Comments | olivetree: Easy Ways to Go Green

olivetree

Easy Ways to Go Green

Dec 27, 2006 11:35

hBy Leslie Billera

You can be good to the earth--without giving up things you love. Plus, what those "eco" labels really mean.

At the supermarket

Be picky about produce
Download the "Shoppers' Guide to Pesticides in Produce" at ewg.org. The wallet-size list sorts out the fruits and veggies that tend to be higher in pesticides (like apples and ( Read more... )

public, be the change

Comments 7

scintillare2 December 27 2006, 17:42:11 UTC

Two issues: Fair Trade items actually depress the prices that farmers who aren't allied to Fair Trade receive, and the ones who are don't really make that much money. Fair Trade companies just pass the extra cost on to consumers.
Organic food isn't all that better for the earth, the reason being that pesticides and fertilizers, if used appropriately, don't have to end up in run-off that flows into rivers. They DO, however, increase the intensity of agriculture, which means that less rainforests have to be cut down to feed the same number of people.
Not saying that one is better than the other, it's just something to think about when making these choices.

pwiggily December 27 2006, 18:28:29 UTC

Ah, I was just going to mention the organic thing, but you beat me to it. By the way, have you heard they are making some kind of super peanut? It's supposed to be better for you and possibly reduce peanut allergies in people, among other things. It's quite interesting. Here is the link if you are so inclined: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/16323898.htm?source=rss&channel=miamiherald_business

scintillare2 December 28 2006, 13:45:07 UTC

I love peanuts. Actually, I love peanut butter. I wonder if they could figure out a way to genetically engineer non-addictive peanuts. I noticed that the more peanuts I ate, the more I wanted. I thought that was weird until I came across an article that said "Are peanuts addictive?" I never read it, but I wonder if they really are.

pwiggily December 28 2006, 14:39:55 UTC

Hmm, I have never heard of peanuts being addictive, but they are pretty damn good. I enjoy the peanut butter as well. I usually only eat whole peanuts if they are somehow coupled with chocolate (aka the peanut M&M). I don't know why...it's just a good combo.

extremelanguage December 27 2006, 18:09:40 UTC

So... there is only one farm within twenty miles of my house, and all the stores I came up with are Gardner's or Wild Oats. I can't wait until I'm filthy rich and can actually afford to eat better quality food. But at least I'm growing my own herbs! Mmm, fresh cilantro...

itsanythingbut December 27 2006, 23:27:48 UTC

ECO SPAM!!!!!!!!!!!!
:p

chaiya March 5 2007, 03:09:39 UTC

So, we don't do nearly all of these, but we do some! Go, us! :) Thanks for the roofing link in particular -- we need to think about that in the next couple of years, so we may very well be looking into it further.

We also happen to have made friends with a local eco-friendly farmer, and he's going to be doing some of his CSA dropoff at our house in Porter this coming season. Check out his incredibly brightly-colored website, if you dare.