Collectively, small lifestyle changes can make a huge impact on the environment–and your life. Looking for happiness and health? What’s good for the environment is also, it turns out, great for you. Here’s a collection of tips from the No Impact community.
Nobody has mentioned spinning. weaving, dyeing, sewing and other 18th C life skills. Not only is spinning fun but you can use your yarn for whatever purpose. I am currently working on angora neckwarmers for my kids. Handwoven dish towels last much much longer than store bought ones. Handknit chenille washcloths are pure luxury. Sewing clothes is fast, easy and cheap.
My sheep eat the lawn, I shear the sheep and use them to make whatever. The black walnuts produce 1) nuts, 2) dye from the husk and 3) VERY strong arm muscles.
One homeschooling project is that we are attempting to make flour from acorns this year. Not sure how that will work but worth a try.
I have goats and cows so fresh milk is in glass containers. The surplus is used for cheese, ice cream, etc. I recycle most kitchen scraps back to the hens. Even olive oil is purchased in metal cans that are put back in play by turning them into lamps. Many types of cans make very cute lamps.
The last time we ate out was a year ago. I make bread, ice cream, everything. And it is better than store bought, cheaper and generates much less trash. When you have a system developed, meals can be * fast food* in less time than it takes to run out and get something. I go to the grocery once every 2 weeks as my cows are dry right now and we use a lot of milk.
Another current project is to cart train one of the goats. Then he can be used to pull a cart to do the * heavy work* here. Plus amuse the kids.
I am not a farmer type. I am a city girl that chose to have better quality foods and has a few acres to do so.
This post was submitted by Mary Margaret.
You can jazz up your homemade cleaning supplies as detailed in the No Impact Guide (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1825487/make_your_own_organic_cleaning_supplies.html?cat=7) by infusing the vinegar naturally.
Use lemon or grapefruit rinds, sprigs of mint or pine, or experiment with other natural items. Add to a bottle of vinegar and infuse for a week or two. Strain the liquid and you’ll get a scented vinegar infusion that you can use all over the house.
This post was submitted by Anita.
Havent used A/C in five years. Grow all my own fruit, veggies and raise my own organic chickens for eggs. The chickens are fed veggies from the garden and have free range on two acres that have been organic since I purchased them 14 years ago. Barter stall space for goat milk (FFA student’s project). It’s just nice to FINALLY see other people get the concept. I started my tree hugging in the 70’s and have dealt with the nay sayers on my own for far too long. Welcome aboard!
This post was submitted by Deborah.
We’re known as the house where nobody’s ever home in the evening. This is because we only turn on a light when we really need to see. And then, it’s only in a room we are in. We have solar lights along the walkway and don’t turn on the outdoor light unless we’re having company (and turn it off when they’ve arrived and then again immediately after they leave. We turn off the lights when we’re watching TV.
I think it helps us wind down at the end of the day. When possible, we dim the lights if they’re on at all.
It saves us money, but it’s also kind of fun to see how long we can go before flipping on a switch.
This post was submitted by Lynn Hasselberger.
Reduced smoking,and trying to quit.Trying to travel in Tube rail instead of Car.Vegetables I always purchase from small shops and not from the mall.
This post was submitted by mahendra.