Every Drop Counts

I have been programmed from a very young age to be concerned about water. As I said in my first post, We ran out of water far too frequently and had to conserve where we could. Turning off the shower to soap and shampoo, flushing the toilet every other time, etc.

When we renovated our house, we switched to low-flow toilets, updated taps and a front loading washing machine. Even with an extra bathroom, these things made a world of difference.

If these solutions seem a little too pricey and the prospect of the 'every other flush' makes you queasy... Do Not Fret... There is another way...

Here are a few simple things that you can do around the house to help make 'every drop counts':

• SIMPLY USE LESS - Make sure that you and your family are shutting off the water when they don't need it. When you brush your teeth, wash your face, in the shower etc. Only run the dishwasher and the washing machine when they are full and don't run the water when you are washing the dishes.  Take shorter showers,

• LISTEN - Listen for the drip, drip, drip of a leaky faucet. Sometimes you may not have turned the faucet off all the way... but in other cases you may have a leak. So if you are handy, try and tighten everything up... if you are like me, find someone handier and ask nicely!

• ADD SOME AIR - Reduce your water consumption by adding low-flow aerators and shower heads. Aerators spread out the water stream to reduce water use while maintaining performance. This can reduce your water use by more than 30% and most faucet aerators cost around $2-$5.

• DON'T FLUSH IT AWAY - Instead of spending money on a new low flow toilet, you can just add something heavy (a brick, a container filled with water, etc.) in the tank of your toilet.  This will reduce the amount of water needed to fill the tank and limit the amount of water that you flush away.

• CHECK FOR LEAKS - Put some food colouring in the tank of your toilet.  If you find your toilet water changing colour that you have a leak. Fixing this can often be as simple as purchasing a new stopper (for around $10). If that doesn't fix your leak, contact a plumber. It can save you up to 1,000 gallons each month.

• SAVE WHAT YOU CAN - Try saving water where you can... Water that your guests do not drink, that you use to boil an egg, that you use to rinse fruit with can all be used to water flowers! 

Water is becoming one of the most precious commodities and every drop counts... so do your part save what you can! 

My Green Resolution

My Green Resolution this year - reduce the amount of plastic ziplock bags I use to store food. When I was back at school, I got very good at this but since I've moved back home I have found myself slipping... This has got to change!

Surprisingly, this is a really easy change to make and it will save you money as well! Instead of using a bag once and throwing it out you can make the switch to reusable containers and bags - with very little cost.

Every person I know has a stash of reusable plastic containers in their cupboards... the lucky ones even have some glass ones tucked away.  So instead of a ziplock bag, store your leftovers in those containers and take them with you in your lunch to work, or send them to school with your kids favourite snack inside!

As much as I love containers, I find that if I were to bring a container for every item that I pack in my lunch I would have to bring at least two lunch bags to hold them all. For some items (like veggies, almonds, snack foods etc) containers can be a little bulky. Instead, I use reusable sandwich bags.

I ordered mine from www.lunchskins.com and I love them! They velcro shut, they can go straight in the dishwasher, they sit flat when they are empty (therefore they take up little space) and the best part... they come in all different sizes and colours. LOVE!!

There are many other different brands of bags. Some close with velcro, others zipper shut.. they come in different shapes and sizes.  For Christmas I received a sandwich wrap bag that you can adjust to the size of your sandwich. Handy! I've shown the instructions here.

There are lots of different options... you just have to go out and find them. I have seen many groupons and wag jags etc for bags like this so keep an eye out - or look up coupons online - so that you can get the best deal!

Somethings to keep in mind 

• If you are going to be microwaving your food, try to use glass containers. Plastic containers break down in the microwave and can leech chemicals into your food. 
• Also make sure you don't put juicy/messy foods into your reusable bags - they will wreak havoc on your lunch bag! 

Keep at it and you will be amazed at how few ziplock bags you will go through and how much money you will save in 2013 and beyond!

What is your Green Resolution??

For more easy ways to make a difference this year, check out this article:

http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/responsible-living/stories/10-easy-green-new-years-resolutions-for-the-eco-slacker

My Green Team!

I'm super impressed with my family and friends this year. Clearly, they have been reading my blog! I got some great 'environmental gifts'. Not only did I receive Contigo water bottles and green beaver body products and tooth paste; I was also given some amazing make-up brushes made of bamboo and a reusable sandwich wrap (shown here) that I have never seen before.

They also did an amazing job in the eco-friendly wrapping department!  Take a look.  I'm very proud!!

Here is my attempt...
with my handmade bows of course!