What you do counts, mommies! EARTH DAY.

While blog hopping , my eyes stumbled upon a post that caught my eyes. And I think this is a great way to spread the awareness about Green Living   ( see my previous post about my pledge).

What I do , does count! And you can do it too!!

How I "REDUCE"
I reduce the using of shopping plastic bag by using Re-usable Shopping bags. I got mine years ago, and I bring at least 2 of it in my bag. I also got big one from Carrefour, IKEA, and Metro to store big bulky things. To remind my self better, I put all of these near my door , so I can just grab it when I'm heading out.

And I also reduce my carbon footprints by walking to do my groceries. And I invested on this "pretty in pink" shopping trolley. It is very helpful to carry heavy items like rice, cooking oil, milk, juices. And I am really glad that I do this. It's not just helping to care of the environment but It's also the easiest exercise I can do . I don't have much free time between homeschooling, take care of the house, do groceries, and taking care of kids n husband. I only have part time help 3 times per week. So it is hard for me to find time to go to gym . So this walk really help me to burn some calories .

As mentioned in my earlier post, to make another step further to make a greener living, I choose to use soapnuts. I still have some leftover detergent, but I am using soapnuts to wash my laundry , wash dishes, bath my kids and shampoo for them. As multi use cleanser. I m still doing it partially as I still got the other left over cleansing agents, but I can't wait to use nothing but my soapnuts! Right now I' am washing my laundry just using soapnuts :)

As we do not have private car, I certainly love to take bus and subway here in Shanghai. And rarely take taxi. And I think more people should do car pool . And even my husband ditch the taxi for now  ( unless the weather is not friendly) and he is investing on the re-chargeable electric bike instead. ( Photo will be upload later  , sorry :) ).

REUSE and RECYCLE :

We keep our magazines and newspaper aside to be recycle. And re-use the boxes for other purpose ( at this time for art n crafts for my girls' need) I also keep the glass jars for storage.

Beside that,  I also use cloth pads, cloth napkins, and washable training pants for my girls. I also do my laundry every 2 days if possible , to make the washing machine only run when it is fully load. And I will not use dryer when the weather is better . ( though in winter time it is hard for not using dryer )

What I will do next is :

To remember to bring my own tupperware wherever I go, In case I need to bring back any left over food in the restaurant. Here in Shanghai, the portion is huge, so I often take away the left over food.

And I will support the Roots and Shoots China program by buying trees in their Billion Tree Project.To help to replanting trees in Inner Mongolia.
And I will let my girls involvement in collection the money to buy the trees. (I am thinking to let Indy makes a small arts craft that she could sell for small money to our friends in order to raise the fund of buying more trees. I 'd like the idea of direct involvement for children and this will be a great opportunity for her to practice her public speaking and socializing and also to improve her skill to explain something). Will keep you all update on this one!

I think that is all I can think of right now.
So What you do to help the mother nature? No matter how small it is .... IT DOES COUNT!


XOXO
S.R

Earth Day!!

Another  Earth Day comes by ! We need to create more awareness to our direct community and friends to leave lesser carbon foot print . As small as it seems, it does count! Let's make a list of the think that could be done in our daily life :
1. Breastfeed your babies ! Yup! It will help to reduce the consumerism of formula ( and it tin, and plastic cover), No need plastic bottles etc.
2.Cloth Diapering - need me to repeat more?
3.Use re usable shopping bag and bring it with you EVERY WHERE!!!! Don't just buy and be fashionable with your trendy and update IN bag, but you will need to bring it to the market too!
4. Mama pads, use cloth napkins, wipes.
5.Using environment friendly detergent ( soapnuts is just a simple example) and wash your laundry when it is fully load!
6. Buy something locally produces.
7.Walk more, or take bike, or take public transport.  You don't need to ride on car to go to a neighborhood shops. Walk that lazy bum, and climb the stairs instead! ( I am starting to climb up stairs to my 11th floor apartment when I don't bring heavy stuffs, It helps to toned up my lower body, save $$ and time, instead of going to the gym)
8.Use BPA free water bottle, take your own container if buying food outside.
9.Change your light bulbs to the energy saving one
10. Keep your old newspaper and magazine and recycle it ( sell it or donate it)
11.If you kids like to make arts n crafts or any school project , try to use  the old coffee box , cereal box, tissue rolls, etc , Don't buy new cardboards!

Indy 's science project about finger printing , we use old cereal box for cardboard instead from buying new cardboard.

 Indy's homeschool Earth Day project  : She made a photo frame with used Popsicle sticks and decorate it with cut off foams.

Science's project : making arm bones model , using Nescafe box

How about to pick of 5 actions you can commit and stick to it? I did! Click here

To help protect the environment, I pledge to:

1. Use only the water you need, and reuse when possible.
2. Plant a tree. Or plant many trees!
3. Use pesticides safely! Reduce or eliminate where possible.
4. Reuse. Upcycle! Take something that is disposable and transform it into something of greater use and value.
5. Raise Awareness! Talk to others about the state of the environment, locally or globally.

Pledged Thursday, April 22, 2010.