Assuming you’re clean after a bath or shower (let’s hope) then there’s no good reason not to hang that towel up, let it dry, and use it again. At my house we go about a week, sometimes more, with the same three towels – one for Cedar and two for me (my hair is long I gotta wrap it). This small step saves time, energy, detergent, and water.

If you have a good argument against this practice go ahead and let me know why. I’m interested.

[shoddy, fuzzy towel photo via Jennifer's personal "I'm practicing with the camera" collection]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

We act like we have unlimited oil reserves, but some research shows that it took nature over 250 million years to make the oil that we’ll likely use up within the next 100 years. I say conserve now. Better yet buy a more fuel efficient car, better even, buy a car that doesn’t run on gas. To learn about greener car options visit Eco Friendly Driver.

Learn more about slow driving benefits.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

1. Single serving cereal boxes – you know those ones your kids want. Just say no, but of course explain why.
2. Small hotel shampoo and conditioner. Can we say extreme plastic overuse. I can, “Extreme plastic overuse.”
3. Traditional cleaning wipes. Most are full of gross toxic stuff, plus, they add up. That’s a ton of garbage if even 50% of this country alone uses them on a daily basis. I said traditional because there are a few green brands, but really, is it so hard to use a cloth?
4. Children’s Benadryl Allergy Perfect Measure – what a huge waste. You’re not a bad parent if you simply carry around a bottle of medicine and a reusable measuring cup. 
5. Sticky notes: I know you have scrap paper laying around. Don’t buy scrap paper, that’s just silly.

Now, which products are you going to give up?

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

• Meatless Meals: How to Cook Everything Vegetarian
• A Veggie Resource in the Health and Science Channel
• Meatless Meals: Veggie Books for Kids
• Tofu Recipes for Kids
• You can also get involved by taking the Meatless Meals Poll

So, back to our one meatless meal. Having been a vegetarian for years and years, people always think I’m going to bring the suck dish to the potluck or family event. Here’s one meatless meal I make that everyone LOVES. I’ve never had a meat eater complain about it, not once.

I got it a long time ago from the Moosewood Restaurant Low-Fat Favorites cookbook. After you taste this you’ll want to own it. It’s a nice recipe because it can easily be adapted for vegans too.

The recipe is Black Bean Chilaquile and I went looking for it at a Moosewood site (so I wouldn’t have to type it) and I didn’t find it there, but I did find it at another blog called Kitchen Window. This blogger already typed out the recipe so I’ll just send you there. Bonus, she has a picture of the finished product.

Notes:

• Like this blogger I also omit the salt – you really don’t need it.
• I only use organic ingredients in mine – you should at least use organic spinach.
• I make mine with homemade organic salsa that’s fairly spicy, but you can use any kind you like.

I swear everyone I know loves this dish. Wait, you know Cedar doesn’t – but he doesn’t love mixed foods, he likes whole foods better, but everyone else loves it.

So, this week omit one meat meal, conserve land and energy, and be a bit more healthy.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

If you aren’t already using refillable dispensers it’s time to start. You can buy refillable containers everywhere. You can buy hand soap in bulk bottles or try something much better which is to buy on large refillable bottle and refill it with soap from the co-op or other natural food shop in your area. Most natural shops have an area with turbo sized bulk natural soaps. You simply pump soap into your bottle and buy. They charge by the ounce or pound.

If you want to buy new plastic dispensers make sure you get bottles you can recycle and really think about the energy it takes to make the dispensers. Is it worth it? Another option would be bar soap but for my family that gets crazy messy.

Remember each small step you do adds up and this is a really simple one to try.

It’s the Blogtoberfest icon! Which means a super keen (and secret) prize is hidden behind this special blog post. If you want to win the great prize that I’m hiding simply leave a comment. Simple. Not a bad way to win a prize. Within a week the winner of the hidden prize will be announced here at Tree Hugging Family so check back often.

Also of note; did you know you have lots of chances to win great Blogtoberfest prizes? Today, October 12th, your chances (and prizes) are hiding at the following blogs:, Inside Fatherhood, Marriage Actually, and Play Library. Visit them all and leave a comment — you may win even more!

Post from: Tree Hugging Family