8/10/11 Garden update

3 plants in the back row are tomato and 3 in the front are pepper.  I planted yellow, cherry and standard red tomatoes.  The pepper plants I planted are red, yellow and green.  I bought plants this year from Kmart and they are doing really well.  I have already harvested some cherry tomatoes.  I haven't had to use as much fungicide on my plants this year.  I think a major reason for this is that I am using my unfinished compost as mulch around the base of all my plants.  I will be doing a seperate post on composting later.

Yellow

Cherry

Cherry

Regular red

I

I only had one cucumber seed grow after trying to plant more multiple times so when the top of this plant reached the top of the trellis I "tucked" it back down and kept wrapping the vines so it woul grow down.  When it reaches the bottom I will let it naturally grow up the trellis.   

Cukes

 Plant on the left is summer squash and the one on the left is zuchini.  I had to plant the summer squash a couple times before I got any plants so I don't even have any "babies" yet.  I've already harvest one beautiful zuke.  The female flowers have been opening on their own this year.  So I haven't had to "artificially inseminate" any this year : )

 zuke

I've had one harvest of green beans this year.

Harvests

Would love to hear how all of your gardens are doing.  Sorry I have been MIA for a while.  Busy as a bee!!

Organic Horizon coupon

$1/1 Organic Horizon coupon from the Krazy Coupon Lady

A visual guide to buying REAL food at the grocery store

Click this link below-

How can you tell if they're real?

Don't drink bottled water

I just saw this documentary, Tapped, on bottled water and it just reinforced the decision we made 2 years ago to buy a filter pitcher and use refillable water bottles.

Well well well by Ben Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama

Free Gardening Catalog with coupon for $25 off $25 purchase!

Here is a link for a free gardening catalog that usually contains a $25 off a $25 purchase posted by JANE4girls

Newman's Own printable coupons!

Here are some Newman's Own printable coupons from The Krazy Coupon Lady

USDA regulations for organic labeling of food

What is the difference between a food labeled "USDA organic" and "made with organic ingrediants", etc. ?


Click here to see the regulations used to define what is "organic"

2011 New Year's Resolution-Living green, organic and all natural on a budget

We live on one income and have made many of our purchases based on that fact.  Before I had a family of my own and more money to burn I bought all natural and organic as much as possible.  In the past many of these items had to be purchased at small, out of the way and EXPENSIVE stores.  We have always bought used items if they are cheaper than new but have strayed from this quite a bit in the past couple of years because it was more convenient.

In my quest for saving money I became hooked on blogs detailing how to get things for free or close to free with coupons, sales and rebates.  But most of these items are loaded with unhealthy chemicals and are produced by companies that are only concerned with profits.  I am hoping that my blog will become a resource and gathering point for other people trying to save money but not compromise their health, ethical beliefs or the environment. 

Why are we making such a big lifestyle change? I don't feel healthy and I know better and I'm tired of making excuses.  We have recently watched many documentaries on what goes into our food, how it is processed and the unethical motivations and damaging consequences of the company's making these products.  I have always known what is in my food/health and beauty/cleaning products but because of money concerns chose to turn a blind eye to the unhealthy and environmentally damaging ingredients in the items I purchased.  I have always known that buying used, recycling, reusing was cheap and environmentally friendly but I became lazy and complacent.  I could say that all the stress and tight budget we've had over the years is an excuse for spending money on the wrong things but we are adults and make choices and are responsible for the consequences.  The fact that a product is cheap is not a good enough reason for me to buy it anymore.

Now, many all natural, organic and environmentally friendly products are available at major grocery stores.  Most of these stores even have their own line of all natural and organic products.  These stores frequently have these items on sale and because of this availability and cheaper cost the stores like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods have cheaper prices and sales in order to compete.

The hardest thing to do is figure out what you want and the easiest part is to find a way or make a way to reach your goals. 

This year is going to be a transition period.  We need to use up what we already have.  We are going to have to try some new things and it might take a while to find tasty/effective products to replace what we are used to.  These are some of the things we are going to do to eventually reach our goals.

-I will no longer purchase any items that aren't environmentally friendly, all natural or organic when possible. 
-Buy used when possible
-Continue to recycle and buy a paper shredder.  We only produce 1-2 bags of trash a week and most of it is paper.  I am paranoid about people going through our trash.  I will be composting the paper when possible.  In the winter all shredded paper will be stored in the attic that won't fit in my compost bins.
-Continue to use rags for cleaning and wiping up spills
-Continue to recycle the paper towels we use to dry our clean hands for cleaning and wiping up spills.  I only use paper towels when I have to have clean hands to eat or prepare food
-Buy from farmer's markets when they are open
-Try to find coupons for green, all natural and organic products/food
-Locate/compare prices/try all natural/organic and earth friendly products available in my local grocery stores
-Wait to buy grocery items until they are on sale/have a coupon
-Buy from bulk bins and bulk sizes
-Eat more whole foods
-Shop groceries on an as needed basis as opposed to a set schedule.
-Cook from scratch in large quantities enough to have leftovers
-Make a meal plan and only buy what is needed for those meals (including snacks when possible) every week
-Continue to compost
-Continue to grow my own organic veggies in the warmer months
-Make purchases based on needs and not wants as much as possible
-Try harder to combine errands into one trip
-Use our canvas shopping bags for all shopping trips

Click here for organic/all natural and environmentally friendly coupons : )  This link has MANY links to product websites and websites for green/all natural/organic stores.

I will be sharing coupon links and sharing tips as I come across them.

Are you now or have you wanted to live green/eat all natural, oranically while saving money.  Why haven't you and if you are, do you have any tips?

When you buy ANYTHING you cast your vote for the products you want to purchase in the future and help bring prices down through store/company competition and creating a demand.  The more of us that demand healthy, humane and environmentally friendly products the more available and cheaper they will become : D