Fast and free: Ingrid Callot's summertime energy-saving tips

I am Ingrid Callot, better known as the reigning queen of recycling, reusing, and reducing in my neighborhood and on the blogosphere. Today, I’d like to talk about energy-saving for summer.

Ingrid Callot. Image Credit: thetastyalternative.com

As you look forward to spending breezy warm days and great summer nights, higher bills are expected, but are not welcome. Whether you use an air conditioning unit and such cooling appliances more often than usual or consume more water to cool down body temperature, there are saving tips that can help you reduce and energy cost and consumption. They are Earth-friendly as well. So before setting that air conditioning into full speed, consider these Ingrid Callot tips, so that at the end of the season, your pockets will thank you in return:

Ingrid Callot. Image Credit: showmomthemoney.com

• Buy an automatic thermostat, if you haven’t yet. A programmable thermostat can turn on and off at certain temperatures. It automatically kicks in when it detects warmer temperatures and shuts off when it senses cooler temperatures. At the same time, it turns off when you are away and runs on when you are around.

• Replace your current incandescent bulbs with more efficient ones, like compact fluorescent bulbs or LED. They consume less energy yet they are brighter and they last longer.

• When you leave your home empty during the day, keep your curtains down or closed to keep the rays of the sun from entering your interiors. This makes way for cooler air, allowing your air conditioning system to work less hard at nighttime.

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More of Ingrid Callot’s Earth-friendly tips are posted on Facebook.

Ingrid Callot's smart tips for a non-toxic summer living

Hi. It’s me Ingrid Callot, happy to be at your service once again. Ever since I pledged to a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle, I’ve been making it a point to learn and share to all of you. It is my way of doing a good turn on a regular basis. Today, I’ll be talking about how to have a non-toxic summer.

Ingrid Callot. Image credit: authorslounge.authorsxpress.com

We have been told, time and again, that certain ingredients are dangerous to the health. We’ve also been told what to do with and how to lessen the impact of certain dangers. I know, it gets puzzling, intimidating, and stressful, all at the same time. However, I believe that most Ingrid Callot blog followers would agree with me when I say that it doesn’t have to be confusing or complicated. For having non-toxic living, especially in the hot days, is all about taking small steps and finding what’s important for you and your beloved family. Here are some practical tips to help you make healthier choices:

1. Say “bye-bye” to mosquito bites the natural and chemical-free way. Instead of using expensive mosquito repellent lotion, use the summer wind to ward off those pesky insects. The New York Times says that wind is an effective weapon to repel mosquitoes with.

Ingrid Callot. Image credit: the-eco-group.com

2. Cool down but save on bills. Summer means more time, energy, and money spent to keep you cool. To lessen consumption and expenses, program your thermostat to have it working with varied temperatures, kicking in at hot temperatures and turning off at lower ones. Closing the windows and doors during the day and opening them at night help in the cooling and ventilation processes as well. This is also a great way to improve indoor air quality.

3. Recycle and reuse. I can’t emphasize enough the benefits of these two. On going to picnics, use glass bottles instead of plastic containers. In shopping, bring your own cloth bag. On selling and buying, consider second-hand items and flea markets.

Ingrid Callot. Image credit: thetastyalternative.com

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Ingrid Callot: All hail the women at the Olympics!

As a steward of healthy living, I, Ingrid Callot, am fascinated by women who excel in sports, much more by those who make it in the Olympics! Over the years, the Olympics have been flocked into by young, beautiful, and accomplished women in their respective sporting events. Here are some of them:

1. Stephanie Rice. This 23 year-old Australian swimmer holds the world record in the 400-meter women's individual medley, and won three gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. She earned her celebrity status not just because of her skills in the game but also because of her sex appeal.

Ingrid Callot. Image Credit: greenobles.com

2. Jessica Ennis. This stunning heptathlete got famous following her gold medal at the World Championships in 2009 and victory at the European Championships in 2010.

Ingrid Callot. Image Credit: thesun.co.uk

Together with her husband Roger and son Jacob, Ingrid Callot has made a lifetime commitment of living a greener and healthier lifestyle.

3. Maria Sharapova. This 25-year-old stunner has been decorated with numerous tennis medals, the latest being the Olympics 2012 Silver Medal for Women’s Singles. Maria started hitting tennis balls at the age of four; at six, she participated in an exhibition in Moscow featuring Martina Navratilova. At nine years old, she started her formal training at Nick Bollettieri's Tennis Academy in Florida, USA. Sharapova has received as much attention for her outstanding abilities in tennis as she has for her good looks.

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Gearing up: Ingrid Callot's list of basic must-haves for every green thumb

It is me again, Ingrid Callot, at your service. Today, I won’t be addressing the common quandaries of women, such as fashion disaster and closet mayhem. Instead, I’ll be writing more about my “green awakening.”

Ingrid Callot Iamge Credit: greenwerkspro.com

I used to live life like every average mortal soul does – without a care about ozone thinning or global warming. At least until after I woke from a hellish nightmare where an army of trash bins chased me through town. Then, acid rain began to pour, burning my skin. I was literally screaming my lungs out when my husband Roger shook me awake, looking just as frightened as I was. That night, I vowed to adopt a healthier lifestyle and after days of reading up on green living, I set out to build my own garden.

Now I share the Ingrid Callot List of Basic Must-Haves for every green thumb (wannabe):

Ingrid Callot Image Credit: gokozgro.com

Standard shovel and spade
Often used interchangeably, here’s a wee bit of def to differentiate the spade from the shovel. A spade is for digging and removing earth while a shovel is used for digging, lifting, and moving massive objects.

Rake
This is primarily used for light weeding, leveling, loosening the soil, and collecting leaves, hay, grass, and other similar objects.  

Hoe
Also used to move around small amounts of soil, a hoe is used mainly for hilling and creating narrow furrows or shallow trenches.  

Watering can
While having a hose might be convenient, a watering can is much easier to use for jobs too small for a hose.

Ingrid Callot made a vow to adopt a healthier lifestyle after waking from a nightmare where an army of trash bins chased her through town.

Ingrid Callot Image Credit: thetastyalternative.com

Trowel
This hand tool comes in a variety of types. But generally, it is used for breaking up the earth or digging small holes in preparation to planting, weeding, mixing fertilizers, and other additives, or transferring plants to pots.

Wheelbarrow and cart
So what’s the difference? A wheelbarrow, which is quite smaller, sometimes comes in one wheel, and is used to lift objects around. On the other hand, a cart is much larger, often pushed or pulled by one or more people.

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Ingrid Callot and the seven weedy sins

Ingrid Callot. Photo Source: http://www.asgardsss.co.uk

Hailed as the green queen of eco-blogosphere, Ingrid Callot is a passionate writer of all things environmental.

Alan Alexander Milne, the famed playwright and novelist best known for his books about the adorable bear named Winnie the Pooh, once said “Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”

Ingrid Callot. Photo Source: http://www.skylarkgardeners.wordpress.com

I couldn’t agree more. Edgardo Versoza, my most devoted friend who also plays the role of the most mischievous sprite in my life, took me out for a stroll today. As if to taunt me about that “weedy incident” on my lawn a couple of months ago, he pulled me to a corner where some charming bushes grew. I couldn’t help but adore them. The clever imp Edgardo took it as his cue to throw a horror-struck guise at me and exclaimed, “Ingrid Callot! You self-proclaimed eco goddess, how could you possibly have no inkling as to what these vile little creatures are!”

Well, how could I not know that the up-to-no-good Edgardo was out to humor himself with a dose of mockery over my vow to green living? It turned out that the fascinating shrubberies were not posies but weeds.

So, here are a few of those cunning pretty wild things that shouldn’t fool any green thumb at first sight:

Canada Thistle

Photo source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cirsium_arvense_with_Bees_Richard_Bartz.jpg

White Clover

Photo source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Trifolium_April_2010-2.jpg

Queen Anne's Lace

Photo source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Daucus_carota_May_2008-1_edit.jpg

Dandelion

Photo source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TaraxacumOfficinaleSeed.JPG

Creeping Jenny

Photo source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lysimachia_nummularia2.jpg

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Ingrid Callot: Tidy up before you party up

Green queen and recycling goddess are just some of the titles attached to my name. However, I am better known as Ingrid Callot -- the reigning queen of eco-blogosphere. I kid. Though I am adamant about conquering the universe together with my army of recyclists, I am no Miss Universe wannabe. Though I’m sure I’m packaged with both beauty and brains (but enough with this psychobabble), I believe we – as ordinary as we may seem to be -- can change the world one small step at a time without the need for power, affluence, or hype.

Ingrid Callot Image Credit: mylifeasacake.com

My infamous friend Edgardo Versoza, who enjoys belittling my mission in life by bashing me with boorish comments about my scullery in haywire, came over to check out my place the day before my husband Roger’s birthday party. I, Ingrid Callot, took him by surprise when he found I managed to clear all the clutter single-handedly -- a feat I couldn’t be more proud of after seeing the dumbstruck Edgardo’s face. Now, I share to you six simple steps that could transform your muddled habitat into a festive haven.  

Corral your crap. Get all the mess out of the way and tuck them into a safe spot.  

Stash up the bath. Make sure you have sufficient supplies of tissue rolls in the bathroom.

Ingrid Callot Image Credit: blog.gaiam.com

Bring it on! Haul in a table big enough to accommodate the food and make sure you’ve got enough seats for all your guests. Instead of shelling out some money, you might want to try borrowing an extra table or chairs from a friendly neighbor.  

Let the flowers in bloom. Some décor can help brighten up your place. Gathering some flowers from your garden and putting them in vases will do trick.

Light up. Light a dozen unscented candles to create an intimate ambiance.  

Turn on the volume. Play some mellow tunes during meals or dance music to liven up the party.

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Now, you’re all set to welcome your first guest! Don’t forget to add me, Ingrid Callot, on your guest list, alright? Learn more eco- and budget-friendly home improvement tips by following Ingrid Callot on Facebook.

Ingrid Callot: Gearing up the eco way

Known on the blogosphere as Ingrid Callot the recycling enthusiast and domestic goddess, I make it a point to know everything that concerns living the green life.

With the summer season here, I’m sure eager moms like me are already prepping up for the next school year. Thus, I rummaged through the local shops for some great finds that my son Jacob will surely love. Check them out:

Thinksound Sustainable Wood Headphones.

The Thinksound Sustainable Wood Headphones, a bright idea developed by the eco-friendly firm Rain, are designed with sleek wooden ear buds that render high-def sound. It surely is the greenest way to listen to your favorite tunes while passing time.

Ingrid Callot. Image credit: Ecotechninja.com

EarthDrive 2GB Flash Drive.

I’m far from being anything techie but I, Ingrid Callot, am not called a green queen for nothing. And yes, I own an EarthDrive myself. Known as the world’s first recyclable USB drive, it is made of recycled materials. And with each EarthDrive purchase, 50 cents is donated to the American Forests.

Ingrid Callot. Image credit: Gadgetsatz.com

Voltaic Fuse Solar Charger.

Youngsters and adults carry an average of three gadgets with them: a mobile phone, digital music player, and a laptop or tablet. It sure is annoying if all three run out of juice just when you’re in the middle of something urgent. With the Voltaic Fuse Solar Charger, you can power up your battery with an estimated 19 hours of talk time or 48 hours of tunes whenever you need to.

Ingrid Callot. Image credit: Voltaicsystems.com

Discover loads of green ideas with Ingrid Callot by following her blog here.