America Recycles Day

AMERICA RECYCLES DAY is Nov. 14


What are your efforts worth ? Recycling calculator

Save the Bees buy a t-shirt

Did you see Bee Movie ?


I loved it! Not only was it very funny and entertaining, but it shows in it's own quirky way, what would happen without the bees. After seeing the movies I started noticing that there were real problems going on. Colony Collapse Disorder !


Save the Bees offers high quality green products/green clothing. T- shirts, caps and more! Ten percent of every Bees - Shirt purchase goes to bee research and scholarship grants.

save the bees shirts

Green Vaccines part 1 when and if to vaccinate

Vaccines causing autism and other neurological disorders? This is a serious topic I feel very strongly about. If you are expecting or have an infant, these are facts that you should give serious thought to before your child is immunized. It is true that vaccines have benefits and it is also true that vaccines carry risk. I do believe that children should be vaccinated but it should be done with caution and with all the information, pro and con, given considerable consideration. I believe an alternative immunization schedule is safest.

Do vaccines cause autism? The jury is still out. Each child and each situation are different and can have a different outcome. I personally have seen the children of friends that have gone from healthy, normally developing children to children with autism very soon after vaccinations. I believe that as long as the debate continues that it is best to err on the side of caution. More research definitely needs to be done. Harmful chemicals need to be removed from all vaccines.

Autism Facts: 1 in 150 children, 4:1 ratio of boys to girls, 1 in 98 boys, fastest growing developmental disability.

ALTERNATE VACCINE SCHEDULES

Books to read to make an informed choice :





Please visit the following links for more information: Generation Rescue and Finding The Words

In my next blog entry I will discuss the dangerous additives to vaccines...including the Flu vaccine.

Clean with a concious

Less plastic means less landfill waste. I am a Clorox cleaner by nature...kill them germs dead is my motto. But I want to be a little more eco-concious. I have been hearing about Clorox Green Works. All Green Works natural cleaners are made using plant-based ingredients derived from coconuts, as well as essential oils. The products are formulated using biodegradable ingredients, are packaged in bottles that can be recycled and not tested on animals. Green Works Natural Dishwashing Liquid, Natural All-Purpose Cleaner, Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner, Natural Glass Cleaner, Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner and Natural Dilutable Cleaner products have been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for using environmentally preferable chemistry, and carry the EPA’s “Design for Environment” certification logo.




Less plastic means less landfill waste. Another line of eco-friendly cleaners is ARM & HAMMER® Essentials™. The ARM & HAMMER® Essentials™ Cleaners starter kit comes with a refillable plastic trigger spray bottle and one concentrated cleaning cartridge. Each refill pack you buy means 2 less plastic spray bottles in landfills. The refill pack uses 80% less packaging than 2 pre-filled spray cleaners. The formula is biodegradable and uses powerful plant-based cleaners* — and contains no harsh ammonia or phosphates.


Click here for coupon Click here for free trial offer

Conserve water when you shower

(Recycling this post from Moni's Random Raves)

Turn off that shower! I seem to be saying this like one buzzillion times a week. My kids take the longest showers. Hello, the cast for High School Musical has already been picked and the movie made. The hot water can not possibly last that long. I don't know, maybe the California Raisin look is in these days.

Any who.... I was wondering if there was any sort of shower timer out there and to my amazement there is!!!! Now of course I could just set a cooking timer, but that would require me to add one more thing to my already too long list of things to do. I know the kids would never do it themselves.

I found The Shower Manager, a high tech device that attaches between the wall and shower head that is set for 5, 8, or 11 minutes for full flow water. Near the end of the set time of full flow a beep sounds then the water goes into a half flow mode signaling that it is time to get out. Once turned off for 5minutes the timer will reset for the next shower. Sounds nice but it is a little pricey at $114.99 and I don't know if there is a shipping fee (probably)....WHY?...Because they are all sold out....hmmmmmmmm

So the question here would be is the savings in water worth the cost of the device????
Wouldn't you know.....they have a water conservation calculator.

CFL Savings?

One of the biggest and easiest trends in greening your home is to replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Trying to be green I replaced at least 35 bulbs in my house with CFLs. They are said to use 2/3 less energy. They are more expensive upfront but are supposed to last 10 times longer (5 years) ....hmmmmm I have had quite a few go out within a few weeks, so in actuality with so many replacements it is costing me more. I do like the fact that they put off less heat 70% as a matter of fact (I especially love it here in Texas where it is so hot). I don't like the fact that contain toxic mercury and should be recycled. Please don't just throw thhem out. You can find a location to recycle CFLs (and fluorescent lights in general) using Earth 911’s recycling locator. There are also take back options by manufacturers and retailers like IKEA. It takes a bigger effort but it is worth it.

Addendum to Family Cloth

As I was discussing the "Family Cloth" with my husband last night I realized something. If these family cloth advocates really want to be super hero status, eco-conscious pro-environmentalist then why are they using sweat shop made fabric (poor little children, I mean this) that has to be washed (wasting water and energy) with bleach (chlorine in our water system) and detergents (more chemicals). Not to mention how these chemicals are manufactured, packaged, transported, etc.... I could go on and on (maybe I just did).

We digress...so back to my original thought, if they really and truly want to be green they should just wipe with natures own toilet paper......you got it! Leaves! Just stay clear of poison ivy. Oh and while you're at it just mark off an area in your yard and "go" there...no flushing required. Now we are talking 'Green".

Green...How far is too far?

Can you be too green? I am all for going green (obviously duh) but really some people are taking this too far. So I just read an article about a new eco-friendly home trend called "family cloth."

Family cloth is the term used for machine washable fabric strips that are used instead of toilet paper. Yes you heard me right. No more toilet paper rolls. People cut up old t-shirts and sheets into strips that are placed in a receptacle next to the thrown. The used wipes are then placed into another receptacle, preferably something with a lid if you catch my drift (actually so you don't catch the drift.) Odor free? I doubt it. Even the Diaper Genie has issues. Maybe if you has a charcoal filter and an exhaust fan to the outside. Don't forget that someone gets the "crappy" task of washing the used fabric with detergent and bleach.

So if you are open minded enough to try this family cloth thing remember not to drop it in the toilet or you will have to fish it out. I can hear the kids now, "Mom! I dropped the family cloth in the toilet!" Worse, they might just try to flush a twin sheet worth of family cloth and overflow the whole mess onto the floor. Sorry guys but the thought of this green alternative is making me GREEN.

There are eco-friendly toilet papers out there that are made with recycled materials and are processed chlorine free. See the list below:

Atlantic Packaging’s “Ambiance,” “Fiesta” and “April Soft” brand
Earth First (Available at Safeway)
Planet
Seventh Generation

If you are a hard core pro-environmentalist....let me know how this works out for you. I will be carrying my own roll just in case this trend takes off.

Listen to music and save the world

Truth on Earth is a band of teenage sisters who write, produce, and sing about social and environmental issues. They donate their proceeds to charity organizations.

Ike is gone and the mess remains

Ike came roaring through here at about 4am Saturday morning. Heavy winds and driving rain. We were very fortunate to be just at the west edge of the eye. We did lose power very early in the evening Friday, but were lucky enough to get it back in about 18 hours. Hundreds of thousands of people are still with out. Stores have no supplies and very few gas stations have gas. Schools and businesses are closed and curfews have been set. We have running water but are being told to boil water and/or use bottled water. The devastation on the coast, just about 60 miles south of here, is incredible. We are still in the busiest time of hurricane season so we pray the Gulf is spared here forward.

Hurricane Ike!! Yikes!!

Hurricane Ike is coming..time to bring in the plants and batten down the hatches.

Scuppie???????????

Is it possible to live "the good life" and be socially and environmentally conscious?
You have heard the term Yuppie, and maybe you have been called one. Maybe you have been called a hippie, tree hugger, or eco-freak, but have you ever been called a scuppie?

If you have not heard of "scuppie", then you haven’t heard of a financial planner named Chuck Failla. Mr. Failla has coined the term Scuppie (Socially Conscious Upwardly-mobile Person) to describe the new breed of mainstream eco-friendly and environmentally conscious people.

Chuck Failla describes a Scuppie as a sort of anti-yuppie. Essentially, they are in the same life-space, but the Scuppie is more responsible and compassionate. Failla has a book planned, a website designed, and master plans to adjust the nation’s vernacular.

What do you think? Are you a Scuppie? Check out the funny graphics at Scuppie.com

Coffee grounds make the world greener

My husband and I drink coffee almost every day. Our coffee maker grinds the beans and makes the coffee. Every few days I have to empty the little pucks of coffee grounds. Just think of the millions of people around the world who drink coffee or tea and the millions of pounds of used coffee grounds and tea leaves that are discarded into the trash daily. This is so wasteful.

I started throwing my coffee grounds out into my flower beds but did not know the benefits. So I did a little "digging". Seems there are a lot of benefits from these used grounds. Coffee grounds are acidic with a pH between 3.5 and 5.0. Coffee grounds alone offer 3 percent nitrogen to the soil. Also, earthworms love coffee grounds.
*Sprinkle the grounds around plants before watering or rain for a slow release nitrogen.
*Using eggshell and coffee grounds to encircle a plant will form a barrier to repel pests.
*Mix into soil for houseplants and new vegetable beds. Vegetables enjoy acidic soil.
* Acid loving plants such as azalea, rhododendron, holly, juniper, mountain laurel, heather, creeping phlox, and lily of the valley. Trees such as pine, spruce, fir, and some oak species.
*Dilute your leftover coffee with water to use as a fast acting liquid fertilizer.
* Since earthworms love coffee grounds those of you who vermi-post can use it in your composter.
* Coffee filters and tea bags compost very quickly as well.

So collect those discarded grounds from the office or even coffee shops.
Spread the word and spread those grounds!!!!!!!!!

Recycle - every little bit helps

If you wanted to live a little greener and start recycling do you know where to go?

My neighborhood provides a recycle bin to each home. The bin is for plastic bottles, cans, and newspaper. That leaves out many recyclable items. But where can I take things like glass, batteries, and cell phones?

So I was happy to find Earth 911 — a great resource for anyone who is looking for a local recycling center. Just go to the homepage and enter your zip code. You can narrow the search to find recycling centers for more than twenty types of items - from antifreeze and asbestos to toys and televisions. Don't forget those old broken cell phones. Just click on "more" for a list of items.

For those of you already using CFLs (compact fluorescent lights), remember they should not go into your regular trash.

Green searching made easy

EcoSeek is a search engine for all your green needs, from appliances and clothing to office supplies and personal care. EcoSeek provides a directory and search engine. Also, their site has consumer information, definitions, green tips, a blog, green products and merchants, an online auction, and other eco-friendly resources. EcoSeek helps to promote sustainable choices and create a green marketplace.

Guerrilla Gardeners

I heard a great new term: Guerrilla Gardeners. CNN did a story about it. Guerrilla gardeners green their city on secret moonlit missions.

Guerrilla Gardeners refers to people who plant seeds,shrubs, and flowers on land that doesn't belong to them. The result? Plants that beautify or yield crops in otherwise neglected or vacant spaces. It is covert beautification of neighborhoods and cities.

Green Guerrillas was one of the first guerrilla groups founded by artist Liz Christy in 1973 in New York.

Visit GuerrillaGardening.org a really neat blog.

Eat Chocolate - grow a garden

I am a confessed and registered chocolate lover. Hi my name is Monika and I am a chocoholic.

Want to try some delicious "organic" chocolate? You must visit Dagoba Organic Chocolate.
While you are there sign up for free herb and flower seeds with their Seed The Day campaign.

You can also share a photo of your own urban farm, community garden or green oasis, and enter to win a free Dagoba® Organic Chocolate collection. I shared a photo of my squash and radishes.

"DAGOBA was founded in 2001 by Frederick Schilling, who was then just 30 and on a mission. He was determined to create exceptional, innovative chocolate that would benefit people, planet, and industry." Read the story and peruse the site. I found it very interesting. Oh, and don't forget to try the chocolate. Yummy!

Change those incandescent bulbs!

How much money do you think you can save by replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)? You would be surprised. I have changed 30 bulbs in my house so far. I have some lights on dimmers and unfortunately you cannot use compact fluorescent bulbs with dimmers. Not true, just found this: Dimmable CFL bulbs .

• Money Savings - Compact fluorescent light bulbs typically consume 65% - 75% less electricity than regular light bulbs. And they last up to 10 times longer than regular bulbs. The bottom line is that you’ll save money by replacing standard light bulbs with CFL bulbs.
• Help the Environment - Most electricity in the U.S. is produced by coal-fired power plants. The problem is that for every kilowatt hour of electricity generated by a coal-fired plant, the EPA estimates that 1.43 lbs of greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere. By switching to energy-saving CFL light bulbs, you lessen greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.
  

Try the Energy Savings Calculator at One Billion Bulbs. It can help you find out. You just enter the number of bulbs in your household, their wattage, hours used and your state of residence. The Energy Savings Calculator will then display how much money you could save on your electric bill for the year by using compact fluorescent bulbs.

Check out: One Billion Bulbs (they have been flooded by viewers, it may take a few tries)

Save Trees Cut Down Junk Mail

I would like you to join me in cutting down on junk mail and catalogs.

Catalog Choice is an easy, free service that allows you to decline unwanted catalogs, reducing the number of catalogs in your mailbox and the number of trees that get sent to the paper mill.

GreenDimes is a great service that will decrease the junk mail and catalogs that come to your home by up to 90%. Plus, they will plant 5 trees on your behalf.

Join me by clicking the links below:

Catolog Choice

GreenDimes

Thank you.

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No More Wire Hangers

OMG! I recently cleaned out my closet and I have so many wire hangers. The thought of just throwing them out just bothers me. Did you 3.5 billion hangers ending up in our landfills every year. I read somewhere that not only are wire hangers recyclable, but they're made of steel (North America's Number One Recycled Material), they also contain a minimum of 28 percent recycled content. There should be a wire hanger recycling bin somewhere, but there is no such thing that I know of. They can be taken to a scrap metal dealer.

I have heard that some dry cleaners take back wire hangers and reuse them or recycle them. You can check with your local dry cleaners. Many are no longer taking them.

I think it would be a great community or school project to have a wire hanger drive. Any proceeds can be donated to a charity or to the PTA.

I did find a The Wire Hanger Exchange where you can give your hangers to someone who wants to use them.

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Find Local Farmers Markets

In my last post I mentioned shopping at local farmers markets, but not everyone knows where to find them. I found a great place Local Harvest where you can search by zip code. They also have a nice mail order catalog of things you might not find locally.

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SLOW FOOD MOVEMENT

Have you heard of the Slow Food Movement? The Slow Movement first started when a protest against the opening of a McDonald's restaurant in Piazza di Spagna, Rome sparked the creation of the Slow Food organization. The Slow Food Movement opposes fast food and encourages the enjoyment of regional produce, traditional foods, which are often grown organically and to enjoy these foods in the company of others.

Slow Food organizations promote local artisans, local farmers, and local flavors through regional events such as Taste Workshops, wine tastings, and farmers' markets.

Visit Slow Food International for more information or to join in.

Visit Slow Food USA for chapters in your area.


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Shop A Little Greener

"IN". You can carry simple bags or make a fashion statement with the wide selection of colorful and decorative bags. Think of them as an accessory like shoes! Eco friendly shopping bags

National Geographic News reported that between 500 billion and one trillion plastic grocery bags are consumed worldwide each year. That 100,000 birds die annually from encounters with plastic bags and also an estimated 100,000 whales, turtles, and other marine animals.
Let's not forget the fact that each bag takes about 500 years to decompose in a land fill.

You just have to get into the habit of using reusable bags. You can keep the small mesh ones that come in pouches in your purse and keep the larger fabric bags in your trunk. Just be sure to always put them back after shopping.

Save gas and check out The Green Planet Shopping Mall for practical and cute bags.

Ecological Footprint - How Big Is Yours

What exactly is an ecological footprint? According to Wikipedia
it is a measure of human demand on the Earth's ecosystems. It compares human demand with planet Earth's ecological capacity to regenerate it. It represents the amount of biologically productive land and sea area needed to regenerate the resources a human population consumes and to absorb and render harmless the corresponding waste.

Basically, there are consequences for everything we do because everything uses earths resources and creates some sort of waste that goes back into the environment.

Find out your ecological footprint for free at MyFootPrint.org.

Water Bottle Safety- How safe is your bottle

Did you know that most water bottles contain BPA. You should never drink from a water bottle that has been left in a hot car and you should not reuse plastic water bottles. I found PRIMO water at my local grocery store. It comes in cases of 16.9 ounce bottles or you can buy PRIMO Bulk, larger 3 or 5 gallon jugs for coolers and crocks. The plastic bottle is made from American grown corn and not crude oil. I always find it on sale and the price is comparable to major brands.

There are many reusable water bottles available on the market now that are safe and BPA Free. Click below for a list:
BPA Free Water Bottles