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Greetings!
The Second "R" - Reuse
It just made sense to me that if I wrote about the importance of remembering the first "R" and some tips, why not do a quick "re-fresher" for all of us about the second one - Reuse. The reduce part came easily. When I took a serious inventory of what we honestly reuse around here, the list came up shorter. Could that be because we are taking the reduce part so seriously? Maybe I am on to something.
So here are my top FIVE, "what you will find if you conduct a surprise inspection at Mrs. Green's house" reuses:
 Gift bags & tissue paper - Please notice I did not say wrapping paper. I have post-traumatic stress from seeing the same Christmas wrapping from my parents for over a decade but if it works for you, kudos! I do, however, reuse every gift bag ever given to me. I have been known to put a bigger label over a smaller label if someone actually wrote ON the gift bag. And I love it when I receive a gift from someone in a gift bag that I gave them that they gave me that I gave them. Following me? At times I do have to enforce some quality assurance when the tissue paper looks like it needs ironing, and I use some new paper.- Plastic bags - there - I wrote it! Cross my heart, they are usually brought into my home by friends and family members. I do my best to maintain my composure, not gasp, and then quickly stuff them in the closet - all with a smile on my face. If those guests leave with anything, trust me - the plastic bag goes with them. Remember you can always take them to a grocery store, or simply throw them out of your car window so they fly in front of my car. I have witnesses.
 Glass jars and bottles - We still buy things from the store in jars occasionally. And we actually buy things at the Farmers Markets that come in jars. They are great to store leftovers in as well as dry goods - like quinoa - my new best food friend. If they are small jars, we store things in them like buttons, rubber bands, loose change, and yes - nuts, bolts and nails. The latter are not in my department but I had to reveal. And, no, I did not forget using wine bottles for candle holders. Cut me some slack. Age has to have some benefits including pretty candle holders.- Paper Bags - Since I do not feel the need to hide these for some reason, I will bring one out to transport items for a potluck or other outing. They are in very short supply in our house now because we take our reusable bags for all of our shopping. Since this newsletter has become the "tell all" column for Mrs. Green, when I made fried chicken last Sunday (my cooking quota for 2011), we had to scour the house to find enough brown bags to put the chicken on. I am sure this is not the most sanitary of practices (my mother did it for 50 years and we are all okay) but it sure soaks up that fried chicken grease. DISCLAIMER: I make fried chicken once a year. Swear.
- Miscellaneous - Weird category I admit. But even after consulting with Mr. Green, the both of us agreed that we have made quite a bit of progress with making changes in our lives overall. Best we came up with: big brown envelopes, card board boxes, tin foil if it doesn't touch raw food and pretty wine bags - even though they fall more in the re-gifting category.
What are you reusing? Do tell...
Author's note: if you are on Facebook and actually use it, I highly recommend following the ReUse Connection. Join about 75,000 other people who look forward to reading about some of the most creative, innovative, artistic and sometimes downright wacky reuse ideas on a daily basis.
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Gardening Tips for Your Reading Pleasure!
Go green with your garden. Many people prefer organics, but why not buy local as well? Arizona is home to plant energy product specialists, Botanicare. Check out what makes their organics top of the line!
-- Brought to you by Sea of Green
We Are Approved in the iTunes Store
Please don't even ask me how you officially register to have your podcasts registered and approved in the iTunes store. I have no earthly clue about what a person is to do. If you don't believe me, ask any one of the Mrs. Green team members. My brain is just not wired for those techno questions. But alas, we are official, assigned categories, and Mrs. Green's radio shows are easily available for you to download on your favorite iAnything device. We would be thrilled if you would be moved enough to rate a few and consider writing a short review. If you haven't figured it out yet, we really care what you think.
And please do whatever it takes to remind yourself to listen live every Saturday at www.mrsgreensworld.com, 12:00 pm PST. Be a part of the Mrs. Green ACTION tribe and spread the word.
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Three Things You REALLY Need to Know About WellHome
There have been many days on the Mrs. Green journey that I feel like an activated matrix. Either that or I find myself wondering, where have I been all these years? I console myself with the reminder that when the student is ready, the teacher appears. Enter WellHome and energy audits.
- WellHome not only uses state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to perform their energy audits, they have trusted professionals to handle the installations you select. I call it One Stop Green Shopping
- WellHome has one of the most delightful, clever ways of stating what they do with the information they gather from doing a home energy audit: they improve the weather inside your home. Think about it.
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WellHome has a 4.9 customer service satisfaction rating. That is something that money can't buy and what every business strives (and prays) for. Speaks volumes about who they are and knowing the local WellHome team as I do, I am not at all surprised.
And since I only EVER write three things, my last comment doesn't count, right? Just thought you would want to know that WellHome proudly partners with Tucson Electric Power's BrightSave Home program and are BPI certified program participating contractors.
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Upcoming Shows
 August 20
Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff - Healthy Child Healthy World
Honestly? I am at the point in my life that I believe almost every disease in the world is linked to some kind of environmental contaminants. Endless research would back up this bold statement. Get ready for Rachel to share some of that evidence linking everyday environmental contaminants to asthma, learning disabilities, obesity, cancer and more. The good news? Healthy Child translates the science and inspires parents and caregivers to create healthy environments where families can flourish. This powerful organization has ignited the movement that empowers parents to protect children from harmful chemicals. My heart is soaring already. This show sponsored by Green Living Magazine.
 August 27
Andrew Kurth, Lauren Sheller, and Tiffany Hayes - Arizona Beef Council
I know where the beef IS. I want to know where it is coming from, what the cows are fed during their life time, how they are raised, and how they are killed. My journey as Mrs. Green has led me to find new meaning in the phrase "cruelty free." I admit to being a carnivore. I now eat less beef and I believe the beef industry can use some serious scrutiny. Hopefully, the folks from the Arizona Beef Council will have lots of answers. I know it will be an informative show. This show sponsored by the Fairfax Companies.
 September 3
Ask Umbra from Grist.org
Honestly? No words. Umbra is one of my heroes. Aside from being outrageous, she is extremely well-informed and passionate about preservation of the planet. I could be president of her fan club but that would be silly. Why so impressed at my end? Because Umbra makes YouTube videos and writes an advice column for Grist with antics and answers that I should be so blessed to be able to imitate. I will dig deeply to find out from whence they come. Whet your appetite and hear Umbra's view on saving water while flushing. My friend Ron might consider her crass but I doubt it.
 September 10
Dorothy Boone - The Nature Conservancy
I have been a supporter of and believer in The Nature Conservancy for more years than I care to reveal. It is very satisfying to me to be able to interview Dorothy and share on the show some of the magnificence of what this organization is and what it has contributed for over sixty years. Yes, sixty! The Nature Conversancy's tagline is: protecting nature, preserving life. You may not believe the magnitude and scope of their programs, their partnerships and their global impact. But you will have a better idea after you tune in. This show sponsored by the Fairfax Companies.
 September 17
Dale LeMonds - Aveda Institute
When I was searching for a company whose hair and make-up products would not harm me, whose corporate values were those I could respect, whose commitment to global environmental stewardship were a cut above the rest, it didn't take Mrs. Green long to seek out an Aveda salon. VerVe has been my salon of choice ever since. I am very excited to be able to interview Dale so that we can explore Aveda's vision in action and maybe even find out what they will be up to next!
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Mrs. Green's World GREEN TALK RADIO Show
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