For more on this subject see:
Radon Facts: What Is It?
Factors Affecting Indoor Air Quality

Is the water fountain as we know it outdated?  According to JWT Intelligence, in 2012 we’ll be seeing a proliferation of Hydration Stations in public places where people can fill reusable bottles.  If you want the same setup at home, consider either a  whole house water filter, an under-the-counter filter which is a less expensive alternative, a faucet filter or the the least expensive and most common option, the Brita pitcher.  The automated filters are beneficial in that they filter more substances than pitchers.  While they certainly require a monetary investment, the under the counter version is reasonably priced and an adequate solution given that the most convenient and logical water source in our homes is in the Kitchen.  If interested, check out Culligan, a comprehensive resource in our local area.

To incent more college campuses to install hydration stations, like  the College of St. Benedict in the above video, Brita has implemented a Hydrate U program where purchases of custom-branded Nalgene bottles help the school to earn a free Brita®Hydration StationTM.  Don’t forget your water bottle.  Sigg is a also a good one and available at Whole Foods.   Here’s the healthy drinking in 2012.

wendy@ctgreenrealestate.com    William Raveis Real Estate

I love my Family Room. It’s a great room (literally) with cathedral ceilings, old wood beams, a floor to ceiling fireplace and is open to the Kitchen. However, because of where it is situated in my home, is just a little dark for my liking. Since I do not have the option of adding another window, I am considering putting in solar tubes. These are tubes that run from the ceiling of a room to the roof.  They collect light, reflect it down the tube and then diffuse it into the attached room. Solar tubes work like skylights but are less expensive and require less roof/ceiling space. A 10-inch solar tube can produce 3,750 lumens of light, whereas a 60-watt incandescent bulb only produces 870 lumens. This means that one 10-inch solar tube can replace about four 60-watt incandescent bulbs!

Solar tubes require no electricity to run and produce no pollution. This can result in energy cost savings and contribute to a healthier planet. According to the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory of the EPA, natural lighting can contribute to psychological and physical health by boosting energy and concentration levels. A study by the Florida Energy Conservation Assistance Program showed that natural lighting resulted in reduced eye fatigue and headaches by providing better light and matching the normal functional rhythms of the human body. Having access to natural light also helps the body produce vitamin D.  This all sounds beneficial to me! I am putting solar tubes on my wish list of home improvements.

wendy@ctgreenrealestate.com    William Raveis Real Estate

Source: American Express Spending & Saving Tracker

Source: 2011 Gibbs & Soell Sense & Sustainability® Study

wendy@ctgreenrealestate.com   William Raveis Real Estate

What does red cabbage, beets, onion skins, leaves, flowers & herbs have to do with Easter?  Well …. when used in different combinations they become natural dye for Easter eggs.  Apparently this is how it was done long ago before the kits that contain lots of chemicals arrived at the store.  Here are instructions on how to do it. My children are past the age for dying Easter eggs so I won’t be doing this but I am really interested to know how it goes. If you try it, let me know.

On another note, I was wondering how eco friendly the White House Easter egg roll is going to be.  What I found out is that all the goody bags are recyclable and are made from recycled materials, all packaging is made from recyclable paperboard and was designed to minimize waste and environmental impact and all souvenir eggs are made in the US from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) – certified US hardwood.  Included in the festivities will be healthy cooking tips and demonstrations by celebrity chefs. Kids will also be given seedlings to take home so they may grow their own veggies.  That all sounds great and totally in line with the First Lady’s’ ‘Let’s Move’ campaign promoting healthier kids.  Given the latter do you think the White House will also be serving jelly beans and chocolate?

wendy@ctgreenrealestate.com      William Ravies Real Estate