Getting Greenier...

Now that I have become more aware of all the harmful products, chemicals to our bodies and our earth it can be very overwhelming! Wanting to change it all now but time, money and reality have prevented that! I also work in a very "wasteful" environment that is harder for me now! I feel guilty about all the waste! I do feel like our family has done a good job with making some changes since the end of January! We have to make choices of what we can do and find what works for our family! I am always interested in learning and doing more! Share your thoughts and ideas with me! Here is our progress....I am always adding to my list!.

Our Green Wish List...

* Turn the thermostat up in the winter and down in summer months- I was amazed the money we saved in one month by doing this. We turned our thermostat down by 2 degrees.
* Light bulbs-We had a stock pile of light bulbs and as we run out I hope to change light bulbs
* Reduce Showers- I have tried this more and more but my routine seems to get the best of me! :(
* Curbside Recycling- we started this in February and LOVE it we are down to 1 -1 1/2 bags of trash each week and recycle the rest! It is amazing everything unsorted that can go in the huge recycling can that is provided to us. In Indy it is only $6 a month!
* Recycling hard to recycle things- below is as list of business that recycle batteries, computers and items that are "harder" to recycle. Methodist hospital also recycles batteries so I just keep a pile and bring them in to work every now and then.
* Compost- I have been looking into items and hoping to get one started now that it is getting nicer out.
* Have a Garden-once again looking at seedlings and such and hope to start this in the next month.
* More house plants
* Green Power- IPL makes it really easy to switch over to online. It estimates that it will only add $3.13 a month to your bill if you do 100%. We started with using 50% green power and it only added $1.04. I just changed it to 100%.
*Cool Cents summer program-get a $20 credit for doing this.
* Buy more organic, especially high pesticide fruits and veggies, meat/dairy no hormones, grain fed. Trader Joes organic lettuce fruits and veggies are priced great. Costco also sells many organic fruits and veggies, Purdue chicken, cage free organic eggs. Also ironically every time I buy raspberries (all berries are very high in pesticides and we love berries) at Super Target the organic ones are cheaper. Meijer also has their own brand of organics so that helps in reducing cost. 2 websites that has lots of information about this http://www.foodnews.org/ and http://www.organic-center.org/ Farmer Markets will be starting soon and I am excited!
* Cleaning Products-I use the Costco Eco Friendly Detergent and Fabric Softener, also the green works wipes. I like both of these products. I have tried 7th generation and another brand of dish soap. Also Eco Friendly dish washer detergent but haven't been completely thrilled with these products.
* Britta Water filter- for our drinking & cooking
* Less plastics bags, and paper plates (buy happysacks) I find myself reusing many plastics bags especially for "dry" items. I am also using all reusable containers as I pack Izabella lunch for school ones a week.
*Healthier Personal Products-I started using the Crystal deodorant, at first I wasn't sure about it but after talking to Amber and learning how she was using it I have been much happier with it. I also have bought the shaving cream from Trader Joe's that I like and it is Paraben free. I also got eye make up remover and face moisturizer from Whole Foods. I like the face moisturizer but not happy with they eye make-up remover. At Christmas I got lots of lotions and make-up so as I run out of these items I hope to change. This is another hard area for me. If anyone one has found a product the like please let me know. I just heard of a products called babyganics that I hope to try soon. Walmart and Babies R Us carry these items and right now Babies R Us is having a buy one get one sale.

Green-Things we have DONE
Orange-Things we are WORKING ON
Pink- Things we have NOT YET CHANGED but hope to.

Share with me your Green ideas !!!

What have you tried, have you found items or products you love???

Can't wait to hear your ideas!!!

Where to recycle the extra stuff
Home Depot - CFLs
Apple - computers
Staples - computers and peripherals, printers, other office electronics, rechargeable batteries, cell phones, printer cartridges
Best Buy - appliances, computers, televisions, cell phones, a/v equipment, batteries, and printer cartridges
Whole Foods - batteries