Green Mom

EarthTalk® Question of the Week

2010-09-11T12:22:00.000-07:00

I love the syndicated column from, EarthTalk® (From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine). Here's this week's question and answer.

Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that some countries have turned over public water supplies to private companies, effectively denying local communities much-needed access? -- J. Johnson, Lancaster, PA

Water is such an important part of life that it has long been regarded as a public good worth entrusting only to public entities. But given the mixed track record of municipal, regional and national government to properly manage water resources, outsourcing to private companies is becoming more common. But critics of such privatization point out that the end result for consumers is not always so positive.

Perhaps the best known example transpired in Bolivia in the 1990s, when water systems in poor regions were put up for sale to private investors at the urging of development agencies intent on steering poor countries away from state control of industries and toward free market systems. Bolivia hired U.S.-based
Bechtel Corporation to take over and manage water in the Cochabamba region there. Bechtel made good on its pledge to provide water to many previously under served Cochabamba areas, but it also raised prices significantly. “Many were unable to pay such high rates, and even though water was now available to them, they couldn’t access it because they couldn’t afford it,” reports the non-profit World Savvy.

In 2000 riots erupted in Cochabamba as hundreds of residents filled the streets, angry that a private, foreign entity was preventing them from accessing water. “The violence shook the confidence of the local government and international investors,” says World Savvy. “Bechtel was forced out, resulting in not only chaos in water delivery in the area, but also in a serious blow to foreign investment in the country.”
Similar conflicts have played out in other parts of Bolivia as well as in Ghana, Uruguay and the United Kingdom.

In the U.S., the federal government ensured the protection of waterways and drinking water in the 1970s through passage of the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, which among other benefits increased funding for community water systems to help cities and towns maintain high standards and inexpensive access to fresh water. “However, since the 1980s, the federal government has been cutting back funding to communities for water infrastructure, with assistance falling to historic lows under the Bush administration,” reports the non-profit Food & Water Watch. Without federal funding, communities that can’t afford to keep fresh water supplies clean and safe are increasingly turning to private companies.

But at what cost? Food & Water Watch cites dozens of examples from across the country where water privatization has gone woefully bad: “[H]igh rates and bad service plague communities who transfer control of their water service to the hands of corporations.” Common complaints include skyrocketing rates, sewage flooded basements, broken pipes, bad water quality, and cost overruns. “The water barons prioritize stockholder returns over public well-being and leave municipalities to clean up the mess.”

Not everyone thinks water privatization is all bad, especially when governments can’t efficiently manage the sourcing, sanitizing and distribution of life’s most vital resource. “There is evidence that privatization may work when the cost of water is subsidized for poorer populations,” reports World Savvy. Regardless,
the debate will rage on as more and more governments turn to water privatization as stress over accessing water becomes more commonplace in a quickly warming and increasingly drought-stricken world.

CONTACTS: World Savvy, www.worldsavvy.org; Food & Water Watch, www.foodandwaterwatch.org.

SEND YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS TO: EarthTalk®, c/o E – The Environmental
Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; earthtalk@emagazine.com. E is a nonprofit publication.
Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe; Request a Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.

Guest Day! 6 Ways to Green

2010-08-17T09:56:00.000-07:00

Today, I wanted to share a great post from a fellow Green Mom:

6 Easy Ways To Go Green Everyday

I consider myself to be a green living enthusiast because I am always thinking about how I can use less, how I can switch to more earth friendly options, and how I can reuse or giveaway things that others might reuse. I think that more than anything, being green is about, the desire to help preserve the beauty of nature and acting on that desire. Being green doesn’t have to be expensive, it can actually save you money because it should be about using less and using used too!

Here are 6 easy ways we can all help to reduce, reuse & recycle in our daily lives:

1.Recycle! Sounds simple but so many people just don't take the time to sort or to drive. Here is a statistic that may open your eyes- The United States accounts for about 5% of the world’s population and produces about 40% of the worlds waste. The need to recycle is clear. The United States’ rate of recycling is estimated to be about 30% by the EPA. While this is not bad, Austria heads the EU in its recycling efforts with approximately 60% of its waste being recycled. I wish that the US would head recycling efforts!

2.Save things that can be reused. I save all kinds of things for craft projects to do with my daughter! You can save junk mail and use the reverse for shopping list and other notes. You can save spare shopping bags (when you forget your reusable totes) and use them for bathroom trash can liners. You can save bottle tops for craft projects or to use for teaching small kids to sort or count.

3.Buy things that are less packaged! The other day my husband brought home some deli cheese that was pre-sliced with plastic between each piece and I was horrified. Just buy a block of cheese! It is cheaper that way too. The same goes for all the individually packaged bags of chips and cookies. It is cheaper and more earth friendly to buy a full box and use a reusable container to package it for snacks and lunches.

4.Unplug electric boxes that draw energy even when not in use (like your phone charger!) I have heard that your savings can add up to a few hundred bucks a year by unplugging electronics that aren't in use. This is an overlooked but easily corrected problem. Anything that is plugged in is drawing power and anything with box on the cord is drawing even more. It is great to make sure you unplug things you don’t need on daily basis. The Department of Energy says that a Plasma TV costs a whopping $165 a year for its standby power consumption alone! Help save the environment and top paying electric bills for stuff you aren't even using.

5.Start a compost pile for organic waste from the kitchen- you get the bonus of enriched soil for your garden! There are plenty of website that offer detailed instructions on how to build your own compost bin. I admit, I do this the lazy way. I just have a corner of my yard where we dump all the yard clippings, leaves, and kitchen waste. You can use simple wire fencing to help contain it. Composting is simply decomposing organic material into rich soil. According to the EPA, yard trimmings and food residuals together constitute 26 percent of the U.S. municipal solid waste stream. That's a lot of waste to send to landfills when it could become useful and environmentally beneficial compost instead!

6.Buy local when you can. Try to support your local farmer’s market and local businesses. Not only are you likely to get fresher, healthier, yummier offerings, you also save transit which saves fossil fuels. Sustainable.org helps you find local, sustainable food sources when you enter your zip code

There you have 6 easy ways to go green everyday and help be the change you want to see! There are many more ways and I would love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and share your tips!

Guest post by Scarlet of Moms Wear Your Tees Blog- a green mom giveaway blog. She is a stay at home mother to two children and an avid nature lover. She is also founder of >MWYT Social Media Marketing and Café Mom Group-Green Earth Green Home.

Airwear Contest!!

2010-07-27T11:30:00.000-07:00

Hey Green Moms!

Back to school is approaching, and we want to hear about how you ensure a healthy, safe and successful school year for your kids! Do you plan out healthy lunch and snack options for your kids to bring to school? Do you take your children to the opthamologist for an eye exam over the summer and thoroughly research safe eyewear lenses? Do you teach your kids to wash their hands regularly to stay healthy? Share your tips and tricks with TwitterMoms and Me, for a chance to get a gift card and a voucher for Airwear lenses!

Food for Thought
Airwear would like to remind everyone of the importance of having your child’s eyes examined regularly and equally important is selecting safe, impact-resistant lenses made of polycarbonate. Learning is visual, so eye care is critical! Twenty-five percent of kids struggle with vision problems that impact learning. Eighty percent of everything a child learns in his first 12 years comes through his eyes. If corrective lenses are needed, select lighter, stronger and safer lenses such as Airwear. Their lenses offer safe, durable lenses for children, those who like to play sports and those who push their lenses to the limit. Please include some of this information in your post, so moms gearing up for back to school don't forget that lenses and eye exams are critical to setting your kids on the right path for this upcoming school year.

Airwear and TwitterMoms (and yours truly) is sponsoring an essay contest for consumers, encouraging parents and care-givers to share how they plan to help their kids live a healthy, safe and successful school year. Families can submit their thoughts by visiting LighterSaferGreener.com. One grand prize winner will be awarded $1,000, while 10 first prize winners will receive vouchers for Airwear lenses valued up to $400. On LighterSaferGreener.com can learn more about Airwear’s eco-friendly practices and view more of Aldrich’s tips to ensure kids have a healthy, safe and successful school year. How it works: Create a post on your blog sharing ten tips for ensuring a healthy, safe and successful school year and install the campaign widget in the sidebar of your blog. Then follow the rest of the requirements below. The first fifty qualifying participants will receive a $25 Amazon.com e-gift card and three random winners will get an Airwear voucher with a redeemable value of up to $400!

Highlights from your posts, tweets and tips will be collected and featured on http://airwear.twittermoms.com, and distributed across the web for all to see. The blogging program starts at 12:01am PST on July 20, 2010 and the submission window closes at 11:59pm PST on August 19, 2010. We will contact the first 50 qualifying bloggers and 3 randomly selected winners on or about August 23, 2010. Full terms and conditions are posted for your review at http://airwear.twittermoms.com/terms.

Prizes:

The first fifty (50) qualifying participants will receive a $25 Amazon.com e-gift card. See Terms and Conditions here.

Three (3) random winners will get an Airwear voucher with a redeemable value of up to $400! See Official Rules here.

Requirements:

To participate, we ask that you:

1. Create a blog post on your blog sharing "Ten Tips for Ensuring a Healthy, Safe and Successful School Year."

2. Participants must include the following disclaimer as a footnote of their post:

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Airwear blogging program, making me eligible to get a $25 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, visit http://airwear.twittermoms.com/about.

3. Install the campaign in the side bar of your blog.

Get widget here

4. Log on to your Twitter account, http://www.twitter.com", and send a tweet including a link to your blog post with the hashtag #airwear.

5. Return to www.TwitterMoms.com and post a comment on this discussion page in the comments section below, including an active link to your blog post and a link to your Twitter tweet. (You can click on the date/time link below your tweet to get the direct link to your tweet.)

6. Complete this address collection form

Eligibility:

No purchase required to participate. You must be a legal resident of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, have a personal blog and be a registered user of the www.twittermoms.com and www.twitter.com websites to participate and at least 18 years of age or older at time of submission. See Terms and Conditions.

About Airwear
Airwear polycarbonate lenses are a product of Essilor, the leading manufacturer of optical lenses in the United States. Airwear lenses are light, safe and embrace environmentally conscious manufacturing practices.

Airwear Lens Details:

*
Designed for comfort, performance, protection and style, Airwear lenses made of polycarbonate material are 43 percent lighter and 25% thinner than standard plastic lenses.
*
Block 100% of UVA/UVB rays Non- glare
*
Scratch resistant
*
Shatter-proof
*
Easy to clean

Airwear lenses are better than standard plastic. They are virtually unbreakable and lighter than regular lenses, and are the ultimate choice for every lifestyle for you or your child. Airwear lenses offer unparalleled protection. They are 12x stronger than standard plastic lenses with 100% UV protection. Many eye injuries are preventable. The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that more than 100,000 people sustain eye injuries each year. Airwear lenses are tough and durable — so tough that NASA uses the same material to construct visors for astronauts. Furthermore, 12 to 15 million people annually become blind from cataracts -- and about 20% of those cases may be caused or compounded by sun exposure. Airwear lenses provide 100% protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Feel the difference. You will see and feel the difference when wearing Airwear lenses. They are lighter and 25% thinner than regular lenses.

Airwear lenses are as versatile as they come. It’s all possible with Airwear lenses. Airwear lenses offer safe, durable lenses for you and your children, those who like to play sports and those who push their lenses to the limit.

Airwear lenses are compatible with the most trusted vision brands and designs, such as Varilux®, Crizal®, Xperio™, DEFINITY and Transitions.

http://lightersafergreener.com

2010-07-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

Find Your Bliss this Summer!

2010-07-05T14:05:00.000-07:00

Find Your Bliss this Summer!

Given that it is the day after our nation’s birthday and outdoor BBQ’s are a staple for my meal planning this week, I couldn’t resist but to share some of my bliss with you. Bliss, meaning perfect happiness and great joy, which is the ideal description for my new obsession: Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss frozen dessert-NO Chemicals, dyes or hormones. Anyone who knows me knows that I love ice cream; and the 4th of July is one day where I throw caution to the wind and eat all and any dessert, especially ice cream. The problem is, after the indulgence, I usually have side effects, like tummy trouble, even if I eat organic ice cream; and I’m sure some of you have reactions to dairy or soy products, that’s why I love this alternative. So, here’s my solution: Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss frozen dessert. What I love about this product is that there are several flavors to choose from and NO, they don’t all taste like coconut (if that’s an issue for you); from dark chocolate, vanilla and mint to cherry amaretto and fudge (and more)-they even have naked coconut or chocolate bars.

These frozen babies are vegan, gluten-free and soy-free, making them the perfect medium for dairy-free, soy-free “ice creams” and yogurt. Unlike ordinary frozen treats, Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss is a pure grown-up lavish treat. The texture is so rich and creamy, you’ll insist that you’re eating a premium dairy-based ice cream. Perfectly sweetened with agave nectar, your pallet will appreciate that this dessert doesn’t shout SWEET, instead, your sweet tooth will feel kissed with the right amount of satisfaction, giving you the chance to truly experience the other delicious flavors going on in your mouth. Remember, this dessert isn’t low fat, but its surely made with some mighty fine ingredients such as, Organic Coconut Milk, Organic Agave Syrup, Organic Dried Coconut, Organic Fair Trade Vanilla Extract, Organic Fair Trade Cocoa (this is for the Dark Chocolate selection), so indulge with confidence knowing that this treat will do your body good.

For 1/2 cup of Dark Chocolate Coconut Bliss
Calories: 220
Fat: 14g (12g Saturated, 0g Trans)
Carbohydrates: 23g
Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 15g (agave nectar)
Protein: 2g

Protect Your Pups!

2010-06-24T04:12:00.000-07:00

I love my two dogs! They are my little bebes and I couldn't imagine how sad I'd feel knowing something I fed them, made them sick. Here's some information you should be aware of:
Natural Balance Pet Food, a Pacoima, California based manufacturer of natural and organic pet foods, is voluntarily recalling its Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food because it may be contaminated with salmonella.

The affected products, sold in 5- and 28-lb. bags, have a “Best By” date of June 17, 2011.

Recalled products were distributed in pet specialty stores in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

If you’ve purchased this product, return it to the store for a full refund. For additional information, call Natural Balance Pet Foods Customer Service at (800) 829-4493 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PDT).

Green moms should know that salmonella can infect humans as well as pets and that infected pets may appear to be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. You pet may only have decreased appetite, but other symptoms include fever and abdominal pain. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Its important to always wash your hands after handling dog food, because if the food is tainted, the salmonella can be transferred to humans.

I often feed my dogs minced up pieces of chicken (that I cook for my family), steamed broccoli or rice, in addition to their dry dog food in attempt to support their diet with organic whenever possible.

We love our pets, they are a part of our family and we want to do what's best for them!

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On a different note, please visit my new website and sign up for my FREE newsletter-awesome tips, ideas and recipes for the healthy food lover in you!

Let the Sun Shine On!

2010-06-15T21:49:00.000-07:00

Today I received a delightful letter from one of my blog readers, named Barbara. She asked that I share this detailed article with you. She wrote it for you to read, learn and understand more about solar power!

Enjoy our guest blogger post, and thank you Barbara!

Here’s a simple way to learn the way solar panels work
What is solar power?

Solar power is radiant energy that is produced by the sun. Every single day the sun radiates, or sends out, an incredible amount of energy. The sun radiates more energy in a single second than people have used since the beginning of time!

The energy of the Sun derives from within the sun itself. Like other stars, the sun is mostly a big ball of gases––mostly hydrogen and helium atoms.

The hydrogen atoms in the sun’s core combine to create helium and generate energy in a process called nuclear fusion.

During nuclear fusion, the sun’s extremely high pressure and temperature cause hydrogen atoms to come apart and their nuclei (the central cores of the atoms) to fuse or combine. Four hydrogen nuclei fuse to become one helium atom. However the helium atom contains less mass than the four hydrogen atoms that fused. Some matter is lost during nuclear fusion. The lost matter is emitted into space as radiant energy.
It requires millions of years for the energy in the sun’s core to make its way to the solar surface, and somewhat over eight minutes to travel the 93 million miles to earth. The solar energy travels to the earth at a speed of 186,000 miles per second, the speed of sunshine.

Only a small portion of the energy radiated from the sun into space strikes the earth, one part in two billion. Yet this quantity of energy is enormous. On a daily basis enough energy strikes the usa to supply the nation’s energy needs for one and a half years!

Where does all this energy go?

About 15 percent of the sun’s energy that hits our planet is reflected back to space. Another 30 percent is used to evaporate water, which, lifted into the atmosphere, produces rainfall. Solar power is absorbed by plants, the land, and the oceans. The rest could be used to supply our energy needs.

Who invented solar power?

Humans have harnessed solar power for centuries. As early as the 7th century B.C., people used simple magnifying glasses to concentrate the light of the sun into beams so hot they'd cause wood to catch fire. Over a century ago in France, a scientist used heat from a solar collector to create steam to drive a steam engine. In the beginning of this century, scientists and engineers began researching ways to use solar technology in earnest. One important development was a remarkably efficient solar boiler introduced by Charles Greeley Abbott, an american astrophysicist, in 1936.
The solar water heater became popular at this time in Florida, California, and the Southwest. The industry started in the early 1920s and was in full swing prior to World War II. This growth lasted before mid-1950s when low-cost natural gas became the primary fuel for heating American homes.

The public and world governments remained largely indifferent to the possibilities of solar technology until the oil shortages of the 1970s. Today, people use solar power to heat buildings and water and also to generate electricity.

How we use solar power today?

Solar power can be used in several different ways, of course. There are 2 very basic forms of solar energy:

* Solar thermal energy collects the sun's warmth through 1 of 2 means: in water or in an anti-freeze (glycol) mixture.
* Solar photovoltaic energy converts the sun's radiation to usable electricity.

Listed here are the five most practical and popular methods solar energy is used:

1. Small portable solar photovoltaic systems. We have seen these used everywhere, from calculators to solar garden products. Portable units can be utilised for everything from RV appliances while single panel systems can be used traffic signs and remote monitoring stations.

2. Solar pool heating. Running water in direct circulation systems via a solar collector is an extremely practical method to heat water for your pool or hot spa.

3. Thermal glycol energy to heat water. In this method (indirect circulation), glycol is heated by the sun's rays and the heat is then transferred to water in a warm water tank. Using this method of collecting the sun's energy is more practical now than ever. In areas as far north as Edmonton, Alberta, solar thermal to heat water is economically sound. It can pay for itself in 3 years or less.

4. Integrating solar photovoltaic energy into your home or office power. In lots of parts on the planet, solar photovoltaics is an economically feasible solution to supplement the power of your home. In Japan, photovoltaics are competitive with other types of power. In the USA, new incentive programs make this form of solar power ever more viable in many states. A frequent and practical method of integrating solar energy into the power of your home or business is through the use of building integrated solar photovoltaics.

5. Large independent photovoltaic systems. If you have enough sun power at your site, you may be able to go off grid. It's also possible to integrate or hybridize your solar power system with wind power or other types of sustainable energy to stay 'off the grid.'

How do Photovoltaic panels work?

Silicon is mounted beneath non-reflective glass to produce photovoltaic panels. These panels collect photons from the sun, converting them into DC electric power. The power created then flows into an inverter. The inverter transforms the energy into basic voltage and AC electricity.

Pv cells are prepared with particular materials called semiconductors like silicon, which is presently the most generally used. When light hits the Photovoltaic cell, a certain share of it is absorbed inside the semiconductor material. This means that the energy of the absorbed light is given to the semiconductor.

The energy unfastens the electrons, permitting them to run freely. Solar power cells also have one or more electric fields that act to compel electrons unfastened by light absorption to flow in a specific direction. This flow of electrons is a current, and by introducing metal links on the top and bottom of the -Photovoltaic cell, the current can be drawn to use it externally.

Do you know the advantages and disadvantages of solar technology?

Solar Pro Arguments - Heating our homes with oil or natural gas or using electricity from power plants running with coal and oil is a reason for climatic change and climate disruption. Solar energy, on the contrary, is clean and environmentally-friendly. - Solar hot-water heaters require little maintenance, and their initial investment could be recovered within a relatively small amount of time.

- Solar hot-water heaters can work in almost any climate, even just in very cold ones. You just need to choose the right system for your climate: drainback, thermosyphon, batch-ICS, etc.

- Maintenance costs of solar powered systems are minimal and also the warranties large.

- Financial incentives (USA, Canada, European states…) can aid in eliminating the price of the first investment in solar technologies. The U.S. government, as an example, offers tax credits for solar systems certified by by the SRCC (Solar Rating and Certification Corporation), which amount to 30 percent of the investment (2009-2016 period).

Solar Cons Arguments

- The initial investment in Solar Water heaters or in Photovoltaic Electric Systems is higher than that required by conventional electric and gas heaters systems.

- The payback period of solar PV-electric systems is high, as well as those of solar space heating or solar cooling (only the solar hot water heating payback is short or relatively short).

- Solar water heating do not support a direct in conjunction with radiators (including baseboard ones).

- Some ac (solar space heating and the solar cooling systems) are expensive, and rather untested technologies: solar ac isn't, till now, a truly economical option.

- The efficiency of solar powered systems is rather dependent on sunlight resources. It's in colder climates, where heating or electricity needs are higher, that the efficiency is smaller.

About the writer - Barbara Young writes on RV solar kits in her personal hobby website 12voltsolarpanels.net. Her work is related to helping people save energy using solar power to eliminate CO2 emissions and energy dependency.

Blueberry-licious!

2010-06-05T15:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I purchased some huge organic blueberries from the market and I have to tell you, I felt like I was eating candy for breakfast this morning. I told my sons, “Back in the “olden days” these blue “babies” were like candy! You should try them.” Before I knew it, they were playing catch with large blueberries, popping them in their mouths, like “goals” at a hockey game!

With boys, nothing surprises me, but what does surprise me is how delicious this Food Flirt Friday Banana-Blueberry Mini Muffin recipe from The Stevia Cookbook is. With blueberries abound at every farmer’s market, take advantage of it-there’s nothing like locally grown fresh blueberries. Purchase extra pints and freeze them right away to capture their freshness for your wintertime recipes. You’ll thank me later!

*Important point about cooking with Stevia:
The most important thing to remember is not to use too much, which can result in excessive sweetness and an aftertaste. Always start with the exact amount called for in a recipe, or even a little less, then taste before you add any more. Stevia is delicious in almost any recipe using fruit or dairy products, but does present a bit of a challenge when used for baking, since it lacks sugar’s abilities to add texture, help soften batter, caramelize, enhance the browning process, and feed the fermentation of yeast. On the other hand, one of the excellent facets of stevia is that high temperatures do not affect its sweetening properties.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour (organic if available)
1 tablespoon baking soda
2 ripe, medium-sized bananas
1/4 teaspoon white Stevia Powder (can be purchase online or at most natural foods grocery stores and markets)
1 cup buttermilk, or kefir
8 tablespoons unsalted (sweet) butter, melted
2 large egg whites
1 cup fresh blueberries (or 1 cup thawed frozen blueberries)
1 cup chopped walnuts

Method

Preheat the oven to 400*F
In a large bowl, sift together the four and baking soda, and set aside.
In a medium-sized bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until they reach a lumpy consistency. Add the stevia to the buttermilk, and combine with the bananas. Gently stir in the melted butter.
Using an electric hand-held mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff, then fold them into the banana mixture.
Add the banana mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until just mixed. Do not over stir. Gently fold in the blueberries and walnuts .
Scoop the batter into a lightly oiled or papered mini muffin tin. Fill each cup with a heaping tablespoon of batter, and bake for about 12 minutes. When toothpick comes out clean, muffins are done. Let cool and ENJOY! Makes about 24 muffins

2010-05-29T07:06:00.000-07:00

May I Have Your Attention (Deficit) Please?

2010-05-21T06:25:00.000-07:00

Today the Pesticide Action Network reported on a new Harvard study showing that even tiny, allowable amounts of a common pesticide class can have dramatic effects on brain chemistry. The Associated Press reports that this research links pesticides with ADHD in children, specifically those used on fruits and vegetables. Experts believe the research is persuasive and should be taken "seriously..and that more research will needed to be to confirm the tie", states Virginia Rauh of Columbia University, who has studied prenatal exposure to pesticides and wasn't involved in the new study.

Since children are still growing; they are especially prone to health risks-based on their consumption versus their relative body weight to adults.

The study noted that 94% of children tested had pesticides detected in their urine and the children with the higher levels had increased chances of having ADHD, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, a common problem that causes students to have trouble in school. Exposure can come from consumption of pesticide-treated foods, breathing in the air that contains pesticide residue or swallowing water that has pesticide residue
"run off". This study shows that what children eat directly impacts their health, regardless of whether or not they were in direct contact with the farm using the pesticides.

A 2008 Emory University study found that in children who switched to organically grown fruits and vegetables, urine levels of pesticide compounds dropped to undetectable or close to undetectable levels.

Because of known dangers of pesticides in humans, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency limits how much residue can stay on food. "But the new study shows it's possible even tiny, allowable amounts of pesticide may affect brain chemistry," Rauh said.

Be a wise green mom consumer and choose clean foods for your children!

Wat'er You're Options?

2010-05-12T07:24:00.000-07:00

Do you leave the water running while brushing your teeth or washing your face? Although these routines might at first seem insignificant, water conservation is of growing concern. In fact, the U.S. General Accounting Office reports that at least 36 states are projecting water shortages between now and 2013.

“While green moms like us are interested in eco-friendlier lifestyles, many are unaware of the biggest ‘water wasters’ or how easy and affordable water saving solutions at home can be,” says Michael Schuster, president and founder of MJSI, Inc., an innovator and manufacturer of water conservation products.

A recent consumer poll* found that only 13 percent of adults believe toilet flushing uses the most water, when in fact, the American Waterworks Association says that toilets are by far the largest source of water consumption in the home.**

Schuster, a fourth generation plumber, recommends following these practical tips to help save water and money:

* Get Your Eco Fix(tures): In addition to shortening showers, save water by installing low-flow shower heads that restrict the flow to less than 2.5 gallons per minute. For example, GROHE WaterCare® shower heads and faucets save up to 30 percent of water, as compared to other standard shower heads.

* Fill It Up: Instead of running dishwashers or washing machines with just a few items, wait until you have full loads to maximize water use. Likewise, fill a pitcher of water to keep chilled in the refrigerator. You won’t waste tap water waiting for it to reach the desired cool, refreshing temperature.

* Green Your Throne: Reduce water use by up to 30 percent by installing the HydroRight™ Dual Flush Converter from MJSI, which allows less water to drain from the tank when flushing liquids and paper. Also try the HydroClean® Fill Valve which helps solve the two biggest reasons for water loss in toilets – incorrect calibration and undetected flapper leaks. The patented Mini-Valve™ enables easy adjustment of the water directed to the toilet bowl, and the TurbuJet™ signals leaky toilets with a gentle, audible “swoosh.”

* Landscape with a Greener Thumb: Reduce consumption outside of the home, too, by selecting native plants requiring less water and time for maintenance. Avoid evaporation by watering in the cool, morning hours and by surrounding vegetation with mulch, which helps hold moisture.

“As a plumber, I learned that water conservation begins at home,” said Schuster. “By following these practical tips, consumers can easily start preserving one of our greatest resources and significantly reduce their water and sewer bills.”

For more information, visit www.gomjsi.com.

Shrimp DeJour

2010-04-20T08:47:00.000-07:00

Today I want to share some really useful info about one of my favorite protein-rich food favorites: Shrimp! Whenever we go out, I always order shrimp. It just seems like such an indulgence, however, after reading this information, you'll see why shrimp is actually a good everyday protein source!

Research reveals that shrimp falls far short of gaining its fair share of attention in America’s kitchens. The per capita consumption of seafood is less than ½ the USDA recommended amount. In 2008, Americans consumed only 16 lbs. of fish and shellfish per person versus a whopping 62.7 pounds of beef and 83.4 pounds of broilers (chicken raised specifically for consumption). Clearly we need to talk more about the huge benefits of shrimp as a nutrition powerhouse!

As you may already be aware, the calorie-for-calorie benefits of shrimp are unmatched. A five ounce serving of shrimp (with no sauce or coating) has just 83 calories and 1 gram of fat, and delivers more than twice as much iron and less than 1/3 the amount of saturated fat found in the leanest cuts of beef. It also provides more than 20 grams of protein per serving – which is nearly 50% of the recommended daily amount for a 35-year-old female! It’s convenient, nutritious and delicious, and with a price per pound similar to many cuts of chicken and beef, it’s more affordable than ever.

This green mom approves and recommends shrimp at your next meal! Here's a super e-z shrimp recipe:

TROPICAL SHRIMP SALAD WITH LIME-CILANTRO DRESSING

Number of Servings: 4

Ingredients (shrimp and salad):

1 lb OLA! Raw Peeled & Deveined Shrimp

2 garlic cloves (minced)

4 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 lb mixed greens

1 ripe avocado cut in slices

1 orange, peeled and cut in slices

1 jicama, peeled and cut Julianne style

1 red pepper cut Julianne style

Ingredients (Lime Cilantro Dressing):

2 limes (juice)

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup olive oil

pinch oregano

Instructions:
Shrimp: Whisk together garlic and olive oil in large bowl. Add Shrimp and toss to coat. Marinate 1 hour. Grill Shrimp 3 minutes on each side. Set aside.

Dressing: Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend on low speed until smooth.

Salad: Toss together mixed greens, avocado, orange slices, jicama, red pepper and 1/2 of the lime-cilantro dressing.

To serve: Divide salad on 4 plates and place 4 grilled shrimp on top of each salad. Drizzle remaining lime-cilantro dressing over top of shrimp.

Recipe and Image Courtesy of: The Shrimp Council and Sea Port Products Corporation

Earth Day Green Product Media Tour

2010-04-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

Well, it's just over a week until Earth Day and I have decided to participate in a national media tour on Wednesday, April 14th, to promote some interesting green products.

Here's a quick overview of this year's choices. Once I get a copy of one of the interviews, I'll add it to my next blog post!

echoice DayLighting Systems from Solatube International, Solatube.com
This lighting system offers the beauty of outside light "inside" your home by using their system to transfer sunlight from the roof of your home down a highly reflectable tube to deliver daylight into the dark rooms of your house! Very Cool!

Eco-Friendly Carpet by Mohawk's StartStrand with Dupont Sorona, Mohawkflooring.com
It's one of the most eco-friendly flooring for your home. Made from renewable resources, like sugar from corn, this carpet also boasts a lifetime stain resistant fibers, as well.

Tide Coldwater laundry detergent, TideColdwater.com.

This detergent is specially formulated to help remove challenging stains in a cold water wash and it is the first detergent to receive the new Green GoodHousekeeping Seal. Yay!

Rainbird Irrigation Controler, Rainbird.com. This is no regular sprikler system for your garden and yard. This system actually calculates how much water your yard and garden needs and then calculates historical and real time weather data to ensure that you conserve up to 80% of your water.

Bic Ecolutions ReAction Ball Pen, www.Bicworldusa.com.
This pen is made from 75% recycled plastic and is perfect for older students; it features the easy-glide system ink technology which provides up to 45% smoother writing compared to Bic's other roll ball pens.

Bic Ecolutions Wite-Out Brand Mini Correction Tape is made from 51% recycled plastic and is almost 20 feet long for a real eco-savings.

Remember Earth Day is every day for the Green Mom!

Sugar is a Spice that Isn't Too Nice!

2010-03-29T11:34:00.000-07:00

Ok, I know sugar isn't really a spice, but it rhymed for the the title.

Seriously, sugar directly affects your power levels-and not in a good way. Oh sure, it pops you up quickly, but it also lets you down even quicker. The average American consumes roughly two-three pounds of some form of sugar each week; it’s easy to see why when you consider that sugar lurks in breads, breakfast cereals, mayonnaise, peanut butter, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, and the list goes on and on. We have an epidemic of sugar addictions and cravings in this country. It seems, when we feel stress in our life, we often consume more sugar. When other aspects in your diet or life are imbalanced, such as purpose, connection to others or movement, it shows up in sugar cravings; when we are not happy with another aspect of our life, sugar seems to fix it all, temporarily.

Your Diet Soda is Making Your FAT!!
A University of Texas Health Science Center survey in 2005 found that people who drink diet soft drinks may actually gain weight; in that study, for every can of diet soda people consumed each day, there was a 41% increased risk of being overweight.

Other forms of sugar are carbohydrate both simple and complex. Made up of sugar, simple carbohydrates are completely stripped of all fiber, minerals and nutrients, such as candy, pasta, bread, cookies, and processed boxed foods. It’s like a pure injection of sugar in the body, with a spike in blood sugar then a sudden drop. When you eat sugar, it pulls on the nutrients and mineral reserves that are currently in your body, which really pulls your power from you. If a product can sit on a shelf for a long time, it most likely will have sugar in it. Also, the more advertising a food has, most likely there is sugar in it. When was the last time you saw an ad for carrots or broccoli?

12 Safest Non-Organic Foods

2010-03-17T16:08:00.000-07:00

The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization that advocates for policies that protect global and individual health, produces the Shoppers' Guide to Pesticides in Produce. It is based on the results of nearly 43,000 pesticide tests.

Organic fruits and vegetables are by definition grown without the use of pesticides. But some find the expense of organic foods prohibitive.

Of the 43 different fruit and vegetable categories in the Guide to Pesticides, the following twelve foods had the lowest pesticide load when conventionally grown. Consequently, they are the safest conventionally grown crops to consume:

* Broccoli
* Eggplant
* Cabbage
* Banana
* Kiwi
* Asparagus
* Sweet peas (frozen)
* Mango
* Pineapple
* Sweet corn (frozen)
* Avocado
* Onion

Sources:
* DrWeil.com July 30, 2008; * FoodNews.org Printable Shopper’s Guide

Casteel Coffee Celebrates Grand Opening of new Chicago Cafe with Week of Promotions

2010-02-22T12:51:00.000-08:00

Hey Green Moms, check this out if you're in Chicago!

Renowned for its "fresh from our roaster to your cup" quality, Casteel Coffee of Evanston announces a new cafe site in the famed Aqua building on Columbus in Chicago with a week of special promotions February 22 through February 26, with the Grand Opening Day on February 25.

Casteel Coffee @ Aqua offers freshly roasted coffee, baked goods, sandwiches and paninis Monday through Friday from 6AM to 5PM and Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM to 4PM. Carol Harris, founder and owner of Casteel Coffee emphasizes, "At Casteel, our artisan approach to coffee provides a difference that our customers have appreciated for more than a decade in Evanston, so we are pleased and proud to offer another cafe site, now in downtown Chicago."

As part of the week long celebration, Casteel Coffee @ Aqua's Grand Opening Day is Thursday, February 25. From 8AM to 11AM, customers will be treated to a Fair Trade market of tastes and treats: bakery and Mariage Freres tea product samples, Fair Trade displays, special 20% off on all World of Good purchases, free coffee travel mugs ($8 value) with coffee drink purchase and live music. Roastmaster Joshua Millman will be on site to offer free coffee tastings and roasting information.

February 22, Monday through Friday, Casteel @ Aqua welcomes all to the new site at 225 N Columbus with:

Monday: $1 Small Lattes
Tuesday: Free Small Drip Coffee with purchase of any baked good
Wednesday: Free Soft Drink with purchase of any sandwich or panini
Thursday: Grand Opening Thank you--Free Stainless Travel Mug ($8 value) with purchase of any coffee drink (while supplies last, one per customer) and 20% off all World of Good purchases
Friday: 25% off Fair Trade Guatemala at $9 per lb per lb special price

With an eco friendly design and easy to find location at 225 N Columbus, Casteel @ Aqua is a destination coffee cafe with the added value of high speed wifi. The cafe offers fair trade coffees as part of its corporate mission to protect and support coffee farmers, and is an active community supporter, with outreach to schools, community centers, religious organizations and not for profit events.

For more information, visit www.casteelcoffee.com.

Demand Healthy Funding Boost for Child Nutrition Act

2010-02-16T17:20:00.000-08:00

Renegade Lunch Lady launches letter-writing campaign: One More Dollar for Healthy School Food

The Child Nutrition Act, slated for reauthorization this year, serves up a rare opportunity for healthier funding of school lunches. Chef Ann Cooper, aka the Renegade Lunch Lady, in partnership with Slow Food USA, Roots of Change, and Healthy Schools Campaign, is rallying a million moms and dads to write Congress demanding an additional subsidy of $1 per lunch.

Cooper is providing templates of letters requesting a budget increase to underwrite real (not highly processed) food for school kids: fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, clean proteins and natural dairy products, with a priority on regionally produced food. This letter-writing campaign launches on the heels of the Obama administration's proposed $1 billion budget increase for school lunch subsidies. Cooper and her allies say this increase is not enough to feed our children well.

"We have the opportunity to make a positive impact and teach children about healthy food choices, which will influence their long-term health," said Cooper. "The Child Nutrition Act has not changed in 15 years and the time to help 31 million schoolchildren is now."

The Child Nutrition Act, reauthorized every five years, pays $12 billion to feed breakfast and lunch to schoolchildren, averaging only $2.68 per day for each child. Cooper and numerous nonprofit organizations and health-conscious companies are calling for an increase in funding - a dollar a day per student - dedicated 100 percent to food that promotes better health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, obesity is the most commonly diagnosed medical condition of childhood and is a risk factor for many other diseases, including high blood pressure, asthma and type 2 diabetes.

Constituents can find the advocacy letter template at www.lunchboxadvocates.org and view informational videos at http://vimeo.com/9185123 and http://vimeo.com/9181529.

Supe Supe Super Bowl Green

2010-01-29T20:18:00.000-08:00

I love the Super Bowl. Maybe it's because I have three sons, or maybe it's because I have such cherished memories of watching the Super Bowl with my husband when we were dating (back when the Giants were the team to watch!).

Now, as a Green Mom, I'm still enjoying the Super Bowl but with a eco-twist. I put together some ideas for you to enjoy your get together this year, guilt-free-and-earth-friendly!

When Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints square off with Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts next Sunday, February 7, 2010, you want to have your party packed with good friends, good food and plenty of taking-care-of-the-planet food and drink. When I define something as green, it goes like this: locally made/produced/manufactured=less travel time, hence kinder on the environment, organic or made without harmful preservative, chemicals, pesticides or dyes and recycle-able or biodegradable. Now, there are other options, but for today, that's what we're going to stick with.

Here are some of my suggestions:

Tip #1: MIND YOUR PAPERWARES

-Send out electronic invites or emails; about 1/3 of all household waste is paper-cut back on invites and save some trees
-Using sustainable serving wares is a great way to make your party green and still convenient and functional. In other words, you want the convenience of using disposables, but you don’t want to create a ton of waste. Chicago-based Solo Cup recently rolled out a line of plates, bowls and containers called Bare by Solo, which are made from compostable, renewable, or recyclable materials. The square plates, for example, are made from renewable sugarcane, and the clear cups are made with 20% post-consumer recycled plastic and are recyclable themselves.
-Don’t buy decorations you’ll use once and throw away, instead display your husband’s jerseys, team shirts, hats, footballs and any sports paraphernalia you have hanging around the house. It sets the mood for football with zero waste!

Tip #2: BUY LOCAL

-No Super Bowl party is complete without tasty beverages, including beer! So why not buy local brands? Buying local in kinder to Mother Earth, as the products don’t have to ship across country just to make it to your Super Bowl bash.

Goose Island beer is not only brewed locally, but also it is a brand that promotes a sustainable lifestyle and has sustainable practices. All of its brewing facilities use renewable energy and the majority of its packaging is from local vendors who use recycled materials too.

Going along with the buy local theme, Wild Blossom is Chicago's first winery and Illinois’ only meadery on the Northern Illinois Wine Trail. The company uses local honey (produced from local honey bees that collect nectar from the prairies of Illinois and the sand dunes of Lake Michigan) and fruits. They also do tours of their winery. Very cool! Wine tastes delicious too.

Tip #3: GO GREEN – AND HEALTHY – WITH YOUR FOOD SPREAD

A Super Bowl party can be fun – and healthy too! Here are some regional food companies that can help make your party more eco-friendly… and healthier too!

-Amylu’s Chicken Sausage Chili – Below I posted a recipe using Amylu’s chicken sausage. I simply love this brand (which is found at Whole Foods Market) because it is made from skinless, all natural chicken. It’s fresh, never frozen, adding a healthy spin for your party.
-Chef Earl’s Dips: These fantastic dips are found locally at local Whole Foods Market stores and are healthier dip options vs. your traditional ranch and sour cream based dips. The fresh ingredients used in the dips are all locally grown/made (no artificial ingredients). All natural and smooth unlike factory made hummuses. She will be showcasing both the Jardinière Hummus (pronounced Jar-din-air) hummus made with spicy Jardinière and made with freshly cooked garbanzo beans (garbanzo bean consumption in the US increased by 19% in 2009). You should also try the Cucumber Dill Hummus (made with fresh cucumbers and dill). A fresh departure from your everyday bland dips. Great with veggie plates, pita bread or even chips!
-Jamie’s Flour Tortilla Chips are a little gem that I discovered at the Food Stuffs store in Glenview. There are no preservatives or trans fats and the chips are handmade by Jamie herself here in Chicago and are a great addition to your green Super Bowl party. It has been said that Jamie’s chips are so addicting, you’ll eat the whole bag…have a taste and you can see for yourself.

Tip #4: GREEN YOUR CLEAN UP

Clean up without a lot of excess waste – here are some easy tips:

-If you used plastic utensils, you can hand wash them or even run them in your dishwasher. No need to throw them away. Better yet, just use regular silverware. Easier to clean up than plates and you do a small part to be a little greener.
-If you ordered pizza like most party-goers, did you know you can recycle the pizza box? Just tear off the greasy part and recycle the rest.
-Make sure you recycle or compost your paper plates and cups if possible. Throw away as little as possible.
-Remember to use recycled paper towels and napkins and biodegradable trash bags to keep your party green through and through.

RECIPE:
Sausages by Amylu Chicken Sausage Chili
Serves 6-8

INGREDIENTS:
4 links Sausages by Amylu Gourmet Andouille Chicken Sausage
1 Tbsp. Olive oil
1 large Onion, chopped (frozen diced works great, too!)
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 Jalapeño pepper, finely chopped
4 oz. Mushrooms, quartered
2 cans Black beans, drained, rinsed
16-oz. can Chicken broth
14.5-oz. can Diced tomatoes, drained
2 Tbsp. Tomato paste
1 Chipotle pepper, seeded and diced
1/4 cup Cilantro, chopped
1 tsp. Dried oregano
1 tsp. Ground cumin
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. White pepper

Optional Garnishes:
2 Green onions, sliced
2 Tbsp. Green or black olives, sliced
2 Tbsp. Cilantro, finely chopped
Shredded Cheddar cheese and/or sour cream

DIRECTIONS:
Dice Sausages by Amylu Andouille Chicken sausage into bite size chunks.
Heat oil in a large dutch-oven or pot; sauté onions, garlic, jalapeño; cook 5 minutes.
Add diced Chicken Sausage and mushrooms; cook about 5 minutes (until lightly browned).
Add beans, broth, tomatoes, tomato paste and herbs; heat to a boil.
Reduce heat to low; simmer until vegetables are tender about 10-15 minutes.

Get Your Game On!!

We Love You Amylu

2010-01-19T10:04:00.000-08:00

Being a green mom sometimes has it's challenges. Sure, I could easily slap some lunch meat between two slices of over processed bread with processed cheese and call it a day for my kids' meals, but I am really trying to make a difference in their health and well being. When their friends are constantly getting sick, my kids are continually taking their probiotic and fish oil supplements and staying healthy. I'm no better than any other mom, but I do try to take advice from everyone I can (who makes sense and has experience in the area of interest) and realize that I don't know it all and there's always room for improvement.

Sometimes it can get tricky feeding my sons healthy food, without them complaining that it tastes, "healthy". Years ago, I came across a brand of poultry, gluten-free products that taste amazing!Sausages by Amylu are a line of intensely flavored, lean and nutritious gourmet chicken sausages. High in protein, low in fat and carbs, they make delicious entrees. I sometimes use as them as ingredients to enhance appetizers, salads, soups or pastas.

What I love about the variety of Sausages by Amylu is that they are conveniently fully-cooked, making them quick and easy to prepare. Because they are GLUTEN-FREE, 100% ALL-NATURAL, made with 100% FRESH, boneless, skinless chicken breast and thigh meat, I know my kids will scarf them down without a "food fight". As a Green Mom, I'm glad that that there are no nitrates, preservatives, added MSG or anything artificial in the any of their products.

My favorite mid-day mom snack: Amylu's Apple & Maple Chicken Sausage sliced lengthwise and heated up (for a fast healthy snack) in the toaster oven, served with a small slice of local Wisconsin cheddar cheese and sliced apples! Power mom lunch including, protein, healthy fat and a touch of sweetness and salt.

A little bit about the founder of Amylu sausages:

Owner and CEO, Amylu Kurzawski is no stranger to the sausage business. Established in 1924 as Leon’s Sausage Company by her grandfather Leon Tiahnybik, ATK Foods is a third-generation family-owned and operated food products company. In 1922, Slotkowski Sausage, famous in Chicago for its history of producing high quality sausage products in the old-world tradition, was added to the company’s portfolio of brands. After two years of R&D, Sausages by Amylu gourmet all-natural chicken sausages was launched in 1994 offering consumers delicious on-trend flavors and healthy alternative to pork/beef sausages. “We try to keep us with the latest food and lifestyle trends – and apply them to our products”, says Amylu. “That’s why my sausages are flavorful, lean, convenient and versatile – exactly what today’s consumers are looking for in sausage products.”

I'd love to meet Amylu sometime and thank her!

For you Chicagoland moms, you can find Sausages by Amylu at Jewel-Osco, Whole Foods, Dominick’s, Treasure Island, Sunset Foods, Grand Food Centers, Olivia’s Market and Peapod.

To find out more, find locations near you or to SHOP ONLINE click here.

Preserve the Planet

2010-01-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

I know, you're busy, so am I, but are you taking the time to protect the planet? Did you know every small step you make towards reducing, reusing and recycling really adds up? The other day, I found my son's used plastic water bottle in the regular trash--I went crazy! "WHAT is THIS doing in the trash? Innocently, my son said, "I thought that was the recycled trash" Sure, I thought-hmmm. "OK, just rinse it out and put it in the right container." Now, why is it that I get so upset about this? Well, for one, it is SO easy to recycle and two, it IS SO EASY to recycle.

Here's the skinny, you put your #5 plastic recycle-ables into the blue bin (or in our house, it's a blue bag taken to our building's big recycle center), and the cycle begins. Companies like Preserve Products (Made in the USA, mind you)then take the recycled "stuff" and make some pretty snappy products that you can use, over and over again. Check out this video clip to find out more, then, hop on over to PreserveProducts.com and become a pro!

Seeing Green in 2010

2010-01-05T07:52:00.001-08:00

With much resistance, I took down my holiday decorations this weekend; and with new resolve I decided to make my list of resolutions. It's quite a list, as always, but usually by mid June or July, I seem to notch most of them off of my list. I'm hoping this year is the same.

I have a lot of energy and I'm always looking for the next learning adventure. I don't claim to know it all, but I'm always willing to listen and learn and become a better person. I do feel a ubiquitous "green" movement in the air. It's no secret that "green" is the new black but will this trend continue throughout the year, decade and century? I sure hope so.

With your support and open mind to all that is green, together we can make the small steps toward a more sustainable planet. Let's resolve to use less, recycle more and reuse what we can. That's all that's asked of you. Then, once that becomes a walk in the park, do more. Read all that you can on the subject and then pay it forward.

For the next few months I will be working on my book about living a healthy, happy green life and I will be starting up my radio show again in February--and yes, these are on my list of to-dos. I will keep you informed of all the updates and happenings as they develop. Thank you for reading my blog and I invite you to come back soon.

Here is a link to my most recent TV appearance in Orlando on the Daily Buzz morning show. I have to tell you, the hosts were such a ball! So much so that right before we went on air, they told some really silly jokes, making me laugh--very hard. So, when you see me chuckling in the clip, you'll know why! We all need more laughter in our lives, so why not on national television!

Happy 2010!

TOPS Ten Tips for a Healthy, Happy Holiday

2009-12-18T15:05:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the Take Off Pounds Sensibly Organization(TOPS)for submitting this wonderful holiday tip sheet. Check it out then check them out!

The holiday season doesn’t have to create havoc on your weight-loss goals, says TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the nonprofit weight-loss support organization.. Follow these ten strategies to navigate the eating season for a great time without a great gain.

1. Don’t go hungry. Arriving at a party on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster that can lead you to overeat and make poor choices. Have a light snack of a low-fat, high-fiber food a half-hour before you go, such as yogurt, an apple with a teaspoon of peanut butter, a piece of string cheese, or vegetables with low-calorie dip. This will help curb your appetite and make it easier to control your intake.

2. Treat yourself. There’s no need to ban your favorites; decide what you want to try and then set a limit. Cakes, cookies, and pies are available year-round, so indulge in small portions of only the best seasonal, holiday foods. Just a taste of something special can be enough to quell a craving without going overboard.

3. Take control. Offer to bring a low-calorie dish or platter to holiday gatherings. By preparing something that you know fits into your meal plan, you’ll have at least one healthy item on hand and other guests will likely appreciate it. Your hostess may also be grateful for the lessened stress of preparing multiple dishes.

4. Slow your pace. Eat slowly until you are satisfied, not stuffed. It takes about 20 minutes for your body to signal that you’re feeling full, so enjoy each bite and give yourself time to know when you’ve had enough. You’ll likely consume less than usual.

5. Mind your beverages. Drink plenty of water to help feel full and hydrated. Adding a twist of lemon or lime to sparkling water is a lively alternative to alcohol and coffee drinks, which can actually make you feel sluggish. Alcohol can also impair your judgment and make it difficult to stick to healthy eating resolutions. If you do choose to imbibe, select light beers and wines, and limit your intake to one or two drinks per occasion. Drink high-calorie seasonal favorites, like egg nog, punch, and full-fat hot chocolate, in moderation – or steer clear of them altogether.

6. Pair up with a friend. Make a pact that you will support and help keep each other on track. Don’t hesitate to lean on each other if you need encouragement to resist tempting treats or power through a workout. Remember, you’re not the only one refraining from holiday overindulgence.

7. Keep moving. It’s easy to let workouts fall by the wayside. If you aren’t able to set aside time each day for exercise, commit to at least 30 minutes three days per week. Many people continue their regular walking or jogging schedules year-round, but also consider walking in malls or the building where you work. Indoor pools, weight-workout rooms, tracks, and basketballs courts are commonly available in community facilities and schools. Municipal ice skating rinks, both indoors and out, offer a change of pace from the usual routine, while cross-country skiing and hiking let you build up your strength while enjoying nature’s beauty. Maintaining a workout routine also can help you manage holiday stress by releasing “feel-good” endorphins and provide a “time out” from worry and harried thoughts.

8. Rest up. Make adequate sleep – seven to eight hours – a priority, especially during this busy season. Getting enough rest can help repair your body, keep you mentally sharp, and enable you to be more productive.

9. Make friends and family a priority. Although food and drinks can be a big part of the holiday season, they don’t have to be the focus. Set aside time to spend with good friends and family, making memories that make the holidays worthwhile.

10. Keep your perspective. Be realistic and maintain a long-term view of your weight-loss goals. Overeating one day won’t make or break your plans; just aim to eat healthy and in moderation the next day. Dieting can be especially difficult during the holidays. Focus on maintaining your present weight and look toward the new year as a fresh start.

Remember, there will be many more holidays to enjoy. Employ these tips and come January, you will feel as good about yourself as you did before Thanksgiving – one more reason to celebrate.

TOPS Club Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the original, nonprofit weight-loss education and support organization, was established more than 61 years ago to champion weight-loss support and success. Founded and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., TOPS promotes successful weight management with a philosophy that combines healthy eating, regular exercise, wellness education, and support from others at weekly chapter meetings. TOPS has about 170,000 members in nearly 10,000 chapters throughout the United States and Canada, and several chapters in Europe.

NBC News Chicago with Ginger Zee-Green Holiday Entertaining

2009-12-12T14:34:00.000-08:00

NBC News Chicago with Ginger Zee-Green Holiday Entertaining
View the News Clip Here

Today I had the pleasure of appearing on the NBC News in Chicago to discuss Green Holiday Entertaining! You can even see green all year long with your eco-friendly Airwear eyeglass lenses, manufactured with 100% recycled water and 100% recycled packaging!

Green Holiday Entertaining can be organized in three categories, set up, enjoying the gathering and clean up.

When you incorporate products that are manufactured by companies who are mindful of the environment, you can effortlessly live green all year long. Here are some products that I recommend:

Set Up:

Take a look around the house to make sure everything is in its place before guests arrive...even the bathrooms. Make sure you have plenty of Marcal Small Steps 100% Recycled bath tissue on hand, made from only recycled paper NOT trees. Did you know that if every household in our country used just one roll of Marcal Small Steps bath tissue, together we'd save over 1 million trees?!

Next, consider using LED holiday lights, offering almost a 90% energy savings. This decorating idea is good for your pocketbook and the planet

Use Preserve Products mixing bowls and cutting boards to prepare your meal; this product is made from 100% recycled #5 plastic and can be used over and over again for years---keeping piles of plastic out of landfills.

Finally, add some finishing touches to your holiday preparations with live plants arranged in holiday planters; when the holidays are over, you can replant the flowers or plant into another planter.

Enjoying the Gathering:

When you serve your holiday meal, remember to put out Marcal Small Steps 100% recycled paper, fine dinner napkins. The texture of these napkins has a nice formal look and feel to them.

Holiday meals always taste better when you include as much locally produced food as possible. You support your community farmers and producers (keeping the money in your own community) and the food is much more fresh and flavorful. If you are in Chicago, try visiting the Green City Market for local goodies.

Remember to use VerTerra elegant plates, bowls and platters when you are in need of a sophisticated and sustainable option. These gorgeous products are made from fallen palm leaves, which makes them perfect for compost piles (when you're done using them :) and gives them more appeal knowing that NO trees were harmed in the making of these plates.

For more relaxed festive gatherings, stock up on Preserve Products' plates and cups. All of the products are made with #5 recycled plastic and can be used over and over again--instead of throwing them away after the party (dishwasher safe, too).

All good things must come to an end, that's why these three ideas for Green Holiday Entertaining--Clean Up are a must:

Marcal Small Steps has one other product that I really like, and use almost every day at home: their super absorbent paper towels. Knowing that trees are important for our planet's survival, I refuse to use products (when I have control over it) that waste paper when there's an eco-friendly option! The folks who manufacture Marcal Small Steps have been saving trees for over 60 years by using only recycled paper for their product line--bravo!

No one likes a smell home, especially a toxic and smelly home. The two founders of Method Cleaning products are "squeaky green" in my book! They've come up with a line that's eco-conscious AND very hip and stylish! A cleaner way to clean!

The final product that I suggest for Green Holiday Entertaining is biodegradable trash bags for all of your holiday party "trash". It makes perfect sense to wrap it all together in a plastic bag that won't take 1000 years to break down in nature!~

Stay Tuned to this blog, as I will be posting a video link to view my NBC-5 Chicago news segment about Green Holiday Entertaining soon!

WE HAVE A WINNER!!

2009-12-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

YAY!! WE have winner in our Essilor's Airwear/TwitterMoms blogging contest about "Seeing Green to Live Green". We had so many amazing entries, it was challenging selecting a winner.

Since Essilor's Airwear eyeglass lenses are made with 100% recycled water and uses 100% recycled packaging, it's easy to see why so many moms are "seeing" green; and this contest proved it. We all really do care about our choices and how they impact the planet. I love that by just purchasing earth-friendly eyeglass lenses we can be green moms!

You can read our winning blog by Rhiana, below:

REDUCE the poo: Got a baby? Did you know that ordinary disposable diapers take over 1000 years to disappear from our Earth? Cloth diapering is a wonderful thing, but not practical for everyone. Welcome biodegradable diapers to the neighborhood! (Enter gDiapers and Nature Babycare.) Of course, if you’re really brave [and have a lot of free time] you could try EC.

REUSE clothing: Fashionista? Go green without a lot of green. Create a clothing swap with your similar-sized, similar-taste friends and neighbors. Raid each others’ closets. Want something new? Go shopping together (carpool). Chip in on a few great outfits. Share. Circulate and reuse baby/kid clothes too! (I just made baby pants out of Hubby’s old t-shirt!)

RECYCLE everything: This family of 4 humans (one of which is a baby) and 2 dogs usually has about 1-2 bags of garbage per week. How? We recycle as much as possible … that toilet paper roll, tissue paper from that birthday gift, the box the noodles came in, the plastic thingy from new socks … You name it, we recycle it! (Remember last week when I told you not to forget to recycle those plastic bags?) Most counties have recycle pick-up that doesn’t require that you separate glass, aluminum, and plastic from one another. Our recycle collection does ask that we flatten boxes and paper. Go ahead … sign up. Don’t have pick-up in your area? Look for a recycle center near you now!

Greening Your Holidays

2009-12-07T15:23:00.001-08:00

The holidays are a time of joy and thanksgiving and this year, you can also make it a time of renewal for the planet. Without going to too much trouble, you can implement several green aspects into your holiday preparations and celebrations.

Technology to Save Energy: You are going to be on the computer anyway, so consider sending holiday greetings to family and friends via e-mail. For lots of holiday fun, check out Elf Yourself to turn yourself and family members into elves for the holidays—virtually.

Reuse It: If you prefer to send handwritten notes, make your own cards with paper you already have. Or look for holiday cards printed on recycled paper. Eliminate envelope waste by sending postcards or folding and sealing notes so you can address them on the outside. Every bit of paper you save, really adds up and it saves you money on postage!

Recycled Party: When hosting holiday parties, use reusable glass or plastic ware, and recycled paper napkins. Marcal Small Steps products are made from 100% recycled paper rather than from trees, making your party oh-so-eco-chic and festive. At Biodegradable Store, you can find various biodegradable paper plates and cutlery to keep your party green through and through.

Bag It: Lately everyone seems to be remembering their reusable grocery bags at the grocery store, but we also need to carry our own canvas bag or backpack, or reuse shopping bags when shopping for gifts and holiday decorations. One smart choice is Chico Bag’s new rePETe bag made from seven plastic bottles that would ordinarily end up in landfills; instead, they’re put to good use in this reusable tote that can carry up to 25 pounds of gifts, food and other goodies.

Non-Material: Any mother will tell you that she’d prefer receiving gifts of your time or services. Consider a free breakfast in bed or perhaps a lunch date. Save valuable resources and share some quality time with a loved one. Consider gift certificates—for restaurants, movies, babysitting, etc.—or give consumable items such as baked goods.

Give What Is Needed: Resist the urge to spend money on fad gifts that may not even be used; instead, give gifts that are on someone’s list and are possibly made locally or in the US. This approach results in happy gift recipients and a happy planet (less waste).

Re-gifting Is Not a Crime: Pass along hand-me-downs and heirlooms as special gifts for family members. These are also called “story gifts” because they carry stories with them, and often invoke treasured memories. Share a story and some history with a loved one!

It’s a Wrap: According to the Medical University of South Carolina, waste output increases 25 percent during the holiday season. When wrapping gifts, consider re-using packaging from previous years or maybe even use the funny pages from the newspaper or use recycled wrapping paper. Get creative and use unique containers to hold gifts, such as cloth sacks or boxes from other products. Save countless trees and give your creativity muscle a boost!

Ever-Green: Everyone loves the smell of fresh cut holiday trees, however, Consider alternatives to a cut tree, such as a live tree, decorated houseplant or artificial tree. To maintain that reminiscent evergreen odor, consider tree-scented air fresheners or candles. Check out EarthKind for some eco-friendly options. Also, remember to recycle your Christmas tree when you can no longer use it. Many neighborhoods have tree recycling programs.

Decorate with Nature: Use natural items from around the house to decorate your tree, such as popcorn, berries and outdoor greens. Mother Nature will be so proud!
Buy Energy-Saving “LED” Holiday Lights: Now you can decorate your house with LED lights that use 90 percent less energy than conventional holiday lights, and can save your family up to $50 on your energy bills during the holiday season. LED lights are available at many major retailers, including Target, CostCo and Ace Hardware.

Buy Organic or Locally-Grown Produce: And cook at least some vegetarian meals—make the most out of food resources and fuel. Support local family farmers who grow sustainable meat and produce. Not only does it taste better, you’ll be doing your part for the planet too. Consider preparing food that does not have to be refrigerated to lower the amount of power wasted by continually opening and closing the fridge. Give away untouched leftovers and unwanted gifts. Others less fortunate than you could be very appreciative of these re-given gifts.

Fair-Trade Chocolate: Fill your stockings with Fair-Trade Chocolate and you can eat your way to a better planet. Consider Divine Chocolate, whose mission is to improve the livelihood of smallholder cocoa producers in West Africa by establishing their own dynamic chocolate brand.

Cool House: Take a pledge this New Years’ to reduce your home energy use by buying energy-efficient light bulbs. Installing only six compact fluorescent light bulbs will save the average American family $60 per year. If there’s a fire in your fireplace this Christmas, turn down that thermostat—lowering the temperature even five degrees can take 10 percent off your energy bill.

Airwear Eco-Contest to win$

2009-11-24T06:59:00.000-08:00

See Green to Live Green! Blog about your top three eco-friendly tips for the chance to win some green$

Want to join the green movement, but aren’t sure how? Intimidated that you might need to turn your routine upside down to be more eco-friendly? Join me to encourage families to try little things to make a difference everyday and to look for products that work for them and the environment.

That’s why I've up with Twitter Moms and Airwear® to invite other environmentally-conscious consumers to share their visions of a greener world. Airwear eyeglass lenses from Essilor are now made using environmentally conscious practices such as 100 percent recycled water, 100 percent recyclable packaging, and the company re-purposes unused materials in other industries. With these new, green practices Airwear is conserving millions of gallons of water and eliminating 570,000 pounds of plastic waste every year!

Going green can be as simple as buying eco-friendly products or shopping locally for produce – every little thing adds-up to make a sustainable impact on the environment as a whole. As I always say, “How you treat yourself, your family and your home all add up to how we collectively take care of our planet."

CONTEST DETAILS:
Me, Airwear and TwitterMoms want to know what you’re doing to green your routine!

HOW IT WORKS:
To participate, write a post on your own blog about your Top Three Green-Living Tips and describe what you and your family are doing to make the world a greener place. Your blog post should include at least one link to LighterSaferGreener.com. Then, go to the discussion page and leave a comment with your blog link. That's it! We also encourage you to embed a “Lighter.Safer.Greener.” contest button on your blog (you get the button from LighterSaferGreener.com site) to encourage readers to share what their families are doing to make the world a greener place – they could win Airwear eyewear for the entire family. Feel free to upload photos or videos to show your “greening” in action. My family proves that recycling can be fun, teachable moments! Contest officially ends on midnight EST on December 19th. All participating bloggers will be contacted by Twitter Moms the week after the contest.

PRIZES
- Fifteen bloggers who enter the contest will be randomly selected to receive a $50 American Express gift card – a nice chunk of change to put toward greening your routine!
- And the blogger who posts the most creative tips will receive $100 American Express gift card – even better!

So go ahead, share how you see the world through “green” colored glasses!

When Tweeting about the contest, please use #Airwear.
Good Luck!

Product Labeling Act by Rep. Steve Israel

2009-11-19T10:40:00.000-08:00

No matter what your party affiliation or your opinion on the Health Care Reform Bill, you HAVE TO AGREE with this proposed legislation! Rep. Steve Israel from New York is concerned about ingredient labeling for household cleaning products and is DOING something about it.

Check out this video blog to find out more!

Support the cause to KNOW what's in your cleaning products, it could be killing you...literally!

Fooditude

2009-11-16T16:20:00.000-08:00

Kids love tasty food and tv, now there's a little of both!
Come to A Taste of Fooditude: an Evening to See, Taste, and Tell!

Support Independent TV and Media that Empowers Kids to Make Healthy Choices
Chicago chefs will pair up with “kid chefs” to celebrate the mission launch of “Fooditude”, a reality based television program that interactively teaches the basics of cooking and nutrition in a fun and relevant way. The launch party will include live music, a silent auction, and delicious food prepared by local chef’s. The evening will culminate with the presentation of Fooditude’s video mission statement and will provide a glimpse at some of the work already produced for the project.

Tickets are available for purchase at www.fooditude.tv and are $40 for an adult and $25 for kids. At the door tickets will be an additional $5!

WHEN: Wednesday, November 18th 6:30-9:30 PM
WHERE: Architectural Artifacts - 4325 N. Ravenswood
Fooditude. . . it’s Kids’ TV with a Bite!

Soy it Isn't So!

2009-11-13T07:20:00.000-08:00

Thanks to one of the most revealing newsletters I read today, www.healthfreedomalliance.org:
It is no secret that at Health Freedom Alliance in the choice between regular and organic food, they prefer organic! They take great strides to provide their members with as much scientific research as they can on the harmful effects of pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics that are used in the food industry today. They know they are not alone and that many of their members go out of their way to shop for organic foods and maybe even pay a little more to keep themselves and their families as healthy as possible. Which is why it is so disturbing to find out that the food company giant Dean Foods has recently been caught trying to fool customers into thinking the Silk brand soy milk they produced was organic.

At one point, up until early 2009, the milk was made with organic soybeans. But then Dean Foods switched to conventional soybeans, which most of the time are grown with pesticides. Somehow they forgot to mention this to anyone. They kept the same bar codes on the milk cartons and kept the label the same, while only quietly switching the word "organic" with "natural." And of course they kept the price the same. Because the bar codes were kept the same even some retail grocery stores were just as fooled as the consumer. Said one store owner. "We don't want to be part of customer deception." It appears that consumers need to be more careful then ever in distinguishing between organic and natural labels.

*Rule of thumb, read labels!!

Flu Fending Foods

2009-11-09T06:50:00.000-08:00

I truly thought for some strange reason that my family would be immune to the nasty flu that's going around like wildfire, but I was wrong. This past week, my son came down with a hefty dose of fever, chills, etc. which proves to me that no matter what you do, sometimes you still get sick.

It's no secret that kids don't eat a completely balanced diet like adults aim to do. You know the drill, hiding candy in their desk drawer, or throwing vitamins in the fish bowl, etc. I used to feed my dog brussel sprouts from the kitchen table and to this day, my mom never knew (until now). Nowadays, I'd climb to the highest mountaintop to have a plate of sauteed brussel sprouts and onions!

Take charge this season and feed your body what it needs to fight off the flu and come out on top. A run-down body that is out of balance inside and out makes way for viruses to come in and wreak havoc to your immune system and health. It's almost impossible to live in a society and not come into contact with the multitude of germs that are literally everywhere during the flu season, however you can reduce your own susceptibility and strengthen your immune system by simply choosing the right foods to put on your plate--and, once in a while, open a window or two to let the germs out and fresh air in--cool or not.

Leafy Greens
Kale, spinach, seaweed and algae are excellent sources of Vitamin D, the immunity-booster we usually get from sunshine in the summertime. Along with contributing to a stronger defense against people coughing, recent studies indicate that higher Vitamin D levels can benefit ailments as diverse as osteoporosis and multiple sclerosis.

Red Bell Pepper
Gram for gram, red bell peppers have twice as much immune-enhancing vitamin C as an orange. Vitamin C is an essential weapon in your flu-fighting food arsenal; it can decrease the duration of a cold by 80 percent and the severity of symptoms like sniffles and cough. Eat red bell peppers chopped up in omelets or on sandwiches. Or, for a quick spaghetti sauce, saute chopped red bell peppers, garlic and olive oil until tender. Puree and drizzle over your favorite whole-wheat pasta.

Yogurt
Yogurt contains probiotics- good bacteria that line our intestines and defend our body against invading germs. Buy plain yogurt to get fewer calories and less added sugar than you do from fruit-flavored versions, and add your own sweetness with a teaspoon of honey (which may also be an immune booster, because it feeds good bacteria in our gut). To make sure your yogurt contains probiotics, look on the container for the National Yogurt Association's "Live and Active Cultures" seal, which means there are at least two types of healthy bacteria and 100 million bacteria per gram.

Green Tea
Green tea contains an immune-boosting chemical called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). To get the most health benefits from this hot drink, steep tea in boiling water for about 4 minutes. You can change up the flavor by steeping tea with a 1-inch chunk of fresh ginger, fresh mint leaves, a twist of orange peel or a cinnamon stick. Aim to drink 3 cups (24 ounces) or more per day.

Almonds
Almonds are an excellent source of the disease-fighting antioxidant vitamin E. Aim to have 24 almonds (1 ounce) per day as a snack; use chopped almonds on oatmeal, salads or stir-fries; or try this recipe for sugar-and-spice almonds: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Lay raw (unsalted) almonds on a cookie sheet, spray with cooking spray, and sprinkle with brown sugar and a pinch of cayenne. Bake for 6 minutes, cool and eat!

Kiwi, Grapefruit Orange
All are great sources of vitamin C, the antioxidant we've known for decades to be powerful in fighting colds and flu. Chop up and create your own fruit salad--or perhaps dip the pieces in yogurt for a one-two punch of benefits.

Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes' beta carotene content makes them an immune-enhancing food. Beta carotene, the vitamin that gives sweet potatoes their orange pigment,is converted to vitamin A in the body, which research suggests may be particularly helpful in the treatment of respiratory infections. These taste best just roasted and topped with a small pat of butter!

Chicken Soup
A research study published in the medical journal, Chest, found that chicken soup has mild anti-inflammatory properties, which may help prevent colds and flu by decreasing mucus production and throat swelling and irritation (so you might be spared the sniffles or sore throat associated with colds). Make your next batch of soup with chicken, onion, sweet potato, turnips, parsnips, carrots, celery and parsley.

Garlic
Sulfur compounds in garlic may make us 2.5 times less likely to get sick this season-these compounds have been shown to kill viruses. Fresh garlic has more immune-boosting potential than cooked, so add a clove of fresh minced garlic at the end of cooking. Try this healthy version of fresh garlic bread: Toast sliced bread and rub with fresh garlic cloves.

Ginger
Ginger contains gingerol, a natural plant compound that can help fight off infection. Put a 1-inch chunk of the spicy root into a cup of boiling water to make ginger tea, or make fresh ginger vinaigrette to top raw or cooked vegetables. Here's how: Mix 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1 teaspoon grated ginger and 1 teaspoon sugar.

Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts contain selenium, an antioxidant that may help protect us against conditions such as colds, flu and even cancer. But be careful: These nuts are rich in selenium (they have about 10 times more than other foods), but they're also high in calories- 190 calories per 7 nuts.

Treasures Found

2009-10-27T11:37:00.000-07:00

I came upon this fantastic site, bottledupdesigns.com and thought you might want to considering it for your "green" holiday gift-giving.

The jewelry is handmade from antique glass and bottles reclaimed from wooded habitats and rural farmlands throughout the beautiful part of the country where the artist, Laura Bergman, lives, in Pennsylvania. While outside one day, digging and collecting she found several collectible bottles, and over time, she also saw so much wildlife running through the broken remains that she decided to do something about it. Now the broken pieces of bottles and dishware come home with her and are handmade into a remarkable line of recycled glass jewelry, "Bottled Up Designs". When Laura began making these she found herself explaining over and over again what the glass was that people were looking at, so she decided to put each piece with a card telling "The Story of the Glass" so every customer can enjoy the remarkable history behind their piece. This image is of her pink depression glass earrings, which sell for $45. www.bottledupdesigns.com

Born Free

2009-10-27T07:44:00.000-07:00

I am 7 years gone from having an infant and often miss that time in my children's lives. There are so many wonderful new products for infants, nowadays. Here's one I wish were around when I needed it.

BornFree, an all-natural, Bisphenol-A (BPA), Phthalates and PVC free line of bottles, cups, pacifiers, teethers and accessories for babies and kids.

BornFree was the first brand to provide a completely safe line to consumers, even before health concerns over plastic bottles and chemicals made the headlines. The products also have unique venting systems that minimize vacuum pressure as well as orthodontic silicone nipples and pacifiers, safe for kids’ developing teeth (developed under the guidelines of biological dentistry).

A-List celebrities like Nicole Richie, Halle Berry, Ashlee Simpson Wentz, Heidi Klum and Tori Spelling are all huge fans of the brand and use the products with their kids. BornFree products are sold at Target, Babies R Us, CVS, Whole Foods, Buy Buy Baby and more. Check it out!

The Joy of Pomegranates

2009-10-21T12:11:00.000-07:00

The pomegranate is one of the oldest fruits known to man. It has been around for centuries, yet people forget how versatile it can really be! It is the perfect fruit to experiment with in the fall months. Even the rich red color reminds people of the warm colors of leaves changing.

It is perfect in stuffing, salads, and great with fruit salad. It is even a beautiful decoration for having guests over. Though the pomegranate is extremely rich in anti-oxidants and very healthy, the sugar content of the fruit can run pretty high; which is why HINT Essence Water is the perfect solution to get your fall pomegranate fix without the sugars and calories!
Check out the HINT flavored Pomegranate-Tangerine drink: the perfect Fall beverage.
drinkhint.com

Fund Raising for a Good Cause

2009-10-08T07:55:00.000-07:00

Now that the school year is back on track, their attention turns to fundraising. All schools need to meet the demands of raising money but unfortunately, it often means selling stuff that people don't want. From gift wrap to coupon books to chocolate bars, families and the neighbors spend a lot of money supporting their schools, the traditional way. Insert Koru Fundraising, where they are looking to transform the fundraising industry.

The company has taken a deep look into how to genuinely better the fundraising industry and here are a few things that they found
- From resource extraction, production, distribution, consumption and disposal, much of the goods sold are so wasteful to our planet. Each product sold by Koru is analyzed for its green factors. For example, 70% of goods sold are made in North America.
- Buy buying stuff that is unhealthy (insert chocolate bars), we doing a big disservice to our children, who often consume many of those chocolate bars. Koru focuses on selling consumables that are only deemed organic and in no way selling anything that can be considered toxic to families whatsoever.
- By selling things that people don't want to make a buck, we are teaching a poor lesson to our children. Koru focuses on a comprehensive educational program, provided free of charge to groups, by the animation studio Planet Bonehead. Its one thing to teach students about the environment, its even better to do something about it.
- Charity is long lost in fundraising. Koru Fundraising is a member of One Percent for the Planet and allows groups to choose where Koru's sales will go towards and encourage them to give back as well.
- Products are often overpriced. By offering products at or below retail, products not over $20, Koru helps groups follow the number one business rule, "keep your customers happy"

Its nice to someone out there is making a step in the right direction.

For more information go to korufundraising.com or email info@korufundraising.com

Toxic Waters? Rarely, but let’s keep it that way!

2009-10-05T07:07:00.000-07:00

I love how other green moms are finding this blog--it makes all of my hard work, worthwhile. I was delighted when I received an email from Lydia Chambers, co-founder of Back2Tap, a social business working with schools and groups nationally to run green fundraisers and raise awareness about the wastefulness of disposable plastic. Her idea was to write this article for "you", me and anyone else you can forward this to, to bring awareness around some of the issues we face with our drinking water. THERE are plenty of clickable links throughout so you can check out further resources, etc. so you can make your own conclusion and decision about your family's drinking water. Hydrate Well! (and thanks to Lydia) **Remember to click the BACK arrow after reading the linked articles so you can get back to this blog posting!

The New York Times series “Toxic Waters” written by Charles Duhigg presents a disturbing view of our drinking water quality in the USA. The first article about herbicides (atrazine in particular) points out that it is time to strengthen some of the federal drinking water standards in light of new research. You can read more about it in my earlier Earthsense blog entitled “Don’t give up on tap water.” The second article in this series is about industrial waste, particularly in the coal-mining region of West Virginia. Basically, Duhigg says the 1972 Clean Water Act was largely successful at stopping the rampant pollution of our rivers, lakes, and streams, but over the last 10 years it has not been well enforced by the EPA or states. Consequently, our water quality is going downhill again. His third article is about agricultural runoff which is a type of non-point source pollution (it doesn’t come out of a pipe). Most of this runoff is not regulated by the Federal government, and it is not well regulated by local governments. Disposing of huge quantities of manure by spraying it on nearby fields has led to bacteria and parasites in local water bodies and drinking water wells in heavily agricultural areas.

Before you panic and revert to bottled water, you might want to follow the advice of the New York Times on-line article “How safe is your tap water?” First visit the EPA drinking water quality reports that are available on-line to check out the quality of water in your town. Then, find out the names of the polluters that are located near you, by visiting the interactive database of water pollution records for the United States that was amassed by The New York Times. If you are one of the small percentage of people who have impaired drinking water from your private well or your public water system, your next best step would be to use some sort water filtration at home while you lobby your legislators for cleaner water. Don’t assume that bottled water is any safer, by the way. It is regulated by the FDA, an even more poorly funded and staffed governmental agency.

There is a positive side to the story. The EPA reports that 92% of the population served by community water systems had no reported health-based violations. There’s also hope that investigative articles like these will pressure the EPA and states to improve enforcement of the Clean Water Act laws that were wisely enacted to protect us all those years ago. Finally, Lisa Jackson, the new head of EPA has acknowledged these problems and says she will address them. The more people who raise these issues with regulators and politicians, the better chance we have of achieving meaningful improvements so that everybody in the United States will be able to drink their tap water and enjoy recreation in our water bodies without fear of getting sick.

Lighter Safer Greener

2009-09-30T14:48:00.000-07:00

Lighter-Safer-Greener

More than 150 million Americans use corrective eyewear, so why not select an eco-friendly option to see the world through greener "lenses"? Airwear® lenses provide a unique combination of benefits for active lifestyles through superior comfort and performance; and they are quite a "green" option. As the first Essilor material (what the lenses are made of) to go green by significantly reducing its environmental footprint by implementing responsible manufacturing--it's now lighter, safer and greener than ever before.

o Packaging: New Airwear® packaging uses 100% recyclable cardboard made form 100% wooden fibers that are recyclable. This packaging change is helping reduce Airwear®’s environmental footprint by eliminating 570,000 pounds of plastic waste every year-from US airwear products alone (from airwear research). Normally lenses come in a cardboard box with the lenses in a plastic cup, which looks like a hockey puck. By removing the plastic and going with a cardboard option, Airwear® is the first lens company anywhere in the world to use this type of packaging.
o Water Consumption: All Airwear® lenses are manufactured using 100 percent recycled water, cutting water consumption in half and conserving millions of gallons of water.
o Waste Recycling: Waste produced from Airwear® lenses will be put to use in other industries, such as automobiles and writing instruments.
o Eyewear Donation: Rather than throwing old lenses away, Airwear®, in partnership with the Lions Club, will accept glasses and donate them to those in need. Check your local Lions Club Web site for more information on to donate. ** It's estimated that most people get new eyeglasses every year or two, so why not just repurpose them?

ASK YOUR eyecare professional for Airwear® lenses in your next pair of perscription glasses!
Visit the Lighter, Safer, Greener Airwear® site to find out more and to read some of my green mom eco-tips!

Healing the Tummy: Looking Underneath the Yogurt Label

2009-09-29T15:23:00.000-07:00

Today's post comes from Robyn O'Brien, author or the Unhealthy Truth and founder of www.allergykids.com.

As headlines swirl about who-knows-what being found in our food supply, another ingredient continues to make the news: probiotics.

Probiotics are increasingly added to the food supply to help replace what the antibiotics are taking away: health-promoting bacteria, the healthy little critters in our digestive tracts that are essential to the digestive process.

In today's New York Times, Tara Parker Pope highlights the increasing use of these probiotics in our food supply. In her smart column, she suggests that Buyer Beware: plenty of manufacturers appear to be exploiting the increasing popularity of these ingredients, as a way to promote their products. Parker Pope then gives smart tips and savvy insight into ways that you can navigate the yogurt aisle (where probiotics are most commonly found), for those of you making a concerted effort to address the growing health impact that antibiotics in our food appear to be having on our health.

Looking Underneath the Yogurt Label is a smart read for those wanting to do more for their health without damaging their pocketbooks and for those hoping to understand the role that probiotics play in addressing the antibiotics in our food supply.

Hidden Dangers of Soy

2009-09-25T15:35:00.001-07:00

What are the Hidden Dangers of Soy?

In my friend, Dianne Gregg's book, Hidden Dangers of Soy, she highlights the many common health concerns connected to soy. From Soy allergies and weight gain to menopause. Is soy a threat to your family's health? Decide for yourself.

In her book, Dianne discusses soy health claims,

Is soy good for your heart? The FDA thought so in 1999. It approved wording for packaging claims that “diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol” with 25
grams of soy protein a day “may reduce the risk of heart disease.” The American Heart
Association also supported soy as a heart helper. However, research during the next five years told a different story. The AHA withdrew its support for soy and soy supplements in 2005, and the FDA may be ready to take another look at the research.

In 2006, the Soy Daily Club Web site published an editorial that claims soy has many benefits, “including multiple studies that have proven that consumption of foods containing soy protein can play a significant role in cholesterol management”

Is it really proven or significant? It’s clearly not proven, and even the most
positive of the 41 research studies shows only a small decrease in cholesterol. Doesn’t it make more sense to just skip the “magic soy formula” and spend your shopping dollars on fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and other healthy food?

After developing a severe allergy to soy that nearly killed her, Dianne Gregg learned the truth behind this supposed health food. “The Hidden Dangers of Soy” is the culmination of her efforts to educate others on the issues in hopes more will avoid soy’s underreported—yet widely researched—negative health impacts. She has appeared on numerous radio shows and seen on CBS4 (Miami).

Listen to Dianne on the radio Tuesdays, 4pm - 5pm EST where she interviews experts and authors in the health and wellness industry.

To find out more or to purchase the book, click here.

Love, The Climate-Live Earth

2009-09-20T07:29:00.000-07:00

I love this blog: green LA girl; she always has the coolest things to say. Last week, she posted about Love, The Climate, and I wanted to share it with you! Read it, Act on it and let's do our humble part to save "MaMa" (earth that is).

What do you do when all the headlines about the Climate Bill are full of doom and gloom? Start a social media-fueled eco-giveaway called Love, The Climate, of course.

That’s a new project enviro-group Live Earth kicked off earlier this week. Instead of getting depressed about a watered-down Climate Bill that may or may not pass, Love, The Climate urges everyone to imagine a better future — then upload a video or photo, leave a voicemail or note on Facebook, or even tweet with a positive message to senators — who’ll be taking up the climate bill in the coming weeks (A version of the bill already passed in the House in June).

And to entice people to get uploading and tweeting, Love, The Climate’s giving away a Schwinn commuter bicycle — plus 10 more eco-themed prizes ranging from eco-friendly soap to solar-powered gadget charger.

That happy giveaway’s a huge contrast to news headlines that warn “Vital signs weak for climate bill,” “Climate Bill Drifts Into a Potomac Fog,” and “Senate Delay on Climate Bill Could Stymie Copenhagen Talks.”After all, Love, The Climate isn’t reporting on the outlook of the Climate Bill so much as imagining a green future in which the bill’s already been passed.

What if your senator opposes the Climate Bill? You could try creating a wry sort of message pretending the senator changed his or her mind. “Thanks for passing the bill — I’m so glad trees still exist!” you could enthuse. The idea’s to “thank those who are making a difference, and show those who haven’t yet seen the light how much more love they’ll receive when they change their minds,” according to Live Earth’s press release.

The hope with Love, The Climate is that positive, funny messages will get people to embrace a can-do attitude — then start pushing for a strong Climate Bill — and also take action for Climate Week and the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen while they’re at it.

So make a phone call, upload a photo to Flickr, write on Facebook, put together a video, or tweet with #lovetheclimate in your missive. And be sure to enter the drawing by Sept. 25 for a chance at the prizes.

Image via Live Earth

Kids Konserve

2009-09-19T11:32:00.000-07:00

Check out this out!

For school lunches, using reusable containers is responsible, and economical! Using reusable lunch packing products is one easy step toward saving our environment as well as your hard earned dollars. The perfect solution for all of your lunch packing needs is the colorful and fun Kids Konserve waste-free lunch kits! With a squiggle Ice Pak & Cover made of non-toxic, biodegradable material, that fits perfectly on the bottom of the lunch kits, your child's lunch will stay cold for hours; and and the ice pack doesn't sweat!

The Signature Waste-Free Lunch Kit contains a recycled cotton sack, cloth napkin, 304 food-grade stainless steel beverage bottle, food Kozy (alternative to a plastic sandwich bag) and two 304 food-grade stainless steel food containers, $40.00. Other choices for kit styles are, butterfly, caterpillar, moss colored, or orange colored. You can also order the kit contents individually. To take a look at the Kids Konserve lunch kits a a whole lot more (great ideas and products), simply click here.

FOR A 15% Coupon to KidsKonserve.com simply type in: greenmoms1 where they ask for a coupon code and you can save even more money on your child's lunch!

Seeing Green When Going Back to School

2009-09-17T18:38:00.000-07:00

With the start of a new school year, it's also a chance for families to kick start a new routine to support the environment and establish every day green habits. With this in mind, today Essilor announced the first-ever eco-friendly eyewear - Airwear® lenses are now manufactured using environmentally-conscious practices, including 100 percent recycled water and packaging, and the added process of re-purposing unused materials for other industries.

To read the whole article, click here:

Airwear invites environmentally-conscious consumers to share their visions of a greener world by entering the "Lighter.Safer.Greener." contest, which launches October 1. Families can submit creative ideas for how they are making the world a greener, more sustainable place for a chance to win Airwear eyewear for their entire family. Enter the contest at lightersafergreener.com where you can learn more about Airwear's new eco-friendly practices, and view more of my tips to live healthy, well and wise this school year.

Just in Case You Forget

2009-08-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

Just in Case You Forget

I get busy, like most moms, and sometimes forget little things; but going local or organic whenever possible is something you should always keep in mind!

Here's something I printed out and keep handy, just as a little reminder.

TOP 10 Reasons to EAT ORGANIC

Organic Products Meet Stringent Standards
Organic Food Tastes Great!
Organic Production Reduces Health Risks
Organic Farms Respect Our Water Resources
Organic Farmers Build Healthy Soil
Organic Farmers Work In Harmony With Nature
Organic Producers are Leaders In Innovative Research
Organic Producers Strive To Preserve Diversity
Organic Farming Helps Keep Rural Communities Healthy
Organic Abundance – Foods and Non-Foods Alike!

Green Piece?

2009-08-13T11:15:00.000-07:00

I was frustrated by what I read in Jennifer Grayson's Huffington Post article, Is Your Ass Worth One Million Trees a Year, article.

Being a green mom I know that, trees help stop global warming by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and that by using recycled paper products we all do our small part to save the existing (mature) trees we do have, period. Grayson reports that,

"Greenpeace's five-year-long battle against tissue-product mogul Kimberly-Clark (K-C) came to a victorious end last week, with the Kleenex/Scott/Cottonelle manufacturer agreeing to source 40 percent of its North American tissue fiber from recycled or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified pulp by 2011.

My question, as an ordinary mom--who happens to love trees, is why is Greenpeace settling for just 40%? I'm not sure why they wouldn't expect 100%? Why not support what Marcal Small Steps brand of recycled home paper products is doing--using only 100% recycled paper for their products? I see the Kimberly-Clark move as more of a marketing ploy than an actual "act of green-ness".

The facts are just staggering; and when you really start to take a long, hard look at it, it's unavoidable, is your Bum worth 1 million trees? Or, can you tough it up and save some trees...and do your small part to preserve what's left and protect our planet? It kind of makes you think what brands are YOU supporting?

It's truly up to you, because women are the primary household spenders in this country, we do have the power!

-The US has one of the lowest recycled paper rates in the world, 77% Netherlands, 67% Germany, 52% Japan 45% USA
-1/2 the world's forests have already been clear cut or burned.
-We cut down 83 million acres of trees every year (the size of New York State) to make paper products
-When paper product manufacturers use the term, "virgin fiber" it literally means, trees!
-It takes decades for newly planted trees to recover the amount of carbon released from old growth trees that have been cut down
-Each American consumes 700 pounds of paper products each year. That is seven times more paper than the worldwide average of 100 pounds per person
-About 40 millions tons of paper that could be recycled are thrown away each year in the U.S.

Eating Out Green Style!

2009-08-11T20:05:00.000-07:00

Whenever I go out to dinner with my family, I'm always so excited when I notice an organic or "local" entree on the menu; so you can imagine my glee when I discovered, Eatwellguide.com. On this site, you can search for local organic farmer's markets, restaurants, groups, and more!

As a green mom, you have to be clever and up on the latest organic-y green trends and this website offers you just that!

If you have any other nifty green ideas like this, email me at, bethaldrich16@gmail.com and I'll include it in a future post!

Bon Appetit!

Earth Talk Question of the Week

2009-08-08T09:47:00.000-07:00

My partnership with E/The Environmental Magazine, offers me the opportunity to share some interesting content about what's going on in the world. This week they shed some light on the infamous Exxon Valdez oil spill from 1989.
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Dear EarthTalk: I haven’t heard much of late about big oil spills like the infamous Exxon Valdez. Has the industry cleaned up its act, or do the media just not report them? -- Olivia G., via e-mail

In the wake of 1989’s massive Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska’s Prince William Sound, when 11 million gallons of oil befouled some 1,300 miles of formerly pristine and wildlife-rich coastline, much has been done to prevent future spills of such magnitude.

For starters, Congress quickly passed the 1990 Oil Pollution Act which overhauled shipping regulations, imposed new liability on the industry, required detailed response plans and added extra safeguards for shipping in Prince William Sound itself. Under the terms of the law, companies cannot ship oil in any U.S. waters unless they prove they have response and clean-up plans in place and have the manpower and equipment on hand to respond quickly and effectively in the case of another disaster.

Also, the law mandates that, by 2015, all tankers in U.S. waters must be equipped with double hulls. The Exxon Valdez had only one hull when it ran aground on Bligh Reef and poured its oil into Prince William Sound, the southern end of the oil pipeline that originates 800 miles to the north at Prudhoe Bay. By comparison, a 900-foot double-hulled tanker carrying nearly 40 million gallons of crude oil did not leak when it crashed into submerged debris near Galveston, Texas in March 2009.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, average annual oil spill totals have dropped dramatically since new regulations took effect in 1990. Between 1973 and 1990, an average of 11.8 million gallons of oil spilled each year in American waters. Since then, the average has dropped to just 1.5 million gallons, with the biggest spill (not including those resulting from Hurricane Katrina in 2005) less than 600,000 gallons

Despite these improvements, critics say the industry still has more work to do. While protections have been beefed up in Prince William Sound, other major American ports still lack extra precautions such as escort tugboats and double engines and rudders on big ships to help steer them to safety when in trouble.

Another area that the 1990 law doesn’t cover is container ships that don’t transport oil as their cargo but which carry a large amount, anyway, for their own fuel for the considerable distances they travel. Such ships could also cause a major spill (anything more than 100,000 gallons, by Coast Guard standards). Yet another concern is the great number of smaller oil spills that occur every day at industrial locations (including but not limited to oil refining and storage facilities) and even in our own driveways. These will continue to add up to a heavy toll on our environment, even if another oil tanker never spills at sea again.

And while the total number and volume of oil spills is down dramatically from bygone days, the trend of late warrants concern. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) Office of Response and Restoration reports that oil spills in U.S. waters have risen again over the past decade, with 134 incidents in 2008 alone. Green leaders worry that if Bush administration plans to expand offshore oil drilling are not overturned by President Obama, oil spills in U.S. waters could remain a sad fact of life.

CONTACTS: NOAA Office of Response and Restoration, www.response.restoration.noaa.gov; U.S. EPA Oil Pollution Act Overview, www.epa.gov/OEM/content/lawsregs/opaover.htm.

SEND YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS TO:

EarthTalk, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; earthtalk@emagazine.com. Read past columns at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php. EarthTalk is now a book! Details and order information at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalkbook.

Make A Shoe Donation-Make a Difference

2009-07-28T12:37:00.000-07:00

Lands’ End and Soles4Souls™ Invite Customers To Donate Shoes At Chicago-area Inlet Stores
Help Change The World – One Pair At A Time

Lands’ End and Soles4Souls™ have paired up to invite customers to donate new or gently used footwear for people in need – around the corner and around the world. It is estimated that Americans have 1.5 billion pairs of unused shoes lying in their closets. Anyone who donates a pair will receive a voucher good for 10 percent off the purchase of Lands’ End footwear at a Lands’ End Inlet location or the Lands’ End Warehouse Clearance event.

Make a Donation – Make a Difference
Lands’ End Inlet stores will collect footwear donations from August 1 – 30. Look for the Soles4Souls collection box at each participating location. From August 5 – 10, customers can also make a donation at the Lands’ End Warehouse Clearance event being held near the company’s headquarters at the Harris Park Ley Pavilion in Dodgeville, Wis.

“If you have shoes that you don’t wear anymore and they are just taking up space in your closet, please bring them in and donate them to this worthy cause,” said Marla Ryan, vice president, retail for Lands’ End. “As families continue to tighten their budgets, every measure counts – especially as kids are heading back to school. Many will be faced with the reality of needing new and dependable footwear that is suitable for fall and winter. Through the amazing work of Soles4Souls, with the help of Lands’ End hosting this footwear donation drive, more children and adults in communities across the United States will benefit.”

Lands’ End will accept all types of new or gently worn shoes including athletic, dress, snow boots and sandals for men, women and kids. Gently worn shoes should still be wearable, have solid soles with no holes, laces (if applicable) and be clean and free of mud. All sizes, from toddler to adult, will be accepted.

Recycling Soles to Change Lives
“We can use the shoes taking up space in your closet to change the world one pair at a time,” said Wayne Elsey, founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. “It’s one of the most simple, yet profound, gifts you can make, because it will greatly improve someone’s life in the most difficult of times.”

The idea behind Soles4Souls is a simple concept; collect shoes and give them away. In the aftermath of national and international disasters such as the Asian Tsunami and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Soles4Souls has provided more than five million pairs of shoes to people who desperately needed footwear.

All area Lands’ End Inlets are accepting donations through August 30:

Lands’ End Inlet
7205 W. Dempster
Niles, IL 60714
847-470-0320

Lands’ End Inlet
1522 E. Golf Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60173
847-413-0100

Lands’ End Inlet
20 Convenience Center
Corner of Butterfield & Highland
Lombard, IL 60148
630-953-8855

For more Lands’ End Inlet locations, visit www.landsend.com/shops.

About Lands’ End
Lands’ End® is one of the world’s largest retailers of clothing for the family. In addition, Lands’ End offers an innovative collection of fine quality goods for the home. Lands’ End merchandise can be purchased online at www.landsend.com, by calling 1-800-800-5800, and by visiting the Lands’ End shop at Sears. Lands’ End is a proud member of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD). And, all high-quality Lands’ End merchandise is Guaranteed. Period.®

About Soles4Souls
Nashville-based Soles4Souls™ facilitates the donations of both new and used shoes, which are used to aid the hurting worldwide. Soles4Souls has distributed more than 5 million pairs (currently donating one pair every 13 seconds) to people in over 125 countries, including Honduras, Uganda, Romania, and the United States. The charity has been featured in Runner's World and the Green Guide by National Geographic. It has also appeared on CNN, NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS, BBC and hundreds of regional outlets around North America. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS; donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Visit www.giveshoes.org for more information.

Guest Post by Robyn O'Brien

2009-07-17T15:11:00.000-07:00

This special blog post is from my dear friend, author and healthy food advocate, Robyn O'Brien.

when finished reading this insightful article, please log on to www.Robynobrien.com to find out more about Robyn's amazing story and what she's doing to protect all of our children!

Enjoy,

Beth

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As headlines swirl, it is becoming increasingly obvious that the nation's food safety laws have an eerie similarity to the federal approach to safe guarding our citizens from exposure to toxic chemicals and toxic financial assets. If our federal aviation system were to adhere to the same loose, deregulated standards that we are now seeing in the chemical industry, the financial industry and the food industry, we'd be allowed to board airliners without first being checked for bombs, guns, knives, or any other objects designed to harm passengers and the crew.

That said, legislation will soon be introduced in the House and Senate that if it becomes law will protect every single American, including babies not yet born from a life of daily contamination to a host of toxic chemicals, some of which are extremely potent at even low doses.

New Jersey's senior Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D), a kind hearted senior Senator with ten grandchildren who I had the honor of meeting last month in Washington, DC, and Chicago Congressman Bobby Rush (D) are poised to offer a landmark reform plan - The Kid-Safe Chemicals Act - to fix the failed federal toxics law that instead of protecting humans and the environment from the dangers of chemical exposures, has in fact allowed an entire population of people to become polluted, beginning in the womb.

The Kids Safe Chemical Act addresses the fact that back in 1976, with the passage of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), legislation was approved that allowed over 60,000 chemicals in existence at that time to be deemed 'safe' for use without a single thorough test to prove that to be true. And in the three-plus decades since the law was passed, and additional 20,000 chemicals have been rushed into the marketplace with little or no safety tests.

Today, 1 in 3 American children has allergies, ADHD, autism or asthma, with the Centers and Disease Control recently reporting stunning increases in the number of children expected to be insulin dependent by the time they reach adulthood. With 17.6% of our GDP being consumed by health costs, there is an urgent need to address the health of our children and the impact that this generation of children is having on our country, our families and our health care system.

The Kid-Safe Chemicals Act, or Kid-Safe, would help protect the health of the American children by placing the burden of proof on the chemical industry, requiring manufacturers to first prove a chemical is actually safe before it's allowed into a consumer product. Currently, all of these chemicals are allowed into the marketplace until they are proven dangerous.

As I highlighted in a recent presentation in Atlanta, the American Cancer Society reports that the United States has the highest rates of cancer of any country in the world and that migration studies show that if someone is to move here from a country like Japan, their likelihood of developing cancer increases fourfold, which chemicals should they test first? Why not start with those founding people, particularly babies.

Readers can learn more about the Kid-Safe legislation, its amazing efforts to improve the health of our children and even join in the discussion as scientists, researchers, lawmakers, policy analysts and journalists interested chemicals policy reform engage in an online back-in-forth at this new site hosted by my friend and heroes at the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

As has been repeatedly demonstrated over the last several months, our system has some pretty significant shortcomings so a strong grassroots contingent of committed individuals will be key in order to deliver legislation to President Obama.

The chemical industry's lobbyists, a group worthy of a John Grisham novel, as I highlight in my book The Unhealthy Truth have and will continue to spend millions to defeat any real reform efforts, and are gearing up for battle at the very moment.

As a matter of fact, The Washington Post recently revealed that the chemical industry lobbyists recently joined forces with the food and beverage industry at a secret meeting to develop a plot based on "fear tactics" to put the breaks on plans to mildly restrict the use of just a single chemical, BPA. At this point, they may be enlisting the help of one of the most infamous players in the lobbying game, a man who has earned the nickname of "Dr. Evil."

But these industry funded folks may not realize what they are up against. We are mothers, fathers, creators and nurturers. We are teachers, lawyers, accountants and writers. And our children's futures rest in our resiliently remarkable hands. We are soundly educated, compassionately connected and have been given the tools through this remarkable legislation to affect change.

As a mother of four, with a background in finance, I am profoundly grateful for the Kids Safe Chemical Act and invite you to learn more about this important legislation and to participate in affecting this extraordinary change for our children.

The opportunity is tremendous. The adventure is ours for the taking.

If we each take action, together we can begin to restore the integrity that is now lacking in our system. We can create a ripple of hope whose force is more powerful than any one of us could achieve individually, and Dr. Evil and his gang of lobbyists won't stand a chance!

To learn more, I invite you to visit http://www.ewg.org ; www.ewg.org and www.robynobrien.com.

Cherries, Basil and More!

2009-07-17T14:37:00.000-07:00

Summertime means fresh basil, cherries and more! With farmer’s markets brimming full of fresh fruits and vegetables, I thought it might be nice to focus on three of my favorites.

Cherries, so delicious right now, you could eat them by the bagful (just avoid the pits). Cherry season is short so hit your local farmer's market and try the fantastic selection of summer cherries available right now!

A growing body of science reveals tart cherries, enjoyed as either fresh, dried, frozen cherries or cherry juice, have among the highest levels of disease-fighting antioxidants, when compared to other fruits. They also contain other important nutrients such as beta carotene (19 times more than blueberries or strawberries) vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, fiber and folate.   Emerging evidence links cherries to many important health benefits – from helping to ease the pain of arthritis and gout, to reducing risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Cherries also contain melatonin, which has been found to help regulate the body’s natural sleep patterns, aid with jet lag, prevent memory loss and delay the aging process. Cherries also contain an ibuprofen-like substance that works as an anti-inflammatory. This substance helps reduce arthritis pain. Besides helping promote sleep, cherries also have many anti-cancer properties, and a substance in cherry juice may help prevent tooth decay!

For a quick snack pack a small container full of fresh or dried cherries for a nutrient-rich sweet treat.

This month on my FHI Online magazine read Kath Ibbetson’s article, Basil, King of Italian Herbs, to find out some interesting information and cooking tips/recipe on this fragrant edible herb.

The herb that’s most popularly associated with Italian cuisine is basil (Basilico). There are several varieties, but you’re most likely to find sweet basil in the shops—it has large, aromatic leaves. Cooking with basil, especially if you grew it yourself, is wonderfully satisfying (continue reading).

The benefits of certain healthy “skin” foods can be read in Cher Murphy’s article, Dining Tips for Healthy Skins. According to the CDC, there are around 25 million visits to dermatologist offices in the country. The largest organ of the body, skin weighs in between 6-9 pounds and covers two square yards. It plays an essential role in the body, providing everything from protection from viruses to sensing hot and cold, and even regulating our body temperature. Our skin is also the most noticeable thing on our bodies, and our diet can have an impact on whether it looks dull or glowing (continue reading).

Whether you’re going to the beach or heading to the office, be sure to pack your bag full of healthy fresh grown local fruits and vegetable this summer—your body will love you for it.

For more useful tips and ideas about healthy living visit my website, ForHerInformation.com

New Parents Eco Tips

2009-06-03T12:20:00.000-07:00

New parents want what’s best for their baby; parenting is a full time job without sick days or paid vacation, which leaves little room for your other concerns - like being mindful of the environment. Life is overwhelming enough, so while you’re managing your home and budget and raising your family, keep it simple when it comes to living eco friendly. By taking small steps everyday and making green a part of your every day, you are creating a profound positive impact on the planet: a gift for your child’s future.

Each of these simple suggestions below will bring you and your family one step closer to living an eco-friendly life, and it’s well worth the effort.

The most important eco-friendly thing a new parent can do is to accept that they are one person and they can only do so much. It’s o.k. to take easy small steps towards living a greener life because in the long run, the small steps really add up to big benefits. By keeping the Three R’s (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) in mind every day, parents can ensure that they are maintaining a green household.

When you recycle or repurpose household items such as paper, you give back to the planet in a big way. Then, by using earth-friendly recycled tissue paper products, such as Marcal Small Steps, you save countless trees because companies like Marcal use only 100% recycled paper for their products not trees. (http://www.marcalsmallsteps.com). Marcal has been using paper instead of trees to make their products for over 50 years, showing a long-term commitment and integrity to the planet-to save 1 million trees. Marcal’s personal pledge is the perfect for new parents to consider when going green, http://www.marcalsmallsteps.com/pledge.html, now at this milestone in their lives.

One of the most exciting things for new parents to do is to prepare the nursery for their baby. The main thing to keep in mind is that you want your baby’s room to be healthy and clean. A great way to start is by using non-toxic paint for the beautifully painted nursery walls. Indoor air can be three times more polluted than outdoor air, and according to the EPA, is considered one of the top 5 hazards to human health. Paints and finishes are among the leading causes. Mythic non-toxic paint is a clean, low odor paint alternative that provides the durability and coverage you expect from a premium paint without the off-gassing VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) and toxins that emit years after drying with most paints.

Once you’ve gotten the room painted, install a high quality air filter to clean and purify the air from airborne cleaning products, and product off-gassing to dust. Because there is such a wide range of options available, a great resource for parents is Consumer Reports online (http://www.consumersearch.com/air-purifiers/review), where they rate and explain about the variety of filters on the market.

The room is decorated and ready to fill with lots of goodies, including some eco-friendly toys made from natural, safe materials, preserving the environment. Keeping in mind that babies put everything in their mouth, you want to be aware of VOC’s and other harmful chemicals that may come in contact with your baby. Plant Happy Toys, whose mission is to connect people and planet through play, offers a wide variety of “playful” options.

Your baby will be crawling, toddling and grabbing on to many surfaces in the nursery and beyond before you know it, so take some time to think about the cleaning products you use in your home and on your baby. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (study: http://www.natural-health-information-centre.com/sls-JACT-report.html)is just one of several commonly used toiletry chemicals associated with a variety of diseases. Water is adequate for washing babies, and if lather is irresistible, use eco-friendly, organic toiletries occasionally and sparingly. If eco-friendly cleaning products are too expensive, use distilled white vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, Epsom salts, or lemon juice. Unless your favorite cleaner is eco-friendly, you're sending VOCs, petrochemicals, pesticides, and chlorides into the air, and that isn't good. These airborne pollutants used in a number of conventional cleaning agents to, among other things, help speed the drying process. They can irritate mucus membranes and cause other short- and long-term physical damage.

* Use gentle Castile soap and water - these have been shown to keep surfaces as free of bacteria as antibacterial soaps do.

* Look for safer ingredients - products labeled nontoxic, bio-based, chlorine free, organic, phosphate-free, natural fragrance, and/or biodegradable.

* Avoid using products that say POISON, DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION.

* Reduce the need for anti-bacterial soaps by frequently requiring hand washing.

Green Body

2009-05-19T08:36:00.000-07:00

Nowadays, people everywhere are "going green", but what does that mean and how can it make a difference? By definition, going green simply means being aware of the immediate and residual impact our products and practices have on the planet. If we are causing harm at either of these two levels, whatever we are doing is not a green practice. We all want to make the planet a better place and the best place to start is by thinking “sustainable”. Are the products and services that you’re using being depleted or can they be sustained naturally? What’s consumed should not have a negative impact on the body or the world in general. When that isn't possible, make choices that have the least negative impact; for example, buy local and organic food and chemical-free cleaning and body products whenever possible.

Our skin is our largest organ, so remember what goes on the skin, goes inside the body! With this in mind, be watchful of the ingredients list and what those ingredients are!

* A cosmetic manufacturer may use almost any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without an approval by the FDA.
* Evidence shows that cumulative use of these products may be contributing to asthma, the onset of puberty in girls and the feminization of baby boys.
* The majority of personal care products will be washed down the drain.
* Waste-water treatment centers are unable to remove many of the chemicals shampoos, lotions, soaps, deodorant and make-up, leaving the residue in our water supply.

What You Can Do: GIVE YOUR BODY A BREAK

* Cut back on the sheer number of products you use
*Pick one weekend a month to “go au naturel”
*Prioritize your regimen and buy green (clean) products that stay on your skin like deodorant, lotions and cosmetics
* Buy products with the fewest ingredients
* Beware the misuse of words like “organic”,“natural” and “hypo-allergenic”
* Avoid antibacterials (triclosan), parabens, phthalates, and fragrances
* Send companies a message
*

Choose products with less packaging; some cosmetics are simply sealed rather than packaged.

From the food we eat to the products we use on our bodies, becoming mindful of our choices to live a sustainable lifestyle is within your grasp. Today, take a minute to read the ingredients label, recycle and consume less—your body and planet will thank you for it.

On the Lookout for Tree Loving Artists

2009-04-29T07:28:00.000-07:00

As an advocate for the trees that keep the earth healthy, Marcal Paper Products, LLC , one of the nation’s oldest earth-friendly paper goods producer of household recycled tissue paper products, today announces its Marcal® Small Steps™ “Save the Trees” Paper Towel Design Contest. This contest is one element in Marcal’s ongoing campaign to save one million trees and provides consumers an opportunity to get involved by submitting original artwork that showcases their appreciation for trees.

Since 1950, Marcal has been making its paper from recycled paper, not from trees. By purchasing Small Steps™ products by Marcal® brand, consumers are taking a small, easy step to a greener earth.™

The grand prize winner of Marcal® Small Steps™ “Save the Trees” Paper Towel Design Contest will win a trip to ‘hug a giant tree’ at California’s Sequoia National Park, a year’s supply of Marcal® Small Steps™ 100% recycled paper products, and the winning artwork may be used as inspiration for future Marcal® brand product packaging.

So grab a pencil and get started on your sketches now!!

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Thank you to all who participated in our Chicken Soup for the Soul:Power Moms, book giveaway contest! Jennifer from Phoenix, Arizona is our winner; congratulations Jennifer, we will be mailing your autographed copy of the book to you soon!

GREEN COUPON-ING

2009-04-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

Did you know that according to Simmons Market Research Bureau, currently more than 40 million people nationwide are printing online coupons. While coupons are a great way to save money in this recession, paper coupons equate to a staggering amount of wasted paper. Instead of printing and clipping, go green this Earth Day by visiting free online coupon code and deal site Coupon Craze (couponcraze.com) before you shop. Check out Coupon Craze’s top 5 reasons why you should stop clipping and start clicking instead:

BE A SAVVY SHOPPER: If each of the 40 million people printing online coupons replaced one paper coupon with an online coupon code, 80,000 reams of paper would be saved!

SAVE TREES: 500,000 trees must be cut down to produce each week's Sunday newspapers, including the massive coupon section. Why do we even need all of those coupons, when only 0.5% of those coupons inserted in Sunday newspapers were redeemed in 2008.

BE GREEN: The average household throws away 13,000 pieces of paper each year, most of which is junk mail consisting of printed coupons and promotions. Reducing paper use reduces greenhouse gases and using 40 million pieces of paper translates into 3,000 acres of pine forest absorbing carbon for a year.

CONSERVE WATER: Who knew? It takes more than 1½ cups of water to make one sheet of paper4 – meaning that the 40 million people who have printed coupons have wasted 3.75 million gallons of water.

STOP WASTING: The United States alone, which has less than 5% of the world's population, consumes 30% of the world's paper. As if that were bad enough, approximately 1 billion trees worth of paper is thrown away every year in the U.S.

In honor of Earth Day (which is every day to me), visit Coupon Craze to find online deals and coupon codes that can easily replace those paper-wasting printed coupons. While you're there, check out their new green category!

World's Largest Roll of Toilet Paper

2009-04-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I was thrilled to be a part of an event, honoring trees--one of my favorite things! A urban jungle was built in the middle of Times Square, complete with trees, recycle bins and the world's largest roll of toilet paper, all to bring awareness about the importance to RECYCLE and to USE RECYCLED products! The event was sponsored by Small Steps by Marca l, a recycled kitchen and bath paper products company. Thousands of passersby were treated to free samples and coupons, all in an effort to reach Marcal's goal of the Million Tree March. If everyone in America switched to just one roll of recycled paper towel or toilet tissue, together we could save ONE MILLION TREES; and trees, as you know, oxygenate the planet, filter our air, house countless species, cool the planet and are just plain beautiful to look at.

So, do your part, take a small step, use some tissue and save a tree--I am!

I never thought I'd see the day

2009-04-12T15:53:00.000-07:00

I never thought I'd see the day when the average 700 pounds of paper used by each American every year would be used to create household items such as napkins, paper towels, and bath tissue. Well, it's true! The new brand, Small Steps by Marcal has officially launched in super markets nationwide. What I love about the product is that it's made by the folks at Marcal who've been doing this recycled paper thing for over 50 years, so you know they've got it down right! They're no flash-in-the-pan-jump-on-the bandwagon-kind-of-company-they're just now touting their work. Well, good for us green moms who really care about the environment, but just don't have all the time in the world to save the rainforest--today! Now, it's as simple as switching over to a brand that chooses to be made of used paper rather than trees! Now, that's something, isn't it?

Green Your Planet

2009-04-01T06:09:00.001-07:00

As a Healthy Green Living Expert, I am often asked, "What can I do to help green the planet?". My answer is to make simple small steps every day that add up to one big impact.

The easiest way to get started is to: JUST RECYCLE. If everyone JUST recycled and used recycled products, we'd be way ahead of the curve. Once recycling becomes a part of your daily "routine", then add in REDUCE and REUSE. Again, simple small steps!!

In a lifetime, the average American will throw away 600 times his or her adult weight in garbage. This means that each adult will leave a legacy of 90,000 lbs. of trash for his or her children. Recycling all of your home’s waste newsprint, cardboard, glass, and metal can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 850 pounds a year. Americans generate on average 4.4 pounds of waste per day per person. In this decade, it is projected that Americans will throw away over 1 million tons of aluminum cans and foil, more than 11 million tons of glass bottles and jars, over 4 and a half million tons of office paper and nearly 10 million tons of newspaper. Almost all of this material could be recycled. Almost 1/3 of the waste generated in America is packaging.

Tip for Today: Just RECYCLE!

Why use a valuable material or product once, and then place it in your trash to be buried in a landfill? Instead, divert that material for recycling, and capture the energy and resources already used to make that product. Since recycled materials have been refined and processed once, manufacturing the second time around is much cleaner and less energy-intensive than the first. By using recycled materials instead of trees, metal ores, minerals, oil, and other raw materials harvested from the earth, recycling-based manufacturing conserves the world’s scarce natural resources. This conservation reduces pressure to expand forests cutting and mining operations.

Then, when you're done, try hugging a tree! ;)

CONTEST: Chick Soup for the Soul: Power Moms

2009-03-10T17:15:00.000-07:00

I'll toot my horn for just a moment as I share with you the wonderful news about my article being published in the next Jack Canfield, Chicken Soup for the Soul series book, Power Moms. With a thousand plus entries, my article, It Happened in an Instant, ( Simon & Schuster 2009) was selected to appear in the book with notable power moms such as, editor/author, Wendy Walker, authors, Jodi Picoult, Jane Green, and Jill Kargman; Mary Himes, wife of Congressman Jim Himes, and Jillian Barberie-Reynolds, co-host of Good Day LA, to name a few.

I hope that you'll find the time to read the 101 stories that make up this touching and meaningful book and just for reading and playing along, you can WIN one of five signed copies of the book from me! (you can purchase the book by clicking here)

Enter a comment about "Why you or someone you know is a Power Mom,"on THIS BLOG then, on April 30th, 2009, I'll randomly select an entry and the winner will be notified via email. Your personally signed book will be mailed to your designated address.

BUY THE BOOK HERE

The Large Mixing Bowl

2009-03-03T06:01:00.001-08:00

In my last post, I shared some interesting information about Marcal Recycled Paper Products; and now, I have more! Last week I was thrilled to be invited to take a private tour of Marcal Recycyled Paper Product's manufacturing plant in New Jersey; it was such a neat experience.

Since I published my own print magazine for two years, I realize what it's like to be in a paper plant, but this was something different. First off, there were NO chemical smells. That was a pleasant, but no surprise because Marcal doesn't bleach or add harmful chemicals to their bath or kitchen paper products. Another amazing thing was seeing stacks and stacks of recycled paper obtained by Marcal from various sources (saving it from landfills); some as basic as YOUR very own blue recycle bin from your office. Yep, that's right, they take homeless, unwanted paper and re-use it. What a novel idea. NO CLEAR cutting or use of trees by these guys, no way! Just pure recycled pre and post consumer paper waste.

You should have seen the huge mixing bowl (about the size of my kitchen) where they'd pour in the tons of old newspaper, magazines, office waste paper, etc. and add water to make a "soup" of paper. Then after several filtering processes, and steps that, as a layperson I'm not going to attempt to explain, out comes HUGE reams of beautiful (no guilt) paper, spun out and sent on to the manufacturing line. I've never seen such a large roll of paper towel or toilet paper in my life. Kind of reminds me what King Kong or Godzilla might use!

As I watched Marcal's new product, Small Steps by Marcal slide down the line with it's beautiful yellow packaging, I actually got chills. Chills because, as a mother of three, I KNOW how important our planet is and if companies like Marcal are going to take the steps to preserve it, well--then they have MY vote of confidence. Everything they do is sustainable, from NOT using ANY trees in their paper production to maintaining sustainable business practices.

It's estimated that each American uses approximately 700 pounds of paper each year. Wouldn't it be great if we could lessen that number? Consider my family of five, we're consuming approximately 3,500 pounds a year. You do the math. Doesn't it make sense to consume the "used" paper we already have, rather than putting it in landfills? Just food for thought, or paper for your...

2008-12-24T08:01:00.000-08:00

With the holidays here, many of us are enjoying the season, anticipating the beginning of something new! Let's start 2009 off with a bang! Pledge with me to recycle as much as you can this year, AND try to use as many recycled products as you can. I've been using Marcal paper products for quite some time and I have to admit, I feel really good about supporting a company that cares about the environment. Their recycling efforts save enormous quantities of Earth's resources every day, including 6,000 trees, 2 million gallons of water, 140,000 gallons of oil, 30,000 cubic feet of landfill space, and 22,000 pounds of pollution. HMM? You never realize just how powerful your buying power is!

It's nice to know that the baby steps we take every day, really DO add up to big environmental changes--for the better.

Happy Holidays!

Tips for Healthier Snacking-Kid Style

2008-10-28T09:55:00.000-07:00

In my constant quest to find after school snacks, I came up with a few ways that might help you, too!

Give your kids a say. Offer comparable choices, such as regular or frozen yogurt, celery or carrots, whole-grain toast or whole grain crackers, apples or oranges. Better yet, recruit your children's help at the grocery store when you're selecting snacks or in the kitchen when you're assembling snacks.

Designate a snacking zone. Restrict snacking to the kitchen. You'll save your children countless calories from mindless munching in front of the TV.

Make it quick. If your children need to snack on the go, think beyond a bag of potato chips. Offer a handful of almonds, walnuts or sunflower seeds, string cheese, yogurt sticks, cereal bars or other drip-free items.

Don't be fooled by labeling gimmicks. Foods marketed as low-fat or fat-free can still be high in calories. Likewise, foods touted as cholesterol-free can still be high in fat, saturated fat and sugar. Check nutrition labels to find out the whole story.

Go for the grain. Whole-grain snacks - such as whole grain pretzels or tortillas and low-sugar, whole-grain cereals can give your children energy with some staying power. I find that Kashi cereals are a super source of fiber and protein!

Out of sight, out of mind. If the cookie jar is full, your children will probably clamor for cookies. But if there is fresh fruit or raw veggies instead, these may seem more appealing. Try putting some fruit in a beautiful bowl in the center of the table for better "grabbing".

Play with your food. Ask your children to make towers out of whole-grain crackers, spell words with pretzel sticks, or make funny faces on a plate using different types of fruit. Use a tablespoon of almond or peanut butter as glue.

Think outside the box. Offer something new, such as fresh pineapple, cranberries, red or yellow peppers, or roasted soy nuts. Slice a whole-wheat pita and serve with hummus.

Mix and Match. Serve baby carrots or other raw veggies with fat-free ranch dressing. Dip graham cracker sticks or fresh fruit in fat-free yogurt. Top celery, apples or bananas with peanut butter.

Revisit breakfast. Many breakfast foods - such as low-sugar, whole-grain cereals and whole-grain toast make great afternoon snacks. Again, Kashi is a good choice!

Use the freezer. Mix mashed bananas and peanut butter, spread between graham crackers and freeze. For a new twist on old time favorites, freeze grapes or peeled bananas, or fill an ice cube tray with juice or pudding.

Have fun. Use a cookie cutter to make shapes out of low-fat cheese slices, whole-grain bread or tortillas. Eat diced fruit with chopsticks. give snacks funny names. try the classic "ants on a log" celery topped with peanut butter and raisins or make up your own.

Sweeten it up. Healthy snacks don't need to be bland. To satisfy your child's sweet tooth, offer frozen yogurt or frozen fruit bars.

Pull out the blender. Use skim milk, fat-free yogurt, ground up flax seeds, a dash of flax oil and fresh fruit to make your own smoothies. Smoothies are a great way to "hide" the good stuff.

Promote independence. Make it easy for older children to help themselves. Keep a selection of ready to eat veggies in the refrigerator. Leave fresh fruit in a bowl on the counter. Store low-sugar, whole-grain cereal in an easily accessible cabinet, and stock fruit packaged in its own juice.

Remember your leftovers. A small serving of last night's casserole might make a great snack.

Drinks count too. Offer your children plenty of water between meals. Liven it up with shaped ice cubes, a crazy straw or a squirt of lemon, cranberry or other fruit juice.

Keep it safe. Make sure your childrens snacks are age appropriate. Never give foods that pose a choking hazard such as nuts, raisins, whole grapes or popcorn to children younger than age 4.

Practice what you preach. Let your children catch you munching raw vegetables or snacking on a bowl of grapes.

Be patient. Your childrens snacking habits may not change overnight. Look for positive changes over weeks or months.

Happy Snacking!

Pass on the Ketchup

2008-10-09T06:31:00.000-07:00

It's no surprise that ketchup is found in 97 out of every 100 American homes… and each of us eats about three bottles a year. Four tablespoons of ketchup have the nutritional value of a whole ripe, medium tomato. That's the good news!

The not so good news: most popular brands of ketchup contain unwanted chemical additives. The same holds true for many mustard and relish brands.

Because of this, I'm encouraging everyone to READ LABELS!!

Many people unwittingly choose these condiments, not realizing the hidden dangers "in the bottle". Rather than canning the condiments, make an educated effort to choose the brands that are chemical-free. It will get you one step closer to preventing chronic disease.

According to eBrandAid.com,

The Good News: Condiments can be nutritional powerhouses. Ketchup is loaded with cancer-fighting lycopene; mustard seeds contain plentiful amounts of healing phytonutrients; and relish is a probiotic that improves your immune system by restoring beneficial bacteria!

The Bad News: Most brand name condiments contain junk ingredients – these harmful additives often outweigh or negate the health benefits!

Here are some of the not-so-healthy imposters:

Seeing is believing, so take a look at these well-known varieties.
NOTE: I’ve bolded the chemical additives so that you can easily spot them.

Hunt's Ketchup
(Serving size 1 tbsp, 15 calories, 180mg sodium, 0g sugar)

Ingredients: Tomato Concentrate Made from Vine Ripened Tomatoes, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Distilled Vinegar, Corn Syrup, Salt, Onion Powder, Natural Flavors, Garlic Powder.

Grey Poupon Mustard Savory Honey
(Serving Size 1 tsp, 10 calories, 5mg sodium, 0g sugar)

Ingredients: Mustard Seed, Water, Apple Cider Vinegar, Vinegar, Brown Sugar, Honey, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Salt, Fruit Pectin, Citric Acid, Spice, Sugar, Turmeric, Caramel Color, Paprika.

Vlasic Relish Sweet
(serving size 1 tbsp, 15 calories, 140mg sodium, 4g sugar)

Ingredients: Cucumbers, Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Distilled Vinegar, Corn Syrup, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Spice, Xanthan Gum, Dehydrated Peppers, Alum, Natural Flavors, Polysorbate 80 And Yellow 5.

The Big Three condiments are founded on all-natural ingredients like tomatoes, mustard seeds and pickles. When you see all kinds of chemical additives you can be certain these varieties have been highly processed. This means most of the nutrition has been replaced by cheap chemical taste-a-likes needed to boost flavor.

Bypass the regular condiment aisle and go directly to the “healthy food” section of your local grocery store. This is where most of the healthy brands hang out. (Note: Mustard is the exception. You’ll find the healthy brands in both the regular and healthy food sections.)

Look for the all-natural organic varieties. They may cost a few more pennies but the health benefits make them priceless. Our kids are the major consumers of ketchup, mustard and relish; buying the healthier brands curbs their intake of food additives!
Avoid label claims like “reduced sugar,” “low sugar,” or “low carb!” These are often code words for added artificial sweeteners.
Always avoid the junk ingredients high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, yellow dye #5, polysorbate 80, and sucralose.

Here are a few brands that are free and clear of unwanted ingredients:

Ketchup
Annie's Naturals Ketchup, Organic
Countrys Delight Tomato Ketchup
Woodstock Farms Organics Tomato Ketchup
Muir Glen Organic Ketchup
Full Circle 100% Organic Tomato Ketchup

Mustard
Maille Mustard Dijon Original
Grey Poupon Mustard Country Dijon
Grey Poupon Mustard Harvest Ground
Gulden's Mustard Spicy Brown
Boar's Head Delicatessen Style Mustard
Boar's Head Honey Mustard All Natural Squeeze
Full Circle Organic Spicy Brown Mustard
Full Circle Organic Yellow Mustard
Woodstock Farms Organics Mustard Yellow
Mustard Girl Mustard Stoneground Deli All Natural
Mustard Girl Mustard Sweet n' Fancy Yellow All Natural

Relish
Cascadian Farms Sweet Relish
Full Circle Organic Sweet Relish
Bubbie's of San Francisco Pure Kosher Dill Pickle Relish
(available online at http://www.deliciousorganics.com/)

REMEMBER when you're armed with knowledge, you're in control at the grocery store!

*Thanks to eBrandAid.com for the helpful information!

Facial Secrets You Can Eat

2008-07-08T12:17:00.000-07:00

We've all heard the phrase, feed your soul, but have you heard, feed your skin?

One of the best-kept, age-defying secrets for moms is to nourish your body, including your skin, with plenty of nutrients from the food you eat. There is plenty of research indicating that consuming certain healthy foods can help prevent wrinkling, sun damage and can keep your skin well hydrated, so let's take that advice and feed our skin with some super foods.

Here are some useful "facial" finds:

ORANGE AND RED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Fruits and vegetables that are high in orange and red pigments are high in antioxidants that can help prevent wrinkles. Sweet potatoes, tomatoes and cantaloupe, for examples, can help keep your skin firm and bright. Add more of these vibrant fruits and vegetables to your daily diet. Instead of making mashed potatoes or baked potatoes with white potatoes, use sweet potatoes topped with brown sugar and a dab of butter. When you eat a sandwich or a salad for lunch, add a few slices of fresh, bright red tomato and instead of eating chips or pretzels, snack on juicy cantaloupe chunks.

CITRUS

Eating citrus fruits on a daily basis will help keep your skin hydrated, which in the long run prevents wrinkles. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can keep the collagen in your face from sagging. However, because vitamin C is water-soluble, the levels of vitamin C that can be stored in your body is low, which means you need to stock up everyday. Oranges are the best source of Vitamin C, but grapefruits, lemons and limes are also good choices to keep your vitamin C levels up. Collagen begins breaking down in your 30’s – start stocking up now.

Mix grapefruit into a salad for a summery fresh addition. Squeeze fresh lemons or oranges and make lemonade or orange juice. Squeeze limes or lemons over fish and chicken for some tangy pizzaz.

TRUE TEAS

The antioxidant known as EGCG is a highly potent substance that can prevent acne, sun damage and inflammation of your skin. EGCG has also been known to combat skin cancer and tumors. Real teas, green, black or white are the best ways to consume EGCG. Four to six cups of tea per day is the amount needed to have a beneficial effect on skin. Gradually replace your daily coffee with tea – in addition to helping your skin, the antioxidants in tea will be healthful for your whole body.

LEAFY GREENS

Vitamin A, one of the most important skin helpers prevents your skin from becoming dry and scaly. Vitamin A is essential in the cell renewal process and promotes growth of new skin. Spinach, broccoli and escarole are just a few tasty examples of dark leafy green vegetables that pack tons of Vitamin A. Fresh, frozen, raw or steamed leafy greens are all beneficial for skin health.

SEAFOOD

Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish such as salmon, tuna, trout, sardines and shellfish have anti-inflammatory properties and can fight sun-related skin damage. Omega-3’s also help protect against sunburn. While eating fish can make your skin glorious, keep your seafood intake at moderate levels so you don’t end up consuming too much mercury. Eating fish once or twice a week is sufficient, especially if you chock your diet full of other healthy skin foods.

So dig in and start cooking...for your skin!

Kellogg's: Keeping Up with Healthy

2008-06-14T05:57:00.000-07:00

Below is a posting I found today regarding Kellogg Company's Progress towards health and nutrition. This move shows that consumer influence is strong. So, keep "voting" with your fork because what consumers want, they will get. Demand clean food products that are more nutritious! Let me know what you think of this report below, by emailing me at Beth@RestoringEssence.com

Kellogg Co. Reports Progress In Health And Nutrition Initiatives
06/13/2008

Kellogg Co. reported on the progress it has made in its ongoing health and nutrition initiatives to help consumers successfully manage both sides of the calories in/calories out equation. A year ago, Kellogg announced that it was undertaking two major initiatives to further strengthen its commitment to meeting consumers' health and nutrition needs by adjusting what and how the company markets to children, and through front-of-pack nutrition labeling and education.

"More than a century ago, our founder W.K. Kellogg said, 'We are a company of dedicated people making quality products for a healthier world,' and we've been devoted to that principle ever since," said David Mackay, president and chief executive officer, Kellogg Co., in a prepared statement. "Today we're sharing the latest progress in our ongoing journey, and we're exploring how we can continue to make a positive impact on consumer health, working together with our industry peers, government, academics, communities and stakeholders around the world."

The Kellogg Global Nutrient Criteria, a global standard based on a broad review of scientific reports, is being used to determine which products the company will market to children. The Nutrient Criteria were shared with key stakeholders prior to being finalized to gather feedback and to ensure that the Nutrient Criteria aligned with consumer needs.

When Kellogg announced its commitment in mid-2007, about 50 percent of its products marketed to children around the world met the Nutrient Criteria. Since then, significant efforts have been made across the globe to both renovate certain existing products and introduce new products that meet or exceed the Nutrient Criteria. By the end of 2008, approximately 70 percent of the company's products marketed to children will meet the NutrientCriteria; that's 20 percent more products with improved nutrition credentials. In
keeping with Kellogg's commitment, as of Jan. 1, 2009, any remaining products that do not meet the Nutrient Criteria will no longer be marketed to children under 12.

Kellogg reformulated a number of its cereals including Froot Loops(R), Corn Pops(R), Rice Krispies(R), Cocoa Krispies(TM) and Apple Jacks(R) in the U.S. with improved nutritional profiles that now meet the Nutrient Criteria. Kellogg is pleased to report that consumer research demonstrates that the cereals deliver the same great taste consumers know and love.

Kellogg also recently launched a number of new product choices in the U.S. including:

* All-Bran(R) Strawberry Medley cereal contains 10 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein per serving;
* Kellogg's(R) Frosted Flakes Gold(R) cereal is made with 3 grams of fiber and 10 grams of whole grains per serving;
* Mini-Wheats Unfrosted(R) cereal offers the lightly toasted, whole-grain wheat cereal with 6 grams of fiber per serving and no added sugar;
* Special K(R) Cinnamon Pecan cereal offers weight managers another great-tasting variety without sacrifice; and
* All-Bran(R) Fiber Bars and All-Bran(R) Fiber Drink Mix, which both contain 10 grams of fiber.

Kellogg recently updated its Worldwide Marketing & Communication Guidelines, which govern all of the company's marketing communications globally, to reflect the Kellogg Global Nutrient Criteria commitments. Kellogg is also a founding member of several industry "Pledge" marketing initiatives currently in place such as the Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative in the U.S., and similar initiatives in Canada, Thailand and the EU, which demonstrate the industry's collective commitment to effective self-regulation. The company continues its efforts working with industry and other stakeholders to expand and strengthen self-regulatory programs around the world.

A Healthy Tropical Alternative

2008-06-13T12:35:00.000-07:00

When you think of coconuts the image of palm-lined beaches and clear blue water surely comes to mind, but did you know coconuts also may help protect your heart? Because coconuts contain more saturated fat than butter, at one time many health experts believed that consuming this sweet treat would result in clogged arteries and heart disease. However, studies show that the benefits of coconuts outweigh the possible risks, which should please those with tropical fever. In a study published in Clinical Biochemistry, 2004 1, researchers looked at coconut oil as a component of diet in laboratory animals (Sprague-Dawley rats). In this study, virgin coconut oil, which was obtained by wet process, had a beneficial effect in lowering total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and low-density lipoproteins (LDL).

Even though coconuts do have a high saturated fat count, more than 50% of that is lauric acid. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that although lauric acid raises LDL ("bad") cholesterol, it raises HDL ("good") cholesterol even more. The other 50% of the saturated fat content is made up of fatty acids that have little or no effect on cholesterol. Lowering your cholesterol levels is one of the easiest ways to reduce your risk of heart disease, so it looks like coconuts are back on the menu!

This tasty tropical treat is still high in calories, so don’t overdo it. Instead, buy a bag of shredded coconut and have just a handful as a mid-morning snack or mixed into your trail mix. Try to avoid a sudden spike in your blood sugar by making sure you consume bagged coconut that is free of added sweeteners. If you’d like to try cooking with coconut milk, try a delicious grilled coconut shrimp or coconut-crusted chicken on a balmy summer evening for a change of pace. If you’re really in the coconut tropical mood, go ahead and plant a palm tree, buy a set of tiki torches, have a Caribbean cookout, because you’ll be jam’in to a healthier you!

2008-06-13T12:34:00.000-07:00

Bye Bye Bottle

2008-02-29T07:03:00.000-08:00

This may be worse than we thought
Reusable plastic bottles leach BPA at room temperature

A lot of people have those reusable polycarbonate water bottles; you can’t go to a college campus these days without seeing students carrying these multi-hued bottles around as they make their way through classes.

Well, a couple weeks back researchers at the University of Cincinnati released a startling new study showing that many of these bottles leach bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor, into water that is being stored within the container.

These researchers found that these plastic bottles leach BPA into room-temperature water. That’s bad enough, but if boiling water is put into these bottles, the rate of BPA leaching goes up by quite a bit.

All the evidence out there tells us that this stuff is not good for you; Environmental Working G roup tested canned foods recently, which are lined with the same BPA plastic as these water bottles are made from. As it turns out, foods from metal cans contain significantly more of the chemical than water from bottles.

I applaud the use of reusable water bottles to cut down on the environmental impact of bottled water, but with this new research, stainless steel and metal water bottles are looking better and better. Some have a plastic lining, but Klean Kanteen and Sigg makes metal water bottles that are BPA free.

Parents who are concerned about baby’s plastic bottles should know that although this study didn’t look at baby bottles, it studied the same type of plastic. At this point, there’s enough research out there to justify the added expense of buying BPA-free or glass bottles. But an even more critical step would be to substitute powdered formula for liquid formula if your baby isn’t drinking breast milk. Babies don’t need to be getting extra endocrine disruptors in any form.

Back to the drinking fountain, I guess!

The Cows Have It!

2008-02-23T14:28:00.000-08:00

This week's post comes from the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine.

There has never been a better time to go vegetarian. Mounting evidence suggests that meat-based diets are not only unhealthy, but that just about every aspect of meat production—from grazing-related loss of cropland, to the inefficiencies of feeding vast quantities of water and grain to cattle, to pollution from “factory farms”—is an environmental disaster with wide and sometimes catastrophic consequences.

There are 20 billion head of livestock on Earth, more than triple the number of people. According to the Worldwatch Institute, global livestock population has increased 60 percent since 1961, and the number of fowl being raised for food has nearly quadrupled in the same time period, from 4.2 billion to 15.7 billion.

The 4.8 pounds of grain fed to cattle to make one pound of beef represents a colossal waste of resources in a world teeming with hungry and malnourished people. According to Vegfam, a 10-acre farm can support 60 people growing soy, 24 people growing wheat, 10 people growing corn—but only two raising cattle.

Food First’s Frances Moore Lappé says to imagine sitting down to an eight-ounce steak. “Then imagine the room filled with 45 to 50 people with empty bowls... For the feed cost of your steak, each of their bowls could be filled with a full cup of cooked cereal grains.” Harvard nutritionist Jean Mayer says that reducing U.S. meat production 10 percent would free grain to feed 60 million people.

U.S. animal farms generate billion of tons of animal waste every year, which the Environmental Protection Agency says pollute our waterways more than all other industrial sources combined. The infamous 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill dumped 11 million gallons of oil into Prudoe Bay, but the relatively unknown 1995 New River hog waste spill in North Carolina poured 25 million gallons of excrement into the water, killing 14 million fish and closing 364,000 acres of shell fishing beds. Hog waste spills have caused the rapid spread of Pfiesteria piscicida, which has killed a billion fish in North Carolina alone.

Other than polluting water, beef production alone uses more water than is used in growing our entire fruit and vegetable crop. And over a third of all raw materials and fossil fuels consumed in the U.S. are used in animal production. Meat also increases our carbon footprints. According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, livestock around the world contribute more greenhouse gases (mostly methane) to the atmosphere—18 percent of our total output—than emissions from all the world’s cars and trucks.

“There is no question that the choice to become a vegetarian or lower meat consumption is one of the most positive lifestyle changes a person could make in terms of reducing one’s personal impact on the environment,” says Christopher Flavin of the Worldwatch Institute. “The resource requirements and environmental degradation associated with a meat-based diet are very substantial.”

CONTACTS: Food First, www.foodfirst.org; UN Food and Agriculture Organization, www.fao.org; Worldwatch Institute, www.worldwatch.org.

GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/, or e-mail: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Read past columns at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php.

The Soda Blues!

2008-01-28T15:17:00.000-08:00

WHAT HAPPENS WITHIN THE FIRST HOUR OF DRINKING A COLA?
Research has shown that:

10 minutes: 10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system, which is 100 percent of your recommended daily intake. You'd normally vomit from such an intake, but the phosphoric acid cuts the flavor.

20 minutes: Your blood sugar skyrockets. Your liver attempts to maximize insulin production in order to turn high levels of sugar into fat.

40 minutes: As your body finishes absorbing the caffeine, your pupils dilate, your blood pressure rises, and your liver pumps more sugar into the bloodstream.

45 minutes: Your body increases dopamine production, tricking you into feeling pleasure and adding to the addictiveness of the beverage.

60 minutes: The sugar crash begins.

I'll take the lemon water, if you please!

Going Paperless

2007-12-24T09:08:00.000-08:00

DO YOUR PART!!

Did you know that a 2007 report from Javelin Strategy & Research and sponsored by CheckFree, now part of Fiserv Inc., found that if every American household viewed and paid bills online, it would:

Save 2.3 million tons of wood, or 16.5 million trees
Reduce fuel consumption by 26 million BTUs, enough energy to provide residential power to the city of San Francisco, Calif., for an entire year
Reduce toxic air pollutants by 3.9 billion pounds of CO2 equivalents (greenhouse gases), akin to having 355,015 fewer cars on the road
Reduce toxic wastewater by 13 billion gallons, enough to fill 19,846 swimming pools
Lower by 1.6 billion pounds the solid waste generated, equal to 56,000 fully loaded garbage trucks
Remove 8.5 million particulates and 12.6 million nitrogen oxides from the air, on par with getting 763,000 buses and 48,000 18-wheelers off the streets
Save landfill space and curb the amount of toxic chemicals—including methane gas—released into the atmosphere as paper decomposes. Methane gas has 21 times the heat-trapping power of carbon monoxide and is believed to be a major contributor to global warming

By using electronic transactions, you can save trees, and minimize transportation costs for transporting bills, statements and payments. Following are some ideas on how to cut down on your paper bills in the coming year.

1. Make a commitment to pay your bills online. This not only saves the paper used in checks and envelopes, and the transportation resources to physically move them from place to place - it also saves you 41 cents per bill in postage.
2. Take it one step further and ask your billing companies to send your bill to be viewed and paid to your financial institution’s or billing company’s web site. Reduce clutter by turning off paper bills you no longer need to receive by mail once you get into the habit of viewing and paying online.
3. And while you’re at it, ask your financial institution to send your statements electronically. Not only will you save paper, you will save time that you would have otherwise spent filing and storing. If you need a hard copy, you can print what you need.
4. Ask investment and mutual fund companies that send you annual reports and prospectuses to notify you when the reports are available online, instead of sending paper copies in the mail. You will save reams of paper each year.
5. Choose not to receive a paper receipt at the ATM machine. You will save paper, and with online banking, you don’t need the receipts. You can see your transactions daily and will have better control of your finances.
Hug a tree, not paper :)
Beth

Techy Little Christmas

2007-12-13T09:42:00.000-08:00

I"m a big fan of saving paper, so instead of going online and printing out those driving directions to grandma's house for your holiday dinner, consider using the TomTom Go GPS System. I was shopping at Staples the other day and I noticed they had tons of them. At $399.99, these are sure to make the top of "his" list, for sure!

I can't tell you how many times I've gotten lost navigating a neighborhood that I've been to 100's of times!

While you're there at Staples, be sure and pick up some of their cute business essentials. I found some really cute binder and paper clips that had poka-dots and stripes, oh so cute for the green mom in you!

AND, if you do have to use (recycled) paper, be sure and shred it thoroughly, Staples has those, too!
One stop shopping for the eco-mom in you!

Cheers!
Beth

It just gets better

2007-10-27T12:03:00.000-07:00

Let's face it moms, sometimes convenience wins out in our daily soccer-ballet-music lessons-filled life! Del Monte knows that living healthy and mindful of the environment is on the mind of most moms these days. That's why they've come up with a cost-efficient line of organic canned foods, making organic eating much more affordable and convenient.

Del Monte Organics are grown and packed under strict organic conditions in nutrient-rich soil and are USDA certified organic. It's like having a farmer's market in your own pantry! The canned veggies retail for about $1.25 per can and are available in stores nationwide.

The choices include, organic cut green beans, organic sweet peas, organic whole kernel corn, organic baby leaf spinach, organic sliced carrots, organic tomatoes, organic tomato sauce, organic crushed tomatoes and more!

It's a great way to start your organic veggie journey! Who knows, maybe next summer, you'll be planting your own organic veggies in the back yard!

TOP 10 Reasons to EAT ORGANIC
Organic Products Meet Stringent Standards
Organic Food Tastes Great!
Organic Production Reduces Health Risks
Organic Farms Respect Our Water Resources
Organic Farmers Build Healthy Soil
Organic Farmers Work In Harmony With Nature
Organic Producers are Leaders In Innovative Research
Organic Producers Strive To Preserve Diversity
Organic Farming Helps Keep Rural Communities Healthy
Organic Abundance – Foods and Non-Foods Alike!

Got Vegetables?

2007-10-01T09:20:00.000-07:00

FARM TO SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM

It’s a question that haunts any parent out there: How do you get a child to eat her broccoli?

Answer: Put that child in a classroom.

Yes, there can be an alternative way to double-chocolate-brownie birthday parties and candy-crazed holiday celebrations. And the way is lined with fragrant herbal gardens and lush tomatoes…

Seven Generations Ahead, a nonprofit based in Oak Park, Illinois, has been quietly leading the healthy-eating revolution, one child at a time, with its Fresh from the Farm program at area Chicago schools.

To read more, Click here

Out, Spot, Out!

2007-09-11T10:26:00.000-07:00

There's one thing an eco-greenie like myself dislikes more than a spot that won't come out of my son's shirts or husbands shorts with out the use of heavy chemicals!

Well, help is on the way! Ecover Stain Remover really does the trick! I love the built-in scrubby brush on the top of the bottle and the convenient size, too.

To find out more about this little "Mother's Helper" log on to: www.ecover.com. Put the power of nature back into your ho-hum laundry days!

Beth

I'm Not Lazy

2007-08-15T07:48:00.001-07:00

I'm not lazy, I just want to enjoy an easy, stylish and green life at my own pace. Well, Josh Dorfman has pulled it all together for me (and you) to do so! His book,
The Lazy Environmentalist~Your Guide to Easy, Stylish, Green Living.

Book Description:
We can’t all camp out in old-growth forests, lying down in front of the bulldozers. And it’s not only that we’re too busy: Some of us just don’t want our fabulous threads to get caked with mud.

But that doesn’t mean we don’t care passionately about the environment. Luckily, the days when becoming environmentally aware entailed eating bread that tasted like dirt, wearing clothes that looked like frayed burlap sacks, and spending summer vacations assailing whaling ships with Greenpeace are passing away. It is now perfectly possible (and increasingly easy) to be well fed, well coiffed, well dressed, and well traveled while remaining deeply committed to an ecologically sustainable lifestyle.

In The Lazy Environmentalist, Josh Dorfman—host of the Sirius Satellite Radio program of the same name—provides comprehensive guidance to fashion-forward consumers who are as concerned about the long-term health of our planet as they are about the design of their bathroom fixtures. Covering topics that range from clothing to electronic gadgetry, home decor to recreation, and gardening to financial investment, Dorfman lets us know which trends to watch and which eco-conscious products—cars, toothbrushes, cell phones, pet accessories—to buy. Green, it turns out, can be an extremely stylish color.

Check it out, go to www.Lazyenvironmentalist.com

Is He?

2007-08-06T11:47:00.000-07:00

Have you ever tried an Izze? Recently I tried Izze's Sparkling Pomegranat drink and whew-we, is it ever good! It can so replace my craving for sweets (and sometimes soda). This caffeine-free, naturally sweetened treat uses real fruit juice to add that skip in your step, rather than refined sugar that does things you really don't want happening to your body.

Izze partners with Global Education Fund for Project Reach, a program that provides education-based development for farm workers and their families in the communities where they buy their fruit, check out http://www.izze.com/projectreach. I also like their clear glass bottles (better for the environment) and simple label design. Way to go Izze! You're my new favorite soda.

My New Addiction

2007-07-25T15:04:00.000-07:00

Wow, you have to try my new addiction! I stumbled upon MANGO, an amazing new product and yummy treat from a company called, The Raw Choice. The dried Mangos are made with ONLY organic mangoes (no funny sweeteners).

This all-natural alternative to candy is so tasty, I keep a package in my purse, car and next to my computer and chew away when hunger hits. With 2g of dietary fiber per serving, this 2g-of-protein snack rates high on my list. Research has shown that dietary fiber has a protective effect against degenerative diseases, especially heart conditions and certain types of cancer, as well as lowering blood cholesterol levels. Mangos are also a great way to replenish lost potassium during exercise.

Mangos, known to many as the "king of fruit", really do make you feel great. Beyond being delicious, this comfort food is rich in vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants, as well as an enzyme with stomach soothing properties. These comforting enzymes act as a digestive aid and add to that feeling of contentment we experience while indulging in this this sweet tropical treasure.

Go ahead, feed your cravings for something sweet in Mango; tell them Beth sent you!

Living Klean

2007-07-16T13:42:00.000-07:00

I've been reading so much information about how plastic water bottles are linked to breast and other forms of cancer that I've decided to invest in stainless steel water bottles for my family, just in case!

The water tastes so much cleaner and it's easy to just fill up the bottles from our kitchen sink (with an under-the-counter filter installed). It saves money in the long run and you feel much better when you see your children drinking from a safer bottle alternative!

Check out Klean Kanteen at www.Kleankanteen.com for more information about this bottle pictured here! They even offer a sippy top for the little ones!

Living Clean with your own Canteen!

Best,
Beth

Beach Glass

2007-06-28T13:40:00.000-07:00

It's amazing how fast summer rolls by; it's already almost the 4th of July!

During the summer we live in Indiana at our summer home, just steps from the beach. It's surely one way to unwind and let the busy cares of the city drift away. One way I've found to cherish my days is to walk along the beach with my father (who happens to live near my summer home).

We decided that the long winter added a few inches to our frame and wanted to shed them quickly without "pain or strain". So, I suggested that we begin walking in the sand and the added bonus was that we would find an occasional piece of colored beach glass along the way.

Ironically, we began collecting over 20, 30 or even 40 pieces each time we went out early each morning. Today along we gathered 73 colored morsels (even a navy blue one).

The fun comes with the challenge of finding the "needles in the haystack" hidden colored, buffed and tumbled glass AND the fact that we know we are slimming down, toning up and building endurance with every step!

The bonus for "Mother Earth" is that we bring a zip lock bag and grab discarded trash, too. It is frustrating to see the random items strewn across the beach, but with a simple swipe, it's gone and disposed of!

Next time you take a walk along the beach or in the park, bring your zip lock bag and lend a hand, you might just find a treasure or two along the way!

(This image is a sliver of the 1 million plastic bottles that Americans discard every year!)

May Crowning

2007-05-11T06:38:00.000-07:00

It's such a beautiful day today! Every year on the second Friday of the month of May, my son's school celebrates May Crowning. They have to bring in a flower to celebrate Mother Mary. Each year, I excitedly run to my yard and grab one of the newly-sprouted Lily of the Valley flowers that bring such pleasure to my day. The smell is just amazing. My sons are so proud to bring in flowers that were grown from home, too! It's really special to see your own children appreciate beauty in the world; it gives me hope and belief that the world will be o.k.

Take a minute today and stop to smell the flowers...your children often do!

XO
Beth

New Finds at the Organic Food Show

2007-05-09T06:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had some extra time so I decided to check out the Organic Food Show taking place here in Chicago! As a publisher I'm lucky enough to be able to go to conventions as press. So, as a good journalist, I'll report my findings!

There's not enough room here to post everything that I found, but 2 items stick out in my mind. The first is Wagatha's Biscuits for dogs (made in Vermont). These treats (once I brought them home and shared them with Barkley my black Cocker Spaniel) are truly delicious (according to my finicky pup). He's very picky and only eats certain treats, however the Wagatha vittle was gone in one dog gulp! I really like the neat canister it comes in, too; because if you're like me, you want you doggie treats to last a while without getting "hard". My dog is getting on in years and a hard doggie treat would rate as paws down. I would rate Wagatha's 4 green thumbs UP! Purchase or Check 'em out at www.Wagathas.com

Another great find was Bare Fruit Snacks, the perfect goodie to keep in your car for busy car pool lines or traffic. These dried fruit snacks are soooo delicious! I sampled the dried pears. OH-MY-Goodness! They taste so good! What I love about these snacks is that they don't have that dried up raisin feel or taste; rather they are soft, easy-to-chew and just darn sweet (which is perfect for a sweet tooth such as myself). I give these snacks 4 green thumbs up. If you check out their website, you can purchase them online or find a retailer near you at, www.bearfruitsnacks.com.

Let's face it, we're going to eat treats from time-to-time, so let's make choices that will make a positive impact on Mother Earth. Choosing organic food is always a better choice!

Here's to the Best Day Ever,
Beth

Welcome to my page on the web

2007-05-07T17:10:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I'm delighted to begin my Green Mom journey with you! I've been living green for so long that I am not really sure how it all began. I'd venture to guess that, 11 years ago while I was pregnant with my first son Tyler, that I started investigating the how's and why's of healthy eating for pregnancy...and as the story goes, it lead to my discoveries into chemicals in our food and pesticides used on our produce.

It bothered me so much that I decided to make one change a week until my entire home was "clean and green". With these changes came quite a bit of criticism from family and friends, but as the years passed and 2 more sons were born, I decided to take matters into my own hands and create a media company for women offering ideas, insights and solutions for "Conscious-minded" women. Hence, For Her Information Media was born. I can remember holding my 10-month-old son on my lap late at night while I researched ideas for my TV series and magazine!

This blogspot is my "away-from-work" retreat where I'll give you my personal opinion on things, green and otherwise!

Also, you can check out my new travel website where you can purchase travel green or not, and the proceeds from sales will go towards charities that I'm involved with (more on that in my next post). Go to www.GreenMomTravel.com and check out some deals!

That's all for now!

Beth