Don't Believe the Hype!

This is a good article about a topic that needs to be brought up more often - Greenwashing!

The word "green" is used way too often and gives the impression that an important topic/lifestyle/message is just a passing trend. It is not and should not be viewed in that light. Just because something has "green" in the title does not mean that it is good for you or the planet.

Read More here

The Good Guide

I like this site for info and safety ratings on products that you are considering bringing into your home - covers everything from baby food to cleaning supplies. Check out the Good Guide.

Did you know that planting deciduous trees on the east and west sides of your house can help you save on utility bills? Because they drop their leaves in the fall, deciduous trees allow the sun to warm a home in the cold months and shield it from the sun in the summer months.

There are some trees are better on the North/South sides of your home too - click here to read more.

*photo from atlestore.com

What Fruits and Veggies are in Season Now?

Peak Season for a fruit or veggie means they have developed their fullest amounts nutrients and vitamins - more benefits for us if we eat them then!

Trying to eat more greens and want only what's in season?

Here's your list for the end of March through April.

March:

Broccoli

Lettuce

Kiwi

Mangoes

Pineapple

April:

Artichokes
Asparagus
Broccoli
Lettuce
Rhubarb
Spring Peas
Zucchini

Kiwi
Mangoes
Pineapple

Sustainable Real Estate Newsletter & Real Estate Stats

Click Here for your monthly Sustainable Real Estate newsletter.

A sneak peek as to what this month's articles include:

* TAX CREDITS!!!! (Time is running out!)

- You may qualify for the $6500 "Move-up Buyer" tax credit.

The Stats are In!

* For more information and YTD statistics click on the link above and open the article

"Santa Barbara Area Statistics."

* You can also view a more detailed report with graphs at NicoleByrnes.com and click on "monthly market real estate stats"

A quick summary of what happened in the month of February 2010:

- Median Sale Price = $795,000

- This is the same median sale price as in 2003

- Median List Price for sold properties is $829,00

- This is a 96% INCREASE from February 2009.

Highest price sold property:

$12,943,000 - 1169 Hill Rd in Montecito

Lowest priced sold property:

$374,325 - 5694 Alondra in Goleta

* There are New Rules for FHA borrowers

* Want to switch to Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs (CFLs)?

-According to the EPA, in 2007, Americans saved $1.5 billion by switching to ENERGY STAR-qualified CFLs.

-Now there's a variety of CFLs to choose from; everything from dimmer bulbs, to ones

for your chandelier. CHECK IT OUT!

P.S. Don't forget to "Spring Forward" this Sunday March 14th. Day Light Savings!

Green Wall - Parabienta

Parabienta is a living wall of green developed by Japan-based Shimizu Corporation. This relatively low-cost, greening system is light weight and works quite sufficiently as insulation, thus reducing a building's energy costs . Different plants can be used and you can do a variety of designs. Looks pretty cool too, right? For more information visit Tree Hugger

Turning Plastic Bottles into Flowers

Notice the displays in Anthropologie windows lately? Many of them are decorated with ornate, brightly colored flowers made of - plastic bottles. How very creative - love it.

Here's some ideas on how to make your own bouquet, or visit Instructables.com

1. Cut around the bottom grooves

so that you have one piece that looks kinda like a flower.
2. Punch some holes, or use a hot needle to make holes.
Gather some string, fishing line, dental floss, or metal craft rings.
3. String them together and VIOLA! You have an instant wall hanging, doorway curtain, or privacy blinds for your window.
Also, you can also make a hole in the middle of them and insert a LED into each of them for some pretty flower lights!

Some facts about plastic, pulled from earth 911.com:

*Plastic bottles take 700 years to begin composting

*90% of the cost of bottled water is due to the bottle itself

*80% of plastic bottles are not recycled

*38 million plastic bottles go to the dump per year in America from bottled water (not including soda)

*24 million gallons of oil are needed to produce a billion plastic bottles

*The average American consumes 167 bottles of water a year

*Bottling and shipping water is the least energy efficient method ever used to supply water

*Bottled water is the second most popular beverage in the United States