Diary of a Prius (1): I wanna be George Clooney’s hybrid
July 31, 2007
Posted by CindyW in : Fresh Look , add a comment
Help me! I am a Prius, a much beloved hybrid car. But I am turning into a landfill! I dream about being George Clooney’s car, or just having an owner that cleans and cares for me. But no matter how well or how reliably I perform for her, she doesn’t seem to notice. If I had hands I’d buy a personalized bumper sticker and plead for the world to save me. There’s certainly enough spare change in my cushions to pay for it!
Looking back at my diary, I really hope someone out there hears my cry for help.
July 10, 2005
I have arrived at a new home. I like my driver and I think he likes me. He is tall, but my high roofline gives him plenty of headroom. He puts everything in the right place – paperwork in the glove compartment and coins in the change jar. He doesn’t leave stuff in me, so I am not cluttered. He doesn’t eat in me, so no crumbs or stains. And he drives well, too!. No sudden stops and no flooring of the gas pedal. I am already averaging over 50 miles per gallon! We are going to have a great relationship.
August 5, 2005
Apparently I have a new driver – the wife. Since I am an SULEV (Super Low Emission Vehicle) I can drive in the carpool lane, no matter how many people are in me. She argued that since she was the primary chauffer of the family, she should get me. My poor old driver did not have any argument to counter that logic. Well, she seems nice enough and she has promised to take good care of me.
October 18, 2005
Yikes! I don’t like the way she drives. She really needs to pay attention to the road. Too many close calls. And please, lighten up your lead foot. I know my electric motor provides instant torque and quick acceleration, but she doesn’t have to floor it at every green light. I seriously don’t like the smell of the gas station, and the way she is driving I will have to go there more often. My log says 45 miles to the gallon. Last week it was 50. Sigh.
November 22, 2005
They put in two car seats. That can only mean that little messy kids are invading. My driver leaves her stuff all over the place: books, paper, and random receipts. And about 3 coffee mugs. Seriously. She’s already spilled coffee in me twice, so I doubt she is going to clean up after the kids.
December 30, 2005
She is killing me! No joke. She backed me into another car. Who doesn’t look in the rear view mirror before backing out? Fortunately I am built well enough to survive such bumps with only a few scratches. But with only my electric motor running I am nearly silent, so people can’t hear me coming. Who knows know long it will be before she backs me into an unsuspecting victim. Please, I would like a new driver before I end up in jail!
You think this is bad, just keep reading. Like a nightmare, it gets more and more horrifying…
CindyW at Organicpicks
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Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
Diary of a Prius (2): I wanna be Georgy Clooney’s hybrid
Posted by CindyW in : Fresh Look , add a comment
Thanks for reading my journal and showing me your sympathy. I really need it.
March 30, 2006
I am going to Tahoe! The drivers argued about whether I could make it up the hills on the way. Come on, Tahoe hills are nothing! Glad they have some wits about them; they decided to take me instead of their station wagon (so conservative and blah looking if you ask me). 2 kids, 2 suitcases, skis, food, I say, bring it on! But the dog, do they really have to bring the dog? It is a lot of unnecessary fur on my upholstery. I would not complain so much if my driver actually cleaned me every so often.
They chatted with each other about how it was so unexpected that I made it up the hills without breaking a sweat. Idiots. I could have told them. Even on a mostly uphill journey, I can average 35 miles a gallon – better than their other car on flat roads. And my continuously variable transmission eliminates the jerky gear shifts that most other cars inflict on their passengers.
March 31, 2006
My driver has no idea how to drive on the snow. Luckily I have anti-lock brakes and traction control, or else I would already be lying in a ditch somewhere on the side of the road.
April 5, 2006
Now that I am caked in mud and road salt from the trip to Tahoe, my driver finally decided to take me to a car wash – the first since I got to this house. I am really looking forward to that.
July 30, 2006
My driver showed me off to a bunch of her friends. She had the audacity to tell them how much she loved me! All I can say is, if she truly loves me she has a strange way of showing it. She went on about how much she liked my keyless entry, tight turning radius, and high visibility. But talk is cheap, and I’m still filled with trash.
November 28, 2006
It took her two weeks to realize that one of my tires was nearly flat! Don’t they teach you to check these things in driver’s ed? Maybe she needs to read my owner’s manual for once. Thank goodness her husband convinced her to check the tire pressure and put in more air. Now I am back up to 48 mpg. Of course, I could easily exceed 50 mpg if she would just learn how to drive smoothly.
Feb 12, 2007
Okay, I am 12,600 miles old. When is this woman going to take me in for my regular maintenance (I’m supposed to get it every 5,000 miles)? I have given up on being kept clean, but at least she can keep me healthy.
April 5, 2007
Finally she took me in to the shop. The mechanic said, “are you here for 10k or 15k?” She sheepishly said, “Um, 10k.” I almost screamed when the mechanic told her that it was no problem because cars like me are so reliable. Great, now she probably won’t take me in for another check-up until I am 50,000 miles old. Sigh.
June 17, 2007
I hear loads of Hollywood celebrities are driving hybrids these days. Why can’t I belong to Gorge Clooney or Cameron Diaz? They go to red carpet events and you just know they would make sure I looked smashing inside and out. Just my lousy fate.
July 18, 2007
It rained today, apparently a rare occurrence this time of year. What’s up with the weather? Global warming? I have to count it as a car wash, since I don’t get washed any other way. I have been reliably serving my neglectful owner and her messy kids for nearly two years now, toiling away in anonymity.
Please, someone, save me. Georgy? Cameron? How about Matt Damon? Click & Clack brothers?
Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
Green Journal: Time & Energy Saving Meals (II)
July 30, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : Green Journal , 1 comment so far
After I posted my original Energy Saving Meal entry, several of my friends asked me for other ideas to help them avoid the temptation of fast food or take out. Like I mentioned, I’m kind of a cook-by-necessity so cooking creativity is not my forte. So I turned to my friend Michelle (owner of What’s Cooking) for some additional tips and ideas.
–Plan ahead: Select all of the recipes that you plan to use for the week, so that you don’t have to shop at the last minute or resort to fast food. If you are organized, you can shop for most of your ingredients in one trip. Not only does this save time but also fuel for those unnecessary trips. Subscribing to a service like What’s Cooking Weekly will provide you with seasonal and healthy menu ideas and ingredients to streamline your shopping.
–Slow Cookers or Crock Pots are a fantastic way to prepare a family meal with little fuss. Simply take a few minutes to prepare some ingredients the night before. In the morning, just toss them into the slow cooker and the meal will be ready in time for dinner. Put non-perishable ingredients on the counter the night before so you won’t forget to put them in the crock pot before leaving the house.
–One-Pot Meals can save you time during meal preparation. Instead of cooking separate recipes for your protein, carbohydrates and vegetables, try making one that includes all of these components, such as Turkey Cornmeal Casserole or Lasagna.
–Produce is readily available and full of nutrients. Your farmer’s market will have loads of fresh and seasonal options for your area. Instead of preparing a salad or cooking, simply serve slices of vegetables and fruits as a side dish.
–Make use of extra food to serve as part of another dish later in the week. Use leftover chicken in salads, quesadillas or soups. Try making Fried Rice with leftover rice, a bit of soy sauce, sliced tofu, garlic and frozen peas! Creative use of extra food can save you another trip to the market and reduces waste.
– Fresh seafood makes a delicious meal that can be quick and easy. Here’s a great recipe fish recipe that requires little stove time and pots. Serve this simple fish dish with pilaf or some sliced fresh tomatoes . It couldn’t be easier!
Halibut with Balsamic Glaze
courtesy of Whats Cooking Weekly
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
2 Tbs honey
3 Tbs olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 (6-ounce) halibut fillets
Cooking spray (non-aerosol please)
- Whisk the vinegar, honey, oil, and garlic in a bowl. Arrange fish in an 8-inch square container.
- Pour marinade over the fish, coating it completely.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.
- Preheat the broiler. Line the bottom and sides of a baking sheet with foil. Spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray. Remove fish from marinade, reserving marinade, and place the fillets on the baking sheet.
- Pour the marinade into a heavy small saucepan. Broil the fillets until they are just flakey and caramelized on top, about 12 minutes.
- Meanwhile bring the marinade to a boil and simmer until it thickens slightly and becomes syrupy, whisking often, about 15 minutes, boil the sauce for at least a minute.*
- Transfer the fillets to plates. Spoon the sauce over and around the fillets, and serve.
Servings: 4
*Always boil sauce that has touched raw meat or fish to prevent contamination
Get some help from the kids and add some family fun:
- Measure honey and olive oil
- Peel garlic, chop with safety chopper
- Line baking sheets with foil
- Pour marinade into saucepan
- Help spoon the sauce over the fish
Nutrition (per serving): 577.1 calories; 30% calories from fat; 19.5g total fat; 130.6mg cholesterol; 222.0mg sodium; 1880.8mg potassium; 11.1g carbohydrates; 0.1g fiber; 8.6g sugar; 11.1g net carbs; 85.0g protein.
A big thanks to Michelle for her ideas!
CindyC at Organicpicks
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Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
25% off at Elephant pharmacy Walnut Creek
July 29, 2007
Posted by CindyW in : Deals & Giveaways , add a comment
Indeed, Elephant pharmacy is openning another store (their 4th). This time it is in Walnute Creek. For those who don’t know about Elephant pharmacy, it is what I’d call a wellness pharmacy, where you can find health-boosting supplements, better and greener lotions and potions, some food, and surprising good toys (not the plastic junk I hate so much). They also offer free classes.
On August 1st, they are hosting a friends and family party, where they have 25% off throughout the entire store. What’s a party without music and food? They have organic hors d’oeuvres and live music with Liberty Street Jazz.
Then on August 4th - the grand opening day - they will give away free Elephant tote bag full of feel-good produts for the first 100 customers. Did I mention free samples? Too bad I don’t live in East Bay. Driving all the way there to get free stuff seems like an anti-green thing to do…
I don’t work for them nor get paid by them, though I really think they should pay me for raving about their stores, and for shopping there often. To get more details, visit Elephant Pharmacy.
CindyW at Organicpicks
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Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
Aquafina to label its source - tap water
July 28, 2007
Posted by CindyW in : Opinions & Thoughts , add a comment
Under the growing environmental and political opposition to the bottled water industry, Aquafina (from Pepsi) label will include the words “Public Water Source”. Ummm, that is tap water. Tap water also flows into millions of Dasani bottles (from Coco-Cola).
According to Beverage Digest, in 2006, 2.6 billion cases of bottled water were sold. It is estimated that U.S. consumers spent about $15 billion on bottled water last year. Will people still shell out $1 for Aquafina, knowing it is really tap water? We will have to wait and see. It is often strange to me how finace works in some people’s minds. Take my friend Lenny. He has a family of 3. They consume about 10 bottles of water a day. With volume discount, that is $5 a day on tap water in a bottle. That is $150 a month. But when we talk about organic food, he always rejects the concept because it is “too expensive” for his family.
Do a little math, Lenny. One pound of conventional peach is $2.0 (from our local farmer’s market) and one pound of organic peach is $3.0 (also from our local farmer’s market). The difference is $1 a pound. With the $150 not spent on bottled water, he can easily upgrade many pounds of produce to organic produce. (150 lbs of organic peach if he so desires).
Okay, Lenny is a meat lover. The difference between the same grade grass-fed ground beef and conventional ground beef is about $2 per pound. Again with the $150 not spent on bottled water, he can easily upgrade to 75 lbs of grass-fed ground beef (or other types of meat).
Or just put it in his son’s college fund - $1,800 a year! His son is 5 years old now. When he is 19, ready to go to college, he will have $50,000 in his college fund. Drink tap water with $50k in the bank or drink bottled tap water with $0 in the bank. Seems to be a total no-brainer.
Not buying bottled water makes both financial and environmental sense.
See related entries:
The Myth and Reality of Bottled Water
Chez Panisse does not carry bottled water
CindyW at Organicpicks
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Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
Protect Your Children & Privacy
July 27, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : For Kids , add a comment
To start off, this entry is not a green topic but as parent, I wanted to make other parents aware of this potential danger. This week, I read about a new feature on Google Search - reverse telephone search. Basically, all a stranger needs to know is your phone number, type it into the Google search bar and voila, appears the owner’s first and last name, home address and of course, map the address for convenience.
Of course this feature is meant to increase connectivity and convenience for innocent uses but thinking like a protective parent, this is an easy tool for anyone to figure out my child’s last name, our neighborhood and scope out our house. Perhaps I worry more now because my daughter is old enough to remember her phone number. We’ve had lots of talks about strangers and she’s well-watched when we are out. Still, I am not with her 24/7 and the bad guys are getting trickier. So if you have similar concerns, here’s how to check for your information and more important, how to unlist your information.
–Go to Google.
–Type in your area code and phone number (either 111 555 1234 or 111-555-1234) into the search bar. If no results show up, that’s great. If you are in their database, you should see your name, number and full address show up.
–To unlist, click on your information and you should see “Request to have your name removed from the list”. Click on the link and fill out the form and click submit.
–Check back after 48 hours to make sure you have been unlisted.
Although new to Google, free reverse phone search is not a new feature for online phone directories. You should reverse phone search (or phone number search) on directories like White Pages, 411.com and Switchboard. These directories have an unlist information option at the bottom of your search result page (if your information is listed). Don’t assume that because you elected the Do Not List option when you signed up for service long ago that you are unlisted. We had chosen that option and somehow our number was still listed in the White Pages, until I unlisted us again.
Unfortunately, it seems impossible to ensure complete privacy from these phone search sites but taking these steps at least makes it harder for those with nasty intentions. And be sure to discuss safety with your children. The Polly Klass Foundation has some good tips and a free handbook.
CindyC at Organicpicks
Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
Not a plastic bag or not a smug twat?
July 26, 2007
Posted by CindyW in : Rants & the Ridiculous , 4 comments
A friend of mine, who is not particularly fluent in all the new-fangled green trends, had coffee with me the other day. She mentioned that she got forwarded the news about some designer bags selling out like there were no other bags in the world (with the “I am not a plastic bag” print). She commented that though she was not that connected with the current
green movement, this bag phenomenon made her think it was no more than a fad. “Like all fads, it probably will just fade in time,” she concluded.
I see her point, completely. Lately the non-stop launching of new “green” products seems to speak much more about making opportunistic financial gain than making real changes to be green. My cousin Anne has an obsession with bags. She has more than 200 bags, most of which have not seen the daylight since being purchased. She bought the “I am not a plastic bag” bag not because she would ever use it. She fought to the front of the line because she loved the designer. Now the bag sleeps in her closet with the other 200. I highly doubt that she is unique. Some people may argue that the bag displays a green message. Sure, but all reusable bags carry the same message, including the “I am not a smug twat” bag .
Better yet, the very action of actually using your reusable bags at the stores speaks even greater volume. It has been stated by more than a handful of people that green consumerism is still consumerism. Have we lost the true purpose of being green?
My neighbor Jim and Beth never struck me as green until I paid a visit to their home. Right away I spotted the line-dried sheets basking in the sun in their backyard. They love to cook but they refuse to acquire oversized ovens. Jim and Beth don’t have a solar system on the roof, because their electricity consumption is so low that a solar sales rep told them not to do it. Almost every week, they walk to our local farmer’s market with an eclectic assortment of canvas bags, collected from conferences, pledges, fund raiser events. They certainly do not own even one “I am not a plastic bag” bag. Jim and Beth have been quietly living green for 20 years. They don’t have a need to shout “Look, I am green” from the rooftop. This is simply their lifestyle.
Perhaps in the flurry of “green” product acquisitions, we should really sit back and admire people who live a green life quietly without a book deal, a bumper sticker, or new buzzwords. Maybe, then we will find the real meaning of being green. Just my humble opinion.
CindyW at Organicpicks
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What is Eco-Friendly at Home Depot?
July 25, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : Opinions & Thoughts , 2 comments
This summer, my local environmental (moms) group is trying to raise awareness for eco-friendly options to backyard gardening, like organic fertilizers and push mowers. The group is planning is a display booth at our local farmer’s market and Home Depot has agreed to supply us with some garden products from their Eco Option Program.
Plenty of buzz surrounds this new Eco Option Program, both positive and negative. Home Depot began their Eco Option campaign several months ago and invited suppliers to submit requests for inclusion. According to the NY Times, Suppliers inundated Home Depot with requests (as sales under the program have seen 10 % sales increase). Out of 60,000 submissions, only about 2500 products were approved. The problem with an ambitious “eco-friendly” program is that there are very few certification agencies that separate fact from green washing. Per Home Depot’s website, they are currently relying on established programs like Energy Star, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) but are working with partners to develop broad standards that evaluate the sustainability of a product through its entire life cycle.
When I was at Home Depot last week, I took note of some products with the Eco Option label. For the most part, the products seem like reasonable fits – Energy Star rated appliances, solar power garden lights, electric power push mowers, low VOC paints, organic fertilizers. A couple of things bothered me though. First, most products are from large manufacturers who mostly provide “conventional” products but have a small niche, green line. For instance, the organic fertilizer is from Scotts, the same company known for its chemical fertilizers and herbicides. What about companies that are dedicated to natural and organic products, like EB Stone products? Second, a few of the Eco Option candidates seem odd. While perusing the garden section, I noticed that there was a cart of plants (tomatoes and some herbs) that had Eco Option label. What makes these plants more eco-friendly than other ones like bamboo or succulents? I asked the garden center clerk and he was equally puzzled. I had to do a bit of research on their website before I realized that the Eco Option plants came in biodegradable peat pots instead of the standard plastic ones. I guess I agree with that?
Perhaps my expectations are a bit high – after all, this is a new program and Home Depot is a large box retailer and not necessarily an environmentally-focused store. I do hope Home Depot is sincere in its efforts to expand and improve upon this program and I’m interested to see what the store is going to provide for our club’s initiative. Stay tuned….
CindyC atOrganicpicks
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Related Posts
Organic Gardening
Eco-friendly Plantings
Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
Fresh Look - ‘Tis the season for heirloom tomatoes
July 24, 2007
Posted by CindyW in : Fresh Look , 2 comments
To state that I like tomatoes is like saying Harry Potter fans casually enjoy the books. Yes, I am a fanatic. In my brasher and more spontaneous college days, I entered multiple tomato eating contests and nearly won a couple. It was all about quantity then.
Now wiser and choosier, I look for quality tomatoes – those that smell and taste like a slice of heaven. While a great variety of fresh-off-the-vine tomatoes are decent, heirloom tomatoes are the only ones that can make me rush to my local farmers’ market. As its name implies, an heirloom seed is cultivated, selected and saved year after year, sometimes for centuries. The farmers or gardeners choose the seeds from plants with desired qualities, such as taste, aroma, or color. Because heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated – meaning they are pollinated by insets, birds, wind, or other natural mechanisms – the fruit is rarely uniform in its shape or size. But to me those are perfect imperfections.
‘Tis the season for tomatoes (July to September in California). My local farmers’ market alone has more than ten varieties, with lively names like purple Cherokee, mountain gold, brandywine, oxheart, persimmon, pineapple, and of course red zebra and green zebra. Every variety is quite different from another in terms of flavor, sweetness, aroma, texture, tenderness and color.
With divine tomatoes like these, any way you eat them is more than satisfactory. I eat them like apples - wipe on my shirt and bite down. But that’s just me. How about cutting open a loaf of Ciabatta bread and laying slices of purple Cherokees and fresh mozzarella in between. Then chow down. All can be found at a farmers’ market.
In my mother’s house, a dish of stir-fried tomatoes and eggs is a reliable summer staple. Slightly heat up a tablespoon of safflower oil. Throw in a couple of sliced heirloom tomatoes. Mix in 2-3 eggs. Stir fry until egg white becomes solid. Takes about 10 minutes, including the prep time. Yum.
For some reason tomatoes usually do not endear themselves to kids, especially if the kids have only had the grocery store kinds. My toddlers make an exception for heirloom tomatoes. Sometimes, I slice a few tomatoes with different colors and lay them out like flowers on the plate. Sprinkle unrefined sugar on them (1 & ½ teaspoons for the whole plate). The slight tartness of tomatoes mixing with the sweet crunchiness of sugar always brings mine back for seconds.
Aside from the gastronomical pleasure, there are ecological reasons for buying heirloom tomatoes. First as biodiversity decreases due to large scale industrial farming, growing and buying heirloom tomatoes contributes to the upkeep of a world of healthy biodiversity. Secondly by purchasing heirloom tomatoes, you are directly supporting your local farmers. I challenge you to find equally fresh and diverse heirloom tomatoes in conventional grocery stores, if they carry any at all.
If you live in the Bay Area, here are some of the farmers’ markets near you. Nationally, USDA provides a good link to farmers’ markets. So does Local Harvest.
Happy eating!
Visit other Fresh Look entries.
CindyW at Organicpicks
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Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
Green Journal: Reusing Packing Materials
July 23, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : Green Journal , add a comment
This past week, we received an appliance delivery, fully protected and cushioned by an enormous amount of bubble wrap. When it was finally unwrapped, I had close to 40 feet of this stuff. So what am I suppose to do with it and other packaging materials that come with deliveries. Many people simple throw these packaging items in the trash, which then sits in landfills forever and a day. In an ideal world, all merchants should use biodegradable or at least recyclable packaging materials but this of course is not an ideal world. Although technically recyclable, materials like bubble wrap, styrofoam peanuts and blocks are not recyclable in practical and economical terms. Reuse of these items appears to be the best alternative these items don’t break down and retains its “usefulness”.
In effort to avoid the landfill path, I did a little searching on my local recycling site and found only one independent mailing center near me that will accept and reuse bubble wrap. My local UPS store only accepts Styrofoam peanuts but not bubble wrap, though I was told this policy differs by store. Rather than giving it to a store, I posted a message on my local mom’s group and within a couple of hours, had several eager takers.
So the next time you receive bags of peanuts or bubble wrap with your package, think twice before throwing it in the trash. Ask your neighbors, post a free message on your group mail or try an organization like Freecycle (great for all sorts of exchanges and barters). You can also try the following places and see if they accept them:
– The UPS Store at www.theupsstore.com
– Other local shipping and mailing stores
– Electronics stores (some are willing to take peanuts or Styrofoam blocks)
– Your local waste management and recycling center (most of them have online resources for hard-to-recycle items)
At $15 a roll (if purchased in a store), finding a friend/neighbor to pick up and reuse that pesky bubble wrap seems like the best alternative right now.
CindyC at Organicpicks
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Previous Green Journal Entries:
Time & Energy Saving Meals
Rest Your Computer and Save Energy
Less Lint, More Energy Savings
Seal,Mail and Recycle Cell Phones
Pump Up Fuel Efficiency
Wife’s Test on CFLs
Eat Local and Organic
BYOC: Bring Your Own Cup
BYOB: Bring Your Own Bag
Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
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