I, Out For Green Living

Home wind turbine kits are cropping up all over the place. They can be bought off the shelf at large retail stores and installed by the homeowner or professionally. But how much power do they produce? Are they worth it? Here are some things to consider about home wind turbine kits and their efficiency.

A wind turbine’s efficiency depends upon several factors, such as the size of the building being powered, the strength and frequency of the wind, and the size of the turbine itself. It also depends largely on your surroundings.

How They Work

Wind turbines have either a horizontal or vertical axis. Horizontal-axis turbines are the ones you generally see in modern wind farms; the blades look like a propeller. Vertical-axis turbines are more likely to be seen in residential models. These upright turbines resemble egg beaters.

No matter what the design, the principle is the same: the blades are attached to a shaft, so that when the wind turns the blades the shaft turns. The shaft runs into a generator inside the turbine, and as it turns it makes electricity.

Generally speaking, the larger and faster the turbine, the more electricity it can produce.

Residential Turbines

If you live in the city or anywhere that has a great many neighbors and buildings nearby, your wind turbine won’t be able to power your household. It will, however, be able to supplement about 10 percent of your power usage. The reason for this is the presence of buildings that break up wind patterns. This makes it much harder to generate large amounts of electricity reliably.

Urban and suburban turbines are generally more expensive; their design is more specialized to compensate for the lack of steady, strong wind. However, it is not out of the question to install a turbine if you live in the city; just be prepared for it not to be your sole power source.

Rural Turbines

In remote areas, winds are more reliably strong. You can buy a cheaper model of turbine for your rooftop if you live where there are few buildings to obstruct the winds. If your surroundings are such that winds are predictably strong and straight, a wind turbine kit could be quite efficient. Flat terrain works best; mountains and hills break up wind patterns, too.

Increasing Efficiency

In order to increase the efficiency of your home wind power system, consider installing more than one turbine. You should also have a battery connected to the turbine in order to store extra electricity to use on non-windy days.

Tax rebates, a new incentive, also add to the efficiency of a home turbine.

Home wind turbines are durable and will last for years.

These days, the creative, individualized look is in. Do-it-yourself projects that are eco-friendly are hip and modern. So if you’ve wanted to cover your walls with something a little different, now’s the time!

There are a lot of interesting wall covering materials available nowadays. And you don’t have to use a “proper” wall covering purchased from a store; you can use materials you have on hand. Let’s take a look at some of these possibilities and their costs and durability.

1. Papyrus

This ancient Egyptian paper can be purchased in sheets of various sizes. The larger the size, the greater the cost – a sheet about 2 feet x 3 feet costs around $7. It is said to be quite durable and lends a mysterious air to a room.

2. Cork

A thicker wall covering than paper, cork is a cozy-looking wall covering that is fairly durable, but subject to damage from being bumped or gouged. It is fairly expensive at $325 to $450 for a 3×60-foot roll.

3. Recycled paper

Some commercial wall papers are made from recycled paper. But if you really want to save money and get creative, recycle paper yourself by using it to cover your walls. Some ideas of recycled paper wall coverings include:

* Newspaper – use the comics or newspapers from other countries, or headlines only; the wall’s the limit on this one!

* Photos – print photos out on paper and cover your wall with them; or dig out those paper photos sitting in boxes in your closet and paste them to the wall.

* Magazines can provide beautiful, colorful wall coverings in any theme you choose.

* Brown paper bags can make a really lovely, textured wall covering that can be stained to look like leather.

* Postcards – create a wall of memories with a postcard wall covering.

* Business cards, if you have enough of them, can make a unique and fun wall covering.

* Encyclopedias are obsolete, but you can use their pages to cover a wall. What an informative wall that would be!

* Holiday cards can make a festive wall cover, and make good use of those cards that are too beautiful to throw out but too numerous to keep.

4. Rice paper

Rice paper is surprisingly durable and washable, and comes in a variety of colors. It is affordable at around $25 for a 39×94-inch roll.

5. Fabric

Using fabric to cover walls is a fairly easy way to create a panel that can then be mounted to the wall. The price of this sort of wall cover will vary enormously, depending on the fabric you use. If you use an old sheet, your cost will be nil. You can dress up an old sheet with dyeing techniques like tie-dye or batik.

For those who crave solitude, finding the time to experience it can be challenging. Take a look at your schedule and see if there is some time you can carve out for yourself. You may have to sacrifice another activity, or arrange for childcare or make other plans. But any way you do it, make sure you do it regularly rather than spontaneously.

Just hoping for some “me” time to show up is stressful and frustrating; you don’t know if or when you will find the time. But if you make the time weekly or even monthly, your mind can get some rest knowing you have that time to yourself coming up. It will help you handle the hectic days in between with much more grace.

But how do you do it? Once you carve out the time, you may need some ideas for how to enjoy your solitude. After all, many of us have forgotten how! Here are some ideas.

* Garden – Gardening can be very therapeutic. You are away from phones, computers, and other technological distractions in the garden, and you are taking in sunlight and fresh air. Gardening provides exercise and a connection with nature, both therapeutic things.

* Walk – Again, combining exercise with solitude has a double healing effect. Try to take a walk by yourself – maybe after dinner once a week, your spouse, other family member, or friend can do the dishes for you and take care of the kids for an hour. Take your cell phone for emergencies, but turn it off during your walk. Walk in your neighborhood, or drive to a local park and walk in the woods.

* Parks – Parks are, as noted above, wonderful for solitary walks. They are also good for sitting and reflecting, either on the ground, on a rock, or on a bench. Just enjoy and observe people, the weather, and so forth. Observation removes you mentally from the rat race.

* Museum – Visit a museum with an exhibit that interests you. Take some time to contemplate art, science, history, and so forth. If you are alone, no one can make you feel rushed.

* Read – Get into a good book or magazine and you have instantly created your own personal space within your mind. Take your reading material to the aforementioned park, or just shut the door to a room in your house for awhile, making it clear that this is not time to disturb you.

* Write in a Journal – Writing also gives you access to the solitary inner world. Keep a journal that is for your eyes only, so that your solitude is protected and you do not feel pressured to come up with brilliant ideas. Take your journal to the woods or the park and write what you see and experience.

* Draw or Sketch – Your journal and sketchbook can be one in the same or separate notebooks. Either way, if sketching and or drawing is something you enjoy, it is a perfect solitary activity. Again, keep the sketchbook for your eyes only unless you want to share it.

There are so many healthy reasons to choose local and organic foods that are in season. For one thing, it saves fuel; for another, it builds community; and for yet another, it’s healthier. Let’s look at some of these reasons for seasonal eating.

1. Less Fuel

It takes a lot of fossil fuel to power the airplanes, ships and trucks that deliver produce from foreign countries or for miles across the United States. Buying local food means there is less gasoline or jet fuel “in” that food, and fewer emissions expelled into the atmosphere. Less use of non-renewable fossil fuels is better for the environment and, ultimately, better for people.

2. Fewer Preservatives

In order to keep food looking and tasting fresh during its long transport, it is sprayed with all sorts of preservatives such as waxes and fungicides. Local food does not sit in storage for long periods, and therefore does not need artificial preservatives.

3. No Pesticides, Herbicides, or Synthetic Fertilizers

This is true for all organic foods, local or not, but as noted above, long transport times means the food has more opportunity to become contaminated with anything that comes its way. Organic foods are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, dangerous herbicides and unhealthy pesticides. It is not only better for your health to eat organic foods, it is better for the environment.

When conventional farmers put chemicals on their crops, storm run-off, winds, and other natural processes carry those chemicals beyond the farm where they can do much damage. And as crops are sprayed year after year, the soil eventually becomes “dead,” leaving it unfruitful and susceptible to erosion.

So farmers have to spray even more fertilizers and such to force the soil to produce. Conventional farmers have been known to switch to organic farming practices out of necessity – the soil wouldn’t grow anything anymore! When you purchase organic food, you are supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

4. Health

Local produce is in sync with your body. Your blood actually changes with the seasons, and your body adjusts to the change in temperature and light. It stands to reason that foods grown under the same conditions your body is experiencing would be more healthful for you. Your body is likely to be more receptive to digesting and absorbing the nutrients of seasonal foods as well.

As noted above, local, organic foods are more pure, devoid of preservatives and agricultural chemicals. Some experts assert that organic food has more nutrients. Local organic food is certainly fresher, and fresher is healthier.

5. Less Expensive

Local produce that is in season is more affordable than food that has to be shipped – after all, all that transportation and those preservatives cost money. It’s also more expensive to grow food out of season.

6. Community Support

When you support your local farmers, you support your community. And building a strong, close community is important to everyone’s health and prosperity.

According to James Duke, PhD, milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used for at least 2000 years as a remedy for liver ailments. The common name, milk thistle, refers to both the white veins visible on the leaves and the herb’s use as a lactation aid for nursing mothers.

There is a reason for its long history – it is effective. It is particularly applicable to our modern world, where the liver gets bombarded by industrial toxins and chemicals daily.

What Is In It?

One of milk thistle’s known active components is a compound called silymarin. Silymarin aids the liver in removing toxins from the body.

The seeds or sap are generally the parts of the plant that are used medicinally and are available commercially. (The white, latex-based sap gives milk thistle its white-veined appearance.) Capsules and extracts of seeds and sap can be purchased at health food stores.

You can also grow your own plants. Generally regarded as a weed, milk thistle is not hard to grow. The seeds can be roasted, ground, and brewed like coffee. The young leaves can be eaten in salads, as they have not developed their spiky spines and bitter flavor yet. The silymarin content in young leaves is quite low; however, the young leaves are high in the important nutrients magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, zinc, iron, chromium and selenium.

What Does It Do?

The silymarin or silymarin flavonoids in milk thistle actually help regenerate liver cells, helping to replace diseased liver cells with healthy ones. Interestingly, milk thistle does not increase the regeneration of cancerous liver cells; only healthy ones.

Milk thistle acts as an antioxidant, prohibiting enzymes that lead to the formation of free radicals. It can help prevent liver damage and improve overall functioning of this vital detoxifying organ.

Milk thistle improves liver function and is useful for inflammatory liver conditions, cirrhosis, jaundice and hepatitis. Silymarin protects against industrial toxins.

Who Should Take It?

Milk thistle can be taken by anyone wishing to improve his or her liver health, prevent liver damage, or simply to help the body detoxify. It has no reported toxic effects. Here are some situations where taking milk thistle is indicated.

* Following alcohol consumption
* As an aid to recovering alcoholics
* Before and/or after exposure to industrial chemicals or toxins
* During an overall body cleanse
* In cases of liver disease such as cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis, or chronic inflammation
* In any case of liver damage

Note: always check with your medical practitioner before taking any supplement or medication. Some users may experience side effects.

Why You Should Have the Right Amount of Pressure in Your Tires

There are all kinds of good reasons to have the correct pressure in your vehicle’s tires. With the proper tire pressure, you will get better mileage and save fuel, your tires will experience less wear and tear, and your vehicle will emit less pollution. Perhaps most importantly, you will be safer in a vehicle with tires that have the right amount of pressure. Here are some helpful tips and reasons to keep the tire pressure at the right level in your vehicle.

1. More is not better

Some people think that inflating your tires to maximum capacity is the way to achieve the benefits of properly inflated tires, but the key is to inflate them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific vehicle. If you are having someone else put air in your tires, make sure you let him or her know this.

The manufacturer’s recommendations for your vehicle can be found on the tire information placard label, usually located on driver’s side doorjamb. This information is also in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

2. Better gas mileage

Having the correct tire pressure saves fuel, which is good for the planet and easier on your finances. Tires that are underinflated will “drag” along the pavement as too much of the tires’ surface area comes in contact with the road. This increase in friction forces your engine to work harder – and therefore use more gas – to overcome the friction and maintain speed.

3. Less wear and tear

Tires that are underinflated are, as noted above, prone to greater friction against the road. This friction not only increases gas usage; it also increases the chance of the tires overheating, which can cause their treads to separate.

Overinflated tires increase the tendency of the vehicle to bounce, making your ride uncomfortable and causing uneven wear – the center of the tire is disproportionately pressed against the pavement while the edges don’t hit the road surface much at all. Overinflated tires are also more prone to puncture.

4. Fewer emissions

The engine of a vehicle traveling on correctly inflated tires does not have to work so hard, thus cutting down on emissions. You use less gas, and less carbon dioxide gets into the air.

5. Safety

Maintaining the correct tire pressure is crucial to vehicle safety. Tires without enough air will compromise your ability to brake in time and turn corners. Not being able to handle your vehicle accurately can be the difference between a dangerous accident and no accident at all.

Also, tires that do not have the correct pressure are more prone to damage – either by overheating such as occurs with underinflation, or by puncturing which is more likely with overinflated tires. A tire that “blows out” while you are driving can put you and your passengers in great danger.

How to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Your Car

You do not have to purchase a hybrid or electric car in order to reduce your automotive carbon footprint (although it’s ideal if you can!). There are ways you can reduce the carbon footprint of your existing car. Here are some tips.

1. Maintain your car

Keeping your car in top working order makes it work more efficiently, thereby keeping emissions and gas usage at a minimum. Some things to keep in mind when taking your car in for maintenance are:

* Tire pressure – Keeping the tire pressure at the optimum level for your specific car can make a great deal of difference in your gas mileage. Be sure to tell the mechanic or technician to inflate the tires according to the manufacturer’s standards. It should be printed on the inside of one of your car’s doors, and/or in your owner’s manual.

* Filters – Clean oil and air filters use a lot less gas than dirty ones, because the engine does not have to work as hard to draw oil or air through clean ones. If the filters are dirty, the engine has to work harder and therefore uses more gas.

* Oil – Keeping your oil fresh is important for maintaining your engine performance. A well-lubricated engine is much more efficient.

* Tune-ups – This is one of the most basic and significant means of effective car maintenance. Regular tune-ups keep your car running efficiently and will extend the life of your car.

2. Turn it off

When you are waiting in your car, turn off the engine when possible. Turn off the air conditioning when you are driving uphill.

3. Drive carefully

You may not realize it, but how you drive your car can have as much impact as how often you drive it. Accelerating rapidly, speeding, or gunning the motor are all wasteful (and dangerous) activities to engage in.

When going uphill, do not try to maintain your exact speed; be willing to slow it down a little and catch up to the speed limit when going downhill. Try to look ahead and anticipate when you will need to stop; slamming on the breaks wastes fuel.

4. Use alternative means of transportation

One of the ways you can responsibly use your car is not to use it! Public transit is inexpensive and far less polluting than cars. You can also make good use your car to transport groups in a car pool.

These are just some of the ways you can reduce carbon footprint of your car. There are benefits for all if we employ some of these techniques; even some insurance companies are offering lower rates to customers who drive their cars less and drive more carefully.

Lowering greenhouse gas emissions means conserving energy. There are quite a few things that you can do in your home to reduce your energy use and lower your emissions. Here are some ideas and suggestions.

1. Eat Local Food

Food that is grown in far-away states or countries requires a lot of fossil fuel to make it to you. This food shipment distance is known as “food miles,” and the more miles on your food, the more emissions produced from the fuels used. In contrast, local foods have not had to travel as far to get to your local grocery or farmer’s market. Buying local food contributes to your local community, resulting in less long-distance commerce in general.

2. Transportation

Your personal vehicle use is an area where you can cut back. Here are some ideas.

* Use public transportation. It is well-known that public transportation reduces greenhouse gas emissions; more people are transported for the same amount of gasoline, or without gasoline at all (as in electric street cars and trains).

* Carpooling is another way to consolidate your transportation needs. Get together with co-workers, neighbors, and so forth and adjust your schedules so that you are traveling together on errands, to work, and so forth.

* Biking is wonderful exercise, and produces no emissions at all. Sidecars make biking even more practical.

3. Appliances

If you are buying new ones, look for the Energy Star. This means that the appliance lives up to the government’s standards for energy efficiency. If you are not buying new appliances, be wise with the ones you have. Don’t hold the refrigerator door open for long periods, only run the dishwasher and washing machine when they have full loads, and make use of a pressure cooker or crockpot to reduce oven use. These appliance tips will save you money, too.

4. Sustainable Products

When you buy products that are sustainable, you are investing in earth-friendly practices and businesses that are committed to as few greenhouse gas emissions as possible. Clothing, food, shoes, and cosmetics are some of the personal products that are produced in a sustainable manner, made with materials that are derived from natural sources. You can also purchase sustainable flooring, paint, furniture, bedding, and so forth for your home.

5. Insulate Your Home

Choose a sustainable insulation such as wool, newspaper, and other eco-friendly materials and make sure you fill in the cracks. Check the attic to make sure there are no cracks under the eaves, and seal them before adding more insulation. Use weather stripping around doors and windows. Your utility bills will go down after you take these measures, too.

6. Practice the Three R’s

Reduce, reuse, and recycle are the three R’s that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Reuse containers and bottles; recycle household waste such as glass, paper and cardboard; and reduce your usage of disposable items in general.

When you think of children’s birthday parties, you may get images of disposable tablecloths, plastic favors, paper plates and cups, and balloons. These fun events can be extremely wasteful. But children are often just as happy with home-made favors and reusable tablecloths. They just like time to play and eat cake! So let’s take a look at low-impact birthday party ideas that are big on fun and low on waste.

1. Decorations

Here is where you can get really creative. Children enjoy handmade decorations, both making and looking at them. Here are some ideas.

* Instead of rubber balloons, try setting up stations of eco-friendly bubble solution and large, reusable bubble wands. You can also get paper balloons that are more eco-friendly than rubber.

* Instead of plastic confetti, use a hole-punching tool on old magazines to make colorful circles and other shapes.

* Use flower blossoms, petals, or colorful leaves you gather yourself instead of confetti.

* Make flower chains, or recycle old magazines to make colorful paper chains.

2. Tables and Flatware

* Use an old sheet for the tablecloth, and let the party guests decorate it with fabric paint or markers. It will then be a keepsake.

* Instead of plastic or paper cups, plates and flatware, use washable ones. Again, creativity can go a long way in “covering” for your money saving – for example, have a car wash theme and serve your punch from a bucket (clean and food grade, of course), or serve drinks from a hanging pot (cauldron-style) for a Halloween theme.

3. Games, Themes, and Favors

Remember that children really love to play and run around. Adults tend to think that every unscheduled minute is a wasted minute, but your low-impact party will be remembered as one of the most fun ones ever if you hold it at a playground, park, or other place where kids can be kids.

* Go for a green theme. Let children plant garden plants, flowers, or trees for a seasonal birthday memory. If weather permits, hold the birthday party outdoors in a local park or state forest.

* Games do not need to involve paper, plastic, or other disposable items to be fun. Scavenger hunts (try a nature theme), tag, relay races, and other “old fashioned” games are perfect for a low-impact party.

* Host a “come as you are” party. This party theme does not involve paper invitations, making it even more eco-friendly. Each guest gets notified electronically or by phone at random times of the day, and whatever the prospective party guest is doing or wearing at that moment is how he or she must come to the party.

For example, if you call one of your guests at 9am and he is wearing pajamas, he wears those pajamas to the party. If the prospective guest is out walking her dog when you call, she must bring her dog and wear her walking clothes to the party. This is a really fun theme that can get everyone laughing.

* Favors can be home-made baked goods, potted seedlings or seed packets, or something children will treasure long term, like polished stones.

There are so many ways to celebrate birthdays without spending a lot of money or being wasteful.

Years ago, summertime meant the sound of children playing in neighborhood yards. These days, however, yards remain silent as kids are camped out in front of computers, televisions, and video games. To help the health of our children and get them in touch with nature, we need to get them back outside. Here are some ways to encourage housebound children to enjoy the outdoors.

1. Get outside yourself – If your children see you sitting in front of the TV all evening, they will follow suit and won’t be motivated to get outside. Getting outdoors is healthy for adults, too, so do your whole family a favor and invite them outside for a group game of Frisbee, horseshoes, or a nature walk. The first step to getting your kids outdoors is to lead them there.

2. Build a tree house or playhouse – Remember tree houses and playhouses? These little hide-aways provide wonderful scope for children’s imaginations. They can be forts, pioneer cabins, igloos, stores, and anything your children can imagine.

3. Cut the cable – Have you thought about simply getting rid of cable television? It may sound like a big step, but those who have discarded cable claim not to miss the TV and to be glad for the extra money each month. Consider scaling back or cutting out cable altogether, or rationing your kids’ television and computer time.

4. Swing! – Whether it’s a tire swing or a full-scale swing set and slide, put some sort of activity center out in your yard if possible. This will encourage your children and their friends to go outside and play. If it’s not possible, go to a park.

5. Build solar toys – Is your child a techie who loves computers and computer games? Try building solar-powered toys (there are good-quality kits available) or other solar-powered gadgets. You have to be outside in the sun to make them work!

6. Start a garden – It can be in containers or prepared beds outdoors, but gardening can get the whole family outside. It’s good exercise, too. Kids enjoy watching the plants or seeds they plant grow, bloom, and bear fruit. This fascination will draw them outside.

7. Collect stuff – Kids love collections. Begin rock, leaf, or feather collections. Get a good field guide and go on hikes and walks to find more items for the collection. Some children enjoy finding bugs and insects, too.

8. Look to the stars – Invest in a small telescope or binoculars and a good constellation map, and look to the skies. It can open up worlds of study and fascination to explore the heavens.

9. Have picnics and cookouts – Cooking and eating outside gets the whole family outdoors. Weekends and evenings are perfect times for these kinds of outdoor activities. A kite, Frisbee, ball, or other outdoor game will get everyone exercising and moving.

Depending on your location, indoor air can be just as polluted – if not more so – than outside air. The problem is the chemical nature of many building materials, to the point that “sick building syndrome” is a recognized disorder. Improving the air quality in your home is a good idea, even if you and your family do not have allergies or obvious symptoms of chemical exposure. Here are some tips for making sure the air in your home is clean.

1. Air Purifiers

Lately, air purifiers have been competing with open windows for air quality control. Now, however, there is a compromise: window air purifiers. If you live in an area where outdoor pollution is significant, or if you suffer from hay fever or pollen allergies, this may be the answer for you. Window air purifiers fit into an open window like an exhaust fan or screen. Outside air comes through them, but it passes through a filter first, giving you the best of both worlds: fresh air from outside and clean air from a purifier.

2. Open Windows

That said, if you live in an area where the outside air is not a problem, open those windows. To get the best ventilation, open windows across from each other. This cross-ventilation effect works both within one room and between rooms.

3. Go to the Source

Educate yourself as to the possible pollutants in your home, and then take steps to remove them. For example:

* Your carpet is probably made from synthetic fibers and held in place with chemical adhesives. It is likely that your carpet is coated with some kind of chemical stain guard as well. Also, carpets are notorious harbingers of dust, animal hair and dander, and other household allergens. If possible, take up your carpet and discover the hardwood beneath, or put down natural flooring if none exists.

* Wallpaper glue can cause chemical sensitivity in some individuals. Using eco-friendly strippers or hot steam, remove the wallpaper and paint with eco-friendly paint devoid of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and synthetic pigments.

* Get rid of chemical-based cleaners which are made from substances that can cause respiratory and skin problems. Some of these toxic cleaners are potentially fatal if swallowed. Who needs these poisons around the home? Use eco-friendly cleaners that you make yourself (baking soda and white vinegar can meet most cleaning needs), or purchase green cleaners from stores.

4. Speaking of Green…

Festoon your home with green, indoor plants. These are nature’s air purifiers, and can be employed in conjunction with open windows. In fact, indoor plants thrive on fresh, outside air. And when you close your windows, the plants work all the time to exchange air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, ammonia, and formaldehyde for healthy oxygen. Plant varieties to look for include English ivy, spider plant, peace lily, and various palms.

5. Clean Filters

Make sure the filters in your heating and cooling system are changed regularly. Purchase filters that are made to filter out as many chemicals and allergens as possible.

Now, take a deep breath and enjoy the air!