30th Day, 30th Way

30. Read Food Rules
We've made it to the last day. This month was filled with daily challenges that will help you lead a well rounded 4(for)green acres life.  One of the most important aspects of this project is your health and that all starts with what food you eat.  If you don't do anything else this month, read Food Rules by Michael Pollan and follow them.  They encompass a lot of what we tried to accomplish this month. 
 29.  Make a list of all the items you can donate
28.  Make all your meals at home
27.  Get a library card
26.  Save an item from the trash
25.  Plant something
24.  Defrost your freezer
23.  Bring your own coffee cup
22.  Go on a nature hike

21.  Stake out a farmers market

20.  Switch a chemical cleaner with vinegar

19.  Send snail mail
18.  Use baking soda for skincare

17.  Use ladybugs for natural pesticide

16.  Avoid the car

15.  Meet a local

14.  Put a brick in your toilet

13.  Don't use paper towels 

12.  Capture household waste water

11.  Air dry your laundry

10.  Avoid plastic-ware

9.  Don't throw anything away

8.  Get off the grid for a day

7.  Put out a bucket or barrel to capture the rain

6.  Limit Energy Consumption

5.  Take reusable sacks to the store - Every store

4.  Use natural dyes for Easter eggs

3.  Buy from a local business

2.  Make a commitment to the challenge.

1.  Clean the air in your home by purchasing house plants to filter the air.

<center><a href=" http://www.indigo26.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/abullock26/4GA125x125BADGE.jpg"/></a></center>

29th Day, 29th Way

29.  Make a list of all the items you can donate
It's time to purge.  Humans are good at collecting stuff.  Marketers are even better at getting you to believe you need more stuff.  Make a list of things you really do need, and a list of things that you wouldn't miss if they were gone.  Then take the wouldn't miss list and donate the items.  This includes clothes, kitchen appliances, furniture, office supplies, etc.  28.  Make all your meals at home
27.  Get a library card
26.  Save an item from the trash
25.  Plant something
24.  Defrost your freezer
23.  Bring your own coffee cup
22.  Go on a nature hike

21.  Stake out a farmers market

20.  Switch a chemical cleaner with vinegar

19.  Send snail mail
18.  Use baking soda for skincare

17.  Use ladybugs for natural pesticide

16.  Avoid the car

15.  Meet a local

14.  Put a brick in your toilet

13.  Don't use paper towels 

12.  Capture household waste water

11.  Air dry your laundry

10.  Avoid plastic-ware

9.  Don't throw anything away

8.  Get off the grid for a day

7.  Put out a bucket or barrel to capture the rain

6.  Limit Energy Consumption

5.  Take reusable sacks to the store - Every store

4.  Use natural dyes for Easter eggs

3.  Buy from a local business

2.  Make a commitment to the challenge.

1.  Clean the air in your home by purchasing house plants to filter the air.

<center><a href=" http://www.indigo26.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/abullock26/4GA125x125BADGE.jpg"/></a></center>

28th Day, 28th Way

28.  Make all your meals at home
Eating out is not cheap, especially if you want real food.  There is a local place I like that offers really great salads with homemade dressing.  If I bought a salad from them every day at lunch for the month of April I would spend $300!  That's really expensive lettuce.  This challenge has two purposes.  The first being to keep some money in your pocket but the second and most important being the control of your ingredients.  When you make food at home, you know what goes into it.  This doesn't mean heating up a frozen pizza, it means making your own pizza including the crust!  Search through a few recipes and for breakfast, lunch and dinner, make your own today.27.  Get a library card
26.  Save an item from the trash
25.  Plant something
24.  Defrost your freezer
23.  Bring your own coffee cup
22.  Go on a nature hike

21.  Stake out a farmers market

20.  Switch a chemical cleaner with vinegar

19.  Send snail mail
18.  Use baking soda for skincare

17.  Use ladybugs for natural pesticide

16.  Avoid the car

15.  Meet a local

14.  Put a brick in your toilet

13.  Don't use paper towels 

12.  Capture household waste water

11.  Air dry your laundry

10.  Avoid plastic-ware

9.  Don't throw anything away

8.  Get off the grid for a day

7.  Put out a bucket or barrel to capture the rain

6.  Limit Energy Consumption

5.  Take reusable sacks to the store - Every store

4.  Use natural dyes for Easter eggs

3.  Buy from a local business

2.  Make a commitment to the challenge.

1.  Clean the air in your home by purchasing house plants to filter the air.

<center><a href=" http://www.indigo26.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/abullock26/4GA125x125BADGE.jpg"/></a></center>

27th Day, 27th Way

27.  Get a library card
A library card is a valuable resource that is often overlooked.  Not only can you check out books, they have movies, audio books, electronic books and magazines as well.  And it's all free!  I like to think of it as a free education.  You can learn anything with the material they have available.  Even if your library is small, they can borrow from the library system to get you something they don't have one hand.  26.  Save an item from the trash
25.  Plant something
24.  Defrost your freezer
23.  Bring your own coffee cup
22.  Go on a nature hike

21.  Stake out a farmers market

20.  Switch a chemical cleaner with vinegar

19.  Send snail mail
18.  Use baking soda for skincare

17.  Use ladybugs for natural pesticide

16.  Avoid the car

15.  Meet a local

14.  Put a brick in your toilet

13.  Don't use paper towels 

12.  Capture household waste water

11.  Air dry your laundry

10.  Avoid plastic-ware

9.  Don't throw anything away

8.  Get off the grid for a day

7.  Put out a bucket or barrel to capture the rain

6.  Limit Energy Consumption

5.  Take reusable sacks to the store - Every store

4.  Use natural dyes for Easter eggs

3.  Buy from a local business

2.  Make a commitment to the challenge.

1.  Clean the air in your home by purchasing house plants to filter the air.

<center><a href=" http://www.indigo26.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/abullock26/4GA125x125BADGE.jpg"/></a></center>

26th Day, 26th Way

26.  Save an item from the trash
I don't mean hoard something.  This challege is to either avoid using or purchasing a product with excessive trash or find an alternate use for something you would otherwise throw away.  Plastic containers, cans, or egg cartons are great organizers.  Magazines and fabric scraps are great for upcycled craft projects.  Get creative with it. 
 25.  Plant something
24.  Defrost your freezer
23.  Bring your own coffee cup
22.  Go on a nature hike

21.  Stake out a farmers market

20.  Switch a chemical cleaner with vinegar

19.  Send snail mail
18.  Use baking soda for skincare

17.  Use ladybugs for natural pesticide

16.  Avoid the car

15.  Meet a local

14.  Put a brick in your toilet

13.  Don't use paper towels 

12.  Capture household waste water

11.  Air dry your laundry

10.  Avoid plastic-ware

9.  Don't throw anything away

8.  Get off the grid for a day

7.  Put out a bucket or barrel to capture the rain

6.  Limit Energy Consumption

5.  Take reusable sacks to the store - Every store

4.  Use natural dyes for Easter eggs

3.  Buy from a local business

2.  Make a commitment to the challenge.

1.  Clean the air in your home by purchasing house plants to filter the air.

<center><a href=" http://www.indigo26.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/abullock26/4GA125x125BADGE.jpg"/></a></center>

25th Day, 25th Way

25.  Plant something
Growing something doesn't have to be daunting.  If you have never tried gardening before or you don't have the space, simply start with one pot.  Plant a few herbs or a bean plant in your window.  See my list of 10 easy vegetables to grow and try one on your own.

24.  Defrost your freezer
23.  Bring your own coffee cup
22.  Go on a nature hike

21.  Stake out a farmers market

20.  Switch a chemical cleaner with vinegar

19.  Send snail mail
18.  Use baking soda for skincare

17.  Use ladybugs for natural pesticide

16.  Avoid the car

15.  Meet a local

14.  Put a brick in your toilet

13.  Don't use paper towels 

12.  Capture household waste water

11.  Air dry your laundry

10.  Avoid plastic-ware

9.  Don't throw anything away

8.  Get off the grid for a day

7.  Put out a bucket or barrel to capture the rain

6.  Limit Energy Consumption

5.  Take reusable sacks to the store - Every store

4.  Use natural dyes for Easter eggs

3.  Buy from a local business

2.  Make a commitment to the challenge.

1.  Clean the air in your home by purchasing house plants to filter the air.

<center><a href=" http://www.indigo26.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/abullock26/4GA125x125BADGE.jpg"/></a></center>

24th Day, 24th Way

24.  Defrost your freezer
This should be part of your spring cleaning routine every year.  Frost build up requires the motor of your freezer to work harder which decreases the efficiency.  While it isn't a fun or easy task, it will be beneficial to your energy consumption.
23.  Bring your own coffee cup
22.  Go on a nature hike

21.  Stake out a farmers market

20.  Switch a chemical cleaner with vinegar

19.  Send snail mail
18.  Use baking soda for skincare

17.  Use ladybugs for natural pesticide

16.  Avoid the car

15.  Meet a local

14.  Put a brick in your toilet

13.  Don't use paper towels 

12.  Capture household waste water

11.  Air dry your laundry

10.  Avoid plastic-ware

9.  Don't throw anything away

8.  Get off the grid for a day

7.  Put out a bucket or barrel to capture the rain

6.  Limit Energy Consumption

5.  Take reusable sacks to the store - Every store

4.  Use natural dyes for Easter eggs

3.  Buy from a local business

2.  Make a commitment to the challenge.

1.  Clean the air in your home by purchasing house plants to filter the air.

<center><a href=" http://www.indigo26.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/abullock26/4GA125x125BADGE.jpg"/></a></center>

23rd Day, 23rd Way

23.  Bring your own coffee cup
We hear a lot about bringing our own water bottle, but the coffee cup is just as important.  Avoid Styrofoam cups at work or catered meetings by bringing your own travel mug.  Also, most gas stations and coffee shops will allow you to use your own cup and sometimes at a discounted price.  If you are a daily coffee drinker like I am, by switching to your own reusable cup you'll avoid a lot of unnecessary trash. 

22.  Go on a nature hike

21.  Stake out a farmers market

20.  Switch a chemical cleaner with vinegar

19.  Send snail mail
18.  Use baking soda for skincare

17.  Use ladybugs for natural pesticide

16.  Avoid the car

15.  Meet a local

14.  Put a brick in your toilet

13.  Don't use paper towels 

12.  Capture household waste water

11.  Air dry your laundry

10.  Avoid plastic-ware

9.  Don't throw anything away

8.  Get off the grid for a day

7.  Put out a bucket or barrel to capture the rain

6.  Limit Energy Consumption

5.  Take reusable sacks to the store - Every store

4.  Use natural dyes for Easter eggs

3.  Buy from a local business

2.  Make a commitment to the challenge.

1.  Clean the air in your home by purchasing house plants to filter the air.

<center><a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">href</span>=" http://www.indigo26.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">blogspot</span>.com/"><<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">img</span> border="0" <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">src</span>="http://i1224.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">photobucket</span>.com/albums/ee362/abullock26/4GA125x125BADGE.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">jpg</span>"/></a></center>

22nd Day, 22nd Way

22.  Go on a nature hike
Today is officially Earth day even though we are celebrating all month long.  There are many activities scheduled this weekend to celebrate, but today's challenge is simple.  Regardless if you live in the city or country, go on a nature hike.  Whether it is a city park or rural road, consider it nature. 

Today's challenge is about finding your connection with the great outdoors.  As humans, if we find a connection a relationship develops.  Once a relationship is established we understand and appreciate the choices we make.  If you don't have a connection with nature it makes it harder to practice these challenges.  You need an emotional reason.  We are an integral part of the natural ecosystem whether we know it or not.  Step outside today and ponder these questions as you "hike."

1. What impact do I have on this place?  (trails, wildlife, danger)
2. How do I feel when surrounded by trees, grass, and fresh air?
3. What would I do if places like this didn't exist?
4. How can I take care of places like this?

21.  Stake out a farmers market
20.  Switch a chemical cleaner with vinegar
19.  Send snail mail
18.  Use baking soda for skincare

17.  Use ladybugs for natural pesticide

16.  Avoid the car

15.  Meet a local

14.  Put a brick in your toilet

13.  Don't use paper towels 

12.  Capture household waste water

11.  Air dry your laundry

10.  Avoid plastic-ware

9.  Don't throw anything away

8.  Get off the grid for a day

7.  Put out a bucket or barrel to capture the rain

6.  Limit Energy Consumption

5.  Take reusable sacks to the store - Every store

4.  Use natural dyes for Easter eggs

3.  Buy from a local business

2.  Make a commitment to the challenge.

1.  Clean the air in your home by purchasing house plants to filter the air.

21st Day, 21st Way

21.  Stake out a farmers market
It's the time of year that farmers markets are starting to pop up.  They are a great way to source local food and talk to the growers themselves.  While it would be ideal to plan your spring and summer only buying produce from the market, it's not always convenient, but the goal is to go as much as possible.  This challenge is to find a local farmers market and determine what they sell.  In a lot of markets you can find more than produce.  Local Harvest seems to be one of the most comprehensive lists of markets.  It also provides information on CSA's and locally grown meat.  Plug in your zip code and see what resources are available in your area.  Today is a good to start.  Most markets are only open on Saturday.   

 20.  Switch a chemical cleaner with vinegar
19.  Send snail mail

18.  Use baking soda for skincare

17.  Use ladybugs for natural pesticide

16.  Avoid the car

15.  Meet a local

14.  Put a brick in your toilet

13.  Don't use paper towels 

12.  Capture household waste water

11.  Air dry your laundry

10.  Avoid plastic-ware

9.  Don't throw anything away

8.  Get off the grid for a day

7.  Put out a bucket or barrel to capture the rain

6.  Limit Energy Consumption

5.  Take reusable sacks to the store - Every store

4.  Use natural dyes for Easter eggs

3.  Buy from a local business

2.  Make a commitment to the challenge.

1.  Clean the air in your home by purchasing house plants to filter the air.

<center><a href=" http://www.indigo26.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/abullock26/4GA125x125BADGE.jpg"/></a></center>

20th Day, 20th Way

20.  Switch a chemical cleaner with vinegar
Open the cabinet that holds your cleaning supplies and count the number of different products you use.  Is it over 10?  Did you know that you can get rid of almost all of them and replace them with white distilled vinegar?  Because of the acidity level in vinegar it kills most germs, bacterias and molds.  There are a thousand different uses for vinegar.  Today's challenge is to switch at least one of your chemical cleaning products with vinegar. 

See my 5 recipes for natural household cleaners or jump over to this website for more ways to use vinegar.

19.  Send snail mail
18.  Use baking soda for skincare
17.  Use ladybugs for natural pesticide
16.  Avoid the car

15.  Meet a local

14.  Put a brick in your toilet

13.  Don't use paper towels 

12.  Capture household waste water

11.  Air dry your laundry

10.  Avoid plastic-ware

9.  Don't throw anything away

8.  Get off the grid for a day

7.  Put out a bucket or barrel to capture the rain

6.  Limit Energy Consumption

5.  Take reusable sacks to the store - Every store

4.  Use natural dyes for Easter eggs

3.  Buy from a local business

2.  Make a commitment to the challenge.

1.  Clean the air in your home by purchasing house plants to filter the air.

<center><a href=" http://www.indigo26.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/abullock26/4GA125x125BADGE.jpg"/></a></center>

19th Day, 19th Way

19.  Send snail mail
This challenge may seem contradictory.  One might think that sending an email is zero trash as compared to an actual paper letter.  But when you think about the energy that goes into sending that email and the length of time it takes paper to decompose (minimal), sending snail mail isn't so bad.  As I've said before, living a 4(for) green acres life is about being a part of a community and not isolating yourself.  Today's challenge focuses on connecting with someone in your community in a personal way by sending them a letter.  Perhaps you send them a letter using recycled paper and an envelope you made from a magazine.  However you send it, the goal is to reach out with the written word.  Snail mail is such a treat these days since most of what arrives via the mailman is bills!

Bonus: send me a letter (email me for my address) and I'll send a letter back to you!

18.  Use baking soda for skincare

17.  Use ladybugs for natural pesticide
16.  Avoid the car

15.  Meet a local

14.  Put a brick in your toilet

13.  Don't use paper towels 

12.  Capture household waste water

11.  Air dry your laundry

10.  Avoid plastic-ware

9.  Don't throw anything away

8.  Get off the grid for a day

7.  Put out a bucket or barrel to capture the rain

6.  Limit Energy Consumption

5.  Take reusable sacks to the store - Every store

4.  Use natural dyes for Easter eggs

3.  Buy from a local business

2.  Make a commitment to the challenge.

1.  Clean the air in your home by purchasing house plants to filter the air.

<center><a href=" http://www.indigo26.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/abullock26/4GA125x125BADGE.jpg"/></a></center>

18th Day, 18th Way

18.  Use baking soda for skincare

Baking soda is a fantastic multi-use product just like apple cider vinegar.  It can be used as a deodorizer, in first aid, or as fire protection.  I personally believe one of its best uses is in the form of skincare.  By placing a small amount in the palm of your hand and adding a few drops of water you can use this paste as a facial cleanser and exfoliater.  It buffs the skin leaving behind a glow without putting harsh chemicals on your skin.  Try switching out your morning routine with baking soda and water.  

 

17.  Use ladybugs for natural pesticide
16.  Avoid the car
15.  Meet a local

14.  Put a brick in your toilet

13.  Don't use paper towels 

12.  Capture household waste water

11.  Air dry your laundry

10.  Avoid plastic-ware

9.  Don't throw anything away

8.  Get off the grid for a day

7.  Put out a bucket or barrel to capture the rain

6.  Limit Energy Consumption

5.  Take reusable sacks to the store - Every store

4.  Use natural dyes for Easter eggs

3.  Buy from a local business

2.  Make a commitment to the challenge.

1.  Clean the air in your home by purchasing house plants to filter the air.

<center><a href=" http://www.indigo26.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/abullock26/4GA125x125BADGE.jpg"/></a></center>

17th Day, 17th Way

17.  Use ladybugs for natural pesticide
There is nothing more frustrating than walking out to your garden and discovering that your vegetables look like this.  I instantly want to kill the pests.  They can wipe out a crop in no time.  One of the best defenses is to fight them with other bugs.  Attracting bugs to your yard that feed on these insects is a great alternative to spraying your garden with chemicals.  They will eat your pests but not your vegetables. You can purchase ladybugs to release in your yard after setting up a suitable habitat and then watch your garden flourish.  I'll be sharing a post later today about the benefits of ladybugs and where you can purchase them.  
16.  Avoid the car

15.  Meet a local

14.  Put a brick in your toilet

13.  Don't use paper towels 

12.  Capture household waste water

11.  Air dry your laundry

10.  Avoid plastic-ware

9.  Don't throw anything away

8.  Get off the grid for a day

7.  Put out a bucket or barrel to capture the rain

6.  Limit Energy Consumption

5.  Take reusable sacks to the store - Every store

4.  Use natural dyes for Easter eggs

3.  Buy from a local business

2.  Make a commitment to the challenge.

1.  Clean the air in your home by purchasing house plants to filter the air.

<center><a href=" http://www.indigo26.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/abullock26/4GA125x125BADGE.jpg"/></a></center>