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Chocolate & Zucchini

April 22, 2009

Help Plant Trees + Enter to Win A Reusable Shopping Bag

Today is the 39th edition of Earth Day, an international event created to celebrate that blue planet of ours, and raise awareness about environmental issues.

As I explained in this recent Q&A, I have grown more and more environmentally conscious over the past few years: without being completely obsessed with the topic, I do my best to educate myself, make informed choices, and limit the impact of my actions on the environment. I hope this reduce, reuse, recycle philosophy comes through year-round in my writing, and I wasn't really planning anything specific to mark Earth Day on C&Z.

Ripple AfricaBut then Eva, the young co-founder of flip & tumble, the California company that makes the reusable shopping bags I use and love to use, contacted me about partnering to raise funds for Ripple Africa's reforestation campaign in Malawi, and I said yes.

Here's the deal: for every person who leaves a comment* at the bottom of this post, flip & tumble will fund the planting of a tree in one of the community nurseries that Ripple Africa is working to build, and I will match that donation with my own. So just go to the comment box, type "Plant trees for me!" (and whatever you want to add) and two trees will be planted.

Flip & TumbleIn addition to this, Eva is offering to give away ten reusable shopping bags, and I've decided to turn it into a little contest. I'd like to invite you to submit your best green tip -- especially one that's food- or cooking-related -- through this form. I'll pick my ten favorites, and their submitters will receive a bag each in the mail. You can participate regardless of where in the world you live -- this is Earth day after all -- but be sure to enter your email address correctly so I can contact you if you win.

You have until the very last seconds of April 22 -- until midnight GMT-12, i.e. until 1pm Paris time on April 23 -- to leave your tree-planting comment below and to submit your best green tip for a chance to win a lovely and handy reusable shopping bag.

Update: The comments and contest are now closed, and the results will be announced next week.

Thank you for participating!

* To prevent abuse, only one comment per IP address will be accepted.

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 Print me! |  Comments (491)
Permalink | Posted by clotilde in Green Kitchen - [nopic]
 Comments (491)

Plant trees for me!

Spread the green love (:

Posted by tian on April 22, 2009 9:36 AM

Plant trees for me please!
When buying Basil plants from the supermarket make sure you don't pick the top leaves, that way they will last for ages, and keep growing.

Posted by Hannah Lister on April 22, 2009 9:42 AM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by flamenco on April 22, 2009 9:49 AM

Plant trees for me!

Happy Earth Day!

Posted by Carrie on April 22, 2009 9:57 AM

Plant trees for me!

What a great way to "celebrate" Earth Day!

Posted by Sas on April 22, 2009 9:57 AM

Plant trees for me too!

Posted by Clea on April 22, 2009 10:01 AM

Plant trees for me too :)
What a nice idea!

Posted by Carole on April 22, 2009 10:07 AM

Great idea! Plant trees for me too!

Posted by Bentina on April 22, 2009 10:09 AM

Please plant a tree for me!

Posted by Yasmine on April 22, 2009 10:10 AM

Great way to help, Clotilde! I re-tweeted you :) That's two trees for me, thanks!!

(PS: I love Flip & Tumble!)

Posted by Sara, Ms. Adventures in Italy on April 22, 2009 10:13 AM

Plant trees for me as well!

Posted by Anna on April 22, 2009 10:14 AM

Plant trees for me!

My Green Tip:
Try to bring your own reusable silverware when you go out to eat or picnic. In Taiwan, you'll see people carrying their own chopsticks anywhere. At least you know the utensils are clean and it lessens the amount of trash on Earth.

Posted by zazie on April 22, 2009 10:14 AM

Please, plant trees for me too!

Posted by Francesca on April 22, 2009 10:15 AM

Plant trees for me...
Thanks!

Posted by William on April 22, 2009 10:16 AM

Lovely - plant some trees for me :)

Posted by Anne on April 22, 2009 10:19 AM

palnt trees for me!

Posted by felix on April 22, 2009 10:22 AM

Plant trees for me!

I adore this site.

Posted by drew foster on April 22, 2009 10:23 AM

Plant a tree for me.

Shopping bags really are an easy symbolic start to a sustainable and conscious lifestyle. I am unfortunatelly appalled at the lack of acceptance of such a practice everytime I'm at the grocery store.

Hopefully this blog entry convinces a few more readers to break out of lad bad habits.

Posted by Joel on April 22, 2009 10:27 AM

Please plant trees for me, too. :-)

Posted by Cindy on April 22, 2009 10:27 AM

Plant a tree for me.

Great idea and well done for taking the trouble.

Posted by varske on April 22, 2009 10:28 AM

Good idea, let's plant a tree!

Posted by Jantien on April 22, 2009 10:30 AM

Plant trees for me!

Green Tip: Plan your menus! The biggest waste of food is all the good stuff you end up throwing away.

Posted by K. Hecht on April 22, 2009 10:34 AM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Green on April 22, 2009 10:36 AM

Plant a tree for me !

(what a great idea...)

Posted by Nic on April 22, 2009 10:36 AM

This is a great idea, Clotilde. Please plant a tree for me too.

Posted by Fatou on April 22, 2009 10:37 AM

Plant trees for me, please! What a good and simple idea :)

Posted by Gerda on April 22, 2009 10:40 AM

Plant trees for me!
My super-easy green tip is just to compost! Egg shells, food scraps, banana peels... saves so much landfill space and good for the garden.

Also just give up on paper towels. We don't buy any in my flat (partly because we're poor students), and I didn't even notice for a while... cloths work just as well and produce so much less waste.
Yay earth!

Posted by Gina on April 22, 2009 10:41 AM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Oscar on April 22, 2009 10:47 AM

How cool! Yes, I would be thrilled for a tree to be planted just because of this little comment.

Happy Earth Day!

Posted by Robin on April 22, 2009 10:53 AM

Plant trees for me!

What a great idea. Happy Earth Day, all!

Posted by Kayla on April 22, 2009 11:00 AM

Plant trees for me!

One of the joys of my present workplace is that even though it's in London, there are plenty of trees around.

Posted by Rosie on April 22, 2009 11:02 AM

plant a tree for me! thanks clotilde
xx

Posted by est on April 22, 2009 11:10 AM

Plant trees for me!

What a good idea, this.

Posted by Kisane on April 22, 2009 11:14 AM

Glad to help trees getting planted! Happy Earth Day!

Posted by Betsy on April 22, 2009 11:16 AM

Plant trees for me!

What a great idea! Reusable shopping bags are the best - stylish and utilitarian. Thanks for the great Earth Day effort!

Posted by Caroline on April 22, 2009 11:17 AM

Plant trees for me!
Part of living in Germany that I really appreciate is the ease of recycling, from green point to organic materials. It doesn't quite make up for the bad food, but it helps:).

Posted by G on April 22, 2009 11:18 AM

Plant trees for me, please!

Posted by Mrs Redboots on April 22, 2009 11:21 AM

Plant trees for me - thank you!

Posted by zoe on April 22, 2009 11:40 AM

a tree, please. plant one for me!

Posted by kalisa on April 22, 2009 11:42 AM

Plant a tree for me, too!

...and I think I'll buy one of those adorable bags, too.

Posted by Katherine on April 22, 2009 11:50 AM

Plant a tree for me!

My favorite green eating tip is to use reusable napkins. Not only do they reduce waste, but they also make the meal feel fancier. :)

Posted by Dallas on April 22, 2009 11:58 AM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Inge on April 22, 2009 12:06 PM

Plant trees for me!

I will be planting a tree myself here in the Aude if it ever stops raining!

Posted by Syrahsuzie on April 22, 2009 12:14 PM

plant trees for me! Thanks :)

Posted by Emma on April 22, 2009 12:21 PM

plant trees for me!

I bring my own lunch to work in reusable containers, and bring my own silverware & plate from which to eat it also so that I can wash & reuse them.

Posted by bibliothecaire on April 22, 2009 12:21 PM

Plant trees for me!
What an easy way to help make a difference.

Posted by Caitlin on April 22, 2009 12:22 PM

Plant trees for me!

Green tip: MAKE SOUP. There's almost nothing that can't be made into soup rather than being thrown out (unless it's really mouldy or slimy). If you don't want soup straight away, freeze it in single portion reusable containers.

Posted by Lola on April 22, 2009 12:22 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by sheila on April 22, 2009 12:25 PM

Trees rock! Wish I could plant one myself this year.

Posted by Kathryn on April 22, 2009 12:26 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Laurence on April 22, 2009 12:33 PM

what a lovely idea! plant trees for me too!

Posted by alessia on April 22, 2009 12:35 PM

please plant trees for me!
Great generous idea.

Posted by kana on April 22, 2009 12:36 PM

Plant me a tree too, please!

Posted by Becky on April 22, 2009 12:40 PM

plant a tree for me!

Posted by Tina on April 22, 2009 12:42 PM

Plant trees for me, too!

Posted by psn on April 22, 2009 12:50 PM

Plant a tree for me! Please!

Posted by Cat on April 22, 2009 12:53 PM

Please plant trees for me!

Posted by Marci on April 22, 2009 12:58 PM

Yes, an order of Malawi trees for me too, fresh and green!
That's so great, Clotilde. You and Eva are doing something awesome.

Posted by Vitor P. on April 22, 2009 1:10 PM

Plant trees for me!

My favorite green food tip is to shop locally at my farmer's markets. Not only does it save gasoline in transporting the fruits and veggies but most of it is organic, fresher, riper and more fully flavored and at the same or better prices than the local grocery stores. Plus it supports local farmers and organic farming in general.

This is a great idea, thanks and Happy Earth Day to all!

Posted by Monica on April 22, 2009 1:10 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Maggie on April 22, 2009 1:12 PM

Plant trees for me too!

Congratulations for doing this.

Posted by Camille on April 22, 2009 1:20 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Laura on April 22, 2009 1:21 PM

Thanks for planting trees for me!

My tip, which can be applied to any place or situation: "Leave it better than you found it"

Posted by Auntie M'ellen on April 22, 2009 1:21 PM

Please plant a tree for me.

Posted by J Green on April 22, 2009 1:25 PM

Plant trees for me!
thank you!

Posted by granuaile on April 22, 2009 1:28 PM

Plant trees for me!

Green tip:
Eat more veggies (locally grown)! And when you prepare beets, don't discard the greens - they're the most nutritious part. Prevent the waste, and use them as you would spinach.

Posted by alison on April 22, 2009 1:29 PM

plant a tree for me...great idea!

Posted by laura on April 22, 2009 1:32 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Caitlin on April 22, 2009 1:33 PM

Plant trees for me! What a fabulous idea. Thanks for offering this wonderful opportunity on Earth Day :-)

Posted by Beth on April 22, 2009 1:42 PM

Plant a tree for me. It's a wonderful offer.

Posted by Nath on April 22, 2009 1:42 PM

As a Wisconsin girl(where Earth Day started) I have a special fondness for Earth Day. Plant a tree for me too!

Posted by Gail on April 22, 2009 1:43 PM

Plant a tree for me!

Thanks for doing this.

Posted by Janel Callon on April 22, 2009 1:46 PM

Plant trees for me!

If your community doesn't recycle milk cartons, try using them as cutting boards. Just cut them so they're flat, and use the inside as the cutting surface.

I also reuse those styrofoam meat trays by portioning foods I want to freeze onto them. Once food is frozen, I remove it from the tray and vacuum pack it. Wash the trays very well before using, however, and spray with a mild bleach solution (and/or line with parchment, aluminum foil, or if you must, plastic wrap)!

Posted by Rona Y on April 22, 2009 1:46 PM

Plant trees for me! Thanks!

Green Tip:
Bring your own Green Snacks! I buy a tub of organic oatmeal that I bring to work with me and I eat it for at least one snack a day. That's one less plastic tub of yogurt, one less plastic spoon, one less plastic bag, one less banana that needs to be brought in from Brazil, etc. Sometimes I'll have it as two snacks a day that means....
(Also, tub of oatmeal = $4
% 20 days of snacks = $0.20/day or yogurt + banana = $3 x 2/day = $6.00/day, easy savings!)

Posted by Stephen on April 22, 2009 1:51 PM

plant a tree for me!

Posted by Autumn on April 22, 2009 1:52 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Christine on April 22, 2009 1:54 PM

Please plant a tree for me!

My best green tip? Start an allotment (you can share it with some friends if you don't have enough spare time) and grow your own veggies! You can also use your balcony to plant things like tomaties and all kinds of herbs. This way, you don't have to purchase everything in supermarkets etc., saving money and having lots of fresh produce!

Posted by Karen on April 22, 2009 1:54 PM

plant a couple of trees for me too!

as for the green tip: cook your pasta in souce (or in small quantity of water) instead of in litres of water - you'll save a lot of energy that way, and pasta will be delicious!

Posted by napo on April 22, 2009 1:54 PM

Plant trees for me!!

Beautiful ideas make for a beautiful planet :)

Posted by msue on April 22, 2009 2:00 PM

Plant a tree for me!

At home, we always plant a summer garden to enjoy homefresh foods throughout the season.
All waste is composted so that we can add it back into the Earth!
I also strongly encourage friends to use the local markets that have just opened up for the season - local fresh produce - much better than the supermarket!

Posted by stephanie on April 22, 2009 2:02 PM

plant trees for me! thanks!!
my best tip is to *remember the obvious*: turn off the lights when you leave the room, unplug chargers when not in use, radio or tv not both.

Posted by jonquil on April 22, 2009 2:02 PM

Please plant a tree for me, too.

By the time I had scrolled down to the bottom of the comments, "plant a tree" was so firmly embedded in my head that I will do it today.

Thanks for a great site.

Posted by Jan on April 22, 2009 2:04 PM

Plant trees for me! How fabulous!

And my newest green venture/tip is building a worm composter. We're digging a bottom-less trash barrel a few inches into the ground, adding in some worms from the local fishing bait shop, and we put our kitchen scraps in there. The worms are supposed to eat up the garbage and make compost faster than regular composting methods would.

Posted by Jennifer on April 22, 2009 2:04 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by MCA on April 22, 2009 2:05 PM

I've never commented before but this seems like a good cause.. great blog, by the way.

Posted by me on April 22, 2009 2:07 PM

Please plant a tree (or 2) for me! Thanks!

Posted by Ariel on April 22, 2009 2:09 PM

Please plant trees for me!

Posted by Sonja on April 22, 2009 2:09 PM

Plant trees for me! Thank you!

Posted by jo_L on April 22, 2009 2:10 PM

Please plant some trees for me!

My tip: I have coffee every morning, but rather than buying a cup on my way to work, I make it and take it in a travel mug. I'm saving money and waste that way!

Posted by Carolyn on April 22, 2009 2:11 PM

Please plant a tree for me! Happy Earth Day!

Posted by Carley on April 22, 2009 2:14 PM

Plant trees for me! Thanks Eva and Clotilde!

Posted by E. on April 22, 2009 2:15 PM

Plant a tree for me, please and thank you!

Lovely idea

Posted by Ailbhe on April 22, 2009 2:16 PM

Plant trees for me! Thank you alerting us to this Clotilde.

Posted by Lynnie on April 22, 2009 2:16 PM

Plant trees for me too!

Posted by Seamy on April 22, 2009 2:16 PM

Plant a tree for me. And one for my 17 months old daughter, Sarah.

Posted by Winnie on April 22, 2009 2:18 PM

Thank you for the opportunity.

Posted by Nicholas on April 22, 2009 2:19 PM

Plant a tree for me please! :)

Posted by Sarah on April 22, 2009 2:19 PM

More trees please!

Posted by Lisa on April 22, 2009 2:23 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Stephanie on April 22, 2009 2:24 PM

What kind of tree (not that it matters, just a question)

Posted by britt on April 22, 2009 2:26 PM

Plant a tree for me - I'll plant one at the local high school in your honor. The Garden Club is
doing some clean up and planting
this weekend.

cheers

Caroline

Posted by Caroline on April 22, 2009 2:28 PM

Plant trees for me! What a great way to celebrate Earth Day :)

Posted by Alexandra on April 22, 2009 2:29 PM

Please plant a tree for me also. The forest will love you for it ...

Posted by Forest Green on April 22, 2009 2:30 PM

what a great idea - plant a tree for me. I submitted my green tip too - grow your own herbs and stop buying forced, plastic wraped, expensive ones from the supermarket. Recycle loo roll holders as seed trays.

Posted by claire on April 22, 2009 2:31 PM

What a lovely idea for Earth Day! Plant a tree for me too please. Thanks.

Posted by Sadie Lewis on April 22, 2009 2:31 PM

Thank you for doing this! I really appreciate your contribution to Earth Day. :)

Posted by Heather on April 22, 2009 2:32 PM

I love trees - plant two for me!

Posted by Louise on April 22, 2009 2:37 PM

Plant trees for me!
Spring makes me happy, and I'd love to spread the just-blooming joy!

Posted by joanna on April 22, 2009 2:38 PM

Plant trees for me !
Happy Earth Day !

Posted by Mélanie on April 22, 2009 2:38 PM

Plant trees for me too!

Tip: Every six months or so, go a week or two without grocery shopping. This will force you to use up some of your pantry items that you *had* to have, but then languish, and eventually get old and need to be thrown out. No fair buying extra groceries before your use-it-up week(s).

Posted by AM on April 22, 2009 2:42 PM

Wow! What a wonderful thing to do for Earth Day. Please plant a tree for me, too!

Posted by Linda on April 22, 2009 2:44 PM

Plant a tree for me too!

Posted by Sade on April 22, 2009 2:46 PM

Thank you all for your enthusiastic response!

In response to Britt's question above, the Ripple Africa website explains that they are "planting a combination of indigenous, exotic and fruit trees."

Posted by clotilde on April 22, 2009 2:47 PM
 

Plant a tree for me!

This spring, I have planted zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, and herbs: this will let me avoid trucked-in produce for much of the summer.

Posted by Allison on April 22, 2009 2:49 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by John on April 22, 2009 2:49 PM

Oooh, plant trees for me, too!

Posted by Adrienne on April 22, 2009 2:50 PM

Plant some trees for me, too, please!

Posted by Lisa on April 22, 2009 2:50 PM

Plant a tree for me. Happy Earth Day. :-)

Posted by JacquiL on April 22, 2009 2:52 PM

what a lovely idea! please plant one for me too!

Posted by lynne on April 22, 2009 2:52 PM

tree? squeee!

Posted by hoppzor on April 22, 2009 2:57 PM

Plant a tree for me!

Yay Earth!

Posted by step on April 22, 2009 2:58 PM

Plant trees for me!
Great initiative!

Posted by Domniki on April 22, 2009 2:58 PM

Plant some trees for me!

Posted by Laura on April 22, 2009 3:01 PM

Wow, I've read for awhile without commenting, but this is wonderful and I had to. Plant a tree for me, please!

Posted by Ariel on April 22, 2009 3:08 PM

Plant trees for me too.
Thanks.

Posted by Carine on April 22, 2009 3:09 PM

Yes! Please go ahead and plant a tree for me.

Posted by Christine on April 22, 2009 3:09 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Sarah on April 22, 2009 3:11 PM

Plant trees for me!

My tip is this: When you buy in bulk at a store, bring your own jars or containers to put things like tea, honey, pasta, coffee, spices, etc. We re-use jelly jars and sauce jars. They also make great containers in which to store leftovers, travel food (like a picnic), or even dry goods.

Thanks for doing this!

Posted by Lacey on April 22, 2009 3:15 PM

Plant trees for me!

My tip is this: When you buy in bulk at a store, bring your own jars or containers to put things like tea, honey, pasta, coffee, spices, etc. We re-use jelly jars and sauce jars. They also make great containers in which to store leftovers, travel food (like a picnic), or even dry goods.

Thanks for doing this!

laceynwilliams at gmail dot com

Posted by Lacey on April 22, 2009 3:15 PM

Plant a tree for me!

I love this blog, but I have never commented before. This is the best possible reason to start!

Posted by Cecilia on April 22, 2009 3:15 PM

How generous of you both!

My green tips: buy groceries in quantities that you will use, without wasting food or resources, and shop for seasonal produce!

Posted by Elena on April 22, 2009 3:17 PM

Plant a tree for me!
and thanks for posting all these awesome recipes; I keep checking back daily and am never disappointed. :)

Posted by Katie on April 22, 2009 3:18 PM

Plant trees with me!

Lets make this planet a better place for the future generations!

Posted by Melanie on April 22, 2009 3:19 PM

Plant trees for me, please!

For those of us who are meat-eaters, I recommend making a commitment to eating meat at only one meal per day at the most. That way you can practice making some yummy vegetarian meals (and cooking with inexpensive proteins like beans and tofu), and you can feel good about spending more money on locally and humanely-raised meats, since you'll be eating less of them.

Posted by Meghan on April 22, 2009 3:19 PM

Plant trees for me!

Happy Earth Day!

Posted by Catherine on April 22, 2009 3:20 PM

Plant Trees For Me!!!!

We need the green for oxygen to breathe and shade and beauty!!!

Posted by Kathy on April 22, 2009 3:21 PM

I'm a regular reader but this is the first time I've commented. Trees are a good enough motivation to comment.

Posted by Vidya on April 22, 2009 3:21 PM

trees please! what a great idea!

Posted by Tory on April 22, 2009 3:23 PM

Plant a tree for me.

And save random food bags (chips? flour? cereal box liners?) for the used cat litter, since you're no longer getting plastic grocery bags.

Posted by Joan on April 22, 2009 3:24 PM

plant trees for me!

and if i happen to win, i already have some reusable bags(hand-made), so please give my bags to the person in second place. : )

Posted by franko on April 22, 2009 3:24 PM

Plant trees for me too!

Posted by Clint on April 22, 2009 3:26 PM

Plant trees for me

Thanks so much!

Posted by mary ann on April 22, 2009 3:26 PM

Yeah - plant a tree foe me please!

My green tip: walk into town, use the local market instead of the huge conglomerate supermarkets and only buy what's in season - but grow as much of your own food as you can. (I don't always succeed in this...but I do TRY!)

Posted by Liz - aka Nutty Gnome on April 22, 2009 3:26 PM

Plant a tree for me! Thanks!

Posted by Kat Currier on April 22, 2009 3:29 PM

plant trees for me!

I eat quite a bit of chobani yogurt and what I do is I don't throw away the container I use them to store small left overs or I use to to put my snacks! They are so durable!

Posted by noodlegirl on April 22, 2009 3:29 PM

plant trees for me!

I eat quite a bit of chobani yogurt and what I do is I don't throw away the container I use them to store small left overs or I use to to put my snacks! They are so durable!

Posted by noodlegirl on April 22, 2009 3:30 PM

Plant trees for me! Pretty please!!

Posted by Rachel Joseph on April 22, 2009 3:30 PM

Please plant trees for me.

Posted by sybil Margaritis on April 22, 2009 3:31 PM

Trees are great! My husband & I planted trees instead of giving wedding favours - and on our 1st anniversary we visited some of "our" trees.

My green tip - sign up to your local Community Supported Agriculture scheme. You'll be helping small (and often organic) farmers survive, and you'll get fresh, tasty food - with no supermarket profit margin attached!


Posted by Melanie Bennett on April 22, 2009 3:31 PM

Plant a tree for the world because we need them.
Joe Borlee

Posted by Joe Borlee on April 22, 2009 3:34 PM

Plant trees for me (but really for the future generations)

Posted by Ms.Cleaver on April 22, 2009 3:35 PM

Please plant a tree for me!

Posted by Linda on April 22, 2009 3:36 PM

Plant a tree for me too please!

Green tip:
Find a local farm & purchase a share! Not only will you be supporting local business and sustainable living, every week you'll have new varieties of the very freshest fruits & veggies to cook with!

Posted by Jen on April 22, 2009 3:36 PM

Thank you for planting trees! Happy Earth Day!

Posted by carrie on April 22, 2009 3:40 PM

I LOVE those bags and was actually thinking about doing a giveaway for them on my blog next week. Seriously, some of those reusable bags can be so ugly and uncomfy, but theses ones are amazing. My best green tip is definitely to use those bags. I'm at the grocery store basically non-stop, so I feel like I'm doing my part in bringing my own bags!

Posted by Sues on April 22, 2009 3:41 PM

Plant trees for me!

Happy Earth Day!

Posted by Jennifer on April 22, 2009 3:42 PM

Plant trees for me, please!
Here's a little water-saving and nutrient-gaining tip. When you steam vegetables or soak beans and lentils, don't drain the water. Reuse the water. With the beans and lentils you can use it as cooking liquid and with the vegetables, you can use it make light broths or use in soups. This way you don't waste water and you retain all the nutrients in the food.

Posted by Sangeetha Sarma on April 22, 2009 3:43 PM

When buying kitchen gadgets and appliances, look for ones that can be used for more than one purpose. At times this requires creativity on the many uses of any single kitchen tools... maybe this can also a be a blog topic :)

Posted by Sibora on April 22, 2009 3:45 PM

This is an excellent idea - thanks for planting a tree for me!

A tip I just learned this morning : Reduce our consumption of red meat! A recent Japanese study in the Animal Science Journal found that the greenhouse gases generated in the production of a kilogram of beef were roughly equivalent to the environmental impact of driving for three hours and leaving all the lights on at home. And of course all the other personal health benefits of limiting red meat in our diets.

Posted by Mary on April 22, 2009 3:45 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Claire on April 22, 2009 3:45 PM

"Plant trees for me!" What a great project!

Posted by Erin on April 22, 2009 3:45 PM

what a great idea ... please plant a tree for me!

Posted by couchpapaya on April 22, 2009 3:46 PM

Plant trees for me!
I like trees :)

Posted by Victoria on April 22, 2009 3:52 PM

Plant trees for me!

(This is an awesome idea; thanks to both of you!)

Posted by Colin on April 22, 2009 3:53 PM

Plant trees for me! Thanks, great idea!!

Posted by Susan on April 22, 2009 3:54 PM

Hi! Please plant a tree for me as well. Thank you :)

Posted by Amy on April 22, 2009 3:55 PM

Please plant a tree for me!

My tip: try to make as many of your cleaning products as possible! I recently decided to make my own cleaner for wood floors- vinegar + water + a few drops of essential oils. :)

Posted by Jennifer H on April 22, 2009 3:56 PM

Plant trees for me!
This is great!

Come the first taste of spring I bike/walk everywhere NEVER drive. Only get the things i need! Less waste, more activity and using the planet in the way it is meant to be used! :) One world. ROck on Mother Earth!

Posted by Meg on April 22, 2009 3:57 PM

Plant a tree for me, please, and thank you for this Earth Day, and thanks to our Mother Earth.

Posted by Mari on April 22, 2009 4:04 PM

Plant lots of trees!

Posted by Arianna on April 22, 2009 4:06 PM

Plant trees for me, and thanks for doing this!

Posted by Daniel on April 22, 2009 4:06 PM

Plant a tree for me please!!! My kids and I are planting basil, cucumber, tomatoes, corn, peas and dill this year.

Happy Earth Day!

Posted by Mixing Bowl Mama on April 22, 2009 4:07 PM

Plant a Tree for me! Thanks so much!!!

Posted by Jess on April 22, 2009 4:08 PM

More Trees Please!

Posted by Rosemary on April 22, 2009 4:11 PM

Plant trees for me!
Happy Earth Day!

Posted by Melina on April 22, 2009 4:13 PM

Plant a tree for me too!

My tip: when I use the oven, I try to maximize its energy use by cooking more than one thing. I'll throw a foil-wrapped head of garlic in to roast or a couple or potatoes for another time. This saves energy (and time later!)

Posted by Becca Rice on April 22, 2009 4:14 PM

What a great idea. Please plant some trees for me, as well.

And thank you for doing this!

Posted by KLM on April 22, 2009 4:16 PM

Plant trees for me!

What a wonderful thing for you, and flip & tumble, to do!

Posted by dema on April 22, 2009 4:17 PM

I would take a tree planted in Malawi.
My favorite green advice is to simply grow a vegetable garden and don't let the produce go to waste. Roll up your sleeves and preserve them by canning and freezing (there are tons of tutorials and instructions online that are easy to follow) or simply share with neighbors and charitable food organizations! My second favorite is taking reusable dishes camping instead of disposable. Heating dishwater on the fire & drying dishes in fresh, warm sunshine is such a satisfying feeling!

Posted by Tamra Coughlin on April 22, 2009 4:17 PM

fantastic idea, please plant trees for me!

Posted by julie on April 22, 2009 4:17 PM

plant trees for me!!

Posted by Mandy on April 22, 2009 4:18 PM

This is brilliant!

Posted by t.r. wexler on April 22, 2009 4:18 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Jillian on April 22, 2009 4:19 PM

I think this is lovely...

Please plant trees for me :)

Posted by Megan on April 22, 2009 4:19 PM

Plants trees for me! Love this idea- Happy Earth Day!

Posted by fresh365 on April 22, 2009 4:22 PM

Plant a tree for me! I compost my vegetable scraps, and zest and dry or freeze my citrus peels to use in future recipes. Keep your chicken carcasses and make stock, then pick the meat off to use in soup or pot pies.

Posted by Kate on April 22, 2009 4:24 PM

Plant some trees for me too.

Posted by Melissa on April 22, 2009 4:28 PM

Please plant a tree for me too.

My green tip: If you are planning on boiling something in a pot on the stove (eg pasta), heat the water in a kettle first as this uses less energy.

Posted by Norah P on April 22, 2009 4:33 PM

Plant trees for me, please!!

Merci Clotilde, et bonne chance!

Posted by Wyn on April 22, 2009 4:33 PM

Plant trees for me!

Thank you for your initiative!

My tip:
Stop buying plastic wrapped cheese. Bring your own container or have them wrap it in waxed or parchment paper - if they don't have that, ask for it, so they know you do care! The organic supermarket in my neighborhood recently has changed from fake (plastic-foil lined) paper to real waxed paper (which, btw, feels lovely when you deal with it).
Another aspect of plastic wrapped cheese: research has shown that plasticizers can leach into food on contact - especially food with a high fat content - and can mimic or interfere with hormones in your body (see this article).

Posted by Martina on April 22, 2009 4:34 PM

plant trees for me!
excellent!

Posted by Kathryn on April 22, 2009 4:34 PM

Plant a tree for me.

This is absolutely incredible. The company I work for is also doing something for Earth Day. Save a tree and 40% off our ebooks (for those interested in Web Development).

http://www.peachpit.com/earthday

Thank you again for doing this!

Posted by Kara on April 22, 2009 4:38 PM

What a great idea. Me too, plant a tree!

Posted by Kelly Brantley on April 22, 2009 4:39 PM

Plant a tree for me!

Tip: when we get down to little bits of various ingredients I challenge my husband Iron Chef style to turn them into a meal. Waste not, want not!

Posted by Nicole M on April 22, 2009 4:40 PM

Hi
Please plant a tree for me !
Very, very great idea thanks for that ! And happy Earth Day ^_^

Posted by Le Boudoir Gourmand on April 22, 2009 4:42 PM

Plant trees for me! Great idea. Thanks as always for your inspiring blog.

Posted by Gwendolyn on April 22, 2009 4:45 PM

we really should all pay attention not only to what chemicals are in our food but also what chemicals we put ON our bodies with beaty products....GO GREEN

Posted by vickie on April 22, 2009 4:47 PM

My favorite way to be eco-friendly in the kitchen is to save all possible packaging: deli containers, produce bags, twist ties, etc. Even the ziploc holding tortillas isn't safe. I use them to store leftovers or to take lunch to work, or just to send home full of food with family and friends. I never would have guessed how handy that cupboard of reused packaging could be.

Oh, and plant a tree for me.

Posted by Kate on April 22, 2009 4:48 PM

Please plant a tree for me!!!! :)

Posted by jennsquared on April 22, 2009 4:49 PM

Plant trees for me!

What a very good partnership. Great idea and thank you for doing this!

Posted by Annie on April 22, 2009 4:50 PM

Plant a tree for me!

Posted by Carole on April 22, 2009 4:50 PM

What a wonderful idea! Please plant a tree for me.

Posted by Heather on April 22, 2009 4:51 PM

Yay! Plant a tree for me! I grew up recycling, and now I'm married to a soon-to-graduate landscape architecture student, and he's learned, over 5 years, much more about taking care of the environment. One earth-friendly idea (I got from the NY Times) is to not pre-boil pasta water. Put your pasta in the pot, fill to cover just a little over the pasta, then boil. We tried it and not only does the pasta come out fine, but you save water, some energy, and you have this fantastic thick pasta water that makes sauces creamier. yum!

Posted by Anna on April 22, 2009 4:51 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by scaaty on April 22, 2009 4:52 PM

Plant trees for me! What a great project - thank you Flip and Tumble. My tip is to keep your reuseable grocery bags where ever they will be used again (in your car, on your bike, etc.)

Posted by christine on April 22, 2009 4:52 PM

Plant trees for me!! How wonderful!

(I've been a lurker for years and I adore your blog and book!)

Posted by Libby on April 22, 2009 4:57 PM

Please plant a tree for me!
We like to turn over-the-hill apples, the ones that are getting a little soft and wrinkly, into applesauce - quarter and cook with about an inch of water in a saucepan until soft, run through a food mill to puree and get rid of skins and seeds. If you don't sweeten it, it makes great baby food and oatmeal toppings and keeps the fruit from going to waste because you were a slacker about eating them.

Posted by meg on April 22, 2009 4:57 PM

Plant Trees for Me!

No revolutionary tips, but I am deployed in Iraq and realize first hand how precious water is. Turn off that faucet while brushing your teeth!

Posted by Kate on April 22, 2009 4:59 PM

Tree
Tree
Tree
Tree
Yay!

Posted by Truc on April 22, 2009 4:59 PM

PLANT TREES FOR ME!!!

Posted by Ashley Phillips on April 22, 2009 5:00 PM

Plant me some trees!

Posted by Emily on April 22, 2009 5:02 PM

More trees - yes!
My green tip - I talk with people when I'm buying what's on sale in the produce aisle - share recipes I'm going to make and ask them what they're going to cook - then we both have multiple recipes to not waste what we bought. Sometimes people are throwing away the best parts!

Posted by sillygirl on April 22, 2009 5:04 PM

Plant trees for me too!

Posted by carolyn on April 22, 2009 5:06 PM

Please plant a tree for me! Here in Alaska the developers first cut down all the trees, then build on plain earth, landslides to come.....
Plant trees!!

Posted by Kay on April 22, 2009 5:06 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Katie on April 22, 2009 5:07 PM

Plant trees for me!

Many people are recommending carrying your own reusable silverware for lunches, takeout, etc. I got a set of To-Go Ware for Christmas this year, and it's been the best.

Posted by KT on April 22, 2009 5:08 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Steve Barron on April 22, 2009 5:09 PM

I love trees - I say please plant them for all of our sakes!

Merci, Clotilde!

Posted by Barbara on April 22, 2009 5:09 PM

Plants trees for me!

What a great idea.

Posted by theVeganVagabond on April 22, 2009 5:12 PM

Plant trees for me, please!
My tip is to put little notes on my car door, house door, etc. reminding me to take my reusable bags with me to the store. I find it is one thing to have the bags, another to remember to use them!

Posted by Deborah Sampson on April 22, 2009 5:13 PM

Plant a tree for me! It's still Earth Day in North America. I've loved Earth Day, even before it became my daughter's birthday. In addition to all the wonderful green tips already posted, I'll add one about laundry. If you don't have the space to air dry outdoors (or if you have asthma and need to avoid pollen), get a wooden, collapsible rack for indoor use. You can finish with a few minutes in the dryer to fluff out your clothes and you save on electricity. Also, washing in cold water is fine for all but the most oily of stains.

Posted by Hannah on April 22, 2009 5:14 PM

Please plant trees for me.

Posted by Tara on April 22, 2009 5:15 PM

i love this...
plant a tree for me!
green tip: use eco-friendly cleaning products. they may be a bit more expensive -i get them when they go on sale- but they're so much better for the environment... and you! and don't forget you can clean almost everything very efficiently with vinegar. (mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle.) bonus: use clean rags instead of paper towels.

Posted by beyond on April 22, 2009 5:15 PM

Plant trees for me too, please!

My green tip? Worms eat most of my kitchen garbage - vermicomposting, baby.

Also, I am currently blowing my nose in cloth handkerchiefs. No more disgusting than paper ones, but much more reusable.

Posted by Julie on April 22, 2009 5:15 PM

Plant a tree for me

Great idea.

Posted by hSara on April 22, 2009 5:15 PM

Plant trees for me!
Here's a green tip from Brooklyn: second hand is just as good as new!

Posted by Audrey on April 22, 2009 5:17 PM

Plant trees for me!!

Recycling is great - but don't forget the other 2 Rs:

Reduce and Re-use, people!!

Happy Earth Day...lets make every day Earth Day.

Posted by Sharon on April 22, 2009 5:21 PM

Plants trees for me!

Posted by David on April 22, 2009 5:22 PM

plant a tree for me!

green tip: ice cube trays are great for freezing leftover ingredients (e.g., when a recipe calls for yolks, you can freeze the whites; leftover wine)... those components always come up again in other recipes, and then you have them ready to go!

Posted by cariden on April 22, 2009 5:22 PM

Plant trees for me! :)

Posted by edina on April 22, 2009 5:23 PM

I hope my tree is a fruit tree.

Posted by Grant on April 22, 2009 5:24 PM

Plant trees for me!

From what I know, dish washing machines are more green because they consume less water, energy and soap, so buy one (no, i don't sell dishwashers :) ). In fact I am really curious if this is the case.

Posted by Irina on April 22, 2009 5:24 PM

happy earth day! this is great...plant some trees for me too!

Posted by Mindy on April 22, 2009 5:24 PM

plant trees for me too!

Posted by Angelina on April 22, 2009 5:25 PM

Plant trees for me! When I die, that is what I my funeral program to say!!

Posted by Ruth on April 22, 2009 5:25 PM

Plant a tree for me please!

my favorite green foodie tip is to have a functional garden space to grow fresh herbs, veggies or even fruits. I live in a house with my american parents who will NOT! have part of their yard dug up for a garden, so I went to home depot and bought large planters and seeds, as well as a few cherry tomato bushes. i can't wait to be able to make fresh caprese salads in july!

Posted by andi orourke on April 22, 2009 5:27 PM

Plant trees for me!!!
Happy Earth Day, Clotilde, and great job!

Posted by Alice on April 22, 2009 5:27 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by katherine on April 22, 2009 5:27 PM

Plant trees for me, too!

My favorite tip isn't necessarily food-related, but it's made from items you should already have in your panty. Almost all of my cleaning products are homemade with baking soda, white vinegar, borax and/or castille soap. All these things are environmentally friendly, as well as pet- and person-friendly! And all my cleaners are easy to make - and safe around food!

Posted by Kate on April 22, 2009 5:28 PM

Plant a tree for me!

Posted by Addi on April 22, 2009 5:29 PM

Yay trees!

For me the best way to stay green when cooking is to plan ahead. By checking the website of my local farmer's market and grocery store I can plan meals for 1-2 weeks based on who will be at the farmer's market and then supplement the rest at the grocery store. This helps me get the majority of my meal ingredients from local farmers and the planning helps cut down on extra trips to the store and having to throw out rotten food.

Posted by Jenni on April 22, 2009 5:30 PM

Lovely, plant trees for me!

Posted by Jen on April 22, 2009 5:31 PM

Green Tip. Bring your own leftover container to the restaurant and pack your take-home portion in your reusable container. It's one less piece of styrofoam or paperboard to carry. Plus, they're less likely to leak.

Posted by Addi on April 22, 2009 5:32 PM

Plant trees for me!! Everywhere! Not just Africa! There are loads of places on earth that really need them.

Posted by Annanas on April 22, 2009 5:32 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by jae_em on April 22, 2009 5:34 PM

trees trees trees!

Posted by brad daly on April 22, 2009 5:36 PM

Plant trees for me, please!

What a lovely idea, Eva and Clotilde. Thank you!

Posted by sprite on April 22, 2009 5:37 PM

Plant a tree for me!

Instead of bringing lunch in plastic ziplocs, etc., make your own sandwich wrap like this:
http://blog.betzwhite.com/2009/03/reusable-sandwich-wrap-tutorial.html

Posted by Rose on April 22, 2009 5:38 PM

Please plant trees on my behalf!

As far as environmental tips: Obviously, composting is awesome, but hard to do unless you are so lucky as to have a backyard. However, even urban environmentalists can responsibly dispose of veggie scraps by adopting a few hundred worms and stashing them under the kitchen sink! You give them a bed of wet newspaper, feed them your peels and cores, and they give you rich, fertile compost. Check it out!

Posted by Andrew on April 22, 2009 5:42 PM

Please plant trees for me & happy earth day.
I juice lemons by hand, so they're never completely spent when I'm done. I use that spent lemon and some kosher salt to clean either the cutting board or the sink.

Posted by Denise on April 22, 2009 5:46 PM

Please plant a tree for me, too! Great idea!

Posted by Wendy on April 22, 2009 5:49 PM

Plant Trees for me!

Thanks for doing this, it's a great idea to help out our dear earth.

Posted by xinelok on April 22, 2009 5:51 PM

Plant trees for me, please!

Posted by Alexis on April 22, 2009 5:51 PM

Plant trees for me!
My Green Tip: Grow leaf lettuce on your windowsill. You can pick the outside leaves whenever you want some salad. The leaves are so tender this way and there is no waste from forgotten heads of lettuce.

Posted by MJ on April 22, 2009 5:52 PM

Plant a tree please!

Posted by Laura on April 22, 2009 5:55 PM

Plant a tree for me!
Happy Earth Day

Posted by Laura on April 22, 2009 6:00 PM

More Trees!

Posted by kira on April 22, 2009 6:00 PM

Plant two more trees for me, please! :-)

Posted by Erin on April 22, 2009 6:01 PM

Plant trees for me! :)

Posted by caroline on April 22, 2009 6:02 PM

Plant a tree for me!!

Posted by Jlhpisces on April 22, 2009 6:02 PM

Plant trees for me!

Terrific idea for Earth day!

Posted by Irina on April 22, 2009 6:04 PM

Plant a tree for me!

My green tip:
Newspapers! Recycle them or, use them around your home to:
-deodorize food containers! No chemicals needed, just stuff a ball of it in and leave it overnight. In the morning all unpleasant smells will be gone.
- line the bottom of your fruit and veggie bins in the fridge with newspaper to absorb excess moisture and odors.
- when you clean your mirrors with vinegar (because you are, right??) wipe them clean with newspaper for a totally streak free shine.

Posted by Jenn on April 22, 2009 6:04 PM

Plant trees for me!How great!

Posted by carrie on April 22, 2009 6:07 PM

plant trees for me!

Posted by robin on April 22, 2009 6:10 PM

Plant trees for me!

Thanks for your generosity, Clotilde and Eva.

My green tip is to date an Ecology Ph.D student, but you can't have mine! She also does yarncraft, and is inspired when it comes to making little household things that you can then reuse rather than throw away. Dish towels, Swiffer covers...you name it. I'm sure some creative googling will find great patterns.

Posted by Matt on April 22, 2009 6:11 PM

I just found your blog, and it's wonderful! I also love what you are doing for earth day. Yay for trees!

Posted by stacy on April 22, 2009 6:11 PM

Please plant a tree for me!

My tip is to reuse your glass jars. Recycling them is great but you can also use them to store bulk rice or to even plant herbs in. This way, you don't have to buy the plastic bins or planters from the store.

Thanks!

Posted by Jessica on April 22, 2009 6:12 PM

Plant a tree for me, please!

Green tip: Reuse your egg cartons. Find a store that sells eggs individually and keep your one egg carton and refill it.

Posted by Anne on April 22, 2009 6:15 PM

Plant a tree for me aussi!

My green tip - at the market, I avoid using individual plastic bags for fruit/veggies unless absolutely necessary. And I reuse glass jars (from jams, tomato sauces when I'm too lazy to make my own, etc) to store bulk products - which has the added benefit of making my pantry look a touch more organized.

Posted by Jennifer on April 22, 2009 6:16 PM

Plant trees for me!

Happy Earth day!

Posted by Maaret on April 22, 2009 6:16 PM

Plant trees for me!!

My green tip: re-use everything. I wash and save jars as storage containers, I wash plastic ziplock bags to re-use etc.... I've done it forever- it's what my grandma always did!!

Posted by Megan B on April 22, 2009 6:19 PM

Plant trees for me, please!

The top 3 eco tips everyone can do:
1) eat less meat
2) drive less
3) wash your clothes in cold water

Posted by Lija on April 22, 2009 6:19 PM

plant trees for me :)

Posted by zoe on April 22, 2009 6:20 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Alyssa on April 22, 2009 6:20 PM

Plant trees for me!!! Happy Earth Day all!

Posted by design_SMITH on April 22, 2009 6:22 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Christi on April 22, 2009 6:24 PM

Plant trees for me!
I've been using reusable shopping bags for quite some time. For groceries and for other shopping. More people need to get on the bandwagon!

Posted by Andrea on April 22, 2009 6:24 PM

Please plant trees for me!

Brilliant idea, and Happy Earth Day :)

Posted by Stephanie on April 22, 2009 6:25 PM

Plant trees for me, please!

Posted by eg on April 22, 2009 6:26 PM

Yay for trees! Plant one for me :)

Posted by Michelle on April 22, 2009 6:27 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Christine C. on April 22, 2009 6:28 PM

Plant Trees for Me!

Wow - thanks! This is very generous of both of you and I really appreciate it

Posted by KimJSCP on April 22, 2009 6:29 PM

Plant trees for me! It's still too frozen here for planting anything.

Posted by Valette on April 22, 2009 6:30 PM

Exciting initiative!
Please, plant a tree for me :)
Merci!

Posted by Monique on April 22, 2009 6:30 PM

Plant trees for me too! :)

I advocate eating less meat especially beef. Cows in the US are raised on corn rather than grass which results in unhealthy cows and consumers. In addition, their waste is not used on farmland as it has been for centuries but ends up polluting the planet. Make beef a special treat and buy beef from grass fed cows that are treated humanely.

Posted by Raluca on April 22, 2009 6:31 PM

Plant some trees please :-)

Posted by Karen on April 22, 2009 6:31 PM

Plant a tree for me, please!

Posted by Audrey on April 22, 2009 6:33 PM

Plant a tree for me!
Here are two Earth friendly tips:
1. Use the slow cooker, for less energy use, at least once a week. In a Texas summer, this really keeps the a/c from working overtime.
2. Share strawberry tops and celery leaves with your dog for a yummy treat and less waste.

Posted by Carrie on April 22, 2009 6:33 PM

Plant trees for me!

Thank you.

Posted by Sophie on April 22, 2009 6:36 PM

Please plant a tree for me!

I love this blog, and the recipes. Everything I've made from here has been delicious! Love being able to read the French version, too.
Martha

Posted by Martha on April 22, 2009 6:37 PM

Plant Trees for me!

Posted by Lauren on April 22, 2009 6:39 PM

plant trees for me!

Posted by ang on April 22, 2009 6:40 PM

Plant trees fr me!

I agree with the turning off water when you aren't using it (for brushing teeth, filling pots/coffee makers or whatever)and would add to not buy so many pre-portioned products - individual disposable serving cups of pudding/applesauce/yogurt/juice may be handy but they are more expensive and create more waste! Get (or save!) resuable containers in sizes you like and portion out of a large container!

Posted by Pam on April 22, 2009 6:41 PM

Plant a tree for moi, SVP!

Posted by Dave on April 22, 2009 6:42 PM

Plant trees for me!

What a lovely idea.

Posted by Meghan on April 22, 2009 6:42 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Nan on April 22, 2009 6:43 PM

plant trees for me

Posted by Krista on April 22, 2009 6:43 PM

Plant trees for me!
When buying take out food. Take a Tupperware and ask them to package it in your reusable container.

Posted by Fiona on April 22, 2009 6:55 PM

Hurray for trees!

Posted by Meredith on April 22, 2009 6:57 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Elise on April 22, 2009 6:57 PM

Plant trees for me, please!

Nice! :)

Posted by Amie on April 22, 2009 6:58 PM

What a great idea - and another reason to love this blog. Cheers, Clotilde!

Posted by hazel on April 22, 2009 6:58 PM

Plant a tree for me please!
My tip - I have to confess I stole this from someone else's blog some time ago - is to save veggie trimmings (and peelings if using organic) and freeze them; when you have a large quantity, throw them in a pot and make stock with them. It's healthier than cubes, and tastes great too.

Posted by MzTallulah on April 22, 2009 6:58 PM

Plant trees for me

Posted by eli on April 22, 2009 6:59 PM

Plant trees for me! And for everyone! Thanks for doing this.

Posted by JanineSmith on April 22, 2009 7:00 PM

Thank you!

Tip: Make sure to keep some reusable shopping bags in the trunk of your car. Thay way, you won't have to use paper bags during impromptu trips to the grocery store.

Posted by Whitney on April 22, 2009 7:01 PM

Plant trees for me!!

Green idea: instead of buying new garden supplies (pots, tables, benches etc.) I have re-purposed and fixed broken and abandoned objects from around my apartment complex. (obviously nothing owned by anyone!)

Posted by Elizabeth on April 22, 2009 7:03 PM

Deux arbres, SVP!

Happy Earth Day, everyone!

Posted by Alison on April 22, 2009 7:03 PM

Plant a tree for me!!

Posted by Stefanie on April 22, 2009 7:06 PM

i'd love two trees planted for me.

Posted by sophie on April 22, 2009 7:08 PM

For I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees...

Plants trees for me!

Namaste!

Posted by elfini on April 22, 2009 7:09 PM

Plant trees for me!

My best green tip: At the end of the week I take all the leftover vegetables, chop them up, add some eggs and make a frittata!

Posted by E. Prince on April 22, 2009 7:10 PM

Please plant a tree!

Posted by Andrei on April 22, 2009 7:12 PM

Plant a FOREST for me! :)

My tips (nothing revolutionary): leftover cold water from the tea kettle waters my indoor herb garden which I then use in my cooking; take all vegetable bags/grocery bags to the market with me; saving vegetable scraps in the freezer to make stock when I have enough.

Posted by mirabelle on April 22, 2009 7:12 PM

Plant a tree for me please! :)
What a great idea this is! Love your blog and your books, Clotilde!

Posted by Anna on April 22, 2009 7:12 PM

Plant trees for me!

I have an eco-boner for ya ;)

Posted by Kayleigh on April 22, 2009 7:16 PM

Sure, plant trees for me.

Another saving idea (earth and money) is organizing an effective pantry storage area so that you can buy in larger quantities without wasting food through loss in storage. This means both visibility, so that you know what you have and how old it is, and proper storage containers. Then buy in appropriate bulk.

Posted by rjh on April 22, 2009 7:19 PM

Plant trees for me please!

Posted by Florence on April 22, 2009 7:19 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Abbey on April 22, 2009 7:20 PM

Plant trees for me!!

Posted by Vanessa on April 22, 2009 7:24 PM

Plant a tree for me, please!

Posted by Cayla on April 22, 2009 7:30 PM

Plant a tree for me!

Posted by Julie on April 22, 2009 7:30 PM

Plant some trees for me! Happy Earth Day!

Posted by Rachel on April 22, 2009 7:30 PM

Plant trees for me, please!

Posted by Jen on April 22, 2009 7:31 PM

thank you for planting a tree for me!

Posted by mary on April 22, 2009 7:32 PM

Do plant trees for me! (I'm doing some planting of my own..)

A general green tip: keep a couple of reusable shopping bags in your car (or office or wherever else you tend to be when you tend to remember things you need to buy; my backpack has an extra shopping bag in it). It makes it easier to buy what you need on the way without either using a disposable bag or making a second trip.

Posted by Vasudha on April 22, 2009 7:33 PM

Plant a tree for me! Tip: to save energy plant trees near your house to shade it as they get larger, this way you won't need to AC in the summer as much and you can put birdhouses and feeders to create more habitat for your local fauna!

Posted by Samantha on April 22, 2009 7:34 PM

Awesome!!

Please, plant a tree for me!!

Happy Earth Day and thanks.

Posted by elle on April 22, 2009 7:35 PM

Plant a tree for me!

Posted by margie stroman on April 22, 2009 7:36 PM

Plant trees for me! Merci!

Posted by Sara on April 22, 2009 7:39 PM

Plant trees for me,
Oak, magnolia cherry

A king of trees,
A chandelier of flowers
A burst of bright blossom

One for squirrels,
One for the faeries
One for the birds

Posted by Griffin on April 22, 2009 7:42 PM

Plant a tree for me!! Thanks:)

Posted by payal on April 22, 2009 7:43 PM

Plant trees for me!

My green tip - keep a pitcher/bowl by the sink to catch the water you use to rinse vegetables, etc. That water can then go to watering your plants, garden, etc.

Posted by Jenn G. on April 22, 2009 7:43 PM

Plant trees for me! Thank you.

Posted by Caitlin H. on April 22, 2009 7:52 PM

Plant a tree for me! Great idea!

Posted by Cookin' Canuck on April 22, 2009 7:52 PM

Plant a tree for me.

Green Tip: Join a CSA. Community Supported Agriculture is not only good for the environment and your local economy, but its good for the waistline. It brings local, seasonal organic foods right to you for a reasonable price.

Posted by Katy on April 22, 2009 7:54 PM

Please plant a tree or two for me!

Also, my green tip: When apples, pears, bananas or other fruits get bruised or too soft or are just not quite acceptable enough to eat out of hand but are still good and nutritious, cut them up and freeze them. Then toss a handful of frozen fruit in with milk or yogurt, juice, a sprinkle of shredded coconut and some mint and you've got a creamy, good-for-you smoothy. And you didn't waste that mushy-looking fruit. :-)

Posted by Wendy on April 22, 2009 7:54 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Jessica on April 22, 2009 7:58 PM

Green tip: Check air pressure in your tires regularly to save fuel.

Thanks for the trees :)

Posted by Andrew on April 22, 2009 7:59 PM

Plant trees for me! Happy Earth Day!

Posted by Kristi on April 22, 2009 8:03 PM

Plant trees for me, please!

Happy Earth day!

Posted by patrick on April 22, 2009 8:05 PM

Plant one for me too!

Posted by victoria winters on April 22, 2009 8:07 PM

Plant trees for me!

Happy Earth Day!

Posted by Daniel on April 22, 2009 8:08 PM

Plant a tree for me!

My tip: I save all vegetable scraps in my freezer (tops of carrots; green parts of leeks, etc.) and then use them to make stock. I cut down on garbage AND don't have to buy canned stock at the store!

Posted by Melissa on April 22, 2009 8:09 PM

Please plant a tree for me!

Green tip: As simple as: Don't buy any new food today. Use leftover crisper vegees and find other goods from your pantry that you may not have otherwise used (for me: leftover kale and polenta).

Posted by Alice on April 22, 2009 8:11 PM

Green Tip:

Join a local CSA (community supported agriculture) so that you eat locally and stop buying things that are shipped half way around the globe.

Plant an herb garden so you don't have to spend $5 on herbs packaged in plastic at the grocery store.

Posted by victoria winters on April 22, 2009 8:12 PM

I love trees!
Happy Earth Day!

Posted by Kira on April 22, 2009 8:14 PM

Please plant trees for me!

Posted by Emma on April 22, 2009 8:16 PM

Get a couple in the ground for me as well. Thanks!

Posted by Joe on April 22, 2009 8:18 PM

Merci, Clotilde! Plant a tree for me and my family!

(My son was born on Earth Day - he's 3 today!)

Posted by Zeb on April 22, 2009 8:19 PM

Plant Trees for Me

Green tips: 1) buy local foods 2) Walk, bike, or ride public transit on your trips 3) Do activities that require no electronics (wink wink)

Posted by David on April 22, 2009 8:22 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Sara on April 22, 2009 8:22 PM

Plant some trees for me!

Posted by Bridget on April 22, 2009 8:24 PM

Hey, a C&Z forest! How lovely!

Posted by mandy on April 22, 2009 8:24 PM

Please plant trees for me!

Thank you and Happy Earth Day! :)

Posted by Ariel on April 22, 2009 8:24 PM

Plant trees for me!

I love Flip and Tumble bags. I bring them everywhere; they're so easy to open and close when I need them. No hassles of folding them neatly! (And I'm not just saying this because of the contest.)

Posted by Sarah on April 22, 2009 8:32 PM

"Plant trees for me!"

Posted by Michelle on April 22, 2009 8:38 PM

Plant a tree for me please!

Thank you!

Posted by tabcat on April 22, 2009 8:40 PM

Plant trees for me!

I don't do it here, because I don't have a garden, but we used to save all our scraps of food and compost them. We also used to save our dishwater in buckets during the summer and use it to water the garden. This saved water and the food particles in the water also worked as a type of fertilizer. Soap doesn't hurt plants either.

Posted by Becky on April 22, 2009 8:46 PM

Thanks for planting trees! Here is some Kipling that I thought was appropriate:

Oak and ash and thorn
All on a midsummer's morn
Surely we sing of no little thing
In oak and ash and thorn

Posted by Marlys on April 22, 2009 8:46 PM

Thank you so much for planting a tree for me!! Smooches for the WHOLE WORLD on Earth Day!

Posted by You&Me! on April 22, 2009 8:53 PM

Plant trees for me please!!! Happy Earth Day!

Posted by Elizabeth Smith on April 22, 2009 8:53 PM

Plant trees for me!

Green tip: Start composting! It's easy!

Posted by Suzanne on April 22, 2009 8:56 PM

HI! What a brilliant idea - plant two trees for me, too! I'm submitting my green ideas too! :)

Posted by Dawndoll on April 22, 2009 8:56 PM

Plant trees for me!

My green tip:
Keep only one garbage receptacle in your kitchen, and make it as small as possible (similar to what you'd keep in your bathroom). The small trashcan size will force you to throw less away (because who wants to empty the trash several times a day?) and in turn you'll be encouraged to generate less waste in the kitchen!

Posted by Meera on April 22, 2009 8:56 PM

Plant trees for me!

I love your blog; C and Z is what got me interested in the whole foodie/food-blogosphere in the first place. Keep up the great work and Happy Earth Day!

Posted by Sophie on April 22, 2009 8:59 PM

Plant a tree for me!

Tip: Don't throw away leftover edible scraps. Keep them in a bowl in the refrigerator or freezer then challenge yourself to use them (i.e. veg scraps for stocks, salads, soups, stir-fry, etc.).

Posted by Jackie on April 22, 2009 9:00 PM

Please plant a tree for me!

Tip: When cooking for 1-2, use a toaster oven instead of a conventional oven. The compact space requires less energy to heat.

Posted by ChemicalDependence on April 22, 2009 9:02 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by kelly on April 22, 2009 9:02 PM

Tip: My favorite way to reuse without spending any additional money is to reuse the containers that some of my food products already come in. For exampe once I go through a large container of yogurt, rather than recycling the container, I wash and reuse it for future use. It saves me from buying new tupperware and I hardly ever worry about losing it or getting it mixed up at work. Futher, if you have friends over, you can just send them home with your leftovers in some of these containers without having to go to the trouble of getting your containers back. Its helpful also in determining how much of an item you may have as the manufacturer often lists the capacity of the container on the side.

Posted by C on April 22, 2009 9:09 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Shal on April 22, 2009 9:11 PM

Plant a tree for me in Malawi and hope that Africa's future is less tragic than its past and present.

Posted by Shelli on April 22, 2009 9:13 PM

plant a tree for me too please!

Posted by babette on April 22, 2009 9:22 PM

Plant trees for me, please!

Green tip - In the winter: after using the oven, keep the door open to warm your house. I often put my wet dishtowels over the oven door to dry.

Posted by Christine on April 22, 2009 9:24 PM

Plant a tree for me, too!

I try to pay attention to the amount of phosphates in my detergents - especially in things like dishwashing soap, etc., that are used often in my house. By using a low- or no-phosphate detergent, I'm lessening the amount of phosphates getting into our water systems.

Posted by madalyn on April 22, 2009 9:36 PM

What a great initiative!

Plant trees for me!

Posted by margaux on April 22, 2009 9:37 PM

plant trees for me!

Posted by L.Huang on April 22, 2009 9:43 PM

Yay! Plant a tree for me!

Tip: Use a pressure cooker for beans and stews. It cuts down on electricity usage by shortening cooking time and keeps the kitchen cooler which means you're using less electricity if the a/c is on. Plus it means that you can get dried beans instead of canned which cuts down on packaging and other stuff from the manufacturing process.

Posted by Kim on April 22, 2009 9:48 PM

Wonderful what you are doing. Plant trees, plant trees!

Posted by J. C. on April 22, 2009 9:49 PM

Please plant trees for me! And if you can, please also plant trees in honor of my sister, a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi!

Posted by Christina on April 22, 2009 9:52 PM

Trees please!

Here's to hoping this doesn't leave you bankrupt!

Posted by Charlotte on April 22, 2009 9:54 PM

plant trees for me too please! thanks for doing this!

Posted by maureen on April 22, 2009 10:05 PM

Plant trees for me, please!

Posted by Helena on April 22, 2009 10:12 PM

Please Plant trees for me!

Posted by Sara on April 22, 2009 10:16 PM

Plant a tree for me, too!

Green in the kitchen is the same as anywhere else: reduce, reuse, recycle. Avoid waste! Reduce what you throw out. Reuse cloth napkins, dishcloths, towels (never paper!) Eat local, seasonal food.

And my -favorite- 'green tip' in the kitchen: use your hands. Leave the food processor alone; use a knife. Use a whisk, not a mixer. Let your food prep be slower, but more hands-on, and more satisfying.

Posted by Meri on April 22, 2009 10:17 PM

Hi!
Please plant a tree for me!

Also, you wrote "I have grown more and more environmentally conscious over the past few years: without being completely obsessed with the topic, I do my best to educate myself, make informed choices, and limit the impact of my actions on the environment"

ME TOOOOOOO!!!

Thank you for doing this.

Posted by j.cro on April 22, 2009 10:21 PM

plant trees for me, fab idea for a great day.
thanks for doing this

christine

Posted by christine on April 22, 2009 10:27 PM

I love your blog and I would love a tree!

Posted by Carrie on April 22, 2009 10:29 PM

I like trees!

Posted by Stacy on April 22, 2009 10:38 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Rachel on April 22, 2009 10:46 PM

I know people who have a lot of reusable shopping bags but who never USE them because they don't have them with them when they shop. I keep a small one in my purse and work bag at all times. When I unload my groceries, I take the bags and put them by my front door immediately so that I have to pass in order to open my front door. That way I'm sure to put them in my car.

Posted by Kiwi Carlisle on April 22, 2009 10:54 PM

Mmm, trees. Can we specify the type of tree? I love birch trees.

Posted by Zoe on April 22, 2009 10:54 PM

Plant a tree for my please!

My tips:

1) My husband and I take our lunches to work each day but never in a sack! We use re-usable containers from home and carry them back and forth in a lunchbox (him) or a tote (me).

2) When I clean out my fish bowl, I use the water for my plants! Full of good things for the plant and no water down the drain.

Posted by Robin on April 22, 2009 10:56 PM

Plant Trees For Me!

Posted by Emily on April 22, 2009 10:57 PM

Please plant a couple trees for me!

Posted by haley on April 22, 2009 11:05 PM

Yea! Please plant a tree for me.

My green tip is: ride your bike to work! Save on gas, cut down emissions, get some exercise, and enjoy the sunshine!!

Posted by Priscilla on April 22, 2009 11:23 PM

Please plant trees for me! Great idea & thanks for keeping us entertained & inspired, love your blog!

Posted by Helen on April 22, 2009 11:28 PM

Plant trees for me! :)

Posted by Allison on April 22, 2009 11:33 PM

Plant trees for me!
(please)

Posted by K on April 22, 2009 11:46 PM

Trees please.

Posted by Ally on April 22, 2009 11:46 PM

Plant trees for me!

Don't get discouraged,
remember that becoming an environmentally conscious consumer involves making a lot of small lifestyle changes over time.
eventually it will come naturally.

Posted by Katie on April 22, 2009 11:47 PM

Plant trees for me!

In addition to the one that's going to be planted in our yard today :)

Happy Earth Day!

Posted by Halyna on April 22, 2009 11:50 PM

Plant trees for me!

My green tip is the power of lemons in cleaning your kitchen without harsh chemicals. Cut a lemon in half and place it in a bowl of water. Put it in the microwave for 5 minutes. The steam loosens any stuck on food and the lemon gets rid of the smells. Wipe with a wet cloth and you're done. Cut a lemon in half and put both halves in the garbage disposal and run it. The lemon cleans the disposal and, again, gets rid of odors. Cut a lemon in half and dip the cut side in baking soda, use it to scrub your countertops. Wipe with a wet cloth and let air dry.

I could go on and on, there are so many easy, natural and cheap alternatives to traditional cleaning products. Don't even get me started on the uses of vinegar. :)

Posted by Monica on April 22, 2009 11:50 PM

Please, plant trees for me too!
This is a very noble idea. Thank you very much!

Posted by Maya on April 22, 2009 11:51 PM

Plant trees for me!

Cook big dinners, so you can have leftovers for lunch the next day. You get a yummy lunch, plus the packaging (i.e. your tupperware) is reusable!

Posted by mackenzie on April 22, 2009 11:55 PM

Merci for doing this!

My tips (sorry, couldn't stick to one!):
- Simply don't buy plastic ziplock bags. Invest in a few reusable fabric bags (www.etsy.com has great options if you search under snack bags or reusable bags); save glass jars to use for food storage; buy reusable lunch boxes for food to go ....
- Buy some large muslin type dishcloths, cut them in 4 & hem (I used a quick zigzag stitch) to make inexpensive reusable napkins. Make a lot so that you can throw a handful in the wash every day and not run out until laundry day.
- Use a spritz bottle of hydrogen peroxide to disinfect sink & kitchen counters; it's cheap and kills germs but doesn't harm the environment like chlorine bleach.
- Mix 1/4 C of glycerine, 1/4C of vegetable-based laundry soap, and 2C of water to make a very effective stain remover. Neat glycerine does a great job of removing tough oil stains.

Posted by Ursula on April 22, 2009 11:55 PM

Plant trees for me

Posted by Bob on April 22, 2009 11:57 PM

Yes!! Please plant trees for me.

When making small meals I use a small dishpan in the sink for washing up to save water.

Posted by Jane on April 22, 2009 11:57 PM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Danielle on April 23, 2009 12:01 AM

Plant a tree for me!

Posted by Megan on April 23, 2009 12:18 AM

Brilliant! Trees for me too, please! (This is going to be a lot of trees.)

Posted by Jess on April 23, 2009 12:19 AM

please plant some trees for me too!

thank you for all you do.

Posted by terri on April 23, 2009 12:22 AM

Plant trees for my daughter and me. Okay, I know you said just one, but it's her birthday, and she's really quite nice!

Posted by Kat on April 23, 2009 12:26 AM

Plant trees for me!

i think I'm too late (different time here in Australia!)

Melissa

Posted by Melissa on April 23, 2009 12:26 AM

We are a military family living in Japan. Over our two year here I have found the Japanese style of in home composting called, Bokashi (There are a few post in my blog about it, I wont drag on here about the wonders of it) Its easy, dosent smell, small and works wonders! I can clear drains, feed my plants indoors and out w/ the Bokashi juice, and produce some AWSOME soil and my fav part, its totally "green" !

Posted by Courtney Talltree on April 23, 2009 12:27 AM

Plant some trees for me! Merci.

Posted by Sook on April 23, 2009 12:28 AM

For the "reuse" department of "reduce, reuse, recycle:" before dinner, I soak my greens in a large bowl of cold water to remove any grit. Then I water my plants with the water. After dinner, the corks from the wine bottles go into the planters. They keep moisture in and mischievous little pet noses/paws out.

Thank you for plantings trees for us!

Posted by Elizabeth Cohen on April 23, 2009 12:29 AM

"Plant trees for me!" This is such a wonderful gesture. Every little bit helps. Thank you.

Posted by Kimberly-Rochelle on April 23, 2009 12:31 AM

Plant a tree for me!

Posted by Alessi on April 23, 2009 12:33 AM

plant trees for me!

Posted by cindie on April 23, 2009 12:36 AM

Plant trees for me, please!

What an excellent idea and how generous of both of you. Bravo.

Posted by Claire on April 23, 2009 12:40 AM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Jenn on April 23, 2009 12:43 AM

... And of course, now I'm drawing a total blank on 'Green' tips.
I'm sure I'll remember dozens again tomorrow.

Anyway, if you could plant a tree for me, too, that would be great.

Posted by Bummble on April 23, 2009 12:52 AM

Plant trees for me and for my children's future!!

Posted by Alice on April 23, 2009 12:59 AM

Please plant a tree for me, too!

I can't really give any tips on cooking as I'm really crap at it (although I'm a foodie lover). But one of the best environment advice I can give is: if you are not a regular driver get rid of your car and join a Car Club. Lots of English city councils roll out such schemes now (eg. Westminster Council in London). It works like car hire but is much cheaper and more convenient. And it's much better for the environment!

Thanks so much for this wonderful and inspiring website, Clotilde. You're doing a great job!

Posted by Martina Gondrom on April 23, 2009 1:04 AM

plant a tree for me!
plant a tree for MEEEEEEE!!!!!!
plant a tree or three.........
thank you!

Posted by jenn on April 23, 2009 1:07 AM

Please, plant trees for me!

Posted by JanisMiller on April 23, 2009 1:12 AM

please plant trees for me :)

I have two green tips: Plan routes carefully to use the least gas possible

use every possible part of every food, saving any not used immediately in the freezer for the next time

Posted by licorh on April 23, 2009 1:16 AM

Love this idea. Please plant trees for me!

Posted by Milady on April 23, 2009 1:16 AM

Well, I don't have much to say at the moment, but I'm delighted to comment if it means more trees will be planted! What a fabulous offer from you (Clothilde) and flip & tumble. Thanks!

Posted by amy on April 23, 2009 1:23 AM

Pleas plant trees for me! Happy Earth Day!

Posted by Lisa on April 23, 2009 1:36 AM

Plant trees for me!

Happy Earth Day!

Posted by alison on April 23, 2009 1:43 AM

Plant trees for me!

Green tip: Coffee grounds around your roses and eggshells placed at roots when planting pepper plants are very beneficial.

Posted by suncatcher on April 23, 2009 1:57 AM

Please plant a tree!

Tip, turn on the tap and say no to bottled water at home, at a restaurant or on the go. Bottled water is a drain on energy resources (both to make the bottles as well as transport them) and often times ends up in the garbage.

Thank you!

Posted by Mel, Oakland, CA on April 23, 2009 1:59 AM

Everyone should plant trees! :)
Thanks!

Posted by rose on April 23, 2009 2:05 AM

My green tip: Make tea with loose leaf tea, which you then compost! No waste that way, just a rinsed french press/ball/etc. Alternatively (at the office, on the go), you can make use of these recyclable aluminum tea infusers: http://www.originalstripteas.com/

(Disclosure: Company run by a friend of mine, but read up on how good it is!)

Posted by Neil on April 23, 2009 2:05 AM

Plant trees for me. Thank you!

Posted by AMR on April 23, 2009 2:08 AM

Plant trees for me, please -- a worthy project.

Posted by vannakarenina on April 23, 2009 2:13 AM

Aww, so cool!
Plant trees for me!

I think my two favorite "green" tips that relate to food/cooking are:

1. Carefully watch what you buy and what you waste--if possible, keep your food waste out of the trash by composting or having a worm bin (worm bins even work in urban spaces).

2. We have re-useable shopping bags, so why not ones for bulk food? I try to reuse the plastic bags I buy my bulk food in. Especially for frequently-purchased things like rice or nuts. No reason I can't toss those baggies into the grocery sack when I'm through with them!

Posted by Ariel on April 23, 2009 2:16 AM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Sandra Wheeler on April 23, 2009 2:17 AM

Thank you, Clotilde!

Posted by Caro K on April 23, 2009 2:19 AM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Anna on April 23, 2009 2:21 AM

plant me a tree!

also - earth day on friday!!

Posted by Jessie on April 23, 2009 2:25 AM

un arbre pour moi aussi, si tu plait!

Posted by Liz on April 23, 2009 2:29 AM

Plant trees for me!!
what a great way to celebrate Earth Day! :)

Posted by Quynh on April 23, 2009 2:30 AM

"Plant a Tree for me!"

Happy Earth Day everyone! xo

Posted by Mandy on April 23, 2009 2:32 AM

Plant trees for me please!

My green tip:

Get as much of your communication online as possible to reduce paper, whether its an online newspaper, information from blogs or email!

Posted by Caitlin on April 23, 2009 2:34 AM

Thanks for planting the trees -- what a great idea!

My green tip: Join a CSA (community supported agriculture). You can buy a share at the beginning of the season, and receive a weekly bag of local, organic produce in return.

Posted by susan on April 23, 2009 2:54 AM

Please plant trees for me!

My humble tip: Unplug your laptops before you go to bed. It's so easy-why wouldn't you?

Posted by Christine E. L. on April 23, 2009 3:06 AM

Plant trees for me.... please!

Posted by Hilary on April 23, 2009 3:11 AM

Wow, what an awesome thing to do. Definitely plant trees for me!

Posted by Sabayon on April 23, 2009 3:14 AM

Plant a tree for me!

Posted by Pamela Goldsteen on April 23, 2009 3:17 AM

Please plant a tree for me in beautiful Malawi! Thank you.

Posted by Mary McHugh on April 23, 2009 3:26 AM

Plant a tree for me!

Posted by Chris on April 23, 2009 3:28 AM

Volunteered at Mwaya in 2005 - plant a tree for me!

Posted by Rachael on April 23, 2009 3:28 AM

It's still the 22nd somewhere in the world!

please plant trees for me!

If I do get plastic shopping bags, which I try to avoid ofcourse! I always keep and reuse them - mainly to put garbage in actually, they hang so easily from the drawer...:-)

Posted by swan on April 23, 2009 3:28 AM

Plant trees for me!

Not only do we use the large grocery bags, but I made some "one string bags" for produce (no, that's not my website). Now we have even fewer plastic bags at home!

Posted by dana on April 23, 2009 3:37 AM

Plant trees for me please!
Thank you for your generosity :)

Posted by Jess T on April 23, 2009 3:43 AM

Plant trees for me!

-Wrap presents in newspaper (especially the Sunday comics)
-Reuse jam jars/yogurt containers and more to store food in
-Buy gifts made of recycled materials (etsy.com is a great source)

Posted by Blair on April 23, 2009 4:14 AM

Plant a tree for me!

Posted by Lisa on April 23, 2009 4:16 AM

Plant trees for me :D

Posted by Vien on April 23, 2009 4:22 AM

Yay! Please Plant trees. Fruit trees!
Thank you and the Earth and her children thank you.
Courtney

Posted by Courtney on April 23, 2009 4:42 AM

Plant trees for me, please! I save the water used for bathing my baby boy and for washing his bottles to flush the toilet. Also, breastfeed for as long as you can! It's better for baby, it's better for mommy and you don't have to buy tinned formula. Plus if it's possible, make your own baby food from fresh, organic, locally-grown produce.

Posted by greedy mommy on April 23, 2009 4:48 AM

woah that's a lotta trees

Posted by Rob on April 23, 2009 4:51 AM

Plant trees for me!

My green tip: Use Power Bars.
You know all those little red and green lights shining at you in the dark? They're on your modem, DVD player, TV, stero, router, monitor, game console...everywhere. Even though they're turned off, they are still consuming electricity. Plug them into an accessible power bar and turn them all off easily. Killing the power for 16-20 hours each day results in 730kgs of CO2 saved and knocked $100 off my annual energy costs. So easy!

Posted by Ryan on April 23, 2009 5:08 AM

How wonderful of flip & tumble! Definitely plant a couple trees for me!

Posted by Leah Karp on April 23, 2009 5:08 AM

Plant trees for me! I also just bought four of those awesome bags!

My tip:
Purchase whole (local, pastured) chickens and save all the leftover bits from cooking and eating to make chicken stock. Also, a great use for veggies that you let get too old. Freeze them until you're ready to make stock. If you condense your stock down you can put it in ice cube trays and freeze. So easy to store in those intense little cubes! Never buy store bought stock again - save money and packaging while utilizing every bit of your food!

Posted by Sara Grace on April 23, 2009 5:24 AM

Plant trees for me! And plant a vege garden if you have room! Not only will it keep you busy outside in the fresh air but you'll have a steady supply of superfresh produce. This (Australian) summer we have had cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplants, pumpkins, rhubarb, corn, peppers and chilis, lettuce, asparagus, leeks and spring onions, and of course a variety of herbs and now we are starting on the winter veges! I love finding new recipes to use up whatever we have too much of!

Posted by Melissa on April 23, 2009 5:27 AM

Plant trees for me, merci!

Posted by Alix on April 23, 2009 5:35 AM

Plant a tree for me!

Purchase a rain barrel to have under your rain spout. This catches all of the rain water that would otherwise go to waste that you could use for watering plants and gardens. Just make sure to check if it is alright with your city, certain ones do not allow these!

Posted by Hannah on April 23, 2009 5:39 AM

Plant a tree for me!

Try as often as possible to do all of your cooking in one pan. This saves on the water and energy to wash numerous pots and pans and cooking in one pan can help with the flavor of your cooking!

Posted by Adam on April 23, 2009 5:41 AM

Here are two great tips:

1) Use rags instead of paper towels. You save so much waste! Just keep a bucket for them in the laundry and wash when you accumulated a load.

2) Know how to recycle properly! For example - if you happen to use plastic bottles (which you shouldn't) the bottle body is recyclable, but the CAP IS NOT! Most recycling companies don't have time to cut off the caps, so those bottle are burned instead.

Thanks for buying trees!

Posted by Hani on April 23, 2009 5:47 AM

If every one planted one tree today what a wonderful world it would be!! Use your egg shells and egg cartons in place of peat pots to start your seeds indoors. You can plant them directly in the ground or your raised bed garden which enhances the soil also.

Posted by Pamela Holt on April 23, 2009 5:49 AM

Plant trees!

Green tip: I wash veggies in a tub so that I can re-use the water for mopping or to flush the toilet with.

Thanks for doing this!

Posted by Au Sze on April 23, 2009 6:04 AM

Plant Trees for ME!!!

Posted by Hannah Hawley on April 23, 2009 6:31 AM

Plant trees for me!

Love your site!

Posted by Christine on April 23, 2009 6:38 AM

Plant trees for me!

My favourite green tip:

When going grocery shopping, try walking to the shops instead of taking your car. Try to make it a family outing. That way, you reduce the amount of emissions from your car, engage in a family activity and manage to keep fit too!

Posted by Yemiena on April 23, 2009 6:44 AM

plant a tree for me!!

My best green tip I have is to NOT use your garbage disposal. Unfortunately they're massively overtaxing our aging sewers. compost if you can, or for vegetable matter you can use the "yard waste" containers that many communities provide.

Much food waste (such as coffee grounds) makes great fertilizer for your plants just by sprinkling around the base!

Posted by moonablaze on April 23, 2009 6:49 AM

Plant trees for me!

Posted by Stacey Jones on April 23, 2009 7:31 AM

I think I'm too late... but maybe plant a tree for me, please?

And a fun green thing that i like to do is instead of buying greeting cards or tags for presents I just my own with flower seeds in it. Your loved ones get nice hand-made cards that can then be turned into flowers!
Directions:
Rip up paper (old newspapers, any paper you'd recycle really), put in blender - only about 1/3rd full, Fill rest of blender with warm water and blend until not chunky. Stir in about a teaspoon of seeds (don't blend!), strain out water over sink, lay flat outside on some felt or other fabric. Get out the excess water with a sponge or towel.
They make great postcards because the paper is usually quite thick, or tags for wrapping presents. Remember to tell the recipient to plant it!

Posted by Edith on April 23, 2009 7:43 AM

Please plant trees! Hooray!

Posted by Emma on April 23, 2009 8:00 AM

Plant trees for me!! The more the better! :)

Posted by Alisa on April 23, 2009 9:16 AM

"Plant trees for me!"

Posted by Stephanie on April 23, 2009 9:23 AM

If it isn't too late... a tree for me too!
Thanks Clotilde, I love your initiative :)

Posted by vale on April 23, 2009 9:58 AM

Plant trees for me! Great idea, Clotilde.

My green tip: discover local edible plants. What did the people who lived in your corner of the world eat before the arrival of industrialized agriculture and supermarket chains? Since I started learning about local edibles such as dandelions, bear's garlic, purslane, and stinging nettles, walks in the woods have become a lot more interesting. Some of these plants have domesticated varieties that you can plant in your garden or in a container on your balcony. They have the advantage of being adapted to the local weather conditions and don't require intensive care. Finally, be sure to educate others about what is out there - or seek out information from people who still know about native plants.

Posted by Maureen on April 23, 2009 10:28 AM

Please plant a tree for me and my daughter (she is named after a forest goddess)
:-)

Posted by Mandira on April 23, 2009 10:48 AM

Got a free Japanese Maple today and planted it! It was a quiet moment of happiness. So thank you, please plant two more trees for me!

Green tip:

I bake sourdough bread, but hate pre-heating an empty oven. So now I wait for bread baking day and roast beets, veggies, etc. while the oven is heating up.

But truly, the best no duh thing I ever did was get a Brita pitcher for filtering tap water. No more bottled water, plus I find I drink much more water from the pitcher than I ever did out of bottles, and you can use the filtered water for ice cubes, cooking, or even for the dog guilt free.

Posted by heysmell on April 23, 2009 10:54 AM

What a fabulous idea, Clotilde! You are amazing!

Please plant a tree for me.

Posted by Emily on April 23, 2009 11:25 AM

plant a tree for me please

Posted by DorianGray on April 23, 2009 11:31 AM

Plant all the trees you can for me please!

Posted by Hsunchi Chen on April 23, 2009 12:34 PM

plant trees for me!

thank you! :D

Posted by susan on April 23, 2009 12:54 PM