Romanticism and reality: Reasons to eat local

"I realize there's something romantic about the desire to know exactly where your food is from," wrote Time magazine's John Cloud.

But there's more than romanticism involved in a desire to eat locally grown food: a desire to impact the local economy, to eat better tasting and healthier produce and to make an impact on our environment.

Why eat local? For me, it started for two reasons: First, food tastes better the earlier it's eaten, and when it's shipped across the country only to sit in a grocery store, produce tends to lose its flavor and health benefits.

Second, it was about helping out the little guy and the local economy. Why not support the farmer around the corner?

But there are many other reasons to consider eating local. You can often get a better variety of produce by trying local than at the grocery. At one local market alone, I can easily find a dozen types of apples, compared to "green" or "red" at the local supermarket.

Reducing our dependence on oil is another reason to consider buying locally. The journal Food Policy even reports that locally food is "greener" than organic due to the impact of shipping for long distances. Reports the BBC:

... if all foods were sourced from within 20km of where they were consumed, environmental and congestion costs would fall from more than £2.3bn to under £230m - an "environmental saving" of £2.1bn annually.

Going local is something to consider, so why not start today? It's Going Local Week in Indiana: a weeklong "challenge" to eat at least one Indiana locally grown or produced food at each meal this week. How can you get started in an attempt to eat local?

• Shop at local farmers markets, farm stands, and farm markets.
• Visit an orchard or you-pick stand and harvest your own produce.
• Ask your local grocery store or market if they sell locally grown food.
• Support restaurants that use locally grown produce.
• Participate in a CSA.

Links to get you started:

• Find a list of Indiana farmers markets, farm stands, and you-pick produce.
• Find "going local" activities in your city.
• Find local eating tips.

Possibly the coolest green bag ever

Reusable shopping bags are everywhere these days. It seems like every store is trying to make a buck with bags with their branding on it.

Generally, I try to avoid paying for other people's advertising, but I have really become interested in using reusable grocery bags as part of my daily living.

I recently found my exception to the rule. Trader Joe's offers fun surfer-themed reusable grocery bags that I just had to snatch up! And for only $1.

The only downside is that these bags take more space than the cloth ones I've found at the local grocery stores, and they don't compact as well. But they are fun and eye-catching, and remembering they're there is the first step to using them and eliminating just a few plastic bags.

Golf carts? Go for it…

Golf carts are going beyond the green these days to become a greener alternative to your car.

More and more people are toying with this mode of transportation beyond the golf course. I’ve seen it just blocks from my house, even though we’re far from a grocery store or other retail and about a mile from the nearest gas station.

Several Indiana towns allow golf carts as alternative forms of transportation, and others are debating the safety. Four states actually have on their books laws against golf-cart usage on public streets, according to the Indianapolis Star.

If a cart has safety lights, then why is this any more of a safety concern than the casual cyclist, or someone on a scooter?

Writes Star reporter Tim Evans:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does not recognize golf carts as on-road vehicles, so they don't have to meet the same federal safety standards as automobiles. McGwin said he isn't opposed to expanding the use of golf carts but said safety must be addressed. That includes requiring operator training and seat belts.

…Dennis Rosebrough, spokesman for the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles, concedes the law is unclear. He said the BMV's stance is that golf carts cannot be registered with the agency, "so, in theory, they should not be on the roads."

So why are bicycles allowed to share those same roads, but not golf carts?

According to the Associated Press, citing studies reviewing U.S. emergency room records, 1,000 Americans are injured each month while riding golf carts.

Males aged 10 to 19 and people older than 80 had the highest injury rates….
falling or jumping out of carts accounted for the largest number of injuries, 38
percent.

Only half occurred on streets or residential property. The report continues:

... golf cart injuries are hardly an epidemic. According to the database from which the studies were derived, there were 35 times as many injuries blamed on bicycles in 2006, and golf carts were also far outstripped by injuries blamed on vacuum cleaners, roller skates and swing sets, among others.

Cyclists must ensure they follow safety rules, whether it’s proper hand signals, reflectors or helmets. With a little common sense on the part of the riders and similar safety features for golf carts, there’s no reason why this mode of transportation shouldn’t be an option. In Gas City, Indiana, the Star reports:

Carts must be equipped with head-, tail- and brake lights, a windshield and a triangular slow-moving-vehicle emblem. Drivers must be at least 16 and provide
proof of insurance when they register their carts each year with the police department. The carts may not be used on state highways and may cross them only
at designated intersections with traffic lights.

Still, if you’re looking to save costs, you’ll need to weigh the cost of acquiring a cart with the benefit of the gas you’ll save over the long term. According to the Star, golf carts can be found for as little as $2,500, and can cost about 3 cents a mile to operate.

If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, there’s the Neighborhood Electric Vehicles, which retail around $8,000, according to the Christian Science Monitor.

The vehicles run on batteries, carry license plates, and can be legally operated on thoroughfares with speed limits up to 35 miles per hour – at least for now.

Before you hop on board the golf cart trend, make sure it meets your lifestyle. If you’re currently facing a heavy commute, live long distances from retail, your church or workplaces or other places you often frequent, or have small children, this might not be right for you just yet.

Not ready for a golf cart? Find other ways to save gas on your commute and daily living.

Looking for a green book?

Need a book for the beach? Tired of trashy romances?

If you're ready for something more to chew on this summer, consider a book on going more environmentally friendly. Granted, as I've noted, there are many books out there to choose from, from the "green for lazy people" to the hard-core, return-to-the-old-days farming.

Not sure where to start? Several green bloggers have started a repository of individual reviews of environmental books. Categories include:

• climate change
• garbage
• green marketplace
• green parenting
• inspirational
• living lightly
• nature and environment
• peak oil
• peak water
• spiritual
• sustainable food
• the green movement
• sustainable gardening

Find it online at the Blogging Bookworm.

We're green, and they're listening

Going green isn't just a fleeting trend.

Though I've lamented trendy books and television shows glossing over the notion of being environmentally responsible, I truly believe that most of us do want to make a positive difference in our environment.

And studies are finally starting to back us up.

The latest is from DoubleClick, which measures online buyers. According to its study, 60% of online consumers said it "was 'extremely' or 'very' important that companies exercise sensitivity toward the environment."

According to emarketer.com:

"Today's environmental concerns are more complex, far-reaching and interconnected than those of the past," says Paul Verna, senior analyst at eMarketer and author of the new report, Green Online: Growing Awareness. "And the Internet provides a powerful forum for corporations, marketers, policymakers and average citizens to engage in active conversations about how to approach the issues."

"Last year was the tipping point for green marketing as a whole," Jessica Hogue, research director of Nielsen Online, tells eMarketer. "Every type of company is now getting into the mix."

... Retailers (Wal-Mart and Home Depot), technology companies (Apple and HP) and packaged-goods manufacturers (Unilever and Procter & Gamble) are experimenting with environmental programs and road-testing them on the Web.

"Consumers who are on the receiving end of corporate green marketing efforts
are using blogs and discussion forums to dissect and discuss marketers' claims," says Mr. Verna.

And I hope most companies are actively listening to their consumers as they continue to go green. Because consumers are watching.

Are you the environmental conscience?

Becky wrote last Friday that a doctor at her practice is the environmental conscience for the group.

One of the docs at our office brought a small trashcan with holes cut into the
lid for recyclables. She takes this home with her weekly to her personal
recycling bins.

Are you your organization's green version of Jimmeny Cricket? The little (or loud) voice saying you office should do more? What has worked or not worked at your work?

Do we need 'Green TV'?

I casually was flipping channels the other night when I noticed a new station in the channel guide: Green. Yes, there is now a television station devoted to all things environmentally friendly: Planet Green.

Brought to us by the Discovery Channel people, Planet Green is dubbed as "the first green channel." Its programming includes such topics as green renovations, green vehicles, televised green dinner parties with celebrities and strangely, American Chopper.

Looking at the programming schedule, it seems that the station is trying to buy into green trends and simply be entertaining rather than give its viewers information they can dig into. I hope I'm wrong.

Is it me, or is it kind of ironic that people would sit there, watching television about being more environmentally friendly instead of reading a book, doing a quick Google search or even, I don't know, getting their hands dirty and actually doing something? Do we need a "Green TV" station if that's what's being offered? If so, what programming changes would you make?

Going green while eating

Fresh is best, for your health, your waistline and your impact on the environment.

Jill Frame, a registered dietitian at the St. Francis Weight Loss Center, recently blogged about tips for going green while eating. It's more than just eating organic. Looking at everything from where your food comes from to what it's packaged in can make a difference.

Weighing In - St. Francis Weight Loss Center: GO GREEN when eating!

(Disclosure: I work with Jill. But it's still a great read!)

10 simple ways to go green without losing green

Today’s growing awareness of “going green” or more environmentally aware often brings the cynics out. It’s too difficult to recycle. The organic products cost too much. I can’t make ___ lifestyle change.

Just as you don’t stick to your diet perfectly each day, it’s OK to slip a little and make small changes as you go. Finding the steps that fit your lifestyle can make a significant difference over time, and it certainly is better than not doing a thing at all.

You can go greener without spending significantly more money out of pocket. By making simple lifestyle changes, you can make a difference.

Here are 10 simple things you can do to go greener without losing all of your green:

1. Invest in local producers. You’ll find many deals at your local farmer’s market, and the quality will be better than what you’ll find at your grocer. Buy in season and freeze (or can, if you’re adventurous) the rest for the winter.
2. Shop smart. As with any “regular” thing you buy, watch coupons and sales to get the best deal. You can get great deals on organic products.
3. Consider natural cleaning. And I don’t mean buying Clorox Naturals or any other branded product. Many household items, including baking soda, vinegar, even toothpaste, can do double-duty as a cleaning product.
4. Watch your energy output. Unplug the cell phone charger when you’re done. Unplug appliances you don’t use often. By just being plugged into your outlet, they are utilizing energy. If you don’t believe me, feel how warm your charger or other plugged-in item is.
5. Be mindful of your CFLs. You pay more upfront for these energy-efficient bulbs, but to maximize their lives you need to leave them on for at least 15 minutes at a time.
6. Turn the car off. Idling is a complete waste of gasoline. Avoid the drive-through; turn off the car and go inside on your errands.
7. Find a good home for things you no longer use. Many non-profit organizations will gladly accept clothing and furniture in good condition, craft materials, leftover homebuilding supplies and more. Even electronics such as your abandoned cell phone and computer can be recycled or repurposed for a person in need. mygreenelectronics.org
8. Watch your water usage. Shorten your shower; fix the drip in your faucet. The savings will quickly add up.
9. Let your grass grow. Grass ideally should be cut no shorter than 3 inches tall. Shorter, and the root system is not as developed and you end up using more water. And, you may have the benefit of mowing less.
10. BYOB. Bring your own bag when shopping. You can buy inexpensive reusable bags at many area stores, or simply tote your own tote bag.

When thrifty wasn't just trendy

Open the newspaper any day, and you'll likely find an article or two on how we're cutting corners more and more to make ends meet due to soaring energy and food prices. The reality is, we've all gotten lazy over the generations.

It used to be that we wouldn't just liberally trash what wasn't perfect. Leftovers were tomorrow's casserole. Socks were darned. Clothes were handed down, child to child, patches in tow.

Suddenly, though, it's en vogue to return to these old arts. And more and more often, I'm reading and watching in the mainstream media about how people are doing old, once everyday things, in the name of making it by.

My grandmother's generation, admittedly Depression-era, knew how to repurpose things better than anyone since. Growing up, I remember how even the simplest things like coffee cans were reused. A small one underneath the kitchen sink held pennies, waiting to be gambled in a few rounds of Sheepshead. Larger ones were packed with sugar cookies and stored in the freezer, waiting to accompany her guests on the long drive home from Wisconsin.

Things were repurposed in such a way I don't think we're even ready to fathom today, even with the financial scars of $4 gas and $3.50 milk that result in many lower-income families struggling to make ends meet. Take, for instance, this one recipe of my Grandma Johnson's. Leaving nothing to waste, it made use of cracklings - yes, the grease from your pan - to make cookies. (I asked my father once, when I stumbled across this recipe, what that was actually like. He said he wasn't impressed. I'll leave for the brave souls to decide!)


Crackling Cookies
4 cups fresh cracklings
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon soda
2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4 cup flour
2 eggs
Mix in order given. Roll in balls and press down thin with a fork, or roll
out thin and cut out. Bake in a 400-degree oven until golden brown.

Green birthdays

I'm in the party mood.

Some of you know that I've been fantasizing about my toddler's luau birthday party (no, I'm not up for a "Cinderella birthday" just yet!) next month. It's sustained me through the Indiana winter. And this month is another family event, celebrating a religious milestone for my son as well as three family birthdays that coincide around Memorial Day weekend.

The shopping lists and menu planning have already begun. And I'll be honest in that the prospect of a tall stack of dishes doesn't appeal, and I'm looking at ways to shortcut without generating bags upon bags of trash, or for that matter, huge expenses.

But it's a strange coincidence that I stumbled onto two other bloggers who were discussing the greenness of their family celebrations: Crunchy Chicken and Surely You Nest.

These women went far beyond the call of duty with the greening of their springtime celebrations, including such easily stolen ideas as:

For the kids:

• Skipping juice boxes in favor of a larger pitcher or cooler of a beverage
• Making homemade items for the party
• A book swap instead of presents or party favor bags

For the whole family:

• Using assorted paper goods and plastic utensils from previous celebrations
• Reusing containers - even as simple as baby food jars - as needed for decoration and storage
• Going homemade and actually baking a cake instead of coughing up the ransom at the local bakery. (Me, I'm considering a basic white cake with edible flowers on the luau cake.)

It reinforces what I've thought about with my upcoming celebrations: Keep it simple. For each, we're having an outdoor cookout (still on the fence as whether to rent a park shelter). For the luau, we'll kick it up a little with a little Jimmy Buffet and some luaus, grass skirts or visors they can make and wear while they have a splash party in a sprinkler in the backyard. As Surely You Nest writes:

All in all, the lesson was simple. Kids have fun easily. They don't need much
to enjoy one another's company.

Other ideas on keeping your celebrations simple, fun but safe for the enviroment?

Clutter: The cost of conservation?

Yesterday, as I was taking my trash out, I noted that for the first time, we only needed to leave one can at the curb.

That is huge, given that I had company over the weekend and that we have a little one in diapers (who happens to be at home this week, generating even more trash).

What made the difference? Recycling.

Sure, I’ve done curbside recycling for years, but the difference is now that I’ve stepped it up beyond the cans, newspapers and plastic soda bottles I used to save. I’ve recently located a drop-off point close to my home where I can get rid of old magazines that I can’t take to the hospital, office papers that have been reused as coloring sheets, cardboard boxes and even the paperboard that wraps all of those food items that require a little less preparation after a busy day at work. I couldn’t believe the difference it made.

The difference is also in my home, I’m sorry to admit. I have a stack of cardboard boxes, flattened, and three bags of paper that I’m trying to keep the toddler out of before my next run.

I also have diaper-size boxes of hand-me-downs, assigned to various people and organizations, and boxes of things that I’m hanging on to so I can donate the next time I’m at Fresh Start.

And while I’m not a Martha Stewart by nature, I’m beginning to wonder: Have our homes, in our attempt to be more environmentally aware, become the new landfills? Is clutter the cost of conservation and recycling?

The greening of giveaways

As a marketing professional, sometimes my clients are more interested in the immediately tangible than the long-term payoffs.

I'm talking giveaways.

It's amazing the amount of crap I've had to purchase over the last six years. Pens with pom-poms on top. More water bottles and lunch bags than I can count. Pill boxes of every shape and size, all branded - and likely thrown away at some point.

I've tried to shy my clients away from the "must have" giveaway item, particularly when size, storage or budget are issues. I truly don't believe you can measure ROI on a 10-cent pen, for instance. Instead, I encourage spending that money on a gift basket for a door prize or something truly useful for a few people. It's easier, provides more benefit and less junk, and frankly gives you qualified leads.

Why am I discussing giveaways and marketing on a green blog? Because giveaways are going green.

Yesterday, in my inbox I was for the first time asked what kind of plastic would be used in a water bottle. I'm heartened that people are taking their impact on the environment into consideration when making choices about what to give to customers.

I'll admit that none of the giveaway sites or catalogs I've investigated in the past have included this information. It will be interesting to see whether, in the future, organizations take this information into consideration in the marketing of these products.