Author: Green Talk
Website: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/green-talk/jRYI/~3/433291613/…

Photo by underclassrising

This month at the Green Mom’s carnival at the Best of Mother Earth’s blog, the topic is gratitude.  It was a given that I was grateful for the small things in life, my family and friends, and just life in general.  But was this all I was grateful for? When I dug deeper, I realized that I was grateful for being born with the gift of six senses and imagination.

The Gift of Sight

If I had to pick one sense that I rely on the most, it would be the gift of sight.  I am a visual learner, and have relied on this sense my whole life.  I have used this sense to learn as well as interpret people.  Auditory learning was always hard for me. Don’t try and spell your email address to me, since I always get it wrong.  When my children were small, I hated when other mothers would spell words to me so their kids could not understand what they were saying.  I never got it.  Even accents throw me.  I can’t even go to a movie where the actors have English accents…

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Ever wonder what to do with your old wedding dress? How about those pots and pans you haven’t used in 10 years. You can even recycle your old toothbrush!

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Author: Green Talk
Website: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/green-talk/jRYI/~3/432212025/…

I am so excited that I have finally added a forum to the site. But this forum is no ordinary forum thanks to the creators of Ning. I have my very own facebook-like network for Green Talk.  Yes, really. No kidding. I know you all are so excited you are asking someone to pinch you. Gosh, I don’t blame you. I am pretty excited myself. (I think I already said that.)

I have added some groups such as Green Mamas, Green Papas, Green Builder lovers, and Organic Gardeners.  Anyone can add a group.  For example if you want to form a group for baby boomers, alternative energy lovers, Fashionistas, Garage Sale lovers, or Good Guy afficionados, go for it.

You can post your own blogs for everyone to see, put your own personal blog in the RSS feed, and upload pictures and videos. There is even a chat function so you can talk amongst yourselves!

The best part of this site is you can start discussions so everyone can help.  Discussions are posted right on the front page.   If you want to…

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You’ve decided you want to build a post and beam or timber frame home. Where do you start? First, we suggest you purchase land, as this substantially impacts the design of your home. Work with your architect to design the home in context with the site and addressing all of your needs and desires. There are many things you will want to consider:

Start with a vision of your home. Is there a certain architectural style you prefer? A timber frame home compliments any architectural style you choose. Start with the basics; how many bedrooms will you need? Do you want a Master Bedroom with or without a Master Bathroom suite? Will it be located on the first or second floor? If this is a vacation home which will become your retirement home, you may prefer to have the main rooms located on the first floor for easy access. How much of the home will be timber framed? A timber frame hybrid home, combining timber framing and structural insulated panels, might better fit your family’s needs… (Read the rest of this article at the following article source link for the full story)

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Author: Green Talk
Website: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/green-talk/jRYI/~3/429879214/…

I am a perfectionist when it comes to how my cooking pans look. It is almost like a not so gleaming pan is a reflection of me. (I know. Therapy is available for us perfectionist types.)  I especially dislike heat rings which look like rainbows in your pans. For years, I have been using Revere Stainless Steel cleaner to remove the rings.  Although, I love the product, my carbon footprint has unnecessarily increased from my obsession, not to mention the green that has gone down the drain.

Here are my carbon footprint associated with my compulsion:

• The bottle is plastic.  We all know what makes up plastic. Petroleum.
• Even though I try and wash out the empty bottle well (using a lot of water), when it gets to recycling, do they chuck it because I did not do a good job?
• In order to use the product, you have to wash and dry your pot first.  Then you have to apply the creme, and thereupon wash the pot again. More water.
• You should shake the product before use. If you don’t pretty…

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Are you looking for LEED certification for your new energy efficient home and plan to use structural insulated panels? SIPA (Structural Insulated Panel Association) has calculated the points the project could be awarded using structural insulated panels. Below are the categories and possible points earned for using structural insulated panel walls, roofs, and floor systems:

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Author: Green Talk
Website: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/green-talk/jRYI/~3/426980681/…

Please watch this video sent to me by Sommer Poquette of Green and Clean Mom.  She is taping Jess of the Green Phone Booth and Jennifer of Smart Mama.  Jess has just handed Jennifer her brass keys to test for lead and other carcinogenic materials. A lot of parents give their kids a set of keys to play with.  Many kids suck on them as well.

 Jennifer tests household decor and products for toxic chemicals especially children toys with her XFR gun.  You will be surprised when she tests the keys and Sommer’s purse.

What do you think Jennifer found? Lead.  She explains that NO lead level is safe for kids.

And how about Sommer’s purse which is made out of PVC? Lead again.  My favorite part is after Sommer learns her purse has lead in it, she questions Jennifer how she should she dispose of it.  Jennifer calmly tells Sommer to take it to her county hazardous waste center.  Now, I would like a video of that! To paraphrase Jess, that would raise an eyebrow or two!

Check out…

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Visit our website or call 603-504-6009 to reserve your space!

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Author: Green Talk
Website: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/green-talk/jRYI/~3/423874020/…

Photo by permission of Tim O’Brien

I recently received an email from Shannon inquiring about other green furniture stores in Calgary.

“Hello, I am doing a 3rd year university business plan on opening an environmental furniture shop here in Calgary. I was wondering if you may have any useful information for me about who may be a competitor (was unable to find any major ones in this area) who you think would be interested in these types of products and any other information that you would consider when opening a shop such as this.
thank you muchly!
Shannon

Since I am not from this area, I am reaching out to my readers and asking them for some advice for Shannon.  I am not aware of any furniture competitor in Calgary, but do know about some eco-friendly Canadian furniture companies. They are as follows:

•  Pure Furniture Design by Ami McKay with offices in Vancouver and sold throughout Canada, United States, and online.
• Ulpolstry Arts  located in Vancouver, British Columbia. and…

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Would you like to build a home that addresses much more than the basic requirement of shelter? Consider a timber frame home.

No matter the size, a timber frame home leaves guests sighing with open jaws as they enter. A timber frame represents hospitality and functionality while doing much more.

The timber structure can define the spaces within the home. A common timber frame design requirement for most people is an open floor plan to encourage family interaction. The timber frame floor plan is versatile and designed with necessary timber supports located at strategic places – adjacent to interior walls, at the corner of the staircase, or to create a visual division between two rooms. Cathedral ceilings are common in timber frame homes, offering guests the opportunity to experience the depth and complexity of the timber system. The framing system creates ceiling planes which aide in delineating room layouts and add dimension and form to the space which conventional framing typically…

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