Folding chairs as wall art

Oddly enough I saw this option at a hospital! While my husband was recovering from his heart by-pass surgery I spent a lot of time in his hospital room. If you haven't been in one of late, let me tell you there is never enough room for everything that gets crammed into it. There's the bed, all the electronics and support equipment (including a computer for linking to the hospital wide records system), a day bed for the relatives to crash on, a arm chair for the patient, a bed table for the patient's water and meals, and miscellaneous other necessities. So there isn't much space for extras, like seating for yet more visitors. Their solution was to have nice looking folding chairs which they simply hung on the wall.

The chairs stay out of the way of the nurses, aids and primary visitors but it's easy to grab them if more visitors suddenly need to be accommodated.

I could see this working in an apartment as long as you got the nicest looking folding chairs available. Or you could even make colorful fabric frames to cover each one. That way you have color on your walls and get your extra chairs out of the way.

Are there really green electronic gadgets?

Burning Question: Is There Really a Green Gadget? Well yes, and manufacturers are working to get more toxins out. Check out Epeat, a site that offers "a system that helps purchasers evaluate, compare and select electronic products based on their environmental attributes."

So look closely at those cell phones, digital cameras, computers, DVD players, etc.

What's better for the climate, tofu or meat?

Here's an interesting article, How Green Is Tofu? Basically it depends on what you are eating now. If you are mainly eating chicken, switching to tofu may not save that much energy. Getting more of your food from local sources would have a bigger impact because it reduces the energy used for transportation. Given that 'local' food is often fresher, riper, and potentially less exposed to pesticides and preservatives doesn't hurt either.

Are they really green?

Confused by all the recommendations and claims? Want to do the right thing but wondering if living green is like diets where what's bad for you yesterday is the wonder food of today? Check out this great article about how to judge products, also check out their recommended web sites that can provide more detailed information about specific products.How can you tell if it’s really ‘green’? Everything seems to be marketed with an eco-spin, but is it really?

Portable Solar-Powered Office

This mobile solar-powered office in a retro suitcase just looks cool to me. As Dornob says in their review there might not be too many people in the market for one of these beauties, but if you need an instant office/entertainment center in a remote location with a coffee maker option, this would be a good looking option. Just grab and go!

That said, The Alternative Consumer says this is actually an over the top creation by Louis Vuitton for a Chinese mega-millionaire. So you can't really say it's eco-friendly although it's powered by solar energy.

The trunk was fitted with two solar panels that provide energy for the flat-screen TV, DVD player, two-way radio, tuner and coffee machine. It's covered with Damier canvas and it has a retro style.

Now if someone would do a cheaper knockoff made with green sustainable materials, then workers and others headed for the hinterlands could take their entertainment with them.

Cities more eco-friendly than assumed

I'm reading a fascinating book, Green Metropolis: Why Living Smaller, Living Closer, and Driving Less are the Keys to Sustainability by David Owen. The premise is that large city living, particularly New York, is actually the most green lifestyle available today. He argues that Americans fleeing to the suburbs and rural areas increase their waste and carbon footprint.

I recommend you give this book a read, it will change your ideas about how to help our world. If you were thinking you couldn't enjoy urban living then get this book!

Crisis is over

My husband's heart by-pass surgery went very well. He was lucky in that they were able to utilize robotic-assisted surgery. That meant they did not need to pry him open as far, which in turn has meant his healing process, especially for his ribs, has been much shorter. In addition, he's been a model patient and has done all his exercises. He's been religious about doing all the walking required.

We've been fortunate in that they found the blockages before he had an actual heart attack. He's now cleared to drive and lift heavier items (important for shopping and chores).

Which is good because I was injured at my work site and I'm wearing a full leg brace. Until I see the orthopedic surgeon I won't know what problems have come from that. I'm hopeful at the moment. But my spouse has to drive me to work and other chores that are difficult without two good legs. Especially since it occurred so close to the holiday. But Thanksgiving has come and gone along with the relatives, so I can finally get back to what I enjoy doing, and that's discovering ways to make my home and maybe yours better.