THE LAST STRAW

We all know we shouldn't use straws because they are everywhere and they are plastic. But I can't drink anything cold without one. Solution: A glass straw. I love it. I love the way it feels and it is easy to keep clean. I just rinse it with a bit of soap and water and then stand it up in a glass until it dries. You can also purchase a skinny little brush to clean it with. I purchased it from Glass Dharma 707-964-9350 http://glassdharma.americommerce.com

This is the one I purchased: 9.mm x 6.25" $7.50 plus the brush $5.00 plus shipping $3.00
Total: $15.50

Not cheap compared to all the thousands of free plastic straws, but a small price to pay for Mother Earth. Makes great little gifts to all your eco-minded friends and relatives.

DON'T TRASH THAT FLEA COLLAR

According to Woman's Day, April 1, 2010:

Flea treatments and collars cannot be thrown in the regular garbage. They must be disposed of at garbage collection sites - you know, those places that accept toxic and hazardous waste.

So, if this is what you are using on your companion animals, think again. I know there are natural alternatives to this poison, you just have to research it. I didn't use a thing for twenty years/12 cats. All I did was comb, comb, comb - and I never had a flea problem. I even had large area rugs. After their dinner meal, I would get each one and 1, 2, 3 comb under their arms, groin, neck, belly, behind ears, tail. Once a week I gave them a thorough combing. I grabbed the fleas stuck in the comb with a tissue and tossed in toilet, where the fleas, what few there were, drowned. They were indoor cats, but I did have one outdoor cat that came in and brought some fleas in, no doubt. When I finally got my outdoor cat to stay in without spraying, the fleas eventually disappeard.

The reason I stopped using toxic chemicals on my cats over twenty years ago was when my third cat was around 4 months, I washed him with a flea soap and he went into convulsions. That was the first and last time I ever used something like that and he never had another convulsion.

To be honest, there were a few times during those years I had to use drugs to get rid of tape worms, which did come from fleas, but I felt that was safer than continued use of flea collars, etc.

GLASS JARS VS PLASTIC CONTAINERS

I will never buy plastic storage containers ever again. I love storing food in glass jars. The best are wide-mouth jars from salsa. I also like the small horseradish jars with the white lid. I pretty much save all my jars until I run out of space to store them. I get a pretty good collection of salsa and spaghetti sauce jars, so I can always recycle some. If you can't get rid of the odor from the lid, you can soak in soapy water for awhile. I find that eventually the odor goes away and does not affect the food stored - even pickle jars - which are great. They are better than plastic containers because you can see through them and don't have to play guessing games. Plus you don't have to worry about bad plastic leaching into your food. I am not sure if you can microwave the glass jars - I haven't tried it. I would venture to say it is probably ok to do so.

REUSE POLITICAL SIGNS

So many political signs are wasted. They are thrown into our landfills and they are made of some sort of plastic. For those of you who have garage sales or who demonstrate against animal abuse, these signs can be covered with paper and re-written on. Use staples to affix paper to sign (not scotch tape). I have used them for garage sales and they work great. In thinking further, I discovered that they also make a great substitute for a cork bulletin board if they are the "corrugated" type. I know if you think about it, you can think of other uses for these wasteful signs that are polluting our environment as litter and trash. I have several signs to share, so let me know if you need a couple. Pick them up after elections, and pass them around to people you know. Don't forget to take the metal legs as they are needed if you use as a garage sale sign. If you feel uncomfortable taking these signs after elections, just call the rep involved. I am sure they would be happy for you to take them. Offer to return the metal legs so that they can reuse them.

Thank you to my facebook friend: Colleen Cruz

10 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER BUY AGAIN

1. Styrofoam is forever. It's not biodegradable.Alternative: Buy recyclable and compostable paper cups. Best option: Invest in some reusable mugs that you can take with you.
2. Paper towels waste forest resources, landfill space, and your money. Alternative: When you do buy paper towels, look for recycled, non-bleached products. Search the National Green Pages™ for recycled paper products. Best option: Buy dishtowels or rags to wash and reuse.
3. Bleached coffee filters: Dioxins, chemicals formed during the chlorine bleaching process, contaminate groundwater and air and are linked to cancer in humans and animals.Alternative: Look for unbleached paper filters.Best Option: Use reusable filters such as washable cloth filters.
4. Excess packaging wastes resources and costs you much more. Around thirty three percent of trash in the average American household comes from packaging.Alternative: Buy products with minimal or reusable packaging.Best Option: Buy in bulk and use your own containers when shopping.
5. Teak and mahogany. Every year, 27 million acres of tropical rainforest (an area the size of Ohio) are destroyed. Rainforests cover 6% of Earth’s surface and are home to over half of the world’s wild plant, animal, and insect species. The Amazon rainforest produces 40 percent of the world’s oxygen. Alternative: Look for Forest Stewardship Council certified wood.Best Option: Reuse wood, and buy furniture and other products made from used or salvaged wood.
Learn how to become WoodWise at home and in your office »
6.Chemical pesticides and herbicides. American households use 80 million pounds of pesticides each year. The EPA found at least one pesticide in almost every water and fish sample from streams and in more than one-half of shallow wells sampled in agricultural and urban areas. These chemicals pose threats to animals and people, especially children. Alternatives: Buy organic pest controllers such as diatomaceous earth. Best Option: Plant native plants and practice integrated pest management. Plant flowers and herbs that act as natural pesticides.
7. Conventional household cleaners.. Household products can contain hazardous ingredients such as organic solvents and petroleum-based chemicals that can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your indoor environment, positing a particular danger for children. The average American household has three to ten of hazardous matter in the home.Alternative: Look for nontoxic, vegetable-based, biodegradeable cleaners. Best Option: Try making your own green cleaner using vinegar, water, and castile soap.
Find safe, green cleaners in the National Green Pages™»
8. Higher octane gas than you need. Only one car in ten manufactured since 1982 requires high-octane gasoline. High-octane gas releases more hazardous pollutants into the air, and may be bad for your car. Alternative: Buy the lowest-octane gas your car requires as listed in your owner's manualBest option: Make your next car purchase a hybrid. Or ditch the car and take public transportation, ride a bike, or walk.
Learn more about green transportation »
9. Toys made with PVC plastic. 70% of PVC is used in construction, but it is also found in everyday plastics, including some children’s toys. Vinyl chloride, the chemical used to make PVC, is a known human carcinogen. Also, additives, such as lead and cadmium, are sometimes added to PVC to keep it from breaking down; these additives can be particularly dangerous in children’s toys. PVC is also the least recycled plastic.Alternative: Avoid plastics that are labeled as “PVC” or “#3.” Look for #1 and #2 plastics, which are easier to recycle and don’t produce as many toxins. Use sustainable construction materials.Best option: Take action to tell manufacturers to stop using PVC plastics, especially in children’s toys.
Find safe toys in the National Green Pages™ »
10. Plastic forks and spoons. Disposable plastic utensils are not biodegradeable and not recyclable in most areas.Alternative: Use compostable food service items. Companies such as Biocorp make cutlery from plant materials such as corn starch and cellulose.Best option: Carry your own utensils and food containers.

Recommendations from www.GreenAmericaToday.org

DON'T THROW THAT CORK AWAY!

Crown Wine & Liquors collects corks and sends them to Art Schools where students burn them and use them for charcoal drawings. Of course, the plastic corks won't do. If you frequent a different wine/liquor store or just have one in your neighborhood, perhaps you can ask them to do the same thing. They basically just place a small pail on the counter with a sign about the corks.

RECYCLING WEBSITES

Here are some items you can recycle.

1. Athletic Shoes - One World Running will send still-wearable shoes to athletes in need in Africa, Latin America, and Haiti: http://www.oneworldrunning.com/. Nike's Reuse-a-shoe program turns old shoes into playground and athletic flooring: http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/.
2. Compact flourescent bulbs (CFL): Take them to your local IKEA store for recycling: http://www.ikea.com/.
3. Computers and electronics: To find the most responsible recyclers go to www.ban.org/pledge/Locations.html.
4. Ink/toner cartridges: http://www.recycleplace.com/
5. Collective Good will refurbish your phone and sell it to someone in a developing country: http://www.collectivegood.com/. Call to Protect reprograms cell phones to dial 911 and gives them to domestic violence victims: http://www.donateaphone.com/
6. Foam packing peanuts/blocks: Your local pack-and-ship store will likely accept these for reuse. Or call the Plastic Loose Fill Producers Council to find a drop-off site: 800-828-2214/loosefillpackaging.com. For places to drop off Foam Blocks for recycling, contact the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers:
410-451-8340, www.epspackaging.org/info.html
7. Batteries: Contact http://www.batteryrecycling.com/
8. Appliances: Steel Recycling Institute to recycle http://www.recycle-steel.org/. Or the store where you bought your new appliance will probably take the old one or Goodwill accepts working appliances.
Information from Green America: http://www.greenamericatoday.org/

more sites:
9. Cell phones and rechargeable batteries: rbrc.org
10. Computers: sharetechnology.org
11. Paint: earth911.org
12. Tires: epa.gov/garbage/tires/live.htm
13. Carpets: carpetrecovery.org
14. Eyeglasses: neweyesfortheneedy.org
15. Electronics: mygreenelectronics.org

VEGAN DENTAL FLOSS IN CARDBOARD BOX

THIS ONE IS A TWO-FER. First, it comes in a cardboard box, so no more of those plastic dispensers. And, secondly, it is vegan waxed. It does cost about $1.50 more than other brands, but you get twice as much. I found it at Nutrition Smart in Pembroke Pines. It is called Eco-Dent Vegan Floss. I have also been using smaller pieces so as not to use so much of whatever the string is made of.

ECO BAGS - NOT!

It is great for the collective consciousness that everyone is starting to use so-called eco bags instead of plastic bags, but it is time to stop using them because they are poly (oil) based. The better alternative is a 100% cotton canvas bag, which are more expensive but can be found brand new at thrift shops for the same price or cheaper than the so-called eco bags. Hemp bags are an even better choice, but they are also expensive. So, when purchasing a so-called eco bag, please check the labels. We must stop using poly based products and we must start educating people about those products.

NEW USE FOR ADDRESS LABELS

I don't know about you, but I receive so many address labels: correct & incorrect name and address, labels from organizations I don't ever support, ugly labels, flags, houses, holidays, etc. Well I am glad I never threw them out (well maybe some) because I now use them instead of scotch tape. If I use them for outgoing snail mail when using "recycled envelopes" that have no glue, I cut off the objectionable picture and just use the address labels to seal the envelope. I use them for almost all scotch tape uses. They can be cut lengthwise for the thinnest strip and they will still be sticky. Besides saving money, you no longer have to buy a petrol based product, as most adhesives contain petrol by-products.

DISHWASHER YES - DRY CYCLE NO

First of all, I hate using my dishwasher. Seems silly to me, but they say less water is used with the dishwasher. Filling a basin with water and just rinsing might use even less water. Don't know. In any case, I have started to stop the dishwasher when it starts the dry cycle. With my dishwasher that's a good 30 minutes of hot air. I just open up the dishwasher, pull out the shelves and let it air dry. Not using heat in the drying cycle saves 20% of your dishwasher's total electricity use.

My goal is to stop using the dishwasher altogether. It has to be better. It is especially easy when one is a vegan. No animal fat to break down. Half my dishes just need a rinse as it is. Plus when I cook my wonderful recipes, I wash as I go.

HAVE YOU STOPPED FLUSHING YOUR TOILET YET?

I stopped flushing my toilet over two years ago. I'm sure you've heard the expression, "If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down." I know I know it sounds gross and my husband thinks it's gross not to flush, but I don't care what anyone thinks about it. All I care about is not flushing the toilet. This is an effortless action that we can do to help the environment. Each flush wastes six gallons of water. So stop being so finicky - stop flushing. And, by the way, it does not smell if you don't flush.

PS Since we're getting personal, let's talk toilet paper. Have you ever considered not using it? Stay tuned to my take on not using toilet paper.

PUBLIX RECYCLES ALL PLASTIC BAGS

I just spoke to Publix's Environmental Department and I was told that they will recycle all plastic bags: papertowel and toilet paper bags, bread and veggie bags, plastic bag packaging from objects purchased, etc. Since it is nearly impossible to not have some of this plastic, it is nice to know someone is recycling it. Just put it in the proper receptacle in front of their store.

GIVE UP YOUR DRYER

ONE OF MY GOALS TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT WAS TO STOP USING MY DRYER. WELL I FINALLY DID IT AND I LOVE IT! PEOPLE THINK IT'S EASIER TO DRY CLOTHES IN THE DRYER, BUT I FIND IT EASIER TO HANG. I CAN'T PUT A LINE OUTSIDE, PLUS THE RAIN IN FLORIDA IS UNPREDICTABLE, SO I HAVE TWO FOLDING RACKS AND ONE ROLLING CLOTHES STAND IN MY GARAGE. MY FRIEND HAS ONE FOLDING RACK IN HER ONE BEDROOM APT, PLUS SHE HANGS LIGHT WEIGHT CLOTHES ON THE SHOWER ROD. I EVEN STARTED DOING MY TOWELS - I LOVE THE ROUGHNESS OF DRYING ON RACKS. SO GOOD FOR YOUR SKIN. ANYWAY, WHEN YOU HANG YOUR CLOTHES OR TOWELS OVER THE RACKS THEY ARE ALREADY FOLDED IN HALF WHEN YOU REMOVE THEM. (I'M LAZY SO I LOVE AS MUCH HELP AS POSSIBLE). ALSO, YOU DON'T HAVE TO FOLD THEM RIGHT AWAY, LIKE WHEN YOU USE THE DRYER YOU MUST REMOVE THEM IMMEDIATELY OR THEY GET ALL WRINKLED. IF YOU THINK YOUR CLOTHES WILL BE WRINKLED IF YOU DONT USE DRYER, YOU ARE MISTAKEN. MOST ITEMS LOOK GREAT. SOME ITEMS, MIGHT NEED 20 MINUTES AIR DRY, WHICH I HOPE USES LESS ENERGY. IT'S NOT HOT AIR, SO PROBABLY. YOU WILL NEED SOME SPECIAL HANGERS WHICH YOU CAN GET WHEN YOU BUY SOMETHING. THE HANGERS HAVE TO HAVE ROUNDED EDGES SO THEY DONT MAKE MARKS ON THE ITEM. I LOVE NO USING MY DRYER. IT IS A BIG ENERGY USER. TRY IT, YOU'LL LOVE IT! I GUARANTEE IT.

NO MORE SPONGES

Currently, I have some sponges because when I had my cats we had to have separate colored sponges so that I wouldn't mistakenly wash my dishes with their sponge. Now that my beloveds have all passed away as of 2008 I don't need to do that anymore, so once the remaining sponges are gone, I will only use pieces of worn clothing to wash my dishes. I do use a kind of plastic netting for scraping hard to clean pots or pans (you can put the cloth inside the netting). I have so many of these netting bags that I wish I could stop buying the stuff that comes in them, such as shallots, which I use a lot in gourmet cooking. But, now that I am writing this, I realize I MUST stop buying the netted items. I will check other grocers to see if they sell the shallots individually. I will also call the company and ask them to stop using the netting. Please send me any solutions you might have.

PS I found shallots at Winn Dixie without the netting. I'm still going
to call the company to voice my complaint about the plastic holders.

WHY DO I HAVE THIS BLOG

THIS BLOG IS MAINLY A PLACE FOR ME TO LIST A COLLECTION OF INFORMATION THAT I HAVE GATHERED OVER THE YEARS, INCLUDING MY OWN EXPERIENCES. IT IS STILL IN THE BEGINNING STAGES OF WRITING.

THERE IS SO MUCH TO KNOW ABOUT CLEAN LIVING THAT I WANTED IT ALL ON ONE BLOG SPOT SO THAT I COULD SHARE AND LEARN. AS MUCH AS I ALREADY KNOW ABOUT LIVING CLEAN, THERE IS ALWAYS MORE TO LEARN. AND EVERYTIME I LEARN SOMETHING NEW, I LIVE CLEANER THAN I DID THE DAY BEFORE.

PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO SEND ME ANY OF YOUR IDEAS.