One woman's search to find greening in the world today …

Category Archives: health

A Breath of Fresh(er) Air

When we think of  sunny Southern California, clean air does not immediately come to mind. But I have to tell you, I just visited, and one thing I noticed in several cities was how smoke-free they were. Cities like Burbank, Glendale and Calabasas, to name a few, have bans in place to prohibit public smoking.  The cities just seem so CLEAN. No cigarette butts on the sidewalks. No walking out of a building only to be engulfed in a cloud of toxic secondhand smoke.

In fact, this is an especially hot topic in California right now – next week voters will weigh in on Proposition 29 – which is about imposing an additional $1.00 per pack tax on cigarettes and an equivalent tax increase on other tobacco products, with the revenues funding research for cancer and tobacco-related diseases.

There are no easy answers here. All I know is that, even in a smoggy city like Los Angeles, it was wonderful to breathe deeply and not gag on second-hand smoke…

52 Things to do with Coconut Oil (REVISED POST)

REVISED POST:
Thank you Jessica of Delicious Obsessions for this great info:
52 Uses for Coconut Oil

(1) Eat a spoonful when you need an energy boost.
(2) Use it as the base for a homemade body scrub.
(3) Use to condition your wooden cutting boards.
(4) Use as a super conditioner on your hair (apply to dry hair, leave in as long as possible and then shampoo as normal).
(5) Use as a styling agent if you have really dry hair. Just rub a tiny bit on your palms and apply to your hair and style as normal.

For the other 47, head on over to Jessica’s original post:

52 Uses for Coconut Oil

Thanks!

World Water Day 2012 – let’s get going!

Today is World Water Day. What better day than today to become aware of how much water we use, waste, and how to fix that? According to The Water Footprint Network, each of us may drink 8 or so glasses of water daily, but the average American uses  32,911 glasses per day. Yes, you read that correctly. 96% of our water use is “hidden” which means it is used to make and grow the things we eat, wear and use, and for energy.  And, the EPA estimates that the average family uses about 400 gallons of water daily. Even PETA weighs in, telling us that it takes over 2,400 gallons of water for each pound of meat produced. And 2,900 gallons for a single pair of blue jeans, 37 gallons of water to make a cup of coffee, 49 gallons of water to make a bag of chips! It is easy to see how this all adds up very quickly.

Of course, we have all heard about the dire conditions around the globe and the importance of clean drinking water. Well over 885 million people lack access to clean drinking water. And, in California, some residents have begun to truck in water to bathe their kids. While the problem may seem insurmountable, at this point we actually are on our way to meet 2015 goals for turning this crisis around that were set by the United Nations. So there  IS hope. And it is up to each one of us to make a difference.

What I would like to focus on today is what each of us can do, right now, to make a difference. Hey, if everybody saves even a few glasses daily, it will all add up. Here are a few ideas to get us started:

  1. Donate money. A couple of good places are Matt Damon’s charity, water.org and The Nature Conservancy.
  2. Fix leaks – Earth 911 tells us how. They also mention that according to the  ”U.S. EPA, the average American home leaks more than 10,000 gallons of water per year – enough water to wash 280 loads of laundry, take more than 600 showers or meet the average family’s water needs for a month.”
  3. Recycle paper. Savings – 3.5 gallons of water for every pound.
  4. Stop junk mail.
  5. Use your own water bottles, It takes 3 times as much water to make a plastic bottle than will fit inside.
  6. Think meatless – cattle are the number one water-users. (So think leather-free as well)
  7. Eat sustainable fish.
  8. Basically, eat healthy.
  9. Turn off the faucet when not needed while you are brushing your teeth, shaving, even washing dishes.
  10. Cut shower time by 5 minutes and save 20 gallons of water.
  11. Plant your garden with plants that need less water.
  12. “If it’s yellow, let it mellow.” Don’t flush every time.
  13. Find a car wash that recycles water.
  14. Get creative…

If you are interested in finding out more about World Water Day, here’s a  bit of background from the official United Nations site:“International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day. Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater.” This year the theme is WATER AND FOOD SECURITY.

It is up to all of us to make a difference, starting today. What ideas do YOU have? We’re all in this together!

There Must be 50 Ways to Love Your Lemons…

Get busy! There are many reasons to love this versitile fruit. As Green Living tips tells us, “Lemons are high in vitamin C, have an anti-bacterial effect and are thought to possess antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties. The juice consists of about 5% acid, which  also makes them useful for a variety of household purposes. Lemons and/or lemon juice are a popular addition in environmentally friendly cleaning applications.”

 So, here we go, a list (in no particular order) of some of the many, many uses of this noble fruit. I will admit, some I have tried, and others not, but they all sound intriguing, and who knows? Using lemons instead of harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, bleach or other unnatural ingredients is good for you, and good for the planet. And of course, when life gives you lemons? Well, you can:
  1. Put sun-kissed highlights in your hair (leave juice from 1 lemon plus salt to your hair for a couple of hours while you are outside in the sun)
  2. Fight a cold (mix lemon juice with honey and hot water)
  3. Exfoliate your feet (mix with brown sugar and scrub away)
  4. Clean and sanitize your pierced earrings in the juice
  5. Brighten your fingernails (soak for 2 min – may add olive oil to strengthen nails)
  6. Use as a hair rinse – after shampooing to get rid of soapy residue
  7. Gargle juice to freshen breath
  8. Rub directly on your underarms for a deodorant
  9. Soothe insect stings – they are less painful if you bathe them in lemon juice and water.
  10. Soothe sore throats – gargle with lemon juice
  11. Lighten freckles or age spots (not sure how effective it is – it takes a months)
  12. Make an astringent for your face
  13. Create a facial scrub – mix with salt until you form a paste
  14. Get hangover relief – lemon juice added to warm water or tea
  15. Relieve itchy skin
  16. Boost your metabolism – maybe
  17. Remove dandruff flakes
  18. Soften elbows – add baking soda to cut lemon, use on elbows
  19. Clean mirrors and windows
  20. Clean, disinfect and freshen your garbage disposal
  21. Brighten laundry – add 1 cup juice in rinse. It’s even more effective if the laundry dries naturally in the sun.
  22. Keep cut fruits and veggies from browning
  23. Deter insects. Put juice where insects come in the home
  24. Perk up droopy lettuce (soak for an hour in cold water and lemon juice)
  25. Remove rust stains from cotton and polyester fabric (make paste with juice and cream of tartar, let sit for a half hour, wash)
  26. Remove grease stains from clothes – rub juice into stain, leave overnight, wash)
  27. Remove ink stains from clothes – put juice on stain directly, wash in cold water
  28. Clean mineral buildup from tea and coffeepots – boil lemon slices and let sit for an hour or two
  29. Clean cutting boards – get rid of stains and germs
  30. Clean and bleach tile grout – use a toothbrush
  31. Freshen toilet bowl – add one-half cup lemon juice to bowl and use brush to clean
  32. Deodorize stinky rooms – add a few slices to water near stinky areas
  33. Add to cooking water of stinky veggies
  34. Clean microwave – bring lemon water to boil, and don’t open door for 10 minutes
  35. Unclogs drains. Use baking  soda followed by lemon juice
  36. Clean hard water stains on shower doors
  37. Degrease hand-washed dishes
  38. Freshen your dishwasher – use half of cut lemon, and shove it onto a rod in the upper basket
  39. Remove limescale from stainless steel taps, countertops, sinks
  40. Clean discolored copper of brass (be careful with antiques)
  41. Clean counter tops – make your own spray solution, rinse and dry
  42. Scrub barbeque grills and grates
  43. Remove stains and odors from plastic food storage containers – soak, then add baking soda and scrub
  44. Clean hands from food smells
  45. Remove odors from your refrigerator with half a cut lemon. Change
  46.  Keep rice from sticking to the pot by adding a few drops of juice to the cooking water
  47. Ease heartburn – depending on the type you have
  48. Fix clothing and underarm stains – use equsl parts lemon juice and white vinegar
  49. Freshen the air – mix water and juice in a spray bottle, spray when you want instant freshness
  50. And or course, MAKE LEMONADE!!

Mopping Up The Mess From Irene

“Barn’s washed away. Now I can see the moon.” – paraphrase of a quote by Mizuta Masahide (Barn’s burnt down…)

Sitting here in sunny California, it is almost incomprehensible to see and hear of  the devastation left by Hurricane Irene. In fact, I feel humbled and even a little foolish to have thought that I could write about environmentally friendly ways to cleanup after the waters and winds are gone. People on the East Coast are fast becoming experts in dealing with the aftermath, and I can only imagine what they are going through.

Even the people who just lost power for a few days. I say even, but to lose power is no small thing. It can have people feeling even more isolated because our whole world revolves on our dependence for electricity. No power means no phones, internet, etc. A friend posted that in her town the Trader Joe’s just regained power. And for some reason, this, more than the horrific stories I have heard all week, really put it into perspective for me. No Trader Joe’s to pop into for this or that? The things we all take for granted take on new meaning.

If you are returning home, please stay safe. Only go into buildings that officials have declared safe – there may be electrical hazards, cracks in the foundation, and other things that make structures unsafe, and you might not be able to see them yourself.   Remember that the water may be contaminated.

When the water goes down, one of the biggest hazards is mold. Take everything you can outside to air out, and remove any wet wallpaper, drywall or insulation if possible. Some sites recommend using a diluted bleach solution to wash down walls and hard objects, such as wooden tables. Other sites recommend any number of more environmentally safe ones, such as Moldoff or Seventh Generation. Also recommended is good old Apple Cider Vinegar, and perhaps even diluted hydrogen peroxide. If you have a de-humidifier, use it. Not all mold is toxic, although it may bother some people with allergies or asthma. The key is to act quickly. If the project is too big or too daunting, you may want to call in a Professional Environmentally Friendly Mold Remediation service.

Looking at all of the felled trees, and the plant refuse, it is hard to see the sliver lining. But, several years ago, after Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana, this was collected and used to make bio fuel and new building materials. We hear of many eco-friendly housing projects that are being built. If you have to rebuild, or even replace, why not do it sustainably?

In the meantime, my heart is with you, and I am inspired by the courage and grace under pressure you have shown. I am grateful for each and every one of you. You are true heroes…

How Safe is Silicone Cookware?

One of the most popular posts here at My Green Adventure was one I wrote in January, 2011,  NOT Stuck on You, about the evils of Teflon, and the safer non-stick cooking pan alternatives, such as Thermolon. It is clear from everyone’s interest, that when we spend time, and energy making a nice, hot, healthy home cooked meal, we want it to be as healthy (and non-toxic, of course)  as possible. So, finding out out what is new, healthy and green just makes sense.

Which led me, finally, to my latest purchase – two wonderful Green Pan non-stick skillets (one large, one small) that were coated with Thermolon. Which, in turn, led me to further exploration. I have the pans, so now what utensils do I use to keep them safe? I have wooden ones, and – Oh no!! – I just realized my favorite spatula is an old metal one coated with…teflon. So, out it goes. But, what to use in it’s place?  Interestingly, I found an amazing array of choices that were safe for use on the surfaces of non-stick cookware. There were a few made of nylon, but most were made of silicone. And, they were even green! And yellow, and blue, and red, and purple, and orange and…

Just what is silicone and how safe is it for cooking? I discovered that silicone is a synthetic rubber made of bonded silicon (a natural element abundant in sand and rock) and oxygen. The flexible yet strong material, which has proven popular in muffin pans, cupcake liners, spatulas and other utensils, can go from freezer to oven (up to 428 degrees Fahrenheit), is non-stick and stain-resistant.

Consumer advocate Debra Lynn Dadd, who steers clear of Teflon due to health concerns, likes silicone cookware after investigating it’s potential toxicity. “I tried to find some information on the health effects of silicone rubber, but it was not listed in any of the toxic chemical databases I use,” she reports, adding that she also sampled material safety data on several silicone rubbers manufactured by Dow Corning (which makes some 700 variations). “All descriptions I read of silicone rubber describe it as chemically inert and stable, so it is unlikely to react with or leach into food, nor outgas vapors.” She adds that silicone “is not toxic to aquatic or soil organisms, it is not hazardous waste, and while it is not biodegradable, it can be recycled after a lifetime of use.”

Dr. Andrew Weil also is a believer in silicone “because the advantages include heat resistance, flexibility, the fact that it can go directly from the oven or microwave into the refrigerator or freezer and that it is generally easy to clean. Silicone containers are also environmentally friendly; the snap-on lids can eliminate the need for plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Silicone appears to be safe. It is an inert material – nothing used in its manufacture will leach into foods. So far, no safety problems have been reported, but if you’re concerned, stick to silicone kitchen tools (such as spatulas) and avoid bakeware.”

Finally, The New York Times reported on what food writer Marian Burros believes about the usefulness of silicone cookware. “After testing a variety of products, Ms. Burros reported that the baking pans are not as nonstick as you might think: she found that you do have to grease them if you want your cakes and muffins to slide out unscathed. She had the most trouble with loaf pans, cake tins, brownie pans and Bundt pans. But she gave a rave review to potholders that double as trivets, mitt-type potholders, and a spatter screen that she found actually did prevent grease from speckling the stove top. Some of the products tested by the Times proved impractical, among them silicone garlic peelers, lemon squeezers, and measuring cups.”

The facts seem to indicate that silicone cookware and utensils are safe. So, back to Target for me. What color should I choose for my muffin cups, pot holders, spatulas and spoons, I wonder?  GREEN, of course!!

Get Green, Get Clean…Water

Clean water. It’s something that most of us who are reading this take for granted every day. We go to the tap, turn on the faucet, and clean water comes out. Hot or cold. It may not be the filtered or bottled water that many of us drink, but it has passed safety standards that make it safe to drink. We can be a part of the solution for providing clean water to the rest of the planet. It’s up to each of us to pitch in and help. Why? Approximately one in eight people lack access to safe water supplies. And, our bodies need clean drinking water to survive. Kind of puts it in perspective, right?

Conserve water whenever you can. Even the littlest things like turning off the water while you brush your teeth, taking shorter showers, watering the lawn in the early morning or evening, fixing leaky faucets, eating less beef  all can help.  Get involved. One way is by purchasing some really cool sandals from Freewaters – where the purchase of one pair of sandals will allow them “to provide clean drinking water to one individual for one entire year.” Their story is compelling, clean and makes you want to order a pair or two today, at the very least.

Only last year, on July 28, 2010, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a historic resolution recognizing the human right to safe and clean drinking water. So, how many people do not have safe and clean water, you may wonder? According to charity : water , the number is staggering! “Almost a billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean drinking water. Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.” They are working to change that – so far they have raised awareness and funds so almost 1.800.000 people will get clean water.

Another way people like Mat Damon and others are getting involved is to donate to Water.org What is so amazing is that with ingenuity and a few dollars, we can really make a difference. And yet another way to help is at UNICEF- “Since 1990, thanks to the work of UNICEF and its partners, more than 1.6 billion people have gained access to clean drinking water.”

The numbers may be staggering, but we can all make a difference, one person at a time. It is all about taking action. The question is…what is each of us willing to do today to help?

Wondering how safe your own drinking water is? Check out the information on the Environmental Protection Agency site: EPA

NOT Stuck on You…

It’s January, so what better time to set the goal for healthy eating, right? Today, I decided to treat myself to a new non-stick skillet and a George Foreman Grill, since my old one bit the dust a while ago. That’s where I got stopped. Just how safe IS that non-stick coating, and why don’t the products themselves say more?

First, the George Foreman Grill – which I know to be a great product, and they now have such a wide array to choose from! I did pick up a small one for about $30, although they have products from $20 to $150 or so. Funny thing, they don’t really mention the coating, but after I dug around on their website, while hearing a TV ad that the grill plates were covered with “Foreman-Tough Coating” or maybe it’s “Foreman-Tuff Coating” and your guess is as good as mine exactly what that is.

Now the skillet? I went to Ikea, where they have various choices, the cheapest one ($2.99) had a “non-stick coating” and the ones from about $10 and up (there is a wide range) were coated with DuPont’s Teflon. So, what is that?

Teflon is the name we have all come to know since it was introduced to our households in the fifties. Here’s the tech info straight from my friends at Wikipedia: In chemistry, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene that finds numerous applications. PTFE is most well-known by the DuPont brand name Teflon. (If you are interested in more details, google DuPont and Teflon.)

Next stop was Target, where they too had a large variety of brands to choose from. The one that caught my eye was the GreenPan - of course. Their vision was to create a new, healthy cooking experience in non-stick cookware. So, in 2007 they introduced the first healthy, eco-friendly non-stick pots and pans with the revolutionary new PTFE/PFOA-free coating, Thermolon™  which is completely PTFE-free, contains absolutely no silicone oil and uses no PFOA during its manufacture. It is a non-stick mineral-based coating with superior release properties.

Now, that’s a lot of tech-talk, to be sure. So, now I’m thinking that before I buy anything else, I better do some more research, right? Otherwise, I can use one of the many skillets that are busy gathering dust at my house. A quick check found (of course) conflicting reports on the safety, and a surprisingly large number of reports, green and otherwise, found that Teflon is safe if used correctly. What this means is: don’t scratch the surface, best to wash by hand, and don’t heat above 500 degrees or so. Unless you have birds as pets. For some reason, the fumes can be toxic to them. Still other reports said that all pans, including that copper-clad stainless steel one you love, all give off some toxic fumes. With all of these fumes, the amount released into the atmosphere is miniscule.

What does it all mean? I guess I wont’ be getting a pet bird anytime soon!

Easy, Peasy – NO More Febreze

Over the Thanksgiving weekend my home was filled with family and friends, and  we had a wonderful, warm, Norman Rockwell kind of holiday. One of the visitors, a college freshman away from home for the first time, was a bright, delightful addition to the mix, and we were so grateful that she joined us. Kind of like a breath of fresh air. Which brings me to the reason I am telling you this. From the moment she breezed in with her suitcase in tow, I was overwhelmed with a strong and too-familiar fragrance. What was it? Febreze, the air freshener and fabric spray. Or, as the Proctor and Gamble Co. likes to call their product, “A breath of fresh air” which of course it is anything but. We endured the toxic fumes emittimg from her suitcase and her clothes in good spirits, and tried to do a little eco-educating in a kind, hopefully non-judgmental way. The thing is, after she left, it took about 4 days of airing out rooms, and plenty of patience before the Febreze smell was just a memory. And, during that time, if anyone sat on the couch where she had often been, THEY walked away coated with, and smelling like Febreze.

About now, some of you may be asking what Febreze really is. It is a brand of household and fabric odor eliminator, usually in a spray, that basically coats the fabric with chemicals. Wikipedia further explains:  ”The product’s active ingredient is hydroxypropyl beta-cylodextrin. or HPßCD, a naturally occurring molecule with a “doughnut-like” molecular shape. The manufacturer claims that these molecules bind hydrocarbons   within the donut shape, thus retaining malodorous molecules so that they are no longer detected as a scent. The MSDS sheet cautions us that use of these chemicals:

  • May cause possible mild gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
  • Inhalation of high concentrations of ethanol vapor may cause irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, drowsiness, and fatigue.
  • Use chemical goggles and protective gloves (rubber, neoprene) during spill clean-up.”

Having worked backstage in the theater for many years, I am very familiar with Frebreze. When if first came out in the mid ’90s we first thought it was the be-all, end-all way to make stinky costumes not be stinky anymore. Interestingly enough, while we were enchanted for a while, people began having all kinds of adverse reactions to the product. Skin rashes and itchiness, trouble   breathing, headaches, dizziness and other allergic reactions to name a few. What if there could be a better, more natural way to bring in that ‘breath of fresh air?”

A few ideas to freshen things up the natural way:

  • Use the tried and true theater solution that has been around forever: a mixture of 50% water and 50% VODKA (yes, you DID read that correctly) sprayed on liberally
  • a natural spray from Pure Ayre or another eco-friendly company
  • baking soda
  • a mixture of water and a good-smelling essential oil (perhaps orange or lavendar)
  • Open a window, or air clothes outside
  • Use a diffuser with essential oils
  • Soy candles either unscented or with essential oils (NO synthetic fragrances)
  • Apple cider vinegar and water with essential oils sin a spray (the ACV smell dissipates as it dries)
  • Keep things clean, and wash clothes more often if they are stinky
  • What are your solutions?? Comment – we’d love to know!!!

Nose Pollution

Our NOSES are being assaulted each and every day with a cacophony of artificial and toxic smells! Huh, what? In a typical day for most of us, we are exposed to any number of scents and smells that are dangerous to both the environment and our health as well. If I look at what my nose and lungs have been exposed to today alone, the list is pretty daunting:

  • Perfumes and various other scented lotions and potions
  • Cigarette/Cigar smoke
  • Bug Spray
  • Dryer sheets
  • Harsh and scented cleaning products
  • Air fresheners, including Fabreze fabric “freshener”
  • Chemical smell from new curtains
  • Auto Pollution
  • General air quality yuck
  • A burning fake fireplace log
  • Hairspray
  • And  a mixture of so many other smells I can’t identify

Not only is this daunting, these synthetic smells have been found to make millions of people sick, with a wide variety pf symptome including asthma, allergies, headaches (including migranes) dizziness, skin rashes, muscle weakness, fatigue, to name just a few.

I don’t know about you, but many times I have found myself in close proximity to someone with too much perfume, perhaps in an airplane, at the movies, in line, in as elevator and, and, and…. I have even found my throat closing up, getting itchy, sneezy and wheezy.

The good news is that some employers and public places are becoming “fragrance-free” zones. When I work backstage at the theater on Broaday shows, we are forbidden from wearing scented products, because it is so damaging to the singers voices. What is fascinating, is that my nose has become more aware of (and offended by) these scents.

The Huffington Poat has recently posted an article about this very issue, and how ordinary houseplants can really help make a difference. Plants

My big question still remains – how can we become more aware and sensitive to the environment, and the people living in that environment? How can I be an advocate to STOP NOSE POLLUTION? Any ideas?