Quilts, Bags, Gardens and Me

Homes Resistant to Bullets and Earthquakes

2012-01-01T17:41:00.000-08:00

This fascinating piece is compliments of treehugger.com. Who, as usual, shares with such generosity. What caught my eye and my head was that these structures are resistant to both bullets and earthquakes!

© Andreas Froese/ECOTEC
Thousands of pieces of trash that would otherwise be clogging waterways and landfills in Nigeria have been turned into sturdy, and surprisingly attractive, construction materials in the village of Yelwa, where the country's first plastic-bottle house is drawing curious visitors and plenty of press.
"Hundreds of people -- including government officials and traditional leaders -- have been coming to see how the [house's] walls are built in the round architectural shape popular in northern Nigeria.
Stronger Than Conventional Construction
The bottles are actually filled with dry soil or construction waste, not sand (an "unnecessary expense"), John Haley of ECOTEC, the firm that is training local masons in the technique, told TreeHugger.com in an email. They are then laid in rows like bricks and bound together with mud, producing a sturdy, well-insulated, and inexpensive three-room structure that is resistant to both bullets and earthquakes.

© Andreas Froese/ECOTEC
"In Nigeria millions of plastic bottles are dumped into waterways and landfill each year causing pollution, erosion, irrigation blockages, and health problems. Bottle houses take this dangerous waste out of the environment and make it useful," the environmental blog Eco Nigeria wrote earlier this year as the construction was in progress.

Sustainability

2012-01-01T17:28:00.000-08:00

This is a short post....just a question. Please, what’s the key detail lacking from all of these subsidies purported to ensure a “safe and secure” energy future?

Sustainability.

No matter how you define that nebulous term, fossil fuel subsidies are about increasing supply, not encouraging efficiency or reducing the external costs to human health and the environment.

Recycling Facts

2011-11-17T13:27:00.000-08:00

Recycling Facts [Infographic]

Re-blog posted by ecokaren on October 10, 2011 · 9 comments

in News and Views

We talk about recycling to death. We know which plastic number should be recycled and which numbers don’t. Although recycling is a way of life in most cities, there are communities that still don’t recycle. So then, it’s no surprise that the U.S. is not the recycling nation in the world.
Did you know that:

-Glass can be recycled over and over without ever losing its purity
–70% less energy is used to manufacture recycled paper
–The energy conserved from recycling one bottle can power a light bulb for one hour
–One recycled can of aluminum contains enough energy to power a Sony TV for three hours

Source:Reusable Bags

More On Water

2011-10-19T09:56:00.000-07:00

Nearly half of all bottled water sold in the United States is tap water, which companies put in plastic bottles and sell at huge profits, according to a new report by Food & Water Watch. Tap water's share of the bottled water market grew from 32.7% in 2000 to 47.8% in 2009 (the rest is spring water), according to the group, which based its analysis on of the bottled water industry's own data. In all, 2.5 billion gallons of municipal tap water, which taxpayers pay to treat, is bottled and sold for $1 (or often much more) per gallon, when the same municipal tap water typically costs a penny or less per gallon ... and is conveniently delivered to your home.
"These are the numbers the bottled water industry doesn't want you to see," said Food & Water Watch executive director Wenonah Hauter. "These figures reveal that more and more bottled water is basically the same product the flows from consumer taps, subsidized by taxpayer dollars—then poured into an environmentally destructive package, and sold for thousands of times its actual value."
According to Food & Water Watch, the increase in the use of tap water comes down, primarily, to Nestle's decision to switch its Pure Life brand from spring to tap water in 2005 ... and it's subsequent advertising campaign, which boosted sales nearly 20% (for an arguably less desirable product).
This all reminds us of our piece on the problems with bottled water, which we reprise here:
For years, advocacy groups have been raising concerns about bottled water: Not only do bottles end up littering the landscape, and not only are those plastic bottles derived from fossil fuels, but they also may leach chemicals into water and the quality of the water is not stringently monitored.
But many Americans have a healthy distrust of advocacy groups. If you're one of them, then consider this. The Government Accountability Office, the well-respected and nonpartisan research organization that serves Congress, has concluded a yearlong investigation, and come up with basically the same conclusions. Here's a summary:

Water Quality

Surveys have shown that perceived health benefits are behind the staggering increase in the consumption of bottled water -- from 13.4 gallons per person in 1997 to 29.3 gallons per person in 2007. While on paper, the Food and Drug Administration limits on contaminants in bottled water mirror the Environmental Protection Agency's strict limits on contaminants in tap water supplied by community water systems, that doesn't mean bottled water is as closely watched or as safe as tap water. Here's why:

Phthalates
Unlike the EPA, which has set limits on phthalates in water, the FDA has stalled for more than 15 years in publishing a limit on the phthalate DEHP in bottled water. DEHP is an ingredient in plastic, and (the GAO report does not detail the chemical's potential health effects as we do here) laboratory studies have linked some phthalates to problems with male fertility -- including decreased sperm counts and penis and testes sizes -- with obesity, and with other health problems related to hormonal imbalances. Several phthalates have been banned in children's products for this same reason: They inhibit the normal function of testosterone, the male hormone.
Testing
While the EPA requires drinking water suppliers to use certified labs to test their water, the FDA does not have this authority. Further, test results don't have to be reported to the FDA -- even if the test results show violations of drinking water quality standards. Even those states that have rules that exceed FDA requirements typically don't match EPA requirements.
Labeling
While the EPA requires public drinking water systems to annually publish the results of water quality testing, along with information about the drinking water source and known threats, the FDA does not require this of bottled water companies. The GAO reports: "In 2000, the FDA concluded that it was feasible for the bottled water industry to provide the same types of information to consumers that public water systems must provide. However, the agency was not required to conduct a rulemaking requiring that manufacturers provide such information to consumers, and has yet to do so."
"High Risk" Regulation
The GAO has repeatedly warned that the FDA is not up to the task -- lacking staff, funding and regulatory authority (while seeing staffing drop 19%, the facilities it was charged with inspecting increased 28% between about 2001 and 2007) -- to adequately police the nation's food supply. In January 2007, the GAO noted that the nation's food safety is a "high risk" area, in great part because it is policed by 15 separate agencies. Drinking water is only one more example.

Environmental Impact

Waste
While recycling of carbonated beverages, like soda and beer, is encouraged in many states with deposit laws, these bottle bills are much less common for bottled water. As a result, about 75% of water bottles are thrown in the trash, rather than recycled.
Energy
"Regarding the impact on U.S. energy demands, a recent peer-reviewed article noted that while the production and consumption of bottled water comprises a small share of total U.S. energy demand, it is much more energy-intensive than the production of public drinking water."

There are reasons to keep bottled water around: It's handy in case of an emergency, for instance. In most everyday cases, however, it's better for you and the environment to use a reusable water bottle and tap water (filtered if you think it improves the taste). Many of the issues with bottled water that the GAO identified can be solved with changes in regulation: Water quality could be assured if it matches EPA standards; labeling could provide full disclosure of source, testing contaminants detected; the nation's food safety regulatory structure could be totally overhauled; and recycling rates could be improved with new bottled deposit laws. However, bottled water will remain an item that lacks commonsense as long as U.S. tap water remains among the safest and most rigorously tested in the world.
The Daily Green previously summarized the problems with the bottled water industry like this:

The 7 Sins of Bottled Water

Plastic bottles are made from petroleum.
The bottles often go into the trash, rather than the recycle bin (in part because many states don't offer five-cent deposits to encourage recycling, as they do on soda and beer cans and bottles).
The water is pumped far from where it is sold, creating needless pollution as trucks and barges transport it across the country or around the world.
Some local communities have objected to the sale of their water, arguing that the water underground or flowing from natural springs is publicly owned and should not be exploited for profit.
Bottled water is rarely as closely monitored as tap water.
Tap water in the United States, when provided by a municipal system, is the most highly monitored and safe supply in the world.
Fifty percent of the water sold in little plastic bottles is tap water, but it costs an awful lot more per gallon.

We Are Water

2011-09-22T12:46:00.000-07:00

We are water. Literally. So we need to be drinking a fair amount of it daily. Try to drink tap water in reusable bottles. Unless there is something very wrong with your municipal water or you know your well water is contaminated, there is no reason to drink bottled water. Bottled water is a farce. It usually is the very municipal water you think you're avoiding by buying tap. So you're spending several dollars on something that is free – and less regulated than municipal water, I might add. A total rip off. And then there are all of the eco-implications and repercussions of the actual bottles. Think of the energy used to make those bottles, fill them with water, and then transport them all around. Sure, most places recycle the plastic most water bottles come in (PET #1) but many of those bottles wind up in the trash or in the gutter, not in the recycling bin. And they take 1,000 years to break down in a landfill. Spending money on something that is free and then drinking out of virgin plastic for maybe an hour that will then sit in a landfill for 1,000 years doesn't sound like good common conscious. So we don't do it.

Everything else is a pretty huge category. Think about what you drink over the course of a day. Green the items you drink the most of to make the biggest impact. For me that's coffee, some tea, and wine. I don't drink much hard alcohol or beer but there are certain local/organic or just organic versions of both. Choose these. It's amazing to me how many people who eat a very conscious diet but forget somehow to drink sustainable coffee, tea, and wine. These, like your veggies, are plants. They can be highly sprayed or unsprayed. There are considerable labor issues when it comes to both – always look for Fair Trade coffee and tea. Depending on where you live, these can be local or from very far away. When it comes to coffee, shade-grown is another label to look for. The choices for organic/biodynamic/natural/sustainably grown grapes abound. Organic wine used to have a bad reputation but these taste great. Depending on where in the country you live, American wine might be less green than French. It has to do with transportation miles and economies of scale, not to mention irrigation.

What I don't delve into in the book is the sort of drinks that line the beverage aisle and drinks cases in most supermarkets. Soda isn't a conscious choice. If you want bubbles with flavor, buy a home seltzer maker, use it, and add some home squeezed juice. If you choose to drink it, do so knowing how much water is involved and how the sugar that is processed into high fructose corn syrup affects both you, the farmers that raise it, and the earth. Juice is an odd middle ground territory. If you don't live near an organic orange grove but do live near a low spray apple orchard, drinking the latter for breakfast can have considerable conscious impact. Besides, so much that is sold in bright plastic bottles as juice is mainly water and sugar, with flavor and maybe some juice mixed in. A good way to drink real juice is to buy a juicer and make it yourself.

Courtesy: http://www.thedailygreen.com

Health Dangers of Styrofam Cups

2011-09-02T12:42:00.000-07:00

Cons of Styrofoam Cups

Polystyrene cups, though cheap, are not without their negative traits.

Polystyrene foam, commonly referred to as Styrofoam, a popular brand of polystyrene, is used in a variety of products, ranging from packing to culinary elements. While the foam is light and cheap to purchase, there are downsides to using polystyrene foam cups, from environmental hazards to personal health risks.

Non-Biodegradable
*

Polystyrene is a non-biodegradable substance, and while it is possible to recycle the product, the majority of polystyrene ends up as trash. While it poses only a minimal imminent problem when properly disposed of at a dump where decomposition is slow, polystyrene disposed of as litter is much more damaging. Polystyrene which is thrown out on the streets will sit in a gutter or on a sidewalk without degrading until properly disposed of.
Biohazards
*

Production of polystyrene creates pollution in the air, as well as in the form of liquid waste, and is one of the world's largest industries in terms of pollution created. In addition to pollution from the creation of the polystyrene, an EPA study found that when burned, polystyrene gives off 57 chemical byproducts, making it a toxic hazard in the event of a fire.
Natural Resources Consumption
*

In order to create polystyrene for use as cups, the industry requires the use of non-renewable resources. Polystyrene is created using byproducts of petroleum which are heated, then infused with gases to generate the foam. An increase in consumption of polystyrene products like cups requires an increased demand for the petroleum, resulting in faster depletion of the world's oil supply.
Contamination
*

Polystyrene cups are commonly used for beverages which are served hot, as the insulation helps to protect the hand of the drinker. Unfortunately, putting heated drinks into a polystyrene cup poses a potential health risk to the drinker. As the hot liquids begin to heat the container, the cup leaches trace elements of polystyrene into the liquid within. As the consumer drinks the contents, he in turn takes in the chemicals. While trace amounts from sporadic consumption are not harmful, there's a risk of neurotoxins in high concentrations.
Health Risks from Styrene
*

If excessive ingestion of sytrene occurs and allows the chemical to build up to unhealthy levels within your body, you will be exposed to several health risks. In addition to being a possible carcinogen, studies have shown that styrene can lead to neurotoxic damage, which results in such symptoms as fatigue and difficulty sleeping. Styrene buildup has the potential to lower platelet counts and hemoglobin levels, and increases the risk of lymphatic or chromosomal abnormalities.

Read more: Cons of Styrofoam Cups | ://www.ehow.com/info_8080942_cons-styrofoam-cups.html#ixzz1WpG3VWno

Earth 911 - polystyrene

2011-08-16T19:37:00.000-07:00

I do not feel that cost is in any way a viable factor when NGOs such as churches, social groups, etc, buy Styrofoam cups rather than containers such as ecotainer or even paper cups and plates that biodegrade. If we are going talk the talk, we totally need to walk the walk. I am personally zeroing in on several organizations to which I belong.

Read it, please....and think about the message we are sending to guests, potential members and our community.




Recycling polystyrene - aka Styrofoam Styrofoam is a trademark of the Dow company, but the material itself is called polystyrene. Like so many other plastics, it's all around us - very commonly used in packing material as peanuts or expanded foam, in food trays and a wide variety of other products - even explosives such as napalm and hydrogen bombs! The bad news is (aside from its use in WMD); polystyrene is manufactured from petroleum. It's highly flammable and a chemical called benzene, which is a known human carcinogen, is used in its production. Polystyrene in the environment Polystyrene foam, used commonly as padding in appliance packaging, takes an incredibly long time to break down in the environment and additionally, animals may ingest it which blocks their digestive tracts and ultimately causes starvation. This foam is also abundant in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Given the nature of polystyrene, it's surprising that such an energy intensive, oil sucking and toxic substance is allowed to be use as packaging for food; particularly for items such as meat where the food has direct contact with it. Nearly two dozen cities in the USA have banned the use of polystyrene for this purpose. Packaging and products containing polystyrene can usually be identified by a recycling triangle logo with the number 6 inside it stamped on the item. It's likely to be a very long time before the use of polystyrene is totally discontinued, and while we can try to buy products that don't utilize the stuff, we need to deal with the styrofoam that winds up in our hands instead of it heading straight to landfill. Unfortunately many recycling programs don't accept polystyrene and given its bulk, it can be difficult to store. Also, polystyrene is often recycled to be used in single use products; such as more packing material, so it's really important to get the word out about recycling this form of packaging. Burning polystyrene Some people choose to burn polystyrene in order to be rid of the stuff, believing that as chloro-fluoro hydrocarbons were eliminated from expanded polystyrene over a decade ago, it was safe to do so. The burning of polystyrene releases styrene gas which can effect the nervous system. Also, as it usually burns with a sooty flame, this indicates combustion isn't complete and a complex mixture of toxic chemicals can produced by the relatively low temperature of a backyard burn. Keeping polystyrene out of the waste stream A pound of polystyrene recycled is a pound of new polystyrene that doesn't have to be created. Currently in the USA expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam packaging is being recycled at a rate of approximately 10-12% each year. Here's a few tips as to what you can do with polystyrene to keep it out of the waste stream for as long as possible. Keep it as packing - how many times have you needed to pack something for shipping and found you had nothing on hand? Break down large lumps of styrofoam into smaller chunks and keep a bag of it handy Craft shops - I've read that craft shops are often a good place to take styrofoam as their customers use it in their craft projects. Earth911.org - If you're in the USA, there's a search function at the top of the Earth911 web site where you can enter the term "polystyrene" and then in the box on the right, enter your location. The search results will provide listings of companies and organizations in your local area that will take polystyrene.Note: be sure to enter "polystyrene" rather than "styrofoam" as the latter, being just a brand name, is unlikely to return any results. Planters - I've seen it used in pot plants to assist with drainage and as a filler - however, I'm not sure about the possibility of contamination when used in this way. Mail back initiative - The Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers offers a mailback program to USA residents; whereby you send the polystyrene in via the US mail service. There's a cost involved (postage), but this may prove more economical to you that carting it somewhere by car. You can learn more about this option here. Sell it! - If polystyrene is something you get a lot of; you might be able to make a few bucks from it. The Recycled Plastic Markets Database allows you to search for buyers of a wide variety of plastics. I was aiming for 10 tips; so I'm a few short :). If you have your own tips for polystyrene recycling, please add them below!

Fertilizer Affecting Our Water Quality

2011-07-23T08:51:00.000-07:00

Nothing says Spring and Summer like the color green appearing everywhere. The massive use of phosphorus fertilizers is a common ritual and is currently drawing a lot of attention. Phosphorus use worldwide is affecting our quality of life. The countdown to Summer correlates with the smell of lawn fertilizers in many places. Are they helpful, necessary and healthy?
The Feb. 14 edition of the journal Environmental Research Letters featured an article written by Stephen Carpenter of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Elena Bennett of McGill University. They have discovered that the human use of phosphorous, primarily in the industrialized world, is causing the widespread eutrophication of fresh surface water. Add to that he discovery that global stocks of usable phosphorous are concentrated in just a few countries and are running out, posing the risk of global shortages within the next 20 years. You can read the article here.

The overuse affects the quality of our water. ”Phosphorous stimulates the growth of algae and weeds near shore and some of the algae can contain cyanobacteria, which are toxic. You lose fish. You lose water quality for drinking.” says Carpenter. North American soils are already loaded with the mineral, yet more is added in what seems to be a waste of a mineral that could be put to better use somewhere where the soil is deficient, like Africa and Australia.
Deposits of phosphorus take millions of years to form. Some statess have taken the water quality issue seriously enough to propose and or pass a ban on using lawn fertilizers for established lawns. Read about it here and here. So before you spread fertilizer this Spring, research this issue and consider using phosphorus free fertilizer to keep our water clean and healthy for ourselves and for future generations.

This article is reblogged from http://blog.ecoetsy.com

2011-07-05T15:03:00.000-07:00

Ginger Hendrix from Wiener Dog Tricks shared this with Sew Mama Sew over a year ago. I made using it up in no time using voile from Anna Maria Horner.

This lovely little number flies together with just a few pieces and not all that much measuring.

1. Gather the Goods.

Nice soft cotton is wonderful for this nightie–you’ll want right around a yard and a half of fabric. In terms of extras, it’s begging for some trim and a few buttons to give it extra hoopla.

And then get to cutting:

Chest piece: Two strips.
Width = Your Bra Size + 1 inch
Height = 5 inches
A note about piecing fabric together: If you need to scrap pieces together for these strips, just make sure you don’t have any funky seams running up the middle of the front. That’s just not pretty. Hide your piecing in the back. I’m just saying.
Body piece: One big chunk.
Width = 1 ½ times the width of the chest piece (For example, if you use a Chest piece that’s 40 inches wide, your Body piece will be 40 + 20 = 60 inches wide.)
Height = 30 inches X Your Hoochie Girl Factor (Take your willingness to show your backside and divide it by 12.)
Just joking.
The 30” number is a decent starting place, but hold up the fabric chunk right up to your chest and see what you think. Make it longer if you’re not that kind of girl; shorter if you are. Also—it’s always easier to hem than it is to add some weird trim to cover what you don’t want showing. Just a thought.
Straps: Two little strips
Width = 1 inch
Height = 18 inches
(Throw a piece of fabric over your shoulder to get a sense of the length from the top of your shoulder blade over to the top of your, um, upper self. Again: better to start long and adjust.)
Trims
You may want a few buttons, a length of ric rac and some hem tape if you’re inclined to fancify your nightie—but they’re not strictly necessary.

2. Ruffle your Body piece.

Take your big Body piece and baste a nice, wide stitch with loose tension down the length of the fabric–about ¼ inch from the long edge. Then run another one along next to it. Make sure you let some thread hang loose from the ends—you’re going to skrinch the fabric up with that thread. (And before you start pulling, mark the center of the fabric—this will help you eyeball whether or not the gathers are mostly even and keep you from having a wonked nightie with 1000 gathers on one side and all flat on the other.)

Take two threads and hold them lightly and pull so that the fabric gathers. Then skootch the gather toward the center. Keep doing this gently. (If you bust the thread you have to start over and that’s a mega-drag, so go slow here.)

Gather the fabric along the full length of the body piece so that it matches the width of your chest piece. (Just keep skrinching and un-skrinching until they match.)

3. Attach the Chest pieces.

Start with a little handy ironing work: on one long side of each Chest piece, fold the edge over ½ inch and iron it down toward the backside of the fabric. (This will help later.) Like this…

Now put it all together: make a sandwich with your Body piece and your two Chest pieces (right-side-facing-in-with-ironed-edges-facing-down Chest pieces = bread; ruffled-edge-up Body piece = bologna).

If you want to add in a little ric-racy trim, now’s your moment. I’m not a big fan of perfect pinning, so I like to sneak it in as I go. Line it up like this inside your sandwich on top of the right side of the chest piece– Just lay it along the bottom stitch…

Your sandwich will look like this (with another chest piece hiding beneath and the ric rac hiding inside…).

Now sew it all together along the pinned edge with a nice, sturdy stitch. (A note about the ric rac–shoot to sew right smack down the middle of the ric rac and it’ll give you a lovely little edging.) When you fold the chest pieces up, it’ll look like this.

Now lay down a little topstitch. Lovely.

4. Add the straps.

Before you start trying to sew up the dainty little straps, fold up the two chest pieces to meet at the top, and pin them together.

Now to assemble your straps: take your one-inch strips and pretend like you’re making skinny little bias tape– Fold the edges to meet in the middle, then fold the whole thing in half longways. And sew it up…

Your finished straps will be longer than you need them to be so that there’s room to adjust them to fit just right.

Time to find the center point of your nightie and attach the straps, so find the middle and pin it.

Measure 5 inches in both directions out from the center point to attach one end of each strap. Then measure 5 inches in from both outside edges to attach the remaining end of each strap.

Once you’ve got it all pinned in place, run a basting stitch along that top edge to hold your straps in place. Basting stitch? Yes. We’re working with fit-as-we-go here, so baste it and try it on like a painter’s smock; this is a crucial step, because if your straps are too long or in the wrong spot, you can accidentally look like you’re wearing a feedbag with pretty strings attached. This is not the look we’re going for.
Now it’s all just adjust-it-to-fit-you-honey and some gussying up and you’re done. Figure out how long your straps should be (you’ll be trimming your strap pieces–get that chest piece to sit right up under your armpits so that you can avoid the aforementioned feedsack/pretty strings scenario.) If you need to skootch the straps a little to the left or a little to the right, get that done too.
Once you’re sure of where the straps should live, run a nice, clean topstitch close to the top edge. Good work.

5. Sew it all up.
Once you close the main back seam together, you’re just about home. So do that. Fold the thing in half (with the wrong side facing out) and sew it up.

6. Give it a little hem.
My favorite way to do this is the old ‘The Iron It Over 1/4″ Then Fold It Over Again As You Sew’ method. You can’t beat it.

7. Fancy it up if you feel like it.
This is a completely optional step for Nightie Overachievers. Add a couple of little buttons and some hem tape to cover your inside seams to give your little number a truly finished look.

High five. You’re a Bona fide Nightie Maker. (Put it on your resume.)

Baking Soda Rocks?

2011-06-24T12:33:00.000-07:00

Just a few uses for ordinary, inexpensive, non-toxic baking soda:

Kitchen
- A bowl of baking soda in your fridge will help remove excess moisture and absorb odors.
- Sprinkle some in your veggies crisper and cover with a cloth or paper towel for crisper veggies that last longer.
- Sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge for cleaning out your refrigerator and benchtops without scratching.
- Dissolve a couple of tablespoons of baking soda in water in a microwave safe bowl, then bring to the boil in your microwave. Allow to sit for a minute or two, then you should easily be able to wipe out any baked on stains, plus your oven will microwave will smell fresher too.
- Sprinkling baking soda in the bottom of rubbish bags will help to control odors as you add trash.
- To give your dishwasher a good clean, run it through a cycle and use baking soda instead of detergent.
- Baking soda can be thrown on stove fires to extinguish the flames. The carbon dioxide generated when the powder burns starves the fire of oxygen.
- Wash chemicals and pesticides off fruits and vegetables in a pot filled with water and 3 - 4 tablespoons of baking soda added.

On a somewhat related note, here's something interesting I came across. Baking soda is sometimes used when boiling vegetables to preserve their color. That practice is not recommended as it destroys the vitamin C content of vegetables.
General home - Anywhere that moisture is a problem, such as cupboards under sinks, place a bowl of baking soda to help control humidity. You'll need to occasionally stir the powder for maximum effective life.
- Crayon or texta marks on walls? Try applying baking soda/water paste on an old toothbrush and lightly brush the affected area.
- Water stains on wooden floors can be removed with a sponge dampened in a solution of baking soda dissolved in water.
- Sprinkle some baking soda into your vacuum bag to help reduce musty/pet smells being spread throughout your house when vacuuming.
- Sprinkle baking soda on rugs and carpets before vacuuming as a deodorising treatment. Most carpet powders you buy are baking soda based! Just a brief note on this - not recommended for areas that are very humid as the baking soda may stay in the carpet.
- Mops can really stink out areas where they are stored. If your mop is getting on the nose, don't throw it out, try soaking it in a mixture of 4 tablespoons baking soda and a gallon of water for a while.
- Stains on porcelain sinks, toilets and plastics can be removed by applying a layer of baking soda and then using a damp sponge . I found this to work particularly well on a water stain in a sink that couldn't be shifted otherwise without the use of heavy duty chemicals and scratching the surface.
Plumbing
- As an alternative to caustic soda for clearing blocked drains, throw a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a couple of jugs of boiling water.

Garden
- Baking soda can deter ants - pour a solid line in areas of activity and they won't cross it.
- Mix a tablespoon of baking soda, a teaspoon of (earth friendly) dish detergentent and a gallon of water to make a spray for treating roses against black spot fungus.
Laundry
- Work a baking soda and water paste onto stains prior to washing to help remove them from the fabric
- Half a cup of baking soda added to a full load of washing will help brighten your wash and remove odors.
Workshop/auto
- Mix a paste of baking soda and vinegar and apply with a pot scourer to remove light rusting
- A baking-soda/water paste applied to chrome surfaces, allowed to dry then buffed off will leave chrome shining!
- Baking soda applied to fresh grease and oil spills on your garage floor will draw away the oil, which can then be scraped off.
Pets
- Baking soda lightly sprinkled and mixed into cat litter will help control odor.
- Eliminate odor after you've cleaned up pet accidents by sprinkling over the dampened area with baking soda; allow to dry and then vacuum.
Personal
- Whoofy shoes getting you down? Get a couple of old socks, fill up the toe secitions with baking soda, place into the offending shoes and leave overnight to help remove odors.
- A thick paste of baking soda and water applied to bug bites can provide relief.
- A half teaspoon of baking soda mixed into a glass of water can act as mouthwash.
- Sprinkle baking soda onto regular toothpaste to create a whitening toothpaste
Miscellaneous
- To clean jewelry, use a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, apply the mixture the piece, allow to sit for a couple of minutes, rinse off and then polish with a soft cloth.
- Sprinkle your Christmas tree with baking soda to mimick snow - a much more environmentally friendly alternative to some of those chemical snow sprays!
With so many uses you'll likely use a lot and buying baking soda in small boxes probably won't be too economical. Have a chat to your local baker who may be able to supply you with larger quantities or try contacting a bakery supplies company as some sell direct to the public.
You can also save money on baking soda by re-using it. For example, once it has served its purpose as a fridge deodoriser you can put it down your sink to help keep your drains clear.
Phew, that's quite a list of baking soda tips - it's such a versatile substance and certainly a greener way to get many jobs around the house done. My list is by no means exhaustive and I'm sure I've missed a bundle of ideas and applications! Please add your own tips below!

With thanks to Michael Bloch from Green Living Tips.com Green Living Tips is an online resource powered by renewable energy offering a wide variety of earth friendly tips, green guides, advice and environment related news to help consumers and business reduce costs, consumption and environmental impact . Please take a good look at his site and think about subscribing to the newsletter.

Do You Really Need.....?

2011-06-22T13:10:00.000-07:00

Do you really need that specialized power tool forever, or just for the day? Should you invest in a full set of camping equipment, even if you’re not sure your family will enjoy it? Isn’t there someone out there who wants to trade those size 8 ice skates for a size 9?
If you ever find yourself pondering questions like this, welcome to collaborative consumption–a concept of organized sharing and swapping. Although peer-to-peer sharing may have been a tenet in communities of lore, our modern this-is-mine culture has taken us away from what seems like such practical common sense. But times, they are a-changin’.

Privately-held clothing and book swaps have become a very practical social pastime among freinds, but now the premise is spreading into more official capacities. Sites and services are popping up to facilitate the simple concept: You can get what you need without buying it. The arrangements are manifested in a number of ways. SnapGoods, for instance, helps to connect people with stuff to lend with people who wish to borrow; while Neighborhood Fruit lets people swap garden bounty or distribute fruit harvested from public trees. Some places arrange rentals, some create swaps, while others create communities of sharers.

It’s a brilliant model of sustainability–no new stuff to clutter the landfill, yay!–but according to an article in Time magazine, there is a beneficial emotional aspect as well. Not only in the community-building, but in that the lending element requires trust, and being trusted feels good. Paul Zak, founding director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies at Claremont Graduate University, has shown that people get a spike of the pleasant neurotransmitter oxytocin when they’re entrusted with another person’s goods. “We’re gregariously social creatures, and one way we can exhibit that sociability is by sharing our things,” he says.

With a little research, you can find pretty much anything, there are even sites that allow you to borrow cars. But perhaps my favorite are those that are charity-inspired, such as Swap for Good. This site helps people set up clothing swaps and collect donations from participants (who are saving money by swapping not shopping) to give to domestic-violence shelters and other organizations.
Collaborative consumption is at once so simple, yet so revolutionary. It replaces “beg, steal and borrow” with “lend, share and swap.” It’s green, the sense of community feels great, and that little rush of oxytocin doesn’t hurt either.

With thanks to: http://www.care2.com

It's Me With the Soap Again!

2011-06-15T13:34:00.000-07:00

Soap - the deal with castile. I have talked about this before and put out some recipes, but trust me, I am using: castile soap (shampoo, body wash, dish soap, hand soap, mixed with water and vinegar for counter cleaner. Vinegar is a disinfectant....you can spray it on food, the sink, toilet, mix it with baking soda and/or cornstarch to clean windows).

If you've been dabbling into going green, you're likely to have seen castile soap mentioned in books and various web sites.

What is castile soap?
Castile soap isn't a brand but a type of soap made exclusively from vegetable oil rather than animal fat or synthetic substances. The purists feel it should be made from olive oil but there's a wide variety of castile variants that use oil from plants such as coconut and jojoba. The simple nature of the soap means a lesser enviromental impact due to reduced waste stream during manufacture and also faster biodegradability.
While castile soaps can have additional synthetic ingredients, usually you'll find if it's marketed under that name, it's a fairly natural sort of product.

Castile soap - so versatile
Castile soap has many uses aside from washing your skin - it's also known as seafarer's soap due to its versatility.
I use an olive oil based one in place of shampoo - works great for me and I don't need to use a conditioner. I also don't have to wade through the dozens of shampoo brands at the local supermarket trying to translate what all the darned chemicals they use are any more - I tried that once and gave up in total confusion. As the soap I use comes in a simple paper based box, that also saves on packaging. Another benefit is that castile soap is far cheaper than other fancy label soaps and shampoos!
If you've ever tried using normal soap to wash your hair, you would have likely found your hair very dry afterwards, but for some reason I haven't experienced that with castile soap - it's likely because the glycerin content is retained, whereaas in normal soaps much of the glycerin is removed and sold separately in moisturizers.

Liquid castile soap uses
While bar castile soap is pretty amazing stuff, in a liquid form it's even more versatile.
- Liquid castille soap can be used for a shaving lather
- It can be used as a pet shampoo
- Great for washing clothes and diapers
- General cleaning, diluted and used in a spray bottle
- Heavy duty degreasing
- I've heard that pure liquid castile soap can even be used for brushing your teeth! But of course, don't swallow the stuff. I don't think it would kill you in small doses but I'm sure it would taste pretty yuk.
- It can also be used in place of dishwashing detergent and even in your automatic dishwasher! "Green" automatic dishwasher detergents are hard to come by, but a Green Living Tips reader, Kathy Stevens, contributed this recipe (Thanks Kathy!):
Ingredients:
1/2 cup liquid castile soap
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
3 drops tea tree oil
1/2 cup white vinegar
Method:
stir all ingredients together until blended. Store in a squirt top bottle. Use 2 tablespoons per load of dishes, shake well before use.

3 Easy Ways to Help Your Body and the Environment

2011-06-05T13:17:00.000-07:00

The following is from a post by Beth Greer, Super Natural Mom®, who is a syndicated radio talk show host, former president and co-owner of The Learning Annex, Certified Build It Green® healthy home makeover specialist and author of Super Natural Home: Improve Your Health, Home, and Planet--One Room at a Time
by Beth Greer

If you're like most people, a little voice inside your head has probably been telling you for a while that it's time to get back to a more natural way of living and take a more serious look at the toxins in your everyday life. Even so, you may feel confused about the simple, practical things you can do to minimize your exposure and maximize not only your health, but your contribution to a cleaner planet.
What if I told you that making small, simple changes in your everyday routine could make a huge impact on your health and well-being, as well as the health of our planet?
Studies are coming out frequently about how everyday chemicals in our bodies are resulting in health problems like learning disabilities, autism, cancer and infertility. Often, the impact chemicals have doesn't show up for decades, like with tobacco, for example. What is also unclear is what happens inside our bodies when we come into contact with different chemicals from lots of different sources. What are the risks for us and our children? Don't wait to find out! You can do something today, right in your own home. Become aware of what goes IN you, what goes ON you, and what SURROUNDS you.

IN YOU: Your drinking water

If you think the water coming out of your tap is clean and health-giving ... you'd be mistaken. In 2008, an investigation by the Associated Press showed that America's tap water is contaminated with prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including antibiotics, pain medications, antidepressants and sex hormones "in significant quantities." Scientists are concerned that, even in small concentrations, these drugs could harm us over time because water is consumed in such large amounts every day. Our bodies may be able to deal with a big one-time dose of a chemical, but if a small amount is consumed continuously over years ... no one really knows what can happen to our health.

Green Tip #1:
Play it safe: Buy a water filter and fill up your own reusable metal or glass water bottles at home. Get off plastic bottles. 8 out of 10 plastic water bottles used in the U.S. become garbage or end up in a landfill, contributing to global warming.
(To check your local water quality, go to the Natural Resources Defense Council's site at www.nrdc.org and then go to "What's on Tap"? You should be able to access your community's Annual Quality Report, or you can ask your water utility company for a copy of its annual water quality report.)
ON You: Your personal care products
Most of us use at least 10 cosmetic and personal care products a day and according to the Environmental Working Group, people apply an average of 126 unique ingredients to their skin daily. No one really knows what happens in our bodies when we repeatedly expose ourselves to minute amounts of synthetic chemicals from a variety sources. Another way to absorb chemicals in our personal care products is through the mouth. When a drug like nitroglycerine is administered for a heart condition, it is given under the tongue for fast absorption. So are natural homeopathic remedies. So what happens with your toothpaste?

Green Tip #2:
Switch one thing you use most often in your bathroom. Your toothpaste, for example.
Chemicals like fluoride, saccharin, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), triclosan and acetylpyridium chloride are in there. Switch to a natural brand that doesn't contain these chemicals.

SURROUNDS You: Your household cleaners

If you've ever walked down the household-cleanser aisle at the market and your eyes began to burn or your nose became irritated, it's because common cleaning products contain chemicals that can be more dangerous than the germs themselves. Every time your children roll around on the carpet or your pets lick crumbs off the floor, they are being exposed to noxious chemicals. Don't make the assumption that if it's on the grocery shelf it's been tested and is safe. Most of us, unwittingly, buy products for our home with ingredients that are either poorly studied, not studied at all, or are known to pose potentially serious health risks. Of the roughly 17,000 chemicals found in common household products, only 3 in 10 have been tested for their effects on human health. Why? Because the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission does not require manufacturers to test household cleaning products before they appear on store shelves.

Green Tip #3:
Use hydrogen peroxide, vinegar and baking soda to clean your home. Fill one spray bottle with a 3 percent solution of hydrogen peroxide and a second one with vinegar. Spray one right after the other. Use it to wipe kill salmonella and bacteria on counter tops, appliances, and cutting boards. Do the same for the shower to kill bacteria and viruses. Use baking soda instead of commercial abrasive cleaners. Put it in a grated cheese container made of glass with a stainless steel top that has holes in it, and just sprinkle it on the surfaces and scrub.

Eating with a Conscience

2011-05-05T11:17:00.000-07:00

Organic Food
Eating with a Conscience
to protect health and the environment

Our food choices have a direct effect on the health of our environment and those who grow and harvest what we eat. That’s why food labeled organic is the right choice. In addition to serious health questions linked to actual residues of toxic pesticides on the food we eat, our food buying decisions support or reject hazardous agricultural practices, protection of farmworkers and farm families, and stewardship of the earth.

The Organic Choice is Clear
It is important to eat organic food –nurtured in a system of food production, handling and certification that rejects hazardous synthetic chemicals. USDA organic certification is the only system of food labeling that is subject to independent public review and oversight, assuring consumers that toxic, synthetic pesticides used in conventional agriculture are replaced by management practices focused on soil biology, biodiversity, and plant health. This eliminates commonly used toxic chemicals in the production and processing of food that is not labeled organic--pesticides that contaminate our water and air, hurt biodiversity, harm farmworkers, and kill bees, birds, fish and other wildlife.

Food Choices Based Only on Pesticide Residues Fall Short
To help explain the urgent need for a major shift to organic food consumption, Beyond Pesticides has begun the Eating with a Conscience database which evaluates the impacts on the environment and farmworkers of the toxic chemicals allowed for use on major food crops, grown domestically and internationally. We have started with those foods that have been identified widely in the media as “clean.” While the Clean 15/Dirty Dozen list generated by Environmental Working Group is helpful in alerting consumers to hazardous residues on food, food residues are only part of the story. It turns out that those very same “clean” food commodities may be grown with hazardous pesticides that get into waterways and groundwater, contaminate nearby communities, poison farmworkers, and kill wildlife, while not all showing up at detectable levels on our food.

Choosing Organic: For you, the environment and workers
Eating with a Conscience looks at the toxic chemicals that are allowed in the production of the food we eat and the environmental and public health effects resulting from their use.

Choose a fruit or vegetable.

For more information, read the Eating with a Conscience press release or download the print brochure.

“GMO” foods? What's the big deal, anyway?

2011-04-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

RePosted courtesy of the Sentinel Source, Keene, NH
by Rebecca Montrone Submitted by Rebecca Montrone, www.wondrousroots.com

I am as sick as you are of all of the “health scares” out there! I wish I could just ignore it all and go on my merry way, don’t you? It seems everyday, however, our environment closes in a bit more, leaving even those of us among the most vigilant with fewer choices for promoting truly optimal health. As a health practitioner, I am confronted too often with the sobering reality that we simply can’t just ignore it all.
The most recent big scare has been nuclear radiation fallout in Japan and its potential threat to health due to radiotoxicity and around the globe to the safety of the food supply. I’m actually having difficulty locating sources for one of the supplements I have regularly recommended to my clients for years, a combination of iodine and potassium iodide! I’ll be talking about all of this soon, but first…
An unsettling concern that has been in the nutritional headlines for a longer period of time is that of “genetically modified organisms,” commonly referred to GMOs or GM foods. Vaguely, we all get the idea that they aren’t good for us for one reason or another, but when it comes time to buy groceries, we tend to simply rely on our usual purchasing habits and hope for the best.
Genetically modified foods are foods that have been changed in their genetic structure for the sole purpose of making them more capable of tolerating higher doses of pesticides. The big name in all of this is Monsanto, the company that makes the pesticide RoundUp. With crops able to live and thrive in spite of gross contamination with pesticide application, Monsanto is able to enjoy financial gain not only through the sale of RoundUp but through the sale of its genetically modified seed.
Unfortunately, Monsanto hasn’t figured out a way to make genetically modified people yet! We – who consume their GM foods – have not been altered in our genetic structure to be able to withstand the heavy pesticide contamination of RoundUp!
THE “ROOT” OF THE PROBLEMThe active ingredient in RoundUp is isopropylamine salt of glyphosate. This ingredient contains dioxane, which is carcinogenic and known to damage the liver, kidneys, brain, and lungs. Dioxane is an estrogen “mimic” known as a xenobiotic. It is the agent all the fuss is about when we talk about shampoo and sodium laurel sulfate and cancer, etc. Herbicides and pesticides are a significant source of hormonal disruption, with all of the health issues that come with it, including the increase of hormonally-driven cancers.
Eating foods that are xenobiotic rich contributes to the growing problem of widespread obesity we observe in our country, affecting insulin resistance and blood sugar regulation. Synthetic estrogens abundant in our entire food supply are being attributed to many health problems, from precocious puberty, to polycystic ovarian disease, fibroids and fibrocystic breasts, infertility in both men and women, and cancers of many kinds, including colon cancer and the more predictable hormonal cancers of the prostate, ovaries, and breasts.
Compounding the problem and multiplying our consumption of GMO foods is the fact that most of the nations poultry, meat, and dairy supply is from animals raised on GMO foods.
HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF AND FAMILY?• Purchase as “clean” as you can, choosing organic produce and “clean” meat, dairy, fish, and poultry products. Of course, by now the ground water of our agricultural regions are polluted from years and years of toxic pesticides, it isn’t a perfect world. But, we can at least try for as pure a food supply as possible.
• Avoid the most heavily GMO-influenced crops: corn, soy, and sugar beets (unless organic, of course).
• Wash produce well. There are a number of suggestions for helping better get rid of the toxins; one is to soak in a 50/50 percent vinegar/water solution for ten minutes then rinse.
• Avoid packaged, processed foods entirely. This will be a boon to your health for many more reasons than simply avoiding GMOs; you will also be avoiding hidden sweeteners, modern soy additives that impede thyroid function, inflammatory polyunsaturated oils, “excitotoxic” food additives (hidden sources of MSG), and more.
• Boost your glutathione levels. Glutathione is a peptide made by all of our cells and found to be low in virtually every disease process. Glutathione detoxifies the body of mercury and other heavy metals, but it also detoxifies PCBs and other hormonally-based contaminants such as dioxane. Further, once our cells are glutathione rich, they resist further intoxication.
Until quite recently our only significant resources for raising glutathione levels were N-acetyl-cysteine as a precursor to glutathione, or IV or nebulized glutathione. N-acetyl-cysteine as a precursor has problems of its own and doesn’t sustain higher glutathione levels for long.
Simply taking a glutathione capsule is worthless as it is destroyed by the acid in the stomach and never makes it into the cells. Milk thistle contains Silymarin and is known for its liver-health promoting properties. It works by modestly raising glutathione levels. One of the primary functions of lipoic acid is to boost glutathione. Methylating nutrients, such as vitamins B6, B12, folic acid; MSM (methylsulfonylmethane); trimethylglycine (betaine), and SaME also help boost glutathione levels. Whey protein also helps with this.
I know of nothing more powerful, however, than the recently “invented” acetyl form of glutathione known as acetyl-glutathione. This is taken in capsule form and passes through the stomach acid just fine, is easily taken up by the cells throughout the body, and has a very long half-life of action. I have used high-dose acetyl-glutathione in serious disease and witnessed a sharp reduction in inflammatory markers and improved health. Glutathione is the master anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifier. I take 200 mg daily myself as part of my own wellness program.
HOW CAN I MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE “BIG PICTURE?”Sign up for the Organic Consumers Association newsletter (www.organicconsumers.org). Get involved with their grassroots effort to oppose Monsanto and others of their ilk; a very powerful force. The big push from Monsanto right now is to protect food suppliers from having to indicate that their foods are genetically modified and/or that their foods were fed genetically modified foods on their labels.

Carts one of dirtiest places in grocery store

2011-04-25T09:47:00.000-07:00

Professor Charles Gerba, the lead researcher, swabbed the handles of 85 carts in four states for bacterial contamination.

Gerba says 72% of the carts had a positive marker for fecal bacteria. When they examined some of the samples, they found Escherichia coli, also known as E. coli, on half of them.

Researchers say they actually found more fecal bacteria on grocery cart handles than you would typically find in a bathroom, mainly because bathrooms are disinfected more often than shopping carts.

Since most stores do not routinely wash and disinfect their carts, it's up to you to do it.

Scientists say this study helps explain why earlier investigations found kids who touch the handles, are more likely than others, to get infected with bacteria like salmonella.

Gerba also says you should pay attention to what you put in reusable shopping bags. Make sure your meats and veggies are wrapped because bags that are not washed on a regular basis can become a what he called a "bacterial swamp."

Yuck!

Dastardly Dandelion Facts

2011-04-25T08:33:00.000-07:00

Demonizing dandelions gets our attention
How about that dandelion-slashing graphic! And the "gulp!" at the very thought of doing anything to encourage such a dasdardly plant! And here's another good one: "We’re sick of dandelions and their weed masquerading as a flower." Yeah, those treacherous plants are producing flowers just to trick us into - what, liking them?

Well indeed lots of people do, increasingly, as any gardenblogger who follows the subject of eco-gardening knows. Cooks are concocting recipes for them, Paul Tukey at SafeLawns is one of their biggest fans, and there's even a Facebook group Stop Killing the Dandelions. They're Pretty, which I just Liked for the hell of it.

What the campaign is selling
But this just gets weirder because the campaign isn't aimed at selling herbicides at all; its goal is to sell soil tests. And the connection (supposedly) is that only with a soil test will we choose fertilizers that feed our lawn but not the dandelions. But how they do that I still haven't figured out.

However, the most popular fertilizers are super high in nitrogen, and while they’re formulated to green-up your lawn right away when the soil is still cool, they also yellow up lawns weeks later when the soil warms up. And they fertilize EVERYTHING, which includes weed seeds that exist in every yard.

If this doesn't make sense yet, here's more from their fertilizer facts page:

Dandelions thrive off of soils high in, you guessed it, Nitrogen, and have the ability to attack areas of your lawn that are weak or bare (e.g. insufficient root systems).

If proper nutrients are applied every six to eight weeks (which can only be understood properly through a thorough soil test analysis) then turf grass will become very healthy.

About that soil test
So, what does their $20 soil test test for? Again the answer isn't easy to find but their "sample results" show amounts for organic matter, phosphate, potassium, % K: % Mg (whatever), calcium, pH, and sodium.
Which raises a couple of big questions. First, the result shows a phosphate reading of 62, with the "acceptable level" shown as 16-35, which you'd think would alert the customer to stop adding phosphates, that dasdardly nutrient that's ruining our waterways. But instead, here's what the results advise: "Phosphate level is High: Phosphate levels indicated will not hamper the effects of good turf growth." No problem!
And the recommended product (which is the whole point of the soil test, right, that it directs users to the right fertilizers?) is "CIL Golfgreen Fall", either synthetic or organic (take your pick; they sure don't care) and after some searching I finally found out that its nutrient content is 28-3-6!
So here's my suggestion about soil tests: use a university lab, like the one at U.Mass. that I used. It costs $15 and gives far more information than the Stop Dandelions test.

A coalition of the selling
As a fan of coalitions, I was curious about this new one and here's what the website tells us about it: "The Coalition to Stop Dandelions is dedicated to educating people caring for lawns and gardens about how to make a healthy lawn grow, and how to get the right soil test information that golf courses and farms have counted on for decades." And about WHO they might be we're told: "The Coalition to Stop Dandelions is a project of A Growing Necessity," whose About Us page doesn't actually tell us.

Too bad, coz it looks like an improvement
I finally got tired of following links that don't work or when they do, don't answer the questions they're supposed to answer, but my tentative conclusion is that this product MAY lead to an improvement over what some golf courses use - fertilizers that encourage top growth and weeds, plus lots of pesticides. "This personalized nutritional management process reduced the need for reactive based products (such as pesticides) to less than 6%....amazing reduction!" See, that much sounds good.

More bad marketing to gardenbloggers
The Stop Dandelions campaign is a nonsensical mess that's off-putting to the very people it's targeting, but it didn't need to be. I'll bet that a random GardenRant reader could come up with a better approach than this one, created by - no surprise here - a marketing firm with no particular expertise in this area.

Rebloged from: http://www.gardenrant.com

The Only Way to Feed 9 Billion Poeple

2011-04-19T10:15:00.000-07:00

I've written about it once already, but I want to return to The Economist's recent special series about how industrial agriculture is the true and only way to feed the 9 billion people who will inhabit the world by 2050. The framing, I think, is extremely interesting.

The widely revered magazine identifies two strains of thought on the food system's future: one serious and one frivolous.

The serious one -- made up of "food companies, plant breeders, and international development agencies" -- is "concerned mainly with feeding the world's growing population," which it plans to do "through the spread of modern farming, plant research and food processing in poor countries."

The frivolous one -- "influential among non-governmental organizations and some consumers" -- "concentrates more on the food problems of richer countries, such as concerns about animal welfare and obesity," The Economist writes. This group fixates on the question of "what should we have for dinner," but has little to say about feeding the globe's growing population.

And since The Economist's special report "concentrates on the problems of feeding the 9 billion," not the trivial omnivorous dilemmas of wealthy Berkeleyites, the magazine throws its lot in with the companies, plant breeders, and international development agencies -- the Serious People Looking for Real Solutions for Feeding the World.

Given these conflicting aims, it is not surprising that the food crisis has produced contradictory accounts of the main problem and radically different proposals for solving it. One group is concerned mainly about feeding the world’s growing population. It argues that high and volatile prices will make the job harder and that more needs to be done to boost supplies through the spread of modern farming, plant research and food processing in poor countries. For those in this group—food companies, plant breeders and international development agencies—the Green Revolution was a stunning success and needs to be followed by a second one now.

The alternative view is skeptical of, or even downright hostile to, the modern food business. This group, influential among non-governmental organizations and some consumers, concentrates more on the food problems of richer countries, such as concerns about animal welfare and obesity. It argues that modern agriculture produces food that is tasteless, nutritionally inadequate and environmentally disastrous.

It thinks the Green Revolution has been a failure, or at least that it has done more environmental damage and brought fewer benefits than anyone expected. My son-in-law let me borrow a book espousing this view, Michael Pollan’s “The Omnivore’s Dilemma" which opened my mind It starts by asking: “What should we have for dinner?” By contrast, those worried about food supplies wonder: “Will there be anything for dinner?”

Comments?

My Blog Is Coming Out Of The Closet!

2011-04-18T10:48:00.000-07:00

Why is it that the best ideas come to some of us in the night? It is almost always relative to my Etsy shop or this blog. I will wake up and jot down my latest epiphany and go back to sleep. You know what happens...in the morning there is a lengthy scribble with little resemblance words.

When opened my shop I knew I had to market it online, there are a ton of ways to go. I had to learn FaceBook, Twitter, SEO, keeping up with the Etsy interface, following threads and basically cramming my head more tech stuff than I could handle. So, I did a little of all of them. Not good. Shotgunning your marketplace is ineffective.

So, I started a blog to promote my shop. After a while it evolved away from a marketing tool to a place where I wanted to say stuff. Eco-oriented topics, for the most part. That feels good........I like it. As a result of all this indecision about what to blog about has resulted in an indecisive blog. People don’t like that. Makes us feel uneasy.

But every day I felt that I must put up a tutorial or some-such when I didn’t want to! You have no idea how validated I felt when I read this post on the Handmadeology blog written by John W. Golden “The Breakdown - 8,000 Etsy Sales & Answering Your Questions” 2/2311. One of the tips John gives us is that the better marketing tools are probably Facebook and Twitter. Blogs, he says, maybe not so dependable. You really do have to have great content on a consistent basis to generate any kind of following.

Then I read something about blogging without guilt. That does it! From now on, I am going to keep a weblog about what I am passionate about. The blog roll and links will begin to change too. There will be an evolution here. Come along for the ride, if you like.

Note: Since I published this post, I have closed my Etsy Shop indefinitely. This will be a green, food and whatever blog.

An Eco Link For Just About Anyone....

2011-04-17T10:10:00.000-07:00

51 Fantastic Uses for Baking Soda

2011-04-15T08:53:00.000-07:00

51 Fantastic Uses for Baking Soda

I don’t mean to sound seditious here, but I have a rebellious plan to combat the ills that many corporations are perpetrating in the name of fighting grime and germs. My main gripe is about the environmental pollutants from cleaning and personal care products that we wash down our drains and into our water systems, resulting in situations like the chemical triclosan (a pesticide added to many products as an antibacterial agent) being found in dolphins.
So the simple plan is to encourage everyone to use baking soda in any of these 51 applications. Besides showing kindness to aquatic life, we can also protect ourselves from the array of toxins in household cleaning products. Conventional cleansers can expose us to multiple chemicals linked to asthma, cancer, and other documented health problems.
Baking soda also makes a perfect stand-in for many personal care products, which are adding their own twist to the toxic tangle of pollutants and personal health (mainly in the form of synthetic fragrance (and it’s almost all synthetic), sodium laurel sulfate, and parabens).
So exactly how does baking soda fit into my scheme to make the world a better place? Baking soda, aka sodium bicarbonate, helps regulate pH—keeping a substance neither too acidic nor too alkaline. When baking soda comes in contact with either an acidic or an alkaline substance, it’s natural effect is to neutralize that pH. Beyond that, baking soda has the ability to retard further changes in the pH balance, known as buffering. This dual capability of neutralizing and buffering allows baking soda to do things such as neutralize acidic odors (like in the refrigerator) as well as maintain neutral pH (like in your laundry water, which helps boost your detergent’s power). It’s a simple reaction, but one that has far-reaching effects for a number of cleaning and deodorizing tasks. And so without further ado, I’ll remove my scientist cap, put on my rebellious housekeeper’s cap, and get this folk-wisdom revolution rolling…

posted by Melissa Breyer Care2.com
Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/51-fantastic-uses-for-baking-soda.html#ixzz1J2ekqZFI

Greening our spring cleaning - AnnArbor.com

2011-04-12T15:29:00.000-07:00

O, light of spring! You blindingly beautiful thing. How I've missed you! How I love you! But could you turn it down a bit? You're glaring on all the dirt that winter so kindly covered up. Ohhh, you're gone already.
Yep, it's spring in Michigan, that fickle thing, and already it's gray and cold. But on those few glorious mid-60s days last week, I felt the spring cleaning bug bite.
It'll be back again, along with the sun. And again the dust on the blinds, grease smears on the stove, grime on the outlets and the spots on the windows will be glaringly obvious.

In the meantime, I'm ready. I got all my green cleaning ingredients from "Clean House, Clean Planet " by Karen Logan. It's our all-season bible of how to get everything spic and span without hurting ourselves or the earth with harmful chemicals.
Karen's advice basically boils down to all-baking-soda-all-the-time (which makes you wonder: what the heck is baking soda?). Oh, and there's salt, liquid soap, water, elbow grease, the ubiquitous vinegar — and essential oils to cover up the vinegar smell. Lavender-scented kitchen floor, anyone?
The baking soda and salt are the abrasives that don't injure surfaces and do a great job with the grime and soap films. For special problems like mold and stains that need disinfectant, she recommends tea tree oil. Another eco-mom suggests grapefruit seed extract.
All this stuff is readily available across the street at the People's Food Co-op and at other "natural food stores" in our eco-thinking town.

Another great feature of your own green cleaning kit? Less packaging. Reuse your old containers. Mix your clean-green concoctions and fill 'em up. Way, way less waste.
Stuff you find looking up other stuff

Another Green Cleaning Kit
Treehugger's advice
Clorox's "Green Works" cleaners are 99 percent green. Ironically, two of the three ingredients that aren't green are the dyes that turn the "Green Works" liquid the color green.

Linda Lombardini lives as happily green and clean as she can be. You can contact her at Linda@TrilliumRealtors.com.

Tags: baking soda, clean house, clean planet, green cleaning, Karen Logan, liquid soap, salt, spring cleaning, vinegar

Stonyfield Farm's CEO Gary Hirshberg Raps IT!

2011-04-09T08:48:00.000-07:00

Disinfecting The Green Way

2011-04-08T10:04:00.000-07:00

Store bought disinfectants used in cleaning can contain all sorts of nasty chemicals, some of which should really only be used in controlled settings such as hospitals.

The reason for this is when used around the home inappropriately, these substances can actually help bacteria become resistant to the chemical, creating "superbugs". Or, diseases resistant to antiboitics.

The heavy duty disinfectant artillery should be left to health professionals as a last line of defense. As has been noted in the case of staph, the excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics has created super-strains which are now resistant to practically *all* antibiotics.

Some of the chemicals used in commercial preparations can also have a negative effect on aquatic life as water treatment facilities can't filter them out.

A chemical of particular concern is triclosan. Used in everything from bar soaps to toothpaste, it can also be found in some commercial disinfectants. According to Beyond Pesticides, researchers who added triclosan to river water and shined ultra violet light on the water found that between one and twelve percent of the triclosan was converted to dioxins. Dioxins are incredibly toxic to aquatic organisms, animals and humans and as these substances are bioaccumulative, they work their way up the food chain.

In a U.S. Geological Survey study of 95 different organic wastewater contaminants in U.S. streams, triclosan was one of the most frequently detected compounds.

This is a serious environmental issue that we can all play a role in helping to address - for starters, taking more care in the types of disinfectant we choose and use.

Greener disinfecting alternatives

It's important to bear in mind that disinfecting something means killing something else; that the nature of the process is destructive - however, the goal is to minimize "collateral damage".

While there are quite a few environmentally friendly (or should I say, friendlier) products on the market, making your own environmentally friendly disinfectant is very cheap and extremely quick to do using just eucalyptus oil and water.

Simply mix 1.6 oz (around 50 ml) of eucalyptus oil with a quart (litre) of water. That's all there is to it - not everything that is effective needs to be complex.

Be sure to shake well before use and use as you would a store bought disinfectant. Also keep the mixture out of direct sunlight in a opaque container.

Not only will you have a greener disinfectant, but by making your own, you're more likely to use the same container, therefore cutting down your plastic consumption.

Eucalyptus oil is amazing stuff and you'll see it mentioned regularly throughout this site. I've read that European doctors used to use eucalyptus oil to disinfect and sterilize their equipment. Do be careful when handling eucalyptus oil as it's quite potent and can cause skin irritation in its undiluted form.

Here's another disinfectant recipe if you're not particularly fond of the smell of eucalyptus:

Grapefruit Seed Extract Disinfectant Spray

Ingredients:

1 gallon warm water
20 drops grapefruit seed extract
Mix and pour in a spray bottle

Courtesy of:
Green Living Tips.comGreen Living Tips is an online resource powered by renewable energy offering a wide variety of earth friendly tips, green guides, advice and environment related news to help consumers and business reduce costs, consumption and environmental impact .

Great Pacific Garbage Patch

2011-04-07T14:36:00.000-07:00

We all know about this....but sometimes the magnitude of something on the order of what we have going on here is just too much to wrap our minds around.

Also known as the Trash Vortex and a variety of other names, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch exists in the North Pacific Gyre, a clockwise swirl of currents that's home to little except phytoplankton - and trash. Lots of trash. So much trash that for every pound of plankton, it's estimated there's 6 pounds of plastic garbage.

A Glimpse of the Tragedy from Midway on Vimeo.

Occasionally, ocean currents will change and release some of cache of garbage, which winds washing up on the beaches around the outskirts of the gyre in huge amounts. Ocean researcher Charles Moore reported the amount of plastics in areas of the gyre to be somewhere around 3.3 million pieces per square kilometer!

Photos from the Algalita Marine Research Foundation

It is estimated that over 20 billion pounds of plastic ends up in the ocean - each year. Plastics are particularly nasty in an aquatic environment; aside from being toxic, they don't biodegrade, but just break into increasingly smaller pieces that are dispersed widely. These particles can clog the gills of fish and filter feeders.
Also, aquatic birds tend to be attracted to the plastic and ingest quantities that can block their digestive tract - they literally starve to death. Turtles are particularly prone to eating plastic bags and fishing line, especially those species that dine on jellyfish.
The ocean is big; our planet is big - but it just goes to show, it's not big enough to cope with our modern garbage. We really need to avoid plastics wherever we can - and recycle what we can't seem to avoid; there's simply no safe place to dump these items.

A Letter From Japan

2011-04-04T08:24:00.001-07:00

Here is a letter from a friend of a friend, an older woman who has been living in Japan and teaching English for the past 10 years.

Hello My Lovely Family and Friends,

First I want to thank you so very much for your concern for me. I am very touched. I also wish to apologize for a generic message to you all. But it seems the best way at the moment to get my message to you.

Things here in Sendai have been rather surreal. But I am very blessed to have wonderful friends who are helping me a lot. Since my shack is even more worthy of that name, I am now staying at a friend's home. We share supplies like water, food and a kerosene heater. We sleep

lined up in one room, eat by candlelight, share stories. It is warm, friendly, and beautiful.

During the day we help each other clean up the mess in our homes. People sit in their cars, looking at news on their navigation screens, or line up to get drinking water when a source is open. If someone has water running in their home, they put out a sign so people can come to fill up their jugs and buckets.

Utterly amazingly that where I am there has been no looting, no pushing in lines. People leave their front door open, as it is safer when an earthquake strikes. People keep saying, "Oh, this is how it used to be in the old days when everyone helped one another."

Quakes keep coming. Last night they struck about every 15 minutes. Sirens are constant and helicopters pass overhead often. We got water for a few hours in our homes last night, and now it is for half a day. Electricity came on this afternoon. Gas has not yet come on. But all of this is by area. Some people have these things, others do not.

No one has washed for many days. We feel grubby, but there are much more important concerns than that for us now. I love this peeling away of non-essentials. Living fully on the level of instinct, of intuition, of caring, of what is needed for survival, not just for me, but of the entire group.

There are strange parallel universes happening. Houses a mess in some places, yet then a house with futons or laundry out drying in the sun. People lining up for water and food, and yet a few people out walking their dogs. All happening at the same time.

Other unexpected touches of beauty are first, the silence at night. No cars. No one out on the streets. And the heavens at night are scattered with stars. I usually can see about two, but now the whole sky is filled. The mountains of Sendai are solid and with the crisp air, we can see them silhouetted against the sky magnificently.

And the Japanese themselves are so wonderful. I come back to my shack to check on it each day, now to send this e-mail since the electricity is on, and I find food and water left in my entranceway. I have no idea from whom, but it is there. Old men in green hats go from door to door checking to see if everyone is OK. People talk to complete strangers asking if they need help. I see no signs of fear. Resignation, yes, but fear or panic, no.

They tell us we can expect aftershocks, and even other major quakes, for another month or more. And we are getting constant tremors, rolls, shaking, rumbling. I am blessed in that I live in a part of Sendai that is a bit elevated, a bit more solid than other parts. So, so far this area is better off than others. Last night my friend's husband came in from the country, bringing food and water. Blessed again.

Somehow at this time I realize from direct experience that there is indeed an enormous Cosmic evolutionary step that is occurring all over the world right at this moment. And somehow as I experience the events happening now in Japan, I can feel my heart opening very wide.

My brother asked me if I felt very small because of all that is happening. I don't. Rather, I feel a part of something happening that's much larger than myself. This wave of birthing (worldwide) is

hard, and yet magnificent.

Thank you again for your care and Love of me,

With Love in return, to you all,

Anne

Rev. Katherine Q. Revoir

"Who" Is Slow Food?

2011-04-01T10:30:00.000-07:00

What you put into your mouth goes into your body. Everywhere in you body. I am not being sarcastic but pointing out the obvious that we should all think about when we peel off that plastic wrapper imprinted with unpronounceable words and shove it into our mouths without looking at it.

"Slow food" is a direct counter balance to the fast-food culture. Instead of eating fries while driving one-handed through traffic, it means taking the time to enjoy good food raised in clean, safe conditions and sold at a fair profit for the farmer. It means taking the time to know the food you eat is healthy - for you, for the people who produce it, and for the land. According to USA Today, SlowFood "claims to be everything that fast food is not."

SlowFood is an idea, a way of living and a way of eating. It is a global, grassroots movement with thousands of members around the world that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment.

Just 30 plants feed 95 percent of the world's 6.5 billion people, according to Slow Food, which is encouraging a global effort to broaden that diversity.

Many foods we love (specific grains, vegetables, fruits, animal breeds) are disappearing due to the overwhelming amount of convenience food and industrial agriculture. What's grown by industrial agribusiness is based on what's hardy, easiest to grow, and easiest to ship across the continent - not necessarily taking taste, health and variety into account. Like the proposed square banana or genetically engineered or modified food.

Some people are tired of the degraded flavor of our foods and of health issues raised by an industrialized food supply, so they find the "slow food" message appealing. Preserving our resources, tradition and culture ensures that food is produced for taste and variety. This is ultimately what makes food enjoyable.

The Daily Green embraces the Slow Food manifesto that promotes taking the time to teach and share the rewards of raising and eating food that is good, clean and fair.

To read the first chapter of Michael Pollan's book, "The Omnivore's Dilemma," which explains where food comes from, check out: www.michaelpollan.com.

In researching this post, I found the following links to be excellent reads:

http://www.slowfoodusa.org/index.php/slow_food/blog/

http://michaelpollan.com/todays-link/

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com

http://civileats.com/

Blogging...

2011-03-25T10:43:00.000-07:00

Blogging without obligation.....

Came across this blog on someone else's blogroll....put it on, mine...then thought what a good idea....so I got into the spirit of it all and took the author at her word. I come across this all the time, about how sorry folks are that they have not blogged. Like cyberspace is just hanging on your next post. Really!!!

I quote:

"After coming across what seemed to be the 4000th or so post on someone’s blog starting with “I’m sorry I haven’t posted in awhile.” I decided it is time to rethink what makes a good blog and the expectations that have come to be part of it. I am thinking that no one should utter those words again . . .and with that thought I give you Blogging Without Obligation.

If you feel the same way feel free to grab the logo, make a logo or whatever you would like to do!
I release all the logos, thoughts and words mentioned here about this concept into the public domain. Take the idea and run with it. . .or walk away. It is all good.

Because you shouldn’t have to look at your blog like it is a treadmill.

Because its okay to just say what you have to say. If that makes for a long post, fine. Short post, fine. Frequent post, fine. Infrequent post, fine.

Because its okay to not always be enthralled with the sound of your own typing.

Because sometimes less is more.

Because only blogging when you feel truly inspired keeps up the integrity of your blog.

Because they are probably not going to inscribe your stat, link and comment numbers on your tombstone.

Because for most of us blogging is just a hobby. A way to express yourself and connect with others. You should not have to apologize for lapses in posts. Just take a step back and enjoy life, not everything you do has to be “bloggable”.

Because if you blog without obligation you will naturally keep your blog around longer, because it won’t be a chore. Plus, just think you will be doing your part to eradicate post pollution. One post at a time. . ."

The Lawn and My Dirty Little Secret

2011-03-21T12:18:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of Lawn Reform
I do not have a lawn! I would not have a lawn. I feel lawns are pointless. Now, I have a dirty little secret; in my past I lived in a house with a lawn and a swimming pool. A pool that nobody used.

That was back when we lived in the burbs. Then you could drive around on a rainy morning and see watering systems going full bore while it rained! Not only that, tons of fertilizer, insecticides and water go to waste so our lawns can look better than the folks next door.

Overtreated and overwatered lawns waste $$ and keep asking for more. Pesticides, weedkillers, excess fertilizer and excessive watering don't just waste money, though - they damage soil health, kill beneficial insects, and reduce the drought-tolerance of turfgrasses. It's an addictive cycle.

We now have xeriscape!

Eat Sustainably

2011-03-16T10:23:00.000-07:00

25 Ways to Eat Sustainably

Guest Blog: by EcoKaren

This post was originally published on my blog, ecokaren, last year but with the recent disappointing news about GE Alfalfa being approved by the USDA, I thought I’d re-post this list so that we can remind ourselves how to eat more sustainably. I know many of you are already following these practices but I thought we should re-visit them and see what else we can do.

Summer Fruits from Farmers Market

25 Ways to Eat Sustainably

Use the WHOLE vegetable – the stalk, leaves, the whole kit and kaboodle.
Get to the root – buy loose vegetables and not the factory ‘boxed’ kinds.
Be a farmers’ market regular and get staples – onions, potatoes, herbs, etc. that you always use and need
Buy Heirloom – def. of heirloom – crop from seeds that have been passed down for generations, grown in small crops that may restore the health of the soil
Stock up – buy in bulk when in season and freeze, pickle or preserve it
Get advice – for recipes from farmers
Challenge yourself – use up week’s worth of meal.
Local is always the priority. If you can’t buy local, buy organic.
Buy local eggs – with recent recalls of millions of factory eggs due to Salmonella outbreak, need I say more?
Use your basement to keep your hardy vegetables like squash, sweet potatoes, beets, turnips, and rutabagas. They will keep up to six months in temperatures 40∘F or below. Store them as close to the time they were harvested as possible – preferably unwashed, green tops will attached and packed in sawdust or moist peat moss.

Squash from Market Market

Let farm-fresh food delivered – CSA. If you can’t use up one portion, go in on it with a friend of a neighbor.
Be packaged conscious when buying food from the supermarket.
Google your milk. Not all organic milks are created equal. Check your brand at sustainable.org and opt for antibiotic and rBGH-free (no artificial bovine growth hormones)
Use unprocessed grains. White rice is process. Go for brown rice, barley, quinoa or farro. they are healthier for you too. Better yet, go for buckwheat as they can improve soil quality.
Soak beans and grains overnight. You’ll cut cooking time and energy usage in half!
Read labels. Don’t buy any packaged foods that have more than five ingredients or ingredients you cannot pronounce, nothing artificial, and no cartoons on the package.
Freeze organic berries when they are in season. Berries are on top of the organic foods to buy list. Buy them when they are in season and freeze them to have in the winter.
Make your own seltzer – I reviewed Soda Stream and we still use the machine. We don’t buy seltzer waters anymore and it is great for keeping soda bottles out of the landfill and making delicious fruit spritzers.
Buy local bread – buy bread from your local bakery or farmers market. It comes without packaging, it will be fresher, and the chances are, it will have fewer ingredients.

Parker Rolls
Make homemade breadcrumbs and croutons. Why buy packaged ones when you can make them with stale bread so easily?
Read PLU codes – any item with PLU codes starting with ’9′ is organic.
Become friends with local growers and fishermen so you can find out what’s being picked or caught. You’ll know where your food comes from.
Cut out processed corn. THIS is biggie. Avoid buying items with corn or corn-based substances (corn oil, cornstarch, or corn syrup) as ingredients. According to the USDA, at least 85 percent of the corn grown in this country has been genetically modified, meaning the plants were altered to make them more pest resistant.
Eat more REAL corn. Ask your farmer if he uses GMO corn seeds (or from Monsanto’s roundup seeds).
Wash vegetables submerged in a basin and not under the running water.

To read 25 More Ways to Eat Sustainbly, go to Part 2 of the series posted here.
All Photos: by ecokaren

DESIGN LIKE YOU GIVE A DAMN

2011-03-16T09:57:00.000-07:00

DESIGN LIKE YOU GIVE A DAMN: A RESPONSE TO OUR HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

I subscribe to Inhabitat.com and came across this book in their online gift shop. Upon further investigation I knew I wanted to share.

The greatest humanitarian challenge we face today is that of providing shelter. Currently one in seven people lives in a slum or refugee camp, and more than 3,000,000,000 people--nearly half the world's population--do not have access to clean water or adequate sanitation. The physical design of our homes, neighborhoods and communities shapes every aspect of our lives. Yet too often architects are desperately needed in the places where they can least be afforded.

Edited by Architecture for Humanity and now in its third printing, Design Like You Give a Damn is a compendium of innovative projects from around the world that demonstrate the power of design to improve lives. The first book to bring the best of humanitarian architecture and design to the printed page, Design Like You Give a Damn offers a history of the movement toward socially conscious design, and showcases more than 80 contemporary solutions to such urgent needs as basic shelter, healthcare, education and access to clean water, energy and sanitation.

Design Like You Give a Damn is an indispensable resource for designers and humanitarian organizations charged with rebuilding after disaster and engaged in the search for sustainable development. It is also a call to action to anyone committed to building a better world.

This book is available at Amazon.com

Design Like You Give a Damn: Architectural Responses to Humanitarian Crises

Details The greatest humanitarian challenge we face today is that of providing shelter. Currently one in seven people lives in a slum or refugee camp, and more than 3,000,000,000 people--nearly half the world's population--do not have access to clean water or adequate sanitation. The physical design of our homes, neighborhoods and communities shapes every aspect of our lives. Yet too often architects are desperately needed in the places where they can least be afforded. Edited by Architecture for Humanity and now in its third printing, Design Like You Give a Damn is a compendium of innovative projects from around the world that demonstrate the power of design to improve lives. The first book to bring the best of humanitarian architecture and design to the printed page, Design Like You Give a Damn offers a history of the movement toward socially conscious design, and showcases more than 80 contemporary solutions to such urgent needs as basic shelter, healthcare, education and access to clean water, energy and sanitation. Design Like You Give a Damn is an indispensable resource for designers and humanitarian organizations charged with rebuilding after disaster and engaged in the search for sustainable development. It is also a call to action to anyone committed to building a better world.

Price - $23.10

This item is available for purchase from Amazon.com

Dark Chocolate Definitely Eases Emotional Stress

2011-03-04T14:12:00.001-08:00

Hard science is telling us (again) that dark chocolate definitely eases emotional stress. I don't know why we need to go over this...everyone knows chocolate makes us happy. Actually, chocolate makes me giddy! ....and I don't need a scientist to tell me.

But they’re saying it anyway–new evidence that dark chocolate helps ease emotional stress was just published in “Metabolic Effects of Dark Chocolate Consumption on Energy, Gut Microbiota, and Stress-Related Metabolism in Free-Living Subjects.” I don’t know how my gut microbiota feel about it, but it’s doing wonders for my mood.

The study found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly stressed.The daily dose also partially corrected other stress-related biochemical imbalances. And that’s not all…Sunil Kochhar and colleagues note growing scientific evidence that antioxidants and other beneficial substances in dark chocolate may reduce risk factors for heart disease and other physical conditions. Although studies in the past have suggested that chocolate may ease emotional stress, there was little evidence until now from research in humans on exactly how chocolate might have those stress-busting effects.
In the study, scientists identified reductions in stress hormones and other stress-related biochemical changes in volunteers who rated themselves as highly stressed and ate dark chocolate for two weeks. “The study provides strong evidence that a daily consumption of 40 grams [1.4 ounces] during a period of 2 weeks is sufficient to modify the metabolism of healthy human volunteers,” the scientists say.

Go for it! Chocolate Easter eggs are on the horizon!!

131 comments

OK, honestly? It doesn’t take a scientist to tell me that chocolate makes me feel better. But they’re saying it anyway–new evidence that dark chocolate helps ease emotional stress was just published in “Metabolic Effects of Dark Chocolate Consumption on Energy, Gut Microbiota, and Stress-Related Metabolism in Free-Living Subjects.” I don’t know how my gut microbiota feel about it, but it’s doing wonders for my mood.
The study found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly stressed.The daily dose also partially corrected other stress-related biochemical imbalances. And that’s not all…Sunil Kochhar and colleagues note growing scientific evidence that antioxidants and other beneficial substances in dark chocolate may reduce risk factors for heart disease and other physical conditions. Although studies in the past have suggested that chocolate may ease emotional stress, there was little evidence until now from research in humans on exactly how chocolate might have those stress-busting effects.
In the study, scientists identified reductions in stress hormones and other stress-related biochemical changes in volunteers who rated themselves as highly stressed and ate dark chocolate for two weeks. “The study provides strong evidence that a daily consumption of 40 grams [1.4 ounces] during a period of 2 weeks is sufficient to modify the metabolism of healthy human volunteers,” the scientists say. Sign me up…
For more about the importance of Fair Trade Certified chocolate, see Easy Greening: Chocolate.

Oatmeal Raisin Pancakes

2011-03-02T07:43:00.000-08:00

For those of you on Twitter who asked for my husband's recipe for his pancakes...here it is:
OATMEAL RAISIN PANCAKES

2 cups    OLD FASHIONED OATS
2 cups    Buttermilk
2             Large eggs
1/4 cup   Butter, softened
1/4 cup   Dark seedless raisins (light or cranberries?)
1/2 cup   Flour
1/4 cup   Sugar
1 tsp       Baking powder
1 tsp       Baking soda
1 tsp       Cinnamon
1/2 tsp    Salt

Mix oats & buttermilk in large bowl, cover & refrigerate overnight.

Next day beat in eggs, butter & raisins.

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon & salt. Add to oatmeal mixture & stir until moistened. If possible, let batter sit at least 20 minutes before cooking.
Cook on moderate heat on a greased griddle. If batter is too thick, it may be thinned with buttermilk. These take much longer to cook than regular pancakes.
Note: These can be cooked, frozen & reheated & come out very well.

This may also be cooked in a waffle baker, but waffles are soft, not crisp. Waffles may be frozen & toasted in a toaster & come out very well.

Franken Foods Freak Me Out

2011-02-27T15:29:00.000-08:00

Would you knowingly eat a potato that needs to be transported in hazardous waste containers since every cell contains pesticides? This isn’t food terrorism (at least not the kind we recognize as a crime); this is what passes as improvements to our food supply. Perhaps one day we will learn that we can’t improve on nature.

From Flavr Savr tomatoes to Roundup Ready Soybeans, genetically modified foods are being manufactured and unleashed on an unsuspecting public whether we are ready for them or not. The Grocery Manufacturers of America estimates that 75 percent of all processed foods in America contain a genetically modified ingredient.

Governments worldwide should have insisted on extensive safety testing of genetically modified ingredients before allowing them to be unleashed on an unsuspecting public. But according to an article entitled, “Health Risks of Genetically-Modified Foods” by Dr. Joseph Mercola, the U.S. FDA even states, “The FDA has not found it necessary to conduct comprehensive scientific reviews of foods derived from bioengineered plants … consistent with its 1992 policy.”

Genetically modified (GM) foods are big business in North America, particularly in the United States. They are also supported in Brazil and to a certain extent in Asia. Europe has been appropriately cautious in its approach to GM foods and to date has limited access to the European market, much to the frustration of U.S. business. There is a very real threat that this could change in the near future.

Who Is Your Muse?

2011-02-25T16:05:00.000-08:00

Who inspires you the most? You know, like a muse*........my muse would be Abby over at
Infusion Fibers. She writes a blog that always inspires me and her photography is artistic, sensitive and fun.

The first time I saw her blog, I moved right back to my own and de-cluttered, simplified and cleaned up my own blog. In her Etsy shop, she also uses natural, organic, sustainable and recycled fibers and fabric. And lives her life accordingly. Her shop is stunning in its’s simplicity and clean look. The bags she makes are the stars...and oh, I want them all.

My other muse would probably be Des from Life’s Ambrosia. I love cooking and her creative and simple recipes along with beautiful photography give a ton of inspiration.

We all know that there are a ton of folks out there who give inspiration and and whose work and ideas we an really identify with. (I know....‘with’ is a preposition, but proper grammar is a tad pompous in this case). I would love to know who you feel inspires you the most and why. Just a few words. If they have a link to a shop, blog or site, please include that too. I would like to see what folks are feeling.

*Muse: Many artists, writers, poets and musicians have said that their creative work has been inspired by an individual whom they refer to as their muse. A muse is someone who has such an influence on another that he or she becomes the focus and inspiration for that person's creative work.

Clean Water, Pleeeeeease!

2011-02-24T08:54:00.001-08:00

Right on the tails of my last post re water, I find another slant on water isssues. There is no replacement for water. None, nada, not one! We are in serious denial.

Mark Ruffalo - Gardener and Activist for Clean Water

Somewhere in Upstate New York (Sullivan County in the Catskill Mountains), an impossibly cute, Oscar-nominated actor gardens with his family. In a recent story he said, "I know all my neighbors. It's beautiful and healthy, and in the winter there are blankets of snow covering the rolling hills. But I'm raising three kids up there, primarily because it's supposed to be so clean, and all of a sudden I'm in the middle of a public health fight."
The public fight he's in the middle of is against fracking, the "controversial and potentially polluting natural gas extraction process by which tons of water are infused with chemicals." Ruffalo says, "They blast the mixture underground at such high levels that it fractures the bedrock, which allows the natural gas to escape."

He first learned about the fracking debate at his local farmers market, where he goes to buy the things that he and his wife, Sunrise Coigney, don't grow in their own garden. (But they grow almost everything. They are those people. Asked to identify anything in his salad he could have harvested himself, he lists everything but the cheese.)

In Men's Health we learn that the Ruffalos live in a 150-year-old post-and-beam barn on their 50 acres of secluded farmland. They spend a couple of months in that "healing place" every summer, and the Men's Health reporter found him there "playing with the kids, Dad-erranding to town for supplies, and moving some rock and grading the entrances to the barn."
So, it turns out the character Ruffalo played in "The Kids are All Right" - the laid-back grower of organic foods - was no stretch.
And now that we know that he's a gardener/farmer in Update New York, where there just happens to be a GardenRanter nearby, a site visit and gardener interview are definitely in order. Michele, you have your assignment and this quote by Ruffalo offers a clue to approaching him: "You know, the people around here just work too damn hard to go to movies, which means that the guys at the local Agway are just as insulting to me now as they always have been. And I like that." So just insult him like the local farmers do and you're in! We want photos, too.
But back to fracking, it's just one of many water issues he hopes to see people coalesce around. "Our idea is to go from city to city [and unite] whatever water groups are fighting mountaintop removal, or water scarcity, or gas drilling - anywhere that water is under attack, we host a concert there."

Courtesy of gardenrant.com

::W A T E R::

2011-02-23T15:03:00.000-08:00

The need for fresh water ranks among the most urgent environmental challenges of this century. Only 1% of the world's water can be used for human consumption. Yet it disturbs me that we seem to be doing everything we can to use up or pollute what little we have -- half of the global population will be living in areas of "acute water shortage" by 2030. That is not far off. Nor will it be far away.

I am a quilter and bagmaker. I use cotton every day. Since the textile industry is one of the largest polluters in the world, I go out of my way to use organic fabrics, including cotton, which require none of the pesticides chemically treated fibers. The World Bank estimates that almost 20% of global industrial water pollution comes from the treatment and dyeing of textiles.

Waiting for water.......

Cotton production accounts for 2.6% of annual global water usage.

Remember this: A single T-shirt made from conventional cotton requires 2,700 liters of water, and a third of a pound of chemicals to produce.

The idea of being without water.....for a whole population is a circumstance that I cannot wrap my mind around. I grew up in suburbia and took water for granted. In fact, when I was young, I was sure it was free. Now we live in the country and depend on a well for our water. This is not a subtle change by any means. I am always aware of where my water comes from. The Earth. My Earth and your Earth. Of which we are the ultimate stewards. Together.

2011-02-16T16:08:00.000-08:00

recycled tp~ what’s that all about?

Did you know that most toilet paper is made from the virgin pulp of old growth trees? Ecologically valuable forests full of old growth trees are being cut down so that we can have soft and lovely paper to wipe our tushes with. Not only are ancient trees being destroyed, but massive amounts of chlorine are also used to achieve the pearly white color that we’ve come to expect when buying toilet tissue.

‘Ancient forests are the planet’s old-growth and original forests. The world’s ancient forests maintain environmental systems that are essential for life on Earth. They influence weather by controlling rainfall and evaporation of water from soil. They help stabilize the world’s climate by storing large amounts of carbon that would otherwise contribute to climate change. These forests also are home to around two-thirds of the world’s land-based species of plants and animals.’ This site will educate you on where these forests are and why they are essential to our planet’s health. They also offer ways to get actively involved.
I found this article that lists brands of toilet tissue that have a nice percentage of post consumer recycled content. Recycled doesn’t mean tough and horrible. We made the switch over a year ago, after learning about this issue and we haven’t missed the bleached white stuff one bit. The two things to look for when buying eco friendly bathroom tissue are 1) a post consumer recycled content of at least 40% and 2) chlorine free processing, labeled as (pcf or ecf).

Rebloged from: http://blog.ecoetsy.com/2011/02/recycled-tp-whats-that-all-about/html

Quilting Tutorials....a ton of 'em!

2011-02-16T15:36:00.000-08:00

Links to free tutorials...some mine, others from around the web. Enjoy!

Baby Quilt Tutorial

Christmas Tree Skirt Tutorial

Circle Quilt Tutorial

Crazy Nine-Patch Lattice Quilt

Disappearing Nine Patch - (easy and fun block good for Linus)

Flossie Tea Cakes Tutorials

Hexagon Tutorial (using mylar bases)

Modified Bento Box Quilt - (I made it...check out flikr)

PaintBox Quilt Along (I am in the process of making this and it is major fun)

Saturday Market Skirt (Patti Henderson)

Sewing Zippers In Bags (you can do it!)

Stitch and Flip Hexagon Tutorial

Straight Line Quilting from Tallgrass Prarie Studio

String Quilt Block Turorial

Sweet and Simple Nightie (made this from 'guess who's' voile!

Wonky Patchwork Pillow

::C O T T O N:: HOW THIRSTY IS YOUR TSHIRT

2011-02-15T13:04:00.000-08:00

LE POTAGER from Benoit MILLOT on Vimeo.
With a grateful 'Bravo' I thank BenoitMillot for his touching video (s). To enjoy more his work, please visit the link above.

Cotton is one of the most environmentally destructive agricultural crops. In pesticide use in the US alone, it is staggering – 125 million kilograms annually.

The need for fresh water ranks among the most urgent environmental challenges of this century.

The textile industry is one of the largest polluters in the world. The World Bank estimates that almost 20% of global industrial water pollution comes from the treatment and dyeing of textiles.

Cotton production accounts for 2.6% of annual global water usage. A single T-shirt made from conventional cotton requires 2700 liters of water, and a third of a pound of chemicals to produce.

Many believe that conventional cotton uses much less water than organic cotton, but in fact the opposite may be true. By beginning with healthy soil, organic cotton farmers need not supply intense irrigation for their crops—the plants themselves use water much more efficiently due to the inherent health of their surrounding environment.

Organic cotton has undoubtedly sounded like the overwhelming choice thus far, but nothing is perfect. India, Turkey, Peru, China and Africa currently grow more organic cotton than the United States does. What does this mean? It means that the next organic cotton T-shirt you buy was likely grown hundreds of thousands of miles away, shipped around the world to be processed, then shipped to a retailer and finally to you. That’s a big carbon footprint for one T-shirt!

All hope is not lost for organic-cotton fans who appreciate local production. States such as Texas, California and New Mexico are continually expanding their organic cotton production. Still, the United States is one of the world’s top conventional cotton producers, making it a vital force in the cotton market and one we should continually influence to embrace organic growth and production.

About GMO .... There’s a reason that the Department of Agriculture does not allow the use of GMO seeds for organic cotton—they aren’t as successful as they sound on paper. Monsanto, a manufacturer of GMO seeds and pesticides, claims that a study showed its Bt (Bacillus Thuringiensis, a naturally occurring soil bacterium) cotton yields 30 percent more fiber than non-GMO seeds. A little digging quickly proved that Monsanto was a sponsor of this “scientific” study.

What's On The Counter Today?

2011-02-06T14:46:00.000-08:00

Garth brought this in for the garden, and I don't know which fragrant, spring sweetie this is....we have winter iris and narcissis so far. Anyone have an idea?

::L I N E N::

2011-02-06T08:57:00.000-08:00

BE LINEN MOVIE from Benoit MILLOT on Vimeo.

This video was posted on the 4th by Abby of infusionfibers. I went to Millot's site and draged it down to share with you. I follow her blog and relish her photography, approach to design and most of all her dedication to the eco-life. In her work and in her appreciation of the world around her on the Oregon Coast, you could find no better source of inspiration. She says about linen: "Linen - it's smell, it's physical texture, it's visual characteristics - is one of those things that affects me almost physically - it excites some part of me."

In the world of organic fabrics and fibers linen, for me, is the most sensual. My wardrobe is packed with it, I quilt with it and make bags with it. I have blogged about it before, but I want to share the video that Abby posted on her website today. The Benoit Millot film about flax/linen along with some of his other work can be found on Vimeo. Do go and look.....look all around, get lost in the site and follow out to others. Trust me, it's all good!

The Dirt on Cleaning Product Companies

2011-02-01T11:41:00.000-08:00

How do your favorite mainstream cleaning brands stack up?

Women’s Voices for the Earth, aka WVE, has put out the results of a study of five of the leading cleaning product companies regarding the use and labeling of toxic ingredients in products. I am a big fan of WVE, a national organization that engages women to advocate for the right to live in a healthy environment. They also helped to launch the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. They “seek to reduce and ultimately eliminate environmental pollutants that cause health problems for women, their families and communities. To this end, WVE creates opportunities for women to influence environmental decision-making.”
Knowing WVE’s mission statement, I sat up and took notice of their announcement about their scorecard on cleaning product companies, published Sept. 24, 2008.
Find out how top manufacturers rate in protecting you from toxic chemicals in The Dirt on Cleaning Product Companies

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-dirt-on-cleaning-product-companies.html#ixzz1CAchqqMc

Craft Hope

2011-01-31T17:42:00.001-08:00

Help Provide Safe Birthing Kits to Women in Haiti

For Craft Hope's first project this year we are going back to Haiti. Project 11 will benefit Konbit Sante, a wonderful organization that has, for nearly ten years, worked to provide the education and resources necessary to improve capacity within the public health system of Cap-Haitien, Haiti’s second largest city. Even before the earthquake, Haiti’s health statistics were dismal, and now the need is even greater. Shockingly, one in eight Haitian children dies before the age of five, and their maternal mortality rate is 1,400 deaths for every 100,000 –a reflection of the fact that the majority of the population lives in poverty/on less than a dollar a day. Only one in every 10,000 Haitians has access to a physician.
For the past three years, Konbit Sante has been spearheading a family planning and maternal health project in the most needy neighborhoods of Cap-Haitien that includes working more closely to support trained birth attendants (TBAs) who attend the vast majority of births in the community. They began supplying them with safe birthing kits to use in their deliveries. TBAs attend the vast majority of births in Haiti and have no formal medical training to speak of. The kits represent a “value added” component to their services, offer a measure of status, and are well received. There is ample evidence internationally that the kits can reduce infant and maternal mortality.
When you simply need a clean piece of plastic sheeting, a clean piece of string, a new razor blade, an alcohol wipe, and hand sanitizer to save lives during delivery, it is humbling. When you can send a message of hope and solidarity with mothers in Haiti by including a hand made receiving blanket, it is empowering. We may not be able to change much about the challenging reality faced by mothers and children in Haiti, but we CAN do this. And it will matter.
So for Project 11 we are going to provide safe birthing kits to Konbit Sante. This project will include some handmade items and some store bought. This is a great project for a group as many of these things are purchased in bulk.
Contents of safe birthing kit:

1 small bar of soap (updated 1/16/2011)
1 piece of clean plastic sheeting (3 feet wide by 4 feet long)
1 piece of clean string, 24 inches long
1 packet alcohol wipe
1 set of sterile latex gloves
1 packet (or travel container) Purelle
1 handmade tote bag

Optional:

receiving blanket–36 inches square
small “stuffy” toy

*** updated 1/16/2011 – We have received some great questions about the contents of the delivery kits. For more specifics about the contents, please go to this post where we have answered your questions. Thanks!
Konbit Sante is asking for pre-assembled birthing kits. You can buy the supplies (or request donations from local businesses), wrap them in the plastic sheeting, and put them all in a handmade bag. The receiving blanket and toy are optional, but are a very sweet touch that we hope you include. That blanket is the first blanket that sweet baby will be wrapped in. Both of these items are the handmade part of the birthing kits and show a little extra love for the newborn baby.
This simple bag will save lives in Haiti, and making the commitment to creating it will add meaning to your own. When the need is so great and our own lives are so full, it is difficult to know where to start. The simplicity of this project gives us the perfect way to become involved–make a contribution to helping start out a baby’s life safely.
The deadline for Project 11 is March 1, 2011.
Please mail your complete bag to:
Konbit Sante Cap-Haitien Health Partnership
362 US Route 1
Falmouth, ME 04105
USA

What Is Slow Architecture?

2011-01-26T09:30:00.000-08:00

If you’ve never heard of “Slow Food,” you’ve probably heard of “Fast Food.” If you’ve never heard of “Slow Architecture,” you might have heard the phrase “McMansion,” referring to cookie-cutter suburban sprawl. Slow Architecture is a movement toward building homes that are space- and energy-efficient, attractive, that harmonize with the surrounding area, and create a smaller carbon footprint.

What makes Slow Architecture “slow”? Literally, Slow Homes take time to build. Just like it takes time to cook food that honors the native flavors and ingredients of the region, homes that work with their environment take time to design and build. The main idea behind Slow Architecture is careful consideration of what both the home owner and the environment need. John Brown, the founder of Slow Home, says that Slow Homes are homes that people can afford. He holds that living within one’s means, rather than trying to buy the biggest house possible, is slow living. Therefore, the Slow Architecture movement is a movement away from size, and a movement toward quality and durability. It takes time to build quality, durable things.
A facet of Slow Architecture is reusing existing structures and objects instead of producing new ones. For instance, Slow Architects prefer filling in existing urban spaces to building up lesser-developed suburban areas. You’ll find many creative uses of old objects inside Slow Architecture houses. Used wood and recycled building parts might all become part of the structure of the house. Home furnishings might be made from creatively-used found objects, like tables and chairs made from cast off wood.
Slow Architecture aims to harmonize with the environment. “Harmonize” might sound flakey, but a home that agrees with its natural environment is the most cost-efficient option. Maximizing natural light and building a home that is appropriate to the climate can save you thousands of dollars in heating, cooling, and lighting bills. Just like there’s nothing hippy-dippy about a slow-cooked pot roast, there’s no shame in building and furnishing a home in a way that it will last for generations and serve exactly its purpose, with no frills.

Content Credit: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/what-is-slow-architecture.html#ixzz1CABl6d00

2011-01-19T08:24:00.001-08:00

Newer, faster, smaller mobile devices hit the market every day. As one of the industry leaders, Apple’s products are highly sought-after by tech enthusiasts, which means unused, outdated electronics are starting to collect dust on shelves and desks all over the world. Sometimes people keep these older products just in case the new ones crash, but more often than not, they just don’t know how to dispose of them properly.
That’s why Take My Mac is an ingenious service. This online company provides a satisfying way to sell your iPads, iPhones and other Apple devices and to avoid going through the time and frustration of selling it yourself.
In a recent interview with Mark Evans Tech, Take My Mac’s Andrea Bebirian described the ease of her company’s process:
“All you have to do is visit TakeMyMac.com and click on the “get started” tab. From there, choose your device and fill out a form to provide details about your electronic device. Through email, the consumer will receive an excellent quote for the device and has the option to either accept or decline the offer. If the owner of the device accepts, a prepaid label is sent to them to ship out their device. Therefore, they aren’t charged for shipping.
“Once Take My Mac receives the gadget, it is inspected, and all personal and non-personal data is removed in a secure manner, if necessary. Once this process is complete, the previous owner of the device gets paid – and they’re done!”
Two things that set Take My Mac apart from other online electronics recycling services: they literally take everything–working or smashed–that bears the Apple label. And everything they take is recycled or reused responsibly: For reuse, your iBook may be seen at a hospital for patients to use during their free time. For recycling, conditions are controlled so there is absolutely no environmental waste left behind to harm our earth.
Learn more by following Take My Mac on Twitter or Facebook

7 comments

Bee Die-Off...What We Need To Know

2011-01-15T12:37:00.000-08:00

Bee-Die off is a phenomenon that is so in our faces and up front and evident that the causes behind it simply must be addressed. Once in a while I do a rant and name names, push a position and ask you to take a stand. Please read this information from CredoMobile. You can open the link, go to their site and sign a petition if you like.

Since 2006, U.S. honey bee populations have been in precipitous decline, with some estimates suggesting losses as high as 30% per year.1 While that's terrible, the problem is far greater than just the destruction of a species. Without bees, a big piece of our food supply is in serious danger. Pollination by honey bees is key in cultivating the crops that produce a full one-third of our food.

One chemical, called clothianidin, could be the cause. It is produced by the German corporation Bayer CropScience. It is used as a treatment on crop seeds, including corn and canola, and works by expressing itself in the plants' pollen and nectar. Not coincidentally, these are honey bees' favorite sources of food.

Shockingly, no major independent study has verified the safety of this pesticide. While clothianidin has been used on corn -- the largest crop in the U.S. -- since 2003, it was officially approved by the Environmental Protection Agency last year on the basis of a single study, conducted by Bayer. However, recently leaked documents show that the study was actually debunked by the agency's own scientists, so the pesticide was effectively approved with no scientific backing.2

Additional independent studies have shown that neonicotinoid pesticides like clothianidin are highly toxic to honey bees, providing compelling evidence that they should be immediately taken off the market until the E.P.A. can conduct a full and valid scientific review.

This appears to be a case of the E.P.A. catering to the needs of a large chemical corporation at the expense of a lynchpin species in our ecosystem. France, Italy, Slovenia, and Germany -- the home of Bayer -- have already banned clothianidin.

The stakes are simply too high to continue the use of this chemical in the absence of any scientifically verified evidence that it is safe to use. Tell the E.P.A. to immediately prohibit the use of clothianidin and conduct a full scientific review to determine its impact on honey bee populations.

___________________
1 secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Colony_collapse_disorder
2 www.grist.org/article/food-2010-12-10-leaked-documents-show-epa-allowed-bee-toxic-pesticide-
3 www.panna.org/sites/default/files/Memo_Nov2010_Clothianidin.pdf

Note to readers: I have not closed comments for this post, but since this is my own personal rant I do not intend to engage in arguments over the facts presented here.

Minimalist

2011-01-12T10:27:00.000-08:00

On the zenhabits site Leo Babauta talke about paring down and trying to be a minimilast and shares tons of thought provoking ideas and new thinking. I suggest you wander around over there http://mnmlist.com/ .... a lot of this mindset falls in line with our job as caretakers of our planet.

In France a small company called Teddyfish makes bags by hand following the handmade tradition much like we who sell on handmade marketplaces such as Esy. Their philosophy of production is beautiful: “We believe in ‘petite-production’, which means the willingness to work on slower rhythm and scale. Through creating and hand-making by ourselves, we are aiming to flavor our products with the warmth of the craftsmen’s hands, instead of the gasoline from the machine.”

Imagine if our world of mass-production was turned into a world of petite-production. People would hand-make clothing bicycles furniture food.

We would produce less and consume less. Things would cost more but people would make more for their labor.

We would love our work more. Produce quality things that last. Love our lives more. Call it Anti-Walmartization.

What is mnmlist.com?
It’s a site by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits.
It’s about minimalism, and why it’s important today.
It’s about stuff, and how it has come to overwhelm us.
It’s about distractions and commitments and a neverending task list.
It’s about the culture of more, of bigger, of consumption.
It’s about how less is the answer.

The Bottlehood..the worst kept secret on Etsy

2011-01-01T09:50:00.000-08:00

I have become a fan, addict and good customer of the folks at The Bottlehood....I want to let you in on the worst-kept secret on Etsy. Our cupboard is now home to wineglass tumblers and coke bottle juice glasses. Sturdy, pretty and interesting. Recycled glasses from wine, beer, soda and liquor bottles. According to Bottlehood.com a glass bottle takes more than 4000 years to decompose in a landfill! I would much rather re-use if it can't be recycled. Glass will be with us for a while, so until there is an alterntive that isn't plastic...I am with the folks at Bottlehood::

On my table, a soda in a re-purposed wine bottle reflecting the winter sun!

Our juice glasses.....

BottleHood was founded by a couple of folks in San Diego who took their concerns for the environment and decided to “do” something about it. BottleHood is a collective team of neighborhood craftspeople (jeweler, weaver, graphic designer) who share an interest in today's environment.

BottleHood has taken a stand on keeping bottles which have no California Redemption Value (CRV) out of California’s landfills or sent overseas to be recycled.

It is just really all about theneighborhood and helping extend the life of discarded glass.

Absolut Vodka bottle (now a vase)

All BottleHood glassware was created from wine, liquor, beer, soda and water bottles from local San Diego restaurants, bars and events.

No part of the bottle goes to waste....jewelry, beads, spoonrests, etc. etsy recycled glass jewelry and etsy BottleHood beads

More About Fabrics....

2010-12-31T16:23:00.000-08:00

I have been over at Green Sage Learning Center, and brought back a ton of information. This part is a history lesson of sorts.....I am sharing with you. Those of us who work with textiles and have focused on creating green products to sell need to learn what works for us. We think green, buy green and sell green in our shops and in our homes. I have learned that once we start we will walk the talk naturally.

At ecoVogue365 blog there is a lot of hip, up-to date and fun stuff.

Before 5,000 B.C., experimentation with other natural materials produced the first basic woven fabrics and cloths. Then the first cloths came which consisted of plant fibers from hemp and flax and animal fibers such as wool.

For centuries hand weaving was the only production method. The spinning wheel developed in India and the technology traveled to Europe by the 14th Century. Not until 1733 with the invention of the flying shuttle, and the subsequent need for spinning to keep up with it, did production begin to increase significantly. The invention of the steam engine, and its adoption by the textile industry began the industrial revolution. (uh, oh).

Conventional synthetic fabrics for the home and office....where we work, sleep, breathe and spend most of our hours are usually chemically treated for fire retardancy, water- and soil-repellancy and permanent press qualities — all of which can outgas VOCs (or volatile organic compounds).

Sustainability criteria include textiles that are not made or treated with hazardous chemicals, use no formaldehyde nor have VOC-emitting materials.

We can look for natural fiber fabrics — some are manufactured to be biodegradable (for example felt byproducts sold to Swiss farmers who use it as insulation for their crops), or specify fabrics made from recycled content or are recyclable (such as recycled polyesters and nylons).

Over 4 million tons of post-consumer textiles enter the waste stream every year, mostly going to landfill. Only 1 million tons are collected for recycling. About 25,000 tons of new textile fiber is disposed of each year by manufacturers and mills.

Be sure to check out the Green Teams on Etsy and shop there often. Shop using keywork TeamEcoEtsy sellers are committed to reusing, recycling, fair trade, creating with sustainable fabrics, going paperless,

The Green Bed....

2010-12-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

The green bed....

I have been keepng and eye out for info on healthier, more eco-sensitive snoozing. This information came up when I was researching the eco-home featured in this month's Sunset Magazine.

Your can get an environmentally friendly car and an environmentally friendly washing machine. But can you get an environmentally friendly night’s sleep? According to Sunset the answer is yes.
As we become more concerned with the state of the planet ― and more aware of how personal and planetary health are linked ― the marketplace is responding with linens, mattresses, bed frames, and more that are beautiful, comfortable, and green. Here are some ways to keep your snooze healthy:

1. Open windows to increase ventilation. Inside air can be more polluted than outside air, thanks to dry-cleaning solvents, aerosol sprays, cleaning products, and off-gassing from furnishings, carpets, and paints.

2. Bring in houseplants. They’re nature’s little air purifiers. Move in a couple from your living room.

3. Go barefoot. Keep grime out by checking shoes at the door.

A few eco terms defined:

Kapok: Fluffy, fibrous material harvested from the seedpod of a tropical tree; often used as non-synthetic pillow fill.

Natural latex: Thick foam made from the sap of the rubber tree; often used in mattresses and pillows. Don’t confuse it with synthetic latex, which is derived from petroleum.

Puregrow wool: A trademarked brand of wool from California and Oregon ranchers who adhere to strict environmental and quality standards. Often incorporated into mattresses because it’s naturally flame-retardant.

More green bedding info and sources in the Home by Sunset blog

Kid Craft from Zakka Life

2010-12-21T11:31:00.000-08:00

I am a very big fan of Jessica Okui who creates original craft projects and tutorials every week on Zakka Life. She also shares about recipes, entertaining and tips.

Our Grandkids will be here soon...we will decorate cookies, and if I can find the styrofoam balls (Ecokarenlee cover your eyes) we will be making these up. Three kids and stormy weather calls for some fun crafts to have on hand. So, I have posted this tutorial of hers for all of us to enjoy. So, get this tutorial of implanted in your head. Collect your scraps and grab the kids.

Kid Craft: Fabric Scrap Ornaments

This is an easy inexpensive craft for children 5 and up. Both my 5 and 7 year old made one of these ornaments and had no problems. Directions below.

Supplies:
One styrofoam ball - This shows a ball that's 2" in diameter, any size will work

Fabric cut into one inch squares - If you're going to use a bigger ball, I recommend making the squares larger as well.

Embossing tool or tiny screw driver - You don't want to use anything pointy like a toothpick or knitting needle ( it will just poke a hole in the fabric).

Yarn

Tapestry needle

Scissors

Knitting needle

1. Poke a hole all the way through the center of the styrofoam with the knitting needle. Thread both ends of yarn trough it. Tie yarn at bottom of ball. Cut loose ends. Refer to picture above.

With embossing tool, push the center of the fabric into the styrofoam.

Your ornament should look something like this now.

Repeat process until the entire ball is covered and no styrofoam is showing.

Done!

Jessica has recently been featured in "Glitter Can Add Magic to Holiday Crafting" and "Craft the Bag to Add Something Extra To Your Gifts" for The Associated Press. For a more complete list of articles, click here.

I love downloads....free, that is!

2010-12-20T15:55:00.000-08:00

Wrapping up you your gifts just about now, aren't you? I am. I have always loved spending time on the wrapping process and have a ton of ribbons saved year after year and papers, wallpaper, berrypapers. I have stamped paper, made it myself (that was an awful mess), used newspaper, used wine corks for stamps to make designs on the reverse side of paper bags from the grocery....and on and on.

This year, I am using post-consumer tissue, fabric and recycled burlap. For the tags....I have pretty much depended on Martha Stewart for ideas and downloads. I have a more relaxed and rustic approach nowadays, so I have perused the net for what looks like fun. Well, holy cow....I found a huge list of downloadables listed together by Cassi Griffin at Beladia.

She has them from all our favorites from Amy Butler to Sew Mama Sew to Zakka Life. cardstock in Also, check out Creature Comforts for some more downloads. Go take a look, pop some your printer and knock yourself out!

Kathy

Polyester fiber made from 100% post-consumer recycled pastic bottles.

2010-12-13T17:00:00.000-08:00

In today’s world, more and more people are concerned about the environment. With so many disposable products on the market, it's no wonder eco-friendly products have become such a hot topic. From manufacturers to consumers, there are several ways to help preserve the environment. Foss Manufacturing has changed the way in which it produces its polyester fiber and fabrics by making textiles from recycled materials. Consumers are faced with many choices when it comes to which products to buy. The hope is that consumers think responsibly and buy products made from recycled materials, like Eco-fi (formerly known as Ecospun).

what is Eco-fi? Check it out here.

Eco-fi is a high-quality polyester fiber made from 100% certified recycled plastic PET bottles. It can go into any textile product such as clothing, blankets, carpets, wall coverings, auto interiors, home furnishings, and craft felt. Eco-fi can also be blended with other fibers, such as cotton or wool, for enhanced qualities.

AN EASY GUIDE: 10 bottles = 1 pound of fiber

Watch the video clip from the History Channel (click here)

Eco Etsy..Flickr Group

2010-12-11T09:02:00.000-08:00

A peek into the Official Eco Etsy Flickr Goup has revealed some lovely goods from our members ranging from baskets to bags, and spices to scarves. Here is but a sampling of what our members have been sharing. Stop by the Flickr pool to have a look at more lovely images from our talented crew. (pssst....that's my pea pod wristlet bottom row, center :))

Martha's Brain Dump...

2010-12-11T08:01:00.001-08:00

Tons and tons of ideas from Martha.....Gift-Wrapping Ideas Gift-Wrapping Ideas :Punched Snowflake and Tree Gift Wrap Stamped Gift Wrap Eco-Friendly Paper Gift Wrap Green and Brown Gift Wrap Cloth Gift Wrap Tissue Paper Bottle Wrap Stick-On Design Natural Gift Wrap Fabric Bottle Wrap Potato-Chip Bag Gift Wrap Stamped Shopping Bag Gift Wrap Candy Wrapping Paper Tower of Boxes Silver Tissue Paper Flower Pot Gift Wrap Fabric Gift Wrap Kids' Artwork Gift Wrap Candy Box Wrap Fabric Envelopes Modern Wrapping Paper Christmas Tree Silhouette Wrap Yule Log Gift Packaging Kraft Paper Gift Wrap Color-Coded Wrapping Paper A Unified Color Palette Biodegradable Stuffing Doily Gift Wrap Fitted Bottle Wrap Wood-Grain Wrapping Paper Japanese-Style Newspaper Gift Wrap Translucent Gift Wrap Yarn-Embellished Gift Wrap Wintry Scene Cutout for Gift Wrap Vintage Linen Wrap Button Gift Wrap Gold Japanese-Style Gift Wrap Dip-Dye Wrapping Paper Jingle Bells Wrap Woven Ribbon Wrap Satin Bow with Metallic Embellishments Beaded Letters Purse-Shaped Package Custom-Print Wrapping Paper Tassel Gift Wrap Brightly Striped Gift Wrap Bows, Ribbons, and Gift Toppers:Embellished Package Toppers Cut Flowers Bow Tinsel Star Gift Toppers Plush Pom-Pom Bows Snowflake Gift Toppers Pipe-Cleaner Gift Toppers Paper Rosettes Curled Ribbons Gingerbread Cookie Toppers Cascading Ribbon Curls Silk Flower Gift Topper Peony Bow Floppy Bow Yarn Ribbons Bows All Over Ruffle-Top Bow Bunched Bows Satin Bow with Metallic Embellishments Paper Ribbons Ribbon Tower Gift Wrap Gift-Topper Leaf Cupcake-Paper Carnations Photo Gift Toppers Beaded Letter Gift Toppers Jingle Bell Topper Mistletoe Gift Seals Curlicue Bow Crepe-Paper Poinsettia Helix Bow Holiday Gift Tags and Labels:Mitten and Stocking Clip-Art Tags Monogram Gift Tags Cheerful Message Gift Tags Holly Clip-Art Tags Holiday Wine Label Clip Art Christmas Tree Clip-Art Gift Tags Felt Dreidel Pouch Snowman Clip-Art Tags Speech Bubble Clip-Art Gift Tags Rounded Snowman Tags Patterned Gift Tags Groovy Holiday Clip-Art Tags Clip-Art Christmas Strip Ornament Tag Drop Ornament Tag Toppers Patterned Ornament Clip-Art Tags Striped Clip-Art Labels Christmas Tree Clip-Art Tag with Rickrack Pipe-Cleaner Toppers "Warm Wishes" Clip-Art Labels Wreath Clip-Art Gift Tag Holly Gift Embellishment Paper Poinsettias "Sweet Tidings" Clip-Art Labels Pinecone Gift Tags Paint-Swatch Gift Tags Recycled Gift Tags Snowflake Gift Tags Sparkling Gift Tags Photocopy Transfer Gift Tags Gingerbread Cookie Gift Tags Plant-Care Gift Cards Mitten Clip Gift Tags Potato-Print Gift Tags Stay-Put Gift Tags Pasta Clip-Art Gift Tags Typewritten Gift Tags Clip-Art Gift Adornments Embossed Gift Tags Monogram Gift Tags Holly Leaf Gift Tags Animal Clip-Art Gift Cards Bread Pudding Gift Tags Photo Gift Tag Holiday Leaf Gift Tags Snowflake Clip-Art Tags Polka-Dot Clip-Art Gift Tag Snowy Clip-Art Gift Tag Blank Faces Clip-Art Gift Tags "Open Me" Clip-Art Gift Tag Needlepoint Clip-Art Gift Tag Holiday Gift Bags:Mini Shopping Bags Elegant Gift Bags Pleasing Paper Bag Recycled Gift Bags Rickrack Gift Bags Paper Sack Gift Bag Rice Paper Gift Bag Laced Ribbon Gift Bag Purse-Shaped Gift Bag Button Gift Bag Cuff Link Gift Bag Holiday Gift Boxes:Glittered Gift Boxes Transparent Containers Town House Gift Boxes

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Index - Santa's Workshop

What Do People Want ?

2010-12-10T07:01:00.000-08:00

Flower Power Crochet Garland | $25 | BobbiLewin from the Etsy Treasury Troupe

What are folks looking for on Google this holiday? Here is a clickable table that you can use to see what folks want for the holidays. This info will give you ideas for tagging on your shop and what to list from your stock that might fill the bill.

This info came from Google via HandmadeSpark. If you sell handmade online, then check out their Etsy Teams and the Shopping Guide.

Easy peasy to pick your gifts. Go ahead and click on the links..

....and sites like Etsy!

2010-12-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

Got my Care2 daily email today. Care2 is a reference that can give you information on just about anything that has to do with being a concious consumer to health and personal welfare.

This section talked about handmade and had a fun and personal diy for holiday gift giving, and lo and behold there was a big plug for Buy HandMade and Etsy. I am an Etsy seller, a member of Buy HandMade and part of that community of people who love handmade.

Becky Striepe wrote a nice piece in the Green Living section. Here is some of what she suggests:

"Rather than head to the big box store for impersonal gifts and decorations, why not try out some handmade alternatives this year?

If you’re not the crafty type, you can still add a handmade touch to the holidays by pledging to buy handmade this season. When you buy from an independent artist or crafter, you’re helping directly support their art!

You can put together pretty, layered dry soup mixes in a mason jar, for example. Just layer the beans, spices, and grains, and tie some bakers twine around the neck of the jar with a list of wet ingredients and cooking instructions. We get so many tchotchkes over the holidays, many of your giftees will appreciate something so personal and practical. Plus, once they’ve made the soup, that mason jar has a million different uses!

If you’re not into making gifts yourself, it’s so easy to shop for handmade presents. Whether you prefer to shop online or in person, there are tons of handmade holiday resources available from craft markets and pop up shops to sites like Etsy."

2010-12-08T09:02:00.001-08:00

Sharing Etsy Links from Etsy on Vimeo.

Christmas Tree Tutorial

2010-12-07T11:00:00.000-08:00

Click here to go to tutorial!

Aren't these adorable? They are so 'quilty' I had to share.....

I found this while wandering through cyberspace this morning and want to share.
This is not my idea or tutorial...nor are they my pictures.

This is just a teaser to get you to go see how to make it I am going to make one with all the little leftover pieces from my Paintbox Quilt along....

Well, head on over to Mama Mel's place for her beautifully done tutorial.

Scrapy Patchwork Scarf Tutorial

2010-12-03T12:12:00.000-08:00

http://oliveandollie.blogspot.com

Look what I found!

Over at Olive and Ollie a tutorial for scrappy patchwork scarf. This would make a great gift....one side patchwork and the otherside is chenille...could be flannel...I am off to make this....bye. Let me know if any of you guys make this and how much you love it.

IPad Sleeve Tutorial

2010-12-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Moda Bake Shop for sharing this fun pattern from John Adams (The Quilt Dad).

This is not my pattern....I won't don't really hae no idea how to create patterns. In fact I use patterns for almost everything I make the first time I make it. Once I have made it a few times, then I feel ok about taking off on my own and adapting it for what comes into my head. As John says: Feel free to "hack" this tutorial to "make it your own, dawg".

This pattern is very straightforward, and I think you will like it.

You can see it on John's blog he will redirect you to Moda for the download. Be to check out his place while you are there. I'm sure it will be a fave.

Click on this link iPad sleeve three ways to download the pattern over at Moda.

This tutorial contains three variations on the pattern to allow you to choose the one that best suits your style. These iPad sleeves use the new Moda Snuggle fabric to create an inner lining that is both soft and protective.

Version A - Simple strips:

Version B - Pretty pleats:

Version C - Dynamic diagonals:

This tutorial is the sole property of John Adams of Quilt Dad and has been posted on Moda Bake Shop for personal use.

Etsy Project Embrace

2010-11-27T13:58:00.000-08:00

So many causes, charities, relief organizations and support groups grab out attention during this season. It is all good! But for me, I am feeling really comfortable with the idea of an ongoing commitment that will just part of me. I have chosen to join Etsy Project Embrace.

We are a Universal Coalition of Artists, Suppliers and Vintage Collectors who initially were brought together as a way to help our friend and wonderful Etsian, Laura Slocum who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Today, our group not only supports the American Cancer Society (ACS), but also The American Hospice Foundation (AHF).

I have chosen to affiliate with the American Hospice Foundation through Etsy's Project Embrace.

If you are interested, it is really very easy. A lot of the satisfaction comes, at least for me, through a continuing connection through Etsy.

Take a look, and join if you like, or simply support by passing the word. Again, it's all good!

I Usually Leave This Bag In The Car

2010-11-22T07:15:00.000-08:00

Sharen Heath from I Love Langley

Facebook friend posted this picture. I have to say, I am in such a complete fog half the time, I have to go back to the car to get the canvas bags I have made for myself. The serious side to this is that there has been some buzz about the safety of some reusable grocery bags due to some imports having a high level of lead. Please do not go back to single use plastic grocery bags. If you are not sure about the ones you already own contact the company. If you are still not confident about using the reusable bags that stores sell, buy cotton canvas types.

This Turtle Thanks Courtesy EcoKaren

What's On The Counter Today? #2

2010-11-21T08:56:00.000-08:00

Episode two of: What's On The Counter Today?

This beautiful and intensely colored pumpkin was given to us by friends who have ten green thumbs each! I cannot imagine cutting into it. Isn't she beautiful? Thank you S & C.

Accidental Felting....

2010-11-20T17:46:00.000-08:00

Ok.....husband has retired.

Develops desire to do laundry.

All goes in dryer.

I have doll sized sweater... and cashmere sox that would fit the cat!

On the way to the donation box, I pass sewing room.

Wellllll...why not??

Keep it simple....

2010-11-20T16:52:00.000-08:00

Widgets, gadgets, html codes, links, blurbs and buttons! I have made a mess of my blog again just because I love all those geeky goodies. I have done a big housecleaning.....What do you think? Well, never fear, it will happen again! I just can't resist grabbing buttons to proclaim one thing or another.....just to be part of the in-crowd, I guess.

A little gift...

2010-11-16T17:56:00.000-08:00

A little gift created by: Ann Wood.

DIY gift tags (download tags here).

How To Make a Scrappy Dog Bed

2010-11-16T17:36:00.000-08:00

From Jaclyn over at Urban Crunch shows us how to make a scrappy dog bed.......a great way to use up bits and pieces. If the dog bed is going to be in the house, it should really have something to do with your style. Click on the link with a great tutorial with a ton of pictures.

Scrappy Dog Bed , Urban Crunch.

I made this photo larger than necessary, but this sweet face has me all dog-kissy!

Brave Girls Club

2010-11-16T10:09:00.000-08:00

This is blatantly stolen from Kathy over at BraveGirlsClub .......a site that you need to see, feel and get an emotional reality check.

"Okay…it looks like I’m on a breakfast kick with the recipes lately. I have this one and one more favorite (Baked Pumpkin French Toast..oooo la la!) that I want to share with you right away so that you are ready to make an incredible holiday breakfast! This one is definitely NOT something to make everyday, but how about once or twice a year??

I don’t even know what to say to this picture…except I’m sorry!!! Yes, it’s a good as it looks…and probably ten times as fattening. That’s why you only have it once or twice a year, okay?!? Here’s how easy it is to make…first, assemble the ingredients: thick sliced bacon, maple syrup, dijon mustard, and freshly cracked pepper"

I am not going to share any more....see, this is a teaser to get you over there. Go on....I'm going.

Birch Texture Notecards

2010-11-10T11:23:00.001-08:00

Birch Texture Notecards,
originally uploaded by inklore.

This is a few years old over on flickr, and I don't know how I found it. The composition of the photograph is so natural. It really draws me in. Inklore has such totally simple and creative work....I love her work.

Do....visit her shop and see all the textiles too.

Nesting Fabric Baskets Tutorial

2010-11-09T13:49:00.000-08:00

I found a great tutorial for those adorable nesting baskets.....I am thinking of Christmas fabrics and filling them with nuts, candy canes, pine cones....etc. Anyway, here is the link to the tut. It is a pdf file so just faollow the instructions on downloading: Nesting Fabric Baskets Tutorial

A Holiday Sewing Project Benefiting Mother Earth

2010-11-08T16:59:00.000-08:00

The Green Grocery Bag Challenge: A Holiday Sewing Project Benefiting Mother Earth

Fact 1: US consumers generate 4 million tons of wrapping paper and shopping bag waste during the holiday season alone.

Fact 2: The US goes through 100 billion single-use plastic grocery bags every year.

Fact 3: This year, you can make a difference!

How? The challenge is this: Wrap your holiday gifts in reusable cloth grocery bags.

That’s it! By doing this simple thing this holiday season you will cut down on the amount of wrapping paper entering the waste stream, while also getting multi-use bags into circulation. Not to mention the fact that your gift recipients get a bonus gift that they can use all year long! It’s win/win for earth and your loved ones!

I love this....gonna do it! Who is in????

All this info courtesy of Sew Mamma Sew....check their link to the left.

How Green Is Your Orange Juice

2010-11-08T16:14:00.000-08:00

Karen Lee, or EcoKaren published this on her blog
and has kindly made the information available to all of us.
"This might not be news to some of you but it was an eye opener for me. At least the numbers anyway. I mean, I knew my orange juice didn’t just appear in the grocery stores like magic and that it needed to be grown and transported but I didn’t think about the details of how it creates such a huge carbon footprint.

So here is the low down on orange juice.

Did you know…..?

To produce a 64 oz carton of Tropicana orange juice emits 3.75 lb of greenhouse gases?

* 60% Agriculture and Manufacturing ( 58% Fertilizer production and application, 30% Natural Gas, 8% Electricity, and 2% Transportation)
* 22% Distribution
* 15% Packaging
* 3% Use and Disposal

According to TIME and NY Times, PepsiCo who owns Tropicana enlisted Columbia University’s Earth Institute and the environmental auditing firm, Carbon Trust to help assess the carbon footprint of each gallon of Tropicana orange juice.

The study found that the biggest contributor to the carbon footprint isn’t the gas guzzling trucks that deliver these delicious refreshing drinks all over United States but the agricultural and manufacturing practices – fertilizer production and application being the biggest.

Ha! Should have known that.

So what do you do?

Drink organic orange juice! Since there won’t be any fertilizers or pesticides used in growing organic oranges, the carbon footprint would be so much less!

In all fairness though, PepsiCo is trying to be greener since this report. Pepsi is working with Yara International and Outlook Resources, PepsiCo will test low-carbon fertilizers at one of its producer farms in Bradenton, Fla. If successful, the greener fertilizers could lower the carbon footprint of PepsiCo’s citrus growers by as much as 50% and reduce the total carbon footprint of Tropicana orange juice by up to 20%. (TIME)
But until then, I’ll be buying organic orange juice…Or squeeze my own OJ at home. They taste better anyway.
Now…only if I can find organic oranges."

Environmental Links....

2010-11-08T07:42:00.000-08:00

Environmental Tips

Sustainable Solutions

ecosystem restoration

quotations

links

Does Washing Really Clean Your Produce???

2010-11-08T07:31:00.001-08:00

Now, after the post about orange juice, let's take a minute to listen to this. I cannot believe how many folks out there refuse to believe that chemical pesticides and fertilizers can make their way into your produce. Think of it like this....if you cannot eat or drink the stuff you put on the food you grow....then maybe it shouldn't be applied. Gross? Not really....most commercially grown produce is what's gross!

Does Washing Produce Eliminate Pesticides? -- powered by eHow.com

Bamboo....did you know?

2010-11-07T14:47:00.000-08:00

I have talked about bamboo before, but I am putting out a little more information.

Ok...here we go...... DID YOU KNOW?

Bamboo is better for you:

Fabric made from bamboo is incredibly soft That's just the way it is, naturally. Wearing a bamboo T-shirt for example, is like wearing cashmere, but for next to the skin.

Bamboo fabric is smooth and luxuriously comfortableAt a microscopic level, bamboo fibre has a round surface. Because of this, it’s very smooth and sits perfectly next to the skin. Petrol based synthetic fibres can sometimes irritate the skin and they also start to smell really quickly

‘Bamboo Dry’ – absorbs and evaporates sweat in a split second. It doesn’t stick to the skin. Its extraordinary natural breathability keeps you comfortable and dry for longer.

‘Bamboo Thermo-control’ – bamboo fabric is highly breathable in hot weather and also keeps you significantly warmer in the cold. Keeping you more comfortable in all temperatures - ‘Air conditioned clothing’

Bamboo clothing is anti static, so it sits very well next to your skin, not clinging to it. It's also UV protective (it cuts out 98% of harmful UV rays) and anti fungal, so it's just better, whether it's on you in the Alps or stuffed at the bottom of your bag for days on end.

And it gets better.....better for the environment:

Bamboo is 100% naturally grown, without assistance from man. Bamboo is 100% sustainable

Bamboo thrives naturally without using any pesticides or fertilizers

Bamboo fibre is 100% biodegradable

As the fastest growing plant in the world, bamboo grows to its maximum height in about 3 months and reaches maturity in 3-4 years. It spreads rapidly across large areas. Because of this, bamboo is known to improve soil quality in degraded and eroded areas of land.

As a grass, bamboo is cut, not uprooted, also helping soil stability. Bamboo also can grow on hill slopes where nothing else is viable.

The yield (i.e. the amount of product) you get from an acre of bamboo is 10 times greater than the yeld you get from cotton. In an age where land use is under enormous pressure this is huge.That an acre of bamboo supplies about 10 times more fibre than an acre of cotton? Without using any pesticides at all. Or fertilizers.

The water requirement for bamboo is minute, mainly just from what falls. As opposed to cotton, whose water requirement per shirt's-worth is huge.

If clothing made from bamboo becomes popular, it means more bamboo plantations, which means more photosynthesis and less greenhouse gas. “The greatest challenge facing mankind” would get just a little easier.

In contrast.....

Synthetic performance fabrics are made from petrochemicals, a non-renewable fossil fuel. They go to make clothes which get smelly really quickly.

Clothing made from bamboo is nature's answer to our needs for everyday fabric, in an environmentally sustainable form. It's just our luck that it's so much better as well!

My family wears bamboo clothing, we use bamboo sheets and towels, I use bamboo batting and fabric in my quilts and bags that I make for Etsy. If you visit my shop, you will see that I also use organic cotton, hemp and linen.

What's On The Counter Today?

2010-11-06T11:27:00.000-07:00

Kaffir lillies and late roses

Stone Soup Cookbook

2010-11-05T13:38:00.000-07:00

I have been subscribing to Jules Clancy's Blog...Stone Soup. She subscribes to minimalist cooking at home. That means 5 ingredients in 10 minutes. The idea appeals to me because of the simple and healthy meals I can put on the table.

The philosophy of how this kind of cooking can help us is (of course) simple:

1. less time in the kitchen
10 minutes cooking leaves more time for the activities and people you love.
2. less time shopping
With only 5 ingredients in each recipe, you’ll find your shopping lists are shorter and more manageable. You won’t need to spend as much time out hunting and gathering.
3. eating more fresh, healthy food
Everyone knows that home cooked food tends to be better for you. With the focus on fresh ingredients, my 5 ingredients recipes make it easy.
4. more pleasure & enjoyment
Cooking can be a great way to relax and unwind. Spending 10 minutes using one of my minimalist recipes will help you gain more pleasure and enjoyment from dinner time.
5. save money
If dinner only takes 10 minutes to prepare, you’ll be more likely to cook for yourself than take the expensive dial-a-dinner option.
6. less stress
Long ingredient lists and complicated methods can lead to much stress and kitchen confusion. Minimalist home cooking keeps things as simple and stress-free as possible.
7. more kitchen confidence
If you’re new to cooking, starting with minimalist recipes will help you get some great simple dishes under your belt and give you the confidence to tackle anything.

Visit her site and take a look at what she serves up. You can download a 97 page cookbook just to try. Here is the link for the Stone Soup Cookbook...

I recommend you save this to a file and not print it. Don't forget, it is 97 pages. Enjoy.

Quilts, Bags, Gardens and Me

Homes Resistant to Bullets and Earthquakes

Sustainability

This is a short post....just a question. Please, what’s the key detail lacking from all of these subsidies purported to ensure a “safe and secure” energy future?

Sustainability.

No matter how you define that nebulous term, fossil fuel subsidies are about increasing supply, not encouraging efficiency or reducing the external costs to human health and the environment.

Recycling Facts

Recycling Facts [Infographic]

More On Water

Water Quality

Environmental Impact

The 7 Sins of Bottled Water

We Are Water

Health Dangers of Styrofam Cups

Earth 911 - polystyrene

Fertilizer Affecting Our Water Quality

Baking Soda Rocks?

Do You Really Need.....?

It's Me With the Soap Again!

3 Easy Ways to Help Your Body and the Environment

Eating with a Conscience

“GMO” foods? What's the big deal, anyway?

Carts one of dirtiest places in grocery store

Dastardly Dandelion Facts

The Only Way to Feed 9 Billion Poeple

My Blog Is Coming Out Of The Closet!

An Eco Link For Just About Anyone....

Food

Water

Energy

51 Fantastic Uses for Baking Soda

51 Fantastic Uses for Baking Soda

Greening our spring cleaning - AnnArbor.com

Stonyfield Farm's CEO Gary Hirshberg Raps IT!

Disinfecting The Green Way

Great Pacific Garbage Patch

A Letter From Japan

"Who" Is Slow Food?

Blogging...

Blogging without obligation.....

The Lawn and My Dirty Little Secret

Eat Sustainably

25 Ways to Eat Sustainably

25 Ways to Eat Sustainably

DESIGN LIKE YOU GIVE A DAMN

Dark Chocolate Definitely Eases Emotional Stress

Hard science is telling us (again) that dark chocolate definitely eases emotional stress. I don't know why we need to go over this...everyone knows chocolate makes us happy. Actually, chocolate makes me giddy! ....and I don't need a scientist to tell me.

Select a service:

sender info:

recipient info:

personal message

Oatmeal Raisin Pancakes

Franken Foods Freak Me Out

Who Is Your Muse?

Clean Water, Pleeeeeease!

Right on the tails of my last post re water, I find another slant on water isssues. There is no replacement for water. None, nada, not one! We are in serious denial.

Mark Ruffalo - Gardener and Activist for Clean Water

::W A T E R::

recycled tp~ what’s that all about?

Quilting Tutorials....a ton of 'em!

::C O T T O N:: HOW THIRSTY IS YOUR TSHIRT

What's On The Counter Today?

::L I N E N::

The Dirt on Cleaning Product Companies

Craft Hope

Help Provide Safe Birthing Kits to Women in Haiti

What Is Slow Architecture?

Select a service:

sender info:

recipient info:

personal message

Bee Die-Off...What We Need To Know

Minimalist

The Bottlehood..the worst kept secret on Etsy

More About Fabrics....

The Green Bed....

The green bed....

Kid Craft from Zakka Life

I am a very big fan of Jessica Okui who creates original craft projects and tutorials every week on Zakka Life. She also shares about recipes, entertaining and tips.

Kid Craft: Fabric Scrap Ornaments