Plastic in the Ocean - Help be a part of the solution!!

I literally cried when I saw this.  Really really moving and heartbreaking at the same time.  We don't see this in our normal every day "disposable" lives.  

But we need to be aware! Watch this video.  Take a good hard look at those images - they are REAL people!  REAL!

Plastic Pollution in the Earths Oceans

This type of things is what made me create EcoStuffers and begin the crusade against plastic.  It's just sad!  I want my baby to see a fresh and unpolluted beach!  I want his babies to see sea turtles and the Great Barrier Reef!

Join with me and reduce and eliminate the use of plastic!  Start one step at a time!  

*sniffle*  It's just so sad! 

AND THE WINNER(s) IS/are...

Let's be honest here - didn't I say that this contest would end YESTERDAY?  Let me check... yep... plain as day - March 26th.  But alas - what happened yesterday that we wouldn't post the winner?!  Yeah.  I forgot to post.  *sigh*  You see, I work at a day job 6 days a week (BOOOOO!!! wait.... DOUBLE BOOOO!) and the plain and simple truth of it is - I didn't even know what day it was until today.  *sigh* 

Forgive me puh-leeeaasssee?  I sure do ask for forgiveness a lot.  Sheesh.  

SO... without further ado... 

Lucian has randomly chosen the follower to win and that is... JENNIFER of COODA'S CORNER!  WOOP WOOP!  Pick your prize chickadee and CONGRATS!

Now for the comments... I had such a stinkin' hard time with this because EVERYONE'S comments were amazing.  So I did a random number generator.  I know.  I know. 

And the SECOND WINNER IS (drumroll please....) 

ME!  LOL!  That is totally true too.  I did a number generator and my post came up as the winner.  

I'd like to thank my mom... my dad and my amazing husband.  Thank you!  HAHA

So, since I can totally make my OWN bags, I guess I'll do a second number generation (dang it too... I never win ANYTHING!  Stinks that my win was wasted.... Such is life). 

The REAL winner is ANGELA!  Woop woop!  

CONGRATS TO BOTH THE WINNERS!  I'll be emailing you in just a minute to let you pick your prize!  

Thanks to all that entered!  Keep a lookout for more giveaways that I won't lose track of my days.  

THANK YOU!!  ENJOY AND I'LL SEE YOU SOON!

Spring Tips - Eco Friendly Way!

It's TIP TIME!  EEEE!  I get so stinkin' excited when I get to share tips and treasures, and typically when I am posting, it's because I have a reason. 

So I'm opening all of my windows the other day to let in this gorgeous fresh air.  When I see it.  Cobwebs.  Spider webs.  And little things that I don't WANT to know what it is hanging to my screen.  I scream.  My husband comes running inside prepped with one shoe off of his crusty man foot ready to kill whatever it is that made his precious wife scream.  (I'm seriously scared of spiders for whatever reason - childhood trauma I'm sure).

After I stop laughing at him hobbling around mumbling "very funny dear", I tell him what caused my traumatic response.  Dude.  SERIOUSLY?  Friggen spider webs and like - wasps nests in my windows?  HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN TO ME!?  So I stopped everything that I was doing, put on my Aunt Jemima bandana, snapped on my rubber gloves, dusted off my bucket and scrubby thingies, and broke out the vacuum cleaner (then I put it away since we're in MEGA SPRING ENERGY CONSERVATION MODE - post to come later).  Armed and ready to attack the disgustingness that had built up over the winter. 

So here we are - with some ECO FRIENDLY CLEANING TIPS!  WOOP WOOP!

1.  CLEANING WINDOWS CHEMICAL FREE

I am not one to lie and say that I like cleaning windows.  Because I don't like to do it.  But hey - we have to clean those things so we can see the beauty outside!  But I don't like using spray cleaners a whole lot.  I do use some, but not that often. 

For cleaning your windows, good old fashioned vinegar and water works wonders.  Use old newspapers instead of paper towels.  

Here's the low down on the mix:  2 parts water to 1 part vinegar.  So, if you put half gallon of water, put a 1/4 gallon of vinegar.  Now, you can make that as strong or as weak as you like.  Depending on your personal preference.  

Vinegar will give your windows a streak free shine.  I like to take some birdcloth after the newspaper and really "shine" 'em up.  Ooo lala!

For even MORE vinegar tips (this is one of my favorite cleaning solutions BTW!!)  go here: 

CLEANING WITH VINEGAR! THE SUPER CLEANER! 

2. Clean Out That Fridge

Did you realize that the fuller your fridge is the more INEFFICIENT it is?  Yeah, I know!  I had NO clue.  But, alas.  It is true.  So this is a two fold tip. 

Clean out that fridge not only to save on the science experiments for the kiddos, but ensure that your fridge isn't constantly running and using up incredibly precious electrical power.  You could save a little bit of cash just by cleaning it out.  Oh, and you'll feel better when you open that fridge up too!  Trust me.

Here's how:

Take about 2 tablespoons of baking soda and swish it around in about a cup to a cup and a half of water.  Take your newspaper or natural sponge (or even an old upcycled tee towel, old washed T-shirt... just NOT paper towels for crying out loud!) and dip it in the solution.  Wipe down your shelves.  I'd rinse your cloth out a couple of times if your fridge is super dirty. Keep dipping that cloth into the solution.  You'll be surprised at how easily the gunk comes off.  And, if you have some stubborn gunk (I had some jelly caked in the bottom of mine.  How the heck did THAT get there?) just pour a little bit of the solution onto the stain and come back to it. 

Don't forget to clean the inside of that door too!  Like... EW!

3. Have a Yard Sale!

Ok.  So how is this a chemical free cleaning tip and how is it going to help?

Here's how.  It's chemical free SOUL CLEANSING.  Ever notice how stuff just starts piling up in your garage.  Bedroom.  Closet.  Living room?!!  Yeah.  I do.  So how does it get there?  My weakness is estate sales and free samples.  Yes.  I have a lot of faults, and free samples are definitely one of the biggest ones.  My built in cabinets in the hallway are FULL of samples. Why?  Beats me.

So what's the solution?  Clean out and clear out.  Sell all those unused samples, and all those books you bought for a dime at last year's flea market and just have some good old fashioned FUN with the money that you make.

The key here is NOT to buy more junk with it.  *wink*

4. Clean that bathroom!

Good natural lemon juice is AMAZING.  It's a naturally good smelling fruit that has an absolute incredible cleaning power.  So get some lemons (or you can just buy the lemon juice but it comes in a plastic container... that you'll have to throw away.  ICK!) and squeeze the juice out.  Strain the pulp out of course, then mix the lemon juice into some water. 

I'd say 2 lemons for every 2 cups of water.  I only say that because I'm a STRONG cleaner type of gal.  I need that strength when I'm cleaning my bathroom.  I live in a house full of boys.

I digress.

Now, just put that solution in a spray bottle (here's where the pulp straining is going to be helpful or it will clog your sprayer) and spray your tub.  Let it sit for a little bit and wipe off with your natural sponge or your upcycled cloth.  Nice.  Do the same for the potty - and do it a few times if you live with boys. 

Seriously.  Take my advice on this one! 

Ok.  That's all for now.  This post is getting WAY out of control.  I could go on for days. I'll do a part 2 in a day or so!  YIPPEE!

Peace out!  Have fun cleaning my dears!

Have any of your own eco tips?  PLEASE POST THEM BELOW!!

SediluGreen EcoStuffers - Giveaway ends tomorrow!!

Get your comments in by tomorrow!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE all the comments and it's going to be TOUGH to choose a winner!  I may just have to do a random selection of those as well, but either way - they're all amazing!  They really put into perspective on what Spring means, not just to me, but to everyone! 

THANKS FOR ENTERING ALL!

Oh, and PS - YES.  I LOVE dandelions.  There.  I said it. 

Ok. I'm fixed! SHEW!

I almost had a heart attack!  But after some quick research, I figured out how to get my blog back and THANK GOODNESS I did.  Shew.  I would have lost all this fabulous context!  HAHA!

Ok.  I'm good now.  And off to eat something.  MMMM.  Something... 

OH NO!

Someone hacked my blog and when I deleted their widget thing that they installed it completely deleted my blog.  So I'm working on getting it back, but aghhh!! 

Please bear with me.

Monday Mania.... SediluGreen - Green lover!

I have a special place in my heart for the color green.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe it's the meaning -Health. Prosperity. New Beginnings. 

Maybe it's the color of spring that wakes me up. 

Maybe it's because I like Kermit the Frog from the Muppets (who remembers that show?!  That and Fraggle Rock... classics). 

Whatever the reason, I love green.  I have green splashed throughout my house - in very subtle spurts - but nonetheless it's there.    See?  (Don't mind the white walls, they were here when we got here - I just CANNOT decide on a paint color!) 

So I'm feeling UBER green today and UBER alive (my grass is growing back!  OMG!  CELEBRATE!  I kill everything that grows in the ground for the most part).

So in light of my love of Green.  I'm doing a giveaway!  Oh yes.  I said it.  A giveaway!  EEEEE! 

Here's how to win. 

1.  Comment on why you love spring.  Green.  Life.  WHATEVER you celebrate.  Seriously. Whatever!  Comment below and comment your little heart out!

I'll randomly select someone to win a FREE set of THREE EcoStuffers 7x7, 7x5 and 7x3.5) - with GREEN in them of course! WOOP WOOP! 

2. Second way to win is just simply follow my blog and I'll pick a random winner!

(Eyes closed and all)

 

Yep.  ANOTHER lucky winner will get ANOTHER set of EcoStuffers!!

SO it's pretty easy!  I'll be giving away TWO sets of EcoStuffers this go around!  Wanna see which ones?  Ok.  You twisted my arm...

And the best part (I know I know - HOW can this get any BETTER?!!)... You can choose which one you'd like if you are a lucky winner! 

So there you have it lovies!  Comment away!  I need some Spring inspiration - and I'd love to know what others celebrate! 

See you later!!  I'm off to try to enjoy this day!

Oh yeah, nearly forgot... this contest will end Friday March 26th, 2010! 

Environmental Effects of Plastic Bags

As we all  know, I am a very strict non-plastic bag user.  There are so many issues with plastic bags! Environmental issues mainly.  Next is the cost.  The cost of using plastic bags in the grocery stores is about .03/bag.  Guess where that money goes?  Straight onto the cost of the food we buy!  Yes.  YOU are paying for your own plastic bags at the grocery store.  I was a little taken aback by that fact as well, however, think about it - you think that a store is just going to GIVE you something for free?  Ummm... not so much.  

The dangers of plastic and plastic bags extends WAY beyond grocery sacks.  It extends right into our lunches.  Go to a school one day and watch the waste in each and every lunch period.  You'll be shocked.  In countries like Japan, they have more nutritious lunches (which is a whole other topic altogether!) and they reuse everything.  They put up their chopsticks after washing them off for use the next day.  Amazing.  No waste?  

Check these statistics out regarding waste in our schools.  Mind boggling: 

One County Lunch Room Stats

That comes from this site which is FABULOUS!!

http://www.greenecowarriors.org/

I had a lovely woman stationed in Australia order a bunch of items from me because they have what is called a "waste-free" lunch.  Woah.  What a concept!  I was pretty much enthralled with this idea and wanted to start an initiative within my area.  But, alas, day job!  (again, another story!!)  

Here is another story that touched me... Ugh.  Can you imagine this?!!

http://www.inl.co.nz/environment/2008/plasticjunkyard.html

So the reduction of plastic waste, even if it's just in one household or an entire country saves much more than money.  It saves the environment and I have to say - I want my child(ren) and their children to grow up on a world of beauty and wonder - just as I did.  

I found this little video that explains just a little bit.

Environmental Effects of Plastic Bags

Enjoy!

SediluGreen EcoStuffers - Web Store now live!

Let me tell you something first and foremost.  Opening an online store is harrowing.  Tiring.  Frustrating.  And alllll those four letter words our mothers warned us not to say or she'd wash our mouths out with soap.  But, in the end, it's sooooo worth it and I'm actually enjoying this now!

 www.sedilugreen.com

So here's a brief overview of the journey... 

Got the domain like 10 months ago. Score! Didn't do anything with it because I had no idea what I wanted to do.  Booger. 

So then I did something with it and got the shopping cart and some sort of a web design that will eventually change once EcoStuffers start catching on, which they are QUICKLY doing so!

Signed up for the merchant account and got it rolling, and then it wouldn't sync.  Double Booger!  It was like that for about a month and I had NO idea that it was not accepting the credit cards.  Triple Booger.  Luckily a kind soul told me that she wanted to purchase but it wasn't letting her.  Bless her lovely little heart!

Finally - here we are - working and Functional!  So I got everything ironed out and we're up for business!  Now, keep in mind that we have DOZENS upon DOZENS of designs but they're not all listed.  It's taking some time, but I am working my little fingers to the bones getting this site done.  It's actually pretty exciting!!

So go check it out!  Favorite it.  Keep checking it out.  Then check it out again.  More designs to come!

www.sedilugreen.com

Oh, and check us out at the following websites where our items are featured (and rest assured MORE to come in the future.  Yeah, it's pretty cool). 

Go Green Etc

SediluGreen on Etsy

Coming soon!!  

Lunchboxes.com

Share my joy!  Love ya! 

Recycling Tips from SediluGreen

I think I'm going into blogging overload.  For real and seriously.  Ever since I was featured on The Blessings of Modern Domestication and she mentioned my blog, I've been freaking out and blogging up a storm. I just hadn't had the time.  I know.  Slap me.  That is ABSOLUTELY no excuse and I should be tarred and feathered.  But please don't resort to that - I'll just hang my head in shame instead and beg for forgiveness!  :)   Forgiven?  YAY!  Thanks!  I knew you'd come through. 

So here it is - tip time!  On the recycling effort/theme, let's get this thing rolling along!

Check out this AMAZING post that I found and I learned a LOT from it.  Like - not all plastics are recyclable.  Woah.  I had no idea! This is from a really neat site called EARTH EASY.  Check it out for real!

HUGE RECYCLING TIPS ARTICLE

Have you ever thought "Recycling just takes up too much space?  Too much time? Where would I put a recycling container in my house?  My town doesn't even pick up recycling!  Ugh.  What a hassle!!"

Let me be the first to tell you, and I admit, I was a naysayer at one time. *gasp*!  I know.  

But now that we've started the recycling effort, it's really effortless. It took a bit to get everyone in the habit of not throwing trash into the plastic recycling container, but now it's sort of like second nature and it really only took 3 weeks of training - and I have 3 boys!  Yeah.  That's exactly what I am saying... if  you can train a boy, you can train anyone to recycle! 

So here are some tips: 

• Start small!  
• Start with maybe just recycling paper and do that for a couple of months.  Rome wasn't built in a day after all!!
•  Do not invest in costly dedicated recycling bins!
• Use cheap plastic trash cans to start.  If you're concerned about how they will look sitting around, make sure they all match!  
•  Make sure you LABEL your recycling bins in some way
• Use a marker and a piece of paper
• Have the KIDS help do this!  It will give them a vested interest in recycling since they helped do something with it!
• Make weekly trips to the recycling center if your town/city does not do a pick up
• Our city does not pick up our recycling, so I make sure that I drive by the recycling center at least 3 times a week - not just to drop off, but to ensure that I remember to bring it the next time!  
• If it's super out of your way, make the trip less often, OR - make it a family trip and have the kiddos help you out!

Recycle on my friends!!

Giving Thanks to Many - from SediluGreen

So here I am.  Sitting at my desk and I'm really feeling pretty good.  Why?  Well thanks for asking!

Because it makes me feel great that there are people out there who like what I'm doing.  Appreciate it even!  There are those who have placed orders from me and have blogged about the items.  There are people that I have sent samples to that just say "thanks".  You know what I've been finding sometimes?

People don't use the word THANKS often enough!  Why not?  Beats me!  All I have to say is that I appreciate each and every one of my clients.  Each and every one of my friends.  Each and every one of my family members.  Heck, I appreciate strangers that I don't even really know!



So I wanted to take a moment and make this a hearty THANK YOU post.  I'm dedicating this one to all of the fantastic bloggers out there that have blogged about SediluGreen's EcoStuffers.  Below you'll find the list of them and I'm hopeful that this will continue to grow.  I think that I'm going to make it a point to make it a THANK YOU THURSDAY from now on.  Not just to people that are associated with EcoStuffers... but to everyone.

Is there anyone that YOU want to thank today?  Post a comment and let me know!  

I think this is going to be a regular post. I like it.  Makes me feel warm and fuzzy and who doesn't love warm fuzzies?  *shrug*

So THANK YOU to the following bloggers who are ABSOLUTELY stinkin amazing - keep in mind that these are in no particular order!!!

Rocker Bye Baby

The Stationery Place

Handmade News

Miss Chevious Designs

The Blessings Of Modern Domestication

UpscaleBaby

Miss Mala Prop
Simple Saving Savvy

You are all amazing!  So THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart - for being just that - AMAZING!

New Recycling Program in the SediluGreen household

I don't have any fancy photos of the trash cans, but here's me taking out the trash!

Oh I'm SOOOO joking!  I thought this was sort of a funny photo, so I had to put it up here. She doesn't look like she should be taking out the trash!  LOL!!

Ok, back to business.  Ahem.

So here are the type of trash cans we got.  Again, nothing fancy!  We line them with plastic trash bags (AGH!  What?!) But rest assured!!  They're earth friendly and recyclable (shew).

We have ALWAYS recycled plastic.  Ever since I have made it my personal mission to eliminate as much plastic from our lives as possible (hello, EcoStuffers anyone??!!), we have recycled plastic.  Yay us!  

But then I realized that all that good feeling that I felt while I was chucking all that plastic into a trash can strategically placed right outside the cabinet that held the "trash" trashcan was washed out by all the trash that we could RECYCLE that was being put into the outside cans. 

*sigh*

So here's what we did.  We got more trash cans.  I know - just what every American woman wants... MORE TRASH CANS!  Yay!  

So I went to Wal-Mart and picked up 3 more trash cans and put them outside the utility room door.  Fancy.  Eh, not really.  But it was much better than having 4 trash cans all lined up!  

We are proud to say that we are now recycling the following: 

• Tin Cans (veggie cans and the sort)

• Newspapers 

• Magazines and all junk mail (shredding important stuff like credit card offers, bank statements, etc.)

                                        **Note that all shreds should be recycled too!**

• Plastic

It feels good.  Also, we have an unexpected benefit to all of this recycling.  Our trash bill has been reduced by half because we no longer have to pay for two cans per week.  Woop woop!  So that saves us $16/month.  Nice!!  

I'm going to be doing a post about the benefits of recycling today and I think it's going to be pretttttyyyy interesting!!  

See you soon!! 

New Styles of EcoStuffers!

OMG!  I am seriously stinkin excited about these new styles that I just rolled out.  I mean, excited to the endless bounds of the earth giddy inside excited.  Ok. Maybe not THAT excited, but pretty excited! 

I found the CUTIEST CUTIEST CUTIEST little girl sparkly skull fabric and I had to get it ALL.  I mean, there were only 3.78 yards of this fabric, but I am going to be checking back and getting a full bolt soon.  I have so many grandiose ideas about this fabric that I have to sit back and slow down.  Do you love it as much as me or am I just insanely obsessed with it? I mean, it's got SPARKLES!  C'mon!  SPARKLES!

See what I'm saying?  Well.  I may be nuts, but I think it's adorable!

So then I got to thinking - what other rock and roller chickadee doesn't want a mean animal print?  So I found this amazingly wonderful zebra print and had to go for the gusto.  I mean, what lady doesn't have SOMETHING zebra in her life in this day and age?  I tried to resist, but got sucked into the fad.  The hoody I have IS amazingly cute though - I must admit.  Anyway, so here's my contribution!  Cute 'eh?

Now, I saved a good one for last.  My friend Amy at mamaslittlemonkeys - http://blog.mamaslittlemonkeys.com/  (go check her out on etsy too... SERIOUSLY FIERCE STUFF!) got me interested in this fabric.  Now, it's not for everyone, but it's really funny.  My hubs even thought so and wants jammy pants made out of it.  One day I'll have time my love.  Just not this day... 

So this is called Dysfunctional Family from Michael Miller. And it's pretty funny!  Modeled after a 50's family it looks like - all smiles - Leave it to Beaver style - but saying some really off and devious stuff!  Good stuff!

What do you think about this one?  

Ok.  Off to get some Earth Friendly tips for the day.  I really need to get back in the groove!  We've stepped up our recycling program at our house so I'm going to share about that!  

See you soon!! 

Hiatus - since January?! EcoStuffers going strong though!

Hello my dear dear friends.  I've been gone too long.  Why?  Well, apparently the housing market in my area is not too shabby because I've been selling houses left and right.  I have had some down time this week which is nice though.  However, my longing to work from home completely full time is still there - burning bright!  I just haven't had a chance to really COMPLETE ANYTHING except work.  

So, let's take a peek at what has been put on the back burner, shall we?

Blogging

Marketing

Photos of new products rolled out

Housecleaning (I'll spare you the photos of my beautiful used to be beautiful wood floors.  Let's not TALK about the carpet... k?)

Dishes

Child punishment

So, in other words, I have a house with wrecked floors, a business that has not been marketed properly and unruly kids.  *sigh*  But that's about to change by golly! (if it kills me). 

Hiring a cleaning lady to do my floors every other week.  OMG!  Is this HEAVEN?  No, I'm just at the Pearly Gates right now... Heaven is when she comes every other Monday to sweep and mop my floors.  

I'm giddy.  

So, I'm off to save the Earth!  No, not just with my baggies - but with some tips for you to save cashola and much more!  

See you later!  I promise I won't be gone this long again... Can you believe it's been TWO months?  Yah.  Me either.