shopping Charity, one of your CTWW posts was mentioned. Was it yours?

Alicia dropped in and said, "We are good to turn off lights when we leave a room and we bought some reusable glass straws this past year. By the way they are awesome and really easy to clean! We have had plants in our home for years now and love how they improve the quality of air. We take showers and have a low flow shower head but I can use some improvement in the toilet paper area! I am not bad but could use a little improvement. I don't take long showers but am going to make an effort to cut back at least a couple of minutes for each shower I take. Really good challenge!!"

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:

@allcollegeplan @andreaptak @artbysandra
@beatepdx @bethcooperart @biculturalmama
@biggreenpen @cannyhighlander @cellomomoncars
@collegegogreen @comusetravels @csevenm_uk
@debsmikdav1 @dieselelephants @doxies22
@eco_novice @ecoexpert1 @ecotique
@envirobooty @factorydpromos @familyfocusblog
@fleurdeb @foggybottomgal @forloveofadog
@freshcleanersaz @givetreegifts @goldforestgrain
@greenqueenofmod @groovygreenlivi @herbgir1972
@irishcarter1 @jnaquins @justanotherhat
@kaitlingarder @kayhahn1 @kriswetherbee
@krmbalclothing @laalicia @ladyjcmuses
@laurelhounslow @lioncontainers @luthienthye
@marjoriemcatee @mzazeela @nolafusion
@organicweave @rainbojangles @rainyofthedark
@rckweddings @realityarts @romerojewelers
@sfcouncil @shiraaichan @shoppingcharity
@sjoecable @spafloating @suppressthis
@therita @theworld4realz @treesgroup
@turningclockbac @urban_mining @whopaysthepiper

My Final Thoughts:

Looking for small things is really about attitude. There's always something more we can do but it takes a willingness to change something we're already doing. Attitude is everything!

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:

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) - Comfort Zones
Are you comfortable
with green living ideas?
When it comes to green living, we all have our comfort zones. And that's fine because every effort that we make contributes to a better world.

But sometimes, stepping out of our comfort zone helps us learn something new ... it pushes us to reach new environmental heights.

Here's your challenge ...

This week, step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Need some ideas?
  • Turn off your heat or A/C for a day.
  • Experience life without a refrigerator for a day (or a week) by refusing to open/use yours.
  • Turn off the computer for a day.
  • Go grocery shopping and only buy organic.
  • Skip taking a bath for at least one more day than you normally would.
  • Eat raw, vegan food for day or longer.
The idea, this week, is to force ourselves out of our comfort zones and try something which we've hesitated to try in the past. Who knows, it could open us up to a whole new world.

Are you ready to change the world? I know that you are!

Until next time ...

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









Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Guest Post - Three Reasons Why We Should Still Be Talking about Solar Power

Solar power seems to have been around for ages now, and in fact its beginnings can actually be traced back to the 7th Century B.C. Everyone is aware of its merits by providing cleaner, cheaper energy, and those fully in favour of solar power will probably already have panels installed in their homes and businesses.

So do we really still need to be talking about it if all the information is already out there? With the world an ever-changing place, solar power may be even more important than ever right now. Here are three reasons why.

1. Solar Power is Closer to Home than Ever


The eco-friendly, idealistic vision of a future where everyone’s home is powered by solar power is yet to be fulfilled, but getting your hands on solar panels for your roof is now easier than ever. Companies such as MyFourWalls provide all the information you need and help you to get set up with solar power for your electricity and hot water, along with tailoring payment methods to each individual.

Many countries now have government schemes to help citizens afford solar panels as they attempt to rely less on fossil fuels. Despite first being a novelty, the sight of solar panels on neighbours’ roofs is becoming more and more common.

2. It Will Soon Overtake Fossil Fuels


One day solar power will eventually become cheaper than fossil fuels. That day appears to be edging ever nearer. The Financial Times reported that larger wind farms and solar plants are now cost-competitive with many gas-fired power plants in the USA.

As demand for solar panels increases, their price should drop, further tempting those less reluctant to invest. Even if people get on board with solar power for purely financial reasons, the environmentally friendly effect is not lost.

3. Innovation is Still Happening


The main uses for solar power in homes and businesses are for electricity and heating water. It doesn’t stop there though, with solar power being used for everything from buses to schools and everyday items such as phone chargers.

Research on solar energy is constantly being conducted, so further breakthroughs are likely to make it even cheaper within the next decade. As technology advances, solar power is being applied to that as well, with 3D solar panel printing now on the horizon. So far the Solar Cool Hat has to be one of the worst ideas though.








Monday, October 27, 2014

Review - Zabada Kitchen Glove and Marvel

Awhile back I introduced you to several Zabada products including a bathroom cleaning system. You can read that review HERE.

I recently had the opportunity to try out Zabada's kitchen cleaning system, the kitchen glove and marvel.

Review - Zabada Kitchen Glove and Marvel
These two items eliminate the need for cleaning solutions!

Review - Zabada Kitchen Glove and Marvel
Fried veggies are yummy,
but make a mess!
What's your biggest kitchen clean-up headache?

For me, it's oil splatter.

I don't fry foods often but ohhhh ... sometimes there's nothing better than home fries or fried eggplant "steaks".

Now, I don't know about you but I find it virtually impossible to fry foods and not create splatter. And that splatter is hard to clean up, especially since I don't use chemicals or cleaning solutions. I adore vinegar and baking soda, but let's face it ... who wouldn't rather have a handy cloth nearby which would clean everything up with just a touch of water?

Zabada Kitchen Glove


The kitchen glove is made up of two unique microfibers, one on each side of the glove.

One side cleans up grease (and oil). It's unique design traps grease within the fibers. Simply wipe away the mess with an easy swipe of the cloth. This side is perfect for cleaning ovens, stove tops, and appliances.

The other side of the glove contains fibers which are perfect for grime. It contains light scouring patches which helps remove food residue and can be used on sinks, baking trays, pots, and pans.

Unlike other cleaning cloths, the kitchen glove releases all grease and grime when it's rinsed under water. That means that no oil is transferred from one spot to the next.

Zabada Kitchen Marvel


Bacteria thrives in moisture. So once the big cleaning is done with the kitchen glove, it's time to dry things off.

The marvel is marvelous (sorry, couldn't resist). It's fibers are very absorbent. It cleans, dries, and shines a surface. It's great on counter tops, ovens, appliances, and basically anywhere one has cleaned with the kitchen glove.

My Thoughts on the Zabada Kitchen Cleaning System


I really like both of these products. It was amazing that, after cleaning up oil splatters, there was no greasy feel on the oven when I ran my hand over the surface. To give the "no transfer" feature a good try, I wiped down the kitchen counter right after cleaning the oil from the oven. And guess what ... no transfer. I was left with a clean counter.

During my "test drive", I baked an apple pie. As all bakers know (or maybe it's just my unique cooking abilities), there's typically a little cooked on pie filling left in the pan. The "grime" side of the kitchen glove did a fine job "scrapping" off the residue.

I'm vegan so I don't worry about the kinds of bacteria brought into a kitchen by animal products. For those of you who eat chicken, pork, and beef, cross contamination is a real issue. You might be interested to learn that Zabada's kitchen cleaning system removes up to 90% of harmful chemicals and up to 99% of bacteria.

Would I recommend these products? Yes, absolutely!

For more information, or to pick up these products for your cleaning arsenal, click on the following links:

I received the Zabada Kitchen Glove and Marvel in order to write this review. I received no other compensation. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone and reflect my honest opinion of the material reviewed.








Friday, October 24, 2014

Are You Up on Your R-Value?

A general rule of thumb for making home an energy efficient place is, simply put, to keep from letting said energy go to waste. A great way to do this? Insulate thoroughly from top to bottom.

There is a lot of technical information and specific terminology to take into account when insulating, so a home-insulation project can range anywhere from a complete DIY to something better left for a professional installer, but one key player you’ll want to get to know is R-value.

R-value is a measure of resistance (R) against heat transfer, or how well the material keeps heat from passing through. Heat, or thermal energy, travels by way of conduction, convection, and radiation. It’s important to take all three methods into account when insulating, but R-Value represents conduction, by and large. The higher the R-Value, the better the material insulates, the smaller the rate of conduction – less thermal energy passing through your house.

Are You Up on Your R-Value?

Adding R to Your Home


Most homes look solid, but in reality there are countless tiny holes and cracks that wind and cold can creep into, so there’s always room to insulate. There are a number of factors that determine what R-value to use, and where, in your home. If you dwell in a colder climate, you’ll want a higher R-value. The type of heating and cooling system you use, along with what part of the house you plan on insulating, play into the R-value you’ll need.

Types of insulation

The older the home, the more important it is to increase R-value. Modern homes typically have R-19 wall insulation and R-30 roof insulation, but upping the R-value even more is an energy-saving trick that will pay for itself within a few years. To determine if you need insulation of a higher R-value, start by finding out your current insulation situation. A home-energy auditor can provide a thorough energy assessment to help locate insulation, figure out the R-value, how to improve, and can also identify where you could afford to install air sealing, moisture control, and implement other energy-saving strategies.

Particularly important areas of the house to insulate are the ceiling, attic, windows, basement walls, and the area between the basement and bottom floor (get rid of those cold kitchen tiles once and for all!). High R-value insulators are bulky materials like fiberglass, cellulose, and foam boards.

Efficiency Made Easy


Doing a whole insulation makeover can be time-consuming and pricey, depending on the project, so if now isn’t the best time to start such an undertaking, there are plenty of smaller-scale ways to keep your thermal energy where it belongs and revel in all that efficiency:

  • The seal around your window frames breaks down over time – caulk it back into shape!
  • In a similar vein, the molding around your bathtub breaks down due to age and mildew, resulting in cracks that air loves to pass through. Caulk that up, too!
  • Wrap older, tank-style water heaters with an insulation blanket, available at your local hardware store.
  • Seal doors with draft excluders. They are cheap to buy and easy to make!
  • Insulate the gap between electrical outlets and drywall with expanding foam.
  • Cellular shades act as an insulating barrier between the window and the room, effectively reducing heat transfer.
    Cellular shades act as an insulating
    barrier between the window and the room,
    effectively reducing heat transfer.
    Windows have a drastically lower R-value than walls do. The difference is like sleeping under a down feather comforter or sleeping under a tarp! There are several types of insulating shades out there, like EcoSmart Shades, that greatly reduce heat transfer and can give your windows an additional R-4.7!

Once you start researching how to insulate your home, it’s sort of like opening Pandora’s box. For every part of the house, there are several various solutions. The trick is to figure out what you currently have, get a sense of where you want to go from there, and let R-value be your guide.


Images courtesy of Make It Right, SUPWINCO, and EcoSmartShades











Thursday, October 23, 2014

Vegan Recipes - Halloween Treats

Vegan Recipes - Halloween Treats

Witches and Goblins and Monsters ...

Oh My!

All Hallows' Eve is approaching.

Vegan Recipes - Halloween Treats


Soon the streets will be crowded with little ghouls and ghosts, creatures of the night looking for treats.

Vegan Recipes - Halloween Treats

What's scarier than a graveyard at night?

The list of ingredients on common Halloween treats!

EEEEEKKKKKKK!!!


This year, how about opting for healthier, vegan treats? Here are some of my favorite, creepy yummies:

Follow Sml's board Vegan Halloween Treats on Pinterest.

Maybe your "tricksters" would enjoy these delicious cupcakes (click on the photo for the recipe):

Vegan Recipes - Halloween Treats
Pumpkin Spiced Cupcakes with
Maple Cinnamon Butter Cream Frosting


I'll end this post with some things to ponder:

Vegan Recipes - Halloween Treats

Question: What was the witch’s favorite subject in school?

Answer: Spelling!




Vegan Recipes - Halloween Treats

Question: When does a skeleton laugh?

Answer: When something tickles his funny bone.




Vegan Recipes - Halloween Treats


Question: Why was the jack-o-lantern afraid to cross the road?

Answer: It had no guts!





What's your favorite Eco-friendly, vegan Halloween treat?








Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) - Small Things

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 proved that green living is often about making a small change. We fine tuned our computers to make our monitors run more efficiently. I have a laptop which runs on a rechargeable battery. Resetting my power saver settings, by just a little, had grand results. My battery lasted most of the day rather than just a couple of hours. That means that I recharged it far less often and saved electricity. Even if your computer comes with pre-set power saver settings, you can save a lot by adjusting them just a bit.

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.

Argentum Vulgaris was out watching nature last week. He found a creature which took him some time to identify. It's beautiful! He also shared his technique for saving energy via the computer monitor. You'll find all that, and more, by clicking HERE.

One of our previous challenges discussed needs versus wants. Laurel wrote an interesting post about travel and whether it's necessary or not. Her conclusions might surprise you. That post is entitled "Travel: Is It a Want or a Need?". She also wrote Monitor, What’s a Monitor? You might want to bookmark that post because it could come in handy for this week's challenge.

Lisa joined us and said this: "Thanks for featuring my post! Another great challenge this week. Simple steps make a difference!"

Mrs. Green accepted our challenge and shared this: "I'm so excited about this challenge SF, because it just goes to prove how EASY being green can be. This is the simplest challenge for anyone to take part, for sure! I'm having a little brag about the desktop I have - I bought it earlier this year and am so pleased with some of its eco credentials ;) http://littlegreenblog.com/green-technology/energy-saving/how-being-a-dimwit-can-save-you-money/." Wow, Mrs. Green ... your new computer is awesomely green!

Clare has no problem with her monitor but knows some folks who do: "Done (I'm a bit obsessive about it) but I've forwarded the challenge to my hubby and friends - perhaps someone other than me can change their minds! :-) Thanks Small!" So I'm curious, Clare ... did your husband and friends make a change?

This edition of Shopping Charity included my tweet of a CTWW article. Was it yours?

Marc Zazeela stopped by and kicked this challenge up a notch. He said, "How about reading a book instead of a monitor? Books don't use any power at all. And they don't break if you drop them."

Mary accepted the challenge and said this: "This is a great challenge! It's simple enough to lower your screen's brightness a few notches! Thanks for sharing this!"

Our Twitter friends joined the conversation and shared the following:

From @GiveTreeGifts
- I adjusted screen tone on my monitor long ago - both to save my eyes and to save power.

From @artysmith2
- Wednesday's #quote "The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do." Unknown

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:

@2kidsandacoupon @allcollegeplan @almosttruth
@andreaptak @artbysandra @artysmith2
@aussiemoose @backyardforest @bananagrabber3
@beatepdx @bethcooperart @biculturalmama
@bulla_adriano @cannyhighlander @cellomomoncars
@charismayoonyh @climately @climately_news
@climatelycheryl @clothaddicts @collegegogreen
@comusetravels @corneliagracchi @csevenm_uk
@debsmikdav1 @dieselelephants @disssnippets
@ecoexpert1 @emmywinnermoses @etsyrecyclersgt
@factorydpromos @familyfocusblog @fleurdeb
@foggybottomgal @forloveofadog @freshcleanersaz
@geisheker @ginavalley @givetreegifts
@goldforestgrain @greenglobaltrvl @greenqueenofmod
@groovygreenlivi @herbgir1972 @homesustainable
@indiapaleale35 @justanotherhat @kaitlingarder
@kayhahn1 @kindlesgalore @kriswetherbee
@krmbalclothing @laalicia @ladyjcmuses
@laurelhounslow @looseseal27 @luthienthye
@marjoriemcatee @momsmadhousex6 @myzerowaste
@mzazeela @nolafusion @parker83591697
@rainbojangles @ramradasukonsar @rckweddings
@realityarts @romerojewelers @sfcouncil
@sjoecable @solaradvocate69 @solarkoala16
@solarkoalatweet @spafloating @suppressthis
@sxycowgirl @tamlanding @theworld4realz
@treesgroup @turningclockbac @tweetformoolah
@uasource @urban_mining @wasteeguru
@wastejobs @wencdj @whopaysthepiper

My Final Thoughts:

Changing the power settings on our computers took mere minutes to accomplish. While there was a potential for each of us to conserve a little energy, there was a huge potential if a whole bunch of us make the change. There are two lessons here. 1) Small actions make a difference and 2) together we can have a huge positive impact. Pretty good return on a small investment of time.

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:

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) - Small Things
Straws = A lot of waste
Last week we saw how a small thing can make a difference.

So how many more little actions could we take to live greener?

That's the question ... and the challenge. Here you go ...


This week, search your life for a small difference you can make. Need some ideas? Try these:
  • Don't use a disposable straw ... either drink directly from a glass or use a reusable straw.
  • Use one less square of toilet paper per visit. Some CTWW participants use no more than 6 squares ... can you do better?
  • Turn off a light, or appliance, which you normally leave on.
  • Add a living plant to your home and improve air quality.
  • Go meatless for at least one day this week.
  • If you're used to taking baths, take a shower instead. And if you're used to showers, reduce the duration of yours by at least one minute.
The idea, this week, is to dig real deep and do one more small thing which you're not already doing ... or to amp up something which you are doing (like eat vegan if you're already eating vegetarian).

Are you ready to search out the small things? I know that you are!

Until next time ...

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



Monday, October 20, 2014

Review - Save the planet & stuff

Review of "Save the planet & stuff" by Gail Gauthier
I recently had the pleasure of reading Save the planet & stuff by Gail Gauthier.

Save the planet & stuff is an environmental fiction. It's geared toward young adults and offers readers a delightful comedy about a typical teenage boy from the city who accepts a summer job in Maine with two of his grandparents' elderly, Eco-dedicated friends.

Let's take a look at the book's trailer:






The clash between generations and lifestyles gives the book a solid premise. It's hilarious when Michael has to endure the absence of air conditioning and finds himself living in a cabin with no television and limited hot water.

Michael's job at The Earth's Wife, an environmental magazine, brings him together with a cast of interesting characters and situations. There's Todd, the managing editor, who isn't everything he seems. Teenage Amber catches Michael's eye ... he wants to know more about her and she wants to know his thoughts on composting toilets. Roberta, a photographer, becomes Michael's friend and mentor ... until he finds out who she is. And then there's Walt and Nora. Walt "flips off" truck drivers who work for companies that he doesn't approve of. Nora is a loving person who cares for her household, the earth.

My thoughts on Save the planet & stuff


The story and characters are believable. I could definitely feel Michael's anxiety at being tossed into a strange set of circumstances and Walt and Nora's frustration at a world which isn't doing enough to save the earth.

The book carries a strong environmental message without being obvious. In fact, I got caught up in the story and while protecting the planet was a central theme, I didn't feel that I was being preached to ... I was simply enjoying a story which happened to include environmentalists.

Who will enjoy Save the planet & stuff?


This book is especially great for pre-teens and teens who will be able to relate to Michael. The story is also wonderful for adults, of all ages, as it touches on the challenges of living life as a "greenie", in a fun and interesting way.

I liked the book ... and think you will, too!


Review - Save the planet & stuff by Gail Gauthier
Gail Gauthier, author of
Save the planet & stuff
Gail Gauthier is the author of eight books. Her books have been nominated for readers' choice awards in six states, and published in foreign editions in Italy, Germany, France, and Japan. She has spoken in schools in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont, as well as at professional conferences for teachers, librarians, and writers.




You can get your copy of Save the planet & stuff by clicking HERE.


I received a copy of "Save the planet & stuff" in order to write this review. I received no other compensation. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone and reflect my honest opinion of the material reviewed.


Friday, October 17, 2014

Would you conserve if you had solar power?


Would you conserve if you had solar power?
The sun provides energy
Our new home will be solar powered.

As a "greenie", I am "geared" towards conservation. We turn off lights, use little or no heating/cooling, etc.

I spoke to someone who has solar power and they commented that they don't conserve energy.

That got me thinking and is the basis of this survey:


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



Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) - Monitors

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 took a serious look at our expenditures, categorizing each based on need versus want. One might think that this task is easy, but it's not. "Need" is a subjective concept. While we can all agree that we need certain things to survive, there are varying opinions on the necessity of pleasing ourselves via an item purchased, or smart buying (buying when things are on sale). There's also the question of replacing an item which operates but isn't energy-efficient, and purchases which make us more marketable in today's job market. Clearly, the line between needs and wants is anything but clear. Let's see how the Honor Society did with this challenge.

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.

Clare joined us and shared this comments: "I think everyone who lives green does this fairly regularly, and as a general rule I think we tend to buy less than the average consumer. But I appreciate this challenge because we can always do more. I found that as soon as I simplified my life – got rid of the clutter, moved to a small house, and stopped entertaining (except for the small informal gatherings that we really want to do), I purchase less and less. When it comes to need vs want, I do the same as EveryWeekIsGreen and keep a list. Most things fall off it. I also often think, yes, I want that skin moisturizer, but I don’t want the chemicals in it. So I’ll make my own beauty products instead. http://www.ecofriendlylink.com/blog/homemade-beauty-products-lemons. Similarly if I’m feeling under-the-weather I’ll initially think I want some medication, then I’ll remember I don’t want the chemicals so I’ll make my own (lemons work for many ailments http://www.ecofriendlylink.com/blog/lemons-cure). What I found initially was that if I refused to buy something because I didn’t need it (just wanted it), making something from pure, natural ingredients was not only healthier but also made sure I didn’t feel in any way “deprived”(which is probably something else advertisers have taught us). Recently I had a lovely birthday – my husband asked me what I wanted and I told him I truly didn’t need a single thing, it’s really powerful to be able to say that, and I’ve said it for many years now. So we took some time off and meandered over the island and enjoyed the peace and views. Yes, we did have some champagne (that was a want, not a need!), but an occasional treat does us all good. Thanks Small, and I’m delighted your family is doing well and that you are back safe and sound."

Deborah accepted this challenge and said, "Re: CTWW This week, before spending any money, I considered whether the purchase was a"need", a very important "want" which supports a need, or simply a "want"--and it was really quite easy for me because I have simplified my life and become very frugal with regards to shopping. My purchases are generally all needs--primarily the weekly plant-based, vegan staples and fresh produce that I buy from our local farmer's market or health food store. I no longer "shop til I drop" for the latest shoes and clothing fashions--which would definitely constitute a want. When I do determine that I have a reasonable "want" I go to my local thrift shop, donate clothing that I no longer wear and buy secondhand jeans, for example, insead of new. When I wanted a book to read I went to the public library and borrowed it, instead of buying it.I do "need" dental work so that has been something that I have had to invest i however I try to reduce my "need" to spend money on medical bills and medicine by living a preventive lifestyle, reducing toxins, eating organic food, drinking filtered water and focusing on wellness. I love this challenge because it is important to think about and avoid over-consumption and excess!"

Lisa makes an interesting point about how buying unnecessarily can prevent us from buying earth-friendly, healthy products. It's an eye-opening idea! In Prioritizing Needs and Wants she offers four solid reasons why prioritizing is important.

Mrs. Green wrote You’re trashing 99% of the stuff you buy – This one question will help you stop where she offers a great tool for determining wants versus needs. She also speaks to the idea that unnecessary expenditures can lead to more expenditures. For example, buying unhealthy food can cause one's health to suffer which would then require money spent on medical care, medicine, transportation to the health facility, etc.

In Need vs Want: Help the Earth, Laurel says that buying unnecessary stuff contributes to cluttering up our lives. She offers us 15 questions which will help us decide whether to buy or not. They include ideas like "Will it make life more bearable, easier, happier?"

Cinella gave this challenge a "thumbs up": " this is a great challenge!".

Lois wrote Change the World Wednesday, I Need It where she talks about unusual purchasing situations when remodelling a home. One of her dilemmas involves a large refrigerator which came with the house. It's too big for her use which means unnecessary energy expenditures but is buying a new one really necessary? Read her post to find out what she decided to do.

Aimee joined us and said this: " Great and very timely post. My husband & I are overhauling our entire backyard and garden, and were contemplating investing in cedar for raised beds as the Rebuilding Center here didn't have what we needed, and that exact question came up - do we NEED to buy all that lumber? Or can we just plant it in the ground? Or can we buy the wood LATER? Sometimes we just want things when we want it, ya know, when we often can hold off on purchases. And when we hold off, we often find other ways to solve the supposed problem that needs resolution :) "

Mary stopped in and shared this: "Glad everything is okay and that your mother is doing better! Great challenge though! I like how you also factor in the very important wants since it's not so black and white! This will be interesting to think about!"

Joanna accepted our task and said this: "Hi, I love this challenge! I've been keeping a 'wish list' for a few months now. If something's not 'essential', as you say, I write it down and review my list every month or two. If something pops up on my list on multiple months then I might buy it. It's great to give myself some distance from what I want to buy; there are so many things that I would've bought but didn't because I lost interest after a while. On the other hand, I've realised which are the items I genuinely want because I write them down every month (e.g. I bought running shoes to help keep my feet injury-free when I run, and a hi-vis vest so I don't get knocked down when I run in the dark. Both are items I felt that were necessary if I want to continue running). Great to have a reminder of how good it is to evaluate your spending habits regularly :) "

In Change the World Wednesday – 8th Oct, Argentum Vulgaris divulges his one indulgence. Can you guess what it is? He also talks about how he shops and shares a handy tool for ensuring that purchases are well made.

Our Twitter friend, @lbpaints, joined us and shared the following:

- Re-purposed pallet bookcase #saturdayrecycling #CTWW pic.twitter.com/QjQgRHLEc4
- Home and pool made from recycled shipping containers #saturdayrecycling #CTWW pic.twitter.com/F6yrXOOVtR
- Re-claimed wood stairs #Saturdayrecycling #CTWW pic.twitter.com/LJrLJblQkC
- Reclaimed shipping container garden structure #saturdayrecycling #CTWW pic.twitter.com/jZHRxRqI4N
- Keep calm.... #saturdayrecycling #CTWW ;-) pic.twitter.com/tJhQQR0Km4

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 @allcollegeplan @almosttruth
@amorytabaee @andreaptak @andthenitmooned
@annfinster @apoenagi @artbysandra
@aussiemoose @backyardforest @beatepdx
@bethcooperart @biculturalmama @biggreenpen
@bike2power @blockmomnc @blukatdesign
@cannyhighlander @cellomomoncars @cherylsd7
@cjrthemamiblog @cochranesustain @collegegogreen
@comusetravels @corneliagracchi @cptww
@csevenm_uk @debsmikdav1 @dehelen
@djdashzimbabwe @eco_novice @ecoexpert1
@factorydpromos @familyfocusblog @fleurdeb
@foggybottomgal @forloveofadog @freshcleanersaz
@georgehenry47 @ginavalley @givetreegifts
@grandmasdiaries @greenglobaltrvl @greenqueenofmod
@groovygreenlivi @herbgir1972 @hyeoksshi
@iamthelab @jnjgogreen @kaitlingarder
@kayelleallen @kayhahn1 @kriswetherbee
@krmbalclothing @laalicia @ladyjcmuses
@laralvira90 @laurelhounslow @lbpaints
@leslieveg @litartmagazine @luthienthye
@maleaab @mamasmoney @marbaird
@marjoriemcatee @mecheshier @mimibarbour
@moha_doha @momgamerwriter @momsmadhousex6
@myzerowaste @mzazeela @nikidanforth
@nolafusion @organicweave @p2pnyc
@pedalgadgets @rach_loh @rainbojangles
@rckweddings @realityarts @respiro
@romerojewelers @ruggieri88 @ruralmoms
@sdcdm320 @sergiobellotti @sfcouncil
@shiraaichan @sjoecable @sketchingkari
@spafloating @spookmore @starcreations
@suppressthis @sydweedon @terenceflyntz
@theworld4realz @thomasfelicett1 @treesgroup
@turningclockbac @twtfiona @ultimate_social
@urban_mining @visionaryvalues @waifro
@wanki_m @wencdj @whatsnxt4mylife
@whywelovegreen @wikanikowings @withuvip
@workathomemiss @yatrblog

My Final Thoughts:

Living a green life doesn't mean that we deny ourselves luxury items, show up at a job interview in sweats, or hang on to an old energy-inefficient appliance. It does mean that we consider the bigger picture, the ramifications of each purchase. Everything we buy is manufactured using natural resources. After the manufacturing process, the item is packaged and shipped. When we take an item off the shelf, it signals manufacturers to create more and the cycle continues. In some cases, buying an item forces us to buy more stuff and begins an unfortunate chain of spending events. This makes the true cost of an item quite high. In my opinion, too high!

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:

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) - Monitors
A screensaver which shows
any image on the screen
doesn't save energy at all
How many of us just leave monitors on whenever the computer is on? Did you know that they use a LOT of energy?

A LCD monitor uses between 20-40 watts of electricity ... a CRT version uses approximately 80 watts.

Laptops run off of batteries but if we allow our monitors to shine brightly for any length of time, the battery will quickly need recharging.

Desktops have no battery so leaving the monitor running wastes electricity.

Here's your challenge ...

This week, reduce the brightness of your monitor to the lowest level you can comfortably stand. Even lowering it one or two "notches" will help. Then, set the energy saving preferences to turn off the display (yes, turn it off rather than use a screen saver) when dormant for a short time (2-15 minutes). Do the same thing on mobile devices to extend their battery life.

Are you ready to fine tune your computer's energy use? I know that you are!

Until next time ...

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