November 2008 | 5 Minutes For Going Green

Monthly Archives: November 2008

Recycled Note Of The Week: Ecojot

Written on November 11, 2008 by SusanC

This week’s Recycled Note Of The Week comes from Ecojot, a Canadian based environmentally friendly stationary line designed by Carolyn Gavin.

The paper comprising all Ecojot’s cards, notebooks, agendas, and file folders are created from 100% post-consumer recycled content, which means no new trees are ever used in their creation and printing process.

The three notebooks above came in a set I found at Powell’s, but there are many other colorful and eco-centric designs on Ecojot’s website. I liked these because they were simple and perfectly pocket or purse-sized, while also rocking three re-purposed mantras which make them not only great for list-making, but as a thoughtful and eco-friendly gift, too.

in For The Home, For The Office, Great Green Finds, Recycled Note Of The Week, Reduce Reuse Recycle, The Green Consumer

- 2 Comments

Green Gratitude

Written on November 10, 2008 by Guest Contributor

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Autumn brings not only a rash of holiday events, but birthday parties for my two sons. So when I started thinking about presents, favors and hostess gifts, I tried to put on my thinking cap (Sister Carolyn would be proud!) and get creative.

Halloween was a breeze. Despite my husband’s protests, we gave out locally produced apples from Nichols Farm purchased at our local Green City Market. Whew! Something I could believe in, an item my kids actually prefer over candy, and used dollars to benefit a local business. Perfect! No plastic crap made in another country to mindlessly buy to give.

in Frugal Living, Great Green Finds, Green Holidays, Green Parenting, Green Thoughts, Reduce Reuse Recycle, The Green Consumer

- 2 Comments

Sometimes, I’m a Big Green Hypocrite!

Written on November 7, 2008 by Guest Contributor

9 Comments

I am, by no means, perfect when it comes to green living.

There are many, many things I know I can easily replace in my home that consume energy. I can easily do more.

So why don’t I? Because I’m used to convenience. I like my food processor and my coffee maker. I love my vacuum and my lawnmower. I had once made a vow to begin replacing items in my home with green equivalents, if or when they broke down or got used up. Old habits die hard. My first instinct is to head to Walmart and pick up a replacement at a very low, low price.

in Conservation, For The Home, Frugal Living, Got Energy?, Green Thoughts, Reduce Reuse Recycle

- 9 Comments

Save Energy & Win Green With The Home Depot

Written on November 6, 2008 by SusanC

1 Comment

The Home Depot is running a “Save Money. Save Energy. Win Big!” video contest until midnight PST on Sunday, November 9th. The contest winner will receive a $5,000 Home Depot gift card and up to $2,000 for installed insulation or radiant barrier products from The Home Depot Home Services.

How to win these awesome eco-prizes?

Just shoot a short video to show how you are saving money and helping the environment by making your home more energy efficient, and enter it at www.homedepot.com/youtube. That’s it!

The videos should focus on conserving energy in your home and addressing issues to prevent high energy bills – such as the use of dimmer switches, ceiling fans, water conservation and/or insulation.

in Conservation, For The Home, Frugal Living, Got Energy?, Green Giveaways, Reduce Reuse Recycle, The Green Consumer

- 1 Comment

Recycled Note Of The Week: Norie & Lee

Written on November 5, 2008 by SusanC

3 Comments

I found this week’s recycled note of the week at Norie & Lee, an Etsy shop dedicated to fun, lighthearted, and 100% recycled greeting cards.

Here are two of my favorites from the shop, both of them holiday-inspired as December is once again fast approaching (so crazy, that):

To My Favorite Person

Holiday Stokage

Norie & Lee’s clever designs are waterless printed in small quantities with soy-based inks on paper that is 100% post consumer waste recycled, Green Seal & FSC* certified, manufactured with Green-e certified renewable wind-generated electricity and processed chlorine free.

Envelopes are also 100% recycled, with at least 20% post consumer waste.

in Great Green Finds, Green Holidays, Recycled Note Of The Week, Reduce Reuse Recycle, The Green Consumer

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The Undertow of Materialism

Written on November 4, 2008 by Guest Contributor

11 Comments

Trust me, I know how it is. You feel like you can just dip your toe into that ocean of consumerism this holiday season and walk away unscathed. Keeping it simple this year, you say? Not that many gifts or toys or decorations, you promise? And then one turns to two which turns to ten and whoosh! You are swept away. Just like that.

And in that rip current of consumerism, there aren’t only dollars floating into oblivion, there is waste.

Think of all the things thrown away during the holidays: wrapping paper, tissue paper, special little note cards, holiday cards you mail, tape, that do-hicky that holds the tape on your wrist (this includes all those other “helpful” plastic gadgets), shopping bags, receipts, fuel, gas, electricity, food, decorations and the list goes on and on.

in Activism, For The Home, Frugal Living, Green Holidays, Green Outreach, Green Parenting, Green Thoughts, The Green Consumer

- 11 Comments

Filtering For Change

Written on November 3, 2008 by Guest Contributor

9 Comments

I’m not ashamed to admit I’m blogging for The Man.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have been offered the opportunity to blog for Brita’s “Filter For Good” campaign for the next few months. What makes this job sweeter is that for the first time, I’m making money writing about what I love. Every little bit counts, and even though the NINE PAGE contract I signed freaked me out a bit, I felt empowered by my skills as a writer, and felt my passion could be used to influence the masses (or at least, my readers) into taking their green living a step further by pledging to bring filters instead of disposable bottles in their homes.

in Activism, Blog, Conservation, For The Home, Frugal Living

- 9 Comments

Around The Greenosphere: Weekly Link Roundup

Written on November 1, 2008 by SusanC

1 Comment

Alison, at Homeschoolers’ Guide to the Galaxy, wrote a post this week sparking thought and discussion regarding green cooking and eating. It’s definitely a hot topic, and one worth pondering and researching further, no matter where you are personally in your great green journey.

Deb and her “marauding band of vintage avengers” are perpetually asking you, “Did you buy that new?” This site is a great resource for great vintage finds, and for creative ideas on what you can do with them! Reduce reuse, repurpose.

Lori Ann over at Simple Makes has a great and informative series of posts on composting geared toward those living in apartments, or in houses sans a lot of yard space.

in Around the Greenosphere, Great Green Finds, The Green Consumer

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