Going Green

1.  Endangered Species All-Natural Chocolate Bars:  Your choice of purchasing a simple candy bar can go toward a great impact on the earth.  10% of the net profits donated to help support endangered species such as the Polar Bears along with their habitat and humanity as well.  These candy bars can be found at your local Walgreen’s or other find retail stores worldwide. 

2.  Light Mountain Natural Hair Color and Conditioner:  Made with all natural henna dye and when it says permanent, it really is.  If the color isn’t right you may have a hard time removing it later on.  It is considered botanical and everything you need comes right in the box. 

3.  Vickery & Clarke:  These products are an all-natural approach to apothecary remedies and personal care products.  They help you to feel better inside and out.  They offer a cold and sinus soak for stuffy heads and a body wash that is guaranteed to make you feel like a hundred and ten percent once again.  They are available through CVS Pharmacies nation-wide.

4.  SolLight Solar-Powered Water Bottle Cap:  This cap fits a normal/standard sized water bottle and will allow for solar power to light the water to give light for the night of camping or just sitting out in the back yard.  It works great for any occasion and runs about $20.

5.  Noon Solar, Solar-Powered Handbag:  This bag is made with hemp, organic cotton and dyed with an all natural veggie-dye as well.  It has a built-in solar panel that can help charge your cell phone, iPod or other powered electronics.  The bags are kind of spendy but come in handy to save you money over all. 

When most people think of deodorant protection, we just assume the deodorant protects against wetness and odor, but have you ever considered what ingredient is helping fight that wetness and odor?

The sweat your body produces is natural. It helps rid your body of toxins as well as water. The more you sweat the more water your body needs to help rid those toxins out.

A name brand deodorant container ingredient listing reads as follows:

•Active ingredients:
Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly 19%
•Inactive ingredients:
cyclopentasiloxane, steryl alcohol, talc, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, hydrogenated castor oil, PPG-14 butyl ether, sodium silver aluminum silcate, phellodendron amurense bark extract, oleic acid, santalum album (sandalwood) extract, behenyl alcohol, hordeum distichon (barley) extract, and fragrance.

There are a select few ingredients that are just fine to add to a product we all apply to our arm pit, but over all this deodorant can be linked to many forms of breast cancer, skin rashes, as well as breathing difficulties just from a few of the ingredients.

The aluminum added to deodorant is what is keeping you dry and the added ingredients listed under “fragrance” is what is making you smell better when you do sweat. The only drawback to aluminum is the fact that your body needs to sweat. When you apply a thick coat of aluminum based deodorant your body has no where to flush out the toxins in your body, and in turn it can cause you to become ill.

A better ingredient listing on a not so well known deodorant products listing reads as follows:

•Inactive ingredients: Vegetable glycerin, *certified organic rose geranium all plant essence, *certified organic mint allplant essence, sodium sterate, steareth-100, certifed organic pomegranate, litchi & persimmon extracts, sodium bicarbonate, certified organic extracts of mallow, linden, rosemary, strearate oleic acid, stearate acid, stearyl alcohol, ethylhexyl glycerin, sodium chloride, fragrance oils.
*Grown in accordance with teh California Organic Foods Act of 1990

Which product would you rather be comfortable using. Knowing that the second label is all organic and processed without using harsh chemicals, animal testing and contains no animal by-products.

The next time you go to purchase deodorant, which we all need at one point and time, pick up one that is all-natural or all-plant based. It will help your body get rid of toxins as well as make you smell better than any doedorant out on the market that contains aluminum.

Below are a list of great deodorants. Some contain all-natural plant oils that smell just wonderful.

•Jason Products company carries a lot of all-natural products and one being their line of deodorants.

•Mill Creek is yet another one to consider.

•Burt’s Bees has their own line of natural deodorants. Theirs comes in a spray bottle and smells wonderful. They are my personal favorite.

•Toms of Maine is yet another one. Great product with great ingredients.

Just by looking to see what is out there, you may find a brand that does just as well, if not better then your regular brand you have been using for years. Natural deodorant is a great way to start your green-living and healthier living now.

*Going Green Tip: Never burn steel based wick or aluminum based wick candles in your home or outside, instead opt for an oil burner, a simmer pot on the stove, or even sticked fragrance that have made it onto the market scene in the last year. The glass bottle contains essential oils and a bamboo stick or two are placed into the oil to soak. The scent of the oil, in turn is lifted into the air for a great home fragrance.

When you think of gift-giving whether it is for a birthday gift or a wedding gift or even a gift for yourself, most people don’t think outside the box. There are foundations in the world that can give a gift of more then just a pretty wrapped gift with a bow on it.

Donate money toward buying a cow, hen, goat, or chick through Heifer International, the Arkansas based nonprofit that provides livestock and sustainable agriculture training to alleviate hunger and poverty in more than 45 countries.

ABC Home & Planet Foundation allows givers to choose which cause their “gift of compassion” will benefit, from the African rain-forest conservation to reading classes for Afghan girls.

Mother-daughter combo Frances Moore Lappé and Ann Lappé take donations at their Small Planet Fund, an organization that helps the need for education of healthy eating around the world

*Going Green Tip: When it comes to polishing the silver for an elegant dinner, most do not consider the amount of chemical being used to do the polishing. Next time you put the silver away after a fancy dinner party, pop a few sticks of chalk in with it. The chalk will help absord moisture, which in turn will slow oxidation (tarnishing), and will reduce the amount of chemical you will need the next time you polish.

There are times some of us get so sick, that we have no clue as to how to make ourselves better. There are items out on the market now that claim they do the job but end up making us either worse or do nothing at all. As a past student of a holistic class in Tigard, Oregon, we learned that the value of plant parts are more important to ones health then some that practice in modern medicine would like to add to their practice.

Here are a few things that I have learned over the years that EVERYONE should add to their medicine cabinets. It is nice to have things on hand so getting them now will save you the trouble when you will need them the most.

•Echinacea: Echinacea purpurea, E. augustifolia

What it does: Echinacea root (as well as flower and leaf) cut the duration and severity of colds.

How to use it: Take 1 tsp. tincture (root ot whole plant) 4 times a day.

•Astragalus: Astragalus membranaceus

What it does: Astragalus root builds deep immunity; helps prevent colds and flu.

How to use it: Take in tincture or capsule form as a daily tonic; follow package directions.

•Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus globulous and E. fruitcetorum
What it does: In a steam, eucalyptus essential oil eases congestion and cough.

How to use it: Add 5-8 drops of oil to a 3-quart pot of near-boiling water. Drape a towel over your head to create a tent; breath in stean for up to 5 minutes.

•Goldseal: Hydrastis canadensis

What it does: Goldseal root is antimicrobial; helps heal sore throats.

How to use it: Add 1 1/2 tsp. of tincture to cup of water; gargel as needed.

•Elderberry: Sambucus nigra and S. canadensis

What it does: Elderberry syrup can help cut the duration and severity of flu.

How to use it: Follow package directions.

•Slippery Elm: Ulmus rubra

What it does: Slippery-elm lozenges soothe sore throats.

How to use it: Take one lozenge every 2 hours as needed.

•Medicinal Mushrooms:

What they do: Maitake, shiitake, turkey tail, and reishi mushrooms build immunity.

How to use them: Take daily as a tonic. Choose a multiple-mushroom supplement with any of the above; follow package directions.

Here are a few ideas in how to incorporate these herbs, for wellness:

For colds…Echinacea.

For flus…Elderberry.

Sore Throat…Slippery-elm lozenges or the herbs Goldseal and Eucalyptus.

Sore Throat… Good old fashioned chicken soup.

Sinus problems…Hot Tea (black, green, or herbal).

Imune system boost…Simmered ginger and water and add lemon juice and honey to taste.

Congestion…Ginger and water simmered with lemon juice and a pinch cayenne and honey to taste.

*As with any regimen you should always consult your doctor if any rash, fever, or your symptoms worsen. Holistic medicine is a natural way for your body to combat sickness, but please use caution with these herbs. You could have an alergic reaction to them.

*Going Green Tip:
Immune Power Soup
Makes about 3 quarts
This soupd helps ease cold and flu symptoms as well as boosts the immune system.1 ounce dried astragalus root
4 ounces fresh dandelion root, thinly sliced (or 2 ounces dried)
4 ounces fresh burdock root, thinly sliced (or 2 ounces dried)
1 tablespoon grated fresh gingerroot
1 tablespoon dried kelp, dulse, ot other sea vegetable
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium-sized onion, chopped
5 to 8 medium-sized fresh shiitake mushrooms
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup miso paste (any variety)Bring 3 quarts of water to a boli and reduce heat. Add astragalus, dandelion, burdock, ginger and sea vegetable; cover and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour. Strain, return broth to pot, and keep over medium heat. In a sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium heat; ass onion and mushroons, and sauté until tender. Add garlic; sauté for a few more minutes. Add entire misture to broth. Turn off heat, and stir in miso paste.

•Choose a picnic site you can get to without a car — by walking, biking, hiking, or taking public transportation.

•Eat locally. For your menu, choose fresh, local foods, ideally ones grown organically or with minimal processing.

•Use washable and reusable utensils, tablecloths, napkins, thermoses, and food containers

•Recycle. Make it a waste-free event by recycling bottles, cans, and other materials.

•Instead of using lighter fluid, which contributes to air pollution, use a metal charcoal chimney (available at most hardware stores).

•Watch the clouds and learn about what they say about weather.

•Stay on trails. Don’t disturb plants and animals by going off trails. Make sure kids play in designated areas.

•Use less-toxic insecticides, such as a citrus candle or incense, to keep bugs away.

•Stop and look around. Take time to enjoy and explore the scenery. Bring field guides, binoculars, or a nature journal.

•Water containing chlorine is harmful to aquatic life. Whenever possible, drain your pool or spa into the sanitary sewer system.

•Properly store pool and spa chemicals to prevent leaks and spills, preferably in a covered area to avoid exposure to storm water.

•Consider a chlorine generator for chemicals. It allows you to use and store an inexpensive, nontoxic salt instead of toxic chemicals.

For more information on these and other tips, please visit Earth Share.

*Going Green Tip: If you are a coffee drinker, always buy “shade-grown” coffee. Why? Because the demand for shade-grown coffee can help stop the conversion of rainforest to monoculture by giving farmers financial incentive to produce coffee in the traditional manner and to save forest habitats for their own benefit, as well as for wildlife. Not to mention, preserving increasingly scarce habitat for wildlife such as neotropical migratory birds.

There are many of us that say we are green conscious and know how to live sustainable, but there are little that practice it. Out in today’s world there are many changes taking place, similar to the changing computer industry and if you aren’t changing with the world your will be let behind. THis is also true of sustainability and the renewing of Mother Earth. If you are willing to change, the change will be great for you and the Earth.

Even so, there are many sites, liturature, as well as people out there that can help with your change and make it fun for everyone involved. As I was surfing the net a few weeks ago I came across a few websites that talked about how to cut down on carbon issues in the environment. One of the sites I happened upon was a quiz that tested your knowledge of how much you know about sustainable living and what you effort would be to change those thoughts into more earth-friendly thinking.

Test your knowledge and see how well of a sustainable thinker you are.

Quiz 1

Quiz 2

Quiz 3

I hope you find these quizzes not only knowledgeable but also help encourage you to want to change some of your living habits in the long run. And possibly make you want to change ALL your living habits, for yourself and the Earth.

*Going Green Tip: Always strive to improving yourself everyday toward a more natural, wholesome, and sustainable living practice. Bettering yourself everyday will better everyone around you in the long run. Your changes will encourage others to want to follow your lead.

Most people anymore, don’t realize how easy it is to make your own composting. It’s more practical then you might first think, and after the composting has broken down, the soil can be used in your flower beds, garden or even fertilizer for your lawn.

To start with you are going to need a container that is plastic. Make sure it is a plastic container to where the lid pops off pretty easily. And follow the steps below:

1. Using a 14-inch drill bit, begin to drill holes in the bottom, lid, and 4 inches below the top of the container. These holes will allow the mixture to breath and for air to circulate within the compost.

2. Then begin making a bedding of either newspaper or cardboard. Wetting the newspaper or cardboard, then loosely placing it at the bottom of your container. It needs to be enough to fill about 1/3 of the containers bottom.

3. Follow the cardboard or newpaper with earth worms or red wigglers. You will want to add roughly about 10, and more if you go throughy more scraps or have a larger family.

4. After the newspaper or cardboard has been placed and the red wigglers, follow with a cup or 2 of top soil. This is not potting soil, it is actual dirty from your garden, lawn or flower beds.

5. Be sure to mix this in to encourage the worms to move about the entire container and mixture.

6. As you add scraps from your kitchen there are certain things to keep in mind. Never add meat or meat products. Left over meals are out as well. What you want to add is, fruit and vegetable trimmings, raw. Flowers, that are not rotting. Coffee grinds, and even eggs shells.

This composting bin can be kept right under your sink in your kitchen. The holes on the bottom are there to circulate the air evenly throughout the entire bin. Be sure and set this container up on cut blocks of wood to create that air circulation. This way of giving back to the Earth is a great sustainable practice. If eveyone composted from inside their own homes it would cut down on landfill and land pollution.

*Going Green Tip: Always buy organic milk whenever possible. Most organic milk comes from cows that had access to the pasture and less antibiotics were used on them. Not to mention steroid use and less stress on the cow is a big factor as well. Some of the best milk comes from these companies: Butterworks Farm, Seven Stars Farm, Cedar Summit, Traders Point Creamery. Ones that followed a close second behind these are: Nancy’s, Oragnic Valley Co-op, Stoneyfield Farm, and Stratus Family Creamery.

For more helpful “green-living” tips, click here.

*Going Green Tip: Avoid the use of aresol sprays in your home or office. The amount of chemicals in one spray is toxic to pets and small children as well as yourself. The aersol spray itself is also harmful to the environment, because some sprays sit in the air causing harm to everything around it.

Starting with Fair Trade and the benefits it brings everyone involved.

Fair Trade simply means, sustainable products produced, that are environmental-friendly. That minimize social and inequalities and reduce the impact of our consumption on the environment.

Conscious Living simply means, your way of living that has a better social impact on the environment as well as our conscious choices on the planet together by using sustainable alternatives. Example of this would be to buy local area produce and goods along the same line.

World Centric is doing their part to team up with you (the consumer) to have a better impact on the Earth. With their partnership Mother Earth is in goods hands.

World Centric “is a non-profit organization that helps reduce economic injustice and environmental degradation through education, community networks and sustainable environments”. By offering Fair Trade and Eco Store with products such as: Sugar Cane fiber made plasticware, Fair Trade honey and tea.

*Going Green Tip: Buy clothes made with natural fibers, such as cotton, hemp, and wool, and made with all-natural dyes (such as vegetable dyes or herbal dyes).

Chlorine is an inorganic substance that chemically bonds to proteins, leaving your hair dry and brittle as well as leaving your skin itchy and red. Chlorine was removed from drinking water due to the effects it showed on the elderly, children and people with chlorine sensitivity.

Chlorine is used when making paper. The process is called organchlorine. Organchlorine presist in the environment and are toxic in samll quanities. THe paper industry produces the largest amount of environmental harming dioxins. As humans we get 90% of the organchlorines in our bodies. People ingest 80 times the amount considered “safe”.

Chlorines effects on humans is very harmful. From skin penetration, inhalation, to contaminats overall.

*Ways you can avoid chlorine*

*Using a filter on your tap water and drinking bottled water that hasn’t had chlorine added to it.

*Purchase a water filter for your shower head. Carbon based filters and KDF filters made of copper and zinc both help to remove chlorine.

*Don’t use chlorine in your swimming pool.

*Don’t use bleach in your laundry or use it to clean. And don’t use products that contain bleach.

*Read all labels, on food, cleaners, everything. If they have been cleaned with chlorine or contain chlorine in any form- DON’T BUY IT!

*Going Green Tip: Always use nontoxic cleaning alternatives in your home and your everyday life. Some great homemade alternatives include: Baking soda- which cleans, deodorizes, softens water, and scurs. Borax - (sodium borate) cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, cleans wallpaper, painted walls and floors. White Vinegar - cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up. Cornstarch - can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs. Using these products will not only be easy, but safer to use around your family nd pets.