Zero Waste Home Office

My husband and I share an office.A big adjustment from our old house, where I had turned the granny quarters (a fully equipped kitchen) into a studio and where my husband had a room so large that he added useless furniture to fill the space... the kids did find it useful to draw on the lounge chair with markers though. It was so easy back then to just close his office door, when I could no longer stand the sight of his pile-scattered floor (Scott is a compulsive “piler”). And in my space, it was also too easy to collect used frames found at garage sales. I had high hopes of using them to exhibit...

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A letter to Whole Foods

A few months ago, I found out in horror and great embarrassment that “Marin County generates the most garbage per capita of any county in the country” (Redwood Landfill’s District Manager Jessica Jones, Ross Valley Reporter, 8/25/09). Yes, you read that right! Ironically, I live in the trashiest place in the whole country! Interestingly, the county’s “green” reputation is one of the reasons we chose to move here. Oh, it’s green all right, full of parks and redwood trees, but that’s as green as it goes. What are the eco hippies that this county is known for, doing? Perhaps hugging the trees…I even...

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Zero Waste Cleaning and Laundry

An alternative guide to your cleaning disposables- House cleaning agents:castile soap (bulk), a magic gentle natural soap, that can be used on floors, kitchen sink, dishes, hands, dog, body, hair…homemade all purpose cleaner (see recipes) for the weekly house cleaningbaking soda in a Parmesan shaker (1.99 unpackaged at cost plus) for scrubbing jobshydrogen peroxide for mildew (use sparingly since it’s not available in bulk)- House cleaning tools:metal scrubby, it works wonders on stainless if used in the direction of the grainloofah, natural brush, or a homemade scrubby knitted out of sisal twine...

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Bulk shopping guide in and around Mill Valley, California

Here is the list of bulk staples available from vendors in and around Mill Valley: all items mentioned here only represent a small selection of the respective bulk sections.Mill Valley Whole Foods (New)Agave SyrupBaked goods (bread counter, croissants, focaccia, cookies)Cocoa powderDried fruit (raisins, coconut, mango, etc…)FlourGinger snapsGrains (couscous, rice, quinoa, etc…)Granola and Flake cerealHoneyJuice orangesMeat, fish, deli and cheese counters NutsOlive bar: olives, cornichons, pickles, marinated mushrooms and peppers, mozarella balls, feta cheese...Olive oilPeanut butterSalt (fine)Small...

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