Kind of sad that the planet that sustains us only gets one day out of the year...but hopefully many of you can help with some "green deeds" to go way past just a day. Officially, Earth Day is April 22nd.
There are many wonderful and easy things we can adapt to and do our part to help our environment.
Here are just a few:
Take shorter showers; set a timer for 5 minutes. Turn the faucet off while you brush your teeth. Turn off the lights before we leave a room (especially night lights and bedroom reading lights).
Draw on both sides of the paper and use up all the scraps. Make use of broken crayons-- don't just throw them away. Use less packaging and throwaways when packing a lunch/meal.
Use a reusable bag for grocery shopping, such as a canvas tote. If you take your lunch to work everyday, make sure it is in a reusable lunch bag.
Limit your use of paper goods such as paper plates, cups, and towels; As well as Styrofoam, and plastic.
Plant a tree!!!!
Recycle, recycle recycle! Electronics, batteries, paper, plastic, cardboard, cell phones, ink cartridges, six-pack rings, junk mail (better yet get your name of there mailing list) etc...
Use dry erase boards versus paper notes (like post its) to leave messages for family/friends at home.
I hope you can all find at least 4 things on this list to do. In the next couple weeks I will be mailing out a list of natural/non-toxic/non-chemical household cleaner "recipes", take a look if you are interested (which of course I hope you are!)
Have a wonderful day!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Tis the Season
Well... finally it is almost over...2007 that is. So a bit of New Year mish mash talk...
I love this time of year..but for different reasons than most. Now given that I am Jewish, Christmastime isn't exactly a big deal to me, BUT I do enjoy the music (well, except for those stations that start playing them in November!), I love the lights, the snow, etc...
As most Eastern European families, we have the tradition of getting a tree the day after Christmas (sometimes day of), and putting it up for the New Year Holiday. I love decorating it, and putting presents under the tree...and trying to wait till New Years Day to open them!
But what I really look forward to during the New Year celebrations' isn't so much the presents (though those are good too!!), but the actual new start to the year. It is a fresh start, a new page, or any other analogy you want to think of.
The New Year lets me correct myself! I guess like resolutions. I know this upcoming year is going to bring alot of changes, and I am looking forward to them. It also allows me to reflect on the past year and appreciate all that I have. New friends I have made, ones I have let go, etc...
Amazing how in one year you can make a friendship so solid that it is as if you've known each other for years (Hey Kelly!). Things in your life that you thought would never happen...do.
So I guess in all this mental mish mash that I just typed I am just saying to my friends, Happy New Year....may 2007 be the door you can close peacefully, as you open a New Year in 2008. I wish you ALL peace, happiness, health, and the strength to fulfill your resolutions....no matter what they are.
Lots of love...
I love this time of year..but for different reasons than most. Now given that I am Jewish, Christmastime isn't exactly a big deal to me, BUT I do enjoy the music (well, except for those stations that start playing them in November!), I love the lights, the snow, etc...
As most Eastern European families, we have the tradition of getting a tree the day after Christmas (sometimes day of), and putting it up for the New Year Holiday. I love decorating it, and putting presents under the tree...and trying to wait till New Years Day to open them!
But what I really look forward to during the New Year celebrations' isn't so much the presents (though those are good too!!), but the actual new start to the year. It is a fresh start, a new page, or any other analogy you want to think of.
The New Year lets me correct myself! I guess like resolutions. I know this upcoming year is going to bring alot of changes, and I am looking forward to them. It also allows me to reflect on the past year and appreciate all that I have. New friends I have made, ones I have let go, etc...
Amazing how in one year you can make a friendship so solid that it is as if you've known each other for years (Hey Kelly!). Things in your life that you thought would never happen...do.
So I guess in all this mental mish mash that I just typed I am just saying to my friends, Happy New Year....may 2007 be the door you can close peacefully, as you open a New Year in 2008. I wish you ALL peace, happiness, health, and the strength to fulfill your resolutions....no matter what they are.
Lots of love...
are we that dumb?
Are we that dumb?? Current mood: okay
So I was watching TV last night and a commercial came on for an electric toothbrush that "tells you if you are brushing properly." Seriously folks??
Are people so mentally deficient that you need an electric toothbrush to tell you if you are brushing your teeth correctly? I mean, I don't know about you, but I started brushing my teeth around age 3, and I am pretty sure I got it down. I can't believe the crap that society falls for. Some freaking idiot is going to think that this is the best invention ever and drop the $100 or whatever it costs for it!
Why does the media, market media and journalism media, think we are so dumb? My favorite is the reporter who is interviewing the couple whose child has disappeared, or whose home burned down, or some other tragedy, and asks them..."so, what's going through your mind right now?" Hmmm…is that really a question for a Harvard grad?
Or do you think the basic 6 year old can answer that?
Why do we need to put instructions on blow-dryers that say, "do not use in shower?" Or why is it when you are watching a car commercial and the car is driving on the edge of a building…why do they have to put "this is a reenactment, do not attempt" at the bottom of the screen?
I guess in many ways this goes back to my Common "duh" blog, or the lack of it….
So I was watching TV last night and a commercial came on for an electric toothbrush that "tells you if you are brushing properly." Seriously folks??
Are people so mentally deficient that you need an electric toothbrush to tell you if you are brushing your teeth correctly? I mean, I don't know about you, but I started brushing my teeth around age 3, and I am pretty sure I got it down. I can't believe the crap that society falls for. Some freaking idiot is going to think that this is the best invention ever and drop the $100 or whatever it costs for it!
Why does the media, market media and journalism media, think we are so dumb? My favorite is the reporter who is interviewing the couple whose child has disappeared, or whose home burned down, or some other tragedy, and asks them..."so, what's going through your mind right now?" Hmmm…is that really a question for a Harvard grad?
Or do you think the basic 6 year old can answer that?
Why do we need to put instructions on blow-dryers that say, "do not use in shower?" Or why is it when you are watching a car commercial and the car is driving on the edge of a building…why do they have to put "this is a reenactment, do not attempt" at the bottom of the screen?
I guess in many ways this goes back to my Common "duh" blog, or the lack of it….
Truth & Love
The truth is we always say "appreciate life, you never know when it will be gone"...but do we really? Or do we fill our life with non-matters?
What do I hope to accomplish before I die? Hmmm...well.....
I want to be a good wife. I never thought of myself as the "housewife" type but I think I really am. I want to take care of my husband, I want to feed him and keep our home clean and bake him his favorite treats. Mark is everything my soul breathes. He is my water, my earth, my air, my fire and my metal. And though I know that our souls will continue to connect through our journey, I want every split second I have in this body and on this Earth with him, and no other. I want to dive into his eyes when he looks at me. I want to feel the heat of his hand in mine. I want to feel the magnetic pull of his gravity to mine.
I want to be a good mother. I can do better than I am doing right now. I can yell less, try to be more patient. I can provide more than just clothes, food and toys. I can provide memories to last a lifetime. I can provide a day filled with laughter and play. I can look into her eyes and see forever. I can kiss her tears and absorb any pain. I can hold her till her heart beats with my rhythm. No matter where I am, I just have to think about it and I can smell her. I can close my eyes and see every beauty mark, every eyelash. Because she is not just my daughter...she is my life. She is why I wake in the morning, why I inhale through the day. Why my heart bleeds if she is hurt. I am nothing without her.
I can be a better daughter/sister/friend. I can be more understanding. I can step up. I want to be able to be someone they are proud of. I want to be able to be the type of person that if they need help they will come. I want to provide love and care. I want to be less criticizing.
I can be a better me. I want to heal the broken, but I need to understand that I can't help all. I want to stop judging, but I need to understand that I CAN"T accept all. I want to embrace my culture, my ethnicity, but I need to understand that not everyone will. I want, but I need to stop wanting and accept needing.
Because in the end, isn't it always about truth and love.
What do I hope to accomplish before I die? Hmmm...well.....
I want to be a good wife. I never thought of myself as the "housewife" type but I think I really am. I want to take care of my husband, I want to feed him and keep our home clean and bake him his favorite treats. Mark is everything my soul breathes. He is my water, my earth, my air, my fire and my metal. And though I know that our souls will continue to connect through our journey, I want every split second I have in this body and on this Earth with him, and no other. I want to dive into his eyes when he looks at me. I want to feel the heat of his hand in mine. I want to feel the magnetic pull of his gravity to mine.
I want to be a good mother. I can do better than I am doing right now. I can yell less, try to be more patient. I can provide more than just clothes, food and toys. I can provide memories to last a lifetime. I can provide a day filled with laughter and play. I can look into her eyes and see forever. I can kiss her tears and absorb any pain. I can hold her till her heart beats with my rhythm. No matter where I am, I just have to think about it and I can smell her. I can close my eyes and see every beauty mark, every eyelash. Because she is not just my daughter...she is my life. She is why I wake in the morning, why I inhale through the day. Why my heart bleeds if she is hurt. I am nothing without her.
I can be a better daughter/sister/friend. I can be more understanding. I can step up. I want to be able to be someone they are proud of. I want to be able to be the type of person that if they need help they will come. I want to provide love and care. I want to be less criticizing.
I can be a better me. I want to heal the broken, but I need to understand that I can't help all. I want to stop judging, but I need to understand that I CAN"T accept all. I want to embrace my culture, my ethnicity, but I need to understand that not everyone will. I want, but I need to stop wanting and accept needing.
Because in the end, isn't it always about truth and love.
Common 'Duh'
I say common "duh" instead of common sense because isn't it a "duh"?
I mean what the heck is wrong with people?? When you hold open a door for someone...I would like to hear a thank you....not because of my act of kindness, but because someone did something for you and you should validate that! I love it when they walk past me not saying a word and I yell out OH YOUR WELCOME...and they just keep walking!
Or if someone sneezes, my natural response is to say...bless you. Is that odd? Are you not supposed to do that? I mean am I offending people now?
Crazy words and/or phrases I grew up with are: thank you, I appreciate that, you're welcome, hello, have a nice day, how are you, etc....
Is this lingo old school? Am I out of touch? Are you no longer supposed to look people in the eye when you speak to them? Or ignore them completely? Perhaps this has all been an misunderstanding on my part...I assumed we were all on this planet together, living, breathing the same air, sharing similar tragedies and happiness...so I guess I ASSUMED that we all should be there for one another, even if it is just a small thing like "thank you."
But is "thank you" really such a small thing? I mean take any moment in your life, whether it is something small like holding a door open for someone or being there for a family member/friend...and they say thank you. Doesn't it feel good to be appreciated? Good to be acknowledged and validated? You don't need a billboard announcement, but those two small words, even from a stranger, can change a mood.
So when you are out holiday shopping this season with all the crowds, let us not forgot common sense and courtesy. Even if others do.
I mean what the heck is wrong with people?? When you hold open a door for someone...I would like to hear a thank you....not because of my act of kindness, but because someone did something for you and you should validate that! I love it when they walk past me not saying a word and I yell out OH YOUR WELCOME...and they just keep walking!
Or if someone sneezes, my natural response is to say...bless you. Is that odd? Are you not supposed to do that? I mean am I offending people now?
Crazy words and/or phrases I grew up with are: thank you, I appreciate that, you're welcome, hello, have a nice day, how are you, etc....
Is this lingo old school? Am I out of touch? Are you no longer supposed to look people in the eye when you speak to them? Or ignore them completely? Perhaps this has all been an misunderstanding on my part...I assumed we were all on this planet together, living, breathing the same air, sharing similar tragedies and happiness...so I guess I ASSUMED that we all should be there for one another, even if it is just a small thing like "thank you."
But is "thank you" really such a small thing? I mean take any moment in your life, whether it is something small like holding a door open for someone or being there for a family member/friend...and they say thank you. Doesn't it feel good to be appreciated? Good to be acknowledged and validated? You don't need a billboard announcement, but those two small words, even from a stranger, can change a mood.
So when you are out holiday shopping this season with all the crowds, let us not forgot common sense and courtesy. Even if others do.
EcoTalk
Hi everyone! I've been meaning to post this forever but, well, you know how life can be, so I am finally getting to it.
One of the reasons why I wanted to do this is because sometimes it can be overwhelming to go through a website or pamphlet or something along those lines that has lots and lots of information in it, on how you can change your habits to help eliminate your carbon footprint. So I just wanted to start a blog that had a few of my favorite tips and also a few "Did you know" type trivia. So here we go!
Change your dishwashing liquid – Switch from a regular petroleum based dish liquid to a natural one. If every household in the ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />U.S. replaced just ONE bottle of 25oz petroleum based dishwashing liquid with a vegetable based product (such as Seventh Generation or the like), we could save 81,000 barrels of oil, that's enough to heat and cool 4,600 U.S. homes for a year!!
Switch your regular incandescent bulbs to more eco-friendly CFLs (Compact Florescent Light bulbs) – This is a win win situation. Not only are you being eco-friendly but you will be saving money on your electric and heating bill. Regular light bulbs convert just 10% of their electricity usage to light, while the rest is turned into heat, making you crank up that AC during the summer. In addition, a regular 100watt light bulb is converted into a 26 watt CFL, using way less energy. CFLs use 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescents. It also reduces the amount of Mercury in our air. So why haven't you switched yet??
Switch to Energy Star products – Not that we can all go out and afford to buy new appliances or such but if you are in the market for it, be sure to purchase an product with the Energy Star seal. An average household spends about $615 a year on heating and cooling their home. Using Energy Star thermostats can save up to 33% on costs per year. AND you can prevent enough CO2 emissions to remove 600 cars from the road for a year. Energy Star Appliances use 10%-50% less energy and water than standard models.
DID YOU KNOW that top/bottom freezers use 10-25% less electricity than side-by-side models? And that Energy Star dishwashers only consume 5 gallons of water per load versus standard models that consume twice as much.
Organic versus non – Many vegetables we eat today are processed and contain preservatives, colors, dyes, fertilizers, and many more unhealthy chemicals. In fact, organic food is known to contain 50% more nutrients, minerals, and vitamins than produce that has been intensively farmed. I know we can't all afford it but here is a list of certain fruits and veggies that contain greater amounts of pesticides and chemicals than others; so going organic on these items is a smart way to go: 1. Wheat 2. Apples 3. Celery 4. Green Beans 5. Peaches 6. Grapes 7. Spinach 8. Pears 9. Strawberries 10. Winter Squash
You will also be supporting organic farmers instead of conventional factory farms; this means greater protection for the environment and for your health.
I know I've thrown out quite a few things here but the truth is, these aren't just words. You have a responsibility as an active member of this Earth, as a parent, as a brother, sister, or husband or wife. Just saying hey, that's someone else's responsibility only makes you the problem. I'm not asking you to turn your whole life around and become SUPER ECO GUY/GAL but just pick a few things that you can do and go for it. What do you have to lose?
I will try to make this a regular blog when I can…and I hope this makes some of you at least think about making these changes and/or sharing them with others!
Here are just a couple of my favorite sites: www.localharvest.org
www.idealbite.com
Namaste
(pronounced na-ma-stay, and represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us; It is a deep form of respect and when translated literally means "bow me you" or "I bow to you")
One of the reasons why I wanted to do this is because sometimes it can be overwhelming to go through a website or pamphlet or something along those lines that has lots and lots of information in it, on how you can change your habits to help eliminate your carbon footprint. So I just wanted to start a blog that had a few of my favorite tips and also a few "Did you know" type trivia. So here we go!
Change your dishwashing liquid – Switch from a regular petroleum based dish liquid to a natural one. If every household in the ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />U.S. replaced just ONE bottle of 25oz petroleum based dishwashing liquid with a vegetable based product (such as Seventh Generation or the like), we could save 81,000 barrels of oil, that's enough to heat and cool 4,600 U.S. homes for a year!!
Switch your regular incandescent bulbs to more eco-friendly CFLs (Compact Florescent Light bulbs) – This is a win win situation. Not only are you being eco-friendly but you will be saving money on your electric and heating bill. Regular light bulbs convert just 10% of their electricity usage to light, while the rest is turned into heat, making you crank up that AC during the summer. In addition, a regular 100watt light bulb is converted into a 26 watt CFL, using way less energy. CFLs use 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescents. It also reduces the amount of Mercury in our air. So why haven't you switched yet??
Switch to Energy Star products – Not that we can all go out and afford to buy new appliances or such but if you are in the market for it, be sure to purchase an product with the Energy Star seal. An average household spends about $615 a year on heating and cooling their home. Using Energy Star thermostats can save up to 33% on costs per year. AND you can prevent enough CO2 emissions to remove 600 cars from the road for a year. Energy Star Appliances use 10%-50% less energy and water than standard models.
DID YOU KNOW that top/bottom freezers use 10-25% less electricity than side-by-side models? And that Energy Star dishwashers only consume 5 gallons of water per load versus standard models that consume twice as much.
Organic versus non – Many vegetables we eat today are processed and contain preservatives, colors, dyes, fertilizers, and many more unhealthy chemicals. In fact, organic food is known to contain 50% more nutrients, minerals, and vitamins than produce that has been intensively farmed. I know we can't all afford it but here is a list of certain fruits and veggies that contain greater amounts of pesticides and chemicals than others; so going organic on these items is a smart way to go: 1. Wheat 2. Apples 3. Celery 4. Green Beans 5. Peaches 6. Grapes 7. Spinach 8. Pears 9. Strawberries 10. Winter Squash
You will also be supporting organic farmers instead of conventional factory farms; this means greater protection for the environment and for your health.
I know I've thrown out quite a few things here but the truth is, these aren't just words. You have a responsibility as an active member of this Earth, as a parent, as a brother, sister, or husband or wife. Just saying hey, that's someone else's responsibility only makes you the problem. I'm not asking you to turn your whole life around and become SUPER ECO GUY/GAL but just pick a few things that you can do and go for it. What do you have to lose?
I will try to make this a regular blog when I can…and I hope this makes some of you at least think about making these changes and/or sharing them with others!
Here are just a couple of my favorite sites: www.localharvest.org
www.idealbite.com
Namaste
(pronounced na-ma-stay, and represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us; It is a deep form of respect and when translated literally means "bow me you" or "I bow to you")
I swear I'm educated
Okay so this is a bit frustrating. Being an alternative medicine practitioner is frustrating enough, but add family/friends into the mix...well it is almost maddening. Between Mark and I, we got quite a bit of health care knowledge between us, I mean not to brag but we are pretty educated!
So if a family or friend has an illness or chronic issue or whatever, why wouldn't they take advantage of that? I mean lord knows if there was a mechanic in the family my car would be at their shop ALOT! Same with if it was a hair stylist, a computer wiz, or whatever. Of course there is a difference between taking advantage of your friends/relatives talent/business versus using and abusing it. I understand that...so why not us?
I really don't understand that? I mean what is so "weird" about doing what nature intended? Is it really so difficult to believe that doctors don't have all the answers?? Is it actually that difficult to believe that I might...okay...maybe not ALL the answers, but I can sure as hell give you a different view point. Something worth considering.
So that made me wonder is it me being viewed as the girl/relative that parties or as the kid they knew growing up, so it is hard to take advice from me seriously? Hmm...I don't know. I just can't understand why some people choose to live their lives in a bubble. I can't believe that they are content on just the answers from a guy/gal in a white lab coat...really?
Is natural medicine that scary? Or is it the land of the unknown that makes it scarier. Stepping outside the comfort zone, outside of the conventional zone. Not wanting to rock the boat or ask to many questions of his/her holiness MD? Don't get me wrong, this is not a rant on conventional physicians...okay...maybe it is a little, but truly it is not against them but the system. God forbid they actually study something outside of a 70 year old textbook.
I think if people actually new what there docs knew they would run! Did you know that in medical school the main area of study is on disease and death...wow..that's great. If I am dead I will go to them for their great advice. Almost NONE of their studies surround true prevention.
Instead they give really brilliant advice like, oh you need calcium, drink milk. HA! What a freaking joke. Do you have any idea how much calcium is in milk...let me just tell you..less then 1% will actually be absorbed, but don't worry all the hormones, antibiotics and steroids that the cow was given while on its pathetic diet will be absorbed.
I can probably go on for about 20 more pages but I suppose this is longer than I intended anyway...I guess my point is, take advantage of the talents/gifts/education of your friends/family. That is partly why we are all here isn't it? To learn from one another and better our lives? Just in case you forgot that part...also on my page are some quick and easy eco-tips to help diminish your carbon footprint.
I have lots of tips myself, and am going to put them up on a separate blog soon. Aren't you excited for it? I challenge each and every one of you to actually think outside the box and step out of your comfort zone...go for it, I dare ya!
So if a family or friend has an illness or chronic issue or whatever, why wouldn't they take advantage of that? I mean lord knows if there was a mechanic in the family my car would be at their shop ALOT! Same with if it was a hair stylist, a computer wiz, or whatever. Of course there is a difference between taking advantage of your friends/relatives talent/business versus using and abusing it. I understand that...so why not us?
I really don't understand that? I mean what is so "weird" about doing what nature intended? Is it really so difficult to believe that doctors don't have all the answers?? Is it actually that difficult to believe that I might...okay...maybe not ALL the answers, but I can sure as hell give you a different view point. Something worth considering.
So that made me wonder is it me being viewed as the girl/relative that parties or as the kid they knew growing up, so it is hard to take advice from me seriously? Hmm...I don't know. I just can't understand why some people choose to live their lives in a bubble. I can't believe that they are content on just the answers from a guy/gal in a white lab coat...really?
Is natural medicine that scary? Or is it the land of the unknown that makes it scarier. Stepping outside the comfort zone, outside of the conventional zone. Not wanting to rock the boat or ask to many questions of his/her holiness MD? Don't get me wrong, this is not a rant on conventional physicians...okay...maybe it is a little, but truly it is not against them but the system. God forbid they actually study something outside of a 70 year old textbook.
I think if people actually new what there docs knew they would run! Did you know that in medical school the main area of study is on disease and death...wow..that's great. If I am dead I will go to them for their great advice. Almost NONE of their studies surround true prevention.
Instead they give really brilliant advice like, oh you need calcium, drink milk. HA! What a freaking joke. Do you have any idea how much calcium is in milk...let me just tell you..less then 1% will actually be absorbed, but don't worry all the hormones, antibiotics and steroids that the cow was given while on its pathetic diet will be absorbed.
I can probably go on for about 20 more pages but I suppose this is longer than I intended anyway...I guess my point is, take advantage of the talents/gifts/education of your friends/family. That is partly why we are all here isn't it? To learn from one another and better our lives? Just in case you forgot that part...also on my page are some quick and easy eco-tips to help diminish your carbon footprint.
I have lots of tips myself, and am going to put them up on a separate blog soon. Aren't you excited for it? I challenge each and every one of you to actually think outside the box and step out of your comfort zone...go for it, I dare ya!
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