Sun Chips

We bought sun chips.

I have to admit that, as of three years ago, I dismissed Sun Chips as an inferior chip. They were fake chips. Chips that kids got when their parents were health nuts. Those poor kids. Their parents wouldn't even spring for the Doritos.

But parenthood changes a girl. I resolved never to put chips or cheetos in a lunch box. Ever. But it's hard, very hard, when your kid comes home and tells you that the other kids are bringing oreos and sugared sports drinks and yogurts made with more chemicals than I use in my hair. So when someone asked for Sun Chips, I jumped at it. THIS, I could do.

And we don't get them very often, because chips are, after all, a sometimes thing. Not an every day, or even every week thing.

But we recently DID get Sun Chips again, and I was very happy to experience firsthand the new compostable chip bag they have started using. HOW GREAT IS THAT? Any other chip bag will hang around for decades, taking up space in landfills, etc. And I know, I know, it's just a little chip bag. But think about how many bags of chips you've eaten in your life. Now imagine everyone else in the world adding to that pile of your empty bags. And now imagine that more chip companies start using this new packaging that will turn into soil. There's a solution here.

So... I'm actually not sure how this composting chip bag works. But I'm waiting to see. It could really be great.

Once Upon A Time...

There were some videos...

The Story Of Stuff.

Dishwasher

Have I posted about my dishwasher before? I must have.

I read an article that said rinsing dishes off before putting them in the dishwasher wasted water. It claimed the dishwasher could take care of most food particles, and that the soap "needed something to work against."

Now, I love saving water. I shut off the water when I brush my teeth. I shut off the shower while I soap up. Seriously. Just so you know where I'm coming from.

You need to rinse the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.

I have tried not rinsing them. Even if I run the dishwasher right away, the dishes are not clean. They are crusty and greasy.

Perhaps I should be worried about my dishwasher? Do others really and for true get all the food and grease off? Is it just the dishwasher I have now? And the one I had before that? And the ones my parents had? And every other dishwasher I have ever used in my life? IT'S ME, ISN'T IT?

I maintain that rinsing the dishes off quickly and scraping off the gross stuff is actually necessary, and saves water by not having to wash dishes twice when they come out still slimy. Especially if I'm using the quickest wash cycle.

And yes, for anyone who missed it, washing a full load in the dishwasher can be better than washing by hand. The article said that, too. And I like that information, so I'll keep it.

Compost Disaster #1

This morning I went out to add some stuff to the composter and found that the handy-dandy door at the bottom had been opened during the night, and dry grass and leaves were spread out all over the lawn. Well, the few feet of lawn in front of the composter. But still.

I'm disappointed because I'm afraid the composter I purchased is not going to hold up now. And also, it was my understanding that animals weren't really attracted to compost. But apparently my dog is.

I piled some big rocks in front of the little door, reasoning that it will be a while before I actually need to take any compost OUT.

Finally Composting

I started composting today.

I've been meaning to forever. My biggest problem was that I had no idea how to get started. If you look it up on the internet you get links to composters you can buy or build, and different methods involving bags or bins or worms.

I wanted something simple.

So I went to Home Depot. Maybe I shouldn't have, but I wasn't sure what to do, and I figured someone there could help me.

There were two kinds there. One had a crank. But I didn't like the idea of turning a crank as though I were starting an antique car. The other kind was basically a big, black box. Made of recycled materials. You put stuff in the top. The actual compost comes out the bottom. Cool.

The trouble is, when I put it in my cart, the sales guy said "Don't forget the starter." And he handed me a bag. Of compost starter. Which I had no clue what to do with.

See, composting should be easy. It SHOULD be just putting the stuff in the top and having the other stuff come out the bottom. But it isn't. There's balance of "browns" and "greens" and little organisms I can't see. While some people insist you have starter, others swear it's a waste of money. And the truth is, I really have no clue.

But I put together my compost bin. It started out simply enough. But these things always have their hard parts. For instance, the instructions did not use words, but drawings, which inevitably did not really correspond to the actual structure I was working with. Apparently in an effort to be more inclusive, today's manufacturers choose to use drawings and make us ALL look like morons. Particularly when you look at part F being inserted into part G with the word "click" written next to it, only when you try to insert part F into part G, it won't go in. There is no click, and instead you end up banging on it with a rock and then twisting it around in an effort to just jam it in there. Click sounds easy. It is a lie.

Anyway, I did manage to assemble the darn thing - a big, black box. And I even put in some started and some leaves, some dry grass, and some dirt. And then I topped it off with a few melon rinds and coffee grounds. And we'll have to see what happens. I'm giving it a week.

40 days and 40 nights: A Challenge

No, this isn't about the flood.

This is about the Earth. The planet you live on. The planet we share. The planet we are changing every day by small and large actions of irresponsible neglect or disregard.

I first heard about Earth day when I was in the seventh grade. I had never heard of it before, and the whole idea seemed very strange and "out there."

And now I'm an adult. And I know a lot more. And I am responsible for a lot more. And maybe because I have three small children, I have more of an eye on the future of this planet.

Earth Day is neat. I use the opportunity to try and teach my kids a little something about our effect on our environment. I usually make a trip to the grocery store so I can get a free grocery bag (they give them out on this one day each year.) And all over, a handful of responsible people do things they find good for the earth. They walk or bike to work. They turn off the lights and the TV. They take steps.

And then the next day, they wash their hands of it, and feel good about themselves. They pat themselves on the back for having done something, and go back to driving and keeping all appliances on.

My point is, if you can do something for one day, you can do it for two. If you can do it for two days, you can do it for a week. A month. A year. Yes, it might actually take effort. Yes, it might be inconvenient.

My challenge, to anyone who stumbles across it, is this: Pick one thing. One small, entirely doable thing that will help the planet. Do it for forty days. Don't drive for forty days. Keep your TV off for 40 days. Try not to use plastic bags for 40 days.Run your dishwasher only when full - just try it for a little over a month. It just might become a habit and you'll stick with it for the rest of your life. Or you might stumble back into your old ways. But 40 days is 40 times better than one.

Car Miles 4-19-10

Last week I put just under 170 miles on my car.

There doesn't seem much to do about this. I go where I need to go. On Monday of last week I was sick, so we didn't go anywhere. Monday is a heavy travel day for me. We even stayed home Tuesday.

But today alone we've already put 50 miles on the car, and the day is half done. I need to get serious about lumping trips together, even if it means hanging out somewhere with a book or taking a small walk.

One Word: Plastics

I just read an article about The Great Atlantic Plastic Patch.

A quote:

Since there is no realistic way of cleaning the oceans, advocates say the key is to keep more plastic out by raising awareness and, wherever possible, challenging a throwaway culture that uses non-biodegradable materials for disposable products.

"Our job now is to let people know that plastic ocean pollution is a global problem - it unfortunately is not confined to a single patch."

Here's food for thought for those of you who think it makes no difference if you use plastic disposable cups or plates. Or who buy items wrapped in layers of plastic. I'm out. It's time to start looking for items packaged differently. Think Sun Chips.

If You Want To Destroy My Sweater...

Putting on a sweater can help the earth.

I have turned down the heat almost ALL the way.

I know, compared to many places my home is already freezing. My parents wear their coats inside my house, even in November, before it's that cold. But it isn't really that cold. It's quite livable. Especially if you wear warm clothing.

Now that it's spring, the days are getting warmer and we're getting more sunlight. But it still gets cool in the house, especially in the morning. But instead of turning on the heat, I'm pulling on hoodies and sweat shirts. It takes a lot less energy and doesn't pollute the air.

Moo.

Being Green is very in. You don't even have to look carefully to see how companies are trying to get "green" associated with their image, if not with their actions. Cleaners are natural, packaging is compostable, energy is being spent more wisely. Hotels, airlines, even Disney, all making noise about helping the planet.

And I think that's good.

I read an article once about how we all think we are free thinkers. We all think we are making the decision to get in shape, learn French, help the planet, all on our own. But really we're more inclined to do what everyone else is doing. So if you know people that are in shape, you are more likely to be in shape. If your friends smoke, you are more likely to smoke. Likewise, if you know people who recycle, you are more likely to recycle.

Being green, helping the planet, is fashionable these days. In certain sets, at least. And I have no illusions about me coming up with these ideas and this urge to be green all on my own. But I really do think it's the right thing to do. And if the pressure to please gets large companies to do a little bit more, then so be it. I'll appreciate their efforts.

Idle Cars

I pick my son up from school in our car.

I don't have a choice, actually. The bus for kindergarten only goes one way. So I find myself lining up with fifty other cars at eleven oh something.

And I turn off my car.

There are disadvantages to this. For one thing, I can't listen to the radio. No music. And there is no heat. Or, in warmer weather, no air conditioner. And when the line starts moving again I need to restart my car, and then decide if I'm going to turn it off again while I wait the two minutes it takes to move forward or just idle.

Because leaving your car on without moving it forward needlessly spews dangerous toxins into the air and warms up our planet. I believe it does. Even if you don't think this is true, try leaving your car on idling in your garage with the door shut. You'll die. Because it's poison.

And it seems to me that you don't need fifty cars spewing poison into the air right outside OF A KINDERGARTEN. Just a thought, people.

But regardless, I've shown up to pick up my son ten, fifteen minutes early, and had the people in front of me sit with their engines on, drivers yapping on cell phones. WHY? I mean, the cost of gas alone is terrifying.

I read that it was better to turn off your car if you were going to be more than thirty seconds. So there you go. I'm going to keep on. And I'm going to try not to shoot the other mothers dirty looks. Because I want them to invite my son to their kids' birthday parties.

Meatless Meal

Last night was Meatless Wednesday.

We had a 15 bean soup, sun dried tomato and garlic risotto, and asparagus, with pumpernickel toast.

Steve ate the risotto and the soup. And Andy ate a bite of asparagus. And that's about it.

But I tried.

The Run

I run on a treadmill.

Have I mentioned this here? I might have. Because running on a treadmill bothers me. Not enough for me to stop. I mean, I love it, and I'm very glad that I have it because otherwise I would get NO running in at all.

But when the weather turns nice, I start wanting the fresh air. But I can't run outside. Because of the kids.

But when Andy starts school, I've decided I'm going running outdoors. As much as possible.

Love My Dishwasher

I have always assumed that washing dishes by hand took less energy than putting them in a dishwasher. To date, I have yet to stop using my dishwasher, but that's because I'm so used to it and also, I have other things I want to do in my life.

So the other day I read this bit from Dr. Science. It was in the 7th Generation newsletter. And it says that, if you're using an Energy Star dishwasher and it is full, you can actually save water and energy if you use it instead of washing by hand.

Cool, huh? I mean, it is if you already have a dishwasher.

What's Green?

Can it be called "Gardening" if I'm just pulling out plants?

I have a very not green yard. Which is to say, I have a huge lawn. I love the lawn. It's one of the reasons we bought this house. It's not the most lush thing. A lot of it's dry and there are bare patches. But just being a lawn supposedly is not good. I mean, it's not natural. It's man made. And it needs care - like watering (which we don't do) and mowing (which we do with a rider mower, and it takes over 2 hours.)

I guess I'm supposed to just let it grow in.

But I like having a space for my kids to run on. I like the view of the brook flooding over, and the deer and other creatures that wander through our yard.

Also, there is an awful plant that threatens to take over the world, starting with our home. It's this kind of horrible thorny brush. It grows up and winds itself around trees, pulling down branches. It snakes through the grass and reaches out and snags you as you walk by. The thorns are so sharp they punctured the tire in the rider mower.

So every year I go out and take down as many as I can. I pull out as many roots as I can. And today I started in earnest.

But am I being.... un-green?

Not that I'm planning on changing, mind you. I'm willing to push-mow my lawn eventually, but these thorny invaders Must Go.

Travel Slips

I went on a trip.

When you visit someone's home, you are kind of obligated to do what they do. I mean, my Aunt Betty does not recycle. So I am left with a choice. I can either not recycle also, and throw cans, bottles, and cereal boxes in the trash... or I can not throw them out. And create a pile that grows with my stay. And Betty can throw them in the trash when I leave. OR... I can find a place to recycle them.

Which is kind of what I did. I mean, there were certainly other things that I did not do. Like keep to an organic diet. Or turn off lights. And also, I got on four different planes. Five if you count the one that pulled away from the gate but never took off and they made us deplane and get on another plane at another gate...

I did the best I could under the incredibly stressful circumstances. Next time, I'll do a little bit better.

Rocky Soil

Some personal issues have come up, so I haven't been able to post as much as I would like to. This sort of thing does happen in life, and just as these crises or issues can keep a girl from posting, they can also keep "being green" from being top of mind.

Nevertheless, today we finally got some sun, and I worked in the yard. I scratched in the dirt and planted a few carrots. I figure this is green, right? I mean, planting your own vegetable garden reduces food miles to... well, how far is the vegetable patch from your door?

But... carrots? I mean, I live in New Hampshire. They don't call it The Granite State for nothing. The little vegetable patch in on an incline, and it is full of rocks. Last year I tried to clear it of rocks. Bad idea. Each rain washes down more soil. The rocks help keep it in place.

And as I was planting the carrots, I kept wondering how many would hit rocks in on the way down. They will have no place to grow.

So... we'll see. Maybe they will work anyway? And if not, it's just a lesson to stick to produce that grows Up.