Bootylicious flies, slime mold beetles, and famous people

Tweet

Beyonce's bootylicious fly (credit:  livescience.com)

Every species known to science is named using a taxonomic framework.  Scientists organize and name species to avoid the confusion that sometimes comes from common names.  Just think about the big tan cats that we call puma, cougar, or mountain lions -- their scientific name is Puma concolor.  Scientists sometimes name a species after someone as an honor to that person.  According to an article in the Washington Post today, two Cornell University  entomologists named a slime-mold beetle Agathidium bushi after President Bush.  And now President Obama has a fish!  Fittingly, Tosanoides obama is a small fish found in deep water corals in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in the President's home state of Hawaii.

This newly named species puts our presidents in fine company -- David Bowie, Johnny Cash, Angelina Jolie, Bono, and Shakira all have species named after them.  Check out CBS' list.  I'm still waiting for the greenmomster species......

Another reason to love hockey!

Tweet

It's all hockey, all the time at our house.  The Madison HS Warhawks are undefeated so far this season and we love to rock the red with the Caps!  But here's another reason to love hockey -- the NHL has been named by GreenSportsBlog the greenest sports league of 2016!  Check out the details.

Time for Christmas balls

Tweet

It's Christmas time, so of course, we're thinking about Schweddy balls!  OK, they're not Schweddy balls, but I just discovered dryer balls that make your laundry routine a little more green! Just add a little essential oil, pop these balls into your dryer, and cut down on all of the chemicals and waste associated with dryer sheets.  From BogBerry! (nope, they didn't pay me for this plug -- I was just happy with my purchase)

Wild Mushroom Farro

Tweet

This tasty recipe comes from Chloe's Vegan Italian Kitchen, by Chloe Coscarelli.  The only change I made was to add about 1-2 tblsp of red pepper flakes to add a little zip!  Enjoy!

Wild Mushroom Farro with Lemon, Mint, and Artichokes

Ingredients

• 3 tblsp olive oil
• 1 lb mixed mushrooms, chopped
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 14 oz. can quartered artichokes
• 1 tblsp jar garlic
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1/4 cup vegetable broth
• 2 cups cooked farro (cook like you'd cook rice, with about 4 cups of water)
• 2 tblsp chopped fresh mint
• zest of 1 lemon (plus I added the juice from the lemon as well)
• 1-2 tblsp red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat oil and saute mushrooms with salt and pepper until soft.  Add artichokes and garlic and saute another couple of minutes.
2. Add wine and cook until the liquid is almost gone.  Add broth and farro and cook again until the broth is almost gone.
3. Remove from heat and stir in mint, lemon zest, and lemon.

I'm dreaming of a GREEN Christmas!

Tweet

Happy Nikolaus Tag!  Once again we’re dreaming of a white Christmas (it's just raining in VA), but what about a green Christmas?  Four years ago, greenmomster started posting some ideas for making your Christmas celebrations a little more eco-friendly.  Here are some old and new ideas for greening up the holiday!

1)  The wrapping!  Making Christmas gifts festive and fun to unwrap is part of the fun of giving the gifts.  Even the Grinch knew that taking the wrappings might put a damper on things as he left Who-ville:  “he packed up his sled, packed it up with their presents!  The ribbons!  The wrappings! The tags! And the tinsel!  The trimmings!  The trappings!” (XMAS FUN 2012).  But then again, according to Earth911, “wrapping paper and shopping bags alone account for about 4 million tons of trash annually in the U.S.”  None of us wants to be a Grinch, so how can we green up the wrappings?

• If you want to wrap gifts in wrapping paper, why not try recycled paper?  And follow your mom and grandma’s lead – reuse that wrapping paper!
• You can always wrap gifts in tissue paper (I use the tissue paper that’s stuck into dry cleaned clothes), fabric, or even the comics.
• Reuseable gift bags can be used year after year (I have some bags that have been through at least 5 Christmases).

2)  The tree!  OK, it’s the age-old debate – should we use a fresh tree?  artificial?  tree in a pot to be planted later?  A few thoughts, then you make your own decision:

• Artificial trees – Here’s a fun fact from Earth911, “a U.S.-based toilet bowl brush manufacturer, the Addis Brush Company, created an artificial tree from brush bristles in the 1930s, acting as the prototype for modern artificial trees.”  I’ll remember that tidbit, as I relax next to my beautiful fake tree that I enjoy year after year.  Here’s the big con to artificial trees – most are made of non-recyclable, non-biodegradable metal and PVC.  Thus, when you throw them away, they’ll sit in the landfill for many generations to come.  Since my family keeps their artificial trees for decades (my mother has had her artificial tree for nearly 50 years), I’m not losing sleep over this con.  A more troublesome issue with artificial trees --  most are produced overseas and must be shipped to the U.S. – think fossil fuels and pollution in production and shipping  (Earth911 2012).  If you’ve decided on a fake tree,GoodHousekeeping has some recommendations regarding brands to try. 
• Real trees – Most experts agree that this is the more eco-friendly option.  Over 30 million Christmas trees are sold in the U.S. each year, and 93% of those trees are recycled into mulch (Earth911 2012).  Additionally, Earth911 (2012) reports that a single farmed tree absorbs more than 1 ton of CO₂ in its lifetime!  The cons?  Since Christmas trees are an agricultural product, we can expect application of pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides, unless they’re grown organically.  Additionally, if you don’t live in an area where conifers grow naturally, add the cost of tree transport into your eco-footprint calculation (Earth911 2012).  If you do get a real tree, just say no to the plastic mesh wrapping.
• Real LIVE trees – The most eco-friendly option.  Buy a live, potted tree, which you can keep in your house for about 1 – 1 1/2 weeks and then plant outdoors after the holidays.

3) The cards!  I come from a proud line of Christmas card senders and Christmas letter writers.  So how can we green up this annual tradition?

• Send cards and letters online.  Friends and family can read about your adventures in the past year, and then save, print, or delete!
• Try one of the eco-friendly card companies, using soy inks and recycled paper.  One of my favorites is Minted!
• Send cards that support a green organization, such as the cards made by the National Wildlife Association.

4)  The gifts!  There are actually fun green gifts that don’t lead to forced smiles and insincere “thank yous!” 

• For the animal lovers in your family!  Through many organizations, you can symbolically “adopt” an animal, and receive a plush toy, certificate of adoption, and a poster or photograph.  Young children get a toy and wildlife organizations get badly needed financial support.  Some of the programs I’ve enjoyed in the past include the Adopt a Lemur from Duke U., and World Wildlife Fund’s Species Adoptions. 
• Do you have a bike?  By giving bikes to not just the kids, but also the adults in the family, you’ll be encouraging the option of green transportation for local trips (plus you might lose a few of those Christmas cookie pounds!)
• How about a new set of non-teflon coated cookware?  Have you been wanting to upgrade your cooking utensils?  By trading up for pots and pans that AREN’T coated in teflon, you’ll be reducing your family’s exposure to many harmful chemicals.
• Got an avid gardener in the family, or do you want to become one?  Christmas is the perfect time to set someone up for a successful butterfly or vegetable garden in 2013 – garden tools, seeds, composting equipment, even rainbarrels are gifts that your family can enjoy throughout the year.  Birdfeeders and bird baths are a nice addition to any garden.  If you really want to go all out, how about beekeeping equipment?
• Lifelong learning!  Gift certificates for classes are a waste-free gift that can be enjoyed throughout the year.  Be it cooking, archery, knitting, photography, or architecture classes – you know they’ll love it! 
• How about a gift that lets the receiver enjoy the great outdoors?  Camping equipment was my gift at my last birthday!  Not into camping?  Think “roughing it” is a black and white TV?  Then how about binoculars or a field guide for an aspiring bird or butterfly watcher, or a camera for the budding nature photographer?
• How about non-toxic soaps and shampoos from eco-friendly companies?  Many manufacturers now make these products, but some of my favorites are The Body Shop, Aveda, and the Parsonage.
• Got someone in your family that enjoys camping or cabins?  Virginia State Parks offer gift certificates that can be used for camping, cabins, parking, and picnic shelter rentals.  Don’t live near VA?  You can always give an annual pass for national parks and federal recreational lands.  Need trip inspiration?  Check out this post on Bryce National Park.

Want more great ideas on how to green your holidays?  Check outEarthEasy’s tips for green gift giving, wrapping, and lighting.

From the greenmomster’s house to yours, we wish you a very merry and GREEN holiday season!

Sources:
Earth911.  2012.  Facts About Recycling Wrapping Paper.  Accessed 11/29/12.http://earth911.com/recycling/paper/wrapping-paper/facts-about-recycling-wrapping-paper/
EarthEasty.  2012.  How to have a ‘green’ Christmas.  Accessed 11/29/12.http://eartheasy.com/give_sustainchristmas.htm
GoodHousekeeping.  2012.  Getting an Artificial Christmas Tree!  Choose This Type.  You’ll save resources and reduce risk of toxins.  Accessed 11/29/12.  http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/artificial-christmas-trees-buy-american
XMAS FUN.  2012.  How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss.  Accessed 11/29/12.http://xmasfun.com/stories/Grinch/Text.asp

Spicy Meat-free Friday!

Tweet

This week’s recipe for Chickpea Curry is adapted from a recipe I found in the January/February 2013 issue of Cooking Light.   It’s easy and quick to make, and even my most finicky eaters enjoyed the dish, despite the fact that it’s got a little kick! (photo of chickpeas from plant-biology.com)

Ingredients:
3 cups Jasmine rice
1 tblsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 tblsp garam masala (see below)
3 15 oz cans chickpeas, 2 with juice and 1 drained and rinsed
2 10 oz cans Rotel
1 5 oz package baby spinach
1 cup plain 2% Greek yogurt

Instructions:
1)  Cook rice.
2)  Heat the oil in a large pan.  Add onion and saute for about 5 minutes.
3)  Stir in garam masala.  Saute for about 1 minute.
4)  Add chickpeas, Rotel, and spinach.  Cook until the spinach wilts.
5)  Remove from heat and stir in yogurt.
6)  Serve over rice.
Note:  There are lots of ways to make garam masala, but here’s the mix I use – 5 parts ground cumin, 4 parts ground coriander, 3 parts ground black pepper, 2 parts cardamom, and 1 part ground cloves.

Be sure to like Greenmomster on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!