Solarize your BBQ with a homemade solar cooker
With Memorial Day approaching on Monday, it is a time to remember and honor the men and women who have served our country. Memorial Day typically marks the unofficial beginning of summer, so why not enjoy some of nature’s beauty in your own community? I would like to offer you a few eco-activities you and your family, friends and neighbors can organize for this holiday weekend.
Mission Viejo has great trails, which would be great for a family hike on the Oso Creek Trail. This trail is relaxed and fun for walkers or runners. You quickly leave Jeronimo Road behind when you realize that you are surrounded by native birds serenading you, wild sage bushes that are happy as can be, listening to the Oso Creek and taking in the beautiful scenery.
Want to explore your local area? Take a tour of The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano and buy local organic produce for your Memorial Day BBQ. Show your friends and family new culinary delights with garden-to-table concepts by showing them where food comes from and what food is currently in season. You can also buy fun and delicious new produce by stopping by the Mission Viejo’s Farmers’ Market on Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. to “get fresh with the locals!”
Does your family like to cook? You can take a different approach to cooking by building your own solar cooker! Solar cookers can cook everything a traditional oven can cook, and it teaches children the power of the sun. You can have a mini panel of judges to taste all of the solarized foods and make it fun event at a family BBQ or bring your homemade solar cooker to a BBQ to show off. Directions on how to make a solar cooker can be found here.
If you’re looking to do more than solarize your oven, you can look into solar power you’re your home. Mission Viejo residents have the opportunity to take part in increasing city’s renewable energy portfolio by taking part in the Mission Viejo Solar Program. The program is administered by Sullivan Solar Power, and offers residents the opportunity to get paid to get solar. Through this program residents are able to go solar for no upfront cost and receive up to $2,000 cash back. The three-month initiative will come to a close on June 3, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. Homeowners who want to participate in the Mission Viejo Solar Program are encouraged to visit MissionViejoSolarProgram.org or to call 1.800.SULLIVAN.
