Organic roses

There is something magical about getting a dozen roses for Valentine’s Day. The happy surprise when the delivery person has a package for you! All of your co-workers oooh and ahhhh and are jealous of your loving partner. Many people say I love you with a dozen roses on February 14th.

But there is a dark side to roses that bloom in the winter. Commercially grown flowers can be pesticide intensive and cause diseases in the workers who pick them. According to the USDA, 70 percent of flowers sold in the United States are from Columbia and Ecuador. Some of these growers use highly toxic pesticides and fumigants that are banned in the United Stated. These toxins cause disease, especially in children. According to Planet Green:

Two-thirds of Colombian and Ecuadorian workers suffer from problems associated with pesticide exposure … The International Labor Organization estimates that 20 percent of flower workers in Ecuador are children, who are even more vulnerable to chemical hazards.

Pesticides, transportation emissions, and packaging waste really takes the blush off the roses. But buying organic flowers will leave you smelling sweet. Organic Bouquet will deliver a dozen organic red roses in a red vase at the same prices as typical flower delivery services. Even better, the vase is made from recycled glass and the box from recycled paper. Also included in the price are carbon emission offsets to compensate for the delivery emissions. By shopping with Organic Bouquet, you support the farmer and the ecosystem.

All our standards aim to improve the quality of farm working conditions, minimize damage to ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, and enhance future generations.

Another option is California Organic Flowers, where your flowers are picked fresh and sent out the same day. They are grown and picked by hand in a family farm in Chino, California.

Growing our flowers organically just makes sense to us since our family lives and works on the farm …. All our flowers are planted, harvested and packed by hand.

If you are buying flowers at the florist or grocery store look for VeriFlora, Fair Flowers Fair Plants, or Rainforest Alliance certified flowers.  My local Wegman’s carries Passion Roses for a very reasonable price. They are a Colombian grower with environmentally and socio/economically friendly practices.  They are Veriflora and Rainforest Alliance certified and in fact, one of their growers was named one of the top five places to work for in Colombia.

Surfing for more information:

The International Labor Rights Forum has several ways you can help support flower workers around the world to promote fairness in flowers.

VeriFlora is an agricultural sustainability certification and eco-labeling program in the floriculture and horticulture industries.

The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior.

Fair Flowers Fair Plants is an international group developing a worldwide social and environmental standard for flowers and ornamental plants, primarily used in Europe at this time.

Chocolate

Lake Champlain chocolates

When choosing chocolates, choose organic fair trade chocolate. Organic cocoa is grown without using chemical fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides. According to Mother Earth News,  conventionally grown cocoa is one if the highest pesticide using crops. Buying certified fairtrade ensures that the farmers who grow the beans to make your chocolate earn a living wage. In fact, Devine chocolate is 45% owned by the farmers.  From beans to bar, Devine chocolate is made with love.

In some areas, you can buy chocolate that is locally made.  Theo Chocolate is made in Seattle. Lake Champlain Chocolate is made in Vermont; in addition to bars, they make a beautiful heart shaped sampler.

You can give twice when buying some fair trade chocolate. Several chocolatiers support causes. Newman’s Own has given over $200 million to countless charities. Their chocolate is made from cocoa beans grown on Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. Ten percent of the profits from Endangered Species chocolate goes to protect animals and their habitats. A portion the money you spend at Ithaca Fine Chocolates goes to support local artists and art programs.

LiViTY Outernational

For Him

If your man is sweet enough, how about a jaunty hat. These cool hats from LiViTY Outernational are made from organic cotton, hemp, and recycled plastic. They also make hoodies, surf trunks, and accessories.

To keep your man all soft and cuddly, Burt’s Bees has a line of skin care products for men.  Burt’s Bees worked with the Natural Products Association to develop a standard for personal care products. If it says natural it must have 95% natural ingredients. If your man is always on the go, Burt’s Bees has a great travel kit for his gym or overnight bag.

Does your honey need a new robe for overnight visits? Sears,  Bed, Bath and Beyond, and several online retailers have beautiful organic cotton robes. Why organic cotton? Because nonorganic cotton is the petroleum of fabrics.  Growing cotton can be pesticide and insecticide intensive. Buying organic cotton limits the amount of toxic waste in your footprint.

Bath and Body

For natural pampering from head to toe – try jojoba oil.  You can use it as a moisturizer, hair and lip conditioner, cleansing oil, makeup remover, and body oil.  It’s all natural and made from a desert plant grown in southwestern United States.

There are dozens of natural skin care and beauty products. Upper Canada Soaps has a wide selection including their Body Truffle collection that smells like chocolate and strawberry. Pacifica Body Butter is made from shea butter, almond and safflower oils, blending fragrance with essential and natural oils. Buy a gift box or make your own spa package using natural soaps and accessories. Baudelaire and Ecotools have great soaps, bath salts, and bath accessories. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Sinclair and Valentine’s aroma therapies for the bath or shower. Their effervescent bath salts are sure to tickle her fancy.

Jewelry and everything else

Your gift can do a world of good.  Ebay has created a special marketplace where the products are labeled as people positive, eco positive, animal friendly, or supports a cause.

WorldofGood.com by eBay is the world’s first online marketplace … empowering you to shop in ways that align with your personal values. Respected, independent organizations verify the positive impact every product has on people and the planet.

You can buy beautiful earrings made from recycled metal made by women in South America or Africa. How about a hand crafted card made from recycled paper? With 13,000 eco positive products to choose from, you will be sure to find something to make your sweetheart’s heart sing. Happy Valentines Day.

Surfing for more information

Chocolate
Devine chocolate
Theo Chocolate:
Lake Champlain Chocolate
Newman’s Own
Endangered Species
Ithaca Fine Chocolates

Skin Care
Burt’s bees
Desert Essence jojoba oil
Upper Canada Soaps
Pacifica Body Butter
Baudelaire
Ecotools
Sinclair and Valentine’s:

Other
World of Good Marketplace
LiViTY Outernational

Last year the federal government offered consumers financial incentives to get rid of their old inefficient cars. The “cash for clunkers” program was very popular. This year there is a cash for clunkers appliance edition. You can save money and energy by buying an energy efficient refrigerator, freezer, clothes washer, or other major appliance.

Each state is different

The money was part of the federal stimulus package but is being administered by the states. Over the next few months, states are rolling out their cash for clunkers appliance program. Use the Energy Star site to find the details for your state. The New Jersey program includes rebates for heating units, air conditioners, washers, dehumidifiers and other appliances.

If you want to find other programs, the DSIRE website is a database of state incentives for renewable and efficiency. Click on your state on the map to get more information on other incentive programs. Tax credits for weatherizing your home are also available for 2010.

Watch your timing

Some states limit the time period to receive rebates. In the New York program,  appliances must be purchased between February 12th – 21st, 2010 and all applications must be postmarked by March 15th, 2010. The Massachusetts program is scheduled for March but the details are still being refined. Program announcements will be available through MassSave.

Buy energy efficient appliances

You can get a rebate check for $20 to $555 if you buy one or more qualifying appliances. The new appliances must be energy star rated, but all energy star appliances may not qualify. Find qualifying refrigerators here and find qualifying clothes washers here. Check your state program for complete details.

Recycle old appliances

Energy efficient appliances will reduce your energy bill, unless you put that old refrigerator in the garage. Many states offer additional incentives for recycling your old appliances. NY adds an additional $25 to your rebate if you prove that you recycled your old one. In NJ, you can get a $50 rebate for recycling your old freezer or refrigerator and you don’t need to buy a new one.

Plastic totes are a great way to store your stuff. I found one at Lowe’s that is 99% recycled plastic! JTT makes these in 18 and 30 gal sizes.

The best part is that they cost 50% less than totes made from new plastic.  The 18 gal. size is only $4.50;  you can buy a bunch and get your whole house organized.

This tote reminds me of the laundry bottle I recycled the other day. And just maybe, it is the one I recycled last year. Buying things made from recycled materials is critical – it closes the recycling loop, saves energy, and reduces pollution.

Americans produce ALOT of trash. About 4 1/2 pounds a day – EACH.

The 300 million  people in the US make up about 6% of the world population, but use 30% of the world’s resources and produce 35% of the garbage.  One-third of it is packaging. Most of the plastic ends up in landfills. (The Hidden Life of Garbage)

The good news is that a third of that trash is recycled. Buying these totes made from recycled plastic supports the company who buys the recycled plastic from my local recycling/trash collector. They need our support. In 2008, only 13%  of the plastic packaging and containers were recycled – 87% was trashed in a landfill or incinerator.

Those three recycling arrows represent the steps in the recycling process. Here’s how the folks from Stanford explain it:

1. The first step is collection; you put your recyclables into your curbside recycling bin or take them to a local drop-off center.
2. The second arrow is the manufacturing process where recyclable materials are converted into new products.
3. The third step is where you, the consumer, purchase products made with recycled content. When you “Buy Recycled,” you complete the recycling loop.

Buying recycled limits water pollution, reduces the demand for raw materials like oil, and increases demand for recycled plastic. Here are some of the benefits of recycling, you can find more at Recycling Revolution.

• Recycling helps us reduce our reliance on foreign oil by saving energy.
• Making recycled plastics uses 70% less energy than it does to make it from raw materials.
• Manufacturing with recycled materials benefits the air and water by reducing ten major categories of air pollutants and eight major categories of water pollutants.
• In 2008, recycling reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 33 million vehicles off the road.

Surfing for More Answers

www.lowes.com Find the nearest Lowe’s and pick up a few good bins.

www.epa.gov Get the facts about waste and recycling from the US EPA. Each year they have a handy factsheet with the 411.

www.gonetomorrow.org The New York Times compares Gone Tomorrow: The Hidden Life of Garbage to Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle

www.storyofstuff.com Annie Leonard’s short film, The Story of Stuff,  is an interesting look at what we consume, what we waste, and how it affects our lives.

www.recycling-revolution.com Fun facts about the benefits of recycling – save the planet and buy recycled.

A friend showed me how to make stock from scraps. I call it Recycled Soup. My dad the foodie tells me it’s an old trick. It is definitely worth the time and effort. It’s great to have a deep brown stock on hand.

Take three gallon ziplock bags labeled carrots, celery, and onions & garlic. As you chop and prepare your meals; put carrot skins and ends into one bag, celery leaves and ends into another, and garlic and onion skins and ends into a third. Store these in the freezer. When you have a cup of each you can make stock using the recipe below.

Boiling the vegetables transfers the flavor and nutrients into the stock. The onion skins give the stock a deep brown color. The skins of vegetables contain important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Using the skin instead of the meat of the vegetable provides additional nutrients for the stock.

Many people do not realize that numerous (antioxidants) are located in the skin of fruit and vegetables, many of which are removed by peeling … Carrots and nutrition

Once the stock is finished you can store it in the fridge for three days. If you boil it periodically, you can keep it longer. Freezing it in pre-measured containers is very handy. I reuse the plastic containers that soup comes in when we order Chinese food.

Your homemade stock makes a great  base for soups and stews. It adds flavor and nutrients when cooking grains like rice, couscous, or quinoa.  Quinoa is a nice alternative to your regular grains.

Quinoa’s protein content is very high, making it a healthy choice for vegetarians and vegans. Unlike wheat or rice (which are low in lysine), quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, making it an unusually complete protein source. It is a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. wiki

Seasonal Winter Vegetable Recipes

Sweet potatoes and kale are great winter vegetables. Cooking sweet potatoes actually increases the potency of the antioxidants. Use the stock above to make sweet potato, kale, and corn chowder. The recipe below  comes from the Whole Foods Cookbook.

This soup is low cal – 70 calories per cup – and is packed with flavor and vegetables.  It’s important to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.  In fact, eating several different kinds of vegetables or fruits at the same time creates a synergy that enhances the antioxidant benefit.

Basic Stock Recipe

Use your frozen bags of vegetable scraps to make this great stock. Use the stock to make the vegetable chowder below.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 bay leaf
• 1 spring thyme
• 16 cups water

1. Combine all ingredients into a large stock  pot and simmer, loosely covered, for three hours.
2. Let cool. Press through sieve, discard solids.
3. Measure stock into convenient size containers (1c, 2c, and 4 cups). Refrigerate or freeze until needed.

Sweet Potato, Kale, and Corn Chowder

• 2 carrots
• 1 red onion
• 1 stalk celery
• 1 red pepper
• 1 sweet potato
• 1 spring thyme
• 3/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 5 cups stock
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 3 cups chopped kale
• salt & pepper to taste
• cayenne pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 cup cashew pieces
• 1/2 cup chopped parsley

1. Chop and saute carrots, onion, celery, pepper, and sweet potato for 3 mins. Add thyme and turmeric.
2. Add stock and simmer for 20 mins.
3. Add corn, kale, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper, simmer for 3 mins.
4. Blend cashews, cornstarch and 3/4 cup soup both. Return mixture to soup and simmer for 3 more mins, stirring periodically.
5. Add parsley and serve. 
   

Jax made reusable bags from tee shirts. LJ gave me a grow your own Christmas tree. Dad and Jax made beef jerky and sent along some local fruit. Rose and LJ gave reusable water bottles. Mom made granola and Rose found a welcome mat made from recycled rubber.

The Christmas tree kit contains everything you need to grow your own Christmas tree. The small pot includes soil and seeds to grow a spruce tree. It’s made by Buzzy seeds. I can’t wait to get started. It takes about 7 years for a spruce to grow into a Christmas tree.

I got two reusable water bottles; one is aluminum and the other is stainless steel. When you look at the facts plastic water bottles MUST GO. In the US, 1500 plastic water bottles are consumed every second, that’s 50 billion bottles each year. The 17 million barrels of oil used to produce them could fuel 100,000 cars. Every year, 2 million tons or 80% of plastic water bottles end up in landfills despite existing recycling programs.

In fact, an estimated 25 percent of bottled water is really just tap water in a bottle.  The plastic leaches toxins into the water, which have been linked to health problems such as reproductive issues and cancer. Now I have one bottle for my gym bag and another for my car.

The designer Welcome mat is made from at least 96% recycled rubber. Mohawk Flooring uses old tires to make floor mats, plastic bottles to make carpets, and sawdust and grease to heat their plant. They save oil, water, and energy and consume trash and recyclables! As a bonus, the clean waste water from their facility services a wetland that is home to protected critters. This gift is truly a welcome addition to our home.

Mohawk converts more than 30 million pounds of tires into door mats each year. Additionally, more than three billion plastic bottles are recycled each year.

For some of us the new year brings a renewed commitment to getting in shape, losing weight, and improving our diet. But we all know the perils of fitness equipment, DVDs, and other gear that starts collecting dust by February. Here are a few ideas for getting fit that are good for the planet too.

Find a workout program that does not require new equipment. Buying new stuff increases the size of your carbon footprint.  You can design a good workout using bands, balls, and dumbbells, like Shape Your Self, Martina Navratilova’s workout program. She was in great shape into her 50′s, playing her last match at Wimbledon at 49.

Create your own exercise equipment using everyday objects. Gallon jugs filled with water or sand become great dumbbells. Reuse laundry detergent bottles for different size weights. Hang a duffel bag filled with heavy clothes in the basement for a boxing bag.

Reuse someone else’s stuff. Go to the library and check out a new exercise DVD or book. Swap workout DVDs with friends. Get used equipment from craigslist, freecycle, or used sports equipment dealer.

Those 100 calories snackpacks and meal drinks may help with portion control, but they produce extra garbage. Buy some small 1/2 cup and 1 cup reuseable containers and make your own snackpacks. Your investment in your health and the environment will pay off quickly.

Weatherizing your home can keep the heat in and the cold out, saving energy and money. With a little planning, you can save even more by getting the government to pick up part of the cost. As a homeowner you can earn tax credits for improving the energy efficiency of your home. The federal stimulus program provides a tax credit of $1,500 for 2009 and 2010.

A tax credit is generally more valuable than a tax deduction … because a tax credit reduces tax directly, while a deduction or allowance only reduces taxable income…

You can deduct 30% of the costs for certain energy-efficient products from your tax bill, for a total of $1,500. So if you spend $5,000, you can get $1,500 back. This program applies to 2009 and 2010. However, the maximum tax credit you can get is $1,500 for both years. If you spend $10,000, you get $1,500; if you spend $5,000 in 2009 and $5,000 in 2010, you can only get $1,500.

Spreading the wealth

You do not need to use the whole amount at one time. My windows cost $350 and I am installing them myself this month. When I do my 2009 taxes I can take 30% of the cost, about $105, off my tax bill. Next year, if I spend $4,650 and I can take $1,395 off next year’s tax bill.

Only certain products are eligible for a tax credit. The Energy Star website provides an overview of the federal tax credits for energy efficiency.

There are six types of improvements where you can get this tax credit. However, not all products qualify. Ask your contractor or materials supplier if the items qualify for a tax credit. Be sure to get a Manufacturer’s Certification Statement that shows the product qualifies for the credit. If you need to install or replace any of the following, do your homework and don’t miss out on your savings.

• Windows and doors (includes storm windows and doors)
• Insulation (one of the best investments you can make)
• Water heaters
• Furnaces and AC units (additional rebates may apply)
• Biomass Stoves (for example wood pellet stoves)
• Roofs(only metal and light-colored shingles)

What is a Manufacturer’s Certification Statement

From the EPA:

A signed statement from the manufacturer certifying that the product or component qualifies for the tax credit.

Manufacturers should provide these on their website. Call the manufacturer, or search their website. EPA does not have copies of the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement.

Taxpayers must keep a copy of the certification statement for their records, but do not have to submit a copy with their tax return

More details on the tax credit program coming soon, so stay tuned.

When you and your laptop are on the go, what better than a slim pouch to tuck it into. A slip, a zip, and you’re out the door.  Each one is a one of a kind item. And it’s green the cause not the color. The fabric used for each pouch was once a billboard.

The discarded vinyl billboard material has been repurposed to form unique art for these fetching yet functional pouches. The pouches are padded, water-resistant, durable, and stylish.

TerraCycle’s waste warriors teamed up with Yak Pak, a hip NY bag company to create these cool pouches. TerrraCycle’s materials repurposing factory is a step beyond recycling.  They take materials that can’t be recycled and upcycles them into new products. For example, circuit boards from old computers are used to make clipboards.  Drink boxes  become the sides of a backpack. And old billboards become the fashion fabric of choice.

This is a great activity for kids and families. Make cookies and cut them into fun shapes. Yummy! Don’t forget to put a hole in the top, where you can put a string to hang them on the tree. String popcorn and/or cranberries. This will also make cleaning up easier. At the end of the season, you don’t have to take off the edible ornaments – just recycle them with your tree.

LED Lights

Buying new lights maybe worth the energy savings. If you have to buy new lights, go with the LEDs. LED lights are more energy-efficient than bulb lights by far. Consider replacing large bulb lights with LEDs. However, reusing existing supplies, reduces consumption.

Real or Fake Tree?

Using a fake Christmas tree has a smaller carbon footprint. You create CO2 making and shipping a plastic tree. A live growing tree removes CO2 from the air. Cutting a tree down stops this key part of the carbon cycle.

… it is more environmentally friendly to buy a fake Christmas tree once, at a CO2 cost of 62 kg, than to cut down a tree every year at a CO2 cost of 172 kg (annual, for the projected life of the tree), the amount of CO2 not sequestered by the tree because it is now dead. treehugger.com

However, most Christmas trees are grown on tree farms for harvest. Cutting down Christmas trees, makes space to plant new ones. This gives jobs to small farmers. These tree farms breathe in CO2 everyday, especially as small trees grow larger.  In many areas, discarded trees are mulched or composted and turned into soil. The carbon that the tree removed from the atmosphere is now stored in the soil.

One alternative is a living tree, which can be replanted at the end of the season. This year six of the seven Christmas trees in the White Hose will be replanted in the National Forests. Check with your local nursery.

You may not be able to replant the one you use – but you can contribute to the National Arbor Foundation, who will plant a new tree  for you. They also provide greeting cards, where you can honor loved ones by planting a tree in the forest for them.