2008 Was a Greeener Year for Girl, and so it continues...

Farm Fresh to You (FFTY) is another move I made in 2008 to reduce the impact of my life on the planet. I'm glad, and I'd bet if you gave them a try that you'd be glad too.

Here's the skinny. FFTY is a family-run organic farm in Capay Valley that is working with other small producers to deliver amazingly fresh, organic produce to your doorstep. You can have deliveries any where from once a month to weekly, and can choose fruit, veggies or a mix. I can't say enough good things about this company.

I started off with the weekly regular box, but I have to admit I found it too difficult to get through everything given that sometimes my schedule does not allow for preparing a meal that doesn't involve something in a box. However, I was so impressed with the quality of the produce and the terrific customer service, I couldn't stop.

Instead I've switched to twice a month mostly fruit delivery, which has turned out to be completly perfect for us. The citrus they are bringing right now is incredible. I swear they brought an orange that weighted over a pound! The entire household enjoys the FFTY deliveries.

I think the planet just might, too. Everything is sustainably farmed - you get a newsletter with each delivery written by the farmer giving you the state of affairs on the farm - and locally produced. This is local agriculuture in sync with the seasons! I feel less disconnected when I eat Thaddeous's produce. That alone is worth it.

They often run new customer specials. If you're interested you might try telling them Gwen referred you and you may get $5 off your first box.

Bon appetit!

Low VOC Paint ROCKS! Well, I suppose it actually rolls, but you get the idea.

I've wanted to paint my bedroom for the entire 4.5 years I have lived in my house. For many reasons it hadn't come to be until yesterday, not the least of which was choosing paint. I'm glad I waited until I knew enough to ask for low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint.

That "new paint" smell we have come to associate with a fresh interior? Not a good thing. Indoor air quality is as big an issue as outdoors. Paint is a major contributor to indoor air pollution. Thankfully, there are choices available in most colors, and you can use something that is easier on you and the planet.

I have to say, good vibes from planet-sparing or no, my highest recommendation goes to the complete and utter lack of "paint smell". The entire time we were painting I was struck with how nice it was to be able to breathe without the stifling odor.

The room is gorgeous, there is no stink and the planet suffers less - triple win!

Simple Human Compost +!

I know one cannot shop one's self out of a climate crisis, but I do have to admit that there are some purchases that turn out to be good investments for the lighter-impact tool-kit. Several months ago we were faced with needing to get a dog-proof composting solution. We were also looking for something that would be easier to use than the separate bucket we were currently using so we could see if we could increase our overall composting.

The perfect solution to our problem is depicted on the left. The Simple Human Butterfly Recycler is a gorgeous solution to a very practical problem. We choose to use one bucket for garbage and one for composting. Our family challenge is to see if we can fill the compost side before we fill the garbage side. We have absolutely seen a dramatic increase in our composting! Our recycling is still under the sink, but even though it hasn't changed, we seen that go up too. Something about having it be ridiculously simple to divert an item from the general waste stream - as easy as adjusting your hand by an inch before you drop the item - is too perfect to fail.

Whatever your solution, I encourage you to think through the practicality issues surrounding your personal waste stream and see if you can't help The City in it's goal of banning food from the garbage. If you have questions, I can't say enough good things about the people at Sunset Scavenger. I've contacted them several times throughout the last year with questions, and I have always found them to be outstandingly helpful and friendly.

Happy composting!

Biked to Work!

Yesterday was Bike to Work Day! For the first time I participated in the event with my favorite cyclist. While I did not enjoy the ride on Mission Street, overall the experience was incredible.

By the time I arrived at UCSF, I was completely won over by the idea of cycling instead of driving. Since I've been trying to figure out how I could work in some regular commute riding.

It's quite interesting to consider alternatives to moving one's butt from point A to point B....

Sorry, Oprah, but it's called "Green Washing".

It is inevitable. As the popularity of something increases so does the risk that the unscrupulous will join the parade without integrity. What am I yakking about? Greenwashing.

Looking around I have mixed feelings when I see Clorox touting their care for the earth and little, sweet frogs in particular. Yes, it definitely better than the alternative; standard clorox fills the earth with chlorine. Somehow though I am still left wishing that I could believe it was more than financially motivated.

Of course, it is better to have mainstream greener choices available. Yes, even though I can't imagine shopping there, it is a good thing that Wal-Mart wants to make a name as the Green Retailer. But sometimes these types of green movements are exposed for exactly what they are, attempts to capitalize on the attention given to the real issues of the environment to stay trendy and topical.

Case in point. Oprah had an Earth Day episode this week, of course she did. Now I need to pause here and say that I generally like Oprah. I find that even though her passion for spreading personal empowerment and positive action can be extremely sappy, it is generally a good thing. Yet, I was very dismayed to find O exposing herself as a faux environmentalist on Earth Day. Here's the poop. Oprah had Julia Roberts on, along with the author of Gorgeously Green to discuss the importance of composting. What you won't find on her sanctioned site is her saying things like "that is completely disgusting, I'm not going there with you." in response to the compost bin. You also won't see her "compost queen" screaming when she opens the lid to the worm farm to find (GASP!) worms. Of course, those telling tidbits won't be seen on the Oprah web site, but they were there if you saw the episode. Sad. I found it to be the perfect example of doing the right thing for the wrong reason. What is the effect of Oprah declaring composting "icky"? Seeing how see influences behavior it might have canceled out the entire show! Bummer.

Who is your most favorite faux-environmentalist?

Sometimes The First "R" is Forgotten

Yes, reusable shopping bags are a great idea. They save the planet in numerous ways. Less plastic blowing about mucking up wild life and eventually circling around in the Pacific in the plastic soup I still can't truly, truly fathom. Less energy used in creating and hauling whatever non-reusable bag you would receive, etc...

However, what about "REDUCE, reuse, recycle?" Yes, buy reusable bags, but do you need to spend ridiculous amounts of money to do so? OK. I have to admit, I like cute stuff. I have a reusable bag I picked out specifically because of its super cute blue color and nifty little attached bag. However, it cost me $5 (By the way, I think it looks an awful lot like the over-priced versions).

I don't get it. Get a fun bag. Definitely get something you find appealing. There are plenty of choices, but really, don't pay more than a sack of groceries for it.

Lady Bugs to the Rescue!

Spring is here and with it the tender red shoots of the roses stretching into the sun...not far behind are the aphids. ICK. Nasty, gooey munching machines, the aphids have been trying to take over my front yard for the past few weeks.

I had been washing them off with a mixture of earth-friendly soap and water. Swishing the infected shoots in the soapy water every few days rewarded me with a bowl full of bugs and pest-free plants, but it was labor intensive and required me to get very personal with the aphids.

In come the lady bugs! To keep my flowers happy as well as the planet we planned an aphid genocide. Little Man and I picked out what appeared to be the very best tub of lady bugs and set the stage. Carefully watering the garden right before sunset we waited until dark to start the battle.

We dumped the lady bugs at the base of the roses and wished them luck. In the morning we were treated the lovely view above - lady bugs congregating on all the little shoots gorging themselves on the nasty little aphids. Success!!!

Not only will the ladies help the pests, they have proven to be quite the interesting science lesson. Discussions of the food chain, parasitic relationships, unintended consequences of chemical uses, and other interesting topics have risen for discussion. Can't believe that at one time I might have used some chem! This is much more fun and a much better choice for Mom-Earth.