Raleigh Briggs collects her zines, illustrations, and thoughts around what it is that makes a great DIY household: homemade cleaning solvents that aren’t made from poison, herbs that will heal you, and how to setup a great garden. These tips and tricks fill in the gaps for those of us longing to live this lifestyle but lacking the necessary know-how.
Price:$9.95
The tools you need to create self-sufficient, ecologically sustainable cities
“A surprisingly effective model for connecting people with dreams to the resources they need.” —Austin Chronicle
With more than half the world’s population now residing—and struggling to survive—in cities, we can no longer afford to think of sustainability as something that applies only to forests and fields. We need sustainable living right where so many of us are: in urban neighborhoods. But how do we do it?
That’s where Toolbox for Sustainable City Living comes in. In 2000 the dynamic Rhizome Collective transformed an abandoned warehouse in Austin, Texas, into a sustainability training center. Here, with their first book, Scott and Stacy, two of Rhizome’s founders, provide city dwellers—those who have never foraged or gardened along with those who dumpster-dive
Price:$16.00
A global shift has begun that is slanted towards slowing down and consuming less, embracing artisan foods, and championing human-scale organic growing methods that are safe, compassionate, and pleasurable. This comprehensive reference is designed to inspire, educate and encourage a process of change towards a simple, gentle, and sustainable way of living. It features a passionate approach to understanding why changes need to be made and how they can be achieved in a fun and life-enhancing way, and highlights in particular ways to grow organic vegetables and fruits or raise animals in almost any setting. Its central aim is to encourage the practice of sustainability in every aspect of life.
Price:$19.95
Rather than whine about how miserable the current outlook for our environment is, you can actually make a lot of difference by starting your own conservation revolution at home. Apart from implementing your own green initiatives at home, it would also help if you write or call your congressmen and senators and ask them to craft environment-friendly legislation. Here are a few helpful tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint at home.
Set Goals To Reduce Energy Consumption
Before revving up your green campaign at home, first determine a baseline to start your energy conservation activity. Make sure you set specific energy reduction goals, for gas, vehicle fuel consumption and electricity. Create a chart for your car’s fuel-reduction objectives, and chart the kilowatts-per hour or thermal readings at home.
Make Changes In The Products Used By Your Family
Some of the products and items you use at home may actually lead to a build-up in your carbon footprint, as well as to a spike in your electricity and gas bills. Remember to buy only energy-saving products where needed.
It would also help if you get your family involved by asking them to make changes to their daily habits. You could ask each of your family members to check all the lights and appliances before they leave at home, and to reduce water use when watering the lawn or washing the dishes and clothes.
Buy Only Green Certified Products
If you’re headed to the grocery or mall, make sure you only purchase green-certified products. Many non-government organizations and consumer groups have a listing of which green-certified products are available today. A product can only be certified as eco-friendly if it is proven to have come from biodegradable sources, or if it was harvested and manufactured using environment-friendly practices.
How To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint While Working
There are lots of ways to cut down on energy costs, and reduce your carbon footprint while working. While significantly lowered power costs are one of the many benefits, you and your co-workers can also do more to save the planet.
First, instead of taking the car with you, why not walk, bike or carpool to work? In the workplace, you can also recycle paper, and reuse office supplies. When shopping for copiers, printers or fax machines, remember to buy only the products that have an Energy Star rating, so that you will know how they efficiently use energy. If you are still using older products in the office, make sure you install a surge protector, so you can quickly power them down at night and on weekends.
Regularly Check Your heating Equipment
Before winter arrives, make sure you repair and do maintenance checks on your heating and cooling units, to enable them to run at peak performance. Always do the routine checks on your heating or cooling equipment, so you will know when to change filters, or spot any leaks.
Quinoa, the recently rediscovered super food, is often mistaken for a type of grain. On the contrary, it is actually the seed of a leafy plant related to spinach and amaranths. (Some people label it as a pseudo-cereal.)
It is an organic food grown in the Andes mountains of Ecuador where it thrives quite well. It is also impervious to extreme weather or poor soil conditions.
Nicknamed the “gold of the Incas” because it helped in keeping the stamina of their warriors, Quinoa seeds are small (the size of millet or sesame seeds) and are round. It can be cooked in around 12 minutes and the cooked seeds have a crunchy texture and tastes nutty.
Contents
Quinoa contains all the 9 essential amino acids and the choice of most vegans because of its high protein content. It also has lysine, the amino acid responsible for tissue growth and tissue repair.
It is also a very good source of iron, copper, phosphorous and manganese. With its slow release of carbohydrates, the body would feel full for a longer time than most cereal grains.
Medical Notes
Quinoa is perfect for people with migraines, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. It is a good source of magnesium which relaxes blood vessels of the body and is good for general cardiovascular maintenance.
Moreover, it prevents constriction and dilation that happen during migraines. The magnesium helps people with hypertension, ischemic heart disease and cardiac arrhythmia and improving the general cardiovascular system.
Calcium
In a half-cup of Quinoa seeds, around 50 mg of calcium is present compared to the 28 mg in the same quantity of whole-wheat grains.
The calcium content of a cup of Quinoa is one quarter to one third that of a quart of milk. However, calcium from the Quinoa is considered first hand (calcium from cow’s milk is considered 2nd hand) and is absorbed faster by the body.
More Minerals and Others
Quinoa also contains manganese and copper which help the cells from damage caused by free radicals in the body system. The fiber in Quinoa helps fight cancer and avoid gallstones in women.
Copper and manganese from Quinoa help boost the body’s immune system. It protects cells (especially the red blood cells) from damage.
It is also rich in riboflavin (vitamin B2) which improves the energy metabolism of the brain and muscle cells, subsequently reducing the frequency of migraines in turn.
Food Use
Red Quinoa is used for cooking in soups, burgers, stuffing, breads, muffins, porridge and others. Because it is a plant, the amino acids from Quinoa are easily absorbed by the body.
Red Quinoa also contains dietary fibers (insoluble), folate (vitamin B9) and riboflavin (vitamin B2). It is free from gluten and the choice grain for those watching their heart’s health.
Quinoa Sprouts
Sprouted Quinoa contains dietary fiber and omega 3 fatty acids. It is also gluten-free and is a very good source of vitamin B6, niacin and thiamine.
Quinoa is also a good for the heart because it has low fat content and a source of complex carbohydrates. It was once used to treat motion sickness, appendicitis, and ingested by nursing mothers.
Considered a “sacred grain” by the ancient Incas, Quinoa was also called “chisaya mama” (mother of all grains). The ancients must probably know how such a lowly seed was actually a nutritional heavyweight.
As records would have it, Quinoa was even available as staple food to pre-Columbian people some 6,000 years before the Incas discovered them. The modern re-discovery of Quinoa (the 80s) took another 500 years or so (since the time of the Spanish colonization of the Americas). Today, it is now regarded super food.
Also nicknamed “super grain”, Quinoa is not really a grain (cereal) but the seed of a leafy plant related to the common spinach or the beets. What makes it super and on top of the other foods are the many nutrients it carries.
It has all the 8 essential amino acids needed by the body, an impressive collection of some of the most important vitamins (more of the Bs) and minerals, plus it sports a considerable pack of necessary fiber. It even has the added bonus of being gluten-free.
Aside from the complete pack of amino acids, it also has lysine. Quinoa has the calcium content that rivals that of cow’s milk, but is better because its calcium is “first hand” and digests better than the “second hand” calcium in milk.
Moreover, it has more iron than ordinary grains, and a good source of such other minerals as magnesium, potassium, manganese, zinc and copper. The vitamins are as varied: vitamin E, vitamin B6, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid and others in traces.
Quinoa seeds are about the same size as a millet or sesame seeds. They are flat, with a pointed oval shape. There are many colors of the seeds, depending on the variety but the most common are the white and red varieties available in supermarkets.
Cooked, the seeds turn translucent and are light and have a fluffy texture when chewed. During cooking, the external germ spirals out and forms into a tiny crescent-shaped tendril like that of a bean sprout.
The grain is soft and creamy but the “tail” is crunchy making up for some unique eating experience.
One of the reasons why Quinoa survived this long is because it has its natural deterrent from animal predators (birds) and the environment (cold). This comes in the form of a bitter coating called saponin.
In cooking the seeds, this coating has to be washed and rinsed away. Place the seeds in a fine strainer and run cold water for some 2 to 3 minutes or until the drain turns clear.
Most Quinoa manufacturers washed and cleaned their seeds before selling them. However, it does not hurt to wash them just before cooking.
For that nutty, roasted flavor, toast the seeds over medium heat in a dry skillet for five minutes. To cook, use one part of Quinoa to two parts water.
Cooking is simple. Simply combine the liquid and the seeds, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until the grains becomes translucent, and that little tail comes out of each granule.
This takes about 15 minutes. You are then ready to eat Quinoa, the super food.
Gardening is one of the most popular activities for homeowners, which gives a new layer of aesthetic beauty to your home. In addition, gardening offers a lot of worthwhile fun as you get to nourish various species of fauna, whether it be for ornamental or eco friendly purposes. New eco trends in gardening have therefore emerged over recent years which offer a plethora of smart and healthy gardening ideas. These ideas also offer major benefits in cost and to the environment, which are incalculable for anyone who values nature and its preservation.
Below are just some of the common gardening ideas for an eco friendly practice.
Shrubs and Perrennials Over Grass Lawns
A lot of modern homes like to have a huge expanse of lawn, which is usually made from turfgrass that are labor-intensive to create and maintain. There are new types of turf options available for homeowners in their garden in an effort to minimize this boon for pesticides. As a replacement for grass, new eco gardening trends involve the planting of ground-covers, shrubs, trees, and perennials.
Saltwater Pools
Chlorinated swimming pools are very common in many homes and gardens. Large doses of chlorine are often mixed into the swimming pool water to eliminate bacteria or provide cleansing for water to make it safe for humans. Ironically though, chlorinated swimming pools are actually harmful to humans as it can lead to various side effects, such as itchy skin, red eyes, and hair discoloration. This is especially true whenever you swim in chlorinated pools for an extended period of time.
In order to replace the traditional chlorination of swimming pools, new saltwater pools are emerging as a more valid option. A generator is installed along with the pool that manufactures small doses of chlorine.
Porous Paving Surfaces
Asphalt driveways have been the most traditional option for homes since they are impermeable. However, it can be damaging to the environment since it contributes to storm water pollution. Whenever it rains, the runoff from the asphalt materials combine with the waterways with their harmful toxins that can damage a person’s health when consumed.
As a result, a porous paving surface has been innovated to offer a new surface type that enable rainfall to permeate the subsoil. Some of your permeable options include paving blocks, fibrous grid systems, cobblestones, sea shells, or a combination of concrete and asphalt.
Redwood and Cedar for Construction
Majority of the garden constructions such as fences, picnic tables, play structures, or decks are made from CCA pressure-treated wood. CCA stands for a chemical preservative known as chromated copper arsenate, which is done in order to protect the wood from various types of elements that enable it to last for a long time. However, these chemicals can leach out over time and raises a lot of concern over its effects on humans with prolonged exposure.
As an alternative, the use of non-treated woods such as cedar and redwood are recommended. But if you cannot find these type of woods that do not require to be treated, you can opt for a non-wood alternative such as metal or a composite instead.
Think of any of the above listed gardening eco trends and think about how you can incorporate them into your own gardening practice.
You must have read or heard it before: turning your enterprise into a green business could actually help you save on costs and help you earn more. But how do we do it? Home and small business owners are usually hesitant on becoming more environmentally friendly. It is not because they don’t care but because green products usually cost more. How would spending more help them earn more?
That is not always the case. There are affordable ways and steps in making your small business eco-friendly. Green business management does not have to cost you a lot, says the Green Business Bureau. Small practices, like reducing waste and attitude change could generate significant results.
• Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
These 3 Rs are not just for waste management. Using these three principles could help your company or small business on saving that hard-earned cash. An example would be a delivering company that was able to save $2 million just by lessening their paper use by shifting into digital recordkeeping and communication.
Although that delivering company has 30,000 employees, your small business could still generate much savings by employing that simple practice. You could use email when communicating and reduce your budget on toner and paper. You could start using reusable products instead of adding into the tons of waste generated from your community, like ceramic plates and cups if you are into food business, old folders and boxes and other supplies.
There also instances when the equipment could be refurbished instead of being thrown out. Whenever replacing office equipment, make sure that they are properly disposed, for an additional fee, of course.
Microsoft said that if you would be setting your computer into hibernation mode when not in use, you could save about $90 every year. Apply this principle in your business, unused electric appliances should be turned off. You could also start thinking about shifting to energy efficient products if you are about to change some of equipment, anyway. When looking for energy efficient appliances and equipment, look for the Energy Star logo.
You could consult a professional if you have decided to make some changes in your company. You could get engineers or contact an energy management service provider that could recommend “greener” alternatives without sacrificing the quality. These service providers could also conduct an energy audit to check your energy consumption and what you could do to reduce it. If you are unable to get a professional, you could check the U.S. Government Energy Star program. The program could help in calculating how much energy you are consuming.
• Water consumption
Checking and monitoring your water use could also help in saving expenses and helping the environment. Water usage could be tracked using the EPA’s Energy Star. They have a water tracking system, helping your business use water smartly. Also by increasing your business’s efficiency in using water, you would be able to save about 30% from the usual amount of your water bill.
• Information dissemination
Once you have identified different steps which could help greening your business, the staff and the employees should know about it and its purpose. By helping the people you work with understand your objectives, they would be able to help the business themselves.
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