Good Day Street Talk: Eco-Friendly Living

MYFOXNY.COM - Good Day Street Talk is showing you ways to live more eco-friendly and slash your costs while doing it. Here are tips on how you can cut your energy usage, eat locally while helping your local farmer, and avoid hazardous household cleaning products.

WATCH THE FULL EPISODE OF STREET TALK HOSTED BY BRETT LARSON (VIDEO, LEFT)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY ON A BUDGET

Here's a list of eco-friendly and energy-efficient products that could help you save money over time. Michael Ekstract from Verdantmag.com shares his must-have list:

Bonded Logic Recycled Cotton insulation from Green Depot, 222 Bowery
You might spend $1,500 to $2,000 to have your attic professionally insulated and you would save $300 to $600 a year on your energy bills. So your investment is paid back in about 5 years and after that you pocket all the savings. And if energy prices increase, your savings are even higher

RiteTemp 7-day Programmable Thermostat from Home Depot, $49.97
Consumer Reports estimates you can save up to 20% on your heating and cooling bills by adjusting temperatures by 5 to 10 degrees at night and when you're away from home. With a programmable thermostat you can set it and forget it. If your annual heating and cooling bills are $1,200, you could save $240.

Kill-a-Watt PS from Green Depot $99.95
BITS Ltd Smart Strip from Green Depot $41.95
If you're typical electrical bill is $100 a month you could save $5 to $8 each month which adds up to $60 to $100 in a year.

Oxygenics Trispa Shower Head from Green Depot $45
How about spending $45 and cutting water use and water heating costs by 23%? This pressurized shower head does just that. Most of us like a strong shower and the pressurization is a big improvement over older models that just reduced the water flow.

Kleen Kanteen: $19.97
Kor Bottle: $29.95
Savings depends on usage and cost: $1 to $2/bottle; 2 to 6 times/week; $100 to $500/year? If you replace soda and other packaged beverages, even better.

Clothes Drying Rack, the Container Store, $34.95
The clothes dryer is a smaller energy user. For example, if you used the dryer for 2 hours once a week, you'll probably use $75 to $80/year in energy. Using a clothes line or drying rack uses no electricity and no carbon.

>VERDANT

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EATING YOUR WAY AROUND A FARMER'S MARKET

Shopping for fruits and veggies at your local farmer's market helps the local farmer and it cuts down on energy cost that might otherwise be used to bring in produce from across the country. Here are a few tips for when you shop at the market from Dana White with Cooking Light magazine:

-Bring a sturdy canvas shopping bag to easily carry all you'll buy.

-Go with an open mind; if you are looking for strawberries, but the blackberries look better, be flexible.

-We think it's important to talk to your grower; ask questions about their produce so you learn as you go.

Here's a sample of what you can make after shopping at the farmer's market:

Watercress with Eggs and Chive-Caper Vinaigrette Salad
From Cooking Light, April 2009

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon chopped capers
1-1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon champagne or white wine vinegar
6 cups trimmed watercress
4 hard-cooked large eggs, quartered
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk.

2. Place watercress in a large bowl. Drizzle half of vinaigrette over watercress; toss gently to coat.

3. Divide watercress mixture evenly among 4 salad plates; top each serving with 4 egg quarters. Drizzle salads evenly with remaining vinaigrette; sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper. Makes 4 servings

Nutrition: Calories 124; fat 10.1g (sat 2.3g, mono 5.6g, poly 1.2g); cholesterol 212mg; calcium 90mg; carbohydrate 1.4g; sodium 309mg; protein 7.6g; fiber 0.4g; iron 1.1mg.

>COOKING LIGHT

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TOXINS IN YOUR HOME

You probably already know many of your everyday cleaning products may contain hazardous chemicals and if you're expecting a baby in your home you should know some of those same chemicals can be found in baby bottles, diapers, and more. Lesly Federici a registered nurse from Overlook Hospital in Summit, N.J., and instructor of Go Baby Green, shows us what to look for and how to create a nontoxic home.

-Antibacterial soap contains triclosan, which is a pesticide. It's better to use regular soap instead.

-Aerosol air freshener has butane can cause chemical frost bite. Try using baking soda instead to help take out household orders or potpourri.

-Furniture polish is also contains butane and is highly flammable. Olive oil works quite well for polishing furniture.

>OVERLOOK HOSPITAL