Archive | December, 2008

New Year’s Wishes

by on 31. Dec, 2008 in other

A propos the following verse from Tennyson’s wonderful poem, In Memoriam, [Ring out, wild bells] – Ring out the old, ring in the new,Ring, happy bells, across the snow:The year is going, let him go;Ring out the false, ring in the true I am reminded of the ubiquitous — and fake — green sales pitch [...]

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Recycling Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

by on 30. Dec, 2008 in chemicals, environment, health, lighting, recycling

One objection to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) that people often raise is the problem of disposing of them safely due to the mercury they contain. Mercury is a toxin that is particularly dangerous to the developing brains of children (and babies in utero) and is suspected of posing a heart risk to adults. The amount [...]

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Local Foods, Even in December

by on 14. Dec, 2008 in food

Humans have been importing foods from far-off places throughout recorded history, so we’re not likely to stop now. But perhaps we could strike a better balance, as of old, choosing local foods when available, and thinking of imports more as supplements for what we can’t get at home. My December This Green Life addresses this [...]

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Vegetable Broth Recipe

by on 14. Dec, 2008 in food

In moving to a more plant-based diet, I have found vegetable broth (or vegetable stock as some call it) to be indispensable. It is much quicker to prepare than its meat-based cousins, so much so that I make it one or two times a week. I even use vegetable broth in meat dishes if I [...]

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A Different Approach to Holiday Giving

by on 05. Dec, 2008 in holidays, shopping

In our family we celebrate Hanukkah with very little gift-giving except to the kids. We’ve even cut way back on their gifts in recent years — to things they’ll love but can also really use. Gift-giving at Hanukkah parties is more difficult to control. At our annual celebration with my brother’s family, we have tried [...]

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