Comments raevynn has made

  • Met the Prius

    I was privileged to meet the 2010 Generation III Prius in January, at a private event held in Detroit.

    The solar panel makes perfect sense, if you live somewhere (like Arizona, for instance) where the engine would otherwise have to run extensively to cool the car down. Since the solar panel runs the ventilation system, and pre-cools the car, the engine can run LESS, which SAVES GAS.

    Also, the Gen III Prius is more comfortable, with more seat adjustments, telescoping steering adjustment, and more rear head room. The larger engine gets better fuel economy at highway speeds, which is the key to the increased MPG ratings.

    While I did not have the opportunity to drive the car, I was able to crawl under the car, speak with the chief engineer, and also disassemble a few parts to get 'into the works' of the Gen III Prius.

    Having important driving information now in the line-of-sight while driving is a major safety improvement! The Touch Tracer system is a unique innovation that makes an incredible amount of sense.

    Now, we just wait for the plug-in version...On The specs and the dish on the 2010 third generation Prius posted 8 months, 3 weeks ago 4 Responses

  • Dissin' the witchcraft

    You know, some of the best things owe a bit to a little of the craft ;)

    I'll have to check into BD wine...On The dirt on biodynamic and 'authentic' wines posted 1 year ago 7 Responses

  • Give Peas a Chance

    Personally, I've found that Tofurkey is AMAZINGLY tasty!
    Serve up some real traditional foods: Squash, Corn, Beets, Apples, Nuts... a little Tofurkey goes a long way, when you eat the real seasonal, LOCAL foods...
    On Smaller breasts are better, and other advice for holiday-bird quandaries posted 1 year ago 28 Responses

  • More poison to the planet

    All the hormones that one ingests ends up flushing through and into the water cycle...
    Puget Sound has tested positive for an amazing array of hormones, all from people!
    I'd prefer NOT to add more toxins to the planet, thanks.

    For me, the Diva cup works excellently, and with a bit of home industry, I've sewn up a few "spotter" pads from some soft flannel, with wings that work.On A review of eco-minded feminine products posted 1 year ago 46 Responses

  • What's fair trade?

    So, do the people that moan and complain about Starbucks shop at Walmart?

    Starbucks is working to help coffee growers qualify for the Fair Trade/Organic/Shade grown designation. They are helping bring about change in the industry, so that MORE coffee growers are helped this way.

    Starbucks has a plan for how long until ALL their coffee is certified... and it isn't by dumping their current growers, it's by helping those growers better themselves.On Starbucks will double its purchase of fair-trade coffee posted 1 year ago 5 Responses

  • It's not just Starbucks

    Many food outlets have dipper wells.
    Oftentimes it is based on local Health department regulations; others, it is corporate policy.
    This is very widespread, and should be addressed over the entire food outlet spectrum.

    Just ask around your neighborhood ice cream shop, for one.On Starbucks addresses water wastage following tabloid indictment posted 1 year ago 1 Response

  • Been there, used that

    My Prius has a fuel consumption monitor screen built right into it.
    It even has "green leaves" to signify reclaimed energy.
    Ford, innovative? not hardly.On Ford Smart Gauge urges driver fuel efficiency posted 1 year ago 2 Responses

  • Stuff to avoid

    Because the pet food industry uses waste products from the slaughterhouse industry, the "4-D" is just the start.
    The ingredients in pet food often contain something called "meal". Beef meal, chicken meal, fish meal.
    It isn't necessarily MADE from beef, chicken, or fish, it just SMELLS like beef, chicken, or fish. It is actually the waste from slaughterhouses, ground up into a slurry, and cooked in large vats.
    Another not commonly known ingredient of "meal" is rendering plant waste. The rendering plant is where dead animals go. Including animals that have been put down at animal shelters. All those strays, those unwanted kittens and puppies, those old animals with diseases -- all part of "meal", which is a main ingredient in many pet foods.
    Waste products from slaughterhouses include the spinal column (mad cow disease, remember that one?)and other internal organs that can't be sold as human food.
    Another factor to look at with pet food, is the amount of grain used in it.
    Dogs are basically omnivores who prefer to eat meat; cats are carnivores, so why are they being fed wheat and corn? Is anyone paying attention to the numbers of household pets that are getting Diabetes? Heart disease? Cancer? Why do you suppose that is?
    I refuse to feed my pet anything that contains "meal" or has wheat or corn in it. After 3 years, the vet is amazed at how healthy my pet is! (normal weight, glossy coat, shining eyes, sound teeth)On Is organic pet food worth the trouble? posted 1 year, 1 month ago 12 Responses

  • Inner beauty

    I no longer have underarm odor, since I stopped eating dead animals and animal products (particularly dairy products).

    My DH does the 'smell check' for me, whenever I am concerned, and his conclusion has been that I really don't smell bad, even after a very active workout. I'll shower (with Dr. Bronner's soap) when I'm sweaty, but don't need to cover up any smells!On Making a stink about green(ish) deodorants posted 1 year, 3 months ago 36 Responses

  • Too Funny

    This is SO TRUE!! Anyone that's worked with clients recognizes this!!On What if a public/private partnership tried to invent the stop sign today? posted 1 year, 3 months ago 2 Responses

  • John Former Marine

    Good comments.

    Yup, what he said.

    Thanks.On If you're going to eat meat, you can't shy away from the whole beast posted 1 year, 4 months ago 41 Responses

  • Biokleen works for me

    I use Biokleen dish soap, dishwasher powder, and fruit/veggie wash.

    They all work well for me, and seem to score very well in the 1,4 dioxin category. Ecover does work well, but I think it has dioxin (I'd have to go look again.. I suggest following the link in the article to check out the scores).On A test of six green dish soaps posted 1 year, 5 months ago 18 Responses

  • Similac is NOT green

    I sure hope that these "green" baby books mention the vast superiority of breastfeeding.

    Not only is it incredibly healthier for your baby (and can prevent all kinds of ills), but it is healthier for the planet. It takes 6000 gallons of fresh water to produce one gallon of cow's milk.

    Save the planet, seriously, while taking the best care of your baby. All the rest of the "crap" doesn't even matter.On A tired pregnant chick "tests" six green baby books posted 1 year, 5 months ago 4 Responses

  • All things to all people

    Beware the politicians that are!

    I'm glad Obama is able to look someone in the eye and say, "I don't know." Makes me suspect he may follow up with, "Let's find out," followed by, "Hey, let's fix this."

    But, I'm a dreamer. And I'm not the only one.On In Oregon, Dem candidate admits ignorance on biggest environmental story in PNW posted 1 year, 6 months ago 16 Responses

  • Soap nuts

    I buy my Maggies Soap Nuts from here: http://www.betterlifegoods.com/ProductDetails.asp?Product ...
    I can get 5 kilos at a time.

    I can also buy gallon jugs of Dr. Bronner's soaps.

    That takes care of the bulk of my cleaning. I get my bathroom cleaner by the gallon from my local health food store.On Umbra on buying eco-products in bulk posted 1 year, 6 months ago 17 Responses

  • Because $4 is dumb

    The new McD's ad (for espresso drinks) would work PERFECT for promoting bicycling.

    Instead of a coffee ring on the ad, how about a person on a bike? Cuz, $4 a gallon for gas is just dumb. Bike to work. :)On The unthinkable humiliation of biking, part two posted 1 year, 7 months ago 15 Responses

  • Cutting food costs

    One of the best parts of adopting a vegan diet, is that we no longer purchase expensive animal products.
    No need to hunt for/agonize over whether eggs are "truly" cage free.
    No need to find a local farm that will certify that they raise their animals without chemicals.

    With the shift in food costs, our eating has shifted. Less packaged, more home cooked. Grains are getting more expensive... they are less of the meal, and vegetables are more of the meal.
    More local fruit (apples, cherries), less imported (pineapples, mangoes).

    We can raise our own sprouts, bake our own bread, and eat beans and rice. The rising food prices have a rather modest effect on us.On An earthy recipe for treading lightly on earth and pocketbook alike posted 1 year, 7 months ago 5 Responses

  • More info

    The recent revelation from organicconsumers.org on the inclusion of petro-chemical/parabens, and carcinogens in commonly available "Natural, Organic, Biodegradable" personal care items makes me very suspicious of cleaning supplies.

    I'd like to see info on whether or not they contain any carcinogens, hormone disrupters, or other known "bad guys".On A test of eight green bathroom-cleaning products posted 1 year, 8 months ago 23 Responses

  • Great entre for new households

    When coming up with a gift for new couples/housewarmings, I head right for the eco cleaners. I put together a variety of cleaners and laundry products, plop them into a cloth shopping bag (chico bags, generally) with a few more of the bags, and that's their gift!
    I've gotten nothing but thanks for that, and I'm helping to spread the word!

    I love Method's marketing... the happy naked cleaning people are the best! :)On An interview with the founders of Method green home-care products posted 1 year, 8 months ago 9 Responses

  • Why dairy?

    Personally, I choose to avoid all dairy.
    When I consumed dairy, I did buy only organics, as I am well aware of the conditions on typical dairy farms, as well as the mega dairies (personal experience, living in the heartland).
    Further along my life's journey, I decided that I cannot contribute to an industry that is detrimental to the environment, to animal well being, and to my own health. I'm much healthier now, with drastically reduced 'hormonal issues'.

    Consider just saying No to dairy.On Thoughts on the NODPA/Stonyfield debate over organic dairy posted 1 year, 8 months ago 13 Responses

  • Lower grocery costs

    I find that eliminating all animal products, and by doing some home cooking (grains, beans, rice), I have cut grocery costs drastically.

    As the price of grains go up, then we buy more fresh veggies, and beans. We are eating healthier, as the "poor" used to do. I would that all "fast food" outlets were too expensive for people... we'd all be healthier!On Rising food prices hit home around the world posted 1 year, 8 months ago 10 Responses

  • Eco-friendlier

    Perhaps it would be better if everyone walked or rode a bike.
    Unfortunately, not everyone has that option.
    Rather than looking at black/white, right/wrong, green/not green, how about you look at a trend towards greener, a trend towards eco-friendliness.
    No, my Prius is not "the answer"... but it IS friendlier than an SUV! It's even friendlier than the Malibu it replaced.
    Life is a journey, not a destination, and I think that applies to living green, as well. Don't turn people off from doing what they can, by shaking your fist in their face about what they can't do, yet.On How to green your car posted 1 year, 8 months ago 5 Responses

  • Another Option

    I use Maggie's Soap Nuts, which has NO chemicals at all... they are, literally, dried nuts from a tree!
    The rinds contain a natural saponin that does a decent job of cleaning clothes.

    No chemicals. No rashes. No need for fabric softeners.

    Here's an article about them: http://www.naturalnews.com/021875.html

    I got mine here: http://www.betterlifegoods.comOn A review of six green laundry detergents posted 1 year, 9 months ago 21 Responses

  • It's not just cruelty to animals

    Meat-eating is also cruel to humans.
    From the people that work in the packing plants, with the horrible conditions, health issues, and injuries, to those that eat animal flesh, it is cruel.
    Take a serious, objective look at the myriad of diseases that are killing so many people. If you do a little bit of research, you will find that the vast majority of them are traced back, definitively, to eating animal products.
    High cholesterol, cancer, heart disease, gout... every medical journal has listings that include "reduce meat and dairy consumption" as treatments.
    The best thing we can do for the health of animals, humans, and the planet, is to stop eating animals and their products.On Cruelty to hogs, and wretched meatpacking conditions posted 1 year, 11 months ago 12 Responses

  • Why is it all or nothing?

    First of all, I'm a Vegan.

    That said, I think that a good message would be... hey, eating meat is this bad (for instance, the average US meat-eater requires 4200 gallons of water per day to support that diet; the average US Vegan requires 300 gallons per day to support that diet). So, by cutting out meat eating one day a week, you save this much.
    Maybe you can do without meat twice a week. That's this much water/land/world saved.

    So, every day you don't eat meat, your foodprint (term I am shamelessly stealing from someone else) is 3900-gallons-of-freshwater smaller. And, that's just water! Over time, that adds up to a HUGE impact of GOOD for our world.

    Another thing to try, is reduce that foodprint by having only half as much meat per meal. Most of the world uses meat as flavor, not the main part of the meal. If you just cut out half the meat, you would be saving 2100 gallons of fresh water, every single day!

    It would be nice if everyone would just what they can, and not think that they can't do it all.On Driving Us to Vegetarianism posted 2 years, 3 months ago 14 Responses

  • On salt

    Actually, salt is a rather under-appreciated food substance.
    Personally, I only use Sea Salt, as it actually contains the trace minerals that help to balance the sodium. Plain 'ole salt has nothing that the body needs.
    I agree that Iodine should be obtained some other way, as the amount in your box of Iodized salt is so low as to be meaningless, and the less salt you use, the less you get anyway.
    Eating natural foods, like fresh raw veggies, root veggies, sea vegetables, and fruit, will keep you far healthier than a blue box of salt.On Umbra on salt posted 2 years, 3 months ago 5 Responses

  • Alternatives

    It would be nice if alternatives could be given for vegetarian/vegan versions.
    After all, we love to eat, too, even while saving the environment!On Cherries, their cousins, and a clafouti recipe posted 2 years, 4 months ago 2 Responses

  • Why Not?

    Why can't we elect someone that actually has a vision? a plan? and, who also seems to have something very, very, very rare -- integrity.
    On An interview with Dennis Kucinich about his presidential platform on energy and the environment posted 2 years, 4 months ago 34 Responses

  • Wonderful News

    And, thank you to all who signed my petition at Care2 concerning this!
    http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/501659372On It's safe, for now posted 2 years, 6 months ago 4 Responses

  • Better to just not

    ... support the dairy and meat industries. They are no longer concerned about healthy, clean products for people, all they care about is their bottom line.

    It takes 4200 gallons of water, PER DAY, to support a person consuming the Standard American Diet (SAD), from production, agricultural wastes, etc. It takes 300 gallons of water per day to support a Vegan. Source: http://www.veganpeace.com/veganism/environment.htm

    I'm saving the environment. You can, too!On How food processing got into the hands of a few giant companies posted 2 years, 7 months ago 16 Responses

  • Sign the Petition

    I have created a petition on this issue:
    http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/501659372

    Please look it over, and sign it if you like.
    Yes, I stole some information from Grist... thank you for putting it out there for us! :)On Organic coffee deep-sixed posted 2 years, 7 months ago 40 Responses

  • Veggie Burgers

    I would like to second the support for veggie burgers. As an environmentally-conscious organization, Grist should NOT be making fun of those of us that eschew animal flesh (do you have any idea just how much grain and fresh water it takes to make a hamburger? and how much manure is produced in the process?), since we are making a dent in our own way, on global warming.On Readers write in about lucky bastards, "clean coal," disparaging veggie burgers, and more posted 2 years, 8 months ago 2 Responses

  • It isn't just the container that's bad

    ...it's also the contents.

    Seriously, babies really, really, really need to be breastfed.

    From obesity, to lower IQ, to dental problems, to allergies, to asthma, to lactose intolerance, there is such a range of things that are linked to bottle/formula feeding our young.

    Breast is best. Perhaps the survival of our species will depend on it.On Meany in a Bottle posted 2 years, 9 months ago 5 Responses