In addition to buying a summer share from our local organic growers coop, planting a large garden at home, working at home or an office less than 1 mile from home, having my son ride his bike or bus where he needs to go, we recently adopted 10 baby chicks. We are having fun designing a chicken tractor (or Ark in Europe) and are inviting neighbors to share in the care and bounty of these adorable creatures. We scrounge for free building materials and research best practices on the internet. My family is committed to not eating anything that isn’t raised, harvested or grown within 100 miles of home (considered a short distance in Montana). We are raising our own free range, completely grass fed beef cattle with friends who have land and will trade some for other meats we desire. Next I want to tackle cheese making - it’s so much fun learning to live this way - Sushi is off the menu forever.
This post was submitted by susan J.
I support my local vendors but I also plant my own garden… my family consume the fruit and vegetables, plus have fun and… is a way to spend time together.
This post was submitted by Angie Hernandez-Torres.
I gave up all foods derived from animal products, almost 30 days ago, to lessen the environmental impact of my life! I started as a thirty day experiment, but now I know it’s going to become part of my lifestyle, because I’ve never been happier. The more I learn about the environment, and ways I can help, the more I’ve been doing, reducing garbage (virtually eliminating paper products (minus toilet paper)) starting a veggie garden, taking my car off the road, un plugging things, not watching t.v, etc. I really believe in the benefits of becoming more environmentally aware, and think that everyone would benefit from trying to live with a lower impact!
This post was submitted by Carmen.
Hanging clothes on the line outdoors to dry.
This post was submitted by Susan Phillips.
One pack of organic seeds 1.99
yields at least 20lb of veggies
grow with stacking planters on your balcony, fire escape, in boxes out your sunny window or in your tiny yard - vertically.
We are urban farmers. Our friends always tell us - oh, I don’t have enough space, I live in a flat, condo etc. When I suggest I come over and help them start a veggie garden and we can do it all under $10 - they freak out a little.
Either I give them seeds or we get some, I help them build growing places out of reusable materials, we get free compost and mulch from the city.
I teach them how to soak, score, and plant their seeds. I teach them how to use “cloches” to make the most out of light and constant temperature - also conserving moisture.
Their seeds sprout, they use conservative watering methods like simple drip, reservoir, and semi-hydroponics.
They all of a sudden don’t have to buy herbs, tomatoes, strawberries, squash, watermelon, green beans, snap peas, artichokes, etc anymore.
With the money they save they can buy hardy fruit trees for the patio.
You can grow your own, no matter where you are - if you have some sunshine.
This post was submitted by allison burgueno.
My family has been practicing some of the things Colin did for a while.
We have had no tv in our house for the last 4 years. That was really hard for my husband. Now we read books every night to the kids.
We have been using cloth napkins for the last 7 years. My mom in law got a kick out of that.
We have never used paper towels. We use microfiber cloths for cleaning and there is no need to use chemicals with them. They work best when cleaning just with water.
Although we do use electricity we never turn on the a/c or the heater. We have heavy curtains and shutters.
We bought half a grass feed cow, locally. We dont by any meat (chicken, etc.. that is processed in a USDA plant). We also never eat out, but our TREAT, when we occasionally go out to eat is for sushi, but we bring along our organic soy sauce bottle along with us. (GMO soy sauce in every japanese restaurant in LA). This is when I feel we are a little coo-koo.
We bring lunch to work in stainless steel containers.
And now more recently, we bought a water distiller for the house, have sworn off plastic water bottles and use refillable water canteens for school and work.
This post was submitted by Irene Spiegel.
I gave up regular shampoo for the year!(hopefully for life!) I started washing my hair with Dr Bronner’s once a week at the beginning of the year- the transition was a bit rocky (I wore a lot of ponytails and scarves the first 3-5 weeks hah) During lent used nothing but water to rinse my hair. This experiment when really, really well actually! I was so surprised! As long as I blow dried it it looked fine. Now I’m washing my hair once every two weeks with Dr Bronners and i don’t even have to blow it dry for it to look good (I’m glad because hair dryers can be unnecessary use of energy) I’m noticing some dandruff however, so starting in May I’m going to try out an apple vinegar rinse! This is supposed to be good for your scalp I love not using shampoo Now I smell like my homemade soap with out any fake chemical fruity smells in my hair! No shampoo is liberating and it makes the showers shorter!
This post was submitted by Margaret.
I am eating a lot less than I have ever… I am mostly on living foods… however do have the occasional brown rice, or stir fry. All vegetarian, no wheat, no dairy, only natural sugars.
Have a green smoothie everyday, and have come to the place where I want to learn how much it would take to grow enough greens to support my consumption of green smoothies… so I have began a garden inside, started a variety of greens and will see if I can’t support my smoothie habit.
This post was submitted by Dana Lynn.
This tip is so universal and so important both for the child, mother and nature. It is a win-win situation on all frontiers. Mothers’ milk does not pollute, it changes with the baby, always ready and the right temperature, you will be on-the-go with your baby without any fuss over carrying heaters, baby bottles,sterilizers etc. You’ll save money, time and your child will grow into a healthy individual, both physically and emotionally.
This post was submitted by Almedina.
I hate using the air conditioner, but my windows face east, and we get a lot of light. I tried a month without A/C, and I had horrible migraines. Here’s what I did: 1. I got one of those emergency blankets that come in camping kits ($1)-it has a reflective material that bounces heat off. 2. I cut to size and taped the top of one end to the top of my window under my window shade. 3. Then I taped the bottom end to the bottom of my window shade. Now, when I pull my window shade string, the reflector gets carried up so the light comes in. When I want to close it, the reflector rolls right down with the shade and blocks the light, reducing my need to use A/C.
You could also try aluminum foil if you have it around; although I haven’t tried it, it should reflect the sun.
This post was submitted by CC.