Christmas Recycling

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....

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?

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

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

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...

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

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?

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

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...

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

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

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?