The real cost of Christmas
What does christmas really cost us? I ask my family not to buy me Christmas gifts. In the beginning it was to make a stance against Christmas saying “I’m not Christian, so it’s not my holiday and these traditions are silly.” But as I grow older and care less and…
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like…Consumerismtime!
Unlike my craftier sisters, I don’t start making gifts in October. I also refuse to make exhaustive lists of people and gift ideas and plan shopping excursions to find just the right piece of junk to wrap in expensive paper that will exist, perfectly preserved in a landfill until the…
Coming Soon…Portovert
I’m excited about the upcoming launch of the online-only wedding magazine, Portovert, the “First and Only Online Magazine for Eco-savvy Brides and Grooms”. The wedding business in the United States is a multi-billion dollar a year industry, one that creates insane amounts of waste (not to mention Bridezillas!). Up until…
Electric Cars ARE for Girls!
I love this new site, Electric Cars Are for Girls. Since women buy the majority of cars in this country AND make up the bulk of people who consider themselves environmentalists, it makes perfect sense to get women on the electric car bandwagon. Lynne Mason, who runs the site, knows…
Evergreen Makes a Difference
Evergreen State College in Olympia , WA has taken on the rarely addressed issue of college students with mental disorders. Their facility and program emphasizes another aspect of the importance of a clean and healthy environment. We are all greatly affected by our environment and when one is hyper sensitive…
A Royal Statement Indeed
Prince Charles is elegantly using his power to make a powerful statement. The NYT reported that the Prince had made the choice to travel like his ordinary country men. No more excessive fuel devourers, aka private jets and helicopters. Instead he will be utilizes the energy conservation method of public…
Pressure Cookers— an Energy Efficient Way to Cook
Growing up, the word “pressure cooker” brought memories of my grandfather cooking beets in his kitchen at Thanksgiving. Years later, I use a pressure cooker in my own kitchen. What many people don’t know about pressure cookers is that they’re a super energy efficient way to cook. Root vegetables which…
Buildings that eat SMOG
Building material that can reduce surrounding emissions within an 8 foot area?! How cool! There is a chemical called titanium dioxide that has been used in coatings for metal, concrete, and other building materials as a deodorizer, to keep things white, and as a general preserving agent. But, it has…
Supreme Court Begins Global Warming Case
Last week I saw a motley crew of people in a long line in front of the Supreme Court. I wondered what could draw such a variety of citizens to one place of protest? I looked in the NY Times for a clue. “Ah”, I realized, “its the environment”. A few…
InStyle Goes Green(ish)
I don’t usually buy InStyle (but Kate Winslet was on the cover! I love her), but I’m quite pleased that I picked up the December issue at the grocery store last night. What to my wondering eyes should appear, but in the midst of their gift-giving multi-page extravaganza, with such…
