My goal this year is to be more earth friendly, eco friendly, go green!

I've stopped using plastic bags and take my own bags to the grocery store.
I stopped buying packs of water bottles, and just refill and reuse my own water bottle.

What ways have you changed or gone green?

What organic, eco friendly products would you recommend for use around the home? (Laundry detergent, dish soap)

What things have you changed around your home to be more earth friendly?

Any DIY?

Great goal Jeannam2008!!!

I do a lot of various things, but every small step is one in the right direction.

If you can support your local organic farmer and be mindful of what you eat, cut down on your energy usage (by changing lightbulbs to CF, etc), recycle or reuse, and reduce the chemicals you use, you will make a big difference. There are so many great recipes for soaps, cleaning supplies etc., using things like baking soda, vinegar, borax, soap flakes, etc. Its amazing.

My main focus right now is on food, as I said supporting the local organic farmers and farmers markets, steering clear of GMOs and things produced in non sustainable ways, growing as much as I can in my own garden with organic methods, composting what we do not eat, etc.

I changed out all my lightbulbs and really did cut my bill by about 30%. I am not crazy about the lighting in every room, sometimes its a bit cool or "off" but I use candles a fair bit, which helps.


good luck, I am interested in what others are doing.

Our whole yard is organic, no pesticides or chemicals. I try to use only natural cleansing products. http://www.mrsmerys.com http://www.gaiam.com I also use products by Dr. Bonner and Method which can be bought in any drugstore or store. There are some great natural cleansing/goring green in your home books out there. Organic towels and bedding is really worth the investment. I have linen sheets which I love. I have a huge backyard garden and our yard is planted with fruit trees and has tons of different berry plants. I rather eat home grown organic food then buy food with pesticides. We recycle and I will store food in glass containers, not plastic. Water filters are good to use. I buy alot of beauty products from http://www.lush.com. I try to find things that are more natural from the health food store too. I personally could become a vegeterian but my husband and son love to eat meat so I have to cook it.....but do buy organic meat most of the time. I like to support small farmers and have had organic food deliveries from local farmers. I know there is so much more one can do but I just try to take it one step at a time and add as I can to make our home and health better.

^ that's awesome gilliana.

I just harvested beets, carrots, and cucumbers this weekend.
Even if you only have limited space, just growing herbs and tomatoes is a great way to start.

BTW, cornucopia.org has a few useful "scorecards" for milk, cereal, eggs, etc. that help when shopping.

http://www.cornucopia.org/

Here is a link to Seafood Watch, very helpful apps and guide for selecting sustainable seafood.

http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/c...ions.aspx?c=ln

we often take the reusable bags to the grocery store. we also use the energy saving light bulbs.

I'm repeating some but they bear repeating:

1. I bring my own bags to the grocery store
2. I use energy saving light bulbs
3. I recycle as much as possible (paper products, cans, plastics, glass)
4. I only turn on the heat in a room if I'll be spending a lot of time in it
5. I dry my hands in the kitchen with a dishtowel instead of paper towels
6. I try to eat "clean" and avoid buying foods with lots of packaging, artificial ingredients and preservatives

I don't have any outdoor space, so I don't plant or grow anything.

On a semi related note, I donate all my old towels and linens to my local animal shelter. They are always in need of more!

I do the same like you do.
When I go shopping I try to reduce to ask for the plastic bag.

Over time we've transitioned to a nontoxic household. I like Seventh Generation and it's easy to find, Mrs Meyers Clean day is another good brand. Bon Ami powdered cleanser is awesome. We don't use paper towels, people are so shocked lol!, no paper plates or disposable cups or flatware unless I'm having tons of company and have no choice. We use glass food storage. Cfls, reusable shopping totes. I am addicted to my Brita water pitcher. Recycle like crazy.

Right now I'm mostly only doing organic dairy. My local grocery stores just don't have much to offer and its so needlessly expensive. The closest Wholefoods or TraderJoes is a 45 minute ride, I'm not sure if the extra gas used to get there cancels out any good accomplished. I have participated in a CSA for the past 2 summers, not sure about this year. Sometimes I don't love the produce options lol! I tried to have my own organic garden, I messed it up. A good gardener I am not.

I try to buy good quality household items so I don't need to keep replacing things. It can be more expensive up front but I'm sure in the long run it saves money.

We try to use as much all natural personal products as possible. This too can be tricky, I've gotten some pretty bad shampoo and conditioner lol! A little trial and error, the bathrooms are pretty much as healthy as can be. I can't give up my Revlon Colorstay though. For beauty I like Josie Maran, Ole Henrickson, Burts Bees. Shampoo and conditoner is mostly Yes to Carrots for dh and kids, I use Pureology. Some of the older, original Body Shop products are good. Newer stuff, not so much. The original founder sold the store to Loreal a few years ago and most of her holistic ingredients went out the window.

It's been an interesting experience, going green, and many people think I'm nuts hehe. I also homeschooled my kids for 2 years, just for fun, so I guess I walk to the beat of a different drum. I think every little bit helps, if everyone made a few small changes it would add up to some pretty big things!

And oh yeah, I quit smoking!!!!!!

I do many of the same things as well:

- use reusable bags when shopping
- cat litter goes out in biodegradable "Poop Bags"
- use Pyrex containers for storing food
- do use baggies but use the ones made with 30% less plastic for taking things like baby carrots or cherry tomatoes to work. Then rinse and reuse.
- recycle everything I can - paper, plastic, glass, tin
- bottles get returned to the bottle depot
- use Method cleaning products as well as vinegar and baking soda
- buy meat and eggs from local, organic farms
- I have always been fine with tap water so do not buy bottled water

I have a small townhouse yard and don't grow anything except flowers. I also don't compost but keep thinking about it. My yard is not large though and I'm afraid it would be smelly. Also, it gets to -30C or colder in the winter so I don't know if one can even compost in that temperature.

Thats a great list, etk124. I use Mrs Meyers, too...and Dr. Bronners. So many of these things can be used in the garden, too. I use a chili pepper/vineager/dr. bronners mix to keep fruitflies at bay.

I also love yes to carrots. Burts bees is great, too...and we know I love bees.
I am going to start trying to make my own products soon. My friend and I are taking a class, and I have a beehive now and lots of beeswax from friends hives, and honey, too. Another friend renders his own coconut oil, so it should be fun to play around with that! I love mixing potions!

If you are doing organic dairy, please do check out that cornucopia.org website. Now that there is GMO alfalfa in the foodchain its getting harder and harder to find quality organic brands that have not slipped in quality or been bought by larger BigFood concerns.

I homeschooled for a time too...Then DD went to waldorf...

We try to get eggs from local farmers down our road, i trade for fruits sometimes, or buy outright.

I do a lot of canning and pickling, so we always have something from the garden to put on the table. I have hydroponic cucumbers in my greenhouse (upcycled from corral panels) and some lettuce and spinach in there in raingutters we salvaged from a remodel SO did.

I try to buy heirloom or organic seeds, we have a seed exchange locally that I participate in, too.

Quitting smoking beats all of that, though. Congratulations! I know how hard it is!

Originally Posted by etk123

Over time we've transitioned to a nontoxic household. I like Seventh Generation and it's easy to find, Mrs Meyers Clean day is another good brand. Bon Ami powdered cleanser is awesome. We don't use paper towels, people are so shocked lol!, no paper plates or disposable cups or flatware unless I'm having tons of company and have no choice. We use glass food storage. Cfls, reusable shopping totes. I am addicted to my Brita water pitcher. Recycle like crazy. Right now I'm mostly only doing organic dairy. My local grocery stores just don't have much to offer and its so needlessly expensive. The closest Wholefoods or TraderJoes is a 45 minute ride, I'm not sure if the extra gas used to get there cancels out any good accomplished. I have participated in a CSA for the past 2 summers, not sure about this year. Sometimes I don't love the produce options lol! I tried to have my own organic garden, I messed it up. A good gardener I am not. I try to buy good quality household items so I don't need to keep replacing things. It can be more expensive up front but I'm sure in the long run it saves money. We try to use as much all natural personal products as possible. This too can be tricky, I've gotten some pretty bad shampoo and conditioner lol! A little trial and error, the bathrooms are pretty much as healthy as can be. I can't give up my Revlon Colorstay though. For beauty I like Josie Maran, Ole Henrickson, Burts Bees. Shampoo and conditoner is mostly Yes to Carrots for dh and kids, I use Pureology. Some of the older, original Body Shop products are good. Newer stuff, not so much. The original founder sold the store to Loreal a few years ago and most of her holistic ingredients went out the window. It's been an interesting experience, going green, and many people think I'm nuts hehe. I also homeschooled my kids for 2 years, just for fun, so I guess I walk to the beat of a different drum. I think every little bit helps, if everyone made a few small changes it would add up to some pretty big things! And oh yeah, I quit smoking!!!!!!

Originally Posted by bnjj

I do many of the same things as well: - use reusable bags when shopping - cat litter goes out in biodegradable "Poop Bags" - use Pyrex containers for storing food - do use baggies but use the ones made with 30% less plastic for taking things like baby carrots or cherry tomatoes to work. Then rinse and reuse. - recycle everything I can - paper, plastic, glass, tin - bottles get returned to the bottle depot - use Method cleaning products as well as vinegar and baking soda - buy meat and eggs from local, organic farms - I have always been fine with tap water so do not buy bottled water I have a small townhouse yard and don't grow anything except flowers. I also don't compost but keep thinking about it. My yard is not large though and I'm afraid it would be smelly. Also, it gets to -30C or colder in the winter so I don't know if one can even compost in that temperature.

Your flower garden makes the pollinators happy. Nothing wrong with that! I think you can still compost in winter, I think you just pile a lot of browns on top and around the composter....straw, shavings from the feedstore, etc. I am sure the garden center can help you with that. There are nice compact little composters.

isnt it great that these better cleaning products are coming down in price and available at mainstream places!

Originally Posted by CobaltBlu

Your flower garden makes the pollinators happy. Nothing wrong with that! I think you can still compost in winter, I think you just pile a lot of browns on top and around the composter....straw, shavings from the feedstore, etc. I am sure the garden center can help you with that. There are nice compact little composters. isnt it great that these better cleaning products are coming down in price and available at mainstream places!

I knew you'd approve of my flowers!

Originally Posted by bnjj

I knew you'd approve of my flowers!

Originally Posted by CobaltBlu

Thats a great list, etk124. I use Mrs Meyers, too...and Dr. Bronners. So many of these things can be used in the garden, too. I use a chili pepper/vineager/dr. bronners mix to keep fruitflies at bay. I also love yes to carrots. Burts bees is great, too...and we know I love bees. I am going to start trying to make my own products soon. My friend and I are taking a class, and I have a beehive now and lots of beeswax from friends hives, and honey, too. Another friend renders his own coconut oil, so it should be fun to play around with that! I love mixing potions! If you are doing organic dairy, please do check out that cornucopia.org website. Now that there is GMO alfalfa in the foodchain its getting harder and harder to find quality organic brands that have not slipped in quality or been bought by larger BigFood concerns. I homeschooled for a time too...Then DD went to waldorf... We try to get eggs from local farmers down our road, i trade for fruits sometimes, or buy outright. I do a lot of canning and pickling, so we always have something from the garden to put on the table. I have hydroponic cucumbers in my greenhouse (upcycled from corral panels) and some lettuce and spinach in there in raingutters we salvaged from a remodel SO did. I try to buy heirloom or organic seeds, we have a seed exchange locally that I participate in, too. Quitting smoking beats all of that, though. Congratulations! I know how hard it is!

CB you are so awesome! I didn't realize Dr Bronners did more than castile soap, I love their scents, I can't wait to find some other products to try. I'm excited about your beeswax, honey, coconut oil endeavor, I'm sure something scrumptious will come of it! Do keep us posted! I'm off to cornucopia.org now, with a slight sinking in my stomach. Nothing remains untouched anymore. They certainly don't make it any easier to make good choices!

I really thought I was the only homeschooling tpfer!! And a good heirloom tomato will bring me to my knees everytime, one of the things I love about living in New Jersey is our awesome tomato growing soil. Unlike any other tomatoes out there!

Aw, thanks!

The dr bronners I mentioned is the soap, I just mix a dash with the chili water and vineager. it helps it stick to the plants.

I love heirloom tomatoes, too I had bad luck this year with too much rain, so I am trying them in the greenhouse next. Most of the ones I tried outside split.

I hear ya about the organic. its hard to shop these days.

Look for this label if you can. its on more and more thing, and there is LOTS of super helpful information on this site:

http://www.nongmoproject.org/