Her Guide to Green » Traveling

Dining Green

dfritz — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:58:38 +0000

To belong to the Green Restaurant Association, there are certain standards that you have to uphold. There are three rating levels, two star, three stars and four stars. Green Restaurants are located all over the country and you can probably find several in your own state or metro area. The rating that a GRA certified restaurant receives is based on a pointing system, more points, the better rating. Certifying restaurants for the past two decades, the GRA takes its job seriously. The following criteria creates the basis for GRA’s ratings:

The GRA also rates on new builds and renovation projects and events with required minimum points to earn a certificate. The GRA website gives you several ways that you, as a consumer, can green your dining experience. You can also sign up for their newsletter to get updated information on all Green Restaurant Association news.

See The Light!

dfritz — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:30:05 +0000

By Dena Fritz

Energizer LED Rechargeable Flashlight

With our active lifestyle, we use flashlights for many purposes several times a week. We are always disappointed that our flashlights die out after just a few uses. It seems that just when we need them most, they fail us and leave us with frustration. On weekends, we are frequently away, to our boat on the Chesapeake or to our daughter’s cabin in the mountains. When we travel, we are always in need of a flashlight to turn the power on, or to row across a creek, or just to walk in the dark. After fruitless searches for the most economical and green way to light our path, I found this handy little tool that runs 8 hours on one charge and gives off a bright white Nichia LED light. It has two levels of luminescence and is very lightweight. The best part about it is that it plugs in the wall to be recharged and does not use costly wasteful batteries that harm our environment. We liked them so much, we bought two! We carry them with us every weekend in our luggage and upon arrival of wherever we go; we just plug them in to ensure that they are always fully charged. When we get home, we plug them back in and viola! We have charged up flashlights in case of an at-home emergency. This flashlight really fits our way of life and we wouldn’t want to be without them. Using them is responsible and cost effective.

Each year, over 3 billion dry-cell household batteries are purchased in the United States. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, consumer batteries contribute more mercury and cadmium to municipal solid waste than any other source. Long-term exposure to heavy metals can lead to serious health problems. Cadmium can cause lung, circulatory system, or reproductive system damage. Mercury can damage the brain, kidneys, or fetuses, as well as cause genetic, neurological, or psychological disorders. Cadmium, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, and zinc have each been linked to cancer, developmental disorders, and immune deficiency. So needless to say, the less we use them, the better and the better for our environment.

Save The Reefs – What You Can Do

dfritz — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 21:12:51 +0000

Coral Reef Alliance

By Dena Fritz

It is predicted that within just a few decades our coral reefs will be reduced to piles of rubble on our sea floors. Sound shocking and over-dramatic? No it’s not. It is really happening and it’s coming at an alarming rate. Coral reefs are dying and scientists cannot pinpoint one cause in particular. It seems that the deterioration of our coral reef structure falls victim to global warming, sewage, inland agricultural run-off, overfishing, industrial waste, urban run-off, tourism, oil and gas exploration, to name a few.

Supporting MPAs (Marine protected areas) appears to be the best and most effective way to slow the large scale threat to the reefs. What this means is to actively monitor and manage the reefs for recreational damage and negative outside influences on or around endangered coral reefs.

Did you know that your actions right here in your local world can affect our coral reefs? Sustainability is of utmost importance of anything that you can do. Make an effort; it’s worth it and will affect this ever-delicate and precious gem that our world holds.

Things that you can do to help our coral reefs:

Green Vacation: Camper’s Paradise

dfritz — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:17:28 +0000

By Dena Fritz

For camping enthusiasts there is a wonderful place on the island of St. John, USVI. It is called Cinnamon Bay Campground and truly, it is paradise. With some of the most beautiful scenery and the best snorkeling in the world, Cinnamon Bay offers serenity, beauty and affordability. Camping on St. John offers an opportunity to explore, hike, swim and sight-see. Open year-round, Cinnamon Bay is a campground that provides all that you will need for the trip of a lifetime. There are several selections of tent site locations. Some nestled in the trees while some boast an incredible beach-side view. If you are the keep-to-yourself type you will manage just fine and if you are the social butterfly, there are group gatherings for those who like to share in the adventure of making new friends. To make your life easier, camping gear is available at the resort but you certainly can bring your own. It is not recommended that you travel with a cook stove as you may not get past airport security. Cottages, baresites and tents are private and tranquil.

Several amenities that are available include, a general store on the premises, water sports, T’ree Lizard Restaurant located on-site (Caribbean/American cuisine), beach shop and plenty of campsites with easy access to nearby bathhouses.

St. John is part of the United States Virgin Islands and it stands alone in its quiet, remote and stress-free setting. Unlike its sister islands, St. Thomas and St. Croix, St. John is virtually an untouched secret. In the 1950’s the Rockefellers bought up most of the island and donated it to the National Park Service which covers over 7,000 acres. While there, you must experience the Virgin Island Ecotours, an expert guide will show you hundreds of tropical fish while hiking, kayaking and snorkeling in the beautiful Caneel Bay an all-important bio-reserve. Nearby Trunk Bay has been ranked among the “Ten Best Beaches in The World” by Conde’ Nast Traveler, National Geographic, and many other publications.

Energy Efficient Cars – To Drive or Not to Drive

dfritz — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:45:42 +0000

By Dena Fritz

More and more today we are looking at ways to develop alternative fuels. There is a desire to stop the price gouging of the oil industry and the control that it has over us. We want to be free of the ties that bind us to OPEC and avoid tragedies like the Gulf oil spill.

There are many ways to do this. We can carpool, take public transportation, and develop clean sources of energy to run our vehicles (which is no small task). I read an article about a restaurant owner who actually uses his deep fryer oil to power his car! Now this is ingenuity. If we all took on the enthusiasm that the restaurant owner did with the grease from his fryers (he found a way, didn’t he?) and applied it, I believe we could make a significant difference to free us of our dependence on fossil fuels.

Hybrid cars are becoming enormously popular, are moderate in price and are low on fuel usage and exhaust emissions. Not to mention, you get the satisfaction of doing your part to help with the effort of minimizing global warming.

I wrote a little poem to help you to remember how important it is!

Let’s Do Our Part

Drive a hybrid

Refer a friend

Lower emissions

The globe will mend

Drive a hybrid

Save on expenses

Conserve our energy

Come to our senses

Drive a hybrid

Save our land

And free us at last

By taking a stand

Green Commuting: The Office Carpool

ealexandrakos — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:54:48 +0000

Now, more than ever, it is our responsibility to decrease our carbon footprint. Many of us drive a distance to work. Our co-workers do the same. It is safe to say that you would save gas, carbon emissions, and money if you organized an office carpool.

Whether you are commuting to/from work or going to a business function, hitch a ride with your co-workers. Not only is it going to be a greener ride, but you will develop stongers bonds, increasing productivity in your work. So talk to your office-mates and arrange to carpool whenever you can. Who can argue team work and greener traveling?

Get The Junk Out Of Your Trunk

ealexandrakos — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:01:27 +0000

Let’s face it, not all of us can ditch our cars and take public transportation. So when we can’t walk, bike, or take the train to where we need to go we ask ourselves what we can do to make as little impact as possible. Well, there are many things we can do with our vehicles to keep them as earth-friendly as possible. One small step we can take is emptying our cars of the useless stuff we keep in them.

In essence, get rid of the junk in your trunk. This will allow your car to save on gas by lightening it’s load. This will increase your miles per hour in order to get the most gas usage for your money. In addition to greening your ride, you will feel confident pulling up next to anyone. Your car will be cleaner and greener.

So rid your car of all of the things you don’t need. This small step is just one more thing you can do to make a difference when you must keep your car!