Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Green Challenge Twednesday

So, I’m a flake. Luckily for me, I can make up days and only be half flakey.

My ‘absence’ was party due to my workload and partly due to the fact that I’m stuuuuuck.

I haven’t made any revolutionary changes. In fact, I’m using MORE water bottles now because it was suggested that maybe my weight-loss was being limited by lack of water. And I’ve FINALLY got The Man to start drinking water. But we just can’t drink the tap water. See, Sunshine used a humidifier for a week and at the end of that week, the tray was half full of white GUNK that was filtered out of our water. I’m sure it’s mostly iron and calcium, but I don’t know for sure – so I won’t drink it. To remedy this, I’ve been looking into a water softener. It was between a water softener and a new refrigerator. But the water softener would benefit my tap water, showers, laundry, etc. Filtered water from the fridge would just benefit our drinking water. I’m having trouble finding information on this, though. Do you really have to call a plumber??

I did make one change: I built a compost.

Compost 3

(Well, I supervised…from the office.)

But this wouldn’t make a good challenge because not everyone is capable of having one.

If you are, here are some links with good info:

Ideal Bite
Be Jane
Master Composter
Composting Council of Canada

I’m really excited to have started this. I’ve wanted one for a long time but never took the initiative. I think we spent about $35 on the supplies (four stakes and a roll of plastic fencing). Hopefully it will be well worth it once it provides us with some hearty compost for my flowers. (I act like I’m a gardener…I really just buy the boxes of seeds and hope it comes out okay.) I’m already happy about the food scraps not sitting in my garbage. Especially when I buy heads of lettuce and throw almost half of them away (Oh! I can’t wait for summer and GOOD produce!).

If you are able to, I totally recommend starting one. It’s much easier than I thought it would be!

I think the biggest challenge I can offer you right now is for you to tell me one way you’ve made your life greener. Anything from recycling something new, using less water, less electricity, or buying eco-friendly cleaners.

(Btw, I bought Go Naked wipes from Method for my elliptical and Pink Grapefruit All Purpose Spray, also from Method, and LOVE them. A little pricey, but worth it! My savvy SIL will HAVE to let us know if she comes across any coupons!! Also for eco-friendly kitty litter, which I will be buying after reading this.)

4 comments:

Brillig said...

I can't even tell you how many times I checked your site yesterday for my Tuesday challenge. Finally I shut the computer down--disheartened, mournful, confused, betrayed.

And today, oh how you've brightened my spirits!

As for recent green changes in my own life, I hate to say that there really aren't any. But! I'm living with my in-laws for just three more weeks or so and then I will be back to being Mistress of my domain (that's Mistress as in the feminine Master--not some kinky sexual thing, cuz that would be... weird) at which point I'll implement a whole bunch of changes. Mark my words. A WHOLE BUNCH of changes.

Here I am, waxing lengthy in your comments again. You love me for it, though, right?

sillychick said...

I wish I had a big yard like you do! Mine is tiny and it's really what's holding me back from composting, but I may have to find a little corner to set something up.

I'm still continuing to nag my husband and son about water usage. I did see my bill go down a bit, so maybe it's helping!

We've also been recycling, but I'm not sure I would if my husband wasn't involved. Columbus makes us pay to pick up the recyclables so he takes them somewhere. I wish this city would get more with it!

sillychick said...

I wish I had a big yard like you do! Mine is tiny and it's really what's holding me back from composting, but I may have to find a little corner to set something up.

I'm still continuing to nag my husband and son about water usage. I did see my bill go down a bit, so maybe it's helping!

We've also been recycling, but I'm not sure I would if my husband wasn't involved. Columbus makes us pay to pick up the recyclables so he takes them somewhere. I wish this city would get more with it!

kirida said...

I love Method cleaning products because it combines my love for the environment with my love for Target. I even found Seventh Generation dishwashing liquid!