It is always a challenge to try to figure out what to get everyone each year for their birthdays.  This year I have decided to get everyone gift cards.  If possible I will email them a gift card, but unfortunately not all emailed gift cards will let you use them in the stores and are mostly for only catalog or on-line orders.  I sent Applebee’s  gift cards to my two nieces this year, so they could celebrate with some of their friends.  Applebee’s has a great website that you can also select a card to include along with your mailed gift card, at an extra cost.  I was impressed with their card choices on-line and thought that they all were very nice. 

http://www.applebees.com/GiftCardLanding.aspx

My brother, daughter and son in-law all prefer Amazon.com for a gift choice.  I usually email them a gift card.  Which helps save some time and money.  Some gift cards even charge extra for mailing the card.  In the future I think I will have each of them start a wish list with Amazon (and any other website) .  This way I can access their wish lists on-line and at least I will feel more like I picked something out for them,  and it will still be a bit of a surprize when they get it in the mail.  Since we pay a flat yearly shipping fee with Amazon, some items offer free 2 day shipping which helps if I forgot someones birthday (oh yeah, been there, done that!), and this way they won’t have to use some of their gift certificate money towards their shipping.  

http://www.amazon.com/

Myself, I basically enjoy Starbucks, restaurants, salon and spa gift cards, and I prefer these over gifts.  I also have a friend that we usually celebrate each others birthday by going to brunch or lunch and a movie.  As far as gifts go, over the years I have been blessed with many lovely knickknacks and miscellaneous gifts from coworkers, friends and family.  After 58 years I am running out of room!*laughs*  Also, my decor in my home has changed from Hand Me Downs, to Garage Sale Bohemian, to Contemporary Comfort, to County Garden,  to Victorian Garden, and to what I now like to call Modern Zen.  With Modern Zen you need natural, Eco-friendly, clean lines and very little clutter.   I am still working on the de-cluttering! 

One thing I have learned is that when I get something from someone or buy something new, I need to give something away.   I just started this a few years ago and it especially helps when you purchase new clothes, shoes or handbags.  It is a slow process, because I have many things stored in the basement (with the spiders)*laughs*, that need good homes.  Somethings are very difficult to give away because of a memory or emotional attachment.  But I have found that if I think about it long and hard, I can usually give it away.  Hoping that it will bring joy to someone new.  Last year I took a car load full of my country decor items and donated them to the St. Vrain Valley Credit Union’ s charity garage sale for Breast Cancer.  There was something very rewarding about giving the things that I once loved to a good cause.  I also felt a great sense of relief from getting rid of some of the clutter from the basement,  unfortunately in made a very small dent in the clutter!

Cindy, an ex-coworker had a great idea for celebrating her special 50th birthday, and I would like to pass this along. This is a great idea for those who really don’t want any gifts, but still want to make their friends happy that they got them something.  She requested no gifts, but instead, for her friends and family she asked them to donate to a charity, church, senior center, school, hospital, food bank, do something to help the environment, or to help someone in need by using the number 50.  $50, 50 times, 50 minutes, 50 hours, 50  food items, 50 articles of clothing, etc.  She then asked for an email, note or card telling her what you chose to do in honor of her birthday.  Part of the fun of this was trying to be creative with what you chose to do.  Being newly green, I decided to donate $50 dollars worth of reusable aluminium bottles that I purchased from Gaiam to give to coworkers, friends and family, in order to help reduce their plastic water bottle waste.   I also gave one to the birthday girl.   I thought this was a wonderful idea and I felt good about doing something to help the environment.  My 60th will be in a couple of years and I think I will ask the same from my friends and family, but maybe with a green theme in mind.

http://www.gaiam.com/

Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary and Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all my March friends and family.

“Although I may not be the greenest crayon in the box, at least I am trying!”

Vickie Jo Higgins – Coloring Me Green

One way to go green is to stay local on your purchases.  You could do the usual, such as purchasing flowers or plants from a local greenhouse, buy a small box of beautifully hand-made organic chocolates from a local chocolatiers.  One of my favorites is http://www.d-chocolates.com  Purchase a bottle of organic wine from a local winery.  If you purchase jewelry, try to find diamonds or gems that are conflict free.  If you are not sure, ask the manager at the jewelry store or you can buy man-made stones and gems that are conflict free.

My husband has become very good at surprising me for Valentines Day over the past few years.   Part of the fun is not knowing what to expect.  One year we got dressed up and he took me for a ride, and I had to keep my eye closed until we got there.   To my surprise we had arrived at the Flagstaff House at the top of the Flatirons in Boulder.  We had the most amazing meal I have ever had, and when the waiter presented me my dessert of chocolate dipped strawberries (made to look like they were wearing little tuxedos), a box dressed in ribbon containing a beautiful bracelet also appeared!  He has taken me to a comedy show in Denver, a concert, a play and many very nice restaurants over the years.  We have also had many years when finances were very tight and he surprised me with a candlelight dinner at home with soft music playing in the background.   One year he hid several Valentines Day cards all over the house, another year he had post it love notes planted all over the house.  This year he surprised me with a big beautiful bouquet of Red Velvet Roses that I found on the bedroom dresser when I awoke.  I surprised him with some very nice cologne and our brunch at Jill’s.  Valentines day doesn’t have to be expensive, after all it is a day to be with the ones you love.

One gift I would also like to recommend, if your finances do allow it, is a mini vacation.  A weekend stay at a local hotel or a day at a spa that is Eco-friendly.   We all work hard and just getting away for a day or two together, even if it is in your own town can be very romantic and relaxing.  Many places offer Valentines Day specials.

A nice romantic dinner or brunch at an Eco-friendly restaurant.  Make sure to make reservations a few days or weeks ahead, depending on were you plan to go.   Jill’s at the St Julien Hotel & Spa in Boulder Colorado http://www.stjulien.com, was our choice this year.  It is a very Eco friendly place and they work hard at being a green hotel, spa and restaurant.  They even have a Tuscan Tuesday Lights Out Lunch to support energy conservation.   They offer a very extravagant brunch on Sundays for $34.95 per person.  Valentines Day was $42.95 per person and they offered many other additional delicious gourmet foods for the brunch that day.  I made reservation about a week ahead for us for this year.  This is one of my favorite places for any special occasion or celebration.   http://www.jillsdining.com  The Sunday Brunch from brunch is from 10am – 2pm and the meal includes:

Sunday Brunch

Cocktails
Mimosas
Sparkling Wine
Bloody Mary’s

Chilled
Cold Water Shrimp
Alaskan King Crab Legs
House Cured Salmon
Artisan Cheeses
Muesli & Homemade Granola Station

Action Stations
Prime Rib Carved to Order
Waffle Station
Omelet Station

Brunch
Chef’s Pasta of the Day
Polenta & Cous Cous of the Day
Chicken Apple & Pork Sausages
Applewood Smoked Bacon
French Toast

Pastries
Assorted Bagels
Home Made Croissants & Danish
Banana Nut, Blueberry, Whole Wheat Muffins
Assorted Coffee Cakes
Warm Cinnamon Rolls

Dessert
Milk Chocolate Fountain
Warm Bread Pudding
Chef’s Selection of Pastries

Something a little more personal might be  a massage candle from http://www.magicfairycandles.com,  along with some organic bath salts, soaps or an organic cotton/bamboo towel or robe, all tucked into a small woven basket.  A nice way to pamper your loved one.

A gift certificate for a manicure, pedicure, facial or a massage at a local spa would also be a great gift.

If the budget is tight this year (as many are), you could also stay at home and surprise your loved one with breakfast in bed or  fix a romantic dinner for two.  French toast, waffles or pancakes are not that hard to make.  Serve them with fresh organic fruit or macerated fruit in a little pure organic maple syrup.  I like to heat up a handful of fresh blueberries in a skillet and then add about a 1/4-cup of organic maple syrup and pour this over hot buckwheat or blue berry whole-wheat pancakes.  Serve this with some fresh squeezed organic orange juice or make a mimosa (champagne with a slash of orange or pineapple juice).   A simple and healthy dinner to make for two would be wild caught salmon steaks with organic fresh green beans or mixed fresh vegetables like zucchini, carrots and onion all baked in a foil packet (recycled of aluminum foil of course) sprinkled salt & pepper, with some olive oil and baked in the oven.  For a simple dessert, take fresh organic fruit such as strawberries dipped in fair trade melted chocolate or make chocolate fondue for two, serve with a variety of fresh fruits such as strawberries, bananas, pineapple and marshmallows, pound cake or angle food cake cubes.

Make your own valentine cards using handmade or recycled paper, scraps of lace or fabric, etc.  Write a poem about your loved one.   Make a box of love notes or promises, such as:  a back massage – no strings attached, dinner and a movie – your choice,  breakfast in bed, a day without the children,  a night on the town, etc.  Use your imagination.

There are many people who spend this day alone, so if this is the case no need to sit home alone.  Treat yourself to a special day or take a friend out.

Think green for Valentines Day.

“Although I may not be the greenest crayon in the box, at least I am trying!”

Coloring Me Green – Vickie Jo Higgins

I took down the tree on New Years day and I  put all the decorations into clear plastic storage boxes in the basement.  Hopefully they will be easy to find and keep the dust and spiders out.*eek*   We had the family over for our Alaskan King Crab Feast that we do every New Years.  This has become a family tradition and usually the only time we ever eat crab.  Sorry to say I have gained another 10lbs this year from Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. *Yikes!!!*  I did try to redo the crab feast menu this year and included an organic salad instead of the usual baked potatoes with sour cream and butter.  We also had shrimp (for my grandson the picky eater) and homemade jalapeno jelly from Patty Pantry on cream cheese with crackers for an appetizer.  I have been buying from this couple for many years now.  Check them out at http://www.pattyspantry.com for dessert we had Pizzelles (I made over 5 large batches which is 780 of these delicious cookies this year for Christmas gifts) and Poticia with golden raisins and pecans that I bought and had frozen from Mauro Farms in Pueblo this summer. You can check them out at https://maurofarms.com/shop/potica.asp

After a weeks rest I finally gathered all the boxes that things had been mailed to us in.  I tend to use my guest room / office/craft room as a catchall for everything that I don’t know what to do with.*laughs*  It drives my husband crazy and maybe that why I continue to do it.*laughs*  We cut down the bigger boxes and put them in the recycled bin.  I saved a few of the smaller boxes to use next year and will store them in the basement in a storage container.   I also saved all the tissue and decorative gift bags to reuse.  Yes . . . I do reuse them and sometimes more than once!  The tissue that is wrinkled beyond repair I  fold and reuse again as stuffing for shipping gifts to family and friends or at the bottom of a gift bag.  It only takes a little bit of extra time to do all this and it not only saves the environment, but it saves money too.

I received a large box from Gaiam that was filled with the earth friendly peanuts that I have stored in a bag to reuse again.  I also have some of the plastic air pillows and bubble wrap that I received from other companies that I will save for next year.  Last year I had so much of this that, I took it to the neighborhood-shipping place and gave it to them to reuse.  They welcomed the free shipping materials.

Another thing that I have started doing was cutting my Christmas and Birthday cards apart, recycling the greeting half and saving the pretty pictures for my grand children to make cards or collages with.  I had a stack of cards that I have been saving over the past several years in a large drawer in our bedroom and I was forced to face them when we redecorated our bedroom this last summer.  I have since moved them to (you guessed it) . . . our guest room.  I used to be big into Stampin Up and have extra card stock paper and they can cut and glue to their little hearts content.  I also have several different greeting stamps that they can use.  What they don’t use by the end of this year I will take to a day care center for them to use.

My next big challenge will be cleaning out my cluttered unfinished basement.  It is a disaster (no kidding) after living here for about 24 and we (I will admit that most of the stuff is mine) have many boxes of things that I need to go through to trash, donate or sell.  It will be a scary endeavor for me because I don’t like spiders (I have seen them lurking in the shadows) and so I will have to be armed with a vacuum in hand before I move or touch anything.  My goal is to get everything cleaned out by April 1st.   Hmmm … isn’t that April Fools Day???  I may save a few of the really nice things for the cancer fundraiser that my credit union does in the summer.  I took a car trunk full and back seat full of knickknacks, Christmas decorations, decorative shelving, etc. to them last year.  I also have a small box full of cat figurines and knickknacks that people have given me over the years that I will take to our local animal shelter’s thrift store.  I felt really good when I donated the things to the credit union.  It felt like a big weight being lifted of my shoulders.  Clutter does not only clutter up your house, it can clutter up your mind.  It is always they’re staring at you, even though you try to ignore it.  So if I get rid of everything I should feel great!!!

On a totally different subject, I just got great news this month.  My son will be getting married in September this year.  I will be giving his bride to be a bridal shower in August and will do my best to make it Eco friendly.   They already have everything they need since they are in their early 30’s, so we will do a “Date Night Theme” for them.  Which should make it easy for friends and family to buy for them.  Things like gift cards to restaurants, theatre tickets, sports (they are big Avalanche fans), art museum, zoo, botanical gardens, movie tickets, spa and hotel.   I am looking forward to decorating and planning for the shower.  It will be interesting to see what is out there for doing eco-friendly parties.

“Although I may not be the greenest crayon in the box, at least I am trying!”

Coloring Me Green – Vickie Jo Higgins

This is how it works, you buy and donate a 3ft tree decorated tree, according to a theme you might like, and add gifts under the tree valued up to $300 (usually ends up being much more for me).  Each tree is set up on a table prior to the event and a bag with the name of your tree is placed in front of the tree.  People receive 6 complementary raffle tickets with their dinner and luncheon ticket at a cost of $50 each.  You also receive one door prize ticket in your meal ticket booklet, which is placed in a special box on the stage.  You write your name (or use a mailing label that they provide) on the raffle tickets and place as many as you want in the bag of the tree that you hope to win.  You can purchase more raffle tickets at $5 for each booklet of 6 tickets, until the beginning of the luncheon.  At the start of the luncheon they close the raffle and draw winning tickets from each of the donated trees bags.  They also have drawings for door prizes throughout the luncheon.

They have two different festivals, one is an evening dinner on Saturday night and the other is a luncheon on Sunday morning.  I usually go to the luncheon with several of my friends, but I attended both this year for the very first time.  The evening was much smaller quieter event.  Not as crowded and with about 30 donated trees.  More couples and men attended this event since it was like a cocktail type dinner.  The luncheon, which I usually attend, is much larger with over 80 – 100 donated trees, is very crowded with hundreds of women and a few brave men.  Many businesses donate and attend this event each year, and even some of our local politicians.  It is definitely a popular community event for a very good cause.

The variety of the trees is so unbelievable and some people are so creative.  I have done many themes over the years, such as a Garden Tree, A Fairy Tree, a Longaberger Tree, a Starbucks Tree, a Tastefully Simple Tree, and this year I thought it only fitting to do a Coloring Me Green for Christmas Tree.  I have been lucky to have good friends and some businesses help by donating some of the products that I place under my tree.  I try each year when I purchase the gift items to box them so that the person that wins the tree can give them as individual gifts.  I also meet them, take their picture by the tree and help them to box up everything, so I include a storage bin or large box for them to put everything in for easy transportation.

I debated about using a real tree this year, but because of the weight, and since I have to carry and set it up, I chose to use a 3ft green tinsel tree that I found at our local Ace Hardware store with attached white lights.  I considered this as a sustainable product that will be used hopefully many years to come.  I wanted to buy glass ornaments, but they are too easily broken when transporting the tree so I bought green and red unbreakable plastic glitter ornaments and wrapped the tree with a glittery red ribbon from our local Hobby Lobby.  Where I also purchased a cotton tree skirt, two matching stockings and several reusable decorative boxes to display the items in that I purchased for under the tree.  These I also consider to all be sustainable products to be reused again.  Since my theme was green or Eco-friendly I tried to buy what I could from local retailers, but did have to purchase a few gifts the Internet.  I purchased many organic, healthy and earth-friendly products.   I also used store coupons and looked for sale items, such as the Vera Wang bamboo and cotton towels that I purchased at our local JC Penney’s which were on sale for buy 1, get one for a penny.   Here is a copy of the list that I placed beside my tree and a photo of me next to my tree.  I have included some of the local retailers websites in the list.

Coloring Me Green For Christmas

This 2009 Tree was donated by Vickie Higgins www.coloringmegreen.com

This Christmas tree includes organic, healthy, sustainable, and earth friendly gifts valued at over $500, to help you have a stress free, eco-friendly, and a Very Merry “Green” Christmas!

* Bags:  9 Reusable Produce Bags (Donated by 3B Bags / Denver) http://3bbags.com, 1 Dreaming of a Green Christmas Canvas Bag (JCPenny’s), 1 Make Every Day Earth Day Bag (Made from Recycled Materials – Safeway)
* Baskets:  Grass Woven Square (Kohl’s), 1 Red & 1 Green Woven Bamboo (Ace Hardware)
* Bath & Shower Soap:  Lavender & Mint Bath Soap (Magic Fairy Candles – Kim Sorden/Longmont) http://www.magicfairycandles.com
* Bath Towels:  2 White Bamboo & Cotton Towel Sets (Vera Wang/Kohl’s), Sea Sponge (Safeway)
* Beauty Tools:  5 Piece Bamboo Mineral Makeup Brush Set, 6 Piece Bamboo Brush Set & Recycled Brow Grooming Set (Ecotools Earth-Friendly Beauty/Walgreen’s)
* Books:  Cooking Light with Organics – Healthy Everyday Food (Safeway), Easy Green Living – Renee Loux (Amazon), 2009 Free ReDirect Guide – Denver/Boulder/Ft Collins www.redirectguide.com
* Bowl:  Bamboo Salad Bowl (Food Network/Kohl’s)
* Calendar:  Do Just One Thing 2010 Box Calendar – Danny Seo (Amazon)
* Candles:  4 Soy Massage Candles, Body Spray & Lotion (Donated by Kim Sorden of Magic Fairy Candles/Longmont) http://www.magicfairycandles.com
* Chocolates:  Organic & All Natural European (Desidereo Chocolates – Vanessa Metalli/Longmont) http://www.d-chocolates.com
* Christmas Tree:  3ft Green Tinsel Tree with Clear Lights (Ace Hardware)
* Christmas Tree Decorations:  Red Glitter Ribbon, Red & Green Shatterproof Ornaments, 2 Whimsical Stockings & Matching Tree Skirt, 6 Decorative Nesting Boxes, 3 Decorative Bags (Hobby Lobby)
* Coffee & Tea: Christmas Blend Coffee Beans & Tazo Joy – Black, Green & Oolong Tea (Starbucks)
* Coffee or Tea Travel Mug:  Red (Starbucks)
* Santa & Snowman:  Recycled Past Christmas Gifts (Donated by me, originally from Peggy Lettow)
* Scarf: Olive Eco-friendly Bamboo Pashmina Shawl Wrap (Donated by Marge Cutler)
* Yoga Set:  Tree of Life – Matching Bag, Mat & Water Bottle (Gaiam) http://www.gaiam.com
* Yoga Mat Wash:  Organic with Essential Oils Spray (Gaiam) http://www.gaiam.com

This tree is dedicated to my grandson Keyan Hannis.  The Tiny Tim Center helped him at a very early age after he was diagnosed with Autism.    He now attends public school and we believe that this is because of the special therapy, and loving care that he got from the teachers, therapists and staff at the Tiny Tim Center.  My granddaughter Easter attended the day care before Keyan was born, in their program for children without special needs.  She learned how to be a kind and caring big sister to Keyan, and to others with special needs.

I tried this year to follow the green theme in buying Christmas gifts for my family and friends.   I made organic Pizzelles (624 to be exact) and gave them to family, friends and neighbors this year.  This year I purchased store and restaurant gift certificates, video games, reusable water bottles, soy candles, homemade jelly, chili and beer bread mixes, Tai Chi and Qigong DVDs and yoga kits.  My husband and I have so much stuff after 37 years of marriage (which I am always working on boxing up and giving to charities), that we really didn’t want or need anything, so gift certificates is what we requested when asked.  We decided not to buy individual gifts for each other this year either, so instead I bought a new energy-efficient Dell HD large monitor for our computer.  Which is much easier on my eyes and better for playing games, watching movies or exercise DVDs.

I didn’t get my annual Higgins Herald Christmas letter mailed in time for Christmas delivery, so I quickly sent it via email the day before Christmas to those that I could.  I will make copies and send out a letter to those that do not have email for New Years.  I used my left over Christmas cards from last year and enclosed them in the Christmas gift packages that I mailed to family and friends.  Next year I will try to find Christmas cards that are made from recycled paper or that have flower seeds embedded in them or maybe I will even make the paper myself!

Happy Holidays!

“Although I may not be the greenest crayon in the box, at least I am trying!”

Coloring Me Green – Vickie Jo Higgins

Over the years our family has gotten smaller with the passing of both of our grandparents, my parents and several aunts and uncles.  What is left of my family has now scattered over the state, but most of us still live within a 1 to 3 hour drive.  My brother and I have taken on the task to keep up the family traditions and still make many of the special Thanksgiving recipes that we grew so fond of as children.

My sister-in-law and I usually trade-off in hosting the holiday celebrations each year.  This year my son and his girl friend have volunteered to have it for the very first time at their new apartment.   We have all offered to bring a side dish or something, to help ease the stress of our brave new host and hostess.  I am making my mothers candied yams and I will be making my mother’s pumpkin pies this year with the help of my 12-year-old granddaughter.  She is taking a cooking class in school and wants to help contribute to the festivities, so she will make my recipe for Pumpkin Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies for the very first time.

I am making one small, but very important change to all my recipes this year, and that is by using organic ingredients and products.   I find it is very difficult to eat totally healthy or organic foods during the holidays, when you are attending other people’s parties and festivities, so you do the best you can.

I am also in charge of bringing the tableware for the dinner, so I checked out all the paper plate products at the local store and I decided on the Chinet brand dinner platters, which is biodegradable and made from recycled material in the USA.  I also bought their recyclable plastic beverage cups (no Styrofoam).   These were a little more expensive than the other plates and cups, but they are much larger, sturdier and are more Eco-friendly.   We can always wash the cups and reuse them a few more times before recycling them.

The best part of celebrating these holidays to me is the special memories that you will make and carry with you the rest of your life.   I have many vivid and fond memories about family, friends and the special foods of the holidays when I was a child.  One of my oldest and most vivid memories was when we had dinner at my Aunt Viola’s house.  She would always serve her homemade rose petal jelly for the holidays.  It was a very light shade of pink, clear with a few pink rose petals floating in the sweet and wonderfully light rose fragrant jelly.  She served it in a special cut crystal bowl with a silver handle the held a delicate very small jelly spoon, hanging over the center of the dish.  It was served with her homemade rolls (no poppin fresh in those days). *laughs*   I guess I just found it so fascinating that she could make jelly from rose hips and petals.  Another one is the wonderful smell of my mother’s homemade pumpkin pies baking in the oven.   She even made her own piecrust from scratch and she would give my brother and I the extra pie dough to make cinnamon sugar pinwheel cookies.   Ah . . . and then there was the beautiful golden brown turkey that my father would proudly, if not skillfully, carve.  The mounds of mashed potatoes, stuffing, giblet gravy, marshmallow covered candied yams with maraschino cherries, pea and broccoli casserole, my mothers homemade bread & butter pickles, candied crab-apples and choke cherry jelly, that she had canned earlier that fall.   The large black olives we used to put on all our fingers and eat, thick rich eggnog (with a touch of whiskey when we were old enough) and fresh nutmeg sprinkled on top.   I will always cherish the sounds of laughter, sharing of many family memories and stories.

I started one of my own Thanksgiving food traditions several years ago by making homemade soup from the left over turkey carcass each year.  I use organic chicken or turkey broth, carrots, potatoes, onions, celery, fresh herbs and spices and I sometimes like to add wild rice in place of the potatoes.  I cook the carcass in the broth in a large crock-pot until all the meat falls off the bones.  I then strain the broth and pick the bones out of the soup and then add the chopped organic vegetables, herbs and spices, to the broth and turkey meat, cooking the vegetables until they are tender.  This is a good way to not let anything go to waste, since there is still a lot of meat left on the turkey carcass after the big meal.  It is a very delicious and hearty soup.  I usually give some to family and neighbors, freezing any left over for later on during the cold winter months.

I am thankful for the many special memories I have and will have of my family and friends.  I am also thankful for the good food that our earth has provided that we will all share together today as a loving family.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

“Although I may not be the greenest crayon in the box, at least I am trying!”

Coloring Me Green – Vickie Jo Higgins

I do have my favorites and those are the Vitamin Cottage or Natural Grocers bags.  I like these because they have a plastic insert for the bottom of the bag, which helps the bag to keep its shape and makes it sturdier.  They gave these away for free when they first got them in, each time you bought so much in groceries, so that is mainly why I have so many of these.

For carrying fresh vegetables I always like to take with me my very old, but sturdy, washable Longmont Farmers Market canvas bag.  I just recently purchased (oh yes I did), some 3B Bags at the Vitamin Cottage that I just love.  It is a reusable produce bag pack, which includes 3 individual bags, 1 over-sized bag (14.5″ x 18.5″) to hold bigger produce, and  2 standard (11″ x 14″) sized bags.  All bags are made of a fine nylon mesh, with a drawstring top, machine washable, virtually weightless, and easy for the clerk to see through.  Although the product is not green (decomposable),  it is a sustainable (reusable) product.  According to their packaging and the website, by reusing these 3 bags just once a week you can save as many as 150 plastic bags per year!  You may want to purchase a couple sets or more, if you buy a lot of produce like I do.    I use mine when shopping for produce at the grocery store or the local farmers market.

The full name of the company is “Belief Beyond Bags”  (3B for short), with a cute little colorful bug logo and the phrase  ”Catch the Bug and Reuse”.  I also like to support any business that is owned by women and/or  locally run.  3B Bags is based in Denver, Colorado.   You can purchase them for about $7.50 for a set of 3, at many stores nationwide, and locally here at King Sooper’s, The Vitamin Cottage, and Whole Foods.  You may want to also check out their special this month online and the other bags that they sell at:  www.3bbags.com

Okay my next main challenge is trying to remember to take my reusable bags when I actually go into a store.  This may just have something to do with my age, but for the longest time I would walk into the store and realize while standing in the checkout line, I did not have a bag.  I used to keep them all in the trunk of the car, so now I leave a few of them in the seat next to me or in the back seat of the car, where I can easily see them.  I am finding that it is now becoming more of a habit to automatically grab a bag from the car.

Another problem I have, and have noticed while standing in the check out line that I am not alone in this, is over-shopping for the amount of bags that you have taken into the store.  To help solve this problem, I bought a Chico Bag Original (yes, add one more bag to my total), that I can easily stuff into my purse.  It weighs only 1.5 ounces and stuffs down into a 3″x4″ pouch.  It has a carabine that will clasp onto almost anything.  The ChicoBag will hold up to twenty-five pounds and is available in eleven fun colors.  It is made of machine washable, durable polyester material.  They also make many other types of bags.  You can purchase these at the Vitamin Cottage or on-line.

If you have no choice but to use a plastic bag at the store, at least now I have found that some stores like Safeway and Target have recycle bins in the store for recycling them.   Safeway even gives you a nickel off your groceries per reusable bag that you use.  The Vitamin Cottage does not use plastic bags anymore, but they have reusable bags to purchase (as I know all to well), they also have paper bags, and keep a supply of cardboard boxes in the front of the store for use free of charge.  These boxes are recycles that their products are shipped in.

Like I have discovered the “Green” movement (that may have been a poor choice of words- *laughs*),  it is very profitable if you can just come up with a good idea.  I am working on that as I explore the Eco friendly world.

“Although I may not be the greenest crayon in the box, at least I am trying!”

Coloring Me Green – Vickie Jo Higgins

I started on my green quest quite a few years ago, long before it became the politically correct thing to do.  We first moved to our hometown of Longmont, Colorado over 30 years ago.  I remember it well because I gave birth to my son on moving day!*laughs*  Not the best way to get out of moving, but it worked.  This being our second child and neither of us having very stable full-time jobs at the time, we found ourselves to be financially challenged on occasion.  So, we would save up all of our aluminum cans and take them to the aluminum recycling truck for cash.  I wasn’t even aware that I was being green at the time.  We just needed the money.  It wasn’t to long before the City of Longmont put everyone on a recycle program.  Guess they needed the money too!  This program was where you sorted papers, cans and glass bottles into the appropriate marked stack-able bins, then put them out by the trash on recycle pick up day.  Funny thing I did notice however, that when they picked up the recyclable’s they were all dumped together into one truck!  So why was I sorting everything?  Eventually, the city changed to a larger recycle container for pickup.  They must have gotten several complaints.  Each year they have gradually increased what used to be considered trash items, such as cereal boxes, cardboard boxes and some of the other plastics are now all recyclable.  I have noticed that the contents of my trash container seems to be getting smaller and smaller.  I just got back from visiting some friends in Pueblo West and was shocked that they didn’t have any type of recycle program in effect.  I guess it will take some time for the smaller cities to create recycle programs, as it does cost money and they do have smaller budgets.  Maybe this is something our government could help with somehow.

My first conscience attempt at being green, was trying to find foods and shopping items that were organic and Eco friendly, which used less packaging materials, packaged in recycled materials or used packaging that was recyclable.  I started buying organic products for health reasons about 5 years ago and I am also very sensitive to chemicals and odors in many products.  I had heard that it was going to be very expensive to buy organic food, but I soon discovered that I am actually spending less money.  I was less tempted to buy sale items that I really didn’t need, or junk foods and convenient foods, which was also much healthier for me.  Before long I was buying organic foods for not only health reason, but for ethical and social responsibility reasons.

The foods I buy in bulk, let’s say like a bulk bag of brown rice, will last many times longer than 1 box or bag of quick rice which only has a few servings, excess sodium, additives, and little nutritional value.  I can add broth, mushrooms, chopped veggies, protein and more, to make almost anything from just plain basic brown rice.  It will be healthier for me and will taste so much better than that from a box.  It also uses less packaging than the convenient foods.

One thing that I find that does frustrate me is that sometimes the packaging that some of the health foods come in, are not recyclable.  I am always a little suspicious of a business that sells an organic food product that is sold in a plastic container that is not recyclable or in a container that is not made from recycled materials.  Another pet peeve of mine is that some of these containers are also next to impossible to open.  Vacuum packed luncheon meat being one of these items.  If you have any arthritis or weakness in you hands you are at its mercy.

My favorite organic store is our local Vitamin Cottage or Natural Grocers, as it is also called.  The clerks are always friendly and helpful if you need to find or order something special.  The store is very small and crowded, but well stocked and I don’t feel like I have run a marathon after shopping.    I have had Fibromyalgia for several years and the big super stores just wear me out.  I have been able to find rice, oats, wheat, flour, pasta, sugar, nuts, dried fruits, beans, and many other items, that can be bought in bulk here.   These items are wrapped in a single simple clear plastic bag.  Flour is usually double bagged.  However the bags these foods come in are not recyclable.  Sometimes you have to make choices that aren’t 100% green.  At least you can see what you are getting and there are no hidden surprises.  Unlike purchasing a bag or box full of mostly air, which sometimes comes with a disclaimer that says, “contents may settle in shipping”, then why not fill it all the way and then it won’t have room to settle!  Food also tends to be much more economical when bought in bulk.  The con side in buying bulk food, is that you have to learn how to cook things from scratch.  If you are working and don’t have much time to fix dinner when you get home, you can always cook large amounts of rice, beans, etc. on the weekends and freeze them into convenient portions.  The pro side would be that it is much healthier for you, rather than buying a box or can full of sodium, artificial ingredients, preservatives and who knows what else.

I am also a big supporter of our local Longmont Farmers Market, which is held from May 2nd until October 31st (rain or shine), on Saturdays from 8am – 2pm at the Boulder County Fair Grounds.  This year they are also having a Winter Farmers Market and Holiday show, December 5th from 9am – 4pm in the Exhibit building.  It is the best when it comes to buying freshly picked organic fruits, vegetables, goat cheese, honey and other products.  I have always preferred to buy locally when ever possible and I feel good about helping out our Colorado farmers.   You also get to meet some of your local farmers, sample products, get some fresh and sunshine, visit with friends and neighbors, and on occasion they have live music to listen to.  They also have on certain dates, the Fine Arts and Fine Crafts Fair, along with the Longmont Farmers Market.  You can purchase candles, ceramics, hand-made jewelry, hand-spun garments and much more.  Visit the Longmont Farmers Market on-line at:

http://www.longmontfarmers.com/longmont/longmont-event.htm

Well, this is my very first attempt at a blog about being green.  Oh yes . . . I am a blog virgin! *laughs*  So please be gentle with me!  I hope that by doing this blog maybe I can help some of you with some economical green choices and maybe help to promote some of our local green businesses.

“Although I may not be the greenest crayon in the box, at least I am trying!”

Vickie Jo Higgins 

Okay, Kermit the frog was right.  It isn’t easy being green!  It takes lots of research, dedication and discipline.  I am also learning, it takes some green (money) to be green.  I have heard over the years many pros and cons to being green, but I like to think of it as a great opportunity of creating new businesses, new jobs and hopefully leaving our planet in much better condition for our future and our children’s future.

I started on my green quest quite a few years ago, long before it became the politically correct thing to do.  We first moved to our hometown of Longmont, Colorado over 30 years ago.  I remember it well because I gave birth to my son on moving day!*laughs*  Not the best way to get out of moving, but it worked.  This being our second child and neither of us having very stable full-time jobs at the time, we found ourselves to be financially challenged on occasion.  So, we would save up all of our aluminum cans and take them to the aluminum recycling truck for cash.  I wasn’t even aware that I was being green at the time.  We just needed the money.  It wasn’t to long before the City of Longmont put everyone on a recycle program.  Guess they needed the money too!  This program was where you sorted papers, cans and glass bottles into the appropriate marked stack-able bins, then put them out by the trash on recycle pick up day.  Funny thing I did notice however, that when they picked up the recyclable’s they were all dumped together into one truck!  So why was I sorting everything?  Eventually, the city changed to a larger recycle container for pickup.  They must have gotten several complaints.  Each year they have gradually increased what used to be considered trash items, such as cereal boxes, cardboard boxes and some of the other plastics are now all recyclable.  I have noticed that the contents of my trash container seems to be getting smaller and smaller.  I just got back from visiting some friends in Pueblo West and was shocked that they didn’t have any type of recycle program in effect.  I guess it will take some time for the smaller cities to create recycle programs, as it does cost money and they do have smaller budgets.  Maybe this is something our government could help with somehow.

My first conscience attempt at being green, was trying to find foods and shopping items that were organic and Eco friendly, which used less packaging materials, packaged in recycled materials or used packaging that was recyclable.  I started buying organic products for health reasons about 5 years ago and I am also very sensitive to chemicals and odors in many products.  I had heard that it was going to be very expensive to buy organic food, but I soon discovered that I am actually spending less money.  I was less tempted to buy sale items that I really didn’t need, or junk foods and convenient foods, which was also much healthier for me.  Before long I was buying organic foods for not only health reason, but for ethical and social responsibility reasons.

The foods I buy in bulk, let’s say like a bulk bag of brown rice, will last many times longer than 1 box or bag of quick rice which only has a few servings, excess sodium, additives, and little nutritional value.  I can add broth, mushrooms, chopped veggies, protein and more, to make almost anything from just plain basic brown rice.  It will be healthier for me and will taste so much better than that from a box.  It also uses less packaging than the convenient foods.

One thing that I find that does frustrate me is that sometimes the packaging that some of the health foods come in, are not recyclable.  I am always a little suspicious of a business that sells an organic food product that is sold in a plastic container that is not recyclable or in a container that is not made from recycled materials.  Another pet peeve of mine is that some of these containers are also next to impossible to open.  Vacuum packed luncheon meat being one of these items.  If you have any arthritis or weakness in you hands you are at its mercy.

My favorite organic store is our local Vitamin Cottage or Natural Grocers, as it is also called.  The clerks are always friendly and helpful if you need to find or order something special.  The store is very small and crowded, but well stocked and I don’t feel like I have run a marathon after shopping.    I have had Fibromyalgia for several years and the big super stores just wear me out.  I have been able to find rice, oats, wheat, flour, pasta, sugar, nuts, dried fruits, beans, and many other items, that can be bought in bulk here.   These items are wrapped in a single simple clear plastic bag.  Flour is usually double bagged.  However the bags these foods come in are not recyclable.  Sometimes you have to make choices that aren’t 100% green.  At least you can see what you are getting and there are no hidden surprises.  Unlike purchasing a bag or box full of mostly air, which sometimes comes with a disclaimer that says, “contents may settle in shipping”, then why not fill it all the way and then it won’t have room to settle!  Food also tends to be much more economical when bought in bulk.  The con side in buying bulk food, is that you have to learn how to cook things from scratch.  If you are working and don’t have much time to fix dinner when you get home, you can always cook large amounts of rice, beans, etc. on the weekends and freeze them into convenient portions.  The pro side would be that it is much healthier for you, rather than buying a box or can full of sodium, artificial ingredients, preservatives and who knows what else.

I am also a big supporter of our local Longmont Farmers Market, which is held from May 2nd until October 31st (rain or shine), on Saturdays from 8am – 2pm at the Boulder County Fair Grounds.  This year they are also having a Winter Farmers Market and Holiday show, December 5th from 9am – 4pm in the Exhibit building.  It is the best when it comes to buying freshly picked organic fruits, vegetables, goat cheese, honey and other products.  I have always preferred to buy locally when ever possible and I feel good about helping out our Colorado farmers.   You also get to meet some of your local farmers, sample products, get some fresh and sunshine, visit with friends and neighbors, and on occasion they have live music to listen to.  They also have on certain dates, the Fine Arts and Fine Crafts Fair, along with the Longmont Farmers Market.  You can purchase candles, ceramics, hand-made jewelry, hand-spun garments and much more.  Visit the Longmont Farmers Market on-line at:

http://www.longmontfarmers.com/longmont/longmont-event.htm

Well, this is my very first attempt at a blog about being green.  Oh yes . . . I am a blog virgin! *laughs*  So please be gentle with me!  I hope that by doing this blog maybe I can help some of you with some economical green choices and maybe help to promote some of our local green businesses.

“Although I may not be the greenest crayon in the box, at least I am trying!”

Coloring Me Green – Vickie Jo Higgins