Tag: ecohome

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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)

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Eco Eats Eco Tips

Grilled Vegetable Sandwich for Meatless Monday

This is a super easy, delicious crowd pleasing, grilled veggie sandwich. You can also use this awesome recipe at cookouts for vegetarians!

Grilled Vegetable Sandwiches

Ingredients:

1/4 cup mayonnaise

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/8 cup olive oil

1 cup sliced red peppers

1 small zucchini, sliced

1 red onion, sliced

2 (4-x6-inch) focaccia bread pieces, split horizontally

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions:

In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Set aside in the refrigerator.

Preheat the grill for high heat.

Brush vegetables with olive oil on each side. Brush grate with oil. Place bell peppers and zucchini closest to the middle of the grill, and set onion and squash pieces around them. Cook for about 3 minutes, turn, and cook for another 3 minutes. The peppers may take a bit longer. Remove from grill, and set aside.

Spread some of the mayonnaise mixture on the cut sides of the bread, and sprinkle each one with feta cheese. Place on the grill cheese side up, and cover with lid for 2 to 3 minutes. This will warm the bread, and slightly melt the cheese. Watch carefully so the bottoms don’t burn. Remove from grill, and layer with the vegetables. Enjoy as open faced grilled sandwiches.

Additional Notes:

If you have a certain type of vegetable you prefer over squash and zucchini feel free to substitute!

 

 

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Eco Tips Gadgets & Gear

Being Green – There’s an App for That!

Constantly being on the go is not a valid excuse for not being environmentally conscious anymore. With the help of these 5 smartphone applications (most free), expand your knowledge of green living on the go!

Green Globe. Cost-FREE. Green Globe was developed for the “green” traveler. The application currently has several country options to choose from (Aruba, Kenya, Germany and the US) and will provide a wide range of sustainable resorts, hotels, attractions, and conference centers.  This app is perfect for the world traveler looking to leave a small carbon footprint.

GreenITers Mobile II. Cost-FREE.  This app provides users with the latest on green news, eco innovations, and information for living a sustainable life. This application is free to use however you have to sign up to use it which takes about 30 seconds.

EcoChallenge. Cost-FREE. Want to participate in “green” challenges with your friends? This app allows users to do that and more! Challenge your friends to participate in “Meatless Mondays” and “Making a Meal at Home Using Local Groceries”.  This application is a fun method to reduce your individual impact on the environment and will help you live a more sustainable lifestyle.

One Stop Green Mobile App. Cost-FREE. Receive green tips everyday right on your smartphone. This application allows you to conduct your own “energy audit” with the solar, wind, water, and lighting calculator. This application is really interactive and really  user friendly.

Gorgeously Green Survival Guide. Cost- .99.  Gorgeously Green Survival Guide is perfect for the women on the go! It provides you with tips on how to create an eco-friendly home, adopt a healthier diet, how to spice up your beauty ritual with eco-friendly face products.

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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!

 

 

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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.

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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).

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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!

 

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Featured Home Improvement

4 Ways to Make Your Air Conditioner Greener

Green air conditioning is becoming more widespread as air conditioner manufacturers phase out ozone-depleting refrigerants in their products in order to meet new government regulations. A number of technological advancements are also making AC units greener. With warmer weather on the way now’s a good time to start looking for a new “greener” unit. Whether by purchasing units with energy-saving technologies or by improving a home’s energy efficiency, here are four ways to make air conditioners greener.

Size Matters

An under-sized air conditioner not only won’t keep the home cool but will keep trying, wasting electricity and running up the household’s energy bills. A too-small unit won’t be able to balance the air cooled in the unit’s condenser with the humid, expended air that the evaporator draws out from the home. Be sure that your unit fits with the size of your home for maximum savings.

Two-Stage Compressors

It’s the compressors of an air conditioning unit that typically uses the most electricity. Compressors have to work hard to squeeze out the heated vapors so that the refrigerant returns to its cooled state. Two-stage compressors automatically compress less on cool days and more when it’s hot, saving energy.

Programmable Thermostats

Installing a programmable thermostat is one of the most affordable ways and one of the easiest ways to green up an air conditioning system. Homeowners can program the thermostat to remain off when no one is at home and to automatically turn on and cool the home for the household’s return.

Regular Maintenance

HVAC professionals should inspect and service air conditioning units at least once each year. Maintenance includes testing refrigerant pressure, accessing the unit’s air flow and checking for leaks. HVAC specialist may also recommend modifications to increase the system’s energy efficiency. By doing routine maintenance you can save yourself money and help out the planet at the same time!

 

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Eco Eats Featured

Black Bean Veggie Burgers for Meatless Monday

It’s Monday which means another Meatless Monday recipe for you! We have found an excellent black bean veggie burger recipe, it’s easy, quick, and fast! Once you make this recipe you won’t be buying pre-made veggie patties EVER again!

Ingredients:

1- 16 oz can of black beans, drained and rinsed

½ green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces

½ onion, cut into wedges

3 or 4 cloves garlic, peeled

1 egg

1 tbsp chili powder

1 tsp hot sauce

1 tsp cumin

½ cup breadcrumbs

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 375 and prepare your baking sheet with oil.

While the oven is preheating, in a medium bowl mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.  In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion and garlic. Then stir into mashed beans.

In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin and hot sauce. Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix into bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.

Proceed to bake for about 10 minutes on each side.

Additional Notes:

Instead of baking you can grill on an outside grill. You can also make other substitutions and or changes to the ingredients based on your personal preferences.

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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)