BookJingle Blog

Archive for the ‘Green Planet’ Category

Lent starts February 13 this year, and this is the time that Christians across the world give up something in their lives. Normally it is something of a vice: soda, junk food, smoking, Facebook, etc. But during this time of fasting, repentance, charity, and sacrifice, you could strive to give up something that would help out the environment, too. While these suggestions work great for those who observe Lent, they would work for anyone and anytime.

1. Reduce shower time to 5 minutes.

2. Give up meat every day, not just Fridays.

3. Stop your vending machine habit at work.

4. Give up plastic bags.

5. Give up 2 degrees (on your thermostat).

There are plenty of other options for Lent, and for everyday. What are you giving up for Lent? Any plans to consider eco-friendly sacrifices?

I have had a Keurig coffee system for a while. After having it a few weeks, it was clear to me that the system wasn’t very eco-friendly. Each cup of coffee you make comes from a one-time use plastic, coffee filter. After you’re done, you have to throw it away. And if you’re a heavy coffee drinker, that could equal a whole lot of trash. I’ve looked into ways to make the coffee brewer more eco-friendly, and here are some of the best ways I’ve found.

1. Reusable Filter
Not long after the Keurig came out, companies started selling reusable coffee filters for use in the Keurig. The brand I have, Eko-Brew, is great. It has a fill line, is easy to clean, and pretty cheap. As I said, a few different companies make this product, and it’s a great alternative to the non-reusable coffee filters. Although, one of the drawbacks is that it takes the coffee brewer from being super quick and simple, to a little more time consuming.

2. Eco-Friendly K-Cups
I have seen a few companies begin to offer more eco-friendly solutions for the K-Cups. For example, San Fransisco Bay coffee offers a K-Cup with less plastic. Another such company is the Organic Coffee Company. I have yet to try either brand, but I have heard good reviews. It seems like a good solution because it doesn’t take away from the ease that the Keurig offers when brewing coffee.

3. My-Kap
Admittedly, this method seems like it would take a little longer, and might not be as simple as the reusable filter. But, some people have found ways to reuse their non-reusable K-Cups in an interesting way. Here is a great tutorial on how to use the My-Kap or My-Cap products. This solution is much cheaper than a reusable filter, and yields many more usable cups at a time. It just might take a bit more time than any other option.

If you have Keurig or other single-cup brewing system, how have you tried to make it more eco-friendly?

I am always telling people that eating in season and eating locally is very important. Not only does the food taste better, but it saves energy when produce doesn’t have to travel as far. Well, today I found a great tool to aid in helping you to eat in season and locally.

It is the peak season map from Epicurious. You pick the month, and your region, and it tells you what foods are in season in your area. Unfortunately, the growing season in my area is dormant, but this tool will be useful year round. I should have known this existed, but it never crossed my mind to actual look for it. Ah, the wonders of the internet.

Try it out! It’s pretty cool, and it makes me anxious for strawberry season. But I guess I’m stuck with frozen vegetables and soup until growing season starts up again.

It’s hard to believe, but there is only a week left in 2012. If you are planning to throw a party to celebrate the beginning of 2013, here are some great green party tips for your soiree.

1. One of the most wasteful parts of a party are dispos

able dishes: styrofoam plates, plastic forks, and paper napkins. But if request each guest bring a glass, silverware, and a plate, then there is a lot less you need to purchase and no need for buying disposables. If you still need more supplies, you can rent them from a party supply store. But if you are planning on going the disposable route, try some eco-friendly options. BiodegradableStore.com has a plate made from sugarcane. At only $6.95 for a pack of 50, the price is not as high as typical eco-friendly materials.

2. Along the same lines, in order to keep from buying something you might not need or use, you can request each guest bring their own seating.

3. Of course, these days we all know by now that in lieu of paper invitations, there are a plethora of online invite sites that do the job just as well. If it’s a casual shindig, nobody will think twice about an evite as opposed to a paper invitation which would be tossed out after the event anyway.

4. Instead of paper and plastic decor, why not check out some great reusable options? Felt garland is a cute, funky idea. Along with this Happy New Year banner made from durable cardstock will make your party awesome. And when it comes to midnight, instead of purchasing a case of those plastic noisemakers, why not take the party outside and light sparklers to ring in the new year?

5. Finally, after the party has wrapped up, why not take the opportunity to make a few green resolutions for the next year? Whether it be eating less meat, recycling more, or making sure you turn out the lights when you leave a room, any little bit helps. You can encourage your guests to do the same!

Parties are great fun, and a good way to celebrate events. But they don’t have to be wasteful. There are plenty of ways to turn your party into an eco-friendly celebration.

I know Christmas isn’t until next week, but if you have a real (as opposed to an artificial) Christmas tree, you might be starting to think “What do I do with this tree after the holidays?” You’re in luck, because there are a ton of ways to dispose of your tree in an environmentally friendly way.

First of all, check to see if you local government has established curbside pickup, drop-off locations, or other ways for residents to dispose of their Christmas tree. Some retailers will also accept trees for recycling. Check out Earth911.com to see if any such program exists in your area.

If there are no specified ways to recycle a Christmas tree in your area, don’t fret! There are many other ways to get rid of that tree.

1. You can dispose of your Christmas tree underwater, if you or someone you know has a lake or pond on their property (with permission, of course). It would make a great habitat for fish and other creatures. Just make sure there are no ornaments or decorations left on the tree.

2. Along those same lines, if you have a wooded area on your property, an old Christmas tree can make a great habitat for birds and other small animals.

3. Prune the branches, and reuse those in your garden or yard as mulch, trellises, or stakes for climbing plants (tomatoes, roses, ivy).

4. You can cut the tree into smaller logs, and use them as firewood next year (after the wood has “seasoned” in dry weather).

There are many other ways to recycle and reuse a Christmas tree of course. These are just a few ideas that will help you dispose of your tree in a fun, Earth-friendly way.

If you’re like me, you probably do a lot of things at the last minute. So, even though Christmas is in less than two weeks, I’m sure there are many of you still needing to order and send out Christmas cards. You’re in luck, because today I am showcasing some great eco-friendly Christmas cards.

1. ECards
I know there are a lot of people out there who are vehemently opposed to electronic greeting cards, especially when it comes to holiday cards. I understand, and just wanted to put this idea out there for those of you interested. There are so many options these days, just typing Christmas ecards in a search engine should get you plenty of results.

2. Pear Tree Greetings
Pear Tree offers 100% recycled Christmas cards and envelopes. Most of their regular greeting cards are made from recycled materials, but the recycled collection includes envelopes. Many of the holiday cards are incorporated with eco-friendly holiday messages and designs. And many of these cards can be customized with your own photos.

3. Paper Culture
When you place your order with Paper Culture, not only are you getting 100% recycled cards, but the company also uses only recycled packaging, is carbon free, and even plants a tree with every order. Now that is green! With modern designs, and the ability to have the company send the cards directly to the recipients, this company is really exciting.

4. Paperworks Studio
Paperworks Studio is a program of Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan. The cards from Paperworks Studios are all completely handmade from recycled materials by artists with disabilities who are employed by Goodwill Industries.

5. Botanical Paperworks
Finally, Botanical Paperworks is pretty cool. Unlike the previous companies, these cards are not recycled. They are embedded with seeds, and are plantable: when the paper is planted in a pot of soil, the seeds grow and the paper composts away. All that is left behind is flowers, herbs or vegetables and no waste. The cards can grow anything from cinnamon basil to wildflowers. I think it is extremely unique, and a great way to be green.

And there you have it. Five different options for sending green Christmas cards this season, and celebrating the season without waste!

Tomorrow is the big day, people! The day that overflows with lots of food, family, and (unfortunately!) football is once again upon us. And I’m here to save the day with some ideas for great (many being eco-friendly) centerpieces that will give

the finishing touch on your wonderful Thanksgiving spread. Even if you aren’t the fancy type, these centerpieces will be the talk of the dining room.

1. Hollow out small pumpkins or butternut squash to create a seasonal vase. Fill with seasonal flowers like mums or daisies.

2. Scoop out a round shallow hole in apples or pears (and use the inside for delicious apple or pear sauce) and place a tea light candle inside for some festive lighting around the table. (Warning: Do not use open flames at the kid’s table!)

3. Create a citrus scented centerpiece by thinly slicing lemons and oranges, drying the peels in a 250 degree oven and then applying them to thick pillar candles with hot glue.

4. Empty out a box of clementines and loosely wrap the box with natural burlap, stapling in the inside base to secure. Spike the fruit with whole cloves and refill the box. A spicy orange scent will fill the air nicely.

5. Fill a cute basket or large vase with seasonal fruits and gourds, like apples, pears, pumpkins, and squash. It’s a nice, natural way to celebrate the season. This also works if you happen to have a cornucopia sitting around (and who doesn’t?).

6. Flip over unused wine and champagne glasses onto a nice tray. Trim flowers at the stem, and place them under the glasses. It’s unusual, but unique and pretty!

7. Spray-paint small pumpkins and gourds with metallic silver paint and place on top of large candlestick holders.

8. For something a little more playful, have the kids create some paper turkeys, and arrange them around the table for guests to admire.

9. Gather sticks from outside, and arrange in glass vases. Sounds kind of odd, but it actually looks striking and is a nice change from floral arrangements.

10. There are tons of other things you can make using leaves, pine cones, fruits, vegetables, flowers, and candles. The possibilities are pretty endless!

However you decide to decorate, have fun, and have a great Thanksgiving!

I can’t believe Thanksgiving is in two short weeks! In honor of the tried and true holiday full of thanks, family, and food, I have just a few tips that might help make your Turkey (or Tofurky!) Day just a little bit greener.

1.Vegetarian Than

ksgiving
I know, I know. For most people, Thanksgiving is synonymous with turkey (or ham). But, did you know there are endless vegetarian possibilities? From homemade goodies (like Eggplant Pie or Chickpea Pot Pie) to pre-made vegetarian “roasts” (Gardein or Field Roast brand are good options), there are plenty of vegetarian main courses to choose from. And practically every side dish can be made vegetarian, many even can be vegan. If foregoing the turkey just doesn’t feel like Thanksgiving, you could choose a locally raised turkey instead of a supermarket turkey.

2. Know Your Numbers
If you are having 10 people over, that equals a lot less food than if you are having 20. But sometimes it can be hard to gauge, and you end up with so much leftover food that gets tossed out after the holidays. But, using the site Use Less Stuff can give you a good idea of the amount of food to prepare for each guest. Here is the amount they suggest you prepare for each person:

• Turkey- 1 pound
• Stuffing- ¼ pound
• Sweet potato (or any other) casserole- ¼ pound
• Green beans (or other vegetables) – ¼ pound
• Cranberry relish- 3 tablespoons
• Pie- 1/8 of a 9 inch pie

3. Plan Ahead
That might sound like an obvious tip, but if you don’t plan ahead, you could end up with much more food than is necessary. Plus, if you do more of a potluck style dinner, make sure everyone knows what they are bringing so you don’t end up with 3 pumpkin pies and no rolls/mashed potatoes/stuffing/whatever is most important to your Thanksgiving feast. Your menu should include a main course, four sides and dessert (or two). You can add rolls, salad, and little appetizers to that menu. And don’t forget the drinks!

4. Shop Locally
You can save money, and get local, fresh food from your farmer’s market just in time for the holidays. Right now, you can probably find root vegetables (carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams) at the market, as well as specialty items like honey or sauces that will fit right in with your dinner.

5. Share Leftovers
No matter what you do, the chances are you’re going to have leftovers. One way to limit the amount of leftovers you store in the fridge is to distribute them to your guests. Have plenty of reusable Tupperware containers to make sure each guest takes a little bit of this, and a little bit of that.

Hopefully these tips help make your Thanksgiving celebration a little more green!

Format

I can’t believe Thanksgiving is in two short weeks! In honor of the tried and true holiday full of thanks, family, and food, I have just a few tips that might help make your Turkey (or Tofurky!) Day just a little bit greener.
1.Vegetarian Thanksgiving
I know, I know. For most people, Thanksgiving is synonymous with turkey (or ham). But, did you know there are endless vegetarian possibilities? From homemade goodies (like Eggplant Pie or Chickpea Pot Pie) to pre-made vegetarian “roasts” (Gardein or Field Roast brand are good options), there are plenty of vegetarian main courses to choose from. And practically every side dish can be made vegetarian, many even can be vegan. If foregoing the turkey just doesn’t feel like Thanksgiving, you could choose a locally raised turkey instead of a supermarket turkey.
2. Know Your Numbers
If you are having 10 people over, that equals a lot less food than if you are having 20. But sometimes it can be hard to gauge, and you end up with so much leftover food that gets tossed out after the holidays. But, using the site Use Less Stuff can give you a good idea of the amount of food to prepare for each guest. Here is the amount they suggest you prepare for each person:
Turkey- 1 pound
Stuffing- ¼ pound
Sweet potato (or any other) casserole- ¼ pound
Green beans (or other vegetables) – ¼ pound
Cranberry relish- 3 tablespoons
Pie- 1/8 of a 9 inch pie
3. Plan Ahead
That might sound like an obvious tip, but if you don’t plan ahead, you could end up with much more food than is necessary. Plus, if you do more of a potluck style dinner, make sure everyone knows what they are bringing so you don’t end up with 3 pumpkin pies and no rolls/mashed potatoes/stuffing/whatever is most important to your Thanksgiving feast. Your menu should include a main course, four sides and dessert (or two). You can add rolls, salad, and little appetizers to that menu. And don’t forget the drinks!
4. Shop Locally
You can save money, and get local, fresh food from your farmer’s market just in time for the holidays. Right now, you can probably find root vegetables (carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams) at the market, as well as specialty items like honey or sauces that will fit right in with your dinner.
5. Share Leftovers
No matter what you do, the chances are you’re going to have leftovers. One way to limit the amount of leftovers you store in the fridge is to distribute them to your guests. Have plenty of reusable Tupperware containers to make sure each guest takes a little bit of this, and a little bit of that.
Hopefully these tips help make your Thanksgiving celebration a little more green!
Path:

Halloween night is less than three weeks away, and I’ve found that many people are starting to decorate for this spooky, fall holiday. Whether it’s for a party, or just to show your Halloween spirit, I have some great eco-friendly Halloween decor ideas just for you!

1. Jack-o-lanterns.
Let’s not overlook a classic! Carved pumpkins are the epitome of Halloween. And go to a near-by pumpkin farm to pick your own local pumpkin! I just did this on Sunday, and had so much fun! I got to pick the pumpkin of my dreams, and now it’s sitting on the front porch just waiting to become a masterpiece. And, you can compost it when the season is over.

2. Natural decor.
In addition to jack-o-lanterns, there are plenty of other natural options when it comes to decorating. Squash and apples on the tables at your Halloween party to create a beautiful autumn atmosphere. Add some red, orange, and yellow leaves or dried corn to the mix to really make it autumnesque. Later, you can even use them up in your favorite fall recipes.

3. Lighting.
When it comes to lighting, using soy or beeswax candles over traditional is much more environmentally friendly. Soy candles soy candles produce 90 percent less soot than paraffin candles, while beeswax candles are made from renewable resources. When it comes to outdoor lighting, I have seen several “spooky” solar garden lights on sale at various stores; from skulls to pumpkins to ghosts, these lights will be a hit with any decor. Finally, if you want to give your room a very distinct Halloween feel, try out these orange and black CFL bulbs.

4. Glass jars.
These free jar and bottle labels from Squidoo can transform any used jars or bottles into creepy Halloween decorations. Just take used, washed, and dried jars, apply the labels, fill with water mixed with food coloring of your choice — and voila! — bottles of poisons and potions to put on display. Here are some creepy candy jar labels, as well.

5. Spooky shadows.
Since you already have your candles covered, why not take a tip from the decorating queen herself, Martha Stewart. This tutorial and printable template for creating spooky shadows on your walls from Martha herself are a great addition to any Halloween decor.

These are just a few of the ways you can make your Halloween decorations a little more Earth-friendly. Do you have any tips or ideas to add to the list?

It’s fall, people! You know what that means: pumpkin patches, apple cider, cooler days, and (of course!) Halloween. Yeah, it’s still a month away, but it’s not too early to start thinking about costumes. And one great way to be more eco-friendly (and money friendly), is to check out the National Costume Swap Day. This is such a great way to reuse costumes, and save some money. Events are taking place across the country on October 13-14.

If you don’t want to participate, or there are no swaps near you, there are many other ways to make this year’s costume a little greener. For example, hitting up your local thrift store. There are always a ton of costumes for sale at the ones near me. Or, if you want to making things even easier, just use what you have in your closet to come up with a cool costume. This article has a ton of great ideas using things you probably already have on hand.

And if you are very crafty (and good with a sewing machine), there is always the old school option of sewing your own costume. Sewing Support and Free Needle have some great sewing patterns for costumes. You can make this even more green by using scraps of fabric, or fabric from a thrift store or flea market!

And voila, eco-friendly Halloween costumes!