June 2008 Archives
blogGreen Goodies for Kids
By Mary Beth Gonzalez, iVillage.com
Last weekend I brought a Panda, a Gorilla and a Penguin to my brother's house for a visit with his family. Seems kids' marketers frequently name their kid targeted products after animals so kids will love them more, and it seems to work. I was just happy knowing that my gifts were healthy, organic and starting them on their path to green.
The Panda was actually an Ecogear blue organic cotton backpack for Jake, my four year old nephew. The azure blue dye is non-toxic, and it closes with easy to close sustainable wood fasteners. All very cool but his Dad knew that the ultimate stamp of approval was mentioning that Peter Parker (Spiderman) had a backpack just like it. Then Jake knew that the Panda would be perfect for his first trip to day camp next week. You can see in this photo how much he likes it.
Last weekend I brought a Panda, a Gorilla and a Penguin to my brother's house for a visit with his family. Seems kids' marketers frequently name their kid targeted products after animals so kids will love them more, and it seems to work. I was just happy knowing that my gifts were healthy, organic and starting them on their path to green.
The Panda was actually an Ecogear blue organic cotton backpack for Jake, my four year old nephew. The azure blue dye is non-toxic, and it closes with easy to close sustainable wood fasteners. All very cool but his Dad knew that the ultimate stamp of approval was mentioning that Peter Parker (Spiderman) had a backpack just like it. Then Jake knew that the Panda would be perfect for his first trip to day camp next week. You can see in this photo how much he likes it.
ask mr. greenDirty Little Secrets About Cleaning Your Water
Dr. Mr. Green,
My husband and I have been searching high and low for a water filtration system that doesn't waste water. All the RO (Reverse Osmosis) systems that we have researched have to waste 4 gallons for 1 gallon of purified water. We find this an unacceptable solution to our water filtration needs. Is there a better system out there that we are unaware of that can filter our tap water and not waste so much in the process?
We hope you can help,
Desperate in Arizona
My husband and I have been searching high and low for a water filtration system that doesn't waste water. All the RO (Reverse Osmosis) systems that we have researched have to waste 4 gallons for 1 gallon of purified water. We find this an unacceptable solution to our water filtration needs. Is there a better system out there that we are unaware of that can filter our tap water and not waste so much in the process?
We hope you can help,
Desperate in Arizona
blogBe Organic: Your Health and the Environment Depend On It
By Nicole Ohebshalom, Radiant Living Wellness
Four months ago I found myself standing in front of the produce section of my local supermarket with a bit of a dilemma. In one hand, I was holding a conventionally grown Macintosh apple. In my other hand, I had one that's been organically grown. Both apples were shiny, firm, and red. Both were free from fat, sodium, and cholesterol, and would provide my body with vitamins and fiber.
The conventionally grown apple cost less and with almond butter still proven to be one of my favorite snacks. But the organic apple has a label that says "USDA Organic." Does that mean it's better? In this age of disease and food-borne illness, could it be safer? More nutritious for our health and lifestyle?
As these questions came up, I was floored at how the differences between organic and conventional food has on one's health. I instantly wanted to become a wiser consumer for the next trip I had down the supermarket aisle so then I will have the most effective care for my body and my environment.
Whenever I am faced with a dilemma I look at the origin and root of the cause. Food shopping is no exception so I follow Jerome I. Rodale (the founder of Rodale Press and Prevention Magazine) wisdom when he stated, "The health of the people is dependent upon the quality of the food they consume. And the quality of their foods depends on the quality of the soil on which that food is grown."
Four months ago I found myself standing in front of the produce section of my local supermarket with a bit of a dilemma. In one hand, I was holding a conventionally grown Macintosh apple. In my other hand, I had one that's been organically grown. Both apples were shiny, firm, and red. Both were free from fat, sodium, and cholesterol, and would provide my body with vitamins and fiber.
The conventionally grown apple cost less and with almond butter still proven to be one of my favorite snacks. But the organic apple has a label that says "USDA Organic." Does that mean it's better? In this age of disease and food-borne illness, could it be safer? More nutritious for our health and lifestyle?
As these questions came up, I was floored at how the differences between organic and conventional food has on one's health. I instantly wanted to become a wiser consumer for the next trip I had down the supermarket aisle so then I will have the most effective care for my body and my environment.
Whenever I am faced with a dilemma I look at the origin and root of the cause. Food shopping is no exception so I follow Jerome I. Rodale (the founder of Rodale Press and Prevention Magazine) wisdom when he stated, "The health of the people is dependent upon the quality of the food they consume. And the quality of their foods depends on the quality of the soil on which that food is grown."
blogGreen Concussion "Cures"
By Mary Beth Gonzalez, iVillage.com
Last week I hit the wall.
Literally.
Well, actually, I hit the door. In the middle of the night, I walked head on into my bathroom door and gave myself a concussion. So I've been trying to recuperate this week and thought I'd share the green concussion "cures" as prescribed by my doctor/husband and enhanced by me.
Last week I hit the wall.
Literally.
Well, actually, I hit the door. In the middle of the night, I walked head on into my bathroom door and gave myself a concussion. So I've been trying to recuperate this week and thought I'd share the green concussion "cures" as prescribed by my doctor/husband and enhanced by me.
blogAn Ounce of Prevention
By Nicole Walters, GreenisUniversal.comWhen it comes to pests in and around my home, I must confess my first instinct is to kill, with swift and brutal force and usually as many chemicals as possible. My vegetarian, literally would-not-harm-a-fly husband recently brought to my attention that because I work for a green website, I might want to look into modifying this behavior. I see his point, but personally, I think he just wanted to save the little buggers from certain death.
With bug season now in full swing, I'm getting that certain itch and while it's easier to make a call to the local pest control company my reluctant research has brought some very scary connections between pesticides and child health & safety to my attention. This got me thinking that the alternatives might just be better for my family and pets.
ask mr. greenToss Toxins Safely and Responsibly
Dear Mr. Green,
I really enjoyed your article on using lemons instead of bleach as cleaning agents. I would like to adopt more eco-friendly cleaning habits, but unfortunately, my cabinets are filled with harmful cleaning agents. What is the best way to dispose of these chemicals without harming the environment?
Best,
KE
I really enjoyed your article on using lemons instead of bleach as cleaning agents. I would like to adopt more eco-friendly cleaning habits, but unfortunately, my cabinets are filled with harmful cleaning agents. What is the best way to dispose of these chemicals without harming the environment?
Best,
KE
blogA Greener Dry Cleaner
By Mary Beth Gonzalez, iVillage.com
I gladly switched to better tasting organic produce and jumped at the chance to experiment with natural beauty products but using an organic dry cleaner seemed like such a risk. Since I moved to NYC in 1988, I have made a weekly trip to my friendly neighborhood, Korean dry cleaner. Until recently, in NYC the organic dry cleaner options were primarily outer borough businesses that would send a messenger to come pick up your dry cleaning at your building. Could I trust our expensive suits, my husband's custom shirts and my white silk blouses to a dry cleaner I couldn't actually look in the eye? Was it possible that my "dry clean only" clothes could get clean without those noxious dry cleaning chemicals I had grown up with?
You bet. This Earth Day my husband and I took the plunge and switched to Green Apple Cleaners - a new friendly neighborhood C02 green dry cleaner. This natural carbon dioxide technology is like washing your clothes in fizzy water...like club soda...and it is safe for our clothes as well as the environment. In fact, CO2 will actually remove the residual harmful chemicals hiding in your clothes from traditional dry cleaners who use harsh chemicals (perchloroethylene, hydrocarbons and silicone) that are hazardous wastes and ground water contaminants. These chemicals have been linked to the high incidents of leukemia among dry cleaner employees.
I gladly switched to better tasting organic produce and jumped at the chance to experiment with natural beauty products but using an organic dry cleaner seemed like such a risk. Since I moved to NYC in 1988, I have made a weekly trip to my friendly neighborhood, Korean dry cleaner. Until recently, in NYC the organic dry cleaner options were primarily outer borough businesses that would send a messenger to come pick up your dry cleaning at your building. Could I trust our expensive suits, my husband's custom shirts and my white silk blouses to a dry cleaner I couldn't actually look in the eye? Was it possible that my "dry clean only" clothes could get clean without those noxious dry cleaning chemicals I had grown up with?
You bet. This Earth Day my husband and I took the plunge and switched to Green Apple Cleaners - a new friendly neighborhood C02 green dry cleaner. This natural carbon dioxide technology is like washing your clothes in fizzy water...like club soda...and it is safe for our clothes as well as the environment. In fact, CO2 will actually remove the residual harmful chemicals hiding in your clothes from traditional dry cleaners who use harsh chemicals (perchloroethylene, hydrocarbons and silicone) that are hazardous wastes and ground water contaminants. These chemicals have been linked to the high incidents of leukemia among dry cleaner employees.
blogNutrition for Your Aching Head
By Nicole Ohebshalom, Radiant Living Wellness
It's not the brain freeze from your mid-day frozen yogurt, or the intensity of focusing on your brow point from yoga class, but the middle of your eyebrows won't stop pulsing since you stepped outside from your relaxing air conditioned home.
As most of you have been feeling, the heat is on in the city and headache prone individuals have been feeling it most of all.
There are plenty of things you can do for yourself to reduce headache frequency and severity. If you are your own personal headache expert then you're probably aware which foods can trigger your headache. But there are also foods that contain beneficial effects for headachers.
It's not the brain freeze from your mid-day frozen yogurt, or the intensity of focusing on your brow point from yoga class, but the middle of your eyebrows won't stop pulsing since you stepped outside from your relaxing air conditioned home.
As most of you have been feeling, the heat is on in the city and headache prone individuals have been feeling it most of all.
There are plenty of things you can do for yourself to reduce headache frequency and severity. If you are your own personal headache expert then you're probably aware which foods can trigger your headache. But there are also foods that contain beneficial effects for headachers.
blogStrangers on a Train
By Nicole Walters, GreenisUniversal.com
It seems everything is rising these days - the national debt, gas prices, temperatures and tempers. Fortunately, I haven't been too badly affected by the gas prices because I drive a total of about 8 miles per day - to and from my local train station. Still, the $60 receipt when I filled up my tank last week did make me cringe. Just about two months ago it was usually $40 and I've begun to reminisce to anyone who will listen about when I was in college and could fill up my tank for $10. Ah, those were the days...
As gas prices soar over $5/gallon in some areas more Americans are viewing public transportation as a viable and convenient option for traveling. I couldn't agree more. I've been commuting to NYC by train for almost 2 years now and by my calculations, if I had been driving all that time, I would have spent an extra $10,000! I used this nifty trip gas price calculator from AAA, added tolls, parking costs and took into consideration gas price averages of last year.
It seems everything is rising these days - the national debt, gas prices, temperatures and tempers. Fortunately, I haven't been too badly affected by the gas prices because I drive a total of about 8 miles per day - to and from my local train station. Still, the $60 receipt when I filled up my tank last week did make me cringe. Just about two months ago it was usually $40 and I've begun to reminisce to anyone who will listen about when I was in college and could fill up my tank for $10. Ah, those were the days...As gas prices soar over $5/gallon in some areas more Americans are viewing public transportation as a viable and convenient option for traveling. I couldn't agree more. I've been commuting to NYC by train for almost 2 years now and by my calculations, if I had been driving all that time, I would have spent an extra $10,000! I used this nifty trip gas price calculator from AAA, added tolls, parking costs and took into consideration gas price averages of last year.
blogSex and the Unchanged City
By Mary Beth Gonzalez, iVillage.com
Oh, how far we have come in the 4 years since HBO's Sex and the City waved goodbye to their television audience from the streets of Paris and NYC. We, as a community, have been at war both in Iraq and at home: a global climate war, a racial and feminist political war, an economic war. Yet somehow, in the new Sex and the City movie, Carrie and her girl-friends remain unaffected by it all. How is that possible?
I'm so very disappointed. Last night my husband and I (yes, he joined me and was one of the 10 men in the NYC theatre) watched the movie in disbelief. Don't get me started on Mr. Big Screw-up as I don't want to be a plot spoiler. I just couldn't believe that these four women could live in such a time-warp. After all that has happened to our world in 4 years, how could they continue to live a life of label consumption and accumulation, jet setting and personal gratification?
Oh, how far we have come in the 4 years since HBO's Sex and the City waved goodbye to their television audience from the streets of Paris and NYC. We, as a community, have been at war both in Iraq and at home: a global climate war, a racial and feminist political war, an economic war. Yet somehow, in the new Sex and the City movie, Carrie and her girl-friends remain unaffected by it all. How is that possible?
I'm so very disappointed. Last night my husband and I (yes, he joined me and was one of the 10 men in the NYC theatre) watched the movie in disbelief. Don't get me started on Mr. Big Screw-up as I don't want to be a plot spoiler. I just couldn't believe that these four women could live in such a time-warp. After all that has happened to our world in 4 years, how could they continue to live a life of label consumption and accumulation, jet setting and personal gratification?
ask mr. greenFather's Day Dilemma?
Dear Mr. Green,
For Mother's Day, I saw you answered a question from a Dad looking to do something green with his wife and family. I'm also a Dad and feeling a little apprehensive about Father's Day this year. I recently started making lifestyle choices that are better for the environment and would like my family to follow my lead. While I enjoy gifts as much as any other red blooded American, I'd like to reduce waste. Is giving them a list of eco-friendly products I'd like just plain wrong?
Best,
Green Dad
For Mother's Day, I saw you answered a question from a Dad looking to do something green with his wife and family. I'm also a Dad and feeling a little apprehensive about Father's Day this year. I recently started making lifestyle choices that are better for the environment and would like my family to follow my lead. While I enjoy gifts as much as any other red blooded American, I'd like to reduce waste. Is giving them a list of eco-friendly products I'd like just plain wrong?
Best,
Green Dad
blogGreen Bamboo Babies
By Mary Beth Gonzalez, iVillage.com
Bamboo made some new best friends this weekend. Yesterday, my niece, the new mother-to-be, unwrapped a living room full of baby gifts: little pink dresses, tiny dollies, a baby bathtub, diapers, a car seat and virtually all the other things a new mother and her first baby girl "need". For those of you who have attended a baby shower before, you know the prerequisite "oohs" and "ahs" that accompany every newly unwrapped gift. Well, yesterday, we took "ooh" and "ah" to a new level.
Hands down, the hit of the party was the smallest gift of the bunch. Inside a beautifully wrapped, small 8 ½ x 11 box lived the softest, the tiniest, the most elegant, the most pesticide-free, most sustainable and most bamboo baby clothes and woven baby blanket from Dreamsacks. Within seconds of opening the box, women were standing and squealing as hands reached across the room to touch the silky soft, natural fabric.
Bamboo made some new best friends this weekend. Yesterday, my niece, the new mother-to-be, unwrapped a living room full of baby gifts: little pink dresses, tiny dollies, a baby bathtub, diapers, a car seat and virtually all the other things a new mother and her first baby girl "need". For those of you who have attended a baby shower before, you know the prerequisite "oohs" and "ahs" that accompany every newly unwrapped gift. Well, yesterday, we took "ooh" and "ah" to a new level.
Hands down, the hit of the party was the smallest gift of the bunch. Inside a beautifully wrapped, small 8 ½ x 11 box lived the softest, the tiniest, the most elegant, the most pesticide-free, most sustainable and most bamboo baby clothes and woven baby blanket from Dreamsacks. Within seconds of opening the box, women were standing and squealing as hands reached across the room to touch the silky soft, natural fabric.
blogShocking News: My Husband and Oprah Did it!
By Zem Joaquin, ecofabulous.com
Last week my husband, who was raised on the hearty East Coast, went vegan! Now Oprah goes vegan; coincidence??? Well Pierre Omidyar, founder of eBay also did it, and so have lots of other SMART Americans, so maybe there is more to it... and they aren't running off to an ashram. Now, I do eat meat, albeit free-range and hormone free, but there's just no ignoring that pesky UN report, which explicitly states that raising animals for food is a key contributor to the most serious environmental problems - i.e. climate change, land degradation, air and water pollution, loss of biodiversity and water shortages. Look at it this way: Eating a single pound of meat emits the same greenhouse gases as driving a Hummer 40 miles! So a diet change for climate change is HUGE. I'm not suggesting you give it all up, but consuming a lot less is a good idea for the planet and for you! Ecofabulous editor Andrea has been sipping soy chai lattes and savoring vegan quesadillas since they were hard to find. My unbelievably fit mother hasn't eaten meat since the eighties. If you're like me and you want that summer body, read on:
Last week my husband, who was raised on the hearty East Coast, went vegan! Now Oprah goes vegan; coincidence??? Well Pierre Omidyar, founder of eBay also did it, and so have lots of other SMART Americans, so maybe there is more to it... and they aren't running off to an ashram. Now, I do eat meat, albeit free-range and hormone free, but there's just no ignoring that pesky UN report, which explicitly states that raising animals for food is a key contributor to the most serious environmental problems - i.e. climate change, land degradation, air and water pollution, loss of biodiversity and water shortages. Look at it this way: Eating a single pound of meat emits the same greenhouse gases as driving a Hummer 40 miles! So a diet change for climate change is HUGE. I'm not suggesting you give it all up, but consuming a lot less is a good idea for the planet and for you! Ecofabulous editor Andrea has been sipping soy chai lattes and savoring vegan quesadillas since they were hard to find. My unbelievably fit mother hasn't eaten meat since the eighties. If you're like me and you want that summer body, read on:
