Happy Earth Day: 4.22.2008

There have been quite a few updates to my Green page as of late. You should definitely go check ‘em out and implement what you can/are willing to do.
The most important thing I’ve added lately is the updates on Coffee and Chocolate (many thanks to Marye). I’m not kidding, if it isn’t fair trade, Do Not Buy It. Please.
Along those lines I recently purchased Green Chic by Christie Matheson (during the same shopping trip we decided to forgo all meat). I decided although there is a lot of info on the web, I wanted something more tangible and something I could easily relate to (i.e. not something that tells me to replace all my windows etc… I rent, and I’m broke). I’ve been eyeing the book for a few weeks and now I’m glad I got it, it’s right along the lines of what I was looking for. Many of the suggestions are common sense (many of the same things I already have on my green page) but what I really like about the book is that she doesn’t just tell you what you should do, she tells you why you should do it… and isn’t it nice to know why?

One of the things Christie suggests in the book is to shorten your showers (I suggest to even try *gasp* taking a bath!). Anyway, she says to begin by timing how long your current shower takes. You know, get in, do your normal thing, don’t hurry, then see how long it takes you (using a clock). Then try to shorten it, make a game out of it.
So I tried it and the thing is folks, I take four minute showers. I kid you not. That includes washing my face, hair, body and shaving. Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen, no applause necessary! How to shorten that? I don’t know. I did not shave my legs during said shower (as I don’t very often), I imagine if I had, I might hit 7 minutes or so. Who knows…
While we’re on the topic of books, I just joined BookMooch. Best thing ever!

… and in other (Etsy mostly) news, I’ve just added some lovely ACEOs to my Etsy shop (click the button in my right side bar). These lovely little things are going for just $7 each so go check ‘em out!
Wondering just what an ACEO is? Here’s a lil’ explanation:
“ACEO stands for “Art Cards, Editions and Originals”. These cards have one main rule - they are 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches - the size of a trading card.
The reason for this is, of course, that Art Cards are made to be traded! But while artists were happily trading cards, the general public was left out in the cold, having no Art Cards to trade. A group of artists realized this, and quickly made their cards available for sale at remarkably low prices so that everyone could join in the fun!”
I found that little blurb here.

Also, after the big move, I’ll be hosting a blogging event over at CKC! In an effort to promote my Etsy shop and celebrate my new start, as well as show my appreciation for the fine folks I’ve met through the blogging community, I’ll be giving away one of my (food) photographs. Shot, Printed, and Matted Professionally, by yours truly. I will pick the photo (I’m still deciding, stay tuned). All you will need to do to enter is to blog about the give away, link to CKC and perhaps the Etsy shop, and then leave a comment back at CKC about your post. How does that sound?
This is just a teaser, I’ll post about the give-away for real on CKC in the beginning of May.

Lastly, I just posted this week’s TWD recipe, Bill’s Big Carrot Cake, on CKC this morning. Be sure to go check it out!

*image of book from amazon.com