GO Greener With Tracey ODonnell

In the year 2010, the typical American family spent an average of $1179.00 per month on electrical equipment.    With that statistic in mind, I can’t help but wonder where our “dinosaur” electronics are ending up.  Since a personal computer will not biodegrade or decompose - the Earth is becoming littered with electronics.  Not only computers but telephones, mp3 players, voice recorders, televisions, etc. are included in the “electronics” title. How do you dispose of your electronics?                                                    The earth’s soil littered with these potentially hazardous items - is not a safe or productive means of disposal and can wreak havoc on our ecosystem.  The ...

A NEW LIFE FOR OLD CARDS What's the perfect way to recycle-- Yuletide greeting cards and keep your kids busy on a wintry day? Have them cut their favorite images and details from the cards and then turn them into gift tags or tape them to a window for a cheery display. BROWN-PAPER PACKAGES ARE A FAVORITE THING Inspired by the Erdmann family of Nutley, New Jersey, try going brown with holiday wrapping paper. Simply stamp the paper with a cookie cutter dipped in paint . When the paint is dry, wrap the present and tie it with ribbon or -- for "Sound of Music" fans -- with string . POP-DOWN TO CHRISTMAS Inspired by an idea from the Hales family of South Jordan, Utah, this bubble packaging countdown calendar offers a daily burst of fun, so you'll probably have to make one for each family member. To make a Christmas countdown calendar, cut a tree shape with 24 bubbles from bubble packaging (as shown), use glue dots or double-sided tape...

Live a simpler life.  Use less and buy less. Do you really need to buy that?  Can you rent it instead?  “Renting and Reusing” is an awesome motto to live by for greener living.      Shop at thrift store, junk yards, yard sales, salvage yards, etc. Don't knock it until you try it.  Many treasures can be found in the least expected places.  Buy locally grown or locally owned products, produce and beverages. Inquire about the use of pesticides prior to purchasing.  Stop catalogs, junk mail and phone book deliveries-internet shopping is very inexpensive if you need to make purchases-you can buy used items or new items.  My favorite tried and true is Ebay.com. When you are making purchases, read labels to ensure the product was manufactured by an environmentally conscious business.  

Its that time of year again!  Trying to come up with creative and original ideas for your Halloween events.  This is a great time to continue with your Green lifestyle and recycle & reuse. Take a look at some of the costumes here that have been recycled.  

'Oatmeal Skin Salve' Oatmeal can be very soothing to the skin and have  anti-inflammatory properties due to its content of Beta Glucan. The oatmeal creates a thin barrier on the skin that keeps the moisture in the skin from escaping-Locking in moisture! Great for folks with dry skin. recipe: washcloth 1 cup of dry oatmeal warm water rubber-band Place the cup of oatmeal into the center of the washcloth. Bring up the corners of the washcloth to close it up and rubber band to cause closure. Take the washcloth and dip the oatmeal portion into warm water and squeeze out the excess water. Do this several times (4-5x's) until the water that rinses out is cloudy. Now that the water is cloudy, take a handful of the warm cloudy oatmeal water and apply to your face as if you were rinsing off your soapy face.  Splash the oatmeal water onto your face two times without rubbing or drying it.  Let your face air dry. 'Super simple Loofa Scrub'

windshield wiper fluid -vinegar, water and a splash of rubbing alcohol.  Metal Cleane r Brass -ketchup for polishing. Silver -baking soda, water, salt and aluminum foil makes a cleansing bath for silver products. Copper -rub item lightly with fine table salt dampened with vinegar and lemon juice. Chrome -rubbing alcohol & hot water OR ammonia & hot water OR white flour on a damp towel.   Carpet stain remover -club soda & salt  OR 1:3 part mixture of vinegar and water. Pour either mixture onto the stains-let sit for 5 minutes and dab dry. Wooden furniture - 1 gallon water, 2 cap fulls of baby oil and 1/2 cup of vinegar. Air Fresheners-   Simmer: cinnamon sticks, orange peel, cloves and water for a wonderful natural scent throughout your house.  To absorb odors-use baking soda in small bowl or dish and place in your refridgerator, bathroom, garbage can, anywhere there is a tendency to capture odors.  Garbage disposal f...