Archive | March, 2009
Best CFLs

Best CFLs

by on 27. Mar, 2009 in lighting

Some people have commented that they’ve had bad experiences with compact fluorescents. Others have written in to say they’ve had terrific luck with them. I’m not surprised. Like most consumer products, CFLs vary in quality…a lot. There are differences in the color of their light, brightness and the amount of time they actually last (as [...]

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How to Screw in a CFL Bulb Safely

by on 25. Mar, 2009 in lighting

Reposting a very useful comment from Paul Ronco from Fredericksburg VA: [T]he correct way to screw in, as well as remove, a CFL is by grasping it on the white plastic base with your fingertips and carefully twisting. This is why CFLs have extended white plastic bases that go beyond the actual metallic connector, whereas [...]

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Compact Fluorescents and Mercury

by on 24. Mar, 2009 in chemicals, health, lighting

This much is true — compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) contain mercury and mercury is toxic. Also true — the mercury is sealed in, so you won’t be exposed unless a bulb breaks AND you don’t follow a few simple clean-up steps (below). This, too, is true — many of America’s favorite food fish are contaminated [...]

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12 Most Important Foods to Buy Organic (2009)

12 Most Important Foods to Buy Organic (2009)

by on 11. Mar, 2009 in chemicals, food, health, shopping

If you can’t afford to get all your food organic (how many people can?), you will be interested in the latest edition of the “Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides” from the Environmental Working Group, which lists the fruits and vegetables with the highest and lowest pesticide loads. EWG says its research shows that “people who eat [...]

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Local Foods in March: Jerusalem artichokes and fava greens

Local Foods in March: Jerusalem artichokes and fava greens

by on 08. Mar, 2009 in food

The big greenmarket at Union Square in Manhattan was jammed yesterday due to the pseudo spring weather. I went there hoping for a taste of the real thing, and while disappointed in that regard — most of the produce still came from winter storage — I got the usual lift from buying, and later cooking, [...]

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