I tried to fix it. I tried to will the thing with my mind to work. Nothing. It was dead. I managed to get dressed sans coffee, and headed out to buy a new coffee maker. At the store, I was going to buy the same old coffee maker. Mine was nice, and had automtic brew, which is really nice when I have to be up and going early. However, the downside of an auto brew pot, is that you have to leave it plugged in. I unplug most everything when it’s not in use, but not my coffee pot.

At the store, I started thinking, do I really need auto brew? This may seem like a small question, but I sat there on the coffee maker isle for a good long while.  I don’t really need it. If I don’t have it, I can unplug the coffee maker for most of the day. That saves energy. I’m nice and green in other ways though, do I really need to cut out the auto coffee?

In the end, I bought a non-auto pot; just a basic, brews your coffee deal.  I figure what, it’ll cost me a few minutes on early mornings, but no big. Over time, I’ll save more resources. That’s the little luxury I gave up this week. Maybe you can give something up too. Some ideas:

• One magazine subscription
• Your home phone – if everyone in the family has a cell, do you really need a home phone?
• Packaged cookies – save packaging, make your own
• The newspaper M-Sat, try cutting down to Sunday only
• Part of your lawn – have a deck instead
• Use the same towel more than once – perfectly clean linens are overrated
• Buy one less pair of shoes this year

Find something that can save a little energy, or some resources; something that makes your life a wee bit better, but that you can live without, and give it up.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes and everything else going on at Tree Hugging Family in October 2008 – that includes Blogtoberfest, (we’re giving away over $7,000 in prizes)!

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Download the poster.

Via 100 Things.

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Besides this blog, I also write Offbeat Homes for b5media. I write a lot of green architecture posts there that I’m torn about – i.e. should I post it here or at Offbeat. It’s hard when you write something sustainable and have two blogs the post would fit. That said, if it’s about a house, Offbeat almost always wins. Except today. I thought for Valentine’s Day, I’d round up a good bunch of green home posts and bring them here.

Sustainable architecture and design is a key factor in leading a greener life so if you buy, build, or remodel you should absolutely consider the supplies and methods you use. Also, what I hear a lot is that sustainable design is unattractive. Oh no! Green design is almost always beautiful. Plus sustainable design is one of the longest lasting green gifts you can give the planet.

Here are some great posts that focus on green architecture and design:

The Alphabet of Sustainable Building

Grow Your Garden Higher, (Literally) – the advantages of green roof systems

Green Is The New Black

The Solar Decathlon Homes

Amazing Woodland Homes: Not Just for Elves and Gnomes Anymore – a different kind of green home

The Poop House – more for extreme greens

The Honey House

Residential LEED & the mkSolaire – has the new res LEED info you need to be certified green

The Totally Recycled Home

Can You Build A Green McMansion?

Eco-Architecture: Four Great Examples

And a few of my most favorite sustainable homes…

The Remainder House

The Mushroom House

Seriously Lust Worthy Lundberg Design House

I hope everyone has a great Valentine’s Day!

Don’t forget to check out Peggy’s Valentine Day post, 14 Ways You Can Love the Earth.

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