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:
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:
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
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| Sharing books saves resources |
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!
Just add the banner below to your blog by
copying the code & pasting it into your site!
Until next time ...
WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!
This post is shared at Healthy, Happy, Green & Natural Party Hop