Is Your Environment Making You Sick and What You Can Do About It?

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We encounter harmful toxins indoors and outdoors including industrial chemicals and pollutants everywhere. These pollutants are in our homes, at our jobs, where we shop, or anywhere else we may go. They are on the furniture we sit on, the carpets we walk on, the clothes we wear, the detergent or cleaners we use to wash our clothes and clean our home. Many are in the foods we eat daily. We ingest them through touch, breathing the air and through our skin, nose, mouth, and ears.

According to the WHO (World Health Organization), at least 25% of health problems are caused or linked to environmental factors. I personally believe that the health problems caused about our environment is much higher than what the statics show. Toxins in the air have been linked to health conditions and diseases such as allergies, asthma, diabetes, early puberty, cancer, reduced fertility, early puberty, premature birth, learning disabilities such as Autism and more.

There are changes you can make in your environment and personal life that can help to promote a healthier lifestyle and better overall health for you and your family.

  • Switch from toxic chemical cleaners that contain harmful ingredients including fragrances that are harmful to your health and use eco-friendly, green cleaning products or make your own DIY cleaners. You can make your own cleaners or clean by using baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, lemons, vinegar that are some of the most effective cleaners. The best part is there is no health risks and will safe you money. Add some essential oils for an inviting fragrance: such as peppermint, orange oil, or rose oil.
  • Change from chemical pesticides and use organic, environmentally friendly alternatives. No one wants bugs crawling around in their homes but make sure you make healthy choices and search online for organic, natural pest control that are safe for humans and animals. One way that I like to control insect is take peppermint essential oil and put a few drops of the oil in a sprayer filled with water and spray anywhere you find bugs. Most bugs hate the smell of peppermint. Another helpful tip is try growing your own peppermint plants indoors that helps clean the air while it is keeps the bugs at bay.
  • Get a high quality air cleaner or purifier. A high-efficiency particulate air cleaner captures 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns from air passing through the filter. Air cleaners with hepa filter are recommended by many health care providers. Check to make sure you buy one that cleans chemicals, dust, mold, and do your research before purchasing to make sure you are getting the best quality for your buck.
  • Take off your shoes at the door and have a comfy pair of shoes that you just wear inside at the door to slip. You be surprised at how much cleaner your house will stay and how much cleaner your air is.
  • Check you kitchen for toxic products. Plastic container should not be using especially for heating food or storing foods. Use glass jars or storage containers that wouldn’t leak toxins into your food. Don’t use toxic cookware such as teflon coated pans or skillets that has been linked to many health problems. Ceramic cookware is touted as being very safe.
  • Try growing your own food with an organic garden. Make your own compost from food scraps and pull weeds instead of using pesticides. Use natural ways of controlling bugs such as, Neem oil, or check on-line for many DIY recipes that are very effective.
  • Learn to find time each day to be quiet. Noise is everywhere we go and surrounds us.Noise pollution is a reality that so many of us have to deal with each and every day. Make a daily effort to find quiet time and turn your TV off and any other electronic gadgets. Let your mind be quiet and try meditating even if it’s just for 10 or 15 minutes.

Its time to take control of your health. It is not always possible to control what happens outside of our home but we can control what happens inside our home. Make you home a health haven for a healthier, happier and longer life for you and your family.

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Source by Marla D Gates

International Solar Highway

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A few weeks ago, I visited a guest speaker presentation by Mark Dixon at the University of Maine, Fort Kent. He was a very cheerful, motivating and passionate guy. He seemed to care not only about people, but also about the environment, which was the focus of his presentation. Mark and his three friends traveled around the United States, talking to people and promoting an eco-friendly lifestyle.

Now I am not a prize; I am probably wasting more than I should; I use my computer too often to save energy. I promote the “go green” lifestyle mainly in mind, not in action, not to say that I am not trying. I limit my garbage to less than the average person and neurotically turn off my lights. In the bathroom, I even adopted the “soft yellow” rule.

There was one in Marek’s presentation that really caught my attention. Maybe because I’m a technician, or maybe because the idea made sense. Either way, Mark introduced the idea of ??the International Solar Highway. I know sounds crazy right? Well, it might surprise you, but in the long run, this idea is a lot more practical than not doing it. Let me explain.

There is no doubt that we will eventually exhaust all of the Earth – oil, coal, natural gas, etc. However, Earth has one resource that is completely renewable, right down to the end of Earth itself. That resource is the sun … In summer, our asphalt and asphalt roads generate a lot of heat; enough to fry an egg for even. This heat comes from the sun’s rays hitting the road. Countless kilometers of roads are bombarded with endless solar energy every day. As Mark Dixon stated, and this is by no means a direct quote: “If we replaced our roads with the solar highway, we could generate enough energy annually to supply Americans three times their average consumption.” Think about all the energy Americans use a day! It just so happens that we are the most wasteful nation in the world, and the proposed “Solar Highway” will provide us with energy within one year, so that we will have three more …

There is one more comment on this energy that I would like to make. It is 100% pure and pure. It comes straight from the sun itself. I know some of you probably think this is going to cost us the taxpayers a fortune … well, yeah. But I want to keep you there. At the moment, America is in an economic recession. Money is hard to come by and a lot of money goes to energy alone. As stated on solarhighwar.org, “As technology changes, wind and solar systems need to change. However, the whole system should last 10 years, but it should pay off within 1.5 years. ” With that in mind, I’d like to ask myself how could building a solar highway not be a good idea if it pays for itself in at least 1.5 years? Not only will the solar highway provide triple excess energy, it will also provide thousands of jobs for everyone involved. With such large gains in energy and money to make, America may even begin to pay off this rising national debt.

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Source by Shawn Deprey

Green pregnancy: protect your baby from external toxins

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Have you heard of a “green” pregnancy? As a mother-to-be, you could go through all the practices to protect your baby in the womb. A healthy lifestyle, balanced eating, proper sleep, positive thinking are some of the measures we all take to protect our children. After doing all these things, there are still some external dangers that your child may face that are even unknown to you. This is where the effectiveness of “green” pregnancy comes in.

Katherine Sutherland of Women Physicians OBGYN Medical Group in Mountain View, California said: “Green is what will save the future environment, which in the long run is the best thing we can give our children. time for couples to realize what is important in their lives, they will be making many lifestyle changes as they get pregnant and the baby is born, so this is a great time to incorporate a long-term commitment to the health of our world. ”

So, put simply, it is important that every expectant couple adopt an environmentally safe lifestyle during pregnancy. Elizabeth Davis, a Chicago chiropractor and acupuncturist, said: “You can’t have a sweet, healthy baby if you poison it from day one. Being green is not a hobby. It should be a lifestyle. survive regardless of our environment. If the terrain is toxic, then we become toxic. If it is clean, we can hope to be clean. ” And your diet and cleanliness play a key role in this.

The unborn baby is completely dependent on the mother’s eating habits. What the mother eats provides the baby with food. If a mother’s food contains a significant amount of chemicals, some of them can be seen through the placenta. Therefore, it is always recommended to choose organic food products as they contain less toxins. The local farmer’s market is also a great place to find fresh, organic vegetables and fruits while pregnant. Water is a very important ingredient in keeping your body hydrated during pregnancy. However, choose distilled and bottled water instead of tap water to avoid toxins.

It is also advisable to avoid taking fish as they may be contaminated with mercury which could be dangerous for your baby. However, it is also true that a pregnant woman needs a large amount of protein in her daily diet. In this scenario, you can opt for vegetarian options like fresh beans and tofu that are high in protein while also being environmentally safe. Elizabeth Davis advised to avoid foods that contain antibiotics and hormones.

In addition to groceries, there are several other factors that future fathers must take care of. One of these things is cleaners. Avoid products with a strong ammonia odor, which is harmful to the environment and can also affect the lungs. If any of your family members come into contact with AJAX, wash it immediately before it penetrates your skin. Plus, Davis advised all pregnant women to get adequate rest and exercise rather than sit at the computer all day.

Let’s move on to “green” pregnancy to protect our future. Eat organic food, use products that contain fewer chemicals, and keep an eye on your sounds. The process may seem a bit detailed and time-consuming, but it only serves to give your child a better future.

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Source by Richa Verma

Five eco-friendly ideas to improve your home bathroom

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So you want to start living the “green lifestyle” but aren’t sure where to start. Or maybe a bathroom? Your bathroom is a great place to start as there are many sustainable bathroom renovation ideas you can choose from.

Or maybe start by saving water? Your bathroom is where the most water is wasted. Here are some DIY ideas to make your bathroom environmentally friendly:

1. Low flow aerators

You can install these low flow aerators on all of your faucets and you can also match them to your shower heads. They’re great because they add air to the water before it comes out of the tap, which in turn distributes the water over a much wider area. So you don’t have to use that much water when showering, brushing your teeth, brushing your face, etc. These low flow aerators restrict the flow of water but increase the force and pressure of the flowing water, making less water more effective.

2. Paint your bathroom green, but it can be any color you like. Painting the bathroom will give it a great new look, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money on it. You should also purchase “green” paint, that is, paint with little or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These types of paints contain natural pigments derived from plant sources. Since bathrooms are usually small spaces, you don’t want to use paint that contains harmful fumes.

3. A great way to save money and use less water is to upgrade your toilet. The older model restroom uses 3-5 gallons of water for each flush. Modern toilets only use a gallon of water per flush. This saves you between one and a half to three and a half gallons of water per flush. If you add up how many times you flush the toilet each day, you can see where this update could save a lot of money. The cost of a new toilet will be recouped in no time. If you really can’t afford to upgrade your toilet now, you can convert your older toilet to a low flow toilet by placing a weight in the tank.

To weigh in, find a water and rust resistant container such as a plastic milk jug or a plastic 2 liter soda bottle. Fill the bottle with gravel or sand and seal it tightly. Place the bottle in the toilet tank, making sure the flap, float, flush arm and all other parts in the tank do not touch the bottle. This is to push some of the water out of the toilet tank. When your tank is full, less water will fill.

Another thing you can do if you are unable to replace your toilet is to install a dual flush system on your old toilet. This gives visitors the option to choose to use a little or a lot of water. You can buy it and install it yourself for around $ 30.00.

4. Replace the plastic shower curtain with one made of natural fibers. Plastic shower curtains give off toxic fumes due to the nature of soft plastics. You can buy a linen or cotton shower curtain or make it yourself.

5. Another option is a tankless water system for your bathroom. Instead of drawing hot water from the water heater, the water is stored in a separate tank. You don’t need to run the water until it warms up. It’s heated as it reaches your overhead shower or sink tap. This change alone will save a lot of money, not only on the water, but also on the electricity bill.

The above items are not only environmentally friendly ways to improve your bathroom home, but also ways to save money on water and electricity bills.

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Source by Catherine Quel

Ready, Ready, Green – Eight Weeks To Modern Green Living – Book Review

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I have to admit that I am usually skeptical about books that show how to be green. Sometimes the suggestions are so bizarre that you can almost guarantee that no one will take them seriously. So you can imagine I was pleasantly surprised that the book, Ready, eco-minded: eight weeks to modern eco-living by Graham Hill and Meaghan O’Neill of Treehugger provided many useful suggestions for a greener lifestyle.

The “Save the planet in 30 minutes or less” suggestion lists, followed by the “So you want to do more” lists, are extremely user-friendly, which can help you gain readership. Symbols are also used to indicate the benefits that can be obtained from your efforts. And the benefits aren’t just green. They also include saving money, saving time, and improving your health. Brilliant and missing in many other pieces of the green genre.

Eco-friendly boxes with factoids and myths highlight interesting and useful information. The background data is presented in an informative and less judgmental manner than I have seen in other works. In addition, focusing on how it affects the reader helps you score.

There were really only two problems with the book.

First, a mandatory bike ride. As I write this review, it is now 8 degrees Fahrenheit with a projected maximum of 14 tomorrow here in Chicago. This (and the walk) tends to fall on deaf ears, except in the warmer seasons of these climates. Moreover, the proliferation of cities with high-speed motorways and the lack of cycle paths often makes it a dangerous endeavor, especially in the early morning or evening hours. Such efforts will require community-wide and government support to make them viable.

Second, many of the items suggested are little-known brands that you won’t find at your local Target or grocery store. So if I have to order them and pay for shipping, both financial and environmental, have we made progress? The limited availability of more environmentally friendly and socially aware products in frequently visited retail outlets is one of the main challenges for the green consumer movement.

Due to the extremely user-friendly format and clearly presented and useful information, Done, set it green is a must read for those who want to learn about ecology in the real world.

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Source by Heidi Thorne

What is an ecosexual?

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Ecosexuality is a new term used by many to refer to a person so dedicated to his commitment to improving the environment that he controls their intimate relationships and sometimes friendships as well. They usually choose to drive an eco-friendly hybrid car and eat only organic food. With these kinds of stereotypes, it’s no surprise that their beliefs are often unacceptable to mainstream society, even with modern environmental movements already in place.

Many people today choose to buy organic food and use all-natural health remedies rather than traditional medicines. There are even natural, chemical-free cleaners available, which are quite popular. We all care about the environment and our health, but they are often viewed as extreme.

However, the fact is that they are not that extreme. They are simply committed to their beliefs as well as their responsibility to protect and preserve the Earth. . As with any commitment, you wouldn’t want to share your life with someone who didn’t share your beliefs.

Most of those who describe themselves as ecosexuals prefer to only date those who share their concern for the environment. Protecting and caring for the delicacy of the environment is their goal in life, so it’s no surprise that they would choose to spend their lives with a partner who shares that goal.

They reflect their environmental efforts in everything they do, usually leading a completely green lifestyle. They refrain from using any artificial products, as well as chemically enriched substances. Many of them are vegetarians and all prefer organic, natural foods. While most choose to live in a rural setting, there are many urban ecosexuals who live their lifestyles in cramped apartments.

No matter where they live, they usually love to be part of the natural beauty they’ve dedicated their lives to preserving. From cycling to kayaking, they typically enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities and spend a lot of time in healthy outdoor activities. Camping, gardening and hiking are popular pastimes.

Their origins are very different, they come from many different regions and have different individual beliefs and values. . Most do not claim to be of any particular religion, but rather are free spirit with a natural spirituality, much like Native Americans. Christianity is the least represented religious group in the commune.

Ecosexuality is still relatively new, so the community is still small. This can make it difficult to find another person who shares their desire to change the world and is truly committed to protecting the environment. While there are hundreds of dating sites and matching agencies out there, only a few specifically deal with ecosexuals. Earth Wise Singles and Green Singles are two of the most famous dating services.

Green Singles offers much more than an ecosexual dating site. This site is a growing market for people with a green lifestyle. Look for environmentally friendly jobs, housing and homes, and other products and services that support this lifestyle. Earth Wise Singles is very similar to other traditional matchmaking agencies available today, but is designed specifically for those dedicated to the green movement. The site’s user population is still small but growing, and it’s a great place to start looking for other ecosexuals to share your time.

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Source by Erin Hunt

What makes a motorhome green?

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The green lifestyle is becoming more and more popular. It covers more and more aspects of our lives. You can have a green house and a green campervan. With such a recreational vehicle, you will save money and help protect the environment. Find out what features and capabilities can make your camper truly green.

Fuel economy

A motorhome with excellent fuel economy is truly eco-friendly. The less fuel you spend driving 100 kilometers, the better. An energy-saving motorhome will not only save you money. In fact, it will produce less exhaust fumes that pollute the environment.

There is an ongoing debate as to whether diesel or gasoline is more efficient and better for the environment. Most experts vote for diesel, but some recent studies have found gasoline may not be as bad as previously thought. In such a situation, it is best to make a calculation based on the exact specifications of the recreational vehicle you are comparing.

Design and execution and

To be green, a motorhome must be made of ecological materials. Traditionally, manufacturers have used hardwood or plywood materials such as lauan for the interior. They are not environmentally friendly. However, composite materials fall into this category.

In addition to being recycled, composite materials are lighter in weight than their traditional counterparts. Thanks to this, the motorhome is also lighter. In fact, it has been estimated that if only composite materials are used to build the interior of an average recreational vehicle, it will be around 20% lighter. Due to its lighter weight, it consumes less fuel, which benefits your pocket and the environment.

Energy efficiency

There are various features and possibilities that make a motorhome energy efficient. Among the main ones you will find tinted glass with double glazing. They prevent hot or cool air from escaping from the inside of the motorhome. Many modern models are equipped with energy-saving LED lighting systems. Light bulbs consume significantly less energy than their traditional counterparts. Heating and air conditioning systems can also be made to use less energy to operate.

Solar panels are perhaps the most innovative features to increase energy efficiency. They are factory installed on the roofs of many new motorhomes. They can also be added after purchase. A sufficiently large and efficient solar panel system can produce up to 70%, or even up to 90% of the energy needed on a daily basis in an average motorhome.

It pays to invest in a green motorhome.

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Source by Celine Potrov

How to be “green” in 2020

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It is a new year, a new decade and a great opportunity to adopt a “green lifestyle”. But how do we start? A little change in the way you get rid of things is a simple way to embrace green life. Minimizing waste is a huge “green” step. Instead of relying on a landfill …

Reuse.

Recycling.

Change of destiny.

Also referred to as “Avoid Backfilling.”

Unfortunately, we have become a society of rejection where we use something once and throw it away. Nothing good comes out of it. We have to be greener.

Start thinking like your grandparents or great-grandparents who lived during the Great Depression and during the rationing of World War II. Everything was rare. Everything was appreciated and never wasted.

Here are some simple, simple ways to minimize the amount of items thrown away.

Always have your own reusable bags handy. Not only a grocery store, but also a hardware store, pharmacy and wherever you buy stuff. These reusable bags collapse into virtually nothing, so you should ALWAYS have them in your car.

Opt for receipts by email or text, not printed.

Choose products or purchase options with the most environmentally friendly packaging possible. There’s nothing like getting something into that nasty hard plastic wrapped in bubble wrap in a much larger cardboard box than necessary. Especially if you could buy the same item at your local hardware store and take it home in your pocket (or a reusable bag you always have with you …). You have an idea.

There are many options for selling stuff online, so make a habit of it.

Instead of throwing used furniture in the landfill, donate or donate it. Check out YouTube University and learn how to turn something into something new. Saw the cute way an antiquated chest of drawers became a pet bed!

Compost kitchen scraps. It’s easy (doesn’t smell) and makes a great fertilizer. Composting can be done directly in a hole in the ground or in a five-gallon bucket on the balcony of the apartment. Just add some real earth and rotate it frequently. (Once it starts to smell like dirt, composting is complete and you can use it to cover your existing plants.) The compost pile will delight you for two reasons – 1). Drastically reducing the amount of rubbish going to landfill and 2). How much does the volume decrease during the composting process.

Instead of throwing away baskets or shipping containers, use them differently – a peach basket is great for organizing your bathroom, children’s toys, magazines, etc.

When talking about magazines and other printed material, subscribe to them online.

Shop at Consignment and Thrift stores if possible. One man’s trash can surely be your treasure.

For Green Living, challenge yourself to put as little rubbish as possible!

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Source by Louise Hodges

Is Your Zen Lifestyle Green?

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There are many ways to have a happy and peaceful life. The green zen lifestyle is just one of those ways. Anyway, what do we mean by “green Zen”? It’s about living in simplicity and earth-friendly ways to cleanse your life of all negativity and chaos. Nowadays, the stress associated with everything that occupies our daily lives is inevitable. In order to stay focused and be calm and happy, you need to know how to deal with the complexities of life. Green Zen life is a great way to keep everything in order without endangering our environment.

How to start living in green Zen? Himself. As the elders always say, it all starts with itself. It begins in the mind, body and spirit. How can you say that you are living a green lifestyle when you are the first to pollute yourself, and especially your body? If you pollute your body, you are most likely polluting your environment. Always ask the question, “Am I contaminating myself if I do this?”

Second, consider your own home. How do you live in your home? There are always alternatives to adopt the green lifestyle. For example, products that you use at home. Instead of using products that contain harmful chemicals, you can always switch to natural or organic products. Another is to consider having your own home garden.

Finally, in your work, which is another aspect of your busy life where you can instill a green Zen life. You will be more productive if you can achieve green zen even in your office. Not only literally in the workplace, but also in dealing with problems at work.

However, reaching this lifestyle does not happen overnight, nor can it be learned from reading articles and books alone. This is best done by making it a habit, and it should develop every day. For other information on how you can apply green zen living, check out what green energy can change your life and community.

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Source by F. Reyes

Achieving Eco Friendly Products

Green products are goods and services that individuals consume and / or make excuses that there is small or no harm to Eco Friendly Productsthe environment. To turn out to be a lot much better customers, such as the products is frequently marked on the label. Eco-labeling program in the designation of consumer goods except food and medicines, food is another way to eco-label scheme, which aims to quit environmental harm. Mark for green products has launched a number of developed countries to protect the ecosystem. Nevertheless, merely because no international regular for this idea, the International Organization for Standardization that the labels are too vague to be helpful. This eco-label is voluntary and not imposed by law. An example would be a mandatory labeling is a green sticker, authorized by law in North America, where they are encoded in the main appliances and cars.

Study and development of new products and technology, an easy way to evaluate the products are environmentally friendly in production preparing and production stages. This is recognized as the method of life cycle assessment to quantify the ecological effects of the item at all stages of passes, including the acquisition of supplies, construction, distribution, use and disposal.

The first step is to evaluate and make products environmentally friendly, Normal Life-Cycle Assessment Programme. Identify and establish the idea is the item of his study prior to the draft, and / or development is a fantastic way. Right objectives, choose the existing products, which can be compared to new products, functions, performance of regular methods of requirements assessment, and use the outcomes. If the item description is clear, to evaluate the energy and evaluation standards, if the objective was achieved. Mass production of the item to perform a life cycle assessment based on statistics such as income and the actual measurement of energy consumption and to evaluate the ecological response to these products.
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