EcoPlum Green Living Blog
The Dummy's Guide to "Organic"
by Gia Machlin, October 06 2009, 1 CommentMuch has been written about the difference between organic, natural, and non-organic foods. What do these labels mean? Is there a difference between "organic" and "natural"? Why should I care if my food is not organic? Are certain non-organic foods...
Green Heroes
by Gia Machlin, September 25 2009, 0 Comments
I'm not talking about the Incredible Hulk, the Green Lantern, or even the Lone Ranger's grand-nephew the Green Hornet. Nope. I'm taking about Tina Hess and Emily Fano. Who? Tina is the manager of the green team at St. Mary's...
A non-random act of kindness
by Gia Machlin, September 18 2009, 1 Comment
A couple of weeks ago, I gave notice to one my professional organizations that I would not be renewing my membership for the year. This group meets monthly and I figured that with the business, all my involvement in non-profits...
Two different reactions to one incomprehensible day
by Gia Machlin, September 11 2009, 0 CommentsI had another topic to write about, but since today is 9/11 it's really hard to write about anything else. Just like I have every September 11th since 2001, I spent the morning watching the reading of the names at...
Are My Actions a Drop in the Bucket?
by Gia Machlin, September 02 2009, 1 Comment
In my first post, "Welcome," I introduced the MIGG. This is a person who doesn't make the environment a top priority because: M - My actions are just a drop in the bucket! I - I've got bigger issues to...
Top 10 Frustrating (and Funny) Experiences with Going Green
by Gia Machlin, August 18 2009, 1 Comment
Thanks for all your input on experiences with going green. I selected the following Top 10 from your submissions: #10 Rob Dorfman of San Francisco: Trying to take the bus to the airport only to find out that the bus...
It's Not Always Easy Being Green
by Gia Machlin, August 13 2009, 1 Comment
What? Blasphemy! How can you say that, Gia? Isn't the whole point of EcoPlum to make it easy and convenient for people to go green? Yes, it is. As a matter of fact, when we were starting EcoPlum in 2007...
Welcome!
by Gia Machlin, August 09 2009, 1 Comment
My hope, in writing this blog, is that I will be able to reach all the MIGGs out there. What is a MIGG? It's me, 5 years ago, it's most of my friends, it's a lot of the parents in...
The Environmentally Responsible Way to Dispose of Empty Perfume Bottles
by Brianna Marquart, July 08 2009, 1 Comment
I used to think that buying a new scent involved going to a department store in the mall and scouting out the most elaborate bottle. I would wander by all of the glass counters staffed with overdone women waving little...
Alternatives to Synthetic, Toxic Bug Repellent
by Guest Blogger, June 30 2009, 0 Comments
Photo courtesy of J.o. Comia via Flickr. Insects share the biosphere with us; but, like many a close neighbor, they can be pests. The use of synthetic chemicals are bad for everything in the biosphere, including us. But is there an alternative...
Counting Sheep? Seek Organic Sleep
by Guest Blogger, February 02 2009, 0 Comments
Photo courtesy of Mazzali via Flickr. When we lay to rest at night, the last thing we want is to be immersed in toxins, volatile organic compounds and off-gassing chemicals. Conventional mattresses often use petroleum-based polyester and polyurethane foam, which can...
LEED Certification
by Guest Blogger, January 20 2009, 0 Comments
Copyright: ponsulak / 123RF Stock Photo Industrial facilities contribute more environmental pollution and harm than any other type of building structure. Pollution is also generated from our home and offices—whether we live in apartments or houses or whether we work...
Dry Cleaning: Eco Options
by Guest Blogger, December 30 2008, 0 Comments
Copyright: andreypopov / 123RF Stock Photo Regardless of the name, dry cleaning is not a dry process. In traditional methods, potent chemical solvents are used to remove stains from delicate fabrics, and these solvents can be toxic to your...
Organic Cotton
by Guest Blogger, December 02 2008, 0 Comments
Conventional cotton crops require the application of more synthetic pesticides than any other crop: approximately 25% of the world’s insecticides and 10% of all pesticides are used on cotton. Most cotton grown outside the US is covered in dangerous pesticides that...
Indoor Air Pollution and Plants
by Guest Blogger, October 31 2008, 0 Comments
Photo courtesy of AnnieAnniePancake via Flickr. Adding up the hours we spend at work, at home and at the places in between, it appears that most Americans are indoors for roughly 90 percent of their time. While that statistic might horrify outdoorsy...
Healthy Cookware Makes for Healthy Eating
by Guest Blogger, August 26 2008, 0 Comments
Copyright: simpson33 / 123RF Stock Photo. What good is a lightly sautéed fish and veggie dish if it’s made in an old skillet with scratches of non-stick coating running throughout? Not only is it not good, but to some of...
Have a Seat, Stay a While: No Good to Good Wood
by Guest Blogger, August 24 2008, 0 Comments
Copyright: project1photography / 123RF Stock Photo One of the best things in the world is coming home from a long hard day, curling up on the sofa, putting your feet up on the good ole reliable coffee table and having...
Eco-Friendly Pet Care
by Guest Blogger, August 22 2008, 0 Comments
Copyright: pphoto / 123RF Stock Photo Want to bring your 4-legged (or 2 winged, or many scaled, or whatever may apply) friend into your ever-expanding world of green living? There are several simple steps to consider when giving your furry baby the healthiest lifestyle...
The Dirt on Cleaning Products
by Guest Blogger, August 20 2008, 0 Comments
Copyright: frannyanne / 123RF Stock Photo Even with all the warning labels and pictures of skulls with crossbones, who knew that what we believed was safeguarding our children and pets from goopy disease and bacteria was perhaps one of their...
Dirty Personal Care Products?
by Brianna Marquart, August 14 2008, 0 Comments
You’ve probably seen recent headlines about unfriendly ingredients in some popular personal care products that you may, or may not use. So what if your favorite make-up contains some questionable ingredients? It’s always come through for you and you’ve been...
Dirty Gold?
by Guest Blogger, July 28 2008, 0 Comments
Copyright: olegdudko / 123RF Stock Photo Gold mining, once the realm of California prospectors, has in recent years become a source of major environmental harm. A large majority of the new gold produced today is mined from large open-pit...
Bottled Water: Better for you?
by Guest Blogger, July 20 2008, 0 Comments
The case for using bottled water sounded good in the beginning, and it became quite the everlasting rage. Everyone was walking around with their clean and crisp, plastic bottle which implied we were all at the top of our...