Host a Slumgolian Friday

What is Slumgolian Friday?

Slumgolian Fridays are meals that are created with leftovers.

Why have a Slumgolian Night?

• Reduce food waste
• Minimize meal prep time after a long week

Check out these sites for inspiration:

• 11 Meals That Make Great Leftovers
• Everyday Leftovers Recipes
• GoodFood Recipes for Leftovers
• Jamie Oliver's Favorite Leftover Recipes
• Top Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes
• How to Freeze Leftovers

Using Plants to Improve the Air in Your House

During the winter months, the air in your house doesn't circulate or filter as well as the warmer months when you can leave your windows open.

Try adding a few of these plants to energize, beautify, and remove toxins from your home:

• Azaleas
• English Ivy
• Peace Lily
• Bamboo Palm
• Chinese Evergreen
• Aloe Vera
• Pelargonium
• Spider Plan
• Rubber Plant
• Snake Plant

Check out Collective Evolution for more information on how to improve the air quality in your house.

Mind Body Green has an excellent graphic on the benefits of decorating with low maintenance plants.

Is humidity a problem in your house?  Check out this list of humidity absorbing plants.

Winter blues got your down at work?  Check out these office plants that can boost your productivity.

Meatless Monday

What is Meatless Monday?

• One day a week, give up all meat during all meals.

Why should you participate in Meatless Mondays with your family?

 Environment:

• Studies show that meat production, particularly beef, creates more greenhouse gasses.  Meat produces 30kg of greenhouses gasses per kg of food vs. carrots (0.42), potatoes (0.45), and rics (1.3) per kg.
• Giving up meat for one day reduces greenhouse gasses more than shopping local.
• Minimize water usage.  It takes roughly 47 times more water to produce a pound of beef than a pound of vegetables.  

Health:

• Reduce heart disease and stroke.
• Limit cancer
• Curb obesity
• Fight diabetes

Your Wallet:

• Curb healthcare spending
• Reduce weekly food budget

For more information, check out the link below:

• www.meatlessmonday.com
• 5 Reasons Giving up Meat can Save the Planet (even if it's only once a week)

Meatless Recipes:

Check out some of our favorites:

• Wild Mushroom Risotto
• Black Bean Soup (Better than Panera!)
• Creamy French Lentils with Mushrooms and Kale
• Quinuoa Chili
• 28 Zuchini Noodle Recipes (#11, 14, and 19 are our favorites)
• Cauliflower Buffalo Wings
• Pasta and Spice Rice Balls

Add your favorites in the comments section below!

Reduce your Energy Bills and Recycle your Christmas Lights

Did you know?

• Americans spend about $233 million more on electricity during the Christmas Season.
• LED lights last 18,000-98,000 hours longer than incandescent lights.
• LED lights save an average of $112 per house during the holiday season on the electric bill.

Do you have old, unused, or broken Christmas lights? 

Don't throw them away!  Take your Christmas lights to any of the Great Parks OR  Hamilton County Recycling.  Check out their webpages for more information and location options.

Don't forget to save money and our landfills by using alternative gift wrap options.  Check out our earlier post to find great alternative gift wrapping ideas.

THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by during Welcome Sunday to check out our energy comparison light display.

LED lights: 0.11amps

Incandescent lights: 0.35amps 

Using LED lights can save roughly two thirds on your energy consumption.