Green Philly Blog

Friday Quickie: Take a Little Less

Julie — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0000

1.3 billion tons of food is wasted globally each year... Or more than 200 LBS per PERSON! (yes, you!). How many times do you overestimate how much food you can eat and end up throwing it in the compost (or jawdrop: trash!) Although it’s something we hear again and again, taking less portions is better for your waistline… AND less food for the landfill. Eating out? Split a meal with your dining partner or set aside half the meal to take home for later. Assessing your pantry & fridge inventory BEFORE a trip to the grocery store will also save you from buying too much food and help you stick to the bare minimums. Readers, any other tricks to eat & waste less?

Half-Assed Recipe: “Feef” Stroganoff (aka Fake Beef)

Julie — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:33:40 +0000

To many readers excitement or dismay, my half-assed recipes are back. Though I have fake-a-tarian status, I was craving beef stroganoff for dinner. Luckily I had some of the leftover egg noodles and Boca beef crumbles (a prop for my Sh*t Green People Say satire) and took a trip to Whole Foods. I played off the Vegetarian Casserole Queen's recipe and made my own half-assed twist. Here's what I did:

Main Line Chamber of Commerce Awards Law Firm Green Makeover

Beth — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:56:44 +0000

Main Line Chamber of Commerce Go Green Committee is taking action to help area businesses learn about sustainable practices and resources, and how saving energy, saves money. Ardmore law firm, Silver & Silver is the lucky recipient of the Main Line Chamber of Commerce 2012 Green Makeover award. Find out more info on the award here. On February 1 Go Green Committee co-chairs, Roderick Wilson of Wolfson Architect and Beke Beau, a popular Main Line makeup artist , joined by a team of local business people will set up shop in Silver & Silver’s 100-plus-year-old shop to film an on-air energy audit.

Can Philadelphia Urban Farming Work? Urban Roots Screening & Discussion

Julie — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:00:55 +0000

Can Philly benefit from an urban farming movement? A screening and discussion of the documentary Urban Roots is being hosted by the Westphal College (Drexel University) to explore this possibility. Urban Roots follows urban farming in Detroit, Michigan, where local farmers healed their communities by growing local food. The film's discussion (including panelist and director Mark MacInnis - full panel list below), following the film will focus on how Philadelphia' urban farming can assist our local community - and how you can get involved. Find out when, where and how to get involved after the jump!

Friday Quickie: Skip the Drive-Thru

Beth — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:00:29 +0000

Did you know that sitting idle in the drive-thru of your bank or fav fast food restaurant is wasting gas? Next time stretch your legs and get out of the car, man. Better yet – walk to your destination if feasible.

You’ll save energy & precious gasoline.

Posted by Beth

2012 State of the Union: An Environmental Perspective

Julie — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:02:48 +0000

Call me a tainted woman, but I wasn’t too optimistic anticipating the State of the Union address. After reviewing my 2011 environmental summary of the State of the Union, I realized Obama made promises to put pressure back on big oil, get 80% of Americans access to high-speed rail within 25 years (remember that one?), 80% of electricity sourced by clean energy in 2035, and break foreign dependence on oil. Hmm…. Where are we today? (Luckily Treehugger had some Cliff Notes for me…)

Shit Green People Say – a Green Philly Blog Film

Julie — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:00:34 +0000

In response to the youtube sensation Shit Girls Say, we've created our own meme take on those eco-friendly freaks. Shit Green People Say. Go ahead... point fingers at the greenies in your life... (or in our case, yourself!) Readers, what shit are you sick of eco-friendly people saying?

Happy 500th Green Philly Blog Post!

Julie — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:56:56 +0000

Hey Green Philly Blog Readers, Fans & Friends, Thanks for reading, commenting, and inspiring us to help Philly become a shade greener. We still have a long way to go, but we're very thankful for our readers - veteran and new! We started this blog over 3 years ago... as two women who wanted to make a difference. Carpooling & complaining about our former company's lack of recycling bins, we realized our passion could develop into something bigger. Something that can educate others. Something that could help make our city a little bit greener. Since Green Philly Blog's infancy, we've... (click through to read the rest of our 500 post reflections!)

Zero Waste Home: The Johnson’s

Beth — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:10:15 +0000

One thing I enjoy about being a green activist and blogger is my belief in the value of a sustainable lifestyle is often reenergized by the efforts of others. Lately I’ve been giving thought to the zero waste home – as the family behind the concept continues to garner well-deserved press. The Johnsons of Mill Valley, California are the zero waste family. The Johnson family’s primary goal is to avoid bringing anything into the house that must eventually be discarded. Read on!

Friday Quickie: Energy Assessment

Beth — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:00:50 +0000

Most people are unsure how much energy their household actually uses. Whether it’s good or bad news – you’ll learn something!

Schedule an energy audit to learn more about your energy habits. Chances are you’ll be motivated to make changes to lessen energy consumption & cut costs.

Many utility companies perform energy audits at little [...]