Written on
April 20, 2010 by
Amber
Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution is a huge sensation. The TV program is airing in the US right now, and Jamie’s philosophy of cooking real food from fresh ingredients is hitting home. I live in Canada, but even here people are talking about what’s happening each week on the show. They’re trying out new recipes and re-considering their approach to what they feed their children.
What is Jamie saying that is spurring people to action? On his website, he writes:
Knowing how to cook means you’ll be able to turn all sorts of fresh ingredients into meals when they’re in season, at their best, and cheapest!
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Written on
April 6, 2010 by
Amber
Thrift store teacup
There was a time in my life when I never darkened the door of a thrift store. I had a variety of reasons – I thought it took too much work to find something really good, I thought second hand stores smelled bad (they sometimes do), and I didn’t really like the idea that some stranger had worn that shirt or eaten off this plate.
Things have changed. These days I love second hand shopping. When I had kids I discovered that children’s clothing can get really expensive, really fast. This is especially true when they’re super-tiny and they grow through clothes at an alarming rate.
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Written on
April 1, 2010 by
Amber
Last month I decided to try no poo. It’s short for ‘no shampoo’, and it means that I’ve ditched my traditional hair cleaning products. And I am not alone. No poo’s following is growing, and people choose it for a variety of reasons.
Why did I choose to give up shampoo? Modern shampoos typically contain artificial colors and fragrances, and a variety of ingredients that haven’t been specifically tested for safety. Shampoo and conditioner come in plastic bottles, and there are problems with recycling plastic. Also, as compared to the more environmentally-friendly organic shampoos and conditioners I was using, this solution is super-cheap.
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Written on
March 31, 2010 by
DianaP
A couple of weeks ago I explained the events that led to my decision to 1) reassess my life and 2) write this series about it. If you haven’t read that, I highly recommend it. (Of course I do, right? Right!) When you’re done just don’t forget to come back and visit me here.
I’m more than a little ashamed to admit that, despite my best efforts, there is a lot of packaging that runs through this house. Especially of the plastic variety. Over the years we’ve instituted all the simple, every day waste reduction methods we could think of.
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Written on
March 30, 2010 by
DianaP
It’s the week of Easter and I have to assume I am not the only procrastinator — er, busy mom — who does not yet have her kids’ Easter Baskets filled with goodies and awaiting the big morning. And you know, as much as I love all the online guides I find for eco-friendly Easter basket stuffers it seems every year I still find myself in the same position. Life takes precedence and for me that often means my kids’ baskets aren’t filled with organic cotton plush animals ordered in from an internet source, but rather with regular everyday commodities I’m able to find at stores locally as I run my usual errands.
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Written on
March 29, 2010 by
DianaP
This time of year eggs are a hot topic. One of the most frequently asked questions I hear among those who either raise their own or source farm-fresh, local eggs is whether or not brown eggs — the color most commonly laid in America’s backyard flocks — are suitable for dying. The answer is a resounding yes. In fact, brown eggs result in deep, rich hues that white shells just cannot compete with.
But how do you dye them without yucky commercial dye packets wrapped in yards of packaging waste? Well, naturally, of course.
Over the years we have experimented with many of those natural ways.
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I don’t know about you, but March is my least favorite month. In my part of the world, it’s not yet spring, but the lingering winter is no longer welcome; the crocuses try to unfold, just to be deadened by frost. Fog sets in, along with days of rain. Mud cakes boots. And all those best intentions I made back in January seem so very, very distant.
In short, by March, I could use a bit of a boost, so today, I’d like to share a few links with you all. The following are websites and blogs which inspire me to take those big (and small) steps toward a greener me.
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On March 27th at 8:30 p.m. cities and people all over the world are turning off their lives to help bring awareness to climate change. Last year more than 4,000 cities in 87 countries joined in. Over 300 cities just in the US went dark. This year will hopefully bring even more supporters.
To join in you can go to Earth Hour and sign up. Businesses, cities, and states can also join! It doesn’t get much easier than turning off your lights for one hour to help bring climate change awareness.
Here are some tips and ideas for this Earth Hour:
1.
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Written on
March 9, 2010 by
Amber
Since embarking on my green journey, I look at my product choices differently. Before buying something I ask myself about its environmental impact and ecological footprint. What is it made of, where does it come from, and how much packaging does it come with? Can I find it used, or borrow it? Every time that I spend money, it is as if I am casting a vote for a product and saying, “This is what I support.”
Most of the fabric in my clothing, bedding and towels is cotton. Cotton, of course, comes from the cotton plant, and so it is biodegradable and renewable.
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Written on
March 8, 2010 by
DianaP
Did you miss a daily dose of 5 Minutes for Going Green last week? Never fear, we’re here (with a recap!)
Asking’s One’s Self the Hard Questions kicked off a series in which I’ll be examining all the things I’m doing wrong in our family’s quest for The Green Life. And the way it came about was quite unexpected.
A couple weeks ago we invited another couple over for dinner and games. I’ve been friends with the wife for sometime but we hadn’t yet gotten together as couples more than a few times — her husband didn’t know me as well as she did and had no idea what it is that I do for a living.
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