1/31/13

The World Wildlife Fund estimates more than 32 million acres of natural forest are cut down every year, with most of it going to unsustainable and illegal logging practices. One way you can help is by buying wood products (furniture, paper and packaged goods) that come from responsibly harvested resources. The Forest Stewardship Council has made it easy to find these goods -- just look for its "FSC" mark on wood products, which indicates it's from responsibly managed forests.

1/30/13

Cooking with cast iron is an excellent choice because it is incredibly durable, naturally nonstick and free of any questionable chemicals, like PTFE and PFOA, found in many nonstick pans today. If you're in the market for a cast iron skillet, however, avoid the temptation to buy a pre-seasoned one. Pre-seasoned means the pan has been sprayed with a layer of fat at the factory. Since the source of the fat is not required to be on the label, the pans can cause reactions to those with certain allergies. Instead, look for raw iron pans and season them yourself using your own oils.

1/29/13

There may be snow on the ground, but now is a good time to start saving items you would normally discard to use in your spring garden. Save worn T-shirts and pantyhose and cut them into strips to tie plants to support stakes. Cardboard egg cartons can be filled with potting soil to start seedlings. When the plant is ready to move outside, simply tear the cup and place it in the ground -- cardboard and all! And used paint stirrers can be plant ID markers; just write the plant name on the stirrer with a permanent ink pen and stick it in the ground.