Fresher...Longer

To keep those bouquets around for awhile, consider the following tips:

• Get flowers from a reliable source. Grocery stores may be convenient, but do not always have the freshest flowers.

• Strip away any leaves that will be below the water line in the vase--they produce bacteria that kills buds faster.

• Put a floral food such as Floralife or Chrysal into the water.

• Keep flowers in a cool spot. Avoid placing them next to air conditioners or anywhere with extreme temperature fluctuations.

• Change the water daily or every other day.

• Pluck out any wilting blossoms.
  

When flowers start to fade, cut down the stems and transfer the flowers to a shorter vase. This will help revive them.

Living More Consciously

In her book, The Virtuous Consumer, Leslie Garrett provides practical and doable suggestions for those of us who are struggling to make choices that are better for the planet. I enjoyed reading the book and don't feel that I need to chain myself to a tree, make my own soap, or go on a permanent shopping fast.

I like the idea of asking myself the following questions before I make a purchase:

• What materials went into making this product?
• How was the product manufactured?
• How far did it travel to get to me?
• How long will I use this product--once or over a few months or years?
• Is it recyclable, reusable, or biodegradable?
• How will it be disposed?
  

Shades of Green

I am a strong proponent of making small changes that will put me on the road to living a much greener lifestyle. It is very easy to develop green habits at home and reduce my impact on the environment in a major way.

A 2007 survey commissioned by the Ontario Power Authority examined public attitudes towards energy conservation. They were interested in discovering the levels of commitment and engagement among individuals in the province of Ontario. Four types of individuals emerged:

Live for today people are not interested in electricity conservation or in taking any kind of action. (12% of the population)

Budget driven people are interested in easy-to-do, low-cost measures that will allow them to save money in the short term. (36% of the population)

Pragmatic conservers are willing to act as long as it does not mean a loss of money, comfort, or convenience. (28% of the population)

Green champions will conserve electricity even if involves some sacrifice because it is the right thing to do. (22% of the population)

How an you become a green champion?

• Install extra insulation.
• Use energy-efficient lights.
• Operate a high-efficiency furnace.
• Use a front-load washer.
• Adjust the thermostat.

Taking Precautions With Your Cell Phone

In his book, Anticancer, David Servan-Schreiber, makes it very clear that there is no definite proof that the electromagnetic fields of cell phones have carcinogenic effects. But, with over four billion cell phone users on the planet, even a small risk could translate into many illnesses and deaths.

More research is needed. Part of the problem is that people have not been using cell phones long enough to draw any concrete conclusions. Widespread cell phone use did not begin until the mid 1990s and the number of people who spend time on their mobile phones has increased exponentially.

In the meantime, consider the following precautionary measures suggested by Dr. Servan-Schreiber:

• Children under twelve years of age should use a cell phone only in emergencies. Their organs are developing and most sensitive to any possible effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields.

• Try to use the speaker phone or a hands-free device. The amplitude of the electromagnetic field is four times lower at a distance of 10 cm (4 inches) and 50 times lower at 1 metre (3 feet).

• Stand away from a person using a cell phone and avoid using your phone on subways, trains, or buses where you can passively expose your neighbours to your phone's magnetic fields.

• When speaking, switch sides regularly. Try to limit the duration of each call.
  

• Avoid using your cell phone when the signal is weak or when moving at high speed. Repeated attempts to connect to a new transmission antenna result in increased electromagnetic power.

• Whenever possible, communicate via text messaging rather than making a call.

Avoiding PERC

I was shocked to discover that the clothes I send to the cleaners are being washed in a solvent that has been classified as a "probably human carcinogen" by the World Health Organization.

Perchloroethylene, or PERC, is used by three out of four dry cleaners. Whenever we pick up our clothes at the cleaners, we get a whiff of its strong, fresh scent. And, many of us appreciate that "like-new look" that it gives many of our more expensive clothes. We know that our clothes will not shrink or fade and they will last longer.

According to Consumer Reports Magazine, there is "a small but definitely increased risk of cancer from wearing freshly dry-cleaned clothes once or twice a week." Other negative effects could include: dizziness, fatigue, headaches, irritation to the skin, eyes, nose, and throat.

So, what can we do?

• Stop buying clothes that require dry cleaning.

• Investigate cleaners who are using more environmentally-safe methods. "Wet cleaning" washes garments using special soap and plain water.

• When picking up your clothes from the cleaners, unwrap them and air them out as soon as you get home. It would be a good idea to take the plastic bag off before entering the house.

• Anyone who lives or works in a building that has a PERC dry cleaner, should ask the Ministry of Health to check the level of PERC in the air.

Freshening Up

Our kitchens are incubators for all kinds of smells. I am always on the lookout for any quick fixes that will reduce or eliminate these unpleasant odours.

Consider the following tips:

• To remove the odours associated with cabbage, broccoli or fish, set out a small bowl of vinegar on the the counter next to the stove.

• When you are frying, remember that it is very easy for oil to splatter on the stove, counter tops, and floor. Unless the oil and food splatter on these surfaces are wiped clean, the cooking odour will remain strong. Use a rag dipped in degreasing dish detergent to clean all surfaces and then rinse with a damp cloth.

• When a casserole dish bubbles over in the oven, it is important to take immediate action. Sprinkle salt on the burned mess to remove the smoky odour and then clean up when the oven is cool.

• Food splatters in the microwave can be easily eliminated. Combine 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 cup of water in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for two to three minutes. Then wipe off the walls and the turntable.

• A friend suggested the following technique to get rid of the "burned popcorn smell". Fill a large microwave-safe bowl with 4 or 5 cloves, 1/2 chopped lemon, and 2 cups of water. Microwave on high until it boils and let it sit until the water cools. Wipe walls with a paper towel and leave the door open to air out the microwave.

• And, if you have some extra time, consider brewing coffee or baking. The delicious aroma of brewed coffee, apple pie, or banana bread can quickly overcome any unpleasant odours.

Safer Grilling

In 2002, Swedish scientists discovered high doses of acrylamides in a range of processed and cooked foods.

What are acrylamides?

Acrylamides are compounds created when amino acids and sugars are subjected to heat above 248 degrees Fahrenheit. According to Dr. Kristin Anderson, researcher at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, grilling and barbecuing red meat could form these cancer-causing chemicals. But, that is no reason to throw out your barbecue grill. Consider the following suggestions for safer grilling:

• Turn down the heat and cook meat sufficiently to kill bacteria without excess charring.
  

• Do not eat the blackened or charred parts of the meat. Vegetables and fruits are safe to eat even when charred; they do not produce carcinogens.

• Use a drip pan or foil to prevent smoking juices.

• Use low-fat cuts of meat.

• The right kind of marinade can reduce the production of acrylamides. Use an olive oil base and add rosemary and honey to your usual marinade. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours to overnight.
  

Are You Prepared?

August 14, 2003--Do you remember where you were?

If you lived anywhere in the northeastern United States or Ontario, you experienced the most widespread electrical blackout in history which has been appropriately called the Northeast Blackout of 2003. It affected over 50 million people bringing life, as we knew it, to a standstill.

For awhile afterwards, we became more conscious of energy consumption. Grocery stores and malls dimmed their lights, air conditioners were used sparingly, and consumers stocked up on emergency food and supplies.

This past Sunday, many of us in south central Ontario experienced a wicked storm that created blackout conditions for almost two hours. I have to admit I was not prepared. I panicked and thought of that August day, six years ago when we remained in darkness for over 12 hours.

So, I took some time this week to get prepared...

• During the winter, I make sure that my gas tank is at least 1/2 full. That is a good rule to follow all year round.
  

• It is important to have extra cash on hand--ATMs may not be working.

• On Sunday, my one and only flashlight was not working. I have stocked up on extra batteries. It may also be a good idea to have extra candles, lighters, and matches on hand as well.

• Stocking up on paper plates, cups, and plastic utensils also come in handy when the dishwasher is not available.

• It is a good idea to have crackers, peanut butter, nuts, and other foods that do not require refrigeration.

• After a prolonged power outage it may not be necessary to throw everything out. A closed refrigerator will keep food safe for about four hours. A closed freezer will maintain food quality for about 48 hours if full or 24 hours if half full.
  

• First aid kits should be checked regularly to make sure that there are enough bandages, burn cream, pain relievers, and other essential items. And, prescriptions should be filled regularly so that there is always at least one week's supply of pills.
  

The Story of Stuff

Over six million viewers have watched Story of Stuff since it was released in December 2007. It is narrated by writer and activist, Annie Leonard, who spent 10 years travelling and tracking where stuff originates and ends. She follows the life cycle of consumer goods from extraction to production to distribution to consumption and to disposal.

Throughout this short online film, she provides alarming statistics about a linear system which can no longer exist in a finite world. Here are a few of them:

• 80% of the world's original forests are gone.

• Over 100,000 synthetic chemicals are used in production.

• Only 1% of the stuff we buy is still in use six months after we purchase it. The remaining 99% is trashed.

• 70 garbage cans of waste are produced during the manufacturing process for ever 1 garbage can of trash we put on the curb.

• In the United States, the national happiness peak was reached in the 1950s.

So, before you go on your next shopping spree, take 20 minutes to watch Story of Stuff.

Reducing Our Carbon Footprints

Among the three environmental commandments--reduce, reuse, and recycle--reduce is by far the most important.

In their book, David Suzuki's Green Guide, David Suzuki and David Boyd present a number of creative ways to reduce consumption without making sacrifices.

• Share books, CDs, and magazine subscriptions.

• Instead of buying hedge clippers, chain saws or other power tools, consider sharing them with your neighbours.

• Rent or lease instead of buying. This applies to a wide variety of products from video games to appliances.

• Only buy products that you have time to enjoy. Instead of subscribing to a daily newspaper, buy a newspaper only when you are actually going to read it. Consider reading newspapers and magazines online or at the library.
  

• When choosing between similar products, select the one with the least amount of packaging.
  

• Take advantage of new technologies to reduce your footprint. You can download music (legally) from the Internet instead of purchasing CDs. You can send e-cards instead of paper cards.

Clean, Green, and Cheap

When we go into the kitchen to cook, very few of us are thinking about the possibility of food poisoning. This is especially important when we are preparing any chicken, fish, or meat dishes and salads.

Consider the following suggestions:

• The best way to get rid of germs on your hands is by using soap and hot water. But, if you have a weakened immune system or if there's some bug going around in your family, use an alcohol wash. It quickly kills bacteria and it's convenient. When buying an alcohol wash, make sure that "ethyl alcohol 62%" is one of the active ingredients listed on the label.

• Use clean cutting boards. Whether you choose wood or plastic boards, make sure that you run it through the dishwasher or use soap and hot water to clean and disinfect it properly. Some people keep one board exclusively for cutting meat, poultry, and fish and another board for chopping vegetables and other foods.
  

• Sponges are not the best choice to clean up kitchen counter tops. Dish cloths dry more quickly than sponges and there is less opportunity for bugs to grow in them.

• Store raw meat, chicken, or fish on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. This prevents any leaking juices from dripping onto other foods.

• When cooking chicken or other meat, use a thermometer to ensure that the meat is properly cooked.
  

Reducing Our Carbon Footprints

Buying items that have been used before--such as clothing, sports equipment, books, and CDs--means that your purchase uses no resources or energy. And, you will also save money.

The Internet offers incredible opportunities for buying, selling, or giving away used goods.

Consider visiting the following websites:

• www.Craigslist.org
• www.throwplace.com
• wwww.freecycle.org
• www.ebay.com
  

You can also sell secondhand items the old-fashioned way at fairs, bazaars, and garage sales. Or, donate used clothing, toys, kitchen goods, and other household items to charities and thrift stores.

Transforming Compost

According to a recent British study, one-third of all food purchased is thrown away. This drives up our grocery bills and the food garbage in our landfills contributes to global warming. Hinnerick von Baren, associate professor at the Culinary Institute of America has the following tips for turning compost into dinner:

• Puree very ripe fruit such as bananas and peaches and freeze in ice cube trays. These fruit cubes can be added along with other ingredients to produce smoothies.
• Ripe apples, plums, and pears can be peeled, diced, and cooked into a pot over low heat until they thicken. This makes an excellent sugar-free fruit spread.
• Wilted cabbage leaves, mushroom stems, carrots, potatoes, celery ends, and aged cheese can be thrown into a pot of boiling water and used to make homemade vegetable stock.
• Do not toss out broccoli stalks. Peel them with a paring knife and add them to stir fries.
• Hard bread can be used to make french toast or converted into croutons.
• Top hard pitas with tomato sauce, grated cheese, grilled cheese, and other available vegetables to create a mini pizza.

Reducing Our Carbon Footprints

One of the easiest ways of reducing our carbon footprints is to spend more time outdoors in natural settings. Connecting with nature will inspire us to become better stewards of the planet. And, we will also reap physical and psychological benefits.

In the book, David Suzuki's Green Guide, David Suzuki and David Boyd offer the following no-cost and low-cost tips for connecting with nature:

• Go for regular walks, runs, or bike rides in natural settings.

• Join a local parks group or environment organization and go on their outings.

• Enjoy regular picnics at a local park, a beach, or in your yard.

• Take lessons in a new outdoor activity such as gardening or sea kayaking.

• Plan a vacation around visiting a natural wonder (i.e. a national park).

• Hang a bird feeder outside your window and learn to identify a variety of birds.
  

Reducing Our Carbon Footprints

One of the easiest ways of reducing our carbon footprints is to spend more time outdoors in natural settings. Connecting with nature will inspire us to become better stewards of the planet. And, we will also reap physical and psychological benefits.

In the book, David Suzuki's Green Guide, David Suzuki and David Boyd offer the following no-cost and low-cost tips for connecting with nature:

• Go for regular walks, runs, or bike rides in natural settings.

• Join a local parks group or environment organization and go on their outings.

• Enjoy regular picnics at a local park, a beach, or in your yard.

• Take lessons in a new outdoor activity such as gardening or sea kayaking.

• Plan a vacation around visiting a natural wonder (i.e. a national park).

• Hang a birdfeeder outside your window and learn to identify a variety of birds.
  

Clean, Green, and Cheap

As we spring clean our homes, it becomes easier to pull up the blinds and open the windows to let in the sunshine and cool, fresh air. A few simple steps will make a big difference in our home environments: spring cleaning not only makes our living areas pleasing to the eye but also keeps our health in check. A clean home is a healthy home, and it is easy to achieve on a budget.

• Begin by opening windows to increase air circulation. Become aware of what freshness smells like. It's not "lilac dream" or "green apple". It should smell like nothing.

• Replace the bag and change the filter on your vacuum.

• Change or clean all filters on air conditioners, air purifiers, dehumidifiers or vents, and furnaces so that the incoming air in your home is clean, fresh, and breathable.
  

• Dust all surfaces with a microfibre cloth, which works best for picking up dust and can be reused many times.

• Get rid of any half-empty paint cans or any other chemicals lingering on shelves in basements, garages, and other storage areas. Do not throw them in the trash; find the closest Household Hazardous Waste Depot.

• Stick to natural cleaning products free of harsh chemicals. In his book, Anticancer, David Servan-Schreiber, strongly recommends that we limit our exposure to perchloroethylene, a chemical which has been linked to kidney and nervous system damage as well as cancer. Any dry-cleaned garments should be removed from the plastic wrap and aired outside for several hours before wearing.

How Green Is It?

We have all heard the expression "whitewashing"--it is defined as "a coordinated attempt to hide unpleasant facts, especially in a political context."

"Greenwashing" has a similar connotation, but in an environmental context. Some organizations will spend more time and money claiming to be "green" through advertising and marketing than actually implementing "green" business practices. In short, it is whitewashing but with a green brush.

TerraChoice Environmental Marketing Inc. conducted a survey of six big box stores and identified six patterns which they labelled the "Six Sins of Greenwashing".

Sin of the Hidden Trade Off: Based on a single environmental attribute, a product is labelled green. i.e. A company focuses on the recycled content of paper while ignoring the manufacturing impact on air and water emissions.

Sin of No Proof: The environmental claim cannot be substantiated by a reliable third-party. i.e. Personal care products, such as shampoos and conditioners, claim not to have been tested on animals but offer no evidence or certification.

Sin of Vagueness: The claim is so poorly defined or vague that its real meaning is likely to be misunderstood. i.e. Many products claim to be "all natural". Arsenic, uranium, and mercury are also "all natural" and poisonous.

Sin of Irrelevance: This environmental claim may be truthful but is unimportant. i.e. Many individual products claim to be CFC-free. CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) are major contributors to ozone depletion which have been legally banned for almost 30 years. There are no products that are manufactured with it.

Sin of Lesser of Two Evils: This type of claim may be true within the product category, but risks distracting the consumer from the greater environmental impacts of the category as a whole. i.e. organic cigarettes, "green" insecticides and herbicides.

Sin of Fibbing: These environmental claims are simply false. i.e. Some products claim to be Energy Star-certified but are not.

Thrifty tips--Car Travel

Aggressive driving is a dangerous habit that uses 37% more fuel and creates more toxic emissions. In the book, David Suzuki's Green Guide, the authors David Suzuki and David Boyd suggest a more planet-friendly approach known as eco-driving.

What is eco-driving? These are driving habits that reduce fuel consumption, carbon costs, stress, and accidents. Eco-driving is now part of the driver education curriculum in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Consider the following tips:

• For local travel, consider leaving the car at home and either walk, cycle, or use public transit.

• Keep the vehicle properly serviced.

• Avoid carrying unnecessary weight in the trunk. An extra 45 kilograms (100 pounds) reduces fuel economy by 1% to 2%.
  

• When starting up, there is no need to allow the engine to warm up. It is better to just drive off.

• Try to avoid sudden acceleration, engine revving, and sudden braking. Harsh accelerating and braking can use up to 30% more fuel and increase wear and tear of the vehicle.

• If possible, avoid using air conditioning.

• Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure.
  

• Maximize aerodynamics by removing roof racks and bike racks when not using them.
  

• Switch the engine off if you think you are likely to be stationary for more than 2 minutes.

• If possible, avoid rush hour. Stop-and-go driving burns more gas and increases emissions of smog-forming pollutants.

• Avoid high-octane gasoline, which takes more energy to produce and contains more toxic substances.
  

On the Right Paper Trail

According to Greenpeace Canada, the best environmental purchase is a "recycled tissue product with recyclable packaging." If every household in Canada replaced one roll of virgin-forest toilet paper with one roll of recycled paper, we would save about 48,000 trees, 3, 200 cubic metres of landfill space, and 65.5 million litres of water. If we add in recycled tissues and paper towels, the numbers become even more mind boggling and we would succeed in saving more forests and conserving more water.

One of the best ways to encourage more manufacturers to produce environmentally sustainable products is to use our buying power to support the ones that already do. But, we must be careful to support only those companies that are fully committed to producing truly eco-friendly products. We need to read the fine print on the packaging and become more aware of the different catchphrases that exist in the industry.

Pre-consumer recycled These materials come from manufacturing leftovers, either at the paper mill or the factory. They are, however, still derived directly from trees rather than from reused sources.

Post-consumer recycled These materials have been used by consumers and come from old newspapers and other paper products collected and recycled in blue-box systems. When purchasing household products with post-consumer content, we are supporting local recycling programs.

Biodegradable A product that is biodegradable will break down and return to its natural components. This process could take centuries if the material buried under a landfill and not exposed to sunlight, air, and moisture. And, some substances could break down into harmful environmental toxins.

Recyclable This means the product is recyclable, but not necessarily in our own towns or cities.

Chlorine-free Many manufacturers still bleach paper with chlorine, a potentially harmful chemical that seeps into our water system and is linked to respiratory illnesses. We should buy products with the following labels on the packages: TCF (totally chlorine free) or PCF (processed chlorine free).

Clean, Green, and Cheap

I have been discovering and receiving a number of baking soda tips. It is the inexpensive, must-have cleaner that contains a greener, more earth-friendly chemical known as sodium bicarbonate.

Most of us are familiar with the uses of baking soda in the kitchen. In addition to using it as a baking ingredient, we will open a container and place it in our fridges to remove excess moisture and absorb unpleasant odours.

The following tips can also come in handy:

• Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of garbage bags. This will help control odours as you add trash.

• To give your dishwasher a good clean, run it through a cycle using baking soda instead of detergent.

• Wash chemicals and pesticides off fruit and vegetables in a pot filled with water and 3-4 tablespoons of baking soda.

• Stains on porcelain sinks and toilets can be removed by applying a layer of baking soda and then using a damp sponge to scrub.
  

• The following mixture can be used to clean jewelry: a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Allow the jewelry to sit in the paste for a couple of minutes, rinse off, and then polish with a soft cloth.

• After you have cleaned up pet accidents, sprinkle baking soda over the dampened area, allow to dry, and then vacuum. Baking soda lightly sprinkled and mixed into cat litter will help control odours.

• A half teaspoon of baking soda mixed into a glass of water can act as mouthwash. Sprinkle baking soda onto regular toothpaste to create a whitening toothpaste.