Guests:

Keiko Veasey from Linden Hills Eco Parents joins us today to introduce us to her group and to share how they are helping to spread the green word.  Linden Hills Eco Parents is a great group of folks striving to educate about green issues and also to inspire action to change behavior.  The group is open to anyone (even if you are not a parent and do not reside in Linden Hills) and the meetings are a forum for learning and discussing topics such as waste and toxicity reduction in your home.  Upcoming topics include greening your holidays as well as recycling and supporing local businesses.  Their next meeting is Monday, November 17th.  Click HERE for additional info.

James Catalano speaks to us about some of the green initiatives that Xcel Energy is doing as well as some great conservation tips.  Xcel is producing power from solar, wind, geothermal and other great renewable energy sources.  They are working to expand these programs as well as educate consumers on ways to conserve the energy they use today.  Sign up for an energy audit or for the Windsource program.  Check out their online Home Energy Analyzer to determine where you can save in your home.

Info and Tips:

Green Tip #1529

Some helpful uses for salt besides sitting on your kitchen table:

Salt as a polish

Mixing salt and vinegar into a thick paste creates a brass, silver and copper polish. Use a soft cloth to apply and buff, then rinse thoroughly in water and dry well.

Scouring pots and pans

Pour rock salt onto greasy cookware before scouring to help cut through the grease

Removing tea and coffee stains

To remove tea and coffee stains on cups and decanters, sprinkle salt onto a sponge and use a circular motion when rubbing over the stains.

Pest deterrent

If you have ants marching in your home, pour a line of salt through their path to prevent them from crossing.

Smelly cutting boards

A stinky cutting board means bacteria are present - and this is not only an issue for your nose, but it is also a health issue. Bacteria are killed by salt so rub salt into your cutting board, let it sit for a little while and then rinse.  Your board will smell fresh and be bacteria-free!

Email Question:

Ginny asks:

I live in Woodbury, and my local hauler (Troje's) only picks up #1 and #2 plastic bottles, not clamshells or containers. Is there another hauler that does pick up those items?  Or is there a place where I can drop them off?  What about other types of plastic?

Here is the answer!!!

Plastics Recycling at Eastside Food Co-op: 2551 Central Ave. NE Minneapolis, MN 55418 (612) 788-0950
Thursdays, 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Plastics accepted:
#1  PET
#2  HDPE
#3  PVC
#4  LDPE
#5  PP
#6  PS - NO foam - no foam cups, plates, or packing material - even if it's marked with a #6, it's not recyclable.

UNACCEPTABLE MATERIAL:
*Un-rinsed plastics or plastic with a lot of food waste -- we just have to throw those in the trash. If they are not free of food waste, don't bring them here!
*"Lined" plastic bags, i.e. bags that hold cheese or meat in vacuum seals -- these are not recyclable.
*Foam -- if even it's marked!
*#7 PLA Plastic -- please do not bring plastic food containers -- they are the corn-based plastics that are "compostable" -- they aren't recyclable. Other #7's can be brought because they are usually a high recycle value. But No #7 PLA -- we will have to throw those in the trash.

VEGGITARIANS UNITE!  LOAD UP ON THAT PROTIEN!

Here are some protein packed foods to stock up on: green lentils, red lentils, dried chickpeas, canned chickpeas, dried kidney beans, canned kidney beans, canned navy beans, dried yellow split peas, dried black beans, tofu, eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, peanut butter, almonds, cashews, pine nuts and walnuts.

Adult men require three servings of meat alternatives and women require two per day. 3/4 cup of cooked beans or tofu translates into one serving, as do two eggs or two tablespoons of peanut butter. If you had peanut butter on your toast in the morning, then had a lentil or bean soup for lunch and a tofu stir fry for dinner, all of your requirements for the day are met. If you didn't have a protein for breakfast, then you mid-morning snack might be a handful of almonds or cashews. Just two ounces of nuts are a serving of protein.

There's no question that using dried chickpeas or beans takes a bit of forethought because you have to soak them overnight before cooking them, but if you soak them on a Saturday night and cook them on a Sunday morning, you'll have enough to use for your meals during the week. Toss some chickpeas into a tomato pasta sauce or make chickpea burgers or a chickpea salad sandwich to take for lunch. You can mix things up during the week so that you can have a different source of protein every night and keep things interesting.