…doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
Green Living
Just Because You Can’t See It…
Categories: Backpacking, Beach, Conservation, Earth Day, Explore, Green Living, Nature, Sustainability, Top Knotch Gear, Travel, Water
Tags: Adventure, Beach, Conservation, Earth, Green Living, Pollution, Save the Planet, Top Knotch Gear, Trash, Travel, Water
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Travel Tip Tuesday!
Travel tip #14: Wanderfly! www.wanderfly.com
When you’re thinking about taking your next trip, try using Wanderfly. It’s an online site that can help you plan your trip around whatever budget you have to spend. Just enter the time you want to travel (i.e.: early October, mid July, etc.), the city you’d leave from, the number of days/weeks you’d like to be gone and your rough budget per person. Then, the fun part. You can choose the TYPE of trip you want to take. Wanderfly has everything from adventure to eco, romantic to history. You can choose all the categories that interest you and Wanderfly will work its magic. Click ‘Get Going’ and Wanderfly will generate a list of destinations that fit your budget and type of getaway you’re looking for. It also gives you ideas for accommodations, activities and even includes pictures of each destination! Even if a vacation isn’t in the near future for you, it’s fun to experiment with different destinations to see what fun adventures Wanderfly will create for you. Check it out!
A great travel resource!
Categories: Adventure, Africa, Airplanes, Asia, Australia, Backpacking, Circumnavigation, Explore, Globetrotting, Green Living, Latin America, Mountains, Nature, Outdoors, Packing, Planning vacation, Random, South America, Top Knotch Gear, Trails, Transportation, Travel, Travel help, Travel Photography, Travel Tips, Trip planning
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YardShare – Social Networking for Yards and Gardens
This morning, the Today Show featured a site called YardShare. YardShare is like Facebook but for your yard and/or garden. You make a profile, can share pictures, post updates, join in on forums and get tons of great tips and tricks from fellow gardeners and homeowners who are into landscaping yard space. Learn about how to manage or reinvent your natural space from other yard lovers and garden adventures – if we had a yard at our apartment complex, we’d get in on this action!
Click the photo to visit the website!
There are a million great ideas for what to do with any size plot, in any climate and with any budget!
Categories: Adventure, Asia, Earth Day, Family, Food, Garden, Gardening, Green Living, Home or Houses, Landscaping, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Plants and Flowers, Random, Sustainability, Uncategorized, Water, Yard
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24 Lesson’s I’ve Learned in 24 Years
Today is my (Morgan’s) 24th birthday! And instead of writing a post about my favorite birthday memories (like the time when I turned 4 and I rejected my grandparents’ birthday presents because I ‘didn’t order them’ or the time when I turned 21, bar-hopped all evening and failed my chemistry final exam the next morning, having to retake chem in summer school), I made a list of 24 lessons I have learned in my 24 years of life. It’s quite a fun and rather insightful exercise if you’ve never done it before! So here goes:
- Things happen for a reason. These reasons may not become apparent for years but there are always reasons for everything.
- The human body is the most amazing machine in the world. The things it can do are absolutely incredible.
- Enjoy the first snow – even though it usually means 6 more months of winter in Michigan, the first snow is without a doubt, beautiful.
- Sometimes our best just isn’t good enough but it makes us stronger and more courageous when we have tried our hardest.
- Travel changes your world perspective forever and it continues to evolve during each trip you take.
- Having a pet gives an energy to a space that nothing else can fill.
- Drink water.
- Explore unfamiliar places.
- Karma really does exist – in my experience.
- Sunshine makes everything in life better and happier.
- Go snorkeling. The world under the water’s surface is exquisite and everyone should see it in their lifetimes.
- Being in love ROCKS.
- Every family is quirky and dysfunctional in their own way but that’s what makes them so special.
- Photographs are great ways to capture moments – never hesitate to snap the shutter.
- Don’t force your system of beliefs onto other people. The world is so unique because everything believes different things. Plus, it makes for more interesting conversations with others.
- Recycle everything.
- Stand up for what you believe in – even if you’re standing alone.
- Love unconditionally.
- “If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you can’t.” (Words of wisdom from my dad.)
- Communication makes life easier, less confusing and all around more enjoyable.
- Volunteer. Helping others in any capacity is awesome!
- Thai curry is one of the best foods on the planet.
- Travel light.
- There’s always next time…
Break dancing on a pier in Michigan. That's Lake Huron in the background.
Me (Morgan) at a football game my senior year in college - American football that is, not soccer.
Categories: Adventure, Animals, Asia, Backpacking, Circumnavigation, Communication, Disaster Relief, Donation, Family, Food, Global Aid, Globetrotting, Green Living, Hiking, Love, Nature, Outdoors, Packing, Pets, Photography, Random, Snorkeling, Sustainability, Thailand, Trails, Transportation, Travel, Uncategorized, Volunteer, Water
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The United States of GOOD Beer
A friend of mine posted this on Facebook this morning (love random Facebook posts) and not only does it fit with Earth Month but it’s just an awesome perspective of the United States. This is a map of the U.S. that shows the best-tasting and most sustainably produced beers in the country. All breweries are independently owned (so no Budweiser conglomerates). So the next time you’re on a road trip, stop by a local pub and pick up a pint of this GOOD beer!
The text is a little difficult to see, so click the link below to be taken the to page directly where you can read the best beers of each state. (Each state except Idaho, that is. We’re not so sure what’s up with Idaho…)
http://awesome.good.is/transparency/web/1102/beer-map/flat.html
The United States of beer
Cheers to the GOOD life!
Categories: Backpacking, Earth Day, Food, Globetrotting, Green Living, Outdoors, Random, Sustainability, Travel
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Earth Day Ideas
Hey everybody, it’s Earth Day!! Here are some tips and ideas for things to do today and throughout the weekend. Of course, in addition to all of this stuff, Earth Day is also a great time to just get outside. It’s springtime afterall. So tune up your bike, put the snow shoes on the shelf for next winter and grab your hiking boots. Or start your landscaping, fly a kite, go puddle jumping, hang your birdhouse, dust off the lawn chairs, pull out the corn hole and just get outside.
Amazon.com: wants you to “Read, Reuse, Recycle“ with up to 34-percent off on Earth Day reads for children and adults. Plus, if you’re ordering from Amazon, check out the Frustration-Free Packaging program, working to make products easier to open and using 100-percent recyclable cardboard. The products are exactly the same: Amazon has just streamlined the packaging to eliminate hard-plastic clamshell cases. All the cool kids are doing it.
Anthropologie: Looking for something to do with the kids this weekend that’s trendy and green? Anthropolgie is hosting free Earth Day workshops for kids that teaching potting and basic gardening (times and dates vary by location).
Caribou Coffee: Bring a reusable cup or mug into any of this company’s 400+ locations and enjoy a free coffee on Friday, April 22. Another good reason to grab your travel mug before leaving home.
Diggers List: this site, where DIYers list leftover home improvement supplies for sale or swap, is giving away a free packet of wildflower seeds to anyone who posts items by the end of April. Ditch your leftovers and beautify the earth at the same time.
Disney Store: if you act quickly and bring in five (5) of those old-fashioned plastic shopping bags (ick, plastic) on Friday, April 22, and you’ll receive a free reusable shopping bag featuring Mickey!
EVOS: for our readers in the south (FL, GA and NC), this restaurant chain, which offers healthy fast food with a special focus on environmental sustainability, is giving away free homemade organic milkshakes to all customers on April 22.
The Home Depot: to keep yourself (or your little ones) busy The Home Depot has scheduled several workshops, available at most stores during Earth Day week, including (check your local store to confirm dates/times, of course):
- Kids Workshop: Earth Day/Easter Planter Basket – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. April 23
- Spring Eco Workshop: Live Green. Save Green. – 10 a.m. April 23
- Do-It-Herself Workshops: Eco Friendly Gardening – 1 p.m. April 23
Lowe’s: We don’t know about you, but we’re always looking for someplace to pick up a free tree. The Lowe’s home improvement centers around the country are giving away a total of one million trees on Saturday, April 23. Plus, on Friday, April 22, you’ll find CFL and LED light bulbs on sale for 30-50% off! Today is a good day to make the switch!
National Parks: Aww, go take a hike…at a National Park for free! The National Parks Service free admission lasts through April 24 during National Parks Week.
Origins: bring in any skin product you use and a filled-out form available at this link to an Origins store on Friday, April 22, and you’ll receive a free tube of chemical-free Origins Cleanser ($18 value)
Starbucks: You’ve seen the commercials, so you know the deal. Bring in a reusable mug and get a free coffee or tea on Friday, April 22.
Triscuit: If you’re like us, you’re hoping to have a bountiful herb garden on your window sill this year. To help give you a jump start on your home farm, Triscuit is giving away basil and dill seeds inside specially marked boxes. Visit the Triscuit website for tips to start your own bountiful garden.
Categories: Adventure, Earth Day, Food, Green Living, Mountains, Nature, Outdoors, Sustainability, Trails
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New Survival Bracelets from Top Knotch Gear!
Monday marked the beginning of an all-week release of new survival bracelets. Each day this week, we are debuting new cords and new bracelets on our online Top Knotch Gear store on Etsy – www.topknotch.etsy.com. So far, we have listed the Malaysia, the India and the Backcountry but what will today’s release be…? You’ll have to stop by the shop and check it out!
The Malaysia - Accessory Cord Survival Bracelet. Perfect colors for spring time!
The India - Accessory Cord Survival Bracelet. These colors reminded us of the Festival of Colors in India. We can't wait to experience it on our trip!
The Backcountry - Paracord Survival Bracelet. Nothing says, 'I love the rugged outdoors' more than camo.
Categories: Adventure, Asia, Backpacking, Circumnavigation, Globetrotting, Green Living, Hiking, India, Mountains, Nature, Outdoors, Random, Trails, Travel
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This Earth Day, ditch the disposable cup!
This Friday, April 22nd, is EARTH DAY! And to celebrate our awesome planet and promote environmentally-conscious living, businesses across the country are having all kinds of eco-friendly giveaways. Now, any other time I would advocate for buying local, supporting local and doing everything local because, after all, local is better. BUT, Starbucks has a very compelling commercial that (if you’re like me) will make your jaw drop because of its creativity and its environmental smack in your face (in a very good way). Starbucks will be giving you a free coffee on Earth Day when you bring in your reusable mug. The company is trying to promote conscious choice-making, especially when it comes to disposable coffee cups. Here are the highlights you’ll find at your [local] Starbucks on Earth Day this Friday:
- FREE COFEE when you bring in your own reusable mug.
- Don’t have a reusable mug? THEY’RE 20% OFF at Starbucks AND you’ll still get the FREE COFFEE.
- Don’t want to buy a reusable mug? Weird but okay. You can request a FOR HERE cup and STARBUCKS WILL PAY YOUR COFEE TAB.
- And anytime you bring your own mug/reusable container to Starbucks, you get $.20 off your coffee (in America – not sure what the deals are around the world.)
Okay so here’s the commercial for Earth Day 2011 at Starbucks. It’s AWESOME!
And if you want to read the Earth Day blog entry posted directly from the Starbucks Global Responsibility Manager (how do I get her job?), you can find it here: http://www.starbucks.com/blog/happy-earth-day/993
Lastly, I do want to put a plug in for local coffee shops: They are wonderful for your local economy, they’re great hangout spots with usually really interesting artwork and music and most have fantastic pastries. Check around your city/town to see if a LOCAL coffee shop is running some sort of Earth Day special – it may be as good if not better than what Starbucks is doing! And, wherever you go, don’t forget to DITCH THE DISPOSABLE CUP and bring your reusable mug.
Choose to live the GREEN life.
Categories: Adventure, Earth Day, Food, Globetrotting, Green Living, Nature, Outdoors, Random, Sustainability, Travel
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The Zero Waste Home
Many of us (hopefully all of us) live in a way that, at the very least, is environmentally conscious – we use recyclable bags at the grocery store, we turn lights off when we leave our apartments and we buy local whenever possible. But that is just the beginning. One California family lives a zero-waste lifestyle. They do not buy any food in packaging and they throw NOTHING out.
Their trash from the past 6 months fits in a small drinking glass (note: this is a 4-person family we’re talking about.)
The family’s motto: “Refuse, refuse, refuse. Then reduce, reuse, recycle – and only in that order.”
For some us, this lifestyle would certainly be an adjustment. I know September and I wouldn’t be able to find unpackaged tofu very easily (southeast Michigan is already not very vegetarian friendly) and we’d have to forego other necessities like bunny food (did I mention we have a bunny?), tampons and paracord for our business.
But this no-waste family can make us stop and think – how much of what we buy is packaged? How much of that packaging is non-recyclable? How much of our food is imported? (In Americans’ cases, from Mexico or Canada?). Do we make every effort to recycle whenever possible? Stop and think about it for a sec…..
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To learn more about the family and their zero-waste lifestyle, check out their blog! They offer zero-waste tips to newbies and you can even watch their interview from the Today show (aired this morning).
The zero waste kitchen. Store foods in glass jars instead of plastic bags - EASY!
Mesh bags are great for produce. And bread can be purchased fresh (preferably from your local grocery store or bakery) and then frozen until you want to eat it. Yum!
Categories: Adventure, Earth Day, Food, Green Living, Nature, Sustainability
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200 Million+ Miles with Alternative Fuel
Corporate conglomerates can be great examples of some of the recent green initiatives – especially in the United States. Here in America, UPS has a fleet of trucks that uses alternative fuel … better known as the Alternative Fuel Fleet (AFV – not sure what the ‘V’ is for). The green fleet consists of over 1,900+ electric cars to trucks powered via liquified natural gas (the low emission propane vehicles). They started recording the fleet’s miles back in 2000 (forever ago, right?) and in 2011, they have logged over 200 million miles! To put it into perspective, 200 million miles, according to Fast Company, “is the equivalent of nearly three round trips to Mars or circling the Earth more than 8,600 times.” And ALL of it was done with ALTERNATIVE FUEL. Kudos to UPS and their efforts to help the environment!
UPS logged over 200 million miles using alternative fuels in their green fleet!
Choose to live the GREEN life.
Categories: Earth Day, Green Living, Nature, Outdoors, Sustainability, Transportation, Travel
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