Sage and Sassy

You can have the greenest kitchen in the world, but it will not make a jot of difference if you do not behave in a green way once you are in it. In fact, the way in which you use your kitchen on an everyday basis could probably have more of an impact on the environment than all the cabinets, appliances, pots and pans put together.

Try carrying out these suggestions and you will be well on your way to green living in the kitchen.

 

Saving water

 

If you do nothing else make an effort to save water:

 

• Fix dripping taps (faucets) immediately. Around 4 litres (7 pints) of water can disappear down your drains this way every hour or so, and 90 litres (20 gallons) of water if the drips start to form a stream.

 

• Fill the kettle with the correct amount of water needed for your cup of tea, thereby saving water and energy; and de-scale the kettle regularly - it will be more efficient.

 

• Don’t leave taps (faucets) running when you are washing and rinsing dishes – running the tap (faucet) can use 10-14 litres (2-3 gallons) of water a minute (enough for a small bath in just five minutes) and washing a mug under a running tap uses about 1 litre (2 pints) of water; six mugs the same as a bowl of washing up.

 

• Save water leftover from washing the dishes or fitting a new water filter - it can be used for watering the plants or flushing the toilet.

 

Most of our drinking water comes from rainfall, but on its way into our pipes it can pick up whatever pollution exists in the air and on the land. At the same time, it is dubious whether expensive bottled water is any better for us than water from the tap (faucet), due to the toxins absorbed from the plastic. There have also been some worrying stories recently regarding well-known brands of bottled water, which have been contaminated as a result of poor sanitation due to heavy flooding. Because of the manufacturing and transportation involved in the production of bottled water, not to mention the amount of water bottles that are thrown away each year, it is a far less environmentally friendly option. If you are determined to buy bottled water, choose large bottles made out of glass that can be recycled.

 

Filtered tap (faucet) water is a much better option. There are various types of filter available, from jugs with disposable filters to special systems that can be fitted under the sink. If you use the plastic jug version make sure you change the filter regularly, to prevent contamination by the release of bacteria and heavy metals back into the water. There are different types of fitted water filters: activated carbon, reverse osmosis and distillation. A distilling filter is the most effective, but is expensive to install. Seek professional advice as to what system would best suit your needs and budget.

 

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Things that can go in compost:

 

• Urine: dilute it with water first.

 

• Chicken manure: ideally from organically reared chickens.

 

• Comfrey: rich in many nutrients, especially potash, but contains almost no fibre.

 

• Lawn clippings: but mix them with dry material first, such as damp straw, weeds or leaves, as grass clippings can be too soggy on their own.

 

• Kitchen waste: including tea bags, coffee grounds, cooked pasta, fruit and vegetable trimmings.

 

• Farmyard manure: again ideally from horses or cows bred on organic farms.

 

• Seaweed: a great source of trace elements.

 

• Garden waste: chop it first to help the decomposing process.

 

• Weeds: especially stinging nettles which are high in nitrogen (treat in the same way as lawn clippings), but they should be young weeds that have not formed seeds.

 

• Bracken: but avoid handling when it is producing spores as it is carcinogenic.

 

• Straw: should be damp and ideally already partly rotted.

 

• Woody prunings: shred them first.

 

• Newspaper, cardboard: use sparingly, shredded or torn up and dampened, and avoid materials with coloured inks.

 

Things to avoid:

 

• Cat litter or dog faeces: both of these can carry disease.

 

• Meat and fish scraps: they smell as they rot and may attract rats and other pests.

 

• Diseased plant material: diseases can spread through the compost.

 

• Perennial weeds and weeds in seed: they may continue growing in the compost, especially if it is not hot enough to destroy the seeds.

 

• Plastic, tin, glass and other synthetic materials: they do not decompose.

 

The ideal method for making compost is to make a heap in one go, but to do this you need to collect bags of waste for several weeks or months. If you add material gradually, it may take at least eight to 12 months before it is ready to use, whereas in summer a newly constructed, complete heap would take around two months to turn to compost. A gradual heap may also not reach high enough temperatures to kill off weeds or diseases.

 

With either method, it is a good idea to layer the different materials, spreading them evenly and adding water if the material is dry, before covering the heap. Make sure your compost heap does not become too dry or wet. Soggy compost smells bad and takes a long time to break down; dry compost is also slow to decompose as microbes prefer damp conditions. To speed up decomposition, turn the compost with a fork every six to eight weeks.

 

Maintaining a high temperature is important to kill off weeds and diseases - your pile should be at least 50°C (122°F) (often not possible if composting gradually). If you are using a compost bin it should be at least 1 m³ (1 yd³) in size in order to achieve high temperatures and you can also help by lining the bin with dry autumn leaves or hay.

 

The compost is ready to use when it is a dark colour, smells earthy and the original ingredients have almost gone. Remaining straw, twigs and sticks can be picked or sieved out. The final result can be used on gardens, lawns and house plants. Dig it into the soil or leave it on top for the worms to do the work for you. It is best applied in spring when the weather should be more conducive to its staying in the soil - heavy rain can wash the compost away before the worms can do their bit.

 

TIPS

 

• Always protect the compost heap from rain with a waterproof cover.

 

• Make sure you can remove the bottom layer easily.

 

• Turn the heap every few months to introduce air into the mix.

 

• Dampen any dry material such as straw or autumn leaves first to aid its decomposition.

 

• Shred items tike leaves, newspapers, cardboard and weeds to speed up their decomposition.

 

• Mix fresh grass mowings and fruit and vegetable leftovers with dry material to stop the pile becoming too sodden.

 

• Make sure you have broad mixture of materials in the pile and layer them evenly.

 

• To avoid attracting flies and insects to kitchen waste, make a hole in the centre of your compost pile and bury the waste.

 

• If you want a quick start to your composting you can purchase compost activators or accelerators containing organic material designed to kick-start your compost.

 

• If you have large quantities of leaves, it may be worth composting them separately in a wire mesh container or in plastic sacks.

 

But if you are new to gardening and all this talk of creating your own compost has put you off making a start on your own garden, take heart - there are various green options that do not reguire you to devote a part of your garden to a decomposing pile of waste. Your local authority may well be running a community composting scheme or composting green waste from its parks and gardens, which it will deliver to you for a small fee, for example.

 

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Nothing excites a green gardener more than composting. It is the ultimate form of recycling, turning household waste such as old newspapers and vegetable peelings into valuable organic matter that will reinvigorate the soil and in turn aid the cultivation of plants. And, if you grow your own fruit or vegetables using this compost, then the whole reuse cycle is complete.

 

Such is the value of composting in terms of savings on waste disposal and benefits to agriculture that many local authorities will provide you with composting bins and help and guidance on composting. Even if you have no intention of gardening, you could seek out a local composting project that will accept your household waste, since 40 per cent of household waste could be turned into fertile soil instead of contributing to the problem of polluting landfill gases.

 

But composting does more than just save on waste-disposal costs. Garden compost improves soil structure in many ways - helping sandy soils retain water, contributing to drainage in clay soils, and inoculating the soil with healthy microbes, some of which help plants take up more nutrients from the soil and also help improve their resistance to pests and diseases. No matter what soil you have to play with, it will always benefit from compost and you can also use the compost to make up your own growing media.

 

Setting up a composting system is relatively straightforward. You can choose between buying a composting bin - preferably made from recycled plastic - or make your own by wiring together four wooden pallets and lining them with cardboard, or drilling holes in an old plastic or galvanized dustbin (trash can) if you have a spare one. Whatever your choice of container it should be covered, with either a lid or some old carpet, to keep out the rain and keep heat in. It is also best to site it near your kitchen so you have no excuse when it comes to depositing your kitchen waste on the heap.

 

Once you have allocated a site for the compost heap or bin, you are ready to embark upon what many in gardening liken to alchemy. There is no shortage of composting ‘experts’ who will be only too ready to blind you with science on their particular tried-and-tested method. However, the basic principles are simple. You need to provide food, air and water in order for billions of microbes (fungi, bacteria and so on), worms and insects to turn your waste into compost.

 

The food you add should be a mixture of high-carbon and high-nitrogen materials. Wood, paper and leaves are high in carbon but left alone would decay too slowly, and may deplete nitrogen in the soil. Grass clippings and fruit and vegetable waste, which are rich in nitrogen, break down much more easily but can create slimy, smelly compost heaps. A suitable mixture might include: dry, dead plant material such as straw, autumn leaves and wood chips - usually moistened first; fresh plant material such as green leaves, fruit and vegetable scraps from the kitchen, tea bags and coffee grounds; and fresh horse manure (ideally from organically fed horses). You can also add newspapers in small amounts and cardboard cereal boxes.

 

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If you want a nice luscious green yard, there are a lot of things you can do without introducing chemicals. You see, even though there are yards with lots of different chemicals and they look really great, the chemicals are not good for the environment and not good for the health of our family. Do we want our children playing on a lawn treated heavily with chemicals? No.

Luckily there are still some things you can do to improve your lawn naturally. To start with make sure you are keeping up with regular maintenance. You should be mowing the grass to keep it clean cut and healthy. You should be watering it deeply and regularly if rainfall is not sufficient. If there is any sign of drought you should be careful with water, perhaps installing rainwater collection barrels to collect water for times when water is scarce.

When you water your lawn the best time to do it is in the morning or evening to prevent evaporation from the sun. You should water it until you have given it an inch of water.
You can put a measuring cup under the sprinkler to be sure. If you have the time, the best way to do it is by watering it one half inch letting it sit for an hour and then the other half inch.

Another tip for having a natural lawn is you leaving your grass clippings on the lawn. This is called mulching. This way you don’t waste the plastic bags or energy you use to put the grass out to the road. Leaving grass clippings also helps maintain moisture.

You should also clip your lawn a little bit higher. You can keep it up to 3 inches high if the codes in your area allow. This helps to keep the essential microorganisms in the soil safe. Another good idea for easy and natural gardening is to choose plants that are native to your area. When you do this, the plants need almost no additional care and will grow almost naturally. Control weeds with natural ingredients like corn gluten or spot-treat them with vinegar. The mowing process can cause pollution if you gas powered mowers. Look into electric or even solar powered mowers instead.

There are runners that grow above the soil but lower than the grass and these should be controlled as well. These runners are called thatch and should be kept at under a half inch. If you don’t, the soil won’t get the nutrients and water it needs to establish healthy roots for your lawn, and keep it looking healthy. The best way to get rid of this thatch is to use a metal rake whenever needed to break it down.

Keeping your lawn naturally healthy shouldn’t be hard at all, and it is actually really good for the environment. Give it a shot by practicing these tips and you will love the lush green yard you have, and you won’t feel the need to use chemicals anymore.

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How much do you love your pets? They are important members of the family right? That is very normal today, pets have become a great center of attention for so many people because they loving and make wonderful and loyal companions. For some it is the closest thing to having children and they become your babies.

Well these babies need to be taken care of as well as any other babies and natural families seek to find the most natural pet care processes they can. Natural pet care would include few chemicals in care products if any and as little medical intervention as possible. There are many options available if you would like to provide natural pet care for your animals.

First you might consider the vet you see. There are directories of vets available online that list vets who promote natural vet medicine. This means they will do what is necessary for your animal’s health while treating them naturally. This could mean they would give them a special diet of all natural foods. It could even mean a raw food diet.

Your vet might also suggest some kind of natural supplements for your pet as well. If for example there is something wrong with your animal’s health there are supplements that can be tried before, after and during medications. Labradors for example, are prone to get hip displaysia and there are several natural treatments available for this. All you have to do is talk to a natural vet to get the best recommendations.

When buying pet food look for brands that contain all-natural, whole foods and ingredients, not meat “by-products” and “filler” made from corn.  If you see pet food made with “meals” avoid it as “meals” are leftover animal parts, boiled and processed.  Other items found in pet food include toxic pesticides and potentially hazardous synthetic preservatives.  Look for those substances and put the product back as many of these preservatives found in pet food have been declared unsafe for human consumption.

Also because so many people are interested in going “green” and natural pet supply stores and even grocery stores are picking up on it. There are now animal foods, dog collars, organic pet bedding, and flea treatments available that are all natural, some in the grocery stores and more at pet stores. You can find treats as well that are all natural.  For years there have been natural cat litters available, though most have to be purchased in pet supply stores.

You should consider the items, toxins and chemicals you have in and around your home if you have a pet. Chemicals that you use for cleaning can be harmful and deadly to your animals. Chemicals you use outside for you pool and lawn can also be harmful to them. They are a lot closer to the ground then we are and their exposure is greater. Using natural and green cleaners would be better for the whole family, especially our furry family members.

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There’s a special kind of excitement about packing up to go camping. No television, no telephone ringing…just the sound of birds in the morning and the clean smell of the woods. That feeling can come to a screeching halt if when you arrive at your site you see remnants of the last city dweller who ventured out to the wild. Dirty cups, refuse, and other garbage can really put a damper on your camping vacation. Worse yet, the impact of this attitude can be deadly to animals and flora around you.

Green camping is an extension of your everyday commitment to living in an ecologically friendly way with the environment. Here are some steps you can take to camp the “Green Way.”

There is a popular mantra among campers… “Pack it in, pack it out.” Take out any litter that you find on your campsite and plan to leave the site cleaner than you found it. Leave nothing behind. When choosing a campsite, use an existing one to prevent impacting new areas. If there is a meadow in your vicinity don’t choose to set your tent up in that area—that’s a fragile environment.

Build campfires in designated rings only. You should never burn plastics or other toxic materials in campfires or leave campfires to burn out on their own unattended.

Be aware of anything you introduce to the outdoors that is not natural. Pack as many bio-degradable products as possible. Don’t use harsh detergents around your campground. Use Earth friendly dish detergent for dish washing. Don’t put any soap in streams, creeks or lakes – even biodegradable soaps are not good for fish downstream.

Aluminum foil is often found in fire pits because it won’t melt in the temperatures that are achieved in most camp fires. Avoid using foil paper and you’ll help to eliminate the harmful waste in the environment that is created by discarded aluminum foil. The same applies to beer cans – they don’t melt and are an ugly and harmful remnant to leave behind.

Don’t leave cars idling to charge cell phones and iPods. Bring solar chargers for these items and solar powered lights would be better than kerosene lamps too.

If you use disposable diapers for your children remember that they are not biodegradable and if they escape your camp area by accident they can be another harmful element for the environment and animals. Cloth diapers would be the best solution but if that isn’t an option please dispose of your child’s diapers carefully in an appropriate waste receptacle.

There is a misconception that chicken bones and other food remnants like corn cobbs will disappear quickly and safely into the environment. Some items like chicken bones can actually splinter and harm local wildlife. Again please discard all food items in appropriate receptacles.

Camping is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with your family in a simple, uncomplicated way. Green camping helps to ensure that we’ll have wonderful, clean camp grounds to enjoy for generations to come.

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Many eco-conscious brides and grooms are not only making statements about their love to family and community but are making statements about their passion for protecting the environment through the ways in which they celebrate their weddings.

There are so many ways that couples can continue their green lifestyles even as they celebrate what is traditionally an extravagant celebration hardly ever considered in terms of the 3 R’s – “reduce, recycle, reuse.”

It can begin as early as the shower.  Some “green” bridal showers request that friends and family only think of giving gifts that do not require electricity, do not contain plastic and are not designed to be disposable.

Even the jewelry that is purchased as a token of love can have a eco/ethical foundation.  Couples are choosing to purchase rings made from gold that is mined in an ethical that is not the spoils from international conflict as is the case in many African countries where precious minerals and diamonds that are mined at the expense of many lives.  Consumers can actually purchase “conflict-free” diamonds and in doing so help to diminish the profits to be had by those international firms that mine diamonds without concern for the livelihood and safety of the nations from which they are taking these diamonds.

Couples may also choose to purchase gold that is mined in a ecologically safe way—a way that does not create unnecessary harm and damage to the environment around which the mine is created.  Other couples have actually chosen to melt down gold rings that are already in the family (like a grandparent’s ring) and reforming the ring in a style that is representative of the tastes and experiences of the couple.

As for the actual wedding brides who are more conscious about reusing items than the newest overpriced wedding dress are choosing to wear vintage dresses from family, friends or vintage stores. Other brides are choosing to rent dresses—a decision that can cost as little as $100. That’s far cry from the thousands of dollars many brides pay salons for new gowns today.  Often times what you can rent for $100 is the exact dress someone else is paying over $1000 to wear one time.  Hmmm…

Another way to reduce exposure to toxic pesticides and help cut down on the pollution created by the importation of exotic flowers is to buy flowers that are in season from your local flower stores.  Many people aren’t aware that cut flowers are among the most pesticide-intensive crops. Wild flowers grown domestically and sold locally at stores are often chemical free. Again the cost of buying locally grown flowers will be considerably less as will the impact on the environment.

How many people really need those wedding favors?  At many “green” weddings, wedding favors are replaced with a donation to a local favorite charity of the couple.  This is a far more meaningful gift from everyone’s perspective especially when the alternative is a wedding favor that may be readily discarded many guests.
To toast the happy occasion, many couples are choosing to serve organic or biodynamic wines.  More and more wine shops are offering choices that include organic wines that are priced similarly to regular wines.

A green wedding can be not only a celebration of love and commitment between two people but also a celebration of our commitment as a community to saving our environment.

Cheers!

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Birthday parties nowadays are often lavish and extravagant, even when they are for children. The birthday boy or girl might end up with many toys that perhaps they don’t need. The guests leave with party favors and goodie bags that will be forgotten when the party fun is over. The waste volume generated might be staggering with disposable plates, cups, napkins, and utensils as well as party streamer, deflated balloons, excessive toy packaging, wrapping paper. Add to that the stress of an all day sugar high and the inevitable sugar blues that come later and it is no wonder that many parents are making the switch to greener birthday parties.

Here are a few guidelines to green your child’s next birthday party:

1. Request previously loved toys or books instead of brand new gifts. Reduce consumerism and encourage the recycling of goods by requesting that your guests bring used toys and book instead of new ones. No doubt your child will enjoy these items just as much.
2. Wrap gifts in newspaper or other recycled paper products.
3. Forgo gifts altogether perhaps and ask that guests bring a donation to the local animal shelter…pet food, collars, feeding bowls, grooming brushes, etc. When all the guests arrive, carpool over to the animal shelter and have the birthday boy or girl hand over the donated items. Afterwards the guests can visit with and play with all the animals up for adoption. This raises awareness about the work of our animal shelters and gives them the community support they need. Your child will also feel a wonderful sense of pride in what they accomplished…choosing to serve their community instead of hoarding gifts.
4. If your child’s birthday is in early to late spring consider hosting a birthday garden party. Request that guests bring seedlings to plant and then at the party all the children (with parental assistance) can plant all of the seedlings in the designated garden area. The birthday garden will be a reminder of the fun for a long tome to come.
5. Instead of paper invitations send online invitations. This saves paper and money spent on stamps. You can also use seeded paper. After the party your guests can ‘plant’ their invitation in their yard and wildflowers will grow.
6. Ditch the disposable dinnerware and go with your regular plates, cups, and utensils. Yes, it means more washing but less waste. You can also buy compostable dinnerware from Preserve.
7. Set up recycling bins at the party and give kids a quick lesson about what goes where. Doing this will help educate guests about recycling and it will reduce the amount of clean-up you have to do later.
8. Instead of conventional balloons that can end up being eaten by local wildlife use paper lanterns instead.
9. At the party the children could make their own natural play dough, silly putty, or finger paints and take them home as party favors.
10. Volunteer to help visiting parents host their own low impact birthday parties and create environmental awareness as a community.

Technorati Tags: green birthday party, kids, children, cake, play dough, recycle

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This is an awesome new product for kids. Crayons made from sustainable soy and shaped like cute little rocks. They almost look like jelly beans.

Crayon Rocks are easy to hold, encourage the use of tripod grip and develop fine motor skills. They are not awkward for special education children, particularly those with sensory processing disorders related to fine motor skills, such as can be found with cerebral palsy or autism.These crayons create beautifully textured drawings. Made of soy wax, so they go on smoothly, like pastels or paint. Kids love them too!

Buy some soy rock crayons!

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I try not to buy too many magazines because they seem so wasteful. One magazine subscription that I cannot do without though is my subscription to Mother Earth News. This is one subscription that really helps me to stay true to my goals to live green and be more self sufficient.

It features articles covering sustainable, self-reliant living and homesteading. Topics include green building, renewable energy, gardening, do-it-yourself projects, farming, and so much more. In addition to great information about these topics it also has feature stories about families that are actually living this lifestyle and they share their journey. You don’t need to be a homesteader or a wanna-be hippie to like this magazine either. Even if you just want to grow more of your own food, or reduce energy costs, or raise some chickens for farm fresh eggs, this magazine is like a guide book and an inspiration.

Personally I think the do-it-yourself projects are the most useful. Not everyone can afford to hire someone to make a chicken coup or a lean-to shed and not everyone knows how to install Photovoltaic solar panels. The guides in Mother Earth News provide step by step instructions and pictures that even novices can understand. You can even buy back issues of their magazines to expand on your collection of DIY guides and they come on CD so they are earth friendly too.

Subscribe Now!

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