Green Living Challenge: July 2007 - Page 3

[dbsam]

Originally Posted by kellid

What kind? I'm in the market.

I recently purchased an outdoor line and have been very happy w/it. It is the Sunline retractable. It's attached to the house and hooked to the kids playset when in use. (It is high enough to be out of their way but they still have fun jumping for the clothes.) I normally hung most of our clothes in the laundry room and sometimes on the knobs in the kitchen overnight. I love having another option and use it mainly for the kid's clothes. (My husband said he would install it if I agree not to hang his underwear on it!)

[dbsam]

I've also just discovered this group and am thrilled. It seems as though no matter how much you do there is always more that can be done and I love hearing new ideas.

I have two new goals:

Although I’m great with cleaning products, personal care products, organics, etc.; I need to improve my use of paper products.

I confess - I use paper towels often. I am cutting down and hopefully eliminating the use.

I’ve used cloth grocery bags for years but continued to use the plastic produce bags when in the grocery store. I recently bought several lingerie bags at Target to use instead. They are a nylon type fabric but I figured it is still better than the disposable plastic. Plus they were cheap – two for $1!

[Jennisee]

Bump.

I'm doing so-so. The garden is sucking up so much of my time. Also, my brother is moving to Boston in a couple weeks, so I've been using a lot of weekend "project time" to instead visit him.

Find some wooden pallets so I can better contain my compost pile.

DH is picking them up today!

Continue preserving food from the garden, being mindful of potential holiday gifts.

I am a canning fool right now.

Continue to use air conditioning minimally.

I think we're doing really well. Our electric bill has been much lower than our summer average.

Find a good natural shampoo.

I got a couple, but I'm not thrilled with them.

[VeganCupcake]

I accomplished my goals for July, which were ridiculously achievable--too easy, really. They were to use all the CSA box each week (which I did, sometimes giving things to people who would like them, if I had extra). I also sewed cloth napkins, and I've been using them. DH is still a bit skeptical about that one.

But I also started a compost pile this month and got a clothesline hung outside! I can't believe how much food waste I'm keeping out of the trash! And I love the smell of clothesline-dried clothes. Plus I've sunned out a couple of stains.

Tonight I'm trying to make my own yogurt so we don't buy those wasteful single serving cups for DH's packed lunch. I hope it will turn out. This is the second batch; I scorched the first one.

[razbrue]

,

I got all the freecycle gear together and made a few families happy and, them picking up the stuff, made me very happy. All in all rewarding way to get rid of stuff. I actually have an almost empty room downstairs now. DH was worried at first, but is now offering things up.

August Goals for the ENTIRE month:

1. Every bath, the bath water is used for the laundry, moping, etc.
2. Fill the sink with soapy water and fill rinse sink with hot water to restrict water usage.
3. Cloth grocery bags used for shopping of any kind
4. Shop from St. Vinnie's and Freecycle first, if not there then consider new

Have a wonderful month!

[snozzberry]

Oops, I forgot to post the link to the August thread in here!