4.22.2009

Happy Earth Day!


I know I should do more to help the green effort, but I must be honest where I live makes it more difficult to make it a lifestyle. In order to simply recycle we would need to drive quite a ways in order to even make a drop off.

I do try to do a few things though...

1. I use organic cleaners such as Mrs. Meyers and Method.

2. I always try to remember my own bags for the grocery store.

3. I am a homebody so my car can sit in the garage for days at a time.

4. We use cloth napkins.

5. The magazines that I do not want to keep I pass on.

6. Low VOC paint is my paint of choice.

What I want to do...

1. Change out all our light bulbs to something more eco friendly.

2. Only buy what I need. Whether it's clothing or food, I just don't want to waste. FYI, I am continuing my shopping hiatus till the end of the year. I will expand on this later.

3. Bring my own bag to all stores, not just the grocery store.

4. Try to fit more organic and locally grown foods into the budget.

5. Use reusable water bottles for the whole family.

For helpful tips, here are a few blogs that feature green living in a beautiful way.


{a feature by The Haystack Needle}


I would love some more tips if you have them. I know I could do more. Now to go do some gardening.
at

24 comments:

  1. nelyaApril 22, 2009 at 7:52 AM

    What a beautiful photo and such an adorable couple.

    I am slowly, but surely, focusing more of my efforts on "green" living. Just being more conscious and aware is a step in the right direction, I hope!

    I like your tips and will definitely check-out your links. Happy Earth Day!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tina { Luphia Loves... }April 22, 2009 at 8:27 AM

    such great tips!! i need to do more!

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownApril 22, 2009 at 8:27 AM

    great points! i love that pic, too - so vibrant and green!

    personally - i try to bring my own bags to the grocery store too and only buy what i need. i do my best to combine shopping trips all in one day so i'm not doing eighteen lil trips but one bigger one instead.

    also - i'm looking into CSA's (community supported agriculture) in my area. get fresh, local and organic food AND help to further support a local farm!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Blair FriedemanApril 22, 2009 at 8:36 AM

    It sounds like you are well on your way! Thank you for the link love Paula.

    ReplyDelete
  5. jen jafarzadehApril 22, 2009 at 8:59 AM

    I loved reading your list! And thanks so much, Paula, for including me!

    ReplyDelete
  6. kadlerApril 22, 2009 at 9:00 AM

    Haha, I totally agree with the homebody point. Then again, I don't have a car here, so I guess living in HK has its eco-pluses.

    ReplyDelete
  7. LApril 22, 2009 at 9:25 AM

    Sounds like you're taking the right steps to being more eco friendly! Happy Earth Day!

    ReplyDelete
  8. RachelApril 22, 2009 at 10:26 AM

    Love Kellen's new shots!

    And such great tips! I hope to incorporate some eco-friendly ideas into our daily lives too!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AarteeApril 22, 2009 at 10:28 AM

    Thanks for the tips...I have a huge tote bag but I forget to bring it with me!

    ReplyDelete
  10. JuliaApril 22, 2009 at 11:02 AM

    You're off to such a great start :) I need to convince Andrew that clothe napkins aren't insanitary! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Kelee KatillacApril 22, 2009 at 11:10 AM

    Happy Earth Day Paula!

    Thanks for the creative week of GREEN!

    love,kelee

    ReplyDelete
  12. ChristinaApril 22, 2009 at 11:25 AM

    it sounds like you're doing a lot of great things and you're goals are very realistic and would make a great difference. thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  13. LindaApril 22, 2009 at 11:30 AM

    I'm doing some the same things. I forgot about the light bulbs though. Good idea!

    ReplyDelete
  14. megan @ a life's designApril 22, 2009 at 1:01 PM

    Great list! It took us a while to get recycling at our condo unit. Even living in this big city, it isn't easy. Communities should make an effort to recycle more and make it easy and fun.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Brooke @ Blueprint BlissApril 22, 2009 at 1:25 PM

    Great post. Lauren at Pure Style Home had a fun post for things to do around the house to "recycle"... And love the photo at the top that your husband took!

    ReplyDelete
  16. inkWELL PressApril 22, 2009 at 1:26 PM

    Sounds like you do a lot more than you give yourself credit for! I'm doing my best too but it can be so much easier to just reach for a paper towel or use paper plates... baby steps.

    I do use cloth napkins but have a hard time finding ones that don't need to be ironed. Have you had any luck?

    ReplyDelete
  17. PS~ErinApril 22, 2009 at 1:52 PM

    We're in a similar spot as you sound to be... Making some changes but fully aware that there's more that could be done. I think being aware and concerned is huge. Having that knowledge close in mind when making decisions goes further than we realize. And what we're doing is rubbing off on our kiddos, and that's a big part too.

    My goal is to reduce paper towel use and eliminate paper plates. It's such a convenience though! We've been reluctant/resistant to change.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Laura TreveyApril 22, 2009 at 4:22 PM

    great post! happy earth day...
    i always take my own bags to the grocery now... great to spread the awareness :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. AlineApril 22, 2009 at 4:23 PM

    I have changed to energy efficient bulbs, use eco friendly cleaners, go to an organic dry cleaner, take reusable bags to the market, take my reusable water bottle everywhere with me, and try to buy organic when it makes sense.

    I, like you, would like to try to take reusable bags when I go shopping everywhere and want to start composting. I am also going to try to find a more eco friendly car when my lease is up:)

    ReplyDelete
  20. GracieApril 22, 2009 at 5:21 PM

    Those are fantastic tips! I'm also trying to be better. I've always been a psycho recycler since I was in primary school. I have really short showers (by turning the water off while lathering up, shampooing etc). Definitely would like to change all the light bulbs and I try to remember to bring my own bags.
    Something I would love to do (after I get married) is put solar panels on our future house.

    ReplyDelete
  21. erinApril 22, 2009 at 9:48 PM

    great list! so glad i found your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  22. taylorApril 22, 2009 at 11:00 PM

    Does it count if your favorite color is green?

    ReplyDelete
  23. UnknownApril 22, 2009 at 11:06 PM

    Wuaww I read your post early on today but didn't realize you mentioned Everything Fabulous...thank you so much!!!! I hope you had a special Earth Day....!!..and again thank you that was very special!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. katieApril 23, 2009 at 1:46 AM

    you've such a great blog. you might try reusablebags.com and look into the compact bags. they fold up into a little pouch that's sewn into the bag and take up very little room. i keep a few in my purse that i use when i'm out running errands. cheers! katie

    ReplyDelete

thanks for visiting my little blog, hope you come again. by the way, i love comments.