Water Rules!

Between back-to-school ads, changing clothing store inventory and football games starting up again, it would seem like fall is on its way here. And yet, the temperatures outside beg to differ. It is still hot, hot hot, and dry, dry, dry.

Back in the spring, I wrote about how to conserve water around your home, and one of the tips was to follow lawn-watering ordinances. Ordinances are found in cities all over the country, and are especially prevalent in California, which is facing one of the most extreme droughts on record.

Following our own spell of below-average rainfall, it's still important for all Lafayette Utilities System customers to continue to follow their lawn-watering ordinance until September 30. It applies to LUS residential, commercial and wholesale customers using automated watering systems and sprinklers. By following the set schedule, residents can help ensure sufficient water pressure for fighting fires.


As a refresher, LUS customers with addresses that end in an even number can use sprinklers and watering systems on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays between the midnight and 2p.m. Residents with odd-numbered addresses are permitted to water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during the same hours. You can still water by hand with a hose anytime. (TWSS?)
In addition, LUS recommends a thorough watering system-check up. This includes examining sprinkler heads for leaks, tightening irrigation hose and pipe connections, directing water spray onto landscaping instead of pavement (for the love...PLEASE don't water the street!), and choosing “water sense” irrigation products.
You can also take advantage of a rain barrel to water your lawn without having to tap into the city water supply. 

Just remember, we all need to share the city's water supply, including firefighters! Do your part and follow the watering schedule in order to conserve a valuable resource. 
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Better Ways to Get Rid of Pests

I always get a little excited when my friends tell me how they have been researching eco-friendly alternatives for themselves. Awhile back, my friend Liv mentioned she was looking into environmentally friendly pest control, something especially important for her now that she has a young son. 

Courtesy of Liv, these are some of the better alternatives for controlling pests at home.

http://gardenclub.homedepot.com/5-easy-eco-secrets-for-a-greener-lawn/

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is an off white talc-like powder of the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton, and it kills all bugs with exoskeletons.  When sprinkled on a bug that has an exoskeleton (such as bed bugs, ants or fleas) it compromises their waxy coating so that their innards turn into teeny tiny bug jerky, but it doesn't hurt mammals.  


If you use diatomaceous earth, it's important to remember to keep it dry. Even morning dew can make it ineffective.


Indoor and Outdoor Ants

  • A mixture of cornmeal and boric acid is an environmentally friendly solution to killing ants. Ants are attracted to cornmeal but it's not enough to kill them. Boric acid destroys ants' exoskeletons, similar to the way diatomaceous earth does. Just remember to keep boric acid away from children and pets, because it's not safe for consumption.
"Worker ants only feed on liquids. They take solid food back to the nests, where it is given to larvae. Then, the larvae convert it to liquid and feed it back to the worker ants. Straight boric acid or insecticide will kill ants, but the worker ants will eat it rather than taking it back to the nest because it is in liquid form. Making a paste ensures the poison will get to the nest. You may also lay a trail of straight cornmeal to lure the ants to the poison."
  • If you're dealing with an outdoor mound, try pouring boiling water on them. It kills the ants and destroys the mound.
  • Sprinkle diatomaceous earth all over the mound.
  • Pour water with dish soap on the ants. The soap will suffocate them. 
  • Ants hate vinegar, so a 50/50 water/vinegar solution is a cheap and easy way to take them out. 
  • The citric acid in lemon juice works the same way as vinegar, except that lemon smells better to us. One part lemon juice to two parts water should work well.
WikiHow has more tips on ant alternatives. 
 

Cockroaches

First, gross. While I don't like any insects, these are by far my least favorite.
  • Diatomaceous earth is very effective at killing cockroaches.
  • Mix one part powdered (not granular) boric acid, one part white flour, one part powdered white sugar. The sugar and flour attracts the roaches, and the boric acid kills them. Sprinkle the powder in the backs of drawers and cabinets, under the refrigerator, under the stove, and so on. 
 

Silverfish

TheSoftLanding.com provides easy ways to get rid of silverfish:
  • Wrap a tall glass jar with masking tape or twine (this helps create a surface the bugs can crawl on) and then toss in some dry oatmeal or crackers to attract the silverfish.  They can crawl in, but they can’t get back out!  Check for critters in your trap, empty and repeat as needed
  • Try topping a cracker with a 1:1 mix of borax and flour or powdered sugar to lure them out of their hiding places. Borax is low on the toxic-to-humans totem pole, but do keep it out of reach of kiddos.  You could also go the convenient route and try BioCare’s pre-made spider and silverfish traps
  • Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth around floor boards and areas you see the silverfish moving around, making sure pets and children can’t get close enough inhale it.  DE is the fossilized remains of micro-organisms and hard-shelled algae.  It works by scratching the bugs exoskeletons using its microscopic shards so the bugs become dehydrated
  • Mix equal parts water, baking soda and honey, then apply it to small pieces of sturdy paper or cardboard.  This mixture will kill silverfish and is handy for tight spots behind the books on your bookshelf
  • Dilute cedar oil with water and apply to cracks and crevices with a sprayer. The oil emits a smell that is noxious to silverfish and other common household pests but pleasant to humans. Silverfish experience cedar the way humans experience ammonia (remember those awesome cedar-lined chests and closets?).  Regular application will create a barrier to re-entry
  • - See more at: http://thesoftlanding.com/5-natural-ways-get-rid-silverfish/#sthash.Q49Qg6AQ.O6GfEWvz.dpuf
  • Wrap a tall glass jar with masking tape or twine (this helps create a surface the bugs can crawl on) and then toss in some dry oatmeal or crackers to attract the silverfish.  They can crawl in, but they can’t get back out!  Check for critters in your trap, empty and repeat as needed
  • Try topping a cracker with a 1:1 mix of borax and flour or powdered sugar to lure them out of their hiding places. Borax is low on the toxic-to-humans totem pole, but do keep it out of reach of kiddos.  You could also go the convenient route and try BioCare’s pre-made spider and silverfish traps
  • Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth around floor boards and areas you see the silverfish moving around, making sure pets and children can’t get close enough inhale it.  DE is the fossilized remains of micro-organisms and hard-shelled algae.  It works by scratching the bugs exoskeletons using its microscopic shards so the bugs become dehydrated
  • Mix equal parts water, baking soda and honey, then apply it to small pieces of sturdy paper or cardboard.  This mixture will kill silverfish and is handy for tight spots behind the books on your bookshelf
  • Dilute cedar oil with water and apply to cracks and crevices with a sprayer. The oil emits a smell that is noxious to silverfish and other common household pests but pleasant to humans. Silverfish experience cedar the way humans experience ammonia (remember those awesome cedar-lined chests and closets?).  Regular application will create a barrier to re-entry
  • - See more at: http://thesoftlanding.com/5-natural-ways-get-rid-silverfish/#sthash.Q49Qg6AQ.O6GfEWvz.dpuf
  • Wrap a tall glass jar with masking tape or twine (this helps create a surface the bugs can crawl on) and then toss in some dry oatmeal or crackers to attract the silverfish.  They can crawl in, but they can’t get back out!  Check for critters in your trap, empty and repeat as needed
  • Try topping a cracker with a 1:1 mix of borax and flour or powdered sugar to lure them out of their hiding places. Borax is low on the toxic-to-humans totem pole, but do keep it out of reach of kiddos.  You could also go the convenient route and try BioCare’s pre-made spider and silverfish traps
  • Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth around floor boards and areas you see the silverfish moving around, making sure pets and children can’t get close enough inhale it.  DE is the fossilized remains of micro-organisms and hard-shelled algae.  It works by scratching the bugs exoskeletons using its microscopic shards so the bugs become dehydrated
  • Mix equal parts water, baking soda and honey, then apply it to small pieces of sturdy paper or cardboard.  This mixture will kill silverfish and is handy for tight spots behind the books on your bookshelf
  • Dilute cedar oil with water and apply to cracks and crevices with a sprayer. The oil emits a smell that is noxious to silverfish and other common household pests but pleasant to humans. Silverfish experience cedar the way humans experience ammonia (remember those awesome cedar-lined chests and closets?).  Regular application will create a barrier to re-entry
  • - See more at: http://thesoftlanding.com/5-natural-ways-get-rid-silverfish/#sthash.Q49Qg6AQ.O6GfEWvz.dpuf
    • Try topping a cracker with a 1:1 mix of borax and flour or powdered sugar to lure them out of their hiding places.
    • Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around floorboards and areas you see the silverfish moving around, making sure pets and children can’t get close enough inhale i.
    • Mix equal parts water, baking soda and honey, then apply it to small pieces of sturdy paper or cardboard. This mixture will kill silverfish and is handy for tight spots behind the books on your bookshelf.
    • Dilute cedar oil with water and apply to cracks and crevices with a sprayer. The oil emits a smell that is noxious to silverfish and other common household pests but pleasant to humans. Silverfish experience cedar the way humans experience ammonia (remember those awesome cedar-lined chests and closets?). Regular application will create a barrier to reentry.
    • The smell of rosemary and cloves is a huge deterrent for silverfish.

    Pantry Moths

    • Bay leaves keep moths away from your food. 
    • Scrubbing your shelves and walls with a water/vinegar mixture helps to repel moths from coming back.
     
    And now that I have the heebie jeebies, I am going to go take a few showers.
     
    Thanks, Liv, for the awesome research!
     
    Have you tried any of these eco-friendly methods when it comes to household pests?
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    Using Essential Oils


    Last year around this time, I wrote about my transition to more natural remedies. From drinking more water, to green tea instead of coffee, to arnica for healing bruises, I wanted to focus on taking care of myself without medicine. I've taken up yoga and quickly become obsessed.

    After returning from our Hawaii vacation last summer, I found myself having more trouble than usual falling asleep. It happened more than a few times where I resorted to catching up on Pretty Little Liars OnDemand to help me fall asleep, or to keep me occupied when I'd be wide awake at 5am.

    Around the same time, one of my sweet friends, photographer, Hanson fan, mom of five, current Nashvillian Laura, started sharing her journey of using essential oils with her family. She shared more than once how doTERRA's Serenity blend helped her children and her 'turn off' at night and sleep better. I started thinking about trying essential oils myself.


    When Laura came home to visit and organized a class on essential oils, I was curious enough to check it out. Admittedly, I didn't do much research on different brands, but I did learn about the levels of quality in oils. If I was going to try any, I wanted to make sure they were certified therapeutic grade.

    One thing Laura said resonated with me and helped convince me to try using essential oils. One bottle of essential oil can last over a year, in that you won't need to use so many drops to get your desired result, and that it won't expire quickly. Therefore, the cost per use is significantly less than using over the counter medications or remedies.

    There is literally an oil or blend for almost every ailment or issue you can think of, from mental to physical. I started with my own bottle of Serenity, blended with lavender, sweet marjoram, roman chamomile, ylang ylang, and hawaiian sandalwood, and noticed I was falling asleep a bit easier within a few nights. The smell quickly started to soothe me instantly and I used it each night, especially when I could feel myself still wound up from the day.


    Since then, I've gotten other blends and single oils; my favorite being Balance to calm my anxiety, Elevation for the rougher days and for the cheerful smell, InTune for focus at work (accompanied by a good Explosions in the Sky mix in my earbuds), and white fir for the woodsy smell.

    Different essential oils work in different ways. Most of them can simply be rubbed onto different pressure points, from the bottom of your feet to the back of your neck, behind your ears, or on your chest. Others can be diluted in water for drinking. I can't drink my morning green tea without a drop or two of OnGuard (a blend of wild orange, clove bud, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary) or lemon.


    And others work well diffused into the room. Once I got a small diffuser, I started using it every night to give the whole room a calming effect. Sometimes, I would go a little crazy and make essential oil cocktails. A couple drops of Serenity, a drop of ylang ylang, a drop or two of white fir, or a drop of Elevation. Unfortunately, I haven't used it much lately, since my sweet (asshole) Milo chewed the power cord for it and prevented me from keeping it close to my side of the bed.


    I've also experimented with making my own reed diffusers for my cubicle. One repurposed jar, some small reeds, some almond oil, and some drops of essential oil, and you'll notice it within minutes! If you want to make your own as well, look for small jars around your house. The one above held vitamins before, and I've also used a spice jar and a tiny jar from bath oil. They all work great, though the smaller the neck, the better.


    My latest obsession is my essential oil necklace from Mimosa by ME. Baton Rouge-based and a staple vendor at Festival International, Madeline creates these necklaces from terra cotta and porcelain. I chose one made of terra cotta for its ability to absorb the oil and emit a wonderful scent all day. I love being able to have my oil nearby without rubbing it on my skin.

    While I don't believe essential oils work as magically as some claim (although I wish they did), I have no doubt that they do work. In the past year, I have noticed that I take Unisom, melatonin and ibuprofen much less often. I've had a few colds, but the OnGuard has helped when I feel one coming on. And the scents are just soothing and pleasant.

    Overall, I'm happy with oils as part of my transition to a more natural lifestyle. I love my small collection, and keep some in a keychain case for when I'm on the go. And as my bottles run out, I can save and reuse them!



    This post not sponsored!
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    How Do I: Get Rid of These Batteries?

    The topic of recycling batteries may not necessarily be exciting, but it's certainly important! There are many ways to get rid of batteries responsibly, without having to add them to a landfill pile.

    Why should you avoid throwing dead batteries in the trash? Electronics and electrical components contain heavy metals and toxic chemicals that can leak out, seep into the ground or water sources, and cause pollution and illness. Polluted water already causes enough problems - why would you want to add to the issues?


    So, how to recycle batteries.

    Your local Best Buy accepts old rechargeable batteries in their kiosks at the front of the store. In Louisiana specifically, you can drop off rechargeable batteries, laptop batteries, battery backups and cell phone batteries. They do not accept single-use batteries, rechargeable batteries more than 11 pounds, car batteries and lithium ion batteries. Check Best Buy's recycling page for information on your own state.

    RecycleNation provides a directory guiding you where to recycle many different products, including single-use and lithium ion batteries. A quick search for single-use battery recycling near my zip code tells me that Radio Shack accepts them. A word of advice: Call the place where you want to go and confirm they do accept the items for recycling, BEFORE you drive out there. (Save you some gas!)

    The Louisiana DEQ website breaks down e-cycling dropoff locations by city, and their definition of electronics covers rechargeable batteries.

    Call2Recycle is a rechargeable battery and cell phone collection program that has collection sites all over the country. A search around Lafayette tells me there are collection sites at Home Depot, Lowes, Sears and Office Depot.

    Some household e-waste and chemical collection days in cities will accept single-use batteries; just check with your city before your bring your stash.

    Battery Solutions is a company that recycles a wide assortment of battery types, and they have instructions on how you can recycle with them.

    Energizer has a new EcoAdvanced battery that contains 4% recycled batteries. Their claim is that the eco batteries require less mining of virgin material and reduce the amount of batteries consumers need to power their devices resulting in less waste.

    http://www.energizer.com/docs/default-source/pdf/energizer-ecoadvanced-infographic-final.pdf 


    Rethink Recycling and Duracell both maintain that it's safe to throw away single-use batteries manufactured after 1993, when the Lead Battery Recycling Incentives Act amended the Solid Waste Disposal Act. As Duracell says, they discontinued the use of mercury as well in 1993. However, it's better to err on the safe side, and dispose of batteries without dumping them in a landfill. California even requires that batteries be recycled.

    Larger or specialty batteries may require separate treatment. Auto batteries should be recycled by the store that changes it for you; if you change your own battery, contact an auto parts store to see if they can recycle it for you.

    Looking into how to recycle old cell phones and their batteries? Check out this Eco Cajun blog post!

    Read up on general electronics recycling in another blog post.
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    Back to School... Back to Realityyy

    If you hear a giant, collective groan this week, it's probably the thousands of students (and teachers) heading back to school. If you hear another giant, collective groan, it's probably the rest of us remembering how crappy school-year commutes are.

    Oh well, we can't avoid the inevitable! The new school year is upon us, and just in case you haven't stocked up on school supplies yet, now is the time to go green for school!

    https://olioboard.com/items/263680-kids-bags-and-backpacks-kids-eco-friendly-recycle-symbol-backpack-recycle-eco-backpack

    Save some money and a lot of resources by reusing where possible and buying environmentally friendly supplies - from paper, pencils/pens and binders to backpacks, lunchtime supplies and art supplies.


    PAPER, NOTEBOOKS, FOLDERS AND BINDERS

    Start your supply be reusing what you may already have! If you've got some clean paper or folders in good condition left over from last year, use them again instead of stashing away to buy new.

    When shopping for looseleaf, notebooks or computer paper, choose recycled! Recycled notebooks and reams of computer paper are very common and easy-to-find.

    Expert tip: There are two kinds of recycled content: 'pre-consumer' means the material was recycled within the plant (from scraps) before going out for retail purchase, and 'post-consumer' means the material was previously used by a consumer and deposited at a recycling facility, then used by the factory.

    Need a traditional composition book for class? Be unique with a decomposition book! Made of recycled paper, printed with soy ink and not processed with chlorine, decomposition books are available in stores as well as online.

    Teach your children to make the best use out of their paper supply. Get them in the habit of taking notes using both sides of the paper and recycling any paper they don't need anymore.

    As a parent, recycle any take-home papers you don't need to keep or return.

    Once you have the recycled paper, it's important to have something eco-friendly to store it in. Naked Binders are one brand of eco-friendly binders; made of FSC-certified recycled cardboard. Earth Binders are another brand made of recycled materials, and they sell pocket folders and index tabs.

    Oxford makes EarthWise pocket folders as well, made with 100% post-consumer recycled fiber. AND they come in more colors than just brown!


    WRITING

    Pens and pencils made with recycled materials are becoming increasingly available. Some pencils are made of recycled newspaper and some are made with reforested wood.

    Many pens are made with recycled and/or biodegradable materials. Papermate sells pens made of recycled and biodegradable materials. Their biodegradable pens actually write really well. They also partner with TerraCycle to upcycle pens you collect and donate. Pilot makes an ink pen made from water and soft drink bottles.

    If your children are using ink pens (whether recycled or not), teach them to conserve ink by always recapping or retracting the pen when they aren't writing with it.

    BACKPACKS

    Backpacks are available in recycled PET (soft drink bottles). They may be available in more specialty-type shops, but are definitely available online. Prices vary, depending on the backpack. Recycled backpacks are as strong as regular backpacks as well.

    Timbuk2 uses recycled PET fabric and even recycled foam padding left over from other products in their backpacks.
     
    If your child is allowed to bring a lunch to school, do it the green way! Skip the paper bags in favor of insulated reusable lunch bags, stainless steel cases or bento box-type kits, put drinks in a reusable mug instead of single-use juice boxes, and place sandwiches and snacks in reusable bags.

    ARTS & CRAFTS

    Crayons, sidewalk chalk, modeling clay, paint, glue and colored pencils all come in nontoxic alternatives. Eco Kids is a company dedicated to providing eco-friendly, nontoxic art supplies. Stubby Pencil Studio sells soy-based crayons, drawing books made from recycled paper and scissors made with recycled plastics.



    Because school supplies cover so many products, there are tons of options for anything you could want or need to buy. The brands mentioned are by far not the only ones who sell sustainable and environmentally friendly school and office supplies. When you're shopping for supplies, take the time to do a little research beforehand so you can figure out which brands to look for and where to find them. You'd be surprised how many options are available at your local office supply store.

    And don't forget to take the opportunity to educate your children on how their supplies help the planet and why being eco-friendly is so important for planet and for people. If children make sustainability a habit at a younger age, they're much more likely to advocate for sustainability as they grow up!

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    Be Car-Free! (At Least Sometimes.)

    Do you ever wish of living a car-free life? Unfortunately, in many places, it's just not as possible to achieve.

    Bigger cities have great alternative transportation options, from commuter trains to subways to buses to pedicabs to bike share programs to decent taxi services. Bonus points for hybrid taxis!

    Lafayette...not so much. (Let's not even talk about the taxi service here.)

    So even if you can't make a full transition and ditch your car permanently, there are still alternatives to driving that help you go green and use less gas.


    • Walk. Need to make a quick trip or visit a nearby friend? Get your walk on!
    • Ride your bike. It's no surprise that I love riding my bike around town. Especially for local events and festivals, it's the perfect mode of transportation. It can be grueling during the summer months and sunshine though, so always stay hydrated and bring extra water. If you want to commute to work, make sure your route is safe. Biking can be a viable option for longer trips, especially if you have the time. But it also works great for a short trip to the grocery store.
    • Carpool. Especially for work commutes, carpooling works great if you live near coworkers. Share a ride, and share the responsibilities. You'll each cut the amount of fuel and wear-and-tear on your own car.
    • Ride the bus. Lafayette does have a fleet of buses that run on compressed natural gas, making them better for the environment. Plus, the buses are equipped to carry your bicycle, so you can combine two alternate forms of transportation!
    • Rent a car. If you're planning a weekend trip or a vacation, look into a renting a car that is more fuel efficient than yours. You'll still be driving, but it may be better for the environment - and your wallet! Depending on what you normally drive, your fuel savings may end up paying for the car rental.
    • Take fewer trips. During the week, bring your lunch to work and stay in, instead of driving somewhere to eat every day. You'll save money on fuel and food! Outside of work, combine all your errands into one trip and plan out the shortest route to cover it.
    Think you can try ditching your car for one trip this week? What trip would it be and what would you do instead of driving?
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    Summertime Fuel Efficiency

    In these dog days of summer, getting into a hot car can feel about the same as stepping into a sauna. With this July being the warmest on record for Lafayette (as if you couldn't feel that lovely oven air every afternoon), it's important to stay cool for your safety.


    It's possible to stay cool in your car without sacrificing your fuel efficiency. In some ways, the summertime can actually increase your fuel economy: your engine warms up to an efficient temperature faster, summer grades of gasoline can have slightly more energy and warm air causes less aerodynamic drag than cold air.

    The biggest culprit to reducing your fuel efficiency is your good old air conditioner. And second place goes to windows rolled down. According to the Department of Energy, under very hot conditions, air conditioners use can reduce a conventional vehicle's fuel economy by more than 25%. The effect on hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles can be even larger.
    Rolling the windows down increases drag, or wind resistance, requiring that your vehicle use more energy to push through the air, moreso at higher speeds.


    You probably don't want to use a big portion of your gas to simply cool off inside, and there are easy ways to stay comfortable and efficient:
    • Park in the shade or use a windshield sunshade so that the cabin doesn't get as hot.
    • Roll the windows down at lower speeds in the city and use the AC on the highway.
    • Don't use the AC more than needed or set the temperature lower than needed. Once you're comfortable, turn it down a little.
    • Drive with the windows open for a short time before using the AC. Letting hot air out of the cabin first will put less demand on the AC and help your vehicle cool faster.
    • Don't idle with the AC running before driving. Turn the AC on after you begin to drive or after airing out the cabin briefly. Most AC systems will cool the vehicle faster while driving.
    • Read your owner's manual. Most manuals explain how the AC system controls work and how to best use and maintain the AC system.
    • For plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, pre-cooling the cabin while plugged into the charger can extend your vehicle's range. Also, using a warmer temperature setting for the AC will use less battery power.
    (Tips courtesy of fueleconomy.gov)

    Although parking in shade is the best, it's not always possible. Many parking lots don't even have trees, and those that do have limited shade parking. And funny how those are the spots taken first.

    So, sunshades are one of my favorite ways to keep cool. They don't cost much, they can show off your style, and they work WONDERS on a hot day. Auto Anything reports that sunshades can reduce the temperature inside your car up to 40 degrees. And whether it's natural shade or a sunshade, if your car is cooler inside to begin with, your air conditioner doesn't have to work as hard, minimizing its impact on your gas tank.

    The shades range from the foil accordion-fold style to the pop-up style. Some are reversible to work in the wintertime, keeping the heat IN. (Can we all please dream of having this problem? #TooMuchSummer) The shades also protect your vinyl and any belongings inside, and keep your metal seat belt buckles from getting too hot. All without requiring gas or electricity.

    Other tips from CNET for staying cool:
    • Use your bottom air vents. Since heat rises, the best method is to push the hot air out from the bottom to cool the vehicle as quick as possible, by helping the stale hot air escape through the open windows. Once the hot air is pushed out, switch to the upper vents to stay cool while driving.
    • Switch your A/C settings. Set the intake on "fresh air" and not "recirculation" when you first enter your vehicle. Recirculation draws in the interior air and typically works best once the vehicle has reached its desired temperature.
    And no matter where you park, for how long or whether you use a sunshade, never leave children or pets inside the car. Even with taking these measures, cars can still get too hot for safety very quickly.
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    Celebrate National Farmers Market Week!

    Did you make it to your local farmers market this past weekend? Well then, you kicked off National Farmers Market Week the right way!



    Celebrated every year during the first full week of August, National Farmers Market Week recognizes the benefits of shopping locally and eating fresh, local foods. 

    The Farmers Market Coalition aptly explains the myriad benefits of supporting farmers markets:
    • Preserve America’s rural livelihoods and farmland. Farmers markets provide one of the only low-barrier entry points for beginning farmers, allowing them to start small, test the market, and grow their businesses.
    • Stimulate local economies. Growers selling locally create 13 full time farm operator jobs per $1 million in revenue earned. Those that do not sell locally create 3.
    • Increase access to fresh, nutritious food. Several studies have found lower prices for conventional and organic produce at farmers markets than at supermarkets. Due to this and other factors, 52% more SNAP households shop at farmers markets and from direct marketing farmers today than in 2011.
    • Support healthy communities. Farmers market vendors educate their shoppers. Four out of five farmers selling at markets discuss farming practices with their customers, and three in five discuss nutrition and how to prepare food.
    • Promote sustainability. Three out of every four farmers selling at farmers markets say they use practices consistent with organic standards.
    http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/why-farmers-market-infographic/ 

    One key to farmers market shopping is following produce seasons. Instead of everything being available year-round, like in grocery stores, you get different kinds of produce throughout the year. A great way to follow your local farmers markets and the weekly vendors is through social media. That way, you can plan your trips and your meals in advance!

    Find your nearest Acadiana farmers market:

    Lafayette Parish

    Farmers and Artisans Market at the Horse Farm (heads up: their Mid-week Market is moving downtown for the fall, starting this Wednesday!)
    Hub City Farmers Market
    Le Petit Magasin de Scott
    Carencro Cultural District Farmers Market

    Vermilion Parish

    Abbeville Farmers Market
    Kaplan Farmers Market

    Iberia Parish

    Teche Area Farmers Market

    St. Landry Parish

    Opelousas Farmers Market
    Eunice Farmers Market
    Washington Farmers Market

    St. Martin Parish

    Creole Farmers Market


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