Green Living Archives - Life with Dee

That’s just nuts – soap nuts, that is.

March 14, 2011 By Deanna Piercy 4 Comments

Have you heard of soap nuts? They aren’t really nuts but rather, a berry. Completely natural, kind to the environment and CHEAP. I’ve used Amway laundry detergent for 30 years and have always been happy with it. It was one of the very first to be made without all the fillers and is phosphate-free. It’s been rated as perhaps the very best in performance but it’s also pretty expensive.

As part of my quest to “go green”, as well as to save money, I decided to follow my daughter’s lead and try soap nuts. Lisa gave me some to try a couple of weeks ago. I tried it on David’s shirts, figuring that he wouldn’t care one way or the other. 😉 I also decided to substitute white vinegar for Downy. I had done that on occasion in the past but I must admit I’m rather partial to the fragrance of Downy. Anyway, when I pulled the shirts from the washer I smelled them. I was astounded by how fresh and clean they smelled. There was no fragrance but they just smelled *clean*. Next I tried it with our sheets and again, I was very pleased with the results.

So I placed an order on Amazon and in a couple of days received my shipment. I figured out the cost per use and with the quantity I purchased, it comes to around 7 cents a load. Amway was about 30 cents per load, as I recall.

You can just toss the soap nuts in the little muslin bag that comes with them into the washer but my understanding is that it might be a little more effective to make a liquid and use that. Following Lisa’s suggestion, last night I boiled 4 cups of water and poured it over 8 soap nuts, leaving it overnight. This morning I decanted the soapy liquid into an old Perrier bottle. Because there are no preservatives, it is recommended that you keep the liquid in the refrigerator. I will be placing a large label on the bottle to designate the contents!

Here is a close-up of the soap nuts:

What laundry detergent do you use? Have you ever tried soap nuts? After reading this, would you consider giving them a try?

Small Stuff…

January 24, 2010 By Deanna Piercy 2 Comments

Sometimes we wonder if our seemingly small actions really make a difference. A couple of days ago I had a meeting in town and afterwards, as I started home, I saw the person in the car ahead of me toss a can out his window. Grrr…. It was a quiet, residential area and no other traffic so I pulled over, crossed the street and picked up the can so I could recycle it. Just as I did so, another car passed me and the driver probably thought I was one of those weird, eco-nuts. Oh, yeah. I guess I am. Thanks, Lisa. 😉

So, I’m on my way home and happen to notice an elderly gentleman on the side of road picking up (you guessed it) cans. I pulled over, and because his back was to me and he was apparently almost deaf, it took me a bit to catch up to him and get his attention as he was walking down into a ravine. I handed him the can, telling him that I had just picked it up after someone threw it out their car window and he could have it. This sweet old man in his striped overalls and big hat tied under his chin gave me a big smile and thanked me.

It may sound silly but I can’t begin to tell you how happy this made me. Sure, it was merely a single bit of litter removed from the street and only a single can added to the ones the man was picking up which doesn’t sound like anything at all. But I still felt good about it.

I then came home and while checking Facebook saw that a friend had posted the following article from The Onion (a satirical site):

“How Bad For the Environment Can Throwing Away One Plastic Bottle Be? 30 Million People Wonder”

It is a humorous look at how we fail to see the way in which our individual, seemingly small, actions add up. Do take a look at it; it’s pretty funny. I thought the timing was superb.

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Blog Action Day: Climate Change

October 15, 2009 By Deanna Piercy 2 Comments

I am getting a rather late start on this post for a variety of reasons. For one thing, I spent a good part of this afternoon doing something I very rarely do – watching the news. The story of the helium balloon and the six year old they thought was in it captured my attention. As of this writing, the boy has not been found and my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. *

The other reason I am just starting this is that I simply do not know what to say that hasn’t already been said by so many others. I know there are many who still do not believe that climate change is taking place or that if it is, it’s not caused by human actions. That’s okay; I wasn’t so sure myself a few years ago. I think the evidence is pretty conclusive at this point but regardless, I would think we could all agree that human actions are causing pollution of a magnitude that is affecting nature and our own health. I also realize there is a segment of the population that believes the “Rapture” is coming soon so we don’t need to worry about the havoc we are wreaking on this planet…you know, the only one we have to live on? Anything I could say to this group is probably a waste of breath (or typing) so I’ll focus on the rational, albeit skeptical folks.

I grew up in Southern California. Most of my childhood was spent living in the high desert which at that time was notable for its clean air. However, other relatives lived in the Los Angeles area and when we’d drive over the mountain pass most of the time you’d be treated to a stunning view of a thick blanket of brown smog. I have vivid memories of how my lungs would ache after breathing the air for a few hours. This was back in the late 60s throughout the 70s. But something interesting happened. Catalytic converters and smog controls became mandatory on new cars. Various smog control legislation was enacted in the state and guess what? Despite the fact that there are now four times as many cars on the road, smog has decreased significantly. It’s still a problem but huge strides have been made. I remember the grumbling and complaining when pollution control legislation was passed but people adjusted in short order and lives are better as a result.

This amazing achievement has convinced me that it’s not a hopeless cause. It is indeed possible to change our environment for the better. I realize that people are busy and consumed with their own personal daily challenges. They look at those who are *living green* in a very public way and think, “I could never do all that”. But the thing is, even small changes can make a big difference if everyone did them. For instance:

In New York City, one less grocery bag per person would reduce waste by five million pounds and save $250,000 in disposal costs!

I’m not an expert on the subject of climate change, nor have I reached the level of *green living* I aspire to, although I’m trying. I do, however, read a lot of green blogs, most of which are participating in Blog Action Day. They know far more about the subject than I do so I have decided to share links to several. Go read what they’ve written. That’s what I’m going to do.

“Who Cares About the Freakin’ Polar Bears?” by The Conscious Shopper

“Blog Action Day: Global Climate Change” by Renaissance Garden

“Blog Action Day: Why Bother?” by Crunchy Domestic Goddess

“Climate Action Day is Coming. What Will You Do?” by Fake Plastic Fish

“Do You Have to Change Your Life Entirely in Order to Stop Climate Change?” by One Green Generation

“Thoughts on Not Good Enough” by Chile Chews

“Wanted: Your Tips For Living an Eco-Friendly Life” by Consumption Rebellion

“Climate Change: Life’s Little Convenience Charge” by The Green Phone Booth

and last but not least, my daughter’s blog:

“Blog Action Day: Climate Change” by Retro Housewife Goes Green

After you’ve read these blog posts, pick just one thing YOU can do to live a greener lifestyle and leave me a comment telling me what you chose.

*Apparently the boy was found hiding in the attic. What a relief!

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Yes, I’m still here…

April 17, 2009 By Deanna Piercy 1 Comment

I know I’ve promised posts and pictures of our trip to New Orleans. It seems like I’ve been in a barely functioning recovery mode ever since we returned but I’m starting to get a handle on things. I think. My daughter and I are leaving around noon today for Plano, Texas where we will attend a green conference tomorrow. Ed Begley, Jr. is the keynote speaker and we are both excited to hear him in person. Hopefully I will start posting regularly again on Monday!

Going to a Green Conference…

March 18, 2009 By Deanna Piercy 4 Comments

My daughter, Lisa, and I are going to the Oklahoma Sustainability Conference this Saturday in Edmond, Oklahoma. We are both ridiculously excited about this and I hope to have some interesting things to share afterwards. I don’t know if I have many readers who live in this area but if so, it’s not too late to attend. Here is a link and some info:

Oklahoma Sustainability Network and Sustainable Edmond invite you to the Eighth annual Oklahoma Sustainability Network conference, Sustainability: A New Declaration of Independence. The Conference will be Friday and Saturday, March 20-21, 2009, at the Nigh University Center located at the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma. As Oklahoma’s signature sustainability event, the annual conference brings together a diverse crowd to work toward the common goal of making Oklahoma a more sustainable state.
We are honored to have William Greider as our keynote speaker. Mr. Greider was the National Affairs Editor at Rolling Stone magazine, and a former assistant managing editor at the Washington Post. His most recent book is The Soul of Capitalism: Opening Paths to A Moral Economy. We are also honored to feature a delegation from Greensburg Kansas, the town that responded to a devastating tornado by dedicating itself to rebuild its business, government and community based on sound sustainable principles.
We have a great lineup of lively and informative sessions. Friday will primarily focus on business and governmental interests, including topics of commercial and residential development, marketing, agriculture, energy, sustainable business strategies, government policy and private markets. On Saturday, we will focus more on individual interests, as well as issues of community and personal change. We will be looking at the big picture of sustainability and what individuals can do in their personal and business lives, as well as issues such as land use and transportation, and ethics, religion, and advocacy.

A Day Without a Bag…

December 10, 2008 By Deanna Piercy 2 Comments

December 18th has been declared a Day without a Bag by Heal the Bay in Los Angeles County. This annual event is an awareness campaign to encourage people to give a present to the environment by avoiding the use of plastic and paper bags for one day in favor of reusable bags.

I made the switch several months ago and now have a nice collection of sturdy, reusable bags. They hold more than a plastic bag, are easier to carry, garner comments which allow me to speak up for the environment, and solved the problem of what to do with hundreds/thousands of plastic bags at home. I haven’t brought any home in months but still have an abundant supply left which I use to dispose of kitty litter when I scoop each day. Eventually I’ll run out at which time I’ll just ask relatives who haven’t made the switch to save some for me. Or perhaps I’ll come up with an ingenious “Used Kitty Litter Composting Unit” and market it for an incredible amount of money (warmer climate, here I come!).

If you already are in the habit of using reusable bags, I applaud you. If you’ve been looking for a good time to start, try December 18th. You can use any tote bag you happen to have lying around or you can pick up reusable bags really cheap at a lot of stores. Within the past few months several places here in our little town in rural Oklahoma (hardly a hotbed of environmentalists) have even started carrying them. Try it for one day. I’ll bet you’ll be hooked.

Check out my daughter’s blog “The Retro Housewife Goes Green” for some links to companies that sell reusable bags if you want something a little cuter than what your local grocery store has to offer.

Missing the whole concept…

May 14, 2008 By Deanna Piercy 3 Comments

Last night David and I went to the local Walgreen’s to select a birthday card for our son-in-law. That was the only item we purchased. While I was pulling out the correct change the cashier slipped the card into a bag. As soon as I noticed what she was doing I said, “Oh, that’s okay…I don’t need a bag.” She pulled the card out and handed it to me. Meanwhile, a second employee standing next to her reached over, wadded up the brand new, clean bag and threw it away! My efforts to reduce the use of plastic bags are not always successful.

Earth Day…

April 22, 2008 By Deanna Piercy Leave a Comment

I really should have written an Earth Day post a couple of weeks ago and saved it for today because my brain is still not firing on all cylinders after our New Orleans trip. It would have been nice to give you a list of great tips or some really inspiring message about protecting the environment. Unfortunately this is all I can come up with:

Save electricity by simply procrastinating about replacing burned out light bulbs. Right off the top of my head I can think of at least ten burned out bulbs in our house at the moment. I’d like to claim this is a purposeful act on our part to save electricity but it’s not. I guess this would be a good time to try to find CFLs that will fit our fixtures (and look decent).

Changing the World…

March 31, 2008 By Deanna Piercy Leave a Comment

One of the *green blogs* I enjoy is No Impact Man. He has an interesting post today about the “needle exchange approach to planetary damage” which is well worth the read. I’ve long been a believer in the idea that lots of people doing just a little can make a big difference. Some seem to think that if they can’t/won’t be 100% *green*, they might as well not try at all. Rubbish! And speaking of which, if I find out who is throwing out all the litter along our country road, they will one day find it back in their own front yard.

Dont’ forget to check out Retro Housewife’s blog for more on living green.