Your Home, Green

Source: Ann Archer of MSN Real Estate

"Here are 10 more easy ways to green your home:

1. Green up your appliances. Getting rid of that old refrigerator in the garage could save you as much as $150 a year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Appliance use comprises about 18% of a typical home’s total energy bill, with the fridge being one of the biggest energy hogs. If any of your appliances is more than 10 years old, the EPA suggests replacing them with energy-efficient models that bear their "Energy Star" logo. Energy Star-qualified appliances use 10%-50% less energy and water than standard models. According to the Energy Star site, if just one in 10 homes used energy-efficient appliances, it would be equivalent to planting 1.7 million new acres of trees.

Also, consider what you put in that energy-efficient refrigerator. Pesticides, transportation and packaging are all things to consider when stocking up. Buying local cuts down on the fossil fuels burned to get the food to you while organic foods are produced without potentially harmful pesticides and fertilizers.

2. Watch the temp. Almost half a home's energy consumption is due to heating and cooling. 

Host a Green Party!

Everybody loves a great party. Good food, great drinks, the decor, the music, the small details... everything plays an important role when hosting an event. Just like after Mardi Gras in New Orleans, you know how great your party was according to the amount of trash that resulted from it, but does it always have to be this way? Let's change that.

Party food: 
There are several options for an eco-licious menu for your event. Stick to seasonal products that are locally grown or produced. This way you reduce your carbon footprint, and you help support local farmers. You don't have to be a rural resident to enjoy those products. Look, for example, at what one of these urban farms ais achieving:  http://www.growingpower.org. You can find one close to you, check out this site for more info: http://www.localharvest.org/


Drinks: 
Guests can be very particular about their drinks of choice, but you can provide them with natural mixers (fresh squeezed orange or lime juice, for example), and by keeping the same glass throughout the party. A quick wash will keep the stacks of plastic cups to a minimum. Use fabric napkins instead of paper ones, and use bamboo coasters. Also, sticking to beverages like wine will help reduce the need for ice, or the constant use of the refrigerator.

Décor:
Ever since minimalism came back to style, decor can be simple and tasteful. Reusing your own materials in a different way, using biodegradable decoration elements, or DIY decorations made with reused home materials can make your party look and feel cozy, stylish, and chic!

Mason jars, ribbon, and wildflowers is very shabby chic; a glass vase with a long stem leaf is quite minimalist; small terracota pots with planted herbs can look incredibly interesting! Add a few beeswax candles, and fold an old curtain to work as a table runner, and you've got a party!

If it's a dinner party you're having, don't mind asking your guests to BYOB (Bring your own bowl) to take some leftovers home, and some Vino, which doesn't require ice (nor the constant use of the fridge).

Have a great [green] party & enjoy! 

Yummy In Your Tummy!

As the new year approaches, you'll often find yourself surrounded by people who are making dietary promises for the next year for several reasons: weight loss (most common), health improvement, required diet adjustments, or a desired change to the food routine. (Sound familiar?)

As a reformed foodie in progress, I can tell you that about ten years ago there was NO WAY that I'd touch a salad, or vegetable, and fruits were out of the question. It's like they were poisoned! Now, as you lift your jaw back up from the ground, let me clarify that my parents did as much as they could to convince me (and trick me) into eating fruits and veggies. There was a problem: neither tasted good. So imagine a kid sitting in front of a succulent chicken with red beans and white rice dish... with a side bowl of some sad looking, cold salad. Who wants to eat that?! Evidently, I didn't... for a while.

Come on, get crafty!

Part of my "auto-greenify"/"Triple-R" process has involved some creativity. I have an arts and crafts tendency (I know I'm not alone on this!), and I've been getting my hands on a couple of projects that were fun to make. I hope you enjoy today's "episode" of Recycle, Reuse, Reinvent. (As well as The Partridge Family's "Come on get happy!" tune)


Project #1: Our Signature Green Giftwrap 

Materials needed: 
-Newspaper sheet (black and white)
-Adhesive tape
-Silk single-colored ribbon*
(20" were used for this item, but it'll depend on the gift's size)
-Scallop Scissors
-Blank Index card

Process:
Place your gift in the center of the sheet, face down. Wrap the longer sides around it, one by one. Use a small piece of tape to secure them in the middle. Fold and tuck in the next two [shorter] sides, and secure each with a small piece of tape. Take out your ribbon and wrap it around the gift-  perpendicular to the longer side if it's rectangular. If it's square, go for the middle, or get creative. Wrap it around the gift, and turn it over. Tie the ribbon, and voilà! 

Remarks: 
This is incredibly easy, green, and quite a statement! I used a sheet from an old issue of The Wall Street Journal that I had around my house (the paper is thicker, so it folds better). The ribbon I used was from an old gift I was given (yes, I keep my ribbons, bags, and boxes). The note card you see there was made from a plain index card, I folded it in half, and then I trimmed off about 1/2" with a pair of scallop scissors. The note is hand written, and I added a color accent to match the ribbon.
What I loved about this giftwrap is that it is unique, and the black/white background with a nice punch of color to accent it makes it look very nice.  If you have never wrapped a gift before, here's a tutorial.
On a scale from 1-5, 5 being the highest level of difficulty, I'd give this project a 1.

Energy Bills & Green Living: A Perfect Match!

Energy usage and costs vary depending on the location and season. For some of us, however, energy is very expensive, and getting that bill every month can bring some unwanted anxiety to our day.

Good news is that, since you've gone green, there's a solution for that unwanted headache! If your energy bill is not high, consider going green anyway for the sake of the environment (You know, that friendly space that surrounds you), as our use of energy does have certain* side* effects*. (See 3 links) 

Let's get started! 

La Mode Vert : Très chic!

It is not unusual to think that "green fashion" translates to the visual idea of someone wearing produce. (lettuce bikini top, anyone?- see below)

Dead Puppies Couture?!

It has happened before, but I think we can all agree that it's a bit... impractical.  Another frequent misconception is that "green fashion" is limited to big, boring, bulky pieces. [yawn]

Although many of us wouldn't mind going to work in some nice cotton or bamboo lounge clothes, we must abide by the western business dress code. Also, we just like to look nice, in style, and put together. The most surprising aspect about all of this is that it is achievable without having to spend a month's salary, or get clothes that are very cheap, but not exactly traded fairly.

Let's not kid ourselves, fashion style is a very personal, and powerful thing. It speaks about your personality, your tendencies, your preferences, how you envision yourself, and it will certainly play a big role in making a good first impression.

An Actual "Happy Meal"

While you're in the awesome process of going green (we're so proud of you!), here's an eye-opening insight about our food industry, eating habits, and most importantly, our health!

It is somewhat scary to start wondering where the food we put in our bodies comes from (and where it's been prior to landing on our plates!), while also thinking about our busy schedule, the hundreds of things we must do at home after being out almost all day, our energy levels, stress, our loved ones, etc. We don't mean to overwhelm you with that reminder, but do know that when we learn about the side effects of what we eat, we do worry. A lot.