2008-04-22
How green is your farmers market?
We can think of no better way to fulfill your pent-up desire to hit the road and simultaneously stock up on fresh produce. We're talking, of course, about your local farmers market.
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2008-04-22
Organic gardening tips
As spring encourages the gardener in you to bloom, consider these ways of making sure your garden is delicious, organic, and earth friendly.
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2008-03-19
Solar: Are we there yet?
Almost — according to LiveScience.com. Famed futurist and inventor Ray Kurzweil, along with a leading panel of engineers, predicts that within 20 years solar will produce most of the energy we need.
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2008-03-19
One Green Step at a Time
New book for children: My Bag and Me, by Karen Farmer (includes a reusable shopping bag).
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2008-01-16
Save Energy and Stay Warm
It's going to be a long and cold winter, so here are some tips to help you save money on those energy costs.
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2008-01-16
Five Warming (Organic) Teas
Warming, calming and just right for an evening in front of the fireplace: teas of the world are many and varied. Here are just a few of the "greener" options.
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2008-01-16
A Reader Asks
I'm in the market for a new TV and really want a flat-screen model. Which type is the best from an earth-friendly point of view?
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2007-11-28
All Winter, All Veggies
Looking for a versatile, please-everyone side dish? Keep this in mind all winter—especially when serving a large hungry group.
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2007-11-28
8 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
The most effective strategy for improving household energy efficiency is first to target your home's envelope...
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2007-11-20
A Dish that Stands the Test of Time
This recipe from Organic.org hails from the 17th century and is the perfect addition to your holiday feast.
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2007-10-25
Top 10 Farmers Markets
Here are America's tastiest and greenest markets. Shop there if you can. Or apply their lessons to your local market.
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2007-09-11
Celebrate the Wine Harvest
Sitting on the back steps or on your deck with a day-soothing glass of wine can be a great way to relax. An organic wine can give you even greater peace of mind.
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2007-08-01
Stylish and Eco-smart Garden Furniture
Manufacturers have gotten aboard the eco-train with earth-friendly garden furniture.
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2007-08-01
The Natural Swimming Pool
We’re talking about the new trend in swimming pools – they not only look natural, they are designed to eliminate the use of toxic chemicals and to save on water.
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2007-07-16
Eat a Peach
People don’t write books about carrots or rutabagas. But the peach is another story.
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2007-07-16
Simple Solar?
Switching to solar energy may be easier than you think - especially in 2007. Here's a five-step program to get you started.
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2007-07-10
What's in your garage?
How can one best clean up a neglected garage and then go green?
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2007-06-28
A bee-friendlier garden
While the experts debate the reasons for the shrinking population, the rest of us can do what we can to encourage more bees in our gardens.
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2007-05-01
It's still spring
You're not off the hook yet. There's still time for spring cleaning.
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2007-05-01
Really green furniture
Ronald and Lydia, two other thoughtful greenlight readers, set us straight on our use of terms signifying eco-friendly lumber used for furniture.
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2007-05-01
Hang in there
Reading the New Yorker (always a good source of environmental information, where "Silent Spring" as well as Elizabeth Kolbert's recent life-changing "Field Notes from a Catastrophe" were first published), I learned that Amory Lovins hangs his wash in his Colorado eco-smart home — indoors!
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2007-04-01
Your spring cleaning – and mine
One of the season's less welcome associations involves the tradition of spring cleaning. If your home and family are like mine, the question is, where to start?
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2007-04-01
Living with a lawn
Look into more natural ways to maintain a lawn. Help has arrived with a new nonprofit called Safelawns.org.
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2007-03-01
A Greener Garden
As spring spreads around the country, here are some ways to create major impact toward making your garden more earth-friendly and even more enjoyable this year.
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2007-03-01
Still Talking Chocolate
Even with March Madness and Easter coming up, some of our readers are lingering over the taste of Valentine chocolates mentioned in last month's newsletter.
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2007-03-01
CFL Bulbs: Advice at the Hardware Store
Are you still on the fence about switching over to compact fluorescent light bulbs (more expensive, much longer lasting than incandescent)?
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2007-02-01
Chocolate with a Conscience
Whatever your chocolate vice or virtue, there's really no reason not to make your chocolate of choice one of the many earth-friendly types now available.
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2007-02-01
Citrus Cheer and Concern
Few fresh fruits come into our lives more cheerfully than bright citrus in the middle of cold, dark winter. This year's crop, however, come with a big caveat.
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2007-01-01
Your year to go solar?
It's going to be a good year for solar power – maybe the best since energy shortages in the 1970s inspired a bold generation of pioneering inventors and off-the-gridders. But is it the right thing for your family and home?
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2007-01-01
A yellow light for sea bass
If you shop at Whole Foods Market, you may have noticed that Chilean sea bass is back. This was the poster-fish for unsustainable fishing practices.
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2007-01-01
Insulation for instant energy savings
We know that insulation helps save energy. Where to start? Where can insulation be most effective?
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2006-12-01
Fake or real turkey… and other tips for non-meat eaters
Organic.org offers many ways to satisfy anyone at your holiday dinner table who prefers not to eat turkey, beef, or other meat. Here are a couple of tips.
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2006-12-01
Get a tax credit for saving energy?
The 2005 Federal Energy Bill offers tax credits for exemplary residential efficiency purchases in 2006 and 2007... Click here to see if you qualify.
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2006-11-15
Save Money on Upgrades
Ready to make your home more energy efficient this winter? Financial help is available.
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2006-11-15
Bend, Don't Break
Here are festive ways to gently introduce delicious, earth-friendly ideas into your family traditions.
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2006-11-15
Clear The Air - Inside
Safe food and clean drinking water are central to a healthy lifestyle. Taking into account that humans consume nearly 3,000 gallons of air each day, it's time for clean air to join these concerns at the forefront of our health considerations.
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2006-11-01
Wood with character: Reclaimed
Re-using old lumber saved from demolished or abandoned buildings is a smart alternative to landfill, and it cuts down on the resources involved in producing and transporting new lumber of any type.
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2006-11-01
Choosing a turkey
Fresh or frozen? How big? Natural or fake?
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2006-11-01
For the non-turkey eater
It's easy to find good recipes and menu ideas for vegetarians or others who would prefer an alternative to Thanksgiving turkey.
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2006-10-01
Last chance for fresh tomato soup
How about celebrating the season's end with flavorful fresh soup you’ll dream about all winter?
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2006-10-01
Use low- or no-VOC interior paints
Traditional paints contain many contaminants that harm indoor air quality.
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2006-09-15
Real Apples. Local Apples.
This beloved fruit has always had a good story to tell. And now is the time to hear it - and experience apples at their crisp, tangy-sweet best, which is why we fell for them in the first place. Here are a few reminders for apple-tasting time.
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2006-09-14
Case Study: Low Impact Bath Remodel
This family is keeping it green with insulation made of recycled jeans and other innovative materials.
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2006-09-14
Compost Anywhere
No matter what size your garden, there's a compost bin that will do the job.
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2006-09-14
Happy Meals
Back-to-school lunches and snacks kids will atually eat. The whole trick is getting them onboard.
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2006-08-15
Beat the Heat
What can we do right now and in the future to keep our homes cool? Here are 5 quick tips.
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2006-08-15
New Breed of Dog
Does the idea of a healthy hot dog have all the appeal of non-alcoholic beer? Actually, the good news is that all of a sudden we are getting some great dog choices that are better for our health and the well being of the planet too.
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2006-07-15
Fresh and Local As It Gets
"Fresh and local" is the mantra when you want to plan meals that are good for your family and the planet. And there's no better time than right now to put it into action.
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2006-07-15
HHW in Your Garage?
I was surprised at how much of my garage collection was classified as Hazardous Household Waste (HHW) – and how important it is to get rid of it the right way.
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2006-06-29
Summer Salad Days
With so much sustainably grown, luscious produce available at farmer's markets during the summer, there's no reason not to make these your salad days. Here's advice on boldly venturing beyond lettuce to create dazzling first courses or one-dish meals.
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2006-06-29
Case Study: A Green Nursery for Twins
With twin daughters on the way, my husband, Bob, and I wanted to create a safe, healthy nursery in our Los Angeles home.
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2006-06-29
Carefree Roses
Roses are known as the prima donnas of the plant world: well-loved for their classic beauty and landscaping versatility but with a reputation for requiring lots of care—and chemicals—to look their best. It turns out that their bad rap may be undeserved.
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2006-06-29
Down to Earth with... Michael Pollan
Secrets of the best-selling writer's fridge and green life
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2006-06-29
Low Impact Decks
From salvaged wood to plastic lumber, advice on choosing the most earth-friendly decking material
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2006-06-15
Looking For A Tasty (Meatless) Burger?
Besides the health benefits(calorie and fat reduction), choosing meatless burgers as an alternative this summer also helps the environment.
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2006-06-15
Summer Gardening: Grow Your Own Organic Food
Wondering how organic is organic these days? Consider a backyard garden, and you can take charge yourself.
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2006-05-15
Eat Here Now
It's a wave that began with natural foods producers and restaurant chefs, and is catching on across the country.
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2006-04-19
Greening Your Burger
It’s easy to build a hamburger that’s not only good for you, but good for the environment as well.
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2006-04-19
Green Garden Gear: Our Top 10
Gadgets that ease your workload without wreaking backyard havoc
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2006-04-19
Green Style
Innovative designers are turning out earth-friendly choices for your home.
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2006-04-19
Case Study: Easy Home Upgrades
How an Atlanta couple made some quick changes to save electricity, water, and dollars.
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2006-04-19
Down to Earth with... Sim Van der Ryn
Green-building pioneer, former California state architect
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2006-04-15
Take-Out Savvy
Life is busy. As much as you may aim for a home-cooked meal, sometimes it just gets too late for that…take-out time! Here are some tips to help you minimize the impact of take-out meals.
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2006-02-15
Organic Chocolate, Beyond the Basics
The chemicals in chocolate may be known to spark euphoria, but there's another reason to feel good about your Valentine's Day indulgences this year.
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2006-01-15
Litter the Environment will Love
Your cat treads lightly on the earth, right? After all, you recycle those cardboard boxes and aluminum cans when they’re empty of cat food. But what about the kitty litter?
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2005-12-16
Buy Organic, Eat Organic, Drink Organic
You buy a free-range turkey and organic sweet potatoes for your holiday meal. Don’t you want the same ethics behind what you drink?
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2005-12-01
Forward-thinking Feasts
Sitting down to a beautiful holiday meal is all the more meaningful when you know that the ingredients are free of toxic pesticides and other worrisome chemicals and that the dishes have been prepared with care, keeping our earth’s most precious resources in mind. Here’s how you can be earth-conscious while creating menus that fit seamlessly into any family’s traditional festivities.
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2005-12-01
Eco Kitchens
Green kitchen designers and builders work with materials that are durable, low-maintenance and energyefficient by nature, such as concrete, bamboo and stone. Another major element of building green is choosing recyclable, renewable and reused components.
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2005-12-01
Feel En-Light-ened
We have come a long way from candles, kerosene lamps and incandescent light bulbs. Here we spotlight alternative lights, fixtures and lighting controls that can help you feel truly enlightened.
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2005-12-01
Dry Cleaning 101
Our Top 4 Tips. Fumes from the dry cleaning... before you wear them.
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2005-12-01
Fit for a Prince
WHEN ENGLAND’S PRINCE CHARLES and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, visited San Francisco in November, they were treated to a feast prepared by Chef Alice Waters (pictured right with Prince Charles) and the Chez Panisse crew using local, sustainably produced ingredients.
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2005-12-01
Boob Tube Kudos
Cameron Diaz is not alone in promoting environmentally friendly habits on TV. HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm star Larry David has viewers waving at Prius drivers, including himself.
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2005-12-01
Water Bottle Redux
Bottled Water is no longer in vogue with recent studies about plastics leaching from bottles into water.
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2005-12-01
One for All
No more dragging wet laundry from one machine to the other with an LG Electronics washer/dryer combo. These models save space and surpass energy Stars highest efficiency standards.
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2005-08-01
Back-To-School
Teach your children to respect Mother Nature by packing environmental awareness into their lunches.
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2005-08-01
Home Style
Be a trend-setter. Use eco-friendly materials in your home remodeling project. 3Form makes eco-resin panels with interlays of sustainable, artisan-harvested materials,
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2005-07-01
Green BBQ Tips
If shopping for BBQs, consider gas instead of charcoal. It's cleaner burning and consumes fewer scarce resources. Add to this its easy use and clean-up, and you'll never miss that charcoal flavor.
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2005-06-01
Solar Outdoor Lights
Solar outdoor lights are no longer a novelty item, thanks to advances in photovoltaic cells, batteries and bulbs.
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2005-05-01
Tired of Being a Packrat?
The key to the daunting task of decluttering is to keep it simple. We do this by dividing our clutter into three piles: Donate, Recycle and Dispose of Hazardous Materials. You'll be surprised with how little is left for the trash can with this approach.
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2005-04-01
Take Me Out to the (Healthy) Ball Game
America's favorite pastime is seeing green, and we're not talking about the outfield. According to USA Today, a number of Major League ballparks, including San Diego's Petco Park and St. Louis's Busch Stadium, plan to test out organic hotdogs, bratwurst, and more in the 2005 season.
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2005-04-01
Green Spring Cleaning
The sun is out. The days are growing longer. The urge to clean is about to strike.
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2005-04-01
Making Sense of Egg Carton Claims
The "USDA Organic" seal assures you that the eggs come from hens that are fed organic feed, have access to the outdoors and aren't given hormones or antibiotics. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to verify most other egg carton claims. "Free Range", "Free Roaming", "Natural" and "Cage Free" eggs, are loosely defined terms that aren't verified by third parties. To make sure claims are valid, try to buy from a local, well-regarded farm.
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2005-03-01
Keep your kids happy and healthy
The packaging suggests junk food bliss, but EnviroKidz cereal is 100% certified organic and low fat. Kids love the flavor. Parents love that it has no "prohibited" preservatives or chemicals. Available in peanut butter, corn, frosted cinnamon, and three other flavors from NaturesPath.com.
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2005-03-01
What To Do With Your High-Tech Stuff
According to a recent item that appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Americans throw away 2 million tons of computers, cell phones and other electronic gadgets every year. In fact, technology products now account for 40% of the lead load in U.S. landfills.
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2005-03-01
Ideas for Making a Difference Everyday
Looking for a new appliance? Here's an easy way to decrease the amount of energy you use: Look for the Energy Star label on products you're considering for purchase.
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