Photo by: tanakawho

Leslie Douglas is a freelance writer who is passionate about the environment and leaving a legacy of appreciation for the outdoors to future generations.

If you live in an area with a heavy mosquito population, you know just how annoying the pests can be. Outdoor activities aren’t much fun when you’re dodging biting insects. Many commercial mosquito repellents are available, from chemical sprays like the popular Off! brand, to mosquito traps like the Mosquito Magnet. However, if you’d rather avoid those chemicals, and save some money, try natural mosquito repellents. Whether it’s including a certain plant in your garden, or mixing your own personal repellent, you can find a natural solution that works for you.

Marigolds

These flowering plants are often included in gardens for their fiery reds, oranges, and yellows. The great thing is, many insects, including mosquitoes, find their scent objectionable. In fact, a lot of people don’t like how they smell either, which is why they’re planted for their colors and not the way they smell. Plant them in your garden, or place pots of them at regular intervals around your patio or deck to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Catnip

Several years ago, the Iowa State University Department of Entomology performed a study on catnip. Their findings indicated that the oil in catnip is a mosquito repellent ten times more effective than DEET, the active ingredient in most chemical insect repellents. It’s possible to make a repellent spray from catnip oil, but growing the plant around outdoor activity areas seems to work pretty well too. Just be sure your cat doesn’t uproot it!

Tea Tree Oil

This essential oil is very strong and can actually cause a rash if applied to the skin at full strength. It’s best to dilute it in another oil, called a carrier oil. Grapeseed oil is an excellent choice for this because it has very little scent, and is a light oil, easily absorbed by the skin. Tea tree oil is also good for treating mosquito bites should one or two get past your repellent. Apply the diluted oil directly to the bite to alleviate itching and redness.

Rosemary and Sage

Rosemary oil is another good mosquito repellent when mixed properly, but a quick and easy solution requires either or both of these herbs in their fresh state. When barbecuing, simply toss a few sprigs of rosemary and sage onto the coals. As they burn, they’ll release their oils and scents, which will be dispersed into the air with the smoke. Mosquitoes will keep their distance, allowing you to enjoy your barbecue pest-free.

Lemongrass

Thai lemon grass also contains citronella oil, and is generally thought to be more effective than citronella grass-derived oil as an insect repellent. To keep mosquitoes away, you can break a stalk off the plant and rub it between your palms until it releases enough juice to rub over exposed skin. It can also be made into a spray, but planting it around your patio will also provide some benefit.

Citronella

True citronella is derived from several types of plant, most notably citronella grass. You could plant this around your property, but it can grow to a height of six feet, so it may not be the best suburban solution. Citronella oil is used in many topical repellents, but is most often seen in candle form. Citronella candles are available at grocery stores and drugstores. Home improvement centers carry them, and also offer torches that use citronella oil, an economical alternative because they’re refillable.

Things to keep in mind

With essential oils, a little goes a long way. It’s best to dilute them not only to reduce the harshness of the oil, but to cover more area and be more economical with the oil.

Any mosquito repellent you apply to your skin—natural or otherwise—will become diluted and less effective as it is absorbed into the skin, if you perspire or swim, or if you’ve also applied a sunscreen. The repellent should be reapplied about once an hour. If you’re going to be away from home, be sure to apply repellent before you leave, and take some with you for all-day protection.

“Natural” doesn’t necessarily mean safe. Many natural substances can still be harmful if ingested, or if they get in your eyes. Some can even harm the skin if they’re not diluted. You may even be allergic to a substance you’ve never come into contact with before. Educate yourself on the plant or oil you plan to use to avoid discomfort, injury, and illness.

A little time and effort is all it takes to address a mosquito problem with a natural solution.

There are several things to take into consideration when approaching an eco-friendly home remodeling project as big as a kitchen renovation. For starters, your space must be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Second, the products and services incorporated should be environmentally sound. Finally, your plan must adhere to your budget. Incorporating all of these directives is no easy feat. But it can be done if you know what to look for.

The portion of your kitchen that gets the most wear and tear is the counter top. It is subject to cutting, staining, scalding, and any number of other unpleasant mishaps, so it must be durable. To that effect, there are several green options. The least expensive tends to be recycled ceramic tile, coming in as low as $10/square foot (or even less if you shop around for discounts). Not only is it affordable, it can be a DIY project for the frugal homeowner and the options for customization are practically limitless (you can even get tile that looks like the granite and marble used in upscale designer kitchens). It’s heat, stain, and odor resistant, and it’s not too difficult to replace if it chips or cracks. Unfortunately, other green options carry a much heftier price tag (IceStone, while utilizing 100% recycled glass, comes in at about $100/square foot while concrete counter tops weigh in with a starting price of about $65/square foot). A cheaper option would be laminate with a price tag in the $25-$50/square foot range, but it may not look as nice as other surfaces.

In terms of cabinetry, the greenest (and cheapest) option is to keep what you have and simply spruce it up with a little paint, stain, or a new veneer. However, if you’re determined to replace outdated, unstable, or non-functional cupboards, consider a store that specializes in reclamation. Merchants that deal in recycled cabinets often do repairs before they sell, so you’re getting a product that’s practically new, and they are far less expensive than buying entirely new (plus, they go in your kitchen instead of a landfill).

And no eco-friendly kitchen is complete without energy-star appliances. While it’s true that these green must-haves can carry an astronomical price tag, they do save you on your energy bill, so over the course of time, you will get back some of your initial investment. Even better, however, are the rebates offered by your utility providers when you send in a copy of your receipt. Hooray for cash back! In addition, you may be eligible for a tax credit up to $1,500, so look at all of your options before you say no to new appliances.

Although it can be difficult to reconcile your affinity for green with a tight budget when it comes to remodeling, it can certainly be done. There are many options to be weighed, but finding affordable, eco-friendly products that give your kitchen the designer look you desire is not beyond the realm of possibility. A little research and price checking can go a long way towards helping you build the green kitchen of your dreams.

Jennifer Kardish is a communications coordinator at Discount Kitchen Cabinets. You can check out their free design tips for your kitchen and home.

Dylan Crib from ducduc

This guest post was written by Marcy Tate, a blogger at Networx, Your Home Improvement Network.

Spring kicks off the unofficial baby nursery planning season. In the US, the highest percentage of babies is born in July and August, making the spring the perfect time for planning a nursery. All new moms and dads wants the best for their babies, and the best in baby nurseries is creating a healthy, green or eco-friendly nursery. Here you’ll read the basics of what you’ll need for a green nursery and where to find it.

Getting the Room Ready

The Walls
If you are planning to give your nursery a fresh coat of paint, choose paint without harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are emitted as gasses from paint and are unhealthy for you, your baby and the environment.
Almost all good-quality paint manufacturers produce low or zero-VOC paint. Check Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams for some of the best selections of zero-VOC paint. Alternatively, try a super eco-friendly paint option, like milk-based paint from The Real Milk Paint Co.

Lighting
Low-voltage and compact fluorescent lighting fixtures and lamps are the most eco-friendly way to go for your nursery. Select CFL (compact fluorescent) light bulbs with lower Kelvin ratings, as they will provide a warm glow. Ideally, choose wall or ceiling mounted lighting to keep electrical cords and plugs out of your baby’s reach.

Window Treatments
Selecting light-colored window treatments will allow natural-light into the nursery while still blocking enough light for your baby to nap comfortably. There are a few green choices for window treatments:

1) Natural-woven shades made from highly renewable grasses.
2) Drapes made from fabrics like hemp or organic cotton.
3) Roller shades made from PVC-free material, such as the good-quality
roller shades from Earthshade.

Carpeting
Consider using area rugs or carpet tiles instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. Carpets can harbor dust mites and some synthetic carpets release off-gas VOCs. While there’s no way to predict whether your baby will be sensitive to dust mites, play it safe and avoid carpet. If you do choose carpet, make it eco-friendly and select wool or jute carpet. Check FLOR carpet tiles for a wide selection of carpet tiles.

Toys
While there aren’t too many toys your baby will need right away, using toys to decorate the baby’s nursery can add cheer and bring excitement to the room while waiting for the baby. Look for organic cotton toys, such as this set of organic cotton vegetables. Wooden toys are a timeless classic. Make sure they are from FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) forests. Check out Ecotoytown for just about every eco-toy out there. PlanToys is another excellent resource with a wide selection of eco-toys. Your local toy store will likely carry eco-friendly toys as well.

Bedding and Furniture Essentials

The Crib
Like most wooden furniture, most cribs are not eco-friendly. The problems with cribs are that many are made with unsustainable wood or formaldehyde-filled plywood and utilize VOC finishes. Fortunately, there are several green crib options. However, be aware that they cost more than a standard crib. Spend time doing some research when it comes to your crib purchase, as you may be able to find an eco-friendly crib, like this one from Babymod, at Walmart.
Sustainable wooden cribs can be purchased at DucDuc and Q Collection Junior. The cribs are made from sustainable woods, without harmful chemicals. Additionally, Pacific Rim makes solid maple furniture from sustainable forests. Your best bet for selecting nursery furniture is to purchase unfinished, untreated wood.

Bedding
Bedding is the most important part of the nursery when it comes to making it eco-friendly. Your baby will have direct, face-to-bed contact with the bedding. Start by purchasing an organic cotton mattress like those made by Savvy Rest. Savvy rest manufactures crib mattresses that are made with natural latex and certified organic materials.

Make sure to stay with natural fibers for the rest of your crib bedding, including the mattress pad, sheets and changing pads. Go for wool instead of vinyl when purchasing puddle pads: Those great pads that will protect the mattress against leaks. Organic cotton or bamboo crib sheets are an excellent green choice.

Putting together a green nursery is worth the extra bit of time and money needed to do so. Start early so that you can take your time pricing the items you need and budgeting out everything you desire. The reward will be a healthy, eco-friendly nursery for the most important item in the nursery: your precious baby.

This guest post is written by James Garver, “Avid follower of left wing politics and anything green and progressive.”

Spring 2010 is approaching and there’s a lot of buzz around topics like the economy, taxation, global poverty, restoration in Haiti/Chile, and lastly, green awareness. With spring, Earth Day also draws nearer (April 22nd); as individuals, we must remember and realize the importance of global warming and all of its implications. Subsequent topics discussed as of late include space travel/burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and green building. As nations like Haiti and Chile prepare for rebuilding and new construction, there are many things to consider when advancing. Moving towards cleaner, greener infrastructure is vital in ensuring a successful restoration campaign.

The U.S. Green Building Council is a 501(3)(c) non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everybody. It’s one of the many organizations playing its role in green progression. Heavy discussion lies on green topics, especially the more recent ones like space travel; others include deforestation, green crops, clothing, energy, and much more. It’s important that we as individuals/citizens stay up-to-date on important global topics like warming. As organizations like the CGI (Clinton Global Initiative), AFH (Architecture for Humanity), and the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) conducts sustainability campaigns and enforce strict green constraints, our world will continue to become a better, cleaner place. Machines behind the CGI, Doug Band and Former President Clinton have been pursuing an emission reduction plan in the San Francisco Bay area. Meanwhile, CEO of GEC (Globetrotters Engineering Corporation), Niranjan Shah, is underway with green building projects in Chicago, IL. Despite these few national examples, green infrastructure, particularly in places like Haiti, has become an integral part of restoration and construction.

This aligns with the implications of “economic viability” and long term sustainability, posing the questions, “Can Haiti really make it through all the costs of repair and reconstruction?” Infrastructure can take a toll on any economy, especially if the funds aren’t there. This goes hand in hand with meeting modern day LEED standards and approaching this in a “greener” sense. Organizations like Architecture for Humanity will make this possible. Architecture for Humanity (1999) is a nonprofit design services firm building “a more sustainable future through the power of professional design.” It was formulated through a group of building professionals whose overwhelming passion for construction drove them to provide a way for underdeveloped, suffering countries to rebuild. Through their dedication and hard work, these people will be able to not only create new buildings and infrastructure, but make them bigger, better, and greener.

To touch on just some of the things that AFH covers:

• Alleviating poverty and providing access to water, sanitation, power and essential services
• Bringing safe shelter to communities prone to disaster and displaced populations
• Rebuilding community and creating neutral spaces for dialogue in post-conflict areas
• Mitigating the effects of rapid urbanization in unplanned settlements
• Creating spaces to meet the needs of those with disabilities and other at-risk populations
• Reducing the footprint of the built environment and addressing climate change

As polluters continue to buy their way out of Carbon Cuts globally, and large organizations continue to dump their waste into lakes, ponds and rivers, communities and must play their role in ensuring sustainability. Organizations like the CGI, AFH, and USGBC provide repercussion and policy change for acts such as. Most of the results from warming and climate change are miniscule and unnoticeable now, but our youth and earlier generations will experience firsthand the effects of pollutants and unsustainable efforts. Feel free to visit Earth Day to learn more about what you can do to support your world.

Tax season is in full swing and I am slowing climbing out of the sea of paperwork and bookkeeping.  Its a good thing that someone else is going to file for me this year!   Its hard to imagine doing it all.

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Though I have tried to “opt out” of junk mail, certain magazines and catalogues, I still get my fair share of junk in the mail.  I Hate Junk Mail – 10 Uses for Unwanted Junk Mail gives you a few creative ideas for your junk mail. Blog: dk Mommy Spot

10 Surprising Ways You’re Killing the Earth Without Even Knowing It by Carolyn Friedman goes into just that. From not eating farm raised fish, to not ignoring home inspections, she outlines a few changes we all can make in our day-to-day lives.  Blog:  Becoming a Radiologist

Before I started Green and Chic, I was told time and again that it was going to fail.   Though I have had thoughts of giving up Stop Thinking You Are Going To Fail Just Because Someone Says You Should really helps put things into prospective.  Blog: My Wife Quit Her Job

Giveaways

EarthLust Review and Giveaway - Win a BPA free, eco-friendly stainless steel water bottle  from Simply Stacie blog. Giveaway ends on March 4, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST.

Giveaway – Tropical Traditions Teeth Cleaner Set by Sweeps4Bloggers. This delicious coconut oil based teeth cleaner is free from artificial flavors and foaming agents.  Giveaway ends on March 8, 2010 at 8pm PST.

Seventh Generation Review and Giveaway Seventh Generation is offering one Free and Clear Cleaning Starter Kit. Giveaway ends on March 10, 2010.

Cloth napkins I recently made

Envelope I made from a paper grocery bag

Over the past year, I have done a pretty good job reducing the use of plastic in my day-to-day life. There are a few areas I need to work on, like the use of plastic produce bags at the grocery stores and farmers markets, but overall, I’ve done better than I have in years past.

For 2010, I decided to make an effort to cut back on the amount of paper I use .  I am usually mindful of my paper usage when it comes to eliminating unnecessary magazine and catalog subscriptions, junk mail, grocery stores bags, and reducing office and shipping paper. My use of miscellaneous paper products like napkins and facial tissue can be excessive at times, though I only buy 100% recycled paper products.  In an effort to reduce the amount of paper I use, I started using cloth napkins at the dinner table and handkerchiefs instead of facial tissue. I normally only use cloth napkins when I have guests, but whats stopping me from using them everyday?  Thankfully, I haven’t purchased a roll of paper towels in months, so that’s also a good start!

Have you made an effort to reduce the amount of paper and/or plastic in your life? Do you have any other ideas aside from what I mentioned?

When it comes to buying environmentally friendly products, we generally think of cleaning supplies, other household items, organic clothing, and more.  But what about what we use to write with?  Though I personally prefer pens, I still use pencils from time to time, and I’m sure if you have children, they probably go though a lot of them in the course of a school year.

Though pencils are a way of life for many people, we rarely think about the environmental impact of conventional pencils.   According to Forest Ethics, there are still manufactures that clear cut forests in California and Sierra Nevada to get wood for pencils.  In addition to that, 14 billion of these pencils are made in polluting factories every year.  What is the alternative?

Earthzone is proud to launch the world’s first environmentally friendly pencil. Earthzone pencils are non toxic and made from 100% recycled newspapers. The erasers are even latex free. I was sent a few packs of pencils and sharpeners to try out, and I must say, I am very impressed!  I was skeptical at first. I was expecting them not to be sturdy since they are made from…paper, but they act and feel just like a regular pencil.  The pencils sharpen easily, and do not break.  They actually feel and write better than traditional wood based pencils. In terms of how they look, the recycled newspaper is incorporated in the design, which looks pretty cool!

Earthzone offers a variety of pencils, including, HB, colored pencils and a pack of “artist series” pencils.

Do you buy pencils for yourself and/or your children? I guess I assumed most pencils were made from “recycled wood”, but I was wrong!  Have you thought about where your pencils come from?

New York City – The Garment Worker
Photo by: Paul Lowry

I recently saw a new documentary on the American garment industry called, Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags.  It goes into how the fashion/garment industry got started in America with New York City being at the center of it all, and where it is today.

Dozens of people who were at one time or is still in the industry were interviewed.  Individuals who’s parents worked in the New York City Garment District in the early part of the last century, union workers,  entrepreneurs who started garment manufacturing companies and people who was recently pushed out of business or laid off for various reasons were featured.  Reasons includes smaller companies going public, the recently crashed economy and factories going overseas.  Its a historical piece that’s both fascinating and will force you to think about our individual and collective choices.

How does this relate to green living?

“In 1965, 95% of American clothing was made in the U.S.A.; by 2009, only 5% is manufactured here.”

Most of our clothing is not local and is being shipped in from overseas.  The carbon footprint couldn’t get much larger than that.

Where is our clothing coming from?

Most of us are familiar with sweatshop labor, but I guess I didn’t realize that so many of our clothing comes from places that still practice modern day slavery. Though I personally try to be mindful where my clothing comes from, its sometimes hard to pass up on a good deal.  The problem is, that $10 dress from any large discount retailer cost more than just $10 as pointed out in the Story of Stuff video.  Chatting with local designers in the Portland area, I learned just how difficult and costly it is to create just one garment.  Factors such as the cost of materials (especial organic), paying employees a fair living wage, rent, insurance, overhead and so many others makes it difficult to break even sometimes let alone turn over a profit. Just because some locally made items are being sold at high double or triple digit prices, doesn’t mean the brick and mortar stores, online shop owners, designers, seamstress, etc are living large.  Its a tough and many times thankless industry to be in.

What can we do?

That is a very good question and I am always open to ideas. I do know we have to change our shopping and consumption habits: buy less and buy local.   Is there anything else we as individuals can do to reverse this trend?

Photo by: LeeBrimelow

As a mother of four, Mary has a deep interest and concern for the state of our world, and for preserving it for the future of our children.  As a freelance writer, she enjoys researching and writing on topics of health and green living, so that she can learn as she helps to spread the good word!

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Biking to work used to be such a foreign concept, but nowadays you see far more people using this mode of transportation. What you may not realize is that jumping on a bike to get to and from work can help to clear your head, make you feel physically better, and reinforce your commitment to be more eco-friendly.

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Photo by Moria

This is a guest post written by Brett Lindenberg an avid internet marketer from nether regions of Northwest Minnesota. When not trying to harness the power of Twitter (@brettlindenberg) he enjoys watching Brett Farve be a Viking.

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Batteries are the unappreciated purveyors of our connectivity obsessed society. We use them to power up our vehicles which enables us to travel long distances, on our wristwatches to be able to tell the time of day, on our laptops which allows us to use our precious computers even if there is no electrical power source, etc. Hey, we even use it on our cell phones which have become a necessity nowadays. Indeed, there is no denying that these batteries have made our lives easier. Let’s face it; we just can’t live without them.

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