Internationally Recognized "Green" Nomad Cafe

If you haven't tried the Nomad Cafe yet, think of it as a way to be "green" yourself. Remember, for me, 2008 is the year to point out ways to painlessly "go green."

By creating green marketplaces and supporting existing green business, we make it possible for the market to expand.

Visit their website

Change those Bulbs Today!

Beginning in 2012, inefficient incandescent bulbs will no longer be available on store shelves, but have consumers bought on?

I changed all the bulbs in my home and my average power savings in dollars is $30 per month. You'd think that would be enough of a motivator! Plus, I added lights and lamps to my home.

Read the NYTimes article

Green washing is not all bad...

I've been thinking a lot about "greenwashing." The accusations that some environmentalists make of newbies to the environmental cause, jumping on the green bandwagon. The issue they say, is that people are following a trend and not authentically part of the green solution.

As I count my blessings for the New Year and look forward to what we can accomplish, I am particularly thankful for this trend or "Tipping Point" as Malcolm Gladwell calls it.

At a Christmas party on Thursday night, I was talking to a builder about Built it Green and the green certification process. I was sharing my excitement about the future of green building and he jokingly said to me, “but you’re not really green, you are still wearing leather, you eat meat…”

To me, this is what my blog is all about. I’m starting. Today, I am starting. I worked at Nordstrom for many years. I love to shop. Fashion is one of the least green things there is. Buying something out of desire, not need, but that doesn’t stop me from doing what I can. I bring my own bags. I don’t buy bottled water. I buy large, not individual sized packages of snack foods for my kids or I make the snacks myself. I buy local in season produce. I am trying to consolidate my trips and drive less.

I am not in the least bit perfect at being green and I don’t want to make it seem hard. I want to encourage you to just begin… wherever it works for you.

Holiday windows in Rockridge

Green Tick List for 2008

Going green doesn't have to cost the BIG BUCKS!

HAVE YOU?

Changed all your light bulbs to florescent, even the Christmas lights. (Go to the day after Christmas sales to pick up fluorescents and LED's for next year.

Are you composting kitchen scraps?

Do you have water aeration filters on all your faucets?

Have you stopped buying plastic water bottles?

Do you always bring your owns bags to the grocer?

Do you unplug all your appliances when not in use? Try using power strips for stereo equipment, DVR and monitors that go into sleep mode but still draw. Unplug your phone charger.

Stop using paper towels and household bleach. Change your cleaning products to non-toxics. Method and Shacklee products are excellent.

Doing Free Things over the Holidays

Elliot and I create memories by doing simple things like reading to each by the fireplace at the Emeryville Barnes and Noble store.

The picture doesn't really show it, but it was a cold rainy night and the fireplace was cozy!

Piedmont Fabric Opens on Piedmont Avenue

Be sure to support your old friends from the now defunct "Poppy Fabric" in their new endeavor.





Their windows are dressed for the holidays in their glittery best. If you need last minute supplies to create that holiday table be sure to visit!

Ikea Recycles Household Batteries!

BTW...

I reported earlier that Ikea recycles florescent light bulbs, but I neglected to mention that they also recycle household batteries.

These items are required to be recycled by law and the Ikea drop box is really convenient. All you have to do is to pull up to the "return area" in Emeryville Ikea, park in the five-minute parking spaces and run in.

You don't need to get into the melee that is Ikea... the drop box is on your left as you walk in across from the customer return center.

Toxic Toy Testing in San Francisco

Take advantage of this free opportunity!

Environment California, together with the San Francisco Department of the Environment, Center for Environmental Health, and Breast Cancer Fund, is sponsoring toy testing events in San Francisco, where parents can bring a few toys to test them for the presence of lead, cadmium, and other toxic substances. These chemicals have been linked to a wide array of negative health effects, including reproductive and hormonal disruptions, developmental and learning disabilities, and cancer.

Please join us in helping to protect your children from toxic toys!

Times and Locations:
Wednesday, December 5, 11am – noon at Union Square near the Christmas tree in San Francisco
Tuesday, December 11, 10 am – noon at the EcoCenter at 11 Grove Street in San Francisco
Thursday, December 13, 10 am – noon at the EcoCenter at 11 Grove Street in San Francisco