Paint Cans & Cannots

I just repainted my half bathroom in "spinach white". Having read a lot about the negative effects of household paint on the environment and humans, I went in search of some eco-friendly alternatives.

Though I had to rule out milk paint because it's not recommended for bathrooms and because of its high maintenance upkeep, I'm not sure that I'm especially happy with what I ended up using. Sherman William's Duration brand still gave off quite a few of the unfriendly paint fumes. I'll probably go with a different brand next time.

Here are some eco-friendly tips for handling paint:

• Buy what you need. Don't stock up on paint that you're not sure you'll use. Low-ball your estimate, as you can always go back for more.
  
• Clean sparingly. Wrap your rollers and brushes in plastic bags overnight rather than washing them out. When you're completely done with your project, scrap off as much excess paint as possible before washing out your utensils in the sink.
  
• In order to store leftover paint for later use: 1. Cover the opening of the paint can with plastic wrap before closing the lid. This will help create an additional seal when the can is closed. 2. Use a mallet to close a paint can for a better seal. (Hammers can dent and bend the rim of the paint can; mallets are gentler. Use a small towel over the lid to help absorb impact.) 3. Store paint away from extreme heat and cold to avoid unusable spoiled paint. Avoid fluctuating temperatures, especially storage near furnaces and direct sunlight. Store in a cool, dry area. 4. Write on the lid of each can for future identification: Date opened, Color, Brand, Room it is for
• Reuse leftover paint! If you have leftover, unwanted paint in good condition, consider donating the paint for reuse to a high school drama department or a Habitat for Humanity chapter.
• Dispose of your paint properly. If it can't be reused, don't just dump it down the drain or throw it out with the trash. Be sure to take it to an authorized location, such as a hazardous waste pickup.
  

Want more tips? Check out this article from Planet Green.

Butternut Squash Soup Redux

Last winter I posted a squash soup recipe, but I like this one even better!

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small purple onion, diced
3 small butternut squash, peeled, diced & seeded
1 to 2 cups water
1 bouillon cube
1 cup half & half
4 slices Morningstar Farms Veggie Bacon Strips

Saute onion with olive oil. Add butternut squash, water and bouillon cube to pot, boil and cook until soft. Puree in food processor. Stir in half & half and top with crumbled bacon strips. Yum!

Eating on the Go

I've been trying to eliminate a lot of the disposable items that come with eating out at restaurants like Chipotle and Panera Bread.

So now I keep a spoon/knife/fork and a collapsible cup in my purse for camping or for eating out on the go.

Light My Fire Spork



Flatterware Collapsible Cup




(Yes, the collapsible cup looks a little bit like a large condom when it's unfolded, but it has come in quite handy, I swear! And you can hide it behind your large french fry if you're feeling embarrassed.)

Goldilocks and the Three Lotions

There once was a girl with blond hair who had very dry skin. She bought a lotion to help, but it was so thick she could barely get it out of the bottle and its fragrance was quite potent.

Burt's Bees Milk & Honey Body Lotion, $10 for 8oz bottle

Then she bought another lotion, and though it smelled good and was quite affordable, it left her skin feeling dry and a bit sticky.

365 Everyday Value Body Lotion, approximately $10 for 32 oz

She was about to give up, but then she found a lotion that had no fragrance, was easy to pump out of the bottle and left her skin feeling soft and smooth.

Kiss My Face Olive/Aloe Fragrance Free Moisturizer, $11.95 for 16 oz

She lived happily ever after.