think green

"Green" seems to be all the rage these days. I like being green! and though this kind of green is fun, it isn't quite what I'm talking about this time :-)

Saving money, and leaving minimal environmental impact whenever possible is what I have in mind. Unfortunately, these 2 thing do not always walk hand in hand. Sometimes being green costs a bit, particularly upfront. However with a little research, and diligence, in the long term, it will pay off (both in your pockets and for your planet!).

Today, I'm sharing a combined green topic, hitting in both areas of green!


Husband and I recently (well about a month or so ago), purchased a couple rain barrels. They had the upfront cost (about $99 each), however we figure they will last long enough to pay for themselves over and over. I was at first concerned they would look tacky, however now, they seem to blend in nicely.

They were fairly simple to install (though it does involve cutting your drain to attach - see black item on 2nd photo), and filled quickly with our first rain storm. Holding 57 gal. each, they last awhile, and each time it rains, I'm almost disappointed I cannot store more water!

I have been using the water for indoor and outdoor plants, minus our garden. It is easy to either take the lid off to access water, or to attach a garden hose. There is a variety of opinions out there on if one should use collected/stored rainwater for veggie gardens, however I decided if I would not drink it, I do not want it being dumped on my lettuce and strawberries! My main thing is, that I have no idea what is on my roof (seriously, think about it... dirt, bird droppings, leaves...). Anyhow, the water works greats on the plants that I do not eat.

It has been great, and I say well worth the investment. I like being able to water on "non-water" days, and saving the money and water by not using "tap".

Have you used a rain barrel? Thinking about it?
What are you doing to "think green"?

Finding a balance

Today, we bought a rain barrel...

Yet, I am torn. I love the idea of the rain barrel, however the cost of the barrel was a bit ridiculous. We even shopped around and found the best price! I found myself wondering if it was worth it. I am all about being "green", and I'm all on board if we are saving money too. Yet where is the balance?

How do you find this balance? Do you have a rain barrel? Did you buy pre-made, or make your own? Help me out!

Tuesday Updates!

Wow! My life has been crazy lately. Here is a bit of what is going on!

• I am in the process of applying to another position. It would be a super position... keeping my fingers crossed!
  
• Our apartment lease was going to be up in October. We had been planning to move out at this time, as we had figured I would have a job, or be starting one soon, and we would be able to have a new place...With this not being the case, we signed on for an additional six months. I'm sad. I really wanted a house, however I know it will come. What is six more month?
• If you were following my Twitter last week, you most likely noticed my conference planning is in full force! It is crazy and I'm overwhelmed. It is a great experience to be involved, but I'll be happy when it is over!
• I went to Office Max yesterday to pick up a couple new dry erase markers. I have been saving my ink cartridges per my discovery, and thought this was the perfect time to use them. I went to Office Max only because of the $3.00 off. Well. in order to redeem the $3. off purchase in exchange for each ink cartridge, they now require one to sign up for their 'rewards' program which now and then sends out a newsletter, in which may have a coupon for one to use with recycling ink cartridges, allowing the $3.00 off. I ended up going to Target for the markers. I need another rewards card like I need more clutter. Ugh. Now I'm torn and frustrated. I still would like to recycle the cartridges. However whether Office Max gives me a discount on my purchase or not, I wonder if they are getting money for recycling them ? (wow...did that make sense? I re-read it, and it almost made my head explode) :-)
  
• Today, I'm in the process of cleaning out our mini pantry. It seems though we have several food items, very few of the items go together to make a meal. Thus, I'm reorganizing and writing a grocery list to compliment what we already have!

Have a great day!

Happy Green Day!

In honor of Earth Day,I could write a post about going green, recycling, or saving the planet one day at a time. However been there, done that. Plus I'm sure your readers will be full of tips, thoughts and ideas on how to save our planet.

Therefore, I decided to write a different kind of green post in response to my "What do you want me to blog about" poll and the results.

A few days after posting the poll, I asked my husband if he had voted. When his look back at me was something along the lines of "wouldn't you like to know", I knew something was up. With a lot of prying, it finally came out.

Husband: What was your poll about?
Crazy Daisy: I wanted to know what people like to read on my blog, or what they would like to see in the future.
Husband: What were the options?
Crazy Daisy: Well, I had several. Graduation, crafts, daily stuff that happens, other, and green stuff.
Husband: ...Green stuff, huh? (about now a cheesy grin came across his face)
Crazy Daisy: Oh geez. I mean things like recycling and saving the planet, not crayons!
Husband: Well, I didn't know that. You should have known I would vote for green stuff.

Well, this conversation went on a little longer and we both ended up with a good laugh. The thing is... my husband's favorite color is green. I don't mean he kind of likes it and maybe has a few shirts in the shade. He LOVES green.

So in his honor, today I write a post about:

Green stuff.


Let's see. Glancing around our apartment, there is green everywhere!


I love plants. We have many in our house, however some (not pictured) are more brown than green.




We also have a small patio table with green tiles! We picked it up a couple of years ago at Kmart on clearance!



With our wedding colors spanning the entire box of colors, we of course included green! We had a difficult time finding all the colors on the flowers we wanted (daisies and a few roses), so we spray painted several white flowers to be green!




A green pillow case my mom made for my husband (he also has a matching quilt).




Our table cloth is green, of course!



Being Apple computer users, there is no way we wouldn't own a green iMac!



And then the CD player, and iPod are green.


A few random green things...



And finally our green storage!




WOW! This list could keep going and going!

Happy Green Day!

Changing the world, one step at a time

I know there is more that I can do to live a green, healthy life. However it is a process. I figure it is one step at a time. For me, living green isn't only about keeping trash out of landfills, it is about having less trash to put there. Additionally, being green is about being healthy. There are a lot of things we consume that impact our existence.

It isn't always easy. McDonalds drive through is so much faster than making dinner at home, and cheaper than many sit down meals, however is it healthy? What is the long term impact?

Anyhow, I could go on and on in greater detail on each of these things, but for now, I'll leave you with a list! :-)

Some of the things I currently do:

• Recycle
• Use cold water when washing clothes
• Try to buy items with less packaging / in bulk
• Volunteer
• Turn off the lights when I leave the room
• Only use rice milk (no cows milk)
• Use glass containers (no plastic in the microwave!)
• Working on eating less meat and more fruits and veggies
  
• Eating less fast food
• Recycle ink cartridges
• Use craigslist and ebay to buy and sell items
• Reuse packaging, boxes, or containers if possible
• Purchase locally grown fruits and veggies (when possible seasonally)
• Use old socks for cleaning rags
• When I have to print, I print back to back instead of using 2 separate pages
• Air dry jeans instead of machine drying
• Raid my sisters closet (and let her go through mine) instead of always buying new clothes
• Take thing to Goodwill and sometimes find treasures there as well! :)
• Use fans and windows to cool a room
  

Here are some fun and creative ways you can help others and Mother Earth.

• 56 Things You Can Toss Out Now
• Recycle your Crocs (found at Green Kiddos)
• Improve your vocabulary and donate free rice
• Purchase items made from recycled material
• such as pencils made from CD cases!

• Make a purse from your old pair of jeans
• Use Blackle.com for internet searches (for information on how Blackle works, clink HERE)
  

What things do you and your family do to increase healthy, green living?

Going through shopping withdrawal

This no shopping thing is harder than I thought it would be. Of course I'm motivated by having a tidier (that is a funny word) apartment, and saving money, yet I am still feeling the urge to shop.

This project is forcing me to examine my need for things, and shopping. If I am just as happy with a walk through the park looking at waterfalls as going through the mall, why does my car usually end up in the parking lot of the mall?

Is't it fascinating how there is a culture of having stuff? There isn't anything in particular I want, or need. I suppose it makes me feel good to buy new things. A new toy can be fun for awhile. Yet, then it finds a home on a shelf, or in a box, and is forgotten about.

Even as I sit here on my couch and look around there is junk are treasures everywhere. This is a great time for a change. It might not be an easy 2.5 more weeks, but it is time to move beyond the notion that I need new stuff. I may just have to extend my ban on stuff. We will see...

Going Green for Spring Cleaning

Start your spring cleaning off in a green fashion! Head on over to Crunchy Domestic Goddess where Amy is hosting a super giveaway! One lucky person will win a bottle of the Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate and spray bottles from Shaklee.

Check out information about Shaklee products here!

No New Stuff!

Over the last year, my husband and I have been trying to downsize our stuff. We have stuff everywhere in our small 2 bedroom apartment . . . boxes, shelves, totes, and closets full of it. Our apartment has been overtaken.

There has been a trip to goodwill, boxes of treasures given to friends and family, and many things listed on craigslist. Though things are getting better, we have found that we not only need to rid ourselves of stuff, but shopping bags full of new goodies need to stop.

We have found some success with buying less. Yet there is always a sale here, or clearance there. We might need that someday, how can we pass up something that is only a couple dollars.

While blog surfing a couple days ago, I found an interesting blog entry about a recent Oprah show. Jessica over at Serenity wrote about the show on Freeganism. I also found Amy at Crunchy Domestic Goddess wrote a great post exploring Freeganism.Jessica made some points that really hit home for me including:

• "Do I really need more scrapbook supplies and craft stuff?"
• " Most likely my life will go on just the same if I don’t get an item I am wanting"
• “...might come in handy”, does not mean that I need to buy it"

Jessica ends her entry by promising not to buy anything she doesn't need for the Month of March.

Interesting. I think I will join in this challenge, with my own twists.

For the month of March,

• I will not purchase any new craft supplies
  
• I will not purchase any new pens, pencils, notebooks or other school supplies
• I will not purchase any groceries that are not on sale, or have a coupon for - other than milk and bread (we tend to buy food, even when we have plenty. Our stock pile is getting a little to big).
  

Well I suppose, to put it simply, I will not be buying anything, other than milk/bread, and gas for our car.

And now, I pass the challenge to you. What can you do in the month of March to improve the world you live in?