tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post1135119800221928243..comments2024-02-20T04:43:47.934-08:00Comments on Eco-novice: 10 Half-Year ResolutionsBetsy Escandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13598482569526345086noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-19793821868292700732011-06-23T20:30:58.035-07:002011-06-23T20:30:58.035-07:00Thanks for the tips and links, Lisa. I did read y...Thanks for the tips and links, Lisa. I did read your composting post again, got me thinking about a rolling bin. That post has good tips from others in the comments too. Check it out if you are interested in composting!Betsy Escandonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13598482569526345086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-38389659060770455902011-06-22T21:34:47.805-07:002011-06-22T21:34:47.805-07:00Aloe vera is the easiest house plant! I forget to ...Aloe vera is the easiest house plant! I forget to water mine for weeks and it's fine. Plus it's useful and a good air cleaner. <br /><br />Here is a post I did about composting- http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2011/03/making-composting-easy.html<br /><br />My favorite shampoo bar is this one- http://www.nurturemybody.com/organic-soothing-shampoo-bar-sls-free.htmlLisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02583524755306491510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-37835251792073224982011-06-21T13:02:53.465-07:002011-06-21T13:02:53.465-07:00Thank you for the shampoo bar recommendation, Outl...Thank you for the shampoo bar recommendation, Outlaw Mom.<br /><br />Thank you, zoekyklos, for leaving so much great wisdom on so many topics. I will look for your favorite plants next time I'm at OSH or whatever, and I love the idea of taking a class at a local college or park - that's just perfect! Can't wait to check out your bird feeder posts -- your mom sounds like a real expert in that department. I'm not sure I get the freezer composting. After storing stuff in the freezer -- what then? <br /><br />I'm not in Michigan, but great ideas for any readers who are!Betsy Escandonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13598482569526345086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-68536374113662404542011-06-21T10:59:21.194-07:002011-06-21T10:59:21.194-07:00Thank you so much for this post. It contains some ...Thank you so much for this post. It contains some really great ideas. I don't know how to make yogurt, unfortunately, but I do know it is pretty difficult to kill philodendrons and my japanese peace lily has successfully made it through a bit of abuse/neglect (too much heat, too little water). <br /><br />I incorporate "green" time into my day by taking a walk around the block/through the nearby nature trail or set a camp chair outside with a craft or book. A bit of daily sunshine is healthy!<br /><br />I think the best way to learn about natural ecosystems is take a field class at a local college or park. The Chippewa Nature Center in Midland, Michigan has some great programs for both kids and adults, so I'd imagine other parks would have similar programs. At the very least, local parks should have "nature walks." I went to a nature walk advertised "how to survive in the wilderness" and ended up mainly learning names of plants.<br /><br />Birdfeeders!!! I absolutely LOVE watching the birds at my mom's house in Bridgeport, Michigan. She is very consistent with making sure her birdfeeders are full and uses black oil sunflower seeds because she claims mixed seed brings in raucous, mean-spirited birds. She also has special feeders for Orioles (Jam and oranges?) and Hummingbirds (Sugary water mix?) and Squirrels (not a bird, I know, but...corn works for them) and Woodpeckers (Suet). I've written a few posts from my feeder observation: http://zoekyklos.wordpress.com/category/wildlife-observation/<br />I think consistency is key, and maybe you could encourage your kids to write and draw what they see!<br />Oh, and I'm pretty sure (but not positive) this is the field guide my mom owns: http://www.amazon.com/Birds-North-America-Revised-Updated/dp/1582380902<br /><br />I live in an apartment, so I "freezer compost." I had been putting scraps in old plastic bags from bread and produce, but the plastic kept sticking to the frozen scraps when I tried to empty out the bag. SO, I switched to paper bags because then the whole bag can just be tossed. Easy-peasy! Though, I have heard good things about the composting worms... : )<br /><br />As for great wild places to take children in Michigan...Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes (kids will love running up the dunes) & Green Point Environmental Learning Center in Saginaw, Michigan (the rangers there are absolutely great with kids and teaching). <br /><br />Haven't tried a shampoo bar...yet. : )<br /><br />Happy mediums are best found through sticking to a schedule. I think your plan is a good one.<br /><br />Thanks again for sharing!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-57373368195237752182011-06-21T10:56:21.055-07:002011-06-21T10:56:21.055-07:00I love Lush shampoo bars! They are also great for...I love Lush shampoo bars! They are also great for traveling because you don't have to cart around a heavy (not environmentally friendly) bottle with you. Great resolutions, Betsy, and I hope that you do not stop your blog! I do understand, though, about the Internet being a major time suck. My husband would be so happy if I quit my Internet "addiction" - for Father's Day he asked that I abstain from the Internet and blogging for a day! (I almost made it, but had to update my FB page!) Thanks for sharing your resolutions - I'm inspired to make some of my own.The Outlaw Momhttp://www.theoutlawmom.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-79048995071242379492011-06-21T09:53:01.864-07:002011-06-21T09:53:01.864-07:00Half-yearly resolutions? What a great idea!
I ...Half-yearly resolutions? What a great idea! <br /><br />I especially love #4 and #8. I'm pretty good at taking my kids outside every single day (they beg to, even in the rain!) But we need to get out and explore natural places that are a little more exotic than the backyard more often!Anne @ Modern Mrs Darcyhttp://modernmrsdarcy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-51767043389790167742011-06-21T08:39:20.131-07:002011-06-21T08:39:20.131-07:00Thanks, Jessica! And that is a great tip for the ...Thanks, Jessica! And that is a great tip for the computer. Also, it would keep my laptop from over-heating, which is frequently does. And save energy too!Betsy Escandonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13598482569526345086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-50714557410890356922011-06-21T07:41:35.473-07:002011-06-21T07:41:35.473-07:00What a great list! I have to tell you that you ar...What a great list! I have to tell you that you are already such an inspiration to me. Going green seems to be such a hard prospect if you are not used to it and it is easy to get discouraged. I love your site because you make it seem doable.<br /><br />One tip for the computer. I turn my computer off so that I would have to wait for it to boot up to use it. That keeps me from just popping on to check my email and wasting 30 minutes.Jessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11503676327555462834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-86947882489398240912011-06-21T05:34:47.627-07:002011-06-21T05:34:47.627-07:00I have never heard of a shampoo bar - now I want t...I have never heard of a shampoo bar - now I want to find out more! I also love the idea of half-year resolutions!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-31382429736235351502011-06-21T00:23:21.058-07:002011-06-21T00:23:21.058-07:00Great list. I like number 8, and it's somethi...Great list. I like number 8, and it's something I'm trying to do with our daughter. We have so many state parks all around us and wonderful places to go to see. I'd love to do number 3 as well, but my cats would only eat them!<br />Visiting from Oh Amanda's.Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13846828882728819452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-54577128557454548142011-06-20T18:44:25.131-07:002011-06-20T18:44:25.131-07:00Well, we'll see if I actually do it. That mig...Well, we'll see if I actually do it. That might be the hardest one of all. I'm glad I leave the Internet when I leave my computer, BUT if you have an iphone you can just check your email and be done (right?). Whenever I check my email, I end up doing about 10 other things while I'm on my computer.Betsy Escandonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13598482569526345086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-40407322253090737752011-06-20T17:49:11.424-07:002011-06-20T17:49:11.424-07:00love #10. i love that you're trying to only ch...love #10. i love that you're trying to only check your email 3 times a day. awesome. now that i have my iphone i check it a zillion times a day.Sharon Beesleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com