Are you "green"? And how so?

I'm a "Green-Girl": 


Everything I am to put in the trash, I think can I recycle this?  Needless to say on recycling day, every 2 weeks in our town, my recycling bins are overflowing and I make the recycling man cookies just so he has enough energy to load all my "cyclables" on his truck. 

I still use my Granma's cloth napkins, instead of paper napkins or paper towels. 

I use my hubbies old undies and t-shirts for house cleaning, instead of paper towels or disposable wipes. 

I've changed all my light bulbs in the house to be the Leonardo DiCaprio-Oprah version.  I turn off things I would have normally left on.  Lights around the house because I like the glow.  Now, I have no tallow, animal friendly candles.

I try to drive only 2-3 days per week to keep my carbon emissions down by scheduling my client appointments, errands and friend get togethers on those designated days.  Or, I try to meet a friend close to home, so I can ride my bike or walk to our coffee or lunch date. 

I don't shop much for clothes.  I have things in my closet that are years old and really could care less if I'm in fashion or not with the hottest trends since that seems wasteful to me, getting a whole new wardrobe for 'what's in'.  I'm not concerned with being in!  When I do throw "gently used" clothing out, it goes to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Blue Box next to my local Blockbuster store, or to the SafeNest Shelter for battered women and children.  I will usually go to Barnes and Noble or Border's, or the library's bookstore and purchase a few children's books to include, so a child can have their own book while being in transition. 

If I do shop I go organic, hemp, or soy, and non-dry clean.  Some of my professional wardrobe is dry clean, so I try my best to curtail having to wear those pieces unless I know my power suit has to be worn for a certain client meeting.  Most of the time, I try to buy things I can iron so they look crisp and don't have to have chemicals to wash or clean.

I don't buy shoes that are leather anymore.  I look for Vegan products.  I have to wear out my shoes that I purchased when I was less-conscious.

When the dryer stops, I pull clothes out and fold or hang, like crazy.  Since I know the dryer takes up so much house-energy usage, I don't want to have to hit the "wrinkle release" again.

We use only dishes and glasses, no paper or plastic throwaway utensils.  And, my husband teases me about the dishwasher and my amazing ability to get just one last glass in to run the contraption full so as not to waste energy. 

I unplug the coffee maker, the blender, the toaster oven, the Cuisinart chopper, so as not to use the electricity zapping when I'm not using the appliance.

Our yard is xeriscaped, so as not to suck valuable water resources into our garden.

I check books out at the library instead of buying them.  Then if I really like the book and want it for reference in my library, I see if there is a way to find a used copy and purchase that.

I use, along with my hubbie, Dr. Hauschka skin care products.  All natural, biodynamically, sustainable farmed, organically grown, herbs and plants.  My skin looks great and cared for and when done with the little tube, I recycle it.  Thank goodness, Whole Foods Market has a great selection of their products and I've made friends withe the regional rep so he keeps me  abreast of new goodies that I might like.  My husband loves the smell after he shaves, he slap a little pea around his eyes of the eye cream for the crowfeet and a little quince for the forehead, cheeks and chin.  I love the way it smells on his face!

All purchases we make, we think, could we get this used instead of new, if new is this the most energy efficient model.

We also are green in that we don't expect stimuli to entertain us.  We play games, scrabble, chess, backgammon, we go for walks with our doggie, morning hikes in Red Rock, swing in the backyard and talk, make a picnic and go to the park or take on our weekend hikes.  We relish our time together by BEING with one another.  We don't do movies, watch a lot of tv, or look outside ourselves for entertainment.

I'm really conscious about when I spend.  Do I need this?  Do I need this now?  If I go to Starbuck's or Coffee Bean for a 'coffee date', I bring my own travel mug for hot coffee, or my water bottle if I'm going to have an iced, decaf, soy latte... ahhh, to enjoy a blast of that! 

Those are the pieces we try to abide by in our home to support the planet, the animals of the planet, caring for others not as fortunate and curb global warming.