What’s Happening In August 2008 at Tree Hugging Family!
Welcome to August Tree Huggers. In July, we had ordeal after ordeal and sort of dropped the ball with regards to water month. Hopefully we’re in better shape this month, because we’ve got a whole month of back-to-school planned.We don’t have many other plans, but we’re sure that school is on everyone’s minds so it may be enough.
August’s feature – back-to-school:
- Greener lunches
- How to green your school
- Green homeschool tips
- Healthy back to school clothing options
- Green school supplies
- And more….
Leave a comment if there’s something you’d like to see; we can’t promise, but we’ll try.
Lifestyles Channel Events:
We celebrated the Dog Days of Summer with doggie-themed posts all around the Lifestyles Channel.
Business As Usual:
Don’t forget that you can subscribe for FREE to Tree Hugging Family by RSS or sign up for posts by email by filling out the quick box in the sidebar.
Contact Us:
As always you can contact Peggy or Jennifer, with questions about living green, post ideas, or tell us about products you’d love for us to review.
[graphic from stock.xchng]
Wear & Wear Before Wash
July 30, 2008 by Peggy
Since July is almost over, we’ll be taking down the water poll in a couple of days. Please take it if you haven’t. It’s in the sidebar.
In glancing at the poll results, I’m a little surprised that only four voters have said that they wear clothes more than once before washing. But we did include that pesky “At least 5 of the above” answer, so maybe that accounts for part of it.
You know I’m curious though.
If you don’t wear your clothes more than once before washing, what are your reasons? Of course, many kids get their clothes too dirty to be recycled, so I’m mostly talking adults or older kids here.
Here’s what I do:
Not to say this system is perfect… Once I wear something, I place it in a different part of my closet so that I know it’s already been worn once. I also try to remove cat hair with a brush. If I only wore something for a couple of hours, I always wear it again before washing. (Since I work from home, I often change back into comfortable lazy clothes as soon as I get home.) In general, I wear clothes two to three times before washing.
However, if it’s stinky hot outside, the clothes get washed. If I spent a lot of time in a public place or doctor’s office, I feel compelled to wash my clothes instead of re-wearing them. I’m a germ freak in that way. I’m also a little messy, so about once or twice a week I spill food on my shirt. Not everything gets worn more than once, but I try.
Do you have a system to keep track of when it’s time to wash your clothes, or do you only wear once?
Image via MorgueFile.
One Small Step: Cotton Swabs with Paperboard
July 29, 2008 by Peggy
This really is a small step, since cotton swabs are so tiny.
If you choose cotton swabs with a paperboard handle instead of plastic, you’ll save petroleum. There’s too much plastic waste in the world, even little swabs will add up.
Image via stock.xchng.
If Your Starbucks is Closing
July 29, 2008 by Peggy
I used to be a Starbucks freak. I loved nothing more than sneaking away from my desk where I worked to take a short walk for a latte. It was an afternoon treat, or sometimes an after lunch thing. Occasionally a breakfast thing, if I got there in time.
I quit that job and the Starbucks habit. So, I don’t care all that much that my nearest Starbucks is closing. Even if I did care, there are five other Starbucks a short drive away. Not kidding.
But, if you are me three years ago (Starbucks freak), then you may be wondering what to do if your nearest shop is closing. Maybe you aren’t as lucky as Jennifer, who gets to live in the coffee utopia of the US, where there are plenty of choices besides Starbucks.
Now is the perfect time to brew your own organic coffee, at home or in the office.
My favorite organic coffee is from Stumptown Coffee Roasters in Portland, OR, but I don’t always order it. I also like Ugly Mug Coffee. Sometimes I buy Archer Farms organic coffee at Target.
I’ve gathered some organic coffee reviews and info for you. They’re from Marye at Kettle & Cup. Enjoy them while you sip a cup.
Green Mountain Coffee: Single Origin Sumatra
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters: Newman’s Own Columbian Especial
Ugly Mug et Moi
Simple Ways to Green Your Coffee & Tea
Will the Starbucks closings mean you make your own coffee more often? If so, what are you drinking?
Image via flickr.
Eight Green Computer Tips
July 28, 2008 by Jennifer
My modem busted three days ago. Sadness. I’ve been offline, and had plenty of time to think, let me tell you. Seriously though, I missed being online, it felt odd to go three days sans email and blogs.
Anyhow, I’ve got a nice new modem, and to celebrate my return to the lovely online world of blogs and more, I figured we’d look at some green computer tips.
- Like anything else, only buy what you need. You can be excessive about computers, just like a house or car. I’m online all the time for work, so I do have a little bit bigger monitor, special tech add-ons, and a better than average processer. All of which create energy drains that someone who uses a computer infrequently shouldn’t have. Go for smaller systems if you can.
- Turn that sucker off. Leaving your computer on all night is no good, and a waste of energy.
- Recycle your computer items. Tossing them in the trash is terribly sinful – trust me, this stuff does not break down in your local landfill.
- Buy used or recycled computer equipment like discs, paper, printers, and anything else you can find that’s not virgin new. You can even find refurbished or slightly used computers – bonus – you save $.
- Research! Buy a computer with a good track record. You want your computer to last and last.
- Don’t forget to recycle all that packaging from the computer and all related equipment.
- In case you forget to turn off your computer, make sure you have all the power saving options set correctly. Such as, you want your computer to automatically turn off, or go to dark, when not used in a few minutes. These settings are usually under your control panel and then power options.
- If it would work out for you, get a laptop computer, rather than a desktop. Laptops generally use less energy; up to 50% less in some cases.
You also might like: Avoid Recklessly Using the Printer
Cute Bag Designs for the Picky
July 28, 2008 by Peggy
Still haven’t chosen your reusable bags despite our massive reusable bag month in June?
Here are a few more I saw featured recently in HOW magazine. From Blue Q, a whole line of woven polypropylene bags for those who want supreme cuteness or a little attitude.
This is just a sampling. You may want to check out the whole line. $11.99 each. Good gift for teens.
Did you find a bag design you like?
All images from Blue Q
Homemade Deodorant
July 27, 2008 by Peggy
Just stepped in to say angry chicken is sharing her homemade deodorant recipe.
Perhaps it’s time to try your own.
Image via flickr.
Everything you need to throw a great picnic or potluck
July 25, 2008 by Jennifer
This month, Lifestyles decided to have a little fun with one of summer’s favorite pastimes – picnics & potlucks. Here are all the tips from around the channel, there’s recipes, tips and a few laughs thrown in for free.
Here at Tree Hugging Family I shared 10 tips for an easy green picnic or green potluck
At Declutter It you can read five tips to help you organize your summer BBQ.
Strawberry Rhubarb Crunch by Robust Cooking
Watermelon Raspberry Lemonade at All Holiday Cafe
Rice Krispie Treats at Keeping the Castle
Homemade Oreo Ice Cream at Chocolate Bytes
Cool Summer Snacking at Inside Motherhood
Pasta Salad at Thrifty Mommy
Baking Delights is bringing enough chocolate for everyone to catch a chocobuzz with her favorite brownies
Nothing like sweet tea on a hot, summer day…Wait..I taste lime..mint…is that a non-alcoholic Mojito? Kettle and Cup has the answer.
Blogfabulous is serving up a super easy, keep your butt out of the hot kitchen solution to Hors’ devours.
Weary Parent is serving Chocolate Puppy Chow, a snack that’s bound to be popular with the kids
Offbeat Homes is sharing details on how to hold an offbeat picnic in four easy steps.
Just because you choose to live thrifty doesn’t mean you have to throw a thrifty picnic. Simply Thrifty shares tips for an elegant and inexpensive potluck
10 Summer party ideas and themes for your next backyard barbecue, or potluck.
Add some backyard Olympic games to your next barbecue, in honor of the Summer Olympics
And speaking of games, Marriage Actually is bringing a fun game for the grownups. Life Stories – a fun way to find out more about your spouse, friends and extended family.
Cyndi won’t go anyplace to picnic unless she can grill, but she doesn’t want to spend all day doing it. Try her tips for Grilling Chicken Fast, and get a jumpstart on your next picnic!
Who says picnics have to be complicated affairs? Keep it simple with cheeses, meats and homemade bread. Brewha-ha.com has a few suggestions – including a recipe for Polish beer rye bread
Whether you’re having a picnic, a barbecue or just looking for a fun activity to do with your kids outside, Susan at PlayLibrary offers a list of 50 outdoor toys and games that are perfect for summer.
This time of year there are bugs everywhere, don’t forget to bring the bug repellent along with your favorite dish to your next cookout.
Christine at Mad Cropper not only shares her favorite winter or summer recipe but also shares that you can turn recipes into creative works of arts. Find out how!
And while you’re out having all the fun and good food you can handle, don’t forget your pets – they enjoy special summer treats too!
At Quilting and Patchwork enjoy an array of potluck foods and memories from the Food Bloggers.
You never know what medical emergency could happen while your are picnicking…Marye at Simply Home Remedies is bringing the antidote for nearly ANYTHING!
Eliza at Babylune provides a checklist of tips to consider when taking baby picnicking.
Finally, when it’s all said and done – perhaps you can kick back with a nice frozen beverage. MomGadget prefers the Dominican Coco Loco
[image via stock.xchng]
Short Diversion
July 25, 2008 by Peggy
Just wanted to let all you regulars know that I won’t be responding to comments for the next few days. Please don’t think I’m ignoring you. : )
I have some posts set to go on auto-pilot, and Jennifer will be around to entertain you.
So, don’t go anywhere!
I’ll be back computer-side as soon as possible. Miss me…
Uh, what’s up with the cat photo?
Learn more at my Junk Creation post, Many Uses of Catalog Pages to Entertain Cats.
Image by me.
Tip on Who Else Eats Hot Peppers
July 24, 2008 by Peggy
I grew up listening to stories from customers who bought vegetables from my parents. I had totally forgotten what an education it is to work with the public, especially when it’s in that special relationship that farmers can develop with regular customers.
Last week my Mom came to my hood to sell at my local farmer’s market. It was something like 100 degrees outside. I’m not kidding. However, I took her some lunch and hung around for a bit anyway.
Sure enough, a guy came to buy some hot peppers for his birds. “For your birds?” I had to ask.
He said that he married into a bird family and that his parrots love hot peppers. They seem to be immune to the hotness. Wow, hot peppers make great parrot treats. Read more at The Bird Channel: Birds and Hot Peppers.
Why is this a green tip?
Whenever I’ve grown hot peppers, the plants just wouldn’t stop giving. If you find yourself with more than you can use, and you’ve given away and frozen and canned to your heart’s desire — then, there’s always the birds!
Next time I find myself with a hot pepper surplus, I’m donating to my local parrots, wherever they are. I can’t imagine a more fun use of hot peppers.
PS – This same guy potty trained his parrots. They go in the trash can!
Image via flickr.