#97 Clean and Organize under the sink in the kitchen

It didn't take long, which begs the question why I just didn't do it before. I took out everything under the sink, there were a few surprises but mostly it was cleaning products and our recycle bins. We use two recycle bins, one for aluminum, glass, plastic, etc and the other for cardboard and paper products. Under this area was quite dirty with soda splatter and the like. I organized the cleaning products too, and realized a couple of things: 1)Our disorganization leads to waste. When we can't find something, we just re-buy it, as we had duplicates of a few different products and I didn't realized we had some of the stuff that was in there. Organization is good for the soul and the wallet, I guess. 2) I would like to stop buying so many cleaning products and start making more of my own. I very recently started using white vinegar and water as an all-purpose cleaner. These home-made cleaners are more often eco-friendly, pet-friendly, and very inexpensive. I'm going to finish using what I have first, of course, but then would like to start. 


Any suggestions on home-made/eco-friendly cleaners you use at home?

#95 Drop off Old Sneakers for "Reuse-A-Shoe"

"Every year, across the globe, millions of pairs of athletic shoes end up in landfills or disposed of in some other way creating a lot of waste.  Much of what we dispose of contains valuable materials that, with a little bit of imagination and ingenuity, could be reused.  With the pursuit of sustainability in mind, Nike created a program to recycle worn out athletic shoes and turn them into something new.  Old athletic shoes of any brand, are collected, processed and recycled into a material called “Nike Grind”.  Once SWALCO collects the athletic shoes (sometime after Earth Day each year) from our school, community and business partners, we transport them to Nike's facility to become "grind".  This material will then be used to create sports surfaces like basketball courts, tennis courts, athletic fields, running tracks and playgrounds that will be enjoyed by children of all ages, for many years to come. Now that's creative recycling!" 
-SWALCO 
www.lakecountyil.gov/swalco/Programs/Reuse-A-Shoe


Yesterday we dropped off some old and/or half-chewed (thank you, Nola Belle!) shoes to this program at our local drop-off point the Zion-Benton Library. If you have old athletic shoes, think about rounding them up and dropping off for a similar cause. Cleans your house, good for the environment, good for sport surfaces.  

New Year Resolutions: Health, Wealth & Happiness

So it's 1-1-11, what else would I be writing about but my New Year's resolutions! I don't think my resolutions are much different than millions of Americans and billions of people of throughout the world. BUT I have thought a good deal about it, and specific ways to achieve it. Hopefully, being specific, telling anyone who will read it my plan, and then reporting back through blogging after the fact will allow me to accomplish all I am setting out to do. So let's get started...


HEALTH


Eat Better

• Drink more water. Huge problem for me for some reason, not sure why. But in an effort to help, my water drinking habits,  I am resolving to not drinking any non-diet soda, no more than one can of diet soda per day, AND no soda when I eat out. Water, water, water!
• Go grocery shopping regularly. I really seem to do best with my eating habits when there's food in the house, thus, I need to keep good healthy food in the house. 
• Up the fiber, cut back the sugar. I love desert--who doesn't?--but I need to get my sugar quantities under control. I'd also like to get some more high fiber foods in my diet. 

Exercise

• Cardio! 30 minutes, 3 times a week, minimum. Now I know that as a standard, that truly is the minimum for cardio...but I'll come clean, that would be 90 more minutes a week than what I'm getting now. So its a start!
• Take the stairs. Yes, it's true. I take the elevator in my 3-story work building daily (sometimes, several times daily). I will resolve that will take the stairs this year...unless, I'm carrying something heavy!
• Play with the dog daily. That mutt really wears me out!

Be Outside

• Canoe, canoe, canoe! I would really like to get out and paddle more this canoe season than last--the record shouldn't be hard to break, I think we only got out twice. I would like to get out at least once a month April through September. 
• We were generously given a lot of camping gear for the holidays. We need to get out and camp this year. I'm really not down for winter camping, and would love to go more often than this, but I resolve that we will go once a month June through August. 

WEALTH

Financials in Order

• Save, save, save. I feel like we really need to get serious about saving. Spend less to save more. 
• Check in my credit score, at least twice over the year. Make any corrections and raise score, if possible. 

Alternative Sources of Money

• I have lots of vintage plates, dishes, and doodads...I think it would be cool to sell them. I am unsure if I'd like to try to sell on-line or in an antique store. Nothing that is gonna make me rich by any means, but a great way for me to unclutter and make a little money...that will of course go into savings. 

Strive for Simplicity

• So a great way to spend less, and save more...be more simple. In a consumer driven world, this can be hard to do, but I have my hubby, my animals, and my family and friends...what outside of that truly matters?

HAPPINESS

Be More Social

• I'm starting a book & movie club. I've thought about it for a while, and decided I will do it. A very nice way to be social if I do say so myself. 
• See my family more...I live so close to most of them, its a shame we don't get together more. I would like to make it a point to see everyone more. 
• See my friends more...Same thing, I have lots of awesome friends I barely see. Shame, shame. I resolve to make an effort to see my friends more often!

Volunteer

• I would like to get more involved with the camp I grew up at. I love that place, and believe it to be one of the best places in the world. I would like to commit to helping it stay that way. 
• I would like to find a local place to volunteer a couple times a month. Stay tuned for that. 

Randoms

• I resolve to wear a dress/skirt to work twice a month. 
• Watch less TV I'm not interested in...sometimes, I will watch TV I am not interested in, just because it is what's on. I am not anti-TV, not at all, but if there is nothing on I'd rather find something better or turn it off. 
• Put away clean clothes. I put this one for my hubby, who hates that I don't put away my clean clothes...really, baby, 2011 will be the year!

Okay, so I know that is a lot of New Year's resolutions, but they are all things I'd like to do...let's see what I can accomplish. Good luck to me, right. 

Did you set any resolutions this year?

Holiday Gift

So I've been blogging a lately about gift ideas since it is around the holiday season, but I probably should have started here, with a holiday gift. Most, if not all, of the gifts I've highlighted to this point are great gift ideas regardless of the occasion; but here's one cute holiday gift...sorry its a little late in the season, but I'm sure if you liked them, they could get to you before Christmas.


Tin Cab Angels from Viva Terra
Set of 4, $19 plus shipping

Cute and shiny, these ornaments--made of recycled pop cans and bottle tops--are from Guatemala. Not only would they be a great gift to spruce up a spruce tree, but these angels raise living standards for low-income families. To order or just learn more, click here.

The Gift of Being Green

Here's a few sweet gifts for your friends and family that are environmentalists (or those you hope to convert). 


Remember Leg Warmers? These Are Arm Warmers! from Uncommon Goods
Upcycled Arm Warmers, $32, plus shipping

I think these are adorable, plus upcycled and handmade. They come in a few colors, but my favorite are shown in the picture. More info, click here.


Non-Toxic Nail Polish and Remover from Gaiam.
Polish, $16. Remover $28. (plus shipping)

Cute colors, no carcinogens. I likey! Product info here.


Sip on These from ReUseIt.com
Stainless Steel Drinking Straws, Set of 4, $9.95 plus shipping

Perfect to slip into your purse and say "no thank you" at the drive through, or leave at home to sip your lemonade. Might be cool to pair with an exotic iced tea mix or some cool vintage classes. More about the straws, click here.


There are lots of fun "green gift" ideas out there...what have you found?

Gifts for the kiddies!

Okay, so again, these are few cool gift ideas I've run across, and thought I'd pass on. This post is dedicated to gifts for kids...


A Gift to Fit My Own Point of View from Uncommon Goods
Respect the Earth Flashcards, $12 plus shipping

A cute way to teach children about conservation and being earth friendly. Click here for details.

Artsy Fartsy Cutsie Smocks from Recycled Nylon & Plastic from Uncommon Goods

Cow or Frog Art Smock, $24 plus shipping

Totally adorable and made from recyclables, add a couple paint brushes and some non-toxic paint to make a "little artist kit" and call it a day. More details here!

Great for Lunchboxes from ReUseIt.com

Lunchskins Reusable Sandwich Bags, $8.95 each plus shipping (Only $6.95 if ordering 4 or more)

Okay, so maybe not the most exciting gift for a kid to get but they are fun and practical and save the earth! I think they'd be a rad stocking stuffer. Truthfully, I want some for me too! More product info, click here.

Just a disclaimer, these are not any of the gifts I'm ordering for my family or friends this year, so if you're reading this, you aren't finding out your Christmas gifts :o)

Anyone out there have any awesome gifts for kids to share?

November 1: Get Wellness Soon

Okay, okay...I've said it before, and I really mean it now. I need to make some changes to my diet, my exercise (or lack there of) and my overall health.

1) I ate breakfast today. Something I haven't done consistently since I was a kid and my mom made me.
2) I'm drinking 8 glasses of water (haven't done it yet, but I'm getting there). Not sure why but this is a hard one for me. For one reason, I love soda; for another, I just don't think about it. I've had to remind myself to make sure to drink water.
3) Took a multi-vitamin. I've had them, just don't remember to take them.

Gonna get on the scale (gulp) to take a baseline weight.

Shop Local

So I live in a town with a less than booming downtown, which is unfortunate because those are the small businesses that are independently owned. However, the other day I was able to run all my errands downtown which made me very happy to be able to my downtown. I went to the local baker to buy engagement goodies for a co-worker; stopped by a thrift store that supports veterans (but didn't find anything this time); went to Ace to duplicate keys and pick up a few things; and picked up dry cleaning at a small family owned place. (Side note on Ace: while it is a national brand, each store is owned out right be a small business owner, usually local owner).

I would like to continue to think of ways to utilize the local businesses that my town DOES have. Sometimes it's easier to go to mega center, but not better. Here's a few reasons to shop local when YOU can: 

From www.sustainableconnections.org

Top Ten reasons to Think Local - Buy Local - Be Local

1. Buy Local -- Support yourself: Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than a nationally owned businesses, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms -- continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community.
2. Support community groups: Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses.
3. Keep our community unique: Where we shop, where we eat and have fun -- all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place. Our tourism businesses also benefit.  “When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.” ~ Richard Moe, President, National Historic Preservation Trust
4. Reduce environmental impact: Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
5. Create more good jobs: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in our community, provide the most jobs to residents.
6. Get better service: Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers. 
7. Invest in community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.
8. Put your taxes to good use: Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.
9. Buy what you want, not what someone wants you to buy: A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.  A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.
10. Encourage local prosperity: A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.

Think local first + Buy local when you can = Being a local!

Clean up

First off, I've decided to write more often on this blog. There are certainly things that make me happy everyday, so why not share them.

One thing that made me really happy today, was cleaning and organizing our bathroom. I went through all my make-up, toiletries, and jewelry. The stuff I kept was better organized in the medicine cabinet, under the sink, and in our linen closet in the bathroom. The stuff that I no longer needed or wanted was separated into two piles: half-empty, expired, yucky stuff and unopened stuff that I did not want. The half-empty, expired, yucky stuff was either dumped out and the bottle recycled or thrown away. The unopened stuff was mainly comprised of gift sets, since lotion and perfume seem to always be stand by gifts to women. I put the unopened stuff in a box and am going to donate it to A Safe Place for women; on their wish list for the battered and abuse women is jewelry, perfume, bath products and toiletries.

With the extra space made from cleaning out so much stuff was able to make space for all of our over-the-counter drugs and first aide products. This is awesome because it has made room in our over crowded pantry. Maybe the crowded pantry should be the next project?