Five Ways to Help the Environment

1. Don't throw away those worn, damaged shoes! Take them to a shoe cobbler. You can usually fix them for less than it costs for a new pair and help the environment. Remember to try and find an Eco-friendly shoe cobbler.

2. Reuse large containers as piggy banks. We decorate and use Nesquik containers to put box tops for education clippings in. Help the environment and schools at the same time!

3. Don't throw away medication that is expired/unused. Some pharmacies like Walgreen's let you drop off meds there. See the links below.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2198300_donate-unused-leftover-medicines.html

http://projects.newsobserver.com/taking_stock/recycle_unused_meds_safely_through_walgreens

4. If you aren't using rechargeable batteries, start. You'll save money and help the environment. Recycle all used batteries instead of throwing them in the trash. I believe that Walgreen's also does this.(I haven't filled up my reusable battery recycling bag yet.)

5. Recycle your cell phones and electronics. Sometimes money from these items are used to support schools.

Remember, every little bit helps!
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Five Ways for a Greener Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Year after year, consumers throw away countless amounts of money on the holidays. By cutting back on needless spending, we can help animals, the environment, our health, and our wallets.

1. Don't buy disposable plates, cups, plastic ware, etc. Use the real thing if you can. Yes, it is a little more work, but well worth it.

2. Try a vegetarian Thanksgiving feast! Turkeys, and your body, will be saying, "Thank You!"

3. Buy foods that are local and organic. Don't forget the reusable shopping bags!

4. Shut off oven 5 minutes early and let the built up heat finish cooking the food.

5. Have your Thanksgiving dinner by candlelight.

Remember...every little bit helps!
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Five Ways to Teach Your Kids to be Green

Since my daughter was old enough to understand, I have been teaching her about respecting the environment. I try to have little "green" moments with her. Nothing puts a bigger smile on my face than positively inspiring others, and my daughter feels great about herself too!

1. Teach children to turn off the faucet when washing hands and brushing teeth.

2. Remind them to turn off lights, TV, and other electronics when not using them.

3. Have your child help you recycle or compost.

4. Show your child that second-hand items can be just as good as the new ones. Buy used, or donate unwanted items of your own.

5. Before leaving the park with your child, pick up a few pieces of litter. It is amazing how this good deed seems to rub off on other parents and their kids!

And remember...every little bits helps!

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How to Have a Safer, Chemical-Free Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

As another Halloween rolls around, I want to talk about the monsters out there, lurking in your costumes and decorations. Try buying and using products that are safer for you, and kinder on the environment. Below are some things you can do to make Halloween fun and safe for your family.

1. When you think about costumes, think about the three R's. Use the same outfit from before. Trade with someone. Look for websites, or throw your own swapping party. Resell it on E-bay. Not only is it good for the environment, it's good for the wallet, too! You can even try making your own out of earth-friendly goods.

2. Opt for safer or homemade face paint/make-up. Face paints usually contain lead, nickel, cobalt or chromium. Nail polish, lipstick, eyeshadow, powders and fragrances are all harmful, too.

3. Don't wear synthetic masks or teeth. You don't always know what you are wearing-even if there is a label. Most likely, you are wearing something toxic. Have you ever noticed that awful smell when you put a mask on? Ever wonder what it is you have been inhaling the whole night? Fake teeth may contain BPA-a toxin found in many plastics.

4. Ditch the colored hairsprays. The toxic fumes can easily be inhaled. Buy eco-friendly candles. Regular ones can give off toxic fumes and are bad for the environment.

5. Decorate naturally. Use nature's gifts to decorate your home! There is an endless assortment of things you can create with fruits, veggies, leaves and rocks.

6. Use energy efficient LED lights.

7. Planning or going to a party? Skip the disposable dinnerware and use the real thing. You can also use compostable products, if you must.

8. Give out healthy treats instead of candy. Or, opt for sugar-free candy.

9. Instead of trick-or-treating for candy, do it for a charity.

And remember...every little bit helps!
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Five Ways to be a Little Greener

Have you ever wondered, "How much of a difference can just one person make?" The answer is more than you might think. Whatever your cause, when YOU strive to make things better, it's not just YOUR life that is being affected. You, in turn, affect everything you touch.

1. Remember the three R's. Reduce, reuse, recycle. I keep used paper for my daughter to draw on the back before it gets recycled. It helps my wallet, too!

2. Use reusable shopping bags. Some stores give you discounts/rewards points for doing this and they are great for more than just grocery bags.

3. Watch your water usage. Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth. Do you really need that much water pressure in the shower/at the sink? Some people turn the water off while soaping up.

4. Use less energy. Turn off lights and electronics when not in that room. Read up on "vampire electronics." http://articles.cnn.com/2006-12-12/us/vampire.electronics_1_vampire-electronics-electric-toothbrushes-three-watts?_s=PM:US

5. Buy local and organic, if you can. Not only are you helping the environment, but you are also keeping toxic chemicals out of your body. FYI-those strawberries we've all eaten last summer are covered in pesticides!

And remember...a little green always helps!
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Welcome to my site!

Hi. My name is Chrystal.

I live in beautiful southern California with my family and dog, Logan. Since my teens, I have been interested in the environment and animal rights. I admit that I am not the perfect example of a person who believes in those causes, but I believe every little bit helps. I'm currently unable to compost where I live, but I do (reduce, reuse, recycle). I am not a vegetarian, but have cut meat usage in my family by 80%. (My spouse is a meat lover).

In the past, I have been criticized for not supporting these causes to the extreme. Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, not everyone can do that all of the time.

I believe it is better to do something, rather than nothing at all. If everyone did a little bit, we would see the demand for a better future. Eventually, it would make it easier to change to a better lifestyle. Every person can make a difference and we all do it in different ways!

There were so many changes I wanted to make, I had no idea that I would find a new challenge-the chemicals in everyday products.

Have you ever wondered what's in that soap you are putting on your body, or what is in the wipes you are cleaning your baby with? These are the questions I started asking when I had a child. I knew there were products to avoid due to animal ingredients, but didn't know that the chemicals themselves could be toxic. It never crossed my mind that toxic chemicals were allowed in products we use everyday.

I began to research products in our home and was shocked by my findings. We were putting toxic substances on and in to our bodies every day. Our shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste and deodorant. The cans and bottles our food came from the grocery store in. I was floored. Thus began my quest to make our lives chemical-free.

So much easier said then done. Have you ever noticed that healthier = pricier at the store? I can't pay $8.00 a bottle for planet/animal friendly, chemical-free hand soap, so I shop around. On top of having to shop around, I soon discovered that there is a lot of green-washed companies out there. Imagine the disappointment of getting a new product, wanting to make your family healthier, only to find out it is just as bad or worse than your current one!

If I was never aware of these toxins, how many more people out there had no clue they were exposing themselves every day? Turns out, a lot! I do not like to preach, but i do feel people need to know. And that is how you have come to find me here-just doing what I can to pass the info along.

I will be blogging on anything from green topics to animal rights to chemicals, and maybe more. Whether you have just discovered the "green" world, or have been involved in it for a while, all are welcome here. Check out my sight and feel free to leave a comment below. I hope it helps to make a better life for you and your loved ones.

And remember...a little green always helps!

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