ONE SMALL CHANGE CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE!
Wow! I am so thrilled with all the changes that you have been sending in. You are inspiring me and each new blog or email I read puts a huge smile on my face. For those who are new to this site, I am asking this week for everyone to send in just ONE CHANGE that they are going to make this month; it could be as simple as buying a reusable water bottle or as ambitious as growing your own veggies. Send your changes to this blog or to onechange@gorgeouslygreen.com and on April 30th Team Gorgeously Green will meet up to pick out the most powerful/useful changes - we have dozens of fabulous eco-friendly prizes to give away.
I feel really blessed to be able get this message out there to so many women - do help to keep this incredible green momentum going by buying a book for every girl you love, as Earth Day should be EVERY DAY!
April 24th, 2008 at 1:25 am
I will no longer be buying or re-using plastic water bottles; no more plastic/paper bags, now I carry all the reusable ones in my trunk so I have them for shopping; cleaned out teh bathrooms…OH MY…scary what my son and I were using. Also trying to but more organic food, we already buy organic dairy but trying to step it up to the more expensive fruits and veggies too!!
April 24th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
I am just starting to become more knowledgable about living a “green” life and have been taking baby-steps over the last month or so. Although I have always had a passion for the environment, I am just now learning all of the things I could and should be doing (I just got your book yesterday). Along with taking more steps for myself, this month I am going to buy reusable grocery bags for my friends. I’m hoping that if I can get them to use just one reusable bag each time they shop, they will think more and more about the impact each person can make by taking simple, small steps.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I already use reusable bags for my groceries and I am going to start using them for everything I buy. I am using biodegradable bags for my dog waste and I am also going to start using them for the cat’s litter box.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
I just started reading the GG book, and already I am inspired. I am literally starting off with baby steps, by starting with my baby. No more nasty chemicals on his precious bottom, I have switched to bio-degradable diapers, and only organic milk and food from now on. Next, I plan to work on my bathroom and household items. I am so inspired and ready to change!
April 25th, 2008 at 12:53 am
This month I am going to stop using sandwich and snack bags in lunches…I will buy reusable (not plastic) containers.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:08 am
I have purged my home this week of all traditional cleaning products and have purchased natural cleaning/laundry products (which I found cheaper at my local grocer!) I have one child with autism and while we can’t reverse his condition we can certainly limit his exposure to poisons in our environment which could cause further developmental and memory problems. I have felt for a while now that environmental toxins must have some bearing on the increasing diagnosis of autism, developmental disabilities and other neurological diseases.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:25 am
I gave up plastic bags awhile back, going for reusable bags instead (Trader Joes has some great, inexpensive ones). My latest undertaking was to get rid of those plastic red cups from Costco and paper plates. All gone. Now to work on plastic silverware…
April 25th, 2008 at 3:14 am
First I would like to thank you Sophie, Julia and Oprah for educating us to jump on board and help save our planet. Wow after I read some of the one changes being done, I thought well that stinks so many others are changing the same thing that I also want to change. Then I thought for only a second and said what am I thinking this is what we want and what the world needs is a domino effect of such a small and simple change to make seeing plastic and paper bags being used a thing of the past !! So starting tomorrow I will only be using reusable bags for everything I buy and encourage all of my family and friends to do the same. O.K FRIENDS LETS MAKE IT HAPPEN…
April 25th, 2008 at 6:16 am
Wow! Am I ever inspired. As a new stay-at-home mom with an 8 month old, I am consulting the design firm where I was previously employed on “greening”. I’m “green” at being “green”, but now with this book I feel so empowered. For myself, I will be purchasing a new aluminum water bottle to take with me to my “stroller strides” class and for the group I’m consulting, I will be useing your book for ideas and encouraging them to do just (1) green thing a week - what a great concept (especially for a very reluctant boss!) Thank you for writing this book - what a fantastic gift you have given the world!
April 25th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
I’ve picked up a few reusable bags and have begun using them for groceries each week. I’ve also cut down on gas by doing one major shop a week, instead of one each weekend day. In the next month, I am planning on preparing my property for a large vegetable garden to grow some of our food this summer. I am also working on clearing the clutter from my home and donating as much as possible. I am also considering ways to cut our consumption.
I’ve grown very passionate about living a greener life in the past year.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
No more paper plates! We use paper plates for every meal and its over. O-V-E-R over!
April 25th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Great book! This has inspired me to create my mothers day theme for my mom and my mother in law. I bought them the book and will place it in a reusable tote bag along w/ a reusable water bottle, organic beauty creams, light bulbs, and other goodies. They will also become gorgeously green mamas!
April 26th, 2008 at 12:58 am
this week i went shopping and bought some beautiful clothes at the mall. After watching Earth day special on Oprah, i first bought the Gorgeously green book, then returned all the beautiful clothes so i could purchase a worm composter. I never thought i would be so excited to buy worms. I also bought sigg water bottles for the family and i love them.
April 26th, 2008 at 1:06 am
I’m so glad I was home to watch Oprah and see you on the program!! I just bought reusable bags from Whole Foods for only 99 cents and will replace all the bulbs in my house with compact fluorescents! No more toss away water bottles for us, we’re going to use reusable containers. My kids are also excited to go green and even offer suggestions to me!
April 26th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
I will put the used coffeegrounds from my job on the flowering plants outside there, like I already do at my house. Free acidic fertilizer! : )
Have fun all. (Share these strategies with co-wworkers too.)
April 26th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
This book has given me so many new ideas! This month I Will do away with paper towels! I have been trying to get my husband to stop using them to dry his hands, and use the cloth ones around the kitchen. No more!
April 26th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I just saw you on Oprah & ran out & bought your book the next day. I love it! Since one of my best friends just bought her first home, I’m going to give her a housewarming gift of all eco-friendly cleaning products & present it in reusable shopping bags!
April 27th, 2008 at 12:11 am
A year-and-a-half ago, we sold our home and moved into our RV permanently (about 400 sq ft). Downsizing really opened my eyes to the waste of over shopping. And living in a 1550-acre state park while serving as volunteer camphosts really inspires me to want to do live a more healthy lifestyle. I have been looking for a book like Gorgeously Green ever since the move. I really needed some sound information and a boot in the butt to start making real changes. After watching Oprah, I practically ran to the store to buy the book. I started reading the minute I got home. I ordered my Chico Bag and this morning I started going through all of my skin care and household cleaners. What an eye opener! My goal is to start replacing many of the more expensive chemical-based cleaning products I have been using with less expensive natural ingredients. And I’ve purchased microfiber towels to use for cleaning instead of using paper towels. With the money I save I’d like to buy a bike (hopefully a Townie)so that I can stop using the car to drive to town to go to the bank or post office or the local grocery store.
Thanks Sophie - you have really made my day!!
April 27th, 2008 at 2:41 am
This week, I’m buying your book for ten of the most gorgeous women in my life! I hope to encourage them to go green and to create a support/experimentation/inspiration group with my ten gorgeous friends!
April 27th, 2008 at 4:00 am
I have started by using re-usable bags instead of plastic or paper. I ordered them from Lehman’s catalog. I noticed that they have several eco-friendly items and I plan to get as many as I can afford. Right now it is a little tight in our budget, however, I intend to continue. Thank you Sophie and all on the Oprah show, it started the fire burning again. Anita
April 27th, 2008 at 4:42 am
I have been using cloth shopping bags for a long time, as well as a Nalgene water bottle. I would like to know how to get the mesh produce bags so I don’t have to use plastic bags for produce. Any suggestions?
April 27th, 2008 at 4:44 am
I have been using canvas shopping bags for a long time now, as well as the Nalgene water bottles. I refill it from my Brita water pitcher every morning. I would like to know where to get mesh produce bags to take w/me to the grocery store, so I don’t have to use the plastic bags there. Any suggestions?
April 27th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Thank you for helping me to step up and do my part in keeping my “Mother Earth” alive and thriving! We are changing everything! It will be a process, but my family will never go back to the life we were leading. Change takes work, and we are ready! Go Green!
April 27th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I recently installed a tankless water heater under my kitchen sink. Previously, I would run my water for a good 2 minutes before I’d get water warm enough to wash with. Now, I fill one, 4 cup pitcher and pour it in the sink. Then I dilute it with a little cold tap water. I have warm water without all that waste!
I also use this at night when I wash my face. I fill that pitcher and carry it to the bathroom and do the same thing. Voila! Warm water!
Also, I fill my pans for boiling water from this “Hot Shot” and it literally takes less than a minute to boil the water for cooking. Think of all the electricity/gas I’m saving!
You can get these at any home improvement store for about $200 - $300. Well worth the cost!
April 27th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
To celebrate Earth Day and make the next change, I invested in a compost machine for my kitchen. It arrives tomorrow…thankfully, because I’ve been saving my foodscraps in the freezer in anticipation of some gorgeous compost in a few weeks!
April 28th, 2008 at 2:10 am
I have traded in paper napkins for cloth. I made them from 100% cotton and linen tea towels, sewed up the side seams, stack them in a basket and now everyone grabs a nice cotton napking instead of using paper ones. And, I have only added one load of laundry every 10 days —
Also — we are reducing all plastic products for mutliple reason but mainly health! I’m hitting every flea market and garage sale looking for those cute old pyrez refrigerator dishes that my mom used…with glass lids…better alternative to the plastic bags and bowles…
June 6th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
First I would like to say I’m incredibly inspired by GG! I have taken a few steps to a greener way of life but I find it very frustrating as well. A lot of the products I have been replacing in my day to day life are much more costly! I would love to get more info on less expensive methods. And, like I said I love the awareness you are putting out there but I have searched all over inside and out and do not see that your book is printed on recycled paper. Did I miss it?
June 16th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
I love the book! I have used reusable bags for some time now, but room mate hasn’t. With past plastic bag use and her current use, we have a whole cabinet filled with plastic bags. How can I dispose of them properly?
June 30th, 2008 at 7:41 am
Today I started bringing my own take home container to a restaurant. I carry it in a pretty little orange purse. Since I always bring home leftovers..I divide my meal in half before I eat.Portions too big. My container was perfect and fits in the bag. No more takeout containers to throw away or recycle.
July 11th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
I have been following the steps in the book. And I love it. My husband already composts so that is one thing we do right. And I always had shopping bags, but our house was chock full of chemicals and it scared me because we have a baby now and I don’t want him to grow up sick or anything.
July 15th, 2008 at 1:36 am
I am starting with my cleaning products, buying the bags to take with me shopping and trying to sell my old “new” unused facial cleansing products on ebay to get the money to buy all the new ones I need so I don’t have to wait. Thanks Sophie for opening my eyes to all of these things. I want to do it all, but I have to take smaller steps. I do feel great in making these changes. I am ready to look into composting as well.
July 27th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
When are you going to have your new Gorgeusly Green skincare line available? I can’t wait.