Top Kitchen Appliances to Keep and to Kick to the Curb

How many gadgets do you own in your kitchen that never sees the light of day? How many gadgets do you own that are plug in electrics? Having these types of appliances in your kitchen not only takes up valuable space in your kitchen but also contributes to a large “cookprint”.

What is a “cookprint” I hear you ask? A “cookprint” is used to describe the energy needed to prepare the food we consume. It reminds us that we don’t always have to plug in to chow down, but also can choose local, plant –based and sustainable food. Check out the list of gadgets to say adios to that take up space and energy.  

Appliances and Gadgets to Bid Farewell

Coffee Grinder

Although it may be much easier to roll out of bed, yawn and plug in your electric coffee grinder, it is much better to do it yourself and use a hand crank coffee grinder.

Can Opener

Convenience is key however using an electric can opener is not a product defined by convenience. It takes virtually the same effort to manually open a can, not to mention much less expensive.

Electric Knife

You only use it once a year right? Well if that’s the case why purchase it or keep it around when it just takes up valuable kitchen space and does the same job as good quality knife? Donate to your local GoodWill) or use the parts for other Do It Yourself projects.

Juicer
Are you surprised to find an electric juicer on the list? This is an easy switch that won’t screw up your healthy juice regimen. Hand-held juicers require a little muscle, but they produce big energy savings.

Electric Mixer and Stick Blender
The electric version of this is actually made with less control for the consumer. Old fashioned hand mixers work like a dream, not to mention provide you with much more control over your cooking environment. No food flying here.

Appliances and Gadgets to Keep

Rice Cookers

Although rice cookers use electricity, they are an eco-friendly alternative being that they use less energy than rice’s alternative cooking method: stovetop flame. Be sure you purchase on without a “non stick” surface.*

Countertop Grills 
These grills are inexpensive and an energy-saving solution to turning on a stove when you want to just make, say, a grilled cheese sandwich.*

Waffle Irons
Besides topping electric irons in quality and longevity, a manual version will serve you well for a lifetime.*

Hand-Crank Blender
When considering the environment, hand cranking your blends doesn’t seem half as much work. Not to mention you can have a taste of the old days when making food was a slower process.

Mortar and Pestle
This nifty gadget can be a manual food processor. It has been used for centuries to mix, mash and blend spices, pastes and mixes.

* More and more new appliances are made with the “non-stick” element. Most “non-stick” surfaces are made with Teflon or aluminum. Both of these materials are made with PBDE, a prevalent contaminant known to cause harm to the human body and the environment.

Cookin’ on the Road—Diamond Lil—a Sustainable and Convenient Restaurant

Take a beaten down, old 1957 Greyhound bus, hundreds of pounds of food and restaurateur Kai Schoenhals and what do you get? Diamond Lil—the refurbished and shaped up moving restaurant. Diamond Lil is a tasty moving eatery that will travel around the region to its guests granting them savory pleasure and convenient locations.

The operation was inspired by the Napa Wine Train, a two engine 3 kitchen fitted train that serves a 25 mile stretch in Napa Valley. They provide convenience, a seasonal menu and a nationally known executive chef, Kelly Macdonald on board.

San Francisco residents Schoenhals and partner Daniel Isberg run a sustainable operation on the road. Although this moving food venture may seem pricey and anything but sustainable, Diamond Lil cuts her own costs and carbon footprint by using left over cooking oil used in her gasoline tank—allowing her to cook her way across the country. The bus, named after a great aunt of Schoenhals is refit entirely with recycled materials, a recyclable herself and not to mention is the house for a warm and delicious menu.

Local Californians that are lucky enough to dine on Diamond Lil can look forward to not only a wonderful menu but a responsible outfit that has considered its customers and the environment.

Spotlight: AASHE-Connecting Sustainable Education Nationwide

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, or AASHE, is really making a big impact on the nation. AASHE is a membership driven–501(c)(3) institution that is leading the way in empowering sustainable colleges and universities by connecting and standardizing sustainability practice on campuses nationwide.

Being apart of the AASHE network grants resources, programs and professional development for those involved. The most important factor that AASHE contributes is its ability to unite colleges and universities that lead in sustainability transformation. By working with campus faculty, students, administrators and staff alike, they provide a professional home for sustainability in higher education.

There are two ways to get involved. As a student, AASHE offers a variety of professional development programs and resources to its members including conferences, webinars, workshops, conference calls and the wide network that it is connected to. As a business, it connects them with their communities and aligns themselves with green leaders by becoming a business partner.

More than anything, AASHE is designed to help higher education practice sustainability as a norm, not as an exception. They achieve this by encouraging collaborations and helping facilitate the generating and achievement of goals for the campus as a whole.

There are many ways of getting involved in AASHE. Whether you are a business looking to become a partner, or a student that is already a member of AASHE,  a student looking to getting their college involved, or a K-12 school—AASHE is attempting to connecting and transform the everyday standards of our educational system as we know it.

If you are interested in inquiring whether your school is or should be involved, please contact AASHE

St. Patrick’s Day COLOR ME GREEN GIVEAWAY, March 17, 2010

Before you head off to drink green organic beer at your local Pub Crawl on St. Patty’s Day, join our shenanigans on Twitter! Our GIVEAWAY has a new twist this time around so pay attention!

Our crafty Organic Bugs want you to get to know us a little better. So, on St. Patrick’s Day I will pose 2 questions (something like~what are some of our favorite products, what specials are we having, what are some gift ideas we love~you get the idea) at 2 different times during the day on Twitter and you can go find the answers on Organic Bug!

On St. Patrick’s Day, Wednesday, March 17^th, I will tweet the first question on Twitter @OrganicBug at 1pm EST and the second question will follow at 3pm EST.

How to Participate:

1. First make sure to follow me on Twitter @OrganicBug
2. Watch for the 2 contest questions that I will ask on Twitter March 17^th at 1pm and 3pm EST.
3. Visit Organic Bug to find the answer.
4. Tweet the correct answer and the 10^th person to answer correctly WINS*! Include #ecogiveaway as your hashtag. Your tweet will look something like this:

@OrganicBug The answer to question 1 is… #ecogiveaway

And yes, it is possible for the same person to be the winner of both prizes IF you answer both questions correctly and happen to be the 10^th person to do so for each question.

And yes, we will ship your prize to most addresses in the US including Alaska, Hawaii + US Territories, APO/FPO + Canada.

We will notify the winners via Twitter and winners will be posted on our Feed Your Eco Blog!

*Winners have 48 hours to respond to our notification with shipping information otherwise another winner will be chosen. Note that we do not share any information you give us during this or any Giveaway by Organic Bug.

Now that you’re all jazzed up, see what GREEN goodies you can win during our St. Patrick’s Day COLOR ME GREEN GIVEAWAY!

Prize #1: The Green Glass Company is committed to preserving our natural resources so the company developed a process to turn reclaimed bottles into usable glassware! You can win a set of “Copenhagen” Tumblers made from the bottom portion of Carlsberg beer bottles. They are fun, festive, unique and Green in more ways than one! Set of 4 emerald green 8-ounce glasses valued at $33

Prize #2:  Green Toys set out to provide parents with a healthy alternative to traditional plastic toys. And so the company has designed a line of rough ‘n tumble plastic toys made from recycled milk jugs! Green Toys are not only healthy for kids, they put less stress on good ole mother Earth. You can win a recycled plastic Recycling Truck that not only teaches youngsters about recycling~it is recyclable, too! Interactive toy truck valued at $25

So, join the shenanigans on Wednesday, March 17^th! I’ll tweet the first question at 1pm EST and the second question at 3pm EST. Go ahead and mark your calendar; set an alarm for 2 chances to win!

Dance as if no one were watching,
Sing as if no one were listening,
And live every day as if it were your last.
–Irish Saying

Let the games begin!

Music Scene Goes Green

By nature, the touring industry has a negative impact on the environment because of the combined carbon footprint of tours, concerts, videos and albums. We are left to wonder, is there anything really green about the music scene? There wasn’t until Guster’s vocalist/guitarist Adam Gardner and his wife, Lauren Sullivan, founded Reverb- an environmental organization devoted to greening the music industry. Since its start-up in 2004, Reverb cut more than 67,000 tons of carbon from the music industry and greened 81 tours by creating outreach displays at concerts, partnering up with environmentalist groups, offering bio diesel fuel for vehicles, and encouraging recycling and waste reduction. Taking Reverb one step further, the couple started the Green Music Group, a project created to inspire environmental change. The GMG launched on January 30, 2010 and is founded by a team of musicians, fans, record labels, and music industry leaders who seek to inspire environmental change through powerful music performances that spread awareness of global issues. With the support of founding members (including Dave Mathews Band, Linkin Park, The Roots, Sheryl Crow, Barenaked Ladies, Bonnie Raitt and Maroon 5), GMG wants to “make big changes by targeting small tasks to use the collective power of the music community to take action and bring about universal environmental change”.

So what does the future look like for GMG and the music industry? We can expect to see new eco-friendly standards for venues, labels and tours, green grants given to up- and-coming artists, environmental challenges aimed at members and prizes donated to groups.

If you want to support positive environmental action within the music industry you can sign up to become a part of the GMG crew. To show their appreciation, you are automatically entered to win an autographed eco-friendly guitar and you will even receive a free song from the launch session. Not a bad gig, eh?

Stay up to date by following the Green Music Group on Twitter!

Become a fan of the Green Music Group on Facebook

Check out this video from the Launch Event!

Wrap With Care, Save the Polar Bear!

Unlike natural extinctions, plants and animals are disappearing at a rapid rate because of one species: us. Did you know there are now 6.8 billion people and the number is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050?

To help people understand the impact of overpopulation and to give them a chance to take action in their own lives, the Center for Biological Diversity created a unique campaign to draw attention to the problems of overpopulation.

The Center in Arizona distributed free packets of Endangered Species Condoms representing six endangered species: the polar bear, the snail darter, spotted owl, American burying beetle, jaguar and the coqui guajon rock frog. The campaign launched on Valentine’s Day, and over 3,000 volunteers distributed over 100,000 condoms to encourage people to “hump smarter, save the snail darter”.

The condoms are being distributed in each of the 50 states to highlight how unsustainable human population growth is driving species extinct at a disastrously rapid rate. The aesthetically pleasing packages which feature clever slogans can be found in bars, supermarkets, schools, local events and you can even order a free package from their website (not to mention 5 people will be chosen to win a lifetime supply of rubbers). They are distributed to anyone ranging from college students, to grandmothers, to ministries, to healthcare providers. Each package contains two condoms, original artwork and information on that species including facts about overpopulation and the extinction crisis as well as suggestions on how the human population can be stabilized.

The comedic approach is to catch people’s attention, get them to laugh and hopefully get them to talk about overpopulation which is happening right here, right now.

The campaign works to ensure a world that is livable for other species by encouraging people to practice responsible reproduction.

To learn more about the Center’s campaign

To enter to win a lifetime supply of condoms.

Less is More

Between the Saints winning the Super bowl and today being Fat Tuesday, Louisiana’s excitement has been taken to a whole new level. Despite the threat of rain and chilly temperatures, Mardi Gras events are going on as planned. Millions of people stand shoulder to shoulder in the streets of New Orleans to take part in the festive parades and to watch in awe the extravagant floats that fill the streets.  This year, artist Catherine Pears impresses many by taking Mardi Gras to a whole new level by turning it green.

Recycling is something the eco artist Pears surely takes seriously. Not only does she see the benefits of recycling but to her, the most obvious ways of recycling is to reduce and reuse, which is exactly what she did to create this year’s Mardi Gras float. The float features three women-the 3 graces- made from scratch out of cloth, wire, fiberglass and other random objects. The eyelashes on the women are made from old worn out paint brushes, the cloth that was used was left over from previous projects, and the wire came straight from a metal scrap yard. She’s not even ashamed to admit that she will pick up things from the side of the road if she thinks it will be useful, like dead tennis balls and pieces of  styrofoam. She even used old latex paint, creating a float that is as environmentally sound as possible. We appreciate Catherine Pears and give her major kudos for her ability to conserve resources and turn Mardi Gras green.

Now, who said it ain’t easy being green?

Mother Earth… Would You Be Mine?

Love… whether it’s exciting, fresh, eternal or simply just nonexistent, love deserves a day of recognition. This year, show your love of each other and your love for the earth by mixing red with green. Here are a few ways you can enjoy a relaxing, eco-fabulous Valentine’s Day:

If you’re going to love your honey like you love the planet, show it with flowers, make sure they are organic. Flowers grown organically are best for the environment because of the reduced toxic chemical usage, which creates a safer environment for the farmers and for our earth. Not to mention organic farms promote long term sustainability on farm lands which support the health of our planet. Be picky about where you buy your flowers because many flowers found at the supermarkets and other floral departments come from other countries. By doing this they are generating a larger carbon footprint since they have to import them by plane using large amounts of fuel and energy. Make sure to invest in socially responsible flower companies by buying organic or fair trade flowers. Sierra Eco is a fair trade flower company, which vows to change the world… one flower at a time. There are also ways to extend the life of your freshly cut flowers without the use of chemicals, here’s how.

Buy fair trade organic chocolate and pair it with your favorite organic fruits. Play your part in a more equitable trading partnership by purchase fair trade chocolate from companies like Divine. Look for chocolate that has a certification logo for Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, or some other indication on their packaging that assures the item to be produced both sustainably and ethically. Chocolate itself is considered and aphrodisiac and causes your brain to release serotonin which makes you feel like your falling in love, which means it’s clearly needed for Valentine’s day.

Finally, send love letters…online of course! Sending the ones you love e-greetings is a great way to reduce the need for paper consumption but still let people know that you are thinking about them. We like Evite or Punchbowl because of the variety of cool designs. Reducing the amount of cards you send drastically reduces your carbon footprint. This year, we challenge you to think outside the card stock and be considerate as to how your card sending impacts the environment as well as other traditional Valentine’s Day practices. This is the only earth we have, so let’s love it as much as we can. Happy Valentine’s Day

Simple Safety Protocols for DIY

Homemaking, healing and gardening: These are all such fundamental aspects of human life on this planet and are extremely important for that reason. The tools to create a more intentional and sustainable daily existence all stem from the tiny actions that we perform in our everyday lives. That being said, DIY projects should not be limited to people with a lot of time, space or experience. DIY is for everybody and creates a natural way to live on our own terms. However, it is important to remember that even natural formulas can hurt you. Here are a few things to keep in mind while participating in DIY projects, creating and using homemade remedies:

Natural does not mean Edible. Although compounds like borax and washing soda are more safe than most, if not all, the ingredients you will find in your local drugstore there are still some things that should not get into your body. Remember to wash your hands after mixing cleaners and clearly label the containers you keep them in. Check out this The Daily Green’s simple recipes for cheap green living, for more information on how to make your own green cleaning solutions.

If you are pregnant, there are certain herbs and oils you should avoid. During pregnancy, it is extremely important that you are aware of what goes into your body. While most herbs are rather safe for an individual to take, there are quite a few that can cause certain problems for pregnant women. Because each pregnancy is different with its own precise details, the best way to use herbs during pregnancy is under a physician, midwife, herbalist, or a homeopathic doctor.

A great resource is the Herbal Encyclopedia. This site will tell you what herbs are recommended and herbs that should be avoided during the different stages pregnancy and development. Or you might find this article on herbal remedies for women to be useful.

For additional information on alternative medicine and herbs during pregnancy check out Herb Reference.

Know your Body!

Pay attention to your body when/if something is making you feel sick, itchy or just straight up uncomfortable. The whole point of DIY is to make you feel better, not worse. Take care of yourself and pay attention to your body and how it reacts. You can learn more about potential allergic reactions to herbal remedies at  the guide to herbal remedies.

Remember: plants have families

If you know you have specific allergies, you will obviously want to avoid using that herb.  However, do your research because a lot of herbs are closely related and you will want to avoid using any herb related to the one you’re allergic to, for cosmetic or medicinal purposes, otherwise you could experience an allergic reaction or worse. A great resource to help you learn more about plants and their families is the Online Botany Guide.

DIY is about making our lives intentional and perhaps more simple. It allows us to pay close attention to our bodies and the systems that we know are right for us. Not to mention you’ll spend less money and reduce packaging all while doing your part to keep our beautiful Earth natural

Make Love. Not Landfill.

If you’re cleaning out your house and find yourself not too sure about what to do with those items covered with dust, we have created a list of some odd household items that you may have never thought to recycle. There are tons of agencies, organizations and programs who would be more than happy to take those unwanted items out of your possession. When in doubt, do some research and find out how you can help people and organizations in need. Here are some items you can and should recycle!

It’s something that we wear everyday, well some of us anyway, but what do you do when it doesn’t fit anymore? Yeah I am talking about your Bra. Yes, I am telling you that you can recycle your Bra! If it doesn’t fit, recycle it! A bra Recycling program called The Bosom Buddy Program is more than willing to take your old bras. The Bosom Buddy Program, started up by a textile recycling company in Arizona gives donated bras to women who need them, through shelters or other programs that help women gain self-sufficiency. So ladies, and perhaps gentlemen who enjoy wearing bras, go clean out your bra drawer and donate them to a good cause!

Enjoy your wine but recycle the rest. Recycled wine corks can be made into flooring tiles, building insulation footwear, bulletin boards, packaging materials, and sports equipment. Natural corks, which are made from the bark of a cork tree, are ideal for recycling because they are renewable, natural, sustainable and energy-efficient. However, synthetic corks are made from petroleum- based products are not accepted for recycling. Companies like Yemm & Hart produce recycled building materials, are are devoted in turning used corks into floor and wall tiles.

It’s about time you clean out that closet, and when you do, make sure to send your gently used items such as board games to people who may enjoy using them. Adult appropriate items can be sent overseas to our U.S. Soldiers through programs such as AnySoldier.com. AnySoldier has a list of items that may be of value to the men and women serving our country. Visit their website and they will tell you what to send and how to send it.

As long as they don’t stink, go through your old shoes and donate your gently used athletic shoes to a good cause. Through the organization Shoe4Africa, your old athletic shoes will be forwarded to athletes in developing countries. A little bit goes a long way and this kind of donation means more than you know.

You probably have an old iPod that you don’t feel comfortable throwing away (which you shouldn’t)! Apple’s commitment to responsible environmental citizenship, includes ensuring that an iPod is properly disposed of at the end of its life. Apple’s Recycling Program covers your iPod or any cell phone regardless if the manufacturer or model. Not to mention you get a 10% discount from your next purchase. Not a bad gig, eh?

It always seems like a good idea at the time to spend a large amount on a formal dress that you know you will probably only wear once. It’s time to clean out those closets and donate those beautiful gowns so someone else can look pretty in them too. Charities such as Glass Slipper Project are more than willing to take those old prom dresses off your hands and out of your closet (making room for your new dresses). The Glass Slipper Project will provide young high school students new formal dresses that they would not have been able to afford otherwise.

Remember back in the day when we used phone books? It’s a hazy memory but I am sure you remember what those are, because they are probably taking up so much space in your kitchen drawers. When you finally get around to cleaning out those drawers, don’t throw those big books away, recycle them! You can go to yellowpages.com/recycle to find out how to dispose of them appropriately.

It’s hard to let go of the past but if you think your ready, we ask you to take out those old trophies, dust them off, kiss them farewell, and send them on their way. Send them to Art Inc. this company will gladly take your old, valuable award and make new art to give to children groups or other causes like the Special Olympics. Don’t worry, you still are #1 even if you don’t have a trophy to prove it

Last but not least ( but maybe the most surprising) is human hair. Yes, the hair on your head. Well, you can’t recycle the hair still on your head but the hair that comes from your head, you can! Did you know that human hair can be composted? It can also be recycled into dense mats for soaking up oil. Matter of Trust is a public charity started because the Hair for Oil Spills Program in 2000. Very interesting and definitely worth checking out!

If you need more assistance in finding out what to recycle and how visit Earth911

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