Eco,Green,Environmental Blog

Selling a car the iPod way

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:24:00 +0000

Chevy is hoping to tap into the same sentiments that spark gadget fandom with its new Volt electric car. But is the crowd at the South by Southwest Interactive Festival the right audience? Originally posted at The Social

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Selling a car the iPod way

Crowdsourcing the Most Energy-Efficient Life

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:16:00 +0000

ISO bright ideas. Photo by Paul Keller via Flickr. If you want to get people to boost their personal energy efficiency, you should appeal to their vanity, their inner couch potato, their wallets, and their competitive nature. That’s the strategy that came out of a cocktail party hosted by the online magazine Slate as part of an ongoing attempt to “harvest the collective intelligence of [its] readers for the good of society” — starting with figuring out how best to save money an… Read the full story on TreeHugger

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Crowdsourcing the Most Energy-Efficient Life

Florida Governor Wants Bailout for Drywall

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:44:59 +0000

HVAC heat exchanger corrosion associated with Chinese drywall presence. Image credit: Chinese drywall PSC This headline is certainly the meta-story that hovers above the request by Florida’s Republican Governor for Federal money to cover the cost of re-repairing thousands of hurricane-damaged homes which were repaired, first, with Chinese drywall. Florida’s Governor wants Federal money because insurance companies won’t cover … Read the full story on TreeHugger

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Florida Governor Wants Bailout for Drywall

VivaTerra Silk Scrap Necklace Giveaway

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:04:40 +0000

The world’s most amazing necklace is here! Repeat, world’s most amazing necklace! Coming to you straight from eco-catalog pioneer VivaTerra , this tiered necklace is made from vintage silk scraps covering wood beads. Fully adjustable to wear long or short, this piece gives maybe too much interest to plain t-shirts and little black dresses. (Wait until you see how many people stop and ask you where you got it). Comes in an on-trend for spring turquoise blue, or a rich raspberry. Inspired by their dedication to living in harmony with nature now and for future generations, VivaTerra has sourced this show stopper in accordance with their desire to provide “the finest goods that uniquely fuse exceptional quality and design with eco sensitivities.” This writer agrees that they’ve done just that. Leave a comment below to win the necklace. (For complete giveaway info, go here . And for FTC compliance info, here .)

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VivaTerra Silk Scrap Necklace Giveaway

The 2012 Menace May Be Real, Like Sarah Palin

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:12:21 +0000

Credit: Flickr via Michael Francis McCarthy . 2012 is a movie, the end of the Mayan calendar, maybe the end of the Earth. But, thankfully, it’s all a myth. Or is it? The 2012 phenomenon gets a new spin from Lawrence M. Krauss in the March 2010 issue of Scientific American . The bottom line: 2012 could be the beginning of the end if we don’t take steps to combat climate change, and call out naysayers like Sarah “

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The 2012 Menace May Be Real, Like Sarah Palin

Pomegranate’s Powerful Health Benefits, and 5 Ways to Love Them

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:00:04 +0000

Tangy and sweet, this fruit is packed with flavonoids (like those in red wine), which halt cell damage, are packed with vitamins C and E , and are currently being studied to slow cancer growth and boost memory and mood . True, they can be a real beyotch to peel, but we’ve found a youtube video to walk you through it – including an underwater trick to separate the pith (tough white interior) from the arils (juice and seed sack). Here are five recipes to keep the seeds flowing. Pomegranate Guacamole Ingredients 2 large ripe avocados 1/2 large onion, grated 2 garlic cloves, chopped 2 fresh chilies, serranos, seeded 2 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves 1 freshly squeezed lime 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon pomegranate juice 3 tablespoons pomegranate seeds Finely chop the onion, garlic, chilies serranos, and coriander leaves. Place in bowl and add lime juiceand salt, set aside. Peel and pit the avocados and place in a bowl. Mash with fork slowly adding the tablespoon of pomegranate juice. Add onion and garlic mixture and fold together to make a course pulp. Gently fold in pomegranate seeds. Serve with warm tortillas, tostadas, or corn chips. Spinach Pomegranate Salad Ingredients 1 (10 ounce) bag baby spinach leaves, rinsed and drained 1/4 red onion, sliced very thin 1/2 cup walnut pieces 1/2 cup crumbled feta 1/4 cup alfalfa sprouts (optional) 1 pomegranate, peeled and seeds separated 4 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette Directions Place spinach in a salad bowl. Top with red onion, walnuts, feta, and sprouts. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds over the top, and drizzle with vinaigrette. Grilled Eggplant with Pomegranate Sauce Ingredients 1 large eggplant 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 cloves garlic 1/2 cup pomegranate syrup Salt Minced parsley for garnish 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds Cut eggplant into 1/4 inch slices and place on paper towels. Sprinkle slices with salt, weight them down with heavy plates or a board for 30 minutes, then pat them dry with paper towels. Lightly brush with olive oil and place eggplant slices on grill. Grill them for 3 minutes on each side, or until they are lightly browned on both sides. Remove from grill and arrange the eggplant overlapping on a serving dish. In a mortar, crush garlic cloves with 2 teaspoons salt to a paste. In a non-metallic bowl, combine the garlic paste and pomegranate syrup. Spread a little of the mixture on each eggplant slice. Sprinkle the slices with minced parsley and pomegranate seeds for garnish and chill covered. Serves 6. Cucumber and Pomegranate Salad Ingredients 1/2 cup chopped scallions 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint or 1 tablespoon dried mint 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper 1/2 teaspoon angelica powder 1 long seedless cucumber, peeled and diced Seeds of 2 pomegranates 1 fresh lime, peeled and sliced, with inner skin removed In serving bowl, combine ingredients and mix thoroughly. Season to taste with salt. Serves 6. Pomegranate, Orange, Papaya, and Kiwi Green Salad Ingredients 1-1/2 teaspoons white wine vinegar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/4 cup olive oil 1-1/2 quarts mixed greens 2 oranges, peeled and sliced 2 medium papayas, peeled and sliced 4 kiwis, peeled and sliced 1 medium pomegranate, seeded (about 3/4 cup) To make dressing, combine vinegar and next three ingredients; whisk in oil. Toss greens with 2-1/2 tablespoons dressing; arrange on a serving platter. Alternate orange, papaya, and kiwi slices over greens. Drizzle with remaining dressing. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds. Serves 6. Image: lepiaf.geo

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Pomegranate’s Powerful Health Benefits, and 5 Ways to Love Them

Good News: EU Is On Track To Meet Its Renewable Goals

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:53:02 +0000

photo via flickr There’s a lot of grim climate news, of course, but the EU keeps moving forward. On Friday, the European Commission announced that the EU, which is made up 27 member countries, is on track to meet its goal of generating 20 percent of its energy from renewable resources by 2020. The Commission also says the EU will meet its other two goals of increasing energy efficiency by 20 percent and decreasing emissions by 20 percent of 1990 levels…. Read the full story on TreeHugger

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Good News: EU Is On Track To Meet Its Renewable Goals

Ethical Fashion Finds at Arboretum Apparel

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:14:39 +0000

Whether you’re located in Healdsburg, California or virtually–like I am in NYC–visit Arboretum for ethical fashion finds. Olsenhaus ‘ Elizabeth Olsen told us about the boutique; they were the first to place an order for her delectable vegan shoes nearly two years ago. Click through for more green designers in store: … Read the full story on TreeHugger

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Ethical Fashion Finds at Arboretum Apparel

Ethical Fashion Finds at Arboretum Apparel

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:14:39 +0000

Ethical Fashion Finds at Arboretum Apparel

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:14:39 +0000

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Ethical Fashion Finds at Arboretum Apparel