Recycled Canvas Bags and Hats by PAZ Apparel | Fashion Peace.

Perfectly good 'old' new stove/oven

$180 later and a $30 delivery charge and we now have a brand new reconditioned oven that frankly looks and works like new. Proof that rethinking old habits together with taking action do indeed lead to change.

Old is the new 'new'!

While shopping for a new appliance today (our stove/oven died last night) it occurred to me how addicted I am to 'new'.

What's wrong with getting a re-conditioned stove? Or a 'used' oven?

For years marketers have told us that 'new' is better and in some cases it is...however in light of the current state of affairs....the economy and the environment.... I stopped myself from sliding down the slippery slope of gleaming stainless steel and have instead opted to shop for a stove that has been reconditioned.

Not only will it cost me much less than a new one but I'll be putting one less hunk of junk in our landfills.

A point worth a ponder.

Eco Quiz

What is the most eco conscious car you can purchase today?
Answer: A used car. New resources aren't exploited and a used car's system can be converted to run on alternative fuels. Food for thought.

365 days of trash

Just came across Dave's experiment site where he is documenting the waste he generates in a year's time. Interesting stuff. Love the worm composting experiment....I've been contemplating it but I'm not there yet.Truth be told I'm actually afraid I'll have so much compost I won't know what to do with it all. And what to do with the 'tea'. I mean there's only so much you can do with the worm juice right?

Earth Friendly Drain Cleaner

Our friends over at Vegan Babe brought Earthworm Family Friendly Drain Cleaner to our attention. Thank you Vegan Babe!!

You say tomato I say Recycle!

I was 9-years-old the last time I planted food. For years since I've been planting flowers each spring but this year I decided to use my flower containers for something that will nourish us not only emotionally but physically as well.

I went so crazy buying seeds that I ended up with a lot of tomato plants and not enough containers to put them into. So, I'm experimenting with plastic milk cartons. I'll let you know how they work out as the summer progresses.

So, then here's the challenge. Grow food. Herbs, lettuce, tomato's,carrots. What ever. Just grow food. In fact there are some amazing foods that have wonderful aromatic properties as well as foods that blossom and flower. No space is too small and the rewards will be worth the effort.

Unplugged but still energized!

For about a month now we've been unplugging our major tech appliances every night. We won't know what the impact will be for another month or so but I suspect we are going to be pleased with the results.

Not only for the financial savings but knowing that we are not burning through a coal plant every time we go to sleep.

A terrific resource for measuring 'Stand By' power can be found at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory website where they summarize the amount of standby power consumed by our appliances when they are in the 'OFF' mode. I came across this website after reading this article in the New York Times.

It only takes a moment to unplug and we literally feel like we are making a real difference.   

Reduce Waste and Spring Clean at the Same Time

Growing up my mother would clean our windows using a simple water and vinegar solution. Then at some point in my life I stopped using vinegar and picked up the 'blue stuff'. Where did I go so wrong?

Add 2 tbls of vinegar to 1 gallon of water to make your own window cleaner. Then put the solution in a spray bottle and voila you have window clearer that cost a lot less than that blue stuff.

And instead of wasting paper towels to do the job switch to good old newspaper. You'll get super clean streak free windows in no time and be reusing a precious resource.

Thanks to 'The Daily Green' for reminding me of the 'good ol days'.

What do these three items have in common?

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

I reuse my zip lock bags. As you may know from a previous post I am not a fan of plastic bags but I realize they are a useful part of our lives so I do my best to reuse them as often as possible. Once, while I was washing bags, I thought to myself there must be a better way to dry these things. Well, look what I just came across, the plastic bag dryer.

Then about a month ago I started the habit of turning my power-strips off after hearing so much talk about how our appliances are still using loads of electricity even when they are off but still plugged in. So now along comes a device called the Smart Strip that does it automatically.

And finally, how many IKEA 'AA' batteries does one need to throw out in a lifetime to get a sick feeling in his/her stomach. Well I personally cringe each time I need to replace a battery. Once again, a new device to the rescue. These rechargeable batteries with a USB port integrated let you recharge from your computer!

I'm not so sure about the bag dryer or even the power strip since these items just add up to more things to buy for our home (And besides a little extra effort on my behalf isn't going to kill me.) but I do like the USB battery device.

In any case you can find these items at 'terrapass' which turns out to be one terrific site with good information and resources.

Spring Cleaning Is Just Around The Corner

Thanks to Jolly Green Girl at The Accidental Environmentalist for this eco-cleaning tip.