Environment - Pria's Ponderings

Ways to save money on house cleaning

Environment, Finances, Fitness, Green Living, Saving Money, Weightloss 1 Response »

Apr 192012

With a challenging economy, there is an inclination to try to save money wherever possible. One area of your life you can easily save money is on house cleaning.

The most obvious way to save money if it applies to you is to stop paying someone else to do it for you. There are many way to efficiently clean your house and save money at the same time. As a bonus, you will be burning more calories and losing weight.

Here are some tips to get you started with saving money on your house cleaning:

Use mild dish soap or water for general cleaning around the house. Mild dish soap can clean most areas of your home such as your kitchen and carpet stains. Hot water also works well on carpet stains.
Buy in bulk and use store coupons. Being a member of a warehouse club like Costco or Sam’s Club can help save money on cleaning products. It is ok to buy cleaning products in bulk since they have a long shelf life.
Clean regularly to avoid having bigger messes that are harder to clean later. As soon as you see a spill or mess, clean it up.
Use reusable cloths whenever possible. When clothes become unusable, cut them up to use as rags around the house rather than using paper towels. Use dish cloths for wiping counters and spills instead of paper towels.
Simplify your supplies by buying products that can do double duty. Maybe a cleanser can clean the kitchen and bathrooms including the toilet bowls, tubs and sinks.
Reuse grocery plastic bags as liners for your trash cans. You are also helping the environment by reusing any plastic bags.
Wash your laundry in cold water and line dry whenever possible. This will save money on utilities.
Run the dishwasher only when it is full. This will save on your utility bills and make the process of taking dishes in and out of the dishwasher more efficient since you will do it less often.
Make your own cleaning supplies using items you have around the house like baking soda and vinegar. Baking soda can also be used to reduce odors anywhere by placing some in a small glass jar half full.
Reduce clutter. When you have less stuff, you have less stuff to clean and maintain, saving you time and money. Buying less stuff also saves your money. Selling some of your current stuff also brings in more money!
Have your kids help. Your kids learn responsibility and you save money on hiring cleaners!

No more non-stick cookware

Children, Cooking, Environment, Green Living, Health Comments Off

Feb 142012

Over the weekend, while multi-tasking as any mom must do, I started to cook by turning on the stove and placing a pot on the stove. I was then going to put ingredients in, but the phone rang so I went to answer it. In the meantime, my empty pot started heating up and I was distracted by my call.

Within a few minutes, I could smell fumes from the pot. I put on ventilators, put could still smell it. My daughter soon got up from her nap and complained of being tired and sick. Later, she vomited. It is possible she picked up a bug from preschool, but it is also possible she developed symptoms from the fumes of the non-stick cookware.

I had purchased a better cookware set within the year and was aware of not heating up an empty pot due to potential fumes. At this point, I did not want to risk accidentally having this occur ever again. After doing some research, I decided to go with cast-iron and purchased some reasonably-priced cookware from Target. I will also use stainless steel and glass for baking. I have some steel cookware and will eventually replace my bakeware.

Do the research for yourself and make the best choice for yourself. There is much on-line regarding the topic. I did not want to risk even the constant emmission from regular everyday cooking with teflon and potential carcinogenic effects. The addition of extra iron from cooking on cast-iron was attractive and am beginning to love using the pans for their even controlled heating as well.

Have a greener holiday season

Environment, Green Living, Recycling, Spirituality Comments Off

Dec 092011

A trend is for the holidays to be greener. That can include starting to use fabric instead of paper. I offer a variety of fabric gift bags to choose from through my boutique (contact me for specific styles), including some made from imported fabric. These are beautiful and gifts on their own that can be reused forever.

More shopping is done on-line, saving fuel, and there is consideration of electronic holiday greetings/cards rather than hard-copy using snail mail. Some are opting to make cards using recycled materials.

Some green (and inexpensive) gift ideas include offering services such as massage or your own special talent. This could be a painting you’ve created, special edible treats, babysitting or house cleaning. How about a baking mix with instructions or a spice mixture you have created? I have created my own chai mix with loose tea and spices. Another creative and treasured idea is to videotape elderly parents or grandparents about their childhood memories along with their photos and heirlooms while they discuss them.

You could designate a dollar limit on gifts, prompting everyone to get creative and maybe end up with the added result of humor. The lower the limit, such as a dollar or two from a thrift shop, could end up with even more humor. And of course, less ends up in the land fill.

Resources for a greener holiday:

www.simpleliving.org

www.altgifts.org

www.consciousconsumer.org

www.giveforchange.com

www.coopamerica.org

www.tenthousandvillages.org

www.newdream.org/holiday

www.treehugger.com

www.ucsusa.org/publications/greentips/1203-tips-for-a-merry.html

http://frugalplanet.wordpress.com/2010/09/21/frugality-not-just-for-the-poor/

Gardening is on the Horizon

Composting, Environment, Finding balance, Gardening Comments Off

Mar 212011

Crocus peeking out in March

Last Fall, I tried to take some gardening indoors – I put up my Topsy Turvy plant with pepper and tomato plants in my dining area, brought in some of my mint and planted some herbs.

The Topsy Turvy looks like it is barely making it to this year. I didn’t see an abundance of vegetable like I hoped – actually, none at all…It seems like it may have needed some fresh air and perhaps more fertilizer?

It’s exciting to have Winter almost behind us. I looked forward to March so I could think that April was the following month, when there is certainly much greenery. However, in Colorado, it means we can also get most of our snow now. We have no such thing as Spring showers; we have Spring snow storms. This helps prevent drought in our desert area.

I have some gardening plans this year, as always. I’ve already started expanding my bedding areas to accommodate more plants. I want to take more seriously the amendment and preparation of my soil, which can get attention now. I have been composting, but may need to look at getting an activator to speed things along. I’ve read I may need some gypsum for my clay-based soil.

The bulbs have thankfully started peaking out – purple and white crocuses that keep enduring sprinklings of snow and carry on…

I am determined to have a better harvest this year!

Elephant Nature Park Memories – Part 3

Environment, Giving Comments Off

Oct 102010

“I loved ENP and Lek’s work so much that after my volunteer week was over and I was to still spend a couple of days in Chiang Mai, I did not want the great feeling I had to end. I canceled plans for sightseeing and asked Lek if I could volunteer in the Elephant Nature Foundation (www.elephantnaturefoundation.org) office before I left for the US instead. After leaving the park, the wheels in my head were already turning about when I would return.

"We dug a mudhole for the elephants that morning and they are already getting good use of it, especially the babies"

My second trip to ENP was in April 2010, and (if it’s possible), it just may have been even better than the first! It was also during the Songkran holiday, the Park’s anniversary, AND (most importantly), little Faa Mai’s 1^st birthday. Faa Mai is the first elephant born to the park, so luckily this little angel has never had to endure a life or torture or misery like the older elephants have had to. So, it has been nothing but playing, mischief and lots of love for this gorgeous little girl. I felt so lucky to be able to experience this all again, and during such milestones for the park.

If you want to make a difference for the domesticated Asian elephant…YOU CAN. By supporting Elephant Nature Park and Elephant Nature Foundation by either visiting, volunteering, or spreading the word, you helping to give these intelligent, social, and sensitive beings a life away from cruelty and neglect.

During my April 2010 trip to Thailand, I also participated in the Elephant Nature Foundation’s Surin Project (http://www.elephantnaturefoundation.org/go/surin), which will hopefully create a life for domesticated elephants similar to that practiced at ENP. I will give details on that in a future blog.

"The babies love to dunk each other during bath time"

A Friend’s Memorable Volunteer Trip – Part 1 of 3

Causes, Environment, Finding Meaning, Finding Purpose Comments Off

Oct 042010

"A lovely early morning walk with the elephants and their mahouts"

A friend that I met through the local vegetarian meet-up, Nasiya Amoroso, has impressed me with her volunteer efforts, along with those of her husband’s. This past Spring, she told me about a trip she was going to embark on to an elephant sanctuary that sounded particularly enticing. Then I thought about my family responsibilities and decided I will go when my toddler is older. I asked her to allow me and others to experience it vicariously at least, by sharing her experience on my blog. Following is her description of her trip, in her own words, in three parts. Stay tuned the next few days for the remaining parts.

Part 1

“I try to take a volunteer vacation every year and I usually try to experience a different volunteer location every time. So, I couldn’t understand why my husband chose to return to Zambia every year to build houses. I understand about commitment and wanting to establish roots in one location so you can see progress (which is what lead him to create www.zambiabuild.org), but I always felt the urge to try something new every year.

That is, until I discovered Elephant Nature Park outside Chiang Mai, Thailand: www.elephantnaturepark.org

I’m an animal advocate, but surprisingly have never been on a volunteer trip that directly affects animals. But my experience at the Elephant Nature Park (ENP) was absolutely surreal and each time it leaves me with the wheels turning, making plans for the “next time”.

Elephant trekking, circus shows, elephant street begging, elephant painting, and other forms of elephant tourism may seem harmless and make the elephants look “happy” doing what they do. But, there’s nothing “happy” about their situation. Most of these elephants go through the Thai pajaan technique (look it up online) or other forms of torture in order to make them submissive. If you see an elephant holding a paintbrush about to create a beautiful work of art, or riding a bicycle…THINK about what they might have gone through before performing that task.

The goal of ENP is to provide a safe haven for abused and/or neglected elephants so they can live a life as close to their natural habitat as possible. Lek, the founder, has rescued over 30 elephants with extremely heartbreaking stories. It’s hard to come here and not shed any tears. The history of the rescued elephants are heartbreaking. But the good thing is the tears you shed may also be tears of relief, as these majestic creatures are finally living a life they deserve to live.

ENP not only takes volunteers for days, weeks or months, but it’s also a revolutionary way to support ethical eco-tourism, as day visitors are also welcome. You get to support the park and the rescue of these poor elephants through your volunteer dollars or park entrance fee. But, you are not supporting the exploitation or abuse of these elephants since they are not in chains, nor confined and no bull-hooks are used. The elephants live their lives naturally, and you still get interaction with the elephants (you even have the opportunity to bathe them!). Each elephant has a full-time mahout, so I never felt unsafe around any of the elephants.”

The Story of Mae Do

"Mae Do, one of the saddest stories before her rescue from ENP"

Honoring our 40th Earth Day

Causes, Composting, Environment, Finding Meaning, Finding Purpose, Gardening, Recycling Comments Off

Apr 222010

Today is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and it’s a great day to reflect on ways we can be more environmentally-conscious. Being conscious of my actions on the environment is a daily part of my life. Ways that I maintain this consciousness on a regular basis include recycling and being a vegetarian.

I have been a vegetarian my entire life. My diet and lifestyle began as a result of being from a vegetarian Indian family. I’m glad I was raised that way as it seems much easier to just remain in the lifestyle rather than switching. I chose to give my kids that gift by raising them vegetarian.

As a teenager, I researched vegetarianism and decided the lifestyle made sense to me at numerous levels, including environmental. I was interviewed by the Vegetarian Times regarding my thoughts and beliefs. I chose vegetarianism as my topic for Original Oratory in debate class competitions in high school. I memorized the speech overnight and competed the next day with veterans. I ended up being a quarter-finalist in the state of NC. Judges told me that the speech opened their eyes and they would consider the diet. I think the part of my speech that stood out the most for them was regarding the composition of hot dogs.

As an adult, I’m devoted to recycling. My husband might call me somewhat of a hoarder at times because I don’t like to waste anything. I was the first in my neighborhood to request an extra green bin from my town to hold my recycling and had my second regular black bin picked up (never need it). In my family, we are trained to evaluate every piece of trash and determine if it goes into our recycling bin or regular trash bin. This includes my preteen son.

I rarely use paper towels, preferring dish cloths for wiping up spills. We regularly use cloth napkins at meals. We use energy-efficient bulbs throughout the house along with any appliance purchases. Left-over food is stored for future meals or given to our dogs. Dogs can help a lot with recycling and preventing waste. We make sure our dishwasher and washing machine is completely full before running it. I remind my husband at least a few times a week to stop idling when I’m in the car with him.

We also compost. We have a compost bin in our yard and are trying to perfect the art and science of composting. Next to our trash and recycling containers in my kitchen pantry, we also have a compost container. In there we put our vegetable scraps and anything else that can be composted, like dryer lint. My husband and I debate somewhat the ingredients that will result in perfect compost. It is a shared interest and goes perfectly with my gardening interest. I like that not only am I not wasting and creating more junk for landfills, but helping my yard and garden out at the same time.

At my boutique, I offer environmentally-conscious fabric gift bags. They are reusable, affordable, and save trees by replacing paper.

Fabric gift bags at Komal Style Boutique

What are ways that you honor the Earth in your life?