eNewsletter
The New Sustainable You is a Zoom program hosted by the Yonkers Public Library and presented by Crestwood branch staff member Jackie Leone. This program is brought to you in collaboration with Friends of Crestwood Library, Yonkers NNORC, WJCS, City Of Yonkers Office of the Aging and Westchester County Legislator Ruth Walter.
On Wednesday, August 25th at 1 pm on ZOOM, the discussion will focus on the importance of trees and how they protect our urban and suburban living spaces. The current state of CO2 in the atmosphere has made it increasingly difficult for trees to absorb CO2 and release oxygen.
“During photosynthesis trees take up carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air. In return they loose water vapor (H2O) through tiny pores of their leaves or needles, so-called stomata. This gas exchange between trees and the atmosphere is regulated through the opening widths (aperture) of their stomata.” https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150511112326.htm
On the local level, Yonkers is home to a great variety of trees, and these trees need care. What can we do as residents of this city to help with the trees in our areas?
Let’s talk about trees and continue our talks about different cleaning solutions.
To join the Zoom Meeting, go to this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87322799582?pwd=b0lpV2ljWFc2N2V3YTRJMUk2cEV2UT09
Meeting ID: 873 2279 9582 Passcode: 541431
Dial by phone 1 929 205 6099 Meeting ID: 873 2279 9582
This week Jackie provides instructions on how to make wood butter.
Wood Butter
Ingredients and Materials
2 Tablespoons beeswax
6 Tablespoons unrefined coconut oil
Wooden popsicle stick (or spoon)
Directions
Pour 2 inches of water into the bottom of a double boiler and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Combine the beeswax and coconut oil in the top of the double boiler and heat until they melt. Stir with a popsicle stick or spoon, then pour the mixture into a glass jar. Let the mixture set at room temperature, then cap the jar with an airtight lid and store the wood butter in a cool, dark place.
To Use: To condition wooden utensils and cutting boards, make sure they are clean and dry, then apply a thin layer of wood butter to the surface, buff with a clean, soft cloth, and allow to soak up the oils overnight.
Here are two items Jackie talked about during previous programs:
Materials
3 cups of white vinegar
2 cups of citrus peels (orange, lemon, lime or a combination)
Directions
Steep citrus peels in the vinegar for 2 weeks. Strain and compost the peels.
To use: combine 1 part of the citrus vinegar to 1 part water
Do not use on varnished wood or are natural stone tiles.
DIY Streak-Free Glass Cleaner
Materials
3 Tablespoons of White Vinegar
2 Tablespoons of Rubbing Alcohol (or Vodka – but maybe save for a party)
1 ½ Cups of Water (Distilled is preferred)
Directions
Place in a 16 oz. spray bottle and start cleaning.
Some people use newspapers to clean windows because there is no lint.