Do.

Our city is beginning an expanded recycling program this July. We do a lot in our house to be more green, but it got me thinking how much more we can (easily) do.

I hope that by the time the program (with our much bigger bin) starts in July we will be taking out more recycling than trash. Here is how:

1)With mailer about the new program I realized that we can recycle more things so with the program expansion (juice cartons-yay!) and some because I never really looked at the original list (junk mail).

PS The fact that the program was announced via mailer, that then became junk mail was not lost on me, but at least I now knew it could be recycled.

2)Compost. I made a bin using YHL's instructions. But here is another hint: I keep a plastic dog treat container in the freezer to collect scraps so I am not making daily trips out to the bin. By keeping it in the freezer the smell is contained.

3)Paper products. I try not to use them. When we sit down for dinner we use casual cloth napkins and I go to rags before paper towels for clean up. I will admit to falling in love with the disposable wipes for counter clean up, but Clorox Greenworks are compostable.

Other clever reuse ideas saving even recyclable items from the curb.: If you find yourself with a plastic, disposable water bottle fill it back up and freeze it at as cooler ice pack. It won't leak like ice, its reusable and if it gets lost no worries. Use old newspapers as a weed barrier.

Stealing Household Tips From The Not So Rich

Lavender and Lilies posted this article ripped from Domino. In it, the author recounts conversations with a few folks in the "super rich" tax bracket detailing how they (and their staff) keep their homes running in tip top shape. These are apparently the type of people that always have freshly baked cookies, even for unexpected guests and to quote the article "can arrange kid's birthday bash in 15 minutes flat."

The tone of the pieces was humerous, but also had some great suggestions about how to make life around your house a little eaiser, not to mention how to seriously impress house guests with your "on-top-it" nature. Here are a few of my favorite from the article with a few of my own added.

#1-Keep it all in one place.

-Establish a "home bible." Use it as a calendar for when to change filters, call the exterminator, or clean carpets and as a contact list for all people home (and home-repair) related, contractors, babysitters, neighbors. When you need something, emergency or not you know where it is.

#2-Know what you need.



-In the same vein, keep a mini "home bible" for you purse or car. I posted about mine here. Do this and never wonder again when you are out running errands what type of filter is on the vaccum or the exact paint color on the living room walls.

#3-Keep it in view.

-Buy in bulk, then make things visible and accessible for guests. I use TP rolls as part of our bathroom decor (see the glass cylinder). A guest never has to ask for a new roll mid-party, and I never have to stop hosting long enough to dig through my bulk stash. I also try to keep a bathroom drawer for extra tooth brushes or tolieries for guests who visit without something.

#4-Have it on hand.

-Always have coffee and filters stashed away to be made after dinner or for overnight guests. Especially if you are not a coffee drinker yourself.

#5-Be Prepared; buy white.

-The article has a different suggestion about wrapping paper, but I say all you really need is one large roll of white paper then a range of pretty ribbon colors. Keep this stocked at all times and come a last minute wedding, a baby shower or birthday you can't go wrong. If you need a little something different come holiday time just remember to buy next year's paper on 12/26. You can start wrapping Christmas presents in June if you want.

#6-Always wish them well.

-Keep a stash of a variety of birthday, get well and sympathy cards. If you keep these on hand you can drop them in the mail on short notice and without having to run an errand. Don't forget stamps.

Twenty Minutes Times Three

I have started the Couch-to-5k running plan. I have just started week 4, and I can't say enough good things about the program. I run for time and use my ipod to keep track of the intervals. The program is challenging, but not impossible (one of the things that makes it a good fit for me). The plan assumes that you will run 3 days a week and each day's run is only about 20 minutes.

I really like the structure of the weekly intervals, it pushes me just enough that I know I'm improving, but not to much that I just get overwhelmed and quit. Because the intervals change each week there is some variety in the program.

If you are looking for something to help you start an exercise routine or you are a frustrated runner, check this out.

Holy Baking Soda Batman!

I had this post planned for awhile but decided to finish up when I read that Lavender and Lillies is doing a "going green" week on her blog. Check her out all week for more helpful hints.

I was searching for a good cleaning agent for chrome. Before I could put together the bar cart (check of this post and this one for pics) it needed a good scrubbing. Small rust spots and grime wouldn't come off even with a harsh chemical cleaner. The cart was in my grandmother's house for years, then 2 college apartments, then stored under a bed, so it was quite a bit of work to make the chrome shine again.

Several websites suggested a paste of baking soda and water matched with elbow grease. I was amazed at the shine. It worked so well, I felt a little like I was in an infomercial for the next fad cleaner. It's now on my "clean green" list for shiny things (think bathroom fixtures). It also works wonders on pots and pans.