Saturday

Green Life-Grow This Sugar Substitute-Stevia

What is Stevia?


Stevia is an herb that is much sweeter than sugar and almost calorie free. Stevia was grown in Paraguay and Brazil for centuries. Stevia was first introduced to the market by a Japanese food chemist but it did not gain interest until the late 1980’s.

The advantage of Stevia is that you can actually grow it with your other herbs and you will enjoy pure health because it does reduce blood sugar, blood pressure and good for your immune system. You will also gain benefits and protection from cancer, heart disease and stroke.

The large companies will soon be using Stevia to sweeten beverages and that is good news for those who are seeking healthy alternatives. I do not drink soda and I think when Stevia is finally used to sweeten soda I will go back to drinking soda for right now I am better off without the unhealthy soda.

Stevia is actually 15 times sweater than sugar yet is also healthy. So grow your own Stevia and you will not regret. Actually growing Stevia is not complicated at all as long as you buy the plant from the herb section in your local store. Do not buy the seedlings because they do not germinated well but a Stevia plant will thrive in your backyard especially if you live in Florida or California.

One other advantage you have is that Stevia has the approval of FDA as a supplement and so you should not have trouble growing and using
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Thursday

Green Life-Money Saving Tips Without A Money Expert

How To Save Money By Living A Simple Life


Saving money, protecting the environment and living a full healthy life go hand in hand especially now with the uncertain economic times. It just makes perfect sense to stretch every dollar you have while enjoying a green lifestyle.

First you have to consider all the things you need to live a happier and healthy life and those you can do away with because sometimes you can burden your live with none essentials which end up taking all you money hence sending you into debt.

Comparison Shopping-Best Way To Save Money

The age of technology has made it a lot easier to do comparison-shopping, which is really a good idea if you are considering saving money and living a green lifestyle. You can do comparison-shopping for groceries, gas, general household products and it is even better when you are shopping for premium products like insurance, cell phone or banking. Therefore, whatever product or service you decide to purchase make sure you are getting the best deal and there by saving more money. However, it is always crucial to stick with essentials and avoid all the extra services that you might not need or want.


Can You DIY-Answer This Question Before Buying And You Will Save More Money


So many items can be made at home with very inexpensive materials. You can easily make your own shampoo, household cleaning products; fix a bike, cut hair, fix plumbing, house repairs and you can do your own yard work. All this and others you can brainstorm do not have to cost you money instead you can be creative and save money in the end.

Monday

Green Life-Natural Health Your Beast Option

During any period of illness, it is important to follow the instructions from your doctor but you also have to help your body heal by consuming natural foods. You know what I mean, the food that comes from natural sources.


Healing will only be effective and fast if you adjust your lifestyle. Avoid processed foods, sugars and foods injected with hormones.

It might be difficult the first time but with patience, you will be able to adjust your lifestyle to a point where you will not have any desire for processed food.


Convenient foods are actually bad for our health and you do not have to wait until you are very sick to figure this out just make the change now and save yourself from chronic illnesses.

If you are already, facing health challenges combine your regular care with natural health or neuropathy. Neuropathy is a holistic method of healing which appreciates the ability of the healing power of nature.


Naturopathic nutrition involves using fresh whole foods and supplements to achieve a balanced diet.

Sunday

Green Life- Why Antioxidants Foods And Supplements Are Important For You

What is antioxidant?

Antioxidant is a group of organic substances which include vitamins A, C, A, manganese, zinc, a mineral known as selenium and carotenoids. Beta-carotene is the most well known carotenoid.

What are Carotenoids?

They are the pigment compounds that give the vegetables and fruits their bright color.

Antioxidants are important to your health in that antioxidants are effective in prevention of chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, stroke and other ailments that come with age and unhealthy habits. Remember specific antioxidants prevent ailments by destroying free harmful radicals inside the human body.

So in short, antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Antioxidants are widely used as ingredients in dietary supplements in the hope of maintaining good health by keeping chronic diseases away.


Remember left on their own free radicals are capable of damaging cell walls, genetic material within cell and other structures, which may lead to disease. Antioxidants help prevent diseases by destroying the free radicals before they get the chance to harm your body.

Friday

Green Life-Liquid Laundry Detergent-Eco Friendly

Green lifestyle means you have to decide to use non-toxic products in your home. You will be making a conscious choice not buy or use household products that contain artificial scents, color or chemical agents.


Laundry detergents are suppose to make our clothes and linens smell great, remove stains and even keep clothes looking fresh and new. However, the regular detergents contain chemicals that could be harmful to you, your family and the environment.


Eco friendly Laundry Detergent


Chemicals you will find in your regular liquid or powder laundry detergent:


Napthas, phenols, phosphates, chlorine bleach, chemical fragrance, dioxane and sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate are some of the harmful chemicals you will find in laundry detergent with the promise of high efficiency in the detergent yet no one mentions the side effects especially to young children.


Chemicals Found in Laundry Detergent May Cause This side Effects


The chemicals found in laundry detergents may irritate skin, eyes and the respiratory system; disrupt hormones; and cause allergies, and some like naphthas, may cause some form of cancer.


Therefore, if you decide to pursue the green lifestyle by choosing non-toxic laundry detergent you will be making a conscious choice. Living a green life means using safe household cleaners, which are made from natural ingredients that biodegradable?

Thursday

Green Life- Chelsea Clinton Will She Host A Green Wedding?

The media is going crazy about Chelsea Clinton’s wedding, where it going to be and who is invited. The date is already set for the big day but where remains a mystery, which is a good thing because, can you imagine all the paparazzi on helicopters, cars, bikes and on foot. Chelsea Clinton should just continue keeping it private as much as possible.



I hope Chelsea will host a green wedding and here are some ideas for anyone looking to host a green weeding. It is summer and love is the air so why not host a wedding with environmental twist.



Green Wedding Ideas



There so many ways for a wedding to be green and these simple steps can save you money in the end.


Wednesday

Green Life- Are Your Beauty Products Certified Organic?Eco Beauty

Since I started my venture into green lifestyle, I have come to realize that what is the organic stamp does not have to be 100% organic. A product needs only a small percentage to pass the test so do you know your products?




I know women who are health conscious are always searching for healthy options especially in beauty products because the regular products have all kinds of chemicals designed to make you sexy but dangerous to your health at same time.


Unlike foods, beauty products do not always have the same standards when it comes to what is organic and what is not organic. There are no strict criteria for an organic beauty product even when a product like shampoo for example has a chemical content of paraben it could still pass the organic test and will receive the organic seal of approval.


I believe there should be standards set by the companies who manufacture these products who ensure whatever says organic is organic. They should also provide more information to the consumer about what exactly the product. The dangers or goodness to the consumer’s health and well-being so consumers can make and educated choice on their own.



Companies who claim to have organic beauty products have to proof their claim with proven scientific tests. They should also tell the consumer the benefit of the product content. Those products should at least have 95% organic ingredients to pass the certified organic test.

Tuesday

Green Life-Cleaning Supplies and Air Fresheners Maybe The Cause Of Breast Cancer

I always wondered why how I got breast cancer. I led a very healthy lifestyle but recently I read this article posted on The Sun UK newspaper


By VIRGINIA WHEELER
Publisher



HOUSEPROUD women with spotless bathrooms could be twice as likely to get breast cancer, astonishing research claims.

Scientists claim the risk is doubled by the overuse of cleaning products that combat mould and mildew - and AIR FRESHENERS.

The amazing findings - which may even be linked to a bizarre combination of the two - emerged in a huge US study.


Breast cancer researchers for the American Silent Spring Institute quizzed more than 1,500 women about what kind of cleaning products they used - and how often.


Many were housewives waging a constant battle against bathroom mould and the build-up of mildew on windows - while at the same time trying to keep homes smelling fresh.


The institute's Julia Brody said yesterday: "Women who reported the highest combined cleaning product use had a doubled risk of breast cancer compared to those with the lowest reported use.


"Use of air fresheners and products for mould and mildew control were associated with increased risk."

Insect repellents also boosted the chance of getting the disease - although there appeared to be little linking it to pesticides. The institute urged further urgent research.

Ms Brody declared: "To our knowledge this is the first published report on cleaning product use and risk of breast cancer."

Monday

Green Life-Clean And Eco Friendly Home

Keep Your Home Clean With Non Toxic Products

No one wants to get to live in a dirty environment and no one wants to get sick either: that is why you do everything you can to make sure your home and environment you live in is clean. Sanitize and sterilize your home and it is surroundings on a regular basis so you can defend your home from pests and diseases. However, most people choose to spend a fortune on products that harm the environment instead of protecting it I am talking about those toxic chemicals. Your best solution is to use eco friendly products.


Germ and Illness -Free Home


Living in a home that is clean means, you and your family are free from unwanted illnesses, because dirt is what attracts most germs and pests, which cause many diseases. In fact, if your home and its surroundings are poorly maintained, different bugs like mosquitoes will thrive in it. Millions of people die every year from bug related infections.
So keep your home clean and always use eco friendly products.


Save Yourself From Emotional Stress

Just imagine your child very sick because of an infection that you can easily prevent by cleaning, to make matters worse infections spread fast, and before you know it everyone in the household could easily be sick. This leads to emotional and anxiety and in some instances depression. So help yourself and your family by keeping a clean home using non-toxic products, which are 100%, guaranteed to be eco friendly.

Sunday

Green Life- Top Ten Green Values For Green Lifestyle

Money is tighter than it has been and so times are ever tougher than ever. These are all the good reason you should consider going green. This is good for the planet and you can save money too in the process.



1. Visit your local library- The kids over the weekend, have them pick out two of their favorite books and return them after a week-Free and it is green since you are reusing the books at the library.


2. Carpool- If you drive to work is 25 miles each way and at least half is stop-and -go traffic, you will save almost 10 percent of your monthly carbon emissions by carpooling plus the cash you will save.


3. Conserve Energy-Run you dishwasher and it will help the environment while saving you time and money. Studies show that dishwashers actually use less than washing dishes by hand. You will saver energy, time and money especially if you use Energy Star-approved appliance.


4. Always, use rechargeable batteries and you will save even more money over time. The less you rely on single use batteries the more money you will save.


5. Buy CFL bulbs because they use 80% less energy than standard incandescent light bulbs and lasts up six to ten years. There different variety bulbs- pleasant color temperature, dimmable CFL, bug lights, 3-way models, candelabra and flicker tip styles.

Turn off your computer-Save energy and wear on your hardware. You will save $90.00 each on electricity costs by shutting down your computer at night and not in use. The department of energy recommends shutting off your monitor if you are not going to use it for more than 20 minute, and whole system if you are not going to use it for more than 2 hours.

6. Preserve the earth by shopping in bulk because it is good for the environment since it reduces packaging and waste plus it means you limit your shopping trips to the supermarket.


7. Stop Idling for more than 10 seconds because you will be wasting more gas than is needed for startup. Overall, Americans idle away 2.9 billion gallons of gas a year, worth about $78.2 billion.


8. Recycle, Reuse, and Remake your own towels instead of the paper towels by cutting up old t-shirts and turning them into cleaning rags. If Do it yourself is not your kind of thing then get this Super micro fiber cleaning and window clothes. They are absorbent and can be reused hundreds of times.


9. Ditch the bottle water- First they are expensive and it adds more waste to the landfills which in torn pollute the planet. Keep the bottles out the landfills by switching to filtered water. This system serves you delicious water you can use at home or put in a reusable water bottle for the go.


10. Stop junk mail for good by signing up to stop unsolicited mail at Direct Marketing Association website for $1.00 also use paperless systems to pay your bills. By doing so you will save around 100 million trees and around 28 billion gallons of water from waste.

Saturday

Green Life-Visit Mother Nature More During The Summer

Summer is a fun season for all who enjoy the green lifestyle- Get out more, there is plenty of free and cheap entertainment out there if only you could visit Mother Nature more often.




Skip the movies instead go hiking, picnicking, bird watching, fishing, kayaking or camping, your family will thank you for it since these activities bring families together.



Forget about the $50 gym membership instead buy a good pair of running shoes or get your bike and hit the road. Who said the gym is the only hope for you to get in shape. For motivation, go biking with a family member, a friend or your dog.


Enjoy the beauty nature presents to you free of charge. Walking along the beach or river is soothing -so try it this summer and may you enjoy a green life without spending a dime.

Friday

Green Life-Ditch Plastic For A Fashionable Reusable Grocery Bag

Despite the call to end the use of plastic bags many stores, still bag groceries and other purchases in these wispy baggies swearing to change to reusable bags if all the customers can bring their own bags or buy their store brand reusable bags. The store brand reusable bags are expensive some going for $4.99. Why not sell them for $.99 so more people can start using them.



It is not only grocery stores of course. Those petroleum-based bags have become so prevalent; US consumers alone throw away 100 billion plastic bags a year. Can you imagine what this is doing to our planet?



Actually, you can make your own reusable bag using old t-shirts, tablecloths, shredded plastic bags or even crochet/knit your very own.



You can watch Martha Steward for inspiration on how to make you own reusable bag. The idea is to start so in the end we will reach the goal of making sure no plastic bag will affect the marine wildlife ever again. Remember experts estimate 100,000 marine creatures die every year after ingesting bits of plastic bags.



You can also buy simple fabrics from Wal Mart and if you can use a sewing machine great otherwise you can just saw them by hand. Very easy and this can be a great project for your kids. The most important is to get started and together we can solve the problem who plastic bags everyone. Good for you, good for me and the planet.

Thursday

Tips For Saving Money-The Eco Friendly Way

1. Buy in bulk and save- You will save money, time and shopping trips if you buy in bulk. Buy rice, sugar, laundry soap in bulk( all your essentials). Remember a large box of laundry detergent costs less per ounce than its pint-size counterpart.. The same principle applies to light bulbs, toothpaste or dog food.




2. Go Generic- There is nothing wrong with the generic brands of ten times they are as good as the brand name products. Grocery store brand tooth paste or cleaning supplies are as good as the rand name ones.



3. Pack your own lunch- You will be saving money and losing weight at same time. Brown bag lunches are actually the best way to loose weight fast because you will be able to pack healthy food.



4. Home cooked meals are a big money saver and also a good way to live a healthy lifestyle. Stop throwing money away instead commit to a home cooked on a regular basis.



5. Turn off the Air conditioner -Save it for those humid days instead use ceiling fans and floor fans you will save tons of money. The ceiling fans require less energy and that means more money in your pocket



6. Clip those coupons- Clipping coupons is in style because it is no longer considered a poor mans way of life-even the rich clip coupons nowadays and you can even get some online.



Surely there are some many ways to go green and save money so be creative-don’t forget to ride your bike often. You will burn calories, strengthen your heart while being friendly to mother earth.

Recycle, Reuse Or Remake Has A New Meaning To People In Africa

Recently I stumbled upon this article online and had to post it here because it shows how people can be enriched with the resources they already have. This what US Aid should focus their attention on. Instead of inventing new ideas for Africa why not reinvent what they already have- New eco friendly fashion jewelry




I thank Candice Shih for this incredible story and wish everyone concerned luck-







Jewelry made from trash in Africa finds value

By Candice Shih

Orange County Register

Posted: 07/02/2010



It's not often one will stumble into a fashion design business while working with a charity in Uganda.

But it happened to Kallie Dovel, a 2008 graduate of Vanguard University in Costa Mesa.

Uganda is still recovering in many ways from a civil war, and Dovel met some of the women affected by the bloodshed in a refugee camp in Gulu in 2007.

She noticed they made necklaces from beads rolled from paper and trash and sold them to whoever might pass by.

When Dovel, now 23, returned home, she brought back boxes of the necklaces with her, sold them and sent the money back to these women.

"It got our minds rolling," says Alli Swanson, a friend and now business partner. "How could we do this?"



Rapid growth



Now Dovel, Swanson, Anna Nelson, Brooke Hodges and Jessie Simonson — all recent graduates of Vanguard — run a jewelry and shoe company called 31.



The name comes from the Bible's Proverbs 31, which describes a woman providing for her family. The "bits" refers to the bits of paper from which the beads are made.

Having started out with six women in Gulu, 200 miles from Uganda's capital of Kampala, 31 Bits now employs 60 women

.

Out of the five co-founders, usually two are working in Uganda and three in Costa Mesa at any given time.

Dovel is in Uganda now with Hodges. They live in a compound where the jewelry makers come to do their work.



"My day normally includes spending time with each lady making sure she is doing her assignment for the month correctly, rolling beads with her, getting supplies for them and answering any questions they might have about the designs," Dovel says in an e-mail.

"We change our designs almost every month for the ladies, so they are continually learning and mastering new designs."



Finding resources



According to Swanson, the 31 Bits partners on site will buy the raw materials in Kampala, which requires a six-hour ride on a chicken bus. The paper for the beads is all recycled, often originating as leftover material from printers. If it isn't the right color for the design, they will have it printed.

The Ugandans who make the beads first roll the paper and then apply a varnish to make them hard and waterproof. Then they are strung together. One worker might make 80 single-strand necklaces in a week.

Styles include chunky, single-strand necklaces and multistrand pieces with smaller beads. The women make bracelets, too.



Building partnerships



The jewelry is sold at stores such as Seed People's Market at the Camp in Costa Mesa and the Mariners Church Bookstore in Irvine for $25 to $55 for necklaces. Simpler styles are sold online at slightly lower prices.



31 Bits also formed a partnership with Reef sandals a year and a half ago. The paper beads form embellishments on Reef's T-strap leather shoes.

The "Ugandals" sell for $58 at Orange County venues Surfside, Jacks Surfboards, Huntington Surf & Sport and Even Sisters in Balboa Island.



With the money they make from working with 31 Bits, the Ugandan women "are sending their children and other orphans to school when they were not able to before, buying large amounts of local produce to sell, buying pigs, chickens, buying chairs and mattresses,"

Dovel says.

For Swanson, the contradictions of 31 Bits make sense.

"Here we are, five young girls who know nothing about starting a business. We're working with women who have nothing, and it's a product made out of trash. It's definitely not a recipe for success," she says.

"But that's the coolest thing about it. It works."

Where to buy: The jewelry may be purchased from the online store, 31bits.com If you"re visiting Southern California, you will find the products at Seed People"s Market in Costa Mesa and the Mariners Church Bookstore in Irvine.

How To Make Your Bike Safe And Last Longer

Your bike will last long and be safe for you at the same time if you follow the following maintenance structure. Remember participants at the Tour De France have experts who help them keep their bike in top shape and you should do the same.




Remember bicycles are simple machines and maintaining them is very easy -Just do the following and your bike will be both safe and last longer.



1. Check air in your tires frequently and always use the proper pump with a pressure gauge to match the pressure printed on the tire. It is normal for tires to lose pressure between rides.



2. The brakes should bring your bike to a safe and comfortable stop. The brake levers should pull smoothly, the brake levers should stop when the brake pads grip the rim. Replace the brakes if they are worn out.



3. A forward turn of the crank should make the chain rings spin in a straight line and not wobble. Replace a wobbly chain or if the chain is rusted, broken or bent.



4. The quick release levers that hold the wheels on and allow for easy removal. Tighten the release levers (most levers are marked to indicate the proper position)



5. Perform regular check ups on your bike to ensure a smooth ride. A regular check helps you become more familiar with your bike. Perform this checks in a quiet area away from the traffic this will allow you to see or hear something out of the ordinary.



Remember to be eco friendly and use the resources available wisely. Always Reuse, Recycle or Remake is one way you can save the planet.



Happy Ridding!

Wednesday

The Deadly Secrets Hidden Behind Your Cleaning Supplies

Everyone has cleaning supplies of some sort at home. For cleaning floors, windows , bathrooms, bathing soaps and shampoos , laundry detergents to name just a few. Frankly, every home has some form of cleaning supplies but have you ever wondered what they all contain? I recently survived cancer and that set me on a fact-finding mission because I had a very healthy lifestyle and despite all my efforts I still felt in the cancer trap-a very painful experience.




I found these disturbing facts about the cleaning supplies found in most households including mine, some of them deadly.



1. Chlorine Bleach is the chemical frequently involved in household poisoning

2. Degreasers do sometimes contain petroleum distillates, which can damage lung tissue and dissolve fatty tissue around nerve cells

3. Glass cleaners sometime do contain ammonia. Ammonia fumes can irritate the skin and respiratory system

4. Oven cleaners can be one of the most dangerous cleaning products, which can cause severe damage to eyes, skin, mouth and throat.

5. Toilet Bowl Cleaners can be extremely dangerous cleaning products, which can be harmful by just breathing the fumes-fatal if swallowed. You have seen those warning they put on the packaging and never questioned anything but the deeper you look the more you realize how deadly they actually are.





Household Cleaning Supplies



Remember according to well-documented facts around 90% of poisoning occur at home and the household cleaning supplies cause most this problems.



Just imagine all the hours that we spend in our beautiful homes around these house cleaners. Even glass cleaning products are dangerous.



Have you watched those TV shows that sell stuff- pay close attention and you will see the one single cleaning product that works like magic. Your old grill will be new again with one scrap or your oven will be brand new as soon as you use this one product. Please buy a new grill or stove because the medical expenses you might end up with will be enough to buy 60 new stoves -I know that for a fact-Cancer taught me this very important lesson. Avoid those quick fix cleaning supplies unless they are eco friendly.



Indoor pollutants come from all sorts of chemicals we use to make our lives easier everyday-paint, carpets, household cleaners, personal care products among many others.



Look for safe non-toxic products when looking for



-household cleaning supplies

-micro fiber cloth

-glass cleaning products

-rug cleaning supplies

-shower cleaning supplies

-personal care products



Avoid products that contain

*Volatile organic cleaning compounds

*Kerosene

*Phenol

*Cresol

*Lye

*Hydrochloric acid

* Sulfuric acid

*Sulfuric acid

*Petroleum distillates

*Ammonia

*Sodium hydroxide

*Butyl cello solve

* Phosphoric acid

*Formaldehyde

*Morph line



Read all the contents of your household cleaning supplies before buying them and if they contain these substances don’t bring them to your home or if you already have products containing these products get rid of them before it is too late. Invest your money on non-toxic cleaning supplies.

Monday

Reasons Tour De France Is Environmentally Friendly

Tour de France is a fun sport to watch and every year it gets even better. Marc Cavendish is my all time favorite rider and boy does he end a stage in style.




Besides the fun in the sport, Tour De France encourages bicycle ridding as an alternative to driving and that means more exercise for you if only you could get the courage to ride a bicycle instead of driving.



Remember zero pollution from a bike and the exercise you get is far more than any gym will give you despite the fact that the gym will charge you a fee. The only expense you will incur with a bike is the initial purchase price plus a small amount to maintain a smooth ride.



Tour de France is environmentally friendly in two ways -the sport does not pollute the planet and those who participate gain tremendous exercise. Tour de France is tough but that is what makes the sport spectacular to watch..



During spring and summer especially there should be no reason why you cannot get your bike on the road remember a little goes along way. Keep the earth green!

Sunday

Products That Are Dangerous To Your Green Lifestyle

Just think of how get the warning everyday about welcoming strangers into your homes but did you stop to think of all the unwanted guests in your home. I am talking about hazardous, toxic, and even carcinogenic chemicals you welcome to your home everyday.




1. Conventional cleaning supplies that contain bleach chemicals that contain ammonia or oven cleaners that contain high toxic levels.



2. Air fresheners are incredibly toxic, wonder why they still on store shelves. Air fresheners are so dangerous and can even cause asthma even the ones labeled “natural” do contain some levels of toxins.



3. Plastic bags-From supper markets to department stores plastics are the only choice of packaging unless you have your own go green bag. Remember plastic bags are forever and that is why the oceans and rivers have plastic bags from all over. Say no to plastic bags today.



4. Chemical Fertilizers- The person who invented this had the idea of making everything grow fast but now chemical fertilizers are causing damage to water supply. Avoid this harsh chemicals instead use organic fertilizers.



5. Chemical insecticides and Herbicides- Since they are suppose to kill bugs chances are they contain more than deadly chemicals- instead look for non-toxic and natural products.

Get rid this dangerous products and you will be able to breath easier.