The Better World Shopping Guide

Erica passed along (I think it's Sarah's?) a little pocket sized book called "The Better World Shopping Guide". betterworldshopper.org What an amazing little resource! I'm going to get one. One of my major goals with changing my spending habits is to really send a message with our money. In the short introduction to this book it says every dollar spent is a vote cast, I so agree. I'm going to really use this guide to help me to make my spending decisions.

BTW, I just updated my "Bulk" post, if you're interested.

Sundance Channel "The Green"

Anyone out there with the Sundance Channel? I just saw in the New Yorker where the Sundance Channel is having a 13 episode series on green living. Unfortunately, it started on April 17th (I am behind in my reading!). It is on every Tuesday at 9pm E/P through July 10th. Each episode focuses on a different aspect of green living... fuel, building, clothing, kids... I think it was pioneered by RFK, Jr. It has lots of celebrities, too.

If anyone gets this channel, please tape them if you can to share!

"Green" fertilizer?

I'm about ready to go to war with my property manager.
It's a long story and I don't want to bore you with it.
We don't fertilze our grass. But apparently the owner's Son came by today and did.
That is where the long story comes in.
Now, Victoria can't go out and play on the grass for a few days. :(
Is there non-toxic, organic, harmless fertilzer for the grass that is safe to play on?
Cause if there is, I'm going to make sure the Son does not fertilze our grass again with that stuff!

2 Green Events

Build it Green Home Tour
Sunday
May 20
10- 5 pm
Self guided tour showcasing 15 green homes in marin/sonoma county

more info at builditgreen.org
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There is a community toxics collection and thermometer exchange (get a free mercury free thermometer) on the following dates:

May 22 cloverdale
June 5 santa rosa
June 19 windsor
July 10 rohnert park

rrwatershed.org

appt required ...call 795-2025

(Info provided by Emily, thanks Emily!)

Sarah's sis in Texas here. I just wanted to share my favorite Earth-saving tip--thrift stores. My son is almost 8 (yes, it FLIES by!) and I shop the thrift stores for nearly all of his clothes (mine, too!). the only things I do not buy thrift are underwear and shoes (unless I can tell they are brand new). I save mucho bucks and keep lots of clothes from ending up in land fills. Also, it is such a great adventure to search out the really great finds. My last one was a pair of brand new Emu Ridge Sherpa boots (retail $130) that I got at a thrift store for $3 (yes, single digit). It's really fun, plus I keep Harper in clothes for low cost that he can use and abuse. Once he outgrows them, I donate them back to the thrift stores. Most of ours around here go to support great causes.

Go Green Mommies. happy to be part of your community!

Eating Out Local

We celebrated our 5th anniversary tonight and when choosing a restaurant we decided to try to find a place that used local food. We found Bistro V (www.bistro-v.com) in Sebastopol. We had a WONDERFUL meal. They have an organic garden in the back of the restaurant and I ordered a salad with greens from Laguna Farms (a local CSA). It is also locally owned by the chef. The chef came out and was talking to the patrons and during our conversation he mentioned that if we enjoyed our meal that he would be grateful if we did a review on-line. He said "if you might want to come back in a year", so I got the impression they might be struggling a bit. I know the restaurant business is tough and we will continue to support the local guys, and especially the ones who make a point to use local food, as much as possible.

Oh, and for the first time a used my to-go container that I brought from home. Did I feel a little silly as I scooped the raviolis from my plate into the Rubbermaid and then put it in my purse? Yes. But I also felt good.

Theodore Roosevelt quote

I just read a quote from Theodore Roosevelt that I feel really pertains to what we are trying to accomplish with our green efforts.

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

A lot of us would love to do more if only we had more money, time, energy, and resources. But, we should all feel proud and very much a part of the change with everything we do, no matter how small the effort or result. Remember, the journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step!

I am now off to pull dandelions - not spray them!