Reusable Bags

This is actually not a new resolution for me. I've been doing it for a few years now. I even made a few reusable bags of my own. I just wanted to post this, because I have a question.

Here is my question... or dilemma:

I use our old plastic shopping bags to line our garbage cans. I can't handle un-contained garbage dirty-ing up the garbage can. seriously. I even try to keep our outside container clean too.

Most the time I try to B.Y.O.B. (bring your own bag) when I shop. But sometimes if we're low on trash can liners I get plastic on purpose. I figure it is like a free liner, and it's better to use them twice (once to bring home your groceries and twice to contain your trash) then to just use them one time.

I'd love to know what you do. Do you use reusable bags? If so what do you use to line your trash cans?

Quick Tip: Repurpose Empty Glass Spice Jars

to be a new bud vase. Most of the vases I have are too big for a little bud, so I have found that a little spice glass jar is the perfect size. Also next time you go to throw out a glass, look at it and decide if you like the shape. I have found that a certain Spaghetti sauce that I buy at Costco, has a cute simple glass jar. I actually used it in a picture for this post.

All the tips today are Greeeeen!

Reduce - Reuse - Recycle

or

Use it Up
Wear it Out
Make it do
or do without.

I love those quotes.

Quick Tip: Freeze Your Paint Brushes

So I know that these little paint brushes are a total throw away item, but I have found that I paint things more often than you would think using a lot of the same colors. These tend to soak up a lot of paint and rinsing them out isn't worth it. If you keep them in a plastic ziplock bag while you use them and freeze them when you are not using them, they won't dry out.

Quick Tip: Save old Balloon Ribbons

and turn this mess...


into this!



First curl all the ribbon, then cut into smaller pieces and then staple together.

Okay, so you might be thinking right now that I am reminding you of your Grandma that saves all the Christmas wrapping paper, and that's okay, I'm okay with that. What I think is crazy is that people are paying a dollar for little present bows like this.

You would be surprised at how many balloons come through your house when you have kids, from the doctors office, to the grocery store, to birthday parties. It adds up to a lot of balloons.

Technically this is not a "quick" tip, but it's still a tip none the less.

Yesterday was Earth Day

and it was also garbage day where we live. Living in Utah, it really is easy to send everything to the right place. The only thing that isn't easy, is recycling glass, there is only one place that recycles glass, and they don't pick up. Most my non-green guilt comes from what we throw in the middle one, which isn't even that much since we only take it to the street every other week because we rarely fill it up. Diaper guilt is huge for me. I did try the g-diapers, but I didn't stick with it. Probably because I had been given so many regular diapers and I got lazy, I guess. Are any of you using the G-diapers or have you tried them?

I loved this quote that my good friend Lisa posted yesterday. It really made me stop and think.

3 Seasons In One Week

Last week we experienced 3 seasons in one week. The top picture is from our backyard on Monday, the middle picture was also in our backyard on Thursday morning and the bottom pick was on Saturday at the Hotel pool. What a crazy week! I love all the seasons (some a little more than others), it's an amazing planet we live on.

Last year at this time I dedicated an entire week of posts in honor of Earth Day... which happens to be today. Happy Earth Day! There are so many simple things we can all do to help keep this planet beautiful. I still continue to try to do what I can (where it makes sense). How about you?


ps. What's big and round and orange all over? My New Sun Hat!

Saving Our Planet One Diaper At A Time!

For Day 5 of my Ode to Our Mother Earth Week, I thought I would give a little shout out about G Diapers. They are biodegradable and flushable. A friend of mine gave me a G Diaper starter kit and I loved it, mostly cuz she knows me too well. Truthfully I don't know if I am ready to be that committed, but I am excited to give them a try, I mean c'mon, aren't they cute?! I think they are worth a try from all of us bloggin' Moms, even if it means a few less diapers in landfills. Who knows, we might love them.

Another Big Idea

Okay today's simple idea is drink from a glass (rather than a plastic bottle). I know it is a new concept (can you tell I am burnin' out?). Tomorrow's will be the finale - wahoo!

Our Human Footprint

Today's simple tip is one of my favorite quotes (I can't remember who said it):

Use it up, wear it out,
Make it do, or do without.

Happy Earth Day!

Today's simple idea is recycle yard waste. Did you know that grass clippings are 99% water? Would you fill a plastic bag full of water and put it in your trash? I know, it's crazy, but so many of us do it. Depending on where you live, yard waste pick up might be available. I know it is available in our area, because we use it. I don't compost, so in its place, I use this container to put any fruit or vegetable scraps, weeds, tree branches, etc. I am thankful for this service and for this beautiful planet we all share. Happy Earth Day!

I Love The Whole World

Go Green Giveaway

In honor of Green Day and Earth Month in April (thanks Logan) just around the corner, I wanted to challenge myself to go a little more green. Then I thought, Hey, why not challenge bloggers and blurkers alike. We all share this beautiful planet, so let's work together.
So here is the giveaway.



To win this cute box of 25 different cupcake recipe cards, just leave a comment on this post between now and Sunday March 16th at 10 p.m. I will announce the winner on Green Day itself (Monday March 17th).

Here is the challenge, if you post on your blog between now and Sunday March 16th at least one simple goal (more if you would like) of something you will change or something you will do to go a little more green. Then you can come back and comment a second time (telling me what you committed to) to up your chances to win. No anonymous comments will count. You can only comment twice.

Here are the things that I will commit to:
Turn the water off in the shower when I shave my legs.
Slow down when I drive to conserve gas.
Walk to church (that is a big one for me, especially when I am wearing heels).
Continue to recycle
Use my cloth shopping bags (my new favorites are from Albertsons for 1$, they are the perfect size. I have four of them).

Here are some more ideas to get you going. On Monday, the winner could just be Lucky You!

Join In!

Monday October 15th is Blog Action Day and this year the theme is The Environment. If you have a blog, join in the fun. Post on your blog on issues relating to the environment. It can be anything you want, relating to the topic. Here are some ideas of simple things to talk about and commit to:
-sign up for a curb side recycle bin - sign up for a yard waste only bin if available in your area - don't let your car idol when your not driving it - change your light bulbs over - unplug stuff - bring your own reuseable take home container - Anyway, here are just a few. If you want to know more, click on the icon on the sidebar. I am excited to be a part of this...Gooo Green!

A Friend Of The Earth Is A Friend Of Mine

I'll admit it, I am a big Martha Stewart fan. It just about killed me when I had to burn a picture of her in my Woman Studies Art class at the U. So when her T.V. show got booted to the new time slot of 2:05 A.M. I was crushed. Thank heavens for Tivo!
Anyway recently on her show they showed a craft that was right up my alley. They made T-Shirt Bags. They turn old t-shirts into reuseable grocery bags just by sewing up the bottom and cutting the sleeves off. What a great idea, who doesn't have old t-shirts? So in honor of Blog Action Day, here is an idea how we can help our environment.


Here are two that I made. (thanks Kyle)


I just love this old t-shirt, I think it is a little too worn to make it into a bag, but I just wanted to post it. The artwork is courtesy of Chris Peterson, Kyle's best friend.