The Composting Diaries

So, after lusting after the Nature Mill Automatic Composter for about a year, my darling Kevin surprised me with our very own for Christmas!

I've never composted before, automatic or manual, so I am super excited to get going! I'll be posting my progress until I have my very own handful of "homemade" soil.

Week 1

To get the composter up and running properly, it needs a week of uninterrupted churning and warming to activate the cultures. The problem is, we aren't sure if the 2 cups of soil we added have live cultures. The instructions call for 2 cups of natural top soil, not packaged soil. Well where does one get this in Brooklyn? We snuck down to the 3 feet by 3 feet plot that houses a tree in front of our apartment and scooped up what we hope is natural soil that has live cultures in it. There's no way of knowing since we have no clue where that soil came from. We're taking the gamble on this one.

We collected food scraps (including a few old potatoes, some leftover ground beef, a nub of passed mozzarella, vegetable peels, garlic & onion skins and 2 old pieces of bread) and finally some dried leaves. We added the obligatory pellets of sawdust and backing powder (for balance) and shut it for the week! We'll have to wait an entire week to find out if our soil had cultures or not. If the answer is no mind you, we will be opening a container of extremely warm, rotting food. So you can imagine my fear.

The composter woke both Kevin and I up during the night churning away, it's supposed to quiet down after a few weeks of breaking in, here's hoping.

More to come next week as we unveil our first batch

(Image: naturemill.com)

CSA Fun

A friend recently went out of town and asked if I wanted her weekly CSA pickup so long as I volunteered for her shift in the park. I grabbed my Eco-Mama (and her cutiepie eco-baby) and headed to Williamsburg for some community fun & fresh food! Mission accomplished.

It was wonderful to see so many people heading out in the freezing cold temperatures to pick up their farm fresh fruits, vegetables and pastured eggs. The compost collection in a few feet away from the farm stand and boy was it packed. So great to see so many young people interested in taking steps towards a more involved society. Mariah and I split the goods and took turns warming up in nearby Urban Rustic (which supplied me with 2 hot cups of coffee to keep me warm). We had a great time connecting with our neighbors and each other.

Kevin and I cooked up some delicious potatoes and the best roasted carrots we've ever tasted! Next week we plan on using the Sage I scored (I stuck it in the freezer to be used at a later date) to make Sage & Brown Butter fresh pasta. Hmmmm yum.

Here's some pictures of my loot:

Eco-Mama: Buy/Sell/Trade

Hi folks!
this is a short one, a "daily" as Lindsay calls em!

What's a great way to de-clutter and eliminate objects? start with...clothing! Consider swapping your clothing. Look for buy/sell/trade stores...swap your nice but not so favorite clothes for some newer ones.
I know this is not for everyone. Some people get the heebie jeebies when thinking about used clothing. But...you can always sell and use the cash to go out to a well deserved brunch afterwards! For those who see it as a great way to save $, go ahead, get yourself something "new". Eliminate from the cycle of clothing production...get diggin in your closet. Its a fantastic way to get rid of the "never worn," the "maybe I'll wear someday," the "I only wore once" pile. You'll get more for your $ when you sell never worn or once worn items, and you'll be honest with yourself in the meantime!
This past weekend I pulled together a bag of 5 pairs shoes and about 10 shirts and headed out with Siena. I wanted to eliminate from my closet so that I could add a few necessities to her closet. I used the $ I earned from my sell to go to another used/new children's store and purchase her some much needed winter clothes! It felt quite satisfying. I really was excited over the items I found for her. Most the time they are barely worn, esp with kids, they grow so fast that the clothes sold to these stores are really new.
Siena had a great time in the bouncy swing seat thing in the store while I sat next to her browsing through bins of shoes, hats and tights. Now talk about a good mom and daughter shopping excursion! In celebration of her 6 month "birthday".

Or...you can always be super selfless and donate your clothing to your local church, salvation army or clothing collection bin. There are even more people these days in need. Help them, and help yourself become less attached to material goods that you don't really need.

*pictured is a nice assortment of clothing I purchased for Siena. a Cashmere and cotton romper, 2 knit winter hats with ear flaps, 2 pairs of tights, a Petite Bateau onesie, a Gap long sleeve shirt, and a sweet pair of suede booties with a little fringe. Total cost was around $40.
Need I say more? what do you think the total retail cost would be if bought new? maybe $125 at a low estimate.

As always,
your Brooklyn Eco Mama
Mariah

CSA Pickup: Moi!

A friend was out of town for the weekend, so she lovingly gave us her CSA (community supported agriculture) pickup that week. It included flowers, a dozen eggs and more fruit and veggies than I could carry! Needless to say I squashed a green heirloom tomato against my side while walking and it dribbled down my dress and leg, lovely! It was all worth it though once I got home, cleaned up and surveyed my goodies.

While Kevin and I are quite content shopping for local fruits and veggies in our neighborhood, I highly recommend this as a great way to support local farmers and get fresh and delicious food. If we couldn't get locally grown food so easily in our hood, I'd do this in a heartbeat! The experience of the CSA pickup is nice, you feel a part of something larger than yourself, you feel almost privileged, that you are in fact "allowed" to choose amazing looking fruits and veggies from the bins, at least that's how I felt. And it felt great!

Here are some photos to enjoy:

Eco Mama: The Dirty Dozen

THE DIRTY DOZEN.
no, not eggs, but foods, 12 of them! oh so dirrttyyy.
As I am preparing to feed Siena her first solid foods, I have been reading several articles in magazines, online and in books about foods and what to feed a little precious. This includes the following two books, as I find I abide by them pretty closely.(not fully, but closely) A breastfeeding book written by the woman who introduced La Leche league to Germany, 'Breastfeeding Naturally' by Hannah Lothrop and the book by the anthropop doctor Dr. W Zur Linden, 'A Child Is Born' published by the Rudolf Steiner Press. I am still not ready to fully introduce foods to Siena as she is 5 months old, and can't sit up on her own yet. She is beginning to show some interest in food, but not enough for me to feed her. (her two bottom teeth poked thru on wed/Thursday Sept 3/4th!) Even through the presence of teeth sometimes coincides with a baby wanting to eat, I want her to be able to sit up first. The two books I just mentioned suggest waiting until 6 months, and I totally agree. They also say organic is best all the way. So, hence I won't be taking the pediatrician's advice to begin solids at 5 months. (Pediatricians always seem to suggest feeding at 4 1/2- 5months) I have let her taste banana and apple, but not more than a pinkie fingernail portion...She makes a face like she ate a lemon, and her thrusting reflex is still in full effect so the food comes out more than goes in.

So, as I continue down my path of organic fruits and veggie consumption, I must draw attention to this list, as published in American Baby, Sept 2008, article "What to Buy Organic". These are the top items to watch out for, I mean, eat them organically! they are the most contaminated by pesticides. (think: skin on fruit/veggie, probably not safe as pesticides "lay" in the skin, like out skin protects our innards)
1. potatoes
2. apples
3. pears
4. sweet bell peppers
5.celery
6. nectarines
7. strawberries
8. cherries
9. lettuce
10. grapes (imported) 11. peaches
12. spinach

NOTE: the 2nd and 3rd items are the first fruits besides bananas that we start feeding babies!!! Take a big hint and buy buy buy ORGANIC.
The list is NOT LIMITED to those 12, but also contains these: MILK, PEANUT BUTTER, BABY FOOD, KETCHUP, BEEF. Also, always remember to pinch off the last inch of the banana, where the little black stem is, that is the portion which absorbs pesticides.
I also want to point out that I gave up on Whole Foods while I was pregnant because they had such a small selection of organic produce, I was appalled. They never had organic potatoes either! My sister agrees with their serious lack of organic produce and had noticed the potato thing too in Allston. (Boston). So see ya never Whole Paycheck! I am very happy to spend my hard earned money at the McCarren Park Farmers Market on Saturdays from 8am-3pm. And for that matter, Farmers Markets are the best. no check out lines, no aisles, just bins of freshly harvested produce and fruits. You're in the sunshine, you breath air under huge trees, you clamor over a bin of huge heirloom tomatoes, talk to the growers...its great. And Siena is always super content to take a stroll to the park. As I am to get some exercise and munch on some peaches and nectarines.
take care! eat well! and be happy
you Brooklyn Eco mama,
Mariah

Eco-Mama: The Plastic Diaries

As we find ourselves in the busy throws of September, with back to school shopping frenzies, back to work, needing "supplies" etc, we find that it may be a very difficult month to do something I am doing: I am on a plastic strike! For the whole month of September.I am going to see how hard it is to keep from bringing plastic items into my home for the whole month. So far, I am not totally free. I will at some point this month attempt an average number of plastic items that already live in my home. I know I will be sickened by it.
Here's a few examples, listed by day, of little things that can be easily or very difficult to avoid.Sept 2nd: I purchased a gallon of Poland Spring water. This one is really tough, if like me, you purchase your water, its unavoidable. If anyone knows how to get gallons any other way please let me know.On that same day I also picked up a pint of Ben 'n' Jerry's ice cream. On the container is a plastic sealant. Not to mention how many times I had to say: "I don't need a bag" when I purchased both mentioned items! I swear people are so used to swiping and bagging your item at the stores that they almost don't hear you say it. I end up feeling rude by the time I have repeated myself 2-3 times, each time saying it louder.Sept 6th: I bought Ronny Brook ice cream at the Farmer's Market in McCarren park, sans plastic sealant! yay. No new plastic in home, just re-used plastic bags I already had to put my produce in to carry home.
Some items that will live in your home for awhile, then be thrown out to buy yet another plastic item to replace the old one with: BRITA water filters. Plastic shopping bags. Yogurt containers/ most drinks. Pens. Most packaged food items. Clothing (the little things that attach the price tag to the clothing) If you don't use Nature Baby Care diapers, then all the packaging for the diapers and wipes. Magazine subscriptions sent in plastic wrap. Miscellaneous mail. Tape on the boxes used to ship items you purchase online.
I stopped buying plastic kitchen garbage bags, I have (as pictured) a pile of plastic bags from shopping for food/clothing that have been sitting in my closet. Now I am using those as garbage bags. I also don't purchase the blue recycling bags. I hand carry my items to recycle down to the bin out front and toss em in, sans bag. whats the point of recycling if we are sending those items off inside a plastic bag?
More to come! this is an ongoing posting.as always, your Brooklyn Eco Mama,Mariah

Save Your #5's For a Good Cause

#5 recyclables are often characterized as "jar like" with a mouth about the size of the body, or as I like to explain it, your sour cream tub, spreadable butter container or yogurt cups. Those are most often #5's, at least as far as what Kevin and I eat.

After reading that New York City didn't accept #5 recyclables in recycle bins I was horrified and searched for an alternative. I found one! The Park Slope Co-Op collects #5 recyclables and sends them to Recyline, which then turns them into great products like toothbrush's, cups, forks etc. (I've blogged about them here many times, search the 'products I love' category and you should find more information). www.recycline.com

So Kevin and I began check all of our plastics for #5's, we would joyously proclaim "I got one!" and then we'd clean and tuck it away for the day we would load up a sack like Santa and bring our #5's to Park Slope to be given new life as a razor, plate or colander.


Well the weekend finally came when we had enough to bring, so Kevin and I excitedly drove to Park Slope, #5's in toe. What did we learn, well first off we are by far not the only ones doing this, we saw tons of people headed to the Co-Op with bags 10 times the size of ours balancing on "granny carts" towards the drop off. What else we learned was how much yogurt people eat!

The drop off program consists of Co-Op volunteers literally going through each piece individually and telling you what's clean enough and what needs work, they see things you'd never see, it's a bit discouraging at first, all your hard work cleaning out at home ends up leading to time spent on site with seventh generation spritzed paper towels, scrubbing out every last bit of food, dust and dirt. After cooling off from the heat and realizing we were in this for the long hall, I looked around and was pleasantly calm and happy, seeing all those individuals, couples and families doing their part, for not other reason than the good of the planet. I mean these containers could easily be thrown out with the rest of you garbage. It was really how life should be and I can't wait to go back with round 2, hopefully more will pass the first inspection though!

Also, check out this NY Times article about this Park Slope Co-Op and what Recycline Does!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/21/business/smallbusiness/21tooth.html

(Image Preserve: 2modern.blogs.com, Image Yogurt Cups: www.todarobros.com/images)

Straight From Daily Candy!

More for those in the New York area...

Blue Angel Wines

What: Two enterprising ladies (one an Astor wine alum) with wicked booze knowledge open a mostly organic (yet reasonably priced) wine shop in the BK.
Why: Thank the divine messengers.
When: Mon.-Wed., noon-9 p.m.; Thurs.-Sat., noon-10 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m.
Where: 638 Grand St., b/t Leonard & Manhattan Aves., B’Burg (718-388-2210).

Snaps to Brooklyn! I can't wait to check this out and pick up a few bottles of organic wine.

Straight From Daily Candy!

I'll continue bringing you eco tid bits from my daily email newsletters...

For those of you in the New York area:

New Amsterdam Market
What: Hoping to become a permanent fixture, tons of local purveyors show off farm-fresh cheese, produce, meats, and prepared foods — with a focus on sustainability.
Why: Bread (from FCI to Sullivan Street), honey, mushrooms, and other mouth-watering groceries.
When: Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: South Street Seaport, South St., b/t Beekman St. & Peck Slip.

Union Square Serves It Up

I enjoy going to the Farmer's Market so much, even if I am just there to enjoy the sights...

Green Markets!

Walking through the Union Square farmers market is such an experience. Everywhere your eye can see fresh fruit and vegetables delight the eye and wet the palate. Ethically responsible meat and poultry is sold and local flowers dot the line of booths. Chefs all over New York City rush to the markets to gather fresh ingredients and locals stroll, snacking on the baked good offerings and fresh juices. It's like Mecca for locavores and organic foodies. I just started a new job merely a few blocks away and I can't wait to incorporate the farmers market into more of my weekly shopping routine. So, if you live in New York City, you can find local, organic and fresh food easily here at the market, in fact there are green markets all around the city. Look these up in your own hometown, frequent them, meet your farmers and connect to your food!

Earth Day 22 #22: Why Yes It's You!

I find nothing more calming than looking at trees, particularly lying down and gazing at them from below. I love how they are reaching up to the sky with endless possibilities. Those inspirations are what move people to make changes in their lives, changes that will help save the earth.

I've been thinking about today's Earth Day post since I began the Earth Day 22 countdown. What is important enough to be my # 1? What makes enough of a difference and enough of animpact to stand out amongst the rest. I finally found my answer:

YOU! You are the most important way to make a difference in this world. I can't stress enough the importance and sheer reality of the single change making all the difference. While nature is by no means a silent observer (this can be seen with the growing number of storms, hurricanes and life threatening disasters) it is the human voice that will ring the bell causing a ripple effect of change that will be felt around the world.

Listen carefully, nature is speaking to you. Can you hear it? Can you heart the wind howling, the birds singing, the rain falling around you, the ocean crashing against the shore, can you hear the voices speaking to you, asking for your attention?

Nature will outlive us, it will take back the earth we have destroyed. Selflessly though it is speaking out asking for the human race to stick around longer, to enjoy it's beauty and bath in it's sunlight.

Each day do your part, you owe it to yourself and the world around you.

As we are heading toward an election that may be the most important direction our country will take after a very long painful 8 years of policy making and governing, please listen how the candidates respond to questions revolving around the environment. Really look at how the future looks in their eyes. It is more important than every before.

Here's a beautiful line from Blessed Unrest by Paul Hawken that struck me as I read it this morning on the train to work,

No culture has ever honored its environment but disgraced its people, and conversely, no government can say it cares for its citizens while allowing the environment to be trashed.

As we celebrate this earth day today, I realize that our environment IS in fact, trashed. What does that say about the government? What does that say about how strongly our vote matters, and how important it is to push forward an agenda that supports the environment and it's people.

Take a moment today to think about this. That's all I could hope for. Happy Earth Day.

(Image: ronforseth.com/images)

Earth Day 22 #18 Tres Chic

I know I did a reusable bag yesterday, but I keep coming across ones I really do love, (ok maybe I do have an addiction) I had to do another!

If you've been to France you know that men and women carry reusable straw-like grocery bags when they run their local errands instead of using paper or plastic like us Americans....

In fact, the bags are so stylish that I bought one at Olive & Co. in Provence a few years back to use as my summer tote. I thought I'd see if they were easily available online, and boy did I find tons of links!

Here are 2 I thought I would share: ( I Googled "French market totes")

A classic handled hand woven tote $28 at http://www.ecobags.com/

A double strapped (pictured above) bag $34.95 from http://www.surlatable.com/

I adore mine, it's small making it perfect as a small handbag as well! I can't wait until the first day when I can wear a summer dress, sandals and head to the green market with my gorgeous french market tote in one hand and a lemonade in the other, ahhh summer is coming!

(Image: surlatable.com)

Eco Fashionista: The Grass is Always Greener

APARTMENT THERAPY

City dwellers long to sit in a patch of grass in the sun; any park that has a grassy knoll is used like the beach. Brunches are coveted on summer weekends just to be able to sit outside and enjoy the weather. Lord knows after grueling winters in New York, no one wants to be cooped up in their small apartments any more. But what about bringing a little bit of green into your home to satiate the longing to be outside? What can be more eco-friendly than bringing sanity into one’s life?


Metaphys, a Scandinavian inspired company, created these wall hangings where inside each frame is a tray of growing medium, described as sponge balls filled with nutrients (and not soil, I assume).
Sold at www.aplusrstore.com for a mere 65$ these wall hangings were created to mimic the Japanese garden obsession with greening the living space. It’s a minor change for a major concept. It’s not news that plants within the apartment help with CO2 levels. Following the Japanese mantra, plants are also supposed to evoke happiness, and more oxygen around the house never hurt anyone!
So with the depletion of ozone, and in a dirty city, it makes sense to have more plants around. Now you can change the world, one room at a time!


(Image: www.aplusrstore.com)

Spring Begins to Bloom in The City!

Plastic Not So Fantastic

So, I was on the subway heading home last night after a lovely dinner with a friend and I see a girl standing next to me on the train with roughly 7 shopping bags. 3 were grocery bags, all doubled (so 6 bags in actuality) 1 was a large shopping bag that appeared almost empty. The remaining 3 bags were slightly larger than the size of the book I was reading containing small items. I looked at her is disbelief, why would she continually take bags from stores when she obviously already has a place for the items she’s purchasing. I recently bought mascara, when the lady behind the counter actually handed me a large black shiny bag with the mascara in it I laughed. I said, thank you but I think I can find room for this in my purse. I know that her job is to put customer’s purchases in a bag for them, I understand, but it was crazy to me that we haven’t come up with a better system. This paired with the girl on the train got me thinking I really do need to post some great alternatives to taking that paper or plastic.

To put it in perspective: Some Facts

*According to sources: 500 billion plastic bags are used a year, that’s 1 million per minute!
*Plastic bags are created with petroleum
*Plastic is NEVER biodegradable, it only breaks down into smaller parts, and releases toxic gases into the environment
*Up to 80% of the trash in the ocean is plastic bags

While in Paris Kevin and I noticed how in grocery stores, almost everybody brought their own bags or small carts. Plastic bags were tiny, fitting one or two items only, possibly to encourage the ‘bring your own’ habit. Ireland imposes a tax on plastic bags and from that tax has generated millions of dollars for environmental programs. In addition, 1 billion fewer bags (90% reduction) were used in just the 1st year alone.

In my house there is no shortage of canvas bags to go around, in fact I have been banned by my fiancé from bringing home any more! But, if I were in the market I’d start with these:

*Envirosax: who makes bags out of materials such as bamboo, hemp and linen. They’ve got a great kids line, making shopping with the kids much more fun! Check out the site: http://usa.envirosax.com

*Green-Kit: who makes cloth grocery/shopping bags that are just adorable! Check out the site: http://www.green-kits.com/greenkits.html (click the cloth grocery bag link on the top)

*Reusable bags: which offer a variety of different type of bags, including the type I am longing for, those European string bags in all different colors! Hint hint Kevin. The site also carries SIGG water bottles, which I’ve posted about before, so if you haven’t gotten yours yet, this is a perfect time to get your reusable bag as well as your bottle! Check out their site: www.reusablebags.com

Now that you have multiple choices for bags, you really have no excuse. I have a great one that literally folds down to the size of my cell phone, I take it with me always because you never know when you may want to duck into a shop or market for something.

(Image:paultreacy.com)

Waking up on the Greener Side of the Bed

It occurred to me as I was walking to work this morning that there’s a lot I do each day to start my day. A lot of which are earthy friendly and healthy choices. I thought I’d share some of my morning routines, it will help me discover ways in I can improve as well. Please comment on this post, share the ways you start your day green!
Here’s how I start my day: I wake up, take as short of a shower as I can (to save water of course) with my delicious organic French vanilla shower gel, natural (not fully organic ingredients, I am working on finding one I like as much!) shampoo and conditioner and then I hop out and dry off with my organic cotton towel (which are amazing by the way, sooo soft). I make sure lights are off before heading to the kitchen to make lunch of whole wheat bread slathered with natural peanut butter and natural jam tucked into a reusable container. Then I throw some organic baby carrots or crackers into another reusable container. Having completed my lunch preparation I finish getting ready, water my 7 plants, make sure everything is unplugged and/or turned off and head to the bus. Once out, I duck into get my morning iced coffee (yes I know I could bring my own but with a packed train it seems like a slasher film waiting to happen). I do bring my own reused “sleeve” holder to keep my hands from freezing off on the walk to the office though and I pour in yummy organic vanilla soy milk. Once in the office I check on 2 small plants at my desk, and get cracking on the day…. How do you start your day green?

(Image: www.alarmclocks.us)

Can a City have "Natural" Beauty?

I think so! Check out this picture Kevin (my fiancé) took of Brooklyn at sunset right before a big rainstorm. The city sneaks up and inspires me some days. It's important to remember that it's not always where you live, but how you see your world that matters.