14 posts tagged “holiday”

Holidays are jam-packed with events, gifts and all sorts of merriment (desserts!).  So maybe this is a good time to take a moment and reduce our global "footprint" on the earth.  Use less material things and give more of our time, our wisdom, our companionship..

Check out this article from Planet Green on Reducing Holiday Waste..it's got some great ideas :o)

9 Tips for Reducing Holiday Waste

Newspaper wrapping

   1. Cook from Scratch - If you're not buying packaged, processed foods, you'll cut your waste by a lot. While you're at it, avoid frozen or canned foods if you can.

   2. Skip the Wrapping Paper - There are tons of great wrapping paper alternatives. Try gift bags, boxes or fabric, or if you just can't give up the wrap, upcycle old paper products such as newspapers, magazines and even maps as "wrapping paper."   3. Buy in Bulk - Individually wrapped products use excessive amounts of packaging. Look for products you can buy in bulk or in larger quantities with minimal packaging.

   4. Buy Only What Your Need - Buying in bulk is not always the best option - if you don't need 50 pounds of potatoes, you should resist the urge to save a few dollars on the giant bag, as anything you saved will probably go to waste before you can use it.

   5. Don't Eat With Your Eyes - How many of us take too much at the holidays, only to throw a lot out? Start with small portions - you can always take more!

   6. Share Leftovers - Whether you send a plate home with friends or family, invite a few friends over for some post-holiday party snacking, or take some foods to the office for co-workers to nibble on, make sure you use those leftovers up so they don't go to waste.

   7. Do DIY Gifts - This season, when families have smaller holiday budgets, DIY is a great option for reducing your environmental impact. Make gifts personal and useful. Layer ingredients for your famous cookies in a mason jar, or upcycle teacups as candles for friends. Personal touches make a big impact, and they don't have to cost much.

   8. Don't Buy Junk - Everyone has a story about small gifts that collect dust in a basement or on a shelf. If you have less money to spend this year, stretch your dollars by buying less things but investing in quality. Even most kids would rather have one great toy than a bunch of little things that they'll soon bore of.

   9. Ban Single-Use Products - Set a household ban on single-use products. No paper plates, no plastic cutlery, no aluminum foil, no plastic wrap, no paper towels, no disposable roasting pans, no ... you get the picture.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I am not sure what I am going to be able to make for dinner without an oven or stove.  Our kitchen remodel is moving forward nicely, but we will not be ready until late December. 

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite meals to make..and I absolutely love making stuffing!  (and eating stuffing too).  It won't be the same without a turkey..

Hello voxers,
I hope you had a safe & happy holiday...I enjoyed the time off of work and did the following:

- Have decided to try my hand at sewing again.  It's been many years since I used a sewing machine, so I am essentially navigating uncharted waters.  I got a Brother Sewing machine with 25 stitches, and the journey begins!

- Have made a commitment to get back on track with my food choices, and will be dedicating myself to eating more fruit & vegetables.  Sugar is a big hurdle for me, and I look forward to feeling healthy when I kick the Sugar blues.

- Re-invested time with my family, enjoyed my mom's visit to our California home, and I anticipate my sisters may join us soon (since Chicago is getting a record cold winter so far).

- Watched "10 Questions for the Dalai Lama" during the holiday.  What an extraordinary film and personal journey for the filmmaker.  The Dalai Lama is so very jovial for an esteemed religious leader, and it is a pleasure to watch him answer questions on life, culture and forgiveness.

I hope you had a good holiday too & look forward to catching up on your blogs...