Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that the bathroom is where over half of our household water usage takes place? What are some ways to take a bite out of that? — Shelby McIntyre, Chico, CA

Yes indeed, some 60 percent of our household indoor water usage happens in the bathroom. As such, updating old leaky fixtures and changing a few basic habits could go a long way to not only saving fresh water, an increasingly precious resource, but also money.

Undoubtedly, the toilet is the biggest water hog in the bathroom. Those made before 1993 use up to eight gallons of water per flush, five times what modern toilets use. “It’s a good idea to replace pre-1993 toilets if you can,” says Patty Kim of National Geographic’s Green Guide. (FYI, usually a toilet’s manufacture date is stamped under the lid if you want to check how old it is.)

If it is older and you can’t or don’t want to upgrade it, Kim recommends rescuing a two liter soda bottle from the recycling bin and filling it partially with some water and sand or pebbles and then putting it into your toilet’s tank, where it will take up space and force your toilet to use less water every flush. Or get a Toilet Tank Bank for less than two bucks; it hangs in your toilet tank and displaces almost a gallon of water to save water on every flush.

Plumbing leaks account for some 14 percent of the total water usage in an average U.S. home. Toilets are often a major culprit. Kim recommends testing your toilet by putting 5-10 drops of food coloring into the tank, then put the lid back on but don’t flush. Check back in 15 minutes or so to see if any of the colored water leaked down into the bowl. If so, you have a water-wasting leak, and it might finally be time to replace that aging toilet after all. The EarthEasy website reports that replacing an older18 liter per flush toilet with an ultra-low volume (ULV) 6 liter flush model “represents a 70 percent saving in water flushed and will cut indoor water use by about 30 percent.”

The shower can also be problematic as a water-waster, especially if the shower head in question was made before new regulations went into effect in 1992 mandating lower flow. Kim says you can check to see if your shower head is older or not by turning the shower on full blast and catching its output for two minutes in a bucket. If the bucket is overflowing, then your shower head is an older, more wasteful model. Newer low flow shower heads won’t come anywhere near to filling the bucket after two minutes.

A new shower head costs around $10 and is a great investment because you can save water and money with every ensuing shower. Regardless of whether or not you have a newer shower head, you can save more water by turning off the shower to soap up, then turning it back on to rinse. Eartheasy reminds us that even with a new shower head, even a moderately short shower can still use between 20 and 40 gallons of water. But that’s nothing compared to a bathtub, which can hold as much as 50-60 gallons of water.

Additional pearls of wisdom in regard to reducing bathroom water waste include turning off the faucet while brushing teeth. Better yet, fill up a glass with just enough water to rinse after brushing. Likewise for shaving, stop up the sink with a little warm water in it and wiggle your razor around in the basin between strokes. And if you suspect your faucet may be spraying harder than it needs to, unscrew the aerator tip where the water comes out and take it into a hardware store for a more stingy replacement.

CONTACTS: The Green Guide, http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/green-guide/; EarthEasy, www.eartheasy.com.

Images courtesy of jenny downing and sburke2478 {Flickr}.

EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E – The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe. Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.

Go With the (Low) Flow is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Have you ever thought about getting a green roof for your home, but thought it would be too expensive? Green roofs do not need to be extravagant or costly. Yes it’s true, green roofs or eco roofs can be affordable for the average homeowner.

Ecological shelters are actually not a new idea – it has been around since ancient civilization. The best example of this would be the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which utilized the use of green roof concepts to add beauty (although today’s green roofs are mainly to address environmental issues). Another good example of eco roofs used in the past are green roofs found in Scandinavia, where residences and farm structures have simple grass-covered roofs. The purpose of the green roofs is to absorb rainfall and act as a thermal protection.

Two General Types of Green Roofs

• Extensive Eco Roofs – These are low profile roofs that have fewer layers, making them lighter in weight as well as less expensive and simpler to maintain. They are usually used when the eco roof is meant for limited access.
• Intensive Green Roofs – Also known as high profile ecological roofs, these have a more traditional look, like roof gardens with different types of plant materials. They have thicker layers compared to extensive eco roofs. There are often also architectural accents integrated into intensive green roofs, such as ponds, fountains, or gazebos, which require more maintenance.

Initial costs for extensive green roofs are around $9 per square foot for sedums and growing media in 3 inch sizes. A more common range, which includes membranes, runs from $14 – $25 per square foot. Intensive green roofs tend to be priced at an average of $25 – $40 per square foot.

In this day and age, many homeowners are aware of the many environmental problems humanity faces and want to take part in green living practices. However, there are many homeowners who are hesitant to upgrade their standard roofs into green roofs due to the perception of high costs.

Below are some types of affordable eco roofs that homeowners can install:

1) Green Packs. These are less costly compared to most landscaping products, and low maintenance. They are knitted with high density polyethylene and have modules that can be easily installed on the roof.

2) Green Roof Blocks. These are modules that are pre-fabricated with high-grade anodized aluminum. They are first grown in greenhouses, then shipped and installed. The average homeowner can install green roof blocks quickly and easily.

3) Pre-grown from Mats. These are like roof blocks that are grown first in greenhouses, then transported to the site of installation. They can be placed straight on, or fit to curved angles. Their flexibility makes them easier to fit on different types of roofing.

4) Grown from Plugs. These are green roofs that are pre-grown, then installed in the roof’s soil layer. This system is a little more expensive than the others, but the return on investment is faster and there is less maintenance. It’s also possible to arrange them into specific colors and patterns.

As we move into a new year, consider updating your home’s exterior!

Images courtesy of Piermario, phototouring, and Garry Knight {Flickr}.

John

John Tarantino is an active volunteer in the environmental movement in Portland, Oregon. He writes for The Environmental Blog, and loves spreading green news to people who will listen.

Affordable Green Roof Options is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Winter is on its way. Temperatures are dropping. No matter how hard you curl your toes on those long, cold, and frosty winter nights, they won’t get any warmer! Electric blankets are a convenient, cost effective way to stay warm during the winter months. But do you need to be concerned about electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure from these appliances?

The answer is an unequivocal yes. Here’s why.

Any electrical appliance emits EMFs. When electricity passes on a wire, it creates an electromagnetic field. EMFs have been linked to an increased risk of cancer and a whole host of other terrible diseases. In 2007, the Bio-Initiative Report reviewed over 2000 published studies on the negative health effects of EMFs on humans and animals. It concluded that there was cause for concern and that the existing standards for public safety were, and still are, completely inadequate.

Electric blankets emit EMFs at levels 5 to 20 times higher than the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed safe level of exposure. (The Trifield 100XE EMF meter can give you readings if you want to know exactly where you stand on this.)

Why Are Electric Blankets So Potentially Dangerous?

Image courtesy of ginnerobot (Flickr)

Recently, the World Health Organization classified EMFs from cell phones and other devices as possible carcinogens – placing them in the same category as DDT! But electric blankets pose a potentially greater risk than other appliances, such as cell phones, because of two factors.

1. Duration One of the key determinants of the magnitude of the health risk you’re exposed to is the duration of exposure. The longer you’re exposed, the greater the risk. If you sleep under an electric blanket that’s turned on, you’re wrapped (no pun intended) in EMFs through the night. This increases the amount of EMF radiation you’re exposed to by leaps and bounds. Nighttime is also when your body is secreting melatonin, a hormone that protects against cancer. Epidemiological studies have shown that EMFs inhibit its secretion, leading to fatigue, sleepless nights and increased cancer risk.

2. Proximity The rule of thumb with all forms of radiation is: the further you are from the source, the lower your exposure. The EMFs produced by an electric blanket are emitted very close to the body: they penetrate deeper. They also radiate across your whole body, unlike cell phones and other devices. So electric blankets expose you to EMFs for a long duration, perhaps up to 8-10 hours a day in winter, and at close proximity to your body.

This constitutes chronic exposure, and is what makes them so dangerous, especially for pregnant women and children. Children have been shown to absorb more EMF radiation than adults, due to various factors linked to their undeveloped bodies. Studies indicate that women who used an electric blanket around the time of conception and during early pregnancy were nearly twice as likely to miscarry as women who did not.

What Are The Alternatives To Using An Electric Blanket?

Image courtesy of ChefMattRock (Flickr)

Due to these concerns, manufactures have developed “zero magnetic field” blankets. Though these blankets eliminate magnetic fields, they may still emit electric fields. This poses an unnecessary risk to you and your family. There are other more natural alternatives to electric blankets.

* Use an extra blanket or duvet to cover yourself. Fleece sheets and a down duvet are a great way to stay warm over the winter months.

* It’s not very romantic, but you can don a hat and socks in bed.

* Use a hot water bottle, wheat bag, or a rice bag to warm your bed at night.

If you can’t live without your electric blanket, here are a couple of ways to minimize your exposure.

1. Turn the blanket on about 30 minutes before you go to sleep and let it warm the bed. Turn it off before you tuck in and unplug the cord from the socket. This is important; when the blanket is turned off but still plugged in, it emits a powerful electric field.

2. Buy a newer blanket. Though they still pose a risk to your health, newer models radiate less EMFs into your home.

So you see, keeping warm on those winter nights does not have to mean EMF exposure. The other alternative, if you already own an electric blanket, is to lay it over the bed without plugging it in….

Image courtesy of schani (Flickr)

Baby, It’s Cold Outside: Electric Blankets and Your Health is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Image courtesy of Liu Wen Cheng (Flickr)

Over the summer, I read a thought-provoking piece in the Guardian. It was about the ways in which luxury and sustainability don’t necessarily need to be at odds. Target examples, of course, were upscale vendors such as Vivienne Westwood and PPR (owner of several luxury brands, among them Gucci). But this paragraph sparked my imagination.

[S]top and think: what is luxury? Traditionally, luxury may be defined as an inessential, desirable item that is expensive or difficult to obtain; nowadays, we could fit within that category things such as time, copper, cod…

That notion of judicious use of limited resources struck a chord with me. I started wondering what would happen if I turned the equation on its head, and instead started to see all purchasing I did as necessarily both sustainable and luxurious. So often, consumption is driven by a vicious cycle of living beyond our means to purchase things we can’t afford. But the alternatives to conspicuous consumption are often about an ascetic vision of doing without for the virtue of all. Somewhere on the spectrum between full mink coats and sackcloth and ashes, there had to be a happy medium.

Luxurious, sustainable clean!

My secret is to treat every purchase like a true splurge, a reward on every level: in and of itself, to my lifestyle, and to my budget. Necessities can be dressed up until they shine. And manufacturers of green products have gotten on the bandwagon at last, designing aggressively to ensure that often the most enticing option is also the friendliest to the earth.

Oral hygiene, for example, is one of the most boring daily obligations we have. But ever since I found an affordable, satisfyingly weighty, ergonomic toothbrush made from recycled U.S. Treasury bills* and a gorgeous antique creamer at Goodwill to store it in, brushing my teeth makes me smile every time I scrub up.

*Toothbrush ($6) + creamer ($1) + eco-toothpaste ($3): $10. Injecting beauty into the mundane – not to mention cracking myself up at the fact that my dental care routine is literally “so money,” on the other hand: priceless.

This pattern of behavior started to seep into every level of my decision making. When I find cheap avocados at the farmer’s market, I’m not just enthused about saving money. Instead I feel quietly glad to be able to nourish both my tummy and my wallet. And when faced with the option to buy several cheap pairs of shoes or one quality set of vintage cowboy boots, I didn’t even think twice. Skimping on experience to save money started to feel like cheapening the intrinsic value of things – and cheating myself. So conversely, buying high quality in small doses started to make everything, from my sturdy and stylish bike to my excellent third-hand kitchenware, feel like a reward.

December’s retail frenzy places a lot of focus on both bargain hunting and excessive overall spending – the epitome of being pennywise but pound foolish. This holiday season, I’ll be going against the grain: finding small, luxurious gifts (often from small businesses or local vendors) and then paying what they’re worth. After all: imbuing my life and those of my loved ones with greater value… that’s a luxury I can always afford.

Sustainable Luxuries Take Root is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Image courtesy of chriswoods (sxc.hu)

Dear EarthTalk: I want to use cleaning products that are healthier for the environment, but I worry that baking soda and the like won’t really get my tub and toilet germ-free. Should I continue using bleach products in the bathroom? — Margaret Pierce, Columbia, MO

When it comes to household cleaning products, most mainstream brands make use of chlorine bleach, ammonia or any number of other chemicals that can wreak havoc on the environment and human health.

Ammonia is a volatile organic compound that can irritate the respiratory system and mucous membranes if inhaled, and can cause chemical burns if spilled on the skin. Bleach contains sodium hypochlorite, which can cause eczema and other skin ailments as well as breathing difficulties if inhaled. And when it reacts with other elements in the environment, toxic “organochlorines” can form, damaging the ozone layer and causing health issues such as immune suppression, reproductive difficulties and even cancer.

Fortunately, growing public concern about the health effects of toxic exposure have led to an “explosion of environmentally friendlier and non-toxic products,” says the health information website, WebMD. “There are many products in this category—from laundry detergents and fabric softeners to multi-surface and floor cleaners, to tile and bathroom cleaners—that are…safer for people and the planet.”

Image courtesy of juliaf (sxc.hu)

WebMD warns that while many are indeed safer, others are “greenwashed,” meaning they are “marketed as natural while still including suspect chemicals.” How does one know? “Get in the simple practice of looking at product labels to see if the cleaning manufacturer is clearly disclosing all ingredients,” reports WebMD. “If it is not…it could mean the manufacturer is trying to hide a particular suspect ingredient.”

Also, just because a product has an eco-certification printed on its label doesn’t necessarily mean it should be trusted. To make sure, check the Eco-Labels section of Consumer Reports’ Greener Choices website, which gives the low-down on what labels really mean and whether they are backed up by government regulations. Another good resource is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Household Products Database, which provides ingredient lists for thousands of products on U.S. store shelves.

If you want to play it safe and natural when cleaning your home, WebMD suggests using white distilled vinegar—it kills mold and mildew, eliminates soap scum and sanitizes, all in one fell swoop—to clean windows, tile, cutting boards and countertops. Another effective yet gentle natural cleaner for countertops and bathtubs is baking soda, especially when mixed with a few drops of mild soap. Borax can be called in for tougher stains.

If you’re interested in cleaning greener, there are many sources of natural cleaning recipes online. Or check out the cleaning products aisle at your local natural food store, where you will find a wide range of cleaning formulations from the likes of Seventh Generation, Ecover, Green Works and Earth Friendly Products (which sells a “Safeguard Your Home” retail pack that includes one each of a window cleaner, an all-purpose cleaner, a dishwashing liquid, an automatic dishwasher gel, a laundry detergent and a fabric refresher), among many others.

CONTACTS: WebMD, www.webmd.com; Greener Choices, www.greenerchoices.org/eco-labels/eco-home.cfm?redirect=1; Household Products Database, hpd.nlm.nih.gov.

EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E – The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe. Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.

Love in the Scrub: Greener Cleaning Products is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Image courtesy of bosela (sxc.hu)

Depending on where you live, this time of year it can be a real challenge to buy locally grown or raised food. But it’s important, especially as we approach our most foodcentric holidays. Homegrown or neaby-grown food can have an environmental impact even greater than what the big meal has on our waistlines!

Of course, most of us are aware that the grapes we use to garnish our Thanksgiving dessert may have spent two weeks traveling to get to us before being placed on display where they might languish another few days before we bring them home. Fresh, they’re not.

Unfortunately, the main constraint on shopping at your local farmer’s homestead is the time of year. Unless you live in a temperate climate or are blessed with a heated greenhouse, obtaining fruits and vegetables locally year around means that at some point in the summer you may be inundated by zucchini – and by January you’re beginning to dislike turnips with apassion usually reserved for politicians.

But just because our consciences won’t allow us to enjoy oranges in November if we live in New York doesn’t mean our Thanksgiving tables will look barren.

Here are some ideas for finding locally grown foods and other Thanksgiving goodies.

Radishes

1. Check LocalHarvest.org for what’s in season and available in your neck of the woods.

2. While most farmers markets are closed for the season, some sell year round. Do a search for “year around farmers market+your city” and see what you find. (Local Harvest also may list them.)

3. Check local farms. Again, do an online search, i.e. “organic farm near Seattle,” then if you find some, call and see what they will be offering prior to Thanksgiving.

4. Your natural market or co-op is the most obvious source of local fare.

Now that you’ve discovered some great places to buy, how do you afford it? Here are some ideas for saving green when buying green.

1. Group buy. Get together with friends/neighbors/schools and propose to purchase in bulk. Let your friendly neighborhood farmer know that you are willing to buy 50 pounds of her organic sweet potatoes and she’s more likely to give you a good price. Why not approach your local natural food store with the same offer−it never hurts to ask.

Dinner is served

2. Seriously consider how much food you need too pull of the best Thanksgiving ever. Will serving six dishes instead of ten make the holiday any less successful? Eliminate the dishes with the most expensive ingredients, substitute less costly alternatives or leave them out.

3. Vow not to purchase anything but food. No décor (borrow from nature), flowers (ditto), tablecloths, napkins, plates, glasses or silverware (borrow or have guests bring their own place settings and tell them you’re having “an old-fashioned Thanksgiving,” because that’s what people did before there were paper plates and plastic flatware). You also could rent or purchase for very little at a thrift store.

4. Put together a potluck Thanksgiving where you provide only the main item, usually the turkey, unless you’re going vegetarian. Assign all other dishes to guests.

5. Forage. No kidding. You may find everything from seafood to mushrooms and greens out your backdoor. But be sure to know what you’re doing before you try this one. You don’t want to kill anyone off as a result of eating at your house! If you hurry, there may be time to sign up for aforaging class before the holidays.

6. Trade. Know a local farmer, but can’t afford to purchase what you want to feed your party? Ask what he needs. Maybe he’ll trade six months of haircuts or carwashes, babysitting or weeding for a big bird.

Aim for a 100% local meal, but if you can’t reach it, know that you tried. And in doing so, surely you’ve most likely impoved. Next thing you know, you’ll be thinking about Thanksgiving 2012 in July and freeze veggies in anticipation!

Lynn & Corey

Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net

Buy Local For a No-Guilt Thanksgiving is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

YourGardenShow.com invites you to tune in for the Bee-a-thon 2011 Encore broadcast, a free online town hall event to shed light on the plight of our disappearing bee populations.

The event brings together top bee experts in science, activism, conservation, arts and education, on Sunday Nov. 13th, from 9 am to 9 pm US-Pacific Time. Tune in for 12 minutes or 12 hours – from your living room, garden or mobile devices. Learn how pollinators are responsible for one in every three bites of food, contribute billions of dollars to global economies and face challenges from colony collapse disorder and other threats. You can chat live with the community and discover inspiring ways to take action.

The Bee-a-thon 2011 Encore is hosted by YourGardenShow.com, the social network for gardeners, in partnership with The Great Sunflower Project, a Citizen Science campaign to count bees as part of the larger global mission to support pollinator culture, biodiversity and food security.

To find out more and RSVP, visit: http://www.yourgardenshow.com/bee-a-thon.

Help spread the buzz on Twitter using the hashtag #ISeeBees.

Take the World by Swarm with Bee-A-Thon 2011 is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Image courtesy of yongy (sxc.hu)

Dear EarthTalk: What are the greenest light bulbs to use? I hear there has been a lot of backlash against compact fluorescents because they contain mercury. – Peter Roscoe, Hershey, PA

Just a decade ago, incandescent bulbs were just about the only game in town, despite their inefficient use of electricity to generate light and their primitive technology that had not changed since being invented some 125 years ago. But now that is all changing fast, with phase-outs of incandescents going on in Australia, Brazil, Venezuela, Switzerland and the European Union, with Argentina, Russia, Canada and the U.S. following suit shortly. The U.S. passed legislation in 2007 to increase the efficiency of light bulbs sold in the U.S. by 25 percent or more by 2014, and then by as much as 60 percent more by 2020.

For decades, those concerned with energy savings have been touting the benefits of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) over incandescents. CFLs use only one-fifth of the electricity of incandescents to generate the same amount of light, and they can last six to 10 times longer. But CFLs’ cooler color and inability to be dimmed have made them less desirable. Another hindrance to the widespread adoption of CFLs has been their higher cost (though most consumers would save plenty in energy costs over the life of a bulb). Also, CFLs contain mercury, a dangerous neurotoxin that is released when the bulbs break. And once CFLs do burn out they must be disposed of properly to avoid releasing mercury into the environment.

Image courtesy of kwod (sxc.hu)

Given the issues with CFLs, LEDs (short for light emitting diodes) are beginning to come on strong. These highly efficient bulbs don’t generate heat like incandescents (which helps to keep air conditioning costs down as well) and can last five times longer than CFLs and 40 times longer than incandescents. Tiny LED bulbs have been around for years in specialized applications (such as stadium scoreboards), but lighting engineers got the idea to cluster them and use reflective casings to harness and concentrate their light for residential use. In recognition of the LED’s potential, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) set up a special “solid-state” (LED) lighting R&D program to hasten the advance of the technology.

In comparing the total cost to run three different types of 60-watt equivalent bulbs for 50,000 hours (factoring in the cost of the both bulbs and electricity), the EarthEasy website found that LEDs would cost $95.95, CFLs $159.75 and incandescents $652.50. The 42 incandescent bulbs tested used up to 3,000 kilowatt hours of electricity compared to 700 and 300 for CFLs and LEDs respectively. However, despite the savings most consumers are loath to spend $35 and up for an LED bulb (even though it will save more than $500 in the long run) when a traditional incandescent bulb right next to it on the shelf costs $1.

There are other newer technologies in the works. Seattle-based Vu1 now sells highly efficient bulbs based on its Electron Stimulated Luminescence (ESL) technology, whereby accelerated electrons stimulate a phosphor coating on the inside of the bulb, making the surface glow. One of Vu1’s 65-watt equivalent bulbs retails for under $20 and uses a similar amount of energy as an equivalent CFL. And incandescents aren’t out of the efficient lighting race altogether just yet. Top bulb makers recently released new versions that use as much as a third less electricity to operate (complying with 2012’s new federal standards) and are promising newer models still that will run on even less energy.

CONTACTS: DOE Solid-State Lighting Program, www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ssl/; EarthEasy, www.eartheasy.com; Vu1 Corporation, www.vu1corporation.com.

EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E – The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe. Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.

Which Bulbs are the Greenest of Them All? is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Image via Apartment Therapy: Small Cool 2010 Contest Winner

Three months ago, I was slumped on the miniscule couch of my eighth-floor walkup halfway across the world, laptop on my knees. The city I’d fallen in love with and moved to had not been what I hoped, and I was dreaming desperately of the August day when I could come back to my birthplace and start trying to make a home.

Poking around Craigslist (…as I had been doing since April), I stumbled across the perfect apartment. It was sunny, still, and located just off a courtyard of native plants. Being accustomed to the Boston housing search, I was certain that such a lovely place would never stay vacant for the excruciating five weeks until I came home.

But it did – because, as the woman who showed me the place casually commented, everyone else who had seen it was convinced it was too small to be livable. I couldn’t believe my luck. I took the place on the spot, and three days later moved into one of the most nurturing, abundant homes I’ve ever had.

That experience came back to me this week, as I watched this excellent TED talk by Graham Hill. In it, he explores the reasons why we feel we need to have more to be happy – and the effects on our spirits, our wallets and the planet of the plague of stuff we’ve literally called down upon our houses.

I love small spaces. My current home cannot be much more than 350 square feet – but it packs in everything it needs, including a full kitchen, light exposure to the east and the west, and even a tiny hallway. More importantly, I don’t feel the pressure to find things with which to fill it. It’s easily reached a happy level: brimming with my personality, my dreams, the energy of my loved ones and the kind and welcoming nature of my neighbors.

Image via Inhabitat: "Tiny House Trend Grows Bigger"

For me, less has absolutely resulted in more. Living with less space means less clutter, less time spent cleaning, and less rent – meaning more money in my pocket, more considered decisions on what makes it into my life, and more time to spend building the future that feels right for me. And unexpected perk: that smaller utility bill translates directly to a smaller carbon footprint.

I have fewer possessions – and since great quantity is not an option in a tiny home, I’m free to focus on quality in everything I buy. A small home is a very snug third skin: I live closely with everything that crosses my threshold. That’s led me to curate everything from clothing to cleaning supplies to be sure I’ll be happy having it near my body day in and day out.

People I speak to about the pleasures of a small space tend to have one of two reactions. Many shake their heads and grimace: “I could never live in anything smaller than where I am now!”

Then there are those who have done it, are loving it. Their faces gleam as they tell me about the higher quality materials they’re able to use in their décor, the simplification of their routines, and the fuller feeling of their wallets on the second day of the month. Our homes are our jewelboxes, and our tiny pride.

Too often, the idea of living smaller seems like a punishment, a way of saying we have fallen on hard times. But don’t knock it until you’ve tried it – you may find living with less to be the best gift you’ve ever had.

Have you tried living smaller? If so, how has it impacted your life? Let me know in the comments section below!

Adwoa

Originally from gorgeous Sarasota, Adwoa Gyimah-Brempong has recently returned (like a sea turtle) to the beaches of her birth. The Florida native has traveled widely, living most recently in New England, Portugal and Italy. A dedicated communications maven, Adwoa is a veteran of Gilt City, TimeOut Boston, and MIT.

In addition to writing, editing and photography, she is a licensed massage therapist in the states of Massachusetts and (soon) Florida. Her interests range from food to fashion, music to policy – all underscored by the certainty that it’s possible to live a rich, fulfilling life while treading lightly on the earth.

Live Small – Dream Big is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Image courtesy of murraybum (sxc.hu)

Look around, and you’ll see green slogans everywhere. The web is full of information on going green, living green and advice on personal sustainability.For many, this mountain of information can be confusing and at times a little overwhelming.

In fact, this Practical Plan refers to overwhelm and its affect on our ability to make choices. It states, “The more numerous our options, the more difficult it becomes to choose a single one, and so we end up choosing none at all. That’s what happens when we have too many things to do. We become overwhelmed and don’t do any of them.”

Navigating the green waters starts with getting clear on what it means to be green. Is it living off the grid? Living in a green house? Working at a green job? What exactly does it mean to be green to you?

Everyone has a different idea of what green living is. It’s interesting to notice that as we embrace one aspect of green living, more and more opportunities to include green choices in other areas of our lives become available. One fun aspect of considering sustainability in our life choices is the process of defining and creating a green lifestyle that works. Discover the different ways of being green, and see what fits for you. To explore:

Image courtesy of sundstrom (sxc.hu)

• What can be recycled and what cannot! Can you recycle paint? Hair? Crayons? Find out here. Better yet, discover recycling centers near your home by visiting Earth911.
• The rewarding sensation of volunteering in your community. Not sure where to start? Visit VolunteerMatch and enter your zip code and area of interest to find a perfect volunteer match.
• Cycling as part of a sustainable lifestyle and as a rewarding personal adventure. Explore health, environmental, and cost saving reasons for biking to work and pick out your favorite resources to help you do it.
• A new shade of organic makeup, just in time for the fall.
• Ways to decorate the eco friendly way with eco friendly materials, paints, and plants.
• Ways to green your routine. Pick a different day of the week to take eco action on different sustainability concepts. The thrill is in changing habits on a daily basis. Need ideas? Visit here.

Through our daily living, we are presented with opportunities to expand our awareness and make informed choices.  Being conscious of sustainability contributes to living a greener lifestyle – a lifestyle that you define as green and works for you.

Julie

Julie Urlaub is Founder & Managing Partner of Taiga Company, a sustainability consulting firm located in Houston, Texas dedicated to accelerating the integration of sustainability concepts in business. Today, Julie speaks, writes, and advises clients on a variety of issues related to the intersection between environmental stewardship, and sustainable business practices. Her writing has been featured in SocialYell’s Corporate Advice, the GreenEcomonyPost, the Business Exchange and, the ThinkGreenAlliance. Connect with Taiga Company on Facebook and Twitter. Also Find Julie on LinkedIn.

Living Green on Your Own Terms is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag