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21
Timestamp: 2009-03-27 03:52:12 UTC
Amanda from Better is Little. Congratulations Amanda, I’ll be contacting you soon.
I am really enjoying Laura’s “Green Project,” it has helped me to evaluate areas in our life that can be made a little greener. This week my kids made a compost bin (click here for a tutorial). It was so easy, and I highly recommend this for anyone who doesn’t have room for a compost pile in their yard or is bound by HOA rules. It was also super cheap ~ under $20.
My family also helped reorganize the kitchen, in order to make it more recycling friendly. We took our indoor trash can and turned it into a recycling bin.
My daughter taped a card on the bin to let people know it is recycling, not trash.
We then took a small garbage can and put it under the sink for trash.
Because our county recycles almost everything we were able to really reduce our garbage. We have a huge blue county issued trash bin that previously we would fill up in a week. Now that we are making an effort to recycle or reuse everything we can, we only had a few small bags of garbage for the entire week. Not bad for a family of eight!
In an effort to cut back our paper towel use, I put a bowl of clean rags under the sink. It is my hope that having easy access to small rags will encourage the kids to reach for a rag instead of a paper towel.
I also put a dish pan on the dryer so the kids would have a place to put dirty rags.
Since we now have a compost bin, I used an old plastic ice cream bucket (that had a lid) to store our food scraps and other items for the compost bin. I assigned one child the job of emptying the bucket into the bin every other day.
One of the reasons we made a compost bin, is that we hope to have a small square foot garden. The compost won’t be ready for spring planting, but perhaps in the fall, of course this was before bed rest. I still think I have time for a small garden, as I have kids and a husband that are willing to do most of the work until I am back on my feet.
If you are like me, the idea of growing your own food sounds very appealing, but many times I don’t know how to prepare certain fruits and vegetables. Even picking good, ripe produce from the store can be challenging at times. Sometimes I pass up produce that is on sale because I don’t know what it is, how it tastes, and I don’t want to purchase something that I will end up throwing away. On a whim I picked up Melissa’s Great Book of Produce
from the library at the beginning of the year. It looked interesting and had great pictures so I thought it would be worth adding to my 2009 book list.
Since prime Farmer’s Market shopping is just around the corner I finally read through this book, and I was so impressed! It is basically a produce encyclopedia, written for people like me who tend to buy lots of familiar fruits and veggies and turn the other way when confronted with a kumquat or ugli fruit. Not only are there pictures of each fruit and vegetable there are recipes, tips for choosing ripe fruit, information on when the fruit is in season, plus a general description of taste and preparation.
This book is definitely a reference book, but I read it like a novel! I had it with me at one of my doctor’s appointments this week and the nurses all thumbed through it as well. If you need any help in the area of fruits and veggies, I highly recommend reading this book. And, of course the great people who wrote this book have offered to give one away to one of my readers.
To enter the giveaway leave a comment on this post. For a second entry tweet about the contest and leave a second comment letting me know. The contest will end on March 26th at 10pm EST.
Angela says
I would love to have a copy of this book! Thank you SO much for your wonderful blog – I appreciate everything you share with us SO much!
Rachel says
I have been dying to start my own garden – it’s a little difficult living on a third floor apartment with a balcony not getting direct sunlight. That doesn’t stop me from putting my little raspberry plant outside anyway and planting some chile peppers in a pot. I can’t wait to move into a house with a backyard so I can grow even more stuff!
Amanda Nordstrom says
I’d love a copy! 🙂
Amanda Nordstrom says
I RTed about the contest! 🙂
Angie says
We are just now starting a garden. This would be a great book to get us started.
Misty says
I would love this book, we are looking into a square foot garden as well! 🙂
Angie says
Tweeted about this neat giveaway.
Katie says
My poor brown thumb and I could certainly use some help! 🙂 I also posted on reducing food waste a few weeks ago — if you’re interested in ideas to use up bread heels and leftover steamed veggies (other than composting them), visit my blog. Thanks!
Jennifer says
I’d love to have a copy of this book, as we are starting our first garden this year!
Jennifer says
Just re-tweeted!
Michelle G says
Looks like a wonderful book. We are lucky enough to have a great farmer’s market close by and I’d love to have a guide to exploring some new produce!
Amanda Dill says
Great giveaway! Just found your blog–I look forward to reading more!
Laressa says
I would love to have this as a reference! It looks just like what I’ve been thinking I could use as I try to venture out in the produce department.
Mollie says
What a great book! I would love to have it. I’m starting my first garden this year!
Tiffany says
What a great book! I’d love a copy! AND I am impressed how much your household is still getting done even with you on bedrest! very impressive teamwork! When I was on bedrest with our 3rd (and had 2 toddlers) we were in total survival mode… only the basics, and lots of paper plates and paper towels! Keep up the great resting work!
Serena says
I use a dishpan for my dirty rags, too!
jasmine says
would love a copy of this book as i garden but still have no idea what im doing and am nervous because we planted carrots and lettuce but i wont know when they are ready to pluck. i too am on bedrest,but i will have my baby soon I HOPE. jasmine in CA
Tara says
Cool book, I am going to see if I can get it from my library ~ but I would love to win it! 🙂
NancyP says
Great giveaway! Have you tried roasting broccoli? Yum!
Blossoming Skillet says
Our trash service just started offering recycling a month ago and it amazed us to see how much we aren’t throwing away anymore before composting and recycling.
One tip I learned about homemade composters is to paint them black so they will attract more sunlight and the food scraps will heat up and decompose faster.
Amanda says
Happy Housewife, your blog is quite possibly my fav. (right up there with Pioneer Woman Cooks) 🙂
I am going to do your homemade compost bin as we just dump it in a corner of the garden and turn occasionally…Takes forever to make compost and I think the nutrients mostly leach out anyway.
We use a camping pot(not really sure what it’s called) for our compost bucket in the house, I’ll be writing a short post this week on it, Works for Me Wednesday.
I would LOVE this book as we too are stuck in a rut on the same veggies and fruit. We are planting our 3rd annual garden this year and I am EXCITED! Thanks for the great blog!
Kelli says
Oh, I would love some help in moving away from just apples, oranges, pears, and berries! Great recommendation. Thanks for the chance at your giveaway!
Michele says
Great job at reducing your waste, very impressive! Thanks for the great giveaway!
jolyn says
I so need to look into this book whether I win it or not. I am so clueless.
Christy says
I’d love to win the book! Another great one is Simply In Season, it has a little directory in the front of produce, how to know when its ripe, how to store it, etc, and then has recipes divided by seasons so you can use whats fresh at the time. 🙂
Julie says
That sounds like a great book! Nice recommendations too!
Amanda says
Sign me up!
🙂
Valencia @ buildethherhouse says
I just started my first garden and would love to research of produce. Be blessed!!
Vanessa says
This looks like a great book! I am looking forward to starting my garden and also the farmer’s markets.
Hannah says
Ooh, that book sounds great! We were introduced to a lot of different produce when we joined a CSA one year; it was great to try things that I had seen but never gotten up the nerve to try before.
Hannah says
Just re-tweeted!
Carol says
The book sounds great, and I can’t wait to make my own compost bin!
Manuela says
This sounds just like the book I could use!
Cindy says
I could really use this book. My hubby is forever bringing home produce that he thinks looks good and I have no idea how to fix it! We have a garden (a rather large one thanks again to hubby) and I would love to read up on all the different veggies.
Mrs. Not The Jet Set says
I could really use a book like this! You sound just like me when it comes to picking out produce at the farmer’s market.
Mandy says
Sounds fabulous! Thanks
Snow White says
what a fun book! I’d love it.
does your grocery store take plastic bags for recycling? We’ve found that ours does and that has cut our waste even more!
Amanda says
I would love a copy of this book!
Kristin says
I would love to win this book. I was raised in a big family, so I can really relate to your blog!
Mother Hen says
A whole book about PRODUCE? Love that! I’d love to win that book.
Heading off to twitter ’bout it.
Niki says
We still have 5 feet of snow on the ground but I am getting anxious to start gardening. I use small raised beds but would like to start canning veggies in a pressure canner…kind of nervous about that lol
Rachel N. says
I had the pleasure of stumbling onto you website a few months ago. Thank goodness. You have inspired me in so many ways. Every morning I check your site before I start my day! This summer I’m going to become a SAHM to my 4 children. It’s all because of your site that I feel that’s even possible. I’ve been looking for an inexpensive way to start composting. Thanks for the tips.
Sarah Jones says
We are in an apartment at the moment so I have to be creative about what plants I grow, herbs are great but I am always looking for more ways to use veggies. Thanks.
Linda B says
Wow! I want this book!
Elizabeth Stephens says
Oh I would love to learn more about different fruits and veggies. I always buy the same things!
Mama Bear says
I would love to win this book! I will be checking out the compost bin project as well. Looks like an answer to our compost problem! Thanks!
Lawanda says
Your container of egg shells looks just like mine. I started saving my eggshells to crush up for the garden. My aunt says that it helps your plants grow to put the crushed egg shells around them. Is that what you are doing too?
I like your homemade composter!!!
Molly says
I just started reading the All New Square Foot Garden book and love it. I would love to get my hands on this book as well.
Love you ideas for composting.
Sharon says
What a great post. You’re inspiring me. We’ve been talking about a square foot garden this year too. How close to your house are you planning to build? Hubby is worried about the termites in the mid-Atlantic and the garden being too close to the house – attracting them.
Jessica Moore says
Yes, I have this book on hold at my library. I would love to own one 🙂 Thanks for the opportunity.
MB says
Good going with all your latest green efforts! I love doing all of those things too. That book looks really good. I like to try new veggies and fruits. My latest veggie that I love to cook is parsnips. Yum! I never win anything, but here goes!
Jo Ann says
This book would come in handy. We are really trying to increase the amounts and variety of veggies that we consume. Thanks for the giveaway!
Joy says
I would LOVE a copy!
Julie Krukemeyer says
I would love to win this book! My husband is a Produce Manager and would love to have this as a reference for his department. We checked it out earlier from the library after seeing it on your reading list for this year.
Melanie Dorsey says
The book sounds great!
Mitzi says
I would love a copy of this book!!! I just recently found your blog and I am absolutely loving it! And….I can’t wait to read the rest of “our story”. Thanks for all the fun! ~Mitzi
Katherine says
Oh, lovely! I would make great use of this book- thank you for the chance 🙂
Shannon says
This book looks great.
Jenny says
I’m putting the book on my library list either way…I’d have no idea of what to do with an ugli fruit!!!
tami lewis says
i’d love this! i am trying to go green in an area that doesn’t recycle so i need to learn every little thing i can 🙂
tami lewis says
i tweeted as agodlyhomemaker
Jessica says
Ooh, that book sounds fantastic!! 🙂
Jessica says
Tweet!
http://www.twitter.com/jessicablizzard
Debbi T. says
I would love to win this. I am the exact same way, I don’t want to buy anything that might end up in the trash.
Shirley says
What a wonderful book. I would love to add it to my collection of informational books in my library.
Thanks for having such wonderful giveaways.
Nancy Smith says
I’d love to have this book! Sounds like something we could really use!
Thanks!
Nancy
Kim says
I love everything about this post! Gardening is so much fun!
genesis says
This book sounds great! I’d really enjoy haveing a copy of it. My 2 1/2 year old son is not much of a big meat or carb eater but he loves fruits and veggies. I hardly can pick out ripe fruit or vegis at the store. And so his choses are limited to few. This book would be a blessing for him and our family. Starting a garden is a great ‘go green’ idea also!
Ashley says
I can’t wait to hear how the rags work out for you. We’re going to try the same thing in the new house. Thanks for the book rec…it is now on my wishlist.
Samantha says
Oh, this book would be awesome. I, like you, pass up a lot of veggies unless they can be eaten raw or steamed. Sounds great and thanks for the opportunity!
Rebecca says
I also have a bin of ‘rags’ under the sink for wiping hands. We use colored wash cloths for this pile, and just throw them in with the cloth diapers. We use white ones as baby wipes, so its easy to sort.
I like your compost bowl. 🙂 I call mine a garbage bowl and it is a plastic bowl that sat too close to a burner and has a deformed side. But everytime I dump it outside, I think next year this broccoli will help more broccoli grow {that is if I ever decided to grow broccoli}.
momstheword says
Wow. You go girl! Even on bedrest you’re still managing to do more than I’m doing…sigh!
Caitlin says
I love this compost bin idea! My friend and I were just discussing how to make them a few days ago. So thanks!
Mindy says
I would love this kind of book. I usually stick to the same old fruits and veggies. My son was with me at the grocery store and wanted to know what a bunch of different vegetables were – and I couldn’t even tell him!
anntje says
wow, looks like a great book!
sounds like you are making great progress with your cutting down & a few small bag of trash for a family of 8 is doing REALLY great!
Valerie says
I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE a copy of that book!
Colleen Dabler says
I would love to have this book. Checked it out from the library once and it would be helpful to have a copy.
Amy says
This looks like a great book. One I love for the same reason is “How to Cook Everything Vegetarian” by Mark Bittman. It’s a great resource for adding new veggies (and grains and alternative sources of protein).
Katie @ goodLife {eats} says
I would love the win the book! We are starting a full garden this year 10×20 ft. Last year we only did herbs and decided now that the big backyard landscape is finished (did it last summer) we would have more time to tend to a garden. We are also making a compost bin simmilar to yours.
Amy says
I’d love a copy of that book!!
Shreela says
I’d take this to the many ethnic grocery stores where I live.
Sarah says
keep up the great work! Thanks for the giveaway!
Jill says
I agree! This book sounds Fantastic! I luv new ideas on how to fix healthy dishes as well as this would be a Perfect book of reference!
Thanks for an Awesome Giveaway 🙂
Vicki says
Thank you for sharing this book!!! I always feel so overwhelmed in the grocery store and tend to stick with only my very few produce staples!! I would LOVE a book that could help me be a better shopper and open my family up to some variety in healthy eating!! Your blog is SUCH a blessing!! Thanks for investing so much and for your transparency!
Renee G says
Love what you’re doing to go green and I’d love to win the book as well.
rsgrandinetti(at)yahoo(dot)com
Monique says
I would love the book!! Always looking for new ways to use produce and try new things. We are buying our third recycling container this week. Our trash is now 1/3 what it was a year ago!!!
Steph says
Just found you thanks to the UBP. I would love to have a copy of this book. My family has attempted a garden for several years now & never seem to have much success. We have decided to shop the local farmer’s markets & you-pick gardens this year. This book would be a great help!
Thanks for sharing!!
Nancy M. says
I’m trying to have a garden this year too. It is my first since I lived with my parents.
Terressa T. says
I am always thinking it would be a great idea to try some sort of new produce, but when i get to the store i chicken out! I could use this book to free my anxiety!!
Robyn says
I just don’t know if I’ll be able to get a garden started this year, but I can’t wait for the Farmer’s Market to start up. I would love this book so I can venture out a bit more – i’m usually a cucumber, tomato, carrots, lettuce, potatoes girl and hesitate to try much beyond that.
Lara Gallagher says
We are going to do our first real garden this year and I am scared!!! We started a compost pile three years ago but then we got chickens so they get the leftovers instead. We’ll use their droppings for the garden. We started recycling three years ago too and I have a basket of cloth napkins waiting to be hemmed so we can stop going through so many paper napkins. You have inspired me to try to get them done today. Going green is a fun adventure!
Megan says
Hi,
I just started my own compost last week, although I live in ND and we are still battling snow (blizzard warning today!). I also have my first garden plot ready to go, I will be getting a lot of help from my dad, who has a green fist. My plants seem to die immediatly and I would love to have this book in order to eat the fruits of my harvest!
Emily says
I’d love one! I’m actually having quite a large garden this year.
Jennifer Lavender says
I love the idea for making rags easily accessible, as well as having a place assigned for the used rags. I remember my mom used a 5 gallon bucket for all wet laundry so that it didn’t go moldy in the bottom of a laundry basket.
That book sounds great too. I’m the same as you, always buying apples and oranges and not much of anything else. I’ll have to see if my library has a copy.
staceyk says
Would love a chance to win this to make some compost for the garden. Thanks!
tracy says
sounds like a great book! thanks for the giveaway!
Heather S says
What a GREAT book! Thanks for the giveaway!!!
Heather S says
I tweeted!
https://twitter.com/pinguinlvr/status/1383880305
Erin says
Fabulous ideas. Count me in!
Organizing Mommy says
Sounds like a great book. I”m going to be gardening a lot this summer, Lord willing! Hope the baby comes soon!
Diana says
I always see how much I can not throw away and I am going to grow some veggies this summer!
Tori says
It’s AWESOME to read that you’re going to SFG! I’ve been trying to convert people to this method for at least 5 years (since I started it). Few takers, unfortunately.
The giveaway book sounds interesting.
Way to go on the home composting! I need to check that out some more.
Mel says
Great-looking compost bin. If you’ve some reading time while you’re resting up, have a look at http://therubbishdiet.blogspot.com/, Almost Mrs Average has some great waste-reducing advice over there – and I’m sure you’ve things you could share with her, too!
Mel
Kathy says
I’ve just found your website and am intrigued by this book– and your helpful information! Thanks for encouraging me to keep trying new things. I mean in the garden, as well as at the produce stand. There’s so much great stuff out there, and it’s easy to stick with what’s familiar.
Kevin Gorden says
Great info! Please enter me!
Suzanne says
I can use all the help I can get!
Marsha says
This book sounds exactly like what I need! Please enter me in your contest. Thanks so much.
Kelly says
I am seriously contimplating planting a garden this year to see if I have my late mawmaw’s green thumb…probably not but maybe. If I happen to win this book I think that will have to take me from contimplating to planting.
Leslie says
Great blog. I’m enjoying all your posts. I admit I’m intrigued to know more about how you thrive on one income especially with such a large family. I’d love to chat about it sometime. I’m following you on twitter, let’s talk. Thx!
Rachelle says
Love the idea of this book!
Brooke says
Just in time for the spring!!! I joined a CSA and we get lots of new and unusual produce. I’d love to check out this book!
Courtney says
awesome, would love this!
Women Who Win says
Going green is lots of fun! It’s so cool to see that your family made it a project that you can all work on together. 🙂 You have a great family! –Michelle, blogattoday (~!at] gmaildotcom
Women Who Win says
I tweeted this giveaway: http://twitter.com/sweepstakesgirl/status/1395314053. –Michelle, blogattoday (~!at] gmaildotcom
Courtney says
i sent a retweet of your giveaway
Kristi_runwatch says
I love your compost bin – I want to try to make one! We do “clean up rags” also – mostly for wiping hands and faces after meals (our biggest paper towel waster).
I’d love to look at this book!
Kristi_runwatch says
I retweeted you about your giveaway! 🙂
Susan says
Hi – I would love to win the book. I want to make a compost bin this summer. Here are some instructions to make a worm bin from @downtoearthmama on Twitter. Your tweet was also retweeted from me @colosciencemom.
miss mary says
as challenged as I am in everything this would be great for me. I’m in. hugs
Emily says
I’d love this book! I’m in the planning stages of a big country garden!
Nicol says
I don’t know why I didn’t catch this post earlier, probably because I was beyond sick last week. I am trying to go a little greener and thank you for the help with the compost bin. Keep us updated on how it works.
Please enter me for the giveaway!
carriem says
Hey, I found your blog to look at this specific post. Cool giveaway, I love to read really good non fiction, even reference if it’s right.