Green isn't just my favorite color

I have a lovely dishtowel with this on it. :) From my sister-in-law Missy. So in my search today to find "green" toys for my baby I found this store in DALLAS that is called Green Living. They have a website here. Here is another "Green Living" site. They have many many lists and tips.

They have a list of easy ways to go green. I am going to post some of my favs from their list. Just to show how easy it can be to go green and SAVE money. Seven ways to save the earth in July!

1. Lighting: These Compact florescent bulbs are a little more expensive at first, but realize how much longer they last and how much less energy they use. Which means over the next few years you wont have to replace them and when that special someone forgets to shut off the lights it is wasting less energy. "Compact fluorescent bulbs save money and last years, in addition to reducing the release of thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide, which causes global warming, and sulfur dioxide, known to cause acid rain." Even if you don't believe in Global Warming its not hurting anything.

2. Reusable Shopping Bags: This is so easy. They cost so little at the store and if you invest in 7 or 8 (you can get them I think in most stores now, grocery and other) you can use a few and leave the rest in your car. I have all sizes and shapes and strengths. I just throw them all in one bag in the car and grab a few depending on how many I think I will need. I have a small one that folds down I carry with me when I am out in my purse and my purse also doubles as a shopping bag. I refuse bags at stores and even restaurants and just use my own or carry out what I got. Its so easy and its a nice to know I can make a difference. Just think of how many plastic bags you are given in a months time or even a week or day! So even if you recycle those bags you get you can still minimize the amount that you need to recycle by using your own bag.

3. Cloth napkins: Do you really need to use that paper napkin? No. you don't. Even if you dont have a cloth napkin around or want to buy them, use a kitchen towel or washcloth instead. I admit there are times when a paper towel/napkin is nice but when you can use cloth!

4. Natural Cleaners: Cleaners and products. Some might be more expensive, but some are also concentrated so you need less. Laundry detergent, soaps, and cleaning agents are so easy to find in the stores now. Even the things you use on your body can be found in a more natural form with less chemicals. Not just chemicals that we end up touching, the ones that go down the drain and harm other things. Antibacterial soaps are not necessary to the extent that people are using them. Our bodies are not going to be able to fight off the smallest infection if people keep living in a sterial environment. (Same with antibiotics - use them all only when needed) Ok.. enough of that.

5,6,7. Water Usage: There are a few directions this can go first you can use a reusable water container and fill it with filtered water from your very own tap. That's right! You don't have to buy hundreds of bottles of water every year! You can make your own. Just think about how many you buy then figure how much it would cost you to buy one or two reusable bottles and a filter. I think you have already paid for a few.
The other thing you can do is to shut off the water when you are not using it. Like when you are washing your face or brushing your teeth just shut if off in between.
Another thing when you do laundry take care not to over or under load your washer. Know how much water you need for the load you are doing so you don't waist the water or your time.