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Boston Green Blog posts content from all types of sources to maintain a well-rounded point of view. If you're a regular reader of Boston Green Blog you may have noticed that the New Perspectives column has moved from Monday to Thursday. A guest author will be featured each Thursday to help build a stronger sense of community and engagement in Boston's green community. If you are interested in submitting a post, please check out the guidelines for guest bloggers. I look forward to hearing from you!

3 Fun Recycled Crayon Crafts

If you have kids, you probably have lots of broken Crayons. Instead of throwing away all those bits of colored wax, why not recycle them into a work of art or another useful creation? Here are three fun crafts you can do to recycle your broken Crayons:

1. Rainbow Crayon Hearts – An easy way to make your broken Crayons useful again is to melt them into new, fun shapes. Using a silicon mold, heart shaped for example, place the broken Crayon bits. Make sure all the paper is removed. The end product also looks better if the colors blend well, like blue and yellow for example. Melt in a 250 degree oven for fifteen to twenty minutes. Let cool before removing. The resulting heart crayons make for a fun Valentine’s Day gift! Try different mold shapes for different seasons or holidays. You can even make crayon cars, worms, butterflies, or other kid-friendly ideas.

2. Crayon Monograms – A great gift for Teacher’s Appreciation Day, you can make a large initial monogram by simply gluing broken Crayon parts creatively. Invest in a nice frame and you have a great gift for your child’s teacher. Or make one with your child’s initials for a fun addition to their room’s wall art. 

 

3. Crayon Drip Décor – Last but not least, melting crayons make for all kinds of fun décor. The most basic use is done by gluing a new box of crayons to the top of a large paper or poster and then melting them and allowing the drips to make a rainbow. While attractive, it does not work as well with broken crayons. However you can use broken crayons to make a similar effect on three dimensional objects like pumpkins. Using a white pumpkin and melting crayons, paper free, with a hair dryer you can have an awesome rainbow effect for your decorating needs. Don’t limit yourself just to pumpkins; this fun craft can have all sorts of uses throughout the seasons. 

These three fun crafts really make you take a second look at what you throw away. Even broken items can find new uses. Help your kids to understand what it means to reduce, reuse and recycle!

Author: Nancy Parker is a regular contributor to www.enannysource.com and she loves to write about wide range of subjects like health, Parenting, Child Care, Babysitting, nanny background check tips etc. You can reach her at nancy.parker015@gmail.com

How to Make the Healthiest Food Choices

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In the last decade, countless buzzwords have emerged to describe the food. With numerous labels and signs promoting “organically grown”, “locally sourced”, “grass fed”, “artisan”, “fresh”, “all natural”, and others, it’s hard to keep track of what they all mean. While many of us strive to make the best decisions we can when it comes to what we put in our cart and on our dinner plates, what exactly does this entail? Let’s discuss some of those words and find out what they really mean.

Natural is used to describe many types of food - from meat to vegetables to packaged potato chips. For many people, the term "natural" conjures images of wide, open fields, a single farmer working fifteen hours a day, and everything done by hand, and of course with no chemicals. Packaging certainly plays a large role in this, with green being widely used, and smiling cows, chickens and other farm animals showing just how happy the organic life is. But is it, really? Technically, the term natural simply means derived from natural matter. Therefore, if you trace anything far enough back, it is certainly natural. Instead, look for organic products that have the USDA organic label.

While it is good to choose organic where possible, organic isn’t the be all and end all of ethical eating. For example, if you are concerned about the companies behind your food, organic isn’t necessarily the way to go. Many large corporations now have an organic line, so it is important not to be fooled into thinking that you are supporting a small family when you buy organic.

Additionally, you are not necessarily supporting local farmers. Organic food can, and does, come from anywhere in the world. Depending on where you shop, it can often travel thousands of miles to get to your supermarket. Many people are aware that “food miles” matter when it comes to making ethical and environmentally friendly decisions. Choosing food that is grown overseas and imported doesn’t make much sense, and is often less fresh, but can still most certainly be organic.

Although organic produce is a step in the right direction, and it is important to be aware of the benefits that eating organic can deliver, it is equally important to realize that there are other factors to consider when making ethical choices regarding the food that you and your family eat.


Author: Kurt Jacobson is a surfing enthusiast with a background in real estate. Having moved 10 times in the past 7 years, he thrives on helping others learn from his experiences. When he's not out shredding waves he writes about rental homes for www.rentfinder.co.

5 Steps to Greater Tranquility at Home

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Your home is supposed to be a place to feel restful and to recoup after a hard day’s work. Turning your home into a tranquil retreat is a great approach to take if you’re looking to spruce things up with a little bit of redecorating and hard work.  So how do you go about turning your home into a restful retreat?  Here are 5 steps to achieving a truly tranquil home.

1 – Natural Materials

Cold, harsh materials such as metal and glass should be avoided if you’re looking to create an environment that’s welcoming, comforting and soothing.  If your home is full of modern furniture, replace it with rustic feeling wooden pieces like the ones available from Trade Furniture Company.  Take up your carpet and reveal the wood floorboards beneath. With a little bit of care (plus sanding and staining) you could turn them into one of the best – and most tranquil – features of your home.

2 – Sleepy Sounds

Twitter notifications might be practical, but they’re not conducive to a relaxing home.  Try playing soothing music, and open the windows to allow the sounds of nature to come into your home.  You could even designate certain hours of the day where you switch off all your technology to prevent any distractions.  

3 – Natural Light

There are a number of studies showing that exposure to natural light promotes a healthy, balanced lifestyle and is also physically good for you.  Not only that, but it releases melatonin which is known to increase productivity.  Therefore, draw the curtains and let the light in because it’s only going to be beneficial.  After all, a relaxing environment is a happy one, so improving your mood will carry you a long way in your quest for a more tranquil home.

4 – Minimal Design

Clutter is the enemy of a clear mind and a stress-free home.  The more things you have out, the more there is to clean, tidy and put away, and this all amounts to a significant amount of stress and hard work.  Therefore, if you’re looking to operate a tranquil home, the answer is to go minimal.  White walls, as little furniture as you could manage, plenty of open space and simple fixtures.  

5 – Bringing Nature to You

As previously stated, nature is great for relaxation, so if you’re looking to really go the whole hog, you should try to increase the amount of nature in your home.  Do this by extending your outdoor space in – by, for example – placing green potted plants in strategic locations and by having more natural materials in your home. 

Author: Trade Furniture Company

5 Ways to Contribute to a Shared Outdoor Space

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More and more housing companies are turning away from homes with their own gardens to more vertical houses with shared, co-operative yard spaces.  If you live in a home with spare green space, you might be wondering how best to contribute to it.  Most co-ops ask their users to bring an item as a token of membership, so here are 5 great ways to contribute. 

• BBQ

There’s nothing better than a warm summer’s day outdoors with a barbecue.  Therefore, contributing the BBQ itself could be a very valuable contribution.  Even better, you could build your own using brick and mortar, as this is a great excuse to be outside and to rope in your neighbors to get to know them a little better.  

• Garden Furniture

If you’re looking to provide your shared space with a truly practical gift, there’s nothing better you could do than purchase outdoor furniture from a specialist like Garden Furniture Centre.co.uk.  This could be the beginning of a new social space for you and your neighbors, so providing a great place to relax would be a good start.

• Fun and Games

On the other hand, sometimes a serious, practical gift isn’t necessarily the right approach.  Instead, you could provide the entertainment for the co-op space.  A sustainably-made swing set for the kids or a set of goals for a weekly street soccer match might be a better path to tread, particularly if you’re looking to bring your community closer together.  

• Fruit and Veggie Garden

A fun yet useful approach might be to plant some fruit trees or a vegetable patch.  That way, you and your neighbours could prosper from the annual crop, and meanwhile, you could tend to the garden as a group, providing everybody with plenty of exercise and time outdoors.

• Tools of the Trade

Unfortunately, every garden requires maintaining.  Therefore, you could become everyone’s favorite garden co-operative member by bringing your own (efficient) lawnmower and maintenance tools.  After a few weeks, you could ask the others to join in with the work and you could maybe even create a rotation to ensure that everybody’s doing their fair share.

Good luck and happy gardening! 

Author: Pete, Garden Furniture Centre 

Green Gardening Solutions

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Not all gardens are ‘green’due to the use of chemical insecticides, wildlife-unfriendly paving, and water use. If you want to make your garden more environmentally friendly or if you’re interested in turning an urban space into a haven for wildlife, look no further than these top tips.

Put Down the Pesticides 
Attract bug-eating birds to your garden with a bird bath and a hanging feeder with nuts. Birds love to eat leftover crusts of bread too, so don’t throw these in the bin. To deter slugs and snails, you can make barriers of grit or crushed eggshells around plants. If you must use slug pellets, choose those that are not harmful to children or wildlife. Think about which insects you want to attract to your garden. Instead of using pesticides filled with chemicals that can upset the fragile balance of your garden’s ecosystem, why not plant some bright flowers like sunflowers or marigolds to attract ladybirds and lacewings. These insects eat crop-destroying aphids, including the dreaded blackfly.

Save Water
Install a rain catcher to reuse rainwater and cut down on your water bills. There’s plenty of rainfall during the year, and this can be utilized in your garden at no cost. Try to water your plants either very early in the morning or late in the evening so the water doesn’t evaporate quickly.

Start Composting

Composting is putting back into the garden what you take out when you cut flowers and pull weeds or vegetables. You can cheaply buy or build a compost bin for the garden and fill it with raw kitchen waste and old newspapers. Make sure you keep a balance between brown and green waste; brown waste includes cardboard and leaves and green waste is old vegetables. If you do this correctly, your compost heap won’t smell or attract vermin and will provide rich new compost to benefit flowers and vegetables. Compost makes a great mulching material and holds much-needed moisture around the roots of plants. 

Ponds

Ponds are a popular choice for gardens because they offer an important wetland habitat for insects, fish, birds and mammals. Badgers, foxes and common birds like to drink and bathe in ponds and they are favored by frogs and toads. Amphibians are great for your garden because they eat all sorts of unwelcome pests that attack plants. If your pond is in a shady site it will attract different wildlife to if it is dug in a sunny spot. Make sure that your pond stays clean to attract as much wildlife as possible. All Pond Solutions offers a large selection of pond filters. 

Author: Tom of All Pond Solutions

Cut Down Your Winter Bills & Your Carbon Footprint

source image courtesy of Mother Earth News

Cutting monthly bills and reducing your environmental impact often go hand in hand. But this doesn’t mean you have to mean you have to be cold and miserable. The best of both worlds is to properly insulate your home and use energy efficient appliances and equipment. You can then take the next step by investing in renewable energy.

Buy Green Power

Boston residents can sign up to switch electricity power source to wind or solar. There are three different companies that you could go with:

•  NSTAR lets you choose between half or all of your electricity support wind power. The wind is generated in upstate New York and in Maine, and has been certified by Green-e Energy. This means that NSTAR meets standards of environmental quality and it has acquired the renewable energy supply it has committed to deliver. 

• Boston Buying Power lets local businesses to group together to buy green energy.   EPA encourages organizations to use green power, and at the moment has more than 1,400 partners voluntarily using billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually.

So whether you’re a resident or a business owner, there’s no excuse not to consider using green power.

Make Your Own Energy

There are lots of ways to make your own energy, but the best for households is via solar power. Solar panels can be used to generate electricity, or to heat water. Solar panels have dropped in price over the past five years, making them much better value for money and increasing ROI. Though the upfront price is still a lot, some solar systems can be installed with no upfront cost for installation and ownership by a third party and they can also be leased at a rate that could be lower than your bills. If you want to own it yourself, then you can save money by shopping around for installation costs at companies like The Handy People.

Insulation

Insulation is a really effective way to cut down on your energy bills, as it stops heat escaping and makes it quicker and easier to heat your home.

Renew Boston is a program that offers free energy assessments and then eligible customers receive 75% off for insulation and air sealing. If you’re part of a duplex or an apartment building, and the whole building is buying insulation, then you could receive up to 90% off.   

Author: Tom, The Handy People

New Perspectives: Environmentally Fences

source image courtesy of flickr

Though it might not feel like it, Spring is just around the corner (I hope)!!! Now is a good time to start thinking about yard and garden solutions for when warmer weather (finally) rolls around.

Why you might need a fence
Living without a fence in your yard is the most environmentally-friendly option, but sometimes they are needed. So, putting the right kind of fence up in the appropriate areas can help to prevent unnecessary environmental costs. Some might need a fence in their yard to keep plants in your garden safe from animals that might want to eat or destroy them. Fences are also required around pools. And some need a fence to keep pets safe. Places like Buy Fencing Direct have a large choice of fencing available for these types of applications.

Types of environmentally friendly fencing

The best type of environmentally friendly fencing is natural hedging or shrubbery fencing. However, these may not be high or thick enough to keep animals out, or it may grow too slow. Using salvaged wood can also be a good way to have an environmentally friendly fence, but it might take a while to find enough supplies.

Other considerations

Wire fencing can potentially be harmful to animals - they can get caught if the gauge size isn't quite right. Also make sure that there is little or no gap between the ground and the bottom or your fencing in case any animals decide that they will try and go underneath it to get in your garden and get stuck halfway through!

Author:  Tom of Buy Fencing Direct

New Perspectives: Keeping Warm with Multi Fuel Stoves

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Winter is in full force, and means we are constantly looking for ways to keep warm when we are at home. Unfortunately, this means that this time of year can be damaging to the environment. Energy bills are likely to take a steep rise as you try to keep warm, but you should know that there are decent alternatives that will allow you to stay warm and reduce damage to the environment. There is nothing quite like relaxing in front of the fire on a cold winter night, and there is one type of stove that you can have in your home which will look fantastic, keep you warm, be kind to the environment and be very efficient too. With so many benefits that this stove type brings it is no surprise that people everywhere are suddenly looking to invest, and you should too because they are a terrific heat source.

Multi fuel stoves are the new heating alternative, and they can allow you to save an enormous amount on your heating bill over time. As the name suggests, these stoves can burn a variety of fuels, including environmentally friendly, renewable fuel. These stoves can save you money whilst saving the environment if you look to use fuels such as dried wheat, corn and compressed wood chips, and you can even use all three of these together if you wish. So you can clearly see the benefits that this type of stove brings, and on top of this they can look fantastic and really add some character to any home as well.

Multi fuel stoves can be installed into existing fireplaces, or as a free standing unit if you wish, and the inset stoves look particularly good when they are inset into a chimney breast. When you shop at stove specialists, like Glowing Embers, you will get the best range at these places, and this will include contemporary stoves, traditional stoves, inset stoves, enamelled stoves and lots more. This means you should be able to find the perfect one to fit with your home, and you will love how much money it saves, how great it looks and the fact that it is eco friendly as well, and this makes it the ultimate way to stay warm when you are at home this winter.

Author: Volsom Limited

New Perspectives: Green Industry & Climate Change Preparedness in the UK

source image courtesy of Science Daily

Most businesses are focused on maximizing profits because this is, of course, how they are able to survive and expand. However, an increasing number of companies also demonstrate an interest in minimizing their negative impact on the environment. Companies also working develop products that are well-adapted to handling the adverse consequences of extreme weather caused  by climate change.

Eco-Friendly Welfare Units

The British producer of construction equipment JCB has signed a deal with a designer of site welfare units that will see eco-friendly units manufactured for the construction industry. This is a new market for JCB and shows that the business is unafraid to branch out into areas that have not previously been part of their remit. The brand new welfare units include a canteen for six to ten people, hot water on tap, microwave facilities, a toilet and anti-vandal security doors. It is light enough to be towed by most commercial vehicles and can become either a static or a mobile unit due to the hydraulic undercarriage. 

The JCB Eco Welfare Units emit 80% less C02 in comparison with similar products on the market and save £150 per week on fuel costs. They are powered largely by solar panels and supported by a 12V backup generator in a bespoke design. Construction employees can now relax onsite in a secure and comfortable space at a reduced cost of operation.

Weather

Last week, storms in the UK had a devastating impact on the coastline and on transport across the country. According to the Met Office, the Atlantic storm causes winds of between 60mph and 80mph in Scotland and northern England. Some areas reported wind speeds of up to 140mph which lead to 100,000 properties being subject to power cuts.  The highest tidal surge in 60 years hit the east coast, with homes in Norfolk and East Anglia reportedly falling into the sea. When natural disasters occur or storms become unusually violent, the appropriate industry equipment is required to prevent serious damage occurring and to clear streets in the aftermath.

The 3CX Backhoe

The industry-leading backhoe loader is the ideal tool for removing debris that cluttered roads after the storm. It functions as both a digger and a bulldozer, making it a versatile multi-purpose tool.

Flood Barriers

Pre-cast concrete defence walls are absolutely necessary when there is a risk of flooding, particularly in coastal areas. These protectors are currently being used throughout the UK and JP Concrete offers four different types of barrier for extreme weather situations. Pressed concrete panels combine concrete panels and steel frames, they have watertight joints and can be constructed to fit a range of height and length specifications. This option is durable and cost-effective. L-shape retaining walls can be cast into concrete floor slabs for a smooth base finish on flood defence walls. For temporary structures or extra protection that can be erected as and when it is needed, freestanding retaining walls or concrete lego blocks that don’t need any foundation work can offer a practical solution. 

Author: Scot JCB 

New Perspectives: Tips for Selecting Great Used Boots

Men's fashion should be two things: simple and functional. Any "look" (try to avoid "looks", by the way) that deviates too far from these two qualities is unlikely to be around for long (looking at you deep v-neck t-shirts).

As far as I can tell, all fashion trends experience a regression to the mean - that is to say, there's a great chance that the clothes men will wear 20 years in the future will closely resemble the clothes worn 40 years in the past. This is especially the case with boots.

That's good news too, considering how easy it is to find used boots from thrift shops and online that look just as dapper on you when you're hanging out with your lady as when you're treating a client to lunch. And we've failed to mention the sustainability angle of re-owning leather footwear. I mean, I'm no vegan, but surely wearing fewer dead cows on your feet is better than wearing more, right?

Then there's the matter of style and quality. If a store is selling boots several decades older than the employees working there, there must be a demand for the shoe, and the shoes must be well-made to have held up for that long. Trends come and go, but boots that stick around for generations are usually solid.

Here are some qualities to look for when buying used boots and some tips for caring for them.

What to Look For

Fit:  A good cobbler can do many things, but making a pair of boots fit your foot isn't one of them.

Too Small is Too Small: I bought a pair of cowboy boots once that were a half-size too small because I thought they looked great and wanted to wear them for a gig I was playing. That was a huge mistake.

The Heel: Heels made from wood or leather are far better quality than those made of plastic or rubber, and thus far easier for a cobbler to work with.

The Last: Look for hand lasting over machine lasting. This is important for quality and fit.

Red Flags: If the boot exhibits any of these qualities, think twice about buying.

• Sole pulling away from the shoe.

• Tears in the leather away from the seam.

• The lining is cracked, flaky, falling apart.

• The boots are far cheaper than you expected.

Care

Clean Them: Jerry Seinfeld has a bit about leather ideally being about to withstand all of nature's forces, just like the cow it came from. Unfortunately this isn't the case. It's important to brush dirt and residue off boots because they lessen the boot's water repellence.

Oil Them: Like human skin, leather dries out over time. To keep leather strong and durable, it needs to be oiled. Synthetic and natural compounds work equally well, although natural compounds darken the shade of the leather whereas synthetics do not.

Find A Cobbler: If there's a downside to buying vintage boots, it's that they come with miles on them. Find a cobbler who can do occasional repairs and give you maintenance tips.

Old, But New

There are many pairs of vintage men's boots looking for a home. The most important thing to remember when buying them is that while you can re-sole a boot, you want the boot to be well made. Look for full-grain leather, wooden or leather soles instead of straight rubber or plastic, and, of course, look for a boot that looks timeless.

Author: Seth Sosebee is an eBay.com community contributor, where he muses about vintage footwear and a wide variety of other men's fashion and lifestyle topics.

New Perspectives: Don’t Burn Up! Alternative Heat for Winter

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When colder seasons roll around, I always find the smell of wood stoves to be incredibly comforting. It’s a nostalgic scent, and it reminds me of the holidays. More importantly, many homeowners consider it a valid alternative heating source for their homes as the prices of oil climbs ever skyward. However, my appreciation of burning wood is pretty illogical when you consider all the downsides that wood stoves and fireplaces have to us and the environment.

While it’s undoubtedly cheaper, the downsides are intense to say the least. As reported by USA Today a few years ago, wood releases carbon monoxide and carcinogenic chemicals when burned. The soot and liquid waste that wood burning produces can cause complications such as heart disease and respiratory problems.

The concerns caused by burning has blanketed some regions entirely even here in the states, with particle pollution far past the point of federal safety limitations. It goes without saying that this form of fuel also causes damage to our ozone layer. Check out this booklet to learn more about the various ways that wood-burning causes more harm than good.

While many people value wood-burning as a more economical approach to heating a home, it certainly isn’t the cleanest or most efficient. Even if you aren’t exactly the “green” type, you’ll be saving plenty of green with these simple cost-beneficial tips to improve your home’s heating efficiency.

• Install some simple modifications in your home to improve how well your house retains heat. Windows can be one of your greatest assets in making sure that you deflect or insulate heat as necessary. Window films can work wonders, as well as shutters and storm windows. Anything to improve your seal and absorb more sunlight around your home can effectively improve your home’s natural heating abilities.

• Have your heating and air equipment regularly checked up on. You might not need to rely on cheaper and dirtier varieties of equipment if your system is regularly cleaned and tuned up. In addition, having an energy audit performed in your home could be just the ticket, especially if you’re in an older property with a lot of air leaks.

• While nobody wants to hear these words, bundling up is a strategy that can pay off dividends on your energy bill. While nobody likes sweat pants, simply putting on a few extra layers is one of the only truly cost-free ways to warm yourself up. Likewise, make sure your house is “bundled up” too by checking your insulation if you think you’re losing a lot of your heat through the walls.

Author: J.G. Tenuto, an eco-obsessed writer with Gila Films. Although he mostly writes and researches for his 9-to-5, he spends his downtime fine tuning every aspect of his home to reduce his carbon footprint (and save some cash along the way.)

New Perspectives: Changing Your Home Without Hurting The Environment

Changing Times

Many were stunned by the recent shocking news headlines about 30 Greenpeace activists facing 15 year jail sentences in a Russian prison. This is due to their protests at an arctic oil rig in relation to the environmental consequences of arctic drilling. In conjunction with an announcement from Greenpeace regarding a change in their strategy, they believe that by staging more proactive, high-profile campaigns, there will be a push from the public to force the government to act on important environmental issues.

Make Changes to Your Everyday Life 

Most of us are in agreement about the state of the planet, and find it hard not to connect all the natural disasters and volatile weather conditions to climate change. However, most of us don’t fancy abseiling down the shard to drill this statement home to the masses. There are still changes we can all make to contribute to sustaining the environment and the natural balance and harmony of life.

It is up to each and every person to take responsibility for the impact that their actions have on the environment. Everything should be taken into account in regards to their lifestyle choices - in terms of simple things such as recycling, reusing carrier bags, planting flowers to attract wildlife into our gardens. Take things a step further by making your home as energy efficient as possible, by insulating your loft or refitting those drafty windows, you will see a reduction in your electricity bill.

Use Sustainable and Recycled Materials

If you are redecorating or renovating your house, think about how the materials you used were sourced. Floorboards suit every room, from a rustic kitchen to an urban studio space. Using a reclaimed wood product is also extremely important in regards to the environment; after all, we need to save trees. The Reclaimed Flooring Company has a beautiful selection from French Oak beams to original Victorian Pine floorboards.

We take wood for granted and can be careless when disposing of items we no longer require. But if you want to reduce the chances of landfill and preserve trees, then using reclaimed wood is a positive way to do it. Are you craving an industrial, raw space with exposed brick-work, wrought iron and distressed floorboards? Or how about a cozy kitchen with a vintage dresser and lacy net curtains? By using reclaimed and recycled materials you add dimension and texture to your room and you don’t feel like you are compromising. If anything, the authenticity, using pieces rich with history, looks far more unique than a clinical set of MDF drawers and some faux-wooden flooring.

This post is sponsored by The Reclaimed Flooring Company. 

New Perspectives: 7 Ways to Clean With Essential Oils

source image courtesy of lilablog

The essential oils from plants such as lavender, rose, tea tree, eucalyptus, orange, lemon, pine, and even peppermint can be very useful and pleasantly scented green cleaning products. Since each bottle is highly concentrated you only need a few drops to do a big job. It may seem to cost a bit more than other natural cleaning methods, but you actually use less and the wonderful smell makes up for any increase in cost! Here are some ways you can clean up green with essential oils:

1. Clean combs and hair brushes with tea tree, eucalyptus or lavender oil. Just twenty drops added to half a cup of vinegar and one and a half cups of water can get your brushes looking and smelling great. Let them soak overnight and then air dry. Make sure you remove any hair before soaking.

2. Get scuff marks off the floor with tea tree oil. Apply a few drops and then rub with a rag wetted with vinegar.

3. Orange oil is great for removing sticky or oily stains. Just apply a few drops to the stain with a cotton ball or rag and dab until stain or stickiness is gone. Wash the spot immediately afterwards with warm water to remove any lingering oils. Will not stain most fabrics.

4. Keep your shower doors looking shiny with lemon oil. Rub or spray on a few drops of lemon oil diluted with water to keep the scum away.

5. Keep your toilet looking and smelling great by mixing two cups of water with two teaspoons of tea tree oil. Spray onto the toilet and let it soak for half an hour. Then scrub to remove stains and scents.

6. Keep your bathroom smelling fresh all day long by adding a drop of fragrant essential oil to the inside of your toilet paper roll. Every time someone goes to use it the scent will be released. I love calming lavender myself!

7. Get windows clean and repel flies and mosquitos! Just add ten drops of lemon grass oil to two ounces of water and spray onto windows for a shiny, great smelling surface that flies and mosquitos can’t stand.

Author: This post is contributed by Christine Maddox. Currently she is pursuing her Master’s degree from University of Texas as well as blogging for www.4nannies.com. She loves to write anything related to parenting, kids, nanny care etc. She can be reached via email at: christine.4nannies @ gmail.com.

New Perspectives: Managing Waste and Climate Change

via wikimedia commons

Whenever people discuss climate change, the conversation usually revolves around fossil fuels. Yet, there is another source of greenhouse gases that is not usually considered when amateur climatologists get together.

The waste management industry accounts for roughly 1-5% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. That may seem like a relatively small amount, but when you consider that garbage production rates have nearly tripled since the 1960’s, the problem comes into focus. The ever-increasing amount of garbage produced in the United States could potentially make waste management an even greater source of carbon dioxide and other GHGs in the future.

If you examine the average waste collection process in the U.S., you would see that each step of the process introduces greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. First, there’s the collection of the trash itself which requires the use of either a truck or car. Then the garbage truck has to transport the trash to a facility, such as a transfer station or landfill. Eventually, some portion of the trash ends up in a landfill where it will slowly break down anaerobically, producing methane and carbon dioxide.

Methane is a much more potent greenhouse gas compared to CO2 - making landfills a very worrisome contributor to climate change. Fortunately, all modern landfills incorporate ventilation systems that scrub the gases given off by landfills. Some landfills even burn up the methane or convert it to a liquid form that is of the same quality as natural gas. Currently, there are just fewer than 600 landfill gas-to-energy sites in the United States providing roughly 1.8 megawatts of electricity total. Such facilities are increasingly being sought after by state governments as they demonstrably reduce the eco footprint of both existing and closed landfills, and can generate a large amount of electricity.

Even though the waste management industry is working to reduce its share of GHG emissions; the best solution to curb the impact of trash on the climate is to stick to that old mantra: reduce, reuse, recycle. Reducing your overall consumption of goods means fewer resources have to be used up to produce new
goods. And reusing materials is always better than recycling because recycling uses up a lot of energy,
producing more CO2. But if all else fails, make sure that as much of your waste as possible ends up in the recycling bin.

Author: Kevin Roberts is a content writer for the national dumpster rental company, Budget Dumpster.

New Perspectives: Green Cooking Habits

source image courtesy of Indiana Public Media

Many do not realize the impact cooking can have on the environment. Food is transported over thousands of miles, energy is used to prepare meals, and huge quantities of food are wasted.
Here are a few tips for mitigating your contribution to these issues:

1. Buy Local – The first habit we should develop is to purchase locally produced food. This not only supports your local farmers and economy but it also helps to reduce emissions caused by transportation. Instead of hitting the grocery store, why not hit  farm stands or farmer’s markets for locally grown produce. There are many places you can also buy meat and eggs that have been locally sourced. They are often fresher and better tasting since they have not had to be transported over thousands of miles.

2. Cook Seasonally – Another aspect of going green is to cook seasonally. Why not cook meals using in-season, local foods. Seasonal food tastes better and is also be more affordable. Use Pinterest to find new recipes and you might even find new foods to love.

3. Work With the Weather – Last but not least,  keep the weather in mind. From the heat of the summer to the chill of the winter there is a lot of variation that we often ignore in our cooking. One idea is to focus on fresh salads and cold dishes for summer and keep the oven off. That will help reduce the energy you use and the amount your air conditioner or fans have to work. In the winter, you can open the oven once it has been turned off and release the heat into your home instead of venting it outside (Please be careful when doing this that the oven is not still on - particularly if you have a gas oven). This can potentially help keep your home warm without straining your heater.

Cooking with the environment in mind does not have to be inconvenient or difficult. It takes only a few small changes in your cooking habits to make a big difference.

Author: This article is contributed by Madoline Hatter. Madoline is a freelance writer and blog junkie from ChangeOfAddressForm.com. You can reach her at: m.hatter12@gmail.com.

New Perspectives: 5 Companion Plants for Organic Gardens

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When it comes to keeping your gardens chemical free you may think you can’t be pest free too. However there are many plants that ward off pests naturally. Planted alongside your vegetables these plants can help keep your garden bug free.

1. Sweet Alyssum – This tiny white flower has a pleasant smell that not only enhances your garden but also attracts natural predators to garden pests. A member of the mustard family, this plant can also be eaten and added to dishes. It has a horseradish-like flavor.

2. Marigold – A great flower to plant throughout your garden, marigolds act as natural pesticides to repel a variety of pests. You can even use the leaves to make a spray pesticide that is completely organic and works great.

3. Rosemary – Not only is rosemary a great herb to add to dishes but it also is a great companion plant for carrots, sage, cabbage, and beans. Rosemary wards off carrot flies, cabbage moth, and bean beetles.

4. Basil – Another great herb for cooking, basil is great at defending tomatoes, cabbages and beans. Basil naturally repels a variety of pests that snack on these plants; it is also supposed to improve the flavor of tomatoes.

5. Yarrow – Last but not least is this tall flower. Not only does it attract pest predators like ladybugs but it also helps to improve the vitality of the plants around it. Plant throughout our garden to fight off a variety of pests, even underground ones like nematodes. This flower also helps herbs to produce more essential oils.

These are just a few of the companion plants that can help to make your organic garden flourish.

Author: This post is contributed by Linda Bailey from housekeeping.org. She is a Texas-based writer who loves to write on the topics of housekeeping, green living, home décor, and more. She welcomes your comments which can be sent to b.lindahousekeeping@gmail.com.

New Perspectives: Green Ideas for Home Improvement

The green movement isn’t just for environmentalists. It’s for everyone, including people like me. I’m a mother of two and a wife who’s trying to save some money. I care about protecting the planet, and I’ve learned that the going green can also protect your pocketbook. Here are some of the ways I’ve made my home greener and saved money in the process.

Green Appliances

I remember when the old refrigerator in our basement froze its last container of ice cream and then died. The next electric bill came in and had dropped by nearly $15. Those old appliances are incredible energy hogs. While we don’t rush out to buy new ones, we do invest in Energy Star appliances when it’s time for a replacement. Over time, I’ve watched my electric bill drop even as utility costs have risen.

Improve the Curb Appeal

New windows and doors make your house look better on the outside, and they also lower your energy usage. We replaced an aging wood casement with an energy efficient bay window. I immediately noticed that the room was more comfortable in the summer heat. We’ve also seen a significant drop in our cooling and heating bills. The older your windows are, the more you can save with energy efficient windows.

Water Conservation

There’s nothing quite like opening the water bill and being in for a huge shock. We scrape leftover food off dishes to limit how much they have to be rinsed, turn off the faucet when rinsing toothbrushes and have taught the kids how to take shorter showers. All of these changes are behavioral, and that makes them very cost-effective. Install aerators on sinks and invest in low-flow showerheads. You can also install rain buckets on the downspouts to capture rain from the roof and put it to use in irrigating the garden.

Add Insulation

Insulation makes the home warmer in winter and makes it easier to cool the home in summer. In addition to putting extra insulation in the attic where your old batting has crushed down, there are a few other areas you should bolster. Use a stick of lit incense to check for drafts around windows. If you find one, remove the frame and use spray foam insulation to fill the space. Do the same thing around doors. Buy special foam sheets that go around light switches and outlets on your exterior walls.

Go Green with Cleaning

Green isn’t just about saving money and the planet, it’s also better for the family. Green cleaning compounds do not have dangerous fumes, and they won’t harm your furniture or your children. Green cleaners cost a little more to purchase, but you don’t go through as much of them, and the peace of mind they provide you with is priceless.

There are countless ways to improve your home and go green. You can teach the kids about recycling and embrace a green lifestyle that reduces waste. You can also go green while improving your home by adding insulation, updating windows and investing in Energy Star appliances. Even little changes can make a difference, and it’s better for your family, your finances and the environment.

Author Bio: Karla Jennings is the writer and owner of The Home & Moms, a home improvement blog all about home improvement, renovations, organization, and DIY decorating. She is also a freelance writer for Maid Brigade, a home cleaning service. Her work can be found on various interior design and remodeling blogs around the web.

Pencil it in: Bee Day

WHEN: Tuesday, September 10, 2013, 1:00pm to 9:00pm

WHERE:  1 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA

WHY: Participate in a day of events and activities highlighting the importance of honeybees and beekeeping to biodiversity, the food supply, and human health. Learn more about the alarming decline of beehives (colony collapse disorder) widely documented in the U.S. and Europe. Check out the schedule of events for more info. All Bee Day activities are free and open to the public.

New Perspectives: Shape up your house with high-efficiency plumbing fixtures

We’ve all probably had that bill that made us really take a step back and examine where our money is really going. Unfortunately, I’ve had that happen, and it was on a water bill! Turns out that for a while, I had been feeling the effects of lagging plumbing fixtures. In addition, water conservation is an increasing global concern, so I wanted to do my part to remedy this problem.

Here are some quick replacements that will help conserve both water and money:

TOILETS
It makes sense that the toilet is the most popular choice among consumers when it comes to going green. In fact, most of the time, the other fixtures in this article are favored in the other direction, with low-efficiency setting and builds. Toilets often flush up to six gallons of water per use, which can account for up to 30 percent of a home’s total water usage. Here are some options to lower that number.

Dual Flush Toilets:  This kind of toilet allows you to choose between flushing for liquid or solid waste.

Composting Toilets: This is exactly like an outhouse, except it is sanitary and comes without the smell. These toilets store waste for one year to allow it to decompose naturally. The smell is eradicated with a
special mixture, and VOILA! No water in your toilet.

High-efficiency Toilets: Even the EPA is getting in on this action, releasing their own WaterSense labeled toilets. It’s said that these toilets save people around 4,000 gallons of water each year.


SHOWERHEADS
Toilets are water hogs, but so are showers. These account for about 20 percent of a home’s total water usage, and that probably doesn’t include those people that take hour-long showers…Typical showers use about 2.5 gallons of water per minute, but bigger showerheads can use up to 20 gallons of water per minute. I shudder when I see these types of stats. Ultra-low-flow showerheads reduce the shower’s water output by about 70 percent, which means less strain on your overall plumbing system.


FAUCETS
Faucets are routinely left on to run at-will. Just like with anything else on this list, this puts a toll on the water heater. If you can’t break your habit of leaving the faucet on, check out high-efficiency faucets. They use 1.5 gallons of water per minute. Not bad at all. It’s a small change, but it adds up in the long run. Now imagine with me for a moment – every person in America (just America) made the switch to these types of fixtures, the country would save three trillion gallons of water per year and around $1 billion per year. If one out of every 100 homes made the switch, 80,000 tons of greenhouse gases would  be eliminated!


Author: Diane Kuehl is a home improvement professional and owner of DIY Mother. She lives in Springfield, Illinois with her husband and two kids.