The Non-Electric Life

It all depends on the source of the power, and if your utility company uses coal or other fossil fuels to generate electricity, then most of us are contributing to global warming when we use electricity. As energy-addicted as Westerners are, you can bet your energy consumption is a lot more damaging than you think. America's president thinks large corporations need to tackle this problem. I think we all need to make changes in our day-to-day lives in an attempt to save the planet.
Additional information about power plants, and waste of energy, can be found here.

Americans are hooked on gadgets, and far too many of them are electric. Some of them are downright ridiculous, and don't make life any easier or more pleasant. Why use a leafblower, when a broom or rake will do the job? Look in your kitchen. Is it Gadgetville in there? When was the last time you used that electric jar opener you got for Christmas? Even a regular electric can-opener is a waste of energy and resources. One of the best places to look for good replacements is at Lehman's . Here's a can opener that will do the job just fine and dandy. It uses no energy except your own.

Idon't even use my electric mixer much anymore. It's so much easier to just use a whisk much of the time. And why use an electric grinder or blender when a mortar and pestle will work just fine for grinding up spices? A simple cheese grater works to grate ginger, too. A mandoline does as quick a job as a food processor. The added benefit is that non-electric gadgets aren't nearly as noisy. Most of the time they'll cost a lot less than that expensive Cuisinart.

Not only is eating raw food healthier, it saves a huge amount of energy not having to cook your food. It's fast and easy if you're armed with tasty recipes and the right tools to put together a raw meal. One of my favorite cookbooks is from The Raw Gourmet. And a great gadget to use, non-electric of course, is the Saladacco. It works like a charm and unlike many electric gadgets, cleans up in a jiffy. It's also small, so storage space is never a problem.

While we're in the kitchen, one of the most energy-consumptive appliances in your home is the refrigerator. Over the decades, they've gotten bigger and despite the Energy Star ratings, use way too much electricity to be comfortably and conscientiously justified. If you're planning to go raw at least a few days a week, you'll find that the measly produce drawers are simply not enough, and that the fridge is packed halfway up with bags stuffed full of fruits and vegetables. Not to mention future science experiments! Think how much more attractive and useful a few Zeer Pots on the counter would be. These are simply two unglazed clay pots, with a layer of sand at the bottom and packed around the inside of the large outer pot. The sand is kept wet, the inner pot holds your produce, and it's covered with a damp cloth. Using this method will keep your food fresh for 2-3 weeks. Yes, you read that correctly, and without a bit of electricity. Now you can get a much smaller refrigerator and save all kinds of energy. We can thank the African wilds for this fine innovation. The Zeer Pot.

Some of them more than others. Your laundry gadgets are the worst. Oh, yeah, running the washer and dryer is really convenient while you're sitting watching television at night (another electric sucker), but I've read that we use up the energy produced by seven utility plants each year just drying our clothes. We're also ruining those clothes if the stuff you pull out of your dryer filter is any indication. So on days like today, when it's warm and sunny, why not try this gadget for a change? The Clothesline. What a concept. Can't use one because it's against Homeowners Covenants where you live? That's a crime, and it's time you raised a ruckus about it!

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My doorbell recently gave up the ghost and rather than replace it with a conventional modern doorbell which is powered by electricity, I decided to look for an alternative. It also got me thinking about all the ways we use up energy. Doorbells? How many houses are there in this country that use electric-powered doorbells? Probably most of them. Do you think a few hundred million doorbells add up to a bit of energy use? Common sense tells us it does. I bought a mechanical doorbell at Vermont Country Store. Not only does it work very well (it's loud), it's quite handsome in appearance and really dresses up the entrance to the house.

We all love our hobbies. They're the activities that keep us happy, balanced, and renewed for the impending work week. Alas, too many of our leisure activities are energy-consumptive, so it behooves us to think of ways to feed our creative souls while supporting the planet. I have two favorites. Reading and knitting. So needless to say, news that combines both makes me happy and needs to be shared!

Knitting designer and fellow writing colleague, Donna Druchunas, is on a Blog Book Tour promoting her latest knitting book, Ethnic Knitting Discovery. Two sticks, some yarn, good clear instructions and you have beauty and one-of-a-kind stylish clothes. Or a rug, as Donna demonstrates in the photo. It's a miracle with no electricity consumed. You can read more about it here.

If that isn't enough, the publisher - Nomad Press - is a member of The Green Press Initiative. As a result of printing Ethnic Knitting Discovery on 50% post consumer recycled paper, processed chlorine free, they saved:

-16 trees (40' tall and 6-8" in diameter)
-6,830 gallons of wastewater
-2,747 kilowatt hours of electricity
-753 pounds of solid waste
-1,479 pounds of greenhouse gases

Furthermore, the book was designed and printed with virtually no color except on the cover, eliminating all the "book miles" required for off-shore production in countries like China.

There's nothing in this scenario to criticize, and every reason to support these good people! Buy a book and learn to knit. It's a good thing for Mother Earth and for you. It's a great way to walk our talk... in a gorgeous handknit sweater.

Ilive in a small rural town and it's getting to be that time of year when everyone pulls out their tractors to mow acres of lawn. I know they're not electric, but the fact remains that energy is being consumed. There are other practical ways to take care of all that green that cost a lot less. You're probably thinking I mean an old-fashioned reel mower, right? Well, that's a good idea and you can buy a good and affordable new one these days. But, why not look really cool and buy an Austrian scythe instead? Go here to purchase yours.

But, the thought of motoring around on a bicycle is a bit more than I can handle at my age! I love the idea of a tandem. If only they weren't so pricey. But wait. I found one that is actually affordable here. Can you believe the price? Get one of the Burn Fat, Not Oil tee-shirts and really make a statement while you're riding around town with your sweetie!

Several folks here have brought up the issue of computers and the energy hogs they really are. Is there actually a good and efficient computer? Or an alternative energy source to run the things? If you're anything like me, you're not about to give yours up, especially not if you make your living with this essential tool. I have, however, found a way to enormously cut down on hours used. I bought an Alphasmart Neo. It's a keyboard with eight files, each able to hold 50 pages, that gets 700 hours of use from three AA batteries. I got my first year's worth of use on that initial battery set. Now I change batteries more often because Alphie goes everywhere with me and I write more. It's virtually indestructible, weighs only two pounds, and costs a mere $219. You can buy your own here. I figure this gadget has saved me at least 2,000 hours of computer time.... the writing I would usually do on computer, I do on this.

Here's a way to constantly be aware of how much energy your computer uses. You'll also get to see how much energy you save, on your own and collectively. Go visit them to download the program, and to grab Local Cooling widgets for your own website. It's a very cool thing!

Can you fathom how much electricity restaurants and stores use to pipe in all that cheesey music and annoying advertising that nobody wants to hear? Is it really necessary to broadcast the same music into the parking lot? Where do they imagine the energy comes from? Can you think of a more frivolous use of electricity? Call your grocery store and your favorite restaurants today and ask them to be energy-conscious, to set an example for other businesses, and to give their customers and the Earth a break by turning off their sound systems, even if just for a few hours a day. If that feels good to you, look for other inappropriate sound systems, like the lobby of your police department or your friendly U.S.P.S. office. Point out that it's simply not necessary for government offices to waste resources this way. You'll be doing a great thing for only a few moments of energy .... your energy. Call or write and voice your opinions. It's the only way change will happen.

You made us tops because you believe and care about our message. Keep doing your part and spreading the word about using less electricity every day.