Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Thursday, April 30th:
• Ever wonder whether that plastic jug can be recycled? Addison county recycles dot org has the list of what can and can’t go into your bin.
• If you use biodegradable soap, save your dishwater or bathwater to water your plants and garden. You can recycle most everything else, why not your water?
• Someone asked me the other day how short their shower should be? Well, I don’t want you walking around with soap still in your hair, so do stay in for as long as it take to get everything done, but I would think no longer than ten minutes. I can do the job in about 5 or so unless leg shaving comes into play. Is that too much information?
Green up day is tomorrow and its forty years old. Funny, it doesn’t look a day over 39! The very first Green Up day in Vermont happened April 18th in 1970. Governor Deane Davis even got into the green of it that day, he was front and center for many a trash pick up. In the spirit of this important anniversary, everyone is invited northward to gather on the state house lawn tomorrow, May 1st between 3:30 and 5pm. Listen to great music from Banjo Dan and the Mid-nite Plowboys and Bill Shontz. It wouldn’t be a party without some awesome bands and tempting vittles! There will be food vendors, including one of my favorite vehicles, the Ben and Jerry's Scoop Truck. This event happens rain or shine, and it’s free to the public. Bring some friends and spread the word! The green word, that is! It’s the Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
More Green up day news: Otter Creek Brewing will host Addison County’s 2nd Annual Mow Down Pollution Lawn Mower Exchange & Sale on Green Up Day tomorrow, May 1, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in their front parking lot off Exchange St. in Middlebury. The Town of Middlebury Energy Committee encourages community members to bring in their gas-powered, air-polluting mowers and receive a discount of over $100 off the retail price on Neuton electric mowers. Both the 14-inch and 19-inch mowers will be available at the discounted price. Do them a favor, though, make sure to drain gas and oil from your old mowers before dropping them off at the brewery where they will be picked up and processed free of charge by Addison County Solid Waste Management District . And by the way,
trading in a gas mower is not required to receive the discount on an electric mower! They’ll give it to you, mower or not! Otter Creek Brewing and the Town of Middlebury Energy Committee also invite participants to pick up and drop off their Green Up bags at the brewery lot where they can enjoy a complimentary barbeque midday and pledge for the upcoming Way To Go Commuter Challenge (May 17-21).
Friday, April 30, 2010
Go Green tips for April 29th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Thursday, April 29th:
• Ever wonder whether that plastic jug can be recycled? Addison county recycles dot org has the list of what can and can’t go into your bin.
• If you use biodegradable soap, save your dishwater or bathwater to water your plants and garden. You can recycle most everything else, why not your water?
• Someone asked me the other day how short their shower should be? Well, I don’t want you walking around with soap still in your hair, so do stay in for as long as it take to get everything done, but I would think no longer than ten minutes. I can do the job in about 5 or so unless leg shaving comes into play. Is that too much information?
Any Mom can tell you from the experience of multiple kids’ birthday parties, whether their own child’s or the myriad of events their kids will be invited to, that the amount of trash involved is mind boggling. Bags of dirty paper plate, plastic cups and utensils, not to mention the crumpled wrapping paper and limp balloons. These days, many parents are opting for low-waste parties. Start by sending recycled paper invitations or evites. A friend of mine had her child collect leaves and write out invitations on them to distribute. Since it's not a party without presents, suggest that your child's friends bring small, inexpensive, or even gently used gifts (wrapped in fabric or a reusable bag). I’ve actually set a limit and indicated so on the invitation. No gift necessary or something like “Cheap is good! I like my gifts priced at five dollars and less!” Try a potluck instead of ordering pizza, and if serving cake and ice cream on ceramic dishes to bunch of six-year-olds seems like a recipe for disaster, use biodegradable plates and cutlery. For Emily’s 5th birthday, I threw her a tea party. I indicated on the invite that it was formal dress-up. The girls looked beautiful in their best dresses. I actually used my good china and not one piece was broken. It was amazing how gentle they were with everything because they were all proper little ladies. It was a wonderful party that Emily’ll never forget and not one paper plate was sacrificed! Hey, green can be classy! It’s the Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Thursday, April 29th:
• Ever wonder whether that plastic jug can be recycled? Addison county recycles dot org has the list of what can and can’t go into your bin.
• If you use biodegradable soap, save your dishwater or bathwater to water your plants and garden. You can recycle most everything else, why not your water?
• Someone asked me the other day how short their shower should be? Well, I don’t want you walking around with soap still in your hair, so do stay in for as long as it take to get everything done, but I would think no longer than ten minutes. I can do the job in about 5 or so unless leg shaving comes into play. Is that too much information?
Any Mom can tell you from the experience of multiple kids’ birthday parties, whether their own child’s or the myriad of events their kids will be invited to, that the amount of trash involved is mind boggling. Bags of dirty paper plate, plastic cups and utensils, not to mention the crumpled wrapping paper and limp balloons. These days, many parents are opting for low-waste parties. Start by sending recycled paper invitations or evites. A friend of mine had her child collect leaves and write out invitations on them to distribute. Since it's not a party without presents, suggest that your child's friends bring small, inexpensive, or even gently used gifts (wrapped in fabric or a reusable bag). I’ve actually set a limit and indicated so on the invitation. No gift necessary or something like “Cheap is good! I like my gifts priced at five dollars and less!” Try a potluck instead of ordering pizza, and if serving cake and ice cream on ceramic dishes to bunch of six-year-olds seems like a recipe for disaster, use biodegradable plates and cutlery. For Emily’s 5th birthday, I threw her a tea party. I indicated on the invite that it was formal dress-up. The girls looked beautiful in their best dresses. I actually used my good china and not one piece was broken. It was amazing how gentle they were with everything because they were all proper little ladies. It was a wonderful party that Emily’ll never forget and not one paper plate was sacrificed! Hey, green can be classy! It’s the Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Go Green tips for April 28th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Wednesday, April 28th:
• Buy remanufactured ink and toner cartridges. Each remanufactured cartridge keeps approximately 2.5 pounds of metal and plastic out of landfills and saves about a half gallon of oil.
• Buy rechargeable batteries. It takes 1,000 regular batteries to equal the lifespan of one rechargeable battery. When you are discarding your batteries, recycle them.
• Make recycling bins readily available. Make sure your home and office are outfitted with recycling bins for paper, plastic and metal. Keep them out in the open and label them appropriately. Sometimes the convenience factor is all that is needed.
Talk about incentive for great green choices: registration is now open for the 7th annual Way to Go! Commuter challenge, which will take place May 17-21, yup, it’s coming up! This state-wide event encourages the use of cheaper, healthier and more earth-friendly transportation alternatives to driving alone. Everyone who commits to walk, bike, telecommute, carpool, take the bus or use any alternative to driving alone will receive free giveaways and be entered in a drawing to win great prizes like iPods, a Neuton Battery-Powered Mover, Burton snowboards, overnight stays, restaurant gift certificates, yoga passes, spa treatments, bike tune-ups, golf and ski passes and more. Online registration is fast and easy at www dot way to go vt.org. That’s www dot way to go vt dot org. I’m taking the challenge and will be walking to work all that week. Now, I do live closeby, but it’s not always convenient for me to be without my vehicle. There’s kids to pick up or errands to run on the way home. I’m having to plan ahead and reorganize. This is just something to show myself I can do it, I can take one more step and maybe reap some rewards in the whole green scheme of things. Care to join me? It’s the Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Wednesday, April 28th:
• Buy remanufactured ink and toner cartridges. Each remanufactured cartridge keeps approximately 2.5 pounds of metal and plastic out of landfills and saves about a half gallon of oil.
• Buy rechargeable batteries. It takes 1,000 regular batteries to equal the lifespan of one rechargeable battery. When you are discarding your batteries, recycle them.
• Make recycling bins readily available. Make sure your home and office are outfitted with recycling bins for paper, plastic and metal. Keep them out in the open and label them appropriately. Sometimes the convenience factor is all that is needed.
Talk about incentive for great green choices: registration is now open for the 7th annual Way to Go! Commuter challenge, which will take place May 17-21, yup, it’s coming up! This state-wide event encourages the use of cheaper, healthier and more earth-friendly transportation alternatives to driving alone. Everyone who commits to walk, bike, telecommute, carpool, take the bus or use any alternative to driving alone will receive free giveaways and be entered in a drawing to win great prizes like iPods, a Neuton Battery-Powered Mover, Burton snowboards, overnight stays, restaurant gift certificates, yoga passes, spa treatments, bike tune-ups, golf and ski passes and more. Online registration is fast and easy at www dot way to go vt.org. That’s www dot way to go vt dot org. I’m taking the challenge and will be walking to work all that week. Now, I do live closeby, but it’s not always convenient for me to be without my vehicle. There’s kids to pick up or errands to run on the way home. I’m having to plan ahead and reorganize. This is just something to show myself I can do it, I can take one more step and maybe reap some rewards in the whole green scheme of things. Care to join me? It’s the Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Go Green tips for April 27th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Tuesday, April 27th:
• Have a green tip? Email it to me: sarah@921wvtk.com! Jim in Middlebury recommends this water-saving tip: For less water usage during shower time, share your shower with someone special. Jim, I don’t think that’s what I had in mind.
• Cooler temperatures mean that the heater may be back at it. Don’t give in to the temptation to over heat… so to speak. Set it low and throw on a sweater, summer will be here, soon enough, save the Bermudas and flip flops for then!
• Have you heard of a smart strip? It senses when appliances are turned off and cuts off phantom power. They’re a great energy saver.
I know the weather today is no great sign, but we are coming into the stitch switch month. You know, it’s when all the winter stuff goes into hibernation and your shorts and sandals come to the front of the closet. If you have kids, last years summer wear will most likely be an unobtainable dream. This year, I know I can’t afford to provide them with a whole new warm weather wardrobe-again. So I seek out the vintage shops. Places like Neat Repeats and Round Robin in Middlebury. Shopping secondhand is the perfect solution, a lot of it is close to brand new, especially their lighter clothing, because we live in Vermont and warm temperatures only last, what, two days? I say, down with brand new! Feel free to join me on my soap box, there’s always room for more on The Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Tuesday, April 27th:
• Have a green tip? Email it to me: sarah@921wvtk.com! Jim in Middlebury recommends this water-saving tip: For less water usage during shower time, share your shower with someone special. Jim, I don’t think that’s what I had in mind.
• Cooler temperatures mean that the heater may be back at it. Don’t give in to the temptation to over heat… so to speak. Set it low and throw on a sweater, summer will be here, soon enough, save the Bermudas and flip flops for then!
• Have you heard of a smart strip? It senses when appliances are turned off and cuts off phantom power. They’re a great energy saver.
I know the weather today is no great sign, but we are coming into the stitch switch month. You know, it’s when all the winter stuff goes into hibernation and your shorts and sandals come to the front of the closet. If you have kids, last years summer wear will most likely be an unobtainable dream. This year, I know I can’t afford to provide them with a whole new warm weather wardrobe-again. So I seek out the vintage shops. Places like Neat Repeats and Round Robin in Middlebury. Shopping secondhand is the perfect solution, a lot of it is close to brand new, especially their lighter clothing, because we live in Vermont and warm temperatures only last, what, two days? I say, down with brand new! Feel free to join me on my soap box, there’s always room for more on The Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Go Green tips for April 26th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Monday, April 26th:
• Hate junk mail? Here’s a reuse tip that provides some satisfaction! Shred the junk mail and save it to use as packing material! It’s okay to laugh maniacally while shredding it.
• A great reuse idea for tennis balls: that is if you don’t have a dog to share it with! Split it almost completely in half so that it opens like a small jewelry box and hide your valuables inside. Burglars will never suspect. That is, unless they’re listening right now…Oops!
• Reuse your pill bottles! Fill with pins, buttons, use to carry jewelry on a trip. You could even fill it with Vaseline and use as lip balm! The lid is super secure! Childproof, even!
My grandmother had a half fixation. I swear she never had a whole of anything. If someone offered her a bagel, “I’ll split it with you”, is what they’d hear. A candy bar, a soda, yes, even a cookie. The only thing she wouldn’t share is her ham salad recipe and that she took to her grave. She had the right idea, though, many times, you can save a ton of money and resources when you opt to go halfsies! Whether it’s dryer sheets or laundry detergent; Using half the amount called for makes the product last twice as long! Just a little shampoo or conditioner does the same job as a palm full and there’s less chance it’ll get in your eyes! Do you have a light fixture that calls for multiple light bulbs? Use two, instead of four or one instead of two…whatever it calls for. Odds are you won’t even notice the dimmer light quality and you’ll be saving both money and energy. How about that Grandma, givin’ great green! It’s The Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Monday, April 26th:
• Hate junk mail? Here’s a reuse tip that provides some satisfaction! Shred the junk mail and save it to use as packing material! It’s okay to laugh maniacally while shredding it.
• A great reuse idea for tennis balls: that is if you don’t have a dog to share it with! Split it almost completely in half so that it opens like a small jewelry box and hide your valuables inside. Burglars will never suspect. That is, unless they’re listening right now…Oops!
• Reuse your pill bottles! Fill with pins, buttons, use to carry jewelry on a trip. You could even fill it with Vaseline and use as lip balm! The lid is super secure! Childproof, even!
My grandmother had a half fixation. I swear she never had a whole of anything. If someone offered her a bagel, “I’ll split it with you”, is what they’d hear. A candy bar, a soda, yes, even a cookie. The only thing she wouldn’t share is her ham salad recipe and that she took to her grave. She had the right idea, though, many times, you can save a ton of money and resources when you opt to go halfsies! Whether it’s dryer sheets or laundry detergent; Using half the amount called for makes the product last twice as long! Just a little shampoo or conditioner does the same job as a palm full and there’s less chance it’ll get in your eyes! Do you have a light fixture that calls for multiple light bulbs? Use two, instead of four or one instead of two…whatever it calls for. Odds are you won’t even notice the dimmer light quality and you’ll be saving both money and energy. How about that Grandma, givin’ great green! It’s The Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Go Green tips for April 21st
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Wednesday, April 21st:
• Tomorrow is the fortieth anniversary of Earth Day! What small steps are you going to take to commemorate the occasion? Maybe walking or biking to work? Buying yourself some more shopping bags? Imagine if we all made one small effort tomorrow, the immense step forward it would be for our planet!
• A great movie to share with your kids to reinforce the idea of conservation is Wall-E. It’s about what happens to earth after mankind has used and abused it, but presents the message in a wonderful, kid-friendly way. Rent it for Earth Day!
• Another great Earth Day movie is Ant Bully. About a 10 yr. old boy who attacks a colony of ants, but winds up being shrunk down to their size and sees just how hard it is to be an ant. This movie is a wonderful message of compassion and throws in some anti-bullying messages, as well. PG, though, so not young ones.
Wow, Earth day tomorrow. If you have kids, I’m sure you’ve already started the process of making them aware of their footprint and ways they can increase their impact on a greener world. If you’re like me and always looking for different opportunities to send the message (I mean, how many ways can you tell them that you don’t own electric company). Many families have started a yearly habit of arranging an activity around Earth Day. You could raid the recycle bin and do a fun art project with what find in there. How about a clean-up picnic? Pack a lunch and spend an afternoon at a local park picking up any trash you find. Volunteer with older kids and teenagers at a local thrift shop, checking in donations. One of my favorite ones is planning a no electricity night. Turn off everything in the house that uses power. Then light some candles, grab some snacks and play a game or tell stories and jokes. These are all things your kids will remember well into adulthood to share with their kids. Special memories wrapped around a special message. That it just takes one small finger to start a ripple. It’s The Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Wednesday, April 21st:
• Tomorrow is the fortieth anniversary of Earth Day! What small steps are you going to take to commemorate the occasion? Maybe walking or biking to work? Buying yourself some more shopping bags? Imagine if we all made one small effort tomorrow, the immense step forward it would be for our planet!
• A great movie to share with your kids to reinforce the idea of conservation is Wall-E. It’s about what happens to earth after mankind has used and abused it, but presents the message in a wonderful, kid-friendly way. Rent it for Earth Day!
• Another great Earth Day movie is Ant Bully. About a 10 yr. old boy who attacks a colony of ants, but winds up being shrunk down to their size and sees just how hard it is to be an ant. This movie is a wonderful message of compassion and throws in some anti-bullying messages, as well. PG, though, so not young ones.
Wow, Earth day tomorrow. If you have kids, I’m sure you’ve already started the process of making them aware of their footprint and ways they can increase their impact on a greener world. If you’re like me and always looking for different opportunities to send the message (I mean, how many ways can you tell them that you don’t own electric company). Many families have started a yearly habit of arranging an activity around Earth Day. You could raid the recycle bin and do a fun art project with what find in there. How about a clean-up picnic? Pack a lunch and spend an afternoon at a local park picking up any trash you find. Volunteer with older kids and teenagers at a local thrift shop, checking in donations. One of my favorite ones is planning a no electricity night. Turn off everything in the house that uses power. Then light some candles, grab some snacks and play a game or tell stories and jokes. These are all things your kids will remember well into adulthood to share with their kids. Special memories wrapped around a special message. That it just takes one small finger to start a ripple. It’s The Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Go Green tips for April 20th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Tuesday, April 20th:
• It’s warmer weather! Let the lawn watering commence. Only…make sure to do it early in the morning. The water is better absorbed, less waste!
• Now that the weather is getting warmer, you could most likely plan to shelve the fireplace for the season. Remember to close the damper when the chimney is not in use!
Okay, today’s show is going to the dogs. Or, to be more specific, the leavings of dogs. I’m always going on and on about shopping bags, with the intent of eliminating plastic bags in our lives. They are something that live on eternally in landfill and that does not sit well with me. But, plastic bags, serve an important purpose for us dog owners and you know what I’m talking about. If we don’t get the plastic bags, how do we collect our puppy’s smelly little presents they like to leave in the darnedest places. Puppy poop is biodegradable, only stays around long enough for the neighbor to notice it in their yard, but plastic, not so much. Let’s talk solutions! You could use paper bags if the walk isn’t that long, or there are biodegradable bags, now. There’s a product called the Biobag that you can buy or here’s a great idea. If you like SunChips, they now come in a compostable bag. Buy the chips, eat them (my favorite part) and then save the bag for (ahem!) other purposes. Your puppy will adore you even more! Okay, they don’t care, but there’s always the self-satisfaction that comes with green choices! It’s The Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Tuesday, April 20th:
• It’s warmer weather! Let the lawn watering commence. Only…make sure to do it early in the morning. The water is better absorbed, less waste!
• Now that the weather is getting warmer, you could most likely plan to shelve the fireplace for the season. Remember to close the damper when the chimney is not in use!
Okay, today’s show is going to the dogs. Or, to be more specific, the leavings of dogs. I’m always going on and on about shopping bags, with the intent of eliminating plastic bags in our lives. They are something that live on eternally in landfill and that does not sit well with me. But, plastic bags, serve an important purpose for us dog owners and you know what I’m talking about. If we don’t get the plastic bags, how do we collect our puppy’s smelly little presents they like to leave in the darnedest places. Puppy poop is biodegradable, only stays around long enough for the neighbor to notice it in their yard, but plastic, not so much. Let’s talk solutions! You could use paper bags if the walk isn’t that long, or there are biodegradable bags, now. There’s a product called the Biobag that you can buy or here’s a great idea. If you like SunChips, they now come in a compostable bag. Buy the chips, eat them (my favorite part) and then save the bag for (ahem!) other purposes. Your puppy will adore you even more! Okay, they don’t care, but there’s always the self-satisfaction that comes with green choices! It’s The Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Go Green tips for April 19th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Monday, April 19th:
• Green up tip from right here in the office. Sales Manager Jay Gadon recommends using empty pellet bags from your pellet stove for cleaning out your kitty litter! Talk about reuse, thanks Jay!
• Not sure what’s recyclable? Go to addison county recycles dot org to find the list! For instance, did you know you should break down your cereal boxes before you put them in the bin? Neither did my husband, but he does now!
• A great way to feed the loop is not only to recycle but to make sure you buy recycled goods wherever possible. We can now find high recycled content in everything from printer paper to office chairs.
As of late, I’ve been on the search for new reuse ideas. I’ve found some really great ones, thanks to co-workers, and friends in radio land who’ve emailed them to me! Here’s a few to share: Tina in East Middlebury says she reuses happy meal bags and boxes for later when her child needs a pick me up. She repacks it with something fun to share. Ziplock bags, we all know by now that you can just wash them out but here’s a tip that goes a little further: store them in the freezer to prevent mildew. Great idea from my Mom, Edie! Egg carton trays make super seed starter trays! And ladies, if you remove the shoulder pads from your clothing like I do (talk about instant line backer), save them to attach to your hangers to make them instantly padded! Have you got a reuse idea to share? Send it to me: sarah@921wvtk.com! Whether it’s information or chocolate, I’m always on the quest to be fed on The Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Monday, April 19th:
• Green up tip from right here in the office. Sales Manager Jay Gadon recommends using empty pellet bags from your pellet stove for cleaning out your kitty litter! Talk about reuse, thanks Jay!
• Not sure what’s recyclable? Go to addison county recycles dot org to find the list! For instance, did you know you should break down your cereal boxes before you put them in the bin? Neither did my husband, but he does now!
• A great way to feed the loop is not only to recycle but to make sure you buy recycled goods wherever possible. We can now find high recycled content in everything from printer paper to office chairs.
As of late, I’ve been on the search for new reuse ideas. I’ve found some really great ones, thanks to co-workers, and friends in radio land who’ve emailed them to me! Here’s a few to share: Tina in East Middlebury says she reuses happy meal bags and boxes for later when her child needs a pick me up. She repacks it with something fun to share. Ziplock bags, we all know by now that you can just wash them out but here’s a tip that goes a little further: store them in the freezer to prevent mildew. Great idea from my Mom, Edie! Egg carton trays make super seed starter trays! And ladies, if you remove the shoulder pads from your clothing like I do (talk about instant line backer), save them to attach to your hangers to make them instantly padded! Have you got a reuse idea to share? Send it to me: sarah@921wvtk.com! Whether it’s information or chocolate, I’m always on the quest to be fed on The Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Go Green tips for April 16th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Friday, April 16th:
• Share a magazine subscription with a friend, not only will you share the cost but you will cut down on the amount of trees used!
• Here’s a great reason to unclutter your linen closet: donate your old towels to a local animal shelter & give a furry friend a soft place to rest.
• When bringing your lunch to work, use tupperware or reusable containers instead of plastic and paper bags.
Some things are just too well put together to throw out. Take those tubes that paper towels and toilet paper come on. I hate tossing them into recycling and I’m always looking for ways to put them to use! I did find out the hard way that my puppy loves to chew them. I was picking up the soggy pieces for at least an hour. But that’s not what I’m talking about. After some creative research, here’s are ways to put them to use! You could keep computer and appliance cords tangle-free. Fanfold the cord and pass it through a toilet paper tube before plugging in. You can also use the tubes to store extension cords when they're not in use. You could use these tubes to store important documents. Before storing diplomas, marriage certificates, and other important documents in your cedar chest , roll them tightly and insert them in paper towel tubes. This prevents creases and keeps the documents clean and dry. You can use them as hair curlers! If your hair is longer than shoulder length, roll it around the tubes, use bobby pins to secure, then, let your hair sit for about an hour and you’ll have fuller, smoother, flowing hair with curls at the bottom. You can store fabric scraps on them, organize your hair bands…the list is only as long as your imagination! It’s one of the three r’s –reuse! I have a dream and it is green! The Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Friday, April 16th:
• Share a magazine subscription with a friend, not only will you share the cost but you will cut down on the amount of trees used!
• Here’s a great reason to unclutter your linen closet: donate your old towels to a local animal shelter & give a furry friend a soft place to rest.
• When bringing your lunch to work, use tupperware or reusable containers instead of plastic and paper bags.
Some things are just too well put together to throw out. Take those tubes that paper towels and toilet paper come on. I hate tossing them into recycling and I’m always looking for ways to put them to use! I did find out the hard way that my puppy loves to chew them. I was picking up the soggy pieces for at least an hour. But that’s not what I’m talking about. After some creative research, here’s are ways to put them to use! You could keep computer and appliance cords tangle-free. Fanfold the cord and pass it through a toilet paper tube before plugging in. You can also use the tubes to store extension cords when they're not in use. You could use these tubes to store important documents. Before storing diplomas, marriage certificates, and other important documents in your cedar chest , roll them tightly and insert them in paper towel tubes. This prevents creases and keeps the documents clean and dry. You can use them as hair curlers! If your hair is longer than shoulder length, roll it around the tubes, use bobby pins to secure, then, let your hair sit for about an hour and you’ll have fuller, smoother, flowing hair with curls at the bottom. You can store fabric scraps on them, organize your hair bands…the list is only as long as your imagination! It’s one of the three r’s –reuse! I have a dream and it is green! The Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Go Green tips for April 15th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Thursday, April 15th:
• Want to ride like a hybrid? Stop using your ride as your closet! For every 100 pounds of stuff in the back seat and trunk, you lose one to two percent of fuel efficiency.
• If you’re getting ready to retread your ride, try to opt for new fuel-efficient tires. Due to new materials in these tires, they use less energy when rolling along the road but maintain excellent wear and traction characteristics. Major tire makers including Michelin, Goodyear and Bridgestone all offer fuel-efficient models.
• Want to help save 40,000 trees? Buy recycled toilet paper, as easy as that! It’s all about the trees, baby!
I counted them the other day and I can’t believe how many I own. They’re not all just plain-jane, either. I have lots of differing sizes and colors and designs. Some match what I’m wearing today, a couple match yesterday’s ensemble, I even have a few that match my car. There’s one that has a cow on one side and a farmer on the other. My favorite, though, is made completely out of old juice bags. What am I talking about? Reuseable shopping bags. Other people collect figurines, stamps, state quarters or if you’re my husband—tools. I collect shopping bags. No matter how big the shopping trip, I’ve never run out. Not ever. I came close, recently in Hannaford. The poor girl used one whole bag for a cantelope and then when she had a couple of things left over, she reached for the plastic. Whoa…nay, nay fluffy! This calls for a little re-organization! Eventually, the cantelope nestled in with the shampoo and the dog’s rawhides and I left the store, once again, plastic bag free! Okay, have I achieved world peace, no, but a contribution, nevertheless and they all add up. By the way, I own thirty-one bags and I’m looking for thirty-two! That’s green, baby, the Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Thursday, April 15th:
• Want to ride like a hybrid? Stop using your ride as your closet! For every 100 pounds of stuff in the back seat and trunk, you lose one to two percent of fuel efficiency.
• If you’re getting ready to retread your ride, try to opt for new fuel-efficient tires. Due to new materials in these tires, they use less energy when rolling along the road but maintain excellent wear and traction characteristics. Major tire makers including Michelin, Goodyear and Bridgestone all offer fuel-efficient models.
• Want to help save 40,000 trees? Buy recycled toilet paper, as easy as that! It’s all about the trees, baby!
I counted them the other day and I can’t believe how many I own. They’re not all just plain-jane, either. I have lots of differing sizes and colors and designs. Some match what I’m wearing today, a couple match yesterday’s ensemble, I even have a few that match my car. There’s one that has a cow on one side and a farmer on the other. My favorite, though, is made completely out of old juice bags. What am I talking about? Reuseable shopping bags. Other people collect figurines, stamps, state quarters or if you’re my husband—tools. I collect shopping bags. No matter how big the shopping trip, I’ve never run out. Not ever. I came close, recently in Hannaford. The poor girl used one whole bag for a cantelope and then when she had a couple of things left over, she reached for the plastic. Whoa…nay, nay fluffy! This calls for a little re-organization! Eventually, the cantelope nestled in with the shampoo and the dog’s rawhides and I left the store, once again, plastic bag free! Okay, have I achieved world peace, no, but a contribution, nevertheless and they all add up. By the way, I own thirty-one bags and I’m looking for thirty-two! That’s green, baby, the Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Go Green tips for April 14th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Wednesday, April 14th:
• Going to the movies? Walk or bike there. After all, you'll be sitting down for the whole film!
• When was you last tune up? A properly maintained engine can improve mileage by up to 4%. That’s a roll in the right direction!
• Want to help save 40,000 trees? Buy recycled toilet paper, as easy as that! It’s all about the trees, baby!
If Michelle Obama isn’t afraid to dig some dirt and plant a garden, why can't you? What better way to get fresh, locally grown, organic vegetables and herbs? Plus, you can't beat the price. For a couple of dollars in seeds, you can enjoy an entire summer's worth of crops. In fact, gardening can save you hundreds of dollars in food each season you grow your own. If you’re as green at the gardening thing (no pun intended) as I am, here’s some tips to get started:
First, plan your garden carefully, keeping in mind when you pick out the plot that vegetables need full sunlight.
Make sure to get rid of ALL the weeds. Digging them out as opposed to simply pulling them and possibly leaving a root or two behind.
Think about your watering system, a smaller plot means you can water it by hand, but that can get tedious with a larger piece of land. Perhaps a drip irrigation system may be a better way to go to get the water straight to the roots as opposed to the wasteful sprinkler.
And one more: make sure to pick plants that grow well in our climate. Think native and they’ll prosper! Another way to go green on 92.1 WVTK!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Wednesday, April 14th:
• Going to the movies? Walk or bike there. After all, you'll be sitting down for the whole film!
• When was you last tune up? A properly maintained engine can improve mileage by up to 4%. That’s a roll in the right direction!
• Want to help save 40,000 trees? Buy recycled toilet paper, as easy as that! It’s all about the trees, baby!
If Michelle Obama isn’t afraid to dig some dirt and plant a garden, why can't you? What better way to get fresh, locally grown, organic vegetables and herbs? Plus, you can't beat the price. For a couple of dollars in seeds, you can enjoy an entire summer's worth of crops. In fact, gardening can save you hundreds of dollars in food each season you grow your own. If you’re as green at the gardening thing (no pun intended) as I am, here’s some tips to get started:
First, plan your garden carefully, keeping in mind when you pick out the plot that vegetables need full sunlight.
Make sure to get rid of ALL the weeds. Digging them out as opposed to simply pulling them and possibly leaving a root or two behind.
Think about your watering system, a smaller plot means you can water it by hand, but that can get tedious with a larger piece of land. Perhaps a drip irrigation system may be a better way to go to get the water straight to the roots as opposed to the wasteful sprinkler.
And one more: make sure to pick plants that grow well in our climate. Think native and they’ll prosper! Another way to go green on 92.1 WVTK!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Go Green tips for April 13th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Tuesday, April 13th:
• Got a compost pile, shred up that old phone book and put it to use there!
• Got a box store membership? Buying in bulk saves money and packaging. IF you’ve got the storage, that is! Be realistic, where will you keep all that toilet paper that doesn’t fit under the sink?
• Have you been able to find a reusable aluminum water bottle yet? I saw some at TJMaxx the other day. They’re very inexpensive and will save the money you’d otherwise spend on plastic waste. Going tap and water filter is going green, baby!
I love it when the news goes green: Students getting ready to graduate from St. Michael's College will be going green this year. All 550 graduating students will be wearing robes made by a company called Green Weaver. The fabric is made from 100-percent recycled plastic bottles. The green gowns cost about the same as the traditional kind and the college intends on recycling unwanted gowns for the next graduating class. I can’t think of a better start in the world than a green one! This is the Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Tuesday, April 13th:
• Got a compost pile, shred up that old phone book and put it to use there!
• Got a box store membership? Buying in bulk saves money and packaging. IF you’ve got the storage, that is! Be realistic, where will you keep all that toilet paper that doesn’t fit under the sink?
• Have you been able to find a reusable aluminum water bottle yet? I saw some at TJMaxx the other day. They’re very inexpensive and will save the money you’d otherwise spend on plastic waste. Going tap and water filter is going green, baby!
I love it when the news goes green: Students getting ready to graduate from St. Michael's College will be going green this year. All 550 graduating students will be wearing robes made by a company called Green Weaver. The fabric is made from 100-percent recycled plastic bottles. The green gowns cost about the same as the traditional kind and the college intends on recycling unwanted gowns for the next graduating class. I can’t think of a better start in the world than a green one! This is the Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Go Green tips for April 12th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Monday, April 10th:
• Unplugging TVs, DVD players, computers, and other major electronics when they're not in use could keep thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air each year. Just like locking the door or feeding the cat, make it a habit.
• When meeting with your accountant this week, ask him or her to give you information about 2010 federal and state energy tax credits that you could get for making more environmentally responsible purchases.
• If you clean out the lint filter of your clothes dryer before each load, you'll reduce your energy use by up to 30 percent.
Be water sensible! The Earth might seem like it has abundant water, but in fact only one percent of all water on the planet is available for humans. Buy fixtures and products that are water efficient - you can use less water to get the same job done just as well. When you go shopping, look for the WaterSense label to find water efficient products. While I’m on the subject of fluids, a full bathtub requires about 70 gallons of water, but taking a five-minute shower saves water by using 10 to 25 gallons. Put a little timer or clock near your shower so you can see how fast you are, I bet it’s not as short as you think it is—you can do better! Save even more water, and money on your water bill, by installing a water-efficient showerhead, or ask your landlord to install one if you rent. Vote earth and go green
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Monday, April 10th:
• Unplugging TVs, DVD players, computers, and other major electronics when they're not in use could keep thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air each year. Just like locking the door or feeding the cat, make it a habit.
• When meeting with your accountant this week, ask him or her to give you information about 2010 federal and state energy tax credits that you could get for making more environmentally responsible purchases.
• If you clean out the lint filter of your clothes dryer before each load, you'll reduce your energy use by up to 30 percent.
Be water sensible! The Earth might seem like it has abundant water, but in fact only one percent of all water on the planet is available for humans. Buy fixtures and products that are water efficient - you can use less water to get the same job done just as well. When you go shopping, look for the WaterSense label to find water efficient products. While I’m on the subject of fluids, a full bathtub requires about 70 gallons of water, but taking a five-minute shower saves water by using 10 to 25 gallons. Put a little timer or clock near your shower so you can see how fast you are, I bet it’s not as short as you think it is—you can do better! Save even more water, and money on your water bill, by installing a water-efficient showerhead, or ask your landlord to install one if you rent. Vote earth and go green
Friday, April 9, 2010
Go Green tips for April 9th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Friday, April 9th:
• Like to buy the all-natural cleaners? They can be expensive! Make you own, spray some hydrogen peroxide and then some white vinegar onto the surface-it doesn’t what order you spray them in- then wipe it off. It does the job cheaper, without the toxins!
• Up until recently a really easy gift for my kids was a gift card to a bookstore. Then it occurred to me what better way to demonstrate recycling than to simply get them a Library card they can use again and again and again. Food for thought!
• Reuseable grocery bags make great gifts! Even better, Dad’s, have the kids decorate some plain cloth bags for Mother’s Day. They can draw pictures and write things like “I’d rather be shopping” or “life is too short for cheap chocolate!”. At least that’s what my bag says!
Let’s talk about reuse, shall we? Here’s some ideas: Those greeting cards starting to pile up? Repurpose ‘em. No, don’t scribble out people’s names –tacky! Cut them in half or just cut out the pictures. Give them to your kids to create a fun collage or make brand new cards out of them with some construction paper. How about all those crayons that the kids no longer use to color because they’re broken and too short? Fill up the cupcake tin holes with lots of different colors, then bake them to melt them down. Remove from the tin after they cool and WOO-LA! New crayons! Got old t-shirts or jeans? Make them into shopping bags. Actually, I found one website that actually gave step by step instructions on how to turn your old t-shirts in new underware. I’ll spare you that one! It’s all about using what you have, it’s all about the green, baby!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Friday, April 9th:
• Like to buy the all-natural cleaners? They can be expensive! Make you own, spray some hydrogen peroxide and then some white vinegar onto the surface-it doesn’t what order you spray them in- then wipe it off. It does the job cheaper, without the toxins!
• Up until recently a really easy gift for my kids was a gift card to a bookstore. Then it occurred to me what better way to demonstrate recycling than to simply get them a Library card they can use again and again and again. Food for thought!
• Reuseable grocery bags make great gifts! Even better, Dad’s, have the kids decorate some plain cloth bags for Mother’s Day. They can draw pictures and write things like “I’d rather be shopping” or “life is too short for cheap chocolate!”. At least that’s what my bag says!
Let’s talk about reuse, shall we? Here’s some ideas: Those greeting cards starting to pile up? Repurpose ‘em. No, don’t scribble out people’s names –tacky! Cut them in half or just cut out the pictures. Give them to your kids to create a fun collage or make brand new cards out of them with some construction paper. How about all those crayons that the kids no longer use to color because they’re broken and too short? Fill up the cupcake tin holes with lots of different colors, then bake them to melt them down. Remove from the tin after they cool and WOO-LA! New crayons! Got old t-shirts or jeans? Make them into shopping bags. Actually, I found one website that actually gave step by step instructions on how to turn your old t-shirts in new underware. I’ll spare you that one! It’s all about using what you have, it’s all about the green, baby!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Go Green tips for April 8th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Thursday, April 8th:
• Driving green: Poor alignment not only causes tires to wear out more quickly, but also forces your engine to work harder. Align your tires, and save up to 10%. Cost Savings: 20 cents per gallon.
• Working out the future college student’s budget? One textbook can be as much as over a hundred dollars. I found a great site that students can actually rent textbooks from and save tons of green. It’s Chegg.com. Check it out!
• Shop at your local farmers' market. This will help support farmers in your area. Middlebury’s Winter market is this Saturday at American Flatbread in the Marbleworks.
I love to get packages in the mail. I think it stems back to when I was little and my grandparents would send us a little something extra just because. You’d see the postal truck out front and hear the doorbell and you knew that whatever he had wasn’t big enough to fit in the mailbox and could just be for you. That’s a great feeling. What I don’t like about getting packages, though, is the the excess packing material the usually accompanies it. Styrofoam casings and peanuts, bubble wrap, now they have little clear plastic balloons that are usually popped by the time the box gets to me. Useful, not so much. What to do with all that fluff fluff what-nots? You might not know that Styrofoam and bubble wrap are not recyclable. But, you could save them for future packaging projects (yes, foist them off on someone else) or just take them to one of the area businesses that accept them for reuse. The businesses that accept bubblewrap are : Bob Compton Pottery in Bristol and Ledge Haven Farm in Orwell. You can take your Styrofoam to Middlebury’s U.P.S. Store and those business who will accept both are Maple Landmark Woodcraft in Middlebury and Kennedy Brothers Marketplace in Vergennes. Tell ‘em Sarah at 92.1 WVTK sent you!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Thursday, April 8th:
• Driving green: Poor alignment not only causes tires to wear out more quickly, but also forces your engine to work harder. Align your tires, and save up to 10%. Cost Savings: 20 cents per gallon.
• Working out the future college student’s budget? One textbook can be as much as over a hundred dollars. I found a great site that students can actually rent textbooks from and save tons of green. It’s Chegg.com. Check it out!
• Shop at your local farmers' market. This will help support farmers in your area. Middlebury’s Winter market is this Saturday at American Flatbread in the Marbleworks.
I love to get packages in the mail. I think it stems back to when I was little and my grandparents would send us a little something extra just because. You’d see the postal truck out front and hear the doorbell and you knew that whatever he had wasn’t big enough to fit in the mailbox and could just be for you. That’s a great feeling. What I don’t like about getting packages, though, is the the excess packing material the usually accompanies it. Styrofoam casings and peanuts, bubble wrap, now they have little clear plastic balloons that are usually popped by the time the box gets to me. Useful, not so much. What to do with all that fluff fluff what-nots? You might not know that Styrofoam and bubble wrap are not recyclable. But, you could save them for future packaging projects (yes, foist them off on someone else) or just take them to one of the area businesses that accept them for reuse. The businesses that accept bubblewrap are : Bob Compton Pottery in Bristol and Ledge Haven Farm in Orwell. You can take your Styrofoam to Middlebury’s U.P.S. Store and those business who will accept both are Maple Landmark Woodcraft in Middlebury and Kennedy Brothers Marketplace in Vergennes. Tell ‘em Sarah at 92.1 WVTK sent you!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Go Green tips for April 7th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Wednesday, April 7th:
• Green driving: Nearly one in four cars needs an air filter replacement. A clean air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10%. Cost Savings: 20 cents a gallon, give or take.
• Got a toaster oven? It does more than just toast, you know. Use it for smaller stuff instead of the oven. It uses a ton less energy and heats things up a bit faster!
• Shop at your local farmers' market. This will help support farmers in your area. Middlebury’s Winter market is this Saturday at American Flatbread in the Marbleworks! I’m planning on saving gas and walking there this weekend. Don’t be impressed I work, like, five feet away.
Used is the new black and there’s a ton of second hand boutiques and consignment shops around today and even more, tomorrow! These days, when I admire a friend’s shirt, I don’t hear “Thanks, I got it at the mall”, I hear “Oh yeah, Neat Repeats for four bucks!”. Actually, though, some of the best stuff can be had second hand from friend. We’ve talked about his before, doing a clothing swap party. But why not make it a regular date? Consider organizing a monthly event to get rid of unwanted stuff and acquire new-to-you goodies without spending a penny or throwing a single thing in the trash. Hold it at your house or, as it grows, at a local community center. Score vintage finds and reduce your household clutter while reconnecting with friends and even making new ones! Got leftovers? Donate 'em to your local thrift store, and remember tax time! Don't forget to get that receipt — it’s all about the deductions, baby! Going green, saving green, that’s us: 921wvtk!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Wednesday, April 7th:
• Green driving: Nearly one in four cars needs an air filter replacement. A clean air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10%. Cost Savings: 20 cents a gallon, give or take.
• Got a toaster oven? It does more than just toast, you know. Use it for smaller stuff instead of the oven. It uses a ton less energy and heats things up a bit faster!
• Shop at your local farmers' market. This will help support farmers in your area. Middlebury’s Winter market is this Saturday at American Flatbread in the Marbleworks! I’m planning on saving gas and walking there this weekend. Don’t be impressed I work, like, five feet away.
Used is the new black and there’s a ton of second hand boutiques and consignment shops around today and even more, tomorrow! These days, when I admire a friend’s shirt, I don’t hear “Thanks, I got it at the mall”, I hear “Oh yeah, Neat Repeats for four bucks!”. Actually, though, some of the best stuff can be had second hand from friend. We’ve talked about his before, doing a clothing swap party. But why not make it a regular date? Consider organizing a monthly event to get rid of unwanted stuff and acquire new-to-you goodies without spending a penny or throwing a single thing in the trash. Hold it at your house or, as it grows, at a local community center. Score vintage finds and reduce your household clutter while reconnecting with friends and even making new ones! Got leftovers? Donate 'em to your local thrift store, and remember tax time! Don't forget to get that receipt — it’s all about the deductions, baby! Going green, saving green, that’s us: 921wvtk!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Go Green tips for April 6th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Tuesday, April 6th:
• Stash a small reusable produce bag in your purse or briefcase so that if you decide to swing by the farmers' market on your lunch hour, you won't have to juggle your fruit to avoid the ol' plastic bag.
• Old phone book use tip number five: Use your old volumes for knee pads when you’re gardening. Unless you already own one of those attractive designer knee pads and then I’ll just quell my envy.
• Didja know that the average woman in the U.S. owns at least 6 handbags. And apparently the number goes up depending on your age. Four in 10 women age 55 and above said they own seven or more handbags each. Maybe it’s time to let a few of those re-enter the market?
One of the keys for having a greener kitchen is to choose cookware and utensils that stand the test of time and won’t have to be thrown away with your leftover casserole. That means you gotta ditch the Teflon. While the debate about the health hazards of non-stick surfaces continues, there is no doubt that it has a limited useful life. Unlike stainless steel and cast iron. Though a bit of an investment, a good cast iron skillet will last for generations. Likewise, choose sturdy utensils rather than cheap ones; low-quality wooden spoons, for example, can rot and let’s not even think about the bacteria living that old wooden spoon you inherited from Mom. Oh, and plastic will melt if you leave it on the stove too long. Remember, the investment is very worth it! Buy high-quality knives that you can sharpen by hand, and try long-lasting cloth towels instead of paper, where ever you can. I know, I’m not completely willing to give up my paper towels either, but I’m trying to budget them better to make them last longer. Small steps of green on 92.1 WVTK!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Tuesday, April 6th:
• Stash a small reusable produce bag in your purse or briefcase so that if you decide to swing by the farmers' market on your lunch hour, you won't have to juggle your fruit to avoid the ol' plastic bag.
• Old phone book use tip number five: Use your old volumes for knee pads when you’re gardening. Unless you already own one of those attractive designer knee pads and then I’ll just quell my envy.
• Didja know that the average woman in the U.S. owns at least 6 handbags. And apparently the number goes up depending on your age. Four in 10 women age 55 and above said they own seven or more handbags each. Maybe it’s time to let a few of those re-enter the market?
One of the keys for having a greener kitchen is to choose cookware and utensils that stand the test of time and won’t have to be thrown away with your leftover casserole. That means you gotta ditch the Teflon. While the debate about the health hazards of non-stick surfaces continues, there is no doubt that it has a limited useful life. Unlike stainless steel and cast iron. Though a bit of an investment, a good cast iron skillet will last for generations. Likewise, choose sturdy utensils rather than cheap ones; low-quality wooden spoons, for example, can rot and let’s not even think about the bacteria living that old wooden spoon you inherited from Mom. Oh, and plastic will melt if you leave it on the stove too long. Remember, the investment is very worth it! Buy high-quality knives that you can sharpen by hand, and try long-lasting cloth towels instead of paper, where ever you can. I know, I’m not completely willing to give up my paper towels either, but I’m trying to budget them better to make them last longer. Small steps of green on 92.1 WVTK!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Go Green tips for April 5th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Monday, April 5th:
• Stash a small reusable produce bag in your purse or briefcase so that if you decide to swing by the farmers' market on your lunch hour, you won't have to juggle your fruit to avoid the ol' plastic bag.
• Didja know that your bottle cap is not recyclable? Nope, ya’ gotta throw that sucker out. You start collecting them and encourage your artistic child to later design a mosaic using those colorful caps. Or like I said…you could throw them out.
• Ready to clean out that closet and switch wardrobes for the coming warmer temperatures? Take stock and be realistic. Maybe it’s time to change it up a bit. Organize a clothing swap with some friends and acquire some new pieces without shopping this year!
What are your thoughts about ugly produce? Judge not! Organic farmers will tell you that variation in the size and shape of produce is natural, but this isn't the impression you'd get from the average supermarket, where the fruits and vegetables appear eerily perfect. These Stepford tomatoes are a result of strict regulations which ban less than spectacular specimens. Rejected fruits can be made into juice, used to feed livestock, or some, simply left in the field—to rot—what a waste. There is a movement, of sorts, and a few supermarkets now offer less than perfect fruit for a reduced price, recognizing that quality product doesn’t have to always be pretty. Farmers markets and food co-ops often are less picky in their produce choices, so just remember, like your mother always preached, don’t judge a book or kiwi by its cover. That’s the green of it on 92.1 WVTK.
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Monday, April 5th:
• Stash a small reusable produce bag in your purse or briefcase so that if you decide to swing by the farmers' market on your lunch hour, you won't have to juggle your fruit to avoid the ol' plastic bag.
• Didja know that your bottle cap is not recyclable? Nope, ya’ gotta throw that sucker out. You start collecting them and encourage your artistic child to later design a mosaic using those colorful caps. Or like I said…you could throw them out.
• Ready to clean out that closet and switch wardrobes for the coming warmer temperatures? Take stock and be realistic. Maybe it’s time to change it up a bit. Organize a clothing swap with some friends and acquire some new pieces without shopping this year!
What are your thoughts about ugly produce? Judge not! Organic farmers will tell you that variation in the size and shape of produce is natural, but this isn't the impression you'd get from the average supermarket, where the fruits and vegetables appear eerily perfect. These Stepford tomatoes are a result of strict regulations which ban less than spectacular specimens. Rejected fruits can be made into juice, used to feed livestock, or some, simply left in the field—to rot—what a waste. There is a movement, of sorts, and a few supermarkets now offer less than perfect fruit for a reduced price, recognizing that quality product doesn’t have to always be pretty. Farmers markets and food co-ops often are less picky in their produce choices, so just remember, like your mother always preached, don’t judge a book or kiwi by its cover. That’s the green of it on 92.1 WVTK.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Go Green tips for April 2nd
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Friday, April 2nd:
• Beautiful days like these just make me think about walking to where I need to go as opposed to cranking up the engine once again. Join me in the annual sneaker polishing ritual, won’t you?
• Reuse is the second cardinal rule of recycling, but make sure that what you’re doing is safe. Plastic soda, and juice bottles and other plastic utensils aren’t made for multiple uses and can break down, releasing chemicals, especially in heat (like the dishwasher) and cold, (like the freezer).
• Hate dry cleaning as much as I do? Good! Wear clothes that don't need to be dry-cleaned. This saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.
While plants can't cure major indoor pollution problems on their own, they are an ideal antidote to the minor contamination introduced into our indoor environments through everyday household products and building materials. Plants produce oxygen, add precious moisture and remove toxins from the air through the tiny openings in their leaves. In fact, as few as 15 houseplants in an average-size home can offer a significant reduction in the number of indoor contaminants in most homes and offices. For example, here’s couple to start cha thinkin’: The Boston Fern is highly effective at removing formaldehyde, a contaminant released by gas stoves, and present in many household items (including particleboard, carpet backings, some grocery bags, facial tissues, paper towels and permanent-press clothing). How about the Snake plant or mother-in-laws tongue (their moniker for it, not mine) it’s a hardy and hardworking indoor air cleaner. It’ll remove toxins in rooms where other plants won’t grow, such as offices with no windows. Indoor plants: go green by adding more green to your environment. The Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Friday, April 2nd:
• Beautiful days like these just make me think about walking to where I need to go as opposed to cranking up the engine once again. Join me in the annual sneaker polishing ritual, won’t you?
• Reuse is the second cardinal rule of recycling, but make sure that what you’re doing is safe. Plastic soda, and juice bottles and other plastic utensils aren’t made for multiple uses and can break down, releasing chemicals, especially in heat (like the dishwasher) and cold, (like the freezer).
• Hate dry cleaning as much as I do? Good! Wear clothes that don't need to be dry-cleaned. This saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.
While plants can't cure major indoor pollution problems on their own, they are an ideal antidote to the minor contamination introduced into our indoor environments through everyday household products and building materials. Plants produce oxygen, add precious moisture and remove toxins from the air through the tiny openings in their leaves. In fact, as few as 15 houseplants in an average-size home can offer a significant reduction in the number of indoor contaminants in most homes and offices. For example, here’s couple to start cha thinkin’: The Boston Fern is highly effective at removing formaldehyde, a contaminant released by gas stoves, and present in many household items (including particleboard, carpet backings, some grocery bags, facial tissues, paper towels and permanent-press clothing). How about the Snake plant or mother-in-laws tongue (their moniker for it, not mine) it’s a hardy and hardworking indoor air cleaner. It’ll remove toxins in rooms where other plants won’t grow, such as offices with no windows. Indoor plants: go green by adding more green to your environment. The Go Green Ride at Five on 92.1 WVTK!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Go Green tips for April 1st
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Thursday, April 1st:
• Letting your faucet run for five minutes uses about as much energy as letting a 60-watt light bulb run for 14 hours. When you save water, you save energy!
Let’s talk composting! Don’t worry, it’s new to me, too. A common problem some people run into with composting is the smell. No, that’s not normal, but it’s super easy to fix. Why is the odor there? It could one of any of the following issues: Your ratio is off. Fill your bin with about 50 percent dry material and 50 percent green material. A high proportion of greens (kitchen waste/grass clippings) can be the cause of a strong smell in the bin. Add more browns (wood prunings, paper, or cardboard—what’d you think I meant) to fix the problem. There also might not be enough air access. Make sure your bins has holes. It may simply be a matter of stirring it more often or spinning it if you have that model. Finally, the cause could be carnivorous materials. Do not use meats, oils, fats, or any droppings from carnivores. You can use droppings from vegetarian animals, though. Meats and oils contain materials that don’t break down as quickly. Granted your compost may not be cologne quality, but the smell shouldn’t hit you before the sight. fragrantly green on 921 wvtk!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Thursday, April 1st:
• Letting your faucet run for five minutes uses about as much energy as letting a 60-watt light bulb run for 14 hours. When you save water, you save energy!
Let’s talk composting! Don’t worry, it’s new to me, too. A common problem some people run into with composting is the smell. No, that’s not normal, but it’s super easy to fix. Why is the odor there? It could one of any of the following issues: Your ratio is off. Fill your bin with about 50 percent dry material and 50 percent green material. A high proportion of greens (kitchen waste/grass clippings) can be the cause of a strong smell in the bin. Add more browns (wood prunings, paper, or cardboard—what’d you think I meant) to fix the problem. There also might not be enough air access. Make sure your bins has holes. It may simply be a matter of stirring it more often or spinning it if you have that model. Finally, the cause could be carnivorous materials. Do not use meats, oils, fats, or any droppings from carnivores. You can use droppings from vegetarian animals, though. Meats and oils contain materials that don’t break down as quickly. Granted your compost may not be cologne quality, but the smell shouldn’t hit you before the sight. fragrantly green on 921 wvtk!
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