My water is green!

Okay, my water isn't really green. But I have- we have- taken steps to ensure that we are more "green" in the way we use and drink water.
First, and easily enough, we installed a water filter and bid farewell to purchases of bottled water. I saw a video where it showed a waterfall of waterbottles representing the 60 millioin that are tossed every day. It is amazing and when you think about it, incredulous that there is any room left for us! We now have a glass pitcher filled in the fridge and use reuseable water bottles.
The harder part is reducing how much non-drinking water is used- doing dishes, watering the garden, taking showers, brushing teeth. This morning I sort of zoned out in the shower and all of a sudden I realized I'd been standing there a good 5 minutes! I was finished- just zoned out. I TRY to shorten my showers, but they are just so lovely. Okay- that's a work in progress. I usually remember to turn the faucet off when I brush my teeth, but often I forget- it's just habit! It's almost like the faucet water is "white noise"- I'm so used to it. Again, work in progress. Just need to make it a habit. But brushing teeth is not as lovely as a nice hot shower. Ahhh. OKAY! I'm working on it....
We do water the garden, do laundry and run the dishwasher (only when it's full) in the evenings. And we don't water the garden if the weather forcasts rain, which typically will backfire b/c the weathermen are not particularly accurate and now a few plants are dying. Funny story- down at the beach I saw this water sprinkler on not only with ominous looking clouds overhead but with it angled in a way that it was watering their driveway, car, and side of the house. Not so much the grass. And then it downpoured and stormed for a good 2 huors. Good planning. At least I do better than that.
I'm not at the point where I save my boiled water from cooking to water my garden. Instead I forgo giving the dog a bath. :) Stinky dog.


(http://www.container-recycling.org/mediafold/newsarticles/plastic/2006/5-WMW-DownDrain.htm)

Week 2- Cleaning Green

Step 2 in our "Going Green" transformation includes tossing all the nasty toxic cleaning products that have clogged our under-sink cabinets. Okay, "tossing" items isn't necessarily "green". The best thing to do would be to use up what you have, and then start fresh with more natural cleaning products. Which is what my husband wanted to do. However, does anyone else have 5 different products to clean upholstry? Try having a dog that likes to pee on the couch- you try different ones until you find one that works. And really, when it comes to dog pee, nothing REALLY works. SO- do I hold on to the 5 different products? And what about the 1/2 full bottles of "goo be gone" and numerous lysol products? Since the Hazardous Waste Disposal site is only 5 minutes from my house (and my husband was away at a golf tournament) , I decided to head on over there- short lines, proper disposal of the contents and recycling of the bottles (and open each Saturday from 8am-5pm; check local HWD sites in your area). Plus they gave me "paint hardener"- you mix it in with leftover paint, it hardens, and you can throw it out with the regular trash.
I have now stocked up on Method and Murray's natural household cleaners. They are not the super duper bacteria killing cleaners. But they smell good and everything looks just as clean. No hint of chemical smell. And the super duper bacteria killers create more super duper bacteria b/c they adapt to the cleaners and get stronger. If you wash thoroughly, you will be safe and everything will be clean. And I did save a couple of the very full bottles, and told my husband that I am not hanging out cleaning in the bathroom with all the fumes from the noxious chemical tub cleaners (the cartoon bubble LOOK friendly). He said it didn't matter b/c I never hung out cleaning the bathroom anyways. Okay, good point.