Green Briefs - Alternative Fabric Softeners

Reduce your laundry costs by cutting out the liquid fabric softeners and dryer sheets.  Not only are these products harmful to the environment - adding chemicals to the watershed and non-biodegradable waste to the landfills - they can be easily replaced with other methods.

If the weather allows, line-drying your laundry outdoors gets rid of static and helps your clothes smell fresh naturally instead of using synthetic fragrances.

Try putting half a cup of white vinegar in the fabric softener tray of your washer instead of the pink stuff.  Vinegar is a natural fabric softener, and - despite what you might think - won't leave your clothes smelling like pickles!  (Just be sure you don't use bleach at the same time - the combination will produce toxic fumes.)

Fluff your laundry with re-usable dryer balls like the ones found here.  They increase the air flow around your clothes, helping them to dry faster as well.

If none of these solutions appeal to you and you still want to use dryer sheets or fabric softeners, look for biodegradable sheets or plant-based softeners like these and these from Mrs. Meyers.

Post-Holiday Clean Up

After the holidays, it's inevitable -

- overflowing trash bins.  According to the EPA, American households produce a staggering one million tons of trash during the holidays alone!

Wrapping paper, cardboard packaging, broken lights, dying trees... they all get piled at the curb, waiting to go to the landfill.  Some cities might mulch your tree, but in many cases it too just gets thrown away.  And we all know that there is no such thing as "away."

I think it's pretty obvious what you can do to decrease your holiday waste footprint - recycle.  The wrapping paper, cards, envelope, and cardboard boxes are easiest - they can go in with your regular paper recycling.  You can even save yourself some money next year by re-using the paper or making small gift boxes out of the holiday cards.

But what about those dead, broken strings of twinkle lights?  There are even ways to recycle those!  Here in Michigan, a company called Holiday LEDs will recycle your lights for you.  All you have to do is mail them in - and if you team up with friends, family, or neighbors, you can share that cost.  Better yet, Holiday LEDs will send you a 20%-off coupon for new, energy efficient LED light strings.  Other companies are available across the country - visit Earth911.com to find resources in your area.

As for your tree, if you have some property the best thing to do is put the tree out to naturally decompose.  Next year, spend a little extra for a live tree - one with an intact root ball - and plant it in your yard.  Dead or alive, your tree will also create habitat for songbirds, chipmunks and rabbits.

If self-mulching or natural decomposition isn't an option for you, check with your city waste department to find out what they will do with your tree.  In Toledo, if you are on the new automated pick-up system, you will have to call the city to have your tree picked up.  Also, Toledo's Department of Solid Waste sends all trees to the landfill - and while they will eventually decompose there, it's a much slower process than it is in nature, and just adds to the volume of trash.  However there are several places in Toledo that will take Christmas trees and treat it as compostable yard waste - check this list for details.

And in Monroe County, Michigan, you can drop your tree off at any of these locations, free of charge.

Don't let the holidays be any different from other times of the year - do your best to reduce your waste, and recycle what you can!

Homemade Pumpkin Puree for Pies & Soups

Lots of fall recipes call for pumpkin puree, and while canned pumpkin is convenient, why not try making your own from scratch this year?

Begin with cutting a clean pumpkin in half and removing the seeds and pulp.

Baked: Brush the ‘meat’ surfaces with oil, then place facedown in a baking dish filled with 1-2 inches of water.  Bake at 350 for about 90 minutes.

Boiled:  Cut the pumpkin meat into cubes and boil in lighted salted water for about 25 minutes.

Steamed:  Cut the pumpkin meat into cubes and cook in a steamer or a colander placed over a pot of boiling water for about 50 minutes.

After cooking, let the pumpkin cool until it can be handled, and puree it in a food processor or mill.  Pumpkin meat contains a lot of water, so strain the puree before use or storage.   Line a sieve or mesh strainer with coffee filters or paper towels and place over a bowl.  Fill the sieve with pumpkin and let it drain for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.  Pumpkin puree can be frozen in freezer-safe containers or ice-cube trays.

Tailgating Made Green

At the next home game, try these ideas for a greener tailgate party:

1. Localize the Food. Rather than serving the typical foods (frozen burgers, bags of chips, etc.) look for local options. Search your local farmers markets and grocery stores for foods like organic or locally grown beef, chicken or pork for the grill, potatoes and eggs for homemade potato salad, or veggies for burger toppings.

2. Pick Better Disposables. Forget about the standard plastic cups and paper plates. There are so many better options out there today like compostable paper goods and bio-based cutlery.  Check out the “Bare” line of picnic goods from Solo, sold at Target.

3. Make Trash Talk Easy. Instead of making it easy for everyone to toss all of their paper plates, bottles and such in the trash, make it easy for them to compost, recycle, and then, as a last resort, trash.  Set up bins, buckets, or bags and clearly label them.  And be sure to drop it off at the recycling center on your way home.

Source: Treehugger

Green Cleaning for a Healthier Home

Chemical cleaning products are not only harmful to the environment – during their manufacture as well as their disposal down our drains and in our trash – but they can also be harmful to humans.  Reduce your family’s exposure to chemical cleaners (and save money!) by trying these simple recipes for cleaning products using household ingredients:

• Abrasive scrub:  Baking soda, kosher salt, and a bit of water make a good scrubbing solution for hard surface like tubs, sinks, and counters.


• All-purpose cleaner: For stains, mildew, or grease, douse the area with lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub with a bristle brush.


• Disinfectant:  Mix 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons liquid dish soap, and around 20 drops of tea tree oil.  Works great in the kitchen.


• Glass Cleaner:  Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with a gallon of water and pour into a clean spray bottle.  Use old newspapers instead of paper towels to clean your windows and avoid streaking.


• Carpet Spot Cleaner: Mix ¼ cup liquid soap with 1/3 cup water in a spray bottle, and shake until foamy.  Spray on affected area, and then rinse with vinegar.  Be sure to test vinegar on an inconspicuous area first if you have darker carpet.


• Hardwood Floor Cleaner:  Pour a simple solution of ¼ cup white vinegar and 30 ounces warm water in your mop bucket.


• Drain Cleaner: Pour ½ cup baking soda down the drain, followed by ½ cup vinegar, then cover the drain.  Once the fizzing dies down, flush with boiling water.


• Silver Polish:  Line your sink or a basin with aluminum foil, and drop in your tarnished silver.  Add boiling water, a cup of baking soda, and a dash of salt.  The tarnish will transfer onto the foil.  To polish by hand, make a paste of 3 tablespoons baking soda and 1 tablespoon of water, and rub onto the silver with a soft cloth.


• Copper Polish: Rub ketchup into the copper with a soft cloth.


• Odor Elimination:  Baking soda isn’t just for the refrigerator!  Sprinkle it into your carpets before vacuuming, and tuck an open box into the bathroom or the pantry. For smelly garbage disposals, drop a small slice of lemon in and run the motor.  Lemon will kill the bacteria growing inside and make it smell fresh.


• Air Freshener:  Open the windows and let the house air out.  Simple as that!  If you want to fill your house with a nice scent, try flowers, a candle, or and oil diffuser instead of harsh chemical sprays.

Have a mess that just can’t be cut by these cleaning recipes?  Be sure to shop for health- and eco-friendly cleaners.  Look for phosphorus- and bleach-free detergents, cleaners based on natural ingredients that are VOC-free.  Clorox’s Green Works line of cleaners are easy to find, and not over-priced; Method brand, Mrs. Myers, and Seventh Generation are also great products.

Repel Bugs the Natural Way

Summer means sunshine, which also means we all want to be outside.  Unfortunately, that’s exactly what mosquitoes and other biting insects are hoping for.  Most commercial bug repellents contain DEET, a chemical that can cause skin irritation and, in extreme cases, seizures and neurological problems.  While the EPA reports that correct usage of DEET-based repellents rarely cause these kinds of problems, the environmental community has encouraged the use of natural oils as a chemical-free alternative.

There are several oils that act as natural bug repellents.  Citronella, lemon eucalyptus, cinnamon, rosemary, peppermint, and clove, in oil form, are all considered to have repellent qualities to biting insects.  The oils can be mixed with water to create a spray, or added to an oil diffuser for area coverage.  Citronella and rosemary can also be used as a repellent on your pets.  The only downside to these natural alternatives is their staying power – if you’re working up a sweat or playing in the water, you’ll need to re-apply the repellent often.  But when the alternative is a chemical concoction that might be harmful to your health, it might be worth the effort.

Gardening with Native Plants

The U.S. EPA states that using native plants in your garden significantly reduces the need for fertilizers, pesticides, water, and lawn maintenance.  Native plants have evolved to survive in the specific conditions of a geographic area, and essentially are able to take care of themselves.

Here are some noteworthy plants and flowers native to our area:

Switch Grass

Indian Grass

Coreopsis

Aster

Coneflower

Goldenrod

Western Sunflower

Butterfly Weed

Foxglove

Black-Eyed Susan

Virginia Wild Rye Grass

Wild Columbine

Trillium

Wild Geranium

Little Bluestem Grass

Big Bluestem Grass



For more landscaping tips, including a complete list of native plants and grasses, visit

www.epa.gov/greenacres.

Who Says A Gutter Can't Be Beautiful?

Rain gardens are an easy, natural answer to the question of stormwater management.  Mimicking natural systems, rain gardens are designed to collect the rainwater that runs off buildings, parking areas, and lawns, filter that water, and control its flow into the surrounding waterways.  They reduce the risk of flash floods, stabilize the volume and temperature of the water flow, and neutralize many of the pollutants that may have washed off the surrounding flat areas.

Rain gardens are easy to create too.  First, they need to be created in a depression to force rainwater to flow into the garden.  Plants such as rushes, ferns, and wildflowers can be planted in the depression, or a natural wetland habitat with tall grasses and cattails can be created if the water flow is heavy.  Ideally, the garden should be filled native plants, and can be located near your gutter drain or alongside your driveway or patio.

For tips on creating your own rain garden, go to www.native-raingarden.com. or click here.  cwc_raingardenbrochure

Natural Remedies

Next time you have an ache or pain, forget about a costly trip to the drugstore and try some of your grandmother’s home remedies instead. It’ll save money and be gentler on your body and the environment.

• Indigestion and Heartburn - The belching, bloat and heartburn caused by indigestion come about because you don’t have enough stomach acid to do the job right. A spoonful or two of apple cider vinegar will help break down the excess food that is causing you trouble and bring your stomach back to balance.

• Sore Throat - You can relieve the pain by gargling with warm salt water a few times a day and then drinking a soothing honey-lemon tea.

• Sore Muscles & Bruises - The humble arnica flower makes an incredible cream that no medicine cabinet should be without. Use it immediately to speed up the healing of bruises, sprains, sore muscles and other general aches.

• Minor Bleeding - You’d think it would burn, but a sprinkle of cayenne pepper on a cut will quickly stop the bleeding and actually relieve the pain.

• Earache - if you feel like your infection is mild and at the beginning stages, put a few drops of garlic oil or white vinegar into your ear canal and lay down on the opposite side to let those drops do their work.

• Burns - Rinse first with cold water, but then immediately apply aloe vera gel to the burn. For those of us who don’t have aloe in the house, slice a potato and rub its cool, soothing juices all over the burn. And honey, with its antibacterial properties, is also good topical ointment.

• Allergies - Before you head for the strong stuff, try green tea, which contains compounds with antihistamine properties. You’ll need to drink 2-3 cups a day to get the full effect.

• Headache - Try rubbing peppermint or lavender oil on your temples and the base of your neck; sniffing these oils may also help. Rub a fresh cut lemon or lime on your forehead, and feverfew is also a good herbal remedy for headaches.

• Dandruff - Many people swear by rubbing aloe vera gel onto the scalp (leave it on for 20 minutes than rinse it out). This will certainly help with dry, itchy scalp. Another remedy is a rinse with apple cider vinegar. Try these remedies a few times before deciding if they work for you.

• Nausea - The classic cure for nausea or carsickness is ginger tea or candied ginger. You can chew on the stuff raw, if you like, but it’s so spicy and strong it might just make you feel worse. Sniffing real peppermint or lavender oil can also help.

• Toothache - In order to reduce swelling and pain while you wait for your dentist appointment, try putting a few drops of clove oil on your tooth and gums, and bite down on a smashed piece of garlic (which has excellent antibacterial properties).

For more home remedies, check out www.home-remedies-for-you.com or www.grannymed.com.

How Green is Your Kitchen?

Both the planet and your health can benefit from having an eco-friendly kitchen area.  Experts from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, the EPA, and others offer these simple ways to green up:

1. Set your dishwasher to air dry. Better yet, install a dish-drawer, which is more efficient for smaller loads.

2. Save your leftovers. This not only keeps you from wasting food, but also saves the energy it would take to prepare a new meal.



3. Reduce your trash. When you’re truly finished with a meal, compost the scraps.  Visit howtocompost.org for tips.  Composting not only keeps waste out of landfills, but can also lessen the amount of pollutants created there.

4. Retire your oven. Instead use smaller, more energy efficient appliances whenever possible.

5. Work in the sun. Daylight is the best light, and it’s also free. Do your prep work by a window if you can.

6. Get a good fit. Heat is wasted when you cook on a burner that’s larger than your pan.

7. Cook on ‘off.’  You can turn off the oven or stovetop up to five minutes before the timer dings.  There will be plenty of heat built up to complete the job.

The Dirty Dozen: 12 Food You Should Buy Organic

Not all of us can afford to go 100% organic. The solution? Focus on just those foods that come with the heaviest burden of pesticides, chemicals, additives and hormones. Whenever possible, deploy your organic spending power to buy organic versions of the following foods (in no particular order).

Meat

Milk/Dairy

Coffee

Peaches

Apples

Bell Peppers

Celery

Berries

Leafy greens

Grapes

Potatoes

Tomatoes

....And ten you don't need to:

Asparagus

Avocado

Bananas

Broccoli

Kiwi

Mangoes

Onions

Papaya

Pineapple

Source: The Daily Green

Green on the Sidewalk

Just because our corner of the world is still white doesn’t mean we can’t think ‘green’!  Did you know that sidewalk salt does more than melt the ice?  It also kills grass and plants, damages our cars and concrete, pollutes our water supply, and can make our pets sick!  If you are simply looking for traction, there are other natural options such as wood ash, sawdust, and sand.  These are effective traction materials that either biodegrade or have minimal effect on nature.  Avoid the popular kitty litter; the clay can clog sewer systems, damage plants, and was probably strip-mined.  For melting, skip the salts or fertilizers and look for a magnesium-chloride based product.  Studies have shown it is not only less damaging to the environment, but also has superior melting power.  Many hardware and garden stores sell this in liquid or ‘salt’ form; just be sure to check the label.