Green Party Pocket

Why do I always fall into the Green Party's pocket?

I graduated high school the year of a presidential election. During that year we were made to research political candidates by our Government Teacher. A wonderful man, he made us take an online quiz that was supposed to determine your political party preferences based on your answers. I showed up on the Green Party list. I laughed it off at the time. I finished my research on all the parties in the election and cast my ballot as I saw fit.

This year for my state's elections I have been following the candidates again. I check out their websites, read about their stand on issues, and watch their political commercials. As this campaign year has progressed I have been liking the Green candidate more and more. As with all politicians I don't agree with everything he says, I only agree with him the most.

I may not vote Green I just think it is funny that we agree on many things.

Well happy voting day! And please do your research!

Cast a vote,
Yasha

Find your Candidates!
US Canditates List by State

Pumpkin Toss

With only a week left before Halloween what are your plans for that pumpkin afterwards? Toss it in the trash right? Nah, that is too wasteful. Make it into a flower pot? Now that sounds more like it!

How in the world do you create a pumpkin vase? First, Cut the top off your pumpkin. Second, Scoop out the insides saving them for the next project (see below). Make sure you scrape the inside of the pumpkin and get all the meat. There should be nothing but shell left. Third, Place a small coffee can or vase in the pumpkin. Now place your favorite fall flowers inside!

What to do with the seeds and pulp. Separate the seeds from the pulp. Set the pulp aside for now. Spread the seeds on a cookie sheet in an even layer and bake at 250°F until dry.

Now for the pulp! Puree the pulp of the pumpkin until smooth and store in the freezer for up to 1 month! That is just enough time for Thanksgiving!!!!!!

For more recipes to recycle your pumpkin:
Martha Stewart - Pumpkin Puree
Martha Stewart - Pumpkin Pie
Martha Stewart - Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin Seeds
Taste of Home - Cream Filled Pumpkin Cupcakes
Taste of Home - Pumpkin Stew
Taste of Home - Spiderweb Pumpkin Cheesecake
Taste of Home - Candied Pumpkin Seeds

ATTENTION! PLEASE DO NOT USE PUMPKINS THAT ARE WRINKLED, MOLDED, OR THAT HAVE A BAD SMELL TO MAKE ANYTHING EDIBLE AS THESE MAY BE SIGNS OF A SPOILED PUMPKIN. By making these recipes you assume all responsibility to check the pumpkin for rot, mold, or anything else which may affect the recipes and your or anyone else's health.

Save money by going to bed early!

You heard correctly; save yourself a dollar to two on your electricity by retiring earlier. Not only will your wallet thank you your boss will too.

How is this possible? Well, think about it. If you're up at night you have to turn on a light to see. If you go to bed earlier you waste less energy by turning off those lights. Try it out and see how much you save!

Another tip! Try putting a night light in your bathroom for those midnight trips. No one likes to sear their eyes with the blinding bathroom light anyways! We have an LED nightlight in our bathroom; it is just bright enough to light up that space so we can see at night. It's wonderful!

You could also install a small window in your throne room for added ventilation and light. Use stained glass or wavy glass so no one can see in. By venting the extra moisture from baths and showers you will put less strain on your Heating/Cooling system and save a few bucks along the way. Plus with a window in there who needs a light bulb?

Hope this gives you some great ideas!

Stay green,
Yasha

PS Don't forget about putting a half gallon jug in your tank to use less water when you flush, turn off the faucet when you brush, and other small things you can do to help save.

Recycleween

How is that costume coming along? Already made it? Yes, I said made. I love this costume I saw at Gymboree but balked at the $50+ price tag for all the parts. Although the material looks like it could stand up to multiple kids using it I would have to have quite a few before I could justify that price.

So I've done what any cheapskate would do. Wait for it to go on sale. Well I've waited and waited and the lowest price I can get on it is still $30. Not good enough.

I went to Target yesterday for some groceries and looked through the dollar items. You know that stuff placed conveniently close to the front door. I found most of the parts to costume in 5 minutes and only spent $3! Now all that is left is a skirt and shoe covers.

Went to Hancocks today and found the perfect fabrics! only $3.36 +tax. One was 50% off the other 75% off!

I'm happy with how the costume has turned out and I'm just ecstatic about the price! I'll post a new picture of it when I get the skirt done.

Stay Green,

Yasha



$3.67 for 1yd green sheer and 1/2yd
orange shimmer. Total so far $7.01.

$3.34 for the hat, shirt,
and leg warmers.


















The Skirt



All together!

Want to make your own but don't know where to start?

Try these places:

The Daily Green: Recycled Halloween Costumes!

Instructables.com: Halloween Costumes

etsy.com: Halloween



My "stash" Q&A

My daughter's fluffy butt diaper stash. It only cost me $170 USD. Since I started using cloth I would have spent at least $220 on disposables so since May I have saved $50.

Happy dance! Money in my pocket! I'm so glad I stuck with it!

Q. But what about all the extra laundry you have to do?
A. What extra laundry? I just put all the whites together and wash everything at once.

Q. Eww. You wash your laundry with cloth diapers?
A. Sure do. I don't know about you but my washer gets clothes clean so what is the difference?

Q. Doesn't it smell bad?
A. I really don't think cloth smells bad. You have to rinse it before it goes in the diaper pail so it doesn't smell.

Q. Rinse it?
A. Well once you change it you need to rinse off the poo or it'll stain the diaper. Plus, you wouldn't want to put poo in your washer.

Q. That sounds like a lot of work.
A. Each week I save about $10. That is 45 minutes of work per week that I'm not spending to pay for disposables. How much time do I spend cleaning diapers? Maybe 14 minutes a week. It doesn't take that long to clean a diaper.

Q. Ok so you save money. What about when you go on trips?
A. Oh, that one is easy! I still cloth diaper. Any where you travel (especially in the US) you can find laundromats.

Q. What about if you travel out of country?
A. Do some research about where you're going. You can find out if there is a local laundromat, diaper service, or if your hotel does laundry.

Q. Well, I've heard they aren't as absorbent.
A. That is true. More true with some brands or types than others. You just can't beat chemicals. BUT do you want to put chemicals on your baby's butt? Besides you still save money this way and there are ways to "add" absorbency to a dipe.

Q. Add absorbency?
A. Yes, you can add absorbency to a cloth diaper by using a diaper doubler. You can also wick the moisture away from baby's bottom by placing micofleece between the top layer of diaper and the butt.

Q. What about diaper rash can you use a cream?
A. Most bottoms do not need to be slathered in cream every time you change a diaper; only when they are actually rashy. If your baby does get a rash DO NOT use regular cream. Most creams ruin diapers. Use Lanolin (for breast feeding) instead.

Q. I checked with my daycare and they will not allow children with cloth diapers. What now?
A. First, consider who you asked. Was it the director, owner, or just one of the people that take care of the kids. Second, think about how much cloth diapering means to you? (ie Is it just a way to save money or do you like the environmental impact?) Third, talk to the director or owner about your concerns, ask why they do not allow cloth. Is it too much of a hassle? Are there special state regulations that they do not meet for cloth? Is the staff just not trained? See if you can resolve any issues or concerns they may have about cloth. Be prepared to answer questions.
If they still say no and it means a lot to you look for a different day care.

Q. I'm thinking of using cloth. Is there anything else I should know?
A. Oh lots. I'm not the expert on diapers.
These sites can help you:
Detergents safe to use on Cloth Diapers
Cloth diaper rash Creams
A forum dedicated Cloth Diapers

Places to Buy:
www.nickisdiapers.com/
www.greenmountaindiapers.com/
www.fuzzibunz.com/
www.bumgenius.com/ 
http://www.diapers.com/
Also check Bed Bath and Beyond online, Amazon.com, Target.com, and WalMart.com