Green Update

So, I'm in full swing with the green thing... I thought I would blog about some of the things I've done lately (ok, in like the last 2 days) and some of the things I've already been doing for a while (I figured they still count).

First, a thought on the whole process.... I've really been thinking lately about how much I LOVE to bargain shop. I'd rather go to an estate/garage sale, goodwill, thrift store, small junk shop, antique store, etc. and find a ridiculous deal on something that has a lot of character than buy something new. I also love to handmake gifts and household stuff and cook. So why am I buying new junk at the mall all the time, eating out, and buying junk food at the store? First, I think it's easier, but second, and more importantly, I think I really buy in to the whole consumerism thing. I'm blindly doing what everyone else does and not realizing that it actually robs me of true happiness. I truely think that bargain shopping and buying old stuff and cooking and crafting ar the things that stir my affections for the Lord.

Anyway, I hope I don't sound judgemental to anyone. This was just a personal realization/decision and something that I'm very excited about. I'm posting what I did so hopefully someone else can get some ideas if they are interested...

So, in light of that, here's what I've done so far:

1. Washed my clothes on cold

2. Gathered up all my reuseable grocery bags

3. Bought a skirt at Plato's closet (a resale clothes shop)

4. Planted a big garden

5. Joined Freecycle (a webiste in Denton where people post stuff they want to give away)

6. Started doing the majority of my grocery shopping at Sprouts, the Cupboard, Whole Foods, etc

7. Bought 7th generation (healthy, non-chemical, recycled) laundry soap, all-purpose cleaner, toilet paper and paper towels.

8. Refused to turn on the AC most times and then only at 80 degrees

9. Work from home (I drive a lot less and use less of the company's resources)

10. Bought glass food storage containers (to decrease my consumtion of BPA, which there's a good article about here)

11. Trying to be BPA free (no more Nalgene bottle, water bottles, less canned food, no more tupperware, etc).

12. Bought organic shampoo/conditioner

13. Have been using somewhat organic makeup

14. Shop craigslist/ebay/goodwill before buying something new

15. Making my own food from scratch, and using organic foods when I can.

16 Using a clothesline to dry my clothes (see pics)

So, yes, my clothesline is about to drag the ground. Apparently on my own I don't have enough strength to cinch it up tight enough...and that silly rope has a lot of give!

Also, garden update below. I know it doesn't look like much change, but the tomatoes are much taller and blooming, and now the squash, arugala, basil, okra, carrots and potatoes are all sprouting and looking very happy (thanks to the consistent rains we've had).

Tomorrow my big undertaking is going to be weeding the entire garden, clipping down wild tree saplings that sprang out of nowhere and mowing the yard.