environment Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

Getting Kids Inspired to Help with Earth Friendly Cleaning Products

Paula — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 12:18:00 +0000

This Earth Friendly Cleaning products post has been sponsored by Earth Brand which means I have been compensated. My opinion is all my own and it is truthful. My kids are inspired to clean again. That’s a rare thing typically, but during the pandemic, cleaning has taken on even greater importance first of all because everyone has been trying to up their sanitation game. Second of all cleaning is actually fulfilling because we have found a fun and effective new lineup of earth friendly cleaning products. Cleaning with Good Conscience Obviously, during this past 15 months, and the many many lock downs here in Ontario, we’ve all had more time in our homes which means more messes. My typically tidy home seems to explode into disorder overnight. So, more cleaning is necessary. But it’s not all bad news. My teens, like many kids, have found the pandemic to be anxiety provoking, emotional and downright terrifying at times. WE have all coped with some of that uncertainty and emotional turmoil by doing a lot of different things. I have done a lot of walking and exercising. Sometimes the kids join me and sometimes they don’t. My one daughter spends way too much time getting lost on TikTok. My oldest does a lot of baking and cooking which is all well and good and yummy too. But that can be messy too, so more cleaning is involved after that mess. Payton, 19, has also been cleaning compulsively. There are definitely worse habits to have. In fact, a year ago my daughter launched into the pandemic with some manic Marie Kondo-ing of all her things, and over the months she has revisited that many times over. I’m not complaining at all. In fact, it has been helpful in some ways. Why Earth Brand? Earth Friendly Cleaning products from Earth Brand speak to all of us in my home. Earth Brand, a brand that clearly combines a little bit of science experiment, with pods that dissolve in the reusable bottles makes tidying up better for everyone. When Earth Brand arrived here, my kids were a little bit curious. The pods are separate from the bottles and they contain everything you need to get started. EARTH BRAND has a mission to remove single-use plastics from the cleaning routines of Canadians. That’s something we can all get behind. But interestingly it really resonated with my teens. I’ve been saying this for awhile now. Generation Z is committed to the environment and they are kind of fascinating to watch grow. They don’t back down on the causes that matter to them. They are passionate about brands that do better and they expect that. So, Earth Brand is a great fit for our family and for their future. Over 90% of plastic is not recycled – ending up in landfills, the environment and waterways. Each pouch of Earth Brand Pods can save three single-use plastic bottles from a landfill. They products are easy to use and fun with a fresh scent. Water represents over 95% of the weight of most cleaning products – and associated pollution as well. Did You Know? Canadians produce a lot of plastic waste; an estimated 3.3 million tonnes per year – with about 85%, or 2.8 million tonnes, ending up in Canadian landfills every year. Because of this, the Government of Canada has recently passed legislation that bans single-use plastics by the end of 2021. So, it’s time for all of us to start doing better. The Earth Brand pods and bottles are Green Seal Certified for sustainability, and are ensured 100% recyclable. What are Earth Brand Pods? Each Earth Brand Pod is a dose of concentrated cleaning solution in a fully-dissolvable, earth-friendly film. Once the pod completely dissolves in water, it provides 1 litre of safe but powerful and ready-to-spray household cleaner. It might sound silly but dissolving the pods in the bottles felt like a bit of a science experiment and we all enjoyed that. How are Earth Brand Pods different? Unlike some of Earth Brand’s competitors, these pods leave behind very little packaging waste so they are better for the environment. The pods completely dissolve in water, and the minimalist packaging is 100% recyclable. Further, you can use any bottle you have. There are no proprietary systems, just earth friendly cleaning. Where can I buy Earth Brand Pods? You can buy Earth Brand Pods on Amazon.ca and in retail locations across Canada. Have fun cleaning again and get the kids involved too.

The post Getting Kids Inspired to Help with Earth Friendly Cleaning Products appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.

Best Environmentally Safe Ways to Keep Pests out of your Garden

Paula — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 11:10:09 +0000

Your garden can be a calming, relaxing, and rewarding experience. You get to grow your own food and know that your food is coming from a healthier place than what you might find in your local grocery store. When it comes to having your own garden there are pests that can arrive to threaten your crop. If you have pests hanging around your garden and you are searching for some of the best environmentally safe ways to keep them out, then you’ve come to the right place. Check out my list of the best environmentally safe options to keep those pesky pests out of your garden. If you need indoor all natural pest control read my gardening content too. Best Environmentally Safe Ways to Keep Pests out of your Garden Garlic Spray Mix the cloves from about five bulbs of garlic with 17 ounces of water, be sure to crush the cloves up before mixing them in the water. Leave the cloves in water to infuse for at least six hours. Once the garlic and water have infused, you’ll need to add a bit of dish soap before straining the mixture and placing in a spray bottle. Spray this around your garden, being careful not to get the spray on your vegetables or other edible garden plants as it may cause a flavor change if spray close to harvest time. Epsom Salt Mixing one cup of Epsom salt in five gallons of water. Transfer the mixture gradually into a spray bottle. You may spray this mixture in and around your garden to keep pests out of your garden. This mixture has been known to burn slugs and beetles to the point that they slowly stop coming around your garden plants. If you want to skip the water with Epsom salt mixture, you can simply sprinkle Epsom salt around your plants to give them nutrients while keeping pests away. Vegetable Oil This vegetable oil mixture is another environmentally safe way to keep pests out of your garden. Mix a quarter cup of dish liquid into one cup of vegetable oil and shake together until the mixture turns white. Seal this mixture in an airtight container and only take about one tablespoon of the mixture with one cup of water before spraying on your plants every five to seven days. Lemon Pesticide Creating this lemon pesticide mixture will help keep bugs away, but it has to actually touch the pest’s body in order to keep pests out of your garden. To make this lemon pesticide you’ll have to bring a pint of water to a boil, add lemon rind to the boiling water that you’ve taken off the stove. Allow the rind to steep overnight and then use a mesh cloth to strain the lemon pesticide into a spray bottle. Essential Oils Lastly, there are many essential oil blends that work as an environmentally safe way to keep pests out of your garden. Peppermint essential oil is a great option to spray on the garden plants. Clove essential oil will help with flying pests that get into your garden. You can also use rosemary essential oil to repel any flying insects as well as insect larvae. Keep Pests Away There you have it, a small list of environmentally safe options to keep your pests out of the garden. Each of these options will help to ensure that you keep pests away from your crop while enjoying a chemical-free harvest when your garden starts to grow delicious vegetables.

The post Best Environmentally Safe Ways to Keep Pests out of your Garden appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.

Eco Shopping is Good for You and The Environment

Paula — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 12:46:14 +0000

Eco shopping has become very popular these days, and that’s a good thing. With climate change and resource usage being real wolves outside our doors, it’s important that we do whatever we can to help reduce our impact on the planet. Most of us already recycle. A lot of us upcycle, finding new uses for used items or turning them into crafts. There’s so much more we can do, though, and it’s easy. Take shopping for example. Eco shopping may sound like a trendy term, but it really just means being more efficient and making small changes that impact both us and our environment in a positive way. What is Eco Shopping Eco shopping simply means that we make changes that allow us to shop more efficiently and with less impact on our environment and on our resource consumption. It’s the shopping equivalent of driving a hybrid or electric vehicle. When we make these small changes, we can reduce our impact on the environment, our time, and in some cases, our wallets. It’s a win all the way around, and that’s always a good thing. Easy Steps to Make Eco Shopping Part of Your Daily Routine I know I keep repeating it, but it’s easy to shop in a way that helps you and the environment. Why do I keep repeating it? Because people love easy. I include myself in that statement. If things aren’t easy, we probably won’t do them. It’s human nature to take the path of least resistance. So let’s take a look at the easy ways that we can change our shopping habits to be more environmentally friendly. Buy Local Buying local is an excellent way to make shopping healthier for us. Local produce is always more fresh and is far less likely to be genetically modified. Did you know that almost all big agriculture produce is genetically modified in some way? Local farmers have far less acreage to farm, and they don’t have access to most genetically modified veggies because they’re patented. That means you’ll be shopping for and consuming natural food. Bring Reusable Bags Recycling plastic bags is great, but not everyone does. Landfills are jam packed with those things. In addition to reusing and recycling any plastic and paper bags you currently have, you can start using reusable bags when you go grocery shopping. These bags are great because they are far sturdier than plastic or paper, which means you don’t have to worry about your groceries flying all over the parking lot if Jimmy at the checkout overfills them. You can also find insulated bags to keep your cold items nice and chilly until you get them home. Reusable bags also help the environment because they reduce the need for plastic bag and paper bags. That means less need for felling trees and producing plastic which never degrades. Every plastic bag we use will be around literally for a long time. More than ever I hate seeing plastic floating around on roads and in parks. When the winter snow melts it is immediately visible. Use reusable bags and help protect and beautify your own neighbourhood too. I keep a small stash in my van for shopping trips. And if I forget to bring them in I run back to the van and get them (or I send one of the kids). Pick a Store That’s Close The closer the store, the better. It’s good for your wallet and the environment. Why? Gas. The further away the store, the more gas it takes to get there. The more gas you use, the more of this resource you use and the more money you spend. If you can, shop at a store that’s nearby to save on gas consumption. And the less you use your car, the better these days. It’s better for the environment to make a conscious effort to use less gas, thereby producing fewer harmful emissions. Make a List and Check It Twice Think of yourself as a grocery shopping Santa because you should always have a list ready. Thoroughly check your fridge, freezer, and pantry, writing down every single thing you need for the week. Like picking a store that’s close, having a complete list will reduce your gas consumption and the need to buy gas because you won’t be going back and forth to the store all week. It also saves your sanity because those last minute trips for one little item are a thing of the past. Eat Less Red Meat This is a triple threat. It’s great for you health, your wallet, and the environment. Red meat – even lean cuts – are not heart friendly. Even the leanest cut of beef has saturated fat that is bad for your arteries. In addition to its negative impact on your health, red meat is also expensive. Have you seen the price of beef lately? As if those two weren’t enough, raising cattle contributes to greenhouse gases. So the less read meat you eat, the less you spend and the healthier you and the environment are. Buy Pole Caught Tuna If you’re not familiar with how tuna is harvested, you may not understand how helpful this one is. Most commercial tuna companies source their tuna from net fishers. A boat sails across the water, dropping a net that is miles long. The idea is that the net will trap the tuna as they try to swim through it. Unfortunately, that net also traps many other types of fish, as well as sea turtles and dolphins. Obviously, this can harm turtles and dolphins which need to come up for air. Pole caught tuna is exactly what it sounds like. Fisherman go out on boats and actually catch the tuna using fishing rods. You might have to spend a few cents more, but surprisingly, it is only a few cents. And those pennies that you spent help ensure that the only thing caught was tuna. Buy Rainforest Certified Coffee A lot of people don’t know that many coffee producers slash and burn acre upon acre of wildlife habitat to make room for their coffee farms. That is incredibly bad for the environment and quite sad, to boot. The rainforest is our planet’s respiratory system. It’s the lungs of the earth. Cutting down swaths of acreage is basically like cancer spreading, killing our planet’s ability to breathe. It also costs the lives and habitats of innumerable jungle creatures. Buying rainforest certified coffee means that you’re investing in the health of the planet. These coffee companies work around the rainforest rather than killing it for their production. You might already be thinking about how much more expensive this kind of coffee is, but like pole caught tuna, the extra expense isn’t all that much. Buy Products with Recycled Packaging When you go shopping, check the packages of everything and look for the words “post consumer content”. If you see those words, it means the packaging was made using some percentage of recycled materials. This percentage can vary, so look for the one that uses the most. Buying products that use recycled content helps reduce the need for resource consumption because a portion of the materials required to make the packaging already exist. These Easy Changes Make Eco Shopping a Reality With more and more people on the planet, resource consumption and pollution rise higher and higher. Making these easy changes to your routine can help you become an eco shopping warrior with very little effort. It’s a great feeling to know that every decision we make can positively affect our planet, our health, and in some cases, our wallets. So put these tips to work for you and make eco shopping your new way of shopping.

The post Eco Shopping is Good for You and The Environment appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.

The Alternative Eco-Gift Guide

Paula — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 13:22:48 +0000

The Alternative Eco-Gift Guide is here to help you make an impact this season. And to help you think about impactful ways to give while keeping the environment top of mind too. If you know me at all then you know I support many initiatives, charities and causes that make the world a better place, or just try to make it a better place. Not everyone wants or needs a massive expensive Christmas present. Eco-Conscious friends and family members would much rather you gifted something eco-friendly or long-lasting. The Alternative Eco-Gift Guide A lot of people are becoming more aware that they have a role to play in fighting climate change but they often aren’t sure where to start. The options I’ve included below in my Alternative Eco-Friendly Gift Guide are really unusual, but effective ideas, which will have a real impact. So, if you are searching for a way to give your eco-conscious relative or friend a gift that helps the environment consider one, or more, of these: For Your Cycling Friends, or For You: · An annual bike share membership – (programs exist in Hamilton, Ottawa and Toronto) I love this idea! · Book an electric vehicle test drive – electric vehicles produce up to 90% less emissions than gas cars For Your Home or Your Parents: · Book in an appointment for a smart thermostat – smart thermostats save money and energy at home by monitoring and regulating the temperature for you. (FYI we have a smart thermostat and it’s one of the best things we have done here and simple too). Or buy one as a family gift. If my Mom or my in laws were still around I’d buy a smart thermostat for them and book an appointment to get one installed. · Plan a home energy audit to help find the areas of your home that could be more energy efficient. This is a good New Year’s goal as well. Did you know there are rebates and incentives to update to more eco-friendly energy efficient systems in your home? And there are many also for small businesses. For That Person Who Has Everything They Need, or The Friend Who is SUPER Committed to Giving Back: · Buy some carbon offsetting, e.g. Less Emissions, Carbon Zero, or OffSetters. · Shares in a solar power community or solar farm, e.g. Solar Share · Portable solar panels, or solar chargers for phones or other devices. I happen to love this idea. My older daughter has a solar charger for her smart phone. Love it. They can be found and they are great gifts. The Alternative Eco-Gift Guide Makes a Genuine Impact or a Start Make a genuine impact, or even just a start on the journey to become more eco-friendly. These ideas are, for some of you, a place to begin making a change. For others, they are a part of the ongoing commitment to build a better environment and protect the one we have. Either way consider giving. To learn more consider becoming a climate defender and visit: www.yournextchoice.ca. This post has been sponsored by Environmental Defence Canada. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful.

The post The Alternative Eco-Gift Guide appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.

Five Things You Need to Know About A Solar Eclipse

Paula — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 09:47:07 +0000

A Solar Eclipse happens on August 21, 2017, and people are abuzz! While a solar eclipse is not an uncommon event, we won’t see another over Canada, the continental United States, and North America until 2024, so that’s a big deal. TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE FACTS: If you’ve never experienced a total eclipse, there are things you’ll see and feel that may be a bit unsettling. Understanding what’s happening and why will make viewing the solar eclipse all the more interesting. Anxious children might benefit from knowing what to expect in advance. The sky may look like it has a hole in it. When the eclipse reaches totality, meaning the moon is completely blocking the sun, it will create a big dark circle in the sky. The corona, the outermost part of the sun’s atmosphere, won’t be blocked. The corona is a beautiful ring of light that helps to create the illusion of a hole in the sky. The temperature will drop. The moment the sun is completely blocked by the moon, the temperature will suddenly drop. It happens because of the loss of light from the sun. The American Astronomical Society predicts that most of us watching can expect a significant drop in temperature. Traffic may be the worst you’ve seen. Experts say that the eclipse is likely to cause the highest traffic day many cities in North America have ever experienced! To avoid being caught in traffic, plan ahead. If you’re traveling to see the eclipse from somewhere else, try and get there a day (or more) early. If you don’t already have hotel reservations or a camping spot, don’t expect to find one now. Business as usual for you that day? Anticipate a slowdown to and from work. Definitely do everything you can to avoid being in the car when the eclipse happens. Drivers will be distracted watching the sky and may pull over, slow down, or stop altogether. Insects and animals will behave differently. Birds will suddenly go silent as the darkness indicates it’s time for them to settle down for the night. When the sun comes out of hiding they’ll think it’s morning and will happily sing and chirp the way they always do at dawn. As the world around you darkens, crickets and frogs will be as noisy as they are everyday at sundown, and many kinds of spiders will deconstruct their webs. Owls and bats, who only make their appearances at night, may show themselves. Wondering if your pets will react differently during the eclipse? It’s possible. Especially nervous pets should probably stay inside. In the event that they are going to be outdoors with you, it’s a good idea to leash them. Safe viewing is important. It is true you can harm your eyes staring too close. Solar eclipse glasses are for sale everywhere. They’re being sold online and in stores as protective eyewear and the packaging promises to keep your eyes safe. Sadly many of the glasses being advertised are junk. Companies are manufacturing and selling fake eclipse glasses with no regard to the severe and often irreversible eye damage that can be done. IGNORE many of THESE ADS. Never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection. Follow NASA rules here about ways to view the total eclipse. There are simple, no or low cost ways, to make a safe viewing device for the eclipse. No need to spend a lot of money. The solar eclipse can be educational: Those are five of the most important things I think you should know about the solar eclipse. Will you watch? Are your kids excited? What are your viewing plans?

The post Five Things You Need to Know About A Solar Eclipse appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.

Make a Simple Change – Take The Earth Month EnviroCare Challenge and Win

Paula — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 11:17:23 +0000

Earth Day has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean that your green habits need to stop. This spring we have been taking a lot of walks together; we have built that in as a new habit after dinner most nights and weekends. We are a pretty active family already, but walking is a good way to supplement our sports and activities. Our walks are also a chance to talk about things that matter to us. Depending on the night, I walk with one or both of the girls. We get exercise in. We use our own energy, instead of driving to the gym, and we take pride in and enjoy the trails and paths in our neighbourhood. Plus, we talk a lot when we walk, or hike, together. There’s no real downside to that. Surprisingly it really hasn’t been that hard to change this one habit.. In my capacity as a social media consultant I work with an increasing number of green companies. But on a personal level I often wonder what can we do to help? Earth Day, taking care of the environment, and making our family greener is a big, personal, goal. Sometimes even that feels a bit overwhelming. But this week, I got thinking what if making the change is as simple as walking is. What if changing one simple habit helped to make this family greener? What if it could be the same for you? How easy would that be? In this family we strive to make improvements where we can. That has meant we change habits one at a time to make an impact. First we switched our lightbulbs. Then we bought a few energy efficient appliances. We switched to washing clothes and dishes off peak hours and we use cold water for laundry. Of course we switch lights off, don’t litter and recycle. When we made the switch to the Nest Thermostat, that made a big impact on home energy consumption. And we are always trying to do a bit better at unplugging small appliances and gadgets when not in use. One habit at a time. That’s a manageable change for any family. Here’s another simple change that can make a big impact. Look for the EnviroCare labels on paper products from now on at the grocery store. How would that impact the environment for the better? Here’s another simple change that can make a big impact. Look for EnviroCare® paper products at the grocery store. How would that impact the environment for the better? What is EnviroCare® and Why Should I Look For It? Let’s talk a bit about what the EnviroCare label means. EnviroCare products are made with 100 % recycled paper products. And EnviroCare products have helped contribute to diverting 95,000 trucks from landfills since 2010. In fact EnviroCare is the official sponsor of Earth Day Canada. The EnviroCare family includes trusted brands like Cashmere® , SpongeTowels® , Scotties® , and Purex® , high quality bathroom tissue, facial tissue and paper towel. Challenge Your Family to Make the EnviroCare® Change This Earth Day One of the easiest things you can do to make an impact this Earth Day is buy 100% recycled paper products. Look for EnviroCare when you go shopping. That tells you the product is environmentally friendly and is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, international certification and labeling system dedicated to promoting responsible forest management of the world’s forests. Maybe you think you are too busy to look for EnviroCare when you are shopping. I mean you are already counting calories on the labels at the grocery store and checking for ingredients and sodium and sugar, right? That adds time at the grocery store. It’s maddening some days that it takes so long to get through the grocery store. But EnviroCare is super easy to spot. It’s a big green label on any of the brands mentioned above. So this month start choosing green at the grocery store. Pick the EnviroCare products and make a smart choice that benefits the environment. Win With EnviroCare You can enter to win weekly prizes over on EnviroCare’s promotional website. Just snap a photo of your receipt after you buy EnviroCare products. You could win your own Nest Learning Thermostat or a Grand Prize of a Banff, Alberta getaway. Contest ends May 31, 2017. Follow Scotties Tissue on Facebook, and SpongeTowels too. and Cashmere and Purex too. This post has been sponsored by EnviroCare® and as such I am compensated. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful. ®/™ Trademarks of Kruger Products L.P. ®’ Scotties is a registered trademark of Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc., used under license.

The post Make a Simple Change – Take The Earth Month EnviroCare Challenge and Win appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.

Simple Earth Day Trash Or Recycle Game for Ages 3 and up.

Paula — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 09:33:45 +0000

It’s coming up to Earth Day. I don’t know about you but these days I feel more urgency than ever when it comes to Earth Day and changing some of our family habits. Are we greener than we used to be here? Yes, I believe so. Do your kids turn lights off, pick up litter and sort recycling? It’s never too soon to start teaching some of the recycling basics and this Trash Or Recycle game will help. The parent in me loves that schools in Ontario do a better job than ever of teaching energy conservation and environmental issues to kids. Frankly I still recall being a child when we started the recycling system in Guelph Ontario. It was a steep learning curve. But kids are the quickest ones to learn and adapt to change often. [tweetthis]Use this simple Earth Day Trash Or Recycle Game to teach the basics – ages 3 and up. [/tweetthis] This Earth Day, I thought it would be a great chance to share some fun printables for kids. This Earth Day Trash or Recycle Game is geared at younger children so even a preschooler at age of three can start learning how to care for the environment. To print this out just click on the image and save and print from your computer. Also if you are interested in more printables about Earth Day I have a few ready to be shared here: Earth Day word search and an Earth Day Crossword Puzzle too. And don’t forget to read the Earth Day Facts You Did Not Know post. I hope this simple Earth Day Trash or Recycle game in a matchup style will help your kids to categorize and make some sense of what we can do to help. What do you do to encourage recycling in your home?

The post Simple Earth Day Trash Or Recycle Game for Ages 3 and up. appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.

Earth Day Crack The Code Printable for Kids Age 5 and Up

Paula — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 13:00:52 +0000

What’s right around the corner and a great opportunity for education? Earth Day! There are so many great opportunities to share lessons about the environment this time of year. As soon as the ground thaws start a garden with your child and give them a hands on appreciation for how things grow. And don’t forget to print out some of my Earth Day puzzles, like this Earth Day Crack The Code printable. This Earth Day Crack the Code Printable is intended for anyone over the age of 5. Older kids can have just as much fun as the little people with this one. If your child likes puzzles they will enjoy solving this one. If you are doing an Earth Day unit in geography and you teach school, or do home school, then this is also useful for you. Earth Day discussion and learning could be contained in a geography or social sciences unit. There’s a heavy dose of literacy and English to be applied here too though. Look for more printables this Earth Day here. I have a few in the works. Instructions for the Earth Day Crack the Code Printable: Click on the image above and save and print it out for your students, or children. And while you are at it, don’t forget to print out this Earth Day Crossword and Earth Day Wordsearch. By the way the Earth Day Crack The Code answer key is here if you need to check your child’s work.

The post Earth Day Crack The Code Printable for Kids Age 5 and Up appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.

17 Things to Do in Marvellous Martin County

Paula — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 13:52:20 +0000

My favourite thing about traveling is embarking on new adventures and discovering destinations I might never see otherwise. Marvellous Martin County provided the perfect opportunity to explore this area of Florida that was new to me. I learn something new every time I visit a new city or island and that keeps me young. Last month I had all sorts of new experiences in marvellous Martin County, Florida. How to Get To Martin County Martin County is easy to reach from Palm Beach International Airport, Fort Lauderdale Airport or Orlando International Airport. It is a straightforward 2 hour drive from Orlando International Airport. It is about 95 minutes from the Fort Lauderdale Airport and 3 hours from Tampa. The Ecosystem This county is known for its bio-diverse ecosystem with 22 miles of coastline and many family friendly activities for all to enjoy. From quaint downtown Stuart, to Hobe Sound Beach, and Jensen Beach, there are numerous beautiful beaches and parks and one of a kind museums. All of that makes for a memorable vacation in Martin County. Here are 17 Things to Do in Marvellous Martin County, Florida: See Stuart No, it’s not a person. Stuart is the first town in Florida to be awarded Coastal Living’s Happiest Seaside Town in America Award. It’s quaint and clean and really lovely to explore. The shops and restaurants in Stuart are worth seeing. There are free musical events and you can stroll the Riverwalk pretty much any time. I wished I had more time to visit. I spent one morning browsing and taking pictures here. Cute and Walkable Stuart is a treasure and a picturesque spot for any tourist to visit. No skyscrapers here, just unobstructed views of the coast and tiny lizards scampering along the riverwalk. Take the Solar-Powered Trolley Ride in Stuart Sometimes even though a city is walkable you can cover more ground by transportation and see the area like a tourist. That’s just a fun way to do things occasionally. The trolley is the best way to get around and a fun FREE ride that runs daily by the way. I decided to hop on. It was a quiet day and the trolley driver gave me the grand tour with commentary as we drove around. He pointed out all the hot spots I should see. What an asset he is! About the Drivers In fact I learned all of the trolley drivers are trained by the Stuart Heritage Museum. Passenger pickup at Sailfish Circle, Kiwanis, Flagler and Osceola Parks. In fact people who work in that area will drop their car off and park in the morning and take the solar powered (yes that’s right and frankly I loved that feature) trolley to work and back to the lot when they are done. Here city hall is right on the water and there are Sunday markets too. Stuart Heritage Museum I barely had a moment to stop and take a photo. My itinerary was jam-packed. Admission is free. Uncover a few facts about Martin County’s history here. Do the Sea Turtle Nesting Walk Here’s what to expect if you do the Hobe Sound Sea Turtle Nesting Walk. (Take Bug Spray) Extremely educational. This is a must do for anyone over the age of five. This was one of my favourite experiences in Martin County and it was miraculous really to watch huge sea turtles dig an egg chamber and release over 100 eggs into the sand before covering them over and disappearing back into the sea. AMAZING. Take a surfing lesson or attend surfing school. I wrote more about that here – That Time I Attended Ohana Surfing School Summer Camp. What a marvellous experience and a formidable physical challenge. Take a week one summer and schedule your kids into surfing camp while you rent a condo in the area or stay at the Hutchinson Island Marriott. Such a great opportunity for any child. So unique too. Visit The Elliott Museum Foucault’s Pendulum greets you in the lobby. So hypnotic and dramatic! This is a gorgeous museum with an antique automobile collection that is astounding. It alone will knock your socks off. When I was there there was also a cool collection of American Baseball cards and a surfing display that was a bit eclectic but fun and a great insight into the culture of Martin County too. If you are an automobile collector or car aficionado you need to visit. Car Crazy? Don’t Miss This.. I am not car crazy at all but I was amazed at the setup and the exhibit, all right there in Martin County. Imagine one of those high end parking structures that is automated you’ve seen on James Bond movies and maybe in Fast and Furious as well. That’s the kind of amazing see through structure these one of a kind autos are kept in. Press a button and the one you are interested in seeing will appear before you in real life. Kids under 6 are free. UNBELIEVABLE! Visit The Florida Oceanographic Centre The Florida Oceanographic Centre is a 57 acre nature centre located on Hutchinson Island in Stuart, between the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean. Excellent for families and not expensive either. There are a few rescued sea turtles here that you will want to learn more about I am sure. Zak Jud, PHD, shown above, is the director of education and exhibits, and is extremely informed. He often runs educational sessions for school groups and is also often skyped into classrooms when they are learning about a particular ocean unit. Florida Oceanographic Institute is a state and nationally recognized environmental organization offering educational programs to people of all ages. You will leave knowing more about the ocean environment. You will also be able to better protect that environment as a result. Feed the Stingrays at Florida Oceanographic Centre You can do this daily at a certain time. Check with the Florida Oceanographic Institute which offers Feeding the Stingrays sessions. They will tell you how to do this safely for all involved. Paddle Boarding Go paddle boarding at any of the amazing beaches here. I recommend Stuart Beach. Stuart Beach is one of the prettiest and cleanest beaches I have ever been to. Sailfish Splash I ran out of time to visit Sailfish Splash, but wish that I could have done so. Sailfish Splash is a waterpark in Martin County. If you have kids they will love it here. Visit The Children’s Museum of The Treasure Coast in Jensen Beach. Also very affordable. By the way The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast, The Florida Oceanographic Centre and the Elliott Museum have a discount arrangement so if you buy admission to one of the three save your receipt and you could get a discount at one of the other participating attractions if you attend within thirty days of the original visit. Visit the House of Refuge. What’s a House of Refuge, you ask? Well, a house of refuge used to be a place for shipwrecked sailors and travellers to stay when they were shipwrecked. The House of Refuge located at 301 MacArthur BLVD, Stuart, Florida, is the last of nearly a dozen shipwreck life-saving stations on Florida’s Atlantic Coast. Built in 1876 to help stranded sailors. [tweetthis]What is a house of refuge anyways? #DiscoverMartin #travel #LOVEFL[/tweetthis] Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge Take a day or an afternoon at least and wander around Hobe Sound. Take your camera and spy some of the various species of birds and wildlife living here. The Nature Centre alone features 20 different species including snakes and crocodiles. There are two trails in the refuge. One opens up to the Indian River Lagoon where you can go kayaking or simply relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. Go Fishing There are some great spots to catch fish in Martin County. Stuart is known as the sailfish capital of the world and there’s also an annual lion fish Jupiter Island Beach Take a drive through the area where ex president’s families have property, as do celebrities and sports personalities. It’s a picturesque area to drive through and the beach is public. There’s a beautiful entry way lined with Banyan Trees that makes this spot feel very southern indeed. Stay at the Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort and Marina. Amazing service here and such a gorgeous location. There’s a marina attached and beach access and it’s walking distance to Stuart Beach, The Florida Oceanographic Centre and the Elliott Museum. GREAT location, Great Food, Family Friendly. LOVED it here. Port Salerno Go for the seafood and take photos too. We stopped here only long enough to have dinner one night but the pictures I got were some of my favourites. Port Salerno is a small community that was once the hub for the south Florida fishing industry. Now it’s a working waterfront. There are many local restaurants and markets nearby. Enjoy the Unique Activities in Martin County There are so many more things to do in Martin County. These are some of the things I enjoyed most while visiting. I was a guest of Martin County and Indian River County and Visit Florida. I received flights, accommodations and excursions as well as compensation for my time. My opinion is all my own.

The post 17 Things to Do in Marvellous Martin County appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.

Metal Roofs – The Merits of Metal

Paula — Thu, 05 May 2016 10:18:50 +0000

Metal roofs have been around for a long time, but they’ve seen a marked increase in popularity over the last couple of years. This popularity is spurred by the growing awareness of the longevity, energy efficiency, and durability of metal roofs. As more and more people discover the benefits of these types of roof, their popularity continues to grow. Metal Roofs – What Makes Them Better Metal roofs are experiencing a surge in popularity. Even builders and contractors are beginning to promote metal roofing for its benefits. This roofing material is resilient, durable, cost effective, and lasts. We are in the market for a new roof here actually and I have been pricing them out and getting estimates but I see 75 % of the new roofs in our neighbourhood are metal roofs so I wanted to do some more research to determine which option makes more sense for my home and my family. Of course then I thought I’d share what I found with you because some of this is extremely interesting. It’s making me consider metal. Longevity A metal roof can last from between 40 to 70 years, depending on the type of metal used. This is from 2 to 5 times longer than a traditional asphalt roof. Durability A metal roof is more durable than an asphalt shingled roof, as well. In fact, some metal roofing can withstand winds of up to 140 miles per hour. In addition, a metal roof won’t corrode or crack, is impact resistant depending on which material is used, and they don’t need the periodic maintenance that other roofing materials can require. Safety A metal roof won’t spark or ignite during wildfires or from a lightning strike. Energy Efficiency Metal roofs reflect radiant heat from the sun. This heat reflection can save between 10% to 25% in energy costs. PIN THIS IMAGE FOR LATER -> (see above) Environmentally Friendly Metal roofs are made with anywhere from 25% to 95% recycled content and are 100% recyclable, whereas most shingle tear-off ends up in a landfill. Metal roofing also requires no petroleum for production. Cost Effective Although metal roofing can be up to 3 times more expensive than traditional roofing materials, it is still far more cost effective than traditional roofing. The fact that a metal roof can last up to 5 times longer than a traditional roof, means that over the course of the roof’s life, you’ll actually save money. [tweetthis]7 reasons you might be better off buying a metal roof.[/tweetthis] Less Weight While this might not seem like a major selling point, the fact that metal roofs weigh about half as much as asphalt roofing means that your home’s load bearing elements like beams and the foundation will experience less stress, which translates to less likelihood of needing repairs down the line. Metal Roofs – A New Trend, Not a Fad Metal roofs may be a new trend, but they are most certainly not a fad. These roofs have been around for quite some time, but they’ve only recently seen a surge in popularity as their benefits become more and more wildly known. While you’ll have to pay extra up front, in the long run, metal roofs will save you money, repair costs, energy expenditures, and more.

The post Metal Roofs – The Merits of Metal appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.