Off the Urban Grid

Trail Running Does the Body Good

Now that we have finally made it to March, you can start thinking and planning all of those fun adventures that you and your friends want to take on this spring and summer. When you’re hard at work preserving the planet, it’s important for you to take some time out to actually enjoy it and get a little dirty…you know, remember why you’ve been changing your wasteful ways to preserve something so incredible. So taking a road trip to a mountainous region or enjoying a nearby park or forest with your friends should be one of your goals for summer 2010.

Before you actually leave for your trail running trip, it’s wise to ensure that you have the proper equipment, especially the shoes that you’re going to be wearing for hours at a time. Nothing can ruin a camping or trail adventure quicker than sore and blistered feet. Some characteristics in a trail shoe include breathability, flexibility and traction. You might already have a pair of shoes that you can use, but if you don’t, you can buy a pair that will last you for seasons to come.

Merrell Shoes specialize in outdoor functionality and safety. The Waterpro Ottowa in Dusty Olive from Merrell will give you the ability to push your trail running to limit. In addition to having the characteristics mentioned above, these shoes also have other features, which include but are not limited to antimicrobial lining, an anatomical footbed and an air cushion midsole. Shoes like these will keep you going with the rest of the pack.

Some areas you might consider visiting for the trails this year include Baltimore, Maryland; the San Francisco Bay Area; Rochester, New York; and Seattle, Washington. However, there are great running trails all over the map, so you might have one conveniently situated in your town’s backyard.

Tags: summer adventures, trail running, trail shoes

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What Is Companion Planting?

When you’re planning out your vegetable garden, it’s beneficial to consider how the different plants are going to react around one another. Don’t you behave differently when you’re around certain individuals? Well, it’s somewhat similar in plants. Before you start planting your vegetables, you should think about the basics of companion planting.

The idea of companion planting or symbiotic plants originated with the Native Americans. They understood plants and realized that plants can benefit from being planted near certain plants. Native Americans focused on corns, beans and squash, which is why these three vegetables are the most common symbiotic plants. The reason why they are companions to one another is because of how they interact with each other. For example, since the corn is tall, the beans have something that they can climb up, and the squash replenishes the soil with its dead leaves. Several positive relationships occur with these three plants.

By incorporating companion planting into your garden, you will be able to enjoy a more diverse and fruitful garden. Depending on how you plan your garden, you could strategically create natural barriers that defend the crops against insects and animals. Fortunately, symbiotic planting can be as easy as following an equation.

You can plant pumpkins with corn and marigolds, or beans can be next to almost any vegetables as well as herbs. By researching online or buying a helpful guide, you can find outlines showing which plants are compatible with others. Taking this extra time to think about your garden will ensure that you have a larger harvest and an aphid free environment for your crops to flourish in.

Tags: companion planting, symbiotic plants

Posted in Vegetable Gardening | No Comments »

How Many Ways Can You Reuse an Old Toothbrush?

Once a month it’s easy to find yourself needing a new toothbrush. If you brush your teeth about two to three times a day, the bristles become deformed fast and brush more of your gums than your teeth. It’s also a good idea to change your toothbrush when you get sick, so you don’t risk getting the same cold again. Regardless of when or why you get a new toothbrush, you always have old ones lying around or being thrown into the trash. Instead of wasting so many toothbrushes, try using them around the house.

Old toothbrushes can be especially useful in the bathroom. If you want your faucets and bathtub tile to look spotless, you can use those scrubbing bristles to your advantage. Or you can use it as an eyebrow brush. Although there are brushes specifically made for the eyebrows, it doesn’t mean an old toothbrush can do the job just as well. The brush can also be turned into a fingernail brush when you are doing manicures or getting dirt out from under your nails.

The old bristles can also be useful in the laundry room and garage. When you have a set in stain on one of your favorite shirts or pants, you can use stain remover and your handy old toothbrush to pull it out. This comes in handy when you have kids. In the garage, you can use the bristles to shine your hubcaps or cleaning off tools. You might also have dirty work boots or shoes in the garage, which you can get clean again with the brush.

There are so many uses for your old toothbrushes that it’s hard to believe why we would ever throw them away. They can be used to clean jewelry, bottles, soft fabrics, combs, window screens, etc. Just remember to label your old toothbrushes, so you don’t carry germs and dirt from outside into whatever you might be cleaning in the house. Old toothbrushes come in handy, and it’s important to get as much use out of them as possible before tossing them out. However, in the meantime, try to switch to more eco-friendly toothbrushes that can be recycled.

Tags: old toothbrush, reusing a toothbrush, toothbrush uses

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How to Store Farm Fresh Honey

Maintaining a backyard beehive takes continuous work, and sometimes the bees can pose a challenge if you have concerned neighbors. So when you’re able to extract some delicious honey from the hive, it’s important to preserve that hard work so it doesn’t get exposed to sunlight, fungus or other bacteria. Once you get your beekeeping skills perfected, all that is left to do is learn how to properly store your honey.

When stored properly honey doesn’t spoil, and it’s an even more convenient food since it doesn’t have to be refrigerated. Because of these characteristics, ancient Egyptians used honey to prevent infections and would apply it to cuts, scrapes and gashes. Although you will most likely be eating honey instead of treating your wounds with it, it’s important to store it the best way you can so you can enjoy it’s delicious taste for years to come.

Honey should be stored in a tightly sealed container, and it must be kept out of sunlight. When sunlight gets to it, the honey turns darker in color. It’s also wise to ensure that the honey has 18 percent or less water content, otherwise fungus can develop and the honey can become too watery. Even though honey doesn’t have to be refrigerated, you can freeze it, but you don’t really need to. Instead, you can store it in a cool, dark pantry.

Over time the honey will crystallize, but it’s still okay to eat. If you want to get rid of the crystallization, you can heat the honey jar in a pot of hot water for a few minutes.

Storing a few jars of honey in your pantry will ensure that you have it for oven fresh biscuits, tea and other foods that require the sugary taste of this delectable gift from your backyard bees.

Tags: honey storage, how to store honey, store farm fresh honey

Posted in Bees & Beekeeping | No Comments »

How to Make Homemade Jam

Once you have your equipment for making homemade jam, you can start putting those backyard strawberries, raspberries and blackberries to good use. So where do you begin? The instructions below will help you make approximately 8 eight-ounce jars or four pints of jam. After you get comfortable with the jam making process, you can customize your creations and make triple berry jams too.

• Pick the freshest and ripest berries from your backyard garden. If you’re familiar with and have access to wild blackberries, you can pick those too. Yet another option is to use berries that you picked and froze earlier.

• Measure 8 cups of unprepared berries. Or for a triple berry jam, measure four cups of crushed strawberries, 1 cup of raspberries and 1 cup of blackberries. It’s important to go by the directions on the pectin so your jam will thicken properly.

• Sterilize your jelly jars in the dishwasher or use a large pot and prepare a hot water bath. It’s best to keep the jars hot so they don’t break when you pour in the hot jelly.

• Rinse off the fruit with cold water. For strawberries, you have to remove the hulls, but with the other berries, you need to take off any remaining stems and leaves.

• Measure the proper amount of sugar. Depending on what type of pectin you’re using, you will need a different amount. For example, with low sugar pectin, 4 cups of sugar is enough, but you will need 7 cups of sugar when using regular pectin.

• Mix approximately ¼ cup of sugar with the pectin. Keep this separate from the rest of the sugar, because you don’t want the pectin to clump.

• Add the berries and sugar and pectin mix in a pot and bring it to a boil. It should take between 5 and 10 minutes for it to start boiling.

• Put the lids of the jars in a pot of hot water to prepare them.

• Mix the rest of the sugar into the pot with the berries and boil for an additional minute. Then remove the pot from the stove.

• Skim off any excess foam and test the jelly for thickness. If it’s not thick enough, you can mix in more pectin and boil again for another minute.

• Fill the sterilized jars with the jam and seal the lid by tightening the ring.

• Use jar tongs to put the jelly jars in a boiling water bath for five minutes.

• Remove the jars from the boiling water and let them cool. Then refrigerate and label them, because it’s best to use them within 6 to 8 months.

Tags: easy jam, easy jelly, homemade jam recipe, make homemade jam, make homemade jelly

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Start an Environmental Club for Support

Starting an environmental club can make you a more active person in the environmental scene, and it can help you develop ways to live more off of the grid. This is a great idea if you find yourself bored after work or if you are looking to spend more time with friends and family. It also looks good on your resume or if you need volunteer work to add to your college application letters. Below are some steps to help you start your own environmental club.

• Make a list of all of the people you think would be interested in joining you environmental club. Call or email them to see if they would like to participate. It’s important to have as many members as possible, because you might have some that drop out along the way.

• Develop a mission statement for your club. What are your goals? What are you hoping to accomplish? This will give the group a focus, and it will also be nice to refer to when new people are interested in signing up.

• Setup a time and place so you can meet with your club members at least two times a month. You should discuss meeting dates with all of the members, because you might have to meet more or less depending on everyone’s schedules.

• Determine what skills everyone has to offer. If someone enjoys scheduling events or sending out reminder emails, they should be in charge of those types of administrative tasks.

• Brainstorm ideas with your group to come up with ways to help your community. Picking up litter or volunteering at an animal shelter can be rewarding activities. You might even want to have events where people can bring their children along to help and learn at the same time.

• Host parties at your home where everyone can relax and celebrate the club’s achievements. This keeps group members involved and makes them feel like their time is appreciated.

Keeping organization within an environmental is one of the most challenging aspects. The easiest part is finding ways to green the planet, your household and the community. Once your club becomes locally recognized, you will find more opportunities to spread awareness and knowledge.

Tags: environmental club, sustainable teaching

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Sustainability & Thriftiness in 2010

Living on less might be the last thing you thought you would be doing, but the fluctuation in the economy has forced a change in many families. It’s easy to become accustomed to buying everything you need and want, but living in luxury all of the time is a strain on the environment and your savings/retirement accounts. If you’re trying to turn a corner in 2010 and get out of debt, follow these eco-friendly and thrifty tips.

• Start using your surplus supplies of lotion, soap, canned food, etc. Since you haven’t had to go budget shopping, you probably have more than one of certain items so use them up before you buy more.

• Limit the number of times a month you go out to eat. When you do order out, eat one third or half of the meal so you can use the leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch and/or dinner. Even if you just have a serving of rice left, you can add vegetables and beans to it.

• Ask your IT friends for programming tricks to keep your laptop or desktop running efficiently to prevent you from having to buy new.

• Refresh your wardrobe for job interviews or parties by visiting your local thrift store. Instead of paying $40 for a designer shirt, you can probably get it for $10 or less. See…reusing and recycling is worthwhile!

• Rejuvenate your hair and skin with homemade remedies. You can highlight your hair with a mixture of lemon juice and water. If your skin needs some moisture, create an avocado or banana mask. You should leave Botox injections and other cosmetic procedures up to the professionals, but you can at least cut back on some of your beauty purchases.

• Reduce the number of times you drive your car or take a taxi by designating a certain day for grocery shopping, or you can start carpooling with friends and family.

Cutting back is a challenge but think of it as a makeover for your soul, because living more sustainably will have a positive impact on the environment and you will be able to pay off your debt faster too.

Tags: sustainable tips, thrifty tips

Posted in Mindset, Saving Money | No Comments »

Equipment Needed for Making Homemade Jam

Jarring homegrown peaches, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc. is easy once you have the right equipment. If you’re growing fruit in your backyard, you’re already on the right track. Now all you need are the right tools in the kitchen to make jelly that will taste delicious.

In order to turn your fruits into jam, you need fruit, pectin and sugar. Pectin is made from apples, and you can buy it at your local grocery store or make it at home from scratch. Some people choose not to use pectin, but this ingredient helps reduce cooking time, preserves the fruit’s nutrition and enables the fruit to set. Although some fruits naturally contain more pectin than others, it’s beneficial to add it. You can use a sugar alternative though. Honey from your backyard beehives or agave nectar can add the sweetness you need. These are your main ingredients, but you also need accessories to turn these materials into a yummy jelly substance.

In order to make jam at home, you will need the following kitchen equipment:

• 16 to 20 quart pot
• Canner (larger pot for sterilizing jars)
• Canning jar funnel
• Large spoon or ladle
• 8-ounce ball jars
• Thin metal lids with rings
• Jar grabber or tongs

By using these ingredients and equipment, you will ensure that your jam is well preserved and full of flavor. Now you just need to learn the simple steps for making homemade jam so you and your family can enjoy a deliciously sustainable snack all year round.

Tags: homemade jam, homemade jelly, making jam, making jelly

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Non-dairy Milk Options

In our culture, sustainability is on the brain, so why not wash that idea down and let it digest with a glass of nondairy milk? If truth be told, soymilk, rice milk, grain milk and hemp milk are not all that bad tasting. Some taste just as close and maybe even better than the real thing. Who knew soybeans could taste that good as a liquid?

While some might drink nondairy milk for ethical reasons, drinking it can also be for a sustainable reason. The production of dairy products is more damaging to the environment than you might think.

In the United States, there are approximately 65, 000 dairy farms, and they produce more than 20 billion gallons of milk for Americans each year. About 2,000 cows are housed, which means that food production and waste management is necessary to care for these animals. For example, 66% of grain harvested in America is fed to animals raised for food and milk production. In addition, large amounts of water are wasted to clean and hydrate the livestock, and their excessive amount of waste results in nitrate polluted runoff. Degradation of land occurs in 40% of the world’s agricultural lands too. As these statistics show, dairy production is not the most efficient and kind process on the environment.

Nondairy milks offer a sustainable alternative to traditional milk. They are derived from beans and grains, which can be processed more efficiently than turning a cow into a milking machine. If milk was no longer produced, the land used to house, feed and clean the livestock could be more effectively used to plant soybean and grain.

An added plus to nondairy milk is that it’s healthy for your body. You can still consume your daily amount of calcium and vitamin D if you choose the right nondairy milk. Many of them are also low in fat and high on protein like soymilk.

The next time you sit down for breakfast, opt for a tall glass of nondairy milk. Not only is it more sustainable for the environment, it’s also just as nutritious for your bones and body.

Tags: milk alternatives, non-dairy milk, soy milk, sustainable milk

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Tips for Solarizing Your Home

Right now putting solar panels on your house is not very cheap. Depending upon how much energy your house needs, you could be looking at thousands of dollars in solar investments. But would you consider installing a home solar kit if it cost less than $1,000?

If you have the money to make an eco-friendly investment, you can get a home solar kit for about $600. The kit would consist of a Uni-Solar 32-watt amorphous-silicon photovoltaic (PV) module, a Morningstar 6-amp charge controller, two Deka 92 amp-hour sealed batteries and an Aims 800-watt modified sine wave inverter. Other materials that you would need include wire, battery cables, mounting hardware and fuses. This kit will be able to power a 20-inch television for 20 hours or a laptop computer for double that time. Alone, the 800-watt inverter can power a vacuum cleaner as well as a toaster and coffee maker.

Solar panels are made in two different forms: crystalline silicon solar cells and PV systems. The atoms that make up the crystalline silicon solar cells enable sunlight to be efficiently turned into energy. These panels are made up of transparent glass, ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), Tedlar and aluminum. The PV systems must be mounted onto a surface so that it’s tilted toward the sun, and the battery must be stored to protect it from unfavorable weather.

Although you might have to create your own solar panel kit, you will save money in the long run, especially if you’re waiting for this technology to lower in price. Even if you can’t afford a solar panel kit, you can spend $50 to $100 on a solar charger for your cell phone or iPod. These are effective and enable you to use a renewable resource like the sun for all of your communication and music needs.

Even though you’re not powering your home on solar energy, you can still make a small step like this to reduce your use of electricity. When solar paneling for your home becomes more mainstream, it will become more affordable for the general public so start saving up now.

Tags: home solar panels, solar panel kits, solarizing your home

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