www.SIMPLYGOINGGREEN.ca - THE GREEN EARTH BLOG

Norway embraces Osmotic Power

2009-11-30T01:11:00.000-08:00

Osmotic Power is when electricity is produced by utilizing pressure built up in salt water. The pressure build up happens when salt water, comes in contact with fresh water. By virtue of a higher salt content, salt water exert pressure on fresh water to move towards salt water, fresh water does so by diluting the salt water. A membrane in between the salt water and fresh water, blocks the two from directly mixing. Then, when more fresh water moves towards the salt water chamber, the pressure builds up due to the high volume of pressure in the salt water chamber. That is when the pressure is utilized through letting high pressure water on to the turbine, which in turn rotates generators.

The Norway based company Statkraft, has been doing research for 10 years on this process, to make it commercially viable. According to researchers, the global potential of Osmotic power is expected to be around 1700 Twh per annum, which is equivalent to half the European Unions electricity production. Since there are so many fresh water rivers flowing into oceans, Osmosis power is rated higher, and a viable industrial development option.

GREEN TIP:

2009-11-27T03:36:00.000-08:00

Here is a link to where you can check your carbon footprint FREE

SunnyBag Solar Shoulder Bag

2009-11-27T01:40:00.000-08:00

Stefan Ponsold, has created this SunnyBag, and the company is based in Australia with the same name. These bags are made from cowskin leather, and are either dark brown or black. They are designed as a shoulder bag for laptops, files and paperwork. The bag has a 3 Watt solar panel with a 1600 mAh LI-Ion battery pack. On over cast days, this internal battery can be charged.

It has a range of adaptors to charge your portable gadgets like iPhone, iPod and various kinds of mobile phones. The approximate weight of this bag is 3 lbs, and the prices start at $199. Euro (including tax).

GREEN TIP:

2009-11-26T03:20:00.000-08:00

Next time you travel, stay at an eco friendly hotel. At Eco Friendly Hotels, they list bed and breakfasts, hotels, inns, motels, and resorts, and all the eco friendly actions they take.

Recycled Mother Boards...Going Green

2009-11-26T01:32:00.000-08:00

Recently, at San Francisco's Green Festival, they had some really neat ideas to recycle "Mother Boards" Here are a few pictures from the event.

I really like this journal, with the unique "Mother Board" cover on it. It would probably make a unique gift for anyone that is a webdesigner, or someone that is a eco warrior.

These coasters would fit into any decore, and be a real conversation starter too.

This clock is rather unique, and will definitely appeal to the eco green people on your Christmas List. This clock will set you back $30, and all of the products can be found at Motherboard Gifts

Motherboard Gifts, started in 1991, and creates many gifts ranging from picture frames to key fobs and everything inbetween. As the company states, "These products capture the intrinsic beauty of technology while providing an environmentally friendly alternative to the circuit boards being disposed of in landfills. Each product may vary by color and pattern making every item unique - virtually one of a kind." Yes, they are unique, and I am sure there are many people that would enjoy a one of a kind gift like this.

iPetal solar charger

2009-11-25T01:39:00.000-08:00

This is a new solar charger that opens up into the shape of a flower, with all the petals opened into a circle. Once it is complete open, it gathers the light and gets ready to charge your electronic gadgets. It folds up and turns into a stand for your iPhone. Very nice. Hopefully it will hit the market in 2010...fingers crossed.

Go Green, and Save water while washing your hands.

2009-11-24T01:28:00.000-08:00

As the Flu is running through the general population, there are many young children that need to learn to wash their hands more often. With this bright and cheery Mons Lavabo, which is a short listed entry in Designboom's Green Life Contest, is this small version of the washroom sink. It has been designed by Teng Chuan Tey and Romualdo Faura Bernabe from Spain, and this kid sized sink is catering to teaching children good hand washing habits. It is made from biodegradable and recyclable crushed almond husks...which keeps with our green theme. It has a motion sensor which turns on/off the water to prevent waste.

Go Green and run to power your MP3 Player.

2009-11-23T01:21:00.000-08:00

Do you like to listen to your MP3 Player, while your going for your daily jog? Many people claim it really helps to keep them going, and the right music puts that extra umph into your workout. Now, you can wear Dancepants Kinetic Music Player, which converts kinetic energy from running, hopping, jumping, and moving around, into electricity to power an iPod or other music player. According to the Dancepants designers, the product is 100% interactive way to feel the value of energy on your own.

Even the Birds are Going Green

2009-11-20T01:28:00.000-08:00

Just when I thought I had seen or heard of everything, along comes a solar bird house. Strange as this may sound, it does make the birds life somewhat easier.

Take a look at the picture, and you can see the perch on the house, where the birds can sit, actually lights up. The solar panel on the roof of the bird house, generates enough power to light that perch, which is great for the birds, when they get hungry. You see, that light attracts bugs and insects, so the birds only need to stick their head out side the house and they can eat their food, or feed their babies.

Oooms is the maker of this bird house, and it retails for around 70 euros.

Go Green Philadelphia - Tallest Leed Certified Building in USA

2009-11-19T01:18:00.000-08:00

Philadelpia now has the tallest LEED Certified building in the USA. The Comcast Center has been awarded the title, after earning a Gold Certification for LEED-CS (Core and Shell). This 58 story building is covered in high performance glass and sunscreens, features louvers in the atria to help optimize daylight inside the building, and many other great green design features to help reduce energy consumption.

Right now, the high performance windows block 60% of the heat from the sun, and let in 70% of the sites available daylight, which helps reduce energy consumption from lighting and cooling - both of which use huge portions of the skyscraper's energy demands. The high efficiency water fixtures help the building use upto 40% less water than a typical office building, and the shade in the plaza outside reduces the project's urban heat-island effect by 70%.

Kia - new ideas for green vehicles

2009-11-18T01:46:00.000-08:00

Kia wants you to dream big on their website by designing your own custom (solar) car for a chance to win $1,000 US. Kia has partnered with Antenna Magazine to create the Soul Xpressions which is an exhibit that displays Kia Souls designed by icons in the world of music, technology and fashion. You could for example, expresss your individuality by designing a car using recycled products, like wood, metal, and many other materials.

If you are interested, then just visit Antenna Magazine website, download the image of the car and start designing your own Kia.

Go Green with the Fair Trade Gift Guide

2009-11-17T01:12:00.000-08:00

The Fair Trade Gift Guide is here, and it is full of possibilities for the season. This 32 page gift guide has an array of stylish eco conscious, fair trade gift ideas, with everything ranging from kids toys, to hand made gifts of chocolate, and even Chondonnay and Vodka. The kids will love some of these great puzzles and wooden toys, that bring every adult back to their own childhood.

Take a look at this great guide, and vote with your own dollars for fairly treated and paid artisans, field workers, and farmers to be fairly paid, as they do so much to help mother earth.

For Not Going Green- The Angry Mermaid Award goes to...?

2009-11-16T01:34:00.000-08:00

The Angry Mermaid Award goes to? Yes, that is correct, there is now an award to be presented to the company that is doing the most to sabotage effective action on climate change. Some of the TOP nominees include:

SHELL for it's promotion of carbon capture while investing in environmentally destructive oil extraction from the Canadian Tar Sands.

SASOL due to it's lobbying for carbon capture and storage to compensate for the conversion of coal into petrol.

MONSANTO for presenting Genetically Modified crops as another climate change solution

AMERICAN PETROLEUM INDUSTRY for spending millions lobbying against climate legislation.

EUROPEAN CHEMICAL lobby for attempting to undermine EU attempts to cut carbon emissions.

AMERICAN COALITION FOR CLEAN COAL ELECTRICITY for promoting "CLEAN COAL" and funding a letter writing campaign in an attempt to weaken the US climate bill.

According to Paul de Clerk at Friends of the Earth International, "All the candidates have lobbied to protect their own profits and prevent effective action to tackle climate change. This influence by major polluters and lobbyists needs to be exposed. Climate Change can not be tackled, while doing business as usual, and that is what these companies and lobbying groups want to do."

PUBLIC VOTING for the "ANGRY MERMAID AWARD" starts TODAY. Visit Angry Mermaid and cast your vote.

Be GREENER, and use whole trees

2009-11-13T01:01:00.000-08:00

According to the Forest Products Laboraty, whole unmilled trees can support upto 50% more weight than the largest piece of lumber milled from the same tree. These trees are often considered scrap by lumber companies, as they come from thinning the forest, so that the other trees can get bigger, as well as trees that are blown down by wind, or a storm, and even some diseased trees can be used. By using these scrap trees, that are usually grown locally, you are using a sustainable resource and promoting a healthy forest, and local green jobs for your community.

Don't confuse these homes with a log house, as they are completely different. The "Whole Tree" building, uses trees that are locally grown, small in diameter (10 inches or less) and larger tree trees that are downed by wind and disease, and usually from the clients own land. There is no milling, transportation or bulk curling, which helps save the environment. Obviously, this would not work for a city, but if you live in a small community or own land with your own forest, then this could be a good alternative for you.

Go Green - M & M's Factory goes green with Solar Garden

2009-11-12T01:49:00.000-08:00

On November 10, the Mars factory hit the switch to go green 2MW photovoltaic system. The solar garden is located on 18 acres or property that was a vacant lot before. Now, it produces 1/5 of the factories electricity needs, which translates into 1 out of every 5 M & M's is produced courtesy of the sun. There are 28,000 solar panels, which makes it one of the largest solar systems in NJ, operated by a food manufacturer. The Mars Chocolate PV system is owned by PSEG Solar Source, and it will be repaid through a 30% federal tax credit - the sale of electricity to Mars and the sale of solar renewable energy credits to other power generation companies. By switching to solar power, they expect that the emissions will be reduced by the equivalent of removing 190 cars of the road annually.

Go Green and Breath Clean Air with ANDREA Air Filter

2009-11-11T01:56:00.000-08:00

ANDREA air filter, which was invented by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur with Harvard professor David Edward, has finally become available for purchase. This is one very unique and needed product. It transforms household plants into air cleaners, which effectively rid indoor air of toxins and pllutants to purify any room in the house.

ANDREA air filter is 40 times more efficient than HEPA or activated carbon filters. and it requires no filter changes, as it naturally purifies air by drawing it into the filter with a shisper quiet fan to propel it through the leaves and root system of a plant, then out through water and soil filtration and back into the room environment.

The plant's natural metabolic activity performs a biochemical transformation of waste which eleminates pollution. Any house plant can be used in the ANDREA Air Filter to absorb and metabolize noxious chemicals, bu the best performing carieties include Spath or Peace Lily, Red edged dragon tree, Spider plant and Aloe Vera. ANDREA Air Filter retails for $199.99 US.

Renewable Energy Experiment Kit

2009-11-10T01:39:00.000-08:00

WOW there is now a new toy that children can learn more about how renewable energy works. This mad scientist looking device teaches kids about different types of renewable enrgy sources, and how effective each type of energy source is, as well as energy storage, and how to effectively reduce energy consumption at home. The kicker is, that it runs on batteries. One would think, that the makers Hammacher Schlemer, would continue along the lines of saving energy and use the energy made from playing with this unique toy, and use it to power the toy.

This Renewable Energy Experiement Kit, features a wind turbine, solar cell, electrolytic cells, and a hand operated dynamo generate electricity that is stored in a rechargeable battery and then is distributed through the integrated circuit board to power a motor, LED's and buzzer using wiring terminated with alligator clips.

The built in voltmeter shows the kids just how effective their energy sources are at collecting electricity. There is no more than 3 volts total. The kit's source book explains different methods for reducing energy costs at home while providing a primer about the world's enrgy sources. It retails for $49.95 US.

Go Green & Fix things instead of Replacing them

2009-11-09T01:35:00.000-08:00

In my parents and grand parents days, things always got fixed, before they were replaced. It was in later years that society just disposed of things whether they were broken or not.

I have learned to do many things myself, including touching up a nick with a paint job, mending a blouce and sewing on a button. It is gives you a feeling of accomplishment, and your helping to save our environment.

I have found a great place to have my shoes and purse fixed and he is very reasonable too - $10 to fix a zipper in a handbag. I appreciate how much effort goes into making things run more efficiently, and treat my stuff with more respect. Many people say that if it is going to cost you more than 50% of the original cost of an item to fix it, then just replace it. I tend to take things apart and see how it works...sometimes a friend has an idea how to fix it, sometimes you do have to replace it. Here is another great link to show you how to recycle things.

I know of a person that has found several uses for duct tape, and has helped keep her car running, when she could not afford to have it fixed until pay day. This same person discovered how to barter and makes a great meal in exchange for having the vehicle worked on.

Next time you need to go shopping for an item, check to see if the original item is fixable first...do your part and help save our landfills and environment.

Going Green - Solar Powered Blanket

2009-11-06T01:43:00.000-08:00

Going Green in Africa, is done by using a solar powered blanket. Health Care in Africa is improving, as the people in Africa are encouraged to use a Solar Powered Blanket. The blanket is hooked up to a cell phone to help charge it. In this manner, the African people can text and recieve text messages, in regards to health information for people inflicted with HIV and Tuberculosis. This go green blanket is called the "Portable Light iTEACH Blanket".

iTEACH and the Portable Light Project have collaborated to develop a comprehensive home treatment program, which is helping save lives. The local women in sewing clubs, integrated flexible solar kits into a locally produced African cloth, fastening it to an emergency blanket, making a detachable solar textile lanter.

In the day the patient uses the blanket to stay warm, while exposed to the outdoors. The sunlight then charges the unit in three hours, which creates 6 watt hours of energy stored in a rechargeable battery. During the night, Portable Light powers a cell phone and provides about 10 hours of light to facilitate the night time home care treatment. Then, the next day the solar blanket is recharged by the patient, which is helping to power the patients own treatment, as well as providing energy and light for family members. It is definitely a real Go Green Blanket.

If you wish to help with microfinancing, for this exciting Go Green Project then please visit:

http://www.netsquared.org/projects/iteach-portable-light-treatment-blanket-south-africa

Scap School Buses Reused into Bus Shelter

2009-11-05T01:31:00.000-08:00

In Atlanta, Georgia, Christopher Fennell has created this brilliant yellow bus shelter, from old school buses. He selected school buses from 1962, 1972, and 1977, then carefully took the pieces required to to make this unique bus shelter. He got the seats from an old city line bus, and welded the pieces all together. It certainly is a creative solution.

2010 Olympic Medals made from E-waste

2009-11-04T01:27:00.000-08:00

Yes, that is correct, the 2010 Olympic games that are going to be held in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, are going to reuse electronic waste to make the Bronz, Silver, and Gold Medals. This means that the Olympic Medals are going to be made from sustainable materials. The artist/designer is Corrine Hunt and industrial designer Orner Arbel, have collaborated on the design of the medals, which incidentally are the heaviest in Olympic history.

These Olympic Medals, have a unique wave design to them, which is suppose to resemble the gorgeous landscape of Vancouver, B.C. The absolutely beautiful laser etched art on the medals features an "Orca" for the (Olympic) and a "Raven" for the (Paralympics). The Canadian Mint will produce each medal. I am willing to bet that the athletes will really treasure these uniquely designed medals, made from circuit board scrap.

2009-11-03T01:11:00.000-08:00

This is something new...the "Savior Bud" designed by Seol Ah Sun and Kim Hyo Jin. It is a portable device that can easily attach to tree leaves and slowly collects water. After about 4 hours, a full cup of water is ready for drinking. Just turn the handle, and the water drips down into a cup for consumption. It does not include a filter, so depending on where you use, you may need to filter the water.

The Savior Bud, is made from a silicone rubber body, which ensures it stays resistant to heat, cold and corrosion. It has many applications for use in countries like Africa, where the water supply is low, but also polluted and not fit to drink.

The process goes like this:

Find a broadleaf tree with lots of leaves.

Opening the Savior Bud like a giant clamp, surround a few leaves, and release. The Savior Bud should contain the leaves like you see in the picture, sort of like a greehouse.

In about four hours, the leaves will have produced about one cup of water. Turning the bottom of the bud like a faucet will release the water to be put into a glass for drinking.

There is no price listed, but word is, it will be inexpensive. It would make a great gift for those of us that enjoy camping.

Very Sleek & Sexy iPhone charger by Regen

2009-11-02T01:57:00.000-08:00

Take a look at this, very stylish, and very useful. Regen ReNu has designed a solar panel charger that is eye appealing, and fits in with your decore. The solar panel can charge several electronic gadgets including your iPod & phone. What is new though, is that it will alert the user to how much electricity they have generated, and how much is currently stored in the battery, so that you know when you need to move the solar panel into the window to recharge.

Unfortunately, this great charger will not be available until 2010, just missing the Christmas season. It is expected to sell for around $199. US plus any additional accessories you may want.

Suzuki's first Fuel Cell Scooter

2009-10-30T01:05:00.000-07:00

If I lived in a warmer climate, this would be the perfect way to get around. Unfortunately, I live in Canada, and our harsh winters make this scooter obsolete.

For those of you, that do live in a warm climate, then you will be happy to know that the light, air-cooled hydrogen tank holds 70MPa, which is great for getting around. It can go 300 miles on one "fueling" , so depending on where you travel, it could last quite a while. The cities that get this scooter, will be the ones that have hydrogen fueling stations - California.

There is no word about the colors that will be available, but it is virtually silent and has no emissions. It looks just like every other scooter out there, so it will definately blend in.

Water Geeks New Filter Water Bottle

2009-10-29T01:57:00.000-07:00

WaterGeeks has a new water bottle that filters the water as you drink it. Very Cool!!

http://www.thewatergeeks.com/Water-Bottles-More-p-1-c-3.html These bottles are made from stainless steel, so there is no need to worry about BPA leaching into your water, and then your body. They are specifically designed to filter out lead, chlorine, and heavy metals, odors, and other potential contaminates from TAP WATER. That is the catch, you can NOT use these in the woods when your camping, and decide to get your water from a near by stream.

They come in a couple of curvy designs with 60 different color combinations - something for every discerning taste. They retail for about $11. US and would make a great gift for just about everyone on your gift list.

Green Life Competition Winner

2009-10-28T01:15:00.000-07:00

The Green Life Competition Winner is a "ROCKING CHAIR".

The rocking chair that won, uses the kinetic energy produced by rocking back and forth, to produce power for the attached OLED lamp. During the day it stores the power, and at night your can sit, rock and read a book...very cool!

According to Rochus Jacob, the designer, he was looking for opportunities to generate energy through activities we naturally do. I hope this inspires others to look at everyday objects and see how it can be improved upon. If you are looking to compete, then check out the website listed and see what category would best suit your design.

Green Life http://www.designboom.com/contest/winner.php?contest_pk=28 has all the results listed on their website.

Optibike OB1 (E-Bike)

2009-10-27T01:45:00.000-07:00

The Optibike OB1, is the luxury model of bikes, and it has the price tag to go with it, retailing at $13,995.00 US. Only 24 of these bikes were made in 2009, and it will be interesting if they make more of them in 2010.

This bike features include a wireless PDA that displays the bike's performance, a lithium-ion battery with 850W of power for over two hours of continuous speed, and it is made from an ultra light carbon fiber. If that is not enough, it also features a gunslinger custom paint, which includes 23 ct gold-leaf designs to match the 23 ct gold-plated motorized bottom brackett (MBB).

MBB is a free geat system that enables the rider to pedal as much or as little as they wish. Visit http://www.optibike.com/ for more information.

VIOlight Toothbrush Sanitizer

2009-10-26T01:53:00.000-07:00

I know several of you are wondering what a toothbrush sanitizer has to do with going green, but it really does. Any time you can prevent disease from spreading, you are helping the environment...thus it is green.

This is a really neat little toothbrush sanitizer, so please go to their website http://violight.com/. It claims to even work on H1N1, and they have the scientific proof to back it up.

A study* performed on the VIOlight Toothbrush Sanitizer by Dr. Philip Tierno, Jr., PhD, Director Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Associate Professor, Departments of Microbiology and Pathology, New York University Medical Center, found that the VIOlight eliminated up to 99.9% of bacteria tested on toothbrushes.

Another study* by Bureau Veritas, a global independent testing laboratory, also found that the VIOlight Toothbrush Sanitizer eliminated up to 99.9% of germs tested on toothbrushes.

The Violight countertop sanitizer works with all electric toothbrushes, including Sonicare, Oral-B, and other brands. You can insert just the heads, or the entire electric brush and handle. The unit also works with battery operated brushes like SpinBrush and other popular models...so it is perfect for EVERYONE.

The Violight Countertop sanitizer has a special UV bulb that needs to be replaced every 12-18 months depending on how often you use your Violight. This ensures the maximum level of germ-eliminating power.

All of our other Violight products, including iZap and the new Zapi, use a LIFETIME bulb! These bulbs are similar to long-lasting fluorescent lights, which is why they last so long, especially since your sanitizer is only used for several minutes each day.

Christmas is coming, and this is a really great gift for anyone on your list, especially anyone with a compromised immune system, or anyone that is worried about H1N1. Order early, so you get the model and color you want.

"Fun Theory" project for Stairs.

2009-10-23T01:40:00.000-07:00

Well this is a little different, but it definitely belongs here. In Odenplan station in Stockholm, Volkwagen did this Fun Theory Project, to see if they could get more people taking the stairs.

They installed pianio keys on the stairs, and tuned them up, then started filming. What they discovered was when you make something fun to do, then more people want to do it. They increased people taking the stairs by 66%, which is pretty impressive. They don't just walk up the stairs, they dance, jump, hop, and enjoy themselves. Taking the stairs is better for the environment, as it does not use electricity to move between floors, thus it saves on pollution.

The amount of electricity used to generate the pianio stairs is minimal. They also noticed that even the elderly and frail people, wanted to join in on the fun and take the musical stairs. Enjoying yourself and life, makes people happy, and getting some good exercise can improve your health, thus prolonging life.

I wish Volkswagen would come here and do this in Calgary. Perhaps all those C-Train stations could be transformed into a thing of beauty, and music to our ears with a project like this. If you want to watch the video click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw&feature=player_embedded

Check out the fun theory website for other projects http://www.thefuntheory.com/

Ireland Bans Genetically Modified Crops

2009-10-22T01:00:00.000-07:00

In the country of Ireland, genetically modified crops has been banned. It is a bold step, and I know they are erring on the side of caution, but I think they should be applauded, and I wish Canada would follow. Although some people claim the GM food is safe for humans, I just don't buy into it. Prince Charles, has said that it is the "Biggest Environmental Disaster of All Time".

A voluntary GM-Free label can now be placed on all animal products, such as eggs, fish, poultry, meat and dairy products, that are raised GM-free. Ireland joins Japan and Egypt as one of a few but growing number of GM-Free countries. Ireland is positioning itself, to deliver the safest, and most credible GM-free food in Europe, and also the world, which is a really smart move. I can see North America knocking on Irelands door, asking for GM-FREE produce in the near future.

NatureMill XE Series of Automatic Composters

2009-10-21T01:16:00.000-07:00

Nature Mill has gone back to the classroom, and redesigned their brand new automatic composter. I saw Nature Mills automatic composters back in 2005, but what they have come up with is really great.

They now have a two in one composter, tables scraps and animal waste. For all of us that have a pet, this is great, as it means we don't need two composters. They are a great size, and fit comfortable under a sink with their great new sleak design and colors. The machine can comfortable handle 100 pounds of food scraps per month, then you just toss the nutrient rich compost back into the garden.

The Natures Mill composter has to be plugged in, but it uses a minimal 5 kWh of energy, which can be lowered even more in its energy saver mode. Althought Nature Mill does make composting easier, it still needs to 1 cup of sawdust pellets for every five cups of food waste, as well as baking soda, but in my opinion this sure beats the heck out the old method using worms.

Litterless Lunches - good examples

2009-10-20T01:05:00.000-07:00

I know many people shutter at the idea of litterless lunches, so I thought I would give you some great examples.

FIESTA includes: 1 cup of bean salad, 1/2 cup melon wedges, handful of whole grain tortilla chips with 2 Tb spoons of salsa, and 8 cubes of reduced fat cheddar cheese.

HOLE NEW PB&J includes: Peanut butter and jelly on a whole wheat mini bagel, 2/3 cup of cherry tomatoes with 2 Tb spoons of low fat Caesar dressing, 1/2 cup pineapple chunks and 4 mini oatmeal cookies.

PIZZA PARTY includes: 1 slice of left over cold veggie pizza cut into squares, 3/4 cup cucumber moons with 2 Tb spoons hummus, 1/2 cup purple grapes, and 1/2 cup of popcorn.

POWER PITA includes: 2 mini whole wheat pita pockets with grilled chicken strips and veggies, 3/4 cup low fat vanilla yogurt with sliced strawberries, 1/2 cup sugar snap peas, and 8 animal crackers.

These are just a few examples of litterless lunches, there are many more variations, just let your imagination take over.

The important thing is to make it LITTERLESS.

It is WASTE REDUCTION WEEK

2009-10-19T01:10:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Waste Reduction Week. What are you doing to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle? Let me know in the comments section of this article.

Did you know that approximately 20% of the food we buy, ends up in the garbage?

By starting a backyard composter, and feeding it your table scraps and food waste, you can reduce your garbage by 33%. The compost is great for your soil, and it might encourage you to start a garden and to grow your own food.

Invest in a rain barrel, and use it for your garden and outdoor needs. This really cuts down on your water bill too.

Other things you can do to reduce waste, is buy a stainless steel water bottle, instead of buying plastic bottles of water. Invest in a good water filtration system, and use it by keeping a jug of water in the fridge, instead of running the water tap until it is cold.

Buy your food in bulk, instead of small quantities, as this cuts down on packaging.

Reuse, your glass jars to save left over food for another meal.

Mend and fix any clothing, books, toys and furniture, as it is always better to reuse then to replace, and it is a lot less expensive too.

Donate all your magazines & books to nursing homes, hospitals, and even doctor's offices.

Donate your old clothing scraps, yarn, buttons, wall paper ends, paper towel & toile paper rolls, egg cartons, apple baskets, and yogurt containers to daycare centers or kinder garten classes, so they can use them for crafts.

Donate old clothing to the Salvation Army, Goodwill, the Mustard Seed or the women's shelter. Many families can really use this type of help, as it can make the difference in keeping their children warm and able to attend school.

Donate your old eye glasses to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, or even Operation Eyesight. They are refurbished and then distributed to the needy.

Donate your computer and some other electronic equipment to schools, churches, and the Mustard Seed. It is all refurbished and used to train people in need.

Visit http://www.freecycle.org/ and see what you can give away or find for nothing.

To learn more about Waste Reduction Week, go to http://www.wrwcanada.com/

River Cafe's Organic Cuisine in Calgary

2009-10-16T01:15:00.000-07:00

If you live in Calgary, then chances are, that you have heard of the River Cafe which is located on Prince's Island Park. The River Cafe is one of those special places to eat, and getting there is half the fun. It is absolutely beautiful just about any time of year, no matter how you get there... Most of us will bike along the river in the summer months and stop in for a lite lunch, and in the winter we will go for a walk on the island and stop to warm up. I have seen families making snow men in the park, and they stop in for hot chocolate and a snack. I love to cosy up to the fire place and enjoy a glass of wine. Just about all of the cuisine is organic and locally grown. The owner of the restaurant lives just outside the city, and grows alot of the vegetables herself. The staff are very knowlegeable, friendly, and know exactly what you need to warm up in the winter. If you live in Calgary, or are planning to be here in the near future, then you really should stop by the River Cafe, and try out the cuisine.

Hopworksfiets Bike Bar is a great Pedal-Powered Party

2009-10-15T01:50:00.000-07:00

There are so many new bikes coming out that are sleeker and lighter then the older ones, but this one is new to me. This Hopworksfiets Bike, is built by Metrofiets based in Portland. It certainly puts a new spin on biking to work...you can actually start delivering pizza with it, or like this person, have a portable party to go.

The main cargo area of this unique bike, contains the large metal bucket, which can hold two full sized kegs & 25 lbs of ice. Once the beer travels through 50 feet of cooling coil, the beer is delivered to your glass, perfectly chilled. What party would be complete, without a stack of pizza, which all fits comfortably in the rear rack, with the front of the bike having a counter of its own, where all your guests can gather around, and enjoy the sound system, which is cleverly hidden in the back panel around the tire.

Pharox 60 LED Bulbs expected to last for 25 years

2009-10-14T01:46:00.000-07:00

Take a look at this light bulb by Lemnis Lighting, the Pharox 60 LED Dimmable Lightbulb. It uses just 6 Watts and has the equivalent light of a traditional 60 Watt incandescent bulb. It fits a standard sized household light fixture, and it is made of recyclable material, and is the most energy efficient light of comparable light quality on todays market. It is the most environmentally safe option on the market as well, as it contains NO lead, mercury, or wolfram, unlike its competitors the compact fluorescent light bulbs.

When you compare the Pharox 60 LED lightbulb, which is expected to last 35,000 hours to the incandescent bulb, which lasts an average of 1,000 hours, there really is no comparison. The only sticker, is the price tag of $35.95, and hopefully that will come down, once mass productions kick in.

Spotting Toxic Waste from Space

2009-10-13T01:09:00.000-07:00

Sonia Silvestri works with an Italian construction firm, she does research on the use of GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar). Recently, Sonia's work has produced an accuracy rate of 50%, with 17 of 34 spots identified as potential dump sites coming up with contaminated toxic waste.

Illegally dumping toxic waste is a very big problem, as it contaminates the ground water, and ultimately affects the survival of the human race. Tracking down culprits, and making it harder to ger away with illegal dumping will be a big help to prevent it from happening now and in the future.

TEAM ALBERTA is in 9th Place

2009-10-12T01:40:00.000-07:00

As many of you already know, the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon is taking place in Washington, D.C. - Just started October 9th, 2009. Our home team, Team Alberta is in 9th place. I am so proud of them. This team is formed by students from SAIT, Mount Royal University, Alberta College of Art, and the University of Calgary.

The homes technology boasts a centrally controlled system, electrical production from a 7.6 crystalline silicon photovoltaic PV system, mounted on two tilted rooftop structures seperated by a rooftop terrace. R-44 insulation from structural insulated panels, which is important for our Canadian winters. Heating and cooling by a solar assisted, ground-source heat pump with both air-side and water-side economizers.

The Classic rustic Western Canadian construction has many features, such as an exterior that integrates local wood, stone, and other materials. A programmable logic controller and numerous inside and outside sensors. Separate public and private halves with activity areas in each LED (light-emitting-diode) lighting designed to provide interesting visual effects and accent artwork designed into the home. It also has a vaulted-ceiling living room and kitchen area, a stone-clad core area for the bathroom and mechanical systems, a bedroom and home office space, a rooftop deck, a keyway dividing the bedroom/home office from the more public areas of the house, and even a yoga space.

Team Alberta has worked very hard on this home, and my hat goes off to them.

Shipping Container Kitchen

2009-10-09T01:43:00.000-07:00

I thought I had seen everything, until this came along. If you work in a warehouse, this may be your new kitchen or office space. Take a look, it is rather neat. Shipping containers that have out lived their usefulness, are being reused as kitchens and offices. You can have glass doors put on them, and they will help keep the heat inside, which makes them energy efficient, and save money. It sure makes a dreary warehouse, a bit more hip and comfortable. It costs about $3,000 to configure and furnish these shipping containers.

Biomega's Boston Folding Bike

2009-10-08T01:21:00.000-07:00

Biomega's Boston Folding Bike - Very Impressive. As many of us can attest to, the problems with bikes, is they are stolen or at least parts of them are stolen. With the Biomega's bike, it folds in way that makes it easy to take with you, which is a definite deter to thieves, and is still slick and portable.

Nissan Leaf EV

2009-10-07T01:51:00.000-07:00

WOW, there are 22,000 people in North America that have contacted Nissan since the unveiling of their Nissan Leaf EV. In early 2010, Nissan will start taking reservations for their Leaf EV - it sure does look great. I actually drive a Nissan Sentra, and I get great gas milage, which was a real selling feature for me. The Leaf EV will get about 100 miles per charge, which is good if you don't drive more then that in a day. I am willing to bet if Nissan got that up to 500 miles per charge, these cars would fly off the lots.

Copper Sinks - great at killing bacteria

2009-10-06T01:39:00.000-07:00

Heare is a really beautiful copper sink, and it is great at killing 99% of the bacteria within two hours. Copper is also used for countertops, evetroughs, and lining rain barrels for the same reasons.

This sink is hand hammered, and made from 100% recycled copper by Native Trails. With the winter season coming, so are the bugs, and a sink link this would help tremendously in cutting down on those bugs. Please note, you can not just leave the dishes in the sink, and hope the copper does the job...LOL. You must actually wash the dishes in hot water and use soap.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre in New York City, is looking at using copper in different applications throughout the hospital, because copper kills 99% of bacteria within two hours. I am sure there will be more hospitals looking at doing the same thing.

Manitoba Hydro Place - So Impressive

2009-10-05T01:10:00.000-07:00

Wow, I am so impressed with this design. Take a look at Manitoba Hydro Place, designed by Kuwabara Payne Mckenna Blumberg Architects, with Architect of Record Smith Carter Architects. I am so impressed, this is one beautifully designed building, and very GREEN.

If you have ever been to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in the winter, then you know how cold it gets there, and how long the winter can be. Heating gets to be pretty expensive too, and this building has been designed with great GREEN features, to help keep the costs down. Manitoba Hydro Place, relies mostly on "passive free energy" (sun heat). Take a look at the 377 Foot tall "Solar Chimney". It is very efficient at drawing air out of the building during the shoulder seasons, and in the summer it uses the stack effect. Then, in the winter, fans draw the exhaust air down, and use it to preheat all the incoming cold air, and warm the parking garage.

Depending on the season, there is even a 24 metre tall waterfall in each of the atria, which humidifies or dehumidifies the incoming air. In colder temperatures, recovered heat from the exhaust air, and passive solar radiant energy are used to warm the fresh air, which is then drawn through the raised floors, and into the office spaces through under floor fan units.

Humans, computers, appliances and other sources of heat cause the air to rise, it is then drawn north and exhausted by the solar chimney. In the shoulder seasons, the building relys entirely on ourdoor fresh air, using automatic and manually operated windows.

This building uses a closed loop geoexchange system with 280 boreholes 400 feet deep; which cools or heats water which is piped through the thermal mass of the concrete floors, heating/cooling the space in the building. The podium rooftop has deep soil intensive green roofs and accessible terraces, which creates a lush landscape outdoors for employees to enjoy.

Go Green & Check your Furnace

2009-10-02T01:00:00.000-07:00

Winter is coming, and with it we all bundle up to stay warm. It is time to get that furnace checked, before the coldest day of the year arrives, so you know that when you need it, the furnace will be keeping you warm. Direct Energy, will come out to your house, and give your furnace the once over, and make sure their are no carbon monoxide leaks, which could kill your family. You may also decide to go green, and get an Energy Efficient Audit, to find out where exactly your home is leaking heat, and how to fix it.

Did you know that most homes, if you add up all the heat leaks, they would amount to the size of a basket ball - WOW! You can go green, by turning down your programable thermostat, just a few degrees while you are at work, and when you go to bed, you could save between 5-10% on your heat bill. You may need to put new Sweeps on your doors, and recaulk your windows. Your furnace filter should be replaced every 90 days, or cleaned every 90 days, depending on what type of filter you have.

Dig out a few extra blankets to put on your bed, and keep one handy when watching TV. Change your socks to warmer ones to wear around the home, as damp ones will only make you cold. Eat dinner by eco green candle light a few times per week, and all of these things will help keep your energy bill in line. Also, do your laundry late at night or off the peak periods, and do line drying instead of using the dryer, will all contributes to going green and keeping your bills low.

Time to Harvest your Vegetable Gardens

2009-10-01T01:30:00.000-07:00

I know it is hard to believe, with all the beautiful weather we have been experiencing, that it is the last of September, and time to start tending to that yard work before winter hits us.

It is HARVEST TIME, and this time my carrots did not grow as big as I had hoped, so I will be pickling them, as they are the perfect size to pickle and enjoy at Thanks Giving. My zucchini on the other hand, is huge, and really delicious, so it will be cooked up on the BBQ with many other vegetables, and I may even bake a cake with it. The onions, well they are great, very delicious, and again will be cooked up on the BBQ with other vegetables. I should tell you, that I take the green tops off the onions and chop it up, and then freeze it to be used in omlettes. Everything that can be used is used or composted. I planted onions around all my vegetables this year, as they are great at keeping the rabbits away, and so now I have a lot of onions to eat. My tomato's have never tasted better, they are so sweet, and that is because they are home grown and vine ripened. I just love fresh tomatos in a salad or a sandwich.

It is also time to get those trees in your yard watered, so they can make it over the winter. Once the leaves have fallen off the trees, you can mulch them into your compost bin or into your garden. Don't forget to turn off those outside water tapes and drain them, so they don't freeze, and remember to drain the watering hose too, so it does not freeze. Well I am doing all my yard work, I tend to check out the windows and doors, to see if they need to be re-caulked, so I am not losing any heat this winter.

Collecting Wages from Unethical Companies

2009-09-30T01:17:00.000-07:00

There are so many unethical companies, refusing to pay their employees wages, after they lay them off, I thought I would make this suggestion. Yes, I know it is a recession, but that does not give these companies the right to not pay you what is owed. Your bills don't go away, just because these unethical companies won't pay up. Being Green, means showing respect to everyone, and everything on Gods planet. We all must be good stewards of planet earth, and paying our bills on time is part of this picture.

The first thing I suggest you do, is to document everything. Dates, times and what happened, along with any witnesses to the events. I would also suggest that you contact the labour board for your city, province, or state. If you work a government job, then contact your union representative, as they will have more pull then you do on your own. If you work for a charity, then contact the Chairman of the Board, and let them know what is happening. If you are being discriminated against, document it, and then contact Human Rights.

If, you are still unable to collect wages that are owed to you, then the next step is to collect all your pay stubs, and photocopy your last pay check, provided it is a check. Write down your story, explain how much money is still owing to you, and why you feel it is still owing to you. If the unethical company has taken too much money off your pay check for taxes, and any other discreprencies.

Then phone REVENUE CANADA, or the IRS if your American, and ask to speak to an agent. Get an appointment to come in and talk to them, and take all your documentations with you. When you get there, be sure to be on time, and use your manners.

The agent will go through everything with you, if they agree with you, they will tell you to deposit your last pay check in your bank account, if it has not already been deposited. They will also tell you, that when you file your income tax for this year, you will be given a credit for the amount of money, that Revenue Canada feels you are owed.

Then they will FREEZE the unethical companies bank account(s), this usually takes about a week. They take that long, because they are waiting for your pay check to clear, before the funds are frozen. After this happens, the unethical company will be notified that they will be audited. In some cases, the company is forced into bankruptcy. This is nothing to worry about, as these companies, charities, or any other business should not be in business, when they do not know how to treat people with respect. The more unethical companies that are put out of business, because of poor business practices, the less likely good, honest working people are to end up working for them, and that is good business.

One last thing, don't bother telling the company what you are prepared to do, as in most cases, they will not believe you. Besides, the element of surprise is best, as they will not know what hit them, and you will be able to get some satisfaction knowing another person will not fall prey to them.

Moving on, the next job that you take, ask lots of questions, and pay attention to how your gut feels. If you are unable to sleep, and feel uneasy about that job that you just interviewed for, then perhaps you need to ask more questions, or maybe that job is not for you. Check with the better business bureau, and see what their track record is. Also, google the company, and see if there are any complaints about them. In other words, really do your homework, and see if they are the company you want to work for, or if they are just a "washroom break" to the next job?

Ultimately, you want to work for a company that pays fairly, treats all their staff well, offers benefits that include medical, dental, holidays, where you feel comfortable to work, and where you feel like you really belong, as you spend a lot of time there everyday. When you find that great position, hang on to it, and treat the company with the same respect that you recieve. I even offer silent blessings to everyone I work with, as it really changes the atmosphere at work, and I am happier being there.

Many Blessings & Success to your next great job.

LEED Certified Commercial Buildings More Popular

2009-09-29T01:42:00.000-07:00

Canada is experiencing a surge of interest in LEED certified commercial buildings. In Toronto, will undergo renovations that will help apply for LEED status, and thus it will eventually help get those commercial buildings rented out again.

According to Avison Young, most tenants are looking to reduce costs, and the focus is on retro fitting older buildings to make them more energy efficient. Vacancy's in green buildings don't stay vacant long, as the tenant is happy to be saving money, and the owner is happy to be making money again.

There is a partnership between B.C. Hydro, the Ministry of Energy and BOMA to make 17,000 commercial buildings more energy efficient. The B.C. Government wants to see a reduction by 1/3 greenhouse gasses by 2020. Presently, commercial buildings make up about 5% of B.C.'s emissions, and the goal is to reduce energy demand by 9% per square meter of commercial space.

Thank You

2009-09-28T03:22:00.000-07:00

I would just like to thank everyone that came out yesterday for my presentation on "Recycled Glass". I hope all of you enjoyed yourself, as much as I did. I would also like to thank the Calgary Public Library and Patrick and Mia for helping me out so much. I hope that everyone stuck around for the movie "FRESH", as Joye went to so much work to get it in. It was really great to see everyone there.

FRESH is a movie about growing sustainable food against overwhelming odds, but it also is important for all of us to adopt a new attitude, and understand our relationship to each other, and the world. FRESH is a great movie that empowers us, by showing that we are not passive by standers, and that we are the creators of our own world, and we can change what is happening, by being responsible consumers, and only buying produce that is grown using sustainable practices.

You can view the trailer here http://www.freshthemovie.com/, and you can also ask to schedule a viewing in your city.

Funky Cardboard Benches

2009-09-25T01:01:00.000-07:00

These cardboard benches are made entirely from industrially discarded cardboard, and a small piece of EVA rubber for added comfort and color. It is low tech, recyclable and easy to disassemble, is assembled without any glue or tools, which makes it easy to ship flat.

It can hold up to 198 pounds, and measures 6X15X16 inches approximately when disassembled. It sells for $40 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is perfect for that first appartment, or for the students dorm rooms.

EVENTS - Downtown Library - Saturday Sept. 26, 2009

2009-09-24T06:56:00.000-07:00

If anyone is downtown this Saturday, I will be doing a recycled glass presentation at the Library downtown. Admission is free, and you can purchase my book there. The time of this presenation is 2 PM, and there will be signs up once you enter the library...just ask for directions.

METHOD - One of the GREENEST in the business

2009-09-24T01:45:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the METHOD products, that are available at Target? This company does more then just talk about being GREEN, they actually walk the walk. Absolutely every single ingredient in their formulas, even the packaging - has been assessed and scored by the environmental protection and encouragement agency, which is an independent institute led by Dr. Michael Braugart, who is the author of Cradle to Cradle.

Dr. Michael Braugart, and his team recognize METHOD as a Cradle to Cradle company. The US Environmental Protection Agency recognizes 50 of Methods products to be safe for people and the environment. All of Methods bottles are made from 100% recycled plastic whenever possible and are completely recyclable.

Method even goes the extra mile as they strive to make the company completely carbon-neutral, by purchasing wind and solar energy credits to offset their carbon footprint. Their business is housed in a LEED certified building and has a recycling and composting system set up throughout. Then there is the fact that they offer financial incentives to encourage employees to use public or self propelled transporation to work. Oh and lets not forget, that they ship their products in trucks that run on biodiesel. Yes, Method actually walks the walk!

Make Do and Mend

2009-09-23T01:00:00.000-07:00

John Lewis department store in the UK, is publishing a booklet filled with old fashioned advice to help consumers ride out the recession. The booklet, which runs to more than 30 pages, taps into a desire by families to return to a more sustainable way of life, getting full use out of products rather than dumping them in the bin and buying new.

These tips range from how to use the inside of a banana skin as a substitute for shoe polish, to protecting the screen of your MP3 player or mobile phone by cutting out a piece of peel-off plastic overlay - or the excellent money-saving idea to freeze leftover wine in ice-cube trays which can be added to stews and casseroles without the need to open a full bottle.

Managing director Andy Street said: 'This guide is designed to help households to get the very best out of what they have. 'Our lives are far more complicated than they were in the 1940s and we've forgotten some of the basic principles that can save a lot of time and money.

Mr Street pointed out that the recession appears to have triggered a cultural change.

'We're witnessing a reawakening of interest in traditional skills, including creating and maintaining things,' he said. 'We believe there has been a sea change in our attitudes towards possessions.

2009-09-22T01:17:00.000-07:00

For all those nay sayers claiming that clean energy would hobble the economy, a new report has found that switching to renewable forms of electriticy and phasing out coal would create 2.7 million new jobs.

According to Green Inc, the report called Working for the Climate, would actually grow our global electrical workforce to 11.3 million people, even while the coal industry continues to shed jobs. If governments phase out fossil fuels, and invested in alternatives by 2030.

The evidence is overwhelmingly in favor of developing renewables will expand the workforce in the process, just like retrofitting homes and buildings to be more energy efficient. This is something that high school students should be looking at when they graduate high school, and are trying to figure out what education they should take to further their careers.

Summit for Shaping Calgary's Low Carbon Future

2009-09-21T01:49:00.000-07:00

On September 18, 2009, I had the opportunity to attend this fine Summit for shaping Calgary's Low Carbon Future. Let me just say that the event was very professional and informative, and I was extremely impressed. As many of you already know, I wrote an eco green book called Simply Going Green, which can be bought here www.simplygoinggreen.ca. I know a fair bit about going green, but this event helped clarify a lot of information for me, and I wish more people would have the opportunity to attend these events.

The best way for anyone to learn about these extremely important environmental initiatives, is to attend these summit meetings. I have to thank Dave Bronconnier, our Mayor here in Calgary, and Alderman Rick McIvers, for attending this summit and learning about what the citizens here in Calgary are concerned about. There were also many officials from Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and Edmonton that felt it important enough to attend and learn more about what is going on. I wish more city officials would partake in these events, so that they are better informed before they start spending the taxpayers money.

I had an opportunity to meet some of the people at http://www.starfishenergy.com/ and I am so impressed with these people. They have the ability to make anyone understand what a "Smart Grid" is, and how it can save all of us money and even make money for you. Jubran, Stephen, and Dave, you guys are awesome, and I am so honored to have met you. Thank you.

Let me try to explain what a SMART GRID is, so that you may understand what is coming in the not to distant future. A Smart Grid, is a meter that is connected at your home, which allows you to sell your extra energy back to the grid, and get paid for doing so. That is the basic meaning, but there is so much more. For example, Jubran told me that there are plug ins, that will allow you to monitor your homes energy needs from your cell phone or computer at home or work and allow you to shut down appliances that are using energy at the peak (expensive) times of day, and that helps you save money.

In the not to distant future, many more homes will have solar panels, and that is where these smart grids come into effect. As time goes by, all of us will be using renewable energy, and weaning ourselves off of oil and gas. Smart Grids, will allow you to decide when is the best time to sell your extra energy from your solar panels to the grid, giving you another income, just like the people in Ontario do right now.

As things are right now here in Alberta, our utility companies use a bell curve to figure out the cost they will charge the consumer for their energy needs. Smart Grids, will change all that, and you will only be paying for what you use, giving you the power to control your own energy consumption. It is definately a move in the right direction.

If you want to stay informed of more summit meetings happening around Calgary, then go to www.calgary.ca/footprint and sign up for their newsletter.

Calgary's 2009 Eco Fair - Mount Royal University

2009-09-20T01:22:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars for September 26th & 27th this month. The newly named Mount Royal University, is hosting the ECO FAIR here in Calgary.

The 2009 Speakers Series for this event, is a two day showcase where individuals and goups come together to share information about initiatives and environmental experiences. The aim is to increase public awareness on sustainable living. The address is: 4825 Mount Royal Gate S.W. Calgary, Alberta.

Basil Pomegranate Splash

2009-09-18T02:12:00.000-07:00

I thought with summer soon coming to an end, that we would have one last horray for summer. Here is a great beverage to drink on your sundeck. Be sure to use the pomegranate syrup, which is available at ethnic grocery stores with a good selection of Middle East food.

5 medium whole fresh basil leaves

1 tbsp (15 ml) pomegranate syrup

Juice of half a small lemon

4 tsp (20 ml) maple syrup

soda water, sprigs of basil and some fresh pomegranate seeds to be used for the garnish.

Start by tearing the basil leaves, use a wooden spoon to bruise and press the basil in a glass, which releases it flavours. Add the pomegranate sysrup, lemon jice and maple syrup. Fill the flass to the top with ice and stir to blend the ingredients. Pour the soda water in and stir again. Add more maple syrup or lemon to taste, then garnish with a sprig of basil and a few pomegranate seeds. As with all organic recipes, try to use as many organic ingredients as possible, as they really enhance the flavour.

SIGG Apologizes

2009-09-17T02:04:00.000-07:00

All over SIGG's website, they have plastered an apology. Steve Wasik CEO of SIGG, is letting us know the company is going to be 100% transparent with its customers. He also posted a personal article on The Huffington Post too, offering more apologies for misleading customers about their bottles. It is too bad that they were not forth coming sooner, as they may never get all their customers back. It certainly is one valuable lesson for SIGG to learn, and hopefully they will not have to learn it again.

Green Walls - All the rage

2009-09-16T01:28:00.000-07:00

Green Walls are popping up everywhere you turn now adays. Take this one, it is located at the Siam Paragon Shopping Center in Bangkok. As everyone knows, plants help to clean the air, so having plants everywhere and any where, only makes sense. NASA has done a study on indoor plants and you can see the results here http://www.zone10.com/nasa-study-house-plants-clean-air.html

Many offices are even incorporating "Green Walls" into their surroundings, so that the air is nice and clean. Plants also lend themselves to a tranquil environment, which helps to reduce stress - which is another reason to have a green wall.

Brilliant Earth - Conflict Free Diamonds - Go Green

2009-09-15T01:36:00.000-07:00

Brilliant Earth is based out of San Francisco, and grew from a marriage proposal. When Eric Grossberg could not find a reliable source that could guarantee conflict free diamonds, he and Beth, his fiance decided to start Brilliant Earth, as an alternative to current diamond industry practices.

Brilliant Earth is dedicated to tracking gems, to ensure that every single gemstone is mined, cut and finished in a socially and ethically responsible manner. All their diamonds come from Canadian mines that follow environmentally sustainable practices and are committed to delivering high quality diamonds. They also promote sustainable practices by using environmentally responsible gold and platinum. The precious metals used for these gorgeous rings come from secondary sources and are re-refined in order to ensure that they are identical quality to newly mined metals.

They also believe in giving back by dedicating 5% of its profits to directly benefit local African communities that are normally harmed by the diamond industry. When you're ready to buy a beautiful diamond ring, go to http://www.brilliantearth.com/

Take a walk to charge your cell phone

2009-09-11T01:14:00.000-07:00

Canadian and American Scientists have been working together to create a "Knee Generator". What is a Knee Generator you ask? Let me explain.

Walking is a lot like driving, stopping and going - with each stride, muscles are causing the body to accelerate and decelerate. Just like Hybrid cars take advantage of the stop and go driving, using regenerative braking, where energy normally dissipated as heat drives a generator instead. This is the same principal applied to the Knee Generator. The device which resembles a knee protector, assists the muscles in making the body decelerate while simultaneously generating electricity.

Germany has it's First Eco City

2009-09-10T01:58:00.000-07:00

Hamburg's harbour was once upon a time, very busy with shipbuilding. An old factory that used to manufacture combs, now is being transformed into an eco development. The industrial complex, will consist of 10 structures when it is completed, which will combine the new with the old architecture, restoring the historic buildings.

The first tenant is a manufacture of printing presses called Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. They will have an interactive showroom, displaying all the advances in environmental printing.

There are 2 large wind turbines, located at the top of the high-rise towers, that will generate more than 10% of the eco-city's power. Some of the other "eco green" initiatives will include solar water-heating to offset lighting and natural gas.

Some eco-friendly and non-toxic materials were used for construction from the previous historic buildings. These new buildings now have green roofs and green beltways which reduce the storm water runoff.

The architectural company that built this eco-city is TecArchitecture, a Swiss & American company that specializes in sustainable hi-tech designs, they teamed up with ARUP engineering for this state-of-the-art project.

It has been designed to achieve certification from three of the global green building rating systems. The North American LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), BREEAM (Environmental Assessment Method for Buildings around the World) and GSBC (German Sustainable Building Council).

The 2nd phase of this project will include a high-rise office building, hotel, restaurant, and retail spaces are planned, with a completion date of mid 2010.

Some of the other eco cities that are in the works around the world are Abu Dhabi's plan for a zero emissions Mascar City, Ikoma City in Japan, Tianjin in China, as well as projects that are underway in Jordan and London.

Stockolm's buses run on booze

2009-09-10T01:53:00.000-07:00

In Stockolm, they confiscate smugged booze at the Sweden border, and now it is used to power the buses, trucks and trains. Almost all of the 700,000 litres of seized booze each year, goes to a processing plant for conversion into biogas.

Smuggled beer, wine and liquor is taken to a plant in Linkoping, 125 miles southwest of Stockholm, where it is heated and converted into biogas. One quart of pure alcohol is enough to make about a tenth of a gallon of biogas. And it is good business, because the booze to make it is free. It is all pumped into a big tank, which is jokingly called "the giant cocktail".

This project also helps the country's efforts to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels blamed for global warming.

Bamboo is Not Eco Friendly

2009-09-09T01:00:00.000-07:00

As of September 1, 2009, Canada's textile dealers must label bamboo derived fabrics as rayon, rayon from bamboo or other terms depending on the chemical process used to create it. The only exception is bamboo linen, which is processed in a similar way to linen made from flax.

In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission has recently charged four companies for making falsely green claims regarding bamboo fabric products. They have delclared that bamboo based textiles, are actually made of rayon, are not antimicrobial, and they are not made in an environmentally friendly manner or biodegradable.

Bamboo textiles are essentially rayon, which is wood that is chemically liquified and extruded into a filament, then it is spun into a thread and knit or woven into fabric.

This is another case of Green Washing, where companies are taking advantage of uneducated consumers. Becareful, read labels and ask questions.

Ad Campaigns doing the Local Washing

2009-09-08T06:06:00.000-07:00

Last year it was Green Washing, this year it is Local Washing. Yes, we now have companies embarking on ad campaigns trying to sell us on being local, when they are anything but local.

For instance, take Hellmans Mayonaise which is a U.S.-based subsidiary of European processed-food behemoth Unilever, has seen fit to subject Canada to an eat-local campaign, when they are definitely NOT local.

Then there is 15th Ave Coffee and Tea, which is really Starbucks in disguise. There door signage says they were "Inspired by Starbucks"...they certainly were, and Starbucks originates from Seattle...which is only local if you live there.

And last but not least, here is Citgo with its new billboards from the petroleum company owned by Hugo Chavez's Venezuelan government makes sense only if the rather undemocratic president lives around the corner from you. Which he doesn't.

Solar Roast Coffee - The best coffee under the sun!

2009-09-07T08:25:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of this coffee company "Solar Roast Coffee", they actually use the sun to roast their coffee beans. The custom built solar machine dubbed "Helios 4" (named after the Greek God) uses sunlight in place of fuel on sunny days. It reduces carbon emissions, saves energy, and brings out the coffee's natural oils. Click here to place an order http://www.solarroast.com/phone_orders.html

Eco Green Dance Clubs

2009-09-06T07:55:00.000-07:00

In Europe, there are 2 Disco Dance clubs, that are harnessing human energy and using it to power the lights and other essentials. In London, the club named Surya employs a technology known as "Piezoelectricity". The underside of the dance floor is with a series of crystals; as the dancers move around the dance floor to the beat of the music, the crystals compress, generating an electrical charge.

The other club in Rotterdam named WATT, uses magnetic dynamo machines to convert the mechanical energy produced from dancers compressions on the dance floor into electric current. Both of these dance clubs funnel the electricity to batteries used to power various necessities like lights. WATT also uses rainwater to flush the toilets, while Surya waives the cover charge fee for anyone that can prove they used public transportation, bicycled, or used their own two legs to get to the club.

Surya donates all the profits from the club to the environmental group called "Friends of the Earth", and has also adopted the motto: "All you have to do is dance to save the world."

Organic Soy Candles

2009-09-04T16:25:00.000-07:00

I love candles, especially in the winter when it is cold outside. I just love the warmth they give and the ambiance the room has when candles are all a glow. Now, there are organic soy candles by Malie. They have some really beautiful scents too, like organic mango nectar...sounds divine. I also enjoy ginger, as it adds a nice spicy scent to the air.

The Malie candles are made from clean-burning waxes and are petroleum-free with 100% cotton wicks, unlike Paraffin candles, which are the most commonly burned candles worldwide, and are the most dangerous to our health.

Paraffin is an inexpensive sludge waste by product of the petroleum industry that has been bleached, and then texturised with acrolyn, a known carcinogenic product. Supposedly an inert substance, if you have any faith in our government/industry released information. However, once these candles are burned they release toxins that are known carcinogens such as benzene and toluene which are inhaled and linger in the areas they are burned in. Not to mention the soot that leaves its residue on walls, drapery, fabrics and ceilings. Soot from paraffin candles contains many of the same toxins found in diesel fuel. Paraffin candles are just as dangerous to our lungs as second-hand smoke and even more so if you are burning many candles at the same time. It is also a non-renewable resource.

When you're ready to replace your paraffin candles, take a look at http://www.malie.com/ and choose a scent that is the most delightful to your nose.

Chickpea Curry

2009-09-04T09:58:00.000-07:00

Here is another recipe from @bambigoesgreen

Ingredients:
28 oz Sahara and Bombay Dine Organic Chickpeas (canned and drained)

3 tomatoes, medium, purée or 1/2 a cup crushed tomatoes

2 onions, medium (puréed)

1-2 green chilli peppers (for flavour)

1 Tablespoon fresh ginger (puréed)

1 Tablespoon fresh garlic (puréed)

3 Tablespoons oil or ghee

1 Teaspoon cumin seeds, crushed

1 Teaspoon coriander seeds, crushed

1/2 Teaspoon red chili powder

1/2 Teaspoon turmeric powder

1 Teaspoon garam masala

1 Teaspoon channa masala

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

4 cups watersea salt (to taste)

Method:
Chop and brown onions in oil or ghee and place in separate pan. Chop ginger and garlic into fine pieces and add to mixture. Stir for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, garam masala, and channa masala. Cook until oil separates. Add a small amount of water to the pan to avoid sticking or burning. Mix with chickpeas. Add more water to gravy if additional moisture is needed. Simmer until gravy mixture thickens. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve with basmati rice, naan, or chapattis, raita (seasoned yogurt) and salad. Sprinkle with sea salt for enhanced flavouring. Yields 4 servings.

Notes:

Use canned organic chickpeas to save time on overall meal preparation. Use dry roasted and crushed coriander and cumin seeds for enhanced aroma and flavouring. All spices used are organic.

Wild Mushroom Chowder

2009-09-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of @bambigoesgreen

This is an exotic, dark and delicious combination.
You could serve this as an appetizer, but it’s so good, you’ll end up having seconds or thirds. A great way to discover different mushroom flavours!
And best of all, it’s so delicious that no one will even know that you’ve used soymilk in this recipe!

Ingredients:
2 1/2 Tbsp small organic onion, finely chopped
1/4 lb oyster mushrooms
1/4 lb Shitake mushrooms
1/2 cup white wine
2 small organic red potatoes unpeeled, cut into small cubes
1/2 cup adzuki beans, cooked
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
2 – 3 cups vegetable stock
1 tsp corn starch
1/2 cup soymilk

Method
1. Sauté the onion in the olive oil until translucent. Add the mushrooms and continue to sauté. Add white wine and reduce by half.

2. Add the potatoes, beans, wild rice and rosemary. Add the vegetable stock, soymilk and cornstarch. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer for 45 minutes.

Optional: After soup has cooked, pureé the liquid with half the solids. Add back the remaining solids, heat and serve.

Spicy Garden Radish Dip

2009-09-04T09:33:00.000-07:00

Recipe courtesy of @bambigoes green

Radish dip is an easy recipe to make ahead of time, when your expecting company. It is also a great way to use up some garden fresh vegetables...enjoy!

Ingredients:
4 cups washed organic garden radishes
1 cup organic garden scallions, chopped
1 cup cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sour cream
2 Tablespoons chopped organic garden chives
Your favorite hot sauce
Pinch of plain salt, sea salt, or iodized salt
Pinch of pepper, freshly ground peppercorns

Method:
Dry the organic radishes thoroughly — this is important. Chop by hand or use the food processor to process the organic radishes into the desired texture. Mix together cream cheese, sour cream, organic chives, organic radishes, and organic scallions. Season with salt and pepper. Add a sprinkle of hot sauce (unless, of course, you find the radish dip to be hot enough on its own — radishes can have quite the bite!). Chill the prepared dip in the serving bowl you will be using.
Prepare your assorted organic vegetable dippers, assorted crackers, chips or breadsticks ahead of time, before guests arrive. Chill the organic vegetables.

Organic Margarita

2009-09-04T09:27:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of @bambigoesgreen

Yes, the long weekend is finally here, and it is time to sit outside for one last horray before the snow blows....ugh! Anyways, these are great, and you are sure to enjoy them.

Ingredients:
3oz of 4 Copas 100% Agave Organic Tequila
2oz of freshly squeezed organic lime juice
1oz of simple agave syrup
Topped with some organic sugar and kosher salt for the rim

Method:
Prechill your glasses.
To make the simple syrup add:1 part agave nectar,1 part organic sugar &1 part water to a sauce pan and cook & stir over low heat until the sugar is disolved.
Next fill your coctail shaker with the tequila, lime juice, syrup and ice and shake unitl until mixed and cool.
Mix up 2 parts salt and 1 part sugar and put it in a dish.
Now dip the rim of your chilled glass in the sugar/salt mix, it should stick. **Make sure you do this before you fill your glass with Margarita. Don’t ask
Now strain the Margarita into your glass and enjoy!

Noon Solar Powered Handbags

2009-09-03T18:20:00.000-07:00

WOW have you seen these incredible solar powered bags? They are absolutely awesome, it means I no longer have to worry about having my cell phoned charged up before I leave the house.

Designers Jane Palmer and Marianne Fairbanks met at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1999. They started to collaborate on projects in 2000 as their interests were similiar and they believed in being socially responsible towards the environment.

By integrating solar power into items that are regularily used like handbags, totes, and messenger bags, it is their hope that solar can be integrated into our lives. The more we use solar energy, the less dependent we are on oil and gas, which helps the renewable energy industry grow. Check them out here http://noonsolar.com/

CONTEST to design an eco green T-shirt

2009-09-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

Breathe Green is an eco green business that has been started by Nishid Patel - he always dreamed of starting a business, just like so many other people. Breathe Green is focused on raising money through contests and event appearances, and by doing so is shining a light on deforestation.

Nishid Patel started his business in 2008, after competing in the Temple's Business Plan Competition - the initial business plan did not win, but the alumni and judges supported his idea to help turn it into the business it has become.

The communities that Breathe Green is planning to reach out to are Temple and Philadelphia. Patel hopes, that within the next year "Breathe Green" will continue to use artistic means to deliver worldwide messages, and make a really positive impact on the world.

The money that was raised from selling shirts was donated to the American Forests Association to plant trees - so far they have planted 1,000 trees with the donations.

Here is a contest that Breathe Green hosts, which will help expand the clothing line of environmentally friendly t-shirts. Students can enter by visiting http://www.verdestyles.com/ and the 10 best designs will be chosen and entered into an online poll, which the public can vote on. The top 3 contestants will have their designs printed on a limited edition t-shirt, and will each be awarded $200 for the preliminary print. If any t-shirt design that is so popular it requires to be reprinted will receive an additional $150.

The contest guidelines state that the designs must be related to an environmental issue, but there is no restriction as to what issue you address by your designs.

Patel says, "Even the smallest donation can make a big difference and spread the word of change throughout our society". If you wish to follow breathe green on twitter, this is his name @breathegreennow

Orange and Ginger Carrot Soup

2009-08-28T09:59:00.000-07:00

This recipe is courtesy of @bambigoesgreen on Twitter.

This warming and tangy soup has a really pretty muted-orange glow, and has just a touch of spice. I’m a big fan of lively soup! Be sure to try this recipe with organic carrots, potatoes, onions and celery, as their flavor is so much better than those grown on industrial farms.
Organic root vegetables like these are considered seasonal no matter where you live, and are found easily in health food stores and plenty of grocery stores, too. Choosing organic oranges is especially important when you make an orange zest, so as not to ingest the surface pesticides found on industrially-grown orange skin. Nothing good about pesticide soup, folks!

Ingredients:
1 oz onions, chopped
1 lb or 4 medium carrots
2 sticks celery
4 oz potatoes, chopped
1 pint stock/water
1-2 tbsp grated ginger
juice of 2-3 oranges
zest of ½-1 organic orange
salt and pepper to taste
olive oil to sauté
small slice of butter (optional)

Method:
1. Rough chop onions. Scrub and rough chop carrots, celery and potatoes.
2. Saute onions and celery in oil in the bottom of a large saucepan. After a few minutes add carrots, and continue to sauté until onions are beginning to go pearly. Stir occasionally to avoid burning.
3. Stir in the potatoes, then add enough water to cover the vegetables by a couple of inches.
4. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the vegetables are tender.
5. Add the orange juice, zest (if using) and grated ginger.
6. Blend the soup.
7. Add more stock/hot water/orange juice to achieve desired thickness.
8. Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, bouillon powder and a little butter.

Electricity - Going Green Facts

2009-08-26T19:44:00.000-07:00

All the green and red lights on your VCR, TV, DVD, computer and stereo, each add up to $70 on your electricity bill, and creates 190 lbs of green house gasses per year

How to Go Green

2009-08-26T12:06:00.000-07:00

It seems that Going Green is what is on more and more peoples minds now a days. It is pretty easy to understand, with the ever increasing cost of heating homes, or air conditioning homes, depending where you live. As well as electricity to run all those appliances, and then there is the cost to running a vehicle. How does a family survive in this economic climate, and still put food on the table?

Start by doing all the simple things:

1. Unplug any appliance that is not in use, and does not need to keep time. Then purchase SMART power bars, that let you plug in alarm clocks and DVD players - that way when you turn off the power, the essentials (alarm clock) are still plugged in.

2. Cut back on water consumption by installing low flow toilets and faucets. Only turn the water tap on to the size of a pencil stream, when washing your hands. Use a glass of water for brushing your teeth. Limit the amount of time you spend in the shower to less than 5 mins - aim for 3 mins.

3. Only purchase Energy efficient appliances. Check with Energy Star to find out how your appliances rate.

4. Install weather stripping on your doors and caulk the windows.

5. Keep blinds closed during the day on hot, sunny days in the summer to keep it cool. In the winter, open the blinds to help warm the house.

6. Recycle everything that you possible can. Reuse or find new uses for anything that can be reused. Donate clothing, magazines, books etc to charities.

7. Change the furnace filter, and get ready for winter.

8. Grow your own vegetables and fruit, in your back yard. If you live in an appartment, then do container gardening. Many vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, even carrots can be grown in containers.

9. Compost your vegetable peelings and use it in your garden.

10. Get a rain barrel and use it.

11. Get your vehicle tuned up and have all the fluids either changed or topped up. Only drive your vehicle when you have saved up your errands and can get them all done at once.

12. Use public transportation, bike or car pool to get to work.

13. Shop for clothing at second hand stores or thrift stores. Infact, you can find many other things there, so take a look around.

14. Install a programable thermostat, and use it. Put a sweater on when your cool.

15. Line dry your clothing, if your community allows it. Only wash a load of clothes when it is full. Consider getting a front loading washer, as it uses less water, and electricity.

16. Opt out of junk mail getting delivered.

17. Install LED lights.

18. Turn off the TV and get outside for a walk.

This is just a simple list of how to get started, when you go green. Consider purchasing this book http://www.simplygoinggreen.ca/. It is full of great resources, links and information to making your going green journey easy.

Farmers Markets have so much more then vegetables

2009-08-26T10:45:00.000-07:00

There are many Farmers Markets in and around Calgary, here is a link to help you get started http://www.calgaryarea.com/community/eventspsa/farmers/farmermarket.htm

This is a great time of year to go to a farmers market and taste some of our local fruits and vegetables. Many of the vendors give a little taste of whatever they are selling, and it certainly helps you find the ripest produce out there. I like to see what is available and then figure out what the menu plan is going to be for the next week.

One thing I have noticed when I go to a farmers market, is get there early, and bring your own bags, as it will speed up the process. After I have gotten the produce, and tucked it away to bring home, then I like to find a coffee and browse through the rest of the market and see all the various handicrafts and artwork for sale.

I think we have some of the most talented artists anywhere, and if you are looking for something specific, just ask, as many vendors know someone that can probably help. Farmers Markets have so much more then just vegetables to sell. Many families consider going to the farmers market a real treat. Next time you go to the farmers market, consider doing some of your Christmas shopping there, and see what treasures you can find.

Going Green Jobs

2009-08-25T17:07:00.000-07:00

According to ECO CANADA, an environmental CAREERS organization in Calgary, Alberta - the hottest GREEN careers right now are environmental technologists and technicians, environmental engineers, conservation biologists, geographic informations system (GIS) analysts, and environmental communication officers.

Anyone that is going back to school to upgrade, should be considering these statistics - 65 per cent of environmental employers in Canada were hiring in 2008 and 71 per cent of green firms have said that they plan to expand their businesses in the next two years. Sixty-five per cent of environmental employers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan have expansion plans.

Senior Marketing Manager, Chris Stewart, with ECO Canada, said the top three sectors hiring employees in the area of environment in Manitoba and Saskatchewan were water quality at 34 per cent, waste management with 27 per cent, and land quality with 19 per cent.

According to Stats Canada, the province of Saskatchewan had employment growth in 2008 in several sectors related to the environment. For instance, Forestry, fishing, mining, oil and gas employment increased by 11.5 per cent and businesses, building and other support services increased by 12.4 per cent. As these sectors increase, the need for green technologies & clean technologies not only for energy, but also safe water and waste management, can be expected to increase too.

Going Green is not just cute, it is the right thing to do. It helps to save the environment for future generations and it saves money, and for many companies - it is the bottom line that speaks the loudest.

Go Green in the Park

2009-08-25T13:53:00.001-07:00

After taking my lunch to the local park (Bowness Park) and sitting down to enjoy the beautiful day, fresh air, and the sheer joy of being outside is this beautiful park. I decided to stroll around the park, getting some exercise, and enjoying the rest of my lunch.

I had not walked far, when I came across a real estate agent, who has set up in the park with his vehicle. He has a few signs up, and anyone that is interested in looking a some pictures of homes, will find this location quite peaceful.

I guess everyone needs a break, and if you can run your office from the local park, then why not. Go Green, and get in the park to work, it might change your perspective, and give you a fresh approach to whatever project your working on.

I would personally love it, if they installed wireless modems for all of us office workers, so we could move our laptop to the park and work on our Vitamin D quotas for the day, not to mention our tans...LOL

Arugula Salad

2009-08-24T10:58:00.000-07:00

This recipe is courtesy of @bambigoesgreen on Twitter

This recipe really speaks for itself. Show me a person that dislikes warm goat cheese, toasted pistachios, and caramelized onions and I’ll show you a person that hasn’t lived.
Okay, maybe that’s extreme. But this is really good salad. And that’s extremely truthful.

Ingredients:
One bunch of arugula, washed and dried
2 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp maple syrup
4 Tbsp fresh goat cheese
4 Tbsp green pistachios, shelled (or walnuts)
3 Tbsp blueberry balsamic vinegar
3 Tbsp olive oil
Fresh black pepper and sea salt to taste
Optional: Red onions, pears

Method:
1. Divide the greens and goat cheese between two plates. DO NOT eat all of your goat cheese right now impatiently, you need it for the salad. PUT IT DOWN.
2. Now, put a dry frying pan on med heat and toast the pistachios until golden and fragrant. Again, don’t eat all of your pistachios right now, save them for the salad. Trust me, you don’t want to eat too many pistachios anyway. Your stomach will hate you for it.
3. Remove from pan and place to one side. Melt the butter in the same pan and slowly cook the onions over low heat for about twenty minutes.
4. Add the maple syrup and let it thicken. Whisk together the vinegar and oil and set aside.
5. Divide the pistachios between the plates and top with the onions and dressing. Add pepper to taste.

ORGANIC SHAMPOO

2009-08-24T09:25:00.000-07:00

About one year ago, I decided to go green and switched to Jason's Organic Shampoo & Conditioner. You can find their website here www.jason-natural.com

I like wearing my hair long, as it is naturally curly, and the length and weight of the hair, helps to hold it down and stop it from looking frizzy. I have tried many hair care products that are suppose to help with naturally curly hair, but so far I have found they do nothing for my hair.

Anyways, since I switched to Jasons Organic hair care products, my hair is absolutely beautiful. I do not have split or dry ends, and even my hair dresser is very impressed. It is a lot easier to control the curls, and I no longer have frizzy bad hair days.

I give Jason's Organic hair care products the thumb up!

Now, if someone could recommend a really good Organic hair dye, that lasts longer then 2 to 3 weeks, that would be great - I refuse to grow old naturally and am fighting it every step of the way.

Strawberry Salsa and Cinnamon Tortillas

2009-08-23T18:59:00.000-07:00

@bambigoesgreen at twitter, has kindly allowed me to include her great recipes here.

Ingredients:
4 Flour tortillas
2 tb Butter, melted
2 tb Cane Sugar
3/4 ts Cinnamon
2 c Strawberries, chopped
1 tb Chopped fresh mint
1/2 ts Grated lime rind (I’ve used lemon rind and juice before and it tastes just as good, I promise)
1 tb Lime juice
1 1/2 ts honey

Method:
Brush both sides of each tortilla with butter. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over each side of tortilla. Bake on lightly greased baking sheet in 375 degree F oven for about 10 minutes or until crisp and golden. Cut into quarters.
Combine strawberries, mint, lime rind and juice and honey; cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Put the salsa in a bowl and dip your tortillas in it. Yummmmy!

Animals Help Big Box GO GREEN

2009-08-23T15:05:00.000-07:00

August 23, 2009

On a recent trip to a big box store to purchase some plants, I was greeted by a little kitten, at the front doors. I bent down to pet this little kitten, and to see where this little one belonged, checking out its tags. Much to my surprise, the tags stated that this kitten belonged to the BIG BOX STORE.

According to the manager, they have 3 of these kittens, and they opted to have them instead of using toxic poison to get rid of the mouse problem. This is a very unique approach. A little further into the conversation, I was told it was the staffs idea, and management agreed to try it out.

Apparently, all the staff just love these little kittens, and all the customers do too. With plenty of petting, and lots of food and attention, these kittens just flourish. A vet that lives in the mall where these kittens now reside, makes sure the animals are properly cared for and their shots are up to date.

It is a unique GREEN solution, to an everyday problem for big box stores.