What Can You Do With Newspaper??

I have not done a Green Challenge post in a while, so today we are going to talk about all of the things you can do with newspaper.

Newspapers, most of us buy them, at least on Sunday, for the coupon inserts, right. Instead of throwing them out, here is a list of things that you can do with all of that paper.

1. Use newspaper instead of paper towels to clean the windows.
2. Place crumpled up newspaper to fill the space in your refrigerator. It has
been reported that when your refrigerator is full, it runs more efficiently.
3. Place crumpled up newspaper in shoes, suitcases, and drawers to absorb odor.
4. It makes for a fun paper mache project for the kids.
5. Do you need some original wrapping paper, put that newspaper to work for you.
6. Shred it up and use it at the bottom of animal cages.
7. Use it under mulch in your garden to help keep moisture in.
8. Are you moving soon, use newspaper to wrap up your breakable items.
9. When you have a spill, use newspaper to clean it up. Newspaper is very
absorbent.
10. Let the kids make paper air planes and hats out of it.

Do you have a great use for newspaper? Leave a comment and let everyone know about it.

Photo Source: LuluP

Green Challenge!!

Okay, it is time for the Green Challenge update. The challenge was to go one week without using paper towels. Were you able to do it?

I found a really great way to cut out paper towels was to grab a couple of old towels and cut them up into smaller rags. I keep a few in the kitchen, and every time I need a paper towel, I just grab one of the rags. Once I am finished, I toss it in the laundry basket.

You can also purchase a few cloth napkins and use those in place of paper napkins. These are easy to clean as well, just throw them in the laundry.

Did you think of some creative ways to go a week without paper towels? If so, leave a comment and let us know what you did. If you have a blog, you can also leave a link if you posted about it.


Photo Source: Barkdog

Green Challenge!!

The Green Challenge for this week is, what can you do with a plastic bottle. It can be any type of plastic bottle. I would love to see and hear about all of your ideas. This is what I did. I saw the commercial about the upside down tomato planter that is currently being sold on TV. I thought it was a great idea, but you know me, I did not want to spend the money to buy one, so I decided to make one. I actually made three, one using a large empty bubble container, one using an empty 2 liter bottle, and one using an empty juice bottle.

To make them I simply cut off the bottom of the bottles and punched four holes in each container. Then I cut two even pieces of rope and attached them to the bottles. Next I inserted my plant with the roots in the bottle and the plant sticking out of the small end. I added potting soil and hung them up outside. I have been watering them everyday, and they are doing great. I was a little skeptical at first, but some of them are actually blooming.


My Tomato Plants!!


I left the labels on the bottles for the picture so that you could see what type of bottle I used.



I would love to see what you can do with a plastic bottle. Please leave a comment or a link to your post about how to reuse a plastic bottle.

Next weeks challenge will be to go an entire week without paper towels. I would love to see what you use in place of the paper towels, and any other green tips that you have on next weeks post.

Savin' Some Green Checkup!!

Okay, it is time for the green check up. Do you know how much stuff you can buy with $15.00, well this is what I found Saturday shopping at yard sales.


Two Express Shirts, and one Heart Soul shirt.


One pair of Old Navy Jeans, one pair of Duck head jeans, and one pair of Express pants.

One pair of Express Capri pants, one skirt from The Limited, and one pair of Dockers shorts.



Four pairs of pants for one of my little munchkins.



This is probably my favorite find, the black dress is from Vintage Studio, and fits perfectly. The other dress is from Speechless, and also fits perfectly.



Another pair of Express Capri pants and a closet organizer.

I have to admit that yard sales are hit or miss most of the time. Sometimes you can find a lot of really great stuff, and other times you may not have any luck at all. I see it as a great way to "go green", because I am helping to recycle other peoples used items, while filling my closet with very nice things for very little money.

So how did you do this week with your green challenge? Leave you link and share your great ideas and finds.

Are You Up For A Challenge?

I recently learned of a Go Green challenge. This particular challenge lasts for an entire year, and during that year the participants are not to buy any new items like clothing or home goods for themselves. That made me stop and ask if I could do it too. I love to thrift and yard sale, but have never challenged myself to go for a set time period.

I think I am up to the challenge, are you? I would love for you all to join in on the Savin' Some Green Challenge. To enter the challenge all you have to do is commit to only buy used items for yourself and home for an entire year. Children in your home do not need to be included in this, because they grow so fast and usually need more than we do. Post a Green tip or challenge update on you blog once a week. Once every week I will post a Mr. Linky box here so everyone can leave a link back to their posts.

Okay ladies, I am excited!! Lets see how many people we can get involved in our challenge. Spread the word that we are doing our part to save our world.

If you want to join me, leave a comment on this post. I will post more details later.

Photo Source: Rustykeller.