Yummy EVO Pizza

Before heading to the Hootie and the Blowfish concert a few weeks ago we checked out Evo Pizza up in quaint Park Circle. Yummy! We started with a plate of olives and local summer squash with feta cheese. After enjoying the salad and olives we moved on to the pizzas. Not only was the crust the perfect thickness but the cheese was so fresh! Great friends, local beer, and pizza what could be better? Alright, the concert was icing on the cake, or should I say topping on the pie.

My Neighborhood "Meal Exchange"

In the triangle of homes in my alley way lives three families totaling 6 adults and 8 kids. We have decided to experiment with taking turns cooking dinner three nights a week. On each night one family will prepare enough food for all three families, thereby cooking once instead of three times. Not only will this save on trips to the store and time, you will save on energy as well. We met for tea and picked a menu for a month of meals. Basic guidelines were also set: meal must be ready by 5 pm, healthy and organic, and dietary restrictions to respect. I will keep you posted on how it goes, so far so good, my meal was delivered across the fence promptly by 5:00.

Lap Top Lunch Box

The mission in my home is to simplify everything, from the laundry to the lunches. I recently purchased the Lap Top Lunch Boxes for my kids. I love how everything is contained in little compartments and minimizes waste. All of the containers and the bag are free of phthalates, lead, PVC, and BPA.  This is a test run so I will keep you posted on how they work for my kids. Any thoughts or reviews let me know....

Green Glasses

Here is one of my recent ANTIQUE MARKET finds. Can you believe these great glasses made from reclaimed soda bottles? I purchased four of them for a whopping $2 each at the local antique market. I love the color and that they are unique in shape. Two other local shops to purchase glasses made from recycled materials are Dwell Smart and Global Awakenings.

Mowing your Lawn the "green way"

One day I am on my front porch and I notice my neighbor mowing the lawn. Do I hear noise? No. Do I smell gas? No. That is because he is, he has just purchased a Brill manual reel mower. It actually makes mowing the lawn appear to be a peaceful experience.  This gas-free, eco-friendly mower is truly the wave of the future, and best of all you don't have to wait till 9 am to mow the lawn. 

De-cluttering your Closet

Here is a great tip for pairing down your wardrobe to what you really wear. Turn all of your hangers in the opposite direction (hook in) and after you wear an item put it back the right way (hook out). At the end of six months all of the items still facing the opposite way need to go! Simple and very honest! You can do the same with shoes turn them all toe out on the rack and as you wear them return them heel out. This is a great way to see what you really wear and what needs to head to Goodwill or the local consignment store. 

Simple Living Manifesto

While browsing one of my favorite web sites, Zen Habits, I came across this amazing manifesto. The topic is simple living and it includes 72 ways to simplify. I have attached the link below, check it out.  Start with a few items and work your way down the list of 72 ways to make life easier. 

Simple Living Manifesto: 72 Ideas to Simplify Your Life

Books! Books! Books!

Alright, so I am as guilty as the next with my love of buying new books to read. I love the whole experience of going to the bookstore, browsing to find a great read, drinking a yummy latte, and twenty bucks later leaving with a paperback I will finish in a matter of days! What have I been thinking? With awareness comes change. So I have vowed to alter my book addiction and here is how it will go. Only purchase reference books that I will use over and over again, everything else will come from the library or local Trade-a-Book. Not only can you save tons of cash and some trees, but you can use less gas with the book mobile that practically comes to your house! It is very simple. Go online and reserve your books and the book mobile will bring them along. With a little patience you can read whatever you like. The Trade-a-Book is another great option. De-clutter and few shelves of paperbacks bring them in for trade. When it is all said and done you can sit on your porch with a nice glass of ice tea, your book, money in your pocket, and less eco-guilt! Are you up for the challenge?

Local? Below is a great place to trade in a book:

Sullivan's Trade A Book

1303 Ben Sawyer Blvd., Mt. Pleasant (843) 884-8611

Recycled Sail Bags

While browsing though Real Simple I came across these great wine bags made from recycled sail cloth. Not only are the bags made from recycled material but they are meant to be used over and over again. The next time you give a host a bottle of wine pack it in the tote and write their name on it. He or she can then pass it on writing the recipient's name and date on the bag and so on... Eco-friendly and stylish re-gifting! The bags are available at Seabags.com.

What is Your Carbon Output?

Interested in determining your carbon output? I recently came upon a great web site the gives you a score in as little as 2 minutes. The web site is Earthlab.com not only can you determine your score but they help you to lower you carbon output through a few simple steps. After answering a few simple questions about your life style they provide you with a earth conservation profile score and how many tons of carbon you generate per year. Interested? Check it out at Earthlab.com.

A Retail Fast

With the price of gas through the roof and the cost of goods rising as a result, maybe it is time for a "retail fast". After a weekend in the mountains and a much needed "technology fast" I think a "retail fast" is a good follow-up. So how do we avoid those impulse purchases that we really don't need? Here are a few tips: Ask yourself the following 3 questions before a purchase 1. Do I really need it? 2. Do I really love it? 3. Is it functional for me and my home? Another great tip is to keep a running list of items you run out of or do need to purchase and stick to it! Remember when one item comes in another must depart. Finally wait, wait, wait. Take a few days to think about a purchase before you buy, you just might change your mind. 

Good Luck!