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Oil Spill vs. Flipper
Best Green Window Cleaner
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Kick Your Oil Addiction


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 Worm poop, native plants, and organic chocolate. That's not such a strange combo if you take the One in a Million pledge. Read more!
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Yes, Worm Poop
worm castings It's not really as disgusting as it sounds. Worm poop is known in the world of organic gardening as worm castings (though really, they are poop). You want to add them to your garden because they're so naturally rich in the kind of bacteria, enzymes and water-soluble nutrients that really give plants a kick in the pants (well, in their leaves, stems, flowers and fruits or vegetables) when the plant absorbs them through its roots. 
 
Says The Tasteful Garden, "Worm castings are packed with minerals that are essential for plant growth, such as concentrated nitrates, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and calcium. They also contain manganese, copper, zinc, cobalt, borax, iron, carbon and nitrogen. However, the best of all is that these minerals are immediately available to the plant, without the risk of ever burning the plant. Remember that animal manure and chemical fertilizers have to be broken down in the soil before the plant can absorb them."
 
You can use castings in potting soil, in soil for trees, shrubs, and flowers, and as mulch. You can even mix them with water to make a liquid fertilizer (otherwise known as "worm poop tea.")
If you're feeling bold, build your own worm bin
 
If that idea totally turns you off, buy worm castings from your local garden center, or online here, here or here.

The Oil Spill and Flipper
diver
 On a recent trip to Australia, I had the good fortune to spend a day scuba diving and snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. From above, the water appeared blue, calm, and seemingly empty. But as soon as I dipped below the surface, I was amazed. As far as the eye could see, the underwater world teemed with animals.

 Schools of clown fish (think Nemo) zipped past exotic 30-foot tall coral reefs. Groups of wrasse, a fish that's bigger than my 70-pound dog, swam by, their huge faces oblivious to the giant green sea turtle snoozing on the sea floor just below. Angel fish nibbled on small invertebrates; nearby, gorgeous parrot fish gnawed at the algae growing on the coral. There weren't just dozens or hundreds of animals under the sea; I could see thousands, and that was just in the small area where I was diving. What about the rest of the ocean? 
 
I am thinking about all that wildlife now, as the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico continues seemingly without end. The people whose lives are being affected by the millions of barrels of oil spewing into the Gulf's waters deserve as much attention as they're getting. They've lost their livelihoods, their neighborhoods, and in some cases, their very lives.
 
dolphinsBut the animals trying to survive in the water are in some ways even more vulnerable. They have nowhere else to go, and for the most part, no way to remove the oil once it gets on their bodies. At least 25,000 animals appear to have died from the oil spill thus far, including dolphins and sperm whales. Many other fish, like bluefin tuna, are at risk because they're in the process of returning to their breeding grounds right now - and those breeding grounds happen to lie smack dab in the middle of the oil spill disaster zone. It is not an exaggeration to wonder whether some animals will become extinct as a result of the disaster.
 
Take a look at this list of "The Ten Cutest Animals" threatened by the spill. Sadly, there's not much we can do to help them in the short-term. Long-term, we must renew our commitment to kick our addiction to oil in favor of energy conservation and safe, clean renewable fuels.
Best Green Window Cleaner

diane at marketAny cleaner I spray in my home needs to meet two criteria: it has to work, of course. But just as importantly, it can't leave me with a headache. My complaint about many commercial window sprays is that they contain artificial fragrances mostly made of phthalates (like the ones in these air fresheners) and other synthetic chemicals. One whiff of those and my head starts reeling.
 
I keep my windows clean by using a simple mixture I make myself.
 
Ingredients:
 
1/4 cup white vinegar
no more than 1 tsp fragrance-free dishwashing liquid
2-3 Tablespoons pulp-free lemon juice
water to fill reusable spray bottle
lint-free cloth or reusable rubber squeegee
 
The key to streak-free window cleaner is the little bit of dishwashing liquid you add to the bottle. Don't add too much, or it will leave a film on the window. Adding just a little cuts grease and grime with no streaking or residue. In place of the lemon juice, try grapefruit or orange. Just strain out the pulp before you add the juice to the spray bottle.
 
Some people swear by newspapers to clean up after they spray. I prefer lint-free, cloth towels or old t-shirts. Drop me a line and let me know what works best for you: [email protected].
 
Have you taken our One in a Million pledge yet? If not, I hope you'll sign up. It's a great way you can share what you're doing to make a difference for your family and the planet. Plus, it lets us cheer you on as you keep track of the changes you're making. Start by completing this free tally sheet. It couldn't be easier.
 
By the way, if you're on Facebook, you might enjoy more photos from my trip to Australia.
 

Thanks!
 

Diane MacEachern
Big Green Purse

email: [email protected]
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