There’s Nothing Like a Good Camping Trip to Get Back in Touch With Nature

August 10, 2012 by Leave a Comment

There’s nothing like a good camping trip to get back in touch with nature –especially during the hot summer months when a trip to the mountains can provide a breath of much needed fresh air! I can picture it now –setting up camp in the shade of the trees, going for a refreshing swim in the local lake or river, taking a canoe or kayak out for a spin, or sitting around the campfire.

campground signOf course camping these days looks a lot different than it did when I was a child! When you spend time in the splendor of majestic Redwood or Sequoia trees like the kind you find in the California mountains, it’s hard to imagine hauling in all the stuff that was a necessary part of the camping experience back then. Sometimes you want to camp in a designated campground with facilities and hook ups, which obviously makes it easier for a family style vacation. But sometimes you want to go deeper into the woods, get away from it all and “rough it” a little so you can experience a true communion with Mother Nature. If you are an experienced backpacker then you already know how critical it is to pack light and bring items that are multipurpose and/or re-usable no matter where you go.

Whichever way your pleasure tends, there are ways to camp without altering or harming the ecological landscape of your chosen campsite. Whether it involves using the latest, coolest gadgets and gear, or just some old fashioned common sense, we are all stewards of the environment and have a responsibility to enjoy it and share it with others (including it’s natural inhabitants) without spoiling it.

Of course greening any camping trip or vacation starts at home before you leave and while you are away. For more on this see my previous blog post. Once you’ve ensured that your home will operate in a sustainable, non-wasteful way while you’re gone you can plan your out door adventure accordingly.

What do you do to green your camping? Do you have any green camping tips or wisdom you’d like to share? I’d love to hear what other people are doing in this area. Please post about your recent camping experiences or camping gear you’ve acquired that makes your outdoor adventures sustainable and eco-friendly. Thanks!

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Green Camping Essentials: 4 Simple Ways to Enjoy Nature and Minimize Your Footprint

August 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment

As busy as our lives are these days, even something as simple as planning a vacation in the great outdoors can become a source of stress. This goes double if you’re trying to incorporate the green living techniques you use at home while you’re miles away from civilization. Here are four simple ways to minimize your footprint and keep it green any time you go camping.

1. Plug the Energy Drains at Home

One of the easiest things to overlook when preparing to go on any type of vacation is the state your home will be in while you’re away. This is especially important during the summer months when you tend to use air-conditioning and/or watering systems to feed your lawns and gardens on a consistent basis.

Start by unplugging all electronics and appliances that won’t be in use or needed while you’re away. Plugged-in electronics can continue to use energy even when turned off so the only way to stop these energy vampires is to unplug them completely. Ideally, the only things that you should keep powered on are lights to deter burglars, but instead of running them 24/7, put them on a timer so that they only run at night.

Turn your air conditioner off and set your thermostat to 80 or 85 F. This sounds a little hot but you would be amazed how much energy is saved with every 3-5 degrees you turn up the thermostat in the summer. Check the extended forecast to see if there will be any rain or cooling trends and adjust or reduce your timed lawn or garden sprinklers accordingly, to save water.

2. Pack Light, Pack Smart

There’s no getting around it: the more stuff you bring with you when you go camping, the more stuff you’ll either have to leave behind or haul back. Remember, the whole point of camping is to enjoy the outdoors not drag all the creature comforts of home along with you! Try to limit what you bring to the things you know you will really need.

One way to camp in comfort without over-packing is to bring equipment that is either multi-purpose or reusable. For example, a bottle of multi-purpose soap that can clean your dishes, clothes, and skin is a lot easier to carry than a bunch of bottles of shower gel, shampoo, and detergent. Bring along something like Wilderness Wash that’s biodegradable and free of fragrance and other harsh chemicals.

Your silverware and dishes should be reusable, ideally made of aluminum, stainless steel, or BPA-free plastic. Ditch disposable plates and plastic utensils because they create a tremendous amount of waste.

3. Respect the Outdoors

When you camp, be sure to show your love and respect for nature by not causing unnecessary damage to your environment. When you shower or wash your dishes, do so at least 200 feet away from any natural sources of water to prevent the chance of contamination (even when using biodegradable soap). Instead of burying your trash, take it with you and ensure that it is properly disposed of. Stick to well-worn paths and trails when you hike, even if it means taking the long way to your destination –creating shortcuts can cause permanent damage to an area.

Be respectful of animals you encounter along the way, after all, it’s their home you are visiting. If you’re camping in bear country make sure you take the proper steps to conceal your foods because hell hath no wrath like that of a hungry bear! See this site BackCountryAttitude.com for more information on how to bear-proof your campsite.

4. Leave Your Campsite the Way You Found It

“Leave No Trace” is one of the cornerstones of eco-friendly camping. When it’s time to leave, your campgrounds or camping area should look just the way they did when you arrived if not better. It can be tempting to a leave a mark that shows you were there, like a carving in a tree or scratching your name on a rock. These types of activities can cause long-term damage and increase the chance that others will add their mark too –further scarring the land.

Resist the temptation to take home souvenirs. Leave stones, feathers, artifacts, shells, petrified wood, etc. so that others may enjoy them. Take pictures of them instead and use your pictures as mementos of your trip.

If you are not camping in a designated campground, then take your trash (and any trash that other people may have left behind) with you.

Copyright 2009-2012 Dropwise Essentials

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Donya Fahmy, is a green business owner and the creator of Dropwise Essentials’ spa-quality aromatherapy body products that help you safely relieve stress, increase vitality, improve confidence, or simply manage your emotional state any time or place without popping a pill. For more free tips and valuable information visit www.dropwise.com and subscribe to the Dropwise Health & Beauty News Ezine or blog feed.

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Greening Your Camping: Cool Solar-Powered and Other Gadgets

September 2, 2011 by 1 Comment

Obviously camping in the woods (even if it’s in a designated campground) might mean you won’t have access to electricity or a signal to power your smart phone or GPS. The good news is there are a number of gadgets (solar and “other” powered) that can pick up the slack and keep you rolling without having to pack or use extra batteries or electricity. And I even stumbled across a product that won’t be available until spring of 2012 but it’s so cool I just had to share!

If you do some digging around online I’m sure you’ll come across a lot of similar or better treasures that you can use to green your camping but here’s my brief list of gadgets to check out:

1. The Solar Light Cap. This looks like your typical baseball cap but the top part of the visor has a solar panel sewn into it that powers 2 LED lights that live on the left and right underside of the visor. The lights are angled downward so they won’t shine in your eyes. It has full beam or variable dimmer settings you control with one button and back-up reserve NIMH batteries. If baseball caps aren’t your style you can purchase a visor-only version and there’s even a polar cap version for colder climates. Prices range from $39 to $58. Check them out here.

2. The Bio Lite Camp Stove. This amazing gadget will revolutionize the way you cook when you backpack because it requires no fuel. The manufacturer claims it will quickly and cleanly cook meals using just the underbrush you collect while hiking or camping. Apparently you just fill the main compartment with a bunch of twigs or small sticks and light them with a match or lighter. Once they kindle you add your pot or kettle to the top and you have a fully functioning stove that can boil up to 1 Liter of water in 2.5 minutes! And it’s so compact and light you can take it on a plane to use when you travel without worrying about finding the right kind of fuel when you get to your destination. According to their web site this wunderkind will not be available until March 2012 and no information yet on what it will cost. But if it lives up to the hype then this will be the 2012 “Must Have” gadget for camping. Intrigued? Watch this demo video at their site (requires a Quicktime plug-in).

3. Esbit Coffee Press/Mug. If you’re anything like me, then a good Cup a Joe first thing in the morning when camping is an absolute requisite. Here’s a double-duty item that serves as both a coffee/tea press and a mug. Make sure you fill it with some quality Fair Trade Organic coffee or Tea! You can find this item along with a variety of camping tools and gear at www.expedtionoffroad.com.

4. LightCap 300 Solar-powered Lantern/BPA-free Water Bottle and Waterproof Container. This neat device is a BPA-free water bottle whose screw-on cap contains a solar-powered light turning your water bottle into a bright LED lamp. Check the SolLight web site for all the details.

5. Solar Ovens. If you’re serious about cooking while you camp then try a solar oven. Like a solar or sun shower, you leave your oven out in the sun and eventually its internal temperature will reach as high as 400 F. Most are lightweight and compact but they do vary so choose wisely. And of course they require a lot sun to work properly, but well worth considering because of their low-to-no impact on the environment. Browse a selection here.

6. The HYmini. Last but not least is this universal charger/adapter device that harnesses either renewable wind power, solar power OR conventional wall plug power to recharge almost all your 5 Volt digital gadgets. HYmini is like a hybrid mini green power station that fits in the palm of your hand. Visit the HYmini site for more information.

And for other cool solar powered gadgets you might use on a camping trip check out Goal Zero web site.

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Greening Your Camping: Natural Remedies for First Aid

September 1, 2011 by Leave a Comment

One of the great things about camping is the ability to re-connect and commune with nature. But every upside has a down side and dealing with mosquitoes and other insects and insect bites, as well as unexpected minor injuries that can come up, is definitely one of the downsides of camping.

Here’s a quick list of natural remedy type items to bring with you to help you cope if you wind up being an unlucky camper.

Essential Oils for First Aid:

Tea Tree [Antiseptic, antibacterial, speeds wound healing and doesn’t need to be diluted before applying. It also acts as an insect repellant and can be used to treat insect bites. A drop in a cup of peppermint or chamomile tea can relief upset stomach and diarrhea.]

Lavender [Excellent for soothing minor breakouts and bug bites, heals minor burns and cuts, relieves muscle tension and headaches and calms your nerves. Can help you get to sleep if you’re feeling restless or anxious. Can be used neat (i.e. without dilution) directly on burns and to soothe insect bites.]

Peppermint [Analgesic –use for pain relief but always dilute it properly first. Can help relieve nausea and upset stomach. It’s cooling and stimulating and can also help decongest a stuffy nose.]

Eucalyptus [Great for sinus trouble –especially congestion– use it instead antihistamines or decongestants. Clears the mind and improves focus and alertness which can come in handy during long drives. It’s also a natural insect repellant but should be diluted accordingly.]

Lemon [Antiseptic, refreshing. Add a drop to your dish soap to help cut grease. Add to a drop to your drinking water to purify it. Lemon can help relieve itching from insect bites or unexpected skin eruptions and can bring clarity when there is confusion. Be sure to dilute it properly before applying to the skin –too much can be photo-toxic and lead to sunburn.]

Geranium [Reduces inflammation, bleeding, and infection from wounds. The scent also relieves anxiety, depression, irrational behavior and stress. Mixes well with Lavender and Lemon and is a natural insect repellent.]

In addition to their value as effective healing tools in your first aid kit, the peppermint, lemon and even the lavender oils can be used to enhance your food and beverages while camping. Use very sparingly though.

Other items you should bring on a camping trip include:

Jojoba, Safflower, Coconut or Olive Oil [Use as a carrier oil base for your essential oils (all of these are excellent skin care and moisturizing oils that can double up as sun tan oils and hair conditioner as well). Depending on the length of your stay, you can probably do fine with a 6 or 8 oz bottle. Since coconut oil solidifies in cooler temperatures, you’ll need to put it in a jar if that’s your oil of choice.]

Aloe Vera Gel [For relief from sunburns and other minor burns [Buy a natural version of this in a natural foods store. Hint: If it’s green or neon blue it’s not natural]! Again, anywhere from 4 oz to 8 oz should be plenty for a short camping trip.]

Witch Hazel [Use a carrier for essential oil blends.]

Rescue Remedy Flower Essence [Take a dropper full of this internally to help you cope with any kind of trauma –minor or major. It really works!]

Arnica Gel [For bruises and minor aches and pains.]

Calendula Hand Salve or Cream [Use as a first-aid cream or salve because of its antimicrobial, healing and regenerative properties.]

Cornflower Hydrosol [Use this in place of eye drops for dry and/or itchy allergy eyes. Do a skin patch test before using to ensure you are not allergic [see our post on essential oil safety]. If you have no allergy or reaction, then place hydrosol in a clean well-sterilized glass bottle with a fine mist spray top and spritz once into each eye.]

Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide Sunblock [The safest form of sunscreen on the market today.]

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Greening Your Travel: What to Take on a Camping Trip

August 30, 2011 by 1 Comment

For many of you Labor Day weekend represents the last chance of the year for a mini-camping vacation, so I thought it would be good to share some tips on how to green your camping. Of course these tips apply whether you’re a frequent camper or just an occasional one. And if you’ve never been camping before but have considered it or are planning to, then this is a great opportunity to do it right from the get go.

A lot of the same principles that apply to other types of travel apply to camping as well. Travel as light as possible, bring only the necessities with you, pack re-usable and double-duty items wherever possible, and most important, leave no footprint behind –meaning no trail of waste that others have to deal or that might not be handled in an environmentally responsible way.

The key things to pay attention to are your consumption of energy, water, and food with an eye towards minimizing or eliminating unnecessary pollution and litter. You need to plan ahead for how to handle the waste you produce. Here are some basic DOs and DON’Ts:

DON’T bring plastic water bottles. This is one of the biggest contributors to pollution –both in the manufacturing of the bottles and in their disposal. Bring one large capacity water carrier (preferably PVC-free) that can fold up small when not in use. Fill it with water from a spigot and use it to fill your re-usable stainless steel or BPA-free water bottles.

DO bring re-usable silverware, cups and plates (aluminum, stainless steel or BPA-free plastic). Using disposable plates and cutlery is a lot more convenient because it doesn’t require washing and drying, but it can create a tremendous amount of waste.

DON’T leave your trash or recyclables behind. Place garbage and recyclables in designated receptacles. If there are none, then collect and take them with you until you’re able to dispose of them properly. This especially applies to used batteries or spent fuel canisters. And except for paper items that can be tossed into a campfire, NEVER burn your trash –especially plastics because that is toxic to you and the environment.

DO use biodegradable soaps and detergents. If you plan to shower outdoors or wash your dishes then be sure to use biodegradable soaps to avoid polluting the grounds. Wherever possible toss your dishwater down a drain instead of directly onto the dirt.

DO use a solar shower instead of the local facility. These cost very little and can be purchased anywhere camping supplies are sold. All you have to do is fill it with water and hang it up somewhere in the sun. After a few hours of exposure –voila! You have hot (or at a minimum, warm) water to shower with or to wash your dishes with. If you want to be really green try this PVC-Free 4 Gallon Solar Shower from Seattle Sports.

DON’T idle your car if you’re car camping because the exhaust is polluting and can disturb other campers. If you need power to charge up your gadgets then buy solar-powered chargers.

DO stay in designated camping areas and on designated hiking trails. Designated areas are designed to minimize potential or unintended damage and harm to surrounding nature

DO invest in LED flashlights, headlamps, and lanterns as these are last longer, offer brighter light and far more efficient use of battery power. Whenever possible use re-chargeable batteries and don’t ever leave used batteries behind. If you have the funds to invest then consider solar-powered lights like the ones featured in this My Life Scoop blog post. Also consider a hand-cranked flashlight or combination radio and flashlight which are less expensive than solar-powered gadgets.

Finally, if you don’t plan to camp a lot (i.e more than a couple of times a year), consider buying second-hand equipment (tents, sleeping bags, stoves, etc.).

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