Making some changes...

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Eat Local - Part 2

Lately I've come across more and more articles on eating locally grown food, so I thought I'd share a few of them.

Mother Earth News just posted a new article on eating locally grown food all year long. It includes tips on canning, drying, and extending the growing period. I had a late start with my garden this year, but am getting a lot of tomatoes, peas, and herbs towards the end of this growing season.

The Daily Green published four steps to a local menu and 10 Visionaries Delivering Local, Organic, and Healthy Foods.

For those of you living in Colorado, Kansas City, Michigan, and in the East, check out Door to Door Organics. I plan to sign up for this! You can select boxes of locally grown organic fruits, veggies, or both to be delivered to your home or workplace. Each week's selections vary - I think this is great because, as a friend of mine mentioned, it gives buyers an opportunity to learn how to cook with different ingredients.

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Eat Local

I'm not a Canadian but I thought this was a pretty cool and eye opening video:

Hellmann’s - It’s Time for Real from CRUSH on Vimeo.

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SOCRRA Recycling 101 Workshop, July 9, 630p at REI

SOCCRA, the organization which handles the recycling program in Troy and surrounding communities, is holding a "Free Recycling 101 Workshop" tomorrow, Thursday, July 9, 630-730p at REI in Troy, MI. REI is located on the southwest corner of Big Beaver and Rochester (766 E. Big Beaver Road, in the same plaza as Burger King, PetSmart, Nordstrom Rack, & LA Fitness). The workshop will explain what we can recycle, how we can make better decisions before purchasing a product, and how to handle the disposal of items such as paint, pesticides, televisions, old computers, medicine, etc.

SOCRRA RECYCLING 101 WORKSHOP
REI
766 E. Big Beaver Road (west of Rochester Rd)
Thursday, July 9
630-730p
No reservations needed - just show up

* WORKSHOP INFO *
http://www.socrra.org/pdf/Press%20Release%20-%20REI%20Workshop.pdf

* IT PAYS TO RECYCLE *
There are a lot of recyclable items which are being thrown out in the trash and it is actually costing the SOCRRA community (Berkley, Beverly Hills, Birmingham, Clawson, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Lathrup Village, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, and Troy, MI) almost $3 million per year. 37,000 tons (74 million pounds) of recyclable materials are being thrown in the trash which is a huge shame - and a big waste of taxpayer dollars because we are paying a cost to put these items in a landfill. The more you recycle, the more we all save on our taxes. And I agree with a neighbor of mine who sent a note to other neighbors a while back about the papers blowing around our streets - it's much better to retrieve them and put them in your recycling bin than to see them making a mess.

* WHAT TO RECYCLE IN YOUR BIN *
There are so many items we can recycle, including:
Plastic hangers
Drink/Juice boxes
Paper
Cardboard
Newspapers
Magazines
Batteries
Glass bottles & jars
Milk cartons
Paper cups
All plastic containers

For a complete, 2-page list:
http://www.socrra.org/pdf/2009-2010%20Curbside%20Recycling%20Guidelines%20web%20res.pdf

* WHAT TO BRING TO THE SOCRRA DROP OFF CENTER *
http://www.socrra.org/pdf/SOCRRA_Drop_Off-Flyer_web_res.pdf

A few weeks ago, I took my old microwave, old paint cans, old computer monitor, and other potentially hazardous waste to the SOCRRA center on 14 mile and Coolidge. It took less than 10 minutes to drop off the items. And what a relief it was to know that all of those plastic bags I've accumulated will be recycled into other items instead of going into the landfill - and it saves taxpayer dollars. It was wonderful to see children there with their parents dropping off items - they are learning to help save our earth for generations to come.

I hope the workshop and this information will help inspire people to recycle, keep our community clean, and oh, did I mention something about saving taxpayer dollars?

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happy earth day!

Happy Earth Day to all!
In celebration of Earth Day 2009, many businesses have green offers available today only. Let's show them that we care by participating in these offers, encouraging the green revolution! Here are a few links a friend sent to me today.

Get a free roll of Reynolds recycled alum foil – today only:

http://reynoldsrecycled.com/rebate.aspx

Free reusable tote at Walgreens with purchase (must print coupon)

http://www.walgreens.com/dmi/onlineoffers/default.html?ban=flh1_earth_day

At the Disney stores, free gift for bringing in three plastic water bottles:

http://disneyshopping.go.com/disney/store/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10002&storeId=10051&categoryId=59503&langId=-1

Free Ecosmart CFL bulb today!

http://www6.homedepot.com/earthday/index.html

Happy Earth Day - and don't forget that Arbor Day is just around the corner.

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