I’ve been working hard at stepping towards sustainability. I think I’m just too fed up with feeling disconnected from the Earth, from my food, from Life. It’s hard to remain connected in this city but I figure even if I have to go at it alone, I’m going.
- I created the blog to share tips with newbies to the green movement.
- I started catching sink run-off to water outdoor plants.
- I capture shower water to use in the toilet now (I hate the idea of flushing clean water!).
- I’ve started home baking our breads.
- I’ve ditched the dryer and hung up our clothesline (one outdoors and one indoors on a retractable line for things I don’t want the business complex behind me to see).
- I already keep our A/C at 82 during the summer (Yes, even when it’s 118 outside!).
- I’m looking into purchasing a solar cooker. Excited for this one!!
- I’ve planted most of the veggies and herbs we eat so that we can stop purchasing from a grocery store which imports food from out of state.
- I’ve stopped buying new and opted for used through Freecycle or thrift stores.
- I’ve learned how to sew and I already crochet.
- I crochet the stash of old plastic bags into new bags.
- I only shop with canvas bags and refuse plastic, even if that means carrying what I buy.
- I’ve started cutting my own bangs and am allowing the rest of my hair to grow.
- We’re downsizing to one vehicle! (In the market for an SUV?)
- We’ve stopped using chemical pesticides and cleaners.
- We power down as often as possible and use rechargeable
- We combine shopping trips and errands to save gas and walk when possible. I’m even considering learning how to ride a bike. Eek!
- I’m hoping to emulate Path to Freedom in whatever way I can.
- I will be switching to a corded phone once these cordless phone batteries finally die.
- I’ve got my compost pile (finally!) working.
- I’m looking into rain barrels (for all of four inches of rain a year) and reusing our washer water.
- We’ve switched to a vegetarian diet (lacto-ovo).
- I’ve switched from face products to baking soda, apple cider vinegar and olive oil (with great results!!).
- I’m sewing my own curtains using only natural materials and reclaimed wood and small fallen tree branches for curtain rods!
- I’ve started a Sustainability group for people in my city.
- I’ve joined several homesteading/sustainability groups for ideas from other like-minded individuals.
- I’ve joined the Urban Homesteaders web ring (lower left side) started by Path to Freedom.
What else can I do? I’m open to suggestions!
Our makeshift clothesline and compost in the corner.
Our contained garden (does not include our fruit trees or our soon-to-be planted cherry tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, pumpkin or potatoes).
Our grape vine…with a nice shot of the biz complex behind us so you can see just how urban our homestead is.
My name is Tara. I am a mama and a lover, a full-time nomad, a passionate devourer of Life and an Organic Life Coach.
you might want to check out the rain barrel kits, downspout filters and downspout diverters http://www.aquabarrel.com
What a fantastic list. I’m so glad to find your blog! Sounds like we share a lot of interests.
Tara, it all sounds great. I am trying to do many of these things as well.
i’ve been researching the borax. it seems there are many opinions. some say it is only bad if ingested, or large amounts of the powder inhaled. they say it’s better than the alternative of chemical laden store-bought ones. I tried looking for recipes not using borax, but didn’t have much luck. if you come across one, please be sure to let me know. i’ll do the same.
we’re already doing many ofthe things you’ve listed, but i never thought of us as living sustainably.
would you be willing to share your recipes for the homemade face scrubs?
Recipes? No recipe, just baking soda! It’s lightly abrasive so it takes care of dead skin while cleaning. I *love* it especially on my sensitive skin!