Get out the good china!

Living rich by living simply:

Recently, in a FB group, Jacob posted this:

I asked him if I could share it with you, because I loved the message. What items do you think you might not need? What items are collecting dust that might be used?

Earth Day Q&A with The Reuser

#EarthDay2016

Yesterday, I got the hare brained idea to do a FB Live video about Earth Day! Yay!

Here is the video with some show notes:



1st Question:
What would you tell a green-newbie about where to start? What are a few easy ways to begin reducing waste?

My answer: start with a durable bottle and bags to start, then you can attempt other habits, like durable/reusable to-go container, napkins, utensils, etc.
DO NOT do it all at once! It takes me years sometimes to fully create/solidify a habit.
2:00: I mention Liberty Bottleworks (my favorite bottles!-the link will take you to the Amazon listing for the bottle shown in the video and is an affiliate link*.)
3:00 I mention collapsible to-go containers. Here is an affiliate link* to an Amazon listing for a collapsible bento box.

2nd Question:
6:30 I often get asked "But I'm only one person, are my efforts going to make a difference?", I'd love to hear your answer to that!

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. -Margaret Mead

My TEDx talk

3rd Question:
Can you give the group some suggestions how they can encourage change in others without coming off condescending and like a jerk? I struggle with this I've made many changes for the better in my own life and would like to see those changes in others around me.
A: Starting with yourself is great! People won’t change unless they’re ready. You do you and let that influence those around you!

At 9:00 I talk about "hidden benefits" and mention Glass Dharma straws.*

Final Question: Who are you wearing?
11:30 My haulternative video with Little Did You Know.

If you like what Andrea got, you should consider my ProThrifting services!















*Affiliate links help me to make a small percentage of your purchases for helping you to find great products. This in turn helps me to serve you more fresh content!

#Green2016 Challenge!

Take 1 of 5 pledges and reduce your waste. Do something sweet for the planet for Valentine's Day.

If you are on Facebook and don't follow The Reuser; Go. Do it. This is primarily where I post stuff these days, but I realized I should probably let you know about the #Green2016 Challenge. I'll post all the pledges here as well, but the basic premise is: you pick 1 of 5 pledges, post it to your favorite social media site (social media is how we communicate our norms to people these days so posting about waste reduction behaviors can be really powerful and can inspire others!) and then spend the first 2 weeks of February doing your best to stick to your commitment. We don't expect perfection (The Reuser has tried and failed many times before she tries and succeeds!) but we do expect you to do your best! 

PurJuly 2015

Train of thought: My arms are flabby...must look into one of those 30 day arm challenges...those are sorta fun...*Google Image arm challenge*....Suns Out, Guns Out, that looks like just what I need...What's this? Conquer the Clutter? I've been wanting to do that, too....40 bags in 40 days, huh?...well, I don't really follow Lent, obviously....but, I could revive the PurJuly Challenge. I've been thinking about doing it anyway....*Posts on FB asking if anyone is interested*....whoa! There's a ton of interest....*Thinks about it for the next 24 hours solid*

So, that's how PurJuly was revived! I tried the PurJuly Challenge awhile ago, (Whoa...just figured out it was 4 years ago...) but didn't really stick with it. What I did do was pretty awesome, though. So, without further ado, here is the PurJuly Challenge for 2015:

1. For every day of July, you must *make an effort* to spend 30 minutes tidying, sorting, organizing, etc *1* spot in your house. If you'd like, fill out your name in the PurJuly area planning doc and start filling in your 31 spots.
2. That's about it for rules. I know that guilt is a poor motivator and since that's not really how I roll, I want this to work for you. Think about a goal that you've set for yourself in the past. What "rules" did you put on yourself to get there? Use those. We're all different and have different motivators. For some, it's competition (that's so NOT me...) Whatever works for you-use it!
3. If you want to take pictures and send them through to me, that would be awesome. You could also be awesome and fill out data on your purged items using this tracking form. Or not. Whatever works.

If you are going to be posting pictures for the PurJuly Challenge, please tag them with #PurJuly so we can create a tagboard later on. The pics on this post are some of the terrible areas that I'm posting so that I will be forced to see this through.... Scary!

If you need a little motivation, I'll be posting various blogs and resources throughout the challenge, but for now, check out this one that one of my good friends and colleagues, Erin, posted when I was asking on FB if anyone was interested in this.

Scary? Hell, yes. Needed? Again, hell, yes. Do I think I'll actually stick with this and post every day in July? Probably not. Do I care? Not really. It's the thought (and effort-however imperfect) that count. Come be imperfect with me? (and perhaps a tiny bit tidier/less stressed/calmer?)

Wow. I'm truly touched!

I recently gave my presentation entitled "Recycling doesn't matter....and what to do about it" to a class at Clark College. My friend/colleague Erin has had me present to her class a few times now. After my presentation, she asked her students: "What was your favorite part of Terra's talk? Which idea or suggestion did you like of hers the best or are you most likely/excited to implement in your own life?"

Here are a few of the answers:

I'm so happy that I could be inspiration for positive behavior changes. These words are precious to me. Thank you, Erin! Thank you to the students in her class for the participation and willingness to listen to this crazy gal who is super passionate about lightening the load we're putting on this planet in a nonjudgemental and encouraging way!

If you have a group that you think could benefit from this presentation, please email me. I love this work!

Making Spirits Bright

Worried about finishing off that holiday shopping list?

Want to help someone in need this holiday season? 

Spend some time with the family and make a wreath?

The good news is you can do all of this in one day!

There are 3 events that you absolutely must mark on your calendar. The best news is that they're all in the same location and at the same time! 

Next Saturday, December 13th, 2014

First, you'll want to bring your holiday shopping list to the 5th Annual Check 'Em Off, Green Holiday Gift Event. With over 60 vendors, you will be able to check everyone off your list in a "green" way here. 

Secondly, if you want to have a part in helping Northwest Battle Buddies get a service dog for a veteran in our local community, you can bring bags of unwanted clothing/textiles to Check 'Em off, Green. (Each bag is worth about $2 to the organization and will get you a raffle ticket!)

For even more holiday cheer, stop by the Christmas at the Fort Festivities. 

What a great way to spend the day! 

Four-minute, no-sew modesty skirt

Spandex may be a privilege but everyone has the right to be comfortable.

So, some of you know that I quit my "day job" back in November and have started my own business promoting sustainable consumption. Some of you also know that I've been working a part time job to help make ends meet in the mean time. That position consists of organizing and running clothing collection events. What's appropriate attire for this position? I should probably wear jeans, but then I have to unload the clothing (sometimes 10,000+ lbs!) later that day. My compromise has been to wear spandex/yoga pants but then also wear one of my 2 Sweet Spot Skirts over the top. It makes me more comfortable (and probably everyone else at the event) while still giving me enough flexibility for the unloading workout that is entailed at the end of the event.

Fast forward to last Friday when I hadn't done my laundry in awhile. What to do? I had a somewhat brilliant (if I do say so myself...) idea. I cut the bottom of a too-big t-shirt off, flipped it upside down and added some elastic. Voila!

While it's true this wasn't nearly as cute or well made as a Sweet Spot Skirt, it served the purpose well and was super quick/easy. I might even make a few more.

It's easy to reuse the original hem by
slicing a small hole and threading
the elastic through there. The new "bottom"
 of the skirt will roll and doesn't need hemming.

After I wore it for the event, I went ahead and replaced the safety pin that was holding the elastic with actual sewing (this could be done by hand, but of course my sewing machine was much faster.)

Here's the original T.
I simply cut it off under the armpits,
flipped it over, and threaded some elastic
 through the original hem.

An epidemic of disposables on Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Why does it have to be a plastic water bottle?  

I'm a geek. I've talked about it many times on this blog before. I love me some scifi. I've watched just about every major science fiction show you could name. Moreover, I really love me some Joss Whedon. I'm a Joss fangirl, I guess you could say. Heck, 3 of my dogs have been named after Firefly characters. He's done no wrong, for me. Until now. 

Now, I know it's probably not fair to pick on Joss for the epidemic of plastic water bottle portrayal on ABC's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Man, that's a bitch to type....) However, it really is an epidemic. Check it out: 

Thirsty after a long workout with your ridiculously handsome "SO"? (that's supervising officer, not significant other) I get that you need a little drink of water, but perhaps next time you can take a cue from another super hero show and use a reusable water bottle? 

Perhaps the most interesting thing, though? When the show wants to show a serious "moment" and get out the good stuff, do they serve it in disposable cups? Of course not. 18 year old booze deserves (and gets) something a little more classy: 

Hey, SHIELD writers, props people, director (I'm talking to you, Joss!) I can get you some reusable water bottles for your show and they're even made here in the United States. Really. Just please stop portraying plastic water bottles as perfectly acceptable and normal, because they really do some damage. Sincerely, -The Reuser

Artist/Vendor Profile: Reca Brodie

Name:
Reca Brodie

Company name:
RecaCreations

Location:
Portland, OR

Website:
etsy.com/shop/RecaCreations

Facebook:
facebook.com/reca.creations

Other social media:
ArtfullyReimagined.com - RecaCreations

I have some pieces for sale at:
The Dancing Elephant Gallery in Baker City, OR
Belle Fleur Flower and Garden Boutique in Oak Grove, OR

Your products/projects:

There have been so many pieces I've made over the years that I have fallen in love with and swore that I would just keep for myself. I'd look at it for quite some time and finally come to the conclusion that, Oh, it's just too cute not to sell it. I just had that dilemma a few weeks ago with a piece that I just loved. I felt I could not part with it...then decided, Oh, someone is just going to fall in love with this one as much as I do...I just have to sell it. It's called Exquisite birdbath...you'll have to check it out on ArtfullyReimagined.com under RecaCreations.

My recycled yard art is made from used plates, platters, saucers, cups, mugs, bowls, vases, pitchers, figurines, knickknacks, etc. These items can have chips, cracks, blemishes, inconsistencies, flaws, etc. These items are made from glass, ceramic, porcelain, china, pottery, etc. Each piece is named, unique and one of a kind. These pieces cannot be reproduced. These pieces are made to be put outside and used as birdbaths, birdfeeders, plant stands or just art for your yard. Some clients have purchased them to put in their kitchen and place goodies upon them.

Me....I'm running and laughing in broken heels!

Green "Cred"

Creative reuse, Recycled content product, Refashioned, Reused materials

Why is "green" important to you?

For a very long time, I have believed in taking care of this great Earth of ours. When I was younger, I used to go to the dump with my best friend and her father. He was a handyman/gardener and would take tree limbs/yard debris to the dump. I was so sickened by what I saw there, and I have viewed the Earth differently after those trips to the dump.

I have tried to minimize my footprint at the waste facilities, as they're called now, and I still feel that I never do enough. We have become a throw-away society! We don't fix things anymore, we just get new ones. We have to have the newest, latest, greatest item out there before the other one has lived out its life expectancy.

I am happy that more and more people are recycling, and that more items can be recycled.

I would like to see this World of ours stay green and healthy for the rest of my life and for future generations to come....but, we have a long way to go to make sure that each and every one of us are responsible in accomplishing this goal.

Your origin story?

I have been crafting all my life, and mainly just for fun as a hobby. Over the years many friends and family have enjoyed my creations. Ten years ago I decided to see how well the general public would accept my creations as well, and to date they still seem to enjoy and embrace them....in which I am greatly appreciative. I have always been a huge recycler and I'm glad to say that my art reflects that view.

Your inspiration?

Nature inspires me...it never ceases to amaze me. Just when you think you've seen it all, around the next bend is something even more spectacular! When people look at my art they always comment on how the items I have chosen to put together really don't match, but they do go together. I take examples from nature....it doesn't matter if things match, but they do go together very well!

Your heroes? 

I don't have a particular hero but, my heroes are the ones who overcome adversity when all odds are against them.

Artist/Vendor Profile: Vance Family Soy Candles

Name:
Amy Vance

Company name:
Vance Family Soy Candles

Location:
Vancouver, WA

Website:
www.vancefamilysoycandles.com

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/vancefamilysoycandles

Other social media:
vancefamilysoycandles@pinterest.com

Your products/projects:

I make sustainable soy candles utilizing as many local materials as possible. NO SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCE. NO PETROLEUM PRODUCTS. Just pure, NON-GMO plant oils go into my candles that are hand poured into American made (and some handblown local) containers and labeled with handcrafted labels made of recycled, unbleached paper.

My favorite item is my American Scent Trip line of candles. I am creating a candle for every state (based upon my personal journeys) that takes the buyer on a journey through the state with their nose.I am very proud of my Keep Portland Weird candle made in collaboration with Music Millennium of Portland, OR. The candles were created to support buying local and small business and proceeds from the sales go to Oregon Music Hall of Fame which promotes music education in Oregon schools.I learn everyday and am continually humbled and thankful for all of the support and encouragement received by my family, buyers, friends, and fans.  

Green "Cred"

Creative reuse, Handmade, Durable, Made in the USA, Non-gmo ingredients, Recycled content product, Recycled content packaging, Reusable, Reusable packaging, Reused materials, Locally sourced materials, No Synthetic Fragrance or Petroleum 

Why is "green" important to you?

It is a given. Obviously, using synthetic fragrance would never even be an option. And when it comes to the rest of my manufacturing and business practices, it just comes natural to want to be as sustainable and thoughtful as possible. I run an almost zero waste business. This is not only earth friendly, but saves money! We re-use what other businesses might classify as trash (clean trash!) to pack our orders and create one-of-a-kind shredding for our gift boxes. We recycle and compost.

Your origin story?

I'm highly allergic to synthetic fragrance (found in virtually all candles as well as cleaning products, lotions, perfumes, the list goes on!) and couldn't burn candles without having an asthma attack. Being an avid cook and gardener, I knew real scents didn't bother me, so why the allergic reaction to candles? After researching, I learned of all of the detrimental and harmful ingredients put into most candles. I knew I could create an all natural, 100% plant based, candle and set out to make it a reality. My main goal was to create a natural cinnamon apple candle. Cinnamon essential oil was easy to find, but the apple... It was harder than I thought! It took a couple years to find an organic, oil soluble extract of apple that would translate into an amazing candle. But I found it! While I was at it, I knew I wanted all of my ingredients (including the soy) to be GMO-free, made in America, and recycled when possible. Thus, my line of Vance Family Soy Candles was born. The journey and response has been amazing and it is a wonderful feeling being able to provide for my family, create jobs, support local artists, give back to the community and create a product that is making the world a healthier place to live!

Your inspiration?

Scent memories and travel inspire me! Most of my candles are created due to personal journeys I have experienced.My brain is continually pumping out new ideas for styles and scents. I have to remind myself to turn it off & be patient most of the time because in order to make a profit I can't be running in a hundred different directions!

 

Your heroes?

I am inspired by, and appreciate, anyone who is willing to do what is right despite their situation. I am forever grateful to all those who have fought for freedom and human rights.

Favorite celebrities?

Oprah Winfrey because she is one of those brave people as described above.

Young Reusers

This morning, I got a text from my sister in law saying my nephew had creatively reused a gum package and then said, "{Aunt Reuser} would be so proud of me. I reused it!" 

I really am. 

Nature is winning

A couple days ago, I posted this about the new Toys R Us ad campaign. You could probably tell I was just a teensy bit upset about the pitting of plastic toys against nature play. Well, luckily, I wasn't the only one upset about it and with the help of a friend and my friend's kids, we did something about it. There are two versions of the video. See what you think:

Nature Is Winning



Nature Never Gets Old



Here's a bonus pic for you from the day's "shoot."

See the heron?

Announcing Terra Linda Consulting-Bringing the Green To the Screen

Greetings friends and followers,

I'm so very pleased to announce the opening of my consulting business, Terra Linda Consulting.

For those of you that know me on a personal level, you know that I care very deeply about the environmental health of this lovely planet we call home. For the past six years, I've been telling anyone who would listen (Thanks, listeners!) about my passion and about small changes they can make in their everyday lives that would help preserve the natural beauty that surrounds us. Now, it's time for me to take that message to a larger audience. In fact, the largest audience I could think of-everyone!

How do I intend to accomplish that? By launching Terra Linda Consulting and encouraging and facilitating the portrayal of sustainable consumption on-screen, in movies and TV shows. You've seen me post a few times about this already and now I'm going to fully devote myself to it.

Another way to find a larger audience for sustainable items is through gift-giving. Maybe you were introduced to me through Check 'Em Off, Green? Organizing this event for 3 years has made me realize that there are great gifts to be had within our own communities and we don't need to rely on the bix box retailers for our gift-giving needs. TLC will offer corporate gift bags and personal shopping services as well as bringing the green to the screen.

I'm so excited for this new adventure and I hope you are too!

Chicken coop made from reused materials

front of the coop, with the back
shown in inset

Pre-weathered wood makes for a great-looking home for some backyard chickens

I've been bringing you creative reuses from my colleagues lately and here's another one. A lovely woman I work with, Cathy, sent me these pics and description: 

My husband made this chicken house from mostly reused materials. The outside wood is from an old cedar fence. The rest of the wood & hardware came from the Rebuild Center and scraps he had on hand. The only exception is the hardware cloth, it was purchased new. I love the end result!  

I do, too, Cathy-that's a classy coop for your cluckers!

Those are some happy hens!

back of coop-showing egg and hen access

Creatively Reuse a Canoe as a Duck Pond

What do you do when you have new ducks that need some H2O to play in? You build them a pond, of course. Might as well use some things you have sitting around, taking up space..

Earlier, I wrote about one of my colleagues that sends me his creative reuse projects and I also mentioned that I liked this one even more. One of the things I really like about the way in which I got this email was that I got to read the whole thing and then click on the picture. I was more impressed than I even thought I was going to be. Now, I've already told you in the title of this post what he used for the pond, but here are his words, straight from the email I got. It should properly set the scene for you:

My new ducks LOVE water.. in fact they need it ... they are waterfowl after all...
Two of these birds (the females) are supposed to lay about 300 eggs a year.... that's better than some chickens!
And the Drakes here quack a little.. but they don't go cock-a-doodle-do all day long.. so they are legal in the city... so I can make baby ducks next year too!
Anyway... I needed a quick pond... so I improvised with an obsolete item that has been sitting for a few years..
Then I found these cute little boardwalks in the woodpile out behind {Name of business redacted, just in case}... they make the perfect poop deck for hanging out next to the new pond...
Then I went to the restore and got all the plumbing (CHEAP!) to put a drain in... and it works!  So I water plants with the dirty water (nutrient rich water that is, for plants)...
So there's my reuse project from last weekend...beats buying a cheap Chinese kiddie pool... which just cracks eventually anyway...
B

Heh heh heh...Poop decks, indeed

I hope I didn't ruin the surprise too much for you. So cool... 

How to Creatively Reuse Box Springs

Boy am I excited to bring you these next two reuses.

A colleague of mine sends me emails from time to time about all the fun creative reuses he employs at home. This first one is great because who hasn't found themselves with an unwanted mattress or box spring before?

Bob decided to put his to good use. Here's what he has to say about this project:

I know Reuse is your thing…. So I had to brag about my last reuse project… but I will use pictures instead of words… 

Before

After

In addition to the finished product.. I scored 9 long 1x2’s for garden stakes or other future uses.. a little bit of firewood, a huge piece of cardboard that went into the garden for weed barrier.. and just a little trash, that fit in my trash can and didn’t require a big trip to the transfer station… plus it kept the kids busy and off of the gaming… 

What do you think? 

What do I think? I think it's ingenious! I need one in my garage.

To see all the "process" photos, go here.

Readers-what do you think? Does this inspire you to creatively reuse something you'd otherwise be throwing away? The more I "get into" this creative reuse thing, the more I see fun ways in which to use "trash" that is all around us. Nice job, Bob!

Stay tuned for the next one. I think I like it just slightly more than this project. But, that could be a function of it having to do with animals and I'm sucker for animals...

Grimm Consumption Series #2

Bike commuter on the show Grimm

I was really pleased to notice this little moment in the show. In Episode 9, Juliette is heading home from work(?) and instead of showing her driving, they decided to show her riding her bike:

Bike commuting is very authentic to Portland.
In fact, it was named America's Best Bike City
last year by Bicycling Magazine 

Notice her super cute red coat? I'll mention that again
in a second. 

If you're gonna ride, you should wear
a helmet, so kudos again to the show for modeling
positive behavior!

Here, we see Juliette set down her backpack (durable!)
and get another glimpse of that pretty red coat.

I'm pointing out the coat because Juliette (Bitsie Tulloch) wears it in a ton of scenes/in quite a few episodes. Again, it's realistic/authentic (It rains a lot here-feels like 11.5/12 months out of the year.) It's also sustainable consumption-she doesn't have a different coat on every time we see her on-screen (ala Sex and the City.)

Have you seen any examples of good/not so great consumption in your favorite shows?