For the next 30 days, The Cozy Magic HQ will be conducting an experiment. My family and I have agreed to hold a housework competition. Our goal is to see if gamifying chores will: Disclosure: This post/page contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you What makes me think it might? Going on a slight tangent,…
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Sustainable Homemaking
A Quick Guide to Installing a Rain Barrel
Guide for Installing a Rain Barrel Did you know plants need water? And while I love Illinois and it is well and truly home now, something I do not like is the doolally weather, and the stonking hot summers. Also, the price of everything is dumb right now, including basic utilities. So, in an attempt to be a little greener for my raised beds, I started looking into installing a…
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Vertical Pumpkin Gardening – Practical, Not Pretty (yet)
You’ve seen what I’m growing in my raised beds this year, but I wanted to try my hand at growing some pumpkins too. And aside from the starter plants, I’m proud to say that I didn’t buy anything new for this project! I’m most proud of trying to use up the wood pile in our back yard. A couple of years ago, the ash tree in our backyard was struck…
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How to Revive a Neglected Compost Tumbler: 5 Simple Steps to Garden Gold
When I bought this Compost Tumbler around three years ago (I think), I remember thinking that THIS was the product that would change me into the eco-homemaker I’ve always wanted to be. Between health issues, babies, and life in general, this compost bin has been neglected for at least 2 years. If I am completely honest, when I realized I need to start composting again, I almost got rid of…
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The Alchemy of Scraps – Reusing Food Waste
I wish my concentrated efforts were eliminating food waste in my home, but it’s a work in progress. We are doing baby-led feeding with my little one, so a lot of meal times look like this: But progress is being made. While my fridge contained a lot of food waste, my freezer has been my hero. So much so, I’m seriously considering investing in a larger freezer (not a chest…
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From Chaos to Clarity: My April Fridge Experiment & Food Audit
From Chaos to Clarity: My April Fridge Experiment & Food Audit Last week, I learned that I was a climate villain, and decided to take steps to correct this starting with food waste in my kitchen. And what a week to start. This is embarrassing to admit, but this was my fridge a week after the flu struck my house: I’m try to be mindful as I wipe down these…
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The Alchemist’s Redemption: Turning My Carbon Footprint into Hearth Magic
I learned I’m a Climate Villian 🙁 As April is Earth Month, I thought a fun learning activity to do with my daughter would be to calculate our carbon footprint as a family. Admittedly, I knew it wasn’t going to be great. Since having my second baby 18 months ago, I’ve definitely chosen the easier option for a lot of things (like individual snack packs). But I do general recycling,…
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