Tiny Choices

Tiny Choices Survey: Clare!

Jenn — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:00:34 +0000

Vital statistics (name, age, location, link to website/blog)?
clare judith bowers, 31, san francisco, ca. www.clarecupcake.com

How do you reside (apartment or house, roommates)? Are your housing decisions dictated by choice or necessity? Please explain.
right now i live in an apartment partly by choice, partly by necessity. i live in sf in part because it’s such a bike friendly city. i just can’t live somewhere that requires a car (driving makes me feel bad). but sf is so expensive that I don’t have many options here. i lucked out and found this great little place with a backyard, but ideally i’d like to share a larger house or apartment with other people. i’m really interested in pooling and sharing resources with people who share some of my interests. it just seems like a better way to live. modern life is so isolated!

How do you travel (transit, car, etc)?Are your travel decisions dictated by choice or necessity? Please explain.
i travel mostly by bike, and i also walk and take public transit. i take buses or hitch a rides with friends if i’m taking a long trip out of town. i have a messenger bag and a bike basket for picking up groceries. i think cars are great for moving large objects or getting out of town, but for someone who mostly hangs out in san francisco and oakland, there is just no need to drive. not only is it better for the environment, the traffic here is awful and gas/insurance/bridge tolls really add up.

Tell us about a Tiny Choice you’ve made in your life.
i really try to consider the impact of my daily actions. like, i try to eat local, organic produce and i ride my bike and i carry one of those stainless steel water bottles and i don’t eat meat. all that stuff comes pretty naturally to me and i guess i’m just lucky in that i don’t crave fast food or meat and i love riding my bike. but one tiny choice i’ve made recently is to be more involved in my community…that doesn’t come naturally to me! i started volunteering at this free farm stand in sf. it’s awesome because i get to learn about gardening and i get to connect with all different kinds of people in my community. the farm stand gives low-income people access to local organic produce and encourages people to work together to grow their own food and share it with their neighbors. it’s kind of amazing.

What is the one environmental dilemma you personally struggle the most with?
smoking! ugh, i know that it’s a stupid habit. i cringe when i think of the pollution caused by growing, manufacturing and shipping them, the paper and plastic used for packaging them, the cigarette butts littering our streets and washing up on our beaches and, you know, the cancer and emphysema…but i can’t seem to quit once and for all! actually, i haven’t had a cigarette today and it’s already 8pm….

What is one Tiny Choice you can make in that direction?
quit smoking! today is day one. wish me luck!

What is the one environmental Tiny Choice you make that people question (in either a positive educational or a negative hassle way) you the most about?
vegetarianism. i have never been uppity about my vegetarianism, but non-vegetarians will often either a) make fun of me, or b) defend themselves. i don’t even think everyone should be vegetarian! it’s just a good choice for me. i think it’s much more important that we all do our best to be aware of how our actions affect the world and to make decisions using our own best judgement. in my book, mindfulness beats vegetarianism any day of the week.

What is the one environmental Tiny Choice you would like every single person to adopt?
vegetarianism! just kidding…um, i don’t know. well, it’s not a truly tiny choice because it isn’t free, but i really think that everyone should own a bicycle. you can get cheap bikes on craigslist or from local thrift stores. and a nice bike is a truly worthwhile investment. i think i spent $600 on mine and it has served me well for five years now. once you experience the joy of coasting down a hill, you won’t even miss your car. being green is not all about sacrifices, sometimes it’s about super fun times.

Do you feel like you make sacrifices for environmentalism? Please explain.
i don’t feel like i’ve had to make many sacrifices because i naturally lean toward the greener end of the lifestylez spectrum. but i have had to let go of some convenient things. like, i used to just throw all my garbage out in one bin without thinking twice. now i compost, reuse and recycle practically everything. and the compost bin in my yard attracts all these tiny flies, which is kinda gross, but not really a big deal. i think the most challenging thing is just consuming less. all my life, i’ve been told to buy! more! new! things! it’s hard to just pause and realize that i actually have enough.

Are you generally: optimistic, pessimistic, neutral about environmentalism and the future?
I hate to admit it, but I am pessimistic about environmentalism. i try to be neutral about the future and optimistic about the present, but i am a born pessimist so when i take a look at the state of the environmental movement today, i can get pretty frustrated. It seems like eco-friendly has just become another way to make money, another product. taking care of the environment is not about buying the newest green widget. it is about changing the way we live and making some sacrifices. i understand that there is a broad spectrum of environmental choices we can make and we can’t all be vegan bicyclists, but we need to accept that we just don’t have the resources for everyone to have their own car/home/swimming pool. we need to invest in some viable solutions like improved public transportation and more community gardens. but the buses keep getting more expensive and less reliable and people keep driving to walmart and buying flame retardant pajamas and corn dogs! huff! whew! ok, sorry if i got a little preachy there for a minute…

anyway, i need to keep on keeping on and i really do believe that my actions matter so i try to be open-minded about what the future holds and i try to stay connected with people and groups that inspire and energize me. ultimately, i need to live with dignity, love and awareness, even if i do sometimes feel like i’m on a sinking ship. ok, thanks for letting me share and keep up the good blogging!

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Tiny Choices Giveaway: “The Mom’s Guide to Growing Your Family Green”

tinychoices — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:00:10 +0000

We’re thrilled to be giving away a new copy of Terra Wellington’s new book, “The Mom’s Guide to Growing Your Family Green: Saving the Earth Begins at Home”

To enter, please leave a comment below. Winner will be chosen at random on Thursday, 7/14, and must have a U.S. mailing address.

Good luck!

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Street Use: or, technology for the masses

Karina — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:00:34 +0000

I’ve been really loving the blog Street Use, which “features the ways in which people modify and re-create technology … a collection of personal modifications, folk innovations, street customization, ad hoc alterations, wear-patterns, home-made versions and indigenous ingenuity.”

The thing that makes me most excited about Street Use are the posts about recycling. Actually, many of these objects should probably be considered UPcycling, because they’re such innovative reuses that improve the original object. For example, how about a mop made from old socks, or bike lightbulbs from old plastic bottles? A hot water heater made from old beer bottles? A boat made to float on styrofoam plastic peanuts, or one that uses recycled rice sack for sails? This improvised lamp-from-lightbulb is just too graceful, and the idea for a sock exhange board at the laundromat is positively inspired.

We talk a lot about making do here at Tiny Choices, but so often the best solution seems to be to buy something new. Sadly, buying new isn’t always the best environmental choice. It’s always great to take a look at what people in other areas are doing with what they’ve got, just because (often) they can’t afford the latest greenest product.

Have you made do with something you’ve got already by repurposing it?

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Modernized Incandescents

Jenn — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:00:03 +0000

I find this absolutely fascinating– I had no idea folks were still working with incandescent lightbulbs, but apparently they are, trying to find ways to make them more efficient. And to some degree it’s working– these new Phillips bulbs are 30% more efficient than standard incandescents and last three times as long… and also cost $5 each.

Clearly, these are no real match for compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, which are up to 70% more efficient than standard incandescents, and have dropped so dramatically in price that it’s no longer a hardship to purchase them. But even with the low pricepoint and energy efficiency, “incandescent bulbs still occupy an estimated 90 percent of household sockets in the United States.”

That doesn’t surprise me. Well, the 90% does– but I can understand why some folks still haven’t made the switch. And I’ll tell you a dirty secret: I still have incandescent bulbs in the lights in my ceiling fans at home. I’ve tried a variety of different CFLs in them, but every single time and with every type I’ve tried I get a seizure- inducing disco flashathon, and it’s enough to drive one insane. I’m not sure if it’s because of the ceiling fan or because of the dimmable switch (even if I don’t use it), but either way, the CFLs just don’t work in those fixtures for me. If you have the answer to this problem, please share!

So, if researchers can get the newfangled incandescent bulbs to match the energy consumption of a CFL bulb, I think lots of folks will be happy.

What are your feelings on CFLs vs. incandescent bulbs?

[Image by Amanito via Creative Commons]

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Buying Local Resources

Karina — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:00:57 +0000

When I was heading up to see my family for the holiday weekend, I noticed a lot of signs that I hadn’t seen before - they are all for the Roundout Valley Grower’s Association, and the basic jist of the signs was “BUY LOCAL.” And they were EVERYWHERE! I took some time to look them up Sunday night, and it looks like a really comprehensive website. They’ve got a great map of local growers, and a very helpful list of what’s in season.

I think the most interesting thing about this is that the Catskill Mountains are not renowned for their farmland. There are very fertile valleys, but there are also stony mountains covered in forests and a long long long winter. My first CSA was with a farmer in the eastern Catskills and it was always interesting to hear from her about her challanges to grow food. This grower’s association has been around since 2003 (but this is the first I’ve heard about it!) and in an area that is seeing rocketing development because of sprawl out from New York City, a mechanism to increase the value of farmers land and productivity is always appropriate.

Have you heard of any similar local boosters groups in your area?

[[Photo from flickr user meanestindan via creative commons license.]]

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Tiny Choices Weekly Roundup!

tinychoices — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:00:47 +0000

Wherein we summarize all the fun and information from the previous week for your convenience!

Last week on Tiny Choices:

Monday: Karina shares a great green crafting and lifestyle website - Fun in the making!
Tuesday: Jenn discovers yet another fabulous way to use those amazing multifunctional hankies!
Wednesday: Karina reports some sort-of-breaking news about San Francisco and their new mandatory composting program!
Thursday: Jenn has a new low-flow shower head! Also - the winners of the EnviroSax contest!
Friday: Tiny Choices Survey: Esther!
Saturday: Easy Peasy Tip: Don’t give up on that Charcoal!

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Easy Peasy Tip: Don’t Give Up on that Charcoal!

tinychoices — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:00:38 +0000

What better on this day of American Independence to offer a tip that has to do with that most American of activities - Barbecuing? Whether you’re grilling up free range steaks or portobell0 mushrooms or veggie skewers or a bunch of corn on the cob, before you dump out the ashes from your grill, poke around and see if there’s any charcoal left that is of use. Pile up the big pieces that are left over with your newer charcoal, or if you luck out, just use what’s left in the pile.

While you’re at it select natural charcoal for your party, and if you can, get some that’s made from sustainable wood forests. Avoid using lighter fluid, if possible, by using a chimney or some kindling below the charcoal.

[[Grill photo by flickr user geognerd via creative commons license.]]

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Tiny Choices Survey: Esther!

Jenn — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:00:36 +0000

Vital statistics (name, age, location, link to website/blog)?
My name is Esther Hawkins, I’m 30 years old and live in Springfield, MO. I’m originally from England but moved to the States when I was 20 so I still have the accent. My blog is hawkinshealth.com.

How do you reside (apartment or house, roommates)? Are your housing decisions dictated by choice or necessity? Please explain.
I live in a 3 bedroom house with my husband and 2 babies. We bought this house for the location - we love being close to everything we do, but mainly because it has a shop. My husband is a carpenter. For this reason, it’s necessity because his is our primary source of income so that was the main factor. We also wanted to have as little drive time as possible and this location is ideal. We love the house too.

How do you travel (transit, car, etc)? Are your travel decisions dictated by choice or necessity? Please explain.
I drive a car and my husband drives a truck because of his business. Springfield has terrible public transportation and nowhere is walking distance unfortunately. I miss that. I used to go everywhere on foot or by bus or train in England. I’m not too sure I’d want to wrestle buses with the kids, stroller, diaper bags and 100 degree Missouri heat right now anyway.

Tell us about a Tiny Choice you’ve made in your life.
Our move into town was such a good choice. We were living in the country so had to drive a lot just to get anywhere. We’ve reduced the amount of gas we use by about 75%.

What is the one environmental dilemma you personally struggle the most with?
Diapers! I tried using g-diapers but it didn’t work out. They leaked every time I used them, the velco quit working after 2 months and I used so much water washing them, I wasn’t convinced of the environmental benefit. I’m back to disposable but my next big purchase is the all-in-one diapers. I will conquer this! I guess I got tired of scrubbing poop too. I just need to stop cutting corners and do it right.

What is one Tiny Choice you can make in that direction?
It’s just a money issue right now. I’m ready to go as soon as we can do it. It’s expensive to get everything you need in one go.

What is the one environmental Tiny Choice you make that people question (in either a positive educational or a negative hassle way) you the most about?
I’m a Naturopathic Doctor and educate people about natural health and living without drugs or toxins so I get a lot of people asking me for advice about using herbs and supplements. I get questioned negatively
about it too but that kind of goes with the territory. It has been encouraging to see how open people are to natural health now verses 4 years ago.

What is the one environmental Tiny Choice you would like every single person to adopt?
Quit using OTC, pharmaceutical drugs and toxic chemicals

Do you feel like you make sacrifices for environmentalism? Please explain.
Yes but I have a long way to go. I realized when I started to make environmentally based decisions that you can really go pretty deep with it. I just do what I can do and try to adopt new strategies one at a time, when I am able. It has been a mindset change as it means sacrificing some convenience but it has given me a new level of appreciation for what I have.

Are you generally: optimistic, pessimistic, neutral about environmentalism and the future?
I’m pessimistically optimistic. I think it could be really bad if we don’t make changes but I see enough evidence that people are acknowledging the issue and doing something about it to believe that it will change. It just takes each of us making small changes in our every day life that will have the biggest impact.

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Winners: Enivrosax!

Jenn — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:00:30 +0000

Thanks to everyone who entered our Envirosax giveaway!

The winner of the 5-set case is: Jenna!

The winners of the single sacks are: Emmy Jay and Tammy B!

Congrats!

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Low-Flow Showerhead

Jenn — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:00:22 +0000

Back in April (oh my, time does fly!) I tweeted asking for recommendations for a low-flow showerhead. The one which was currently installed in my home was just a standard basic cheapo model which came with the apartment and had zero water saving features. It also provided close to zero water pressure, which made for longer and less fulfilling showers. So I knew I wanted to upgrade but was flummoxed by all the options out there– and also by all the price points. Showerheads range from a low of ~$4 to a high of over $200 and their flow output varies widely, and really, who has the time for all this research?

I got some great responses to my tweet, but my favorite was from the very best co-blogger in the world, Karina, because she said she had a brand-new extra one she didn’t need! Free stuff is awesome; free stuff which fulfills the exact need you have is awesomer.

So I recently installed my new showerhead, and I’m really happy with it. It’s the Evolve Roadrunner, which outputs 1.5 gpm and incorporates ShowerStart technology, turning the water to a trickle once it reaches 95 degrees F. Thus less water is wasted while waiting for the flow to heat up– smart! The one feature I wanted which it doesn’t provide is an on/off switch, to temporarily stop the stream mid-shower… but at 1.5gpm I’m not wasting too much water I guess, and it makes me more apt to stop dawdling in there. So, situation solved… thanks Karina!

What’re your favorite showertime water-saving tricks?

[Image by HaWee via Creative Commons]

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