Keep Yer Cool Challenge

I signed up for the Keep Yer Cool challenge because it is a lifestyle change we made awhile ago. We have a programmable thermostat that is OFF during the daytime and occasionally ON in the evening, if the temperature warrants it. The funny thing about my house is that it heats up later in the day - we usually hover around 80 degrees from about 6pm onward. But right now, during the "hottest part of the day," my thermostat is holding steady at 77 degrees.

Three years ago there is NO WAY I would have challenged myself to shut off the a/c during the summer months. Our old house was like an oven in the summer. Even with the blinds closed, the heat was so stifling we kept the a/c set at 72 from May until September.

But this house is better. For starters, it's a smaller footprint - one story with a basement instead of two like the old house - and it has big windows that are perfectly positioned to maximize cross breezes. Plus, mature trees in our front and side yards provide plenty of shade for us even though our house faces west. Old house? New development with saplings that were only good for dressing up the otherwise dull landscape. That house faced east but was much, much hotter even with ceiling fans in the major living areas.

And, the basement in this house is great. Now, I get why so many people love them. This is the first house we have owned with a basement and it is now on my must-have list for any other future houses. Our basement stays at least 15 degrees cooler than the rest of the house, which makes it the perfect place for escaping those oven-like late afternoon temperatures. It's so nice down there that Madhubby and I are contemplating moving our room downstairs.

Now, it's as if the weather gods knew I'd signed up for this challenge. Yesterday was sunny, but today has been overcast and breezy. Lovely weather, if you ask me! So, what about you? Think you can live without your a/c for a few months? Are you up for a challenge? If so, you know where to click.

Find Your Carbon Footprint

Our family is already eco-conscious, but I couldn't resist picking up Go Green, Live Rich by David Bach from my local library (it was on the New Release shelf and I'm a sucker for New Releases). I read it in one day, not because the book was interesting, but because it was a slim read (only 159 pages).

Bach's advice is solid, but not earth-shattering. A lot of the advice Bach doles out in GGLR is common sense stuff like reducing your Litter Factor by recycling, taking public transit instead of driving, or turning off the tap while brushing your teeth. We all know this stuff.

But, there are some cool websites to which Bach directs readers like Earth Lab's Carbon Calculator, where you can estimate your own carbon footprint (I scored a 11.9, much lower the national average of 15.2 but still not all that great). At the EL site, you can make an Earth Conservation Plan (ECP) and pledge to change habits related to home, energy, commute, travel, work, and lifestyle.

Of course, the only person to whom you are accountable is yourself but making a pledge is still fun and proactive. If you need more motivation or just want some friendly competition to keep you on track, then head over to Crunchy's place and sign up for a challenge.

Greener Gardening

• Avoid planting too much lawn. Lawns need lots of water and provide no habitat for local wildlife. Create a meadow of indigenous wildflowers, plant an attractive ground cover, or plant an organic herb and vegetable garden instead.



• Don't use a hose to clear dirt and leaves out of the garage or off sidewalks, driveways and patios. Use a broom to conserve water.



• Check the weather forecast before automatically watering your lawn. There could be rain in the forecast.



• Wash your car on the lawn, not in the driveway or street. The rinse water will water the lawn and be diverted from storm drains. Make sure you use an earth-friendly, biodegradable soap and use it sparingly. Or, take your car to a car wash that collects and recycles its rinse water.



• Choose human-powered lawn and garden equipment if you can get the job done without gas-fueled equipment. For larger jobs, electric equipment may also be substituted.

- Crissy Trask, It's Easy Being Green

Earth Day Meme

We live in one of the most Eco-friendly cities in the United States, which affords us many opportunities to reduce, reuse and recycle. But, we are not always as Eco-conscious as we should be. I know Earth Day was yesterday, but I still I challenged myself to list ten ways in which we do our part to leave no trace:

• We bike or walk whenever possible

• We own a small car that fits our family
  

• Madhubby commutes to work using public transportation

• We reduced our energy consumption by making our own drying rack

• We use less water by adhering to the let it mellow philosophy

• We keep our programmable thermostat set at 68 degrees

• We recycle as a family

• We donate plastic bags and used printer cartridges to the girls' school for recycling

• We use fabric grocery bags

• We conserve and reuse our water

Every blogger is welcome to participate because we all should be a little bit more aware of how our actions affect the ecosystem. But, I am specifically tagging some fellow Earth Mamas to share what works for them.

It Is Easy Being Green

One of my very favorite things to do with my children is recycle. All week long we collect milk and juice jugs, jelly jars, and newspaper. Then, on the weekend - usually Sunday - we take it all to the local recycle center where the kids parse the recyclabes into their respective containers.

It's fun for them and it's fun for me to see them automatically recycling. It's also a very nice feeling knowing that I am raising eco-conscious kids who will hopefully leave the world a little better than they found it.