Kenny – Fix it or Nix it? March 8, 2010

 

Are you trying to keep a major appliance alive in your home? Our five-year-old dishwasher is giving us a hard time. These days when I load it Kenny Rogers starts singing in my head.  It is too young to be on its last legs but every time I press the start button it is a gamble.  Fingers crossed it chooses to clean something.  “You got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em”.  Perhaps it is the economy, green consciousness, frugality, or poor manufacturing but a surprising number of my friends and family now have the appliance repair company’s phone number posted on the fridge. How do you know when to stop repairing and say goodbye?

According to Consumer Reports and Bill the repairperson, if an appliance is eight years old or more usually it is best to replace.  Boy, eight years seems like a short lifespan doesn’t it?   If you have a high end model that you love you might want to fix it but consider replacing a newer repair prone dud. Consumer Reports suggests it is best not to fix if repairs cost more than half the price of a new appliance.  (not always possible though)

I found a neat website Consumer Reports Green Buying Guide to help chose reliable, energy efficient, eco-friendly appliances. There is a “get the most value” section, green living guides and other helpful tips to save you money and energy. It might help with decision-making.

If you are planning a big appliance purchase, you might want to consider…

• Many major retailers will remove the old appliance for recycling or repurposing so check before buying.
• If they are in good condition, think about donating to a non-profit organization.
• 1-800-RECYCLING.com is a comprehensive recycling location database with U.S. State by State guidelines.
• Most Canadian municipalities have appliance-recycling programs. The Natural Resources Canada website suggests contacting your local municipality or the yellow pages for collection information.

In the meantime, I continue to coddle our dishwasher…hoping we won’t have to fold ‘em for a long time.

 

 

Controversial Car Commercial February 11, 2010

Have you seen the controversial Audi commercial aired during Super Bowl XLIV this past weekend?   I had not until I read the blog Retro Housewife Goes Green by Lisa Sharp. She provides a sample of different complaints and opinion.  Click here for a good read.

And now for your viewing pleasure….

Thoughts?

My first reaction was to laugh.  It is a funny car commercial.  Despite my passion for environmental issues and conservation, I think it is important to keep a sense of humour and laugh at yourself once and a while.

Some of the comments that follow the video  and response to other articles floating around the internet are  disturbing and surprising.  I did not realize there was such hatred or fear for environmental action that (seems to) tie into right wing politics like this goodie from You Tube.  “Europe is becoming more and more anti leftist by the day and America is sliding into fascism. The world is turned upside down!”  

The bottom line is that Audi is trying to sell cars.  They are certainly receiving a lot of attention from this video. A marketing success?  It will not win over any green skeptics though…

What do you think?

Two Green book Suggestions December 17, 2009

 

 

Looking for a little green inspiration for 2010?  I received two great gifts last year that you might want to check out.  These books are suited for someone thinking about making greener changes in their life, or already trying. These are NOT suggestions for a anyone that has eliminated toilet paper, lives off the grid, and grows their own food.  Just sayin’

 

 

My first suggestion is “Sleeping Naked is Green” by Vanessa Farquharson, a reporter for the National Post. It is a funny and self-deprecating account of her attempt at making one green change every day for a year. This diary style paperback is suited for women…my husband would call this a ‘girly’ book because Vanessa happens to fall in love during the process. I laughed my way through this book.  Some of the changes are silly, but I suspect that comes from having to think of 365 days of green ideas. Many of Vanessa’s ideas are inspiring, realistic and attainable for the average person. (Except eliminating toilet paper…that one I cannot wrap my head around yet.) Unlike many green books, this one is cheerful and makes you want to make changes, even if it is in small ways. If you like a little entertainment with your education then this is a book for you.

 

 

 

 

 

My second suggestion is another Canadian book with what I suspect has the longest book title in the world. It is “Your Guide to the most environmentally friendly information, products and services in Canada – ECOHOLIC [When you’re addicted to the planet]” by Adria Vasil. She is a writer for NOW magazine. The layout is similar to many green guides, food, beauty, clothes, gardening, cleaning, baby products, and pet sections. More examples of topics include eco-tourism, rebates for your home, ethical investing, renovating and even greening your sex life. Oh yeah!

What makes this book stand out is it provides research, background information with vocabulary explanations, and a detailed  provincial green resource guide.  I like that her research includes Canadian facts and statistics. I also love the helpful tips provided for every topic. This is a good book for anyone trying to make smart environmentally friendly changes.

Boy I wish I had it when my children were born. I find it hard to read some sections without guilt. Adria’s writing is cheeky, but the startling information, health concerns and environmental realities keep me awake some nights. What can I say?  I am a worrywart.  Be assured this is not a ‘You suck and we are all going to die negative-angry-finger-pointing book’.  It is more of a ‘This is the reality/concern; and here is better eco-friendly, healthy suggestions you can try’ kind of read. Ecoholic is an excellent resource book that every home should have.

 

 

 

If you are looking for a green book to inspire you for 2010, a green gift idea, or a good read over the holidays these are my picks.    Happy reading!

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: books,environment,eco-friendly,shopping,non-toxic,green gifts

I know more about computers than my 8 year old…maybe. November 14, 2009

 

I remember being so impressed there were computers in my daughter’s junior kindergarten class. It did not take long before she was comfortable navigating her way around a computer. Now I learn useful tips and shortcuts from my eight year old. That is humbling.

The other day I casually made one of those stupid “When I was little” comments when a few of our children’s friends came over to play. Never say anything that begins with “When I was little” unless you really want to feel prehistoric. The kids were chatting about their favourite computer games while sitting down for a snack. I piped in with “When I was little, there were no computers at school or at home…we used typewriters”. The room fell silent. Everyone turned to look at me in amazement. No computers? What is a typewriter? Followed by the inevitable “Wow, you are OLD!” comments. That night before bed, I dug out a neglected jar of wrinkle cream and tried to target certain areas.

The girl’s school does a great job educating children about environmental issues. They come home with new earth friendly ideas, (see my post on candlelit dinners) pressure us to make more green changes…and be consistent.

Now that the children are a little older, they are starting to learn about pollution, endangered animals and the effects of climate change. My husband and I do not always know how to answer their questions. While searching for information I discovered a few educational web sites that I like to explore with the kids. They talk about environmental conservation, concerns, wildlife protection and making a difference in the community. The best part is they deliver the information in an interactive, and  fun way. These websites are not just for children or teachers – I learn something every time we play a game or take a quiz.

First, I must give my cyber safety shpeel. Just a reminder to make sure your children’s computer time is a safe experience. Sit down with them, read instructions together and pay attention to their activities on line. Sometimes being in the same room while they are working on the computer is not enough supervision. Be careful and cautious.

Here are three educational websites that I think are worth checking out.

 

National Geographic Kids.

Our kids like the People & Places section (See and read about the 7 wonders of the world or tour Greece)

Space and Science section (Find out if Pluto is no longer a planet)

Just Joking (Me, I am not so crazy about the jokes after a few weeks – but our kids love it and it gives them a good reason to call the Grandparents)

Recipes from around the world (like Kwanzaa Creole Bread Pudding)

 

Eco Kids Canada

What a good site for quizzes! We love quizzes.

This is a great resource for information under Homework Help – Climate change, renewable energy, First Nations & Inuit, Earth Day, Waste and Wildlife.

Very good print outs for colouring. A fun craft for young children.

 

EEK ! – Environmental Education for Kids

This is my favourite site.

We like Critter Corner to read about all the critters of the world. It shines a light on endangered species.

Our Earth discusses our environment and environmental issues in an easy and direct way.

Natures Notes taught us about Phenology. (Nope. I am not telling you what that means) It encourages observation, something all children do so well.

They even discuss environmental jobs…like a Hydrogeologist. How cool is that?

 

Children learn from modeling. They follow our lead in life and when it comes to environmental issues, we should try to discuss, be enthusiastic, and act. If you are curious or interested in eco-friendly websites for children these are my suggestions to start. Have fun!

 

Save Energy – Save Money – the old-fashioned way November 6, 2009

 

I am very blessed to have both my parents with us in their senior years. They are inspiring, loving people.  Both have incredible life experiences and stories to tell.  My parents have taught me about being frugal, and I am proud of that. I also joke about it…often.

Recently I sat at their kitchen table, enjoying a delicious lunch of leftover soup made from the Thanksgiving turkey. We were using cloth napkins Mom made when I was a Girl Guide and Dad was wearing a fleece jacket done up to the neck. We discussed how to reduce my family’s energy consumption and lower monthly bills. You are probably aware of all the ideas listed below. I found it a good reminder to crack down on bad habits and make some significant changes. Here is how Art and Audrey save energy in their home.

 

Turn down the heat. Put on a sweater (or a jacket in my Dad’s case). Wear slippers and use an extra blanket at night. Install a programmable thermostat. In my parent’s home, Dad just cranks the dial down himself – no need for the technical gadgets. Mom simply turns the dial up when the dog starts to shiver. If you lower the thermostat just 3 C  (5 F) while asleep you will save up to 6% on heating in the colder months. 

 

Run the dishwasher only when it is full, late at night before you go to bed. When the wash cycle is complete simply open the door and let it air dry overnight. My parents time it with “The National” and open the dishwasher door when Peter Mansbridge is finished delivering the news.

 

Wash your laundry in cold water. Hot water laundry is only for sheets, towels and nasty stuff. Hang everything you can to dry.

 

Unplug everything you can. Appliances and electronics draw electricity even when they are powered off. The only way to stop this is to unplug them.

 

When baking, roasting or broiling resist the temptation to peek. Opening the oven door causes the temperature to drop 20%, wastes energy and prolongs the cooking time. Mom says that is why cakes fall and cookies flatten. (I do not have this problem because Loblaws apparently does not peek at their baking)

 

Turn lights off when you leave a room. Replace burnt out bulbs with compact fluorescent lightbulbs. (cfl’s)  They use 60% less energy.  I used to laugh when my husband and I used to drive up to Art and Audrey’s house. “Oh, your parents must be asleep” my husband observed. “Are you kidding?” I would laugh, “They are inside huddled under one lamp watching TV”. Sure enough, we rang the bell and the lights would turn on as they made their way to the front door.  Install motion sensors on outdoor lights to reduce energy use.  It is a good security feature too.

 

Do not forget to clean the condenser coil at the back of your fridge. It will help the appliance run more efficiently. While you are there, you might as well clean under the fridge too. That is not an energy saving tip, but Mom always insists your house is only as clean as it is under your fridge and stove. (?)

 

Change direction on your ceiling fan blades. They should operate in a clockwise direction pushing warm airflow down in the winter. Hey Dad, there is no need to argue under the fan this winter – I looked it up – the correct direction is CLOCKWISE.

 

As much as I make fun of my parents, they are right (and smart!). Reducing our energy consumption this winter is better for the environment and saves us money. All these little things add up. I am going to call Art and Audrey tonight to tell them about this post…just as soon as I put on another sweater.

 

 

Romance a la David Suzuki October 12, 2009

 

The neighbourhood school has joined the David Suzuki’s Nature Challenge.  Our daughters come home from school with interesting energy saving, green ideas. They inspire (and pressure) us to implement changes at home. The results from my August poll “What inspires you to shop/live green?” indicate that the majority of The Mindful Merchant readers (thank you!) are inspired by children and family to be more eco-conscious too.

Last year our kids wanted to try eating dinner by candle light. My first thought was “Fire!” and my husband said something like “I happen to like to see my food when I eat”. They were persuasive and sold us on the idea of turning off all the lights, music and unimportant appliances for the duration of the meal. We agreed to try and made some very interesting discoveries.

We found that our children sit longer at the table and are not in such a rush to do something else. We discovered that turning off the lights and other appliances really quiets the house, in a positive way. Candles give off a surprising amount of light, enough to see your food and each other very well. Candles are magical and make boring grilled cheese sandwich dinners feel special. Blowing out candles is a big deal no matter how young or old you are!    It is also a great way to use the heirloom candlesticks from Great Aunt Lizzy and the “treasured” wedding chatchkas stored in the basement. Best of all you will save money and reduce your energy consumption during peak power times.  Worth considering, no?

Thanks to David Suzuki, shorter daylight hours in the fall/winter and the end of Daylight Savings Time on November 1st (when at we turn the clocks back one hour to Standard local time) dinner time in our house is going to get a lot more sparkly and quiet.   It is a fun idea you might want to try in your home, after all, who does not like a little romance in their life?

 

Ditch the Disposables 2009 (via the Crunchy Domestic Goddess) September 21, 2009

I am very new to the blogging, twitter tweeting, green living, eco-friendly community. It feels like watching a sports game, observing from the sidelines (sometimes chatting to the people sitting around who look friendly) and enthusiastically cheering along. Talk about a big learning curve! Every day I find more inspiring and interesting blogs to add to my favourites list as I learn the workings of WordPress, Twitter, Google etc.  Good times!

I really enjoy reading a blog called The Crunchy Domestic Goddess. The creator/author of this site is Amy Gates. It is a good read and full of inspiring eco-friendly, healthy ideas. She has implemented a “Ditch the Disposables Challenge 2009”. Last year’s challenge was such a success; she is doing it again. She is asking readers to commit for September and October to ditch some of the disposables used at home for something more earth friendly.  For example, stop using paper towels and napkins or bottled water, eliminating plastic wrap in lunches and the list goes on. (Ditching does not mean throwing away) Please check out her site for all the information.

I have committed to using cloth napkins instead of paper, using a thermal coffee cup, bringing my own bags to the store EVERY shop (no excuses) and eliminating paper towels. The paper towel ditch is going to be a tough one. I use paper towels for every little spill and wipe. Even more reason to try living without them for a while.

Since we are nearing the end of September it would be easy to say “next year, I’ll give it a go”. It certainly would be – but why not join in for the last 5 weeks? Better late than never as my Mom always says. I would like to ask you to join in the challenge  and fun (?) too. Let’s do it!  Which disposables can you eliminate for the next five weeks in your home?

Please keep me posted…

 

We should take this outside August 18, 2009

Have you ever realized you have been taking something dear to you for granted? A recent visit to my friend’s home made me come to my senses. I’m talking about support throughout the years, helping me budget, never giving up, no matter how big the load. Here is a big shout out to my portable, handy dandy clothes dryer. Yeah!

Some municipalities prohibit clotheslines in backyards. It is hard to believe that currently these by-laws exist. Thankfully, our community recently lifted the ban and now we can freely air our laundry without fear of fines.

We are an active, messy, sweaty family. I shake my head at the amount of laundry we generate. Drying clothes on a line not only reduces energy consumption, it saves money too. Before I sound all green and mighty, I must confess that another reason I avoid the dryer is because I can’t really afford shrinkage in my clothing. (Not a lot of room to work with if you know what I mean.)

One challenge with the drying rack is wrinkles. Friend or foe? Some people are easy going when it comes to creases; others have mothers who iron underwear. I think there are three schools of thought on this issue. The first solution is to wear the garment, as is, no problem. The second is to throw the items in the dryer for a few minutes to eliminate some, but not all, of the wrinkles. The third (and this draws incredulous laughter) is to haul out the iron and smooth for crisp perfection. You have probably guessed that I fall into that last category. I will qualify that I like my cotton shirts pressed but I am o.k. with wrinkly underwear. Sorry Mom.

I used to think that all folding clothes dryers are the same. Not so! I have bought flimsy ones that broke, bent out of shape, rusted, and even blew over the neighbour’s fence. A company called Home Maid Deluxe Home Dryer makes the best one I have owned. I have only found it at Canadian Tire.  It is lightweight, durable, sturdy, holds a huge amount of clothes and looks quite fancy. It also folds up for easy storage. As I looked at my friend’s laundry drying in the summer breeze, Alli reminded me how I take for granted this clothes dryer. It was a good purchase.