Pesticides in fruit & vegetables guide

The Environmental Working Group has a list called The Dirty Dozen, that shows which of 50 fruits and vegetables have the most and least pesticides. With the list we can then make informed decisions about what kinds of fruit and vegetables we will buy, and whether they should be organic or not. 

They also have the list as a smartphone app, so it is easy to always bring the list when food shopping. 

These and many more very useful resources can be found at EWG's website.

LOHAS@2030

I'm attending this exhibition and the 1 hour Grow food@home workshop this Sunday. 

I'll let you know how it went after. 

Please let me know if you now of any other environmental exhibitions or workshops that I should attend, or if you would Iike to join me?

Online magazines

I discovered Zinio which is an iPad magazine reader that you can download for free. The magazines subscriptions cost money, but there are several advantages. 

Plane & Pilot yearly online subscription US$7.99 for 11 issues. 

Cover price US$65.89 for a year = 87 % discount

Price in HK store ~ HK$105 (for one issue!) = US$148.71 per year = 94% discount :-)

Paramotor yearly online subscription US$36.99 for 6 issues.

 Int'l subscription and postage: US$51.95. 29% discount. 

Evolution: Due to price, hassle & environmental concerns I have done most of my information searching for free on the Internet. Now I can enjoy doing some of the more in depth magazines again.

Cost: Considerable savings. Up to 94% savings compared to cover price in stores here in Hong Kong. 

Time: Instantly downloadable, fast download. 

Difficulty: Easy. Zinio uses the iTunes account information, so it is basically one click approval of the subscription and no entering of credit card information, address etc is needed.

Weight & size: Zero. Digital format, so takes up no weight or space beyond the iPad which I always bring anyway. I can always bring all issues of my favorite magazine where ever I go and refer back to them. 

Sustainable: No use of paper, no posting magazines across the world, no recycling costs after. 

Best: Lower price, instant access always and anywhere, no paper & transport, what's not to love?

I will love to hear your experiences, comments and suggestions for better ways to enjoy magazines. 

UPDATE: Zinio sent me a US$25 coupon code, which I used to subscribe to another three magazines that I like, making it an even better deal. I also found some free (slightly older) magazines that were still very much worth reading. 

Deodorant

I use a roll on deodorant made from natural ingredients. No toxic chemicals for my armpits please. It doesn't smell especially sexy, just leave you smelling slightly flower-ish and not reeking of sweat. 

There are lots of chemicals in cosmetics & sanitary products which are no good for us or the environment, both short and long term. 

The story of cosmetics video. 

Evolution: I've tried to go without using any deo, but feel more comfortable using something. It can get pretty hot and sweaty out here ;-) I've also tried baking soda dissolved in a little water sprayed under the arms. It keeps away any smell, but can be a little abrasive after a while. 

Cost: Acceptable. About HK$100 as opposed to Hk$35 or so for the other cheapskate deo that is on picture, where the label reads like a chemistry lesson from high school. not expensive compared to other deo's. 

Time: Fast. The local sustainable store is only a few minutes from center of town, so it is easy to pick up one.

Difficulty: Easy to use, just shake and roll on. 

Weight & size: Similar size to the chemical ones. 

Sustainable: Natural biodegradable ingredients, recyclable container, no animal testing. 

Best: I have looked at crystal deodorant stones made out of potassium alum, which probably will be my next experiment. 

I will love to hear your experiences, comments and suggestions for how to stay nice smelling.

Toothpaste organizer

I use a simple rubber band around the rolled up bottom of my toothpaste tube to keep it organized and taking up less space 

Evolution: I started out using a clothes pin, then tape on the folded up toothpaste tube, but a rubber band is easier. Commercial solutions are available, but they cost, are heavier/bigger, less sustainable and it takes time to get them. 

Obviously the rubber band does not squeeze the tooth paste to the top of the tube, this is easiest done by pressing and dragging the tube over any firm edge, so that the tooth paste ends at the top. 

Cost: Cheap (1 rubber band). 

Time: Fast (less than 1 minute). 

Difficulty: Easy. 

Weight & size: Very light/small (1 rubber band). 

Sustainable: Rubber band will last long. 

Best: My favorite simple solution to the issue.

I will love to hear your comment and suggestion for how this could be done even better.