Sleep easier and greener...

Green living tips from Better World Betty
Sleep smarter

Given that we spend approximately one-third of our lifetimes sleeping, it’s important to consider exactly what you’re sleeping on. This month Betty helps you green your sleeping quarters, knowing you will rest a lot better after taking care of the planetary as well as the personal needs.

Historically, mattresses have been a major offense to the eco-world, with added toxins like formaldehyde, various flame-retardant chemicals, and petroleum-based polyurethane foam contained in most conventional mattresses. A mattress is an important purchase in the big scheme of things (even eco-varieties contain various natural products from all over), so it’s important to make a choice that helps you sleep at night!

Locally owned Artful Lodger sells various green lines of mattresses as well as an all-organic mattresses. Natura brand’s “Tranquil,” made in North Carolina from latex rubber trees, bamboo, cotton, and bio-soy foam (prices start at $1,300), is popular.

A local company, The Savvy Sleeper, sells its own line of Savvy Rest natural mattresses using natural latex and organic wool. No off-gassing chemicals, no pesticide residues, and no flame retardants, thank you. If the cost is holding you back, inquire about green lines from the big names.

As for pillows, organic cotton, wool or latex varieties work well. Sheets are now widely available in organic cotton or bamboo—but keep in mind most bamboo products will be coming from China, which increases the embedded energy of the product.
Last, but not least, grace your nightstand with a copy of Conscious Style Home by Danny Seo.

Voila: a brighter, green bedroom!
In-joy,
Better World Betty

Betty, Bruce and Brad talk greener transport options

Concerned Cvillians:

[This blog comes in part from the Bruce and Betty show on transportation, helpful local green info/interview on 1061 the Corner, airing on Friday morning, October 9 at 9am]

The EPA tells us that transportation accounted for approximately 29 percent of total U.S. GHG emissions in 2006. And it's the fastest-growing source of U.S. GHGs, accounting for 47 percent of the net increase in total U.S. emissions since 1990. Transportation is also the largest end-use source of CO2, which is the most prevalent greenhouse gas. We MUST, MUST, we MUST reduce our DRIVING... First, figure out your transport footprint HERE

Now let's talk HOW to increase efficiency, reduce your driving and thereby save money and precious dinosaur blood AND help keep our air clean!

1- Choose an alternative mode of driving once a week:
*Go car free and walk
*Carpool
*Take public transportation
*Bike
*Take the Go-Green taxi service to the airport
*Take the rickshaw! (Check out Betty's directory under T for transport)

2-Buy Smart - check out the cool green vehicle guide at the EPA's website

3-Drive Smart by following these fuel efficient tips:

*Consolidate trips
*Avoid quick starts and stops
*The speed limit is not just there for safety, it's recommended based on Fuel Efficiency
*Get rid of excess weight in your car (I'm not talking about going on a diet here - make sure you get the trunk off the roof in a timely fashion and removed what you don't need from the trunk)
*Don't idle for more than 60 seconds. Turn off your engine.
*I recommend keeping a driving log and see if you can reduce your weekly miles traveled
*Ask you

4-Maintain your car by...
*keeping your tire pressure at the correct psi for the season (check the inside of the driver's side door)
*keep the manufacturer's recommended grade oil in your car and replaced regularly

5-Check into using renewable fuels

*There are two local alternative fuel stations in Charlottesville - for E85 and biodiesel.

Most of these tips can be found at this very helpful site: fueleconomy.gov

Every contribution you make in the way of effiencing and reducing driving makes a difference!

Thanks,
BWB

Greenwashing we can get behind

Betty's September column appears below and in Abode online!

An inherited and ultra-inefficient clothes washer nearing its death was the inspiration for this month’s topic: tips for a green laundry room makeover! At 400 loads of laundry a year per family (more for us messy outdoor-types, like my two favorite sons), conservation is Betty’s call to action.


When purchasing:
The good news is new washer technology can yield up to 40 percent energy savings. Start shopping by checking out the Energy Star website (energstar.gov) and look for labels with higher MEF (Modified Energy Factor), which means higher efficiency, and low WF (Water Factor). Front loaders initially cost more, but clearly win in terms of water and energy efficiency. Conventional clothes washers use about 40 gallons of water for a complete cycle; large capacity, resource-efficient models use less than 25 gallons; smaller models use less than 10. Pick one with plenty of water level options and faster spin speed.
Dryers unfortunately don’t have Energy Star labels, but a moisture sensor is the important feature here. Take your old washers and dryers to Cycle Systems (formerly Coiners) for recycling.


When using:
You’ve heard the basics: full loads, cold water (remember: a hot water wash with warm rinse costs 5 to 10 times more than a cold wash and rinse), and biodegradable detergent. Clear your dryer lint filter after each cycle and avoid non-biodegradable fabric softeners (I use Nellie’s Dryer Balls). Drying several loads in a row will take advantage of residual heat. Of course line-drying is uber-green.
An easy tip we shouldn’t forget: Wearing clothes more than once before washing extends their longevity. Check the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s site, acee.org, for more information.

On the second day of Christmas...a Bettier way to send gifts

Welcome to the second installment of Betty's green holiday ideas! Today Betty brings you ideas for greener packing for those of you who will be sending gifts this holiday season. Sure it's what's inside that counts, but don't forget to eco-fy the outside.

Reuse

*Save the boxes and polystyrene packing peanuts or foam wrapping or "plastic pillows" you may already have lying around the house or patronize one of the local mailing businesses that use recycled peanuts (see Betty's directory).

Eco-friendly Materials:

*Staples does have reusable natural starch-based foam peanuts ($43.00 for a 7 cubic foot bag). They are water soluable (dissolve in water or compost after use)

*The Container Store's Padding Paper is recycled and recyclable ($15 for 30 sheets)

*Use good-old-fashioned wadded up newspaper

Recycling Tips:

*What to do with more polystyrene peanuts that any Better World Betty could handle? Call the Plastic Loose Fill Council Peanut Hotline at 1-800-828-2214 (hey, you know you want a job there!) to find businesses that will gladly take them for you.

*Flatten your corrugated cardboard and recycle it.

*Phone your favorite local business to find out if they could use packaging items for reuse.

*And remember, when Betty cannot answer your LOCAL SOLUTION to recycling, call www.earth911.com to find a recycling center.

Hope that helps!
BWB

Betty's version of Cyber Monday

Imagine my surprise this morning when I walked into Cville Coffee to catch up on work, when the smiling face of a CBS reporter asked me if I was going to participate in Cyber Monday. It was the first I had heard of it (I promise I don't live under a rock), but I quickly surmised that it was the online equivalent of Black Friday.

Oddly enough, item number five on my agenda: Write a blog about local vs online shopping.

"I think I'm the last person you want to talk to about this - I took a no-new-purchases pledge, so I won't be participating." Her ears perked up, "Well, I definitely want to talk to you!" So the bright lights of a news camera were shinning on me before I could even say "Better World Betty."

Online shopping may be convenient, as you avoid crowded malls and parking lots, but, my green friends, online shopping is not the Bettiest thing to do.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not eschewing the internet entirely. After all, Betty and the rest of the internet is a marvelous, modern-day, one-click resource connection to green living. It is the number one way I align my values with my lifestyle. Whether I'm looking up the latest environmental policies or searching for a green product alternative or looking up the environmental track record of certain brands, the internet is invaluable in my quest to be mindful.

So here are my suggestions/tips for on and off-line shopping this season:

*According the Organic Consumer's Association: Buying in-store is better because bulk shipping cuts down on fuel costs and emissions.

*Keeping your money here, rather than pay-palling it to a faraway place, allows your money to STAY in your community and feed the local economy.

*Mark Lorenzoni, local business owner of Ragged Moutain Running Shop, told me that is one of his pet peeves: people shopping on line in their living room instead of maintaining a personal relationship with their local vendors and supporting the people and businesses in their community.

*However, if your eco-friendly products (ex the snow boots my mom just purchased for my birthday) are not available in stores, I would recommend going online. But, next time you are in the local shoe store or retailer, mention that you would like to see more green products.

*If you want the convenience of online shopping, while shopping local, try www.retailrelay.com. Here you can online shop at numerous local stores in the morning, click and pay, and pick it up on your way home from work (they have a downtown location and a pantops location), saving on gas and emissions!

*Also keep it close to home by searching products at www.locallecctual.com

*Search for local artists who have home-made wares (clothing, jewelry, art, gifts) in virtual shops at www.etsy.com. This is one of my absolute favorite solutions for mindful gift-giving. You can even search by recycled materials.

Keep it local, keep it green with Betty's help!
BWB

Turning the tide on the e-waste tsunami!

Did you know that estimated 2.2 million tons of computer, televisions, and other electronic equipment are discarded into US landfills each year? The upcoming conversion of analog to digital will likely add to this e-waste tsunami. To avoid mercury, lead, and other known carcinogens contaminating our local ground water supply follow these easy e-tips from Better World Betty:

For businesses, Computer Recycling of Virginia will pick up all electronics for a fuel fee. After refurbishing, they donate equipment to schools and non-profits throughout Virginia, or sell them in their self-sustaining store in Harrisonburg. Icing on the cake: a no-landfill guarantee (check www.recycle4va.com or call 540-564-1990)

*Computers for Kids (www.computersforkids.net or call 817-1121), a local non-profit dedicated to mentoring disadvantaged kids, gladly accepts a variety of computer equipment (sorry no TVs) including laptops, desktops, and monitors. Note: both offer to properly wipe out your hard drive.

*AmVets will pick up TVs and other functioning electronics, transport, and sell to Richmond’s Fantastic Thrift store, then donate the money to Vietnam Veterans (call 1-800- 448-9870).

*Both Goodwill stores accept computers (no TVs).

If all else fails, Crutchfield will recycle for a nominal fee; however, after transporting, dismantling, recycling, and refurbishing, “some” parts may end up in a New Jersey landfill.

Two more computer recycling options: Staples will e-cycle for a $10 fee and at Office Depot you purchase the e-cycle box (sizes and prices from $5-$15) and they’ll do the rest.

Now those old electronics can stop collecting dust in your valuable storage space!

BWB

{Many companies have begun to offer free take-back programs, unfortunately Betty’s sleuthing found that none of the local big box companies participate.}

A Greener Halloween

How to Green your Halloween?

* Raid your closet and local consignment shops instead of heading to the nearest store for the cheap and easy one-use costume. My son's Frankenstein suit coast set us back 5 dollars with a little hemming by yours truly and my Mary Poppins outfit is coming together splendidly with the help of Ike's Underground on the downtown mall and the local Goodwill Thrift Store. After spending a mere $20.00, I'm feeling supercalifragalisticexpealidocious this year!

* Check the "skin deep" safety guide put out by the environmental working group at

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/index.php?nothanks=1.

* Avoid the vinyl teeth and masks that are made overseas and are neither recyclable nor healthy for you and your kids.

* Check out the organic lollipops at Whole Foods or be radical by giving away apples and preserve toothbrushes (Hey, at least your fellow parents from the 'hood will appreciate the gesture!)

* Take your UNICEF trick or treat donation boxes. $44 dollars provides school supplies to 20 kids. $200 dollars immunizes 550 kids against measles. Learn more at unicefusa.org/trickortreat


* Make a pumpkin pie FROM SCRATCH. You heard me! Follow the recipe below from my latest favorite cookbook: Simply in Season p. Hands-on time: 5 minutes
Time to table: 60 - 90 minutes

1 sugar pie pumpkin (or any pumpkin OTHER than one for Halloween jack o' lanterns)

Set oven to 400F. Wash pumpkin well. Rub skin lightly with olive oil. Just in case, put a baking sheet on the lower rack below the pumpkin to catch any juice that might squeeze out, then put the pumpkin directly on the rack above - no need to wait for the oven to preheat. Roast for 60 - 90 minutes. The actual time will vary based on the oven's actual temperature, the moistness of the pumpkin, the variety of pumpkin. But it's done when a knife slips into the flesh like butter. Let it cool a bit before slicing open - and even then, be careful when slicing open for the steam will rush out and could definitely burn. Then beat together the following and pour into your homemade 9" pie shell and bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes.

Pumpkin Pecan Pie
*1 cup pumpkin (pureed)
*3/4 cup light corn syrup
*1 cup chopped pecans
*3 eggs beaten
*1/3 cup brown sugar
*1/4 cup butter
*1 tsp vanilla
*1/2 t salt

* Kitchen Centerpiece: Draw ghost faces (two eyes and a mouth in the shape of a letter "O") onto three Butternut Squashes of varying sizes.

Enjoy your Green Halloween!

Are you getting crankie about catalogs? Here's how to say no to all that junk mail

The "green recipe" that people continue to request from Betty is "How can I stop my junkmail?" BWB has made it very easy, by clicking on the link below: www.betterworldbetty.com/nojunkmail.htm
but I've also reprinted below this comprehensive list straight from the Federal Trade Commission's website (www.ftc.gov) of stopping the relentless retail that happens via mail and phone. I love this list on how to "Just Say No" to junk mail and junk solitications by phone.

As a side note: Betty is full of grace and tact when it comes to politely declining plastic bags or junk mail or (just recently) a "free Disney DVD" from Circuit City, but it is not always easy as she battles with Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn direct mail marketing: after FIVE REQUESTS over the past TWO YEARS, I am still receiving the catalog.

So Betty's research unearthed this call line: 1-877-FTC-HELP to report egregious abuses of marketing companies who ignore your requests to JUST SAY NO. Hope it helps!

BWB


FTC Consumer Alert
Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection Division of Consumer & Business Education
Unsolicited Mail, Telemarketing and Email: Where to Go to “Just Say No”
Tired of having your mailbox crammed with unsolicited mail, including pre-approved credit card applications? Fed up with getting telemarketing calls just as you’re sitting down to dinner? Fuming that your email inbox is chock-full of unsolicited advertising? The good news is that you can cut down on the number of unsolicited mailings, calls, and emails you receive by learning where to go to “just say no.”
Credit Bureaus
The credit bureaus offer a toll-free number that enables you to “opt-out” of having pre-approved credit offers sent to you for five years. Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (567-8688) or visit
www.optoutprescreen.com for more information. When you call, you’ll be asked for personal information, including your home telephone number, your name, and your Social Security number. The information you provide is confidential and will be used only to process your request to opt out of receiving pre-screened offers of credit.
In addition, you can notify the three major credit bureaus that you do not want personal information about you shared for promotional purposes — an important step toward eliminating unsolicited mail. Write your own letter or use the sample letter on the last page of this Alert to limit the amount of information the credit bureaus will share about you. Send your letter to each of the three major credit bureaus:
Experian
901 West Bond
Lincoln, NE 68521
Attn: Consumer Services Department
TransUnion
Name Removal Option
P.O. Box 505
Woodlyn, PA 19094
Equifax, Inc.
Options
P.O. Box 740123
Atlanta, GA 30374-0123
Direct Marketers
Telemarketing
The federal government has created the National Do Not Call Registry — a free, easy way to reduce the telemarketing calls you get at home. To register your phone number or to get information about the registry, visit www.donotcall.gov, or call 1‑888‑382‑1222 from the phone number you want to register. You will get fewer telemarketing calls within 31 days of registering your number. Telephone numbers on the registry will only be removed when they are disconnected and reassigned, or when you choose to remove a number from the registry.
Mail
The Direct Marketing Association’s (DMA) Mail Preference Service lets you opt out of receiving unsolicited commercial mail from many national companies for five years. When you register with this service (for a $1 fee), your name will be put on a “delete” file and made available to direct-mail marketers. However, your registration will not stop mailings from organizations that do not use the DMA’s Mail Preference Service. To register with DMA’s Mail Preference Service, go to
www.dmachoice.org.
Email
The DMA also has an Email Preference Service to help you reduce unsolicited commercial emails. To opt out of receiving unsolicited commercial email from DMA members, visit
www.dmachoice.org/EMPS. Your online request will be effective for five years.
Department of Motor Vehicles
The Drivers Privacy Protection Act allows states to distribute personal information only to law enforcement officials, courts, government agencies, private investigators, insurance underwriters, and similar businesses — but not for direct marketing and other uses.
If You Have a Complaint
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1‑877‑FTC‑HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Sample Opt-Out Letter (Send to addresses on first page of this Alert.)
Date
To whom it may concern:
I request to have my name removed from your marketing lists. Here is the information you have asked me to include in my request:
FIRST, MIDDLE & LAST NAME
(List all name variations, including Jr., Sr., etc.)
______________________________
CURRENT MAILING ADDRESS
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
PREVIOUS MAILING ADDRESS
(Fill in your previous mailing address if you have moved in the last 6 months.)
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
______________________________
DATE OF BIRTH
______________________________
Thank you for your prompt handling of my request.
______________________________
Signature
July 2008

Betty's October column in Abode: Reduce your driving!

Enjoy this column here at Betty's blog or read it in this month's Abode: www.c-ville.com

Charlottesvillians everywhere are finding ways to downshift their driving. To skip a trip, choose a ride you take on a weekly basis and get creative.

To maintain your level of awareness, keep a fuel log.

Then trade your four wheels for two and bike or walk.

Not viable? Jeff Greer, Senior Systems Engineer at LexisNexis, saves up to 35 miles a week using the Charlottesville Transit System bus or free trolley.

Our local rideshare program (www.rideshareinfo.org) makes carpooling easy. Commit to once a week and the “guaranteed ride” program ensures you won’t be left stranded. And parents: check to see if your school is registered with the schoolpool which matches drivers for you.

Have you heard of hypermiling to maximize fuel efficiency? Consider making small adjustments in your driving techniques for a week: shifting into neutral when reaching top speed, staying within speed limits, eliminating quick starts, and turning off the engine when idling for more than a minute and see the positive results.

Talk to your boss about the possibility of four-day work week or working from home. Select departments at UVA and Charlottesville City have promoted this fuel-saving change.

Marleigh Baratz, a county resident, began a “call before you go” system on her block. Before going to the store, she phones neighbors to see if they need a couple items (to be reimbursed), helping others to avoid unnecessary trips. Better yet, take advantage of retail relay (www.retailrelay.com): a newly launched online service, where you click, pay, and make one trip to pick up your local goods.

Eliminating one weekly ten-mile trip will save you over 2,000 miles a year and up to $550 in gas.

Ruby takes her first ride in a long time!

I finally got on my bike (Ruby) today!

My bike and I, we have taken an extended hiatus from each other since my college years in Salt Lake City, where we would head to the foothills or mountains or southern Utah (you may have heard of Moab) any chance we could get.

Being in a period of expansion, having two kids and pets, has derailed my bike adventures for the most part with exception of riding the neighborhood or renting bikes on vacations. But Betty continues to inspire change in me (and I hope you as well), as I utter a Betty mantra: "Are you doing something better today than you did yesterday?" Step by step.

Just like most things in life, starting is half (if not more) of the battle.

After telling myself I "should" get on my bike, then the pep talk from Howell, and the adornment ceremony, using various bumper stickers (Trees on Fire, Burn Gas AND Calories, and Better World Betty) and the purchase of the perfect dinger (which can warn other riders, pedestrian, and cars that Betty is on the loose), not to mention the shift in clothing mindset (I mustered a pair of my mom's old running tights and a bright colored t-shirt), I was ready.

So last week I show up and in my rush to drop my preschooler off on time, I've forgotten my helmet and realize my bike seat is at home on my front lawn and the ACCT map of Cville is in the kitchen! Back to the drawing board. (The return movement is important too. Don't give up - stay engaged)

Today the stars aligned (and my mindfulness arrived), though, and I found a beautiful bike path from my son's preschool to my work station - the downtown mall. I find I mostly travel to the same local shops in close proximity to each other: Preston Ave Shops, Cville Coffee, ACAC, and the downtown mall, all bikeable. I'm lucky. The real question for today was could I stay off the 250 bypass (ever increasing traffic of free bridge) and the wonderful answer is yes! The even better part of that answer is that the path includes beautiful views of the rivanna and centuries old birch and oak trees as well as wildflowers. Though the path is circuitous and thus will take longer (like the green-living path in general), it will be well worth it. Especially as the leaves start to change: one of my favorite times in Virginia.

Howell said the next time I should take you all with me on the ride - strap a web-cam to Ruby's handlebars! Hmmm. That could be interesting.

BWB


From me (a novice) to you:

*What to wear: Safety first, be seen! (Sorry eco-fashionistas!) I picked out the brightest piece of clothing I could find (which didn't exactly work - it's a tank top the bright happy yellow of Sweden's flag). Also my usual attire was posing a slight problem: I noticed this morning I don't have anything that isn't too tight to ride a bike in or jeans with too flappy bottoms (turns out Howell was ready with his rubber bands, I mean special techno-geek pant-leg ties)

*Planning: It's important to consider your commuter path. Howell suggested to drive that path first with new eyes. Considering the visibility and accessibility on a bike. Note: ACCT (Alliance for Community Choice in Transportation) has a bike mentor program ready and waiting to help you.

*Trial run: It's important to get out there and try it, preferrably with a biking buddy. See what routes work, what routes don't depending on what your needs are. Find the safest routes. Time your trip to see how commuter biking can fit into your schedule.

*Have fun: the more fun we have doing something, the more likely we will continue to do it.

*Most important: stay alert and defensive and present while biking!

Americans are driving less, are you?

The Federal Highway Admininstration reports that Americans drove 42 billion fewer miles during the first six months of this year compared with the same period last year. I can't help but believe that people are making good on their New Year's resolve to "go green" employing a variety of ways to do that, including lowering their driving. Of course higher gas prices have been an added impetus. Excellent.

The average American takes TEN car trips to and from their home. And I know it can be tough - if you have a pet at home who needs walking, if you have appointments after the kids come home on the bus, if you have kids who need to go to a sport or instrument practice.

So here are some tips for reducing your driving this fall:

*A FRIEND IN NEED: Call you neighbor before leaving the house and see if he/she needs one or two items from the store; ask he/she to do the same for you

*LOG IT TO LESSEN IT: Keep track of your weekly miles in a notebook or in your calendar you carry around. From there, challenge yourself to figure out ways to reduce the miles.

*SKIP A TRIP: Make a committment to car pool to one practice a week this fall. New American Dream tell us that "Taking alternative means of transport for a weekly 20-mile trip represents less than a 10 percent decrease in the average American's driving but can reduce your weekly carbon dioxide emissions by more than 18 pounds."

*FOOTLOOSE AND CARFREE: Work or play at home for a day. Some of the best times I've had with my two boys is when we've stayed at home for a day and been crafty and creative, finding things in our own home and in our backyard.

*HIT TO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE: Metaphorically speaking, of course! Consolidate your trips, but most of you do that already. :-)

*FAMILY FUN: Walk or bike to your nearest park this weekend.

*DIFFERENT IS GOOD: Choose a trip you take on a weekly basis and experiment with getting there using alternative transportation: the bus, bike, walk, rollerblade, skateboard. Check Betty's friends over at www.transportationchoice.org: Cville's best alternative transportation advocates.

When you do:New American Dream tell us that "Taking alternative means of transport for a weekly 20-mile trip represents less than a 10 percent decrease in the average American's driving but can reduce your weekly carbon dioxide emissions by more than 18 pounds."

*CARPOOLING IS COOL: Join a carpool or schoolpool or start your own. see www.rideshareinfo.org for all the local info!

When you do:If you are signed up in any type of pool at least two days a week, you are eligible to register for a "guaranteed ride:" if you suddenly need a ride, the people at rideshare are happy to help. Either via free taxi service(within a certain distance) or even a short-term rental car option!

This year my preschooler is starting his five-day program, so I am organizing a "school-pool" with parents on my side of town. My son's school is not currently listed on the site, but Baker-Butler Elementary School, both Covenant schools, Greenbrier Elementary and others are listed as participating. Again, check it out Albemarle and Cville area commuters, parents, riders: rideshareinfo.org

And certainly you won't forget your manners with this great link to carpool etiquette: http://www.carpool.ca/carpool_etiquette.asp

Keep up the good work, everyone!
BWB

Note: See my previous post No More Excuses, Commuters: http://www.blogger.com/posts.g?blogID=6525812320590591047&searchType=ALL&page=2

Two Green Eats...

The long range plan (can't say when because it depends on the other green - money) is for Betty to include a dining guide, but in the meantime I have to give a shout out to two local eateries: Sublime and Brix.

I stopped by Brix, a favorite cafe of mine, yesterday while the kids where at TaeKwonDo. Karen Laetare has been quietly green-conscious since opening her Marketplace on Route 53 eight years ago. When I spoke to her last summer she was continuing to research the lowest-impact containers for her new restaurant at Pantops. I wasn't able to chat with her yesterday about how much local foods she incorporates in her delicious recipes, but I do know she is ever-conscious of how to reduce waste in the running of her business. She provides mugs and napkins and a recycling option in the cafe (no disposable plasticware for in-house diners, which I love) and the take-home options are all eco-friendly. Compostable coffee cups and paper boxes (no Styrofoam here - not even for the soups).

I also ran into Geoff Robinson, part owner of Sublime All-Natural food and juice bar, on the Corner. Walking into their store is lesson in conscious eating. What impresses me most about this green eat is their complete mindfulness and consideration at every step of the way: delivering food from the Earth to you. They offer local cheese and local fruits from Henley's Orchard. If you haven't tried one of their delicious smoothies in a compostable cup, you have been missing out!

Geoff and I were chatting about the challenges of owning a total green eat (unfortunately they took a hit this Summer with the students gone). Their menu items may be higher cost but they are higher (more natural, more nutritional, more sustainable) quality and higher purpose.

When I saw Geoff he was picking, choosing, debating the best bread options for his customers. The inside scoop: this fall they are adding sandwiches to their ever-growing menu. (You heard it here first!) He was excited because he had just found a supplier of grass-fed beef from Crozet. I plan to interview him this fall to get more of the details of all the better world efforts of this local business.

In the meantime, find time to patronize one of these local green eats in the coming week. And be sure to tell them Betty sent you!

In-joy,
BWB

In our backyard and across the nation: change for the better is happening!

This is such an exciting time. Thursday I had the chance to connect with three people: two in our own backyard and one from my old home state, Utah, which made me smile at the positive change taking place everywhere!

John Holden (owner of Blue Ridge Mountain Sports) and I were talking about traveling in the West (I have to get to those mountains or the red rocks soon!) and we hit on transportation costs.

Many of us, myself included, have been rather shocked at the price to fill the tank up in recent days.

But John and I sang praises for the huge gas prices!!

It's prompting mindfulness, forethought, re-prioritizing, and re-thinking in all of us.

Later that day, my elderly neighbor called me with a great idea. She wants to create a neighborhood store co-op, where everyone in our cul-de-sac can call one another when we are going to the store in case one of us has one or two items to add to the list for pick up, to cut down on car trips. (This will be especially helpful because she is a music teacher who loves to entertain people, but is getting rather forgetful) So the next time I head to the local grocer, I call her and see if she needs anything to be picked up. We will cap it at 5 items and throw in a dollar extra every once in a while for gas.

On a side note, another helpful idea I began in my own neighborhood last year was the lending tree. Please in your neighborhood sign up with their phone, email, address and if you find that you are in the middle of a recipe and don't have that extra egg or 1/2 cup of milk, you call people on the lending tree. Kind of like, give a penny, take a penny. That also saves on trips to the store.

I also reconnected with my friend, Lisa, in Salt Lake City who told me that her new thing is that she has told her family of five - "No more new things are coming into the house! We are making do with what we have. And if we don't have it, we will borrow it or buy it used."

I said, "Welcome to the Betty pledge!" And we chatted about how that's going. But I was so excited that she has hopped on to this new movement that goes far beyond recycling into reducing the amount of our stuff. In this vein, she told me about "the guy named Dave" - no not our Mayor, (though who knows he may be the next to take this challenge).

Dave is a guy who has vowed to whittle his life possesions down to 100 things by this November and then for one year he will life with only those 100 possessions and he is urging people to join him. It's the 100 things challenge.

Who knows, maybe after my buying pledge is over in January, Betty will take the challenge (Let's be honest I think I probably have 100 things already just in the family car - copious CDs, reusable betty bags, art supplies for the kids, requisite blanket/football and frisbee, dog leash, the list goes on...) 100 possessions? Could you do it?

Best,
BWB

Recycling with Ease, Efficiency, Effectiveness

This goes out to my lady friends Susan and Pare with whom I was chatting about the logistics of recycling the other day at ACAC. Pare is where I was two years ago with recycling: piles, piles everywhere in sight. Our garage was being overtaken! My husband threatened to throw it all out - it was driving him crazy.

And then my mother, the organized Betty Lou that she is, bought us these great stacking bins (they are plastic, but I believe the best alternative, available at organizeeverything.com). They are a total space saver and they stack beautifully clear to the ceiling if you want. And they stack nicely for us County residents who have to drive in our recycling each week. They are so easy to transport, I use them at all my son's home swim meets and at this year's MSWalk.

The best feature is the Betty sticker for decoration on the back.

The next hurdle for me was getting all the recyclables out to the garage. This sounds ridiculous but it's true. Understand I recycle everything. (regular recyclables and then I collect things that need fixing including clothes, clothes for donation, mis-matched socks, other items for donation, books for swapping with friends, wine corks for making cork boards and card holders. And the list goes on.) So I would literally be making a hundred visits to the garage per day if I didn't have a system in place.

In order to create sustainability (something that you personally can keep doing), I believe you must create ease. It really has to be easy for you. What do you have to do to make it easy?

Train your family, strategically place a basket, put recycling on your calendar. Whatever that is for you. Then the efficiency and effectiveness will fall into place.

To make it easy for us, we have a straw basket that we use to collect all recyclables on the kitchen counter and then (theoretically) at the end of the day (or two) we can it out there to sort.

Hope this helps!
BWB

Update on the no-new-purchase pledge!

2008 purchases:

1 bionicle
2 dishwasher
3 baseball glove for hubby

These three have been previously blogged about.

The next three are the only new purchases we chose to make to a one-week, badly-needed family vacation to the beach, which I was pretty pleased about (having two young boys and all).

4 casting net for catching (and of course releasing) cool creatures at the beach
5 frisbee - I debate whether this isn't truly essential to have with you everywhere you go and therefore shouldn't be on the list.
6 bucket for putting the krill and sand crabs and other cool sea creatures, looking and learning about them

Not bad, right?

But the purchase I made this week was a pretty egregious flouting of the "non-essential" pledge, at least at first glance.

I bought a bird bath! A cement bird bath from Garden Spot. Simple, yet beautiful.

The thing is I've heard the birds in my neighborhood singing, actually more like complaining, about the lack of good baths from here all the way through Crozet up to Waynesboro on their way from Richmond to DC for the weekend. What's a Betty to do? Their flapping wings say birds need bathing too!

The beagle thinks its a glorified drinking bowl for her and the kids adore the frog that is smiling on top.

That's what I call buying wisely, don'tcha think?
BWB

"Greener" lawn tips

I think most of us would agree that the American suburbanite's dream of the ultra-green lawn (surrounded by the white picket fence) is neither sustainable or environmentally friendly. On the other hand, as a family, we've always loved the playing field a lawn has provided us. We romp around our yard playing catch or frisbee; we let the dogs catch a tennis ball; or, for my son's last birthday, we had a neighborhood game of football.

That's good stuff.

Historically (this means pre-Betty), my husband and I had a lawn philosophy of all things in moderation, which included the use of fertilizers. We don't mind a few dandelions and wild violets and clover. My husband, an engineer, scientist, and overall brilliant guy explained long ago that fertilizers were just higher concentrations of what naturally occurs in soil. FACT: Plants (grass and everything else) need food to grow. They need nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and other micronutrients. You cannot always get this food from your own soil, so an organic fertilizer may be required. The problem is that most Americans overuse high-powered fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and the like.

I'm happy to say that now, more than ever, there are MANY alternatives when it comes to lawn care. I hope you find these "greener" lawn tips helpful (keeping in mind the Betty philosophy: live more consciously, buy wisely, and experience the virtues of less is more).

Eco-friendly lawn tips:

*REDUCE your lawn, if you are willing and able. Plant trees, a rainwater garden, edible landscaping, or your favorite drought-resistant and native plants!

*USE a human-powered reel lawnmower or electric lawnmower rather than gas. Using a gas lawnmower for an hour releases as many unburnt gas byproducts (PAHs) as an average 100 mile road trip! One I came across was the Earthwise 20" cordless electric lawnmower (available from www.cleanairgardening.com until I can research where to get one in Charlottesville

*Get to know your soil! A soil test kit is a great option, Environmental Compliance Manager for the County Schools, Lindsay Check, suggested. These are available from garden stores, like Landscape Supply, for around ten dollars.

*NEVER APPLY MORE FERTILIZER THAN YOU NEED. Over-fertlized lawns are more susceptible to disease and can contaminate our water and harm pets and other living things.

*Use organic fertilizer with lower concentrations and slower release time. Worry Free Lawn Food, Ringer All Natural Lawn Restore, or Espoma brand lawn food

*You can reduce your need for lawn fertilizer by up to 1/3 by leaving grass clippings on the lawn and there are many nifty cool mowers with mulchers out there.

*Keep your lawn high

*Aerate your lawn

For more info check: http://www.watoxics.org/files/grow-smart-grow-safe


Hope that helps!
BWB

Where does Betty buy her gas?

Of course the answer to that is NOWHERE. Better World Betty walks, bikes, and uses public transportation.

BUT she has plenty of friends (FOBs - Friends of Betty) all across the green spectrum: retirees with Prius'; families with kids,(with the accompanying activity transport needs), dogs; couples who live in the countryside; UVA students who travel home or elsewhere during the breaks.

So what is the most socially and environmentally responsible choice to make when it comes to gas?

Before we go there, it is important to acknowledge that this question is akin to asking yourself what poison would you like to drink? Each of these companies has significant black marks when it comes to our beloved planet: one, close to home, is when Conoco gained permission to drill in Utah's Grand Staircase/ Escalante National Monument and luckily they came up empty. Oil spills, destruction, supporting dictatorships, the list goes on.

Sierra Club reviewed the records of the 8 largest oil companies and here are the results:

BEST BARRELL:
BP (click here for locations in cville)
Sunoco (3788 N. SEMINOLE TRAIL)


NOT GREAT BARRELL:
Royal Dutch Shell
Chevron
Valero Energy Corporation
Citgo

WORST - FOBs: STEER CLEAR
ExxonMobil
ConocoPhillips

BP is one of the biggest investors in renewable energy technologies among oil companies and they have environmental/sustainability reports available. They are particularly active in the area of photovoltaic (solar) cells and BP Solar is a major cell manufacturer. (Amoco is BP owned). Before you get too excited, my FOBs, do take into account that they are among the "dirty four" (ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Phillips Petroleum) who are seeking to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Answer: let's write letters to headquarters... anyone want to join?)

Check out the whole report: Pick your poison

Another alternative, biodiesel*.

For those of you who want to align your dollars with your values in the political arena, try blueblue.org (currently undergoing an update) or opensecrets.org

Hope this helps!
BWB

*(Betty's working on a future blog article on this alternative - use patience: entire books have been written on the subject and it seems some new bit of information arrives daily)

Breaking Bread for a Better World

Thursday's event hosted by Better World Betty and Do Something Charlottesville was a huge success!

About fifty community members stopped by the Galleria Thursday to talk about change of the Better World Betty kind.

We all enjoyed local food and wine, we brainstormed ideas for new action, we raised some money for our efforts and above all we enjoyed the sense of community: joining together in our collective efforts to live a better, more sustainable life here.

Five beautiful specialty loaves from the best local bakeries and two gift cerficates and a complimentary wine tour, tasting and lunch for four were silently auctioned off.

Gerry Newman of Albemarle Baking Company outdid himself with a rustic country boule with a giant "B" shaped on the top. Thanks so much to him for the gracious donation.

I give a huge thanks to Kate Collier, owner of Feast!, an avid Betty supporter who provided a wonderful variety of local cheese for the event. (Pictures may follow - cross your technical fingers).

Jefferson Vineyards provided some excellent local wine at a discount for us as well. Thank you!

Six attendees were the lucky winners of loaves donated from the following bakeries:

Albemarle Baking Company
From Scratch Bakery
Chandlers
Bakers Palette
Breadworks
Whole Foods

Also, I want to thank 1061 the Corner for having me back in the studio to promote the site and the event. I won't quit my day job and replace Brad and Tad just yet!

One of my memorable chats was with Kai, who founded Our Space a shared community space on the downtown mall, below the Tea Bazaar. Their mission is to provide a "family friendly environment where everyone is empowered to take initiative and create their own projects" building a community that natures personal growth and happiness. When I asked him what inspired this he said that he saw a similar model in DC and thought "Why not Charlottesville?"

He took life in the palm of both hands and made it happen. I LOVE that!

I also had the pleasure to meet a UVA Grad student, Mark Parlette, who is working on a community food project to bring low-income families shares of local CSA's. He's also decided to join the Betty team by doing some campus publicity, booth work and blogging!

I also met Jon Golden, a professional photographer/ professional nomad, who is instrumental in the Charlottesville's Festival of the Photograph. I love talking to people about their passions. John and I talked about the role of art in creating social change (insider info: Betty is looking to host a juried art show this fall and currently we are considering the focus medium).

And of course it's always a pleasure when the Mayor stops in for a visit!

I thank everyone for coming out!

Peace,
BWB

Day tripper...

Looking for something to do with the kids that is new and different? Here are some of our favorite day get-aways:

WEST:
Gypsy Hill park in Staunton. My all time favorite park to spend a spring (with the little ducks) or summer (when they're running the kiddie trains) or fall day (with the gorgeous Birch and Maple and Evergreens). I love visiting the pond and then playing in the park, complete with climbing wall and standing teeter/totter. I still don't know why Charlottesville doesn't have something similar. You can even take the train over there from May to October (but I haven't heard the official word yet this year)

SOUTH:
Scottsville. I believe Scoops went out of business. But I'm pretty sure you can get a scoop of ice-cream at one of the downtown shops!

SOUTH EAST:
Maymont Park in Richmond
This is an absolutely gorgeous destination for communing with century old trees or taking an extended walk or feeding the barn animals. ("Barn days" are happening each Sunday from March 30-April 20 and "Herbs Galore" happens at the end of April).

Richmond's Children's Museum (c-mor.org
Gotta love that bigger than life-size mouth and the digestive sounds in stereo!

Richmond's Science Museum
It was too young for our kids last time we went down, but we must return now that they're older.

Richmond's Brave baseball game
I'm partial to kicking back and watching this American pasttime with the kids on a lazy Sunday (just avoid all the plastic bottles and bring your own).

NORTH:
DC Zoo.
Say what you will about some zoos in the US, but this is an amazing resource for understanding and connecting with animals and their ecosystems. Personally, I am more inspired to examine my impact as a human after I spend a few hours in the presence of the newborn elephant, the mommy giraffe, or my new favorite: the large and lazy Hippo (we nicknamed Lumbegga).

Two years ago the national zoo took a leadership role in conservation by drafting the "Conservation Biology Plan." They believe that "the impact of our science can be greatly amplified through professional training in conservation biology and through public education and outreach to inspire others to care for the world’s biological diversity."

So take a car-full of curious to the furthest metro stop, park, and ride the metro in to the Woodley/Park stop, and enjoy. A nice a la carte item: the beautifully diverse, truly American crowd of young and old, every race and religion.

DC Smithsonian museums.
It's hard to take in just one on a day trip, but they are wonderful and FREE (unlike many other similar museums around the world)

SOUTH WEST:
Lynchburg's Amazement Square.
Dine in an old train station by the river after you play for a few hours at the four level at this play place geared for kids 6 and under.

Take a day trip and report back to Betty!
BWB

Local indoor activities with the kids

The weather today belies this post, but here are some fun indoor activities to do with kids at home and around.

HOME:

Grab a bunch of picture books, chapter books, old-school encyclopedias, old Ranger Rick magazines, climb into bed and READ together!

Bake cookies. Our tradition is to bake cookies the first snow fall (which in the 'ville usually means a snow day).

Make forts! This was a favorite of mine as a child. Now after they construct and find books, I dig out the flashlight and we read together

Playdough. Dig into sensation with this therapeutic and creative art. (As you know from a previous blog, my attempts to make homemade playdough have failed - I invite a fail-safe recipe)

Paint! Paint! Paint!

Tell Us a Tale - on the radio on Sundays (which station? good question - I'll get back to you)

Invite a friend over and PLAY.

Play Hide and Seek

If all else fails, pop popcorn and watch the most AMAZING nature video I've ever seen: Planet Earth(just saw it on planetgreen.com for 59$ - that's a steal!)

ELSEWHERE:
Any used bookstore (check under "B" in the Betty directory)
The library check the storytimes at
Barnes and Noble storytime()
An indoor pool - Crowe, UVA's aquatic fitness center (members), ACAC (members)
Albemarle Therapy, 1102 Rosehill Dr. (they used to do playtime for the under 3 set on T, Th 9:30-11)
Cville Coffee (or as my son calls it: the turtle place)
Playground at the Mall (must have patience, lots of patience for this one, and hand sanitizer)
The Discovery Museum (check the Toddler Times for some great activities)
The Village Playhouse (at Hollymead Town Center)
Charlottesville Ice Park (kids as young as 3 can push a bucket around the ice)
Rockclimbing wall (I believe it's on Allied Street - haven't done this one yet)
Summer movie series (use caution) behind Kmart and the Paramount
Watch UVA Wrestling matches (over for now) or Hockey games at Cville Ice Park

I'm sure I'm forgetting some, so please COMMENT and the list and ideas will grow (BTW: I'm working on getting an easier web platform/forum for sharing ideas and such, but it will take some patience)

PEACE,
BWB