Tag Archives: it’s not easy being green

>Food of the month: Rhubarb!

Posted on by
Reply

>Our new school wellness coordinator is my kind of person: she’s a green fiend. One of her newsletter recommendations has been a New Food of the Month. She suggests a fresh food that might be new to some, tells us why it’s good for us, and gives a little more information about it. This month’s fabulous food was something that’s poking its little green leaves and little red stems above the ground next to my garage: You guessed it! Rhubarb!!

To read the rest of this post, go to Green Spot On, my home away from home on Mondays.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>Dear Discovery Channel: Ms. Palin’s Alaska is not eco-friendly.

Posted on by
3

>

Dear Discovery Channel Powers that be, including Mr. David Zaslav (President and CEO):

What on Earth were you thinking? Producing a show – an 8-part show! – called Sarah Palin’s Alaska, when Sarah herself led the state backwards in environmental stewardship? Let’s look at the background.

-Ms. Palin fought against protections for endangered whales.
-She worked counter to protecting the dwindling polar bear population.
-Instead, she pushed for oil and gas development, including dangerous drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge.
-Then-Governor Palin sponsored escalated aerial wolf-kills, including suggesting a $150 bounty for the foreleg of each wolf killed.
-All this was “accomplished” in only two and a half years as governor, before she quit to take to the talk show circuit.

This show (which will pay Ms. Palin a reported $1 million per episode) cannot be produced with integrity as long as the Sarah Palin name is on it. Any attention gained by her fame and notoriety will be negated by her actions while in office. Viewers may be able to see Russia from some of Sarah Palin’s Alaska, but the show’s content will not be credible.

Please, Mr. Zaslov, reconsider.

Dear Readers; if you would like to add your name to a petition protesting this outrageous program, go to Change.org to read more and sign up.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>I’ll wear my necklace if you’ll top my pop.

Posted on by
5

>In a fine example of upcycling, a nearby charter school made bottle cap necklaces to sell as a fundraiser. I bought a daisy, of course. It’s just my style in so many ways.

This is the back. We’ve asked around and Hubs even did a cursory Internet search, and we have no idea what kind of bottle this cap adorned.

A cone-head style guy saying, “Pop My Top.” Well, readers, ideas? Is this a regional item? A soda/pop bottle, or something else? I’m listening — chime in!

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>Preparing to Prepare the Garden

Posted on by
2

>It’s the end of March in Wisconsin. That means…well, it can mean anything. For a gardener, it means Don’t Get Too Eager; We Could Still get Snow!” I can get started thinking about it – planning, not planting.

I ordered plants from my local environmental charter school. I’ll pick up those tomato and pepper and herb plants on Mothers’ Day.

I’ve heard of another unique source of plants. It’s called Free Plants by Mail, and it’s an organization that finds new homes for overstocks and extras: plants grown for nurseries and greenhouses and then not needed. Heard of animal rescues? This sounds like a plant rescue to me. It sounds rather tempting, too. Proceeds go to the Nature Conservancy.

For more on my own garden planning, go to Green Spot On, where I guest post most Mondays.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>How many bloggers does it take to change a bulb?

Posted on by
1

>This time of year, I’m watching the daffodils and tulips come up and marveling at the way a simple bulb can put forth new growth every year.

The bulbs I’m testing now, however, are the electric kind, not the organic. They are, however, more environmentally friendly than past light bulbs and more user-friendly than early CFLs. I’m reading by the light of a Sylvania halogen Supersaver Light Bulb.

Unlike early energy-saving bulbs, this light bulb resembles the typical lamp bulb and fits nicely in a lamp. It’s bright enough to illuminate my book while using much less energy. It turns on immediately, without the warm-up or flicker of energy-saving bulbs of the distant past. In short, it works. The halogen supersaver bulb uses 43 watts, but provides as much light as a standard incandescent 60 watt bulb.

One strong point in favor of this Sylvania halogen supersaver light bulb is this: it contains no mercury. When it’s done (after 1000 hours of light, according to the package), I can dispose of it easily with no worries about contamination or toxic waste.

In the headline grabbing storm of other legislation (i.e. Health Insurance Reform!), even my eco-conscious readers may have lost sight of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) which will phase out the traditional incandescent light bulb over the next four years in favor more efficient lighting products. The timing of Sylvania’s halogen Supersaver bulb will help consumers replace their older energy-hogging light bulbs with the new style sooner rather than later.

So far, it’s a winner. This bulb looks good, fits my lamp, and provides enough light for me to read my books and see the keyboard of my laptop. It uses less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, and it promises to last a long, long time.

If only it grew flowers, too. I guess I’ll leave that to the tulip and daffodil bulbs.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of SYLVANIA and received products necessary to facilitate my candid review (two light bulbs). In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>Advocacy in the Blogging World

Posted on by
3

>

It’s a great world, the Blogosphere. People of all walks of life, conservative or liberal, rich or poor, can blog their concerns.

And the Powers That Be? They’d better listen.

Illinois legislators, listen up — if you can. Deaf Mom tells you why hearing aids should be covered and why they’re more important than (are you ready for this?) Viagra. I’ll second her motion; without my hearing aids, I wouldn’t be teaching. Thanks to my hearing aids, I’m earning a living, paying taxes, stimulating the economy, and staying politically active.

New York Times, you have officially alienated women who blog. Punditmom has one of the best responses to the article “Honey, don’t bother Mommy; I’m too busy building my brand.” I might have thought the article neutral had the author left out the condescending remarks. Describing a blog network presenter as having the “good-natured sass of a sorority social chairwoman” and suggesting that “… you, too, might get 28,549 views of your tutu-making tutorial!” Get real, NYT. I don’t post tutu-making tutorials. Rain barrels, maybe. So – what’s your point?

MOMocrats (Raising the next generation of blue) always have something valuable and current posted: Here’s a post discussing the status of women and the way that status affects a country’s peace, security, and prosperity.

Meanwhile, my inbox includes communication from Organizing for America (OFA) reminding me that it’s time to make phone calls and send emails to remind our representatives to get rolling on health insurance reform. My OFA neighbor asks:

“Could you also let your readers know that they need to pick up the phone and call their member of congress to vote “yes” for reform? There are members of Congress whose votes are movable if they hear from enough of us. If callers leave a message, they need to leave their name and address, so the member of Congress can verify that the caller is a constituent. There could be a vote in the House of Representatives before the week is out.”

Stick together, women and men of the blogging world. The mainstream media may disrespect us, but they’ll come around. They’ll have to.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>The next cycle in Washers and Dryers

Posted on by
7

>Dear Readers;

We need you. Yes, we. Chuck and I are finalizing plans for a remodel of our upstairs bathroom and (drum roll) moving the laundry machines into our second floor. We have to make final decisions regarding those appliances, and we need advice. Your advice. Yes, you. Here’s the situation.

I’m planning to buy a front-loading washer. I’ve done the research, and that type of washer will meet our needs and save water and detergent in the process. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. Now: the plot thickens.

Pedestal or no pedestal?
I’m pushing 50. Yes, 50. My back isn’t as young and strong as it once was.
It would mean less bending, less reaching to put the laundry in the machines and take it out.
The pedestals also provide a storage drawer under the washer and dryer.

But…
Storage shelves above the appliances would be quite high, and I’m (ahem) short.
One pedestal costs about $200-$240. Two (one for the washer, one for the dryer) will run us at least $400. Ouch. Is it worth the investment?

Gas or Electric dryer?
Gas dryers are more energy efficient than electric: both green and frugal.

But…
Gas dryers are more expensive to purchase ($80-$100 more than electric).
Gas costs a little more right now than electricity.
Is gas efficient enough to counter these two costs? Will we make back our investment?

To stack or not to stack?
Stacked washer and dryer will allow for more space on the floor: a drying rack, perhaps, and/or access to a window.
We’re approaching (slowly, we admit it) the empty nest. We won’t need extra large capacity appliances for long.

But…
Side by side appliances can be larger capacity. The stackable models are somewhat smaller.
Larger capacity would let me wash blankets at home, avoiding the semi-annual laundromat adventures.
Weight. Can our old (1890) home support stacked appliances?
Vibration. Will the vibration of a washer, in particular, cause a problem?

Well, readers, please weigh in. What are your experiences with front loading washing machines? Gas or electric dryers? Pedestals? Stacked washer/dryer combinations? We need advice. Please leave your knowledge and expertise in the comments.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>Weekend Greenings, er, Gleanings

Posted on by
1

>The grass that’s peeking out of the melting snowbanks is brown, not green. If you’re looking for green, try these sites.

Eco-Women, Protectors of the Planet, are celebrating a birthday and hosting giveaways. Go enter! But not too many times, please – I’d like a chance at winning the tote bag.

Mother Nature Network talks about natural, non-chemical cleansers. Do they really work?

Green Girl, rather than echoing my sentiments on health care, speaks clearly and carries a walking stick.

At the Green Phone Booth, Jenn the Green Mom is planning her garden while she waits for the snow to melt.

Judy from Royal Ranch continues to introduce members of her “royalty” every Sunday.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>Honey, I broke the shredder.

Posted on by
4

>I’ve been cleaning and purging the basement shelves, determined not to be a hoarder. Every time I’m waiting for the washer to fill and the detergent to dissolve, I find another basement box and attack it. I’ve managed to find and freshen books that go to school or Goodwill or Paperbackswap.com, clothes that are not suitable for anyone in the house (why did I keep these?) and go to Goodwill, and more. I’ve cleaned shelves, buckets, boxes, and done so thoughtfully. Last weekend I found an old (read: older than Amigo) box of cancelled checks.

The checks were from a savings and loan that no longer exists. It converted to a bank, then merged with another, and by now I’m sure it’s been swallowed so far it’s unrecognizable. The checks date back to the days when people would get their cancelled checks back in the mail: paper checks. Honestly, you youngsters, that’s the way it was.

I looked them over. I recognized our favorite stores for groceries and sundries. The day care centers for the young La Petite and the younger Amigo. I saw the various styles of checks and remembered that we used to take turns choosing the design each time we reordered. Teddy bears, bright colors, trains, coffee motifs, initial monograms – it was like walking through a photo album of our interests many years ago.

The account number would be irrelevant; the account was closed long ago. The address and phone number would be fifteen years outdated as well. But the checks contained our drivers’ license numbers, and I wasn’t sure if there were other identifying numbers handwritten on the memo lines.

That left the shredder. I got through about three years worth of old auto loans and everyday expenses when the shredder shrugged and shuddered and announced with a groan that it was done. I unplugged it and let it rest, thinking maybe the fine appliance was just overheated. Chuck gently tugged scraps from the blades with a needle nose pliers. The shredder works now, but only for a few sheets of paper. Destroying the rest of the checks would take months at this rate.

What to do? We did the only thing left: we lit a fire in the fireplace. Chuck crumpled the checks and added one small pile at a time to the fire. We joked about burning money. We enjoyed the ambiance and watched the Closing Ceremonies while our old money burned.

I can’t imagine the next box from the basement will contain the memories – or the challenges – that this one did. Readers, what have you found when you’ve cleaned and purged? Anything challenging? Interesting? Please share in the comments!

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>I failed Eat-In Week.

Posted on by
6

>Yes, I did. I confess. It was timing, really. I couldn’t make it happen. Here you are: the excuses.

I had three evening commitments on top of teaching the full week. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday night were all staff development or class nights. When I have one of those nights in a week or even two, it’s time to bring out the crockpot. Three? No time to prepare the crock, much less plug it in for the day.

Results: I bought myself deep fried cheese curds (stop laughing; they’re a delicacy in Wisconsin during the winter) after a three hour class in analyzing running records for reading instruction. The second night of classes Amigo went out to a (local) fast food joint for a perch-wich and fries. The third (well, really the first night) Husband had a day off and cooked, for which I am very grateful. Without him, it might have been frozen pizza – or worse.

I normally treat myself to a Jo to Go coffee on the occasional (I admit it, frequent) Friday mornings. The rest of the week I set the kitchen coffeemaker and bring my own little thermos to school. I’ve built a good habit of saving money and reusing my thermos and coffee mugs. This week? I’ve been through the drive-through three times. Three. They’re starting to greet me with “The usual?” instead of “Can I help you?”

When I did cook, it was wimpy. A can of soup instead of homemade, frozen chicken patties on buns, leftover potato wedges (I did make them, they were good) and a can of baked beans. This is not my usual locavore standard. The most creative dinner was Sunday’s casserole: leftover spicy rice, cream of mushroom soup, a handful of frozen peas and a chicken breast cooked up together.

I made my own lunch four days and made a second sandwich to take to class Thursday night. But then… I ordered out with the rest of the staff on Friday. We do it as a team; order from a sub shop or restaurant that delivers, varying the place each week. This week, despite Eat In Week, I’m joining the order-out crowd.

Confessions aside, this week is unusual. Since I began moving our family to a more local and fresher food supply, we’ve cooked largely at home. A meal out is an occasion, not an everyday deal. A Special Week isn’t really the reason we eat in at our house; it’s a philosophy that’s becoming routine. Eat In Week, for all its good intentions, is just another gimmick. The real good comes from making eating in the norm, not the exception.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares