Friday, March 30, 2007

scrub-a-dub


sometimes, all it takes is a friendly reminder (or seven), at the point of usage, to nudge us into the habit of water consciousness.

so let's start with shower time. yes, the day finally comes when you’re little ones are old enough to shower on their own. problem is, once they’re in, it can be tough to get them out. and, let’s be honest, haven’t we all lost track of time once or twice while lingering in the warmth of a nice, hot shower?

while, at first, this may seem a little militant, this is a great place for a timer! but - like i said - sometimes we all need reminders that it’s time to “wrap it up.” besides, this is a great opportunity for a family contest, and we all know how motivating those can be.

get yourself a digital timer, and track everyone’s shower time for the week. the person with the lowest time for the week is rewarded. of course, there need to be some ground rules: your 11-year-old son managing to fly below the radar and not shower for a few days and your 9-year-old daughter emerging from the bathroom with conditioner caked in her hair doesn’t qualify… in fact, these are automatic DQs! also, showers must include silly things like… oh… i don't know... soap, maybe?

seriously, though, you'll be amazed at how much more efficient shower time becomes in your house, not to mention how much water you'll save.

Friday, March 23, 2007

can you live without your computer for a day?

seems like a simple enough question, don't it? being the electronically addicted gal that i am, the answer isn't quite so simple. what if there's an email that just can't wait (as if!)? how will i go a day without seeing what's up at lime and treehugger... ? what if my laptop gets lonely?

ok... breathe... i can do this... i can do this...

and so can you... can't you?

Friday, March 16, 2007

music to my ears...

how many of us have cracked, mucked-up, UNRECYCLABLE plastic cd cases clogging up our desks? yours truly has oodles... but what can one do?

enter RESLEEVE, a cd sleeve that's made of rigid chip board, which consists of 100% recycled fibers (56% post-consumer/44 post-industrial). This cool idea comes from sustainable group, which makes all sorts of environmentally responsible office supplies, including binders and folders.

rumors are flying that a major record label is planning to replace its jewel cases with these puppies. what a nifty way to save space (not to mention the landfills)!

DIG it!

Sunday, March 11, 2007

junk mail *this*!

i've had it with all the junk mail crud that fills my mailbox every day... and i bet you have, too! i don't need another credit card, i'm happy with my car insurance, and i already get enough catalogs from companies i actally order from... not to mention how much paper is used to try to sell me things i don't want... (4 million tons of junk mail are produced yearly -- 100 million trees destroyed- and $320 million of local taxes are used to dispose of this unsolicited mail each year.)... enough already!

to the rescue comes 41pounds.org, an organization that -- for just $41 --
contacts 20 to 30 direct mailers on your behalf to stop 80 to 95 percent of the bulk mail that comes to your home every day. In addition, 41pounds.org donates over 50 percent of its profits to support environmental organizations, schools and other not for profit groups... so everyone wins.

i LIKE it!

Monday, March 5, 2007

it's in the jeans...

man, i've been looking all over the place for *affordable* organic cotton jeans (sorry, edun, i'm a mom and maybe i'm cheap, but i don't consider $150 a realistic price for jeans... period...)

anyhoo... levi's has come out with a line of organic jeans, some of which are well priced... so i took a gamble and ordered a pair... LOVE THEM! besides lacking all those nasty chemicals, these jeans are soft and super comfy... and the fit is great!

you can find loomstate jeans at some reasonable prices on sites like bluefly, so if you're not a levi's fan, you can look around for some good deals.