There are so many simple and cost effective things you can do to go green. Of course we all have heard reducing what we put in our trash cans can be one of the most important things that we all need to get through our heads. Of course it's great to recycle! Do not get me wrong. I do a ton of it myself, but recycling does produce chemicals in our air from the factories that have to do the recycling, it is much easier on our environment to reduce what we possibly can.
You will notice that I pointed out earlier this year to stop buying bottled water. Going to a water filter in your home, or a pitcher and reusable water bottles. I did that as a new years resolution and I would like to report my savings thus far this year. Taking the amount of money I would have spent on bottled water this year..and we are not even done with the summer. Subtracting out what I spent on my water pitcher and filters and then the reusable bottles (BPA free of course) so far I have saved myself roughly $55, and it's just over half way through the year!
Pretty cool. The great thing is not only is my pocketbook and the environment a little better off..but it is much healthier for my family. Even my doggies get their water in their bowl from my Best Water Pitcher. Click Here if you would like to learn more about the Best Water Pitcher. Of course made by a 100% green company:)
So...let's start reducing some more instead of recycling so much.
One very simple thing you can do to go green is starting using rechargeable batteries. Especially you parents out there. How many times do we change the batteries in those god forsaken toys:) Have a stash on hang that is already charged. You can get AA and AAA batteries that are rechargeable for a very reasonable price now and I have found the easiest way to do this is to keep some charged and keep them handy in a drawer or where you normally keep your batteries so then they are ready to go..then you are more likely to use them. The initial cost is a little bit more, but remember these batteries can be recharged hundreds of times. So it's a huge money saver in the long run.
Even if you don't have kids, think about all the little contraptions we have that take batteries. Our remotes. little gadgets..there are so many things and remember ever little bit helps:)
One other thing you might want to consider is you can also recycle batteries after they have been used instead of just junking them in the trash. But even the amount that you have to recycle goes down with the rechargeable batteries.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Really Easy Way To Go Green!
This is such a simple, a really easy way to go green! It's so simple I actually forgot to even post it. If you are reading this then you can probably do this! Pay bills online and also receive your statements in your email. Some of you may be reading this and not even thinking of this. It's sometimes the easiest things that we forget to do.
I hope you are having a wonderful holiday weekend!
I hope you are having a wonderful holiday weekend!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Spring Clean Up, The Green Way
This week our city has what they call Spring Clean Up. It's where the city will take anything for you and to dump without you being charged an extra fee. Some of it is great such as taking our leaves and clipping to compost without being charged a fee per bag or having to get it up there yourself. They will also take away unwanted furniture or junk for you too for now. So I was thinking this week as we cleaned out our shed and garage and got our stuff prepared to take away that while this is a great service there are some alternatives to it that maybe not everyone is aware of. Regardless of the size of your trash it still ends up in the same old landfills. So it goes back again to that old saying once more....one man's trash is another man's treasure.
Here is an alternative that I have been using that my sister in law told me about. It's called Freecycle. You basically post in the forum...I have this outside on my porch come and get it. There are rules, it must be free, but it is a great way to get rid of stuff or maybe even find something you have been looking for. So go and check it out. http://www.freecycle.org/
Another idea for you, is Craigslist and Ebay. In these touch economic times it can prove to be a great way to earn some extra cash!
Hope you are all having a great week,
Karen
Here is an alternative that I have been using that my sister in law told me about. It's called Freecycle. You basically post in the forum...I have this outside on my porch come and get it. There are rules, it must be free, but it is a great way to get rid of stuff or maybe even find something you have been looking for. So go and check it out. http://www.freecycle.org/
Another idea for you, is Craigslist and Ebay. In these touch economic times it can prove to be a great way to earn some extra cash!
Hope you are all having a great week,
Karen
Friday, May 1, 2009
Are Your Baby Products Really Safe?
Health is not something I always talk about on this blog but this was sent to me and I just have to say something about it. A lot of times going green is about our earth, but at many times it also ties to your health and we as consumers just do now realize that. Most of the alternatives when it comes to consumption of things in our bodies are really about health also. For example I wrote a lot about bottled water and dangers behind it for ourselves and our children.. not just the impact on the earth. I just really was so upset when I received this study I had to pass it on because it honestly blew me away!
I know a lot of companies drop the ball when it comes to toxins but this completely blew me away. Baby products, yes our precious little babies. I had to pass this on. It's just awful. Sorry if this posts seems a little scientific. Children's bath products contaminated with Formaldehyde, 1,4-Dioxane Despite marketing claims like "gentle" and "pure," dozens of top-selling children's bath products are contaminated with the cancer-causing chemicals formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane, according to product test results just released by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. The chemicals were not disclosed on product labels because contaminants are exempt from labeling laws.
1,4-dioxane is a byproduct of a chemical processing technique called ethoxylation, in which cosmetic ingredients are processed with ethylene oxide. Manufacturers can easily remove the toxic byproduct, but are not required by law to do so. Common ingredients likely to be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane include PEG-100 stearate, sodium laureth sulfate, polyethylene and ceteareth-20.
This study is the first to document the widespread presence of both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane in bath products for children. Many products tested for this study contained both formaldehyde and 1,4- dioxane, including the top-selling Johnson's Baby Shampoo and Sesame Street Bubble Bath.
Formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane are known to cause cancer in animals and are listed as probable human carcinogens by the Environmental Protection Agency. Formaldehyde can also trigger skin rashes in some children.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that "the presence of 1,4-dioxane, even as a trace contaminant, is cause for concern." Contrary to industry statements, there are no regulatory standards that limit formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane or most other toxic chemicals in personal care products sold in the United States. Other nations have stricter standards. Formaldehyde is banned from personal care products in Japan and Sweden. The European Union bans 1,4- dioxane from personal care products and has recalled products found to contain the chemical.
But there are signs the U.S. is gearing to catch up. Key Congressional leaders point to the findings of this report as further evidence of the need for action. "When products for babies are labeled 'gentle' and 'pure,' parents expect that they are just that," said Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA). "To think that cancer- causing chemicals are contaminating baby shampoos and lotions is horrifying. I intend to soon introduce legislation requiring greater oversight of our cosmetics industry. We need to ensure that the chemicals that are used in our everyday products are safe."
For the study, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics commissioned an independent laboratory to test 48 top-selling children's products for 1,4-dioxane; 28 of those products were also tested for formaldehyde. The lab found that: 17 out of 28 products tested - 61 percent - contained both formaldehyde and 1,4- dioxane; these included Johnson's Baby Shampoo, Sesame Street Bubble Bath, Grins & Giggles Milk & Honey Baby Wash and Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wash. 23 out of 28 products - 82 percent - contained formaldehyde at levels ranging from 54 to 610 parts per million (ppm). Baby Magic Baby Lotion had the highest levels of formaldehyde. 32 out of 48 products - 67 percent - contained 1,4-dioxane at levels ranging from 0.27 to 35 ppm. American Girl shower products had the highest levels of 1,4-dioxane.
The full results of the study can be found in the report, "No More Toxic Tub" at www.safecosmetics.org/toxictub.
If you are looking for a safer alternative for baby and infant care products I would highly recommend the new Shaklee baby line that was just launch May 1st. I say this not just because of my own personal beliefs about Shaklee as a company but because there is science behind it. Shaklee Corporation is a climate neutral company (one of the few and one of the 1st). When finding out something so horrible I hate to write about it until I can find a safe alternative and I believe I have found that for you. Check out this video and below I have written some facts about this new product line.
I know a lot of companies drop the ball when it comes to toxins but this completely blew me away. Baby products, yes our precious little babies. I had to pass this on. It's just awful. Sorry if this posts seems a little scientific. Children's bath products contaminated with Formaldehyde, 1,4-Dioxane Despite marketing claims like "gentle" and "pure," dozens of top-selling children's bath products are contaminated with the cancer-causing chemicals formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane, according to product test results just released by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. The chemicals were not disclosed on product labels because contaminants are exempt from labeling laws.
1,4-dioxane is a byproduct of a chemical processing technique called ethoxylation, in which cosmetic ingredients are processed with ethylene oxide. Manufacturers can easily remove the toxic byproduct, but are not required by law to do so. Common ingredients likely to be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane include PEG-100 stearate, sodium laureth sulfate, polyethylene and ceteareth-20.
This study is the first to document the widespread presence of both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane in bath products for children. Many products tested for this study contained both formaldehyde and 1,4- dioxane, including the top-selling Johnson's Baby Shampoo and Sesame Street Bubble Bath.
Formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane are known to cause cancer in animals and are listed as probable human carcinogens by the Environmental Protection Agency. Formaldehyde can also trigger skin rashes in some children.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that "the presence of 1,4-dioxane, even as a trace contaminant, is cause for concern." Contrary to industry statements, there are no regulatory standards that limit formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane or most other toxic chemicals in personal care products sold in the United States. Other nations have stricter standards. Formaldehyde is banned from personal care products in Japan and Sweden. The European Union bans 1,4- dioxane from personal care products and has recalled products found to contain the chemical.
But there are signs the U.S. is gearing to catch up. Key Congressional leaders point to the findings of this report as further evidence of the need for action. "When products for babies are labeled 'gentle' and 'pure,' parents expect that they are just that," said Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA). "To think that cancer- causing chemicals are contaminating baby shampoos and lotions is horrifying. I intend to soon introduce legislation requiring greater oversight of our cosmetics industry. We need to ensure that the chemicals that are used in our everyday products are safe."
For the study, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics commissioned an independent laboratory to test 48 top-selling children's products for 1,4-dioxane; 28 of those products were also tested for formaldehyde. The lab found that: 17 out of 28 products tested - 61 percent - contained both formaldehyde and 1,4- dioxane; these included Johnson's Baby Shampoo, Sesame Street Bubble Bath, Grins & Giggles Milk & Honey Baby Wash and Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wash. 23 out of 28 products - 82 percent - contained formaldehyde at levels ranging from 54 to 610 parts per million (ppm). Baby Magic Baby Lotion had the highest levels of formaldehyde. 32 out of 48 products - 67 percent - contained 1,4-dioxane at levels ranging from 0.27 to 35 ppm. American Girl shower products had the highest levels of 1,4-dioxane.
The full results of the study can be found in the report, "No More Toxic Tub" at www.safecosmetics.org/toxictub.
If you are looking for a safer alternative for baby and infant care products I would highly recommend the new Shaklee baby line that was just launch May 1st. I say this not just because of my own personal beliefs about Shaklee as a company but because there is science behind it. Shaklee Corporation is a climate neutral company (one of the few and one of the 1st). When finding out something so horrible I hate to write about it until I can find a safe alternative and I believe I have found that for you. Check out this video and below I have written some facts about this new product line.
Shaklee's new Shakleebaby products help you protect your most precious gift - your baby. Safety is a top priority for parents when it comes to their children, and Shaklee is dedicated to that concern as well. That's why the Shaklee philosophy has always been, and continues to be, products that are always safe, always work, and are always green.
And that promise is backed up by a 100% Shaklee guarantee, so if you try a product and don't like it for whatever reason, you get your money back. You never have any risk in trying a Shaklee product.
Since Shaklee believes that what goes on your baby is just as important as what goes in your baby, they have developed 4 new personal care products that are:
* Pediatrician tested
* 99% natural
* hypoallergenic
* have no artificial colors or fragrances
* have no parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, formaldehyde, phthalates or 1,4 dioxane
The line includes Gentle Wash that gently gets baby squeaky clean from head to toe safely. Soothing Lotion is formulated with natural moisturizers and soothing herbs to help prevent dry, irritated skin. Diaper Rash Cream is there to heal, sooth, and protect against wetness. Finally, there is Massage Oil for babies, since they love to touch and be touched, to soothe and moisturize.
There are 2 important reasons to protect your baby from questionable chemicals, the first being babies thinner skin absorbs chemicals faster, and second, there's more surface area compared to their body mass which means they have a higher likelihood of toxicity from chemicals.
For more information about this new product line visit:
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