Filed under: Eco Around the House
French Quarter Candle lights my way each morning
My soy candle burns creamy, slow and smooth. I found this candle while poking around in the French Market in New Orleans a few weekends ago. I had endured gray skies and long underwear for about as long as a Southern girl can, so I jumped in the car with some friends and headed even further south to NOLA. What a blessed trip. Yes, I know, we used untold amount of fossil fuel to get there, but I figure if it kept me from murdering someone, it was probably worth it. And, when we got there, we parked the car and walked virtually everywhere!
My soy candle was the only (inedible) purchase I made for myself on our little weekend tour. It is made by French Quarter Candles. And, it really is 100% soy. So what exactly is so great about a soy candle? Well, I was actually wondering the same thing. Marketing is a strong motivator, and soy candles are marketed pretty heavily these days as eco-friendly, earth-friendly, but I wasn’t really sure what I was buying.
Rita was so patient with me as I picked out just the right fragrance!
I really bought this particular soy candle because the lovely Rita, who was selling it in the market, was so friendly; the sky was so blue and the packaging so pretty and eco-friendly, I couldn’t resist! Plus, the scents were soft, enticing, and not over-powering. But, when I got home I did a little research to see exactly why I should have bought a soy candle. Here’s the run-down as I see it.
• Soy candles are made from a renewable resource, vegetable matter. (uh, soybeans). Paraffin wax found in most candles is made from fossil fuels.
• Buy a soy candle, help out a U.S. farmer. The majority of soybeans are grown in the U.S. Can’t say the same for petroleum.
• Soy candles really do burn up to twice as long as paraffin wax candles. Some people claim that they burn cleaner, but I’m not so sure that’s true.
• Personally, I love the creamy texture of soy wax. If you buy a pillar candle that claims to be soy, just know that you are really getting a blend of soy wax and paraffin wax. 100% soy wax is extremely soft, and must be formed in a container. French Quarter Candles come in a recycled glass container. I love that!
• The wick in the candle I purchased is 100% cotton. I thought that was nice, but really… what difference does that make? Well, it seems in the past, many candle wicks actually contained lead. That is not as true today, but it’s comforting to know that I’m not releasing all kinds of toxins into the air I breathe.
My soy candle sits on my dresser now and I burn it every morning as I do my morning stretches. I finally settled on the Mango Chai Tea scent which is light, fresh and calming. I couldn’t have picked a better souvenir.
Want to see more of our New Orleans trip? Visit me on Flickr, to share in the New Orleans fun.
March 16, 2010
Do you watch TV? If you do, you may have noticed plenty of commercials for pre-emergence herbicides. I was thinking about that name. Pre-emergence. (Or as my mother calls it, pre-emergency). That’s me, I think… I’m almost ready to… emerge, and believe me, it IS an emergency! If I don’t get out of the house soon, I will surely crack. Although I live in the Southeastern US, where the winters are normally mild, this particular winter has been brutal by southern standards. (Right, I know I have no right to whine). Nonetheless, the result is that I have burrowed into my house and become complacent, less motivated and well, stagnant. Like the weeds in my yard, I’ve lain dormant all winter, just waiting to emerge. Well, get ready, y’all! It’s time to peek your head out the door, because spring is just around the corner.
So, my little weeds, what are you doing to chase away those final winter blahs and emerge fresh as a daisy? Here’s how I get ready for the grand blossoming of spring. Today I went out and bought a couple of pallets of rock, 25 bags of granite and some landscape fabric. That probably isn’t the average girl’s idea of a fab shopping trip, but for me it was rejuvenating. (More on this little project to come). Never mind the fact that I strolled the nursery amidst howling winds, gray skies and the occasional raindrop, I faithfully believe that spring is really going to arrive. After all, it’s showed up every year so far!
Need some motivation but you say you’re not ready to traipse out and purchase a thousand pounds of stone? Well, there are easier (and less expensive) ways to gear up for spring. Here’s a few ideas:
• Purchase potted herbs or tulips. Think of it as color in a pot. You don’t have to work, or plant, or anything. Just set a pre-potted spring flower in your window, add a little water every now and then and Voila! Instant spring! When the blooms get crunchy, pick off the bloom and plant them in your yard. You can plant over them, if you wish. They will remain dormant just waiting for next spring, when they’ll pop up fresh in your yard.
• Get a jump on spring cleaning. Just a little de-cluttering will go a long long way towards making you feel lighter and a little more free. Isn’t that the purpose of spring, to feel lighthearted? And when it comes time to really clean, you’ll be ahead of the game. While you’re at it, if the weather permits, fling open your windows. The benefit? Fresh air and less energy use!
• Go to your local nursery. Yes, put on a raincoat if necessary. Just browse the aisle to see the early selections. Soon you’ll have mentally dressed your porch or garden in spring color. Still too early where you are? Browse the library shelves for a whole slew of books on landscaping, gardening and color design!
• Visit your local farmer’s market. It may seem early, but there are early crops and some markets feature local farmers who are growing early vegetables in hydroponic greenhouses. One of my favorite local markets, Pepper Place Saturday Market now has a year-round store as well. When vegetables are few and far between, you can browse locally made soaps, books on gardening, local honey, yummy preserves and more. Don’t know where your local market is? Visit LocalHarvest.org to find a farmer’s market near you.
• Get your body moving! When spring arrives, you’ll most likely be outside. Whether you are a gardener, a part-time cyclist or a walker, chances are you’ll be moving your body more than you have all winter. Avoid those early spring stiff joints with a little prep now. Visit your gym. Bundle up and take a brisk walk. Whether you are a yoga fan or not, here’ s a little exercise to detox and get ready for spring. Try it now at Living Healthy.
Any other suggestions?
photo via Flicker, David Turner
March 14, 2010
There is a tree in my kitchen. Finally.
The holiday season is here, and I finally came up for air this past weekend. Instead of working, I turned my sights towards making my home a little more, well… homey. My kids are pretty much grown, but fortunately they still love the tradition of piling in the car to fetch the Christmas tree and getting the house decked out in red, green and gold for the holidays.
Pine Hill Christmas Tree Farm
It was drizzly and soupy-gray this weekend, Alabama’s version of snow. In the past we have, without fail, purchased our live Christmas tree from the local Boy Scout troop. The trees there are beautiful, expensive and support a good cause. On top of that, they are shipped in from a tree farm in North Carolina, so at least they don’t travel all the way across the country to get here. It is a good choice. Still, this year, in an effort to reduce our carbon footprint, I decided to look for a tree farm and purchase my tree locally.
We had so much FUN!
In a section of town, where you would never expect to find a farm of ANY kind, we located Pine Hill Tree Farm. Sloping hills dotted with trees, a barn-like structure complete with complimentary hot chocolate, and a smelly, but clean shed for a couple of live reindeer made the trip to get this year’s tree an adventure. (No comment on the reindeer, that’s a whole separate post). We were the only customers, due to the heavy fog and rain… but there we were, traipsing around the hills to find just the right tree.
This family-owned farm has cut trees that have been shipped in from North Carolina, and as far away as Oregon. However, they also grow several varieties of Cedar trees such as Leland Cypress and Deodara Cypress. The well-known Frasier Fir doesn’t grow at elevations this low, so they ship those in pre-cut. We chose a beautiful Leland Cypress Cedar tree, which we have never had. At first I was hesitant, it seemed like something you get at the nursery to make a hedge between yourself and your neighbor. But, we love it! It is fragrant and the foliage is soft and not so prickly as a Frasier Fir tree. It has been lovingly shaped into the traditional teardrop expected of a Christmas tree, and it works perfectly in our space. The guys working the farm even cut the tree for us! What more could you ask for? Oh yes, did I mention it was very reasonably priced?
We have always been a live-tree family, even though I admit, I do have a small, silver tinsel tree in my front window. Straight from Target, it is retro and cute and I love it, but I will never purchase another artificial tree. Oh, let’s call them what they are, FAKE trees. I admit in the past, I’ve been tempted by the “ease” of owning a fake tree, but just couldn’t ever bring myself to go there. Something about decorating a plastic tree just didn’t seem, well… real.
Here are my reasons for loving a live tree:
• Live trees are grown on farms, not cut out of the forest. This is a fairly recent innovation; so many people still think trees are being ravished in the forest to supply the demand for Christmas trees. Instead, think of this: in the U.S. there are around a half billion trees growing on Christmas tree farms. On average, 2,000 Christmas trees are planted per acre.
• Growing Christmas trees provide a habitat for wildlife, plus an acre of Christmas trees provides for the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people.
• Live Christmas trees smell really good (unless you have allergies) and make your home feel festive and warm
• Artificial trees may be easy to set-up and may cost a little less in the long run. But, most artificial trees have a place in your home for an average of 6-8 years. At some point they ALL end up in the landfill, where they are not biodegradable and will last for eons!
• Artificial trees are mostly manufactured in China from recycled PVC plastic, and shipped to the U.S. Let me say that again, PVC plastic. (Think chemicals and petroleum based products)
Whatever your choice of tree this year, I do hope that you and your family have as much fun picking out your tree as we did picking out ours. I admit it’s easy for me to turn scrooge-ish this time of year, with all of the time constraints and pressures that are imposed on me. The choice to go out in the rain in search of a tree turned out to be great fun and went a long way toward reviving my own sense of wonder and holiday joy.
December 15, 2009
Mmmmm. Veggie Burger!
I did it. I signed the Meatless Monday pledge.
Being from the South, it’s not unusual for me to throw dried white beans in a pot with a little onion, garlic and onions, partner it with some cornbread, and call it dinner! Eating meatless is not something I’m a stranger to. But, like most southerners from my generation (remember, I’m a boomer), sometimes I just naturally start thinking “meat” when it’s time to figure out the dinner menu. Discovering “Meatless Monday” has made it easier for me to literally “forget” the meat. Now, if your household includes a bunch of burly guys, going meatless may be a little more challenging than it is for me and my daughters. But, consider this: a meatless dinner every now and then usually means less time bent over the stove on a weeknight, it’s good for the earth, good for your health and its almost always cheaper! Personally, I love anything that’s a little more budget-friendly right now.
Here’s the part where you get to turn up your nose: for dinner this Monday night we had a veggie burger and a fresh salad. I first became aquainted with veggie burgers several years back when I was trying to drop some pounds with Weight Watchers. The rest of the family would be chowing down on grilled burgers, and I would stoically munch my veggie burgers. Veggie burgers are not bad, folks! Paired with a fresh salad, or some roasted potatoes they go a long way toward satisfying my occasional thirst for fast food burgers.
Regardless of whether you decide to brave the world of veggie meat substitutes, Meatless Monday is still a practice worth cultivating. Going meatless just one day a week has all kinds of benefits to you and the earth. Consider this for starters:
• Going meatless just one day a week may keep your body healthier, lower your weight, and possibly lower your cholesterol to reduce your risk of heart disease
• Reduce your carbon footprint. According to World Watch magazine, “recent analysis by Goodland and Anhang finds that livestock and their byproducts actually account for at least 32.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide per year, or 51 percent of annual worldwide GHG emissions.” Hmm. That’s a mouthful.
Meatless Monday is a non-profit initiative in association with the John Hopkins’ Bloomberg School of Health. Their goal is to reduce meat consumption by 15% for healthier population and a healthier earth. Check out the Meatless Monday website for more information on the impact that going meatless may have, meatless recipes and related articles.
P. S. – The veggie burger made for a really QUICK meal, something I’m often in need of on a week-night. Next week perhaps I’ll be more creative with Meatless Monday. Stay tuned. Also, I had this idea brewing…. maybe a Meatless Monday supper group once a month? What do you think?
November 23, 2009
Backyard salad isn’t completely accurate. My salad is actually in my front yard. I’m experimenting with a small lettuce patch to see if there is enough sun in this spot to make veggies grow. This little patch of dirt is right next to my driveway. I built up a small bed and filled it with good dirt, although I didn’t have any compost. Butter-crunch lettuce, Romaine and Red Leaf lettuce is planted there. It was a little late in the season when I stuck it in the ground, but decided to risk it anyway. With my huge $14.00 investment, I figured there was nothing to lose. I water it sort of regularly and feed it Miracle Grow in place of the compost. And, I hope for the best.
Parley is in a small concrete pot, and I planted one spinach plant in the lettuce bed, just to see what happens. So far, the spinach is pretty sad. The parsley, however, is sprightly, and the lettuce is bright green and healthy looking. Every day I go out and sweep the leaves away from the base of each plant. I am amazed at how delicate the leaves are. They are sweet and fragile. Those little plants make me smile each day as I am getting in the car to head out for work.
I am praying that the first frost doesn’t come for quite some time, at least not until I can harvest at least one dinner salad from my little plot. I was afraid the rabbits would come and nibble, enjoying my salad before I had a chance to taste it, but so far this hasn’t happened. I did spread Cayenne pepper around the bed to keep those little furry guys away, but I really think I’ve just been lucky. Today I went to the grocery and bought Romaine and Red Leaf lettuce. I hated doing that, knowing that oh, so soon, I could have my own fresh lettuce! If the cold weather holds off, we may be enjoying a very fresh and very local salad at Thanksgiving. I love this.
November 16, 2009
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November 5, 2009
Daisy loves our vintage fireplace
I turned on the fireplace this weekend. Yes, turned it on. It’s gas, vintage 1970′s. It’s so much fun, so cozy and oh, SO inefficient. However, I depend on it for heating one whole end of my house. And, it does warm things up eventually, but at what cost? I couldn’t even venture a guess, but I know when I open that flue, natural gas is being sucked right out the top of my house like Dorothy was sucked out of Kansas.
Winter Goals: Be Warm. Be Green. Do It Cheaply.
This is the first in a series I’ll be doing on small ways to heat up the house more efficiently. First of all, besides the fact that I depend on a 1970′s fireplace, you must understand that I am probably the coldest-natured person on earth. I should live in Florida, but I would miss the change of seasons too much to actually move there. And… not only is my fireplace from the 1970′s, my house was built in the 1960′s! That means single-paned windows, drafty doors and poor insulation. God, I do love my house though. This will be my 3rd winter in this house. This year, I’ve decided to stay warm, and this year, also, I’m on a very tight budget.
I am investigating alternative heating methods for the back end of my house. But, while I was mulling over heaters on the internet, the Alabama weather unexpectedly dropped to freezing in a single night! That sent me scuttling for some short-term, preventative solutions.
Idea #1. Insulating Film.
Sunday I was off to Lowes in search of an insulating film for my windows and doors. I’d read about a clear window film you can apply to decrease the energy loss through your glass. I decided to swing past the space heater aisle, where I discovered that virtually every single space heater had been snatched from the shelves. OK, onward to the film.
I found the film stowed away in bins along with the weather stripping. Unlike the heater aisle, which was practically barren, the insulating film had NOT been picked over. I purchased a box that said it would cover a single interior patio door. Only about $8.00, I figure if this stuff works, it’ll be a bargain! When I got back home, I opened up the box and this is what I had: a roll of double-sided tape, and a sheet of clear plastic. Don’t you love marketing? But, wait, there’s more…
To apply this highly efficient piece of advanced technology, you simply put double-sided tape all the way around the door molding. Then, stick that plastic up there, as smooth as you can. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Then, the fun part. Get your hairdryer and apply heat about 1 inch away from the plastic. The plastic will start to shrink and stretch tight across your window or door. So cool. When you are finished, the plastic will look practically smooth and clear. Light still comes through the door, though hopefully, the cold does not.
When I stood back to look at my handiwork, my patio doors reminded me of old southern homes I’ve been in before. Usually, a place where some one’s grandparents lived. And, they would have their porch or windows all stapled over with milky-looking, plastic sheeting to keep out the cold. I realize this look will probably never make it into Dwell, but somehow, I found it familiar and weirdly comforting. And, I must say, MY plastic is pretty darn clear!
I think it’s worth going back to get another sheet of plastic to put over the other door, and see if it really helps to insulate my house. I’m telling you folks, it can get cold in here and new windows are not in the budget for this year! The packaging claims that the product reduces cold air drafts, and improves R-value up to 90%. We’ll see.
Got an idea for staying warm on the cheap, easy and green? Love to hear’ em!
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Daisy loves our vintage fireplace
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Window insulation in a box. $8.00.
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Put double-sided tape all around the door molding.
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Stick the plastic to the tape.
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Shrink to fit with your hairdryer.
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TaaaDaaa! Plastic insulated door!
October 20, 2009
October is Energy Awareness month. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy since 1991, the goal is to increase awareness of ways to decrease energy consumption, particularly in Federal agencies and buildings. This year the theme is A Sustainable Energy Future; Putting All the Pieces Together. The objective is to encourage everyone to see how they fit into the big picture. We all make decisions daily that impact sustainability and a new energy economy. This really ties into Oh! Eco Me’s blog theme, “becoming greener one small step at a time”. It doesn’t take large changes to make an impact. You don’t have to eat granola everyday or give up life’s little comforts to make small changes that matter. So, here’s some small energy tips to try for the rest of October:
1. Change to compact flourescent bulbs.
Ok., I have to tell you this. I really detest the light that is given off by fluorescent bulbs. I have spent a small fortune buying these curly bulbs, putting them in my lamps, and taking them out again. However, I’ve discovered that I get more pleasing light if I replace just half of my lamps with fluorescent bulbs. That way I still get the soft light that I like in the room, but the comfort of knowing that I am being “half-way” energy efficient! Small changes, right?
2. Turn off the lights.
No matter what type of light bulbs you use, you can make a huge impact simply by turning out the lights (along with other electrical appliances when they are not being used). It’s amazing how easy it is to get into the habit of turning out lights when you leave a room. Even if it’s only for a few minutes, it counts. I used to be Mrs. Kilowatt, but now it is second nature to turn out lights that we aren’t using. So easy, and yet so meaningful.
3. Combine trips and share rides.
If you find it difficult to share a ride to work, maybe you could try combining trips for chores. For me, that is a much easier goal to accomplish. I live in a very central location to Everything in town, so it’s easy to fall into the habit of running in and out to pick up this and that. I have friends who live a little further out of town, and I’ve noticed they are very good at planning chores so that they make trips “into town” count. I can do the same thing on a different level if I just add a little more planning into my lifestyle.
4. Take a train or a bus.
I would LOVE to do this. I live in a city where mass transit is simply not available. Just as the city seemed to be making strides in offering reliable mass transit, the economic downturn blasted into our world. Many of the routes and times have been discontinued. I am hopeful for the future! But, if you live in a city that is large enough, and fortunate enough, to have reliable mass transit, by all means, please take advantage of it this month.
5. Buying a new appliance? Check out the energy star ratings!
If you are in the market for new appliances, please try to purchase energy star appliances. It’s easy to learn to read the energy star labels to make informed decisions about how the appliances you are considering stack up energy-wise. Reading these labels and making informed decisions not only promotes making more sustainable purchases, but will also save you money in the long run. More efficient appliances mean less money spent on heating, cooling, electricity, etc.
October 15, 2009
Lunch box, Free! from your supermarket
Do you take your lunch to work? To school? On picnics? Tailgating? Wherever it is that you’re transporting food, you have to figure out how to get it there, right? I pack my lunch practically every single working day of my life. Unless, of course, there’s nothing in my fridge, which certainly does happen. For a while, I was toting my lunch around in disposable plastic containers (a.k.a Ziplock or Glad) stuffed into a Publix shopping bag. Almost eco-friendly, but my lunch-box savvy was definitely lacking.
My daughter also packs her lunch everyday for school, because unlike most teenagers she really doesn’t want to eat deep fried okra, pizza and cold potato bar everyday from the school cafeteria. She took her lunch to school wrapped in a paper towel stuffed into a (eek!) plastic grocery bag.
One day we figured it out. All those little plastic containers that come home from the grocery store packed with things like blueberries, salad greens, etc.… most of those are not friendly #1 or #2 recyclable. (Although surprisingly, some are, so be sure to check on the bottom). Most are icky #5’s or #7’s. But, hey folks… they have lids…. and they are the perfect solution to keeping your lunch from getting smushed.
So, if you’re a lunch carrier, but not a lunch box carrier, think about repurposing, reusing those great plastic food containers from the grocery store! And, at least, if it does accidentally get tossed, you know it got several good reuses before hitting the trash!
September 29, 2009
Your bathroom shower curtain may be sneakily leaking toxins straight into your warm shower everyday!
I hate finding out that some seemingly innocuous thing in your home is really evil.
However, the innocent-looking shower curtain that you bought to perfectly match your bathroom’s new paint job, may be leaking toxic chemicals into your home. When you take that new plastic shower curtain out of its bag, you immediately notice that “new “plastic-y” smell, right? “Sort of like the “new car smell.” There’s a good reason for that nasty smell.
Plastic shower curtains or shower curtain liners are generally made from PVC plastic. Studies from the EPA have suggested that PVC leaches chemicals from the moment you open the package, and for long after that. The EPA even concluded it’s study with the warning to “use caution when opening the new packaging of a shower curtain to minimize exposure risk.” Exposure Risk?
The villian in the plastic is the chemical brew that is needed to make the plastic soft and flexible. Just think… a hot shower, breathing in all that steam laced with chemicals. MMmmm…hmmmmm.
The good news is there are several alternatives to nasty PVC. So, why not make a safer choice, just in case? Plastic shower curtains are now being made out of PEVA as opposed to PVC and are reported to be a healthier alternative. On top of that, they’re cheap. I like that. Try IKEA for a very inexpensive and eco-friendly choice. Hemp is also a popular choice, but be prepared to shell out some money. I found some nice ones at ecobathroom.com, but remember, hemp fabrics travel a long way; so there is a trade-off, in terms of over-all carbon footprint. And, with a price tag hovering around $100.00 it’s not for everybody. (Certainly not me.) But hemp, IS natural, sustainable and water resistant.
If you like a decorative shower curtain over the liner, there’s all kinds of choices, from organic cotton to nylon. Obviously, there’s no perfect choice, but NOT choosing PVC seems like a reasonable choice to make. I’ll be looking for mine, and hoping to find it in turquoise!
photo via wallpapersphere
September 23, 2009
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