Green Christian Network

Green Review: Seventh Generation Fabric Softener

Lara Velez — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:55:18 +0000

If I am being completely honest, I must admit that going green is pricey when you have a very tight budget. So, finding green products can be a challenge for me. Seventh Generation products are not only green, eco friendly and quality products, they are AFFORDABLE!

One of my favorite Seventh Generation laundry products is what I will be reviewing today;

Product: Seventh Generation Fabric Softener
Scent: Blue Eucalyptus & Lavender
Where to Buy: Target or Publix

Review: I love this stuff. It smells awesome and it goes a long way. I do one part softener and one part water mixture and the clothes come out soft and smell fantastic. It costs under $5 for a 40 ounce bottle. Pretty fair when compared to other non green brands. By doing a half water half softener blend, I make it stretch longer…AND…it is better for my washing machine. I got that tip from a washing machine repair man.

Cons: None really. Other than, I wish I could find it at WalMart for even cheaper. LOL!

Final Thoughts: I think it is a great product and have found many more Seventh Generation Products that I love since. I will post some thoughts on them soon. Happy Washing!

Stay Green!

Go Green in 2010!

Lara Velez — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 16:34:02 +0000

Happy New Year!! What better time to start a green lifestyle than a new year?? I say this is the perfect time to start! Going green is not very hard. All you need to do is make one right choice at a time!

Simple Ways to Make 2010 the Year of Green!

recycle. If you do not already…start.
reuse. Make efforts to reuse items that would normally add to already overstuffed landfills. For example: reuse your plastic baggies. It will save money AND space in the landfills!
go organic. Try an organic eating lifestyle. Not only is it better for the environment, it is a healthier eating option as well.
drive less. If you can walk or bike ride more, do it. The less you drive the less you leave toxins in the atmosphere and rain natural resources.

These are just a few ways you can get going in the green path in 2010. New year, new start. Even ONE change can make a world of difference!

Stay Green!

Green on the Go

Becki — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:45:26 +0000

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.

I found the Coolest Site!

Lara Velez — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:23:50 +0000

Recently, Becki wrote a post about Freecycling. Well, I found another option that goes hand in hand with that concept. Just another way we can reuse and reduce!

Listia is a unique auction site. They have auctions for free stuff. Users list things they no longer want, like an old stereo. Then other users bid on the item. Not with money though. They use credits. They get credits for signing up, referring friends, or selling their own stuff. How col is that??

As I was browsing there site this morning, I saw some pretty cool stuff up for auction; Panasonic 37-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV, TwitterPeek Mobile Tweeting Device w/ Lifetime Service, and Blu-Ray Movie Xmen 3 The Last Stand Free Shipping. ALL for FREE! They cost users NO money. I am literally in awe. LOL!

As soon as I finish this post I am going to sign up and take advantage of their current promotion of giving away 300 credits free to those who join and list an item! Woot!

Let me know what you think! I mean get free stuff, get rid of unwanted stuff AND help the environment? And…NO catch. LOL! I am loving it!

Donating for the Environment

Becki — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:05:52 +0000

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.

The Green On Produce

Lara Velez — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:16:52 +0000

I have said many times that going green is possible for anyone who is willing to be creative. However, when you are on a very tight budget, it can be extremely hard to go green in the food department. And, produce is what we will discuss today. Yes, it can be pricey. However, again, if we can be creative and know all our options, we can do this green thing!

Going Green with Produce Tips

Buy Organic. Yes, pricey. However, only buy in season and only buy local. You will find that it is not as expensive that way. Better yet, grow your own if feasible!
Wash and Peel. If organic is just not in the cards for you, make sure you wash and peel produce very well.
Widen the Gap. Eating a wide variety of produce will minimize eating the same bad chemicals over and over.
Children. Only feed them organic. They matter more than a latte from Starbucks. Invest in their health and development.
The Most. Whatever produce you notice is consumed the most in your family, consider buying that only in the organic versions.
Avoid the Worst of the Bunch. If you cannot go organic, then avoid the following produce items. They have the highest levels of contamination; apples, peaches, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, lettuce, imported grapes, pears, spinach, potatoes, carrots, green beans, hot peppers and cucumbers. Yeah, I know. Some favorites for you too, eh? Well, make some budget changes and buy the above in organic. It really is the only option. They are way too contaminated for any sane individual to not take notice!
Go for the Least Contaminated. The following produce still have unhealthy pesticides and chemicals like the previous list. However, they are the least toxic. A few are; onions, avocado, frozen sweet corn, pineapples, mango, frozen sweet peas, asparagus, kiwi, bananas, cabbage, broccoli and eggplant.

We need to pay better attention to what we are eating. We especially need to protect our children. Mostly, we need to make changes that will affect the produce industry as a whole. If consumers rise up and say NO MORE, these companies will be forced to make better choices. They will be forced to stop poisoning our food, and contributing to cancer and many other unnecessary diseases!

Think. Pray. Most of all…DO something!

Stay Green!

Natural Remedies for Dry Skin

Becki — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:00:53 +0000

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.

Eco Friendly Ant Removal

Lara Velez — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:39:45 +0000

Ants seem to be a pest I cannot get rid of. We have battled with them for years. Really. I kid you not. Since my quest to be greener began, however, I have really struggled with how to rid our home of these pests in a way that is safe for my family and more eco-friendly as well. Below are some steps I have made to help me…and now hopefully you!

Eco-Friendly Ant Removal Tips

Removing Ants the Green Way.

Be clean. Keep food sealed well and avoid having crumbs on the counters and floors. Sweep often and do not let the kids eat on the couches. Under the cushions and in the crevices of plush chairs are breeding grounds for crumb central which in turn will be an ant heaven.
Check for leaks. Many times you can have the cleanest home and no food source available. However, if you have standing water or leaks, the ants will come for a more vital resource…water.
Seal openings. Check windows, doors and any places where crevices exist. Seal them up with a non toxic sealer/caulk. This is a great way to keep many unwanted house guests out!
Cut off their communication. Ants leave an invisible chemical trail to let their buddies know where to go. You can help stop this in a simple and natural way. Mix liquid soap and water together. Put in spray bottle. Spray areas where you have seen ant trails in your home.
Green thumb. Trim trees and bushes so that they are not touching your house. Especially near windows. This will prevent easy access to your home.
Find the nest. You can bait them with honey or sugar water and try to find out where the buggers are coming from. If you are fortunate enough to find the colony try one of these steps. Outdoor nests: pour a LOT of hot boiling water over it several times. Indoor nests: put corn starch into a bag-less or with bag vacuum cleaner. Vacuum them up and immediately remove bag and throw away. Or, if you use a bag-less vacuum, clean it out and make sure the filter is changed.
Use bait. I do not recommend this unless all else fails. And, IF you MUST use a bait, use a closed bait instead of a chemical or toxic spray.

As I have mentioned many times in the past, we can be greener if we take the time to research and be creative. Being green is a lot simpler than many people may think. I hope these ant removal tips have helped you. If you have any of your own, please feel free to share below!

Stay Green!

Organic Farming on the Rise

Lara Velez — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:08:28 +0000

I have been reading more and more about how organic farming is growing and really needs to be the trend of the future. Organic farming is not only vital for the environment, it provides healthier food sources for consumers.

What is organic farming?

Organic farming is the practice of growing crops without the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. It relies mainly on crop rotation, organic fertilizers and plant-based pesticides and herbicides to maintain soil productivity and tilth.

Not only is it better for our health, it is better for the planet.

Our Job.

In my personal life, I have been doing my best to make organic choices and learn all I can about organic products and farming. In my research, I discovered an awesome organization, WWOOF. WWOOF is short for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. They began in the UK in 1971. In short, it is helping the WORLD come together and make a difference to the environment through the implementation of organic farming throughout the entire planet.

Their purpose is to bring together eco minded individuals and groups to volunteer on organic farms with organic farmers who need help. In return for volunteering, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles.

If you are interested in organic farming, as I am, WWOOF is a great resource and organization. Advice on obtaining an American Visa so foreigners can be a part of this can be found here.

Stay Green!

Carbon Footprint?

Becki — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:05:43 +0000

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.