A lot of us these days are trying to "align our purchases with our values." We seek out locally produced food, artisan-made goods and products that are eco-conscious in one way or another. But, despite our good …
Connecting the Sustainabilty Dots
Are you a vegan? Do you shop locally? Buy organic food? Belong to a time bank, co-op or informal sharing collective? Avoid plastic? Collect water in rain barrels? Buy electricity from a renewable producer? …
Love Letters from Vermont: The Arts Help Build Strong Local Economies
When we last visited Brattleboro, VT, more than a dozen years ago, we thought: "Cool town, good bones, lots of potential." But beyond a small number of off-beat shops and tiny bistros, there didn't seem …
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Green (Old-Fashioned) Popcorn
With Oscar night upon us, thoughts turn to the movies ... and their perfect accompaniment, popcorn. In case you haven't heard, the microwaveable kind is loaded with health hazards. In addition to the sodium and trans fats in …
Just Because It’s Cold Outside Doesn’t Mean Nature’s Out of Reach: Exploring the DelVal’s Open Spaces
In the dead of winter, it can be a challenge for us North Easterners to get that “back to nature" feeling. Most of us (those without greenhouses) are no longer enjoying the bounty of our …
Organic Seeds Warm Up the Season
It’s been a beautiful winter weekend in the Delaware River Valley. Friday night's light snowfall left a dusting of powder on bare branches, turning stark grey woods into delicate lace work. Seasonally cold, if only for …
Greening Your Cleaning
Eco-friendly household cleaning products If you're trying to stay on top of warnings about various household toxins, you may sometimes get a mild case of green exhaustion. It's tempting to tune it all out for a while …
Greening the Lunchbox: Six Easy Steps
Whether you’re packing school lunches or brown-bagging it to your job, the lunch box can be a Pandora’s box of environmental hazards. Here are a few alternatives for making lunch more sustainable. 1. Reusable sandwich bags. …
Organic and local on the winter menu
Local mixed greens with organic beets and goat cheese If you live in the Delaware River Valley -- or any place with four seasons -- you know it's more challenging to eat local and organic …
Sustainable resolutions for 2013
Every year at this time, thousands of writers are tasked with finding a fresh spin on the annual New Year’s Resolution article. Meanwhile, those of use who still believe in resolutions make lists that we know …
