Posts Tagged ‘Eco’

How to Sugar Preserve Edible Flowers

Monday, April 19th, 2010
A sunflower, a typical sign of summer.

Image via Wikipedia

Beautiful, edible decorations can be made for a variety of occasions such as garden parties or weddings. All that is needed are organically grown edible flowers and two simple ingredients.

To sugar preserve flowers, start with edible flowers that have been organically grown without the use of pesticides. Pansies, violets and nasturtiums are all good choices. To be completely safe, grow the flowers yourself.

Prior to picking the blossoms, assemble all needed equipment and supplies. For this project you will need scissors, a paper towel, a small bowl of egg white, a small bowl of super-fine sugar, a small paintbrush, a large plate and a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.

Pick the flowers in the morning while it is cool outside. Cut the stems as short as possible and lay the blossoms on a paper towel to dry. Keep the batches of picked flowers small as the sugaring process is time consuming and must be completed in one sitting.

Gently hold each flower by the back and coat thoroughly with egg white, using the paintbrush. Ensure that no part of the front, back or sides is missed. Hold the flower over the plate and sprinkle with sugar until completely coated both front and back. Lay the blossom on the plate if necessary to complete this step. Gently bump or blow on the flower to remove excess sugar. (more…)

Compostable Plastic? Made of Sugar?

Friday, February 26th, 2010

In light of dwindling oil supplies worldwide and an ever-increasing need for plastic food packaging products, very exciting news was recently published in the British press. According to a story in the Telegraph, British scientists have developed a compostable plastic made from sugars derived from non-edible plants. Using various grasses and fast growing trees, Imperial College London researchers have successfully changed glucose from these plants into a polymer suitable for plastic production.

Plastic_Cups (more…)

How to Make Your Own Reusable Shopping Bag

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
recycled Poster shopping bag side 2
Image by Design Packaging via Flickr

Recycle tank tops, t-shirts or sweaters into cool, reusable shopping bags. With minimal sewing and just a pair of scissors, a needle and thread, yarn or string, you can create a shopping bag to be used every day. In fact, why not make several? Keep a few at home, at work and in the car so that you’re always prepared. They are so quick and easy to make, you could even give them away while out shopping!

T-Shirt or Tank Top Shopping Bag

Making a shopping bag from a t-shirt or tank top is easy! Just turn the shirt inside out and sew completely across the bottom, either by hand or by machine. For added durability, sew across the bottom again a time or two. Then turn the shirt right side out. If you’re using a tank top, your bag is finished! If a t-shirt has been used, you must now cut off the sleeves right next to the seams and cut the neck opening to the desired size. Voila! A cool, reusable shopping bag! (more…)

Unusual comparison of water use in our home

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Most of us probably is not aware of connections between our daily choices in example in menu and world’s water use. But connections are really strong!

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What you can do from an old light bulb

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

Recycling may not only be useful but also a way to have a great time. An amazing thing can be made of an old light bulb…

Easy Eco Friendly Water Saving Tips

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
Showerhead
Image via Wikipedia

Some of the best ways to conserve water in the home are also some of the easiest to do in a single day. Most tips cost little to nothing to implement and the savings can be great, both financially and ecologically.

If you have an older toilet and don’t intend to replace it any time soon with a water saving version, simply add a brick or two into the water tank. This will displace a great deal of water instantly turning your toilet into one that uses far less water.

Along the same line, you can also turn off the water to the toilet and use dishwater or bath water to flush the toilet. Most people aren’t interested in taking such steps, but it is a sound practice, if somewhat awkward. (more…)