Please join us for a Wine and Cheese Tasting next Friday evening, 8/27 from 7-9 p.m. PRP Wine International will be providing their delicious wines for our tasting experience and we’ll also have one of our very own Las Ventanas Residents’ playing some of his wonderful jazz tunes for our pleasure. It should be a blast. We hope to see you all there!

Before hitting the malls or online shops in search of green back to school gear, plan out your day (and your year) at school, and ask yourself some questions. Are you really going to ride your bike enough to warrant buying a new set of wheels? Are you going to be diligent enough about bringing your lunch each day (or most days) to require a new lunchbox or other reusable vessel? Do you really need a new ruler (the measurements haven’t changed over the summer, you know) or a package of 68 pens? Make a list of what you absolutely know you need, what you think you might need, and what you want, and carefully consider which items go in which section of the list. Once your list is made, it’s time to…

Take Inventory and Avoid Duplicates

Once you’ve gotten in green back to school mode, most of us will be faced with the reality that getting ready to go back to school requires stuff — school supplies, clothes, backpacks, etc. — but it doesn’t always require new stuff. Take a careful inventory of what you already have that can be used again — think more durable items, like clothes and shoes — and what’s still waiting to be used for the first time — extra packs of pencils, notebooks, etc. Avoid last-minute impulse purchases by making a list of what you need (and sticking to it!) before you head to the store. Following these steps will save materials as well as your dollars.

Find Green Clothes

Almost half of the money spent on back to school shopping goes to buying clothes, but new threads don’t have to come with sticker shock. Hand-me-downs are a great place to get started, and thrift stores and events like Swap-o-Rama-Rama can be a fun (and cheap!) way to send your kiddies back to school in low-impact duds. Style-conscious teens can find gently used (but still ultra-hip) clothes at stores like Buffalo Exchange. If these options are exhausted before your list is done, and you have to buy new, go for well-made, high-quality choices made from more sustainable fabrics like organic cotton or bamboo rather than disposable fashion that’ll wear out (and wear down the planet’s resources) before spring graduation.

Write this Down: Choose Greener Pens and Pencils

Believe it or not, writing implement technology has improved since we were trudging uphill (both ways!) in the snow to get to school. The days of package upon package of disposable pen and pencil are gone, replaced by biodegradable pencils, refillable pens, and recycled versions of both. Once you have greener options in hand, encourage your youngsters to hang on to each pencil ’til it wears down to the nub, and to each pen as long as possible. The Green Office has a handful of handy kits that’ll cover most bases from kids in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Don’t be a Paper Pusher

Although many kids are internet masters, e-mailing homework is uncommon in most K-12 schools, where paper is still king — for taking notes, writing papers, and making airplanes. But that doesn’t mean that you or your child can’t take steps to cut down your paper consumption. Buy products with the highest percentage of post-consumer recycled content possible, that is processed chlorine free (PCF), such as New Leaf Paper for printers, and Mead Recycled Notebooks for use in school; learn more about paper options on TreeHugger. Next, use these products to their maximum efficiency by printing on both sides of the paper, using paper already printed on one side for drafts (or better yet editing all drafts in the computer itself), and filling notebooks from cover to cover before purchasing a new one. And it never hurts to ask teachers if you can email in your work.

Beware the Miscellaneous Supply Overload

Bigger items, like backpacks, and stuff that doesn’t get used every day, like glue sticks, colored pencils, and markers, are still necessary in many cases, but, because they either last longer (in the case of backpacks) or usually don’t get used every day (with things like art supplies) you don’t need them in the larger quantities typical of printer paper, pencils, and pens. Don’t be tempted by the better deal on a dozen bottles of glue if you know you’ll only need three bottles between now and next spring. If it doesn’t have to come out of the backpack every day (or it is a backpack), think twice about loading up at the beginning of the year. See TreeHugger’s back-to-school advice for more supply-related tips.

Think Outside the Lunch-Box

Don’t brown bag it; instead opt for a washable, reusable container to tote your lunch too and fro. Just make sure to avoid vinyl lunch boxes which have been shown to contain harmful levels of lead. Instead, invest in a PVC-free, thermally insulated lunch bag, one made from recycled juice boxes or from organic cotton and keep lunches cool by freezing water or juice in a reusable container and putting it in the bag. Instead of using baggies and plastic wrap for sandwiches and snacks, use reusable plastic containers or an easy to clean Wrap-n-Mat. The Laptop Lunch box system is also a solid choice for reusable lunch-packing, and includes individuals containers and beverage holders. For other beverages, beware of plastic bottles which may contain Bisphenol A (BPA), a hormone-disrupting chemical. Instead go with metal ones such as Klean Kanteen or Sigg which come in kid-friendly sizes and designs.

Don’t Start a Food Fight

When it comes to the actual food that goes in the lunch box. Make extra for dinner the night before, leftovers make great lunches. Pack healthy green lunches kids will want to eat, and get them involved in choosing lunch ingredients, since they’ll be less likely to pitch stuff they want to eat. Forget the mini-packs of Cheetos and Doritos; apples, oranges, bananas, and other fruit are heathful, waste-free snackables that come with their own compostable wrapping. And, don’t forget: Kids need snacks as well as lunch. Try homemade granola bars (see the recipe in the Getting Techie section) rather than individually wrapped purchased bars. Or send them with fruit or vegetable sticks and a couple of slices of cheese.

Walking, Biking, Busing: Green Transportation to School

Going green while getting back and forth to school offers a familiar refrain: human power — walking or biking — is best; riding the bus is next; driving alone is last. Events like Walk to School Month and activities like the Walking Bus are making it easier and safer for kids to get to school under their own power; if you don’t live close enough to walk, and finding a safe bike route to school is a green way to go, too. Beyond that, even though most school buses get single-digit miles per gallon, they can also hold upwards of 60 or 70 youngsters, making them a cleaner option than single-occupancy cars (Plenty did the math for a single-occupancy hybrid car vs. a bus, and the bus won). If walking, biking, or busing aren’t in the cards, be sure to divide the ride and start a parent carpool.

Do This Stuff All Year

Greening your back to school experience is a great way to start the year, and a great way to make progress toward a sustainable lifestyle, but there’s no reason to stop after the year has just started. Apply the lessons you’ve learned preparing to go back to school to other parts of your non-scholastic life, and, when it comes time to re-supply, follow the tips to stay prepared, organized, and green.

-Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.
-Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.
-Unplug appliances when you’re not using them. Or, use a “smart” power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts “phantom” or “vampire” energy use.
-Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.
-Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying.

2. Save water to save money.

-Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too.
-Install a low-flow showerhead. They don’t cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.
-Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.
-Plant drought-tolerant native plants in your garden. Many plants need minimal watering. Find out which occur naturally in your area.

3. Less gas = more money (and better health!).

-Walk or bike to work. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity.
-Consider telecommuting if you live far from your work. Or move closer. Even if this means paying more rent, it could save you money in the long term.
-Lobby your local government to increase spending on sidewalks and bike lanes. With little cost, these improvements can pay huge dividends in bettering your health and reducing traffic.

4. Eat smart.

-If you eat meat, add one meatless meal a week. Meat costs a lot at the store-and it’s even more expensive when you consider the related environmental and health costs.
-Buy locally raised, humane, and organic meat, eggs, and dairy whenever you can. Purchasing from local farmers keeps money in the local economy.
-Watch videos about why local food and sustainable seafood are so great.
-Whatever your diet, eat low on the food chain. This is especially true for seafood.

5. Skip the bottled water.

-Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it generates large amounts of container waste.
-Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work.
-Check out this short article for the latest on bottled water trends.

6. Think before you buy.

-Go online to find new or gently used secondhand products. Whether you’ve just moved or are looking to redecorate, consider a service like craigslist or FreeSharing to track down furniture, appliances, and other items cheaply or for free.
-Check out garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops for clothing and other everyday items.
-When making purchases, make sure you know what’s “Good Stuff” and what isn’t.
-Watch a video about what happens when you buy things. Your purchases have a real impact, for better or worse.

7. Borrow instead of buying.

-Borrow from libraries instead of buying personal books and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink and paper that goes into printing new books.
-Share power tools and other appliances. Get to know your neighbors while cutting down on the number of things cluttering your closet or garage.

8. Buy smart.

-Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.
-Wear clothes that don’t need to be dry-cleaned. This saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.
-Invest in high-quality, long-lasting products. You might pay more now, but you’ll be happy when you don’t have to replace items as frequently (and this means less waste!).

9. Keep electronics out of the trash.

-Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible.
-Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes. E-waste contains mercury and other toxics and is a growing environmental problem.
-Recycle your cell phone.
-Ask your local government to set up an electronics recycling and hazardous waste collection event.

10. Make your own cleaning supplies.

-The big secret: you can make very effective, non-toxic cleaning products whenever you need them. All you need are a few simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap.
-Making your own cleaning products saves money, time, and packaging-not to mention your indoor air quality.

Prep: 20 min. + chilling

Ingredients

1 package (8 ounces) Philadelphia® Cream Cheese, softened
3 cups cold milk
2 packages JELL-O® Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
1 container (8 ounces) Cool Whip® Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
48 NILLA® Wafers
1/2 cup brewed strong Maxwell House® Coffee, divided
2 squares (1 ounce each) Baker’s® Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, coarsely grated
1 cup fresh raspberries

Directions

Beat cream cheese in large bowl with electric mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in milk. Add dry pudding mixes; mix well. Stir in 2 cups of the whipped topping.
Place 24 of the waters in 3-qt. serving bowl; drizzle with half of the coffee. Top with half each of the pudding mixture and chocolate.
Repeat layers of wafers, drizzled coffee, pudding mixture and chocolate; top with whipped topping and raspberries. Refrigerate at least 3 hours. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

MILK CHOCOLATE BOWL: Prepare as directed, substituting chocolate milk for the coffee.

16 servings

Ingredients

3 cups fresh strawberries (halve or quarter if large berries)
2 Tbsp. white balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar
1/4 cup strawberry jam
Sea salt or salt and black pepper
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 3 lb.)
3 oz. Parmesan or white cheddar cheese
6 large fresh basil leaves
1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Snipped fresh basil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a 3-quart baking dish combine strawberries, vinegar, and jam. Sprinkle salt and pepper; set aside.

2. Cut a horizontal pocket in each chicken breast half by cutting from one side almost, but not through, to the other side. Cut Parmesan cheese in six 3×1/2-inch pieces. Wrap a basil leaf around each piece of cheese; stuff into chicken breast pocket. Secure pockets closed with wooden toothpicks or skewers. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

3. In 12-inch oven-safe skillet cook garlic in oil over medium heat for 30 seconds. Add chicken and cook 5 minutes or until golden brown, turning once. Transfer to oven. Bake, uncovered, 5 minutes. Add baking dish with the strawberry-jam mixture to oven. Bake 10 to 13 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink (170 degrees F) and the berries are softened and jam mixture has thickened. Serve chicken with melted strawberries. Sprinkle with basil. Makes 6 servings.

Serves: 4
Preparation time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:
2 cups diced stone fruit (apricots, plums, peaches, nectarines)
2 cups apricot juice
2 cups sparkling wine
1 cup seltzer

Preparation
1. Combine diced fruit, apricot juice, sparkling wine and seltzer.
2. Divide among four ice-filled glasses.

Non-alcoholic version: Substitute sparkling cider for the wine.

Nutrition Facts
Per cocktail:
203 calories
1 g fat (0 g sat, 0 g mono)
0 mg cholesterol
29 g carbohydrate
2 g protein
2 g fiber
5 mg sodium
324 mg potassium

Ingredients:
1 yellow grapefruit, peeled and sliced into rounds
1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated fresh gingerroot
1/4 cup slivered or sliced almonds, roasted

Directions:

Divide grapefruit rounds onto 4 small plates, layering slices attractively. Top each stack with about 1/2 cup sliced strawberries. Combine honey, lemon juice and ginger in a small bowl, and drizzle over each salad. Sprinkle with almonds and serve.

Serves 4.