Not unless those grapes are grown organically; and if they’re grown locally, even better (Ideal Bite claims that “a local wine always trumps an organic one if it’s shipped from far away.” In fact, they report that the average wine shipment adds over 3 million pounds of CO2 emissions into the air – that’s like 994 […]
Archive | Green Living
Organic Beer Tastes Good!
If you’ve been waiting for organics to add some bounce to the beers you drink, wait no longer. Many micro-breweries and even some of the major beer bottlers have jumped on the environmental bandwagon, giving you lots of eco-friendly choices in pubs, restaurants, and local liquor stores (which is where I recently found an organic beer infused […]
We Need Meaningful Standards to Protect the Planet — and Us, too.
We’ve all seen the product claims that SOUND like they mean environmental protection. But do they? * Products labeled “natural” may contain some biological ingredients, but they may also include synthetic dyes and fragrances. * “Hypoallergenic” has no medical meaning. The word was invented by advertisers who used it in a cosmetics campaign in 1953. Says […]
Environmental In-Box: Cast Iron Cookware
For top-notch cooking without the worry generated by non-stick coatings, I turn to cast iron cookware. Here’s why: What I Like: No Nasty Chemicals – You get “non stick” without the nonsense of PFOA, the nasty chemical that makes Teflon easy to clean but also health threatening. Great Cooking – Once cast iron is seasoned (a […]
Eco-Friendly Paint Keeps You & the Planet Healthy
Conventional paint contains many volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, that “outgas” and escape into the air after they are applied. Indoors, these VOCs cause headaches, nausea, achey bones, and general discomfort. Outdoors, they contribute to smog and air pollution. Whether for indoors or out, your best bet is to buy low- or no-VOC paint. You’ll […]
“In Wildness is the Preservation of the World”
Henry David Thoreau wrote these words in 1862. Today, almost a century and a half later, they are more true than ever before. Mining, forest clear cutting, oil and gas development, and road building are destroying the extraordinary and irreplaceable wilderness that is our natural heritage. The Wilderness Act, signed by President Lyndon Johnson on September […]
How Eco Is Your Coffee Pot?
Consumers buy more automatic-drip coffeemakers than any other small kitchen appliance, so it’s no wonder they use about $400 million worth of electricity just brewing coffee every year. To make an energy-efficient but still high-voltage cup of java, start with the pot: French press. Bodum Chambord’s elegant but inexpensive model (pictured left) makes delicious coffee; the […]
Natural Weed Control: Battle the Hassle and Banish the Herbicides
Weeds! Don’t you hate em? And no wonder. Weeds are like those prank candles people put on top of a beautifully decorated birthday cake. You go to make your birthday wish –only to have it thrown back in your face when the candles refuse to blow out. No matter how often you blow, the flame […]