We’re thinking about big, collective eco-impact this weekend. The more we all do, the more it adds up. Which is pretty cool.
So we took a spin through Practically Green’s actions to see which ones have the greatest impact and highest scores in the four areas we address: Energy, Water, Health, and Stuff. Maybe you (or your family, your company, your team, your town) will pick just one thing from this list to do!
Energy
Sign up for green power from your utility… earn a whopping 200 points! Some utilities make it laughably difficult to do this, but once you succeed it doesn’t cost that much more per month, especially compared to the cost of installing a wind turbine yourself.
Installing a Windtronics turbine in Williston, Vermont
Water
If you’ve been toying with the idea of installing a rain barrel, go for it—you’ll get 50 points. But if you’d like to go whole hog and Install a rainwater harvesting system, you’ll get 150 points! Find out why it matters so much by clicking to the action page.
Water-collection system at this high school handles 87% of irrigation needs (San Antonio Express-News)
Health
Eliminate the use of synthetic pesticides—indoors and out—and go up 150 points! Prevention goes a long way, and their are safer ways of dealing with infestations if and when they rear their hideous little heads. Find out more here.
Stuff
If you’re in the market, buying a pre-owned car instead of a new one is 150 points, while choosing a pre-owned home instead of building new is worth 200 points. Food for thought!
If none of these huge actions make sense for you right now, rest assured that small steps add up too. Pick your favorites from the hundreds of actions on Practically Green, and watch your PG score go up and up.
Warning: taking healthy and smart actions in your daily life can be habit-forming/addictive.
On Wednesday NASA released "Blue Marble 2012," a composite image made from data collected by the Suomi NPP satellite.
Is your dishwasher a noisy old wheezer? Chances are it’s costing you lots of unnecessary money to run. If you’re in a position to replace it, here’s the scoop on Upgrading to an Energy Star model.
A smart first step: visit TopTenUSA.org, where you’ll find ten dishwasher brands ranked by “Energy Factor (in cycles per kWh), which accounts for both water heating and electricity use.”
Watch this quick video for basics on why energy-efficient appliances will save you money and perform so well…
Energy Star models are on average 10% more energy efficient than non-qualified models. If your dishwasher is pre-1994, you can save 8 gallons of water PER LOAD. That’s enough water each week to do two loads of laundry!
Today’s most energy-efficient dishwashers combine improved energy efficiency with superior cleaning performance. By using less energy and water, high-efficiency Energy Star-rated dishwashers save you a good deal of money while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving natural resources.
Bosch Evolution 500 dishwasher is as quiet and efficient as it is sleek....
Energy Star-rated dishwashers are available at major national retailers like Home Depot, Sears, & Best Buy, as well as from local specialty appliance retailers. Use The EnergyGuide label to compare the energy use of similar models. Other tips include:
* Buy the right size for your needs. If you select a small model but operate it more frequently, over time you might use more energy than you would with a bigger model.
* Choose a dishwasher with several wash-cycle options. If your dishes are only slightly soiled, you can use a light or energy-saving wash cycle, which uses significantly less water and electricity.
* Choose a dishwasher where you can turn off the “Heat Dry” option. That will save you 15-50% of the energy used to run the cycle.
Kenmore Elite Dishwasher earned top scores in washing & energy use on Greener Options consumer reports.
Got kids? Nephews? Little sibs? Then you know how fast they grow out of their clothes. thredUp is a simple, elegant concept: why not trade stuff with other families? And get PG points for doing it!
- Attend a swap event or use a swap site
- Host or join a costume swap goes toward the Green Halloween badge
Kids grow fast. By age 17 your child has outgrown 1,360 pieces of clothing. Worse yet, you’ve spent upwards of $20,000 replacing clothes that are practically new.
What if you could easily trade all that outgrown clothing for sizes you actually need?
And without leaving your house!
thredUP is the equivalent of a mammoth clothes swap for kids size preemie through size 20, plus toys books, maternity clothes and HALLOWEEN COSTUMES! They’re signing up hundreds of new members every day, which means 1) vast selection and 2) quick turnover.
How does it work?
Here “Chief Mom” Carly Fauth shows us how to stuff a box as full as you can:
Find thredUP at http://www.thredup.com/
And enjoy their Facebook community, where parents list IHA items (as in, I Have A train set) and ISO items, as in, In Search Of wild animal costumes sizes 3-months and 6x. Here’s what I found when I searched for Halloween costumes for size 3-months:
Got questions? thredUp’s FAQ section is best of breed: http://www.thredup.com/faq “If you can’t find the answer to your question here, please ask the community at (and the support knitwits) on our Facebook support page.” Check out their blog the Daily thred.
So give it a try, let us know what you think – and don’t forget to add points to your Practically Green score!
Halloween is one of my very favorite holidays, but I do I hate to think how much candy corn I have wolfed down over the years. The evolved me, the one who reads labels now, knows that this stuff is about as healthy as eating upholstery stuffing.
Credit: NYTimes.com
That’s why I appreciate Green Halloween so so much: A few years ago, Corey Colwell-Lipson decided she’s had enough. Enough of all the junk food, the wasteful packaging, the dumpsters full of costumes, severed-arm decorations, and other trash on November 1st. Corey said, Let’s fix this holiday. She asked, Why can’t we make this holiday healthy and safe?
Photo: Hollie Dunn
Answer? We can! Green Halloween is in year five: a “healthy, safe and eek-o-fabulous Halloween revolution.” And all the scary delicious fun is intact, complete with a National Costume Swap Day, a bag design contest, and thousands of Halloween events around the country with goodies from sponsors like Honest Tea, Angel organic candy bars, and Stretch Island Fruit.
Practically Green is a proud sponsor of Green Halloween, and we’ve created a special Green Halloween Badge to get this party started!
The Green Halloween Badge rewards you for making healthy green choices for this popular family holiday, including costume selection, face paint, trick-or-treating bags, candy — even eco-friendly cocktails for the adults! Go get it!
For example:
Switch to natural face paint Use a reusable bag for Halloween treats Host or join a costume swap
Complete any six of these actions, and the stupendous pumpkin is yours on your Practically Green dashboard!
Watch Corey explain more about Green Halloween in her fabulous witch costume:
To read all about Green Halloween and find fun events near you, visit GreenHalloween.org. You can learn how to get involved locally, sign up for the super nifty newsletter, and get fab DIY costume ideas, recipes, upcycled décor how-to‘s and more. There‘s even a trick-or-treat bag design contest for kids! Join the growing Green Halloween community on Facebook and follow @GreenHalloween on Twitter.
It’s Back to School season, that time of the year when parents and kids shift gears — big time. Unless you’re a teacher, a principal, or a schools chancellor, you might not know that Schools have to get ready to Go Back to School, too! The New York Times has a story about the impressive green efforts at a number of metropolitan-area schools. Many of these actions will be familiar to Practically Green users — switch off the lights when the room is empty, unplug appliances that aren’t in use, save energy in numerous ways. “We’re focused on energy reduction like crazy,” NYC’s school chancellor says.
Today’s guest blogger offers an even broader perspective. As Program Director for Whipple Hill, the go-to resource for web and software designed for top-tier educators, Jill Judd advises educators coast to coast.
Back-to-School Green, by Jill Judd
Summer is not quite over and there are still plenty of beach days and BBQs to be had. Soon though, the nights will bring a slight chill in the air and it will be time for that school bell to ring once again. Although it may not be quite as fun as hanging by the pool, “back to school” season is usually pretty exciting too!
While the students are plotting out their best first day of school outfit or planning their strategy to score straight “A’s”, the teachers and school staff are prepping their classrooms, buildings, grounds and lunch menus to make sure that this will be the best school year yet. No matter who you are in the school community, there is plenty of preparation that must be done before that first bell can ring.
It’s true, the stress of back to school planning can take its toll, but have you considered how heading back to school can also impact the environment? There are lots of great ways that everyone in the school community can chip and do their part and most of them are easier than you think to accomplish.
Before the hustle and bustle begins, the campus is already abuzz with activity. The buildings and grounds staff are hard at work making sure that everything runs smoothly. 
The lights go on, the buildings are cooled and the grounds are checked for safety. Did you know though that most schools pay for their energy usage for entire year based on those first few startup weeks? This is called a school’s “peak demand” and it means that the energy company will bill the school based on their highest amount of usage over a given period.
Here’s a simple math lesson to get your gears going before your first big pop quiz:
More Lights + More AC = More $$
According to Rachael Buchanan, K-12 Independent/University Market Manager and one of SchoolDude.com’s resident energy experts, schools can lower their peak demand charges by making a few simple changes. For starters, be sure that when it is time to bring campus back to life, do so slowly. In other words, don’t wake a sleeping giant. It is extremely important to be sure that everything is in working order, but when testing the lights for example, be sure that they are not left on for long periods of time. Another thing that can be helpful is to set the heating and cooling units to reasonable daytime temperature that is comfortable without requiring a sweater at the end of August or shorts in mid-October.
Building automation systems can be extremely effective for this purpose. An automation system will allow you to tell a building when it should come to life and when it should take a nap. Annual energy audits are also a great way to keep costs down. Audits can be conducted by an engineering firm or self-directed by the school’s maintenance staff. Simply reviewing all of the school’s equipment to be sure that it is in proper working order will go a long way to ensure that it is using energy efficiently.
Teachers and office staff can help keep energy costs down too! Classroom computers and other instructional items should always be powered off when they are not in use. Do you have a personal coffee pot, mini fridge or microwave in your classroom? Shared teacher/ staff break rooms can save decrease a lot of energy usage. Saved energy translates into more money that can be put back into school programs. Just make sure that you don’t steal someone else’s lunchtime burrito!
Aside from energy usage, there are many other initiatives that can be put into place to make campus a greener, healthier place. Students may have the biggest voice in this effort and it is so important for them to get involved. Does your school have a green team? Here’s a great activity that you can join, without even having to try out!
Green teams or eco-school programs are an awesome way to rally support and create awareness at school. In fact, green teams are responsible for generating lots of change at schools around the country. From recycling programs to organic lunch options, these groups are making a real difference.
Far Hills Country Day School in Far Hills, NJ installed Windspires on their campus. These wind turbines are expected to offset the energy costs for the classrooms of up to two different grade levels. Students were able to take part in the entire process from planning approval to classroom education on wind energy.
In Albuquerque, NM, the entire school community of Albuquerque Academy takes part in achieving the school’s sustainability goals. Food waste from the school cafeteria is composted in worm beds that are also used for science classes. Speaking of food, before it is turned into compost at this school, it is purchased from mostly local growers and food sources. Any leftovers are frozen and donated to a local food pantry as well, making sure that very little will ever go to waste. This fall, Albuquerque will be taking their green initiatives to the web by recreating their school’s printed magazine publication in a more accessible and highly sustainable online format. In doing so, they’ll not only be saving paper and a pretty penny on postage, but will also gain the ability to track the readership of their magazine using web-based analytics!
There are so many ways that schools can become more eco-friendly. Organizations like The Green Schools Alliance are helpful resources that you can use to get started. Great ideas are bred by the thoughts of many. So much more can be accomplished when everyone lends a hand. So why not go back to school “green” this year?
Jill’s autobiography: Jill Judd is a thirty-something foodie, wine lover, fashionista, and reformed green girl. By day, she runs a successful partner program for Whipple Hill Communications out of Southern NH. By night, she can be found in Raleigh, NC with her boyfriend David and lovable, albeit ever so slightly neurotic shih-tzu named Max.
Always on the go, Jill treasures any time she can spend with her friends and loves to sit down with a good book, or work on her own blog – Fashionably Chaotic. Jill’s green initiatives started small with just everyday recycling, but after noticing what a difference it made in the amount of trash she was throwing out every week, she began to explore other ways to go green. Now a huge advocate for buying and cooking local, Jill has found the health benefits of enjoying a local and mostly organic diet. From changing out the light bulbs to taking up gardening, Jill is learning something new everyday about sustainability. Her biggest challenge so far has been weeding out her make-up bag…but some day she’ll get there!
Pssst to Jill: check out PG’s Green Beauty actions!
The minute we heard that Corey Colwell-Lipson was remodeling her new farmhouse near Seattle (and working with Green Depot to make it as green as can be), we wanted to be involved. After all, we have dozens of green home-building suggestions on Practically Green, e.g., Use no-VOC paints, Add insulation to your roof.
Updating my 30-year-old farm-style home with my family, the Earth (and my wallet) in mind is easier (and a lot more fun!) with Practically Green’s action plan.
Why wouldn’t they be beaming?! They’ve already got 200 extra PG points for Buy a pre-owned home instead of building new! Corey is posting progress reports at CelebrateGreen, and we’ll share excerpts from this lively journey.
First, the Stairs:
Staircase Before
Before: Staircase with carpet
Aside from the entry, kitchen and two bathrooms, the house was covered in wall-to-wall carpet (including the master bath!). Due to health issues, we don’t “do” carpet (more on that in an upcoming post), so it all needed to come out. But we didn’t want to toss it into a landfill so we posted the carpet and padding on Craigslist’s free pages. Within a few minutes of posting, we had a taker.
After: Sans carpet
We are currently in the process of deciding what type of flooring will go in. We’re looking for floors that are safe, sustainable and durable. Icing on the (organic) cake if they’re beautiful, too. Stay tuned!
Second, The Wall:
Before Wall
Before: Dining room/living room divided by a large wall
Previously, if you were in the living room, you couldn’t see out the french doors onto the (fabulous) porch. And if you were in the dining room you couldn’t fully enjoy the fireplace and bay window.
Solution? Bye-bye wall.
After: No Wall!
After: Wall removed, drop ceiling in dining room raised
The dining room and living room are now one. It’s absolutely amazing how open the space feels. What a difference!
Find out more about Corey’s Demolition. Click here for the story of how they found their dream house. And here for the morning after, aka, The Vision.
P.S. Corey’s company CelebrateGreen originated the wonderfully successful Green Hallowe’en initiative to take the junk out of Trick or Treating (and Practically Green is a proud sponsor.) Join them on Facebook! Find out more here: http://greenhalloween.org
Have you heard that women who wear lipstick ingest several pounds of LEAD in their lifetimes? We did, and that bugged us, so we had a good look at the Switch to a natural lipstick action on Practically Green:
How about a lipstick that’s made of Castor Seed Oil, Beeswax, Shea butter, Vitamin E, and Sea Kelp, among other ingredients? That describes our favorite new lipstick by Mineral Fusion.
Katrina Simeck of Mineral Fusion
Katrina Simeck manages social media & community building at MF, and she’s a true believer in natural cosmetics.
Here’s her feedback on Practically Green.
I consider myself to pretty green-minded. By my family’s standards, I’m downright crunchy – so I was anxious to take the Practically Green quiz. I breezed through the initial questions – recycle glass bottles? Yes! 50 points! Recycle paper? Of course. 100 points! Eat a vegetarian diet? Go me! Another 200 points! My victory was short-lived as the questions got a bit more specific, and a bit tougher. Install rain barrels? Uhm, well…I’ve thought about it. Buy organic vegetables regularly? Let’s define “regularly,” I thought as I munched a non-organic apple. At the end of the quiz, I received my score – Fairly Green. Definitely room for improvement!
I’m happy to report that I am now Solidly Green after returning to the quiz and exploring more actions. Here’s the terrific thing about that initial Practically Green quiz – it made me think. Think of how many of our daily routines are performed merely out of habit. It’s time to green those habits. The Practically Green site gave me an extra push to put together an action plan to change up (and green up) my daily routines. It’s great that Practically Green breaks down each area into individual actions. Every little bit helps!
Since I work in the natural cosmetics industry, the Green Beauty actions are the logical place for me to start. At first glance, I’m interested in the guidance that is given around selecting natural cosmetic & personal care items. One of the challenges that we face in the industry is the lack of a clear, widely accepted, and regulated guideline that defines “natural.” It isn’t enough to choose a brand that uses the word natural (or even organic) in their labeling. It’s important to become familiar with ingredients & their functions – then make the choice that feels right for you.
Making the switch to natural cosmetics doesn’t have to be daunting. You can convert your entire makeup collection at once – or simply switch out one product a month!
For a virtual cabinet full of Green Beauty actions, click here.
Learn more about Mineral Fusion on Facebook, follow them @MineralFusion, and visit the website.
It’s Makeover Week!
Think of a mess in your life that’s been nagging at you. Maybe it’s all those hot-to-the-touch lightbulbs you’ve been meaning to swap with CFLs. Or you’ve finally decided to bring your lunch to work one day a week.
Susan organized an unwieldy pile of children’s art into a family-friendly art show (see more about this on our Facebook wall).
Monet's Giverny by 5 year-old, framed
As for me, I’m determined to finally tackle my cabinets full of plastic food-storage containers – the more I read about plastic, the more I do not want it touching my food. Period.
This week’s blog posts will cover a series of makeovers – including cosmetics, DIY sparkling water – and an entire house!
For inspiration, we called Tami O’Neill at the Monday Campaigns. We consider Tami the Makeover Queen; her team has assembled compelling data on what drives positive behavior changes to support Meatless Monday, Quit & Stay Quit Monday, Move it Monday, Healthy Monday, and more.
“Tap into what’s most impacting your life,” she advises. “We like to begin on Mondays because it’s natural – maybe you went overboard over the weekend and you want to straighten out. So whether it’s eating less meat, or getting ten minutes of exercise into your day – it’s all about establishing a new routine. Maybe Monday bleeds into Tuesday, and maybe by next week you’re doing it on Wednesday as well.”
What’s Tami’s makeover this week?
“I am totally overwhelmed,” she told us. “I just moved into a new apartment and I’m waiting on furniture, et cetera. So my makeover is to get real with my budget so I can save more money. I plan on doing this with the help of some healthy and green habits, like doing more thrift-store shopping and getting less takeout.”
TaDa!! Practically Green has three actions for Tami:
Buy antique or secondhand furniture and home goods
Buy clothing from vintage or consignment stores regularly
Reduce takeout meals to once a week or less
What’s your plan?
What are the top 3 things to understand about your lawn in hot weather? Check out our latest recommendations on Practically Green:
Switch to an electric lawnmower
Switch to an organic lawn and landscape service provider
For more advice, we went to the source: Mark “Coach” Smallwood, the charismatic expert who knows-everything/without-being-a-know-it-all Executive Director of the Rodale Institute. He gave us 5 tips — and then some!
1) Understand that turf actually has growing seasons. Here in Pennsylvania, and in much of the country, it’s spring and fall. That’s when the grass grows best. In the summer, when it’s hot and dry the grass goes dormant. Be cognizant of this. It’s not going to die. Be happy about it, and you do not have to run your lawnmower over it once a week. Raise the mower deck and keep the grass 3” high. Do not scalp it!
What if you have a lawn service that comes when you’re away at work or someplace?
2) Sit down with them and say, look, I understand this is your job, this is how you make a living. But we don’t want our grass cut in this hot dry weather! Let’s find something else for you to do instead! Weed the garden beds, mulch, put compost down, edge. There’s lots to be done besides mowing!
3) If you can mow, leave the grass clippings on the lawn. They’re a source of nitrogen and a source of food for the microbes in the soil.
4) When the weather cools off, overseed your lawn. That’s the way to establish a good long root structure. I advise grass seed with a bit of clover in it. This encourages life: honeybees! And clover is a nitrogen fixer.
5) Best case, then put down a good ¼” of compost to encourage the roots. Look for a good organic compost., with beneficial bacteria, and beneficial fungi, which are living organisms and very important for lawns.
Why is Rodale considered the guru of organic healthy living?
J. I. Rodale was the first person in the United States to say the words organic and agriculture together. He began Organic Gardening magazine. Whenever you see an organic product [whether it's something to eat, or put on your skin, or fertilize your garden] it’s ALL children of J. I. Rodale.
Corn in the organic-legume (left) and conventional (right) system during the dry summer of 1995. Both were planted on the same day, with the same variety but only the conventional corn is showing signs of water stress. Organic corn yields that year were 29% higher than those of the conventional corn.
Check out the Rodale Institute to find out more about the Rodale — its history, and its amazing projects today, largely conducted on the 333-acre farm in Emmaus, PA:
We have 16 different research projects right now: soil health, weed control, cover crops, carbon sequestration, organic matter… We’re preparing to publish the findings of a 30-year project comparing organic to conventional crops. The news: organic crops outperform the conventional when there’s drought! Now we’re moving into nutrition, to prove that organic food is more nutritious than conventional, and use the proof to mitigate and prevent health epidemics in this country – e.g., diabetes, obesity. We want to take this message out into the mainstream.
Hooked on Coach? Subscribe to his monthly newsletter! Follow @rodaleinstitute and check them out on Facebook and on YouTube.
health.discovery.com
I can imagine getting an energy audit is a hard action to commit to for several reasons. For me, it’s because I have NO idea what to expect. Who wants to hire someone to give you bad news, right? The solution: do a home energy audit YOURSELF…at least to start. After going through a few of the steps yourself, you’ll feel a bit more comfortable with the process and be ready to hire a professional!
A few “do-it-yourself” energy audit resources:
- From The Fun Times Guide: How To Do A Home Energy Audit Yourself
- From The Daily Green: DIY Home Energy Audit
- From the U.S. Department of Energy: Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Assessments
- My personal favorite, a very fun VIDEO: Feeling Green – Energy Audit for the Whole Fam-Damly
#2: Install smart power strip to turn off TVs and computers completely
It’s harder to find a smart power strip than you’d think. There are a lot of power strips out there, but what makes them smart? I did quite a bit of research and found How Smart Power Strips Work by Nathan Chandler from How Stuff Works, which explains what constitutes a SMART power strip in plain and simple language…even I get it now! Read this article and have a better understanding of what you’re looking for so you can finally check this action off your list! Thanks, Nathan!
#3: Plant containers for herbs or vegetables
Build an Herb Garden Out of a Shipping Palette: This action is actually much easier than I thought, so, I started to poke around looking for creative ideas and suggestions to make it a bit more exciting! I came across this very cool video from our friend the Urban Organic Gardener! I’m definitely going to take on this project the next warm day… I am dying to see what it looks like finished!
#4: Compost Kitchen Food Waste
Nature Mill Indoor Composter – Pro Edition: This may not be the cheapest indoor composter, but it’s definitely one of the coolest! This product, reviewed on wired.com, is a must-have for someone dedicated to composting (or soon to be). Small and stylish, this composter has a filter to reduce the smell, a heavy-duty mixing bar, and much more! A product like this is a great investment for your family and your garden! Visit Nature Mills website and buy it online or learn where you can see one near you!
#5: Take shoes off at the door regularly
This action might be my favorite of all time! Why? Because it is SO easy and has such a HUGE impact. One of my favorite related products is the Boot Scraper! My family has been using one of these as long as I can remember and it’s SO cool (and it reminds me to take my shoes off after I scrape them)! Using a boot scraper will also eliminate a lot of the nasty things you might track in if you forget to take your shoes off. You can also find cute scrapers that the whole family will love (like the porcupine my family uses!).
#6: Unplug cell phone chargers and other appliances when not in use
If there’s one action on my plan that I simply cannot remember to do, it’s to unplug my cell phone charger. Who knows why, it is almost TOO easy to do; I simply do not have an excuse. Maybe because it just sits on my floor all day like a dead snake.
So, I figure why not buy myself something adorable to remind me to UNPLUG, right? I came across this awesome Hand Cell Phone Holder on Amazon for less than $20! You can even wrap the cord around the wrists like a bracelet, how can I not remember to unplug now?
genderacrossborders.com
STAY TUNED: More amazing Earth Month Actions to come!
Earth Month PG Picks by Sam Roach
I recently visited the Chelsea Green website and was absolutely floored! I began to browse some of their categories and ended up with a page-long list of must-reads! How did I not know about Chelsea Green before!? Luckily, we got in touch with Allison Goodwin of Chelsea Green who gave us some AWESOME suggestions for books our readers would love. Thanks Allison!
For 27 years, Chelsea Green has been the publishing leader for books on the politics and practice of sustainable living. To learn more about us, please visit www.chelseagreen.com.
By Amy Kolb Noyes
Nontoxic Housecleaning provides a way for people to improve their immediate environment every day. Pregnant women, parents of young children, pet owners, people with health concerns, and those who simply care about a healthy environment—and a sensible budget—can all benefit from the recipes and tips in this guide.
Composting: An Easy Household Guide
By Nicky Scott
Composting is fun, easy and very satisfying! You can make compost even if you live in an apartment or don’t have access to a garden.
By Jon Clift and Amanda Cuthbert
This book gives you 100 energy-saving tips for the home—from simple things like switching off unnecessary lights and having a shower instead of a bath, to more drastic measures such as installing a condensing boiler.
Sustainable Food: How to Buy Right and Spend Less
By Elise McDonough
Wondering whether it’s worth it to splurge on the locally raised beef? What about those organic carrots? Sustainable Food: How to Buy Right and Spend Less helps the average shopper navigate the choices, whether strolling the aisles of a modern supermarket or foraging at a local farmers market.
Cooking Close to Home: A Year of Seasonal Recipes
By Diane Imrie and Richard Jarmusz
A collection of over 150 original recipes designed to follow the seasons.
By Dianne Onstad
What if you could have information about more than 400 foods at your fingertips? You can find it all in the new edition of Whole Foods Companion.
The Best of Making Things: A Handbook of Creative Discovery
By Anne Sayre Wiseman
Why go to the mall when you can make things at home using materials recycled from around the house? This classic educational and creative text features 125 projects, carefully selected by the author to “develop natural curiosity and self-esteem,” and to demonstrate “simple and important concepts that have shaped the cultures of the world.”
Connected Wisdom: Living Stories for Living Systems
By Linda Booth Sweeney
Connected Wisdom: Living Stories About Living Systems gathers twelve stories from different cultures that each reveal a unique example of a “living system.”
By Lee Welles
Winner of an iParenting Media Award and a National Outdoor Book Award! What would you do if you could hear the Earth asking for help? In the Gaia Girls book series, that is what happens to four girls, each from a different region of the world.
By Philip and Alice Shabecoff
In a landmark investigation that’s been compared to Silent Spring, two veteran journalists definitively show how, why, and where industrial toxins are causing rates of birth defects, asthma, cancer, and other serious illnesses to soar in children.
By Dr. Paul Connett, James Beck, and Spedding Micklem
A thoroughly researched, scientific explanation of the dangers of water fluoridation to both human and environmental health. This book shows why we should all be fighting fluoridation in our own communities.
Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming Domesticity from a Consumer Culture
By Shannon Hayes
Radical Homemakers is about men and women across the U.S. who focus on home and hearth as a political and ecological act, and who have centered their lives around family and community for personal fulfillment and cultural change.
Sign up for the Chelsea Green newsletter today and receive a special one-time discount of 25% off your entire book order!
News Picks:
21 Expert Organic Lawn Care Tips from the Daily Green and the founder of Safelawns.org! Paul Tukey’s piece will get you on the right track this season. I saw a presentation from Tukey last year at my University, and it changed me. His story is a heart-wrenching one, and I promise you will want to hear what he has to say. Read this article and be sure to visit safelawns.org to keep your family safe and your lawn beautiful!
Hiroko Masuike for The New York Times
Masters of Disguise Among Meatless Burgers: I can’t help it, but I love meat. That said, I certainly don’t mind a good veggie burger now and again. This article by Jeff Gordinier of The New York Times describes the evolution of the veggie burger from a disgrace to an absolute masterpiece. The article left my mouth watering and the idea of going vegetarian a bit more realistic. Thanks Jeff!
Photo: Jim Barker
Breakfast is not so gr-r-reat when your only option is Frosted Flakes: This is a really interesting article from Kristin Wartman of Grist discussing the controversy around the Share Your Breakfast campaign by Kellogg’s. Wartman is harsh in her critique of Kellogg’s and its products, but raises some great points. What’s your opinion?
Multi-Media Pick:
I recently came across an awesome flash mob video on Youtube with a focus on recycling. Ah, the beauty of greening the planet with a little public humiliation. Check it out and don’t forget to pat yourself on the back next time you recycle!
New and Cool Pick:
Want to collect rainwater but hate those unsightly barrels? Studio Bas van der Veer’s Raindrop is the solution! I haven’t seen a gardening gadget this cool in a long time; I only hope they become available in the U.S. soon (they have a mini version too)!
This week's PG Picks by Sam Roach
Jan Devereux, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a writer and mother of three who is guest blogging for Practically Green today about a conundrum many of us face when we travel: How to Find a Green Hotel. Thanks for the great advice, Jan!
As a Practically Green reader, you’re probably putting a good deal of effort into greening your lifestyle at home. But what about when you travel? Whether you’re making vacation plans or hitting the road for business, you may be pleasantly surprised to discover that hotels are going green, too.
What You Might Notice:
Individual bars of soap and sample-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner are gradually giving way to pump-dispensers in hotel bathrooms. Most hotels also offer you the option of re-using your bed linens and towels (if you don’t find a card inviting you to make this choice, leave a note for the housekeeping service). The more forward-thinking hotels are also offering guests refillable water bottles, recycling bins in each room, motion-sensitive thermostats and access to hybrid car services.
Behind the scenes:
Hotels are improving the energy and water efficiency of their laundries, buying local and reducing waste in their food service operations, installing energy-efficient compact fluorescent lighting and LED signs, and using low VOC paint and carpeting.
Eco-tourism expert Tedd Saunders, who advises hoteliers worldwide on environmentally sustainable operations and practices, says the hospitality industry has undergone a “sea change” in the past decade. Saunders was a pioneer when he started his eco-consulting firm, EcoLogical Solutions, Inc., back in 1992. Today, he’s pleased to see hotels of all sizes implementing innovative green policies that go beyond mere compliance.
“The major chains used to roll their eyes; now they all have environmental teams,” Saunders observes. And, when you consider that the U.S. hotels spend close to $4 billion annually on energy, the industry’s new found enthusiasm for conservation has the potential to make an enormous impact.
Saunders notes that eco-conscious consumers are not alone in helping to drive these decisions; increasingly, corporate travel managers are exerting pressure on the major hotel chains to green themselves, or risk losing multimillion-dollar national accounts. Educating both industry execs and guests is one goal of the Ceres Green Hotels Initiative, which Saunders helped to launch. CERES developed a best practices checklist for hotels to self-assess and a comment card for guests to leave with the manager at check out, rating how the hotel’s green practices measured up.
The way Saunders sees it, the hotel industry is approaching the tipping point where, soon, the major consumer travel booking sites will throw their muscle behind helping travelers make more informed choices about how to travel green. He looks forward to the day when all the major hotel management companies will have built up an internal knowledge base of sustainable business practices so that his consulting services will no longer be in demand. But in the meantime he hopes eco-aware travelers of all budgets will help hotels see the market advantages of going green.
HELPFUL RESOURCES:
For a list of some of the country’s greenest city center hotels provided specifically for Practically Green readers from EcoLogical Solutions, click here.
The Green Key Eco-Rating Program rates hotels in the U.S. and Canada based on a voluntary self-assessment of member hotels’ operational areas and sustainable practices, and its hotels are subject to random on-site inspections (about 20% per year are audited).
The following hotels have earned the highest Green Key rating (5 keys):
ARIA Resort Casino (Las Vegas), Fairmont Newport Beach (CA), Fairmont Pittsburgh, Grand Hyatt Denver, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach (CA), Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort Spa Casino, Stowe Mountain Lodge (VT), Vail Cascade Resort (CO), Vdara Hotel & Spa (Las Vegas).
The Fairmont and Hyatt (Regency and Grand) chains led the pack in numbers of their properties achieving 4 Green Keys or higher.
Orbitz offers a list of green hotels by state, with symbols to denote those that have earned Energy Star or LEED certification.
- EcoLogical Solutions
And, finally, if you’re planning a trip to Boston and have allergies or respiratory problems, you’ll be happy to hear that The Lenox Hotel has an “allergy friendly” top floor. The entire floor was sealed and then treated for bacteria and mold to create a bio-shield. The floor has HEPA air filters and all rooms were renovated with hypoallergenic fabrics, carpets and cabinetry. Mattresses on this floor and throughout the hotel all have dust mite barriers.
Remember: Select a green hotel when traveling and earn more PG Points!
News Picks:
Maybe it’s Practically Green’s Boston roots, but I just couldn’t bring myself to write today’s post without featuring some sort of St. Patty’s Day article. Ten Ways To Go Green On St. Patrick’s Day from Ingrid Ostby of Ecorazzi will inspire you to have a truly green holiday. From thrift store accessories to using eco-friendly and natural food coloring, these tips are good all year round!
Harvesting the Power of the Mom Blogger: I guess we’re not the only ones that know the POWER of mom bloggers! This article by Pradnya Joshi of The New York Times displays the amazing depth and influence of the network of mom bloggers on the web. We certainly knew all about the amazing support system of strong and intelligent women, but this article is a good reminder!
Nutrition Keys: Will They Really Help Us Make Better Food Choices?
This is a great piece from Lori Alper of Modern Hippie Mag, and definitely something to think about. As Alper points out, nutrition keys aren’t providing any new information, but they may just change the way we shop. I am definitely a label-reader, but when I’m in a rush, I grab whatever is in front of me, and usually regret it. I’m a big believer that something is better than nothing, and if this system encourages a mother of three to buy the cereal with less sugar, then I’m all for it. What do you think?
My Little Seed: A Story of Eczema and Betrayal: This blog post from Healthy Child Healthy World by Paige Goldberg Tolmach is eye-opening to say the least. Doctors told Paige that her infant son’s eczema was genetic, but the diagnosis simply didn’t make sense. Refusing to accept their word, Paige did a lot of research and discovered that it was her own home that was making her son sick. From his crib mattress to his teething toys, Paige’s son was being poisoned. This article will force you to look into the chemicals your family might be ingesting.
Paige Goldberg Tolmach and her son, HCHW
Multi-Media Pick:
The Urban Farming Guys is the video blog sector of the nonprofit organization Rock Solid Urban Impact.
The Urban Farming Guys is composed of 20 families that uprooted from the suburbs and relocated to inner city Kansas City. Their objective? To teach the youth, and “cultivate the life of the innercity.” With community engagement and sustainable farming practices as their bread and butter, The Urban Farming Guys and Rock Solid Urban Impact are an experiment to keep your eye on. They are revolutionaries living their lives to improve others. Watch their videos and learn what YOU can do.
New and Cool Pick:
USBCELL AA Rechargeable Batteries:
I have a drawer in my house that has the sole purpose of collecting used AA batteries. I’m embarrassed to say I have NO idea how many are in there or how many actually work. I know I should recycle the old batteries, but I just can’t let go! I have finally found something to help. These batteries from Moixa Energy have a built in usb to make recharging easier than ever.
This week's PG Picks by Sam Roach
One of our favorite green mom bloggers is Lynn from SmilingGreenMom. Lynn is a great mom of two from Indiana who manages to combine a practical and serious passion for her family’s health, looking closely at diseases caused by toxins in household materials. Lynn’s positive attitude and fantastic wit has us hooked!
She recently shared 8 Ways to Green Your Spring with her readers and we are thrilled to share some of them with you too. We’ve also matched them with the relevant Practically Green actions so you can learn from Lynn and earn your points and badges from us!
Lynn’s Tip:
Hang your clothes outside: Your dryer is one of the biggest energy-suckers in your home! So now that the weather is getting nicer, save some money and the planet by hanging your clothes outside to dry! Let nature help you out on this one – it has so many benefits. If you do need/want to use your electric dryer, make sure to clean the lint trap regularly as this will really help with efficiency! According to the California Energy Commission, A dryer is typically the second-biggest electricity-using appliance after the refrigerator, costing about $85 to operate annually.
ylcf.org
Related PG Actions:
Lynn’s Tip:
Clean Green: Dirty little dust bunnies have been seeking shelter in your home over the cold winter months as well – time to spruce things up and clean out! There are many “everyday” products being sold to us that can contain harmful chemicals – read labels, do your homework and stay informed. One of the best online resources to check for toxins in products and to get the inside scoop on safety is the EWG’s (Environmental Working Group) Cosmetics Safety Database. Know your products. I personally use and love Dr Bronner’s, EcoStoreUSA, Celadon Road and a few others but I also love it when I can make my own! Here’s my recipe for laundry soaplemons! and you can always use such natural ingredients as vinegar and
greenissexy.org
Related PG Actions:
Make your own cleaners, including laundry detergent
Switch to all-natural all-purpose cleaner
Lynn’s Tip:
Paint Low-Voc: Who doesn’t love a nice coat of paint to freshen things up? Just remember that many of the products we use are the source for a substantial portion of indoor air pollution, including our paints. “Though conventional paints have gotten less toxic over the years, many still release some level of volatile organic compounds, or “VOCs,” into the air in the form of a breathable gas. According to the American Lung Association, VOCs can cause a number of physical problems, such as eye and skin irritation, as well as lung and kidney damage. The best practice is to use paint that is low in, or does not contain, VOCs and low- or no-VOC paint is a quality, cost-effective painting option that is safe for the environment and the homeowner” (HGTVpro).
Mythic Paint
Related PG Actions:
Lynn’s Tip:
Open Windows: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air. Let the good in air and the bad stuff out! Easy enough 
Related PG Action:
Take shoes off at the door regularly
Lynn’s Tip:
Garage Sale/Donate: One of my most favoritest things about spring is the cleaning up and clearing out! Spring time to many reminds us of simplifying and sorting…starting fresh and new! It’s a great time to go through your belongings and decide what you love, like and dislike. You might think of this as three piles – but you will only be making two. Keep what you love and out the door with all the rest. Have a garage sale, donate or give as hand-me-downs to someone in need! It’s a great way to clear the clutter while doing something nice too.
Related PG Actions:
Lynn’s Tip:
Rain Barrel: Capture one of our greatest gifts from nature – pure lovely rainwater! Rain barrels are a great way to conserve resources while reducing the amount of well or municipal water we use. “Luckily, rainwater harvesting has gone mainstream, and it’s easy for homeowners to take advantage of recapturing “lost” water with a rain barrel. Your roof collects rainwater and funnels it through gutters or downspouts, where it can be collected. But be sure to leave room to provide easy access the spigot. When your plants need a drink, just use the water from the barrel instead of turning on the hose”(Earth911).
sustainstl.org
Related PG Action:
Install rain barrels and use for lawn and garden
Install a rainwater harvesting system
For Lynn’s full post and more like it visit: www.smilinggreenmom.com!
There are millions of products out there marketed towards parents and families, but certainly not millions of good ones. So, how do you know when a product is good? Everyone knows that the best advice comes from the people you can trust, hence, the incredible value of diapers.com’s 2011 Cribsie Awards! Created to recognize the “best brands, products, services, and websites for babies and tots,” the Cribsies are a great resource for every family! The best part? Every product was chosen by people like you (who have actually used the products, might I add)!
Here at Practically Green we’ve taken it a step further and combed through the great nominees to find our personal favorites, meaning of course, some of the greenest options!
Photo Credit: Happy Solez Organics
Nursery:
California Baby (Skincare)
Halo (Organic fabrics)
Aden + Anais (Organic cotton muslin wrap)
Seventh Generation (Diapers)
Nature Babycare (Diapers)
Under The Nile (Security blankets)
MiYim (Security blankets and toys)
Best Way To Recycle Used Baby Stuff (GREEN GREEN GREEN Category!)
Most Comfy Way To Wear Your Baby: Ergo; Baby K’Tan; Moby Wraps; BobaPine; Sleepy Wrap (All have an organic version, which is the greenest way to go.)
Fashion:
Photo Credit: Hank & Jojo
Play:
BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance (Organic cotton version)
Mealtime:
Happy Baby, Earth’s Best, Tasty Baby, Sprout, Ella’s Kitchen, and Nurturme (All organic!)
The Think Baby (Stainless steel)
Green Sprouts (Glass cubes)
Annie’s, Plum, Little Duck Organics (Choose the organic options which are much healthier and don’t contain the yucky stuff)
Born Free, Dr. Brown’s, Green To Grow (These companies make glass bottles which are safer than and therefore preferable to plastic)
Remember: The more legitimate certifications, the better, and always read the product information.
We look forward to hearing the winners announced on March 25th!
News Picks:
Photo Credit: Leah Nash for The New York Times
In New Food Culture, a Young Generation of Farmers Emerges: I love love love this article from Isolde Raftery of The New York Times! Featuring Tyler Jones, 30, and his wife Alicia, 27, of Corvallis, Oregon, this article examines a new generation who has chosen farming as their livelihood. With better agricultural practices driving their passion, the Joneses represent a much larger demographic. Read this article and learn more about the driving force behind a profession rising so quickly in popularity.
30 of the Best Garden Designs: Looking for a little motivation to get your garden going? Believe it or not, it’s not to early to start planning, raking, and hoeing. These absolutely beautiful gardens featured by iVillage will have you dying to get started. Pictured to the right is my personal favorite, #9. Check ‘em out and get started on those PG Points!
Apple Unveils Thinner, Lighter iPad 2 – But is it Greener?
This is a great article from Diane Pham and Mike Chino of Inhabitat, and as you might imagine, very timely. It seems as though everyone I know, whether they own one or not, is talking about the iPad and iPad2. But are they green? Pham and Chino break it down nicely. Check it out!
Multi-Media Pick:
‘How to recycle rain water for use at home’ by SmartPlanetCBS is a great video, featuring a husband/wife team that changed their lifestyle to save water. With commentary from their own rainwater expert, and great footage of their home, the type of rainwater harvesting system this couple used might be exactly what you and your family were looking for! Remember: this one can get you 150 PG Points. Wahoo!
New and Cool Pick:
If you’re like me, you’re always looking for a sweet new bag, and have I got a good one for you! Boston based Couture Planet makes their handbags out of old newspapers, that way your handbag is always one of a kind! They have tons of different styles and you can actually tell them if you prefer The New York Times, or The Boston Globe as well as your favorite section! Personally, I’d go for the Clutch in The New York Times Travel section, how about you?
This week's PG Picks created by Sam Roach
We love when this happens: a Practically Green registered user submits a question, and we think it’s so good that not only do we answer it, we produce a new Action for the database of recommendations.
In this case, the subject is dogs. Actually, the subject is dog poop:
How do I take acre of my dog’s, um, waste, in an eco-friendly way?
Here’s the answer!
Want tips on HOW to execute?
And how many POINTS do you get?
Go for it! And remember, we’ll try to answer ALL your questions about healthy green improvements, promptly and accurately. So you can relax, like gorgeously green Emily here:
News Picks:
Photo Credit Bart Nagel
The (not so) New Agtivist: Organic movement leader Bob Scowcroft looks back: This interview from Samuel Fromartz of Grist gives some great insight into the world of organic farming and food. Bob Scowcroft, founder of the Organic Farming Research Foundation, tells us a lot about where we’ve come from with organics, and where we should go next. Reading this interview reminded me of the importance of eating organic, and getting PG points while I’m at it!
Photo: The Daily Green
12 Natural Ways to Prevent and Cure the Cold and Other Seasonal illnesses: It seems like everyone I know is sick this week! So, I had to include this article by Dan Shapley. Hopefully it’s not too late for some of you! There are some great tips here, including carrots for headaches (who knew?) and some of the old stand by’s (oranges to prevent colds).
City Is Looking at Sewage Treatment as a Source of Energy: Check out this great article from Mireya Navarro of The New York Times; looks like we’re finally thinking outside the box! New York City is beginning to look at their sewage treatment system as a potential resource for renewable energy. This is definitely a topic to keep your eye on!
Photo Credit Raymond McCree Jones/The New York Times
Multi-Media Pick
I recently watched a very cool video on TED, that is a must-see! Architect Kate Orff explains her dream of “oyster-tecture,” a method of oyster farming that filters water to create the urban landscape with endless environmental benefits. I haven’t heard an idea this cool and innovative in a long time! Check it out!
New and Cool Pick:
Photo: Proof
Sustainable Wood Sunglasses Support Eyesight Surgery in India: I bet we will be seeing this awesome product, (featured in this article by Emma Grady of Treehugger), everywhere! You can buy Proof’s awesome do-good/sustainable eye wear here!
This week's PG Picks created by Sam Roach
News Picks:
Dan Shapley, our friend from The Daily Green, wrote a great piece this week: The Most Fuel-Efficient Cars of 2
011. The only thing more straightforward than the title is the article itself. In true Daily Green fashion, Shapley’s article is smart, helpful, and consumer-friendly. I suggest you give it read, it is truly astonishing how far we’ve come with fuel efficiency. And remember to get PG points while you’re at it!
The New Contraband: 8 Doomed Items in the New Green World: This slide show from Fast Company is a little frightening, but definitely worth a read. From common examples like Styrofoam and plastic bags, to surprising mentions like Happy Meals and pets, Fast Company opens our eyes to some pretty interesting environmental and health concerns.
You must check out the Green Wine Guide from TreeHugger! Instead of simply mentioning the formalities of the green wines (which is wonderful in and of itself), they feature a delicious recipe that perfectly complements each wine! When I read this I was dying to host a dinner party, I bet you will be too!
Photo credit Jaymi Heimbuch
When I was a kid, I was obsessed with the movie “Clueless” (it was the early 90’s, give me a break), and hence in
love with Alicia Silverstone. So you can imagine how absolutely ecstatic I was when I found out that instead of making appearances on Law&Order or starring in infomercials, she’s making a living as a green superhero! Check out her website The Kind Life, or read her book, The Kind Diet (vegan awesomeness).
Multi-Media Pick:
With the Superbowl rapidly approaching, I couldn’t help but feature this hilarious commercial from 2010. It continues to be one of my favorites of all time. Bravo Audi, we love green!
New and Cool Pick:
Top 5 Green Gadgets that Juice Your Phone: I can’t stand it when my phone loses battery, but I feel guilty charging it all day. This article from Inhabitat gives a few great green options for keeping your phone fully charged with no more guilt! Don’t forget to earn those PG points, too!
This week's PG Picks created by Samantha Roach
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