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Solar panel update & 6 things you might not know about solar panels
In 2019 my family took the plunge and installed solar panels. Over the years I’ve shared about our experience of getting started with solar panels as well as updates on our solar power generation. To read through past posts, check out this link here! Today I thought I’d share an update on our power generation this year, as well as the totals related to our output over the years. The application related to running our system and tracking output creates some useful graphics to monitor performance – which I love! Our generation by month for 2024 is shown “Monthly Energy in Current Year” table below, and it’s been a reasonably…
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6 ways to upcycle your way to a unique Halloween costume!
Halloween is a time for spooky fun, and nothing adds to the excitement like dressing up in a unique halloween costume. But rather than spending money on a one-time outfit, try reusing materials from around your home to craft an original, eco-friendly look! It’s budget-friendly, sustainable, and a great way to show off your creativity. Below you’ll find a few ideas for reusing materials to create unforgettable Halloween costumes that the kids (and your neighbors) will remember for years to come. For more ideas check out our past post 20 Easy DIY Costumes! 1. Cardboard Creations: Armor, Robots, and More! I know from experience that cardboard boxes can be transformed…
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Climate Change Collective: Teaching Kids About Climate Change
Teaching kids about climate change is an essential part of raising a generation that understands the importance of environmental conservation. As Jamie points out in his post, climate change education in schools is not consistent, but there is still lots of opportunity to have these important conversations at home. Though my kids have both come home from school as recycling experts! Children are naturally curious and open to learning, and when we make climate change lessons fun and interactive, my kids become very engaged in the topic. As such, I thought I’d share some creative and engaging activities to introduce kids to the concept of climate change and environmental responsibility.…
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6 Plastic-Free Cold Remedies for Natural Relief
Well it’s happened – cold and flu season has arrived at my house. And while there are many cold remedies out there to help us get through these times, many are packaged in single-use plastics that can harm the environment. Fortunately there are many treatment options that are plastic-free, easy, inexpensive, and natural! See below for six ideas to help ease symptoms if you, like me, are in the midst of cold symptoms. If you’re home with sick kids as I am, check out some of our “Fun and Frugal” activities posts here for ideas to keep everyone occupied! 6 Plastic-Free Cold Remedies Keep in mind that it’s always best…
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Secondhand September: Embracing Conscious Consumption
Secondhand September is a month-long initiative encouraging all of us to explore and embrace the world of secondhand fashion and goods. This global movement is not just about finding great deals—it’s about making a positive impact on our planet and our communities. Along with Platsic-Free July, Secondhand September is one of our favourite months: Alison and I are both avid secondhand and thrift shoppers and a month that focuses on the benefits of secondhand items will always be exciting for us! The Rise of Secondhand September Secondhand September was initiated by Oxfam, a UK-based charity organization, as part of its broader mission to promote sustainable fashion and reduce waste. The…
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Getting Up Close and Personal with Ocean Waste
This year for our big summer vacation, my family and I decided to travel down to the Oregon coast and then work our way up through the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. While we were expecting to see beautiful beaches, inspiring viewpoints, and lush rainforest, we weren’t expecting to get up close and personal with carefully curated ocean waste. But that’s exactly what happened! While in Forks, Washington, we visited John’s Beachcombing Museum which houses about four decades of beachcombing finds from the local area and beyond. John’s towers of reclaimed buoys and floats were eyecatching and the uniqueness of some of the items such as a whole binder of letters…