I’ve received quite a few emails asking me for advice on how to get started going green, and where to begin. I decided to put together a list of items that you could consider your “Green and Frugal Starter Kit” to help make things easier.  My first bit of advice when making green changes is DON’T THROW EVERYTHING AWAY! Once you’ve used up what you have then recycle the packaging and start fresh. You can find other uses for your shampoo as well as many other items that you have around the house. Below is a list of items that you will need for your own kit with links to where you can find them in the Savvy Shop and below that are links to DIY “recipes” for making up your own cleaning products quickly and easily. Plus a few extra green/frugal ideas. HTH!

Items items to get started:

1. Borax
2. Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
3. Liquid Castille Soap
4. A Bar of Laundry Soap (i.e.- Octagon, Fels Naptha)
5. White Vinegar
6. Hydrogen Peroxide
7. Baking Soda
8. Peppermint Essential Oil
9. Tea Tree Essential Oil
10. Lemon Oil
11. Citric Acid (Or Lemon Packet Kool-Aid)*
12. Microfiber Cloths

I’ve had several requests as to how folks can green up their BBQ without breaking the bank. Well here’s a list of 10 ways you can do that pretty simply…

1.  Use Poly or biodegradable plates, cups and flatware instead of coated paper or Styrofoam plates (The latter are usually coated in petroleum!) Polypropylene plates and cups like these can bee used, and their not as harmnful as regular plastic
2. Gas grill – lower carbon footprint and less electricity;
3. Don’t use lighter fluid – it emits harmful VOCs
4. Use Natural Charcoal- regular charcoal has not been soaked in lighter fluid, and burns less VOCs into the air. Try Cowboy Charcoals if you MUST use coal and check out Whole Foods, they have charcoal made from recycled scrap wood, or sustainable wood.
4. By local/seasonal produce and lean meat - cooks in less time
5. Potluck – if everyone brings something, not all of the costs will be on you.

Fleurzty is the mastermind behind Texture Playground. She is like my blogging “auntie”. She totally gave me my first push back in January with a feature on her blog, Who’s Who with Savvy Brown. I had the pleasure of meeting her last month in VA when I was there for a wedding, and she is really beautiful in person! So are her lovely son and husband. (I think Sexy and him had to plenty to talk about, what with their blog-crazy wives and all). I was thrilled when she agreed to do this interview, and she shares some great advice on everything from low-budget natural hair tips to how to balance a busy schedule with blogging. Fleurtzy has started her own line of natural hair care products that can be found in Boutique de Fleurzty with all-natural ingredients. She even shares how she balances her hectic schedule with her family….

When and why did you decide to go natural?

I went natural in 2004. It was a combination of reasons really that I think started with a comment my now husband made. We had evening plans and I was very strongly considering canceling because I showed up to the salon and it was closed. It was time for a relaxer, so I had a mini-fit and did not know what to do with my hair. He looked at me, and said “Something is not right with this picture. I guess you can stay home if your hair isn’t freshly done” in his very sarcastic voice of course. It stayed with me, and I began to think “well, why won’t I go out with my hair like this. When did I stop knowing how to ‘handle’ my own hair”, especially since my hair had only been relaxed for five years. The thoughts just kept coming, and soon they led to a strong determination to grow my hair out.

What inspired you to start blogging?

I have always documented my hair journey. I began paying attention to what worked and what didn’t early on. I also always had a fascination for good products. With time, I began wanting to share my documentation with others, and hopefully share some of the knowledge I had been soaking up. At the time I began blogging, I was a stay-at-home mom who not only saw it as sharing but also an outlet, and a way to stay busy during my little one’s down times. I had the time and blogging turned out to be a way to use it productively.

Your products at Boutique De Fleurzty are a hit! And they have all-natural ingredients. What inspired you to make your own products?

I love mixing hair concoctions. I love experiments that go well and those that don’t. Very much like any other aspect of my hair experiences, my products began with a thought. A thought that would not go away! I was nervous, and for a while unsure of whether I wanted to commit myself to creating products. I have always thought there are many great product lines out there, so I had to have a vision, a purpose and actually see a need to start my own line. I did not want to have products just to have them! After I stabilized my first few formulas (some of which are not yet for sale), I sent some to my family and their hair were thriving with them.

My goal then became to offer products that work effectively and give great hair days in a few steps. The four products currently available have definitely done just that for many women. I get emails from women who are excited because they achieved fabulous twist-outs or wash and go’s with using one or two products. I believe that’s why the products are a hit. They focus on freeing your time without sacrificing hair health, shine, moisture, definition or softness. All the things that many products achieved when combined.

How do you balance your day-job, the blog and the Boutique?

I love binder clips!  They’re cheap, come in all kinds of sizes. and can be used for EVERYTHING! I was just noticing the other day just how many ways we use them around the house. There are a million and one uses for these things, but here are 12 of my favorite…

1. Holding snack bags closed
2. holding the ends of my twists when I’m styling my hair
3. Keeping a towel on my shoulders when I henna my hair
4. Cord keeper
5. Put at the end of the toothpaste tube so we get out every last drop
6. Holding photos
7. Hold hair accessories together when traveling
8. Clothespin
9. Keeping index cards organized
10. DIY money clip
11. Book mark
12. Keeping my ID/Train pass handy

Lifehacker even showed a video of a guy who made an iPhone dock out of binder clips check it out…

In Part 1 of this series I talked about what’s wrong with the way traditional cotton is cultivated. Well here’s what’s right with how organic cotton is harvested.

No toxins, synthetic fertilizers, harsh chemical bleaches or dyes are used in the production of organic cotton.  Natural fertilizers and compost  are used along with natural pest control, such as ladybugs (which destroy harmful insects).

The majority of Organic Cotton is harvested by hand which means that it’s also much safer for those who pick it  and they are in  no danger of harming their family members and livestock by passing on harmful chemicals. Workers that  harvest and handle traditional cotton are exposed toxic chemicals, and those same chemicals can seep into the water supply and effect the people and wildlife that use that water.

Organic farming helps prevent topsoil erosion, improves soil fertility, and protects groundwater. By not dumping massive chemical pesticides or planting genetically altered seeds, the organic farmer is forced to rely on more labor intensive and therefore more expensive practices. These farms are also usually small, family-owned tracts of land that don’t rely on big business to make money.

Organic cottons, woolens, and natural rubber for organic bedding are  farmed and processed to ensure as much purity, environmental sustainability, natural soil replenishment, and humane practices, as possible. This takes a great deal of time and patience, on small farms and cooperatives that can’t afford large tracts of land.

If you’ve followed @savvybrownblog on twitter, almost every week you know I am either RT, quoting or talking to @ecokarenlee. She has a great site, blog, Etsy Shop and tips for going green practically. She’s also a master at “upcycling”. (That’s when you make new items out of old objects). I was so honored when she agreed to be my first guest blogger! Read on and learn something new…

Karen Lee

Who is Ecokaren?
I am a retired Chiropractor-Turned-Stay-At-Home-Eco-Mom. My education in chiropractic trained me on living healthy, physically and mentally but also connecting the environment to our health. Having said that, although I have always been conscientious about how wasteful we are and how much we abuse our natural resources, I wouldn’t classify myself as an environmentalist, in the traditional sense of the word. But it does really bother me that we live in a disposable and “we-wanted-it-yesterday” society and that quick and convenience takes priority over the environment. I’m guilty of that sometimes too but I am trying to change and want to do it in a fun and simple way, without being too radical or becoming a pack rat by hauling all of the neighbors’ garbage into my house for reusing.

How do you get your family to into green living?
I can’t tell you how you can change your family but I will tell you how I did. I started to look at ways to reduce buying “want’ items and instead, buying only “need” items…call it being frugal or being an environmentally conscientious but I started to really re-evaluate what I buy. In doing so, not only did I start to save money by not buying frivolously and impulsively but it also reduced waste. I also started to reclaim things to renew, which is essentially what upcycling is – reinvent things from old things.

Like these soap dishes I made with un-recyclable plastic bottle caps…

In an effort to lower our water bill, I’ve been researching different tactics. So far we’ve only seen a small reduction in our bill so far, but we’ve only been doing this for a month, and we haven’t done everything on the following list. I hope to lower our bill by 15% over the next few months. If you rent, forward this post or print it out for your landlord. Let them know that you’ll do what you can do help and they might just lower your rent, or at least not raise it!

1. Only use the dishwasher once a week and when it’s completely full. (There’s only two of us, we were just being lazy)
2. Wash dishes in a large bowl or basin in the sink. That way, you don’t have to fill up the whole sink with water.
3. Put a brick or water bottle with sand at the bottom in your toilet tank. (Put it in the tank opposite the flushing mechanism so that it will displace the water, therefore using less)
4. Turn off the water after you brush your teeth.
5. Turn off the shower when you are putting conditioner/detangling your hair. (I do this, and it works!)
6. Use a low-flow showerhead.
7. Use self-watering pots in the garden. (They don’t need to be watered as often)
8. Fix a leaky toilet ASAP!
9. Reuse your plate, cups and silverware at home. (Don’t grab a new cup every time you’re thirsty!)
10. Re-wear some of your clothes for less laundry. (Jeans don’t have to be washed every time you wear them)

I have a deck in my backyard, and I was determined to actually grow food this year. I don’t exactly have a green thumb, but I do have friends and neighbors who are great gardeners, and are always willing to share their horticultural knowledge. I haven’t had much luck growing anything from seeds, so I a few weeks ago, I decided to check out the local farmer’s market and garden shop and pick up some seedlings. I bought lettuce, squash, peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, celery and herbs.

The day that I planted everything I also added a couple of tablespoons of  fertilizer to the soil in each pot. I used Miracle Grow Organic Potting Soil in all of my pots, and because of my schedule and occasional lack of attention, I used about 4 “Self-watering” planters so that I only had to water every other day. The regular pots I watered every day. If it was particularly hot out, I would water again after work in the evening. I forgot to take a pic when I first planted everything but here’s how it looks now.

2 tomato plants

This post is dedicated to all of you moms out there making ends meet and keeping your family moving everyday. I’ve collected some comments/emails from moms about changes that they’ve made around the house to keep their families healthier, their budget’s tighter, and the planet greener. We can ALL learn something from them:

MsTiffany TiffanyMs - “I started using vinegar as a household cleaner especially in the bathroom where me and my baby girl bathe. Still learning tho and doing research. Everything I’m learning is so shocking lol I feel like I’ve been living in a bubble all these years. Not much of a story but u inspire me to be conscious about the products I use in my home and on my body.”

Clarissa - “I threw out all the MICROWAVE POPCORN!* I found out there are DANGEROUS CHEMICALS that LINE the bags of microwave popcorn (the grease lining). I also, found out the same applies to SODA POP CANS as well. Also, as Ms Tiffany. We use Apple Cider Vinegar for many uses! We drink a tsp a day (add it to water w/ a tsp of honey). Also, we use vinegar as … See Morea glass cleaner. Instead of pouring HARSH CLEANERS down the sink to clean I use Lemons they clean and REFRESH the drain. We use baking soda to clean out sinks (great for removing rust stains).* Just naming a few changes we have made!*”

Karen - “I put 1/2 cup popping corn in a plain brown lunch bag. Fold the toip over very tightly 3 or 4 times and put in microwave for 3-5 mins (depending on your microwave)… It makes FABULOUS “air popped” corn… then add what ever toppings you like… I prefer Old Bay seasoning instead of salt or cinnamon for a sweet version.”

Dddiva – “We love to make popcorn with coconut oil- no butter needed, so much healthier.”

Angela - “For the last 2 months, I have stopped using dryer sheets or anything else for that matter. All I use is a ball of aluminum foil. I have used the same one the whole time. I do about 15-20 loads/week.”