Soda Maker

What a great way to enjoy bubbly beverages for a lot less and while sparing the environment so many cans and bottles!

Check out the Soda Stream at home soda maker.

Cleaning Products in Schools

What products does your child's school use to clean?

What kind of soap is in the dispensers?

Are our kids breathing safe air?

Could the air in their schools be contributing to asthma attacks, cancer and other medical maladies caused/agitated by environmental contaminants?

While most of us don't know the answers to these questions, it is important that we find out. School age children spend such a significant amount of time inside school buildings that it is necessary to think about the air quality. The impact of cleaning supply contaminants may not be immediate, but can show up years later. Taking the initiative to do something now can help save the health and quality of life for our children.

Please take a look at one of the Environmental Working Group's latest reports on cleaning supplies (the green/black box on the right has test results, faqs, and ways to help schools including a sample letter for parents).

Happy Green Living!

Light Bulbs

If you still haven't changed the light bulbs in your home or find yourself wondering if the bulbs you have replaced were worth it, here is a Seventh Generation article that can help clear up any confusion and make you feel better about the mercury compact flourescent bulbs (CFLs) contain. The energy saved by switching from incandescent light bulbs is astounding and the mercury levels are way smaller than even two years ago (like 500xs!!!). So whether you prefer LED or CFLs, it is worth it and by 2014 incandescent light bulbs will be a thing of the past and you won't have a choice.

Happy Green Living!!!

Reusing Glass in the Kitchen

Take a look in your refrigerator and pantry. Do you have consumables in glass jars? When you are done with the contents, what do you do with the jar? Do you toss it in the trash or recycle bin, or do you reuse it?

If you are interested in canning, need new drinkware, or would like a way to contain loose items like paper clips, nails, change...take another look at those glass jars. There are numerous nifty ways to reuse glass jars so you can save money and get organized.

The spaghetti sauce I use comes in a mason jar that will be perfect for canning my tomatoes next year. The cost of purchasing tops and seals for canning will be minimal compared to the amount that can be saved by reusing containers from items that have already been purchased. The honey jar is perfect for the jam I hope to learn to make from my mother. The capers container will become the cinnamon sugar holder. The chicken bullion one will house the nails in the garage that are currently in tattered boxes. The salsa ones are perfect for adult drinking cups while the smaller cherry ones will work better for the kids. How about using a larger jar to make sun brewed iced tea?

The cost of purchasing tops and seals for canning will be minimal compared to the amount that can be saved by reusing containers from items that have already been purchased.

Whether you recycle or reuse your glass jars, avoiding plastic containers that contain harmful chemicals is a fantastic way to help improve your health and that of our environment. Here's a National Geographic article to help provide a glimpse into a disturbing discovery that plastics can break down in the ocean with devastatingly harmful results.

Every little bit you do can have an impact. One change can make a difference. Plant a garden full of fruits and vegetables you enjoy to limit your consumption of mass produced factory foods. While not everyone has the time and energy for a garden, focusing on purchasing products from local producers is just as good...and whenever a store bought item is necessary, try to get it in glass or try to find it with the most minimal amount of packaging possible.

Please post comments to share your thoughts and ideas on other ways to reuse items normally tossed in the trash or recycle bin. It doesn't have to be limited to glass.

Happy Green Living!!!

SIGG Finally Cops to BPA

If you have Sigg bottles, you will want to read over the FAQ on their website that states before August 2008, their bottles did contain BPA. Below is a picture to help you figure out which lining yours has. I bought some Sigg bottles this summer...half of them have the new liner while the other half has the older, brassy looking one and will be digging thru my receipts to return them as soon as possible.

I also recommend reading the information available on Z Recommends for a little insight into how sly Sigg was over the last few years scurting the issue of BPA in their bottles.

The more I read up on companies and the lies they tell in order to make a profit at the expense of their consumers health, the more frustrated I get. How do these CEO's sleep at night? How can they look into the sweet, innocent face of a child and continue to spew out toxic products? It is pathetic that providing a product became more of a game of profit than safely meeting a consumer need.

Educate, Challenge, Change! You can make a difference!!!!

Back to School - Eco-Friendly Lunches

Buses are trolling through neighborhoods, backpacks are overflowing with classroom supplies and lunch boxes are stuffed with goodies.

The new school year is here and it couldn't be a better time to take a look at your kid's lunch box (hopefully it is lead and bpa free) and what you use to package sandwiches, veggies, crackers, etc.

Do you use ziploc baggies?

Even though there are new bags on store shelves claiming to have 25% less plastic, they are still made of plastic and end up in the trash after one use. Think about how many of those bags make it to landfills each day, or worse, fly off the truck and end up swirling around in the Pacific Ocean in what has been coined Garbage Island.

In an attempt to cut down on my household's waste, I switched to reusable, bpa free tupperware, but many lunchboxes are not big enough for a drink and bulky tupperware containers.

My problem was solved while shopping at my local Whole Foods the other day when I came across Wrap-n-mats. They are a fun, eco-friendly way to wrap sandwiches, veggies, fruits, crackers or just about anything. Not only are they good for holding food items, but they work well as placemats when opened up.

Clean up is simple...just wipe, air dry, and they are ready to use again.

Look for them at your local stores, order them online, or make your own. Every little bit helps!

Happy Green Living!

Crafty Cool Magazine

If you are interested in some fun, chic ways to recycle trash into cool treasures, check out the new Green Craft magazine. The first issues hit newstands August 1, 2009 and is printed on recycled paper.