Tips for Going Green

Are you a novice at living a green lifestyle? Do you look for ways to broaden your outlook on your lifestyle? If you already have a green life plan and are looking for more ideas this article might have a few new ones for you.

When you go to the library you find quite a few books on environmental conservation but not a lot of books on giving tips for going green. Making the commitment to living a green lifestyle requires a bit of planning and creativity. While most of us are great at one we are just okay at the other. This article will give you some ideas on planning and creativity.

If you already have a green lifestyle plan in place you may have already implemented some of these ideas. If you haven't give them a try. Green lifestyles are not a one size fits all, so choose what works for you. If you try it and don't like it, that's okay, put it aside and choose another idea.

1. Take a look at how many vegetables you eat during the winter months. The green beans, corn, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, etc. Plan an organic garden for the spring. To continue reading CLICK HERE

Green Teens at Christmas

Are you trying to come up with ways to keep your teens environmentally aware? Do you keep the conversation turning back to why we only take 3 minute showers or why we should shut the lights off as we leave a room?
It's the holiday season and an easy time to continue with a teens green education. What gift can you give that promotes green living allowing them to see green in action. Yes , they see us compost and hang up the clothes but is that fun or just necessity to environment awareness.

A green christmas gift should pack a punch, especially with a teenager. We go through the typical stocking stuffings Itunes cards, earbuds, but what else could be interesting and fun? and Green?
I have a few suggestions.

Mindware has some great solar powered toys such as a Hydrogen-Powered Remote-Controlled Car! ages 12 and above. $129.

Fatbraintoys has a Kreechers pillow made out of recycled materials. $30.

Uncommongoods has recycled vinyl records into handmade cuff braclets $50.

Arbor collective has snowboards, skateboards and clothes. Eco friendly click here to find a location near you.

For more Greener gifts to give during this holiday season click here

Taming Mold with Tea Tree Oil

Are you tired of looking at mold growing in the grout of your bathroom, AGAIN? Dragging out hazardous chemicals once a week to clean mold from around the tub and tile. Don’t you think that by know there should be a natural safe product to clean and keep mold away? I don’t want to have to light off a toxic gas bomb in the bathroom just to have a shiny clean tub. Well, I have an answer, Tea Tree oil, this oil kills mold in bathrooms and kitchens as well as retarding the growth of new mold. That is HUGE! If I could get one day or one week longer without having to bring out smelly toxic chemicals I would do it. Now you can too!

How to Kill Mold with Tea Tree Oil: Using tea tree oil to kill household mold is one effective natural cleaner. Tea tree oil is antibacterial, antifungal as well as being capable of killing all types of molds. Tea Tree oil is an essential oil which is harmless to people and pets (although it can irritate your skin if used in a highly concentrated strength).
click here to continue the article...

Green guide tips: Composting

Green guide tips: Composting: "Compost: What is it? Compost is the decompostition of any organic material. It's that simple. Compost's are humus, which resembles topsoil ..."

Composting

Compost: What is it?

Compost is the decompostition of any organic material. It's that simple. Compost's are humus, which resembles topsoil and is dark in color, peat like, has a crumbly texture and earthy odor. This end product has no physical resemblence to the original waste from which compost is created. Good quality compost has no weed seeds or organisms that may be pathogenic to humans, animals or plants.

There are many uses for composted materials. There are many reasons to create compost heaps. Insect control, disease control, fertilizer or just to have a place to put food and yard waste.
Read full article...

Natural Pet Care

Is natural pet care better than your vet? Is using herbs and organic ingredients the right answer for your pet? Does your pet have allergies? Is your pet lethargic and tired all the time?
Check out www.greenguidetips.com

Eco Friendly question Cloth Diapers vs. Disposable Diapers

Eco Friendly Diapers
Choosing the right diaper: Cloth verse paper. Diaper service's were the only option when it came to diapering needs. Back in 1940. Nowadays moms and dads are looking to be responsible as well as having that convienence factor. Picking the right way to diaper your child, has to do with your thoughts on the environment, benefits to your new baby and convenience for you. Take your time going through this article.

Where do diapers come from? Disposable diapers are made from wood pulp and plastics; the plastic derived from petroleum. Buried inside most disposable diapers is a salt based polymer that increases absorbency. Reusable diapers are made from cotton and created using lots of water and bleach, unless you choose an eco friendly company for your cloth diapers. see more

Green cleaning

For some, green cleaning means only using products such as vinegar, baking soda, and lemons to clean surfaces. Others may seek out cleaners created with our environment in mind avoiding chlorine, phosphates, artificial fragrances and added coloring.Pre-packaged cleaning products can make use of recycled packaging or donate a portion of their profits to environmental causes and a few cleaners on the market are said to be biodegradable.

You can create your own cleaners following these simple formulas.

All Purpose Cleaner

This formula disinfects and can be used
on any washable surface in your home.
Since it’s antiviral and antifungal it’s particularly
suitable for kitchen’s and bathroom’s.

1 cup water, 1 cup vinegar,
2 tsp. liquid castile soap (usually sold as a concentrate)
25 drops essential oil of Thyme, Eucalyptus,
Tea tree, Lavender, Sandalwood or Lemon
Add all ingredients to a large spray bottle
(about 22 oz. and shake before using)

for more money saving formulas check out http://bit.ly/bi0Ryz

Sustainable Produce

The modern Organics Movement got its start in the late 1960’s and the early 1970’s when a band of farmers began to cultivate a more natural alternative to the industrial chemical agribusiness that had been feeding the country since the end of WWII. From the early experiments grew the organic industry we know today: small scale farming grounded in chemical free and ecologically sound strategies.

Instead of employing nitrogen fertilizers which feed the plant but not the soil these organic pioneers used plant compost and manures which nourished both. They targeted pests not with toxic sprays but with natural bug enemies. Crops were rotated into different fields every season allowing the ground to re-nourish itself some fields were allowed to lie fallow.

The approach produced harvests that were smaller then those on conventional farms but were fresher and safer. Over time some of these farms grew into small companies. The population that bought their produce was small mostly vegans and other health conscious shoppers.

If you want to support the small organic farmers in your area or the independent organic company and the values they bring to the movement? You’ll find them in the following venues: Farmers Markets, CSA’s and Buyers clubs.

Farmers Market
USDA farmers market

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
CSA’s are local organic farms that provide their subscribers with a supply of organic produce once a week , from May to November. Produce is typically delivered to drop-ff points close to subscribers. To join you pay farmers for your produce in advance of the growing season. To locate the CSA farm nearest you look at the online USDAs alternative farming system center.
Search for CSA

Buyers clubs
Get together with other organic consumers in your area and purchase organic food in bulk directly from the suppliers themselves, buy from small, independent organic companies. (grower may not be local) You’ll get a discount on your purchases. To find a club in your area contact your natural foods store for a list of whole sale suppliers.

source: googlebooks

Ocean City, Maryland

I vacationed in Ocean City, MD this year with full intention of shouting out to the world how green OC was going, well , I was disappointed they have stopped recycling due to the cost. I did see one (1) organic restaurant but the menu was overpriced plus you needed to be "dressed", my idea of dressed at the shore is shorts and flip flops at all times. Superfresh at 94th Street carried more organic produce, milk, jams, bread, water, etc, then I was normally accustomed to. I also saw Edwards store on the board walk carrying Stainless steel water bottles.

I want to send a special shout out to a local artist that created my new avatar for GGT. His name is Mike and he sits on the boardwalk drawing caricatures. Amazing artist, take a walk down to Fat Cats at 13th Street on the boards see some local talent...thats what eco friendly is all about!

I have concluded that Ocean City still has a way to go. Every visit I make I will continue to ask ,bug, and bother store owners, condo renters, etc, with green questions.
Why shouldn't our vacation spots be green? Who says you stop caring about the environment and ecosystem when you leave your little part of the world?

It doesn't take much to think green!

GGT
http://bit.ly/bKh8Sj