Joining Hands for a Better Tomorrow!

This Saturday, June 26 Hands Across the Sands will be at it again! In hopes to stop dependence on fossil fuels, this organization is once again joining hands across the nation’s beaches, parks and cities to stop the dangers of offshore oil drilling.

Hands Across the Sands was founded back in October of 2009. Dan Rauschkolb the founder organized a statewide event on February 13, 2010. All over Florida people gathered to send a message to their legislators and Governor Crist that they did not want the offshore drilling bans lifted in Florida waters. This Saturday it’s happening again but not only in Florida, all over the nation and the world!

Hands Across The Sand’s mission is to change our engery policy away from its dependence on fossil fuels and into the light of clean energy. The aim is to convince our leaders to abandon expanded offshore oil drilling and adopt policies that encourage clean and renewable energy resources.

This weekend beaches in Ft. Lauderdale are participating, so you can join hands!

Ft. Lauderdale, Sunrise & A1a

S.T.O.P. (Sea Turtle Oversight Protection)

rwhitecloud@earthlink.net

954-404-0025

Ft. Lauderdale, Sebastian & A1a

Robyn and Michael

handsonfllbeach@yahoo.com

Sebastian and A1A – just north of the Ritz Carlton.

Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Lauderdale Beach, Las Olas Blvd. And A1a

Matthew Schwartz

Matthew3222@yahoo.com

954-634-7173

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=125762130788208

Photo by sean.flynn

Should you pre-rinse your dishes?

Experts from a Yahoo article say it’s not necessary to pre-rinse your dishes before they go into the dishwasher. They say it’s actually a waste of time, energy, water and money. When I first read this, I was definitely skeptical. A point was brought up in the article that made sense and changed my mind completely. They say that heavily soiled dishes are used in “wash tests” not dishes that are pre-rinsed. This makes sense why would they test their dishwashers on clean dishes? Ofcourse they’d test the worst case scenario! Here are some great facts about not pre-rinsing your dishes if you’re still doubtful.

• Your dishes aren’t any cleaner if you pre-rinse- Dishwashers have progressed greatly in the past few years. You won’t improve your wash performance by pre-rinsing.
• Complete waste of Time, energy, water and money- Your dishwasher will use up to 5 gallons of water to wash an entire load of dishes. While washing dishes by hand you can use up to 27 gallons.
• Pre-rinsing your dishes can do more harm than good- You detergents are meant to attack the food and grime left on plates. If it’s been pre-rinsed then some may harm your glassware leaving your glass cloudy of small scratches.

As mentioned in our previous blog post, Go Green with your Kitchen in 5 easy Steps, Alexan Solmar is proud of their appliances, including our dishwashers.

Photo by Transguyjay

Go Green with Your Kitchen in 5 Easy Steps!

Lots of people say it’s difficult to Go Green, that it entails way too many complex details. But it doesn’t. It’s easy, one step at a time you can GO GREEN. Let’s start with your kitchen!

If you haven’t started, the kitchen would be a good start. Wouldn’t it? Many people spend lots of time in their kitchens, I spend tons of time in my kitchen. I cook, clean, entertain and relax in my kitchen. I know it sounds crazy but my family has always been surrounded by the kitchen, and so am I. Here are 5 great tips about Going Green with your Kitchen.

1. Your Dishwasher- Alexan Solmar is proud of their appliances. It is “greener” than older dishwashers. Use your dishwasher and use it well! Dishwashers made since 1994 get dishes cleaner and use less water (if your dishwasher is full).
2. Fridge Thermometer- Buy a fridge thermometer (about $10) and keep your fridge’s temperature between 36F and 38F. For the Freezer, 0F and 5F.
3. Bottled Water- Get rid of it. Buy a re-usable water bottle and drink up on that, over and over. Your pocket will thank you and so will the Earth!
4. Your Sponge- Give it a second life. Toss it in a small pot of boiling water for 5 minutes. It sterilizes the sponge and its easy!
5. Lightbulbs- Replace your kitchen lightbulb with a Compact Fluorescent.

Going Green with the Yellow Pages

Have you used your Yellow Pages lately?  Or is it just collecting dust in your hall closet? I know I haven’t used the physical book in years!  I usually go online and take a quick look if I need something.  Whenever the Yellow Pages show up at my door, I feel guilty throwing it away or even recycling it.  It was printed for me, so I usually keep it in my closet until the new book comes out and the cycle begins again.  Well the Yellow Pages have definitely taken note of how many people aren’t using the physical book anymore.  And they’ve provided us with a “Go Green” option.  You can now choose whether or not you want to receive your bright yellow book!  A few steps on the computer and you’ll be taken off their mailing list and if you ever need the book again just let them know!  It’s great to know that even our phone books are going green!

Photo by petter palander

History of St. Patrick’s Day

So I’m not Irish but I do enjoy celebrating St. Patty’s Day. This year I did a little research on the history of this Holiday. Believe it or not it’s not just about shamrocks and green beer. According to the History Channel:

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over a thousand years. On St. Patrick’s Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast-on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.
Read all about it here. Happy St. Patty’s Day.

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Recycle Your Plastic Into Clothes

If you are wondering what to do with your plastic bottles, maybe you should think about recycling them to be the next Haute Couture dress on New York’s runway.

If you watch Project Runway, then you know how funky the fashions are.  Whether they are using newspaper or electronic, those designs come out looking like they ready for the runway.  Take a look at theses fashion that are made from plastic, but prepare to be surprised that they don’t even look like they are made from plastic.

Plastic Project Runway here.