Moving forward, the Eco-resolution for September is to reduce  energy consumption by turning off lights, electronics and appliances when not in use.

Sounds easy enough but often times is simply overlooked for whatever reason.  I know we have dashed out of the house many a time with a light on upstairs or the computer and printer powered up unnecessarily.  If you find yourself in a similar situation, try incorporating these actions to improve your home energy efficiency.

1. Unplug when not in use or use power strips/surge protectors. To declutter cords and wires and improve efficiency, place strategically for maximum benefit in these key areas of the home:

• Kitchen for the microwave, toaster and any other kitchen appliances you may have grouped together.  I know -  you don’t want to lose the time on the microwave and constantly reset, but after a while you’ll get used to it.
• TV area where the TV, DVD, sound system and game stations may be combined.
• Computer space for the monitor, printer, desktop or laptop.
• What about the cell phones, ipods and hand held game devices you may have in the house?  Get a charging station to not only organize all those wires, but again keep everything plugged into one outlet – and charge at night for more efficient use of energy and take off charger once fully charged.

Whether you decide to use a strip or not, if it’s not in use, unplug the item or turn off the strip to avoid the phantom load or vampire power menace.  Even though something is not is use, even if still plugged in can draw power from the outlet and it’s been estimated that 5% or so household energy consumption is from this alone adding up to more than 3 billion in costs.  Read this explanation from Wikipedia and this article from Green Options for more ideas.

2. Reminders. If necessary and especially if you have children, consider placing helpful reminder stickers in those high traffic areas.

• Light switches and remote controls.
• On those appliances/electronics or power strips we just talked about above.
• By the door as you leave is also especially helpful so you don’t run off with something still on.  Eco-minders offers removable stickers for home, school and office use.  You can also make your own or just download this TGS version to get going now.

3.  Visualize.  This technique is often used by athletes and business people before an important event to help them enhance their performance and achieve the desired result.  In this case, I encourage you to think twice, imagine that coal plant puffing black smoke into the air for no reason at all and paying those additional dollars on your next energy bill because you left a light on or one of those electronics and appliances individually plugged in when you didn’t need to.

Now imagine the opposite by incorporating these easy actions. You may find that enhancing your energy efficiency is not such a turn off after all.

With two weeks of school and one holiday already under my belt, it’s time to get clothes that fit my children.  I try to squeeze them in to what we already have but to no avail.  And since their sizes increase with every season, considering gently-worn clothing is the first line of offense before buying brand new.

For these fast growing kids, thredUP is a great new way to find those pre-owned clothes.   Different from a consignment shop or even my beloved Ebay, thredUP is an online clothing exchange where you can browse from the listing of boxes of gently-worn kids clothing.

Once you find a box of kids clothes you love, just pick it, pay a flat rate of $13 and it’s yours. With an average of six to eight items in a box, you can see just how cost effective this can be too.  In turn, you list a box of clothing and once a member picks your box, thredUP will provide shipping label and arrange for the postal service to pick up right at your door!  That’s convenient.

Search by size, season, style and gender and read specific details for the boxes that match your needs.  Sign up is free and easy and even available through your Facebook login.

For more benefits, you can also join as a Pro Member for $29.99 per year and receive detailed clothing itemization views, unlimited favorite senders, multiple child profiles, clothing recommendations and have access to the Golden Threads boxes.  These are boxes of brand new clothing from a participating retailer.  A different retailer is featured every month, so if your search yields a Golden Thread box, you may want to grab it quick.  Your first swap is treated as if you were at the Pro Member level to try out firsthand and then decide if that is the right level for you.

To date, they have listed over 8000 boxes and have exchanged over 130,000 articles of clothing.  I’m on the hunt for boys size 10/12.  Check it out and let me know what you think.

With back to school projects underway, there are many grant opportunities available to take advantage of.  One such grant is through Nickelodeon where one million dollars will be awarded in grants to schools and community organizations enabling kids around the country to achieve the goal of a million acts of help. The Big Help Grant Program will support projects that inspire kids to:

1.  Take care of the environment.

2. Lead active, healthy lives.

3.  Engage in community service,

4.  Improve their educational experience.

All worthy efforts for any child to embark upon.

Eligible schools include Elementary and middle schools grades K-9 (public and private not-for-profit) and after-school community-based organizations with 501(c)(3) status serving kids age 5-15.

There are two levels to request – a $2500 grant or a $5000 grant if the applicant can document a dollar-to-dollar match for a total of $10,000.  Our school is considering applying for a $2500 grant to be used either for an outdoor classroom venue or for a community service project we have in the works.

Big Help partners include organizations like the National Wildlife Federation, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the National Environmental Educational Foundation, National Parent Teacher Association, Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign and Get Schooled, a joint effort between the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Viacom.

The deadline to apply for any grant is December 31, 2010 – so don’t delay to get your school some Big Help to teach students to be both Good and Green Samaritans!

Moving from underneath the kitchen sink, it’s time to venture to the pantry to see what still lingers.  After a long summer with kids home all the time and rummaging  through it like mice, it’s time to straighten out and give the pantry a healthy pick up.

Here’s a 5 point plan to get started.

1. Purge – Take everything out and assess what you have.  Check expiration dates. Is it still fresh? Are you going to ever use it?

2. Pitch – If items are stale or expired, send down the garbage disposal or throw away if you must and if you do, compost what you can. Maybe save those stale cracker items to feed the ducks at the park. Recycle any chipboard, glass jars or tin cans. If it is an item that has not yet expired and you don’t intend to ever use it, consider dropping off at a local food bank or shelter.

3.  Paint – This is optional depending on your pantry, but while everything is out, a good cleaning and a fresh coat of paint can be nice. Make sure it is a non-toxic, zero or low VOC paint.  Lowes, Home Depot and Sherwin Williams all have good options.

4. Prepare - Think about what needs to be stored in an airtight container to keep it fresh.  What do you have around the house you can use to store cereals, pastas, grains or snack crackers that could attract critters or those little bugs if left open. What about any pre-packaged items like granola bars or boxes of raisins.  Place in baskets for an easy “go-to grab” for snacks. Plus you can always see what you have and when you need to restock.

5. Place - Group like items together.  Think about what you use the most. What about your kids?  What needs to be kept on the top shelf like glass jars or within an easy reach.

5 a.  Replace – And if you have Earth Fare grocery stores in your area, grab this coupon to help replace any of those unhealthy “monsters” that might still be lurking.  Bring in any cereal, jelly, soda or salad dressing with high fructose corn syrup in it or any peanut butter with hydrogenated oils and replace with an Earth Fare brand.  Doesn’t matter if your trade-in is full or just has a tiny bit left, Earth Fare will replace for FREE while supplies last! (I confess, I have a few to trade in.) But don’t stop there, what other highly processed, sugary, or pre-packaged items can you replace for healthier options to keep your pantry looking good all the time?

It’s a beautiful Sunday morning and the birds are chirping outside my open backdoor.  This little Carolina Wren found a perfect place to perch inside…

“A bird does not sing because it has an answer.   A bird sings because it has a song.”

Chinese Proverb

What’s your song? What will you sing today?

So after I discovered this awful silver cleaning spray polish that has been following me around for years and until recently, was still lurking in the corner of my cabinet beneath the kitchen sink, I thought I would investigate to see what other toxic cleaners are still haunting me.  Even though I have made a more earth-friendly switch on many cleaners, like these good guys in the photo above, I was surprised to see what I still had around.

Here is a confession recap of both the BAD and the UGLY too…

(Insert Psycho theme song here)

If you find yourself in a similar hazardous situation, here are 10  green and good replacements I have successfully managed to incorporate, either in a DIY form* and/or switching to a more eco-friendly brand.

There are many other DIY recipes and brands in addition to what works for me. What homemade options or eco-friendly brands work best for you?

*I have gathered these homemade options from various places over time without keeping track of the original source and do not claim any as my own.

I’ve said it before and will say it again – “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” and so true for me this past weekend.  I love yard sales and buying secondhand especially when I uncover a great find be it purely functional like a wheelbarrow or vintage Pyrex dish, or really fun like this pair of sterling silver spoons I scored for about $.10 cents each after rummaging through a box destined for who-knows-where.  What makes it priceless is that the initials engraved on them are mine.

So in my excitement I grabbed an old can of spray polish that has been underneath the kitchen sink for years to quickly see how the spoons would polish up.  I never liked the fumes and rarely used over all these years.  What I had not seen during this time was the warning on the back of the can.  “THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS PERCHLOROETHYLENE, A CHEMICAL KNOWN TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO CAUSE CANCER.  CONTENTS FLAMMABLE. KEEP AWAY” and so on.

So before I went any further, I took the extra few minutes to put together a much more earth-friendly and less toxic silver cleaning recipe to finish cleaning the spoons, as well as this silver bowl I also found at the Salvation Army store… (for only $2.99!).

Step 1:  Ingredients

1 cup baking soda and 2 tablespoons salt

Pot of water to boil

Aluminum container large enough to cover the items with the boiling water.  Or line a pan or bowl with aluminum foil.  The aluminum is key to interact and remove the tarnish from the silver.

Step 2: Preparing the solution

Boil the water and add the baking soda and salt. Do not add until the water boils. Both must dissolve completely – about a two minutes.  Also note that it fizzes up so add slowly to avoid overflowing.

Step 3:  Activate

Once dissolved, pour the water over the silver pieces.  You may notice that more black appears, but not to worry.  It will polish off. In fact, you may see the tarnish just disappear in seconds. I wish I had my video camera going when I did the spoons – it was amazing so I’ll do that next time.

Here’s how the spoons and bowl turned out – obviously definite keepers.  And for that toxic spray polish – off to our local hazardous recycling drop off center!

]]> http://thegreensamaritan.com/2010/08/how-to-clean-and-green-your-silver/feed/ 1 http://thegreensamaritan.com/2010/08/shop-save-tip-2-for-1-with-treegivers/ http://thegreensamaritan.com/2010/08/shop-save-tip-2-for-1-with-treegivers/#comments Sat, 21 Aug 2010 15:14:41 +0000 Jeanne http://thegreensamaritan.com/?p=3325

Do you have people on your gift list you struggle with for ideas. For those hard to buy for folks, consider an earth-friendly option by giving a tree in their honor or memory.  Between now and October 31, 2010, TreeGivers is offering a 2-for-1 special on their most popular tree gifts. When you order a tree, your recipient  will also receive an unframed Certificate of Planting, a personalized handwritten card with a message you specify, and a young tree will be planted on public lands in any state of your choosing.   Normally $39.99 per tree, when you order your first tree, you will receive a code for a second tree at no charge.  Just be sure to order and redeem before October 31.

Personally, I had a very good experience with TreeGivers last year.  I ordered a tree in someone’s memory and the presentation of the letter and certificate was nicely done and received in just a matter of days which was very important in this particular situation.  So for any occasion, birthday, anniversary, congrats or holiday gift, ordering is easy and customer service is prompt and reliable.

You must shop through the link below to take advantage of this special. (Yes, I do get  a small referral fee if you make a purchase and I thank you in advance).  So think about those on your list and skip the mall, long lines and holiday wrapping for a lasting gift that will keep on giving.

I favor and admire the entreprenuer, especially those women and moms who are taking a chance on their great idea for the benefit of others – like this company, MotherTongues.

Founder, Michelle Hamman was born in South Africa and has lived between her mother tongue of Afrikaans and American English.  As someone born and raised in South Africa, she brought to the United States the values of a community that are very different from North America culture.  Her background convinced her that one culture can educate another and so her t-shirt company, MotherTongues was born.

With a MotherTongues t-shirt, apron or tote bag, you can “wear words that celebrate culture”. For instance, the “Slow Food” apron she sent to me highlights words from seven different languages that describe the intent of sitting around a table and sharing a meal. I love it!  The meanings, as well as the image of the words forming a table, really spoke to me as someone who grew up with a grandfather who was from Nice, France and made his living as a chef in New York and D.C. With many hours spent lingering around the table after a family meal, a few favorites include the German word, gemütlich- the art of creating a comfortable place and Greek word, meraki -  the art of cooking from your soul.

All products are made with 100% organic cotton and fair labor and a $1 for every apron, t-shirt or tote bag goes to Women in Transition as well as a few other for cause organizations. Brochures, hang tags and shipping labels are also printed on 100% post consumer (recycled) paper.

And for one lucky reader, MotherTongues is giving away a set of 3 pairs of socks ($30 value) to include  a set of each – Shalom-Salam/”Let peace and justice kiss”; Ubuntu/”I am because we are” and Zen/”Be just. Just be”.  Now that’s got to make you feel good when you wear them!

To be eligible, you must be a Green Samaritan subscriber via email or RSS, Twitter follower and/or Facebook fan.

In order to win, you must do the one of the following.  One entry per action so the more action you take, the greater chance of winning!

• Leave a comment below with your Twitter name.
• Like MotherTongues and leave a comment on Facebook
• Follow MotherTongues on Twitter @mothertongues
• Tweet this: Giveaway from @MotherTongues via @GreenSamaritan 100% organic/fair trade t-shirts, aprons & more – http://bit.ly/c3Goik

Contest ends next Wednesday, August 25 at 11:59 pm.  US Residents only.

In the meantime, check out the words available on her t-shirts.  Which one do you like?  Which one “speaks” to you?

From trash to toxins and germs to GMOs, there is a lot of information to absorb – especially for a newcomer traveling down this path of greater eco-awareness.

Here’s quick hit list of a few go-to resources to access when needing to learn a little bit more:

1. Earth 911: When a recycling emergency arises in your home, check out Earth911 to find out where you can dispose or recycle those items not accepted by your local municipality.
2. Environmental Working Group: Wondering about what’s in your skincare or sunscreen? What about that produce or “antibacterial” soap?  EWG specializes in providing useful resources, like SkinDeep and the EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides™ to help you make the most informed decision.  Download handy guides here on a variety of products.
3. The Green Guide: Produced by National Geographic, The Green Guide provides comprehensive information on a variety of topics and products all to help the general consumer take easy and achievable steps. Sign up to receive their monthly newsletter.
4. Healthy Child / Healthy World. The mission of this non-profit is to inspire parents to protect their children from toxic chemicals.  The site is full of educational resources and their 5 Easy Steps section offers a quick overview of small actions you can take to create a healthy home.  Watch the video and learn more about the Safe Chemicals Act of 2010 and what you can do.
5. Alltop – Top Green News: A virtual green magazine rack where you can peruse a multitude of online publications, green blogs and other resources with the most recent stories listed. From there you an create your personal page and customize with your favorites on any topic.  Check out TGS Alltop picks here.

There’s more out there, so what are some of your favorite online resources to help you become more eco-aware?