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.

Technorati Tags: living green on a budget

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.

Technorati Tags: living green

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.

Technorati Tags: green living tips, living green tips

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.

Technorati Tags: green livng tips, living green on a budget

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.

Technorati Tags: earth friendly, living green on a budget

 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.

Technorati Tags: green living tips, green products

Living green on a budget was founded with two goals, to raise awareness to the needs of our environment and to save others money who wish to go green. Though I have been environmentally aware since the 60’s not everyone has practiced environmentally friendly living that long.

I am here to help you make this commitment easier and to reach out to many people on a daily basis.

My mother has told me since I was 4 that I can’t save the world, maybe I can’t but I can make a difference. From bringing home stray animals, including a baby skunk I found to wanting my parents to adopt a whole orphanage of children it was clear at an early age that I was different than my family.

Though I was told my whole life there was nothing I could do to change things. Thankfully I never believed that or I would be stuck at a 9-5 job which I would hate without ever attempting to make a difference in my world.

Today I want to share how Earth Day came about with those that celebrate it but do not know how it came to be.

Senator Gaylord Nelson began the push for politicians to show support for the environment as early as 1962. He visited with Attorney General Robert Kennedy and President John Kennedy who were both open to the idea. The concern over the environment needed to be thrown into the political limelight. Kennedy began what was a conservation tour in Sept of 1963. This became the seed that eventually led to Earth Day though the tour did not succeed in 1963 for many reasons. In 1969 with the Vietnam War protesters making a huge impact the grass roots campaign for Earth Day developed. The same energy being spent on protesting the War could be used to voice concerns over the environment.

The media caught hold of this and sent it out from coast to coast. Now the activist that were demonstrating on different subjects such as the Vietnam War, womens rights and civil rights had a cause they could all come together with.

Early in December, Senator Nelson selected a 25-year old named Denis Hayes, the dynamic former President of the Stanford student body, as national coordinator. Hayes, postponing plans to enter Harvard Law School, immediately set to work making plans for the inaugural Earth Day.

A full-page ad that appeared in the New York Times in February 1970 announced that on April 22, 1970, at locations throughout the United States, citizens would demonstrate for a cleaner environment, piquing the curiosity of network broadcasting giants.

On April 22, 1970 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment.

To countless participants, Earth Day was a turning point in their lives, which they remember to this day with awe and reverence. “It was something magical and catalytical,” remarked Denis Hayes, “touching a huge cross-section of Americans.”

On the 20th anniversary of Earth Day in 1990 more than 200 million people in 141 countries participating in celebrations of the planet that supports us.

Today the issue is once again receives much press with such stars as Oprah Winfrey and others doing great shows on Earth Day. How do you celebrate Earth Day? My wish is that you celebrate it year round.

You will find a featured product on my site each week. You will not find anything I do not use or read myself. I know what each product does to help the environment and how they can change your life. If I feature a book it will be one that will continue to give you ideas on going green.

Giving some of the products here at living green on a budget can assist you in finding the best for going green.

Cheryl C McNeil

Technorati Tags: earth day, environmentaly friendly, go green, going green, living green on a budget

My goal with living green on a budget is to reach as many people as I can each day of my life.  If I reach one person today then my goal has been achieved.

Recently when I was dining out I watched how many patrons asked for something to carry their food and drink home with.  What I saw was styrofoam and plastic containers.  Not only does styrofaom never break down there are health issues with drinking a hot beverage from it.  The styrene mixes   This was not acceptable to me, being the earth friendly girl I am, I used my voice for my crusade.

I asked what their carry out containers and cutlery are made from.  I then told them what options they have which I have listed below.

Green restaurants are popping up all over the country and I commend them in their efforts to make a difference.  It may cost a little more but they might be surprised at how the word spreads.  I would rather eat in a green restaurant and would tell others about it as I know many of my readers would.

There are many options to greening your restaurant.  The choice of purchasing containers, cups, bowls and plates made from sugan cane bagesse, the part of the sugar cane left after the juice has been extracted.  There are also options for cutlery and straws that are made from corn starch and potato starch.  The bidegrade in 180 days in a commercial compost facility. 

Suggestion cards are available online at www.dinegreen.com You can give these to your server or the restaurant manager to let them know their options for green restaurants.

I have a quote that I love and do my best to live by. “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” -Gandhi

See you next time with more green living tips.

Technorati Tags: green living tips, green restaurants, living green on a budget

Today I am going to share some green livng tips for painting.

Up to 50% of the toxic gasses and carcinogens from traditional paints leak into your home up to six years after it dries on your wall.  This does not sound like it is safe for your family, your pets or the environment. Today we have choices when it comes to painting our homes.  I choose Mythic as they have 0 toxins compared to others with low toxins.

With Mytic paints no toxic gasses that leak off into your home up to six years after application.

Why not know that you, your family and your pets are breathing fresh air by using non toxic paints. Though the price may be a little higher the offset of gasses that deplete our ozone and the toxins that harm your family make it well worth the few extra dollars you spend.  After all we don’t paint that often.  What are you giving up buying these types of paints?  Other than the toxins from your average paints you are giving up nothing.  They have beautiful rich,colors and a performance guarantee.

HGTV has began to have designers concerned with the environment which is where I first learned of the non toxic paints.  It is good to know that programs on TV are going green.

We learn each day how green goes with everything is a reality.  For more living green tips check back daily and click the book in the right hand side of my blog for a great book to help you go green.

Living green on a budget is designed to help those with a commitment to the environment and those wanting to commit but believing it too expensive.

Technorati Tags: green goes with everything, green living tips, living green on a budget, living green tips

Hi again, welcome back.  I hope you stick around for some great tips from living green on a budget. My goal is to help each of you that have the desire to make a difference but belive it too costly. 

Today with school starting soon all over the country I want to talk about lunch boxes.  While you may be buying organic foods to pack in your childs lunch box have you considerd what you are placing the food in?  Here are some green living tips that are important to the health of your children and to your world.

I was doing some research as I always am, this topic was of great interest to me as my 6 year old starts school in a few days and wants to take her lunch.  What I found was alarming.

The cute little vinyl lunch boxes can be deadly to your child.  In 2006 a report found alarming amounts of lead in the vinyl lunchboxes.  Consider a metal lunch box instead.  We think of the dangers of our children at school eating things like undercooked chicken or being prepared in unsafe conditions and decide to send them with a healthy lunch from home.  Now we have to consider what to pack that lunch in for their safety.

A report by the Center for Environmental Health found that common soft plastic (PVC) lunchboxes often contain lead. The level of lead in one lunch box, an Angela Anaconda box made by Targus International, tested at more than 90 times the legal limit for lead in paint in children’s products.

The highest levels of lead were found inside the lunch boxes but also on the lid where it becomes very easy to transmit to food and hands.  Small amounts of lead can cause reduced IQ, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, behavioral problems, stunted growth, impaired hearing, and kidney damage.  Larger doses of lead are scarier yet and can result in death.  Buy a hand held lead testing kit which is available at most hardware stores.  Ther is yet another concern with the vinyl lunchboxes, even the ones that say lead free.  That is they also use DEHP as an additive which is suspected of being a carcinogen and reproductive toxicant.

It might be best to use an alternative and brown paper bags are not the answer as they go into our landfills.  Though healthy for your child they are not healthy for the planet.  I would suggest that you look into Basura Bags, Rainbow Reed Lunchboxes, canvas lunch bags or a metal lunch box.

Our childrens safety is of the upmost importance to us as parents and while we consider their health let us not forget to be kind to the environment at the same time. 

Technorati Tags: green living tips, living green on a budget