One of the fastest, easiest, and most rewarding changes you can make in your lifestyle today is switching to reusable menstruation products.
Why?
1. They are so much more cost effective than disposables over the course of just a couple of months.
2. They produce far, far less trash.
3. They don't put you at risk of TSS like tampons do.
4. They are healthier for your body than most disposables. (If you are going to continue using disposables, you should at least switch to brands that don't use fragrances, dyes, or bleach and do use organic fibers.)
5. Many people believe that the use of disposable products harms the relationship women have with their bodies because it implies that a natural, healthy process is dirty and shameful. Though an intangible benefit, the use of reusable products, over time, can help women (and society in general) mend this pernicious relationship. [I mean, for real. I'm sure half of my readers are squirming just to see an article about menstruation. There's clearly something wrong with what we've been taught.]
What's available?
1. Internal-use/tampon replacement: The Diva Cup. Read this very thorough FAQ website to learn more.
2. External-use/disposable pad replacements: Reusable, washable pads. LOTS of options out there. Choosing ones made from organic cotton is even better for the earth and your body. I recommend starting by checking out Lunapads. Glad Rags is another trusted brand for many women.
If you have any questions at all about sustainable feminine hygiene or these products in particular, please ask away! I will be more that happy to answer them. I truly believe the almost instantaneous benefits you'll get from switching from disposables to reusables are incredibly important...and so easy to get!
28 June 2009
17 June 2009
Leaky Toilets
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to live more sustainably is to make sure the things you own are working as efficiently as they can. While this most often involves energy efficiency, it is also important to consider water efficiency.
It's easy to test your toilet for a leaky valve. Just put a couple drops of food coloring in the tank, wait about 15 minutes, and see if any coloring has leaked into the toilet bowl. If so, you probably just need to replace the flapper -- easy as pie!
Why is this important? Because, as the Daily Green reports, "one in every five toilets leak, and since the leaks are usually silent, you probably have no idea if your toilet is leaking." Even worse, "A leaking toilet can waste anywhere between 30 and 500 gallons of water every day"! So much water!
Well, what are you waiting for? Go give it a try!
It's easy to test your toilet for a leaky valve. Just put a couple drops of food coloring in the tank, wait about 15 minutes, and see if any coloring has leaked into the toilet bowl. If so, you probably just need to replace the flapper -- easy as pie!
Why is this important? Because, as the Daily Green reports, "one in every five toilets leak, and since the leaks are usually silent, you probably have no idea if your toilet is leaking." Even worse, "A leaking toilet can waste anywhere between 30 and 500 gallons of water every day"! So much water!
Well, what are you waiting for? Go give it a try!
12 June 2009
Is Your Refrigerator Running...Efficiently?
The Daily Green reports that your home refrigerator can account for 10-15% of your energy bill every month. That's a whole lot of energy! So do your best to keep it running as efficiently as possible.
1. Set the temperature between 38 and 42 degrees F. Daily Green says, "This temperature will protect your food from spoiling while saving electricity."
2. Clean the condenser coils regularly. Home Tips says this needs to be done twice a year, since dust and dirt make the coils work less efficiently. (Check out this article for detailed instructions on how to clean your condenser coils.)
3. And whatever you do, keep that door closed! Know what you're looking for before you open the door. When you come back from the grocery store, set aside all your refrigerated items and load them in all at once. Warm air rushes in quite quickly, so multiple short openings are worse than one longer opening to put everything in at once.
1. Set the temperature between 38 and 42 degrees F. Daily Green says, "This temperature will protect your food from spoiling while saving electricity."
2. Clean the condenser coils regularly. Home Tips says this needs to be done twice a year, since dust and dirt make the coils work less efficiently. (Check out this article for detailed instructions on how to clean your condenser coils.)
3. And whatever you do, keep that door closed! Know what you're looking for before you open the door. When you come back from the grocery store, set aside all your refrigerated items and load them in all at once. Warm air rushes in quite quickly, so multiple short openings are worse than one longer opening to put everything in at once.
07 June 2009
Easy Baby Food
Does someone at your house eat baby food? Consider making your own! Making your own baby food has multiple benefits:
1. You know the source of your child's food. Food-born illness epidemics (E. Coli in Spinach, salmonella in peanut butter, etc.) are most often spread through food that has been subjected to multiple handling, processing, and packaging steps.
2. Easier access to wide varieties of vegetarian, vegan, and/or organic foods for your child.
3. Cheaper than buying the individual, tiny containers.
4. Less packaging waste. Even recycling the glass containers uses energy that isn't required when you make your own.
How easy is it to make your own baby food? Really easy! A blender, food processor, or kitchen food mill can easily make baby food at home. But small, portable food mills that you can stick in your kid's diaper bag abound too! For an example, check out the Wean Machine. You can even find light and portable food mills at stores like Whole Foods.
1. You know the source of your child's food. Food-born illness epidemics (E. Coli in Spinach, salmonella in peanut butter, etc.) are most often spread through food that has been subjected to multiple handling, processing, and packaging steps.
2. Easier access to wide varieties of vegetarian, vegan, and/or organic foods for your child.
3. Cheaper than buying the individual, tiny containers.
4. Less packaging waste. Even recycling the glass containers uses energy that isn't required when you make your own.
How easy is it to make your own baby food? Really easy! A blender, food processor, or kitchen food mill can easily make baby food at home. But small, portable food mills that you can stick in your kid's diaper bag abound too! For an example, check out the Wean Machine. You can even find light and portable food mills at stores like Whole Foods.
30 May 2009
The Nose Knows
Our sense of smell is a wonderful thing. It's no wonder some people like to surround themselves with nice scents all the time. If you are among them, however, make sure you are aware of the health and environmental effects of your methods. That commercial stuff you spray or plug in or hang from your rear view mirror doesn't list any ingredients -- don't trust it! The manufactures haven't had to disclose that information. Is that really what you want to breathe?
Instead, try natural scent producers. Green Is Sexy suggests using "pine needles, lavender, green tea leaves or fresh flowers." Consider dried mint leaves, too. Soy or beeswax candles can be good choices, just be sure to avoid other types of candles!!
Many of us just seek to eliminate bad odors from our homes and cars. Again, think natural and simple. Opening a window and increasing air circulation works the best of anything. Remember to fill your home with those air purifying plants we've talked about in previous posts. And you know that thing about baking soda soaking up odors? It works outside of your refrigerator as well. Just set out a plate of it or sprinkle some at the bottom of your trashcan, and let it do its thing.
Instead, try natural scent producers. Green Is Sexy suggests using "pine needles, lavender, green tea leaves or fresh flowers." Consider dried mint leaves, too. Soy or beeswax candles can be good choices, just be sure to avoid other types of candles!!
Many of us just seek to eliminate bad odors from our homes and cars. Again, think natural and simple. Opening a window and increasing air circulation works the best of anything. Remember to fill your home with those air purifying plants we've talked about in previous posts. And you know that thing about baking soda soaking up odors? It works outside of your refrigerator as well. Just set out a plate of it or sprinkle some at the bottom of your trashcan, and let it do its thing.
24 May 2009
8 Easy Steps to Greener Driving
Because most of us don't have super-awesome electric vehicles yet, it is important that we all learn to get the best mileage possible with our current cars, trucks, and vans. There are many aspects of American driving that are just plain bad for your mileage. Fixing them, luckily, is pretty easy. You just have to be aware of some simple rules.
Fuel Efficiency Center lists 8 simple steps to improve your mileage:
1. Accelerate Smoothly -- Don't mash the gas
2. Brake Easy -- Don't start and stop abruptly
3. Observe Traffic Ahead -- Don't rush to stop signs or traffic lights
4. Coast Whenever You Can -- Not always on gas pedal
5. Maintain Constant Speed -- Don't tailgate and jockey for position
6. Cruise Control On Flat Surfaces -- Don't use cruise control on hills though
7. Avoid Idling and Long Lines -- Don't wait with car running for a long time
8. Control Highway Speeds -- Don't drive 10/15/20 MPH over speed limit
Changing some of these is just a matter of habit, like avoiding idling and controlling highway speeds. Others are things you were probably taught incorrectly, like coasting instead of keeping your foot evenly on the gas. [Tip: Think about driving your car as you would your bike.]
A few of these changes, however, require you to be self-assured and forceful. You will initially feel a lot of "peer pressure" to jack rabbit start from every red light. Likewise, you'll drive some really high-strung people insane by not accelerating up to red lights and stop signs. However, be strong in your knowledge that accelerating to a stop makes no logical sense and is bad for your wallet -- as well as the planet. With practice, the peer pressure you feel subsides.
And remember: the brake pedal is your worst enemy. Avoid if at all possible. Braking wastes the fuel you just injected with the gas pedal. Practice timing stops better, and you'll be surprised how little you really need to brake.
Fuel Efficiency Center lists 8 simple steps to improve your mileage:
1. Accelerate Smoothly -- Don't mash the gas
2. Brake Easy -- Don't start and stop abruptly
3. Observe Traffic Ahead -- Don't rush to stop signs or traffic lights
4. Coast Whenever You Can -- Not always on gas pedal
5. Maintain Constant Speed -- Don't tailgate and jockey for position
6. Cruise Control On Flat Surfaces -- Don't use cruise control on hills though
7. Avoid Idling and Long Lines -- Don't wait with car running for a long time
8. Control Highway Speeds -- Don't drive 10/15/20 MPH over speed limit
Changing some of these is just a matter of habit, like avoiding idling and controlling highway speeds. Others are things you were probably taught incorrectly, like coasting instead of keeping your foot evenly on the gas. [Tip: Think about driving your car as you would your bike.]
A few of these changes, however, require you to be self-assured and forceful. You will initially feel a lot of "peer pressure" to jack rabbit start from every red light. Likewise, you'll drive some really high-strung people insane by not accelerating up to red lights and stop signs. However, be strong in your knowledge that accelerating to a stop makes no logical sense and is bad for your wallet -- as well as the planet. With practice, the peer pressure you feel subsides.
And remember: the brake pedal is your worst enemy. Avoid if at all possible. Braking wastes the fuel you just injected with the gas pedal. Practice timing stops better, and you'll be surprised how little you really need to brake.
20 May 2009
PET Plastic Alert
I've published posts in the past that talk about health and safety issues surrounding plastics. Most of the concerns have been about BPA, an estrogen-mimicking chemical.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there is some new data that suggests that PET (#1) plastic also contains an unknown "gender bending" chemical of its own. For more info, check out this Treehugger article.
It really is best to view all plastics as suspect, especially if they touch your food or drinks. Try to use glassware to store leftovers, never expose plastic ware to heat (via the microwave, dishwash, or putting hot food into it), and avoid bottled water.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there is some new data that suggests that PET (#1) plastic also contains an unknown "gender bending" chemical of its own. For more info, check out this Treehugger article.
It really is best to view all plastics as suspect, especially if they touch your food or drinks. Try to use glassware to store leftovers, never expose plastic ware to heat (via the microwave, dishwash, or putting hot food into it), and avoid bottled water.
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