In these challenging economic times, it can often be difficult to justify the expense of organic foods. Everyday items like milk, eggs, vegetables and meat are already pricey, and adding the USDA Certified Organic label jacks prices even higher. For those of us who have to stretch fewer dollars further than we ever thought possible, the organic option seems fully out-of-reach. After all, when it comes down to affording organic, free-range beef or affording 5 nights worth of dinners, it’s obvious that the organic option is simply irrelevant.

The option of eating organically grown goods however, should not be determined by the (often elevated) costs associated with organic food. One reason organic goods are so expensive is that in order to become a certified organic producer, you have to spend a significant amount of time and money to establish the organic integrity of your goods. It’s not easy to become a certified organic supplier, and those who attain this status certainly deserve ample compensation for their efforts.

So what can we do to make organic goods accessible to everyone? On one hand we have a huge group of consumers who may want to eat organically but who, at least in the short term, simply cannot afford to do so. On the other hand we have an already financially struggling group of farmers who are committed to growing organic goods, but who also have mortgages, loans, bills and their own groceries to buy- they can’t afford to drop the extra costs associated with growing organic goods.

Clearly I don’t have the million dollar answer to this complex dilemma – there are all kinds of organizations and special interest groups whose positions need to be considered, and true systematic change to the process of producing organic goods has to include the reformation of agribusiness and agricultural legislation at the Congressional and/or Executive level within the government. Perhaps farmers who go organic shouldn’t have to pay to do so – perhaps organic producers should get tax breaks, subsidies and government assistance for their efforts… It may sound crazy now, but someday soon the powers that be may wake up and realize it’s time to produce the nation’s food in a more sustainable manner.

In the meantime, I’d like to offer some suggestions on how you can incorporate organic (or even less processed) foods into your family’s meals. There are all kinds of people and businesses out there who are growing, cooking, and selling foods that, while they may not necessarily be stamped with the USDA Certified Organic label, are still grown using few (if any) pesticides or chemicals, are locally produced, and are just as healthy (and tasty) as certified organic goods.

1. Buy vegetables, fruit, eggs, herbs, wine and meat at your local farmer’s market. Farmer’s markets are popping up all over the place these day, and chances are excellent that there’s at least one near you. While not all of the items found at a farmer’s market are organic, goods do tend to be produced using fewer toxins than do similar items found in your grocery store. And if you really want to know how the food for sale has been grown, just ask the farmers! Farmer’s markets are also great places if you want to eat seasonally-appropriate and completely fresh foods given that most of the items for sale are grown within 50-100 miles of the markets.

2. Grow your own! I know that not everyone has the time or space for a full-scale vegetable garden, but that doesn’t mean everyone can’t grow something they love. If you’re limited by space, try growing fresh herbs in small pots on your window sill. Herbs (especially organic herbs) are expensive to purchase, but easy to grow. You can also plant all kinds of veggies in containers and have a healthy harvest of lettuce, spinach, tomatoes and other food all summer. If you have the space for a large garden, just go for it! Growing food is one of the most satisfying things you can do, and when you harvest the fruits of your labors, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing your food is truly organic.

3. Shop at local farm stands. The growing season where I live in New England is relatively short, but that doesn’t stop our local farmers from putting out all the stops and stocking their stands with an abundance of fresh, local goods from late spring to late fall. And while not all of the farms in this region are organic, you can always find a selection of fresh foods grown by people from your community. If you have questions about what you’re buying from a farm stand, you can actually talk to the people who grew it, and come to understand how and why they grow their food.

4. Buy organic goods selectively. I can’t always afford all of the organic food that I’d like, so instead I buy what matters the most to me. This means that I always have organic eggs, cream and yogurt, and I sometimes have organic meat, produce and snacks. By educating yourself as to the ins and outs of what goes into your favorite foods, you can prioritize how to spend your organic dollars, and compromise on your food choices. Think about what foods you eat the most, who in your family eats which foods, and how these foods are impacted when produced using pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals. By understanding how different foods are impacted and altered by these additives, you can decide when things have to be organic and when they can be otherwise.

5. Buy a share in a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Sometimes farms won’t sell food at farmer’s markets or via a farm stand, and will instead participate in a CSA. By purchasing a share in a CSA, you show your financial support to a farmer, and they use your money to grow food all season. Each week you’re rewarded with a ’share’ of the farm’s crops, and the farmer is able to feed their community without breaking the bank. Again, when purchasing food direct from a farm, you may not always get organic goods, but you buy food grown in your community and invest your money in a local farm.

Eating healthy, seasonal, local organic food doesn’t have to be a luxury only the wealthy can afford. We all deserve to eat food that nurtures and sustains our bodies, and there are plenty of options out there that allow us to do so. And while it may not be as easy to go to the farm stand or join a CSA as it is to go to the grocery store and buy what’s there, the benefits you reap from eating that which is grown by people you know – people who live in and are vested in your community – far outweigh the benefits of picking up cheap goods from a faceless corporation.

Happy eating!

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It’s always fun to update your home to match the season at hand, and if you can do so with green goods it makes the whole process that much more fun. You don’t need to spend a lot (or spend anything if you’re inventive) to update your home with sun-inspired finds that help bring the outdoors inside. With so many companies jumping on the “green” bandwagon these days, you can find the perfect set of sheets or fun frame to fill with this season’s memories for every price range. So check out some of my favorite finds, sit back and get ready to welcome summer in to your home!

If you’re looking for attractive mainstream furniture and accessories with a green twist, you need look no further than your local Pottery Barn. For the past few years Pottery Barn has focused on the impact their business has on the environment and has started operating under a series of Environmental Commitments.

From increasing the percentage of recycled post-consumer waste in their packaging to developing products that use sustainable materials and manufacturing processes, Pottery Barn has restructured their business to reflect a growing corporate concern for the environment. Look for the “Earth Friendly” logo on the Pottery Barn website – products marked with this label have been designed and developed using reclaimed and sustainable materials that include FSC-certified wood and organic fabrics.

OK, let me start by admitting that yes, I love luxurious sheets and I also love the color green. I can’t help it, but when I see bedding like these Tonal Stripe 400-Count Organic Sheet Sets (to the left), I want to run out and buy them immediately. And while I can’t afford to drop $119 on a Full Sheet Set, I’m hoping that someone out there reading this can! If you’re a sheet fan like me, you might also like Pottery Barn’s Boathouse Stripe Organic Duvet Cover & Sham, or their Botanical Embroidered Organic Quilt & Sham in Porcelain Blue.

It’s also no secret that I am a big fan of Viva Terra – an eco-friendly store that sells clothing, jewelry, furniture, garden goods and accessories to beautify green-loving homes. If you’re looking for something quirky and different to display on an end table or desktop, consider these granite Owls. You can get a set of 2 for $75, or buy 1 large owl for $95. I also like the Porthole Mirror Collection (comes in a set of 5 mirrors). With frames crafted from naturally aged, sustainable sheesham wood, these funky mirrors will light up your house with their shine. While pricey at $369 for the set, these mirrors are sure to last a lifetime and have been manufactured in a manner that hasn’t harmed the Earth.

If you’re looking for something to serve your summer visitors, try tea – and use Gaiam’s Pressed Leaves Tea Set to do the serving. This handmade celadon pottery set comes from Thailand and includes a teapot, 4 teacups and a wooden tray to pull it all together. This $40 tea set is finished with lead-free glaze, and the product is manufactured under guidelines established by the Fair Trade Federation. And if you really want to set the mood while you sip your tea, check out these Handblown Glass Lanterns for $18 apiece. Handcrafted in Georgia, these one-of-a-kind lanterns come in blue, ruby or amber.

I know how challenging it can be to wade through the masses of stuff available online – there are so many well-made, eco-friendly, interesting products out there that deciding exactly what to buy can bring about a certain paralysis when it comes to making decisions. I hope that my pointing out a few of my favorite goods here helps you make your own decisions, and that you’re able to pick up a few new pieces to really spruce up your home this season without breaking the bank.

Happy Eco-Shopping!

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With more and more people turning to environmentally-friendly products these days, finding vendors who sell all you need is key to successful green shopping. While it may seem romantic to visit 15 different merchants when shopping, most of us don’t have the time, the energy or the inclination to do so. Plus, driving around the suburbs to buy all you need from a variety of stores isn’t really eco-friendly!

To help you out I’ve compiled a list of eco-friendly online marketplaces where you can find all kinds of home-goods in one location. These marketplaces act as the “middle-men” for eco-friendly vendors, and ship the goods right to your doorstep – thereby saving you the trouble of driving around and wasting fuel. So sit back, click some links and get your eco-shopping done from the comfort of your home – it’ll save you time and resources, and may just help save the planet!

Gaiam – If you’ve been reading this site for any length of time, you’re probably already familiar with Gaiam – I write about it all the time! And while I’m not always thrilled with some of Gaiam’s methods (most of what they sell is not made in the USA), they do offer a tremendous selection of furniture, home furnishings, clothing, accessories and gift items that are sourced and manufactured with green processes. Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, the company strives to offer “Conscious Commerce,” and is “a provider of information, goods and services to customers who value the environment, a sustainable economy, healthy lifestyles, alternative healthcare and personal development.” Look to Gaiam if you want eco-friendly yoga clothes and tools, outdoor furniture, or light fixtures.

3R Living – Billed as “Future Friendly Products,” the goods sold on the 3RLiving website have been “carefully selected with the principles of reducing waste, reusing unwanted or discarded materials, and recycling in mind.” Founded by Samantha Delman-Caserta and Mark Caserta in 2004, this Brooklyn-based business offers a selection of home goods, accessories and gifts to enhance the most eco-friendly of homes. The budget-conscious can find inexpensive goods to meet their needs on the 3RLiving site too – there’s a section for goods under $10, $20 and $50.

Organic Bug – Organic Bug is a funky online gift store that offers a decent selection of Organic, Hand-Made, Sustainable, Fair Trade, Made in the USA, and All Natural clothing, accessories, cosmetics, personal care products and outdoor goods. The company’s mission is to help people use their purchasing power as a vote for social and environmental change – i.e. – put their money where their mouth is! The company has all kinds of green initiatives that they have incorporated into their operating principles, and is obviously putting their green philosophies into action in how they run their business. Check out Organic Bug if you’re looking for bamboo clothing, unique home decor, or eco-friendly garden products.

Adili – When Adam Smith founded Adili, he did so with the thought of opening a department store filled with eco-goods. Stocked with goods from over 80 eco-designers from around the world, Adili sells clothing, accessories, shoes, home goods, and beauty products to suit your every eco-need. You can also purchase goods from Adili’s line – Own-Label – which have been sourced and manufactured with Fair Trade, organic, and ethical practices. Committed to the principles of ethical eco-chic fashion, Adili’s website includes a section dedicated to their philosophies and practices. Shop here if you’re looking for fun, fashionable and somewhat funky clothes, shoes and jewerly for the whole family.

EcoMall – While the EcoMall website isn’t as flashy or stylish as some of the other online eco-marketplaces, it’s jam-packed with practical information about all kinds of eco-products and companies. More a directory of green goods and websites than an online marketplace, EcoMall has pages upon pages of green, organic, Fair Trade and eco-friendly vendors and merchants who sell everything from magazines to furniture, aromotherapy products to alternative energy, appliances to clothing. So while EcoMall may not exactly fall into the “One-Stop Shopping” category, it can point you in the direction of almost anything you need that’s green.

Feel free to write in and let me know if you have a favorite online marketplace where you buy your everyday green goods. Finding great sites like this is an ongoing challenge, and I would love to offer your suggestions to my readers!

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Have you ever wondered what you should do with the old pills in your medicine cabinet? Or do you remember being told that you should just flush old prescription drugs down the drain, or flush them away when they had expired? If so, you’re not alone. Until recently, the disposal of prescription drugs has been little considered by federal or state governments, and as a result, tons of antibiotics, mood stabilizers, heart medications, hormones, and other drugs have landed in our water and our soil.

If you’re looking for the nation’s official policy on how to dispose of all those old pills littering your medicine cabinet, you might turn to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Established in 1998, this office’s principle purpose is to determine the policies, priorities, and objectives of the nation’s drug control program; the handing and disposal of prescription drugs falls under that broad umbrella.

The official recommendations published by the federal government include 3 options. You can flush your pills down the toilets ( if directed to do so by the drug’s label), you can call your county or city household trash and recycling services, and ask if they have a community drug reclamation program, or you can follow their instructions to throw away pills in the garbage.

To throw away your drugs, the fact sheet states that you should place your old pills in a sealable container (like a Tupperware container with a lid), add an undesirable substance such as coffee grounds or kitty litter, and place the container in the bottom of your trash barrel – making sure that it’s out of sight and doesn’t contain any information about you or the medications contained therein. The video above was produced by the office to assist people in understanding the drug disposal process.

I was a little disappointed with the information provided by the Office of National Drug Control Policy – they didn’t provide any background information on why drugs need to be disposed of in these manners, nor did they address the environmental implications of disposing of drugs improperly.? I was also dismayed that they didn’t provide a list of state, country or local offices that run drug take-back programs, websites directing people to learn more, or links back to the EPA’s research on the matter.

To learn more, I visited the EPA’s website and found a section focused on educating people about the harm caused by Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products (PPCP) to the environment and people. The EPA is quick to point out that PPCPs are turning out in increasing amounts in our water supply, but they’re not so forthcoming when it comes to linking PPCPs and harm to human health. The EPA does stress however, that placing PPCPs into the sewage system (via flushing them down the toilet or pouring them down the sink) does have uncertain risks.

The nation’s water treatment system is not equip to handle the removal of PPCPs, and any contamanents placed into the system have the potential to disrupt the overall health of our water treatment and processing facilitites. At the same time, there has been scant evidence suggesting the increased concentration of antibiodics in our water system has caused some antibiodic-resisdent disease strains in aquatic organisms.

Since the concentrations of drugs in our drinking water remains low however, the public and environmental health impact of dumped drugs is not yet fully known. So while it’s troubling to think about throwing medicine in the garbage, there’s little research out there suggesting that doing so could cause environmental harm. My concern on this matter is that landfills leak and pollute ground water; since there’s little in the way of established research on this matter however, the best course of action today is to follow the government’s advice.

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Solar seems to be making waves in big business these days. As more and more companies strive to cut costs and reduce operating expenses, it seems that some have finally realized the economic viability of harassing free energy from the sun.

While it is true that installing solar arrays can be prohibitively expensive for small and medium sized businesses, bigger companies (who use more energy) have access to the resources necessary to make these concepts a reality. What’s great about large companies going green and building renewable energy projects is that, in addition to reducing their use of fossil fuels, the companies are paving the way and (hopefully) lowering the cost of installing these kinds of power projects.

In Contra Costa County, California, one of Budweiser’s cold storage facilities was recently fitted with a 16kW DC solar installation. Designed and installed by Perpetual Power, the installation includes 2,240 185Wp Mitsubishi Electric polycrystalline photovoltaic modules. Once the system is fully up and running, it is expected to produce approximately 60% of the building’s power needs. By adding a solar array to this facility, Budweiser is expected to save $100,000 annually in energy costs.

It seems as if Budweiser isn’t the only one who has noticed the relationship between more sustainable energy sources and tangible financial savings. FedEx Freight has a 282 kilowatt solar power system at its Whittier, California location, and produces 414,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. Alcoa – the mammoth Pittsburgh aluminum manufacturer installed a 588 kW, roof-mounted photovoltaic solar power system at one of its California locations in 2007. Stonyfield Farm has its own solar array too. Installed in 2005 at the company’s Londonderry, NH location, the company has a 50 kW solar photovoltaic array – the largest in New Hampshire.

Big businesses all over the country seem to be waking up to the realities of global warming, and rethinking how they do business. While a solar array here or a wind farm there might seem small in relation to how much we need to do to fight global warming, it’s important to remember that the tide is turning. Corporations tend to go where the money goes, so the fact that profitable businesses like Budweiser, Alcoa, FedEx and Stonyfield Farms are all using renewable energy to run their businesses, may mean that other big businesses aren’t too far behind.

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