I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas

With Christmas fast approaching, people are on the hunt for the perfect gifts!  Almost everyone I know is trying to save money but they fear that if they cut back, Christmas will be a disaster.  That couldn't be farther from the truth.  This year - think "green" for Christmas.  Here are a few suggestions that are not only eco-friendly but will also help you keep some green in your pocket!

1.  Give the gift of your time.  Give "gift certificates" for things like babysitting for a new mom, grocery shopping for an elderly relative or a backyard camping trip for the kiddos.

2.  Make your gifts.  Put your crafting skills to use and find creative ways to recycle and reuse.

3.  Donate as a gift.  There are numerous organizations that could use the help to further their work.

4.  Do a family service project.  Visit a nursing home, volunteer at an animal shelter, help a family in need, etc.

5.  Buy Green.  Two of my favorites stores are Built of Barnwood and Kinda Knotty.

6.  Give useful gifts.  Make gift baskets or boxes of household necessities such as toiletries, food items or linens.

7.  Buy second-hand.  I love yard sales and second-hand stores.  Great bargains!

8.  Draw names or give only to children.

These are just a few of many ideas out there.  The key is to have fun and be creative!  Get the whole family involved!  Use the holidays to teach kids about protecting the environment, helping those in need and the joy of giving.

 

Kinda Knotty: Bringing Beauty Back From The Dead

When you think of the beauty of nature, what do you envision?  Lush, rolling green hills, a forest or a wildflower covered field?  How about dead trees?  Do you think dead trees are beautiful?  Well, a husband and wife team in Oregon does and they believe they can change your mind.

Nature lovers, Ian and Kim Smith are "totally in awe of trees".  For this duo, nothing is better than walking through the forests admiring their strength and beauty. However, it was the fallen, dead trees that sparked something in Ian and Kim.  Not wanting the beauty of these fallen trees to be forgotten, the Smith's decided to find a way to preserve it and Kinda Knotty was born.

Using their crafting and woodworking skills, the couple started making beautiful gifts, home decor and serveware for family and friends.  These special, hand-crafted items were a huge success and because of this overwhelming support, the couple decided to offer these pieces to the public.  They can now be found on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and they launched their Etsy shop last week.

Kim and Ian admit that they get attached to each piece they make.  Knowing where each piece of wood came from and watching it transform through many hours of work makes each piece special and truly one-of-a-kind.

Kinda Knotty is adamant about keeping everything natural and never contributing to deforestation.  The wood they use comes from trees that have fallen on their own and they use nothing but safe, all-natural finishes.  Even the packing peanuts they use for shipping are made from vegetable starch and are water-soluble and compostable.

Ian and Kim have a true passion for nature and its conservation.  They are inspired by nature and people who preserve it.  I urge each of you to take a look at Kinda Knotty and get to know them.

For more information on Kinda Knotty:
Email:     kindaknotty@outlook.com
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Kinda Knotty on Etsy

Kim Johnston

Here's Why Hunting And Killing an Endangered Black Rhino or Two Makes Sense » RYOT News

Here's Why Hunting And Killing an Endangered Black Rhino or Two Makes Sense » RYOT News

Tricks For Recycling Glass

Glass can be difficult to recycle, especially if, like me, you live in an area that has no option for glass collection.  Don't despair, if you are willing to put in a little work and get your hands dirty there are ways you can recycle glass at home.

1.  Make a glass mosaic counter-top in your kitchen or bath.

2.  Create a unique table or desk lamp.

3.  Make decorative indoor or outdoor planters.

4.  Use recycled bottles in your garden as ornaments.

5.  Use them as candle holders or other home accessories.

This is just a few of the many possibilities that are available.  Wine bottles, glass food jars and even old light bulbs can be repurposed and reused.  Be creative!

I would love to hear how you recycle glass in your home - please leave a comment and share your ideas!

Kim Johnston

Beauty As We See It

In a world where we see and hear bad things on a daily basis, it is nice to take a minute and realize that there is beauty everywhere - if you just look for it.

I took this picture of a bumblebee on some flowers at our Community Center:

Lor O. submitted this photo of beautiful flowers in her garden:

Victoria submitted these photos that she took while on a walk:

As you can see beautiful things are all around us.  Unfortunately, sometimes we don't appreciate them as we should.  We get in such a hurry with life that we take so much for granted.  Slow down, look at the world around you and see the beauty for yourself!

Kim Johnston

Making A Big Difference In A Small Community

The Morgan Mill Community Clean-Up and Recycling Day was a huge success!   Thank you to all who helped!

We collected 15 bags of trash and I am not sure how many bags of recyclables!  It was an amazing effort and today we definitely made a big difference in a small community!

Thank you to Pat Davis (my mom) and Kristi for taking the pictures!

If you would like to get involved and make a difference join the ISF Texas Community Crew!!  You can find the on Facebook or Twitter.

Kim Johnston

How Can I Change the World?

This world we live in is facing many problems and we all agree that something needs to be done but it seems like a daunting task, doesn't it?  I mean, "changing the world" is a huge undertaking!  The thought of it can be overwhelming!  Sadly, many people start to believe that there is nothing they can do to make a difference so, as a result...they do nothing.  This is the worst possible option!  The truth is, there are many ways that an individual can make change happen. 

How Can I Change The World?

The most important thing to remember is to believe in yourself!  If you believe that you can make a difference - you will.  

Take some time to think about the things that you are passionate about.  Make a list of issues that you would like to see changed.   Do you love animals and hate seeing them abused, homeless or used for testing?  Maybe you enjoy time at the beach and wish the ocean was clean and safe.  Are you a nature lover who is concerned about deforestation?  Does the idea of green living spark your interest? 

Now that you know what change you want to see, research those topics and gather information about the work being done and the groups and organizations who are fighting to make things happen.

Get involved!  There are numerous ways to do this.  Here are a few of the ways you can support the causes that are important to you:

• Donate.  Donations are very much needed and appreciated (and every dollar counts) by the organizations working to protect this beautiful planet and all of it's creatures (If you are not able to donate, that is perfectly fine.  Show your support in other ways).
• Spread the Word.  Talk to your family and friends about the issues you would like to see changed.  Get them involved.  Share your passions on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites.  Become friends with people who have like interests.
• Sign petitions and write you congressman.  The more people who stand up for a cause, the more likely it is that change will be made.
• Visit "Click-to-Give" sites daily.  These site have sponsors who donate to various causes for every click.  Two of the most reputable are:  Care 2 and the Greater Good Network.
• Do a Fundraiser. This can be anything from a traditional bake sale or yard sale to an online fundraiser through a trusted site like Crowdrise.
• Hold a Local Event.  Want to see your hard work pay off quickly?  Organize an event in your community.   Host a clean-up day or a tree planting, set up a recycling center or plant a community garden.  
• Volunteer.  Many organizations need volunteers who care about their cause to help with different events and programs.  Check their websites for information.  

Just do something.  Wishing something would happen is great but until you do something - nothing will change.  We all have the ability to make a difference but we have to act.

Finally, remember this:  You may be just one person but through your passion, others will be inspired and then one becomes two, and two becomes three and......

Kim Johnston

Here are a few of the organizations that I support and am inspired by:
Ian Somerhalder Foundation
RYOT News
World Wildlife Fund
Nature Conservancy
Cross Timbers Animal Guardian Society

Green Beauty - The Daughter Diaries #1

Ever feel like you spend too much trying to match today's standards of beauty?  Make-up, lotions, and moisturizers, hair care...it all adds up to an out-of-this-world monetary expense for you; but have you ever thought about what it does to our environment?  That sounds like a predictable question given my topic but I'm not just talking about our outside, world-around-us environment.  I am also talking about our internal environment, our own health.  From simply changing what you buy to inexpensive replacement tricks, here are some ways you can stay beautiful while staying green.

UTILIZE YOUR TOOLS!!

If you don't have the time for homestyle beauty tricks, prefer the convenience of buying things, or just have the money to spare on store bought beauty products - why not do your part by taking the green road.  There are a huge variety of companies that take pride in creating green beauty products.  Burt's Bees is one you have probably heard about.  They make lipstick, lip gloss, lip balms, soaps, lotions and other such products with natural ingredients.  If your local stores don't carry such things, don't fret - places like Amazon does.

Natural ingredients are all fine and dandy but let's take it a step further.  Did you know that there are companies that donate a percentage of their sales to good causes...causes that you may support as well.  For example, the Bluefin Tuna, a popular fish in sushi, is at risk of extinction but the mother-daughter duo at Chantecaille donates 5% of the proceeds from their eye and cheek compounds to Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation, who strive to prevent overfishing.  Deforestation is a big problem too.  Lisa Hoffman donates 20% of the sales of her Spa Bath and Shower collection, the Japanese Agarwood collection and the Madagascar Orchid collection to the Rainforest Foundation.  There are many others out there too - you just have to look around.

The internet is a plethora of tips and tricks that I may not mention or even know.  Just make sure you do your own research!  There are also a lot of books and programs out there.  Two of my favorites are Real Beauty and The Daily Green.

DIY AND OTHER CHEAP ENDEAVORS

If you are a little more do-it-yourself, have time to spare, or simply do not have the money there are tricks you can do with common household items too!

I'll start with a easy reminder:  keep those sturdy bottles and lidded containers that store bought products come in and reuse them.  If you use liquid hand soap, keep the container and buy the large, bulk size bottles to refill the smaller ones.  The small bottles get expensive and if you don't save or recycle those containers, they get to sit in landfills longer than an immortal cockroach.  Why not use bar soap instead?  The paper wrappers take a drastically shorter amount of time to biodegrade and soap bars are generally cheaper anyway!  If you are a do-it-yourself-er try making your own all-natural soap bars.

Vaseline (petroleum jelly) is your friend.  It is great for removing eye make-up and as a fix for chapped lips!

Put conditioner, water, and olive oil in a spray bottle.  Microwave it for 10-15 seconds (without the lid) then shake it up. Ta-Da - you've just made your own detangler.

Lemon juice or peroxide in a spray bottle is a low-cost, green alternative if you want to add highlights to or lighten your hair.  Just apply, let it dry and rinse.

Applying olive oil to your hair for 30 minutes or more every two weeks is a great, natural way to get sofer, tamer hair.

Want whiter teeth?  Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda will make an inexpensive whitening paste.  Peroxide also makes a good whitening mouthwash.

Sugar scrub is great for your body.  Why not make your own?  You can ever store it in one of those sturdy plastic containers you decided to re-use earlier.
                 1 1/2 cup of sugar
                 1/4 cup of olive oil
                 A couple of drops of massage oil for fragrance (or cooking extracts work too).
This scrub will also take dry paint off your hands like a charm!

Brown sugar and honey make a good exfoliator too.  Just mix into a paste and use like any other body scrub.

Hair not shiny enough?  Rinse it with apple-cider vinegar.  It is cheap and effective.

Do you have rose bushes?  Take a cup of firmly packed rose petals, pour 2 cups of boiling water over it, cover and let sit until cool.  Then strain and get the excess liquid out of the petals.  Store the rose water in the refrigerator.  This mixture makes a good toner and has good astringent properties.

There are tons of tips out there!  If you have one that you would like to share, please comment below.

Savone Johnston

Saving Energy and Your Refrigerator

This article was published on About My Planet:

After monster energy wasters like air conditioning and heating, your refrigerator is probably the biggest contributor to your energy bill. Keeping your fridge running efficiently will cut your monthly energy costs and greatly decrease your carbon footprint.

Here are some ways to keep your refrigeration environmentally sound:

Keep the door closed. The longer you stand with that door wide open, the harder your fridge has to work to keep its temperature down and if your heating’s on, it has to work harder too.

Check your seals, all the way around. Your fridge and freezer doors should be able to hold a piece of paper tightly in place. If not, they’re letting too much air seep through.

Check your temperatures. Your fridge probably doesn’t need to be colder than 3 or 4 degrees Celsius (38 or 40 degrees Fahrenheit), and your freezer doesn’t need to be colder than -18 degrees Celsius (or 0 degrees Fahrenheit).

Pack your freezer with ice. A full freezer uses less energy than an empty one. The same goes for your fridge. If you’ve got a beer fridge in the basement or an extra freezer in the garage, and they’re mostly empty most of the time, they’re a huge waste of energy. Unplug them.

Clean your condenser. A dust-free condenser is an efficient one.

Take out the light bulb. An incandescent bulb adds heat to your fridge, and it’s probably unnecessary if your kitchen light is on.

Finally, get a new fridge. Fridges are now designed for energy efficiency choose one with the Energy Star label, for example. And if you’ve got a fridge in its teens or 20s, it may still use harmful CFC refrigerants.

The Beauty Around Us Challenge

It is my hope that everyone of us takes the time to look at the beauty that surrounds us everyday and appreciate it.  Because of that, I am challenging each of you to walk outside your home or office and take a picture of something beautiful.

Email the picture to me with your name, where the picture was taken and what it is and I will include your photograph in an upcoming article (title not yet determined).

So grab those cameras (or in most of our cases - phones) and take a moment to enjoy the beauty around you.

Kim Johnston

Submission deadline is October 18, 2013.

10 Simple Ways To Go Green

Many people mistakenly think that living green requires a major lifestyle change or that it costs more.  This just isn't true - there are many ways to incorporate green living into your life without drastically changing the way you live and in reality, green living can save you money!  The trick is to start small.  Don't overwhelm yourself and give up before you get started! 

Here are just a few ideas that require little to no lifestyle change or money but can make a huge environmental difference:

1. Conserve water by turning off the tap when you are brushing your teeth or shaving.  While water is one of our most precious resources, it is not a renewable one so every effort to conserve water is huge!
2. Turn the thermostat down.  A couple of degrees will not effect your comfort but saves a lot of energy and up to 10% on your electric bill.
3. Buy used whenever possible.  Besides being lower in cost, making new goods require more natural resources, energy and causes pollution from the manufacturing process .
4. Stop using plastic shopping bags; instead use reusable bags.  Check out this article on BerryBreeze!
5. Grow your own vegetables or buy locally.
6. Use your local library.  You can get books, magazines, movies and more for free.  A tree will thank you!
7. Don't waste food - use it up!  Eat leftovers or use them in another recipe.
8. Plant a tree.
9. Walk or ride a bike whenever possible.  This healthy alternative saves money and helps keep harmful pollutants out of the environment.
10. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle - See my blog post:  An Overview of Green Living and the Three R's.

Pretty simple, right?  This is just a sampling of the easy things you can do to go green.  While it may not seem like much, each one of these tips have a direct impact on the world around us and make a difference to our eco-system and natural resources.

We only have one planet so let's do what we can to protect it!

Kim Johnston

Today is Do Something Nice Day — So Do Something Nice! » RYOT News

This is a must read!!

Today is Do Something Nice Day — So Do Something Nice! » RYOT News

The Beauty Around Us

I am not a photographer by any means but I love to take pictures.  Our natural surroundings are amazing if we take the time to look!  All of these photographs were taken by me and all either at my house or within one mile of it.