ThisEcoLife.com - Going Green One Day At A Time

A few months ago, I challenged myself to go green in the kitty litter department and fell in love with Feline Pine scoopable cat litter.  Unfortunately, the honeymoon is over with this litter an I am trying out a new “natural” product for Harley and Rosie.

The Problem
Feline Pine is still a great natual litter.  It clumps well and controls odor very well.  However, it has two issues that I don’t like.  First, it is very hard to scoop.  I wind up sifting all the litter through the scooper and it takes a long time to clean out the two boxes that I maintain.  Sometimes, clumps would come apart in the sifting process and bits of waste would end up back in the box.

The other problem was not as noticeable at first.  While Feline Pine did not seem to track very much in the laundry room where we keep the litter boxes, it did seem to stow away on the bellies of my cats and wind up traveling onto furniture where they like to lay.  This became a bigger problem when my husband started to complain, so I started searching for an alternative natural product.

The Potential Solution
With these problems in mind, I thought I would try a fairly new product by Arm & Hammer.  Arm & Hammer High Performance Cat Litter claims to be all natural, provide rock solid clumping, and complete odor control.  The bag does not tell you what it is made out of, but I read on another blog that it is corn based.  This litter appears to have very little dust, does seem to control odor, is heavier and grainy so it does not travel in cat fur to be re-deposited elsewhere, and is not made from clay so I don’t have to worry about the harmful effects of mining that are a concern with clay litters.

It it continues to live up to expectations, I will only have two big problems with this cat litter. 

1. It is made from corn, and I think corn is already expensive enough these days.  In fact, I think that ethanol isn’t worth the attention it is getting and more farm land should be devoted to growing food instead of gasoline additives.  I am not sure I will be able to justify using a corn based litter that is also taking farm land away from food production.
2. It is kind of expensive at about $7.50 for a 10.5 lbs. bag.  If this product works as well as Feline Pine, the 10.5 lbs will go a long way, but I will admit that I am skeptical!

If you have had an experience with this litter, I would love to hear what you have experienced.  Have a great week everyone!  Here’s what the bag looks like if you want to try it…I have only seen it at Super Target so far.

Ok, so I will confess that until I met my husband, I ate terribly!  He often jokes that he saved me from a life of frozen pizza boats, and I will admit that eating a balanced diet, heavy in green leafy vegetables and low in red meats and dairy has proven to be the better option. 

To help us eat more healthy and avoid the high price of organic produce, we decided to grow our own garden this year and today, we harvested our first item.  Our garden contains lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, green beans, peas, jalapenos, and tomatillos.  Our first harvest was lettuce.

Until today, I had never tried home grown lettuce before, and let me tell you, it is amazing!  the flavor is so much better than any lettuce I have tried before, even from the farmers market.  We built our garden using organic manure and top soil.  We have weeded as needed and didn’t add any pesticides or fertilizers.  Gardening helps to ensure that we can trust the food we are eating.  With a nation wide salmonella scare, we can’t be too careful about the food we are eating.

As busy, working, individuals, we understand how hard it is to find time to cook a good, healthy meals, so I am going to start posting some of my husband’s amazing recipes.  Tonight, we had a grilled salmon salad on our home grown lettuce with lemon basil pesto dressing.

For the dressing:

Blend together the juice from one large lemon, about 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar, and a bunch of basil.  Once blended, drissle in olive oil, salt, and pepper until the dressing has a consistency and taste you like.

 Poor a small amount of the dressing over a salad containing lettuce, grilled salmon, and any fixings you like.  We used tomatoes, cucumbers, artichoke hearts, and home made croutons.

This is a light, summer recipe that is great with white wine.  We pared the meal with Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonay.  Enjoy!

Lately, I have been quite discouraged at the number of people on this planet who are trying to cash in on the green lifestyle bandwagon.  I will admit that I am a late-comer to these practices myself, but is it really necessary to charge a fortune for products that nobody actually needs, just because they are labeled “green?” 

This trend upsets me so much that I have considered shutting down this blog instead of trying to fight the big boys, but for now, i will continue to state the obvious to our money driven nation.

IF YOU DON’T NEED IT!  DON’T BUY IT!

IF YOU DO NEED IT, DON’T ASSUME THAT YOU MUST PAY A FORTUNE TO BE EARTH FRIENDLY!

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you never treat yourself, or buy something you probably don’t need.  After all, life is worth living!  However, when I hear stories of individuals throwing out perfectly good (insert object/item here) just to purchase a more environmentally friendly alternative, I feel overwhelmingly sad for our over-stuffed landfills.

If you simply must purge the old to make way for the bigger and better, try donating your old materials to an organization that can pass it along to someone who needs it.

My mother always taught me that we should do all things in moderation, and I believe that is what will help us to treat our planet and each other with care and kindness.  Thank you!

Painting the interior of your home is an almost inevitable chore that must be faced whether you enjoy painting or not.  Over the past month, my husband and I have painted our bathroom and one bedroom wall and it got me thinking about paint and the environment.

If you’ve ever painted, you know that it has a unique odor that sticks around for a few days as the paint dries and cures on the wall.  These odors are from chemicals called VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and can be hazardous to your health if you are sensitive to chemicals or in a high risk group.  High risk groups include infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, asthmatics, or individuals with chemical sensitivity or other respitory concerns.

Many environmental advocates will say that VOCs are highly toxic to all individuals and should be avoided at all costs.  If you are concerned about your exposure to VOCs, you may want to consider a Low or Zero VOC paint.  They can be purchased at almost any paint counter, but are almost double the cost of regular paint.

My husband and I did not choose to go with the environmentally friendly option because we are concerned about the price of paint.  If you are willing to pay $40 + per can of paint, it may be well worth the investment, but in these hard economic times, we do not consider it a priority as we do not have children or health problems that must be considered.  If I were pregnant (which I am not), or we had small children, I would purchase the no VOC paint to reduce their exposure.

If you do choose to work with a low or no VOC paint option, you should consider using a well known brand name to ensure that the paint will adhere nicely to the walls.  There are plenty of organic paint options made from clay or other materials, but I have read that they do not cover as well and are cost prohibitive and are a bit harder to find than the low or zero VOC paint that you can find at your local hardware mega-store.

A Note About VOCs:
It is extremly difficult to limit indoor exposure to VOCs even if you are not painting.  Chemical fumes off-gas from all kinds of products like new carpet, chemical cleaners, that new car smell so many love, metal and wood furniture, and even some kinds of fabric.  To limit exposure, make sure that your home is well ventilated, especially when surrounded by any potential chemical fumes.  If you have any kind of skin, eye, or lung irritation, consider looking up the MSDS for that product for more information or seek out medical attention if needed.

So, have you painted with zero VOC paint or another non-traditional paint?  If so, please share your experience with us! 

UPDATE!  After a discouraging first try, my second fill-up yeilded about 33.64 MPG, although a few more highway miles are probably the cause.  If you are trying to get more miles through better driving habits, keep up the good work! 

Other Advantages to low MPG driving habits include less stress, fewer almost-accidents, a sense of joy in knowing that I am doing something better for my car and the environment, and a not as healthy lack of respect for those who drive like idiots and then complain about the cost of gas!

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Well, after about two weeks of trying to drive more fuel efficiently, I finally had the opportunity to check the MPG on my Toyota Corolla.  The EPA claims that my car should get 30 MPG for City driving and 35 MPG for highway.  Unfortunately, my calculations come in at 29.4  MPG this time around.  This isn’t the best news, but it is better than what I have calculated in the past and certainly better than the fast driving friends we have in LA who take pride in their speedy SUV driving skills.  This weekend, we got about 12.2 MPG in a Dodge Durango!

Keep trying to lower those MPGs and be sure to tell me about your gas mileage experiences.

Not too long ago, my husband came home talking about a guy who can get amazing gas mileage in a regular car.  Since I drive a regular Toyota Corolla and not the electric hybrid of my dreams (which probably isn’t on the market yet), I was intrigued and thought I would see what else I could do to improve my gas mileage.

To begin with, I am not very good at tracking my MPG (miles per gallon).  I did it once when I first bought my car and was depressed that I only got around 28 mpg.  I knew that this woefully low number had a lot to do with my lead foot, but I didn’t pay too much attention to changing it.  However, hypermilers pay a lot of attention to how much time their foot is on the brake or the gas pedal.  So I started paying attention.  Here’s what I’ve been trying to do…

1. Coast when going down hill.  I found that I can cost the 4 or so blocks from the major intersection near my house, all the way to my driveway because it has a slight decline!  I also coast down hill as much as possible.
2. Always go the speed limit and under it if possible.  The freeway I take to work has a speed limit of 70.  I’ve been going about 65 most days and if I stay in the right lane, I find that most people in front of me are doing the same!
3. Accelerate slowly when the traffic light turns green or it is your turn to go at the four way stop!  There is no need to hit the gas as if you are in a race.
4. Try to ignore the Speed Demon behind you.  Since I started this experiment, I am sure I have upset a few drivers, but I am not breaking any laws and I am sure to stay in the right lane so they can speed around me at the first opportunity.  Usually I catch up to them quickly so they haven’t gained anything at all!

Experts also recommend using cruise control when possible to avoid a lead foot when on longer trips.  They also say that tire pressure and air conditioning do little to impact gas usage in vehicles.

I haven’t checked my MPG since I started this little project, but I should be filling up again soon and I will keep you posted.  So what kind of gas mileage are you getting?  What are your gas saving tips?

OK Ladies! Let’s kick the guys out for a moment and talk about that time of the month! If you have sensitive skin or are concerned with exposing your body to chemicals, bleach, and plastics, you may want to try Naturacare products.

Naturacare provides a line of all natural feminine hygiene products including pads, panty liners, tampons, and feminine wipes. If you frequent natural food stores or like to shop online, they are easy to find; however, price-wise, they are more expensive than your standard name-brand products. Here are some things to consider when deciding if they are right for you. Personally, I am thrilled with the pads for the very few times use them.

Advantages:

• Pads and panty liners don’t irritate sensitive skin
• no wet feeling or issues with odor
• pads stick well to panties and don’t end up stuck to your skin
• Chlorine free, pesticide free cotton is used for the tampons so there is no risk of absorbing it into your body.
• Made from 100% organic Cotton
• No use of irritating synthetic materials

Disadvantages:

• Harder to find since you can’t buy them at Walgreens or Target, etc.
• More expensive
• Panty liners have tended to rip apart when removing them. Maybe they are a bit too sticky!
• If you like how Platex tampons work, you won’t like Naturacare. They are more like Tampax.

I can’t believe it has been two months since my last post and even longer since I posted on a regular basis! Who knew that planning a wedding, getting married, and cleaning up afterwards could be so much work! Now that the guests have left, the gifts have been opened, the thank you notes have been sent, and the house has been cleaned (mostly!). I am getting back in the green blogging saddle just in time for the busiest time of year here in Minnesota. To get started, I am going to admit my humanity by confessing just how well I have been doing in my green endeavor over the past few months…here we go!

Gains:
1. I have gotten pretty good at avoiding plastic bags in stores. I did end up buying three Chico bags. Two for me, and one for my husband to pack his lunch in, and it has greatly reduced the number of plastic bags that come into the house.

2. Also on the plastic bag front, I have changed how I bag up kitty litter. I am still using Feline Pine (and loving it!), but now I scoop the clumped litter into one big garbage bag that is inside a covered plastic container. I have actually been using an old clay cat litter plastic container from before my switch. This way, I am using one large plastic bag about once a month instead of a small plastic bag every day or two.

3. I have continued using natural shampoos and soaps to lessen my exposure to chemicals. I may have a new review for you soon as I don’t seem to use the same brand twice!

4. I am trying to increase gas mileage in my trusty Toyota Corolla by keeping at or below the speed limit, easing up on my lead foot, and trying to coast more. Time has yet to tell if this is making a difference since I keep forgetting to track my MPG!

Recent eco-neglect:
1. For a while, I was using paper cups at Starbucks instead of my trusty reusable thermal mug.

2. I have not been using natural laundry detergent and have switched to Arm & Hammer to save money given the uncertain economic times we live in. Since I do think this product is better than most, this is only a small issue for me.

3. I have had more and more trouble with home made dishwasher detergent and caved in to Cascade during the wedding! Now I am trying a phosphate free Palmolive Gel…I’m not exactly sure how good that is but I plan on looking into it.

Feel free to share your Eco Confessions if you have any, or let me know what’s on your mind these days.

Thank you Anne for asking about greener ways to unclog drains in the Ask Kelly section of this site! I know I mentioned it once before, but as everyone can probably tell, life has gotten the better of me and I haven’t been posting much. Don’t fear! I will return in a few weeks.

So how do you unclog your drains anyhow? I have seen several great methods online and really like the ideas set for on Care2.com . All you really need is baking soda, vinegar, or washing soda depending on your clog situation.

Method 1: If you don’t have water in the drain but know that it is clogged, pour in one cup of baking soda followed by three cups of boiling water. It may take a few tries to work well.

Method 2: If baking soda isn’t harsh enough to get the job done, try washing soda. Washing Soda is a more caustic version of baking soda. Instead of sodium bi-carbonate, Washing Soda is sodium carbonate. It is still all-natural and environmentally friendly, but has a bit more kick to it. Pour one cup down the drain and let it sit for a while. Then using the baking soda and boiling water to finish the job.

Method 3: You can also use the baking soda method with one cup of white distilled vinegar added in. This combination will fizz and may help loosen the clog.

If these methods don’t work, you may want to find an enzyme based drain cleaner at your local co-op or organic food store. They will be a bit more powerful, but won’t work well on hair clogs. If you’re like me and shed a lot of long hair, try treating your drains with washing soda occasionally and flushing it with water.  You could also consider buying a drain snake at your local hardware store.  The snake goes down into the pipes and helps to break up and possibly remove stubburn clogs that are stuck in the drain. It helps a lot with clumps of hair that may block the pipe.  This handy tool is reusable and can cost as little as $15.00.

Give these options a try and let me know how it goes!

This weekend, I was on a mission to find a greener way to freeze food, mostly meat products.  Unfortunately, it looks like a plastic alternative freezer bag has not been invented yet!  So if you are concerned about reducing the amount of waste you produce from frozen products, try these tips:

1. Use as little plastic wrap and aluminum foil as possible.
2. Reuse plastic freezer bags by washing them and storing them for future use.
3. Consider purchasing only the food you need for that meal and eliminating the need to freeze food longterm.
4. Some eco-friendly websites suggest freezer paper; however, this product does not get great reviews for preventing freezer burn for more than one or two months.  If you have had success with freezer burn, let me know!  There is a great book called Green Housekeeping by Ellen Sandbeck that recommends that you wrap foods in freezer paper before putting them in a plastic bag for freezing to limit exposure to plastic wrap.
5. Reuse aluminum foil as much as possible, just remember that it cannot go in the microwave!

For now, there is no easy solution to the habits we have developed for protecting frozen foods from freezer burn, some will suggest buying machines that suck the air out of a plastic bag and while these systems do work well and use very little extra material, you are still exposing your food to plastic and the machine itself costs money and electricity.  If there is anyone out there with a passion for frozen foods and green living, the eco-friendly, plastic-free freezer bag would be a great entrepenurial venture!