The art of building with rammed earth is not new. Ancient civilizations were built using rammed earth construction, particularly in areas where wood was scarce. Some of these buildings are still standing today (rammed earth is durable!).

This technique is enjoying a resurgence. Here is an explanation of what rammed-earth building is, and why it is a sustainable building method. Read the rest of this entry

Qigong is a form of Chinese meditation and exercise intended to help the mind, spirit, and body. There is evidence that Qigong does in fact have health benefits. Let’s take a look at what Qigong is, and how it helps.

Qigong is an ancient art going back at least 2000 years, but it has only been referred to in the United States by this term since the 1950s. It had been called by various names prior to that, and had been used in the U.S. as a form of therapy. The term Qigong, pronounced “chee-gung,” is a combination of the Chinese words “qi” (energy) and “gong” (practice or work). Read the rest of this entry

Glass is a fascinating material. It never loses all of its liquid properties, which is why very old glass windows are wavy. It can be recycled indefinitely, and it does not absorb tastes and stains. It is one of the oldest recyclable, man-made materials on Earth; ancient Egyptians made glass, and broken glass was melted down and reused.

It can be made into an amazing number of items, including an alternative to pavement (“glassphalt”), construction sand, containers, bottles, lenses, and other items.

But how does all this happen? What happens when your glass gets to the recycling center? Here is a brief explanation of what happens to all that glass. Read the rest of this entry

As more and more people are going green in their own homes and lifestyle choices, why not include entertainment? For your next dinner party, try a green theme. Here are some ideas for throwing a green dinner party from invitations to favors.

Invitations

Consider going informal and inviting your guests via electronic invitation. There is free software available online where you can design your own unique e-invitation. Read the rest of this entry

Nature offers all sorts of art and craft supplies – all you have to do is collect them. One of the interesting items you can make with natural twigs and sticks is a picture frame. You can make this as big or as small as you like; you can keep it or give it as a gift. You can make several in graduated sizes, or using different types of twigs.

Here is a list of supplies you’ll need, and directions on how to assemble the frame. Use your imagination – take the following suggestions and individualize them to make a frame that fits your style. Read the rest of this entry

Are you thinking about re-roofing your house? Maybe you are building a new house, or just interested in options for a future project. As asphalt roofs come under scrutiny, they are revealed as inefficient and not environmentally friendly. Not only do asphalt shingle roofs need to be replaced every 10-15 years; they also absorb heat, and some sources claim that asphalt roofs leach chemicals into rainwater that runs over them.

No matter what your goals are for your roof, there are lots of eco-friendly roof options available. Here are some ideas. Read the rest of this entry

There are all kinds of good reasons to have the correct pressure in your vehicle’s tires. With the proper tire pressure, you will get better mileage and save fuel, your tires will experience less wear and tear, and your vehicle will emit less pollution.

Perhaps most importantly, you will be safer in a vehicle with tires that have the right amount of pressure. Here are some helpful tips and reasons to keep the tire pressure at the right level in your vehicle. Read the rest of this entry

You may have heard about installing wind turbines or solar panels on your roof, but you may not have considered harnessing water power for your household’s needs. It is, in fact, possible to generate electricity for your home using hydro energy, or energy generated by moving water. Here is a basic explanation of how this innovative concept works and some of its advantages. Read the rest of this entry

Metals that have a specific density (five times heavier than water) are classified as “heavy,” and are associated with toxicity. Unfortunately, heavy metals are often found in foods we commonly consume. First, let’s take a look at the more prevalent heavy metals and their dietary sources. Then we’ll look at how to lessen your exposure. Read the rest of this entry

The art of traveling green is becoming more popular these days, and thanks to growing awareness, it is becoming more feasible as well. There are a lot of things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint when you travel. Here are some ideas for reducing waste and traveling green. Read the rest of this entry