Tuesday August 20th, 2019...Morning Thoughts

Trash on a beach that could harm wildlife and wash into the ocean.

Things I’m thinking this morning in no special order....

Yesterday when I brought my Klean Kanteen water bottle to Dutch Bros to get a drink refill we exchanged conversation like we do with the staff. This time though the guy working the drive through window told me about his bracelet 📿 he was wearing that he bought on 4Ocean. He told me that every bracelet purchased they remove a pound of trash from the ocean. They also give back to wildlife as well. Each bracelet has a different colored cord made from recycled plastic bottles and beads made from recycled glass bottles ♻️. He had bought one that benefited sharks. I think I might purchase a dolphin one to help 4Ocean fund their cause.

One of my biggest pet peeves are cigarettes 🚬. I do not smoke and have never seen the appeal to it. To me it is a nasty habit that needs snuffing out. I have tried to understand why others around me do, but I guess I will never understand. I am allergic to tobacco smoke. I had asthma as a child and my grandmother smoked inside her home, so when ever we visited I would be bombarded with second hand smoke. She would try to take it outside while we were there, but the smell was in the walls, the furniture, their clothing, etc. I loved visiting her because I loved her, but I remember wishing she would quit smoking 🚭 and that my grandpa would quit chewing tobacco. I wanted them to live longer. My grandma died when I was young. The cigarettes probably didn't help her. I also hate when smokers throw their cigarettes on the ground. Don't they understand that is littering!!?? The cigarette has a filter made of plastic that is not biodegradable. Not only that, but some of the chemicals that make up cigarettes are toxic to wildlife and can contaminate ground water and the environment.

My friend and I were talking about my desire to go plastic free and she said that she is using cloth menstrual products and love them. I had looked into cloth pads when I was doing cloth diapering with my kids, but I never took the plunge for some reason. I did previously try a menstrual cup but I fell out of habit of using it and since I have such heavy flows the menstrual cup was a bit impractical. I would like to once again pursue the cloth pad option instead. Regular mainstream feminine products cause so much waste and the companies that make them do not have to disclose what they actually make them out of. This information is not listed on the packaging and apparently doesn't have to be since they are considered a "medical device". I would feel better about using organic cloth ones that I could wash and reuse. They would be better for the environment and my health.

I hope your Tuesday is wonderful and relaxing.

Disney Mickey & Friends Go Green! Book Review

I received the book, Disney Mickey & Friends Go Green!, free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Go Green is the first in a series of books by Disney that motivates families to live sustainably and more eco-friendly. This book is filled with fun projects that families can do together while teaching about making good choices to help save the planet and live a healthy life. It often made us pause to connect with the outdoors, ourselves and others. Mickey & Friends educate kids about what they can do to make a difference one step at a time.

Nature Mandalas

This book is a wonderful wealth of information for younger children. It is also a great homeschool tool and a wonderful book for Earth Day! My girls who are 4 and 7 loved looking through the book and doing the activities with me. Their favorite activity from the book was on page 67, making mandalas. If you don't know, a mandala is a symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism representing the universe. The word comes from Sanskrit meaning "circle". Nature Mandalas are fun to make with found objects in nature. Teela and Zari loved finding and then arranging the flowers, pine cones, small rocks, seeds, sticks, walnut shells, acorns, leaves, etc. in a circular pattern on our sidewalk in front of our house. If you live near the ocean you could also do this after you combed the beach for treasures like: driftwood, sea glass, shells, seaweed, etc. This repurposes natural things to become a beautiful work of art. I loved that the book also talks about the three R's - reduce, reuse/repurpose, and recycle, planting a garden and composting too. I believe that the secret to good nutrition and other good habits is to start teaching children good things at a young age. The Disney Mickey & Friends Go Green! book is a great start to get your child thinking about how to make the world a better place.

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DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this book for free to review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for posting this review. This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Zero Waste or Waste Free Living: My Challenge to You

Unfortunately humans contribute too much waste to landfills every day. If it is out of site it is out of mind. But really this shouldn't be how we think. Just take a look at your trash can and how much waste you throw away daily in your household and at your work place. It shouldn't be a lot, but I am fairly certain that if you haven't adopted a waste free or zero waste way of living you still have a fair amount of trash per day. Society has thrown us into the idea that if it is convenient it must be better. This is usually not the case. We need to remember the first R in the old adage Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Rarely do we think about reducing our waste because it is so easy to just throw the rubbish away. I am going to be doing different posts throughout the year of how I am trying to change my family's lifestyle to a more sustainable one and tips and tricks to help you do the same. I also have questions in this post for those of you that have already made these changes for the better.

I have been trying to find solutions to my family's huge amount of trash that we throw away every day. We recycle/reuse/repurpose what we can but I still find that we throw away an excessive amount of waste and I find that the majority of it is plastics and other things that cannot be recycled and packaging materials that are evil, i.m.o...like Styrofoam.

As a review blogger I get packages from all over the world. Some are packaged better than others. It is hard when you get packages with things packed in plastic, zip ties, Styrofoam, bubble wrap, and packing peanuts that are not biodegradable. I love seeing things wrapped in brown paper, cardboard, compostable containers, twine, reusable twist ties, fabric, yarn, and biodegradable packing peanuts, etc. I wonder if asking the people sending the items to send them more eco-friendly would help? Have you ever done this?

Going out to eat can not just be hard on the wallet (and sometimes stomach), but on the environment as well. Fast food and take out produces the worst amount of waste when it comes to restaurants. Plastic containers, lids and straws are a prevalent take away from these, as is Styrofoam. To eliminate this waste we need to bring our own containers with us to pack the food and drink into or make our food and beverages at home. I know many who bring a reusable cup with them for their coffee they get on the road. I wonder if it can be done for other things as well...like when you bring home leftovers from a restaurant or get take-out? Have you ever tried this?

Some of the lovelies in my pantry. A start to a waste-free life.

I know we have a choice for paper or plastic sacks or bags while checking out at the grocery. Choosing paper is a better choice than plastic and you can even bring your own reusable bags from home to use. Places around the country are also banning plastic bags from being used in grocery stores or offer a recycling option. But have you ever thought about the packaging on food and drink that you are bringing home? I know I used to not give it much thought, but now that I am also giving more thought to eating healthier with a nod to organic, non GMO, and raw foods I find myself being even more aware of other things I am bringing into my home too. There are ways to get around the packaging at the grocery store.

• Refuse: Say no to products packaged in plastic or Styrofoam.
• Make your own at home. We are already growing an organic garden and orchard and have chickens who lay eggs. We are also planning on doing aquaponics: growing fish and a garden that in turn give each other nutrients to live and grow. Our neighbor also hunts and fishes and shares some of this with us. We are also going to be slowly transitioning to making our own cleaning supplies, personal care products, etc. too so we don't have to deal with that packaging as well.
• Buy local. Buy from local farms, farmer's markets and co-ops.
• Bring reusable bags and containers to the store with you for filling with the below items.
• Buy from the bulk section (the section of the store with bins filled with dry goods).
• Go to the Deli, Seafood, Dairy, and Bakery Counter more for your meats, cheeses, and baked goods and have them package them in paper or other recyclable material. 
• Purchase unpackaged produce. Fresh fruits and vegetables are wonderful and healthy. Buy organic to make sure you don't get toxic stuff with your food and watch the packaging.

There is even a packaging-free, zero-waste grocery store, called in.gredients in Austin, Texas. It is revolutionary and the first of its kind in the US. Hopefully we can get more grocery stores like this one to spring up all across the States.

The folks at these blogs are helping my family and I along our journey to live better and make the better choice of living waste/trash free. They know the ins and outs of living waste free and they want to helps us all to become waste free with them.

• Zero Waste Home
• My Zero Waste
• Trash Free Living
• My Plastic-Free Life
• Zero-Waste Chef
• Trash is for Tossers

I am going to challenge myself  and my family to get towards my goal of a waste free life and I am challenging you to do the same! What are you doing or are going to do to move towards this challenge? Have you thought about this topic much?

Frugal Dog/Pet Tips (Sponsored Post)

Our dog, Prince, with his rubber chicken.

This is a sponsored post and I will be getting product for posting. This post is in partnership with the dog bark collar store.

Owning a pet is a lot like having a child. It isn't cheap. People sometimes splurge on their pets out of love on luxuries that they really can't afford. After all, your pet is just as much part of the family as your kids or spouse. There is nothing wrong with spoiling your pooch or pet with frivolous things if you have the money. When it comes down to it though, all your pet really needs is regular interaction with you, exercise, a nutritious diet, and preventive care. Here are some frugal dog/pet tips to save some cash and still keep your pet healthy and happy.

• Rescue a pet. Finding the perfect pet is a daunting task sometimes. Ask a lot of questions and do your research. Look to rescuing a pet from a shelter or pound instead of buying a pet from a breeder. Usually doing so will save you money and give a pet in need a good home. Other places you could look are Craigslist and Freecycle. We found our dog using Petfinder and got our dog, Prince, at a shelter. We were looking for a dog that was great with kids and was part poodle because they are usually hypoallergenic. Prince is a large standard poodle/coon hound mix. We had a long drive to get him because the shelter that had him wasn't as local, but he was worth it.
• Spend time with your pet. Give your pet the much needed attention it deserves. Scratch it behind the ears or stroke its fur. Take your dog to the park, dog park, on a walk around the block, or play fetch. Interaction and exercise is a wonderful part of the equation to keeping your pet healthy and happy. This is cheaper than buying your pet lots of toys or taking it to the pet spa.
• Use alternatives to expensive treats. If you use praise or positive reinforcement verbally or with positive contact (or both) you might be able to cut down on the number of treats you give your pet. Alternatively there are fruits and veggies you can safely feed your pet for treats. You can also make your own pet treats as there are a number of recipes online using ingredients that you probably already have around the house.
• Give your pet a nutritious diet. Pick a pet food that your pet likes. If your pet doesn't like it, they won't eat it. Don't skimp on quality and get one without the fillers and extra ingredients you can't pronounce. Fillers usually cause gastric and bowel problems. Buy in bulk, it is usually cheaper in the long run. Use coupons or gift cards! Don't overfeed your pet. Overfeeding can lead to obesity and other health problems for your pet. There are also people foods that should be avoided for pets at all costs.
• Use preventative care. Know how to care for your pet and give your pet what they really need. Keep your pet's vaccines, medication, and veterinary checkups current and up to date. Keep their heartworm, flea and tick medication up to date. Practice good hygiene and exercise with your pet. You can bathe, brush teeth, groom and clip your pet's nails, etc. all yourself at home instead of taking them to an pricey groomer, spa, salon or boutique. With a pet clipper and practice you will become a pro. Also, spay or neuter your pet, as this also reduces potential medical expenses.
• Keep a pet savings account or buy insurance. It is cheaper than pet insurance. However; if you can afford insurance it would be wise to keep it for your pet just in case an emergency arises. Then you won't have to pay all that money for vet bills out of pocket all of a sudden. If you do get insurance know what you are paying for, read the fine print before signing up and shop around to find the best deal for the most benefits. Also make sure your current vet accepts the insurance you pick. Pet insurance is sometimes the more economical way to go.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle, repurpose. The best pet product doesn't have to be the most expensive one. Old holey socks tied in a knot or a good stick are great tug of war/fetch implements. Other things can be used or reused for a pet purpose instead of what they are currently being used or not being used for. Look around and think outside the box. Thrift store finds are great!
• Find a pet sitter. When you have to leave your pet at home for an extended amount of time finding a reliable, caring and affordable pet sitter close to you is key. Doggie Daycare might not be as cost-effective. If you have a friend or relative that can watch you pet for little to nothing and does a good job that is the best situation. If you don't have those options you can try DogVacay or a similar service. Also you could try finding one through the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters or Pet Sitters International. They might have affordable pet sitters that you can try in your area.
• Go on a pet included vacation. If your having trouble finding a good pet sitter maybe you could take your pet with you. Just make sure the places you book are pet friendly. There are a lot of pet friendly hotels: motels, rentals, attractions, restaurants, etc. out there that offer options. If you don't know, ask ahead! We went on a long road trip across the USA with our dog, Prince. It was a lot of fun and he enjoyed all the time he spent with us along the way. You can also purchase a Traveling with Your Pet guide by AAA to help you on your travels.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: This is a sponsored post. This post is in partnership with the dog bark collar store. I will be receiving a special engraved dog bowl that teaches my dog to eat slow and a $25 gift card to a store of my choice for free for posting these tips. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this post.