Off the Urban Grid

Go Vegan for Mother Earth

Becoming vegan might seem like a big lifestyle change for you, and it might be a challenging diet to wrap your brain around (well, probably more so your stomach). If you’ve grown up eating beef, poultry, pork, fish, eggs and dairy, it’s going to feel odd planning breakfasts, lunches and dinners without these elements that were once so fundamental to your meals. However, by changing your ways, you will help to decrease the significant amount of pollution that factory farming causes.

In order to raise animals for food, you need to provide them with gallons of water and pounds upon pounds of sustenance. Along with feeding and hydrating the animals, farmers also have to manage their waste, which has potential to leach into groundwater and contaminate the soil as well as drinking water. It’s a vicious cycle.

There are several resources online or at the library to help you enter the world of veganism. You might already know the health benefits, which include lowering cholesterol and maintaining a healthy weight. While it’s great to go vegan to be more healthy, it’s even better knowing that you will be more eco-friendly too.

Just think…if you went vegan, you wouldn’t have to raise pigs or chickens in your backyard. You could focus on growing a wide variety of vegetables and beans. Vegan food doesn’t have to be dull and boring. You can add a range of colors to your diet and create familiar cuisines with animal-free ingredients. At first it might be a challenge, but it’s a great way to reduce your household’s carbon footprint a little bit more.

Tags: becoming vegan, vegan lifestyle

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Develop an Energy Efficient Mind/Body

Energy efficiency includes more than just the energy in your home. What about your mind and body? In order for your household to be energy efficient, you have to be energy efficient too. For instance, if your spending time in the garden but don’t know exactly what you’re doing, chances are your efforts aren’t going to amount to much. So stop wasting your energy and step back for a moment to make sure you’re doing things in the most efficient way.

Whether you’re gardening, composting or collecting rain water, there is a method to the madness, and the method can really make a difference in your results. Sometimes you have to do research or look at the bigger picture to see flaws in your method, but fortunately, your process and approach can always be amended and improved for the better.

For example, installing rain barrels around your home to collect rain water is a great idea, and it requires time and effort. However, if you never get a chance to reuse the rain water, what was the purpose spending time installing the rain barrel?

Before you make an eco-friendly to your household, think past the initial phase. Along with brainstorming how you will install or make the change effectively, you also need to think further ahead. Why are you making this change? What will be the full benefits? How will you take full advantage of these benefits?

The energy spent thinking and doing is valuable so make those efforts worthwhile!

Tags: Energy Efficiency, energy efficient

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5 Ways to Reduce Your Grocery Bill

Frugality is the way to live these days, but it’s not always easy to be a penny pincher. Finding cheaper prices or living less independently on supermarkets requires time and effort on your part. However, even if you just tweak your lifestyle, you can save money here and there. It’s up to you…how much money do you want to save on grocery bills every month? Below are five ways to start reducing your food expenses…that is, if you’re up to the challenge.

Start Gardening

Yes, gardening does take time and patient, but you don’t necessarily have to go all out. Grow small herb gardens and select vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers indoors or out on your patio. Herbs can be expensive at the store, so this can help reduce costs, and you can always dry your homegrown herbs so they last longer.

Clip Coupons

Have you seen that new “Extreme Couponing” show on TLC? Watch one and you will see how easy it is to save big bucks on groceries. One lady walked out of the store with about $600 worth of food for about $6! Although these people buy in bulk, sometimes excessively, you can find a happy medium and curb how much money is going out.

Buy Locally

Locally grown foods have the potential to cost less. These vegetables and fruits didn’t have to travel far to get to you either. Check out mom and pop supermarkets as well as local farmer’s stands and even flea markets. You never know what deals are out there unless you look.

Research Online

Before you head out to make your purchases, try to do some simple research online to find out where the sales are. If you’re willing to look, you will find organic and free range options for less.

Plan Ahead

Obviously, going to the grocery store hungry is a bad idea, but it’s also not wise to go without a plan of action. Create a list prior to running errands. This will prevent you from buying things that you want, leaving you plenty of money for the things you really need.

Tags: reducing grocery bills, saving money on groceries

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Happy Earth Day!

It’s that time of year again…Earth Day is here! So what are you going to be doing to celebrate Earth Day this year? From changing your bad habits to adjusting you’re already eco-friendly lifestyle, there are so many ways you can contribute. However, the imporant part is to remember to continue doing green things all year round and not just on this special day.

Start Carpooling
Gas prices have become outrageous lately. At almost $4 per gallon for unleaded gas, it’s a challenge to make a full tank of gas last. In addition to ensuring that your tires are properly inflated, you can start to find ways to carpool with friends and family. While it’s not always easy to find rides or schedule your life around someone else’s, carpooling can save you money and reduce pollution in the environment.

Expand Your Recycling
How much do you recycle? Consider all the trash that you’re throwing away. If you have a lot of food scraps, maybe you need to consider getting a composter. Or, maybe you need to start recycling tin along with all of the plastic you’re taking to the curbside recycling pick-up service. If you’re already recycling plastic, paper, glass and metal, try recycling batteries or another type of material.

Take Time Out
Work, kids and life in general can get in the way of enjoying the outdoors, but it’s important for your sanity to spend time outside. Even if you just have a half hour to sit on you patio or deck. It’s a refreshing feeling to notice your surroundings and see how beautiful it all is.

Try to Reuse
Reusing isn’t always easy, because you have to be more creative. With recycling, you can throw things into a bin and forget about it. Try to recycle plastic bags and other items before sending them off for recycling. Think of it as a brain teaser and challenge yourself to something new.

Tags: celebrating earth day, Earth Day, Earth Day celebration

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5 Ways to Get Your Garden Started Off Right

The beginnings of your garden do count, so don’t skimp on the initial steps that can promote or hinder your garden’s growth. If you haven’t had successful gardens in the past, maybe you just need to do more research and start the growing process in a different way. Here are some tips to help you get your garden going down the right path.

Research Jack Frost

Jack Frost is a sneaky character, and he enjoys creeping up on you when you least expect it. Although you can’t predict the exact day that the last spring frost will occur, you at least need to do enough research to determine the average last-frost date that is specific to your region.

Stick a Thermometer In It

In order to tell if your under the weather, you use a thermometer, right? Well, a similar concept applies to the soil. If the soil’s temperature isn’t at the ideal warmth for certain crops, the plant is going to have a hard time adapting and growing. Before you grow anything, keep a thermometer in the soil and wait until you get consistent readings before planting.

Get Dirty

Being a gardener means you have to get a little messy. It’s important to also know the soil’s moisture content. If it’s too dry, plants are going to have a challenging time laying down their roots. Dig down 4 to 6 inches and grab a handful of soil to see how moist it is. When the soil crumbles easily, it’s ready to go.

Be A Crop Detective

Before you buy any seeds, first find out the basic information about the plants. Are they hardy? Do they tolerate your region’s climate well? What is the plant’s ideal soil temperature? Find out as much as you can, so you can treat the plant right.

Provide Tender, Love & Organic Care

All plants need a little TLC, and it’s beneficial to stay on top of your vegetables and flowers. By adding organic matter such as compost into your soil on a regular basis, you will help to improve the soil conditions. In turn, this will enable the plants to mature and maintain strength as they grow.

Tags: garden tips, gardening, gardening tips, spring garden

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Canine Confections: Homemade Pet Treats Save Dollars

Even if you’re not the best cook in the kitchen when it comes to people food, don’t be shy to  give homemade dog treats a try. At least dogs won’t complain if the cookies get burned or your recipe is a big flop!

Making your own pet treats at home is a great way to save money, and for many recipes, you can simply use the ingredients you already have in your cupboards. Why shop the high priced pet stores when you can employ homemade solutions?

Dog and cat treats in the stores come with packaging and are also made with some unhealthy ingredients. Keep your pet’s diet more natural based and cut out those processed ingredients.

Although those iced dog cookies at the pet store look appetizing, how nutritious and healthy are they? Making treats at home gives you control over the ingredients, and your dog probably wouldn’t mind if you lack creativity as long as they come out tasty.

Mix oats and molasses together for a yummy horse snack. Or, create a protein rich treat using peanut butter for your dogs. Even vegetables like carrots and fruits like apples can be used as treats. There are many cookbooks out there specifically for making pet treats, so you can indulge your horse, dog, cat, etc. to the best.

Tags: homemade dog treats, homemade pet treats

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Dress Pets in Eco Style

Pets are an important part of the household, which is why they should be fitted in green attire too! From their water and food dishes to dealing with their waste efficiently, you can turn your pet into an eco-friendly companion. Start off with greening the basics such as the collar.

A properly fitting dog collar is essential when you’re trying to train your dog to walk. Fortunately, there are so many types of collars to choose from, and you can even find ones to meet your sustainable standards too.

Halter-type collars fit around the dog’s front legs, neck and shoulder, so this can give you and your pet the best support and control. This style is the perfect dog walking collar, especially if your pet constantly pulls while outside. For green options, look for organic dog collars and hemp dog collars.

Regardless of whether you choose a halter-type, make sure that the design fits your dog well. Traditional collars made from nylon are rough enough to cause neck irritation and some hair loss. Collars containing natural fibers such as cotton, hemp and bamboo are lighter on the skin and comfortable for dogs with sensitive skin.

These organic dog collar options can improve your training experience with your pet and keep your pet’s neck comfortable. Why keep spending money on collars that don’t hold up to wear and tear well? Break your wasteful habit with a durable design that accommodates your pet’s needs and doesn’t add to environmental damage.

Tags: dog collar, dog collars, eco-friendly pets

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5 Reasons to Purchase a Greenhouse This Year

Caring for vegetables, flowers, berries, etc. is a challenging process. If there isn’t enough sun one day or if Mother Nature decides to shock the environment with an early frost, your plants can be in trouble. In some circumstances, the plants might not recover, and then you lose part or even all of your potential harvest. Instead of risking scorched, frost bitten and dehydrated plants, you can purchase a greenhouse for your backyard. Here are five good reasons why you should consider it this year.

Increase Your Chances

With a greenhouse, you have more control over the climate. You can purchase heaters and watering systems, which can help automate simple tasks so you don’t have to worry if you forget to water your seedlings. There are even high tech ventilation features out there too. By having more control, inclement weather won’t get in the way of your growing.

Many Different Greenhouses

Whether you live in an apartment or a mansion, you can find a greenhouse that complements and fits your property. If you have enough yard space for a large greenhouse, go for it! If not, select a lean-to or more compact design.

Grow All Year Round

You have to do your research, but there are reputable companies out there that manufacturer quality greenhouses. Ones with polycarbonate panels and aluminum or wood frames will weather well. Even though wind and rain will come your way, your plants will be protected indoors.

Installation Made Easy

Building a greenhouse might seem like an overwhelming task. However, there are designs that literally snap together all in one day’s work. With the help of a friend or family member, you can get your growing space up and running in no time!

Accessories Galore

Depending on what you’re passion is, there are various accessories to add to your greenhouse. From planters to shelving and flooring, you can increase the efficiency and optimize the space within your backyard greenhouse.

Tags: greenhouse, greenhouses

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Spring Fever: Grow Flowers & Vegetables Vertically with a Trellis

Not all plants are content with growing on the ground – some long to reach for the sun. This year, why not try building a trellis in the backyard for plants and vegetables that wish to grow vertically? Surprisingly, you don’t really need any special tools or special skills to create a handy trellis your plants will fall in love with.

Bamboo is a durable material to work with first, and you can make a sizeable trellis out of bamboo easily. Basically, you need three bamboo poles and some heavy-duty twine. You will need to create a teepee shape by merging the three poles together with twine or a zip tie. Make sure you secure the ends of the bamboo poles together at the top before creating a tripod and securing the ends into the ground.

You can use a bamboo trellis to grow cucumbers, peas or beans. If you really want to make use of your vertical space, you can connect several trellises together and create a vertical growing system. The more space you have for growing, the more impressing your garden will look, which means you will have a more rewarding harvest.

With surplus wood and scraps, you can create a trellis for squash and tomatoes too. These are simple backyard projects for the family that can be completed within a few hours. You might be handier than you think, so give a bamboo trellis a try. Expand your green thumb skills vertically!

Tags: backyard trellis, flower trellis

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Where Can You Save Money?

In light of spring renewal, maybe it’s time to assess your home and determine where you can cut costs. You might have been thinking about getting rid of some utility bills but haven’t followed through on it. Well, now is your chance so go into the process with a practical state of mind and try to downsize as much as you can.

Landline phones are becoming a thing of the past. If you have a cell phone, you’re probably using that one more since you probably have it in your pocket or next to your nightstand. Eliminating your landline can save you between $40 and $60 per month, and it will also decrease your electricity consumption, because you won’t have to keep portable phones plugged in all over the house.

Researching and changing insurance companies can be a hassle, but looking into different homeowner’s and car insurance every so often is beneficial. You could be spending $500 more than you have to, but you would have no idea if you don’t draw comparisons. Calling companies can take several hours so carve out the morning or afternoon and start dialing.

Cable bills can be pretty steep. Although having packaged deals with your landline, Internet and cable are often money savers, you might not really need the landline and cable. There are so many television shows, videos and news broadcasts streaming online, that you can catch up with the rest of the world right from your computer. You might have to wait for some television shows to make it to sites like Hulu.com, but while you’re waiting there are so many other things that can hold your interest in the meantime.

Considering your options and alternatives can save you money and also reduce your energy consumption. Instead of thinking how eliminating your landline phone or cable will hinder you, try to think about how it can free you.

Tags: cutting expenses, household savings, Saving Money

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