13 Thursday

This week I've thought of more ways we are being green:

1. We leave our blinds open during the day in the winter to allow the sun to heat and close them as soon as the sun begins going down to block the cold.

2. In the summer, we leave our blinds mostly closed during the day to keep the house cooler. If we're home, I open the blinds in the back of the house until the afternoon when the sun moves the back of the house and then open the front of the house.

3. Several months ago I realized that we were using a tremendous amount of paper plates. So I bought some small plastic plates for $1. We've cut our paper plate usage to about 25% of what we were using before.

4. We turn off the computers when we are not using them and at night (computers should be turned off often and use no more energy booting up than just running, no matter what someone else has told you.)

5. I clean as often as I can with enviornmentally free cleaners. My favorite is a simple mix of vinegar and baking soda - it fizzes when you mix them, what could be better.

6. We use reusable insulated lunch bags rather than paper bags.

7. Kevin and Samuel take sandwiches for lunch in reusable Tupperware sandwich keepers.

8. I make my own baby food, not sure that's green, but it is crunchy. LOL

9. I like to buy fresh produce whenever possible.

10. Again, maybe not green, but it's along with that movement: We eat as many whole grains as possible such as whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, etc. If a product is made with whole grains, I will always choose that one vs. the regular.

11. We don't eat/drink artificial sweetner. Good old fashioned sugar is fine for us. I don't buy diet drinks and watch product labels for hidden artifial sweetner. This includes Splenda which is an artifical sweetner.

12. Waste not - want not: I try to only buy food that I know we will use before it goes bad. I don't buy things just because they are on sale unless I know it will get used.

13. I shoot digital which avoids film developing and only print pictures I need to print for scrapbooking or giving to others. (Okay, this isn't the real reason, but it sounds good and I needed a #13!)