Overwhelmed by Catalogs in Your Mailbox?

Just a few months ago I was completely overwhelmed by all the catalogs in my mailbox.  I felt terrible for recycling stacks and stacks of catalogs every month.  Then along came my friend and she suggested Catalog Choice. 

Catalog Choice is a free service that allows you to decide what gets in your mailbox. Use it to reduce your mailbox clutter, while helping save natural resources.

Their mission is: To reduce the number of repeat and unsolicited catalog mailings, and to promote the adoption of sustainable industry best practices. We aim to accomplish this by freely providing the Catalog Choice services to both consumers and businesses. Consumers can indicate which catalogs they no longer wish to receive, and businesses can receive a list of consumers no longer wanting to receive their catalogs.

If you’re completely overwhelmed by junk mail catalogs then give Catalog Choice a try.  I’ve seen a huge drop in unwelcome catalogs in my mailbox since I’ve joined!

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Elaine H., April 24th 2008 | Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Domestic Diva, Earth Day 2008

Earth-Friendly Greeting Cards

I’ve never been much of a greeting card giver.  They’re usually too expensive.  Three bucks for a folded piece of paper with a cheesy little drawing and greeting??!!

And what are you supposed to do with them after you read them?  I’ve always struggled with that one.  To keep or to toss…that is the question.

So in honor of Earth Day, here are two Earth-friendly solutions to the greeting card quandary.

Viva Vogue

The first solution is to send an eCard.  I’ve recently found Viva Vogue eCards.  VV is an eCard Boutique that creates animated eCards designed by women for women.  Wo else understands the trials and tribulations women go through on a daily basis than a woman?These cards are innovative, hilarious and sometimes a bit naughty.  VV is a website from the woman of today.  And for a limited time all eCards are FREE!

If you’re looking for a truly unique and cutting edge card that will not fill up our landfills then VivaVogue.com is where you’ll find the perfect eGreeting.

If an eCard is not an option for your recipient then Hallmark and Wal-Mart have an environmentally friendly solution for you. 

The Hallmark Connections brand greeting cards are produced on paper made from sugar cane pulp and recycled fiber.  The new cards are printed on stock containing 50 % sugar cane pulp, which is a byproduct of sugar cane harvesting and 50% recycled paper.

They’re smaller than an average-sized card and the paper’s flecks indicate its made from unique materials.  The envelopes are made from 100% recycled paper, and the cards are designed to be recyclable as well.  Plus, no new trees were used in producing these cards.

So now you don’t have to feel bad about throwing away a birthday or holiday card because it’s 100% recyclable, plus, they sell for an amazing 97 cents!!

So next time you’re at Wal-Mart, pick up a few eco-friendly cards.

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Elaine H., April 17th 2008 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Earth Day 2008

Paper or Plastic? I choose Neither!

Skeeda BagThe problem:  The United States consumes about about 100 BILLION plastic shopping bags annually.  This requires approximately 12 million barrels of oil. (Wall Street Journal).

And paper bags aren’t much better.  In 1999, the American Forest and Paper Association reported that Americans used 10 BILLION paper shopping bags, consuming 14 MILLION TREES!

The solution:  Reusable cloth bags

I purchased my first reusable canvas bags from Trader Joe’s about a year ago.  It was really easy to “fit in” with the regular TJ’s crowd with my bags.  But the true test of commitment to the environment was shopping at my local Target or the military’s supermarket, The Commissary.  I have to admit, at first it was a bit embarrassing when I hulled five canvas bags through the market when everyone else was conveniently using “paper or plastic.”

While at Baby Celebration LA, I discovered the adorable and reasonably priced Skeeda Bag.  Now I won’t have to hide my canvas bags since I found the fashionable Skeeda Bag.  It’s a super-cute reusable bag made for the eco-chic shopper!  Plus, Skeeda.com is having a sale from April 17-18 especially for Earth Day.  So go online and add some pizzazz to your next shopping trip.

My next dilemma was: where do I put the bags while I’m shopping?

If I put them in the cart during the beginning of the shopping trip, they would end up buried under all my groceries at the end of the trip.  As I would unload my items on the conveyor belt the bagger would put my food in plastic bags before I could even get the bags out of the bottom of the cart.

Also, carrying my bags over my shoulder was not an option either.  The handles would slip off my arms while I was bending down to pick something from the bottom shelf.

I finally solved my problem when I put the bags on that little rack on the bottom of the cart.  You know where you put your cases of soda.  (Just make sure the handles don’t drag on the floor while you’re shopping, otherwise you’ll have one dirty bag!) 

Happy shopping and come back tomorrow for more tips, Earth friendly products and facts!

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Elaine H., April 16th 2008 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Earth Day 2008

Going Green in ‘08

Earth Day 2008Since the beginning of the year my husband and I have been on a campaign to change our lives.  We call it “Going Green in ‘08.”  When we say “green” we mean being more fiscally and environmentally responsible. 

So in honor of the Earth Day Celebrations (April 16-22) I will share some tips, products and cool facts.

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Elaine H., April 16th 2008 | Tags: , , ,
Posted in Earth Day 2008