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Highlights

Green Solutions

rainbarrells

These painted rain barrels were auctioned in a silent auction at the Artists in Paradise Gallery on Big Pine Key.

More people hitching a ride on the green train

Looking around my neighborhood recently, I see little changes that show me that instead of being part of the problem, some residents are choosing to be part of the solution.

For example, at the Winn-Dixie on Big Pine Key, I notice more lone male shoppers walk into the store with their stash of reusable bags. It really makes my heart swell.

Posted: Monday, June 10, 2013 09:59 AM EDT

Being part of the solution

Looking around my neighborhood recently, I see little changes that show me that instead of being part of the problem, some residents are choosing to be part of the solution.

Posted: Thursday, June 06, 2013 06:48 PM EDT

Effots to reduce plastic bags gaining steam

Shirley Gun holds reusable shopping bags that are part of a recyling program called 'Got Your Bags?'

Effort to reduce plastic bags gaining steam

It's been nine months since I joined a group of residents interested in reducing the number of plastic bags floating around, literally and figuratively, in the Keys.

The group runs a program called Got Your Bags? Florida Keys, a program sponsored by Green Living and Energy Education (GLEE). We are a small group with lots of support judging from the number of businesses and individuals that have given money, bags, in-kind services, time and personal pledges to reduce their use of plastic bags in the Florida Keys and help prevent marine debris and litter.

Posted: Friday, April 12, 2013 04:13 PM EDT

  • greenliving

    Shirley Gun shows the variety of reusable bags that can be used to replace plastic during your shopping trips.

    HEALTHY LIVING

    Got Your Bags? gains speed

    It's been nine months since I joined a group of residents interested in reducing the number of plastic bags floating around, literally and figuratively, in the Keys.

    The group runs a program called Got Your Bags? Florida Keys, a program sponsored by Green Living and Energy Education (GLEE). We are a small group with lots of support judging from the number of businesses and individuals that have given money, bags, in-kind services, time and personal pledges to reduce their use of plastic bags in the Florida Keys and help prevent marine debris and litter.

    Posted - Saturday, April 13, 2013 11:00 AM EDT

  • Keeping your thumb green not always easy

    Baby greens doing well now, but it was a slow start and lots of experimentation on containers, soil, sun.

    Keeping your thumb green not always easy

    You've heard the saying, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again." And believe me, I've tried.

    I now have to acknowledge that my initial gardening success three years ago must have been beginners luck.

    Posted - Saturday, March 16, 2013 02:10 PM EDT

  • healthliving

    The writer and her husband now use a Cadet 3 low-flow toilet.

    HEALTHY LIVING

    Less consumption, more water

    Pop quiz: Do you know how much water you use? While I can report that my husband recently replaced our faulty toilet with a very efficient 1.28 gallons-per-flush model, I have to wait for another month's water bill to see how it has improved our water-use numbers. Judging from the very short tank-fill cycle, I can tell it's a vast improvement from our last model.

    But really, my question was not about efficient showers, toilets and washing machines. Just about everything manufactured or processed uses water in some part of its production. So how much water do we really use?

    Posted - Saturday, February 16, 2013 11:00 AM EST

  • HEALTHY LIVING

    Set your sites on these environmental goals

    Like some people, I consider the beginning of a year as an opportunity for new possibilities and chances to start things off on the right foot.

    This year, my list of resolutions will carry me not just through 2013 but beyond. They reflect my passion for healthy living and the environment and are not one-time goals but practices I can implement one step at a time.

    Posted - Saturday, January 19, 2013 11:00 AM EST

  • gotbags

    The Got Your Bags? booth is busy at the Big Pine and Lower Keys Art Fair.

    HEALTHY LIVING

    For gifts, give what sustains

    I cannot believe its December already. And like most people this time of year, I have to make holiday gift decisions for friends and family.

    My husband and I are pretty low key about giving each other gifts. We have a small house and it can easily look cluttered. Over the years, my husband has trained me to follow a simple rule: If something comes into the house, something else must leave.

    Posted - Friday, December 07, 2012 11:00 AM EST

  • gun

    This boat picnic basket has all you need for a fun day on the water while eating healthy.

    HEALTHY LIVING

    Try this light boat picnic

    The phrase "we could take a picnic" is like music to my ears. My husband knows exactly how to make any outing appealing to me, so when he suggested a picnic lunch on the boat recently, I was hooked.

    Since we conducted our four-week elimination program a year ago, we gave up gluten (mainly wheat) in the house and I have been experimenting with new recipes and menus. Finding good substitutes for bread, pasta, pizza, cakes, pies, cookies, beer and other items that contain wheat is challenging. Sometimes we just forgo them.

    Posted - Friday, November 09, 2012 11:00 AM EST

  • greenliving

    The cilantro and thyme are off to a good start at the writer's home.

    GREEN LIVING

    Organic's a great way to show true colors

    Ever wondered what those little bar-coded or numbered stickers on your produce mean?
    BR>Apart from helping the retailer, wholesaler and producer keep track of their inventory and speed you through the checkout line, they tell you a lot about how the produce was produced.

    Posted - Friday, October 12, 2012 11:00 AM EDT