You know how I talk about adding magic to our meal planning by thinking consciously as they relate to menu related activities and actions? One of those ways for me is to use reusable bags on my trips to the grocery store. The employees where I shop have a long way to go before they really get used it but I know they will eventually (I think they look at me as the crazy organic lady!) You see, here in Texas, going green is a bit behind other parts of the country but we’re making progress!
A couple of years ago when bringing reusable bags on our shopping trips was “new” I was on the lookout for reusable bags for my produce. I hated using all those plastic bags on EVERY trip! And I just couldn’t throw them away so they were stuffed in the bag holder in my pantry and left to multiply on their own. I wanted something that I could reuse but also needed something lightweight so that I wouldn’t be paying extra when the bags were put on the scale at checkout. And I wanted something that was not ridiculously priced (like I had seen advertised in magazines or on t.v. during “green” focused shows).
Enter these mesh bags. See how lightweight they are? Thanks Mom, for giving me the tip on these bags! I found mine at my local Dollar Tree! Yep, four bags for a dollar. And I’ve been using them with great success on my weekly grocery trips. The cashiers still sometimes give me a roll of the eye but I don’t care. I know I am helping the environment and keeping all those plastic bags out of my pantry too!
So, that’s my little tip for you. And here’s the bonus! I’ve got a fun little giveaway in honor of Earth Week this week! I’m giving away these items below: a package of mesh bags, a reusable tote bag and one of my new EcoChic reusable sandwich size bags (check out all the designs at my new online Etsy shop!)
This giveaway will go until MIDNIGHT, April 23, 2010. This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only (sorry to my International readers!) I will used Random.org to choose the winner.
So how do you enter? It’s easy! Just put your name (first name is ok) and the city and state or province (or country) where you live in the comments section below this post!
Then, increase your chances by doing one (or more!) of the following also:
1. Share a comment about a way that you “go green” in the kitchen or with your meal planning efforts.
2. Become a Fan on Facebook or Follower or sign up to receive my email updates. Then comment that you did that.
3. Post about the giveway or my site on Facebook. And then come back here and post ANOTHER comment saying you did that.
4. Tweet about my post on Twitter (and comment that you did that too!)
5. Blog about my post on your own blog (you know the drill, comment that you did that!)
Happy Earth Week and good luck!
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED–THANKS FOR ENTERING!
Good morning,
I love the Tidy Totes too! I found them quite some time ago as well at my local Dollar Tree and first bought them for the "intended" use to help keep the car neat and orderly.
I recently attended a Girl Scout Training for camping with our group of 3rd grade girls and we learned a lot about teaching our girls to go green. No longer are the days of going camping and bringing a box of paper goods to use and then throw away. We were taught about how to wash, rinse and disinfect our plastic reusable plates, cups and flatware. With that process, you place the items into a "Dunk Bag" and then hang the bag to allow the items to dry naturally. After some searching, I found most camping dunk bags to be costly and while purposeful, not a fine example of how to teach young girls how to shop responsibly. I recalled my favorite Tidy Bags and was able to purchase enough for our entire troop including the troop leaders and volunteer moms for less than the cost of one of the camping dunk bags. We used them, the girls loved them and we were green in our efforts to clean our dishes while keeping our surroundings better than we found them.
Thank you for your wonderful blog!
Have a great day!
Lisa R.
Debbie- Sandy, UT
Thanks for the chance to win!
Something I've been doing to be more green in the kitchen is to stop using paper towels, and just use dishrags to clean up messes. I used to go through about a roll every few weeks, and I can't believe how simple it was to switch to dishrags. It has saved us money, and I feel like I'm doing something positive for the environment.
Debbie- Sandy, UT
rebbiedeed(at)hotmail(dot)com
We use home made cleaning products. I started it a few years ago when I noticed a bleach stain on my son's clothes. Holding a baby while cleaning the kitchen was a bit of a hazard. So, now we use all homemade stuff that isn't harsh at all. If he helps, I don't need to worry at all.
I want to enter your giveaway! I felt so "green" by following your advice today and taking my daughter to the lice squad doctors (does that count as green??). Not only did they immediately get rid of the lice she got at school yesterday, everything they used was pesticide free and I didn't have to apply pesticide shampoo on her little head over and over again. Thanks Brenda!!
Amie (camnamie@comcast.net)
I just found your blog recently, Brenda, and I am so excited to read up on your ideas. I was so happy to see the local Farmer's Market's listed. I am curious as to which is your favorite but, you may have addressed that so, I will read back in the blog. Thanks! :>Rebekah/Sugar Land
Love the mesh bag idea, Brenda! Thanks! It drives me crazy to use all my reusable grocery bags, only to bring 1/2 my groceries (produce) home in plastic anyway! Carey, Magnolia, TX
Michelle from Grand Rapids, MI
My favorite way to go green in the kitchen is cutting back on the use of my garbage disposal. And with it I clean it by grinding a 1/2 lemon in there rather than pouring bleach or any other chemicals.
Julie…Grandview TX
veronica-Augusta Georgia
actually been looking for reusable sandwich bags
Cindy- Green Bay, WI
I add the kitchen scraps to our compost pile – does that count as green?
I was a girl scout 35+ years ago – we had "dunk bags" back then when we went camping!