In the Spring 2006 issue of greenlight magazine: Atlanta Couple Remodels · Diapers That Flush · Storing Digital Photos · Green-up Your Burger · Eco-Friendly Furniture · Visit the American Prairie · Click to Read!   Let everyone know about our free 1 year subscription offer.  

The Monthly Newsletter of greenlight magazine

With the Summer Solstice upon us, look here for tips on warm-weather treats and fun around the house and away from it – celebrating this family time in earth-friendly ways:

• Earth-friendly Plasma TVs?
  
• Looking for a Tasty (Meatless) Burger?
  
• Summer Gardening: Grow Your Own Organic Food
  
• Is there a safe, biodegradable car-wash soap?
  
• Links we love

Most plasma TVs use more energy than regular TVs. Some burn 300 to 500 kilowatt hours annually (comparable to a new refrigerator). TVs and related accessories are gobbling up increasing amounts of energy as households buy multiple televisions. According to Noah Horowitz of the Natural Resources Defense Council, the good news is that manufacturers - most notably Panasonic and Pioneer - are working toward more energy-efficient plasma TVs.  A recent NRDC report warns that the Energy Star rating is not a reliable indicator for televisions because it's based on the energy consumed when TVs are switched off.

Panasonic
The PX500 series models use up to 43 percent less power per year on average as compared to the predecessor PX300 series. Click here to learn about all of Panasonic’s  energy-efficient products.

Pioneer
Deep Encased Cell Structure and Crystal Emissive Layer both contribute to superior energy efficiency.  Their PDP and PRO series integrate this technology in multiple products.

Besides the health benefits(calorie and fat reduction), choosing meatless burgers as an alternative this summer also helps the environment.  Growing beef products is hard on the planet and growing vegetables give off oxygen rather than carbon. When looking for meatless burgers, how do you avoid “an over-processed patty of unidentifiable vegetables, wrapped in plastic, packed in a cardboard box, and shipped across the country to your neighborhood supermarket freezer”? (That’s what we called veggie burgers in greenlight’s spring issue.) Consider making your own...

Make your own burger with this 24-Hour Fitness black bean burger recipe or from among these many award-winning veggie burger recipes.

Look for these vegan and vegetarian options in a store near you or online:
Amy’s Kitchen
Boca Meatless Products
Gardenburger
Seitenbacher
Yves Veggie Cuisine
Zoglo’s

Wondering how organic is organic these days?  Consider a backyard garden, and you can take charge yourself.  Even a small plot can yield all the herbs, tomatoes, and melons your family can consume (plus gifts for friends).  Basic practices include using mulch made at home or purchased at a home and garden store.

Using biological enemies to rid your garden of aphids and other pests eliminates the need for toxic pesticides. 

If ladybugs and praying mantises don’t cut it, consider natural-source pest control solutions like neem oil and OrangeGuard. Other earth-friendly practices the home gardener can employ include conserving water by using a rain barrel and choosing earth-friendly options for your gardening tools and furniture:

Three must-have items for your home garden
Rain Barrel Capture precious rainwater and use it to irrigate your garden on dry days. This particular barrel is made of a recycled Greek pepper container. It lets water in but screens out debris.

D-Handle Spade Endurance makes this Spear & Jackson spade an earth-friendly choice. It's forged rather than welded, giving it uncommon strength. The company is enduring too - it's been around since 1760.

Hemp hammock If you don't loll around and enjoy your garden, you're missing half the benefits. This hammock is made of hemp, an environmentally friendly crop that doesn't require massive amounts of water or fertilizer.

Q: Is there a biodegradable car-washing soap that's safe for runoff into street gutters?

A. No. There are biodegradable car-washing soaps, but even these are unsafe for gutters, which drain into nearby waterways. Biodegradable soaps are still toxic to fish; they're just toxic for a shorter time. Plus, the oil, grease, and automotive grime rinsed from your car will pollute the water. Instead, go to a commercial car wash that recycles its water. If you must wash your car at home, do it on the lawn or a gravel area where the water will soak into the ground instead of draining into the gutter.