off to commune with nature

Air travel is probably my biggest eco-vice. But I can't help it. I love to travel to far-off places. Last year it was Italy (for vacation), South Africa (tagging along with my boyfriend on a work trip), and LA (another work trip). This year it's Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. How can one resist the natural splendor of our last great wilderness? And as I've mentioned before, I'm a sucker for animals -- I can't wait to have an encounter with some wild creatures, from a distance at least (a bit scared about the grizzlies and wildcats!)

We also needed to rent a car on this trip, to get us through the parks and go from one to the next. When I did my search for rental cars, I imagined we'd get some economical compact sedan, like a Ford Focus or something. I even had high hopes for a hybrid. None of these notions manifested in real life. Instead it was either a $3,500 pick-your-car rental, or a $1,400 SUV. And not just any SUV, a big-ass Chevy Suburban. Could it get any worse? I think I'll start crying in the rental agency when they hand over the keys. And I'll cry on the inside through the whole trip. How contradictory the whole debacle is, to enjoy the preservation of natural places while simultaneously mucking them up.

So what does one do to lessen their impact on a trip such as this? Of course there's carbon offsetting for the flight and SUV. And there are other no-brainers:

• Bringing out what we bring in, not leaving a string of Clif bar wrappers on the trail
• Sticking to the paths, not traipsing all over some endangered wildflowers or a marmot hole

And maybe the not-so-obvious things:

• When nature calls, we'll do our business at least 200 feet from a waterway, bury the unmentionables, and use natural TP (watch out for the poison oak!) (It's also recommended to carry out TP in a resealable plastic bag)
  
• We won't be camping or bathing outdoors, but if that were the case we'd use biodegradable soap like Campsuds 200 feet from a water source (or you can take the stance of this person who uses no products at all while camping)
  

Find out more about low-impact camping/hiking:

• US Scouting Service
• Backwoods Ethics by Laura and Guy Waterman

So as you might have guessed, I won't be posting anything while on this trip. The point is to get away from technology. There'll be a little hiatus, and I hope to be up and running again on Tuesday, June 24th. (And of course there will be pictures when I return!)

living off the health of the land

I'm a fan of Mark Bittman, the NY Times columnist, foodie, and minimalist chef. I'm even more enamored now that he's written about some practical advice about eating less meat. Without getting all political or ideological, he offers some easy tips on incorporating more healthy veggies and alternatives to meat in your meals. Here it is in today's Dining and Wine section of the Times.

Also in the Times, an answer to those who eschew organic because of the price: plant your own! That is if you've got the land, of course. Most of us city dwellers don't have the luxury of a patch of earth to dig into. But there are community gardens, if you're feeling so ambitious. If you do decide to start your own victory garden, you'll have to do some research. Here are some sources for organic vegetable gardening:

• Organic Garden Tips
• The Helpful Gardener
• Or subscribe to a magazine like Permaculture (save paper: they have an online subscription, too)

survive the summer swelter: part 2

Part 2 in a two-part series on how to handle the heat of summer. Catch part 1 here.

keep your cool

• Get into some responsible swimwear and hit the beach (Don't live near a body of water? Build a natural pool)
  
• Meadow bikini made from repurposed Lycra (from BTC elements, pictured right)
• Amanda bathing suit by Kelly B made with organic cotton
• Loomstate mens' board shorts
• Wetsuits made with responsible fabrics from Patagonia
  

• Wear lightweight fabrics
• For men: Patagonia A/C shirt
• For women: Stewart+Brown organic cotton dress
  

• Slip on some flip-flops
• Patagonia for men
  
• Chaco for women (partially made with recycled rubber)

eat (and drink) well

• Find pasture-raised meats in your neck of the woods on Eat Wild's database
• Find greenmarkets, CSAs, and more on localharvest.org
• BBQ with Cowboy Charcoal, a no-chemical charcoal
• Which is least impactful on the environment? Propane or charcoal? The debate continues
  
• More on my experiences with BBQ meat here
• Drink organic beers like Wolaver's, Eel River IPA, or one from Peak Brewing Co.
  

fight off the bugs

• Burt's Bees Herbal Insect Repellent
• JASON Quit Bugging Me (that's what I used to say to my brother growing up)

And you can carry all your summer essentials in this cute Organic Cotton Tote
Happy and Healthy Summer!

eco crüe

Ludacris and Tommy Lee compete to save the planet? Is this for real?
Yes, it is. Get the scoop here and here.

a greener h&m?

One of my favorite shops (before I boycott big chain stores) was H&M. Back in 2000 when I heard Hennes & Mauritz were making their US debut, I wrote to the company to find out the exact date. I remembered how great it was -- while spending the semester in London, a typical student, with holes in my pockets and moths sprouting from my wallet -- to discover clothes both adorable and affordable.

But then about a year ago my consumer conscience woke up.

So after reading the headline that H&M were to introduce more organic cotton into their clothing, I got a bit excited. Until I read the rest of the story. Check out the full story about H&M's enviro-responsibility, artfully broken down here. Looks like I'll have to hold off my return for a later date.

airing the dirty laundry

One of the easiest ways to move toward a more eco-friendly lifestyle is by changing the way you do laundry. And one of the first things I did was make the switch to biodegradable, petroleum-free laundry detergent, like Seventh Generation.

Here are some other low-impact laundry tactics:

• Washing clothes in cold water not only saves energy (in heating the water), it helps preserve the colors and fabrics over time

• Air drying clothes also saves tons of energy. Try one of these contraptions:
• rubber clothes line
• outdoor clothes dryer
• drying rack
• indoor retractable line

• Opting for CO2 cleaning instead of traditional dry cleaning is safer for you and the environment. Find CO2 cleaners in your area

• Handwashing with a non-toxic detergent is also a great alternative for your delicates like cashmere and wool
• The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo leaves sweaters soft and smelling nice without chemical residue

• Replacing an old washer and/or dryer also saves energy. Be sure to get one with an Energy Star rating
  

Coming soon to a laundromat near you?
Check out this new washing machine from the UK that uses only 1 cup of water for a load of wash. Though it does require all these little plastic chips to do the cleaning (good for about 100 washes). What would you do with them when they need replacing? Got any ideas?

more about the market

Fresh/local produce, fresh air, personal interactions with the farmers and producers of your food, and now another reason to love the greenmarket: good quality, pasture-raised & fed meats!
NY Mag does a rundown of the carnivorous offerings at the city's farmers markets here.

(Image: Grazin' Angus Acres Farm rib steak by Stewart Isbell, courtesy of NY mag)

survive the summer swelter: part 1

It's not even summer yet and it's in the high 90s along the Eastern Seaboard. What does one need to do to get by in this heat?

block the sun

• Keep your skin protected without nasty chemicals or oxybenzone (which has been linked to cancer) with these safe sunscreens:
• Keys soap SPF 30
• Badger SPF 15

• Use a hat to keep the harmful rays off your head and face
• For men (by Patagonia)
  
• For women (by Free People)
• For both (by Ex Officio)
  
• For baby (organic & fair trade)

stay hydrated

• Make sure you've got your water with you in one of these reusable beauties:
• Klean Kanteen
• Sigg (they've got a new hot/cold version to keep that water cold in the summer heat)

Stay tuned for Part 2 of survive the summer swelter with tips on how to keep your cool, eat well, and fight off the bugs...

organic music?

It's unplugged. It brings people together. It feels good!



Like it? Check out the New York Times feature about Hypnotic Brass Ensemble here.

afternoon eco news

• Jacques Chirac aiming to preserve the environment, dying languages
• Organic agriculture solution to world hunger
• Japanese automakers provide eco vehicles for G8 summit
• Progressive insurance to cover 3-wheeled eco vehicles
• Olympic Trial athletes to dine on local, organic foods

the art of resistance

About a year ago, I stopped visiting my favorite shoe store. Yes, like an old friend I would occasionally drop by, admire the new merchandise, try on a pair or two, then maybe walk out with some nice new boots or sandals.

The store would reward me for my purchases with little discount cards, you know, the ones that have a place to punch holes indicating how much you've spent, and once you accrue a certain amount, you get a 10% discount on your next purchase. I always carried these little cards with me because it was rather likely I'd cross paths with one of the many branches of this store on my way to or from somewhere.

The shoes there were always well made, mostly in Italy. This is why I shopped there. I had already decided not to buy shoes made in China, and had reasoned that Italy was closer to the US and had fewer environmental violations (which is truly not the case!). Then the day came, like it does for many makers of fine goods, that this store started selling more shoes made in China, or they'd be labeled with an ambiguous "Made in Europe" stamp. I'd see a shoe I'd like and have to put it back. It's sad to say, this was hard for me.

One day, I decided to call it quits. I gave my friends all of the discount cards I had amassed. I had officially broken up with my favorite shoe store. Sometimes, though, I'd peak in the window, just to see how my old pal was doing, to see what new styles were on display. Just the other day, Saturday to be exact, I walked by one of these stores and was tempted by some really cute sandals in the window. It was difficult, but I just walked on by.

Resisting the impulse isn't easy. It's like responding to a hunger, a craving. But resisting an urge can lead to the discovery of something new. So when I recognize the pang of desire for material things, I make alternative plans. Instead of stepping foot in the store, I'll make a bee line straight for the nearest park, go to a museum, or go to a coffee shop to have a cup of tea. Feed your brain with other things. This is what I remind myself when the urge to splurge arises.

More on the financial implications of impulse buying and what you can do to stop it here.

father's day gift guide

You wouldn't buy Dad another tie, or a t-shirt that says "World's Best Dad" on it for Father's Day, would you? I didn't think so. Well, if you need some help picking out a little something special for Pops for his special day, there's still time. Here are some ideas with every budget in mind:

1. Gift subscription to the Green Guide. Opt for the downloadable version for an even greener gift ($15 paper version, $12 online version).
2. The Kindle -- yeah, it's an electronic device, but it saves tons of paper. Dad can download books, magazines, newspapers, and even blogs ($359).
3. If Dad's not techy, or just likes the old-fashioned printed word, get him a used or rare book from Alibris.
4. Adopt an endangered animal, like the gray wolf (for as little as $20).
5. Outdoor fire pit set made of a repurposed steel drum and utilizing clean-burning logs from VivaTerra ($259).
6. Succulent garden -- an indoor mini garden that doesn't require a lot of water or care. Or you can make a succulent terraria yourself ($89 or cheaper if you DIY).
7. Get him a class, like cooking or wine tasting. Or if he's more adventurous, surfing (prices range).
8. Give him an experience, like a hot air balloon ride (commentary on the environmental impact here).
9. Classic shaving kit with straight razor. Make sure the razor is made with good quality carbon steel, like this one (you can also get a cheaper, vintage one on ebay). Be sure to include shaving soap, brush, and strop (vegan options here). How to use one and a comparison of various shaving methods from Mother Earth News here.

For other holidays, encourage your friends and family to sign up for an alternative registry, where recipients can request gifts ranging from meaningful experiences to specific items that aren't necessarily available in department stores.

a little visitor

Last night as we sat down to watch "The Jerk," my boyfriend saw something out of the corner of his eye. "I think I saw a waterbug or something," he declares. I tense up a bit. I don't mind little creatures, and in fact, when they're in their natural habitat I admire them in fascination. But when one of these creatures finds his way into my home, I freak.

"Oh, there he is," a pause as he points behind the TV stand, "I think it's a mouse." Oh man. I don't like this. A look of disapproval comes my way, maybe because at this point I'm standing on the couch. Okay, I need to buck up and shake this irrational fear.

"He's so tiny... he's kind of cute," he says reassuringly. In the 8 years he's lived in this apartment -- and the 5 or so years that I've been here -- this is a first. We've been pretty lucky to have had so few parasitic visitors. Maybe a cockroach or two. That's it.

So on and off for about an hour or two (between snippets of "The Jerk") it goes like this: my boyfriend tries to scare the little bugger out from behind the TV stand. I, with big cardboard box in hand, eyes like a hawk, peer from my perch (the couch) waiting to pounce. My boyfriend shines a flashlight to expose him dangling from the TV wires, his shadow looming large on the wall. The mouse climbs onto the shelf where the DVD player and stereo live. Then he climbs down the wires and hides under the stand. Again, he runs up the wires. And on and on. Finally, makes a break for it. My weak attempt to toss the box over him is thwarted. He's now safe in the underbellies of the stove.

Weary and bleary eyed, we block him in the kitchen using a big mirror and steel wool and go to bed. To keep him from our bedroom, just in case, we stuff a towel under the door.

In the morning we assess the situation. He's nowhere to be found. I do some research on humane trapping. I'm not about to kill the little guy. I have to admit, the wily bastard is cute. And I don't want to come home to find a dead mouse belly up in a snap trap or worse, stuck in a glue trap.

So I found two methods for trapping, both DIY. We're trying this method from Chris Glass, who says it worked within an hour. There's also another method, using a 2-liter plastic bottle, but it's a bit more time consuming to construct.

(Left: Our version of the humane mouse trap)

Stay tuned...