Eating on the Go

I've been trying to eliminate a lot of the disposable items that come with eating out at restaurants like Chipotle and Panera Bread.

So now I keep a spoon/knife/fork and a collapsible cup in my purse for camping or for eating out on the go.

Light My Fire Spork



Flatterware Collapsible Cup




(Yes, the collapsible cup looks a little bit like a large condom when it's unfolded, but it has come in quite handy, I swear! And you can hide it behind your large french fry if you're feeling embarrassed.)

Goldilocks and the Three Lotions

There once was a girl with blond hair who had very dry skin. She bought a lotion to help, but it was so thick she could barely get it out of the bottle and its fragrance was quite potent.

Burt's Bees Milk & Honey Body Lotion, $10 for 8oz bottle

Then she bought another lotion, and though it smelled good and was quite affordable, it left her skin feeling dry and a bit sticky.

365 Everyday Value Body Lotion, approximately $10 for 32 oz

She was about to give up, but then she found a lotion that had no fragrance, was easy to pump out of the bottle and left her skin feeling soft and smooth.

Kiss My Face Olive/Aloe Fragrance Free Moisturizer, $11.95 for 16 oz

She lived happily ever after.

Number 1 or Number 2?

That is the question that the dual flush toilet asks.

Though I've read a lot about these, I finally got to see what its all about at our hotel in Paris, Hotel Marignan. (Their website cracks me up. Seriously, take a peak.)



Even though the instructions were in French, it was pretty easy to figure out. Big water drop means big flush. Little water drop means little flush. Yes, it's that easy!



The water-efficient toilet wasn't the only green fixture in Hotel Marignan, however. Their complimentary laundry services consisted of a front-loading washing machine that was never allowed to run half full. So, my socks and underwear got to mingle with what seemed like a whole lot of hotel towels. Don't worry, they got along very well!

And if you're taking notes for future visits, they also had recycling bins you could use that were stored next to the communal kitchen.

What's Greener Than a Leprechaun?

My next few posts will be inspired by a little intercontinental travel. Dublin was our first stop on the 2009 European tour and, come to find out, it's not just green because of the grass!



This was our only stop where we stayed in a hostel, Avalon House, which definitely had its perks and its drawbacks. Though I try to lead a minimalistic life, I was not super excited about the lack of free towels or the short showers. However, this was the most eco-friendly accommodation I've encountered, especially considering the low cost.



Here are some of the ways that Avalon House is pitching in for the greater good:

• You can take the 16A bus line directly from the airport to the hostel's front door, making public transportation extremely convenient, and saving guests from the temptation to waste gas on a taxi. (For an funny tutorial on how to do just that, check out their YouTube video.)
• They're using solar-powered water heaters.
• They are at least partially powered by wind energy.
  
• They offer full recycling facilities (though they didn't have separate bins in the rooms for recyclables.)
• Their staff did things like use the tubs from the raspberry jam they serve with their continental breakfast as wash basins for the dining room. Score one for reuse!
  
• Water-saving efforts in the communal bathrooms included showers that require you to push a button every 30 seconds or so to keep the water flowing. Definitely an incentive to get in and get out as quickly as possible!
• They offer bicycle storage and bike rentals.
• They have a book swap. Leave a book, take a book!
• They offer a full-service kitchen where guests can cook their own meals. (We didn't take advantage of this perk, however, because Dublin has some amazing food. Check out the reviews of the Lemon Crepe & Coffee Co if you want proof.)

So, if you ever find yourself in Dublin, check out Avalon House. Or ask the hotel you're staying at to skip the fresh linens for a day. Keep Dublin green for a little while longer, heh?

P.S. Images courtesy of my amazing friend, Astrid!

Faux-Chicken Noodle Soup

For the week of rain and dreary days in Central Ohio....












olive oil
onion
green pepper
hot pepper
egg noodles
edamame
celery
radishes
fake beef boullion
bay leaf
oregano
salt
pepper

Saute the onion, green pepper and hot pepper in a pan for a few minutes while boiling the egg noodles. Drain the egg noodles and add all of the ingredients into to a big pot with enough water to make it soupy. Boil until radishes are soft. Turn off burner and let soup simmer, covered, until burner goes cold.

Eat and be comforted.

Zucchini-Stuffed Tomatoes

Another CSA-inspired recipe based on the fact that I needed to get rid of some tomatoes and zucchini, stat. This recipe is definitely zucchini-hater friendly, but definitely not tomato-hater friendly!



Jalapeno Pepper*
Onion*
Tomatoes*
Zucchini*
Basil*
Edamame*
Parmesan Cheese
Salt & Pepper
Mozzarella Cheese
Croutons

Saute onion. Grate zucchini and squeeze out extra water. Slice tomatoes in half and scoop out innards. Mix tomato innards with basil, edamame, jalapeno pepper, Parmesan cheese & salt and pepper (to taste). Spoon into tomato shells. Top with mozzarella cheese and bake in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with crumbled croutons. Eat. Enjoy.

*Ingredients received through CSA.

American Idle

Are you exhausted by car exhaust? Try not to let your car sit idle for more than 10 to 20 seconds, as it lowers emissions and gas efficiency. Though it may seem obvious, idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Even in winter, you should only let your car sit idle for about 30 seconds to warm it up.

So next time you're sitting in standstill traffic on the highway or waiting for your passenger to run into the store for munchies, simply turn off your engine.



The Westerville City Schools, the Ohio Department of Transportation and other public or government agencies have recently teamed with the Ohio Green Fleet initiative to implement anti-idling policies and emission reductions, saving precious taxpayer money.

I Vant to Suck Your Blood

Dracula might "mwahahaha" me for saying this, but the only thing that finally convinced me to try giving blood again was the "green factor." Giving of your own renewable resource is eco-friendly and just plain nice.



I did this on a whim when the Bloodmobile showed up at work, so my lack of drinking fluids and stocking up on protein and iron made me quite dizzy, and a little bit "off" for the rest of the day. Next time, I will be more prepared!

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.

Spread the Word

Whether it's biking to work, buying a composter, installing a digital thermostat or volunteering for ComFest, I would never have done these things if others hadn't taken the time to enlighten me.

Help take the guesswork out of eco-friendly adventures and spread the green gospel. For every "you're crazy" look you get, you'll also find someone who is genuinely interested and happy to commiserate.

So at your next dinner party or family reunion, tell about the time you pulled twenty hairbands covered in cat fur out from under your fridge while cleaning the coils for energy efficiency. Don't assume that no one cares; you'd be surprised by who will stop to listen!