Posted by admin on May 11, 2009
There was nothing at all green or eco friendly or even friendly about this place (other than our older woman server).
Now I can see why when I asked at the motel where this place was they looked at me with this look of shock or disbelief, not sure now what to make of their look but I should have taken that as a warning sign.
BonitaChamber (Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce Twitter account) recommended Buffalo Chips Restaurant as a kid friendly restaurant. I guess I should’ve specified that we are green loving non beer drinking types…(though I thought BonitaChamber would’ve seen that on my twitter account), but regardless…..
We get to Buffalo Chips on Old Rt 41 and well this is not a place I’d eat at anyhow since just by the name of it I’m pretty sure nothing vegan but I’m fasting anyhow and my daughter needs to eat! I figure we’d try out a few local dives and see how it went. So, we approach the screened in patio entrance where there’s a sign that says “hippies use side door”…hmmm no side door..geee imagine! Think they have something against “hippies”? Now, imagine me…wearing a dress like thing that has “peace, love” and peace signs on it, carrying my messenger bag from http://www.soul-flower.com/ that has nothing but peace signs on it, along with my yoga sandals, and my big sunglasses that everyone says puts me over the top as being in the wrong era…and daughter is wearing normal clothes but add a peace sign jacket!
As soon as we walk in, we can tell we’re not going to fit in.
And, no offense to red necks and beer guzzlers but that’s all there were here at like 4 pm on Friday.
I ask daughter if she wants to stay, and she’s like “sure, we’re here”…we are seated and an older woman comes to serve us. She, at least, was friendly and quick. The rest of the crowd there was loud and staring at us.
Daughter is checking out all the trophies and awards for “The Best Chicken Wings”, so naturally she orders chicken wings for her dinner. The service is fast but I went into shock when the nice older woman brought out the food on Styrofoam plates! Wow I didn’t even know places still used those! I was in shock, but then again after the “hippies use side door” sign not sure why I was in shock!?
Then, daughter takes a few bites of her “best chicken wings” and can’t stand them. She said the ones she can get frozen in a box from “TGI Fridays” were better than those! So, we’re done there after a few bites. Nice older lady comes and is shocked daughter didn’t like them, but proceeds to clean off table and tosses everything in the trash! Landfill here’s some styrofoam for you 
We left and went to go find some edible food for my daughter.
So, all in all…this place is FAR from green and far from “best chicken wings” and gets two thumbs down as a green restaurant or even a good one for that matter.
Now, perhaps if you’re a beer drinker and are into hanging out, drinking, eating wings that you might think are the “best” after a few drinks, then this place is for you. If you’re green, eco friendly and like good food and mellow atmosphere, then this place is not for you and you may just want to visit Fresh Market or Whole Foods and get some real food.
Posted by admin on
We recently stayed at the Flamingo Motel in Bonita Springs, FL. I had heard good reviews on it and figured we’d give it a try based on the reviews as well as their website.
I was pleasantly surprised that the reviews were accurate!
Even though the name is Flamingo Motel, it was nothing like mainstream motels. It’s family owned and they were most polite and helpful.
The rooms were up to date (looked like bathrooms were recently done). Best of all the rooms didn’t have any weird funky smell. Since I’m overly sensitive to smells and chemicals that was a huge plus in my book. Usually we do not stay in motels because of that reason, but there were no smells, no funky aromas in the room!
Their rates are mega affordable (especially right now since it’s “off season”). They’re located about 1 1/3 mile from local beach and preserves and about a 20 min. drive north of the Naples Zoo.
They have a heated pool (don’t find that often in FL), a tiki hut and nice outside area too.
There was nothing really green about the place though other than the fact they did have recycling available.
But, overall as a motel it was:
affordable
nice owners
updated rooms (complete w/compact frig, microwave)
no funky smells, aromas
Posted by admin on May 4, 2009
Managing Your Energy Costs While You’re Away
Often, while you’re away, your home is using more energy than it needs. This can increase your energy bill and cost you money. Here are some tips for managing your energy costs while you’re away on vacation.
These big users of electricity can have a significant impact on the energy your home uses while you’re away.
Heat pump or air conditioner – If you prefer to leave your heat pump or air conditioner on while you’re gone, set it between 85 to 90 degrees. For each degree you raise the temperature, you’ll save 2 to 3 percent on the cooling portion of your electric bill. Remember though, turning your thermostat to a very high setting may affect how hard your refrigerator and freezer have to work to stay cool.
Swimming pool pump – If your pool pump is not operated with a timer, it will run 24-hours a day while you’re gone. If you normally turn the pump off for a period of time each day, the 24-hour operation can result in a large increase in your usage.
Water heater – If you don’t attend to your water heater before you leave, it will continue to work to maintain water temperature. Turn it off at the circuit breaker. (Before you turn the breaker back on, run water from the hot water faucet to be certain the water heater still has water in it.)
Refrigerator and freezer – If you’ll be gone for a few days, turn your refrigerator’s thermostat to a warmer setting — 42 degrees for your refrigerator, 5 degrees for your freezer. If you’ll be away for as long as four weeks or more, you may want to clean it out and turn it off.
In general, you should strive to turn off as many things you don’t need as possible.
Don’t leave anything on that does not need to be left on.
If some items need to be left on for maintenance or preservation reasons, choose levels that will minimize energy use (such as for the refrigerator).
Information extracted from SouthWest.
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Filed Under: Misc
Posted by admin on April 25, 2009
I found Healthy Highways because of a mention by Kevin Gianni talking about it recently on his road trip.
Healthy Highways is a resource to find healthy eateries and natural food stores in the US.
I just pre-ordered the new book edition, so I’ll let you know more when I get it.
It contains:
State maps and local directions guide you to 2,800 healthy eateries and natural food stores throughout the U.S. Plus travel tips, dining advice and other useful resources.
1,000 NEW listings!
Healthy Highways contains 2,800 vegetarian and healthy eateries and natural food stores in the US. All listings verified.
Unique state maps and directions guide you to each one.
Get your copy by clicking on the link/image below.
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Filed Under: Misc
Posted by admin on February 28, 2009
By Alana Herro
The Costa Rican government is developing plans to begin offsetting all of the country’s carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2020, the news service La Nación reported on February 21. Costa Rica’s goal is to be the first Carbon Neutral Count
You can read the full article here
Posted by admin on February 25, 2009
Matthew Kepnes did an excellent piece on ecotourism.
The official definition, from the International Ecotourism Society, is that ecotourism is about connecting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that those who implement and participate in responsible tourism activities should follow the following ecotourism principles:
* Minimize impact
* Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect
* Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
* Provide direct financial benefits for conservation
* Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
* Raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental and social climate
The goal of ecotourism is to build a better world
You can read full article here.
Posted by admin on February 23, 2009
My friend Jenn Savedge is discussing how you can Go Green at Disney World so stop by and check out her tips this week.
This week’s posts will include info on:
* Greener travel to Disney World
* Eating your greens at Disney
* Disney’s eco must-sees
* What’s green behind the scenes at Disney
Posted by admin on January 21, 2009
Travel Green On Every Trip!
Find the guaranteed lowest rates plus travel that makes a difference.
20% of the proceeds from every trip are donated to an earth friendly group!
Green Travel Hub knows that many don’t have time or know where or how to make their travel greener, so they’ve made it easy…they’ll do it for you!
Part (20%) of every trip you book goes to help an earth friendly organization.
You can stay in green hotels, offset your carbon footprint, rent a hybrid.
They’ve made it easy to travel green!
Book here when you need to travel again…and travel green.
Posted by admin on January 19, 2009
All About Green Travel
What exactly is meant by a phrase like Green Travel? Green Travel can mean anything from environmentally responsible motor cars to eco-friendly transportation fuels, to responsible eco-tourism options, sustainable travel or stays in hotels and facilities that are environmentally conscious.
Read on to find some great options on the Internet where you, the environmentally-responsible traveler, can enhance your knowledge and continue to seek the smartest, most planet-conscious choices available when you travel.
Why Green Travel Matters
Tourism, in contemporary times, is a tremendously growth-oriented industry, and is among the world’s largest, with spending figures estimated at over five hundred billion per year in recent years. Because of the overwhelming size of the industry globally, millions of people are employed within its ranks, and are therefore of great concern when it comes to responsible, eco-conscious decisions.
Such lofty statistics all begin with local, individual choices - where people spend their money when they travel, during their travel and the message that their actions send out to global populations. The impact of global travel, when geared toward the positive, can be terrific - including when tourism’s dollars go to the enhancement of local populations, or when travelers return home with a fresh take on other cultures, communities and environments, for instance.
How Tourism and Travel Become “Sustainable Tourism and Travel”
WTTC Associations such as the World Travel and Tourism Council in London, England, offer world travelers a wealth of information on sustainable and green tourism. The mission statement of the organization speaks to their goals: “Raising awareness of the importance of Travel & Tourism, promoting synergies between the public and private sector, generating profit as well as protecting natural, social and cultural environment [these] are the fundamental components of [their] mission, as outlined in the Blueprint for New Tourism.”
Whenever you travel, do what you can to extend the extra effort to ask questions about the businesses that service your trip: from hotels to tours to restaurants and more. Find out what you can about the impact of their businesses on the environment, in terms of both the physical and cultural aspects. No set of universal standards or guidelines currently exists to ensure that those in the travel and tourism industry world-wide operate according to environmentally conscious principles.
So What Is Ecotourism and Can It Help?
With a greater emphasis placed on the environment in general, travel and tourism has also felt the weight of the green revolution. The travel and tourism industry has sprung up in places where the natural environment remains in tact and available for one to experience first-hand. At its best, ecotourism is essentially nature travel - tourism of and cultivation of appreciation for the unadulterated vistas and landscapes of the planet.
Resources Available for Green Travel
ResponsibleTravel
At Responsible Travel, find “A hand picked directory of 1000s of stunning eco holidays run by 265 specialist tour operators and 100’s of accommodations. Use the site to contact the specialists directly to request more information. Book direct with the specialists to get the best price.”
The International Ecotourism Society (ecotourism.org)
The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) offers that through “Uniting communities, conservation and sustainable travel,” they directly “promote responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.”
PlanetA
Debuting in 1994, PlanetA is a pioneering website that provides tips for travelers and locals who share a vision of eco-friendly, people-friendly and place-friendly travel. They take a dynamic wiki view of the Web and appreciate their viewers’ helpful editorial suggestions and offer a yearly World Travel Directory.
Sustainable Travel International (sustainabletravelinternational.org)
The organization Sustainable Travel International has the following for its mission statement: “Promoting responsible travel and ecotourism, supporting sustainable development, and helping travelers and travel providers protect the cultures and environments they visit.”
Google Green Travel Search (services.google.com/earth/green/)
At Summer of Green, Google’s now legendary map service is powered to help Green travelers find what they need to in the way of environmentally conscious global travel, through the work of Earth Day Network. Find tips on traveling green this summer with keyword searches like “environmentally friendly hotel” rather than just “hotel.”
Rainforest Alliance
The Rainforest Alliance says, “With more than 800 million people traveling each year, tourism is a growing source of revenue for people living in areas that are especially rich in plants and animals - and threatened with destruction. While tourism can lead to problems such as waste, habitat destruction and the displacement of local people and wildlife, it also has the potential to provide incentives for conservation.” Find out more through the tourism arm of their website.
Matty Byloos writes and manages the Green Blog known as: Easy Ways to Go Green, as well as the Organic Food Blog: Organic Eating Daily
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matty_Byloos
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Filed Under: Misc
Posted by admin on January 16, 2009
Here you’ll find green travel tips, green travel destinations, eco tours and anything related to traveling green.
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Filed Under: Misc
