it's 5 on Friday!!! (and you doubted me!!?)

so I was trying to think of a good theme for the week...because anything with a theme is better:) And I thought with the Earth Day coming up and the launch of Knoxville GreenPages a green theme was in order. A caveat....if you know or have a green business, send it on in via the website. We hope to get a good directory going for the Knoxville area. Spread the word too, this is a great resource!!

So, I try to be green as much as possible but definately am not an expert or go all out to be green (I don't have solar panels in the back yard or make Brad bike to create energy to make toast...nothing like that!) but we do do some things around our house that are green and easy to do...so here are my 5 sexylicious, easypeasy things to do to make your world a little greener!

1. Buy (and use!) reusable shopping bags! Stay tuned in the next couple days on a great deal to get custom shopping bags on the cheap! Reasons I love my bags...they hold so much stuff and fit great over your shoulder if you want....no more killing your fingers hauling 10 plastic bags filled with one item each! I keep mine in my car so I don't have to remember to bring them.

2. Get new light bulbs! Do you know they are planning on phasing out regular lightbulbs and only sell the energy efficient. They can be a little pricey at first so rather than going and dropping some money I have been picking them up as they have been on special or as we need them. They definately save some moola too!!

3. Buy Reused!! I am convinced (and kinda want to do my own little experiment!) that I could live fine without ever buying retail (save for food shopping). If I want something or know that we will need something soon I go to craigslist, ebay, knoxmoms. You would be amazed at what you can find. Just last month I got a brand new flash for my camera at 1/2
the cost because some guy in TX bought two and decided he only needed one. For bean's clothes, I always go to Little Chicks and Dudes. And yard sale season is upon us!! Basically just think outside the box...it can save you lots of money and save the earth all at the same time!

4. Turn off the water! This is probably my biggest pet peeve and the most used sentence at dish washing time because Brad loves to rinse the dishes, put them in the dishwasher and just leave the water a going :) . Do you know that you pay for water twice. Once as it comes out of the faucet and once when it goes down the drain! What a waste! So turn off the water in
between using it when washing dishes, brushing teeth, etc. Also, they have great buckets that you can get to put on your downspouts to collect the water so you can use that to water your flowers/lawn. They are on my list of things to get:)

5. Clean green! So, two ways to do this. One is to buy the green products, such as Seventh Generation, Method or the new Green works, which is what I usually do. The other way is to make your own w/ vinegar,etc. I have always shyed away from this b/c the word "make" sounds to me like too much work, and than storing it, etc. However, this week I bought a giant thing of vinegar and said the heck with it, I was going to do it and do it the Shannon way:) So, I cleaned the bathroom this morning my new Shannon way and it was a success! All I did was get a bowl, put some vinegar and water in it, get a cloth and wipe away. Afterwards, I threw it away. I suppose I could get a spray bottle and store it but this works for me...and that
is what you want, something that works for you. You can find some good recipes for natural cleaners online. I know they say baking soda is good for tubs and grime.


So, go have fun in your life and be green!