Easy ways to go 'green'

Happy Earth Day everyone.

I know 'going green' has become quite trendy lately, but really, is that such a bad thing?
Taking care of our planet and the environment our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will one day live in should be important.

Mr. Free and I have slowly been trying to make 'greener' choices. One reason too as that often being 'green' is also being frugal! Many of these tips are also cost-effective! Bonus!

Here's some simple tips to becoming a greener household:

* Use cloth grocery sacks.

And leave them in the car where you will use them....don't leave them at home where they are useless like I often do....

* If you don't have reusable grocery sacks, and use plastic, then re-use them!
We re-use plastic grocery sacks as the trash liners in the bathroom (frugal!) and for lunch sacks (frugal again!)

* Use a power strip for electronics and turn it off when not in use!

This saves a lot of power and a lot of money on your electric bill!

* When making furniture or household purchases, check thrift stores and craigslist first!

It's better to use items that already exist, then dumping unwanted items into land fills and buying new. This is cost-effective and gives your home more charm! (I'm telling you...they don't make things like they used to!)

* Use natural ingredients for home cleaners!

Vinegar is great at cleaning almost anything, and is dirt cheap! No use of chemicals contributes to a healthier, greener home!

* Buy local!

Not only is this great for our local economy, it also cuts down on pollution and damage to the environment caused by trucks and trains delivering our goods across the country and continent. (For more info on eating local....check this post!)

So far these are ideas we have already implemented. We are far from the 'green' example household.

So Readers, what are your 'green' household tips?

On the Eve of Earth Day: Composting

Mr. Free and I started our garden this week.

In preparation a couple of weeks ago we decided to start composting.

Mr. Free used some plywood scraps (oh-so-green of us!) to make some compost bins to put in the back of our pretty large, jungle-like backyard.

We also purchased a small plastic paint bucket from Lowe's to put our daily food scraps in to take out to the big bins.

It has been quite the experience so far! We have cut down our trash by about half!

In composting you can compost 'green' materials

Food scraps

Egg shells

Yard clippings

and 'brown' materials

Papers

Paper towels

Coffee grounds

Many of you probably already knew this, but just in case you didnt...

Starbucks gives away big bags of coffee grounds for you to use in your garden.

We snagged a big bag Sunday and used it in the soil for our garden.

It's free and great for your compost and soil!

And gives you an excuse to go to Starbucks more often! Hahaha

Here's a cute pics of the pups while we were gardening....they are so cute and short. : )

Also.... please check your local listings because tonight on PBS they will be airing Food Inc. tonight!!!

I highly, highly recommend everyone see this who eats food.

That should be everyone....

It's not gross or make you want to be a vegetarian (like I've heard some people say in concern)

It just educates you on what you are putting your body.

Please watch it. Please.

So Readers,

Is anyone a long-time composter? Have any tips?

Is anyone a beginner composter like us?

Have any questions about it?

Have you seen Food Inc.? What are your thoughts???

Beef and Backsplash

Here's the beef:

Mr. Free and I have had a couple items from our CSA Bundle, and I thought we'd update you on our thoughts!

Last night we ate the pork sausage (we had breakfast for dinner...my favorite!) and it was the best sausage I've ever had! No joke! Mr. Free isn't even a big sausage fan and he loved it. It was a bit spicy, but just right. Not overly spicy. So good.



Last Friday we made some uh-mazing burgers with some of the ground beef. They were to die for! The meat was so juicy and flavorful! Mr. Free and I both noticed the meat had a slightly "gamier" taste to it....probably because we've never had natural beef! It's always had fillers and crud in it...

We grilled the burgers with some grilled onion, Taleggio cheese (which you SERIOUSLY must try this cheese....it is amazing!!!), some mayo and some grilled Italian bread.

Honestly, the best burger I have ever had. Mmmm......

(Seriously....I need a good camera. My camera phone isn't cuttin' the mustard. Maybe someday......)

*********************
I've seen people lately asking for easy backsplash ideas, and I thought I would share our DIY backsplash!

Our teeny-tiny kitchen used to have *plastic* tiles as a backsplash.
Oh yes...plastic.



Jealous?

Well....we decided to update on kitchen. On a minimal, minimal budget.
I really LOVE modern touches, and I really loved the thought of a stainless steel backsplash.
Holy moly...those puppies are pricey!!!

Enter Mr. Free and our good friend Kyle's genius idea.

Aluminum Roof Flashing.


It is literally a fraction of the price and its magnetic. How cool is that?!!

It looks great...and only cost us about $40!



And we LOVE the custom microwave shelf to match our backsplash! It saves us so much counter space and looks sleek!!!

Mr. Free and Kyle worked for a couple of hours and we were left with a unique, one of a kind backsplash!



Happy Tuesday!!!!!

xoxo Jenny Free

Our first bundle of meat!

So Mr. Free and I headed out this morning to get our first bundle of meat from our Local Meat CSA.

At first we were a bit shocked. It seemed like not much meat.

Then I was reminded that we have really been used to Costco-sized meat packages, so we are just seeing *normal* amounts of meat again. And we got a half share.

Here is what all we got:


* Ground beef
* Dozen eggs
* Pot Roast
* Sirloin Steak
* Lamb Chops
* Pork Sausage

I'm very excited for this culinary challenge. I've never cooked lamb before, so this will be interesting!
If you have any great recipes, please pass them along! I've hit sort of a 'cooking rut', so please send over any great recipes you have!!!

Have a great Saturday!!!