Green Talk

Photo by permission of peretzpup

With Mother’s Day fastly approaching, what would be nicer than a flower arrangement with a shiny Mylar Balloon inscribed with the saying, “Number 1 MOM?” How about your Memorial Day or 4^th of July party? Mylar balloons just add to the festival attitude. Just name the celebration, and there are Mylar balloons created for that very occasion.

Mylar balloons have their pros and cons. Mylar balloons last longer than natural latex balloons, and rain cannot deter that special message from being seen by all. However, longevity comes with a price since these little wonders do not biodegrade for a very, very long time. So, what do you do with them when they sink to the ground? Most people just throw them away and never give it another thought. They don’t realize that those balloons will sit in a landfill way beyond little Susie’s birthday.

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Tree of Life Pattern in Canton and Mimosa Color

Raksha Bella Organic’s newest Collection of eco-friendly pillowcases, quilts, shams, and duvet covers combine the graceful art of Indian color blocking with sustainable fabrics for one of a kind delicate patterns. Carrie Peter, founder of Raska Bella and ex-interior decorator, founded Raksha Bella after her spiritual journey to India. During her visit, she was struck by the enormous poverty of the Indian cotton farmers, whose farms were destroyed by the use of the modified cotton crop. At the same time, she was entranced with the finely handcrafted textiles featuring age old color blocking techniques.

Her mission in creating Raksha Bella Organic was to restore dignity and wealth to the Indian farmer’s industry and to bring to highlight the beautiful color blocking techniques that she witnessed. The name Raska Bella means as follows: Raksha means protection in Sanskrit, and Bella means beautiful in Latin.

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Hey, Mr. Green is a cumulative assortment of green every day questions and answers posed to Bob Schildgen (aka “Mr Green”) for his column in the Sierra Magazine. The column was started in 2005 to provide useful answers to question posed by their confused or curious readers who wished to protect the environment in their daily lives.

When I received the book, I thought the questions would be based upon in depth, tree-hugging, environmental concerns given my perception of what Sierra Club is all about. I was pleasantly surprised since the topics were practical and right-on with everyone’s concerns. It was divided into five sections: “At Home” ( domestic details,) “Food for Thought” (eating and drinking better while spending less,) “Out and About” (fueling up and the great outdoors,) “The three Rs ( you know what this means, ) and “The Big Picture” (environmental politics, religion, and other interesting meal time topics.)

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Tired of your old bathroom decor? Perhaps the colors no longer go in your new place? I can’t even count how many time I have dragged my once fashionable magenta tissue holder around from house to house. I have no idea what to do with this tissue holder. It no longer goes in my yellow and green house, but I can’t throw it out. Too much eco-guilt.

Design Ideas has answered this very question with EcoGen Collection, its new line of compostable bath accessories. Tired of the look? Just bury it in the soil or in your compost pile, and it will decompose in less than 18 months!

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My Broccoli seedlings, which were spindly and sickly looking were replanted in Organic Mechanic Potting Soil a couple of weeks ago. They now look like they were given a vitamin shot since they are standing strong and tall with several leaves.

Organic Mechanics is no ordinary potting soil. My broccoli obviously knows this. It is comprised of all organic matter including worm poop and compost that is locally harvested. What make this product so special? Compost and worm castings help create healthy soil. See the Company’s detailed explanation as to the benefits of compost and worm castings.

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Green Talk turned one in the beginning of April and I thought it would be appropriate for Earth Day to give you a summary of my posts for the year:

The Most Read Posts:

Get Paid to Do Something Good For the Earth (Selling your hand held electronic through Second Rotation rather than throw them in a dump.)

Is Your Dryer Vent Giving You a Cold?

Organic Vodka, Starting From Square One

Can You Save the Earth By Simply Wiping? (Using recycled toilet paper)

Ten Green Tips for A Red Hot Valentine’s Day.

Can you Help the Earth by Writing a Check? (Recycled checks)

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Photo by permission of World Resource Institute of their new green office space.

You recycle, turn off your lights, and even watch what you consume, but have you considered the environmental impact of your home office or business? Here are some ideas, as Earth Day is quickly approaching, how to make green by being green in your work environment:

1. GreenPrint helps reduce printing of extraneous pages. (You know those last pages that you really don’t need?) Reduce ink use and paper use. . Licensing is a one-time fee. Many large corporations and schools are using this service. According to the Company, numerous small businesses, local governments and school are using the program. In addition, they have made inroads into UK, Europe, Australia and Japan.

Free to homeowners.

2. Consider widening your margins, and print on both sides of the paper to reduce the amount of paper used. For other paper reduction advice, see “Information on Recycling Paper” furnished by the WasteCap of Massachusetts.

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Last year, I used corn gluten to hopefully dent the of invasion of crabgrass in my lawn. I knew based on my conversations with Professor Christians, the inventor of corn gluten as an herbicide that it would take three years to rid my lawn of the ugly looking “wanna be” grass. After speaking to the Professor, I became a corn gluten believer and I was ready to take the corn gluten plunge. I was not a pesticide type of gal.

Professor Christian gave me detailed instructions how to properly use the corn gluten as delineated in my article, “Corn Gluten: Can Animal Feed K’O Crabgrass?.” Did I follow them? Well, not really. The first rule I broke was when to apply it, which is when the forsythia is blooming. Due to spring break, I ended applying the corn gluten after the forsythia was in full bloom. Corn gluten has a lot of nitrogen in it so my lawn at least benefited from it. The weeds were sending me thank you notes too since corn gluten does not kill perennial weeds.

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Photo courtesy of Gaiam

After you read the title of this Article, what was your first thoughts? Ah, Anna has written another one of her lurid sexual green posts. What could she think of that could top her “10 Green Tips to Have a Red Hot Valentines’ Day?” Well, sorry to disappoint you, but this article is about how to choose organic sheets. But cheer-up, after I have convinced you to buy those luscious organic sheets, perhaps you might want to find out why they are so special? So, why organic sheets?

Ever since I learned what type of chemicals could be lurking in my cotton sheets, I have not been able to buy conventional sheets. Why would I want to sleep with such bed fellows as chlorine used to bleach the cotton, formaldehyde to keep it from wrinkling or caustic dyes for colors? Then, you also have to worry about the amount of pesticides used in growing conventional cotton? “To combat the weeds and pests, cotton farmers use huge amounts of agrochemicals: up to 25 per cent of the world’s total annual production of pesticides and 10 per cent of all herbicides produced. In some countries, the crop is sprayed 30 or 40 times a season.” ¹

I alternate the sheets I use so there is less wear and tear on them. I even make a conscious effort to not over stuff the washing machine. These sheets have to last.

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