tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25463477328214729832024-02-19T21:54:59.490-05:00The Green BetweenGoing green in Columbus, Ohio.Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-25756785393748137302014-07-20T20:53:00.003-04:002014-07-20T20:54:23.044-04:00How I ShopSo, I've been trying to buy almost everything I can from bulk bins to eliminate disposable packaging. This is the system I've rigged up for myself after some trial and error.
1. First, I grab a stash of empty cloth bulk bags. (I've made some of my own from an old ripped bed sheet, and also bought some of these.)
Note that I've written a different number on each bag with a permanent marker. ThisTamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-59582772800734443882013-08-18T14:35:00.000-04:002014-07-03T22:58:33.477-04:00Wondering Why You Haven't Seen Any Updates Lately? It's because blogging is hard. And I've decided to take the easy way out and publish my eco-friendly tips in micro-batches a la Facebook and Twitter.
So hop on over if you're interested...
Follow The Green Between on Facebook.
Follow The Green Between on Twitter.
Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-91803229175566413652013-02-04T21:51:00.000-05:002013-02-04T22:02:01.398-05:00Why buy a new ereader when you can buy a new-to-you ereader? Dudes, did you know that Half Price Books sells (and buys, obviously) used ereaders?
Whelp, now you do. Having had not-the-best luck with the fine folks at Craigslist, it's nice to know that this option exists if I ever decide to abandon my love of print books (borrowed from the library).
Want to learn more about the eco-friendliness of ereaders? Check out this infographic.
Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-2942598927330275262012-12-11T18:50:00.000-05:002012-12-13T21:42:59.674-05:00Eco-Friendly Products: A CollectionI read a lot of blogs and websites and books and Facebook feeds about eco-friendly endeavors far and wide.
It's hard to keep track of all of the products that might come in handy...someday.
Enter Pinterest.
Learn more about Pinterest and it's super fun new board widget and feel free to start following my adventures in green discovery.Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-21761234741083166592012-12-10T23:10:00.001-05:002012-12-11T22:56:34.218-05:00Give That Back: Columbus Companies Who Reuse Their PackagingRecently, I've been feeling a wave of nostalgia toward the age of the milkman. Reusing glass milk jugs, instead of treating them as disposable, just makes sense to me.
So when I heard that two of my favorite companies in Columbus, The Candle Lab and Sweet Thing Gourmet were offering to take back their glass jars for reuse, I got super excited.
I know I've mentioned The Candle Lab before. Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-11830569122073938422012-11-24T19:02:00.000-05:002012-11-24T19:02:26.542-05:003 Easy Ways to Reuse in the Kitchen1. Reuse the coffee bag when you buy do-it-yourself ground coffee.
I have a few and rotate between them when I go to Raisin Rack for
refills. The only trick is remembering to take them with you to the
store.
2. Reuse the rubber bands from produce (like broccoli stalks) for random household needs.
These tend to be thicker and shorter than typical rubber bands, which
may be just what you Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-7687284353874923132012-11-24T17:59:00.001-05:002012-11-24T18:01:59.958-05:00By Hand: Unplugged Utensils in the KitchenUsing non-electric utensils in the kitchen is not always practical or preferable, but sometimes going old school isn't so bad.
Here are my favorite non-electric tools for the kitchen:
Can opener - Growing up, we always had an electric can opener. Not until I went to college did I find out that opening a can was just as easy with a hand-cranked can opener. Added bonus: it frees up Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-89791198631553268932012-11-13T22:59:00.000-05:002012-11-13T23:02:03.844-05:00What Happens When You Try to Reuse, Recycle or Reduce...and Fail MiserablySo...my MacBook (circa 2007) was starting to run slow. It wasn't the worst thing, but I use my computer A LOT and it was getting to be somewhat frustrating, especially when I was trying to edit large images with Photoshop and so forth.
I had already upgraded the memory (RAM) the maximum amount possible and had upgraded the operating system as much as it could possible support (Snow Leopard) Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-72819909875668348712012-10-12T23:20:00.001-04:002012-10-12T23:24:22.634-04:00Sandwich Bag Drying Rack I decided to start reusing sandwich bags. This seemed like a daunting task, but then I discovered this pin on Pinterest.
Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Tamara on Pinterest
I decided to make one of my very own, but I was even lazier and eliminated the rice.
Voila!
One glass (that I can use for other purposes when not in need of a sandwich bag dryer) + wooden skewers (that I got Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-26918358798583885842012-10-12T23:05:00.002-04:002012-10-12T23:06:30.066-04:00Bikes and BooksI'll be the first to admit it; the new bike rest stop on the Ohio to Erie Trail behind the Westerville Public Library is awesome.
Its official name is the Westerville Legacy Train Depot and it features:
Shelter with picnic tables
Benches
Tire air pump
Bike racks
Bike lockers
Water fountain with pet bowl
and best of all, Bathrooms
Isn't it purty?
Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-12531043131739662062012-10-12T22:40:00.002-04:002012-10-12T22:50:59.466-04:00Let's Talk LitterSo, I've written about cat litter before.
There are some good reasons to eliminate clay litter from your household. But if you're like me, your cats are picky and they won't put up with many of the alternatives.
Besides the litter itself, however, I've also been plagued by the packaging. All litter I've encountered has been sold in disposable bags or buckets. Until now.
Yesterday I found out Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-51599402886909132102012-09-21T22:08:00.000-04:002012-09-21T22:12:37.482-04:00Norman, the Eco-Friendly Cat HeroCats + eco-friendliness? Sold.
As cute as this video is, it is also trying to shed light on the state of Canada's seas.
The takeaway: Try to buy seafood products harvested using methods that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ecosystem for the future. Look for the MSC label.
More information.Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-45547524417461299162012-08-29T22:56:00.001-04:002012-08-29T23:18:58.702-04:00When Good Bathrooms Go Bad...Then Green?Ugh. The dreaded bathroom renovation.
Even before I bought my condo, I knew this was a project I would eventually have to undertake. The inspector had informed me that there was water damage that was making the floor unstable. Fast forward seven plus years and here I was, still living in fear that the tub would one day fall through the ceiling.
My brother is an awesome handyman, so I planned toTamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-77053563726749029282012-07-08T19:08:00.001-04:002012-07-10T22:57:15.381-04:005 Ways to Eliminate Plastic from Your LifeSo, I recently watched Bag It.
Just like King Corn a while back convinced me to give up my 20oz Mountain Dew bottle-a-day habit, Bag It has me convinced that I need to kick my plastic habit. Turns out
this is much much much harder undertaking. I hadn't realized how many
plastic bottles and wrappers and caps and lids existed in my life.
Here are 5 places I've been able to make a difference,Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-38831207516519158602012-01-15T16:07:00.002-05:002012-01-15T18:34:00.759-05:00Neutralizing NostalgiaNostalgia makes simplifying your life difficult. When objects hold memories and emotions, it's easy to become attached to them.
Given that my "keep" rule involves getting rid of objects that I haven't used in a year or can't foresee using in the coming year, what of nostalgia? Most mementos, souvenirs and family heirlooms don't have a purpose outside of the memories that store.
Pictures, home Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-78125899104904966522011-12-10T16:31:00.001-05:002011-12-10T17:57:53.647-05:00Green Gift GuideEveryone else is doing a holiday gift guide, so I figured I might as well throw my suggestions into the mix.
MixedBagDesigns
These bags are super cute, durable and hold just about anything you need to cart around. I use mine for trips to the grocery store, the library and just about anywhere else.
LightMyFire's All-In-One Utensil
It's a spoon. It's a fork. It's a knife. It's all Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com2Columbus, OH, USA39.9611755 -82.998794239.766445000000004 -83.3146512 40.155906 -82.682937200000012tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-65480218393701555212011-12-06T13:37:00.000-05:002011-12-06T21:03:26.017-05:00Tune In: The Search for an Eco-Friendly TVOkay, I am finally going to jump on the new flat-screen LCD TV bandwagon.
Why I'm Getting a New TV
I have had the same dinosaur television for 8 years, which I bought used from a friend when moving to my current place. I was waiting for the TV to die before I bought a replacement, but within the last year three things happened:
I received a Blu-ray player as a present that I have been unable Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-87925338397161634872011-11-27T22:30:00.000-05:002011-11-27T22:36:44.553-05:00Grow What You Eat: TomatoesI actually started some tomato plants from seed, which I had done in 2010 with great success.
Not so much this time around. I think I started the seeds in early April in an egg carton inside for close to six weeks. I then spent about a week getting them acclimated to the weather by setting them outside for a couple of hours at the time.
May 20, 2011
Though they were still quite tiny, I wentTamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com0Columbus, OH 43231, USA40.078872 -82.944778240.0302735 -83.0237422 40.127470499999994 -82.8658142tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-86705203303423162662011-11-27T00:53:00.000-05:002011-11-27T22:37:23.229-05:00Grow What You Eat: PeppersI bought a green pepper plant & a jalapeno pepper plant from Raisin Rack on May 18, 2011 for approximately $4 each. Both came in 4-inch pots.
I planted both in the same wooden planter as two tomato plants.
June 9, 2011
The green pepper plant was totally overshadowed by the tomato plants and never got enough sunlight or space to grow. The jalapeno pepper plant fared better. By the Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com0Columbus, OH 43231, USA40.078872 -82.944778240.0302735 -83.0237422 40.127470499999994 -82.8658142tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-46164546719596630732011-11-27T00:51:00.000-05:002011-11-27T18:25:39.185-05:00Grow What You Eat: RosemaryI love rosemary. The problem is that I don't know what to do with it.
My staple recipe for rosemary is to add it to a skillet of sauteed onions, green peppers and feta cheese, then serve it with pita bread. Besides that, I've been at a loss this year for what to do with this beautiful herb.
I bought a rosemary plant in a 4-inch pot from the Franklin Park Conservatory on May 14, 2011 for Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-43142897569348194112011-11-27T00:48:00.000-05:002011-11-27T17:55:56.866-05:00Grow What You Eat: BasilI bought two basil plants at Westerville Farmer's Market for approximately $2.50 for a 4-inch potted plant.
Note: All of the books I read suggested buying 4-inch plants because they will be less scrawny and will bush out better over time.
May 25, 2011
I potted each plant in a separate plastic hanging plant container that I'd saved from previous summers.
The plants started out fairly small Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com0Columbus, OH 43231, USA40.078872 -82.944778240.0302735 -83.0237422 40.127470499999994 -82.8658142tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-46364753850534174082011-08-28T22:39:00.016-04:002011-08-29T22:13:57.948-04:00Grow What You Eat: The DirtIt seems that container gardening, especially, requires good dirt. So just like a new mom, I read all of the plant parenting books to make sure that I made the best possible home for my plant babies.
Ingredients for good container gardening soil include:
Vermiculite or perliteA bit of coco peat or "coir" (to help retain moisture)Oyster shellsDolonitic or cacitic limestoneEqual parts N-P-K (Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-4608779026649816152011-08-28T16:18:00.018-04:002011-08-28T22:27:33.691-04:00Grow What You Eat: CucumbersI heart cucumbers. They are one of the easiest, most refreshing vegetables of the summer.
(Note: This picture was taken by my sis, of Photo Kitchen fame. You will easily be able to tell the difference between her pics and mine throughout this blog, as mine are very matter-of-fact and hers are magical.)
I picked up a cucumber plant at Raisin Rack on May 18 for approximately $4. It came with Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-34912834242149756292011-07-17T21:24:00.012-04:002011-07-23T16:53:11.953-04:00Grow What You Eat: Cilantro FailI bought my cilantro plant on May 14 from Franklin Park Conservatory when I was there making my rain barrel.I planted it in a bit of potting soil topped off with some compost. It was thriving.I planned to use it in salsa all summer, but there was not much chance of that. I was able to harvest one bunch in mid-June before this happened:And then this happened:R.I.P. May 14, 2011 - July 20, Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546347732821472983.post-14020380971216117782011-07-17T18:08:00.024-04:002011-08-28T22:37:09.711-04:00Grow What You Eat: Peas & Green BeansBeans and peas. Every kid's dread? Every green girl's dream?
To start, I bought Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds' Oregon Sugar Pod II snow peas from Raisin Rack and Burpee's Bush Blue Lake 274 from Home Depot (I think).
I planted the seeds as directed on the package in the wooden boxes mentioned here in mid-May. Many of them never sprouted, but I ended up with 6 viable plants (4 peas, 2 beans).
Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772502408940042311noreply@blogger.com1