sustainable systems

diy health.

2009-04-30T21:47:00.000-07:00

For many minor health issues, medicinal herbs offer the safest and most effective cures. Common medicinal herbs can be purchased in bulk at local food coops, harvested from gardens, or wildcrafted. To dry herbs, place them in a single layer on a tray or a screen, or hang them up on a clothes hanger or line. Just be sure to leave them somewhere dark and dry. Once your herbs are dried, store them in glass jars for later use. Here are some common medicinal herbs that I have found to be helpful.

Borage: Anti-inflammatory. Borage helps to reduce fevers and is used for the regulation of metabolism and the hormonal system. Borage is also taken as an anti-depressant. The flowers can be eaten, or the plant can be used as a tea or tincture.

Chamomile: Antibacterial. Antimicrobial. Antispasmodic. Chamomile helps digestion, calms the nerves, and soothes menstrual cramps. Chamomile is great as a tea for drinking or as a compress on infected eyes, irritated skin and sunburns.

Lavender: Antibacterial. Antimicrobial. Antiviral. Lavender tea can be used to calm the body or as a sleep aid before bed. Lavender oil applied to the temples can help ease headaches and lavender oil in salves can soothe the skin. The essential oil is also great for cleaning because of its antiseptic properties.

Lemon Balm: Antibacterial. Antiviral. Lemon balm is a calming herb, used to relax the nervous system and reduce stress and anxiety. It also helps with digestion, depression, headaches and insomnia. It can be used as either a tea or tincture.

Peppermint: Analgesic. Peppermint helps stomachaches, indigestion and nausea by relaxing the digestive system. It also relieves headaches, anxiety and tension. The essential oil is an analgesic that can relieve tooth pain and arthritis when applied topically.

Raspberry Leaf: Astringent. Raspberry Leaf is an effective aid for menstrual cramps and childbirth pains because it strengthens and tones the uterine and pelvic muscles. It also stimulates milk flow, regulates menstruation and helps with diarrhea. Best taken as a tea.

Rose Scented Geranium: Anti-inflammatory. Rose Scented Geranium helps to soothe the intestines and the stomach. It can also be used topically for treating poison oak. It is usually taken as a tincture.

Rosemary: Antibacterial. Antispasmodic. Analgesic. Antiseptic. Rosemary can help with headaches, indigestion and fatigue and is a stimulant to the nervous system. In addition to medicinal teas, rosemary is often used in balms to treat muscle pain and arthritis.

Stinging Nettles: Anti-inflammatory. Diuretic. Nettles are incredibly rich in vitamins A, C and D, and high in iron and calcium. They are also known to help with allergies, arthritis, anemia and kidney problems. Nettles are a wonderful health tonic that can be taken as a tea, or steamed (to disable the stingers) and eaten like spinach.

Thyme: Antibacterial. Antimicrobial. Antiviral. Antiseptic. Thyme is used to relieve sore throats, coughs and colds and to get rid of intestinal parasites. It can be taken as a tea or a tincture. The diluted essential oil can also be used as an antifungal and a disinfectant to wash wounds.

Yarrow: Astringent. Yarrow is most often used for colds, flues and allergies. Yarrow is known to reduce fevers and is also useful for cleansing the urinary and kidney tracts. Yarrow can be taken as a tea or tincture and an application of fresh leaves will stop bleeding and help to heal wounds.

How to make your own herbal remedies:

1. Infusions
Infusions, or medicinal teas, are similar to beverage teas except that more herbs are used and the herbs are steeped for longer, in order to extract more of the plants beneficial properties.

-Boil one cup of water for every teaspoon of dried herbs you’ll be using.
-Place herbs in a clean jar and pour the boiling water on top.
-Let steep for several hours.
-Strain out the herbs and refrigerate your tea.
-Drink within a few days.

2. Tinctures
Tinctures are plant extracts. Tinctures are usually taken by adding 20-30 drops of the solution to a glass of water.

-Add one cup of chopped dried herbs to a large clean
-Cover the herbs with 5 cups of the highest proof vodka you can buy, or apple cider vinegar for a slightly less potent but non-alcoholic tincture.
-Put a lid on the jar and let it sit in a dark place, shaking the jar occasionally.
-After two weeks, strain out the herbs using cheesecloth and then use a funnel to place the liquid into dark bottles. Find bottles with droppers or use an eye dropper to measure the solution each time you take it.

3. Salves
Salves are healing balms or soothing ointments used on the skin.

-Place 2 oz of dried herbs and 1 cup of olive oil in an enamel pot.
-Stew the herbs and oil on low heat for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
-Strain out the herbs using cheesecloth and return the oil to the pot. Add 1 oz of grated beeswax and stir until all the wax is melted.
-Use a funnel to pour the salve into small jars. Seal and let cool.

Instructions for making these 3 herbal remedies are from recipes found in Make Your Place by Raleigh Briggs- an excellent guide to natural cleaning and health.

grow your own.

2008-07-01T20:38:00.000-07:00

"We learn to place our faith not with actual experience but with authorities who purport to control experience. Our survival has nothing to do with our own efforts, what we know how to do and our ability to survive with our own senses...Therefore truth belongs to cultural authority and not to natural authority...Part of our task as members of the ecology movement is to help people once again to have and trust direct experience. This is really the next stage in the process of democratization."

-Susan Griffin in Listening to the Land

“The way we eat represents our most profound engagement with the natural world. Daily, our eating turns nature into culture, transforming the body of the world into our bodies and minds.”

-Michael Pollan The Omnivore’s Dilemma

Being able to feed ourselves is one of the greatest acts of self-sufficiency. The direct experience of growing food connects us to our most elemental needs. We learn about the life cycle of plants, the specifics of our ecosystems, and our capacity to live autonomously from an industrialized agricultural system dependent on oil. In my city of San Francisco, and other towns where property is such an expensive commodity, few people have access to backyards or traditional gardens. But there are window boxes, community gardens, abandoned lots, rooftops, fire escapes and even medians where we can begin to grow edible plants and fruiting trees. We may not be able to grow all of what we eat, but each time we use herbs growing outside of our windows, or cook tomatoes potted on our porches, we move one step closer to food security. Plant some seeds in a pot, check out a gardening book from the library, ask a neighbor for a cutting. Because growing what we eat is not only a political gesture, it is also an act that connects us to the natural world, taste by taste.

Source has just put out our second zine, this one on growing food in the city. If you live in the Bay you can find it at these stores but here are a few quick tips and ideas to inspire.

container gardening.
you can grow vegetables and dwarf fruit trees in almost any kind of container. old buckets, barrels or cans with drilled holes, ceramic pots from thrift stores, even baskets will work for your container garden. simply be sure that there are drainage holes in the bottom and most books recommend a layer of rocks or broken pottery at the bottom to increase drainage. use a soil mix that is nutrient rich with compost. You Grow Girl by Gayla Trail is a great resource for the beginner.

window boxes.
when installing your window box, be sure it is well secured (you can buy rust resistant screws and brackets at most hardware stores.) also be certain that there are drainage holes and leave some space between the top of the soil line and your window box to keep the soil from washing away. instructions on how to build a window box are available here.

rooftop gardening.
the key to rooftop gardening is good drainage, lots of water and stakes to help with the wind. to get you started The Rooftop Gardens Project has an 80 page Guide to Setting Up Your Own Edible Rooftop Garden that is free to download.

food for free.

2008-03-06T18:00:00.000-08:00

Edible plants can be found growing in any environment, even in the city. Learning to identify and eat the wild edibles that grow in San Francisco has changed my relationship to the landscape. I walk to work scanning the cracks in the pavement to see if I can name the weeds there. Eating miner’s lettuce in the park, or bringing home wild radish flowers, I feel a specific connection to place. These are not plants that have been carefully cultivated and managed. These are plants that are often found at disturbed sites, in abandoned lots and highway medians, the life at the edge of cities. To discover food that is free has also allowed me to experience eating without consumerism and to imagine food outside of capitalism. The following edible plant profiles are from a zine that Source, a Bay Area collective that I am a part of, will soon be publishing. We’ve only been researching wild edibles that grow locally, but many of these can be found nationally. If you’d like a copy of Edible City, please feel free to email bayareasource at gmail with your name and address.

Plants found in parks and parking lots:

California Bay
California Bay leaves that are picked can be left to dry for a few days and later used whole to flavor soups and other recipes that call for traditional Bay Leaves. (But be sure to remove the leaves before eating,) The nuts can be a bit bitter, but they are often eaten roasted. To roast the nuts, remove the outer shells to bake at 350 degrees for a half hour. California Bay leaves can also act as a natural insect repellent. Place whole leaves in cupboards or around picnic tables to deter insects.

Chicory
Chicory is identifiable for its bright blue flowers, but it is most edible before flowering occurs. The leaves, when young, can be added to salads or sautéed as greens. The roots of chicory are also commonly used as a caffeine free coffee substitute. To make this chicory drink scrub the roots of the plant clean, then thinly slice them before leaving in the sun to dry. Once the slices are dry, roast the roots in the oven until they turn a light brown. The chicory is now ready to grind and brew.

Yellow or Curly Dock
Dock is commonly found growing in disturbed sites and in areas that receive a lot of water. Dock leaves are best picked young before the floral stalk forms and they can be used as a spinach substitute. The flavor is a bit similar to rhubarb.

Dock Soup

3 medium potatoes, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 tbsp butter or oil
3 cups vegetable broth

Sauté onions, garlic and potatoes in butter over medium heat. When soft, add broth and dock leaves. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce to a simmer for 20-30 minutes. Cool the soup and puree. Add salt and pepper to taste. (Recipe from Plantworks by Karen Shanberg and Stan Tekiela)

Fennel
Fennel is found in many vacant lots in the Bay Area and has the slight scent and taste of licorice. When the stems are 1/2 an inch or less in width, they can be eaten raw or substituted for celery in recipes. The seeds that appear in late summer and fall can also be eaten raw or dried for later use. Do not confuse the feathery leaves of fennel plants with poison hemlock. Remember to confirm the characteristic licorice smell of fennel.

Fennel in wine and honey
4 fennel bulbs, trimmed and quartered
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup vegetable broth
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup white wine
1 teaspoon mustard seed

Place the fennel quarters in a large deep skillet with the centers facing up. Drizzle with olive oil then pour in the broth and honey. Season with mustard seed, salt and pepper. Cover over low heat for 45 minutes, turning occasionally.

Miner’s lettuce
Miners Lettuce prefers moist and shaded spots and is distinct for its wide round leaves. Miners Lettuce is a plentiful native species but to practice responsible foraging, leave the flowering leaves in favor of those without obvious white flowers. The mild leaves and stems can be eaten in a salad mix, sautéed or steamed.

Purslane
The fresh leaves and stem tips of this sprawling plant can be found in open fields or gardens and eaten raw, pickled, or cooked. Purslane contains more Omega-3 fatty acids than any other leafy vegetable plant, and is also abundant in calcium, potassium and iron. Do not pick the whole plant, simply pinch off the stems you wish to use.

Purslane Rice

1 bunch of purslane, washed and chopped
1 onion, peeled, halved and then sliced
2 medium size tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup of rice, washed
3 tbs of olive oil
salt and grounded black pepper, to taste

Place all the ingredients in one pot, cover it and cook on slow heat until rice is tender enough (about 30 minutes.) Serves 2-3. (Recipe from http://veggieway.blogspot.com)

Stinging nettle
Stinging nettles are often found in the same habitat as dock and should always be picked with gloves because of the painful rash they can cause. However, this vitamin rich green is edible when steamed or boiled and is known to have medicinal properties. The water left from cooking stinging nettles can be used as a tonic or the leaves can be dried and used as a tea. Nettle is known to help anemia, arthritis, hay fever and other ailments.

Nettle Soup
3/4 lb. Nettle leaves
7 cups water
3/4 cup cashews, preferably soaked in water overnight
1 tsp. butter (or oil)
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
2 tbls. dry beer
Squirt of lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
One medium onion

Chop the onion and sauté in butter until it's translucent and golden brown. Puree nettle leaves in six cups of water and add to pot. Puree cashews with a cup of water and add to pot along with beer, nutmeg, lemon juice, and salt & pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes, adjust seasoning, and serve Nettle Soup hot. (recipe from the website of the Pacific School of Herbal Medicine, www.pshm.org)

Wild Radish
Wild radish is found in fields and vacant lots and can be identified by its purple four leafed flowers. Both the blossoms and its fresh young leaves taste strongly like radish and can be used raw in salads.

Yarrow
Yarrow is a common medicinal plant that can be found in a variety of habitats. The foliage, once dried, can be used in tea to relieve cold symptoms and a piece of the plant held against a wound will staunch bleeding

Coastal plants:

Rockweed
Rockweed is one of the most common seaweeds of the coast, with the highest Vitamin A content found in summer and the highest Vitamin C content in fall. Rockweed can be added to soups for flavoring or baked as a vitamin rich treat similar to potato chips. To make rockweed crisps, place 3 cups of dried rockweed in a large baking dish with 1/2 tbs olive oil. Bake at 275 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid burning. The rockweed is done when brittle, crisp and fragrant. (Recipe from Eating and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants by Steve Brill)

Ice plant
Iceplant is plentiful along Bay Area shores and both the leaves and fruit can be eaten. In early fall the red fruits are ripe and slightly sweet. The leaves can be eaten raw but most people recommend pickling.

New Zealand spinach
New Zealand Spinach is one of the few greens that is available all year long. It usually grows within sight of saltwater in large clumps several feet across. Pluck off the top 3 inches of tender green stems and leaves. Raw leaves are mild, slightly salty, succulent, and fleshy. Cooked, they taste like garden grown spinach.

Resources:
-Edible and Poisonous Plants of Northern California by James Wiltens
-The Flavors of Home: a guide to wild edible plants of the SF Bay Area, Margit Roos Collins
-Comprehensive wild foraging database
-Great recipes for wild edibles

natural care.

2008-01-25T13:32:00.000-08:00

With Burt's Bees now owned by Clorox and Colgate-Palmolive holding an 84% share of Tom's of Maine, organic cosmetics seem to be going the way of many organic food labels. (To see a map of who owns what in the organic food industry you can visit here.) Homemade lotions, soaps and other items are often on sale at local farmer's markets and health food stores but if you'd like to make your own, here are some simple alternatives to corporate owned products. (The website Kitchen Cosmetics also has recipes for anything you might need.)

Mint Toothpaste

6 teaspoons baking soda

1/3 teaspoon salt

4 teaspoons vegetable glycerin

15 drops peppermint, mint or tea tree oil extract.

Mix to a paste consistency and store in a glass container.

Honey Butter Lip Balm

2 teaspoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon grated bees wax

1/2 teaspoon shea or cocoa butter

1/2 teaspoon honey

flavored oil to taste

1 Vitamin E capsule

Melt the oil, honey, wax and butter over low heat. Allow a few minutes to cool and then add the flavoring and contents of the Vitamin E capsule. Stir to blend and then pour into containers. If you would like a firmer lip balm, just add a little more wax.

Honey Oatmeal Facial Scrub

1/4 cup uncooked oatmeal

2 1/2 teaspoons honey

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon warm water

This scrub has no shelf life so it should be used as made.

Orange Lotion

1/2 oz cocoa butter, melted

1 oz. olive oil

1 oz. of orange juice, freshly squeezed

2 drops essential oil

Mix all ingredients together in a blender until fluffy. If you want to create larger quantities to keep, you can store the lotion in the refrigerator.

Soaps and Shampoos

Many soap and shampoo recipes call for lye, which should be handled carefully, but there is a wealth of books and online instructions available to walk you through the process. Here are just a few of the resources that i found at my library:

-The Natural Beauty and Bath Book by Casey Kellar

-The Complete Soapmaker by Norma Coney

-Making Natural Liquid Soaps by Catherine Failor

-Clean, Naturally by Sandy Maine

please feel free to comment with any other recipes you've tried.

a cyclical understanding.

2007-10-19T14:49:00.000-07:00

reading Dam Nation: Dispatches from the Water Underground i'm reminded that nothing is ever truly disposed of, nothing really goes away. matter simply changes form. industry, agribusiness and our water infrastructure are all designed on a linear model, when we live within a cyclical system. how different things would be if we took into consideration the full life cycle of every resource and every element.

modern toilets are only one illustration of a forgetful, wasteful model. when cured correctly, human urine and feces can become a nutrient rich humus for growing food, or simply returned to the soil for positive impact. instead, massive amounts of clean, potable water are used in the US to flush them away, and massive amounts of energy and chemicals are used to prepare this sewage for dumping in waterways.

Dam Nation chronicles alternatives, from individual composting toilets to centralized collection systems. As Laura Allen writes "A system that enforces [waters] thoughtless use and waste necessarily inculcates a disregard for own lives requirements." Here are some resources for finding out more about ecological sanitation.

-the dry composting toilet explained
-how to construct a composting toilet
-The Humanure Handbook online
-companies that sell composting toilets: Envirolet and SunMar

real urban greening.

2007-10-17T19:57:00.000-07:00

+Majora Carter talks about her important work with Sustainable South Bronx:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MajoraWatcher

+Amy Franceschini of the art collective Future Farmers builds backyard gardening in SF: http://www.futurefarmers.com/victorygardens/index.html

+People's Grocery maintains 5 gardens in Oakland and assists West Oakland residents in starting their own backyard gardens: (film #3) http://www.mediathatmattersfest.org/mtm_good_food/#

urban composting.

2007-09-27T17:20:00.000-07:00

San Francisco (considered the 8th greenest city in the world) produces a 5 ft. high football field of trash a day. sadly, as much as forty percent of that waste is actually organic matter that could be diverted from the waste stream. (when organic matter is placed in landfills it produces methane, a major source of global warming. but when organic matter is composted it becomes nutrient rich soil.) worm bins are perfect for composting food scraps in an urban environment because they can be stored inside, allowing us to recycle our waste on site. worm bin systems are also easy to maintain and if worms are not overfed, bins are odorless.

supplies
-many counties offer discounts on worm bins, pricing them at about $40. if your county does not provide worm bins at cost, you can purchase the deluxe Wriggly Wranch Worm Bin for around $100 online.
-for a more inexpensive system, worm bins can be constructed from wood or created by drilling 1/4 inch ventilation holes in a plastic storage bin. instructions for building each type are available here.
-1 lb. of red wriggler worms cost around $20. local environmental and gardening organizations, as well as government waste management sites, often list local sources for worms.

starting out
-once you have all of your supplies, shred enough newspaper to fill your bin 3/4 full. sprinkle or spray the paper with water until it is damp, but not dripping. place your worms and a handful of chopped scraps in the bin on top of the bedding and cover with more shredded paper.
-leave the bin for a few weeks in order to allow the worms to get adjusted. once you see that the food has changed and is being eaten, you are ready to add another handful of food.

maintenance
-chop food scraps into 2-3 inch pieces before placing them in the bin.
-avoid meats, dairy, oil and cooked food.
-the bin should be damp at all times. use a spray bottle to dampen the newspaper if it is drying out or add dry newspaper if it seems too damp.
-alternate sides for feeding in order to evenly distribute food.
-as the worms reproduce you'll be able to feed them more scraps more often. it may take a few months before the worms establish themselves and can eat 1 lb. of food a day.
-the worm castings you'll harvest are nutrient rich and they can be used to fertilize and inoculate soils. always dilute castings by mixing with 5 parts soil or water for a "tea."

resources
-redwormcomposting.com
-Worms Ate My Garbage by Mary Applehof
-The Earth Moved by Amy Stewart
-worm composting handout (by Amy Stewart)

guerrilla gardening.

2007-08-08T16:44:00.000-07:00

in his book "Guerrilla Gardening" David Tracey writes: "Every bit of land you see around you, from the lawn across the street to the street itself to the schoolyard at the end, is used in accordance to a decision made by someone. The decision may not have involved you at the time, but you're involved now because it makes a difference in the kind of world you live in and react to every day. If land matters, so too do all the things that may or may not grow on it."

no space is neutral. and no space is apolitical. urban (and suburban) design both signify and affect. when city planners and developers use land for parking lots rather than community gardens they are making decisions that have an impact beyond that one block of pavement. but we can also have an impact on our landscape. simply put, guerrilla gardening is "gardening public space with or without permission." (Tracey) it is recognizing that all sites have the potential to carry life. it is imagining cities that can feed themselves. it is engaging with our local environment (including the concrete and the fences.) it is autonomous action and community care.

guerrilla gardening re-defines what is natural and re-invents what is public.

if you're planning on doing some guerrilla gardening of your own, here are some things to keep in mind:

-when planting edibles, be aware that the soil in vacant lots often contains toxins. if you don't know the long history of that particular site it is best to plant in raised beds or use containers for growing vegetables and herbs.

-when not planting edibles, research what plants are native to your area. native plants will fair better and non-native species can easily become invasive.

-guerrilla gardening can be done in the daytime. unless you're messing with a site that is frequently visited by regular landscapers, or under surveillance, most people will assume that you are supposed to be there with trowel in hand. try to dress like a city worker and act like you belong.

-guerrilla gardening can be done almost anywhere- along fences, up poles, down alleys, in abandoned cars. if a site is inaccessible, you can always throw "seed bombs" by molding soil, clay and seeds together.

-topsoil can often be found for free on Craigslist and seed exchanges exist in many areas (as well as online.)

for more ideas, tips and resources:
-Guerrilla Gardening: A Manualfesto by David Tracey
-Primal Seed's guerrilla gardening site
-guerrillagardening.org has many photos and links

reusable.

2007-08-06T17:11:00.001-07:00

according to E Magazine 6.5 billion tampons and 13.5 billion sanitary pads, plus their packaging, ended up in landfills or sewer systems in 1998. in addition to the waste they produce, most disposable menstrual products are manufactured using bleach, increasing dioxin pollution to the air and dioxin exposure with use. these three options are safer for the environment and your health.

-luna pads and glad rags are washable pads that come in a variety of sizes and can last for years. both companies offer organic cotton options (according to the Sustainable Cotton Project, 25% of all the pesticides used in the U.S. are used on cotton crops.) if you're handy with a sewing machine, you could also make your own.

-jade and pearl sea sponges are natural, reusable tampons. they are sustainably harvested and for $10 you receive two- enough to last a year. simply rinse them out every few hours and in between periods they can be disinfected with a few drops of tea tree oil.

-the diva cup is made from hypoallergenic silicon and can be worn for up to 12 hours before being emptied and rinsed. although these are the most expensive option, they are designed to last for ten years.

less waste. less money going to corporations that hurt women's health. and a greater connection to your body.

safer cleaning.

2007-07-26T10:10:00.000-07:00

a recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle reveals that many common commercial cleaners (including Simply Green) contain the chemical EGBE that has been linked to fertility disorders. although there are many environmental cleaning products on the market now, it is always cheaper and more sustainable to make your own. below are some tips and recipes I found while researching homemade alternatives.

-all purpose spray cleaner
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
combine in a spray bottle and use for surfaces.

-toilet bowel cleaner
use undiluted vinegar

-abrasive cleaner
sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge for bathtubs, sinks and refrigerators. for tougher grime, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to the tub or sink, and allow to stand for 10 to 20 minutes.

-glass cleaner
club soda is an effective glass cleaner. or try this recipe:
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon non-toxic liquid detergent
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups water
put all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake it up a bit, and use as you would a commercial brand.

-bleaching
lemon juice acts as a natural bleaching agent. put lemon juice onto white linens and clothing and allow them to dry in the sun. stains will be bleached away.

-removing rust
sprinkle a little bit of salt on the rust, squeeze a lime over the salt until it is nicely soaked in lime juice. leave the mixture on for two or three hours. use the leftover rind as a scrubber.

-furniture polish
1/2 teaspoon oil, such as olive (or jojoba, a liquid wax)
1/4 cup vinegar or fresh lemon juice
mix the ingredients in a glass jar. dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces. cover the glass jar and store indefinitely.

-mold killer
2 teaspoons tea tree oil
2 cups water
combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. do not rinse.

-laundry powder
1/4 cup Washing Soda (not the same as baking soda. it is found in the laundry aisle of some stores)
1/4 cup Borax
1/4 cup grated natural soap
you can also mix these together in larger amounts and store for later use.

-fabric softener
add 1/4 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle.

ideas for even more formulas are available on eartheasy.com

networks.

2007-07-17T20:32:00.000-07:00

at the first US Social Forum last month, 10,000 people came to Atlanta to attend workshops addressing immigration, food sovereignty, health care, climate change, queer rights and hundreds of other social and environmental justice concerns. Naomi Klein calls such activism against oppressive economies and states "a movement of movements." Vandana Shiva believes it is "Earth Democracy," a practice which "connects the particular to the universal, the diverse to the common, and the local to the global."

in this time of both global information and global corporate control, we can understand the commonality of our causes. (coca cola contaminates local water wells in India->union leaders in coca cola plants in Colombia are murdered->the obesity epidemic in the US is caused in part by soft drink sponsorship of underfunded schools.) human rights and environmental preservation are now recognized as interdependent. but this "movement of movements" is not united by a single ideology. it is more organic than historical forms of activism, functioning as natural systems do. localized and adaptive, it is a network of people working to sustain life in their own communities.

when mapped, the dynamics of this "movement of movements" have often been compared by theorists to the internet. and the internet has done much to link the efforts of dispersed organizations and individuals. Paul Hawken writes "Webs are complex systems of interconnected elements that link individual actions to larger grids of knowledge and movement. Web sites link to other sites with more links to other sires ad infinitum, creating a critical, fluid mass of information that evolves and grows as needed- very much like an immune response. At the heart of all this is not technology but relationships, tens of millions of people working towards restoration and social justice."

there is, of course, great irony in this phenomenon. relationships are formed in the forums of a disembodied medium. technology is used to learn the skills (local plant identification, sustainable farming practices) common in pre-technology societies. computers used to help labor activist and ecologists educate and organize, are manufactured in low wage factories using toxic materials. and, like other common electronic devices, they consume a large amount of energy with use and create hazardous waste in their disposable design. so here are some ways to minimize the environmental impact of our computers, while continuing to use them as tools.

-according to a variety of sources, including a New York Times article, laptop computers use less energy than desktops, LCD screens use less energy than CRTs and Macs use less energy than PCs. energy star certified computers can be found on this EPA website.

-setting your computer to sleep or hibernation mode when idling can save a lot of energy. an easy guide to changing your settings is available here. or you can download a free "Co2 Saver" program that will change the settings for you.

-you can locate places to recycle computers and other electronics on the Earth 911 website.

if you have any other ideas you'd like me to list, please feel free to write me: aswecanblog@gmail.com. i'd also be happy to research specific topics.

sustainable lives.

2007-07-03T22:38:00.001-07:00

1. from "Days of War, Nights of Love" by the CrimethInc. Collective:

"The demand that radicals be free from hypocrisy, free from any implication in the system has the same effects as the Christian demand that people be free from sin: it creates frustration and despair in those who would seek change. Rather than seek to have clean hands, we should aim to make the inevitable negative effects of our life worthwhile by offering enough positive activity to more than balance the scales. This approach to the problem can save us from being immobilized by fear of hypocrisy or shame about our "guilt."

2. from "Arctic Dreams" by Barry Lopez:

"If there is a stage at which an individual life becomes truly adult, it must be when one grasps the irony in its unfolding and accepts responsibility for a life lived in the midst of such paradox. One must live in the middle of contradiction, because if all contradictions were eliminated at once life would collapse. There are simply no answers to come of the great pressing questions. You continue to live them out, making your life a worthy expression of leaning into the light.

3. Clea Duvall's video "It's Not Easy Being Green."

i believe that accountability is crucial. but i have also begun to understand that contradictions are a witness to life's complexity. if we abandon the idea of being "good" we may just become far more effective and creative people.

for the 4th.

2007-07-03T18:30:00.000-07:00

i recently heard an interview with Paul Hawken, author of Blessed Unrest: How the largest movement in the world came into being. during this interview Hawken made the crucial observation that global warming is a new form of colonialism. we've all heard the statistics. how the US has 5 percent of the world's population but consumes 26 percent of the world's energy. or: on average, someone in the US uses 15 times the energy of someone living in the global south. but it is the citizens of the global south who will be most impacted by climate change.

i understand that global warming is a crisis that requires political agitation and corporate accountability. i also know how easy it is to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of this problem, to leave the work of change to a few activists and legislators. so here are some simple ways that we can lessen our impact, to weight those statistics towards something more equitable.

-consider what household appliances are really necessary. this (british) table lists the average energy consumption of most.

-even though refrigerators use a large amount of energy there are ways to improve their efficiency. 1) clean the dust off the back coils with a damp cloth every 6 months or so. 2) move your fridge away from your oven or stove. 3) let food cool completely before placing it inside the fridge.

-even when electrical appliances are off, they still draw energy, an energy loss that composes 5% of your electric bill. to save energy unplug toasters, stereos, computers, etc. from outlets when you aren't using them, or plug everything into power strips that can easily be switched off when you leave.

-make sure your computer goes into sleep or hibernation mode when not in use. a free program for ensuring this can be found at co2saver.snap.com.

-about 5% of all electricity used in US homes is used to dry clothes. if you don't have access to a yard or balcony, drying racks (as sobriquet67 suggests) are great for indoors and don't require much space.

-replace incandescent light bulbs with compact florescent bulbs. you can calculate your savings for doing so here.

-some other steps towards home efficiency (for both renters and owners) include wrapping your heater in a water heater blanket, regularly cleaning filters in AC units, caulking leaky windows and putting rugs under door jams.

the US Department of Energy writes that "just by using the "off the shelf" energy-efficient technologies available today, we could cut the cost of heating, cooling, and lighting our homes and workplaces by up to 80%." of course high energy use in the US is due to our patterns of consumption as much as our personal use of fuel and electricity. eating locally, choosing a vegetarian diet and avoiding packaged foods and goods are all ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

links:
-90% Emissions Reduction Project
-PG&E Energy Calculator
-Green Power Options (by State)
-No Impact Man

p.s. air travel is a huge contributor to global warming, though the pollution from flying is rarely addressed (i just learned that taking 1 cross country flight effectively canceled out an entire year of not driving.) so when traveling, taking the train is the most environmental option.

personal economies.

2007-06-14T11:52:00.001-07:00

there are some in the U.S. who operate outside of the money system by choice (rather than circumstance.) who live as urban scavengers, subsisting on food saved from dumpsters and turning abandoned buildings into homes and collective squats. there are also a few rural communes that exist as completely self-sustaining communities, living off the electric grid and growing all of their own food. but both of these options require a fair amount of security to begin with. what about those of us who can not afford to completely drop out of this capitalist system (for reasons of finance or efficacy)? how do we circumvent this destructive economy from within?

deciding to buy as little as possible by making, trading, salvaging, and repairing is one way to create less waste. gift economies are another powerful tool. in addition to saving resources by recycling goods and bartering services, they also create spaces of autonomy and cooperation. gift economies have existed in different forms and in many cultures long before capitalism was practiced, but here are a few ideas that challenge us to move beyond the role of passive consumers, to become active participants in local economies of exchange.

-beyond barter is a skills pool in L.A. when members sign up they list what skills they have to offer and how many hours a week they are available. services such as acupuncture, massage, computer repair and legal help are available. (there is an initial registration charge of $50 and then it's about $8 a month. but hey, if you start one in your city, you wouldn't need to charge a thing.)

-really, really free markets are now active in san francisco, nyc, philadelphia and carrboro, nc. once a month people gather in a central location with whatever they want to give away. everyone is welcome to take. the carrboro organizer's explain it this way: "Because there's enough for everyone. Because sharing is more fulfilling than owning. Because corporations would rather the landfills overflow than anyone get anything for free. Because scarcity is a myth constructed to keep us at the mercy of the economy. Because a sunny day outside is better than anything money could buy."

-with the motto that we are all learners and we are all teachers, free skools offer a variety of classes for free with an emphasis on skill sharing. free skool santa cruz organizes quarterly classes in homes and public spaces on local plant identification, meditation, canning, bike repair, conversational spanish, internet security and more.

-online, websites such as freecycle and craigslist provide forums for locating, and offering, free goods and services. wikis and software exchanges provide free information and resources. it has even been argued that the internet itself operates as a (threatened) gift economy.

-in your neighborhood free boxes, book exchanges, and babysitting coops can all function as gift economies.

what can you offer? what do you truly need?

more links:
the church of stop shopping (i heart reverend billy)
the compact (a commitment to buy nothing for a year)
bay area gift economy

on water.

2007-05-27T10:15:00.000-07:00

i grew up in southern california during a drought. "if it's yellow let it mellow" was the key phrase and my 3rd grade teacher taught us songs about being "drop-busting" superheros. but as soon as the rains came the push for conservation ended. despite the variable levels of local water tables, we are currently in the midst of a worldwide water crisis. (a crises that has become even more critical due to corporate water privatization.) by becoming more water-efficient in our daily lives we can prevent the construction of new dams, desalinization plants, and other environmentally destructive projects. here are a few water saving ideas.

-toilets compose 40% of residential water use. using water displacement devices in your toilet can save up to a gallon a flush. put bricks or similarly large and dense objects in your tank. (jugs filled with beans, sand or pebbles also work.) and maybe don't flush so often.

-prevent leaks. a helpful guide for detecting and stopping leaks can be found here.

-use greywater for plants. the greywater guerrillas explain how to use waste water from sinks and showers for garden irrigation.

-wash dishes by hand instead of using a dishwasher (the average dishwasher consumes 15 gallons of water per load.) to conserve water soap up all dishes first with a wet sponge and then rinse.

-doing laundry by hand also saves on both water and energy (the average washing machine uses 55 gallons of water per load.) if you are using a machine, using the cold setting and drying clothes on the line can still save energy.

-if you live where water is potable, don't buy bottled water. despite public misconception, tap water in the US is generally healthier for you because its contents are regulated and monitored. if you think your water might be sketchy, contact your local water board. they are required to test your tap and confirm its safety.

i know that some of these ideas require time and labor. they also connects us to our own cycles of use and maintenance. and the time spent washing dishes or wringing clothes can provide a space for thought and simplicity within this highly mechanized society.

more info and articles:
bottled water faq's and resources
water privatization
writings on dams and their effects

living local.

2007-05-25T14:54:00.000-07:00

food is a highly political matter. and it is an issue that we are all intimately involved with. as organic food becomes more profitable, the industry's practices are beginning to mirror big agribusiness (factory farming, long distance travel, corporate ownership.) "organic" is no longer a mark of sustainability but eating food that is harvested locally supports small farms and businesses, saves energy, and connects you to a local land base (even mainstream media outlets like Time Magazine and NPR have begun to cover the benefits of eating local.) maintaining your own garden, picking up a weekly box of goods from an area farm in the form of a CSA, or buying produce at farmer's markets, you can build your own relationships to food, to seasons, and to location.

and the politics of location are central to this discussion. access to any produce, let alone local produce, is nearly impossible in some urban neighborhoods. it is also common knowledge that a bag of highly processed and packaged potato chips is cheaper to buy than some fresh potatoes. (the reason for this, as Michael Pollen explains in his excellent NY Times essay You Are What You Grow is farm subsidies. a policy that is rarely debated but has global impacts on labor, the environment and health.) in response to these inequities of social location food justice activists are fighting to bring healthy and affordable food options to their communities through community gardens, CSAs and co-ops.

connection to a local food shed is not mere "consumer activism." it is a matter of security, health and advocacy.

resources:
-the 100 Mile Diet website has a guide for getting started
-Local Harvest can help you locate farmer's markets and CSA's in your area
-get tips and ideas from the group blog EatLocalChallenge.com

plastic-free.

2007-05-23T16:48:00.000-07:00

damn. plastic is nasty stuff. off-gassing, "leeching," petroleum based and wasteful. it may be ubiquitous but it's generally unnecessary. here are some less toxic alternatives. they may take more time, or a bit of cash at first, but they are definitely worth it.

-carry your own reusable water bottle. klean kanteens are a lightweight option.

-buy as much as you can from bulk bins. bring your own cotton bags (such as eco bags) for grains and beans. bring glass jars for honey, oil and shampoo bought by the ounce.

- use reusable bags for the vegetables you buy at the store or at a farmer's market. if you dampen eco bags before putting greens in, they'll stay fresh longer.

-use old glass jars for storing dry bulk foods, leftovers, water, ice tea, etc. consider microwavable glass containers for tupperware.

-as an alternative to ziploc bags, use wax paper bags. these can be found in most natural food stores.

-make your own bread and tortillas. or if you buy them fresh and local they often come in paper wrappers.

-consider making your own hummus, salsa, etc. over buying it prepared in plastic containers.

-composting and recycling automatically reduces the amount you'll have to throw out, reducing the number of trash bags you'll use. compostable bags are ridiculously expensive but then you shouldn't have to buy them very often.

more articles and facts:
-plastics in the marine environment
-san francisco passes resolution against plastic bags
-how green are green plastics?
-advocating for safer sex toys