Goal For The Green

Perhaps you have been looking for simple ways to “go green,” or become more eco-friendly.  Did you know the easiest place to begin you “green” quest is in your kitchen?

Best of all , I love it when a company whose product is in nearly everyone’s kitchen, jumps on the “green” crusade.  Reynolds, the makers of Reynolds Wrap® Foil, now have an economical and versatile version of their foil, made from 100% Recycled Aluminum.

The process of making Aluminium foil from recycled aluminum, is just as clean and safe to use with food, as foil made from new (virgin) aluminum, which is maufactured from the the mineral bauxite.  Until recently, Reynolds had been unable to find a consistant supply of recycled aluminum, that could meet their standards of strength, performance and durability.  That has all changed now.

The 100% recycled version of Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil, is made from post- consumer and post-industrial aluminum.  Post- Consumer Aluminum includes stadium seats, automobile components, cookware, gutters and siding.  Post -Industrial is scraps form industrial cable.

The process of melting down recycled recycled aluminum requires heating the metal to more than 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, burning off any debris in the metal.  Then the molten metal liquid is sent trough a filtration process, then poured and rolled into thin sheets.

Environmentally, there are benefits to buying Reynolds Aluminum Foil Wrap made from 100% recyclable Aluminum.  There is 80% less energy used during the process of turning recycled material into foil, as opposed to the making of foil from new virgin materials.  The use of  manufactured and recycled content, creates the loop of reduce, reuse, and recycle that helps ensure the overall success of recycling.  It also produces fewer emissions, such as greenhouse gases and landfill waste.

The cool thing about aluminum foil, the regular or the recycled version, is that it can be recycled again after use.  Just rinse, crumple and toss in your recycle bin.  You will need to check with your local recycling facility to see if they accept aluminum foil.  Visit www.earth911.com for recycling locations or check with your local municipality.

Be sure and check out these Green Kitchen Facts and some recipes.  Reynolds has done a fine job of bringing you the same durable quality you’ve come to know and trust in Regular, Heavy Duty, or 100% Recycled Aluminum foil.

See where the cutest ladybugs live!

With gas prices quickly approaching $3.00 a gallon, perhaps you’re wondering if you will even get to go on a vacation this year.  Instead of another “staycation,” at least try and save some ” green” and plan a “green” vacation.

Did you know Cleveland is going green?  First time visitors my not realize that Cleveland, is situated on the beautiful blue shores of Lake Erie.  You can even, charter a fishing boat, and cruise the Cuyahoga River, or set sail for Lake Erie Islands.

Cleveland became known as the city of the burning river, after a huge industrial fire along the Cuyahoga River in 1969.  Now, you can visit and learn about the rebirth of the Cuyahoga River, and see why Cleveland has now become an eco-friendly hot spot.

Positively Cleveland,  has compile a wonderful list of 75 Green Things In Cleveland Plus , to check out and enjoy.   Thay also have a card called the Cleveland Plus Pass, that’ll make your trip easy and more affordable.  It gives you access to ten major attractions and other traveler discounts in the region.  You can purchase for Adult, Youth or Senior passes, for 2, 3, or 5 days.  A pass saves you 30% off general admission to the participating venues in the area.   They are making Cleveland a great place to save “green” and enjoy great family fun.  Now, you have no reason to not go on a vacation this summer.  So, jump on the fun wagon and enjoy!

See where the cutest ladybugs live!

Ladybugs are also known as ladybirds.  They are not just considered one ladybug, but a family of them.  There are nearly 5,000 different species of ladybugs, of which more than 400 species are common in North America.

In her lifetime, (usually several months) a female ladybug will lay more than 1,000 eggs. The male ladybug is slightly smaller than the female.  As they age, their spots fade.  Under the right conditions , the Asian Lady Beetle,  can have a lifespan of 2-3 years.

When they fly, they beat their wings on an average of 85 times per second.  However, they won’t fly if the temperature is below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.  They also, don’t like being in direct sunlight and hot temperatures.

It has been said that ladybugs stink.  This is because, if they sense that they are in danger, they can create a chemical smell that both stinks and tastes terrible, so that birds and other predators won’t eat them.  Pretty smart for a little bug.

Their favorite food is aphids, of which they will eat more than 5,000 in their lifetime. No wonder they are so valuable to your garden.  They chew their food from side to side.

It has been said that Red Ladybugs are a symbol of “luck.”  Fact is, we are the “lucky” ones, when ladybugs show up in our gardens and eat our unwanted garden pests!

See where the cutest ladybugs live!