Shift Your Habit: Easy Ways to Save Money, Simplify Your Life, and Save the Planet by Elizabeth Rogers. Three Rivers Press, 2010.

When persuading reluctant family members and friends to a “green” lifestyle, we usually encounter two big objections: money and time. The evidence in the store is that the green option is more expensive and that acting conscientiously, by either making your own, recycling or making a lifestyle change, is a big hassle.

Elizabeth Rogers, the author of Shift Your Habit, disagrees and she has found the evidence to prove it. Shift Your Habit suggests hundreds of simple changes, from opening your blinds and using sunlight to get work done during the day, to bigger changes, such as holding swap parties for clothing and entertainment items like video games. Each of the suggestions is environmentally-friendly and frugal, which overcomes the “it’s too expensive” objection to making a green lifestyle change and some of the tips include a “Good For You” section, meaning that it improves your health or saves time.

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Raising Spaces Last Minute Green Holiday Guide

Feel like you’re destined to be a last-minute Christmas elf again this year? “Luckily, there’s still a swath of options for you to give sustainably and party consciously,” says Andrea Jones, co-owner of newly opened eco-retailer Raising Spaces.

“It’s an overwhelming time of year, especially if you’re the kind of person whose calendar takes you by surprise.” jokes Jones. City street light and mall décor appears seconds after Halloween, staff Christmas parties kick in early-November, and before you know it, the two-weeks till Christmas countdown is upon you. It’s no shocker that holiday-stress levels have you reaching for the spiked nog a little too often!

So what can you do if it’s December 12 and you’re woefully behind the seasonal times? Jones shares the goods on eco friendly gift giving options, festive planet-friendly decorating tips, and low-impact holiday hosting/party-hopping ideas, all to save you time and simplify your holiday experience.

Last-minute Thoughtful Gifts Are Possible

Eco Store Offerings – A visit to three local eco shops can take care of your entire gift list! Between Raising Spaces Retail Store & Green Design Loft, Earth’s General Store & Carbon Environmental Boutique, you’ll have no shortage of health and planet friendly gift choices. Jones’ picks are below:

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So you want to build your own straw bale home.  You’ve seen them in green home building books and on TV shows, you saw green home builders wax poetic about their homes low impact on the environment and connection to the local ecology.  You’ve researched all the possible alternative home building techniques and the thought of conventional framing makes you shudder.  You are going to build a straw bale home no matter what obstacles the MAN and doubters have to say!  Well far be it for me to try and dissuade you!

There are some things you should know and experience first though.  This, in all likely-hood, is going to be one of the most challenging things you will ever take on.   Continue Reading →

Green living just got easier for people who are looking for an affordable, environmentally friendly and energy efficient home.

Ecological Homes recently launched its new ready-to-assemble green home packages at the Edmonton Home and Garden Show and the Go Green Eco Expo.  The Edmonton-based company wants to put green living within reach of the average home buyer.

According to Ecological’s co-owner Les Hagen, a green home shouldn’t put consumers in the red.  “Ecological Homes wants to place quality green homes within reach of the average home buyer.  This innovative home package will help to meet the increasing consumer demand for affordable green housing.”

The green home package includes various solar energy design features, Continue Reading →

•Do you want a brand new home in a mature, central neighborhood?
•The chance to build your home exactly to your design?
•A home that meets green standards and is accessible for everyone?
•Do you want to build at a time when costs are down and service is good?

Belgravia Green Homes is a rare opportunity for people interested in a custom-built home on an elm-tree-lined avenue, in one of Edmonton’s most desirable neighborhoods.

Three adjacent lots in Belgravia are available for people who want to build a new home designed for low environmental impact, accessibility, integration with the community, comfort, and healthy living.  Continue Reading →

I’m betting I’m not the only one who, whilst renovating a home that’s long on character and short on ecofeatures, has seriously wondered ‘why not build the ideal green home from scratch?’ This is the question on Chris’ and my mind while our nearly finished green kitchen lays idle.

As everyone knows, home renos take time – and lots of it. The best scenario for us would have been to do all our planning up front and then to take time off to do the reno. This works for some folks, but in our case taking time off is really difficult. Continue Reading →

Let’s face it. Not everyone is cut out for building and renovating. But don’t we all have the right to live in healthier, greener homes?

Fortunately, finding a house that offers important ecofeatures and healthy living spaces for your family is getting easier. Not only are builders catching on to buyer’s demands for more sustainable housing options, but green homes of all varieties are entering the market the world over.

Buying Your Dream Green Home
Green Homes for Sale woos visitors with the chance to acquire an their fantasy ecohome and a greener lifestyle to go with it. These green real estate listings are scattered throughout Canada, the United States, and the Americas, and are among the most creative and thoughtfully designed houses you’ll lay eyes on.           (Photo Source: Greenhomesforsale.com) Continue Reading →