So, I've been a bit negligent over the past few years about being Green. Something happened to me in the past few weeks and it is like I woke up. I'm actively thinking about what I'm doing in my home.

Now that I'm "awake", I thought I would share with everyone else.


Shopping and Cleaning

Ecobags
Bringing your own bag when shopping saves plastic bags. Visit www.ecobags.com

Method Home
Method offers some cleaners that are dye- and perfume-free, nontoxic, biodegradable, naturally derived and never tested on animals. For more information, visit www.methodhome.com

Mrs. Meyers cleaning supplies
All of their cleaning supplies are made with natural essential oils, are biodegradable and phosphate-free. For more, visit www.mrsmeyers.com.

Seventh Generation products
Seventh Generation is one of the leading brands of nontoxic household products. For more information, visit www.seventhgeneration.com.

Shaklee
This company has been producing natural cleaning products-everything from dryer sheets to stain removers-for 50 years. Call 800-670-6251 or visit www.shaklee.com to save 33 percent on the Shaklee Healthy Home pack and 15 percent off all other items at Shaklee.

Green Home
This is just the epicenter of green products.
www.greenhome.com/


Water bottles

Nalgene water bottles
These water bottles are durable, inexpensive, can be used repeatedly and are widely recyclable. For more information visit www.nalgene-outdoor.com.

New Wave Enviro Products
Corn-resin bottle with filter ($8.99) provides pure, clean drinking water and can be reused up to 90 times, and the bottle biodegrades in just 80 days. For more information visit www.newwaveenviro.com or call 800-592-8371.

SIGG water bottles
Using a premium reusable bottle like SIGG greatly helps reduce unnecessary environmental waste caused by plastic PET water bottles. Get more information at mysigg.com.

I'm so glad hockey is starting back up. Wahoo!

I love my husband. He's totally into OLA (off leash area) park and wrote this out of control rant about the "unwritten" do's and don't at OLA.

The "unofficial" Amherst dog park is at the Amherst State Park off of Mill Street in Williamsville. On any given night you will find 20 to 30 dogs "off leash" running through the apple orchard. .

The "official" Amherst dog park is not yet open. That is located at Paradise Park at near the intersection of Casey Road and Paradise Road in Amherst. Casey Road intersects with Transit Road in Amherst.

I've been to the Buffalo Dog Park. It is not what people think. I personally had this impression that any Joe from on the street was showing up with their dog. Boy was I wrong.

It is near the Buffalo Rowing club on the water. (Buffalo's first off-leash area is in LaSalle Park next to the old Colonel F.G. Ward Pumping Station.) It is clean and quiet. The only people at the park are dog people and the occasional high school football game.

There are rules that have to be followed in order to bring your dog into the park.
1) The dog MUST be over 4 months of age.
2) Your dog MUST be spayed or neutered (when age appropriate).
3) Your dog MUST be up to date with all vaccinations (including flea and tick).
4) You, the owner, takes responsibility for your dog's actions. If your dog can not behave appropriately, you and your dog are asked to leave.
5) Pick up after your dog. If you didn't bring a "potty bag" one will be provided for you. The City of Buffalo provides generous trash receptacles.

People who go to this park with their dogs have no problem telling you to leave if you can't control your dog. There are breads of all sizes and ages there. Most of the dogs get along with each other. Those that don't... again, the dog and their owner are asked to leave.