Thursday, May 27, 2010

1938: The year the toothbrush was invented.

And while it was invented as a tool in which to keep our pearly whites white and hopefully free from frequent dentists visits, it can do much more! DON'T THROW THEM AWAY!

Of course this idea was prompted by my recent trip to the dentist when I was given a goodie bag by the hygienist.  Of course, it didn't have real "goodies" inside, but the usual toothbrush, toothpaste, floss etc... (and a surprise tube of chap-stick with my dentists name printed on the side... nice touch!)  I get home and put my goodies away to realize that I have not one but two old toothbrushes.  Of course I ask myself what can I do with these rather than throw them into a landfill?  Google that and you'll find more than  you think!  After perusing some sites and being inspired to come up with my own ideas, here are my top ten uses for your old toothbrush:

Before actually using your old toothbrush, please use a good environmentally friendly germ killing product or boil it (note: I haven't actually tried boiling my toothbrush so let me know if you do it and have weird results!)

10. Write on the handle with permanent marker 
         and use them as stakes to identify plants in  
         the garden
9. Use the toothbrush in your bathroom to clean     
       grout and around the faucet.
8. Use them to scrub potatoes and pumpkins or 
      any other tough fruit or veggie
7. Clean the cheese graters
6. Clean the bottoms of your shoes
5. Clean your jewelry
4. Use them to make unique brush strokes when crafting or painting
3. Run an old toothbrush under warm water and gently brush your lips to make your lips kissable
2. Use an old toothbrush on unruly eyebrows. Why buy an eyebrow brush when you can use an old toothbrush?
1. If you have a cool looking one, turn your brush into a Toothbrush Bracelet  

And if we all replace our toothbrushes as frequently as we should we could probably have a different toothbrush for each of the above mentioned uses!  For more ideas check out:

ThriftyFun
WikiHow

Saturday, May 22, 2010

NRDC: Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill -- What You Can Do

This helped me feel better about the oil spill.  True, we can't do much about it, not that I like that reaction, but I do like the reality that we can all help to change the future by good choices now. If anything, this has slapped us in the face with a big giant dose of reality.  While not everyone is convinced, I do think that this has opened some eyes.  Read the article, share it with your friends, post it to Facebook and do what you can to make a difference.   

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Ditch the chemicals- try a simple home remedy

Every time I clean the bathroom or kitchen I think about the chemicals I'm using, where they came from  and where they're going.  Of course, down the drain seems fine but when you really think about it, the chemicals we use, bleach, ammonia, tub & tile cleaner (whatever that is!) it's all really nasty stuff that is harmful to the water and therefore harmful to us. Not to mention the fumes we breathe in every time we clean.  


I've started using more earth-friendly products such as Seventh Generation and Method but they're likely still harmful to me when breathing them in.... have you tried 'em?  Burn baby Burn... that's what they do to my nostrils! So, I've begun researching and testing out some home remedies that will save me some money, and hopefully a few nose hairs. Here are a few of the recipes I've found and the sites on which I've found them.     


For a clogged drain try: 
1 cup salt
1 cup baking soda
1 cup vinegar
Mix & pour down drain.  Follow with 2 quarts boiling water


Bathtub Cleaner: 
Make a paste of peroxide and cream of tartar. Scrub vigorously with a small brush. Rinse thoroughly. If the stains persist, spread the mixture over the stains and apply a drop or two of household ammonia. Allow to set for two hours before scrubbing.
Did you know that honey remedy for skin blemishes? Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a band-aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin, sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.


Here are the sites:
Impact Lab



Thursday, April 15, 2010

Earth-Friendly crafts from Martha!

You know everyone has little spot for Martha somewhere!!  No?  Well maybe you will after you see her ideas on how to repurpose leftover materials and oh man- these are some great ideas. Simple to do and a great was to make something new out of something old.  Try it, decorate your place, give as gifts to friends or heck- sell 'em (remember my friend KC from MakeShopLive in an earlier post?!)


I really love the jars as vases especially now that I know that there is this great stuff that can 'paint" the inside but I'm proud to say that for the last few years I have refrained from buying any type of wrapping paper or bows!  I have either re-used the stuff that has wrapped gifts given to me or whatever I get from stores when I buy something.  For example, I bought a pair of shoes and inside the toe was a giant wad of tissue paper.  It made really cool wrapping for Valentine's day with a purple bow that was tied around the handle of a bag I got when Christmas shopping.  The bag has also been re-used so... I think I'll keep that up!

Oh and in case you've been under a rock or in the middle of nowhere.... all things Martha can be found at marthastewart.com .

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Farmer Fran

Back a few months ago I was having a conversation with an RA at The New School who was telling me all about how she spent last summer working on an organic farm  She talked about what it was like to live off the grid (more or less) and how different it was but also how doable it was.  She told some great stories and I was intrigued.  She explained that she had found a farm through an organization called World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms  So with this resource you can find an organic farm on which you can volunteer and in return you get food, accommodations and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyle.

Love it!

We all know how important it is to eat organically but how many of us actually know how to grow things organically and what it really takes on the farming end?  Probably not, but we also probably don't have the time to volunteer with our busy loves and jobs.  Well, my very good friend Fran realized her passion for this and is a perfect example of someone who has made a decision to stop with the daily grind and get back to what's important.  She decided she wanted to do this and put in her two weeks notice and is doing it!!

Go Fran Go!

She has started a blog about it so that we can live the experience with her and I hope you'll take a look and consider following her too.  She never ceases to amaze me and I learn from her everyday.  I have no doubt that you'll learn from her and be inspired by her decision to follow her heart and do what she most wants to in life.





Sunday, March 14, 2010

What do you UpCycle?

I really wish that I were more creative, or at least had unique ideas on how to take old crap and make it new, awesome stuff! I keep stuff to reuse and do what I can to keep stuff out of the landfill (including buying less!) but for the things that I already own and no longer want, I'm turning to upcycling. This is exactly what these folks are doing and dammit I'm going to follow their every step to learn and eventually conquer upcycling myself!

First off, my very good friend, KC Cooper Sears who is finding ways DAILY to shrink hers and YOUR footprint! From making cool, chic totes from old vintage tops to making records into wall art and cake stands, MakeShopLive is the cat's meow of upcycling. Not to mention you'll also find weekly DIY tips that will help you (and I) take things to the next level when you just don't know where to go next.


Like MakeShopLive, others are realizing the awesome impact of fashioning seemingly useless stuff into a fashion lovers dream These others include Julia at upcycle-fashion who shares great ideas, her own inventions, fantastic fashion and great ideas and events that will certainly inspire! While I really love what she's done with fashion, I'm impressed with her idea on upcycling an electric blanket. They never last very long and who wants to sleep with a blanket full of wires that don't heat?! My mom owns one and I"m going to try this out with it myself!

Last one: UpCycle It! Plainly said, a place where you can not only get ideas of how to upcycle your old stuff, but also upload your own photos and ideas to take part in the movement. Check it out for sure as you never know how you may be inspired!

Do it, people! Keep stuff out of landfills!


Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Recycle it all!

http://www.preserveproducts.com/recycling/gimme5.html