Order Up!

 Articles, The Green Life  No Responses »
Nov 222011
 

Tis the season for Eggnog!

When snow flurries fly outside, I find myself drawn to a local coffee shop where there is no shortage of good company, soothing atmosphere, and hot drinks galore!  Although many coffee drinks have been garnished to fit the holiday season, I was curious as to what people really think of when they begin to crave seasonal drinks. After some subtle investigation, the GreenCupboards.com team has voiced their orders and I would like to offer some delicious recommendations.

According to our office survey, Hot Chocolate is by far the most popular holiday drink.  Some suggested variations include adding marshmallows, whipped cream, and various kinds of peppermint flavoring.

In a close second, our office noted Eggnog as worthy of holiday drink recognition.  Whether it’s straight up or iced, this has proven to be is the perfect winter treat.  For a bubbly infusion, our Marketing Coordinator suggests a balanced mix of eggnog and Sprite!

Many variations of apple cider are known and loved among the GreenCupboards.com team.  Most popular are the drink of Yule known as Wassail, Carmel Apple Cider and the Apple Chai Infusion.

If none of these suggestions strike your fancy, we suggest a Hot Toddy, White Russian, Martinelli’s Apple Cider, Hot Buttered Rum, or spiced wine.

Enjoy!

We’d love to hear your holiday season drink suggestions! Click here to share your favorite drink.

Images:

http://www.visualphotos.com/image/2×2699741/cup_of_hot_chocolate_with_marshmallows

http://thejournal-postman.blogspot.com/2011/01/dearth-of-eggnog.html

Local giving: GreenCupboards.com Food Drive

 Articles, The Green Life  No Responses »
Nov 152011
 

Halfway to our goal

Winds that swirl through the streets of Spokane have taken on a sudden chill.  The red leaves on the tree outside my window are being swept away, leaving only a few red shivering reminders of the fall transformation.

I’ve been thinking about these cold winds, letting me know that winter is on its way.  Spokane has a number of homeless people, and the GreenCupboards.com office is located within a block of a local shelter.

On November 7th food began streaming in from GreenCupboards.com team members and we currently have 150 pounds of food collected. We will be ending the collection on November 22nd and taking the food down the street to our neighboring shelter.

Tis the season to be thankful! Be sure to give locally in order to build community cohesiveness during this national holiday.  Have have some extra time?  Volunteer at your local food shelter!

GreenCupboards.com Team Commits to Biking Commute

 Articles, The Green Life  No Responses »
Nov 152011
 

Team bikes

Putting the “pedal to the metal” has been replaced at GreenCupboards.com by pedaling to work.    Lately, city commuters have been trading four wheels for two as the number of people who bike to work is quickly increasing.

Why bike to work?  With the cost of gasoline, biking to work has the undeniable perk of relieving monetary stress.   What’s our real purpose?  The GreenCupboards.com team is dedicated to seizing any opportunity to decrease our carbon footprint.

What’s more? It’s good for us!

According to the Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation, the repetitive motion of cycling is a physical stress reliever.  Cycling away emotional stress leads to reduced blood pressure and cuts the chance of heart disease.  Biking not only strengthens the heart, but it tones the body, increases oxygen flow and circulation, and decreases an individual’s chance of cancer, obesity, and spinal disease.  All of these improved physical and emotional health conditions lead to an overall improved quality of life for the individual.

We’re not the first to find pleasure in this activity.  Actor Ed Begley Jr. is a leading force in Hollywood, setting the bar high as he bicycles to red carpet events in his tuxedo.

Personally, I’d like to tip my webmaster hat to those members of society who are joining our team in a commitment to a healthy life and a healthy planet.  Bike on!

Looking for inspiration?  Take a look at GreenCupboards.com team member Aaron and his European biking adventures.

Herbal remedies for the heart

 Articles, The Green Life  No Responses »
Nov 082011
 

full body health tea

I can’t get enough of green tea.  It’s not just the warmth that washes over you when you pick up a hot cup or the grassy taste and smell; like most comfort foods have a tendency to do, green tea conjures good memories.

A couple years ago, I spent a rainy spring break at an abandoned summer camp with my teammates.  Between practices we would come back to the only heated building, (which happened to serve as a cafeteria, game room, and meeting place for the entire week) cold and slightly soggy, we spent hours sitting at cafeteria tables putting together puzzles, playing cards, and studying.

I remember vividly the sense of relief that hit me when I entered that room.  After 2 hours practicing in the rain, and a 2 minute cold shower, all I wanted to do was wrap myself in my sleeping bag and get to that warm room.  The unlimited store of hot water and tea bags in the cafeteria served as the savior of our spring break.  As we spent hours before, in between, and after practices in that cafeteria, we completely extinguished their supply of hot drinks by the end of the week.  Previously a “sugar-holic”, this trip taught me to appreciate the wonder of pure warm liquid and the comfort of the simple things.  Although it was wet, chaotic, and dramatic, it was one of the best team building exercises I had ever experienced.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but what I know now is that green tea doesn’t just provide comfort.  The antioxidants in tea are similar to the ones in berries, red wine, and dark chocolate.  These antioxidants have been said to help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.  What if you could improve your health one cup at a time? Not bad, right?

When the cold winter sets in, or you find yourself caught in the rain (physically or metaphorically), tea may just be the thing to set you back on your feet.

Images:

http://www.walax.org/

http://www.healthy-green-tea.com/black-tea-vs-green-tea.html

Trader Voyage!

 Articles, The Green Life  No Responses »
Nov 072011
 

The Grand Opening

Yesterday I took a trip with some friends up to the newest hot spot in Spokane: Trader Joe’s!

I’d like to use this as an opportunity to give a shout out to the people in this community who are dedicated to eating organic.  The shelves which were fully stocked with organic specialty items just a week ago are already being restocked after the mad rush of customers during the last five days.

When I arrived Trader Joe’s was still bustling with customers.  I passed three girls who were on a mission to find the Trader Joe’s prepared pizza dough, and a man in an orange hard hat attempting to decide between two organic brands of granola.  My friend, Anne, walked away with a giant purple eggplant with high hopes of making eggplant parmesan.  Meanwhile an elderly woman dressed for the weather in a stylish polka-dot coat gushed to the checkout clerk about her favorite wine.

I was impressed by the prevalent theme of organic eating.  A woman holding a small bottle of saffron shared a recipe for her favorite chicken dish.  Everywhere, people were chatting and comparing organic goods.

Even though I had intended to come only as a spectator, I couldn’t resist all temptation. I left the store with my own organic hummus, three pears, a small spice jar of saffron, and a box of granola (which Mr. Construction Man recommended).   I’ll be eating a special chicken dish tonight.  And I’ll be returning to Trader Joe’s sometime very soon.

Images:

http://www.arlnow.com/2011/03/01/trader-joes-signs-lease-in-clarendon-finally/

http://blogs.orlandoweekly.com/index.php/2011/09/trader-joes-coming-to-florida/

Spread sustainability with Pinterest

 Articles, Current Events, The Green Life  No Responses »
Oct 272011
 

home decor branch design

Post your interests with Pinterest!

The community of social networkers is once again spreading it’s wings with a new social networking site called Pintrest.  Instead of sharing your status, posting personal pictures, or catching up with friends, Pinterest is a place where you can categorize pictures, hobbies, quotes, or articles from your favorite websites.

So what does this new social site have to do with sustainability?  As a place dedicated to sharing people’s interests, I’ve discovered a gold nugget of sustainable themed information, crafts, and images.

For instance, I signed into my account this afternoon only to discover that a friend had “pinned” an entry from a blog that described how to hang fallen yard branches from the ceiling for interior decorating purposes in her nursery.

Last week I came home to find my roommate struggling with an old picture frame in the living room.  Inspired by John Hardy’s innovative green school and their use of old car windshields as whiteboards, she told me she had seen a similar idea on Pinterest which involved putting recycled paper in an old picture frame to make a white board.  It’s now hanging in our living room.

Currently 29,443 boards exist on Pinterest showing the people who have created a space for keeping track of clever, sustainable, green living ideas.  These include sustainable household items, designs, fashion, poetry, pictures of bikes and alternate transportation, tips on gardening, and alternative crafts that are aimed at reusing and recycling.

With the wide wealth of information that is spread over the World Wide Web, Pinterest is a snazzy way for the sustainable community to spread ideas across the globe.

Sources:

http://pinterest.com/

http://www.makeandtakes.com/wipe-off-weekly-menu-board?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+allaboutthemakeandtakes+%28Make+and+Takes%29

http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/hanging-branch-tutorial.html

Images:

http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/hanging-branch-tutorial.html

http://www.faithfullyfrugal-and-free.com/2011/09/corny-halloween-crafts.html

A Ride On The Fashion Side

 The Green Life  No Responses »
Sep 122011
 

Fashion Ride

As New York Fashion week bustles, so does the foot traffic from runway to runway. This year’s fashion week has a green buzz to it that screams chic-recycle. The Tour De Fashion offered at the NYC Fashion Week is supplying 30 customized bikes to Fashion District goers in need of an hour’s worth of wheel time. Yep, that’s right. You can borrow the bike for an hour for free … under the penalty of a $1000 fine if you fail to return these pavement plowing bike of high design. If you can pedal as well as you can walk in high heels, then your two wheeled stallion awaits, to fleece you to every corner of fashion central in New York City.




Sources:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/09/08/ap/extras/main20103428.shtml

http://www.mbfashionweek.com/scene

http://www.ecouterre.com/category/new-york-fashion-week-fashion-shows

Images:

http://www.ecouterre.com/borrow-a-designer-customized-bike-during-new-york-fashion-week/tour-de-fashion-gretchen-jones/?extend=1

Junk, Junk, JUNK!

 The Green Life  No Responses »
Sep 122011
 

A Tissue Box for Plastic Bags

No, it’s not time for spring cleaning yet, but don’t waste these upcoming cold months surrounded by clutter.  At GreenCupboards.com we believe the age old saying that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.  Check out our Top Ten resourceful tips to transform clutter into creative design.

1. Peppermint Tin

Need a tissue?  How about a Q-Tip?  Peppermint tins are the perfect purse accessory for those little day to day essentials.

2. Oven Mit

Missing an oven mit?  Instead of tossing the spare, move it to the bathroom.  These mits are perfect for protecting your counters from all hot items including hair crimpers, curlers, and straighteners.

3. Plastic Easter Eggs

Before you make a trip to the grocery store for more Tupperware or plastic bags, take a moment to dig into your Easter stash.  Those colorful pastel eggs are good for more than Easter candy.  Pack your grade-schooler’s cheesy goldfish in these eggs for an easily hatched snack at school.

4. Shoeboxes

Are empty shoeboxes taking up your closet space?  Pair them up with the papers spilling off your desk.  These boxes are the perfect for extra files, recipes, or business cards.

5. Tissue Box

Are wasted tissue boxes affecting your carbon footprint?  Don’t let that empty box  go to waste.  Use it for extra plastic bags.  Use the tissue box to stuff those extra plastic bags from under the sink.  It’s an easy way to organize and to recycle!

6. Shower Rings

Have a few extra?  These convenient rings are fantastic hangings for more than curtains. Use them in your closet to hang scarves, or take them to the kitchen for a hand towel hanger.

7. Step Stool

Have your tykes sprouted into teens?  Now that they no longer need a step stool to reach the sink, it’s your turn to find a use for it.  Try your closet! These stools fit in to optimize closet space as a shoe rack.

8. Wine Cork
Don’t want to toss another cork?  Use it as an accessory in your jewelry box to hold earrings.  Not into jewelry? These corks are good for holding sewing needles, pins, and extra tacks.

9. Linen bag
Have an extra linen bag?  This zippered plastic may seem like a waste of space, but it can serve as the perfect supply bag.  Put your art supplies or extra school supplies here for space optimization and organization!

10.  Button Bag

Surrounded by tiny plastic button bags?  Well they’re good for more than just buttons.  Button bags fit perfectly into your purse as pill carriers.

Images:

http://bloomingdesign.wordpress.com/page/19/?pages-list

http://www.mops.org/page.php?pageid=1792

http://www.yemmhart.com/news+/winecorkrecycling.htm

Toilet Paper Sculptures

 The Green Life  No Responses »
Aug 232011
 

A Selection Of Jacquet's Toilet Paper Masks

Sculpting with a hint of origami, Junior Fritz Jacquet has taken an un-traditional approach to art by using what some people would consider trash as his medium. Junior creates detailed sculptures out of toilet paper rolls. Where some people may experience panic when seeing the brown roll, he sees a potential art piece.

Junior’s toilet paper roll sculptures resemble small masks with detailed expressions. Starting with origami when he was just 14, Fritz is now a master of paper contortions.

According to The Art of Cardboard.com: “Jacquet feels that every type of paper –and he’s used them all- has a different personality, which lends itself to the final product and the emotion it expresses. It seems to have a life of its own and Junior simply helps bring that to the surface, as every mask is unique.”

Jacquet is a subscriber to the 3 R’s philosophy: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. This is apparent in his choice of materials. Many fields of art require quiet a bit of cash to get going (oil paint, camera, clay) but not Fritz’s work, almost everyone has access to toiler paper, so why not test your own skills on a material which would otherwise be discarded?

What Makes It Green:

Junior Fritz Jacquet is a master upcycler, upcycling means to give new life and purpose to a material which would otherwise be discarded. GreenCupboards.com would like to inspire other aspiring artist to experiment with their own upcycling techniques to help the environment and to venture away from “mainstream” art avenues. Remember, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.

Sources:

http://www.pondly.com/2011/08/toilet-paper-roll-sculpture-by-junior-jacquet-94/

http://artisticthings.com/jacquet-fritz-junior/

http://www.geekologie.com/2009/08/paper_art_toilet_paper_roll_fa.php

http://www.theartofcardboard.com/junior-fritz-jacquet-on-a-roll/

Images:

http://www.geekologie.com/2009/08/paper_art_toilet_paper_roll_fa.php

http://artisticthings.com/jacquet-fritz-junior/

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