Owner: Safe Green Living URL:http://safegreenliving.blogspot.com/ Join Date: Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:51:53 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Green living for your health not just for the planet. Site statistics:Click here
Desperately Seeking Organic Food in Castle Rock 2008-04-01 06:48:37 My husband and I moved from Littleton to Castle
Rock, Colorado three years ago. We absolutely love the town but during the winter and early spring we find ourselves back in Littleton twice a week to buy fresh organic produce. I am deeply envious of the large Vitamin Cottage that recently opened in Parker and we often go there to stock up on their non-limp produce.But the more I learn about developing a sustainable life the more I become convinced at how ridiculous it is that we drive 15-20 miles each way to buy organic produce and antibiotic free meats. However, I am not willing to give up organic food to eat from my local grocery store just to save on my petroleum use. One may argue that large local chains offer more organic foods than ever before. I agree, they offer more foods with the Read more:Seeking
, Organic
Eating Local in Colorado 2008-03-31 06:17:43 The Colorado
growing season is starting to take root and I can't wait. Last summer my husband and I visited a local farm using "zero impact" agriculture methods to grow the most delicious, satisfying local produce I've ever tasted. When I eat fresh organic vegetables and fruits I need to keep a napkin handy because they burst with water and flavor. Organic vegetables and fruits make conventional fruits and vegetables taste like Styrofoam blocks in comparison to organic live foods. I didn’t think eating vegetables could taste any better until I tried the produce from Willow Grove Farms in Castle Rock, Colorado. Located just off Highway 85, Willow Grove Farms is oddly sandwiched between Castle Pines and a large new-home development in Castle Rock called The Meadows.Willow Grove is a sustai Read more:Local
Earth Hour: Lights Out – Time to Get Romantic 2008-03-29 10:54:08 Earth Hour is a global energy conservation movement where people voluntarily turn off their lights between 8 PM and 9 PM in their local time zone on Saturday, March 29th, 2008.Other nations in the world have experienced blackouts but in the United States, that seems like a foreign concept. We might even panic – What will we do without lights or TV in the evening? Pulitzer Prize winning Indian novelist, Jhumpa Lahiri gives us an example in her short story "A Temporary Matter." She tells us a story of a husband and wife who were strained in their relationship when they were notified by the city that they would experience blackouts for several hours for several evenings in a row. Shukumar and Shoba (the characters in the story) are at a loss as to what they will do. Left with nothing else b Read more:Earth
, Lights
HGTV is Giving Away a "Green" House 2008-03-28 17:26:38 HGTV's Dream Home giveaways always generate excitement because of how beautifully decorated and designed they are. Well, they are doing it again. This time they are going green and offering an eco-friendly house and hybrid Yukon.The house is in Hilton Head, South Carolina so whether you would be willing to move there or use it as a vacation home, it is a fun, great place to be. The house features energy-efficient appliances and other green products.You can enter to win HGTV’s Green
Home contest here.Tour the green home on HGTV's youtube video.Non-toxic green product information Read more:Giving
, House
Earth-friendly Products Hazardous to Your Health? 2008-03-28 17:18:31 The Green Movement is gaining momentum and that is worth celebrating but before we rush headlong into trendy, eco-sensitive products, we need to ask ourselves if these products are safe for humans.For decades scientists and ecologists have warned us about using plastic because post-consumer plastic takes up considerable space in our landfills and takes too long to degrade (if it is biodegradable at all).To answer this growing ecological threat, plastic recycling technology is growing more consumer-friendly and more affordable but do recycled plastic products pose a risk for human health?EcologyCenter.org lists the adverse health effects of plastic. People are now warning us to never heat up food cooked in plastics because the heat allows the chemicals in plastic to transfer to our food. Th Read more:Earth
, Products
, Hazardous
, Health
Privacy Policy 2008-03-28 09:35:35 COMMITMENT TO YOUR PRIVACY for Safe Green LivingThis site/blog is owned and operated by Sophia Management, LLC. Your privacy on the Internet is of the utmost importance to us. At Sophia Management, LLC, we want to make your experience online satisfying and safe.Because we gather certain types of information about our users, we feel you should fullyunderstand our policy and the terms and conditions surrounding the capture and use of thatinformation. This privacy statement discloses what information we gather and how we useit.INFORMATION Sophia Management, LLC GATHERS AND TRACKSSophia Management, LLC gathers two types of information about users:· Information that users provide through optional, voluntary submissions. These arevoluntary submissions to receive our electronic newsletters, to p Read more:Privacy
, Policy
, Privacy Policy
Energy-efficient Dishwashers and Washers Make a Big Difference 2008-03-27 09:59:17 Are you in the market for a new dishwasher, washer, or refrigerator? If so, you may be looking for the best price and durability but why not consider purchasing an appliance that conserves energy, saves water, and has low carbon dioxide emissions?One simple step to save money on your utilities and to start your green home remodeling project is to buy an Energy
-star rated appliance.Many LEED certified builders (LEED is a green building certification) chose Bosch home appliances for their eco-friendly buildings. Bosch has a great informational video on their website that shows the environmental impact of home dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators. I encourage you to watch this short presentation. I was amazed at what a difference something as small as buying and using energy and w Read more:efficient
Home Remodel Project: Green Home Ideas 2008-03-27 09:11:28 Green home construction utilizes construction designs, energy saving technologies, and sustainable building materials that can be overwhelming to a new green consumer.Even if you are not ready to buy a house that is off the grid, or buy a green constructed home, you can still take steps to lower your carbon footprint by slowly replacing materials and appliances in your home with green home products and energy-saving appliances and technology.You do not have to spend a fortune to help protect the environment and create a healthy, indoor environment for yourself and family.Some ideas to get you started is to use energy-saving light bulbs and replace synthetic and chemically treated linens with organic bedding made of natural fibers, organic cotton, and natural dyes. Through the Safe Green Li Read more:Green
, Remodel
, Project
Author Donates Royalties, Protesting Dam Building 2008-03-25 10:26:57 India has undergone many dam projects as have many other developing countries. Foreign investment, flood control, irrigation canals, and energy production are the cited reasons for dam construction but critics claim that the devastation to the human population living in the flood zones and the ecological damage, as well as statistics stating historical dam projects provide significantly less energy output as expected, encourage extreme resistance to dam construction.In India, massive protests in the form of hunger strikes, and donations of book royalties from famous Indian writer Arundhati Roy* keep this debate in the news. Book Review: "Power Politics", 2001, author Arundhati Roy, Indian female writer This book is a series of essays exploring water dam building and energy production in In Read more:Author
, Royalties
, Building
Why Buy a Hobby Farm 2008-04-03 10:53:01 guest article:Buying a small farm is generally an emotive experience. Every purchaser has a unique set of reasons for taking such a step, however, general themes can be identified and several broad categories of hobby farmers can usually be observed in most regions.For Investment InterestAstute investors will often purchase a parcel of land close to the urban fringe with the expectation that the urban sprawl will inevitably produce handsome profits from subdivisions or redevelopment. Such farmers will often carry out a minimum of work and may graze some animals in order to keep the property tidy. It is unlikely that long-term activities such as re-vegetation will take place.For Lifestyle Or PrivacyMore commonly hobby farmers have a desire to live away from the prying eyes of neighbours, bu Read more:Hobby
City-dwellers Return to the Farm and Gardening 2008-04-03 10:45:57 I am currently reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver (2007). Barbara Kingsolver is a popular novelist who wrote the lovely stories "Animal Dreams" and "The Bean Trees." Kingsolver is one of the few successful, creative women I've encountered who use motherhood and domesticity to cultivate their creativity, making it richer than before. She seems to balance the two with ease and good nature.The book is also authored by her husband, Steven L. Hopp and her daughter, Camille Kingsolver. The authorship is just one example of the commitment her family took to bring awareness to the degradation of the food we eat.Her family decided to change their lifestyle, move to a small farm and commit themselves to growing their own food and only eating locally for yea Read more:Return
Find Colorado Farmers' Markets 2008-04-06 10:00:39 The Colorado
gold rushes filled many with hopes of wealth and encouraged them to go to great lengths to pan for rare gold nuggets. Today, living in a state where most think vegetables and fruits come from a major grocery store, I feel like the dedicated gold seeker as I look for fresh, locally grown early spring produce.The longer spring days are urging my body to find local produce that still has its water and nutrient content in abundance. Because our climate is not like California or Florida, most of us have to wait until June or July to shop our local markets. At least that is what I used to think but Santa Fe has a winter farmer's market. I haven't been yet, but I am curious to see what is available there. Maybe Coloradan's just aren’t that committed to local produce.Thankful a few Read more:Markets
Why Buy a Hobby Farm 2008-04-03 10:53:01 guest article:Buying a small farm is generally an emotive experience. Every purchaser has a unique set of reasons for taking such a step, however, general themes can be identified and several broad categories of hobby farmers can usually be observed in most regions.For Investment InterestAstute investors will often purchase a parcel of land close to the urban fringe with the expectation that the urban sprawl will inevitably produce handsome profits from subdivisions or redevelopment. Such farmers will often carry out a minimum of work and may graze some animals in order to keep the property tidy. It is unlikely that long-term activities such as re-vegetation will take place.For Lifestyle Or PrivacyMore commonly hobby farmers have a desire to live away from the prying eyes of neighbours, bu Read more:Hobby
Author Donates Royalties, Protesting Dam Building 2008-04-03 10:46:41 India has undergone many dam projects as have many other developing countries. Foreign investment, flood control, irrigation canals, and energy production are the cited reasons for dam construction but critics claim that the devastation to the human population living in the flood zones and the ecological damage, as well as statistics stating historical dam projects provide significantly less energy output as expected, encourage extreme resistance to dam construction.In India, massive protests in the form of hunger strikes, and donations of book royalties from famous Indian writer Arundhati Roy* keep this debate in the news. Book Review: "Power Politics", 2001, author Arundhati Roy, Indian female writer This book is a series of essays exploring water dam building and energy production in In Read more:Author
, Royalties
, Building
Earth Hour: Lights Out – Time to Get Romantic 2008-04-03 10:46:13 Earth Hour is a global energy conservation movement where people voluntarily turn off their lights between 8 PM and 9 PM in their local time zone on Saturday, March 29th, 2008.Other nations in the world have experienced blackouts but in the United States, that seems like a foreign concept. We might even panic – What will we do without lights or TV in the evening? Pulitzer Prize winning Indian novelist, Jhumpa Lahiri gives us an example in her short story "A Temporary Matter." She tells us a story of a husband and wife who were strained in their relationship when they were notified by the city that they would experience blackouts for several hours for several evenings in a row. Shukumar and Shoba (the characters in the story) are at a loss as to what they will do. Left with nothing else b Read more:Earth
, Lights
City-dwellers Return to the Farm and Gardening 2008-04-03 10:45:57 I am currently reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver (2007). Barbara Kingsolver is a popular novelist who wrote the lovely stories "Animal Dreams" and "The Bean Trees." Kingsolver is one of the few successful, creative women I've encountered who use motherhood and domesticity to cultivate their creativity, making it richer than before. She seems to balance the two with ease and good nature.The book is also authored by her husband, Steven L. Hopp and her daughter, Camille Kingsolver. The authorship is just one example of the commitment her family took to bring awareness to the degradation of the food we eat.Her family decided to change their lifestyle, move to a small farm and commit themselves to growing their own food and only eating locally for yea Read more:Return
Desperately Seeking Organic Food in Castle Rock 2008-04-01 06:48:37 My husband and I moved from Littleton to Castle
Rock, Colorado three years ago. We absolutely love the town but during the winter and early spring we find ourselves back in Littleton twice a week to buy fresh organic produce. I am deeply envious of the large Vitamin Cottage that recently opened in Parker and we often go there to stock up on their non-limp produce.But the more I learn about developing a sustainable life the more I become convinced at how ridiculous it is that we drive 15-20 miles each way to buy organic produce and antibiotic free meats. However, I am not willing to give up organic food to eat from my local grocery store just to save on my petroleum use. One may argue that large local chains offer more organic foods than ever before. I agree, they offer more foods with the Read more:Seeking
, Organic
Eating Local in Colorado 2008-03-31 06:17:43 The Colorado
growing season is starting to take root and I can't wait. Last summer my husband and I visited a local farm using "zero impact" agriculture methods to grow the most delicious, satisfying local produce I've ever tasted. When I eat fresh organic vegetables and fruits I need to keep a napkin handy because they burst with water and flavor. Organic vegetables and fruits make conventional fruits and vegetables taste like Styrofoam blocks in comparison to organic live foods. I didn’t think eating vegetables could taste any better until I tried the produce from Willow Grove Farms in Castle Rock, Colorado. Located just off Highway 85, Willow Grove Farms is oddly sandwiched between Castle Pines and a large new-home development in Castle Rock called The Meadows.Willow Grove is a sustai Read more:Local
HGTV is Giving Away a "Green" House 2008-03-28 17:26:38 HGTV's Dream Home giveaways always generate excitement because of how beautifully decorated and designed they are. Well, they are doing it again. This time they are going green and offering an eco-friendly house and hybrid Yukon.The house is in Hilton Head, South Carolina so whether you would be willing to move there or use it as a vacation home, it is a fun, great place to be. The house features energy-efficient appliances and other green products.You can enter to win HGTV’s Green
Home contest here.Tour the green home on HGTV's youtube video.Non-toxic green product informationTips for organic living, non-toxic green living, and sustainable lifestyles
Read more:Giving
, House
Earth-friendly Products Hazardous to Your Health? 2008-03-28 17:18:31 The Green Movement is gaining momentum and that is worth celebrating but before we rush headlong into trendy, eco-sensitive products, we need to ask ourselves if these products are safe for humans.For decades scientists and ecologists have warned us about using plastic because post-consumer plastic takes up considerable space in our landfills and takes too long to degrade (if it is biodegradable at all).To answer this growing ecological threat, plastic recycling technology is growing more consumer-friendly and more affordable but do recycled plastic products pose a risk for human health?EcologyCenter.org lists the adverse health effects of plastic. People are now warning us to never heat up food cooked in plastics because the heat allows the chemicals in plastic to transfer to our food. Th Read more:Earth
, Products
, Hazardous
, Health
Privacy Policy 2008-03-28 09:35:35 COMMITMENT TO YOUR PRIVACY for Safe Green LivingThis site/blog is owned and operated by Sophia Management, LLC. Your privacy on the Internet is of the utmost importance to us. At Sophia Management, LLC, we want to make your experience online satisfying and safe.Because we gather certain types of information about our users, we feel you should fullyunderstand our policy and the terms and conditions surrounding the capture and use of thatinformation. This privacy statement discloses what information we gather and how we useit.INFORMATION Sophia Management, LLC GATHERS AND TRACKSSophia Management, LLC gathers two types of information about users:· Information that users provide through optional, voluntary submissions. These arevoluntary submissions to receive our electronic newsletters, to p Read more:Privacy
, Policy
, Privacy Policy
Energy-efficient Dishwashers and Washers Make a Big Difference 2008-03-27 09:59:17 Are you in the market for a new dishwasher, washer, or refrigerator? If so, you may be looking for the best price and durability but why not consider purchasing an appliance that conserves energy, saves water, and has low carbon dioxide emissions?One simple step to save money on your utilities and to start your green home remodeling project is to buy an Energy
-star rated appliance.Many LEED certified builders (LEED is a green building certification) chose Bosch home appliances for their eco-friendly buildings. Bosch has a great informational video on their website that shows the environmental impact of home dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators. I encourage you to watch this short presentation. I was amazed at what a difference something as small as buying and using energy and w Read more:efficient
Home Remodel Project: Green Home Ideas 2008-03-27 09:11:28 Green home construction utilizes construction designs, energy saving technologies, and sustainable building materials that can be overwhelming to a new green consumer.Even if you are not ready to buy a house that is off the grid, or buy a green constructed home, you can still take steps to lower your carbon footprint by slowly replacing materials and appliances in your home with green home products and energy-saving appliances and technology.You do not have to spend a fortune to help protect the environment and create a healthy, indoor environment for yourself and family.Some ideas to get you started is to use energy-saving light bulbs and replace synthetic and chemically treated linens with organic bedding made of natural fibers, organic cotton, and natural dyes. Through the Safe Green Li Read more:Green
, Remodel
, Project
Choosing Alternative Energy from Your Electric Company 2008-04-10 09:06:56 A lot of people research global warming online but far fewer research ways to actually try minimize our daily environmental impact. Confusion over the rapidly developing green technologies, prohibitive costs, or perhaps the perceived complexity of getting started may stop people from advanced earth-friendly living.One simple way to help support alternative energy consumption is to sign up with your local energy provider to use alternative energy for your home. You may be paying slightly more for your energy in some cases but if enough of us do it, then hopefully the prices will come down. We’ve seen this phenomenon with organic food prices. We do live in a capitalist society where consumer prices are generally driven by consumer demand (gas prices seem to be an exception lately), so even Read more:Alternative
, Energy
, Electric
Taking Your City Hide to a Country Life 2008-04-10 07:20:10 Just as there are romantic notions of life in the West, some have romantic notions of life on a farm or ranch. I suspect that most ranchers and farmers were born into that lifestyle and from what I read; many are doing everything they can to get out of it. But how can you learn about country life if you were born in a concrete jungle or in a suburban sprawl?My attraction to an exodus to acreage, open spaces, fresh air, small livestock, and organic gardening, may be cut short by my impatience with my internet connection speed, who knows. Still, it is tempting to think about living out among the elements instead of watching them on the Weather Channel.Personally, I am interested in having pygmy goats and alpacas. They are adorable, great for children, have tax advantages, provide income thro Read more:Taking
, Country
Living in Castle Rock, Colorado 2008-04-17 20:48:10 Castle Rock has small town charm and big city convenience. We are conveniently located along Interstate 25 between Denver and Colorado
Springs. Many Castle Rock residents commute to both Denver and Colorado Springs for work. Our hilly terrain, meadows, pine tree and oak scrub brush groves as well as the commanding views of the front range mountains makes Castle Rock a beautiful, unique place to live.Castle Rock is a town where kids on skateboards, horses, deer, foxes, bicyclists, and hikers, and Harley riders commingle.Castle Rock, Colorado Business Directory(featuring healthy lifestyle, environmentally sensitive, or sustainable living companies)Castle Rock AIKIDOJapanese Martial Arts Exclusively for AdultsShare Retail Space in Castle RockDo you own a yoga studio, pilates studio, or other Read more:Living
, Castle
Shades of "Green"- Deciding Who is Eco-Friendly 2008-04-17 08:52:47 Today I read a newspaper article criticizing Whole Foods shopping market. One criticism is that they shouldn't sell produce from other countries, presumably because of the fuel it takes to bring such a shipment to the United States and then distribute it to other stores. While this is a sound argument, it makes me think that we should keep in mind that going green is subject to interpretation. Each person and company decides to what degree they want to help save the environment.Some people make seemingly drastic choices like giving up their automobile. We may think they are noble because of their choice (or crazy). They offset their carbon footprint but then someone else that is even more devoted to environmental responsibility will argue, "Yes, you gave up driving but you still use fossil Read more:Shades
, Green
, Deciding
, Friendly
Organic Baby Gifts: Clothes, Non-toxic Toys 2008-04-16 21:18:57 Organic Baby Gifts
: Bed Linens, Fun Outfits, and Safe, Non-toxic
ToysGive babies a true fresh start. Why expose them to man-made chemicals before their immune systems have a chance to adapt to life in our toxic world.Does it seem a little excessive to buy organic clothing? Read about the chemicals incorporated into fabrics and clothing here. Flame retardants, pesticides, and formaldehyde are just a few examples of the chemicals in non-organic clothing. Decide if you would like to give your baby a non-toxic start. Organic clothing is still a new industry so the prices can be a little high. Because of the higher prices, organic baby clothing and bed linens make for excellent gifts.Colorful Organic Onesies - Kimono style, Long sleeve, bodysuit style, short sleeveKeep Baby's head warm, protect Read more:Organic
, Clothes
What is "Green"? 2008-04-20 09:32:52 Everyone is going green..."Green
" is the now popular phrase that describes a lifestyle, commitment, and philosophy toward sustainable living. The idea is to minimize human impact on the environment by reducing the amount of waste and toxins each individual produces so that we pollute less, destroy less animal and plant habitat and leave a smaller garbage legacy.Everyone is talking "green" including HGTV who is giving away a "green home", Wal-Mart, who is now carrying organic cotton bath towels, and yesterday my national chain grocery store gave me some documentation about how their company is "going green".To me, the phrase green is synonymous with sustainable living, it is just easier to say. Sustainable living means that you take the resources from the earth that you need without leaving
Colorado Needs "Water Day" Earth Day Reflections 2008-04-22 08:59:31 The different domains of the globe can be separated by categories: earth, air, and water. Earth
Day celebrates all three domains collectively in an attempt to encourage each of us to nurture and respect our own relationship with the environment. But in Colorado
there seems to be a more pressing concern, our water, or better said, the lack of it.Yesterday afternoon I watched a small dark grey plume of smoke over a ridge in Castle Rock. I later learned that two residential homes were burned but at the time I felt the sickening dread of "fire season". My family was intimately involved in the Hayman Fire in 2000. Dread, fueled by slippery winds and erratic fire paths, toyed with our emotions and our property for days. Would we be spared? Sadly we watched acres of gorgeous Colorado mountain te Read more:Earth Day
, Needs
, Reflections