Open Shelves in the Kitchen?

So I have been toying with the idea of removing some of my kitchen cabinets and replacing them with open shelving. I have two concepts I like, first is to remove the cabinet doors and paint the inside of the cabinets and the second is to put shelves with brackets up. I also like the idea of doing a combination of the two. So I would love your feedback. Here are a few pictures I like. I like this idea because it opens the room up and eliminates the desire to hide clutter in the cabinets. You only have what you need, nice and simple. Let me know what you like and why! Thanks! (Oh, and a great place to donate those extra cabinets is Habitat for Humanity)

Method Does It Again!

I love natural cleaners and make a point to try them all so I can recommend the best to my clients. When you are using natural cleaners a good old fashion scrub can be hard to find until now. Method has just introduced a kitchen and bath scrub called, Le Scrub, it smells like mint and eucalyptus and works like Comet. The line also includes a toilet bowl scrub I will try soon as well. Another great part of this product is the design of the bottle. A cut little sponge/scrubber has a spot to rest and dry right on top. Stop by your local Target and pick some up, or check it out online at the Method website. 

Save Water & Cash on your Bill

It is a known fact that 20-35 % of toilets leak about a gallon per hour. How do you determine if yours is one? Here are a few tips to checking for toilet leaks. Find you water meter and write down the reading, then turn off all water fixtures in your home, don't use any water for one hour, then recheck your meter. If the meter reading has changed you may have a leak. Another way is to drop food coloring into the tank of the toilet. If the colored water makes its way to your toilet bowl after a few minutes then you have a lose flapper. This alone can add thousands of gallons of water to your usage each billing cycle. Save water and $ and make sure you are leak free!

Community Composting at Hampton Park

Are you interested in composting but do not have the space or funds for a composter? Recently I found out that the Hampton Park Horticulture Center has community compost bins. You can save up your food scraps in a nice compostable bag and then drop them off at the bins. A few months later they will give you some "black gold" for your contribution. You can use this nutritious soil in your garden and plants at home. I have been researching composters because the one I had fell apart, so off the the recycling center it went. Luckily I was able to retrieve the "black gold" first. So until I find a new composter that will last forever and it easy to use I will bring my food waste to the community composter & wait for it to turn to "gold".

Cookware Beware!

Here is the basic bottom line on the safety of cookware:

Cookware to Avoid:

1. Aluminum - it is highly acidic and worst of all considered a neurotoxin and may be linked to Alzheimer's disease
   
2. Teflon - the chemical used to make the product is not only toxic to the environment but is toxic to you and your family
   
3. Any Non-Stick Pans (containing PFOA) - considered by the EPA to be toxic to the environment and is a suspected carcinogenic

Safe Cookware Alternatives:

1. Stainless Steel
2. Cast Iron
3. Glass and Ceramic such as Corningware or Pyrex
4. Enameled Cast Iron such as Chantal or Le Creuset

Another opportunity to clear out the clutter lurking in your cabinets!

A Ban on Bisphenol A?

I know we have covered the dangers of Bisphenol A before. But here is some new information. As mentioned before this chemical leaches out of your polycarbonate plastic into your food and beverages when the plastic is heated. BPA has been linked to many disorders such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, changes in brain structures,  and early puberty. Now they are noting that this chemical is also present in tin cans. The lining of the cans contains BPA. This is especially a problem with old cans; another reason to clean out that pantry! In Canada they are working towards banning this dangerous chemical because the research is so alarming. Avoid the concern and store leftovers in mason jars and glass containers. I tossed the plastic years ago in exchange for a set by Martha Stewart, it is still in excellent condition and has lots of sizes and shapes to store my leftovers and goodies. 

Organizing Your Linen Closet

Can't find the pillow cases that match the sheets? Unsure if it is a king, queen, or twin? Top sheet, bottom sheet? Here is a great tip for organizing your linen closet: place your sheet set into one of the set's pillow cases and store that way. This way your set stays together and is always within reach. Then organize your shelves according to the size of the sheets. Top shelf = kings, middle = queens, bottom shelf = twin sets. If you only have one shelf stack the sets and label the shelf to keep track. So simple and to keep it even neater fold the sheets, place inside the pillow case, then fold the pillow case like a present. Nice and tidy as well as functional!

Earth Fare Opens a Tea Room

For years I have been a sort of tea snob, always getting the latest and greatest new teas. Now you can purchase all you favorites at Earth Farewhere tea has it’s own room. Recently, Earth Fare, West Ashley, opened a room dedicated to tea and all it’s accessories. Earth Fare always providing the best in health and wellness for our community has done it again. Tea is not only yummy on a cold day but provides a plethora of health benefits. The staff is educated and helpful, ready to answer your questions about tea. If you have been curious to try something other than sweet tea stop by Earth Fare and step out of your comfort zone with some yummy Chai or Jasmine Green Tea and you can begin to reap the benefits of tea. If you are have little ones check out the Teddy Bear Tea Party on March 22 at 11 am. Children are invited to bring their favorite Teddy Bear and come try some kid friendly teas. Call to reserve your spot! 

Taco Boy, Well Worth The Trip!

I know that driving from Mount Pleasant all the way to Taco Boy on Folly Beach is not the "greenest" way to get a taco, but it is worth the trip. About once a month my family of five pile into our Volvo wagon and head to the beach for tacos, chips and pico and we enjoy every bite! Recently I learned that Taco Boy will be opening a downtown location and I am thrilled beyond words. I also learned that unbenonced to me Taco Boy is a "green" restaurant, from using recycled materials in their building process to growing their own chili peppers. The menu offers great vegetarian dishes as well. With an atmosphere great for kids and adults alike it is hard to pass up, so next time you are craving some queso and chips head to the beach and stop by Taco Boy!

Upcoming Bloom' in Art Spring Show! 

Featuring unique jewelry, paintings, textiles, iron work, children's accessories, and much more!

March 9^th 2-5 pm

725 Hibbens Grant Blvd.

Mt. Pleasant, SC

Hibben Model Home

 

March 14^th 6-9 pm

3 Elmwood Ave.

Charleston, SC

At the home of Richard & Jacqueline Gowe

 

Join us and celebrate spring.....

Clorox Goes Green?

 As many of you already know Clorox has recently acquired Burt's Bees and now they are even going a bit "green". The product line is called Green Works and includes a variety of household cleaning products. The ingredients are said to be at least 99% natural, and with a little research and the help of Tree Hugger I found the are mostly "natural" and a big step up from other conventional products. As a "natural cleaning product expert", I decided to give them a shot. So I purchased the all-purpose spray and the bathroom cleaner. As far as scent goes, they are citrusy and not too over-powering and they actually did a decent job. I will most likely stick with my own concoction of baking soda and Dr. Bronner's or Mrs. Meyer's(can't get enough of the lavender), but for those that have been devoted to Clorox for the past 20 years this might be an easy and green switch!

Green Building Exhibit

Check out the "Discover Green Building Exhibit" on January 25-27th at the Charleston Home and Design Show. The show will be located at the Gaillard Auditorium in Charleston (admission $7.00 per person). There will be over a dozen green building companies there to answer you questions and provide information to the public on the benefits of green building. Seminars will also be held throughout the day to provide a more in depth understanding of what goes into creating a healthy, earth-friendly home. Some of the key topics are: green construction, eco-friendly remodeling, alternative energy, water and energy conservation, and creating a non-toxic home. The "Discover Green Building Exhibit" is free with admission to the show.

Organic Produce Delivered Right to Your Door!

Imagine having the freshest produce and grains delivered right to your doorstep. That is what Gary's Organics does all over Charleston. The fruits and vegetables are USDA certified organic and guaranteed to be fresh. Gary offers Go Boxes of various sizes that are customized to your needs and likes. Eating organic is beneficial for many reasons. First being there are no chemicals on your food, they contain up to 50% more vitamins and minerals, and organic food just tastes better! Check out Gary's web site and online shop for yourself, and GO ORGANIC!

Paper or Plastic? A Question of the Past!

Yeah! That ever so complex question, “Paper or Plastic?” will soon disappear at Whole Foods. Whole Foods will no longer carry plastic bags as of Earth Day 2008. To celebrate this event they are offering these great shopping bags for only 99 cents. The bags are made of 80% post-consumer waste, another plus. Another positive point is that you get a 5 cent refund for every reusable bag you use while you shop. Plastic bags will not only sit in our landfills for thousands of years before they break down, but they are harmful to wildlife when disposed of in-properly. So say good-bye to those plastic bags and join the movement! Any old bag will do!

Coffee Drinkers take note...

Did you know that one cup a day at your local coffee shop equals about 23 lb.s of paper waste per year. So why not bring your own reusable cup? Many coffee shops even offer you a discount for doing so. Check out Eco Travel Mugs. They are made of corn plastic and a bit of oatmeal for strength. These handy mugs will even compost after 2 months in your compost pile! For locals, check out The Sprout in Mount Pleasant for a similar mug. This way you can continue to enjoy a nice cup of fair-trade java with out the eco-guilt.