OT - being green

That is pretty much what happened here. I had no idea how to go about making a garden bed & just wanted a few plants. The pool had some cracks in the bottom so it was basically garbage so I just dumped some fertilizer & top soil in, then transplanted my sprouts. They are doing really well; I have tomatos, cabbage, bell peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, squash, cantelope, watermelon & strawberries.

The t-shirt bag is a really good idea. I actually made one a while back after seeing it on Pinterest. I didn't even think about using them for a grocery bags (I use it for yard sales & flea markets). I will have to whip up a bunch more & start using those. Thanks!

I can't stand the use of bug spray on my body...totally stinky yuk. I make my own with coconut oil to fill a small jelly jar, add fennel, citronella & eucalyptus oils..about 15 drops of each. Mixing the essential oils is easy if you melt the coconut oil in the microwave first, then refridgerate to solidify after mixing. It works pretty well for me, and the dogs. Won't harm the dogs when they lick it off each other either. I've also kicked up the composting....I use my shredded paper for mulch in the garden...just be sure to wet it after dumping around the plants or it blows away! I've always been a recyling hound, and have donated all my old clothes, and household goods instead of throwing away. I do have to remember to unplug "the house" when tucking in for the night....will definitely have to get better at that, and saving money is always a plus.

I hate bug spray too!  I hardly ever use it because I hate the smell and how it feels on my skin.  Plus, you know, it has toxic chemicals in it.  Does the stuff you make smell good?  Is it like a lotion kind of consistency?

I do a lot of the things listed on here, but always feel like I need to do more. I use crocheted market bags for my produce, cloth grocery bags, reuse lots of containers, make my own laundry detergent and cleaners, etc.

I had the water company come out and they installed water saver attachments to all my faucets and showers. That's been nice. Knowing that I am saving water. I also put a bottle full of sand in the basin of the toilet so that it fills with less water. Works just as well without using so much water.

I live in an apartment, but thought about doing a raised bed for a small garden right outside my front door. I have a small area that I could plant some stuff there. Just afraid some of the neighbors or kids might take my produce.

 I'm working on this. I recently decided being more green should be a higher priority for my household. Here's what I've done so far:

1. I shop at the farmer's market instead of getting produce at the grocery store.

2. I have an arsenal of reusable shopping bags that I use instead of plastic (tip: store them in the trunk of your car instead of in the house so you can always have one when you need one)

3. I installed those weird looking light bulbs

4. Unintentional at first, but the girls and I only shower every other day and five minutes max. This started when the girls were diagnosed with severe dry skin and their pediatrician advised me to stop bathing them daily. 

5. I save my produce scraps for a friend's compost pile (I dream of one day composting myself).

6. I recycle

7. I, like you, use mostly natural stuff to clean (salt makes a great scrubber, vinegar and baking soda clears a light clog, etc...)

Hmm..

We have converted all lights to LED's or those curly ones...sad, I know, but I can't remember what they are called now. 

We have an electronic thermostat programmed to regulate the temperature for when we are away or home.

We reuse all cardboard and packing materials.  Newspaper as well, either for window/mirror cleaning or cage liners. 

Make a lot of my own cleaning products. 

I have a plate, bowl, mug, plastic tumbler, fork and spoon here at work.  Bring in a cloth napkin.  This place buys styrofoam plates and cups for the office.  Shudder.  And yes, I campaign against it all the time. 

Reuse my plastic baggies if possible. 

I reuse or repurpose whenever I can. 

Have a set of reuseable shopping bags. 

I wish I could have a clothes line...HOA forbids them. 

Some of the highlights.