Make A Bee Condo

I recently stumbled across the Global Bee Project a website that promotes bee guardianship . Well I thought it was cool enough to write about. I have a garden and I don't know what I would do without the little bees pollinating everything for me . I have noticed that I don't have the bees that I did a few years ago "may-bee" it it the lack of marigolds (my sister is allergic) however it has bugged me since my squash numbers have went down ,so I built my self a bee condo above and placed it along my neighbors fence. I am also going to make a bee nest out of either bamboo or dried blackberry stems . Bee condo's don't attract colonies just solitary bee's like masons the bees which are not aggressive and don't sting. These bee's like to dwell in holes that are 3-10 inches deep and 3/32" and 3/8" in diameter . Place you bee condo facing east they like morning sun. Don't spend money buying one when they are so easy to make all you need is some non-chemically treated wood ,a drill ,and some nails .

Save Money And Go Green

You might have been wondering "how can I save money and go green?" Here are my top ten tips to save money while enjoying a greener lifestyle. My motto has always been: don't spend money to save money.

MY TOP #3

1. Pack Waste Free School/Work Lunches: Waste free lunches are great for the environment and for your pocketbook. A typical lunch at a fast food restaurant can cost upwards of $5.00 each, and school lunches are not always the best choice for your children. In our school district they give children "gasp" greasy pizza, chips and soda! You will need a pvc free lunch bag or box, a cloth napkin, a BPA free water bottle, reusable containers, BPA free sandwich wraps, reusable utensils (fork spoon knife.*) *check with school district Don't blow your budget, just do your homework, all the above items can be found around your home or purchased inexpensively.


2. Change your lightbulbs: If you haven't changed to using Compact Fluorescent bulbs consider it. If every household replaced just three 60-watt incandescent bulbs with CF bulbs, the pollution savings would be like taking 3.5 million vehicles off the road. On average a home will save about $47.00. CONCERNS> CF bulbs do contain trace amounts of mercury. But don't worry — there is far less mercury in CFs than in thermometers or even old thermostats. Years from now when they burn out and you can recycle them. Visit Recycleabulb to find your closest recycling location.


3. Coupons: Yes couponing does take a little time but it can pay off! 

Print coupons at Organic Valley save on milk eggs cheese and more. 

Print coupons at Horizon Dairy . 

Print coupons at Brown Cow Farm . 

Mambo Sprouts , they are a great resource and you can print coupons from great natural and organic companies. 

Print coupons at Simply Organic great spices seasonings and baking needs.

 Print coupons at Ecover and save on cleaning products. 

Print coupons at Seventh Generation sign up for free. 

Print coupons at Santa Cruz Organics

Seven More Tips

1. Make your own laundry soap and cleaning supplies: find links on side bar


2. Don't buy bottled water, filter tap water and fill-up a reusable water bottle.


3. Use real dishes and avoid disposable products such as plates, cups, napkins and cutlery.


4. Defrost fridge and freezer: freezers work best when near capacity and fridge no more than 3/4 full also check seals and clean coils.


5. Fix leaks a leaky sink that drips 1 drop per second wastes 3,000 gallons of water a year.. so fix it! Toilets can leak up to 200 gallons a day check toilet by adding cranberry juice to toilet wait 15 minutes if you see pink you have a leak then flush the toilet to avoid stains. Replacement parts are cheap, it is a EASY FIX!
6. Use reusable towels and dishcloths in place of paper towels and disposable dish sponges.

Free Hip Reusable Bag Pattern

I came across this beautiful reusable bag idea. It was created by a super awesome lady Kendra Stanley of San Fransisco . She had a incredible idea not only to move from plastic and paper : she came up with a way to reuse old raincoats. Kendra has a fantastic and hip pattern at
city bag trade
Click on the link for the free down-loadable pattern and instructions. This would make a great handmade gift idea for the person that has everything !

Kohlrabi and Cabbage

I am so happy to have my garden in full swing again . I love spending time outside planting and digging . I am ecstatic that in a week or so I will have large scrumptious cabbage to eat on. I have already pulled up some kohlrabi which is a alien type of veggie that my mom recalls eating all the time in North Dakota. I started my pea's a little late so I am hopping they will be okay and not burn off in this heat wave we are experiencing in So. Oregon. The corn is doing well and I have been seeing lots more sprout up over the past couple days. Our lettuce is being pulled constantly since I am on a salad binge recently, I can't explain it I just can not stop eating lettuce. This year like most years; my garden is consisting of experimentals like lettuces I have not ever planted or ones that have not been planted for years. This year it's a mix of 14 greens attazione, bionda, arugula , kale , chicory, swiss chard etc. and they are crazy good. I found some organic red potato seeds and those will be ready for harvesting in no time. As well as the tomatoes this year (( crazy-growing)).  I am giving a cherry tomato called the 100 or something like it a try - I hope they are sweet . I can't plant to much -just what fits in my 12x12 planting space I wish I had more room, but I will just have to be more creative.

Adirondack Pallet Chair

I had found a pallet down the street ,and I had been looking into recycling it into a planting table . I found a few plans to make several different benches and things > Then I came across this video and I knew this was the project( forget the table). I thought I would share the video so in case you came across a pallet you too would want to maybe recycle it in to a super cool Adirondack chair. I will share some pics in a few days .
If you want to buy plans check out studiomama.com

Handmade Newspaper Planters

I found this video at YouTube I think this is a fantastic recycling idea/project . I have made about twelve so far and they hold up well even when being watered . I know of several projects like paper mache to do with newspapers but this is a real helpful ,and useful project. I give this idea five stars*****. Most people use peat pots to plant in because they are biodegradable but most don't know that peat is considered a non- renewable resource and we can not continue to deplete this natural resource . However considering that most newspapers are printed on recycled paper and use soy based inks this project is win/ win .

Reducing Your Pets Carbon Footprint

Here are just a few ways to reduce your pets carbon pawprint. There are several reason why you should help, but I am not going to cover them in the intro.

Build a pet waste composter. Why ? Because everyday we throw are pets waste away in the trash spreading disease to wildlife and contaminating the water supply. Find out how to build a  waste composter at Suite 101 how_to_build_your_own_pet_waste_composter

When picking up your dogs feces "aka poop", use Bio Bags, they are made from GMO free corn and have no polyethylene, bonus they also meet California standards. P.S.  they are 100% biodegradable!

Buy Organic Pet Food to reduce the amount of chemicals in your pets diet as well as reduce environmental damage.
Newman's Own
Natural Planet's Organics
Natura
Raw Advantage

Switch your Dog to being Vegan, vegetarians and vegans have a lower carbon footprint, because their food needs less processing and is less cruel.
Try: V-Dog or make your own

Stop using chemical and clay filled cat litter; Clay is strip mined and does NOT reabsorb in the Earth. Silica dust can cause cancer, it is a very well known carcinogen. Most cat litters also have sodium bentonite,  that can be ingested by your cat it can cause gastrointestinal issues and immune problems.
Try:
Good Mews made from recycled paper safe and 100% biodegradable
Worlds Best made from corn > biodegradable and septic safe
Yesterdays News made from post consumer paper and over 99% dust free
SWheat made from secondary processed wheat 100% biodegradable and compostable

Pet Toys And Bedding; most of us buy pet beds, clothing and toys from big stores
and the stuff we purchase there is mass produced.

Buy bedding that is made from post consumer materials
Recycle used pet products
Reduce the amount of unnecessary products
Buy Eco conscious shampoos
Reduce the amount of mass produced products we buy
Buy sustainable or post consumer products
DIY safe fun toys and healthy food
Talk to manager s of stores and see if they will carry eco-conscious pet supplies