OK, so it's Earth Day again and you're asking yourself this question, "What about me?!" I know, it's soooo difficult to give up even one day of self-indulgence and consumption. That's why I'm here to tell you how you can do something for the Earth AND its most important inhabitant--you! It's true, and it will even leave you with enough cash to get those extra accessories on the 2010 Prius you're going to buy yourself NEXT Earth Day.
What is this magical gift that keeps on giving you ask? It's called a home energy audit, and it's something you can do for yourself, or if you have a little extra cash and not much time, you can hire someone to do it for you. Done right, this simple exploration of your home's energy profile will identify all the ways you can save energy, save money, and lower your carbon profile. Some localities are even considering subsidizing these audits, and the energy efficiency improvements you discover while doing an audit.
So do yourself and our planet a favor this earth day. Set a time or make an appointment for your home energy audit--you'll be richer for the experience.
Check out these resources to learn more about home energy audits:
Energy Star
Daily Green's DIY Home Energy Audit
Energy Auditing Tips
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Kick Your Gas Mower to the Curb
OK, so you're not ready to give up your lawn and go to xeriscaping yet, but you still want to travel a little more lightly on this earth? Your first step should be to trade your loud, carbon belching gas mower in for a clean quiet electric model.
Until recently, electric mowers simply could not compete in terms of price and performance. However, recent developments have changed all that. First of all, there are now many, many excellent quality electric lawn mowers. Second, and most exciting IMHO, is the development of trade-in programs in hundreds of communities. My recent online search yielded hundreds of programs in the US alone, and these programs seem to be growing as fast as the grass on my acreage.
So get out there and get rid of that gas mower. Your lungs (and your neighbors) will thank you.
Oh, and uh, if that seems like too much work, get rid of your lawn all together!
Until recently, electric mowers simply could not compete in terms of price and performance. However, recent developments have changed all that. First of all, there are now many, many excellent quality electric lawn mowers. Second, and most exciting IMHO, is the development of trade-in programs in hundreds of communities. My recent online search yielded hundreds of programs in the US alone, and these programs seem to be growing as fast as the grass on my acreage.
So get out there and get rid of that gas mower. Your lungs (and your neighbors) will thank you.
Oh, and uh, if that seems like too much work, get rid of your lawn all together!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Super Green Household Cleansers
Just the other day, my friend Lachlan posted this not on his Facebook profile. The ideas are so great and simple, I had to share... here they are. I've also added an additional tip for eco-toothpaste that was added as a comment to his post... Enjoy, and use in good health!
_________________________________________________________________
Hey all!
I have now been keeping my home clean for over 2 years with just the following ingredients, and it's just as clean as it always was (no jokes about the "always was" part, now! Just hold your tongue!), so I am saving the planet, AND LOWERING MY RISK OF CANCER AND SAVING MONEY, without losing any quality of life. It just doesn't get any better than that!
Please consider shaking off old, chemical habits that were sold to you by Madison Avenue. Stock up on these items instead, and have fun mixing your own concoctions! Unlike chemicals, you can experiment with these without blowing anything up!
Below are the ingredients, followed by a few answers, followed by a few recipes.
Thanks!
Lachlan
-2 or 3 spray bottles
-White Vinegar (anti-bacterial, grease cutter)
-Lemon Juice (strong grease cutter)
-"CitraSolv" (orange peel oil and coconut soap) ((VERY strong grease cutter - the main ingredient of the industrial solvent "Goo Gone" is orange peel oil!))
-Baking Soda (abrasive, but don't use with the vinegar)((Duh. I've done it TWICE. Always surprises me!))
-Coarse Salt (abrasive to be used with the vinegar)
-Coconut Oil (protect your leather and wood)
-Olive Oil (for wood and other surfaces)
-Grapefruit Seed Extract (VERY strong anti-fungal)
-Eucalyptus oil (insect repellent, great for your bottle of kitchen cleaner!)
White Vinegar does NOT stink up your house. The smell is gone in minutes.
Citrasolv is available at any good sized market. It is expensive, but don't be shy, you only use a TEENSY bit in your spray bottle. I have had the same bottle for almost two years and it is not even half empty! And I use it to mop the floors too!
Coconut oil is so useful! You can cook with it (at lower heat) and use it as a hair conditioner and gel. I love this stuff.
Grapefruit seed extract (from the health food store) is VERY expensive. But, like the Citrasolv, a little dab'l do ya! Or skip it altogether.
Eucalyptus oil (also from the health food store) is not as expensive, but again, it is optional.
The only place where I notice having to work harder is in cleaning mirrors and windows. I am considering buying some rubbing alcohol to add to some vinegar so it will not take extra work. But really, it's just a little more rubbing. Like in Karate Kid... "Wax de car... Paint de fence..."
Here are some basic Lachlan mixes:
Bathroom cleaner/sanitizer-
mostly vinegar
couple tablespoons of coarse salt
cap of Citrasolv
drop of GSE
shake before use (for salt)
Kitchen cleaner-
half vinegar and half lemon juice
couple tablespoons of coarse salt
cap of Citrasolv
several drops of eucalyptus oil
shake before use (for salt)
Soap scum/tub cleaner-
Lemon juice
cap of Citrasolv
a few drops of GSE
separate shaker of baking soda or put it right in the bottle (might clog?)
(I spray the surface, then sprinkle the soda. You won't even need to scrub! Just wipe in a circular motion and rinse!)
From a mutual friend Jody: Here's a neat recipe for toothpaste.
_________________________________________________________________
Hey all!
I have now been keeping my home clean for over 2 years with just the following ingredients, and it's just as clean as it always was (no jokes about the "always was" part, now! Just hold your tongue!), so I am saving the planet, AND LOWERING MY RISK OF CANCER AND SAVING MONEY, without losing any quality of life. It just doesn't get any better than that!
Please consider shaking off old, chemical habits that were sold to you by Madison Avenue. Stock up on these items instead, and have fun mixing your own concoctions! Unlike chemicals, you can experiment with these without blowing anything up!
Below are the ingredients, followed by a few answers, followed by a few recipes.
Thanks!
Lachlan
-2 or 3 spray bottles
-White Vinegar (anti-bacterial, grease cutter)
-Lemon Juice (strong grease cutter)
-"CitraSolv" (orange peel oil and coconut soap) ((VERY strong grease cutter - the main ingredient of the industrial solvent "Goo Gone" is orange peel oil!))
-Baking Soda (abrasive, but don't use with the vinegar)((Duh. I've done it TWICE. Always surprises me!))
-Coarse Salt (abrasive to be used with the vinegar)
-Coconut Oil (protect your leather and wood)
-Olive Oil (for wood and other surfaces)
-Grapefruit Seed Extract (VERY strong anti-fungal)
-Eucalyptus oil (insect repellent, great for your bottle of kitchen cleaner!)
White Vinegar does NOT stink up your house. The smell is gone in minutes.
Citrasolv is available at any good sized market. It is expensive, but don't be shy, you only use a TEENSY bit in your spray bottle. I have had the same bottle for almost two years and it is not even half empty! And I use it to mop the floors too!
Coconut oil is so useful! You can cook with it (at lower heat) and use it as a hair conditioner and gel. I love this stuff.
Grapefruit seed extract (from the health food store) is VERY expensive. But, like the Citrasolv, a little dab'l do ya! Or skip it altogether.
Eucalyptus oil (also from the health food store) is not as expensive, but again, it is optional.
The only place where I notice having to work harder is in cleaning mirrors and windows. I am considering buying some rubbing alcohol to add to some vinegar so it will not take extra work. But really, it's just a little more rubbing. Like in Karate Kid... "Wax de car... Paint de fence..."
Here are some basic Lachlan mixes:
Bathroom cleaner/sanitizer-
mostly vinegar
couple tablespoons of coarse salt
cap of Citrasolv
drop of GSE
shake before use (for salt)
Kitchen cleaner-
half vinegar and half lemon juice
couple tablespoons of coarse salt
cap of Citrasolv
several drops of eucalyptus oil
shake before use (for salt)
Soap scum/tub cleaner-
Lemon juice
cap of Citrasolv
a few drops of GSE
separate shaker of baking soda or put it right in the bottle (might clog?)
(I spray the surface, then sprinkle the soda. You won't even need to scrub! Just wipe in a circular motion and rinse!)
From a mutual friend Jody: Here's a neat recipe for toothpaste.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Ten Green Tips for the New Year
OK—it’s a new year with a new administration. We’ve all voted, so now we can stop working and worrying and let Uncle Sam take over and do everything for us, right? Wrong. Real environmental change starts at home, so get crackin’ on these simple things this year!
1) If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown, flush it down. I realized it’s kind of disgusting, but the amount of water you’ll save is immense-- about 3 gallons per flush. You’ll also save some money as an added benefit.
2) Offset your carbon at one of the many good carbon offset sites. It’s a real cheap insurance policy against a real huge disaster for our species.
3) Don’t listen to all the naysayers who say global warming is hoax cooked up by environmentalists looking for a handoun, blah, blah blah…I’d include a link, but why give traffic to these kooks. Suffice it to say, they are in bad company.
4) Compost your table scraps and green waste.
5) Find ways to creatively re-use household items that cannot be recycled or composted.
6) Work toward totally eliminating household trash.
7) Walk more, drive less.
8) Freecycle items instead of throwing them in the trash.
9) Get items from other freecyclers.
10) Eliminate bottled water and plastic grocery bags from your life.
1) If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown, flush it down. I realized it’s kind of disgusting, but the amount of water you’ll save is immense-- about 3 gallons per flush. You’ll also save some money as an added benefit.
2) Offset your carbon at one of the many good carbon offset sites. It’s a real cheap insurance policy against a real huge disaster for our species.
3) Don’t listen to all the naysayers who say global warming is hoax cooked up by environmentalists looking for a handoun, blah, blah blah…I’d include a link, but why give traffic to these kooks. Suffice it to say, they are in bad company.
4) Compost your table scraps and green waste.
5) Find ways to creatively re-use household items that cannot be recycled or composted.
6) Work toward totally eliminating household trash.
7) Walk more, drive less.
8) Freecycle items instead of throwing them in the trash.
9) Get items from other freecyclers.
10) Eliminate bottled water and plastic grocery bags from your life.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Amazing Photos from Yann Arthus-Bertrand
I just got sent these photos from a friend and they are absolutely stunning-in every sense of the word... Enjoy!
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