With the recent cold weather, wind and snow, I thought it would be a good idea to discuss some ideas about what to do in the kitchen during a blackout. It is inevitable that sooner or later our electricity is going to go out. We all remember last winter when it was out for several days. When that happens, fixing food can present a problem. Here are some tips to help you get around in the kitchen when the electricty is out.
The key to getting through a power outage is to be prepared. Preparing ahead for possible blackouts will make it easier to get through them if they do occur. One way of preparing is to stock your refrigerator and pantry with foods that let you fix a decent meal without electricity. Canned items such as tuna are an excellent thing to stock in the pantry for emergency situations. When cooking any dish that will reheat well or can find a second life in a salad, make extra. If you have leftover cooked pasta and a few fixings - olive oil, oil-packed sundried tomatoes, olives, canned tuna - it's a cinch to throw together a satisfying salad. Or you could reheat that pasta in ready-made sauce from the pantry in a chafing or fondue dish or over a camp stove.
If you have a few hard-boiled eggs stashed away, all the better. Extra blanched or roasted vegetables are good with a vinaigrette, served at room temperature. Leftover meatloaf or any roasted meat can anchor a supper, as can ratatouille or chile.
Barbecues and outdoor gas grills can save the day and the dinner, but if you don't own such gear, there are simpler solutions. Just think outside the box - or maybe take something out of its box. The camp stove you haven't used since your trip to Yosemite can heat up all manner of leftover home-cooked or canned food, and so can that chafing dish you got as a wedding present more years ago than you care to admit.
Heating leftovers or canned foods or making something really quick like pasta in store-bought sauce; an omelet, or warmed tortillas piled with whatever is around.
Checklist
-- Learn the art of planned overage, but use extras in your meals within a few days even if there hasn't been a blackout. Replenish your standby supply as you go along.
-- Check what non-electric cooking options you have. Make sure they are in working order and you have the needed fuel - charcoal for the grill, portable gas cylinders, Sterno or denatured alcohol, even small candles for those buffet warming dishes.
However, do NOT under any circumstances use gadgets and fuels designed for outdoor use in a closed space like your kitchen. Carbon monoxide-filled fumes can quickly turn that blackout meal into your last supper.
With a little planning, it is possible to make it through a power outage and still manage to eat well. Don't forget to check on your neighbors during times when we are experiencing situations such as power losses or severe weather.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Greening your Holidays II
Packing Peanuts, what are they good for? Well that depends. They can be the bain of our existence at times. However, there are some things you can do with them. In the past few years, some strides have been made in the packing peanut industry, such as peanuts made out of corn starch or wheat. Some biodegrade quickly and can be put into your compost pile and others dissolve in water. Also, traditional packing peanuts are made out of polystyrene and are now color coded to indicate the origin of the material they contain. Polystyrene takes hundreds of years to decompose in nature, so recycling it is key. Green colored packing peanuts are made from at least 70% recycled material, while white and pink colored peanuts are composed of at least 70% raw (i.e. non-recycled) materials. Additionally, pink peanuts have been treated with chemicals to prevent static cling.
One alternative to using shipping peanuts is to use popcorn. If you have an air popper, this works perfectly. Just be sure your popcorn is plain with not butters, oils or seasonings on it. Plain, dry popcorn works wonderfully well as a packing material and can then be put outside for the birds to enjoy.
But if you do find yourself afloat in a seat of shipping peanuts, here are some things you can do with them.
REUSE THEM: Store packing peanuts in an old pair of pantyhose to keep them from over taking your house until you are ready to ship them off to someone else. Cut a hole in the toe and tie it off with a twisty seal for easy peanut dispensing.
REFUSE THEM: If you detest packing peanuts, ask mail order companies if they use them before you agree to place an order and encourage them to use the new biodegradable variety. Sometimes companies, particularly smaller outifits, will agree to ship your order with shredded newspapers or some other more eco-friendly substitute instead.
RECYCLE THEM: More and more recycling programs are accepting packing peanuts, but make sure you put them in a bag or box so they don't escape and invade the neighborhood. Also, shipping services like Mailboxes, Etc. will often accept peanut donations, as will many stores and businesses that do a lot of shipping. If nothing else, list them on Freecycle since someone in your area is bound to be moving or shipping something.
RE-PURPOSE THEM: Packing peanuts make great stuffing. No, not for your turkey, but for things like pet beds and draft dodgers. Simply sew up your project and then use the packing peanuts for the stuffing.
So with a little imagination, we can turn an annoying item like packing peanuts into something useful.
One alternative to using shipping peanuts is to use popcorn. If you have an air popper, this works perfectly. Just be sure your popcorn is plain with not butters, oils or seasonings on it. Plain, dry popcorn works wonderfully well as a packing material and can then be put outside for the birds to enjoy.
But if you do find yourself afloat in a seat of shipping peanuts, here are some things you can do with them.
REUSE THEM: Store packing peanuts in an old pair of pantyhose to keep them from over taking your house until you are ready to ship them off to someone else. Cut a hole in the toe and tie it off with a twisty seal for easy peanut dispensing.
REFUSE THEM: If you detest packing peanuts, ask mail order companies if they use them before you agree to place an order and encourage them to use the new biodegradable variety. Sometimes companies, particularly smaller outifits, will agree to ship your order with shredded newspapers or some other more eco-friendly substitute instead.
RECYCLE THEM: More and more recycling programs are accepting packing peanuts, but make sure you put them in a bag or box so they don't escape and invade the neighborhood. Also, shipping services like Mailboxes, Etc. will often accept peanut donations, as will many stores and businesses that do a lot of shipping. If nothing else, list them on Freecycle since someone in your area is bound to be moving or shipping something.
RE-PURPOSE THEM: Packing peanuts make great stuffing. No, not for your turkey, but for things like pet beds and draft dodgers. Simply sew up your project and then use the packing peanuts for the stuffing.
So with a little imagination, we can turn an annoying item like packing peanuts into something useful.
Greening your Holidays I
As the holidays quickly approach, it is good to keep in mind how to have a Green Christmas. One tip is to be organized and do any ordering and shipping you have to do early enough so you can avoid overnight shipping. Using ground transportion means less fuel use and pollution. In our harried society, it is easy to forget a birthday, anniversary or wait until the last minute to do your holiday shopping. Overnight shipping burns the most fossil fuels per item, while ground shipping tends to be six time more energy efficient than air. Because airplanes release their greenhouse gases way up in the atmosphere, they tend to do more damage than gases emitted at ground level, at least as far as global warming is concerned.
Using ground shipping instead of overnight shipping, will also green your wallet, since most companies charge a heft price for the service. Consider making it your New Year's Resolution to organize your purchasing and bill paying so that you give yourself enough time and can avoid using overnight services. You will not only be helping the environment, but yourself as well.
Using ground shipping instead of overnight shipping, will also green your wallet, since most companies charge a heft price for the service. Consider making it your New Year's Resolution to organize your purchasing and bill paying so that you give yourself enough time and can avoid using overnight services. You will not only be helping the environment, but yourself as well.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
December bills
It is that time again. Water meters were read last week and the bills were sent out on Dec. 7th. They will be due on Dec. 28th. Paying on time assures you won't be charged a $15.00 late fee. We bill every other month, so the next bill will go out around Feb. 1. Thank you.
Snow, snow and more snow!
Wow, that was quite a storm on Monday. Snow, wind and rain sure made for an interesting day. We hope you are all warm, dry and safe. With the holidays quickly approaching, some of you may be leaving your mountain home. Or perhaps you will be heading out for warmer weather. Please remember that if you leave your mountain home, turn your water off at your customer valve. This is located in a box next to your water meter. Should you have a frozen pipe and it bursts, having your water shut off will save you from having all sorts of damage or a large water bill. All water that goes through your meter is your responsibility, even if it is due to a leak or a pipe breaking. So please, it is better to be safe than sorry. Turn you water off if you leave.
Friday, December 4, 2009
First Snow!!!
Last Saturday morning brought a big surprise. Snow! What a refreshing way to start the morning. This is a timely reminder to get your winterizing done NOW, as it seems Old Man Winter isn't going to wait until it is winter on the calendar to make himself known. Since we need all the moisture we can get, it is better to be prepared for the weather than to be scurrying around at the last minute in the cold and snow. Remember to turn your water off if you leave your mountain home. Unhook all outside hoses and cover any exposed faucets. It is like the old saying, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
Everyone here at Pine Cove Water District, Jerry, Becky, Vicki, Jerry, Jeremy and Stitch, wishes each of you a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving holiday. We are all very blessed to be able to live in a place as wonderful as Pine Cove. We will be closed on Nov. 26th and 27th so that the employees may enjoy the holiday with their families.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Newsletters are out!
By now you should have all received your Fall/Winter newsletter in the mail. We would love to hear your feedback on the new, colored and expanded format. We tried to make the newsletter very helpful and informative. Please drop us a note or give a quick call to let us know what you thought about it. Our phone number is 951-659-2675. You can also email us at info@pcwd.org or leave a comment here on our blog. We love hearing from our customers.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Increasing living space without increasing energy costs
As the owner of a small 900 sq. ft. cottage, I know first hand how it is when living space is at a premium. But is bigger really better? I don't think so. Living in a small space saves energy, however, it can be a challenge trying make the most of a small space. So I got to thinking, how can a person increase their living space without going to the expense of major construction, which would in turn increase their energy use?
After a little research, I came up with some great ideas. For instance, if you have a high vaulted ceiling, you can add a loft which would increase the square footage of your home and give you more living space, but wouldn't increase your heating and cooling costs. It would also be a lot more economical than adding on a traditional room. You can also consider closing in an existing deck or patio, either with screening or windows, depending on what you will be using it for.
There are many other "mini spaces" you can add on to make your home seem bigger without the major construction involved in adding on a room. How about taking out a sliding glass door and adding a small nook or niche? Bay windows that extend down to the floor can also expand a room without actually adding on. A garden room put on over an existing deck or patio can also be utilized to increase your living space while keep costs reasonable.
During the warmer months, why not think about adding an outdoor room. A deck, porch, or patio can do double duty as an outdoor kitchen, dining room, living room or entertainment space. They can be as elaborate or simple as you want, depending on your budget. They can be attached to your house or you can make a space in an attractive area of your yard. A ground level deck is easy to construct and there is a wide variety of materials available for making patios. We all know food tastes better outdoors, so why sit in a hot house and eat dinner when the great outdoors is beckoning? And really, what could be better than sipping your morning tea or coffee outside with the birds and squirrels watching the sun rise? The winter months provide a great time to sit and dream and plan where you could add an outdoor room, so get out your pad and pencil!
Have you ever thought about installing an outdoor shower? A simple garden hose can be turned into a solar water heater. Or you can go all out and have a plumber run hot and cold water lines to your outside shower. How much fun would it be to shower outside under a canopy of pines and cedars? As a bonus, the water you use to shower can be put to use in the garden.
So if you are feeling like you need more space, stop and think about the impact of new construction, not only on your wallet, but on the environment as well. Perhaps one of the above suggestions would help improve your living space and keep you energy use from going up!
After a little research, I came up with some great ideas. For instance, if you have a high vaulted ceiling, you can add a loft which would increase the square footage of your home and give you more living space, but wouldn't increase your heating and cooling costs. It would also be a lot more economical than adding on a traditional room. You can also consider closing in an existing deck or patio, either with screening or windows, depending on what you will be using it for.
There are many other "mini spaces" you can add on to make your home seem bigger without the major construction involved in adding on a room. How about taking out a sliding glass door and adding a small nook or niche? Bay windows that extend down to the floor can also expand a room without actually adding on. A garden room put on over an existing deck or patio can also be utilized to increase your living space while keep costs reasonable.
During the warmer months, why not think about adding an outdoor room. A deck, porch, or patio can do double duty as an outdoor kitchen, dining room, living room or entertainment space. They can be as elaborate or simple as you want, depending on your budget. They can be attached to your house or you can make a space in an attractive area of your yard. A ground level deck is easy to construct and there is a wide variety of materials available for making patios. We all know food tastes better outdoors, so why sit in a hot house and eat dinner when the great outdoors is beckoning? And really, what could be better than sipping your morning tea or coffee outside with the birds and squirrels watching the sun rise? The winter months provide a great time to sit and dream and plan where you could add an outdoor room, so get out your pad and pencil!
Have you ever thought about installing an outdoor shower? A simple garden hose can be turned into a solar water heater. Or you can go all out and have a plumber run hot and cold water lines to your outside shower. How much fun would it be to shower outside under a canopy of pines and cedars? As a bonus, the water you use to shower can be put to use in the garden.
So if you are feeling like you need more space, stop and think about the impact of new construction, not only on your wallet, but on the environment as well. Perhaps one of the above suggestions would help improve your living space and keep you energy use from going up!
Green Living Thursday a day late!
This week kept Vicki and Becky very busy preparing the Fall/Winter Newsletter and getting it ready to be mailed out. They are now all mailed out and we hope you will take a few minutes to read it through. There is a lot of information in it and we look forward to hearing your feedback.
So my Green Living Thursday post was postphoned until today. Better late than never! Today I want to talk about saving electricity. I found some surprising facts on The Daily Green. We all know the drill. Turn off the lights when you leave a room, unplug appliances you aren't using, turn down the thermostat and so on. But here are a couple of things you can do to cut your electric bill that I never though about.
For instance, get rid of your cordless phones or cut down to just one. Cordless phones are energy vampires. They sit in their cradles recharing so they are sucking up electricity 24/7. If you replace a cordless phone or two that you don't really need, you can save on your electric bill. An added benefit is that corded phones will work even during a power outage, whereas as cordless phone will not.
It may seem old fashioned, but a tradition corded phone uses only a trickle of electricty that comes throught the phone line. Compare this to a cordless phone which uses 2 to 3 watts of electricity in both active and standby modes. Approximately 60% of cordless phone energy use occurs during standby time.
If you still want the convenience of a cordless phone, then consider getting just one and putting corded phones in the rooms you aren't in as much. If you do purchase a cordless phone, make sure to look for the Energy Star. By following these tips you will soon see your energy savings adding up.
Another good tip I was unaware of is about ceiling fans. I have several in my home and during the summer they get a work out. But in the winter it never occured to me to turn them on. However, during the winter months when we are heating our homes, a ceiling fan can be switched to rotate clockwise instead of counterclockwise, which will circulate the warm air pooled near the ceiling, back into the living space, keeping you warmer and allowing you to lower your thermostat. I am going to be trying this tip in my home for sure.
My last tip is about computers. We all know that turning them off when not in use saves a lot of electricty. However, what I didn't know is that a lap top is much more energy efficient than a desktop. A laptop uses 15 to 25 watts of electricity as compared to a desktop which consumes a whopping 150 watts! I for one, was unaware of this huge difference in energy consumption. A laptop also only draws a fraction of a watt when in sleep mode. So if a new computer is on your wish list, check out the laptops. I have had one at my home for 5 years now and I love the portablility and flexibity of the laptop. It does everything my desktop does and takes up so much less room. Now I know I have been saving energy as well.
If you have any tips on how to save energy around the house, please email them Vicki at info@pcwd.org. We look forward to hearing your comments.
So my Green Living Thursday post was postphoned until today. Better late than never! Today I want to talk about saving electricity. I found some surprising facts on The Daily Green. We all know the drill. Turn off the lights when you leave a room, unplug appliances you aren't using, turn down the thermostat and so on. But here are a couple of things you can do to cut your electric bill that I never though about.
For instance, get rid of your cordless phones or cut down to just one. Cordless phones are energy vampires. They sit in their cradles recharing so they are sucking up electricity 24/7. If you replace a cordless phone or two that you don't really need, you can save on your electric bill. An added benefit is that corded phones will work even during a power outage, whereas as cordless phone will not.
It may seem old fashioned, but a tradition corded phone uses only a trickle of electricty that comes throught the phone line. Compare this to a cordless phone which uses 2 to 3 watts of electricity in both active and standby modes. Approximately 60% of cordless phone energy use occurs during standby time.
If you still want the convenience of a cordless phone, then consider getting just one and putting corded phones in the rooms you aren't in as much. If you do purchase a cordless phone, make sure to look for the Energy Star. By following these tips you will soon see your energy savings adding up.
Another good tip I was unaware of is about ceiling fans. I have several in my home and during the summer they get a work out. But in the winter it never occured to me to turn them on. However, during the winter months when we are heating our homes, a ceiling fan can be switched to rotate clockwise instead of counterclockwise, which will circulate the warm air pooled near the ceiling, back into the living space, keeping you warmer and allowing you to lower your thermostat. I am going to be trying this tip in my home for sure.
My last tip is about computers. We all know that turning them off when not in use saves a lot of electricty. However, what I didn't know is that a lap top is much more energy efficient than a desktop. A laptop uses 15 to 25 watts of electricity as compared to a desktop which consumes a whopping 150 watts! I for one, was unaware of this huge difference in energy consumption. A laptop also only draws a fraction of a watt when in sleep mode. So if a new computer is on your wish list, check out the laptops. I have had one at my home for 5 years now and I love the portablility and flexibity of the laptop. It does everything my desktop does and takes up so much less room. Now I know I have been saving energy as well.
If you have any tips on how to save energy around the house, please email them Vicki at info@pcwd.org. We look forward to hearing your comments.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Newsletter Coming!!
It is almost that time of year again. The Fall/Winter Newsletter will soon be appearing in your mailboxes. It has a new and improved look and format. We are hoping that everyone will take the time to read it. It is chock full of information, pictures and all the news from around the water district. It has been a busy summer around here. We have worked very hard to make the newsletter interesting and informative. We would love your feedback on it as well. If you have anything you would like included in the next newsletter, please let us know. We would love to hear from you. You can contact us via email at info@pcwd.org or by phone at 951-659-2675. We are always interested in knowing what our customers are thinking.
It's Green Living Thursday!
Well, here we are on Green Living Thursday and as promised I will discuss how to make compost. I know there is a lot of mystery surrounding compost. If you start doing some research you will find that some sources make it sound like a very complicated and exact science experiment. In my experience, there are many ways to make compost. Yes you can follow the scientific route and have compost in a much shorter time or you can take the more laid back approach and let Mother Nature do it in her own time.
In my own composting experience, which is minimal at this point, I tend to take the passive approach, rather than the aggressive approach. There are many good reasons for either approach, but basically it comes down to a personal choice based on the amount of time, money and available composting materials at your disposal. As I become more experienced at making compost, I hope to move to the more aggressive approach of making compost.
The EPA has an excellent page on composting and tells you about several different methods, including how to compost indoors and has a great list of what to put into a compost pile and what not to put into the compost pile. It is a quick and easy read with lots of information.
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/composting/by_compost.htm
Here is a list from their site of what to put into a compost pile.
Animal ( cow or horse) manure
Cardboard rolls
Clean paper
Coffee grounds and filters
Cotton rags
Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint
Eggshells
Fireplace ashes
Fruits and vegetables
Grass clippings
Hair and fur
Hay and straw
Houseplants
Leaves
Nut shells
Sawdust
Shredded newspaper
Tea bags
Wood chips
Wool rags
Yard trimmings
Here is a list of what not to put into a compost pile and why.
Leave Out/Reason Why
Black walnut tree leaves or twigs- Releases substances that might be harmful to plants
Coal or charcoal ash -Might contain substances harmful to plants
Dairy products (e.g., butter, egg yolks, milk, sour cream, yogurt)- Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
Diseased or insect-ridden plants- Diseases or insects might survive and be transferred back to other plants
Fats, grease, lard, or oils- Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
Meat or fish bones and scraps- Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
Pet wastes (e.g., dog or cat feces, soiled cat litter)- Might contain parasites, bacteria, germs, pathogens, and viruses harmful to humans
Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides- Might kill beneficial composting organisms
One thing you will need prior to starting your compost pile is a container for your compost. This can be anything from a small, wire bin you make yourself, to a three bin system or even a tumbling composter. There are many styles available online and at garden centers well as directions on how to build one. However, several things will determine what type of container you will need. The amount of time, money, space and materials you have will all play a part in the type of composting container you get, as well as the amount of effort you want to put into it. If you are a little handy, you can even build your own bin or make one out of a trash can. The most important thing about composting is that you do it!
Once you have your compost bin and have read up on what to put in to the pile and what to avoid, you are ready to start composting. Certain methods will yield compost faster than others, but as long as you don't have a soggy, wet pile that turns to slime, you will eventually get compost. If you pile is in danger of getting to wet and you have an open container, you can throw a tarp on top to keep some of the winter moisture out of the pile. Composting doesn't have to be hard or scientific. Just follow a few simple rules about what to put into the pile, turn it as much as you can, keep it moist and eventually you will get compost.
The most wonderful thing about composting is that it is keeping all that waste out of the landfills. Making less trash is something we should all be concerned about. Composting and recycling are easy to do and help to alleviate the amount of trash put into our landfills each year. If you are still unsure about composting, do some research online or pick up a book at the library. There is a lot of information out there now about organic gardening and composting. Remember, your garden will thank you for composting with healthier trees and a bountiful garden.
In my own composting experience, which is minimal at this point, I tend to take the passive approach, rather than the aggressive approach. There are many good reasons for either approach, but basically it comes down to a personal choice based on the amount of time, money and available composting materials at your disposal. As I become more experienced at making compost, I hope to move to the more aggressive approach of making compost.
The EPA has an excellent page on composting and tells you about several different methods, including how to compost indoors and has a great list of what to put into a compost pile and what not to put into the compost pile. It is a quick and easy read with lots of information.
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/composting/by_compost.htm
Here is a list from their site of what to put into a compost pile.
Animal ( cow or horse) manure
Cardboard rolls
Clean paper
Coffee grounds and filters
Cotton rags
Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint
Eggshells
Fireplace ashes
Fruits and vegetables
Grass clippings
Hair and fur
Hay and straw
Houseplants
Leaves
Nut shells
Sawdust
Shredded newspaper
Tea bags
Wood chips
Wool rags
Yard trimmings
Here is a list of what not to put into a compost pile and why.
Leave Out/Reason Why
Black walnut tree leaves or twigs- Releases substances that might be harmful to plants
Coal or charcoal ash -Might contain substances harmful to plants
Dairy products (e.g., butter, egg yolks, milk, sour cream, yogurt)- Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
Diseased or insect-ridden plants- Diseases or insects might survive and be transferred back to other plants
Fats, grease, lard, or oils- Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
Meat or fish bones and scraps- Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
Pet wastes (e.g., dog or cat feces, soiled cat litter)- Might contain parasites, bacteria, germs, pathogens, and viruses harmful to humans
Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides- Might kill beneficial composting organisms
One thing you will need prior to starting your compost pile is a container for your compost. This can be anything from a small, wire bin you make yourself, to a three bin system or even a tumbling composter. There are many styles available online and at garden centers well as directions on how to build one. However, several things will determine what type of container you will need. The amount of time, money, space and materials you have will all play a part in the type of composting container you get, as well as the amount of effort you want to put into it. If you are a little handy, you can even build your own bin or make one out of a trash can. The most important thing about composting is that you do it!
Once you have your compost bin and have read up on what to put in to the pile and what to avoid, you are ready to start composting. Certain methods will yield compost faster than others, but as long as you don't have a soggy, wet pile that turns to slime, you will eventually get compost. If you pile is in danger of getting to wet and you have an open container, you can throw a tarp on top to keep some of the winter moisture out of the pile. Composting doesn't have to be hard or scientific. Just follow a few simple rules about what to put into the pile, turn it as much as you can, keep it moist and eventually you will get compost.
The most wonderful thing about composting is that it is keeping all that waste out of the landfills. Making less trash is something we should all be concerned about. Composting and recycling are easy to do and help to alleviate the amount of trash put into our landfills each year. If you are still unsure about composting, do some research online or pick up a book at the library. There is a lot of information out there now about organic gardening and composting. Remember, your garden will thank you for composting with healthier trees and a bountiful garden.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Speaking of Compost.....
Compost is on everyone's mind it seems. Over the weekend, I was working in my garden, adding compost to some beds, when my neighbors stopped by. They were curious as to how I was able to get things to grow, when they had not had any success in getting anything to grow. They asked me if the soil up here was poor. I explained to them that composting was the best way to go in order to enrich the soil and improve it's water retaining ability. I have found this to be true in my own garden.
The great thing about compost is that you can make it yourself. Composting is an excellent way to divert waste from our landfills and provide the much needed "black gold" our gardens crave. Composting is very easy. I will discuss in Thursday's post exactly how to compost and what kind of containers are needed to hold you compost. It is not as difficult as you might think. Stay tuned for composting samples right here at the water district. We are in the process of setting up our own composting system to cut down on waste produced by the district.
The November 9th issue of the Press Enterprise contained a story about UCR starting a composting program. According to the Sustainable Endowments Institute, a Massachusetts nonprofit group, a recent survey of 332 colleges and universities in the US and Canada found that 55 percent were composting food.
Fortino Morales, an environmental science major and head of Sustainable UCR, a student group that educates classmates about eco-friendly practices says, "We need universities not just to teach about sustainability, but to practice it themselves." We could all take a page from that book! Talk is cheap as they say, but actions speak louder than words.
Why bother composting you might ask. Keeping waste out of landfills should be everyone's priority because they are reaching capacity and because decomposing rubbish emits methane, a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide. UCR's dining services produces more than 11,000 meals on a typical weekday through the university's 19 food outlets. Campus-wide, 1,932 tons a year go to the land fill. Now, 1,466 tons have been diverted according to Gustavo Plascencia, the general manaer for UCR's residential dining.
If more people, restaurants, institutions, schools, office buildings and hospitals start composting, think of the amount of waste that WON'T go into the landfills. In return, we would have wonderful, rich compost to add to our soil. Which in turn helps the soil retain water and provides much needed nutrients for plants. It is a win win situation.
Don't forget, we are giving away a free bag of compost to the first 50 customers who stop by and ask for it. Just come on into the water district office located at 24917 Marion Ridge Rd. Our office hours are Monday thru Friday from 9 to 12 and from 1 to 4. We are closed from 12 to 1 for lunch. Come by and pick up your bag and see for yourself the difference compost can make. See you at the office!
The great thing about compost is that you can make it yourself. Composting is an excellent way to divert waste from our landfills and provide the much needed "black gold" our gardens crave. Composting is very easy. I will discuss in Thursday's post exactly how to compost and what kind of containers are needed to hold you compost. It is not as difficult as you might think. Stay tuned for composting samples right here at the water district. We are in the process of setting up our own composting system to cut down on waste produced by the district.
The November 9th issue of the Press Enterprise contained a story about UCR starting a composting program. According to the Sustainable Endowments Institute, a Massachusetts nonprofit group, a recent survey of 332 colleges and universities in the US and Canada found that 55 percent were composting food.
Fortino Morales, an environmental science major and head of Sustainable UCR, a student group that educates classmates about eco-friendly practices says, "We need universities not just to teach about sustainability, but to practice it themselves." We could all take a page from that book! Talk is cheap as they say, but actions speak louder than words.
Why bother composting you might ask. Keeping waste out of landfills should be everyone's priority because they are reaching capacity and because decomposing rubbish emits methane, a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide. UCR's dining services produces more than 11,000 meals on a typical weekday through the university's 19 food outlets. Campus-wide, 1,932 tons a year go to the land fill. Now, 1,466 tons have been diverted according to Gustavo Plascencia, the general manaer for UCR's residential dining.
If more people, restaurants, institutions, schools, office buildings and hospitals start composting, think of the amount of waste that WON'T go into the landfills. In return, we would have wonderful, rich compost to add to our soil. Which in turn helps the soil retain water and provides much needed nutrients for plants. It is a win win situation.
Don't forget, we are giving away a free bag of compost to the first 50 customers who stop by and ask for it. Just come on into the water district office located at 24917 Marion Ridge Rd. Our office hours are Monday thru Friday from 9 to 12 and from 1 to 4. We are closed from 12 to 1 for lunch. Come by and pick up your bag and see for yourself the difference compost can make. See you at the office!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Green Living Thursdays
With all the talk about conservation, sustainability and green living, I thought it might be a good idea to start posting some green living tips. I will try my best to do this each Thursday. If you have any suggestions or any topics you would like to see addressed, please feel free to email them to me at pcwd2675@yahoo.com .
Since we live in this wonderful forest, I thought I would start off by discussing ways to have a tree free home. A sustainable household should try to create as much as possible, a tree free home. Here are some suggestions to get you started.
Since we live in this wonderful forest, I thought I would start off by discussing ways to have a tree free home. A sustainable household should try to create as much as possible, a tree free home. Here are some suggestions to get you started.
- Replace paper napkins with cloth napkins. Cloth napkins are a wonderful alternative to paper napkins and can be easily made by recycling fabrics you already have around your home or can purchase second hand. Sheets, towels, tablecloths, curtains and clothing are easy to turn into napkins. It only takes basic sewing skills to make a napkin or if you prefer a non sewing project, you can make them buy using iron on tape. By recycling fabrics into napkins you are not only taking a step towards reducing your dependence on paper products, but you are also reducing the amount of waste in our landfills.
- Replace paper towels with a special set of cloth towels or napkins or cut up old T-shirts. As with the napkins, just wash and re-use. These items can all be washed with your normal laundry. There is no need to make a special load.
- Take your own cloth shopping bags with you to the store.
- If you pack a lunch, don't use a paper sack. Use a re-usable insulated lunch bag and tuck a cloth napkin and a set of real silver ware inside. Also pack your food items and drinks in re-useable containers that can be washed out nightly and re-used.
- Purchase bleach-free toliet paper that is made from the highest post-consumer waste content you can find. (80% minimum)
- If you print documents, print on once-used paper and/or bleach-free, recycled paper with the highest post-consumer waste content available.
- Create and use note pads from once used paper. Leave messages for family members on a reusable message boards or chalk boards instead of using note pads. Put one in a central location so everyone can see it.
- If you will be doing construction on your house, search out alternatives to using newly cut wood. Check for eco-friendly floorings such as bamboo, previously used wood or composite decking.
We hope you find these tips helpful and we look forward to hearing from you. Good luck in your quest for having a tree free home.
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