Living in New England I am a casual Boston sports fan. When the Bruins won the Stanley Cup my boyfriend and his friends decided they had to go to the parade in Boston. I tagged along because I figured it'd be a cool experience. We got up at 5am to leave town by 6am so I was groggy and not thinking ahead so I didn't bring a water bottle with me. I grabbed a banana and headed out the door! The train station on the way into Boston had a water fountain so I had some water there. Then we were out in the crowds and standing along the street for 3 or 4 hours. One of my boyfriend's friends purchases a few bottles of water to share. I wasn't thirsty so I declined. We were near several small restaurants on the street so when they finished their water I asked a restaurant if they recycled and lucked out. Once the parade was over we walked across town to go to a restaurant. We stopped at a grocery store to get drinks and I was able to get an organic iced tea in a can. I drank it all at the store so that I could recycle it in the breeze way. My boyfriend finished his Gateraide in the T station and asked a worker there if they had recycling for containers. They didn't, just newspaper. Since none of us had bags and it was too crowded to carry extra stuff he threw it away. I was happy that he at least attempted to recycle, his friends just threw their containers away. LOTS of people just dumped their containers in the street, there was trash EVERYWHERE along the parade route. It made me sad. At least some of it was getting recycled by some homeless people picking through for deposites.
I was proud that I was able to minimize my own impact despite not planning ahead. It wasn't perfect but it shows that a little effort can make a difference!
The next day I went strawberry picking with my sister. We got almost 20lbs of berries. I ate so many that my lips started to get dry and swollen (mild strawberry allergy). I am working on cutting up and freezing as many as I can store in the freezer. I lightly greased a cookie sheet and laid the halved berries on there to freeze then once they were mostly frozen I dumped them into a large glass bowl. I still have about 10-14lbs of berries that I need to freeze or use. I also bought some rhubarb from the farm where we were picking so I want to make some strawberry rhubarb pie or crumble. I bought a pound cake and made some whipped cream so we could have some strawberry shortcake. I wanted to get biscuits but they were sold in a plastic blister pack so I skipped it. I know I could make them myself but this week is just too busy! I will have to find time to make pie. I'm debating making my own crust or buying crust, I did find an organic crust in a cardboard/wax paper container so it's an option.
I got my first electric bill, $30. With our 2 giant gaming computers and my boyfriend's need to sleep with 2 fans pointed at him I'm impressed that it was so low. He thinks we can get it lower. We've started completely cutting power to the computers as well as the modem and router when we're not using them. Before I just had my computer and monitor on the surge protector but we put pretty much everything in our office on the surge protectors so that they aren't running when we're not using them. We're also raising the temp in our fridge and freezer just a little bit. My boyfriend has started getting in the habit of shutting off at least 1 of his fans in the middle of the night if he wakes up. This weekend we installed a dimmer in the dining room so now we have dimmers on the kitchen and dining room lights. I know it's all little things but we don't really use much. I think the lowest electric bill I had when I lived in Georgia was $23 and that was in the fall when I didn't need the A/C or the heat. If we could get our bill here lower than that I'd really be impressed. Luckily it's been cooler and breezing in the evenings so we're able to keep the tempurature comfortable inside by opening windows and doors. Our upstairs windows are the crank handle kind so I feel like they don't allow airflow as well. It's a little warmer upstairs but it's not horrible.
My little box garden got an upgrade this weekend. It went from about 2x5 feet to 4x8 feet. I need to weed the new area and add some compost to it then buy the plants to fill it in. I am hoping I can still get some pea plants and a squash or 2. I may also buy some more herbs like oregano. I also want to get catnip to put near the screendoor to keep bugs away. We have a mild ant problem. Vinegar in bowls around the areas where they are coming in seems to be helping though. I'm not really sure why it works but my parents used to do it when I was a kid so I'm keeping the tradition alive. They don't go in the vinegar and drown or anything, maybe they just don't like the smell...
Showing posts with label local food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label local food. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Green Chic on a Budget
Aside from all of the other challenges associated with moving into a new apartment and trying to be as green, plastic free, and local as possible there is the money issue. Let's face it, getting new furniture (even if it's used) and all of the other stuff you need for an apartment (kitchen supplies, food, bathroom supplies, etc) can be costly. So when the money is running low how do you keep your green priorities?
Actually, it's way easier than you might think. As it happens, most "green" choices are very economical too. Here are a few ways you can save money and the planet. Is there any better win-win?!
Cleaning:
Sure, there are tons of "green" cleaning products on the market. There are some great companies that are doing a good job of making some safer alternatives to the chemical filled gunk that saturates the market these days. The down side is that not all "green" products are really as green as they say they are and anything marked "green" these days is sure to have a significant cost mark up. Luckily there is an easy alternative that is even more green and less costly alternative. If you aren't using baking soda and vinegar to clean just about everything in your house from your teeth to your laundry, to your floors then you should start!
Food grade baking soda (for cooking and personal hygene) can be purchased in bulk at many co-op and health food stores across the country and costs less than a dollar per pound. You can also purchase non-food grade baking soda (for household cleaning) from certain feed or lawn and garden stores for just pennies a pound. When you compare that to $8 a bottle for a commercial "green" cleaning solution that is some serious savings!!
Distilled white vinegar is also a lot less expensive than household cleaners and can be purchased in a variety of container sizes, many of which are glass. I've yet to see it sold in bulk but check your local store, you never know! Vinegar is a great disinfectant too!
Eating:
When I saw that my monthly budget was quickly getting swallowed up by apartment expenses I knew I'd have to reduce the amount of money I spent on food. Eating healthy meals on a budget can seem nearly impossible, especially at a conventional grocery store. Not to mention that EVERYTHING comes in plastic. So how can we avoid plastic, eat well, and save money? Back to the bulk bins!
My local co-op has a huge variety of rices ranging from boring white to exotic wild varieties, all right in the bulk section. Next to that is an equally fantastic variety of beans, lentils, and other legumes. Rice and beans is a staple meal in a wide variety of cultures. It's cheap, easy, and nutritious. I spent less than $5 on beans and rice and made enough to feed a small army (or 2 people for about 2 weeks, eating it for lunch and dinner). My local co-ops also feature discounts on produce that is going to go bad soon. I get "bread" bananas (very brown, great for freezing) at less than 40 cents a pound and discounted onions, potatoes, and carrots. All sold without plastic! The options for discounted produce vary depending on what needs to get used up quickly so you have to be flexible. Keep in mind that pretty much all fruits can be frozen (skin and dice if neccessary) and vegetables call also easily be frozen once lightly steamed. So if it looks like the food you purchased won't last long even in the refigerator cut it up, steam it and freeze it. I freeze my fruit and veggies on a greased sheet and then dump them into glass storage containers. That way they don't stick to each other or the container and are easy to use when you want them.
Summer time is a great time to eat on a budget. Check out your local farm stands and farmer's markets and don't be afraid to ask if they have any discounted produce available. Many farmers will sell bruised tomatoes and other fruits at a discount or if produce is starting to go old they'll likely sell that at a discount as well. Also, if you go later in the day, towards the end of the farmer's market or when the farm stand is about to close, you may be able to get discounts on the remaining produce or other items simply because the farmer doesn't want to pack it all up and move it. If you are buying a bulk quantity of a particular item you can often haggle a discounted price. Remember that farmers work hard to produce food so be reasonable!
Here is my recipe for rice and beans:
2C uncooked brown rice
4C uncooked beans (try a variety or whatever type you prefer)
10-12C water, divided
4 cloves garlic, minced
spices and condiments as available (this is the fun part!)
In a rice cooker or in a covered sauce pan, combine rice and 4C water. OPTIONAL: Add spices such as tumeric, chili powder, curry powder, or cumin to the water to flavor the rice. 2T will give subtle flavor, add more for a bolder flavor. Bring water to a boil and then lower heat and let simmer until all water is absorbed.
Dump beans into a large bowl, cover with water and stir with your hands. Pick out any beans that float (they are hollow) or any rocks or other bits that aren't beans. Drain and dump beans into a large pot. Add 8C water to the beans, they should be covered with about 2 inches of extra water. Add minced garlic. Cover and bring to a boil. Cook on medium heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occassionally. If water level gets low and it is the consistancy of chili add more water. Once the beans are tender drain water. Remove from heat. Add rice to beans and mix thoroughly. Add seasonings as desired. Suggestions are curry powder/sauce, salsa, mustard, hot sauce, cayanne, cumin, salt, pepper...whatever you have on hand! I left mine only mildly spiced with some chili powder and cayanne pepper. Anytime we have a serving we mix it with whatever condiments we want in our bowl. This makes a TON of food as beans and rice both tend to double in size when cooked.
This is not a fancy recipe but it is tasty, filling, cheap, and green!
Actually, it's way easier than you might think. As it happens, most "green" choices are very economical too. Here are a few ways you can save money and the planet. Is there any better win-win?!
Cleaning:
Sure, there are tons of "green" cleaning products on the market. There are some great companies that are doing a good job of making some safer alternatives to the chemical filled gunk that saturates the market these days. The down side is that not all "green" products are really as green as they say they are and anything marked "green" these days is sure to have a significant cost mark up. Luckily there is an easy alternative that is even more green and less costly alternative. If you aren't using baking soda and vinegar to clean just about everything in your house from your teeth to your laundry, to your floors then you should start!
Food grade baking soda (for cooking and personal hygene) can be purchased in bulk at many co-op and health food stores across the country and costs less than a dollar per pound. You can also purchase non-food grade baking soda (for household cleaning) from certain feed or lawn and garden stores for just pennies a pound. When you compare that to $8 a bottle for a commercial "green" cleaning solution that is some serious savings!!
Distilled white vinegar is also a lot less expensive than household cleaners and can be purchased in a variety of container sizes, many of which are glass. I've yet to see it sold in bulk but check your local store, you never know! Vinegar is a great disinfectant too!
Eating:
When I saw that my monthly budget was quickly getting swallowed up by apartment expenses I knew I'd have to reduce the amount of money I spent on food. Eating healthy meals on a budget can seem nearly impossible, especially at a conventional grocery store. Not to mention that EVERYTHING comes in plastic. So how can we avoid plastic, eat well, and save money? Back to the bulk bins!
My local co-op has a huge variety of rices ranging from boring white to exotic wild varieties, all right in the bulk section. Next to that is an equally fantastic variety of beans, lentils, and other legumes. Rice and beans is a staple meal in a wide variety of cultures. It's cheap, easy, and nutritious. I spent less than $5 on beans and rice and made enough to feed a small army (or 2 people for about 2 weeks, eating it for lunch and dinner). My local co-ops also feature discounts on produce that is going to go bad soon. I get "bread" bananas (very brown, great for freezing) at less than 40 cents a pound and discounted onions, potatoes, and carrots. All sold without plastic! The options for discounted produce vary depending on what needs to get used up quickly so you have to be flexible. Keep in mind that pretty much all fruits can be frozen (skin and dice if neccessary) and vegetables call also easily be frozen once lightly steamed. So if it looks like the food you purchased won't last long even in the refigerator cut it up, steam it and freeze it. I freeze my fruit and veggies on a greased sheet and then dump them into glass storage containers. That way they don't stick to each other or the container and are easy to use when you want them.
Summer time is a great time to eat on a budget. Check out your local farm stands and farmer's markets and don't be afraid to ask if they have any discounted produce available. Many farmers will sell bruised tomatoes and other fruits at a discount or if produce is starting to go old they'll likely sell that at a discount as well. Also, if you go later in the day, towards the end of the farmer's market or when the farm stand is about to close, you may be able to get discounts on the remaining produce or other items simply because the farmer doesn't want to pack it all up and move it. If you are buying a bulk quantity of a particular item you can often haggle a discounted price. Remember that farmers work hard to produce food so be reasonable!
Here is my recipe for rice and beans:
2C uncooked brown rice
4C uncooked beans (try a variety or whatever type you prefer)
10-12C water, divided
4 cloves garlic, minced
spices and condiments as available (this is the fun part!)
In a rice cooker or in a covered sauce pan, combine rice and 4C water. OPTIONAL: Add spices such as tumeric, chili powder, curry powder, or cumin to the water to flavor the rice. 2T will give subtle flavor, add more for a bolder flavor. Bring water to a boil and then lower heat and let simmer until all water is absorbed.
Dump beans into a large bowl, cover with water and stir with your hands. Pick out any beans that float (they are hollow) or any rocks or other bits that aren't beans. Drain and dump beans into a large pot. Add 8C water to the beans, they should be covered with about 2 inches of extra water. Add minced garlic. Cover and bring to a boil. Cook on medium heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occassionally. If water level gets low and it is the consistancy of chili add more water. Once the beans are tender drain water. Remove from heat. Add rice to beans and mix thoroughly. Add seasonings as desired. Suggestions are curry powder/sauce, salsa, mustard, hot sauce, cayanne, cumin, salt, pepper...whatever you have on hand! I left mine only mildly spiced with some chili powder and cayanne pepper. Anytime we have a serving we mix it with whatever condiments we want in our bowl. This makes a TON of food as beans and rice both tend to double in size when cooked.
This is not a fancy recipe but it is tasty, filling, cheap, and green!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Eat Chic: Local Food Options
Living "Green Chic" means you don't have to compromise good taste to have a positive impact on the planet and your own health. Even better, living "Green Chic" can open your eyes to a bounty of things that taste good!
As you may know, grocery store vegetables often come from all over the world, often times from farms in deforested rain forest climates. The farming practices aren't the only reason grocery store produce is bad for the environment. Then consider how far that produce has to travel and all of the fossil fuels used to get it where it's going. A large amount of organic produce sold in the US comes from Hawaii, even if you live in California that's a long distance for food to travel.
It's evident that grocery store produce is bad for the environment but what about your health? If it's not organic it's been grown in soil that is not very nutrient rich and sprayed with harsh chemicals to keep away pests making the nutritional value low and the rish for exposure to harmful chemicals high. And to make matters worse produce travelling from so far away has to be picked way before it's ripe so that it doesn't rot before it reaches the store. Many foods, such as tomatoes, are chemically treated to make them appear more ripe than they are. This is why a tomato that looks red at the grocery store may still be very firm and tasteless.
What other choice do you have? Believe it or not, even if you live in an urban area, chances are there are local farms that can provide you with most of the produce you need and maybe even the eggs, dairy, and meat you want. You may even have a neighbor that raises chickens for eggs that you could buy. Local food is all around us and isn't hard to find. You can often get great prices on local food if you look in the right places, making it a better option than purchasing from a grocery store all around.
Let's go over some of the local food buying options available:
~*~Farmer's Market: These are events that are usually held weekly or monthly through out the growing season (many towns also have winter farmer's markets for crafts, cheese, and specialty food items). Several farmers get together to sell their produce and you may also find eggs, cheese, specialty foods, meat, and crafts. This is a great way to meet your local farmers and find out what they have to offer. Farmer's markets are a convenient way to shop for local foods without having to commit to any one farm. You can also often purchase bulk vegetables if you ask, especially toward the end of the growing season. If there are lots of farms around you there may be more than one market worth checking out!
~*~Farm Stand: Aside from selling their goods at farmer's markets many farms will have stands on or near their farms. If you don't drive past one in your normal travels it may require an adventurous Sunday drive to find one. Farm stands will most likely have the freshest produce as they will refill it every day as opposed to other options that are weekly. Farm stands are great for purchasing in bulk and getting deals on produce that is close to going bad. Some farms, especially those with berries, will offer a pick your own as well.
~*~CSA (Consumer Supported Agriculture): If you eat a lot of vegetables and don't mind being suprised by what you get each week then this is a great way to get lots of fresh veggies every week at a great price and it is a great way to support a local farmer. It's kind of like buying stock in a business but instead of a cash return you get great local food. You purchase a share at the beginning of the season (you may need to sign up early depending on how popular CSAs are in your area) and then each week pick up a box of that week's harvest at a set destination (often times the farm). Some CSAs offer delivery or several pick up locations so be sure to choose one that works best for you. Remember, the closer the farm is to you, the better it is for the environment. Not all CSAs offer organic produce so ask your farmer about their farming practices before you commit. Becoming certified organic takes several years and can be costly so your local small farm may have organic practices without being certified. Depending on how many people you're trying to feed you may have leftover vegetables so be sure to know ahead of time what you'll do with them. Will you preserve? Share with a friend? Donate to a soup kitchen?
~*~Food Co-Op: These grocery store-esque stores are consumer owned (you could become a member to receive a part of the profits and have a say in what is sold). They sell a variety of products with a focus on local food. Depending on your co-op it may only sell local foods or it may sell a variety of natural, organic, and "regular" grocery items. These are a good way to buy local when you can't get what you need at the other options or need the convenience. Some food co-ops do require you to become a member to shop with them so be sure to ask!
Now that you know about the different options for buying food locally, how do you know what is available near you? Here are a few tips:
~*~Check out LocalHarvest.org for a comprehensive list of farms in your area and all of the services they offer. Just type in your zip code and go!
~*~Look for signs along the road advertising farmer's markets. They usually list the time and location. Sometimes they are held it parks, churches, schools, or privately owned property.
~*~Try a Google search of your zip code and "CSA", "local food", or "farmer's market". There may be online resources specifically dedicated to local food in your area. Like VitalCommunities serving VT and NH.
~*~Ask around! You never know which friends, neighors, or coworkers have a local food connection. You may even discover some hidden treasures!
As you may know, grocery store vegetables often come from all over the world, often times from farms in deforested rain forest climates. The farming practices aren't the only reason grocery store produce is bad for the environment. Then consider how far that produce has to travel and all of the fossil fuels used to get it where it's going. A large amount of organic produce sold in the US comes from Hawaii, even if you live in California that's a long distance for food to travel.
It's evident that grocery store produce is bad for the environment but what about your health? If it's not organic it's been grown in soil that is not very nutrient rich and sprayed with harsh chemicals to keep away pests making the nutritional value low and the rish for exposure to harmful chemicals high. And to make matters worse produce travelling from so far away has to be picked way before it's ripe so that it doesn't rot before it reaches the store. Many foods, such as tomatoes, are chemically treated to make them appear more ripe than they are. This is why a tomato that looks red at the grocery store may still be very firm and tasteless.
What other choice do you have? Believe it or not, even if you live in an urban area, chances are there are local farms that can provide you with most of the produce you need and maybe even the eggs, dairy, and meat you want. You may even have a neighbor that raises chickens for eggs that you could buy. Local food is all around us and isn't hard to find. You can often get great prices on local food if you look in the right places, making it a better option than purchasing from a grocery store all around.
Let's go over some of the local food buying options available:
~*~Farmer's Market: These are events that are usually held weekly or monthly through out the growing season (many towns also have winter farmer's markets for crafts, cheese, and specialty food items). Several farmers get together to sell their produce and you may also find eggs, cheese, specialty foods, meat, and crafts. This is a great way to meet your local farmers and find out what they have to offer. Farmer's markets are a convenient way to shop for local foods without having to commit to any one farm. You can also often purchase bulk vegetables if you ask, especially toward the end of the growing season. If there are lots of farms around you there may be more than one market worth checking out!
~*~Farm Stand: Aside from selling their goods at farmer's markets many farms will have stands on or near their farms. If you don't drive past one in your normal travels it may require an adventurous Sunday drive to find one. Farm stands will most likely have the freshest produce as they will refill it every day as opposed to other options that are weekly. Farm stands are great for purchasing in bulk and getting deals on produce that is close to going bad. Some farms, especially those with berries, will offer a pick your own as well.
~*~CSA (Consumer Supported Agriculture): If you eat a lot of vegetables and don't mind being suprised by what you get each week then this is a great way to get lots of fresh veggies every week at a great price and it is a great way to support a local farmer. It's kind of like buying stock in a business but instead of a cash return you get great local food. You purchase a share at the beginning of the season (you may need to sign up early depending on how popular CSAs are in your area) and then each week pick up a box of that week's harvest at a set destination (often times the farm). Some CSAs offer delivery or several pick up locations so be sure to choose one that works best for you. Remember, the closer the farm is to you, the better it is for the environment. Not all CSAs offer organic produce so ask your farmer about their farming practices before you commit. Becoming certified organic takes several years and can be costly so your local small farm may have organic practices without being certified. Depending on how many people you're trying to feed you may have leftover vegetables so be sure to know ahead of time what you'll do with them. Will you preserve? Share with a friend? Donate to a soup kitchen?
~*~Food Co-Op: These grocery store-esque stores are consumer owned (you could become a member to receive a part of the profits and have a say in what is sold). They sell a variety of products with a focus on local food. Depending on your co-op it may only sell local foods or it may sell a variety of natural, organic, and "regular" grocery items. These are a good way to buy local when you can't get what you need at the other options or need the convenience. Some food co-ops do require you to become a member to shop with them so be sure to ask!
Now that you know about the different options for buying food locally, how do you know what is available near you? Here are a few tips:
~*~Check out LocalHarvest.org for a comprehensive list of farms in your area and all of the services they offer. Just type in your zip code and go!
~*~Look for signs along the road advertising farmer's markets. They usually list the time and location. Sometimes they are held it parks, churches, schools, or privately owned property.
~*~Try a Google search of your zip code and "CSA", "local food", or "farmer's market". There may be online resources specifically dedicated to local food in your area. Like VitalCommunities serving VT and NH.
~*~Ask around! You never know which friends, neighors, or coworkers have a local food connection. You may even discover some hidden treasures!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
What Is Green Chic?!
News flash: You don't have to be a "dirty hippie" to care about the environment or your health. You can smell good, look fabulous, and have a gorgeous clean home while reducing your use of harsh chemicals, toxins, plastics, and waste. You may even be surprised by how easy it can be!
To prove to you just how easy it can be I have taken on the challenge to stop wasting and start greening!
On May 18th I will be moving into a 2 bedroom apartment with my boyfriend. I should warn that he is not the most environmentally conscious individual, but if it saves money and reduces waste he's all for it! I've got several waste and chemical use reduction goals in mind. We'll start with the first ones on my list and make changes in our lives and shopping habits to meet each of these goals:
1) No chemical cleaners. This includes how we wash our house, our dishes, and our clothes. We'll be making our own - such as citrus vineager cleaner - and we'll be purchasing some items.
2) Reduce "disposable" product usage. This includes cleaning products, paper towels, cotton balls, tissues and other disposable items. I'd like to get it so toilet paper is the only disposable item we use!
3) Buy local. This means no ordering things off the internet, supporting local farms, and local stores. It also means we'll need to limit purchases from chain stores. We've already stopped shopping at WalMart long ago, but we'd like to limit our purchases from other large corporations as well when possible.
4) No chemical health/beauty products. I'm a believer in waste not want not, so I'm not about to throw out the fairly new stick of deoderant sitting on my dresser. I'll slowly be transitioning from store bought products to homemade ones including shampoo, conditioner, deoderant, toothepaste, and soap.
5) No more pastic! This is going to be a challenge because SO much of what we purchase at the grocery store or otherwise comes wrapped in plastic. I'll start by replacing the plastic dishes we have with glass, ceramic, or metal. This means donating the plastic ones and purchasing used when available. We have lots of great resources in our area for used items, not to mention tag sales! The next step will be to reduce the things I purchase that come in plastic. That means everything from lettuce, bread, yogurt, dressings, and cheese to batteries, nylons, lip gloss, and take-out. This is really going to require a lifestyle change. Purchasing fresh bread and supplying my own bag or making my own bread, for example.
6) Reduce waste. I didn't mention recycling on this list because it's sort of a given. Once we reduce our "disposable" products and plastic consumption our waste stream should be greatly reduced but we'll want to look at what else we can stop throwing away at that point. Our new apartment has a small patio and lawn space so I might try to find a used compost roller or start some other kind of composting program. I guess I'll have to wait and see what's left in the trash bin at this point. One thing I'm planning on doing right off is using biodegradable trash bags.
So that's the list. Once I move into the apartment I'll keep you posted on how it's going! I'll also be providing website recommendations and let you know what my experiences are with different products and recipes.
Step 1: Furniture. I had to sell everything I owned the last time I moved so I don't currently own any furniture. To acquire furniture I will be asking friends and relatives for items they don't want. I'll also be looking for used items at our local thrift stores and possibly at yard sales. The only piece of furniture that I will be buying new is a matress. With all the bed bug horror stories and knowing that beds collect a LOT of human skin I will want to start fresh there. We probably won't be starting out with the most fashionable home decor, but it will be a great place to start!
To prove to you just how easy it can be I have taken on the challenge to stop wasting and start greening!
On May 18th I will be moving into a 2 bedroom apartment with my boyfriend. I should warn that he is not the most environmentally conscious individual, but if it saves money and reduces waste he's all for it! I've got several waste and chemical use reduction goals in mind. We'll start with the first ones on my list and make changes in our lives and shopping habits to meet each of these goals:
1) No chemical cleaners. This includes how we wash our house, our dishes, and our clothes. We'll be making our own - such as citrus vineager cleaner - and we'll be purchasing some items.
2) Reduce "disposable" product usage. This includes cleaning products, paper towels, cotton balls, tissues and other disposable items. I'd like to get it so toilet paper is the only disposable item we use!
3) Buy local. This means no ordering things off the internet, supporting local farms, and local stores. It also means we'll need to limit purchases from chain stores. We've already stopped shopping at WalMart long ago, but we'd like to limit our purchases from other large corporations as well when possible.
4) No chemical health/beauty products. I'm a believer in waste not want not, so I'm not about to throw out the fairly new stick of deoderant sitting on my dresser. I'll slowly be transitioning from store bought products to homemade ones including shampoo, conditioner, deoderant, toothepaste, and soap.
5) No more pastic! This is going to be a challenge because SO much of what we purchase at the grocery store or otherwise comes wrapped in plastic. I'll start by replacing the plastic dishes we have with glass, ceramic, or metal. This means donating the plastic ones and purchasing used when available. We have lots of great resources in our area for used items, not to mention tag sales! The next step will be to reduce the things I purchase that come in plastic. That means everything from lettuce, bread, yogurt, dressings, and cheese to batteries, nylons, lip gloss, and take-out. This is really going to require a lifestyle change. Purchasing fresh bread and supplying my own bag or making my own bread, for example.
6) Reduce waste. I didn't mention recycling on this list because it's sort of a given. Once we reduce our "disposable" products and plastic consumption our waste stream should be greatly reduced but we'll want to look at what else we can stop throwing away at that point. Our new apartment has a small patio and lawn space so I might try to find a used compost roller or start some other kind of composting program. I guess I'll have to wait and see what's left in the trash bin at this point. One thing I'm planning on doing right off is using biodegradable trash bags.
So that's the list. Once I move into the apartment I'll keep you posted on how it's going! I'll also be providing website recommendations and let you know what my experiences are with different products and recipes.
Step 1: Furniture. I had to sell everything I owned the last time I moved so I don't currently own any furniture. To acquire furniture I will be asking friends and relatives for items they don't want. I'll also be looking for used items at our local thrift stores and possibly at yard sales. The only piece of furniture that I will be buying new is a matress. With all the bed bug horror stories and knowing that beds collect a LOT of human skin I will want to start fresh there. We probably won't be starting out with the most fashionable home decor, but it will be a great place to start!
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