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No truer words have ever been spoken than those from the 1967 movie "The Graduate" to Benjamin Braddock, the graduate (played by Dustin Hoffman), from family friend Mr. McGuire:
Posted - Friday, September 14, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Dear EarthTalk: Are there certain brands or retail stores where sustainable furniture options can be had? And what should I look for when shopping for greener furniture? -- W. Cary, Trenton, N.J.
Posted - Friday, August 31, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
No Name Key resident John Bakke explains the solar setup at his Bimini Lane home. Bakke and his wife Mary want Keys Energy Services to bring in commercial electricity. They say it's a much greener method than using batteries and diesel generators. (Keynoter Photo by RYAN McCARTHY)
One of the countless long-running arguments on No Name Key is whether grid-tied solar energy systems are greener than the off-the-grid lifestyle residents have endured -- or thrived on, depending on whom you ask -- for many years.
Posted - Wednesday, September 05, 2012 11:01 AM EDT
A gluten-free meal, including spicy chicken kebabs, is displayed on a county. (Contributed photo)
Last month while my husband was visiting friends in Colorado, I had a summer dinner party with some girlfriends. We like to eat freshly-prepared foods and we have differing food allergies, so the challenge was to prepare items that were gluten-free, soy-free and low in sodium.
Posted - Friday, August 10, 2012 03:18 PM EDT
Dear EarthTalk: Has an alternative to air conditioning to keep rooms cool been invented that is significantly cheaper and/or that uses significantly less energy than traditional air conditioning? -- Ashutosh Saxena, Allahabad, India
Posted - Saturday, August 04, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Fresh mangoes make a great dessert no matter what the main meal was. They also can be used in a variety of salads.
A few months ago, I shared my experiences of the elimination diet my husband and I did last winter. We discovered that wheat and possibly all gluten products aggravated his arthritis and he is lactose-intolerant, but we lost weight and felt more energized and less bloated.
I didn't have any arthritis flare-ups with the wheat but in the spirit of solidarity and a harmonious home, I have been experimenting with different wheat-free meals and have enjoyed branching out into foods I would never have tried. The biggest problem is the bread.
Posted - Friday, July 13, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Louis Katchis of Mariner's Hospital staff charges up his car at the hospital's new electric vehicle charging station.
The staff and patients at Mariners Hospital in Tavernier have a new way to embrace energy conservation.
One parking space in the Mariners Hospital parking lot now boasts its own electric vehicle charger, which is free for use by employees, patients and hospital visitors.
The Tavernier hospital installed the electric vehicle charger as part of its green program. “Like the hospital, where we offer the latest in medical technology, we want to stay current with our environmental initiatives,” said hospital CEO Rick Freeburg.
Posted - Wednesday, July 25, 2012 02:56 PM EDT
Avoid floral fragrances that can attract insects, including mosquitoes.
Dear EarthTalk: I can't seem to find any natural bug repellents that really work so I end up using the harsh, chemical varieties. Are there any really effective bug repellants that aren't chemically based, or other strategies we can use to keep bugs at bay?
-Melissa Armantine, New Paltz, NY
While the industry standard insect repellents rely on the insecticide DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) to keep bugs at bay, many environmental and public health advocates worry that regular long-term exposure to even small amounts of the chemical can negatively affect the human nervous system.
Posted - Wednesday, July 25, 2012 02:00 PM EDT
Dear EarthTalk: I own a small business and would like to do what I can to minimize its impact on the environment. Can you help me? -- Jacob Levinson, New York, N.Y.
Posted - Saturday, July 07, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
When shopping for appliances and electronics, you've no doubt seen the "Energy Star" label. But just what an Energy Star product and how does it earn the Energy Star label?
Posted - Saturday, June 16, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
