The blog formerly known as   Fake Plastic Fish

Monthly Archives: May 2009

May 5, 2009

Eco-Driving is great. But how about less driving in the first place?

cars driving on Claremont Avenue

May is EcoDriving Month. I don’t know who decided this, but it’s fine with me if designating a month will encourage drivers to learn strategies for lessening their fuel consumption and emissions while driving. In fact, EcoDriving USA is an advertiser on Fake Plastic Fish this month. Click the ad on the left sidebar to learn tips for driving and maintaining your car in a conscientious manner.

Keep in mind, however, that EcoDriving USA is a project of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. So while the site gives strategies for better driving, it never mentions the idea of driving less to begin with. Avoiding rapid stops and starts is a good idea. Walking, getting on your bike, or taking public transit are even better.

I’m not here to tell you that driving is bad. I don’t own a car myself, but that doesn’t mean I don’t drive occasionally. Some communities are set up for car-free living (like the neighborhood … Read the rest

May 1, 2009

Guest Post – Living Green in Oklahoma

Oklahoma

The following is a guest post from Lisa Sharp of Retro Housewife Goes Green. Until last weekend, getting hooked on that U.S. map puzzle, I didn’t know Oklahoma was shaped like a jagged meat cleaver. Did you?

It’s not as easy as San Francisco. Now areas like Norman, Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Edmond are easier than the small town where I live.

Our farmer’s market is very small and isn’t year round. There is a year round, indoor farmers market in Oklahoma City, but that is around 80 miles from me.

Locally we have a very small natural food store, Wal-Mart, and a few locally-owned grocery stores. There is very little organic/natural food in this town. My husband and I drive around 60 miles once a month to do our grocery shopping in Norman in order to get organic, local and natural food.

One great thing we have is a dairy store called Braums (some of you in the south will know what it is). We get our milk there, as they do not use hormones or ant… Read the rest