There's always been a White House Chef, now it's time for a White House Farmer! Inspired by Michael Polin's call for a farmer in cheif, WhiteHouseFarmer.com was conceived by the Brockmans, a farm family in central Illinois. They have gathered over 100 nominations across the country and the voting is open until January 31.
Utah has its own nominee, Jim Kennard, who has dedicated a portion of his life and resources to promoting the Mittleider Method of gardening through the Food For Everyone Foundation. "The Foundation’s purposes include encouraging and fostering the development, understanding, and distribution of the most efficient scientific non-polluting and ecologically sensitive food production procedures, by sponsoring and supporting the research, development, and dissemination of the best possible gardening methods and techniques, and the most effective information delivery systems and teaching methods throughout the world, with primary emphasis on the developing countries."
You can vote for Jim here.
This idea ties in perfectly with USEE's Community Discussion group Menu for the Future, a six-session course exploring the connection between food and sustainability for the workplace, community center or home. Contact Jason if you're interested in starting a course.
January 29, 2009
January 26, 2009
Frozen Shut
This morning I got up for work, saw all the snow outside and realized that I needed to get out there a little early in order to clear off and dig out my car so I could get to work on time. So, 20 minutes before I usually leave, I put on some boots and gloves and began chipping away at all the ice.This challenge proved to be more than I was bargaining for. First of all, the locks on my car doors were frozen. Trying to unlock the driver's side door, I bent my key. Oops. Well, I got the lock undone at least. But then the door was frozen shut. And I mean really frozen shut. As in I was afraid of breaking the door handle off by trying to get the door open. Since my ice scraper was inside the car, I couldn't use it to chip away the ice around the door. I tried the trunk. Surprisingly, this lock was relatively easy to unlock and the trunk opened with only a little bit of force. Fortunately, my little civic has seats that can be folded down so I could crawl through to the cab and open the door from the inside. (This works really nicely if your doors are frozen shut!) I had to make several trips in and out of the trunk as the doors were so solidly frozen that I had to chip away ice from the outside and then try pushing from the inside. The ice was very thick so once I got the door open, I finally started sweeping off the snow and chipping at the ice.
Then my car wouldn't start because my key was bent so badly that it didn't quite go into the ignition all of the way. Go back inside, find a hammer, flatten the key, hope it works because it's the only one I've got. Come back outside, get the car to start. Whew! This extravaganza made me 15 minutes late for work, so it was a good thing I went out there as early as I did.
In the heat of the moment I was thinking to myself, "there has to be a trick. An easier way to get into your car when the locks and doors are frozen." I found out that one trick for frozen locks is to use a lighter or a match to heat the key (make sure you wear a glove when holding the key...don't burn your fingers). When the heated key is inserted into the lock, in warms up the lock and melts the ice crystals. Usually this only needs to be done once, but if the lock is really frozen, try it a couple of times in a row. I'll have to give this one a try and spare my key from bending so much. Another way is to just press your thumb up against the lock. The heat from your body is usually just enough to transfer in the lock and get some of the ice inside to loosen up.
There were several different ways that I found to get frozen doors open from bringing out a blow dryer to buying a commercial deicer. I think my original way, though a bit labor intensive, was the most eco-and-wallet-friendly. Another suggestion that I found is to get inside your car and turn on the defrost. Apparently the heater will loosen the ice on the rubber lining connecting your door to the rest of the car. I'm too much of a fan of this one either because with all of the air quality problems we have in this valley, I try not to let my car idle and "warm up" while I'm scraping off ice. It's bad for the environment and I don't think it's all that good for your car either. And honestly, my car never warms up that fast. My car warms up at the same distance from my home if I start it when I'm scraping or if I start it when I'm leaving. So, my advice is if you can get into you car through any door or through the trunk, open the frozen door from the inside and use the leverage of your body to crack the ice, rather than pulling on the door handle.
Photo Credit
January 23, 2009
Week three of the "Nothing New" resolution
Hello all. I wanted to give another update on my "Nothing New" resolution. We've completed week three and have found that it is getting easier all the time. Here are a couple highlights...
Cake Baking:
Jan 15th was my stepson's birthday, and he requested a pirate party (we talked about this last time with the few decorations etc that we bought "legally"). Somehow in my new family, I have become the cake baker. I quite enjoy it and am always looking to outdo myself from the previous year. Fittingly, this year I decided to make a pirate cake for Jonathan. I picked up all the necessary decorative candies, etc and set out to make the best darn pirate anyone had seen. I forgot one thing.... I only have one round cakepan! I don't know why or how I ended up buying just one so long ago, but I did. Not so smart on the part of the cake baker. I could have borrowed one from a neighbor, but I decided that I had time, I love to multitask, and so I'd just make do with my one pan. It took twice as long to bake, but splitting the batter worked just fine. It also prevented me from rushing into cutting and frosting when it wasn't ready yet. I also was able to relax a bit and do my other work in between cakes.
Dog Toys:
We have a puppy and an old dog. The old dog (Bronco) loves his stuffed animals. He carries them everywhere, even on walks sometimes. Salchi (the puppy) on the other hand loves to tear stuffed animals apart. I spent quite a bit of time last week patching and repatching Bronco's toys. My efforts were futile though, as they finally were so disfigured that my stitches didn't help and I threw them out. Throwing them away made me feel bad, as did knowing that poor Bronco (who would cry and sigh watching his pet hippo and pumpkin being stitched on the table) couldn't have any new toys. But, out of sight, out of mind, he seems to be getting along ok without them.
Decisions:
Joe and I both have ancient laptops. Mine was purchased before Grad School, which means it is at least 5 years old. We have decided that we need new ones. We debated over whether to get one for the both of us to share, or two. We settled on two as he is in school and I am teaching. Our final decision was that we would purchase one sooner for him, and later for me. Its a tough call, but we felt that it was something that was depleted (in a way), we would recycle it, and having new ones would help us progress in our lives. The iphone however, can wait.
Thoughts:
One interesting aspect of this "resolution" has been how much it has made me slow down and think about things. Everything I do now has consequence. Everything has a choice. It was so easy to sail through life not thinking. You may ask if this makes my life more stressful (i.e., the one cake pan). Really, it hasn't. It makes me plan a bit more (which is great), slow down, and really think about what is important and what impacts my choices have. I also haven't made any impulse buys of items that I don't need. Finally, it has led to many other forth coming positive behaviors (buying with less packaging, bringing my carrots for lunch in a paper towel I can use as a napkin rather than a plastic bag, etc). I'm excited to tackle those one at a time as my life can handle it.
How are your resolutions going? Are they leading to positive behavior change?
Cake Baking:
Jan 15th was my stepson's birthday, and he requested a pirate party (we talked about this last time with the few decorations etc that we bought "legally"). Somehow in my new family, I have become the cake baker. I quite enjoy it and am always looking to outdo myself from the previous year. Fittingly, this year I decided to make a pirate cake for Jonathan. I picked up all the necessary decorative candies, etc and set out to make the best darn pirate anyone had seen. I forgot one thing.... I only have one round cakepan! I don't know why or how I ended up buying just one so long ago, but I did. Not so smart on the part of the cake baker. I could have borrowed one from a neighbor, but I decided that I had time, I love to multitask, and so I'd just make do with my one pan. It took twice as long to bake, but splitting the batter worked just fine. It also prevented me from rushing into cutting and frosting when it wasn't ready yet. I also was able to relax a bit and do my other work in between cakes.
Dog Toys:
We have a puppy and an old dog. The old dog (Bronco) loves his stuffed animals. He carries them everywhere, even on walks sometimes. Salchi (the puppy) on the other hand loves to tear stuffed animals apart. I spent quite a bit of time last week patching and repatching Bronco's toys. My efforts were futile though, as they finally were so disfigured that my stitches didn't help and I threw them out. Throwing them away made me feel bad, as did knowing that poor Bronco (who would cry and sigh watching his pet hippo and pumpkin being stitched on the table) couldn't have any new toys. But, out of sight, out of mind, he seems to be getting along ok without them.
Decisions:
Joe and I both have ancient laptops. Mine was purchased before Grad School, which means it is at least 5 years old. We have decided that we need new ones. We debated over whether to get one for the both of us to share, or two. We settled on two as he is in school and I am teaching. Our final decision was that we would purchase one sooner for him, and later for me. Its a tough call, but we felt that it was something that was depleted (in a way), we would recycle it, and having new ones would help us progress in our lives. The iphone however, can wait.
Thoughts:
One interesting aspect of this "resolution" has been how much it has made me slow down and think about things. Everything I do now has consequence. Everything has a choice. It was so easy to sail through life not thinking. You may ask if this makes my life more stressful (i.e., the one cake pan). Really, it hasn't. It makes me plan a bit more (which is great), slow down, and really think about what is important and what impacts my choices have. I also haven't made any impulse buys of items that I don't need. Finally, it has led to many other forth coming positive behaviors (buying with less packaging, bringing my carrots for lunch in a paper towel I can use as a napkin rather than a plastic bag, etc). I'm excited to tackle those one at a time as my life can handle it.
How are your resolutions going? Are they leading to positive behavior change?
January 21, 2009
Winter Inversion Blues
Here in good ol' Salt Lake City, as well as other surrounding valleys in Northern Utah, we have been suffering from an inversion for a while now. I have received Red Air Quality alerts from the Department of Environmental Quality for the past seven days in a row. The air is soupy, and you can smell the muck and pollution in the air.
Photo Courtesy of Tom Smart, Desert Morning News
The air quality system is based on red, yellow, and green burn days. Green means wood burning is allowed, yellow means a voluntary no burn, and a red light means no burning at all. You are also asked to drive as little as possible during yellow and red air quality days because cars contribute significantly to the area's air pollution. The health implications of Red Air Quality days are also significant. Health advisories go out saying that "sensitive people with respiratory disease or heart disease, the elderly, and children should avoid heavy or prolonged exertion. Everyone else should reduce heavy or prolonged exertion."
Does this sound really bad to anyone else? There are several areas in the state of Utah (Utah, Salt Lake, Davis, and Cache counties being some of them) that do not meet the current federal health standards for fine particulate (PM2.5) pollution, but it doesn't take a scientist with fancy recording tools to know that the air outside is unhealthy. Just take a look out your window, or go outside: it's pretty difficult to not notice the smell of the smoggy air. So what exactly is an inversion?
Several factors contribute to what are known as "surface inversions." Lower angles of sunlight that are present in the winter time do not heat up the earth's surface as well as they do in the summer. When the sun goes down, the air that is closest to the ground gets cooler than the air that is higher above the ground (which is opposite of normal air flows and weather conditions because generally the higher into the atmosphere air goes the colder it becomes, hence the name "inversion"). Since air is a poor conductor of heat, the air that is closer to the ground stays colder during the day time as the air that is further away warms with the rising of the sun. Also, since cold air is heavier than warm air, it stays down in the valley and the warm air floats on top, acting as a lid to the cold air. Then, in a valley that is surrounded my mountains like many of the valleys in Utah, air flow is prevented by the mountains and the hot air "lid" which traps not only cold air but also the pollutants that we emit.
Right now, an atmospheric high pressure is parked right over many of the Western states, including Utah. As long as this atmospheric high pressure is around, storms are thrust around the high pressure. Storms are useful for pushing out inversions as the air flow and wind that they bring with them disrupt the inversion and clean out the valley of the cold/warm air dichotomy as well as the trapped pollutants.
Surface inversions cannot be prevented, however the pollution that is trapped in them can be, or at least greatly reduced. Carpooling with coworkers, combining trips, avoiding unnecessary driving, and maintaining you vehicle are easy ways in which to reduce the pollution that is caused by cars, a major contributor to inversion pollution. For other ideas on how to improve air quality in both your car and other ways, check out the Utah DAQ webpage.
Photo Courtesy of Tom Smart, Desert Morning NewsDoes this sound really bad to anyone else? There are several areas in the state of Utah (Utah, Salt Lake, Davis, and Cache counties being some of them) that do not meet the current federal health standards for fine particulate (PM2.5) pollution, but it doesn't take a scientist with fancy recording tools to know that the air outside is unhealthy. Just take a look out your window, or go outside: it's pretty difficult to not notice the smell of the smoggy air. So what exactly is an inversion?
Several factors contribute to what are known as "surface inversions." Lower angles of sunlight that are present in the winter time do not heat up the earth's surface as well as they do in the summer. When the sun goes down, the air that is closest to the ground gets cooler than the air that is higher above the ground (which is opposite of normal air flows and weather conditions because generally the higher into the atmosphere air goes the colder it becomes, hence the name "inversion"). Since air is a poor conductor of heat, the air that is closer to the ground stays colder during the day time as the air that is further away warms with the rising of the sun. Also, since cold air is heavier than warm air, it stays down in the valley and the warm air floats on top, acting as a lid to the cold air. Then, in a valley that is surrounded my mountains like many of the valleys in Utah, air flow is prevented by the mountains and the hot air "lid" which traps not only cold air but also the pollutants that we emit.
Right now, an atmospheric high pressure is parked right over many of the Western states, including Utah. As long as this atmospheric high pressure is around, storms are thrust around the high pressure. Storms are useful for pushing out inversions as the air flow and wind that they bring with them disrupt the inversion and clean out the valley of the cold/warm air dichotomy as well as the trapped pollutants.
Surface inversions cannot be prevented, however the pollution that is trapped in them can be, or at least greatly reduced. Carpooling with coworkers, combining trips, avoiding unnecessary driving, and maintaining you vehicle are easy ways in which to reduce the pollution that is caused by cars, a major contributor to inversion pollution. For other ideas on how to improve air quality in both your car and other ways, check out the Utah DAQ webpage.
January 16, 2009
Wild About Utah: Sagebrush
Hi, I’m Holly Strand of Stokes Nature Center in beautiful Logan Canyon.
I was always prone to homesickness when I spent long periods in the Eastern US and abroad. Returning to Colorado for visits, I would break off a small branch of sagebrush to pack in my suitcase. That way I could always take some essence of home along with me. Now I don’t need to do that. The desert air and cold winters here in Utah make it a sagebrush heaven.
The scent that has become so dear to me comes from the volatile oils of the sagebrush plant. Ironically, the smell that appeals so much to me repels most animals. The aromatic properties of the sagebrush are a by-product of chemicals that evolved as a pest deterrent and as anti-freeze. Sagebrush oils have a very bitter taste. Browsers, such as deer and elk avoid the plants, nibbling on sagebrush only in winter months when concentration of oils has decreased. And even then, only as a last resort. The pronghorn-- a North American native that co-evolved with sagebrush--can tolerate it better than other herbivores.
Within the sunflower family, sagebrush belongs to the genus Artemisia – a group of wind-pollinated plants spread mostly across the northern hemisphere. The 400 or so species in this genus include a variety of sagebrushes, sageworts and wormwoods.
The Atlas of Vascular Plants of Utah lists 19 different species in the Artemisia genus. Among the most common, you’ll find sand sagebrush in the dunes and deep sand regions in southern Utah. Black sagebrush is found on gentle, rocky slopes and windswept ridges in dry, shallow soils, in the foothills and desert mountain ranges. Bud sagebrush is common in salt-desert shrub communities from 4-6000 ft. Almost everywhere however, big sagebrush dominates. It occurs in valleys, basins, and mountain slopes, at elevations between 2,500 and 10,000 feet. In Utah you’ll also hear big sagebrush called Great Basin, Wyoming or Mountain sagebrush.
Humans have put the unique qualities of sagebrush and its relatives to good use. The volatile oils are toxic to many intestinal parasites, therefore early Americans used it to rid themselves of worms. Oils have also been used to combat infections and to treat internal wounds. Eurasian wormwood--an introduced plant in Utah--is the defining ingredient in the liquor absinthe, and is used for flavoring in other spirits and wines, including bitters and vermouth. The spice tarragon comes from dragonswort, an Artemisa species found in both Eurasia and N. America.
Ecologists used to think that the presence of sagebrush discourages or suppresses other forms of life. Certainly, sagebrush desert steppes are generally poor in species. The truth is that few species can tolerate the temperature extremes, soil conditions and lack of water the way that sagebrush can. So the next time you see some, pick a leaf, crush it, smell it, and admire this tough but well-adapted Utah native.
Dr. Leila Shultz, a Utah State University expert on sagebrush provided the science information for this piece.
Thanks to the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation for supporting research and development of Wild About Utah topics. For Wild About Utah and Stokes Nature Center I’m Holly Strand.
Sagebrush near Raft River, UT
Photo Courtesy & Copyright 2007 Dr. Leila Shultz
I was always prone to homesickness when I spent long periods in the Eastern US and abroad. Returning to Colorado for visits, I would break off a small branch of sagebrush to pack in my suitcase. That way I could always take some essence of home along with me. Now I don’t need to do that. The desert air and cold winters here in Utah make it a sagebrush heaven.
The scent that has become so dear to me comes from the volatile oils of the sagebrush plant. Ironically, the smell that appeals so much to me repels most animals. The aromatic properties of the sagebrush are a by-product of chemicals that evolved as a pest deterrent and as anti-freeze. Sagebrush oils have a very bitter taste. Browsers, such as deer and elk avoid the plants, nibbling on sagebrush only in winter months when concentration of oils has decreased. And even then, only as a last resort. The pronghorn-- a North American native that co-evolved with sagebrush--can tolerate it better than other herbivores.
Within the sunflower family, sagebrush belongs to the genus Artemisia – a group of wind-pollinated plants spread mostly across the northern hemisphere. The 400 or so species in this genus include a variety of sagebrushes, sageworts and wormwoods.
The Atlas of Vascular Plants of Utah lists 19 different species in the Artemisia genus. Among the most common, you’ll find sand sagebrush in the dunes and deep sand regions in southern Utah. Black sagebrush is found on gentle, rocky slopes and windswept ridges in dry, shallow soils, in the foothills and desert mountain ranges. Bud sagebrush is common in salt-desert shrub communities from 4-6000 ft. Almost everywhere however, big sagebrush dominates. It occurs in valleys, basins, and mountain slopes, at elevations between 2,500 and 10,000 feet. In Utah you’ll also hear big sagebrush called Great Basin, Wyoming or Mountain sagebrush.
Humans have put the unique qualities of sagebrush and its relatives to good use. The volatile oils are toxic to many intestinal parasites, therefore early Americans used it to rid themselves of worms. Oils have also been used to combat infections and to treat internal wounds. Eurasian wormwood--an introduced plant in Utah--is the defining ingredient in the liquor absinthe, and is used for flavoring in other spirits and wines, including bitters and vermouth. The spice tarragon comes from dragonswort, an Artemisa species found in both Eurasia and N. America.
Ecologists used to think that the presence of sagebrush discourages or suppresses other forms of life. Certainly, sagebrush desert steppes are generally poor in species. The truth is that few species can tolerate the temperature extremes, soil conditions and lack of water the way that sagebrush can. So the next time you see some, pick a leaf, crush it, smell it, and admire this tough but well-adapted Utah native.
Dr. Leila Shultz, a Utah State University expert on sagebrush provided the science information for this piece.
Thanks to the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation for supporting research and development of Wild About Utah topics. For Wild About Utah and Stokes Nature Center I’m Holly Strand.
Sagebrush near Raft River, UTPhoto Courtesy & Copyright 2007 Dr. Leila Shultz
Credits:
Photo Courtesy & Copyright 2007 Dr. Leila Shultz
Text: Stokes Nature Center: Holly Strand
For more information, please visit the Wild About Utah website.
Photo Courtesy & Copyright 2007 Dr. Leila Shultz
Text: Stokes Nature Center: Holly Strand
For more information, please visit the Wild About Utah website.
January 15, 2009
Jumping on the Simplicity Bandwagon
With all of the efforts that seem to be going on around me of people taking their lives back-to-basics, I'm making some changes of my own. Inspired by Andree's "buy nothing new" resolution, the start of the Voluntary Simplicity class I'm participating in, as well as the book I'm currently reading, Not Buying It by Judith Levine, I have decided to forgo getting the internet in my home.
I moved into a new studio apartment not more than a month ago. My previous 2 residences have all had free internet available. After going for a year and half without having to pay for internet service, I am reluctant to sign up with any company that is going to make me shell out $30 to $50 for something I've been able to take for granted for so long. Now that I've been in my new apartment for several weeks without any internet access, I find myself getting back to doing the things I really love to do. I've read two books in the last two weeks, gotten caught up on my ever-long to-do list, spent some quality time with my guitar almost every day, exercised regularly, enjoyed the company of close friends spontaneously getting together, and have cooked several excellent meals while listening to my favorite music.
In light of all this merriment of enjoying the things that really make me happy, I am going to try going without the internet. I still have plenty of ways to access the things that require my online attention such as paying bills, my banking information, email accounts, and all other various online "needs" by staying a little late after work, using my lunch break wisely, or by heading down to the local coffee shop. It's easy to fall into the habit of coming home, dead-dog-tired, and logging on to email, Facebook, and the ever expanding realms of Hulu to watch all of my favorite TV shows (I don't have a television either, and haven't for a couple of years now), or even blogging after work. Then before you know it, it's practically time for bed to start the whole mundane process all over again. Well, I've had enough of that.
So this is my experiment. In this time of fast-paced technology, can I take a step back and lead a simpler life of not being plugged in to Goolge constantly to satisfy my want for impulse information? Can I realize the importance of taking the time to call my mom for cooking tips and recipes, rather than searching for them online? Can I relax and enjoy the fact that I'm not constantly available on whatever chat program of your choice? That's what my cell phone is for, isn't it? I think so. I've already begun to realize the benefits of the disconnected life and am savoring it.
I don't have a set goal; maybe I should. Three months? That sounds good. Done. We'll see how I feel in April.
I moved into a new studio apartment not more than a month ago. My previous 2 residences have all had free internet available. After going for a year and half without having to pay for internet service, I am reluctant to sign up with any company that is going to make me shell out $30 to $50 for something I've been able to take for granted for so long. Now that I've been in my new apartment for several weeks without any internet access, I find myself getting back to doing the things I really love to do. I've read two books in the last two weeks, gotten caught up on my ever-long to-do list, spent some quality time with my guitar almost every day, exercised regularly, enjoyed the company of close friends spontaneously getting together, and have cooked several excellent meals while listening to my favorite music.
In light of all this merriment of enjoying the things that really make me happy, I am going to try going without the internet. I still have plenty of ways to access the things that require my online attention such as paying bills, my banking information, email accounts, and all other various online "needs" by staying a little late after work, using my lunch break wisely, or by heading down to the local coffee shop. It's easy to fall into the habit of coming home, dead-dog-tired, and logging on to email, Facebook, and the ever expanding realms of Hulu to watch all of my favorite TV shows (I don't have a television either, and haven't for a couple of years now), or even blogging after work. Then before you know it, it's practically time for bed to start the whole mundane process all over again. Well, I've had enough of that.
So this is my experiment. In this time of fast-paced technology, can I take a step back and lead a simpler life of not being plugged in to Goolge constantly to satisfy my want for impulse information? Can I realize the importance of taking the time to call my mom for cooking tips and recipes, rather than searching for them online? Can I relax and enjoy the fact that I'm not constantly available on whatever chat program of your choice? That's what my cell phone is for, isn't it? I think so. I've already begun to realize the benefits of the disconnected life and am savoring it.
I don't have a set goal; maybe I should. Three months? That sounds good. Done. We'll see how I feel in April.
January 14, 2009
The Great Sunflower Project
Join the hunt for bees! Even though it's winter time, the Great Sunflower Project is still something that would be fun to do this growing season and it's something that you can start planning right now. And, if you are a teacher, they even have projects specifically geared for students and teachers to incorporate this project into your classroom and includes a page with resources specifically for teachers.How does it work? There are four easy steps:
1. Go to their website to register. (It literally takes less than two minutes, I just did it myself.) In early Spring, the Great Sunflower Project will send you a packet of sunflower seeds, including planting and care instructions that can be found on their website.
2. Fill out the "Describe your garden" form. I haven't done this step personally yet, but it looks similar to the registration form: quick and simple to complete.
3. Time how long it takes 5 bees to visit your sunflower plant. This is the fun part, and the main angle of this project. Twice per month they will send you an email of when you need to monitor your sunflowers. If you can't watch your sunflower on one of those days, try to pick a warm, sunny day within a week of that weekend. Between 10:00am and 12:00pm on a Saturday or Sunday (or whatever day you choose) grab a chair and a drink, a data sheet, a stop watch or clock, and a pencil and watch away. The data sheet is easy to follow and records things like temperature, time of day, and the number of visiting bees, of course. It only takes as long as it takes for 5 bees to visit, or if you don't get 5 bees in 30 minutes, stop your watch and let them know.
4. Enter your data online, or send in your form.
This project seems pretty easy, and more detailed information about recording data can be found on their website. I think it's a great way to find an excuse to relax and get in 30 minutes of sunshine! I have just registered myself and eagerly await the arrival of my seeds. I am a renter with space for a garden, but I do have a nice balcony that will a great space to house some large sunflower pots. Whether you have a garden or just have some space, like me, on a balcony, patio, or back deck, these sunflowers will definitely add a little happiness to your day in yellow and green.
Photo by Ginny Stibolt
January 13, 2009
Looking for a Good Winter Read?
For Christmas, my aunt visited her local used book store and picked up a book for me to read. (Fitting, considering sustainability issues, so thanks Aunt Maria for not buying it new!) I'm just starting this new-to-me book, and so far I'm really enjoying it. It's called Not Buying It, by Judith Levine.It's all about this woman (who just-so-happens to be a writer, so it's easy on the reader) who decides she and her life-partner, Paul, have had it with the consumer driven society that we've built around ourselves. So, in 2004, she and Paul go a year without shopping. So far, it's been thought-provoking. It's written like a journal, with entries every so often about what they are missing and what they are learning about what it is like to break away from the expectations we have about ourselves and the stresses of the consumer market. I've only read the first two chapters, but so far I'm very intrigued as the rules start to unfold as to what "not buying it" means to this couple and how their journey will present itself.
I think this book ties in nicely with Andree's own "Nothing New" resolution. She is anxious to read it once I'm finished and it has been fun comparing "not buying it" with "nothing new" journeys. It is also timely in that the Voluntary Simplicity class, which the whole office is participating in, started last night. A lot of people might say that going for 3 months or a whole year would make their lives much more complicated, but so far from this book I'm getting the sense that "not buying it" really enhances your life by reminding us about what is important, rather than making it more complicated.
I'll let you know how it goes.
January 12, 2009
Shameless Plea for Money
I work for a nonprofit. Many of my friends work for nonprofits. And we are all a bit nervous.
Nonprofit work is always tricky in that we do a lot of work to benefit society for a little bit of money, and the funding sources vary from private donations, to membership dues to government grants. In the current economic times, everyone is worried about their money, including the individuals, the philanthropists, and the government. Donations to and membership in nonprofit organizations is down, which means cuts to important programs may occur.
Now, I'm not one to tell you to pony up and send $200 to your favorite organization. I wouldn't do it, because I, like most people I know, really can't afford it. This has been something that has bothered me since college. I worked for and volunteered at a couple nonprofits during my college years, but couldn't even afford membership dues. Giving $50 - $250 would completely blow my budget. It is a hard thing to give up a chunk of money to an organization, even when you know it is totally worth it, and you would love to support them.
But, I've found a solution!
I'll tell you what I am going to do, and hope that you will consider joining me. Joe and I talked about donations last weekend and decided that we would give $240 to nonprofits. Whoa, wait a minute, I said before that I couldn't even afford $200, what am I thinking?
Here's how it will work....
Many organizations offer monthly giving. You visit their donation page, tell them how much you are willing to give, set it for a specific number of months, they bill you monthly, and then send you an end of year statement for your taxes. Joe and I choose 4 nonprofits (including USEE - I work for them, and feel that they are that important, so I'll give back). We will give each nonprofit $5 a month for the entire year, which will end up being $60 each (for our grand total of $240). A sixty dollar donation doesn't seem like a ton, but I know we at USEE are excited when we get a check for any amount. I won't miss the $20 each month. If you think about it, that would just be skipping one cafe mocha latte from your favorite coffee shop once a week. Not a bad trade for all the wonderful programs that come from nonprofits.
Please consider supporting us here at the Utah Society for Environmental Education. Even $5 a month will make a huge impact. Click here to set up a monthly donation.
Or, if USEE isn't your cup of tea, consider donating to your favorite nonprofit. Trust me, they'll be grateful. If they don't have a monthly giving option, please suggest they set one up.
Thank you for your support!
Nonprofit work is always tricky in that we do a lot of work to benefit society for a little bit of money, and the funding sources vary from private donations, to membership dues to government grants. In the current economic times, everyone is worried about their money, including the individuals, the philanthropists, and the government. Donations to and membership in nonprofit organizations is down, which means cuts to important programs may occur.
Now, I'm not one to tell you to pony up and send $200 to your favorite organization. I wouldn't do it, because I, like most people I know, really can't afford it. This has been something that has bothered me since college. I worked for and volunteered at a couple nonprofits during my college years, but couldn't even afford membership dues. Giving $50 - $250 would completely blow my budget. It is a hard thing to give up a chunk of money to an organization, even when you know it is totally worth it, and you would love to support them.
But, I've found a solution!
I'll tell you what I am going to do, and hope that you will consider joining me. Joe and I talked about donations last weekend and decided that we would give $240 to nonprofits. Whoa, wait a minute, I said before that I couldn't even afford $200, what am I thinking?
Here's how it will work....
Many organizations offer monthly giving. You visit their donation page, tell them how much you are willing to give, set it for a specific number of months, they bill you monthly, and then send you an end of year statement for your taxes. Joe and I choose 4 nonprofits (including USEE - I work for them, and feel that they are that important, so I'll give back). We will give each nonprofit $5 a month for the entire year, which will end up being $60 each (for our grand total of $240). A sixty dollar donation doesn't seem like a ton, but I know we at USEE are excited when we get a check for any amount. I won't miss the $20 each month. If you think about it, that would just be skipping one cafe mocha latte from your favorite coffee shop once a week. Not a bad trade for all the wonderful programs that come from nonprofits.
Please consider supporting us here at the Utah Society for Environmental Education. Even $5 a month will make a huge impact. Click here to set up a monthly donation.
Or, if USEE isn't your cup of tea, consider donating to your favorite nonprofit. Trust me, they'll be grateful. If they don't have a monthly giving option, please suggest they set one up.
Thank you for your support!
Urban Agriculture
It seems that sustainability and providing for yourself is catching on. The University of Utah is offering an "Urban Agriculture" series through their Life-Long Learning community education classes. I just got a flier in the mail about it over the weekend, and the classes look pretty fun and educational.The flier states "with so many tangible benefits, Urban Agriculture is experience a huge increase in popularity. By growing and cultivating your own food, you can save money, help the environment, foster better health and nutrition, develop another source of income, ensure food security, and even boost your community social life." Urban Agriculture certainly has many benefits to enrich many facets of your life. I'm just excited that such a large institution like the U of U has embraced the Urban Agriculture mindset by highlighting these classes in their own sub-section.
Some of the classes offered include Bee Keeping, Coops de Ville: How to Raise Backyard Chickens, Fabulous Fruit Trees, Vegetable Gardening Basics, Sell Your Produce, Eating Local, and Grow Your Own Herbs. All of these sound like fun to me, but I think I'm going to check out the how to "Grow Your Own Herbs" class due my current rental condition (i.e. lack of yard space to garden) as a good place to start my next step of the sustainable, health and nutrition, life-enriching journey. So if you live in the Salt Lake area and these sound fun, check it out.
Photo Credit
January 9, 2009
Week one of the "Nothing New" resolution
For those of you who read my 9 goals for 2009, I'm going to give you an update on #6 - Live More Sustainably/Simply, more specifically, the part of that where Joe and I don't buy anything new for 3 months (unless it can be consumed or depleted, or it is second hand)...
So, week one seemed pretty easy. We had some realizations, bought a couple things that were "legal" according to our rules, and I became a crazy mess noticing all the unsustainable things in my life.
Realizations -
1. Sunday morning - Joe says, "Oh, let me see the adds for Circuit city to see if they have any good movies on sale." Then he says "oh, nevermind."
2. There are days when we eat out, and I'll admit, I went to Taco Bell to grab some food for Joe and I to eat on his lunch break. Now, I don't normally eat fast food, but I'm just being totally honest, sometimes I crave it. I was proud of myself for remembering to bring some drinks for us from home, as Taco Bell has giant plastic cups with their meals and that, in my mind, would count as something new. So as I waited for my food I started thinking about all the plastic cups that they give out each day. Do people recycle them? Why aren't there recycling bins in Taco Bell for the cups? Wouldn't it be cost effective for Taco Bell to have people voluntarily recycle them and then wash and reuse them?
3. I am almost out of the stuff (I call it stuff because I really don't know how to describe it) I put in my hair to make it smooth and shiny. I could justify buying more because it is used up or depleted, but then I look at the plastic container that it comes in. Do I really need it? I wish there were more refillable products. If you see me with dull frizzy hair, you'll know my decision.
4. A friend of mine asked me today if I wanted to go to NPS (or Market Square) this weekend. I LOVE NPS. It is a store that carries damaged or overstocked products and food (i.e., a can of spaghetti sauce broke in a box, so the whole box goes to NPS and is sold at great prices, or a shirt is dirty, so they take it there and still sell it). I told her that would be great, but I can only buy food items there, which would be ok, but not as fulfilling. It is amazing to realize how much we as a society LOVE to shop. I love to scrounge for deals, but it is still shopping. I can hardly pass up a good deal. So, I had to decline. Joe and I will just have to look at what we need and hit the thrift store instead.
5. I can't buy new running shoes for 3 more months...bummer, but I'll live.
"Legal" Purchases
1. Oil change in the truck. It needed to be done, and the truck will be more efficient because of it.
2. My stepson's birthday is next week, and so we decided that we would buy him a new gift and the party supplies (pirate themed, arrrrggg). We did NOT buy cute paper plates or napkins, but did get invitations, etc. We initially talked about having the kids in on this project, but as they are at their mom's more than they are with us, we felt it might be hard and conflicting for them. However, we are working on talking more about where are resources come from and where they go and planning a trip to the landfill (they've never been!).
3. Food - from Costco in bulk or the Crossroads Urban Community Co-op.
That's it! I'm pretty proud of us.
Other Unsustainable things I've noticed...
1. Ziploc bags - I'm my mother's daughter, and I've grown to depend on them, but my mom and I both know we need to cut back.
2. When you buy containers so you don't use Ziplocs, they come packaged in cardboard and then shrink wrapped. What is with all the shrink wrap? Its not needed.
3. I do soooo much laundry. Two adults, two kids, one puppy and one old dog have been keeping my washing machine busy. How can I reduce that?
4. Joe and I have so much stuff that we don't use. We are working on giving it away or sending it to the thrift store.
5. There are many more things we could talk about, but we'll save that for another post.
So, what do you think? Any advice for me? Any thoughts or questions? I'd love to get other people's take on this since it is a trial effort for us and my eyes are being opened to so many things. Where does one start?
So, week one seemed pretty easy. We had some realizations, bought a couple things that were "legal" according to our rules, and I became a crazy mess noticing all the unsustainable things in my life.
Realizations -
1. Sunday morning - Joe says, "Oh, let me see the adds for Circuit city to see if they have any good movies on sale." Then he says "oh, nevermind."
2. There are days when we eat out, and I'll admit, I went to Taco Bell to grab some food for Joe and I to eat on his lunch break. Now, I don't normally eat fast food, but I'm just being totally honest, sometimes I crave it. I was proud of myself for remembering to bring some drinks for us from home, as Taco Bell has giant plastic cups with their meals and that, in my mind, would count as something new. So as I waited for my food I started thinking about all the plastic cups that they give out each day. Do people recycle them? Why aren't there recycling bins in Taco Bell for the cups? Wouldn't it be cost effective for Taco Bell to have people voluntarily recycle them and then wash and reuse them?
3. I am almost out of the stuff (I call it stuff because I really don't know how to describe it) I put in my hair to make it smooth and shiny. I could justify buying more because it is used up or depleted, but then I look at the plastic container that it comes in. Do I really need it? I wish there were more refillable products. If you see me with dull frizzy hair, you'll know my decision.
4. A friend of mine asked me today if I wanted to go to NPS (or Market Square) this weekend. I LOVE NPS. It is a store that carries damaged or overstocked products and food (i.e., a can of spaghetti sauce broke in a box, so the whole box goes to NPS and is sold at great prices, or a shirt is dirty, so they take it there and still sell it). I told her that would be great, but I can only buy food items there, which would be ok, but not as fulfilling. It is amazing to realize how much we as a society LOVE to shop. I love to scrounge for deals, but it is still shopping. I can hardly pass up a good deal. So, I had to decline. Joe and I will just have to look at what we need and hit the thrift store instead.
5. I can't buy new running shoes for 3 more months...bummer, but I'll live.
"Legal" Purchases
1. Oil change in the truck. It needed to be done, and the truck will be more efficient because of it.
2. My stepson's birthday is next week, and so we decided that we would buy him a new gift and the party supplies (pirate themed, arrrrggg). We did NOT buy cute paper plates or napkins, but did get invitations, etc. We initially talked about having the kids in on this project, but as they are at their mom's more than they are with us, we felt it might be hard and conflicting for them. However, we are working on talking more about where are resources come from and where they go and planning a trip to the landfill (they've never been!).
3. Food - from Costco in bulk or the Crossroads Urban Community Co-op.
That's it! I'm pretty proud of us.
Other Unsustainable things I've noticed...
1. Ziploc bags - I'm my mother's daughter, and I've grown to depend on them, but my mom and I both know we need to cut back.
2. When you buy containers so you don't use Ziplocs, they come packaged in cardboard and then shrink wrapped. What is with all the shrink wrap? Its not needed.
3. I do soooo much laundry. Two adults, two kids, one puppy and one old dog have been keeping my washing machine busy. How can I reduce that?
4. Joe and I have so much stuff that we don't use. We are working on giving it away or sending it to the thrift store.
5. There are many more things we could talk about, but we'll save that for another post.
So, what do you think? Any advice for me? Any thoughts or questions? I'd love to get other people's take on this since it is a trial effort for us and my eyes are being opened to so many things. Where does one start?
January 8, 2009
Wild About Utah: Mushrooms
Does the mere mention of stuffed or sauteed mushrooms start your mouth to water? Perhaps you start your day dreaming of morels, porcini, truffles or chanterelles. Alas, what is a poor mushroom aficionado to do? Michael Piep of the Utah State Intermountain Herbarium tells me that tasty wild mushrooms can be as close as our own backyards.From among the most delicate and delicious to the most deadly, Utah has them. Many people are astonished to learn that Utah is home to a diversity of mushrooms. Our state has several thousand species of fungi, from molds that inhabit that old jar of jelly to the delicious King Bolete of our conifer forests.
Adroit at camouflage, Utah's fungal wealth can be discovered by the dedicated. What is better than a day spent searching the forests for edible mushrooms? Few activities compare to traipsing along riverbeds after morels in spring, all the while avoiding poison ivy. There is a reason they call it mushroom hunting.
Fungi can be both a blessing and a curse... Some are innocuous decomposers of dead plant material, or active partners in mycorrhizal relationships with plant roots, but others cause dread illnesses in both plants and animals.... the fungi do it all. In each of our state's plant communities live unique species of mushrooms, as any avid mushroom hunter can tell you. Of course, the fruiting of our devious little friends is weather dependent. So petition your local weather service for wet weather. Dry air and soils inhibit fruiting by mushrooms.
The next time you eat a slice of bread, uncork a bottle of wine, quaff a beer, or simply savor grilled mushrooms on your steak, thank a fungus. If you wish to explore more, contact one of the two mushroom societies in the state. There, your fellow mushroom lovers will be happy to help you get on the path to fungal enlightenment.
Credits:
Text courtesy of Wild About Utah
Photo Credit
For more information, please visit the Wild About Utah website.
January 6, 2009
Upcoming USEE Events ~ January 2009
Simplifying Your Life for the New Year
Mondays Jan 12 - Feb 16th
6:15pm at the USEE office (466 E 500 S Ste 100)
It’s that time again... time to start thinking about and implementing your new year's resolutions! Here at USEE, we have decided that we all want to simplify our lives. Simplicity is not only healthy for us mentally and physically, but also beneficial for the environment. Would you like to join us? Would you like to live more simply? If so, please join our next Community Discussion course, starting in January (exact dates to be determined). We will be meeting once a week for seven weeks to discuss short readings and excerpts from the Voluntary Simplicity guide. Discussion strategies and ideas will help us all stay strong in our resolutions!
This course will help us:
- Gain an understanding of the meaning of voluntary simplicity
- Explore the material and psychological distractions that prevent us from caring for Earth
- Consider how life might be enriched through the practice of simplicity
If you'd like to join this laid back, easy going discussion group, please email andree@usee.org. The cost is $20 per person.
USEE's Green Bag Series: Sustainability in the Intermountain Region
Tuesday, January 13th
Noon-1:30pm at REI Salt Lake City at 3285 E 3300 S
Join USEE and local sustainability experts to talk about sustainable living in mountain environments, from theory to practice. Come learn about land use, recreation, economic and watershed issues, the unique challenges they may pose in the mountain landscapes, and possible solutions to these challenges. Representatives from Alta, Salt Lake City Public Utilities, the University of Utah and Rio Tinto Kennecott Copper will be on hand to give you an overview of their take on sustainable living, related to their jobs and past experiences, and then open it up to your questions. RSVP by Jan 12th by contacting Andree' at andree@usee.org Cost: $5 for USEE members, $10 for non members and a light lunch will be provided.
Project Learning Tree Workshop
The USEE Office, Salt Lake City
Friday, January 30, 9:00am – 3:00pm
Come participate in a Project Learning Tree workshop in downtown Salt Lake! This workshop is geared toward non-formal and pre K-8 educators interested in incorporating more forestry and environment related activities into their programs and classrooms. You will learn interactive activities that meet core requirements; reading strategies with connections to relevant fiction and non-fiction books are spread throughout the activities; technology connections expose students to software applications, imaging tools, and Internet resources; differentiated instruction helps you reach students with varying needs and talents; improved and expanded assessment opportunities are closely aligned with clear objectives.
The cost is free! You actually make money! Each participant will receive a $25 stipend. The catch? One person from each organization or school will be asked to attend a further training (and make another $50) to become a PLT facilitator and get paid to teach future workshops for others (only one workshop a year required). Email andree@usee.org or call (801) 328-1549 to register. Space is limited so please register by January 23rd.
Other events from USEE members...
Dr. Sylvia Earle: "Sustainable Seas: The Vision and the Reality"
& Duane Silverstein "Saving the World, One Island at a Time."
Friday, January 23rd , 2009
7:00 p.m. The Living Planet Aquarium
A benefit for The Living Planet Aquarium and Seacology
Sylvia Earle, called "Her Deepness" by the New Yorker and the New York Times, "Living Legend" by the Library of Congress, and the first "Hero for the Planet," is an oceanographer, explorer, author, and lecturer with experience as a field research scientist. The Living Planet Aquarium, Seacology and Salt Lake City are honored to host this rare visit by one of the world's preeminent marine scientists and ambassador for the world's oceans
Duane Silverstein is Executive Director of Seacology, the world's premier nonprofit environmental organization with the sole purpose of preserving the highly endangered biodiversity of islands throughout the world.
VIP tickets (includes cocktails and hors d'oeuvres with Dr. Earle from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm) are available for $50.
General Admission tickets are available for $25.
For Details see the attached flier, or visit it us at www.thelivingplanet.com .
Tickets must be purchased in advance, call (801)-355-FISH ext. 202 to reserve your seat today!
Idaho Environmental Education Conference 2009
Environmental Service: Bring Learning to Life
March 6 & 7 • Idaho State University • Pocatello, Idaho
The conference will be held at Idaho State University's Rendezvous Center. It is a fantastic facility and should be a great location for the conference.
This year's conference is organized around the theme "Environmental Service: Bring Learning to Life" See the attached flyer for more information.
Register TODAY: Registration fees are $85 for IdEEA members and $110 for nonmembers (includes a 1 year membership to IdEEA) and $35 for full-time students. Register on-line at www.idahoee.org
Mondays Jan 12 - Feb 16th
6:15pm at the USEE office (466 E 500 S Ste 100)
It’s that time again... time to start thinking about and implementing your new year's resolutions! Here at USEE, we have decided that we all want to simplify our lives. Simplicity is not only healthy for us mentally and physically, but also beneficial for the environment. Would you like to join us? Would you like to live more simply? If so, please join our next Community Discussion course, starting in January (exact dates to be determined). We will be meeting once a week for seven weeks to discuss short readings and excerpts from the Voluntary Simplicity guide. Discussion strategies and ideas will help us all stay strong in our resolutions!
This course will help us:
- Gain an understanding of the meaning of voluntary simplicity
- Explore the material and psychological distractions that prevent us from caring for Earth
- Consider how life might be enriched through the practice of simplicity
If you'd like to join this laid back, easy going discussion group, please email andree@usee.org. The cost is $20 per person.
USEE's Green Bag Series: Sustainability in the Intermountain Region
Tuesday, January 13th
Noon-1:30pm at REI Salt Lake City at 3285 E 3300 S
Join USEE and local sustainability experts to talk about sustainable living in mountain environments, from theory to practice. Come learn about land use, recreation, economic and watershed issues, the unique challenges they may pose in the mountain landscapes, and possible solutions to these challenges. Representatives from Alta, Salt Lake City Public Utilities, the University of Utah and Rio Tinto Kennecott Copper will be on hand to give you an overview of their take on sustainable living, related to their jobs and past experiences, and then open it up to your questions. RSVP by Jan 12th by contacting Andree' at andree@usee.org Cost: $5 for USEE members, $10 for non members and a light lunch will be provided.
Project Learning Tree Workshop
The USEE Office, Salt Lake City
Friday, January 30, 9:00am – 3:00pm
Come participate in a Project Learning Tree workshop in downtown Salt Lake! This workshop is geared toward non-formal and pre K-8 educators interested in incorporating more forestry and environment related activities into their programs and classrooms. You will learn interactive activities that meet core requirements; reading strategies with connections to relevant fiction and non-fiction books are spread throughout the activities; technology connections expose students to software applications, imaging tools, and Internet resources; differentiated instruction helps you reach students with varying needs and talents; improved and expanded assessment opportunities are closely aligned with clear objectives.
The cost is free! You actually make money! Each participant will receive a $25 stipend. The catch? One person from each organization or school will be asked to attend a further training (and make another $50) to become a PLT facilitator and get paid to teach future workshops for others (only one workshop a year required). Email andree@usee.org or call (801) 328-1549 to register. Space is limited so please register by January 23rd.
Other events from USEE members...
Dr. Sylvia Earle: "Sustainable Seas: The Vision and the Reality"
& Duane Silverstein "Saving the World, One Island at a Time."
Friday, January 23rd , 2009
7:00 p.m. The Living Planet Aquarium
A benefit for The Living Planet Aquarium and Seacology
Sylvia Earle, called "Her Deepness" by the New Yorker and the New York Times, "Living Legend" by the Library of Congress, and the first "Hero for the Planet," is an oceanographer, explorer, author, and lecturer with experience as a field research scientist. The Living Planet Aquarium, Seacology and Salt Lake City are honored to host this rare visit by one of the world's preeminent marine scientists and ambassador for the world's oceans
Duane Silverstein is Executive Director of Seacology, the world's premier nonprofit environmental organization with the sole purpose of preserving the highly endangered biodiversity of islands throughout the world.
VIP tickets (includes cocktails and hors d'oeuvres with Dr. Earle from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm) are available for $50.
General Admission tickets are available for $25.
For Details see the attached flier, or visit it us at www.thelivingplanet.com .
Tickets must be purchased in advance, call (801)-355-FISH ext. 202 to reserve your seat today!
Idaho Environmental Education Conference 2009
Environmental Service: Bring Learning to Life
March 6 & 7 • Idaho State University • Pocatello, Idaho
The conference will be held at Idaho State University's Rendezvous Center. It is a fantastic facility and should be a great location for the conference.
This year's conference is organized around the theme "Environmental Service: Bring Learning to Life" See the attached flyer for more information.
Register TODAY: Registration fees are $85 for IdEEA members and $110 for nonmembers (includes a 1 year membership to IdEEA) and $35 for full-time students. Register on-line at www.idahoee.org
January 5, 2009
More Ways to Save Energy
In conjunction with switching out your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs, another great way to save some energy and some money on your electricity bill is to put your electronics on power strips with surge protectors. (And then turn the off when your not using them, of course.)
Americans pay over $1 billion a year to power their TV's and DVD players when they are in the off position! This is because electronics and appliances are constantly drawing electricity at all hours of the day and night. This is especially true of anything that uses a remote (TV's, VCR's, DVD players, CD players, cable boxes, etc.) because these electronics are continuously drawing and sending a signal to their remotes. Because of this, electronics with remotes use almost as much electricty when they are "off" as they do when they are "on." Other energy drainers that pull 1,000 killowatt hours per year per household on average when they are turned "off" or are in stand-by mode are toasters, hair dryers, coffee makers, personal computers, laptops and their chargers, printers, and cell phone chargers.
So how can you combat these electricity hogs? Grab some power strips, and set up all of your electronics with one. Put one in your office, or wherever your computer is, and hook up your computer, printer, etc. Always shut down your computer, and then turn the power strip off. Plug in your TV and other various electronics to a power strip, too. When you're not using these things, make sure to always turn the power strips off. Make this a habit in your home. These power strips turn the electronics completely off and don't allow them to continue to draw wattage when the power strips are flipped off. Keep all of your kitchen tools unplugged until you need them. Only plug in the toaster when you need it to make toast, likewise with the coffee maker. And don't forget, once your laptop and cell phone is charged up, unplug the chargers too!
Flipping the switch on some power strips is an easy thing to do. The hardest part is remembering to do it. So, before you head off to work every day and then when you go to sleep at night, make sure you aren't pulling any extra wattage and check your strips. Or make it a household habit of flipping these switches immediately after you're finished using them. It's a great way to save energy and money on your next electricity bill.
For additional information on this topic or to see some other ways to "green" your home, check out this article: 10 Ways to Green Your Home.
Americans pay over $1 billion a year to power their TV's and DVD players when they are in the off position! This is because electronics and appliances are constantly drawing electricity at all hours of the day and night. This is especially true of anything that uses a remote (TV's, VCR's, DVD players, CD players, cable boxes, etc.) because these electronics are continuously drawing and sending a signal to their remotes. Because of this, electronics with remotes use almost as much electricty when they are "off" as they do when they are "on." Other energy drainers that pull 1,000 killowatt hours per year per household on average when they are turned "off" or are in stand-by mode are toasters, hair dryers, coffee makers, personal computers, laptops and their chargers, printers, and cell phone chargers.
So how can you combat these electricity hogs? Grab some power strips, and set up all of your electronics with one. Put one in your office, or wherever your computer is, and hook up your computer, printer, etc. Always shut down your computer, and then turn the power strip off. Plug in your TV and other various electronics to a power strip, too. When you're not using these things, make sure to always turn the power strips off. Make this a habit in your home. These power strips turn the electronics completely off and don't allow them to continue to draw wattage when the power strips are flipped off. Keep all of your kitchen tools unplugged until you need them. Only plug in the toaster when you need it to make toast, likewise with the coffee maker. And don't forget, once your laptop and cell phone is charged up, unplug the chargers too!
Flipping the switch on some power strips is an easy thing to do. The hardest part is remembering to do it. So, before you head off to work every day and then when you go to sleep at night, make sure you aren't pulling any extra wattage and check your strips. Or make it a household habit of flipping these switches immediately after you're finished using them. It's a great way to save energy and money on your next electricity bill.
For additional information on this topic or to see some other ways to "green" your home, check out this article: 10 Ways to Green Your Home.
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