I nominate myself for trying to do what I can for the environment!

Hours: I really don’t know how much time I spend recycling probably at least 4hrs, it has just become part of our daily routine. I can tell you that our city this year bought new garbage containers for each household, one is for garbage and the other is for just for recycling and we fill the recycling container every week, we just have to wheel it to the curb and the garbage disposal service has a device that picks it up and dumps it into the container on the truck we no longer have to separate plastic, paper, glass and aluminum. This has made recycling a lot easier than all those small containers we use to have for recycling!

WHAT IS GREEN?  Definition: A supporter of a social and political movement that espouses global environmental protection, bioregionalism, social responsibility, and nonviolence.

My goal here is not to decide who is the most “GREEN,” I think that if we all do at least some part of “GREEN” that as a team we can make a difference in the world no matter how small our contribution maybe. My goal for this campaign is give you alternatives to use to make your home and life a more non-toxic place to live. For a lot of us it’s so easy to just go to a store and buy something already pre-made, but once you get the hang of it; and also see the money you can save you might just change your way of thinking. Many of the items you need are already in your home.

PLASTIC BOTTLED WATER/POP: One of my pet peeves, unless you happen to live in an area where the water is truly contaminated and not safe to drink! I bet you didn’t know that many of the “GREEN” people are also the people that buy bottled water because they think bottled water is healthier for them, and yet they have no regard for all the plastic that is being wasted on bottled water, some of which is just the same as the tap water from their own home. According to the National Resources Defense Council's 2008 testimony before the U.S. Senate, "The number of gallons of water sold in the U.S. has more than quadrupled since 1990. Ironically, despite one of the best and safest public drinking water systems in the entire world, the U.S. consumes the largest volume of bottled water in the world." Many consumers pay up to $4.00 dollars for one bottle. Many cities and schools are beginning to ban bottled water.

Just recently the “The Social Responsibility Club of SCSU” of St. Cloud State University in Minnesota hosted “a Boycott the Bottle Day;” they also showed their documentary “FLOW” (For Love of Water). Some of the information made available during “Boycott the Bottle” was that every hour Americans empty 2.5 million bottles of water and it takes over 500 years for those bottles to decompose in landfills, where 77 percent end up. Because of this, the Social Responsibility Club encouraged everyone to buy a reusable water bottle. In their documentary they discuss how the water crisis we are entering is related to global warming because dams contribute to methane gas and methane gas contributes to global warming, and describe how “Nestle” moved to MecostaCounty in central Michigan and began pumping water from streams at a rate of 480 gallons per minute without paying for it. This caused such damage that the people in the area brought Nestle to court. Nestle appealed the decision so it was brought to the Supreme Court where it was decided that Nestle could continue to pump water from the streams at a rate of 218 gallons per minute. Now for those of you who buy bottled water and soda; a question? “Do you still feel GREEN?”— Simpler Solution is to buy a Water Purifier — You can buy a good water purifier for under $40.00; take a look at the PUR brands; they mount right on your facet.

PLASTIC BAGS OR PAPER: NO BRAINER — USE RESUABLE BAGS — the use of either is really not good for the environment, so let’s just make and effort and get into the habit of using reusable bags when shopping. Take Green Girls advice here!

HOME ENERGY — there are many things you can do to make your home energy efficient, but not everyone has the means to take action on the bigger projects, but there are some things that can be done on a smaller level like changing out your old light bulbs and replacing them with Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Bulbs. I have replaced all my light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs even my outside lights! These bulbs can use up to 75 percent less energy (electricity) than incandescent light bulbs, last up to 10 times longer, cost little up front, and provide a quick return on investment. — A Simple Solution: (FACT FROM ENERGY STAR) — “If every home in America replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an “ENERGY STAR” qualified CFL, in one year it would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes. That would prevent the release of greenhouse gas emissions equal to that of about 800,000 cars.”

HOUSE HOLD CLEANING AGENTS — There are many recipes for home-made cleaning agents that are eco-friendly on the internet, most of the ingredients can be found right in your own kitchen cabinets and recipes on the internet. You can find window cleaner, furniture polish, stain removers, drain cleaners etc.

So, inclusion if everyone just takes a small part it will make a big difference at the end of the day!

There are many ways to use these ingredients – just search online for more ways to use them effectively!

Promoting GREEN Awareness

and

What we can do to help make a more Eco-Friendly World!

I nominate myself for trying to do what I can for the environment!

Hours: I really don’t know how much time I spend recycling probably at least 4hrs, it has just become part of our daily routine. I can tell you that our city this year bought new garbage containers for each household, one is for garbage and the other is for just for recycling and we fill the recycling container every week, we just have to wheel it to the curb and the garbage disposal service has a device that picks it up and dumps it into the container on the truck we no longer have to separate plastic, paper, glass and aluminum. This has made recycling a lot easier than all those small containers we use to have for recycling!

WHAT IS GREEN?  Definition: A supporter of a social and political movement that espouses global environmental protection, bioregionalism, social responsibility, and nonviolence.

My goal here is not to decide who is the most “GREEN,” I think that if we all do at least some part of “GREEN” that as a team we can make a difference in the world no matter how small our contribution maybe. My goal for this campaign is give you alternatives to use to make your home and life a more non-toxic place to live. For a lot of us it’s so easy to just go to a store and buy something already pre-made, but once you get the hang of it; and also see the money you can save you might just change your way of thinking. Many of the items you need are already in your home.

PLASTIC BOTTLED WATER/POP: One of my pet peeves, unless you happen to live in an area where the water is truly contaminated and not safe to drink! I bet you didn’t know that many of the “GREEN” people are also the people that buy bottled water because they think bottled water is healthier for them, and yet they have no regard for all the plastic that is being wasted on bottled water, some of which is just the same as the tap water from their own home. According to the National Resources Defense Council's 2008 testimony before the U.S. Senate, "The number of gallons of water sold in the U.S. has more than quadrupled since 1990. Ironically, despite one of the best and safest public drinking water systems in the entire world, the U.S. consumes the largest volume of bottled water in the world." Many consumers pay up to $4.00 dollars for one bottle. Many cities and schools are beginning to ban bottled water.

Just recently the “The Social Responsibility Club of SCSU” of St. Cloud State University in Minnesota hosted “a Boycott the Bottle Day;” they also showed their documentary “FLOW” (For Love of Water). Some of the information made available during “Boycott the Bottle” was that every hour Americans empty 2.5 million bottles of water and it takes over 500 years for those bottles to decompose in landfills, where 77 percent end up. Because of this, the Social Responsibility Club encouraged everyone to buy a reusable water bottle. In their documentary they discuss how the water crisis we are entering is related to global warming because dams contribute to methane gas and methane gas contributes to global warming, and describe how “Nestle” moved to MecostaCounty in central Michigan and began pumping water from streams at a rate of 480 gallons per minute without paying for it. This caused such damage that the people in the area brought Nestle to court. Nestle appealed the decision so it was brought to the Supreme Court where it was decided that Nestle could continue to pump water from the streams at a rate of 218 gallons per minute. Now for those of you who buy bottled water and soda; a question? “Do you still feel GREEN?”— Simpler Solution is to buy a Water Purifier — You can buy a good water purifier for under $40.00; take a look at the PUR brands; they mount right on your facet.

PLASTIC BAGS OR PAPER: NO BRAINER — USE RESUABLE BAGS — the use of either is really not good for the environment, so let’s just make and effort and get into the habit of using reusable bags when shopping. Take Green Girls advice here!

HOME ENERGY — there are many things you can do to make your home energy efficient, but not everyone has the means to take action on the bigger projects, but there are some things that can be done on a smaller level like changing out your old light bulbs and replacing them with Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Bulbs. I have replaced all my light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs even my outside lights! These bulbs can use up to 75 percent less energy (electricity) than incandescent light bulbs, last up to 10 times longer, cost little up front, and provide a quick return on investment. — A Simple Solution: (FACT FROM ENERGY STAR) — “If every home in America replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an “ENERGY STAR” qualified CFL, in one year it would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes. That would prevent the release of greenhouse gas emissions equal to that of about 800,000 cars.”

HOUSE HOLD CLEANING AGENTS — There are many recipes for home-made cleaning agents that are eco-friendly on the internet, most of the ingredients can be found right in your own kitchen cabinets and recipes on the internet. You can find window cleaner, furniture polish, stain removers, drain cleaners etc.

So, inclusion if everyone just takes a small part it will make a big difference at the end of the day!

There are many ways to use these ingredients – just search online for more ways to use them effectively!

MAKE YOUR OWN HOUSE-HOLD CLEANERS WITH THESE SIMPLE INGREDIENTS

Nominating myself

Hours: Cleaning with Homemade Cleaners: 5hrs a week!

HOUSE HOLD CLEANING AGENTS — There are many recipes for home-made cleaning agents that Saveare eco-friendly on the internet, most of the ingredients can be found right in your own kitchen cabinets and recipes on the internet. You can find window cleaner, furniture polish, stain removers, drain cleaners etc.

What can we do and what should we do? Here are some suggestions to go Green!

Ten Ingredients That Can Be Used To Make Homemade Cleaners—all uses can be found on the internet, just take a look and explore!

Baking Soda — Baking soda works as a mild abrasive, helping to gently scrub things that need to be scrubbed, but not scratched. Baking soda also works well to remove smelly odors, making it a prime candidate for a bathroom and kitchen cleaner. Baking soda also works to removes stains, and can be used to help soften laundry.

Benefits of Scouring with Baking Soda: Inexpensive; chlorine-free; effective sanitizer; effective stain remover; effective deodorizer; safe for use around kids and pets; safe for most surfaces. Baking soda is a mild abrasive and a natural disinfectant; so it's tough on stains and germs, but easy on your house.

Uses: Baking soda can be used to scrub surfaces in much the same way as commercial abrasive cleansers. Baking soda is great as a deodorizer. Place a box in the refrigerator and freezer to absorb odors. Put it anywhere you need deodorizing action. Try these three kitchen ingredients as natural cleaning products in your home.

Borax — Borax is a laundry booster that can be used in a few different ways around the house. Borax is actually a natural mineral, but can be an irritant on skin, and shouldn't be ingested. Borax can be used as a stain remover and a substitute for bleach. Borax can also be used to repel insects, although care should be used around pets and small children.

Castile Soap — Castile soap is an oil based soap that can be used to clean almost anything in your home. Diluted liquid castile soap can be used as an all-purpose cleaner. Liquid castile soap is an excellent degreaser.

Cornstarch — Cornstarch can be used as a starching solution for clothing. Cornstarch also absorbs oils and greases, making it a great help in the laundry room or for stains on countertops.

Essential Oils — Essential oils help add a pleasing scent to homemade cleaning solutions. Be careful when using essential oils. A little goes a long way. There are people with high sensitivities to essential oil fragrances.

Lemons and Lemon Juice —Lemons can be great for scrubbing copper bottom pots. The juice works to clean and shine the pans. Lemon juice is a natural bleach, especially when combined with the sun. Lemon juice is a natural degreaser, which comes in handy with dishes.

Uses: Lemon juice is another natural substance that can be used to clean your home;  can be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits; great substance to clean and shine brass and copper. Can be mixed with vinegar and or baking soda to make cleaning pastes. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section. Use the lemon to scrub dishes, surfaces, and stains. Mix 1 cup olive oil with ½ cup lemon juice and you have a furniture polish for your hardwood furniture. A good use for the fruit is to put a whole lemon peel through the garbage disposal. It freshens the drain and the kitchen. Orange peels can be used with the same results.

Salt — Salt is an abrasive solution for scrubbing. Use salt to get rid of rust and mildew. Salt also works to help polish copper and silver.

Uses: A mixture of salt and vinegar will clean coffee and tea stains from chinaware.

Toothpaste— Toothpaste works as a very mild abrasive, similar to soft scrubbing gel solutions. Toothpaste can be used to clean silver. It can also be used to remove stains on white clothing, tennis shoes, and in many other places where a light scrubbing is needed.

Vinegar —Vinegar can be used as a fabric softener in the rinse cycle of your washing machine. Vinegar makes a great all-purpose cleaner. Mopping with vinegar is an inexpensive way to keep your floors clean. Vinegar is a great stain remover. Vinegar carefully combined with baking soda, makes a great foaming toilet cleaner; clean and disinfects wood cutting boards by wiping with full strength vinegar; Cut grease and odor on dishes by adding a tablespoon of vinegar to hot soapy water.

Benefits of Cleaning with Vinegar: inexpensive; no harsh chemicals; effective sanitizer; effective grease cutter; non-abrasive

Uses: Window Cleaner, Cleaning tuff stains, Get rid of lint in clothes–add 1/2 cup of vinegar, to the rinse cycle. Brass, copper and pewter will shine if cleaned with the following mixture. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of distilled vinegar. Vinegar naturally cleans like an all-purpose cleaner. Mix a solution of 1 part water to 1 part vinegar in a new store bought spray bottle and you have a solution that will clean most areas of your home. Vinegar is a great natural cleaning product as well as a disinfectant and deodorizer. Always test on an inconspicuous area. Safe to use on most surfaces; added bonus of being incredibly cheap. Improperly diluted vinegar is acidic and can eat away at tile grout. Never use vinegar on marble surfaces. The smell disappears when it dries.

Hydrogen Peroxide — Hydrogen peroxide can be used as a disinfectant. It also is one of the most effective blood stain removers.

Mediterranean Grape Salad Dessert

Mix together everthing except grapes (I prefer using green grapes), little by little until mixture is smooth, set the grapes aside in large bowl.

My parents in 1972 moved us from suburb of Chicago to a farm in Wisconsin, they thought that it would be a better and healthier life for my family. So, they packed us up and moved us to this small town of 2000 people. It wasn't bad enough that the nearest McDonalds one of the only fast food chains at that time was 60 miles away, and that our farm was 5 miles from town and our driveway was 3/4 of mile long --up hill for first quarter and the nearest and only friends we had live 2 miles away.

We had never farmed before so everything was quite new to us, I would have to help milk the cows before and after school. My dad worked in Chicago still and only came home on the weekends so there were no days off. Any sports and or school activities I was in I would attend, then take the late bus home and then milk the cows and do chores before dinner. Big change from living in the burbs in nice house and everything at your fingertips.

My Junior year we had homecoming and I was in colorguard after the football game there was huge party out of town in a farmers field; pretty much our entire school was there celebrating our big win, it was less complicated times then as  today so it really wasn't much of big deal as it is today or maybe we just didn't think of it as such a big deal except for my father who didn't his 16 year old daughter should be in at any kind of these parties (PERIOD). We were probably 1/2mile in off the main road out in the boonedocks! The music was blarring and everyone was having a great time when we saw lights at the only entrance in, the police were there taking everyones names as they were trying to leave.  I freaked out and told my boyfriend at the time that I couldn't get caught cause my dad would kill me and he knew better. So us and some of other friends started running the in the other direction  to get to the road hoping to get out of there somehow -- we were close going to climb through the fence and I tripped and fell right into the barb wire and cut the inside of mouth open, just then some friends who had gotten out picked us up in their van and we escaped. The next morning I come downstairs and my dad and one of local cops who was friend was sitting at our kitchen table, he asked me if I was t the party, I lied and said, "No you told me I couldn't go" the inside of mouth was cut up but must not have seen it, he looked over at our friend and asked if I was on the list, the cop said no. three fourths of the school was on the list including our football team.  I was never so scared in my life and my dad a year ago and never admitted to being at the party to him!