Category: Featured

Categories
Featured Home Decor

Are Your Curtains Eco-Friendly?

 Like upholstery, drapery fabrics can be made of either natural fibers like cotton, linen, silk, and wool, or petroleum-based synthetics like polyester, nylon, and rayon. Try to avoid petroleum-based synthetics like polyester, nylon and rayon whenever possible. Not only do these curtains harm the environment but the chemicals that are used to make these curtains can make you and your family sick. Currently ready-to-hang organic curtains are hard to find, but if you are willing to do your research beforehand, you will be able to find them. If you really can’t find any eco-friendly curtains you love, you can buy fabric online and have custom made curtains (or make them yourself)! When purchasing curtains try to choose fabrics that have been colored with less toxic, “low-impact” dyes, or opt for naturally pigmented fabrics such as “color-grown” cotton. Another great curtain material you can choose is bamboo. Bamboo is a great eco-friendly material and it also looks great as a window shade!

It’s wise to avoid curtains coated with stain treatments and flame retardants. As with upholstered furniture, these treatments on drapery fabrics can be a source of toxic PFCs and PBDEs. If you’re concerned about the fire risk posed by untreated fabrics, make wool your fabric of choice, as it’s naturally resistant to fire and doesn’t stain as easily as other fabrics.

To make the most of your curtains’ energy-saving benefits during the summer months, look for styles that have a light-colored backing, which will deflect the sun’s rays and help reduce summer cooling costs. (If your chosen curtains don’t have backings, they can always be added later by a skilled seamstress.) On hot, sunny days, be sure to close the curtains on windows that face the sun–doing so will help keep things cool and ease your air conditioner’s workload. In winter close the curtains in rooms you’re not using in order to keep chilly drafts out and heat in.

Categories
Eco Tips Featured Lawn & Garden

Why Ladybugs Are Great Garden Guests

With spring planting underway there are some major benefits to having bugs in your garden. That’s right you read it right, we said it is a good thing. Of course some insects are worse than others and some are better than others, however a good insect to have in your garden is the ladybug.

Ladybugs are small beetles that are about ¼ inch in length and are normally red or orange in color with black dots on their shells. Ladybugs can become a nuisance when they attempt to move indoors, however overall these bugs are good for your garden and the environment.

Here are three benefits to having ladybugs in your garden:

Reduce the insect population

Ladybugs are known predatory beetles that eat a very large amount of aphids. Aphids are plant lice and are bad news for your plants. However ladybugs can consume up to 5,000 aphids in their lifetime (about 30-40 a day).

Eliminate your use of pesticides

Since ladybugs eat many of the insects which cause damage to garden plants, a good population of ladybugs will make it unnecessary to use harmful pesticides. It can be a little difficult to get a large population to come to populate your garden but with a few at home gardening tricks (mixing wheat and yeast together and spraying on plants), will help attract lady bugs to your garden.

Make your garden BEAUTIFUL

Ladybugs are beautiful beetles. They are a gorgeous deep color that will add contrast and beauty to your garden. Ladybugs are a lot prettier to look at when compared to worms or slugs.

Sources: steamboattoday.com, (http://www.steamboattoday.com/news/2013/mar/17/deb-babcock-benefits-lady-bugs/)

Categories
Eco Eats Featured

Memorial Day Grilling for Meatless Monday

Memorial Day is coming up (and Meatless Monday), and for most folks, that means firing up the grill. If you’re not used to plant-based cooking, it might be hard to imagine grilling without a slab of meat, but there are lots of ways you can cook up veggies on the grill!

Of course, I’d love to see everyone completely nix the animal products on Memorial Day, but if you can’t stomach a totally meatless Memorial Day meal, you can at least go meat-light by incorporating some plant-based recipes alongside the more conventional food you’d serve at a cookout.

Even just cutting back on the meat can make a big environmental impact, and if you choose to serve less meat, you can also spend a bit more to get meat that’s raised in a less environmentally detrimental way, since veggies are a lot more budget-friendly. Yay for saving money, helping the planet, and eating a bit healthier!

Here are some meatless alternatives you can serve at your Memorial Day BBQ!

  • Black Bean Veggie Burgers– They are delicious, easy to make, and definitely a crowd pleaser
  • Grilled Portobello Mushrooms- Making a Portobello mushroom burger is a great alternative to a beef burger. Marinate the mushroom in your favorite marinade and cook on the grill.
  • Kebab-   The shish kebab is an American classic. Try making all veggie kebabs with onions, green and red peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, and squash (cut into thick chunks). Season your kebabs in your favorite spices or add some shrimp and scallops to spice them up a bit.

While you’re spending your time with your friends and family, it’s important to remember why we celebrate Memorial Day. It’s a day to remember and honor those that have died protecting our country in the United States Armed Forces. Enjoy your Meatless (hopefully) Memorial Day Monday!

Categories
Eco Eats Featured

Summer Squash Casserole for Meatless Monday

This week for Meatless Monday, we have found a delicious recipe of summer squash casserole! Zucchini and squash are going to be in season and this is a perfect casserole for a quick, summertime dinner!

Ingredients:

1/3 cup uncooked long grain white rice

2/3 cup water

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 1/2 pounds zucchini, cubed

1 cup sliced green onions

1 clove garlic, minced

1 1/4 teaspoons garlic salt

1/2 teaspoon basil

1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1 1/2 cups seeded, chopped tomatoes

2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided

Directions:

Combine the rice and water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes, until rice is tender.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a shallow 1 1/2 quart casserole dish.

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat, and cook the zucchini, green onions, and garlic 5 minutes, or until tender. Season with garlic salt, basil, paprika, and oregano. Mix in the cooked rice, tomatoes, and 1 cup cheese. Continue to cook and stir until heated through. Transfer to the prepared casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.

Bake uncovered 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Additional Notes:

Sometimes this recipe can turn out bland, so increase the seasonings or add your favorite to spice up this dish. You can also add shrimp to make it heartier.

Categories
Eco Eats Eco Tips Featured

Grilled Fish Tacos for Meatless Monday

Meatless Monday is here again and this week we decided to borrow a recipe from our friends over at Bassfisherwomen.com. This is a delicious, easy and healthy grilled taco recipe!

Ingredients:

2 fish fillets (approx. 8 ounces each)

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon cumin

1/2 tablespoon red pepper

1 tablespoon paprika

¼ cup finely chopped cilantro

1 small can of black olives

1 onion

3 garlic cloves

1 jalapeno pepper

1 avocado

2 Roma tomatoes

6 corn tortillas

Spring salad mix

Directions:

In a medium sized sauté pan, add four tablespoons extra virgin olive oil and ½ cup chopped onion. Sauté over medium high heat for approximately two minutes. Add one diced quarter inch jalapeno pepper and the three cloves of diced garlic. Sauté for approximately two more minutes. Add the juice of two limes. Sauté for 30 more seconds and then remove from heat. Add two diced Roma tomatoes and ¼ cup of cilantro. Refrigerate the salsa mixture.

Mix the garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, red pepper and paprika. Then dust fillets with the seasoning mixture. Once the fish is thoroughly seasoned, place on grill for about 8 to 10 minutes depending on the thickness of the fillets. Slice grilled fish into long pieces and build your B’ASS grilled fish tacos using the corn tortillas, salsa, sliced avocado and spring salad mix.

Sources: Recipe courtesy of Bass Fisherwomen.com (http://www.bassfisherwomen.com/bad-ass-grilled-fish-tacos/#more-1578)

Categories
Featured Green Building Home Design Home Improvement

Is Your Water Heater Draining Your Wallet?

Many people are surprised to learn that heating domestic water is the third largest energy expense consumed in households. Therefore using a more eco-friendly water heater will help your family to not only save on energy consumption, which in the long run is great for the environment, but also will help you save your family money.

Rheem Tankless Water Heater, Model# RTE-27, $740.55

Traditional tank water heaters continuously heat the water they hold, 24 hours every day, whether you need hot water or not. This is a complete waste of energy and money. However, tankless water heaters provide a much more efficient option by heating water only as it is needed. The water is heated quickly and delivered at a steady rate for as long as it is needed, and the heater shuts off automatically when the supply is closed.

Tankless water heaters are also extremely compact when compared to tank heaters, as they can be wall-mounted whereas tanks can require up to 16 square feet of floor space. A variety of different sizes and types of tankless water heaters are currently available on the market.  It is essential to find one that will be able

to withstand your home’s demands, depending on the size of your home and family. “Whole House” types are available, or you can install two or more separate units to handle different appliances if necessary. Don’t forget to look for the Energy Star efficiency logo when shopping for the perfect tankless water heater for you and your family.

The initial investment for a tankless water heater might be a little bit more expensive than traditional water heaters, however it will save you plenty of money in the long run. Tankless water heaters can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,150 which seems a little steep when compared with $300 to $480 for the regular storage-tank types. Although the cost may seem a little high, we think that it is a great investment that will help reduce your carbon footprint and save you money in the long run!

Sources: Consumerreports.com, (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appliances/heating-cooling-and-air/water-heaters/tankless-water-heaters/overview/tankless-water-heaters-ov.htm)

Categories
Articles Eco Tips Featured

4 Green Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

With Mother’s Day right around the corner (Sunday, May 12, 2013 — for those of you who might not have remembered), have you been searching for the perfect gift for your environmentally conscious mother? Before going out and spending a lot of money, make sure to know what your mother expects on Mother’s Day. Some moms are just going to want to have breakfast in bed and peace and quiet in the house, while others might prefer a family outing. Nonetheless, we are always looking for new ways to show our mothers just how grateful we are for all that they for us. With more and more mothers becoming environmentally conscious, why not give the mom(s) in your life an eco-friendly gift that also respects Mother Earth.

A Day of Pampering

Moms deserve a nice day of pampering. Give mom a basket with organic bath, hair, or skin care products. Avalon Organics carries a nice line of reasonably priced personal care products packaged in 100 percent recycled materials and made with 100 percent vegetarian ingredients – no parabens, synthetic colors, fragrance, or preservatives. Check out their website www.avalonorganics.com to locate a store near you that carries their line of products.

Tom’s Shoes

Almost everyone has heard about Tom’s Shoes. For every pair of shoes that is purchased, Tom’s donates a pair of shoes to a child in need. They call it their “One for One” campaign. Their shoes are super cute, comfortable and come in various styles and colors. Mom is sure to be pleased with a pair of Tom’s.

Rickshaw Bagworks City Bag

If you do opt for a traditional “gift,” make it a thoughtful sustainable gift. It can still match her personality, like this versatile Rickshaw Bagworks City Bag, made with eco-friendly fibers in the USA. Rickshaw Bagworks offers different colors and styles, so there is bound to be one that Mom will like. Check out their website for more information at rickshawbags.com.

Soy Candles

Give mom an eco-friendly candle. There is a variety of different scents available as well as different size candles. Soy candles are the best alternative to traditional candles because they burn clean and are also toxin-free. Most of the soy candles also feature cotton wicks. Check out Soy Terrific, they have a great variety of candles!

 

 

Categories
Eco Tips Featured

4 Ways to Make Your Home Office Eco-Friendly

Greening your home office doesn’t mean that you have to spend a lot of money and go without the things you are comfortable with. However, greening your office can end up saving your home-based business money in the long run and help reduce its carbon footprint. For the most part, greening your office requires conscious choice and using reusable products over disposable products. Since so much time is spent at work it only makes sense to make your office as environmentally friendly as possible!

Replace the coffee.

A simple way to make the office a little greener is by replacing the current coffee with a fair-trade, shade-grown, or organic version. Fair-trade coffees are produced and purchased from farmers with livable wages for both themselves and their employees. Shade-grown coffee is grown in the rain forests under the canopy of trees which means no trees were cut down to grow the coffee beans. Organic coffee is grown without any pesticides and herbicides.

Replace the disposable paper cups.

Use your mug instead of using paper cups. According to National Geographic, “15 people replacing their three paper cups a day each with a washable, reusable mug would save 11,250 paper cups from being purchased and tossed.” That is a lot of paper cups that are being saved from going to the landfill.

Turn off the electronics.

Use the energy-saver settings on all electronics and turn them off when you leave for the day. Have computers set to go into sleep mode if untouched for 10 or 15 minutes. Use motion sensors or timers on overhead lighting to prevent lighting empty rooms. Power down printers, fax machines and computers at the end of the day to save electricity and lower the power bill.

Go paperless.

Try to cut back on your paper usage, it’s not completely impossible. Instead of printing out an email, save it. Send contracts via email and electronically sign them when possible.

Categories
Eco Tips Featured Lawn & Garden

3 Green Fertilizer Alternatives

Unfortunately many gardeners rely on chemical fertilizers to grow their trees, grass, flowers, fruits and vegetables. However in recent years there has been an increase in awareness about the amount of chemicals we use in our yards and how it can negatively impact the environment and our friends and family in the long run.

Thankfully with the “green” movement there has been an increase in number of healthy, natural and organic fertilizers.  Here are 3 natural garden fertilizer alternatives to chemical fertilizers.

Bat Guano

Bat guano is the ultimate 100 percent natural fertilizer. It comes straight from the butts of bats, into your yard or garden. Farmers and gardeners have used bat guano as a fertilizer for hundreds of years. It wasn’t until recently that inorganic fertilizers have become popular enough for people to forget that there is a natural option that works just as well! The manufacturers of this product state that they follow the high standards of Bat Conservation International, so you can feel good about buying this natural garden and bat-friendly fertilizer.  Bat Guano works great as a soil builder and fertilizer.

Fish Meal Organic Fertilizer

Like bat guano, fish meal is a natural organic fertilizer that was traditionally used by gardeners and farmers before the advent of inorganic fertilizers. Fish meal contains important trace elements, which makes it a complete plant food. Fish meal works quickly and provides plenty of phosphorous and organic nitrogen.

Kelp Meal Fertilizer

Kelp meal fertilizer is made from brown seaweed harvested from cold ocean waters. Once harvested, the kelp is dried and ground up to produce an excellent organic fertilizer. The dried kelp maintains a high content of plant growth hormones, essential minerals and organic material. An added benefit is that kelp meal provides a slow, sustained release of nutrients. Organic kelp fertilizers are fully approved for organic gardening. They work great for flowers, trees, and your lawn.

Sources: sustainablog.com, (http://sustainablog.org/2008/05/low-impact-living-twelve-tips-for-eco-friendly-lawn-care/), extremelygreen.com, (http://www.extremelygreen.com/fertilizerguide.cfm).

Categories
Articles Eco Eats Featured

Veggie Pizza for Meatless Monday

Looking for that perfect veggie pizza recipe? Look no further! Here is the perfect veggie pizza!

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. olive oil, plus more for brushing
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp. red pepper flakes
1 ball pizza dough
½ zucchini, thinly sliced*
½ yellow squash, thinly sliced*
1 tsp. kosher salt
6 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced
½ red onion, chopped
2-3 oz. soft garlic herb cheese, such as Boursin
¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

Directions:

Heat the oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat.  Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes.  Let the oil infuse about 5-10 minutes.  Remove from the heat.

Meanwhile, place the zucchini and squash slices in a colander and toss with the salt.  Let stand 15-20 minutes to allow excess water to drain from the vegetables.  Lay the slices out on a clean kitchen towel and blot the surface to remove additional water and the salt.

To make the pizza, heat the oven to 500˚ F and preheat a pizza stone for at least 30 minutes.  Roll out the pizza dough into a 12-14 inch round.  Lightly brush the perimeter of the dough with olive oil.  Brush the center of the dough with the garlic infused oil.  Sprinkle the mozzarella in an even layer over the dough.  Layer the zucchini and squash slices in concentric circles over the cheese covering the pizza.  Top with the tomatoes, red onion, Boursin and basil.  Bake 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the crust is lightly browned, about 11-12 minutes.  Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Additional Notes:

Instead of using squash and zucchini you can use whatever spring/summer vegetables you like. Try using broccoli, peppers, olives, corn or even mushrooms!