If you haven’t already, please take a minute and do some browsing in Ye Olde Penny Pincher Shoppe, where I have collected (and continue to collect) links to all kinds of neat green items and reads. Nearly every item qualifies for Amazon’s FREE SUPER SAVER SHIPPING.  If you have any suggestions of great products to add to the shoppe, I am all ears!

Categories include…

Home Insulation

Your Body
Your Mind & Soul
Essential Oils & Ingredients
Just for Fun – Our Fave Baby Supplies
Gardening
Food & Kitchen
Books

After gushing over the many uses of Dr. Bronner’s soap in my last post, I thought a post about more multi-use items would be fun!  More uses means less things you need to keep on hand, which means less stuff, and less stuff is good, right?

Here are a few old favorites and some new discoveries.  Many of these deserve (and may someday get) their own posts here, if they don’t already have one, but for now, enjoy surfing!

Lemon, by Moyan_Brenn, via flickr

Many Uses For…

Lemons

Vinegar

Baking Soda

Coffee Filters

Coconut Oil

Toothpaste

Fruit & Veggie Peels, Shells, & Seeds

Hydrogen Peroxide

Salt

What are your go-to items for multi-purposing?

WHY I LOVE DR. BRONNER’S

This weekend I carried my spray bottle of diluted Dr. Bronner’s (lavender) soap around the house with me.  I used it to clean up some spots on the hardwood floor.  I spritzed it on my dog’s bed to deodorize it a little.  I wiped down my b athroom sink with it, then I sprayed some on the walls of my shower just because.  Unfortunately, I didn’t have time for a shower myself, so I grabbed  a washcloth and spritzed myself down with Dr. Bronner’s!  Ah, the multi-purpose non-toxic joy of Dr. B’s.

I’ll always remember when my son first started crawling and crawled right over to the Dr. B’s and put the nozzle in his mouth – I was never so glad to have gone non-toxic! (Of course, I took it right away, but I didn’t have to worry about calling poison control.)

WHY I AM FRUSTRATED WITH THE RESISTANCE TO GREEN ENERGY ON A LOCAL LEVEL

I live very close to the beach, the Atlantic Ocean in particular.  The University of Delaware recently (about 2 years ago) completed an energy-generating wind turbine located on their southern Delaware Marine Studies campus.  I think it’s beautiful visually and symbolically.  I’ve driven right up to it and can barely hear it turning.

University of Delaware Wind Turbine, Lewes, DE

BUT OF COURSE there are those in the community who trash-talk it (probably the same ones who run their lawn sprinklers regularly even during drought season) and complain about the way it looks, sounds, affects their property values (none of these are valid). People like this are part of what has held up the construction of an offshore wind farm for over 4 years now.

Which is more aesthetically pleasing to YOU?

or

???

I just get so frustrated with people.  They’ll complain even when they don’t have to do any of the work!  I remember a few years ago my town went from 2x/week garbage pickup to 1x/week garbage pickup and 1x/week curbside recycling pickup.  SO MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINED that  (they ended up really screwing up the program for a while  and) we now have 1x/week trash and 2x/month recycling… which is great.  And if it is not enough for you, and you are not a member of a family of 10, you really need to re-think your waste and consumption.

Speaking of waste and consumption, I am officially over free trial offers in the mail unless they are coupons.  And you know me, I love free.  But the last few things I’ve received have been so ridiculously overly packaged that I have actual GUILT about having them sent to me!  (My new candle smells great though.)

What’s crossing your mind/path/community locally regarding green issues (or non-issues)?

Finally, the results you’ve all been waiting for?  Thanks so much to everyone who participated, and congratulations to the winner of the Amazon gift card, chosen randomly using an online number generator...

kaz33@……

photo by Brandon Doran via flickr

Congrats!  Use the gift card/code/whatever it is to buy something that makes you happy!

Now, on to the results.  I picked through and posted a few replies for each one – if you don’t see yours here, have no fear!
1. What’s the most “extreme” thing you’ve done (or will admit to doing, anonymously if you like) to save a buck or a tree or one of Mother Nature’s little critters?

• I honestly have no problem picking food up off the floor so that it doesn’t go to waste when my son throws it in a fit of temper.
• I’ve placed 10 stray cats, and adopted 5. So, at one point I had 5 cats in a studio apartment – tons of fun!!
• not buy what i really want
• this isn’t really extreme….but run up and down the driveway in the rain to get the worms off before they became easy pickings for the robins or drown. Save the worms? Doesn’t really sound as extreme as save the whales…
• Lots of stuff, but what comes to mind is seeing buggies in some organic produce and considering it protein.
• Reused Newspaper sleeves to collect dog poop.

A lot of you mentioned “getting over” your “fear” of bugs in one way or another in the name of being green!

2. What’s the most extremely green thing you’ve ever heard of someone else doing?

• Elimination communication.
• Pooping in a bucket, and expecting guests to do the same, and reusing washcloths for toilet paper. They HAVE a working toilet. She also saves and buries her menstrual blood.
• I dunno. I think the survivalist people are kinda cool in a “holy crap they have a lot of time on their hands” way.
• The Tiny House movement. I love the idea but living in under 100 sf with under 100 items would make me batty.
• Completely paperless office environment.

3. What, to you, is “taking it too far?”

• Sacrificing your sanity lol sometimes you just HAVE to use a paper towel.
• Eating out of a dumpster because it is “cheaper” that way.
• Being sanctimonious about it.

4. What green/budget-friendly idea have you been wanting to check out, but haven’t gotten around to yet?

• Electric car
• Making my own laundry detergent.
• Rain water collectors and a composting contraption.
• Eco Nuts Organic Fragrance Free Hypoallergenic Laundry Soap, 100 Loads
• Gray water kit to use the water from the sink to flush the toilet
• Rain barrels

5. What kind of huge green investment would you make, either personally or to help the world, if you were handed a big (enough) wad of cash?

Going solar was a biggie!

• Solar panels, wind turbine and a grass roof for my house.
• have a house that is completely run off of renewable energy. Solar panels, windmill, geothermal, the works.
• If I lived somewhere with more sun I would go solar or maybe install the large underground gray water storage tanks. Water is going to be the #1 issue real soon!
• Solar panels, completely earth-friendly home. With a REALLY big wad of cash? Water and crops and teaching in third world countries to help them become self-sufficient.
• Electric – either windmills or solar

Thanks again everyone for playing – that was fun!

Sorry I’ve been a little neglecting of GPP the last week or two – I am knee deep in stuff-culling as you can follow along with on my other blog, Pennies For Packrats.  So far I’ve only made a dent, but a dent is a dent is a dent!  Come cheer me on there too!

Well this one was a bust.

FAIL.

You know I love vinegar and I so wanted this to work, but honestly, it didn’t do anything more than a good soak in warm soapy water would have.  It did do interesting things to the rust it created overnight, kind of created little tiny rust-balls on the metal surface.

Brushes are cleaned the old fashioned way this time, but I am going to try this one next time:

Three Eggs in Holy Carton by 19melissa68, on Flickr

I find it ironic that one of the most “healthy” eggs come in the most wasteful, un-environmental packaging.

Not
Naming
Any
Names

I’ve seen this phenomenon in other “high-end” products like produce – the organic hothouse heirloom tomatoes that come in several layers of protective PLASTIC?!  It bothers me to no end.  I do my best to avoid poor packaging options when I have a choice but I do wish the companies would think about this!  For so many foods, there is no problem with the old cardboard/wax paper packaging.  I don’t know one box of cereal I’ve eaten that has been fresher for having a plastic bag lining instead.

So… truth.  I haven’t stepped foot outside today.  Total truth be told, I have spent as little time in the beautiful outdoors as possible lately because it has just. been. too. hot.  And humid.  Pudding air.  Our backyard turned into a shriveled-up wasteland of abandoned  outdoor toys and failing garden beds because it was just too hot even first thing in the morning!

Yesterday afternoon, it rained, as they say, cats and dogs.  And last night, it rained some more.  And more.  And oh so much more.  It was AWESOME.  The thunder shook the house!  Today, everything is growing like a weed.

Mostly because it’s all weeds.

I don’t know if was the weather or my general apathy toward the garden in recent times, but nothing is growing this year.  The tomato plants, which normally would be filling my kitchen with so many tomatoes that I can’t stop making sauce and salsa, are huge and green, with not a single tomato on any of them – at least 3 different varieties.  Maybe they know that I really don’t even feel like cooking or being in the kitchen this summer.  I don’t know.  But you know what?  I’m over it, and I probably say this every year around this time, but next year, I’m going to have little to no garden/commitment/disappointment.

Today is one of the first DAYS (vs evenings) I have bothered to cook at all in a long time, and it’s only because I have a fridge full of food and hungry mouths and we can’t afford takeout all the time.  :)  In my oven is a big egg casserole which we’ll have for lunch or dinner, and maybe breakfast tomorrow, and then I’ll freeze the remaining portions of.  I pretty much stuck to the recipe I posted this time, but threw in some sauteed onions and zucchini bequeathed by a neighbor… yeah, even my zucchini isn’t growing.

Lastly in my ramblings, I’m going through a lot in my life, including and surrounded by an epiphany… or rather a coming-to-terms-with… the fact that my STUFF is taking over my life.  I have always been a packrat, and I hate it, and I’m overwhelmed by it, and now I am going to do something about it.  If you’re interested in following my journey to less, and keeping an eye on all the great stuff I’m selling in the process, check out my brand new blog, Pennies for Packrats.  Not much there now but I would love some followers to cheer me on there and hold me accountable!

(FTW = For the win!)

"papaya" by mars! via flickr.com

We’ve all been there – something was too delicious and you took one (or two, or three) too many bites, and regretted it in one digestive way or another afterward.  If you’ve never been there… I don’t believe you!

I used to have a big problem with indigestion and acid reflux.  I also, admittedly, often run into problems from eating too fast – partly due to being busy, partly due to years of bad habit.  I used to carry Tums with me everywhere, and Zantac for the really bad days.

These days, I keep two things in my bag at all times.  The first is Gas-X strips (these things are marvelous for the occasional gas pain/gas bubble) and chewable Papaya Enzyme, or Papain, pills.  Of course, fresh papaya not only contains these enzymes but also tastes great, but doesn’t fit in my purse quite as neatly.

Used for thousand of years in its native South America, papaya contains enzymes that aid digestion, particularly the breakdown of tough foods like meats.  It is even sold as a powder for use as a meat tenderizer.  Meat tenderizer, or powdered papaya enzyme, can be used topically for reactions to skin toxins like bee stings or jellyfish bites!  (Note:  Rinse off within 10 minutes.  Also,  I am not a doctor.  Please consult your doctor for further advice.  Green Penny Pincher will not be held liable, blah blah blah…)

Some Uses

• Acid Reflux
• Constipation
• Too-Full Feeling
• Gas Relief
• Heartburn

Side Effects

• Lowers blood sugar
• May raise heart rate
• DO NOT TAKE IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO PAPAYA!
• Patients with a LATEX ALLERGY may also have a reaction to papaya

Dosage depends on potency of tablet, personal experience, and severity of condition.  Most versions are chewable and pretty tasty, though some have more of a chalky taste than others.  I have purchased these tablets at health food stores, pharmacies, and big-box stores.  Keep an eye on the label for other additives – the most recent ones I bought were artificially flavored – unnecessary, as papaya tastes great!   If you have any worries about this product, speak with your doctor.  Avoid prolonged contact with skin.

Hi readers, old and new!  Just pinching together a few seconds of free time after a week plus of non-stop work – manual labor in 95+ heat!  One more day and my son Mr. Adventure and I are leaving on our first mini-road-trip together.  Taking my netbook with me and I am hoping to take advantage of some free time (and free wifi) to catch up.  I have lots of ideas and half-finished articles I’ve been waiting to share with you!

Hopefully you’ve already entered to win the $100 Amazon Gift Code from my last post.  If not, do it!  You could be a hundred Amabucks richer and maybe find some new bloggers to love!

Any great green finds or problems lately?

Hey strangers!  I’ve been buried in real-life duties lately and barely able to get online, let alone compose any posts.  Neglect is carrying over to my real-life as well – the dishes are stacked in the sink, the garden is full of weeds… but it happens, right?  I’ll catch up.

Meanwhile, I wanted to let you know about two easy chances to WIN!

The first is ongoing until I say so – just a little survey and a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card from Green Penny Pincher.   Check it out now – it’s quick, easy, and dare I say fun?!  Spread the word – anyone can enter!

The second contest is a lot bigger… with a lot bigger prize.

WIN a $100 Amazon Gift Code!

This contest runs from RIGHT THIS SECOND until 11:59pm EST on July 15, 2012… Ready?  On your mark, get set…

Welcome to the Jumpin’ Outta June Amazon Gift Code Twitter Giveaway hosted by MamaNYC!  (Thanks for organizing, MamaNYC!)  Over 40 bloggers have teamed together to celebrate the end of JUNE – and help kickstart one of YOUR summers with an awesome Amazon Gift Code giveaway! All you have to do is follow our Twitter accounts in order to gain entries in this giveaway! Sure, we also tossed in some other options, but this giveaway is all about Twitter!

One lucky winner is going to receive a $100.00 Amazon Gift Code! Amazon sells a bit of EVERYTHING, so you there are so many ways you can take advantage of this prize… including shopping in the Green Penny Pincher Shoppe where I feature some of my favorite green items – and as always, any purchases you make at the Green Penny Pincher Shoppe send a few bucks my way to help me maintain this blog.

This giveaway will run from June 29-July 15th, which should give you more than enough time to hop down the Rafflecopter and follow all of our Twitter accounts.  Open Worldwide; Winner will have 48 hours to confirm prize. If you see our event button – no need to enter again! We are all using the SAME Rafflecopter, so your entries are only needed on one of our blogs.

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

p.s. Mr. Penny Pincher was able to DIY the central air conditioning unit and fix it ALL BY HIMSELF for < $50!  I’m so proud… and so cool.

We’re pushing 100 degrees here in Delaware and OF COURSE our central air unit chose this week to putter out.  While my favorite husband is outside attempting to fix it, Baby Mr. Adventure and I are hiding out in the only 2 rooms in the house cooled by a window unit.  I have lots of projects (and posts) brewing, but it’s just too stinkin’ hot.

Instead, how about a quick survey – how far would or wouldn’t you go to be green? – and a chance to win an Amazon gift card?

CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY