Mrs. Green Goes Mainstream

Green Tip of the Week

2009-07-14T07:13:00.000-07:00

Green Tip
Take your own cup with you when you travel by air! Or better yet, your stainless steel water bottle – it’s safer. Be sure to empty it before check-in.

Mrs. Green’s comment: Airlines consume 1 million disposable cups every six hours. Can you imagine if we all started doing this? I am so going to make the effort.

Green Trivia Question
How many trees does Frito Lay save every year by reusing their shipping cartons? Answer: 5 million trees.

Mrs. Green’s comments: Frito Lay reuses each shipping carton an average of 5 times before recycling it. They have achieved a 96.8% shipping carton reuse rate.

The Scoop on Sunscreens

2009-07-03T06:50:00.000-07:00

This purchase can be sooooooo confusing because of all the bad stuff found in many sunscreens and in skincare products in general. (Remember: it takes about 6 seconds for your body to absorb whatever you put on your skin) So here is a quick and easy clip-it-out and put-it-in-your wallet guide to take to the store with you. Avoid anything with the following:

Sulfates (sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate)
Parabens (Methyl-, propyl-, ethyl- butyl-)
Petrochemicals (petrolatum, mineral oil, paraffin)
Oxybenzone/Avobenzone
Phthalates

I realize that I am not a doctor nor a chemist nor a rocket scientist. But I am a major researcher, I check multiple, credible websites and sources before I put anything in writing and I care deeply about your health and my health and the health of the planet. If you really want to feel safe, make sure the products you purchase to put on your skin are certified by the Natural Products Association and wear the Natural Standard Seal.

Green Tip of the Week

2009-07-01T11:44:00.000-07:00

Green Tip
Make a commitment to yourself to start learning about products that are safe for your skin, safe for your hair and safe for the environment. Read labels, vote with your money!

Mrs. Green’s comment: By educating ourselves just a little bit, we can all start making wiser choices – for ourselves, our families and our precious Mother Earth. (There’s only ONE of her!)

Green Trivia Question:
What does Aveda mean?

Answer: Sanskrit for Knowledge of the Whole!

Real Staycations

2009-06-25T07:18:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a resort type experience or want to get wild and crazy in your city, check out your local fun resorts. Prices in hot places like Tucson and Phoenix and any place that's hot are great! The deals I have been reading about are awesome. Save money on gas and plane fare, support the local economy, and imagine you are anywhere your heart desires. Added bonus: if you forget something, you can always run home and get it.

Please remember to be as green as possible during your stay. Conserve on towels, don't use plastic water bottles, request the sheets not be changed every day, don't turn down the air conditioner to sub-freezing levels, turn up the thermostat and turn out the lights out when you leave the room, and if you do use cans or bottles, make the extra effort to take them home with you to recycle.

I would LOVE to hear from you about other great, green ideas for summer fun.

Green Tip & Trivia Question of the Week

2009-06-22T07:12:00.000-07:00

Green Tip of the Week:
Get out of your grocery shopping routine. Go to your local Farmers Markets!

Mrs. Green’s comment: there is just no downside – healthy, fun, supports local businesses and admission is free!

Green Trivia Question:
The average head of lettuce is sprayed an average of how many times with different pesticides, fungicides and herbicides

Answer: That average lettuce was sprayed an average of 12 times with up to FIFTY (50) different pesticides, fungicides and herbicides before it reaches your grocery aisle. So – buy organic!

You Can Save Money Going Green!

2009-06-19T05:46:00.000-07:00

I am 100% certain that everyone likes feedback about their mission in life and I am no exception. The kind of background noise that goes on in this head: Am I making a difference? Do I have a positive impact on people whose lives I touch? Is anybody listening and changing one thing in their life? Do people really read this blog?

My friend Scott recently told me he was getting ready to clean out his house and rid himself of stuff. He wanted to know where to take things - lots of things. Well, here's what he did and the result in terms of actual or estimated savings:

One trip to Bookmans with bags of books = $300 credit! Bookmans is a LOCALLY owned business that buys used books, CDs, DVDs, video games, magazines, and sometimes cool "stuff."

One trip to Cartridge World with empty printer cartridges = $150 savings. This trip resulted in a very enthusiastic text message with lots of exclamation points.

One trip to Goodwill with LOTS of clothes = Charitable donation that can reported on tax return.

One trip to the Dry Cleaners with over 500 hangers = a really good deed.

I really hope this hits home. Not only did Scott actually make some money (he could have gotten $150 cash in lieu of the credit from Bookmans but now he will buy books with his credit instead), he really was ONE person making a difference. So he saved money and supported locally owned businesses, as well as a great non-profit which does all kinds of wonderful things - Goodwill Industries.

FYI, I learned yesterday that for every dollar you spend in a locally owned business, .45 stays in the local area vs. .13 cents for national chains. So that can be counted as yet another bonus point for Scott and an investment in our community!

Green Tip of the Week

2009-06-17T05:40:00.000-07:00

Green Tip:
Get you and your loved ones outside to enjoy nature.

Mrs. Green’s comment: there’s such beauty to be enjoyed in the outdoors. Spending time outside will remind us of the precious gift called Mother Nature.

Green Trivia Question:
Kids on average spend how many hours per day with electronic media?

Answer: Six

Mrs. Green’s comment: A recent Kaiser Family Foundation study found that kids spend, on average, more than six hours per day with electronic media. The solution is to get your kids or your grandkids outside so they can reacquaint themselves with the sights, sounds and smells of nature!

Green Tip and Trivia Question of the Week

2009-06-08T14:00:00.000-07:00

Green Tip of the Week:
WEAR NATURAL SUNSCREENS!

Mrs. Green’s comment: Will you do it if I beg? Straight from The Daily Green’s website: “According to the Environmental Working Group's most recent study of the safety and effectiveness of nearly 1,000 sunscreens, the bitter reality is that four out of five sunscreens actually provide inadequate protection from the sun. Even more frightening is that many of these sunscreens contain potentially toxic ingredients which are absorbed into your skin and bloodstream, potentially releasing skin-damaging free radicals, disrupting your hormone system, causing allergic reactions or building up in your body and contributing to various health issues.”

What they recommend: Soleo Organics, Solar RX, California Baby (not for just babies), Badger, Purple Prairie Sunstick to name a few.

Green Trivia Question:
What is the major structural building component of the Earthships?

Answer: The major structural building component of the Earthship is recycled automobile tires filled with compacted earth to form a rammed earth brick encased in steel belted rubber. This brick and the resulting bearing walls it forms is virtually indestructible.

Mrs. Green’s comment: Mike Reynolds and his worldwide team are changing the world one used tire at a time!

This Week's Green Tip and Trivia Question

2009-06-02T13:05:00.000-07:00

Green Tip of the Week

Check your leaky faucets, leaky pipes, leaky toilets! It’s really important.

Mrs. Green’s comment: a single slow leaky faucet dripping 30 drops per minute wastes 3 gallons per day, or the equivalent of 27 baths per year. Drip calculator

Green Trivia Question:

How many TONS of billboard vinyl has the company, Vy & Elle, recycled since they started their company in 2002?

Answer: More than 100 tons of billboard vinyl

Mrs. Green’s comment: Think of what a difference just one small company has made – a difference that benefits all of us.

This Week's Tip & Trivia Question

2009-05-25T11:24:00.000-07:00

Green Tip of the Week:
Buy and Sell Used Whenever Possible!

Mrs. Green’s comment: With college dorms being emptied out and college students coming back home for the summer, there’s lots of “stuff” being moved around. Please don’t throw anything away in the landfills! They are full. Use craigslist, use freecycle, ebay, take things to Goodwill. These are all great places to buy things you need as well – just take the extra step!

Green Trivia Question:
What does SEED stand for in the University of Arizona’s SEED [pod] Decathlon Team’s entry in the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2009 Solar Decathlon?

Answer: Solar Energy Efficient Dwelling (www.uasolardecathlon.com)

Mrs. Green’s comment: I am proud to be a University of Arizona graduate. They are doing amazing things for the planet!

One Sustainable Thing!

2009-01-08T04:54:00.000-08:00

I love to write about things that change the world. Why not? The truth is that whatever you do does, indeed, change the world. So what if every one of us decided today and every day this year to make the commitment to doing one sustainable thing? Talk about change the world!

And the great thing is, you can decide whatever “it” is and not only make our world a greener and maybe cleaner place, but you will be a part of leaving the planet better than the way you found it.

And another great thing is that there are so many, many choices. Here are just a few: recycle all your junk mail, change your margins to make them smaller, practice using reusable bags, turn off the water while brushing your teeth, unplug your phone chargers, or commit to buying recycled toilet paper – one of my favorite new subjects! You only have to pick up a newspaper or a magazine to find lots more suggestions. OR you can just live by the mantra: reduce, reuse, recycle. Once you commit to doing that, you will begin to notice how much garbage is in the garbage can at the end of the day, that a light has been left on, that the room doesn’t need to be quite that warm, that you are going to do something about stopping those catalogs – today!

And the beat goes on. Then the big smile comes to your face because you know you are a part of changing the world for the better – every day!

Peace and blessings.

Sustainability vs. Detroit

2008-11-21T04:53:00.000-08:00

I have really tried to keep the Mrs. Green message away from politics. I want to focus on what we can all do to make positive changes. There are times, however, when I have to take a stand on something I believe is really important and this is one of those times.

When I watched this latest clip from my friend Janet about Tesla and Arnold Schwarzenegger, something kind of snapped inside of me. Wasn’t anyone in Detroit reading the paper about the energy crisis? About the success that car manufacturers like Honda have had for years here in the good old US of A with their fuel-efficient, well made cars? Did they not know there are awaiting lists to buy the Honda Fit and that this is nothing new? Could they not figure out that sustainable business practices make sense and make money? Some of “those people” make ten million dollars a year in bonuses alone. Is it not part of their job descriptions to be fiscally responsible, to have solid five year business plans which include a balance sheet indicating a profit? I guess not.

The part in the video where I snapped was when Arnold talked about Tesla Motors being a relatively new company and getting it! What were they reading that the brain trusts in Detroit were not? What did they know that Detroit didn’t? Maybe the Tesla management had a crystal ball…

I am one of many Americans who says don’t bail them out because I don’t want to pay for it nor do I want my children to have to pay for it! I am fed up – that’s the truth. It’s actually a disgrace and a mess that will impact us all regardless of what decisions are made in Washington.

http://fora.tv/2008/09/26/Arnold_Schwarzenegger_to_Detroit_Get_Off_Your_Butt

Hope you will check out Arnold’s brief and humorous comments! And then call your elected officials. Mine are going to be very surprised by the side I am taking on this one!

Ready to Have a Fit?

2008-11-20T12:01:00.000-08:00

Serendipity is a wonderful thing. It wasn’t two days after my friend Markus went on and on about his Honda Fit, there was a great article in the Wall Street Journal about it. Title? A Candidate for the Best Car on The Road! Gotta love it.

Writer Jeff Sabatini states: “the Fit is unquestionably my favorite car, a vehicle that’s the best all-around transportation available from any auto maker at any price.” Now that’s saying a lot. With a $15,220 base price and stellar mileage, you can’t go wrong. But what interested me about what Jeff wrote and Markus said, is that the Fit is really roomy for an econobox AND fun to drive. It’s got pep and room! And with that low base price, come power windows, a CD player, airbags everywhere, air-conditioning and more. Sometimes the cars priced this low come with windows you have to roll up and down yourself – heaven forbid!

Another thing that Honda has figured out with the Fit is how to build a small car and make it a truly good car. It has to pass crash tests, be comfortable and drivable and still sell for under $20,000. Well, the Fit is not just good – it’s exceptional. And did I say it has front wheel drive? Another huge plus from my perspective.

If you are skeptical about small car hatchbacks, go check one out. If you are in Tucson, good luck finding one at Chapman! You will be pleasantly surprised just as I was. Given the incredibly painful hoopla going on in Washington, D.C. about the car industry bailout, is there not real wisdom here in looking at the automotive change we need? Honda really got it right with the Fit!

Bisphenol-A - The Ongoing Saga

2008-10-24T09:59:00.000-07:00

First of all, I hope that newspapers never disappear. I am the kind of person who has to actually sit and read to process well. So the article I read in The Daily Green (www.thedailygreen.com) on evidence of government acting in the best interest of the plastics industry and the case for good journalism hit two hot buttons for me. One aspect is that we have to do what we can to keep independently owned newspaper around - even if we disagree with political leanings on any side. And the other hot button is why doesn't EVERY government agency care about all of our best interest when it comes to toxins and poisons? Call me naive.

I an including a lengthy excerpt from the article because I think it's that important and besides, we all got to choose what and how much we read. Regardless, it's food for thought. Bisphenol-A causes cancer - not a word of debate about that. I don't know about you but I would just feel better knowing it wasn't in ANY baby bottles, water bottles or lining aluminum cans. Is that too much to ask of Big Brother?

Article as follows:

Industry Wrote the Rules on Bisphenol-A
Think The Mainstream Media Is Irrelevant? The Bisphenol-A Story Shows Otherwise
October 24, 2008 at 9:10AM by Dan Shapley | comment

Buzz up!
In another sign that the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel is a more effective consumer watchdog than the federal government, the newspaper has turned up evidence that the chemical industry wrote the Food and Drug Administration assessment that deemed Bisphenol-A safe, despite a growing number of independent and government research to the contrary.

The Journal-Sentinel should be commended, again, for its role uncovering and publicizing industry influence on chemical risk analysis in various federal agencies. (Pulitzer, anyone?) Lest anyone fail to realize the cost of turmoil in the mainstream media, this is an example of why the health of the nations newspapers matter. The Journal-Sentinel announced plans in July to cut 130 jobs -- 10% of its full-time staff -- and that was before its parent company announced a third-quarter loss of $17.1 million, according to Forbes.

The paper's latest revelation is that the FDA used an American Chemistry Council report as the basis for its own health analysis of Bisphenol-A, an ingredient in plastics and the lining of cans. It mimics the hormone estrogen and has been linked to a wide range of problems in laboratory studies and, increasingly, human health studies.

The chemical industry, which profits handsomely on sales of the chemical, asserts its safe. The FDA, similarly -- and, not surprisingly, as it turns out -- has agreed. Canada, meanwhile has declared it hazardous and ordered it removed from baby bottles. The U.S. National Toxicology Program also expressed concerns.

The FDA is now reviewing its health assessment. One can hope that shame, if not a sense of public duty, will compel it to independently consider independent science, rather than the industry's spin.

And one can only hope that newspapers with investigative teams like the Journal-Sentinel can survive the turmoil traditional media faces. It's not that online media can't undertake investigations of the same kind, but these news gathering institutions have deep histories, long experience, and are still -- unquestionably -- relevant.

(Another example: The McClatchy news service wrote today that the White House Office of Management and Budget weakened the Environmental Protection Agency's new rule restricting airborne lead, a known neurotoxin, so that 60% fewer facilities would be regulated.)

How Green Is Your Pumpkin?

2008-10-23T21:26:00.000-07:00

Just add this to the list of the questions I never asked myself until Mrs. Green was born! Halloween is one of my favorite celebrations. My earliest memories of trick-or-treating are of walking for miles with my brother and sister and coming home with sacks of BIG candy bars. I truly thought I had died and gone to heaven – nirvana for a chocaholic!

Fast forward to Mrs. Green living more consciously. So how green is your pumpkin? VERY can be the answer! First of all, do your best to buy your pumpkin from a sustainable patch. I know they are out there. As for the pumpkin seeds, they contain omega-3 fatty acids that help with brain functioning, and if you use the rest of the pumpkin, it’s a good source of fiber, beta-carotene, vitamin C and potassium. And I LOVE pumpkin soup. There are lots of really good recipes around to please any palate. I have never actually used “real” pumpkin for my pumpkin pies but I know it can be done – so you can use the guts for that if it sounds better to you than pumpkin soup.

No matter what, it’s yet another great opportunity to think and act green at this fun time of year.

Some University of Arizona Students are Taking Charge

2008-10-20T07:59:00.000-07:00

What a great article by Tom Beal on the front page of the Arizona Daily Star this morning A group of students convened an action committee on sustainability last week and are going full speed ahead to say the least.

The students want to compost ALL of the University’s waste, ban Styrofoam, bring in locally grown produce AND reduce congestion in Midtown by making cars available to share on campus. But it doesn’t stop there. They also want the campus grass and greenery to be watered by collected rainwater and the showers in the dorms fed with water heated by the sun. And they want to challenge all the fraternities and sororities to recycle all of their waste. So they have covered water, materials, energy and support. I want to come up with some great resounding shout of support but can’t even begin to find the right words. Stay tuned as Mrs. Green will be calling them so we can hear details on Mrs. Green Goes Mainstream’s radio show.

Dr. Robert Shelton suggested to them that they think outside the box. And so they have.

Solon - A Great Green Gift to Tucson

2008-10-18T06:57:00.000-07:00

I was happy to be invited to the ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of Solon Corporation here in Tucson yesterday. Even though it’s WAY out there by the airport, one of my first happy surprises was the number of people in attendance. There were hundreds of people present – all of whom were celebrating this great new business in Tucson.

Solon is a German-based company and one of the largest solar module manufacturers in Europe as well as an international leading provider of intelligent power plant solutions for large-scale projects. They manufacture state-of-the-art photovoltaic solar modules (actually polycrystalline and monocrystalline modules). A quote from one of their corporate leaders reads: “We are passionate fighters for the ecological change in the energy market. We revolutionize the usage of solar energy with our innovations. We are: The Pioneers of Power.” What a powerful statement and what a great intention.

So not only does it mean great, decent paying jobs for over 200 Tucsonans, it’s a feather in our City’s cap helping to position Tucson as one of the country’s leading solar cities. An immediate, measurable impact of having Solon in Tucson is that FORTY schools in nearby Cochise Country will be installing solar power in their schools. Do you have any idea how much money that will save their school district? And with the new solar tax credit bill passing in Congress, the school district will benefit from that as well.

Welcome to our community, Solon. Your manufacturing of solar modules makes you a partner we can all be proud of here in the Old Pueblo.

How One Guy Saved His Planet

2008-10-15T10:14:00.000-07:00

October 15, 2008

It never ceases to amaze me how many ordinary people I run into doing extraordinary things – which in my mind makes them extraordinary! Here’s one more. I was in my friend Todd Case’s office getting some age spots removed (TMI?) when one of the staff gave me a little book. The name of it is “How One Guy Saved His Planet.” Her husband, Richard, wrote the book to simply share some vignettes about things he had done to make a difference in his neighborhood, in his home owners association and on the planet.

Here’s his introduction. “Thank you for your interest in making your corner of the world a wonderful place to be. I hope these vignettes, all based on real actions I took in my own neighborhood, motivate you to take small steps of your own.” How great is that?

Richard turned a little patch of vacant land in his neighborhood from a pile of junk to a desert habitat; after every rainy season, he cleaned out the wash behind his house, taking junk to the dumpster; and he used donated paint from a friend to wage a one person battle against graffiti.

At the end of this little booklet, Richard shares some closing thoughts which are all wonderful – such as “Make room for nature to re-emerge. It doesn’t take much help for a little mini-ecosystem to develop, even in the smallest or most unlikely place.”

I loved reading what he wrote from cover to cover. One person makes a difference – starting a small fire. Gotta love it.

p.s. If you would like a copy of this little booklet, here’s Richard’s email address: rejohnson26@comcast.net

Some Interesting Info About Carbon Footprints

2008-10-12T10:03:00.000-07:00

There is lots of talk these days about carbon footprints. In simple terms a carbon foot print is the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that get put into the atmosphere when the goods are made, shipped and stored, and then used by consumers.

The not fun news is that the U.S. emits the equivalent of about 118 pounds of carbon dioxide per resident every day. Annually that’s nearly 20 metric tons per American – about FIVE times the number per citizen of the world at large. Yikes! So we really have some things we can change and I hope we all do - one step at a time.

The little bit of trivia (but not to be considered trivial!) about carbon footprints came from the good old Wall Street Journal last Monday. It’s the measure of six products and six carbon footprints. So here goes: Fleece Jacket – 60 pounds; Laundry detergent – 31 pounds; Boot – 121 pounds; Organic Milk – 7.2 pounds; Car – 97,000 pounds and last but not least – Fat Tire beer – 7 pounds. Without writing a three page blog, I can’t provide you will all the details of how the author measured the emissions but I can tell you he (Jeffery Ball) did his homework. Just one example of how thorough he was is his breakdown of laundry detergent. He based it on a 1.5 liter bottle, 20 loads per bottle and 9.9 pounds of laundry per load. Included in his measurement were making, using, transporting, storing and disposal of the package. It may seem like too much information but the more we know in simple, plain old English, the easier it will be for all of us to make simple changes.

The entire subject of carbon footprints fascinates me so this article was a great find. I can feel guilt free about drinking organic milk and will think twice about buying another pair of boots. All in all, articles like this are raising my consciousness one thought at a time.

U.S. Mayors Call for 'Green Revolution'

2008-10-09T20:55:00.000-07:00

Every time I drive past the Solar Store in Tucson, I check to see if the sign about needing to hire people is still up. So far, still up. From what I hear around town, they can’t hire people fast enough because there is so much consumer interest in solar everything.

So I was not totally surprised when my friend Susan sent me an article about U.S. Mayors calling for a green revolution. From my view, that makes them really smart! Green is the area of job creation and the wheels are already in motion. Again, from where I sit, this is our opportunity to see things through the looking glass and do everything we can to be a part of the revolution.

Some excerpts from the author Barry Janoff writes: A new report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors calls for a "green revolution" and said if it takes place, 4.2 million new "green" jobs could be created in the country by 2038.

The report said the U.S. now has about 751,000 green jobs, which generally involve producing renewable energy or providing engineering, legal or research support. That figure represents less than 0.5% of all current U.S. jobs. The report was based on information provided by research firm Global Insight, Waltham, Mass.

The forecast of more than 4 million new green jobs is based on the U.S. generating 40% of its electricity from alternative fuels (wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, biomass), 30% of fuel used in cars and light trucks coming from alternatives to gasoline and diesel that electricity use in existing buildings will drop by 35% by 2038.

According to the report, some 418,000 of the current 751,000 green jobs in the U.S. are in engineering, legal, research and consulting; behind that was the field of renewable power generation with 127,000 jobs, followed by government administration with 71,900 jobs.

The top 10 cities in the nation ranked by current green jobs and the potential number of green jobs they could have by 2038 are: New York (25,021/197,971), Washington (24,287/192,165), Houston (21,250/168,136), Los Angeles (20,136/159,321), Boston (19,799/156,660), Chicago (16,120/127,545), Philadelphia (14,379/113,772), San Francisco (13,848/109,570), San Diego (11,663/92,285) and Pittsburgh (9,627/76,174).

You have to admit – this really is good green news and when major cities are committed and getting ranked, we are all moving in the right direction. And I also appreciate that not only will so many jobs be created, we will be constantly creating alternative sources for fuel – cleaner, less-dependent-on-foreign-oil kinds of alternatives!

More Good Green News

2008-10-08T05:58:00.000-07:00

In this crazy world of ours with the financial markets turning upside down, it's great to live in and explore all that's great about the "green" world. Creativity, exploration, innovation and change all abound. So let me add this to the "good things happening in green" world. You can imagine my delight when I heard from a young man named Sherif who is a graduate student at the University of Arizona who wrote to tell me several things. First, he listens to and enjoys my show. Gotta love it! And more importantly, he has taken action to make a difference. Sherif has started a wonderful website: http://www.AGreenArizona.org. The website is inviting and upbeat and according to Sherif "a work in progress given my busy schedule." My hats off to Sherif for taking action to make our world a greener, healthier, safer and ,yes, HAPPIER place to live. And I love that his focus starts right here in Arizona. All the very best to Sherif and I hope you will visit his website.

Good Green News About Running Shoes

2008-10-06T05:28:00.000-07:00

I could hardly believe my eyes: eco-friendly running shows you say? One of my favorite green newsletters, Ideal Bites, gave me yet another opportunity to change to a greener practice with the purchase of my next running shoes.

There are big names like Nike (is there a bigger name?) and Brooks that offer green options which means they ARE widely available. They are made from such things are silicone-based green rubber instead of petroleum and PVC which may release carcinogenic dioxins during production. Some lines are even totally vegan and forgo leather altogether.

And a really nice recycling aspect from the place I purchase mine, The Running Store, in Tucson, Arizona. They collect and redistribute old running shoes to places in Africa. There are two organizations you can check out – One World Running and Reuse-a-Shoe if you want to recycle yours. Happy, guilt free running. Gotta love it.

Nature IS all it's cracked up to be!

2008-10-01T08:17:00.000-07:00

What better thing for Mrs. Green to write about than nature? This morning I was in a beautiful place here in Arizona called Sabino Canyon by 6:00 a.m. The dawn was breaking, the air was crisp and the birds were singing to their hearts' content. When I met my Better Than Ever group to start the run (half marathon training!), we had only gone a little ways when we spotted three deer. Right after that a few bunnies ran across the road and the sun literally popped it's head up over the mountains. I actually got the hit "blog about this today" and so I am. What better thing can we possibly do to keep us mindful of preserving this beautiful planet than to actually go outside and remember why it is so very very important?

Give yourself a present in the next few days. Go somewhere beautiful and green and give thanks for it.

Blessings!

About Those Reusable Bags

2008-09-29T05:43:00.000-07:00

There's a trick to replacing your plastic and paper bags with reusable ones. In order to make a difference, you have to use them! Quite a few articles have come my way recently talking about the incredible number of reusable bags being given away by corporations, environmental groups, and stores everywhere.

The truth about reusable shopping bags is that most of them are manufactured in China, shipped thousands of miles overseas, are made with plastic and could take years to decompose. So if you are not going to use them, you are actually worse of by taking one that's offered to you. However, if you change your habits (and this one does take a little work), each bag used multiple times - at least once a week - can replace 520 plastic bags a year. You might need four or five of them to hit that mark but think of the impact.

Simples hints for changing your habits are to put the bags in your car or by the door you use to go out of the house. You can even put a reminder on your grocery list. That way when you are checking to see if you have everything you need on the list - it will trigger your memory! And if, like me, you get stuck in the grocery line without it at times, you have two choices. One is to go back out to the car and get it (and that's extra exercise too) or the other is to take whichever bag you know you will reuse most - paper or plastic.

Here's to your success in making a difference by taking one simple little step to preserve the planet!

This LIttle Piggy Went to Market!

2008-09-11T08:08:00.001-07:00

Remember that? I can still make small children laugh with that simple little tradition. Enter Trisha from Ten Tiny Piggies Cloth Diapers - another example of necessity truly being the mother of invention. When Trisha, the mother of small children in diapers, searched for a more baby friendly, earth friendly alternative to disposable diapers, her frustration with a lack of viable alternatives led her in the direction of starting her own company. Trisha contacted me about her company, Ten Tiny Piggies, and I have been enamored ever since.

As Trisha's website so clearly states: "Using cloth diapers prevents about 6000 disposable diapers per child from ending up in the landfill where it will take hundreds of years to decompose. Using cloth diapers uses less than 1/2 the amount of water to launder than it does to manufacture disposable ones. It prevents contamination of our ground water by placing fecal matter where it belongs; our sewage system. AND it can save you thousands of dollars!" How can you argue with that logic? And why would you want to?

If you decide to take a minute out of your busy day to visit her website at www.tentinypiggies.com., you will be delighted or at least find yourself grinning at how adorable she is and hopefully realize that this is one person making a difference for the planet. Trisha has thought of everything. She gives compelling reasons why using cloth diapers are better for your child and for the planet, she gives you instructions on how to use them that are detailed and leave no margin for error and she has other great community information, links and activities posted on her site as well.

My hats off to this budding entrepreneur, mother of I believe 5 young children and someone whose tag line is: saving the planet one cloth diaper at a time. Gotta love it and her!