The Wal-Mart brand is great!
I swear, I think the clothes were cleaner, and they did not have a "perfumey" smell...when I lay down on the newly changed sheets and pillowcases, they were soft and had a nice fresh feel...almost like I had tried them on the line.
Speaking of which, one of these days I am going to start drying clothes on the line! My mother always does...I love to come home in the evenings and see sheets, pillowcases, and old-fashioned housedresses fluttering on the line!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Vinegar as a Natural Weed Killer
Woohoo!
I haven't been using chemicals in my yard for years, and as a result have suffered with pesky weeds. This is especially the case now with our gravel driveway and a flowerbed outside the breakfast nook that the previous owner filled with pebbles.
I doubly don't want to use chemicals because of the outdoor kitties, Bubba and Bitsy, but am sooo tired of looking at weeds while eating breakfast!
So I was excited to get the following info in my email this morning from about.com. (www.about.com) It's about using vinegar as a natural weedkiller.
I'll let you know how it goes...
What about you? Have you ever tried vinegar? Would you?
by David Beaulieu
For organic gardening, vinegar can function as a handy natural weed killer. It's the acetic acid in vinegar that gives it the power to kill weeds. The higher the percentage of acetic acid in the vinegar, the better it will operate as a natural weed killer, technically speaking. Vinegar used for culinary purposes is relatively low (5%) in acetic acid, so repeated applications will be necessary when using it as a natural weed killer.
Vinegar As Natural Weed Killer: Limitations
If you're battling lawn weeds, take care to apply the vinegar directly onto the weeds themselves, not letting it come into contact with your grass. Why? Because the fact that vinegar is a natural weed killer doesn't mean it can't be harmful if misused. Vinegar is non-selective, and this natural weed killer can harm your grass!
To avoid damage to grass, consider "painting" the vinegar directly onto weeds with a brush. If you do spray with vinegar, don't pull the trigger until you're right up close to the targeted weed. Don't spray on a windy day, as the wind could carry your vinegar spray where you don't want it to go -- on your grass.
Because of this limitation, I don't think of vinegar as being an especially effective natural weed killer for lawn areas. It makes more sense to use vinegar in areas where lawn grass and other landscaping plants won't be in the way, such as on patios or walkways (where you have weeds pushing up through cracks).
But if you're already in the process of digging a dandelion out of the lawn, it wouldn't hurt to supplement your efforts with vinegar. After you've removed as much of the taproot as possible, carefully pour some vinegar into the hole. The vinegar will seep down into the soil, killing any portions of taproot you may have missed. Afterwards, shovel soil into the hole and sow grass seed on top, lest any opportunistic weed seeds should fill the vacuum.
There's another limitation in using vinegar as a natural weed killer, but this limitation extends to chemical weed killers, as well: namely, that you'll probably have to re-apply the vinegar to get the job done, as weeds often refuse to go quietly. This is especially true of established perennial weeds, toughened by years of coping with environmental challenges; vinegar will be more effective on younger weeds.
But considering that vinegar is safe and relatively inexpensive, this objection is hardly a telling argument against the use of vinegar as a natural weed killer. If your goal is to use a natural weed killer, one assumes that you'll be motivated to make repeated applications, as necessary.
Vinegar As Natural Weed Killer: When to Apply
When practicing natural weed control, take to heart the dictum, Know thine enemy! Study up on the weeds you're battling before you use the vinegar on them. Target annual weeds with your vinegar natural weed killer before they set seed, to prevent them from spawning a new generation to give you headaches next year.
By contrast, early fall is the best time to use this natural weed killer on perennial weeds. Early fall is when you'll want to apply vinegar to dandelions (but snap off the flowers whenever they appear, to prevent them from going to seed in the meantime). Dandelions, although their leaves die back in winter, do live on through their roots. So preventing them from going to seed isn't enough.
Fortunately, knowing a little botany can help you considerably in your battle with perennial weeds like dandelions. You see, in early fall, nutrients are transferred from the dandelion leaves down to the roots. This transfer, which continues until the first killing frost, presents you with an opportunity to hit dandelions where it really hurts! Vinegar natural weed killer applied during this time is absorbed by the leaves and passed on to the roots, following the same path down as the nutrients. The plants are killed -- naturally. Repeated applications may be necessary.
Vinegar As Natural Weed Killer: How to Apply
Listen to your local forecast, and find out when your region will be experiencing a few continuous days of sunshine. At the beginning of this period, spray or paint the vinegar onto the weeds you wish to kill.
Why is a sunny period required? Two reasons:
You need to saturate the weeds' leaves with the vinegar, and rain would wash too much of the vinegar off the foliage.
The real damage to the sprayed weeds begins the next couple of days after the application, when the sun hits the leaves.
Some people who use vinegar as a natural weed killer like to boil the vinegar, prior to application. Through such boiling, you may actually be able to gain a concentrate higher in acetic acid, although I haven't yet experimented with this option in any scientific way. But it certainly can't hurt to boil the vinegar; in fact, many folks report success killing weeds by simply pouring scalding water on weeds! So I suppose the use of boiled vinegar allows you to attack weeds on an additional front.
Vinegar As Natural Weed Killer: The Stronger Stuff
It is possible to buy products with a higher acetic acid content than that found in ordinary vinegar. Such products can be purchased at farmer's stores or from restaurant supply businesses. But the potency of these acetic acid products can render them less safe to use than household vinegar. To me, that puts them at odds with the whole concept of using "natural weed killers." Besides, you have to go out of your way to find these products, and the idea behind the present article was to introduce a handy natural weed killer, something you can just pull off a kitchen shelf and experiment with.
Other Uses for Vinegar
Those of you who have held an ongoing grudge against vinegar for its ability to make your mouth pucker may finally be able to grant vinegar forgiveness. For that same sourness makes vinegar the natural weed killer of choice for organic gardening. Vinegar can also be used for cleaning purposes around the home, as an alternative to chemical cleaners.
So if you rarely open that vinegar jug for purposes of seasoning your food, don't despair: The uses for vinegar extend well beyond the culinary.
I haven't been using chemicals in my yard for years, and as a result have suffered with pesky weeds. This is especially the case now with our gravel driveway and a flowerbed outside the breakfast nook that the previous owner filled with pebbles.
I doubly don't want to use chemicals because of the outdoor kitties, Bubba and Bitsy, but am sooo tired of looking at weeds while eating breakfast!
So I was excited to get the following info in my email this morning from about.com. (www.about.com) It's about using vinegar as a natural weedkiller.
I'll let you know how it goes...
What about you? Have you ever tried vinegar? Would you?
by David Beaulieu
For organic gardening, vinegar can function as a handy natural weed killer. It's the acetic acid in vinegar that gives it the power to kill weeds. The higher the percentage of acetic acid in the vinegar, the better it will operate as a natural weed killer, technically speaking. Vinegar used for culinary purposes is relatively low (5%) in acetic acid, so repeated applications will be necessary when using it as a natural weed killer.
Vinegar As Natural Weed Killer: Limitations
If you're battling lawn weeds, take care to apply the vinegar directly onto the weeds themselves, not letting it come into contact with your grass. Why? Because the fact that vinegar is a natural weed killer doesn't mean it can't be harmful if misused. Vinegar is non-selective, and this natural weed killer can harm your grass!
To avoid damage to grass, consider "painting" the vinegar directly onto weeds with a brush. If you do spray with vinegar, don't pull the trigger until you're right up close to the targeted weed. Don't spray on a windy day, as the wind could carry your vinegar spray where you don't want it to go -- on your grass.
Because of this limitation, I don't think of vinegar as being an especially effective natural weed killer for lawn areas. It makes more sense to use vinegar in areas where lawn grass and other landscaping plants won't be in the way, such as on patios or walkways (where you have weeds pushing up through cracks).
But if you're already in the process of digging a dandelion out of the lawn, it wouldn't hurt to supplement your efforts with vinegar. After you've removed as much of the taproot as possible, carefully pour some vinegar into the hole. The vinegar will seep down into the soil, killing any portions of taproot you may have missed. Afterwards, shovel soil into the hole and sow grass seed on top, lest any opportunistic weed seeds should fill the vacuum.
There's another limitation in using vinegar as a natural weed killer, but this limitation extends to chemical weed killers, as well: namely, that you'll probably have to re-apply the vinegar to get the job done, as weeds often refuse to go quietly. This is especially true of established perennial weeds, toughened by years of coping with environmental challenges; vinegar will be more effective on younger weeds.
But considering that vinegar is safe and relatively inexpensive, this objection is hardly a telling argument against the use of vinegar as a natural weed killer. If your goal is to use a natural weed killer, one assumes that you'll be motivated to make repeated applications, as necessary.
Vinegar As Natural Weed Killer: When to Apply
When practicing natural weed control, take to heart the dictum, Know thine enemy! Study up on the weeds you're battling before you use the vinegar on them. Target annual weeds with your vinegar natural weed killer before they set seed, to prevent them from spawning a new generation to give you headaches next year.
By contrast, early fall is the best time to use this natural weed killer on perennial weeds. Early fall is when you'll want to apply vinegar to dandelions (but snap off the flowers whenever they appear, to prevent them from going to seed in the meantime). Dandelions, although their leaves die back in winter, do live on through their roots. So preventing them from going to seed isn't enough.
Fortunately, knowing a little botany can help you considerably in your battle with perennial weeds like dandelions. You see, in early fall, nutrients are transferred from the dandelion leaves down to the roots. This transfer, which continues until the first killing frost, presents you with an opportunity to hit dandelions where it really hurts! Vinegar natural weed killer applied during this time is absorbed by the leaves and passed on to the roots, following the same path down as the nutrients. The plants are killed -- naturally. Repeated applications may be necessary.
Vinegar As Natural Weed Killer: How to Apply
Listen to your local forecast, and find out when your region will be experiencing a few continuous days of sunshine. At the beginning of this period, spray or paint the vinegar onto the weeds you wish to kill.
Why is a sunny period required? Two reasons:
You need to saturate the weeds' leaves with the vinegar, and rain would wash too much of the vinegar off the foliage.
The real damage to the sprayed weeds begins the next couple of days after the application, when the sun hits the leaves.
Some people who use vinegar as a natural weed killer like to boil the vinegar, prior to application. Through such boiling, you may actually be able to gain a concentrate higher in acetic acid, although I haven't yet experimented with this option in any scientific way. But it certainly can't hurt to boil the vinegar; in fact, many folks report success killing weeds by simply pouring scalding water on weeds! So I suppose the use of boiled vinegar allows you to attack weeds on an additional front.
Vinegar As Natural Weed Killer: The Stronger Stuff
It is possible to buy products with a higher acetic acid content than that found in ordinary vinegar. Such products can be purchased at farmer's stores or from restaurant supply businesses. But the potency of these acetic acid products can render them less safe to use than household vinegar. To me, that puts them at odds with the whole concept of using "natural weed killers." Besides, you have to go out of your way to find these products, and the idea behind the present article was to introduce a handy natural weed killer, something you can just pull off a kitchen shelf and experiment with.
Other Uses for Vinegar
Those of you who have held an ongoing grudge against vinegar for its ability to make your mouth pucker may finally be able to grant vinegar forgiveness. For that same sourness makes vinegar the natural weed killer of choice for organic gardening. Vinegar can also be used for cleaning purposes around the home, as an alternative to chemical cleaners.
So if you rarely open that vinegar jug for purposes of seasoning your food, don't despair: The uses for vinegar extend well beyond the culinary.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Tide Better Get on the Stick!
During my growing-up years, my mother never used any laundry detergent other than Tide. www.tide.com.
When I got out on my own, I experimented with different detergents when I had a coupon or store special, but I always came back to Tide because I believed it was the best.
However, the other day I was in Wal-Mart and saw that they had an environmental friendly laundry detergent (herbally scented, no les!) under their Great Value label.
Hmmmm.....Now that I have become more environmentally conscious, I started wondering about Tide.
Sure enough, I checked their website and I don't see anything on there that indicates an environmentally friendly detergent.
They do have Tide Coldwater, but...the thought of washing undies and towels in cold water doesn't cut it with me. Ugh!
So...I'm about to head out to Wal-Mart to do the weekly shopping. Laundry detergent is on my list, so I am going to give the Great Value brand a whirl. I know there are other brands (not "name" but new ones that have sprung up the past few years, like Myers) but they are a bit more expensive and I want to stick to my budget.
I'll have a report later this week on how the Great Value brand worked! I usually don't like Wal-Mart's house brand products but hopefully this will be different.
How about you? Are you using a green-friendly laundry detergent? If so, what are the results?
When I got out on my own, I experimented with different detergents when I had a coupon or store special, but I always came back to Tide because I believed it was the best.
However, the other day I was in Wal-Mart and saw that they had an environmental friendly laundry detergent (herbally scented, no les!) under their Great Value label.
Hmmmm.....Now that I have become more environmentally conscious, I started wondering about Tide.
Sure enough, I checked their website and I don't see anything on there that indicates an environmentally friendly detergent.
They do have Tide Coldwater, but...the thought of washing undies and towels in cold water doesn't cut it with me. Ugh!
So...I'm about to head out to Wal-Mart to do the weekly shopping. Laundry detergent is on my list, so I am going to give the Great Value brand a whirl. I know there are other brands (not "name" but new ones that have sprung up the past few years, like Myers) but they are a bit more expensive and I want to stick to my budget.
I'll have a report later this week on how the Great Value brand worked! I usually don't like Wal-Mart's house brand products but hopefully this will be different.
How about you? Are you using a green-friendly laundry detergent? If so, what are the results?
Tax Incentives--A Good Way to Promote Green Building?
The following article is from www.hgtvpro.com.
What are your thoughts? It all makes sense to me...
WASHINGTON -- Calling green building "the next evolution in residential construction," the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) told Congress last week that the best way to help small home builders promote residential energy efficiency and sustainability technology in home construction is by extending tax incentives for new energy-efficient homes.
Testifying before the House Small Business Committee, Michael Hodgson, president of the Stockton, Calif.-based energy consulting firm ConSol, said these incentives dovetail with the normal supply and demand for home construction. "A tax credit program leaves important production decisions in the hands of builders, buyers and home owners and does not require expensive administrative oversight that is usually associated with a mandate," he said.
Under current law, builders who construct a home certified to achieve a 50 percent reduction in energy use are eligible to receive a $2,000 tax credit. That credit is set to expire at the end of this year, and although pending legislation in the House and Senate would extend it, there is still no agreement between the two chambers over the appropriate budgetary offsets.
"Unless Congress can end the political debate and extend this credit soon - with or without offsets - it will be a tremendous loss for my business and will eliminate the only federal incentive for efficiency in new homes," said Hodgson.
He also urged Congress to increase the dollar amount of the credit, because achieving the 50 percent threshold required by statute is costly, especially for small builders.
Hodgson said that the housing industry is committed to the advancement of green building techniques that reduce energy consumption, improve indoor and outdoor air quality and conserve water and natural resources in both new and existing homes - all hallmarks of the NAHB National Green Building Program.
"NAHB members are leaders in the green building movement and were active on this effort long before the recent media interest in climate change and global warming," he said. "In fact, NAHB will be hosting its 10th annual National Green Building Conference in New Orleans next month and has consistently been ahead of the curve in promoting and developing energy-efficient and environmentally friendly construction techniques for the mainstream home builder."
NAHB and the International Code Council are awaiting final approval by the American National Standards Institute for the National Green Building Standard. The goal is to offer local jurisdictions an "off-the-shelf" green building program for all new homes and remodeling projects that is consensus-based and truly green, but flexible, said Hodgson.
"Green building means making intentional decisions that positively impact energy efficiency, resource conservation and indoor environmental quality throughout the entire design and construction process," said Hodgson. "Green means doing the right thing for the builder, the home owner, and, most importantly, the environment."
With the economy teetering on the edge of recession, Hodgson also called on Congress to move quickly to enact a housing stimulus package that will jump-start housing, save jobs and restore consumer confidence.
Specifically, NAHB urges Congress to include the following tax initiatives in the bill:
--A temporary home buyer tax credit. Hodgson noted that a provision in House bill H.R. 5720 could shore up home prices by stimulating sales and reducing excess inventory in housing markets.
--A net operating loss deduction carryback expansion. Allowing companies to carry back net operating losses beyond the current two years would help all hard-hit businesses -- including financial institutions and manufacturers -- to weather the economic storm, make their payrolls and emerge from this downturn in a position to grow.
--Expansion of the mortgage revenue bond program. This would help struggling home owners seeking to refinance their loans and would be especially useful for communities trying to avoid a wave of foreclosures or an extreme excess of inventory.
What are your thoughts? It all makes sense to me...
WASHINGTON -- Calling green building "the next evolution in residential construction," the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) told Congress last week that the best way to help small home builders promote residential energy efficiency and sustainability technology in home construction is by extending tax incentives for new energy-efficient homes.
Testifying before the House Small Business Committee, Michael Hodgson, president of the Stockton, Calif.-based energy consulting firm ConSol, said these incentives dovetail with the normal supply and demand for home construction. "A tax credit program leaves important production decisions in the hands of builders, buyers and home owners and does not require expensive administrative oversight that is usually associated with a mandate," he said.
Under current law, builders who construct a home certified to achieve a 50 percent reduction in energy use are eligible to receive a $2,000 tax credit. That credit is set to expire at the end of this year, and although pending legislation in the House and Senate would extend it, there is still no agreement between the two chambers over the appropriate budgetary offsets.
"Unless Congress can end the political debate and extend this credit soon - with or without offsets - it will be a tremendous loss for my business and will eliminate the only federal incentive for efficiency in new homes," said Hodgson.
He also urged Congress to increase the dollar amount of the credit, because achieving the 50 percent threshold required by statute is costly, especially for small builders.
Hodgson said that the housing industry is committed to the advancement of green building techniques that reduce energy consumption, improve indoor and outdoor air quality and conserve water and natural resources in both new and existing homes - all hallmarks of the NAHB National Green Building Program.
"NAHB members are leaders in the green building movement and were active on this effort long before the recent media interest in climate change and global warming," he said. "In fact, NAHB will be hosting its 10th annual National Green Building Conference in New Orleans next month and has consistently been ahead of the curve in promoting and developing energy-efficient and environmentally friendly construction techniques for the mainstream home builder."
NAHB and the International Code Council are awaiting final approval by the American National Standards Institute for the National Green Building Standard. The goal is to offer local jurisdictions an "off-the-shelf" green building program for all new homes and remodeling projects that is consensus-based and truly green, but flexible, said Hodgson.
"Green building means making intentional decisions that positively impact energy efficiency, resource conservation and indoor environmental quality throughout the entire design and construction process," said Hodgson. "Green means doing the right thing for the builder, the home owner, and, most importantly, the environment."
With the economy teetering on the edge of recession, Hodgson also called on Congress to move quickly to enact a housing stimulus package that will jump-start housing, save jobs and restore consumer confidence.
Specifically, NAHB urges Congress to include the following tax initiatives in the bill:
--A temporary home buyer tax credit. Hodgson noted that a provision in House bill H.R. 5720 could shore up home prices by stimulating sales and reducing excess inventory in housing markets.
--A net operating loss deduction carryback expansion. Allowing companies to carry back net operating losses beyond the current two years would help all hard-hit businesses -- including financial institutions and manufacturers -- to weather the economic storm, make their payrolls and emerge from this downturn in a position to grow.
--Expansion of the mortgage revenue bond program. This would help struggling home owners seeking to refinance their loans and would be especially useful for communities trying to avoid a wave of foreclosures or an extreme excess of inventory.
Friday, May 16, 2008
7 Great Prayers for An Abundand & Blessed Life
Several years ago I attended a Unity church in Memphis http://www.unityonline.com and received a copy of 7 Great Prayers for an Abundant and Blessed Life.
These prayers really helped me feel more peaceful, and more joyful so I wanted to share them here:
I Love You, God
Thank You, God
God, You Are Inside Me
God, I attract Your Blessings
God, I see You Everywhere
God, Bless .....
God, Help me To Help You
These prayers really helped me feel more peaceful, and more joyful so I wanted to share them here:
I Love You, God
Thank You, God
God, You Are Inside Me
God, I attract Your Blessings
God, I see You Everywhere
God, Bless .....
God, Help me To Help You
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Are You Willing to Trade?
Are you willing to trade space for energy efficiency in a new home?
Nashville-area developer Randy Chastain is betting some of you will.
Chastain, who was interviewed in Monday's business section of The Tennessean, said he's been involved in the homebuilding industry for 30 years but only recently began thinking about energy efficiency.
Cambridge Park, on 19 acres in Antioch, is Chastain's newest...and smallest...building project. It's also his most efficient.
His registration with the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program makes him one of the first homebuilders in Tennessee to jump on the "green homebuilding" bandwagon.
Chastain says that sound environmental practices will add about 8k-9k in cost to each Cambridge Park home, which will be in the 250k-270k price range. They also will be 1,300 SF to 2,100 SF, which is about 10 percent smaller than comparably priced homes nearby.
This pioneering builder believes that buyers will forego extra space for energy efficiency.
However, a recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders revealed that the majority of buyers would sacrifice space for high quality amenities but not for energy efficiency.
What about you?
What would be most important to you if you were buying a new home: space, amenities, or energy efficiency?
Surely there can be a way to combine all three.
Nashville-area developer Randy Chastain is betting some of you will.
Chastain, who was interviewed in Monday's business section of The Tennessean, said he's been involved in the homebuilding industry for 30 years but only recently began thinking about energy efficiency.
Cambridge Park, on 19 acres in Antioch, is Chastain's newest...and smallest...building project. It's also his most efficient.
His registration with the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program makes him one of the first homebuilders in Tennessee to jump on the "green homebuilding" bandwagon.
Chastain says that sound environmental practices will add about 8k-9k in cost to each Cambridge Park home, which will be in the 250k-270k price range. They also will be 1,300 SF to 2,100 SF, which is about 10 percent smaller than comparably priced homes nearby.
This pioneering builder believes that buyers will forego extra space for energy efficiency.
However, a recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders revealed that the majority of buyers would sacrifice space for high quality amenities but not for energy efficiency.
What about you?
What would be most important to you if you were buying a new home: space, amenities, or energy efficiency?
Surely there can be a way to combine all three.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Those Pesky Ants!
This is the third spring we've lived in our home and the third spring that we've been invaded by ants in the kitchen.
The first year, we wound up spraying chemicals in the kitchen because we did not know what else to do.
I am very uncomfortable doing that, because of the toxic fumes that are harmful to humans and our three kitties...and I just don't like having that stuff in the kitchen.
It did get rid of them for awhile and then they came back.
We tried vinegar and it did not work.
Last year we pretty much tolerated it, because there weren't very many, maybe because of the heat and drought? who knows...
But this year, they're out in full force, so I researched some natural remedies on the Internet.
I think I will try the jelly/borax mix first since I have both on hand and it's easier than the molasses paste.
Have you had any success with getting rid of household pests the natural way? If so, please post about it!
If not, check out this link:
http://http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/47674/get_rid_of_ants.html
The first year, we wound up spraying chemicals in the kitchen because we did not know what else to do.
I am very uncomfortable doing that, because of the toxic fumes that are harmful to humans and our three kitties...and I just don't like having that stuff in the kitchen.
It did get rid of them for awhile and then they came back.
We tried vinegar and it did not work.
Last year we pretty much tolerated it, because there weren't very many, maybe because of the heat and drought? who knows...
But this year, they're out in full force, so I researched some natural remedies on the Internet.
I think I will try the jelly/borax mix first since I have both on hand and it's easier than the molasses paste.
Have you had any success with getting rid of household pests the natural way? If so, please post about it!
If not, check out this link:
http://http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/47674/get_rid_of_ants.html
More on Being Green and Clean
Last week I posted about using vinegar and water in a spray bottle to clean the bathroom mirrors and marble countertops and how well it worked...
Although it was my first experience using vinegar, I've been using borax to clean sinks, tubs, and toilets for years, with great results.
Baking soda also is a good, natural cleaner.
I also did not know vinegar works as a copper cleaner until I found the following formula on the internet:
Copper cleaner
White vinegar
Water
Salt
Mix equal parts of vinegar and salt (a tablespoon of each should be enough to start, make more as necessary) and apply to the surface with a rag. Be sure to rinse thoroughly with water afterwards, otherwise it will corrode. Don't use on lacquered finishes.
I'm eager to try it, because I don't like using chemical-based copper cleaners due to the fumes and their impact on my respiratory system.
How about you?
Have you tried any green, natural cleaners like baking soda, lemon, and/or vinegar? What were the results?
If not, do you think you'll try some of them in the future? Why or why not?
Although it was my first experience using vinegar, I've been using borax to clean sinks, tubs, and toilets for years, with great results.
Baking soda also is a good, natural cleaner.
I also did not know vinegar works as a copper cleaner until I found the following formula on the internet:
Copper cleaner
White vinegar
Water
Salt
Mix equal parts of vinegar and salt (a tablespoon of each should be enough to start, make more as necessary) and apply to the surface with a rag. Be sure to rinse thoroughly with water afterwards, otherwise it will corrode. Don't use on lacquered finishes.
I'm eager to try it, because I don't like using chemical-based copper cleaners due to the fumes and their impact on my respiratory system.
How about you?
Have you tried any green, natural cleaners like baking soda, lemon, and/or vinegar? What were the results?
If not, do you think you'll try some of them in the future? Why or why not?
Monday, May 12, 2008
Green LIght!
I've been interested in making my own soy candles for awhile now, because they're better for the environment and of course, are more natural.
I decided to look into making my own because soy candles are still a bit hard to find in Middle TN, and they're pricier.
So this morning I did some research and found several websites that give instructions on how to make soy candles. It's not that hard! So I'll probably order the supplies soon...and if I enjoy it, I might even make some extras to sell at the Farmer's Market.
I'll provide the link to the company that supplies instructions and soy wax, but first, here's something from http://www.caringconsumer.com about why soy candles are better from an environmental standpoint:
They're great for helping you relax or igniting some passion for a romantic rendezvous, but did you know that candles often contain ingredients that snuff out animals? Many candles are made from beeswax stolen from industrious bees' hives, stearic acid made from tallow (a slaughterhouse product derived from beef or sheep fat), and cetyl palmitate, a waxy oil taken from sperm whales' heads or from dolphins. Although some paraffin candles are animal-free, they can be bad for your health and the environment. The soot given off from the burning of petroleum-based paraffin candles is essentially the same as that given off by burning diesel fuel. Fortunately, it's now easier than ever to find or make soy candles, which burn cleaner, last longer, are better for the environment, and do not depend on killing and stealing from animals. Check out our list of compassionate candle companies, or get crafty and make your own.
http://www.cajuncandles.com/
I decided to look into making my own because soy candles are still a bit hard to find in Middle TN, and they're pricier.
So this morning I did some research and found several websites that give instructions on how to make soy candles. It's not that hard! So I'll probably order the supplies soon...and if I enjoy it, I might even make some extras to sell at the Farmer's Market.
I'll provide the link to the company that supplies instructions and soy wax, but first, here's something from http://www.caringconsumer.com about why soy candles are better from an environmental standpoint:
They're great for helping you relax or igniting some passion for a romantic rendezvous, but did you know that candles often contain ingredients that snuff out animals? Many candles are made from beeswax stolen from industrious bees' hives, stearic acid made from tallow (a slaughterhouse product derived from beef or sheep fat), and cetyl palmitate, a waxy oil taken from sperm whales' heads or from dolphins. Although some paraffin candles are animal-free, they can be bad for your health and the environment. The soot given off from the burning of petroleum-based paraffin candles is essentially the same as that given off by burning diesel fuel. Fortunately, it's now easier than ever to find or make soy candles, which burn cleaner, last longer, are better for the environment, and do not depend on killing and stealing from animals. Check out our list of compassionate candle companies, or get crafty and make your own.
http://www.cajuncandles.com/
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day!
Happy Mother's Day to all!
It's a windy, rainy, cool day here in Middle Tennessee...
This year we decided to fix a barbeque lunch for my mother. There is not a bbq restaurant within her driving range (just a few miles from home into Ashland City) so we decided to bring one of her favorite treats to her.
So yesterday we went to B&C Market at the Nashville Farmer's Market (http://http://www.baconandcaviar.com/files/) where we got a pound of "Q" (my dad's name for it) and some sauce.
I am fixing some baked beans and potato salad, and also made some yummy bananna pudding yesterday afternoon which we already have dipped into. Good thing I made a ginormous bowl of it!
Steve and I got up at 6 a.m. so we could go to early church, http://www.firstchurchunity.org, then be home in plenty of time to prepare the meal for noon.
It should be an enjoyable day even though we won't be able to eat outdoors.
It's a windy, rainy, cool day here in Middle Tennessee...
This year we decided to fix a barbeque lunch for my mother. There is not a bbq restaurant within her driving range (just a few miles from home into Ashland City) so we decided to bring one of her favorite treats to her.
So yesterday we went to B&C Market at the Nashville Farmer's Market (http://http://www.baconandcaviar.com/files/) where we got a pound of "Q" (my dad's name for it) and some sauce.
I am fixing some baked beans and potato salad, and also made some yummy bananna pudding yesterday afternoon which we already have dipped into. Good thing I made a ginormous bowl of it!
Steve and I got up at 6 a.m. so we could go to early church, http://www.firstchurchunity.org, then be home in plenty of time to prepare the meal for noon.
It should be an enjoyable day even though we won't be able to eat outdoors.
Friday, May 9, 2008
A Greener Way to Mop From Fly Lady
I love Fly Lady's organizational and household cleaning coaching and tips, and also her products...I've purchased the "office in a bag" and some of her other items...
Now she has come out with a mop similar to a Swiffee...but the cloths are washable so you don't have to keep purchasing...and wasting...cloths like you do with a Swiffee.
Swiffees changed my life by making cleaning much easier, and now Fly Lady's "green" mop will make it greener as well as simpler.
Check it out below. According to the Fly Lady email this morning, supplies are limited but they will be ordering more from the manufacturer since the product is a success.
http://www.flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_mop.asp
Now she has come out with a mop similar to a Swiffee...but the cloths are washable so you don't have to keep purchasing...and wasting...cloths like you do with a Swiffee.
Swiffees changed my life by making cleaning much easier, and now Fly Lady's "green" mop will make it greener as well as simpler.
Check it out below. According to the Fly Lady email this morning, supplies are limited but they will be ordering more from the manufacturer since the product is a success.
http://www.flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_mop.asp
More Info On My Secret Weapon
This article explains why you might have streaking when cleaning with vinegar and what to do about it:
By Annie B. Bond, Care2 Green Living Executive Producer
If you have tried to clean your windows with plain vinegar and gotten streaks, there is a simple reason and an easy remedy.
Oddly enough, it was the task of cleaning windows thatturned a huge number of well-intentioned, environmentallyfriendly consumers away from non-toxic cleaning using thesimple ingredients that can be found in most kitchen cupboards.Around Earth Day 1990, every newspaper in the country(or so it seemed), offered tips for cleaning in ways that didn’tharm the planet, and the recommendation for windows wasalmost always to clean them with nothing but vinegar and water.People by the thousands tried this, and many swore off cleaningwith homemade products for good because the formula leftstreaks on their windows. (I wish I had $1 for every timesomeone has said to me, “Well, I tried non-toxic cleaning and itdidn’t work. I used vinegar to clean my windows …”)
The problem was that the commercial window cleaner used before the switch to vinegar left a very fine wax residue. The vinegar alone wasn’t enough to remove it, and the result was streaky windows. If instead, everyone had added a dab of liquiddish soap to the vinegar and water, the wax would easily havebeen removed and the windows would have been cleaned perfectly!My favorite recipe is to combine 2 cups of water, 1/4 cup ofwhite distilled vinegar, and up to 1/2 teaspoon of liquid soap ordetergent in a spray bottle. That’s all there is to it. (Make sure tolabel the bottle and keep it out of the reach of children
By Annie B. Bond, Care2 Green Living Executive Producer
If you have tried to clean your windows with plain vinegar and gotten streaks, there is a simple reason and an easy remedy.
Oddly enough, it was the task of cleaning windows thatturned a huge number of well-intentioned, environmentallyfriendly consumers away from non-toxic cleaning using thesimple ingredients that can be found in most kitchen cupboards.Around Earth Day 1990, every newspaper in the country(or so it seemed), offered tips for cleaning in ways that didn’tharm the planet, and the recommendation for windows wasalmost always to clean them with nothing but vinegar and water.People by the thousands tried this, and many swore off cleaningwith homemade products for good because the formula leftstreaks on their windows. (I wish I had $1 for every timesomeone has said to me, “Well, I tried non-toxic cleaning and itdidn’t work. I used vinegar to clean my windows …”)
The problem was that the commercial window cleaner used before the switch to vinegar left a very fine wax residue. The vinegar alone wasn’t enough to remove it, and the result was streaky windows. If instead, everyone had added a dab of liquiddish soap to the vinegar and water, the wax would easily havebeen removed and the windows would have been cleaned perfectly!My favorite recipe is to combine 2 cups of water, 1/4 cup ofwhite distilled vinegar, and up to 1/2 teaspoon of liquid soap ordetergent in a spray bottle. That’s all there is to it. (Make sure tolabel the bottle and keep it out of the reach of children
My New Secret Weapon!
In 1994, I went to work at a chemical company that made paint thinners and strippers and many other products with toluene and other chemicals that aren't good for our respiratory systems.
Not only were we able to smell the chemicals in the company's office area, it was part of my job go into the plant and tank farm (where the chemicals were unloaded from tank trucks into tanks) to document procedures for ISO 9000 certification.
At the same time, I moved to rural Mississippi about 45 minutes south of Memphis. My home was surrounded by soybean and cotton fields, which were regularly sprayed with pesticides by the farmers.
I was getting a double dose of chemicals, and as a result my health began to deteriorate.
That's a big, long story for another time but one segment of it is that I had to discontinue using cleaning products like Mr. Clean and bleach.
I began cleaning the tub and toilet with borax and found it to be a great cleaning product.
The one thing I still clung to, though, was Windex. Although I had read that white vinegar and water worked just as well, I was skeptical.
Well, finally...yesterday I decided to give white vinegar a whirl in the bathroom and wow! It works BETTER than Windex!
The bathroom is sparkling clean and is disinfected, too! Yes, white vinegar is a natural disinfectant and made the bathroom look and feel fresh and safe. It seems like it took less time to clean, too, but that could be my imagination :)
So for all you who'd like to try it, here's a link to what white vinegar can do in your home. It has more uses than I've ever imagined. I definitely want to try it in the microwave, the process is much easier than scrubbing. Just put a bowl of vinegar and baking soda in the oven (amounts are in the article) turn it on, (time is in the article) and it will loosen caked on food! How easy...and green...is that!
http://http://www.vinegartips.com/cleaning/
Not only were we able to smell the chemicals in the company's office area, it was part of my job go into the plant and tank farm (where the chemicals were unloaded from tank trucks into tanks) to document procedures for ISO 9000 certification.
At the same time, I moved to rural Mississippi about 45 minutes south of Memphis. My home was surrounded by soybean and cotton fields, which were regularly sprayed with pesticides by the farmers.
I was getting a double dose of chemicals, and as a result my health began to deteriorate.
That's a big, long story for another time but one segment of it is that I had to discontinue using cleaning products like Mr. Clean and bleach.
I began cleaning the tub and toilet with borax and found it to be a great cleaning product.
The one thing I still clung to, though, was Windex. Although I had read that white vinegar and water worked just as well, I was skeptical.
Well, finally...yesterday I decided to give white vinegar a whirl in the bathroom and wow! It works BETTER than Windex!
The bathroom is sparkling clean and is disinfected, too! Yes, white vinegar is a natural disinfectant and made the bathroom look and feel fresh and safe. It seems like it took less time to clean, too, but that could be my imagination :)
So for all you who'd like to try it, here's a link to what white vinegar can do in your home. It has more uses than I've ever imagined. I definitely want to try it in the microwave, the process is much easier than scrubbing. Just put a bowl of vinegar and baking soda in the oven (amounts are in the article) turn it on, (time is in the article) and it will loosen caked on food! How easy...and green...is that!
http://http://www.vinegartips.com/cleaning/
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Franklin Farmer's Market, Part II
Here's a photo from last year's market...I can hardly wait till those homegrown 'maters start rolling in!Franklin Farmer's Market
Woohoo!
The summer session of the Franklin Farmer's Market opened last weekend...here is a link to their site.http://http://www.franklinfarmersmarket.com/
Attending the Market is one of our favorite weekend activities.
It will be great to hear our favorite group, the Franklin Square Pickers, again as well as check out the new music groups that will begin playing each Saturday at 10:30.
Yesterday I posted some "green" Mother's Day gift ideas. A couple of them were plant related--an herb kit, and planting a flower.
This year, instead of ordering a lavish bouquet over the internet, or even picking up a flowering plant at Kroger that could have been grown who knows where, I plan to buy my mother a green growing present at the Market this Saturday...and enjoy some toe-tapping music, too.
See you there!
The summer session of the Franklin Farmer's Market opened last weekend...here is a link to their site.http://http://www.franklinfarmersmarket.com/
Attending the Market is one of our favorite weekend activities.
It will be great to hear our favorite group, the Franklin Square Pickers, again as well as check out the new music groups that will begin playing each Saturday at 10:30.
Yesterday I posted some "green" Mother's Day gift ideas. A couple of them were plant related--an herb kit, and planting a flower.
This year, instead of ordering a lavish bouquet over the internet, or even picking up a flowering plant at Kroger that could have been grown who knows where, I plan to buy my mother a green growing present at the Market this Saturday...and enjoy some toe-tapping music, too.
See you there!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Green Up Mother's Day
Check out these top 10 green gift ideas for Mom!
http://http://www.greendaily.com/2008/05/05/top-10-green-gift-ideas-for-mom/
http://http://www.greendaily.com/2008/05/05/top-10-green-gift-ideas-for-mom/
Local Table Link--Live
oops! forgot to make the link live in the previous post...
http://http://www.localtable.net/intro.php
http://http://www.localtable.net/intro.php
Food and Farming Guide
I love the publication, Local Table, which started in Middle Tennessee last fall.
It's a wonderful guide to eating locally grown foods and is attractively produced. You can pick a free copy at Whole Foods...http://www.wholefoods.com...however, since I don't get over there too often I at least check out the Local Table website...that have a tab for events and festivals all over Middle Tennessee.
http://www.localtable.net
It's a wonderful guide to eating locally grown foods and is attractively produced. You can pick a free copy at Whole Foods...http://www.wholefoods.com...however, since I don't get over there too often I at least check out the Local Table website...that have a tab for events and festivals all over Middle Tennessee.
http://www.localtable.net
What is Green Building?
What exactly is green building?
The following article taken from the HGTV website may provide some clarification.
By Joe Bousquin
The National Association of Home Builders says more builders are hopping on the green-building bandwagon every month: A recent NAHB survey found that by the end of next year, half of its members will employ some form of green construction in their homes.
"We're starting to see 2007 as a tipping point," says Emily English, green building program manager at NAHB. "Consumers are hearing more and more about green building, so builders are looking to incorporate more of those features into their homes."
The Basics Despite more awareness about green building, there is still a lot of confusion about exactly what green building is. For most experts, there are five main characteristics that define it:
Having an environmentally friendly site selection or "footprint." Some of the factors involved are orientation of the house to maximize natural sunlight for heat and light, as well as shade for cooling. As a result, the home's furnace and air conditioning don't have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable house. Another goal is making a minimal impact on the area in which the house is built. Forget clear-cutting the entire lot; take down only the trees and bushes that would interfere with construction. The remaining trees can help cool the house in the summer and act as a windbreak in the winter. And locating the home near shopping and other services will keep the amount of driving down — a win for the entire environment.
Using energy efficient designs and materials while building a "tighter" home to prevent HVAC loss. The use of sunlight and shade for heating and cooling is as old as mankind, but there are designs and materials specifically designed to keep the house nearly air-tight. With less outside air infiltrating the home, the indoor climate is much easier to control. LED lights use a fraction of regular incandescent bulbs, while Energy Star appliances are certified to meet strict guidelines about how much electricity they require to operate.
Because higher insulation standards and Energy-Star-compliant appliances have evolved over the last few decades, energy efficiency is often the first place builders start when going green. "Energy efficiency is certainly some of the low hanging fruit," says Brian Gitt, executive director of Build It Green, a non-profit, third-party green building education and certification group in Berkeley, Calif.
Reducing a home's water consumption through low-flow fixtures. It's true that the earliest low-flow plumbing fixtures caused problems for some homeowners, but today's versions are as good — if not better — than the old water hogs. One technology is the incorporation of air into the process; the result is a low-flow shower that feels just as strong as the one using much more water.
Promoting a healthy indoor air environment. Yes, air-tight houses are critical to energy efficiency, but an unwelcome result is indoor air quality that is five times more polluted than the air outdoors. Green builders often use some kind of fresh-air ventilation to exhaust the stale indoor air to the outside, bring in fresh air and conserve energy.
Emphasizing material conservation and waste reduction while using sustainable products in design and construction. Engineers in the building-materials business have designed all kinds of products to save lumber by using optimal value engineered (OVE) joists and beams that require minimal trimming and boring for mechanical runs. Green builders can go as far as recycling job-site waste and using it for mulch in the newly planted yard.
Another form of waste reduction is building houses that will endure for years before requiring any serious maintenance. Metal or cement-tile roofing, for example, will hold up much longer than standard shingles; many have life expectancies of half a century.
No national standards To help builders get a better handle on green building, the National Association of Home Builders has created its Model Green Home Building Guidelines. "It's a resource guide for builders who want to figure out what green building is and learn about green building techniques," English says. The Guidelines can be downloaded from the website; it's also available in hard copy and on a CD-ROM through NAHB.
While NAHB's Guidelines provides a starting point, there's still no nationally recognized standard for green homes. Instead, there are about 70 regional groups across the country promoting green building in their own regions. They include Build It Green in Berkeley, Calif., and the Southface Energy Institute in Atlanta, which works with the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association to educate builders. "We don't design and build green homes, but we train and provide technical assistance to those who do," says Dennis Creech, executive director at Southface, whose EarthCraft House program serves as a green benchmark for builders in the Southeast.
A national standard may be on its way, though. The U.S. Green Building Council, a non-profit group based in Washington, D.C., is currently testing its LEED for Homes pilot program in 12 different regions across the country. Jay Hall, acting manager of the program, hopes to "piggyback" with existing local groups such as Southface and have a national standard in place by late 2007. "We're trying to create a national standard for green homes, and send a clear message about what constitutes green as you go from one region of the country to the other," Hall says.
The following article taken from the HGTV website may provide some clarification.
By Joe Bousquin
The National Association of Home Builders says more builders are hopping on the green-building bandwagon every month: A recent NAHB survey found that by the end of next year, half of its members will employ some form of green construction in their homes.
"We're starting to see 2007 as a tipping point," says Emily English, green building program manager at NAHB. "Consumers are hearing more and more about green building, so builders are looking to incorporate more of those features into their homes."
The Basics Despite more awareness about green building, there is still a lot of confusion about exactly what green building is. For most experts, there are five main characteristics that define it:
Having an environmentally friendly site selection or "footprint." Some of the factors involved are orientation of the house to maximize natural sunlight for heat and light, as well as shade for cooling. As a result, the home's furnace and air conditioning don't have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable house. Another goal is making a minimal impact on the area in which the house is built. Forget clear-cutting the entire lot; take down only the trees and bushes that would interfere with construction. The remaining trees can help cool the house in the summer and act as a windbreak in the winter. And locating the home near shopping and other services will keep the amount of driving down — a win for the entire environment.
Using energy efficient designs and materials while building a "tighter" home to prevent HVAC loss. The use of sunlight and shade for heating and cooling is as old as mankind, but there are designs and materials specifically designed to keep the house nearly air-tight. With less outside air infiltrating the home, the indoor climate is much easier to control. LED lights use a fraction of regular incandescent bulbs, while Energy Star appliances are certified to meet strict guidelines about how much electricity they require to operate.
Because higher insulation standards and Energy-Star-compliant appliances have evolved over the last few decades, energy efficiency is often the first place builders start when going green. "Energy efficiency is certainly some of the low hanging fruit," says Brian Gitt, executive director of Build It Green, a non-profit, third-party green building education and certification group in Berkeley, Calif.
Reducing a home's water consumption through low-flow fixtures. It's true that the earliest low-flow plumbing fixtures caused problems for some homeowners, but today's versions are as good — if not better — than the old water hogs. One technology is the incorporation of air into the process; the result is a low-flow shower that feels just as strong as the one using much more water.
Promoting a healthy indoor air environment. Yes, air-tight houses are critical to energy efficiency, but an unwelcome result is indoor air quality that is five times more polluted than the air outdoors. Green builders often use some kind of fresh-air ventilation to exhaust the stale indoor air to the outside, bring in fresh air and conserve energy.
Emphasizing material conservation and waste reduction while using sustainable products in design and construction. Engineers in the building-materials business have designed all kinds of products to save lumber by using optimal value engineered (OVE) joists and beams that require minimal trimming and boring for mechanical runs. Green builders can go as far as recycling job-site waste and using it for mulch in the newly planted yard.
Another form of waste reduction is building houses that will endure for years before requiring any serious maintenance. Metal or cement-tile roofing, for example, will hold up much longer than standard shingles; many have life expectancies of half a century.
No national standards To help builders get a better handle on green building, the National Association of Home Builders has created its Model Green Home Building Guidelines. "It's a resource guide for builders who want to figure out what green building is and learn about green building techniques," English says. The Guidelines can be downloaded from the website; it's also available in hard copy and on a CD-ROM through NAHB.
While NAHB's Guidelines provides a starting point, there's still no nationally recognized standard for green homes. Instead, there are about 70 regional groups across the country promoting green building in their own regions. They include Build It Green in Berkeley, Calif., and the Southface Energy Institute in Atlanta, which works with the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association to educate builders. "We don't design and build green homes, but we train and provide technical assistance to those who do," says Dennis Creech, executive director at Southface, whose EarthCraft House program serves as a green benchmark for builders in the Southeast.
A national standard may be on its way, though. The U.S. Green Building Council, a non-profit group based in Washington, D.C., is currently testing its LEED for Homes pilot program in 12 different regions across the country. Jay Hall, acting manager of the program, hopes to "piggyback" with existing local groups such as Southface and have a national standard in place by late 2007. "We're trying to create a national standard for green homes, and send a clear message about what constitutes green as you go from one region of the country to the other," Hall says.
A Healtier Pizza Alternative
Steven is from Chicago so that means pizza is a staple of his diet!
I enjoy pizza with vegetables so when I found this recipe at http://www.hobbyfarms.com I was pretty excited. Steven liked it, too. Since he does not care for goat or feta cheeses I used mozzarella and it was fine. Also, I did not have any fresh herbs so I used dried.
Using roasted tomatoes instead of tomato sauce cut down on the acid. I used a boboli thin crust, so when we finished eating I still felt "light" instead of the heaviness I usually feel with pizza.
Enjoy!
Ingredients
12- to 14-inch pizza crust, unbaked
1 small or one-half large eggplant
1 small Italian squash or zucchini½ cup red bell pepper, chopped
½ cup white onion, chopped
2 T. olive oil
3 to 4 medium tomatoes, sliced
1/8-inch thick1 T. chopped fresh garlic
4 T. combined chopped fresh oregano, basil and rosemary
½ tsp. salt
2 oz. goat cheese
4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
PreparationPreheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Peel and remove ends from eggplant. Cut into 1-inch-square cubes.
Toss with 1 tablespoon salt, and set aside to let the salt draw out the liquid. After 30 minutes, drain off liquid and squeeze eggplant chunks dry.
Meanwhile, prepare the remaining ingredients.
For the Italian squash, remove ends, slice in half lengthwise, then slice halves in 1/8-inch slices. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a heavy-bottomed skillet.
Add eggplant, Italian squash, pepper and onion;
sauté just until vegetables begin to soften.
Set aside.
Arrange the sliced tomatoes in a single layer on the crust.
Sprinkle with garlic, herbs, and salt.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until tomatoes are soft.
Lightly mash tomatoes with a fork, then top with sautéed vegetables and goat and feta cheeses. Bake until cheese is lightly browned, about 20 to 25 minutes.
I enjoy pizza with vegetables so when I found this recipe at http://www.hobbyfarms.com I was pretty excited. Steven liked it, too. Since he does not care for goat or feta cheeses I used mozzarella and it was fine. Also, I did not have any fresh herbs so I used dried.
Using roasted tomatoes instead of tomato sauce cut down on the acid. I used a boboli thin crust, so when we finished eating I still felt "light" instead of the heaviness I usually feel with pizza.
Enjoy!
Ingredients
12- to 14-inch pizza crust, unbaked
1 small or one-half large eggplant
1 small Italian squash or zucchini½ cup red bell pepper, chopped
½ cup white onion, chopped
2 T. olive oil
3 to 4 medium tomatoes, sliced
1/8-inch thick1 T. chopped fresh garlic
4 T. combined chopped fresh oregano, basil and rosemary
½ tsp. salt
2 oz. goat cheese
4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
PreparationPreheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Peel and remove ends from eggplant. Cut into 1-inch-square cubes.
Toss with 1 tablespoon salt, and set aside to let the salt draw out the liquid. After 30 minutes, drain off liquid and squeeze eggplant chunks dry.
Meanwhile, prepare the remaining ingredients.
For the Italian squash, remove ends, slice in half lengthwise, then slice halves in 1/8-inch slices. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a heavy-bottomed skillet.
Add eggplant, Italian squash, pepper and onion;
sauté just until vegetables begin to soften.
Set aside.
Arrange the sliced tomatoes in a single layer on the crust.
Sprinkle with garlic, herbs, and salt.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until tomatoes are soft.
Lightly mash tomatoes with a fork, then top with sautéed vegetables and goat and feta cheeses. Bake until cheese is lightly browned, about 20 to 25 minutes.
Green and Attractive
Our 2300 SF home built in 1991 and which we purchased 2 years ago, is the biggest energy sucker I’ve ever lived in. So Steven and I are ready to embark on a journey of “greening it up” to save money as well as overall energy usage.
I’ll be reporting on that adventure in this blog, to share ideas and give you some resources.
In fact, here’s one now: we also want to update the home and make it more attractive but keep with in a green framework so here’s my vote for an attractive, recycled countertop material to use instead of granite: http://www.icestone.biz/new/.
We recently watched a segment of This Old House that showed how Ice Stone is made and it was so neat! I love the color mixes, too.
I’ll be reporting on that adventure in this blog, to share ideas and give you some resources.
In fact, here’s one now: we also want to update the home and make it more attractive but keep with in a green framework so here’s my vote for an attractive, recycled countertop material to use instead of granite: http://www.icestone.biz/new/.
We recently watched a segment of This Old House that showed how Ice Stone is made and it was so neat! I love the color mixes, too.
Go Green Nashville
On Monday, I attended the lunch and learn meeting of Go Green Nashville, a group committed to raising awareness of the environment in our Nashville area. The meeting was held in Green Hills, but will be moving downtown next month to attract more attendees.
I thoroughly enjoyed the speaker, Joe Schanel, who lived “off the grid” for about 10 years, and also meeting others who share a commitment to green living, so I will be sharing information about Go Green Nashville meetings and workshops in upcoming issues.
Green living is really starting to take off in the Nashville area, thanks in part to the new mayor, Karl Dean, who is very committed to the green movement. And of course, it doesn't hurt that Al Gore lives here, either.
I thoroughly enjoyed the speaker, Joe Schanel, who lived “off the grid” for about 10 years, and also meeting others who share a commitment to green living, so I will be sharing information about Go Green Nashville meetings and workshops in upcoming issues.
Green living is really starting to take off in the Nashville area, thanks in part to the new mayor, Karl Dean, who is very committed to the green movement. And of course, it doesn't hurt that Al Gore lives here, either.
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