Next chance to become a Master Recycler: August 1

Yes, it's true. We throw in more gratuitous references to the Master Recycler class than some sites do of Paris Hilton and Britney Spears combined. But for good reason. We learned a ton of great stuff by taking the Master Recycler class, met a multitude of experts and like-minded citizens proud to claim the title of "Waste Prevention Enthusiast" to ultimately be knighted "Master Recycler".

I won't lie to you. It's a big time commitment. But what we learned merited the time put in.

So here's your chance: Registration for the next Master Recycler class opens on August 1. The classes will be held in Washington County in September and October. Be warned that classes fill quickly. If you really want to do it, register on August 1 by phoning 503-823-7530 or online.

Cleaning out the cabinets, part II

I've been doing some major cabinet purging lately and amassed piles of stuff from the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room that I really wanted to avoid tossing out, but knew my family would never use them again. Beth's recent email to us also got me motivated to find reuse organizations for as much as I could. Happily, I managed to find homes for almost everything:

• Kitchen: An old mixer and Dustbuster, both working great; sturdy Avent sippy cups; plastic toddler forks and spoons; a wok and some miscellaneous kitchen utensils went to the Oregon Community Warehouse. I love this organization because they work directly with Portlanders in desperate need of household items.
• Laundry Room: Lots and lots of mainstream cleaning products, most partially-used, like Drano, Comet Cleanser, Soft Scrub and industrial-strength floor cleaner (why did we buy this?) all went to the Good Neighbor Center in Tigard. I'd never heard of this organization before, but they are a shelter that serves many families with young children. In addition to the cleaning products, the Good Neighbor Center also gladly accepted items from my...
• Bathroom: Half-used shampoos, skin lotions, bug spray, shaving cream -- products we'd tried or bought on impulse and didn't like. Also, baby lotions and diaper cream that we no longer need. The only products I was unable to get rid of were expired prescription medications. I took them to the Burlingame Fred Meyer pharmacy and was told that they are unable to dispose of them. The technician suggested I burn them in the fireplace! Obviously, not an option. Anyone have luck getting rid of medications? (Renee, I swear you took yours to Fred's.)

I was really appalled at the amount of stuff we had just sitting and gathering dust -- particularly the cleaning and personal hygiene products. Sure, we could have used them up, but it would have taken years with the cleaning products, and I really don't want that stuff in my house anymore. All of the lotions and potions made me realize that I really need to stop and think before buying anything like this -- this is where the REDUCE part of the Reduce-Reuse-Recycle equation comes in. I'm glad that someone can use it, but what a waste of money (and resources)!

Veggie Booty Recall

Veggie Booty is being recalled. If you have some, pitch it. Manufacturer Robert's American Gourmet will refund your purchase of Veggie Booty.

Looking for a good home for some well loved cloth diapers

EnviroMom reader Tara has a question for us:

"In doing my belated spring cleaning, I realized I have accumulated a great starter kit of cloth diapers and covers (0-6m). I do not know anyone who is expecting, or has a baby the correct size that would interested in them.  I do not want to sell them. I am wondering if there is an organization that I can donate them too. As crazy as it sounds, I love my cloth diapers and I just want them to go to a good home where they will be appreciated. Any info would be appreciated."

Any ideas for Tara?

Buy local: do it or die

OK, how's that for an overly sensational, ripped from the headlines kind of title? Pretty good. If I do say so myself.

But back to reality. There was a little tiny article in our paper today that jumped out at me: "China has closed 180 food factories after inspectors found industrial chemicals being used in products from candy to seafood, state media said today."

Said chemicals include:

• Formaldehyde
• Illegal dyes
• Industrial wax

Being used to make:

• Candy
• Pickles
• Crackers
• Seafood

Yum!! Now let's not forget about the Chinese wheat gluten tainted with melamine that killed all those dogs and cats. And those Thomas trains coated with lead-based paint.

The writing is on the wall, people. Was there ever a better reason to buy local? Diane of The Big Green Purse suggests we stop buying toys made in China. Probably not a bad idea. And, Heather's given us a great reason to shop locally in the Portland Metro area. Your good health and life may be depending on it!!

Umpqua Bank offers cash back for buying local

We bank with Umpqua Bank (my husband's employer) and I was amazed and delighted to receive notice of a new program they've started that gives customers cash back for supporting local businesses. Anytime you use your debit card at a participating merchant, you receive up to 20% back on your first visit and between 1-14% back on subsequent visits. You get cash, you support a local business, plus the Boys and Girls Club receives a donation with every eligible purchase. Umpqua is still building its list of merchants in Portland (it's pretty small right now) but I think this is just a great idea and incentive for customers to shop locally-owned businesses. Now, if they could just add New Seasons...

Sunscreen and bug spray

I have a devil of a time getting sunscreen on my kids. They complain and squirm away and beg me not to get it on their lips or in their eyes (if they'd quit with the squirming I'd have a much better accuracy rate). Sound familiar?

So I was intrigued when I heard about combo sunscreen/bug spray lotions. That sounded ideal! I use up all my tricks getting the sunscreen on that my kids run and hide by the time I get the lid off the bug spray. So needless to say, sometimes the bug spray doesn't get on them (we went camping last summer and my 5-year-old came home with 57 bug bites -- we counted. Poor kid looked like a leper!).

However, I've come full circle (thankfully before I went out and bought any of the combo stuff. Turns out mixing the two is a bad idea. Sunscreen should be applied by the bucketful. Most of us don't use enough. Just the opposite with bug spray. Use as little as possible to get the job done -- especially those that contain DEET, or other nasty pesticides.

And since we're talking about sunscreen... Mom go Green has a great blog with informative posts comparing sunscreens. She also gives a thumbs up to a non-DEET containing bug spray with Picaridin. Thanks for all the helpful information!

A child's explanation of global warming

Thanks to writer Jo Ostgarden of the Portland Tribune, for sending us this link. If you are having a hard time really understanding how global warming occurs or looking for ways to explain it to your own kids, then read this summary by 10-year old Drew McWhirter. There's nothing like a child's perspective and straightforwardness to make some complex subjects a little more palatable to us non-scientific types (sorry, Al).

One Hour, No Power: can you do it?

My friend Betty from our GreenGroup told me about an event called One Hour No Power, scheduled for Sunday, July 1, 2007, at midday.

If you're concerned about climate change, the organizers are asking you to not drive, not run your A/C, not blow-dry your hair, not vacuum your rugs, not blog on your computer, not watch TV... Basically unplug from anything non-vital from noon to 1pm (in your local time zone).

Then do something nice like write a pen and paper letter to someone you love, work on a photo album, walk to a farmers' market, read a book, have a conversation. The possibilities are limitless!!

Can you do it? I'm in.

All hail kale

I know. I'm as surprised as you. When Renee and I opened up our weekly CSA container of produce today, my heart sank when I saw the kale. My one experience with kale left me bitter because it was so darn, well, bitter. So here I had a head of black kale. Thankfully the Gathering Together Farm also includes recipes with each batch of produce, so last night I cooked it up. Verdict: two green thumbs up. Little did I know, collard greens are basically the same as kale, so the delicious collard greens I've enjoyed at the Delta Cafe all these years have been kale all along! Kale is thicker and veinier than most greens, so it doesn't suit everyone's taste. In the south, it's often cooked with pork fat or bits of sausage. It's pretty hearty. If you've never tried it, now is the time. Here's the recipe from the farm: