Is it Winter Already?

By contributing writer Laurie Neverman
August 18, 2008

Everyone who endured the winter of 2007-2008 knows that Mother Nature can be a tough lady to accommodate.  Now is the time to prepare for next winter.  Regular maintenance, budget plans and targeted home improvement can help reduce costs and lighten your environmental load.

Our home includes high thermal mass, window placement for natural ventilation in summer and direct solar gain in winter, an overhang for summer shading and insulating cellular shades to keep the cold out. Window washing before the heating season is all that’s required for these passive elements.

Much of our winter heat is provided by a masonry stove.  A single morning fire slowly releases heat from the stove for over 24 hours.  Each year we check all the gaskets to make sure the firebox is tightly sealed and clean the firebox, ash drop and chimney.

We also have an in-floor radiant system with a Combi-Cor water heater, which is preheated by a two panel solar thermal system.  The anti-freeze mix in both of these systems should be checked every few years to make sure that it has not degraded and the lines are maintaining pressure.  The same thing goes for the refrigerant in the air conditioning system.  Now is a great time to schedule a checkup, as with the downturn in construction and no record breaking heat waves, HVAC companies have service people available.

It’s also a good time to schedule repairs/updates to your home that reduce both heating and cooling needs.  The Focus on Energy program can assist you with a home energy audit to find out how to improve your home’s performance.  Better weather stripping and new windows can save hundreds of dollars in a short amount of time.  Programmable thermostats are another easy money saving investment.

Think ahead, think green, and you’ll be snug all winter – no matter how long it lasts!

Please contact me at laurieneverman@hotmail.com with your green questions and comments.

Related Links:

Focus on Energy Online Energy Audit tools - Compare your home's energy performance to other homes with the Online Energy Audit. Online tools can help you evaluate your home's energy performance and estimate your potential for improvement.

Budget Billing with Wisconsin Public Service – Overview of how budget billing works with one of our local utilities.

DIY Network – Furnace Inspection and Tune up – A good overview of what to look for to keep your forced-air furnace running smoothly.  Also includes links to other types of systems.

Chicken in Honey Sauce
I received this recipe from a friend I met on the Kraft Foods advisory panel who was also interested in natural foods.  It’s simple, delicious and great for summer or any time of year.

Ingredients:

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 cups honey (if it is local honey it is good for keeping allergies away!)
1 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Sesame Seeds

Directions:

1) Place chicken in crock-pot slow cooker; season with salt & pepper
2) Combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, oil, & garlic in a medium bowl.  Pour over chicken.  Cover; cook on LOW 6 - 8 hours or on HIGH 3 -4 hours.
3) Garnish with sesame seeds before serving.  Serve extra sauce on the side if desired.

** Special Note from Carrie, the friend I received the recipe from – “We saved the leftover sauce and used it to marinate deer steaks in (that we then grilled on the grill outside) ... SO DELICIOUS!!!”

Bob’s Salad Dressing
Pair this up with seasonal greens and fresh veggies for a super summer salad.  From allrecipes.com.

Ingredients:

2/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup tahini
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
1/4 cup tamari
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In a blender, combine olive oil, lemon juice, tahini, nutritional yeast, tamari, honey, oregano, mayonnaise and salt and pepper. Process until smooth and serve over salad.

Raw Fudge
Satisfy your sweet tooth with this healthy treat that won’t heat up the kitchen.  Courtesy of Jayna Stein, homeschooling mom and member of North East Wisconsin Home Learners    

Ingredients:      

1 cup rolled oats
¾ cup carob powder
¼ cup sesame seeds, ground (optional)
¼ cup sunflower seeds, ground
½ cup raw almond butter
4-6 Medjool dates, pitted, soaked 2 hours and drained
½ - 1 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped

Directions:

Place all ingredients in food processor with S blade, and mix well.  Press into 8-inch square pan lined with lecithin* or lightly oiled.  Chill, cut, and serve.  Keep covered in refrigerator.