Tag: ecohome

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Eco Tips Featured Gadgets & Gear

4 Kitchen Appliances You Can Live Without

An easy way to start reducing your electric bill every month is to cut back on appliances you do not really need. If you are like the typical household you have drawers and cabinets filled with gadgets and small appliances. To help conserve energy, resources, and money consider getting rid of some of these gadgets and using the alternative instead.

Electric Knife

Most people break out the electric knife twice, maybe three times a year (Thanksgiving, Christmas dinner, and maybe Easter). However why not ditch your electric knife and use a nice sharp knife instead? It does the exact same thing as an electric knife but does not use any electricity.

Juicer

Are you surprised to find an electric juicer on the list? This is an easy switch that won’t screw up your healthy juice regimen. Hand-held juicers require a little muscle, but they produce big energy savings.

Electric Mixer and Stick Blender

An electric stick immersion blender has a single mixer attachment, so to make something like whipping cream, a hand-held mixer is your best bet. The old fashioned, quiet hand mixer works like a dream. Often you can find these in antique stores with wooden handles. Don’t forget vintage is totally in right now.

Coffee Grinder

It’s early in the morning and it’s awfully easy to plug in the coffee grinder to pulverize fresh beans. Just think how much faster you’ll wake up if you have to do it yourself.

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Eco Tips Featured

How-to Reduce Summer Heat in Your Home

With summer right around the corner and the thermostat on the rise, it’s only natural for the electric bill to be on the rise as well. By using household appliances and household electronics is raises the temperature inside your home. Here are 10 tips to help reduce summer heat in your home!

  • Try not to use the oven. Use a microwave oven, or use a barbecue grill.
  • Use a slow cooker to prepare one dish meals without adding extra heat to the house.
  • While cooking put lids on pots and pans to hold the heat in.
  • Most hot water heaters have thermostats that are set to 140 degrees for hot water. It isn’t necessary–turn the thermostat down to 120 or 115.
  • You’ve probably heard that taking a bath uses less water than a shower. That may be true, but if you take a short shower, about 5 minutes, you’ll only be using one third of the amount of hot water than you would with a bath.
  • Don’t use the drying function in your dishwasher. Let the dishes air-dry.
  • Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes. Dry your clothes on hangars or outside.
  • Try to do any ironing all at once to prevent having to heat the iron several times.
  • Do “wet” chores in the early morning or at night when it’s cooler. This will help to keep humidity down. This includes washing clothes or dishes, mopping floors, watering indoor plants, etc.
  • Turn off computers, printers, copiers, and home electronics when they are not in use. Surge protectors that allow you to plug several items into one strip with an on/off switch make this even easier.
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Featured Gadgets & Gear

4 Green Kitchen Gadgets You Shouldn’t Be Without

With people around the country looking for ways to reduce their impact on the environment sometimes the kitchen is overlooked in favor of the laundry room or living room. However we have found 4 eco-friendly kitchen gadgets you shouldn’t be without.

6-Way Opener

Toss your old bottle-opener, and pick up a multifunctional six-way opener. Instead of purchasing multiple gadgets for each task, using a multifunctional device allows you to cut down on materials used, cut down on storage space, and still have the functionality of all six kitchen gadgets.

Handheld Juicer

A lot of kitchen appliances use a lot of energy and an electric juicer is no different. Electric juicers use a lot of energy, take up precious counter space, and using a handheld juicer isn’t really too much of a chore. Newer models of handheld juicers are easier to use, require less hand strength then past models.

Bamboo Cooking Utensils

Bamboo is a great eco-friendly material. It also makes great cooking utensils. These utensils last a long time and don’t stain easily. Bamboo cooking utensils are easy on cookware and won’t scratch your pots and pans.

Faucet Water Filter

We all know that bottled water is bad for you and the environment. However you can still help out the environment by purchasing an inexpensive snap-on faucet filter. You can not only save money but you can save the environment by cutting out the expensive bottled water.

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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!

 

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Eco Fashion Featured Recycling

4 Places to Recycle Your Gently Used Clothing

It’s spring time which means it’s time to start cleaning out those closets and making room for new summer clothes! While you’re cleaning out your closet why not consider donating all your gently used clothing? It’s not only a tax deduction but it will help out others in need. Of course you can donate your old clothes to places like Goodwill; however there are some other great options available to you as well.

American Red Cross

Clothing you donate to the American Red Cross benefits victims of natural disasters. For instance, the American Red Cross provided much-needed clothing to Gulf Coast evacuees during Hurricane Katrina, and for Northerners that were stranded by Hurricane Sandy.

Vietnam Veterans of America

Vietnam Veterans of America provides support and services for veterans returning home after serving. These services include counseling, hospital treatments, and aid for homeless and disabled vets. The Vietnam Veterans of America sells donated items in resale shops, and the proceeds benefit the charity. The VVA accepts clothing, shoes, and accessories in good condition. You can schedule a pickup online here.

Big Brother Big Sister Foundation

The Big Brother Big Sister Foundation pairs at-risk kids with adult mentors. The foundation accepts any type of clothing in good condition. Your donations go to the foundation’s resale stores, and up to 100% of the proceeds benefit the charity.

Donate My Dress

Have a couple old prom dresses hanging in the closet? Donate My Dress collects new and gently used formal dresses, which are donated to low-income women so they can have the dress of their dreams for a special occasion like high school prom night. You can find a local donation center on the Donate My Dress website, here.

 

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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.

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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/)

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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!

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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.

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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)