What Are Lean To Greenhouses? 

A lean to greenhouse refers to a type of greenhouse built up against the side of another structure. The lean to greenhouse has only one sloped roof. It has three sides of its own, and uses the side of another structure for the fourth wall.  

• Lean to greenhouses can be made of metal, plastic or vinyl (commonly referred to as polyvinyl chloride or PVC). The plastic materials used in building lean to greenhouses are usually coated with various UV protective materials to ensure the safety of the people who use them and so they last a long time.
• Lean to greenhouses are small, versatile buildings that can easily adapt to various climates and weather conditions. They work well in various environments and landscapes. Like fully-built greenhouses, they’re also able to withstand extreme weather conditions.
• Wondering what kinds of materials to use, and what sizes and shapes are available? Swgreenhouses.co.uk has a nice range here of lean to greenhouses for you to choose from.

Where to Place A Lean To Greenhouse?

Now that you know what lean to greenhouses are, it’s time to learn where you should place yours. Here are three options

• Over An Existing Porch Or Near Your Kitchen If you’re eager to grow more vegetables and herbs to eat, installing your lean to greenhouse near your kitchen makes a lot of sense. No matter what the weather, you can dash out to your greenhouse to gather herbs and greens or pick cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and other vegetables that can be grown in a compact space.
• Adjacent to Your Deck or Shed Accessibility is key. Place your lean to greenhouse in a spot you can easily get to.
• NOT Under a Tree! Never install your lean to greenhouse directly under tall trees because of the following reasons:
  • Trees will cast shade, encouraging growth of green algae. 
  • Tall trees block light, and their falling leaves and branches may cause damage to your greenhouse and block guttering. 
  • Also, tree roots could upset the greenhouse’s foundation and make planting into the beds tricky. 
  • In addition, honeydew from insects coming from the tree’s foliage can make the plastic or glass material of your greenhouse sticky and hard to remove.

NOTE: Position Your Lean To Greenhouse South-Facing

When placing your lean to greenhouse, take stock of how much natural light it will receive. It will be shaded by the structure it leans on for at least part of the day. You want the supporting side of the structure to be on its north side, so as much natural light as possible bathes the greenhouse from the south. Plan to supplement with lighting, and potential some heat, especially in colder climates.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many ways to position your lean to greenhouse in your property. You can install your greenhouse over an existing porch or near the kitchen, or against an existing shed or garage. Just make sure to avoid installing it under tall trees to avoid mold growth due to light limitations and pest infestation. Also, it’s best to position your lean to greenhouse facing south for maximum sunlight exposure.

You can get more tips for building a greenhouse here.

NOTE: Paid partnerships and sponsors help us bring you the expertise you need to live the greener life you want. Our editorial positions remain our own. 

The post 3 Places to Put A Lean To Greenhouse So You Can Grow More Food appeared first on Big Green Purse.

If you care about the air you breathe, the water you drink, stopping climate change, and reducing your family’s exposure to toxic chemicals, it is absolutely essential that you vote in the 2020 election. But with Coronavirus raging, the U.S. Postal Service under assault, and record turnout expected, many of us wonder what is the best way to vote in 2020 so we also stay safe and make sure our vote counts.

The absolute best way to vote in 2020 is actually pretty simple for most of us:

BEST WAY TO VOTE IN 2020? VOTE EARLY

Here’s how:

REGISTER: Make sure you’re registered to vote. Use this site to check your registration status if you’re unsure or need to register. In most states, it is quick and easy to register.

PLAN: Vote early in person, or vote at home using an absentee ballot. Find out how to vote early in your state here.

IF VOTING EARLY IN PERSON: Find out when your state’s polls open and pick a day to vote. Several states have already begun in-person early voting. Others will open in October. Choose your day and time. Probably mid-day during the week when others are working or homeschooling would mean fewer crowds.

IF ABSENTEE VOTING AT HOME: Request an absentee ballot NOW. Each state decides for itself how it handles absentee ballots. You can find out how to do it in your state here. This map shows early voting options state-by-state.

DROP YOUR BALLOT IN AN OFFICIAL BALLOT BOX: If possible, vote early and put your ballot in an official ballot box. You can also mail in your ballot. If you choose to mail it, mail it as soon as possible.

Why is Voting Early the Best Way to Vote in 2020?

Beat the Crowds. Presidential elections are always big events. But this year, so much is at stake, voter turnout is expected to be particularly high. Voting early will help you beat the crowds but also help state elections boards handle the huge influx of votes they expect.

Avoid Coronavirus. Voting early also could help you avoid exposure to the Coronavirus. Especially if you vote at home and then drop your ballot off at an official drop box, you will minimize your contact with other voters and limit your chances of getting COVID-19.

Help the Post Office. If you decide to mail in your ballot, voting early gives the U.S. Postal Service more time to deliver your ballot (though the USPS says it is fully committed to delivering all ballots in a timely way).

Inspire Others. Once you vote early, you can turn your attention to helping others vote. Use your social media to share links to websites in your state that help you register, get your ballot, or vote early in person.

How to Stay Safe If You Vote in Person

If you decide to vote in person, wear a mask and use hand sanitizer.

Don’t Miss:

6 Best Non-Toxic Hand Sanitizers That Kill Coronavirus

5 Plastic-Free Reusable Cotton Face Masks To Outlast Coronavirus

Stand 6 feet away from the person in front of you and behind you.

Know if advance who you plan to vote for, so when you get to the ballot box, your can quickly make your selections and leave. You can find out what’s on your ballot here.

Do not linger at the polls and around crowds of other voters. Minimize contact with other voters.

Vote For Candidates Who Support Protecting the Environment and Our Health – But Not Third Party Candidates!

No matter when you vote, choose candidates for every office – president, governor, Senator, Representative, mayor, local statehouse office holders – who are committed to protecting the environment, stopping climate change, and safeguarding our health.

Don’t miss this “open letter” to voters who might be inclined to vote for the Green Party, the Libertarian Party, or other third party candidates. This is not the year to cast a “symbolic” vote. Too much is at stake!

How Do You Plan to Vote in 2020? Please go to the Big Green Purse Facebook page and share your plan!

The post Here Is The Absolute Best Way to Vote in 2020 appeared first on Big Green Purse.

If you care about the environment, you must vote for Joe Biden for president in 2020 — and not for the Green Party, the Libertarian Party, or any third party candidate.

That is the message of more than 170 longtime environmental activists, including me, expressed in an “Open Letter to Green Voters” released this morning. The letter is now being widely circulated, especially in the key battleground states, where in 2016 Donald Trump carried Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania by margins of less than 1 percent. He would have lost all three races if the votes cast for the Green Party had gone to Hillary Clinton instead.

There is no environmental problem we faced in 2016 that is not even more problematic today, from climate change to air and water pollution to endangered spaces and plastic pollution. Each of these problems — and many more — will get exponentially worse if we don’t get Trump out of office.

But just as importantly, in Joe Biden, we have the opportunity to elect someone who could become the strongest environmental advocate in the history of the presidency.

We can’t sit this election out. We can’t write in “Thoreau” or some other entity. And we can’t vote for third party candidates who could ensure another four years of Donald Trump.

Green voters need to vote for Joe Biden, not a third party!

OPEN LETTER TO GREEN VOTERS:

DON’T BE TOO PURE TO BEAT DONALD TRUMP

See the complete list of Open Letter signatories here.

See the press release about the Open Letter here.

PLEASE USE OUR FACEBOOK AND TWITTER LINKS ABOVE TO SHARE THE LETTER AS WIDELY ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA AS YOU CAN.

#GreenVote4Biden

The post Why Green Voters Need to Vote For Joe Biden, Not Third Party appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Do you love the idea of a diamond engagement ring but cringe at how most diamonds are mined? We’ve partnered with Clean Origin to introduce you to “lab-grown diamonds,” diamonds that are just as beautiful as mined diamonds but much better for people and the planet. Read on to learn more about these beautiful gemstones and why they’re such a good match for your values as well as your special day.

What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds?

Lab-grown diamonds are identical to mined diamonds both visually and chemically. In fact, the only way to differentiate between lab-grown and mined diamonds is through the microscopic laser inscription on the bottom of the stone (mined diamonds have these, as well). Jewelry experts can’t tell them apart without it, and neither can consumers!

The labs where the diamonds are made use advanced technology to mimic the natural processes that cause diamonds to form from carbon underground. So, they are not cubic zirconias or other “fake” diamonds.The main difference between lab-grown and mined diamonds is the time they took to form and where they come from.

Why Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Better Than Mined Diamonds?

Diamonds are notorious for being mined by underpaid, overworked men, women and children who are subject to dangerous working conditions. Mined diamonds result in one injury for every 1,000 workers annually, reports Clean Origin. “Blood” or “conflict” diamonds may also be used to fuel civil wars and purchase weapons.

Diamond mines take a terrible environmental toll, as well.

Says Clean Origin, “for every carat of diamond that is mined, nearly 100 sq ft of land is disturbed, while almost 6000 pounds of mineral waste are created.”

How Do You Choose a Lab-Grown Diamond?

You choose a lab-grown diamond the same way you’d buy any diamond: according to budget, design and aesthetics, and ring size.

As far as budget is concerned, Clean Origin recommends you get a good idea of what your budget is, or could be if you wanted to save for your purchase. Keep in mind that, due to the shorter supply chain and lack of mining, lab-grown diamonds can be “anywhere from 20-30% less expensive than mined diamonds,” the company says.

“Don’t make the mistake of going over the budget,” the company recommends. “It’s easy to convince yourself to spring for the giant sparkler” but instead, aim to get a great deal on a gorgeous ring.”

Of course, purchase a beautiful ring you’ll love wearing. Lab-grown diamonds come in the sizes and shapes you’d expect to find in settings featuring mined diamonds, including round, cushion, heart, oval, emerald, pear, princess, radiant, and marquise,

Last but not least, make sure it fits! If it’s a surprise, to determine your partner’s ring size you might have to do a little sleuthing and be a little sneaky. One of the most common ways to learn your partner’s ring size is to discretely measure their ring finger with a piece of string. However, if you aren’t able to do that, simply check out your partner’s current ring collection.

If your partner wears rings, pick out a ring that they have comfortably worn on their ring finger and take it into a jeweler to have it measured. If you’re unable to get it out of the house without suspicion, mark where it falls on one of your fingers and show that to the experts.

One Other Benefit With Clean Origin: Recycled Precious Metals

In addition to producing ethical, eco lab-grown diamonds, Clean Origin sets them in gold and platinum that have been recycled. Why?

“Similar to diamond mines, gold mines have their own dark secrets, environmental impact, and unethical practices,” declares the company. “At Clean Origin, we are doing everything we can to stay away from supporting these types of activities.”

“All of our precious metal is certified by the Responsible Jewelry Council to be recycled. This ensures that the quality behind our metal is just as high as what would be originally sourced from the earth — just without the negative impact.”

With lab-grown diamonds, you can celebrate your engagement (or any special event) with the beautiful ring you want that’s also produced in the way that stays true to your values.Take a look at Clean Origin’s virtual showroom today.

FAQ’s (answers provided by Clean Origin)

Are there any stores where people can go to try on Clean Origin diamonds, or does it all have to happen online?
All shopping takes place online, which has been especially helpful for couples during COVID!

What if someone orders a diamond ring from you, it arrives, and they don’t like it?
We have an extremely generous 100-day return policy.

How long does it take from ordering to receiving the order?
All of our rings are made to order, so from placing your order to receiving it at your front door, it usually averages about 10 days. However, with COVID, we are adding some cushion to that promise and looking at closer to a month.

How long will a Clean Origin diamond last?
Lab-grown diamonds are exactly the same as mined diamonds. “Our Diamonds Are Forever”.

Can people buy Clean Origin diamonds separate from a setting if they want to come up with their own design?
Yes! Any diamond can be purchased on its own.

The post Lab-Grown Diamonds Help You Buy An Engagement Ring That Matches Your Values appeared first on Big Green Purse.

By the way, the #1 best way to save the environment is by not consuming so much in the first place, right? The less you buy and throw away, the better. The “3 R’s” begin with REDUCE, after all!

Also, make sure you check with your local municipal solid waste office to verify what you can and can’t recycle in your community. Some communities let you recycle everything – including the kitchen sink! Others offer more limited options. Recycle as much as you can, and pay attention to what you can’t so you can buy less of it and figure out creative ways to reuse it.

NOTE: Sponsors like BetterCleans.com enable us to bring you the expert content you need to lead the greener life you want. Our editorial opinions remain our own. Thanks!

The post 7 Easy Ways To Recycle At Home appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Most of us are all about living! But when the time comes, and we or a loved one pass on, we’ll have to deal not just with dying, but with the body that’s left behind, too.

The options for an environmentally friendly burial have really increased since the deaths of my father and mother. My mother chose cremation; my father, a traditional burial. (By the way, when my beloved dog died, I had her cremated and buried her ashes in a wood urn.)

When I die, I’m donating most of my body to science. I haven’t decided yet on how to deal with what’s left over (and my family will play a role in that decision, since I believe funerals are as important to our living loved ones as they are to us). I’ve considered cremation and having my ashes scattered on my favorite beach. I’m also intrigued by the idea of putting my body in an organic cotton bag and just being buried in the ground where I can decompose and maybe fertilize a tree or flower bed.

Hopefully, I (or, my family) won’t have to deal with this quandary any time soon! But because funerals are such big business and burials can have an unexpectedly significant environmental impact, I thought it would be interesting to look at just one option more and more people are considering: cremation. And to do that, I partnered with SafePassageUrns.com. I like SafePassage because they have a terrific Circle of Life Tree Planting Initiative. Their goal is to plant a tree for every cremation urn that they sell.

But back to cremation itself. I used to assume that cremation was the most environmentally friendly burial option because it didn’t necessarily require a wasteful casket or embalming fluid. According to SafePassage, over 4 million square acres of forest are cut down for wood to make caskets. Plus, 800,000 gallons of formaldehyde-based embalming fluid are used to preserve bodies until they’re buried. Without giving it much thought, I figured cremation was better because it would “just” burn the body and leave behind organic ashes.

I’ve since come to learn that there are downsides to conventional cremation, too. Among them, burning a body (sorry to be so graphic, but that’s what it is) requires a significant amount of energy (usually natural gas) to turn body mass into ash. In the process, heavy metals like mercury (embedded in tooth fillings) can be released into the atmosphere. Toxic dioxins, methylene chloride, and furans could be released if the body contains pacemakers, silicone breast implants, and other replacement body parts. The National Institutes of Health note that particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may be released by cremation as well.

That said, a more benign form of cremation is now available. It is called “resomation” or alkaline hydrolysis. The way it works is this: the body is placed in a pressurized, enclosed container that is filled with a fluid combo of water and potassium hydroxide. The fluid is heated to around 320 degrees F and also put under intense pressure that prevents boiling but enables the body to be chemically broken down. When the process is complete, liquid and soft bone remain.  Most municipalities require the liquid to have the same pH level as the water in the community’s sewer system; when it does, it can be disposed of down the drain like other water waste. Remaining bone is crushed to create a dust that resembles ash. That “ash” can be then put in an urn and either buried in a family plot or kept as a keepsake.

Now that I know about resomation, I’d probably consider that if I opted for cremation. If it weren’t available and I still wanted to be cremated, I’d try to find a newer constructed crematorium that was outfitted with air pollution control equipment as well as the most energy-efficient equipment available.

As for an urn to choose, as an avid reader, I happen to like this one, in the shape of a book, from SafePassageUrns. It will biodegrade if buried, but would be beautiful on a bookshelf if my loved ones decided they wanted to keep me around for a while!

TELL US ABOUT YOU! Have you thought about how you want to be buried? Please share you questions and comments below.

NOTE: Partnerships enable us to bring you the expert content you need to lead the greener life you want. Our editorial opinions remain our own.

The post “Green” Cremation Urns May Ease the Pain of Burying a Loved One appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Barbecues aren’t just for meat lovers! If you’re a vegetarian, you can still enjoy some great grilled food. Try these 6 vegetarian barbecue recipes and you’ll see what I mean.

1) Cherry Tomato-Onion-Mushroom-Sweet Pepper Kebabs With Brown Rice

Many vegetables taste delicious when grilled. The trick is to choose veggies that won’t fall apart on a grate and over high heat.

Choose whole cherry tomatoes rather than tomato wedges, pearl onions rather than onion pieces, and small whole mushrooms rather than mushroom halves or quarters. Red or green bell peppers are ok to use quartered, since they’re so firm. Just don’t use slices that are too small.

Wash and pat dry all the veggies you’re using, then marinate in either store-bought vinaigrette-style salad dressing or make your own out of 1 part olive oil, 3 parts red wine or balsamic vinegar, two cloves minced garlic, salt, and pepper, shaken to mix well.

Marinate the vegetables whole for 20-30 minutes, then thread the marinated vegetables on skewers, alternating the four vegetables to create a pretty pattern on the skewer.

Grill 7 minutes or so, then turn the skewers. Watch carefully so the veggies don’t burn. Either serve skewers individually, or use a fork to pull the veggies off the skewers.

Toss together, then serve atop a bed of brown rice. NOTE: Substitute or add rounds of zucchini at least one-half inch thick, whole cauliflower florets, or other veggies you like that taste even better marinated and grilled.

2) Portobello Mushrooms

These big, meaty mushrooms are an entrée unto themselves. Serve them with herbed roasted potatoes as if they were steaks, slice them into green leafy salads, or put them between buns and call them a burger.

Before grilling, wash them well, rubbing off any dirt remaining on both sides of the cap, and slice off the stems so the caps will fit flat on the grill.

Marinate for about an hour since portobellos are so thick, choosing an olive oil and lemon or balsamic vinaigrette for flavor that won’t overwhelm, or a soy-based sauce if you want to serve a meal with Asian flare.  Portobellos will cook up in ten minutes once you get them on the grill.

By the way, here’s our recent article on green barbecues in case yours needs an upgrade.

3) Grilled Zucchini Spears on Linguine

Grilled zucchini goes particularly well with fresh linguine tossed in a little olive oil and a smattering of red pepper flakes. Figure one medium sized zucchini per person.

Trim each end, then slice each zucchini into quarters, lengthwise.

Place in a casserole dish,  drizzle in olive oil and squeeze in lemon juice, anticipating a tablespoon of oil and half a lemon for each zucchini.

Sprinkle in salt and fresh ground pepper (you can also mix the oil, lemon, salt and paper in a bowl or jar, and then pour on the zucchini). Stir to coat, then cover the dish and marinate for 15 or 20 minutes.

Grill over medium or medium-low heat, turning to grill all sides so the zucchini gets tender but not burned.

Meanwhile, boil the linguine noodles until they are al dente. Drain well, then toss the noodles with a bit of olive oil and red pepper flakes if you like a little punch with your pasta. Turn the linguine onto a platter, and top with the grilled zucchini spears. If you like, squeeze a little more lemon on top of spears. Alternatively, serve a bowl of lemon wedges, along with fresh grated parmesan cheese.

4) Barbecued Tofu

Many vegetarians love this soy-based protein meat alternative especially when it’s grilled. You’ll want to use extra-firm tofu that won’t crumble on a grate or grill pan.

To prepare it, press out the moisture (here’s how) then marinate it for at least 30 minutes or overnight in something OTHER than oil: seasoned balsamic vinegar, soy sauce or teriyaki sauce work great.

If you really want a barbecue taste, marinate it in store-bought barbecue sauce, or make your own using 2 cups ketchup, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 3 TBSP brown sugar (add a little more if you like a sweeter sauce), minced onion, salt, 2 TBSP Worcestershire sauce, 2-3 tsp ground mustard. Please play with these quantities a little to bring out the flavors you prefer. Add water as needed for consistency. Combine sauce ingredients in a sauce pan and cook over medium heat until the flavors blend.

When the sauce is cooled, cut the tofu into slabs no thicker than 1/2 inch. Marinate the tofu in the sauce, coating both sides. Grill for 4-5 minutes per side, brushing with additional sauce as needed. Serve with grilled corn on the cob, a fresh green salad, or potato salad, the same way you would barbecued chicken.

Alternatively, you can cut into the tofu and stuff with sautéed onions or cabbage as in the image above.

5) Veggie Burgers

Burgers made from mashed beans do well on a grill as long as the patties are firm and hold together.

I use 1 15-oz can of black beans, drained and rinsed; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, minced; 1 tsp (or a little more) ground cumin; 1/2 tsp dried oregano; some cayenne; and salt and pepper to taste.  You can also add grated carrots or corn kernels,.

Pulse the beans in a food processor (or use a potato masher if doing by hand), then transfer to a mixing bowl. Add the herbs and seasonings; one large egg to help the mixture hold together (for vegans: a flax seed substitute works very well, too); abd enough breadcrumbs so the mixture holds together.

Take about 1/4 cup of the mixture and flatten it into a patty about 1/2 inch thick. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before grilling (you can also make ahead and keep in the refrigerator until you’re ready to grill.).

6) Grilled Panini Sandwich Bar

Panini are one of the simplest vegetarians meals to barbecue. All you need is a crusty  bread that will hold up on the grill, some combination of your favorite vegetables, and a heavy pan to weight the panini down when it’s cooking.

For breads, ciabatta works really well. So do kaiser rolls and onion rolls.

If you’re having a party, set up a panini bar that includes two or three bread options, and then a variety of prepared ingredients: washed and dried spinach, thinly sliced tomatoes and onions, and pre-grilled zucchini rounds (choose large zucchini cut into rounds no more than 1/4 inch thick and grill until tender).

Roasted red peppers, marinated artichoke hearts, and thin slices of cheddar, provolone, swiss, Muenster or pepper jack cheese add more variety.

Baste the inside of the bread with balsamic vinegar and grill the basted sides for a minute or two before making the sandwiches.

Let your guests pile up their own sandwich ingredients, then put them on the grill. Weigh each sandwich down with a heavy pot. Keep an eye on the sandwich to prevent burning. Serve with mustard and other condiments, plates of cured olives, coleslaw, and grilled sweet potato spears, prepared the way you prepared the zucchini spears but using canola oil in place of olive oil and skipping the lemon.

Improve Your Vegetarian Barbecue Recipes With These 5 Healthier Grilling Tips

1) Marinate – 20-30 minutes before you throw the food on the grill, marinate it to infuse with juiciness and flavor and prevent the food from drying out. You can find some good marinades here, or simply use a bottled salad dressing (Italian or Greek work well on a grill; ranch or thousand island don’t).

2) Baste – Add more flavor to whatever you’re grilling by basting on some additional sauce a couple of minutes before the food finishes cooking.

3) Oil the grill – Prevent sticking and burning by oiling the grill before you place the vegetables on it.

4) Use a grill pan – Rather than put veggies directly on a grill grate, use a shallow grill pan that has holes in the bottom to let heat and smoky flavor in but makes it easy to cook the food and then serve it.

5) Keep watch – Many a meal has been scorched beyond repair when the cook walks away from the grill. Vegetables can burn quickly. Keep an eye on them!

Need a New Green Barbecue? Here’s What We Suggest. 

The post 6 Vegetarian Barbecue Recipes That are So Tasty You Won’t Miss Meat appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Black Bean Burgers

Ingredients:

1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

1/4 c fresh cilantro, minced

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp dried oregano

cayenne, salt, and pepper to taste

Breadcrumbs (buy at store or make your own – toast whole-grain bread until dry, then pulse in food processor)

Whole-wheat hamburger buns

To do:

* Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease grill pan, or cookie sheet if you prefer to use your oven.

* Pulse beans in food processor until mashed well, or mash manually using a potato masher or fork.

* Transfer to a mixing bowl and stir in cilantro and spices, plus salt and pepper.

* Add breadcrumbs as necessary until the mixture can be handled and isn’t terribly sticky, about 1/4 cup.

* If after 1/4 cup it’s still too sticky and difficult to work with, refrigerate 5 to 10 minutes

* Shape mixture into three patties.

* Lightly spray each patty with cooking spray and grill or bake 7 minutes.

* Flip, re-spray,and bake 7-10 minutes more until crisp on the outside and thoroughly warm.

* Serve immediately on buns, along with lettuce, tomatoes, and whatever other condiments you prefer.

Note: This recipe makes three burgers; double to make six.

(Photo courtesy of The Happy Herbivore Cookbook, p. 87)

Related Posts:

Meatless Monday: Here’s How You Can Do It

Want to be Almost Meatless? These Cookbooks Can Help

Charcoal is Out. What’s In – And Eco?

The post For July 4th, How About These Veggie Burgers? appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Many barbecues use charcoal to grill food. But making charcoal is wasteful, and burning it pollutes the air and adds to climate change. Here is what you need to know about charcoal, plus 5 green green barbecues that will keep your air much cleaner.

What’s Wrong With Charcoal?

⇒ Charcoal is actually made from wood, and making it can be a pretty wasteful process. Only 20 to 35 percent of the wood needed to make a chunk of charcoal actually ends up as charcoal, reports Rodale.

⇒ What doesn’t become charcoal gets converted to gas and emitted into the atmosphere, where it adds to the greenhouse gases that are heating up the planet and causing climate change.

⇒ Plus, burning charcoal creates “black carbon,” a sticky soot that floats into the upper atmosphere that also contributes to climate change.

⇒ Closer to home, burning charcoal pollutes air locally because when it burns, it emits carbon monoxide and tiny, smoky particles that pollute the air. Some cities are considering banning charcoal and wood barbecues to help protect their air.

5 Green Barbecues

Here are some green barbecues that Mother Nature herself might use.

1) Solar – There are many solar options to choose from, including “cookers,” which are more like ovens, and barbecues, which you can use to saute and grill. Because you’re cooking in a pan or on a tray and not over an open flame, you won’t get the charred flavor you expect from a typical barby. But solar tops the list for clean outdoor cooking, and it’ll save you money on charcoal and lighter fluid. Search “solar barbecue” online to compare features and purchase prices. The only fuel you’ll need to get started is direct — and free — sunlight. Take a look at this solar cooker with trivet as another possibility.

2) Natural Gas or Propane – Natural gas and propane burn cleaner than charcoal or wood. Because they create a cooking flame, they still impart a grilled flavor. They’re also clean to handle. If your grill uses propane, you’ll power it up using a refillable tank that you can get at Home Depot, Ace Hardware or maybe even your grocery store. If you already use natural gas to heat your home, and if you keep your grill in one place, you may be able to hook up a gas line directly to your grill. Gas grills come in a wide variety of sizes, from a big “Cadillac” model with lots of bells and whistles (like side burners for pots, and side shelves that can store cooking utensils) to small fold-up options that are great for picnics and tailgate parties. Don’t buy big when a smaller size will do, and whatever you buy, take care of it to extend its life. That means cleaning up right after you use it so food doesn’t moulder on the grate or cause rust. Keeping it covered with a waterproof tarp is also a must.

3) Electric – If your energy source is windpower, an electric grill will generate the least pollution of all barbecue options apart from solar. But even if your power comes from the regular electricity grid, an electric grill makes sense if you want to protect your local air quality. Plus, if your apartment complex or homeowner’s association forbid gas or charcoal grills for air quality or safety reasons, electric grills can save the day. Popular Mechanics tested five outdoor electric grills by grilling corn on the cob, vegetable kebabs, hamburger patties and boneless chicken breasts. It’s worth reading their reviews to get a sense of the options available, what they cost, and how their performance compares.

4) Superior Lump Charcoal Without Petroleum Additives – Of all the barbecue options, charcoal is the most polluting. But if you are using charcoal, look for hardwood charcoal made from wood waste recovered from the lumber industry, which you can find online, at Whole Foods, and possibly some big box stores. Or, give charcoal made from coconut husks a try. Bon Appetit reviewed charcoal, wood and coconut here.

5) Chimney Charcoal Starter – Charcoal and lighter fluid are usually sold side by side. But in addition to the smoke emitted from burning charcoal, lighter fluid pollutes the air, too. Why? It’s made from petroleum distillates that produce volatile organic compounds that create smog. A cleaner alternative is to tuck crumpled newspaper or dryer lint into the bottom of a charcoal chimney. Load charcoal on top, and light with a match. Give it 15 minutes, then pour hot coals onto the fire grate.

By the way, if you are grilling meat, trim the fat before you put it on the grill. Avoid thick oily marinades as well. Fat dripping on hot coals creates smoky flare ups that can leave cancer-causing agents called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on the meat as it cooks. Pre-cooking in an oven or on a cook top also helps by reducing the amount of time the meat needs to stay on the grill.

The post 5 Green Barbecues That Won’t Pollute the Air or Make You Sick appeared first on Big Green Purse.

My Water Pledge

Water is as important as air when it comes to surviving life on Earth. Our bodies are over 90% water, and though we can go without food for weeks if we have to, try going even one day without water. And yet, so much water is being wasted that many of our communities suffer from water shortages and undergo mandatory rationing in order to make it from one drought or shortage to the next.

That’s why I took the Wyland Foundation’s Water Conservation Pledge, and why I want you to take the My Water Pledge, too. I was already doing some things to save water, but taking the pledge – and calculating my water “footprint” – helped me identify opportunities to save even more.

Here’s How The Challenge Works

It starts with the Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. The Challenge launched eight years ago as a competition between mayors in southern Florida to promote the health of our ocean, lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands by being smart about how we use water. Since that time, the program has expanded to cities across the U.S., including Los Angeles, Seattle, Atlanta, Dallas, San Francisco, Tucson, and Washington, D.C. This year’s celebration in particular looks back at the progress we’ve made in the U.S. since the Cuyahoga River caught fire in 1969 because it was so polluted!  The Challenge encourages people to understand how important it is to protect our water resources through individual actions as well as steps we can take in our communities.

Calculate Your Water Footprint

To begin, calculate your own water footprint: how much water you use personally, at home, in your community, and more. The calculator asks basic questions, like whether you leave the water running in the sink. But it gets at some surprising issues, as well, like raising awareness about how much water is needed to produce the sandwich you ate for lunch, and how much electricity it takes to power your computer.

I have to confess, I pretty much never think about water use in those terms, so calculating my footprint was pretty eye opening.

Once I had that perspective, I took the pledge (which was a quick 5 minutes) and vowed to repair leaking faucets, pipes, and toilets, wash only full loads of laundry and dishes, and take shorter showers.

The pledge surprisingly connected the dots between wasting food and water (their slogan is, “Save a crop, save a drop!”). It also reminded me to turn off sprinklers when it rains (which should be a no-brainer, but often is not), and scoop up pet waste so it doesn’t get washed into a storm drain and end up in a stream or river.

Diane’s Results When She Took the My Water Pledge

My water footprint calculator already showed that I was doing a pretty good job of saving water. I only use 1,117 gallons a day, compared to the average 2,233 gpd.

But what surprised me was how much water I could save in a year by making good on my pledges: 68,376 gallons!! Whoa.

In addition to saving all that water, I’d save over $800 and reduce my climate-changing carbon impact by 280,000 pounds of polluting carbon dioxide.

Take the My Water Pledge by April 30!

The Wyland National Challenge for Water Conservation is having a big impact nationwide. In addition to raising awareness about the need to protect and save water, it motivates people and communities to do their part. To date, U.S. residents have made over 1.6 million pledges to make small but meaningful changes in their daily lives to ensure healthy waterways and a sustainable supply of fresh, clean water.

The challenge runs until April 30. Why not take the My Water Pledge today?

When you do, remember to join in the prize giveaway for a chance to win a reward (in addition to the reward of saving water). Last year, the Challenge awarded more than $50,000 in prizes to nearly 300 residents in U.S. cities. This year, they’re giving participants the opportunity to designate their favorite charity for the chance to win a 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

And do share on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, using these hashtags:

#cleanwater #healthyoceans #mywaterpledge

I’ve blogged a lot about saving water. Here are a few more posts to check out:

10 Ways to Save Water Outside and Cut Your Water Bill by 50%

We’re Drinking the Same Water as Cleopatra. Is It as Clean?

Water. Use It Wisely.

NOTE: Partnerships with organizations like the Wyland Foundation enable us to provide you with the expert content you need to lead the greener life you want. Our editorial opinions remain our own. Thanks! 

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