we live simply | learning to live simply so others may simply live

Stock up on fruits and veggies now

Jonathan D. Blundell — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:50:32 +0000

If the opportunity arises, spring and summer are the perfect time to stock up on fresh local fruits and freeze them for those out of season months.

You can also freeze meats and breads year-round.

The faster you freeze the food, the better it’s quality will be when thawed.

Always write the date on anything you freeze and wrap your food closely before freezing.

Defrost food in a cool place such as a fridge with a loose cover over it.

Never refreeze food after it’s thawed unless you’ve cooked it and cook food as soon as possible after thawing.

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Stock up on fruits and veggies now

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Keep your kitchen cool(er) this summer

Jonathan D. Blundell — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:31:58 +0000

As summer temperatures warm up there are several ways you can keep your AC from having to overwork to keep your kitchen cool.

One way is to avoid pre-heating your oven.

Many recipes say you should warm the oven before putting in your food, but it’s not always necessary.

Unless you’re cooking bread, cakes or pastries you can often get away with turning on the oven right before you put your food in.

You may need to alter your cooking time a bit by adding a few minutes at the end to compensate.

Also, since most ovens stay hot for some time after they’re turned off, you can experiment by turning your oven off towards the end of the cooking time and add a few minutes of cooking time as the oven cools.

Cutting back on your cooking time will keep your kitchen cooler – and save energy at the same time.

Happy Earth Day

How are you celebrating this year? Let us know.

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Keep your kitchen cool(er) this summer

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Green your flooring

Jonathan D. Blundell — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:35:30 +0000

Paper bag floor | Photo via http://www.fortheloveoflillian.com/2012/03/paper-bag-floor.html

If you’re considering re-flooring portions of your house this year, consider natural flooring.

According to the EPA, over four billion pounds of carpet enter the solid waste stream in the U.S. every year – with the vast majority being made of synthetic materials that won’t break down.

So, why not start with something that’s natural?

Consider choices like wool, bamboo, seagrass, coir, jute or even paper (paper flooring is ideal in kitchens and bathrooms).

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Green your flooring

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Don’t forget about your electronics

Jonathan D. Blundell — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:00:53 +0000

If you’ve upgraded your cellphone, laptop or other electronic devices, don’t just toss it out with the trash (especially with the battery still in it).

Find a local charity or non-profit that can put your retired gear to use or check Amazon.com/Electronics-Trade-In and other online sites for offers on your retired gear.

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BONUS:

If you’re in the DFW area and you have your gear ready to go, you can take part in the 5th Annual Dallas Mavericks E-Cycling Drive, this Saturday, April 13th.

The Dallas Mavericks, ROUND2 and AT&T invite area residents to take advantage of this convenient opportunity to recycle their old or unwanted electronics for free.

The event will take place at the American Airlines Center Lot F from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cars may enter the lot off of Houston Street or Victory Ave.

Televisions, computers, laptops, keyboards, mice, printers, cell phones, radios, stereos, phones, CD and DVD players, MP3 players or portable audio devices, and clocks.

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Don’t forget about your electronics

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Make gradual changes

Jonathan D. Blundell — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:00:16 +0000

Fresh water melons from a local farmers market

Trying to make better sustainability habits?

Rather than making a complete change – cold turkey – like switching to all organic or local foods overnight, try making a gradual change.

Start by simply making a few changes to your regular grocery lists or buying one or two items from your local farmer's market on the way home from work.

By slowly adding better foods (or habits) over time it won't be such a shock to your system and eventually those new habits will crowd out the bad ones.

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Make gradual changes

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Switch to a reel lawnmower

Jonathan D. Blundell — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:00:16 +0000

My wife loves getting out behind our reel mower | Photo by Jonathan Blundell

As Spring arrives, the heavy lawn mowers start coming out of the garages.

This season consider replacing your gas powered lawn mower with a reel (manual powered) one.

Reel mowers reduce your fossil fuel consumption, reduce noise pollution and can be great exercise.

In addition, because a reel mower cuts your grass more like a pair of scissors, instead of ripping and tearing it like traditional gas powered mowers, reel lawn mowers are better for your lawn as well. As one local nursery owner told me – it's the same method golf courses use to cut their greens.

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Switch to a reel lawnmower

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Easily remove stubborn coffee stains – naturally

Jonathan D. Blundell — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 13:11:48 +0000

Turkish Coffee | Photo by Jonathan Blundell

A coffee roasting friend shares:

Fill your coffee mug with ice and use a spoon to swirl the ice around in the cup.

As the coffee rubs against the sides and bottom of your mug it will rub off those stubborn stains.

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Easily remove stubborn coffee stains – naturally

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Avoid using plasticware

Jonathan D. Blundell — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 13:00:09 +0000

For your parties and gatherings this year, avoid using disposable (plastic) dinnerware and consider renting instead.

You likely don’t have 20 or 30 matching glasses. But to keep your parties classy, consider renting glassware and dinnerware from a local party rental company. Most companies don’t have minimum orders and will often offer delivery, pickup and even wash the glasses and silverware for you.

If renting doesn’t seem logical, ask your guests to bring their favorite dinnerware along with their prepared food dishes. Use it as an opportunity to let everyone show off their favorite items and tell the stories behind them. This works especially well for fancy gatherings like tea-parties, where guests can bring their favorite china.

If using disposable plastics are unavoidable, consider purchasing disposables that are earth-friendly and made of compostable and all natural products.

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Avoid using plasticware

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Put those scraps to work

Jonathan D. Blundell — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 13:00:39 +0000

While anyone can chop a bunch of vegetables and throw the scraps in the trash, with a little extra effort and some ingenuity you can put those scraps to work for you instead of simply filling the local landfill.
1. The easiest option is to simply collect scraps and add them to your backyard compost pile to help make a nutrient rich soil for your favorite garden.
2. Freeze left-over scraps and once you have a nice collection, boil the scraps in a large pot to make vegetable broth. Freeze the broth in small containers to have it readily available next time you need it. And of course after the broth is made, you can throw the leftover scraps on your compost pile. Read more.
3. Grow new plants from your scraps. A variety of vegetables will regrow by placing their roots in a small bowl or cup of water. Read more.
What other creative uses have you found for your vegetable scraps?

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Put those scraps to work

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Consider Carpooling

Jonathan D. Blundell — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:00:27 +0000

According to 2009 data from the U.S. Government, the average daily work commute is 25.1 minutes (one-way). Personally, while my commute is just under 20 miles one-way it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or more depending on traffic.
If you’re unable to telecommute or work within walking or biking distance from your home, consider carpooling.
Many metro areas have a variety of services available for residents to make the most of their commute and help take a few more cars off the road. Your company may also have services available to help match you with co-workers living in the same areas as you.
And depending on where you live, you may be able to cut your commute time drastically by taking advantage of high-occupancy-lanes.

Do you carpool? Would you consider it?

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Consider Carpooling