This week's green challenge is a little more safety/health related. Ultimately, our health and the health of the planet is why we are doing this anyway.
Be careful when microwaving food in plastic containers. The possibility of the chemicals in the plastic migrating into your food is real. The FDA has advised that these occurences are within safety limits, but I gotta think some people may not want any of this. Using approved glass or ceramic in the microwave is a safer choice.
This migration of chemicals is most likely to occur when plastic is aged, cracked or comes in contact with fatty foods. If your reusable containers begin to show signs of breaking down, find a new use for it, such as a container for screws or sewing supplies or recycle it. Signs of deterioration include discoloration, cloudiness and scratches.
So this week, go through your reusable plastic containers and inspect them. Sort out those that are no longer safe for food storage and find another use for them. If you have kids or grandchildren, it shouldn't be difficult. If you cannot think of anything right away. Set it aside for a week, if you still don't have a use for it, recycle it or donate it to someone you know that would use it.
* Much of the information used in this post about plastic breaking down came from It's Easy Being Green, by Crissy Trask.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Challenge #3
If you are already participating in my challenge, awesome. If not, it's never too late to start. Change happens anytime, anywhere.
So this week's green challenge is a no-brainer. Recycle!!! There truly is no excuse anymore. Your trash collector I'm sure offers recycling for an extra charge. If you don't find it worth the cost, I understand. Most areas have a location to recycle items for free. Some places take more items than others. Take a few minutes to google recycling facility information in your area. Recycle everything you can. It's worth it, it doesn't cost much, or can be free.
You will be saving room in landfills and possibly saving our ground water from contaminants. There are too many reasons to recycle, if you really need me to list them, comment below or email me (mah3381@yahoo.com) and I'll type out a list for you and find your local options. If you like the idea of adding a few bucks a month to your trash service, shop around. Different trash services provide different recycling services, some take more items than others, some cost less than others. Obviously, I'm for recycling everything you can.
Currently I live in an apartment and my city offers free drop off sites around town for single-stream recycling. They take most items and you don't have to sort it. I even received a free big reusable bag to collect my items in that I store in my laundry room by going to the main recycling facility. There are things that are not taken at these drop sites, including batteries. I save those as well, in a plastic grocery bag. These are taken at the facility and at different events around town throughout the year. So I save them up, when I hear of an event where they are taking all items for free, bang. Batteries are recycled and kept out of landfills, hardly any effort, way better planet.
So, if you recycle, great. Keep it up, and remember you can recycle many products you use on the go. Take them home with you and recycle, especially that bottle of water that you drank while running errands. Instead of dropping it in the nearest trash can, find a recycling receptacle or take it home, big change with minimal effort. We can do this for our planet. If you don't recycle: here is your invitation. You have waited long enough, ask your friends and family. More and more people are recycling these days, but we need that trend to continue until everyone is doing it, all over the world.
So this week's green challenge is a no-brainer. Recycle!!! There truly is no excuse anymore. Your trash collector I'm sure offers recycling for an extra charge. If you don't find it worth the cost, I understand. Most areas have a location to recycle items for free. Some places take more items than others. Take a few minutes to google recycling facility information in your area. Recycle everything you can. It's worth it, it doesn't cost much, or can be free.
You will be saving room in landfills and possibly saving our ground water from contaminants. There are too many reasons to recycle, if you really need me to list them, comment below or email me (mah3381@yahoo.com) and I'll type out a list for you and find your local options. If you like the idea of adding a few bucks a month to your trash service, shop around. Different trash services provide different recycling services, some take more items than others, some cost less than others. Obviously, I'm for recycling everything you can.
Currently I live in an apartment and my city offers free drop off sites around town for single-stream recycling. They take most items and you don't have to sort it. I even received a free big reusable bag to collect my items in that I store in my laundry room by going to the main recycling facility. There are things that are not taken at these drop sites, including batteries. I save those as well, in a plastic grocery bag. These are taken at the facility and at different events around town throughout the year. So I save them up, when I hear of an event where they are taking all items for free, bang. Batteries are recycled and kept out of landfills, hardly any effort, way better planet.
So, if you recycle, great. Keep it up, and remember you can recycle many products you use on the go. Take them home with you and recycle, especially that bottle of water that you drank while running errands. Instead of dropping it in the nearest trash can, find a recycling receptacle or take it home, big change with minimal effort. We can do this for our planet. If you don't recycle: here is your invitation. You have waited long enough, ask your friends and family. More and more people are recycling these days, but we need that trend to continue until everyone is doing it, all over the world.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Be a part of the Treehood
A new week brings a new challenge.
Paper is often consumed more for convenience than necessity. Much of our paper products are still not made from recycled paper. To reduce your use of paper and the costs of it, reduce your paper towel and napkin consumption.
Buy some cloth napkins and use these for meals. They can be stored at the table or in the kitchen and can be used many times before needing a wash. We have a set with our initials written on the tag with a Sharpie. So we know who's is who's at each meal.
Also, you can cut up old, worn-out clothes into rags to use to clean instead of paper towels. Again, once they are soiled, you can throw them in the washer with other towels and napkins without wasting paper.
*These tips came from It's Easy Being Green, by Crissy Trask.
P.S. "Treehood" is a trademark owned by my wife, Aimee. (not really)
Paper is often consumed more for convenience than necessity. Much of our paper products are still not made from recycled paper. To reduce your use of paper and the costs of it, reduce your paper towel and napkin consumption.
Buy some cloth napkins and use these for meals. They can be stored at the table or in the kitchen and can be used many times before needing a wash. We have a set with our initials written on the tag with a Sharpie. So we know who's is who's at each meal.
Also, you can cut up old, worn-out clothes into rags to use to clean instead of paper towels. Again, once they are soiled, you can throw them in the washer with other towels and napkins without wasting paper.
P.S. "Treehood" is a trademark owned by my wife, Aimee. (not really)
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Welcome to my new blog.
You don't have to consider yourself an environmentalist to do these things. You don't have to consider yourself a frugal person. You don't even have to like change.
I'm going to try and challenge us to do things that save us money, help the environment, conserve resources, and hopefully enjoy ourselves and this wonderful country and planet.
This won't be a place for politics or negative thoughts. This will be a blog for hope and positive change, no matter what you believe.
*Disclaimer: The ideas and challenges are not original thoughts. I have yet to make any breakthroughs on green living(hopefully someday soon). The ideas come from many books and online sources and I will try to quote the unique ones, but many will be very basic and simple, there would just be too many sources to name.
1st Challenge:
Go Meatless for one dinner a week.
I'm not asking anyone to be a vegetarian. God knows I'm not. The truth is, though, is that eating fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and grains are almost always less stressful on the environment than the meat you buy at the store. I won't go in to details, and I have the utmost respect for animal farming. But maybe the quantity we consume could be cut back slightly. This is especially true with red meats.
The other side this can be beneficial to your wallet. Have you paid attention how much we pay for our meat at the store? Wow. Compare that to some vegetables and an egg. Yes, I am not counting eggs in this challenge. So have some fried rice with egg in it if you want. For meal ideas you can go to Meatless Monday.
Another reason to do this, if the planet and your wallet don't matter to ya, is your health. We generally eat way more protein than we need to. When we eat too much protein, our body stores it... as fat. Below is the current daily suggestions of protein/meats from the USDA. I don't know about you all, but I know I reach my 6 ounces by lunch many days, but I'm usually way behind on my grains and fruits. If you haven't been there before, take a second and go to the USDA's site. I suggest visiting also for those who think the pyramid is still the current model used. (It's now a plate! Crazy!)
Our family has actually been doing this on and off for a few months and are refocusing on making it a priority with our meal planning. I challenge you to do the same and I welcome your comments.
You don't have to consider yourself an environmentalist to do these things. You don't have to consider yourself a frugal person. You don't even have to like change.
I'm going to try and challenge us to do things that save us money, help the environment, conserve resources, and hopefully enjoy ourselves and this wonderful country and planet.
This won't be a place for politics or negative thoughts. This will be a blog for hope and positive change, no matter what you believe.
*Disclaimer: The ideas and challenges are not original thoughts. I have yet to make any breakthroughs on green living(hopefully someday soon). The ideas come from many books and online sources and I will try to quote the unique ones, but many will be very basic and simple, there would just be too many sources to name.
1st Challenge:
Go Meatless for one dinner a week.
I'm not asking anyone to be a vegetarian. God knows I'm not. The truth is, though, is that eating fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and grains are almost always less stressful on the environment than the meat you buy at the store. I won't go in to details, and I have the utmost respect for animal farming. But maybe the quantity we consume could be cut back slightly. This is especially true with red meats.
The other side this can be beneficial to your wallet. Have you paid attention how much we pay for our meat at the store? Wow. Compare that to some vegetables and an egg. Yes, I am not counting eggs in this challenge. So have some fried rice with egg in it if you want. For meal ideas you can go to Meatless Monday.
Another reason to do this, if the planet and your wallet don't matter to ya, is your health. We generally eat way more protein than we need to. When we eat too much protein, our body stores it... as fat. Below is the current daily suggestions of protein/meats from the USDA. I don't know about you all, but I know I reach my 6 ounces by lunch many days, but I'm usually way behind on my grains and fruits. If you haven't been there before, take a second and go to the USDA's site. I suggest visiting also for those who think the pyramid is still the current model used. (It's now a plate! Crazy!)
Daily recommendation*
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Children
|
2-3 years old
|
2 ounce equivalents**
| ||
4-8 years old
|
4 ounce equivalents**
| |||
 | ||||
Girls
|
9-13 years old
|
5 ounce equivalents**
| ||
14-18 years old
|
5 ounce equivalents**
| |||
| ||||
Boys
|
9-13 years old
|
5 ounce equivalents**
| ||
14-18 years old
|
6 ½ ounce equivalents**
| |||
| ||||
Women
|
19-30 years old
|
5 ½ ounce equivalents**
| ||
31-50 years old
|
5 ounce equivalents**
| |||
51+ years old
|
5 ounce equivalents**
| |||
| ||||
Men
|
19-30 years old
|
6 ½ ounce equivalents**
| ||
31-50 years old
|
6 ounce equivalents**
| |||
51+ years old
|
5 ½ ounce equivalents**
| |||
Our family has actually been doing this on and off for a few months and are refocusing on making it a priority with our meal planning. I challenge you to do the same and I welcome your comments.
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