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Organizing the Gift Wrap for Project Simplify Part 1

Call it Project Simplify. Call it nesting. What I really call it is getting rid of the junk. This week’s Project Simplify focus is on “piles.” Pretty vague, but I know we all have them. Some of those piles had been there for just too long, so this week I tackled, sorted, purged and organized them. The hot spots getting organized were my gift wrap stash, the nursery desk, and the closet under the stairs.

Organizing the Gift Wrap

This turned into a fun project for me. While not all of our gift wrap is green, I do try to reuse a lot of the gift wrap that comes through our house. The biggest collection of gift wrap are the gift bags, both large and small. I found the perfect 3-Drawer organizer that could organize the gift wrap and tissue paper.

Organize Your Gift WrapI cleared out our gift wrap stash a few months ago, but after the holidays and the kids birthdays I needed to sort through it all again. I was left with good quality tissue paper, small and large gift bags, ribbons and bows. Going forward, I like the eco-friendly gift wrap line from Jillson Roberts.

Organized Gift wrap RandomRecycling.com

The Closet Under the Stairs

Feels very Harry Potter doesn’t it? This little room under the stairs is in our basement. We had it build in when we redid the basement a few years ago. It became a bit of a catch all: gift wrap, baby stuff when not in use, extra bedding for guests, and my wedding dress. (Still don’t know where to keep that huge box!) Everything got cleaned out and I have a new plan for the space. Look for the big reveal next week!

Under the Stairs Closet Project

For Part 2 of Project Simplify this week, check out the post where I create a Quiet Kids Activity Desk.

For more organizing ideas, head over to the collection of posts on Simple Mom’s week three round up of “pile” projects.  You can see all of my other Project Simplify posts here. Up next week~ the put off project! You know you have one…

Disclosure: Some affiliate links are included in this post. I’m sharing this over at TidyMom and at OrgJunkie too!

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25 Earth Day Outdoor Activities for Kids

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Happy Earth Day 2013! While I believe Earth Day should be everyday, I do like being able to highlight easy ways to bring a little more green into your life. Getting kids outside to appreciate nature will make them good stewards of the Earth as they grow up. If they don’t get out and experience nature, they won’t be that motivated to help protect it.

25 Earth Day activities outdoors

Here’s my list of 25 Free Outdoor Activities for Kids, all battery-free!

  1. Bring an easel outside to paint or color on
  2. Bubbles
  3. Chalk drawings
  4. Backyard baseball
  5. Soccer practice
  6. Enjoy a picnic lunch
  7. Swing set time
  8. Create an obstacle course
  9. Bug hunting
  10. Bird watching
  11. Identify plants and flowers
  12. Plant seeds
  13. Nature walk
  14. Wagon ride
  15. Neighborhood bike ride
  16. Sandbox castles
  17. Squirt bottle water drawings
  18. Bring musical instruments outside for a jam session
  19. Collect rocks to paint
  20. Hopscotch
  21. Take the dolls for a walk in their stroller or grocery cart
  22. Visit a duck pond
  23. Paint fences or walls with water
  24. Go puddle jumping when the opportunity arises
  25. Lay on a towel and look at the starts together

Earth Day Quote RandomRecycling.com

Which is your favorite activity to do with your kids? Anything else to add to the list?

Ultimate Homemaking ebook bundle Sale

I’m sharing this post with the Tuesday Baby Link Up and Your Green Resource

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Ettitude Bamboo Sheet Set Giveaway

My thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by the events at the Boston Marathon yesterday. I’m so thankful today all of our family and friends are safe, but my heart goes out to those who have a difficult road ahead. Please keep those families in your prayers today.

We are in bedding shopping mode as we rearrange the kid’s sleeping set up to make way for baby in June. I have been reading through information about crib mattresses and crib bedding again to see who makes non-toxic options. Sheets touch your body so much I just feel better knowing they don’t contain pesticides and other toxic materials.

Ettitude Bamboo Bassinet Sheets

These bamboo bassinet sheets are on my wish list for new baby.

Creating a safe sleeping environment for the family can be a challenge today with toxins in nearly all mattresses and bedding. One material that is a great choice for your bedroom is bamboo, it is grown without pesticides and is a rapidly renewable resource. It’s the perfect solution for adults and kids with sensitive skin as it is naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic. Bamboo is basically “naturally organic” as it doesn’t need any pesticides for growing it quickly.
In addition to bamboo sheet sets, Ettitude has a vast selection of bamboo comforters, duvet covers, crib sheets, pillows, mattress protectors, and towels to name a few. Ettitude was founded on the simple idea that all home and family essentials should not only be practical but also be unquestionably safe, Eco friendly, beautiful, and convenient.

 

Our Favorite Features of the Ettitude Organic Pure Bamboo Sheet Sets: 
  • Available in six beautiful colors (white, sand, coffee, gray, aubergine, blue nights)
  • Equivalent to around 1000 thread count in cotton, luxuriously soft and silky!
  • Naturally antibacterial, great for sensitive skin and allergies
  • Wicks sweat away from body, cool in the summer, warm in the winter
  • Made from bamboo, a pesticide free, sustainable, and rapidly renewable resource
  • 100% biodegradable
  • Oeko-Tex Standard 100
  • Easy care – cool wash, line dry
  • Even the packaging is eco-friendly: recycled, recyclable, and non-toxic.
Purchase: You can purchase Ettitude Organic Bamboo sheet sets directly on their website. 

Win It! Ettitude is generously blessing one winner with an Organic Pure Bamboo sheet set in your choice of size (twin, full, queen, king, or California king)!

 

Special thanks to AnaB Social for hosting this giveaway. Huge thanks to Ettitude and all the fabulous participating bloggers as well! Giveaway ends May 14th at 11:59 pm, open to residents WORLDWIDE, ages 18+. See detailed terms and conditions on entry form. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below (see directions on how to enter here). Thank you!
Disclaimer: Random Recycling and all participating event bloggers are not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. I did not receive anything for this giveaway but wanted to share the product with my readers. I think it would be a great prize for someone looking to make the switch to less toxic bedding.

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Create a Craft Cabinet for Project Simplify

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It’s the first week of Project Simplify and the focus is on shelves and drawers. I decided to put my efforts into creating a craft cabinet that is easily accessible,pretty and organized. Since we have limited storage space on our main level of living, I found the kid’s toys and crafts creeping into every corner. I like having a variety of crafts to play with, but I don’t want them too accessible for the kids. J.J. tends to draw on everything, including the walls and his sister. The elevated cabinet in our half bathroom became a good spot to keep things handy, but out of the reach of little hands.

I had already organized the left side of the cabinet a few months ago and used the Martha Stewart labels so I stuck with the same color story for the right side. The robin’s egg blue color is pretty and the material is pretty durable if I need to wipe off some markers or play dough from a box.

Craft Clean out RandomRecycling.com

The first step is to clean out and take an assessment of what you own. Organize it into like items, purge what you don’t need, move seasonal crafts (i.e. Christmas stickers) to the basement, and then decide the storage system that will work for you. I like the document boxes because I can reuse them long after the kids outgrow this craft organization system.

Budding Blogger RandomRecycling.com

I enlisted some help organizing the crafts. However my helper was quickly distracted by all the fun craft projects she found on the table.

Craft Cabinet Storage RandomRecycling.com

My organizing supplies came from Staples. I got free delivery and it basically came overnight since they are local. Nothing makes like easier than home delivery! I got three document boxes, a desk organizer with drawer and metal book-plate. Everything fit well, except the drawer didn’t quite have enough clearance to make it easy to pull out. I decided to separate the drawer from the box which created a two tier organizer for papers and coloring books, which actually worked out better. The drawer is open storage at the top for larger items like play dough and accessories.

Craft Cabinet Organized RandomRecycling

Part of what works in any organization system is making it easy to use and also making it pretty. I think it’s easier to maintain if both of these factors are met. So far I just love opening the cabinet and not seeing a jumble of crafts and “other” stuff. It’s amazing how many random things were tucked away on the shelves. I finally tossed some scented candles that I just don’t want  in my house any more. I felt guilty throwing out something that worked, but I just don’t want the toxic fumes in my house. I already feel better that the clutter is gone.

Up next week is closets…which one is on your list?  If you are tackling any spring cleaning projects, please share in the comments. I’ll be sharing my post over at SimpleMom each week of Project Simplify.

Craft Cabinet After RandomRecycling.com

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Are You Making the Most of Your Library?

For some families, the library is a part of their weekly routine. For others, they are not sure where to begin. In our family, we are very lucky to have an active local library that is part of an even larger network.  April is “Earth Month” and supporting your local library is a great way to be green. Today I wanted to share some ways to utilize your library, beyond borrowing books.

Make the most of your library at RandomRecycling.com

I realize that not all libraries will have the same resources, but in many cases libraries are connected to other towns in order to broaden the assortment. Our library is part of the Minuteman Library network, which means if my local library doesn’t have something I want, I can request it from somewhere else. No shipping charges either which makes it a better deal than ordering a book from Amazon. The fun part of being part of a network is being able to get new releases faster when another local library invests in them first.

Here is my list of items that we often check out from the library, plus some helpful tips.

Books

The obvious choice at a library are books. It really is an endless supply of learning ahead of you when you think about all the different types of books available. But how to sort through it all? I keep a note in my iPhone of any book suggestion made by a friend, or a book I read about in a magazine. Then I go online and request the book from my library. I don’t have to spend time searching for a book, plus it can be sent over from another library if it’s available. When the book is ready, I get an email and then pick it up at the front desk.

Children’s Books

Over the past four years, we have some bedtime favorites that are always hard to return to the library. I started a little list and sometimes I will request them from the library as well. When I’m crunched for time, all my favorite story books are all pulled together in a pile at the check out desk. I can spend time at the library doing other things with the kids instead of hunting down books.

Borrow Library Cookbooks RandomRecycling.com

Cookbooks

My friend Christy gave me this tip a few years ago. I had never checked out a cookbook from the library but it’s so perfect. I request new releases and see if it’s something I want to add to my own cookbook library, or give as a gift. I currently have The Picky Palate on loan from the library this month. Christy’s rule is, “If you try to renew it three times, then it probably is worth buying a copy for yourself.”

Music

Want to hear the newest Coldplay CD? Not ready to download it from iTunes? Request it from the library. This is also great to do for kid-friendly music CD’s that you really don’t want to invest in. Pick up a few for your next road trip.

Audiobooks

Books on CD’s were my saving grace when I was driving 45 minutes to work everyday. I listened to The Hunger Games on CD and it was just amazing. I remember sitting in a parking lot, not wanting to go inside so I could listen a little longer to the story. Again, it’s a good idea to request what you need as they are often in high demand.

DVD’s

We usually just get the children’s DVD’s as a treat for the kids. My advice is to always get more than one since they are often “well-loved,” or scratched.

Puppets

We are at the saturation point with toys so I was excited when I learned about checking out puppets for the kids. Some comes with CD’s to listen to, others are purely for imagination.

Energy Meter

I borrowed this from our library and was able to see how much energy my electronic draw in a 24 hour period. It was an interesting experiment and I would never have bought a meter to check it out on my own.

Online downloads

Most libraries now offer electronic downloads to your Kindle or Nook to read.

Children’s Activities

We are so lucky to have a library that offers not just story hour, but drop-in craft sessions, Lego building, musical performances and puppet shows. If you are a SAHM, the library is your friend. These activities are nearly always free and it’s a great way to reach out and meet other moms in your area and stay social. I personally love the craft sessions so the kids can get a little messy and it’s not all over my own floors.

Museum passes

Call ahead and see if you can reserve passes to your local museums, aquariums, zoos and more.

Lecture series

Some are historical, some are about new technology. There could be a lecture for you.

 

 Your turn~ what’s the most unusual thing you have found at your local library? 

I’m sharing this at Green Sisterhood and Your Green Resource.

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Yes, Summer is Coming. Someday. {Albion $100 Giveaway}

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Who is ready for some spring fashion? I look outside and there are still little pockets of snow on the ground. The forecast is calling for yet more snow and I’m just done. Done looking at grey skies, done with the piles of snowy hats and gloves and done waiting for warmer weather. It’s time to look ahead to spending the summer at the beach, under a brilliant blue sky, while I enjoy my kids running around in the warm sun.

Chevron swimsuit Albion Fit

Chevron is such a huge trend, why not at the beach?

On my list of things to be “greener” about is my choice of clothing. While a lot of my kid’s clothes are either shopped at a local consignment sale or made from organic cotton, I haven’t done a great job myself of finding eco-friendly clothing on a regular basis. Part of the reason is it’s a little confusing. Is it more important to choose eco-friendly fabrics, or choose companies that focus on reducing their carbon footprint through greener manufacturing processes? Recently I was asked to take a look at Albion Fit, a company that combines these two goals.

Albion Fit is a small, family owned company from Utah that makes women’s fitness and swimwear. For someone like me who basically lives in a swimsuit for the month of July, I loved the idea of finding a more eco-friendly swimsuit. I was in luck as I had trouble deciding which bathing suit I wanted to check out myself.

Blousy Navy swim top Albion Fit

My swimsuit choice, since July will be just 4 weeks post-partum for me!

The clothes are made in Guatemala, in a fair-trade, family owned manufacturing facility that provides scholarship opportunities and fair compensation for all workers and their families. Things you can feel good about when you shop here, either online or in their new flagship store in Salt Lake City. There are tops and bottoms perfect for a yoga class, or for lounging around on a Sunday. If you are a tennis player, the skirts are adorable.

graphite capri pant Albion Fit

The yoga wear assortment is beautiful, either for a class or for lounging at home.

I’m excited to offer one of my readers a $100 gift card to pick out their own swimsuit or fitness outfit from Albion Fit. Enter the giveaway via the Rafflecopter below. Contest will be open until 3/30. If you just can’t wait for the giveaway to end, you can get $15 off any order of $50 or more. Use code: randomrecycling15

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was provided product samples to help facilitate this review. This in no way influenced my opinions shared here.

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Time to Get Your Green On!

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner! Here are a few eco-friendly ideas that caught my eye. Most of the projects can be done with items already in your house. The craft projects use a lot of scrap pieces of fabric and paper. Food is healthy and green. Products are “green” in nature. Try not to o.d. on green food coloring this weekend, but raise a green beer in the spirit of this fun Irish holiday.

St Paddys Day CraftsPainted Mason Jars | Confetti Shamrock | DIY Play Dough (opt for natural food coloring) | Pasta Shamrock | Green Fabric Wreath | Pepper Shamrock Stamp

St Paddys Day Eco Friendly Ideas, Crafts and FoodIrish Upcycled Banner | Reusable Shamrock Lunch bag | Milk Jug Irish Craft | Shamrock Sprouts | Shamrock Lunch | St. Patrick’s Day Bento Lunch

What are you doing to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

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5 Green Non-Stick Pans to Love

Have you ever been confused about the rules about nonstick pans? Can you use them or not?  For a long time I’ve tried to avoid using them, but when you are cooking eggs there really isn’t a great alternative. There    are a bunch of new “healthy” alternatives to the old Teflon pans many of us grew up with.  You want to look for PFOA and PTFE-free pans, which means is doesn’t release the same cancer causing toxins that Teflon releases when scratched.

Green Nonstick Pans

Below is a collection of well priced green pans that offer the ease of nonstick cooking. Most have either a ceramic coating or a Thermolon coating.

Oh, and if you have an old non-stick pan that is really scratched, get rid   of it. Don’t pass it along. It’s one of those items that shouldn’t be passed along to a new home. You can also extend the life of nonstick pans by using silicone cooking tools and a  Silpat Non-Stick Baking Mat.

5 Green Non-Stick Pans to Love

 

What are your “must have” kitchen pans?
I’m sharing this post over at Your Green Resource.
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Eco News of the Week Feb 2013

I find myself perplexed sometimes when I hear the latest eco-news. Sometimes it scares me, other times it confuses me. This week there were so many articles I found interesting I thought I would share a few plus some advice.

What you should know about Tervis cups?

This article shares which Tervis cups are BPA free, and which are not. The popular tumblers have been BPA free since 1/1/11. I received a set of Tervis cups when I got married in 2005 so I think they will be moved to the top shelf so we don’t use them often. In the article, a representative from Tervis responds in the comment section discussing when each type of cup made the switch. I’m pretty skeptical of most plastics these days so I’m slowly converting all cups over to glass. Even the kids are using glass; Duralex Cupswork great. They have been dropped numerous times and haven’t broken.

Are you going to drink artificially sweetened milk?

Buying milk is already complicated. Organic, hormone-free, raw  milk, local, and conventional. These are just some of the choices we have to make. This week, a petition filed by the dairy industry is under review with the FDA to let them add artificial sweeteners to milk and other milk based products (yogurt, cheese, etc) and avoid having to label them. If you don’t let your kids have aspartame, which is  a rule for my house, it will be really difficult to figure it out. The sweeteners will be listed as “optional ingredients” and require no special labeling.  A few months ago, we switched to buying our milk from the local dairy farm. (We use Thatcher Farm.) I like that we are supporting a local business, the milk is super fresh, plus our glass bottles get reused.

Thatcher Farm Milk Glass Bottles Food Fight You Tube video

This little video takes aim at the world of processed food and beyond. It’s a story of urban gangsters fighting grocery store crimes. Makes me appreciate how easy it is for me to get access to healthy and fresh produce.

Turtleback making a switch to biodegradable plastic

Although some news is scary, other times it’s positive. One company making plastic drink holders for the beach is making an effort to switch to a biodegradable plastic. I wouldn’t call this an essential beach item by any means, but at least if people are going to buy them, they won’t end up in the ocean forever.

Are we really avoiding BPA?

This is one of those articles that is frustrating, but raises some issues. Even if you eat an organic diet, you still may end up with high levels of BPA/endocrine disruptors in your bloodstream. The two big culprits here are milk and spices. Two possible ways to fix it~ buy milk in glass bottles and switch spices to glass containers. Spices just look prettier in glass jars anyways.

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Teaching Young Children to be Eco-Responsible

One question I get asked often is, “How did you learn how to be green?” For me, it’s an ongoing learning process. However, most of what I do was taught to me by my parents. If anyone could live off the land, it would be my Dad. He taught our family a lot about making the most of our resources, reducing our waste impact, and growing much of our own food in the summer months. One could also say he is really frugal, which spearheaded a lot of these routines. Totally true, but he taught me many valuable lessons about how be eco-responsible well before it became the trendy thing to do.

Teach Kids to be Green

I walked around the house the past few weeks looking at all the ways I encourage and teach my kids to be green. Some are simple words we use, others are the systems we have in place for our family. The list below is ways that work for our family, with children four and under. As they grow, I expect this list will change and hopefully expand as they take on more responsibilities.

Recycling Bin for Closet

  • Recycling station is accessible and easy to understand. The kids also learn what can and can’t be recycled. 
  • Compost is a part of their vocabulary; they know to save their banana peels and apple cores for the shiny bucket under the sink.
  • Walk to do errands instead of driving
  • Offer paper from the recycling bin for coloring. Explain the importance of using both sides of a paper.
  • Turning off lights when we leave the room.
  • Conserving water. We encourage this while brushing teeth, washing hands and while washing dishes.
  • Use a shower timer. Both kids love showers and they know that when the timer is up, it’s time to get out.
  • Not wasting food. Still tough for them to understand, I’m trying to be more mindful of reducing their portions and let them ask for seconds instead.
  • Spending time outdoors instead of in front of the TV
  • Explaining the idea of making donations when we have too much toy clutter.
  • Saving clothes that are too small for younger family members. (JJ thinks his girl cousin will wear all of his too-small clothes!)
  • Reusing the same glass throughout the day.
  • Teaching the kids how to cook and talk about where ingredients come from. We had a great conversation the other day when Madison asked if we could make maple syrup as our afternoon project.
  • Involve them in gardening if you have the space. Even if it’s just a pot of basil on the windowsill, let them help water and nurture the plant.
  • Reuse their artwork as wrapping paper or use what’s on hand, like newspaper.

Newspaper Wrapping Paper

What else do you practice in your home to educate kids to be green?

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