Vampire Energy

It sounds cool but this isn't like "V" on True Blood or some supernatural source for a metabolic high. This Vampire Energy is a bad thing. And I haven't thought much about it.

Probably all of us have appliances plugged in that we aren't using. Well, did you know that those appliances are secretly sucking energy out of those cords?

In the US alone, unused appliances suck up over 100 billion kilowatt hours of electricity and cost homeowners more than $100 each year!

That's not only bad for your wallet, it's bad for the environment too. So take a quick walk around your house and take a peek at those wall outlets...are appliances plugged in that you aren't using? Unplug them.

You'll be saving a little money for yourself and helping the environment at the same time.

Earth-Friendly Friday

What way is more energy efficient to produce paper...

1) Recycling paper and producing new paper

2) Making new paper from trees?

Turning recycled paper into paper requires 58 percent less water and 64 percent less energy per ton than making paper from trees.

(According to the Sierra Club)

Earth-Friendly Friday

You don't have to use up the natural resources of the world to have pretty things. Just look at this recycled cotton gift box...

So, the next time you're out looking for a gift or a trinket for your house, look for recycled goods because they can be just as pretty and also be sustainable at the same time.

Happy Shopping.

Queen Bee and Chickpea - Earth Friendly Friday

I'm always looking for ways to use recycled materials and recraft items into new and wonderful things. Call me a craftaholic. I love to knit, sew, and cook so anyway I can find materials for free or super cheap to use in these endeavors is all the better for me and my pocketbook and speaking of pocketbooks, here's one great place to shop for sustainable accessories for your wardrobe.

Queen Bee started out in a corner of the designer's bedroom back in 1996 and it has grown into a thriving business. So, if you like little birds and beautiful bags, check out Queen Bee Creations and Chickpea too :

EcoPalooza in Portland

What is EcoPalooza – find out here: at ECOPALOOZA

Ecopalooza is a free summer concert event, taking place on August 7,
2010, at Fernhill Park in Portland, Oregon with the theme of raising
environmental awareness and conservation while promoting alternative energy sources.

Earth-Friendly Friday - Gardening

If you want to get your garden beds ready for planting but, you have a bunch of weeds to deal with first, don't use chemicals to get rid of the pesky plants. Instead try using black plastic. Lay it down in the weed-ridden area, tack it down with bricks or heavy rocks. Leave the plastic over the weeds for four to eight weeks, when you pull off the plastic, the weeds will be gone and you will have a perfect bed to plant.

This is one idea. Of course, organic gardening is all about patience and practice. Not every idea will work but these types of ideas will be much better for your plant beds and the planet. No instant gratification in the organic world but it's worth the time and energy to help keep our soil chemical-free.

So, do you have any great organic gardening ideas? If you do, please share them in the comments section.

Happy planting!!!

Earth-Friendly Friday

Make Monkey Memories and Warm Woolies for Christmas rather than buying needless things and trivial trinkets.

I made my daughter a monkey blanket. This is a useful gift-I hope-that will last for years.

We went to the fabric store and she picked out two fabrics: one side is monkeys and the other is striped - so the blanket is fun colored, cheerful and reversible.

But you could make a blanket out of old jeans, favorite shirts and skirts or any fabric you have around the house. If you don't feel ready to take on a blanket - and to be honest, it's kind of a two-person project because it's so big and heavy, it helps to have another set of hands to help feed the material through the presser foot. But you could always start with pillowcases. That's one project we used to do for Christmas when the kids were young. I'd take them to the fabric store and let them pick out fun fabrics and then we'd sew pillowcases that they still use today.

Gifts can be fun and useful without being wasteful and frivolous.

Earth-Friendly Friday

Fall has arrived on the wings of the wind. Here in Portland the breezes have been blowing and the drafts are finding their way under the doors, through the cracks and crevices, and into our house.

Every year, I make a simple "Draft Buster". It's my own little version of left over fabric sewed into a skinny, worm-like, bean-bag. I put the bag by the doorstops and it keeps the drafts from wiggling their way into the room.

All you need to do is take a long piece of left over fabric, it could even be an old towel. Sew up a seam, then fill the bag with seeds, rice, popcorn kernels, whatever you have in your cupboard. No need to go out and buy anything. My motto, "Use what you have".

Good luck and remember a little preparation will keep you warm and toasty this winter.

EARTH FRIENDLY FRIDAY - DIY Home Energy Audit

We can all use a little help to go a little greener. And, why not save a little money along the way? Here's a website that will help you give your house an energy audit. Plus, if you can find ways to save energy and money, you might end up being a little more comfortable in your green home. So, if you're interested, check it out here. This is a Seattle power brochure but you might have one you can access in your area too. I'd definitely check it out but, if not, this will give you a good start.

My husband and I had our local electric company come out and give us a home audit. We found some ways to save energy and hopefully a little money too. With some inexpensive fixes, our house stayed warmer in the winter - and hopefully it will be much cooler in the summer too.

Our house was built in 1890 so we can use all the energy tips and advice we can get.

EARTH FRIENDLY FRIDAY

Here is a fun How Green is Your Garden quiz that might even teach you a thing or two. Check it out here, thanks to Brenda.

EARTH FRIENDLY FRIDAY

Spring is here and we've all been doing a little spring cleaning-right?...

Well, even if you haven't, and even if St. Paddy's Day has come and gone, you still have time to wear a little green, all you have to do is buy earth-friendly clothing.

Check out this site to see some cool looking clothes.

And, if it's vegan shoes you're looking for, check out this site.

What about a good bag, check them out here.

And one last tip, as your dog and cat start to shed, put those balls of fur (you find accumulating in the nooks and crannies) outside for the birds to use. They can soften their nests with a little fur from our four-legged friends. And, what a cool way to clean.

Go Green - While You Clean

Spring cleaning anyone? It might not sound like fun but it will be helpful to everyone

Too many clothes hanging around? Drawers overloaded?

Thrift stores are looking for “pre-owned” clothes. So, you can donate clothes, clean up your closet, and help less fortunate people all at the same time.

And if you're looking to make a little more money in the process, and you have the energy to put on your own sale, check out the Yard Sale Queen's tips.

Go green - while you clean!

A NEW MEANING TO "GOING GREEN" - EARTH FRIENDLY FRIDAY

Okay, I want to be green, green as a tree

But this gives new meaning to "Going Green"
check it out here.

Hope that gave you a Friday Smile :)

And, on to more Earth-Friendly Friday tidbits:

There are so many nontoxic things you can use to keep your house clean, your children safe and your pets happy. Check here for EarthEasy ways.

Did you know vinegar can clean windows, is a great shampoo rinse, and can cool sunburns? Well it can do all that and more.

Plus, if you want to clean-up some prizes and take them home,
post your own little poem,

right here.