Orange, Black, and...Green?

Random thought: For some reason writing that title made me think of Ireland...but nope, it's for Halloween! A green Halloween that is!

**This image was found here**

You may remember last year's green Halloween post...but you probably don't. I created a list of things you can do to save mother earth while saving the green in your wallet, as well, during the holiday. I decided to come back with a few more for this year.

1. Get crafty when decorating by buying biodegradable foods at your local Farmer's market. I know that colors don't always suffice (I just happen to HATE orange) so try painting them white and then adding black designs with eco-friendly (low VOC) paints.
2. If you're throwing a Halloween party, try doing a spread with healthier options like Salsa, hummus, or..yes, if you must have them - sweets. Just try to display them in a wash-n-reuse container instead of having individually wrapped candies and "party bags."
3. If you just can't bare the thought of recycling a costume or don't have the time to make your own -- please...don't get a plastic costume. If you wanna me a mustard bottle...there are other options besides plastic (did I just think up my costume this year?? hmmm...)
4. Try organic or eco-friendly hair and makeup brands. You can probably just get them at Target.

Simple enough, right? How about all my eco-nerds out there...tell me some I might have missed!

BIG REVEAL: Summer's Shower

Ok kiddos....I don't like posting on the weekends, but a promise is a promise. So here are the pictures of "Go Green for Greenlee" stay tuned next week for the breakdown.

Give me the Greeeeen Liiiiiggghhhttt!

Happy Blog Action Day Everyone!!!! It's October 15th so it's time to post about some area of climate change. Since I try to post tips when I can, anyway, this was turning out to be a daunting challenge. So I took Michael Jackson's advice and started with the man (and in my case, a lady) in the mirror. I was just complaining to Zack yesterday about how much I wanted to eventually make enough small changes until I lived completely eco friendly. Unfortunately, on a college budget and in a rent house, that was very hard to do...then it hit me:

Why don't I post about ways college students can go green? College students actually have more waste than you might think...especially with paper. I narrowed it down to 6 simple tips for everyone on a college budget. I hope you all find the information useful and are able to carry the into your own lives. Here we go!

TIP 1: RECYCLE, RECYCLE, RECYCLE!!!!

There are many ways you can do this. This year for school, I purchased a 100% Recycled Binder (with soyink) and a 100% recycled notebook. Trust me, it's just as cute as the other notebooks, and I can take pride in it. The best part? I got them at Wal-Mart...so they were cheap too. You can also get recycled paper for your notebook and recycled copy paper for your printer (until you can afford an eco friendly printer) at Staples. Another way I help recycle is through my sorority. I am an Alumnae but I still give all my classnotes, quizes, tests, projects, and research papers to our Vice President of Scholarship. Not only am I recycling, but I'm helping out my sisters who might be struggling (Bonus)! You can do the same even if you are not in a sorority, some organzation will appreciate it very much!!! Of course, you can always recycle the standard way. I know there are many places on UCA campus that have recycle bins for paper, plastic, and boxes.

TIP 2: print less, save more.

Many professors don't mind if you use the front and back of paper to cut down on wasted paper...just ask first. Some of mine do because they want it to look "proffessional." That's ok. But how about when your printing off those slides, notes, or helpful charts for your class? This is for your own personal use, so definitly use both sides then! It might also help you keep up with you pages better. Another great tip for saving cash and the environment can be found at Wal-Greens. Last week (for the first time ever) I got my cartridges refilled. The black went through fine, the color one wouldn't work...but that's ok, I'm no better or worse off than I was right? It was done in about 30 minutes and with my UCA ID I got 10% off! My total? $12.50 (they didn't charge me for the colored one of course). So I saved some green in the environment, and in my pocket. Oh yeah...and this was at 2:00 in the morning working on a media law exam...convenient!!

TIP 3: cut down on disposables (yes, this means you, Mr. Beer Pong champ)

When I moved into my duplex with my brother I bought a set of cheap black dinner set at Wal Mart for 30 buckaroos. They were perfect for my style of living, cheap, and I love black. Plus I don't "run out" of plates or have double the waste I use to. My set came with 8 dinner plates, 8 saucers, 8 mugs, and 8 bowls...sweet! Many dorm rooms have kitchen areas, too (mine had a vanity we made into a kitchen area). So go ahead and invest in some actual plates. Don't worry, i'm understanding about you crazy kids that attend UCA and know what I mean when I say "the red cup rule." We found a way to reuse these as well....get ready....HANDWASH THEM. (you'll be ok...i promise).

TIP 4: napkins

This is simple...recycle old t-shirts, towels, and washclothes instead of using a ton of paper towel and/or napkins to clean. You are going to think I'm crazy when I say this but do you know what most detail business will use to clean your windows?? NEWSPAPER!! I'm not making this up, I have seen at least 3 businesses do it. You'll be recycling and it won't leave behind those...what are they...threads? we'll just say streaks. Give it a try...I dare you.

TIP 5: Lights.

We've discussed this before...the energy effecient lightbulbs. Once again, they cost more, but you save more money AND they last longer. Use these for your lamps and use lamps instead of overhead lights. They're "homier" and are much more eco friendly that cheap overhead lights.

TIP 6: Clean Green

Buy Green cleaning products! I know dorm/rent life is dirty and germ infested. But Green cleaning products work just as well as regular ones, and are MUCH better for the environment. I like to use Clorox Greenworks Cleaners and laundry detergent (also sometimes I use Tide "loads of Hope" because I like to help the needy).

So I hope these tips helped!!! What ways are you guys going green? I would love to hear your tips as well since i'm new at this. Did anything I say help?

In honor of today's blog post, I leave you with this Song O' the day. Have a great one!!!

Going green for Halloween

I am a DORK when it comes to holidays (in fact...on my blog list I have more bl0g ideas for Christmas than all of the others put together!). I love everything about holidays: tradition, community, stories, decorations, spirt. The only 2 bad things about them are calorie intakes and they aren't always fantastic for the environment. Well hopefully I can at least help with one of those!!



1. If you decorate with lights, try LED lights instead (simple enough?)



2. Try to use household items to recycle into a costume! last year, I put on some black pants, a white v-neck tshirt, and black shoes. I got some kid leggings (I have no idea why those were still in my possession), cut off the legs and put 5 holes where i could wear them as fingerless gloves(I know it sounds weird but it was quite dashing). Then I cut jagged shapes out of old cereal boxes and mixed acrylic paint with medium to make it look like blood, and splashed it all over my shirt. Can you guess what I was? A "cereal" (serial) killer!! Everyone thought it was crafty and it was 100% recycled! (sorry, no pictures...)



3. Safety first!! use battery-free LED flashlight instead! You'll be safe and green :)



4. After carving your Jack-O-Lantern, use soy-candles.



5. try organic candy (I need to do some research of how available this is in the area). Also, use a recycled bag or pillow case intead of plastic to carry your goods :)





6. HERE"S THE BEST PART: I found the COOLEST thing: Trees for Treats offers a way to help the environment in addition to candy. Here's how it works: Adults buy “tree coupons” (bundles of 50 for $6 at .10 a piece) and give away to trick-or-treaters in addition to or instead of conventional treats. For each bundle sold, 50 trees are planted. How sweet is that? here is what the coupon looks like:





I am SO all about this!!! How about you?? Any more tips for ways to stay green even in the fall??