Christmas in August...or at least prepping for it

Penzey's is probably trembling!

My herb garden has been a huge success this year, and even I can't consume all those wonderful leaves...not even all the basil.  I know the bleak winter months are just around the corner...and I know how expensive herbs are when you buy them at the store...so I'm thinking..how hard can it be to dry my own?  Turns out, it's really very easy.  All you need is string, herbs, a dry spot, and time..and you're set.  I've got basil, oregano, rosemary and thyme drying in my laundry closet (it's dry there and the herbs won't absorb kitchen/cooking odors as they dry....and my laundry might absorb some of those great smells). It will take the leaves of each about 4 weeks to dry thoroughly..and then they'll be ready to be stored in jars.  I've been asking folks for baby food jars at work..and they're a great size for such things.  I know these herbs are organic...and I think they'll make great gifts. 

Some Good News! More Cork Recycling, Free Compost, and Additional Hours for Recycling Hazardous Waste

I don't know about you, but after all the talk about the debt ceiling, the S&P downgrading, and other news of doom and gloom, I'm ready for some good news.  Here are a couple of positive ...albeit small things that I'm happy about:

• Schneider's of Capitol Hill has started recycling (real) corks through ReCork!!! The previoius DCR lobbied Schneider's to do this for a long time...and her efforts have paid off!  See if you can get your local liquor/grocery store to join this effort.  There's a list of other groups that recycle cork on the right hand column of this blog. (and yes, buying wines with real cork is a good thing.  Cork is a renewable resource and employs many folks!).
• The DC Government is offering free compost at the Fort Totten Transfer Station every Saturday between 8am-3pm.
• DC is also expanding its hazardous waste collection hours.  In addition to their first Saturday of the month hours (from 8am-3pm), you can now dispose of hazardous waste and e-cycling at Fort Totten on every first Thursday of the month between 1-7pm. A list of what they'll take..and not is here!
• Capital Bikeshare is piloting a project with DDOT to provide bike helmets to tourists who use the program while visiting the city. DDOT is also giving out 500 helmets to frequent (daily) Bikeshare users in an effort to encourage helmet use.

Another Great Blog.....

My Plastic-Free Life

There are a lot of folks out there promoting eco-living.  A friend pointed me to one that has a lot of great information - My Plastic-Free Life.  There are all sorts of reasons to not use plastic _ plastic can impact our own health, and it doesn't breakdown easily contributing to trash on land and in the ocean.  That said, if you've ever tried to minimize the amount of plastic you consume, you'll find it's very challenging.  This blog gives some practical solutions...and gives road test reports on plastic-free products!