tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64125989171906369682012-01-17T08:58:43.582-05:00A portal to Lakeland, Florida eco-friendly 'green' living. Tips, tricks, ideas, information. Why and how we should live green and be self-sufficient.Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.comBlogger571100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-19460811584065591142010-02-18T11:41:00.000-05:002010-02-18T11:41:46.413-05:00

The recycleitpolkcounty website has some good information on WHY we should recycle and it's in a very simple, easy to read chart. Please take a moment to read this and think twice before you throw anything into your trash can! How Long Will Our Trash Be Around? Cigarette Butts 1-5 years Wool sock 1-5 years Orange and banana peels up to 2 years

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-18767321174939693322009-12-29T11:56:00.000-05:002009-12-29T11:56:57.411-05:00

A local green business expo is being held at the Lakeland Center on February 27th, 2010. With free parking and free admission, there is really no excuse for not going to check it out. Exhibitors will feature an array of green services and products, along with sustainability presentations all day long. Check out the details at the GreenHome Wamalama site now!

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-89635487159872272352009-10-06T12:05:00.000-04:002009-10-06T12:05:04.387-04:00

Check out this bird house I made using an old bird-house shaped napkin holder and an expired license plate. I found the napkin holder on Freecycle, and the SPCA gave me their old vehicle license plates to use in a craft project, since they know of my thrifty-crafty style. I put the two together, added some popsicle sticks to fill in the side openings and voila!...A beautiful bird house the SPCA

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-74965265110882848482009-10-05T15:00:00.000-04:002009-10-05T15:00:31.423-04:00

Michelle Kauffman has the best idea for re-using towels and t-shirts. She makes comfy bath rugs out of them! Check out her video for a fast and easy step-by-step. Towel Rug

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-81980568935680771752009-09-01T14:50:00.002-04:002009-09-01T14:57:19.865-04:00

Scratching your head about what to do with all those coffee containers you've been saving? Did you have a good reason to save all those scrap pieces of fabric, but never saw the project come to life? Are you doing your best to help keep items out of the landfill, only to find you don't have the space for them anymore? Here's your answer!Join one or both of two Yahoo Groups;Freecycle or

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-14955833721786392322009-08-18T11:49:00.004-04:002009-08-18T11:57:19.397-04:00

I followed an ad for recycled clothing on one of my favorite eco-sites, Urban Branches and I found this amazing purse:I already have matching belts, so I'm sure this will be my next obsession! You can check out all of the recycled items on Coke's eco-apparel.

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-57201137335313622202009-07-14T14:23:00.001-04:002009-07-14T14:25:40.669-04:00

It's been about six weeks since my last post and that's quite rare for me. Why the long time? I've been crazy busy volunteering for the SPCA.There's a never-ending list of things that need to be done. I admire and respect everyone there because I see how insanely busy their days are.Over the last six weeks I have helped at the Dog and Car Wash held at Miller's Lakeland Ale House, an adoption

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-51040826127321081012009-06-03T16:18:00.004-04:002009-06-03T16:31:51.825-04:00

If you ever served as a Marine, or have friends or family who are or were Marines, please make sure they are aware of the Camp LeJeune Water Study.Here's an excerpt from a recent St. Pete Times story:Camp Lejeune, a sprawling Marine base on the North Carolina seaboard, is the site of what some scientists call the worst public drinking-water contamination in the nation's history. Its water wells

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-60661629213132972632009-05-13T23:57:00.001-04:002009-05-13T23:59:07.785-04:00

The SPCA of Lakeland has a wish list of items they need. Please take a look at the following and see if there's anything you can help with. (I've highlighted some common, ordinary, every day things you may have never thought of)Please contact the shelter if you can donate any of the following items or if you would like to make a cash donation toward their purchase. Please Call 863.646.7722.New or

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-30998478442589703762009-05-01T20:28:00.002-04:002009-05-01T21:12:12.749-04:00

I've lived in Lakeland for twenty years and prior to this evening, I had never been to a "Downtown Lakeland First Friday". I received an email notification from the Downtown Lakeland Partnership, where I saw mention of an art display titled "One Man's Trash". Well, if you follow this or my other blog, you know I am into recycling and re-purposing items that would have otherwise gone to the

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-44548211895974622152009-04-21T12:50:00.004-04:002009-04-21T13:18:11.685-04:00

No matter what your stance is on The American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009, tax breaks are always nice. The economic stimulus package extends Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives first enacted in 2005 and even creates some new ones for those who remodel their homes using more energy efficient and eco-friendly materials.Some of the measures eligible for tax credits are:• Replacement

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-58887478856631403932009-04-16T20:46:00.002-04:002009-04-16T20:53:07.778-04:00

In my March 26th post about my upside down tomatoes, I had just transplanted some peppers upside down. They were wilty then from having the foliage shoved through the one inch opening, but now they're doing GREAT!Tip: Don't use the standard, thin, black plastic pots that they come in, without first lining them with some plastic wrap, as the holes in the upright 'bottom' of the pots leak too much

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-36617672475098635302009-04-16T20:23:00.005-04:002009-04-16T20:42:13.336-04:00

On March 26th, I posted my first upside down tomato article. Here's an update.They're doing GREAT!We did have an incident where the Early Girl plant became infested with tomato hornworms. They had just started to spread to the Sophya, so I went to Home Depot and got some Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT) and sprayed the plants. It took care of the worms just fine, but it shocked the plants for about a

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-19996381494011020362009-03-31T09:39:00.001-04:002009-03-31T09:43:23.201-04:00

According to EarthHour:Lights went out in 4,085 cities in 88 countries in what is being described as the largest demonstration of public concern about climate change in history.They have some nice pics at the above site. I thought Los Angeles showed the most notable difference once the lights went out.

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-13254623443516929532009-03-26T14:57:00.003-04:002009-03-26T15:07:30.846-04:00

My upside-down tomato plants are doing GREAT!The Early Girl variety is true to the name; the first to produce:I can't wait to have fresh tomatoes! I'd recommend the upside-down tomatoes for sure!I've also transplanted some hot peppers from regular pots to my own, homemade upside-down hanging planters. They're newly transplanted, so at the moment they're a little 'wilty'. I'll get some pics when

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-74189611110299017292009-03-06T11:51:00.003-05:002009-03-06T13:55:58.738-05:00

Thanks to Lindsay at Urban Branches for this information on Earth Hour.Turn out. Take action. Be part of this historic event. March 28, 2009, 8:30 pm local time World Wildlife Fund is asking individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-52663974845576480402009-02-16T13:05:00.003-05:002009-02-16T14:11:11.587-05:00

It's nice to know that several Florida lodging facilities are "Green"... check out the following release from the FL DEP:FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 13, 2009CONTACT: Amy Graham, (850) 245-2112 or (850) 778-7258LODGING FACILITIES MINIMIZE WASTE, MAXIMIZE GREEN~New Florida Green Lodging Program designations get clean and green~TALLAHASSEE – Ten new properties recently joined the Florida

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-53598270995228165202009-02-11T16:07:00.003-05:002009-02-11T16:11:30.310-05:00

Fourteen reasons we love Florida’s State Parks ~DEP highlights 14 reasons to love state parks this Valentine’s Day~ Tallahassee – From mermaids to music festivals, and America’s best beach, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is highlighting 14 reasons to fall in love with Florida’s state parks this Valentine’s Day. State parks offer affordable, fun and close-to-home

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-38322189356633634432009-01-23T11:42:00.004-05:002009-01-23T12:10:18.412-05:00

I've been VERY busy creating new purses out of recycled material...Check out the following:Clutch made entirely out of Publix Bread Bags!Sling purse made from ironed/melted Publix grocery bags!Small purse made out of pages from an old road atlas!Large carry-all made from clear contact paper and Christmas cards!Catch-all Bowl made from melted album and dvd's!

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-29927982355396844822008-12-22T13:30:00.003-05:002008-12-22T14:06:48.648-05:00

For about ten years now, I have been saving all the cancelled postage stamps that come to both my home and my job. I have been giving them to St. Joseph's Catholic Church, for exactly what reason I don't know. I believe they send them to some missionary organization who gives them some sort of compensation. I don't know any more details than that.I continued to send them to the church long after

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-54685024715249713832008-12-01T22:25:00.010-05:002008-12-01T23:32:06.405-05:00

I've finally begun making plarn purses and I'm so excited! Everyone I show them to is very intrigued and they love what I've done.Here is my first attempt, using various colors of grocery bags:Then I tried a clutch. ..Then a clutch with a different process...Here's my favorite of them all, a large market bag:The most recent one I've made has a flap and a 'button' of sorts...I also made a small

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-81081100937975496772008-10-30T13:30:00.002-04:002008-10-30T13:36:54.029-04:00

This doesn't really fit into a recycling or eco-friendly subject matter, but I like it. Besides, you can look at it as recycling - just not material things - but, "human kindness and generosity and love".This email has circled the globe I am sure, thousands of times. I have received it myself probably at least twenty times from different people over the last 10 years. If you've read it before,

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-90195130781238188462008-10-21T13:17:00.005-04:002008-10-21T13:53:11.051-04:00

Figs are not your run-of-the-mill produce item in America, like tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce. They are a mediterranean fruit and are commonly grown mainly only in California, Texas and Florida. You may easily find them dried, but dried fruits usually contain gases and other preservatives.The fig tree was first mentioned in the Bible and is to this day worshipped by some cultures. There are two

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-26445453664044639042008-10-17T16:39:00.001-04:002008-10-17T16:45:20.984-04:00

Lakeland Electric and SunEdison, North America's largest solar energy services provider, today announced a public-private partnership to deploy 24 megawatts of solar. The program will be the largest utility-sponsored photovoltaic (PV) solar program per metered customer in the United States to date, averaging 214 watts per meter among Lakeland Electric's approximately 112,000 customers. Under the

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-83472819118873953562008-10-16T14:42:00.004-04:002008-10-16T14:45:30.057-04:00

I've been researching how to create my own compost pile in my back yard. I wanted to share this website, as it seems to be one of the better ones out there. If you're looking to learn how to compost, I recommend you check out this UF IFAS website.

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-26314054032570676962008-10-10T13:53:00.003-04:002008-10-10T14:13:47.078-04:00

Do you know how many businesses in your area are allowed to 'discharge to water', according to the EPA? Just go to the EPA website and type in your zip code. I searched 33801 - only one of the 13 different zip codes in Lakeland, FL and there were 233 companies listed with the EPA. Of those, 83 have permission to discharge into water. That in itself is alarming, but what caught my attention even

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-56159717075415202652008-10-06T18:54:00.004-04:002008-10-06T19:58:39.241-04:00

Floridians who recycle NEED to know this. Effective October 1, 2008, the process for recycling scrap metal is drastically different. Here are some excerpts fom a Bay News 9 story on the matter: A new law aims to curb the theft of scrap metals by making it more difficult to sell the metal to a recycling company.Under the new law, recycling companies must maintain records of all of their

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-90584166514789076982008-10-04T19:20:00.009-04:002008-10-04T19:35:52.578-04:00

My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving and my favorite season is fall.When I walk through department stores and see the housewares in the fall colors I just have to stop and stare.I decorate more for Thanksgiving than for any other holiday - Christmas included.My family looks forward to my Thanksgiving Dinner with anticipation all year long.I wish everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving as much as me. Maybe

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-70894206950312617372008-09-27T10:49:00.003-04:002008-09-27T10:54:51.916-04:00

I saw this story on www.zootoo.com under 'Pet News'. It caught my attention immediately. DNA tests on dog poo? Wow! Here is the full story: September 25, 2008 PETAH TIKVA, Israel -– Petah Tikva residents may not have to watch their step as carefully as they once did, but dog owners should remain tuned in to where their dogs 'go' -- and that they don't forget to pick it up.Or else, their

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-37275323950563479562008-09-22T14:34:00.003-04:002008-09-22T15:08:29.442-04:00

Next up is Avocadoes. And eggplant and pears. In the original post God's Pharmacy, the description for avocadoes is as follows:Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-65970413023511286622008-09-16T12:31:00.002-04:002008-09-16T12:37:15.293-04:00

Don't forget to visit my other site; http://lakelandmom.blogspot.com. The Lakelandmom site, despite the name, does not mean it is a parenting website. I have had lakelandmom as my user name on Yahoo for about 13 years. Everyone who knows me knows my handle of lakelandmom. It is who I am. So, on that site it is not dedicated to only one subject. I cover many different topics; including, but not

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-13409354973580322172008-09-16T11:01:00.002-04:002008-09-16T11:19:38.965-04:00

I had no idea that Levi's made eco-friendly jeans until today. My, but I do need to get out more often! lol. I receive email newsletters from Levi's and when I saw the subject line, I just HAD to open it. I thought this must be a brand new product, but I looked into it and it seems they were first introduced back in 2006. Here is some information I found on the web: Ubiquitous denim brand Levi's

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-29567707686252278962008-09-15T15:24:00.006-04:002008-09-17T12:30:50.695-04:00

Celery is next in line on my endeavor to reveal all the health benefits associated with all of the foods listed in God's Pharmacy.In the original post, celery was noted as being good for bone strength due to the sodium content.Celery is high in Vitamin C, which supports healthy immune system functions.Celery contains pthalides, as well as potassium, calcium and magnesium, which relax the muscles

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-25963387579594014912008-09-14T12:17:00.005-04:002008-09-14T12:36:54.155-04:00

Next up in line are Kidney Beans.Remember that old jingle, "Beans, beans, good for your heart. The more you eat, the more you..."well, you remember.In the original post God's Pharmacy, kidney beans were listed as being good for the kidneys. Buuuutt, did you know:Kidney beans are high in fiber (duh), but did you know that fiber lowers cholesterol?In a study of 16,000 middle aged men, a regular

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-88195381237086043562008-09-14T12:14:00.001-04:002008-09-14T12:14:51.415-04:00

What a great way to keep items out of our landfill, when they still have some life left in them. I had heard about Freecyle.org some time ago, but never really checked it out in depth until today. I saw a post on cafemom in a group called Stretching A Buck. It got my attention, I went to freecycle and now I'll be visiting often.It's free to join and is a Yahoo service. Like Craigslist, you can

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-60015898069353234492008-09-12T12:33:00.005-04:002008-09-12T12:54:22.784-04:00

Next up in my research endeavor from my original post: Walnuts. Aside from developing neuron transmitters for brain function as previously mentioned, here are some more health benefits of Walnuts.Walnuts are one of the best plant sources of (protein) - derived from a Greek root meaning "of first importance".In addition to protein, they are high in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E; an

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-76626630639745621652008-09-11T14:37:00.003-04:002008-09-11T15:33:43.676-04:00

Next in line: Grapes.Aside from what was already mentioned in the God's Pharmacy post, here are some other valuable benefits of grapes.Resveratrol: "The new Fountain of Youth". Resveratrol is a natural antioxidant that has been linked to reduced risk of cancer, atherosclerosis, (hardening of the arteries), heart disease and brain diseases such as Alzheimer's.Grapes also may reduce the risk of

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-2695063545249325622008-09-10T14:06:00.003-04:002008-09-10T14:25:55.841-04:00

The next item on the list is Tomatoes. The God's Pharmacy list refers to tomatoes being high in lycopene, which makes them good for the heart and blood. However, I discovered several other things they are good for...Cooked tomatoes may help prevent prostate cancer.Tomato extract is being used to treat high blood pressure.Tomatoes are high in vitamin c, which can prevent the common cold.Consuming

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-45611732057084807442008-09-09T22:32:00.005-04:002008-09-09T23:25:31.539-04:00

In my last post, I shared some foods and how their looks resemble what they are good for in the human body. I received several very nice comments from readers who found the information interesting and useful. I am doing some research on each of the foods listed in my post "God's Pharmacy". I will publish a separate post about each food, to uncover some other ways these foods can be used. First in

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-82428744644723476862008-08-28T11:24:00.018-04:002008-08-28T11:39:03.325-04:00

This is one of those emails that’s been forwarded a million times back and forth, but it’s one of the better ones, so I wanted to share. I know not where it originated and am not trying to claim it is mine.A friend sent this to me. It's been said that God first separated the salt water from the fresh, made dry land, planted a garden, made animals and fish.... all before making a human. He made

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-24149401847528132062008-08-23T11:06:00.002-04:002008-08-23T11:16:37.895-04:00

I had Lakeland Electric out to do an audit of my home's electricity use, due to the ever-increasing electric bills I've been seeing through no fault of my own; as I am the Queen energy miser in every way.The auditor had a few pieces of advice to give to help cut down on my bill (none of them involved any responsibility being claimed by L.E.). The number one thing that has gotten my attention,

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-51890470529431863312008-08-18T16:02:00.003-04:002008-08-18T16:12:16.154-04:00

Well, I'm just about ready to begin crocheting my plarn bag. If you're new to the lingo and don't kwow what plarn is, it is plastic grocery bags cut up into strips to make a ball of yarn - only since it's plastic - it's plarn. I have a ball approximately the size of half of a basketball, so I think I'm ready to start crocheting.I'm going to start by crocheting a shopping bag, but I'm going to

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-58226143934463559172008-08-14T15:05:00.003-04:002008-08-14T15:21:09.927-04:00

Do you live outside Lakeland's recycling pick-up area? If so, the chances that you recycle are much less than those who live within the recycling area, since those within the zone get curbside pick-up.I received my monthly SPCA newsletter today and saw that they take recyclables, so I thought, "I need to put that on my blog". So here it is:Recycle with the SPCA! Bring your used cell phones, empty

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-68171183996370998672008-08-11T20:44:00.003-04:002008-08-11T20:53:25.736-04:00

On August 2nd, I posted asking for more information about how communities try to save as much reusable stuff as possible from going to the landfill by promoting residents putting these items out a day before trash pick-up day.I posted again yesterday and I received some good information. Here's what Becky Scott had to say:I am in Missouri and we also do this. Twice a year, in the spring and fall.

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-28143620699017638652008-08-05T15:57:00.004-04:002008-08-05T16:09:47.600-04:00

I sent an email to Mayor Buddy Fletcher at ralph.fletcher@lakelandgov.net, asking him to participate in Cans For Cash. I hope you will do the same. Just send him the link and ask him to consider it.The Cans for Cash site explains: The Cans For Cash City Recycling Challenge: Building A Sustainable Environment for Your Community! The United States Conference of Mayors, Novelist Corporation and

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-79309919373046617922008-08-02T15:07:00.002-04:002008-08-02T15:21:03.441-04:00

My sisters live in southwest Michigan and have been telling me about a program I thought would be very welcome here in Lakeland.Once a month during the summer months, Kalamazoo residents can set re-usable items out at the curbside for other residents to drive by and pick-up for free. They do this the day before their trash pick-up day. Any items not picked up by residents will then be picked up

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-65971782991474686962008-07-29T21:15:00.002-04:002008-07-29T22:27:38.584-04:00

YLakeland posted this and I thought it was great to know. I wanted to share this, too.Donate your slightly used stuffed animals to Polk County's foster kids.Drop Location for Stuffed AnimalsThe Watson Clinic Foundation100 S. Kentucky Avenue, Ste. 255(In the Merrill Lynch/McKay Building, across from Harry’s Seafood)For more questions please contact Lori Dubia @ 863-534-0062 x-105.

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-40308130538057884842008-07-29T12:28:00.007-04:002008-07-29T12:46:19.232-04:00

Thinking of throwing away an old blanket? STOP!Considering tossing your old inkjet ink cartridge? STOP!Pitching an old bag of kitty litter in your garage? STOP!_____ These, and many, many other perfectly re-usable items can be donated to a local agency right here in Lakeland. _____ Here's a wishlist I found on the SPCA website. I printed the list and have it on my fridge for quick-reference

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-59229046483218181002008-07-25T15:19:00.007-04:002008-07-25T15:26:15.273-04:00

I wrote this post for my Lakelandmom site, but thought it would be just as fitting here, if not more so.Allow me to set the scene.My electric bill has been increasing each month since I moved into my tiny apartment in February. My most current bill is 35% higher than my first bill in March. Sure, I run my a/c more than I did then, but I’m a miser. I don’t waste electricity on anything. We even

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-76110474588987896542008-07-23T12:53:00.002-04:002008-07-23T12:55:27.397-04:00

I posted this in my other blog earlier today.Be prepared. Beginning October 1, you won't be able to walk in to the Lakeland Electric building to make your payment for your electric bill.If you're like me, you wait to the last possible minute, based on paydays. Lakeland Electric is only 3 blocks from where I work, so it's been very convenient. No more. Now I have to find a participating offsite

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-52350117209507432112008-07-22T14:18:00.007-04:002008-07-22T14:45:45.256-04:00

My family is so tired of plugging in the microwave each time they use it, just to have me go behind them and unplug it each time. The receptacle is behind the microwave, so it's awkward to reach. But I refuse to budge on this matter. Until I can find a microwave someone is willing to trade that doesn't have the time lit up constantly, I'll keep unplugging it. In fact, I was considering selling it

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-58728261068091716662008-07-21T14:22:00.003-04:002008-07-21T14:27:30.981-04:00

I was very pleased to read this Ledger Article about the city of Lakeland going green. According to the article, Lakeland uses many hybrid vehicles and has cut energy consumption by replacing bulbs in traffic lights and street lights. They have many other ways they are planning to save energy in the near future as well, including installing as many as 10,000 solar-powered water heaters.I for one

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-58575412792335286642008-07-20T11:16:00.004-04:002008-07-20T11:19:02.504-04:00

Every Polk County resident should know all about their landfill. Take a tour, make regularly planned visits to properly dispose of hazardous materials and know what is accepted and what is not.Visit the Polk County Landfill website to learn what you can do to cut down on what is being put in our landfill.More on this subject soon.

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-32812342693113105212008-07-20T10:50:00.003-04:002008-07-20T10:53:43.798-04:00

Everyone knows what plastic is, and everyone knows what yarn is. But did you know that "plarn" is ball of yarn made entirely of plastic? I didn't know such a thing existed until I visited this site where I got the idea to reuse my plastic grocery bags to make - you guessed it - plastic grocery bags! The concept is amazing. You use plastic grocery bags that would have gone into the landfill to

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-19162423642148761102008-07-20T10:47:00.003-04:002008-07-20T10:50:09.846-04:00

Again, I haven't yet done this myself, as my recycling bug is still in its infancy and there are only so many hours in a day, but I suggest you check out this cool belt you can make out of pop-tops.Once I get enough tops I'm going to make mine using silver cord, but the bright green in the picture allows you to see better exactly how it was made.

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-44876739154248812012008-07-20T10:41:00.004-04:002008-07-20T10:46:28.024-04:00

Not to say that cd's and mp3 players are being replaced by turntables. In my recent search for ways to reuse and recycle, I came across this most interesting article about how to reuse record albums. While some would argue that it's desecration to melt an album, I feel it is the ultimate alternative to albums ending up in a landfill.You have GOT to check this out. It's a modern-art deco piece I

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412598917190636968.post-21483246729431756402008-07-19T20:56:00.001-04:002008-07-19T21:31:08.230-04:00

I've been blogging for about over a month now on my regular page, Lakelandmom. While viewing others sites I kept coming across sites that really interested me a lot. So much so, that I just had to start a new blog about the subject. It's about being green, eco-friendly, environmentally conscious, whatever label you prefer. I like 'being green' because it reminds me of my childhood when I used to

Lakelandmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07782567452439967767noreply@blogger.com0