Natural and Sustainable

You maybe thinking, how can a further make my bathroom more eco-friendly without breaking the bank? There are ways you can save the environment and being forth a better eco-friendly and greener bathroom. Here are some easy ways to green your bathroom and still keep that wallet fat.

1. For shelving: Consider bamboo. It is a sustainable material, along with cork that can bring forth a natural tone into your bathroom. You can either get it unfinished, which is just beautiful, or get a painted shelf option. Make sure if you go painted, that it is painted with nontoxic paint through.

2. For toothbrushes: Go with a recycled plastic toothbrush or even a wood handle toothbrush. There are many options on the market now days that offer recycled material. My first post for Natural and Sustainable that gave options for a recycled toothbrushes. Read it here.

3. For towels: Look for towels that are either 100% organic cotton or even made from bamboo. You can even find ones on the market that are reclaimed from other materials as well. Just make sure they are thick and absorbent and don’t tear up the skin when you dry with them. Or find ones made from hemp such as the ones from Rawganique.

4. For the hamper: The Container Store offers a variety of recycled materials like bamboo, palm leaves and even grass. They also have handles to easily carry to the laundry room. They have a snag resistant interior so it doesn’t snag your most delicate clothing.

5. For a bath mat: Look for bath mats that have been reclaimed from other materials and give the utmost in absorbency. You can find ones that have been reclaimed from materials like flip slop sand other rugs from their past.

Disposable batteries are a great option for any appliance that takes batteries, but when their charge is over, where do they end up? In landfills, and even in our drinking water supplies. They contaminate the ground with the chemicals held inside, so what are the other options?

Eco Trends is a great alternative to the one-time use disposable batteries on the market. Over at Gain Saver there is the option of electrical plug-in chargers or a solar powered option like the one pictured below.

It requires no electricity and recharges the batteries with solar powder and stores the solar energy in the form of the recharge to the batteries. It comes in eco-friendly packaging and comes with four “AA” batteries that can be used again and again. The Eco Trends rechargeable batteries come in the color of green and black.

These batteries work great for digital cameras, remotes, children’s toys and any other type of electronic that takes “AA” batteries. You will get in the habit of replacing them as you use them and it will be come as natural as it is to grab the disposable ones from the carton and replace them. Plus, the added benefit, they are so eco-friendly and better for the environment. So now, no more plastic container of batteries that I know many of you have.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Don’t just assume that low or zero-VOC paints options are completely nontoxic. The regulations currently in use are guidelines that allow exemption of some toxins from being listed on the label of the paint. Of course low VOC paints are a better option over all and they are also lower in price now and are widely available as well.

Here are five tips to help cut your costs at home as well as help the environment in the process.

1. Leftovers at home are the number one way to cut your food cost and save you from using unnecessary resources as well. If your leftovers aren’t appealing for a second or even a third night, try adding them to a dish already prepared. Experiment with different left over food and you may make a whole new recipe and dish

2. Another way to save on food cost and help the environment out at the same time is to eat close to home. Why travel 50 miles to a fancy restaurant when there are many restaurants in your own town. Even if they are mom and pop stands, it’s nice to be giving back to your own community as well as eating at a place that you don’t have to drive so far to as well.

3. If you close up drafts around your home with things called draft snakes, you can make a few out of old fabric, you will save on energy cost that is slipping out the cracks. This technique works great for the winter and the summer as well. Install a programmable thermostat as well; program it to come on about 5 minutes before you come home.

4. Order your products online before heading out to shop for them. Yesterday was the infamous “Black Friday” and many of us could have saved a bundle, as well as the man’s life in New Jersey, if more of us had shopped online on Friday. Many of your regular products can be found in many online retailers and it cost less for you to pay online shipping then it is to drive from location to location. Many retailers have free or drastically cut shipping cost if you buy many products at once.

5. When you leave you home consider biking or walking to your location if it’s close. Even if it is a couple of blocks from your home, consider walking or biking there as well. The more you do it the easier it becomes and you will burn calories as well. We are a society of convenience, how convenient is it to head out on your own two feet and leave the same way you came without having to pay for parking or try to find your car in the parking lot of a large store? Pretty darn easy I say.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Large sized dog food bags can be made into a kitchen waste bag instead of wasting a plastic garbage sack. Just fill it the same way you would you regular garbage sack and save yourself that expensive of using yet another plastic bag.

1. Plug your computer, fax machine, copier, scanner, TV, DVD player, and even your Ipod and phone chargers onto a power strip and then simply switch it off when you are not suing them.

2. Replace 10 incandescent bulbs in your home or office with CFLs. Carpool to the office; donate used gear and sporting goods and even well worn older shoes that are good condition as well.

3. Turn down your water heater, air-dry your dishes and even use rechargeable batteries when you can.

4. Replace your clogged car filter; recycle plastics, paper, metals and glass no matter what. Look for recycled products as well and keep them in circulation.

5. Remove your car’s roof rack when you aren’t using it, drink filtered tap water instead of water that has been bottled and BYOB, bring your own bottle to places and refill it. Eat vegetarian twice a week at your home or at the office. Turn off the lights with you leave a room and turn off the ceiling fan when you aren’t in a room as well. Bike to most of your in-town errands and walk to places close like a friend’s house, or the library.

6. Cut down on your car washing, and sweep your driveway off instead of using the hose to spray it. Accelerate your speed gradually in your car to help save gas as well. Use the cruise control on the interstate and open highways. Always drive the speed limit, it’s better to be late then over-use your gas and even get a ticket.

7. Take a Navy shower by turning off the water while you soap up. Shave in the sink and not in the shower to help save water as well. Don’t overfill the bathtub.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Use environmentally friendly insulation on your home. It will help cut your heating and cooling cost as well as helps with your impact on the earth as well.

• Collect rainwater from downspouts and use it to water your won garden and plants.

• Say no to carpeting. Carpet contains more contaminants and pollen and dust than anything else in your home.

• Buy green power when you can and ask your utility company to off it if they don’t already. The typical U.S. household uses about 10,000 KWH a year.

• Repair, and don’t replace appliances. Each fix means your won’t be buying a new one and it will keep your old one out of landfills. IF you feel you must replace, then donate the broken or semi-broken one to a company that refurbishes or repairs then and resells then.

• Buy energy-efficient appliance when you do replace. Energy Star appliance use 10 to up to 50% less energy and water and must meet EPA efficiency guidelines.

• Dry your dishes on the dishwasher rack and if your dishwasher offers the air dry option, use that as well.

• Buy secondhand clothing or household items as tag sales and save the carbon cost of new production.

• Hang your laundry out to dry on a clothes line and eliminate one dryer cycle per week or more.

• Clean AC filters or replace them when necessary to keep your AC unit running smoothly.

• Run ceiling fans instead of the air conditioner in hot climates; this can save you more than a ton of CO2 waste within your won home.

• Use cold water to wash and rinse your clothes, only use hot water when the laundry is very dirty and always wash your bedding in hot water to kill bed bugs and dust mites.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Go for low flow showerheads, this switch can save you 1800 in eclectic cost and 43o in natural gas depending on how your water is heated. Not to mention the savings in water cost and waste as well. Consider putting in a low-flow toilet as well.

Most bottled water you purchase is basically just tap water in a mask. Most bottled water manufactures’ market on the idea that the consumer thinks they are buying better water in a bottle, but tap water is held in higher standard than most if not all bottled water is. But with this thought many people depend greatly on bottled water which is taking a great toll on our environment in a big way.

The environmental impact creates fossil fuel consumption, water consumption and ever massive amounts of waste every year. There is approximately 1.5 million gallons of oil, enough to run about 100, 000 cars for a whole year used in making the plastic which holds this water we are consuming. The water we are consuming is effecting nearby farmers that are close to the bottling plant. There are millions of gallons of water used to make the plastic to hold the water and 2 gallons of water are wasted in the purification process as well. The waste is what’s taking a toll the most. There are only about 10 percent of the plastic water bottles being recycled; leaving the rest in a landfill where it takes thousands of years for the materials to decompose completely.

There is a better and cheaper alternative to this ever growing problem. Simply turn on the tap the next time you want a quick drink of water. Installing a faucet-mounted filter or keeping a pitcher filter in your fridge will take out some of the tap-water taste from the city water as well. If you are away from home, be sure and take your own water in a stainless steel or plastic container with the numbers 2, 4 or 5 instead of buying bottled water. Always bring your own water (BOYW) whenever you can.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Use recycled content toilet paper. If everyone in the U.S. used one recycled roll per year it would save 424,000 trees.

Well, generators are a nice place to start, but what is the right one?

A generators output is the best place to start looking, as well as the size of the generator. A generators output is measures by watts, a unit of power derived by multiplying electrical flow rate (amps) by electrical pressure (volts). But how much is enough?

To choose the right generator, you need to accurately estimate your power requirements. Here’s a sample of wattages required household appliances and tools. Start-up are momentary, they occur for a few seconds when a motor is switched. To find the power rating for your tools and appliance, check their manuals pr read the information stamped on the device itself.

Appliance:

Furnace: Start-up watts (1,400); Operating watts (700)

Well Pump (1/2 horsepower): Start-up (1,500); Operating watt (750)

Refrigerator: Start-up watts (1,500); Operating watts (800)

40-gallon water heater: Start-up watts (n/a); Operating watts (3,000)

Freezer: Start-up watts (2,000); Operating watts (800)

VCR: Start-up watts (n/a); Operating watts (50)

Radio: Start-up watts (n/a); Operating watts (100)

TV/Computer: Start up watts (n/a); Operating watts (350)

Microwave: Start-up watts (n/a); Operating watts (750)

Sump Pump: Start-up watts (1,400); Operating watts (750)

Washing Machine: Start-up watts (1,500); Operating watts (750)

Coffee Maker: Start-up watts (n/a); Operating watts (850)

2-Slice Toaster: Start-up watts (n/a); Operating watts (1,100)

Plug-in Heater: Start-up watts (n/a); Operating watts (1,500)

7 1/4-inch Circular Saw: Start-up watts (1,500); Operating watts (750)

Here are four generator safety tips to keep in mind when using a generator: Generators offer great convenience during power outages, but if not used properly they are and will become very dangerous when in use. Follow these guidelines for safe use:

• Store gasoline outside your home-away from living quarters and livestock barns.

• Always use a generator outside, never inside doors on in an attached garage. (People have died because of this in the past, never take the chance, no matter how convenient it is.)

• Protect a generator from the rain and snow and even rain while stored and during use.

• Use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords sized to match the power load and the length of the cord.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Stop idling in your car.

Americans throw away enough office paper to build a 12-foot-hgh wall from Los Angeles to New York. Recycling one time of paper saves 17 mature trees, 7,000 gallons of water, a 380 gallons of oil. Making new paper from recycled paper used 30 to 50 percent less energy than making paper from trees, and it produces 95 percent less air pollution. Encourage everyone in your office to print and photocopy only when necessary, use both side of the paper when you do print, and try to reuse paper. Fro when you must print, here are a couple of accessories and ideas to help you work more green:

1. Recycled paper with 30 to 35 percent post consumer content, which is available at Office Depot stores.

2. Paper from nonwood fibers, such as Ecopaper made in Costa Rica from agro-waste. Paper made from agricultural residue is pricey, but this does encourage careful paper usage. The price will come down as production increases.

3. Recycled paper with 100 percent post consumer content, processed without chlorine, from The Green Office. Locating a green paper resource near your office will minimize pollution from transportation.

4. Use refillable pens made from recycled plastic.

5. Recycle your printer cartridges-for every ink or laser toner cartridge that is recycle, two quarts of oil are kept out of landfills.

6. Chlorine free and tree-free papers are the most ecofriendly choices to go.
(Source: Organic Gardening 2008)

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Always turn the lights out in a room or closet when you are finished. What’s the point of leaving the light on anyway?

VERY GREEN HOUSE: Building a new home or redecorating a room? Visit the Green House at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. It’s a 7,00-suare-foot re-creation of the Glide House, a low maintenance, affordable modernist home. Guests can check out 60 eco-friendly products from countertops to carpets. If you can’t make the trip visit the website for ides to use in your own home.

Pesticides in Produce:

12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables:

1. Peaches
2. Apples
3. Sweet Bell Peppers
4. Celery
5. Nectarines
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Pears
9. Grapes (imported)
10. Spinach
11. Lettuce
12. Potatoes

12 Least contaminated:

1. Onions
2. Avocados
3. Sweet Corn (frozen)
4. Pineapples
5. Mangos
6. Asparagus
7. Sweet Peas (frozen)
8. Kiwi Fruit
9. Bananas
10. Cabbage
11. Broccoli
12. Papaya

Pick a menu theme and make it organic:

Italian Tomato Soup
Serves: 4

1 tbs. Olive oil
2 tbs. unsalted butter
2 Carrots, scraped and finely diced
2 Celery stalks, finely diced
1 Large onion, minced
2-1/4 lbs. Ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
2 tbs. Parsley, chopped

Heat oil and butter in a heavy, nonreactive saucepan over medium heat, add carrots, celery, and onions. Sauté about 20 minutes or until very tender. Add tomatoes and simmer 25-30 minutes more. Stir in parsley and salt and pepper to taste.

Italian Sausage Casserole
Serves: 4

1/4 lb Egg noodles
1/2 Large onion, coarsely chopped
1/2 lb Sweet Italian sausage
5 oz. Frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained, squeezed dry
5 oz. Cream of mushroom soup
1 clove Garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. Dried tarragon
1/4 tsp. Dried marjoram
1 Egg
1/2 lb. Low fat ricotta cheese

Preheat oven to 275°F. Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling water 5-7 minutes or until almost tender. Drain. Sauté onion and sausage in a heavy, nonstick skillet over medium high heat 5-7 minutes until brown. Stir frequently to break up meat. Remove from heat. Discard drippings. Stir noodles and next 5 ingredients (spinach through marjoram) and salt and pepper to taste into sausage. Transfer to a buttered 2-quart casserole dish and spread evenly. Combine egg and ricotta in a bowl and spread over noodle mixture. Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden on the top. Cool slightly and serve.

Easy Tiramisu
Serves: 4

1/3 cup Sugar
2 tbs. Water
2 Egg whites
6 oz. Light cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup Strong coffee
3 tbs. Dark rum
9 Ladyfingers, split in half

Bring sugar and water to boil in a saucepan over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Boil uncovered 1 minute and remove from heat. Beat egg whites to soft peaks with an electric mixer. With machine running on medium speed, slowly pour hot sugar syrup into egg whites and continue beating until whites are stiff and glossy. Continue beating about 2 minutes until mixture is cool. Beat in cream cheese 2 tbs. at a time at high speed until smooth.

Combine coffee and rum in a bowl. Dip cut sides of half the ladyfingers into coffee mixture. Arrange rounded side up in a single layer in the bottom of 1-1/2 quart serving bowl. Spread with half the cheese mixture and sprinkle with half the chocolate. Dip remaining ladyfingers in coffee mixture and arrange rounded side up over cheese layer. Drizzle any remaining coffee mixture over ladyfingers and spread with remaining cheese mixture. Sprinkle with remaining chocolate. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 12 hours.

For more information on going organic and about Mission Organic 2010 please visit the following links:

1. The Organic Center: The nation’s clearing house for hard-core science and studies highlighting why organic products are a healthier dietary choice.

2. All Organic Links: If you are looking for anything organic, this is the place! All Organic Links is a directory of organic resources from A-Z.

3. Organic.Org: A consumer-friendly site offering fun tips for organic living and the latest and greatest in product news.

(Source: Mission Organic 2010)

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip:

There are many changes that can be made now to help with energy cost and your own pocket book. Choices like Energy Star appliances and turning off and unplugging power-drainers when you leave for the the day, go to bed or are gone on vacation. These little changes that can become a habit to do will not only help with the energy pull down on the environment, they will end up saving you loads of money in the long run.

If you go with Energy Star, which you should in your own home, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Item:

1. Central Air Conditioning; Cost: $2,500; Premium: $380; Savings per Year: $95

2. Low-Flow Showerheads (2); Cost: $63; Premium: $3; Savings per Year: $63

3. Washing Machine; Cost: $1,100; Premium: $174; Savings per Year: $58

4. Refrigerator; Cost: $1,000; Premium: $43; Savings per Year: $43

5. CFL Bulbs (6); Cost: $32; Premium: $26; Savings per Year: $32

6. Dishwasher; Cost: $500; Premium: $50; Savings per Year: $10
(Source: ACEE)

• Power Down Your Gadgets: Letting equipment sit idle will drain power.

1. Computer; Cost: $1,000; Premium: $0; Savings per Year: $70

2. Fax; Cost: $300; Premium: $0; Savings per Year: $15

3. Copier; Cost: $700; Premium: $0; Savings per Year: $10

4. DVD Player; Cost: $150; Premium: $0; Savings per Year: $7

5. TV; Cost: $500; Premium: $0; Savings per Year: $4

6. Audio System; Cost: $500; Premium: $0; Savings per Year: $3

• Make and Eco-Emergency Kit:

1. Crank Flashlight: Is powered entirely by you, not battiers or electricity.

2. Solor Shortwave Radio: Runs on sumlight and still works at night.

3. Katadyn Water Bottle: Filters out sediment and nasty protozoa.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: A faucet leaking 1 drop per second wastes about 2,700 gallons of water a year-5 times what an average car uses in gas alone.

As with past postings on building more green, there are many things in which a person wanting to change some minor details in their home currently or to build fresh can use to help with that process. Here are a few other ideas that can be incorporated into those green ideas for your newly green-building project.

• Passive solar orientation with UV-filtering shades on southern side.

• Through tree preservation work by certified arborists.

• Recyled-content steel framing and concrete.

• Energy Start HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system with efficient heat exchanger.

• Floors made of FSC-certified wood and cork.

• Carpet made from natural wool and recycled plastic.

• FSC-certified maple kitchen cabinets with wheatboard interior cores and VOC-free finishes.

• Low- and zero-VOC paints.

• Low-E glazed, double paned, argon-filled, wood-framed casement windows. While these windows cost more than conventional, they’re around the same price as premium, custom-sized designer windows.

• Extra-high R-value formaldehyde-free insulation.

• 100 precent recucled content drywall.

• Decks made of FSC-certified ipê wood and Trex (wood/platic composite.)

• Local stone used in terrace, garden paths, and even use them in landscaping.

• Native specied plants in the gardens to filter driveway runoff before it reach local tributaries.

• Rainwater catchment used for irrigation.

• Rainwater harvesting containers to use to watering plants indoors and outdoors.

• Furniture designed with eco-friendly, natural fabrics.

• Energy-Star appliances.

• Energy-saving light fixtures; Smart Home dimmer system.

• Long-lasting soapstone kitchen counters.

• Bathroom countertops made of salvaged stone and recycled-glass composites.

• Low-flow, motion-activated sink faucets (price in line with conventional Kohler faucets.)

• Low-flow toilets.

• Permanent conservation easement planned.

Build your home the energy efficient way.

When you build or have a contractor build for you, ask about and shop for an energy-efficient home. You can end up getting $2,000 in government tax credits for enviro-smart construction. Typically, these homes have state-of-the-art heating and cooling systems, as well as features like windows with insulation coatings and energy-saving lighting and appliances. Many owners of these new modern age homes have cut up to 50 precent or more off their utility bills.

Upgrade and save: You don’t have to buy a new home to reap the rewards of energy efficiency. Just upgrade the house you already own. Invest in double-glazed windows, a high-efficiency furnace, and other energy-saving products and techniques to save big on repairs and energy bills. You will also benefit from nice tax breaks. Here’s an idea of some energy break down in billing:

• Solar Panels (San Diego; difference between efficient and standard models): Cost-$20,925; Premium (above-average electric rates and sunlight)-N/A; Savings per year-$4,350 (includes one-time tax credit)

• Double-Glazed Windows: Cost-$2,700; Premium (above-average electric rates and sunlight)-$550; Savings per year-$310 (includes one-time tax credit)

• High-Efficiency Furnace: Cost-$2,000; Premium (above-average electric rates and sunlight)-$480; Savings per year-$230 (includes one-time tax credit)

• Composite Decking: Cost-$2,000; Premuim (above-average electric rates and sunlight) -$950; Savings per year-$203

• Upgraded Insulation: Cost-$580; Premium (above-average electric rates and sunlight)-N/A; Savings per year-$155 (includes one-time tax credit)

• Duct Sealants: Cost-$1,200; Premium (above-average electric rates and sunlight)-N/A; Savings per year-$133

• A total of $5,381. That really starts to add up once you crunch the numbers out and find out where the savings can happen within your own home or a newly build home with energy-saving beenfits.

Building a green house for the ground up is easier than you think. Here are some ideas to keep in mind when planning your house plans out.

1. Solar panels mean lower energy costs all around.

2. Insulation is key to preventing heat loss, even in the hottest parts of the house.

3. Duct sealant stops ait leakage at connection points. Be sure and include duct sealant inside the home as well where the duct work meets the furnace or visa versa.

4. Windows with coated glass reflect heat back into a room. You can also have this put on or do it yourself to your existing windows.

5. High-efficiency furnaces reduce costs and greehouse gases. If you model is older than 1998, even if it is in good shape you might want to consider an upgrade to a more efficient one to help curb energy useage.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Living green is good for the environment, but did you know it’s also good for you wallet too? With energy-saving light bulbs to affordable solar paneling for you your roof. You could very well save more than a thousand dollars a month in these changes alone.

Always leave a smaller footprint on the environment than when you came. Here’s travel destinations that will help you achieve that.

• Creekside Inn & Resort: Set in Sonoma County, California, the Creekside uses native plants in its landscape, natural cleaning products and guest room soap, shampoo and lotion dispensers (which means no plastic waste from mini disposable bottles.)

• Kimpton Hotels: Kimpton’s EarthCare programs includes paperless check-in and checkout, fair trade coffee along with organic and locallay grown food and discount room rates for hybrid-car drivers.

• Beaches Resort: Throughout their various locations, Beaches has an extensive compost and recycling program that includes kitchenb grease, cardboard boxed, paper and bottles. The hotels also conserve energy and water by using water efficient showerheads, energy efficient light bulbs and solar powered water heaters.

• Hotel Punta Islita: This Costa Rican resort is nestled in a tropical dry forest (unlike a rainforest, dry forests have long periods without precipitation) in the Nicoya Peninsula of Guanacaste. Adventurers can zoom on a zip line above the forest canopy, kayak on the Ora River and ride horses on the beach, while others can enjoy hiking the dry forest while learning about the local species of plants and animals or watch sea turtles hatch.

• Lapa Rios Ecolodge: Founded by two former Peace Corps Volunteer, Lapa Rios is located in Central America’s last remaining lowland tropical rainforest. Set on the Osa Peninsula, its water comes from natural spring, the landscaping contains only local plants and the lodge promotes guest-volunteer programs.

• Carlisle Bay: This Antiguan resort recycles water for irrigation, donates kitchen waste to local pig farmers and gives used equipment to the community.

**Get your kids outside to help them play better and respect nature in a whole new light. Over at Globally Green Living, Sandra Williams has some ideas to help you get them out in the world. Read them here.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Print on both sides of the paper, or print paper and after your done use it as scratch paper or add it to your compost pile so it can biodegrade back into the earth.

Five Steps To A Greener Yard: (Source: Conscious Choice Magazine)

• Go Native: Native vegetation requires less water (if any) and attractsbeneficial bugs, butterflies and birds, and because native plants are adapted to the area, they are more resistant to disease and pesky insects, negating the need for pesticides. The EPA’s web page Green Landscaping with Native Plants and The Washington Native Plant Society’s page are great places to start in looking for great native plants that will work in your garden.

• Eat Your Estate: You have head the stat: grocery store produce travels and average of 1,5000 miles before reaching your plate. But what could be more local than replacing your front with food for your family and your neighbors maybe. Start at these sites to give you the push in the right “gardening path”. How to Turn your Yard Into a Garden and Your Neighborhood into a Community; The Edible Estates initiative, a national project designed to replace ther American lawn with fruit and vegetable garden.

• Keep The Rain: Growing in popularity, rain gardens are depressed areas of a yard that collect runoff instead of letting the water be carried to storm drains, collecting pollution along the way. In turn, the garden feeds native wetland plants, wildflowers and animals. Try Pond Appeal under their Eco-Friendly Rain Gardens to get started.

• Swap Your Shingles: If you live in an urban area and want a patch of green, or if you are looking to utilize the space on top of your house, consider swapping your shingles for a rooftop garden. Roof plants drink in storm water, mitigating runoff. They also absorb less heat, helping control temperaturs (particularly useful in metropolitan areas. Check out Green Roofs to get some ideas on where to begin.

• Give A Hoot: If you must have a lawn, don’t pollute. Reel mowers keep the air clean. Try organic fertilizers (the new generation of products on the market is far more effective). Gather your orange peels and grass clippings from composting. Rain barrelks can help with irrigation, or conserve water by using drip irrigation systems or watering by hand. With a few changes, you’ll be on your way to a more sustainable yard. Check out Safe Lawns and In Harmony to get a good idea of how easy it is to start a change for the positives right away.

**Find out the about the wonderful world of Apple over at Apple Reporter. Kristian Freeman, walks through the 2007-2008 year, at-a-glance with Apple Inc. Read it here.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: When lighting a fire use sustainable matches from a sustainable company or use a refillable variety so it won’t end up in the landfills later after the flame is out.

Did you know manufacturers are not required to list all of their ingredients unless they are active disinfectants or known to be potentially hazardous. Unlike food package labels, when a cleaning product’s ingredients are listed, the order doesn’t necessarily represent relative amounts. The following steps can help:

1. Know The Warning Labels:

• “Danger”: refers to products that are corrosive, extremely flammable, hgihly toxic or poisonous. Commercial toilet bowl, oven and drain cleaners often have these labels on their containers.

• “Caution” or “warning”: Are all catchall terns for manu other hazords, so scan for specifics, such as “vapor harmful”, “causes burns” or “may be fatel if swallowed.”

• “Irritants”: Refer to substances that can cause injury or tissye inflammation on contact.

• “Corrosives”: Refer to chemicals that destroy tissue.

• “Sensitizers”: Are ingredients that can cause allergic reactions and chronic adverse health effects that become evident only after continuous exposure.

• “Chronic Health Hazards”: May include effects ranging from sterility and birth defects to cancer.

2. Avoid Harmful Ingredients:

• Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs)
• Anitbacterials
• Ammonia
• Chlorine Bleach (sodium hypochlorite)
• Diethanolamine (DEA)
• Trithanolamine (TEA):
• Hydrochloric Acid
• Ethylene Glycol Butyl Ether (EGBE)
• Phosphates
• Sodium Hydroxide (lye)

3. Don’t just assume that manufacturers’ environmental and health claims are true: Some maufacturers’ will add labels that are neither independently verified nor regulated. Among those claims on labels are the following.

• Natural
• Nontoxic
• Environmentally Friendly
• Biodegradeable

Some safe cleaners and choices to consider:

1. AFM SafeChoice
2. BioKleen
3. Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds
4. Ecover
5. Holy Cow
6. Mountain Green
7. Planet, Inc.
8. Seventh Generation

Just do your homework and find out if the label claims are true before assuming that the are true.

**JM over at Fiction Scribe wishes everyone a Happy New Year, jump over there and wish her one in return. While you are there, you can read her Top Ten of 2007.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Get on the list. Find out if your city pledged to meet Kyoto Protocol emissions targets; if not, contact your mayor or city council.