Showing posts with label Being Green. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Being Green. Show all posts

Friday, October 29, 2010

I'll Show You Mine if You Show Me Yours, or, The Crap That Lives In My Purse.

I've seen posts like this all over the Blogosphere lately, so I'm finally jumping on the bandwagon. I wish I remembered where I'd seen them all so I could give credit where credit is due. If you know, please email me so I can edit this to include those bloggers!

Exhibit A:
My Gap handbag I got on sale for $16.99 a few weeks ago. Looks innocent enough, right? Yeah, well, let's just say looks can be deceiving, people.



Exhibit B: This is me. Apparently.
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In true Ally Sheedy/Breakfast Club fashion, I dumped all its contents onto the living room floor. Then I took photos of things in small groups. However, please note that not surprisingly, no makeup, fun headbands, or Capn' Crunch cereal were found in my purse.

In no particular order, here is everything that was/is in my bag.

1.) About 22 pieces of UNused Kleenex. Because it would be too easy to keep it in its handy little travel pack.
2.) New package of Heartgard for Monster. I don't accept plastic shopping bags, so sometimes I just stuff things in my purse.
3.) New package of Frontline for Monster. Got 1 vial free. Yay! I never get anything free! Well, I didn't. My dog did.


1.) Bag of almonds for me. Been using same Ziploc for them for entirely too long. Because I'm green. Or just gross, your call.
2.) Animal crackers, one pack per hooligan. Never ever leave home without sustenance for kiddos. And they have to be exactly the same, or it might cause World War III.
3.) Annie's fruity bunnies. The girls' favorite snack. One I can feel sorta good about. Maybe.
4.) Think Thin protein bar. My favorite meal on-the-go.

1.) Envirosax reusable pink bunny shopping bag. Holds up to 44 lbs. of stuff. Always keep one balled up in my purse.
2.) Purple reusable produce bag from Whole Foods. Always keep one in my purse.
3.) Small pack of Hello Kitty wipes. Because my kids had to have 'em & because Hello Kitty rocks.
4.) Pink composition book. For all the stuff I'm not writing or should be writing down.
5.) The Alchemist by Paulo Coelo. Haven't started reading it yet. Never be without reading material.
6.) Box of Altoids. Because I have halitosis. Or diarrhea of the mouth. Or something. I stink.
7.) Boxes of crayons from Nordstrom's Cafe. I think they get thrown away (after use) otherwise, so we bring them home. Like we need more crayons around here.

Misc. papers:
1.) Agenda from my most recent PJ Library Committee meeting with my notes scribbled all over it.
2.) Yellow menu from Great Harvest Bread. Because I absolutely need more carbs in my life.
3.) Black sunglasses case from Ann Taylor Loft.
4.) ASPCA brochure: 101 Things You Didn't Know Could Harm Your Pet. Because I love my doggie (and animals in general) and support the organization.
5.) PJ Library enrollment brochure so I can stalk Jews people while I'm on the go.
6.) Small, white bullet-shaped Natracare tampon. (under the sunglasses case) Because even when I'm in the red, I'm still green. But not like all Christmas-y, because I'm a Jew and we do Hanukkah over here.
7.) Flyer and hand-written notes from a workshop we recently attended where Susan Stiffelman spoke about "Parenting Without Power Struggles." One of my children who shall remain nameless is the reason we attended said conference. Hint: her name begins with "A." But I'm not saying anything more.
8.) Ginormous vet bill receipt for grooming and labs for Monster. But bonus-- a rebate form for the Heartgard! I can get 12 whole dollars back! Woohoo!
9.) Miscellaneous note/list of stuff I need to do but haven't yet. Oy vey.


1.) Pens--six of them. Because somehow, even with that many in my purse, I'm always digging for and unable to find one when I most need it.
2.) Random Hello Kitty band-aid. Because boo boo's happen. A lot. And only something with that god forsaken cat on it Hello Kitty can stop the fake tears.
3.) My regular key chain and my spare car key chain. Because it really makes sense to drive around with my spare key in case I lock myself out of my car.
4.) Contact lens case.
5.) Stupid Sprint cell phone. That doesn't give me any service in my own house.
6.) Small tube of Cetaphil hand lotion.
7.) Small bottle of hand sanitizer.
8.) Box of Shut The Hell Up gum. Just because I liked the box. 12 kinds of awesome, people.
9.) Hobo wallet from my BFF Shelly Kramer. It's da bomb diggity. And she has one just like it.
10.) Misc. hair clips/accessories including Hello Kitty ponytail holder. Because in case it's not obvious, we like that chic. I mean cat.
11.) Old bottle of Cymbalta which is now filled with various vitamins, Advil, and Pepcid for all the heartburn my kids give me.
12.) Plastic witch finger with red nail polish on that I was instructed to hold onto because someone else was too lazy tired busy to hold it herself.

So let's see what's in YOUR bag!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Top 10 Reasons I Can't Leave the House Today. But I'm Not a Hermit, I Swear.

1.) Laundry. Mountains of it. Created predominantly by two hooligans who feel compelled to change outfits multiple times a day to keep up with the latest Target fashions. Then I can't remember what was truly dirty to begin with, and/or I can't find a spot/stain, so I just chuck it all back through the wash again. Izzy pees through her Pull-Up most nights, so I wash sheets a lot thank goodness Abby sleeps in panties and stays dry. Let's not even talk about all the track marks in their princess panties. You moms who think dealing with your kids' poop ends with potty training? I laugh at you. No, see, here's the rub: they can wipe, and they do wipe, but they do not do a good job. Ewww. So I bond with my Method detergent, my eco-friendly stain spray, and my washing machine. It's true love, people. I do so much laundry that I deserve one of these beauties for Hanukkah. And a matching dryer. Not necessarily in red, but you get the idea.

2.) I haven't showered in 3+ days. I used to shower daily, but that was prior to having children. Now showering is a luxury, one I can rarely afford. My options are: (a) shower with little people whining and pounding on the door to tattle at regular intervals; (b) wake up at the ass crack of dawn to shower before the little hags wake up; or (c) shower with them while they point at my va-jay-jay and ask me when they will grow boobies. Anylazy, (d) I'm too tired by the time I corral their little asses into bed at night to shower then. So three days without any soap or shampoo = pretty ripe. Better stay in.

3.) I am too busy cramming Cheez-its in my mouth and washing them down with Honest Tea while watching all the shows I have saved on my DVR, like Brothers & Sisters, Grey's Anatomy, Dexter, Gossip Girl, and Man vs. Food. Me and the couch? We're like in love. Actually, this is just a fantasy of mine.

4.) I had a bikini wax the day before. So there's that initial uncomfortable chafing thing that either no one talks about or only I am privy to. Also there could still be remnants of blue-green wax stubbornly stuck to my lady bits so that mere walking is like a second round of waxing.

5.) I was too busy cleaning the house because The Father Load is hosting a Journal Club tonight with many very important medical people. They come over, eat Oklahoma Joe's, use too many plastic cups and paper plates you have no idea how this irks me and laugh at me when I put our recycling bins on the patio to prompt them to do the right green thing. And then my whole house which was previously clean and smelling like Mrs. Meyers products now reeks like a barbeque joint and stale beer. Gross.

6.) I am still learning the ways of the vegetarian woman. I haven't yet determined the proper ratio of salads and fruit to beans and nuts that won't offend my delicate intestinal tract. When I overdose, my body rebels and leaving the house becomes impossible.

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7.) I'm addicted to your blogs. I love reading them. Alas, so many wonderful blogs, so little time. I also love writing blogs. And did I mention reading blogs? I thrive on the connections I'm making with people. I've made so many friends and I've come out of my shell because I've read about you coming out of yours. Thank you. I'm in love with you. You've taught me how to use this noggin of mine that's been dormant for so long. You keep my heart open, my mind sharp, and my body moving. You teach me things every day. THANK YOU for being so delicious that I can't leave my computer all day. Hello, my name is Erin, and I'm addicted to BlogLand.

8.) My children are being such hellions that I am afraid to take them out in public for fear of being shunned. People will look at me and I'll be that mom. You know who I'm talking about--- that yelling, red-faced, screaming banshee who's completely out of control. My shopping cart will be full of bribes like Twinkies, Zhu Zhu pets, Halloween candy, coloring books, pop tarts, and all manner of ridiculous crap. I also might start to imagine something like this is a good solution:

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9.) I have this eyebow obsession problem. See, if I don't pluck my caterpillars eyebrows, I might look something like this. And this is being kind, people:

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So, I pluck and pluck and pluck (don't tell me to get 'em waxed because I'm incapable of not plucking until the next wax, can't tolerate the strays---I am slightly OCD, remember?). And then I have all these lovely red pock marks between my eyes and my eyebrows and I look scary for a day. So I can't leave the house.

10.) I have absolutely no idea what goes here. But I got nine, so that's good, right?

Friday, October 15, 2010

I Believe.

I believe in giving lots of hugs, and holding on tight.
I believe in family.
I believe in apologizing when I've hurt someone.
I believe in second chances, and sometimes third chances.
I believe in standing up for my beliefs.
I believe in a woman's right to choose.

I believe in love.
I believe any two people who are in love should have the right to marry.
I believe that in-vitro fertilization, fertility treatments, egg donation, surrogacy, and adoption are amazing things.
I believe that some people and doctors go overboard and this is dangerous.

I believe everyone has something important to say.
I believe that being a mom is a really tough job.
I believe in not settling.
I believe in speaking up.
I believe in gut feelings.
I believe I can be more like Madonna every day.
I believe in date nights.
I believe in babysitters.
I believe in myself.

I believe in Halloween. I believe in magic. I believe in chance.

I believe in blaring my music when my kids aren't in the car.
I believe dogs can give the best medicine.
I believe in the power of friends I've never met.
I believe I am a writer.
I believe in the power of retail therapy.
I believe that I am loved.

I believe in being green.
I believe in recognizing that what we put into our bodies is just as important as things we put on our bodies.
I believe in Whole Foods & farmers' markets.
I believe in buying local & sustainable.
I believe in composting & recycling.
I believe that plastic is evil.
I believe that we are wasteful.
I believe we have a lot of work to do.

I believe in karma.
I believe in fate.
I believe that a hot bath and a glass of wine can cure most anything.
I believe that female friendships are intense and powerful.

I believe that I need to put myself first more often.
I believe that I do too much.
I believe that I need to be okay with saying "no" sometimes.
I believe I need to cut myself some slack.

I believe in homemade chocolate chip cookies with milk.
I believe in my daughters.
I believe in my husband.
I believe our Judaism is an important and integral part of our life.
I believe it is my duty to acknowledge my Jewish heritage, embrace it, and share it so that history does not repeat itself.

I believe that waiting is the hardest thing.
I believe that it's okay not to shower daily.
I believe yoga pants are my best friend.
I believe we need to focus more on our health and less on french fries.
I believe in the power of exercise and moving my body.

I believe in holding doors open for people.
I believe in bringing new moms and sick people dinner.
I believe in lemonade stands and big tips for the kids running them.
I believe in piggy banks and saving for a rainy day.
I believe that today's children shouldn't have to worry about riding their bikes, taking walks, or playing outside and being approached by strangers.
I believe we have to educate our kids about these things without scaring them too much.

I believe in the power a single person can have.

I believe I am ENOUGH.

And I desperately want to know:
What do YOU believe in? Leave it in the comments.

Friday, July 16, 2010

It Would Tickle Me Pink if You'd Go Green With Me Today!


I love Holly over at 504 Main so much that with her permission, I'm integrating some of my favorite Go Green tips into today's Ticked Pink post. You can also visit Deb over at Menopausal New Mom for her Green post today, and Juney over at 3! A Charm is joining us with her eco-friendly ideas as well. We'd love it if you shared your favorite green ideas and linked up with us! Just grab our cute little button and post.



Now, onto the green tips that Tickle Me Pink:

1.) It would tickle me pink if you select "No" when the ATM machine asks if you want a receipt. Stop being so lazy Record your transaction right then and there or just use your online banking to play catch up later.

2.) Likewise when you're at the gas pump, opt out of a receipt. We can save so many trees this way! See? You can be green even in little, easy ways like this.

3.) Air dry as many of your clothes as possible. This will help your clothes last longer, reduce your energy bills, and help keep your home cooler in summer, too! I don't remember where I got mine from, but it tickles me pink:







4.) Keep your blinds and curtains drawn during the daylight hours in summer to help keep your home cooler.

5.) If you're going to eat beef, eat grass-fed beef. Better yet, be like me & Shelly Kramer and buy your own cow. Also consider doing Meatless Mondays. Even The Father Load is slowly becoming more comfortable with the occasional meatless meal and that tickles me pink!

6.) It tickles me pink to buy local and organic whenever possible. Check out your farmer's market. I got some beautiful heirloom tomatoes from ours last weekend which we paired with fresh mozzarella and our own homegrown basil. Delish! I have enough to make some homemade pesto, too.


7.) Get off catalog & junk mail lists using http://www.catalogchoice.org/.

8.) For special occasions, give family and friends the gift that keeps on giving---donate to their favorite environmental group, charity, or other organization. Do away with all the gift wrap, tissue paper, and ribbons. If you can't, then at least recycle/reuse what you can.

9.) I am going to start doing this myself: I just read that you should stop rinsing your dishes before loading them into the dishwasher. You will save time and 15 gallons of water per load! (but let's see if my dishes still come out as clean!) Skip the heated dry cycle. Select the speed cycle if possible, too.

10.) Don't take baths, take showers. And shorten your showers--turn off the water while you lather up.

11.) Bank and pay your bills on-line. It tickles me pink to save stamps!

12.) BYOB & BYOM. Bring Your Own Bag & Bring Your Own Mug. Seriously, the bags should be habit by now. And as Tracie from Stir-Fry Awesomeness recently pointed out, I hope you are washing those reusables! They get grimy just like anything else. I air-dry mine and I wash my produce bags in a lingerie bag to protect them. While I am guilty of using my reusables for all of my shopping needs, it would be smarter to designate some for just grocery shopping due to germs and the potential for contamination. Bring your own mug to Starbucks or the coffee joint of your choice.

13.) I loathe Styrofoam peanuts. I save them all in my garage and recycle them by using them in packages I send out. In fact, you may catch me on the next episode of Hoarders due to all the Styrofoam peanuts I've collected....

Speaking of Styrofoam, I just stumbled across this gem. I know I don't live in NYC and my children aren't even in the public school system yet, but once they are I'll be doing everything I can to help a project like this. Does your child's school use Styrofoam and Styrofoam lunch trays? If so, check out this link here. The statistics are staggering. But at least for now they are doign "Trayless Tuesdays!"

14.) Reuse cardboard shipping boxes and any supplies/packaging. Don't just put them in your recycling bin.


16.) Try the Three Sisters cereal without the box. Have you ever thought about all the trees used to make cereal boxes and how unnecessary they are? Three Sisters cereals are delicious and are sold exclusively at Whole Foods.

17.) Composting tickles me pink. I have been composting for a while now and let me tell you about some of the things going into my bin daily:
egg shells
apple cores
banana peels
coffee filters
coffee grinds
mushy grapes and blueberries my kids won't eat
potato peelings
melon rinds
lint from my dryer (which isn't being used much lately)
shredded paper and newspaper
grass clippings
leaves
weeds
onion skins
paper towel and toilet paper cardboard rolls

I have put soooo much in there and it's getting heavier/fuller. Here's a shot of what it looks like inside. See, you can tell things are breaking down slowly. I promise it doesn't stink. It's awesome to see the progress. Yes, I need to add some paper as it's kinda wet in there:

18.) Last but not least, Jenny Mac of Let's Have a Cocktail told me about Eco Tools' Look Gorgeous, Love Green Campaign. This project allows you to swap your used cosmetic supplies out for an Eco Tools Alternative. Check it out and ship some of your old makeup brushes in for an eco-friendly exchange!

Now go forth and be GREEN! I am unplugging this weekend as I willl be hanging out with Lee The Hotflash Queen and Tracie of Stir-Fry Awesomeness, so I may be slow returning comments. Perhaps you will see a vlog appear somewhere soon!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Mom Sexy Prom 2010 with Mary Mommyologist!

Mary The Mommyologist has come up with the amazing concept of Bringing Mom Sexy Back. I've posted about bringing my own mom sexy back here. It's really struck a chord with me, which is why I jumped right on the bandwagon when she initiated the idea of Mom Sexy Prom. As mothers, many of us lose our mojo and get so wrapped up in the daily grind that we forget who we are, and who we were before we had kids. We're working with Mary Mommyologist to prove that we've still got "IT," and so here's my Mom Sexy Prom post...with a twist!

photo courtesy of Amazon.com


I sat there with Mary,
We sat there, we two,
And I said, "Why, can I
go to Mom Sexy Prom with you?"

So I took off my dirty t-shirt and jeans
And found a darling dress to don.
Added some makeup, jewelry, high heels--
It's time to get my Mom Sexy on!
"Have no fear!" said The Mother Load.
"I can wear this dainty dress.
And at the same time I can vacuum
And clean up this mess!"

"I can juggle phone calls
While I shine countertops.
I can cook a delicious dinner
Without wearing my flip-flops!"


"But that is not all I can do!"
Said The Mother Load...
"Look at me!
Look at me now!" said the broad.
"I can bathe Thing One & Thing Two,
Scrub them head to feet.
I'll do it all in my Prom dress and pearls
While missing nery a beat!"


"I can do even more!"
Said the Mother Load then.
"I can stand tall in my heels
And carry two things, or ten!"




"I am the Mom in the Prom," she said with a smile.
"I schlep their hula hoops, their books and their ball.
 I put away the milk, the rake and the clean clothes.
In my dress I try to do it all and walk tall!"


But don't forget The Mother Load is green.
Every Sunday evening she hoists her blue bin
And carries it to the curb
Because not recycling is the biggest sin!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Introducing Our New Green Stamp of Approval, or, A Fun Button I Know You'll Want to Use in Your Own GREEN Post!

Deb over at Menopausal New Mom and I have been getting our GREEN on a lot lately, and Deb decided we should make our features a semi-regular thing. Lee of Road Trips For Wine and  Observe and Distort was kind enough to design this cute little button just for us. So from now on whenever you see it, you'll know a product, idea, or company, etc. has our official Green Stamp of Approval and you can trust that we've already done the homework for you. Should you decide to do your own green post, please feel free to nab this button and link up with us! Already Tracie over at Stir-Fry Awesomeness has done her green deed du jour. Please head over to her place to see her gettin' all Martha Stewart what she's been up to. Deb over at Menopausal New Mom has gone green by giving new life to old items, so head over there for her practical and easy green tips.

This weekend the girls and I went GREEN by perusing a local farmer's market on Saturday morning, where we scored some homemade rhubarb and strawberry preserves, pasta, arugula, and raw honey, among other things.


(for those of you in KC, we visited the Old Overland Park Farmer's Market at 80th & Metcalf)

It's GREEN to shop local and support nearby farmers. The produce is fresher since it's bypassing the grocery store, and therefore it lasts longer. Straight to you from the farm. I was quite pleased to see it was crowded (we don't often go, but I intend to make this a habit and teach my girls as we go along) and I lingered as long as the girls would allow me. Afterwards we made a quick stop at Whole Foods (another thing I'm making a habit of)---oh how I love that store! I used the arugula in a salad with some pears, pecans, and parmesan cheese. It was delightful! I broiled salmon to go with the spinach lemon herb pasta---delish! It feels incredible to eat things that are so fresh, natural, and good for us.

Later we passed something that brought a huge smile to my face--our local Ripple Glass collection dumpster. It was overflowing! I got about 12 kinds of verklempt and had to stop for the photo op. Here in KC, our recycling crews will not take our glass from the curb due to the danger involved--which means many people are just throwing it in their garbage cans. Fortunately Ripple Glass has given us a solution. They have set up these big purple beauties everywhere (read: you have no excuse, everyone can find one that's convenient) and you can drop your empty wine beer glass bottles, jars, etc.off there.

(for those in KC, this is the location in Corinth at 83rd & Mission, but there are many others!)

Have you done something GREEN lately that warrants borrowing our awesome button? Let us know! Better yet, write your own post about it and link up!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Pouring My Heart Out (About Chicken Nuggets, Jazzercise, Earth Day, Big Macs, and Jillian Michaels)



Today I am Pouring My Heart out along with the awesome Shell over at Things I Can't Say. If you'd like to link up or play along, please go here. You don't have to agree with everything I say, but like Shell, I'll ask you to be respectful and refrain from commenting if you have nothing positive to say.

Because Earth Day is this week, I've had a lot weighing heavily on my mind. I believe Earth Day should be EVERY day, not just once a year. People need to wake up, take notice, and really begin making changes before it's too late. In my humble opinion, it's already too late, but perhaps if we hurry we can catch up.
More about that tomorrow, though....


Earth Day is not only about caring for our planet, but caring for ourselves---by going back to the Earth, to natural things put down that Frosty and Super Size Fries, please, and to the way nature intended it.


I have always leaned towards eating healthy/organic/natural, but my intensity waxes and wanes. I shopped at Whole Foods over the weekend for the first time in a few months. It was a lovely (albeit expensive) experience. But you know what? The food tastes better. It's fresher. I love being surrounded by shelves, stacks and displays of everything good for you. While we were in the produce section a bubbly employee knelt down and offered my girls freshly cut hunks of Granny Smith apples, which they greedily gobbled up. I frequently shop in the organic/all-natural sections of other grocery stores because Whole Foods is not close to my home. But it's a few extra miles I'm going to travel more often from now on. Because it matters.

My wake-up call was this post by Jessica Gottlieb. While mostly about social media and its impact, it was also about our diet, our health, and how little we're teaching our children about basic nutrition. Read her post and watch the short video clip from Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. Kids who don't recognize tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes? Appalling. Unreal. Ridiculous. We have only ourselves to blame when they squeal with delight at the sight of those hellish Golden Arches. The next time you turn into the drive-thru salivating over the idea of a Big Mac and fries, stop yourself and really think about what you are doing not only to yourself, but to your children. What examples are you setting?

Another wake-up call was this post by Dr. Joe, "Why You Should Drop The Soda Right Now." He cites staggering statistics about how much soda Americans are consuming compared with people in other countries. There are 12-14 teaspoons of sugar in every can of soda--revolting, no? Juice isn't much better. Unfortunately, diet soda isn't the solution with all of its artificial sweeteners. I quit drinking Diet Coke a long time ago and have never been better. I discovered the artificial sweeteners were giving me stomach pains.


I'm reading labels more closely. I don't want to buy stuff loaded with ingredients I can't pronounce. Yes, my kids will continue to eat chicken nuggets, but now I am buying the ones with all white meat, no artificial ingredients, no trans fats, etc.



I went through my fridge and pantry and tossed the undesirable things---things I'm too mortified to admit were hibernating in there. But it doesn't matter now because they're gone, and they won't be coming back.

You think your Yoplait yogurt is healthy? Think again---look at the label and see "high fructose corn syrup." Blech. Guess what? It's also in things like whole wheat BREAD. It's no wonder we've become so accustomed to liking sweet things. It's time for us to become responsible consumers, to read labels and take control, to think before we buy and before we take a bite.

Hmmm, what else? Let's turn off the tv, computer, video games, etc. and get up off our lazy bums. Let's get outside. Let's take our kids and our dogs for much-needed long walks. I just bought Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred dvd to do at home. It's $8.99, you don't need to sign your life away, leave your house, or buy a gym membership to get fit (read: no excuses!). All you need is a mat (or a towel) and a set of hand weights (or cans of soup). Think about the example you're setting for your kids when they see you're excited about exercise (even if you're pretending a little bit). Think about how good YOU will feel, and how much your body will benefit from it. Guess what else? The Father Load is doing The Shred with me because that is how incredible it is. And because he cares about his health and his body, too.

I have one life. I have one body. I am finally starting to treat it like a temple.

This is my chance, your chance, our chance for something better.

Do it now. Make a change.What are you waiting for? Get those leg warmers on!


(image courtesy of @RosevilleRockLn on Twitter)

Thursday, April 15, 2010

TerraCycle: Turning Garbage Into Gold (More Going Green For Spring) & Giveaway winners!


Please please please watch this short video to see what TerraCycle is all about and how it works!

Last year on Oprah's Earth Day show, I heard about a little company doing something BIG in Trenton, New Jersey. TerraCycle takes our everyday non-recyclable waste and turns it into eco-friendly products like tote bags, lunch kits, coasters, pencil cases, backpacks, folders, laptop cases, and trash cans. For a list of products TerraCycle makes with our trash, go here. These are available on the site or at stores like Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, and Whole Foods.

Inspired, I started my own Juice Pouch Brigade last year. I collect empty juice pouches (Capri Sun, Minute Maid, Honest Kids, and Kool Aid) and ship them to TerraCycle (they pay the postage and provide shipping supplies & pre-paid labels). For every pouch I send in, the company donates two cents to the charity or school of my choice. It's a win-win situation: it keeps garbage out of our landfills, turns it into something useful, and benefits schools and needy organizations. For a list of types of trash TerraCycle accepts or other Recycling Brigades you can create, go here. I challenge you to find a brigade that appeals to you and take the first step. It's really very easy. Grab a partner or two if that will help you. Once you get it started, there's no stopping you, and it feels so good to do something GREEN! TerraCycle makes it all so easy--they are the ones doing all the hard work for us. I cannot say enough about them.

(Setting up our juice pouch collection site at New Reform Temple, our charity of choice)

My kids are involved in GOING GREEN! I teach them about our planet, recycling, and encourage them to help! Here they are adding our empty juice pouches to the collection basket.

Find Terracycle on Twitter: @TerraCycle
Become a fan of Terracycle on Facebook: click here

AND , the winners of my GO GREEN GIVEAWAY are: Holly over at 504 Main and Big Mama's The Bristol Project! Email me (erinlynn76@aol.com) your addresses and will ship your bags out by the weekend! I am not techno savvy, so I just chose my winners the old-fashioned way, out of a hat! If you didn't win but want some high quality reusable produce bags, check out Love For Earth on Etsy.com. She is wonderful!

To see the winner of Deb's GO GREEN GIVEAWAY giveaway, please head over to her place, Menopausal New Mom.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Going Green for Spring!

My dear friend Deb over at Menopausal New Mom recently approached me about joining forces to convince you to Go Green For Spring. Being green is something I feel passionately about, and while it is part of my blog, my life, and who I am, I try to refrain from shoving it down your throats.

But the clock is ticking and the floating landfill in the ocean is growing every day with our plastic bags and other waste. Did you know it's twice the size of the state of Texas? Otherwise known as "the Pacific Garbage Patch." And we are all responsible for this thing.

"What floating landfill?" you may be asking yourselves.

This one.

The buck stops here. No more laziness. At the most basic level, we need to use fewer plastic bags. I've heard all the excuses before (and I myself use my newspaper bags to scoop my dog's poop), but we need to make a better effort and find alternative, eco-friendly solutions. Deb will be giving away two reusable cloth grocery bags. I will be giving away two sets of reusable produce bags (because not only do people use plastic bags for groceries, they use them to bag up fruits and veggies, and ALL that plastic is unnecessary) from a great seller over at Etsy, Love For Earth. In order to enter these giveaways, you must first follow both Deb and me. Giveaway rules are listed at the very bottom of this post.

(these are the bags I am giving away--2 sets, each has 6 produce bags of various sizes)

And while we're on the subject of bagging our produce, I just have to know--why on earth do people bag their bananas in the first place? They're in a convenient, easy to carry bunch already, and we don't eat the peels. So why do they need to go in a plastic produce bag? That may very well be my biggest pet peeve.
Remember that reusable/cloth shopping bags are not just for the grocery--they're for Target, Wal-Mart, the mall, toting stuff around for your kids, etc. Keep some in your car. Stash one or two in the bottom of your purse/briefcase/gym bag. If you're standing in line at the grocery and realize you've forgotten them, GO BACK TO YOUR CAR.

JUST SAY NO to plastic bags! Paper isn't much better, either. Yes, it can be recycled, but it takes energy to recycle and otherwise years to decompose. And do me a favor---if you go to the store for one or two things, please don't accept a bag at all. Just carry them out in your own two hands, especially if it has a handle already, like a milk jug or your laundry detergent. Seriously. Nothing offends me more than pure ignorance and utter laziness.

Another great idea that a few bloggers were talking about recently is making our blogs carbon neutral. It's so easy, just check out this site, pick a Carbon Neutral button that you like, put it on your sidebar, and send an email to confirm that you have posted. Then they plant a tree to neutralize the carbon dioxide emissions from your blog. Cool, huh?

Here are more of my favorite quick green tips:

  1. Check out http://www.terracycle.net/ and see about setting up a Recycling Brigade for your school or the charity of your choice. I currently have a Juice Pouch Brigade set up and it's so easy!

  2. Go to http://www.catalogchoice.org/ to stop all of your junk mail (i.e. catalogs). Shop on-line.

  3. Stop buying bottled water. Use a Brita or a Pur filter.

  4. Bring your own mug to Starbucks or your coffee shop of choice when you go out for java.

  5. Turn off lights and tv when you're not in the room.

  6. Set your thermostat to 75 in the summer and 64 in the winter. Bonus points if you can beat these. Ceiling fans are your friends and help circulate air.

  7. Wash all of your clothes in cold water (it's better for your clothes, anyway).

  8. Air dry as much of your clothing as possible.

  9. Run errands all at once.

  10. Buy local, organic, and all natural. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store.

  11. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Don't buy new. Shop on Craigslist, go to garage sales, accept hand-me-downs.

  12. Check out Method and Mrs. Meyers' products.

  13. Use rags, sponges, and dish towels instead of paper towels.

  14. Use cloth napkins at mealtimes. Check out http://www.etsy.com/ for cute ones for kids!

  15. Use soy candles instead of regular.

  16. Check out www.snacktaxi.com in lieu of Ziploc bags.

  17. Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. Teach your kids to do the same.

  18. Take shorter showers. Consider turning the water down/off while you lather up.

  19. If you are in the Kansas City area, try Shatto Milk and dairy products. The milk comes in glass bottles which means nothing to recycle, no waste, the milk stays colder and tastes better. Plus you are supporting a local dairy and what could be better than that? Their butter and ice cream are divine, too!

  20. When you are at the ATM and/or the gas pump and the machine asks if you want a receipt, press "no."

  21. Unplug it when you're not using it (toaster oven, coffee maker, hair dryer, flat iron, etc.). Use power strips you can turn off.

  22. If you are in the Kansas City area, check out http://www.rippleglasskc.com/ for your glass recycling needs. There are collection bins all over the place, just check out the site to find the one closest to you.

  23. Consider using Evites or http://www.paperlesspost.com/ for invitations! So easy and fun. And saves our trees!

  24. Bring your reusable bags shopping. Tell your friends! When someone asks you "Paper or plastic?" you can smile sweetly and say, "Neither!"
Now for the giveaway rules:
--You must follow both Menopausal New Mom and me to be considered. (1 entry)
--Tweet about this giveaway and send us a link to your tweet. You may tweet once daily.(1 entry)
--Write your own Go Green For Spring post and link up to us/these posts within yours.(5 entries)
--Follow me on Twitter (@erinlynn76). (1 entry)
--Become a fan of The Mother Load on Facebook. If that link doesn't work, scroll up and look on the right side of my page for my badge. (1 entry)
--Post links to these giveaways on Facebook. (1 entry)

Giveaways begin NOW. Giveaways end on Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 7:00 a.m. CST. Winners will be announced shortly thereafter. GOOD LUCK!

So now that you're thinking of "Going Green For Spring" and how you can be a big part of the solution, head on over to Deb's Place and enter her "Go Green For Spring" Giveaway too!

It's never been so easy to make a difference!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Lucky Chinese Tag



Kys over at Stir-Fry Awesomeness tagged me. Which means I can keep/steal some of her original answers. Because she's original and I'm not.

8 TV Shows I Watch:
• Vampire Diaries
• True Blood
• United States of Tara
• Brothers & Sisters
• Dexter
• Big Love
• Grey’s Anatomy
• Man vs. Food


8 Favorite Places to Eat and Drink:
• Rock N' Sake (New Orleans)---sushi
• The Original Ruth's Chris (was in New Orleans, but Katrina took her out)
• The Galley (New Orleans) ---poboys
• Morning Call (New Orleans) ---beignets
• Vincent's (New Orleans) --Italian, where Hubs & I had our first date
• Galatoire's (New Orleans)
• Cafe Degas (New Orleans)
• Crepe Nanou (New Orleans) ---desserts

8 Things I Look Forward To: (all shamelessly plagiarized from Kys)
Winning the lottery
Alone time
Vacation (sans children)
Snarkler! *insert jazz hands*
Summer camp
The first day of kindergarten
Spring
Sleep


8 Things That Happened Yesterday:
Continental Airlines delivered my lost baggage. FINALLY.
Screaming/fighting /hair pulling/whining
Jazzercise
Sleep deprivation
Blog reading, writing, commenting
Indentured servitude
1st Vlog Attempt---boring, albeit successful
Cooking of turkey chili

8 Things I Love About Winter:
Sweaters and oversized clothing that conceals muffin top
Fires in the fireplace
Hot chocolate with mini marshmellows
Not sweating 24/7
Not having to schlep my kids and various toys, etc. to the pool, apply gallons of sunscreen, wear swimsuit
Fewer hours of daylight, therefore easier to convince children to go to bed earlier.
Snow (but not too much of it)
Snuggling

8 Things on My Wish List:
A wife
A mini Potbelly pig
Alone time
Quiet
A fast-forward button
A nanny
Books--lots on my "to be read" list
Sweets without any calories that taste good and aren't bad for you

8 Things I'm Passionate About:
Blogging
Reading
Writing
Peace (World and domestic, if you know what I mean.)
A clean house
Being Green
Helping others
My Judaism

8 Words/Phrases I Use Often:
No!
Goddamnit!
That's ridiculous!
Blog
crazy!
Please don't do that.
Not tonight.
Maybe tomorrow.

8 Things I've Learned From the Past:
Life isn't fair.
Blogging rocks!
Bad things happen in three's, four's, five's, etc.
Don't hide your private candy stash where your kids can easily find it.
Doritos and donuts won't make me happy (okay, maybe temporarily)
Love doesn't make the world go round---Blogging does!
I was a Great Mom before I had kids.
Some of my best friends may be people I haven't yet met, or people I just met.

8 Things I Currently Want/Need:
A personal chef
A lobotomy
A massage
A pedicure
A facial
More hours in the day
A good shrink
Supernanny

8 People I'd Like to Tag:
Jenny Mac
Speaking of Witch
3! A Charm
Good Girl Gone Redneck
The Inquisitive Mom
Think Tank Momma
Our Daze in the Desert
Angel Believes...
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