However, I recently saw something at their website that sort of irks me. This isn’t the first time either. They do this quite a lot on their TV shows. I suppose tonight was the last straw.

I was at their Green Home blog, and I was reading this post, Green Decorating and Storage, and here’s what they say, “10 Beautiful Rooms (You Won’t Believe They’re Green!)”

Let’s take a look at that statement: The rooms are beautiful; so beautiful in fact, that I simply won’t believe they’re green! Well, thank goodness, because I was really worried that my beauty statements might be affected by the darn tree huggers. I’m ok now though.

Seriously HGTV – what’s up with that? I watch all the HGTV green shows, when I manage to catch them, because green home shows are lacking on television, and I enjoy this kind of stuff. But really, I’m so sick to death of being told that in spite of the green, just look at this house! Look how we made green pretty. Look at how green is not so green; as if green is a bad thing to begin with.

Is HGTV the only media outlet to do this – focus on the how green doesn’t have to be green aspect? NO. Plenty of the media outlets I frequent do this. Am I saying to ban your HGTV habit? Um, no. I’m only picking on them because I happened to see this tonight, but they’re oh so not alone.

What I am saying is it sets a precedence; green is normally icky, but you can make it better. You can make it beautiful if you try. I actually like green already; I see reclaimed homes, recycled materials used to build furniture, with no cosmetic additions, and I like it, adore it even. I don’t need green to look just like what I’m used to seeing in home magazines. It doesn’t always have to be something it’s not. It sometimes is what it is, and that’s perfectly fine.

I think, that when green newbies see such excitement over how beautiful green can be it makes it hard to imagine that green is beautiful enough, good enough, when left alone. Maybe I’m just being picky – but words are powerful. Words can make or break a situation. If we’re going to attach words to green items, or green issues, let’s not attach words that make green seem so outside the norm. That’s a problem.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in June 2008

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

I’m not in the paper towel challenge, because we have zip paper towels at our house. We quit using them cold turkey. We didn’t ease down, or aim to use less, we just quit.

I asked myself: “What if the store was out of paper towels?” And, “What the heck did they do before paper towels?”

WHAT? Well, I’d use something else, find some other solution. Back in the day they used cloths and washed them. Or a mop. Or a plate. And so on. Asking yourself the question of “what” is actually a great way to go greener. It can be applied to so much.

What if the store ran out of foil? How did they ever manage? What if there was a snowstorm and you couldn’t get out? You’d use a lid, not broil foods on high, wash the cookie sheet.

What if your store was out of paper muffin cups? You could wash the muffin pan after using it.

What if your store was out of….

• Paper clips
• Juice boxes
• Video games
• Disposable silverware
• Toothbrush holders
• Water filters
• Tea pots
• Jarred baby food
• Sandwich baggies
• Magazines
• Soda
• Cotton balls
• Rubber bands
• TV dinners
• What else?

You’d manage. You’d find another way, find new entertainment, a new solution. You’d be ok. And I’m not saying that to be a good green citizen, you have to give up all modern conveniences. For example, I hope I don’t need to wonder what happens when the store runs out of toilet paper or god forbid my favorite red pens (yikes).

What I am saying, is that if all of us consider the what if questions a little more often, and try to find a better, greener solution, it could add up to a whole lot of change. The next time you’re at the store, try asking yourself “What if” and see if you can put one or two items back. Let me know if it works for you.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in May 2008

[image via Stock.xchng]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family