Happy Go Green

Whole Foods or Whole Paycheck?

2009-06-06T06:40:00.001-07:00

To shop at Whole Foods or not to shop at Whole Foods, that is the question. On the one hand I want to be committed to providing quality foods for my family and on the other hand I have a budget. What is a thrifty girl to do?

Whole Foods has decided to help debunk the myth that shopping at Whole Foods will take your whole paycheck. They have "Healthy Wealthy and Wise Tours." These tours are free of charge (but do require registration). A store representative takes you around and highlights ways to maximize the value of your shopping experience.

Yours truly attended this tour at 6:30 pm on a weekday night. I am typically intimidated by shopping at Whole Foods for fear I will go way over budget for groceries. Having someone take me slowly through the store and point out their store brand "365 Everyday" which is competitively priced enabled me to loosen the grip on the purse strings.

Best part of all is the goody bag at the end. It came in a reusable shopping bag (can't have enough of those), olive oil, chicken stock, black beans, granola bars and coupons.

In conclusion, the pointers were good, not earth shattering. The goody bag was well worth the time investment. I also feel confident when shopping there that I can see the value items that previously eluded me. I won't shop there every week now, but perhaps every other.

See if there is a tour at the Whole Foods near you.

EcoHangers

2009-06-02T07:01:00.000-07:00

EcoHangers is a new concept in dry cleaning. They offer marketing opportunities while making dry cleaning a little greener.

You can request that your local cleaners switch to these reusable hangers and save billions of wire hanger waste!

This has a local connection to me as well. As this is a friend's venture. Exciting.

Banana No-Nut Bread

2009-05-20T10:17:00.001-07:00

One of the "green mama" tips I have noted in my recent presentations is to conserve energy by decreasing the preheating time of the oven.

The statistic goes that if 30% of US Households reduced oven preheating time by 1 hour per year the energy saved could bake a dozen cookies for every American (The Green Book).

In the February 2009 issue of Good Housekeeping Amy Grant contributed a recipe for Banana Nut Bread that starts in a cool oven. You can imagine my excitement when I found a recipe that marries itself to the green tip so well!

I modified the recipe in our house as my husband does not care for nuts in his bread. It is moist and yummy nonetheless.

Amy Grant's
Grandma Grant's Banana Nut Bread

1c Sugar
1/2 c butter (1 stick) softened
2 lg eggs
3 bananas, sliced (2c)
2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 c pecans, chopped
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

1. Greast 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 metal loaf pan
2. Cream sugar with butter. Mix in eggs bananas, flour, pecans, baking soda, and salt. Pour into prepared pan.
3. Place loaf pan in cold oven. Set oven control to 300F and bake banana bread for 1 1/2 hours or until toothpick or skewe inserted in center comes otu clean.
4. Cool bread in pan 5 minutes on wire rack. Then remove from pan and cool completely, right side up.
Makes 1 loaf.

Bountiful Harvest

2009-05-16T17:01:00.000-07:00

It is week 4 of the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) we are a part of. Here is a photo of our vegetables from last week. Turnips, green onions, lettuce and strawberries. I think there is kale back there you can't really see.

So far we are enjoying the surprise of whats to come each week. We have gotten creative and googled recipes for the veggies that are new to us. We find that we grill out Saturday night with lots of vegetable sides.

It is like having your own garden without the work! We like knowing we are supporting local agriculture and stretching our comfort zone of vegetables. Our favorite cooking method is to saute' the greens down with onion, garlic and apple cider vinegar.

Check out www.localharvest.org to see if there is a CSA near you.

Triangle Presbyterian Moms Group

2009-05-13T12:27:00.001-07:00

I had another speaking opportunity to the Triangle Presbyterian Moms Group in Durham on Tuesday, May 12.

This casual group of Moms was welcoming and we had refreshing conversation about how to be Green Mom's.

One mom mentioned that she made cards for all occasions from her child's art work. I thought this to be a great idea. She has homemade cards for family and it cuts down on the artwork clutter in her own home. I'll remember this in the coming years.

Thanks for having me to your group!

Diaper Rash Creams

2009-05-09T05:59:00.000-07:00

Diaper rash is a fact of life for you and your baby. It is awful. This red inflammation is suggested to be treated by allowing the tush to air dry. Well that is not a luxury at every diaper change. Fortunately, there are creams that protect baby skin from the moisture rich environment of their diaper.

Desitin was used by the case on me. Smelling it brings back childhood memories. That very smell is what made me second guess if this was the right treatment for her diaper rash.

I found this blog article from Healthy Child Healthy World. It confirmed my suspicions that Desitin was not he miracle cure. Desitin contains hormone disrupting BHA, synthetic fragrance with phthalates and parabens.

A better option is to use an organic option that is free of dangerous chemicals. I choose ShakleeBaby Diaper Cream. It is 99% natural and uses aloe and chamomile to soothe the skin.

Here's to Happy Heinies!

StMM MOPS Group

2009-05-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

Tuesday night I had the honor to speak to the St.MM MOPS group. What a neat bunch of ladies! We discussed being "Green Mama's" and creating healthier homes for our family. It was also Cinco de Mayo so we had tasty margarita's (alcohol free).

I learned a lot too. I was encouraged to see what the other ladies were already doing in their homes. I am getting closer and closer to composting. A member of the group has been composting for years. It was encouraging to talk to her about her experience. Especially the part about it not smelling!

Free Lunch Tote

2009-04-24T12:05:00.000-07:00

This lunch tote from Whole Foods can be yours for free! Download a coupon from Oprah.com for your free. tote.

I went and got mine today. It even came with a free apple. A random thing to include. There is a 5 cent tax on the item. So don't leave your walet in the car like I did.

Hurry, only good through Sunday.

Looking Younger

2009-04-08T10:08:00.000-07:00

Here is a video clip from a Greensboro, NC news station highlighting how to look and feel younger. They highlight Shaklee's Vivix product! Neat stuff.

Watch Video Here

Quarterly: Moran Work Day on the Farm

2009-03-31T11:38:00.000-07:00

Well folks it is that time of year again, time for "Moran Work Day on the Farm." This is an anticipated day of yard work to ready it for Spring.

On the agenda for this Saturday is pine straw. We need to freshen up our natural area with pine straw. The pine straw is pleasurable to look at but it will also hold in moisture to guard from the harsh heat of summer.

This day has to be scheduled, as I am not a lover of all things yard. I do appreciate a tidy lawn, weed free beds and the flowering plant. However, I do detest the sweating, aching back and dirty finger nails. So quarterly, I put aside my preferences and work in the yard.

Let me clarify that these yard feelings are not felt by my husband. He is king of all things grass. Our lawn is lush and green and well manicured, all thanks to him. I like to attribute this quality to the Irish bloodline. Grass is where his domain ends. I am responsible for the natural areas and weed pulling. The photo above is the end result of our last "Work Day" in the fall.

Now that we have a little one to frolic in our 0.35 acre of heaven. I am concerned about the chemicals we use. I found some great ideas from Erin's Frugal Living Blog. I plan to try her coffee grounds fertilizer on my azalea bushes and the vinegar weed killer!

I can already smell the grill and taste the frosty beverage that beckons us at the end of the day.

Green is Main Stream

2009-03-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles times article, A Greener Future, Part 1: Products derived from natural, nontoxic ingredients – once seen as fringe – are now mainstream

I think this is a well rounded article that unveils how these "green" cleaners work and addresses the shades of "brown" that can be present in "green" cleaners.

Opt out of Yellow Pages

2009-03-26T08:54:00.000-07:00

I have not looked up a number in the phone book in 10 years, at least. When I found out you could stop delivery of the Yellow Pages to your home I signed right up. The amount of paper used and delivery cost associated with unsolicited phone books is outrageous.

Click here to Opt out of the Yellow Pages and go Green!

Safe Way to Brighten Cloth Diapers

2009-03-24T11:57:00.001-07:00

When I received my diapers they came with a 1/4 page of care instructions. Per the directions, on a monthly basis Clorox should be added to aid in stain and odor removal. Cringe.

I try not to use Clorox in my home any longer. So this was disheartening that I would have to reintroduce Clorox into my home. I clicked upon an alternative!

According to Healthy Child Healthy World Quick Tips for Cloth Diapering, it is suggested to use 1/2 cup of lemon juice or white vinegar. Alas, I exhale.

We have been using the cloth diapers for a month now and it is time for a freshening wash. I feel much better about the use of nontoxic vinegar.

Green Mama Talks

2009-03-19T06:49:00.000-07:00

I was asked by my dear friend LCO to speak to her MOPS group on being "green" for their March meeting. I was humbled that she thought to ask me and quickly realized I had not spoken in front a group since my working days which are getting smaller on the horizon every day.

Her group is a great group of gracious Mom's who let me stumble through my presentation. There were lots of green Mom's in the making amongst their group. They taught me a thing or two. It was a fun collaborative discussion about how we can be good stewards of our planet.

Thanks to Salem Baptist MOPS for having me. I thoroughly enjoyed your group!

I wanted to share with you a tip from that meeting. I'll post a few as a blog series.

#1 According to Energy Star, up to 40% of an appliances usage is when the appliance is turned off and not in use. By unplugging the appliance 6-26% savings can be had. Unplug small kitchen appliances after use (coffee pot, toaster oven, mixer, can opener, etc).

Take it a step further by unplugging those decorative lamps that are not used often. How about the lamp, alarm clock or TV in the guest room that is infrequently used? I did this in my home. Prior to a guest arriving I will spend time readying the room and can plug the items back in at that time.

These seemingly little things can add up to savings on your power bill.

Cloth Diaper Update

2009-03-19T06:41:00.000-07:00

Here are my little bum Genus'. We have worked these new cloth diapers into our routine now.

It has not been as big of a transition as I was anticipating. I washed them all before use, as recommended by the manufacturer. Put Mary Claire in them and then placed them in a lined trash can until wash day.

MC does not seem to mind them at all. Our conclusion is she likes them better b/c the fabric used is so soft. I am sure it is more comfortable than the disposables.

I do wash them in our home washing machine. I do a rinse on cold then a full cycle on Hot/Cold setting. Dry them on Medium and that's it. They have not stained or retained any odors. They just smell like laundry. I stuff the inserts as I get them out of the dryer so they are ready to use. I am doing a load every 2 days.

We aren't 100% cloth. We used around 3 a day cloth and 3 disposable. Thus far that seems to be an appropriate amount for us, for now.

I would recommend then to others and encourage anyone thinking about it that it was not as big of a deal as I had previously thought.

Did I mention how cute they are?!

I took the Plunge!

2009-03-02T07:48:00.000-08:00

I have taken the plunge. The cloth diapers have been ordered and are on their way. I did get the Bumgenius brand I mentioned in my previous post.

I'll let you know how it goes! Yikes.

I thought it was supposed to be easy being green.

2009-02-23T12:14:00.000-08:00

Well it's not right now. I am feeling moved to convert to a cloth diapering system. Boy, it is another world. An entire vocabulary exist that I knew nothing of. I have spent more time than I care to admit reading up on cloth diapers.

As of this moment, I have decided on Bumgenius Pocket Diapers. Wait a minute and I'll probably change my mind again.

I need a Cloth Diaper tutor!

I'll keep you posted on the transition.

Just had to ask

2009-02-18T10:20:00.001-08:00

We recently received our trash and recycling pick-up schedule for 2009. I would normally toss it right into the trash. Wednesday is trash day - what else is there to know? Well, it turns out lots!

I read that our city accepts junk mail and cardboard in the recycling. I've lived here a long time and just assumed they did not take those things.

To my further surprise, you can request an additional recycle bin at no cost! Brilliant. We often overflow our bin due to the pickup being bi-weekly.

So now we have an entire bin for paper and cardboard. The other for glass, alumninum and plastic items.

Take a closer look at your policy and see what you could be missing!

Green Birthday

2009-02-11T06:52:00.000-08:00

Our little girl (MC) had her first birthday this past weekend. I made an effort to have it be a "green" budget friendly party.

1) I bought no paper products! We had 12 family members there and I have 12 place settings, so no need for paper plates.

2) Made the cupcakes and decorated them. This eliminated the waste of the box from a store bought cake. Savings $$

3) Send e-vite rather than paper invitations. Free!

4) Gathered together photos of the attendee with MC, framed them and placed the picture at the table as seating assignments. It provided for conversation starter and brought back happy memories of the first year. Using frames from around the house gave the table and eclectic look. Another no cost decorating option.

We had beautiful 65 degree day in February. It was a simple happy day.

Toddler here were come!

I'm a winner!

2009-02-04T07:09:00.000-08:00

I won, I actually won something! I was the blog giveaway winner from GreenMamma.

She had neat gift wrap idea during December. She wrapped gifts in a scarf. Reusable, unusual and green! I was very excited to find out I won.

Thanks GreenMamma!

Time of Use

2009-01-27T10:10:00.000-08:00

Not all power is created equal. It cannot be stored, saved in a warehouse, or bought on sale for next season. There are ways to be frugal with your household power consumption with a Time of Use plan.

A Time of Use plan gives your household a cheaper per KWH (kilowatt hour) rate for using the bulk of your power during non peak times.

A peak time is when most customers are using power. For example power in the North Carolina area peaks in the morning when folks are running hair dryers, using hot water for showers, watching TV and turning on the coffee pot. Folks are also getting to work, turning on computers, and overhead lights. Another peak occurs in the late afternoon between 4-7 pm. Workers are getting home using the stove to cook dinner, the TV and computers are on.

A non peak time is any other time. In NC, these times are between 1-4pm and after 9pm-9am from September through March. During these winter months the afternoon is the warmest part of the day (among other reasons) thus heaters are working less hard to warm us resulting in lower energy demands. The evenings are an off peak time as most office buildings lights are off, at home we are turning off the TV, done with the cooking and going to bed. (Summer peak hours are from 10am-9pm)

As a Time of Use customer, I pledge to use my high power appliances during these off peak times in return for a cheaper rate. I run the dishwasher after lunch or set the timer to run it in the middle of the night. I do laundry while my little one naps. Or I start a load of laundry before bed and put it the dryer when I wake up and it is done before the 9am cutoff. I also try to vacuum during these off peak times.

I still have power 24 hours a day to use at my discretion. However, I will pay a slightly higher rate for the power used during peak hours.

Does this work? It has saved me $120 in my power bill since we started the Time of Use plan. Every little bit helps!

It is more than helping your wallet, it helps the environment too. More on that in future postings.

To find out if Time of Use is available to you search your utilities website for "time of use." You will most likely have to call your utility company and ask to sign up for the service specifically. It did not cost me anything to join with Progress Energy in NC.

Do you think Time of Use is something you could benefit from?

Look who's walking

2009-01-25T16:24:00.000-08:00

Feel like I'm moving in...

2009-01-19T10:42:00.000-08:00

This is just a quick realization I've come to.

I feel like I am moving in to the the Grocery Store! I make my way in with my reusable shopping bags, the cart cover for MC and then MC and her 20lbs self in tow. Oh and don't forget my purse.

Who says shopping is not exercise. Shew, I'm beat.

Upside: Using the reusable bags results in much fewer bags which leads to fewer trips to unload the car. We aren't going there today.

Air Filters

2009-01-12T07:07:00.000-08:00

We change out air filters in the house quarterly. Being an accountant by trade this is an easy recurring time frame for me to remember.

That being said 12/31 was the end of the last quarter thus off to the home improvement big box store to retrieve air filters. Thinking along the way, "What a waste to just throw these filters out every time."

Lo and behold there are reusable air filters. They read my mind.

This filter is plastic and is comes with a plastic gird like sheet that filters the air. Now each quarter I'll rinse it off and put it right back. Best of all I don't have to keep remembering to go to the store to get them!

They cost about $20 each and we have 2 air returns in the house. So I figure in 5 qtrs I'll have recouped my investment and kept 10 air filters out of the landfill. We always spend too much when we go into those stores anyways. I don't think we have EVER left the store with just what we went in for. I digress.

See about putting the reusable air filters in your house too.

Healthy Plants

2009-01-09T11:18:00.000-08:00

I just love when I find out something I am already doing happens to be good for me! That is what happened when I came across a "Healthiest Plants" article in Health magazine.

The article highlights five hardworking houseplants that remove harmful chemicals from your home.

According to the article, indoor air becomes toxic from building materials and air fresheners.

Here is the list in no particular order:
1. English Ivy

clears out formaldehyde
climbing vine, super versatile

2. Bamboo Palm

clears out formaldehyde
low-maintenance; needs a few hrs of sunlight, water regularly

3. Lady Palm

clears ammonia
highly resistant to insects

4. Rubber Plant

clears formaldehyde
tolerates cool temps and low light, just keep watered

5. Peace Lily

removes acetone, benzene, alcohols and ammonia.
the only plant listed that flowers

I have had a peace lily since my grandfather passed away in 1999. Who knew it was providing these great air quality benefits all along!

Congress may ban sale of homemade Children's toys

2009-01-08T06:33:00.000-08:00

There is disturbing legislation pending that increases the amount of testing for lead and phthalates in products intended for children under the age of 12. Stemming from the tainted toys that were produced in China this year.

On the surface this seems like a good idea. However, it blankets all items including homemade toys and clothes. Large manufacturers say the cost is minimal but for the individual these tests would mean certain death of their business.

There has to be a better middle ground. The current proposal is not it!

Read and LA Times article here.
Help Save Handmade Toys

Playing Catch Up

2009-01-06T06:36:00.001-08:00

I have been gone a while, huh?! Well the Christmas holiday was great. Thankfully, we had good visits and safe travels.

This was our first Christmas in our home. In the past we have gone to either of our family's for the holidays. This year was all ours. With that excitement came the ability to make new traditions. A new tradition might as well be a green one, right?!

We took our tree and our wrapping paper and greeting cards to be recycled. I cringe at the thought of having more trash than will fit in our city issued bin. So taking the extra bags of paper to be recycled kept us from overflowing our bin into the street!

The new year has started off w/ a nasty bug going through our house. Hopefully it is gone now and the focus on the new year can begin!

Christmas Recycling

2008-12-22T10:33:00.000-08:00

After many years of wanting Christmas morning at our house, this year it is finally happening.

Given the chance to start a few new traditions one is going to be not having our trashcan overflow with holiday shrapnel.

Our county has special holiday recycling programs. For instance they grind down Christmas Trees to mulch to line area park pathways with. They also take wrapping paper, cardboard boxes and greeting cards! I can't wait to load our dried out tree and bags and bags of holiday waste!

Out with the old and in with the new!
Merry Christmas!

It's fun to eat from the....

2008-12-16T06:32:00.000-08:00

GCSA! It's fun to eat from the GCSA! (tune of YMCA)

Garner Community Sustained Agriculture (GCSA)

I looked into the local harvest website and found there is a CSA right down the road from me! I live near nothing so that was pretty exciting news.

I have signed up for a 1/2 order of vegetables and fruits for 25 weeks (April through Nov). I see it like having my own garden but better. Yard work is not at the top of my list of things to do even though I enjoy fresh vegetables from the garden, just not my garden.

The thought of taking out the whole produce section of my grocery shopping is very appealing! I have never done anything like this before so I'll report back on how it goes. I have heard good things.

What can I skip buying organic?

2008-12-14T06:02:00.000-08:00

The economy is in a recession, blah, blah. Recession or not I always am trying to save money on our grocery bill. That being said an article in Health magazine asked the question, "Organic groceries are so expensive. Where can I scrimp?"

The columnist Lynnette Khalfani-Cox noted that according to the Environmental Working Group the following list contain the most pesticides, so it is best to stick with organic for these.

peaches
apples
sweet peppers
celery
nectarines
strawberries
cherries
lettuce
potatoes

She also encouraged the purchase of organic milk, meat and poultry, as these items are free of growth hormones, antibiotics and pesticides. Another tip for the savvy shopper is to look for meats that are labeled "natural," meaning there is no growth hormones, antibiotics, or artificial ingredients. These "natural" items are often cheaper than organic.

You can also save on organic items by joining a food co-op or a community-supported agriculture group (CSA). Is there one near you? Click here.

Christmas Cards

2008-12-09T06:43:00.001-08:00

I know you know that Christmas cards are on the chopping block for environmentalist. I thought about sending the e-card, but I love the photos and the thought that goes into each card.

So I compromised. Still sending a great family photo my SIL took, but scaled down the recipients by half. Last year I sent over 50 cards, this year 24.

I really like the idea of the photo cards that do not require an envelope. Less waste and less postage. Have you heard of those? Maybe next year we'll do that.

HP Cartridge Recycling

2008-12-09T06:29:00.000-08:00

Just now as I sat down to the computer I noticed the box with the new printer cartridges in it on the desk. Insides the HP box was a postage paid envelope to send your old cartridges for recycling. And when I was purchasing them the store said if I brought in my old cartridges I could get $3 off my next cartridge purchase. Very cool.

How can you not take advantage of recycling when it is a) free and b) so easy?!

I wish batteries were the same way. We go through double A's like Kleenex around here.

Still on the tree...

2008-12-03T06:28:00.000-08:00

So my husband and I had a conversation the other day about why people chop down a perfectly fine tree to drag it indoors, to have die and then haul it back out?

My conclusion was that a tree brings a symbol of life into our homes during the darkest time of the year. While everything outside is snuggled down waiting for Spring we need a sign of vitality. As a Christian, that life in the midst of darkness is the birth of Jesus Christ. I think of the light of the world as I look upon the lights on our tree.

Bringing in a tree helps the air quality of our homes by taking in Carbon Dioxide and giving off oxygen. This is especially needed in the winter months when we are inside more. (Side note - you can get Organic Christmas trees. We went 2 places looking for them and could not find one, but next year I will find one for sure!)

Our Christmas tree this year is also a symbol of commitment. After learning that it takes 8 years to grow the average Christmas tree I have an appreciation for the farmer that tended to this tree for so many years. My husband and I have been together for 8 years. The entire time we have been dating/married/parents this tree has been growing waiting to come into our home.

This is the first year I have been home with our tree for any extended length of time. The smell, the lights, the ornaments I am loving it all this year!

Don't just look at your tree as an annual decorative obligation but give it another look this year.

Oh Tannenbaum

2008-12-01T06:10:00.000-08:00

Being a North Carolina native I have a love for the classic Fraser fir Christmas Tree. My grandfather used to grow Christmas trees many years ago in the mountains of NC.

There are approximately 50 million Fraser fir trees growing in on over 25,000 acres in western NC. These trees are tended too by over 1,600 growers. The life cycle for a single tree is 8 years.

This year a Frasier Fir from Mistletoe Meadows Christmas Tree Farm in Ashe County, NC will decorate the White House. The tree is 20ft tall and 13ft wide and weighs 2,000 pounds. I saw a story on public television saying that it took 19 years to grow this tree.

Learning all of this about my beloved Fraser fir gave me new appreciation for this fragrant decoration for our home this winter season. This years tree is special because it will be MC's first one!

Mmm, What's that smell?

2008-11-25T10:31:00.000-08:00

God gave us 5 senses to experience the world with. Well during the holidays it seems like the sense of smell gets promoted to the top of the sensory hierarchy. Before you begin lighting the parade of gingerbread, evergreen and holly candles think about this.

Scented and aromatherapy candles can cause air quality issues. One problem is soot. This particulate matter can discolor walls and ceilings. Beyond that, it can be toxic.

Most candles are made from paraffin wax or a blend thereof. Paraffin is derived from petroleum and when burned they release carcinogens, neurotoxins and reproductive toxins. Specifically, benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein and soot. One article described burning these candles is liken to starting a diesel engine in your living room.

Not just the wax is to blame. The wicks found in these candles may contain metal wire wicks, which can contain lead.

All hope of a warm glow this holiday season is not lost! Beeswax and soy candles are safe alternatives. These type candles are long burning, are not toxic and less likely to trigger allergic reaction.

A frugal alternative is to not use artificial scents at all. Just this past weekend I had folks over and would have burned a candle or two. Conscious of the air quality in my home I decided to bake pumpkin bread instead. What a great aroma! Simmering cinnamon sticks, cloves and citrus fruits (orange, apple, lemon) can also be an alternative when there is no time for baking.

Green Bling

2008-11-24T07:15:00.001-08:00

From Green Mom Finds there is kid safe bling! ha. If you have held my little girl recently while wearing a necklace she has put it in her mouth and likely pulled on it w/ her super human grip.

Well now from Heavenly Holds there is a safe necklace just for that. It is made from non-toxic, phthalate, BPA and PVC free materials. It comes in all shapes and sizes. Now being a Mom does not have to mean abandoning neck wear for 2yrs. There is even a 10% discount when you use the Green Mom Finds code.

It is endorsed by Tori Spelling. I secretly love that! :)

So proud...

2008-11-21T06:00:00.001-08:00

My husband's company was just named the North Carolina Green company of the year. How cool?! Click here to read what they are up too.

Welcome

2008-11-19T11:12:00.001-08:00

Little change to a new blog. Concept is the same just a new name. Update your bookmarks and sign up as a follower to happygogreen.blogspot.com

Dream

2008-11-19T10:48:00.001-08:00

When is the last time you dared to dream? Really dream? In our society these days we are told to go to school, then to college and then get a job. OK, so you've done all those things. Great. Now what?

Last week I put together a Dream Board - or dream 8.5 x 11 in my case. This board represents the dreams I have for myself.

Things you'll see:

ability to work at home (even when MC goes to school, why does everyone think they have to go back to work when the kids are in school?)
places to travel (mountains, cruise, ski trips out west)
high efficiency washer and dryer
a new laptop
happiness
health

It is a little scary to put my dreams out there for all of you to see. What if I don't achieve all of these? Well, what if I do? You'll know it isn't by accident I got "insert dream." You'll know I worked hard for it and being a Shaklee Independent Distributor was the vehicle. Along the way I'll help others live healthier lives.

What are your dreams? Are you working towards them? Have you taken the time to write down your dreams and share them with others?