Homestead in NYC

Laundry in the Tub= the Gym for Poor People (and Greensteaders)

noreply@blogger.com (The GreenSteader) — Tue, 05 May 2009 03:49:00 +0000

If, like me, you're wondering how on earth you can afford to go to a gym AND do your laundry, never fear...the solution is here. Yesterday I decided to try out this little electric washer that my boyfriend had brought over. However, the thing is tiny so I had to do about 10 loads of sheets, towels, and clothes. You know how they tell you to use one of the baskets instead of a shopping cart while you're at the grocery? This was like that, only a million times better (if you're looking to buff up those arms while taking care of menial household tasks.) My biceps were aching from all the lifting up and down and carrying of buckets filled with soapy water. Why I didn't plug in the washer closer to the bathtub where I was keeping the wet laundry instead of going back and forth between the kitchen and the bathroom, I'll never know. But, my arm muscles are thanking me for it. Or cursing me, its hard to tell.

Then theres all the bending over, squatting, and squeezing of inner thigh and arm muscles as I attempted to rinse my laundry, 1850 style. Picture the grape stomping episode of I Love Lucy, and you'll know what I mean. My inner thigh strengthening trick: to squeeze out excess water from the towel or sheet place the laundry between your legs and squeeze hard. Its actually quite fun. If you have a significant other they will particularly enjoy this exercise because you probably won't be wearing any pants.

In terms of being green however, I don't recommend using the Wonder Washer. It uses electricity to do what I can do very well with own two hands (and feet). The only concern I have is the amount of water I use to do the rinsing. However, if you have a low-flow showerhead you should use less water to do the laundry in the tub than you would in a machine at the laundromat. You will definitely save money by doing laundry at home.

I took my wet laundry to the laundromat to dry it, which turned out to be a mistake because despite all the inner thigh squeezing, the clothes were still sopping wet! I definitely reccommend drying at home either completely or letting the laundry dry for a bit before taking it to the laundromat. Total cost: $2.25.

p.s. I used Seventh Generation detergent.

Quilting for Dummies

noreply@blogger.com (The GreenSteader) — Fri, 01 May 2009 22:07:00 +0000

On this rainy Friday afternoon I have been engaging in a pastime that may seem old-fashioned, even archaic: quilting. Quilting has been around since ancient Egyptian times. America has a rich tradition
of patchwork quilting; antique quilts can sometimes fetch thousands of dollars in auctions. Therefore, quilting is an excellent homesteading activity. Ok, I'm cheating a bit because what I'm doing is more like sewing than actual quilting (which involves attaching lots of little pieces of scrap fabric together in intricate designs.) No, my project is quite easy and can be done by anyone. I've adapted my quilt from the book "Sew Everything" by Diana Rupp. To start you'll need about 2.5 or 3 yds of fabric for the quilting fabric. You can use old dresses or sheets if you want to conserve. For my quilt, I am going to have four rows of 11inx11in squares with four squares in each row. This might seem a little small, but I am making my quilt for a toddler.

Step #1: using a tape measure or yard stick measure out an 11inx11in sq on an old cardboard box (to recycle resources). This square will be your template. Trace the square onto your fabric and cut as many squares as you need for your project. Having fabric scissors and some duck tape is a real help at this point to keep your fabric straight. Bonus tip: Iron your fabric before marking and cutting. Patience is key here, because this part can be a pain in the neck. I had to cut three squares out before I cut one I was satisfied with.

Step#2 I am alternating squares of green striped cotton with squares of the green striped cotton overlaid with an ivory eyelet cloth, but if you aren't doing anything like that, you can get right to sewing your squares together. Take two squares and pin on top of each other using straight pins, right side to right side (The right side of a fabric is the side you want to show when you are done with your project.) Sew the right hand sides of the squares together about 1/8 from the edge. Iron the finished seam to "set" the stitches. Repeat putting the new square on top of the second square you added to the row. Repeat until you are satisfied with the width of the quilt.

Step #3 Create four or five rows of squares that are stitched together. Pin one row to the next along the lengthwise side and the stitch. Iron the seam. Repeat until you have all the rows sewn together.

Step #4: Cut a piece of fabric that is a little bigger than the size of your quilt (old sheets are ideal for this). This will be the back for your quilt. Lay it out on the floor or table and tape in place, making sure there are no wrinkles.

Step #5 Lay a piece of cotton batting that is the size of the quilt on top of the backing fabric. Cotton batting can be bought or ordered online, but you could use old filling from pillows if you don't mind a messier looking quilt.

Step #6: Center your quilt fabric on top of the batting and backing fabric. Pin in place with quilter's needles.

Step #7: To connect all three layers together you will yarn to "tie" the pieces together. Cut some yarn into 10" pieces and thread on a chenille needle. Leave the thread unknotted. Starting at each intersection push the needle down through all three layers and push back up on the other side of the intersection. Tie the ends into a knot. Repeat on the other intersections of the quilt.

Step #8: Trim the excess from the backing fabric so that the quilting fabric and backing fabric are the same size.

Step #9: Using a 60" piece of bias quilt binding (which kinda looks like a ribbon), pin the binding along one edge of the quilt (so that the binding encloses the three layers) and edgestitch (if you have a sewing machine)or hand sew it to the three layers. Repeat on the other three sides, tucking the raw edges under at each corner. Iron the seams.

Ta-da!! The Quilt for Dummies is finished! Because I don't have a sewing machine yet, I'm doing all my sewing by hand, which can be quite relaxing on rainy afternoons such as this one.

Want not, Waste not: Top Ten 10 Ways to Conserve

noreply@blogger.com (The GreenSteader) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 22:24:00 +0000

1. Use a drain stopper and soak your dishes in soapy water instead of keeping the faucet running while you scrub. Bonus tip: Listen to a talking program on the radio such as "Fresh Air" on NPR-you won't want to miss a word so you'll automatically keep your faucet use to a minimum.

2. Buy bio-degradable trash bags. Regular trash bags don't break down for centuries, and they seldom get recycled. Some Whole Foods carry the degradable ones, but I haven't been able to check if the Union Sq and Columbus Circle locations do. You can order some here: http://www.ecoproducts.com/Home/home_biobags/home_index_biobags.htm

3. Use mesh bags for vegetables when produce shopping instead of clear plastic bags. You can get them here : http://www.ecobags.com/

4. Switch to a low-flow showerhead and faucet to conserve water. The average showerhead dispenses 5-15 gallons per minute multiply by 10 min...you could be using up to 150 gallons of water per shower. Low-flow showerheads use only 2-4 gallons/min.

5. If you don't have a low-flow showerhead consider taking more baths. A full bath only uses up to 35 gallons of water.

6. Most of us New Yorkers don't have our own washer and dryer, and so therefore only do full loads. However, if you do have your own appliances consider washing your "unmentionables" by hand in the sink because you will most likely use less than 8 gallons of water compared to the 40 gallons of water used per wash cycle in the machine. Air drying in your bathroom uses zero energy.

7. Save, sterilize, and try to return plastic take-out containers to the restaurants where you got them. They might not allow you to do this however, so bring your own containers to the restaurants when you are getting take-out.

8. Bring your own cup to Starbucks (insert your own favorite local/sustainable/family owned coffee shop here) instead of using their plastic or paper cups.

9. Compost! Yes, this can be done in new york city. For those who don't know, composting means combining kitchen scraps (banana peels, vegetable bits) with old newspaper, egg shells, or leaves in a pile or container. The materials organically decompose and become a soil-like compound that can be used to fertilize gardens and indoor plants (and fire escape gardens!). Here are some resources for composting in nyc: http://http://www.ecobags.com/ and http://www.nyccompost.org/how/index.html

10. Replace all plastic household items as they wear out as much as possible with either metal or recycled wood versions. Examples: get a metal pail to replace your plastic bucket, buy recycled wood cooking spoons, use canning jars as tupperware and food storage. Bonus: this tip will also help your health, as many known components in plastic such as pthalates and parabens have in some studies been associated with many health complications ("A study published in 2004 (Darbre, in the Journal of Applied Toxicology) detected parabens in breast tumors.")

The Radish Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (The GreenSteader) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 02:16:00 +0000

You would've mistaken me for a pig this morning, had you been strolling underneath my fire escape. I literally squealed with delight when I noticed a little green shoot poking its head out of the soil in the pot on my fire escape. Its been SIX days since I sowed my first radish seeds, and I counted four green shoots in total. I guess the seed packet wasn't kidding when it said that radishes are the vegetable of choice for young farmers. Which is good for me since I'm a newbie to the whole gardening thing myself. According to The Backyard Homestead radishes like "cool weather, constant moisture, and uninterrupted growth" (see Sources for citation information.) Originally I was sure that I would have to start over after my seeds were drowned on Monday, but I guess the little dip + the cool weather = growing radishes!

Get some sew-how!

noreply@blogger.com (The GreenSteader) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 00:33:00 +0000

I've begun to work on another aspect of the do-it/make-it yourself philosophy of greensteading: sewing. I am currently reading Sew Anything Workshop by resident New Yorker Diana Rupp which has expanded my sew-how in no time. I know now that felt can be used for much more than home-ec projects for example. I was suprised to find out that felt is actually made up of high quality wool fibers that are pressed together until they become a solid (kindof like the way I make knots when I am hand sewing.) I have embarked on one of the projects in her book: the quilt for dummies. I've chosen this project becomes it doesn't require any fancy techniques like darting or gathering, and I can do it by hand. I am saving up to buy my first sewing machine...which feels a bit like when I was saving up to buy my first car: I'm excited but also petrified. Will I be able to use it like a pro? Will I be a danger to myself, or the machine? Then there is the all-important question of which make and model to invest in...

However, I'm just not a how-to manual type of gal. I really need someone to show me step by step the different seams, darting and gathering techniques etc. I'm hoping that maybe someone in my building will exchange sewing lessons for homemade pies, radishes, or fresh herbs perhaps.

Total investment in fabric: 1 yd of eylet $4.00. 2 yds of green striped cotton $8.00. Bought at "abric Warehouse" on Broadway just below Canal St in Chinatown.

Earth Day Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (The GreenSteader) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:56:00 +0000

In honor of Earth Day I have resolved to make some basic changes in my home, changes that all you New Yorkers out there could do as well.

1. Stop using paper towels (or use as little as possible and only buy recycled paper brands such as Seventh Generation). I have started doing all my cleaning, scrubbing, and dusting with wash cloths, rags, and sponges (I need to buy a more eco-friendly sponge). When one cloth gets too dirty I wash it, or use another cloth. At the end I wash all the cloths in the sink (using a stopper to conserve water) and hang them to dry. By the next day they are ready to be used again!

2. Buy only recycled toilet paper products. If anyone has any ideas for how to eliminate paper waste in this arena I would appreciate the tips!

3. Stop wasting plastic products. I already recycle all the plastic from packaging, but whats a New Yorker to do with the plastic bags that inevitably accumulate in some guilty corner? We all know about using a regular bag to do our shopping in, but sometimes using a plastic bag is unavoidable. Solution: Many stores allow you to bring back your old bags for recycling OR use your plastic bags as a sort of saran wrap. I've been doing that for quite some time, and I've been able to keep my plastic bag population under control.

I have many more home recycling tips that I will share with you soon, and I hope everyone is enjoying Earth Day! Here are some websites for info on whats going on today and what you can do to get involved:

http://www.earthday.net/

http://www.earthday.gov

http://www.epa.gov/earthday/

http://earthday.envirolink.org/

After the Flood

noreply@blogger.com (The GreenSteader) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:28:00 +0000

Well, it looks like I'm going to have re-sow my radish seeds after the torrential downpour we had in NYC yesterday. When I got home I looked out onto my fire escape only to find a pot of muddy water instead of a pot of finger-tilled soil. I dumped the excess water out (along with many of my radish seeds I'm assuming) and brought the drowned pot inside. Several of the seeds were clearly visible on the top of the soil.

I've decided to wait to re-sow until the soil dries out a little. I may also have to get a new pot because I am concerned about the draining abilities of my current one. On a positive note I just ordered more seeds from the Heirloom Acres Seed company which offers a selection of organic and non-organic heirloom seed varieties for purchase online. I ordered the Manitoba Tomato, two kinds of basil (Dwarf Green and Spicy Globe), chives, and flat parsley. I hope the sun returns soon...

The Fire Escape Garden

noreply@blogger.com (The GreenSteader) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 23:20:00 +0000

Today is the first official day of my greensteading endeavors. I define a greenstead as a home where the inhabitants try to minimize as much as possible their negative impact on the environment while also striving to cultivate their know-how and skills. For some time now I have been questioning the wisdom of a generation that has forgotten how to grow their own food. Barbara Kingsolver's call to action in Animal, Vegetable, Miracle did not go unheeded. More and more people every day are trying to re-learn the skills their ancestors had down pat, including me.

However, what's a girl to do with nowhere to plant, and hardly any sun to grow by? I say, put a pot on your fire escape. Now, its probably illegal and a fire hazard, but if you put it somewhere out of the way of the ladders, hopefully you won't get into too much trouble. Having avidly read the vegetable section of The Backyard Homestead by Carleen Madigan I decided that I was going to try growing mostly herbs such as basil, parsley, and lavender (I'm dying to try making the lavender mint tea recipe Madigan mentions), and tomatoes. I know that the tomatoes pose a problem because they won't get much sun out on my fire escape, but I simply can't resist. The store bought variety rarely taste as delicious as the home-grown kind.

Unfortunately, the dollar store in my neighborhood had a limited seed selection, and I came home with only my planting pot (white for camouflage), two bags of organic sterilized soil, and a packet of radish seeds (an heirloom type named "Champion.") I sowed about 10 radish seeds in my pot which leaves me room for possibly one tomato plant, and a few herbs. Evidently radishes like cool weather so I'm glad its around 50 degrees tonight.

On a side note I finally worked up the courage to ask my super if I could put some vegetable pots on the roof. He said no. But I will not give up! I am going to pester ever higher circles of authority in order to make my vision of rooftop gardens all over nyc a reality.