Summer is winding down (technically gone), and thus I realize I must transition away from my trusty SIGG bottle and a favorite summer treat ~ real tomatoes.

Yes, that means that all my tasty garden-grown tomato sandwiches are coming to an end for this year.  Marc and I learned several years ago that store-bought tomatoes are always grainy and flavorless in comparison to the beauty and vivacious taste of real garden-grown tomatoes.  We do not have a garden, but lucky for us, my sister and her husband have a thriving beautiful garden, and Marc’s Mom always has fantastic tomatoes.  We are happy to have a supply on both sides.

I also finally took my SIGG bottle, one I bought early summer of 2008, back to REI.  If you are not familiar with REI, they are an amazing company (co-op) that stands 100% behind every single product they sell.

I spent plenty of time sulking since Steve Wasik’s admission of BPA in pre-August 2008 SIGG bottles.  My bottle and I mourned our relationship having to move on, as we both agreed SIGG should have to replace every single bottle they lied about which they put in trusting consumers’ hands.

Yesterday, however, my bottle and I decided it was a time to celebrate the journeys we have taken together as well as new journeys to come.

Yes, my bottle and I are in a relationship, and the next leg of my journey will be with some other bottle, and the next leg of its journey will be as it joins thousands of other SIGG bottles to be recycled into something new.  Perhaps one day, we will meet again.

So, cheers to what we once had in our lives, cheers to letting go with openness and love, and cheers to taking joy from our pasts to move boldly into new futures.

Sustainably yours,  Ashley Sue

*PS. Asheville friends, I just found out that Greenlife Grocer will replace your SIGG bottles for one with the new EcoCare liner for free, and regardless of whether or not you bought yours there!  No other store in Asheville is doing that (to my knowledge)!

My first day in the Wildlife Commission Hunter Safety Course started off rocky enough as I drove to class with a head full of preconceived notions.  Leaving later than intended and encountering a pile of unexpected traffic, I could clearly see walking into the class tardy:

The class would have maybe 15 participants.  All men except for me.  Middle-aged men and their 10 or 12-year-old sons.  All of them dressed in camouflage.  They would all stare as I tried to enter the room.  “Ooh, haughty vegetarian girl is too good for showing up on time,” they would say.  The instructor, a longtime gamesman and warden himself, decked head to toe in camo, would tell me not only was attendance mandatory but so is punctuality.  Then he would tell me I needed to leave.

This was the scenario in my head, at least.

Upon pulling up to Camp Kanata in Wake Forest, I eventually found the camp’s “mess hall” and a number of parked cars.  I prayed as I ran out of my car and to the doors that this was the right location.  I also prayed that because it was the first day, they would start at 630 instead of 6.

They had started at 5:50.

Instructor Wyatt Currin (more…)

For Mother’s Day/Marc’s Mom’s birthday, we decided we would make her a rain barrel.  Marc’s parents live near South Carolina, in a flat farmland area near Monroe, and the garage Marc’s Dad built is perfect for collecting tons of water to keep Bernice’s garden well hydrated.  My sister and her husband found this great couple in Asheville who sells the barrels, and you can make your own.  They, I believe, have made six of their own barrels thanks to this supplier.

Turns out we just got the supplies and Marc’s parents had them make it themselves ~ I did not realize this, but making your rain barrel requires knowing exactly where you will want it set up so it is configured properly.

Marc’s Dad had it set up in no time, and within a single rain, the barrel was full, as well was all of their overflow tubs.  Dan and Bernice decided they would like another barrel.  So, done.

Rain barrels can be purchased at a variety of places, already made.  For about $100 you can pick one up, ready for the flowing, from Earth Fare, Whole Foods, and maybe even places like Home Depot and Lowes.  Also, if you check your local craigslist, Iwanna, or newspaper, you are apt to find some great local guy who makes them and sells them from his home.

If you are hands-on and live somewhere like Asheville, you may be able to find someone like this great guy who sells only the barrels for about $15.  You go purchase about $15 worth of hardware, and you can make your own.

Happy rain-barreling, and sustainably yours, Ashley Sue

I posted before why I hesitate bicycling around town, but I figured getting runover was my biggest concern.  Now we have to contend with being shot for bicycling… by a firefighter?  With our child strapped to the bike?  And our spouse bicycling beside us?  Really?!

Sustainably… and safely yours,  Ashley Sue

Funny to think that a few years ago, Marc and I regularly gorged ourselves on spray-cheese-in-a-can and prepackaged dinner packs, but the more we learned about how food effects us and our environments, our food philosophy changed dramatically.  Now grocers such as Earth Fare and Whole Foods are in on their own food philosophies.

Marc and I spend seemingly exorbitant amounts of money on our food in comparison to our days eating dry, crumbly, cheap ingredient foods out of boxes, but now we eat not only for today but for a long, healthy life.  I knew with the weight-gaining of the last decade – and by looking at my family – the health problems I have lurking ahead if I do not eat better now.  Further, I really hope to have a child one day.  I have to consider more than what I food habits I want to share with that child, but I also have to consider what I consume today that affects my health and fertility and can affect my (albeit hypothetical) fetus.

I happily began supporting (more…)

Quick updates:

At the beginning of next week, I should be posting a contest to win a $50 Earth Fare gift card! Yay! Who doesn’t adore Earth Fare’s delectable, healthy, conscientious grocer selection and body care?! I know I have been thrilled to familiarize myself with Earth Fare! So keep an eye out for that NEXT WEEK!

Until then, for today (Friday, 26 June 2009), you can print out this coupon to visit your local Earth Fare and receive a FREE PRE-MADE DELI SANDWICH! I personally am excited for the coupon, so feel free to bump into me at Earth Fare!

Also, I attended the third annual Mountain Green Conference at Warren Wilson College ~ and I have a true plethora of information to share. From sealing your thermal envelope of your house, reducing air leaks and drafts, greener automechanics, building science, owls, local foods, beekeeping, the groundbreaking historic measures of WWC, NASCAR, and some generally nifty (albeit common sense) knowledge, posts are coming!

Bonus: posts of my Pisgah National Forest retreat will be coming too!

Lastly, HUGELY, I will spend part of this weekend and next week doing a MASSIVE overhaul of this website layout.  I have a lot of issues with the functionality and aesthetics of this theme, so I will be designing a CSS to make it better suited for (g)g and my purposes.  So get excited about that ~ I am!  This is LONG overdue change!

Hoorah!

Cheers to you all ~
See you at Earth Fare today!

Sustainably yours,
Ashley Sue

The list of companies claiming natural and green efforts grows every day, and often, unfortunately, these companies have little to offer.  Two national companies, however, showing progress in their sustainability practices are Reynolds and Kerr Drug.

What do these two companies have to offer?

Reynolds finally caught on to recycled foil.  For an Earth Day promotion, they gave away coupons for a free roll of their 100% recycled aluminum foil.  I am partly excited by this because I do think Reynolds foil is often better quality than many off-brand foils.  Plus, Aluminum, which can be recycled countless times, is a great way to practice your Rs.  When you finish with using foil, you can recycle it or reuse it yourself.  No matter what, make sure you clean off the foil.  Any foil with residual grease and oil cannot be used by recycling facilities, and you certainly do not want to reuse sticky foil.

Kerr Drug, which I never thought I would be giving thumbs-up, sent a “Naturally Kerr” flier in the mail this week.  Claiming to carry “over 3,000 natural and organic products for a healthy lifestyle”, I opened the paper and gave it a look.

Honestly, I was thrilled to see how many legit products they stock.  From organic groceries such as sugar, Late July brand crackers, FEED granola, JASON and Avalon Organics toiletries, natracare tampons and organic cotton pads, Seventh Generation products, Amy’s Organics, gluten-free foods, vegan foods, and even Pirate’s Booty snacks (I wonder if they carry Tings), Naturally Kerr by Kerr Drug is setting a standard for what a chain pharmacy/store can provide for their communities.  Who knows where this chain can go and where they are headed!

If you have not noticed, I rarely give chains a shout-out, so this post is a big deal for me.  Naturally Kerr, which is located at Harvest Plaza, 9650 Strickland Road, Suite 105, Raleigh, and 1124 Patton Ave. in Asheville, even had an Earth Day celebration today.  They gave away free reusable tote bags filled with natural and organic goodies.  The store also had drawings for a free mountain bike, as well as gift certificates to my absolute favorite Raleigh restaurant Irregardless Cafe and Flying Biscuit (never been).  I love the local aspect of this.

So, Kerr and Reynolds, cheers.  Keep up the amazing progress and set even higher standards.  Ready, set, go!

Sustainably yours, Ashley Sue

Last week, one of my beautiful colleagues and I walked up to a local bakery for something yummy.  This locale offers scrumptious cakes, cookies, treats of all sorts, and a wonderful coffee to enjoy as well.

A little financially strapped, I knew the day was beautiful, my friend is amazing, so I was happy to walk up and buy a coffee and cookie to support this local company.

I carted the coffee away in a disposable cup, having left my own travel mug at home and not knowing I might be stopping somewhere for coffee that day.

When we returned to the office, I realized my disposable cup, which looked like it was a heavy paperboard material, was actually styrofoam covered in a thin sheet of paper-looking veneer.  What?  Why would a company buy cups that seem like such an obvious “lesser of an evil” greenwash?  Styrofoam, as I see it, is evil!

Just as I start to ridicule this local company for purchasing these cups, my two colleagues pointed out that the economy is difficult.  Small businesses have to make some tough decisions right now in hopes of staying open.  We do not know what financial decisions had to determine such purchases such as that cup.  We are in no place to judge them.

One colleague took it further and said the government has to be the one to ban styrofoam use, as these changes happen from the top down (I disagree with that, but to each, their own).

I felt a little bit of a sting, but instead of taking it personally, I knew they had a point.

I have noticed the economy is tough.  I know independently-owned restaurants usually have a harder time than any other business.  Even with the unfortunate to-go cups, this company is still a local treasure in so many ways.

Ultimately, I can only be mad at myself ~ I have a travel mug, and I failed to bring it.

Sustainably yours,  Ashley Sue

People who care for the natural environment tend to embrace or reject many labels.  Greenies.  Environmentalists.  Conservationists.  Conservatives.  Liberals.  Hunters.  Vegetarians.  Gas guzzler.  Clean coal.  Wasteful.  Shop-a-holic.  Hybrid.  Republicans.  Just kidding about that last one, by the way, and feeding on the stereotype of a Treehugger.

Environmentalists are blamed by some for hating.  A lot.

Seriously, Google “Environmentalists hate”, which I did to see what kinds of words would pop up.  ”Solar”, “Grass”,  ”America”, “blacks”, “minorities”, “the poor”, and “humans” all make the list of who and what environmentalists seek to destroy.

Googling “anti-green” yielded interesting results, too.  As it turns out, a slew of webpages devoted either  to railing the environmental movement due to people feeling annoyed by “greenie” superiority complexes or to proving the environmental movement theories as we know it to be wrong.  A couple were just humor blogs… and some, I frankly could not tell how serious they were.  Just look here, here, here and here for a few examples of these sites.

My biggest issue, however, are those that are sustainability and conservation-minded basing each other.  The ends do not justify the means for many, and the semantics over how to achieve a healthy ecosystem create confusion, misunderstandings, and blatant failure of communication.

After all, when is the last time you heard a “vegetarian” speak nicely of a “hunter”, or vice versa?

I attended the Dixie Deer Classic ~ a hunting type of convention at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh a couple weekends ago.  I brought a video camera because I wanted to ask some hunters to share their visions of conservation and environmentalism for my blog.

I realized, however, being approached by a vegetarian “greenie” with a video camera may be a little threatening and questionable.  So instead, I simply opted for conversation.

As it turns out, I spoke at great length with the Wake County Wildlife Club, and learned a lot.  I will be sharing, shortly, more regarding that conversation, some of the inspirations I gained from that weekend, and questions that arose for me.

Thus, I bring you a Green Grounded featurette ~ “Face of Sustainability”.  Starting this week, I will occasionally chronicle one person, one every day normal person, who in lengths great, small, or controversial, are environmentalists.

I look forward to bringing you this segment, and if you are in the Asheville or Raleigh area and would like to share your views, feel free to contact me.

Until then…

Sustainably yours,

Ashley Sue

After my quick post questioning Costco as being a blessing or a blight to the communities it serves, I intended to write on more general levels for follow-up posts.  Which will happen…

Then, however, Jo commented regarding a Costco proposal for New Brunswick.  The Costco in question could be destroying wetlands in order to bring forth their mega-store.  Many residents are rallying to defeat the giant from entering their community.  On the other side, some citizens support the expansion.  From the previously linked articles to a Facebook group regarding the controversy, comments show support both for and against Costco.  Philip Lee is chronicling the advances and debate within the community (like here, here and here).  The comments section from the Daily Gleaner article chronicles those that simply hate Costco, those that blindly love it, and those that think it will be good for their community, but not at that location.  Anywhich way, this is certainly of major concern for environmentalists.

It is hard to label a company as leading corporate America in sustainability if they build a gasoline bar in a wetlands lot.  On the contrary, perhaps that is a sign of corporate America… not perfect, but progressing.

Turns out, Costco alone seems to deserve a thorough look-over on Green Grounded.

To be fair, I am starting with support of Costco because I feel like positive is the natural start in a compare and contrast.  Maybe that is just me, but I am not apologizing for it.

The Good of Costco (through my perspective):

~ Rwanda’s President recently thanked Starbucks for using Rwandan coffee and boosting the farm community there.  Starbucks became involved with Rwandan coffee farms upon suggestion and coordination from Costco’s CEO Jim Sinegal.

~ Costco is a big fan of solar energy, both using and selling.

~ Costco CEO Jim Sinegal works to put transparency in his company.  Huge.  Pays their employees well with great benefits. Some stakeholders aren’t impressed.  Yet, Costco, unlike one of their major competitors, is known for taking good care of their staff, even encouraging “van pools” to reduce gas use and price-effect for employees.

~ Though most produce and florals are not local, many are still supporting great environmental causes.

~ Costco takes your unwanted electronics, and even pays for some, for recycling.

~ My personal joys:  they have many biodegradable soaps and products from great Triple-Bottom Line companies, they carry a large variety of hormone-and-antibiotic-free meats for Marc, they have organic juices and fairtrade chocolates I can get for gifts or for our home, and, yes, I like things being cheaper there… meaning…

~ Many people in the lower-rung of the middle-class are upon very difficult times.  People are out of jobs, people who have jobs are taking pay and benefit cuts, yet we still have to pay all of our bills and buy groceries and buy gas to get to work.  These are real issues, right now, for a growing sector of our society.

Now with the bad of Costco:

~ Mega-box chains do perpetuate suburban sprawl.  Lots of people still do not mind sprawl, but it is inherently bad for a community.  The chain is always more concerned with making money than protecting that individual community, meaning location choice can be quite damaging.  Such as with the Fredericton, New Brunswick case.

~ For every item Costco sells that is eco-friendly and sustainably-oriented, they also continue to sell “a totally unnecessary product with extraordinarily bad consequences”, such as air-in-a-can convenience office-cleaning product.

~ As with today’s greenwashing trends, Costco, like many other retailers, does carry some products that market themselves as “green” but are highly skeptic, if not disproved, by the environmental community.

~ Costco carries plastic bottled water.  I get it, people like their plastic-bottled water.  Regardless, it bites.

~ Costco carries a large number of “individually packaged” products.  Drinks bottles, cheezy poofella pouches, etc. for easy lunch-box packing or for mass crowds.  These items have their use, but that does not make them environmentally sound.

~ Even buying a major national pharmaceutical product there (like we do ~ as it is much cheaper) hurts a local business owner who you could be buying from.

Costco shopping round up:

Buying from the local coop, or even the local Earthfare / Wholefoods just is not a realistic option for many Americans right now.  I blew through money buying local organic fairtrade in 2008.  Some of those products came from Costco.  Now, Marc and I are really having to decide where and what we can buy.  Basically, we are having to decide on a case-by-case basis, every day, what our priorities are in accordance to what we can afford.  That is unfortunate and true.

I am not advocating throwing one’s hands up at spending more for local / organic / fairtrade, but we each have to find the balance we (individually) can afford with the reality of today.

Today, I heard a coworker saying he does not support Wholefoods because they carry produce from Chile.  While that environmentally is a valid energy concern, I feel we cannot hang Wholefoods’ Chilean produce as hypocritical to the green movement if we consumers are drinking coffee or tea in our daily routine.  Or consuming chocolate.  Those products are grown down the road.

I argue the answer lies in finding the balance.

If you can afford to buy only local / organic / fairtrade, kudos.  Further, advocating conscientious buying habits amidst your peers is always Rockstar.  Questioning corporations and demanding transparency, promoting progressive goals, and striving for triple bottom line standards is necessary.

Whether or not you can afford to buy only local /organic / fairtrade, considering our fellow humans, both those working on farms, and those living two blocks over, is the most important part of community.  My organic coffee helps workers not be exposed to poisons and gives them a decent wage to live on.  The fact that my in-laws (both jobless due to unavoidable circumstances) cannot afford to indulge in such things as $10 lb. coffee is also something I refuse to hold against them.  I do what I can, and they do what they can. 

…and what I “can do” is becoming increasingly less during this time of my life.

I, for one, will continue my Costco love/hate membership for a third year.

I will do my best with what they offer and what I can afford to buy elsewhere.

Sustainably yours,  Ashley Sue