GREEN TIP: Confused about Plastics?

You're not alone. Experts have reached a consensus and recommend that you avoid these varieties -- identified by a triangle and number on the bottom of most containers -- for the following reasons:

1. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) commonly contains di-2-ehtylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), an endocrine disruptor and probable human carcinogen, as a softener.

2. Polystyrene (PS) may leach styrene, a possible endocrine disruptor and human carcinogen, into water and food.

3. Polycarbonate contains the hormone disruptor bisphenol-A, which can leach out as bottles age, are heated, or exposed to acidic solutions. Unfortunately, this is used in most baby bottles and five-gallon water jugs and in many reusable sports bottles.

Christmas Tree Solution

This is a simple little formula that, fed regularly to your tree, will keep it fresh, fragrant and green far longer than water alone. It's tried and true!

The first week is a critical time to keep the water level checked daily, and sometimes twice a day.

1 quart HOT tap water (hot water aids in circulation)
1 T. liquid iron (keeps the tree green). This is found in the garden section of stores.
2 T. light corn syrup (feeds the tree). This is found in the baking aisle of your grocery store.
1 T. laundry bleach (fights bacteria and fungi)

Happy Holidays!

(Recipe by Katherine Sturr, DesignerInside-Out Designs)

GREEN TIP: Toilet Dams

If water-saving or dual-flush toilets are not in your office or home improvement budget, then place one or two plastic containers filled with stones in your toilet's tank. This intermediary step will displace a significant amount of water use over the course of a year.

Clubhouse Recipe of Month of December

CHICKEN TOSTADA

1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. chopped fresh garlic
2 tsp. diced yellow onion
5 roma tomatoes, diced (1 for topping)
1 chipotle pepper, cut into chunks
1/2 tsp. cumin
salt, to taste
1 bay leaf

4 each 5 oz. chicken thighs (recommended) or
3 each 6 oz. chicken breasts, precooked and shredded
6 corn tortillas, deep fried or sauteed in oil or butter
6 tsp. refried beans
3 oz. shredded iceberg lettuce per tostada
6 tbsp. cheddar cheese
6 tsp. sour cream (optional)

Sautee garlic and onion in olive oil until onion is translucent. Add diced tomatoes and chipotle pepper, and simmer for 10 minutes. Season with cumin, salt, and bay leaf. Using an immersion (hand blender, puree sauce. Bring to a boil and continue boiling for 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add chicken. Cook for 5 minutes and remove from heat. Allow chicken to marinate for 1 hour.

To build tostada, place each tortilla on a dinner plate. Evenly distribute refried beans on tortillas, followed by reheated chicken mixture, lettuce, cheese, remaining tomatoes, and sour cream, if desired.

Serves 6

GREEN TIP: Plastic Linings in Cans

Bisphenol-A, the hormone-disrupting chemical found in plastic bottles, is present in the majority of canned foods.

The thin plastic lining found in canned goods contains traces of BPA that can migrate into food.

One way to avoid BPA-lined cans is to purchase foods packaged in Tetra Paks, aseptic cartons made from layers of paper, aluminum, and polyethylene.