Green Options

Who’s getting a sewing machine for Christmas? You are!!!

Maybe. As for me, I want a serger (You reading this, Matt?).  But let’s say you’re getting a sewing machine for your holiday gift. Perhaps you’re new to sewing, or just need a little time to get up to speed on your awesome, new-to-you machine. Then pop on over to one of my favorite sewing hangouts, Burdastyle. You can browse the tutorials and forums of this open-source sewing enterprise at your leisure, but if you sign up (free!) you’ll also be able to print out their community-made open-source sewing patterns (free!), including these easy-peasy ones perfect for beginners:

CurrClick is running a super sale on homeschool and holiday titles, with prices as low as 85% off and your choice of 28 free items through December 1st.

How can you argue with free?

CurrClick was started (conceived) by two homeschooling moms, and their vision of ebooks for homeschoolers has a great mission at heart:

Our mission is to make homeschooling more convenient and more affordable to homeschoolers all over the world. We are

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Meraki — the ubiquitous WiFi company — announced that their much anticipated solar unit will begin shipping on December 4 as part of the company’s mission to bring affordable Internet access to everyone. Here in San Francisco, I often connect my iPhone to their Free the Net hot spots while out and about.

PC energy saving specialists Verdiem have today released free downloadable software designed to help users slash their energy use up to a massive 80 percent.

According to Allison Cornia, vice president of product management at Verdiem, “If we could get just 10 per cent of the world’s one billion PCs using [the product] properly we could save 32 billion kilograms of CO2 a year. That’s equivalent to taking half a million cars off the road.”

Lately, I’ve been noticing food. Yes, but not in the usual places like the grocery store, farmer’s markets, produce stands, et cetera. No, I’ve been noticing food in unusual places. On the ground. Under trees. In the street.

While many people these days may think that apples, pears, plums and walnuts only come from pristine orchards in pastoral valleys, there is food among us. Right under our noses. And often, it’s going to waste.

Several contests launched this month in honor of Fair Trade month. From free chocolate to trips, there’s a chance for everyone to win.

Divine, a delicious Fair Trade chocolate company, has a tasty deal for all the top chefs out there. They’re looking for recipes that have "heaps of creativity, Divine appeal, and powerful statements about why contestants are hungry to change the world through Fair Trade." The sweetest

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As you may remember from my previous post, Grid Alternatives is a Bay Area non-profit that teaches volunteers how to install solar panels while helping low income residents cut costs on installing a new solar system for their home.

This weekend I took the plunge and found myself standing on top of a roof, where I discovered there are many steps involved in a solar installation, only the last of which involves [...]

You want to get friends together for a party, but you want an original theme. You also are in the middle of spring cleaning and want to get rid of a bunch of stuff that is junk to you, but still is in great condition. Have we got the perfect idea for you! Start planning a free swap among your friends, neighbors, or community.

Here's how you'll do it: