The survey says: Local products are worth the money!

Earlier this month we asked if you would be willing to pay more for local products. Here are the results:

Comments

• Local and organic!
• Imported supermarket food is often absurdly cheap anyway, and the low prices mean that we have very little feeling for the value of food, and feel disconnected from it and its production, buying, eating and wasting far too much of it. Paying a little more not only often means you're getting a 'better' product, but you also value and appreciate it more, and are more imaginative and careful with how you use it.
• I usually don't pay more because it's local - I pay more because it's better quality.
• If they were still of a similar quality/caliber to other non-local products.
• There are several things that I am willing to pay more for because they are local, like produce. But there is a tipping point where it's just not economically an option.
• I already do pay more by shopping locally, but when that balances out with the farmer's market where some foods are less expensive it. It just makes sense to buy locally.
• I seem to live in an area where only a few local products are sold but where I can I always buy British or try to grow my own
• There are some countries where I will avoid buying.
• I pay more for local food products because I like fresh food.Fresh food tastes so much better than food that has traveled across the country or across the Atlantic. I also like the idea of conserving energy and gasoline by buying local food.
• AT the moment I'm lucky enough to be part of a food cooperative that provides very inexpensive local produce, but when certain items are not available I shop at the local farmer's market. The prices are a little higher, but it's worth it to know that I'm buying from and supporting nearby farms. JC
• It depends on both the product and the producer. I'm not going to buy from someone who's a jack-ass for example, just like I wouldn't patronize a local restaurant if the food or service was poor. BUT if the product is comparable in quality to a national or regional brand, I'd definitely give it more consideration.
• I do and will pay more for local, but sometimes it is cheaper. My eggs come from my next door neighbor, better price than at any store for organic..and I know they are fresh.
• I already do! I'm more than happy to take my money to the farmer's market and load up on local produce from people I know--it's higher quality, fresher, tastier and I can always ask about growing practices if I need to! Plus, it's fun to follow the seasons. I also don't mind paying more for handmade/organic/locally produced foods and body care products.
• Though I'm a bit loose with the definition of locally. First, I will always pay to buy something produced in the US (my home country). Then, whenever possible, I do like to drill down to items produced closer to home: in my state (Washington), then in my region (Western WA). I grow a lot of my own food, but love my neighborhood Farmers Market. When it comes time to buy gifts, I shop at the local retail district (lots of small, locally-owned shops).
• Depends on How much more...

Are you surprised at the results?

It's thrilling to see so many "yes" answers. I am especially excited by the idea that we want more from the products we buy. Not only must products serve their intended purpose, they must offer us greater value:

• We look for high quality which translates into a longer life cycle or, in the case of food, better flavor, freshness, and nutrition. That often means that we reduce waste. And, interestingly, over the long run we might actually find that the overall cost is less than buying mass-produced, non-local products.


• We want a connection to both the product and the manufacturer. Talking to the farmer who grew our food gives us an appreciation for how products went from the field to our table. Learning how an artisan makes a piece of furniture, and seeing the care which goes into each creation, ties us to the process and the artist. Buying local gives us those connections to our community ... relationships and friendships which enhance our lives.


• We want products which support our local economy. Buying local means that our money stays in the community. We can see it at work when our favorite farmer can afford to buy new equipment after a successful harvest or when a local restaurant expands because business has been good. On a more personal level, perhaps contributing to a healthy local economy is rewarded by higher personal income, giving meaning to the phrase "what goes around, comes around".

When we consider all that buying local can do for us and the world around us, paying a bit more seems like a great deal!

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) - Plant Some Food

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

Last week we addressed the plight of the Monarch Butterfly, whose populations are rapidly decreasing due, primarily, to the use of herbicides. I signed a petition asking the EPA to adopt tough new restrictions on weed killers. A few weeks ago, I planted wild flowers; however, I wasn't sure if Milkweed (the Monarch's primary food source and where they lay their eggs) was included in my seed mix so I went on a hunt for them. I found a great site (http://www.livemonarch.org/donation.htm) where one can get seeds for a small donation. I also found a local Asheville store, The Compleat Naturalist, which is giving away free Milkweed seeds ... no purchase necessary, no strings attached, just a firm desire to help our winged friends. I'll be planting a dedicated butterfly garden in the next few days.

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 accepted the challenge and planted Milkweed. Or did he? Find out in Change the World Wednesday – 28th May.

Betsy accepted the challenge and shared this: "I am trying to cultivate milkweek in my yard. Petition SIGNED! Thanks for hosting as always, Small Footprints. I can't help myself from coming over here from Triberr when I see you have a new post up : ) " Thanks, Betsy ... I love that we're Triberr mates!

Alicia joined us and shares a bit about one of my favorite places, "BUTTERFLY TOWN, U.S.A.": "Thanks so much for the link to the petition! I am excited to try Milkweed this year and hoping that it will draw lots of butterflies. This is going to be a fun challenge to see if what we plant will draw them. I also read that daisy's, goldenrod and coneflower are some others that will draw them.I think we will try planting all of these and see how it works out! When we lived in Northern California we meat to go to Pacific Grove to see all of Monarch Butterflies that come there each year and hang out ( literally ) in the Eucalyptus groves They are there from October -February then they continue their migration south. They hang in clusters from the branches to maintain their body temp.Pacific Grove created this sanctuary to preserve the Monarchs but also make available an awesome opportunity to observe these amazing butterflies.If you live anywhere near there you should definitely check it out.Here is a link if anyone would like to read more about this sanctuary. http://www.pacificgrove.org/things-to-do/top-attractions/monarch-butterflies/3 The numbers have been down there also and I believe that it has a lot to do with pesticides and herbicides. We all should be aware of not using these harmful chemicals. There are many organic chemical free options to choose from."

CelloMom stopped by. Here's what she has to say: "Signed! A few years ago, we brought home a monarch chrysalis, attached to - you may guess - a milkweed twig. We watched the magic of the hatching. And after the monarch had flown away, my CelloPlayer carefully collected the seeds, and scattered it all over the yard. It's still coming back. The monarch is also one of the main characters in Barbara Kingsolver's latest novel, "Flight Behavior", which highlights how global warming also affects the monarch's migration. She paints a wonderful - and hilarious - picture of the main characters, improbably named Dellarobia. A great read." Sounds like a great book, CelloMom ... thanks for the recommendation! By the way, if you haven't visited CelloMom recently, head over ... she's got a terrific post on "size creep".

Ann included our CTWW Banner in a post entitled, Living Landscapes Connected Communities - Areca BooksAreca Books. Thanks, Ann!

Deborah joined us and shared this: "Thanks for raising our awareness of this important issue. I am so delighted that you shared #CTWW Monarch Butterflies with us at the Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop! We appreciate it!"

Our Twitter friends joined the conversation and shared the following:

From @AndreaPtak
- Change the World Wed. #CTWW Start with simple steps bring your own bags when shopping: http://t.co/RUS5Od4L5G #green #sustainability

From @GiveTreeGifts
- How to Banish Junk Mail from Your (Real World) Mailbox http://t.co/0mUaH5LsD6 #CTWW
- Junk mail scam warning http://t.co/kCZJGK5glD #CTWW
- Students' project mimics Monarch butterflies' paths http://t.co/cW4m6XcnYW #CTWW
- Monarch butterfly decline due to lack of milkweed; wildlife enthusiasts ask for help - http://t.co/TnIg3kJS0y #CTWW
- North Jersey homeowners urged to plant milkweed to save monarch butterflies http://t.co/olRlqbG5va #CTWW
- How to give a hand to Monarch butterflies http://t.co/N9naLgj4ho #CTWW
- Stopping Unsolicited Mail, Phone Calls, and Email http://t.co/vmy7N6x7Go #CTWW
- How to Get Rid of Junk Mail: 22 Steps http://t.co/LY6uEsCPrp #CTWW

From @acuriousgal1
- Hand-pulling weeds, great way to help eliminate herbicides and also good exercise #CTWW #flowers #exercise http://t.co/vtbCM3Xmh8

From @Forests_Ontario
- @acuriousgal1 pulling weeds great way to eliminate herbicides + good exercise #CTWW #flowers #exercise Same with pulling invasive species!

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:

@12tmimi	@89linz	@a_kiasi
@acuriousgal1	@allnaturalkatie	@andreaptak
@awrobley	@biggreenpen	@bythelakewithme
@ccbstarr	@clctreeservices	@compingcrazzy
@debsmikdav1	@dehelen	@dieselelephants
@dmilly1234	@eco_novice	@ecocountrytable
@ecofriendlyfurn	@ecothrifty	@erbaviva
@factorydpromos	@familybetty	@familyfreshmeal
@flapi777	@foodretro	@forests_ontario
@geekgirlusa	@givetreegifts	@green_vibes
@greenecoswing	@greenglobaltrvl	@greenqueenofmod
@greensoil	@groovygreenlivi	@hashtracking
@herbgir1972	@hismerecry	@imgreenareyou
@izumiokumura	@jnaquins	@jpmozart
@junestoyer	@justanotherhat	@kaitlingarder
@kayelleallen	@kingyo3_dama	@kiser_krafts
@krmbalclothing	@laalicia	@ladyjcmuses
@lee4leeby	@legsetobicoke	@liuwailing
@lovecanal2020	@luckytobeyou	@magnushrm
@marikokoloco	@marizulca	@marjoriemcatee
@michaelinla3	@mirai1201	@momgamerwriter
@mrsstinno	@nauticabrinegar	@ndigallery
@nikidanforth	@nolabelle72	@nonhomogenized
@nutmeg3isme	@pamela_o_plays	@pandatropia
@panthere_la	@pberk	@petception
@prtndurgoodatit	@redpandanetwork	@roihara
@rulesofgreen	@ruralmoms	@s_hentzschel
@sensuouspromos	@sergeimerinov65	@sfcouncil
@shionnomusumeta	@skenja	@sobakasu4
@socialavenues	@spafloating	@superbsolutions
@tammycurry	@tegoory	@theworld4realz
@twicecreations	@vanbordelon	@veggiebeet
@voiceboksmedia	@wadiham101	@wasd12456787
@wellminded	@wencdj	@whywelovegreen
@women4earth	@wowchub1	@xefir_destiny
@yogagirl4776

My Final Thoughts:

At the beginning of the Monarch challenge, I suggested that the loss of these butterflies indicates a larger environmental problem. Monarchs use the same resources as a large number of pollinators. The size of their population reflects, in part, the health of pollinators in general. Our food sources and ecosystems are dependent on healthy pollinator populations. So, preserving Monarchs is more than saving pretty butterflies ... it's about preserving all life on earth, including our own. What if killing one ant would end your life ... would you step on it? Killing pollinators, including the Monarch Butterfly, may end our life. One may say that it isn't that simple and perhaps it isn't. But then again, maybe discontinuing the use of herbicides and pesticides is exactly that simple.

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:

Planting food is fun
for the whole family

In my part of the world, temperatures are rising as spring comes to a close. We're getting a bit of rain on most days making it the perfect time to plant (or finish planting) vegetables.

Autumn is a good time
to plant fruit trees

Our friends on the other side of the world are coming to the end of autumn. Autumn is a great time to plant fruit & nut trees. Their root systems will get a good start during cooler weather and, hopefully, thrive next spring.

So let's plant some food! Here's your challenge ...

This week, plant something edible. Plant in a garden, raised bed, a container, etc. If you don't have space outside, consider herbs or lettuce in a small pot placed in a kitchen window. Try placing some seed potatoes in the ground (dig a small hole and drop them in) ... then sit back and watch them grow. If you're moving into autumn, consider planting a fruit tree or perhaps a nut tree. The idea this week is to plant food.

OR ...

If growing food just isn't going to work for you, please offer other ideas for enjoying local, organic produce.

This is going to be a delicious challenge. Are you with me? 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 />
As always, our mantra ...

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

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) - Preserving Local Produce

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

Crossing the 400 ppm CO2 threshold is serious. As those gases trap heat in our atmosphere, the world gets warmer. Warming causes sea levels to rise and that, in turn, causes flooding, loss of habitat, fresh water contamination, etc. Last week we took positive action to help reduce those numbers. The main cause of CO2 is the burning of fossil fuels. That happens when we use electricity, buy foods which travel long distances to get to our shelves or buy new products (causing more new products to be manufactured). In my house, we took on all three levels of the challenge. We looked for additional ways to save electricity and found that sitting in the dark while watching TV late at night was very doable ... and pleasant. With a convenient farmer's market near our home, eating local foods was easy! And, finally, we only bought what was necessary last week, asking ourselves if we really NEED the item. Most of the time, we didn't!

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.

In Change the World Wednesday – 7th Aug Argentum Vulgaris shares why this month is special. He also shares some good news as part of accomplishing our challenge. Check it out!

Lois says, "I will take on all three this week. I'm not much of a shopper except for food and I mostly shop the farmers market and the garden for my food this time of year. Yes, the co2 in the atmosphere is a huge concern to me. What I haven't found yet is exactly what the consequences of being at 400 is expected to do to the both humans and wildlife. Have you found this information?" In response, I offered two articles which you can find HERE. In Change the World Wednesday, CO2 she shares some information she found on the subject and talks about how she accomplished all three levels of the challenge.

EcoGrrl has a clever way of reducing her energy use. She shares, "I keep a little African basket in my living room to hold all my phone, laptop, ipod, and other chargers, and have power strips by my TV and in my home office. I am on my laptop constantly as I work from home so I only turn it off when I go out of town, but the one by the TV only gets flipped ON when I'm watching TV. One of the great checklists to have when you go on vacation is to unplug or flip off your power strip switches (with exception of course of a light you might have on a timer - something I forgot about last time, haha)."

Brandi gave us a nice mention in The Monkie Daily. Other articles include one on the Tohoku Earthquake, a Verano mocktail recipe, and another about the crisis in Syria. It's a diverse and interesting publication.

One of our twitter friends, @untreedreads, offered an article entitled The Future of eReading by P.A. Bees for CTWW. It takes a look at where ereading might be headed and considers the possibility of moving beyond hand-held readers.

Alicia accepted the challenge and shares this, "We unplug our chargers and small appliances when we aren't using them.We have a built in microwave but never use it so we always keep it unplugged.We turn our computers off every night and when we are not at home. We work a local Farmers Market in the Nashville area and so we do our shopping while we are there. That way we accomplish two things with one trip. I really make such an effort to buy most things locally but haven't gotten to the point where it is all local. I usually write down a weeks worth of menu's and then make a list of all the ingredients that I am going to need. Then when I am delivering I do my shopping in that area which saves me from having to make a trip into town when I get home. I try to make sure that I get everything I need so I don't have to do multiple trips during the week. This is a great challenge!" While visiting Alicia's blog, I found a great article which talks about another way she keeps things local: Farmers Markets.

We've talked about several ways to avoid the use of fossil fuels. Ann offers us another idea. Want a hint? It involves sports. Check out FSO: It is (Hopefully) end of winter and beginning of spring.

Welcome to Loretta, a brand new member of our Honor Society!! We're so happy to have you with us, Loretta!! She shares this, "Challenge #1 is great - our library loans one of those voltage readers, which would be great to read the voltage drawn fro those electronic devices. We have cable now and that's the tough one to turn off - with all the shows set to record. Maybe a timer if you know the time range of the shows you like??? Once again, great challenge."

Our Twitter friends joined the conversation and shared the following:

From @givetreegifts
- How much can you save by unplugging appliances? ow.ly/nI5D8
- 12 Household Appliances You Should Unplug to Save Money ow.ly/nI5Lu
- Top 5 Energy-Sucking Vampire Appliances ow.ly/nI5Un
- Unplugging These 6 Gadgets Will Cut Your Electricity Bill ow.ly/nI5ZM
- How I Cut My Energy Bill By a Third with Tech and Common Sense ow.ly/nI66g

From @ecowarriorme
- As a stingy Scot, I love your third option for this week's challenge. That is my life!

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	@_lyal_	@a_kiasi
@afterlaundry	@allnaturalkatie	@anitaadamsnc
@aparentsprspctv	@aspiemusings	@beatepdx
@beckymcneer	@bellasmile2	@bestrawesome
@biculturalmama	@biggreenpen	@bike2power
@boulderlocavore	@bstoneblog	@cellomomoncars
@changes4charlie	@cleansediva	@counselorholley
@crazedmom	@crazykids6	@designerpens
@dinaj	@dusdifissette	@earthdaynetwork
@earths_choice	@eco_novice	@ecoexpert1
@ecothrifty	@ecowarriorme	@elizbethlmaness
@energysherlock	@evelynmccpeters	@factsabouttrees
@familyfocusblog	@five_monkies	@frederickbrooke
@ginavalley	@givetreegifts	@gr8fulgirl11
@greenforu	@greenglobaltrvl	@greeningwestfor
@groovygreenlivi	@guayaba	@herbgir1972
@hismerecry	@iamagoodsteward	@ithoughtiknewma
@jamiastar	@jenniharris4	@jnjgogreen
@kanweienea	@kayelleallen	@kymgrosso
@laalicia	@lady_bren	@ladyjcmuses
@leaf	@leighanneramsey	@lifelovemusic1
@lorcadamon	@mamapoolecooks	@marjoriemcatee
@mgyerman	@mike_feder	@min_svart_ros
@mom2tle	@momgamerwriter	@mommyladyclub
@motorwiseuk	@mygreenboston	@myzerowaste
@nolafusion	@oddlynn3	@partselect
@proamusa	@rantravewrite	@rckweddings
@realityarts	@rulesofgreen	@sammyrules62
@shannongrissom	@skipbang	@soulfullab
@soundless2	@sowandso	@tammycurry
@treesgroup	@untreedreads	@wencdj
@whopaysthepiper	@whywelovegreen	@yfnjman
@zenfarmz

My Final Thoughts:

The consequences of climate change probably won't be severely felt in my lifetime. Future generations, however, will be faced with a far different reality from the one we know today. Unless we act now to reduce CO2 levels, they will face unimaginable hardships. While doing our part by unplugging electrical units and shopping local is important, it won't solve the problem. Doing so will require a commitment, and immediate action, from world leaders to reduce the use of fossil fuels. I encourage you to speak out and support any activities which will help meet the goal of reducing CO2 levels.

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:

In March we began preparations designed to ensure that we have local produce next winter. You can read that challenge HERE. Let's put those plans into action this week. Here you go ...

This week preserve local produce. This could be large scale (e.g. canning fruits and vegetables) ... or simply freezing some herbs. You might want to dehydrate fruit for healthy snacks, make a small batch of freezer jam or shell some peas for the freezer. Canning, freezing, dehydrating, curing, pickling, etc. ... the choice is yours. The goal is to preserve local produce, perhaps from your own garden, for use in the winter.

OR ...

If you are experiencing winter instead of summer and don't have fresh produce to preserve, please prepare at least one meal this week using local foods. This might include items preserved from last summer's harvest, canned goods sold by local farmers, etc.

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

Until next time ...

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

Growing Food - A Different Take

Our last survey asked "Which green-living practice has been the toughest for you?" The results show that growing food ranks as the hardest activity:

The "other" category, which tied for first place, included these comments:

• Buying eco friendly furniture!
• I don't have the space to grow my own food but I do support my farmers market each weekend! :)
• Purchasing goods that are local and affordable (clothing for example)- I compromise by purchasing a lot from goodwill, but the new stuff...it's hard to stomach purchasing a $150.00 dress (that is yes, beautiful and locally made) when you are on a tight budget.
• Finding useful means of reusing "throwaway" materials That package items I buy, so that less is wasted, and less "needs" to be purchased.
• While I only shop once or twice a year, I admit when I do it's usually just for basics at Old Navy or the Gap Outlet. So mine would be, shopping for gently used clothes instead.

There are many benefits to having a garden and growing one's own food. Even a small garden can supplement our diets. Fresh, organic vegetables are healthy, flavorful and reduce the strain on our planet.

Here's an idea which might surprise you ... growing food helps us reduce food waste. Why? Because while most people think nothing about tossing out molded fruits & veggies which were purchased at the market, we wouldn't consider tossing out a vegetable which we nurtured and watched grow.

Benefits aside, the obstacles to gardening make it impossible for some to take advantage of home-grown fruits and veggies.

Would you consider it a privilege to have a garden?

I read an interesting article about food insecurity which suggested that having a garden isn't simple for everyone, especially poor people. The author pointed out that people living beneath the poverty line barely have enough money to feed themselves let alone buy seeds. And what about space ... lower income families often live in multifamily housing without amenities like patios, yards or green spaces. If a landlord places little value on growing food then any request for garden space is denied. Community gardens often charge for a plot ... water costs extra ... and dealing with pests, even in a natural way, can cost money.

Other obstacles include time, storage (for the harvest and for gardening equipment), a person's physical limitations and knowledge.

I feel privileged to have a garden. I am aware that some cannot and that I am lucky to have the means to pay for seeds, plants, water, etc.

Perhaps the true green living activity isn't about growing food but rather finding ways to ensure that everyone has access to fresh, local produce. Maybe we share our harvest with others or volunteer to help start a garden or simply teach someone how to grow tomatoes. Maybe we donate our time at a community garden or purchase space for those who can't afford it. We can support edible gardens in our area ... places where everyone can harvest food for their table. We can share seeds, knowledge and even land.

Is there someone in your neighborhood who would like to grow food? How will you help remove their obstacles?

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)! 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.

There's a lot of great information in this post and I encourage you to read through it ... however, if you don't have the time right now, 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

Last week we took a look at our trash bin and challenged ourselves to find alternate uses for the stuff we typically toss out. This is one of those activities which, in my opinion, needs to be revisited from time to time because it's very easy to throw things away ... easier than walking to the compost bin ... or sorting out recyclables ... or upcycling items into something new and usable. Even giving stuff away, something which we'd think is simple, can be a hassle. So while this challenge seemed easy enough, it turns out that it required thought and action.

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. Here's what they had to say:

Welcome back to EcoGrrl ... it sounds like you had a great vacation. EcoGrrl shared this, " Hola! I'm back from holiday in Oz and happy to comment on this one! Ironically, when I was WWOOF'ing down under, my host asked me, as one of my projects, to separate out the treated vs untreated wood. Her idea was that we'd use the untreated for firewood, and scrap the rest. But I stopped her and said hey, can't we build some stuff out of the good pieces of treated wood? And she jumped at my ideas, one to build a small fence to keep her dogs out of an area of the garden (http://ecogrrl.net/2013/02/26/where-i-be-chillin-part-four/), and the other to paint pretty signs to welcome new WWOOFers to the garden (http://ecogrrl.net/2013/03/04/where-i-be-chillin-part-eight/). I love reusing stuff in my own garden at home as well, where I've build all of my wooden raised beds in my side yard out of scrap wood (https://ecogrrl.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/proceserv1.jpeg) - function over form, yeah baby!"

Argentum Vulgaris embraced this challenge. In Change the World Wednesday – 6th Mar you'll find out what he does with his trash. He also talks about the "blonde bimbo". Uh-Oh!

Valerie accepted the challenge and said that she's going to peruse Pinterest to get some ideas for upcycling cans and milk cartons. How'd that go, Valerie? Did you come up with any good ideas?

Alicia left us some wonderful tips and ideas in her comment: " This challenge has come at a good time since we have just been doing some "Spring Cleaning". Sometimes cleaning like this can be a real eye opener! We have several lamps that have just been taking up room not being used. Instead of donating them and buying new ones I am going to get some Eco Friendly non toxic paint and freshen them up. It will be like having new lamps with my own custom colors. I found some nice lightweight curtains that I don't plan on using so I am going to make reusable shopping bags out of them. I always like having extra bags so that I can share with other people. I also found some old wool sweaters which I was really excited about. I am going to be able to make lots of wool dryer balls with them. They eliminate the use of fabric softener and decrease drying time by at least 30%. I am embarrassed to say I found a whole lot of those magazines that you get at the health food stores and at Whole Foods. They have so much good information in them. I always have such good intentions of reading them but a lot of times that doesn't happen. I am going to take them to be recycled but have made the decision to see if they are available to look at on line and do that instead. We have quite a few plastic pots from flowers and herbs that we bought this past year to plant in our garden.We try real hard to only buy plants that are in peat pots. That way plant and pot can be planted. They will be taken to be recycled as well but We are going to plant some of our own seeds this year that way we can eliminate those kinds of pots. I took clothes to be donated and what do you know I found two "new" tops for myself while I was there. Win win situation there!! I could go on and on with this challenge as you might can tell. I love cleaning out things that we aren't using and getting organized is such a great feeling. Just put your imagination to work before you throw something away. It can be amazing what you might come up with!!"

Mrs. Green is a Zero-Waste Diva (she accumulated just one bin of waste in an entire year) ... so I thought that perhaps she'd pass on this challenge because she's already made it a part of her life. However ... in this POST she talks about why she's accepting it and how she'll hold herself accountable. Could you do what she's doing?

Some people recycle ... some reuse ... and then there are folks, like Lois, who get Creative (with a capital "C") and take upcycling to new heights. In Change The World Wednesday With A New Toy you'll see what she did with a plastic bottle, some pens, an egg carton and a furniture bolt. All I can say is "WOW". And by the way ... guess who brought Lois some of these materials? Nope ... I won't tell ... you'll have to go and find out!

CelloMom couldn't accept this challenge. Nope! Want to know why? She accepted last year's zero-waste challenge and is still working at it. WhooHoo! Here's what she had to say, " I do remember last year's Zero Waste challenge. Boy, do I remember it: I'm still in it. Not that we're at zero, far from it, but we're down to about 50% from before we started the challenge: about 10 gallons a week. Now I have a new conundrum: our kitchen trash can is too large! So I need to find a good home for it, and find a smaller one that is preferrably not new." Nicely done, CelloMom! I'd suggest checking Freecycle for both a new home for your bin and finding a smaller one. Anyone else have ideas?

Using a little ingenuity, a little glue and some determination, Randy shows us how he went about Conserving Happiness by Gluing The Tree. Be sure to read the last line in the post ... I loved it!

Charlie offers us some motivation ... not only for this challenge but for all of them. Check it out HERE.

Developing a plan and getting organized is definitely more work than simply tossing stuff out but Kristina shows us just how rewarding it can be. Take a look at Think Before You Trash. Her results are awesome!

If you analyzed your trash, what would you find? Cat took a look at hers and shared this, "As always it is food wrapping that gets tossed out most in our home, I just don't get around that it seems. Interestingly though, I have eaten my first dishes from dumpster dived food this week. A student friend made potato bread from potatoes they found." Wow ... I'd love to hear more about that Cat. Anyone else tried dumpster diving?

Ann takes reducing trash "on the road". She has volunteered, at a local festival, to teach people about waste. Check out Save our world: Rubbish at a Festival to find out how things have changed in the years that she's been volunteering.

kmogilevski stopped by and says, "Love all of the reviews of soaps! Now I know which ones to look for and which ones to avoid. I also use natural soap on my hair - no more issues with dandruff or dry hair."

Scarlet dropped in and shared this, " Thanks for the linkback & the great list of reviews! :) "

Our Twitter friends joined the conversation ... here's what they had to say:

From @givetreegifts
- Recipes I use are still available online! ... Recipes to Make Your Own Soap, Lotion & More: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Natural-Health/2007-08-01/Recipes-to-Make-Your-Own-Soap-Lotion-and-More.aspx#axzz2MjPGE7tQ
- This is the latest I've tried... A Recipe for Handmade Vegan Bar Soap: http://frugallysustainable.com/2012/08/a-recipe-for-handmade-vegan-bar-soap/

From @truenatureed
- "Alone we can do so little/together we can do so much": http://ow.ly/i/1D0P9

From @earthyurban
- Step outside your comfort zone and serve a cause larger than yourself. Something to think about today

From @gwened02
- Thrown freezer bag that had had salmon in. Can't be reused/recycled. But I could buy big salmon & cut it up saving money & packaging
- thrown away the snick from the lemon juice bottle and the plastic from the top of the soy sauce.
- Thrown away bag from packet of malteasers. To prevent this next time I will buy a big box of them as the cardboard can be recycled.

The #CTWW Gang are those folks who share our challenges on twitter using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I highly recommend following them ... they have a lot of great things to say. Let's meet them:

@skipbang	@planetpals	@mombloggerplr
@lowimpactmama	@frederickbrooke	@biculturalmama
@pinkladyapril	@a_kiasi	@crazykids6
@mcmillendc	@crazy4grnlivn	@irishcarter1
@allnaturalkatie	@anktangle	@lizbethsgarden
@givetreegifts	@ginavalley	@turningclockbac
@bestrawesome	@kiboomu	@biggreenpen
@89linz	@marjoriemcatee	@insignifblog
@almosttruth	@wencdj	@momgamerwriter
@laalicia	@clubcontent	@gwened02
@earthyurban	@beatepdx	@timsimms
@motherhoodlooms	@hasbrochildrens	@thefadderly
@rulesofgreen	@events4bloggers	@mamasmoney
@esideecodesign	@lorcadamon	@smallbits
@rckweddings	@jaemacjustsayin	@ithoughtiknewma
@ggirlggreen	@intricateknot1	@nolafusion
@whywelovegreen	@commplacegr	@ladyjcmuses
@amotherlife	@treesgroup	@lady_bren
@littlegreenblog	@spilldmilkshake	@theworld4realz

My Final Thoughts:

How would you feel about building your home on top of a landfill? How about letting your kids play in a park which sits on top of waste? Would you plant a vegetable garden in soil which contained chemicals from a nearby trash site? It all sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? But that fact is that our waste doesn't biodegrade ... that process requires air and sunlight which aren't a part of the anaerobic conditions in a landfill. With populations growing and the constant accumulation of "stuff", trash sites fill rapidly and then the search is on for new sites. The fact is that at some point we won't have any more room for them. It's quite possible that in the near future our homes and community areas will sit atop a pile of junk. Or, we can change the way we do things ... we can stop acquiring so much, reuse and recycle. Which will you choose?

Thanks, everyone! If you wrote an article, I have Stumbled, Tweeted, Facebooked and posted it on Google +. You can help spread the "green" word by using the share feature at the bottom of this post.

This Week's Challenge:

Last August, CelloMom suggested that we find a way to eat local produce throughout the winter months (you can read that challenge HERE). Now that we're moving into spring, it's the perfect time to come up with a strategy to ensure that we'll have local fruits and veggies next winter. Here you go ...

This week develop a strategy which will ensure that you and your family enjoy local produce next winter. Need some suggestions? Plan a garden with preserving in mind. Consider freezing, drying, canning, etc. and start gathering the items/tools you'll need to accomplish it (don't forget to check thrift stores, Freecycle, etc. for things like canning jars, dehydrators, and other items you might need). Visit your farmer's market and learn about the items which they'll have available and when they will arrive for purchase. If you are a member of a CSA, talk to the farmer about your goals and see how he/she can help. This week is all about planning with the goal of having local produce on your plate next winter.

Will join me in this challenge?

Please join me in our mantra ...

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

Getting ready for 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!

Vegan Recipe - Kale & Onion Stir-Fry

When we were at our farmer's market last week, it seemed that every booth had kale ... which I adore. A particular bunch of Red Russian Kale drew my attention ... it was so beautiful with it's purplish, red ribs. So, of course, I had to have some.


Kale is so healthy, with it's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is high in fiber, beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C, lutein, zeaxanthin and calcium. It also contains sulforaphane, which is believed to have potent anti-cancer properties, particularly when chopped or minced. In the vegetable world, kale is a nutritional powerhouse!


Nutrition aside ... I just think it tastes good.


The following recipe is simple, using only 5 ingredients, and can be prepared quickly. I hope you and your family will enjoy it:


KALE & ONION STIR-FRY

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. fresh green kale
• 2 onions, sliced
• 2 tbsp. rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp. soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp. sugar

Preparation:

1. Clean kale and remove ribs. Coat a wok or skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat on medium-high. Add kale and onions. Stir for 1 to 2 minutes.

2. Add rice vinegar, soy sauce and sugar. Reduce to medium and stir until kale and onions are crisp-tender.

3. Enjoy!

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

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.

I want to ... but (Part do ... I mean deux)

Yesterday we talked about green living road blocks ... those things that seem to prevent us from living a greener life. If you didn't get a chance to read that post, you can do so HERE. A few people wrote in with their "I want to ... buts", so today we're going to try to come up with solutions. Here we go:

ROAD BLOCK:

Mary said, "I do all these things except the short shower, and that is my own fault, since I ADORE long showers."

SOLUTION:

Sober White Woman said, "I love my tub! I have a huge garden tub and I love to soak in it. So on those days I try to cut back on using water else where. Just take baby steps and they WILL help trust me!"

How about this ... rather than take long showers every day, make them a special treat. Bargain with yourself ... for example ... tell yourself that if you take short showers for a week, you're allowed one indulgent shower. Another thing that will make showers (of any length) greener is to turn down the temperature of the water ... you'll save a lot of energy.

ROAD BLOCK:

I want to begin living greener ... but don't know where to start.

SOLUTION:

Brian said, "I would suggest doing little things first like changing light bulbs to the more energy efficient bulbs. Locate your nearest recycling location and plan your trips to town so that you drive past it on a regular basis. This will remind you to recycle and it will change from out of your way to "we can stop on the way to town."

ROAD BLOCK:

I want to live green ... but need a good reason.

SOLUTION:

Ilhami Uyar said, "We have to take care to environment, we must prevent our old world, if we shouldn't prevent some damages, what will leave our children. We haven't another different world to live, so we have to guard our world."

ROAD BLOCK:

Nina E J said, "... how about cutting down meat? doesn't that pollute the earth a lot?!"

Kathryn Magendie said, "I want to always eat vegetarian, but it's more difficult than it seems at times- when you visit people, it's hard to say "I can't eat your food..." so I just eat it (so far I've avoided eating the stuff I NEVER want to eat: pork, veal, lamb...). Unless the host asks ahead of time if anyone doesn't eat meat, meat is usually served, and unless it is a "serve yourself" buffet kind of dinner, then the meat is placed on the plate! I consider myself a "flexitarian' - since I do sometimes eat meat...."

SOLUTION:

Meatless meals are good for the earth (if you'd like to read a previous post on the subject, click HERE). Since any effort is good, perhaps incorporate a few meatless meals into the week's menu. Even the most devout carnivore probably wouldn't object to a delicious spaghetti made with marinara sauce or a hearty bowl of vegetarian chili with corn bread.

If you're goal is to become vegetarian/vegan full time, there are basically two ways to get there ... one is to just do it and the other is to gradually reduce the meat in your diet until it's gone. My choice was to just do it ... after watching a program on the health issues attributed to animal products, I decided to go vegan ... for a month. I need an "out" so I told myself that if, after a month, I really wanted some meat ... I could do it. But ... after a month I was hooked on vegetarian food. I felt better and enjoyed the food. Some people find it easier to slowly ease into a vegetarian life style. That works, too. There are marvelous resources on the Internet for ways to go veggie. I suggest checking them out and experimenting a little to see what works best for you.

As for dining out with friends ... when I became vegan, I told everyone ... my friends and family. They have all been wonderful and have taken on the challenge of cooking "veg" for us when we visit. When our hosts don't know that we're vegan, we call ahead to tell them and offer to bring some food ... helps them and helps us. We've even attended wedding receptions where the couple kindly arranged, ahead of time, for our meals to be vegan ... and everyone at our table was jealous. I believe the key is letting people know. Most of the time, they want to accommodate vegetarians. The one thing that, I believe, is a big mistake is not saying anything ... it's awkward once you're there ... you either have to compromise your diet and eat foods you'd rather not eat or say "no thanks" to the meat items and risk hurting the chef's feelings. Full disclosure, ahead of time, is always best.

ROAD BLOCK:

Cesia said, "My biggest issue is remembering the grocery bags."

SOLUTION:

s engelmohr said, "I, like you had trouble with the re-usable bags for awhile. Seems like we have about 6-8 for each vehicle now and if some get left in the house there are still some left in the car. Funny thing I leave them there on occasion too and walk out with a cart full of loose groceries. "

Annie said, "I'm going to get those reusable shopping bags this week!"


ROAD BLOCK:

Frisky Librarian said, "I need to frequent farmers markets, but as I don't have a car, it's an "I want to...but" scenario."

SOLUTION:

One solution might be to organize a farmer's market "car pool" with others (hopefully with someone who has a car). This could be a fun outing with friends and perhaps, after the shopping trip, everyone could contribute to a fabulous, farm fresh meal. If no one has a car, perhaps the bus will work. This could be a weekly trip or even bi-weekly.

Does your area have Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)? Some CSAs will actually deliver shares to members who can't drive to the pick up location.

Another idea ... check on community gardens in your area. They are cropping up all over the place and are great ways to get some fresh fruits and veggies. Some gardens offer small plots of land so that you can grow your own ... others sell to the surrounding community and still others, like one in my area, offer free fruits and veggies to anyone who cares to pick their own (they only ask that you only pick enough for your immediate use).

Here's a great, brand new, resource. It's called Veggie Trader (http://www.veggietrader.com/index.php) and it's a brilliant concept. Basically, it's a site where people can buy/trade/sell their extra produce. A quick search by zip code will tell you what's available in your area. It's a new site, and it's early in the season, so there aren't many entries yet ... but as more people hear about it, it'll grow and should become a wonderful resource for those who want local, fresh produce.

Want one more idea? How about exchanging a little of your time, volunteering on an organic farm, in exchange for food, etc.? There is a very cool website called World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (http://www.wwoof.org/index.asp) which acts as a meeting place for those who own organic farms and those who would like to volunteer in exchange for food, accommodation, etc.

ROAD BLOCK:

Ron said, "I live in an apartment building, which has no composting facility. I was thinking of starting one up in the area beside the parking lot, but sadly, I haven't had the time, nor any idea on how I can get others to participate--except for the few that I actually talk to while going up and down the elevator every day. Any thoughts?"

SOLUTION:

I would contact the apartment management to see if they are willing to participate in composting. If they are, perhaps a flier could be handed out to all residents informing them of the bin and giving them some pointers on how to use it. Composting bins do require a "stir" once in awhile and, as mentioned in my article, a layer of dirt on top keeps the odor down ... so someone would need to step up and manage the bin. I, personally, haven't found apartment managers to be overly receptive to green ideas but ... I'm a firm believer that we should keep asking. That being said, if they aren't willing, I'd try composting on a small scale. There are commercial bins which work nicely on patios or, as I do, one can use any available container.

ROAD BLOCK

I want to recycle ... but don't know how to get started.

SOLUTION

SweetPeaSurry said, "When I lived in NYC we had recycling bins for the 'house' apartments that we lived it, they were shared. So in the kitchen we used one of those three drawer plastic towers that you can pick up at any store, Target or Kmart or Walmart. It worked great ... and as it filled up ... we'd just toss stuff into the recycle 'house' bins. Worked great! "


Thanks to everyone who shared their "I want to ... buts" as well as to those who offered solutions and encouragement. See ... I told you this was a great group!

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