Reuse

I was kind of waiting for more people to comment on my last post.  Thanks for the support from my husband!

REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE
Today I'm posting about reuse.  There are many things that you can reuse that are easy to think of- like clothing (hand-me-downs).  Don't be timid to do your clothes shopping at a second-hand store.  Some of my most favorite things come from Savers or D.I.  If you're that imbarresed tell yourself you're doing it for the environment (but it doesn't hurt to save some dough too!).
 
I'll tell you what- I reuse the HECK out of scraps of paper here at my house.  Paper is not thrown away unless there is no more reusable room on it.  I have been thinking I should take a pic of some of my lists, just so I could use it for this post, but I never got around to it.

I reuse all plastic containers from the grocery store.  Sour cream, Peanut butter, cool whip all of these containers are great for storing stuff.  The sour cream and coolwhip containers I use for leftovers or when I'm making dinner to take to somebody.  That way if they don't come back- no big deal!

I really liked it when the formula cans were tin.  I used those for loads of things.  I store my rice in them.  I've used them for candy jars.  Here are some pics of just a few of the containers I have reused.

 
Repurpose old stuff.  If you are thinking of getting rid of something, use your imagination and see if you can come up with something else to use it for.  Refinish it.  Use it in another room.  Let the kids have it.  Whatever, but try to make do with less, so that you don't always have to go rushing out to buy excess stuff!  Here are a few pics I found that I thought were pretty creative ways to reuse old stuff.

 

 

I'd love to hear your comments on this one too.

Reduce

Let's talk about the 3 R's.  Actually I'll write them for you, but this post I'll only be discussing the first one. 

REDUCE    REUSE   RECYCLE

REDUCE: This one I feel like encompasses so much. 

We should try and reduce the things we buy.  Live by a simple rule.  If you don't need it, don't buy it.  I think that many of us have a nasty habit of always attaining more stuff.  Stuff, stuff, stuff.

I went to Belize a while ago and stayed with some people native to the rainforest.  They lived in grass huts.  Inside their small huts there was NOTHING.  Each of them had a hammock to sleep in that they wrapped around the frame of the hut during the day.  They also had an extra set or two of clothing that they would wrap in the hammock.  That's it.  Quite a few people in my group kept making the comments that it really made them so grateful for all the things they have.  For me it was the opposite.  It made me think that I could really live with a lot less.
 
I'm not saying I'm ready to give up all my comforts, but next time I see a really cute pair of shoes, I could really decide if having "51" pairs of shoes is really that important.  Maybe I don't need that 51rst pair. If we stopped consuming so much, there wouldn't be so much "stuff" produced.  Supply and demand. 

We can also reduce the waste we create.   When they started curbside recycling in my last hometown my hubby and I shouted for joy. It was amazing how little "garbage" we had after the recyclables were sorted out.  Try and make extra effort to reduce the garbage you make. 
Use less paper towels (or none at all- we don't use paper towels here). 
Try using one square less of toilet paper. 
Reuse the backs of papers for daily lists.
Compost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I'm a huge fan of this)
When buying products at a store- opt for the one with less packaging.
Just try to incorporate one little change a month, or one a week- depending on how aggressive you want to be. 
Remember our lifestyles don't have to drastically change, but if everyone does a little- it can help a lot. 
What are some ideas you all can think of.  Let's share ideas with each other.  Please comment!
 

While your at it...

So I guess to go right along with the last post, I wanted to say a few things about planting your own garden.  Everyone needs to get outside and grow something for themselves at least once in their lives.  Feel a connection to the earth.  If you get personal with mother nature, you feel more responsible about how you treat her.  There is little better than picking and eating a home-grown, garden fresh vegetable that you grew yourself!  I love to feel the dirt in my hands, and see what I can create. 

Growing plants is literally a MIRACLE.  I know all the science of it, but it is still so fascinating to me to see plants with such substance come from NOTHING.  A teeny, tiny seed.  There has been research where a scientist planted  a willow tree in a pot for 5 years.  The soil was weighed before and after and there was only a difference of  2 OUNCES.  Isn't that amazing?   I've included a pic of my garden a while ago.  I know I have lots more of my various gardens but this is all I could find.

So try your herb garden first, and then move on to a vegetable garden.  Even if you only grow tomatoes or carrots(or both) in a pot on your patio.  You might find that you enjoy it more than you thought.  It does feel great to "get fresh" with mother nature!

Grow Something

So I have been feeling a little quilty about my first post, and I am afraid that some of you may not have read the article.   Oh well, I'll have to post a link to it again at a later date. 

I also have lots of ideas to write about, but I chose one this week that you can start tomorrow.  Or whenever, but it is a great time to start right about now. 

Grow something. 

Green. 

We grow children around here, but that is not what I am talking about.  Get a few terra-cotta pots, put some dirt in them and plant some herb seeds. Water well until they sprout and are good and healthy.  Then just water them when the soil looks dry.   Here is a great tutorial on growing herbs in used cans.  Look how cute.  Just add some twine or ribbon and it can look so pretty!

How awesome would it be to have your own cilantro, chives, basil, or garlic (or herb of your choice)?  This way you know exactly everything that has gone into the plant.  It's all organic.  It brightens up your kitchen.  I think it's totally time for people to get more personal with the things they eat. 

And I'm sorry, but I am totally going to argue that anything you grow yourself always tastes better than anything you could buy from the store.  Except children- maybe.  I can't vouch for that. I haven't really tasted mine.

                                                                                                                                                                                         

Take Time to Smell the Roses

For my first post, I am totally cheating.  I am going to post something that someone else wrote, but I don't know how that works with copy-right infringement and junk, so I will just put the link in right---

HERE- Help the World, Help Yourself: 10 Small Things You Can Do to Make a Big Difference in the Earth's Well-Being, and Your Own

Now go and read it- no cheating.  Just as if it was a post I wrote.  It's really not a long article, but it is so simple and really has some great starting points.  It also gives great reasons.  Not only are most changes good for the environment, they are good for your body, your pocket-book and your spirit.  Slow down with life and enjoy the journey.  It's not a race people.  Except for when it is.  Then go ahead and run.

A Single Step

A single step toward what?  A new world?  A better world?  Could there be anything better?  How can I be happier with less.  Is less really more? 

I am writing this blog as a way to get some ideas floating around.  Ideas that I hope will inspire you.  To do better at being a responsible human being.  To do better at feeling responsible for the planet.  To live a more simplified life.  And I hope along the way you realize that you don't have to drastically change your life to be called a "treehugger".  Making little changes one step at a time can make big impacts on our world. 

Margaret Mead says, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." And I absolutely believe this to be true. I used to believe that nothing I could do could change anything.  I never believed I could change the world, or peoples opinions.  But then somebody asked me- Why do you do what you do then? 

And I had to answer that I guess I do really think things can change.  For the better.  And they will- as we each learn little ways that we can do our part. To take care of the beautiful place which we live. 

I will try to post regularly- but no committments! I suck at committments. 
Let's find out what we can do together!