We all know that the cost of organic foods are high and while many simply can not afford the higher prices of organic foods or hybrid cars there are other options.

If you are truly concerned with the environment then keep your old car and drrive it less. Use a bike when possible or walk, this gives you exercise and saves on fuel and emmissions. I love to take a walk to the store with the children, they need the exercise and as I sit at my computer constantly researching I do also.

If you would like to have organic foods there are other ways to get them. I have a friend that tried to buy a share in an organic food coop and as all the shares were sold for this year he volunteered and by working a couple of hours he takes home a half share which he says is still more than he needs.

I am looking for a food coop in my community to volunteer at because it will be fun for the kids and they will learn not only about being kind to the earth but about farming. Though I do purchase organic foods I still love the idea of volunteering to bag the foods for others and to sometimes go in the field and pick the vegetables.

Buy some reusalbe shopping bags and keep the plastic and the paper out of our landfills. You can find them for as little as $2 each online and they hold twice as much as a plastic bag so you only need a few for all your shopping. I feed a family of 7 and use about 10 bags when I shop. They will last you for several years and when you have to replace them you can use them for other things. I turned some into pot holders, sewed some together to hold the kids books and I know you can come up with some other creative ideas of your own.

Changing your light bulbs to CFL will save you money on your electric bill and on buying light bulbs. They cost a little more upfront but as they last several years they are more cost efficient.

If you want to go green, the alternatives are endless on ways to save money and help the planet.

Take old T Shirts and cut them up for rags to use around the house. Send good clothes you no longer need to the thrift store, sell them in a garage sale or donate them to good will but don’t throw them away.

When I began going green I did it in baby steps, it is not necessary or feasible to try and do it all at once unless you are a millionaire. I am now planning a new home and it will be green all the way. It has taken me years to become totally green and no one expects you to make the change overnight.

I joined companies like Shaklee so I can use the green products for cleaning my home, personal care and skin care and a candle company with natural soy candles. I joined as a member to get a discount, the products are better than any on the market and I order when I need something. The products are concentrated so they last for months which in the long run saves me a lot of money though they may cost a little more upfront. The biggest problem with swithching to something so concentrated is that people tend to use too much, it just takes a small amount and if used properly lasts. My shampoo lasts our family of 4 adults for 6-8 months. The kids shampoo and body bath lasts the three of them for around the same amount of time.  Be careful when choosing a company to buy from, all green products are not created equal and many that claim to be are not.  There is a lot of greenwashing going on in this competitive market.

Fill out the contact us form on this site for a chance to win a free green cleaning product.  I send something out weekly to someone.

Cut down on waste is one of the easiest ways to help, we are a country of great waste and it is tragic what is wasted in this country daily. So living green on a budget is not impossible, it just takes a little creativity and a lot of committment.

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As with everything it all comes to an end sooner or later with newer and better things replacing them.  What do we do when our belongings become obsolete?  We recycle them and keep our landfills from filling up.

So the end of the CD with the invention of the MP3 player.  If you are ready to let go of your CD collection make sure to copy them to your computer before letting them go. 

The Cd Recycling Center of Ameria will take your CD’s and recycle them for you.  You have to mail them in and it does not matter if you have 5 or 500.  You are asked to seperate them by taking the cd and the paper out of the case then mail all of it in for recycle.

I was glad to come across this as I rarely use a CD any more and they are just sitting all over my house. 

To recycle your CD’s go to CD Recycling Center of America to learn more.

As my life each day consists of research on what can and can not be recycled, places to recycle and all ways I can come up with for living green I love to share these with you.  At living green on a budget we strive to keep you aware of the best green living tips we can find.

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50 years ago cancer was rare, it is now the #1 death of children by disease and #2 in adults.  In surveys performed by the EPA the air quality of your home is 3-5 times higher than the air quality outdoors.  These statistics are alarming and more proof that cleaning products, paints and building materials are poisoning our bodies.

Federal law exempts many products from having to disclose all ingredients in their products.  Whatever the reason full disclosure is not required the truth is you do not know what is in your cleaning products, personal care products or other products you buy for the maintenance of your home.  Most of the ingredients of these products are listed as other or inactive.  You are inhaling these toxins and they are seeping into your body through your skin.

Though this blog is about living green on a budget and I stress that change is needed it is time to talk some cold hard facts about the health of you and your children, even your beloved family pet.

The nursery is possibly the most toxic room in your home.  With the foraldehyde from the wood flooring and furniture, the voc’s from the paints you chose for the wall color and the retardants on the crib mattress your child is sleeping on.  These are scary thoughts for any parent but as we all love our children these things need to be brought to light.

Greener is not just about the environment, it is about you and your family’s health. 

While greening your home is not something you have to do all at once, as that is very overwhelming to most, start with areas that are most toxic to your family.  Choose flooring such as bamboo, this is also a wise choice for the environment.  Bamboo grows back in 2-3 years and is a sustainable material.  It is as beautiful as the hard woods with the difference being it is a little softer but to me this is great for my feet when standing to cook and to clean. 

You now have choices for mattresses that are green. Keetsa is one such choice.  Instead of the harsh chemicals they are using things found in nature without the harsh chemicals and petroleum based pesticides.  Their plastic bags that the mattresses are bagged in are bio degradable and with the use of bamboo and organic cotton making a choice is easy.  There are many more choices and they are only a google away.

Living green is a choice and once that choice is made there are many things to consider.  My main priority was to keep my family healthy.  I started with cleaning products and my research lead me to much more.  From the paint on the walls, my choices in furniture, linens, the foods I eat I went all the way. 

I recently discovered that 15 million trees are cut down to make toilet paper for the US alone each year.  When I thought of this I immediately thought of installing a bidet in my home.  They have been in use in the European countries for years and I began my research on the pros and cons of having a bidet.  What I found was that they are healthier than using toilet paper and though you use some water with them and electricity with the really fancy ones with the heated seat and the air dryer, the consumption is worht it when you think of the trees that are being saved.  When it comes to hygeine they are much better for you than toilet paper.  I don’t know about you but I have my 4 and 6 year old grand daughters in my home that are constantly stopping up the toilets with toilet paper and I can’t deal with waste so guess what is being installed in our bathrooms.  Yep we are going with bidets.  I will do my part to save the trees.

Pick your battles when it comes to living green, start where it matters most to you.  As I said I started with cleaning products as that was my biggest concern at the time. I went from that to changing all the light bulbs, buying reusable shopping bags then buying organic linens, ridding my home of carpet and installing bamboo flooring.  I then changed to safer paints and began buying organic foods.  We buy clothes that are earth friendly and also from resell shops which is a smart deal for our natural resources.  Though I can afford to buy new I choose to buy tv’s and jewelry from pawn shops to help with our natural resources also.  Hey the deals are great, I bought 2, 36″ flat panel tv’s that were less than 6 months old for $378 at the pawn shop.  You can’t buy one new one for that.  

See all of my living green tips by reading through my blog.  I may not can save the world as my mother and my children tell me daily but I can make a difference and that is my goal.

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A great green living tip for cleaning your microwave is to mix about 1/4 of a cup of lemon juice and water, two parts lemon juice and one part water, heat in the meawsuring cup for 2 minutes in microwave.

Wipe the microwave with a rag after heating, the food will come right off and your kitchen will smell great.

Another green tip I use is mixing about 1/4 tbsp of oil of cinnamon or vanilla to 16oz of water in a spray bottle and using it for an air freshener.  You can also use lavender and I am sure there are many you can come up with on your own. 

Having problems with mustard stains?  I use Shaklee’s Nature Bright, mix with warm water, pour on the stain and it is gone instantly.  Don’t freak out when it turns red before going away, guess it has something to do with the coloring in mustard.  Nature Bright is great for putting in your laundry to brighten colors and to replace your bleach.

When making the choice to go green we start at home, this makes a bigger impact on the environment than you know.  If you want to freshen the carpets when vacuuming sprinkle some baking soda and let set for a few minutes before vacuuming. 

Use a natural litter for your cats litter box, not only will it help control the odor but is safe for the planet.  As I have a cat and a dog along with a 4,6 and 17 year old in my home I have learned many tips and tricks to stay true to living green and love sharing them with everyone.

I am giving away one of my green cleaning products each week, just fill out the contact us form for a chance to win.   This past week Maria Chavez won and her package is already in the mail. 

My blogs have not been updated in the past week as I have been very busy with my book but look for more green living tips daily.

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Surveys show women working from home have a 54% higher chance of cancer than women who work away from home.

Wanting to look good and be free of odor also puts you at risk unless you are using green products.  Don’t trust they are green just because they claim to be, do your research on this.  I have found startling facts when researching big name companies claiming to have safe prodcuts.

Lack of information placed on products is a major factor, there are few regulations but they are coming.  Call the 800 number on your products and ask questions, they will tell you the truth if you ask them outright. 

Our children are at great risk for leukemia and brain tumors because of the pesticides used in homes and gardens.  Bleach is being linked to the rise in breast cancer.  I don’t know about you but all these statistics should be enough to make anyone switch to green cleaning products.

In the home, Lysol, Murphy’s Oil Soap, Pledge, Tilex, Ajax, Palmolive, Joy, Chlorox Bleach, Windex, Sunlight, Arm & Hammer heavy duty laundry detergent, shout stick and liquid Spray ‘N Wash are a few of the many products containing dangerous chemicals, said  Michael Dufresne, a ;leading researcher in environmental cancers.

Be sure of what you use, there are many things you can use in your own home if you don’t want to buy products from a specific company.  I know many people use water and vinegar, I choose not to as I can not stand the smell of vinegar in my home.  Olive oil is great for your skin, removing make up, bathing in and as a moisturizer.  Do not use this if your skin is oily however.  For a carpet freshner sprinkle some lavender or cinnamon into your carpet before vacuuming.  I also use cinnamon sticks in my vacuum bag to add a fresh smell when cleaning.  For air freshners mix some lavender, orange, cinnamon or whichever smell you prefer with water and mist your home instead of using air freshners with toxins.  I spray my furniture with these mixtures also. 

Don’t let lack of information cause your family to be sick and at risk for terminal diseases.  You can live safe and you can do so cheaper than buying over the counter products that put you at risk.

Why did I choose Shaklee?  Because they have been in business for over 50 years with no product recalls, no major complaints with the BBB and because of the products being concentrated I can dilute them and they will last me six months to a year, depending on which product I am using.

Shaklee carries nutritional products, personal care, home care, beauty, air and water purifiers, skin care, weight loss and more.  Feel free to check out the products here.  I recommend them highly and understand they may not be for everyone.  There are many alternatives to toxic cleaners, choose one today.

Make an informed decision when it comes to your home cleaning products.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger pushes green auto technology at the L.A. Auto Show — including the Tesla Roadster and four other Earth-friendly vehicles.

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Duration : 0:5:2

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Major U.S. Auto Manufacturer Creates a Zero Waste Movement

As the push to be environmentally conscious increases and Earth Day approaches, many of us try to practice what we preach — reduce-reuse-recycle. But according to the Environmental Protection Agency, 55 percent of everyday garbage and trash still ends up in giant landfills across the U.S. Now, a new extreme form of “going green” called “landfill free” is changing the landscape.

Companies like Anheuser-Busch, Subaru and General Motors have committed themselves to a landfill free manufacturing process, meaning all the materials generated as a result of regular production operations are either recycled or reused in some way. At these plants, everything –from aluminum chips, to plastic trays, to used gloves — is recycled and reused, eliminating nearly 8,000 tons of waste a year. GM’s Flint Engine South Plant is one of the first manufacturing facilities in the U.S. to achieve zero waste. The environmental benefits of the plant’s waste recycling efforts include the prevention of over 44,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions being emitted into the atmosphere, and the preservation of over 3,000 mature trees annually.

Increasing and improving environmental awareness is not a one man job.  To achieve zero-landfill goals, companies often work with recyclers like the Goodwill.  These partners work to remove waste, turn it into usable parts and find homes for the products — all while creating needed jobs and a better environment.

Produced for General Motors

Duration : 0:2:17

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Todays green living tips are all about joining a food coop and how it is beneficial to all.

If you have not heard of the food coops around the country you might want to think about joining one today.

Buying a share in a local food coop not only helps the farmers but gives you fresh and organic fruits, vegetables and meats monthly.  They have a set time each month for you to pick up your prodcuts. 

Food coops are becoming mainstream.  A friend of mine in Colorado called to buy a share in a coop near him and was told that the shares were sold out.  They told him he could come and volunteer and help to bag the food and even pick fresh fruits and vegetables.  He thought this was a great idea and set up a day each week to volunteer.  He was shocked when he finished his first day of volunteering.  He was getting ready to leave and they told him to wait before leaving, then gave him a bag of organic fruits and vegetables to take home.  He now receives these each week by volunteering. 

If you are interested in organic foods then this is a great way to support your local farmers and to take the worry out of what you are feeding your family. You can find a food coop near you by going online and looking for one in your area. 

My husband and I found out about these and were quick to jump on board.  Now we don’t even have to look for an organic market to purchase our foods. 

Help your local farmers today and if there is not a food coop in your community you can visit Local Harvest for more resources for organic foods and meats.

Look for more green living tips daily at living green on a budget.

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Becoming earth friendly is not a new concept. The public service announcement I am sharing aired in 1970 when millions came together to take a stand on our environment.

This PSA touched me deeply then and to this day I believe it is the best ever. Share it with others and feel free to leave your comments.  Though many will remember this PSA I am sure there are millions who have never seen it.

Being earth friendly is a choice, a choice I made years ago and do my best to live by daily.

There is a new found awareness in the importance of becoming earth friendly, it’s your decision, choose wisely. My goal at living green on a budget is to raise awareness by leading by example.

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 As I offer green living tips I do a lot of research to make sure I give you the best green living tips available.  How safe are the green products on the market today?  We are all aware of the toxins found in cleaners, shampoos, personal care and laundry supplies that we buy over the counter.  When it comes to natural and organic products we must still be careful.  Going green comes with a responsibility, making sure what you are paying the extra money for is truly not leaving a negative impact on the planet or being harmful to your family.

I came across an independent study by the OCA, Organic Consumers Association, that shows the  carcinogenic contaminant 1,4-Dioxane in many products claiming to be organic and natural.  Many of these are products you use on your children.  Some products containing this carcinogen are Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid, Kiss My Face Early to Bed Shower Gel & Foaming Bath, Nature’s Gate Baby Soothing Shampoo and many more.  See full report here.

It seems that the movement to go green is so large that everyone wants their product listed as natural or organic.  This is sad as being green is important to the preservation of our planet. 

With my green living tips I do my best to research thoroughly for you.  I know everyone does not have the time freedom I have to do so.  Be wise in your choices as they effect the health of your family, your pets and your planet. 

Till next time, when I will share more green living tips with you.

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