Author Archives: Melissa | Growing Green Nutrition

Carbon fast – Day 10

Look to purchase locally grown food today.  Plan to walk to a farmers’ market this weekend or consider joining a community-supported agriculture (CSA) group that delivers local produce (www.localharvest.org).

If I designed the calendar, I would have saved this tip for as late in the game as possible to increase the chances that farmers’ markets would actually be open in central and northern latitudes.  They failed to consult me on this, but, by some stroke of luck, the local eating tip just so happens to coincide with the Schlafly/Maplewood winter market tomorrow (Saturday, February 27th).  While produce will be limited at this time of year, you can shop for local eggs, cheese, jams, salsas, and meat (if you swing that way).  Click here for more details.

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Daily action from http://www.lcwr.org/lcwrsocialjustice/eoclentcalendar2010.pdf

Carbon fast – Day 9

Let your dishwasher breathe. Run the dishwasher only with a full load, and skip the energy-intensive drying cycle by choosing the “air-dry” option; or just open the door overnight.

The dishes dry very quickly if you open the door immediately after the wash cycle, when everything is still hot.  As an added benefit, this drying method provides some much-needed humidity to the dry winter air.

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Daily action from http://www.lcwr.org/lcwrsocialjustice/eoclentcalendar2010.pdf

Carbon fast – Day 8

Be aware of your hot water use today.  Turn off the water while scrubbing dishes.  Take a shower instead of a bath, and try to take a shower that lasts half as long as usual.

For more details and specific tips on saving hot water when doing the dishes, see this post.

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Daily action from http://www.lcwr.org/lcwrsocialjustice/eoclentcalendar2010.pdf

Carbon fast – Day 7

If you’re going to be away from an appliance for over an hour, turn it off as you leave the room.  Even on an “energy-saver” setting, a computer, game console, or TV wastes more energy when it’s on than if you really turn it off.

Even when turned “off,” some appliances continue to draw energy, especially those with remote controls or with displays.  Plug these appliances into a power strip and flip the switch to truly stop drawing power.  Cell phone chargers draw power when plugged in, even if your phone is not connected.  Learn more about these energy vampires here.

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Daily action from http://www.lcwr.org/lcwrsocialjustice/eoclentcalendar2010.pdf

Carbon fast – Day 6

Check windows and doors for drafts with a ribbon or feather.  If it flutters, make or buy a draft dodger, or seal leaks with caulk and weatherstripping.

Click here for more information about the “draft dodger” and how to make one.  You can achieve a similar affect by folding an old blanket to the appropriate size and placing it on the floor in front of the drafty door.

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Daily action from http://www.lcwr.org/lcwrsocialjustice/eoclentcalendar2010.pdf