Revamp Your Closet

Most people think that Green Living is a new trend but actually it’s been around since hippie times. We share our “earth” problem globally regardless of who we are. The need for breathing clean air, eating healthy and clothing is well… let’s say necessary. As far as clothing goes, here are a few tips to save money while helping the environment too.

Smart Shopping: Some obvious ways to save money on clothing are shopping at garage sales and thrift stores. But the easiest way to save money on clothing is to not buy any. This means that you have to make do with what you have and take care of it as long as possible. Here are a few other suggestions ..

Clothing Swaps and Donations: Did you know that the average American throws away around 68 lbs. of clothes per year. People please, if you are thinking of throwing those old threads away at least donate them. If you are in serious need of some new ones, consider joining an online clothing swap like Rehash. Rehashing is an environmentally-conscious way to get rid of clothes you don't wear in exchange for clothes you will wear. You trade your clothing with others who are seeking a new wardrobe and in exchange revamp your closet. You may also consider organizing your own clothing swap with your friends and family. Good times.

Refashion: Now after you acquire your “new to you” clothes, you may need to refashion them. Okay now don’t look at me like that. You don't have to be an expert seamstress, just use your imagination. If you absolutely need some guidance then I would suggest an online community or informational website. Burdastyle and Wardrobe Refashion are super worthy to check out.

Protect Your Clothes: Using a clothesline not only saves on electricity, it will also save your clothes. You know that lint trap on your dryer? That’s pieces of your clothing that slowly wear off from heat and tumbling around in the dryer. It also ruins elastic. That’s when you find yourself asking your kids “what in the world did you do to your underwear”. If you live in an apartment or a place where clotheslines are illegal try using a drying rack.

Aprons are suddenly chic. If you really don’t want to make your own, choose one that’s handmade. My favorite store is Etsy…you can find the coolest aprons ever. Like this one.

Best Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Every Sunday I make my kids snacks for the entire week. It took me 5 weeks to find a healthy Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe that actually tastes good. My children are very picky testers but I finally found one that everyone likes.

Ingredients

1. 3/4 cup unsalted butter (soft)
2. 1/4 cup honey (raw is best)
3. 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
4. 1/2 cup splenda brown sugar
5. 1 egg
6. 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
7. 3/4 cup hard whole wheat flour
8. 1 teaspoon baking powder
9. 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
10. 1/2 teaspoon salt
11. 1 cup rolled oat (not quick)
12. 1 1/2 cup sugar free milk chocolate chips

Directions

1. Cream together butter, honey, vanilla and splenda brown sugar.
2. Add in egg. Cream well.
3. In a separate bowl, stir together flour(s), salt, baking soda and powder.
4. Slowly add flour mixture to creamed mixture.
5. Add oats, then chocolate chips.
6. Bake at 350 for approximately 10 minutes. Take them out while still a little bit gooey. Let finish baking outside of oven while cooling on the pan for 5 minutes. Remove from pan once firm.

Love This!

Etsy is an online marketplace for buying & selling all things handmade. It’s kind of like eBay only better because everything is handmade. This is just one of the CUTE things I found on this site...so check it out.

Buy, Sell, Live Handmade