Tag: eco home living

Categories
Home Improvement

LED Lights for Me, Thanks!

light-bulbs-led-hero-eco
http://goo.gl/4Bd6kn
led-light-strips-for-homes
http://goo.gl/6T5MyM

Standard light bulbs were good in there day but now it is time for them to be replaced with LED light bulbs. LED lights are eco-friendly and they provide the same amount of brightness if not more than their earlier counterparts.

Switching all your lights to LED lights will save a great deal more energy, which means that you, as the homeowner, will be saving a lot on your light bill each month. Also, they will last you so much longer. This means you will not have to risk getting a nose bleed every few months after standing on a ladder replacing your light bulbs.

You will also find that conventional bulbs attract mosquitoes and bugs, especially during the summer time because they emit UV light. LEDs on the other hand do not do that so you won’t have to stink up the house or damage the ozone layer with harmful fumes from an insecticide spray can.

LED lights can be used just about anywhere in your home, both indoors and outdoors and have I mentioned just how energy saving these babies are? A conventional bulb will waste up to 60 watts per hour. In less than no time, their efficiency diminishes significantly, down to 20 percent even.  Then you have LED bulbs, which function at 80 percent efficiency and only waste 10 watts per hour. This certainly goes a long way to reducing the huge drain on humanity’s limited energy reserves.

If you are worried about cost, then you can relax. While the LED bulbs are more expensive, a lot of light companies are actually giving you some of your money back for switching to a more energy-reducing, greener light bulb alternative. Plus, you will be saving a load of money on your monthly bill which means you can spend more on outdoor adventures with your family and enjoy Earth’s natural light.

 There is another way that the LED bulbs are helping the environment out and as indirect as it might be, it still helps. With global warming and all, the spring and summer months are getting warmer and muggier. For those of you who can not afford centralized air conditioning or even an A/C unit, you will have to find other ways to keep your home cooler. In most cases, this means closing your windows and doors but without direct sunlight during the day, you will have to turn your lights on to see. This in itself will cause the temperature inside your home to rise because conventional bulbs warm up. LED bulbs do not. So how exactly does that help Mother Nature? It keeps you from going so insane from the already muggy situation and going out to buy an air conditioning unit, which will harm the environment.

LED bulbs come with all kinds of perks that conventional ones do not. There are some that come in different colors, in case you want to create a mood in a certain room in your home (like the picture above). Others have dimmable qualities so you do not have to contend with a bulb that shines like the sun if you do not need it to like in hallways, restrooms, or living rooms. Some even come with a Wi-Fi feature that lets you turn the bulb on, off, or even control the level of dimness right from your desktop, laptop or smartphone.

If the reasons I mentioned are not enough to convince you then maybe this will. When you throw your old bulbs away, you are introducing mercury into the landfill and ultimately the soil. LED lights do not contain mercury but since you have to replace the conventional bulbs and discard them, you should take them to a recycling center as oppose to just throwing them away.

Categories
Lawn & Garden

Keep Your Garden Healthy: Tips for Natural Ways to Prevent Pests and Common Plant Diseases

After spending hours tilling and planting the garden, the last thing you want is for all of your plants to become pest infested and/or covered in fungus or powdery mildew. Applying pesticides will add harmful chemicals to your crops, the soil and future plantings as well as effect the flavor of your fruits and vegetables. There are a range of safe and natural things you can do to keep your current and future garden healthy.

Start With the Soil

The soil is the first place to begin controlling disease and insects in an organic garden. Using soil that is full of organic nutrients and matter will help your plants thrive and produce a healthy, productive crop. Insects and diseases thrive off of injured and weak plants, but when they are strong and healthy, garden plants have an ability to change their chemistry naturally in order to defend against its enemies. Things you can do to strengthen the soil include:

  • Adding compost materials to the soil before planting. Items such as egg shells will provide natural nutrients to the soil.
  • Always mulch the surface of the garden to help suppress weeds, protect soil erosion, increase earthworm activity and prevent slugs and snails from taking over. Leaves, straw, pine needles and grass clippings make excellent mulch for a garden.

Prevent Fungus 

The best way to fight fungus in the garden is by using natural items you probably already have in the kitchen. These simple remedies will help to safely and naturally keep out common problems, such as fungus and disease.

  • Apple cider vinegar is excellent for treating a range of plant diseases, such as black spots and powdery mildew. In a spray bottle, mix 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 2 quarts of water. Spray the infected plants with the solution when the temperatures are the coolest, such as in the morning or early evening. Avoid spraying the plants when there is direct sunlight on them and repeat daily until the condition is cured.
  • Milk is an ideal virus and fungus fighter for the garden. To prevent fungus, simply sprinkle a few tablespoons of powdered milk in the soil before planting. If you notice fungus on the leaves of plants, spray a mixture of equal parts of milk and water (1-cup milk and 1-cup water) directly on the infected leaves.
  • Baking soda is an excellent treatment for plant fungus. In a spray bottle, mix 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, a few drops of liquid, biodegradable dish-washing liquid and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Spray the infected plants, including the base of the plant and the underside of leaves.

To help keep your garden healthy year after year, it is important to rotate the crops. Avoid overwatering plants, especially if you are noticing fungus or mildew. An excellent way to improve the health of your garden as well as try new garden foods, is with companion planting. Companion planting simply means arranging plants that are beneficial for each other. For example, planting a strong smelling herb near the vegetables will prevent insects from smelling the vegetable plants.

~Rene W.

Categories
Featured Gadgets & Gear

The Good and Bad of Air Purifiers

Spring time is here again and so is seasonal allergies! Coughing, sniffling, stuffy nose, watery eyes and other symptoms making it hard to sleep and be comfortable at home? You need to get an air purifier. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America almost 19 million Americans have been diagnosed with allergies. Many people with allergies take medications, avoid allergens or use air purifiers. But do air purifiers really work and if they do what kind should you buy?

What is an Allergy?  Having an allergy means your immune system tends to adversely respond to a specific protein in your environment. “These proteins, otherwise known as allergens, can cause skin or respiratory problems in otherwise healthy people. An allergic reaction can manifest itself as an itching of the skin, a swelling of your nasal and lung passages, wheezing, anaphylactic shock and death”.  An air purifier will not work for food, drug or skin allergies; but, it can help with hay fever, asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergies to pollens, dust mites, mold and pets.

Which ones work? Some of the most effective air purifiers on the market for allergies and asthma are HEPA filtration systems. You can use a HEPA filter system in your furnace or attach it to an HVAC unit, which circulates air throughout your home. Portable, room-sized HEPA filtration systems are also convenient for the office. The downside is these purifiers can run you anywhere from $50 to $200 dollars and don’t forget about the replacement filters too!

Some other options. For those with asthma and allergies, the Austin Healthcare Mate has a carbon filter and two pre-filter, which do not need to be changed for three to five years. The IQ Air HealthPro Plus features a hyper HEPA filter that can trap particles smaller than 0.3 microns; however, the filters need to be changed every six to 18 months. Finally, the BlueAir 403 air purifier captures 99.97 percent of 0.1 micron particles, and works more quietly than the other brands (Fidler).

Which air purifiers to avoid? Although electrostatic air filters clean the air in your home, they tend to produce ozone, which has been shown through Consumer Reports testing to irritate lungs and actually make asthma and allergies worse (and it’s bad for the environment too)!  The report claims that the ozone can mix with chemicals in home cleaners and might possible produce formaldehyde. This formaldehyde can then seep into your bedding, couch cushions, carpets, etc. Avoid gas-phase absorption air filters as well. They do not trap contaminants; rather, the filters work to convert the contaminants into harmless compounds. They typically rid the home of smells, not allergens.

Sources: ehow.com, (http://www.ehow.com/about_6502007_do-air-purifiers-work-allergies_.html).

Categories
Eco Eats

Fresh and Easy Strawberry Pie Recipe

In honor of National Pie Day, we have decided to share a delicious Strawberry Pie recipe with you. Strawberries are currently in season, so be sure to pick some up from your local farmer’s market.

Sweet Strawberry Pie

Ingredients:

1 C- Sugar

1 C- Water

3 TBSP- Strawberry gelatin Mix

3 heaping TBSP- Cornstarch

1 Pint Fresh Strawberries

1 pie crust

Optional Ingredients:

Whipped cream cheese

Whipped cream (for topping)

Graham cracker crust

Directions:

Combine sugar, cornstarch and dry gelatin mix by stirring well. Add water and cook until thick and clear over medium high heat. Make sure to stir constantly to prevent scorching. Set aside and let cool.

Wash and trim fresh strawberries (trim off the tops and the bottoms too if they aren’t “pretty”.) Cut in half and arrange over pie crust. When the filling has cooled (room temperature) pour over fresh strawberries.

Chill until served.

Additional notes:

You can garnish with whipped cream if desired! Sometimes when we make this we use fat free cream cheese, whip it with the mixer, and line the bottom of the pie crust (some say it helps to prevent soggy crust, we think it tastes delicious!) You can also make your own pie crust or use the premade ones!

Nutritional Info (approximate) Servings: 8/Amount per serving: 1/Calories per serving: 320/Total Fat: 14g/Cholesterol: 15mg/ Sodium: 180mg/Total Carbs: 48g/Dietary Fiber 3g/Protein 3g.

Recipe adapted from the Southern Living.

Categories
Eco Tips Featured

3 Eco-Friendly Tips for New Parents

One of the best things you can do for your children is raising them to be environmentally friendly. By starting them off at a young age they are more likely to adopt the principles and values of sustainability and green living. However for new parents sometimes you don’t know where to begin. Here are 3 tips for new eco-parents.

Ready the nursery

Creating a safe haven for your little bundle of joy starts with the nursery. New baby furniture can sometimes give off vapors like formaldehyde, which can irritate the eyes, nose and throat and even cause allergic reactions in little ones. Formaldehyde is found in pressed wood products made with adhesives; pressed wood is often used to make cribs, dressers, and even toys. Try buying used baby furniture because the vapors will have already been given off, and to select natural flooring for the baby’s room. The environmentally-conscious writer also suggests buying organic bedding and using low-VOC paints.

Solve the diaper dilemma

On average Americans throw away about 18 billion diapers a year (that also equals 3.5 billion gallons of oil and about 250,000 trees that go into making the diapers). Worse, disposable diapers contain carcinogenic dioxins, dyes and other synthetic chemicals that can cause diaper rash and potentially harm your baby. There are greener solutions such as disposables (if cloth diapers are out of the question) from Seventh Generation, Tushies or Nature Babycare. Greener diapers are chemical free, fragrance free, and chlorine-free.

Better baby bottles

Your baby may be drinking the toxin bisphenol-A (BPA) along with your breast milk (if you pump) or baby formula. BPA has been proven to cause developmental and neurological problems if it leaches from plastic…and can be potentially harmful for babies. BornFree, a leader in environmentally-safe baby products, suggests BPA-free containers. Whatever you store, heat and prepare food in for children should be BPA-free. Just be sure to do your research before you purchase!

 

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
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
Featured Lawn & Garden

How to Make Your Own Biodegradable Pots

 For many years, the primary packing system for seedlings, are plastic packs of four to twelve containers. The plastic is petroleum based in makeup and automatically makes them a disposable, but not biodegradable product. Nor are they the best way to guarantee that all the plants you purchase would survive and grow. Despite drainage holes, these containers promote root rot through poor air circulation and often many of the plants in these packs do not survive.

Some manufacturers have started to make biodegradable planting pots. These plant containers such consist of wood fiber and peat moss and no drainage holes are necessary and the pot disintegrates into the soil. These pots not only make gardening easy for you (it is not necessary to remove the plant from the plastic pot and re-transplant) but they are better for the environment. Read on to learn how to make your own biodegradable pots at home.

How to Make Your Own Biodegradable Pots

  • Take a tin can, a small plant-pot, or even the inner cardboard tube from a roll of toilet paper, and, folding one sheet of newspaper in half length-ways, wrap it around the can or pot, leaving enough paper at the bottom so that you can fold or tuck it in to make a floor for your pot.
  • Still holding the newspaper, sit the pot upright and remove the can or tube from inside. Using your fingers, or a pencil, press down the folded paper bottom and tip a little bit of compost in to ensure your new biodegradable pot holds its shape, but keep hold of the outside in case it starts to unravel.
  • Now fold down the top, making sure that you fold over the ends of the paper to stop it springing loose. As soon as it holds, pour in more compost up to a couple of centimeters from the top.
  • Place the pot on a tray and gently moisten the soil. You can crowd lots of other makeshift pots around it for additional support and to help retain moisture.
  • Now you’re ready to plant your seed. Leave the tray on a warm, sunny windowsill and you should start to see little green shoots appearing in a matter of days.
  • As soon as the seedlings are big enough (follow the instructions on the packet), you can start hardening them off by taking them outside for the day, and bringing them in at night for about a week before you plant them out. If the seedlings are going directly into a pot inside, you can move them as soon as they are a few inches tall. Do be aware though that plants do grow very quickly in these early stages and you’ll need a larger pot than you think (especially if you’re growing mint, which tends to spread!).

(Instructions courtesy of pledgingforchange.com)

Categories
Eco Tips Recycling

5 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day at Home

Earth Day is an annual holiday where events are held worldwide to demonstrate support for Environmental Protection Agency which is celebrated on April 22nd. It is celebrated around the world in 192 countries and is commonly known as International Mother Earth Day. Here are five things you can do this Earth Day/

Plant a Tree

There’s no time like Earth Day to make your world a little greener — in the literal sense. Planting trees, bushes and any­ plant life at all not only beautifies your home space, it also absorbs some of the CO2­­ from the air.

Change Your Light bulbs

Been putting off switching your incandescent light bulbs to energy-saving fluorescents? Well, you’re going to have to do it in the next few years, with many governments looking to phase out energy-hogging incandescent bulbs by about 2012. Replacing ­all the bulbs in your house won’t take long, and it’ll save you money on your energy bill since fluorescents are a lot more efficient than standard light bulbs.

Ride Instead of Drive

If everyone rode a bike when running a short errand instead of driving their car, we would save over 70 million gallons of fuel each year in the United States alone. Plus, when you ride your bike you get to enjoy the fresh air and it’s a great way to exercise.

Attend an Event

Earth Day events are held across the nation and are full of fun activities for both kids and adults.  Nationwide events can be seen at www.earthday.net, so you can pick an event close to you.

Make an All Organic Meal

Cook a special Earth Day meal using healthy, organic foods. Be sure to invite the friends and family over to share a healthy, home-cooked meal.

Categories
Featured Lawn & Garden

10 Surprising Health Benefits of Aloe Vera

Everyone knows that aloe vera is great for cuts, sunburns and even bug bites. However did you know about all of the plant’s benefits? The aloe vera plant has been nicknamed the “Healing Plant” and there is good reason too! Not only is the aloe plant great for you and your family but it is a very easy plant to keep alive as well; it is a succulent so it doesn’t require a lot of sun and water.  Growing an aloe plant might be one of the best things you could do for you and your family. Here are some health benefits you may or may not have known about aloe vera:

  • Aloe vera is one of the only known natural vegetarian sources of Vitamin B12, and it contains many minerals vital to the growth process and healthy function of all the body’s systems.
  • Aloe vera plants are also helpful in curing blisters, insect bites and any allergic reactions, eczema, burns, inflammations, wounds, psoriasis. It is great for people who have sensitive skin.
  • It is used as an anti-inflammatory and may be taken internally as a remedy for certain digestive complaints.
  • Oxygenates blood and energizes cells, hydrates skin and repairs skin tissue
  • Aloe vera juice helps in strengthens gums and promotes strong and healthy teeth.
  • An excellent internal tonic for energy and well-being Aloe juice may add greatly to the strength of the food fed, digestive tract, skin, and overall good health and happiness.
  • Aloe vera juice can be applied directly to the skin through gels, creams and lotions to cure acne.
  • Aloe vera plant has vitamins including: Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E, Folic Acid and Niacin. Drinking a daily dose of Aloe Vera Juice can enhance body defense system against any kind of oxidative stress.
  • As Aloe Vera is a cellular regenerator and has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects, these properties make aloe vera one of nature’s healthiest products. Being a strong antioxidant, it hunts down free radicals and protects the body.
  • Aloe vera plant has been found to be favorable in the treatment of diabetes; it lowers glucose levels in the blood.