Author: Mollie Bloudoff-Indelicato

Picture of a cardboard sign that says Earth is More Valuable Than Money

Sustainable Options Overview

Mollie Bloudoff-Indelicato Leave a comment

Strive for progress, not perfection.

When I’m buying a product, I take three things into consideration. In order of importance: health/safety, sustainability, adoption. These may be in a different order for you. For example, a lot of blankets and rugs are made out of recycled plastic. That’s awesome for sustainability, but for health, it’s not as great. “Adoption,” in this case, means how easy it is for me to incorporate this into my life. I’m pretty good at learning new habits if it means contributing to the greater good, but for some people this is more difficult. Research and see what works for you.

Health/safety: In terms of health/safety, there are two certifications that really stand out. They’re called GOTS and Oeko-Tex. GOTS is more strict but Oeko-Tex is a close second. These are two good explanations. The articles relate to rugs but the standards are the same for all products with these labels: https://begood.eco/sustainable-fashion/gots-vs-oeko-tex-whats-the-difference/ 

It’s important NOT to take a company’s word for it if they say they have a certification. Go onto the GOTS and Oeko-Tex websites to make sure.

Now, there are a few products that I recommend that do NOT have these certifications. And that’s because I believe the products are safe/healthy and sustainable but the companies are smaller and can’t afford/don’t want to pay for the certifications.

Why are certifications important in the first place? If it says “100% cotton” then it’s just cotton, right? Well, then you have to think about all the pesticides and chemicals that were used to grow, process and create the fiber. Plus all the chemicals for the dyes. And all the other crap that goes into making fabric that I don’t know about because I don’t have a degree in this kind of thing. Then there’s the issue of how the workers are treated, and how the land is treated, etc. These certifications mean we can worry less. There’s always going to be more research to do, but this is the very best of what we have right now.

Sustainability: As a first pass at sustainability, I tried to avoid products that were packaged in plastic. Then I looked at certifications. There are a LOT of certifications and many of them don’t mean much. The GOTS certification explained above really takes care of most of these concerns for anything fabric related. For other stuff, like paper products, I paid close attention to Forest Stewardship Council and Rainforest Alliance certifications. Basically, it means that forests aren’t being clear-cut to create the product you’re buying, no child labor, companies aren’t being jerks to the local community, etc. etc. nuance, etc. (check out the certifications’ websites to make sure brands are actually certified before buying.) https://wwf.panda.org/es/?219250/Remarkable-social-progress-when-forests-are-FSC-certified—new-study-confirms One caution, though, is that a recent lawsuit alleges that the RA isn’t actually doing its job: https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/rainforest-alliance-and-hershey-chocolate-sued-falsely-claiming-fair-labor-and-sustainability So be skeptical. And remember that sustainability also includes the safety and wellbeing of the people working for the companies and whether they’re paid a fair wage.

Shoe footprint in the sand surrounded by leaves, ferns, flowers, succulents, rocks and pine cones

Carbon footprint: When it came to buying products I was going to use for many years, I wasn’t as concerned about the carbon footprint of shipping. However, for products like toilet paper etc., that I go through frequently, I wanted a distributor closer to home. These recs are all based on my location on the East Coast of the USA. There are other great options out there if you’re in Europe or Australia or New Zealand.

Extra credit: Remember to thrift and buy second hand as much as possible! Don’t throw out the stuff you already have. Just make good choices when you go get new stuff.

Word choice: I use the word “chemicals” in mainly a negative context. I know that everything is a chemical—water is a chemical. Chemicals can be awesome. They save lives. We couldn’t live without them! I probably could be more creative but because this is already way longer than I expected, you’ll just have to excuse my broad brush. I also use a lot of “should” and “should not.” These are blanket statements, but they don’t apply to everyone. For example, most people should not take 30 minute showers. It’s just not good for the environment. But if you have something like, say, depression and a 30 min shower is what you need to do to get up in the morning then—you do you. You’re not a bad person for not doing ALL THE THINGS. Do what you can. Progress, not perfection.

Why you should trust my recs: I mean, always do your own research. I’m a health/science journalist so I’m good at reading studies and parsing info. But this isn’t an article. I’m only writing this up because I spend hours and hours researching before making a purchase. I often read dozens of sites and academic articles. I’m not gonna make this pretty or eloquent. It’s just an information dump. My hope is that I can save you some time.

Privilege: Remember that doing this kind of stuff takes privilege. If you have privilege, then you should go above and beyond to make changes. The idea is that your purchases can drive down costs and make healthy, sustainable products more easily accessible.

Money: “Wow, these things you’re recommending are way more expensive than stuff I can buy on Walmart/Amazon, etc.!!” Yep, think of how much extra work it takes to make a product safe and eco-friendly. It’s way easier to half-ass something and sell it than it is to put a lot of thought and care into a product.

Does it even matter?: Consider the starfish… http://jmjfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Starfish_Parable.pdf 

Photo of an orange, five-footed starfish in the sand as sea foam comes toward it, almost touching the left-side foot

Kids and Fur Kids: This stuff is important for adults, but it’s even more important for your kids and fur kids. “A baby’s skin is thinner than an adult’s, and chemicals can be absorbed more easily. ‘In fact, my original research when I was a doctoral student was on agricultural workers and pesticide penetration through their clothing,’ she says. ‘And one of the things we found in those studies was that farmers would come in and they’d pick their kids up and hug them, and the farmer might not get pesticide poisoning but the child would because that pesticide would be on the garment.’ https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/laundry/wash-new-clothes-before-wearing-them-for-the-first-time-a8763351216/ 

Health risk: You say that a lot of stuff isn’t healthy, but is that true for me specifically? Good question—I don’t know! I know that research shows that this stuff isn’t good for your body and it’s even worse for a kid’s body, but I can’t determine your individual risk. Only you and your doctor can do that.

Errors: What if I find an error? Or things you didn’t consider? WELL! You can always message me and NICELY give me additional info.

ARE YOU GETTING PAID FOR THIS?: I don’t get paid for any of my recommendations. I don’t get discounts or kickbacks or anything at all except a healthier home (which is wonderful!). If you find this helpful at all, think about how much time/effort/frustration was involved and consider Venmo-ing me as a thank you: @molliemakesitllc

Photo Credit: featured image, Markus Spiske/ footprint, Evie S./ starfish, Pedro Lastra

picture of a waterfall in the distance surrounded by green jungle

Things to do in Eastern Costa Rica

Mollie Bloudoff-Indelicato Leave a comment

Pro Tips

  • I would recommend renting a car unless you’re taking a tour.
  • If you’re driving in the country, know that many cars will flash their lights at you instead of honking to signal their displeasure.
  • Drivers turn on their hazards when they’re going to slow down for stuff like a traffic jam or even for an upcoming turn.
  • Make sure to rent a car that can handle huge potholes
  • Before heading out, check out the route on google maps and LOOK at the condition of the roads. Google Maps will recommend taking dirt roads. Don’t. They are awful, long and a great way to get stuck somewhere.
  • I’d recommend not driving long distances at night if you can help it.
  • Be prepared for fog and heavy rain. Know what to do in both.
  • Rental companies will give you the option of renting electric vehicles but we didn’t see many charging stations so best to get gas.
  • Bring a light for your camera. The rainforest is often dark and you’ll get better animal photos if you have a light.
  • I brought hiking shoes and didn’t end up wearing them. I wore wool socks with my Keens sandals. My feet dried quickly and stayed cool. If you’re going on legit, off-trail hikes then I’d recommend something sturdier, especially since Costa Rica has so many venomous snakes.
  • Bring lots of DEET and long-sleeved quick dry pants/shirts. Costa Rica does have ticks and breakbone fever, and you do NOT want to get it.
  • That being said, before you go out, know where hospitals are that carry anti-venom. And look up what to do if you’re bitten. You have about three hours before the damage becomes permanent.
  • Before you head out, stop by a store and pick up electrolytes. It’s good to have on hand in case you get traveler’s diarrhea.
  • When you book a flight, get extra leg room (ELR). The seats are much smaller in Latin America and ELR seats are like regular North American seats. If you actually need ELR then you’ll need to look at business or first class seats.
  • If you’re flying Avianca, do not sleep if you want a snack/drink. They will not ask you if you want something. You must flag down the cart and ask yourself.
  • “Qué chiva” means “how cool.”
  • People really do say “Qué pura vida” a lot!
  • In the U.S., “Mucho gusto” usually means “nice to meet you” but in Costa Rica it’s used in another way, too. It’s often said by a waiter at a restaurant after you’ve ordered food and means something like “with pleasure.”
  • Don’t post pictures on social media of anybody handling animals. It could get the rescue in trouble and their funding rescinded.
  • Make sure a rescue is legit before visiting. If you get to handle any of the animals, it’s not legit and you shouldn’t give them your money.
  • Don’t spend money on a hotel/airbnb with a beautiful view. Firstly, it rains ALL the time so you’re likely to not even get the view. Secondly, people don’t lie but they do fib a lot so the photos you see on the website are probably not super accurate.
  • All the places we stayed at in the rainforest had their showers outside. This is great if you’re really into nature, but not great if you’re prone to mosquito bites! I would try to get a room with the shower indoors.
  • People will often tell you what you want to hear but not actually follow through. They’re trying to be polite, but if you don’t know how things roll, it can be frustrating and confusing. I had to see the doctor, and I asked the nurse when he’d be back. He said that the doctor would be back in 10 minutes because that’s obviously what I wanted to hear. Forty-five minutes later… Don’t trust that someone will follow through. Either go with the flow or do what you need to do to make it happen
  • Bring ear plugs. Construction happens at all hours. People let their dogs roam around and get into fights/howling contests. A lot of houses are made of metal containers and the rain falling on them is very loud.
  • If you get severely dehydrated, go to a Unimed and see a doctor to get an IV. It’ll cost you like $150 for a few hours, and they’re meant for tourists so they’ll speak English. I got sick while I was there, and it was definitely worth the money to feel better.
  • We didn’t get to do this, but I wanted to add this to our itinerary: https://badgeofawesome.com/400-metre-jungle-waterslide-costa-rica/

San José Airport

When transferring/layovers, keep the receipt for anything you buy in the airport because you’ll need it when you get searched or they’ll just throw it away.

We didn’t change over any money at the airport, and we didn’t need to. Most places take credit card or US dollars.

When we landed, we stayed nearby at the Fairfield Inn. It was a little noisy between 8 and 9 a.m. when most people seemed to be heading down to breakfast, but it was super quiet overall, and I got a good sleep. Everyone there was very friendly and the checkout time was noon!

I find that travel makes my stomach a bit finicky so we ordered from Denny’s a lot. It’s on Uber Eats, and you can get it delivered to the hotel even late at night!

Poas Volcano

picture of a couple wearing quick dry clothing in front of a caldera filled with turquoise liquid

Book tickets online before going. Arriving late isn’t an issue. Be prepared to pay for parking and bring a mask if needed (for the sulfur). If you’re sensitive, plan for a shorter visit. Avoid rainy days, as you probably won’t be able to see anything. I loved the path up the side of the volcano—it was full of huge, beautiful plants I’ve only seen in greenhouses! Lots of birds, too, so make sure to download Cornell’s bird ID app on your phone. The paths weren’t crowded, and we just sat at the top of mountain and watched the clouds roll in. It was very calming, and I felt close to nature.

La Fortuna Waterfall

two people wearing safari hats smile in foreground and you see a waterfall in the background surrounded by jungle

The La Fortuna Waterfall was underwhelming. The photo above is exactly the same picture you’ll get. Loud music from the restaurant and nearby construction* scared away wildlife, and the orchids on the Orchid Walk were tiny and not colorful like the ones you find in greenhouses. You can walk down a long staircase to the base of the falls, but swimming is often restricted due to weather. With so many other waterfalls to explore, this one didn’t feel worth the trip. Consider alternatives for a better experience.

*In Latin America, someone is ALWAYS building something. Don’t count on peace and quiet anywhere!

Koki’s

picture of delicious vegetables in a stone bowl

Koki Beach Restaurant was the best place we ate! It was a standout experience! Sit in Fabian’s section—he was amazing and kindly lowered the music for me due to my sound sensitivity. The veggie rice dish was fresh, beautifully presented and delicious. Ask to see the owner’s Chavela Vargas museum and the local photography exhibit. The maracuyá crème brûlée is heavenly! Try the local piña arroz drink and their amazing piña coladas. Note: there’s occasional backfiring cars nearby—an FYI for those with PTSD.

Sloth Sanctuary

picture of baby two toed sloth looking at the camera

The Sloth Sanctuary was the highlight of our trip! Ignacio, our guide, was phenomenal—knowledgeable, engaging and passionate. Make sure to bring extra cash to tip him; he truly deserves it. The private tour is absolutely worth it, offering a more personalized experience. The baby sloths were beyond adorable and unforgettable. This sanctuary is doing incredible work to protect these amazing creatures. I’d return to Costa Rica just to visit this center again. It’s a magical experience and a must-see for any animal lover!

Banana Azul Hotel

The villa was a bit out of date, and unfortunately, we had a lot of mosquitos inside and a large roach. We had to go out and buy a mosquito net, which wasn’t ideal. Getting bitten indoors was not fun. The plunge pool was tiny. The restaurant was decent but nothing special. On the positive side, everyone was friendly, which made communication easy. And there were some cute turtles. Overall, while the location had potential, but it wasn’t worth the price.

Jaguar Tour

Carlos led our jaguar tour, and he was fantastic! The group size was about a dozen. The guides are all volunteers, so make sure to bring cash for tips. We saw amazing wildlife, including a howler monkey, toucan and agouti. The sanctuary has great rules in place to protect the animals, which we really appreciated. The stories were fun, informative, and added a lot to the experience. Highly recommend this tour for anyone looking to learn about wildlife and support conservation efforts! (PS There are no jaguars. They explain the misnomer during the tour!)

Spicy Coconut Restaurant

picture of a stone path that leads to a horizon dotted by palm trees

The service wasn’t friendly, and I felt pressured to order something I didn’t want. However, the maracuyá pina and ginger drink was absolutely delicious! I also appreciated the use of metal straws, which was a nice eco-friendly touch. Landscaping outside the restaurant was gorgeous, and I might stop just to take some photos. Overall, the drinks were the highlight of the visit.

How to Treat Brown Rot in Peaches

Mollie Bloudoff-Indelicato 1 Comment

Hi! A few people in my AMAZING gardening group had questions about brown rot. I recently purchased a house and the two peach trees in my backyard have severe brown rot. SO I went on Google Scholar and read a lot of academic papers on how to best treat the disease. This is what I’ve learned.

 

  • The first thing you want to do is figure out how tall your tree is, approximately. That will help you create a budget. As much as no one wants to ever cut down a tree, sometimes that’s just the most cost-effective way to manage brown rot.
  • A little about brown rot… all peach trees are probably going to get brown rot (a fungus) at some point. It’s really a matter of just managing it. Other stone fruit trees can also get the disease. Brown rot attacks twigs and leaves but the main issue is when it gets to your peaches! Once brown rot attacks, it’s only a matter of days before the entire peach is mummified and destroyed.
  • The time to act is now, in the winter. Make sure you collect any mummified peaches that are still on the tree or have fallen to the ground. The fungus likes to overwinter in these peaches. Do NOT compost the dead peaches. Put them in a sealed bag and throw them away so as not to spread the fungus.
  • Identify branches and twigs that are dead and prune these off. The fungus lives in these dead areas and will come back during spring. Also look for branches that crisscross each other and prune one of them off. When the wind blows, the branches will rub against each other and create a raw spot that can then become infected by fungus or pests.
  • Use the right tools. I’ve done hours of research, and here’s what I’ve found works the best. It’s pricey, which is why you want to have a budget. And why can’t you just use the shears you’ve had for years? Rusty, dull shears won’t create clean cuts and it’ll take longer for the tree to heal, which leaves more opportunities for those areas to get infected. This is the best pair of basic pruning shears that gardeners on multiple review sites swear by. This is the best ratchet lopper for getting bigger branches. Here’s the best pruning saw for heavy duty pruning. And, if you have a tall tree like I do, this is the best extendable pruning saw that’ll keep you from having to climb a ladder while wielding a sharp object! Safety first!
  • When you prune, make sure to clean off the shears with a solution of bleach after EACH time you make a cut. This will prevent the spread of infection. Take the branches that you’ve pruned and put them in a bag and throw them away. Do not compost.
  • When the tree begins to fruit, prune off any new peaches that are too close together. Keep each fruit at least six inches apart. That way, if one becomes infected, it’s less likely to infect the others.
  • You’ll also need to buy fungicide. According to some recent academic studies, you can use copper fungicide with “moderate” success. Scientists recommend using a combination of fungicides such as: Merivon, Indar and Luna Sensation. Indar + Luna Sensation had a success rate of 91% when combating brown rot! The reason you want to use two to three different types of fungicide is that brown rot can very easily become resistant to a fungicide when it is applied often.
  • “Small handheld sprayers are suitable for a single tree and a larger backpack sprayer is preferable for spraying multiple trees at once. Spray all the surfaces of the tree thoroughly, as well as the ground underneath the tree; the fungus that causes brown rot overwinters throughout the tree, especially inside the crevices of tree bark and on any debris on the ground. A good rule of thumb is to use one gallon of the fungicide solution for every 5 feet of tree height and width. For example, a tree 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide takes about 5 gallons to thoroughly cover the entire surface area.” Source
  • You’ll want to spray three times. Once, right as the tree is budding. Another time three weeks later, and a third time about one week before the fruit is ripening, when it has color but it’s not ready to pick.
  • Finally, check your tree for cankers. Here’s how to handle them: Link here and this is the knife I’d recommend.

Let me know if you have any questions! After creating a budget for my trees and taking into account the cost of pruning and applying fungicide to 20-foot-tall branches, plus removing cankers, the most viable option is for me to cut down the trees and start over with dwarf peaches that I can care for more easily. I hope this research helps you make the right decision for your yard!

Photo Credit: Charles Deluvio

The Last Panic Attack of June

Mollie Bloudoff-Indelicato Leave a comment

The last panic attack of June is pretty ho-hum. Almost embarrassingly so. I’m kind of rooting for it, to be honest. “Go out with a BANG,” I say, “not a whimper.” I truly expected better from the last panic attack of June.

If I had to pick a Hogwarts house for my panic attack, I’d toss it into Hufflepuff. It’s not strong enough, nor cruel enough, for Gryffindor or Slytherin. And due to its utter lack of brain fog, Ravenclaw is out. So it gets the leftover house. But when you’re a panic attack that resembles a lukewarm ham and pea soup, you’re lucky to get anything at all. It’s a letdown, really, this last panic attack of June.

If this panic attack were a dinner guest, he’d (yes, it’s a he) spend the whole evening picking his teeth with his not-so-clean fingernails and then flicking his treasure into the thick fibers of the shag carpeted floor when he thinks no one is looking—but, of course, everyone is looking.

If the panic attack were a lover, he’d be the type that struggles to unclasp your bra. He’d leave his socks on while you’re having sex. He’d still refer to sex as “doing it.” He’d be 43 and aspire to work as a CPA. Right now, he doesn’t work because reasons. You don’t want to hold his hand in public—or in private. It’s all very disappointing for the last panic attack of June.

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Be Less Polite

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My therapist is constantly trying to get me to be less polite.

She says I need to open up, be more emotional, let it all out. I tell her she should hear me address a server after I’ve waited an hour for my food and it comes out cold. Or the screams of frustration when a customer service representative puts me on hold for the 10th time. That’s bad enough. No additional innocents need be subject to my wrath.

But she insists. And it’s been a theme in our chats for a while now. “What if you just let go,” she asks, “and tell me what you really think?”

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How to Write a Will (even if you don’t have a lot of money)

Mollie Bloudoff-Indelicato Leave a comment

Having a will is a GREAT idea—even if you don’t have a lot of money—in fact, especially if you don’t have a lot of money.

That’s because, if you die unexpectedly without naming your heirs, your money is going to get tied up in litigation, and lawyers are expensive. No matter what amount of money you have, some of it’ll be wasted on fees if you don’t have a will. Plus, your family won’t be able to easily access it to, for example, help with funeral costs or medical bills.

Then there’s the potential for in-fighting over your stuff and the burden of figuring out logistics. Do you really want your family to spend time dealing with your finances and assets when they’re still grieving? And who gets your cat? your dog? your goldfish? These are all things that can be easily, and relatively painlessly, figured out with a will.

How to Write Your Own Will

Getting started was overwhelming for me. This WikiHow link was helpful when it came to understanding the terminology I wanted to use in my will—and how wills are written in general.

Some states have a state-provided boiler plate will so Google search with site:.gov and see if you’re one of the lucky ones! I live in Virginia, which doesn’t provide a boiler plate will *sobs. But my state does subscribe to the Uniform International Will Act.

What’s the Uniform International Will Act, you ask? Basically, a bunch of countries got together in the ’70s and said, “Hey, we should have a universal will so that way people moving around a whole bunch don’t die and leave court systems/their families with a lot of headaches.” That’s in layman’s terms. Since we’re getting technical here, this is a write-up on its actual requirements. The act goes a little overkill on signatures, but it’s pretty easy to fill out once you get going.

Now, the Uniform International Will Act isn’t for everyone. Unfortunately, not all states or countries accept the act so if you’re planning on moving, make sure you’re still in accordance! This is a good blog post explaining the act and its other pitfalls.

Because my will is very uncomplicated, I will be using this act. However, the act alone isn’t a will. So you either have to write your own language or borrow from someone else. I used the California boiler plate will because I like it and then I updated it to suit my needs. Here is the finished product for free in a GoogleDoc so you can use it, if you like.

NOTE: The will must be filled out in your own handwriting. NOT on a computer. The will does not have a section that refers specifically to pets, but I made sure to add a line that leaves my cats to a friend who has agreed to take them in should something happen. I would hate for them to end up in a shelter!

How to Write an Advance Medical Directive

While you’re at it, fill out an advance medical directive form (free from AARP) that will tell your family what you want in terms of end of life care, organ donation and pain management.

Make sure to tell your family members where they can find copies of your will and your directive in case of an emergency! And, for extra bonus points, write out a funeral plan and keep it with your directive. It won’t be a legal document, but it will help your family in a BIG way. They won’t have to guess what you would’ve wanted, taking a huge weight off their shoulders.

Yeah, this is all a pain in the behind to think about—not to mention actually follow through on. But, just remember, you’re doing a good thing for your family, and that makes it all worth it.

MOST IMPORTANT NOTE: I’m not a legal expert, and none of this should be taken as legal advice.

Photo Credit: Melinda Gimpel

Best Free, Bodyweight Workouts on YouTube

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I hate working out. It’s SO. DAMN. BORING. and fraught with social interactions I’d rather avoid.

I tried running. I really did. I got the phone apps. I got fitted for the shoes. I joined training programs. It was multiple-exclamation-points-terrible.

Running around outside makes me feel like an idiot. I’m dripping sweat in a ratty T-shirt and shorts that are probably too short as I pass office workers heading into the city with makeup and expensive suits. Or, running at night, I end up as fodder for the scourge of mosquitos that follow me around in a cloud as soon as I step outside.

Jogging on the treadmill at our apartment’s gym is almost as bad. Thank god for climate control and the absence of insects, but dear lord, it’s just so monotonous, and there’s only so much a workout music playlist can do before it becomes completely useless.

So that leaves an actual brick-and-mortar gym. And, for a long while, I was a gym rat. I went every day for at least an hour. But, the problem with going to a gym that frequently is that you start to make friends.

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