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Welcome to Bluedot Living Boston, a newsletter that gathers local good news, good food, and good tips for living every day more sustainably.
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Welcome to Bluedot Living Boston, a newsletter that gathers local good news, good food, and good tips for living every day more sustainably.
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If you purchase anything via one of our links, including from Amazon, we may earn a small commission.
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SIMPLE / SMART / SUSTAINABLE /Â STORIES
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“An empty beach, especially in winter, is such an effortlessly atmospheric and moody place,” writes Miles Howard in this newly published essay, where he reflects on what it’s like visiting New England’s quiet beaches during the off-season. “It occurred to me that we only have a few more months left before the crowds descend … in other words, your window for having a brooding, bundled-up day at the beach has begun to close!” Read the
full story here.Â
Â
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Quick Links
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Skip scrolling! Here’s what you’ll find in today’s Bluedot Boston newsletter:
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“The joy and magic of seed balls is we don’t know where they might land,” Bluedot contributor Laura McClean writes. “It’s guerilla gardening — ever heard of it?”
If you haven’t, seed balls are a DIY way to spread the seeds of native wildflowers wherever you go and can be easily made with supplies you likely have on hand. Toss your seed balls in the ground and before you know it vibrant wildflowers will slowly emerge from the soil. Laura walks us through three ways to make seed balls at home.
Many branches of the Boston Public Library have their own seed libraries with free, easy-to-grow vegetable, herb, and flower seeds: “Pick up a few seeds and plant them in your yard, a pot, or get involved in your local community garden. Ask us for growing information or how to ensure lead-safe soil. Seed saving is an ancient practice
and we encourage you to try and collect seeds to donate back to our seed library!”
Visit Cafe Zing in Porter Square Saturday, April 5, for a Seed Swap event hosted by MAMAS Gardening Collective. Donate extra seeds you have on hand, or pick up free seeds to get a head start on your spring gardening.
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If you make a purchase through our links, including from Amazon, we may earn a small commission.
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Four out of five American households do some kind of spring cleaning every year. If you’re gearing up and in need of supplies, consider trying eco-friendly refill concentrates. Compared to full-size products, which are themselves watered-down concentrates, these tiny workhorses use far less water and material and ship with a much lower carbon footprint. Don’t worry: They also get the job
done.
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Dirty Labs makes super-concentrated, enzyme-powered, plastic-free detergent that’s available fragrance-free and in two sophisticated scents (think magnolia and matcha). They also make an excellent enzyme booster for particularly dirty loads. Save 15% on your first order with code BLUEDOT. Shop today or read our review.
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All dryer balls reduce static cling, decrease drying time, and prevent the need to buy wasteful, often toxic dryer sheets. Only Friendsheep dryer balls make us smile every time we do the wash. The Fair Trade brand’s cheerful colors and patterns have elevated dryer balls to an art. Save 10% with code BLUEDOT. Shop today or read our review.
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A newsletter reader emailed us about the Terra Wash+Mg, a little magnesium-filled satchel that she uses to wash clothes. “I haven't bought bottled detergent in four years,” she wrote, yet “very dirty clothes come out clean.” Our marketplace editor started using it in January and has been amazed. Shop on Amazon or read our review.
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If you often re-run your dryer due to tangled-up sheets, you’ll love the Wad-Free, a little device that you connect to the corners of sheets before washing. Miraculously, it prevents wads, saving you — and your dryer — precious time and energy. Shop on Amazon or read our review.
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– Illustration by Elissa Turnbull
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Dear Dot,
I recently received a card that’s printed on “seed” paper — that paper that has wildflower seeds embedded in it that we, presumably, should plant. But with all the talk about planting native species, I’m unsure if I should. What do you say?
–Sandy
Dear Sandy,
The year was 2013, Katy Perry had just edged out fellow pop star Justin Bieber for most popular Twitter account holder, and Dot could often be heard singing along to Roar, Perry’s anthem to empowerment. But with Perry at her zenith, Australia banned the singing sensation’s CD (remember those?) from entering the country. The country had nothing against the music on “Prism,” but rather had a problem with the CD itself, which came packaged with a piece of seed paper and a message to plant it and “spread the light.” Catchy, huh? Not enough to make the Australian authorities fans.
“Seeds or plant material of international origin may be a weed not present in Australia or the host of a plant pathogen of biosecurity concern,” a department spokesperson told news.com.au.
In other words, spreading light wasn’t the concern; potentially spreading invasive plants was. It’s possible, however, that the Australians uncharacteristically overreacted …Â
Seedingly,
Dot
Â
Read the rest of Dot’s answer.
Got a question for Dot? Write her at deardot@bluedotliving.com.
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This recipe, with its green and brown color palette, is inspired by early morning walks in the woods. It combines earthy mushrooms, baby spinach leaves, and eight large eggs. From cookbook author Vanessa Seder’s latest book Warm Your Bones, this dish is just one of many cozy, comforting recipes designed to carry us through these final colder months.
Get the recipe.
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Inside each issue of Bluedot Living Kitchen, you’ll find fresh cooking inspiration for seasonal, planet-friendly eating, tools and tips for creating a more sustainable kitchen, and inspiring stories of the people behind your food. Don’t miss the groundbreaking education and regenerative farming work of Vermont’s Shelburne Farms, our tribute to maple syrup, Easter, and more!Â
Claim a free sample of this issue now! No payment information required.Â
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| Get Your FREE Sample
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What We’re Reading |
Britt always looks forward to the thoughtful and insightful emails in her inbox from climate activist and marine biologist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. Her What If We Get It Right newsletter (subscribe here) offers forward-looking musings on climate and culture. Just last week, she shared an op-ed from Patagonia’s CEO in Time Magazine, highlighting the importance of protecting our public lands. Read it here.Â
- Julia has been on a spree of binge-reading young adult romance novels. Brianna Craft’s We Don’t Have Time for This<> follows two teens co-leading their school’s climate justice club. Despite their differences, Isa and Darius share a passion for climate activism as they feel climate change’s effects on their Pacific Northwest home. As club leaders, they work with their classmates to paint murals around town, including one that says “All we’ve got is this pale blue dot,” and work with local grassroots organizations to
petition the city council to stop construction on a natural gas pipeline. Sounds like they’d be terrific candidates for the Bluedot Institute!
Enjoy the weekend, and we’ll see you in two weeks.
–Britt Bowker and Julia Cooper
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Britt Bowker has been writing and editing for newspapers and magazines across New England, spending a lot of her time on MV.Â
Julia Cooper, a Martha's Vineyard native now living in Cambridge, runs Bluedot’s social media accounts, teaches in the writing program at Emerson College, and manages Black Sheep Market.
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