Starting your garden from seed? It can seem like a daunting task, until you read some simple tips that can provide you with further guidance on your journey. When I first started on this venture, in my community garden in Santa Monica back in 2008, I started with seeds. At the time, I spent more time designing the spiral layout of my garden, rather than meticulously reading the backs of the packets or better yet picking up a local gardening book. Granted I had been attending free gardening classes through Transition Town, but there was still a lot of science to understand. Even experts are constantly reading up on how to best grow and support maximum plant growth.
I had minor success and ended up buying starts. Now, looking back 12 years later and a seed company under my belt, I can see where my shortcomings were and where I clearly failed.
Gardening takes an understanding of some basic principals for optimal success, such as sun hours, soil, what you can grow, when to plant and of course considering the critters that you share space with.
You will find two different kinds of seeds available at most nurseries, they will either be open pollinated (OP) or hybrid (F1). Understanding the two will provide you the option for seed saving. Open pollinated means that any seed you save and plant again, will result in the exact genetic of the parent plant. Hybrids on the other hand are a completely different bag, as they were crossed with many other plants and will not breed true to type. Heirlooms are often considered treasures as they have a name, a place and taste, coupled with compelling stories of their origin. Heirlooms have been passed down and are usually over 50 years old and are open pollinated. Hybrids will always be labeled as a hybrid or F1. Both hybrids and heirlooms can be organic.
Planting from seed provides you with plants that are more disease resistant and hardier. Growing from seed also opens you up to a larger offering of rare and heirloom plants, moreover you save money in the process. Seed packets run about $3.50 and usually provide more seed than you need for a season and in some cases like tomatoes and peppers, you have enough seed for a few seasons. There are small nurseries out there that provide wonderful starts that were grown with good soil and seed, unlike sourcing your starts from larger big-box nursery, where starts were grown in large greenhouses where pathogens can easily linger and contaminate your seedlings.
Understanding that seeds are a living breathing embryo helps you get a better understanding of what you are working with. Seeds, innately have everything they need in order to create life. They are constantly scanning their environment for a queue to begin germinating. That is why temperature fluctuation, light, heat and moisture are detrimental to a seed. Therefore never leave them in a hot car, by a heater or in the blazing sun.
Over the years of owning The Living Seed Company, I have realized that there are some simple tips for first seed sowers to understand in order for an optimal harvest.
Understanding where you live and what you can grow, is the beginning of your journey in planning your garden. Realistically not everyone can grow everything they want, due to a number of different factors such as sun hours, climate, space and critters. Knowing who lives in your neighborhood and how to protect your garden from hungry friends is important. Do you have vertical space you can use? Taking advantage of vertical space is optimal when you are working in tight quarters. Some plants grow vertically and others grow as a bush - knowing how your plants grow will help you plan your garden better. Do not over-crowd your garden. Initially, there will be a lot of room, but that room will quickly be filled up. Plants, competing for nutrients will not thrive and will be more susceptible to disease and pests.
Choose a location that gets optimal sun, vegetables require at least 6 - 8 hours of direct sun. A southern or southwestern exposure is ideal. If you live in a hot climate and your garden receives a lot of sun, that is something you need to also take into account. Using shade cloth can give your vegetables a break, during hot summer months.
What you are going to plant in is a consideration that will determine space and watering schedule. There are many options such as in-ground gardens, pots, raised beds and alternative containers. What you fill those pots with is very important. Vegetables need nutrients in the soil in order to thrive and produce nutrient-dense food. Familiarizing yourself with the many soil and compost options is a key to your success. Knowing that the pots are made of and observe how quickly water evaporates is key to making sure your plants don’t fry in a black plastic pot (which I do not recommend), while you are at work. Don’t forget to label your plants individually and take notes … trust me, you won’t remember.
Once you have figured those key factors, begin by choosing varieties that you enjoy eating. This is the fun part but starting small initially will prevent you from getting overwhelmed later on. It is easy to get excited about all the great things that you want to grow, but gardens take time, energy, weeding, watering and maintenance.
Plan your garden by how many people are in your household. This will guide the quantity of plants and your need for planting in succession. For example if you are a family of two and love eating salads every day, plant lettuce every week, so you always have fresh greens coming out of the garden. The same could be said for the veggies like broccoli, cauliflower beans, herbs, etc. Read the packet for guidance on what should be planted in succession and how often. Once you get the hang of it, you will get into a rhythm.
Begin to understand how much fruit one plant provides. For example, a tomato seed packet usually comes with 25 seeds. You do not need 25 tomato plants, unless you have a very large household that loves everything tomatoes. Usually a few tomato plants will suffice - perhaps a cherry, saladette and a slicer tomato? Do the research, initially to begin to understand what your harvest will look like and how many plants you will need to feed your family.
I usually recommend planting annual plants together and perennial plants together. This facilitates things when you are clearing your bed, at the end of a season and can simply remove all your annuals together (perhaps tangled roots and all) and leave your perennials as is. Annuals are plants that will not overwinter and will perish at the first frost. Perennials, if properly cared for will return year after year. Specific maintenance is beneficial to boast any nutrients that plant is requiring.
Once you have mapped out your garden, what you are going to eat, begin to understand what seeds want to be planted indoors and kept in a warm dome with a heated mat and which ones want to be planted outdoors. Plants such as tomatoes, peppers and golden berries, to name a few, want to be nursed inside, even if you live in a hot climate like Miami. Other varieties like your root veggies, think carrots & beets, want to be directly seeded into the soil. They do not want their roots disrupted and want to be able to send them down as soon as they are planted. For the seeds that you start indoors, it is key that they be hardened off. This is a process that requires taking them outside, during the day, for a period of time before they are planted. This acclimates your seedlings to the world outside, meaning the elements like the wind and sun. One week minimum is recommended. Just do not forget to bring them inside in the early evening. We do it for several weeks to a month as this strengthens their stems and overall plant structure. If you work from home and are able to keep in eye on them and constantly water them, we highly recommend this method.
Knowing your seed source is another key to a healthy garden. Where are the seeds you are purchasing sourced from? Many larger seed companies are sourcing overseas. This means that the seeds are acclimated to a completely different zone. There are family-owned or small seed companies, which usually grow their own seed and/or source it from good growers. Whatever you do, avoid using seed that was taken from your favorite store-bought veggie. Often times, these are hybrids and it may take months of caring for this plant, before you realize it is not what you were hoping it was going to be.
Once you are ready to plant, don’t forget to keep the soil moist while the seeds are germinating. This is a mistake that first time seed sowers make, including yours truly back in my LA garden. Water is important to prevent your plants from wilting and using their energy to survive instead of thrive! They also need even watering throughout most of their life. Dry farming is an option if you are growing in the ground, have a high water table and think your veggies can reach it. Nothing tastes better than a dry farmed tomato!
Seeds are sacred stories. When you begin to unlock the magic of planting a garden from seed, it is hard to go back. There is a mystery unfolding before you and it is the mystery of life. A single seed can reproduce itself hundreds of times over - it is abundant and life-giving. May your curiosity to plant a seed be piqued and may your life never be the same!
The Seeds of Flourishing | How to Thrive During Quarantine
For many of us, we have entered week four of shelter-in-place, a national mandate that has been sweeping the world, in hopes of halting the spread of Covid-19.
This has taken most of us for a loop, leaving people unprepared for what life looks like when you are advised to not leave your house and keep social distancing. It has awakened a range of emotions, changed our routines, evaporated our social life, stopped our schedules and overall has shifted how we all go about our days.
On a global scale, we are seeing pollution drop all over the world with its effects clearing the air and water, allowing for blue sky and clear waters to emerge. It is as though our planet is having the opportunity to catch her breath, from the frenetic consumerism that has driven world markets for the past decade. This is providing us with an opportunity to reflect and be reminded that we live on a living planet with finite resources. Every decision we make, matters.
Today, we are being given the time and space to awaken to new possibilities, to a new way of living in harmony with ourselves, our families, our neighbors and our beautiful planet. We are provided an opportunity to practice gratitude for all that we have. Despite not being able to leave our homes, we are blessed to even have a home. There are many people living in their cars, in tents and on the street. Embodying a daily gratitude practice, taps you into a greater understanding of seeing the nuances of life, as miracles.
A couple of weeks ago, one of my permaculture teachers posted, “We prepared for this.” It was such a powerful statement that resonated deeply with me, simply because it was true. We prepared for this moment, aware that something was going to happen at sometime, just not knowing when or how it would transpire. Having that insight and my deep interest and passion for homesteading allowed my husband Matthew and I, to be a bit more ahead of the curve than the average person. We had dappled in many aspects of self-sufficiency from growing food, saving seeds, beekeeping (catching swarms), keeping chickens, food preservation (canning, dehydrating, fermenting), medicine making, creating beauty product, beeswax processing and of course composting. Yet, we are still very reliant on “the system” and have a ways to go till we are off-grid and truly self sufficient.
Despite feeling prepared, I still found myself move through a deep canyon of emotions, in the first few days. It is natural and healthy to express these emotions and move through them. And when I emerged, after having moved through these feelings, I felt liberated. I was able to see through a crystalline lens and things began to make sense. I no longer fell victim but rather empowered and reassured, we had prepared for this. This is a time for awakening of our awareness and our being. Life
will never be the same. Business as usual is a thing of the past. We have entered a new plane and it is our choice to continue to operate in the same way we had been or to upgrade our thinking, our habits and our being. This is a global reset, how do you want to emerge from this? Simply let go of what no longer serves you and rise to your higher self. Begin a practice that eliminates the negativity in your life, whether it is media, friends or even your own thinking. Read books or listen to podcasts that raise your frequency. Revel in living in joy and peace, it is our birthright and natural state.
Despite the very real realities that are happening, there are opportunities that we could not have experienced otherwise. Families are having the opportunity to spend time together, in a new way. There is a quieting of our towns and cities, a stillness that has descended upon this earth in a way no one could have imaged possible. Many people are having the gift of time and place, usually booked with errands, meetings and carpooling. Today people all over the world are at home with their loved ones, getting creative and simply spending time together. More people are spending time in nature, camping in their backyards and experiencing their own microcosm with fresh eyes.
We are all being pushed to our edges. Edges where magic and miracles can happen, if we allow them. This is an opportunity to open our hearts, be supple, show compassion and reach out to those who may need us. What are the silver linings before you? It may be as incredible as watching migrating geese fly overhead or catching a glimpse of life, that you would have missed had you not been paying attention.
We are all being asked to rise up to the collective occasion, to see beyond the mirage and truly see what is before us and so we can meet our higher selves. It is a wonderful opportunity to begin a meditation practice. Take the time to be still and connect. We each have a reservoir of stillness, peace and transcendence within ourselves. We just need to still our minds and open our hearts to tap into it. This is a time to find your cardinal directions, raise your vibration and connect with what really matters in life. These are uncertain times, seek what you need to stay positive and intentional. Eating high vibrational, organic foods will only help your mind, body and spirit be aligned and clear. Have you ever considered gardening? A deep meditation to connect to your food and the growing power of life!
Most of us are being deeply affected. My retail shop has been closed for 4 weeks and will be closed for another month and maybe longer. Yet, what I am focusing on is what matters and that is raising my vibration. Our seed company, The Living Seed Company is being sought after, as priorities have shifted. What matters takes the forefront and what is superficial has fallen to the waist side. Matthew and I have been diligently packing and shipping thousands of seed packets and shipping them all over the country. We know that our work is bringing happiness and peace, to peoples lives, by providing them with sustenance and life! Plant a seed, whether physical or metaphorical, nurture it and join the great unfurling!
Have you ever wanted to hire an interior designer, but not sure how they work or if you can afford one? Hiring an interior designer can be more affordable and actually save you money in the long run. For more information, take a look at my blog post on Why Hire an Interior Designer . Interior designers have the ability to transform a client's practical and emotional needs into a reality. Learn how to interview one today and turn your dream into a reality!
The interior design industry can be complicated, in regards to how designers charge for their services. There are several tiers of pricing, that are most commonly used across the board. It is common practice for a designer to integrate more than one of these price points in their service portfolio. Depending on the type of project, will depend on the kind of pricing that you will be quoted. For example, if you are doing a remodel it behooves the client for the designer to charge a flat fee or charge by the square foot. A flat fee is usually a percentage of the final project budget in addition to a mark-up on all furniture, fixtures and equipment, that is purchased through the designer. Price per square foot, is exactly that, your designer will charge you a fixed rate, based on the size of the project. A mark-up, will generally be added to the purchase of all furniture, fixtures and equipment that is purchased through the designer.
The mark-up that a designer charges can range from 15% - 40%. Usually, the mark-up rate and the amount that a designer charges, is based on experience, exclusivity and recognition. The more a designer charges for a mark-up, the more the designer generally charges for their services.
Many prospect clients, seeking to hire an interior designer, do not understand why a mark-up is applied to purchases. Mark-ups cover the purchasing management process such as placing orders, tracking and scheduling and delivery. In addition, there is some margin, for damage, which is common. In general a customer usually pays retail, to the designer, while the designer purchases it wholesale, charging his/her mark-up.
When interviewing potential designers, it is important to have a set of guidelines to follow. A seasoned interior designer will usually take the lead, when meeting a new client. When the customer also has a personal set of guidelines, it helps them feel they have been heard and have asked all the necessary questions.
Having clear communication from the onset, as well as a contract that explicitly details the services agreed upon and service fees, will not only protect the designer, but also the client. This contract will serve as point of reference of what is expected of the designer. The contract will also serve as a map, in which the client will know what services will be rendered. Expect to pay a retainer and sign a contract, prior to any work commencing. Should your designer not have a contract, it may be a red-flag and should be addressed.
Interviewing more than one interior designer will provide you an opportunity to see the different styles as well as the different offerings that may be available to you.
Generally the interior designer is also the project manager and the liaison with all the trades, this enables the client to feel confident that their vision is being understood and created.
Before meeting with a designer:
Have a budget and a timeline, even if its not fixed. It is recommend to start any project with a budget. This budget will serve as a benchmark, in which a certain amount of work is expected to be completed. The budget will give the client confidence that the expected work, will be completed within an allotted amount of time. Having a realistic budget and timeline is a crucial part in setting realistic goals for your designer. A good designer will accommodate both of these requests and offer a realistic opinion, if necessary. Request their pricing options and understand their different offerings.
Understand their invoicing options and time management tracking. A potential designer, should offer real-time time tracking, for both parties to be on the same page and understand where the budget is, at any point.
What is the designer's style and capabilities? Are they uniquely qualified? Interviewing a designer that has the capability to execute the vision for your project is imperative. Not all designers are the same, each may have similar offerings, but they are not all the same. Be sure to not confuse a decorator with a designer. Read my blog post on The Difference between a Decorator and a Designer.
Hiring an interior designer may appear to be a daunting task, but in reality, with the amount of information available, it does not have to be. Choosing someone who not only fits your criteria and expertise, but also someone whom you like is imperative. This becomes an intimate relationship and genuinely liking the designer you will be hiring, is very important. Having a good client-designer relationship is key to project success, seamlessness and open dialogue.
Have you ever walked into a space and immediately felt comfortable, welcome, inspired or a range of other positive feelings? These are some of the experiential sensations that an interior space can encompass.
Interior design works with the nuances of the human psyche to elevate a person's mood and set the stage for how a person chooses to live or work.
Interior design and architecture have an innate ability to transform peoples experiences, in their lives – whether they are aware of it or not. Have you ever experienced walking into a space and not feeling comfortable, because of lack of lights or a feeling of claustrophobic? There could be a myriad of reasons why spaces does not appeal to one person or another, aside from personal opinion. There could be architectural or design flaws that intuitively human beings perceive, whether conscious or unconscious of the fact.
Aside from designing spaces that meet the needs of the occupants, designers aim to create spaces that embody comfort, beauty and safety.
Good design, immediately envelops a person into a sensory experience.
Interior Designers are visionaries, by nature. With the guidance of a trained eye, a home or business owner can trust that their vision and needs will be met. Working with a designer not only offers a certain aesthetic, but also practical fundamental pieces like space planning, lighting design, furniture selection/arrangement and color theory. Best of all designers are trained to problem solve and offer creative thinking and solutions, as issues arise. An interior designer can also project manage and design new construction as well as remodels. Designers are trained to work with a multitude of tradesmen/women from contractors, carpenters to electricians and plumbers. This allows for fluidity on a project and for the clients' vision to be understood in the lexicon of each trades-person. To receive the most from a designer, it is best to integrate them, as early as possible in the design process, as they can end up avoiding costly design flaws as well as bringing to light elements that have been overlooked by the builder or architect.
There are specialties that designers can focus on such as feng shui and ecological interior design. Specialties often are accompanied by credentials, certificates and/or degrees. Most of these specialists perform the work of designers, but through the lens of their specialty. For more information on ecological interior design, take a look at my blog post Designing for a New Era.
It is not common for new clients to have never worked with a designer before. The process is generally considered, by most, to be a luxury and out of their budget. To their surprise, there are designers of all styles and price points. Someone on a budget, could hire a design student, while someone else hoping for expertise and experience can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to upwards of $500 an hour. Pricing is often reflected by experience and geographic location.
Hiring an interior designer can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. Asking friends and family for a recommendation is a great start. There are excellent sites like Houzz, that can be a great resource. Beginning with email correspondence and/or a phone conversation is an excellent start, but there is nothing like meeting someone in person. A meeting can speak volumes and help you decide who is the best fit for you. Usually, meeting the designer at the job site will give you an insight into their creative process. As the client discusses the project, the designer usually makes suggestions and offers ideas. This dialogue generally, gives the client a better understanding of how the designer works and if there is a resonance between the client and the designer.
Having an idea of what you are in need of and what you want, is very important, unless you are open to the designer have free rein. An interior designer can serve as a guide in helping you navigate through the world of design, construction, budgets and planning while offering you discounts and the opportunity to purchase items that are are available to-the-trade. There are many nuances to this trade and having a well versed designer will keep the project on time, in budget, while offering a keen eye and expertise for every decision.
We are living at the dawn of a new era, a time in history where we have never had this much access to information and technology as well as native cultures from all regions of the world.
With the evolution of design, building and architecture, we have an unprecedented amount of responsibility considering the state of our natural world. Globally, the earth is changing at a dramatic rate, human population continues to grow exponentially and we continue to tap our natural resources.
With the evolution of modern technology and intuitive living, we can shift from a society that extracts to one that is regenerative and in turn, balanced.
By incorporating site location, human scale, and natural elements such as, weather patterns and local materials into the design of buildings, we can begin to return to a localized way of designing our communities.
For the past several decades, we have been using templates of cookie cutter homes, buildings and commercial structures to design our urban cities. What we have discovered is that every region is specific with its own climate, topography and natural resources. Beginning to integrate all these elements, in addition to the orientation, the design, materials, and culture of a place we can we begin Designing for a New Era.
Design can be defined as the creation and execution of an object, space or system.
In its broader terms it has the capacity to represent many things, in this context, design is not only referencing our homes and workplace but also to our landscapes our neighborhoods and in turn our cities.
In taking a journey through design, we begin with the interior and work our way out, painting a picture on how everything is interrelated.
Often times, sustainable design is not seen, but rather it is felt. Now is a time to see interior design as a hybrid of combining such key components as green building and design as well as ecological interior and exterior spaces.
One of the biggest problems we face are environmental toxins, chemicals and other materials masked as dryer sheets, smoke, scented candles, antibacterial products, air fresheners, cleaners, furniture, deodorizers, cat litter, sprays, micro plastics, perfume/cologne and synthetic fibers.
These chemicals have saturated our water, food and the very air we breathe but most important they have entered our bodies and now we are passing this on to our children.
So, what is in our interiors?
Phthalates – Found in plastics, plastic wrap, plastic bottles, plastic food containers and fragrances.
Phenols – Found in household cleaners, perfumes, polishes, waxes and hard plastics.
Urea Formaldehyde – Found in furniture, carpets, upholstery, plastics, building materials and foam insulation.
Biological Pollutants – Found in dust, mold and mildew.
Organochlorine Compounds – Found in pesticides, chlorine, paints, waxes, plastics, PVC and vinyl.
VOC : volatile organic compounds – Found in paint, furniture and carpeting.
PBDE : polybrominated diphenyl ethers - Found in flame retardants found in furniture, soft furnishings and electronics.
Many of these chemicals are not only found in our living environment, but have made their way into our food supply through the various natural cycles found in life.
Common practice uses a variety of chemicals in our soft furnishings, carpeting, electronics and fabrics; information that should encourage us to be as discerning as possible. It is key to eliminate these chemicals, in addition to, a host of many others that have never been tested for their toxicity levels to human life.
These days there are materials and product selection for all things green. Always source products that are built to last, made properly, non-toxic and healthy.
There is a new approach to the conventional way of designing and building that incorporates new ways of thinking. In a more fundamental manner, it incorporates such practices such as lifecycle analysis, site assessments, reusing materials and water/waste management and overall building performance.
Sourcing vintage and antique furnishings will assure you that most toxins will have off-gassed and provide your home with je ne sais quoi. It is rare to see homes, in any shelter magazine, that do not have a wide array of vintage furnishings and accessories. Not only will this offer your space instant character and patina, but will also imbue your home with a collected feel, something that took time to cultivate.
Let us start designing and creating a future where purchasing food, clothing and furniture naturally does not have chemicals in them. Let us create a, sustainable standard of living and design a new way of living.
Does being an ecological interior designer mean you use bamboo? Not quite. I actually have never specified bamboo in any project, but I am often asked that question.
There are many terms that mean the same thing and are often interchangeable: eco, green and sustainable interior design.
Ecological design takes a whole systems approach, integrating environmental, social and economic principals. It takes into account the reality that design has an immediate effect on our life and our surroundings. What we specify in our homes, can make a global difference with how things are sourced, mined and created.
By definition, ecological interior design focuses on the quality of life of the inhabitants and the effects of on our greater planet.
While aesthetics are a natural element to green design, many of the benefits are not even seen, but rather felt. Improved indoor air quality, toxin elimination and prevention, addressing waste, as well as, water and energy conservation are just a few of the critical elements that spearhead a green project. Among that, life-cycle analysis of products and materials are critical, while taking into consideration the scale of the project in relation to the client’s needs. Designing an over-scaled green home is intrinsically counter-intuitive. The same could be said for materials that have been shipped long distances.
Designing a green project considers the local economy and the environment, while offering the client exquisite materials to choose from. The notion that one must live in a straw bale home, to live in a green space, is a myth of the past. These days material and product selection for all things green, is on the forefront. Manufacturers have heeded the call of consumers and are now offering products that are far superior than their counterparts.
Ecological design takes into account the life-cycle of the products used, where they were sourced, what they were made of and the supply chain as well as the lifecycle analysis. One of the major facets of ecological interior design is optimal indoor air quality (IAQ). According to the EPA, indoor air quality is a greater health hazard than outdoor air pollution, with pollutants being up to 100 times higher indoors. You are probably familiar with the smell of new carpets or that infamous new car small, what you are smelling is actually the off-gassing of chemicals. What people clean their homes with, is usually an arsenal or chemicals, that not only wreak havoc on health of your family and your pets, but also on the environment. Most of our homes contain formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOC's), fragrances and mold, just to name a few contaminants. Improving indoor air quality, as well as reducing the impact that furniture, electronics, materials, energy and water have on the environment and our personal health, are just the beginning to having an ecologically sound home. Considering Americans spend 90% of their time indoors, focusing on the quality of the air we breath, is paramount.
Decades since the term "eco" has been coined, it still contains a stigma of being "granola" or "crunchy", despite magazines like Dwell, working to change the stereotype. The reality is that there isn't a stereotype for what a green home is, because, it can be designed in any style. A sustainable home can be modern, transitional, rustic, eclectic or even hand-made.
Having a green home may still cost more, initially, yet what you will reap is truly beyond measure. More and more attention is arriving in the mainstream about the rise in cancer, autism, ADHD, anxiety and other diseases, but there is only a marginal amount of media covering the correlation between the toxins in our homes, beauty products, food and clothing, that could be one of the culprits.
In our homes, everything from soft furnishings (think mattresses, pillows, sofas and drapery) to flooring, building materials, paint, electronics and furniture are toxic and affecting our health and the planet's.
So what can we do? Having the insight of what to purchase, will only make you a more educated consumer. You already do the research and read reviews, why not take it a step further and research if it is toxic for your family or not. There are amazing online resources and mobile apps that within seconds can provide you with the information you need to make educated decisions.
With our dwelling being our most sacred space, it is imperative to be aware of what we bring home. Common practice, uses a variety of chemicals in our soft furnishings, carpeting, electronics and fabrics, information that should encourage us to be as discerning as possible when making a purchase. With a rise and awareness in wellness, the next step in harmonious living is integrating sustainable practices in our purchasing patterns.
Green design is at the mere inception of this movement and is gaining traction. Living in a space that is harmonious and free of toxins, no longer resides for people of a certain genre or age group – green design is for the masses. Despite budget constraints, one can get crafty and eliminate most of the toxins in their space while integrating water and energy tactics, all while saving money too!
These days with so much information at our disposal, there is no excuse to continue to contaminate our health and that of our loved ones in our homes. Vote with your dollars and support companies that have your wellbeing and that of the planet in mind.
Its almost New Year's Eve and around this time of the year, we begin thinking about the habits we need to drop, the importance to improve our diet, meditate and exercise more and overall improve ourselves. It is also an excellent time to think of how to tweak our habits at home and make it ideal for Easy Living!
Over the course of time, we naturally begin to accumulate "stuff." What many people do not realize, is how this stuff also accrues energy. The more things we have, the more we have to clean, take care of or shuffle around.
Learn 5 simple resolutions to improve your way of life and making room for the things in your life that you enjoy!
1. Don't let Things Pile Up.
Seems like an obvious one, but not always applied. Whether its laundry, chores or dishes, if you use the mantra, clean as you go, you will never have a stockpile of things to deal with. When things pile up, humans have a natural tendency to want to avoid the elephant in the room. The only problem with that theory is, the more you ignore the elephant, the bigger it becomes. You end up dreading the moment you need to tackle the task. I don't go to bed until all the dishes have been washed and our house is in order. This allows me to wake up feeling fresh and able to start the day without having to start the day doing chores. What a bore that would be! Using the clean as you go mantra also makes everything more effortless and allows you to move along on your day, without the feeling of needing to do something else. We live in such a busy society that if we can remove something off our plate immediately, why not do it?
2. Have a Place for Everything.
Whether its in your kitchen, mudroom or closet, this tip will go a long way in helping you save time, by knowing where your things are. It may take some time to get into the habit of it, but once its in place, you'll almost always know where to look! The secret to this tip working is to return items back to where they belong. Hide unattractive items that you use daily like chargers, remotes, keys, etc. in beautiful baskets, trays or antique boxes. You can also create these places, by observing your patterns. For example, it is easy to come home and want to drop everything in your entryway. So why not create a space for you to hang your coat and/or bags, a table for keys and whatever else you may need, as you head in or out the door. You may end up taking a few hours or a whole day to map different areas of your house out. A trip to the thrift and hardware store may be in order, to pick up a basket or two, some shelves and hooks, but at the end of the day, you will begin to feel your life becoming more organized. When your life is organized, you are more productive, more efficient and you are able to think more clearly.
3. Constantly Purge.
Whether its clothing, kitchen tools, food or chargers, I have a simple philosophy that if it has not been used or eaten within a year (except for cocktail dresses, snow gear, etc., that I may not use annually) it is time to donate it. Don't be sentimental, but rather ruthless. There are a lot of people out there that may actually need and use these items. Instead of having them take up psychic space in your cupboards, closet or drawers, why not move them along. If you hear the little voice inside your head say, but I may need this someday, the reality is that if you haven't used it in a year, chances are your not going to need it in the future. If it’s broken or damaged, properly recycle your items. Remember when you are purging always properly recycle items, like batteries, electronics, etc. You can take this tip one step further and keep your closet color-coded. This will allow you to quickly find exactly what you are looking for. Storing seasonal clothing, in a cedar chest, is a great way to preserve clothing and have it available when you need it.
4. Don't Buy What You Don't Need.
It is a simple as that. It will alleviate superfluous spending and unnecessary clutter that eventually be donated. Which means, extra work on your end. What for? Save yourself the time and money and only buy only what you need. When I am shopping, I add, Do I love it? If I don't love it, it is not coming home with me. It is a brilliant philosophy when buying gifts as well ... does so-and-so need this? Would they love this?
5. Be more Eco-Conscious.
You may feel like you have heard all about living green and you may even be incorporating some of these tips, but what if you integrated all five and even more this coming year?
Americans use 170 gallons of water per day - 7x per capita average. Turn the tap off when you are brushing your teeth or washing the dishes. It will save up to 2.5 gallons of water per minute!
Burning coal produces CO2 – the main contributor to global warming. Every time you turn on an electronic, use your car and even shower (since your water needs to be heated) you are emitting CO2. Prevent wasting it by not letting your car idle for more than one minute (it wastes less gas) and leaving the lights on, in unoccupied rooms.
Unplug unused electronics i.e. TV, DVD, stereo, chargers, coffee pots, toasters, etc. you can save up to 40% on your energy bill! Power strips are a time-saver and make it easy when turning off a range of electronics.
Know what your municipality recycles and/or composts: they usually accept envelops with windows, plastic wrappers and other items may not have thought of!
Kick the plastic bottle habit and use a reusable bottle instead. 2.5 million bottles of water are tossed every hour in California!
Simplifying your life begins with the intention. It may seem like a daunting task, initially, but the more aware of things you become, the more streamlined your life can become. Enlist the help of your family members and share in the success by spending more time together!
With cooler temperatures, holiday decor and a heightening bustle, it’s no wonder many of us are feeling the holiday spirit. With that cheer, comes a lot of waste, consumerism and overall watering down of the essence of the season. So, how can you participate, while still making conscious choices? It is simple, it just takes a bit of creativity and thinking outside the box, literally! Check to see if there are local craft fairs, where the wares of local artisans are available. Usually these fairs tend to spring up all over the country, even in cold snowy places like Union Square, New York City. These fairs tend to bring in artists from all over, offering unique, hand made gifts that are more likely to be appreciated and less likely to make it into a landfill within the next year. Don't have any fairs in your local town? Check out Etsy, where you will be sure to find the perfect gifts, made with the creative hands of artists from all over!
Are you of the creative sort? Make your own gifts! May sound time consuming or even daunting. But just imagine receiving something that was especially made for you. The holidays tend to enhance global consumerism, so why not take a unique and beautiful approach and gift consciously? Why bother gifting someone something that you know, they won't like or even appreciate or worst, end up in the garbage.
Wondering how to be Eco Chic this holiday season? Simple.
Buy gifts that matter. We're not talking about the cost, but the true intrinsic value of something. Was it handmade, local, upcycled, or sustainably made? These are all great things to consider when you are running through your shopping list. Its easy to get caught up in the momentum at the mall, to see who has the most shopping bags, but then again, who really cares? Gifting, can transcend from an obligation to the opportunity to give someone something they will not only use, but truly cherish.
Shop vintage. With all the great thrift and vintage shops popping up all over the place, even online, its easy to find the perfect gift. Many re-use stores are found in most metropolitan areas and can offer really unique, well priced gift giving opportunities.
Opt out of traditional gift wrapping and think of craft paper, twine and a beautiful sprig! Gift wrap, in the traditional sense, tends to use inks that are laden with petroleum. Ribbon is usually made of plastic. Why not use cloth ribbon or a natural burlap ribbon? Other great ideas are using baker's twine, raffia, jute and even cotton. Beautiful fabric remnants make stunning wrapping paper, that you can use year after year. More and more people are appreciating the details and simplicity of unique and natural gift wrapping.
Gift to those less fortunate in the name of a loved one! There are many people out there that will not receive a single gift this holiday season. With the help of many organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Unicef, Heifer, you can gift on behalf of someone else and help change a person's life!
Give the gift that keeps on giving - seeds! With the gift of seeds, your recipient will enjoy the gift many times over as they harvest your gift, season after season!
There are many opportunities to make better decisions this year. Remember that every dollar spent is the opportunity to support a local store or artisan. May this season continue to bring you peace in your heart and the opportunity to share it with others!
The Spirit of the season is upon us and many will have loved ones descend upon their homes, during the holidays. So how can you entertain effortlessly, while still keeping your cool and serving up delicious food? Easy! It my take a little bit of initial of planning and prep, but worth it in the long run. Entertaining should be fun and stress-free.
Think about your guests and their preferences. These days, entertaining can be a little tricky with the variety of diets and lifestyles many people choose to live. Whether plant-based, gluten-free, or vegetarian many of us choose to eat in a way that resonates with our lifestyle. Create a theme that suits all of your guests, by knowing what people are into and serve a little bit for everyone.
1. Make a plan : What to serve (food and beverages) for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Shop prior to guests arriving and try to prep as much as possible, so when guests arrive, you can have things on hand ready to serve. Having a menu planned out, can help provide you with a road map and can reduce stress with the last minute question of what to cook? Shopping at the farmers market can provide your guests with the freshest food coming out of local farms, while giving them a taste of the local terroir (taste of soil).
2. It’s a potluck! Request that your guests contribute to the feast, with their favorite seasonal dish. No sense in having everything land on your shoulders. These days, most people are more than happy to contribute in any way. Having a theme for brunch, lunch or dinner can help orient your guests in what direction to go. If you are more spontaneous, be open to what your guests bring!
3. Appetizers, anyone? Have simple appetizers that suit various diets. It’s a simple way to keep hungry bellies happy and an easy way to bridge between meals. Think cheese plates, fruit plates, nut bowls, fresh jams, local honey, winter fruit, fresh vegetables, fresh bread, olives, etc. Get creative and think outside the box. What are local specialties? Guests always enjoy eating local fare. Refresh the appetizer station throughout the day.
4. All you can eat. Create a buffet for everything being served. You can make it as simple or elegant as you want it to look. Use local foliage to spruce it up. Keep all your cutlery, plates and napkins easily available, so guests can immediately feel at home and serve themselves. Storing cutlery in Mason jars will keep them easily organized. Place your appetizers, sides, main dishes and desserts on a table and allow for fluidity, so your guests can choose when to eat. Set a bar for cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages, on the opposite side of the room, to avoid a cluster at the buffet. You can prepare cocktails and place it in a beautiful carafe and make it easier for guests to jump in and feel at home. Don't want to bother with mixing cocktails prior? Have all the ingredients necessary in a self-serve station. Think about having fresh herbs, a shaker, an ice bucket and a range of possibilities. Remember to keep a carafe of water available to keep your guests hydrated. The more you can do to keep your guests "on their own" the easier it will be on you! Opt out of ugly wasteful disposable cutlery and tacky seasonally printed plates and napkins, instead keep a soapy bin in the sink to inspire guests to chip in. Cloth napkins, take meals up, a notch or two. Mix and matched napkin rings keeps everyone's napkin, in order, for use during multiple meals. It’s a fun and creative way to set the table and makes it stylish too!
5. Set the Tone. There is nothing better than music to set the mood ... to anything! Love making party mixes? Do it at least a few days in advance, so you can enjoy the process. Think of the ebbs and flows of short and long visits and make play lists that will fit the various moods.
For overnight guests, have linens and towels stocked up in the guest bedroom and kindly ask for the bed(s) to be stripped in the morning and for linens to be placed in the laundry basket. The more you can engage your guests in the process, the less that you will have to do. Most guests would be more than happy to contribute, in any way they can.
Don't expect to do everything yourself. Ask for help and don't be shy to delegate, if your guests offer to help. Being a host can offer an opportunity to let go of perfectionism and embrace fluidity. It is an honor to host our loved ones, might as well do it from the heart and enjoy the process!
As the beautiful colors of fall reminisce on tree branches, the days are quickly growing shorter and signs of our approaching winter are before us. This is an optimal time to prepare our homes for maximum heat conservation and efficiency.
Taking a look at your home as a whole system is critical, as it allows you to see how one component is dependent on the functionality of another. For this very reason, it can guide you in observing these units individually helping you create a map of these various elements in your home, and find any malfunctioning systems.
Taking the DIY approach can be a beneficial band-aid, helping to prevent chilly air from making its way inside your home and keeping energy bills at bay. For a more comprehensive and accurate reading and solution, it is best to have a complete energy audit from a building scientist. An expert can properly diagnose your home and offer the proper solutions. But for someone who rents, this option may be not feasible, yet there are other ways to make small, low-cost improvements that can end up saving you in the long run.
Begin by checking all fenestrations in the home, this can gauge where potential leaks may be. Checking doors and windows, while they are open, will indicate if there is self-adhesive foam tape. This is a quick and easy solution that will give doors and windows a tighter seal. At night, you can check additional air leaks by having interior lights on and outside lights off or vice versa, this is a simple step that notes any light (and air) leaks.
Many times doors are installed without a threshold, this can allow for a significant amount of cold air to creep in while wasting warm air. To add additional tightness add a threshold seal, adhered to the interior or exterior bottom part of the door, which will prevent any further air from entering or exiting.
Confirm that there are no holes or cracks around the fenestration, as these gaps allow for air to circulate in the walls. This simple step can save 1,700 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $274 per year.
In addition, sealing these openings and adding insulation where necessary, is a crucial step. Keep in mind when choosing your insulation, that you can chose a product that is non-toxic and is appropriate to your needs and climate.
When heating your home, know when are the best times and at what temperature it is best to maintain it. If you have a timer on your thermostat, know how to regulate it and maintain it at 68 degrees. There is a 3% reduction in heating costs for every degree you lower it. While you are out, keep it at 55 degrees, no need to heat your home while you are not there. Small space heaters – either built in or auxiliary – work great and generally are more energy efficient than using a whole system. Don’t be afraid to bundle up and get cozy, sometimes we just need to throw on a sweater!
Consider having your furnace and fireplace flue checked – both can block air circulation and actually prevent functionality or worst, contaminate your home’s indoor air quality. Dust off and clean all air filters and check that floor supply registers are not blocked by furniture or area rugs. If you are considering replacing your furnace, look into government incentives and rebates and save up to 40% on your energy bill!
If you have an open wood-burning fireplace indoors, consider having an exhaust fan or open a window to ventilate, as wood burning smoke can contaminate the indoor air quality of your home.
Keeping the drapes open, during the day, captures heat from the sun and is an excellent and natural way to heat your home. Heavy drapery naturally insulates, unlike lightweight curtains that are suited for warmer temperatures. This is also trimming season, the perfect time to trim any non-deciduous trees or shrubs that may be blocking in the sun’s rays.
Simply shutting doors, to unoccupied rooms, can assure that heat is maintained where you want it.
With people having the desire to contribute to fighting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the best place to start is at home! Little do people realize that when using electricity we are directing supporting coal or nuclear power – some of the largest offenders in GHG emissions.
As oil and natural gas prices continue to rise and the unsustainable practices imposed on our planet continue, it is imperative to begin integrating smart living practices into our lives!
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