Celebrate Earth Day Every Day!

Today is Earth Day, but what does that really mean?

For many, Earth Day is...

• ...the one day out of the whole year that people devote themselves to doing something good for the Earth
• ...a day when corporations use "feel good" tactics to promote their eco-friendly product lines and guilt people into buying them so they can feel they've played a part in preserving the Earth's resources
• ...just another day on the calendar

For me, Earth Day is actually just another day on the calendar, because I constantly look for ways to employ resource conservation and waste reduction methods in my life. Instead of falling for the hype and buying lots of green products, I practice being green every day.

In Beth Terry's latest posting on her Life Without Plastic blog, she examines Buying Green vs. Being Green. She reminds us that we can't buy ourselves to a cleaner, greener planet. Consumption simply yields more waste, especially when many of these eco-friendly products are still made of plastic! Beth's message? "Instead of buying more, just use less."

Celebrate the Earth EVERY DAY, not just on Earth Day!

A Relaxed Black Woman's Natural Hair Care Dilemma

I've been introducing more natural and plastic-free products into my life lately, and tomorrow, I plan to go to Lush (my favorite natural, handmade cosmetics store) to purchase some shampoo and conditioner. After researching their site, I decided that the Curly Wavy shampoo and Jungle conditioner were the best options for Black hair. Only the conditioner comes in solid form (to satisfy my plastic-free goals), but one product out of two is better than nothing, right?

Did you know...?

If one in five people switched from liquid to solid shampoo, about 22 million plastic bottles would be saved from the landfill. (Source: Lush)

Anyway, it just occurred to me that having a relaxer doesn't really fall into my mission to be more natural. I mean, why would someone in search of natural hair care products willingly get their hair chemically processed every two months? And will using natural products in between salon visits really account for anything?

I know what you're thinking...why not just go natural, right? I've "gone natural" twice in my life (once in 2003 and again in 2006), and I don't think the third time will be the charm. When I had natural hair, it was cute in the beginning, but then I didn't know what to do with, and I couldn't afford to have someone else take care of my natural locks. Thinking back, it actually seems more time consuming to have natural hair, and time is something I simply don't have as a busy single mom.

My hair throughout the years (Spring 2004, Jan. 2007, Jan. 2010)

Having relaxed hair definitely fits my lifestyle better, and I enjoy how I look and feel more confident with longer, straight hair. (Spare me the social commentary, please. It is what it is.)

I suppose my dilemma is more about the scientific side of hair care. Will using natural hair care products be beneficial for my hair while I continue to get relaxers? Are there relaxers or relaxer-type products on the market made from natural ingredients? What are the best natural hair care options for Black hair, especially relaxed hair?

Please leave your thoughts and suggestions! I'm sure your comments will be helpful to many Black women out there!

BYOB: Baygs Made From Old T-Shirts

Got old t-shirts hanging around? Well, instead of tossing them, why not make your own reusable produce / bulk food bags?

I've been searching for the perfect alternative to plastic produce bags for months, but everything I've seen so far has been rather expensive. In the video below, Ame Guseman from the Alameda Farmer's Market shows us how you can make your own "Baygs."



Looks like I might want to invest in a sewing machine after all!

Do you sew using recycled clothing? What kinds of items have you made?

A Boat Designed With Waste In Mind

Ever hear of The Plastiki?

I saw the word for the first time this morning. It was listed on Yahoo's homepage as the No. 3 trending topic. I have to admit, I was kind of excited as I thought of the possibilities of its meaning. Was it a cool new "as seen on TV" gadget that I just had to have? Was it a new wiki for me to check out? Or maybe the latest fashion trend???

When I clicked the link, my excitement grew even more. Turns out, The Plastiki is the name of a boat, a boat made from 12,500 plastic bottles!!!

 

The Plastiki took off on a major voyage on Saturday. The crew will be sailing across the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco, California to Sydney, Australia. The 60-foot boat is completely self-sufficient, and in addition to the 12,500 plastic bottles, The Plastiki has solar panels, a bio-diesel engine (for emergency use only), bicycle generators, a mast made from an irrigation pipe, and sails made from recycled PET (Polyethylene terephthalate).

The Plastiki was built by Adventure Ecology, a group that "uses the magic and excitement of unique field missions to educate, entertain and raise awareness of environmental and social issues whilst driving innovative real world solutions." With the Plastiki, the group is presenting the philosophy that waste is fundamentally a design flaw. Adventure Ecology would like people to re-think waste as a resource. Now that's what I call a message in a bottle! My only question is this: will cool projects like this give people an excuse to continue to waste??? What do you think?

Check out the website for The Plastiki to find out more about how the boat was made, to see close-up photos of the boat, and to learn the status of its voyage to Sydney.

Have you ever made anything out of recycled waste? Leave a comment and tell me about it!

From Bounce to Vinegar...A Cost-Effective Trade-Off!

Today I ran out of dryer sheets - right in the middle of laundry day! My initial reaction was to run to the store immediately to buy another overpriced box of dryer sheets, but since my budget is tight, I decided to do some research and find an eco-friendly alternative.

The solution? Vinegar! According to my research, using a 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar in the rinse cycle can take the place of fabric softener. The vinegar dissolves the detergent and bring the clothing back to their natural soft state. At the end of the wash cycle, there is no scent of vinegar and your clothes will have no static cling! Also, vinegar doesn't contain the toxic chemical that can be found in fabric softeners and dryer sheets, and it won't cause allergic reactions, itchiness, or "offensive odor" complaints.

So, it turns out the solution was in the back of my kitchen cabinet all this time! I found some white distilled vinegar left over from last year's Easter egg coloring. I had just enough for two load of laundry. I added some vinegar during the wash cycle of each load, though I missed the part about adding it to the rinse cycle, so I hope my clothes aren't ruined! (I've never used fabric softener, ok?)

Vinegar is a great alternative for fabric softener. It also has many more household uses, so I'm definitely going to stock up on this product! But since I'm more of a dryer sheet girl (I don't have the time or patience to listen for the rinse cycle), I think next time I may use one of the following dryer sheet substitutes on laundry day:

• Static Eliminator reusable dryer sheets - chemical-free, can be used thousands of times, prevent static cling
• Homemade dryer sheet - saturate a small rag or a washcloth with one teaspoon of natural hair condition (may be mixed with vinegar and water) and toss into the dryer 
• Aluminum foil - throw a crumpled ball of foil into the dryer and stop static cling
• Dryer balls - there are tons of dryer balls on the market right now, they are chemical-free, reusable, soften fabrics naturally, and reduce dryer time (caution - most are made from plastic (PVC), not the best eco-friendly choice!)
• Essential Oils - if you like you clothes scented, put a few drops of essential oils on a small cloth and toss into the dryer (you can also use a lavender sachet)

What type of household product substitutes have you used???

On Being Broke and Single...

I was recently asked whether I enjoy being single. Here's my take on my single status...

I don't like or dislike being single...it's just kind of how things are right now. I can say I have enjoyed coming into my own and figuring out who I really am and what I really want. It took a few years, and I'm glad I did that without having a man in the picture. But now I want one. I don't want to have children after age 32, and I want to be married first, so I have to find a man soon!



So why am I still single? And why aren't I dating? Money...it's my ultimate excuse for everything!

In my opinion, I really can't afford to date because I don't have the money to buy the clothes and accessories needed when trying to get attention. My wardrobe is sparse. I've pretty much had the same clothes for the past few years, and they are getting worn out. So when I do get the funds to update my attire, "date clothes" will probably be my last priority because I'll need to replace my old work attire first.

I'm also the kind of girl who will never expect a man to pay for me. I like the idea of having enough money in my wallet just in case my date and I decide to go dutch. But since my budget is tighter than a pair of skinny jeans (a cute fashion item I don't know, by the way), I don't have an "emergency dutch fund," and I probably won't date until I do.

Money has been my excuse for everything, and I don't know how to get around that. But I'd really like to start dating...any suggestions?

Student Loans - A Cautionary Tale

I just saw this article on Yahoo News about a doctor whose student loan debt amounts to $550,000. According to the story, she'll be finished paying off the loan when she's 70 year old!

Student loans are sometimes the only option (besides joining the military) that families have if they want their children to get a college education. Unfortunately, like many other financial institutions, they are a credit trap and the debt can literally last a lifetime. It's also a type of debt you must pay back - it cannot be resolved through bankruptcy.

Right now I'm having trouble paying off my student loans, and I didn't even take out much. I've been in forbearance practically since I graduated, and because I don't qualify for deferment, I've been racking on interest to the principal balance. It sounds crazy, but because of the rest of my debt, I may have to declare bankruptcy just so I can finally start paying back my student loans.

Here's my advice to students:

1. Get a scholarship - there are tons of untapped scholarship awards out there...it just takes a little research to find them!
2. Work while attending school - although the on-campus college experience is great, there's nothing like graduating from college debt free. You'll also have a ton of work experience on your resume, which will put you a step ahead of your fellow graduates.
3. Think twice about ivy leagues or other top schools - Having a school like Harvard or UC Berkeley on your resume looks good, but is it worth the cost? And is the education really that much better? In my opinion, our careers are really based on relationships - it's about who you know, not what you know. As long as you develop good relationships with people in the industry you wish to pursue, you can get a solid education at a second-tier school a second-tier school and have a very successful career for a fraction of the cost!
4. Get your company to pay for your Master's degree - Many companies offer tuition assistance for their employees. Also, instead of going to graduate school right away, get a job! You'll gain valuable work experience and have a better idea of what you really want to do. I know it's hard to go back to school, but if your company is willing to reimburse you, isn't it worth it to wait?

How are you managing to pay off your student debt? And do you have any money you can lend me? ;)