Happy Earth Day!

This is NOT me...

In honor of Earth Day and the return of the pretty weather, I am getting my clothesline out of the basement! Time to dry my clothes using solar AND wind power. Wow.

Line drying isn't my prefered method of drying my clothes for a few reasons:
1. I'm lazy. which leads to point number
2. The clothes are usually really wrinkled when they get dried outside, leading to point number
3. I'm lazy.

Does anyone have any tips for line drying your clothes?


(Thanks to www.stacksandstacks.com for the image - I wonder how her mom jeans hold up getting dried outside...)

Thanks for asking...

I love that when I to to Jimmy John's (among other places) they ASK ME if I would like my receipt. Why do I need that receipt? I'll ask if I need one, ok?

Mitch Hedberg (one of the funniest people ever!) summed it up perfectly:

I bought a doughnut, and they gave me a receipt.
There is no need for that, man.
I'll just give you the money, you give me the doughnut. End of transaction.
We do not need to bring ink and paper into this.
I cannot imagine a situation in which I would have to prove that I bought a doughnut.
Some skeptical friend: "Hey man! Don't even act like I didn't buy that doughnut! I got the documentation right here...damn...I forgot it at home... it's in the filing cabinet...under D...for doughnut."

I think I'm going Kosher...

While this program is clearly a rip-off of Theology on Tap (which is a really cool, but copyrighted, program started by the Archdiocese of Chicago Young Adult Ministry and recently purchased by Renew, International) it is on a topic near and dear to my heart.

If I just liked vegetables better I would go vegetarian in a heartbeat! I think I'm still on my path there, but it won't be overnight!

Did you know that if everyone limited their consumption of red meat to once or twice a week, it would make a huge impact on the enviroment. Cattle producers use lots of grain and corn for feed and think of all that methane that the cows give off...

But they are pretty cute...

THEOLOGY AT BOTTLEWORKS
Wednesday, April 18
at Bottleworks

This large and lively discussion combines cold beer and hot conversation on important subjects of our times. This month's topic is "Food, Friends or Fodder for Science? Animal Treatment and Ethics." We'll discuss the various ways our society views and uses animals. Animals are viewed as pets and pests, as food and entertainment. Are there ethics and even rights in dealing with animals? Are they over-protected or undervalued? Should people always have priority? Grab a brew, give your view and lend an ear to others. Free and open to anyone. For more information, e-mail midrash@journeyon.net. 7:00 p.m.

I'm also not sure who this group is - what religion or denomination they represent - so go at your own risk!

Is the Earth Bi-polar (oh, that is awful!)

Obviously when one jumps from pole to pole problems arise.

For example: You should ALWAYS eat your vegetables.
Well, yes, except for when you have already eaten too much, or say they are deep fried in trans-fatty oils or wrapped in Bacon.

But you get in trouble when you say - OK so I won't EVER eat vegetables again. They aren't organic, they pay immigrants insulting wages to pick and process them, vegetables are gross...


The same is true when it comes to recycling.

I've heard arguments on why you are morally obligated to recycle (I am Catholic...) and why it is responsible to recycle.

I've also found arguments on why you shouldn't recycle - work with me - environmental strain/side effects of the recycling process, increased curb side pick up... etc

I think the idea here is to meet somewhere in the middle (gasp, quelle horreur! Is there a middle left anywhere?!!!)
Recycling is a good option - but is it the best option? Probably our best choice is to make purchases based on less packaging, reusing containers instead of throwing them straight into the bin, and keeping yourself informed on what happens AFTER the bin leaves your curb.

This is an interesting article from 2003. I do not support nor do I reject the theories here - I'm just putting them out there for you to inform yourself.

Way to Go Wash U! (Although I still like SLU better)

Thanks to friend, JT for sending this my way - I am certainly relying on the kindness of friends and strangers as my semester comes to a close... Either I will be posting every five minutes (due to procrastination) or not much at all until the first week of May - stay tuned!

Happy Almost Earth Day!!!



Thurtene Carnival continues green theme

By Neil Schoenherr

More than 120,000 people from the St. Louis area are expected to attend the annual Thurtene Carnival from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. April 21-22 on the North Brookings parking lot.

This year's theme is "Wish. Dream. Live. Play." Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation is sponsoring the carnival.

Already the oldest and largest student-run carnival in the nation, this year, Thurtene aims to reach further into the St. Louis community while expanding on last year's pledge to remain environmentally friendly.

A new addition to the carnival is the "Kids to the Carnival" initiative, sponsored by Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. The Thurtene Junior Honorary is subsidizing ride tickets and will provide buses to local schools and charities to give more St. Louis children the opportunity to experience the carnival. When are the city schools going to start using hydrogen buses like they have in National Parks?

This year's carnival will feature a continuation of last year's Green Thurtene project.

"We are trying to make the carnival even more environmentally friendly," said Sydney Schneider, public relations co-chair of Thurtene. "We will also offer education to members of the community regarding environmental issues and sustainability."

Toward that end, B-5 generators, which run on 5 percent biodiesel, will help power the carnival. Student members of Engineers Without Borders will be at the carnival building a prototype of a sustainable house they plan to construct in Guatemala. Additionally, there will be a recycling center for wood, paintbrushes and food-service waste, as well as an education center run by various green groups on campus. I wonder if they will recycle 6's - I've been looking for someone to take mine and my poor friend Press is carrying a bunch of them in her trunk!

Another exciting addition is the performance of a children's play by The Black Repertory Theater Co. at 12:30 and 4 p.m. both days of the carnival. All shows are free and open to the public.

Net proceeds from the carnival will benefit the George Washington Carver House, a community center that offers innovative youth-development programs, including a radio station and entrepreneur program.

"With many of these new additions to the carnival, we hope to highlight Thurtene's commitment to community," Schneider said. "Since its beginning, the Thurtene Carnival has been the ultimate community event, bringing together the students and faculty of Washington University with people from all over the St. Louis community."

More than 50 student organizations will take over the North Brookings parking lot for the event, presented by members of Thurtene Junior Honorary, 13 juniors who bear responsibility for the continuation of the tradition.

The carnival features myriad rides and food, six facades showing a variety of student-produced plays and a rock-climbing wall.

The first carnival was held May 9, 1907. It evolved from a circus to a vaudeville show in its early years. Rides appeared in 1914, when a freshman-powered merry-go-round was featured. Sounds like a eco-friendly ride to me! We should think about powering more things with Freshmen! (It would probably solve America's obesity problem, too. But I can only solve one problem per blog!)

In 1935, after a few years off and some festivals in other forms, a revival of the carnival by the Thurtene Junior Honorary saw the inception of what now is recognized as Thurtene Carnival.

Admission is free, though tickets must be purchased for rides and some plays.

The week preceding the carnival, dubbed "Lot Week," receives recognition from the State of Missouri through an official declaration from the governor as "Thurtene Carnival Week." During this week, students work around the clock raising facades and practicing plays.

As always at the conclusion of the carnival, the Thurtene Junior Honorary will present awards for best production, the Buckley Award for best construction of a facade, best food and best game booth.

Also to be awarded are the prestigious Chancellor's Charity Cup for the highest donation to charity and the coveted Burmeister Cup for best overall participation in the carnival.

I'd ikea it if you'd come to our city...

Join IKEA in reducing waste and "Bag the Plastic Bag"!

IKEA is asking our customers to join us in reducing plastic bags usage by 50% - from 70 million to 35 million in the first year. Beginning March 15th we will charge 5 cents for every "throw-away" plastic bag. All proceeds* from the first year of this program will be donated to American Forests, the nation's oldest non-profit conservation organization, to plant trees and offset CO2 emissions. WHY? The amount of plastic shopping bags that we all use once and toss is overwhelming. - The average family of 4 accumulates 1460 plastic shopping bags a year - 100 billion are given away each year in the US - Plus it can take up to 1000 years for a plastic bag to break down in the environment. REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE! IKEA has a great alternative to "throw-away" plastic bags- the IKEA Blue Bag. We've reduced the price on this large, reusable and durable bag to 59 cents. One of these bags can replace hundreds of "throw-away" plastic bags and has lots of great uses! * A maximum contribution of $1,750,000 within 12 months I do love IKEA! PS - I just found Mesh bags at a semi-local Goodwill store for 73 cents a piece. Washable and sturdy! Now I have to remember to put them in my car/purse for shopping. Perhaps not as cool as an "ikea brand bag" but I think shipping 59 cent bags across the ocean to save the earth is a bit irresponsible...

Earth day is right around the corner

and everything I pick up is a constant reminder.

At first I thought "Hey, people are getting this!" then I realized that it was a clever marketing ploy. "What should we put in the magazine this month?" "Oh just throw in some Earth Day stuff, next month we'll do that spread on what type of diaper Brangelina thinks is best."
"Oh and did we get that shipment of virgin paper to print with horribly toxic ink on?"

I know - I'm speaking hyperbolically - but I really get peeved that the easier it becomes to be "green" the more packaging, wasteful products, etc companies come up with to waste our money on!

OK - I'll step off my soapbox - I'm really not here to complain...
I'm here to make you feel guilty about your choices!


Here are my Earth Day resolutions - things that I have decided to do to help save the world:

Switch to hankies
During allergy season I use many, many, many tissues! I do try to buy the ones made of recycled paper, but that is not always possible.

Get the clothesline out
It is almost warm enough to get our clothesline back out. The only thing I still haven't figured out is how to keep my clothes from drying all wrinkly - any suggestions for easy outdoor drying????

Stop getting lids and straws at restaurants.
Each time I hit Bread Co. I've decided that I definitely do NOT need a lid nor do I need the stupid plastic straw wrapped in plastic. Also at "fancy" restaurants (those where they bring your drinks in real glass, glasses) I am going to stop asking for straws, too.

For ladies only - I'm warning you, men, if you are sensitive, you will not want to read this one:
I'm going to start buying stuff from diaperware.com- check out "mooncare"... I think this is a bit too sensitive/personal to share with you on the blog - so don't expect any reviews!

Finally - after we pay our outrageous tax bill! (I know, no politics) I am investing in some good canvas (organically produced, of course) bags for grocery shopping. Now I wish I had a good corner market where I could walk and shop daily... argh - stupid Regal Foods, stupid gas station people who won't sell to the organic cool market! Just wait, I'll save the neighborhood after I save the world. I can only do one project at a time!


whoo hoo - look out world! I'm comin' to save ya'! I know these don't seem like HUGE changes, but I think that is the point. You can't change your life style in one day/month/year it is going to take many little steps...

Feel free to post your thoughts on drying clothes outside - or on little things you can do that could make a big impact...


(Thanks to www.parks.ashland.or.us/earthday/ for the cool logo - their earth day celebration sounds pretty neat - carbon neutral, zero waste... wow!)

Home Eco store - hmm?

My really great friend Meghan told me about this really great store called Home Eco, down in the cool new "SoHa" - South Hampton, for those of you who have never heard of SoHa.

I hope to head to the store soon and then post a review for you - you know selection, price, "cool-ness" - I'm a good judge of that kinda stuff.

Here is what they have to say for themselves:

Home Eco is St. Louis’s first environmentally friendly home products store serving eco-conscious consumers with the latest selection of organic cotton and hemp apparel, bedding, rugs, home furnishings, gifts, housewares, books, art from recycled materials, locally produced artisanal soaps, candles, stationary from recycled paper and more in addition to recycling bins, composting supplies, rain barrels, solar ovens and other renewable energy products.


Whaaaat? Organic? Locally produced? Recycled? Is this too good to be true? (I hope I can afford to shop here) Solar Ovens? (What the heck is a solar oven? I have much to learn about saving the world, it appears!)


Here is the pertinent info:

Home Eco is at 4611 Macklind Ave.

St. Louis, MO 63109

314-351-2000 fax 314-351-2003

info@home-eco.com

Hours

Wed., Fri. & Sat. 9-5

Tues. & Thu. 11-7

Closed Sun. & Mon.

They also have an email list, if you like that sorta thing... it's pretty cool.

Interesting response from Eggland's Best

• My dear friend, Mrs.AB wrote to Egglands Best:

Hello, My name is Mrs.AB and I love your eggs. I just wish they came in packaging I could recycle. Please tell me how you can help, or why you continue to use styrofoam. Thank You,


Eggland's Best response:


Eggland's Best Packaging Recycling
Polystyrene Foam Packaging



Eggland’s Best shares your concern about the environment. We pay
careful consideration to our packaging choices, and only after in-depth
study did we decide to package our Eggland’s Best eggs in polystyrene
foam packaging. We made this decision not only for its superior
protection and merchandising of our eggs, but also for the overall
environmental impact of polystyrene vs pulp paper cartons.

Below are some facts about the recyclability of the Eggland’s Best
egg carton, and some facts we came to know about polystyrene
packaging vs. paper packaging:

• The Eggland’s Best polystyrene carton is recyclable.

• Recycled polystyrene can be used in foam packaging peanuts,
CD jewel boxes, office supplies, video cassette casings, packaging,
and many other uses.

• As more products are packaged in polystyrene foam, more and more
communities are accepting this packaging in their recycling programs.

• If your community does not collect foam egg cartons, you may send
clean Eggland’s Best cartons to our carton manufacturer at: Dolco
Packaging, PO Box 1005, 2110 Patterson Street, Decatur, IN 46733-5005.



Facts you might find Interesting regarding
plastic foam packaging vs. paper packaging

• It takes three times more material in waste paper to make a
pulp carton for a dozen eggs than polystyrene foam.

• Furthermore, the manufacture of plastic packaging requires
less energy to make and results in less pollution than
paperboard counterparts.

• It is a commonly held misperception that paper products,
like pulp egg cartons, degrade readily. This is a true statement
when considering composting programs or when these types
of products end up as litter. The fact is that modern landfills are
covered daily and compacted over time, which means all materials,
including paper products, remain unchanged for many, many
years. In fact, because degradation of materials creates potentially
harmful liquid and gaseous by-products that could contaminate
groundwater and air, today’s landfills are designed to minimize
contact with air and water required for degradation.

• In an article printed in US News and World Report, August 26, 1996,
Stephen Budiansky refers to a comprehensive environmental study
that “found that a plastic cup takes half as much energy to make and
results in 35% fewer pounds of toxic chemicals released into the
environment than a paper cup does. Partly that’s because a plastic
cup uses a lot less plastic than a paper cup uses paper; plastic
products typically weigh one sixth as much as paper products that do
the same job. But it’s also because pulp and paperboard mills, though
much cleaner than in the past, still generate substantial toxic emissions.”

• Also, in the past 20 years, plastic packaging has become 50% more
efficient. In the 1970s an ounce of plastic could hold just 23 ounces of
product, today an ounce of plastic holds 34 ounces of product due to
improvements in strength.


Alice Taylor
Consumer Services Specialist
Eggland’s Best, Inc.
860 First Avenue, Suite 842
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Phone: 610-265-6500
Toll Free: 800-922-3447
Fax: 610-265-8380
ataylor@eggland.com
www.eggland.com


Doodiepants responds:

I'm sure they had to take into account packaging that protects them from breaking, and I'm sure it would take a lot of paper to pad them adequately. And of course that paper is virgin wood harvested from the depths of the rainforest (or some other mostly non-renewable old wood). And of course it doesn't biodegrade easily when it's piled 16 tons deep in a landfill. BUT petroleum-based items suck in general. Non-renewable resource, habitat destruction, yadda yadda yadda. You know all this. But good for them for finding and creatively using statistics...


I wonder if Eggland's best will recycle ALL of the #6's that I can't seem to recycle anywhere else...

Any companies that are listening:

PLEASE STOP OVER PACKAGING

PLEASE STOP USING #6's WHEN YOU DO "HAVE" TO OVER PACKAGE

With sincere thanks...

My really cool picture...

On my first trip to visit Orin's (my then boyfriend, now husband) hometown - Tyler, MinnesOta - I discovered my love for windpower. More specifically for the really cool windmills that dot the MinnesOta farm land.

Lake Benton, MinnesOta is Tyler's neighboring town and the Wind Power Capital of the Midwest! It is also home to beautiful Lake Benton - and was where Orin's dad, Doc, lived and taught school.

Little known fact - Orin's grandparents were farmers and then owned a pool hall in Lake Benton.

omop how I love you...

I am learning to love method cleaning products... not only are they earth friendly, but they are fun to use, look cool, and make the house smell great!

The newest invention: the omop.
I have a new ally in the fight against dog hair.

We have all hardwood floors, so "swiffer-type" clothes help me keep up with the dust and dog hair - but they are icky. They are petrolium based and then you have to throw them away. The omop comes with corn based clothes that collect dust, dog hair etc AND they are compostable! How's that for cool. (I sound like their website)

I purchased the starter kit - $24.99 at Target (cheaper than the method website) it includes:
3 compostable sweeping clothes
The sweeper with cool curved handle
One microfiber cloth
wood for good cleaner (I bought the wood for good set...)



The omop itself is well designed. I love the curved handle, it allows for easy access under the furniture and around, umm, stuff. The handle also helps me put nice even pressure on the floors so I use less cleaning solution and can get the dried up icky stuff, like mud.

For my hardwood there is the Wood for good solution. It smells incredible! I love to clean our floors. It is way better than oil soaps and smells better than vinegar.

For the other floors they make lemon ginger all floor cleaner. I'm not the biggest fan of ginger, but I still like the cleaner. Both bottles are also designed to spray evenly and not to puddle.
Both cleaners are also biodegradable and non-toxic. (Did you know that some cleaners use pesticides? Gross.)




The piece de resistance - the microfiber floor pads. One for the wood floor and one for other types of floors. The microfiber is great, easy to clean and attaches with easy. I've used other types of mops that the pads do not come on and off without some struggle and I usually end up with icky-diaper-pad-that-has-been-on-the-bathroom-floor on my hands.


I love my omop. It has been the best investment for my house in a long time. I have now made the switch to all "green" cleaning products for our home. Laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, cleaners, dusting clothes (the omop compostable ones OR the method microfiber clothes). I'm weaning my household away from paper towels, too.


Please email me with suggestions for future product reviews, if either you have used them or would like someone to try it out!

Want to stop global warming?

The following post was taken from enviroment.about.com It was written by Larry West - and this site seems to be a good site to get your self aquainted with what is happening to the enviroment. These are pretty easy, simple ways to get your home more earth-friendly, while not changing your entire life!


Burning fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal, oil and gasoline raises the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and carbon dioxide is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect and global warming.

You can help to reduce the demand for fossil fuels, which in turn reduces global warming, by using energy more wisely. Here are 10 simple actions you can take to help reduce global warming.

1) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Do your part to reduce waste by choosing reusable products instead of disposables. Buying products with minimal packaging (including the economy size when that makes sense for you) will help to reduce waste. And whenever you can, recycle paper, plastic, newspaper, glass and aluminum cans. If there isn’t a recycling program at your workplace, school, or in your community, ask about starting one. By recycling half of your household waste, you can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.

2) Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning

Adding insulation to your walls and attic, and installing weather stripping or caulking around doors and windows can lower your heating costs more than 25 percent, by reducing the amount of energy you need to heat and cool your home.

Turn down the heat while you’re sleeping at night or away during the day, and keep temperatures moderate at all times. Setting your thermostat just 2 degrees lower in winter and higher in summer could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.

3) Change a Light Bulb

Wherever practical, replace regular light bulbs with compact florescent light (CFL) bulbs. Replacing just one 60-watt incandescent light bulb with a CFL will save you $30 over the life of the bulb. CFLs also last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, use two-thirds less energy, and give off 70 percent less heat.

If every U.S. family replaced one regular light bulb with a CFL, it would eliminate 90 billion pounds of greenhouse gases, the same as taking 7.5 million cars off the road.

4) Drive Less and Drive Smart

Less driving means fewer emissions. Besides saving gasoline, walking and biking are great forms of exercise. Explore your community’s mass transit system, and check out options for carpooling to work or school.

When you do drive, make sure your car is running efficiently. For example, keeping your tires properly inflated can improve your gas mileage by more than 3 percent. Every gallon of gas you save not only helps your budget, it also keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

5) Buy Energy-Efficient Products

When it’s time to buy a new car, choose one that offers good gas mileage. Home appliances now come in a range of energy-efficient models, and compact florescent bulbs are designed to provide more natural-looking light while using far less energy than standard light bulbs.

Avoid products that come with excess packaging, especially molded plastic and other packaging that can't be recycled. If you reduce your household garbage by 10 percent, you can save 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.

6) Use Less Hot Water

Set your water heater at 120 degrees to save energy, and wrap it in an insulating blanket if it is more than 5 years old. Buy low-flow showerheads to save hot water and about 350 pounds of carbon dioxide yearly. Wash your clothes in warm or cold water to reduce your use of hot water and the energy required to produce it. That change alone can save at least 500 pounds of carbon dioxide annually in most households. Use the energy-saving settings on your dishwasher and let the dishes air-dry.

7) Use the "Off" Switch

Save electricity and reduce global warming by turning off lights when you leave a room, and using only as much light as you need. And remember to turn off your television, video player, stereo and computer when you're not using them.

It’s also a good idea to turn off the water when you’re not using it. While brushing your teeth, shampooing the dog or washing your car, turn off the water until you actually need it for rinsing. You’ll reduce your water bill and help to conserve a vital resource.

8) Plant a Tree

If you have the means to plant a tree, start digging. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. They are an integral part of the natural atmospheric exchange cycle here on Earth, but there are too few of them to fully counter the increases in carbon dioxide caused by automobile traffic, manufacturing and other human activities. A single tree will absorb approximately one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime.

9) Get a Report Card from Your Utility Company

Many utility companies provide home energy audits to help consumers identify areas in their homes that may not be energy efficient. In addition, many utility companies offer rebate programs to help pay for the cost of energy-efficient upgrades.

10) Encourage Others to Conserve

Share information about recycling and energy conservation with your friends, neighbors and co-workers, and take opportunities to encourage public officials to establish programs and policies that are good for the environment.

These 10 steps will take you a long way toward reducing your energy use and your monthly budget. And less energy use means less dependence on the fossil fuels that create greenhouse gases and contribute to global warming.

Tired of junk mail?

From Real Simple Magazine (one of my favorites!);

1. Call the Credit Reporting Industry Pre-Screening Opt-Out hotline
1.888.567.8688
They will remove your contact info from the preapproved lists for the four major credit
bureaus. This hotline has been recommended by the Federal Trade Comission's website and
been cited by Consumer Reports.

2. Register by mail with the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service
Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 643
Carmel, NY 15012

or online - www.dmaconsumers.org

You should see a decline in direct mail marketing within three months.

3. Finally, when possible withhold your contact info and always request that your information not be sold ot other companies. Contact your bank and credit card companies and make sure that your name is removed from any shared mailing lists.

Check out this crazy hippie!

My friend Doodiepants has a great project that she took on for Lent. Actually she is another Erin trying to save the world (while planning a wedding!) and she has really inspired a lot of us to rethink the way we shop.

doodiepants.livejournal.com

She has some great insights - If you are unfamiliar I'd start with the Feb 16 post, "Lenten Warm-up" and then follow along.