Despite its heritage, the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge is a diverse treasure of wildlife and plants. By Tanya Ishikawa Claude Vallieres says he didn’t see any two-headed skunks or deformed deer on a recent guided tour of Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge. But what he did see astounded him. “I was awed,” Vallieres says. […]
Whether you have a list of art or office supplies you’re hoping to find, or you have some in your basement that you’d like to get rid of, check out Art Parts Creative Reuse Center, 2870 Bluff St. in Boulder. Art Parts is a nonprofit organization that accepts donated office, art and school supplies in […]
Dear Reader: One of the many things I like about creating this magazine is all the stuff I get to learn. From new plants and decorating ideas to environmental issues and recipes to try, I learn something new with each issue. I hope you do, too. One thing I recently discovered was you need to […]
Don’t send leftover paint to the landfill. A new PaintCare paint-recycling program, launched in July, already has more than 100 drop-off sites in Colorado (one of only seven states with the program, and the only one between California and Minnesota). The drop-off sites, mainly at paint and hardware stores, collect paint and send it to a […]
Sustainable Systems of Colorado, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainable technologies, recently opened the Sustainable Smart Home Living Learning Center in old town Superior at 202 W. Maple St. The center is a “home of the future” that integrates innovative sustainable technologies, including a tankless, solar hot-water heater, an air-purification system, a wind turbine, DC LED […]
If your house is anything like mine, your linoleum floors have seen better days. No matter how meticulous you are about cleaning them (and, really, how many of us have that kind of time?), linoleum tends to show wear and tear earlier than we’d like. One of the biggest problems with linoleum is dirt often […]
After realizing that my son developed a flat spot on his head (a common ailment because it’s advised to put babies on their backs to sleep for safety reasons), I researched what I could do to help treat it and prevent it from worsening, and came across the Tortle. For under $25, I could possibly […]
As the weather cools down and you’re craving heartier meals, keep these tips in mind when you power up your Crock-Pot for slow-cooking: Double or triple the amount of herbs, spices and other aromatics, such as garlic. The reason? Because there’s little to no evaporation, flavors can get watered down instead of intensified. Timing is […]
Fall is for Freezing! Whether from your garden, the grocery or a CSA, fall’s fresh harvest should never go to waste. The key to preserving fresh fruits and veggies is to freeze them in pieces rather than whole. Some fruits and veggies freeze better than others. Yes, the texture can change a bit. But after […]
While canned beans are all well and good, once you try freshly cooked it’ll be difficult to go back to canned. Freshly cooked beans are full of flavor—not chemicals. As many cans contain Bisphenol A (BPA), it’s hard to know which beans are free of this endocrine disruptor (unless you purchase brands with cans marked […]
While the claim that Colorado gets over 300 days of sunshine may be somewhat exaggerated, there is no denying we get plenty of it. Coloradans could meet their energy needs currently and into the future if we could capture just part of the energy hitting our rooftops every day. According to the National Renewable Energy […]
When it comes to making the most out of meat, both in terms of boosting flavor and stretching your dollar, here’s a great recipe tip: shredding is the way to go. Add some frozen veggies and beans, and the portions go even farther while only costing pennies more per serving. So what’s the secret when […]
With back-to-school in full swing, it’s time to start collecting ideas for kid-friendly fall crafts. When it comes to looks, ease and fun, it’s hard to pass up pine cone bird feeders! What You’ll Need: Peanut butter 2 or 3 large pinecones Birdseed Twine or string Have your kids spread peanut butter across the […]
Air conditioning is a modern marvel which has allowed humans to turn our homes, businesses, and other buildings into a refuge from the heat. Many of us take the air conditioner for granted due to its simplicity and ease of use. Where in the past it was once considered a luxury, air conditioning is now […]
Want to make a simple change that will affect the environment and your energy bill? Then look no farther than your laundry room. Studies have shown that three-quarters of the energy used by a load of laundry comes from warming the water in the wash, meaning that cold-water loads save a significant amount of energy […]
It’s a beauty!
Though Boulder’s spring and summer bounty is filled with bright flowers, the fall and winter aren’t quite so fresh with flowers. Moving flowers indoors is a solid option, especially if you have good access to sunlight. One of the prettiest ways to get a head start on spring is to grow flower bulbs indoors—using […]
If you’ve ever browsed DIY projects on Pinterest, you’ve probably seen a million beautiful ideas for pallet furniture. Pallets are ubiquitous, easy to find and often make for easy projects and beautiful results—from tables and beds to wall art and garden tool organizers. But not all pallets are created equal! Here’s a handy guide to […]
Are your plants’ leaves yellow, curled or covered in pests? Organic gardeners sometimes have trouble keeping leaves plump and pest-free. One organic alternative is to apply Epsom salt to the soil. Epsom salt is actually pH neutral and helps facilitate the uptake of nutrients in plants. It’s known for creating more bountiful flowers (especially roses), […]
Summer is here and so is the heat. Fear not, because this summer you can stay cool and be mindful of the planet. Many of the tips listed below are easy to integrate into your life and are free or low-cost, even saving you money in the long-term. Replace incandescent light bulbs with LED light […]
