Snow Shoveling Tip

While reading an article on tips for snow shoveling, I noticed they suggested spraying your shovel with a lubricant to keep the snow from sticking. Good idea, but for those of you desiring an option that's not petroleum based: how about some cooking spray or olive oil? Look, I'm no snow shoveling expert but I do remember my days growing up in Michigan. A fresh pile of snow is oh so tempting. Along with being easier on the earth, these are gonna be a lot easier on the taste buds too. Just a thought.

Organic carrots washed in chlorine

My original post on this subject was back in November. It took an email and a little phone tag but I did finally speak with someone in the corporate office concerning chlorine on our organic carrots. Well, they do in fact wash the carrots in a solution of water and chlorine. The amount of chlorine is "the same as that in your tap water". Did I mention I filter my tap water...

Seems they do this for obvious reasons; to kill any potential bacteria on the carrots. Other than that, nothing else is used on them. There are no colors or preservatives used and I specifically asked if they put preservatives in the packaging. The answer, "no".

I also asked about the white residue and the answer is as follows: if the white residue is dry, your carrots are drying out. However, if it's a slimy white residue your carrots are going bad and breaking down. You need to toss those out or return them for a refund if the package is within the "use by" date.

Both scenarios have happened to us. I have to say, I like my Raleigh readers idea: just buy whole fresh carrots dug out of the ground and peel and cut them yourself.

Now you know.

Buy American Made

When you mention eco-friendly or green gifts, most people of organic cotton clothing or items made out of 100% recycled materials. Well, let's step out of the box for a minute. We all know buying a locally made product is easier on the environment because it doesn't have to be shipped thus burning less fossil fuels. However, if you can't buy handmade gifts from artists in your hometown, consider simply buying American made(or from whatever country you reside in).

When out shopping, I was happy to find many gifts and stocking stuffers made right here at home in the USA. Considering our present economic state, it also encourages me to know my purchases are helping to support the American worker.

Here's what I found:
Greeting cards
Soy candle with lead free cotton wick
Stone coasters
Magnetic fridge note pad
Gum
Hand sanitizing spray
And believe it or not, a CHAIR! And this one was far less expensive than it's designer counterpart that had to be shipped from far away.

Look around-American made products are everywhere!

Green Gift Wrap Ideas

I shared with you last week some ideas I picked up from my friend Julie. Well here’s a few of my own environmentally friendly gift wrap ideas.

Does your office have any office supplies their tossing out? Corporate discards are what I like to call them. An office I’ve worked for was no longer using a certain size box for shipping and were getting rid of the leftovers. They asked if I’d recycle them and of course I scooped up every single one of them along with giant envelopes that were no longer in use.

The boxes are solid white with no writing or logo. Perfect.
The giant envelopes, as you may be able to tell in the photo below, are not made of paper and while studier, are not recyclable. However, they were going to get thrown out so they might as well get used beforehand. This also saves me from driving anywhere to buy wrapping and keeps me from consuming yet one more item. The tie on this gift was used on a gift given to me. No need for a tag because the giant "G" makes it clear.

My daughter received a birthday gift this year in a cardboard box. All the shipping info had been painted over with pretty hearts. This is a great way to re-use a box and use up any leftover wall paint you may have. Remember, the only way to dispose of paint is to dispose of it dry. The easiest way to do that is to use it!

My nephews are getting their gift wrapped in a black shoe box. How lucky for me that the gift is in a turquoise, black and white box and I have a black shoe box and just happen to have turquoise and white tissue paper left from a gift given to us. No, I am NOT re-gifting to my nephews…I’m only re-wrapping. And trust me, they DO NOT care.

What else? Oh, instead of fancy ribbons that in most cases can’t be recycled, you can use (for a girl of course) a stretchy headband. Decorate it with a pin and the gifts keep multiplying while the wrapping stays green.

In some cases I just skip the ribbon and paint or draw on the box.

Another benefit to all this green wrapping is it saves you a whole lotta green. How much have I spent on gift wrap this year? NADA! How many trips to the store have I made for gift wrap? NADA! How much gas have I used driving to the store for gift wrap? NADA! Ok, that last one may be a bit unfair since I have certainly done my fair share of driving, but you get the idea.

May you have a GORGEOUSLY GREEN holiday season!

Recyling Gift Wrap

With the holidays upon us and the days of unwrapping gift close at hand, you may be wondering what to do with all that paper? Here are some tips on what can be recycled and how. This should also help you as you choose wrapping for the gifts you give.

Recycle the following with chip board (light cardboard-cereal/cracker boxes:
Hemp and raffia tie
Craft bags
Wrapping paper, gift bags/tags & cards without wax, shiny, metallic, or glossy coatings
Butcher paper
Newsprint art paper and newspapers
Shoe boxes

Can be recycled with plastic bags:
Soft plastic wrapping. Like all those tiny bags that cords and toys come in. At the recycling center, I was told any plastic wrapping that DOES NOT crinkle loudly or stiffly. Good rule of thumb.

Here's one you may not know could be recycled with aluminum drinking cans:
Aluminum foil and aluminum foil pie shell tins!

This should help keep the holiday mess a little more on the GREEN side-have fun!

Eco-Friendly gift wrap II

Well my daughter and I had a great time at the eco-friendly gift wrap party hosted by my friend Julie at Whole Foods. Most of the class was spent making origami boxes which turned out beautifully-thanks for all the gorgeous paper Julie! I must admit though as a busy working mom, I didn't find this a practical solution for my holiday gift wrap dilemma. Sydney, however, was back at it the very next morning making boxes for her friends. Maybe I could hire her... I did walk away with some other practical and green ideas for gift wrap. Here you go:
-Use shredded paper for packing
-A scarf tied around a box makes an additional present and "gift wrap"
-An old book can be used as a box for a small gift by cutting out a box shaped section within the pages. You'll have to cut down through many pages to make the hole deep enough for your gift but with the proper tools this shouldn't take too long or be dangerous (kids, leave this one for Mom or Dad).

I'll have some of my own ideas online for you as well. Happy wrapping.

Eco-Friendly gift wrap

For those of you interested in Green Gift wrapping this holiday season, fear not! Amidst the bubble wrap, cellophane, nylon ribbon, and glossy gift bags, there is hope! My friend Julie will be showing us in Atlanta how it's done during a workshop on Saturday, Dec 6. I'll be sure to take good notes and have some of my own ideas to share with you as well. So stay tuned.