Blog Update!
For those of you not following me on Facebook, as of the Summer of 2019 I've moved to Central WA, to a tiny mountain town of less than 1,000 people.

I will be covering my exploits here in the Cascades, as I try to further reduce my impact on the environment. With the same attitude, just at a higher altitude!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Giveaway: The Green Year

The Green YearLet me first start off by saying that there are a couple of green book winners dangling out there - you need to send me your addresses so I have somewhere to mail these. If I don't hear from you, I'll do another book drawing.

The first one is Green Mama, winner of How to Store Your Garden Produce.

The second one is Roberto de Burien, the winner of Fresh Food From Small Spaces.

Jason, your book is being shipped this week and the the two electric blankets are going out as well to those winners. Sorry for the delay!

Okay, now that I got that off my chest, I need to tell you that I still have a veritable pile of other books to give away. So, let's get cracking people!

Today's book giveaway is for the delightful little tome called, The Green Year: 365 Small Things You Can Do to Make a Big Difference. I know, I know, you've already missed the first eleven days of things to be done, but given my speedy delivery history, it's safe to say that you're gonna miss the first month of activities.

This book, by Jodi Helmer, gives you a list of things (365 of them) you can do each day to make your life a little greener. She explains why each item makes a difference and goes into detail on how to implement them, if need be. Think of it as Green as a Thistle's project, but easier and more organized (sorry Vanessa).

The author also spends some time debunking some common green myths, which is highly useful for pretty much everybody out there. Most of her suggestions are not only affordable, they are quite manageable and, frankly, you'd have to be a moron to not be able to do most of them. This isn't a book describing how to navigate installing your own solar panels and hooking them up to the grid. We'll leave that sort of thing to Greenpa if he ever decides to start blogging again about something useful :)

Anyway, I digress. If you are looking for a book to help you convert yourself to an off-the-grid lifestyle this isn't it. But, if you are looking for some extra help and ideas of how to lessen your footprint, you'll have 365 new suggestions to help you along.

Some of my favorites:

February 1: Research hybrid rental cars for your next vacation
February 8: Add your fireplace ashes to the compost pile
March 28: Hang a bird feeder and keep it well stocked with birdseed
July 4: Celebrate Independence Day without fireworks
September 22: Replace your metal staplers with eco-staplers
October 14: Schedule a home energy audit
December 19: Buy reusable containers for homemade treats

If you would like to be entered into the drawing for this book, leave your name in the comments. The giveaway is open until Wednesday, January 14th, 6:00 pm PST. I'll be announcing the winner most likely later that evening.

99 comments:

Kaycee said...

Im first? WOW! I would love to win this. I work best if I have small goals everyday to make a difference!

kayceewilliams AT gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

This book sounds perfect for me - I have made many changes, and could use some daily inspiration for more.

Thanks!

Krista R

Demeter said...

I'm in!
(if you send to foreign countries, that is :) I live in Norway).

Best wishes, Kristin

Anonymous said...

I would love to win! Thanks!!

camp mom said...

I'll toss my comment in for a chance to win!

Sherlyn said...

One of my goals this year is to try to do more little things to be a better steward to the earth. I would love to win. mthomason@lexcominc.net

Thanks, Sherlyn

Jen (emsun.org) said...

I would love to own and read this book!

Unknown said...

I'd love to win this book. What's an eco stapler?

Anonymous said...

I would love this too, count me in (but again, only if you can enter from Europe as I'm in Ireland).
We have a project this year to make big and small changes to our lifestyle to reduce waste (blogged at http://www.wasterous.com for the interested, if I am allowed to link).
This sounds like just the inspiration to help us in our goal.

nfmgirl said...

Sounds like a great book. I'm in!

goldpearl-- I'm guessing that an eco-stapler is the one that I've seen lately that doesn't use staples. It bundles papers together via a tab that is punched in the bunch of papers and then folded over to hold everything together.

Thanks!

Heather

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a good way to get me back on track! ~Terpamber

Keri said...

Looks like an interesting book!

Anonymous said...

I'll pass. The Sept 22 "replace your stapler with an eco stapler" type stuff made me gag over on Ideal Bite.

Meg said...

I'd like to be entered, please. Sounds like a good book for me.

pigbook1 said...

This really is a good way to get "green" one little thing every day. Now if I could just remember them all by the time i get to december :-)

Michelle said...

This sounds great - please enter me!

Glad to know I'm not the only one who runs on her own clock :)

hmd said...

Sounds like a great book. Please add me to the drawing. Thanks!

Amanda said...

This book sounds really interesting. I could always use more ideas on how to implement greenness into our lives.

amandalw1 At hotmail DOT com

Michelle said...

I was GONNA buy this book with my Christmas gift cards!! (Bought a gardening one instead..)

EnviRambo said...

Yes, please.

Pick me random number generator!

shabadeux said...

Sounds awesome! Count me in!

shabadeux AT gmail DOT com

Jim Smith II said...

Yes please.

Alison Kerr said...

Sounds great and I'd love to win :-)

Alison GreatFunBooks.com

Anonymous said...

I also can use some new ideas! Raising my hand high so please pick me.

Ashley said...

Cool.

Stephanie said...

I'm in!

Rainbow Momma said...

I heard about your blog a while ago, but I'm just now checking it out. LOVE it - already bookmarked and added to the blogs I follow. We're always looking for more ways to be green. I'd love to be entered for this book. Sounds very useful. -Mere

Anonymous said...

Crunchy,
Out of all that wonderfulness, I want to add a word of caution for the winner of this book.

Ash should be used very, very sparingly in a compost pile. It is highly alkaline and can completely upset the balance of your soil system. Most gardening experts recommend against putting it a compost pile. I know we were told to recommend against it, if someone should ask on the hotline.
At the very least, research before you do this.

nashvegas said...

I'd love this! We've already made lots of little changes, but this would help, especially when it comes to keeping the family on board.

nashvegas37211 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Lisa said...

Sounds like a wonderful book!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I enjoy your blog and would appreciate the chance to read this book.

Elle SF - geolet12 at msn dot com

KLund said...

Me, too! Me,too! Always looking for ways to become greener, especially low-cost. Then would love to pass this on to my other family members as well (hinting without being preachy).

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a really do-able concept, please enter my name in the drawing.

Thanks,
Lee in KY

Moade said...

I would love to have this book!

Ruby

jana said...

I'd love to win and would not only apply the ideas in my own life, but would also encourage my blogreaders to do the same! :)

scifichick said...

Please enter me as well!

homebrewlibrarian said...

A friend at church and I are starting an Earth Stewardship adult Sunday School class to launch this coming Sunday. We'll be using "Living Like Ed" as the guide but "The Green Year" sounds like it would be perfect to add more content to our class.

Sign me up!

Kerri in AK

Tara said...

I also take exception to the "replace your stapler" tip. If you need to buy one, then eco is great, but if you replace the one you have, what then becomes of your perfectly good, old school stapler? Landfill?

Carpe Diem said...

Please add me to the draw!

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in this drawing, it sounds like something I could definitely use :-)

Anonymous said...

Oooh! I'm always in need of new ideas for greening my life...a lot of the standards are either already done, or just don't apply anymore...which is probably more good than bad, I guess! :D

Kat Stevens

Liebe Lebenskunst said...

That be a great addition for my family!

Thanks,
Angela

Mariano Rentería said...

Count me in!!

Greetings

Mariano

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a great book!

Anne cookimnstr@yahoo.com

Miss Kris said...

Me!

Anonymous said...

One of my 2009 resolutions is to 'green-up' as much as possible one step at a time...I am disabled and I can become ovewhelmed easily...these books sound just like what I need to get started, I hope that I get favored in the giveaway!

Anonymous said...

One of my 2009 resolutions is to 'green-up' as much as possible one step at a time...I am disabled and I can become ovewhelmed easily...these books sound just like what I need to get started, I hope that I get favored in the giveaway!

jennyarzola at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Count me in, please!

The Nurturing Pirate said...

Well my New Year's resolution is to start a Green Group with my friends. This would give us some good guidance.

Michelle said...

Love it - thanks!

Anonymous said...

I would love to this book for good encouragement!
Thanks,
Caron in MA

Melissa Anderson said...

This sounds like exactly what I need!
Melissa

Denise said...

I would like to be in your giveaway if you include overseas readers - I'm in the UK.
Thanks, Denise

Anonymous said...

This would be great for my new years resolution! I am cutting out all disposables. Just picked up some little plates so I don't have to use napkins as plates at my church's nursery each sunday. (cheap plastic from china only slightly better, i konw) anyway, sign me up for this drawing!

Rachel

owlfan said...

This sounds like something that could really help me to take baby steps - and baby steps are often easier to convince others of too.

Anonymous said...

Count me in!

Shannon said...

Yes, please!
(Thanks for the chance...)

Anonymous said...

I'd love to win this (if you post to Wales) - any suggestions to improve my way of life are always welcome!

Sharlene said...

Sounds right up my alley. Pick me!

Farmer's Daughter said...

I'm always looking to add to my green library!

Please add me to the drawing!

Michelle said...

This sounds perfect--easy, logical, and full of information for interesting debates.

Maria Elena Rodriguez said...

I'd love to enter!

Jen G said...

I'd love to enter into your draw. I love your site.

jen_gooding_daycare AT yahoo DOT com

Jenn said...

I'm in! Sounds like a great book that's not so overwhelming for people like the rest of my family!!!

Jenn

Willo said...

This book sounds great and it is EXACTLY the kind of thing I am trying to do on my blog. I think people get so overwhelmed with the whole Green thing and they don't do anything at all. This sounds like a great place to start.

Willo
http://greengracious.blogspot.com/
theradgensclan@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Yes, I'd love to enter! momofnaomi@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

hadn't seen this one before.. sure, toss me in the mix. thanks & happy new year!

Anonymous said...

I love the suggestion about eco-staplers. Didn't even know such a thing existed! Add me to the draw list!

Kaz said...

I would love to win this book! :) It sounds like the suggestions are really manageable, even for the novice!

Re said...

Thanks for a chance to win. Thanks also for such a generous giveaway. I hope i'm chosen as the lucky winner!

Anonymous said...

My family is actively working on lessening our impact, this book would be a great help!
Andrea at derekschott@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

add me to the list, please

Anonymous said...

I did the one from Feb. 1 on our last road trip (I should say, my husband did). We rented a prius just after our son was born to go about 300 miles away. I think we only had to fill the tank all the way once, and it cost about the same to rent the car as any other car. It's totally worth it to plan ahead and do this!

Anonymous said...

Oh, sorry and I'd love to get that book!

Robj98168 said...

I sent you my snail mail address- let me know if you do get it.

Anonymous said...

A daily green tip sounds great. Thanks for the chance!

Melodie Ramos said...

I'm not sure what an ecostapler is, but sign me up anyway!

Gretchen said...

Really, I'd like to win this one. I really think I could use it.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for all the giveaways, Crunchy!

Anonymous said...

I'm just starting out in getting green, so this looks like just the kind of book I need! Thanks for running this contest!

Rebecca said...

I'm also in... again assuming you're willing to ship to NZ.

Becca (in NZ)

Troops 1909 and 5434 said...

This book sounds interesting. Count me in.

Debbie said...

I would really love to win this and think our family would try very hard to incorporate the suggestions into our lives.

Katie @ makingthishome.com said...

This book is on my wish list! Thanks for offering it to a lucky reader, Crunchy!
Katie

Anonymous said...

Awesome giveaway--I've already switched lightbulbs and cleaning products to green alternatives, started a garden and composting-- and am now looking for more ways!
Thanks!
Rachel
belligator AT yahoo DOT COM

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great book - count me in!

The Vegan Vagabond said...

love your blog, just found it!

Anonymous said...

Pleae add me to your draw.

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in the contest. And I have a question...

How is replacing a perfectly usable, already made and purchased item that dispenses a small, infinitely useful, and recyclable (albeit probably tossed) item enviro-friendly?

I'm talking about the stapler here. I figured out today that ONE box of staples will probably last me 20 years. Since staples are made of steel they probably have been recycled at some point, and they break down in the environment (although I understand landfills might be a different story).

Please enlighten! I'm not tossing a perfectly good stapler in the trash in the guise of being green.

(And now I'll go read all 87 comments to see if anyone has mentioned this already.)

Ashley said...

Just in time!!! Just seeing how many of us want to win these resources (the books) is an amazing and inspiring sight.

Unknown said...

Sounds like a great book! I'd love to win.

U+Me=Us said...

I would love to win this book. Sometimes i find myself looking around wondering what else we can do differnt...this would answer it.

joan said...

Please pick me. My family needs to change their ways.

Jennifer said...

I bet the book is awesome! Thanks for the entry!

MKD said...

Whoohoo I'd like this book!
I like the easy, non-ovewhelming stuff that won't make me feel like the small changes I make are pretty lame.
I'd love to win!
Yah, ME!

Anonymous said...

organic beer, midnight clear, reindeer, open ear, nothing to fear, low gear, be here, king lear, hidden mere, so near, without peer, queer, from the rear, willing to steer, likely to veer, boat on the weir, green year beautiful year.

Anonymous said...

pick me!

Anonymous said...

OOOH! would love to win this one!!!! Hooray for Crunchy Chicken!

DailyHandmade said...

Yes, I would love this book! Something small each day sounds very manageable. Thanks!

Sara A