green

Spring Cleaning Part #3: Green Clean

For the last 2 weeks, I’ve talked about options for dealing with your unwanted stuff after you spring clean. BUT, I haven’t talked about the spring cleaning itself (silly me). While you are unearthing forgotten things and cleaning in places you otherwise forget about, consider using green cleaning products. There are several brands of green cleaning products available for purchase and even more options for making your own. Decreasing the amount of chemicals introduced in your home can contribute to lower occurrences of disease for the whole family. Check out these helpful links for more information:

Why use green cleaning products and how to make your own green cleaners.

Project Awesome Backyard 2013

After so many months of winter, it seems that the whole Midwest is savoring the warmth, sunshine, and refreshing breeze. People have flocked to their favorite outdoor spots to spread a blanket on the ground and read a book. How many of us can say that our favorite place is just outside our back door? Personally, my backyard is brown and brittle and sad. Not a great place to lay in the grass. Therefore, this weekend will begin Project Awesome Backyard 2013. Are you interested in designing a backyard haven? Here are a few links for some great DIY ideas.

30 DIY Ideas How To Make Your Backyard Wonderful This Summer

Instructables

Create a water garden

Make a sandbox

Photo by Eastlaketimes

Spring Cleaning Part #2: Garage Sale

Have you done your spring cleaning yet? I haven’t either, but once I get around to it, I’m pretty sure I will have an embarrassing amount of unwanted items that I don’t know what to do with. Luckily, there are many options for getting rid of our home clutter. One option is to donate your surplus (check out last week’s post for more info), another option is to have a garage or yard sale. At first, the idea of holding a garage sale seemed too daunting. I thought, “First I go through my house and unearth things that I’ve never used, but somehow moved four times….now I have to catalogue them, put prices on them, and display them?!” At this point my brain shuts down. But have no fear, interwebs to the rescue! I have found dozens of “how to” lists about how to not only schedule and hold a garage sale, but also how to correctly price your items. I also discovered that many areas of the Twin Cities hold neighborhood-wide garage sales. Meaning they do all the advertisement, you just have to sign up and get your unwanted wares priced and displayed. How great is that! Maybe this garage sale idea isn’t as daunting as I thought.

Interested in having a garage sale? This is what I recommend:

· Find out if your neighborhood has a group garage sale. If so, join in!

· Check out a few of these “how to” lists for ideas on holding an organized and (dare I say it) profitable garage sale. Ehow.com, Howto.com, Garage Sale Tracker (great for pricing your items).

Written by Samantha Strong for the 30 Days of Biking Blog

I got into biking because of a guy. 15 years ago, my boyfriend at the time was a junior pro cyclist. (He used to brag about riding with Lance. Wonder how he feels about that now?) Anyway … he built me a bike. It was a sweet Raleigh beach cruiser. I wasn’t going to win any races on this thing, but it felt good to ride it. And we rode a lot.

I would ride it to work on the nice days (bussing all the others). It made the tedious chore of getting to work much more fun. And there’s a point of pride in showing up to work with that pant leg rolled up and sweat running down your neck. “That’s right, I’m gross, but I worked to get here. What did you do this morning?”

He and I have long since broken up (and I would later realize that my bike wasn’t sized right_ ah, the metaphor). Coincidentally, it was stolen from my garage the same year my current partner and I shacked up.

This guy is also a bike fanatic. A year_round rider, never is it too cold, too icy, too hot, too wet for him to get on his bike and tackle the elements. Honestly, his stubbornness amazes me. Riding is the only option, anything else is an insult. (That’s his trusty winter steed above.)

I am not that person. I have my single speed, but it’s nothing to write home about. But because I am not that person, I want to do whatever I can to support the people who are. Biking is a simple way to get off your duff and enjoy your neighborhood, meet new people, and build community. This is what my company, Metamorphosis, is all about.

Thank you, ex-boyfriend, for getting me into biking, Thank you, JP, for being an inspiration. Thank you, 30 Days, for starting this movement. Metamorphosis is a big fan.

Did you know that the first Earth Day was held in 1970 as a day of environment learning? Twenty million demonstrators, together with thousands of schools, participated in that first Earth Day. In 1990, Earth Day became an internationally recognized holiday when 141 other nations joined in the festivities. We encourage you to be part of the tradition and join the rest of the world in participating in Earth Day this year. Not sure how to get involved? Check out a few of these sites for some ideas.

· Department of Parks and Recreation

· Friends of the Mississippi River

· List of Earth Day events in the Twin Cities

Photo by wiccahwang

Research has shown that having plants in one’s home, office, or school increases productivity and decreases stress. Succulent plants in particular have many added benefits. Many succulents are edible and provide herbal remedies for ailments like minor cuts and burns and sour stomach. Besides the health benefits, plants make any room feel fresh and cozy. Check out this University of California site on how to build your own vertical succulent garden for your home or yard.

Have you heard of the Minnesota Energy Challenge? The Elkhart schools certainly have. Simply by closing window blinds, closing doors, shutting off all electronics, and turning off the lights before leaving every evening, the Elkhart schools have saved $3million dollars over the last three years. Schools from all over the state are joining in on the challenge and the savings. There are many ways to take advantage of these savings in your own home. Take a look at the Minnesota Energy Challenge website for helpful tips.

When you look out your window, it’s hard to believe that today is the third day of Spring. Spring is my favorite time of the year. I start feeling the itch to dig into the ground and plant the vegetable and flower gardens of my dreams. I watch and wait for the time when the snow melts and the ground is soft enough to dig. I find my favorite flowers, ones with bright and happy colors, and when the time comes, I plant them. The problem with my “perfect” garden is that it fails before it begins. My plan falls apart because I don’t design my garden before I plant it. Year after year, I have managed to plant flower gardens with plants of all the same height, that bloom during the same two weeks every year, and require full sun, when I only have partial sun to offer. The result is a garden that looks like very tall weeds for the majority of the time. This year will be different. I will design a garden with plants of different heights, different blooming schedules, different colors, and a mix of annuals and perennials.

If you are itching for spring and want to plan your perfect vegetable, flower, or herb garden, check out the Farmers Almanac website for ideas and planting schedules. Happy gardening and happy spring!

Winter can sometimes seem like it will go on forever! At least you can take advantage of the sunny, cold days we’ve been having by using daylighting techniques. Daylighting describes the strategic use of sunlight for internal lighting and passive solar heat.

All you need to do is make sure the blinds are open in the daytime to take full advantage of the sun letting in its warm rays. Just make sure to close the blinds at night to prevent any cold drafts blowing inside.

So next time it’s sunny out, let the sunshine in!

Photo by Kara Buckner

This summer, the American Swedish Institute underwent construction and gained the beautiful new Nelson Cultural Center. Designed by locally based HGA, the new contemporary design included many sustainable elements; including geothermal heating and cooling and a green roof amongst other green features.