Practical, Meaningful, Green New Years Resolutions

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(c) copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Recycle Your E-Scrap Properly

Okay, so you're not ready just yet to take the plunge. I get it. Really I do. It took a cancer diagnosis for me to

 Turn the green dial on.

 Now I feel like I am doing everything I can to prevent it from coming back. But that doesn't really change things for you. Below is a list of simple things you can do if you are admittedly half-hearted about greening your lifestyle. It's a start, and you should pat yourself on the back if you can accomplish these few things in 2010. After all, 2011, will bring you an opportunity to improve on your progress.

My top 10 tips for simple greening are:

1. You guessed it; replace dead light bulbs with the newer CFLs. They are a bit more expensive, but they last years and use significantly less electricity! It's a no-brainer.
2. Clean out your closet and locate all those tote bags from Aunt Louise, that you never use. They are now your grocery bags. No more plastic going to the landfill, or trees getting the ax because of your inability to pay for reusable grocery bags.
3. Save money on your housecleaning products by going all-natural with simpler products: vegetable soap, vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. You really don't need all those expense, toxic products to clean with, or to go down the drain and into our environment.
4. Just say no to synthetic fabrics. Their manufacture is toxic to the environment and wearing them can add to your toxic-load. Stick with cotton, wool, hemp and silk.
5. Pay more attention to your Recycle Bin; it is lonely and needs your help. Know your recyclable products, and don't miss a one.
6. Pay attention to food labels. Watch for all-natural and local foods, even if you choose to skip organic for now. Local foods consume much less petrochemicals in shipping to your store. All-natural should mean no artificial ingredients like food colorings, preservatives, fillers and flavorings.
7. Check out your personal care products for Parabens. They have been linked to Breast Cancer. Replace these with products that are Pareben-free, and know you are doing something good for your future health.
8. Watch your landfill contributions. Buy products will less packaging, try composting, and reuse containers, when possible. Recycle those that you can.
9. Collect your E-Scrap and have a turn-in day. Most landfills have a separate spot for sorting your computers, batteries, cell phones, etc., to assure these are properly discarded so as not to seep toxic lead and other chemicals into the ground.
10. Finally, vow to read just one book on the reasons you should think about living a bit greener. My favorite, for informational and inspirational purposes, is The Hundred Year Lie. You can purchase at the link, if you're looking for a copy. It's a quick read and the material is VERY interesting--even to someone not looking to go green. You can read a compelling excerpt from this incredible book at my first post.

Pick something from the list to start with. Look at it as your legacy--something you can do for your children and grandchildren to leave them a better, cleaner Earth. Happy 2010.


Related Reading:
Reusable Bags Can Be Fun!
Always Room for Improvement

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Carpooling to the Mall: Gas Saving Practice or Holiday Tradition?

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Ho! Ho! Ho! Let's save some gasoline. That's what shoppers seem to be saying when they call their family, friends and neighbors to go shopping.  Each year at holiday time I notice it--more carpooling to the mall. But, does the money saved in gasoline make up for the time wasted, when one or more in the group must perform the "hurry up and wait" dance?


You know how it goes. Everyone agrees to meet back at the front entrance at a given time. Let's say for the sake of this example that there are 3 shoppers in our scenario. Two shoppers return early, get in line and pay for their purchases, ready to go on time. A few minutes later, the third shopper arrives at the front of the store with a chagrinned look on her face, requesting more time. What are shoppers 1 and 2 to do? I'll tell you what--wait. And hope shopper number 3 finishes by her declared time.


Here's what I learned about this annual event while heading to finish my stocking stuffers yesterday; I witnessed this story in play. As I entered the store,  shopper number 3 was imploring her two companions to wait just "another ten minutes", while she located one more item. "I promise I'll be prompt", she said, as she hurried down the main aisle, looking as though she had no idea where to find it. I chuckled, knowing that there was no way she'd make it in 10 minutes.


I emerged from the madness at least 45 minutes later, only to find shopper number 3 right behind me as I took my place in one of the long lines. As I left the store, I noticed shopper number 3's companions waiting outside, comparing their bargains. I stalled at the trash can for a moment, reviewing my receipt as a cover, in hopes that I could see shopper number 3 join them.


I was curiously awaiting the reaction of all 3 when the last shopper trailed outside, thrilled with her take for the day's efforts. I expected her companions to berate her for making them wait so long. Holiday spirit aside, I totally thought they would be ANGRY at having their time wasted so blatantly.


So much for my view on things. Shopper number 1 and 2 seemed to quickly celebrate shopper number 3's success, asking questions about sizes, colors and details about items. I walked into the crowded parking lot behind these three, amazed at the camaraderie I was seeing. Had I been forced to wait nearly an hour after the agreed upon shopping time limit, my normally good tempered patience would have all but vanished. My toe would have been tapping and I'd be making a mental note never--no never--to shop with this person again.


Driving home alone it hit me; I had lost something that these three ladies had embraced: the spirit of the season--enjoyment of the process. I reflected on this for a moment. Here I was shopping all alone, thinking of my dad at every golf ball and deck of cards I saw. There was no joy in the process--no camaraderie. 


That's when I realized the true benefit of carpooling to the mall is perhaps not the saving of a few ounces of gasoline. After all, the driver had to pick up the other two, which probably negated the benefit. The real gain was in the joy of friendship and rejoicing together in an accomplishment--a special gift found for a loved one. It's not really about the carpooling, but rather about being together--a time-honored tradition of spending time with friends and loved ones during the holidays.


Okay...I'm not mad at shopper number 3 any longer. Maybe the ache that is left where my dad once rejoiced in life will be less painful next year. For now, I'll be patient with myself about this emptiness, and most importantly, try to enjoy a little more of the bonding opportunities that the season brings. We'll call that item number one on my 2010 New Year's Resolutions. Lesson learned.

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5 Ways to Save the Old-Fashioned Way this Holiday Season

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Trying to bring a little tradition into your holidays again? It doesn't have to break the bank. Try some of these old-fashioned ways of saving money and adding a touch of yesteryear to your family's celebrations:

• Cut your own tree. Make a family day of it for a lot of good bonding time. Don't forget the hot chocolate! 
• Remember your crafting skills. Making hand-made gifts is not only more for the recipient, but it saves you big bucks. This year I am making Christmas-themed throw pillows for some of my family members. These are easy to make and work for guys and gals. 

© photo copyright 2008 Carrie Boyko

Pecan Crescent Cookies

A Great Gift Item

• Home cooked goodies are still a popular gift choice, but you can even save money on these. Watch for coupons and sales on the ingredients and pick those items that are less costly to make that some others might be. Like many of us, this can be your year to watch the pennies. Check out my post at Organic Journey Online for some recipe ideas. 
• Paper gift wrap comes at a terrible price, and I don't just mean in dollars. Trees and the paper that is made from them, are in short supply. Thus the rising cost of paper is becoming a bigger problem. Get creative by using scraps of old fabric to tie up gifts in, reusable gift bags from last year can be dolled up with a bit of ribbon or a handmade ornament tied to the handle. I also like to use Chicobags as gift bags, helping my recipients get started with a reusable bag. Another option is using good old fashioned brown grocery bags. Cut them open and use a sponge stamp to decorate the paper for wrapping purposes.
•  Need I mention homemade Xmas ornaments? Last Year I made dozens of mini Christmas trees from the leftover core of pine cones that the squirrels in my yard discarded. And what has happened to stringing popcorn? I miss that!

Related Reading:

Reusable Bags Can be Fun!
Treehuggers Unite: Let's Save Paper

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Did You Know You Can Rent........? Save Some Green and Try This:

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Imagine renting this Casket 

for Your Loved One's Viewing

Renting costly items that you will only need once or occasionally is definitely a good green practice. Surprisingly, rentals have come a long way. 


A casual stop at the Huffington Post today has me reeling. Brian Clark Howard's post on stuff you can rent will probably surprise many of you. I'll admit there were even a couple of items in there that took me aback. Solar panels and caskets...really?!! Imagine attending a funeral where a loved one is displayed peacefully in an elegant casket. Did you know that it could be rented just for the service, and the occupant could later be placed in a much less expensive model for the actual burial? Wow! That was a shocker.


Dogs were on the list too. Can you see this?: 

Rent a Fido

Man's Best Friend for a Day

Ha Ha! Seriously, though, it doesn't sound like a great thing for the dog. I'll examine that topic more on my All Things Dog Blog on another day.


I'll leave Howard's final item for you to read yourself. This is a family site. Oy!


Source: Huffington Post




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Sign Maker Recycles Bottle Caps into Artwork

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(c) Alan Harris, Bottle Cap Artwork
The Texas Flag in
Bottlecaps

 Back when I discovered TerraCycle, I wondered if they ever had need of bottle caps. I can't say I ever got an answer to that question, but Alan Harris has certainly answered it for them. His Bottle Cap Artwork is really catching on, after a college whim gave him the idea.


Thanks to Ecopreneurist for bringing this cool artform into my radar. With recycling high on my priority list, I always get a good feeling inside when I learn of a new way to recycle an item that is typically not useful. Bravo for Alan and his new venture. I encourage you to check out his website for a sampling of his work, and pass the idea along to anyone you know who might need a sign.


Alan has recycled in excess of 12,000 bottlecaps so far, and he appears to be just getting started. Would you like to help? You can reach him through his website at the link above, or email him at BottleCapArtwork@gmail.com. He'd love your help. Keep up the good work, Alan!




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Fight Crabgrass without Toxic Herbicides

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 © photo copyright 2008 Carrie Boyko
Baking Soda Kills Crabgrass

Crabgrass is a stubborn weed that often suffocates our grass and takes over what used to be our lawn. Until a few years ago, many lawncare organizations used a toxic chemical to kill this nasty stuff, but the authorities that be finally banned the product due to environmental safety issues.

Ironically, it turns out that long before the ban, many natural gardeners had discovered a safe alternative that I'll bet is in your kitchen pantry right now. Simple baking soda, sprinkled on the pesky stuff,  turns crab grass brown and kills it off. It works great for small areas of crabgrass, so try to catch them early, before they spread like wildfire and take over, killing your whole lawn. Once the area is looking pretty dead, dig it up (it comes out easily) and put in sod to replace the missing grass. If you don't replace it, you can be certain that the area will fill itself in with weeds, and quickly, so don't put this off.

After the ban, my local lawncare company's representative finally confessed to this alternative solution, leaving me feeling angry. I had asked for safer, chemical-free solutions for years, but it seems that they were told not to recommend this option because of the possibility of loss of business.


My new organic lawncare company, Jolly Green Planet, recommends this method. One tip I'd like to add: Don't apply on a windy day, and be careful not to get the baking soda on other plants. Good luck!


Related Reading:
Organic Crabgrass Killer
Green Lawn Care: A Tale of Two Families
Excited about Organic Lawn Care
Pesticides' Destructive Path



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Construction Complications--Ugg!

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Hello and welcome! Please excuse our dust as we are still under construction and the crew has taken some time off. Posts will continue but there may be some minor formatting issues. Hope to see you again soon!

Salvaging Your Over-Ripe Fruit: Making Organic Sorbet

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(c) photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Make Sorbet with Your Over-Ripe Fruit

Once fruit is past the point of eating it as is, there are many ways you can still use it. I recently published a post on 8 ways to salvage your fruit at the Central Florida Green Guide. You can read the article at the link.


Today, I'd like to share with you a 9th and final method of using up your ripened fruit: making sorbet. It's so easy, you won't believe you have not been doing it all your life.

1. Juice the fruit.
2. Strain the juice at least three times to remove as much of the foam that often accumulates from the juicing process.
3. Here's the key to making sorbet easily, and to being able to blend flavors to your liking: Using ice cube trays, pour the juice into the trays. These small portions will fit nicely through your juicer's opening when you prepare your sorbet, and will allow you to alternate flavors if you decide to make, for example, strawberry melon sorbet.
4. When frozen, pop the pieces out and store them in a container that is labeled with the type of juice included. Once it is frozen, the color will change and you may not be able to tell for sure which containers holds which kind of frozen juice.
5. As soon as you have enough frozen juice to serve your group, you're in business. Here's my final tip. Sorbet melts quickly, so be sure to have everything out, except the frozen fruit, and be ready to serve it as it comes out of the juicer. Simply blend the flavors you want by alternating the pieces as you put them into the juicer. It really is that easy.

Happy juicing!

This is my juicer; it is a commercial grade, heavy duty juicer with a 10 year warranty. I love it!:





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