Hey! I Wanted to Eat That!

Those of you who know me well, know that I hate to waste food.  Especially restaurant food.  Whether its the handful of fries that everyone tells me "you can't heat up," the left over veggies that didn't get eaten or the toast that I never touch at breakfast, I always have the urge to get them 'to-go' (even if they weren't on my plate). Add in the fact that I rarely ever finish a full restaurant meal, so I almost always get a second meal out of it). I'm not sure if it's that I paid for the food so I am definitely going to get my money's worth or if it's that I know that it's going straight into the garbage and directly to the landfill.

Either way... in my mind food waste = money waste.  Check out this video that I created for my ecopreneurship class!

Plus... there is just so much you can do with left overs. Cut up the fries, toss them in the frying pan to crisp up, add veggies and an egg and Voila... Breakfast! Add a chicken breast to left over pasta and you have another meal.  The possibilities are endless so why not take advantage of them.

Here is my issue though... The containers. I really don't need a giant-sized Styrofoam or plastic take out container that for a little bit of food.  And to make matters worse... We can't even recycle these in Halton so when I get home I have to throw the container in the garbage anyways.  For me it turns into a toss up.  Do I waste the food (and the money) or do I waste the container?

In most cases, my desire to get another meal out of my purchase wins, so to combat this I have, on many occasions, brought a container with me. Now even though my purse is ginormous so that I can hold my water bottles and coffee mugs, toting a large container around on top of all that can be quite a pain! So instead I have been on the hunt for an alternative.

In my research, I've seen many people keep ziplocks in their bags, but because using less ziplocks this year is my resolution... I'm choosing to avoid that one. I could keep on of my lunchskin bags in my purse, but most meals would either end up smushed or result in food being spread throughout the inside of my purse. Not ideal! 

I recently came across an article on the We Hate To Waste web site called 'The Future of Doggie Bags' (http://www.wehatetowaste.com/doggie-bags/) and I found the solution to all of my food problems... Collapsible Silicone Containers! You know, like the collapsible strainers etc. Toss it in my purse before heading out to eat and it won't take up a ton of space and then pop it open and fill it with food before I leave.  It seems like the perfect solution!

I haven't purchased anything yet - I was trying to look for them at some of my local shops downtown but came up dry. So now I just have to find the right brand and order it online. I'm excited! Has anyone seen these around, or have them at home? Any other ideas to deal with your leftovers?

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!

Last Minute Gifts That Will Change Lives

Surprise! The world didn't end today... We are all still here but now we face a new dilemma. All of those presents we were putting off buying because 'the world is going to end anyways' are now needed!

The idea of facing a mall this late in the game makes me nauseous and the chances of getting something you order online in time for Christmas is a little bit scarce! So what do you do?

You buy a goat of course! For years one of my good friends asks her family to buy a goat for a family in a third world country - I can't remember if she ever got her goat!

I thought about this when I was attempting to find something for a few members of my family who have everything. So I googled 'buying a goat' and came across the Oxfam Unwrapped web site.

I was amazed by the amount of options they had. Not only could I buy a goat or a chicken or a sheep. I could also buy seeds, plant trees, provide education about HIV and AIDS and clean drinking water etc. Fantastic! My mom was just given a bee hive from one of her classmates. They have options for all budgets!

If you prefer to give back in your community, make a donation in the name of the receiver! Or donate to something of importance to that person - humane society for the animal lover, local school for the teacher etc.

If you still want to make sure they have something to open on Christmas morning, buy them something small and wrap that. Or wrap up the piece of paper that tells them about the amazing donation that you made for them.

Not only will they appreciate your uniqueness... Many more people will benefit from your creative generosity!

Wrap it Up!

So you've finished (hopefully) all of your Christmas shopping and now it is time to wrap. You could go out and spend more of your money on wrapping paper and tape, bows and ribbon (most of which will just end up in the trash) OR you could chose to go green with your gift wrapping this year.

Now, when I hear the term Eco-friendly gift wrapping, my mind automatically goes to boring boxes wrapped up in old newspaper. However, as I have recently discovered Eco-friendly wrap can be quite pretty. It just takes a little bit of creativity and items that you may have lying around the house. Not only will you eliminate a lot of the garbage produced by your family Christmas, but you will also save money too!

If you want to go the newspaper route, add a nice ribbon to make it look festive. You can use the comic section for wrapping children's toys or for something a little different, use old maps instead... maybe from a recent vacation or a trip you are planning to take. For a fun grandparents gift, wrap your presents in scrap paper and have the kiddies decorate the packages!

For those of you who are fantastic scrapbookers, use plain brown paper bags and jazz them up with fun paper cut outs, ribbon, glitter etc. You can also cut the bags up and fold them around your boxes like this... And once the presents are unwrapped the bags can be tossed in the recycle bin. You can even make your own bows to put on your presents!

Using fabric can also add a special touch... Use old clothes and pillow cases and tie them ribbon.  For big presents use a sheet! You can use the wrap over again or donate it when Christmas is over... Either way it will look great under your tree.

Fill a reusable cookie tin with hot chocolate, cookies or other home made treats.  Create a gardening themed gift by filling a watering can with hand tools, pruners and seeds and top it off with some tissue paper. No need for wrapping paper!

For those of you who are less creative, all is not lost! Instead of wrapping paper... just use gift bags and tissue paper instead.  Super Simple! They can be re-used over and over again and the tissue paper can be thrown into the green bin when you are done with it!

And if wrapping paper is truly what you want to stick with... not a problem!  Just try to find wrapping paper that is not only made from recycled material but also can be recycled (most paper has to go in the trash).  You can also find biodegradable wrapping paper that can be put in the green bin or compost bin!

For more eco-friendly wrapping ideas Try this Web Site! The key is to have some fun with it... and no matter what you create your friends and family will have tons more fun unwrapping it!

Keeping it Real... The Tree That Is!

There is a great debate amongst Christmas tree owners about whether an artificial or a real tree will make or break their holiday season. For many people, the decision is deeply personal and they are not afraid to make their opinions known. These days, artificial trees are being made to look more realistic and more convenient, with lights already on the tree and more authentic looking branch tips. Even though the artificial trees popularity has grown, when it comes down to environmental impact... KEEPING IT REAL comes out on top! 
    

Now going out and chopping down a tree does seem to be a really UN-environmentally friendly option, but when compared to the alternative... real is the way to go. Most artificial trees are made from plastics, which not only use a lot of oil to make but also create a lot of emissions throughout the manufacturing process. On the other hand, most Christmas trees are grown on tree farms. These farms not only sequester carbon dioxide, they are also often located in areas that are unusable for other crops, like the areas under power lines. 

Some may argue that artificial trees, when used year after year, do not generate the same amount waste that real trees create. True... However, artificial trees are made from non-renewable resources and will eventually end up in the trash while real Christmas trees are biodegradable. Many municipalities have designated Christmas tree pick up days in January, and the trees are converted to mulch and compost. 

Real Christmas trees are not without their flaws. Tree farms can consume large amounts of water and often use pesticides and fertilizers to keep the trees looking healthy - you can check with your local tree farmer to see what chemicals they use. Also, as is the case in my family, some people are allergic to the real trees so choose what works best for your family!

The most environmentally friendly type of tree, besides forgoing the tree this year, is to buy a potted tree or a tree with roots intact so it can be replanted after Christmas. Here’s the downside, this type of tree should only be kept inside for about a week, and has to be very well cared for or it will die and your efforts will be wasted. As I have little luck when it comes living things, I am staying away from this option. 

Another important thing to remember if you still haven’t gotten out to get your tree is to shop locally. Not only will you save gas but you will also help reduce the impact of your Christmas tree. If you are buying a tree from a store or a tree lot, keep in mind the distance that the tree has traveled. And if you do choose a real Christmas tree make you sure you keep it well watered to reduce the risk of it drying out and catching fire.  

What type of Christmas tree does your family have?