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Discover EcoSMART Natural Insecticides for Safe Treatment of Garden & Home Pests

 

In my neck of the woods it’s still a bit cool and rainy, but the insects are rallying – I can feel it. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m the first one to applaud the beneficial buggies in my gardens, it’s just that I have a hard time with  -- well, mainly with wasps (mosquitoes, too…and aphids…).  So you can imagine my joy when the folks at EcoSMART sent me a box of their safe organic insecticides. The products are made with mint and other plant oils.  These oils have a similar molecular make-up to that of octopamine – an insect’s version of adrenaline.  When EcoSMART products are sprayed on the insect, the oils block the octopamine receptor sites, killing the insect. Mammals, birds, and fish remain completely safe during and after the spraying.

 

EcoSMart’s Wasp and Hornet spray reaches up to 18 feet – a nice distance from which to anger a wasp, don’t you think?  The aroma of the essential oils in these products is really quite pleasing.  Think about how those synthetic chemicals smell – I say you can smell the danger when you use conventional insecticides. And, I’m not willing to risk the use of synthetics with ingredients such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), atrazine, and dicamba -- ingredients shown to harm mouse embryos at times equivalent to the first week after conception in humans, according to Erica Glasener of The Green Guide -- not in my kitchen garden, herb garden, nor in my home. Thanks to EcoSMART, there’s a safe way to treat pests. Try their products for garden and home, you wont be disappointed.    You can learn more about the dangers of synthetic chemical use at  HealthyHouseInstitue.com.

 

HAPPY CHICKEN STROLLING THROUGH AN ORGANIC GARDEN (LA FERME DE SOURROU)

Carbon Calc iPhone App GHG Emissions Calculator

We all know the seriousness of green house gasses, but do we really know how much we individually contribute?  Carbon Calc is a Green House Gas (GHG) emissions calculator. If you have been curious about what your contribution is to global warming, try it.  Carbon Calc is a easy-to-use calculator that lets you enter your driving, flying and home energy use data. Once you see how many tons of carbon dioxide your lifestyle produces, you can compare your net emissions to the USA and world averages and then have the power to make better, more informed decisions. If you'd like, you can then consider buying Carbon Credits.

Will this program solve global warming? Not alone,  but the goal is for people to realize how what their carbon footprints. You can then take steps to reduce your "foorprint" and/or by funding carbon reduction projects via carbon offset credits, you CAN have a net positive impact on the planet.

This application is available at no charge from the iTunes Apps Store, just search Carbon Calc, so easy (Carbon Harmony®).

BONNAROO MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES NEW ECO INITIATIVES

The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival has announced their new environmental initiatives for its 2009 event (June 11 thru 14 on a beautiful farm in Manchester, Tennessee).  This year's programs will further Bonnaroo's longstanding sustainability tradition, which won the festival outstanding marks from UK organization A Greener Festival, a rare distinction among music events worldwide. With new onsite utility sources, free water initiatives and an emphasis on buying local, Bonnaroo continues to provide a first-rate entertainment experience while fostering a community that cares for our planet. So far, 40% of patrons have participated in Bonnaroo's "green ticket" program, adding a donation to their ticket orders to support the festival's large-scale environmental efforts.

For 2009, Bonnaroo will concentrate on a "buy local" message by purchasing as many supplies and utilities as possible from the Tennessee area. To keep the message reverberating throughout its ranks, Bonnaroo will provide a list of regional food purveyors strongly recommended to all festival vendors and to educate patrons about local sourcing in their daily lives.

The Artisan Cheese Revival

 

Over the past several years, the U.S. has seen tremendous growth in the number and variety of artisan and farmstead cheesemakers. Besides being absolutely delicious, these cheeses are distinctively marked by the unique characteristics of the region where they are made (the French use the term terroir for describing what occurs below the surface of the soil to affect the taste of wines, but this term applies to cheeses and other foods as well). The techniques used in production will also contribute to the unique flavor ways of a cheese. Artisan cheeses are now widely available, and can be found in gourmet food stores and farmers’ markets all over the country. We here at Gathering Home encourage you to explore the world of artisan cheeses.  Learn where to find them online, which are the best books to read on the subject, and even how to make some cheeses at home.

Artisan cheese is defined as cheese that is produced primarily by hand in small batches, using traditional aging and production methods.  Farmstead cheese goes one step further by producing artisan cheese on a farm where only organic dairy products (from that particular farm’s herd of animals) are used.  On these farmsteads, the animals eat only organically grown pasture grasses

Green Houses of the Future - Design Ideas

I was told of a Wall Street Journal post on The Green House of the Future, and while many of the plans are a ways off, far beyond solar panels and other currently available technology,  it’s still very informative.  The WSJ asked several architects to design the most energy-efficient houses they could come up with.  All are very creative and in the imagination state but, very green!  Architect William McDonough of the Charlottesville, Va. came up with a leaf-like exterior design that absorbs sun, like solar panels, but is embedded in the actual exterior.

Another company, Cook + Fox came up with a home with a “biomorphic” skin that reacts to weather conditions. Sort of a solar chameleon, the home would turn dark in the sun to insulate the house from heat and cloudy or stormy outside, the home turns clear to absorb the maximum amount of energy. And, the home features a facade that captures rain and condensation (to meet the home’s water needs).  There are others, how about an edible house?  If you’re interested in some imaginative (maybe soon to be possible) green home designs, with images, check out the full WSJ post

The Edible Schoolyard in Action

Check out this video clip from edutopia on the Edible Schoolyard campus gardening project - 

and get a tour of the Edible Schoolyard gardens!  Read our Edible Schoolyard (book) post below.

"Edible Schoolyard"; Children Learn to Eat What They Grow

 One of America's most influential chefs, Alice Waters created a revolution in 1971 when she introduced local organic fare at her Berkeley, California restaurant Chez Panisse. Twenty-five years later she and a small group of teachers and volunteers turned over a long-abandoned plot of land at an urban middle school in Berkeley and planted the Edible Schoolyard (from Chronicle Books). The schoolyard has grown into a universal idea of Edible Education which integrates academics with growing, cooking and sharing wholesome delicious food! With inspiring images of the garden and kitchen (photos by David Liittschwager) and their young caretakers, the Edible Schoolyard is a visionary model for sustainable farming and childhood nutrition as well as a call to action for schools across the USA.  

 

Ms Waters is president of the Chez Panisse Foundation and vice president of Slow Food International as well as the recipient of numerous awards. She is the author of many books including the Chez Panisse Cookbooks.  David Liittschwager is an award-winning photographer who has contributed to National Geographic.

The BIG GREEN LIES... What Are Yours?

Seventh Generation has produced "BIG GREEN LIES", a new eco show that premieres April 22, 2009 at 9pm ET/PT on FLN (Fine Living Network).    The show endeavors to find fact from fiction in our new "Green" world and see if what we think is "eco" really is, some topics below... Watch the video clip after the break !  

The Real Meat of the Organic Food Debate
Everyone’s hungry for organic food, and it’s easy to see why: These foods are produced without chemical insecticides, herbicides, and fertilizers not to mention antibiotics, hormones and genetically modification. But are they better for the environment?

Should a Pollution Alert be Issued for Your Living Room?
Probably. And they will tell you why.

The Inside Poop on Diapers
If there are infants or toddlers in your life, there may be no bigger environmental decision than whether to use cloth or disposable diapers – the typical child requires up to 8,000 diaper changes before he or she is toilet trained. So which is better for the environment?

Don’t Sweat the Gasoline
For years our elders have counseled that if we really want to save gasoline, we should drive with our car’s air conditioner off. Roll down your windows instead goes the popular wisdom. You may eat a some truck exhaust, but you won’t have to gas up at every exit. Is that really the case?

Buy a Hybrid Car?
In an age of fluctuating gasoline prices, hybrid cars can seem like automotive salvation. But are hybrids really the answer for everyone?

Read more at Seventh Generation .

EARTH DAY 2009 Free Offers !!

The world's gearing up for Earth Day on April 22, 2009 and many companies & organizations are participating by giving away free products !  Now, using Earth Day to promote a brand/company is not necessarilly the best way to honor the planet, I thought you would want to know what is available (to reward you for your hard work).

Earth Day Free Stuff:

• Free Starbucks Coffee – Canadians (why not USA, Starbucks ??? )get a free coffee from Starbucks on Earth Day. Just bring in your refillable travel coffee mug and enjoy.
• Jones Soda - Sign the Jones Soda Earth Pledge and you'll get a coupon for a free Jones Soda (make sure to recycle the bottle). UPDATE- 5/1/09 Due to high demande and IT problem, Jones was unable to process many of the "Free Soda" coupons, they're now offering a less attractive "buy 1, get 1 free" coupon thru their customer service dept !
• Home Depot - Home Depot is giving away 1 million free EcoSmart compact fluorescent light bulbs. Starting April 19th, consumers can  get one free 14W CFL light bulb, from participating Home Depot stores.
• Disney Gift - Bring in three plastic bottles to a Disney store near you and receive a free gift.  
• Wake up and Smell the Planet Book – Just register between April 9 and April 23 to download your  free copy of this award-winning book.
• S.H.O.P Acts of Kindness Totes – Register between April 1st and April 22, 2009, to win a free tote from Calypso.
• Wegmans Grocery - Free, reusable shopping bag, (April 25, 2009 11a til 3pm) 
• Reynolds Wrap Foil Rebate - Download the rebate form on Earth Day for your free 100% recycled aluminum foil. This offer begins at 4:22 a.m. EST and supplies are limited. A $3.99 value.
• Aveeno EnviroSax – The first 1000 entrants will receive a free, limited edition Envirosax reusable bag and samples of Aveeno Shampoo and conditioner. Aveeno will donate $10 to Global Green USA for each bag given away. Sign up April 22nd.
• Walgreens – Get a free Walgreens Shopping Bag on April 22nd, and see this link for a 15% off coupon.

And, a cool contest- check out Amazon.com Earth Day Sweepstakes. Enter for a chance to win one of 20 ENERGY STAR-qualified prizes.

Free Earth Day Cards:
Recycle your paper cards, and send a free Earth Day electronic greeting card.  Help spread the word about Earth Day '09 and help the planet. 

• World WildLife Fund– Send a free electronic greeting from the World WildLife Fund.
• Nature Conservancy - Send one of these beautiful greetings from Nature Conservancy.  The photography is simply stunning.  8 free cards are available.
• Hallmark - Send a free Earth Day card from Hallmark.  8 cards are available.
• Send a free Earth Day Card from Care2.com - Many different choices are available.
• 8 Earth Day Cards from 123 Greetings

If you know of any other FREE offers, please share with other GH readers by COMMENTING below !!

Check out the selection of Earth Day DVDs on Sale !

GO GREEN EXPO in NYC This Weekend !

GO GREEN EXPO, the nation’s leading eco-focused, interactive green-living showcase, is in NYC this weekend.   The event, which is open to the public,  from the savviest environmentalist to the newly green, will showcase a variety of special interest consumer and business areas including:  Home Building and Energy Conservation; Health, Beauty and Fashion; Travel and Transportation; Business and Electronics and a Kids Zone giving New Yorkers a chance to see, learn and interact with the latest in energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly products as well as participate in interactive seminars with leaders in the green industry, local politics, and community organizations.  Having attracted more than 10,000 visitors at last year’s inaugural show in New York, GO GREEN EXPO New York will feature local environmentally friendly businesses and cutting edge green companies, a full interactive Kids Zone, engaging speakers and panel discussions on today’s most topical environmental issues.  The event is  Saturday/Sunday April 18 & 19th, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm  (til 5pm on Sunday) at  The Hilton New York -1335 Avenue of the Americas (@ 53^rd Street)