By Hand: Unplugged Utensils in the Kitchen

Using 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 prime real estate on the counter top.
• Garlic press - I know a lot of people who use mini food processors to chop garlic, but really, unless you're doing a whole jar's worth, it's a lot easier and a lot less messy to use a garlic press. (Confession: I only use the press to break the skin of the clove, then chop with a knife so I don't have to wash out the press, which can get a bit messy. I probably don't even need this tool, but as long as there's space in the drawer, I'll keep it.)
• French press - Although I still have to use an electric appliance (i.e. a microwave or stove) to heat the water, this handy dandy device is still one of my favorites. (Learn more from my previous post.)
• Juicer - I don't do a lot of heavy duty juicing, so a simple citrus squeezer does the trick for me. Right now, the one I have is plastic. I'm tempted to upgrade to stainless steel, but don't want to be wasteful. 
• Knife - The most versatile tool in the world. Although blenders and food processors and mixers might do it faster, there's something about the monotony of chopping up a mound of veggies that I find to be quite comforting.
• Potato masher - Yeah, it's a bit more work, but lumpy mashed potatoes can be charming, right? And hey, you're building muscle, or so you tell yourself.

And don't forget about the most versatile tool that you're never without: your hands.

When 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 to have him do most of the work. But I wanted to do things the "right" way. Turns out that is much harder than I expected.

Rule #1 about eco-friendly home renovations: Many of the green options on the market are the privilege of the rich. Rule #2: Finding eco-friendly products is akin to finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

But in case you want more information, here's the rundown of what I discovered, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Green Accomplishments

Dual Flush Toilet

Shopping Tips: I read that you should look for the WaterSense label and that the toilet should use less than 1.6 gallons per flush (GPF). I also knew I wanted to try a dual-flush toilet. (You know, less flush for number 1, more flush for number 2.)

What I Got: Glacier Bay's Dual-Flush Toilet

Fan

Shopping Tips: The fewer sones, the better. Look for the EnergyStar rating.

What I Got: This one.

Faucet

Shopping Tips: Look for the WaterSense label and a flow rate of 1.5 GPM (gallons per minute).

What I Got: I chose the Delta Lahara 25938LF-SS. There was nothing on any of the boxes at the store that would tell the GPM rate, so I had to go with just the WaterSense label. Turns out that this one has a GPM rate of 2.2. Ah, well. 

Lighting Fixture

Shopping Tips: Look for the Energy Star label. Use CFL bulbs. The usual...

Paint

Shopping Tips: I've read a lot about milk paint, but it's not recommended for high-moisture areas so it was a no-go. The other option is low-VOC paint.

What I Got: Low and behold that major retailers like Lowe's don't make low-VOC paints easy to identify. But the nice man at the paint mixing station told me that this one was awesome. I definitely liked it better than the one I tried from Sherman Williams a few years ago.

Here are some more paint tips, from yours truly, in case you're curious.

Shower Walls

It seems that using backerboard for the shower walls, rather than greenboard will help prevent mold and deterioration over time, so I went that route.

Trash

Due to water damage, I literally had to gut this bathroom down to the wall studs. This meant a lot of trash. Rather than trying to fit everything into a few Bagsters, I ended up renting a dumpster from Frog Hauling.

Unlike a normal dumpster, Frog Hauling will sort through the junk that they remove and salvage or recycle as much as possible before taking the remainder of the trash to the dump. This makes me happy.

As for some of the small stuff, such as shelves and towel racks and half-used gallons of paint, I plan to drop it all off at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

Tub

This is the one item I was successfully able to reuse. It was disgustingly dirty after all the big demo and rebuild, so I scrubbed it down with a bit of Borax, which is the most magical cleaner ever in the world. My tub has never been so sparkly white.

Bath Mat

I think I'm going to try this one, which is made from something called vetiver root or this one, which is made from cork.

Green Failures

Vanity

I wanted to go with something vintage or something made of FSC-certified wood or bamboo, with environmentally-friendly finishes, glues, etc.

Um, yeah, good luck with that. I tried all of the major bathroom retailers in Columbus, including retail stores like Crate & Barrel or Restoration Hardware as well as Columbus Architectural Salvage and bathroom & kitchen specialists like Bath Works. I found only three vanities that were in any way eco-friendly and that were small enough to fit in my seemingly super tiny bathroom, but they were literally 10 times the cost of a basic vanity unit at Home Depot or Lowe's.

The two places I didn't try but probably should have were antique stores (which would have taken a ton of time to peruse) and the Habitat for Humanity ReStore (which was closed the one Sunday I chose to visit).

Flooring

All of the eco-friendly books suggest using cork, natural linoleum or recycled rubber flooring. Come to find that the only cork flooring available at Lowe's and Home Depot is interlocking, which means that it is somehow affixed to a bed of particle board or MDF, which makes it not nearly as eco-friendly. As for natural linoleum or recycled rubber flooring? I am most certain these are figments of the imagination, as I couldn't find them anywhere.

So I went with ceramic tile. (And not even recycled ceramic tile, as it only seems to exist on the interwebs.) In any case, ceramic tile is durable and long lasting and is better for the environment than vinyl and more suitable for bathrooms than hardwood. 

Miscellaneous

Solvent-free adhesives? Didn't see one label that mentioned solvent-free. Baseboards with a low-VOC, water-based finish? No dice. Low-toxic grout and sealants? Puhshaw. Who would think to ask for such silly things?

Also suggested by the eco-friendly gurus that write books? A tankless water heater and a circulation pump. I didn't even look into it.

I looked for shower curtains made from organic cotton or bamboo fabrics. There were a few, but not many and the patterns were very grandma-esque. I also looked on Etsy for shower curtains made from scrap fabrics, but there weren't any worth noting. Oh, well.

I wanted to get a vintage medicine cabinet or mirror, but so far they are freaking expensive. The jury's still out on that.

The Big Reveal

The Before

The After

Looks basically the same, huh? :)

Tune In: The Search for an Eco-Friendly TV

Okay, 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:

1. I received a Blu-ray player as a present that I have been unable to use because it is not compatible with the dinosaur television. 
2. More and more shows are being shot in wide-screen, which means that I am missing out on a lot of key plot points that get cut off on my current square screen. Though this doesn't really matter, in the grand scheme of things, it is quite annoying. 
3. The appeal of watching Netflix streaming through the TV without hooking up a computer has become almost impossible to ignore. 

Here's a picture of the old monster TV, courtesy of Photo Kitchen:

Things to Consider When Shopping for a New TV

So, I went searching for a new TV.  I thought about getting one during the after-Christmas sales in 2010, but the one that I had chosen was out of stock and I missed out on the deep holiday discounts, so I waited until this season to try again.

To choose a television, I relied heavily on the Westerville Library's online subscription to Consumer Reports. In addition to rating specific models and brands, they also provide a guide to tell you what types of things you should be looking for when buying a new TV.

The one thing that stood out to me was their explanation of LED backlighting for LCD TVs:

LCD displays use lights in the back of the display to illuminate the screen. These have typically been fluorescent bulbs, but many new sets use LED (light-emitting diode) backlights instead...In general, LEDs can reduce power consumption. Some of the edge-lit LCD models we've tested have been among the most energy-efficient sets we've seen...LED backlights, especially if edge-lit, can allow the TV to have a very slim profile -- panel thickness of well under 2 inches.

Consumer Reports also includes an estimated energy cost per year for rated TVs. Between that and the LED backlight option that offers more energy efficiency and a smaller physical footprint, I knew where to start looking in regard to picking out a new television that would be eco-friendly.

Of course, I also looked at the other rating options to make sure the TV would meet my other needs, such as sound quality, HD & SD picture quality, viewing angle, etc. I eliminated any set that gave only a fair or poor rating for any of the features. I also placed emphasis on Netflix integration. I was also interested in Internet-connectivity available on the new Google TVs, but this feature is cost-prohibitive at the moment and it doesn't seem like the capability has hit the mainstream yet.

Once I narrowed down my choices, I looked at the brand reliability table through Consumer Reports to find out how the brand measured up regarding repair history.

Lastly, I checked for user ratings & reviews on sites such as CNET and Amazon.com. This helped me to narrow my choices further.

Based on all of these factors, I have chosen the Vizio M420SV. It has LED edge backlighting, a wide viewing angle, excellent picture quality, good sound quality, average energy costs of $26 per year, good brand quality, an excellent average user rating on Amazon.com and it is Internet-enabled, allowing for the ability to connect to a Netflix streaming account.

Here's what the new TV will look like, according to Amazon.com:

How to Get Rid of an Old TV  

So, what should you do with an old dinosaur TV? Don't throw it the dumpster. Old televisions contain hazardous materials such as lead. To avoid the possibility of these materials leaching out, donate your old TV to the Ohio Thrift store at Cleveland Ave and 161 in the Columbus Square shopping center. They will accept any working television for free.

Or, if your TV is no longer in working condition, try recycling it. Ohio Drop Off near the intersection of Morse Road and Westerville Road will recycle TVs, though they charge $1 per inch.

More options are available within the Columbus area. Read this SWACO article or this EPA article for more recycling, donating or disposal options.


Stay Tuned

The TV is now set up. The Netflix integration is decadent. But did all of my hard research pay off? Stay tuned to find out.

Shopping for a Furnace & Air Conditioner

I just went through the process of shopping for a furnace/air conditioner to replace my 30+ year old units, so I thought I would share my newfound, soon-to-be-forgotten, wisdom with you.

Step One:
Ask your friends. I got recommendations from friends, family and co-workers, simply to help narrow down the choices, as there are a LOT of them!

Step Two:
Look up your "leads" on these sites to get an idea of what their service is like, what their customer satisfaction ratings are, whether or not they have the required state licenses and certifications, etc.

• Air Conditioning Contractors of America
• Angie's List (Requires a subscription.)
• Better Business Bureau
• North American Technician Excellence certified (NATE)
• Ohio Department of Commerce's Company Licensee Lookup
• ReferenceUSA (Though this requires a subscription, many libraries, such as the Westerville Library, provide access to their library card holders.)
  

Step Three:
Create a checklist of questions to ask the salesperson/contractor once you start getting quotes. Get three quotes or more for comparison. EnergyStar.gov provides a good starting point in their Heat & Cool Efficiently article. Keep in mind that what makes a unit most efficient is its proper installation. Here are a few of the things I considered during the quote process:

• Breakdown of expenses (cost of unit versus cost of labor)?
• Any duct work (sealing) that needs to be done to increase efficiency of the unit?
  
• What are the AFUE ratings for the quoted furnaces and the SEER ratings for the quoted air conditioners? (Note: For furnaces, the higher the AFUE rating, the better, with a maximum rating of 100. For air conditioners, the higher the SEER rating, the better. The standard range is currently between 13.0 and 16.0 rating.)
• Is there an installation checklist, such as the Manual J, that will be used during the installation process?
  
• Is the quoted unit correct sized for my home? (Sizing has a direct correlation with unit efficiency. A unit too big or too small for your home will decrease its energy efficiency.)
• Be sure to walk away with a written quote with the suggested units' specifications.

Step 4:
After getting quotes for specific units, Google the unit model numbers that have been quoted to find out what other customers are saying. One bad review isn't worth noting, but numerous bad reviews may be.

What I Got:
After this whole process, I bet you're wondering what company/units I went with. Based on the conversations I had with the three companies I worked with (Hetter Heating & Cooling, Columbus Worthington Air and ML Heating & Air Conditioning), I made the decision to go with Hetter Heating & Cooling. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable. The company had a great Better Business Bureau rating. They had many of the HVAC certifications/licenses that I had researched. They quoted a good price and were interested in helping me find an energy efficient unit that I would be happy with.

• HVAC Company: Hetter Heating & Cooling
• Air Conditioning Unit: Trane XR15, 15-SEER rating (A 16-SEER unit was also quoted, but came with a significant price increase.)
  
• Furnace Unit: Trane XR95 (95 AFUE rating)

Overall, I felt very comfortable with my choice! I got to use the heater last week for the first time and the difference is remarkable. Here's to warm nights in my future!

Recoil from Fridge Grime

Did you know that all of the dust and dirt (and cat fur) that collects under your refrigerator can cause it to work harder to keep everything inside it cool?

To save energy, you should clean off the coils of your fridge every 6 months to a year. This sounds daunting, but it is extremely easy.

Step 1: Buy a universal coil brush. (I got mine at Home Depot near the refrigerators. They are extremely cheap.)

Step 2: Unplug your refrigerator. (Once you get a firm grip on the fridge, you can scoot it forward fairly easily in order to reach the plug. Really, I have no muscles and I was able to move mine with ease.)

Step 3: Open the fridge door and pop off the grate located near the bottom.

Step 4: Use the coil brush to clean the coils that are hidden under your fridge. (I usually can't see the coils, so I just move the brush around blindly and pull out embarrassing amounts of grossness, as pictured below.)

Step 5: Pop the grate back on. This may take a forceful punch to do, but you should be able to feel it snap back into place. Plug your refrigerator back in. Clean off the brush for next time.

Your fridge is one of the biggest energy hogs in your house, so anything you can do to make it run a little easier will save you money!

High Stakes

Vamps are all the rage right now, but even Edward Cullen would balk to know how much energy is drained from household electronics that suck vampire energy when not in use.



Once you get in the habit, it's easy to unplug your microwave, toaster, sewing machine, electric toothbrush, laptop & phone charger when your done with them. To make it easier, try plugging them into outlets that are easily reachable.

Squeaky Green

Bubbles & Squeak Recipe

Dribble of olive oil
3 tbsp water
1 large organic potato
1 link of Field Roast's Smoked Apple Sage Sausage
1 head organic cabbage
feta cheese (optional)
salt & pepper

Saute potato with olive oil and water until soft. (Be sure to keep the lid on the pan when sauteing to save energy.) Turn off burner. Add sausage and cabbage and cover until cabbage is slightly wilted. Top with cheese and salt and pepper. Devour.

Note: I found the sausage at Raisin Rack in the frozen foods section.

Laying Low

Looking to hide out this summer? No need to cower in the shower. Here are some easy tips for lowering your energy and water consumption while washing off all of your summer sweat.

• Install a low-flow showerhead. These are usually easy to install. Simply wrap some plumber's tape around the pipe to prevent leaks, then screw the showerhead on over it. Find one that will let you adjust the water flow, and you can save water when shaving or lathering. (Unfortunately, the one that I bought a couple of years ago is no longer sold, but this one looks similar.)
• Turn down your water heater. You should see a dial near the bottom part of your water heater that will let you set it to a lower heating level. Here's why.
  
• Take a shower in the dark. This is one of my favorite things to do in the summer. When it's so hot I can't stand it, I turn out all of the lights. Usually there's enough daylight filtering in to see, and it makes the daily chore seem a little mysterious.

Not as interested in laying low? Save water by showering with a friend. Seriously, every little bit helps.

This Little Piggy Went to Market

Though the piggy that stayed home was definitely the greenest of the bunch, this little piggy often goes to market for her food.



It has become clear that eco-friendly shopping (especially when it comes to food) is not an exact science, but I try to keep the following things in mind when I go shopping, whether it be at the local farmer's market or the local Kroger.

• How far do I have to travel to get there? Is it worth the ten-mile trip to Whole Foods when a brisk two-minute walk will land me at Kroger?
  
• Is it organic? Though organic is not the only green factor, it is a major consideration, especially if you have health concerns.
• Was it made or produced locally? If the product was made close to home, than transportation is not as much of a consideration. Take a look to see if it was made in the same city or state.
• Does it come with a lot of excess packaging? Some prepared meals come with boxes, plastic containers, little packets of spices and more. Stay away from things like Lunchables!
  
• What is the packaging made out of? Glass can be recycled thousands of times, but weighs a lot, using more energy to transport it. Plastic can only be recycled a handful of times, if that, but requires less packaging to keep it in tact while transporting. Paper weighs less than plastic and glass, requires less packaging to transport, and can often be recycled or composted. Paper packaging made of already recycled materials is also a good option.
• How much does it weigh? Dehydrated and concentrated foods are often greener, because they require less energy to transport.
  
• How "processed" is it? This is another consideration for both environmental and health concerns. Try the guessing game if you're not sure. How many ingredients can you guess correctly? The fewer you get right, the less appealing the product is.
• Does it come in bulk? If you can buy the product in a 24oz container instead of a 16oz container, go for it! You'll save on packaging as well as on extra trips to the store.
  
• How does this product compare to similar products on the market? Yes, price and taste are major considerations. But if you find two very similar products, try to choose the one that fits the most eco-friendly criteria.
  
• How long will it last? Be sure not to buy anything that you won't eat before it expires. Wasting food is the least green thing you can do!
  
• How much energy will it take to store this item? If you have the choice of a pantry item, a freezer item and a refrigerator item, go for them in that order. Pantry items require no energy to store. However, it takes less energy to run your freezer if it's full (because of insulation). And the refrigerator shouldn't be over-stocked, because it will use more energy to keep things cool.

Obviously, very few items will meet all of the criteria above. And if you're a piggy like me, you won't be able to resist the modern evils of Fritos and Ding Dongs every time. But when you choose Newman-O's over Oreos and Cheddar Bunnies over Cheez-Its, you won't have to cry "Wee! Wee! Wee!" all the way home.

Green Laziness

I swear I'm not crazy. Green is the new lazy.

Though there are many environmentally-friendly tasks that take time and effort, here are a few tips for lazy people like myself:

• Don't blow dry your hair. Saves energy.
  
• Wear your clothes more than once. (Underwear and socks excluded.) Saves water and energy.
  
• Lick your plate. Saves trying to find dessert and the dreaded task of pre-rinsing your dishes.
• Don't cook as often. Eating raw foods saves energy and is more nutritious.
  
• When you do cook, cook in bulk and then eat the rest throughout the week. Makes eating home-cooked meals much more appetizing after a long day at work. Oh, it also saves energy and packaging.
  
• Hate grocery shopping? Go less often, combine your trips and buy in bulk. Saves packaging, gas and the wear-and-tear on your car.
  
• Shop online. The energy used by big-box stores greatly outweighs the energy used to truck an item to your doorstep.
  
• Take fewer showers. Saves water.
• If possible, don't go to work. Telecommuting is greener than making the dreaded commute. And then you can avoid showering as well! (See above.)
• Wait for a full load to run your dishwasher, washer, dryer, etc.
  
• Keep your washer on the cold water setting. It saves energy and saves you the boring task of sorting your clothes.

Cheers to my day of being a couch potato.

Drafting for the Draft

Imagine if Uncle Sam were worried about energy efficiency instead of shipping Americans overseas. We'd be much warmer, that's for sure!

Here are some tips for energy efficiency that only take a few minutes and a few dollars:

• Outlet Sealers: They're like little blankets for your wall outlets that prevent drafts and heat loss. These can be found out Lowe's for as little as $2 for 6.
• Outlet Safety Covers: Along the same lines as the outlet sealers, these will prevent cold air from invading your house. I have placed them on the outlets adjacent to outside walls that I only use when vacuuming. You can get a ton for under $6 at places like Target and Meijer, though you might have to look in the baby section.
• Replace your Furnace Filter: The trickiest part about this task is finding out where your filter is! Since furnaces and heaters are enclosed, you have to find the metal panel that's protecting your filter. It may seem like you're trying to find the secret lever for a trap door, but if you unscrew some things, pull and push on some things, sooner or later you'll find your treasure. Then you can find out the size of your filter and go shopping. Filters can be found at Lowes, Target, Meijer, etc. Try getting one that lasts three months instead of 30 days to avoid more trash in the landfill.
• Air Deflectors or Vent Covers: These help to distribute heat or cool air throughout your house, instead of out the window and can be found at most hardware stores. You can usually get ones for under $3, though good luck keeping your cats from moving them out of the way so they can sleep on the heat register!

So avoid the draft and join the fight for warmth!