Laundry Room Update

So, since we're staying in our current house for awhile, we figured it was time to upgrade our earth shattering-ly loud washer and dryer. We knew we wanted something high efficiency and Energy Star because we're big on reusable/washable items around here including dog potty pads, cotton produce bags and someday, cloth diapers. I did a little research and found these Whirlpool Duet Stackable Washer and Dryer which maximizes the space in our closet sized laundry room. These are a lower end (but still pricey) model without some of the bells and whistles like a steam or sanitize mode, but still include some nice options like a small load setting, a cold water cycle, a whitest whites cycle, and sensor drying.

Whirlpool Duet 3.5 cu ft. High Efficiency Energy Star Washer

Whirlpool Duet High Efficiency Gas Dryer

We've been using this Seventh Generation Free & Clear 2X Concentrated Laundry Detergent for the last year or so and hopefully we can switch from using traditional bleach (which never seems to do anything anyway) to oxygen bleach on the whitest whites setting.

We've never used fabric softening because it's laden with chemicals (including some natural varieties) and decreases the absorbency of most fabrics, but I've had some trouble with large items like heavy blankets and comforters requiring 2-3 drying cycles (in our old machine). I've heard that  Wool Dryer Balls  help reduce drying time by up to 20%, as well as reduce static. 

I hang a lot of clothes on a drying rack to avoid shrinking. I'd use a clothesline but they are not allowed by our HOA (jackasses). I'm going to keep using my old black plastic one (boo plastic!) but this Wooden Dowel Drying Rack from the Container Store would be nice.

One thing I am going to upgrade is our laundry baskets. You know I'm all about Everyday Style, so I'm going to recycle our mismatched, broken plastic laundry baskets and switch to this this 30 dollar guy from Pier 1. Although I'd love this Braided French Laundry Basket from West Elm, I'm too cheap.

I'm going to back in a couple of days with some update pics.

Earth Day: Baby Steps Toward Zero Waste

I've had this post sitting idly in my drafts for months, so in honor of Earth Day I thought I'd share it with you.

There's this new concept around the web called "zero waste". What's funny about zero waste is that it even has a title, when if we look back about 60 years, we'd see zero waste as everyday life; baking, preserving, reusing scraps. Now with a continually growing number of packaged convenience foods, the need for such a movement exists. The name is pretty self explanatory. Zero waste means trying to produce as little waste as possible. I'm big on green, natural/organic products, but only recently have many of my purchases depended on the amount of packaging and if said packaging is recyclable. Of course, I've hit some roadblocks thus far. For example, I asked the woman at the deli to wrap my lunchmeat in butcher paper instead of a plastic bag, but no luck as she had no butcher paper. Clearly she didn't understand that I was trying to decrease my waste because she gave me a 1/2 lb of prosciutto with a piece of deli paper in between every single slice. Sigh.

Although sometimes challenging, there are many ways to decrease our daily waste, so I've compiled a list of baby steps to take on your journey toward zero waste:

• Compost - According to the EPA, 14.1% of municipal solid waste (MSW) is food scraps. Composting is an easy way to dispose of this waste as well as generate nutrient rich soil for gardening.

• Recycle - I know, sounds obvious, but there are so many items that get thrown away because people are unaware that a recycling solution exists. It takes some online sleuthing but there are resources for recycling things that can't be tossed into the green bin. Items include: electronics, textiles (even underwear and dust rags), scrap metals (anyone else ruin cast iron?), household chemicals and other hazardous materials, used makeup containers, paint cans, plastic gift cards, batteries, medications, old household fixtures, even styrofoam.

• Donate - It's heartbreaking to see people throw away perfectly good furniture or clothing because they either don't know how, or don't want to bother donating it. Goodwill and The Salvation Army are good places to start, but there are also homeless shelters that accept things like unused cosmetics, beauty care and hygiene products.

• Give it Away - I gave 30 plastic hangers to a a friend of mine when she reorganized her closet. I offered extra skeins of yarn to a friend who worked at a day care. Resources such as Freecycle and Craigslist "free" section are great places to unload items that are still in good condition, may not be "donateable", but no longer needed. I got rid of an old satellite dish using the craigslist free section.

• Buy reusable - Don't get the spray mop that requires you to purchase multiple refills to keep using the product, switch to a reusable and refillable variety, or better yet, a regular broom or mop. Many products come in reusable varieties from coffee filters (even the Keurig) to diapers.

• Make it from scratch - All bread products from tortillas to pizza dough to pita bread can be made at home with a few ingredients, no packaging, and no preservatives or additives. Salad dressings are quick and easy from scratch. Other from scratch foods include tomato sauce, pickles, mayonnaise, tarter sauce, aioli, ketchup, mustard, cookies and granola bars. I'm not saying you should harvest and mill your own flour, but if you starting taking little steps toward making things at home, you'll find they are often easier than you think, more nutritious and even more delicious.

• Choose your packaging - Plastic is forever. Sure it may be downcycled into another product, but eventually, it all becomes trash. So when choosing packaging, try looking for things that are in paper or glass. For example, choose dried pasta found in a paper box instead of a plastic bag. The box can be recycled or composted. Glass containers can be recycled indefinitely.

• Buy in bulk - In certain states bulk stores are not hard to come by and hopefully people don't give you a dirty look when you use your own container (I'm talking to you lady at Whole Foods). However, in many places, bulk stores are not available, so what do you do? For one, I have a Costco membership where I'm able to buy larger quantities of certain foods we eat a lot of, especially cheese. Large containers of feta cheese, tubs of mozzarella and huge wedges of Parmesan are some of our staples. Yes they still come in plastic, but by buying one large wedge of Parm instead of 4 small wedges, we've decreased the packaging by at least half, not to mention saved some cash. Beware of bulk convenience foods however, especially individually packaged snacks that come in a box with four boxes in one larger box (I'm not exaggerating). Stick to the big bag and divide it up into glass storage containers instead. 

There you have it. It's not hard to start taking these baby steps to lead you to a more earth friendly lifestyle.

More ways to reduce waste here and here.

Canning

I spent the weekend at the family River House canning with some of the ladies in our family. And not just canning, canning 55 jars of tomatoes from 4 bushels. With so much tomato-y goodness, the question came up of what to make with canned tomatoes, and since I use them liberally in my cooking, I thought I'd put together a list of foods that use canned tomatoes. Here are some my favorites:

Spaghetti Sauce

Lasagna

Pizza Sauce (Reduce the Spaghetti sauce until it thickens)

Salsa

Cioppino (Seafood Stew)

Chili

Chicken Cacciatore

Spicy Tomato Soup

 

Tomato Bisque

Pork Chops alla Pizzaiola

Pepper and Potato Stew

Shrimp Santorini (Replace the blanched tomatoes with canned)

Mexican Lasagna

image by Amynonymous for Domestic Observances

It's Not Easy Being Green

Image via The Dreamy Giraffe

If you've spent some time around this blog, or know me personally, you know I have a passion for trying to live "green". This came about the past few years as I've come to find nature as life giving and sustaining. Sorry to get all philosophical on your ass, but it's the truth. I hate to see people throw away plastic, styrofoam, and paper, and I hate even more that it truly doesn't bother them. And don't get me started on hospital waste. Yes, certain things absolutely should be one time use and discarded. Plastic baby bottles are not one of them. But I digress.To me, it seems unlikely, that we will be able to sustain our way of life for too much longer at this rate. Sigh. I always do try to fight the big fight.

Another important reason for me to be green is to save cash. For example, cloth diapering saves an average of 1500$ - 2000$ for the time one child is in diapers. You can also save money by making your own cleaning products, paying less for trash (depends on the service), lowering your gas and water bills by using low flow shower heads, washing clothes in cold water, and utilizing the dishwasher, save on gas by carpooling, and save money by utilizing the library. 

All of the above being said, We're by no means perfect. No, I don't buy all organic food. Not at all. I only buy organic produce if it's the same or about 50 cents more than traditional. There's no point in buying organic packaged food unless it is obviously less processed, has fewer ingredients and doesn't contain things like proplyene glycol. We still buy meat that is not organic, especially when organic chicken at Costco costs twice as much as traditional, instead trying to buy locally produced meat (yay Earl's Meats!), and wild caught venison. We do buy organic milk and eggs, though we try to get farm fresh eggs when we can, and organic cheese, at least the type that we buy, is hard do come by. We also still eat at restaurants where we no nothing of their practices for produce, dairy and meat. 

In general I feel that we have a pretty good balance, we do have low flow shower heads, wash clothes in cold, carpool, go to the library, make (ahem) buy natural cleaning products, and compost. We also go out to eat, buy non-organic food, buy non eco friendly clothes and other products, and use our AC. I'd love to be "Zero Waste" but we live in a place with Farmers' Markets for 3 months out of the year, and not a bulk store in sight. I want people to be inspired to start making green changes, but to be honest about how green I really am.

"Be the change, you want to see in the world" - Ghandi

Container Garden 2011

Oh, I long for the days when I will have a giant garden on a few acres of land, but alas, my house isn't selling and I'm working with what I have. This year we planted:

Jalapeno Peppers

Basil

Parsley (which thoroughly shadows Cilantro)

Cilantro (which clearly is not doing so hot)

and Tomatoes

The other day I was tending the plant and found what looked like rabbit poop on the leaves. I followed them up the plant and BAM, this little bastard was sitting there munching away on one of my tomatoes. Doesn't he remind you of the Hookah smoking caterpillar from the Alice and Wonderland cartoons? I think it's the little feet. You know you're going to google it. Anyway, he was literally about six inches long and the size of my thumb. Mike pulled him off (very reluctantly on the caterpillar's part) and put him on a tree about 15 feet away.

The next day however, guess who was back feasting. This time, I took him off, and walked across the empty retention pond about 100 feet away and put him on the ground at the base of a tree. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me, come back a third time, and I'm not sure your removal will be as pleasant.

We googled this guy and found out it is a tomato horn worm. After it eats enough of my tomatoes it will turn into Mothra, with a wing span of about 5 inches. I found this moth last year and think it could be a tomato horn worm moth.

That about sums up my current adventures in gardening. What's everyone else growing this year? Any tomato horn worm sightings?

Earth Day

Image by The Twitterpated Toad via Etsy

Earth day is here again, so I'm back with more earth friendly tips and ideas. Adding onto the list from last year, here are some more ways to green your everyday.

Switch to recycled toilet paper

 

Bring your own reusable mugs to coffee shops (you can even get 10 cents off at starbucks)

Bring your own glass container to the deli counter for meats and cheeses

Donate unwanted items to charity or use craiglists free section or freecycle.org

Buy music and movies digitally to cut down on packaging and waste

Get books and movies from the library, saves resources and it's free

Install faucet aerators on all taps

Install a low flow shower head

Install a dual flush toilet system (much cheaper than a new low flow toilet)

Build a rain barrel

Check out some more tips at One Millions Acts of Green

P.S. No, we don't do all of these things in our home, but we're working on doing as much as we can. 

 

Any other good ideas? I'd love to hear from you...

Cleaning House

Spring cleaning is in full effect around here and we have to keep up on it while the house is on the market. I figured I'd do a little round up of the (green) cleaning products we use to keep the house looking good.

White Vinegar

When cleaning the wood laminate floors, traditional cleaners can break down the finish on the wood. So an easy cheap alternative is using vinegar. Vinegar is naturally antibacterial and just a half cup in a bucket of water does the trick. The vinegar smell might be off putting, but it dissipates quickly, leaving no odor behind.

For washing the floors with vinegar we use a spin mop with bucket (above). Although a bit bulky, the dual bucket allows for dipping the mop on one side and spinning it dry on the other. Making mopping the floor faster and less messy.

Microfiber cloths

All surface cleaning, including glass, is done using a microfiber or cotton rag. It saves money on paper towels and swiffer dusters and just need to be thrown in the wash.

Method Wood for Good - Almond

For dusting, I like Method's Wood for Good. I hated the greasy aerosol dusting spray and was stoked to find this in the store. It polishes wood really well, doesn't leave an oily film, smells like almonds and is nontoxic.

Method Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner - Lemon Verbena

The entire kitchen is cleaned with Method's Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner. It works just as well on counters as it does on the stove, sink and small appliances. We keep the bottle under the sink with a cotton towel and spray down the counters and stove after cooking.

 Method Lil' Bowl Blue - Eucalyptus Mint

Method Antibacterial Bathroom Cleaner - Spearmint

In the bathroom we use Method's Lil Bowl Blu and Antibac bathroom cleaner. The toilet cleaner smells good and really sticks to the toilet bowl for a better clean. The antibac spray, although it smells strongly of mouthwash, works well on the counters. I haven't really figured out what works well on the shower yet. We squeegee the walls after showering which maximizes time between deep cleanings. A baking soda water paste works well on the floor, but I have a difficult time keeping the shower doors streak free.

Fresh Wave Odor-Neutralizing Spray

Lastly, we use Fresh Wave's odor neutralizing spray in place of Febreze. It's nontoxic and safe for pets and people. It does smell a bit earthy though, so it might not be for everyone.

P.S. No I'm not a paid spokesperson for method, I just like their environmental philosophy and prices. However, I'm not opposed to becoming a paid spokesperson (wink, wink).

Fabric Gift Wrap

Although for Christmas this year, we went all out with kraft paper wrapping and homemade tissue paper flowers, I recently found, and love the beauty, simplicity, functionality and all around eco friendlyness of furoshiki. According to furoshiki.com,

"Furoshiki is a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloth that was frequently used to transport clothes, gifts, or other goods. Although possibly dating back as far as the Nara period, the name, meaning "bath spread", derives from the Edo period practice of using them to bundle clothes while at the sento (public baths). Before becoming associated with public baths, furoshiki was known as hiradzutsumi, or flat folded bundle. Eventually, the furoshiki's usage extended to serve as a means for merchants to transport their wares or to protect and decorate a gift."

Images via Chewing the Cud

Persimmon & Pine via Poppytalk

Image via Gyroglyph

 I love this how to which shows you how to wrap anything from wine bottles to books. Although I love the beautiful designer fabrics, I'm thinking I'd like to buy some cotton fabric and make my own furoshiki.

Everyday Style: Picnic Baskets

It's finally starting to feel like spring around here, which means the weather is perfect for all sorts of outdoor activities including long walks with Olive, planting a little herb garden and the possible picnic. So, after receiving an informal request (from my sister in law Kate) for a post on eco-friendly picnic baskets. I figured the beginning of spring would be the perfect time. Here are some stylish and eco-friendly picnic baskets from around the web.

Bed Bath & Beyond Bamboo Picnic Basket

To-Go Ware 3 Tier Stainless Steel Food Carrier

Reisenthal Collapsible Market Tote

Avignon Rattan Picnic Basket - Crate & Barrel

Vintage Woven Picnic Basket - AMradio

Growing in the Winter

After eating some not so ripe strawberries this past week, I began longing for some fresh produce. But since I don't live in a place that supplies fresh year round produce and farmers markets, I have to make due with what's at the grocery store. However, there are some things that can be grown inside during the long frigid winter months. 

Mushrooms: We eat a lot of mushrooms; in lasagna, enchiladas, and pastas, so the thought of having fresh mushrooms is appealing. This shiitake mushroom log produces 1/4 to 1/3 pound of mushrooms every two months for about four years.

 

Shiitake Mushroom Log from Terrain

Wheatgrass: My only experience with wheat grass as a shot at Jamba Juice. But I can see how you can throw a little bit in a fruit smoothie and get the nutrients but hide the grassy taste.

 Grow your own wheatgrass: Via Vanilla & Lace

Sprouts: You can sprout all sorts of things; garbanzo beans, lentils, peas, barley, or Creed from The Office's favorite: mung beans.

Michael: Ok, Ryan, you told Toby that Creed has a distinct old man smell.

Creed: I know what's he's talking about. I sprout mung beans on a damp paper towel in my desk drawer. Very nutritious, but they smell like death.

So if you're a fan of alfalfa (Jimmy John's anyone?), you can sprout your own beans for a similar, delicious taste.

Sprouting Lentils: Via Honest Fare

I think I might try the lentils. Happy Growing!

30 Days of Vegan - What I Ate - Week I

I made it through week one of 30 days of Vegan , and I have to be honest, it wasn't that hard. However, we've been eating primarily vegetarian for about a year, so I already have a large variety of vegetarian meals that were easily made vegan. I think that anyone who eats meat as a centerpiece to their meal, would have a hard time eating vegan. So, for anyone who is interested in trying it, I recommended the vegetarian transition phase. I decided to record what I ate for anyone who is curious about what a week would look like including snacks, desserts and tea (or coffee). Here's what I ate:

Monday

Breakfast: Strawberries, blueberries and blackberry fruit salad with agave

Lunch: Pita Chips and Tabouleh

Snack: Chips and homemade corn and tomatillo salsa and Naked Green Machine Juice

Dinner: 3 homemade spring rolls with sticky rice

Dessert: 3 Back to Nature chocolate chunk cookies with almond milk

Tuesday

 Breakfast: Strawberries, blueberries and blackberry fruit salad with agave 

Lunch: Spring roll and sticky rice

Dinner: Spring mix salad with tomatoes, green onions and Annie's Natural (vegan) Goddess dressing and whole wheat spaghetti with homemade marinara

Dessert: 3 Back to Nature chocolate chunk cookies with almond milk

Wednesday

Breakfast: whole grain toast with almond butter

Lunch: whole wheat spaghetti with homemade marinara

Dinner: hot dogs with chili (both vegan) and onions on a whole grain bun with oven fries

Dessert: 3 Back to Nature chocolate chunk cookies with almond milk

Thursday
Breakfast: Strawberries, blueberries and blackberry fruit salad with agave
Lunch: Chips and homemade corn and tomatillo salsa
Snack: Wasabi Peas
Dinner: Chipotle (burrito bowl with rice, black beans, pico de gallo , corn salsa, lettuce and guacamole)
Dessert: World Market Sea salt dark chocolate (2 squares)

Friday
Breakfast: Toast with peanut butter and banana
Lunch: Chips and Salsa
Sweet Treat: Starbucks soy mocha

Dinner: Soba Noodles with Oyster Mushrooms
Dessert: 3 Back to Nature chocolate chunk cookies with almond milk

Saturday
Breakfast: PB&J on toast with a Naked Green Machine Juice
Lunch: Soba Noodles with Oyster Mushrooms
Dinner: hot dogs with chili (both vegan) and onions on a whole grain bun with oven fries

Sunday
Breakfast: Strawberries with Agave
Lunch: Vegan Chili
Dinner: Chips and salsa and popcorn (I wasn't too hungry, so we just ate some super bowl snacks)
Dessert: 3 Back to Nature chocolate chunk cookies with almond milk

P.S. Every morning, except for Saturday, breakfast was accompanied with a  variety of teas sweetened with Demerara sugar, and a glass of OJ.

This weeks protein brought to me by; beans, avocados, mushrooms, peanut butter, almond butter, almond milk, veggie dog, whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, and bean sprouts.

This weeks calcium brought to me by; almond butter, almond milk, sesame seeds, and calcium fortified OJ

Questions or comments? Fill out the form below or send me an email: amynonymous@gmail.com

Eco Friendly Luggage

With our pending trip to San Francisco, and some busted up luggage from our last trip to Mexico, it was time to invest in a nice new set of luggage. And, since you know I'll crazy about all things earth friendly, I searched the web from some eco luggage choices.

Heys Usa Renovo 5 Piece Set - Made from 100% recycled polyester and is biodegradable - $390

Patagonia MLC Wheelie - Fabric made form recycled plastic soda bottles - $229

Ella Vickers Sailcloth Duffle - made from recycled sailcloth from yachts around the world- $178

 

Heys Usa Eco Leaves 3 Piece Set - the shell is made form 100% recycled plastic - $450

Matt & Nat Faithless Bag - Vegan leather and recycled suede lining - $147

You might be put off by those hefty price tags, but rest assured places like amazon and overstock are selling these things at a nice discount. We picked up the Heys Usa Renovo in Charcoal for $250. Still seem like a lot for luggage? We weighed the options and it seemed comparable to other luggage sets plus it had some of the features we were looking for. Not only was it made of recycled and compostable fabric but it's frameless (our other luggage tore right along the frame on our flight to Mexico) and it's lightweight so we don't have to worry as much about weight limits.

Stocking Stuffers

Check out these last minute ideas for stocking stuffers:

Fresh Citron de Vigne rollerball perfume



Letterpress Notebook. Smock Paper

Divine Dark Chocolate Salted Fudge. Serrv

Bamboo nail files. EcoTools

A Year's Supply of Toothbrushes. Anthropologie




Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

Gift Guide: Her

Last, but certainly not least, the Gift Guide for the ladies. I had fun putting this one together and thinking about all the sweet little gifts that I would like and I think other ladies would like as well.

Isn't this Figs & Ginger Love Birds Necklace sweet?

Fresh Brown Sugar Hand Cream for dry winter skin

Caldrea Balsam and Figleaf Holiday Candle. A holiday candle that doesn't make you want to eat a plate full of cookies.

L'Occitane Verbena Sachet. A sweet smelling surprise for your dresser or closet.

Adagio Tea of the Month Club, for the tea drinker who likes a little variety.

And to store those teas a Birch look tea tin, made of "Momi-gami " paper. Teavana

Don't forget to check out Gifts Guides for pups, babes, kids, and your man. Happy gift giving.