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Meet Our Newest Family Member: Olive the French Bulldog

November 22, 2013 0

We have been talking about adding a new member to our family since Lilly passed away a year and half ago. We knew that we wanted a French Bulldog – we love that they look similar to our beloved Lilly – however, are smaller and we have heard snugglier! English Bulldogs are the gentlest, sweetest dogs, however due to their size and flat faces, not necessarily a snuggle bunny, they get too hot!

We had been watching the adoption websites and Craigslist to see if even Frenchies had come up for adoption in our area. We knew that we wanted to either adopt one from a rescue or from someone who could no longer care for one. That is when I saw her – and while the photograph wasn’t good and we didn’t have a lot of information on her, the mister and I decided to go visit her on Monday. Eben was so ready to adopt her, he insisted that we take his $100 to put towards the adoption fee.

We took Noodles with us, in case we decided to adopt her – we had to make sure they were compatible (Noodles comes first!) – I knew immediately that she was the right dog for us. She is tiny, sweet, playful, super snuggly and Noodles likes her too! We are happy to have her home with us and we are working with her – she is terrified of stairs and cowers every time you pet her. She also had a super bad ear and skin infection and still needs some help with potty training – however,  she is healing up and learning quick! We think she is perfect and are quite smitten with her.

Do you love French Bulldogs? Do you have one – what has your experience been with yours?

7 Sustainable Gifts for the Green Gal on Your List

November 20, 2013 0

Have you started your holiday shopping? I haven’t either! I have been thinking of some lovely sustainable gifts that I would love to receive this year and thought I would share. These gifts are prefect for any green gal on your list.

1. If you want to add a little dazzle to her jewelry collection – give her these beautiful recycled falling leaves earrings from my favorite Boulder, Colorado jewelry line, Blue Hour Designs. Beautiful!
+ $34
2. If you think she deserves some peace and relaxation time – give her a set of fresh scented soaps from Biggs and Featherbelle. Then let her enjoy a nice quiet evening alone in the tub.
+ $12.99
3. If she is so thoughtful and sends everyone she knows thank you cards. She will be excited to show her holiday gratitude to friends and family with these stylish boxed Eco Isola Memeno note cards from Vickerey.
+ $ 16.00
4. If you want to help her reach her goals? First, give her a journal to write them down in. This silky-smooth eco-friendly journal from Vickerey fits the bill perfectly!
+ $13.95
 

5. If she is the type of gal who always looks her best -brighten up her day and her fingernails with the beautiful collection of organic nail polishes from Sante. My favorite color is Metallic Violet 10.
+ $15.00

6. If she always smells delicious and beautiful, treat her with solid perfumes from Burt’s Bees in yummy scents infused with orange, lemon, grapefruit and raspberry.
+ $10

7.  If she is a tea drinker this tea set from Rishi Tea is worth every last sip. You will want to wrap the tea pot separately as another surprise!
+ $40

Do you have favorite sustainable gifts to give to the gals in your life?

Ask Sweet Greens: Best Eco-Friendly Live Alternatives to a Cut Christmas Tree

November 18, 2013 0

Question:
Hi Sweet Greens! I really would like an eco-friendly alternative for this years Christmas tree. I would love a tree that is alive and smells fantastic – I do not want an artificial one. What alternatives has your family used in the past? Thanks for all of your help. Happy Holidays! – Jennifer

Images Via Martha Stewart

Answer:
Hi Jennifer. Thank you for your question. This is a great one too, since there are so many different alternatives available right now. In the past, my family has used large potted trees, a trio of small potted trees, cut our own live tree from a local sustainable farm and have even used large house plants as trees. If you are flexible and interested in trying an alternative tree that isn’t living, I have also seen Christmas trees made of recycled wood, metal and even magazines. There are so many great alternative available!

Images via Blue Poppy and Martha Stewart

My personal favorite has been choosing a medium sized potted tree and displaying it on a low table or bench. I have used a bench in the past, which is perfect for stacking gifts under and around. I have also seen a lot of a medium sized live trees wrapped in burlap. 

How about you lovely readers – do you have any suggestions for Jennifer? Please leave them in the comments section below!

6 Affordable and Eco-Friendly Ways to Winterize Your Home Now

November 12, 2013 0

Don’t wait until that first big snow storm to figure out that that your home isn’t winterized. Get to work now to find out the areas that your home is lacking and make those improvements now. If you take the time to properly safeguard your home against the cold you can conserve energy and money all winter long. Read on to learn my 6 favorite affordable and eco-friendly tips for winterizing your home and get started this weekend.

1. Get with the Program
If your home doesn’t have a programmable thermostat that allows you to automatically set your heating schedule, it is time for an upgrade. You want to program your thermostat to automatically turn the heat down when you aren’t at home or at night when you are snuggled down under all of those blankets in your bed and then adjust accordingly for the times that you are at home and need to stay warm.

2. Clean it Up
Now is the perfect time to schedule an appointment with your local HVAC professional. Have your furnace inspected to ensure that it will work efficiently and effectively all winter long. If it is time to upgrade your furnace, pick an energy star one that will save you energy and money in the long run.

3. Seal it Up
Now is the time to check all of your door and window weatherstripping – if there is extreme wear and tear or you can see light when a door or window is closed, it’s time to for an update. You may also want to do an outside inspection of your home and caulk around pipes, spigots and hoses.

4. Get Insulated
Check to make sure that your home has the proper amount of insulation in your attic. If you need to add insulation, choose an option that is toxic-free and environmental friendly – I am a huge fan of blue jean insulation.

5. Get Vented
If there are particular areas or rooms in your home that you are not utilizing, close the heating vents and shut the door to that room. There is no reason to heat a room that isn’t being used.

6. Get Efficient
If you don’t think your home is energy efficient or you are looking to reduce your carbon footprint or monthly utility bills – check with a energy expert, such as the Mark Group they can assist you in finding out exactly what areas of your home need improvement and then make the necessary improvements before the first big snow storm! 

Your Turn: How do you plan to winterize your home? Please share your tips in the comment section below!

Full Disclosure: This post was brought to you in collaboration with Mark Group.

Ask Sweet Greens: How to Naturally Clean Your Washer

November 8, 2013 0
Dear Sweet Greens,

I have a top-loading washer and whenever I wash my clothes they come out smelly mildewy! The washer is only a couple of years old – what is going on? How do I naturally clean it? 

Sick of smelling stinky socks, 
Melissa
——————————Hi Melissa,

Ha! I completely understand and have experienced the stinky mildewy smell before. Luckily, I have a remedy that will knock that stink out and some tips that will help ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Step 1: Clean + Green
First, fill the washer to the top with using the hot water feature, then add 2 cups of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons eco-friendly dish washing liquid to the water because it starts the wash cycle.
BEWARE: It is going to look disgusting – you can repeat this process if the water isn’t clean in the rinse cycle.

Step 2: Keep it Fresh
Keep the yuck out tips: The main reason that your washer smells mildewy is due to using too much soap. Cut back on the amount of dish washing soap that you are using to wash your clothes and after you place the clothing in the dryer – leave the lid open until the inside of the washer is completely dry or until you wash your next load.

Step 3: Enjoy!
Enjoy fresh, cleaning smelling laundry – good luck!

photo via flickr

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