Green Remodeling Checklist

In my web-roaming today I came across Kitchen & Bath Design News' new green blog Kitchen & Bath Sustainable. There I found this handy checklist to help consumers decide how much commitment they want to make to sustainability in their planned kitchen remodel.

1. Are you willing to increase your upfront investment to include green aspects to your project, recognizing that this investment will offer long-term benefits in terms of energy efficiency, improved air quality, etc.?

__Yes
__No

2. If so, what is the highest percentage you are willing to build into our agreed-upon budget for environmentally sound materials and practices?

a. 1-5%
b. 5-10%
c. 10%+

Which of the following are most important to you for your project? (1 = most important; 10 = least important)

__Recycling components of the former kitchen or bath
__Using recycled/repurposed materials from the former kitchen or bath
__Using recycled/repurposed materials obtained elsewhere
__Using locally produced materials whenever/wherever possible
__Specifying low-VOC or no-VOC emitting products
__Using products that are certified green
__Using natural heat/light whenever/wherever possible
__Using products that promote water conservation
__Selecting energy efficient appliances
__Promoting overall energy-efficiency

I would add these:

__Choosing strategies which cost no more but increase energy efficiency and sustainability
__Choosing strategies which cost more but increase energy efficiency and sustainability


Such a checklist provides the designer and contractor executing the project with some concrete direction on how to specify and estimate costs and what areas are of prime concern to their clients.

Everybody is all for green remodeling and sustainability, especially when current and/or future costs can be reduced in the process.

ie. In our city it costs more to rent a dumpster than to call recyclers to come in and haul your recyclable building materials away. The only way to find this out is to do the research and get the costs yourself.

On the other hand, when costs increase as a result of sustainability choices, sometimes consumers balk at the idea of opening their wallets.

Peggy

Home Depot Recycling CFLs

I am not, nor have I ever been, a big fan of Home Depot.
However, I have to hand it to them on this one.
They are recycling compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), free of charge, at all stores.
Just take your unbroken CFLs to the Returns Desk and Home Depot will safely recycle them.

Peggy

Coffee Panna Cotta

I had some left over cream in the fridge so I decided to minimize all the ingredients from the original recipe that just enough to make two cups.
I felt the panna cotta was too lonely standing alone so I simply process few oreo biscuits in the food processor, until the mixture has the consistency of fine breadcrumbs then placed it beside the coffee panna cotta.


The oreo biscuit crumbs are just so match with the puddings especially the smooth and wobbling consistency, really attractive! I think this dessert is simple and nice for serving guests as it could be made in advance and keep in the fridge until the dessert time.

Recipe for 8 of 80ml cups

Cream 400ml / Milk 300ml / Sugar 75g / Gelatine powder 9g (1 tbsp) / Coffee 2tbsp or more / Oreo biscuits

1. Dissolve 60ml of water with the gelatine powder for about 10 - 15 minutes.
2. Cook the cream, milk and sugar in a saucepan. Use a wooden spoon to stir while it is cooking.
3. Add in coffee when the mixture start bubbling, cook until the coffee dissolve.
4. Off the heat and add the dissolved gelatine. Stir until everything dissolve.
5. Strain the mixture into a bowl then stir the mixture under another bowl of ice water until its cool down.
6. Pour the mixture into the pudding cups and place into the fridge for 3 to 4 hours.
7. To serve, dip the cups into hot water for few seconds then transfer onto a plate.
8. Serve with some oreo biscuit crumbs, enjoy!