ashes, ashes, we all fall down

I am very proud to say that one of my friends/co-workers and part-time green naysayer (but I'm sure he's a big greenie at heart) just told me that he started a compost pile in his backyard! Yep, my buddy John dug up a hole in his yard and has started throwing compostable material into the pile. I am very proud!

This morning he asks if he can compost his BBQ ash. This question left me stumped and has been, hence my lack of BBQs lately.


Did a little research and it turns out that you can compost your barbecue ash (and wood ash).

Wood ashes act as a lime source, and if added to compost should be used only in small amounts (no more than 1 cup per bushel of compost). As with adding regular lime, excessive amounts of wood ashes result in loss of nitrogen from the pile. Charcoal is just a partially burned form of wood. So long as no other chemicals have been added (check labels on packaging to be sure) barbeque ash should be a safe compost addition.

So go ahead and compost your ashes, just as long as they are chemical-free.

[If you know otherwise, please let me know]

put a lid on it

Ohhhhh I wish I could find this one Cosby show special or PSA or something where Clair Huxtable talks about how we can boil water quicker along with conserving energy by putting a lid on your pots and kettles when boiling water! I could be making all this up and have selective memory from my childhood but regardless, put a lid on it! Having a lid on your pot keeps the heat and energy from escaping your pot so that more of it stays to heat up your agua quicker. Quicker heating time = less energy used!

shut down

Many of us forget to turn off our computers after we use them but, just like turning off the lights when we leave a room or unplugging appliances that aren't being used, you should make turning off the comp second-nature! It's a very simple task that helps conserve energy, helping Mother Earth, and you can save a few bucks down the line through your energy bills!

I've been really good about shutting off my laptop, or putting it on standby, along with unplugging it when I am done fiddling around on the internets. My work computer on the other hand? I admit I sometimes leave it on because I sometimes log on to my work comp from home to finish a few things now and then. I know, I know! Leave work at home! Which I should keep telling myself so that I can also turn the work computer off when I leave. And co-workers, if you're reading this, I know many of you are guilty of this, too!

So everyone, turn off your work computers when you leave and do the same with your home computers.

And, as an added bonus...

My good friend, Jason Kaminsky (along with his group @ Stanford University) have started a group/project called TOT for tots. TOT (a.k.a Turn Off Tool) is a program you can download to your PC that helps remind you to turn off your computer when you're done using it! They have specially created this tool for kids so that they can learn the value of turning off the computer early on!

Just visit www.turnofftool.com and download the program. Once installed, simply click the picture of the sleeping moon and the computer hibernates or shuts down. See? Easy peasy.

Get 'em while they're young, I say! But really, it's important to get kids excited, informed, and interested about green living at an early age, and now with many kids using computers early on this simple add-on should be a no-brainer!

cotton-less

I ran out of cotton balls a couple months ago but have been wary to purchase a new batch. I mainly use the stuff to apply toner to my face so I had to stop using that for a bit, too. Then I decided to just use a washcloth as a cottonball substitute. I mean, it's made of cotton, too, so why not? Plus, this means less trash when it comes to my toiletries and I can just wash and re-use the rags. So far it's been working well. I dab some toner on the cloth and dab it on my face. Refreshing indeed. Yes, I know I probably shouldn't be using the toner but I am going to finish what I have and find a substitute of sorts when it's time to cross that bridge.

I've also given up painting my nails due to my lack of cottonball action but I may just go full out and say no to polish all together. A few less chemicals for me to deal with, right?

clear the air!

We're constantly interacting with and exposed to plastics, paper foods, synthetic fibers and other household items that contact trace amounts of toxins. In large amounts these toxins can be lethal but in small doses might be causing some damage. But you can clear the air bit by bit while decorate your surroundings. Whether it be at home or at the office, all you need is a nice house/office plant. Plants are natural detoxifiers and can help scrub the air of potentially harmful poisons.

Here are some plants that can help mollify different toxins in the air:
- gasoline, adhesives, and lacquers (Marginata plants)
- clothing (spider plants)
- paints and detergents (peace lillies)
- plastics and household cleaners (chrysanthemums)
- dry cleaning and inks (gerber daisies!)
- water repellents (poinsettias)
- tobacco smoke (english ivy)
- foam insulation (azaleas)
- paper goods (corn plant)
- carpetting (golden pathos)
- oils and varnishes (warneckei)

World Vegetarian Week

It's World Vegetarian Week so eat your vegetables and tofu, kids! Not a vegetarian? Why not take the 7-Day Go Veg Challenge! Try it out, experiment with new vegetarian recipes, substitute your meat for tofu or other non-meat protein foods, and see if it's the right fit for you.

A few reasons why you should go veg:
- eating less meat is better for the environment. According to Bruce Friedrich, V.P. for campaigns at PETA, "A recent United Nations report entitled Livestock's Long Shadow concludes that eating meat is "one of the ... most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global." In just one example, eating meat causes almost 40 percent more greenhouse-gas emissions than all the cars, trucks, and planes in the world combined. The report concludes that the meat industry "should be a major policy focus when dealing with problems of land degradation, climate change and air pollution, water shortage and water pollution, and loss of biodiversity."

- eating veg = cheaper eats! Buying a can of beans costs less than meat. And when you eat out, notice that the vegetarian meals are dollars cheaper than meat dishes

- it is better for your health! Steering away from steer (and other meats) can lead to less chances of heart disease.

- great if you are going on a diet! A vegetarian diet will help you get into your summer body

Opt for more grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables in your dishes, experiment with new vegetables that you've never tried before! Think of eating less meat as a gain, not a loss in your every eating.

Spice up your life!

Paging Dr. GreenThumb! Why not start growing your own herbs instead of buying them from the store? You'll have fresh basil, thyme, rosemary, parsley, and more right at your fingertips! And what a wonderful addition to your recipes! Start a small (and organic/pesticide-free) herb garden at home and in your yard. Once you get the hang of it, you can start utilizing your yard to grow more useful things like tomatoes and carrots. (more on home gardening later!)

Above are my neighbours herbs that he bought from Home Depot. I decided to grow my own and I'm still waiting for my seedlings to sprout! I feel like an anxious mother. But I can't wait to have my little herb garden by my windowsill to pick from! I'll keep you posted on their progress once I see them shooting up from the soil.

UPS Hybrid Fleet

Since talking about green package delivery I've found out that UPS has announced that they have ordered 200 hybrid vehicles (HEVs), which is the largest commercial order of these trucks by any company!

"Alternative fuel research and development is just one of the ways that UPS is mitigating climate change risks," said Bob Stoffel, UPS's corporate sustainability officer. "We also are focused on aggressive conservation programs and improving network efficiency to cut fuel use."

UPS's "green fleet" operates in the United States, Germany, France, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom and has traveled nearly 144 million miles since 2000. The fleet includes electric, hybrid electric, CNG, liquefied natural gas and propane-powered vehicles. The company also is continuing work with the Environmental Protection Agency on a hydraulic hybrid delivery vehicle.

"UPS has been utilizing alternative fuel vehicles for more than 70 years and is clearly the industry leader in hybrid electric and CNG vehicle purchases," said Robert Hall, director of UPS's ground fleet. "At UPS, it's very important to us to demonstrate our commitment with action, which is why we have the largest private 'green' fleet in the industry. And both CNG and HEV vehicles provide substantial reductions in carbon emissions, which supports our commitment to reducing our impact on the environment."

The 200 hybrid electric vehicles will be deployed in 2009 and join 50 HEV delivery trucks already in operation. The 200 trucks are expected to save 176,000 gallons of fuel annually and reduce CO2 emissions by 1,786 metric tons each year. That is the equivalent of removing almost 100 conventional UPS trucks from the road for a year.

Read the full Press Release here

Grounded!

When it comes to package shipments consider choosing ground shipping instead of air. Ground shipments burn less fuel which means less impact on Mama Earth. According to an article on Grist.org "aircraft transport boasts greater fuel consumption and greenhouse emissions per ton-mile than any other mode of transport. And their emissions' negative impacts are amplified due to the high altitude where they occur."


If you've gotta send that certain something to NYC by early morning next business day then opt for express air shipment. But if you have a say on how your package gets around then go for ground.

You can also be more conscious of where your items are coming from when doing some online shopping. Sites like Etsy.com have a Shop Local feature where you can purchase items from artisans in your 'hood.

Shopping on eBay? Try to choose sellers who are closer to you rather than farther and that way less pollution is emitted during transit. Or troll the local listings on Craigslist or get free stuff in your area from Freecycle.org

So make an effort to shop local when it comes to clothes and other miscellany items just as you would when shopping locally for food. And if you gotta get it from somewhere far then go with ground!

Local Harvest

Buying local and organic has many perks - you get foods that are fresher, tastier, and free of pesticides. You're also supporting local farmers, which also means less carbon emissions when it comes to getting the food to you. This website is pretty snazzy! Local Harvest helps you locate Farmer's Markets, local farms, grocery/foo co-ops, restaurants, and more - all near you. Just type in your zip code or state, click the places you want to look up, and voila! You get a list of places you should check out. And it isn't limited to fruits and veggies. When I entered my zip code I got info on a local garden where I can purchase fresh, organic flowers.

So check it out. You'll be amazed at what you'll discover in your 'hood!

http://www.localharvest.org

Happy Bike-To-Work Week!

May is National Bike Month and this week (May 12th to 16th) is National Bike to Work Week so saddle up and start peddlin', folks! Thankfully I bought my bike on time and have been riding to work as much as I can and I am loving every minute of it! I'm becoming an addict...5-6 miles each way...and I'm starting to brave traffic more and more. My co-worker has even started biking to work now, too! We should really start a bike gang now...him dressing in sharp riding knickers and shoes that click into his pedals; me with my matching bike helmet, stylish cape, and basket lined with flowers.

Reasons why you should bike to work this week (and everyday for that matter):

• It’s Healthy! Great exercise without setting foot in a gym! Think of all the calories you'll burn...and how much happier your heart will be.

• It’s Economical! With gas prices rising towards the $5 mark, think about the money you'll be saving.

• It’s Environmentally Friendly! Mounting your bicycle to work reduces your carbon emissions. Did you know that if you drove a Toyota Camry and lived 9 miles from work, you would reduce emissions pollutants by 908 lbs year by biking one day a week?

one lump or two?

I try to avoid the stirrers at coffee shops or my work kitchen at all costs so how to i get my sugar mix on? Ok, what I like to do at work when I want to drink tea is put the sugar into my cup and adding the water afterwards serves as an automatic mixer! Same with coffee...just add my sugar into my cup first then pour the coffee in! Instant mixing! Do the same with your cream.

And when you're heading into a Starbucks or Coffee bean? Add the sugar into your reusable cup before you hand it over to the barista (and alert them so that they don't rinse out your cup or dump it out). Saves you a wooden mixer stick use.

ice, ice baby

Before you toss out those leftover ice cubes from your glass, conserve water and put those cubes to good use. Rather than toss them in the sink put them into your planters. No water waste and you'll be a good plant parent! Do the same with the leftover water from your glasses. Just pour it all out into your potted plants or your garden.

Junk in the Trunk?

Got junk in the trunk? If so, start clearing out the non-essentials stat! The more unnecessary cargo you're hauling, the more gas your car consumes. Not very fun on your wallet especially with the skyrocketing fuel prices lately. So what are you waiting for? Unload the junk and reduce fuel consumption (along with keeping your bank account happy). All the more reason to finally tackle the trunk clutter, right?

Basket Case

My friend and I want to start a new Sunday tradition -- Farmer's Market breakfasts! I was up early to take advantage of the carless streets in my neighbourhood (or minimal cars, rather) for a bike ride. Got a call from my friend so we decide to meet up for a little breakfast. Perfect timing because the Farmer's Market was all set up so we perused the tents to see what we wanted to eat. We eventually settled on organic strawberries. Rather than sleep in on Sundays like we usually do, we have now made a pact to wake up early and walk over to the Farmer's for Sunday morning eats! And on our next visit I will be returning my berry crates to the local farmer/vendors so that they can reuse them!


Shopping at your local Farmer's Market sometime soon? Make sure you bring back containers that you got from your last trip whether it be berry crates, egg cartons, or what have you. The vendors will appreciate it!

ACE + CFLs

Ace Hardware have struck up an agreement with the Department of Environment Services and has announced that they will be accepting our old CFL lightbulbs for recycling! They will even take in broken bulbs as long as you put them in a seal container or zip-lock bag. How convenient for us and for them! Their profits had slipped from last year so not only can a customer dropped off a burned out CFL but they can purchase their new bulb from ACE hardware, too, while they are there. Win-Win sitch?

Click here or the ACE logo to find an ACE hardware location near you