 Stories About: advice AND Ask Umbra AND green living
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Ash Ask
On burning paper |
Umbra Fisk |
19 Mar 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, We heat our house primarily by wood, in an efficient, EPA-rated woodstove. My question is this: We recycle all of our paper, paperboard, cardboard, etc., but would it be better to burn it? As it is, we drive it to the recycle center, they ship it off somewhere, it is then processed, then shipped back out as a product. If we burn it, we get some heat, and ashes to spread on our garden. Which is better for paper -- recycling or burning ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, health, recycling, toxics (all these topics) |
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Espresso Express
On transporting coffee by bike |
Umbra Fisk |
17 Mar 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Now that there are promises that the snow will melt someday, I'm dreaming about biking again -- to work, to the farmers' market, to church, etc. However, my sweet husband loves to make me coffee and send it with me when I leave the house. I have wonderful reusable coffee cups for the car, but how do I transport coffee on a bicycle without ruining it or me? Any bright ideas? Caffeine Appreciator Duluth, Minn. D ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, shopping (all these topics) |
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I Sink, Therefore I Am
On tap water |
Umbra Fisk |
12 Mar 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Umbra, I was wondering where the H2O from the tap comes from, and where it goes to. Beth Swarthmore, Pa. Dearest Beth, It comes from and goes back to the water cycle, which I've been reading a lot about in Richard Scarry's classic work What Do People Do All Day? The book answers the "where it comes from" question, but Scarry doesn't have so much to say about sewage. Lowly Worm does not get to travel through the toilet. Let ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, health, US EPA, water pollution (all these topics) |
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Cash and Carroty
On joining a CSA |
Umbra Fisk |
10 Mar 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Umbra, I have heard mention of community-supported agriculture programs but don't really know what they are. The name sounds very cool, but can you let me in on the specifics? Bryties Redding, Calif. Dearest Bryties, The springtime alarm is sounding, and your question is perfectly timed. Some of you might be experiencing hints of spring right now, some not (like me! I'm in a secret location where the all-time snowfall record is under t ... |
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| Topics: advice, agriculture, Ask Umbra, food, green living (all these topics) |
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The Bees' Needs
On organic honey |
Umbra Fisk |
05 Mar 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I was looking for a nice, local, organic honey to use in reworking some recipes so that they didn't use sugar. So I headed to Whole Foods, and was stuck looking at a honey in a plastic container labeled organic from Brazil, and a local product in a glass container but not labeled organic. And I started wondering -- what makes honey organic? I mean, bees fly. How do you know what plants they ate or pollinated unless you've cag ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, food, green living, organic food, shopping (all these topics) |
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Pearly Writes
On pearl production |
Umbra Fisk |
03 Mar 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I'm nearly drowning in jewelry ideas for my valentine, but wary of mined gemstones. Do you know anything about the ecological impact of cultured pearls, or the faux "shell pearls"? Swimming to the Surface Slowly Portland, Ore. Dearest SSS, I apologize for missing your Valentine's window, but you may have seen my wee notie regarding my inability to find pearls of wisdom on this topic. You would think I would just ... |
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| Topics: advice, aquaculture, Ask Umbra, green living, shopping (all these topics) |
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The Ripe Stuff
On organic bananas |
Umbra Fisk |
27 Feb 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Why are organic bananas always smaller and almost always greener than non-organic? BG Tallahassee, Fla. Dearest BG, Hmm. Fresh organic fruits and vegetables often differ in appearance from their conventionally grown kin. They're the hippies of the produce world: unwaxed, expressing their individualism, coming to the produce stand as they are, lumps and all. Although I notice this has changed some over the past couple decade ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, food, green living, organic food, shopping (all these topics) |
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Get the Hang Of It
On communal clothes drying |
Umbra Fisk |
25 Feb 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Hello Umbra! I'm a college student working to make my school greener and would like to purchase a few relatively sturdy, high-volume clothes drying racks to place in our laundry rooms so that students have an alternative to using the electric dryers. I know these racks exist because I just got back from studying in Italy for the semester and saw them all over, but I haven't been able to find anything good in 45 minutes of se ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, education, energy at home, green living (all these topics) |
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Sheath All That
On house siding |
Umbra Fisk |
20 Feb 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I have been a homeowner for five years and gradually I am upgrading the 25-year-old house to be more green. I have finished replacing the single-pane windows with Energy Star-rated double-pane windows. Now I am turning my attention to the siding, since the roof is still in good shape. I have wood siding and there is a bit of rot (not to mention my puppy thought the house was a chew toy). I am trying to decide what is best bot ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy at home, green living (all these topics) |
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My Three Sins
On avoiding vinyl |
Umbra Fisk |
13 Feb 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Hi Umbra! I've been in denial about vinyl. Blue Vinyl, the movie, got me thinking, but unfortunately I space out and lie to myself. I even have bought those recently popular adult toys that advertise as being vinyl in large unavoidable proclamations on the front of the box and I still managed somehow to think, "It is probably a different process for toys." After reading your article about the LPs, I realized just how bad I have ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, health, shopping, toxics (all these topics) |
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Chin Up
On staying positive |
Umbra Fisk |
11 Feb 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I am a new but faithful reader of your excellent column. I've learned a lot, but one thing I've noticed is that there never seems to be an upside to the answers. Now, this may be just because the reality sucks so much, but it depresses the hell out of me and makes me feel hopeless about ever making a difference. Even your reply to the vinyl record guy left me feeling glum, as you told him to enjoy his records but that their dispos ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living (all these topics) |
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Major Dilemma
On choosing a college |
Umbra Fisk |
30 Jan 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I am a high school junior this school year. I am currently researching what college to attend. One major decision in your school choice should be choosing a college that is strong in the field of your study. I am interested in college majors that will translate into green jobs. I know about jobs such as sustainable architecture as well as a few others but I was wondering if you could give a thorough list! Tim Olney, Ill. ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, education, green living (all these topics) |
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Quick and Dirty
On paper plates |
Umbra Fisk |
28 Jan 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Maybe you can help settle this dispute between my husband and me. He likes to use paper plates for quick/short meals like toast in the morning, cheese and crackers in the evening, etc. He claims that he's saving energy by not having to wash a dish. (We have a new energy-efficient dishwasher and an on-demand hot water heater.) I say he's wasting paper unnecessarily, and besides, I hate seeing paper plates all over the place. Wh ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, ecological footprint, energy at home, green living, recycling (all these topics) |
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Tongue Tied
On leather vs. pleather shoes |
Umbra Fisk |
23 Jan 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Hi Umbra, As a devoted vegetarian, I try to make it a point to avoid leather footwear. However, after too many hours of deep thought on the subject, I am now conflicted about the environmental ramifications of my choice to buy processed petroleum shoes, i.e., pleather. Leather is, after all, a natural material; pleather is plastic. So is it better for the environment to put aside my veggie ethics in favor of a natural material, ... |
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| Topics: advice, animal welfare, Ask Umbra, fashion, green living, shopping (all these topics) |
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Do They Suck?
On Camelbaks |
Umbra Fisk |
07 Jan 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Recently, I've started to try to avoid plastics (especially plastic water bottles). For Christmas, my brother gave me a Camelbak-type water bottle. How safe is this? I assume it's as bad as most plastic water bottles. Timothy Kearney Issaquah, Wash. Dearest Timothy, Gifting quandary alert. But does it suck? Photo: iStockphoto Not all plastic water bottles are equal. In a larger context of avoiding plastic, we may occasionally ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, health, toxics (all these topics) |
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In With the New
On resolutions for 2008 |
Umbra Fisk |
02 Jan 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Sorry to crowd your inbox, but I just want to thank you for answering my question about paint disposal ... it was very helpful (as always). I'm SO glad you're back from being kidnapped. I hope it wasn't too awful an ordeal. Thanks again, Erin Chicago Dearest Erin, Happy New Year! Happy 2008, everybody! Photo: iStockphoto I hope 2007 wrapped up nicely for everybody, ended on a good note, with nice friends and/or famil ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, holiday (all these topics) |
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Sleep of Faith
On organic mattresses |
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19 Dec 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I need a new mattress and really want to buy one that is not doused in chemicals -- in other words, an organic mattress. I've searched a number of sites online and have been horrified by the prices. They are really, really expensive! How bad is it if I buy a regular old affordable mattress? And if it's really that bad, where can I find an organic one that won't cost a small fortune? Emily Wynnewood, Pa. Dearest Emily, Hey, I just foun ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, green products (all these topics) |
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Brush With Destiny
On paint disposal |
Umbra Fisk |
17 Dec 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, A friend of mine is a painter. He is concerned about the environment and has been trying to find out how to dispose of his paint buckets, extra paint, and other supplies in a way that is eco-friendly, but he's come up with nothing. We live in Chicago, and you would think that a huge city like this would have places to dispose of these kinds of things ... any advice? Erin Chicago, Ill. Dearest Erin, Uh, this question is r ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, recycling, toxics (all these topics) |
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Chem Again
On bleach |
Umbra Fisk |
10 Dec 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Greetings, I recently was infected with MRSA. It got better. As part of my treatment I'm supposed to use bleach in my laundry and around the house to help kill the bacteria. While I'm brunette, I feel like the stereotypical blonde about bleach. What are the environmental impacts of this chemical? Thanks, Emily Indiana Editor's Note: Oh, how Umbra would love to answer this question -- but she's been kidnapped! Please donate to Grist by 11:59 p.m. P ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, health, toxics (all these topics) |
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Buzz Kill
On Jell-O shots |
Umbra Fisk |
05 Dec 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Greetings, A very important discussion among my colleagues this week: is it better to purchase reusable, petroleum-based products (plastic) or to use paper disposables? Specifically, we're talking about Jell-O shot cups. A recent (and brilliant) invention is this little plastic shot cup with a twistable ring inside. Ostensibly, a flick of the wrist will free even the most stubborn Jell-O shot and allow hours of fun. Some of my friends have argu ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, food, funnies, green living, recycling (all these topics) |
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Give Grease a Chance
On cooking oil, again |
Umbra Fisk |
03 Dec 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, You missed a fantastic opportunity to promote biodiesel use of the cooking oil. There are many people collecting frying oil from restaurants and the like, and perhaps the reader could find a person collecting as well. Check newspaper ads for persons collecting or check the restaurants in your neighborhood for who is collecting. Thanks for the great articles. Keith McCready Waterloo, Iowa Editor's Note: Oh, how Umbr ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, biofuels, food, green living (all these topics) |
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Root Cause
On living Christmas trees |
Umbra Fisk |
28 Nov 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Hi Umbra, I'm surprised that in your column on Christmas trees, you didn't mention the option of living trees, although I know they cannot be subjected to our warm indoor temperatures for very long. Can you discuss the option of living trees, how to treat them indoors, and what to do with them after the holidays? Thanks, Christina Gallegos Treeplanter and Naturalist Seattle, Wash. Editor's Note: Oh, how Umbra would love to answer ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, holiday (all these topics) |
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Fry, Fry Again
On used cooking oil |
Umbra Fisk |
26 Nov 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, It's always nice to look through cookbooks and to watch cooking shows that feature yummy deep-fried food, and I have often been tempted to try and cook my own creations. However, no one ever seems to mention what they do with the used cooking oil, especially after deep-frying. What is the best way of disposing the oil? I do not want to tip it down the sink, and adding it to compost will suffocate the earthworms. Perhaps it' ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, food, green living, waste (all these topics) |
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Java Script
On reheating coffee |
Umbra Fisk |
21 Nov 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, As a web developer for a certain respectable online magazine somewhere in the Pacific Northwest, I drink a lot of coffee to keep me alert and my very demanding employers happy. However, in my constant imbibing of the dark elixir, I'm concerned about the energy use involved. Specifically, I can only drink coffee piping hot, and sometimes when I take a break from being wired and resume my regimen, what little coffee is left is i ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy efficiency, food, green living (all these topics) |
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Smolder and Wiser
On fireplace ashes |
Umbra Fisk |
12 Nov 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, What should we do with ashes from the fireplace? I've heard that they're great for the garden and I've heard that they may not be so good for the garden. Are they a good replacement for salt on slippery sidewalks? Janet Allen Syracuse, N.Y. Dearest Janet, Why not make some soap? Here come the holidays, after all. All you'd have to do is run water over the ashes to make potash, boil the potash down into lye, render your o ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, recycling, waste (all these topics) |
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