Weekly Save the World Tip: Actually Buy Groceries at the Farmers Market
Farmer's Markets are becoming less of a place to shop for produce and meat, and more of a place for all the hipsters to hang out, eat waffle sandwiches, and drink 5 dollar lemonade. This is having a big impact on local farmers, and some of them are going out of business or finding somewhere else to sell their food. Buying food as locally as possible is one of the best things you can do to save the world, and Farmer's Markets are about as good as it gets (besides your own garden). If people do not use Farmer's Markets for what they were originally intended to be, it could be harder to find local fruits, veggies, and meats. Shopping at the Farmers Market may be a bit more expensive than buying produce that's been shipped from some huge farm in Mexico, but consider it an investment in your health, the environment, and our local community. And if you can afford that 5 dollar lemonade and overpriced waffle sandwich, you can probably afford to support local food.
Farmer's Markets are becoming less of a place to shop for produce and meat, and more of a place for all the hipsters to hang out, eat waffle sandwiches, and drink 5 dollar lemonade. This is having a big impact on local farmers, and some of them are going out of business or finding somewhere else to sell their food. Buying food as locally as possible is one of the best things you can do to save the world, and Farmer's Markets are about as good as it gets (besides your own garden). If people do not use Farmer's Markets for what they were originally intended to be, it could be harder to find local fruits, veggies, and meats. Shopping at the Farmers Market may be a bit more expensive than buying produce that's been shipped from some huge farm in Mexico, but consider it an investment in your health, the environment, and our local community. And if you can afford that 5 dollar lemonade and overpriced waffle sandwich, you can probably afford to support local food.
Weekly Save the World Tip: Start your own SOAP group!
The four founding members of SOAP are getting older, and we have been talking about the future of SOAP. One of our favorite thing about SOAP is that it is run by kids and teens. As we become adults, we want a way to keep that piece of SOAP alive. So we are giving you or your kids the opportunity to start your own SOAP group. These individual SOAP groups will organize and run their own events or projects, all working towards SOAP's goal of saving the world. Please see the GET INVOLVED! page for details.
The four founding members of SOAP are getting older, and we have been talking about the future of SOAP. One of our favorite thing about SOAP is that it is run by kids and teens. As we become adults, we want a way to keep that piece of SOAP alive. So we are giving you or your kids the opportunity to start your own SOAP group. These individual SOAP groups will organize and run their own events or projects, all working towards SOAP's goal of saving the world. Please see the GET INVOLVED! page for details.
Weekly Save the World Tip: Reusable Lunch Containers
Packing your lunch in a paper bag with disposable plastic bags should be avoided to reduce excess waste. Ziplock bags are an ok way to store food as long as they are washed and reused. Another way to reduce waste is buying large containers of food that can be divided into smaller portions instead of buying individualized packaged foods. For example, instead of buying applesauce cups for your lunch buy one big jar (which can be reused to store other food in) and pour as much as you want into a reusable tupperware. Tupperware is a great substitute for plastic bags and is much easier to wash. Put all your snacks in a reusable lunch bag instead of a paper or plastic bag, now you've eliminated waste from your lunch. Imagine all the trash you could prevent from entering the landfill after packing your lunch this way everyday for a year or a lifetime!
Packing your lunch in a paper bag with disposable plastic bags should be avoided to reduce excess waste. Ziplock bags are an ok way to store food as long as they are washed and reused. Another way to reduce waste is buying large containers of food that can be divided into smaller portions instead of buying individualized packaged foods. For example, instead of buying applesauce cups for your lunch buy one big jar (which can be reused to store other food in) and pour as much as you want into a reusable tupperware. Tupperware is a great substitute for plastic bags and is much easier to wash. Put all your snacks in a reusable lunch bag instead of a paper or plastic bag, now you've eliminated waste from your lunch. Imagine all the trash you could prevent from entering the landfill after packing your lunch this way everyday for a year or a lifetime!
Weekly Save the World Tip: Buy Your Cosmetics In Bulk
Cosmetics such as lotion, shampoo, and conditioner, as well as things like dish soap, produce lots of waste due to the bottles and other packaging. One way to drastically reduce that waste is to buy in bulk! The Good Food Store has all these items and more in bulk, near the body care section. You can then wash out and reuse the empty jars!
Cosmetics such as lotion, shampoo, and conditioner, as well as things like dish soap, produce lots of waste due to the bottles and other packaging. One way to drastically reduce that waste is to buy in bulk! The Good Food Store has all these items and more in bulk, near the body care section. You can then wash out and reuse the empty jars!
Weekly Save the World Tip: Offsetting Your Carbon Footprint
Your carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouses gases that you release from everyday activities such as using appliances, driving, and more. You should try to reduce this as much as possible- biking, using energy efficient appliances, and more, but once you've made your carbon footprint as low as you can, there are ways you can offset it. On websites such as carbon fund, you can donate a certain amount of money to offset your carbon footprint. Your money goes to renewable energy and reforestation projects that otherwise wouldn't have happened.
Your carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouses gases that you release from everyday activities such as using appliances, driving, and more. You should try to reduce this as much as possible- biking, using energy efficient appliances, and more, but once you've made your carbon footprint as low as you can, there are ways you can offset it. On websites such as carbon fund, you can donate a certain amount of money to offset your carbon footprint. Your money goes to renewable energy and reforestation projects that otherwise wouldn't have happened.
Weekly Save the World Tip: Mechanical Pencils vs. Wooden
Are mechanical pencils or wooden ones more enviromentally friendly? Well, it depends how responsible you are. Although mechanical pencils are plastic and take more energy to produce, they can be used forever. At least, in theory. Often times people lose their pencils pretty quickly, and then have to go buy new ones on more plastic packaging. If you are confident you won't lose your pencils, mechanical pencils are probably better. But, if you're not so sure about holding on to something that small, consider recycled wooden pencils, and compost your pencil shavings. These don't contain plastic, but they disappear very fast.
Are mechanical pencils or wooden ones more enviromentally friendly? Well, it depends how responsible you are. Although mechanical pencils are plastic and take more energy to produce, they can be used forever. At least, in theory. Often times people lose their pencils pretty quickly, and then have to go buy new ones on more plastic packaging. If you are confident you won't lose your pencils, mechanical pencils are probably better. But, if you're not so sure about holding on to something that small, consider recycled wooden pencils, and compost your pencil shavings. These don't contain plastic, but they disappear very fast.
Weekly Save the World Tip: Make Your Own Yogurt!
Making you own yogurt is surprisingly easy, and it's better for the enviroment- no plastic coverings or shipping! Plus, it's a lot cheaper. All you will need is a half gallon of milk (whole will be the creamiest), and a half cup of yogurt (after you make your own, you can use some of your last batch). Make sure the yogurt you buy contains live active cultures. First, heat your milk in a large, heavy pot with a lid, or a Dutch oven, to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, using a candy thermometer to measure the temperature. Then let it cool to 112-115 degrees. Take one cup of the milk, and add it to the yogurt and mix. Then add the thinned yogurt back to the milk. Place the pot in a turned off oven, either with the light on, or wrap the pot in towels. After four hours, check the consistency. When it gets to a consistency you like, remove the pot and let it cool. If there's whey on top, you can either strain it off or stir it back in. If you make more batches with your homemade yogurt, you may notice a odd flavor, or the yogurt may not set up well. This means your cultures are getting weak, and you should start a new strain. Good luck!
Making you own yogurt is surprisingly easy, and it's better for the enviroment- no plastic coverings or shipping! Plus, it's a lot cheaper. All you will need is a half gallon of milk (whole will be the creamiest), and a half cup of yogurt (after you make your own, you can use some of your last batch). Make sure the yogurt you buy contains live active cultures. First, heat your milk in a large, heavy pot with a lid, or a Dutch oven, to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, using a candy thermometer to measure the temperature. Then let it cool to 112-115 degrees. Take one cup of the milk, and add it to the yogurt and mix. Then add the thinned yogurt back to the milk. Place the pot in a turned off oven, either with the light on, or wrap the pot in towels. After four hours, check the consistency. When it gets to a consistency you like, remove the pot and let it cool. If there's whey on top, you can either strain it off or stir it back in. If you make more batches with your homemade yogurt, you may notice a odd flavor, or the yogurt may not set up well. This means your cultures are getting weak, and you should start a new strain. Good luck!
Weekly Save the World Tip: Eat Free Range Products
Eating free range meat, eggs, and dairy products is not only much better for the animals, but also for your health! Meat and dairy products that comes from free range animals has less fat, and the fat they do have is better for you. They also have more anti-oxidants, beta carotene, and vitamins. Eggs also have more vitamins, and less cholesterol. The animals that this food comes from have much happier lives, and are not stuck in cramped cages. However, there are not strict regulations on the term free range, so make sure you have learned about the ways your meat, dairy, and egg provider treats their animals. And always try to buy as locally as possible!
Eating free range meat, eggs, and dairy products is not only much better for the animals, but also for your health! Meat and dairy products that comes from free range animals has less fat, and the fat they do have is better for you. They also have more anti-oxidants, beta carotene, and vitamins. Eggs also have more vitamins, and less cholesterol. The animals that this food comes from have much happier lives, and are not stuck in cramped cages. However, there are not strict regulations on the term free range, so make sure you have learned about the ways your meat, dairy, and egg provider treats their animals. And always try to buy as locally as possible!
Weekly Save the World Tip: Adjusting Your Thermostat
Heating and cooling houses uses tons of energy, and a simple adjustment you can make is to set your thermostat to 2 degrees lower in the winter, and two degrees higher in the summer. So, if your normal house temperature is 68 degrees, try 66 in the winter, and 70 in the summer. You'll barely even notice the change, but you can save up to 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year!
Heating and cooling houses uses tons of energy, and a simple adjustment you can make is to set your thermostat to 2 degrees lower in the winter, and two degrees higher in the summer. So, if your normal house temperature is 68 degrees, try 66 in the winter, and 70 in the summer. You'll barely even notice the change, but you can save up to 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year!
Weekly Save the World Tip: Green Reading
A good book is one of life's simple pleasures. Comforting, relaxing, and just plain perfect, what could be wrong with that copy of your favorite novel? Well, it's damage to the enviroment. Each paperback book you buy produces about 7.5 kg of carbon emissions! So, what's the greenest way to read a book? E-readers, a common alternative, can be better for the enviroment, depending on how much you actually use them. Each one uses nearly 175 kg of carbon, but each time you buy a book online, it's one you didn't buy a real-life copy of. The books or e-readers question depends on your reading habits, but a far better solution for everyone is the library! Each book gets to be enjoyed hundreds of times, plus it's free!!
A good book is one of life's simple pleasures. Comforting, relaxing, and just plain perfect, what could be wrong with that copy of your favorite novel? Well, it's damage to the enviroment. Each paperback book you buy produces about 7.5 kg of carbon emissions! So, what's the greenest way to read a book? E-readers, a common alternative, can be better for the enviroment, depending on how much you actually use them. Each one uses nearly 175 kg of carbon, but each time you buy a book online, it's one you didn't buy a real-life copy of. The books or e-readers question depends on your reading habits, but a far better solution for everyone is the library! Each book gets to be enjoyed hundreds of times, plus it's free!!
Weekly Save the World Tip: Composting Your Food
If you don't have one already, a compost is a great way to reduce your food waste, and they're easy to make-you don't even need a bin! To start a compost pile, you'll need: an area that's at least 3 feet by 3 feet, "brown" materials that are rich in carbon (fall leaves, shredded newspaper, dead flowers, straw, etc.), "green" materials that are rich in nitrogen (food scraps-no meat, or animal manure-not from carnivores), and a bit of soil. Start with a layer of dry stuff (like straw, dead leaves, or cornstalks), and then add a several inch layer of brown stuff, then a thin layer of soil, then a layer of green stuff. Repeat the process, using a 3:1 ratio of brown to green, with a little soil mixed in, until the pile is about 3 feet tall. This can happen over time. Keep your pile moist, and every few weeks, turn it with a shovel, and try to move the stuff that was on the outside to the middle and vice versa. After a while, the middle will become black and sweet smelling, and then you can put in on your garden and repeat the process!
If you don't have one already, a compost is a great way to reduce your food waste, and they're easy to make-you don't even need a bin! To start a compost pile, you'll need: an area that's at least 3 feet by 3 feet, "brown" materials that are rich in carbon (fall leaves, shredded newspaper, dead flowers, straw, etc.), "green" materials that are rich in nitrogen (food scraps-no meat, or animal manure-not from carnivores), and a bit of soil. Start with a layer of dry stuff (like straw, dead leaves, or cornstalks), and then add a several inch layer of brown stuff, then a thin layer of soil, then a layer of green stuff. Repeat the process, using a 3:1 ratio of brown to green, with a little soil mixed in, until the pile is about 3 feet tall. This can happen over time. Keep your pile moist, and every few weeks, turn it with a shovel, and try to move the stuff that was on the outside to the middle and vice versa. After a while, the middle will become black and sweet smelling, and then you can put in on your garden and repeat the process!
Weekly Save the World Tip: Dehydrating Food
With spring here (too soon for some of us, but....), people start to plan vacations. Many people choose to go camping, a fun, cheap, and usually environmentally friendly way to relax and go somewhere new. But even though you are probably reducing greenhouse gas emissions by being outside all day with no cars, electronics, or showers, have you thought about what your food is doing to the environment? Many backpackers are fans of dehydrated meals; they're quick, easy, and usually pretty good. But those containers are rarely recyclable, and often toxic and harmful to the earth. One great (and delicious!) option is to make your own dehydrated meals. It's much easier, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly to use a real dehydrator, but you can try it with your oven first. You can make all kinds of meals like lentil salads, stew, and chicken salad wraps! Learn how at backpackingchef.com
With spring here (too soon for some of us, but....), people start to plan vacations. Many people choose to go camping, a fun, cheap, and usually environmentally friendly way to relax and go somewhere new. But even though you are probably reducing greenhouse gas emissions by being outside all day with no cars, electronics, or showers, have you thought about what your food is doing to the environment? Many backpackers are fans of dehydrated meals; they're quick, easy, and usually pretty good. But those containers are rarely recyclable, and often toxic and harmful to the earth. One great (and delicious!) option is to make your own dehydrated meals. It's much easier, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly to use a real dehydrator, but you can try it with your oven first. You can make all kinds of meals like lentil salads, stew, and chicken salad wraps! Learn how at backpackingchef.com
Weekly Save the World Tip: Eat More Lentils
Lentils are probably the best protein source, both for you and the environment, and they're not just for hippies. They produce only a small fraction of the carbon emissions that meat does, and most of these are from cooking the lentils, which is pretty small overall. Lentils are also super healthy, a superfood with lots of fiber, protein, and nutrients. There's tons of cool lentil recipes, from soups to salads to burgers, so get cooking!
Lentils are probably the best protein source, both for you and the environment, and they're not just for hippies. They produce only a small fraction of the carbon emissions that meat does, and most of these are from cooking the lentils, which is pretty small overall. Lentils are also super healthy, a superfood with lots of fiber, protein, and nutrients. There's tons of cool lentil recipes, from soups to salads to burgers, so get cooking!
Weekly Save the World Tip: Get the Mountain Line Bus App!
Taking the bus is an awesome way to help the enviroment. And, now it's free! Mountain Line has changed to zero fare! But, sometimes taking the bus can just be too complicated. You don't know the schedule, you're afraid to miss the bus, or you have to transfer busses. But, with the Mountain Line bus app, Mountain Line Transit, you can look up all the schedules, and see exactly where the bus is right now, and when it will be at your stop. You can also choose to receive text alerts to tell you when your bus is almost at your stop! This app can be downloaded on smartphones, iPads, computers, and more.
Taking the bus is an awesome way to help the enviroment. And, now it's free! Mountain Line has changed to zero fare! But, sometimes taking the bus can just be too complicated. You don't know the schedule, you're afraid to miss the bus, or you have to transfer busses. But, with the Mountain Line bus app, Mountain Line Transit, you can look up all the schedules, and see exactly where the bus is right now, and when it will be at your stop. You can also choose to receive text alerts to tell you when your bus is almost at your stop! This app can be downloaded on smartphones, iPads, computers, and more.
Weekly Save the World Tip: Stop Throwing Out Your Food
It happens all the time. "Did I really buy that bag of lettuce that long ago? I don't remember purchasing these moldy oranges! Wow, these bananas aren't even banana bread worthy anymore..." Said any of those lately? Of course you have. You forget about some fruit, veggie or dairy product, it goes bad, and you toss it. It might not seem like that big of a deal, but the average American household throws out 1/3 of the food they buy, or nearly 2,000 dollars worth per year. That's a little wasteful. Here's some of our favorite tricks for eating your fruits, veggies and cheese before it starts to smell.
1. Use the freezer! If you suddenly realize that you have a massive amount of produce about to rot, and certainly can't eat it all in time, freeze it! You can then use it in everything from smoothies to muffins to soups.
2. Rotate your food. Put the food you just bought in the back of the fridge, so the older stuff will catch you eye.
3. Separate your fruits. Many ripe fruits release a gas called ethylene gas, which causes other produce to ripen quicker, so try keeping your ripe fruit in a different spot than your unripe stuff.
4. Use a magnetic whiteboard. Try putting a whiteboard on your fridge and writing down whatever produce you put in there. Then, when making dinner or grabbing a snack, glance at the whiteboard first.
It happens all the time. "Did I really buy that bag of lettuce that long ago? I don't remember purchasing these moldy oranges! Wow, these bananas aren't even banana bread worthy anymore..." Said any of those lately? Of course you have. You forget about some fruit, veggie or dairy product, it goes bad, and you toss it. It might not seem like that big of a deal, but the average American household throws out 1/3 of the food they buy, or nearly 2,000 dollars worth per year. That's a little wasteful. Here's some of our favorite tricks for eating your fruits, veggies and cheese before it starts to smell.
1. Use the freezer! If you suddenly realize that you have a massive amount of produce about to rot, and certainly can't eat it all in time, freeze it! You can then use it in everything from smoothies to muffins to soups.
2. Rotate your food. Put the food you just bought in the back of the fridge, so the older stuff will catch you eye.
3. Separate your fruits. Many ripe fruits release a gas called ethylene gas, which causes other produce to ripen quicker, so try keeping your ripe fruit in a different spot than your unripe stuff.
4. Use a magnetic whiteboard. Try putting a whiteboard on your fridge and writing down whatever produce you put in there. Then, when making dinner or grabbing a snack, glance at the whiteboard first.
Weekly Save the World Tip: Stop Rinsing!
After dinner, someone probably cleans up your kitchen. And they probably load the dishwasher with all the dirty dishes. And, before the pile in the dirty cups and plates, they probably give them a quick rinse. Good, right? Fast, sanitary, and easy on the dishwasher. Think again. Rinsing dishes before loading them into the dishwasher uses up to an extra 20 gallons of water per load, plus the energy used to heat that water. So, save time, money, and the environment by loading your dinner dishes straight into the dishwasher.
After dinner, someone probably cleans up your kitchen. And they probably load the dishwasher with all the dirty dishes. And, before the pile in the dirty cups and plates, they probably give them a quick rinse. Good, right? Fast, sanitary, and easy on the dishwasher. Think again. Rinsing dishes before loading them into the dishwasher uses up to an extra 20 gallons of water per load, plus the energy used to heat that water. So, save time, money, and the environment by loading your dinner dishes straight into the dishwasher.
Weekly Save the World Tip: Nutella
Everyone loves Nutella. But, hiding inside your favorite chocolatey spread, along with many, many other food items, is Palm oil, an oil that rain forests are being cut down to make. Monkeys, birds, and many other animals are losing their habitats due to palm oil being harvested. It's is found in everything from peanut butter to cookies, so make sure you read all your labels before buying foods so you can avoid helping to cut down monkeys' homes. But, everyone still loves Nutella. So how do you balance your love for chocolate-hazelnut spread with your desire to save the world? Nocciolata. Nocciolata is a Nutella-like product made with environmentally friendly ingredients and methods. And, in my taste tests, it's proven to be even tastier than Nutella.
Everyone loves Nutella. But, hiding inside your favorite chocolatey spread, along with many, many other food items, is Palm oil, an oil that rain forests are being cut down to make. Monkeys, birds, and many other animals are losing their habitats due to palm oil being harvested. It's is found in everything from peanut butter to cookies, so make sure you read all your labels before buying foods so you can avoid helping to cut down monkeys' homes. But, everyone still loves Nutella. So how do you balance your love for chocolate-hazelnut spread with your desire to save the world? Nocciolata. Nocciolata is a Nutella-like product made with environmentally friendly ingredients and methods. And, in my taste tests, it's proven to be even tastier than Nutella.
Weekly Save the World Tip: Bring Your Own Bags
Grocery shopping, while not a necessity, is an almost unavoidable trip in the modern world. Grocery stores produce a major amount of waste, particularly plastic. There are ways to reduce this: bring your own bags! Preferably cloth, but anything around the house will do to prevent an increase of bags (particularly plastic) that are used/made. Did you know that 1 Trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year? If you do forget your bags at home, don't have enough bags or didn't plan the grocery trip, no problem, it happens to everyone. Leave one of those bags in the car for future unplanned groceries trips, take the bags home and use them as garbage bags, just don't throw them out unused!
Grocery shopping, while not a necessity, is an almost unavoidable trip in the modern world. Grocery stores produce a major amount of waste, particularly plastic. There are ways to reduce this: bring your own bags! Preferably cloth, but anything around the house will do to prevent an increase of bags (particularly plastic) that are used/made. Did you know that 1 Trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year? If you do forget your bags at home, don't have enough bags or didn't plan the grocery trip, no problem, it happens to everyone. Leave one of those bags in the car for future unplanned groceries trips, take the bags home and use them as garbage bags, just don't throw them out unused!
