• Use natural methods to protect against the sun:  Use of sunscreens is commonplace from May through August.  Many sunscreens, however, contain chemicals and may be harmful to the skin and the environment.  Look for a sunscreen made with organic ingredients and no chemicals. Read the label before you buy anything.  Brands such as Alba Botanica and Jason Natural Cosmetics carry natural sunscreen products.  Adorable Baby and Earth’s Best are a few safe brands for infants and young children.    Also don’t forget to wear a wide brimmed hat during the middle of the day when the sun is strongest, a natural sun protection technique.

• Travel as much as possible by bike and by foot:  The benefits to your health of biking and walking are many.   Adding additional exercise to your day by biking or walking to  work, to summer activities, to run errands or just for pleasure can improve your physical health and can help combat problems that come with a sedentary lifestyle, such as obesity, diabetes and heart problems.  Regular exercise via biking or walking also is a great stress reliever, improving your mental health and well-being.  It also reduces your carbon footprint because it means you will be spending less time driving in a car.

• Shop at local farmers markets:  Typically, fruits and vegetables grown locally and sold at farmers’ markets are picked just as they ripen so they have a better taste, texture and aroma at the time of purchase.  In addition, since the produce is picked at the peak of the season, it will have a higher nutritional content and contain more phytochemicals (plant-derived chemicals believed to have beneficial health effects) than non-local produce purchased at a supermarket.The markets also help the environment because travel time and, therefore, the use of fossil fuels, is reduced for locally grown items.  In addition, many of the vendors have organic produce, which also helps the environment because many farm chemicals are made from fossil fuels.
• Think reusable/recyclable with items you take with you:  Chances are, you are going to eat or drink as part of your visit to cheer on your favorite team or watch outdoor Shakespeare.  So make it a point to bring items you can re-use whenever possible. Bring your own stainless steel water bottle rather than buying bottled water.  Pack munchies in re-usable glass containers rather than in throwaway plastic bags.  If you must purchase food at your venue (probably unavoidable at a sporting event), look for recycling bins on your way out rather than throwing things in the regular trash bins.  Many sporting locations now regularly recycle.  St. Louis’s Busch Stadium currently diverts close to 30 percent of all items purchased at a game and recruits volunteers for a Green Team at each event to help collect recyclable plastic and aluminum.

Enjoy celebrating summer in an eco-friendly way!

1.  Plant seasonal, native plants and flowers for the holiday:  One Shavuot tradition involves decorating our homes and synagogues with festive flowers and blooming plants.  Growing or purchasing your own native plants for the holiday helps the local environment. Native plants need less water and attract few if any weeds or pests, as opposed to non-native invasive species.
2. Study Jewish text on the environment:  Shavuot also typically involves studying Torah deep into the night. What better way to honor the environmental side of the holiday than by studying those parts of the Torah that focus on protecting the Earth, planting trees and taking care of G-d’s creation for future generations.
3. Think organic with the festive dinner:  Traditionally, the menu for Shavuot includes dairy products.   Consider purchasing organic milk, cheese and other dairy items for the meal.  Also look for locally made products where possible.
4. Dig deeper to increase the personal meaning of this holiday:  Because Shavuot includes eating dairy as opposed to meat, it already focuses on eating in a more eco-friendly way (preparing  meat for consumption involves much more energy and water use than preparing dairy products).  Go the next step and think about where all the food you eat typically comes from and the effects its growth and production have on the environment. Consider going meatless at least part of every week even after the holiday ends.

Chag Sameach!

• Choose less meat in your diet:   Most if not all of the climate pollution that our food creates happens before we buy it. The extent of these impacts depends on how much energy, land, feed or fertilizer, processing, and transportation is required to put a particular food on our tables. Yet sometimes the food itself is the problem. Cattle, for example, produce 34% of all U.S. emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Some of the meats with the largest carbon footprint include:  Lamb, which has the highest emissions of any food, generating 86.4 pounds of greenhouse gases for every kilogram (2.2 pounds) eaten and beef, which is number two with 59.6 pounds of gases produced per 2.2 pounds consumed.  Eliminating or reducing the amount of lamb and beef in your diet will go a long way toward reducing your own carbon footprint.
• Choose grass-fed, pasture-raised and organic meats:  If you prefer not to reduce or eliminate meat from your diet, you are best off eating meat that is grass-fed, pasture-raised and/or organic and locally raised.  Meat that is organic, locally raised and/or grass fed has a lower carbon impact in terms of producing the meat as it goes from farm to your table.
•  Fish has a lesser environmental impact than beef or poultry, but it is still preferable to buy wild fish as opposed to farmed fish.  The former is both healthier and better for the planet as its cultivation uses less energy and has a lower carbon footprint.
• Also try to reduce your cheese intake, as cheese is number three on the list in terms of having a high carbon footprint. Try eating more strong flavored cheeses like cheddar and bleu. You can use less of these and still retain a distinctive cheese taste in your dishes.
• Go vegetarian:  Try going vegetarian for all or some of your meals.  There is such a wide variety of tasty vegetables readily available today at local farmers markets, conventional grocery stores or through joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.  Pick up a good vegetarian cookbook and you might not miss that meat after all.

In general, it’s no secret that the lower we eat on the food chain, the fewer impacts we’ll create.  Even making small changes to your diet can go a long way.

• Help the environment by reducing waste as you empty your home of chametz (leavened foods such as breads, pastas, etc).  Give leftover bread and grain-based items to area food pantries rather than throwing them out.
• Clean your house using environmentally friendly cleaning products. Consider brands such as Trader Joe’s or Seventh Generation. Or make your own cleaning product by combining water, lemon juice and a splash of vinegar.
• As much as possible, buy your Passover fruits and vegetables from local, organic sources. This reduces your carbon footprint as you will not be purchasing produce flown in from hundreds of miles away. Cook with vegetables that are in season.
• Use soy or beeswax candles for your Passover table.  These create less soot and are more sustainable than paraffin candles.
•  Avoid disposable plates and utensils.  If your level of observance requires using separate dinnerware during Passover, invest in purchasing separate dishes that you can use over again each year.  Don’t clog landfills by using plates, cups and cutlery that get thrown away after a single use.
• Use washable napkins and a washable table cloth for your Seders. This is another way to reduce waste.
• If travelling for Passover, consider carpooling with others and travelling at off-peak times to avoid wasting gas.
• Incorporate environmental themes as part of your Seder.  Find one example at    http://www.rac.org/sites/default/files/freedom%20seder%20.pdf

(Freedom Seder for the Earth)

Have a joyous and green Passover!

• User safer antifreeze:  Just 2 ounces of the standard ethylene glycol antifreeze can kill a dog. Propylene glycol offers a much less toxic alternative (although with fossil fuel origins, it’s hardly eco-friendly). Since both kinds pick up hazardous heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and chromium during use, recycle spent antifreeze to minimize impact. Ask your repair shop about on-site recycling or find a local collection facility at earth911.org.
• Fight frost naturally:  To prevent ice from covering home and car windows, rub the inside of the glass with a saltwater-soaked sponge; dry with a clean cloth. You won’t see it, but a residue from the salt will remain to ward off frost. For extra oomph, spray a solution of three parts white vinegar and one part water on the outside of the glass, then wipe dry.
• Use better de-icers:  Steer clear of rock salt (sodium chloride) and urea-based de-icers. Not only can they pollute habitats with plant-killing runoff, but they can also corrode concrete, destroy your lawn (even a snow-covered one), and contaminate water supplies. Better bets? Sand, which provides traction without damaging salt-sensitive landscapes, and calcium chloride, which may still hurt vegetation, but is free of the cyanide present in rock salt
• Don’t idle your car:  Don’t let your car idle for more than 30 seconds. Beyond wasting fuel, excessive idling strains cylinders, spark plugs, exhaust systems, and engines, which work best in motion — not in neutral. The best way to warm up the car? Drive it.
• Let in the sun: Even in winter, the sun’s rays provide a fair amount of warmth. Take advantage of this free heating by opening blinds and curtains on the windows that receive the most light (usually on the east side). At night, draw heavy insulating drapes to help preserve warmth, or invest in “low-e” Energy Star-certified windows (especially on the north side of the house). Learn more at energystar.gov.

Resources:  www.wholeliving.com

–Give an eco-friendly gift:  Avoid the mall or department store. Go eco-friendly with your gift.  Some ideas include fair trade chocolate, organic handmade soap or a handbag made from recycled products.  Shop at your local fair trade store, organic market or similar venue to find just the right gift.

–Give an experience rather than a gift in a box:  Another way to be more respectful of the environment when you do Valentine’s Day shopping is to buy a gift of a dinner out or tickets to a show or concert.  That plush teddy bear or pair of earrings may just sit on the shelf or in a drawer.  Live theatre or a meal out can offer a great experience without generating more waste in your home.

– Give a gift of your time or experience:  Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that involve giving of yourself.  Consider giving a “gift certificate” offering to make a special home cooked meal for your significant other or to give him/her an evening back rub.  Think about what you are good at and love to do and share it with someone you love for the holiday.

–Combine a gift with a cause:  There are some purchases that can combine your wish to give a tangible gift with efforts to help the environment. For example, the company Amour Vert (http://www.amourvert.com/)  plants a tree for every tee shirt purchase (in partnership with American Forests).  The tee shirts are also made from organic cotton.  Or visit the Sierra Club website and buy a gift from the Sierra Club store (http://vault.sierraclub.org/store/) which the supports the work of the organization.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

• Look for certified e-recycling programs:  If you decide that you really need to upgrade your phone, tablet or laptop, do some research before deciding where to recycle your old one.  There are two independent standards bodies that monitor recyclers for responsible practices. They are eStewards and Sustainable Electronics Recycling International  (SERI). Both groups let you search their websites for local recyclers who meet their standards .   Both companies use a network of auditors to make sure the companies it certifies are doing what they say they are doing with your donation (e.g. stripping it for parts and then selling those parts).   Avoid electronic recycling centers that cannot verify what they will actually do with your donation and that have not been independently certified.   You can find them online at e-stewards.com and www.sustainableelectronics.org
• Check with the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA):  The EPA also runs a program, called the Electronics Challenge,  that asks companies that electronically recycle to pledge that they will send items collected to certified recyclers and to publicly report their efforts.    The companies involved can pledge their commitment on one of three levels.  Check the EPA website at www.epa.gov/smm/electronics/  to find companies who pledge at the highest level, which requires companies to pledge a high level of commitment to sell to responsible recycling companies and to report on their efforts to do so.  Dell and Best Buy are two examples of companies committed to the highest tier of the EPA program.
• Go online for additional options:  Several websites exist that will purchase your old electronic devices for a flat rate, depending on their condition.  Two examples are Gazelle and BuyBackWorld. The companies behind these websites agree to refurbish and resell the items you no longer want.  Find them online at www.gazelle.com and www.buybackworld.com
• Reconsider whether you need to replace your device:  Last but not least, consider whether you really need that latest phone, tablet or laptop at all.  Does your phone really need to replaced only six months out because you want the latest incarnation with the newest gadgets?  Holding on to your electronic gadgets for a longer period of time is the best way to reduce waste in the long run.

Resources:  “Recycling Tech Waste Responsibly:  Excuses Dwindle,”  The New York Times January 1, 2015

GO GREEN IN YOUR HANUKKAH GIFTING:

• Give Alternatives to “Stuff”:  Consider giving gifts that do not create waste.  Give a museum membership, tickets to a play or a certificate to a local restaurant.
• Buy Gifts at Fair trade stores:  One way to show that you care about the environment is to purchase gifts at fair trade stores.  Items you purchase typically are made by local artisans and buying handmade jewelry, bags and clothes from fair trade shops helps provide a living wage for these artisans. Typically products sold are made from natural and organic materials.

• Look for Gifts from your Favorite Environmental Organization:  Several national environmental organizations sell clothing, bags, calendars and similar items either online through their websites or at bookstores in your neighborhood.  A portion of the sales price benefits the organization and its environmental mission.

• Give Recycled Items:  Some locally owned stores carry items that have been recycled from other products.  This is a great alternative to a mass-produced present.  Your unique gift of recycled art, jewelry, a handbag or similar item will keep items out of landfills and offer your loved one something that is truly unique.

GO GREEN IN YOUR HANUKKAH CELEBRATION:

• Use Hanukkah candles made of beeswax or soy rather than paraffin candles made from petroleum.  Beeswax or soy candles are made from natural ingredients and also produce less soot and smoke than paraffin candles.

• Make a healthier batch of latkes by using local, organic potatoes and onions and cage-free, organic eggs.  Look for a winter’s farmers market to buy your potatoes, onions and eggs.   In St. Louis, the University City Market in the Loop and the Maplewood Farmers Market  have winter hours.

• Resolve as a household to conserve energy, identifying specific actions you can take over the next year.  This could include replacing conventional light bulbs with CFLs, starting a backyard vegetable garden in the spring or doing more walking and less driving as a family.

Happy Hanukkah!

Reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible:  Try to buy only as much food as you need and look for food that either has no container or that has a container that can be recycled.  Plan to compost any non-meat food items that can’t be eaten (such as carrot peel) or that have to be thrown out after the meal.  Also plan to use reusable cloth napkins instead of disposable paper ones.

Use local and organic products for your feast:  Most Thanksgiving meals focus on food that is in season.  Use organic and locally grown pumpkin for your pie.  Locally grown vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes and winter squash taste great and are plentiful this time of year.  Buying locally means that your food is not flown miles away wasting fossil fuels as it travels from across the country or another continent.  Eating organic food means that what goes on your plate will not contain traces of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.  If you plan to make a traditional turkey for the holiday, buy one that is from a family farm that does not use antibiotics or artificial hormones.

Celebrate at home:  Thanksgiving is one of the holidays when many people travel by car or plane.  Do your part to reduce global warming by planning to celebrate at home for a more green holiday.  Your stress level also will decline as you avoid crowds on the highways or airport terminals.

Make your own decorations:  If you plan to decorate your home (inside or outside) for the holidays, use simple compostable or recyclable materials to create your decorations rather than buying new ones.  Consider picking up pine cones and leaves and using these in a centerpiece for your table.  Have your children cut construction paper into turkeys, pilgrims or other Thanksgiving themed designs.  (The paper can be recycled when done.)

Give thanks to nature as you celebrate:  In many households, those attending the Thanksgiving meal go around the table and give an example of what they are thankful for.  Add a new twist by also thanking the natural world around you for helping to sustain and enrich your life.  Weather permitting, consider a short nature or garden walk before or after the meal to make the connections between this food-centered holiday and the earth around us more visible.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here are some ideas of ways to reduce waste as you prepared for the big day.

Reduce paper use:  Consider using the Internet for all or some of your announcements about your event.  Invitations can be sent electronically.  RSVPs also can be sent to a specially designated email address rather than by using a pre-printed card.  If you prefer to use a printed invitation, use recycled unbleached paper and soy-based ink.  For a wedding or B’nai Mitzvah, consider creating your own app and/or website with information on where to stay and what to do for out of town guests, rather than printing this information.

Be eco-friendly in your decor:  Use real china plates and reusable cups and glassware, rather than items you throw away.  If you are considering flowers, order those locally grown and in season, rather than buying from a florist who will order items flown from far away.  Another alternative is to decorate with plants, which can be kept and planted or re-potted after the event.  Make your own centerpieces from recycled items.

Food:  Where possible, use a caterer who relies on locally sourced, organic food. Consider purchasing fair trade coffee and tea for the reception.  Find out if it is possible for food waste to be composted. For pre-wrapped items, such as bagels or sandwiches, do not open unused wrapped food unless or until needed.  Unused wrapped food can be donated to area food pantries if not eaten, reducing waste and helping those in need.

Energy use:  Hold the ceremony and reception at the same location or have the events at locations not far from one another, to reduce travel and minimize gas use.  Encourage your guests to carpool to your event.

Enjoy your eco-friendly simcha!

Use local and organic ingredients in your meals:  The healthiest foods for the holiday are foods that are grown locally without any pesticides.  Food purchased from local farmers or that you grow yourself will be fresher and have a higher nutritional content than food flown in from hundreds of miles or more away.  If you are planning to serve the traditional snack of apples and honey, consider that eating locally made honey has been shown to reduce the severity of allergies as well.

Turn off your gadgets:    Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are holidays that focus both on spending time in worship and spending time with friends and family.  Turning off your phone, tablet, iPod and other gadgets will keep you focused on what the holidays are about and reduce your energy use at the same time.

Decorate your holiday table naturally:   Head to your backyard or a local park and create a natural centerpiece for your holiday table.  A basket with acorns, pinecones and colorful leaves will make the holiday festive.  Avoid purchasing centerpiece items that will go right to the landfill when you are done using them.

Get to services more sustainably:  If your level of observance involves walking to services for the High Holidays, you are already doing what you can to have a transportation carbon footprint equal to zero.  If you don’t or can’t walk to services, carpool wherever possible with family, neighbors and friends.   Another option is to take public transportation if your synagogue is near a bus, train or light rail line.

Best wishes for a sweet and green New Year!   

Little things you can do to stay cool on a budget (and reduce energy in your home)

• Wear short sleeved, loose clothing of breathable cotton: this type of clothing will keep you naturally cooler inside or out on a summer day
• Drink lots of ice water or eat cold treats: cold foods lower your body’s core temperature. Wash and freeze seedless grapes for a cold, healthy snack.
• Wash and dry clothes when the day is cool: do laundry early in the day or late at night. This will keep your house cooler and cost less too. Consider an outdoor clothes hanger—let the sun dry your clothes at no energy cost
• Draw your shades to block the sun
• Use the microwave: conventional cooking makes your home hot. Microwaves cook the food directly and do not raise the temperature in the kitchen (so you don’t have to reset your air conditioning to a cooler setting)
• Leave on your furnace fan to keep the house feeling cooler

Small projects you can do if you are a bit more ambitious

• Install ceiling fans: these help circulate air and reduce heat in the summer. They also use very little energy. If you are purchasing a fan with lights, make sure the lights use CFL bulbs to save energy and heat as well
• Buy a dehumidifier: EnergyStar says a 40-pint unit will save up to $20 a year and last up to a decade. Moderating your home’s humidity — in addition to making you feel cooler — will reduce musty smells and the growth of harmful molds.

Want to learn more about how you can Green your home for the summer or any time of year? Come to “Make a Difference: Environmental Action for your Home & House of Worship” a free program taking place from 7-9 PM on July 31 at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. Registration and more information is at www.tinyurl.com/July312014

originally posted at jewishinstlouis.org at  http://jewishinstlouis.org/cost-ways-keep-cool-save-energy-summer/

Little things you can do to stay cool on a budget (and reduce energy in your home)

· Wear short sleeved, loose clothing of breathable cotton: this type of clothing will keep you naturally cooler inside or out on a summer day

· Drink lots of ice water or eat cold treats: cold foods lower your body’s core temperature. Wash and freeze seedless grapes for a cold, healthy snack.

· Wash and dry clothes when the day is cool: do laundry early in the day or late at night. This will keep your house cooler and cost less too. Consider an outdoor clothes hanger—let the sun dry your clothes at no energy cost

· Draw your shades to block the sun

· Use the microwave: conventional cooking makes your home hot. Microwaves cook the food directly and do not raise the temperature in the kitchen (so you don’t have to reset your air conditioning to a cooler setting)

· Leave on your furnace fan to keep the house feeling cooler

Small projects you can do if you are a bit more ambitious

· Install ceiling fans: these help circulate air and reduce heat in the summer. They also use very little energy. If you are purchasing a fan with lights, make sure the lights use CFL bulbs to save energy and heat as well

· Buy a dehumidifier: EnergyStar says a 40-pint unit will save up to $20 a year and last up to a decade. Moderating your home's humidity — in addition to making you feel cooler — will reduce musty smells and the growth of harmful molds.

Want to learn more about how you can Green your home for the summer or any time of year? Come to “Make a Difference: Environmental Action for your Home & House of Worship” a free program taking place from 7-9 PM on July 31 at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. Registration and more information is at www.tinyurl.com/July312014

• Get there by foot, bike or public transit: Depending on where you live, there may be several options for using less or no fuel to get to your outdoor destination. For example, if you are attending a concert at a local park, consider biking or walking rather than driving. Going to a ballgame in the midtown or downtown region of your city? Use public mass transit instead of taking your car. Mass transit is better for the environment and you also may find it is cheaper and faster than trying to get your car out of a crowded parking lot at the end of a game.

• Think reusable/recyclable with items you take with you: Chances are, you are going to eat or drink as part of your visit to cheer on your favorite team or watch outdoor Shakespeare. So make it a point to bring items you can re-use whenever possible. Bring your own stainless steel water bottle rather than buying bottled water. Pack munchies in re-usable glass containers rather than in throwaway plastic bags. If you must purchase food at your venue (probably unavoidable at a sporting event), look for recycling bins on your way out rather than throwing things in the regular trash bins. Many sporting locations now regularly recycle. St. Louis’s Busch Stadium currently diverts close to 30 % of all items purchased at a game and recruits volunteers for a Green Team at each event to help collect recyclable plastic and aluminum.

• Go natural with sunscreen and bug repellent: As temperatures and humidity rise, you will surely want to protect yourself with sunscreen and bug spray. But think twice about the type of products you use. Many conventional brands contain chemicals which may be toxic and harmful to you long term. As an alternative, look for sunscreens made with natural ingredients (look for brands such as Alba Botanica and Jason). For bug spray, consider using a simple make your own recipe using essential oils to keep the bugs away. Here is one suggested way to make your own product that has a shelf life of six months : combine 10-25 drops of essential oil, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel. Then place a few drops on your body or clothing. For mosquitoes, the best essential oils are lemon balm (citronella), thyme or lavender. For tics, the best essential oils are lavender, Rose Geranium or eucalyptus.

Originally posted in jewishinstlouis at http://jewishinstlouis.org/

Typically, fruits and vegetables grown locally and sold at farmers’ markets are picked just as they ripen so they have a better taste, texture and aroma at the time of purchase. In addition, since the produce is picked at the peak of the season, it will have a higher nutritional content and contain more phytochemicals (plant-derived chemicals believed to have beneficial health effects) than non-local produce purchased at a supermarket.

There is a great variety of types of vendors at a farmers’ market. When shopping, consider whether the vendor is actually from a farm or is re-selling items that could have been purchased, and shipped, from anywhere. Ask questions about how and where the produce is grown. There are many farmers who have organic practices, but don’t pay for an official certification. They are generally very proud of their farming practices and will be happy to give you information.

There are many markets in the St. Louis area. The Saint Louis Post-Dispatch recently published a comprehensive list, including locations, hours, and other details. See the link: http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/food-and-cooking/your-guide-to-area-farmers-markets/article_569b82bd-1ccf-5d4a-996c-3148b0a03876.html to find a market that’s convenient for you. In addition, Creve Coeur now has a farmers’ market. Details are at www.creve-coeur.org/mar

This post originally appeared in www.jewishinstlouis.org

Here are a few examples:

• Get your children to recycle, early: Place simple recycle bins in your childrens’ rooms. A box on the floor can be used to recycle paper. For recycle bins in family friendly locations, such as the kitchen, have children decorate the bins as they like and put a picture of what gets recycled on each bin.
• Take a family hike: Weather permitting, incorporate taking a family hike to a nearby park or nature trail on a regular basis. There is nothing like being in nature to give your children an appreciation for the world around them.
• Have a periodic “power down” day: If you traditionally observe Shabbat, you already are taking one day each week in which electronic devices are turned off. Even if you are not Shomer Shabbas, pick a weekend day at least once a month when everyone in the family turns off computers, cell phones, tablets, etc. It’s a great way to slow down, save energy, and reconnect with other members of your family by playing games, telling stories, and taking walks. Introducing your children to this idea will help them see that they can have fun while reducing their energy consumption.
• Turn trash items into creative objects: Give your children empty gift boxes, toilet paper rolls, greeting cards you have received and similar items and let them get creative. These items can be repurposed into toy forts, board games, and other playthings. This is a great lesson in how to reuse things rather than to throw them into landfills.
• Read environmentally themed books to your kids: A few of the better known titles include Dr. Seuss’s “The Lorax” and “Hoot” by Carl Hiaasen. There also are many children’s books focused on recycling, such as “Recycling,” by Gail Gibbons and “Where does the Garbage Go?” by Randy Chewning.

Doing the simple things listed above will give your children an invaluable gift. It will teach them to respect the natural world around them and to reduce the amount of waste on the planet.

Resources: Earth 911

This blog originally appeared in www.jewishinsaintlouis.org

• Shop with packaging in mind: Prevent excessive waste from coming into your kitchen by being mindful about the amount of packaging in what you purchase. Ask for deli foods to be packaged in brown paper wrap rather than plastic (paper is more biodegradable than plastic). Where possible buy items packaged in glass containers that can be cleaned out and reused for food storage. Buy loose produce items rather than those pre-packaged, and carry them in reusable produce bags, such as organic mesh bags, which can be ordered through the Life Without Plastics website: http://www.lifewithoutplastic.com/store/organic-cotton-mesh-produce-bag-large.html

• Buy groceries in bulk: For items you use often or that don’t spoil, buy in bulk to save on the packaging wasted on smaller quantity items. You also will save money as usually large size items are cheaper by the pound to purchase.

• Compost non-meat items: Many food items, such as egg shells and vegetable scraps, are easy to compost in a simple indoor bin or a larger bin in the backyard. You can find some basics on composting in an earlier Planet Jewish blog (Composting Made Easy, June 7, 2011), or go to http://foodiegardener.com/composting-basics-for-beginners/

• Reduce disposable containers in your kitchen: There are alternative ways to store fruits and vegetables in your kitchen without resorting to disposables. Go to http://myplasticfreelife.com/2010/05/how-to-store-produce-without-plastic/ for examples of how you can go “plastics free” with produce. Using glass containers for storage is the better way to go from a health and environmental standpoint. Doing this can completely eliminate the need to buy plastic wrap, which typically goes into a landfill after one use.

Resource: www.treehugger.com

This blog originally appeared on jewishinstlouis.org at http://jewishinstlouis.org/ways-reduce-waste-kitchen/

• Don’t drink conventional coffee—From an environmental standpoint, drinking conventionally grown coffee is problematic for several reasons. Conventional growers typically grow coffee in full sunlight, which leads to heavy dependence on pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers. Conventionally grown coffee also typically involves cutting down rainforests and destroying bird habitats. For an environmentally friendly alternative, buy coffee that is shade grown, organic and fair trade. Look for the green gecko stamp from Rainforest Alliance when buying coffee, or purchase Equal Exchange coffee (which also benefits American Jewish World Service). If buying coffee at a restaurant or coffee shop, a few places where fair trade organic coffee is available include Starbuck’s , Peet’s Coffee and (believe it or not) Dunkin Donuts. [Note: When buying coffee at a cafe, your purchase will have a much smaller carbon footprint if you stick with simple blends. A Starbucks black coffee has a carbon footprint of about 30 grams. A venti caramel latte has a carbon footprint of 420 grams.]

•Avoid Bluefin tuna—Blufin tuna is used in making some restaurant sushi. However, this fish is fast becoming endangered and also is high in mercury. Better alternatives to buy and order out are albacore tuna or Pacific yellowfin (also known as ahi) tuna.

•Say no to genetically modified corn—GMO corn “destroys habitats, depletes soils, and pollutes air and water,” says Professor Douglas Fox who teaches sustainable agriculture at Unity College in Maine. When excessively processed, it becomes high fructose corn syrup, a common ingredient in processed foods. High fructose corn syrup takes a large toll on the land and requires use of many pesticides and fertilizers over time. As an alternative, buy your corn from an organic grower in the spring, summer and fall months or look for organic corn in the grocery freezer during the winter months. Avoid high fructose corn syrup when buying items such as cookies, crackers, ketchup and other condiments.

Resources: Sierra Club.typepad.com; Treehugger.com

This blog originally appeared on jewishinstlouis.org at http://jewishinstlouis.org/three-things-eat-drink-care-environment/

Below are a few simple recipes for make it yourself personal care products. Most use items commonly found in your kitchen. Enjoy.

• Do It Yourself Body Scrub: Use this scrub on your face or as a general body scrub. It works well as a moisturizer and exfoliating cream. Ingredients are 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup each of brown and regular cane sugar, a dash of lemon juice, a dash of vanilla. Mix ingredients together. Rub on skin while in the shower, massage, and rinse.
• Make Your Own Hair Conditioner: This simple recipe conditions well and is good for all hair types. Ingredients are 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 1 cup water. Combine ingredients in a clean repurposed squirt bottle. Double up on ingredients until you fill your bottle – the recipe above makes 8 ounces. Simply shake the bottle before each use and gently massage into the hair and scalp for a minute or two and rinse. After drying, your hair will not smell like vinegar.

• Do it Yourself Foaming Hand Soap: You will need an empty liquid soap dispenser. Ingredients are distilled or boiled water (enough to fill the dispenser except for one inch at the top); 2 tablespoons liquid castille soap; 1/2 teaspoon olive oil; essential oils of choice for scent (optional); Fill the soap dispenser with water to about 1 inch of the top (leaving room for the bulky foaming pump and the soap to be added).Add at least 2 tablespoons of liquid castille soap to the water mixture (NOTE: do not add the soap first or it will create bubbles when the water is added. Add the oil (optional but it helps preserve the life of the dispenser) and any essential oils if you are using them. Close and lightly swish to mix. Use as you would any regular foaming soap.

Resources: www.diynatural.com

www.wellnessmama.com

This blog originally appeared in jewishinstlouis.org at http://jewishinstlouis.org/body-care-new-year/

• Go organic with your fruits, juice and nuts: Typically, the Tu B’Shevat Seder focuses on eating different types of fruits at different points in the Seder: those with a hard shell, those with a pit that cannot be eaten and those that are completely edible. Consider purchasing only organic fruits for this part of the service. Also consider going organic with the white and red grape juice that also is part of the traditional Seder “meal.”
• Use reusable dishware and napkins for the Seder: Respect the New Year of the Trees by saving a tree. Use reusable dishes, utensils and glasses. Go with cloth napkins as well. This makes your Seder a more earth-friendly event .
• Include action items in your Hagaddah: In addition to reading about the different seasons and tasting the different fruits and juices, include action steps your participants can take to help the environment after the Seder ends. Action steps could include contributing to organizations that plant trees in Israel or working to increase recycling at your school or workplace. Be creative!
• Weather permitting, go back to nature: While your Seder may be indoors, consider using a location that is close to nature so that participants can actually see some trees or take a hike after the Seder ends. This will remind them about the importance of spending time in the natural world even during the cold winter months.

Chag Sameach!

Over 300 million tons of plastic are produced on the planet every year. We use it to make plastic bags, bottles, clothes, computers, and many other items. Our plastic consumption is growing greatly. Over the last 10 years, we’ve produced more plastic than we did in the entire 20^th century. Excessive plastic use hurts the planet in many ways.

The production of plastic is responsible for millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions, accelerating climate change and polluting the air we breathe. On top of that, some of this plastic ends up in landfills, where it slowly breaks down, leaching harmful chemicals into the soil and groundwater. The rest of the plastic ends up on our streets, in our parks, and in our oceans. Over 100,000 marine animals and 1 million birds die each year from ingesting plastic.

Below is a list of some simple changes you can make to reduce your plastic use.

• Use a refillable water bottle: Invest in a sturdy, stainless steel water bottle (available at outdoor stores as well as at supermarkets and pharmacies). Instead of wasting money and energy buying water in plastic, disposable, one time use containers, you will be able to fill up your bottle wherever you go. It takes a large amount of energy to produce the plastic used in disposable water bottles. Take your own instead.
• Use reusable dishware at work: Bring in a reusable cup, mug, dish and utensils to your office. Then plan to use them each day at lunchtime and for coffee breaks. If your office does not have eco-friendly dish liquid, invest in a bottle to wash your items once a day. You will save money and reduce the plastic that needs to be recycled or that ends up in landfills.
• Buy canvas bags for groceries and errand running: Just about every store these days offers the option of buying a reusable bag with its logo at very low cost. Buy a few of these bags and keep at least 2-3 in your car at all times. Take them with you to the grocery store, drug store, dollar store and the mall so that your purchases don’t have to be put in a plastic bag.

These are just a few ways you can honor the principle of baal tashchit in your use of plastic. Once you begin to make these changes, they will become routine. Perhaps you will even find other ways to cut down on the amount of plastic you buy and use.

Resources: Earth Day Network

This blog originally appeared in jewishinstlouis.org at http://jewishinstlouis.org/category/blogs/planetjewish/

Leading up to the holiday:

• Buy gifts with a low carbon footprint–local stores that sell vintage, locally made or locally grown products are a great place to find these
• Consider offering a gift of time or one that fosters creativity–take your kids to the park for the afternoon or give them an hour's worth of pottery making time at an arts and crafts store
• Create homemade gift wrap from recycled materials rather than purchasing gift wrap that will be used once and thrown away. For example, gift wray can be created from used newspapers and magazines. As much as half of the 85 million tops of paper products Americans consume every year goes toward packaging, wrapping and decorating goods. Wrapping paper and shopping bags alone account for about 4 million tons of trash annually in the U.S.

Over the eight days and nights of Hanukkah:

• Use Hanukkah candles made of beeswax or soy rather than paraffin candles made from petroleum. Beeswax or soy candles are made from natural ingredients and also produce less soot and smoke than paraffin candles
• Make a healthier batch of latkes by using local, organic potatoes and onions and cage-free, organic eggs. Look for a winter's farmers market to buy your potatoes, onions and eggs. In St. Louis, the University City Market in the Loop, the St. Louis Community Farmers' Market and the Maplewood Farmers Market all have winter hours. Go to http://agebb.missouri.edu/fmkdir/view.asp?region=5 for more information
• Resolve as a household to conserve energy, identifying specific actions you can take over the next year. This could include replacing conventional light bulbs with CFLs, starting a backyard vegetable garden in the spring or doing more walking and less driving as a family

Chag Sameach!

Resources: www.begreenminded.com

originally published at jewishinstlouis.org

• Clean out your closets and recycle: De-clutter your house and help the environment at the same time. Clothes you don’t wear can be donated to Goodwill or to other charitable organizations (such as the National Council of Jewish Women’s Resale Shops, located in Saint Louis and elsewhere around the country). Recycling your clothes saves room in landfills and can help charitable organizations raise funds at the same time.
• Switch to low-tech lawn care: It may seem counter intuitive to turn in your electric or gas powered lawn items for manual ones. But doing so can mean meaningful reductions in carbon pollution. For instance, switching from a gas-powered lawn mower to a reel (manually powered) lawn mower means you will not be polluting the air with fumes and exhaust every time you mow. Manual mowers also have come a long way since first introduced decades ago. In the same vein, consider replacing your leaf blower with simple rakes. You will reduce your carbon footprint and get a better workout as you clear out your leaves.
• Plant a tree: One of the best things individuals can do to help the environment is to plant a tree. Trees alter the environment in which people live by moderating climate, improving air quality, conserving water and harboring wildlife. Planting trees is also a Jewish imperative. It is one way that we as Jews can help repair and restore the Earth, tilling it and tending it as commanded in the Torah. The Jewish Environmental Initiative, a program of the Jewish Community Relations Council, invites you to plant a tree with us on Sunday October 20 at 2PM. More details are at http://www.jcrcstl.org/jei.php#two.

These are just a few simple ways you can make a difference for Project Noah week and beyond.

• Consider reducing meat consumption to help the planet: Cattle farmers use about 1000 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef. This compares with 25 gallons of water to produce a pound of grain or rice. With this in mind, consider opting for a meat-free meal once a week as a way to reduce water waste. Reduce waste even further by eating more poultry and less red meat as often as you can. Producing a pound of poultry uses half the amount of water as producing a pound of beef.
• Grow your own simple vegetables: Even if you don’t have a green thumb, there are simple items like herbs that anyone can grow in the kitchen, on the porch or in the backyard Growing your own herbs saves money and also reduces your carbon footprint because you will not be purchasing store bought herbs likely grown miles away.
• Buy in bulk: There are many environmental benefits to buying in bulk. Among other things, it greatly reduces the amount of food packaging used. It also reduces the carbon footprint of each meal because bulk goods require overall less transportation before arriving at the grocery store. If every American purchased items from the bulk aisle once a week for a month, it would save more than 26 million pounds of packaging waste from landfills. Try the bulk food aisle for items such as raisins, nuts and pasta.
• Buy local: Most area farmers’ markets are still up and running through the month of October. Visiting a nearby farmers market and purchasing locally grown fruits and vegetables from the vendors helps the planet because you are not purchasing items flown from far away. Items purchased also will taste better and have more nutrients than store bought produce flown in from hundreds of miles away.

Through these few simple tips, you can start the New Year on the right foot and show respect for the planet too.

Resources: Earth911.com

This post originally appeared in jewishinstlouis at www.jewishinstlouis.org/planetjewish

• Place a floor fan at the top of your basement: the basement is naturally the coolest part of your house. Placing a floor fan at the open basement door will help bring the cool air up to your main living level
• Use major appliances during the coolest part of the day: Your home is less likely to become overheated if you use major appliances, such as the dishwasher and washing machine, early or late in the day
• Turn up your thermostat: You use 1 to 3 percent less energy for every degree higher your thermostat is set in the summer. Even putting the thermostat up one degree will save energy and you will likely not feel the difference comfort wise.
• Better insulate your windows: Consider putting up sunscreen-fabric curtains or roller shades in your home. These keep out the worst of the sun’s heat over the summer. If you are purchasing new windows, ask about panes with a low solar heat gain coefficient.
• Use a spritzer throughout the day to cool yourself off: When travelling out and about in the heat or after doing needed work outdoors , use a water filled spray bottle that has previously been refrigerated. Use it as needed throughout the day. Also consider refrigerating any lotions and toners you use on your face and body to get an extra cooling sensation when you apply them in the morning and evening.

Every little bit helps when you follow any or all of the above steps to ward off summer heat in an environmentally conscious way.

Resources: Albany Times Union (timesunion.com)

Greenfudge.org

Originally posted in jewishinstlouis.org at http://jewishinstlouis.org/eco-friendly-summer-part-two/

The Jewish Environmental Initiative (JEI), a program of the Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis (JCRC) recently visited the Resource Management recycling facility. Sales Manager Gary Gilliam gave us a tour and lots of information:

* Recycling is good for the economy. There was a time when recycling was done as a customer service at a cost to the trash companies, but now recycling has become economically viable. There is profit to be made from our recycled materials and the processing of recycled goods helps create jobs. Some of the markets for recycled materials are overseas, which helps the country’s trade deficit.

* Recycling helps preserve the resources in our economy. Each time we recycle, we are saving raw materials for future generations. Consider the cost and effort of creating a new can versus recycling. To get a new can, the metal has to be drilled, blasted, excavated, mined, smelted, and refined. Alternatively, we can re-use the metal that has already been refined.

* Your garbage can produce income. Some of the items that produce income for the recycler are aluminum and steel cans, glass, cardboard, office paper, newspaper, and plastic containers. Aluminum, steel, and glass are “infinite” products – they can be recycled over and over. Yet, $2.3 billion of aluminum and steel cans and $11.3 billion of total recyclable product goes into landfills each year.

* Recycling really does save trees. One ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees. The recycling plant that JEI visited processes enough paper to save almost 30,000 trees per day.

* You don’t need to remove lids or labels from containers before recycling. They are separated and recycled appropriately during the recycle process. You also don’t need to thoroughly wash containers before recycling – a quick rinse is sufficient. Use your judgment when deciding whether to recycle containers with attached food waste – a little bit is not a problem, but discard items with a large amount of food attached.

* Bubble wrap, newspaper wrappers, plastic wrap, and dry cleaning bags should be recycled with your plastic grocery bags at the grocery store rather than in your single stream recycle bin. If you collect your recyclables in a plastic bag, consider emptying the bag into your recycle bin and recycle the plastic bag at the grocery store.

Recycling is an excellent way to practice the Jewish principle of Baal Taschit – do not waste.

Control the Temperature of Your Washing Machine: About 90 percent of the energy use associated with doing laundry involves just heating up the water. Turn the dial to cold and save a huge amount of energy in the process.

Wash Full Loads: Even the most energy-efficient loads use 40 gallons of water. Reducing the number of loads you do each week will save water and money. If you find yourself doing eight or more loads of laundry each week, skipping just one will save over 10 percent on your laundry costs.

Use Natural Detergents and Stain Removers: Natural products tend to be free of chlorine bleach, synthetic fragrance, dyes, and optical brighteners. Instead, they are usually plant (not petroleum) based, contain biodegradable surfactants, and are often specifically formulated to perform well in cold water.

Re-Think Dryer Sheets: The chemicals–including synthetic fragrances—found in conventional dryer sheets and fabric softeners are similar to what is found in conventional detergents. They’re largely questionable for human health and the environment. In addition, these disposable sheets end up in landfills after only one use. Either skip them entirely or purchase reusable sheets to address static cling. Popular brand include the Static Eliminator or Pure Eco Sheets(available on Amazon.com and other online sources). Reusable sheets are typically good for 500 loads.

Hang Clothes to Dry: Keeping your clothes out of a dryer extends their life, reduces energy use, and cuts costs. Whether you use an indoor or outdoor drying rack, line drying can be done year round. Just don’t put dark colors in bright sunlight or they’ll fade. Bonus: Indoor rack drying during the winter doubles as a humidifier.

Enjoy the savings, health and environmental benefits of doing your laundry the eco-friendly way.

Resources: www.realsimple.com

Originally printed in jewishinstlouis.org at http://www.jewishinstlouis.org/blog.aspx?id=345

• Use natural methods to protect against the sun: Use of sunscreens is commonplace from May through August. Many sunscreens, however, contain chemicals and may be harmful to the skin and the environment. Look for a sunscreen made with organic ingredients and no chemicals. Read the label before you buy anything. Brands such as Alba Botanica and Jason Natural Cosmetics carry natural sunscreen products. Adorable Baby and Earth’s Best are a few safe brands for infants and young children. Also don’t forget to wear a wide brimmed hat during the middle of the day when the sun is strongest, a natural sun protection technique.
• Make or buy natural insect repellents: Bug repellents are often essential in the warm weather, particularly if you hike or camp in areas, where mosquitoes, ticks and other dangerous insects dwell. However, most insect repellents contain DEET, which is toxic. Rather than putting a bug spray heavy with DEET on your skin, consider making your own repellent using essential oils, vegetable oil and aloe vera gel (see recipe below). If you prefer a store-bought brand, you can typically find natural bug repellents at health food stores and groceries such as Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.
• Weigh the pros and cons of grills: Many people enjoy grilling food outdoors in the spring or summer. If you are a fan of grilling, consider the environmental impact of the type of grill you use. In general, it is best to avoid charcoal grills, because they emit twice as much carbon as gas grills. The lighter fluid used on charcoal grills also adversely affects the ozone layer. You are better off using an energy efficient gas grill, which uses less energy, has a quicker start time and emits less smoke. Also consider investing in newer grilling methods on the market, such as pellet grills and hybrid grills. These are better for the environment than gas grills, although they are often harder to find and currently more expensive to buy than other types of grills.

Enjoy heading outdoors the earth-friendly way!

Homemade Insect Repellent Recipe:
10-25 drops essential oil. Try lavender, rose geranium (for ticks), coriander seeds, peppermint, cajeput and citronella
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon aloe vera gel (optional)
Combine the ingredients in a glass jar; stir to blend. Dab a few drops on your skin or clothing

Originally posted on jewishinstlouis.org at http://www.jewishinstlouis.org/blog.aspx?id=345

• Make your own organic baby food—The safest food for your baby is the same fresh, organic food you eat. Rather than worry about additives in store bought baby food and the waste caused by purchasing all of those little jars, buy a baby food grinder. After pureeing items, you can also make extra for later use by putting the food in ice cube trays and then transferring the cubes to a plastic bag or container to freeze.
• Buy all natural bath and skin care products—Look for items like baby shampoo and lotion that have no added chemicals. A few national brands such as Burt’s Bees and Seventh Generation make these products. Natural personal care items for baby are safer and more gentle for the skin. These products also are not petroleum based so they do not contain fossil fuels. Excessive use of fossil fuels is harmful to the planet.
• Use a more eco-friendly diaper– There is some debate about whether or not cloth diapers are really better for the environment than disposables. This is because cloth diapers need to be washed in very hot water in a washing machine. Also, if you are using a diaper service you have to factor in the transportation costs for the service truck. One alternative if you are not sure which way to go is to look for a more eco-friendly disposable diapers. You can find natural brands that use recycled materials and that don’t use chlorine bleach as part of processing in some supermarkets and natural food stores. Another alternative is to use a combination of cloth and disposable, such as cloth at home and disposables when out.
• Look for organic cotton clothes– Cotton is a natural fiber and so it is a good fabric for baby clothes. But conventional cotton is grown with large amounts of water and pesticides. So look for organic cotton clothing for your little one.

Making these earth-friendly choices for your baby will help both your child and the planet.

This post was originally posted on jewishinstlouis.org at http://www.jewishinstlouis.org/blog.aspx?id=345

• Help the environment by reducing waste as you empty your home of chametz (leavened foods such as breads, pastas, etc). Give leftover bread and grain-based items to area food pantries rather than throwing them out.
• Clean your house using environmentally friendly cleaning products.
• As much as possible, buy your Passover fruits and vegetables from local, organic sources. This reduces your carbon footprint as you will not be purchasing produce flown in from hundreds of miles away.
• Use soy or beeswax candles for your Passover table. These create less soot and are more sustainable than paraffin candles.
• Avoid disposable plates and utensils. If your level of observance requires using separate dinnerware during Passover, invest in purchasing separate dishes that you can use over again each year. Don’t clog landfills by using plates, cups and cutlery that get thrown away after a single use.
• Use washable napkins and a washable table cloth for your Seders. This is another way to reduce waste.
• If travelling for Passover, consider carpooling with others and travelling at off-peak times to avoid wasting gas.

Have a joyous and green Passover!

This post originally appeared as part of Planet Jewish on jewishinstlouis.org at http://www.jewishinstlouis.org/blog.aspx?id=345