Green Living

The New Wall Décor: Junk From Around The House

Spring-cleaning and fall cleaning, or whenever you do your major cleaning around the house, usually ends with a giant pile of trash or items for the next garage sale. These major cleaning events are superb opportunities to discover those forgotten trinkets and mementos, or just old junk that you forgot about. Instead of getting rid of this stuff, whether with a garage sale, or just throwing it out, think about getting creative with your old stuff and think of ways to put it to use. Recycling objects and turning them into wall decor is a fun and creative activity for the whole family, and a terrific way to encourage creativity with the kids. Make mosaics out of beads and beans. This is a fun and easy activity for kids. Materials needed include: * Cardboard * Glue * Beads * Beans * Scissors * Paints and watercolors Instructions: 1. Take a piece of cardboard and cut it into desired shape. Suggestions for cardboard are old boxes, packages, or cereal or snack boxes. 2. Spread glue over the cardboard. 3. Place beads and/or beans in a creative way! 4. Optional: Paint the beans or beads, or paint the cardboard before gluing the mosaic pieces on. 5. Hang it up on the refrigerator or wall. Have you ever thought ...

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Is A Used Car More Eco-Friendly Than A New Car?

If you are debating the merits of purchasing a new car versus a used car and how each impact the environment, check out the following information to consider in your decision. The choice between new and used isn’t definitive and it most certainly depends on your specific circumstances. The general guideline to abide by is if a new vehicle gets superior gas mileage than what your current vehicle can attain, then a new car is probably your best bet. Fuel economy needs to be dramatically better to offset the energy that went into producing and shipping the vehicle. Conversely, the same logic can be applied to a used vehicle in good condition that also achieves better mileage.  The downside is that an older vehicle may not deliver optimal fuel performance like it did when it was bought fresh off the lot. FuelEconomy.gov is an excellent resource for conducting a side-by-side comparison of the fuel economy of your current, new or older model vehicles. This website lists current models as well as models all the way back to 1984. When looking to purchase a new car, you also must not forget to consider how you are going to dispose of your current vehicle. ...

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Make Your Own Oatmeal Soap

Making soap out of oatmeal is a fun arts and crafts project for all ages, whether it be with friends, your kids, or even at a relaxing party. It’s a fun time to make a delicious smelling soap that will provide great benefits for your skin and is an all around terrific beauty treatment. Oatmeal can do wonders for your skin. The Ancient Greeks and Romans used oat baths for their skin treatment. Oatmeal helps to nourish and protect the skin while acting as a light exfoliant. It’s also a good way to relieve itching from dry skin or bug bites. As one of the few natural ingredients recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, oatmeal makes a great addition to homemade soaps. The simple process behind making oatmeal soap. This recipe is a simplified introduction to making oatmeal soap, but be aware that it isn’t entirely a made from scratch recipe. This oatmeal soap recipe makes a wonderful handmade gift, especially if you can use a creative mold. Gather the following supplies: * 1 large bar of soap, preferably a mild cleanser * 1 large microwave safe bowl * 1 soap mold or decorative muffin tin * 1 knife * 3 tablespoons of oatmeal * 4 tablespoons water * Microwave Instructions for ...

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How to Save Water At Home

Conserving water is a practice that everyone should incorporate into his or her daily life. Change bad water habits into good water habits. * Did you know that taking a full bath in a tub requires anywhere up to thirty-six gallons of water? Taking a short shower instead of filling up the tub is a great way to save water. * Showering with a friend is another great way to use less water! * Instead of washing veggies and fruits by holding them under the sink with the water flowing, fill up a bowl of water and wash your veggies and fruits in the bowl. * Always remember to shut off the faucet water when you are brushing your teeth or shaving your beard. * Avoid flushing the toilet when appropriate. * Instead of hosing down your driveway, use a broom or rake to get rid of leaves or dirt around the outside of your house. Opting to hose down a driveway or sidewalk is wasteful, especially when there is a perfectly good and effective alternative. Be on the lookout for drips and leaks. A leaky toilet or dripping faucet can waste gallons of water. Not only is it important to get a leak fixed immediately, but be sure ...

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Ideas for a Green Halloween

Avoid plastic costumes. Store bought costumes that contain soft vinyl, which is similar to shower curtain material, is very likely made up of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC contains dangerous chemicals and cannot be recycled. Face paint and makeup. Purchase organic, natural makeup for your Halloween transformation, and avoid the mercury, pthalates, parabens, and fragrances that come standard in most big-name brand makeup. It’s best to locate an organic retailer or special-order vegan makeup if you’re looking for something specific. The same suggestions apply for hair dye. Don't forget about old-fashioned techniques, like a handful of baby powder for a junior Albert Einstein, or using egg yolks to make your hair stand straight up. Reusable trick or treat bags. Make sure your kids use a reusable canvas bag for trick or treating rather than plastic or paper bags, both for safety and environmental reasons. Buy plain bags so that the kids can decorate them, but make sure they decorate them with non-toxic paint. Old pillowcases are another great bag for trick or treating, because you’re recycling, you can decorate them, and they can hold lots of candy. Create an eerie atmosphere. The paraffin in wax candles that people most often use in jack-o-lanterns releases toxic chemicals like toluene ...

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