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.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
The Scoop on Sunscreens
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Green Tip of the Week
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!
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!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Real Staycations
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.
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.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Green Tip & Trivia Question of the Week
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!
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!
Friday, June 19, 2009
You Can Save Money Going Green!
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!
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!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Green Tip of the Week
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!
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!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Green Tip and Trivia Question of the Week
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!
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!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
This Week's Green Tip and Trivia Question
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.
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.
Monday, May 25, 2009
This Week's Tip & Trivia Question
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!
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!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
One Sustainable Thing!
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.
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.
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