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:

• The #CTWW Gang
• The Honor Society
• This Week's Challenge

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!

Tips For "Amping" Up Our Green Routine

On a recent POLL we asked everyone to rate their green living efforts. A few people said that they are are just beginning the journey ... the majority said that they are doing a lot but feel there's more to be done. That got me thinking about how people who are living a predominately Eco-friendly life could amp things up. Here are a few ideas:

• If you feel there's more you could be doing, begin by first determining what those activities are. Once you've determined what needs to be done, start planning. There might things on your list which are totally out of the question ... things like building a new home. On the other hand, perhaps something like building a home isn't an impossibility ... it might even be a dream. Whatever the activity, big or small, determine how you'll achieve it ... and then begin taking steps to make it happen.


• Start a green living blog, write a regular Eco-feature on your existing blog or search out companies looking for articles on the environment. Nothing kicks up our efforts more than talking about them. As you research and investigate issues, you'll be amazed at how much you'll learn ... and that translates into positive changes to your green routine.


• Do a home audit. This can be professionally done or you can do your own audit. To do it yourself, you'll want to start with a baseline ... something which tells you where you're at compared to similar structures in your area. The Energy Star site has an interesting TOOL to help. Follow that up with their HOME ADVISOR which includes a lot of great information for "fine tuning" your home. If you have an old or historic home, check out the EPA's ADVICE. Conduct a HOUSEHOLD WATER AUDIT. Once you've completed your audits, prioritize the improvements, taking into consideration the cost and time involved, the necessity (a water leak may be a higher priority than a programmable thermostat) and whether or not you'll do it yourself.


• Become an activist. Most of us agree that our government officials need to take the environment seriously ... CONTACT your representative and voice your concerns. Sign environmental petitions from sites like Care2 or take one of the actions listed at ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND. See a restaurant, business, market, etc. doing the wrong thing? Write to them and encourage them to make positive changes. Becoming an activist moves your green efforts out of the home and into the world.


• Join a local environmental group. Being part of a green community can open doors to new ways of living green. It's also a great way to become aware of efforts in your neighborhood ... things like cleaning up rivers or starting a recycling program.


• Take a class. Nothing generates enthusiasm quite like learning ... and there's so much to learn in the environmental field. I did a quick search using the term "environmental classes Asheville" and found a number of offerings. If you'd rather learn from home, check out free online courses like the ones listed HERE.

Living green isn't a one-time activity ... it's an ongoing process. By expanding our vision and dreaming big, we can infuse our green living activities with energy and excitement.

How will you amp up your green routine?

Image courtesy of ponsulak / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A Green Halloween

It's that time of year again ... when the veil between the living and the dead becomes thin and spirits can be seen walking the earth. Shadows come alive and threaten to grab us ... witches fly and ghosts materialize before our very eyes.


In other words ... it's almost Halloween and time for our annual "Spooky" post!

Question: What's the ratio of a pumpkin's circumference to its diameter?

Answer: Pumpkin Pi

It's almost Halloween ... that creepy night of ghosts and ghouls. Little goblins everywhere are getting ready. Can Moms and Dads make it green? Well sure!! Here are some tricks and treats ... I mean tips:

-Are you going to carve a pumpkin ... or decorate one?

• If you haven't grown your own, buy one from a local farm or farmer's market.
• Use every part of the pumpkin. The seeds can be toasted and eaten as snacks ... they are healthy and taste great. One can toast them in the oven or in a dry frying pan on the stove. When they are brown, carefully remove them (they are very hot at this stage) and immediately sprinkle your favorite seasoning on them (mine is creole seasoning but kids might prefer something less spicy ... like a little salt). Not in the mood for toasting seeds? Try tossing them, either wet or dry, into the yard for birds ... they love them.
  
• Use the flesh of the pumpkin to make a pie, soup, cookies or flan ... it might require a bit more sugar than the smaller, pie pumpkins.
• After Halloween ... compost the shell instead of sending it to the landfill.

Question: How do you mend a broken Jack-O-Lantern?

Answer: With a pumpkin patch

-Are you planning a party for your little ones?

• Send email invitations rather than the "snail mail" variety. There are a lot of seriously spooky e-cards on the Internet.
  
• Use re-usable plates, cups, utensils, napkins and tablecloths. Paper party goods can be expensive and just add more clutter to our nation's landfills.
• Serve some healthy, fun treats that aren't individually wrapped ... popcorn, apples, fruit leather (in the shape of worms and snakes) and ghostly cookie skeletons.

-Get creative with costumes.

• Make costumes from old clothes (downsize adult suits, dresses, etc.)
• Check your closets for "retro" clothing (got any old "hippie" duds? Cool, dude!).
• Pull out costume jewelry ... little princesses, gypsies and pirates love "bling".
• Hats of any kind can "top off" an outfit.
  
• Shop at Goodwill ... they have not only organized merchandise into a special Halloween section but also offer some creative costumes ideas made from second-hand garb.

These are just a few ideas. I'm sure that with a little thought ... you can conjure up a few of your own.

OK ... one more ... then I'll stop ... I promise!

Question: What is a pumpkin's favorite sport?

Answer: Squash

OK ... I'm done!

14 Quick tips and Interesting Facts ...

It's time for some quick tips and interesting facts:

1. Pour left-over wine into an ice cube tray and store in the freezer. When you next need wine to cook with, grab some "wine-cubes". That way, not a drop of wine is ever wasted.
   
   
2. Bumblebees often nest in compost piles. So, when one is spotted emerging, try not to disturb them ... they pollinate a wide variety of plants, they won't sting unless provoked, and they naturally die off in the fall.
   
   
3. In 1995 over 200 of the world landfills were full.
   
   
4. Even though approximately one-half of beverage containers are recycled annually, Americans trash more than 270 million beer and soft drink bottles every day.
   
   
5. Looking for an environmentally conscious spouse or friend? Try joining local "green" groups to meet people of like mind.
   
   
6. Rather than give cut flowers, give potted plants (organic, of course).
   
   
7. Cleaning your dryer's lint filter can slash its energy usage by as much as 30%.
   
   
8. Every week about 20 species of plants and animals become extinct.
   
   
9. Rain Forests are being cut down at the rate of 100 acres per minute.
   
   
10. Staying within the speed limit and smoothly accelerating can save up to 25% of a vehicle's typical gasoline use.
    
    
11. Bamboo, which now can be found in many products (even clothing), is a sustainable material which has natural antibacterial and odor prevention properties ... and, because of it's porous texture, can keep one cool on a hot day and warm in the winter.
    
    
12. Open a box/package of bar soap on one end and let it dry out for a few weeks before using it. This removes the excess moisture content from the soap and makes the bar last longer.
    
    
13. Going on vacation? Remember to turn off the water heater ... and save energy!
    
    
14. According to NOAA, an estimated 210,000 gallons of oil (5,000 barrels) a day is still leaking into the Gulf of Mexico (that after the initial "fix").

Do you have any tips and/or facts to share?

As always, I would love to hear from you!

Go "Green" by Getting Organized

One of my favorite sites, My Craft Corner, started a contest which is designed to help everyone get organized. As I read through all the posts it occurred to me that getting organized is a very green activity.

When a space is disorganized, it's hard to know what's there. For example, think about a "junk" drawer ... all manner of odds and ends get thrown into this space ... things which we don't want to toss out because we know we'll eventually need them. Typically, that drawer becomes a "black hole" ... what goes in is never seen again. We forget what's in there and the next time we need that battery or paper clip, etc., we head off to the store to make a purchase. The result is that we use unnecessary time and resources to accumulate more stuff ... stuff which is probably in that drawer.

For many people, it's not just a junk drawer ... it's a closet, a room, or a garage. It can even be a refrigerator. It's any place where stuff gets stashed and disorganized. It's a place which makes us feel overwhelmed and like we'd rather just look the other way. Unfortunately, these repositories continue to use resources (heating, cooling, lights, etc.). Frankly, when one thinks about the use of a space versus the cost to maintain it, a disorganized space isn't a good value.

Consider this ... the average size of homes in America is twice as large as it was 30 years ago. However, the average number of occupants in those homes has decreased. Could it be that we are buying larger homes to accommodate the amount of stuff we buy? And could getting organized help us reduce the amount of stuff we have? I believe so!

There are other ways in which being organized is Eco-friendly. For example:

• Organizing our errands and planning our travel route will optimize vehicle use and help us to minimize fuel consumption.
  
  
• Planning a week's menu helps us reduce energy. Perhaps we use the oven once to cook more than one dish (example, cook a casserole, desert and a loaf of bread at the same time). We can prepare a double batch of a food, using the same amount of energy it takes to cook one batch (example - cook double the amount of pasta which can be used in tonight's dinner and in tomorrow's salad).
  
  
• Organizing the way laundry is done helps to minimize water consumption when we wash only full loads and reduces energy use when we don't allow the dryer to cool between loads.
  
  
• Arranging our daily routine to open windows when the air is cool and close the curtains when the sun shines through helps us minimize our summer cooling expense.

Getting organized is just one more easy way to walk a little gentler on the earth!

As always, I would love to hear from you!

Inspiration Avenue Blog Party

I'm so happy you could attend our blog party.

My name is Small Footprints and I'll be your hostess for this segment of the festivities.

If this is your first blog party, let me explain a bit about it. I am privileged to be a member of a global Etsy team called Inspiration Avenue. Awhile back we held an art auction for charity and, because of our generous readers, were able to raise over $500.00 for a wonderful organization called Angel Faces. So, in celebration, we decided to have a party.

Each member of the team, and some of our friends, has prepared something special for you ... a "lesson". It might be a recipe, a tutorial or simply some wise words from someone who has lived well. One thing is for sure ... when the party is over you'll go home with a bag full of goodies.

Once you've spent a little time with me, please click on the badge at the beginning of this post to head over to the main party room. There you'll find links to other lessons. Oh ... and I see that some of you have brought treats of your own ... please leave a link to your lesson in the comments section at Inspiration Avenue.

So ... ready to begin? My gifts to you are Eco-friendly, frugal cleanser recipes. Now ... you might not think that these recipes are anything special but, let me tell you ... they work great and they are non-toxic. That means ... no possibility of accidental poisoning ... no harmful fumes to breathe in (ever wonder what causes those headaches that seem to appear when cleaning?) ... and no harm to the earth. And oh yeah ... these recipes are made from stuff you probably already have in your pantry so ... they are easy on the wallet.

First up ... my favorite all-around cleaning/scrubbing compound:

In a wide-mouthed jar with lid, mix equal parts vinegar and baking soda. Add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil, place the lid on the jar and gently shake to mix all the ingredients. Use this to scrub the bathroom, kitchen or even pots and pans. The baking soda is slightly abrasive but won't hurt surfaces. The vinegar, in addition to cleaning well, kills germs and bacteria.

Next ... a real easy, effective window cleaner:

In a spray bottle, mix equal parts water and vinegar. Spray on windows and wipe clean. We're talking brilliantly clean windows here!

One of my favorites ... the best drain cleaner in the world (okay, that's my opinion):

Pour about 1/4 cup baking soda into the drain. Follow with 1/4 cup vinegar. Let it work for awhile then flush with water. For really clogged drains, you might need a couple of applications.

Finally, how about this substitute for bleach in your laundry:

When the washer has filled with water, add 1-2 cups of hydrogen peroxide. Agitate for a minute to mix. Then, let it soak for at least one hour (overnight is even better). Add detergent and wash as normal.

Now that you've scrubbed and cleaned ... I think it's time for a treat! So ... how about a little Strawberry Shortcake? Here you go:


Vegan Strawberry Shortcake

2 & 1/4 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
4 tsp. baking powder
2 Tbs. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 cup oil or shortening
1 egg substitute (Ener-G), prepared and beaten
2/3 cup soy milk
3 pints fresh strawberries
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups whipped topping of your choice (Hip Whip, etc.) or Vegan Ice Cream

• Slice the strawberries and sprinkle them with 1/2 cup of sugar. Let stand.

• Preheat oven to 425 F
  

• Grease and flour one 8" cake pan.

• In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, 2 Tbs. sugar, and salt.

• With a pastry blender (or two knives), cut in the oil or shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

• Make a well in the center and add the beaten egg sub. and soy milk. Stir until just combined.

• Spread the batter into the prepared pan.

• Bake at 425 F for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

• Let cool partially in the pan on wire rack.

• Slice partially-cooled cake in half, making two layers.

• Arrange the strawberries on one layer, and the top with the other layer.

• Top with remaining strawberries, and cover with the whipped topping or ice cream.
  
  By the way, if you're curious about why a vegan/vegetarian diet is good for the planet, please click HERE.

So there you are ... I hope you have enjoyed your time with me. Leave me a link so I can get to know you better ... and have a great time with the rest of the party hosts and guests!


Website Widgets

Vegan Recipe - Strawberry Shortcake

Before we take a look at this month's recipe, I'd like to let you know that today, June 5th, is World Environment Day (WED). WED is a program, developed by the United Nations, to stimulate worldwide awareness of the environment. The program focuses on large scale awareness ... getting governments to care and act. But it also makes an appeal to individuals ... people like us ... to do what we can to protect our environment. So, today, spread the "green" word ... blog about it, talk about it, act on it. For daily tips, suggestions and a lot of wonderful information, check out the WED website HERE.

Okay ... on to our recipe.

Eating local and in season is very "green" ... so here's a wonderful recipe to get you started.

I hope that you and your family enjoy it.




Strawberry Shortcake

2 & 1/4 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
4 tsp. baking powder
2 Tbs. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 cup oil or shortening
1 egg substitute (Ener-G), prepared and beaten
2/3 cup soy milk
3 pints fresh strawberries
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups whipped topping of your choice (Hip Whip, etc.) or Vegan Ice Cream

• Slice the strawberries and sprinkle them with 1/2 cup of sugar. Let stand.

• Preheat oven to 425 F
  

• Grease and flour one 8" cake pan.

• In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, 2 Tbs. sugar, and salt.

• With a pastry blender (or two knives), cut in the oil or shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

• Make a well in the center and add the beaten egg sub. and soy milk. Stir until just combined.

• Spread the batter into the prepared pan.

• Bake at 425 F for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

• Let cool partially in the pan on wire rack.

• Slice partially-cooled cake in half, making two layers.

• Arrange the strawberries on one layer, and the top with the other layer.

• Top with remaining strawberries, and cover with the whipped topping or ice cream.

As always ... I would love to hear from you.

Comments of Note

This has been quite a month ... we had the wonderful opportunity to hear from three fabulous guests who taught us and inspired us ... we've talked about the rainforest, roadblocks to living green, earth day, Eco-friendly printing fonts and vegan recipes ... and we took a field trip. We also heard from many of our Reduce Footprints "family" ... in fact, choosing ten comments for this monthly post was difficult.

I'd like to thank everyone who left a comment this month. Here are our Comments of Note:

From: Vegan Recipe - Black Bean and Quinoa Salad

gbenton789 said...

What a great salad. In addition to delicious, you Quinoa and White Corn are native to North America and have tremendous benefits to the environment as well as being delicious and great for us. Add heirloom bell peppers, jalepenos and tomatoes and you've got a salad that is especially healthy and great for the planet and sustainability! Five Stars*****

From: This Idea is Full of Holes

Every Photo Tells A Story said...

Voted! What a Great and Innovative idea. This is one of those inventions that comes around too frequently.

P.S. If I may vent. There is another issue that drives me crazy and wastes paper like crazy. Many people don't realize that there is a way to manually select the page they need to print out. Sometimes we search for an article, and many only need page 2 of 25 for our research, etc. So, what most people do is just automatically print "all". When they can simply print page 2 of 25. Doing so can reduce so much waste. You may have already touched on this issue. If so, thank you for letting me vent:)

From: Rainforests - Part One

Argentum Vulgaris said...

SF, as usual you touch the wick. I look forward to the rest of the series. It is, without doubt, the most important of all the issues we face at the moment.

I your list of rainforest products, don't forget rubber which came originally from the Amazon until stolen by the British and propagated in Kew gardens from where it was exported to Malaya. For some great info read a book called One River(can't think of the auhtor's name offhand). He was an ethno-biolgist who spent 50 years in the Amazon and surrounding areas.
AV

Ysabet said...

Recently I posted on a related topic, how forests (especially rainforests) generate wind and rain:
http://gaiatribe.geekuniversalis.com/2009/04/08/how-forests-generate-wind-and-rain/
So destroying the forests can disrupt weather patterns to the point of drying out an entire continent. It is hypothesized that this may explain Australia's condition.

Project Savior said...

You touched on it in post but maybe the most important reason (for humans) to save the rainforests is the scientific research into the properties of various exotic plants hold the keys to all sorts of new medicines.
If the rainforests are destroyed those cures are destroyed as well.

Lesley said...

Excellent post Sf. I hate to see those photos of vast areas of the rainforest that's been cut down...... miles of barren land with the remains of tree stumps.... and then compare it to the lush growth and the infinite number of species that once lived there. It's heartbreaking.

The thing is though that local people make their living from the palm oil plantations, etc. They're poor people and want to enjoy the pleasures that people from other countries enjoy, so they're going to take what work is on offer. I think one of the most important aspects is to try to develop alternative means of income for those people, so they can enjoy a good standard of living without harming the environment.

I look forward to reading your future posts on this subject. :)

From: Rainforests - Part Two

harri pao said...

I'm agree with choosing wood products that don't contribute to destruction of the rain forest is not easy...one of opportunities, in Indonesia, especially in Java where is huge population and scarcity of forest wood...we've been used village-wood from trees planted surrounded the village. But restoring the rain forest have to take action...Your articles, part one and two, are comprehensive enough, keep working!

From: Earth Day

Pseudonymous High School Teacher said...

Thanks for the heads up on these events. FOr Earth Day, a friend of mine is having a clothes swapping party. We bring all the clothes we clean out of our closets and have a potluck. We leave with clothes that feel "new" to each of us without buying anything.

From: Guest Blogger - Kimberly B. Keilbach

Afternoon Tea Break said...

Well said! Thank you for posting this article about the need to be green and the need for companies to actually live up to their "corporate social responsibilities" rather than just having it as a meaningless catchphrase spicing up the annual reports. Is that Barack Obama letter at the bottom real by the way?

Recently in the UK I try to support the local community by buying as much food as possible from local farmers' markets rather than big supermarket stores, and I'd advocate everyone to do the same: not only is it better on the wallet, it tastes far better and lasts a few days longer than supermarket-bought food too. I'm glad your blog encourages others to do the same.

Feel free to follow me on http://creditcrunchcareerchange.blogspot.com

Ron said...

Before commiting myself to the corporation I currently shoot for, I never knew such companies cared so much about the world outside of their boardrooms. It's truly amazing. I think what these companies should do is all come together and work together to solve some of the worlds most daunting problems--only then can we see MORE change. Just my opinion...

Great tips from Kimberly! Thank you!

Again, I'd like to thank everyone who commented this month.

"See" you on Monday.

This idea is full of holes ...

As people who love the earth, we try to reduce our use of everything. Whenever possible, we try to use electronic versions of documents rather than print them out. If printing a document is required, we use recycled paper and print on both the front and back. In terms of the printed page, I thought that was about all we could do. But ... I was wrong!

I recently learned about something fabulous. It is simple, easy to use, and saves ink. Yes, ink.

Introducing the Ecofont.

The Ecofont is developed by SPRANQ, a creative communications company located in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Basically, it's a font full of holes:



Tiny little holes run through each letter, reducing the amount of ink required by up to 20%. And ... the best news ... the Ecofont is free to download and free to use.

I've downloaded the font and tried it out ... it looks great and the "holes" don't compromise the print quality when using a standard font size (in my case ... font size 12). At larger sizes, the holes do become visible. But, imagine the savings if every standard letter ... every standard document ... most of our printing ... was done using 20% less ink. We'd use less ink, save money ... and walk a little gentler on the earth.

So ... today's green living tip is easy ... click over to Ecofont and download it. Then, whenever it becomes necessary to print something out ... use it instead of other, standard fonts.

Wow ... wasn't that fabulous?


Before you go, I'd like to ask a favor ... I've entered Reduce Footprints into a contest. Basically, the blog with the most votes at the end of the month wins. So, if you like this site ... I'd really appreciate your vote. Just click on the following picture which will take you to the "voting booth" ... and thanks:




As always ... I would love to hear from you!

Buyer Beware!

In July, when I began this blog, I wrote a post on plastic bags (you can read that post HERE). Reusable bags are one of the mainstays of living a green life ... right along such basics as replacing light bulbs with energy efficient versions and lowering the thermostat by 5 degrees.

In the beginning, not many people carried reusable bags into the store ... but now it is very common to see people with their giant totes carrying groceries to their cars. It has become so common, in fact, that companies want in on the "green" action and reusable bags with a store's logo or an advertiser's slogan are popping up all over.

The same thing is happening with reusable water bottles. They have become trendy and the perfect medium for advertising.

Unfortunately, these products are being made out of fresh plastic ... not recycled soda bottles ... not sustainable materials ... not earth friendly. Manufacturers will boast that their product is made out of polypropylene and tell you that polypropylene is easy to recycle and totally earth friendly. But it is plastic ... a by-product of oil refining processes. Yes, it can be recycled but the recycling process degrades the plastic's properties and recycling is difficult and expensive. That means that much of it will end up in our landfills and oceans.

So today's tip is easy ... be sure to find out what those reusable totes and water bottles are made of. If it's fresh, virgin plastic ... just say no. Choose, instead, bags made out of recycled or sustainable materials and stainless steel water bottles.

I'd like to leave you with the following video. It is the reality of plastics in our world.




As always ... I would love to hear from you!

For My Mom ...

Every morning I drink my coffee while watching the birds that visit our feeders. They usually come in pairs ... each couple choosing their spot after investigating the possibilities. Some like to hunt and peck on the ground ... others like to nibble from the hanging feeders. All of them seem to tolerate other species ... including my cat who sits on the porch and watches them.

Watching birds isn't new for me ... I first started enjoying them with my mother. For as long as I can remember, she has loved birds. She feeds them and has bird baths set up. She even makes bird houses and every year we wait for the babies to take their first flight.

So much of the person I am today is, in large part, due to my parents. As a child, their example shaped me and, even though I'd like to think that everything I do and think is unique to me, the truth is that my belief system comes from them. Including my passion for "green" living.

When I was a child, my mother cleaned house regularly (she still does). When the hardwood floors needed polishing, she'd apply the wax and then, rather than use an electric buffer to finish the job, she'd put old pairs of my father's socks on our feet and let us "ice skate" our way to a high gloss. We had fun polishing floors in a natural, "green" way.

Preservatives and toxins in food were never an issue in our house because my mom canned fruits and vegetables for us. Most of the produce she used came directly from a farm or our own garden. She bought locally and preserved food without chemicals. She also cooked for us ... wonderful, delicious meals made from scratch with fresh ingredients. They were healthy and always made with love.

Before it became a popular, green activity, my mom reused and repurposed many things. Shopping bags were saved and used to line her garbage pails. Plastic butter or cottage cheese containers were washed and used to store leftovers or to send food home with friends and family. And glass jars were either reused for canning or they found their way into my father's garage to hold nuts, bolts and all manner of small things.

It was a way of life for us ... for my mom. She didn't talk about living green ... she probably didn't think about it those terms. She just knew what was right. We lived a natural life and used what we had. We never wasted ... whether it was electricity or used containers.

In thinking about those times, I am reminded, once again, how our actions matter. Yes, using what we have and not wasting has a direct affect on the earth ... but it also serves as an example to others, especially the children in our lives. We can help our children develop a respect for the earth by our example. We can teach them, in fun ways, to live green.

Tomorrow is my mom's birthday. We are many miles apart but I'll be thinking of her ... and thanking her ... as I sit and watch the birds at my feeder.

Happy Birthday, Mom ... I love you!!

8 Quick "Green" Tips

Here are a few quick "green" tips:

1. When going to an ATM, "Pay at the Pump" gas station or Starbucks ... say "no" to a receipt. You'll save tons of paper.

2. Here's a great idea for towels, pillows, blankets, jackets and coats (even furs) that aren't in good enough shape to either use or donate to a thrift store ... donate them to an animal shelter or Humane Society. They'll use them for bedding, baths, etc.
   

3. Rather than defrosting food on the counter or using a microwave, plan ahead and defrost food in the refrigerator. It'll take a little longer ... but it will lower the temperature of the refrigerator and ... save energy. Brilliant!

4. Have a pair of shoes that are no longer wearable because of a hole in the bottom or a broken heel? Before rushing out to buy a new pair, take them to a shoe repair shop and see if they can be fixed. Often times, the fix will be far less expensive than a new pair of shoes and ... you'll keep one more item out of a landfill.

5. Receive and pay your bills online ... and, rather than print out the receipt or confirmation ... save it to a file where it will be accessible if you need it. You'll save time, a stamp and paper.

6. Get a few houseplants ... they'll clean up the air and decorate your home.

7. Rather than buy bagged vegetables from the grocery store ... buy whole vegetables. Bagged veggies, like salad mixes, are washed using ... yep ... you guessed it ... chlorine. Chlorine causes all kinds of environmental problems. If you'd like to read a good discussion about it, click HERE (towards the end of the article there is a discussion about bagged lettuce).

8. Spring is just around the corner and that means that birds who have wintered in warmer climates will be returning to nest. Help them along by building a bird house. If you have kids, invite them to participate ... it is a great way to get them interested in "green" activities.

What quick green tips do you have?

As always ... I'd love to hear from you!

Waste-Free Lunch

If you've read this blog for any amount of time, you know that we're all about easy ways to live a greener life ... to walk a little gentler on the earth. One of our bloggy friends, Wendy from Like sand in an hourglass, has come up with a very creative way to minimize waste. It's a brilliant idea and one that can also be a lot of fun.

Like sand in an hourglass is a wonderful blog. Wendy writes about all kinds of things, including a regular feature called "Going Green" where she talks about her green living efforts and the new things she's doing to save the planet.

A big THANK YOU to Wendy for this brilliant idea. Are you ready? Here we go:

The Birth of a Waste-Free Lunch

As I do periodically, I sat with my 6-year-old son in his school cafeteria for lunch one day last week. Because I am bored with the lunches I pack for him – the “same old, same old” day after day - I paid attention to what the other children were eating with the hope of getting some ideas for different things to pack in my son’s lunch. I got some ideas, sure, but what I really got was a fire in my belly about the amount of waste I saw. Most of the children sitting in my immediate vicinity had reusable lunchboxes and bags, but inside those reusable containers were individually-wrapped foods in disposable packaging. You know what I mean: juice boxes, yogurt tubes, individually-wrapped snack foods, single serving applesauce, Lunchables (gasp!), etc. I did not think too much about it until I watched the kids – my son included! – gather up their trash and take it to the bin. My son, for example, tossed the remains of two individually-wrapped foods, two plastic baggies, orange rinds and a paper napkin!

When I got home, I took stock of the reusable containers in my cupboard and made a list of what I needed to purchase to reduce the need for plastic baggies. Then I went online to start shopping, and while I was browsing, I stumbled on this “culture” of waste-free lunches. My journey started with bento – the Japanese art of packing compact, balanced, visually appealing meals in a box - and moved into what appears to be a green movement occurring all over the country.

Just The Facts, Ma’am

Did you know that the average school-aged child who takes a disposable and pre-packaged lunch to school each day generates about 67 pounds of garbage per school year? That equals approximately 18,760 pounds of lunch waste in a single school year for the average-sized elementary school. It is about 40,000 pounds of garbage for an average middle school. Lunchtime trash is second only to office paper as the leading source of school waste.

We cannot blame all of the lunchtime waste on the children bringing lunches from home. Approximately 12% of food served as part of the National School Lunch Program is wasted (resulting in an estimated direct economic loss of $600 million). Putting good usable food into landfills costs Americans about $50 million per year.

Packing a disposable and prepackaged lunch is also more expensive than the greener waste-free version. The average disposable lunch for a school-aged child is $4.02 per day – more than it costs to purchase a school lunch at my son’s school - which translates to $20.10 per week or $723.60 for a school year. Compare that with the average cost of a waste-free lunch: $ 2.65 per day, $13.25 per week or $477.00 per school year. In addition to helping the environment by reducing trash, packing a waste-free school lunch will save you $246.60 per year!

Just Do It

Bento – as the Japanese do it – strives for a 3:1:2 ratio of food (3 parts carbohydrates, 1 part protein, 2 parts fruits and vegetables) with no candy, junk or oily foods. The size of your bento container depends upon your age and gender. The size of the container often coincides with the amount of calories that fit inside. (For example, a 600ml box holds a 600-calorie meal, which is way too much for a school-aged child.) To help plan your traditional balanced bento, consider the bento planner developed by Makiko Ito at http://justbento.com/handbook/downloads/weekly-bento-planner.

Nothing says you have to follow the traditional Japanese guidelines for packing a bento. In fact, the American version of bento is more relaxed and really just encourages packing healthy food in a way that creates no waste. In my case, though the majority of my son’s lunch is healthy, he is allowed one “junky” treat in his lunch as long as he is behaving in school and doing his work.

To get started, find a shallow reusable container that has an airtight lid. I am currently experimenting with Sterilite Ultra Seal containers, but other popular ones include Lock and Lock and Snaplock. You may want to purchase smaller containers to put inside the larger container, either to separate foods or to hold sauces. You can purchase a full kit designed for waste-free packing at www.laptoplunches.com. If the idea of a bunch of small containers and lids is enough to make you crazy, consider using edible dividers like lettuce, or use silicone baking cups, which are great because they are flexible and can be manipulated to use up the available space inside the large container.

The possibilities of what to pack are (almost) endless. Use up some of last night’s leftovers. Pack a deconstructed sandwich if it will fit in the container better. Be mindful of food safety and avoid foods that will spoil if they are in the lunchbox for more than two yours. (Yogurt, for instance, is not a great bento option unless you include an ice pack to keep it cold.) Search the internet for bento and waste-free lunch blogs to find recipes. Use finger foods like cherry tomatoes, grapes and olives to fill gaps. Using all of the available space in your container stabilizes the food, making it less likely to shift during transport. Place the container into an insulated reusable bag, toss in an ice pack if needed, and do not forget about the waste-free accessories; a fabric napkin, stainless steel utensils, and a drink in a reusable sipper.

Tales of a Novice

After a bit of research, a purchase or two, and some planning, I packed my son’s first waste-free lunch today. I tend to pack on the heavy side in case he needs a bit more fuel as the day wears on. Overall I would say it was a good effort, but I definitely need some practice.
Total containers used: 3 (2 smaller containers inside 1 larger container)
Proteins: Turkey and cheese in sandwich, cheese stick
Carbohydrates: Bread for sandwich
Fruits/vegetables: cucumber slices, carrots sticks, mandarin orange
Other: soft mini cookies, water
Room for Improvement:
Color: Too much orange, not enough of anything else
Space: I had some space leftover
Amount of waste: I packed a paper napkin!!

Take It To the Next Level

If you develop a passion for waste-free lunches, why not start a Waste-Free Lunch Program at your child’s school? Go to www.wastefreelunches.org for ideas or get a copy of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waste Reduction Guide for schools and offices at www.epa.gov/epawaste/education/pdfs/school.pdf. Start planning now for your Waste-Free Lunch Day during Earth week in April.

© Wendy A. Taylor, 2009

Another big THANK YOU to Wendy for this wonderful article. And as always ... I would love to hear from you!

Comments of Note

Before we get started with today's post, I have great news. A site called Empty Easel has picked up one of our articles and ... published it. It was originally submitted to us by a guest author, who wishes to remain anonymous, and Empty Easel thought it was worth sharing with their readers. If you'd like to see the article ... click HERE. OK ... on to today's topic:


This is the last Friday of the month ... in a new year ... with positive changes and hope in the air. While some might view change as a bad thing ... I, personally, embrace it. Change keeps everything fresh and exciting. It forces us to view life from a different angle and that's when we discover all kinds of wonderful things.

So ... I decided to make a small change to the monthly feature where I publish all the comments received. Starting today, I'm going to "pick and choose" comments that add information ... things that teach us more about living greener lives. I will, of course, continue to read every single comment and publish them with the articles they are attached to but ... for this monthly feature, which has grown and grown ... and become a very long post, I'll be selective.

So ... that being said ... here are the comments from the last month which I've deemed "Comments of Note". I hope you enjoy them!

molly said...

Johns research was wonderful, I too am horrified at what chemicals go onto our skin & hair, perhaps more would consider growing the soapwort plant? I have 3 plants, mixed with organic oatmeal they make wonderful soaps, solo they make great kitchen liquid, shampoo and laundry liquid. I would never go back to the days of soap etc after making my own. (Author's note ... to read more about the soapwort plant, click HERE).

Recipes are on my blog under the soap label if you are interested.

cheers

January 4, 2009 8:14 AM

The Accessory Lady said...

Marcal is one my favorite Green companies because all their paper products are made from paper not from trees. 100% recycled. It's also affordable. I buy my toilet paper, paper towels and napkins from them. (Author's note ... read about Marcal HERE).

January 10, 2009 9:33 AM

Cesia said...

Very interesting.

I wanted to comment on what you said about squash not growing upwards ... let me disclaimer this that I don't have a garden, and am in no way an expert here. But this summer I was reading a book called Square Foot Gardening, and they basically assert you can grow anything "vine-y" vertical. If I remember right, this included squash. I mean, squash usually takes up LOTS of horizontal space, and that's not really possible in the teeny tiny square foot garden - thus the vertical-ness. So, um, it might be something you could look into.

:)
- Cesia.

January 16, 2009 12:51 PM

Lesley said...

Roses and Sunflowers...... what an irrestistable combination! I must try that myself. :)

Another crop that makes a good screen is Jerusalem Artichokes and they look attractive too.

January 16, 2009 4:45 PM

Joanne said...

You might try a row of Jet Star tomatoes near a window. Mine grow like a jungle. Just add a little fertilizer and let nature do its work! You'll have a beautiful, and delicious, wall.

January 16, 2009 7:37 PM

E. Michelle said...

Hi there I've been reading the same book as Cesia, and I was going to say the same thing, that you can grow squash vertical. Something fun you might want to grow is this special squash, I forget the name, but when they are mature you harvest them and they are loofah sponges. I've grown them before here in TX and it makes a cool little loofah for your bath/shower. (Author's note ... read about loofah plants HERE).

January 16, 2009 7:57 PM

Ron said...

Hi Footprints, your post reminded me of a segment I shot for Discovery Channel earlier this year about a sustainable house that was built from the ground up. It was in Minneapolis MN. The company was called Live Green Live Smart, I think. And they grew something very similar in their 100% self sustaining home. It was amazing. Would love to see some pictures of your project. (Author's note ... you can read more about Live Green Live Smart HERE).

-Ron

January 17, 2009 4:32 PM

yolanda said...

these are great tips! thanks sf. baking soda can also be used to remove smells from fridges - my mum keeps an eggcup of baking soda in the fridge at home and it absorbs everything!

peace,

yola

January 21, 2009 2:51 PM

Vivienne said...

great tips as always.
Here's another one - putting half a fresh slice of lemon in the fridge will get rid of odors and washing out the garbage can with 1 part water and 1 part vinegar will get rid of odours AND works antibacterial! :)

January 22, 2009 6:17 AM

Nana Net said...

Excellent tips as always! thanks for sharing them. I remember my Mom always telling me to get rid of really strong, nasty odors to open a jar of vinegar and let it just sit open in a room. Well believe me it does work! Is something I still do to this day.

Plus I do love to burn candles. Though I do know some of them do have stronger scents then others. My favorites are by Yankee Candle. (Author's note ... Yankee Candle does have a line of Eco-friendly soy candles. Click HERE to learn more).

Well enjoy the day and will be back to check out more helpful hints from you! Bye.

Nana Net

January 22, 2009 8:54 AM

Thank you to all of these commentators, as well as to everyone who left comments this month. So ... what do you think? Do you like the new format? Let me know by registering your vote on the poll which can be found in the side bar.

As always ... I would love to hear from you!!

15 "Green" Tips, Hints and Interesting Facts

Here are some miscellaneous "green" tips, hints and interesting facts:

1. According to the The Auto Channel, 147 million gallons of gas, each year, vaporize into the air due to loose, damaged or missing gas caps. Keep your fuel in the tank by making sure you screw the cap on tight.

2. It's time to get out those cosmetics and personal care products such as deodorants, shampoos, toothpastes and mouthwashes and check the labels. 1,4-Dioxane is a known eye and respiratory tract irritant. It is suspected of causing damage to the central nervous system, liver and kidneys. The State of California, under proposition 65, listed 1,4-Dioxane as a chemical known to cause cancer on January 1, 1988. Like many solvents, it forms contamination plumes in groundwater when released to the environment. Groundwater supplies have been adversely impacted in several areas. But you won't find 1,4-Dioxane on the label ... instead look for names that include: myreth, oleth, laureth, ceteareth (and any other "eth"), PEG, polyethylene, polyoxyethylene or oxynol.

3. Here's another good reason to look for products made out of recycled materials. According to the executive director of the Zero Waste Alliance, recycling aluminum uses 95% less energy than producing it from scratch. Recycling glass uses 31% less; newsprint, 45%; steel, 61%; and plastics, 57-71%.

4. Thinking of a new TV? Those with the Energy Star label are up to 30% more energy efficient than others.

5. Do you use flea collars on your pets? According to Pets for the Environment, they are a "source of constant toxic exposure for your pet and family. Instead, vacuum often and thoroughly, bathe your pet regularly, and ask your vet or local pet store about safer flea treatments and repellents." For more great Eco-friendly pet care tips, click HERE.

6. Pat yourselves on the back. Accordingly to a 16-month survey conducted in 2007 by the research firm Mintel, 36% of adults regularly buy green products. That's an improvement of 12% over previous studies.

7. Want to persuade your boss and co-workers to green up the office? Check out Ideal Bite's Top 10 Easiest Ways to Green your Office. They have a great list which can be printed out (on recycled paper, of course) and posted for all to see ... and hopefully act on.

8. Here's a great idea ... help our bird friends stay warm all winter. Instead of tossing out dryer lint, put it in your yard. Birds will collect it and use it to cozy up their nests.

9. Want to have a little fun? Host a green-cleaning party. Women's Voices for the Earth conceived the idea ... basically, people get together with glass jars and Eco-friendly ingredients and then ... they mix up everything from laundry detergent to furniture polish ... all environmentally safe. Check out their site womenandenvironment.org for information and party kits (which are for sale) ... or ... click HERE for their favorite recipes and design your own party.

10. Got the sniffles? Instead of using disposable tissues ... use a handkerchief.

11. According to the EPA, Americans toss out 2 million tons of "e-waste" each year. That includes approximately 130,000 computers. Instead of sending them to a landfill, consider these ideas:

• Donate computers and any peripherals to a nonprofit organization. Many will refurbish them for disadvantaged or disabled people.
• Check with stores like Staples for recycling programs ... some offer credit towards another purchase.
• Check with manufacturers ... some, like Dell and Apple, recycle their own brands for free. Others will take any brand when one of their own is purchased.
• Another idea ... turn them in to a local Computer Recycling shop where usable components will be turned into new products.

12. Each year, the average American throws away 68 pounds of clothing (from Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association). Think reduce, reuse and recycle instead.

13. Replace one outside incandescent light ... yearly CO2 savings: 210 pounds. Lower your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit ... yearly CO2 savings: 214 pounds. Wash clothes in cold water ... yearly CO2 savings: 327 pounds. Source: Rocky Mountain Institute.

14. Interested in watching a short "green film"? Click HERE to watch dozens of them ... for free.

15. Here's a unique recycling idea ... put your used green tea bags in a glass jar in the refrigerator. Use them as cleansing pads in the morning. The bag helps exfoliate skin gently and tea has anti-inflammatory properties which will help to reduce puffy skin on the face.

As always ... I would love to hear from you!