By Eileen Weber
Have you seen Klean Kanteen’s baby bottle? Man, I wish they had these things when my kids were babies. I hadn’t seen it until the other day when I got an ad for it in my in-box. It’s brilliant! No BPA, no phthalates, no toxins, environmentally friendly, and reusable.
My girls are 11, 9, and 7 years old, now. I think back to the bottles I used for them. While I breastfed a majority of the time, we supplemented with formula so my husband could feed the girls and I could get a break. It makes me wonder what materials were in those plastic bottles.
February 06, 2012
September 27, 2011
October 06, 2010
Planning for a Green Baby
By Eileen Weber
A father asked his young daughter what she would like for Christmas. She said that what she wanted more than anything else was a baby brother. That Christmas Eve, her mother came home from hospital clutching a baby boy.
The following year, the father again asked his daughter what she would like for Christmas. "Well," she replied, "if it's not too uncomfortable for Mommy, I'd like a pony."
Most first-time parents probably know as much about caring for ponies as they do babies. Any veteran mom can tell you, having a family can be one of the most rewarding—and the most challenging—part of our lives.
That’s where Berkeley Murray comes in. A 15-year Fairfield resident, she has recently launched Bliss Baby Planning. She has a master’s degree in Elementary Education, certification with the International Baby Planner Association, and countless years working with families who just need a helping hand.
Murray, an easy-going mother of two, said getting her business off the ground has been years in the making. Parents struggle with the new responsibilities of taking care of a child. It can be a pretty daunting task taking care of a newborn, juggling the new baby with a toddler who has sleep issues, or becoming an adoptive parent for the first time.
The following year, the father again asked his daughter what she would like for Christmas. "Well," she replied, "if it's not too uncomfortable for Mommy, I'd like a pony."
Most first-time parents probably know as much about caring for ponies as they do babies. Any veteran mom can tell you, having a family can be one of the most rewarding—and the most challenging—part of our lives.
That’s where Berkeley Murray comes in. A 15-year Fairfield resident, she has recently launched Bliss Baby Planning. She has a master’s degree in Elementary Education, certification with the International Baby Planner Association, and countless years working with families who just need a helping hand.
Murray, an easy-going mother of two, said getting her business off the ground has been years in the making. Parents struggle with the new responsibilities of taking care of a child. It can be a pretty daunting task taking care of a newborn, juggling the new baby with a toddler who has sleep issues, or becoming an adoptive parent for the first time.
September 05, 2010
June 12, 2010
A Vacation Gone Green – Think Local, Travel Local
by Katherine Kabot
Every year, Memorial Day weekend comes and goes and it leaves me with a glimpse of an ideal summer: Gorgeous weather, great food, and time spent with family and friends. All of this also leaves me wondering, “So how long until Labor Day weekend?”
Why wait until then? Instead of taking that far away, exotic vacation, find a more local route. Consider it a twist on the typical vacation ideology. A staycation in Connecticut has plenty to offer families, friends, or a quick getaway for two.
Try a local state park. There are about 40 of them located around the state and about a dozen of them provide camping areas with cabins. Camping is very inexpensive compared to staying in a hotel and usually runs anywhere in between $12 to $33 a night for in-state residents. One of the most popular state parks is Hammonesset Beach State Park. Located in Madison not far from I-95, it offers over two miles of shoreline for swimming, fishing, boating, with a boardwalk along the beach.
Why wait until then? Instead of taking that far away, exotic vacation, find a more local route. Consider it a twist on the typical vacation ideology. A staycation in Connecticut has plenty to offer families, friends, or a quick getaway for two.
Try a local state park. There are about 40 of them located around the state and about a dozen of them provide camping areas with cabins. Camping is very inexpensive compared to staying in a hotel and usually runs anywhere in between $12 to $33 a night for in-state residents. One of the most popular state parks is Hammonesset Beach State Park. Located in Madison not far from I-95, it offers over two miles of shoreline for swimming, fishing, boating, with a boardwalk along the beach.
Continue reading "A Vacation Gone Green – Think Local, Travel Local" »
June 04, 2010
Silly Trend
If you have school-aged children, then you know all about Silly Bandz. These rubber bands made from silicone and die-molded are coveted by boys and girls alike. They trade them. They collect them. They fight over them. All of this much to the chagrin of teachers across the country. In fact, many schools have banned the little suckers from their classrooms. They come in an array of shapes including animals and electronic gadgets like iPods and MP3 players. And when they break? Hey, just throw them out, right? Just one more silly trend adding to our garbage pile. See an excerpt from an article in The Boston Globe below.
Bandz in Boston
The Boston Globe
By Beth Teitell
Globe Correspondent
Posted June 3, 2010
"'I really don’t know why I like them,’' said Casey, 10, shrugging cheerfully as she chatted with other girls who were similarly decked out. 'I figured other people liked them.'’
She figured right.
The rubbery bands, which come in a multitude of collectible shapes — cowboy boots to monkeys to Wally the Green Monster — are so trendy that if they were a person, they’d be Justin Bieber.
Silly bands meet all the requirements of a modern craze. They’ve nabbed the top-selling spots on Amazon’s toys and games category. Kids can’t stop talking about them. Parents are fighting over limited supplies, according to one manufacturer. Schools are banning them. A-list celebrities are reportedly requesting customized packs for fans. And, of course, there’s the requisite Facebook page, Twitter feed, and YouTube videos.
Seen stretched out on the wrist, the bracelets — known generically as silly bands, but sold as Silly Bandz, Zanybandz, Stretchy Shapes, and Goofy Bands — don’t look that special. It’s off-wrist that the genius of the product can be appreciated. They come in such a wide variety of shapes that there may not be a human alive who couldn’t find something appealing."
To read more, click here.
Image courtesy of Sillybandz.
Bandz in Boston
The Boston Globe
By Beth Teitell
Globe Correspondent
Posted June 3, 2010
She figured right.
The rubbery bands, which come in a multitude of collectible shapes — cowboy boots to monkeys to Wally the Green Monster — are so trendy that if they were a person, they’d be Justin Bieber.
Silly bands meet all the requirements of a modern craze. They’ve nabbed the top-selling spots on Amazon’s toys and games category. Kids can’t stop talking about them. Parents are fighting over limited supplies, according to one manufacturer. Schools are banning them. A-list celebrities are reportedly requesting customized packs for fans. And, of course, there’s the requisite Facebook page, Twitter feed, and YouTube videos.
Seen stretched out on the wrist, the bracelets — known generically as silly bands, but sold as Silly Bandz, Zanybandz, Stretchy Shapes, and Goofy Bands — don’t look that special. It’s off-wrist that the genius of the product can be appreciated. They come in such a wide variety of shapes that there may not be a human alive who couldn’t find something appealing."
To read more, click here.
Image courtesy of Sillybandz.
May 31, 2010
Chronic Illness: Coming Through Loud and Clear
by Eileen Weber
Did you know that one in 91 children have autism? Did you know that one in eight children have asthma? Did you know that one in six children have a learning or behavior disorder? Did you know that one in 10 children have ADHD?
These are alarming statistics by anyone’s standard. They’re even more alarming when these statistics apply to your child. And for many parents, it’s an all too grim reality.
No one is really sure of the root cause for autism and other illnesses like ADHD or even some severe food allergies. But what is very clear is that chronic illness in children is a nationwide epidemic.
We’re not talking about a singular group of children tucked away in a remote village with no running water and scant electricity, hours from the nearest town. We’re talking about your neighbors, your friends, kids you know at school.
These are alarming statistics by anyone’s standard. They’re even more alarming when these statistics apply to your child. And for many parents, it’s an all too grim reality.
No one is really sure of the root cause for autism and other illnesses like ADHD or even some severe food allergies. But what is very clear is that chronic illness in children is a nationwide epidemic.
We’re not talking about a singular group of children tucked away in a remote village with no running water and scant electricity, hours from the nearest town. We’re talking about your neighbors, your friends, kids you know at school.
Continue reading "Chronic Illness: Coming Through Loud and Clear" »
February 15, 2010
You Go, Girl
by Eileen Weber
I have three daughters, aged 9, 7, and 5. I remember when they were teeny weeny, still fascinated with dressing up as Snow White. Now, they’re in grade school. My oldest one rolls her eyes every time I try to give her a kiss goodbye. They’re growing up fast. They’re not little babies anymore. They’re big girls and getting bigger every day.
Two moms from New Hartford felt the same way about their own daughters, especially when it came to their skin care. For our babies, we make an effort to buy products that are all natural without harmful chemicals. Why stop just because the little piggies got a bit older?
According to an article dated September 24, 2008, the Environmental Working Group conducted studies that showed skin and cosmetic products contain hormone-laced chemicals. For young girls who experiment with products more than adults, these hormones end up in their bodies. More to the point, those hormones can contribute to diseases such as diabetes or even some cancers.
That’s why Kim Grustas and Grace Petrarca teamed up to found Good For You Girls, their skin care product line geared for the nine to fifteen year olds. Between the two of them, they have six daughters.
Two moms from New Hartford felt the same way about their own daughters, especially when it came to their skin care. For our babies, we make an effort to buy products that are all natural without harmful chemicals. Why stop just because the little piggies got a bit older?
According to an article dated September 24, 2008, the Environmental Working Group conducted studies that showed skin and cosmetic products contain hormone-laced chemicals. For young girls who experiment with products more than adults, these hormones end up in their bodies. More to the point, those hormones can contribute to diseases such as diabetes or even some cancers.
That’s why Kim Grustas and Grace Petrarca teamed up to found Good For You Girls, their skin care product line geared for the nine to fifteen year olds. Between the two of them, they have six daughters.
October 05, 2009
August 29, 2009
Trash-Free Lunch
by Eileen Weber
I don’t know what it is. Every year when September starts to roll around, I suddenly feel the urge to dash out and buy a pack of loose leaf paper and a pencil box.
It’s the pencil box that makes me giggle. You know the kind—it has a pair of scissors that won’t cut dirt but a compass with a point so sharp you can kill a horse. Add to that a protractor for all that geometry homework assigned in kindergarten and you’re starting the school year off right.
Back-to-school always means shopping for supplies. And most importantly, some of those supplies will go in your child’s lunch box.
Now there’s a can of worms. If you give your child a homemade lunch, too often your child is throwing away excess waste with plastic bags and tin foil. If you allow your child the hot lunch from the cafeteria, you’re dealing with a sticky issue about the actual nutrition your child receives. Those lunches consist of processed foods with way too much sodium and high fructose corn syrup, which only adds to our juvenile diabetes and obesity rates. School lunches are not so easy.
It’s the pencil box that makes me giggle. You know the kind—it has a pair of scissors that won’t cut dirt but a compass with a point so sharp you can kill a horse. Add to that a protractor for all that geometry homework assigned in kindergarten and you’re starting the school year off right.
Back-to-school always means shopping for supplies. And most importantly, some of those supplies will go in your child’s lunch box.
Now there’s a can of worms. If you give your child a homemade lunch, too often your child is throwing away excess waste with plastic bags and tin foil. If you allow your child the hot lunch from the cafeteria, you’re dealing with a sticky issue about the actual nutrition your child receives. Those lunches consist of processed foods with way too much sodium and high fructose corn syrup, which only adds to our juvenile diabetes and obesity rates. School lunches are not so easy.
August 27, 2009
January 02, 2009
Wants vs. Needs: What's the Diff?
by Heather Burns-DeMelo
About once a year I have to work hard to fight off a hankrin' (yes, I lived in Ohio for 10 years) to make a large purchase. One year it was a new house in the country, last year it was a new Mac and this year, a spankin new Prius.
Much to my dismay, I'm incredibly crafty when it comes to excuses as to why I NEED something, but like Sheryl Crow once said, "the trick is wanting what you have, not having what you want."
Now that I'm discovering the difference between necessity and desire and facing my somewhat tenuous financial circumstances, I must confess that my recent penchant for a hybrid is not being solely fueled by a desire to cut my personal carbon emissions. In fact, as the Editors of E Magazine point out, buying a new fuel-efficient car isn't always the greenest choice.
December 30, 2008
Green B&Bs
by Eileen Weber
Michael Depatie, Kimpton’s president and chief executive, was quoted in the article saying he got a lot of unsolicited letters from guests about the company’s green initiatives. “I’m a little surprised by how many mention our green programs. We’ve been doing this for a while, but it seems like it’s suddenly at a tipping point.” Thinking of making a last minute get-away for the holidays? You might want to consider a “green” hotel or bed and breakfast.
Increasingly, proprietors are trying to meet their clientele’s interest in greener practices. From organic foods to green cleaning practices to energy efficient amenities, your next stay could be more eco-friendly than stopping off at a roadside Super 8.
Kate Bauer, co-owner of Homespun Farm Bed and Breakfast with her husband Ron in Griswold, takes being green very seriously. They compost their organic refuse and use the eggs from the chickens they recently purchased. Bauer said on the B&B’s web site, “I hope this [green] movement is in time to save what is so important to us all.”
In a New York Times article dated June 26, 2007, Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants found in a survey they conducted in 2005 that 16 percent of guests choose their properties because of the company’s environmental practices. Kimpton, named for its founder Bill Kimpton in 1981, is a San Francisco-based collection of boutique hotels that leads the hospitality industry with its ecologically-sound practices.
November 26, 2008
November 03, 2008
A Conversation with Kate L. Harrison on Green Weddings
Environmentally conscious weddings are on the rise. And for a multi-billion dollar per year industry that is great news for our environment! From organically-grown dishes, conflict free diamonds, recyclable invitations and earth-friendly party favors I can't help but ask; is green the new white?
Kate L. Harrison a New Haven, CT resident and author of The Green Bride Guide due out in stores December 2nd tells us more:
Q. What is a green wedding?
A. "A green wedding is any wedding where the couple tries to decrease the impact of the event on the planet -- and there are many ways to do it! Every part of a wedding, from invitations to the favors, has eco-friendly options worth considering."
Q. Is it more expensive to have a sustainable, eco-friendly wedding?
A. "No! This is a myth that I am working hard to dispel. A green wedding can cost more than a conventional wedding or it can cost less (up to 60% by my estimates). It depends entirely on the choices you make. That is why I have divided each section of the book up by price. I offer low, medium and high-end choices in every category so couples can easily decide where to save and where to splurge. You never have to sacrifice style or comfort to be green."
Q. What is the easiest component any wedding can incorporate to make it more sustainable?
A. "Couples spend about half of their budget on food, so this is a great place to make change. Ask your caterer to create a menu with local, seasonal and organic dishes. In addition to being better for the environment, they taste amazing!"
Q. There are many products on the market that claim to be "all-natural" or "organic", how can couples be sure they are choosing legitimate green products for their wedding?
A. "This is a significant problem. Look at the recommendations in my book ( I have a whole section on green washing) and at thegreenbrideguide.com, check Co-op America's green pages and most importantly, ask questions!"
Q. What inspired you to write The Green Bride Guide and what can readers expect?
A. "The short answer is that it was the resource that I wanted to have but could not find when my husband and I were planning our wedding. The Green Bride Guide has all the basic wedding information (e.g. checklists and vendor contact sheets) but also offers hundreds of eco-friendly ideas and up-to-date resources in an organized, easy-to-navigate format."
What's next? The future looks green! And Kate will be contributing more green wedding ideas right here on CTGreen Scene. Check back soon! Interested in having your own green wedding? Have more questions or concerns? Ask Kate.
October 29, 2008
What's In Season CT?
by Megan DiPerri
Had any cherries or strawberries lately? Bet they don't taste half as good as they did over the summer. Chances are you didn't grab a bad bunch at the grocery store; they're just not in season. Knowing which fruits and vegetables are in season will reduce future disappointment and actually start saving you some money. Best of all, seasonal produce is much more nutritional because it requires less chemicals, pesticides to produce. They also offer one more way to support the local economy. Who knew buying in season would taste that good!
The Connecticuit Department of Agriculture has this fantastic guide that takes all the guess work out of knowing what to buy and most importantly, when. Next up? Apples, cauliflower, eggplant, lettuce, greens, pears, potatoes, herbs, carrots...the list goes on. Just because we live in New England doesn't mean we're short on variety! Local farmers markets and pick your own facilities also take the guess work out of buying seasonal produce. Ok, I agree, most of us aren't going to go pick our own fruits and vegetables once the snow comes, but that's where knowing what to buy from your local grocer comes in handy.
Spending extended time somewhere else? The USDA offers an extensive list of local farmers markets and Field to Plate has plenty of links to help you find out what's in season and when across the entire country. How great is that?
October 28, 2008
The Greener Halloween
by Eileen Weber
Halloween. It kick-starts the holidays, doesn’t it? From here, it’s a straight shot to New Year’s Day with its ubiquitous hangover and ensuing Christmas bills.
But Halloween also starts the sweet treat feeding frenzy that the holidays bring every year. Gobs of candy in pumpkin-sized buckets that kids plow through in less than a week. One organization is looking to fight that by offering healthier alternatives.
Green Halloween, a non-profit organization based in Seattle with a local branch in Canton, Conn., seeks to promote healthy families and, subsequently, healthy communities by preventing childhood obesity.
But what’s one day out of the year? Why not live a little? “The problem is it's not just one day,” said Corey Colwell-Lipson, founder of the Seattle-based company. According to a press release on their web site earlier this month, Colwell-Lipson said it wouldn’t be so bad if it were just one day out of the year. But, it’s all the special occasions we celebrate in which our choices make a difference.
“In reality, we are constantly celebrating,” she said. “Whether it's the biggies like Christmas, Easter or Thanksgiving or the myriad individual celebrations that clog our calendars—birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, baby showers, office parties, family reunions, religious and ethnic holidays…We're not asking people to give up the fun of celebrating, only to consider the impact our traditional approaches might have and consider the alternatives.”
October 24, 2008
Baby Greens
by Eileen Weber
Every mom wants what’s best for her baby. So why not have all natural, environmentally friendly products for your little one? There are a number of them out there that promote lotions, shampoos, and even boo-boo cream.
Linda Zielski, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Seaside Naturals in Branford, found it important to include baby products with the rest of her all natural line.
She and her husband David bought the Simple.Pure.Clean. cleaning service in 2003. About a year or two later, they had launched a Simple.Pure.Baby. line of all natural ingredients with essential oils infused with herbs.
One product that has been very popular is her diaper cream. She said that one customer told her that her newborn had been on antibiotics and had gotten a horrible rash as a result. After one application, the baby’s rash had disappeared. “They’re really effective,” she said. “I’m really proud to say that.”
Besides the slew of all natural products available on the market, a bigger issue looms on your baby’s bottom: diapers. Many parents turn to organic cotton cloth diapers. But those parents also deal with the hassle of cleaning them or using a service. And, the cloth ones are often less convenient than a disposable.
That’s where the eco-diapers come in. There are a few companies that have championed the biodegradable diaper that do not contain harmful chemicals.
October 12, 2008
Want to Understand Your Carbon Footprint?
by Tracey Finch
Then read the Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming by Laurie David and Cambria Gordon (Orchard Books/Scholastic $15.99 and worth every penny). Oh yeah, and don't forget that this is supposed to be a children's book. But the book should be required reading for all kids 8-100.
This colorful and nicely designed book is a must read for children and yes, even adults who could use an easy-to-read primer on today's environmental problems. If we want to educate ourselves and our children, this book covers the science of global warming, the effect on our weather, the impact on plant and animal life and the many steps we can all take to help reverse global warming.
When asked about her favorite green products, author Cambria Gordon said, "My favorite green products are bio-bags . They are completely bio-degradable and great for lining trash cans in the house. I also can't live without my SIGG stainless steel water bottle. Mine says "Simply ECO Logical."
Continue reading "Want to Understand Your Carbon Footprint?" »
September 22, 2008
September 20, 2008
September 16, 2008
No Emission Lawn Mower--Powered by the Sun
Right out of some high society sci-fi movie, this solar-powered lawn mower, made by Husqvarna, is a home owners' dream! No carbon emissions to feel guilty about, and it's powered by the sun and automatic--so you can sit back and relax as this gadget does the work for you.
That's a good thing, too, since this article from the Associated Press found that: "The air in hundreds (345 to be exact) of U.S. counties is simply too dirty to breathe, the government said Wednesday, ordering a multibillion-dollar expansion of efforts to clean up smog in cities and towns nationwide."
So where can you get one of these magic lawn buddies? Butler Power in CT can help!
September 08, 2008
August 28, 2008
July 07, 2008
July 05, 2008
Natural Pesticides that Work
EarthTalkTM
From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine
Dear EarthTalk: What green-friendly lawn and garden pesticides are available today? I’m particularly interested in options that won’t harm my cats. -- Nancy Blanchard, via e-mail
Pesticides have greatly boosted agricultural yields over the last half century, so it is no wonder, given the commercial availability of many of these synthetic chemicals, that American homeowners apply 100 million pounds of the stuff each year to make their own gardens grow bigger and faster, too.
But the downside of using such chemicals is that they can poison people and pets as well as backyard wildlife: “Common insecticide ingredients such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), atrazine and dicamba have been shown to harm mouse embryos at times equivalent to the first week after conception in humans,” says Erica Glasener of The Green Guide. Due to such revelations, home gardeners are fast discovering the benefits of avoiding chemicals in favor of natural, less toxic alternatives.
But before thinking about applying pesticides, gardeners can design (or re-design) their gardens to make the most of native plants that have evolved over eons to thrive in local conditions without synthetic aid or lots of water. Choosing native plants appropriate to your elevation, soil type, drainage and sun exposure will naturally repel many common pests and also reduce the propagation of invasive exotic species.
Similarly, embedding your plants in healthy soil replete with beneficial insects and worms can also help reduce the need for pesticides. Laura Moran of Mainstreet.com suggests that home gardeners compost their vegetable food waste—which is chock full of nutrients that plants love—and mix it into existing soil to give the garden a healthy boost. “Aside from stimulating healthy root development,” she writes, “the addition of rich compost also improves soil texture, aeration and water retention.” It also provides a nice home, she says, for the beneficial bugs that are destroyed along with the bad ones by chemical pesticides.
If pesticides are necessary, there are a handful of organic varieties available. Bacillus thuringiensis (“Bt”) is a naturally occurring bacterium that is lethal to most leaf-eating caterpillars on trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables. According to gardening writer Jeff Ball, it is harmless to all other insects, animals and humans. It comes in a powder form for use as a dust, or, when diluted with water, as a spray. Organic chemists have formulated varieties of Bt to kill mosquitoes or potato beetles as well.
June 05, 2008
May 28, 2008
April 16, 2008
Sneaky, Green Feet: Earth-friendly kids' footwear
EARTH TALK
From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine
Dear EarthTalk: I’ve found environmentally friendly shoes for myself, but have had trouble finding similar shoes for my kids. Are they out there? -- Dawn Masterson, Augusta, GA
Kids’ shoes are a quickly expanding market and companies with a
green perspective are now jumping into the race with mini versions of
everything from flip-flops to slippers to heeled dress shoes. While
green kids’ shoes from makers like Simple, which offers organic cotton
EcoSneaks with car tire soles, might seem expensive at $40 or more,
they are durable enough to get passed around from sibling to sibling.
“It is an investment if you’re going to do quality,” says Craig Throne,
general manager of footwear at Patagonia.
"Image Courtesy "Isabooties and Patagonia."
Continue reading "Sneaky, Green Feet: Earth-friendly kids' footwear" »
April 08, 2008
Don't Use Your Dryer on National Hanging Out Day
By Alex and Jordan of Little People, Big Changes
Did you know that the electricity your dryer uses takes up about 6% of your electricity bill and that there are 88 million dryers in the world!
In fact, the average American uses more energy running a clothes dryer than the average African uses all year round for their energy needs. We can all save a lot of electricity by using the wind and the sun to dry our clothes instead of a machine.
April 19th is “National Hanging Out” Day! Show your support by hanging an item of clothing from a pole in front of your house or simply hang your laundry out to dry on a line to show that you are willing to change little things in order to help reduce carbon emissions. Our planet needs you! If you absolutely must use your dryers, there are still things you can do to help. Lower your temperature settings and for your washer, use warm water instead of hot when possible. Make sure your washer or dryer is full before running it. Clean your dryer filter after every use.
We hope to see you in your long johns on April 19th! Your friends, Alex and Jordan
March 17, 2008
Markets Galore
Spring is nearly here, and it's time to get the garden ready. Composting is key and here is a great resource from our fine state government. For the stuff you can't grow on your own we are lucky enough to have a plethora of local farmers here in Connecticut and some great farmer's markets to choose from.
Fiddleheads in New London has a market every Saturday now, with another every Wednesday starting on March 26. CitySeed in New Haven has kept their market open monthly throughout the winter and come May it's back to a weekly event. On May 22 Billings Forge Farmer's Market will start up in Hartford and you will be able to find amazing produce and other local vendors on both Mondays and Thursdays. Fairfield Market is held every Saturday rain or shine, and often draws a few hundred people. Another cool market is the Oak Street Market in New Britain. It's urban and fun and has some of the best greens around. To locate the organic farmers markets near you, click here.
Of course the best thing about a market is the food: amazing greens, organic eggs, still-dirty potatoes and seafood dripping with salt water, all of which I want to rush home and devour. There's more to it, though. I love that it is such a neighborhoody event. It is a great place to have random, interesting conversations, make new friends, learn a few things about what I'm eating, stroll the streets of my town, breathe the fresh air and reconnect with the community.
The dinner we craft in the evening is just the bonus. We already feel great after a market day.
March 04, 2008
How Green can St. Patrick’s Day Be??
By Kia Martinson-Wenzel
You won’t need the help of wee little leprechauns to make your St. Patrick’s Day celebration green in all sense of the word. Just a little clever planning and effort will lead to a successful green event.
First off, comes the invitations to your green party. Online sites like www.evite.com and www.zoji.com allow to send and keep track of your guest list. Do something clever and have everyone bring a green article of clothing that can be donated to the Salvation Army. This is a great way to get a head start on spring cleaning and to help out others.
Visit your local nursery and purchase a full sheet of clovers in mini biodegradable planters. Fill one of your trays at home with them and place them in the middle of your party table as the centerpiece. Best thing is, that at the end of the party, let your friends take some home with them to plant. So with one stop you have taken care of your centerpiece and favors.
Serve www.Steaz.com sparkling green tea soda. Their use of the best tea leaves and organic sugar cane gives the product an amazing taste. Now there are more flavors than just green tea to try. Local Whole Foods, Wild Oats, Trader Joes and other health stores do carry them. Finding a great organic beer is getting easier for all of your beer lovers. In Portland Maine, Peak Organic Beer brews three different types of beer. All of their barley and hops are grown without toxics or pesticides. www.Peakbrewing.com Serve these all in your biodegradable plastic cups. The Fabrikal cups are made agricultural crops, like potatoes and corn. They are reusable but the amazing thing is that they can be placed in your compost pile and they will biodegrade. Order them at www.greenearthofficesupply.stores.yahoo.net
Start your party off with a chilled cantaloupe melon soup. This can be made in a day or two before the party. Serve them in shot glasses as a starter or a passed appetizer. For added cuteness place them in the clover tray and give the centerpiece an extra duty. A simple Kiwi and green grape salad is a refreshing treat. While it can be hard to locate great food that is green in color, just remember to keep it green in the other sense.
If there is going to be children at the party, have them all bring two old coffee cans and have them make their own Lime ice cream. This is a great way to show them how to recycle a common household item and it is fun. http://crafts.kaboose.com/coffee-can-ice-cream.html
Last of all, for all the parents who send in treats for the St. Patty’s Day parties at school, this year send in a packet of seeds for each child. Have your own child pick out their favorite green veggies and give peas, cucumbers and lettuce packets. We can all hope the children will be interested in growing and making their yard a little greener this spring.
March 03, 2008
Green Weddings on the Rise
From organic caterers to gowns purchased from consignment shops and email to replace wasteful rsvp cards, brides to be are choosing to make their magical day one that has conscious, meaning and a message.
Event planner Kia Martinson-Wenzel, owner of Connecticut-based ESTOccasions
got her first request for a green wedding last summer. "The couple wanted to get married in a state park and when we started planning, one thing led to another. The bride asked if her flowers could be gathered from the park, if the invitations could be printed on recycled paper, and she asked for recommendations of consignment shops that had a nice selection of previously owned gowns," Martinson-Wenzel says.
In fact, a good majority of gowns on the racks of consignment shops have never been worn. Wildflower seeds embedded in recycled paper, donations to environmental organizations and brides maids dresses that can be worn after the special day promise to be lasting trends as consumers become more conscious of the impact their purchase choices have on the planet.
With spring around the corner, you'll enjoy expert tips, advise and resources for greening your events and parties from Kia Martinson-Wenzel. Check our "Parties and Special Events" category for more useful information on greening your special occasion.
March 01, 2008
Chemicals in Scented Candles
EARTH TALK
From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine
Dear EarthTalk: I just read an article that said air fresheners contain chemicals that can cause health problems when inhaled. Are scented candles any better?
-- Leanne Chacksfield, Cincinnati, OH
Like most air fresheners, many scented candles contain and release phthalates, potentially harmful chemicals that have been linked to the disruption of hormonal systems and other health problems in people exposed to them. Burning candles can also emit small amounts of acetaldehyde, formaldehyde and naphthalene, organic chemicals that are also potentially harmful and that can leave nasty black soot deposits on floors and other surfaces.
According to Pamela Lundquist of the nonprofit Children’s Health Environmental Coalition (CHEC), this black soot deposit “is primarily made up of elemental carbon, but may also contain phthalates and volatile organic compounds like benzene and toluene, which can cause cancer and neurological damage.”
February 20, 2008
Hey! Who Ate the Organic Cookies?
Those of you who made it to February GreenDrinks at the Westport Arts Center probably got a chance to nibble on these tasty treats, donated by Connecticut resident, Candace De Felice.
Cookies by Candace LLC, a new bakery operating in New Preston, offers unique hand-decorated cookies made with fresh organic and traditional ingredients. Cookies are available at gourmet shops or by special order.
“We strive to make a great-tasting cookie,“ says Candace De Felice, owner of Cookies by Candace LLC. “The decoration and packaging just make it that much more special.” Educated and trained as an architect, Candace relies on her drafting experience to create intricate patterns of frosting atop hand-baked cookies.
“For years, I baked for school fundraisers and the cookies were always a big hit,” says Candace, “I derive so much joy from creating and baking cookies that I wanted to try it as a career. It was a good decision for me because I have more flexibility in my schedule and it never really seems like work.”
Available for sale at the Pantry in Washington Depot, CT. The collection includes cookies made with organic ingredients including: organic unbleached wheat flour, organic eggs, organic Madagascar vanilla, aluminum-free baking powder and fair-trade organic sugar. Organic cookies are decorated with only natural food colorings made from black current and turmeric. Whenever available, we use packaging that is 30% recycled and photodegradable. Please visit our website www.cookiesbycandace.com, or call 203.266.4366
January 06, 2008
Linen and Towels - The Perfect Green Solution
Or... Use What You've Got
by Elizabeth Howard
In offering green tips, I work generally on the principle that other people, like me, are imperfect and not immune to temptation.
As for me, I have a problem with the lure of lush bath towels and crisp new sheets.
By way of confession, at right I have posted a photo of my linen closet. Note that it is perfectly well stocked (though not perfectly folded) with towels, hand towels and face cloths. The sheets--indicating various stages of taste, husband's bachelorhood, duvet shades and mattress sizes-- are nonetheless, intact and well-stocked.
So, what's the tip? For most of us, by now it should be obvious, though I will be the first to admit, actually living this tip isn't easy.
It's worth repeating though, and I will because REUSE is my favorite R: Use what you've got!
Die, Old Habit!
Stopping ourselves from making purchases, for the sake adorning or updating our homes (or ourselves, not to mention those bothersome children and pets, OY!) isn't easy. I mean to tell you, it is downright a pain in the donkey.
So here's something to puzzle yourself with when you are, like me, wandering around Crackville (aka Target), goggling at the pretty-pretty, matchy-matchy blue margarita glasses and serving platters.
"How many towels does it take to screw in a compact fluorescent light bulb?"
Existential? Sure. But then, it's all a personal matter of how you face the crisis: just push your Target trolley through it.
December 14, 2007
December 07, 2007
De-commercializing the Holidays... A Swap
by Elizabeth Howard
Every year, earlier and earlier, the decorations come up at the stores. Ugh.
This year, on Halloween day at Target, I overheard one morose father contemplate giving out candy canes for Trick or Treat: the sales associates were stripping down the Halloween merchandise before the holiday had even started. Why? To make way for the lighted trees and green and gold wrapped Hershey's Kisses.
That's why I LOVE this article "12 Ways to Decommercialize Christmas" by Megan Kamerick, posted on Bankrate.com. She offers a slew of ways to take it all DOWN a notch. Number one on the list is my favorite, a "Yankee Swap" or what my Canadian family calls a "Chinese Gift Exhcange." Called by many other weird names-- White Elephant, Thieving Elves, and my personal favorite, Dirty Santa-- it's a gift exchange for adults: one gift each, a price limit, a certain amount of creativity and theft! How can you go wrong?
Just Beat It
One of the hardest things to deal with at this time of year is the pressures, most significantly, I believe, the pressure of competition. For example, one woman ahead of me in line at Christmas Tree Shops was spending $300 on wrapping paper, stockings, their stuffers, and dozens of other throw-away pieces of junk. What for? A school Christmas party. At what point does (or has?) the "holiday spirit" become infected with something else entirely?
At the holidays, I feel there seems to be a sense that because we have the means, we need to somehow-- if not each other-- at the very least outdo ourselves. A better and bigger gift, party, tree than last year.
The decision to embrace a greener, more holistic lifestyle definitely means fighting all sorts of demons. And for American consumers at the holidays, the meanest demon of all is that one inside, something like "competitive goodness," which, if you are looking for it, often disguises itself as "giving."
August 24, 2007
Start a Recycling Program at Your School!
It's Back-to-School and what better time to kick off a great year by starting a school-wide recycling program! Check out these tips from Treehugger.com
1. Find out who else in your school is passionate about recycling and is willing to help!
2. Decide what can be recycled in your school district. Items such as paper, plastic, printer cartridges, batteries or clothing are all fair game.
3. Form a recycling club to be responsible for the program.
4. Determine who will get the recyclables to the transfer station. Some potential candidates include custodians, parents, volunteers or in many areas the trash company or town itself.
5. Decide where to store your schools recyclables until transport.
6. Find out how many classroom, lounge and cafeteria recycling containers will be needed, and then raise money for their purchase.
7. Have committee or club members make presentations to each classroom about the importance of recycling.
8. Weigh and measure recyclables and post this information for the entire school to see to encourage more recycling.
9. Hold contests and competitions between grade levels or classrooms to see who can recycle the most.
10. Find fun things to do with the funds raised by collecting bottle-return money!
11. Write to CTGreenScene and let us know how you made out!!!
August 20, 2007
Connecticut's Bright Young Minds
"That’s right folks, Canon’s 2007 Envirothon just ended and a five-member team of high school students from Housatonic Valley High School in Falls Village, Connecticut, are the winners. And that’s no small achievement, as there were more than 260 teens from across the U.S. and Canada who came and studied environmental issues and resource conservation while competing for a piece of the $100,000 in scholarships and prize action. To win, they had to demonstrate the best overall skills at five testing and training stations. Those included soil and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, and current environmental issues. The theme of this year’s competition was Alternative/Renewable Energy, so the competing teams focused on the efficient use of energy generated from traditional sources and the development of renewable energy resources.
The winning team’s piece of the prize money was a cool $25,000 in Canon scholarships along with photographic equipment for their school to use in science education. The whole idea is to expose students to diverse environmental issues, ecosystems, and topography; and is hosted by a different state or province each year."
Source: Treehugger.com
July 31, 2007
Don't Forget There's Someone In There
The exposure of pregnant women to air pollution can increase their risk of having low-birth-weight infants, according to a Yale study.
Researchers at the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies (F&ES) and School of Medicine found that the higher the level of exposure to nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), the greater the risk of having lower-weight infants.
The researchers investigated the exposure of pregnant women for 358,504 births from 1999 to 2002 in 15 Connecticut and Massachusetts counties.
Read on if you like, but before you get too depressed...do OneThing and feel good about taking a step toward a solution.
Measure Your Footprint
According to the Connecticut Climate Change website, "Your carbon footprint is a representation of the effect you, or your organization, have on the climate in terms of the total amount of greenhouse gases you produce (measured in units of carbon dioxide). Many of your actions generate carbon emissions, which contribute to accelerating global warming and climate change. By measuring your carbon footprint through such tools as the Safe Climate Carbon Calculator, you can get a better sense of what your individual impact is and which parts of your lifestyle deserve the greatest attention. Armed with such information you can more readily take effective action to shrink your carbon footprint, thereby minimizing your personal impact on the climate."
July 29, 2007
Balancing Your School's CO2 Emissions
By Dr. Herster Barres
Reforest The Tropics, Inc. (RTT) is a CT-based non-profit organization that works with schools to teach students about climate change. The approach to learning involves teaching students the somewhat grim realities of climate change, but offers practical steps that students can take to feel a part of the solution.There are four basic ways to deal with global warming: energy efficiency, energy conservation, new sources of clean energy, and sequestration of CO2--which is accomplished by trees that hold units of CO2 until they are cut down or die. Working in the area of sequestration, Reforest the Tropics has developed a working model of the long-term sequestration of US CO2 emissions in sustainable tree-farm forests located in Costa Rica, where year-round temperatures are best for growing healthy trees.
As a part of the program, all participating schools receive science or math instruction with RTT staff or a local environmental group to achieve the following:
1) Learn how to calculate the CO2 emissions of your school and home in order to track our success in reducing these emissions. Student can do an in-class exercise each year to up-date their school's inventory.
2) Sponsor a forest on a farm in Costa Rica, a forest dedicated to offsetting 25 or more tonnes of CO2 each year in a long-term contract with the farmer. You can track the growth and sequestration in this forest through data and pictures taken by the RTT forester in Costa Rica and sent to your school's
e-mail address.
e-mail address.
July 27, 2007
Love That New Car Smell?
So we all know about the pollutants that spew from our exhaust pipes, but what about the adhesives, plastics, rubbers, and other materials that make up our vehicle interior and off-gass into the air we breathe? And if you're like me and hit the recycle button on the highway to avoid diesel fumes--eek!
Off-gassing is the release of volatile or hazardous chemicals from a material or product into the air. The process can take place over months or even years, and given that the interior of a car is a small and enclosed, toxic interiors are of particular concern. Some of the chemicals that are present in our cars are lead, bromine, and PVC and Phthalates, which are endocrine inhibitors. These same materials are used for infant, toddler and booster seats.
The Ecology Center of Ann Arbor, MI has a useful website, www.healthycar.org, that rates most recent models of cars and car seats according to their level of toxicity.
July 17, 2007
Fundraise Naturally
At least once a year, kids stop by my house to sell me junk food to raise money for their class. I hem and haw--and then lie and tell them I'm on a diet.
Well, last year a courageous group of 4th and 5th graders in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, boycotted a class fundraiser by refusing to sell the candy bars and potato chips they'd learned about in health class. Miles away in Westport, Connecticut, resident and owner of Natural Neighborhood, Rosie Haas, got an idea while reading an article about the students. "Customers of Natural Neighborhood were asking me if they could sell our natural and organic products to raise money for their kids' classrooms, I put two and two together and Fundraise Naturally was born," Haas recalls.
As of June 2006, schools in the U.S. have been required to form wellness committees to create and enforce nutrition in school-based cafeterias and other activities--such as the elimination of unhealthy products from fundraising programs. Haas says, "On the whole, schools are beginning to rethink the way they use their resources in the school environment and the impact on the greater community and that means seeking alternatives to fundraising as usual."
Fundraise Naturally only uses products that are eco-friendly, and are ethically made by caring manufacturers with the hope that as students experience entrepreneurship in an ethically-sound way, they will feel connected to their community and the planet, and get a real-life lesson in how small contributions can make a big difference.
Rosie Haas will be a keynote speaker at Fairfield County Green Drinks in September.
July 10, 2007
Reasons to Eat Locally
By Keyra Scovill
As we continue to hear about leafy greens like spinach and lettuce that’s been tainted by microscopic bacterial life forms, it seems foolish not to ask, what can we do to ensure that the food we eat doesn’t make us roll over tomorrow morning, ill?
For one thing, we can avoid factory farming. Factory farming means that animals raised, primarily for slaughter, are penned extremely small spaces. Besides the bounty of animal rights violations committed, there is also the issue of hoarding animal waste. Such waste, according to an article by the EPA, “… must include stricter construction requirements for wastewater lagoons…regular inspections… [and]… the re-use of properly managed animal waste as fertilizer and other agricultural applications”. While the recommendation is there, the action is not.
In fact most of the time, the animal waste and chemical fertilizers and pesticides contained in the water from factory farm disposal sites makes its way into nearby groundwater that's then used to irrigate crops, or into stormwater runoff.
The good news is, we don't have to worry about our food making us sick when we buy locally or participate in a food Co-op. When we get to know who is growing our food we can answer, Where is my food coming from? What practices is the farmer using to grow the food I'm about to eat? Instead, we can sit back, relax and enjoy.
July 05, 2007
Organic Farmers Markets in CT
For a complete, county-by-county list of where to purchase fresh, organic, locally grown fruits, vegetables, eggs, cheese, flowers, and more visit NOFA.
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Ticking Off the Ice Cream Truck Man
I stood by silently, my young ones knowing better than to ask, since for the past four years their mommy claims not to have any money, or rambles on about how unhealthy that ice cream is, convincing them to go to the New Morning to pick up some organic, lactose-free, all natural, frozen desserts.
Then it hit me: this must have been what the first proponents of banning second hand smoke must have felt like. Unsure, insecure, timid. I marched up to the truck and asked if he'd be staying long. "Nope."
"Good, I replied, because we can smell your truck all the way across the park." "If you're so worried about it, why didn't you walk instead of drive here?" he spat back.
Tonight, I'll dream of electric powered ice cream trucks that sell organic, healthy frozen treats on sultry summer days.
Posted at 05:05 PM in Air Quality, Automobiles, Awareness, Citizen Action, Commentary, Family, Health, Parenting, Public Transportation, Quandries | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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