The average American uses about 40 pounds of toxic cleaning products every year. Interested in making your own green cleaners at home and want to learn how? Detoxify your home and save money by making non-toxic cleaners for kitchen and bath. Participants will leave with lots of tips and techniques and their own laundry detergent, all-purpose cleaner and creamy soft scrub.

Hosted by Oregon Center for Environmental Health

6pm - 7:30pm

Cost: $5, free to members

Portland, OR 97213

Oregon Center for Environmental Health

jason@oregon-health.org

503-233-1510 ext. 201

This interactive quiz from the Green Police might be the most fun you have all day. Do yourself a favor and give it a try.

You've probably been hearing a lot lately about the chemical bisphenol A, or BPA. That's the chemical that's found in some hard plastics and in the linings of most canned food products. BPA is an an environmental estrogen that is tied to concerns about breast cancer, early puberty, male infertility and even obesity.

What's really messed up about this is that all the studies done on this topic seem to conflict. Health and environmental groups say it's a problem; industry groups seem to suggest it's just fine. A couple of years ago the Food and Drug Administration said it was safe, now the FDA is saying there may be some reason for concern.

Here in Wisconsin, the state Senate has approved a bill banning the use of BPA in baby bottles and kids' drinking cups. The same bill passed in an Assembly committee and should win full approval soon. That's a good start..but what's really needed is a nationwide ban. I'm not holding my breath for that to happen any time soon.

The Oregon Solar Energy Industries Association announces the 5th Annual NW Solar Expo and Professional Training Conference.

Details about sponsors, special events and training sessions, including plans to have a FIT (Feed in Tariff) Training Day will be coming soon!

Registration will open after January 1, 2010!

Conference & Expo Mission:
To educate renewable energy professionals as well as business owners and residential customers interested in clean energy solutions.

The 5th Annual Northwest Solar Expo & Clean Technology Showcase 2009, featuring three days of Professional Solar Training and certification also offers multiple networking opportunities for business professionals, installers, integrators and potential solar and clean energy customers to meet. The expo offers a unique local opportunity for companies to showcase products and services that can be implemented today.

Noon to 4pm

Take a guided tour of Legend Home’s new solar-friendly model home and peruse their EdgeWater green community by Pedi-cab. See what the future of green living looks like. Enjoy delicious organic hor d’ oeuvres from Artemis Café as well as organic wines, compliments of Stoller Vineyards. Plus, there will be giveaways!

Location: 16697 SW Tempest Way, King City, OR 97224

Directions: SW Pacific Hwy (99W), W on Beef Bend Rd., S on 131st, W on Fischer. Follow signs.

RSVP at LegendHomes.com/rsvp

So ... maybe you made a New Year's resolution to eat less meat (a great way to be healthier and sustainable-er). Maybe you have always been a vegetarian. Or maybe you're just looking to try something new.

Well, here is the recipe for you!

Cannelloni (the name means "large reeds", which is quite evocative) is a sheet of pasta rolled around something yummy - usually cheese. However, many pastas contain ingredient lists a mile long, so those of us who try to stick to Michael Pollan's "eat food" rule can find them troublesome. That's why this recipe is so great: instead of pasta, you use eggplant as the wrapper for your filling. I really enjoy the creamy consistency of eggplant; the key is to make sure it is completely cooked. Raw eggplant kind of tastes like a chewy mud pie.