Sustainability Made Simple Series: Part 3A
Posted by Michelle Moquin on October 9th, 2009
How is everyone doing? Hasn’t CAS given us some great ideas on how simple sustainability can be? Well, this is the last of the series, but since it is quite long, I’m going to break in down in two parts: 3A and 3B. I hope that you have learned as much as I have, and have managed to implement some of them into your daily life.
Here we go with part 3 of the series. It is called At Home: Choices made around the home have a huge impact on the natural world. You can quickly lower your impact by adopting some of the changes below. Once again, there are several categories and each of them has three steps, progressing from the simplest to the most complex.
Part 3A:
Waste
- Purchase products with less packaging.*
- Recycle bottles, cans, plastic, paper, and old electronics. Compost food waste.
- If your local government has no curbside recycling and composting program, lobby them to develop one.
*Hint: if you’re buying fresh, you won’t need to worry about too much packaging. Most parts of California have great recycling and composting programs. If you live in a state or city that doesn’t, here’s where the saying, ‘politics is a daily job’ comes in :)
Energy
- Enroll in a green power or similar environmental program from your utility provider.
- Lobby your elected representatives to support legislation that limits greenhouse gas emissions.
- Have solar panel or wind power installed.
Lighting
- Turn off all unnecessary lights.
- Switch all your bulbs to compact fluorescent (CFLs). Make sure to dispose if CFLs properly because they contain mercury and should not go into landfills.
- Install motion sensor lights that automatically switch off.
To me, all three of the above are so easy and totally doable.
Home Heating and Cooling
- Keep your thermostat at 78 degrees F in the summer and 68 F in the winter.
- Turn down heat or air conditioning when you are sleeping or not at home.
- Install a programmable thermostat to ensure your home’s temperature is optimal for your comfort and for the environment.
There you have it again. What do ya think? Doable yes? Now…go out and do what you can. Thanks :)
Zen Lill: Thanks for clarifying, however, I wasn’t necessarily speaking to you or Al; just the making a general point that the general vibe is different now, than it was before the election. The optimistic attitude…the hope….it has faded a bit.
I think so many people are expecting so much. I think we’re desperate for change. People need to realize that we can make change happen, as long as we keep the politics of the day before us – as Sharon said….and in my mind, “Do something”.
This country is pretty messed up to for things to change quickly. We need to realize that it took time to get the country in the state that it is, and it will take time to clean it up. It certainly seems to be a lot easier to mess things up, than to fix them.
Anna & Peter: Sometimes things happen that look bad on the onset, but if all was revealed, one might sigh and say, ‘We should be thanking our lucky stars.” This is one of those times. Hafa Adai.
Ah….Vera: Now you really don’t expect me to tell you now do you? :)
Evelyn: I need to leave too early this morning to read your post, but it looks very interesting and I’ll read it later on today. Thanks for sharing.
6:41 AM: I am posting early as I have a seminar to attend to. I just briefed the comments this morning – wow too many to handle this early. But I did catch that our president won the Nobel Peace Prize – Googled it quickly for a fast read- thanks for the heads up readers! You are always so on top of the current! I am so delighted by the news – it has made my day! Have a good one!
Gotta run….
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor
If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the ‘Donate’ button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my ‘Donate’ page)
October 9th, 2009 at 8:04 am
Isn’t It Their Turn to Pick Up the Check?
Jeanne Fleming, PhD
Leonard Schwarz
Money conflicts among friends and family often come up when dining out. How to handle these awkward situations…
PROBLEM: Friends choose high-end restaurants for get-togethers, forcing you to split exorbitant tabs that you are not comfortable paying.
What to do: The first time this problem occurs, pay your share even if the bill is much more than you expected. After all, when you agreed to go out to dinner, you tacitly agreed to pay your share. But before the next meal, politely explain that you prefer to spend, say, $60 per couple when you eat out, not $150. If less expensive meals do not interest your friends, find things to do together that don’t cost as much, such as going for a hike or to a movie.
PROBLEM: Your friends like to order fine wine, doubling the cost of eating out with them.
What to do: It is perfectly reasonable to tell your friends that expensive wine is not in your budget. If these friends insist on pricey wine with dinner, tell them that you will supply a home-cooked meal at your place and they can supply the 1970 Mouton Rothschild.
PROBLEM: Wealthy friends or relatives offer to pay more than their share. You wonder if letting a well-heeled friend or relative pick up the tab when you eat out or pay your way on a joint vacation will damage the relationship.
What to do: There is nothing wrong with accepting the occasional lavish gift from a well-off friend or relative. Accept the gift graciously, but be certain to reciprocate. The reciprocation needn’t be comparably expensive, and may even be in the form of a service — babysitting, say, or helping with a computer.
Only if you allow the other person to systematically pick up the tab is there a problem.
PROBLEM: Some members of a group order expensive meals but want to divide the check evenly. According to a survey we conducted, one-third of the public believes that when friends go out to dinner, someone always is unhappy with the way the check is divided.
What to do: If a friend or relative does not offer to pay his/her fair share, don’t just grin and bear it. Take a moment to look over the check, do the math, and propose an equitable distribution.
Example of what to say: “Let’s see. It looks like your share is $75 and ours is $50. Does that sound right?”
If events get away from you and the bill has already been split by someone else in an unfair way, it’s reasonable for you to propose splitting it more fairly. This might seem pushy, but you have nothing to be embarrassed about — the other person does.
Example: Six members of your group order $12 pasta dishes, while the other two choose $22 steaks. The meat eaters should at least offer to pay extra. If they fail to do so, say in a friendly tone, “OK, you carnivores. You owe an extra 10 bucks to cover those steaks.”
PROBLEM: You picked up the check the last time. Now you’re out with the same couple, the bill has arrived, and they’re not reaching for it.
What to do: Don’t be a pushover. Push the check their way, smile warmly and in a completely nonjudgmental and nonaccusatory tone say,
“I think this one’s yours.”
Bottom Line/Personal interviewed Jeanne Fleming, PhD, and Leonard Schwarz, coauthors of the book Isn’t It Their Turn to Pick Up the Check? (Free Press). Dr. Fleming has a PhD in sociology… Mr. Schwarz has an MBA. They write the “Do the Right Thing” money column for Money magazine and a blog by the same name on http://www.cnnmoney.com.
October 9th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Hafa adai and Congratulations President Obama. We are all very proud to be Americans with you at the helm.
Anna
October 9th, 2009 at 8:26 am
Is There Any Way I Can Get Rid of My Man Boobs?
Wayne Westcott, PhD
South Shore YMCA
It’s not uncommon for men to develop “man boobs” as they age, but it’s not something you really have to accept as inevitable… and the solution doesn’t have to be as drastic as plastic surgery. First, start by losing weight. Like women, men have fat cells in the chest area — but not as many. An overall reduction in weight should lower weight in the chest and elsewhere.
Also: Try some spot strength training to enhance muscle tone and firmness in the chest region. Do exercises that build pectoral and other chest-area muscles, such as bench presses, push-ups and lifting dumbbells. This will not reduce the fat deposits, but they will become less visible as built-up muscles become more prominent.
October 9th, 2009 at 8:33 am
I found this on the web. It happened the 23rd of September. Why hadn’t I heard of it before?
———————————————————————–
A U.S. Census worker found hanged from a tree near a Kentucky cemetery had the word “fed” scrawled on his chest, a law enforcement official said Wednesday, and the FBI is investigating whether he was a victim of anti-government sentiment.
Bill Sparkman, a 51-year-old part-time Census field worker and teacher, was found Sept. 12 in a remote patch of the Daniel Boone National Forest in rural southeast Kentucky. The law enforcement official, who was not authorized to discuss the case and requested anonymity, did not say what type of instrument was used to write “fed” on his chest.
—————————————————-
Oh, congratulations Obama, You deserve it.
Hart
October 9th, 2009 at 10:09 am
President Barack OBAMA Nobel Peace Prize winner, nominated only 2 weeks after taking office. That is our President. The Whole World loves this guy.
What is wrong with White-America? Does he deserve it, they ask?
“Fucking-A-Right”. “He Deserves It”. Those Norwegians are smart people and do not make a mistake about this award, ever. Everybody agrees Round the World
The “ Nobel Peace Prize“.
Congatulations MR. PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 9th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Hi Mischa, I knew you’d say that : ) but it was more for Sharon’s clarifacation, and not that she asked me either but it was me who said ‘I will not comment on politics here anymore…yudda, yudda on why not…’ and then Al chimed in with his two, so I felt compelled to say something : )
I’m as green as I can get, Redondo is having a ‘hazardous waste round-up’ at the local Target which is great for disposing all those paint cans, etc…the proper way. I hate flourescent bulbs but I keep lighting minimal and my room is candle driven : ) I like it, I have enough to read by and I blow some out when there’s anything else going on, smirk…!
President Obama is probably surprised and it’s OK that it’s for peace-making, they could award him for attempting to speak the truth even when no one wants to hear it and it’s usually unpopular to do so, not something any other politician ever ups themselves for, I give him kudos for just being intelligent and sounding arrticulate and well-intended, even with a crappy economy I still think he’s the best, and will do his very best rethugs notwithstanding. I say Congratulations as well on that note.
Women of MM blog, I will be back and kicking your ass, oops, I mean, upping the ante on MOnday, the workouts won’t be longer just very effective and the eating…well, if you’re so inclined buy yourself a juicer over the weekend, if not, you’ll be getting a titch motre comfy with vegetarian meals you’ll love and can hold yourself accountable to excellent health, why go for good when you can have excellent??
If you are reading the health info here, you are seeing what impact the foods yoyu put in your mouth have on your life, health, moods, etc…isn’t it worth it to pay attention to your temple and it’s needs?
I am teaching my kids school this afternoon a lesson on ‘mindful eating’ it’s about knowing when your hungry or if you’re eating just to eat, and savoring foods not just jamming garbage in your face and calling it eating, a nasty American habit. So – think about that, too…slow down and enjoy your choices from nature’s sources (fruits, veggies and grains) – that’s my rant : )
Caio for now, will be reading as usual over the weekend but taking some R&R after I work late tonight, Zen Lill
October 9th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Zen Lill
What is a “juicer?’
I like the foods that you have so far. But I don’t understand the meaning of juicer.
Lin
October 9th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
This is an excerpt from a news column I found on the blog. It is supposed to be one that is pro Obama. But it is a snide implication that he really doesn’t deserve the award.
It seems that white men can not bring themselves to just say “the best person won.” Every acknowledgement written by a white person implies that he is – not ready yet – to receive a prize that white presidents received who were ready.
Notice how in the end the author says Obama’s award was based on “hope.” Meaning that if Obama wins anything in which he competed with white men to win, his win means that he has the potential to win. Their win means they beat out all comers.
My “hope” is that white men will learn to accept living with their equals if not in some cases their betters.
========================================================
It would be hard to think of a more electrifying and deserved recipient of this year’s Nobel Peace prize than President Obama. Obama is the fourth American president to win the Nobel prize. His predecessors are Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Jimmy Carter. Obviously, the award is based on the hope that Obama will achieve real progress in advancing diplomacy rather than confrontation around the globe. To some degree, he already has.
================================================
To the author of this piece I would say “To some degree” this was a congratulatory piece. And “he already has” competed for this prize and won handily. Be truly gracious in your defeat or shut the f**k up.
Martin
October 9th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Here is the rest of the piece. It was written by jacob Heilbrunn
———————
t would be hard to think of a more electrifying and deserved recipient of this year’s Nobel Peace prize than President Obama. Obama is the fourth American president to win the Nobel prize. His predecessors are Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Jimmy Carter.
Obviously, the award is based on the hope that Obama will achieve real progress in advancing diplomacy rather than confrontation around the globe. To some degree, he already has. American relations with Europe are vastly improved. He is focusing on global warming. Negotiations are underway with Iran. So are nuclear arms reductions talks with Russia. Leading conservatives such as George Shultz are calling for immediately ending sanctions on Cuba and restoring relations with it, as was emphasized at a New American Foundation event on the presidential Sequoia yacht hosted by Steve Clemons in Washington, D.C. last night.
In short, the moment is ripe for real change. So Obama needs to do more. Obviously, it would be utopian to expect that he can solve the world’s ills overnight. But in foreign, as opposed to domestic, policy, Obama can seek to avoid the kind of bickering and squabbling that has dragged down health care. The fact is that the Nobel committee had handed him a unique opportunity. His acceptance speech in Oslo will offer him a golden chance to set forward a more sweeping and comprehensive vision of what his administration and America can do to advance peace. Obama should use the occasion to focus on the most volatile and dangerous region in the world, the Middle East.
This may be the biggest speech of Obama’s presidency. Obama’s prestige will never be higher. And the world will be listening. Obama needs to speak to it.
Jacob Heilbrunn
——————————————–
I agree with you Martin. White men can not accept graciously losing to an OTW. If they win we are supposed to line up to acknowledge their great accomplishment. But if they lose, they didn’t really lose because you didn’t really win, it was only an award of the hope that you could beat out a white man.
Also Mr. Helibrunn should get his facts straight. Barak Obama is only the third sitting president to win the award. Jimmy Carter won it long after he had left the White House. He couldn’t say that because he would have to mention that those other two white men took two terms(8 years) to do what this black man has done in 9 months.
I am a white man who can accept graciously the accomplishments of others. There are plenty of us, but it is apparent that we are not part of the contingent who dispense the news.
So, if I may, let me congratulate President Obama for winning the Nobel Peace Prize on the merits.
Congratulations Mr. President.
Paul
October 9th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
I don’t know. LOL.
congratulations Mr. President. I only wish he hadn’t said he didn’t feel he deserved the award. In my humble opinion no one deserves it more.
By doing so only gives these repugs justification in their denial of his deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Cecil
October 9th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Lin, I’m sorry I sbouldve been more clear, a juicer is a machine that smashes fruits and veggies and reduces them to juice and pulp, you will drink the juice and your gardens soil (if u have one) will live the pulp compost. My juicer is an oldie but goodie with a giant sexes engine, it’ll juice anything but I hear the new Jack Lalane model is pretty killer. You can googy that: Jack Lalannes juicer, not sure of price, maybe $80. Someone gave me mine as a gift and I love it. Hope that helps.
Right on, Martin, Paul and Cecil – he deserves and everyone else dhuould congratulate and get over themselves (or shut the bleep up).
Caio, Zen Lill on iPhone : )
October 9th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
my juicer does not have a giant sex engine, it has a giant sized engine, hee hee. – ZL
October 9th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Did you hear russ limbough say he and “we” are in agreement with the taliban that Obama doesn’t deserve the award.
Whites who have been yelling for years that to disagree with the President is unamerican. But it is alright to say they are with the taliban.
Howard
October 9th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
The President of the United States wins the most prestigious prize on earth showing the world America’s potential for leadership on the important issues we are all facing, and these two are lamenting it????????
Come again?
This is great news for the Obama admin, but also for the country. Except, of course, among those who want Obama to fail…
October 9th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
This is just one more reason why I quit watching “Morning Joke.” Joe is wrong much of the time, and Mika is nothing but his sycophant echo.
PA/ The best of Mika ran down her father’s leg during conception. Killgore/ Why PA, you bad girl! LOL!
PA/ Just saying….. her father is so thoughtful and intelligent and she is devoid of thought or commonsense. Where did all the good genes end up, except on a washcloth?
Father: National Security Advisor to Carter, currently Professor of American Foreign Policy at Johns Hopkins – h’mmm – very impressive.
Daughter: Co-host of MSNBC’s morning show called “Morning Joe”, Degree in English from Williams College, MA a very elite Liberal Arts College and one of the top 10 hardest to get into in this country so also very impressive. Mika needs to quit scarborough and save herself!
October 9th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
This is how far we have fallen as a nation…all of these A$$holes would be livid if kids refused to recite the pledge of alliegience yet embracing the OBAMA acknowledgement as the winner of the peace prize incites howls of rage.
One nation under God indeed… how much more twisted can we yet become before common sense comes back into the picture.
October 9th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
They are talking heads and NOT journalists.
Nonproliferation
President Obama was active on the issue of nonproliferation when he was a Senator. He and Senator Lugar crafted a rather unique nonproliferation bill in 2005 and it was signed into law in 2007. What they did was recognize that not only nuclear weapons need to be reigned in, conventional weapons also need to be controlled. Conventional weapons kill many more people than nuclear weapons.
Obama has done more to bring the people of the world together than anyone else I can think of in my lifetime, I’m fifty years old.
p.s. President Obama is donating the $1.4 Million Nobel Prize money to several American charities.
October 9th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
These intelligent folks that can not understand what the President has done to earn this award. Will never have to worry about accepting a Nobel Prize for their contributions to the world. And that is fore sure. HA HA HA!
October 9th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Miki hasn’t found a backbone yet.
Crazy Joe thinks he’s a classy clone of Rush Limbaugh and all of America sees straight through it. If Daddy Bush or Dubya or any neocon would have received this award they would be ballyhooing all over themselves.
I can’t believe crazy Joe had the gall to say he’s been talking to a lot of wealthy white people who voted for Obama on “cultural” issues but now they are against the far right progressives. Maybe they should have a tea party.
This spin is baseless, empty rhetoric. In the words of one of his little Repubthug colleagues, “somebody needs to put him in his place”!
October 9th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Or could it be that the left has different things they want to achieve than the right does?
Such as peace, equality, and a fair shake for people other than the already rich and greedy?
You can call it socialism if it makes you feel as if you know what those terms mean in actual real-world, present-day systems, not just 1950′s textbooks, but the world has moved far, far on from those days, and if the rightwing won’t keep up, the world will leave it behind with no regrets.
October 9th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
OMG! Only in “Republicanland” can winning the Nobel Peace Prize be bad. Knownothings! I fear my country may die from ignorance.
October 9th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
We are proud of our President and America. MLK won the Nobel Prize for his civil rights works. As clearly evident in today’s society he did not cure racism. He too only had a dream.
Congratulations to the Honorable Laureate President Barack Obama. I still believe you can do it. We will get there. Although there are entities created to maintain special interests, President Obama is and will continue to fight for Us.
Everything is not meant to be seen and heard. This too shall go down in history, and it will be on the side of good not evil. Americans should rejoice.
October 9th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Did you see the address Rep Alan Grayson from Florida gave to his fellow dems and the damn republicans? If you didn’t then click this link and witness a Democrat with BALLS!
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/27726.html
Irene
October 10th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Dear Friend:
I am very pleased to let you know of a recent announcement that the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office will receive federal funding to create a program to prosecute and reduce mortgage and investment fraud, and improve local housing conditions.
The funding of over $1 million will be used by the San Francisco District Attorney’s office to create a model program that both prosecutes fraud schemes and engages and empowers local homeowners and communities to improve neighborhood conditions. It will hire criminal investigators and prosecutors to prosecute crimes, as well as train local residents about mortgage fraud and vacant property crimes, and develop ways to combat both.
Communities across the nation continue to struggle with mortgage and other investment fraud, and too many local neighborhoods are damaged by the blight and crime associated with vacant properties. I am very pleased that San Francisco will receive funding to create this model program. It has the potential to generate positive change locally and set a new standard for other communities.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
October 10th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Expressing Sympathy: Dos and Don’ts
Phyllis Kosminsky, PhD
Center for Hope Family Centers
It’s often difficult to know just what to do or say when offering your condolences, and you certainly don’t want to make the situation worse. Here are some pointers…
Do say, “I am thinking about you.”
Do make a concrete offer to help, such as by making dinners for three days.
Do consider making a donation in the deceased’s name to a charity that you know he/she cared about and letting the family know what you have done.
Don’t say that the deceased is in a better place — this may be true for your beliefs but not others’.
Don’t tell a grieving person that he just needs to stay busy — you do not know what is best.
Don’t say that you know what he is going through — everyone experiences grief differently.
Don’t force the bereaved to accept a hug that he may not want.
Better: Approach him with your hands out.
Bottom Line/Retirement interviewed Phyllis Kosminsky, PhD, clinical social worker specializing in grief, loss and trauma, Center for Hope Family Centers, Darien, Connecticut.
October 10th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Hafa adai
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WOW
If I haven’t said it, CONGRATULATIONS President Barack Obama. You are the man. We as Americans and citizens of the world are so very proud of you and happy for one who is most deserving and so humble to receive the Nobel Prize for Peace.
Peter
October 10th, 2009 at 10:32 am
it is time to give to those haters, “the Goebel piece prize,” Signed by Joseph.
They would lick Joseph’s foot for more war and hatred, in the name of a discreet Christian God.
October 10th, 2009 at 10:44 am
What a proud moment, I relived the election day feelings again today and that is a good feeling. Proud to be an American again!
October 10th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Congrats President Obama! The world deserves it!