Do you share resources?

Sharing a bath saves water.

This month's Change The World Wednesday theme is "Sharing Resources". To live green, we might share information, products, natural resources, etc.

So that got me thinking about all the ways we can use "sharing" to walk gentler on the earth.

That's the basis of this survey:

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

Join us on February 19th for the results.

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) - Books

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:

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

I believe that we protect what we love. So last week, we took time to truly look at our world, hopefully developing a strong affection for nature and our planet. Walking in the snow, I noticed how tiny white flowers, which were blooming a week earlier when we had warm temperatures, were protecting themselves against the cold. They seemed to bow down and cover themselves with their leaves. My first thought was how to protect them. I gathered some leaves and mounded them around the plants, hopefully offering them some protection against freezing temperatures. Had I not gone for that walk, I wouldn't have seen them. So completing this challenge did, indeed, help me protect a precious part of nature.

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.

Aimee joined us and shared this: "Bummed I didn't see this challenge last week but looked great! I'm going to Forest Park for a hike with a friend on Monday (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_Park_%28Portland,_Oregon%29) - we are so lucky to have such a massive park - 8 miles of it!!) right inside the city accessible to everyone ....still with old growth trees and so quiet you forget you're in the city, it's wonderful."

Lois accepted the task and said this: "It is bitterly cold today with temps in the single digits. But while it is cold I have the curtains open because the sun is shining brightly which makes me smile. There is an evergreen tree outside my bedroom window that is barely holding its limbs up under the heavy weight of the last snow fall. Yet, while I have no intention of spending any time outside today that tree with the contrast of the green with the white is lovely to gaze at while i type this."

This edition of The Green Daily gave CTWW a nice mention! Thanks so much!

Catarina and her dog took a moment to look out through the windows. They saw birds on a wonderful feeder. They occasionally see other animals, as well ... including foxes. Read her post entitled Wildlife for some great photos.

Maryam decided to browse our list of challenges and take on one of them. She decided to replace a single-use item with a reusable. Not only that, she made the reusable item and posted a tutorial. Check out Hankies - Baby wipes - Face cloth etc. Excellent idea!

Deborah left this kind comment: "Hi, You never cease to amaze me with your powerful, thought-provoking, eye-opening CTWW Challenges. I love the idea of going outside and looking for something special ... something to appreciate and love. It is important to look with intention. So often we look, but don't really see. Thank you so much for this week's CTWW Challenge with us at the Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop. I'm pinning and sharing!"

Andrea headed outside on a warm day to appreciate the world. In her photo essay, Change the World Wednesday, she shares her discoveries. Check out that last photo ... what a beautiful visitor!

Vicality asked their readers to take on this challenge and focus their efforts in Monterey Bay, California. Their post is entitled What matters most? Help protect it.

Alicia left a fabulous comment: "We live on five acres with a small portion of it being wooded. We love walking through it because you are blessed to see squirrels, all kinds of birds, trees and so much more! Looking out the window today I can see so many birds nests up in the trees that are not visible when the leaves are there. It is so cute watching the squirrels today running around the yard getting some of their acorns that they have "stashed" all over the place! I think it is so important to save and protect the wildlife and trees. A good way to do this is not to use pesticides and harmful chemicals on your gardens and crops. Also there are a few of our herbs that are still growing even through these Winter months. In fact I am going to go out and pick some of the lemon thyme to use in a recipe tonight."

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	@adventuresof8	@andreaptak
@beatepdx	@biggreenpen	@bike2power
@bluemountainbb	@bstoneblog	@collegegogreen
@cristinagardens	@debsmikdav1	@dehelen
@dominiquegoh	@eco_novice	@fivespotgrnlvng
@freshcleanersaz	@greenqueenofmod	@groovygreenlivi
@herbgir1972	@inmemoryoftrees	@jadekerrion
@jbjourneys	@jessupsmajorapp	@justanotherhat
@kaitlingarder	@kayelleallen	@laalicia
@lady_bren	@ladyjcmuses	@leslieveg
@mamasmoney	@marjoriemcatee	@mdgblogger
@mimibarbour	@moha_doha	@rainyofthedark
@rckweddings	@realityarts	@rulesofgreen
@sabilhady	@spafloating	@theworld4realz
@treesgroup	@wimpyvegetarian	@worldchangingme

My Final Thoughts:

Years ago I was told that, according to experts, if we went diving and saw fish, we were guaranteed to see fewer fish the next time we went out. While not a diver, I have enjoyed snorkeling and have seen beautiful varieties of sea life. Unfortunately, the expert's prediction was true. Returning to a spot, which I had enjoyed a year earlier, I noticed a dramatic difference. In some areas the fish had disappeared and sea plants were dying. If everyone went diving or snorkeling, would our oceans be in better health? I believe so. We protect what we love ... but love isn't automatic. We must nurture it and fan the flames.

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:

We've teamed up with Vicality who will post challenges with a "twist" so, if you're looking for a new spin on our activities, hop over and visit their CTWW page!

February's theme is: Sharing Resources

Sharing books saves resources

As "greenies", we strive to reduce our consumption of natural resources. A fun way to achieve that goal is to share ... one item can serve the needs of many.

Books require a lot of resources ... natural fibers, water, glue, etc. Let's start there!

Here's your challenge ...

This week, share a book (and knowledge). Borrow one from your local library, lend a book to a friend, or create a mini library for your neighborhood (check out this site for inspiration: http://littlefreelibrary.org/). If you have books which you are no longer using, give them away to someone who might need them or donate them to a school. The idea is to reduce the need to print more books by sharing this resource.

Are you up for this challenge? I know that you are!


Want an easy way to keep up with our challenges?
Just add the banner below to your blog by
copying the code & pasting it into your site!

<br /> <a href="http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/p/change-world-wednesday-ctww.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="Change The World Wednesday on Reduce Footprints" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJS8XLt55nZPJjkT0QME1YmU2hvd_ASaJDg03fW0NoYBcclCzkgCSbU1czatVGm73bcO3ox4QNXH_JN-pTiGX0iJ3fLX4UMpDHjjmzI_1ftBLn84UNbotteiHJstShUzdjeQwh6xvdc2A/s220/CTWW1Graphic1.jpg"/></a><br />

Until next time ...

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

This post is shared at Healthy, Happy, Green & Natural Party Hop

Think green products are too expensive?

This post will introduce you to the companies listed on our Special Offers Page. I received no compensation for this post ... I simply want to introduce you to companies doing their best to operate in an earth-friendly manner.

We've talked about the power of our purchases and how supporting green companies and products is one of the best ways to tell manufacturers that we want products and services which are kind to the earth.

Unfortunately, earth-friendly products aren't always affordable. So I've contacted some great folks and asked them to give you a deal ... and they have generously agreed! If you'd like to take advantage of any offer, click HERE for the details.

Let's meet them (listed in reverse alphabetical order) ...

Violet's Buds creates beautiful items from recycled and upcycled materials. They also strive to make the most of the materials they use, thereby reducing waste. This shop carries lovely hair clips, headbands, pigtail sets, and even hoop art. You'll find items appropriate for little girls and for moms. Right now you can save 20% on any purchase in the shop.

LustOrganic produces rich body care products that focus on the health of both users and the planet. Luxurious soaps, body whips, and foot soaks are just a few of the wonderful products you'll find in this shop. It'll be easy to pamper yourself with a 20% discount.

Looking for a truly unique gift or accessory for your home? Liquidcardboard produces artisanal, functional, and innovative products which are made from recycled cardboard. One will find message boards, hats, vases, and more in this creative shop. And by the way, each product can be recycled when it's lived it's life. Get a 15% discount on online purchases until April 1st.

Our next vendor, La Francesca Eco-Resort, wants you to take a vacation in Italy. Located along the Ligurian Eastern Riviera, in a 15 hectares' protected area facing the sea of Cinque Terre, visitors are treated to moderate temperatures, a self-sufficient settlement, and the opportunity to leisurely discover a unique landscape. Depending on your preferred vacation dates, they offer you anywhere from a 5 to 15% discount.

Are you trying to get away from disposable items? Gina Jordan's Shop is the place for you. Shoppers will find products like organic paperless towels, baby wipes, and wet bags. Ditch the disposables and save 10% off any purchase from Gina.

Finding earth-friendly clothing isn't easy! Ecolissa is an online store which carries clothing and accessories made from hemp, bamboo, organic cotton, and even reclaimed materials. If you're thinking that you'll find plain, "sackcloth" type clothing, think again ... this shop carries fashionable clothes. See for yourself and claim a 20% discount off any purchase.

Did you know that essential oils can be used to help achieve overall wellness? They can calm us down, supplement our diets, and serve as a natural disinfectant. Not all oils are equal, however, and some can actually cause harm. doTERRA offers only Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® essential oils. Their site includes single oils, oil blends, and a ton of information on how to use their products. Buy from this shop and receive a free sample of peppermint, slim and sassy or on guard.

Celadon Road by, Amanda Arkans is an amazing shop! They carry a bit of everything from personal care products to earth-friendly bracelets to cleaning & laundry products ... and more. I can tell you, from personal experience, that the products are high quality! Not only does Amanda offer Eco-friendly products, she offers business opportunities. Join her team and get a party pack worth at least $50. There's also a possibility of $100 in commissions and a $20 "thank you" gift within the first 30 days (click over to the special offers page for the details).


Thanks to all the above vendors for giving us an economical way to experience Eco-friendly products. They make it possible to truly put our money where our hearts are and protect the earth.


If you have an Eco-friendly product which you'd like to have featured on our special offers page, send an email to us at reducefootprints@gmail.com with "special offer" in the subject line.