tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24836622085087081832024-03-13T23:15:17.846-07:00Two Green Boots Walk with me along trails that lead to green, eco-friendly living on a budget. Watch your step!Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.comBlogger529125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-65427648663146151462020-11-11T08:00:00.005-08:002023-06-06T21:46:38.258-07:00Is My Latest Shower Cleaner Really Green? The Borax Dilemma<p>I developed my latest shower cleaner after I ran the dishwasher... in 2013.</p><p>I just didn't know it yet. </p><p>Seven years ago, I wrote about a <a href="https://www.twogreenboots.com/2013/04/cheap-green-dishwasher-detergent-recipe.html" target="_blank">dishwasher detergent recipe</a> I found that used only 2 ingredients: Borax and baking soda. I loved it. Not only did it clean my dishes, but it whitened my dishwasher, as well. It was cheap, effective, and green.</p><p><b><i>Could this work in the shower, as well?</i></b></p><p>The answer, generally speaking, is yes. Equal proportions of baking soda and Borax are quite effective at cleaning a shower. Borax is a natural mineral that's ground into a powder. Its rough texture works well for scrubbing away soap scum. Both that and baking soda are salts, so they also increase cleaning capacity by softening the water.</p><p>I could see this effectiveness as I scrubbed the mixture onto the bath ledge. The white powder quickly turned gray, while the white became brighter.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qQWND6FVpbI/X6nCyCVALTI/AAAAAAAAaiU/4EDxA2iSsWYMZLlErjbLJyhgSLia9-8AwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20201029_180712077.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="bath ledge with coalesced gray powder" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qQWND6FVpbI/X6nCyCVALTI/AAAAAAAAaiU/4EDxA2iSsWYMZLlErjbLJyhgSLia9-8AwCPcBGAsYHg/w320-h240/PXL_20201029_180712077.jpg" title="gross shower residue" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>It was pretty gross.</i></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I was thrilled...</p><p>Until I noticed one problem.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Borax no longer had the same green support it had in 2013!</b></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yk0e3691dIY/UVmdQqcHbuI/AAAAAAAAJFc/Hq2NqZ53UgMbQHKu8kmEnndie6in-qYBACPcBGAYYCw/s593/nooo.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="female stick figure screaming NOOOO!!!" border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="593" height="277" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yk0e3691dIY/UVmdQqcHbuI/AAAAAAAAJFc/Hq2NqZ53UgMbQHKu8kmEnndie6in-qYBACPcBGAYYCw/w320-h277/nooo.png" title="screaming no" width="320" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i><p></p><p>When I tested the original dishwashing powder, the Green World was shouting Borax's praises. It was <i>the</i> green addition to any cleaning solution.</p><p><b>So what changed?</b></p><p>I went searching online, and most of what I found didn't change my mind about Borax. Multiple websites and blogs gave reasons for believing Borax was a bad choice, but none backed up their reasons with actual research. In fact, the vast majority simply linked to yet another blog that talked about the horrors of Borax... again with no evidence. </p><p>I wasn't impressed.</p><p><b>Some screamed that Borax was poison. </b></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H2zxnCMhUrM/X6xrZ7bLmZI/AAAAAAAAajM/kQU3OTPl4iAi_3jXYXB6HaAHtJ0xe1Y0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/poison-4662212_640%2B%25281%2529.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="green bottle with a poison symbol on it holding green fluid with brown fumes coming out" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="431" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H2zxnCMhUrM/X6xrZ7bLmZI/AAAAAAAAajM/kQU3OTPl4iAi_3jXYXB6HaAHtJ0xe1Y0QCLcBGAsYHQ/w216-h320/poison-4662212_640%2B%25281%2529.png" title="poisonous" width="216" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image via Pixabay</span></i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><p></p><p>This, indeed, is a fact. One of its many uses is a pesticide, after all! </p><p>I hunted down studies that specifically mention Borax within their trials, rather than boric acid (not even close to the same thing) or boron, and found that the mineral <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0041008X72900373" target="_blank">can cause harm in rats</a> at extremely high levels. </p><p>Of course, for that poison to affect someone, they would need to consume a large amount of it or at least coat their skin with it for an extended period. Since I don't plan on gargling with it or do I plan on using a Borax face mask, I'm not particularly concerned about this. </p><p>Furthermore, there are plenty of poisons that are considered green. "Green" is not the same as "safe for human consumption," after all.</p><p><b>Of course, there's also open pit mining involved.</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PBpY2ROYCZ0/X6xseH3E6jI/AAAAAAAAajY/vA1-HqiVg_M8FIOxEC-Zh7Lus-x8YAnFACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/pithead-40620_640%2B%25281%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="black and white drawing depicting mining machinery" border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="640" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PBpY2ROYCZ0/X6xseH3E6jI/AAAAAAAAajY/vA1-HqiVg_M8FIOxEC-Zh7Lus-x8YAnFACLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h265/pithead-40620_640%2B%25281%2529.png" title="how borax is mined" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>This is pretty significant. <p></p><p>At first, one might think that open pit mining is no more damaging than any other type of mining, and if you were solely speaking about human safety, you'd be correct. It's much safer for human workers than shaft mining since it reduces the chance of toxic gasses or cave-ins. It's also <a href="https://sciencing.com/open-pit-mining-pros-cons-12083240.html" target="_blank">cheaper and more efficient</a> than other methods. </p><p>But that's where the benefits end. You see, open pit mining can have a significant impact on the environment. To quote <a href="https://web.mit.edu/12.000/www/m2016/finalwebsite/problems/mining.html#:~:text=This%20type%20of%20mining%20is,the%20open-pit%20mining%20process." target="_blank">Mission 2016: The Future of Strategic Natural Resources</a> from MIT,</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><blockquote><span style="color: #d74b02;">Environmental hazards are present during every step of the open-pit mining process. Hardrock mining exposes rock that has lain unexposed for geological eras. When crushed, these rocks expose radioactive elements, asbestos-like minerals, and metallic dust. During separation, residual rock slurries, which are mixtures of pulverized rock and liquid, are produced as tailings, toxic and radioactive elements from these liquids can leak into bedrock if not properly contained.</span></blockquote><p></p></blockquote><p>Unfortunately, if you continue reading to the end, it becomes abundantly clear that not just open-pit but <i>all</i> forms of mining are destructive to the environment. It does mention, however, that increasing government regulation to reduce damage would help and that programs companies enact to do this can actually pay for themselves.</p><p>Win-win.</p><p>Interestingly, <a href="https://agriculture.borax.com/boron-us-borax/who-is-us-borax/sustainable-agriculture" target="_blank">20 Mule Team</a>, which is this nation's largest producer of Borax, has recognized this need. It works on reducing both water and energy consumption at its Rio Tinto mine. Hence, even though pit mining <i>is</i> environmentally damaging, steps are being taken to reduce that impact.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--RsTvweIMKQ/X6xs8eF-8lI/AAAAAAAAajg/oCw1MBYssFQ8tTK_d8M_2SQdoLnCxJfeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/boron-4300486_640%2B%25281%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="blue and black chemical symbol for boron, showing atomic weight" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--RsTvweIMKQ/X6xs8eF-8lI/AAAAAAAAajg/oCw1MBYssFQ8tTK_d8M_2SQdoLnCxJfeQCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h240/boron-4300486_640%2B%25281%2529.png" title="boron" width="320" /></a></div><p>Further, boron, a key component of Borax, is also an essential nutrient that is sometimes used to help fertilize crops. In fact, 20 Mule Team brand Borax is approved by <a href="https://www.omri.org/omri-search?page=1&query=20%20mules%20team" target="_blank">OMRI</a> for use in organic farming in cases of soil micronutrient deficiency (Boron specific). </p><p><b>So what's the verdict, then?</b></p><p>Ultimately, the decision, as always, is up to you. It depends on how much you trust the company's decision to work toward a sustainable future. 20 Mule Team has worked harder than most to produce a lower-impact mine, but there <b>is</b> still an impact. </p><p>Open-pit mining is definitely a negative quality, but the flip side is that Borax is a much less toxic option than most cleaning products out there. Borax definitely works, so you'd be unlikely to waste any.</p><p>Personally, I'll continue to use it--in small doses. However, I'll also continue my hunt for a truly green shower cleaner that actually works well. Have I made a good decision, or would you choose differently? Why?</p>Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-16369081833395701472020-11-02T08:00:00.022-08:002023-06-05T21:05:17.225-07:00How to Prove You Slept Through Chemistry: My First Shower Cleaner Recipe Tested<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I</b></span> went through countless recipes, taking down website addresses and ingredients. I was determined to find something that would fit every <a href="https://www.twogreenboots.com/2020/10/is-diy-shower-cleaner-that-actually.html" target="_blank">requirement</a> for the perfect shower cleaner. My fingers happily bounced across the keyboard, typing out ingredients, and then...</p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>baking soda, vinegar, dish soap...?!</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">Oh, dear.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I recognized this recipe, and so, I imagine, did you.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Basic chemistry teaches us that baking soda and vinegar combine to create a fun little reaction in which you get a slight bubbling over of ingredients. I love to do this to clean my sink drain every couple of weeks.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>But dish soap!</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">You probably remember that kid from the elementary school science fair: the one that took their time molding the perfect sculpture of a volcano, then added baking soda inside the "spout." They poured the fluid into the spout, and BAM!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FBsOJ7elfoQ/X5HFiuNtkoI/AAAAAAAAaUw/-cYHlsUzw6IOVDk79EGrb-0FNd7ZCLvqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/new-zealand-volcano%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="volcano venting a lot of steam" border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="640" height="209" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FBsOJ7elfoQ/X5HFiuNtkoI/AAAAAAAAaUw/-cYHlsUzw6IOVDk79EGrb-0FNd7ZCLvqwCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h209/new-zealand-volcano%2B%25281%2529.jpg" title="New Zealand volcano" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image by Julius Silver from Pixabay</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: left;">A large amount of froth spewed out of the volcano sculpture. The adults all made impressed noises, and the kid got a B for effort because it was supposed to be an experiment, not a demonstration. We all loved watching that volcanic demonstration, though. </p><p style="text-align: left;">So what does this story have to do with the recipe I discovered, you ask?</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>That fluid mixture was a combination of vinegar and <i>dish soap</i>.</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">I spent a few moments trying to decide whether the person that created this recipe was joking or if she slept through 3rd-grade chemistry. After perusing the page, I decided it was the latter. </p><p style="text-align: left;">You see, the dish soap is what really made me pause. Even combining vinegar and baking soda doesn't faze me because the resulting bubbles are mild and short-lived. </p><p style="text-align: left;">When you mix dish soap with vinegar, however, the baking soda/vinegar explosion becomes more potent. The more the dish soap blends with the vinegar, in fact, the more exciting the reaction becomes.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I was always careful to abide by science fair rules and never did the volcano demonstration. That left a gap in my younger self's experiences. Therefore, I decided to play with the ingredients and see just how big of an explosion I'd get. </p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63PokEWtVnk/X5HIAhsv5lI/AAAAAAAAaVk/ApSsIJXJARIA55QqV8L9LC5RktnCcYetQCPcBGAsYHg/s1920/PXL_20201016_221538776_exported_37017_1602892556494.jpg"><img alt="blue fluid being poured into a baking soda filled measuring cup" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63PokEWtVnk/X5HIAhsv5lI/AAAAAAAAaVk/ApSsIJXJARIA55QqV8L9LC5RktnCcYetQCPcBGAsYHg/w320-h180/PXL_20201016_221538776_exported_37017_1602892556494.jpg" title="pouring fluid" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-svba8jkQj1Q/X5HHtgnSSQI/AAAAAAAAaVA/5w5gAEd01rYHfB2Uhu_UcntCcqq0-i7rACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20201016_221700040.jpg"><img alt="frothing white mixture covering a large area around a measuring cup in a sink" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-svba8jkQj1Q/X5HHtgnSSQI/AAAAAAAAaVA/5w5gAEd01rYHfB2Uhu_UcntCcqq0-i7rACPcBGAsYHg/w320-h240/PXL_20201016_221700040.jpg" title="fun with chemistry" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>As you can see, this isn't a particularly good idea for a shower cleaner, but it <i>does</i> provide entertainment for yourself, as well as any children currently being remote-schooled in your home!<div><br /></div><div>And speaking of children, I found a great article on <a href="https://www.funathomewithkids.com/2014/08/how-to-get-best-baking-soda-and-vinegar.html" target="_blank">Fun At Home With Kids</a> that gives parents a great idea for how to teach chemistry to their young ones using a baking soda/vinegar demonstration--with dish soap! The author goes into detail about the science behind this reaction.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, <b>don't use any recipes calling for this ingredient blend</b> if you're planning to make shower cleaner, and stay tuned for my next shower cleaner test!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p></div>Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-87167025205823073272020-10-26T08:00:00.002-07:002020-10-26T08:00:03.298-07:00Is DIY Shower Cleaner That Actually Works Just a Hopeless Fantasy?<p><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7xDHG5v-egA/X4nf6mfeAjI/AAAAAAAAaKc/5MqISfcEAQMvg646WODkLeyb-5pB-1HEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/spray.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="blue bottle spraying a clear fluid" border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1280" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7xDHG5v-egA/X4nf6mfeAjI/AAAAAAAAaKc/5MqISfcEAQMvg646WODkLeyb-5pB-1HEgCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h212/spray.jpg" title="spray bottle" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />I</span> have an addiction to shower spray. </b><p></p><p>This is not the same as being addicted to <i>shower cleaner</i>, however, and I think it's important to separate the two.</p><p>Shower spray is simple. You finish bathing, then you grab a bottle and spray the heck out of the walls, tub, and fixtures. You do this in the hope of not having to actually grab a sponge and scrub.</p><p></p>Unfortunately, this is a very expensive, wasteful, and futile addiction, and just like any other addiction, the end results don't match up to the dream. No matter how diligently you spray, eventually the tub and shower walls need a full cleaning again.<div><br /></div><div>To make matters worse, finding a good shower spray is just about impossible during this pandemic. When I go to the store - any store - I have a choice of a) a store brand, or b) another store brand. </div><div><br /></div><div>While I swear by many of those for my staple supplies, shower spray is not one of them. I'm extraordinarily picky, because I don't want to waste any effort on cleaning any more than necessary. That goes double for actual shower cleaner!<br /><p></p><p><b>I HATE cleaning!</b></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5INEe74RboA/X4iuZeuGsCI/AAAAAAAAaKA/Huz8FvoN1AQgMQVVGnJfSeZdyMiYo2bEACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20201015_201152966.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="bisque wall with white streaks with white tub walls below" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5INEe74RboA/X4iuZeuGsCI/AAAAAAAAaKA/Huz8FvoN1AQgMQVVGnJfSeZdyMiYo2bEACPcBGAsYHg/w150-h200/PXL_20201015_201152966.jpg" title="Gross shower streaks" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Look at those gross, white, vertical <br />streaks on the wall!</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Back when I had a tiled shower, it wasn't so bad. Tile is actually pretty simple to clean, and that includes the grout. But these apartment showers with spray-on resurfacing work?<p></p><p>They never come clean, regardless of what I use. My shower cleaning job has become an incredible hassle, ands the results of this torturous labor are subpar.</p><p><b>I know I'm not alone in this. </b></p><p>Having worked apartment maintenance, I've seen what these showers look like when people move out after only 2-3 years, and it's not pretty. I also want to point out to you, if you're having issues with your own shower cleaning efforts, that it's most likely <i>not entirely your fault.</i> </p><p>The resurfacing job done on most apartment showers in between moves is very nice to look at, but hard to keep clean. Companies give out a long list of what <i>not</i> to do when you clean them, but little advice on <i>how</i> to clean them properly.</p><p>If you slack off, you're toast. It's that simple. Naturally, I couldn't effectively clean the shower for a few weeks, due to pregnancy and post-birth healing, so I ended up with a disaster zone. The right cleaner, however, could change everything.</p><p>That means I'm on the hunt, again. I want a shower cleaner that:</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Has earth friendly ingredients</li><li>Is easy to make</li><li>Uses few ingredients</li><li>Doesn't cost a fortune</li><li>Works well enough to make me stop whining.</li></ol><div>I'm not sure this exists. Especially that last part. I refuse to believe a working shower cleaner is just a fantasy, however, so let's take a look at the requirements.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #d74b02;">1. It's earth friendly.</span></h3><div>Keep in mind, earth friendly and natural are not the same thing. Just because something is man-made, doesn't make it a terrible choice. I may be green, but I'm not crazy! </div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #d74b02;">2. It's easy to make.</span></h3><div>This means that I'm not going to hunt down something that requires 3 different cooking methods and 5 hours to create. It needs to be done in under an hour, and not need a chemistry degree to accomplish.</div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ut_2kTfY21k/X4nhjZAkniI/AAAAAAAAaKo/OUL_-ANsreoP8XiyVc4vCtWOa-j7XBWuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/pharmacy.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="two rows or vintage glass bottles with chemical names" border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="1280" height="131" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ut_2kTfY21k/X4nhjZAkniI/AAAAAAAAaKo/OUL_-ANsreoP8XiyVc4vCtWOa-j7XBWuQCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h131/pharmacy.png" title="Vintage bottles" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image by Gerhard G. from Pixabay</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #d74b02;">3. There are few ingredients in the recipe.</span></h3><div>By few, I mean that it contains no more than 7 ingredients. Anything more is pushing things too far, and feels like a waste. 3-5 ingredients is ideal.</div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #d74b02;">4. It needs to be cheap.</span></h3><div>This needs to cost as much as, or less than, a large amount of shower spray.</div><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #d74b02;">5. It needs to produce a relatively pain-free cleaning experience.</span></h3><p>This is done to kick a shower spray habit, so it needs to be something that I won't balk at doing. It must take a short amount of time to complete, and it needs to use only a little elbow grease.</p><p><b>Can this be accomplished?</b></p><p>I'm hopeful, but unsure. I succeeded when I went on my search for a <a href="https://www.twogreenboots.com/2013/04/cheap-green-dishwasher-detergent-recipe.html" target="_blank">DIY dishwasher detergent</a>, and this success occurred after only one failure. This means that a shower cleaner that fits these specifications may exist. </p><p>Have you discovered a great recipe for one? Leave us some suggestions in the comments, and I'll be sure to try them! </p></div>Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-1992362288866036982020-10-19T08:00:00.067-07:002023-06-05T21:12:01.171-07:00How to Protect Your Baby from Microplastics<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b> I</b></span>t's scary, isn't it?</p><p>The idea that babies, in general, are consuming around <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/19/bottle-fed-babies-swallow-millions-microplastics-day-study" target="_blank">1.6m microplastic particles</a> per day is enough to panic most parents, myself included. This number was reported in a story published in the Guardian this morning.</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p7vUZ0SW-LI/X43RQNMnqgI/AAAAAAAAaP8/wCf6m9DlLXYs54FdZX2X5Yw4INxgz9DugCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/baby-bottle.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="baby being bottle fed by a woman with a ring on her right hand" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p7vUZ0SW-LI/X43RQNMnqgI/AAAAAAAAaP8/wCf6m9DlLXYs54FdZX2X5Yw4INxgz9DugCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h150/baby-bottle.jpg" title="plastic bottle feeding" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Image by Dirk (BeekiĀ®) Schumacher from<br /> Pixabay</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>This number is significantly higher than the World Health Organization's estimate for <a href="https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/microplastics-in-drinking-water/en/" target="_blank">microplastics in drinking water</a>, a report published last year.</p><p>As it happens, the procedures used to ensure sterile bottles and formula blending actually contribute to this microplastic fiasco:</p><blockquote><span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Guardian Text Egyptian Web", Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">"The team followed international sterilisation guidelines to make baby formula in 10 different feeding bottles. This involves sterilising with 95C (203F) water, then shaking the formula powder with 70C water in the bottle. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Guardian Text Egyptian Web", Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">Both the hot water and shaking steps produced a lot of microplastics, which are far smaller than the width of a human hair.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Guardian Text Egyptian Web", Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">" </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Guardian Text Egyptian Web", Georgia, serif; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Damian Carrington, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/19/bottle-fed-babies-swallow-millions-microplastics-day-study" target="_blank">The Guardian</a>)</span></span></blockquote><p>Yikes!</p><p>Fortunately, the scientists involved in the study theorized that adding one simple step to the end of the sterilization procedure brings this amount of microplastics down to a lower level. What's that step, you ask?</p><p><b>Boil some water, let it cool, and then use that water to rinse out the bottle a few more times.</b></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K4_V90TeQyw/X43UjP767-I/AAAAAAAAaQI/kqEhA48UfssBnm7A1xyOvIztM6PHdzLYwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/kettle-653666_1280.jpg"><img alt="copper tea kettle" border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K4_V90TeQyw/X43UjP767-I/AAAAAAAAaQI/kqEhA48UfssBnm7A1xyOvIztM6PHdzLYwCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h213/kettle-653666_1280.jpg" title="tea kettle" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Segoe UI", Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4b; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Image by Ken Boyd on Pixabay</i></span></span></div><b><br /></b><p></p><p>See? This really is a simple step. The water can easily be boiled and cooled while you're doing other things, which adds almost no time to your bottle sterilization process.</p><p>If this isn't enough for you, and you feel that even more steps need to be taken, there is always the idea of switching to glass bottles. They're definitely more environmentally friendly, and you don't need to worry about petrochemicals at all.</p><p>I'd like to point out, though, that glass is much heavier than plastic, which is really annoying at a 3:00 a.m. feeding. Also, babies like to throw things and bat them around. This means you'd have to be extra careful during feedings to ensure you don't end up cleaning shattered glass from the area.</p><p>Everyone wants to protect their baby from microplastics, but before you get a bit too worried about this new study, I want you to understand that this study was not evaluating whether this amount is dangerous for human consumption or not. And they also point out that many of the particles are automatically eliminated into their diapers.</p><p><b>The study does recommend more studies be done on the subject, but the authors want to be sure that nobody panics over this info.</b></p><p>And they're right. Panic does no good...especially when the authors don't know if this amount has any significant effect on human health. </p><p>Instead, as parents, we need to focus on what we can do in this moment. Take that one extra step and you protect your baby by reducing the amount of microplastics consumed. </p><p>And once you have that done, start pushing for new, eco-friendly options!</p><p><br /></p><p><i>*You can read the study abstract for free in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-020-00171-y" target="_blank">Nature Food</a>.</i></p>Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-16982230575209282182020-10-12T08:00:00.453-07:002023-06-05T21:23:15.322-07:00How to Compost Like a Boss Without Spending a Fortune<p style="text-align: center;"> <b><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;">Long, long ago</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">In a garden far, far away,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">There was a master composter</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">...</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQtIrJ0UV7Y/X4VJfu5LmgI/AAAAAAAAaFw/eibHsg1X0tosGbpQD-MCxOQt_PVX5peSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/compost-bin.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="rectangular wooden compost bin, filled to overflowing" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1209" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQtIrJ0UV7Y/X4VJfu5LmgI/AAAAAAAAaFw/eibHsg1X0tosGbpQD-MCxOQt_PVX5peSwCLcBGAsYHQ/w302-h320/compost-bin.png" title="Big composter" width="302" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Image by Francis Ray from Pixabay</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /><b>Ok, no. There was only me. But I was composting, so that counts...right?</b></p><p>Roughly 10 years ago, I created my own DIY composter. It worked pretty well, and I produced some killer compost. </p><p>It smelled like gardening heaven...or at least high-quality potting soil. And it saved money on the next season's garden since I had no worries about buying soil or even fertilizer.</p><p>We're at the end of another growing season, so I'm beginning again. This time, though, I'm not building my own composter. The reason for the change is that my original composter was too small. I needed something much larger.</p><p>Unfortunately, good composters can cost some serious money. At least, that's how it feels if you're out of work due to a pandemic. In this case, you have 2 options: find an incredibly cheap one, or make your own.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #d74b02;">Building Your Own Composter</span></h3><p>If you choose to build your own, find a design that's easy to turn. A barrel, a paint bucket, or some other rounded container can be rolled, whereas different shapes require you to expend more energy and use additional tools. </p><p>A rounded structure not only makes mixing the compost easy but also fun! I used to roll my compost bucket around the yard. It didn't <i>need</i> that much turning, of course. It was just an amusing way to enjoy the time spent.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lOqLAL5DCmE/X4YLE7He9aI/AAAAAAAAaG8/jdkHlK_jBBQxndEV6HZokuOK646IavTdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s448/simple-compost.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding-right: 2%;"><img alt="line drawing of a bucket with holes drilled" border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="424" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lOqLAL5DCmE/X4YLE7He9aI/AAAAAAAAaG8/jdkHlK_jBBQxndEV6HZokuOK646IavTdwCLcBGAsYHQ/w189-h200/simple-compost.png" title="simple compost" width="189" /></a></div>Also, make sure you incorporate holes for air. Oxidation is a must in any compost bin, which means you need good airflow.<p></p><p>If you don't care much about the aesthetics of your composter, a simple 5-gallon paint bucket and lid do the job in a pinch. That's how I created my first composter. </p><p>Drill some holes in the 12:00, 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00 positions, about 3-4 inches from the bottom, and then drill additional holes vertically every 3 inches. Your mini-composter is now ready to be filled.<br /><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #d74b02;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #d74b02;">Buying a Compost Bin</span></h3><p>Otherwise known as the lazy--and expensive--way. </p><p>Also known as the way I'm doing it <i>this</i> time. </p><p>I don't usually recommend or use this method, but a) I live in an apartment, so the composter can't take up much space, and b) I need something larger than a 5-gallon container. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bNc9NWBiKYE/X4dA50el75I/AAAAAAAAaIg/QEf1f_IGMxwdUVpbf8PUVt_JWn2f1_rUwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20201014_181650640.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="black hexagonal composter with a green sliding door" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bNc9NWBiKYE/X4dA50el75I/AAAAAAAAaIg/QEf1f_IGMxwdUVpbf8PUVt_JWn2f1_rUwCPcBGAsYHg/w200-h150/PXL_20201014_181650640.jpg" title="composter" width="200" /></a></div>Buying one is pricey, especially during a pandemic. I was fortunate, though; I got my new 18.5-gallon composter, priced at under $100, as a gift. It allows me to turn the compost easily, thanks to its hexagonal design. <p></p><p>Further, it's not ugly (which keeps the property management happy), it's sturdy, and it's one of the least expensive bins out there.</p><p>If you choose to purchase your composter and live in an apartment like I do, please be sure to use a blanket or tray to catch any water or dirt that leaks through the holes. This will save you from damaging anything...or dropping unwanted mess onto your downstairs neighbor's head!</p><p>Once you've chosen your compost bin, there are a few basics that you need to know to produce good compost.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #d74b02;">You need to begin with a good blend of materials.</span></h3><p>There are 3 material types to use:</p><p><b><u><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: medium;">Brown</span></u></b>: These are items like your dried leaves, paper, and biodegradable egg cartons. The key here is that even though these items are organic, like the green matter, they are dry. They help ensure you don't have a wet mess stinking up your area.</p><p><b><u><span style="color: #4aae15; font-size: medium;">Green</span></u></b>: This is the somewhat fresh-ish plant waste, like fruits, vegetables, and wilted garden plants. Do <b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">not</span></i></b> add meat to this mixture. It doesn't work well. Throw that in the trash or into the city compost bin if you have one. </p><p><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Dirt</u></b></span>: Just plain old dirt. It can be last season's garden soil, sand, or silt. It doesn't matter, as long as it's dirt. Don't worry about the presence or lack of nutrients; you're producing your own in the bin.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #d74b02;">Pay attention to your ratios!</span></h3><p>The optimal ratio of these 3 components is 1-2-1. Basically, you want 25% of the blend to be brown matter, 50% to be green matter, and the last 25% to be dirt. The closer you get to these specific amounts, the better off your results will be.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #d74b02;">Water is your best friend...or your worst enemy.</span></h3><p>Pay close attention to your moisture levels. Too little water causes your materials to compost more slowly. Too much moisture, however, will contribute to rot, which is disgusting. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k8N89eJyras/X4dJczqvDTI/AAAAAAAAaI0/XGOc9vGe6ZcFm4AoA76a-zReZ0ZUmDM7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/rotting-potatoes-185928_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="large group of rotting potatoes" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k8N89eJyras/X4dJczqvDTI/AAAAAAAAaI0/XGOc9vGe6ZcFm4AoA76a-zReZ0ZUmDM7ACLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h150/rotting-potatoes-185928_1280.jpg" title="Rotten potatoes" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image by Steve Theaker from Pixabay</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span> </span>And stinky.<p></p><p><span> </span><span> </span>And stressful.</p><p>If you ever feel that you need extra water in your mix, err on the side of caution and use a hand mister, but spray only once into the mixture. Wait a few days, and spray again if you're still not satisfied. Trust me on this. Going overboard is the worst thing you could possibly do.</p><p><b>This, in a nutshell, is all you need to know to compost like a boss. </b></p><p>If you really want to get things moving, then you can use a few additional tricks. Simply head over to my <a href="https://www.twogreenboots.com/2012/03/compost-party.html" target="_blank">compost party</a> post for some tips, along with more in-depth explanations about the process.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-29239257964097515532020-10-05T08:00:00.461-07:002023-06-05T21:24:25.797-07:008 Terrific Reasons that Reusable Period Products Are Better than Disposables<p style="text-align: center;">Disposables:</p><p style="text-align: center;">They either make you feel like you're wearing a diaper or cause you to constantly check for leaks. </p><p style="text-align: center;">At times they dry you out. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Discomfort is a constant companion. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>Disposable period products are, as a whole, a complete tragedy, and yet we still use them. Fortunately, there are better options if you're willing to try them. Menstrual cups, cloth pads, and period panties are a few excellent examples.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7BR_dEhRc70/X4DwafhgKII/AAAAAAAAZ8M/cZHiMK5M2TARKyE1giLMPlP8lK1elzsAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/vanessa-ramirez-1560288.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="a gift box with menstrual cup, cloth pad, and cervical cup inside" border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7BR_dEhRc70/X4DwafhgKII/AAAAAAAAZ8M/cZHiMK5M2TARKyE1giLMPlP8lK1elzsAwCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h213/vanessa-ramirez-1560288.jpg" title="Reusable period products" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;"><i><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="color: #1a1a1a; text-align: start;">Photo by </span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@vanessa-ramirez-720987?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Vanessa Ramirez</a></span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="color: #1a1a1a; text-align: start;"> from </span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/pink-menstrual-cup-in-box-1560288/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span></i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />Back in 2012 I talked about my introduction to <a href="https://www.twogreenboots.com/2012/09/party-in-my-pants-wait-what.html" target="_blank">cloth pads</a>. I loved them at first, because they were comfy, super-absorbent, and cute. Over time, though, they faded, becoming much less cute, and became less comfortable, as well.</p><p><b>But that was over 8 years ago.</b></p><p>Thankfully, today's reusable period products have come a long way. But what exactly makes them so much better?</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #d74b02;">1. They produce significantly less waste than their disposable counterparts.</span></h3><p>To quote an article called <a href="https://stanfordmag.org/contents/planet-friendly-periods" target="_blank">Planet-Friendly Periods</a> from Stanford Magazine, </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span face="Lora, sans-serif" style="color: #2e2d29; font-size: 19px; letter-spacing: 0.2px;">"In the United States alone, approximately 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampons are discarded each year." </span></p></blockquote><p> That's a significant load of trash clogging our landfills, but reusable period products are a great way to decrease it. </p><p>Menstrual cups, for example, last up to 10 years. This means that since a woman generally has 38 years <span></span></p><a name='more'></a>worth of periods, she only needs to buy 4 cups during her entire life. <p></p><p>Cloth pads are another reusable product to consider. On average, they last up to 5 years if you use solely pads for your period. If you use another method as well, the lifespan increases.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #d74b02;">2. No more plastic touching your sensitive bits.</span></h3><p>Most brands of pads <i>and</i> tampons contain a small amount of plastic. Particularly, you can find polyethylene and propylene. Even that string used to remove a tampon contains plastic. </p><p>If you didn't know that, don't worry. Most people don't. Neither did I. </p><p>In fact, I ran to my bathroom to grab the remaining box of tampons that I had saved in the cabinet for... well, a very long time... and read the ingredient list.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21qb7MbO9I4/X4SasS9SIHI/AAAAAAAAaEU/ekdjSx74D1UwFKuOloaESz9RkOYCYlChgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20201012_172120022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ingredients in english and french showing polyethylene and polypropylene" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21qb7MbO9I4/X4SasS9SIHI/AAAAAAAAaEU/ekdjSx74D1UwFKuOloaESz9RkOYCYlChgCPcBGAsYHg/w200-h150/PXL_20201012_172120022.jpg" title="Ingredient list" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">And this brand doesn't use a plastic applicator!</span><br /><br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Yikes! </p><p>Pads are even worse: roughly 90% of a pad is <a href="https://friendsoftheearth.uk/plastics/plastic-periods-menstrual-products-and-plastic-pollution" target="_blank">composed of plastic</a>. Cloth pads, on the other hand, can be bamboo, cotton, or hemp. Use what you choose. And a good silicone cup is another great non-plastic choice. I use Saalt brand, but there are many others, as well.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #d74b02;">3. Cheaper over time than disposable products.</span></h3><p>It's true that the initial cost of around $20 can feel overwhelming. You're used to spending around $7 for a box of tampons. However, the costs balance out after just 3 months. For the other 117 months of a menstrual cup's lifespan you end up saving money.</p><p>These savings are true for cloth pads, as well. I bought a ten-pack of the smaller pads so that I could use them on light flow days, because using a menstrual cup for a teaspoon or two of fluid seems like overkill. This cost me only $10. </p><p>That means that I average about $4 per year for period products over time($2 for the cup, $2 for the pads)... far less than if I chose disposables. This is true even though I'm buying double the necessary amount by using 2 different types of period products.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #d74b02;">4. An end to waddling and chafing for that one week every month.</span></h3><p>Those disposable pads seriously suck the moisture right out of you. They're uncomfortable, thick, and over time can cause an itching or burning sensation. If you use a super-absorbent pad, you're essentially sticking a gigantic pillow covered with a plastic mesh bag between your legs.</p><p>Nobody wants that.</p><p>And tampons? Try removing one of those things within a couple of hours of when you applied it.</p><p>No, I take that back. DON'T. The sensation is agonizing. Again, they wick far more moisture than is necessary, and with painful results.</p><p>Reusable cloth, however, is soft and absorbent, but not so absorbent that you feel like you'll never be comfortable again. </p><p>And a menstrual cup? There is no sucking of the moisture from your vaginal cavity walls. It collects only what it needs to. No more, and no less.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #d74b02;">5. You have multiple choices both in type and composition</span></h3><p>As previously stated, You have many fabric choices with menstrual pads. There are different sizes, as well. </p><p>Do you want bamboo fleece with a textured topper, size large? You can find that. A great place to learn more about cloth pad fabric composition is the <a href="https://clothpads.wordpress.com/buying/buying-cloth-pads-fabrics/" target="_blank">clothpads</a> website.</p><p>There are also different menstrual cup shapes, sizes, and compositions. Besides medical grade silicone, you can also find elastomer (a material that has elastic properties) and latex. Some cups are long and skinny, some are short and fat, and some of them are a mix of the two. You can even find them in different colors!</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #d74b02;">6. No more cotton bits irritating your vaginal cavity.</span></h3><p>We've all seen the recalls. Many times, bits of cotton remain behind after removing a tampon, leaving you with irritated vaginal walls. You end up suffering a burning redness in silence, because talking about your reproductive system is a ridiculous taboo in our culture.</p><p>Menstrual cups, however, don't contain any fabric bits of any sort, which means that tampon irritation is a thing of the past.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #d74b02;">7. Lower risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome</span></h3><p>According to an article from <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/menstrual-cup-dangers#potential-risks" target="_blank">Healthline</a> about the risks associated with menstrual cups, </p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">"TSS as a result of tampon use is rare. It's even more rare when using menstrual cups." </span></i></p><p style="text-align: left;">In fact, at the time this article was written and reviewed (March 27, 2019), only <i>one</i> instance of TSS had ever been reported. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #d74b02;">8. Reusable pads are <i>cute</i>.</span></h3><p>You have multiple designs to choose from, or you can just go with a basic unicolor choice. </p><p>Some people scoff at this reason, claiming they don't need pretty period products, but my view is different. I prefer to do what makes me happy, and if happy means wearing primary color swirls in my pants, then you know what?</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O8VPlQXkqrI/X4UtEXmnEPI/AAAAAAAAaFY/R51HUrL760k5OhJcCfdnW2EGiX4nqb8AgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20201012_221900109.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="gray bamboo inner and swirls of color on the outer portion of a reusable pad" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O8VPlQXkqrI/X4UtEXmnEPI/AAAAAAAAaFY/R51HUrL760k5OhJcCfdnW2EGiX4nqb8AgCPcBGAsYHg/w150-h200/PXL_20201012_221900109.jpg" title="cute cloth pad" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Because we all deserve to swirl on</i></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Swirl on, I say. Swirl on.</p><p>With so many reasons to choose from, is there any reason not to give up disposables and start on the path to a sustainable future? Reusable period products are a simple and cost effective way to feel better, both physically and emotionally. </p><p>Challenge yourself to say goodbye to the old, expensive, wasteful days, and welcome in a new, cost-effective, and sustainable tomorrow.</p><p><br /></p>Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-73296480708425886422020-09-28T08:00:00.106-07:002020-10-20T12:38:06.809-07:00How to Build a Perfect Cardboard Shoe Rack on the Cheap<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>L</b></span>iving during a pandemic means suddenly acquiring more boxes than you used to. Rather than going out to a physical store, you simply order what you want or need. Now add an infant into the picture. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Big boxes. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Little boxes. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Boxes on the floor, under the table, even on an exercise bike.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tZSVTs7F7V4/X3y2pmIiO5I/AAAAAAAAZyI/czDf-dLd8ygMcwmW3Tr7JwwFrC8O7_2vACPcBGAsYHg/s4608/IMG_20201002_102005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="multiple cardboard boxes surrounding a vintage exercise bike" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tZSVTs7F7V4/X3y2pmIiO5I/AAAAAAAAZyI/czDf-dLd8ygMcwmW3Tr7JwwFrC8O7_2vACPcBGAsYHg/w320-h240/IMG_20201002_102005.jpg" title="boxes everywhere" width="320" /></a></div><br />The apartment is clogged with boxes, and the apartment community's recycling containers are always full, because everyone else has a cardboard clogged apartment, as well.<p></p><p><b><i>So what in the heck do you do?!</i></b></p><p>You build an architectural masterpiece... or, at least a much-needed shoe rack.</p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a>Well, ok... that's not exactly the way I decided on the idea. Rather, I went searching for things to create using cardboard boxes. I found stools, storage bins, race cars, all sorts of interesting projects. <p></p><p>The problem, though, is that I wanted to create something useful to me. While building things like a cardboard play kitchen or race car sounds like fun, they're not particularly useful ideas. </p><p>But then I found a post from the Family Handyman on ways to <a href="https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/12-brilliant-ways-to-reuse-cardboard-boxes/" target="_blank">reuse cardboard boxes</a>. The third item on the list was a gorgeous shoe rack! And boy, did I need it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H8La4vcdCus/X39uNQD0VtI/AAAAAAAAZ4Y/9shbiyWs7Z4bgJTYZXGIYRM2ToJ7cEVgwCPcBGAsYHg/s4608/IMG_20201002_100714.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="entryway with shoes strewn all over" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H8La4vcdCus/X39uNQD0VtI/AAAAAAAAZ4Y/9shbiyWs7Z4bgJTYZXGIYRM2ToJ7cEVgwCPcBGAsYHg/w320-h240/IMG_20201002_100714.jpg" title="Shoe mess" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The idea was simple:</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Cut and fold pieces of cardboard into equilateral triangles.</li><li>Use tape to secure the triangles.</li><li>Tape those triangles together to form a rack.</li></ol><div>"This is a breeze! <i>Anybody</i> can do this. I'm so there!" I thought to myself.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yeah... </div><div>No.</div><p></p><p>Shoe Rack Approach Number One:</p><p>It just so happens that I can't fold cardboard into an equilateral triangle to save my life. Furthermore, Using the right kind of tape is extremely important. </p><p>It became clear to me that I needed to re-think my approach. Folding was not an option.</p><p>I now present you with Shoe Rack Approach Number Two: </p><p>Cut cardboard pieces that are a decent length longer and wider than your foot. Make sure they're all the same height and width. Tape the three sides together to form an equilateral triangle.</p><p>This approach seemed to work at first, but then I discovered an issue: While my running shoes fit into the spaces marvelously, my hiking boots were a bit too large for the final shape.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J25gRx76kfg/X39xvkAjOYI/AAAAAAAAZ4k/jX-SQLHiefIrZgoK8wgoPAP1U4m5KdodACPcBGAsYHg/s4608/IMG_20201002_115549.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="a black and pink hiking boot unable to fit inside a cardboard receptacle" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J25gRx76kfg/X39xvkAjOYI/AAAAAAAAZ4k/jX-SQLHiefIrZgoK8wgoPAP1U4m5KdodACPcBGAsYHg/w320-h240/IMG_20201002_115549.jpg" title="Tiny cardboard receptacle" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Well, I cut several rectangles before making this discovery, so I couldn't scrap what I'd done - that would be significant waste. </p><p>Thankfully, opportunities are created when mistakes occur. This incorrectly sized result actually produced the perfect idea: Customizable shoe cells! Ok, that sounds weird. I know it does.</p><p>Let me explain.</p><h3 style="color: #d74a00; text-align: left;">Cut rectangles that are both longer and wider than your foot. </h3><p>In my case, I chose to size them at 5.5" x 12" each, because that was the size of the first box flap I chose. Do this in multiples of threes. </p><h3 style="color: #d74a00; text-align: left;">Use tape to secure them together.</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCna7-wOOmk/X3901lf1AJI/AAAAAAAAZ4w/8TDlCyHCT30M8DdlT8sIIOKaIhSUqSsxQCPcBGAsYHg/s4608/IMG_20201005_150930.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="a completed triangular receptacle with tape on all connected sides" border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCna7-wOOmk/X3901lf1AJI/AAAAAAAAZ4w/8TDlCyHCT30M8DdlT8sIIOKaIhSUqSsxQCPcBGAsYHg/w240-h320/IMG_20201005_150930.jpg" title="secured cardboard" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Here's where I should point out that it's important to choose a good, sturdy tape that works well with cardboard. I used multipurpose tape, which was a very bad choice. The tape has proven to separate fairly easily during this project. This may be due to the high humidity that we have in Northwest Washington.</div><h3 style="color: #d74a00; text-align: left;">Now tape the cardboard triangles together. </h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bzwUGaHAWw/X391r2fnTMI/AAAAAAAAZ48/zue220rfeJQVlwPQ0Ch6nHo2Usc7jZ_7wCPcBGAsYHg/s4608/IMG_20201005_151015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="three completed cardboard triangles attached to each other" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bzwUGaHAWw/X391r2fnTMI/AAAAAAAAZ48/zue220rfeJQVlwPQ0Ch6nHo2Usc7jZ_7wCPcBGAsYHg/w320-h240/IMG_20201005_151015.jpg" title="completed shoe rack section" width="320" /></a></div><p>Alternate the triangles' directions to get a solid row. This actually ends up as a very strong design.</p><h3 style="color: #d74a00; text-align: left;">Finally, customize your shoe rack.</h3><p>Pay special attention to staying within your chosen size parameters. you can customize your shoe rack to create the number of rows you want, as well as specific row sizes and lengths. You can even mix and match the sizes to fit your needs.</p><p>As was previously stated, I measured without thinking about my boots. Obviously, this design would be horrible for me without customization... so I doubled the size of some of my rectangles to produce a larger shoe cell.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bVy85Y_LDjw/X4C6j666oaI/AAAAAAAAZ7k/FrWRuHWowSEPBGBNDjgazHs7AglyASqVACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20201009_062836543.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Multiple triangles in two different sizes fit together to make a single shoe rack" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bVy85Y_LDjw/X4C6j666oaI/AAAAAAAAZ7k/FrWRuHWowSEPBGBNDjgazHs7AglyASqVACPcBGAsYHg/w320-h240/PXL_20201009_062836543.jpg" title="Completed shoe rack" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Slippers and light sandals are small enough to fit in a single triangle.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><b>So exactly how cheap is this?</b></p><p>Well, the cardboard costs nothing. Use what you have laying around. The tape is the only expense. I used multipurpose tape, which cost me $2.24. </p><p>This is great, but in the future I'll go ahead and add an extra dollar to that amount and buy some duct tape. Humidity was an issue for me, and I don't want a repeat. It allowed the tape to come loose in areas where it doubled over itself, weakening something that would otherwise be structurally sound.</p><p>There's also one huge, added benefit: I got rid of all of that clutter, and can finally use my vintage exercise bike again.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VaYAPf4FSVk/X4C7ZoMawyI/AAAAAAAAZ74/LlEx5jZotrU1rEkTxKU1eHVn8I8LxyzFQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20201009_193359003.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="vintage exercise bike with no cardboard surrounding" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VaYAPf4FSVk/X4C7ZoMawyI/AAAAAAAAZ74/LlEx5jZotrU1rEkTxKU1eHVn8I8LxyzFQCPcBGAsYHg/w320-h240/PXL_20201009_193359003.jpg" title="Clean bike area" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Score!!!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Have you made a shoe rack using cardboard? Did you create one using some other material that you found laying around your home? </p><p>Please share your own experiences with us. Let us know what you did, as well as anything that you would change about your end result. </p>Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-35051505396382024992020-09-26T16:00:00.003-07:002020-10-20T12:29:54.576-07:00Can You Believe What California Just Did for the World?<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IqZyUXBYa2c/X3A3eyoydtI/AAAAAAAAZrs/MbMtE3enHsM26mMVeXGasoAHX8LSJeD5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/plastic-heap-magda-ehlers-2547565.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="plastic bottles, yogurt containers, bags" border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="133" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IqZyUXBYa2c/X3A3eyoydtI/AAAAAAAAZrs/MbMtE3enHsM26mMVeXGasoAHX8LSJeD5QCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h133/plastic-heap-magda-ehlers-2547565.jpg" title="plastic trash" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; text-align: start;">Photo by </span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@magda-ehlers-pexels?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Magda Ehlers</a></span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; text-align: start;"> from </span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-plastic-bottles-2547565/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <i>"Hey, check this out." My boyfriend began reading to me from across the room. "California passes first in nation plastic recyc-"</i><p></p><p><i>"And?" I rolled my eyes. I was still disgusted, because <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/09/11/897692090/how-big-oil-misled-the-public-into-believing-plastic-would-be-recycled" target="_blank">plastic recycling isn't nearly as helpful</a> as we've all been led to believe. "Unless we force companies to use recycled plastic at a decent rate, it won't really matter how much we throw into the recycling bin."</i></p><p><i>"'...requiring plastic beverage containers to contain an increasing amount of recycled material.'" He plodded on, ever patient.</i></p><p><i>"Wait, what?!"</i></p><p>It turns out that he was reading about <a href="https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/09/25/california-passes-first-in-nation-plastics-recycling-law/" target="_blank">recycling legislation</a> that truly <i>is </i>first-in-the-nation. </p><p>On September 24, 2020 Governor Gavin Newsom signed <a href="http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB793" target="_blank">Assembly Bill No. 793</a> into law. It states that beverages sold in plastic containers must contain a specified amount of post-consumer material, effective January 1, 2022.</p><p>What are those specified amounts? There are actually a few different levels that will be added to the Public Resources Code, increasing by date.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>January1, 2020 - December 31, 2024: at least 15% </li><li>January1, 2025 - December 31, 2029: at least 25%</li><li>January 1, 2030: at least 50%</li></ul><div>An overwhelming amount of plastic is ending up in our waterways. The knowledge that one state is demanding that companies do something to curb that devastating waste makes me feel hopeful about plastic recycling yet again. </div><div><br /></div><div>California is the first state to do this, but many more may follow in its footsteps. Which do you think will be next?</div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-8547480713446434382020-09-21T08:00:00.001-07:002020-10-20T12:29:19.161-07:00How to Stop Wasting So Much Energy + Save Time and Money<p><i></i></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6Ovay6ydac/X3JZgYE5grI/AAAAAAAAZs4/lcJn6xfFyH8QI89poa05d1ZNb5NK7mCEACLcBGAsYHQ/s1916/stovetop-cottonbro-3298605.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="steaming pot on a stovetop" border="0" data-original-height="1916" data-original-width="1280" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6Ovay6ydac/X3JZgYE5grI/AAAAAAAAZs4/lcJn6xfFyH8QI89poa05d1ZNb5NK7mCEACLcBGAsYHQ/w134-h200/stovetop-cottonbro-3298605.jpg" title="boiling fluid" width="134" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; text-align: start;">Photo by </span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@cottonbro?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">cottonbro</a></span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; text-align: start;"> from </span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-cooking-in-pot-3298605/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><i><br />Whether anybody likes to admit it or not, we Americans are energy hogs. As a maintenance tech, it seemed like every apartment I walked into had every electrical outlet in use, complete with surge protectors. </i><p></p><p><i>I've lost count of how many times I had to explain that there was nothing wrong with a person's electrical lines. They were simply drawing more power from a single circuit than it could handle. When that happens- Zzzt! The power goes out.</i></p><p><i>Quit overloading the circuits!</i></p><p>Obviously, the above situation costs a great deal when energy bills come around, but that's not where you find a home's worst energy consumption. And don't worry, I'm not going to tell you to wrap up your water heater, or buy a new one, either... even though it would help.</p><p><b>Instead, let's talk about the kitchen.</b></p><p>In particular, I want to talk about how we prepare food. Since gas stoves/ovens use natural gas to heat, I'm not going to talk about them... it's pretty obvious that they're not doing the Earth any favors. Plus, my professional and personal experience mostly deals with electric.</p><p>Electric kitchen ranges draw insane amounts of power to do simple tasks like boiling water for ramen. Now, I haven't gotten rid of my oven, and I still use it sometimes. I've simply reduced my usage. </p><p>Significantly.</p><p><b>So how did I reduce my own electric bill, thereby saving money and reducing my carbon footprint at the same time?</b></p><p>It was easier than you think, and I'll tell you how (and why) to do it.</p><h3 style="color: #d74a00; text-align: left;">Use a modern pressure cooker.</h3><p>Don't go and grab the pressure cooker that your grandfather stored in the garage 2 decades ago. Those old ones are dangerous.</p><p>Instead, get a modern pressure cooker. While I have an Instant Pot, there are many others that are just as good. These modern beauties reduce cooking time and consume less energy than an oven or stovetop. Sometimes they even produce better results for those of us don't have a culinary degree.</p><p>Their energy savings are pretty significant. As an example, I'll do the math for both an electric oven and my 6-quart Instant Pot. The calculation is as follows:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">(Appliance wattage) / (number of hours in use) = watt hours per day</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">(watt hours per day) / 1000 = Kilowatt hours per day, or kWh</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If we want the <i>monthly</i> amount of energy used, though, we must take it one step further.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">kWh * 30days in a month = kWh per month</span></p><p>In an oven, it takes me an hour to bake a 5 pound chicken, plus an extra 15 minutes for pre-heating. </p><p>With my pressure cooker, the same chicken cooks for 25 minutes with a 15 minute pressure build-up time. There's also a 5 minute quick-release of pressure (I get impatient).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PnDr2TawCQI/X3Os_WUSQCI/AAAAAAAAZt8/N1-Cq4n9LH4_I5g34rxvVayC7q3SN38zQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/chicken-lukas-616354.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Roast chicken sitting on a bare wooden surface with a spoon and fork on either side" border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1280" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PnDr2TawCQI/X3Os_WUSQCI/AAAAAAAAZt8/N1-Cq4n9LH4_I5g34rxvVayC7q3SN38zQCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h212/chicken-lukas-616354.jpg" title="roast chicken" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Photo by </span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@goumbik?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Lukas</a></span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> from </span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/chicken-cooked-cuisine-cutlery-616354/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>To do the calculations, I'll use the average oven wattage of <b>2400 watts</b>. My Instant Pot uses <b>1000 watts</b>. I'll also assume that my cook times are the same every day for a full month for both devices.</p><p>When plugging all of these numbers into the equation, we get a total of 57.6 kWh when using the oven for a full month. The pressure cooker uses only 40 kWh each month. </p><p>As you can see, this is <i>an energy savings of roughly 31%</i>.<br /></p><h3 style="color: #d74a00; text-align: left;">Or even better, use a microwave.</h3><p>I know what you're thinking... microwaves are for reheating, or for quick, tiny, pre-packaged foods. You used to be right.</p><p>But not anymore.</p><p>Today you can find countless <a href="https://tasty.co/article/christinebyrne/nuke-your-food" target="_blank">microwave recipes</a> that are both tasty and healthy. The microwave is faster than either the oven or the pressure cooker. In fact, a small one uses approximately 600watts, so you're talking about mega-savings.</p><p>Of course, a small microwave won't cook a chicken, but you win some and lose some, right?</p><p>But!</p><p><b>Perhaps you're really not interested in changing your cooking method.</b></p><p>No worries. you can still save energy and money by taking a few more quick steps.</p><h3 style="color: #d74a00; text-align: left;">Quit opening that oven door!</h3><p>I know how difficult this can be, especially if you don't have a window on your oven. My own is like this. But try to hold back. </p><p>You see, <a href="https://www.thekitchn.com/quick-tip-keep-the-oven-door-c-77104" target="_blank">every time you open that oven door</a>, you decrease the oven temperature. This decrease can be as much as <b><i>150 degrees</i></b>! That means you need to wait even longer to eat, because the oven needs to get back up to the proper temperature.</p><p>So please, for the sake of your hungry family, just leave it closed.</p><h3 style="color: #d74a00; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CxnlumBJ7sM/X3S6mlbiEQI/AAAAAAAAZvQ/fsvFUm6A8usHOZ8bN5Bvm34YwNI6oqJEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/stove-3729044_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A worn, off-white, vintage oven with the door half open" border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CxnlumBJ7sM/X3S6mlbiEQI/AAAAAAAAZvQ/fsvFUm6A8usHOZ8bN5Bvm34YwNI6oqJEgCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h213/stove-3729044_1280.jpg" title="open oven" width="320" /></a></div><br />Clean your oven.</h3><p>A clean oven is a happy oven. No, really! <a href="https://www.localexpertcleaning.co.uk/reasons-to-keep-your-oven-clean/#:~:text=The%20main%20advantage%20of%20cleaning,leads%20to%20more%20even%20baking." target="_blank">Cleaning an oven</a> makes the heat distribute more evenly. The result? Better energy efficiency. </p><p>And while you're at it, keep the burner pans clean, as well. They reflect heat back at your pan, helping your food cook faster. Score!</p><h3 style="color: #d74a00; text-align: left;">Match the proper pan size to the correct burner on your stovetop.</h3><p>This is a big one that many people never consider. If you use a large burner to heat a small pan, you're wasting more energy than necessary. Much of the heat goes out into the surrounding air, rather than just the pan.</p><h3 style="color: #d74a00; text-align: left;">Use your lids.</h3><p>While you can't really do this if you're frying up something crispy, using the lid helps you build up heat faster, and retain that heat, as well. In fact, I'm always able to keep water boiling after placing a lid on a pot and reducing the heat to medium. Think about what that means for energy reduction!</p><p><b>Reducing our personal carbon footprint is so easy!</b></p><p>Not only are these all simple tasks, they also save you a great deal of money in the long run. Some even save you a significant amount of time. </p><p>Of course, there are many more ways to reduce our energy consumption in the kitchen. I've only listed a fragment of them. Add your own in the comments below and help make us all a little greener!</p>Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-78126333794601005782020-09-14T08:00:00.002-07:002020-10-20T12:26:46.453-07:00Save Money and the Environment by Spicing Up Your Garden<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7VU86zthIg/X20I4TOkIGI/AAAAAAAAZpE/vYKscTFhUeYnm8OW6i-F3n98KTmA5SPkwCPcBGAsYHg/s4608/IMG_20200820_101604.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="single large leaf holding water, potted taro plant" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7VU86zthIg/X20I4TOkIGI/AAAAAAAAZpE/vYKscTFhUeYnm8OW6i-F3n98KTmA5SPkwCPcBGAsYHg/w320-h240/IMG_20200820_101604.jpg" title="taro leaf" width="320" /></a></div><br /><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">"A</span>sk your uncle if you need any oregano. I've got too much over here." I smiled at the neighbor's nephew and waved while holding a few sprigs of the aforementioned herb.</i><p></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>"Ok, I will. It's like you have a whole big garden over there, or something!" He responded with amazement.</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>As I looked back at all my plants, I understood what he meant. He didn't actually mean a garden. It doesn't take many plants to call something a garden. What he meant was that it was like I have a whole </i>farm<i> on my balcony.</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>And he's not wrong. My apartment balcony is home to 25 different plants. All of them are edible, with the exception of one. Don't worry - nobody wants to eat my tiny azalea bush. Fruits, vegetables, and herbs transform my balcony into a mini forest, complete with its own pint-sized eco-system.</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><b>What we're focusing on today, though, is the herbs.</b></p><p><br /></p><p>At first, gardening doesn't seem like a process that would save you money. Seeds sometimes cost more than the produce that you buy in the grocery store. I'm talking about you, Mr. Bell Pepper Seed that only gave me 2 ping ping ball sized fruits! </p><p>And buying young plants at a nursery? You can spend less by getting your herbs in bulk at the grocery, depending on the variety.</p><p><br /></p><p>But!</p><p>If you do it right, you become victorious.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SJQFQvcy-2I/X21rxcgMrjI/AAAAAAAAZp4/R1-Q75Z6_S8IYaU3-BKL897POGXbibGLACPcBGAsYHg/s4608/IMG_20190724_120440.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One corner of a balcony garden overflowing with plants" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SJQFQvcy-2I/X21rxcgMrjI/AAAAAAAAZp4/R1-Q75Z6_S8IYaU3-BKL897POGXbibGLACPcBGAsYHg/w320-h240/IMG_20190724_120440.jpg" title="edible garden" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Welcome to the Jungle!</span></i></div><p>Ok, not all of that is herbs. You get the point, though. A small amount can transform your garden into a chef's dream, with perfectly grown spices just waiting to be plucked for your next meal.</p><p><br /></p><p>How does this save money, you ask? The trick is to choose the right herbs. </p><p><br /></p><h3 style="color: #d74a00; text-align: left;">Only Plant What You Plan on Using</h3><p>Yes, I know this seems obvious, but you'd be surprised just how often you go to buy basil, but come out with chives, peppermint, stevia... and basil... in 3 different varieties. It's important to think about what you use. Don't distract yourself with all the other seeds that are calling out to you in their sweet, dulcet tones.</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="color: #d74a00; text-align: left;">Choose Perennials When Possible</h3><p>These herbs are the givers of the plant world. Every year you prune then, snip them, constantly remove sprig after sprig, and they keep coming back for more. They're a one-time expense, which means that even if you spend a decent amount of money on one, it'll pay for itself after a season or two.</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="color: #d74a00; text-align: left;">Only Pick Annuals if Saving Their Seeds is Easy</h3><p>A good annual for your herb garden is one that enjoys spreading its seeds all over its pot. Plants with this characteristic ensure you have a good supply growing every season. </p><p>Most basils are annuals. So are cilantro and dill. The hardest part of caring for these herbs is having the patience to wait for a sprig or two to go to seed.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Growing your own herbs is a small step toward protecting our environment, as well.</b></p><p><br /></p><p>How, you ask?</p><p><br /></p><p>Think about how many miles the herbs you buy in the store have to travel. Most dried (and even fresh) herbs aren't sourced locally. The gas (or diesel) used to get them to your table weighs on the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. That's not all, though. </p><p><br /></p><p>Consider the packaging. Most of the time, herbs are packaged in plastic containers, or glass containers with plastic lids. I don't think you need to be reminded about the many problems associated with plastic production, or plastic waste.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j51EXCbkyxo/X211vkgrbtI/AAAAAAAAZqY/JPLnaQkomusyChdNz0gpcujrFdjD3xKxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/plastic-catherine-sheila.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="plastic bottle on beach. Photo from Catherine Sheila, Pexels" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j51EXCbkyxo/X211vkgrbtI/AAAAAAAAZqY/JPLnaQkomusyChdNz0gpcujrFdjD3xKxwCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h240/plastic-catherine-sheila.jpg" title="plastic trash" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">...but I did it, anyway.</span></i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>By planting your own herb garden, you not only save money over time, but do your part to save the Earth in the process. What could be better than that?</p><p>Plant that garden, and let me know what you plan to put in it. You may give me an idea for expanding mine in the future!</p>Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-11470279670493095042020-09-07T08:00:00.004-07:002020-10-20T12:25:41.600-07:00How Broken Glass Made Me More Eco-Friendly<p><i></i></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rg_n_qR0rto/X2-Sjw73GNI/AAAAAAAAZrE/5ddw7LKl5ugvYJFcOuDE4ORvWRyfogWBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/pexels-pixabay-broken-glass.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="broken wine glass on bare tabletop" border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="1280" height="161" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rg_n_qR0rto/X2-Sjw73GNI/AAAAAAAAZrE/5ddw7LKl5ugvYJFcOuDE4ORvWRyfogWBgCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h161/pexels-pixabay-broken-glass.jpg" title="broken wine glass" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image via Pixabay</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><i><br />In less than 24 hours, everything was moved out of my old apartment and into the new. The move was exhausting, and we didn't get much sleep, but it was done.</i><p></p><p><i>In fact, I was proud of myself this time. You see, I managed to get every box labeled by room, even though I wasn't the only one packing. It was the move to end all moves. Fast. Organized. Perfect.</i></p><p><i>But then I opened </i>that<i> box.</i></p><p><i>When I lifted the box labeled "</i>KITCHEN: glasses and bowls<i>", I heard an ominous</i></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span> </span>Clink </i></p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i> <span> <span> </span></span>Clink</i></p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Clunk</i></p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>and I knew I was in trouble. I opened a box and lifted a towel to find glass fragments twinkling up at me. Half of my drinking glasses were broken.</i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Well, so much for a perfect move!</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">At the time, I was having some money issues, so buying a brand new set of drinking glasses wasn't an option.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>I stared at the bottle of coffee on the counter.</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">You know the type of bottle I'm talking about: the prepackaged, pre-mixed coffee sold by companies like Starbucks. This particular brand had an easy to remove label. That wasn't the only part of it that made me smile, however. I also realized that it held the same amount of liquid as my broken glasses were created to hold.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I loved this cold coffee, which meant that I occasionally bought it for myself as a special treat. Now, though, it was <i>useful</i> as well.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I collected all the glass coffee bottles I bought, removed their labels, and washed them. Within a few months, I had a full set of drinking glasses, again. I continued, saving other glass containers that held food or drink products. Finally, I was able to store most of my leftovers in glass, rather than plastic.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qx3W6oSX4eg/X3DYi-cZ4vI/AAAAAAAAZr8/KHDS0FXUpcsNbqEhD4GGCKX5qNbtw43tQCPcBGAsYHg/s4608/IMG_20200925_163558.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-right: 5%;"><img alt="Tube shaped glass of milk on left, standard wide bottle on right, also holding milk" border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qx3W6oSX4eg/X3DYi-cZ4vI/AAAAAAAAZr8/KHDS0FXUpcsNbqEhD4GGCKX5qNbtw43tQCPcBGAsYHg/w240-h320/IMG_20200925_163558.jpg" title="reused glasses" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rice seasoning container on left, coffee on right</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"><br />Plastic is made using petrochemicals, and has a very high chance of releasing toxins into your body if it becomes unstable through overuse or overheating. Glass, though, remains safe and non-toxic. That's not all, however.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Choosing to re-use your glass containers is both eco-friendly and frugal.</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Take my forced re-usage as an example. </p><h3 style="color: #d74a00; text-align: left;">Glass containers can be re-used and repurposed in multiple ways.</h3><p style="text-align: left;">You see the photo of my new drinking glasses above. However, I also have a half-gallon milk jug that I use for iced tea, a salsa bottle that holds half & half, a chili oil jar containing pens and pencils, and so much more. </p><p style="text-align: left;">If you imagine a new purpose for your glass, you can bring that vision to life.</p><h3 style="color: #d74a00; text-align: left;">It's not only cheap, but saves money, as well.</h3><p style="text-align: left;">Think about it. Yes, you do have to buy the container, but you're not going out to buy some glass. You're buying pizza sauce, or salsa, or something else. It just happens to have a glass container. This means that many of your home purchases are non-existent.</p><h3 style="color: #d74a00; text-align: left;">Food grade glass is stronger than you think.</h3><p style="text-align: left;">That's probably the one thing I constantly hear about from people. </p><p style="text-align: left;">"It's so strong!" "This is stronger than my glasses at home!"</p><p style="text-align: left;">These containers withstand constant movement. They are stocked and re-stocked, customers pick them up, put them down, pick them up again, and drop them into their carts. They take a serious beating.</p><h3 style="color: #d74a00; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LAAMO9O727U/X3Dg_fitvGI/AAAAAAAAZsQ/61nqCd8vCd4fzGfi9cnvVb6ZESMnFljowCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/bottle-alisha-mishra-1346347.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="glass bottle holding a green smoothie with a red and white straw" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LAAMO9O727U/X3Dg_fitvGI/AAAAAAAAZsQ/61nqCd8vCd4fzGfi9cnvVb6ZESMnFljowCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h200/bottle-alisha-mishra-1346347.jpg" title="glass bottle smoothie" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo by Alisha Mishra via Pexels</i></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />It's guilt free.</h3><p style="text-align: left;">You're not contributing to the plastic islands floating around our ocean. If your glass container breaks, you can throw it out without fear of putting toxins into our environment. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Not only that, but if you simply get tired of it and dump it into your recycling bin, there's no guilt. Not only are you recycling it, you've also re-used and repurposed an item. Talk about eco-friendly!</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="color: #d74a00; text-align: left;">You have a great conversation starter.</h3><p style="text-align: left;">Whenever someone comes to my home for the first time, they'll hold up the glass bottle of water that I hand to them, and examine it with curiosity. They always want to know more about it, and many start re-using their own glass containers. Some talk about ways that they or a family member have repurposed glass in the past.</p><p style="text-align: left;">With so many ways to both save money and be eco-friendly simply by choosing not to throw out a few used food containers, everybody should want to. In what ways have you repurposed glass containers?</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></p><p></p>Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-80844494292186317902020-08-31T08:00:00.051-07:002020-10-06T11:16:54.091-07:00How to Save the Environment With Ease at Every Meal <p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CmlnV0IAD5c/X2vUUpZx5AI/AAAAAAAAZoE/w0k3YdRCIMIhnbQSPAkK-tpO-QN1mMSXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/checkered-serviette.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CmlnV0IAD5c/X2vUUpZx5AI/AAAAAAAAZoE/w0k3YdRCIMIhnbQSPAkK-tpO-QN1mMSXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/checkered-serviette.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></b></div>
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<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="e90as-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e90as-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="e90as-0-0" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">"Hey,</span><span data-offset-key="e90as-0-1" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span data-offset-key="e90as-0-2" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">can I have a napkin?" My friend yelled at me from the kitchen.</span></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="d1p0s-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="d1p0s-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d1p0s-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="b1qa-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="b1qa-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="b1qa-0-0" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">"Yeah, </span><span class="qualifier" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s ease 0s;"><span data-offset-key="b1qa-1-0" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">just</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="b1qa-2-0" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> grab one. They're on the counter." I responded from the other side of the house. </span><span class="hardreadability" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s ease 0s;"><span data-offset-key="b1qa-3-0" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">I was dealing with my screaming toddler, and if left to her own devices it was unlikely her high-pitched voice would soften any time soon</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="b1qa-4-0" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">.</span></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="6n1pt-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6n1pt-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6n1pt-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="fholn-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="fholn-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="fholn-0-0" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">"No, they're not. There's nothing here!" The </span><span class="adverb" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s ease 0s;"><span data-offset-key="fholn-1-0" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">increasingly</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="fholn-2-0" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> frantic voice called out again.</span></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="bn98k-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bn98k-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="bn98k-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="2i5s-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2i5s-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="2i5s-0-0" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">"Alright, hold on..." I grumbled, picked up my daughter, then walked into the kitchen. There </span><span class="passivevoice" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s ease 0s;"><span data-offset-key="2i5s-1-0" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">was iced</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="2i5s-2-0" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span> </span><span>tea dripping from the counter and onto the tile floor. I grabbed a napkin from the table and held it out to my friend.</span></span></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="3jgd3-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3jgd3-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="3jgd3-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="94kjd-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="94kjd-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="94kjd-0-0" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">"Wait,</span><span data-offset-key="94kjd-0-1" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> that</span><span data-offset-key="94kjd-0-2" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">?!" She squeaked in confusion.</span></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="6mgm1-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6mgm1-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6mgm1-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="4difd-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4difd-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="4difd-0-0" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">"Yes?" I replied, checking to see if my green cloth napkin </span><span class="passivevoice" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s ease 0s;"><span data-offset-key="4difd-1-0" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">was soiled</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="4difd-2-0" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">, or if a spider was crawling on it.</span></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="2n7ja-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2n7ja-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2n7ja-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="fvdh5-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="fvdh5-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="fvdh5-0-0" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">"But that's...</span><span data-offset-key="fvdh5-0-1" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> fancy</span><span data-offset-key="fvdh5-0-2" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">. I can't use that!"</span></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="2q5t5-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2q5t5-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2q5t5-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="cj9na-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cj9na-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="cj9na-0-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">This incident occurred roughly nine years ago. Similar exchanges still happen from time to time. </span><span class="adverb" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s ease 0s;"><span data-offset-key="cj9na-1-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Apparently</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="cj9na-2-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">, one should only use cloth dinner napkins for fancy occasions.</span></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="eaqm8-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="eaqm8-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="eaqm8-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="cqfu1-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cqfu1-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="cqfu1-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">I didn't get the memo.</span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="eh5uj-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="eh5uj-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="eh5uj-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="3nr1a-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3nr1a-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="3nr1a-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">In fact, I've used cloth table napkins for more than 11 years, and I've used them at every meal. Indeed, they make more sense than paper alternatives. Why, you ask?</span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="d86bi-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="d86bi-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d86bi-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div></div>
<h2 data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="c4qrm-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></h2><h3 style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: left;"><span data-offset-key="c4qrm-0-0" style="border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e6773e; font-size: large;">Less Waste: They last years before they need replacement. </span></span></h3>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="84vkd-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="84vkd-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="84vkd-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="fr1i7-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="fr1i7-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="veryhardreadability" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s ease 0s;"><span data-offset-key="fr1i7-0-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Data published by the </span></span></span><a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/275713/us-households-use-of-paper-napkins/#:~:text=The%20data%20has%20been%20calculated,used%20paper%20napkins%20in%202019." style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span data-offset-key="fr1i7-1-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Statista Research Department</span></a><span class="veryhardreadability" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s ease 0s;"><span data-offset-key="fr1i7-2-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> shows that approximately 241.33 million Americans used paper napkins in 2019</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="fr1i7-3-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">. </span></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="fr1i7-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="fr1i7-3-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">
Let's say that each person used only one 400-pack of paper napkins per year. This equals out to less than 2 napkins per </span><span data-offset-key="fr1i7-3-1" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">day, </span><span data-offset-key="fr1i7-3-2" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">at roughly 1.76 pounds per year. </span></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="fr1i7-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="fr1i7-3-2" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">
That's </span><span data-offset-key="fr1i7-3-3" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">424.74 million pounds</span><span data-offset-key="fr1i7-3-4" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> of napkins filling landfills every year! And remember, this estimate figures in at less than 3 meals worth of napkins in a 24-hour period. I'd say that estimate is pretty conservative.</span></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="fr1i7-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="fr1i7-3-4" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">
In contrast, cloth napkins add nothing to the landfills for years. I've only tossed one in the past decade, and only because a faulty washer shredded it.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="evsi7-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="evsi7-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="evsi7-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e6773e; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: -0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">You have a variety of textures and colors to choose from.</span></span></h3><div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="3rmcq-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div><div style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"><span data-offset-key="3rmcq-0-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Are you in the mood for smooth and green, rough and white, soft and paisley? Do you want cotton, bamboo, hemp, or polyester(yuck)? Casual or fancy? Search long enough and you'll find exactly what you're looking for.</span><br /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="7q3fv-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7q3fv-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="7q3fv-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e6773e; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: -0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">They take up a negligible amount of space in the washer.</span></span></h3>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="6ias5-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6ias5-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6ias5-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="21is3-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="21is3-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="21is3-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">This means that switching to cloth napkins produces no noticeable added energy consumption. A week's worth of napkins takes up the same amount of space as a pair of pants, or less, depending on how many you use. I never noticed a difference in my own laundry frequency after I switched to cloth napkins.</span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="1kbjk-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1kbjk-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="1kbjk-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e6773e; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: -0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">It's easier to clean away sticky food and grime with cloth than with paper.</span></span></h3>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="1htjp-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1htjp-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="1htjp-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="fb8i2-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="fb8i2-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="fb8i2-0-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Do you like chicken wings? </span><span class="qualifier" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s ease 0s;"><span data-offset-key="fb8i2-1-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Perhaps</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="fb8i2-2-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> toast with jelly? I'm a huge fan of sticky and oily foods. I know, I know... it's not the healthiest choice I can make, but who doesn't enjoy the occasional fatty food? </span><span class="adverb" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s ease 0s;"><span data-offset-key="fb8i2-3-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Fortunately</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="fb8i2-4-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">, I don't have to worry about picking pieces of stuck-on paper from my fingers. Cloth napkins are way more durable than their disposable counterparts.</span></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="8j6r0-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8j6r0-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="8j6r0-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e6773e; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: -0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">It's way cheaper than using the paper stuff.</span></span></h3>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="7evoh-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7evoh-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="7evoh-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="fii1v-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="fii1v-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span class="hardreadability" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s ease 0s;"><span data-offset-key="fii1v-0-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">While I bought my first pack of table napkins at a retail store (</span></span></span><span class="adverb" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s ease 0s;"><span data-offset-key="fii1v-1-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">probably</span></span></span><span class="hardreadability" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s ease 0s;"><span data-offset-key="fii1v-2-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Target), The rest came from a second-hand store, costing less than $2 per pack</span></span></span></span><span data-offset-key="fii1v-3-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">. Each pack had about 4-5 cloth napkins within it. Remember, I have used these for over a decade, and I'm not a particularly delicate person.</span></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="8d9kn-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8d9kn-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="8d9kn-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e6773e; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: -0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">You get to tell people amusing stories about your friends' reactions.</span></span></h3>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="cqrad-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cqrad-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="cqrad-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div></div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="7acb4" data-offset-key="8ut3j-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Libre Baskerville", serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8ut3j-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="8ut3j-0-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">I don't need to explain this one. </span><span class="hardreadability" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s ease 0s;"><span data-offset-key="8ut3j-1-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">That friend I talked about in the beginning wasn't the first person confused about my decision to use cloth napkins, and she wasn't the last</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="8ut3j-2-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">. Once people get over that initial shock they adapt. In fact, many express newfound interest in the subject!</span></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8ut3j-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="8ut3j-2-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">
Think about it. Not only is it an easy money-saver. It's also one way to do your part to save the natural environment from a growing problem. Human waste disposal.</span></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8ut3j-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="8ut3j-2-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">
These are</span><span><span data-offset-key="8ut3j-2-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="qualifier" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s ease 0s;"><span data-offset-key="8ut3j-3-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">just</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="8ut3j-4-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span><span data-offset-key="8ut3j-4-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">a few ways that cloth napkins save the environment while also saving money. I'm sure you can think of several more. List them in the comments below!</span></span></div></div>
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<div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<p></p>Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-26641407734812941262017-08-22T15:39:00.005-07:002023-06-05T16:14:57.158-07:0038 Years Later: Full Solar Eclipse 2017The last full solar eclipse visible from the United States was 38 years ago.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">38 years!!!</span><br />
<br />
Most of us don't remember anything, and many of us weren't even born. This latest eclipse, then, was a major event. The path of totality was rather thin, and there were many rumors that traffic to reach the path would be terrible. Here are some of the statements I heard:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>"Oh, a five-hour drive? Ha! Make that fifteen. The traffic is going to be insane!"</li>
<li>"I don't envy you that road congestion."</li>
<li>"Oh, you should've left Tuesday if you're going. There's already a 30-mile slowdown."</li>
<li>"Eh. I'll just stay right here and see the partial eclipse. Who needs to go through all that trouble?"</li>
</ul>
This small path ran along the US as shown below in this photo from <a href="http://www.eclipse2017.org/2017/maps.htm" target="_blank">Eclipse2017.org</a>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://eclipse2024.org/2017eclipse/2017/maps/whole-us.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="trajectory of the curved 2017 eclipse path in the USA from OR to SC" border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="800" height="254" src="https://eclipse2024.org/2017eclipse/2017/maps/whole-us.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; text-align: left;">I can definitely see why so many people were dissuaded from trying to find a point along the path. That's a tiny band, and the sweet spot was located along that itty-bitty blue line along the center of it. Well, these two green boots were </span><span style="text-align: left;">made</span><span style="font-style: italic; text-align: left;"> for opportunities like this!</span></div>
<br />
We went to Lincoln City, Oregon on August 21st and stayed overnight at the Chinook Wind Casino resort. It's a great place along the beach, which means spectacular viewing.<br />
<br />
And!<br />
<br />
<h3>
Lincoln City was also the first place in the United States that got to see totality. Score!!!</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
I actually did expect a bit of a slowdown getting there, so you can imagine my shock when there was no abnormal traffic to speak of.<br />
<br />
None.<br />
<br />
It was a nice, peaceful, uneventful drive. Aside from a few businesses advertising eclipse glasses, you wouldn't know anything out of the ordinary was happening at all.<br />
<br />
Of course, the next morning was different. I woke up to a parking lot full of vehicles, including two news vans.<br />
<br />
Now, the wait from the point at which the eclipse began (roughly 9:04 am) until the eclipse reached totality (roughly 10:16 am) was a bit long.<br />
<br />
<h3>
So what did people actually do to pass the time?</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
Well, many just... sat there... waiting. That was a bit too much sitting for someone like me that needed to keep moving, so I ran around, looking to see just how many people were there, what they were doing, how they were feeling, etc.<br />
<br />
Some people chose a spot on the beach, which seemed like a good idea, but... beaches along the Pacific Northwest have a tendency to be covered in fog.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D_hbuu10FyM/WZyrqXHn0RI/AAAAAAAAVCA/1AeC8b_BRYsBp89hvyf_xYjcOlAhhnNaACLcBGAs/s1600/almost-a-rainbow.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D_hbuu10FyM/WZyrqXHn0RI/AAAAAAAAVCA/1AeC8b_BRYsBp89hvyf_xYjcOlAhhnNaACLcBGAs/s320/almost-a-rainbow.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The fog was really working at becoming a rainbow!</i></div></i><div><i><br /></i><div> While this fog does look beautiful at times, it's still not the greatest for eclipse viewing. The moisture gets on your glasses, and it's... chilly! I was up in the parking lot with the majority of people.<br />
<br />
And it's a good thing I was!<br />
<br />
Had I been anywhere else, I may have missed what was undeniably a sight worth seeing. In order to pass the time while waiting for totality, one group of people danced! It definitely broke the monotony of all those... sitting... people.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aollEBmTHsk" width="320" youtube-src-id="aollEBmTHsk"></iframe></div>
<br />
These dancers really livened the mood, making an extraordinary event even more amazing!<br />
<br />
And the view of the sun throughout the process? Completely worth every moment.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HgyjRr0meBc/WZyt987xCpI/AAAAAAAAVCQ/F3f8PmgvAxIaWPnYrPnNEm617GGwzh5KQCLcBGAs/s1600/sliver-of-sun.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="829" height="366" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HgyjRr0meBc/WZyt987xCpI/AAAAAAAAVCQ/F3f8PmgvAxIaWPnYrPnNEm617GGwzh5KQCLcBGAs/w400-h366/sliver-of-sun.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this is what it looked like just a few minutes before totality.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
And what did we see during those two minutes of total eclipse? </h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ci2BoKUPA68/WZyuf0GO6XI/AAAAAAAAVCY/uOLGxQvqh7M-9W2FPnqygQdgm1OcQGm_gCLcBGAs/s1600/totality.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1432" data-original-width="1456" height="392" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ci2BoKUPA68/WZyuf0GO6XI/AAAAAAAAVCY/uOLGxQvqh7M-9W2FPnqygQdgm1OcQGm_gCLcBGAs/w400-h392/totality.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did mention it was foggy, right? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At this point, the eclipse glasses were worthless. With the sun completely covered, the glasses couldn't even track the thin outline. The photo above was taken without a lens, so the camera faced the full impact of light bouncing off of the fog.<br />
<br />
Even so...<br />
<br />
The world darkened, The casino's outdoor lights turned on, and the crowd cheered. Hearts were racing, and everyone seemed to join together in a single, indescribable joy.<br />
<br />
Did you make it to the path of totality? Tell us about it in the comments below. And while you're at it... head to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EvenGreenBootsLeaveTrails/" target="_blank">Green Boots Facebook</a> page and post your pics for everyone to enjoy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div>Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com1Lincoln City, OR, USA44.958164400000008 -124.017891444.778417900000008 -124.34061489999999 45.137910900000008 -123.6951679tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-58273312685995080832017-08-08T11:00:00.001-07:002020-10-19T15:55:15.280-07:00Green Boots Changeover: On Schedule!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GdiHp3ojWEE/X44ZS_HL6kI/AAAAAAAAaQw/ROHfMp7n6yUOjXXw_9CPpdCoH27lZ3RqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s276/greenbootslogo2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="262" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GdiHp3ojWEE/X44ZS_HL6kI/AAAAAAAAaQw/ROHfMp7n6yUOjXXw_9CPpdCoH27lZ3RqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/greenbootslogo2.png" /></a></div><br />I wanted to give everyone one huge, wonderful, and happy-making update on the progress of switching over Even Green Boots Leave Trails to its new, revived form. <div>
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Everything is on Schedule!!!</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You've probably noticed the name switch: Two Green Boots. While the name Even Green Boots Leave Trails definitely fits this blog, it's a wee bit long (ok... really long), and therefore hard to remember. Furthermore, trying to type that name into an address bar can be a great exercise in patience. Two Green Boots, however, flows much more easily, and is less likely to inflict an extreme case of Typo Terror.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sooo...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The name has been changed, a new logo has been created (Two green boot... prints!), DIY and article ideas are being researched, broken links are being mended, I'm in the process of making this theme responsive on mobile devices, and everything is on schedule...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
...even though I'm in the process of moving into a new home, again!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Like I said previously, I've really missed you guys. I look forward to once again seeing your comments and reading your emails. You mean quite a bit to me, and some of you even helped inspire blog posts that I never would have written otherwise. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">You rock!</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So now it's your turn, since this blog was created with you in mind. Send me an email, or reply in the comments below to give your opinion on what should be done. </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>What environmental issues are most important to you, right now? </li>
<li>What items do you want to re-purpose? </li>
<li>What home remedies are you interested in, but unsure of? </li>
<li>What visual properties of this website need a design change?</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>What changes do you want to see happen with Two Green Boots?</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-63040963316321612752017-08-02T01:03:00.000-07:002017-08-02T13:43:50.364-07:00Blowing Dust From the Green Boots<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been a while. A </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">r e a l l y</span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
long while since I last posted to the Green Boots.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
That needs to change. Now, more than ever before, we need to stand together to protect our environment. Let's get those green boots back out and blow the dust away, shall we? Tonight I begin the long process of bringing the blog back to life, and with your help, it'll come back even stronger than before.<br />
<br />
That "your help" part is actually incredibly simple. All <i>you</i> need to do is show up and read. Easy-peasy, right? I'm sure, however, that you have one big, burning question on your mind:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Why the long break???</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Actually, while I never gave up on the quest to go green through research and various projects, I stopped writing about it due to the upheaval involved in moving to new locations a few times. <i>Four</i> times, to be specific. Two different places in Minnesota, and two in Washington.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And I'm actually moving <i>again</i> later this month. Craziness, right?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
During the time I spent away from the Green Boots, I also learned web development. I'm not actively using any of the skills I learned on <i>this</i> site... yet... but if you're interested in seeing some of what I've done you can find my portfolio at <a href="http://www.cateyecoding.com/portfolio" target="_blank">CatEye Coding</a>. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
And on that subject...<br />
<br />
You can expect to see more about green technology in the future. I firmly believe that the responsible use of technology can help us build a more eco-friendly world, and I want to be a part of that.<br />
<br />
So...<br />
<br />
Here we go! I've got a lot of housecleaning to do with this website, and its name will be shortened to make it more memorable. Even Green Boots Leave Trails, after all, is a bit of a mouthful. I'm excited to get back and begin writing for you again!<br />
<br />
<i>Now that the Green Boots are coming back, what do you want to hear more about, and what projects are you interested in? </i><br />
<br /></div>
Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-4215561440067585732014-03-19T08:00:00.000-07:002014-03-19T08:00:00.650-07:00Easter is Coming! Make Some Cascarones!!! (Don't worry... I'll tell you how)<b><i>Easter is coming!!!</i></b><div>
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div>
Egg Hunting!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Grass!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Flowers!<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Okay, I'll be honest, I'm still staring at hills upon hills of snow, since the shores of Lake Superior are still covered with it. But! There are little tufts of grass poking out around the house, where the snow didn't pile as deep.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>And I can even see little daffodil sprouts!</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well, okay. That's a bit of truth-stretching. I did see daffodil sprouts, but the area is currently getting</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
even</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
more</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
snow.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>So they're covered again.</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But while I may be going a little stir crazy, waiting to be able to get out and do some gardening, I'm happy.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Because Easter is coming!!!</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have a special, little warm spot in my heart for that adorable Easter Bunny, as well as the joy of Easter eggs, and so I wanted to direct you to an old post of mine. Or rather... three posts. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Make your own cascarones!</span></i></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Cascarones are confetti filled eggs that children smash onto each others' heads on Easter morning. Now what could be more fun than that?!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Because cascarones aren't a well known tradition where I moved, I knew that the neighbors would be decidedly unimpressed if my daughter and I had fun with them and the confetti blew into their yards.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But we <i>did</i> have fun. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I just had to modify the cascarones a bit... and so I made them using bird seed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>So...</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here are the posts that tell you how to make your own using bird seed and homemade dye!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://evengreenbootsleavetrails.blogspot.com/2012/03/diy-cascarones-that-wont-anger-your.html" target="_blank">DIY Cascarones, Part One</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://evengreenbootsleavetrails.blogspot.com/2012/04/diy-cascarones-that-wont-anger.html" target="_blank">DIY Cascarones, Part Two</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://evengreenbootsleavetrails.blogspot.com/2012/04/diy-cascarones-that-wont-anger_02.html" target="_blank">DIY Cascarones, Part Three</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I love cascarones so much, in fact, that I placed them inside the Easter story that I just published, called Caron's Egg. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MdaYpmfMs3M/Uyj1jwzBW7I/AAAAAAAAJfU/qFg2m6r8MHk/s1600/Carons+egg+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MdaYpmfMs3M/Uyj1jwzBW7I/AAAAAAAAJfU/qFg2m6r8MHk/s1600/Carons+egg+cover.jpg" height="320" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J1LZDAG" target="_blank">Kindle link</a><br /><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/carons-egg-rebecca-w-foster/1118923339?ean=2940149278831" target="_blank">Nook link</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The story isn't focused on eco-friendly concepts. Rather, it's a short fictional tale about the latest Easter Bunny to appear in this world, and his fight against the Veil of Logic, an ethereal substance that threatens the existence of the many creatures of legend. You can get it as an ebook through either Kindle or Nook for only $0.99.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>And then go make some cascarones - the best type of Easter egg <i>ever!</i></b></div>
Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-44353475759899362902013-12-15T11:41:00.001-08:002013-12-15T11:41:22.889-08:00Why Has this Blog Been So Quiet?<i>So why have I been so quiet, lately? </i> Don't worry... nothing horrible has happened.<br />
<br />
<b>That is...</b><br />
<br />
Unless you consider taking time off to <i>publish a short story</i> just in time for Christmas to be horrible!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cs9gnGXEbw8/Uq4BrFHRuAI/AAAAAAAAJdg/KE3gas0RSms/s1600/letter+to+santa+frost+amazon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The cover is GREEN! It must be ok for a green blog, right?" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cs9gnGXEbw8/Uq4BrFHRuAI/AAAAAAAAJdg/KE3gas0RSms/s320/letter+to+santa+frost+amazon.jpg" title="Santa's Letter by R.W. Foster" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doing the happy dance!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
That's right. I took a break from writing the blog, but not from writing as a whole. Santa's Letter is currently on sale at Amazon's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H9TEJV6" target="_blank">kindle store</a>, as well as from <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/388218" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Don't worry this still kind of relates to this blog. </b><br />
<br />
In a strange, reaching for straws kind of way... I mean, sure, it's fiction... and sure, it seems like a far cry from Eco-friendly living... but in my defense, Santeclaus <i>is</i> a caretaker on a wildlife preserve... it's just a <i>magical </i>wildlife preserve.<br />
<br />
And he's fighting to save creatures from extinction.<br />
<br />
That's green. Right?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Right?!</i></b></span><br />
<br />
Ok, yeah... this is a shameless plug. I admit it.<br />
<br />
<i>But is it working?</i><br />
<br />
<br />Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-21038119172249251512013-08-29T09:00:00.002-07:002023-06-05T16:38:34.940-07:00Walk Your Dog in Natural Surroundings!I elected to start taking my golden retriever mix on walks along the Gitchi Gami bike trail, which runs along the highway beside my grandmother's house. He's awfully cramped up inside the room that we stay in, which is horribly unfair to him, and as you can imagine, the living situation has caused him to try to relieve his anxiety by chewing on...<br />
<br />
<b>Well, pretty much everything.</b><br />
<br />
He's stressed, and that needs to stop. So I started taking him for walks. This, after all, is much more environmentally friendly than, say, collars that smell like lavender or coats that hug a dog's body in an attempt to calm them.<br />
<br />
<b>Yep, those things really do exist.</b><br />
<br />
Walking on the bike trail, surrounded by nature, is much preferable. Aside from being more environmentally friendly, it's also healthier for both you and your pet. I mean, obviously, it's good exercise, but the benefits go beyond that:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Emotional Health</b></i></span> - Spending time outside in a natural environment relieves stress. Indeed, as stated by Prevention magazine,<div><br /></div><div>"Researchers found that people experienced the largest boosts to their mood and self-esteem after just spending five minutes outside doing some form of light exercise, like walking." (<a href="http://www.prevention.com/mind-body/emotional-health/spending-time-outside-relieves-stress" target="_blank">source</a>)</div><div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Intellectual Health</b></i></span> - Natural surroundings increase <a href="http://evengreenbootsleavetrails.blogspot.com/2013/05/nature-and-brain-creativity.html" target="_blank">creativity in children</a>, as I mentioned in a previous blog post, and the same applies to adults. Walking in natural surroundings frees your mind, allowing you to set it free. <br />
<br />
Still not convinced? You probably need to hear more about the benefits <i>specifically </i>related to walking your dog, right? </div><div>
<br />
<b>No worries. I would, too.</b><br />
<br />
In the beginning, your dog will drive you nuts. Dogs that aren't used to going out for long, those that are cramped up in a small space for too long, and those that are rarely on a leash can be a bit... unruly.<br />
<br />
<b>Aw, heck... </b><br />
<br />
They're just outright anger-inducing for their owners. Anyone who says differently is a liar. They pull at the leash, they bolt off toward every single movement along the path, and they jump in fear whenever anything even slightly removes them from their comfort zone. This naturally causes the owner to feel as though it isn't worth it.<br />
<br />
<b>But it is.</b><br />
<br />
Because after a while, your dog starts to fall into the rhythm of things. You begin to reveal your capabilities with...<br />
<br />
1. <b>Leadership. </b><br />
Your dog begins to realize that it goes where <i>you</i> decide, and it begins to pull on the leash less and less until eventually, no pulling happens at all. Your dog is finally happy. This happiness begins to grow, and you begin to acquire a state of...<br />
<br />
2. <b>Confidence.</b><br />
This confidence takes root during these walks with your dog in nature, true, but just like everything else that we find in nature, it grows. It expands. The confidence eventually becomes so strong that it expands out into other areas in your life, bringing you a greater sense of accomplishment in your life, overall. <br />
<br />
And it all happened because you forced yourself to get through the first steps, which took a lot of...<br />
<br />
3. <b>Patience.</b><br />
That's an important aspect of this, perhaps <i>the</i> most important, and it's not easy. My dog has an extraordinarily submissive personality. He wants someone to lead him, and he's not happy unless that's happening. It doesn't take a lot to get him to do what you want - pointing at him and saying "no" will cause him to stop whatever he's doing without a second thought.<br />
<br />
Yet even with him, it took about a week to get him walking on a loose leash at all times. Remember: He's highly submissive. It would take most dogs much longer to achieve this state.<br />
<br />
The trick is to focus on "your mission." In my case, it was getting us both to the boat launch, which is about a mile away. That took a few days, because he just couldn't handle the walk. He was used to doing absolutely nothing, remember?<br />
<br />
<b>Every dog is different, just as every human is different. </b><br />
<br />
Don't stress about how long it takes to get to the 'loose leash' point. My dog is <i>not</i> the norm. Most dogs will take longer to reach this state. My tiny, 15 pound dog still hasn't even come close to this state!<br />
<br />
<i><b>Give yourself - and your dog - a chance. Go out onto a hiking trail or bike trail, like I did, and go walk your dog out in natural surroundings.</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<br /></div>Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-64328669505803667432013-08-22T09:00:00.000-07:002013-08-22T09:00:06.633-07:00Blueberry Picking Madness!<i><b>Thursday I had a choice:</b></i><br />
<br />
A) I could stay home and write my blog post, or<br />
B) I could head off on a berry picking adventure.<br />
<br />
<b>As you can see, I chose B. </b><br />
<br />
See, first thing in the morning, as I was just finishing up my breakfast cereal, my cousin walked into the house and invited me off to go picking blueberries in some prime blueberry territory. <br />
<br />
Naturally, I raced off to grab my daughter so that we could go!<br />
<br />
<b>It was a very long drive. </b><br />
<br />
We headed even farther up North, up to the Tofte area, which is where Superior National Forest is located. The soil is particularly acidic, so blueberry plants grow in abundance.<br />
<br />
Evidently, the best indicator of proper acidity levels is pine tree growth, which means that we had to go off to an area loaded with pines... but not <i>too</i> loaded with them. Blueberry plants also have a preference for full sun. We therefore needed fields surrounded by pines.<br />
<br />
<b>So we drove for miles upon miles on the highway,</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNNwkDNpeQg/UhYbfw4hRLI/AAAAAAAAJbY/7I_mHJpo3w8/s1600/tofte+drive+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Highway through a dense forest " border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNNwkDNpeQg/UhYbfw4hRLI/AAAAAAAAJbY/7I_mHJpo3w8/s1600/tofte+drive+1.png" title="Blueberry Picking Madness!" /></a></div>
<br />
until we went off the paved road and onto the maintained dirt road,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4OrszRXOfes/UhYcH3pmoqI/AAAAAAAAJbg/y7AM1ZVM4JA/s1600/tofte+drive+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nicely oiled dirt road through the windshield" border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4OrszRXOfes/UhYcH3pmoqI/AAAAAAAAJbg/y7AM1ZVM4JA/s320/tofte+drive+2.png" title="Blueberry Picking Madness!" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
and then through the not-so-maintained dirt road.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2-JwZ8w8D0U/UhYcbDIpOgI/AAAAAAAAJbo/RkND4LdOqgI/s1600/tofte+drive+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dust clouds through the windshield as we drove" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2-JwZ8w8D0U/UhYcbDIpOgI/AAAAAAAAJbo/RkND4LdOqgI/s320/tofte+drive+3.png" title="Blueberry Picking Madness!" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
At last, we made it into the great blueberry fields of yummy goodness, and you could literally see the blueberries poking through the grass and pine needles from the moment you opened the car door. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wvdzC8Jhm6Y/UhYeZTmBCPI/AAAAAAAAJb0/SyVBQuLMN6k/s1600/blueberry+goodness.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Blueberry plants poking through pine needles and grass" border="0" height="287" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wvdzC8Jhm6Y/UhYeZTmBCPI/AAAAAAAAJb0/SyVBQuLMN6k/s320/blueberry+goodness.png" title="Blueberry Picking Madness!" width="320" /></a></div>
Naturally, we were there for hours. In the end, we ended up with nearly a full gallon of blueberries, even though my daughter's idea of picking blueberries was to pick them... from my basket!<br />
<br />
<b>There are a few important things to consider whenever you run off to pick blueberries in the wild, however:</b><br />
<br />
1) <i>Try to go with a group. If you go alone, make sure people know exactly where you're going. </i> This part is extraordinarily important. You have to realize that things can happen when you're in the wilderness... even in blueberry fields. Having a clear plan so that people know what to do if you don't return on time is important. <br />
<br />
2) <i>Don't take it all! </i> While finding a large patch of blueberries is a wonderful thing, you have to remember that you're not the only one that wants those berries. I'm not just talking people, either. I'm talking bears. And deer. Those berries serve a purpose beyond our own desire for healthy sweets, so ensuring plenty are left behind is just good common sense.<br />
<br />
3) <i>Drink lots of water. </i> This is where I tend to make my mistake: I bring water, and I drink it... I just don't drink enough. The dehydration causes headaches, and the overall experience is made less amazing because of that. Don't let that happen to you. Drink your water!<br />
<br />
When the trip is complete and you're back at home staring at your blue treasures, there's only one thing left to do:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Figure out what to do with it all!!! </b></i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DquVpQOi1w4/UhYlcTZnjaI/AAAAAAAAJcE/Vdz-q6xyyRo/s1600/blueberry+muffins.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade blueberry muffins a la wild blueberries!" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DquVpQOi1w4/UhYlcTZnjaI/AAAAAAAAJcE/Vdz-q6xyyRo/s1600/blueberry+muffins.png" title="Blueberry Picking Madness!" /></a></div>
<br />
(That's my great grandma's recipe, tweaked to make it my own. I'm considering posting the recipe, but it's a very finicky recipe that hugely changes in different altitudes and humidity. Yikes!)<br />
Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-13128071555624244972013-08-21T09:04:00.001-07:002013-08-21T09:04:40.391-07:00Blueberry Picking Joy!<div><p>Sorry about the lack of a post yesterday... I got the chance to head off to pick blueberries at a prime location and didn't want to miss my chance!!! Unfortunately, the post I sent to let everybody know about this didn't get posted... I'll tell you all about the experience tomorrow, though.</p>
<p>(Don't worry. I was not the one driving. This photo was taken in safety from the passenger seat!)</p>
<br/><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NPvCr_EXpnE/UhTk5Ro_dWI/AAAAAAAAJbI/0TUaYtkXdSc/IMG2752.png' /></div>Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-26014395855757693722013-08-17T09:00:00.000-07:002013-08-17T09:00:05.711-07:00Raspberry Delight!!!<b>It has been about a week since I last saw a wild strawberry.</b><br />
<br />
<i>::insert sympathetic noises here::</i><br />
<br />
There's a bit of good news, however. It turns out that strawberries aren't the only edible fruits that grow
wild around here. At some point in the past, raspberries elected to
start taking root in wild areas, and they can now be found in abundance. I found plenty just beginning to ripen
along the Gitchi-Gami bike trail.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0-Nr5kD1w3Y/Ug6DQ-6A_lI/AAAAAAAAJao/b99oYBaDqpY/s1600/raspberry+trail+discovery.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Raspberry perfection can be found in abundance along the Gitchi-Gami bike trail." border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0-Nr5kD1w3Y/Ug6DQ-6A_lI/AAAAAAAAJao/b99oYBaDqpY/s320/raspberry+trail+discovery.png" title="Raspberry Delight!!!" width="262" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Some, like the one above, were perfect specimens of what a raspberry should look like. Others, however, had as little as three or four perfectly ripened red seeds (seed pods? I have no idea what those little juice bubbles that surround each seed are called.), with immature bits alongside them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sucAlE4sQB8/Ug6FKaUTdlI/AAAAAAAAJa4/vfIUJohScdc/s1600/wierd+berries.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This berry looks odd, having only two juicy seed pods, but the pods are larger than on the average berry." border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sucAlE4sQB8/Ug6FKaUTdlI/AAAAAAAAJa4/vfIUJohScdc/s1600/wierd+berries.png" title="Raspberry Delight!!!" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The one above, for example, only has two seed pods that have ripened on the entire berry.<br />
<br />
The initial response, of course, is sadness. You think it's terrible that the berry will never reach its full yumminess potential, right?<br />
<br />
<b>Well, interestingly, the ones that look like this are the <i>best</i>. </b><br />
<br />
All of the juice... all of the <i>sweetness</i> gets trapped within those few little bits that actually end up significantly larger than what you would normally expect to see.<br />
<br />
The result? Pure delight. <br />
<br />
Correction: Pure delight that you don't have to work for, since it grows wild, free, and plentiful.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Score!!!</b></span><br />
<br />
This area continually amazes me. There's so much growing out here in "the boonies". So much wildlife. Beauty behind every tree stump, every bush, every rock. Indeed, the rural North Shore area is a place that makes you feel as though anything is possible if you're willing to rough it just a little.<br />
<br />
And perhaps I may.<br />
<br />
But until that time comes, I'll be happily nibbling on raspberries plucked from the forest.<br />
<br />
<b><i>In all honesty, though, can you blame me?</i></b><br />
Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-12958821397100792842013-08-15T09:00:00.000-07:002013-08-15T09:00:03.472-07:00Addicted to Junk, Rehabilitated By WaterHaving just read an article entitled, <a href="http://www.emagazine.com/blog/food-is-the-new-tobacco1" target="_blank">Food Is the New Tobacco</a> in E Magazine, I figure that now is probably a really good time to talk about junk food.<br />
<br />
<b>I know, I know... this is an environmental blog, not a food blog.</b><br />
<br />
I get it. <br />
<br />
But the two can sometimes be merged, and now is one of those times. You see, Jeffrey Hollender wrote about the New York Times article that appeared back in February, entitled <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/24/magazine/the-extraordinary-science-of-junk-food.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0" target="_blank">The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food</a>. This article focused on the science behind the food industry's success. It mentioned bliss thresholds that needed to be met, and it focused on the three pillars of the food industry: Salt, Sugar, and Fat.<br />
<br />
<b>So, how exactly does this fit into the environment?</b><br />
<br />
Well, we, as a nation, are addicted to processed foods. We've gotten away from local foods, from fresh foods in general, in an effort to eat things that hit our bliss threshold. We're doing exactly what those food companies want us to, and we're doing it without a second thought.<br />
<br />
<b>By harming our bodies, we're harming the environment.</b><br />
<br />
But how to we break away from this addiction?<br />
<br />
Well, I've been unintentionally doing that very thing for the past 2 weeks, so you can imagine just how apropos that article discovery was! <br />
<br />
<b>The answer for me, at least partially, was water.</b><br />
<br />
See, two weeks ago I decided that I wasn't getting enough water. I elected to give myself a goal of seven 16 ounce containers of water per day. No flavoring was allowed in the water: My goal was straight water. I wanted to ensure proper hydration, and felt that my squeezie-bottles full of flavoring for my water was getting in the way.<br />
<br />
It was something I had never done before, and I was nervous. You see, I'm not a fan of tap water. Most places have water that just tastes... bad. <br />
<br />
I was fortunate, though - my grandmother uses a well, rather than city water. The taste is far superior. <br />
<br />
<b>After only a week, I realized that <i>for the majority of my life I've been dehydrated</i>, to some extent. </b><br />
<br />
I had a difficult time adjusting to the large amount of saliva in my mouth. My skin plumped out a bit more, causing fine lines in my face to fade. <br />
<br />
But mostly, I noticed a change in my eating habits. You see, water flushes toxins from your system when consumed in its purest form. As toxins were slowly removed, my habits changed -<br />
<br />
Just like what would happen to an addict.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Holy crap!!!</b></i></span><br />
<br />
The biggest change in my eating habits was in my sugar consumption. While not prone to large amounts of sugar, I do enjoy a sweet treat here and there. Since beginning my seven-a-day water routine, however, I've had very little interest in sweet products at all. <br />
<br />
<b>I do, however, still crave salt and fat. </b><br />
<br />
The salt craving, though, probably has more to do with the fact that I have a tendency to have low sodium levels on blood tests than with any food addiction. The last time I had crazy salt cravings, I had low sodium levels in my blood, so it stands to reason that the same thing is happening here.<br />
<br />
There hasn't been a noticeable change in how much a love fat, however... fatty foods still press my happy button. I'm clearly still addicted to that type of junk.<br />
<br />
<b>But water removed my desire to consume sugars. </b><br />
<br />
It has, in a sense, rehabilitated me. The interesting side effect of this, though, is that I no longer enjoy sweetened beverages the way I used to - artificial sweeteners or sugars. Indeed, upon drinking them my mouth begins to feel like it's drying out. Psychological effect perhaps?<br />
<br />
I don't know the answer to that. I do, however, know that my little water experiment was a good one to try on myself. My health has vastly improved simply by changing one small habit.<br />
<br />
Are you addicted to junk, as well? <br />
<br />
<i><b>Try water. Even if it doesn't work for you, at least you know it won't hurt, right? </b></i><br />
<br />
<br />Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-69913637725491782272013-08-13T09:00:00.000-07:002013-08-13T09:00:04.027-07:00Homemade Mosquito Bite Relief Methods<i><b>Which method actually works???</b></i><br />
<br />
That's the question I wanted answered. There are several different mosquito bite relief methods, but I knew very well that not all of them worked. In all reality, I'd be happy to find just one that would stop me from tearing apart my skin in a futile attempt to stop that itching.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"Scratching Doesn't work. Don't ever scratch."</b></div>
<br />
We've all heard that, but let's be serious... who actually listens? Not me, that's for sure, and I'm betting you don't, either. I mean, I'm sure you <i>try </i>to listen to what is so obviously good sense, but eventually... you give up. In a great burst of adrenaline, you scratch that #%$$@@ mosquito bite with every last bit of strength you have. <br />
<br />
You get into a sort of scratching rhythm that may even closely resemble the beat of your favorite song. The more you scratch, the more scratching you're compelled to accomplish. You decide that you'd rather grind the entire lump of skin clear off your body, leaving huge trails of blood pouring down your leg than -<br />
<br />
Oh.<br />
<br />
That's just me?<br />
<br />
<b>Well... how about we just go on then, shall we?</b><br />
<br />
I tried several methods to relieve the itch of mosquito bites. In order to help you avoid the ones that don't work (at least for me), I'll let you know about a few, and how they worked (or didn't) for me:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Calamine Lotion </b></u></span><br />
<br />
This stuff does <i>not</i> relieve the itching of mosquito bites for me. All it does is make me look like a Pepto Bismol bottle. I know, I know... you're saying I'm wrong. If I am, go ahead and use the stuff. It's possible that I'm just an anomaly, here.<br />
<br />
But it doesn't work on me, at all. It never has. Interestingly, for years I tried to convince myself otherwise. I'd paint my bites with a few layers of the stuff and suffer. A lot.<br />
<br />
I'd refuse to itch, because it was clear that it was simply my <i>mind</i> telling me that I had a burning desire to claw away every last bit of that mosquito bite. Calamine stops the itching, so clearly everything was psychosomatic in nature. All in my head.<br />
<br />
<b>Bull----!</b><br />
<br />
It didn't work on me. At all. I told myself it did <i>because everyone else said it did</i>. I caused myself to go through a great deal of torture all because I was convinced <i>they</i> knew what they were talking about.<br />
<br />
If, like me, you keep trying to convince yourself this works, yet you never feel any relief, you're probably one of the few that it doesn't work on. Stop torturing yourself and try something different.<br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Apple Cider Vinegar</b></span></u><br />
<br />
Apple cider vinegar works on everything, it seems. It works on joint pain, it works to relieve indigestion, and it works on sore throats. It's a great household cleaner. Cucumbers that are placed in an apple cider vinegar solution make the best pickles <i>ever</i>. <br />
<br />
So when I saw that apple cider vinegar was a great form of mosquito bite relief, I ran for the plastic jug of happiness. I'd have yet another brilliant use for apple cider vinegar. I soaked a paper towel in the vinegar and wrapped it around my agonized ankles that had no less than 5 bites on one and 7 on the other. I then waited.<br />
<br />
And waited.<br />
<br />
And waited.<br />
<br />
It was <i>almost</i> a total bust. I say almost, because it did relieve the itch on one of my bites. Unfortunately, it was the one that I had scratched so often and so hard that the skin was broken. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Vinegar + Open Wound = AGONY</b></span></div>
<br />
Don't try that at home. Seriously, because... ouch. Just don't. It did work on that one bite, but the method only worked because it apparently burned the nastiness away, leaving me a miserable husk of my former self. The mosquito bites that weren't scratched open were still as itchy as before.<br />
<br />
Baking soda was a no-go. It was time to move on. <br />
<br />
Fortunately, the next bite relief method I found did work:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Baking Soda Paste</b></u></span><br />
<br />
Baking soda to the rescue!!!<br />
<br />
The next morning, I woke up to find myself in the middle of another itching frenzy. Yep, I had gotten to the point that I was sleep-scratching. It had gotten that bad.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, I was already good to start the next bite relief method. I grabbed a bowl from the counter that already had about a tablespoon of baking soda in it. I ran just a tiny amount of water into the bowl - just enough to create a paste.<br />
<br />
I reached into the bowl with my fingers and spread the simple mixture onto my ankles - and one of my calves. Evidently, there was a mosquito in the room with me that night. Within a few moments (perhaps only 3 minutes) -<br />
<br />
Total relief.<br />
<br />
No itching.<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Bliss.</b></span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I'm going to end this post here, since it's getting a wee bit long, but I'm sure I'll return with other methods that I'll have tried sometime in the near future. </span><br />
<br />
Which homemade bite relief method should I try next, I wonder?<br />
<br />
<br />Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-44045197437862345512013-08-10T09:00:00.000-07:002013-08-10T09:00:01.020-07:00The Perfect Agate: A Life Lesson<i><b>Sometimes, life sees fit to throw uncertainties your way. </b></i><br />
<br />
These uncertainties can cause you to be unable to follow through with something at a set time.<br />
<br />
In my case, that uncertainty was weather that caused the satellite here to lose signal, thereby causing a lack of internet at the house. This caused a very interesting cascade of events ranging from lost post writings to wolf poop on the bottom of my favorite pair of Teva sandals.<br />
<br />
<b>Don't ask. There are some things that don't need explaining.</b><br />
<br />
The point is that eventually I gave up, grabbed my daughter, and headed off to the beach. While there, I laid myself down on my stomach and stared at the rocks that rolled in with each wave.<br />
<br />
<b>And I found agates. Some nice, some not so much so.</b><br />
<br />
For those of you that don't know what they are, agates are brightly colored pieces of chalcedony that are known for their beautiful and complex banding.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Translation: </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Pretty rocks with lines</b></i></div>
<br />
I know that doesn't seem too exciting, but there are many people in "The Northland", as they call it, which will spend hours combing the rocky beaches of lake Superior looking for the perfect agate. When a high quality, well lined agate is discovered, there is deep personal pride and a sense that all is right in the world.<br />
<br />
<b>So I went to the beach to find the perfect agate.</b><br />
<br />
I ended up with <i>many</i> agates, and they weighed my pockets down.<br />
<br />
I then proceeded to empty my pockets again, all along the same area of the beach<br />
<br />
<i>...and walk home without them. </i><br />
<br />
Even The Big One. (It's not just fishermen that have The Big One.) <br />
<br />
Yes, that sounds crazy. Those of you that have ever gone agate hunting are no doubt screaming at me through your monitor. What kind of a crazy person leaves her treasure behind?! I've just been stricken from the Great Agate Hunter Wall of Fame.<br />
<br />
What made me do it?<br />
<br />
<b>Nature taught me a life lesson. </b><br />
<br />
Every time I found a beautiful new agate I was filled with absolute joy. A smile would light up my face. My heartbeat raised. Colors all got just a little brighter, and the cool breeze caressed my cheeks tenderly as it whispered that everything was perfect in the world. At least in that one special moment.<br />
<br />
<b>That one special moment...</b><br />
<br />
<i>That</i> was what made me do this. That tiny moment of discovery and the few short moments after it were what caused me to search for those small geological treasures. Sure, there were a few moments after the initial discovery that brought happiness. Showing off the day's find always brings great feelings of joy, and there are a few more special moments that can be found.<br />
<br />
But there is<i> nothing</i> like that initial discovery. All other moments with that pretty little lined rock pale in comparison to the first.<br />
<br />
<b>So I scattered them all along the beach for someone else to find.</b><br />
<br />
They gave me my joy, and it was good. But now I had the ability to share that joy with someone else in the future: Some random stranger who may need that joy as much as I did when I arrived on the beach to begin my hunt.<br />
<br />
<i><b>The only thing better than experiencing pure and innocent joy is sharing that same bliss with others. </b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483662208508708183.post-7268370756976161542013-08-06T09:00:00.000-07:002013-08-06T09:00:02.197-07:00Moral Uncertainties and Synthetic BeefEvery now and then you come across something that you find yourself incapable of forming a solid response to. You both love and hate it. Maybe you want whatever it is, while at the same time fearing what would happen if you actually got it. Emotional responses can be pretty complex. <br />
<br />
<b>But then, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/aug/05/synthetic-meat-burger-stem-cells" target="_blank">synthetic beef</a> is pretty complex, as well.</b><br />
<br />
Yep. That's what has placed my emotional responses on overload. See, a friend alerted me to an article about synthetic beef, and as is expected, I read the whole thing, completely transfixed. I then put it aside, because I couldn't seem to form a coherent response it it. <br />
<br />
I had a positive/negative reaction: I loved the idea from the standpoint of a person that knows full well that if I could only eat what I collected with my own two hands, I'd be a vegetarian... or perhaps an occasional pescatarian. Basically, the very<i> idea </i>of killing something (except, of course, mosquitoes) is hard for me to deal with. The knowledge of meat without the actual death of an animal, therefore, appeals to me.<br />
<br />
<b>I was also very worried, however. </b><br />
<br />
Would enough testing go into this before allowing it into the mainstream? Would it end up with the same lack of oversight as genetically modified foods? Would it one day cause cattle and chicken to become endangered and only found in containment, since humans aren't particularly well known for caring about the fate of animals that aren't deemed necessary? Will we be able to keep ourselves in check, or will we end up cloning whole cows, then claiming they feel nothing when they're killed?<br />
<br />
<b>You'll notice that my worries are completely on a moral front. </b><br />
<br />
The technology doesn't worry me. Rather, it's the morals of those behind the technology. Will <i>greed</i> cause some of my worries about synthetic beef to come true?<br />
<br />
Of course, I can also argue the <i>positives </i>on a moral front: No more killing to get meat is a huge plus. The environment also benefits. As explained in the article mentioned above,<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Different methods of growing meat in labs will have different impacts on
the environment, and Post said early indications were that his lab meat
reduced the need for land and water by 90% and cut overall energy use
by 70%." (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/aug/05/synthetic-meat-burger-stem-cells" target="_blank">source</a>)</blockquote>
<b>This is huge!</b><br />
<br />
Having been raised in the desert, I can tell you that 90% reduction of water use would be overwhelmingly awesome. The water level drop in the Puddle Grande... I mean... <i>Rio</i> Grande... in the past fifteen years has been significant, and a reduction that significant would be of extraordinary benefit. <br />
<br />
<b>I'm just not quite sure what my response to synthetic beef will end up being. </b><br />
<br />
What do you think? Is synthetic beef a spectacular idea that should be praised and encouraged, or is it a frightening concept that needs to be tightly reined in?<br />
<br />
<i><b>Or is the answer something in the middle?</b></i>Rebecca Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694488085566053693noreply@blogger.com0