I’d like to share three things that have definitely been making my life easier lately.

#1 Canned Chicken

Buying canned chicken has made it much easier for me to throw together meals more quickly. I use it for homemade chicken noodle soup, chicken and lime rice, chicken cheese quesadillas, and more.

#2 Basket for Paper Clutter

I tended to keep piles of mail and important papers in different spots around the house like my dresser, side tables, and the china cabinet. Instead of having so many piles, I got a basket that has a flip down lid and I’ve been storing papers in there that I may need in the future. I’ve been trying to go through the papers every so often too. The basket looks much better than having piles in different spots.

#3 Roomba

We got a roomba for Christmas a year and a half ago(i robot 360 model). I had no idea how much I’d love it. If you don’t have one, I would highly recommend! The time you save not vacuuming and sweeping opens you and your family up for other possibilities.

What do you think? Are you a fan of any of these things?

~ Carrie

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With the holidays approaching, you may be looking for cool gift ideas. These are great whether you’re buying a gift for family or a Christmas toy drive. Both of these gifts run on solar energy.

Here is a great, futuristic toy that requires no batteries! It’s a solar rover.

I love to use my solar-powered cell phone charger. The key to get the most charge is to have it in direct sunlight. When I first got it, I tried putting it in a window, which didn’t generate much energy. But, now I put it outside in direct sunlight and it works great!

Have you ever tried either of these? Best of luck shopping and have a wonderful holiday season!
~Carrie

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Here are 50 ways we can heal the earth. All of these are things kids can do, but they’re great for adults as well.

1. Recycle everything you can.
2. Turn off the water when you brush your teeth.
3. Use fewer plastic straws, forks, and plates that are thrown away after one use.
4. Buy products that have less packaging.
5. When you’re washing your hands in a store, only take the amount of paper towels you need.
6. Close the refrigerator as soon as you find what you need.
7. Take a reusable bag to the store.
8. Learn about endangered and extinct creatures.
9. Use towels a few times before putting them in the laundry.
10. Write letters to companies asking them to help the earth.
11. Donate items you don’t need to a charity instead of throwing them in the trash.
12. Choose aluminum cans when possible (they can be more easily recycled than plastic).
13. Read books related to the environment and the future, like 2030, etc.
14. Put snacks in reusable containers instead of baggies that will go in the trash.
15. Create new traditions with your friends and family that involve less harm to the planet.
16. When printing, only print the pages you need.
17.  Use the library instead of always buying new books and DVDS.
18. Reuse boxes.
19. Play with the toys you have instead of shopping for new ones.
20. Bike or walk to nearby places, if it’s safe to do so.
21. Keep extra reusable bags in your vehicle.
22. Use old t-shirts that have been cut up instead of paper towels to clean up spills.
23. Go without a shower at least one day per week, if you can.
24. Write with pencils instead of pens made out of plastic (which is made from oil).
25. Try to use up food instead of throwing it away.
26. Grow your own food, when possible.
27. Repair clothes or stuffed animals that are ripped by using needle and thread to fix them.
28. If you see an empty water bottle on the ground, take it home to recycle. Remember to wash your hands.
29. Take plastic bags and bread bags to the grocery store to recycle in their entryways.
30. Don’t buy more of something than you need.
31. Use cloth napkins and handkerchiefs.
32. Reuse glass jars for storing leftover food.
33. Use leftover water to water house plants.
34. Email or write letters to politicians asking them for good public policy to protect our environment.
35. Buy products that are made from recycled materials.
36. Use a reusable water bottle.
37. Fill trash bags as full as possible.
38. Make crafts with reused items.
39. Make an effort to buy from companies that help the earth.
40. Use bar soap instead of soap in a plastic bottle.
41. Use rechargeable batteries or solar chargers when you can.
42. If rooms in your home are already well lit during the day, keep the lights off.
43. Save bows and ribbons to use again.
44. Try not to waste toilet paper or tissues.
45. Rinse and reuse aluminum foil.
46. Buy juice concentrate sometimes.
47. Put on another layer of clothes instead of turning up the heat.
48. Carpool sometimes.
49. Turn off battery-operated toys when you’re not playing with them.
50. Try to buy things that don’t require batteries.

Let me know in the comments which one of these you already do or which one you might try to get into the habit of doing. Every little bit helps. But, if I were to just pick one, my favorite is #34- writing our politicians.

~ Carrie

Below I have a resource that has even more ways to heal the earth, along with supplementary materials.

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Today I’m sharing one of my summer reads. Cozy Minimalist Home by Myquillyn Smith was a joy to read.  I loved the “More Style, Less Stuff” message. I don’t generally read design books, so I enjoyed the photos interspersed throughout. It’s helpful to see in-color examples of some of the concepts.

This book definitely has me thinking about my house and how I can apply some of the ideas. One thing it prompted me to do was move some books my kids used to read when they were younger to a less central spot in the house. I’m also looking for ways to incorporate plants as much as possible, as the author suggests.

Our homes are always evolving and I’m always trying to clear out excess, so books like this are a great motivator. Have you read this or anything similar lately?

~Carrie

 

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Here’s a great way to save money and help the environment by extending the life of your dry erase markers.

Keep them tip side down in a cup. You can either store them like this or do this if the markers start to fade. It’ll add a week or more life to them. We love using our dry-erase board around the house for making lists, drawings, and reminders. Teachers might also find this tip helpful.

This works well for regular markers as well.

Do you do this at home or school? Do you find it effective?

~ Carrie

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