Green on the Go

Have you ever been out shopping and wished you had some sort of reference to which products are actually good for the environment, healthy, and in sync with your green lifestyle? I know I have! It can be frustrating to sit there reading labels and not being quite sure what all you are looking for – especially if your are new to being green. I felt there must be an answer out there somewhere so I went on a search. Most people these days have mobile phones and many are opting for the iPhone and boy are we in luck! There is a new product out called “Good Guide” and it is an app for the iPhone or a text alert app for regular phones. And what’s even better – it’s FREE!

According to its website, Good Guide provides instant access to a library of over 70,000 products. Through this access you are able to quickly and efficiently look up product ratings, create favorites lists, and get product recommendations to suit your needs. You can even create a list of products you want to avoid in the future – I like that!

Products are rated on a 1-10 scale in categories of health, environmental, social, and the overall general rating. The higher the rating, the better the product – it is that simple!

Smart phones are everywhere these days, so why not make yours just a little bit smarter than the rest? With Good Guide being free you really have nothing to lose, but the time gained in quick access to this product guide is priceless.

Copyright ©  2009, Becki, Green Christian Network, All Rights Reserved

               

Donating for the Environment

It’s easy to collect a lot of stuff over the years – books, CD’s DVD’s, software, video games – but once you are done using them the question remains as to what you will do with them now? Just throwing away such items is not only wasteful and damaging to our environment (filling up landfills with yet more senseless waste) it is also often times emotionally altering. We become emotionally attached to such things and we don’t want to see our precious possessions just discarded as if they meant nothing. For me the hardest to part with is books – I love books and I know I have so many that I don’t read or even need anymore, but the thought of just throwing them out makes me cringe. Lucky for me, and for everyone else who feels as I do, there are a couple of great options.

Option 1: The Local Library
Most libraries will take used books, CD’s, and DVD’s as donations to be either added to their collections or sold later in book sales to raise funds for library activities and improvements. Donating these items is as easy as just putting them in a bag and delivering them to the circulation desk. You de-clutter your space and help a vital local resource at the same time.

Option 2: EcoEncore.org
I recently discovered a site that allows people to donate books, computer software, video games, CD’s, and DVD’ to go up for auction and the profits from the auction are then used to help along various environmental charities – this site is EcoEncore.org. It is incredibly easy to donate – simply fill out a form and send off the items – and you help a great cause in the process.

Checking out your local paper, chamber of commerce, churches, or environmental groups is also a good way to find other places that will take your used items and recycle, repurpose, or resell them to avoid creating further waste. With a little research and a little thought it is easy to part with items and feel good about it in the process.

Copyright ©  2009, Becki, Green Christian Network, All Rights Reserved

               

Natural Remedies for Dry Skin

With winter just around the corner and the air turning dryer by the day it is only natural for your skin to start to feel neglected. Dry, cracking hands and feet are a common problem for many people this time of year. It can be easy to rush to the nearest drugstore and grab some quick fix in a plastic bottle, but when you read the label you may be shocked to find you can’t pronounce half the words on it because it is so full of chemicals. Why not look for something a little less complex and a little more natural? You can find just what you need right in your kitchen:

• Try massaging regular mayonnaise into the dry area. Let it sit for fifteen minutes and then wash it off with warm water.
• Gently rub grape seed oil into the dry areas and let your skin just soak it all in.
• If your face is bothering you try mashing up a banana and applying it like a facial mask. Leave it on for a good five minutes and then rinse off gently with warm water.
• Avocado is a great natural moisturizer. Mash it up and apply to effected area. Let it sit for twenty minutes and then rinse.
• Take some oatmeal and use it as soap. It sounds strange, but just place it in your wash cloth, get it thoroughly wet and proceed to cleanse as normal. (Colloidal oatmeal is best)
• Get an Aloe Vera plant and use the natural gel from that to sooth your dry skin.
• Before taking a bath try rubbing the dry area with honey. Let it sit for about 10 minutes and then rinse off in the tub.

Some of these ideas may sound outrageous to you, but they are definitely worth a try. Happy skin will make for a much more happy you.

Copyright ©  2009, Becki, Green Christian Network, All Rights Reserved

               

Carbon Footprint?

Ever since entering into this journey of mine to change my lifestyle and become more green there has been one burning question that I’ve wanted answered. Everywhere I turned I would hear a certain term that seemed to mean so much so I finally asked, “What exactly is a carbon footprint?” The answers I received were all so complex. I needed something in layman’s terms. I needed a simple answer to a very complex question – and I found one.

Put simply, a carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gasses given off by one person, product, business, or event. In general when speaking of greenhouse gases people are referring to the equivalent of how many tons of carbon dioxide you put out.

So one might ask why this even matters. As individuals, why should we care what our carbon footprint is? Well, you should care because it is a fairly accurate assessment of the impact that our daily life has on the environment. We should want to know what kind of impact we are having so that we can improve upon it – in such a way we help the earth that the Father has provided us.

There are quite a few websites available to help you determine what your carbon footprint is. My personal favorite for it’s ease of use and simple understandability is from Climate Crisis (An Inconvenient Truth). After inputting all of my information I have learned that my personal impact is about average, but even with being average there is always room for improvement and in the world of carbon footprints that improvement is done through something called carbon offsetting – basically a carbon offset is something you can do (usually a financial contribution or lifestyle change) to help balance out carbon emissions. For example, through helping businesses to give back to the earth by planting trees you would be offsetting your carbon footprint. Another example is getting involved in some sort of natural energy project.

If we are going to be good stewards of this earth and really walk the walk we talk about it would be very beneficial to know our carbon footprints and start making changes or contributions to offset them now – Even small changes like keeping the lights off in one unused room can make a huge difference. Start small, work your way up, and in no time your carbon footprint will look great.

Copyright ©  2009, Becki, Green Christian Network, All Rights Reserved

               

7 Easy Changes You Can Make to Live a More Eco-Friendly Life

Every day there are simple things we can do to be a little greener. Below is a list of just seven such things.

1. Write your shopping list on the notes feature of your cell phone or PDA rather than using another piece of paper that you will inevitably throw away.
2. Stop using plastic bags. Buy some cloth sacks for carrying everything from groceries to your latest and greatest pair of jeans from the department store. If you must have plastic be sure to return the bags to the store – most retailers offer recycling bins on site.
3. Combine your errands. If you take some time to plan it out you can run to the store, drop off library books or a bill payment, and get gas all in one session – this will save on fuel consumption and exhaust fumes.
4. When getting food to go from your favorite restaurant ditch the Styrofoam. Most restaurants will use a substitute if you ask or will accept your container if you offer it up front.
5. Save on paper, envelopes, and stamps – bank online. These days you can pay pretty much every bill you have online. You can also transfer funds, check balances on accounts, and so much more – talk to your banker about it today!
6. Rather than using disposable wipes start using old towels or t-shirts for cleaning. You can wash them when they get grubby and use them again.
7. Look for labels when shopping that let you know what you are buying is recycled or in a recycled container. If more consumers begin demanding such things (and only buying items with these labels sends a clear signal of demand) more manufacturers will make them available.

Living greener is easier than you think – one small step can make such a great impact. What are you waiting for?

Copyright ©  2009, Becki, Green Christian Network, All Rights Reserved

               

Freecycle It!

We can recycle most plastics and papers, glass and cans, but what about those big items you have starting to collect in closets or the garage? How do you get rid of those in a “green” way? One solution is to Freecycle it! Most cities these days have a Yahoo Group set up for Freecycle. You can usually Google search your town’s name and the word Freecycle and find it. Joining the group is free and puts you in contact with many other people in your local community who care about the earth just as much as you do and don’t want to see it getting junked up.

The idea behind Freecycle is that you post your unwanted material and others who want it will be able to come pick it up – freely. It is a way to recycle or repurpose goods that you no longer want.

My family has been using Freecycle for over two years now and we have been able to give away everything from stacks of scrap paper to plastic baby food containers, to a lawn edger – all to people who then took the materials and used them for different purposes (the baby food containers were used for crafting, the paper went to an elementary school teacher for her students to write on, and the edger was fixed up by a guy who desperately needed one for his lawn). Not having to just dump these items in a landfill made us not only feel good inside but it also made us feel better about helping the immediate environment in which we live.

Freecycle is a great resource to use for both giving and receiving – I’m certain you will love it!

Copyright ©  2009, Becki, Green Christian Network, All Rights Reserved

               

Nature’s Source Cleaners

I’ve recently begun using new cleaning products that have amazed me in every way. They are the Nature’s Source cleaners. The line includes glass and surface cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, bathroom cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, and laundry stain remover. I’ve tried all but the laundry stain remover and based on my results I am certain that should I need it I will dash to the store to get that as well.

The Nature’s Source cleaners are made with biodegradable and plant-based materials. All products are eco-friendly and safe for you and your family. When I first tried them I was a bit skeptical. I wondered if they really would clean as well as other cleaners. What I soon found is that they not only clean just as well, but actually better! I’ve cut through hard water stains, grease, caked on dirt, and more. I am impressed with the light scent that doesn’t make everyone want to run out of the house and hide for a day as well as the fact that just a little goes a long way. These cleaners are lasting quite a long time and in today’s economically challenged world that is a good thing – families need to have products that last.

So many cleaners on the market are full of ingredients that would stump the finest chemist – I find it completely refreshing that Nature’s Source cleaners have ingredients that your average Joe can figure out. Things like lactic acid which is which is simply an acid produced from the breakdown of natural sugars found in fruits and vegetables. Also coconut oil and palm-kernel oil, and citric acid, not to mention other natural enzymes… Yes, Nature’s Source cleaners are definitely using nature to help people maintain clean homes. I would definitely recommend you give them a try.

Copyright ©  2009, Becki, Green Christian Network, All Rights Reserved

               

Five Easy Ways to Teach Toddlers to Live Green

As a mom it is always front and center on my mind how I can teach my children to be good stewards of this great earth. It can be tough for younger children to grasp the concept of living green but through our example we can really teach our young ones to start caring now, thus leaving a legacy of caring that is more precious than anything you can make from plastic. Below are five ways to start teaching toddlers today.

1. Take your children on a field trip to an organic farm that will allow them to pick fruits and veggies. While there discuss why organic farming is good for the earth. Also talk to them about how we should pray for farmers and thank God for them as well – after all, we get much of our food from those farmers.
2. Young children go to a lot of birthday parties. A great way to encourage green living in your toddler is to opt out of buying new wrapping paper for presents. Rather, you can recycle an old paper bag and have your children decorate it with crayons and markers. Use this time to discuss recycling and why it is important for our earth.
3. Plant some flowers or even a tree. Children, especially young children, love to help their parents out in the garden. Have your toddlers assist you in planting some beautiful flowers or even a tree or two and explain to them how this helps the environment. You can even take this time to discuss how God made the flowers and trees and that part of taking care of our earth is helping these wonderful things He created to grow.
4. Teach the importance of conserving water – when your children are brushing their teeth or washing their hands teach them to turn off the water in between brushing or scrubbing. Talk to them about how water is a resource we all need and that we need to make sure there is enough to last for everyone. Have your kids think of other ways they can conserve water around the house – you will be amazed what toddlers can come up with!
5. Get out a great nature movie or series such as Planet Earth and watch it with your little ones. While watching it discuss with them the beauty of God’s creation. Teach your children to appreciate what the Lord has provided. Discuss with them all the many different types of plants, animals, trees, etc… Have your kids draw pictures of the earth and tell you what they appreciate about it most. Pray and thank God for giving us this beautiful place to live in.

Copyright ©  2009, Becki, Green Christian Network, All Rights Reserved

               

Steam Mops – Economically and Environmentally Sound

I’m not big on having chemicals in my house and when I think of my kids playing around areas that have had chemicals poured on them I just don’t like the idea. Where I used to live there was a ton of carpet throughout the house so cleaning floors never brought this issue up for me, but when I moved it was into a house that has nearly as much tile flooring as carpeted. I immediately began searching for a solution to cleaning the tile flooring without having to use tons of chemical agents with my mop and that is when I discovered the wonderful world of steam mops.

Steam mops provide a way to clean that is not only good on the environment but also easy on your pocket book. You can buy a steam mop for anywhere from $60 all the way up to $300. The one I bought is the Shark Steam Mop and it cost just about $70 – not too shabby for something that you will use for years to come. I bought it through a warehouse store so it came at a great price with extra mop pads to boot.

There are two major features with the Shark steam mop that get my attention – the first is that it functions with nothing but water. You pour the water in the spout, close it up, pug it in, and presto – in 30 seconds it is steamed up and ready to go. No harsh chemicals on the floor to worry about with young children. The steam is very hot – in fact it is so hot that you can get burned if you were to spray yourself with it (so don’t do that). Being as it is so hot it gives piece of mind knowing that the floor is getting completely sanitized in the mopping process – and with such heat it actually dries almost instantly!

The second feature that I love is the mop pads – they are reusable. After mopping you just take it off and pop it in the laundry. It is so simple! There are no pesky pads to wad up and throw away and there are no dirty sponges to deal with – every time you use the Shark mop you get to use a clean pad because you have washed it since the time before. This means you don’t have to keep buying fresh pads – your wallet will thank you!

I’ve looked at many other steam mops and most also have the same features that I love about the Shark. I think when looking to make your household more green you just can’t go wrong with a mop that will keep your family safe from chemicals and save you money in the long run. It’s a win win situation no matter what brand of steam mop you choose!

Copyright ©  2009, Becki, Green Christian Network, All Rights Reserved

               

Xeriscaping

I live in a desert region so when figuring out what to do with the landscaping at our new house one of the first things we thought of was xeriscaping. Xeriscaping is landscaping in such a way to avoid the use of unnecessary amounts of water. Xeriscaping is also known as “zeroscaping”, “water-conserving landscaping”, and in some places “smart scaping”.

Xeriscaping is a great way to save water and energy. With xeriscaping there is little to no use of water, there isn’t a lot of grass to mow so there is no extra fuel or energy consumption, and it is generally easy on the environment as you would just be using natural materials that are common in your area and these materials don’t require any sort of fertilizers or harmful pesticides.

When we started here with our new house we only planned out our front yard. Our back yard will take more work, but it will be xeriscaped as well. In the front we brought in common drain rock found at our local rock quarries – it is a form of river rock, only the smaller version. We laid the rock down around a few shrubs that fit naturally into the environment for the area directly in front of our house and then for the rest of the area we have the rock spread out with a few boulders mixed in. The result is a very simple yet beautiful yard with very little maintenance needed. The few shrubs in front are on a drip system that only runs for 20 minutes a day, three days a week – that’s it!

If you are looking for ways to reduce water consumption and save some energy as well there are some tips you should know before xeriscaping.

Xeriscaping Tips

• Choose plants wisely. You should only choose plants that are drought resistant and that can survive where you live. If you live in a desert region like me you don’t want to pick tropical plants, this will defeat the purpose. Choose plants that are more native to your area to insure their survival.
• Set up a drip system for plants. Drip systems only water when needed and it really allows the plants time to absorb what they need rather than get overloaded.
• Make sure to weed on a regular basis. Weeds consume more water than your plants so you want to get rid of them as soon as possible.
• Cover your soil. You can leave the ground bare, but covering with rock or mulch will keep it cooler and help your plants to need less water.
• Aerate the soil before you cover it. Keeping the soil in good condition will help your plants thrive without the need for more water.
• If you use rock, keep it natural. Don’t worry about bringing in fancy rock that has been chemically processed to create a neat color – natural rock will look better, be better on the environment as a whole, and it will save you money.

If xeriscaping is something you think you’d like to do the fall is a great time to get busy. Many landscaping companies lower prices at this time of year and you might be able to get plants for less. Remember, even though you are going for something natural you still need to get it from the correct resources. Just going out into nature and picking up rocks and plants is not only illegal in many places, but it is also destructive to the natural habitats of many species. Find a local nursery and a local rock quarry to work with, plan out what you want to do being careful to take good measurements of your area, and with the help of the experts you will be able to create an environment you will love.

Copyright ©  2009, Becki, Green Christian Network, All Rights Reserved

               

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