1. May 15 2012

    Time for Tea (Part 2)

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    So what’s your cup of tea? Hot or cold? While there are many teas from which to choose, the preparation for each is quite consistent.

    Tips for Making Hot Tea

    1. Use cold water in your tea kettle. Warm water does not have sufficient oxygen and will tend to create a more dull appearance for the true tea connoisseur. Then, bring the water to a rolling boil.
    2. Your tea pot should be clean. Fill it with hot water for a few minutes to let it warm the pot. It’s a good idea to swirl the water around to ensure the inside of the pot is warm. By using a warm tea pot, your water will stay hot so the tea can brew properly. 
    3. Place loose tea leaves or bag in the tea pot and pour the boiling water immediately over the tea. If the water isn’t boiling, the brewed tea will likely be weak and tasteless. Be sure to put the lid on the teapot. 
    4. Brewing time can vary, based on the type of tea used. A green tea might be steeped for only a minute or two. Black or oolong teas are typically steeped for three to five minutes. Usually, herbal teas steep for five minutes or more. While a white tea typically steeps for five minutes, it can be steeped for as little as four and up to as much as 15 minutes. It is important to adjust the steeping to your preferences of taste and smell (http://www.planet-tea.com/preparation.html )

    Source: http://www.octaviatea.com/pages/Tea-Guide-Page-Ten.html

    In Tea Time, written by Nancy Ahmon, similar direction for making the perfect cup of hot tea is provided, but she also offers recipes for the perfect accompaniments, such as Russian Tea Cakes, Lemon Cranberry Scones and Savory Salmon in Filo.

    Prefer iced tea instead?  Follow these steps from Tevana to create the perfect glass.

    1. Start with whole-leaf, loose tea leaves rather than using tea bags, as they can be filled with dust.
    2. Double the amount of loose tea used in a regular brew. See chart. (www.teavana.com/tea-info/how-to-make-tea).
    3. Like sweet iced tea? Tevana suggests using rock sugar while steeping. It will dissolve more easily in the hot water and enhance the natural sweetness of your iced tea.
    4. As soon as the tea is brewed, pour into a pitcher or glass that is filled almost to the top with ice. This immediate cooling process will help the tea retain its flavor and scent.
      Ever hear of sun tea? That’s right! This old-fashioned method for making iced tea means you don’t even need to turn on your stove!

    Source: http://tipnut.com/making-sun-tea/

    Tipnut.com (http://tipnut.com/making-sun-tea)   suggests filling a pitcher with 8 cups of cold water and then adding the tea.  Six to 8 tea bags – or the equivalent in loose tea – should be used. After sealing the pitcher with a lid, the vessel is placed in the full sunlight. The pitcher should get a minimum of 2 to 3 hours and up to four hours of sunlight.

    After the tea has been brewed in the sun, strain out the tea and refrigerate. After fully chilled, pour into a glass of ice.

    You Tell Us: Do you prefer hot or cold tea?

    Ruth Kinzey, Reputation Strategist at The Kinzey Company - www.kinzeycompany.com

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  2. May 10 2012

    Delhaize Group gives first-ever Store Manager of the Year Award

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    A few weeks ago, on Women’s day, we introduced you to Maria Burger, the winner of Delhaize Belgium’s first Store Manager of the Year Award. The winner of Delhaize Group’s Store Manager of the Year is now known and we are proud to introduce him as well as all other finalists.

    Delhaize Group launched the Store Manager of the Year Award (SMYA) program as a way to recognize the important role Store Managers play at the heart of its multi-national food retailing business every day. While the program selects one overall winner, its intent is to recognize and celebrate the important role that all Store Managers play in growing a stronger business, associates and communities every day.

     

     

    Eight regional Delhaize Group  SMYA participants

    In total eight people, three men and eight women participated in the ‘2011 DG Store Manager of the Year Award’ program. All program participants were automatically nominated as finalists after being named the overall Store Managers of the Year in their respective banners:

     

    Store Managers from Delhaize Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina & Montenegro, Delhaize Bulgaria and Delhaize Albania did not participate in the 2011 award because the acquisition of these stores only concluded after 2011 began. We look forward to including them in the 2012 DG SMYA program.

    Fred Marlin

    Fred Marlin (center) with R Hodge (CEO Delhaize America, left) and M Vail (President and COO Sweetbay)

     Fred Marlin, Store Manager of The Villages, Florida-based Sweetbay Supermarket was selected as first-ever Store Manager of the Year for the Group.

    Fred became a finalist after first being selected as the 2011 Store Manager of the Year from all of Sweetbay’s 105 Store Managers. This was the second time in three years that Fred was named Sweetbay Store Manager of the Year.

    Fred joined Delhaize America in 2000 and has worked virtually every retail role. Beyond his demonstrated strengths in growing sales, managing shrink and payroll, and developing strong team players, Fred is also an active leader outside of his store in the surrounding community. This involvement has ranged from raising donations for local food banks and pantries to hosting two blood drives per month in his store parking

    The Delhaize Group SMYA prize

    Beyond earning the esteemed title of 2011 DG Store Manager of the Year, Fred also received a two-year “wild card” invitation to participate in a week-long annual Spring leadership intensive retreat with roughly 30 other colleagues of Delhaize Group. Delhaize Group will also cover the airfare and accommodations to allow Fred and his wife to take a weeklong vacation together in the city where the training will take place.

     Furthermore, Fred will be invited on occasion to serve as Delhaize Group’s Store Manager spokesperson in important events or meetings.

     Awards Criteria

    The Delhaize Group Executive Committee selected Fred as the overall winner after weighing quantitative and qualitative criteria in four categories: financials, operational, people and leadership. Here are more details on the criteria’s specific measures:

    •  Financial performance is measured in two dimensions: profitability vs. budget and revenues vs. budget.
    •  Operational excellence is scored on productivity, percentage of shrink and food safety audit compliance.
    •  People management is measured by employee turnover, individual performance evaluation scoring and evaluation of all store employees according to the Delhaize Group performance management procedure.
    •  Leadership is evaluated according to performance against seven key Delhaize Group leadership competencies: change leadership, team leadership, results orientation, strategic impact, development of others, development of self, and teamwork.

    We congratulate Fred on his award but also the seven other finalists, as well as all Store Managers in each of the 3 400 stores of Delhaize Group who daily contribute to delivering the best local shopping experience for our customers in 11 countries, on three continents.

  3. May 8 2012

    Time for Tea (Part 1)

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    Some like it hot. Some like it iced. Some like to make it themselves. Some like to buy it bottled. And, some like to order it in the corner tea shop or at the Starbucks’ drive-through window. 

    While enjoyed for centuries in countries like India, Japan and China, tea is now enjoyed by many around the world.  In fact, next to water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world.

    Herbal Teas

    Herbal teas, also known as infusions or tisanes, are caffeine-free and can be made from a single herb or a combination of flowers, spices, berries and herbs. And, either fresh or dried flowers, leaves, crushed seeds, roots, and even stems can be steeped in near boiling water until the desired tea strength is achieved.

    Dried Flowers Used to Make Herbal Tea

    Source: http://www.octaviatea.com/pages/Tea-Guide-Page-Four.html

    Traditionally, this type of tea was used for medicinal purposes. Chamomile, lavender and orange peel were thought to produce a calming effect. Rosehips, peppermint and cayenne were frequently prescribed for sore throats and head colds. Rose petal, eucalyptus and licorice were often prepared for those suffering from coughs. Ginger, peppermint and chamomile teas were given to those who had an upset stomach.

    However, care is always suggested when selecting an herbal tea as with certain medicines – and even by itself, especially if taken with too great of frequency – some herbal teas can create other health issues.

    Teas from Cameilla Sinensis   

    Whether you are drinking black, oolong, white or green tea, all are derived from the Cameilla sinensis plant. The difference among the four actually results from the processing of the tea. Black tea is completely oxidized or “fermented.” The two-step process involves drying the leaves until they are oxidized and turn a coppery color. Next, the leaves are put into hot chambers and given extremely hot blasts of air. This results in higher caffeine levels than any of the other teas but still has less caffeine than coffee.

    Source: http://www.octaviatea.com/pages/Tea-Guide.html  

    A black tea, which has gained significant popularity in recent years, is chai tea. (http://www.chai-tea.org/) This rich black tea, which originated in India, is made with heavy milk and combined with sweeteners and spices.

    Earl Grey is another well-known black tea. It is a blend of Chinese and Indian teas. English Breakfast tea is a black tea, which acquired its name because of the long-standing British custom of drinking it. This robust blend often is served with milk and sugar.

    Oolong teas are processed similar to black teas but have a shorter oxidation time. Consequently, the caffeine level, taste and color represent the midpoint between black and green teas. One example of this tea is Mainland Oolong, which is typically scented with jasmine or gardenia blossoms.

    The white tea also starts with the Cameilla sinensis plant, but it is the buds and the youngest leaves that are used to make this tea. White tea is the least processed and contains the smallest amount of caffeine of any of the teas made from this plant.  Considered delicate and mild, this was the preferred drink of royalty as far back as 618 to 907 A.D., when consumed by the Tang Dynasty in China. Silver Needle white tea is handpicked only two days a year. (www.teavana.com/tea-info/white-tea)

    In traditional Chinese medicine, green tea was believed to have many beneficial uses. It was thought to contribute to heart health.  It was also considered an astringent that could be used to control bleeding and help heal wounds. Plus, it was believed to act as a diuretic, helping the body rid itself of excess fluid.

    Today, there are those who suggest this beverage can aid in the treatment of certain types of cancer, diabetes and even high cholesterol. Researchers believe polyphenols, chemicals with potent antioxidant properties, are the cause for these health-giving properties.  In fact, the University of Maryland Medical Center Medical Alternative Medicine’s index references the numerous clinical studies that have been conducted regarding the wide range of health benefits resulting from drinking green tea. (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/green-tea-000255.htm)

    Green tea is considered to be delicate in flavor as the leaves are steamed to prevent fermentation. It is also naturally low in caffeine.

    And, how do you make a great cup of tea? Check out next week’s blog!

    You Tell Us: What is your favorite tea? And, do you like with cream, honey or sugar?

    Ruth Kinzey, Reputation Strategist at The Kinzey Company - www.kinzeycompany.com

  4. May 3 2012

    Let there be light!

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    The best ideas are often so simple and so bright at the same time… The ideas discussed here are even brighter… as we will be talking about sustainable lamps. These inventors really did see the light!
    According to estimations made by the International Energy Agency (dating from 2009), about 1.3 billion people or almost 20% of the world’s population have no access to electricity! That’s huge!

    Imagine you and your family sleeping in a dark place, feeling something unknown tickling your feed and not being able to switch on the light to see what it is… Or think about hearing your kids crying and you not being able to immediately rush to them because of the complete darkness…

    Light is such a prerequisite for many of us that we don’t realize anymore what a luxury it is, and we take it for granted. Luckily, different solutions are popping up for those who don’t have this luxury.

    One of these solutions is ‘A Liter of Light’, an idea that takes the light bulb to a whole new level. This wonderful invention is a simple and easily replicable ‘technology’ that addresses basic needs in developing countries. You only need a plastic bottle, filtered water, some bleach and a hole in your roof. By placing the bottle in the hole, it catches the light and divides the rays of light inside your house. It’s super cheap and do-it-yourself proof. Brilliant!

    Another eureka invention is the WakaWaka Shine Bright, a solar-powered LED light designed to replace kerosene lamps. Kerosene lamps cause health damage: various research studies have shown that kerosene lamps can produce a variety of harmful substances, including benzene and toluene, known as carcinogens. The lamps are unsafe to use and are responsible for the annual emission of over 100 million tonnes of CO2. Each lamp emits 1 tonne of CO2 over the course of its five year life!

    A smaller, self-charging alternative can provide you with up to 16 hours of reading light. Possibilities are endless and different accessories are already available: mobile phone chargers, safety night lights and so on… Furthermore, the light is designed in a way that you can place it on top of a plastic bottle: the perfect lamp standard is just a bottle of soda away!

    WakaWaka Shine Bright

    The geniuses behind LuminAID had a similar idea. They designed a solar powered light that is very cost efficient, sustainable and accessible. By using solar powered inflatable pillows, they make the light highly portable: for every 8 mini solar flashlights, about 50 LuminAID lights can be packed. So it’s perfect to transport to areas that are hit by some kind of natural disaster.

    LuminAID

    Imagine what the advantages could be of all these bright ideas!
    First of all it’s very cost efficient. A lot more than the kerosene lamps that now can take up to 30% of people’s budgets. Second, safety is guaranteed. Even the clumsiest persons (like us) can work with plastic bottles and inflatable bags. They can also play a vital role in recovery efforts.
    Furthermore, the sun is a much more reliable source that the electric power grid in poorer countries, where blackouts occur every day.

    Did you need a little light in your room when you went to bed as a kid? Lots of kids do! The Dark can be very threatening and a small lighting companion might be all they need to have a good night’s rest.

    How can we not show our support for inventions that prevent the bed bugs from biting? Let there be light! smile emoticon

  5. May 1 2012

    Lily of the Valley or the Return of Happiness

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    For this debut of May we would like to tell you about this beautiful French tradition of offering a lily of the valley sprig on May 1 to the loved ones. Interesting, in particular if we learn that this little cute and aromatic flower is highly poisonous, in fact, all parts of the plant are, including the red berries which children may be attracted to. Oh well, nobody is perfect and the objective of this blog is not to kill the tradition but to learn more about it. :-)

    Credits: onequalitythefinest.com

    Some call it lily of the valley, others Our Lady’s tears, but we also hear about ladder-to-heaven, May bells, lily constancy and of course “muguet” in French.

    We would have never thought the same flower could have so many names in one and the same language, so we are glad we can refer to have Latin (even those who hated it at school) to make sure we are all talking about the same thing: convallaria majalis.

    So, when did all this tradition start?

    On May 1, 1561 King Charles IX of France received a lily of the valley as a lucky charm. He liked this so much that he decided to offer every year one of those flowers to the ladies of the court. At the beginning of the 20th century it became a custom to give a sprig of “muguet” as a symbol of spring time on May 1. It is also a tradition for the lady receiving the flower to give a kiss in return.

    Around the date of May 1, you can very easily buy lily of the valley in flower shops or from sellers on the streets. What we find most fun though is to make of this a family activity and go out and pick the flowers together with the children. Let’s hope for some sunshine this year!

    And, if sunshine is not with us, we can always celebrate with some indoor activities such as making lily of the valley origami. Check out instructions in the video below.

    Yet May 1 is not only about flowers but also about commemorating workers who fought hard for the improvement of working conditions at the beginning of the 20th century. As a result we can enjoy some things that today seem for granted in Europe but that weren’t back then, such as the 8-hour work day. Did you know that May 1 is a national holiday in more than 80 countries?

     

  6. Apr 26 2012

    Guest blog: Rediscovering simple life pleasures, one brick at a time

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    We decided to make this dream come true, it was a rewarding experience in all its aspects, and now we nearly master the Zambian dialect Tonga, after spending 3 months in Africa …

    This dream was born a few years ago: we wanted to do something useful, to realize how lucky we are and to experience another culture. The project became reality in May 2011, when we got in touch with Abantu Zambia, which offered us a project in Zambia: to build an orphanage in Kayooba.

    We are not architects, nor bricklayers, nor builders… but we demonstrate much willingness and we have endless elbow grease. This is why we flew to Zambia on September 1, 2011, knowing that life would not be easy for both of us in the bush, without running water or electricity.

    Our goals: experience another culture, experience life abroad as a couple, and build the orphanage within the allocated timeframe and budget.

    This project was made possible thanks to a number of contributions: first and foremost Laxon’s will, a blacksmith from Kayooba who wanted to teach his trade; secondly the dedication of the Zambian and Belgian teams of Abantu Zambia, and not in the least the funding received from the Passemar Fund, which is part of the King Baudouin Foundation.

    The field at the beginning

    In practical terms, the first step was to set up a building and management committee for the orphanage within the community. Time was pressing because of the rainy season which starts at the end of October and makes access to the village even more difficult as the rain pours down.

    The committee set up for the building and the management of the orphanage

    The manual labour was intense during the first weeks as we had to make sure that the bricklayers would start building the walls quickly. Then, we focussed on the development of a business plan that will allow the orphanage to be independent within 2 or 3 years.

    Among the different adventures we experienced, the main one was to get used to this new environment without electricity or running water. We also had to get used to the meetings planned under the mango tree at 9 AM that only begun 3 hours later, to the constant presence of a small audience that was curious to know who we were and what we were doing… and to some external elements like the roof of the dormitory which was blown away, the well of the village which was emptying…

    The meetings under the mango tree

    What struck us a lot was the notion of time. As a writer said: “Europeans have the watch, Africans have the time”… we experienced it everyday. We were also amazed by the smiles and the gales of laughter that arose without necessarily understanding each other (the villagers didn’t know English very well), the importance of saying “good morning”, of listening, the amount of questions asked when we met someone, the family and friendship values…

    At the end of November we left Kayooba under the rain, the 4 buildings were set up and nearly finished (the doors and the windows still had to be put in). In early January, we heard that 8 children had been settled in one of the two dormitories. There we are! The orphanage is up and running!

    The completed project with the kitchen on the left (straw roof), the two dormitories located next to each other, and the workshop on the right

    But the main challenge is yet to come for the community of Kayooba : developing the « theoretical » organization we defined with them and the business plan that will allow the orphanage and the community of Kayooba to develop themselves.

    We learned strong values of life from this experience and we will certainly keep in touch with Abantu Zambia to follow the further development of this project!

    Anaïs & Xavier

    Anaïs is Sustainable Private Brand Manager for Delhaize Belgium and loves to travel around discovering new things. She lives around Brussels, enjoying the city and rural life, and can be reached at apauwels@delhaize.be. Xavier is Deputy Director Human Resources at InterParking Belgium and loves to cook and play field hockey with his friends.

  7. Apr 24 2012

    Twice as delicious and double the nutrients

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    Courtesy of Hannaford Dietitians

    Get that spring back in your step with energy foods that can help fight the season’s asthenia! Recently, some foods have been identified as “super healthy” and have been dubbed as Superfoods or Powerfoods. These Powerfoods do more than just satisfy your stomach, they’re packed with nutrients that can boost your immune system, ward off disease and give you more momentum.

    By combining certain Powerfoods in your snacks or meals, you could double up on nutrients and get that extra boost of energy. Nothing keeps you looking and feeling your best more than eating the foods that nourish your body.

    We know some foods can be good for us, while other foods are not as good. But could some foods be SUPER for us? The answer is yes!

    And the best thing about these “super foods” is that they’re easy to find all-year-round. And if you’re really sticking to a budget, broccoli, spinach and blueberries can all be found frozen. Due to recent innovations in quick-freezing methods, frozen fruits and vegetables lose little or none of their nutritional value.

     

    Green Tea
    Revs up metabolism, keeps you hydrated, and contains natural catechins, especially EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which has anticancer properties that fight free radicals.

    Citrus
    Packed with vitamin C, a major antioxidant, that helps fight infection and may shorten duration of colds.

    The combination
    Hot or cold, green tea served with a wedge or squeeze of fresh citrus fruit such as lemon or grapefruit, and your body may absorb 13 times as many more antioxidants than tea consumed on its own.

    Spinach
    Contains magnesium, folate, manganese, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B2 & B6, and potassium. It also includes vitamin A & K which are essential for good eyesight, to prevent blood clotting and contribute to bone health.

    Avocado
    Considered a healthy fat it is essential for good heart health. In addition, avocado is also loaded with vitamin B, beta-cartone, magnesium, and vitamin E & K which could help support overall health, energy, metabolic functioning, and strong bones.

    The pair
    While spinach is good for your eyes, a combination with avocado may make it even more effective. Some researchers believe the healthy fats in avocado increase the absorption of the carotenoids which is associated with decreased risk of cataracts. Also, both contain vitamin B which helps your body convert nutrients into energy.

    Tomatoes
    An abundance of lycophene, a phytochemical that has the ability to counter oxidative stress and believed to help fight cancer.

    Carrots
    Are an excellent source of antioxidant compounds and one of the richest vegetable sources of the pro-vitamin A carotenes that may help against cardiovascular disease, cancer, and promote good eyesight.

    The pair
    By topping salads with diced tomatoes and carrots, not only will you pep up your salad with color, but you will also increase nutritional value without loading lots of calories.

    Dark Chocolate
    Contains essential minerals including magnesium, copper, potassium, and most significantly flavonoids. Make sure to get dark chocolate that is at least 70% cocoa to enjoy these healthy benefits.

    Berries
    Packed with antioxidants, fiber, and are high in vitamin C, which may help your body fight heart disease, enhance eyesight, and improve memory.

    The pair
    By dipping sweet berries in melted dark chocolate, you will get a yummy healthy treat. Try a variety of berries like blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, as some studies suggest that fruits mixed together have a greater antioxidant response than one fruit eaten on its own.

    Walnut
    A concentrated source of disease fighting antioxidants, vitamin E, protein, fiber, as well as an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids which has been found to aid the body in strengthening the immune system.

    Cranberries
    Loaded with phytochemicals, vitamin C, and antioxidants, cranberries can stave off heart disease.

    The pair
    For an energy-packed side dish, try adding walnuts and cranberries to another “Powerfood”, quinoa (pronounced keen-wa). Quinoa, a grain, contains twice more protein than rice and is a powerhouse source of vitamin B and E, 9 essential amino acids, and high in complex carbs, which is the body’s main source of energy.

    Oatmeal
    Has whole grains and soluble fiber that helps reduce cholesterol levels, maintain blood-sugar levels, boost energy, and fight against heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, and even obesity. Preliminary studies indicate that oatmeal raises levels of free testosterone in your body, enhancing your body’s ability to build muscle and burn fat.

    Orange Juice
    An excellent source of vitamin C which helps in cell repair and prevents damage. In addition to folate which helps increase growth of skin and blood cells. Orange juice also contains high levels of magnesium and potassium, both related to blood pressure and many other nutrients and minerals to help improve immune system.

    The pair
    The marriage of oatmeal and orange juice is the perfect breakfast. It has been shown to prevent heart attacks and clean arteries twice as effectively as consuming either one on its own. Phenols which is found in both, stabilizes cholesterol levels when consumed together. Start your next morning with oatmeal and 4 oz glass of orange juice to keep you energized for the day.

    Interested in learning more?
    Hannaford’s registered dietitians can give you the information you need to make the healthy life style changes you want. You can also email a private message to our staff registered dietitian, for free nutrition advice at hannaford.com/asknutritionist. For more information go to hannaford.com/healthy.

  8. Apr 20 2012

    Saving the Earth around the world

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    Although the United Nations celebrates Earth Day on the March equinox, which usually falls around March 20, the rest of the world will be acknowledging this very special day on April 22.

    Peace activist John McConnell founded Earth Day in 1969 at a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) Conference on the Environment. The special day is to promote the awareness of global warming and other environmental degradation and to remind people of the necessity of environmental reform to preserve the limited resources on this planet.

    Source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Earth_flag_PD.jpg

    Many celebrate this special day by focusing on activities that can make a difference at home or in one’s own community. For example, picking up trash on a playground or along the roadside, planting a tree, or initiating a recycling program at home or work are examples of how each individual can make a difference toward taking better care of Mother Earth.

    Looking to make long-term contributions to this effort?

    Limit What You Dispose
    Remembering your trash goes into a landfill, examine how you can recycle and re-use common household items. For example, use disposable water bottles rather than always relying on bottled water. If you prefer, attach a water filter to your kitchen faucet for filtered water.

    Use dishes that can be washed and re-used rather than relying on paper plates.

    Rather than grabbing a paper towel, use a dish cloth or kitchen towel. And once those towels don’t work as well to dry the dishes, keep them handy to use as cleaning rags. Cloth napkins and handkerchiefs can be laundered for re-use and save you money by not having to buy the paper ones!

    Reducing Energy Consumption

    Of course, energy efficiency is another way to protect our earth’s resources. Do you keep lights on unnecessarily or keep on the television when you aren’t even in the room? Be sure to turn off these electrical devices when at all possible.

    With warm weather coming up, use ceiling fans to cool the air rather than running your air conditioner.

    It’s important to keep appliances in good running order and clean vents to reduce your electrical load. Dirty filters can make fans, furnaces, and air conditioners work at maximum capacity. And by adjusting your thermostat by just a couple of degrees can help you save the environment as well as dollars on your energy bill! (www.duke-energy.com/ohio/savings/winter.asp)

    Checked the seals around your doors and windows for drafts? If cold or hot air is leaking into your home, you are compromising the effectiveness of your heating and cooling systems.

    The humidity produced from the moisture caused by mopping, dishwashing and laundry can cause your home to seem uncomfortable. Restrict such chores to early in the morning or late at night.

    Coldwater laundry detergents can help you save energy costs by eliminating the need to heat water. And, energy-efficient washing machines, dryers and refrigerators can help you keep you lower your energy consumption as well.

    Friendly Cleaning Products

    Examine your cleaning products, too. Sometimes the chemicals used in cleaning products pollute the air of your home and place the health of your family at risk. So, read labels to look for eco-friendly products that won’t contaminate the air and are more environmentally friendly. For example, did you know that a combination of vinegar and baking soda can clear a drain? (www.homemadedraincleaner.com) In fact, it is amazing how many things can be cleaned by products you find in your kitchen, such as lemons, baking soda and vinegar.

    Source: http://www.healthyhouseinstitute.com/a_1150-Green_Cleaning_Recipes 

    So be kind to Mother Earth on April 22 and all year long by reducing your energy consumption, using environmentally-friendly cleaning products, and reusing and recycling rather than simply disposing of items.

    You Tell Us: How do you save Mother Earth? Share your eco-friendly cleaning tips or what you do to save energy.

    Ruth Kinzey, Reputation Strategist at The Kinzey Company - www.kinzeycompany.com

  9. Apr 17 2012

    How to combine a zero waste policy with your kids’ social agenda?

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    Let’s face it… kids are growing up so fast! And you know what they say: “bigger kids, bigger concerns”! One day you are their inspiration and main entertainer and you share life values. The next day, you are letting your precious little monsters step into the big bad world with its wide diversity of opinions and lifestyles.

    We too have tried to transfer our values to our kids by telling them to reduce, reuse and recycle as much as they can. As followers of a “zero waste policy” at home, we want to avoid the overuse of plastic packaging, to sort waste in the correct recycling bin etc. But… we are the first to admit that this isn’t always easy… Not for us and not for our kids, who often have to face social pressure from peers at school.

    Source: www.attainable-sustainable.net

    When your kids are going to school and meet new friends, they might get some questions about the glass container they brought a healthy organic lunch in… Often the other kiddos will have a sandwich wrapped in aluminum paper, in a plastic, good looking lunchbox. When they come back from school and start questioning everything they had always taken for granted, this might be a good time to explain your sustainable viewpoint and to convince them that these efforts are aimed at giving them a better and healthier life!

    Our bet is that your kids will understand. You can emphasize your point of view by showing them that their friends too can enjoy a sustainable way of life! Let’s assume that your kids make lots of friends. This means: lots of birthday parties! And lots of little friends at your dearest rascals’ parties… You won’t be able to avoid the noise, the running and the excesses of kids, but you can avoid the unnecessary waste that is usually left behind by the kids’ invasion. Why not try to party in a sustainable way? It will help you combine your kids’ social calendar with their education. We have listed some sustainable party tips and advice for you!

    When you are hosting the party:

    1) Forget the expensive branded disposable plates, forks, glasses or napkins and opt for the good old-fashioned ceramic plate and stainless forks! Kids won’t stay at the table for longer than 15 minutes anyway. Running around, playing and socializing around the cake is much more important!
    2) The cake doesn’t have to be full of flashy colorants and other chemicals! Play it safe and yummy with a simple chocolate cake. For cake decoration, invest in a good set of reusable and colored candles, or even magic candles! Kids love them!
    3) Promote a sustainable way of life by asking for sustainable and zero waste presents like interesting books for instance!
    4) Let your kids make garlands of scrap paper: it’s a nice handy crafts project as well :-)

    Source: www.inhabitots.com

    When your mini-me is going to a party:

    1) Avoid party gifts like plastic toys. Most plastic toys are made far away and have to travel by plane before reaching you.
    2) Bring a present that you would choose for your own kids: something that is approved by your sustainable values! This is a good way to communicate about sustainability with your kids’ entourage.

    How do you celebrate when you’re in a sustainable party mood? What kind of gifts do you prefer? We’re eager to hear your partypinion!

  10. Apr 12 2012

    Food Safety at home!

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    Hello everybody!

    Time for a little exercise…

    Close your eyes… Think about your fridge… Take an imaginary walk towards it and open the door. Can you tell us what’s in it?

    Lots of people aren’t able to do this exercise. A fridge fills up without you realizing it and after a while you notice lots of products that have passed their expiration date. It’s such a shame to throw food away! A tip that works for us is sticking a little note on the door of your fridge with: “first in, first out”. It will help you remember to use older products first!

    Next exercise! Imagine standing in front of your fridge again. Could you tell which product in located where? No? It’s probably because you think it doesn’t make a difference. Well… It does! Temperatures vary inside a fridge. The bottom shelve, for example, is the coldest place. Putting food in a spot that is too hot can have consequences for its safety. A good tip is to arrange your fridge in a food-safe way. Also, keep in mind that germs are slowed down by the cold, but they are not destroyed: so don’t keep your leftovers for too long!

    Here’s a little ‘arrange-your-fridge’ scheme to get you going:
    1: eggs – butter – milk – drinks – sauces – opened juice – fresh veggies and fruit – cheese
    2: cooked veggies and fruit – prepared meat and fish – prepared meals – yoghurt – cheese
    3: fresh juice – packed salads – poultry – meat – fish – cream – products that need to defrost

    Now that we are talking about food cooling anyway: don’t defrost frozen food at room temperature. Also, DO NOT refreeze defrosted products. The best way to defrost is by putting the food in your fridge, for example the night before preparing it. Other options are to keep it under cold water or to use the microwave. Another lesson learned! :-)

    To hang on to this subject, we believe it’s worth mentioning that in Belgium our banner Delhaize received an official certification by the Federal Agency for Food Safety (AFSCA/FAVV) following the implementation of an auto-control system for food safety in all our integrated stores supermarkets. Thumbs up! Hooray! Champagne! But for what exactly?

    In short, this system is an extra tool that Delhaize implemented in Belgium to do an extra check on food safety, on top of all other already existing internal and external food audits. It’s an extra guarantee that all the products are safe and high-quality, and that they are perfectly traceable.

    We just wanted to mention this so that you realize that food safety is a really important issue for us as food retailers… You can contribute to it yourself using the tips we’ve provided you with today, but all those tips will only work if the products you buy carry a safety warranty! Our food safety stories for the day end here! If you have some tips that help you remembering the expiration dates of the products in your fridge or if you would like some more information on food safety, don’t hesitate to leave a comment!