Green Blog

[dancerjodi]

I found this blog via the terrapass e-mail that was in my inbox this morning and wanted to share http://fivepercent.us/ . The guy lives in Newton, so some of the posts are relevant to being green in the Boston area.

I'm pondering getting one of those home energy meters but I'm still on the fence. At some point though I'll schedule a free energy audit through our gas company. I know they are going to suggest insulating (I want to look into how expensive that would be and think of possibly doing it in the fall, savings willing). I think though, perhaps I should pay off my car first.

Somewhat related, we're going to cancel our membership with Just Dairy - I love the raw dairy but for the amount that we drink and the rising costs of membership and goods we can't rationalize it in our budget. I know that you can freeze raw dairy, so I'd like to look at options in picking it up from the farm ourselves - anyone want to brainstorm on working out some kind of arrangement like this?

Comments

[gospog.livejournal.com]

Our "local" farm lets us pick up six (6) half gallons, once a month.

We put one in the fridge and the rest in the freezer, and then just rotate them intoi the fridge as we drink them.

It works well for us and minimizes drives to the farm (about 40 minutes each way).

I hope a similar solution works for you.

[synaesthesia.livejournal.com]

We actually don't go through our milk as quickly as we ought to... we should get together soon, to talk about milk consumption amongst other things! Perhaps we could work something out where you could buy a gallon or two from us each month? (our membership fees haven't gone up as much because we've been with the co-op for so long... I'm totally bummed fuel prices and such are making it so difficult to become members :/).

[dancer.livejournal.com]

I really think what they are doing is a great thing. We've been actually going through about a gallon a week (and getting eggs every other week). You do pay more for better stuff, but even with increased gas prices I think we'd still end up ahead trying to get it ourselves from the farm. I'm not sure how coordinate with you guys would work given that we don't live so close (I don't want to complicate your own routine either). :)

thanks, and save money by buying a home monitor

[(Anonymous)]

Thanks for the link to Fivepercent.us. Meant what I said - you really can save a lot of money on your electricity bill. The cent-a-meter isn't the only way, but I am totally convinced that I will save more than the cost of the meter just by being a bit more aware. I live in a small house, but have still been able to cut my electricity bill in half; for us that's $100/month!

Do the energy audit, too. I think you can get them done free (check with you utility co). Even if not it's a cost that will undoubtedly pay for itself.

There are a lot of things most of us can do. My approach has been to just do whatever I can do next. It all matters.

Tom Harrison

[roaming.livejournal.com]

Was reading Organic Gardening mag last night, and a piece says:

Dairy products are best consumed fresh, and, for themost part, do not take well to freezing. Although milk can be frozen for up to three months, this may ersult in an altered consistency after thawing. Guidelines for semihard and hard cheeses are similar: the flavor may not be sacrificed, but the texture likely will be more crumbly. Soft cheeses such as cottage cheese and ricotta shouldn't be frozen at all, nor should buttermilk, cream, sour cream, or yogurt.

Butter is a notable exception. Freezing isn't just a viable option, it's recommended if the butter won't be used right away. After purchase, store a two-week supply in the original packaging in the refridgerator. (The designated butter compartment in the door is NOT an ideal location because it's usually a few degrees warmer than the main part, which should be set to a temperature lower than 40 degrees.) Seal the remaining sticks in freezer bags, which tend to be moisture and vapor proof, and freeze for up to three months. When it's nearly time for another stick, transfer one to the fridge to thaw overnight.

[devina.livejournal.com]

My parents pick up every other Saturday from Foxboro. Let me know if you want to get in on that.