Green Living

Green Wine

Organic ingredients are key. To make organic wine you must grow organic grapes. Organic grapes indicate that no pesticides, chemical sprays, or forced growing processes are used. Animal manure and other natural fertilizers take the place of chemicals in the soil. Native predators are allowed to defend the plants against mites and disease, which is what pesticides normally do. Non-vine plants are allowed to grow around the grape plants instead of being stopped by lethal weed killers. The non-vine plants are trimmed and allowed to rot back into the earth as fertilizer. Let Mother Nature guide you. Biodynamic growing considers the ways in which ecology is affected by the movement of the moon, sun, and planets, in addition to what is being added to the soil and crops. The current certification body for biodynamic farms explains that the process allows the farm to be as close as possible to its natural wilderness state. There is minimal interruption from humans to reduce the carbon footprint typical to farming and vineyards. Planting, sowing, spraying, and fertilizing are executed in conjunction with the natural rhythms of light and climate. Have respect for the land. The top priority for sustainable wineries is maintaining the land so it can support ...

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Green Halloween Costumes & Parties

Once a Celtic celebration of the harvest and a new season, Halloween is now an industry worth almost $6 billion a year. That kind of consumption brings a substantive carbon footprint and an environmental impact that lasts long after you've seen the last of those milky ways and candy corns. Making your own costume is not only a great way to compete in the best contest competition, but also a great way to reduce your own Halloween related carbon footprint. Gathering up supplies from around the house is a great way to come up with a homemade costume. Simple makeup designs and hairstyles created with natural products can turn your usual look into a new look. When it comes to Halloween treats, indulge in and hand out Fair Trade and organic chocolate, lollipops, jellybeans, and candy bars. If you live in a neighborhood that would require you to drive your kids around to trick or treat, consider throwing a Halloween party at home. You’ll reduce your carbon footprint and have a blast all in the comfort of your own home. Dim the lights to create the mood, put out some long lasting eco-friendly soy candles, and get the kids bobbing for apples, ...

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Green Dating, Part I

When it comes to dating, the online dating world has attempted to corner the market on helping individuals target their ideal mate. But lets be real. Finding the ideal mate is no easy task, not even when they’ve been pre screened with an online questionnaire. It’s hard to find someone that you want to spend your free time with and maybe one day, your life. While there are still many people out there who have yet to embrace a greener lifestyle, there are plenty others who are hip to the eco friendly way of life. When you find someone like-minded in the areas of environmental concerns, not only can you spend your time discussing pressing issues, but you can also find ways to keep your dates green, from the first date to meeting the parents. You can do this by simply choosing green restaurants that serve locally-sourced food, saluting a special occasion with organic champagne, and buying sheets made from sustainable fibers all make falling in love natural. Check out some more tips on green dating: Find someone to go on a date with. Often easier said than done, even when you aren't narrowing the playing field down to environmentally conscious people. Finding a ...

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Eco-Friendly Online Shopping Site, Part II

In part I of this article, we learned about the one stop shop for a greener future, Green N Brown (greennbrown.com), the online shopping website that aims to become the world's most trusted brand of environmentally safe and responsible products for a healthy lifestyle. Green N Brown believes products that fall under one of the following categories can be considered green. Check them out: A product is green if it is manufactured using recycled or agricultural waste. When a product can be reused instead of producing a new one from raw materials, resource usage and energy are saved. One example is the products made from flip flop shoes that are left behind and become litter on seashores. An artisan group in Kenya decided to salvage the litter and make beautiful home décor. An important attribute and qualifying criteria for going green is recycled content, especially post consumer. Green N Brown sells several products that are made from recycled content like candy wrapper foils, telephone wires, oil drums and recycled metal. Products that are made from agricultural waste products are green and most of these are made from plant fiber or wood. A product is green if it conserves natural resources. Products with exceptional durability ...

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Eco-Friendly Interior Design Informal Education

Pursuing a career in a green field in this day and age is a good idea considering society’s efforts toward cleaning up the planet and increasing our awareness for the effect that we have on our planet. Naturally, the need for professionals in the area of eco-friendly modifications and efforts is on the rise. With demand for these professionals, educational facilities to support the eco-friendly landscape are also growing in demand. One of the developing trends in interior design education is a student looking to earn a degree in green interior design and other related certifications. While some schools are starting to offer classes for eco-friendly design, the availability and diversity of these courses is still limited. This is a dilemma for people looking to enter this specialized field. Numerous people facing this predicament have opted to take classes related to the environment, eco-friendly building techniques and sustainable living. While these topics may not appear to be directly related to a degree in green interior design, these subjects can provide a foundation of knowledge for students to build off of as they pursue the profession. Having skills and knowledge in similar eco-friendly subjects will give a student a leg up when ...

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