Kim Button
The Many Uses of Baking Soda
Q: I keep hearing about using baking soda as a greener cleaner. How do I use it? A: The question is, how do you NOT use baking soda! There are so many uses for this all-natural ingredient that comes from the Earth, that it just might be one of the best green cleaning ingredients ever. Baking soda (otherwise known as sodium bicarbonate) is a chemical-free cleaning alternative that easily breaks down in the environment. It won’t pollute the waterways and air … Continue reading
Packing Eco-Friendly School Lunches
Q: How can I pack a more eco-friendly school lunch for my kids? A: It has been estimated that the average school age child generates approximately 67 pounds of waste by bringing their own school lunch each school year. That doesn’t mean you should stop packing healthy lunches – it is just an opportunity to make them waste-free lunches, as well! First, buy a reusable lunch tote, not the brown paper bags or plastic bags. Second, forget the plastic baggies to wrap sandwiches and cookies. … Continue reading
Earth Friendly Back to School Shopping
Q: What can I do to make my back-to-school shopping more earth friendly? A: When the kids head back to school, there’s usually a long list of things that must be bought before their first day. But is it all necessary? No. Can you make more earth friendly choices? Yes! First, reevaluate whether your child really needs a new backpack, a new lunch container, a new pencil pouch, etc. Just because it’s a new school year doesn’t mean you need all … Continue reading
HOW TO: Host an Eco-Friendly Birthday Party
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 Q: How can I make my child’s birthday party more eco-friendly? A: Birthdays are worth celebrating, and you want to have fun doing it! With a few simple little changes, you can do your part to help create a healthier planet that your children will enjoy for their many years to come. Forget the disposable plates, cups, napkins and utensils that are … Continue reading
Easy Foods You Can Grow at Home
Q: What’s the easiest food I could grow to see if I want to do a vegetable garden? A: Lettuce! Or meslun or spinach or any variety of greens. These super easy crops don’t have to be put in the ground – they can actually be planted in a pot. So even if you don’t want to dig up the yard for a vegetable garden, or you live in an apartment or someplace without land, you can grow your own … Continue reading
Trash In Your Garden
Can you believe that using trash in your garden can actually be kind to the Earth? It’s true. Reusing items are always better than recycling, so here’s some easy ways to reuse what you might have lying around the house and put them to good use in the garden: Plastic berry bins and cardboard egg cartons make great seed starters. Use these items that would normally head straight to the recycling bin to start your garden seeds, first. Styrofoam peanuts … Continue reading
Is de-icer harmful to the environment?
Q: Is de-icer harmful to the environment? A: With snow and ice blanketing much of the country, there’s a constant need to clear roads and sidewalks of ice so that motorists and pedestrians are safe. However, you might be wondering if all of that de-icer is doing more harm than good. There are more Earth-friendly deicers available. None are a quick fix or completely non-toxic to the environment. Traditional de-icers and rock salt contain cyanide and chloride. Obviously anything you’re … Continue reading
An Eco-Friendly Valentine’s Day
Q: How Can I be more eco-friendly on Valentine’s Day? A: What better time to love the planet than on Valentine’s Day? Show some love to the environment that we live in while buying gifts for your sweetheart this year. 1. Go Local Planning on buying a box of chocolates? Buy from a local chocolate maker. Buying locally supports businesses in your own backyard, and reduces transportation costs of shipping products around the world. 2. Pick the Perfect Flower Ordering … Continue reading
How can I reduce my garbage output?
Q: My family seems to fill up a garbage bag so quickly. How can we reduce the amount of trash we dispose of each week? A: You’ve heard it said, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” That sums it up well. The best way to cut down on trash is to get everyone in the family to reduce what they bring into the home. When shopping, avoid purchasing individually wrapped items. Buy in bulk, refill and choose concentrated versions. My daughter, Emma, and … Continue reading
Fair Trade Chocolate
Q: What is fair trade chocolate? A: When browsing the selections of chocolate for Valentine’s Day this year, you might see some varieties stating that they are “Fair Trade.” Along with the “Fair Trade” certification you might also notice a slightly higher price tag – but here’s why. Cocoa farmers are among the world’s poorest people. They usually can’t make enough money to buy food, medical care or schooling for their family. That’s because they are paid extremely tiny amounts … Continue reading
What are the healthiest organic fruits?
“Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples….” Song of Solomon 2:5 Q: If I could only switch to one organic fruit, which one should it be? A: Going organic can be expensive, so sometimes you can only switch to a few organic foods at a time. But any switch is better than none at all, so don’t worry! According to the Environmental Working Group, which studies the pesticide levels of produce each year, apples and peaches contain the highest pesticide … Continue reading
How to Eco-Entertain Guests
Q. How Can I go green while entertaining? A. It’s really easy, and can be much less expensive, to entertain in an eco-friendly way. Here’s just a few green entertaining ideas for your next get together: Use your own dishes and glasses instead of buying disposable products. Mix and match your patterns to create an eclectic and chic table setting. Entertain a lot? Invest in reusable cloth napkins which can be used over and over again and reduces the landfill … Continue reading
New Year’s Tips that Care for Creation
Q: What are some green ways to celebrate the New Year? A: When you welcome in the New Year this year, it’s the perfect time to make a commitment to start living green. Here are just a few ways to have a more eco-friendly celebration: Instead of buying confetti, make your own. Shred leftover gift wrap or other paper products in a bill shredder to make long strands or tiny shreds of confetti. Planning on using noise makers, bells and … Continue reading
Basics about Composting
Q: What do I need to know about composting? A: Composting doesn’t need to be complicated. Place a pitcher or covered container by the kitchen sink to collect your food scraps. Then start a compost pile outside. Turn it over every now and then. You’ll be amazed at how quickly it turns into free fertilizer, perfect to use when starting your first garden. For more information, visit www.composters.com and www.compostguide.com.
Going Green with Holiday Meals
Q: How can I go green with my holiday meals this year? A: If you strive to eat local and eat organic (or at least as chemical free as possible), you’ll be well on your way to going green for special meals this holiday season. And the good news is, it’s easy to continue the habit all year long. Here are a few tips to get you started: Most food travels an astounding 1,500 miles before you purchase it at … Continue reading
Warming up your car
Q: It’s getting very cold outside. Do I need to warm up my car before driving it? A: On very rare occasions, like when your car is encased in ice, your car needs to be warmed up. Even when we lived in northern New England, we almost never needed to warm our car. If every one of the 65 million garage owners in the U.S. let their cars idle five fewer minutes per day, it would save 845 million … Continue reading
Can I leave on outdoor lights at night?
Q: I feel safer when I have outside lights on at night. Do you have any suggestions? A: Consider lighting with motion sensors, so the light is only on when you need it. If you do need to leave a light on all the time, be sure to invest in an LED bulb. Try solar lights for walkways.
Green Gift Giving Ideas
Q: What are some green gift giving ideas? A: Green gift giving is a great idea to spread the word of how easy and fun it is to go green. Keep in mind, though, that not all of your recipients might be as “green” as you are and as receptive to eco-friendly products and ideas. So to bridge the gap between your desire for a greener Earth and your friends and family’s desire for great gifts, here’s just a few … Continue reading
What type of Christmas tree is greener?
Q: Which kind of Christmas tree is more eco-friendly, a real one or an artificial tree? A: Many people go “green” during the holidays by adding a Christmas tree to their decor. The most eco-friendly option, however, depends on your personal situation. Real Christmas trees grow for several years before being cut down, helping to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and acting as living air filters. If you can can purchase a living tree that can be planted after Christmas, great! Otherwise, … Continue reading
Knowing Where to Place Our Trust
“Thanks be unto God for his amazing gift, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.” John 6:36 At the very heart of Christianity is faith. Faith that the Lord our God is an awesome God, faith that God is always in control, faith that God knows what’s best for us and faith that God loves us, no matter what. So many daily decisions rely … Continue reading
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