Some of us are on the brink of a well deserved long weekend! Days like this are notoriously hard to focus on actually getting work done. My mind is on table settings, baking and cooking. There are worse things to be thinking about. Of course now I'm hungry...
In getting ready to leave work and tackle the commute home tonight, I'm thinking about how to set my office up for the weekend. Here are some things I will be doing to lesson the impact my little office will have while I am not here.
1. Unplug for the weekend. If you know you will be away for an extended period of time, unplug or turn off the equipment you won't be using. For me I will turn off and unplug my surge protector. There is no need for my radio and computer to be plugged in for four days. Four days...doesn't that sound like a mini vacation!!
2. Empty the clutter. I will be emptying my recycling box and cleaning out. That way when I return my office will clean and ready for me to start fresh. If you've been holding off on replacing your ink cartdige do it before you leave. Take the empty cartridge to a office supply retail store that will recycle it for you. Some will even give you money for each cartridge!
3.Close your blinds. If you are fortunate to have a window in your office, before you leave for the weekend, close the blinds. Closing the blinds helps to keep the heat in your office.
4. Turning the heat down. If you are the last to leave tonight, turn the thermostat down. No need to keep the office heated if there are no bodies that need to stay warm. Making this a habit on your way out will actually help your bottom line.
5. Lights off for the weekend. Finally, it may seem like common sense but so often people forget to simply turn the lights off. In offices especially we tend to think someone else will get it. Well, elect yourself to be "someone else" and just turn them off. If someone needs the light on they will be more likely to turn it off when they exit if the lights were off when they entered.
These are just a few simple office tips before leaving for your long weekend. Or really any weekend!
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! And happy mini-vacation for some of us!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Frugalocasaurus Greenovaraus
My nephew loves dinosaurs. I'm not sure he has discovered the 'Frugalocasaurus Greenovaraus'. This particular species though difficult to spot has become more and more popular. The more common name is the 'Frugal Greenie', not to be confused with the 'Cheapasaurus Manivore'.
I know a lot of people tend to feel that being "green" costs more than it's worth. I'm not sure where or how this idea came to be but in fact being green can also be frugal. It's in the motto..."Reduce, Reuse, Recycle"! Now let's be realistic do I bring my travel mug in to every coffee shop I go to? No. But I make an effort and have noticed that this pays off (pun intended). Here are some tips and ideas that are also main habits of the 'Frugal Greenie'.
1. Toss the dryer sheets and get on the ball! I haven't used a dryer sheet in years. I bought a set of dryer balls at a discount store and have never looked back. I've also had them for almost three years. Well worth the $2.99 I spent on them. The dryer balls reduce static, keep the clothes nice and fluffy and now most dryer balls can be purchased scented in case you enjoy the scent of your dryer sheets. Now I know that dryer sheets can be used for so many other things but come on, when is the last time you put one in your pocket to keep mosquitoes away? Seriously?
2. Bring a little class to the office lunch. I use cloth napkins with my lunch. My mom had given me a few old cloth napkins that had been my grandmother's. They're nothing fancy but they do the trick. I use them at breakfast and lunch in the office. In fact they are a permanent fixture in my lunch bag. I don't spend that much money on paper napkins and I'm reducing my waste at the office. Plus everyone knows cloth napkins equal CLASSY!
3. With napkins comes utensils. The internets (intentional) has so many bamboo travel utensils and biodegradable utensils that you can use at the office, in your kid's lunches, etc. But why not bring a set of utensils in to your office and leave them there. I have in my little cabinet a large coffee mug which also seconds as a bowl, a spoon and a fork. Everything I need to make it through the meals I have at work. Fortunately my office recycles but not every office does. After a week or so of being in the office and using paper towels to dry off my utensils I brought in a dish towel from home to keep in the office for when I do my dishes. I don't have to by boxes of plastic utensils to keep at my desk (saving) and I don't waste the plastic or paper towels.
4. Reusable drinking apparatus. I know everyone knows about travel mugs and reusable water bottles. And I know that you can't always have either with you but having it with you makes a difference. A lot of major coffee chains, as well as smaller ones, will charge you less when you bring in your travel mug. As for the water bottle don't be afraid of bringing that water bottle with you everywhere and filling it up at any tap. Tap water is better regulated than bottled water PLUS it's free! Cha-CHING!
5. FIRE..starter! This is one I haven't tried yet but I do plan on doing this going forward. I also tried to find where I had read this because there were other great frugal tips that went with it but alas memory (both mine and the computers) have failed you. On with the frugality! Take the lint from your dryer trap and stuff it in to a used toilet paper roll. Once successfully stuffed use it as a fire starter! Considering how much money we can and do spend on kindling and other commercial fire starters, this can save so much. Plus using your fireplace wisely can reduce the need for running your furnace on those nights where there is just a chill in the air. As far as I can see this is a win, win for the earth and for my big ol' bag o' money!
These are four tips that I am doing daily. Once the habits were formed these were all so easy for me to do every day. This fifth tip is one I plan on trying and am looking forward to a positive outcome. I like to take the money I save and celebrate 'Bagel Day' every Friday. 'Bagel Day' for this 'Frugalocasaurus Greenovaraus' is the perfect ending to my work week!
I know a lot of people tend to feel that being "green" costs more than it's worth. I'm not sure where or how this idea came to be but in fact being green can also be frugal. It's in the motto..."Reduce, Reuse, Recycle"! Now let's be realistic do I bring my travel mug in to every coffee shop I go to? No. But I make an effort and have noticed that this pays off (pun intended). Here are some tips and ideas that are also main habits of the 'Frugal Greenie'.
1. Toss the dryer sheets and get on the ball! I haven't used a dryer sheet in years. I bought a set of dryer balls at a discount store and have never looked back. I've also had them for almost three years. Well worth the $2.99 I spent on them. The dryer balls reduce static, keep the clothes nice and fluffy and now most dryer balls can be purchased scented in case you enjoy the scent of your dryer sheets. Now I know that dryer sheets can be used for so many other things but come on, when is the last time you put one in your pocket to keep mosquitoes away? Seriously?
2. Bring a little class to the office lunch. I use cloth napkins with my lunch. My mom had given me a few old cloth napkins that had been my grandmother's. They're nothing fancy but they do the trick. I use them at breakfast and lunch in the office. In fact they are a permanent fixture in my lunch bag. I don't spend that much money on paper napkins and I'm reducing my waste at the office. Plus everyone knows cloth napkins equal CLASSY!
3. With napkins comes utensils. The internets (intentional) has so many bamboo travel utensils and biodegradable utensils that you can use at the office, in your kid's lunches, etc. But why not bring a set of utensils in to your office and leave them there. I have in my little cabinet a large coffee mug which also seconds as a bowl, a spoon and a fork. Everything I need to make it through the meals I have at work. Fortunately my office recycles but not every office does. After a week or so of being in the office and using paper towels to dry off my utensils I brought in a dish towel from home to keep in the office for when I do my dishes. I don't have to by boxes of plastic utensils to keep at my desk (saving) and I don't waste the plastic or paper towels.
4. Reusable drinking apparatus. I know everyone knows about travel mugs and reusable water bottles. And I know that you can't always have either with you but having it with you makes a difference. A lot of major coffee chains, as well as smaller ones, will charge you less when you bring in your travel mug. As for the water bottle don't be afraid of bringing that water bottle with you everywhere and filling it up at any tap. Tap water is better regulated than bottled water PLUS it's free! Cha-CHING!
5. FIRE..starter! This is one I haven't tried yet but I do plan on doing this going forward. I also tried to find where I had read this because there were other great frugal tips that went with it but alas memory (both mine and the computers) have failed you. On with the frugality! Take the lint from your dryer trap and stuff it in to a used toilet paper roll. Once successfully stuffed use it as a fire starter! Considering how much money we can and do spend on kindling and other commercial fire starters, this can save so much. Plus using your fireplace wisely can reduce the need for running your furnace on those nights where there is just a chill in the air. As far as I can see this is a win, win for the earth and for my big ol' bag o' money!
These are four tips that I am doing daily. Once the habits were formed these were all so easy for me to do every day. This fifth tip is one I plan on trying and am looking forward to a positive outcome. I like to take the money I save and celebrate 'Bagel Day' every Friday. 'Bagel Day' for this 'Frugalocasaurus Greenovaraus' is the perfect ending to my work week!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Ahtisan Bread
I tend to dream in food. I wake up and think "Oh yeah, that muffin looked so good, I HAVE to make it." Then I do. Lately dreaming in food really means I've been dreaming in bread. Artisan breads to be exact. I close my eyes and envision me standing over two or three beautiful, crusty, yeasty mounds of hot delicious artisan bread. People request that I make the bread for them for gifts or for special occasions. Instead of cakes they want french loafs.
Okay, okay, never happen. Well, the breadoring fans would never happen. The making of the artisan bread...totally happened.
I found this great and easy recipe on Blogging Over Thyme (http://bloggingoverthyme.com/2011/11/08/classic-french-boule/) and knew instantly that I was going to make this bread. **And in turn would have to beat off the breadoring people who would immediately appear at my castle, er door step...still no? Eh...moving on.
This bread was super easy and even better unbelievably tasty. I've been dunking it in thick black bean soup for lunch and toasting it for breakfast and dinner. It is destined to be a staple in my kitchen.
There are so many positives about making this bread or any bread for that matter. One you get two loaves for less than the price of one. Eat one loaf immediately and freeze the second. I call that doing the thrifty. Two this recipe is a great building block to many other delicious artisan breads. I'm considering less salt and adding some black olives in my next loaf. Three I know all the ingredients in this bread. I never have to wonder what the preservative is and what is that doing to my body. Four this ahtisan bread is wicked ahsome!
Enjoy Breadoring People!
Okay, okay, never happen. Well, the breadoring fans would never happen. The making of the artisan bread...totally happened.
I found this great and easy recipe on Blogging Over Thyme (http://bloggingoverthyme.com/2011/11/08/classic-french-boule/) and knew instantly that I was going to make this bread. **And in turn would have to beat off the breadoring people who would immediately appear at my castle, er door step...still no? Eh...moving on.
This bread was super easy and even better unbelievably tasty. I've been dunking it in thick black bean soup for lunch and toasting it for breakfast and dinner. It is destined to be a staple in my kitchen.
There are so many positives about making this bread or any bread for that matter. One you get two loaves for less than the price of one. Eat one loaf immediately and freeze the second. I call that doing the thrifty. Two this recipe is a great building block to many other delicious artisan breads. I'm considering less salt and adding some black olives in my next loaf. Three I know all the ingredients in this bread. I never have to wonder what the preservative is and what is that doing to my body. Four this ahtisan bread is wicked ahsome!
Enjoy Breadoring People!
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Greening Up Thanksgiving
Here it is, the first post for Green Bean Beetz. I hope this won't quickly alienate me among the masses.
This morning I had a lengthy conversation with my mother regarding the deal she got on not one but two turkeys at her local grocery store. Apparently there was a very serious point calculating incident that caused a phone call. Have no fear though she did not settle for the 13lb turkey but waited and did in fact receive the 20lb one she had her eye on. Though some might see that as an opportunity to discuss having a more compassionate (i.e. carrion free meal)I had to bite my tongue and allow the woman to continue.
So why not have my first post be about greening your thanksgiving?! "Greening" doesn't refer to the most awesome salad you could make but some tips about making your Thanksgiving a sustainable day. These tips come from http://earthfirst.com where there are more than these 5.
5 Helpful Tips for Greening Thanksgiving...
1. Buy Local - I worship at the altar of my CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). My share offers ample vegetables for most of the year. I know the farm and the farmers and I know that the travel for my food is minimal. If you can't join a CSA search for winter or late season farmer's markets. And if that's not available most major cities have small grocers or co-ops where you can find local fruits and vegetables year round.
2. Serve organic or local beverages - We are housed in New England the land of apple cider! All I need to do is walk or drive one mile in any direction and I've hit a farm or orchard. And in recent years I've discovered local wineries and breweries are every where. (Hitched the Hubz at one)
3. Keep the holiday simple - Keeping things simple has become my new mantra. As much as we all want to serve a cooking show worthy Thanksgiving meal we don't need to do that with exotic and hard to find veggies. My favorite side...mashed potatoes! Mmmmm, and this year we're veganizing these bad boys!
4. Use what you have on hand - Here's a secret about the hubz and I, we have never bought a set of dishes! All of our dishware was handed down. Same goes for our linens. We want for nothing but have it all, including an enormous collection of tea spoons. Don't stress the look of your table, Thanksgiving is about who you are with. And if you really, REALLY want a turkey salt and pepper shaker hit the thrift store. Goodwill, Salvation Army, Savers - these are all places that give back to your local communities with the money you spend. Or find a locally owned and operated thrift or consignment store.
5. Compost the Scrap out of your meal - I love my compost bin! My garden loves my compost bin! But I struggle with the kitchen scraps! I admit that this is a tough tip to follow. I mean there sits your garbage pail, so alluring, just waiting to welcome all that you have to offer. I am vowing to make an effort this year and hopefully you will to. Don't have a compost...maybe this is the time to start one.
Good luck!
This morning I had a lengthy conversation with my mother regarding the deal she got on not one but two turkeys at her local grocery store. Apparently there was a very serious point calculating incident that caused a phone call. Have no fear though she did not settle for the 13lb turkey but waited and did in fact receive the 20lb one she had her eye on. Though some might see that as an opportunity to discuss having a more compassionate (i.e. carrion free meal)I had to bite my tongue and allow the woman to continue.
So why not have my first post be about greening your thanksgiving?! "Greening" doesn't refer to the most awesome salad you could make but some tips about making your Thanksgiving a sustainable day. These tips come from http://earthfirst.com where there are more than these 5.
5 Helpful Tips for Greening Thanksgiving...
1. Buy Local - I worship at the altar of my CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). My share offers ample vegetables for most of the year. I know the farm and the farmers and I know that the travel for my food is minimal. If you can't join a CSA search for winter or late season farmer's markets. And if that's not available most major cities have small grocers or co-ops where you can find local fruits and vegetables year round.
2. Serve organic or local beverages - We are housed in New England the land of apple cider! All I need to do is walk or drive one mile in any direction and I've hit a farm or orchard. And in recent years I've discovered local wineries and breweries are every where. (Hitched the Hubz at one)
3. Keep the holiday simple - Keeping things simple has become my new mantra. As much as we all want to serve a cooking show worthy Thanksgiving meal we don't need to do that with exotic and hard to find veggies. My favorite side...mashed potatoes! Mmmmm, and this year we're veganizing these bad boys!
4. Use what you have on hand - Here's a secret about the hubz and I, we have never bought a set of dishes! All of our dishware was handed down. Same goes for our linens. We want for nothing but have it all, including an enormous collection of tea spoons. Don't stress the look of your table, Thanksgiving is about who you are with. And if you really, REALLY want a turkey salt and pepper shaker hit the thrift store. Goodwill, Salvation Army, Savers - these are all places that give back to your local communities with the money you spend. Or find a locally owned and operated thrift or consignment store.
5. Compost the Scrap out of your meal - I love my compost bin! My garden loves my compost bin! But I struggle with the kitchen scraps! I admit that this is a tough tip to follow. I mean there sits your garbage pail, so alluring, just waiting to welcome all that you have to offer. I am vowing to make an effort this year and hopefully you will to. Don't have a compost...maybe this is the time to start one.
Good luck!
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