Lisa Sharp

The Best Eco-Friendly Planners

March 20, 2018 By Lisa Sharp Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.

Looking for a new planner but are trying to reduce your impact on the planet? Check out these eco-friendly planner options.

Planners can help keep us more organized but they also require a lot of materials to make. It’s something you will only have for about a year so it can end up being a lot of waste.

One option is to make your own planner and use recycled paper and a binder you already have on hand or that is made using recycled material and can be used over and over. Etsy is a great place to find planner insert options.

You can also just use apps on your phone or computer. This option works really well for some people but others prefer to have a paper planner.

Thankfully there are many eco-friendly planner options out there now. More and more planners are starting to use recycled paper and soy-based inks.

Eco-Friendly Planners

Here are some of the eco-friendly planner options and the features that make them eco-friendly.

Bullet Journal

Can use any notebook, including one you already have.
Create only pages you will use so no wasted paper.
Can last more than one year.

Starting Price: Free

Paperthinks

Recycled Leather Cover

Starting Price: $19.95

Freedom Planner

Made in the USA
100% Post-Consumer Recycled Paper
Vegetable Based Inks

Starting Price: $29

Ink + Volt

Made in the USA
Soy Based Inks
Rainforest Friendly Paper

Starting Price: $40

House of Doolittle

Made in the USA
100% Post-Consumer Recycled Paper, FSC Certified
Soy-Based inks

Starting Price: $16

At-A-Glance

30% Post-Consumer Recycled Paper
30% Post-Consumer Recycled Cover
90% Post-Consumer Recycled Wire

Starting Price: $12

MyPlans

100% Recycled Paper

Starting Price: $18

Blue Sky

50% Post-Consumer Recycled Paper
Soy-based ink

Starting Price: $11

No matter what option you choose, be sure it’s one you will use. It can be tempting to buy a lot of planners, there are so many cute ones out there, but if they aren’t functional for you then it’s a waste.

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Easter Desserts Using Natural Ingredients

March 15, 2018 By Lisa Sharp 2 Comments This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.

Easter desserts are one of the best parts of an Easter dinner. If you try to eat a real food, natural dye, you may struggle to find good options. All of these desserts are made using natural ingredients and are perfect for an Easter meal or anytime you want a delicious natural dessert.

Easter is such a wonderful time to get together with friends and family. We often associate it with lots of candy and desserts. While most of these Easter treats are delicious they also often contain artificial dyes and other ingredients.

There are many great recipes out there for Easter desserts that are free of dyes and other artificial ingredients but are still delicious. You will also find allergy-friendly, gluten-free, vegan, and paleo options.

Natural Easter Desserts

Thumbprint Cookies (Gluten-Free)
Mini Mint Cheese Cakes
Chocolate Easter Eggs (Allergy-Friendly)

Related Link: Dye-Free Sprinkles

Copycat Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs
Cherry Chocolate Walnut Truffles (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
Soft Sugar Cookies

Strawberry Shortcake & Lemon Curd Parfait
Peanut Butter Balls (Gluten-Free)
Salted Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats

Related Link: Free Easter Menu Planner

Lemon Tarts (Vegan-Friendly, Paleo-Friendly)
Easter Egg Yogurt Popsicles
Banana Chocolate Chip Hot Cross Buns

Carrot Oatmeal Cookies
Purple Carrot Cake (Vegan-Friendly, Gluten-Free)
Blackberry Cheesecake (Raw, Vegan-Friendly)

Related Link: Carrot Cake Waffles (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Flourless Mini Samoa Brownie Skillet (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
3-Ingredient Creamy Chocolate Pudding (Gluten-Free, Vegan-Friendly)
Chocolate Bunnies (Paleo-Friendly)

Related Post: Easy Easter Appetizer Tray

Pecan Pie Bars with Oatmeal Crust (Gluten-Free)
Chocolate Hummus (Gluten-Free)
Whole Wheat Resurrection Rolls

Looking for natural Easter candy? Check out the Natural Candy Store. They have a huge selection of natural candy including Easter candy and baking supplies.

Creating an Eco-Friendly Website

March 8, 2018 By Lisa Sharp Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.

Want to have an eco-friendly business? Having an eco-friendly website is one important step that is often forgotten but can have a big impact.

There is a lot to think about when it comes to having an eco-friendly business. You have to think about how much energy are using, materials used in products, setting up recycling, and so much more.

One thing you may not have thought about is your website. However, websites have a carbon footprint and it’s a big one. Each web hosting server produces around 1390 pounds of CO2 each year.

“At current estimates, the airline industry contributes to 3.5% of global climate change. By 2050 the airline industry is expected to contribute to over 5% of global climate change. Information technology is expanding far more rapidly and should exceed 3.5% of global climate change by 2020 and most likely shall contribute 5% of global climate change far before 2050.” –source

These stats make it easy to see that you need to make good choices when designing your eco-friendly website. It’s also important to consider green hosting when you are starting a blog. Self-hosted blogs use the same energy as well.

How to Start an Eco-Friendly Website

The first step when creating a website is choosing a host. There are many options out there but if you are wanting to reduce your business’s carbon footprint you need to choose carefully.

There are a few options out there for eco-friendly web hosting but the one that Green Oklahoma went with is GreenGeeks.

GreenGeeks is a recognized EPA Green Power Partner. They work with environmental foundations to purchase wind energy credits to put clean energy back into the grid at three times the amount of the energy they use.

It’s easy to get started with GreenGeeks and affordable as well. GreenGeeks will even give you a free domain name.

Steps for setting up your eco-friendly web hosting-

Pick your free domain name. (If you already have a domain choose that option)
Enter your information.
Choose your hosting plan.
Enter your payment information and submit.

Once you have your hosting set up you just need to design your website or start a blog. Be sure to let your customers know that you use green hosting with one of GreenGeeks badges.

Having an eco-friendly website can help set your business apart from others. It’s also something you can feel good about and once it’s set up you never have to think about it again!

Another easy step to green your business is setting up recycling in your office. Be sure to check out our tips.

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Natural St. Patrick’s Day Treats

March 6, 2018 By Lisa Sharp Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.

Looking for natural St. Patrick’s Day treats? These sweet and savory treats are perfect holiday recipes!

St. Patrick’s Day will be here soon. It’s a fun holiday and a day that gets us thinking about spring. After a cold winter that is always a welcome change.

St. Patrick’s Day is a fun day to have Irish, green, mint, and rainbow treats. Often these treats contain dyes and artificial ingredients.

However, these St. Patrick’s Day recipes only use natural ingredients and no artificial dyes. Perfect for anyone looking to eat a more natural dyed.

There are vegan, paleo, and low-carb options. All are delicious and fun for the holiday or any time of the year no matter what your dietary needs are.

Natural St. Patrick’s Day Treats

Related Post: Irish Blessing Printable

Related Post: Irish Blessing Rainbow Coloring Page

Enjoy these recipes and your St. Patrick’s day. And be sure to come back for more delicious recipes and green living tips.

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The Eastern Redcedar Problem

March 1, 2018 By Lisa Sharp Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.

The Eastern Redcedar is taking over Oklahoma at an alarming rate and causing major environmental, safety, and health concerns.

(Originally posted on January 27, 2013)

Many Oklahomans are finding themselves coughing, sneezing, and with itchy eyes. The cause is very high pollen levels of eastern redcedar. The eastern redcedar is an invasive species that is very hard to get rid of.

The trees were naturally controlled by fires before settlement. The fires were either naturally caused by lightning or intentionally set by Native Americans. The fires helped keep the trees from spreading as much and kept them more confined to canyons and other places where the fires were less likely to end up.

As the area began to be settled, these fires became less frequent. This allowed the redcedars to become more numerous, grow larger, and more resistant. Prescribed fires are more difficult now, as homes are much closer together and many homeowners are lacking the knowledge to do a properly prescribed burn. And lately, the ongoing drought has made fires too risky much of the time. The shift in land use has also lead to more passive land management.

“The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) estimates that eight million acres in Oklahoma are currently infested with at least 50 juniper trees per acre. The encroachment is increasing at an estimated rate of 762 acres a day or nearly 300,000 acres per year. In July of 2002, the NRCS State Technical Committee, consisting of a broad representation of agriculture and conservation organizations, named juniper encroachment the state’s number one natural resource concern. NRCS estimates that $157 million is needed to address current conservation treatments involving juniper control.”- A Strategy for Control and Utilization of Invasive Juniper Species in Oklahoma

The problems from the redcedars are numerous. The redcedars are harming Oklahoma’s wildlife by changing habitats resulting in wildlife species displacement. The redcedars have been known to displace an entire turkey flock when they invade a turkey roost site. It’s thought that the current rate of invasion could cost Oklahoma up to 5,680 bobwhite quail coveys per year.

The trees are also a problem for livestock. If left untreated, a range site with the potential to produce 4,000 pounds per acre of forage may become infested with 200 trees per acre and that number will continue to grow as the years go on.

These trees have extensive root systems and use a lot of water. They also degrade watershed quality by increasing the amount of bare soil and increasing the potential for erosion. Landowners talk about the trees invading the areas around their ponds and greatly decreasing the water in the pond or even draining it.

Redcedars are also a fire hazard as they contain an oil that is highly flammable when dry. The trees also tend to have branches all the way to the ground which increase the likelihood that they would catch on fire during a wildfire. If you have ever seen one of these trees catch on fire, you know that they go up very fast, almost exploding. Many firefighters compare them to propane tanks.

Oklahomans with allergies and asthma are likely feeling the impacts of the redcedars. The pollen levels from the trees are very high right now. The Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic has issued this alert for several days now,

“VERY HIGH RANGE: Allergy alert. The alert is due to cedar pollen. This is an extreme exposure situation. Severe symptoms may be expected in pollen sensitive individuals. The more seriously allergic people should be advised to stay indoors as much as possible. This is especially true if a person has pollen sensitivity or allergic bronchial asthma.”

The economic consequences of the continued invasion, if left untreated in Oklahoma by 2013 (according to the Oklahoma State University Rangeland Ecology and Management 2001) is as follows:

Catastrophic wildfire- $107 million dollars loss
Cattle forage- $205 million dollar loss
Lease hunting- $107 million dollar loss
Recreation- $17 million dollar loss
Water yield- $11 million dollar loss

The redcedars do have many good uses. Its wood is highly valued, cedarwood oil is used for fragrance, medicine, and more, and they provide food and shelter for wildlife. In 2010, the Eastern Redcedar Registry Board was formed to promote management and utilization of the eastern redcedar. The goal is to create a market for the trees in hopes of slowing their encroachment into non-native habitats.

Oklahoma Horizon shares how the redcedar is being used in some good ways.

Has the redcedar pollen had you suffering lately? What are your thoughts on the ways Oklahoma is working to use the redcedar to help our economy while helping stop the invasion? Post your thoughts in the comments below or on our Facebook page.

Photo Credits: Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota. US FWS photo
Sources: FAQs about Eastern Redcedar
A Strategy for Control and Utilization of Invasive Juniper Species in Oklahoma

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Delicious Infused Water Recipes

February 20, 2018 By Lisa Sharp Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.

Need to drink more water? Try these infused water recipes to help make your water taste amazing!

Drinking enough water has been shown to help prevent all kinds of health problems, yet most of us still aren’t drinking enough. Infused water can help encourage us to drink more by making our water taste amazing.

Benefits of Drinking Water

Reduces risk of osteoporosis.
It boosts metabolism.
Helps prevent kidney stones.
Reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
May reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
Can reduce fatigue and increase energy.

How to Increase Water Intake

Keep it with you. Using a water bottle that you can easily take with you can help remind you to keep drinking.
Drink a glass before each meal and snack. This habit can help remind you to drink water and quickly get you to your necessary intake level.
Drink a glass first thing in the morning. Many benefits have been shown for drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning, including increasing your metabolism.
Skip the soda. Drinking soda makes us less likely to drink the amount of water we need and can be very harmful to our health.
Eat more produce. Fresh produce contains a lot of water and can help you get all the water you need.
Use an app. There are a lot of great apps out there that remind you to drink water. Daily Water is one good option.
And of course, infused water can also help encourage you to drink more water. The recipes below are some great ones to try but you can also create your own flavors.

Infused Water Recipes

More Infused Water Resources

Cleaning with Essential Oils

February 13, 2018 By Lisa Sharp 1 Comment This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.

Like to make your own non-toxic homemade cleaners? Cleaning with essential oils is a great way to up your cleaning game and leave your home smelling great.

Essential oils are everywhere these days. They are great for diffusing and making your house smell great but did you know they are great for using in homemade non-toxic cleaning products as well?

Conventional cleaners can contain harmful ingredients. Making your own is a great way to control what ingredients you are using and save money over the often pricey natural cleaners.

The fragrance is one of the ingredients in cleaners that can be harmful to our families. It can contain all kinds of toxic things including phthalates, which may cause serious health problems including liver, kidney, lung, and reproductive system damage.

A safer way to scent your homemade non-toxic cleaners is by using essential oils. Essential oils can also have cleaning properties that make your cleaners more effective.

Essential Oil Homemade Cleaners

There are many great essential oil cleaner recipes out there, these are just a few to get you started. You will find everything from toilet cleaners to reusable “Swiffer” mop pads.

Commonly Used Essential Oils

These are some of the essential oils often used in natural homemade cleaner recipes. It’s a great place to start with your collection of essential oils.

Additional Essential Oil Resources

If you are overwhelmed by all the information out there about essential oils and want good, reliable information, check out the Herb and Essential Oil Super Bundle. It’s full of great essential oil resources. It’s only available until June 4th though, so don’t wait.

Looking for more natural cleaner recipes? Check out these Natural Cleaners You Can Make Yourself. And don’t forget to sign up below to get green tips delivered to your inbox.

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Eco-Friendly Laundry Tips

February 6, 2018 By Lisa Sharp Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.

Trying to live a more eco-friendly life? These eco-friendly laundry tips are not only better for the environment they also save you money.

The average American family washes 300 loads of laundry a year. That’s a lot of energy and water used. It also almost $300 a year just on water and energy costs.

With a few changes, you can save money and help the environment. You also want to consider making changes that make your laundry less toxic for your family.

Eco-Friendly Laundry Tips

Use cold water. Some loads need hot water but most are fine with cold water. Using cold water whenever possible will save on energy costs.
Make the switch to a natural laundry detergent. You can save money by making your own laundry detergent but be careful what kind you make. Many homemade laundry soaps don’t work and can hurt your machine. Soap nuts are a safe and effective option.

Use white vinegar instead of fabric softeners. Many fabric softeners contain harmful ingredients and can also build up on your clothes and machine. White vinegar is cheaper and safer.
Use dryer balls. Dryer balls help soften your clothes, remove static, and speed up drying time.
Choose more efficient machines. When you replace your washer look for Energy Star washers and more efficient dryers. They can save you a lot of money over time.
Line dry your clothes when possible. Line drying is better for your clothes, saves on energy costs, and can even help whiten your whites. There are so many benefits to line drying.
Wash your clothes less often. If you wore something for a short time and it isn’t actually dirt, hang it out to air out and re-wear it. Also, use your towels more than once.
Keep Lint Screens Clean. Removing lint with every load helps prevent fires and also helps reduce drying time.
Separate your loads properly. Washing heavy items together and lighter items together helps keep a more uniform drying time.
Don’t over-dry. Over-drying is not only an energy waster but it’s also hard on your clothes. Many dryers now have sensors to stop the dryer when the closets are dry. If your dryer has this option use it.
Do full loads. Try to stick to doing full loads only. Even with more efficient washers that adjust the water level, you will save water by doing full loads.

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DIY Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

January 30, 2018 By Lisa Sharp Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.

Avoid the waste and stress of buying Valentine’s Day gifts and try these eco-friendly, DIY Valentine’s Day gifts instead.

Valentine’s Day is coming up and it can be a day that costs a lot of money and comes with a lot of waste but it doesn’t have to. One way to reduce waste and save money is making your own eco-friendly Valentine’s Day gifts.

There are so many great ideas out there with something for everyone on your list. And homemade gifts come from the heart and can be a lot more special than a store-bought, generic gift.

DIY Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Microwaveable Heating Pad from Bren Did
Lavender Bath Bombs from Retro Housewife Goes Green
“Let Love Bloom” Seed Bombs from A Bride on a Budget

Peppermint Shower Bombs from Life Currents
Lollipop Covers from Green Child Magazine
Love Embroidery from Adventures of a DIY Mom

Fabric Treat Cone from Super Mom No Cape
Beard Oil from Retro Housewife Goes Green
Mason Jar Gift for Teachers from Confessions of a Mommyaholic

Chai Vanilla Sugar Scrub from The Rising Spoon
Bird Feeder Hearts from Thrifty Jinxy
Valentine’s Tote from Organized 31

Lavender Bath Soak from Retro Housewife Goes Green
Face Scrub from Mindful Momma
Recycled Love Blocks from Organized 31

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6 Foods to Avoid During Cedar Season

January 26, 2018 By Lisa Sharp Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.

Cedar pollen season is here. If you find yourself dealing with some new food allergies it may be oral allergy syndrome. Learn how to stop the symptoms.

If you are currently experiencing allergies it’s likely due to tree pollen, mainly cedar pollen. Cedar allergies affect people usually November through April with the heaviest levels of pollen occurring in December, January, and February.

In Oklahoma “tree season” starts with Mountain Cedar pollen and is later followed by Eastern Red Cedar pollen. It can cause a lot of problems for allergy suffers.

Cedar pollen is very common in Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic has been showing a rise in the pollen counts lately.

The reaction to cedar pollen is sometimes called cedar fever. The symptoms are similar to hay fever which is usually caused by ragweed pollen.

Symptoms of cedar fever include-

Runny nose
Nasal congestion
Watery or itchy eyes
Cough
Sinus and facial pain and pressure
Headaches
Decreased sense of taste or smell
Sneezing
Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat
While cedar fever doesn’t cause a fever, inflammation triggered by the allergic reaction can cause a slightly elevated temperature

Treatments include antihistamines, corticosteroids, allergy shots, decongestants, and other over-the-counter and prescription medications.

Another way you can help reduce your systems is by eliminating some foods that may be causing you to have Oral allergy syndrome.

Oral allergy syndrome is caused by cross-reacting allergens found in pollen and in raw vegetables, fruits, seeds, and tree nuts. The immune system recognizes similar proteins found in these foods and causes an allergic reaction to it. Cooked forms of the foods don’t often cause the same issue.

It’s estimated that up to a third of pollen allergy patients suffer from oral allergy syndrome. Most cases are mild but it can cause serious, even life-threatening reactions.

Treatments for oral allergy syndrome include treating the underlying allergy with sublingual immunotherapy, antihistamines to control symptoms temporarily, and it’s also important to avoid symptom-causing foods, especially during peak allergy season.

Common oral allergy syndrome triggers for cedar pollen suffers include-

Apple
Cherry
Bell Peppers
Kiwi
Paprika
Tomato

If you eat these foods take note of any symptoms after. This can be helpful for your doctor to help figure out if you have oral allergy syndrome or if your symptoms are a food allergy.

The most common symptoms of oral allergy syndrome include-

Watery or itchy eyes
Tingling in the back of your throat
Itchy or swollen lips
Scratchiness on the roof of your mouth

If you notice any of these reactions be sure to let your doctor know and avoid the food. You can also avoid these foods as a precaution, as you may not be able to notice they are making your allergies worse.

Be sure to check the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic’s website to stay up-to-date on current pollen counts.

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Lisa Sharp

Eco-Friendly Planners

Natural Easter Desserts

How to Start an Eco-Friendly Website

Natural St. Patrick’s Day Treats

Benefits of Drinking Water

How to Increase Water Intake

Infused Water Recipes

More Infused Water Resources

Essential Oil Homemade Cleaners

Commonly Used Essential Oils

Additional Essential Oil Resources

Eco-Friendly Laundry Tips

DIY Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Common oral allergy syndrome triggers for cedar pollen suffers include-

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