Environmentally friendly

I have come to realize that with the recent economy, many people are going more environmentally friendly.

I have always been somewhat environmentally friendly, but in the last year, I have made many improvements.

I now use reusable bags only and I strive to buy or use more earth-friendly products.

I no longer buy any chemical cleaners and I make a lot of my household products homemade.

In today's world, you can buy or make almost anything that is more earth-friendly, such as soap, shampoo, cleaners, diapers, wipes and a whole lot more.

My motto is now reduce, recycle or reuse. At the bottom of this blog, I will include a few tips I have learned along the way that helped me to do my part.

Many people are going all organic or living off the land. We try as much as possible including growing our own garden and living more simply and thinking twice before we make purchases.

If it isn't something that's going to help us with our cause, we don't buy it. I no longer eat at restaurants that buy meat or anything else from outside the United States (yes, I am one of those dorks that asks before we even eat there).

I am not asking anyone to change what they believe in. I am simply writing about what I do and simple ideas to help you and the earth along life's journey. To me, there is nothing better than tasting veggies from our garden that was grown with no pesticides or chemicals.

Soon, I am going to get chickens to supply our eggs and maybe a few other animals. However, I am not one of those people that can raise a cow, pig or chicken just to butcher it. I get attached way too easy for that.

There are many mom and pop grocery stores or meat shops that provide wonderful meat, even if I have to pay a few cents more, I don't mind because I know it helps out local business owners and gives us safe wholesome meat.

I get most my homeopathic medicines from Maurer's Wellness Apothecary.

There are very knowledgeable and helpful with any questions or concerns I may have.

I recently purchased coconut oil from there and it has lots of benefits, but the one I really love is the excellent energy boost it gives me. I can use it in shakes or smoothies or just use it to cook with.

Keep in mind always ask questions before you buy stuff like that because some forms are food grade and some are for other stuff like cosmetic grade (not all places sell the same thing).

I use a vinegar mix to clean with and now when I scold my boys for making any kind of mess, they tell me, "just get the vinegar out mom," and they know no matter what kind of mess they make, I can clean it without harsh chemicals.

Great Ideas

* Vinegar and water cleans almost anything well from windows to walls to floors,

* If you are doing tough jobs like showers, you can either make a baking soda paste or mix vinegar, one teaspoon baking soda, and hot water in a spray bottle and shake it until it's dissolved well. Straight vinegar works well, too,

* Instead of buying dishwasher rinse aid, fill it with vinegar. Works just as great,

* Making laundry soap is easy. Use washing soda, hot water, a few cups of a graded soap like fels naptha or ivory if you like that better and then borax,

* You can buy reusable bags for cheap and they last a super long time and some places give you discounts for using those instead of paper or plastic. Just ask your grocer if they provide the discount,

* Plastic coffee containers can be reused for leftovers and can be microwaved and put in the dishwasher or you can store batteries, nuts and bolts and a lot more in them.

E-mail me if you want more info or are looking for a specific homemade recipe or product at jnrodgers@iendeavor.com.