Fixing Your Coffee

Consider the humble cup of coffee - a morning staple for many, a quick pick-me-up, a symbol of a civilized and hard-working society, a bookstore must.  It's also the world's second most valuable legal commodity after oil, with environmental and social impacts to match.

Did you know coffee trees grow naturally in the shade?  Yet in 1970's the industrialization of coffee farming moved many operations into the sun - requiring that fields in South America be clear-cut to accommodate the larger farms.  While this new way of farming allowed for greater yields, it has since severely damaged the already fragile eco-system of the rain forests.  Not only deforestation, but pesticide pollution, habitat destruction, and soil and water degradation plague the areas where coffee farming has been moved from the natural shade of the forest to the man-made open fields.

In addition, the large sun-grown operations are edging out the smaller family farms that maintain their centuries-old traditions in the shade.  The rustic farms are run out of business by the large operations that charge a fraction of what the coffee is worth - driving down the price on the market until the small farms can't afford to operate.  The "sweatshops in the fields" take over with only profits in mind - the welfare of their own workers is not even important.

There are two ways that you can contribute to not only a better coffee industry, but even get a better cup of coffee.  Certified Organic brands are shade-grown, not sun-grown, and won't contain pesticide or herbicide residues.  But also looking for the Fair Trade label ensures that the coffee was purchased at a fair price from small family farms that take care of their employees.  Most of the time you will find these labels together.

And don't forget to use your own mug instead of paper or styrofoam!

Sources:  Wikipedia, Global Exchange,  Organic Trade Association

Sustainable Guide for the Holidays

Need gift ideas for the treehuggers on your list?  Want to pass on the spirit of sustainability?  Click on these links for green, fair trade, and charitable gift ideas!

• About.Com


• Treehugger


• The Daily Green


• Environmental Defense Fund


• Green America


• Gaiam


• Yahoo


• Global Exchange


• The Rainforest Alliance


• Etsy


• Whole Foods Market


• Planet Green


• The Body Shop


• Aveda


• Mother Earth News


• Charity Navigator


• The Ultimate Green Store


• Patagonia


• Care2


• The Rainforest Site


• The Animal Rescue Site


• Gifts With Humanity


• Ebay’s World of Good


• Ten Thousand Villages


• To Write Love On Her Arms


• American Cancer Society


• Changing the Present


• Product(RED)

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.

Don't Blow Your Nose with Old Growth Forests!

Manufacturers of household tissue products have been blasted in the news recently.  Turns out that the soft tissues and strong napkins that so many people prefer are made with virgin paper pulp, often from old-growth forests.  In response, Greenpeace has published a paper buying guide to help consumers find recycled paper products, and also avoid potentially hazardous bleaching processes.  Among the top recommended brands are Green Forest and Seventh Generation, both of which can be found at many local grocery chains.  Also listed are the Trader Joe’s, Natural Value, and 365 brands.  Switching to a recycled or unbleached tissue doesn’t always mean sacrificing comfort either, with textures similar to regular brands.  According to Greenpeace, Americans could save more than 400,000 trees if each family bought recycled toilet paper, just once.  Isn’t it worth it to try a new product?

Find the paper guide at www.greenpeace.org.