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It's not too late to join in!! I'm not catholic, but my Dad and I always observe lent. I think it's good to be able to exercise self restraint, as well as the religious parts. I usually try to give up all sweets, or all chocolate, or something ridiculous that I fail at. He always gives up alcohol. Which isn't too hard, because he can still enjoy a non-alcoholic beer, aka "NA beer." It's almost too easy for him.

This year I wanted to shake things up. I'm tired of starting a lent tradition with the best intentions, and failing miserably! Plus, my birthday is in the middle of lent so of course I have to have birthday cake. And seconds. And the leftovers.

Here are some new, green resolutions or lent traditions you might want to try! We already do some of these, so you have extra help from me!

1. Give up plastic & paper bags. Cloth bags are only a dollar, and it does make a difference! We have about ten reusable bags, and we always forget them. & for all of those old paper and plastic bags that you have, just recycle them at your local grocery store! We are definitely doing this one. 

2. Stop using water bottles. Ever 'green' documentary says that these suckers are such a hazard! Go invest in an awesome new plastic container. If you don't drink enough water anyway {tisk, tisk, go get the free water app}, this could be a really good idea for you. If you buy two water bottles that are 32 ounces, you can monitor how much you drink too. Drink the first 32 ounces by a certain time, and then the second by the end of the day.

3. Stop receiving unwanted catalogs. Again, go get the paper karma app. Now, when we get mail, it is ACTUALLY mail for us.

4. Give up conventional detergents. I have two solutions for that. You can make your own laundry soap and your own dish detergent.

5. Give up the clothes dryer. We already use a drying rack for some items, but not for our work clothes. Here's the one we use from ikea for only $9!

6. Give up conventional toilet paper. I've tried using recycled toilet paper before. I'm personally not going back there again. Also, I just bought too much from BJ's. Too much...

7. Give up paper towels. Check out what is on etsy. I've thought about buying them, but it's on the wish list for now. Still trying to save a penny or two. However, we are doing this with the help of our many kitchen towels.

8. Give up two degrees. We are doing this. You can see my easy, peasy home made reminder below. Green Living says to keep the thermostat on 68, and 55 when you are asleep and away. We now keep it on 66 when we are home, and 62 whenever we are gone. I think 55 is a little too low. Can't freeze whatever plants are alive, because they are barely alive.

9. Give up dry cleaning. Yeah, we don't use that as you could tell in item number five. But there are home dry cleaning kits you could try.

10. Stop throwing away plastic baggies. We reuse all of our plastic baggies at least three times. Sure it's a bit of a hassle, but if you just reuse a them once or twice, and use plastic containers you will be surprised how easy it is to throw away less plastic.


Nine of these awesome ideas came from daily green, and one from my home to yours!