Quick Energy Saving Tips for Memorial Weekend

by Katy Green
shoptobegreen.com



Energy Saver

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I always say better late than later.

As promised, see my energy saving tips to help you save on electric costs.

Any major holiday results in massive electric consumption so cut back, relax and save!



Energy SavingTips for Memorial Weekend:

1. Inviting the entire neighborhood over for your barbecue bonanza? Well keep things cool and conserve by asking your guests to stay outside.
2. Keep the doors closed to your house so that you are not wasting energy.
3. Ceiling fans help circulate air and keep the room cooler and try to raise your thermostat as high as possible without sacrificing comfort, best temperature is 72 degrees. Remember it's cooler at night so you can increase your thermostat during that time as well.
4. Save energy with outdoor lights sensors or timers so that fixtures stay off during the day and light up at night.
5. Cleaning up after a big gathering can be a pain, and using stryofoam plates and paper cups is harmful to the green planet (no more paper cups campaign). If you are using the dishwasher ask for help during the clean up and don't wait till everyone is gone to clear the plates.
6. No need to prewash the dishes and you it is not necessary to use the heater because the dishes will dry overnight.

See picture link  for energy savings during warmer months:

Consumer Reports Energy Savings

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Big Savings and Earth Friendly Tips for Memorial Weekend!

by Katy Green
shoptobegreen.com

Can you believe it...another holiday is near and aside from barbecuing and grilling everything in sight, dashing to the supermarket to stock up on every side dish and condiment available and eating up gas in your car like your getting it for free...take a deep breath and "think green" for a moment.

No worries, don't stress yourself, I created a earth friendly checklist to save you green, use less gas and precycle or upcycle...the first two tips are today...visit us daily for more ways to save green and the plan over the next several days. This is a departure from my normal blog article style, I usually write every few days because I share and care with caution and purpose.

ShoptobeGreen Top 10 Earth Friendly Memorial Day Savings Checklist:

Two green tips today, visit us daily for more tips or subscribe to our feed.

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1. Gas is one of the most searched keywords on the net and no wonder it costs a fortune to visit Aunt Franny.Use the following to assist you in this gas debacle: 

• Carpool, uggh to some and heaven to others - put aside your angst for one weekend and catch a ride with your friends, family or distant cousins to save gas. Here are couple links to help: ERideShare.com - site for sharing gas and company. Find potential matches for your destination or try 511share.org

• Work for a big company, email your coworkers and find out if you are going to the same event 
• Send out a mass email to your close friends and family on Facebook to share in the fun and save gas.
• Must drive!...no worries...search for the cheapest gas but if you have to drive more than 5 minutes away it might not be worth it: gasbuddy.com/ or gasprices.mapquest.com/

2.          No need to shop till you drop, enjoy the wonders of barbecue without breaking the bank!

• Invite friends and family to convene at your abode and contribute to the feast think of it as a potluck Memorial bash.

Food Swap meet in Brooklyn, NY

• Food swap ...what is that? Well, I am sure if you went through your kitchen cabinet you will find many items untouched instead of discarding or expiring take your untouched treasures and swap them for other food items. You can host one at your house or visit this site: http://ebcaswaps.blogspot.com/
• Think of multiple ways to create amazing healthy dishes by using a few items; for example if you like avocados - create a main dish, entree or appetizer with avocados instead of using it for one dish.
• Also, buy what is in season like fresh strawberries or watermelon and check out the markets online and print out coupons in advance: wholefoodsmarket.com/stores.com
•  Print coupons from sites that are already researched thanks to Shopsmart.com (don't waste your time signing up for sites that will clog your email box). I like MoneySavingMom.com the best because her site is not saturated with ad overkill and it is easy to navigate.

Organic Barbecue

BONUS: Crystal Paine, creator of MoneySavingMom.com has painstakingly created a coupon database so you don't have to drive yourself bananas locating coupons and she offers great tips, its amazing she only spent $35 a week on groceries.

I did the same thing when I was unemployed seven years ago, those were lean times but it is possible and you learn from that experience. I did!

Well, thanks for reading, please spread the information to your friends, sharing is caring and visit shoptobegreen daily for our ShoptobeGreen Top 10 Earth Friendly Memorial Day Savings Checklist.

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Jonesing for Trash into Rainbows or a Plastic Fantasy?

by Katy Green
shoptobegreen.com

Rainbows and starlight's in flight are we in the 70's or is this a kaleidoscope of artistic expression? This is what shoots through my head when I look at the bright creations of Melbourne-based artist and jeweler Liz Jones.

Jerry Jame from Tree Hugger.com, he claims she is a bit of a magician because her art as Jerry says "is gorgeous". How does Liz J. collect her art? Well, by picking up the all the glorious waste on the beach (very sad). Visit us soon for our NO MORE PLASTIC Campaign!

One woman's garbage is another woman's treasure as restated by me.  Take a gander at this work of art.







Cigarette Lighter Sun Beam (that is Katy Green's interpretation)




Plastic Fantastic (Katy Green's Label)



Sugar, Lemon and Honey... a perfect Trio!

by Katy Green
shoptobegreen.com

Lemon Honey Scrub

Sugar, Honey and Lemon are the perfect antidote for a sore throat or a cold but are there more opportunities to mix these natural ingredients? Yes, and I'm sure you may know a couple receipe's but if your an organic newbie this may be news to you and if your an organic veteran, you may be surprised.

Quick Exfoliation Remedy for Dry Skin:

Note: Raw Sugar may be a bit better than white sugar and especially brown sugar but sugar is sugar - all are manufactured and processed and too much sugar (any kind) is not good for major consumption.

Don't exfoliate daily because this mix could irritate the skin - once or twice a month is best.

• 1 Tablespoon of Raw Brown Sugar in a bowl or any container that is suitable for mixing
• Two generous squeezes of lemon juice
• Combine and rub over hands first for less than 30 seconds
• Wash hands and then rub a dime size of olive oil to seal.

Soft smooth supple skin at less than half the price at a spa and a lot less time.

You can use the lemon and sugar combination to exfoliate your entire body just remember more sugar than lemon but not too much of either. Each person has a different level of dry skin so you should personalize the mix for you.

If you don't have time try Shoptobegreen's Tea with Lemon and Honey Sugar Scrub:

Citrus limonum (Lemon) Essential Oil
Lemon and Honey Scrub Proudfoot

Honey, Sugar and Lemon Exfoliation Facial Masque:

• 2 tablespoons of Raw Sugar
• 2 tablespoons of natural organic honey
• 1/2 lemon juice squeezed (use a natural lemon)
• Mix Well
• Wash your face first before applying and your neck as well if you plan to do a full facial.
• Apply mix with your fingers or the back of a spoon and apply generously
• Wait for 10-15 minutes (you may feel a tingling sensation)
• Wash with cool water and pat face dry.
• Apply your facial moisturizer after for smooth supple skin.

I would advise against exfoliating daily because it will damage your skin. Remember lemon juice is acidic and our skin produces natural oils. Exfoliate once a week, or twice a month or once a month depending on your skin type.

If your skin is sensitive to lemon juice try Shotobegreen's Solay Daily Detox Face Scrub.
Note: The manufacture claims it is safe to use daily but I would be cautious about daily scrubbing.

Himalayan salt water) base re-mineralizing the skin.
A soft Healthy glow.  Instant results seen. 100% vegan. Organic

Soothing Lemon, Honey and Sugar Drink: (warm or cold)


Did you know that a large lemon contains 45 mg of Vitamin C, 75% more than the daily requirement according to righteatinghabits.com.

• 2 cups of boiling water
• 1 cup lemon juice (squeezed and strained)
• 1 tsp of natural honey
• 1 tsp of raw sugar
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon (optional)
• A dash of Angostura Bitters (optional) for a zesty flavor

Boil the water, combine ingredients, mix and let cool. Add lemon wedge for garnish or in the drink.



Sparkling Honey Lemonade Sugar Iced Drink (great for warm weather):

• 6 cups of cold water (sparkling)
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp of raw sugar
• 2 cups of honey
• 1 lemon zest
• wedge lemon (lime)

Combine lemon juice, raw sugar and honey in a saucepan.  Heat until sugar and honey are blended with the juice. Chill until cold or if you want to serve it right away pour into a large pitcher of ice. Add 6 cups of cold sparkling water and stir. Mix lemon zest. 

CHECK OUT: Shoptobegreen.com "Lemon Products" for more lemon choices.