I’m going to get straight to the point because most people skip this part anyway. (Don’t worry, I don’t take offense. I do the same thing)

I’m about to launch my youngest baby bird out of the nest and into the wild world of college dorm life. I want her dorm room to be a cozy, healthy haven that screams “responsible eco-warrior” instead of “science experiment of cheap plastics and weird smells.” Let’s be real, moving into a dorm can be expensive, but you don’t have to sell a kidney to make it greener. I’ve spent years obsessively researching non-toxic, eco-friendly alternatives (some might call it a hobby, my kids call it a personality trait).

And because I love saving the planet and a good deal, here are three money-saving tips to keep in mind:

1. Shop from within your house:

You’ll be amazed by what you already have lying around, no need to buy new when home shopping saves you time and money.

2. Embrace pre-loved items:

Check Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or local Buy Nothing groups. Many dorm essentials are barely used and begging for a second life.

3. Hunt for student discounts:

Stores love students. Think Target, Apple, North Face, Nike, Levi’s and don’t forget to stalk Amazon for price drops.

In my efforts to make mindful purchases:

• I look for products Made in the USA if possible
• I chose products with thousands of really great reviews
• I try to find products that are plastic-less (or plastic-free)
• At times, I choose a more expensive item because it’s likely to be better constructed, ensuring its longevity. ***Bonus – I can easily sell or donate it when I no longer need it.

Below is my hand-picked list of eco-friendly dorm items to help your college kid (and mine) stay healthy, save money, and maybe even make Mother Earth just a little less cranky. Let’s do this!

Bedding & Towels

When it comes to bedding, options like Oeko-Tex certified, organic, or bamboo materials can be excellent choices. I really try to make sure my kids’ bedding is free of toxins since they spend so much time sleeping and hanging out in their beds.

• These sheets at Target or these sheets at Amazon because they were super soft and fit perfectly over the mattress topper. Definitely get 2 sets (just in case they spill something and can’t do laundry right away).
• Pillowcases – 2 sets
• Blanket/Comforter/Duvet Cover: This is all preference. My daughter wanted a blanket but some love a duvet cover so you can easily wash it. This one has really lasted.
• Mattress Topper: I did a three-day deep dive on this one. Super important to me since college kids spend so much time in their beds. I chose this one because my younger child would also would use it, and it has great resale value. My kid had some back issues and this was perfect. Plus, her friends loved hanging out in her bed because it was so comfortable. ***Because I got this topper, I didn’t bother buying a separate mattress cover since it already had one. This was the only thing my college kid used before putting on the sheet which saved me money only buying one thing.
• Cheaper Mattress Topper: BUT if that topper is too pricey, I did a ton of research, and everyone loved this option too, it was my second choice.
• Coop Pillows: These are a bit pricey, but I keep pillows for YEARS, so I’d rather invest in good ones. I have these all over my house, I love them so much. You can adjust the fill to make them as big or as flat as you like.
• Towels: I like this set because you get 2 washcloths, 2 hand towels (my daughter uses those at the gym) and 2 towels. She has 2 sets which is more than enough.

Dorm Room

• Woozoo Fan: This is a MUST for those of you whose kids have absolutely no air conditioning and it’s 95 degrees.
• Surge Protector and Extra Surge Protector: You probably only need one, but my husband insisted she take 2. ***A flat plug is great for behind a desk or bed and definitely want to have some USB ports.
• French Press Coffee Maker: My kid is a bit of a coffee snob and wanted the French Press. It’s the best French Press that’s not glass. I loved it so much I bought a large one for myself
• Stainless Steel refillable K-Cups: If you kid absolutely insists on a single serve coffee maker, at least use these stainless steel refillable K-cups.
• Electric Tea Kettle
• Jewelry Organizer
• Apple Air Tags for Backpack and Keys
• Desk Lamp with Bonuses: When a lamp that is just a light isn’t “cool” enough
• Boot Tray (best thing we ever got). We got a large one so everyone in the room could share it and they only needed one by the door. Keeps them from dragging rain, snow and mud into the room.
• Tool Kit (the whole floor loved my daughter – she was the only one with tools). Again, you can create your own tool bag if you have extras.
• ** (Option 2) Thor’s Hammer Tool Kit if you need to make a statement while literally saving the planet. This is not just for boys, my husband carries this around in his truck and my daughters are both “borrowing” it.
• We bought the Zero Water 10-cup and it’s been working great, also here’s a great guide for choosing a water pitcher.
• Air Purifier
• Veno Moving Bags: These are a double win. We used them to move her into her room and then she used them for storage under her bed
• Lightweight Vacuum (another item that was popular with the kids on my daughter’s floor)
• Easy to use, but still cool Alarm Clock
• Reusable Cloths to clean spills/wipe surfaces (these are the ones I use at home too)
• Ice Maker

First Aid Kit

Here is a great complete kit, but if you want to make your own kit, here’s some ideas

• Adhesive Bandages
• Antibiotic Ointment (like Neosporin)
• Ice Pack
• Acetaminophen/Ibuprofen
• Cold Medicine
• Bandages and Scissor
• Essential Oils if that’s your thing
• Heating Pad
• Feminine Care Products

Laundry

• Earth Breeze and Clearalif laundry Sheets: Just check with your college first because some don’t allow laundry sheets. But if they do, I highly recommend them. They’re easier to carry and better for the environment and your health. I’ve used both of these and they work great.
• Wool Dryer Balls: Skip dryer sheets and use these instead
• Bag/Basket/Hamper: this depends upon where the laundry room is located. Some like backpacks if they have stairs but we had an elevator so my daughter wanted this one on wheels
• Collapsible Dryer Rack
• Non-slip Hangers: We love these and just ordered more
• Shower Shoes
• Hanging Shower Caddy/Toiletry Bag
• Shower Caddy (if you don’t want a hanging version)
• Blow Dryer: BUY 2 – one for your daughter and one for YOU

Miscellaneous

• Wearable blanket: This one seemed silly, but she uses it like every day
• Emergency car tire inflator: For students with cars
• Bike tire pump: For students with bicycles
• Sewing Kit
• Reusable coffee/tea mug
• Reusable Water Bottle
• Lock Box for Valuables and Medications
• Overnight Travel Bag for Trips HOME
• Backpack
• Noise-Cancelling Headphones: They’re expensive but my daughter swears by them
• Noise Reduction Earplugs: my daughter absolutely loves these

Remember, don’t stress.

I know you’re striving to create a comfortable and inspiring space for your kids, one that also mirrors their individuality, but they may not actually “need” as much as you think. If you’re not sure your kid is going to “need” something, you can always wait and get it to them later. Here’s to an enriching, unforgettable, and eco-conscious college adventure!

Affiliate Disclosure:

I have affiliate marketing relationships which may result in my earning a small commission from purchases resulting from links posted. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases when using my link. These commissions help cover my expenses including my website www.livingcleananddirty.com which is another helpful resource to living your “greenest” healthiest life.

The post Empty your nest without emptying your wallet appeared first on Living Clean and Dirty.

1. Make a List and Check It Twice:

Before you get caught up in the holiday shopping tornado, plan your attack. Make a list of killer gifts that are not just thoughtful but also Eco-conscious. Have you ever gone food shopping without a list? You know you end up buying tons of stuff you don’t need, but if you keep to a list you’re going to save money and buy only what you use.

2. Support Local Hustles:

Forget the big-box madness. Hit up the local markets, craft fairs, and boutiques. Supporting local businesses helps your community, fellow local humans and shrinks your carbon footprint. Double win! If there’s nothing that interests you locally, check out sellers on Etsy or online small businesses – you still may be shipping items to you but at least you’re supporting small businesses and getting really unique gifts.

3. Choose Products That Are the Real MVPs:

Opt for gifts made from sustainable materials. Think organic, think reusable, think stuff that won’t end up haunting landfills for centuries. Your gifts should be as long-lasting as your Aunt Karen’s fruitcake (but way more desirable). This is where you may spend more money but it will save you money in the long run. Buy quality items that will last.

4. Get Crafty with DIY Magic:

Unleash your inner crafting wizard. DIY gifts are not just about saving cash; they’re about creating something unique and lowering the environmental impact. Plus, it’s a legit excuse to get glitter everywhere. This year I had leftover material from a project that I had no use for so I created throw pillows for my kids. They loved them, and since I’m not a pro and there were seams – my kids said the “imperfections made it more perfect”. My oldest daughter took a knitting class in college (I know, I know, it sounds like the new underwater basket-weaving but she loved it) and now made everyone’s scarves and hats for the holidays. Check out my red penis scarf – it’s my favorite gift!

5. Experiences Over Things:

Gift memories, not just things. Concert tickets, museums, spa days, or a virtual escape room – experiences beat material possessions any day of the week. My daughter cannot tell you what doll or game I bought her for the holidays 5 years ago, but she remembers the ice skating lessons we got for her. We even got the whole family involved that year when her grandma bought her a new pair of ice skates. We celebrated our other daughter’s birthday with a Broadway show and a day in NYC. Less stuff, more memories. It’s the way to go.

6. Wrap It Up, Green Style:

Ditch the boring wrapping paper and get imaginative. Use recycled paper, fabric scraps, or repurpose old newspapers or maps. And hey, reusable gift wraps like scarves or tote bags? Double the gift, zero the waste.

7. Eco-Friendly Holiday Cards:

Send e-cards or pick cards made from recycled materials. Or, how about going digital and sending a video message? Because why waste paper when you can be a video star? My favorite holidays gifts from my kids were when they wrote me letters – years later when I need a little pick-me-up I still read them.

Those are my Lucky 7 Eco-friendly suggestions. Stay tuned because I don’t live on Mars and know that you’re going to buy some stuff for the holidays so watch out for my holiday shopping guide coming to a computer screen near you. Together, we CAN celebrate the season without trashing the planet. Cheers to a dirty, clean holiday season! 🌍🎁 #DirtyCleanHolidays #SustainableCelebrations #LivingCleanAndDirty

The post Dirty Santa, Clean Earth: Navigating Eco-Friendly Holidays Like a Pro appeared first on Living Clean and Dirty.

Yup, they’re all a thing, but if you’re a die hard, dark green eco-warrior like me you don’t care because every day is a celebration of the big blue and green mama. In this house it’s AEAYR (All Earth All Year Round), but this time of the year is definitely my favorite. Spring is springing, the flowers and gardens are blooming, and this is when everyone pays a little extra attention to the Earth.

So without further ado (or “a-dew” if you tend to be a bit punny) it’s time to send out the email with all my favorite companies that are celebrating Mama Earth with some awesome specials and discount, it’s my way to help out the green and save you some green at the same time. Feel free to check out last year’s Earth Day article HERE, which was chock full of companies that in my opinion were very AEAYR-worthy.

This year I’m doing my best to live a more minimalistic life and buying less, and I wanted to share with you 20 ways to celebrate that cost either no money or very little. I am forever grateful for all of you…my amazing, fantastic readers and I try to give you links when I can but since you live all over the world I suggest you use your favorite, trusty search engine to find places near you (Ask Jeeves isn’t going to work for everyone). There’s also a TON of great non-profit organizations that are doing fantastic work so I urged you to go local.

For 2023 I’m taking a more minimalistic path, but it’s still paved a lovely shade of green. Won’t you join me?

Some of the links in the post are affiliate links. For more information see my disclosure policy.

1. Donate gently used clothes you don’t wear or have outgrown to a local organization. Many have bins so you can easily drop them off.
2. Participate in a beach/park/town cleanup.
3. Check out your local farmers market, support local businesses and reduce your carbon footprint.
4. Check out your local library and sign up for a card. Libraries have ditched the confusing card catalog and offer so much more now, even online. Mine offers movies, events, and even free tickets to local museums saving me money.
5. This is it! This is the year you’re going to turn off lights when you’re not in the room, turn off the water while brushing your teeth and only run the washing machine and dishwasher when it’s full.
6. Clean out one junk drawer.
7. Get outside and take a walk or ride your bike. Want a great idea to get walking every day? Find a local animal shelter and donate your time to walk a dog. Great way to keep yourself accountable to walking every day and you get time in the great outdoors. And if you’re already a pet-parent then take them on an extra walk, you’ll both appreciate it.
8. Start composting.
9. Plant a small food garden, herb garden or join a community garden. You don’t need a lot of space. I grew herbs in small planters when I lived in an apartment in Brooklyn and I have friends who grow veggies in planters/pots.
10. Pledge to say no to plastic straws. Use stainless steel straws (be sure to keep them clean) for lemony drinks to save the enamel on your teeth.
11. Regrow kitchen scraps. Click HERE to see how.
12. Make a pledge not to buy anything you don’t NEED for a month.
13. Eat less meat. Try Meatless Monday – there’s tons of great recipes. I love everything from Nora Cooks and first tried meatless meals with the help of Lisa Project Vegan.
14. Unplug your electronics when you’re not using them. Phantom electricity is a real thing.
15. Go paperless. Pay your bills online.
16. Sell your unwanted items on Ebay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark.
17. Call catalog companies that you don’t use to stop sending them to you. Click HERE if you live in the US and want to stop junk mail.
18. Sign a petition on the Earth Day website.
19. Lower your heat by 1-2 degrees. Raise your air conditioning by 1-2 degrees. You won’t even notice it.
20. Plant a tree with The Canopy Project for as little as $1.

The post Happy Earth Day 2023 appeared first on Living Clean and Dirty.

Fast forward almost 3 decades later and all of my friends started having kids.  The next handful of years were a blur of gift cards and things bought off of registries, but I was still never able to top that original personalized gift. Sure I could do another photo album or a snow globe or something else that will just end up in a drawer but I needed a fresh idea.

Let me introduce you to my new go-to gift source. PlantPoweredWoodWorks. Specializing in personalized wooden signs, plaques, dog leash holders and so much more, I’ll never look elsewhere for a unique gift again. Now…full disclosure, “he” also happens to be my husband. He had always been a creative guy and works in a creative field, but during the pandemic he turned his hobby into a side hustle and the orders have been steadily coming in and so have the positive reviews.

His contact info is below, and if you mention that you heard about him from Living Clean and Dirty he’s offering 10% off. He’ll also add an additional discount if you refer someone to him and they make a purchase. Did I also mention that with every purchase of a personalized dog leash holder he’ll donate a portion of the cost to a local animal rescue (we’re rescue dog parents so that’s a no-brainer for us). And did I mention that you’d be supporting an Air Force veteran? Yup, that’s my fella.

He’s so creative and has a wonderful eye for details. I can honestly tell you, and would tell him, I’m his biggest fan but also an honest critic. If his creations looked like they were done by a drunk toddler then I would tell him to just keep the woodworking as a hobby, but honestly his work is amazing, judge for yourself.

Feel free to reach out to him (or even me) and get something special for someone special today.

The post The Gift of Wood…it’s not just for beavers appeared first on Living Clean and Dirty.

It may be hard to believe but on that day in 1990 I couldn’t have cared less about Earth Day or the environment. I was 20 years old and a student at GWU. I cared about the important things in life like getting tickets to the Richard Marx concert, going to see Pretty Woman in the theater and getting home in time to watch that new show called Twin Peaks. My friends and I happened to find ourselves people watching at the Mall (National, not shopping) on a lovely Sunday afternoon in April. We decided to walk around and ended up joining what turned out to be an Earth Day demonstration because…we were 20 and it was a nice way to kill a few hours before going out looking for adventure.

Fast forward to Earth Day 2022, still no Burt Reynolds (because that would be creepy) but I strut around the house like it’s Ellen Day, although let’s be honest, most days are Ellen Days and I really should strut more. I get dressed up, I prance around my house like I won an award and try to do one really big thing to celebrate . About 11 years ago I got solar panels on my roof, 7 years ago I got a hybrid car, 6 years ago I started a food garden, and last year was my favorite…I brought home Tess (my fully electric Tesla). My whole family’s favorite holiday is Halloween, but Earth Day definitely has a special place in my heart. This is the one day every year that I can do my Snoopy dance and scream at the top of my lungs “if loving the Earth is wrong then I don’t want to be right!”, unfortunately my family believes this is one day too many, but you get the idea.

So while it’s not as sexy as a new car, solar panels or even 1990 Burt Reynolds this past year I’ve been embracing minimalism in all of its forms. I’ve been getting rid of toxic people (if you’re reading this then congratulations, you made the cut), simplifying my life and getting rid of stuff I don’t use or love.

However, this Eco-mama does love a good sale, especially an eco-friendly one.  This year Earth Day falls on a Friday so while Green Friday (yes, it’s a thing, look it up) doesn’t come until November, I think there is room enough on the calendar for another Green Friday. If there are already holidays called Count Your Buttons Day and National Crouton Day then the criteria for adding holidays sounds pretty lax.

While I’m not the shopper I once was (think shopping mall and not National Mall) you can get some amazing Earth Day deals and support Earth loving companies.

Your power is in your wallet. My hubby still thinks his is somewhere else, but we’ll save that debate for another day. The math is simple, If we support more eco-friendly companies and stop buying single use plastic, throw away items and boxed products with more packaging than product then we are sending a message. If you demand more eco-friendly shopping then the market will move in that direction. Never in my life would I have imagined a fully electric pickup truck yet almost every automotive company is in a race to be the first. Ford alone has 200,000 pre-orders for an electric pickup truck so the people have spoken.

My goal here is to show you how to go green while saving some green. And if you’d like to give back then send this article to your friends, families, enemies and neighbors and have them subscribe to my newsletter. Whether you’re a fan of Burt Reynolds, Debbie Reynolds or Ryan Reynolds we all like to save some money and we should all be interested in saving the Earth too.

Enjoy your Earth Day and be especially kind to mother Earth today.  And while you’re at it, it wouldn’t kill you to call your mother, you know how she worries. If for no other reason she will probably get a kick out of a Golden Girls and Burt Reynolds reference and she’ll explain who Debbie Reynolds is.

I listed just some of my favorite companies that are celebrating Mama Earth with some specials and wanted to pass the info onto you. Click on the images and it’ll take you right to their site.

Some of the links in the post are affiliate links. For more information see my disclosure policy.

The post Happy Earth Day 2022 appeared first on Living Clean and Dirty.

• The average person has 148 pieces of clothing.
• Clothes can take up to 40 years to decompose
• The amount of money people spend on clothes, footwear and jewelry each year is equivalent to the combined GDP of the 126 poorest countries in the world.
• Aristotle coined the phrase “does a bear shit in the woods” which centuries later led to Disney artists never drawing Winnie the Pooh with pants
• It takes 700 gallons of water to make a cotton shirt.

My point being, we spend a lot of time, energy and money on clothing. I have to admit I’m a bit of a clothes hoarder myself. I have a monstrous bedroom closet in my home that my husband built for me. It’s like having a studio apartment attached to my bedroom and I fill it to the gills. I’d always treated my clothes well, so my Benetton sweaters, my Merry-Go-round tops and the Z. Cavariccis I picked up from Contempo Casuals still look good enough to be worn today (or if I ever travel backwards in time).

This is a very roundabout way of saying I have a boatload of clothes and it was time to clean house…or closet in this case. Think of a colonoscopy, but for your closet…a closet-oscopy.

I have what one might call a sprinkling of OCD, especially when it comes to home organization.  The cans in my pantry all face the correct way and are of course organized by food group. My spices are all sorted first by height and then alphabetically. My jackets are organized by temperature needed to wear and my socks are organized by thickness. You know…the usual organizational stuff. This is a sharp contrast to my husband who organizes his clothes in what I would classify as “a pile”.

So when I decided to tackle my overstuffed closet, I had to take a deep breath, roll up my sleeves and move past the obsession to have everything looking perfect.

Intrigued yet? Still wondering which “truth” was a lie? Do you know what the Pareto Principle is? Keep reading and all shall be revealed.

We all know what the Pareto Principle is, we just know it by another name.  No, it’s not that Janet Jackson song…that’s the Pleasure Principle from her studio album Control that ironically I bought from Sam Goody at the mall while I was waiting for my boyfriend at the time to come out of Chess King (yes, Chess King). The Pareto Principle is the 80/20 theory that you can apply to almost anything. “80% of the time I wear 20% of my clothes”. That equates to a lot of clothes that I didn’t like, didn’t want to be seen out with and just wanted to get rid of (much like my Chess King boyfriend at the end of that relationship back in the 80s).

Yeah, I’m looking at you shoulder-padded power suit. You may have looked good on the Golden Girls but I think it’s time to put you out on the Lanai for good. I’m also looking at you, denim overalls with the built in fanny pack. Sure you made me look like a hot Canadian Kangaroo at the time, but I don’t think the look is coming back. I also think it’s time to finally retire my collection of velour tracksuits that were some cross-breed of the Six Million Dollar Man and Grandma’s couch cushions.

Here’s my rule…I’m only going to keep clothes that I can fit into, outfits that that I love, and anything that makes me feel like the queen that I am.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m keeping my sweats, my PJ pants with superheroes on it and my favorite ratty old college hoodie. I want to be comfy at home and on the occasional quick grocery run, but the rest needs to go.

So I want to declutter, keep my OCD in check, and unload my unwanteds without them ending up in the landfill. No problem…I got this (with the help of some calming deep breaths)!

First, I’m turning all my hangers so they are facing out. The thought of doing this made my eye twitch because with my touch of OCD all my hangers face in and all my clothes are hung in the “proper” direction. Deep breath in for 5, hold for 7, breathe out for 8.

The next step almost put me in full-blown panic mode. When you wear something and put it back you turn the hanger facing in (the opposite of all the other hangers). You do this for months. Months of walking into your closet and all the hangers are facing different directions. I actually vomit a little in my mouth at the thought of this. Take another deep breath in for 5, hold it for 7, and breathe out for 8.

After the season changes you can see everything you didn’t wear (all the backward hangers). There are some things you didn’t wear that you should keep. I have fancy dresses for Black Tie affairs, sun dresses for parties and an interview suit I might need someday (I love blogging but you never know). Everything else you can sell or donate. Remember your ugly brown jacket might be someone else’s treasure.

I know change is scary (so are hangers facing in all directions), but like cleaning out the garage, the hardest part is getting started.  Every day you put on a different pair of pants and a different shirt. If it doesn’t fit and you haven’t worn it, it’s time to go. Those jeans you haven’t worn in 10 years because you might suddenly become a size 2 again, get rid of them. That interview suit from the 1990s that’s a “classic” but has bigger shoulder pads than a NFL linebacker has to go.

When I say “has to go” I don’t mean throw out. Give your clothes another life. Need some ideas…you know I got you covered.

thredUp:

This is an “online consignment and thrift store for your closet, your wallet, and the planet.” I always save money buying from thredUp (and even score some brand new items with the tags still on). Now that you’re decluttering your closet, you can check their website for items they accept, load up a box (recycle one that you have) and print out a free shipping label. Once it sells, you can use the credit to buy clothing from them OR cash out. They also have donation kits if you don’t want the cash or credit but want to clean out your closet sustainably.

Knickey:

When you ditch your dainties they end up in a landfill. That’s not ideal, but it’s still a bit skeevie to donate your skiddy skivvies and not many organizations would accept these items (ewww gross factor). Knickey has a Recycling Program and turns them into new materials like insulation, carpet padding and furniture batting. They take underwear, bras, socks and tights (even men’s and kids) and even reward you. They’ll add a free pair of their undies to your next order.

Local Donation Bins:

Many organizations take gently used clothing to give away or sell in their thrift stores which sponsors their programs. Search “local donation centers” and you’ll find places near you. Also, check out grocery store parking lots, fire houses, or big national chain stores. Often times there are collection bins where you can drop your items.

Give to a Friend:

For years I didn’t buy clothes for my kids because my best friend’s girls were slightly older than mine and always one or two sizes ahead. Sharing clothes with other families is a great way to get more use out of them especially when kids are little and they wear something once and seem to outgrow it the very next day.

Old Shoes:

Soles4Souls:

This organization takes new or gently worn clothing and shoes. If you don’t have a local drop off location they’ve teamed up with Zappos for Good and you can box up your shoes and send them with prepaid shipping labels.

Local Consignment Shop/Thrift Store:

We have a local consignment shop that carries many designer and high end brands.

• Always wanted a Gucci belt but couldn’t pay retail?
• Have you drooled over a Prada bag?
• Ever dreamed of owning a Chanel?

Now you can. Many luxury consignment shops carry pre-owned, authenticated designer items at a fraction of its retail cost. You’re getting a great price for a classic item and if you have designer goods that you no longer wear you can sell them and at least get some money back.

I also have a local thrift store that donates all the proceeds to a local animal shelter. Talk about a win-win. I get rid of my stuff which gets used by someone else and I help homeless animals. BAM!

And speaking of homeless animals, I still don’t know why Winnie the Pooh never wore pants, and I’m pretty sure Aristotle didn’t know either. What I do know is that one of my favorite quotes fits this whole closet-cleaning adventure perfectly:

“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”

Turns out the river has the right idea. My closet didn’t get this out of control overnight, so it wasn’t going to get cleaned out overnight either. Sometimes the hardest part is simply getting started. Once you do, the rest has a funny way of taking care of itself.

The post It’s time for your Closet-oscopy appeared first on Living Clean and Dirty.

It’s the rallying cry behind a lot of crappy decisions.

Let’s take the morally questionable and sexually philanthropic decade that I like to refer to as “My 20s.” There were certainly more than a few challenges during that time of my life, but most of my friends and I seemed to glom onto the worst boyfriend material we could find. If he was nice, considerate and treated you right then he was a dud. Bring on the bad boyfriend.

• Treat you like shit? Check!
• Blow you off to do stupid stuff with his friends? Check!
• In the middle of sex ask you if you have a sister? Check!

MMMM-HMMMMM…he’s perfect.

And when a friend would look at your situation and say, “Um…what the fuck is the matter with you?” like little pre-programmed robots we’d all answer, “I love a challenge.”

Fortunately I moved on from my twenties and I’d like to think my decision-making skills have improved. As a society, though, we still seem drawn to positively absurd challenges. Here are five social media challenges. Four are real. One I made up. Can you spot the fake?

1. The Hot Pepper Challenge
2. The Space Monkey Challenge
3. The Charlie Charlie Challenge
4. The Purple Nutsack Challenge
5. The Kylie Jenner Lip Challenge

OK, while they’re all terrible ideas, The Purple Nutsack isn’t actually a challenge. When I suggested adding it to the list, my husband just winced, crossed his legs and wandered off.

OK, while these are all awful and I can’t recommend enough to NOT try these I will admit that The Purple Nutsack is not a challenge and when I suggested to my husband that I add this to the list he just winced and wandered off.

My whole point is this. There are a literal fuck-ton of awful, dangerous and downright ridiculous challenges out there. So why not use our love of challenges for something that actually makes the world a little better?

Enter the Plastic Free Challenge.

www.plasticfreechallenge.org/what-is-single-use-plastic

We all know plastic isn’t great for the environment, but recycling isn’t the magical solution most of us wish it was. A lot of that plastic still ends up in landfills or the ocean. Have you ever heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? If not, look it up and prepare to be horrified.

Now, I’m not saying we should eliminate every piece of plastic from our lives overnight. That’s not realistic. Like blow jobs, I believe everything should be in moderation.

Plastic grocery bags, plastic straws, plastic forks, plastic cups, plastic coffee lids. Single-use plastic is exactly what it sounds like. You use it once, throw it away and then someone else gets to deal with it.

The good news is most of it is avoidable.

Reusable shopping bags. Metal straws. BPA-free water bottles. Small changes really do add up.

Is it doable?  Hell yeah.

Is it a pain in the ass?  Hell yeah.

But we love a challenge, right?

I already do most of those things, but recently I found another easy swap. We cook a lot at home, which means we wash a lot of dishes. I also go through an embarrassing number of kitchen sponges and plastic dish scrapers, so I started looking for a more eco-friendly option.

That’s when I found Scrufah.

It’s basically a loofah for your dishes. No plastic. Biodegradable. Compostable. Non-toxic.

Why do we go through all the trouble of buying organic food but never stop to think about what we’re scrubbing our dishes with?

They’re soft when wet (insert giggling here) but still tough enough to clean without scratching my cookware. They come three to a box, each lasting about two to three months, and they’re compressed flat until you get them wet, when they expand to full size.

Now it almost feels like they’re writing these jokes for my husband.

I’ve been using my Scrufah to clean everything from dishes and pots to reusable water bottles and metal straws, and I’ve been really happy with it.

So now it’s your turn, you challenge-loving freaks.

Join the fight against single-use plastics. Maybe a Scrufah isn’t your thing, but replace one disposable item in your house with something reusable. Every little bit helps.

The amazing company that makes Scrufah, Oliver Flynn Lifestyles, is a small family business started by two sisters who wanted to create a low-tox lifestyle for their kids while reducing plastic waste. They’re also offering Living Clean and Dirty readers 15% off on Amazon with coupon code HBIC3MCK.

Check out their Website, Facebook and Instagram

They’re up to the challenge. Are you?

Oliver Flynn Lifestyles provided me with a Scrufah to facilitate this review; however, all opinions expressed are my own.

The post Scrufah says…Challenge Accepted! appeared first on Living Clean and Dirty.

OK, everyone who knows me knows I love to recycle.  Whether it’s tin cans, shampoo bottles or toilet paper it doesn’t really matter to me.  In the spirit of recycling I have taken my 10-Step Commandments from our podcast and recycled/reused here in one nice neat package, I call it The Perfect Ten (no hubby, not you but you’re totally a strong 9…ok maybe 8).  Originally I called it the Ten of Hearts but that made me think of The Queen of Hearts and when I start singing Juice Newton around the house everyone gets pissed (they must be jealous of my fabulous singing voice).  So if some of these sound familiar, you’re not crazy (as far as I can tell).  We felt this feature was so good for your ears that we didn’t want your eyes to get jealous.  Enjoy!  😉

I have 2 daughters; my husband refers to them as the scientist and the anarchist.  My younger one, the anarchist is truly sweet and has a huge heart, but there hasn’t been a rule made that she hasn’t broken.  She’s super smart, but a little lazy and is convinced that half of her teachers and all adults have no idea what they are talking about.  My scientist however is the type of child who thrives on compliments and parental pride.  She loves school and has on more than one occasion been referred to as “an old soul”.

Now make no mistake when it comes to the lottery that is parenthood I hit the jackpot on both tries.  My girls couldn’t be more different but I wouldn’t change a thing about either of them (well, mostly).

The scientist (who now is considering which surgery specialty to study…she’s 12) and I were watching Grey’s Anatomy together.  It’s “our” show and on a particular episode one of the patients lays in a hospital bed dying. Not the breathy-can’t move kind-Emergency Room kind of dying, just the super-pale-lying-in-bed kind of dying.  With her daughter at her side she’s chit-chatting away, as we mothers do, feeding her a huge helping of unsolicited advice.  The dutiful daughter is giving her dying mom a mani, as one does, because just like wearing clean underwear you should never walk around with chipped nails…just in case the unspeakable were to happen. The mom passes one tidbit that made me tilt my head like a confused puppy…”you should be with a man who loves you more than you love him”.  I’ve heard a lot of kooky relationship advice but this was a new one on me, and apparently the daughter didn’t agree either because she got up and walked over to the hospital room window. When she turns around…the mom is dead. Of course, I’m balling my eyes out and the scientist looks over at me and says “it’s okay mom, it was probably an embolism and she didn’t feel any pain”.  I took a long look at my pre-teen scientist and thought…what would I tell her (and my 10-year old anarchist) right before I died and it’s not “Hey, I could have used a second coat.”

So here it is, my life advice for the lights of my life:

1-Everyone messes up: You, me, your dad (contrary to popular belief), your friends, teachers, the Dalai Lama…everyone makes mistakes. Mistakes are fine, it’s all part of the process of growing up and being a grown up, but unfortunately more times than not, those mistakes hurt other people in some way. I believe it’s what you do afterwards that’s the important part. Do you blame others, brush it off, and rationalize it that they deserved it or it’s their fault. Or do you say sorry and own up to your shit. The only way to learn is by making mistakes. My advice is to take responsibility and learn from them. You messed up and you own it, you’ll get a lot more mileage out of learning from a mistake and changing your behavior than blaming it on someone or something else.  However, if you keep making the same mistake over and over again, that’s a problem.

2-Grateful/Universe: I don’t know who said this first but “You can’t be grateful and unhappy at the same time”, but it might have been my husband the day after I gave him his birthday gift (wink!). In our house, every night we do “Grateful/Universe”. We talk about the things we are grateful for and what we ask of the universe? It doesn’t have to be big. I’ve been grateful for an awesome parking spot, finding the right color shoes, and waking up in the morning. Asking the universe for a new My Little Pony doll doesn’t fly in my house – it’s more about asking for someone to get well, confidence during a test, or the Tooth Fairy not to forget to visit again. Yup that’s happened twice (see advice #1).

3-Give Back to Others: As a kid, I once asked my mom why we bust our asses our whole life only to die in the end – why do we bother? She told me, “You spend your life helping others, making other lives better, that’s what it’s all about. That’s the legacy you leave.” I don’t agree with my mom all the time (sorry mom) but this time I do. In my house we don’t do for others for the pat on the back, the reward or the recognition. We help others because to us it’s as important to life as breathing. It’s something we can’t imagine living without. It doesn’t have to be large gestures or donating piles of money, we find the most value in the little everyday things like volunteering our time, smiling at people, listening when someone is talking to you and just being kind.

4-Forgiveness: We’ve established that everyone makes mistakes and everyone can be a douche (those are the anarchist’s words, not mine). A valuable yet often overlooked quality is learning to forgive. I’m not suggesting to forget, but instead to store that nugget of information away and go on with your life. I teach my girls that you absolutely do not have to accept someone’s apology, but forgiveness is for you so you don’t live with the anger. That’s right…we’re taught if you make a mistake, you say “I’m sorry” and the other person says ok and everything’s fixed. Screw that! My hubby always says, “When someone pushes you down a flight of stairs, looks down and says sorry, you’re still left at the bottom of the stairs.” Some shit in life is beyond an “I’m sorry” and you don’t have to be ok with it. But you should find forgiveness so you’re not left constantly pissed.

5-Moderation: Everything in moderation is our mantra. It doesn’t matter if it’s ice cream, shopping or drinking from the skulls of our enemies (my anarchist’s suggestion, not mine).

6-Listen More, Talk Less: Ok, so I’m not so good with this one…YET, but I am getting better. I come from a family of talkers but what I’ve learned is that most of the time when I’m flapping my mouth it’s to let other people know what I know. My husband always says “every time you talk you are saying things you already know, when you listen you have the potential to learn something new”. Hot and smart, that’s why I love him, find one just like him.

7-Live Fearlessly: Let’s unpack this one carefully. I’m not saying to jump out of planes, wear plaid with stripes or walk a tightrope between buildings in NYC, unless that’s your thing. I’m talking about not being scared to try something new, to think outside the box, to say “yes” to all the things you would instinctively say no to. If you never do anything that scares you then you’re not truly living.  I’m scared of public speaking so when I was asked to speak at my daughter’s graduation every fiber of my being was screaming “NO don’t do it”. I smiled and agreed and I must say I did a fine job. When I saw a pair of crazy palazzo pants I thought those are cool but not for me – it’s not my style. I stopped and bought two pairs. Again, stop thinking big, it’s the small stuff too.

8-Meditate:  There are thousands of websites that talk about the health benefits of meditation, and while I agree with all of them, that’s not why I keep coming back to it. For me, meditation is simply a chance to hit the pause button.  As moms, we’re pretty good at going from zero to losing our minds in about three seconds flat. Meditation reminds me to stop, breathe and realize that most of the things I’m stressing over really aren’t that important. It quiets the chatter in my head, gives me a little perspective and helps me remember not to sweat the small stuff. That alone makes it worth the effort.

9-Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do…including yourself: I loved the show “Lost”, (well…except for the ending). My favorite line of the show was from John Locke, the character in the wheelchair, who yells “Don’t tell me what I can’t do” when he wants to go on a walkabout. I’m not saying life is easy, on the contrary, life will kick you in the ass every chance it gets. If you work hard, stay focused and dream BIG you can do things you never thought were possible.

10-Expect/Demand More: My goal is to raise two daughters who are confident, strong women who demand to be treated well. It doesn’t matter if it’s a spouse, a friend, or someone you hire to paint your room black (guess what color my anarchist wants to paint her room). Expect more from yourself than anyone else expects from you. Demand respect from the people you let into your life.

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The point is my guy sends me flowers….a lot.

I already had a ton of vases before we met, got another bunch when we registered to get married and now have another shit-ton from my own personal FTD man (let’s call him husband).  My home was starting to look like a florist’s safe house.

Well, green-old-me wasn’t going to just toss all these vases so I found a great new home for them…my local hospital.  Call ahead to yours and make sure they accept donated vases, although it’s hard to believe that any wouldn’t.  Some hospitals even have flower programs for patients that don’t get any visitors which I think is awesome.  Or if you want to get an “in” with your local florist, donate them to your local flower shop so they can use them again.  These are a great couple of ways to pass on the happy, clean out your house and keep recycling.

And personal FTD man, if you’re reading this (you’d better be). Next time when you send me flowers skip the vase option and instead go up a size in the arrangement.  There may be grateful “tulips” already waiting for you at home.

The post Just the Tip – You don’t bring me vases anymore appeared first on Living Clean and Dirty.