Sure it's trendy and everyone seems to be jumping on the band wagon. But no one really likes to admit that it is a chore. It's ok, the cat is out of the bag. Go ahead and let it all out. Sorting, removing labels, rinsing out cans ect. are unpleasant chores and basically a giant pain in the ass! But those of us that are committed do it anyway and feel like we shouldn't complain. Consider this your permission to be honest about your feelings regarding the tedious day to day task of reducing your impact on the planet. It's ok, you are not alone. Keep up the good work!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Nothing learned from history
If this were not so tragic and horrific, it would be hilarious!
Maybe THIS time the lessons will be learned. It's time to end our dependancy on petroleum, nothing good seems to come from it.
Posted by lolabuddha at 12:59 PM 0 comments
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Compost to reduce your waste
The EPA estimates that about 1/4 of the garbage that is put on the curb is compostable. Why ship this rich organic matter off to a landfill when it could be put to good use in your own back yard!?! There are hundreds of resources on the web to introduce you to the wonderful world of composting. In addition to tips from the EPA, there's composting 101 & how to compost to get you started. It's so easy these kindergartners did it.
Join the composting revolution and reduce your contribution to the waste stream. It's time to harvest your organic waste and turn it into a valuable resource!
Posted by lolabuddha at 6:38 PM 0 comments
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Texting conserves energy?
Posted by lolabuddha at 7:59 PM 0 comments
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Do you suffer from Bagnesia?
By now everyone has accumulated a stash of reusable shopping bags. Yet so often when it's time to check out there you are again, kicking yourself for leaving your bags at home. What is a forgetful environmentalist to do? The enterprising folks at bagnesia.com have created some clever accessories to compliment their reusable bags. "" Grab your bag" door hangers, steering wheel wraps and key chains to help you remember your reusable bags. Or if you are looking for a more economical approach ( also one that does not encourage consumption!) take a cue from one very dedicated Toco Shop volunteer. After a little education on the consequences of plastic bag usage, Nicci Barty vowed to eliminate plastic bags from her life. Unfortunately she suffered from bagnesia. On her first trip to the grocery after making the choice to no longer accept plastic bags, there she was at the checkout with a cart full of groceries and no reusable bags. What to do? Let it slide this one time? Opt for the equally environmentally taxing paper option? She chose neither. That's right, no bags at all. The cashier was dumbfounded. Nicci was slightly inconvenienced since she had to load each item individually into her car and then again in to the house. The minor inconvenience was a small price to pay for the pride she felt for sticking to her convictions. So from that point on she decided that every time her reusable bags were left at home, she would elect to go home bagless. You would be amazed how quickly bagnesia can be cured. If you know that once you get to the store you will have no way to carry your purchases out but your bare hands, suddenly your reusable bags will become as important as your wallet, shopping list and car keys!
Posted by lolabuddha at 3:38 PM 0 comments
Labels: bagnesia, nicci barty, plastic bags, the toco shop
Monday, April 19, 2010
Are we doomed to repeat history?
Posted by lolabuddha at 5:02 PM 0 comments
Labels: deepwater horizon, Ixtoc, oil spill
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Pucker up!
When life gives you lemons you could make lemonade. Or even better you could do some nontoxic cleaning around the house. Try these sweet uses for the sour fruit:
- Soak your toothbrush in lemon juice to kill germs.
- Homemade liquid plumber- pour baking soda into a clogged drain then lemon juice over it. The bubbly effervescence will safely do the trick.
- Straight lemon juice can be used as a general degreaser
- Equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle make a great kitchen and bathroom cleaner.
- For vinegar based cleaning solutions add a small amount of lemon juice to help neutralize the vinegar smell.
- Clean and sanitize your toilet
- Replace bleach in your laundry by treating stains with lemon juice or add 1/2 cup to your rinse cycle to whiten and entire load.
- 2 parts olive oil or cooking oil mixed with 1 part lemon juice makes for an excellent furniture polish.
- For a safer, equally effective and less expensive hand sanitizer, you guessed it lemon juice!!
These are just a few uses for the juice of this super fruit. It's not new or improved. Just an inexpensive, super effective cleaning product courtesy of Mother Nature. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then that must be why so many cleaning products have a lemon scent!
Posted by lolabuddha at 6:46 PM 0 comments