DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I'd like to know the answer to this myself.

My understanding is that a certain amount of fresh air comes in and is cooled, and some air is exhausted. These are called "air exchanges". But there could be a greater amount. I'm not an HVAC expert, so perhaps someone will jump in and answer this one.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I live in Florida, where it is warm most of the year, and practically every day I wear leather sandals made by Mephisto. I've never had a problem with them. I've been wearing them almost every day for six years and have gone through several pairs in that time. They are among the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn and give great support. I can walk in them all day in complete comfort and my feet never hurt.

I also have two pairs of shoes made by Camper. I've been wanting to write about them and put them on Debra's List, but their website doesn't have all the info. I found them in their shop in San Francisco. If I am remembering correctly, the leather is naturally processed and they are made on an organic farm. I can't call the store at the moment to verify because they are not open at this hour. But these are the #1 most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. They are made from very soft leather that conforms to your foot. I walked all over San Francisco in these shoes, jumping on and off cable cars, and they were great!

There is another company called CYDWOQ that looks interesting to me. I wanted to visit their factory when I was in Southern California, but I didn't have time. The founder loves to walk, but found his shoes impeded rather than helped his walking. So he decided to create his own line of shoes. "He studied the rounded contours of the human foot and the circular motion of a person walking and experimented endlessly with designs and materials before coming up with a line that emulated nature’s sublime achievements." These shoes are comfortable, have exquisite design, and actually get better with age as the leather molds to the shape of the owner's foot. "Only the finest, vegetable-tanned leathers and custom-made components are used in CYDWOQ products. Designs employ the fewest number of leather pieces possible to minimize stitching, and to improve comfort, quality, and durability." The styles are beautifully unusual and the shoes are not inexpensive (the pair I have my eye on--Strike--looks like something a nature spirit would wear and costs $258.

Planet Shoes seems to carry many of the natural/green brands (but not all--they have Camper, but not Mephisto or CYDWOQ), but read the descriptions carefully as better materials are not always the selling point on this site. And remember, recycled plastic may be better for the environment, but it's still plastic and can offgas.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Which is more "green": To line my kitchen trash can with paper bags from the grocery store, then put them in a large plastic bag until we can haul them to the county trash site, or to line the can with small plastic bags, which won't have to into a larger bag??

I would take a look at how much plastic is being used for the two options. You could simply measure the bags, and calculate how many small bags would be equivalent to one big bag. And whichever uses the least plastic would be better.

I personally reuse the paper bags from the groceries and then the bag goes right into the garbage can, which is collected by the city. But it sounds like you are taking your garbage to the dump. Is there something you could use other than plastic? Some type of reusable container?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I don't have any personal experience with this. Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers?

Debra :-)