April 2012 Home Accent

LIVING WITH STYLE IN SKAGIT COUNTY

APRIL 2012

INSIDE

‘Green’ building means a healthier Skagit County Nontraditional materials result in increased efficiency

Local ingredients add spice to Meatless Cannelloni

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l i v i n g

w i t h

s t y l e

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S k a g i t

ELCOME

c o u n t y

a p r i l

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inside this issue

S k a g i t Va l l e y H e r a l d P u b l i s h e r Heather Hernandez

Contributing Writers

E r i n n U n g e r, L y n s i B u r t o n

Design and Production Greg Fiscus, Patricia Stowell

Copy Editor Craig Parrish

Cover Photographer S c o t t Te r r e l l

Photographers F r a n k V a r g a , E r i n n U n g e r, Craig Parrish

Advertising Director Mark Dobie

Display Advertising Manager Deb Bundy

Advertising Consultants S t e p h a n i e H a r p e r, M i c h e l l e O ’ D o n n e l l , K a t h y S c h u l t z , K a t i e S u n d e r m e y e r, Paul Tinnon, John Williams

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Green Building More local developments emphasize environmental friendliness

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Advertising Operations Manager Sarah Hickman

Ad Production Katie Erickson, Jody Hendrix, Abby Jackson, Christina Poisal, Patricia Stowell

Chef ’s choice....... 16

SIC B A Home & Garden Show

Cover S kag i t P ubl i sh i n g Commercial Printing

Inside Pages Skagit Valley Herald © 2012 Skagit Publishing LLC. Home Accent is published bi-annually in the Skagit Valley Herald.

Momma Manca’s Meatless Cannelloni

Businesses, home owners reap the rewards

Green building J Avenue Cottages in Anacortes utilizes material and techniques that limit environmental impact.

Story by ERINN UNGER Photos by Erinn Unger & Craig Parrish

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estled between the Cascade mountains and the ocean, many who live in the Skagit Valley not only appreciate its natural beauty — they want to preserve it, and the rest of the Earth’s natural resources, when building, remodeling or buying a home in the area.

Rick Petrick of Wood Duck Home Building in Anacortes helped build the first code-approved straw bale house in Skagit County in the early 1990s and has worked with the material since the beginnings of the movement.

It’s sustainable, as the bale is made up of compressed straw, which is the stubble from the field, he said. It’s normally used in bedding for animals or burned as waste.

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home accent / April 2012

“What I like about it, it promotes agriculture,” he said.

The bales can be arranged artistically and covered with plasters.

“The interiors can have a more free-form or artistic kind of feel to it,” he said. In the building process niches and arches can be created. The whole thing creates “a feeling of well-being,” he said.

Besides being sustainable, as one home he made on a farmer’s land used the man’s own straw from his fields, bales are also efficient and have incredible insulating properties.

Standard insulation on a home is labeled R21 to 28, he said, but straw is R50. An R-value is a measure of a material’s thermal resistance. Adding earthen floors creates a “thermal mass” to hold in heat, he said.

It’s also fire-resistant, he said. Its fire-resistent qualities lie in its compactness, which allows only a small amount of oxygen in to allow combustion. It published by the Skagit Valley Herald

does not burn well as a compacted block, he said.

Though what some may call untraditional, Petrick said straw bale homes are becoming more acceptable, and the building process is becoming “more and more refined.”

“People would be totally amazed that things could be done differently,” he said of visitor’s reactions to the homes he’s built.

“They are kind of awe inspiring when you first get them up and they’re all still straw,” he added. In each finished home, however, there’s a “truth window,” as Petrick called it, where one can still catch a glimpse of the straw bales that make up the house.

Embracing tradition, thinking new

However, one can still be environmentally aware while building what some would call a more “traditional-looking” house.

Greg Wilson’s J Avenue Cottages in Anacortes were started about three years ago, with eight small homes now on the site.

Though at the present moment, the project is not labeled as “Built Green,” through the Skagit/Island Counties Builders Association (SIBCA), half of the homes were built and certified under that program, Wilson said. He said he will be part of the certification again.

Green building, he said, was “just coming to the forefront” as the building market declined in recent years.

“We’ll see that again as the housing market comes back,” he said, and he wants to be a part of the green certification again.

The Built Green label, from SIBCA, has “developed materials and techniques that allow us to build a very ‘mainstream’ home, with a lower impact on the environment,” says the association’s website.

“When I was part of it,” Wilson said of the program,“it was really just an extension of the way that we built.”

For those looking to build eco-friendly, building codes have changed so much in the past few years, that with just a bit more thought, he said, “… you’re not going a long way to be a sustainable builder.”

His project was started on an already developed piece of land, with the services like water, electricity and streets, already in place, avoiding the process that comes with creating those services on rural land.

“The eco-friendly part starts from the day we start designing and building the project,” he said.

Within the home, the liveability of the small space is maximized to its fullest extent, as is the availability of natural light, Wilson said, “… so you’re not having to have the lights on all the time.”

During construction, workers try to minimize the amount of earth moved and retain the topsoil. Builders also recycle as much as they can and are careful about their waste.

Ten years ago, Wilson said, extra product would have been tossed, but now, if it has the potential to be used again, he brings it to a building material salvage yard to be re-used. published by the Skagit Valley Herald

(From top) Modern amenities at the J Avenue Cottages include a terraced entrance, open interiors and a great degree of natural light.

home accent / April 2012

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Materials retain value

At Skagit Building Salvage in Mount Vernon, a rainbow of sinks lean against each other in the yard, alongside an equally diverse array of toilets and clawfoot tubs.

Inside the large, open warehouse, aisles of doors and even squares of the floor of a bowling alley share space with a gazebo specially made for the recent Home Show from recycled seats and wood.

Brandon Cardinal and David Mahlum own the place, which is supplied by builders, contractors and their own hard work. They clean out barns to find usable items and do deconstruction themselves, saving the majority of the material.

“Our motivation for doing this is to divert materials from landfills,” Cardinal said.

Buyers come to the salvage business to save money, find something with history and to be less wasteful, by reusing an item in their homes instead of buying something new. Builders bring items to the yard, where they can be treasured by someone else, instead of sending them to the dump.

There’s a “paradigm shift” happening, he said, and he sees it happening in front of his eyes.

“I see it happening on this level,” he said.

Multiple benefits

Building greener, remodeling or changing your lifestyle to minimize your footprint just takes more thought, said Linda Sanford, a local eco-broker.

It’s not just for utility bills, she said, it’s about living more effectively with our natural resources.

To do that, homeowners and builders have to be strategic and think smart.

“You have to get the people on board who are in the same think tank,” Sanford said, noting that it’s not just about building more consciously, it’s about retrofitting more consciously and improving existing homes too. The goal, she said, is to “tighten your envelope up.”

“The envelope is the walls, the roof, the floor, it’s where we live,” she said. Think about how everything is working together as a system, she said, and how those systems cooperate.

Having an assessment done can help one find smart ways to “tighten the envelope” and after making those improvements, can reduce energy costs and increase efficiency.

When building, it’s thinking about where the materials came from and whether they’re going to reduce maintenance costs, Sanford said, and how positioning of the house and length of the eaves can increase comfort and efficiency.

When improving, think about air leakage, she added. Connected to that is not only efficiency, but also the indoor air quality of a home, which can affect one’s health.

On newer homes, certification can give a homeowner a place to begin in the journey toward living more efficiently and there are further advantages, Sanford said, with rebates and financing sometimes available for these types of projects.

“It is a process. Where do you begin? It’s like looking at a green spectrum — where am I and where can I go?” she said. “… It’s never ending where we can go.”

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home accent / April 2012

published by the Skagit Valley Herald

No More

Fear of Falling Thanks to Bath Fitter Become more sustainable through the Skagit Community Energy Challenge. The challenge examines areas of your home — energy, water, waste, and wildlife — and provides you with a report on energy usage and ideas on how to increase efficiency.

The program also helps participants find rebates and assistance for improvements. For more information e-mail SkagitCEC@ co.skagit.wa.us or call 360-419-7607. published by the Skagit Valley Herald

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Home and Garden Show features Earth-friendly wares Story by LYNSI BURTON Photos by Frank Varga

Craig Clark of Sedro-Woolley carries a door back to his vehicle March 17 after purchasing it for one dollar at the 32nd Annual Skagit/Island Counties Builders Association Home and Garden Show at the Skagit County Fairgrounds in Mount Vernon. Clark, who said he needed a used door for a weekend project, bought it at the Saturday-only Surplus Materials Sale.

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uilding and contracting companies showing off their services at last month’s Home and Garden Show say that environment-friendly building techniques and materials are growing popular.

The show was hosted by the Skagit/ Island Counties Builders Association.

In the case of solar panels, Alana Nelson of Big Lake-based Fire Mountain Solar said solar paneling is more cost-effective than it’s ever been. Prices have gone down by half over the past three years and the energy savings are making up for the up-front expenses more quickly than before.

“People are starting to really realize that it works well in Western Washington,” Nelson said.

Burlington-based Esary Roofing and Siding offers a few different Earthfriendly roofing options, including solar paneling and “green,” or vegetative, roofs. While those options are generating buzz, they’re still costly for many, Esary employee Mike Jorve said.

“I’m getting a lot of talk about it, but it’s still pretty expensive,” he said. “But the more people who do it, the costs will come down.”

Instead, metal roofing is becoming more popular and is still a green option, Jorve added. The metal roofs are low-maintenance and made from recycled material, he said. They have a long life span and are fully recyclable. published by the Skagit Valley Herald

Serene Gutter Systems in Mount Vernon also uses recycled materials in its family-designed gutters. Furthermore, it offers rainwater collection systems made with “safe” polypropylene plastic that lacks the dangerous chemicals used in other plastics. The business also offers milling — creating furniture from old telephone poles, fallen trees and tree roots, owner Shanna Hawes said.

In addition to environment-friendly products, Serene Gutter Systems also employs green practices, working to reduce travel and mileage wherever possible to save on fuel and recycling scrap.

“We do it because it makes us feel good,” Hawes said. “I like to get more like-minded people connected.”

Brian Paulk of Kent-based T & A Supply Company, which distributes flooring, said green products are becoming more popular. He sees a higher demand for laminate flooring made of materials that emit fewer off-gases.

“We’re really seeing a big push in green products,” Paulk said.

Gerald Schreiber, a sales representative for Great Floors, said demand has grown tremendously over the past five years. Carpeting made from recycled materials is also more popular, he said.

“It’s taken off because people ask for it,” Schreiber said.

But while many companies are in the business of selling new products made from recycled and more Earth-friendly material, Brandon Cardinal is into giving new life to the old and discarded.

He and David Mahlum have owned Mount Vernon-based Skagit Building Salvage for four years, buying, selling and trading anything from cabinets to sinks. They also collect leftover items from new construction.

Not only are their building supplies less expensive than anything brand new, helping remodelers on a budget, their business appeals to people who want to avoid throwing away their belongings, Cardinal said.

“There’s a growing conscience for reusing things and not discarding them,” he said. “We’re now a destination for people on their way to the dump. They can drive away knowing they made a better choice with their stuff.” published by the Skagit Valley Herald

Aviathar Pemberton (left), owner of Warm Homes Construction, and Alana Nelson, project manager of Fire Mountain Solar, both of Big Lake, work their booths at the Skagit/Island Counties Builders Association Home & Garden Show in March. Warm Homes Construction specializes in green building.

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hen it comes to cleaning our homes, most of us want to make sure of one thing — that we are doing a deep clean and actually disinfecting the rooms and surfaces in our house.

Here’s the thing. You don’t need chemical-based cleaners to kill germs.

“Do Your Part” and find safer and just as effective disinfecting options that will work for every spot in your home.

Vinegar is my favorite all-natural disinfectant. Put equal parts vinegar and hot water in a spray bottle and get to work. This acidic solution eats away at most germs on everything from counter tops to toilet bowls.

The exception is marble and other porous surfaces; vinegar will damage those. Use it full strength for tough germs.

And don’t worry about smelling the vinegar for long. It dissipates as the vinegar dries, leaving a natural clean scent that’s way better than inhaling synthetic fragrances that are known contributors to indoor air pollution. published by the Skagit Valley Herald

Hydrogen peroxide is another natural and non-toxic option that I recommend for cleaning and disinfecting. It quickly kills bacteria, mold and mildew.

You can use it full strength on things like cutting boards, or dilute it with water for the perfect cleaner for finished surfaces such as painted walls.

Mix only what you need, as water and exposure to light reduces the solution’s cleaning properties.

If you don’t want to make your own disinfectants at home, you have more store-bought options than ever.

Some of my go-to and ready-made options include Seventh Generation.

Their cleaners and disinfectants are made using plant extracts. And, new Proxi products use hydrogen peroxide to disinfect surfaces throughout your home.

Of course, bleach works great too but the fumes can be dangerous, especially for little ones at home. I do use it sparingly in my home and always

heavily diluted with water.

A little bit of bleach goes a long way. A quarter-teaspoon of bleach mixed with 12 ounces of water makes a powerful disinfectant but again, mix as needed because it loses effectiveness with time. This is a great solution for porous surfaces where you can’t use vinegar.

The last thing any of us want to do when disinfecting at home is to leave a trail of toxic chemicals in our wake.

“Do Your Part” to seek out safer options that will save you money and won’t pollute your home.

■ Terri Bennett is a veteran TV meteorolo-

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home accent / April 2012

published by the Skagit Valley Herald

Make Your Home Energy Efficient StatePoint Media Whether you are an environmental steward or a smart consumer, you may be dreaming up ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home during the warmer months.

Here is a checklist of items that can help you bring down your energy costs, and lower your home’s carbon footprint all season long:

Enjoy being Inside...

Stay toasty warm on cold days and cool on warm days!

■ Draw blinds: Avoid the greenhouse effect in your house by drawing blinds during the sunniest hours of the day.

■ Plant trees: Strategically plant trees and shrubs in your

yard. You’ll provide much-needed shade inside your home. Also, an air conditioning unit that is shaded will use less energy.

■ Dress properly: In the office, you may need to go for a buttoned-down look no matter the season, but at home, dressing for the weather will help you stay cool, so you won’t need to rely as much on air conditioning.

■ Cook smart: The warmer months are a great time to avoid

cooking. Gazpacho, salad and other dishes served cold can help you keep your energy costs down. But of course you’ll sometimes still want to prepare your favorite hot meals. When cooking, use a natural gas stove and oven for optimum energy efficiency.

Better yet, grill outside to eliminate any heat you would generate from using your stove or oven. A natural gas grill is clean-burning, and has no particulate emissions.

■ Open windows: Take advantage of those days with a nice

breeze to turn off the air conditioner completely and circulate some fresh air in your home.

■ Give your A/C an agenda: Don’t keep an empty house

cool all day for no one to enjoy. A programmable thermostat can help you create an air conditioning schedule that matches your schedule.

■ Do low-carbon laundry: This time of year inevitably

means more heavy-duty laundry. To handle the extra loads, consider using a natural gas water heater, which emits up to half the carbon emissions of an electric water heater. And, on average, you can do two loads of clothes in a natural gas dryer for the same amount it would cost you to dry one load in an electric dryer.

■ Seal drafts: You may think of drafts as a winter problem,

but leaks in your walls, doors and windows can send all that cool air right out of the house. Sealing these drafts will allow you to turn up your thermostat for immediate cost savings.

You don’t need to eat the expense of an inefficient home this season.

A few simple tweaks to your lifestyle will keep your bills down, and be great for the planet too. published by the Skagit Valley Herald

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Clover

making a comeback Story by: Mary Beth Breckenridge Akron Beacon Journal

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roponents of organic lawn care are pushing to bring clover back to wide use as a lawn plant, mixed with more conventional turf grasses. They point to clover’s benefits, which include its ability to withstand drought, thrive in poor soil and supply nitrogen to other plants.

White Dutch clover used to be common in lawns. But once petrochemicalbased weed killers were introduced after World War II, that started to change, said Paul Tukey, founder of the nonprofit organization SafeLawns. org and author of “The Organic Lawn Care Manual.” The synthetic products got rid of the weeds, but they also killed the clover.

America fell in love with the ideal of a flawless grass lawn, and clover wasn’t part of that picture, Tukey said. Clover

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home accent / April 2012

came to be looked down on as a weed, something that marred a lawn’s uniformity and put children at risk by attracting bees.

Now, however, interest is growing in more natural ways for caring for lawns.

And that’s bringing clover back into the spotlight.

Clover has much to recommend it as a lawn plant, said Melinda Myers, a horticulturist and author of more than 20 gardening books, including “The Ohio Lawn Guide.” Probably its biggest benefit is its ability to fix nitrogen, which means clover is its own little fertilizer factory. Clover takes nitrogen from the air, converts it to a form plants can use and eventually releases it to the surrounding soil.

In fact, clover is nature’s way of healing soil that’s nitrogen-deficient, Myers said. That’s why it tends to move into areas with poor soil, often to the homeowner’s chagrin.

That nitrogen-fixing ability can go a

long way toward eliminating the need to fertilize, Tukey said. Say you had a lawn that was 5 percent clover. If you left your grass clippings on the lawn after you mowed, the clover and the clippings together would supply all the nitrogen your lawn needed once the lawn was established, he contended.

That’s better for the Earth as well as the wallet, Tukey said.

Clover also has deep roots that help it tolerate dry conditions, so it stays green long after the grass has turned brown. If it’s mixed in fairly evenly with grass, Myers said, it can keep a lawn looking good even at the height of summer, without the need to water.

Another of clover’s attributes is something of a mixed blessing: its flowers’ attractiveness to bees.

Bees — especially honeybees — are important pollinators of many food crops. Clover supports imperiled bee populations, and it also helps vegetable gardeners by bringing bees to their published by the Skagit Valley Herald

yards, Tukey said. But some people fear bees, he said, and a small part of the population is severely allergic to their stings.

However, he noted that clover blooms heavily for only a couple of weeks a year, and the flowers can be kept in check with frequent mowing. The rest of the growing season, it blooms intermittently.

Clover has other drawbacks. Probably the biggest is its tendency to spread and form patches, especially in poor soil.

Those patches “might be an annoyance to some people,” said Joe Rimelspach, a plant pathologist at Ohio State University who specializes in turf grasses. “It’s kind of in the eyes of the beholder.”

Clover also doesn’t hold up as well to heavy foot traffic as grass. Myers said it might not be the best choice for a play area such as the ground under a swing set, although it should be fine in the rest of the lawn.

Clover’s leaf form is different from grass, too. A lawn with a mix of grass and clover has a more varied texture and tends to look bumpier than an all-grass lawn. “It’s not necessarily the easiest thing to have a game of soccer on,” Myers said.

However, that bumpiness has diminished with the development of microclover, a type of white clover that has been bred to grow smaller and mix in better with grass.

Microclover produces smaller leaves and grows closer to the ground, said Rick Myers, sales manager for DLF-USA, the U.S. branch of the company that developed the plant.

Unlike regular clover, it stays below the top of the grass, so it’s not as obvious in a lawn, he said.

Myers said he’s has had a microclover-grass mix in his own lawn for about four years. “If you were 10 feet away from my lawn … you can’t even see any microclover in it,” he said.

Microclover also spreads more easily, instead of forming the patches that some people consider unsightly, Myers said. What’s more, he said, its flowers present less of a problem.

They’re smaller, fewer in number and bloom for a shorter period, he said. published by the Skagit Valley Herald

Good Nature, a Northeast Ohio organic lawn-care company, has been using microclover in some of its clients’ lawns for two or three years, sales manager Dan Norris said. It recently planted two lawns in Rocky River with a microclover-grass seed mix called Earth Turf, and it has renovated several other lawns by overseeding with the mixture.

So far the company has seen good results from the microclover mixes, and the clients say they like the look, Norris said.

Response has been more mixed from do-it-yourselfers who have bought the seed mix from Good Nature to overseed their own lawns, however. Norris said some have reported that the microclover was taking over their grass. He said that indicates the soil is short on nitrogen — a problem he suggests remedying with an organic fertilizer so the grass can better compete.

Either microclover or old-fashioned white Dutch clover can be planted in a

new lawn or added to an existing lawn by overseeding, or spreading the seed over the existing grass. Lawns can be overseeded either with straight clover seed or a mix of clover and grass seed, Myers said.

White Dutch clover seeds are widely available, especially from stores that supply seed to farmers. Microclover seeds are a little harder to find, but you can buy a microclover-grass mix from Good Nature (330-836-9800) or order it online from such sources as Amazon.com.

Good Nature’s mix for new lawns is $144 for a 25-pound bag, enough to cover 3,000 square feet. Its overseed mix is $67.80 for a 5-pound bag, which covers 1,000 square feet.

Tukey and Myers argue that the expense of adding clover to a lawn will be made up quickly in savings on fertilizer and water.

“Isn’t that the environmentally sustainable way to go?” Tukey asked.

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LAWN CARE Maintenance ****FREE ESTIMATES**** AFFORDABLE PRICES. WE TAKE PRIDE IN THE WORK WE DO. Please Call 360-333-9820 Martinez Lawn Care Plus Spring cleanup, flower beds, prune, weed, rake, clean gutters & dump. You name it, we do it! Lic./Ins. 20+ years experience. Free estimates.

360-428-6823

Skagit Professional Gardeners

Seasonal clean-ups Accepting new accounts.

360-420-4598

SPRING CLEAN UP Mowing, Thatching, Pruning, Etc. Contracts avail.

360-853-6912

Notice to Contractors Washington State Law (RCW 18.27.100) requires that all advertisements for construction related services include the contractors current Department of Labor and Industries registration number in the advertisement.

Failure to obtain a certificate of registration from L & I or show the registration number in all advertising will result in a fine up to $5,000 against the unregistered contractor.

PRO PAINTERS PLUS

For more information, call Labor and Industries Specialty Compliance Service Division at 1-800647-0982 or check L & I's internet site at www.wa.gov/lni

All Your Painting Needs

Businesses & services mandated to have a contractor's license number (or provide said service) shall include the number within their advertisement.

1ST IN SATISFACTION 40 yrs. exp. 856-5519 #PROPAPI006R8 Done right the 1st time!

Refinishing cabinets.

PAINTD965DT 360-445-3260 MAJESTIC PAINTING & CONSTRUCTION Int./Ext. painting. Lic., Bonded & Ins. Free written esti$79/mo. Mowing & Weeding mates. Lic #MAJESPC941DA Spring Cleanup!

(360) 856-2757 Maintenance Programs Thatch, Aerate, Weed&Feed Clean Up & Haul-Off 941-1193 OASIS CPI PLUMBING/ 360-873-8574.

Majestic HEATING SERVICE Mowing & Landscaping. Full 428-5636, 755-1530 service lawn maint., spring 855-2166, 293-3774 cleanup. Senior Discount.

Lic. # CPIPLH*963JR Yearly contracts. Lic. bonded PLUMBER & ins. #MAJESML892LM $66/hr. with this ad! 757-4455 ALISON YARD Serving all of Skagit Co. MAINTENANCE www.ball-plumbing.net MOW, PRUNE, WEED, RAKE, #BALLPP1901LT BLOWING, CLEAN UP, FULL SERVICE 360-840-9538 alisonyardmaintenance.com $ 360-421-7443 $ ARCHER'S LANDSCAPE “Spring Clean Up” Prune, Weed, Rake, Debris Removal & More.

Call today!

CHAN - Mow, Edge, Pruning, Thatch, Cleanup, Landscape Maintenance, Roofing & Gutter cleanup & moss killer.

Since 1992. Lic. & insured.

Cell (360) 421-8314.

JOHNSON'S ROOFING For All Your Roofing Needs.

Re-roof, Repair, Moss Removal.

Over 30 yrs exp. 856-1621.

Lic #JOHNSR*974QE

BROOKS Roofing & Const.

Specializing in Roofing, Roofing Repairs, Decks, Fences, Emergency Repairs.

Free Est. 360-333-3468 Lic# BROOKRC937K2

GREG-LAWNCARE SERKO CONTRACTING VICES, quality job. Mowing, All types of roofing. Concrete, edging, trimming, blowing, additions, remodels. Owner pruning, yard clean up, weed on every job. 22 yrs exp. control, flower beds. Free Lic#KOCONOC958CM est. 360-540-1426.

360-856-2824/360-202-1259

A-1 Safety Tree & Stump Grinding. Senior Discount Visa/MC/Lic./Ins. #SAFETTS000BU Owner, Randy Hannan 360-856-0868 CITY TREE SERVICE FREE EST. LIC. #CITYTTS89707 360-202-6369 EAGER BEAVER Tree & Shrub. Bucket Truck.

Chipper. Stump Grinder.

Arborist. Lic./Ins. Visa/MC. Senior Discount. We always do more! #EAGERBTE973DE ***755-0806***

TRIPLE CROWN CLEANING Window & Gutter. Looking for a great gift idea? Or just cleaning on your home or business. Rick 360-391-9723 Lic. #TRIPLCC971MH

published by the Skagit Valley Herald

How To Reduce Your Home’s Carbon Footprint

I

t may be your dream to make a big impression on the world, but as far as the environment is concerned, you’ll do everyone a favor by reducing your impact.

In addition to recycling and composting, you can do your part for the planet by learning about your carbon footprint and taking steps to improve it.

A carbon footprint measures your contribution to global climate change, taking into consideration factors like the size of your house, the type of transportation you use, and the source of energy you use at home and work.

You can calculate your carbon footprint online by visiting www.comfortableresponsible.org and clicking on Carbon Calculator.

If you’re surprised by what you learn, don’t worry. You can make minor changes to your lifestyle that will reduce your carbon footprint (and save you money!). Here are some ideas to green up your daily life:

Turn It Off There’s no reason to keep your electronics and appliances running when you’re not using them.

You may find you prefer living in a house without the din of a constantly droning television set.

Better yet, unplug your electronics. Some products consume energy even if they are just plugged into the wall, including chargers for your phone and camera. According to ENERGY STAR, the average U.S. household spends $100 per year to power devices that are off or in standby mode.

Commute Green Walk or bike to your job or school if you live close enough. You’ll do the planet a favor, as well as your health.

If that’s not possible, consider taking public transportation or starting a carpool. You may find it convenient to share rides with neighbors who work close to you.

At the very least, consider cars with greater fuel efficiency and avoid commute times that keep you idling in traffic.

Go Veg A United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization report found that the meat in our diets produces more greenhouse gases than transportation or industry. If you can’t forgo burgers for life, consider a day without meat here or there.

Reducing your carbon footprint doesn’t need to be painful. Little changes can go a long way.

published by the Skagit Valley Herald

home accent / April 2012

15

“Meatless Monday” creation revives an old tradition c h e f ’s choice M A RT I N HAHN Department co-chair, Skagit Valley College Culinary Arts Program

elloni

T

he Skagit Valley Culinary Arts Program has joined the international campaign that encourages people to not eat meat on Mondays to improve their health and the health of the planet.

Although the latest incarnation is a recent innovation, a few World War I buffs may know that “Meatless Mondays” was one of the sacrifices instituted by the Woodrow Wilson administration to aid the war effort on rationing food items needed to feed the troops.

Today, it need not be a sacrifice. We have developed some very tasty meatless alternatives, including a meatless version of my Italian mother’s famed Cannelloni recipe.

Using fresh local products, we defy anyone to even notice the lack of meat. Some of the local produce may still be a little hard to come by, but Grandview Mushrooms and Golden Glen cheeses could be easily found.

Momma Manca’s Meatless Cann Serves 8 Ingredients: 8 Manicotti pasta tubes ilable) 1 lb. spinach (fresh local if ava available) if ets 1 onion, diced (local swe 1 garlic clove, minced 1/4 lb. mushrooms, diced 1 lb. Ricotta cheese , grated 1/4 cup fresh mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup bread crumbs 1 egg, beaten 1 tablespoon fresh basil Salt, white pepper - to taste sauce) 2 cups Bechamel sauce (white 4 cups tomato sauce More Parmesan cheese More fresh mozzarella cheese

16

home accent / April 2012

To Prepare:

degrees 1) Pre-heat convection oven to 350 & sauté on2) Place a little olive oil in a pan ms ions, garlic and mushroo ses, bread 3) Remove from heat and add chee crumbs, eggs and seasonings se mixture 4) Carefully fill pasta tubes with chee om with a 5) Oil a baking pan, cover the bott the rest thin layer of tomato sauce, reserve with the top and pan 6) Place pasta tubes in remaining red sauce e a slice of 7) On top of each pasta tube, plac Parmesan fresh mozzarella and a sprinkle of cheese each tube 8) Place a dollop of white sauce on (20 to rees deg 140 t 9) Bake until up to at leas 30 minutes )

published by the Skagit Valley Herald

MOUNT VERNON CARPET ONE FLOOR & HOME

HOME COLOR & DESIGN CENTER Serving the Community for Over 30 Years YOUR

IMAGINE THE

POSSIBILITIES

A beautiful room isn’t just thrown together, but well planned in every detail. At our Home Color and Design Center you will find experts with excellent advice as well as an array of products to inspire you with possibilities.

F ro m a m a z i n g p a i n t

colors to any flooring, cabinets, countertops, and windows, make sure you stop by to see the exceptional products and creative concepts for any home project.

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Cabinets Tile & Stone Hardwood Bamboo & Cork Paint Countertops

Store Info:

Carpet Natural & Green Products Vinyl & Tile Laminate Flooring Area Rugs

400 W Fir Street Mount Vernon 800-735-7193/360-336-6533 www.mvcarpetone.com info@mvcarpetone.com