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Home Improvement

Reduce Waste And Create a Tree-Free Home

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Yes, you read that right, a tree-free home can actually help the planet! We are not talking about live trees, though. Feel free to have as many of those in your backyard as you want. This is about reducing your consumption of products made out of trees, such as paper. Especially if they are disposable ones. Creating a tree-free home can seem like a daunting task. But if you take it one step at the time, it is completely doable. Here are some tips for you to start.

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Whenever possible, switch to cloth

If you use paper napkins, stop. Buy a couple of sets of nice cloth napkins. They work the same, they look pretty and they actually make you seem fancier. Your guests will be impressed. Make sure to have at least a couple of sets, so you are not napkin-less when you need to wash them. Paper towels need to go too. Replace them with cloth towels (you can make your own by cutting up some old cotton t-shirts). get a small container to store the sued ones in your kitchen until you wash them for reuse.

Reuse, recycle, reduce waste

If you usually need to print documents, do so in paper that has already been used on one side. Reuse envelopes, wrapping paper, note pads and any other paper product you can. For paper products that cannot be reused (say, toilet paper), consider buying bleach-free, recycled and with the highest percentage of post-consumer waste content available. Consider getting a dry-erase board instead of buying post-its, or buy a bunch of letter magnets for the fridge to leave messages to your family.

Go digital

One of the greatest advantages of the modern world is that is easier than ever to be paperless. Call every company that sends you bills and ask if they can send you only digital copies from now on. Buy an e-book reader and stop buying paper books and magazines. As an extra advantage, you will save so much space and you will be able to carry your entire library around. If you are afraid of tiring your eyes, make sure you buy a reader with an e-ink display that reduces glare (and saves so much battery). If you truly will miss paper books, consider buying only used books. They are cheaper too! Finally, say goodbye to your paper planner and download an app for your phone or computer. They usually have more functions, they are easier to use and they can track everything from birthdays to grocery lists.

Avoid buying freshly-cut wood

If you are doing construction work at home, look up alternatives to newly cut wood. For example, bamboo is resistant, looks great and it grows really fast, so it’s an eco-friendly alternative. Straw bale, cob and natural linoleum are great too. If you have an eye on a specific type of wood, find local places to buy used wood. You can get pieces that still look great, without cutting down additional trees.

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Eco Eats

Bye Bye Eggs! 2 Healthy Vegan Breakfast Choices

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For most people, breakfast means eggs. This is why a lot of new vegans get completely lost in the morning. I mean, you can only have cereal and almond milk so many times before you get tired. There are a lot of reasons to go vegan, from animal welfare to religion. But even if you and your family are not completely vegan, there are a couple of good reasons to start eating vegan meals once in a while. It will really reduce your carbon footprint, and you don’t even have to completely change your lifestyle. Just a couple of meals a week. If you want to feed yourself and your family a healthy, egg-free and completely vegan breakfast, you can try these recipes.

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1. Vegan french toast

That’s right, you can make french toast with no eggs or milk. And it will still be delicious. Being vegan doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some breakfast classics. You will need your favorite bread, around 4-5 slices, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or your favorite non-diary milk, 1/2 tbsp agave nectar or maple syrup, 1 tbsp chia seeds, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and any topping you like. Mix all the ingredients (except bread and toppings) in a large, shallow bowl or pan and place in the fridge for 20 minutes, to activate the mix and get the right consistency. Grease and preheat a griddle with medium heat. Dip each slice of  bread in the mix (both sides) so it soaks it up and place in the griddle. Cook until golden brown, carefully flip it and keep cooking until both sides are golden. Plate and top with coconut whipped cream, fresh fruit, maple syrup or any other topping you like.

2. Savory vegan chickpea pancake

If you are not one for sweets but will still like to enjoy one breakfast classic, try out this savory vegan pancake. You will need 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup finely chopped green onion, 1/4 cup finely chopped red pepper, 1/2 cup besan, chickpea flour or garbanzo flour. 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp fine sea salt, 1/4 tsp baking powder, a pinch of freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of red pepper flakes. First, preheat a skillet over medium heat. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Add the water and whisk until there are no clumps. You really want to get some air bubbles in the batter. Stir in the chopped vegetables and spray some olive oil in the skillet. Pour the batter and cook for 5 minutes until you can easily slide a spatula underneath it. Flip it over and keep cooking until lightly golden. Serve on a plate and top with hummus, avocado cream, salsa or your favorite tipping.

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Eco Eats

Stop Wasting Food: How To Extend Your Produce Shelf Life

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Food waste is one of the most important environmental issues that our world is facing today. In the US alone, 40 percent of all produced food is thrown away. An average American family will waste over two thousand dollars worth of food per year. So many resources are used up to produce food that these statistics are more than a little bit worrying. When we throw out food we are not only wasting money, but also  water, soil, energy and even farming space. Maybe you can’t do much to stop big chain stores from wasting produce. But you can make sure that your family gets to eat what you buy, by extending your food’s shelf life.

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1. The old paper towel trick

If you buy more carrots and lettuce than your family can consume quickly, you may have found that they become soggy after being stored in the fridge for a while. To help them retain their crispiness for longer, all you need is a paper towel. Store your carrots and lettuce on top of several layers of paper towels inside of your fridge. If your produce come sin a plastic bag, perforate the bag before putting it inside of the fridge, you shouldn’t be able to see any condensation inside the bag.

2. Don’t store everything in the fridge

Some fruits should always be kept at room temperature, not only because their life will not actually extend when stored in the fridge, but also because they might actually cause your other produce to go bad faster. Avocados, bananas, apricots, oranges, pears, melons, peaches, plums, tomatoes, kiwis, pineapples and nectarines should be kept outside of the fridge. This is because they produce ethylene gas, which causes nearby vegetables to spoil quicker.

3. Keep your fridge clean

Not only should you throw out food that has gone bad, you should also wipe down your fridge at least every week. Pay special attention to the veggie crisper or wherever you keep your vegetables. This is because bacteria built up on the fridge surfaces can help speed up the process of spoiling and make your veggies go bad faster.

4. Keep your onions away from the potaties

Some foods are not good friends. Onions and potatoes are sworn enemies. Even if both of these vegetables should be stored at room temperature, try your best not to store them right next to each other. This is because they give out a chemical that can make other produce spoil quicker, so this will significantly reduce their shelf life.

5. Choose your wrappings

Celery, green peppers and broccoli will keep for much longer if you keep them wrapped in tin foil inside your fridge. They will retain their crispiness and be just as delicious as the first day. Mushrooms, on the other hand, should be stored in a paper bag or wrap instead of plastic or foil.

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Lawn & Garden

6 Garden Herbs With Great Heath Benefits

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Caring for your own little garden can be a very rewarding experience. It’s fun, it’s relaxing and you can literally see the fruits of your labor grow before your eyes. What’s even better, if you choose the right plants, you can make this hobby useful as well. Some people choose to grow culinary herbs to save money and gain flavor in the kitchen. But you can also grow herbs with health benefits to keep yourself and your family in top shape in a completely natural way.

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1. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is known for its many benefits relating to skin care. It is great to treat sunburns, cold sores and even psoriasis. All you need to do is cut open one of its fleshy leaves and topically apply the gel inside it as a soothing balm. Besides, Aloe Vera is a very easy to care plant that can be really resilient, so it’s ideal if you live in a hot and dry area.

2. Basil

Fresh basil is an easy way to instantly kick your dishes up a notch. But this herb is not only delicious, it can help you cure your stomach as well. Basil leaves can be eaten to treat stomach pain, loss of appetite and even gas. Simply add the leaves to a salad and you are good to go. You can also apply the leaves directly on top of insect bites to reduce inflammation and help them heal.

3. Coneflower

Echinacea or coneflowers are pretty little purple flowers that are closely related to daisies. But they do much more than look pretty and add color to your garden. They are believed to have anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe symptoms related to the flu, cold and other respiratory ailments. You can take advantage of its health properties by making coneflower tea.

4. Lavender

Another popular herb, lavender is known for its distinctive smell and bright purple color. Lavender looks great in any garden (and you can even grow it in a pot inside, to naturally add a touch of color to your living room. This pretty flower has relaxing properties that will help you reduce stress and anxiety and even sleep better. You can make tea out of its dried flowers or simmer them in a hot pot of water to inundate the room with its powerful and calming scent.

5. Calendula

These bright orange flowers look very similar to marigolds, but they have a bunch of health properties that make them a perfect addition to your medicinal garden. A tea made from its flowers will soothe stomach ailments and a Calendula salve applied to the skin with reduce irritation and even make hemorrhoids hurt less. Besides, this flower can even slow-down bleeding when applied topically, so it’s a good plant to have around in case of an accident.

6. Mint

No herb garden would be complete without some mint. It smells great, it can freshen your breath and it’s easy to grow. What more could you want? You can use its leaves to make tea and drink it to treat nausea. Mint leaf tea will also soothe tension headaches. Besides this herb’s powerful smell can clear your sinuses and even make it easier for you to focus or keep yourself awake.

 

Categories
Home Improvement

Create An Eco-Friendly Bathroom By Following These 3 Tips

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The bathroom is one of those places that, unless you are using it right now, you don’t think about too much. But that doesn’t mean that it can’t have a huge impact on the environment. Everybody uses the bathroom, all of our homes have one, and we use it multiple times during the day. If you can make small changes to make your bathroom greener, you can significantly reduce your environmental impact, without changing your lifestyle at all. Here are some tips to have an eco-friendly bathroom.

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1. Low-flow toilets

Toilets use up a lot of water. Clean, drinkable water that is getting wasted daily, unless you do something to conserve it. In fact, almost 30% of all water consumption in your house is done by your toilet, that’s a significant portion. Some old toilets use up to 7 gallons of water per flush, way more than it’s actually necessary to get rid of the waste. If you already have a low-flow toilet, you can install a dual flusher that will give you the choice for “liquid waste” and “solid waste”, in order to use just the right amount of water per flush. If you have an old toilet but can’t afford to buy a new one just now, you can do a temporary fix. Fill up an empty water bottle with pebbles and leave it inside the tank to displace some of the water. That way, the tank will fill up with less water and it will be less wasteful. If you are worried about low-flow toilets not being as “powerful”, put a trash can in your bathroom and throw away paper, feminine hygiene products, floss and other trash that you would usually flush. Find a trash can with a lid and empty it regularly, so you don’t have “smell” problems.

2. Low-flow shower heads

We should all strive to cut down on our shower time. Ten minutes is more than enough to get clean, anyway. However, some days we all want to linger a bit and relax. This is why low-flow shower heads can be such life-savers. They will cut down your shower’s water consumption to 2.5 gallons per minute, as opposed to 5-8 gallons that normal shower heads consume. That is a significant change, and it will save you money as well.

3. Sustainable bathroom products

Shampoos, conditioners, body lotions and other similar products can end up contaminating the water sources, filling up landfills or contributing to animal suffering. Strive to buy all-natural and sustainable products in recyclable packaging. Check out vegan and cruelty-free brands. Switching toothpaste brands will make almost no difference in your life, but it can really have a huge impact on the environment.

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Eco Eats

Your Favorite Restaurants Ranked For Antibiotic Use

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We all want to eat clean and keep ourselves healthy while caring for the environment. Unfortunately, that usually means we have to make all of our meals from scratch, as that’s the only way to be sure of what’s in our food. There’s no need to be so strict, though. If you are running late or you are just really tired, popping by the nearby fast-food place is understandable, as long as that’s not your every day diet. And some restaurants are better at the “clean food” than others. Antibiotic use is one of the most pressing issues when it comes to food production, as widespread use of antibiotics leads to antibiotic resistance (or “superbugs”, as the media loves to call it),  which poses great health risks for humans. Just in case, here are your favorite restaurants ranked for their antibiotic use.

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Chipotle – Delicious, filling, delicious… who doesn’t indulge in Chipotle once in a while? Perfect for lunch or a late-night snack run, Chipotle is always there for you and your spicy food needs. It also has the best practices when it comes to antibiotics. It has publicly stated that most of their meat and poultry is produced with no routine use of antibiotics, so munch away.

Panera – Soups, salads and amazing sandwiches, Panera is a favorite for work lunch and maybe a cup of coffee with a croissant. They rank this high on the list because they have publicly affirmed that the majority of their meat and poultry is produced without routine use of antibiotics, so you can continue to enjoy their fantastic, if slightly overpriced sandwiches, knowing they are antibiotic-free.

McDonald’s – The old Mickey D’s already has a policy in place that limits the use of antibiotics on its chicken, and it has implemented a timeline to get completely rid of antibiotics in chicken in the next two years. However, this policy does not extend to beef and pork that are also served in the restaurant. Investors are pressing down on Ronald McDonald to fix that, so it’s possible that we’ll see a new policy covering pork and beef in the future.

Chick-fil-A – The fast food chain has a policy that limits the use of antibiotics in all its chicken. Which is a good thing, since that’s their main appeal. They have pledged to be completely antibiotic-free by 2019 and are taking action to meet the goal.

Dunkin’ Donuts – They rank pretty low on the list because, even though they have a policy to limit antibiotic use in their meats, they do not have a clear timeline to implement it. For now, you’ll probably want to stick to their coffee and donuts.

Starbucks – While the chain has made several statements supporting the “responsible use of antibiotics”, they have failed to implement a clear policy to eliminate antibiotics from their meats.

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Eco Tips

Are You A Green Pet Owner? What You Need To Know

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Pets are the best. Whether you have a cat, a dog or any other kind of furry friend, you probably love them like they are a member of your family. And that’s great! Pets keep us company, they are fun, they reduce stress and are overall a positive influence on our lives. If you want a pet and are able to care for one, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get a new fur-baby. However, just like humans have a carbon footprint, pets have their own “carbon pawprint” as well. This means that being a responsible pet owner goes beyond taking good care of your pet, you should take care of the environment as well.

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Pet shops: just say no

If you are thinking of getting a new puppy or kitty, stay away from pet shops. Consider visiting a rescue center or an animal shelter. That way, you will provide a loving home and care for animals that are already here, instead of encouraging puppy mills and other shady practices.

Feeding your pets: why vegan diets are harmful

We know that producing meat wastes ten times more resources than producing beans and other vegetables. This is why many pet-owners believe that feeding their pets a vegetarian or vegan diet is the answer, but this is far from the truth. While dogs are fairly omnivorous and can sometimes live on a (carefully designed and monitored) vegetarian diet, this should only be attempted after talking with your vet to make sure your puppy is getting everything he needs. Cats, on the other hand, are true carnivores, which means they must eat meat to stay healthy. Attempting to feed a cat a vegetarian or vegan diet will result in harm to the animal and it’s very unnatural. What you can do instead is finding a good brand of organic pet-food, that will give your furry friends all the nutrients they need with less of an environmental impact.

The other end of the problem: green waste disposal

Cat and dog waste is not only smelly and unpleasant, it’s also dangerous. They carry parasites and toxins that can be very harmful to the environment and can even contaminate water sources. When it comes to dogs, the very least you should be doing is immediately bagging and tossing away their poop. However, if you ant a more radical (and permanent) solution, consider installing a specially sealed “doggy loo” that is half-buried in your garden. It will naturally break down the waste and disperse it harmlessly into the soil. Cats should never be taught to poo in the toilet, as that can contaminate the water. Instead, consider switching your clay cat-litter for sawmill waste, hemp or straw litter that is lighter and completely biodegradable.

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Eco Eats

6 Non Creepy-Crawly Reasons We Should Start Eating Bugs

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Bugs. The word doesn’t exactly evoke a laid table with warm food and a delicious buffet. It just evokes that “eww” reaction we all naturally have when we think of these creepy crawlers. But environmentalists around the world believe that bugs might as well be the food of the future and that we should all start switching cows for crickets. Here are some very compelling reasons why we should start eating bugs.

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1. It’s more efficient – As much as we like cows, we can only eat around 40 percent of the animal. A portion of the non-edible parts (like the hide) gets used in other industries, but there is still a lot of cow we simply throw away. Crickets, on the other hand, are 80% edible, which means that raising them for food would make much more sense than raising cows.

2. It consumes less resources – In order to produce one pound of beef, we need 10 pounds of feed, which means a lot of agricultural resources are needed to bring that steak to your plate. The same 10 pounds of beef, however, can be used to produce six pounds of insect protein, which is exactly as healthy and will fulfill your nutritional needs.

3. It saver water – Water is a precious resource, you don’t need me to tell you that, especially now that we are facing several droughts around the world. Did you know that it takes 1,800 gallons of water to create one single pound of beef? On the other hand, one pound of insect protein only requires one gallon of water to be produced. Now, that’s sustainable protein.

4. It makes better use of limited space – During its lifetime, one cow will use the resources of two acres of land all by itself. When you compare that to the 4′ x 6′ pen that it’s needed to produce 55 to 65 pounds of crickets, there really is no competition. In a world where we are constantly deforesting new areas for agriculture, eating protein that takes less space to be produced could very well save a rainforest or two. Not too shabby for a bunch of crickets.

5. There are enough insects for everyone – The UN is seriously considering the idea that insects might be the solution to finally end world hunger. There are forty tons of insects in the world to every human, that’s more than enough to eat your heart out. Besides there are over 1000 varieties of insects that are edible to humans, so you are probably going to find something you like.

6. Some countries are already eating insects – Thailand and Cambodia are two countries where they already eat insects on the regular. The first ones deep-fry crickets and the seconds eat tarantulas. This means there is already a world of exotic recipes we haven’t even tried, and it involves insects.

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Home Improvement

Getting Started On Solar Energy. What You Need To Know

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We all dream of a world where everyone uses renewable energy that won’t pollute the Earth. for that world to be a reality, we all need to do out part. Solar energy is one of the best ways to live a sustainable life and in recent years it has become more accessible than ever. Both homeowners and companies can enjoy solar power more easily than you might think. However, with so much information going around it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Here are some basic things you need to know about solar energy before you get started.

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1. Solar energy is a growing market – In 2014, solar investments grew 25% and the market is expected to be 16-25% larger by the end of 2015. This is the result of both governments and companies trying to become more sustainable in later years. For you, it means having more options to choose from. Today, there are more solar power companies than ever, and they all offer a unique service to fit different needs. Before you commit to any one company, you should definitely research the options in your area.

2. Do your research right – Right now, residential solar power is only a small portion of the market, which means that not every solar energy company will support the residential market. Only 20% of 2014 solar panel installations were done in residential projects, so you need to keep that in mind when looking for the company that’s right for you.

3. There are tax incentives for you – If you live in the US, chances are you can benefit from several federal and local tax incentives for solar power installations. The bad news is that the US investment tax credit, the largest solar subsidy in the country, is set to expire at the end of 2016. This would really be the perfect time to invest in solar panels for your home.

4. The cost of solar energy is going down – Both residential and commercial systems costs are down by over 50%, which means both businesses and homeowners can profit from investing in solar energy. This doesn’t mean that the installation will be cheap, though. The initial investment includes costs for installation, permits and equipment, which can add up to more than $15,000. While that may seem pricey, the real value comes in money saved from your regular energy consumption. Besides, tax credits can really offset the cost and there are several financing and leasing options to make solar energy more accessible for everyone.

5. Not all systems are created the same – A Solar Thermal System will use solar panels to gather sunlight and transform it into energy during daylight to use it for heating water systems. On the other hand, a Photovoltaic System will convert energy into electricity to operate many appliances in your home. Find out what system is the one you need and take that into account when calculating costs and benefits.

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Eco Eats

Afraid of Going Vegan? How To Start Eating Less Meat

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There are a lot of reasons to eliminate meat from our diets but it can be an intimidating prospect. It doesn’t matter if you want to go vegan or vegetarian for health reasons, because you care for the environment, because it aligns with your moral beliefs or any other reason, it can still be a confusing and scary thing to do. If you are looking to ease into it, you can try these non-drastic ways to cut down on meat.

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1. Stretch ground beef with rice and beans

If you are going to use ground beef for anything, you can cut it down with rice and/or beans. The meaty flavor you crave will still be there but you will be consuming only a fraction of the meat you usually would. Rice and beans are quite filling and cheap too, so this measure can be really good for your pockets as well as your diet.

2. Add chopped mushrooms to your pasta sauce

There are lots of delicious pasta sauces that call for meat and it’s hard to give up pasta. The good news is that in almost any meat-based sauce, you can replace the meat with chopped mushrooms and nobody will even notice. Mushrooms have a similar chewy texture and they will soak up the flavors of the rest of the ingredients in the sauce. Delicious pasta, no animal products. It’s the perfect dish.

3. Make your bacon count

Everybody loves bacon and it’s one of the hardest things to give up when changing your diet. You don’t have to give it up just yet, but you can really make it count. When making any dish that includes bacon, cook it first and leave the fat in the pan. Use the fat to cook the vegetables and other ingredients in the plate. This way, you can have a dish with only one strip of bacon and make it taste like it’s packed with the delicious stuff.

4. Eggs for lunch and dinner

For some reason, eggs are regarded as a breakfast food by almost everyone but you don’t have to restrict your egg dishes to the morning. Eggs are full of protein so they are great to have for lunch instead of a deli meat sandwich. If you cook them right, they can even be a fancy addition to your dinner plate. Besides, breakfast for dinner is always great.

5. Use vegetables with different textures

One of the biggest hurdles to overcome when phasing meat off your diet is that feeling that something is missing from all your meals. It’s like the dish is not complete unless it has some form of meat in it. Satisfy those cravings by combining many different textures in the same plate. Crunchy onions, soft potatoes, tender broccoli and leafy kale feel very different in your mouth.