It's not easy being green....

Or is it?

If you follow my other blog, you have read about my recent efforts to go green. I call the posts GRADUALLY GOING GREEN. Here are a few excerpts that I thought worth sharing:

First of all, if you would like to watch a super cute video and get some great tips, just visit here to see my niece informing you!

Here are some ways that I am green right now:
1. I don't use many napkins (call me a slob)
2. I am going to stop taking my receipts at Metrocard Machines and ATMS (thank you lady on Oprah)
3. I re-wear clothes a lot before washing them, especially if I have only worn them a few hours.
4. I am in a good habit of turning off lights.
5. I am in a good habit of running my electronic heater/air conditioner as little as possible.
6. When the weather is agreeable, I exercise outside instead of on an electronic machine.
7. I don't run the tv for background noise.
8. I have appliances that I don't use very often, unplugged.
9. I use public transportation a lot.
10. I recycle everything that is recyclable (and probably some things that are not...oops)
11. I reuse shopping bags and grocery bags as much as possible. My favorite uses for the plastic grocery bags (that soon I won't have around the house) are for airplane trips, I collect my kids garbage in them throughout the flight, and then throw it all away at the end, and to collect my recyclables during the week. And if I had a dog, I am sure the bags would be used for the poop.
12. I pay many bills electronically.

In one week I:
1. took the stairs going down (I live on Floor 5), as much as possible.
2. Did not take my metrocard or ATM receipt.
3. Said NO to a bag whenever I could slip my item in my purse, or otherwise carry it.
4. Bought a new vaccuum that requires no bags.
5. Did not put any of my produce in bags at the supermarket.
6. Reused bags from GAP and Urban Outfitters until they were unusable.
7. Used my cloth towels to do most of the cleaning, as opposed to paper towels.
8. Continued Potty Training. If the babe is potty-trained soon, then I will have spared the landfills a year of diapers. And using 1 or 2 pull-ups a day is less waste than 5 or 6 diapers.

I find that if you lovingly remind those around you to save the earth through your words and example, that it can rub off:
This week my DH came home with paper towels made from recycled paper. This is because he loves me, because he rolls his eyes a lot when I say with energy: "Save the Earth", especially when it involves NOT taking the elevator. He also tried to purchase CFLS at the local drugstore, but they were out.

As of today, we have replaced EVERY light bulb in our home with CFLS. MMW recently posted about CFLs and a side of them that is not all sunny and bright. To read that, click here.

Last night my husband came home from the grocery store and told me the two guys ahead of him in line were using reusable bags and he thought maybe he would like to get some of those so that I would like him more. So tell all your single-guy friends that it is the new way to pick up totally hot chicks.

One last thing, look for the new Discovery Cable Channel: Planet Green coming soon. And in the meantime, you can watch this cute little show about green ideas.

SHOPPING LIST:
Reusable Bags
Produce Bags
Cool/Nifty Reusable Bags
Green Home Products
Stop Junk Mail-paper waste
Domino Magazine Green Websites List
Clean Green
Pledge to save CO2