Green Living Challenge: August 2007 - Page 2

[norcalmommy]

Great thread...I'm getting inspired

What we already do:

Use CDs
cloth grocery bags
cloth napkins
recycle just about everything (lucky to have curbside)
Joined a CSA

What I would like to do:
knit washcloths
Compost (last time we tried we created a rat problem , so we've got to figure out a better way to contain it)

Currently trying to purchase as many local products as possible.

[VeganCupcake]

Originally Posted by lioralourie

I'm stuck, LED lighting seems like the truly Greenest thing out there. But they are expensive on the front end.

How do you guys deal with this issue? I have just been letting the light bulbs slowly burn out, I just don't feel comfortable with any of the options.

I second what Snozzberry said; proper disposal is important, and CFLs do cut down on coal-related mercury emissions, at the source! I've found that CFLs are very unlikely to break, also, especially if they're in a covered fixture. I've actually never had one break in the 7 years I've been using them.

I totally agree that LEDs are the way to go. Unfortunately, they're not even widely available yet. I can't find any in my city. We might just have to wait a bit. And in the meantime, I think CFLs are the best choice for saving a lot of energy.

[helen_emily]

Hi ladies ... I hope I can join this thread. I'm not a mama as yet (I'm a nanny, which brought me to MDC looking for tips on high-needs infants) but I hope to be one soon and I want the world to be a better place for me and my future family.

I live in a rented sharehouse of four boys my age and me, so it's hard to be green in all the ways I'd like to.
Sorry this list is so long... I want to use it to sort out my own mind as well.


At the moment I/we:

* Using clothesline/hanging clothes for drying
* Using a wood-burning furnace with trees that have been felled by natural forces
* Using natural light as much as possible
* Reuse/rewear linens/clothes that aren't dirty
* Taking fewer baths
* Handwashing dishes when possible
* If it's yellow, letting it mellow
* Not using the microwave - don't own one

* Using canvas bags when shopping
* Reusing produce bags
* Packing lunches with re-usable materials and water bottles
* Using diva cup/cloth mama pads
* Using the library more

* Recycling anything possible
* Using recycled paper goods

* Buying many clothes secondhand or sewing them
* Buying used/secondhand on almost everything (mainly because we're so poor)
* Using freecycle when possible
* Not buying too much
* Buying in bulk when possible
* Avoiding chain stores

* Use natural cleaning products as others are used up
* Replaced Teflon pots and pans with cast iron or stainless steel pots and pans
* Replaced mattress with natural latex mattress SOOOOO COMFY
* Switched to close to all natural body care products
* Reduced overall use of plastic
* Shampooing very infrequently (for the boys this is never! )
* Using homeopathics and prevention, no antibiotics if humanly possible!

* Built a worm bin
* Gardening in boxes & Getting herbs from garden
* Eating vegetarian (me only) or only free-range meat
* Eating as much organic as budget allows
* Eating lots raw
* Cooking from scratch nearly all the time
* Getting eggs/meat locally when possible
* Buying whole foods with minimal packaging
* Buying local produce at farmer's markets

* Don't own a car (or can't afford the petrol) walk, take the bus or carpool.


The things that we did last month were:
make the worm farm (my birthday present!),
got a rainwater tank installed, !!!
started changing light globes,
I threw out the last of the nasty kitchen chemicals (shhhhs, it's a secret!)
and planted lettuces and peas.

This month we are working on:
Turning off things as we go, unplugging
Smoke less everything (the boys, ew)
Don't use the heater/aircon at all
Rinse plates after use more strictly!
Change out all the light bulbs
Cut down on bleach use for yucky washing (me)
Get a couple of indoor plants!
Research fish food and buy it in bulk (me)
Eat from scratch every day, only get take-away once a week, and only from our local businesses. No fast foods!
Get my textbooks for this semester second-hand

ETA: I need to sew more cloth pads from my old pajama pants... mine are starting to tear from years of use! And my goal is to try sewing a skirt this month with second-hand fabric and see if it turns out well!

So.... can I join? I have so many questions to ask!

[snozzberry]

Welcome to all the new folks to this challenge! :

[AngelBee]

: Just taking in wisdom

[lurable]

:
I also just moved and this weekend I am putting up a clothesline YAY!! and getting a compost bin. I am very excited to be able to use my own compost again!

[eco_mama]

Originally Posted by snozzberry

Welcome to all the new folks to this challenge!

:

i have my empty milk carton. all set to cut it out tonight and i'll have my very own bird feeder. i'll be sure to post some pics.

[eco_mama]

oh ya i could use some indoor plants as well. but i don't really have anywhere i could put them that my toddler won't get into.

[VeganCupcake]

I'm doing so badly on my August goals. Stink-o! No progress on green holiday gifts AT ALL. I don't even have any decent ideas. And my attempts to make yogurt have not been working at all. DH is too attached to high fructose corn syrup! However, my Compact is going well--only one little slip.

But other things have been going well; the clothesline is a big hit. I've also been preserving a lot of in-season vegetables by dehydrating and freezing. I'd like to buy a small chest freezer to hold it all. I'm hoping to find a new-ish one on Craigslist!

[snozzberry]

Please join us in the September thread!