Tag: eco-friendly

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Eco Tips

Is Your Cat An Eco Threat? (We’ll Answer Right Meow)

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One of the most underrated threats for our local ecosystems has been allowed to go unchecked for too long. And there’s probably one near you right meow. I don’t want to alarm you, but it could be anywhere, on your lawn, inside your house, under your bed… it could even be on your lap right now as you are reading this. That’s right, I’m talking about the domestic cat. I’m sure Mr. Mittens is incredibly cute and cuddly, but he could be terrorizing your neighborhood without your knowledge. It’s not his fault, of course, he’s just following his instincts. But, the cat’s out of the bag now and we’ve got some ‘pawsitive’ news.

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One of the stronger instincts for cats is to hunt. It doesn’t matter how well-fed your cat is, he will still want to hunt and kill prey. Even if you give Dr. Fluffkin home-cooked meals every day, he will still go outside and ruthlessly murder some birds. And probably won’t eat them afterward. Studies have shown that cats are killing billions of animals every year, which makes them a hazard for local wildlife.

 Studies estimate that cats are responsible for the deaths of up to 3.7 billion birds and 20.7 billion mammals each year in the US alone. Globally, 33 species were drove to extinction by cats. Stray and feral cats are the worst offenders, but pet cats are not free of blame. Luckily, there are ways in which you can mitigate the effect of your pet in the local environment.

 First of all, you can keep Princess Furrypaws indoors. This will stop her from killing birds, squirrels and rabbits. This will also keep your cat safe, away from cars, other animals and cruel or careless people. If you want to let your kitty enjoy the sun and fresh air, you can always get him a leash and a harness, and take him outside under your supervision. It will probably take a while until your cat is used to the leash, but it can be done. Simply make him wear the harness for a few minutes a day until he moves normally, and then add the leash to the equation.

 If you don’t want to use a leash and your cat still goes outside, then you can try buying a well-fitted collar with a big bell. This is by far the least effective route, but it has been proven that a bell can reduce a cat’s success when hunting by a third.

 But wait, you say, Captain Whiskers never goes outside, he only hunts laser pointers and plastic mice. If that’s the case, then your cat is probably very eco-friendly, you’ve done your part to save the Earth. Just remember to play with your cat for twenty minutes every day to keep him stimulated and make him feel loved. Unless you’re looking forward to raising a serial killer kitty cat.

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Eco Eats

Holiday Choco Cookies Even Santa Will Want To Steal

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chocolate-chip-cookies-treats-yummy
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With the winter season here there are many treats that you can imagine making. Sweet or savory; my taste buds do not mind. One thing different this holiday season is that I have gotten on the eco-friendly trend. A better planet means a better holiday season for not only me but for you too. Look for some new eco-friendly treats to make this Christmas. They are so easy to make and great to enjoy with everyone. Just because it has eco-friendly in the recipe name it does not mean that it will not be as delicious as the original. The treat will only be made using products that are safe for the earth.

Try this delicious cookie. You will surely love it.

Eco-Friendly Choco Cookie

Here is how you make them. Get two separate bowls; one for the dry ingredients and another one for the wet ingredients. Sift the almond flour, sea salt, and baking soda together. Add in the chocolate chips (you can use chunks if you prefer). Stir well. Now add in the grape seed oil, agave nectar, and vanilla extract all together. Mix well until you get a cookie dough texture. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Preheat their sauna to 350 degree Fahrenheit.

Roll 1 inch balls and place them on the parchment paper. Place them 2 inches apart from one another. Using the bottom of the 1/4 cup measurer, flatten the cookie balls a bit.

Bake for 8 minutes, and then take them out to cool off for 20 minutes. Eat and let your mouth have an orgasm.

These cookies are one of many eco-friendly holiday treats that I have enjoyed recently. I have eaten Chocolate Coconut Cream Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Banana Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies, and Vegan Fudge.

Yesterday I had Peanut Bites. I used whole grain bread and cut eat slice into four pieces. Then I spread homemade peanut butter. I then finished each decadent piece with fresh fruit slices like kiwis; grapes; strawberries; and bananas. They were delicious and it kept me from using that sugar packed jam.  I cannot to wait to indulge my taste buds with healthier yet delicious treats that are earth-friendly.

Hopefully you too can try these yummy eco-friendly choco cookies. They are easy to make, and they are easy to make disappear. Everyone will fall in love with the flavorful bite of chocolate in each cookie. You can easily give these away as a gift too. Recycle one of your aluminum foil boxes. Cover the box with newspaper and put parchment paper in it. Line the cookies in and close the box up with twine. A perfect homemade eco-friendly gift for anyone. Just keep it away from the pets who love to sneak under the tree.

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Lawn & Garden

Eco-Friendly Winter Lawn Care

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lawn-leaves-fall-winter-rake-care
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Winter is coming. No, that does not mean that another season of Game of Thrones is on its way. It means that you need to find out how to take care of your lawn the eco-friendly way. Do not let the cold weather ruin all of your hard work. The green color on your lawn will fade away slowly during the winter, but there are ways to get that color back in the spring.

Here are some basic things you can do to keep your lawn safe in the winter.

Mulch: If your lawn has some patchy areas then spread mulch in those areas. It will keep weeds from growing up in it and also keep the grass around it from being damaged too.

Local Plants: Incorporate some local plants because they have adapted to survive in the weather that hits the area. They will live on through the winter season. Plus they are already accustomed to the local diseases.

Plant Seasonally: Rose bushes, azaleas, and hibiscus are all options of plants that bloom well in the winter.

Mow: Go back to the basics. Forget about the electric lawnmower and the gas powered lawnmower. Use a push mower. You help the world and help yourself in the process. Keep the grass cut short during the winter. By doing this you keep rodents out from ruining the grass.  Also only mow every four weeks.

Rake: The leaves can kill and de-green your lawn. It keeps the grass from getting sunlight and air. Rake them up regularly. Do not get rid of the fallen leaves. Crumble them up to reuse in the spring as mulch. Use a bamboo rake to keep it as eco0friendly as you can.

Weeds Be Gone: Pull the weeds out by hand but be careful to not let any of the seeds hit the soil again.

Grass Seeds: In any area that there is few grass or none at all, plant new grass seeds now. Cover them up with mulch or compost to help them grow faster. In the spring time your grass will be even, just trim it.

Soil: Frequently keep your lawn feed with a good mix of fertilizer. It needs aeration to keep the flow of water and air to hit every spot of the lawn.

Drench It: Before it gets real cold, water your lawn real good. Drench it up so it can have one last good gulp of water before the spring.

Lazy Makes Lawn Unhappy: Do not let your lawn suffer because you are lazy. Be active and protect your lawn in the winter.

Hopefully with the simple tasks you can keep your lawn looking great throughout all the seasons. Taking care of it in the winter will always produce a beautiful green lawn. Rake, mow, water, and plant knowledgeably. Keep up with new eco-friendly lawn care maintenance at your local garden center.

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Eco Tips Furnishings Recycling

9 Eco-Friendly Baby Nursery Ideas

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Now that your house is all eco-friendly, it is time to work on the new addition. The baby nursery can be beautiful and green (not the paint color, unless you want it to be). Here are some simple steps to help you make the perfect baby nursery eco-friendly.

No Diapers: I know you are maybe saying, “What am I going to use then?” The solution: Cloth diapers. They are more work, but cost less and they are not harming the world buy having a mini-vacation in landfills. They are less pollutant than a diaper. You can also look for companies that make biodegradable diapers.

Fresh Air: Purchase an air purifier. Make sure your princess or prince gets the room with the best view. The natural fresh air and sunlight are perfect. The air purifier will help eliminate mold spores, dust mites, and any excess moisture.

Safe Walls For All: Remember this slogan – VOC-free is better for me. Using paint that is VOC-free (volatile organic compounds) is environment friendly. You can even use mineral pigment paints. If you have to scrap away old paint please be aware that it might be lead paint especially if your house is very old. Just be careful to not chip it but lightly use sandpaper when removing it. You can also look for eco-friendly wallpaper options.

Furniture: When it comes to adding furniture into the nursery, keep this word in mind: RE-USE. Instead of spending more money on baby furniture, spend your time looking for items you already have. You can re-use an old bookshelf for baby toys, and books. Use an old dresser as a changing table. Of course put a comfy pad on the surface. Even ask family members for old baby stuff that they are willing to part with. You can even look up online for sites where you can find used baby furniture, toys, clothes, strollers, etc. Zwaggle.com is a great site.

Know Your Wood: If you do end up purchasing a new crib or rocking chair then make sure you know which wood is best for the baby. Stay away from plywood and fiberboard. The glue in them release chemical fumes after time.  Purchase real wood with water based finishes. Also make sure the wood is sustainable. Look for FSC-certified wood labels. The crib might cost more but you can easily make it an eco-friendly heirloom for future generations.

Perfect Floor: One word- Bamboo. It is a renewable resource. Plus it gives the nursery an elegant look.

Green Windows: Stay away from blinds, and shutters. Use organic cotton window treatments.

Crib Décor: When it comes to a baby’s mattress I recommend Naturepedic. All of their mattresses are made of non-toxic materials. They are great for your baby who will spend most of their early years in bed sleeping. All the crib linens should be made of organic cotton, wool, or linen. You can even make a quilt out of used baby clothes. That is if you sew. If not then have someone make you one.

Minimal Is The Key: Keep the décor of the room minimalistic. A few stuff toys, and books here and there will be sufficient enough. As time passes the baby will get more stuff.

Hopefully these tips help you make your baby nursery eco-friendly and safe for your new addition.

 

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Eco Tips

Eco-Cooler Home in the Summer

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It seems like we never catch a break! During the winter we need the heater on or we will freeze our buns off. In the summer, the heat and humidity is unbearable. We either end up glued to our leather couches by sticky sweat or we pass out from a heat stroke. Those of us who can afford an air conditioner will likely burn a hole through their pockets the size of the artic hole in the ozone layer. The energy cost is simply way too expensive and it is harmful to the environment. But there are a couple of alternative ways to stay cool this summer and it is cost saving and energy-efficient all at the same time.

Start by limiting the amount of electric equipment you have on during the day. You’d be surprised how much heat can be generated by computers, televisions, dishwashers, stoves and oven. You can reduce the amount of heat that gets trapped inside your home by using these devices in the evening when it is cooler.

If you think you are keeping your house cool by opening the windows and doors during the day, you’re wrong! All you are doing is allowing the heat to enter, not to mention all those pesky mosquitoes and bugs that are looking for a safe haven from the searing sun. So during the day, do not open your doors or windows. Once the sun goes down, you can let the house air out and allow the cool air to come in. You can actually speed this process up if the house is too muggy in the evenings by adding fans and directing them towards a window or door. This will push the warm air out.

Ceiling fans are excellent to keep the comfortable temperature level in your house to an acceptable level. I would personally recommend one for every room if possible, except the bathroom of course. It will not feel as cool as an A/C but it will make the summer heat far more manageable.

Remember that humidity is inescapable. Meaning you cannot go in the shade to avoid it like you would sunlight. But you can find a way to block out solar heat. You can achieve this by buying and installing mini-blinds for every window in your home. By doing this you can potentially repel up to 40 percent of the heat from the outside, perhaps more. You can go one step further and get blinds that are made from bamboo material. This natural material can repel the heat by more than 50 percent and as much as 80 percent.

Since we are talking about natural and Eco-friendly material, how about using some shade plants? A couple of carefully planted trees or large plants can act as a buffer between the sun and your window. All in all, it’s symbiotically beneficial. The plant gets some sunlight and your house gets to stay cool.

Air conditioning units are just too bulky and expensive; plus they harm the environment by releasing harmful emissions. You are way better off using these alternative steps to lower the scorching heat in the summer. You will get to keep your hard earned money and you will not have to feel guilty about potentially damaging the Eco-system.

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Gadgets & Gear Home Improvement Recycling

Have The Best Eco-Friendly Home Office

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When we think of going green, we consider changing the light bulbs and appliances to more energy efficient alternatives. But have you ever considered making your home office more Eco-friendly?

Think about all the paper you consume when printing or the ink cartridges you use up and then dump. Not to mention the fact that the electrical consumption is as draining to the world’s power reserves as Edward was to Bella’s blood supply on Twilight. But there are a couple of things you can do to turn your home office into an eco-home/office.

If your home/office uses a lot of gadgets and gizmos like desktops, printers, tablets, scanners, radios, CD players, etc., you will benefit greatly from using one of those power strips that plugs everything in. That way, when you are done for the day, you can simply press one button to power everything down. This is great, especially if you are someone like me who forgets to shut down your laptop or desktop.

While we are on the subject of desktops and laptops, let us talk about which of these consumes less energy. The answer should be obvious, a laptop. These portable computers allow you to work with battery power and provide you with mobility that a desktop never could. Plus, it uses only 1/8th the power of a desktop. So consider replacing that big old desktop computer with a laptop.

If you insist on sticking with a desktop, replace those bulky monitors that look like 1970s TV screens. Flat screen monitors consume a lot less energy and they do not strain your eyes as much. Plus they hang on the wall easier.

Conserving paper is the best way to save trees. If you’re a writer like me, you go through revision after revision. You probably make hundreds of print-outs and you end up finding a mistake and end up having to print-out a rough copy again and again and again. Unless you are sure that the letter or novel you are printing is the final draft, consider using the back of the paper you have already printed on.

While we are on the subject of reusing things, let us talk about batteries and ink cartridges. You can buy rechargeable batteries with a recharging station. As for the ink cartridges, you can get a do-it-yourself kit to inject the ink back into an empty cartridge or you can take it to a computer store and have them refill it for you at a discount of the price it would take to buy a new ink cartridge.

Do not be afraid to recycle the things that simply cannot be salvaged. You can go on-line and find places where you can drop off used paper to be recycled. You can even take your laptop batteries, printer toners and ink cartridges to business centers and have them dispose and recycle these safely so they don’t harm the environment.

You can also use cardboard boxes from things you have ordered on-line to make do-it-yourself shelves for your office.

Be green and keep your office clean.

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Gadgets & Gear

Eco-Friendly TV, Laptop, and Battery, Oh My!

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Eco-Friendly TV, Laptop, and Battery, Oh My!

Going green is the latest fad and let’s face it, Mother Earth could certainly benefit from it. There’s only so much you can do when it comes to recycling. You don’t have to trade in your gas car for an electric or hybrid car to help the environment.

You can replace your conventional gadgets for more eco-friendly ones. You can get these gadgets either online or at an electronic store. After all, manufacturers are trying to be conscious of the environment. So finding the right piece of technology to live a little greener is a piece of cake.

Energy conservation is on the top of any environmentalists’ list. Most of us still have those big old fashioned bulky tube TV sets. So now would be a great time to buy one of those modern flat-screen television sets. By choosing brands like Energy Star, you’ll be using 40 percent less electricity. Manufacturers like Phillips and Sony have especially jumped on the eco-friendly band wagon to provide energy conserving television sets.  The way they save you money and energy is through manual and automatic settings that you can program. So say if the television detects no signal from a DVD player or cable input interface, the television will go into conservation mode. You can even program it to shut down in the event that it doesn’t receive any commands from your remote control after a number of hours.

Eco-friendly laptops are the most innovative gadget solutions. Of course when we think of laptops, the first thing that comes to mind is the requirements. No matter how eco-conscious we are, the main thing we think about before purchasing one is looking at the processing speed, the RAM and hard drive capacity and whether or not it has Wi-Fi capabilities or a DVD-ROM drive. Now you can get the best of both worlds. That’s because electronic manufacturers are creating laptops that have energy conservation features similar to those found on the ECO-TV sets. Then there’s ASUS, a computer manufacturing company who have created a laptop exterior made of bamboo. Since bamboo is biodegradable, once your laptop has processed its last byte, the exterior can be discarded without the risk of harming the environment. Click here to see the beautiful specimen of both worlds.

The next eco-gadget is super cool. It’s a rechargeable battery with a USB outlet. You can use the battery with just about any appliance that uses AA batteries. Once the battery runs low you can take the top off the same way you would the top of a pen.  Then you simply stick the USB cell battery into the USB port of your laptop or desktop and wait until it recharges. Unlike typical batteries which contain chemical acids, these USB powered alternatives do not. See them here: USBCell. Great for holiday gifts. Take the pictures then upload them. Great two in one.

Once you buy one of these eco-friendly gadgets you’ll be hooked. Before you know it, you’ll want to replace all of your gadgets and appliances with environmentally friendly substitutes. So take some time and do a little research. You might actually find yourself fascinated by all the cool stuff out there whether it’s a bamboo laptop or a solar panel battery collector to power your gadgets and gizmos.  While these may not seem like significant contributions, every bit helps and if everyone in the world starts switching to eco-gadgets, it will have a huge impact on the environment.

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Articles Home Decor Home Design

Four Ways to Furnish Your Home Inexpensively

When it comes to having a home that you are truly comfortable living in, this will take a lot of effort on your part in terms of decorating it. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to break the bank to keep your home looking it’s best.

Here’s a quick look at four ways to inexpensively decorate and furnish your home.

Stack Shelves To the Ceiling

Even in the smallest of living spaces, you always have the option to maximize your square footage by going up. Think about it. If you take an entire wall in your home and line it with shelves that go all the way up to the ceiling, this can add anywhere from 100 square feet or more of storage space, and best of all, high-quality shelves are very affordable.

Freecycling

There are lots of people who have started taking part in freecycling. If you have a local freecycling organization, you should definitely join. In doing so, you can come across lots of free furniture pieces for your home, and in return, you can donate items you don’t want, which will then be available free of charge to other members in the group. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Maximize Air Space

Just the same as you should stack shelves up to the ceilings, you can also optimize the way you use your air space. From floating book shelves to hanging TVs, both of these ideas will go a long way in helping you decorate and furnish your home in an expensive yet stylish manner.

Old Wine Bottles

If you’re a drinker, then it’s time that you start recycling your wine and alcohol bottles. Some of these bottles make for the prettiest center pieces. A great way to get the sticky labels off the bottles is by letting them soak overnight in a small trash can full of one part ammonia and four parts water. The next morning, simply rinse off the bottles, and the sticky labels should come off very easily.

 

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Articles Lawn & Garden Recycling

Turning Your Backyard Into a Green-Living Haven

No home is complete without a spruced up backyard. Even if this outdoor area is rather small, with the right touch, it can look better than ever before, and more importantly, it can be used as a versatile form of living space. From outdoor kitchens to in-ground swimming pools, there are many ways to make use of a backyard. And best of all, there are many green-friendly techniques you can follow to ensure you turn your backyard into a green-living haven.

Revamp Your Used Furniture

Your current outdoor patio furniture may seem a bit worn out, but by upcycling these pieces, you’ll be well on your way to revamping them into completely new pieces. From adding a fresh coat of paint to replacing the cushions, there are many affordable and eco-friendly methods for sprucing up old furniture and extending its longevity.

Be Cautious with the Way You Plant Flowers and Trees

If your backyard is spotted with plants, flowers and trees that require lots of water, you’ll at least want to group these together. In doing so, it will be easier to water these areas on a more consistent basis than you do other areas of the yard. Not only does this help conserve water, but it will do wonders for your water bill.

Do the Work Yourself

One of the best ways to create a backyard haven in a green-friendly way is by doing the work yourself. From raking the yard to digging holes to planting flowers, when you do things yourself, this allows you to accomplish your tasks in the greenest manners possible. And in addition to taking lots of pride in the end-product, you’ll also save a ton of money by doing the work yourself. Do keep in mind, though, that maintaining your backyard will take lots of work; it will need your attention all year long.

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Articles Eco Eats Eco Tips Uncategorized

Ways to Preserve Summer’s Bounty

It might be hard to believe, but the end of the growing this summer’s growing season is right around the corner. Many of the fruits and vegetables are reaching their peak and must be picked now before they begin to wither on their vines or stalks. In order to enjoy the benefits of summer’s bounty, there are a few tricks and tips to implement now.

Freeze

One of the best ways to extend your enjoyment of summertime foods is to freeze them. Quick and easy, freezing foods at the peak of their freshness helps retain their vibrant colors and superior nutritional value. To freeze berries, gently wash them in cool water before patting them dry and lay them on wax paper-lined cookie sheets in a single layer. After they are frozen, place in a freezer safe container or bag, making sure to remove all the air first, before closing it securely. This method works for all berries except for blueberries. Washing them before freezing makes their skins tough so avoid doing so. Just be sure to do so before using them later.

Zucchini and other vegetables can be shredded so they can easily be added to baked goods and savory sauces before being placed in freezer safe bags. Be sure to label storage containers and bags with the type of food and the date.

Canning

Canning allows you to turn the berries, cucumbers and peppers you pick this summer into delicious, fresh-tasting condiments that can be enjoyed by your whole family, even when the season is over. Today, there is an array of different methods you can use to can different foods. Whether you want to go the traditional route and can foods using a pressure cooker or you want to try one of the newer no-cook methods, be sure to follow the directions carefully in order to ensure optimal results.

Be sure to have fun experimenting with the best ways to preserve summertime crops. Taking the time to do this now will ensure that you can enjoy the taste of fresh foods, even in the dead of winter.