Eco Friendly Holiday Lighting

With the holidays upon us, and inflation surging, now is a great time to make smart, energy efficient choices within your home to lower your overall operating expenses. LED (light emitting diode) holiday lighting is a popular, eco-friendly option, since it's both long lasting and 90% more efficient than incandescent lights.

Here's a great vendor with some great green options: HolidayLED.com. Holiday LED.com offers traditional holiday lights in a full range of colors, popular icicle lights and even pre-lit Christmas trees, all made from energy efficient LEDs.

Better yet, this vendor offers a special recycling program. Send them your old incandescents holiday lights for recycling and they will send you a 15% off coupon for new LED lights! Sounds like a good deal right? There's more!

They are offering an additional discount exclusively for IDOG readers: an additional 10% off by using Coupon Code "GKRIST." Offer expires 12/31/2008.

Happy Holidays!
Photo courtesy of HolidayLEDs.com. Read more!

How Green Are U? Take the Earth Day Quiz

There are celebrations taking place across the globe today in honor of Mama Earth. Come and join us! More and more people are jumping on the green bandwagon and are learning how they can benefit themselves and the planet. What a perfect time for a little personal reflection. How can you personally can make a difference?

It could be something little. Like giving up paper towels, or planting trees, or recycling. Or it could be more like getting a more fuel effecient vehicle, maybe even a hybrid or installing solar panels. No matter how much or how little you do, there are many shades of green, and every little bit adds up.

So go for a fresh start and take inventory of how you live life! Take IDOG's Earth Day Quiz and get a few shades greener!


Answer the following questions. Each "yes" gets 1 point.

1. Do you drive to work and opt-out of mass transportation, if available?
2. Do you drive an SUV?
3. Do you own more than 1 SUV?
4. Does your home have more bedrooms than the amount of persons in your household?
5. Do you own a vacation home?
6. Do you travel a lot for work or pleasure? A lot meaning once a month + ?
7. Do you eat non-organic food? More than 50%?
8. Do you NOT recycle?
9. If a parent, do you use disposable diapers?
10.Do you drink bottled water?
11.Do you mainly shop at giant superstores like Walmart vs. local vendors?
12.Do you consume alcohol more than 5 days a week?
13.Have you NOT switched to compact fluorescent bulbs?
14.Do you keep your cell phone charger plugged in at all times?
15.Do you think global warming is a total crock?
16.Do you consume red meat?


Scoring Results
# of Yes'
12+ You are a disgrace to this planet! Reduce your consumption! Minimalism is in. You are caught up in the daily grind of material life and are clueless about the current state of affairs on this planet. I highly recommend you contact me directly for an intervention.

10+ You are attempting to make strides to get on with this green movement, but you have a long long way to go. Take a close look at your personal lifestyle, your home, your career and your family to determine areas of improvement. You need to learn about the benefits and detriments, so read this blog and visit our new Eco Shop at GreenKristine.com!!!

8-10 You are a semi respectable person, really striving to do the world and your family some good, well done, but you still need some work. Keep educating yourself about the products and ideas that can help you make a difference. IDOG can help!

4-8 You are a legitamite greenie!! Nice work!! Keep it up and don't get lazy. Your results will pay off with a higher quality of life.

1-4 You are a super star and should be commended!! Join clubs and organizations that will help spread the good word of going green and call me if you are looking for work!

In conclusion, I am here to help you achieve whatever green goals you have set for yourself. This blog and my new shopping website, GreenKristine.com, (coming soon!!)will arm you with all the information and products your need to get to whatever shade of green you want to be. Cheers! Read more!

Getting Hammered Organically

Not that we condone such behavior!

Of course, the mantra of the eco conscsious is to "reduce." So drinking in excess is clearly in violation of that mantra. However, we are human and our nature is to err, and St. Paddy's Day is around the corner, so let's be real. If you plan to cocktail it up a bit, consider some organic alternatives.

At this point in time, organic liquor, wine and beer is not found abundantly in stores, bars or restaurants. If you are headed out, an eco eatery will most likely have the largest assortment of libations from which to choose. City dwellers will have many options here. Rural/suburban dwellers should continue their "in house"drinking. These folks can either plan ahead and order online or hit the Whole Food/Wild Oats and sample some of their organic beer selections. Or call your local liquor store and see if they carry organic wine or other libations. Here are a few sites that can aid in your search:

Cocktail Organico A site that lists and discusses organic liquor in length. The owner looks like a guy who really knows his cocktails! http://www.cocktailorganico.com/

Purus Vodka This is my drink of choice. Pure, natural, and takes the edge off after only a 1 oz serving is consumed. Especially recommended for around dinner time when the kids are whining and irratating, or after a crappy day on the job. http://www.purusvodka.com/

Anheuser-Busch With the growth and popularity of organic beer, AB has jumped on the bandwagon with 2 organic beers on its product menu, Stone Mill Pale Ale and Wild Hop Lager. See their site for more details and on retail locations. http://www.anheuser-busch.com/

Valley Wines and Spirits This wine shop in New Jersey carries a large assortment of organic wines and ships direct. Ideal for East Coast wine lovers. (Ship as local as possible!) http://www.valleywinesandspirits.com/

Organic Wine Press Organic wine is getting really hot, especially on the West Coast. Here's an organic wine merchant located in Oregon. Lots to choose from and each listing has a nice description. http://www.organicwinepress.com/

The bottom line here, folks, is that its probably more important to drive less, eat less beef or to install compact fluorescent bulbs than to drink organic booze, if you are trying to save the planet. But for the eco-curious, those who care about the Earth and what you put into your bodies, or want to offset some of the damage to your liver with chem-free booze, I say "cheers!"

And a Happy St Paddy's Day to you!

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New Year's Resolutions - Get Green!

Happy New Year World!

I'm sure, like myself, many of you are thinking about ways to make the New Year much healthier and better than the last one. Maybe add some purpose to your life? Just kidding. So, I have put together a few suggestions that can be simple to implement yet meaningful to your health and to the planet! ( We had thunderstorms on New Years Day in New York, uh hello, not normal weather! Is this getting your attention?)

1. Go Organic. First of all, Americans are the fattest people on the planet because we are the richest. In reality, we don't need to buy or eat much of what we bring home, but we do so because its socially more acceptable than a nice drug or alcohol addiction! How about buying less and buying quality, such as organic? Start with staples like milk, eggs, tomato sauce, salad, things that you eat a lot of, and then move to veggies. And get off the processed food. It's not real!

2. Consume less. AKA "reduce." I mean this in every way. Think twice before buying meaningless nonsense that does nothing more than take up space. If you really don't need them, think again. And I'm not saying to trade your Manolos for Birkenstocks, grow out your underarm hair and live in a hippee commune! Just be smart about it. Being too materialistic is simply tacky anyway.

3. Recycle more. You would be surprised how many containers from the market can be recycled. It's not just about glass and bottles anymore. Plastic egg container, olive oil drums, crumbled Gorgonzola containers, even those dreaded plastic bags from the supermarket too. More detail coming soon.

4. Change those light bulbs. I have said it before and I'll say it again. Buy the compact fluorescent bulbs from my man Rob on EBay (Seller ID 6801goodbuy) - he has great deals- and change every light bulb in your house. They are much cheaper than they were last year and you will save $$ on your utilities too. This is a biggie!

5. Reconsider beef. Did you know that the methane gas that cows produce from their waste is more harmful to the environment than the carbon from automobiles!?? I know it sounds ludicrous, but it's true. Not only that, but meat processing is a major cause of e coli poisoning and its loaded with antibiotics and other harmful drugs. Do you ever wonder why we are getting those colds for longer and longer and why antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria are surfacing, and killing people? We eat food that contains antibiotics and our bodies are/have become resistant. I quit the stuff 6 months ago and don't miss it at all. More on this in future posts.

I hope someone on this planet will find this advice helpful and will take action because I would really like to see some snow in winter in New York. I'm not asking a lot here, greenies! Read more!

Recycle your Christmas Tree

Did you know that, according to the National Christmas Tree Association, there are between 30 and 35 million Christmas trees cut down each year? They plant another 56 million each each to make up for it, but imagine 30 million Christmas trees sitting in some landfill somewhere, taking up space and taking years to decompose. Not ideal.

The I Dream of Greenie alternative: recycling your tree, which is my plan this year. My neighboring town is offering this service. I just bring it to the designated location, and they mulch it up and use it for ground cover on city and Adopt-a-spot locations. Some municipalities actually pick up at your house- what a deal! You can also go to the National Christmas Tree Assocation and enter your zip code to find a location near you. Read more!

Green Gift Guide - Eco Jewelry

If you are looking for a gift for your girlfriend, wife or mother, or yourself for that matter, a piece of jewelry is sure to make most women on this Earth pretty darn happy. Some like silver, some like gold, some like diamonds or other gem stones. Unfortunately, there are some serious environmental implications with mining, from the chemicals used in the mining process, to the health effect of the miners, as well as humanitarian concerns in some conflicted regions. So what's a greenie to do?

The answer is simple: REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE some of your old pieces. Before you click off this page and think its lame, hold it! Think custom made, personally designed jewelry. The only women who are able to afford these luxuries are Princess Di or Paris Hilton types! OK so here's how. Many of us have our old "kiddie jewelry"- stuff that family members or old boyfriends gave us that sits at home in the back of some drawer somewhere. I'm not sure of your experience, but mine indicates that most men have fairly terrible taste - it would be my pleasure to recycle it! Take some of those pieces and combine them to make a pretty new pendant for your chain. You may have to buy a new setting but that's nothing considering you are getting a custom design that's "minimally invasive" to the planet. If you are not creative, surf designer jewelry websites, go to a professional jeweler that you trust, or ask your spouse to design something for you. Now that's not only romantic, it's sentimental. More so than buying you the Kay Jewelers Xmas special from the mall like a million other dopey spouses. And you'll look and feel like a princess! A green one.
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Eco Xmas Tree??

I love a real Christmas tree. The fresh pine scent, the natural aura, to me it makes the holiday extra special. With my commitment to living green, however, I had to ensure that chopping down a fresh tree was in line with my eco moral code. Can a real tree be an Eco Christmas Tree? They grow them for this purpose, and replace them with new trees each season, don't they? The tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City is green, with its 30,000 LED lights and solar panels, but its a real tree. I had to weigh the options.

My original plan was to drive 65 miles one way to a Christmas tree farm and cut down my own tree, and make a nice family outing of it. Later I decided against it because of the unnecessary carbon emissions, the cost of gasoline and I wondered, "Do I really need to cut down yet another tree, when already 32 million have been harvested already for the holiday?" My eco solution was to buy from the local fire house located around the block from my home. I saved on gas, I helped our local fire department raise money, and I was feeling good. While we were packing it up on the car, I asked the tree salesman where it came from and he told me, " This tree was shipped 1200 miles from Quebec Canada." Now I am feeling even more guilty! My paltry 130 miles was nothing in comparison. Then again, it came in a truck of hundreds of trees, so maybe per tree, the carbon emissions would be neutralized somewhat. Oy. Perhaps a donation to Green Dimes might be another option (they plant trees for you).

It's so hard to make the right decision in this regard because one way or another, if you get a real tree, it had to be cut down and shipped to you, so either way you are screwed. You can buy a fake one, but it's probably made of plastic or toxic substances that can off gas in your house and help kill you over time. I'm kidding! Seriously, I haven't checked it out, but perhaps this is the sensible green solution. No chopping down of trees, no carbon emissions, maybe I can even find one made of recycled materials!

Hey don't sweat the tree thing too much. Make the greenest choice you can for your situation and enjoy the traditions of the holidays. Read more!

The 12 Days of Xmas Green Gift Guide

After a brief green gift research trip, I have returned, blogging once again to my huge fan base of 3, and noticed that the holiday shopping season is officially in full swing! The concept of being green and buying frivolous gifts for one another that we don't want or need is a bit conflicting, however, it is tradition so let's not be a Grinch about it! As a result, I have compiled a small but green gift list to help you evolve into the giving greenie that you are. We are sooo Hollywood.


1. Timberland Earthkeeper Boots- for men and women. They are made with organic cotton, PET linings (plastic soda bottle material), recycled rubber and are 100% waterproof. Available in 4 rich colors for $140/$160 ladies at timberland.com. Comes with the cheesy bracelet that I don't recommend wearing!


2. Adopt a Polar Bear. Since global warming is deteriorating the environment for these creatures, shouldn't we try and save them? Yes! Adopt your very own polar bear, and for as little as $25, you will receive a photo and fact sheet about your bear, a personalized adoption certificate, and even a cuddly plush polar bear toy. I love this one. Go to www.wildlifeadoption.org today and teach your kids something for a change!


3. Aveda gifts. Aveda makes some of the most wonderful hair, body and beauty products on the market, and they are all natural. The company's manufacturing facility is powered by 100% certified wind power. Go to aveda.com, click on gifts, and find something special for both ladies and men. I like Five Paths to Peace, pictured at the top. It's kind of crunchy yet luxurious too.

4. LED Tire Air Alert. This is a cool gadget. Did you know that if your tires are running low on air that it takes more energy to power your car? Make sure your tires are at their optimal levels with Air Alert. An LED light flashes when you need more air. Smart! Find it at www.terrapass.com.

5. Buy Carbon Offsets. Looking for a gift for someone who has everything? If this person travels a lot by plane or auto, or if they simply exist on this planet and don't live in the woods like an animal, they use energy and by purchasing a TerraPass, you will be funding clean energy and carbon reduction projects across the United States. Or they can go back to the woods like Tarzan, their choice. Go to www.terrapass.com for more details.

The 12 days of Xmas will continue with another 7 gift ideas over the coming week. I know its unbearable to wait but it will be worth it. I hope you are getting my very dry sense of humor. Ciao.
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Eco-Friendly Holiday Cards

Seasons Greetings! Once again, its the time of year to spread glad tidings and holiday cheer to all of our friends and loved ones. Holiday cards reach out to those that we see often, and those we don't. But while we are spreading the love, shouldn't we keep things green? Well, my little greenies, of course we should, and I have the solution that will appease your green consciences.

Check out HolidayClassics.com, an online card shop that offers a lovely selection of holiday cards, including the card in the adjacent photo. These "greenings" are made from 100% recycled materials.



If you are looking for something that makes even more of a statement, consider a plantable holiday card from BotanicalPaperworks.com. Not only is it a beautiful handmade card, and made from recycled pulp, but you can drop it in a pot or in your yard and watch it grow into wildflowers! Incredible! Here's a sample on the right.

Many card and gift shops now carry lines of recycled gift cards, so now you can conserve our natural resources AND make a statement about your beliefs, if you dare!
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Turn Black Friday GREEN

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

So tomorrow is Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year. Thanks to the sub prime mortgage market crisis, the slump in housing, and poor retail sales figures thus far, retailers are scrambling to offer you something special to get you out the door. Their idea of an incentive? Opening their doors at unspeakable hours - midnight tonight, 4am, 5am and 6am tomorrow, in order to entice you to beat the crowds and load up on merchandise. Call me crazy but the idea of waking up in the middle of the night to walk around some department store with a bunch of psychotic shoppers is not my idea of a productive or enjoyable day off.

My green suggestion is to completely skip Black Friday. Instead, go for a jog. Talk a walk around your neighborhood with your family. Clean out your closets and donate your old clothes to the needy. Play a game of scrabble. Skip the madness and enjoy life!
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How Many Pesticides Make it to Your Thanksgiving Table?

Thanksgiving is my all time favorite holiday, and not just because it's a day of fabulous food, friends and family, but it's a great time for reflection. This year in particular, I will be giving thanks for my new found commitment to green living. After years of living blindly to the dangers that lurk in our food, our homes and the Earth, I finally realize that it is so important to the health of our families. Duh. I guess better late than never.

This year, we will be hosting the 1st Annual All Natural Organic Thanksgiving! Here are a few ideas for you to keep it chem-free.

Step 1: Order an Organic Bird. This can be done at a quality butcher shop, or even a local farm. If you want a really good one, based on a test of 9 turkeys conducted for the New York Times, buy an Eberley (also labeled D'Artagnan) certified organic or an Eberley (D'Artagnan) natural, which is similar except it's not fed organic grain. In taste tests, these turkeys ranked #1 and #2 hands down respectively vs. the other 7, which included a Butterball, a Bell and Evans, a kosher turkey and several wild birds. To order one, call 800-327-8246 and they will ship it right to you. It costs more than store bought, but this is one day to splurge. Or try IGourmet.com; they also offer organic turkeys.

Did you know the world famous Butterball brand is injected with the following: vegetable oil, water, salt, emulsifiers (mono- and diglycerides), sodium phosphate, annato color and artificial flavor. Is this supposed to be Thanksgiving or a high school chemistry experiment??

Not that I'm Giada de Laurentiis or anything, but I do highly recommend brining the bird the night before in a salt water mixture. This helps the turkey retain its moisture and tenderness. You can find many recipes using this technique at www.epicurious.com.

STEP 2: Organic Bread Stuffing. This is an easy one. Buy a few loaves of organic wheat bread ( or mixed varieties) and let them go stale. Not rock hard, just day old. Then cut off the crust and chop into bread cubes, add poultry seasoning, onions, celery, milk, stock or whatever you fancy and voila, fresh and natural dressing.

STEP 3: Haul yourself to the best organic market in your area or the local farmers market, if available. In my area, that is going to be Whole Foods. They have a wonderful selection of produce, and organic potatoes, both sweet and regular, should be on your list. Contrary to my own incorrect assumption, and according to the Environmental Working Group, 81% of potatoes were shown to have contained harmful pesticides, after peeling and washing. Here is a list of other Thanksgiving favorites, with the percentage of the sample that contained known pesticides, according to a study by the EWG:

Celery 94%
Carrots 81.7%
Green Beans 67.6%
Winter Squash 41%
Sweet Potatoes 58.4%
Cauliflower 84.6%
Spinach 70%
Lettuce 68.2%
Broccoli 28%
Frozen Peas- 23%

Not all veggies made it to the list, like my beloved brussel sprouts. But this list is fairly comprehensive. So shop accordingly.


Step 4: Dessert. I haven't found results on pumpkin, but I am confident that you can find a can of organic pumpkin puree at a good market, or use your old pumpkin off your stoop and hope it won't kill you. Based on the fact that you are only using the inner scrapings, my guess is that its not bad at all. Apples for that cobbler has a high concentration of pesticides also- 94%, and peaches 96%, strawberries 92% - but blueberries seem to be the big winner at 27%. Go figure. Or find an organic bakery and let them do some of the work!

I hope you found this information helpful. Enjoy the fruits of your labor, and be thankful for YOU- for putting out such a healthy and delicious meal!

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