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Farm Kitchen:  How Green are You?  |
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kissmekate
True Blue Farmgirl
890 Posts
Kate
Delano
Minnesota
890 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 08 2007 : 9:23:57 PM
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I wasn't sure where to ask this, so if a mod wants to move it somewhere else appropriate, please do so and forgive a newbie.
How "green" are you at your house? That is to say, eco-friendly.
Feel free to share your favorite links. (If that is okay?)
Here is what we do at our house:
I have recently gone as organic as possible. As we are using up conventional things, we are are replacing it with its natural/organic counterpart whenever its feasible or practical.
I recycle anything my local center will take. I even recycle at work and bring it home to recycle, because my company doesn't.
We have CFL's in every fixture/lamp possible. We got most for free from our local power company this spring.
I re use my paper bags (if I get one/some) from the grocery store for my recycling.
I also bring reusable bags to the store to use or skip bags entirely if they aren't necessary.
I bring my own lunch to work, and use cloth napkins and metal forks/spoons/knives.
I try NOT to use disposable utensils/paper plates /napkins whenever possible.
I hang clothes outside on the line whenever possible, or will airdry what I can inside in the winter.
I also use eco friendly laundry soap, cleansers and dish soap.
I replaced my vinyl shower curtain liner with a polyester one. When it is dirty, I just throw it in the washer, instead of throwing it out. I doesn't leach PVC gas fumes.
I don't let the water run while I wash dishes or brush my teeth.
We have a filtered pitcher for water.
This stemmed from my dog refusing to drink our tap water, and I was tired of trying to remember to pick up bottled water. Now we all drink it. LOL
I reuse water bottles a few times too before I chuck them into the recycle bin.
I try to use post consumer paper products: i.e. paper towels and tp.
I am guilty of running the a/c at the slightest hint of humidity/heat because I am a wuss. But I have a programmable thermostat that is worth its weight in gold. It saved the cost of itself the first summer.
I have a long-ish commute, so I do have to drive quite a bit. I will run errands during lunch so I don't have to drive back to the cities to do them.
I drive a smaller sedan because I can't afford a hybrid (would love a Saturn VUE!!) at this time.
To save paper,I get my bills emailed to me, and payments are direct withdrawn from my checking account.
I also have gone on that list to reduce junk mail.
My favorite websites are the following:
http://www.greenpeople.org/
http://www.idealbite.com/
http://www.annies.com/
http://www.burtsbees.com/
http://www.seventhgeneration.com/
http://www.fullcirclefoods.com/
http://www.methodhome.com/
http://www.traderjoes.com/
Most of this stuff was/is painless to change and/or do.
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2007 : 05:05:57 AM
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OK, I'll bite.
I do some of the things you mention above, plus:
Groceries and Food
* I've been knitting string bags to take with me to the grocery instead of taking those plastic ones.
* If I do have to take a few plastic bags home because I don't have enough bags with me, I try to reuse the bag.
* I raise an organic garden and preserve my produce
* I try to buy local food including visiting my local farmer's market whenever I can
* I patronize the local meat market that just opened in the bedroom community near us, or I have locally-raised meat processed by a local processor for my freezer
* I stay out of the grocery store as much as possible to avoid impulse purchases
* I buy fair-trade or organic or shade-grown coffee exclusively (I drink a lot of coffee)- and I make it myself instead of going to Starbucks.
* I make my own bread instead of buying it at Panera
Electricity
* I turn off my computer at night (this is hard for me- I hate waiting for it to boot)
* My husband installed motion-detector lights in my craft room - if I leave the room and forget to turn out the lights, they go out after 20 minutes - sometimes they go out when I am still there, LOL
* I unplug, or put on an outlet strip with an on-off switch, things I'm not using that are parasitic electricity users (cell phone chargers, battery rechargers, DVD players, bread machine, coffee maker, etc.) Many of these things have digital clocks. They each use a small amount of electricity whenever they are plugged in, whether or not they are being used.
Clothing
* I stay away from big designer brand names in clothing purchases (except Birkenstocks)
* I buy washable clothes instead of dry-cleanable for business clothing
* I select cotton and wool instead of polyester and acrylic when possible
* I look for made-in-USA clothing products
Hard goods
* I buy used things at auctions instead of buying new all the time
Fuel and Automotive
* Guess I flunk this one, my mini-SUV Aztek only gets 18 mpg and I don't ride my bike nearly enough...
* We do collect the used oil and give it to someone who heats his shop with a used oil burner
* My husband does repairs himself and makes my car last much longer than it would otherwise - I am looking at Flex-fuel (E85) vehicles for when it does finally need replaced
* My next care will be made-in-USA (at least assembled in USA...)
General
* I try to be content with what I have, instead of wanting more all the time
* I go to the library or buy used books instead of new
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4759 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4759 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2007 : 06:42:44 AM
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After reading both your lists, I see I'm doing a lot of the same things to be green as you both are. I also picked up a few tips from both of you to start doing as well. Thanks for posting this. It helps to learn new ways to be "Green".
Dawn in IL |
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mima
True Blue Farmgirl
1573 Posts
1573 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2007 : 07:32:39 AM
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Lets see...I try really hard on this one!
Compact flourescents
Hang my laundry
Wash clothes in cold water
Walk or ride bike everywhere! Try to drive as little as possible
Buy from our local farmers market
Cloth napkins and rags instead of paper towels
Have a garden
Recycle everything!
Try to repurpose things
Buy clothing at thrift stores
Bring my own cloth bags to the grocery store
As much as I can get away with(my hubby is a huge carnivore) Eat vegetarian!!
I'm sure theres more but it's all so natural now that I don't even think about it!!
It really is easy being green!!!! |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2007 : 12:40:21 PM
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We use a tap water filter and refill water bottles all the time. I probably keep them too long, but I hate throwing all those bottles away. Am looking for a stainless steel bottle, but have not found one I like.
Our grocery store recycles their plastic bags, so we always return them as we go into the store the next time.
I handwash most of my dishes...run the dishwasher maybe once a week.
I buy very inexpensive clothing, and watch for sales.
I do not go to the hairdresser. I never get manicures, pedicures or facials. Despite this, I really don't look that bad! :)
I have made a route of the grocery store, bank, gasoline station, our church, and my daughter's house, and keep my other driving to a minimum.
We both drive 10 year old cars, and have no car payments. Mine is a Volvo and is extremely gas efficient.
We have two AC units, but only run one at a time, depending on which floor we are on that day. The upstairs unit (the least lived in part of the house) is turned to 80 and 68. In Florida, AC is a challenge.
I do all my laundry in cold water, and hang some things. It is so humid here, line drying is about impossible.
I buy local veggies, and organic, and natural fabrics for my clothes.
Things I would like to get better at doing:
Not using plastic garbage bags
Using natural cleaning products
Growing more food
Spending less on impulse
All the lists here are so helpful and also help me to get re-energized about doing more!
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2007 : 4:28:34 PM
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I LOVE THIS TOPIC
I am a freak about this - I have been an organic farm for eleven years. We use no pestisides or chemicals in the running of this farm. In fact a lot of the farms around here thought I was Amish. I have a 94 Ford truck but it gets better gas mileage then most midsize cars. I only travel off the farm once a week and do all my errands and appointments at that time. I only eat at a few select places because they purchase their foods within 100 miles. That is only once in a blue moon.
I do not do cell phones, cable TV, AC or use a Dyer. I was all my clothes in cold water and hang them. I have not had a piece of clothing for 12 years that requires dry cleaning. I purchase only clothing that is from select companies that use organic products and fair labor practices. I think I have purchased four pieces in three years and that was because I lost weight and my jeans fell around my ankles while walking in the fields. I do get my hair cut by a wonderfully lady who is trying to support five kids but she is in my circle of driving and that is every six months. I purchase foods by local growers I would say 95% of the time but do purchase organic bananas which do not grown here in Colorado. Other supplies is only thru my local organic co-op and only with the least amount of packaging, most of the time we bring our own containers and such. I have canvas bags to bring home things in. I use any cans for starter plants or crafts, the glass is reused for storage or recylced. If there is paper or cardboard I shredd it and put it in the chicken coop as bedding and when they are done using and pooping on it it goes into the compost for the earthworms. I have 10 hens who provide me, my dogs and customers with wonderful eggs. I produce organically raised fiber animals of which I sell the fiber, dye it (Plants dyeds for most)spin it, felt it and many other types of products related to fiber arts. I raise all my animals with herbal remedies only.
I use my library alot. You will find me each week with about a dozen books and a few movies. I too have the routine of turning everything off and also love the dark so I do not use much in electricty except I do have outside lights for my barn to keep preditors away. I do have two energy freezer because I make almost everything. I do my own baking and also sun dry fruits and vegies. I eat very little meat but when I do I purchase from other organic breeders within my 100 mile circle.
I love hearing what others do - keep sharing everyone.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/larkspurfunnyfarm |
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jo Thompson
True Blue Farmgirl
603 Posts
Jo
the mountainside of the Chugach
in Alaska
USA
603 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2007 : 6:04:48 PM
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Yeah Gracie! We're doing the same, we had a no purchase summer, I did pick up a baby high chair at a garage sale and then recycled it to someone else. We bake our own bread, eat subsistence salmon, and are trying to absolutely wear stuff out before we buy new. We vacuum pack summer food produced here and freeze more I'm going to make my own dehydrator so that I don't have to have one "shipped to alaska". We've eaten organic for a very long time.....
We're adding raised beds in the spring, dry our heavier things on racks and dry in our dryer "necessities". I exercised ""eminent domain", took away my husband's storage shed and it's being remodelled into a chicken coop. We don't often eat red meat but do love lamb.
I'm trying to use up all my crafting things instead of buying more and more, but of course, "turquoise island" is my favorite yarn!
I know I'm doing better when there is only a little garbage left after a week.......... jo
"life is drab without a lab"
http://web.mac.com/thomja/ |
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jo Thompson
True Blue Farmgirl
603 Posts
Jo
the mountainside of the Chugach
in Alaska
USA
603 Posts |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2007 : 10:10:45 PM
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Fun!
Ok,
I recycle everything our recycling people will take
I make my own cleaning products, out of natural things, biodegradeable things, all can be found discussed among these forums
I buy clothing second hand, well, except for undies and socks :)
I try to make our (knit) necessary garments for winter months
DH and I built a raised vege bed this spring, and it's served us VERY well
What I don't grow, I buy from local farmers
I can excess produce for our "larder"
We buy antibiotic and hormone free beef and pork from a local farm
We don't have cell phones
We don't have cable
We utilize the cool new saver bulbs in our lamps
We share a car, to work and back
I use an LL Bean canvas boat and tote for groceries, and a huge market basket for the farmers market instead of plastic
I usually shop daily for our supper, doing local mom & pops that cater to fresh produce and healthier meats--stay away from big box stores!!!
I use my library for most everything, except when I really want to keep something and I find it at Half Price Books
I compost
I cut my own hair
I never dry clean--cold water and hanging and shaping do just fine
Unless an absolute necessity, we live with what we have, and try to not want more
I turn of lights every time I leave a room
I don't leave water running when I brush my teeth
I'm sure there are others, but I'm just getting started. I learn more and more everyday from you gals!!!!
"She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian. |
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kissmekate
True Blue Farmgirl
890 Posts
Kate
Delano
Minnesota
890 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2007 : 11:22:07 PM
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Oh thanks, for sharing!!! I am learning so much where I can improve.
I don't have cable. I think it is too expensive and I don't watch much tv anyways. I'd rather watch movies/dvd/tv shows(on dvd) I absolutely love. That and I have enough to compete with when it comes to the kids seeing oustside.
And we have dial up, because I am not very picky on how fast my internet service is.
I would love a veggie garden, but seem to only be able to grow weeds and kids. :)
I joke that I have a black thumb.
I am going to keep trying though. Same for composting. I have to find a creative way to make a compost bin. I am not very handy, and can't afford the store bought ones at Lowe's or Home Depot. I think 100+ bucks for a glorified trash can is way too much, and I am trying to avoid plastic.
I am also considering one of those "manual" lawn mowers too.
I too, shop at goodwill/thrift stores for our clothing/household needs. Just today I purchased a cooler on wheels I "needed" to lug food/beverage stuff to/from the Ren Fest I work at. It just needed some soap and hot water. It was exactly what I wanted and it was only ten bucks. I figure it saved me thirty or forty bucks and sore arms.
Otherwise I either go without or buy new if it absolutely necessary.
Our little town has a farmer's market. But since the yuppies invaded our little town almost everything is gone by the time I get home from work to buy anything. But, I will keep trying.
My little town is goofy, we have a larger grocery that charges a lot for their products and they are usually inferior. The Mom and Pop store that was here, closed because of the said larger store. I rarely shop there for groceries, but we will rent movies from there, they are only 99 cents for one week and are right up the road, so walking isn't a problem!
I do most of my grocery shopping friday nights (pay day) after work and hit Super Target and Trader Joes in a nearby town in one fell swoop. (If super target doesn't have what I need, usually Joe's does)
I try to stay in the perimeter of the store when I shop, and be as brief as possible, or I tend to wander over to parts of the store that like my check card.
I rarely wash in anything other than cold water.
I love the motion detectors in the craft room. I might consider putting those in the kitchen here, since I seem to be the only one capable of shutting the lights off. LOL.
I used to be a pack rat, which was overwhelming my tiny house. Slowly, I got rid of a LOT of "stuff" and now have surrounded myself with "stuff" I absolutely love. If it enters my house, I better really need it or love it.
Keep sharing ladies, I love learning of other ways I can be more earth friendly.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
Edited by - kissmekate on Sep 09 2007 11:27:55 PM |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Sep 10 2007 : 09:26:48 AM
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This morning at our organic food co-op, I found a water bottle that does not leach toxins, can be used over and over, and is easy to handle. It is also clear, so I can see how much is in it. It is made of polycarbonate, from a company named Enviro Products. I am hoping that there is nothing bad about polycarbonate! :)
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
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Farm Kitchen: How Green are You? |
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How Green are You?
