Organic Sheets at Target!

If you love Target as much as I do, you must head over now, because their organic sheet sets are on sale!



Starting at $19.99 for a twin set, that can't be beat. :)

Needless to say I bought some of course :)

P.S. They also carry bamboo sheet sets online, and they seem to really have rave reviews! I'd pick some up, but I like buying in person vs online because I hate waiting!! :P

Red Hot and Green

If you don't watch HGTV religiously (like I do) then you may not have seen their newest show (special feature? full show? I'm not sure), called Red Hot & Green. The premiere episode showed a San Diego (yay!) couple trying to green their home and carpenter Carter Oosterhouse and eco designer Danny Seo headed the project! Lots of great ideas, I LOVED the kitchen and backyard - honestly, I WANT A BACKYARD!

In other news, our neighborhood did what I've been saying for the past few months - DITCH the two ugly huge waste bins and one tiny recycling bin for ONE big waste bin and ONE big recycling bin! Our recycling in the neighborhood was overflowing as it was, and it was IRRITATING to see recycling in the waste bin cause it didn't fit.

Massive Update

So, I needed to make a massive update. There is SO much that I want to post and etc, but I always want to post PICTURES! And it never happens that way. SO I might as well just update.

The Car.
So no, I didn't end up getting a hybrid. :( Unfortunately, it wasn't in the cards due to money. I probably could have gotten a used one, but for some reason, I felt uneasy about it, and I liked the new Civics a lot. I ended up getting a regular Civic, but I'm hoping that one day when money isn't so tight that I can get a hybrid. :)

The Pets.
Poor Moochie, he recently got a urinary tract infection and the vet's thinking it could be cystitis. We were originally using World's Best Cat Litter for him (which is still a great brand) but I found that it created WAY too much dust for my taste. I would find yellow paw prints everywhere! So I ended up switching to Swheat Scoop which is basically the same thing, but with wheat instead of corn. It produces much less litter, and I think it hides the odor better too.



On top of that, I found a litter box deodorizer (plain baking soda didn't always cut it.. my cat's stinky!) called Mrs Meyers that is basically baking soda with essential oils. I found it at Target too :)



On Food.
So my boyfriend has been having dietary problems and after some poking around, we thought it could be dairy related, so we've eliminated dairy from his diet. So far so good, but it is SO HARD trying not to eat dairy because our culture puts cheese on EVERYTHING. Plus that's his favorite food. :( So we've been experimenting a lot with foods, and tried Namaste Waffle and Pancake Mix which was really good! We used egg substitute too, and rice milk, which the recipe calls for, and the waffles were yummy! I'll try and post more recipes and things we're trying out :) Also, during my research, I found this website, Go Dairy Free. Lots of interesting information on why we should consume less dairy as a whole. I think ANYTHING in moderation is better for you.

On Relaxing.
For a while now, I've been wanting to get a massage just to relieve any stress and loosen up, and my friend wanted to take a spa day so I agreed and went with! We chose to go to Ecotique because of it's claim to "natural ingredients" although under further inspection, their products still contained parabens and other things that aren't good for you, their salon is very nice. Great service, although a bit disorganized. I enjoyed my massage a lot - she told me I was tight in my hands and feet, although it was easier to relax my feet than my hands. Perhaps it's due to using my hands all the time?? :P



For the record, none of these images are mine. :P

I guess that's all for now... at least, all that I can think of! I'm going to try to update more, and not feel bad for not always having my own images to post. :P

Dishwashing - Ecover vs. Seventh Generation

So ever since we went green, we immediately changed all our cleaning products. I put pretty much all my products up on craigslist for free, and they got snatched up instantly. I figured this was a better alternative than throwing them out (and down the drain which is a NO NO!) and adding to landfills - plus the people who would use them would probably end up getting new bottles of the actual stuff, so I'm reducing demand, yes? There are other options of disposing your household cleaners through your city's toxic waste removal program. Isn't that scary? To get rid of household cleaners, we need to get rid of them through a TOXIC WASTE program?? That alone tells you that the products used in cleaners are not safe!!

So use safer cleaners.. Seventh Generation and Ecover are the two most popular out there.

Anyway, one thing that I needed was dishwashing soap - for handwashing and the dishwasher. Did you know dishwashers are actually better than handwashing a whole load if dishes? Of course, if your dishwasher is full, and is energy efficient.

So initially, I purchased Seventh Generation's automatic dishwasher soap, and found that it basically SUCKED. I ended up having to do more work before the washing than the actual dishwasher (this is coming from a person who used Cascade Complete beforehand and basked in the barely-rinsing before putting the dishes in). It turned out to be a hassle! So I looked online for more answers, and found Ecover's dishwasher tablets!



I read good reviews, so I bought a box, and just tried it on a load, and I must say, I'm impressed! I did rinse and got major food off beforehand though, and I got into the habit of rinsing dishes when putting them in the sink (now, I just need to train my boyfriend to do the same!). But there wasn't residue and a non-plesant smell like there was with the Seventh Gen. Two thumbs up!



I also read an article in a magazine about the Ecover Aloe Vera dishwashing soap for handwashing - apparently they soften hands the best! I use gloves anyway cause I'm a touching-old-food-phobe. And it keeps my hands nice and clean. I hate wrinkly hands from water. Luckily I already had a bottle of this though! Lemon-scented too - I love the smell!

Grocery Finds

I went to the store the other day after dance class as usual and found the coolest thing (to me anyway!) - ORGANIC MILK in REAL glass bottles from Straus Creamery!



The part that caught my eye when shopping was on the milk case there was a sticker saying "Return bottles for a refund!" Apparently, you can return these glass bottles of milk at the store you bought it, or any store that carries this milk and get some money back. Now I don't know how much money, but that's an awesome way to not waste!

Another cool thing about the milk is that they do it old fashioned way, so the cream of the milk actually floats on top. My boyfriend was horrified by this, as he hates pulp in his orange juice, so the idea of cream in his milk makes him refuse to even try it! I really enjoy the milk though - it's nice and I think the flavor is ten times better than normal milk. I wouldn't mind drinking glasses of this, but I hate drinking normal milk.



The creamery is located in Northern California too, so it's local (somewhat) ;D

Another thing I discovered are these Green Tea Mints:



I got the "lively lemongrass" flavor, and it's nice - the mints are all-natural and apparently 3 mints equals one cup of green tea, so if you don't feel like drinking any but want your green tea fix, try this! Caffeine free too.

Green Pets

Meet Gromit (our pup) and Mooch (our kitty). They're our babies, our children. Gromit really needs a haircut, as you can see. :)

If you're like us, and live in a condo/apartment (upstairs too!) where you don't really have your own yard and need to walk your dog often, then you are probably familiar with picking up after your dog. I used to use plastic grocery bags before I started being more green-conscious, but then, I discovered these at the store:



BioBags for Dog Waste!
They're made of corn, and biodegradable, just like the trash bags. They're much more simple to use too, I think. You pick up the waste, turn it inside out, and they provide a little hole that you slip through so you don't need to do any tying. Simple! They're about $5 for a box of 50 at health food stores.

Also, for Mooch, we've started using this:


World's Best Cat Litter
It's the only cat litter made from whole kernel corn. It was funny when I first started using it, Mooch and Gromit sat there sniffing the bag for a long time probably cause they thought it was food.

I'm so glad we switched because I was previously using a clay-based litter, and the smell was overly fragrant, and the dust would cause me to sneeze. Every time I changed the litter box, I had to leave the room for a while. I'm still in the process of gradually getting him over to the new litter. When changing your cat's litter brand, mix it in with their old litter and make it a gradual process.

It's kitty approved!

Also, for Gromit, we use Bio-Groom Fluffy Puppy shampoo when giving him a bath. It's all natural with human-grade products.

For food, we feed them Chicken Soup for the Dog/Cat Lover's Soul, which is all natural. We also occasionally feed Mooch Innova Evo, but it's quite pricey, and Chicken Soup is much more reasonable. (It's funny when I tell the vet what I'm feeding them too.. they usually have never heard of the brand which is funny.) When buying foods for pets, pay attention to the ingredient list! PURE meats should be first - like chicken, turkey, or beef... NOT chicken-meal or chicken-by-products. The rest of the ingredient list should be mostly ingredients you recognize. Also, try and stay away from fillers - like corn, soy, wheat. Many pets are allergic to this, and it's a filler - not nutrient rich like actual meats. Try and stay away from products using rice as a first ingredient as well. Many cheaper grocery store brands use fillers as the first ingredient - that's why they're so cheap. Plus, the less fillers, the less waste your pets will have! This is VERY true as I noticed when changing Mooch's food around.

I think when changing your eating habits and changing to a greener lifestyle, you should do the same for your pets. Treat them with the same respect as any human. Everyone will be happier and healthier in the long run! :D

Annie Chun's Biodegradeable Bowls

I never like cooking for myself, so I always end up retreating to quick meals - like canned soups and noodle bowls. One of my faves is Annie Chun's noodle bowls.



The great thing about them? The food is all natural (not organic), AND, the bowls are biodegradable! They are made from corn, and what I like to do with the bowls after the meal is use them for food compost by the sink. I just thrown the whole bowl into the compost pile when it's full. Yay!



You can read more about the bowls on her website (some of her products are also gluten free as well!), and make a small donation for children in need here.

Downfall, yes, they're not cheap (I think they're normally $3.50ish at Ralph's - I've gotten them at Trader Joe's though, and I'm pretty sure they're cheaper there)

Now I just need to get worms for my compost pile...

Five Simple Ways

Going green feels like such a huge daunting task when you first begin. I remember thinking "Where in the world do I start?! I'm just one person, I'm not going to make that big of a difference!" Easy way out, right? I actually felt very depressed about the whole thing. The world was doomed, in my eyes.

It wasn't until I watched "An Inconvenient Truth" that I felt my attitude about the world's state change. It went from "I can't make that much of a difference" to "Even if it starts at just me, it's starting somewhere." Others see by your example and change their own behaviors. Even if they don't, know that you are living in a way that is gentle on the earth. And don't you want to care for things you find valuable?

Lifestyle changes are hard though, especially if you're not in the right mindset. So don't do it because "everyone tells you to" or you feel obligated to. Do it because you want to make a difference, and you want to care for the earth. Do it because you want to. Because without that mindset, you're not going to do anything wholeheartedly.

I read in Organic Housekeeping that it takes 21 days for someone to form a new habit or break a habit. So if you're willing, try to change little things for 21 days in a row. Here are some great and easy ways to start if you don't know where to start!

1.

Recycling is one of the easier ways to lessen your impact. Instead of contributing to landfills, you're allowing something to become something new and reused. Most major cities have a lot of recycling programs out there, Earth 911 is a great way to start finding recycling locations near your area.

Luckily for us, we have recycling bins near our trash bins in the complex (although it irritates me to no end when I see recyclable things in the trash!!). If you don't have a recycling program in your area, try and find out how you can implement one in your neighborhood - people will recycle more because it'll be more convenient for them.

I know in California, they raised the return money for recycling this past year, for you get 10 cents for large containers and 5 cents for small ones. You can find more information at bottlesandcans.com. We currently keep all bottles and cans and plastics in plastic bins and everything else (paper, cardboard) goes into the neighborhood recycling bins. We also recycle the plastic grocery bags we get, I know the Ralph's supermarket in our neighborhood takes used plastic bags for recycling - check your neighborhood store if they do too.

2.

(Our dog, Gromit, not included)
This one is a little more costly, since I know a lot of people re-use plastic bags as trash bags (*ahem* like my parents.. and most Asian families). But recycle those bags, and use biodegradable bags instead! I get a satisfying feeling when I know that I'm using something that wasn't from non-renewable sources, and that they biodegrade.

They cost about $5 a box, and you can find them at most Whole Foods or natural food store. I have yet to see them at Trader Joe's though! The only problem is that you can't really throw out food in the bags because well... they biodegrade. Well you probably could if you took out the trash more regularly than we do... :P

3.

Yes, buying organic does cost more. But I think of it this way - I'd rather be spending more out of my own pocket, than harming the earth and my health. Same goes for buying things like Bio Bags. Also, supply and demand. The more demand in organic foods, the lower the prices will get. Spend your money where your mouth is.

Two things to look out for when buying organic:


Look for the USDA label. This means that the product is certified organic, because really, anyone could label their stuff "organic." This was only recently implemented in 2002.


When buying produce, look at the number stickers. If there's a "9" in front of a 4-digit number, then it was grown organically. If there's a "8" in front of it, it means that it was genetically modified (STAY AWAY!) If there are only 4 digits, then it was grown conventionally.

Also, pay attention to where it was grown! Try buying local - farmers markets are great, and read the signs and labels to see where it came from. The closer they are, they less energy it took to bring it to you. And that's better for the planet, yes?

4.

Again, buying recycled does cost more, but you're reusing, yes? Make sure you check the label and read the percentage of POST-COMSUMER waste that was used. Meaning, people already used it, rather than pre-consumer, which means that it could be from things like wood shavings on a mill floor or something. The higher the post-consumer, the better.

5.

Using cloth bags is one thing that I have a hard time remembering to do because when I want to go to the store, it's on a whim, and I don't have my bags with me. So sometimes I have to grudgingly get a bag, or just carry without bags. But when you can, use reusable bags! Some stores give discounts, or put you in a raffle when you use your own bag. Apparently, IKEA is starting to charge for plastic bags. I know many places in the UK and overseas do this, and I'm so glad SOMEONE is starting this in the US.

You can get bags at many stores - Trader Joe's has the canvas ones for $3, and there are many great ones you can buy at reusablebags.com.

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Looking back, that's all a lot of information, and it may be a lot to take in - but you can always start small! Recycle for a bit first, then move onto something else. But all these things are good to keep in your mind when shopping at the grocery store. What helped me in the beginning because I felt very overwhelmed with ideas, is to jot things down. Make a list of all the things you want to change, and cross them off when you accomplish them - it was easy for me after that, cause I constantly thought about it. Your mileage may vary :)

Green Publications

I love books and I LOVE magazines even more. I'm a junkie before I go to bed - you should see the pile on my side of the bed! I like to read and look at magazines and think up ideas, styles, etc - before sleeping. It's not the most green thing to do, but I recycle and have been trying to give away the magazines that I no longer read to others who might enjoy them. I thought I'd share with you some of the books and magazines I have and thoughts.


ORGANIC HOUSEKEEPING
One of my first books, this is pretty much a non-toxic cleaning BIBLE. It has so much interesting information about everyday household things that you don't even realize. I highly recommend this for anyone who wants to put their foot into a greener lifestyle. This definitely outlines so much, plus it's great to keep on the bookshelf for referencing!


THE HEALTHY HOME WORKBOOK
I actually bought this a while back at Costco and didn't get around to reading it till recently. It's got lots of great simple tricks and changes to make your home and life greener. It breaks it down fairly easily from room to room and in incriments on how seriously you want to commit to the changes.


NEWMAN'S OWN ORGANICS GUIDE TO A GOOD LIFE
I didn't read this book all the way through like I did the last two - I kind of jumped around a bit, so it didn't feel "full" like the other two did to me. But it really has some great information, some even outside of the home, like investing and energy and putting your money where your mouth is, basically.


THE POST PETROLEUM SURVIVAL GUIDE AND COOKBOOK
This is a really dark sounding book - because it does address a scary fact - petroleum - something most of the world relies on, is quickly diminishing. I picked this book up primarily because I want to live in a way where I don't need to rely on a non-renewable resource, and it's got some interesting recipes, and is a how-to-survival guide. I haven't been able to really read this because a lot of it addresses home things that I can't change, living in a condo. Maybe once I live in my own home, eh?


SIMPLY GREEN PARTIES
I actually picked this up at the Tower Books in Sacramento while it was closing down (RIP Tower Records!!) - it was my last visit to a store that my boyfriend and I spent a lot of time in when we still lived at home. I picked this up mainly because I loved the ideas I saw in the book - and I even tried the butternut squash recipe in the book (although, I didn't quite blend it well enough and didn't turn out the way I wanted it to). The author, Danny Seo, also has a blog. :)

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Now, magazines! If you ask my boyfriend, I have way too many magazines for my own good. But I love them, their ever changing information, pretty pictures and current articles.


ORGANIC STYLE, NATURAL HEALTH & NATURAL HOME
Organic Style was one of my FAVORITE magazines, until it died. I used to go to the library and check out a ton of them. Unfortunately, they don't carry it at my local library anymore, but I love looking at the back issues that I have. One of my favorite ones was from March 05 (I think), where they highlighted Alicia Silverstone (I love her!) and talked about green weddings.

Natural Health is another cool magazine - not quite as awesome as Organic Style though.

Natural Home I only have one issue of, so I haven't really been able to judge the magazine as a whole. So far, I enjoy the issues because it focuses more on the home, while Natural Health is obviously about health and Organic Style was about everything inbetween.

...

There are also magazines that aren't originally green, but because of the recent trend, have come out with green issues this month. These are also, coincidentally, two of my most favorite magazines in the world.


DOMINO & READYMADE
I love Domino - the colors, the style, the homes! It's an inspiring magazine, and I was thrilled when I saw this issue at my local bookstore. It has some great ideas - too bad a lot of them are quite pricey, but it also has great tips, and who said you have to get exactly what they get? Go to a thrift store!

Readymade - one of the magazines I actually subscribe to (I'm this [] close to subscribing to Domino), and I was ecstatic when I saw what this issue was about this month. Readymade was already great in green ways - a majority of their projects are about reusing things and remaking them into other things. This issue had a lot of cool ideas, but I honestly didn't feel like I could put many of them into fair use. And didn't feel that radically different than their other issues. A good effort though!

The Java Log

We finally got around to trying out some Java Logs today and disappointingly, no, they don't make your house smell like a coffee shop. But they DO burn 7 times cleaner than regular logs do, and burn just as long. The one we used today lasted for about 3 hours, which is perfect since we don't sit by the fireplace all that long anyway!

You can find them at most grocery stores now - I've seen Ralph's carry them, as well as Longs Drugs for about $4 a log.