Christmas Tree Debate

Real

Artificial

                    OR

Which type of tree is better for the environment?  There is conflicting data.  Below is a list of pros and cons for each.  What do you think?  

Real Christmas trees were first put in homes in the early 15th century and became custom in Germany by the early 18th century.

• Pros - 
• Provide habitat for wildlife during growth
• Can be recycled and used as mulch
• Can be used to prevent erosion 
• Real tree are carbon-neutral
• Real pine smell
• Cons - 
• repeated applications of pesticides over the approximate 8 years of growth
• People cutting down rare trees
• Discarded trees (not recycled or mulched)

The first artificial tree was created in Germany in the early 19th century and was made of dyed feathers.

• Pros - 
• Most are now made of recycled PVC
• Can be used year after year
• No watering, no falling pine needles
• Cons- 
• Made of vinyl, a non-renewable petroleum-based product
• Would need to be kept at least 20 years to have the same environmental impact of a real tree, according to a 2008 study Link to study

Turkey! Turkey!

Turkey! Turkey!

Green Your Halloween

GREEN YOUR HALLOWEEN

 

 

Below are some ideas to make our Southern Gables Halloween a bit greener!

 



 

 

Costumes –

• Use items around your house to make a creative costume
• Go to a thrift store for great re-used and creative costumes
• Hold a costume exchange to trade costumes with neighbors, friends and family

 

 

Treats – 

• Use a reusable trick or treat bag. 
• Give out Rainforest Alliance Certified chocolate treats
• Give other healthy organic snacks
• Hand out treasures instead of treats
• For more great ideas check out Green Halloween.org

 

Pumpkins –

• Buy from a local pumpkin patch
• Buy organic
• Consider using soy or beeswax candles in your jack-o-lanterns instead of traditional petroleum based candles
• Next year consider growing your own pumpkins

 

Should I buy an extra pumpkin? Yes!  Instead of carving it you can…

• Make pumpkin butter
• Have more seeds to roast
• Make a pumpkin face mask - recipe here at #4

 

What do I do with my pumpkin after Halloween?

• Make a pumpkin planter – This will be festive for a few days and then the whole thing can be planted in the ground
• Compost it (works better if cut up into smaller pieces) – remember, instead of bagging, your leaves make great compost this time of year too!
• Bury it in the garden to enrich the soil
• Feed the wildlife – cut up pieces for wildlife (be considerate of your neighbors who may not want those coyotes and raccoons running about close by!) and put out seeds for local birds

Lakewood Halloween festivities

• Sunday, October 27, noon-4pm – Belmar Boo! Trick or Treat Street.  Start at Belmar Boo Tent by Color Me Mine (7134 West Alaska)
• Monday, October 28, 6-8pm -Bear Creek High School safe Halloween (elementary age students only)

 

Sustainable Southern Gables wishes you a safe and fun Halloween!

EcoChallenge 2013

Join us for the EcoChallenge! It is really fun and really simple.

First register at EcoChallenge website

Next, put in your goal for the two-week challenge

Then starting next Tuesday (October 15-30, 2013) just log in once/day and click "check in." If you have something to share about what you've done to work on your goal you can write about it there. Then, you can comment on others' posts too to cheer them on!

It is a really fun way to work on a new goal for a defined period of time. As an added bonus, you can win prizes from the NW Earth Institute for participating.

Challenge #1

August 4 through August 10, 2013 is National Farmers Market Week!
 

According to the Farmers Market Coalition, there were more than 7,800 farmers markets in the U.S. at the end of 2012 – that’s a 10% increase in just one year! 

 

**During National Farmers Market Week, the first 100-200 people at Southwest Plaza Market on August 10, 2013, will receive a free $10 token from Chipotle Mexican Grill to use at eligible vendor(s) for local food or produce within the farmers market.

 

Our local farmers markets:

Thursday -    Denver Federal Center, Bicentennial Park 11am-1pm

                       Open until September 12^th

                        Website

Saturday -    Southwest Plaza east parking lot, 8am-2pm

                       Open until October 31^st

Website - a list of vendors can also be found at this website

Sunday -       Belmar 10am-2pm

                       Open until August 28^th

                        Website

The best part is that it is summer time at your local farmers market.  Colorado grown “four fabulous favorites” are now showing up – local corn, peaches, tomatoes and melons!

 

We often go to the market at Southwest Plaza.  We bought a delicious watermelon two weeks ago and I just can’t leave without buying some goat cheese – I highly recommend the pueblo chile cheese.

If you’ve been thinking about going to a farmers’market or go all the time – take the challenge!

Challenge Participation: Visit a farmers market by October 31st, buy food, goods, and/or services to support local business, leave a comment below and you could win this new grocery tote bag! -purchased from Colorado Etsy seller :)

 

 

(One winner will be randomly chosen from the comments listed on this post as of midnight October 31)

 

Hello from your Southern Gables neighborhood Health & Wellness team!  As a part of the Sustainable Greener Gables initiatives, we will be hosting and posting to this blog on topics of sustainable health and wellness.  Our focus areas will be Good health, Active, Beauty, Living well, Eating well, and Simplicity – G.A.B.L.E.S.

           Do you ever think you could be doing more to be healthier?  Do you know that if you make healthier decisions these will also benefit your home, your neighborhood and ultimately the world?  We want to show you that taking some simple steps can move you towards a healthier and more sustainable you.  Some items may seem small, like using a reusable shopping bag, but when you do these things consistently and then we do them together as a neighborhood the benefits quickly add up!  No step towards health is ever too small…so let’s get moving!

We hope you find fun and inspiration here and enjoy being a participating part of your Sustainable Southern Gables!  Your comments are always welcome as are opportunities to be a guest blogger!  Come back often to see new posts and participate in upcoming neighborhood challenges.

Note that we are in no way experts, just your neighbors!  We want to share with you all the small things we have found to move towards better health and wellness.  Please always consult with an expert if you are concerned about your health.