Monday, December 14, 2009

Last Minute Gift Ideas!


For the Conscious Shopper.


One of the funnest gifts that I assembled for someone was a personalized basket. This included a reusable woven shopping basket (perfect for the farmer's market or a picnic). I filled it with local goodies ranging from honey and salsa to a bottle of wine. Other local products that are perfect for filling a gift basket are chocolates, lotions, soaps and candles. Here are a few one-stop-shops for these kinds of gifts.
  • I love The Isla Vista Coop. It is jam packed with all sorts of products. You are certain to find something for someone here.
  • Santa Barbara Gift Baskets has wonderful local items to choose from-even for those with a more discriminating taste.
  • Similar to the I.V. Coop but closer to downtown-the Santa Barbara Tri-County Produce is where you can find dried fruits, great local wines, coffee and sweet treats from around our area.
  • Find unique jewelery and other worldly gifts at Arcoboleno Trade. This is a fair trade gift shop that helps support artisans in developing countries and promotes sustainability.
  • A great item to stuff in your gift basket are these Reusable Produce Bags. Perfect for your friends that shop the Farmer's Market.
  • Don't forget that local coffee shops carry reusable coffee mugs. Wrap one up with some coffee or tea and it makes for an easy and thoughtful gift. One of my favorite coffee shops in town is Vices and Spices. They have a large selection of tea, coffee, jewelry and fine soaps. Located at 3558 State Street Santa Barbara, CA 93105-2628 - (805) 687-7196.
Change the way you present your present. Reuse special paper for wrapping your gifts. Calendars can make great wrapping paper that can be quite pretty and interesting to look at.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Holiday Light Exchange Dates!


The South Coast Energy Efficiency Partnership (SCEEP) is helping Southern California residents save time, money and the environment by hosting drives to exchange our standard incandescent holiday lights in exchange for light emitting diodes (LEDs). Here are the Santa Barbara locations and times so you can swap yours out!

Santa Barbara
1st Thursday Holiday Tree Decorating Station
December 3, 5-8 p.m.
Borders Bookstore patio (in front)
900 State Street
Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center
December 12 & 13, 12-4 p.m.
415 East Gutierrez St.
Santa Barbara

Goleta Goleta Valley Community Center Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 4, 5:30 p.m.
5679 Hollister Avenue
Goleta

Orchard Supply and Hardware
December 6, 12-4 p.m.
125 N Fairview Ave.
Goleta

Carpinteria Carpinteria Boy Scout tree lot – Troop 50, Pack 50, and Troop 147
Saturday, December 5, 12 noon to 4 p.m.
Carpinteria Ave., under the historical Torrey Pine (across the street from the Carpinteria Public Library)

For more check out SCEEP's website.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Grow Your Holiday Greeting

These are cool and unique - seed embedded paper. Add your message inside a card that can grow wildflowers!
Simple planting instructions are on the back of each card, along with the seed content. Each handmade card will recycle naturally into the soil as the seedlings grow. They are blank inside for you to personalize.
Click here for more on how to grow your notes!

Monday, November 9, 2009

This Mixed Use Property Won the "Building of the Year" from S.B. Contractor's Association

For Sale: Mixed Use Property and 2 Bedroom Home
  • Constructed by Campanelli Construction, State-of-the-Art "Green" built office building
  • 2 story
  • ~2,218sq. ft.
  • Loft Storage
  • Two, 2 car-garages
  • Constructed with Sips (Structural Insulated Panels)
  • 16 Solar Panels - supply electricity and hot water for the building's energy needs
  • Mostly recycled materials have been used for the finishes throughout: bamboo floors, marble, granite and tile
  • Monthly utility bills average ~$13-$15
Also on the property is a 2BD/1BA home.

Offered at $1,100,000



Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Turning Your Turkey Grease into Fuel












Did you know the grease that accumulates while baking your Thanksgiving turkey can be used to fuel biodiesel vehicles?

Instead of clogging your sink's drain and contributing to waste
put that Thanksgiving grease to use.
For more information on recycling centers and how-to's visit
Earth911

*photo courtesy of SP Times

Monday, October 19, 2009

More on Your Hom's IAQ

This is a continuation of my last post. I have come across so much info/videos/articles that go into depth about the health concerns regarding some of the cleaning products (chemicals) we use in our homes.

Here is a link to "Five Questions to Ask About Your Household Cleaners," provided by Eco-Safe Cleaners for your home. There is a video link within this article that shows test results of what some of these products do to our IAQ.

Here is to part 2 of Dangerous Household Cleaning Products.


Monday, October 5, 2009

DECIPHERING BETWEEN "GREEN" CLEANING PRODUCTS? HERE ARE SOME FACTORS TO CONSIDER

Some cleaning products contribute to toxins in the home and can lead to health issues.
Did you know that no standards exist for "green" cleaning product regulations or standards? Unlike food products, the order of ingredients listed on cleaning solutions does not represent the relative amounts within the product. This can easily lead to confusion about which products are best and safest to use.

Therefore, I have put together a little guide to help weed through any uncertainty.
1. As with any kind of "green" claim - be weary of green washing
2. Avoid products that are not specific about their ingredients, just because something says it's "safe, biodegradable, natural, earth friendly or green" does not necessarily mean that it is good for you and your home. Ask yourself questions. Is it safe for the environment? Is it safe for humans? What is it made out of (ie.: is it plant or petroleum based)? Is it recyclable? And remember a "natural" product can contain chemicals.
3. A few companies that focus on producing environmentally friendly products for the home are:
1. Mrs. Meyers
2. Simple Green
3. Seventh Generation
4. Earth Friendly Products (ECOS)

Click on the image below to read more about what makes a cleaning product "green".


According to Consumer Reports, Cleaning Products: Green Buying Guide (2007) these ingredients should be avoided:

-Ammonia
-Antibacterials
-Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs)
-Butyl Cellosolve
-Chlorine bleach
-d-limonene
-Diethanolamine (DEA)
-Triethanolamine (TEA)
-Disinfectants
-Fragrances
-Hydrochloric acid
-Naptha
-Petroleum based cleansers
-Phosphates
-Sodium hydroxide (lye)
-Sulfuric acid

For more information visit:
Greener Choices
The Green Guide
Consumer Reports

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

100 Ways you can improve the environment ~ By the Sustainable Environment for Quality of Life


In Your Home — Conserve Energy

1. Clean or replace air filters on your air conditioning unit at least once a month.

2. If you have central air conditioning, do not close vents in unused rooms.

3. Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120°.

4. Wrap your water heater in an insulated blanket.

5. Turn down or shut off your water heater when you will be away for extended periods.

6. Turn off unneeded lights even when leaving a room for a short time.

7. Set your refrigerator temperature at 36° to 38° and your freezer at 0° to 5°.

8. When using an oven, minimize door opening while it is in use; it reduces oven temperature by 25° to 30° every time you open the door.

9. Clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load so that it uses less energy.

10. Unplug seldom used appliances.

11. Use a microwave whenever you can instead of a conventional oven or stove.

12. Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot.

13. Reverse your indoor ceiling fans for summer and winter operations as recommended.

14. Turn off lights, computers and other appliances when not in use.

15. Purchase appliances and office equiptment with the Energy Star label; old refrigerators, for example, use up to 50% more electricity than newer models.

16. Only use electric appliances when you need them.

17. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs to save money and energy.

18. Keep your thermostat at 68° in winter and 78° in summer.

19. Keep your thermostat higher in summer and lower in

winter when you are away from home.

20. Insulate your home as best as you can.

21. Install weather stripping around all doors and windows.

22. Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work.

23. Plant trees to shade your home.

24. Shade outside air conditioning units by trees or other means.

25. Replace old windows with energy efficient ones.

26. Use cold water instead of warm or hot water when possible.

27. Connect your outdoor lights to a timer.

28. Buy green electricity - electricity produced by low - or even zero-pollution facilities (NC Greenpower for North Carolina - www.greenpower.com).


In your home — reduce toxicity

29. Eliminate mercury from your home by purchasing items without mercury, and dispose of items containing mercury at an

appropriate drop-off facilities

30. Learn about alternatives to household cleaning items that do not use hazardous chemicals.

31. Buy the right amount of paint for the job.

32. Review labels of household cleaners you use. Consider alternatives like baking soda, scouring pads, water or a little more elbow grease.

33. When no good alternatives exist to a toxic item, find the least amount required for an effective, sanitary result.

34. If you have an older home, have paint in your home tested for lead. If you have lead-based paint, cover it with wall paper or other material instead of sanding it or burning it off.

35. Use traps instead of rat and mouse poisons and insect killers.

36. Have your home tested for radon.

37. Use cedar chips or aromatic herbs instead of mothballs.


In your yard

38. Avoid using leaf blowers and other dust-producing equipment.

39. Use an electric lawnmower instead of a gas-powered one.

40. Leave grass clippings on the yard—they decompose and return nutrients to the soil.

41. Use recycled wood chips as mulch to keep weeds down, retain moisture and prevent erosion.

42. Use only the required amount of fertilizer.

43. Minimize pesticide use.

44. Create a wildlife habitat in your yard.

45. Water grass early in the morning.

46. Rent or borrow items like ladders, chain saws, party

decorations and others that are seldom used.

47. Take actions that use non hazardous components (e.g., to ward off pests, plant marigolds in a garden instead of using pesticide).

48. Put leaves in a compost heap instead of burning them or throwing them away. Yard debris too large for your

compost bin should be taken to a yard-debris recycler.


In your office

49. Copy and print on both sides of paper.

50. Reuse items like envelopes, folders and paper clips.

51. Use mailer sheets for interoffice mail instead of an envelope.

52. Set up a bulletin board for memos instead of sending a copy to each employee.

53. Use e-mail instead of paper correspondence.

54. Use recycled paper.

55. Use discarded paper for scrap paper.

56. Encourage your school and/or company to print documents with soy-based inks, which are less toxic.

57. Use a ceramic coffee mug instead of a disposable cup.


Ways you can protect our air

58. Ask your employer to consider flexible work schedules or

telecommuting.

59. Recycle printer cartridges.

60. Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work.

61. Report smoking vehicles to your local air agency.

62. Don’t use your wood stove or fireplace when air quality is poor.

63. Avoid slow-burning, smoldering fires. They produce the largest amount of pollution.

64. Burn seasoned wood - it burns cleaner than green wood.

65. Use solar power for home and water heating.

66. Use low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers.

67. Purchase radial tires and keep them properly inflated for your vehicle.

68. Paint with brushes or rollers instead of using spray paints to minimize harmful emissions.

69. Ignite charcoal barbecues with an electric probe or

other alternative to

lighter fluid.

70. If you use a wood stove, use one sold after 1990. They are

required to meet federal emissions standards and are more efficient and cleaner burning.

71. Walk or ride your bike instead of driving, whenever possible.

72. Join a carpool or vanpool to get to work.


Ways to use less water

73. Check and fix any water leaks.

74. Install water-saving devices on your faucets and toilets.

75. Don’t wash dishes with the water running continuously.

76. Wash and dry only full loads of laundry and dishes.

77. Follow your community’s water use restrictions or guidelines.

78. Install a low-flow shower head.

79. Replace old toilets with new ones that use a lot less water.

80. Turn off washing machine’s water supply to prevent leaks.


Ways to protect our water

81. Revegetate or mulch disturbed soil as soon as possible.

82. Never dump anything down a storm drain.

83. Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly.

84. Check your car for oil or other leaks, and recycle motor oil.

85. Take your car to a car wash instead of washing it in the driveway.

86. Learn about your watershed.


Create less trash

87. Buy items in bulk from loose bins when possible to reduce the packaging wasted.

88. Avoid products with several layers of packaging when only one is sufficient. About 33% of what we throw away is packaging.

89. Buy products that you can reuse.

90. Maintain and repair durable products instead of buying new ones.

91. Check reports for products that are easily repaired and have low breakdown rates.

92. Reuse items like bags and containers when possible.

93. Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones.

94. Use reusable plates and utensils instead of disposable ones.

95. Use reusable containers to store food instead of aluminum foil and cling wrap.

96. Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags.

97. Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently.

98. Reuse packaging cartons and shipping materials. Old

newspapers make great packaging material.

99. Compost your vegetable scraps.

100. Buy used furniture - there is a surplus of it, and it is much cheaper than new furniture.


Please visit the SEQL website for more information

Click on the image to enlarge.










Tuesday, September 8, 2009

EVENT! Rain Barrel Sale

DID YOU KNOW?
One inch of rain falling on a 1,000 sq ft roof harvests up to 600 gallons of rainwater for use in your landscape...
for more info please visit the Santa Barbara County Water website

Saturday September 26th 9:00-4:00 at SBCC’s parking lot 3 (corner of Shoreline & Loma Alta Dr.). The barrels, normally a $120 value, will be sold for $50.





Thursday, August 27, 2009

EVENT! Where's Your Bag?






Great community event tomorrow in De La Guerra plaza! The "Where's Your Bag?" campaign is to promote the use of reusable grocery bags & help spread awareness about the negative impacts of disposable plastic bags. For more who, what, where, when and why visit the City of SB's website.

Friday, August 21, 2009

What You Can Do to Save Water


The Save Our Water website gives many tips on how you help conserve water. Set a goal by trying to save 8 gallons a day. Updating your appliances? Find out what rebates you may be eligible for. Landscaping? Check out their suggestions for 'water-wise' plants.

Monday, August 17, 2009

New Locale for Santa Barbara Farmer's Market

Who: Santa Barbara Farmer's Market
Where: Harding Elementary School, 1625 Robbins street
When: Every Wednesday (rain or shine) from 3:00 - 6:30pm
More Information: 805-962-5354, or email sbcfma@rain.org.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

How Does Your Garden Grow?

It's getting a little late in the season, BUT here's a great video on growing your own organic garden.

Grow Food. Not Lawns!


I love it when I come across this kind of stuff. It has been a great day for grassroots movement discoveries! HC Flores wrote a book on "How to Turn Your Yard into a Garden and Your Neighborhood into a Community"
Learn more at; Food Not Lawns



Tight on space for a garden?
Food Map Containers


Watch this video with Carleen Madigan author of the Backyard Homestead. She gives great tips on how to produce your own food - even with a small amount of space.



Monday, July 27, 2009

Talking Trash





I love the concept and info that this site has to offer...
Visit: BuiltFromTrash.com

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Yes, 'tis true...





Another organic/natural food vendor is due to open in Santa Barbara;

Who: Whole Foods

When: Fall of '09

Where: State and Hitchcock (where the Circuit City used to be)

Just a reminder that nothing is better than directly supporting your local farmers. So don't forget about the farms and markets we have in town! For locations & times visit the SB Farmers Market website.


Monday, July 20, 2009

Love Food?




The second issue of Edible Santa Barbara has just hit stands. This is a great publication that covers everything from how to plant a veggie garden to locally owned breweries - AND it is published on recycled paper (we love that!)

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Solar SUNday!



Tomorrow (July 19th, 11-4pm) the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will be hosting an event dedicated to solar power. This is a FREE solar trade show where there will be speakers, over 20 exhibitors and plenty of activities for children. If you get hungry be sure to visit the recently debuted Burger Bus, where you can enjoy locally grown and delicious eats!
Check out the Solar SUNday website for more info: SolarSUNday.info

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Rooftop Tiles that are Solar Powered!




I found this article online and thought that it was pretty cool. I really like the
Alternative Energy site-worth checking out. Here is a link to more information on the Solè Power Tiles
*Photo provided by fastcompany.com

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Peroxide, who knew?

I got this sent to me the other day and thought that some of these could be really useful...

(Peroxide: Safer and healthier than bleach)
This was written by a a doctor's wife from Indiana
and this is what she says...
I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain little old bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug store.
My husband has been in the medical field for over 36 years, and most doctors don't tell you about peroxide. Have you ever smelled bleach in a doctor's office? No!! Why?
Because it smells, and it is not healthy! Ask the nurses who work in the doctor's offices, and ask them if they use bleach at home. They are wiser and know better!
Did you also know bleach was invented in the late forties? It's chlorine, folks! It was used to kill our troops in World War II.
Peroxide came into popular use during and after WWI. It was used to save and help cleanse the needs of our troops and hospitals.
Please think about this......

1. Take one capful and hold in your mouth for ten minutes daily, then spit it out. No more canker sores and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash.

2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide to keep them free of germs.

3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters. (Wouldn't it be nice if restaurants would do this?)

4. After rinsing your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.

5. I had fungus on my feet for years until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.

6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine but was healed by soaking in peroxide.

7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.

8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, plugged sinus. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes, and then blow your nose into a tissue. (really good one!)

9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.

10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through You will not have the peroxide-burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, reddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually, so it's not a drastic change. (hmmm!)

11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.

12. Add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour it directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

13. Use peroxide to clean my mirrors. There is no smearing, which is why I love it so much for this. I could go on and on. It is in a dark bottle so it will not be degraded by UV. No home should be without it! With prices of most necessities rising, here's a way to save tons of money in a simple, healthy manner!
*INFORMATION DEEMED RELIABLE BUT NOT GUARANTEED*