In Your Home

Valentine's Day – Think Outside The (Chocolate) Box

Valentine’s Day is supposed to be all about love, thoughtfulness, and maybe a few decadent treats. But did you know what’s really involved in getting some of the traditional Valentine’s Day gifts to your loved one? It’s not always so rosy. This year, Do Your Part as you send flowers, prepare dinner, or even deliver the sweetest of gifts.

The Flower Delivery

Be informed before you buy that traditional Valentine’s bouquet. Many imported roses can actually contain 50% more pesticides than what’s legally allowed on food in this country. My best advice is to look for retailers who are committed to selling safer flowers. Those selling VeriFlora certified ones meet strict environmental standards. There are other certifications that will give you peace of mind including ones from the Rainforest Alliance and EcoBlooms. And don’t forget how far flowers usually travel only to last a few days. Opting for flowers grown at local nurseries will help cut down on the resources need to ship and store them. Also, potted plants you buy are usually grown locally and will last a whole lot longer than cut flowers. Many can be transplanted outdoors to last for years!

The Dinner and Drinks

Why not show your Valentine you really care by making a thoughtful dinner from scratch? Seeking out organic and locally grown fruits, vegetables, and meats are good for you and the planet. You can visit a farmer’s market for inspiration or even the local section at your favorite supermarket. Adding a delicious local wine is also a nice touch as are a few candles. Instead of traditional petroleum-based candles, light soy or beeswax ones. They won’t pollute the indoor air as you enjoy your meal.

The Dessert

Dessert is always my favorite part of a Valentine’s Day dinner. Whether you are making a decadent chocolate dessert or shopping for that perfect box of candy, know what you are really eating. If you go for organic chocolate, your treats will taste even better because you’ll know that the cocoa beans were grown without any synthetic chemicals, which is better for you, the environment, and the farmers who grow them. If you want to go one step further when it comes to protecting farmers, look for chocolates marked ‘fair trade’, which ensures that those in the field have safe working conditions and were given a fair wage.

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Not All Cookware Is Created Equal

There are lots of reasons to cook at home – everything from trying out a friend’s fabulous dessert to serving up your family’s favorite meal. Most times, it’s enjoyable to cook and usually a whole lot healthier and affordable than eating out. But here’s the thing. Do you know how safe the cookware you use is? It may not be as harmless as you think. Do Your Part to find out how your cookware choice can impact you and your family.

Keep in mind that not all cookware is created equal. To begin with, there is ongoing controversy about certain pans that are designed to be non-stick. Their coating can actually leach a chemical known as perfluorooctanoic acid or PFOA when exposed to high heats and especially if scratched. PFOA has been linked to cancer and birth defects. This cookware can also release PTFE which is polytetrafluoroethylene which can actually release toxic fumes known to create health problems for animals. And there’s another important reason to avoid traditional non-stick cookware. It doesn’t break down in our environment.

If non-stick is a must have in your home, there are more safer options than ever. You can now find specifically PFOA-free and PTFE-free cookware in many home goods stores. Most are made to be non-stick by using ceramic and silicone. They come in all shapes and sizes and all price ranges. Earth Pan, Starfrit, and Green Pan are all good options. One word of warning, many chefs suggest avoiding the use of metal instruments on them because it can easily scratch the cookware’s surfaces.

It’s also good to know that safer cookware options are oftentimes much less expensive than those non-stick pots and pans. For general cooking, cast iron pieces are perfect. A standard cast iron skillet is not only durable, it can enhance the flavors of what you are cooking. And, get this – it’ll probably only set you back about ten bucks. Cast iron is beloved by chefs and don’t contain any toxic chemicals.

Other safe bets are are stainless steel and glass cookware. You won’t have to worry about toxic fumes being released while you cook. And, these days, you can even shop for some glass dishes made from recycled materials.

Taking a little extra time when cooking up your favorite dishes will mean you’re cooking up a meal that’s a whole lot healthier. Remember, you can Do Your Part when deciding what to make and how to cook it. Isn’t that a delicious recipe?

Additional Info:

EPA info on PFOA and PTFE

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Do Your Part: Rent, Swap, and Share – Anything!

If you’re looking for a way to swap, rent, and share what you have directly to other people – it’s now easier than ever. This new way of doing business is the perfect way to Do Your Part to reduce waste and be thrifty!

Take a look at this.  Say you’re getting away and want to rent a house for a day or even a month.  I could browse the pictures of this beautiful living room one day…and be sitting in it the next! AirBnB.com is an easy to use hub for linking home owners with travelers who want anything from a one night getaway in New York City to a longer stay in a mountain cabin.

The same goes for the car you own.  RelayRides.com hooks up drivers in need with car owners. You can see what’s available where you are and check out the price per hour, day, and week.  That’s a smaller example of a bigger success story. ZipCar.com allows thousands of drivers to access cars at any time across the country.  Now, think of all the things that are just sitting around your house that someone else would like to use. It could be video games, books, or a designer purse. Swap.com is one place to go to swap what you don’t want for something you do. Your options are absolutely endless.

And, anyone with children knows just how quickly they outgrow clothes.  ThredUp.com lets you earn credits for gently used clothing you no longer need. Then, use those credits to shop for the children’s clothing you do want. Getting more use out of the things we already own is an important way to Do Your Part. Utilizing technology to help make it happen also makes it easier than ever before.

 

 

 

 

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Do Your Part for Mother's Day & Mother Earth

The big day is approaching – do you have your Mother’s Day gift? This week, I’m sharing some unique ways to Do Your Part and show the mothers in your life how much you care. And as a bonus, you’ll be taking care of Mother Earth at the same time!

Flowers are usually a staple of Mother’s Day. Before you spend big bucks on a beautiful bouquet that will end up in the trash, consider something a bit different. One of my all-time favorite Mother’s Day gifts are the peonies now planted in my garden. They bloom right around Mother’s Day and remind me of the day my two children gave them to me. They are beautiful, bloom each year, and smell amazing. You can go with a similar idea or find a local nursery and give a beautiful potted plant that will last through the year. Many supermarkets also sell potted plants from local nurseries.

Another smart idea is to give the gift of a service. This is something that definitely won’t end up in the back of a dresser drawer. Consider items to make it easier on mom such as a gift certificate for a house cleaning service, a day at a beauty salon, or even a cooking class for two. Waste-free ideas show moms you care without giving something with a whole lot of packaging or that will eventually wind up in the trash or a landfill.

If jewelry is a must for your Mother’s Day plans, your eco-friendly options are endless. You can find earrings made of colorful and recycled glass, necklaces intricately crafted from recycled silver, or my personal favorite – items from Beads For Life®. These are beautiful pieces of jewelry that you would never guess are actually handcrafted from recycled magazine paper by women in Uganda. This incredible craft helps them support their families and rebuild their lives. Look below for more recycled jewelry suggestions.

As for the Mother’s Day cards, give a card that shows you care about the environment too. You could select one made with recycled paper or give a card that truly gives back. The Arbor Day Foundation offers electronic “Give a Tree” cards. For a small donation, an e-card will be sent to the Mom in your life and a tree will be planted in her name. You can also make a donation to The Blue Planet Network. An e-card will be sent along with details on how that donation will help people around the world get access to clean drinking water.

You can easily let your imagination run wild this Mother’s Day as you come up with a thoughtful and meaningful gift. Just don’t forget to keep Mother Earth in mind as you do! It’s an important way to Do Your Part while showing how much you care this year.

Additional Resources:

Beads for Life

Figs and Ginger Recycled Jewelry

Smart Glass Jewelry

 

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Best Ways to Reduce Your Exposure to BPA

What are the chances you are buying and bringing BPA right into your own home? Probably pretty good and there is reason to be concerned.  BPA is linked to everything from developmental problems to infertility. Do Your Part and reduce your exposure today.

BPA can be found in plastic food containers.  Any time you buy foods or liquids in plastic check the bottom. Avoid plastic marked number 7 because it usually contains BPA.

Another way BPA gets into your house is in canned goods.  The chemical is used in the liner of the cans and can  actually leach from the liner into the food itself.  Seek out cans labeled “BPA-free” or choose food items packaged in safer materials.

Glass and ceramics are safer materials.  Use them to heat up foods in the microwave to avoid any risk of BPA leaching into your foods.

Many baby bottles and pacifiers used to be made with BPA. Now, many manufacturers have changed this but it’s still important to look for baby products labeled BPA-free.

And, be careful how you handle certain store receipts. BPA shows up on receipts printed on thermal paper. If you can make an outline with your nail..it probably has BPA on it.

And don’t forget about those reusable water bottles. You want those to be BPA-Free too.  bottom line? Reducing BPA exposure is an important way to create a healthier home for you and your family. Do Your Part to make sure it doesn’t contaminate your food, your body, or our planet.

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Terri’s Top 7 Green Cleaning Secrets

Getting a deep, green clean means a healthier home and a healthier family. Terri shares her ‘Top 7 Green Cleaning Secrets’ to help you Do Your Part today!

1) White Vinegar Works Wonders

White vinegar is a natural disinfectant that works just about everywhere. Mix a half-and-half solution of white vinegar and water for a germ-busting disinfectant to clean kitchen counters, bathrooms, and even most floors. Add 1 cup of vinegar to your dishwasher to clean out its inner workings. Or cook ½ cup of vinegar with 1 cup of water in your microwave to loosen stuck on food and grease. One warning, don’t use vinegar on marble or other porous surfaces.

2) Baking Soda Solutions

Baking soda works well on most things in the kitchen because it doesn’t scratch. That makes it a good choice for countertops, oven tops, stainless steel, and the sink. If you have stubborn stains, make a baking soda paste. Just use 3 parts baking soda and one part water. Let it sit for awhile, scrub the area, and then wipe clean. And baking soda is also an excellent deodorizer for carpet. Sprinkle with baking soda, let stand for at least fifteen minutes, then vacuum.

3) Tackle Bathroom Blues with Borax

Borax is an effective mold killer and works well on hard water deposits. Use a paste to scrub the sides of the tub to a sparkling white, or mix a solution of 1 cup of borax with 1 gallon of warm water to eat away at mold in tile grout. Let 1 cup of borax sit in the toilet bowl overnight, and swipe it clean with a toilet brush the next morning.

4) Chose Air Fresheners Which Don’t Pollute

Most popular air fresheners contain dangerous ingredients like formaldehyde. Many times, they will also contain VOCs which can slowly emit toxic chemicals for years. Fresh air, baking soda (sprinkled in everything from garbage cans to tennis shoes), and soy candles are healthier options.

5) Green Your Laundry Routine

Green up laundry day by switching to a phosphate-free plant-based detergent. For softer clothes add ¼ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle as a natural fabric softener. For a more efficient use of energy and water, only wash full loads and set the water temperature to cold.

6) Break the Paper Towel Habit

Paper towels are made from the trees. Wean your family off of paper towels by keeping a drawer of reusable clothes. You can make your own by cutting up old t-shirts and towels, or invest in new sustainable bamboo dish clothes. Whatever you choose, the key is in quantity. Make sure you have plenty of options on hand for wiping down the counters or cleaning up a unexpected coffee spill.

7) Safely Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste

Household Hazardous Waste includes common household items like old paints, used motor oil, batteries and more. These items should never be thrown in the trash where they can contaminate the land and water. Do Your Part and take your household hazardous waste to a proper recycling facility in your area. To find one near you, search for “Household Hazardous Waste” at Earth911.com.

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Dirty Grout Got You Down? Try Terri's Tested Method

Do you have tough grout stains you’re dying to get rid of? Do Your Part to get it clean without any harsh and toxic cleaners. I’ve done the dirty work for you and tested three different methods to see what works best.

Take a look at what the grout looks like ‘before’ we started cleaning. You can see the stains and grime between the tiles. So, first I created a paste made of a safe, non-toxic oxygenated bleach along with water. I put it along one line of grout.

Then, I created a paste of baking soda and bleach.  I don’t normally recommend bleach for job like these because there are safer and less toxic options but I wanted to see a side-by-side comparison.

Finally, I tested another area with a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.  I scrubbed them all and let them sit for an hour.

The oxygenated bleach and the chlorine bleach did the best so I would go with the oxygenated bleach because it’s safer. Remember, you don’t need to load up on toxic chemicals when you do a deep clean.  Instead, Do Your Part to make a healthier choice.

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The Main Sources of Pollutants at Home Could Surprise You

Do you know what’s in your home right now that’s polluting the air you breathe? Rodale reports that scientists at the Silent Spring Institute analyzed roughly 200 common products to get the answer. Here are their top 3 main sources of toxic chemicals:

1) Fragranced Products
That includes soaps, shampoos, dryer sheets, air fresheners, and more. Companies don’t usually have to reveal the chemicals used on their ingredient list either.

2) Vinyl Curtains and Bedding
Products made from vinyl (think shower curtains and pillow protectors) may contain hormone disrupting phthalates and BPA. And it’s tough to shop for ones without it because most aren’t properly labeled.

3) So-called “antibacterial” products
These days there are everything from antibacterial soaps to socks. Many of these products contain the controversial ingredient Triclosan. Not only can that ingredient cause health problems but our obsession with killing germs is creating a rise in drug resistant bacteria.

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Antibacterial Ingredient Declared Toxic – But Not Here!

Canada is about to declare Triclosan, a controversial chemical found in many antibacterial products, as toxic to the environment. Triclosan was created more than 40 years ago as a surgical scrub for hospitals. It is now found in commonly used products like soap, toothpaste, furniture and toys. Several scientific studies have shown the chemical may alter the regulation of hormones in lab animals. The FDA says other studies have shown triclosan may contribute to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics.

Canada.com reports that once Canada makes that declaration, health officials will begin work to phase out triclosan especially in personal care products.

Meantime, half of all liquid hand soaps sold in the U.S. are antibacterial or antimicrobial. The FDA plans on reviewing the safety of triclosan in the coming months. Right now, the FDA says the agency does not have sufficient evidence to recommend changing consumer use of products that contain triclosan.

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What's the Best Time to Sell Your iPad2?

Are you thinking of trading in your iPad2 for the next iPad that’s expected to be released in the coming months? NextWorth.com, an electronic trade-in site, predicts there will be a steep decline (20-25 percent) in the value of the iPad2 in couple of weeks before the iPad3 is unveiled which is expected to happen in early March. They’ve looked at similar trends with the first iPad and the iPhones. NextWorth takes unwanted electronics to recycle and says they will guarantee and lock in their prices for 21 days. Visit NextWorth.com for more information on selling back your device for top dollar.

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