Mussings of a Mint Green Mom

My New Mint Green Kids Program

2008-10-08T10:48:00.001-04:00

I haven't been blogging or updating any of my sites for a few months now, and I apologize for not stopping by to say hello. However, I do have a good reason. For the past 3 months, I have been working on creating a Mint Green Kids Program for my local school district!

In addition to being a stay-at-home-mom to my three wonderful children, I was once a teacher. Though I have not taught in over 6 years, and I miss it terribly. Being a SAHM has been amazing, rewarding and I am so blessed to have had the opportunity. However, recently I have felt like something has been missing. Like I need to do something more with my life.

So I have combined my passions - parenting, teaching and going green - to create a Mint Green Kids Program.

My program is designed to show the children, teachers and parents that we can all go a little green. I will be going into classrooms (starting with grades K-4) and teaching mini-lessons to the kids, as well as helping the teachers create greener classrooms. I will also send tips home for the parents to implement at home.

I believe a program like this is important for two specific reasons:

1. A lot of people hear the phrase "Go Green" and automatically think that means you have to be a bike-riding, vegan, tree hugger that lives in a house made out of recycled materials and is powered by the sun. That is the extreme (though kind of cool!), and it is impossible for most of us to do. The reason I started Mint Green Moms was to show people that you can do simple things within your owns means to help the environment, as well as make your home safer and healthier. This is also the purpose of my schools program. I want to share simple tips that every family and school can feel comfortable putting into practice on a daily basis.

2. If we don't start changing our ways, we will be passing on a very sad and ailing world to our children and future generations. We have to teach our children to take care of the Earth so that they may teach their children to do the same, and so on down the line. But first, we must set the example.

My ultimate goal is to make going green fun and easy. I will not be one of those preachy extremists who tries to force my values onto others. That's a sure fire way to turn people off!
All that being said.... I'm off to get back to work. Wish me luck!!!

Hoping your all well,
Katie

Our Mint Green Vacation

2008-06-23T14:00:00.018-04:00

We're leaving for our wonderful beach vacation next week and I'm feeling a bit guilty about our mode of transportation....... the family SUV. We really have no choice - 3 kids and all our stuff crammed into my husbands Ultima? No thanks! Plus, the Trailblazer has a built in DVD player - priceless on a 9 hour drive with the kids.

So I've been trying to work other green aspects into our trip. Here are some of my ideas and what I've done so far. Tell me what you think or if you have any other suggestions for me. I'd love some advice!

1. We'll start by leaving our house in the green: we'll turn off all lights, turn off the water heater, turn off the air conditioner, power down our computers, unplug almost everything (lamps, nightlights, TVs, stereos, room fans, appliances, and anything else I can think of!

2. We just had our car serviced this past weekend to make sure it will perform at peak efficiency. They checked things like the oil, breaks, exhaust and tire pressure. A well-kept car will consume less fuel, pump out fewer greenhouse gases and also last longer.

3. I'm packing our Klean Kanteens ONLY to use on the entire trip for NO plastic water bottle waste. There aren't too many recycling bins on the road, the beach, or even at hotels. If you don't know about Klean Kanteens, check out their website. They are better than the popular Sigg bottles because the Siggs are lined, and the lining most likely contains a trace amount of BPA. Just FYI for all the Sigg users out there - I was almost one of them.

4. I'm bringing non-toxic Seventh Generation dish washing detergent (to wash the Klean Kanteens & sippy cups) & SG laundry detergent (to wash our bathing suits in the sink).

5. I'll conserve in-room energy - Just like at home, I'll shut off the lights, TV, and air conditioner when we leave our suite. I'll even unplug the things not in use - cell chargers, DS chargers, lamps, coffee pot, toaster, night lights, etc.

6. No unnecessary laundry - We don't need the towels and sheets to be changed every single day. I will ask the maids to do it every few days.

7. I am packing a few of my reusable shopping bags to carry the souvenirs we will undoubtedly buy.

8. I will TRY to pack as light as possible. Heavier cars use more gas.

9. We will be walking...... A LOT. We will use our car very little because most days will be spent entirely at the beach. And nights might be in town - so we'll park our car centrally and walk everywhere.

10. Lucky for us, digital cameras are considered a green choice. Disposable cameras are wasteful.

11. We will pack our own toiletries like soap, toothpaste, and shampoo. Hotels usually provide these things for their guests, but I don't use them for two reasons: (1) They create waste from the plastic wrappings, paper boxes and plastic containers they come in. (2) - I ONLY use things like Burt's Baby Bee, Kiss My Face and Pure & Natural. NO PARABENS, NO SULFATES and NO SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES for my family!

12. I just got done packing our food (car & beach snacks for the kids, bread & peanut butter). Or maybe I should say repackaging our food. I don't want any waste while we're on vacation..... it would upset me to throw away recyclable card board boxes or plastic bottles just because my 'pale green' husband doesn't want to drive home with a bag of garbage to take home to recycle. So......... I took the fruit snacks out of the boxes and bagged them (recycled an old gift bag!). I took the Pop Tarts out of the card board boxes and put them into a reusable plastic container (so they don't break). And I put dish detergent and laundry detergent into travel containers. Every little bit helps...... thats what I always say!

That's all I can think of right now. I'll add more as they come to me. In the meantime, please share your ideas with me!

Green Your Father's Day

2008-06-10T13:47:00.005-04:00

One of my favorite green sites - MSN Green - has a new section for greening Father's Day. If you click on 'Father's Day' then "Shop for Dad' you will find ideas for green gifts under the following categories: Apparel, Shoes, Sports & Outdoor, and Gadgets. Please check it out for yourself to see it all in detail. But for those of you who love Mint Green Moms because we do some leg work for you...... here's the run down:

APPAREL
The most accessible mint green places to find organic clothing is at 2 stores - Target and JC Penny. At Target, look for the brand Mossimo. It's their most popular brand, and they sell the following organic clothing for men: tee shirts of all kinds, button down shirts, and Polos. At JC Penny, look for St. John's Bay. Again, a very popular brand which sells tee shirts and button downs. Also, look for Arizona Jeans Co.'s Recycled Jeans.

SHOES
For eco-friendly shoe, you can shop online at Onlineshoes.com. Or go to the MSN link - here you can click on specific shoes, and not have to search the larger site (onlineshoes.com) for specifically eco-friendly products.

SPORTS & OUTDOOR
I didn't find this section to be very helpful. It gave 3 items - shoes and a tee shirt already mentioned above.

GADGETS
This is probably the most sought after section for most men. The MSN site a lot of great things like light fixtures, lamps, light bulbs, curtains, fans, electricity usage monitors, shower heads, heaters & air conditioners, Smart Strips, and batteries - not Father's Day gifts, per say. Those are things you pick up at Lowe's all the time. However, I did find a few things on this site that are actually pretty inventive. My husband, who is not entirely eco-conscious, would even appreciate these items:

Solio Universal Solar Charger - $99.99 at Target
Features:
- A portable power source for all your portable handheld devices, including game players, digital cameras, cell phones, GPS, Notebook computers, iPods, iPhones, Portable DVD players, PDAs and MP3 Players.
- Renewable solar charger draws energy from the sunlight and stores it in an internal battery.
- Plug into the sun while traveling abroad (no more outlet problems), camping, at the dorm and more.
- Sun’s rays hit solar cells then attach cable, push a button and get instant energy.
- Fits neatly in a pocket, purse or backpack.
- Rechargeable Battery.

Solar Powered Shed Light - $99.95 at Brookstone
Solar lighting fixtures are a better choice than battery operated lights. Until recently, battery operated lights were the only choice for illuminating non-powered sheds and greenhouses. Our solar lighting offers a better solution to dark spaces. The exterior mounted solar collector automatically recharges the light during the day, eliminating maintenance and inconvenient battery replacement required with other lights.
Features:
- Our Solar Shed Light is reliable and maintenance-free.
- Built-in LED night-light helps you find the pull cord in total darkness.
- Solar lighting system powers two included 8W fluorescent bulbs for up to four hours.
- Solar panel can be installed up to 10 feet from light fixture.
- Integrated compass provides easy solar panel adjustment for maximum power.
- Light easily installs on wood or metal walls.

Small X-Ray Flashlight - $39.99 at Target
Features:
- 20-hour run EOFe• Bright LED and wind-up power source.
- No batteries required, includes A/C adapter.
- 2Hx2-2/5Wx6-1/3L"; 1 lb.

Greener Schools

2008-05-28T09:37:00.010-04:00

When I take my daughter to school, I usually just drop her off at the door with the rest of the car riders. However, one day last week, she needed my help carrying something to her classroom, so I walked in with her. Now, I've been in the school many times, but something really struck me that day. I must have walked in right after they cleaned the cafeteria (you know, where the children EAT), and the smell of BLEACH almost knocked me over!

Okay..... not a big shocker. I know that bleach is still a common cleaning product. But I've been making such a huge effort to green my home, and now I feel that it's almost been negated. It never occurred to me that my kids still come across that poison in the outside world, and this realization makes me upset.

Our children spend a lot of time in the schools - about 7 hours of school time, plus any before and after school programs - and for ALL this time they are being exposed to the toxins we are trying to rid from our homes! AAAAHHHH!!!!!

Here a few other things I noticed just by walking down the hall on my way out of the building:
1. BOTH of the water fountains I passed were dripping.
2. Lights were on in EMPTY classrooms.
3. Dusty incandescent light fixtures in every room.
4. Waste baskets FILLED with paper that could be recycled.
5. The landscape people were there spraying the grounds where the children play.

I am a stay-at-home-mom now, but before I had children I was an elementary school teacher, so I know the best, and the worst, of both worlds.

If you have similar concerns and want to make a change at your child's school, here are some GREAT websites you should check out:

The Green Schools Initiative

EPA - Illinois Green School Program

The Green Guide

My goal for this summer is to prepare a "Greener School Plan/Proposal." I want to present it at the first PTA meeting when school starts again this fall. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I promise to keep you posted on my findings and (hopefully) my accomplishments!

6 Myths About Organic Food

2008-05-14T12:39:00.007-04:00

I found this article on MSN.COM. It's pretty interesting. . . . . .

Hope it's helpful!

MYTH #1: ORGANIC FOOD IS ALWAYS BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
Organics don't contaminate soil and groundwater with pesticides and chemicals like regular farming does, but there's a surprising downside: Since organic farming is only about half as productive as conventional farming, it requires far more land to produce the same amount of food. Dennis Avery of the Hudson Institutes Center for Global Food Issues estimates that modern high-yield farming has saved 15 million square miles of wildlife habitat, and that if the world switched to organic farming, we'd need to cut down 10 million square miles of forest. Less-productive farming could also lead to even less food for the world's undernourished.

MYTH #2: IT'S MORE NUTRITIOUS.
Studies keep flip-flopping on this: One found more vitamin C in organic tomatoes than in conventional ones; another found more cancer-fighting flavonoids in organic corn and strawberries. But other studies haven't found organics to have a nutritional edge. What makes the biggest difference in nutrients is how long produce sits on the shelf. Spinach, for instance, loses about half of its folate within a week.

MYTH #3: IT TASTES BETTER.
Nobody has been able to tell the difference except in one study of apples, where organics came out ahead. To get raspberries that taste raspberrier, buy produce that's locally grown, is in season, and hasn't been sitting on the shelf too long. Let's face it: Nothing is at its best when it's flown halfway around the world and waxed, then has to spend a week in the grocery store.

MYTH #4: YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AS CAREFUL ABOUT WASHING IT.
All produce, whether purchased from a grocery mega-chain or your local organic farm, is susceptible to nasty bacteria, such as E. coli (the news-maker that's also been known to kill people). Soil and runoff water that's contaminated with E. coli-harboring animal poop can get onto produce — particularly melons, lettuce, sprouts, tomatoes, spinach, and green onions, since they grow close to the ground. Your best defense: Wash everything thoroughly under running water.

MYTH #5: YOU'RE SUPPORTING SMALL FARMS OR ECO-COMPANIES.
General Mills owns the Cascadian Farms brand, Kraft owns Back to Nature and Boca Burger, and Kellogg's owns Morningstar Farms, to name a few conglomerates basking in organics' glow (and dough). And with such high demand (in the past year, the market for organic milk outstripped the supply by 10 percent), these giant companies are importing organic ingredients as cheaply as possible — often from other countries. Whole Foods sold roughly $1 billion in produce last year; only about 16 percent was locally grown. So with all the CO2 spent in transport, some organics have questionable eco-virtues.

MYTH #6: IT'S BETTER FOR YOU.
Not if it's organic chips, organic soda, or organic cookies. Cane sugar is still sugar and fried chips are still fried, no matter what kind of compost was or wasn't heaped onto the potatoes. Sorry!

WHAT IS GOOD ABOUT ORGANIC FOOD?

IT'S MORE HUMANE.
Much of the country's organic milk and meat comes from small farms, where animals are often given more space to roam than those at larger factory farms.

IT MAY REDUCE YOUR RISK OF GETTING MAD COW.
Organic meat can't have any animal by-products in its feed, which is a primary contributor to mad-cow disease.

IT'S GETTING EASIER.
Companies like Kellogg's and Kraft are rolling out organic versions of their cereals and mac and cheese, so it's hassle-free to convince kids and boyfriends to eat it. And with discount super chains like Wal-Mart (the country's number-one seller of organic milk) slashing the organic markup to 10 percent (it's usually 20 to 30 percent), organics aren't just for the Whole Foods elite.

HOW "ORGANIC" IS IT? Products labeled "organic" must consist of 95 percent organically produced ingredients, but products that contain only 70 percent organic ingredients can use the phrase "Made with organic ingredients." Read carefully!

Green Your Mother's Day

2008-05-07T10:18:00.008-04:00

I found some great sites filled with ideas on how to GREEN your Mother's Day!

Green Your...
TreeHugger
Green living tips
The Daily Green
The Alternative Consumer

Here are a few ideas I gathered from the various sites:

1. Choose recycled greeting cards -- or send an e-card for no waste at all!

2. Give a houseplant as a gift (natural air purifier!).

3. Choose organic wine.

4. Choose Fair Trade Certified chocolate.

5. Choose restaurants that serve local or organic foods.

6. Choose jewlery made from recycled materials.

7. Buy carbon offsets. Here are a few links from where you can do so: Atmosfair, Carbonfund.Org, Climate Care, Climate Friendly, GreenLife, My Climate, Native Energy, Sustainable Travel International, TerraPass, The CarbonNeutral Company.

8. Give eco-friendly books (organic gardening, organic cooking, eco-tips, etc).

9. Buy natural perfume such as Aubrey Organics Fragrances.

10. Choose local or organic flowers if buying you mom a bouquet.

11. Choose organic candles - made from soy or beeswax.

12. If you want to buy mom some sort of kitchen appliance - choose energy efficient!

13. Give a subscription to eco-friendly magazines such as Organic Spa, Natural Home, or my personal favorites - Kiwi and Mothering.

Hope this is helpful!

The Truth About Bottled Water

2008-05-06T09:39:00.026-04:00

This was posted as a bulletin from one of my dear Mint Green Mom friends today on MySpace. I have been wanting to post about bottled water --- then I read this, and I think this bulletin says it all! Thanks Green Moms! I'm learning A LOT from you!

I know this post is a little long, but it's informative without being preachy (one of the missions of Mint Green Moms), so it's not a bad read. Please take the time to read through it...... you may learn something new!

----------------- Bulletin Message -----------------
Passed on From: ~Spring Fever Love Goddess~

Thank you: Aquaman ~ Ocean Defender

What's in That Bottle?

Remember the drinking fountain, that once ubiquitous, and free, source of H2O? It seems quaint now. Instead, bottled water is everywhere, in offices, airplanes, stores, homes and restaurants across the country. We consumed over eight billion gallons of the stuff in 2006, a 10 percent increase from 2005. It's refreshing, calorie-free, convenient to carry around, tastier than some tap water and a heck of a lot healthier than sugary sodas. But more and more, people are questioning whether the water, and the package it comes in, is safe, or at least safer than tap water -- and if the convenience is worth the environmental impact.

Evocative names and labels depicting pastoral scenes have convinced us that the liquid is the purest drink around. "But no one should think that bottled water is better regulated, better protected or safer than tap," says Eric Goldstein, co-director of the urban program at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a nonprofit organization devoted to protecting health and the environment.

Yes, some bottled water comes from sparkling springs and other pristine sources. But more than 25 percent of it comes from a municipal supply. The water is treated, purified and sold to us, often at a thousandfold increase in price. Most people are surprised to learn that they're drinking glorified tap water, but bottlers aren't required to list the source on the label. Labels can be misleading at best, deceptive at worst. In one notorious case, water coming from a well located near a hazardous waste site was sold to many bottlers. At least one of these companies labeled its product "spring water." In another case, H2O sold as "pure glacier water" came from a public water system in Alaska.

The controversy isn't simply about tap vs. bottled water; most people drink both, knowing the importance of plenty of water. What they may not know is that some bottled water may not be as pure as they expect. The NRDC tested more than 1,000 bottles of 103 brands of water. (This is the most recent major report on bottled water safety.) While noting that most bottled water is safe, the organization found that at least one sample of a third of the brands contained bacterial or chemical contaminants, including carcinogens, in levels exceeding state or industry standards.. Since the report, no major regulatory changes have been made and bottlers haven't drastically altered their procedures, so the risk is likely still there.

To read the NDRC's full report visit: Bottled Water: Pure Drink or Pure Hype?

BOTTLED WATER FACTS:

* The United States is the world’s leading consumer of bottled water. In 2006, bottled water consumption in the US reached a record 8.3 billion gallons, 185 million gallons of which was imported.. The total amount spent on bottled water was over $11 billion.

* In contrast to tap water, which is distributed through an energy-efficient infrastructure, transporting bottled water long distances involves burning massive quantities of fossil fuels.

* Making bottles to meet Americans’ demand for bottled water requires more than 1.. 5 million barrels of oil annually, enough to fuel some 100,000 US cars for a year.

* It costs more money to drink bottled water than to put gas in your car--up to five times more--due mainly to its packaging and transportation.

* 86 percent of plastic water bottles used in the United States become garbage or litter.

* Buried water bottles can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade.

* Bottled water companies do not have to release their water-testing results to the public, whereas municipalities do.

For more bottled water facts visit: FranklyGreen. com: Bottled Water Facts

THE PLASTIC PROBLEM

Most bottled water comes in polyethylene terephthalate bottles, indicated by a number 1, PET or PETE on the bottle's bottom. The bottles are generally safe, says Ken Smith, PhD, immediate past chair of the American Chemical Society's division of environmental chemistry. But scientists say when stored in hot or warm temperatures, the plastic may leach chemicals into the water.

It's not just where you store your water, but what you do with it as you carry it with you. Many people sip from a bottle that's been sitting in a hot car, a potentially dangerous move. "Leaving bottled water out in the car changes the chemical equilibrium so that the materials from the plastic go into the water faster," says Smith.

Last year, scientists in Germany found that the longer a bottle of water sits around (in a store, in your home), the more antimony it develops. High concentrations of antimony can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In the study, levels found were below those set as safe by the EPA, but it's a topic that needs more research.

Last summer, a National Institutes of Health (NIH) committee agreed that bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in polycarbonate (used to make water cooler jugs, sport-water bottles and other hard plastics, but not PET), may cause neurological and behavioral problems in fetuses, babies and kids. A separate NIH-sponsored panel found that the risk was even greater, saying that adult exposure to BPA likely affects the brain, the female reproductive system and the immune system. The FDA has reviewed these reports and says it will keep monitoring the data to see if the agency needs to take regulatory action.

The potential health risks are important to understand, but bottled water also affects the health of the planet.

Manufacturing plastic is resource-intensive and yields various nasty emissions that contribute to global warming and degradation of water quality. It's made from non-renewable resources, and for all intents and purposes, it never biodegrades (although some specialized variations have been made specifically to do so). Yes, we'll run out of oil eventually, but we'll always have our plastic garbage. Add to this the growing suspicion that plastic use may lead to serious health problems.

"Bottled water is an increasingly growing business, and with that comes a whole lot of environmental impact that can be avoided by a turn of the faucet," says Jenny Powers of the NRDC. While we struggle to cut down on our consumption of fossil fuels, bottled water increases them. Virgin petroleum is used to make PET, and the more bottles we use, the more virgin petroleum will be needed to create new bottles. Fossil fuels are burned to fill the bottles and dis-tribute them. (It's not just bottled water, but juices, soda and other beverages packed in plastic that add to this waste).

Some brands of water come from islands and countries thousands of miles away, and shipping bottles can cause carbon pollution to spill into the water and spew into the air.

Then there's the waste of water itself, says Todd Jarvis, PhD, associate director of the Institute for Water and Watersheds at Oregon State University. According to his calculations, it takes about 72 billion gallons of water a year, worldwide, just to make the empty bottles.

Treating and filtering tap water for bottling creates even more waste. By some estimates, it takes about two liters of water to make every liter you see on store shelves. "Bottled water has a significant environmental burden," says the NRDC.

Demystifying Bottled Water

What You Can Do

Try the tap again ~ First, check it out. If your water comes from a public source (rather than a well), you should get a water-quality or consumer-confidence report from the water company once a year. It's also available at any time from the local water utility. Read the report carefully, making sure not only that your water has received a passing grade overall but also that contaminants haven't exceeded the maximum allowable levels, even for a short while. If you have well water, get it tested every year. For more information, call the EPA's toll-free Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791, or visit the website for the Campaign for Safe and Affordable Drinking Water.

Home Water Filters ~ Even though tap water is often as safe or safer than bottled, a filter is sometimes advisable for both purity and taste reasons. Facts About Water Filters from the Real Money newsletter provides an excellent overview to help you decide whether you need a home filter and if so, what kind to buy. Consumer Reports also provides an in-depth comparison of the pros and cons of various methods of home filtration—from simple pitchers to under-the-sink installations. Note that most water filters, Brita, Pur, etc are readily available in many chain stores.

Get a canteen or bottle ~ Carry your plain or filtered tap water in a reusable stainless steel or lined drinking container, and clean it between uses. Some come with an easy-to-tote strap. You can find stainless steel versions from Klean Kanteen and New Wave Enviro, and the colorful bottles from SIGG. Go glass! Aquasana offers glass water storage bottles, remember to recycle!

Think twice about the office water cooler ~ If it's made of polycarbonate, it has the potential to leach BPA, a chemical that can cause neurological problems, among other things. And have you ever seen anyone actually clean the water cooler? Probably not!

TAKE ACTION!

Visit the Carbon Conscious Consumer Blog and tell Clorox to Take Back The Filter!

Rethink Drinking Bottled Water

If you stick with plastic, some choices are better than others. Look for the numbers on the bottom of the container.

AVOID (notorious leachers)
#3 (PVC)
#6 (polystyrene)
#7 (a catchall category—includes polycarbonate hard plastic camping and baby bottles)

BETTER
#2 (HDPE)
#4 (LDPE)
#5 (PP)

A few additional plastic pointers:

Camping gear giant, Nalgene, for one, sells mostly hard plastic, tinted polycarb bottles but also offers an opaque #2 HDPE bottle. It’s less stylish, but apparently better for you.

In response to customer demand for plastic bottles made without Bisphenol A, Nalgene has developed a new line of BPA-free bottles.

If you have a #1 plastic bottle you're thinking of using, this type is also considered relatively safer, but isn’t commonly used to manufacture reusable containers. It is used to make soda bottles. However, #1 bottles are hard to clean thoroughly. And just refilling your soda bottle over and over might net you a not-so-healthy swig of bacteria with your cool beverage.

And as always if you choose to use plastic please remember to recycle! For more on recycling visit Earth911. org.

For more information and sources please visit:
Common Ground article on plastic leaching
The Green Guide product report on plastic containers
The Green Guide product report on baby bottles
Bisphenol A Portal on the plastic contaminant BPA
Bottled Water Blues
Kick The Bottled Water Habit

Polar Bears

2008-04-29T16:08:00.012-04:00

This picture makes me smile every time I look at it. It has to be one of the sweetest things I have ever seen!

This picture makes me sick every time I look at it.

Have you seen the WWF commercial with the mother and baby polar bears being separated from each other because of the melting ice? They say that the polar bears swim for days before finding another ice mass to rest on, but a lot die before they even get there. OHHHH, that breaks me heart! Also, polar bears are on their way to extinction, and most of them will die within our children's lifetime.

You can go to the WWF website or call 1-888-360-9996 if you really want to help the polar bears. The commercial says it's $16.00 a month, but you can select other amounts for donations.

Please help if you can!

Thanks,

Organic.... or maybe not. How can we tell???

2008-04-29T11:00:00.021-04:00

Do you ever think about the organic, natural or eco-frinedly products that you buy? Sometimes I wonder if they truly ARE what they claim to be. Federal regulations for organic food and other products are so crappy.......... are we really getting what we want?

While doing a Google search on organic food brands, I came across yet another wonderful and helpful website. The Organic Consumers Association has atricles and guides to help us choose the right products for our needs. By the way, I literally copied & pasted the following information from their site - that's why I included the Fair Use Notice at the bottom. Please read through the following so you can get a feel for what the OCA is all about, and PLEASE check out the actual website when you get a chance. It's amazing what you'll learn from it!

The Organic Consumers Association is an online and grassroots non-profit 501(c)3 public interest organization campaigning for health, justice, and sustainability. The OCA deals with crucial issues of food safety, industrial agriculture, genetic engineering, children's health, corporate accountability, Fair Trade, environmental sustainability and other key topics. We are the only organization in the US focused exclusively on promoting the

OCA's overall political program is the Organic Agenda 2005-15, a six-point platform calling for:

1. The conversion of American agriculture to at least 30% organic by the year 2015, including major reforms in agricultural subsidies and appropriations to help family farmers make the transition to organic, develop local and regional markets, and adopt renewable energy practices.

2. Fair Trade and economic justice, not so-called corporate-driven "Free Trade" as the global norm.

3. A global moratorium on genetically engineered foods and crops.

4. A phase-out of the most dangerous industrial agriculture and factory farming practices.

5. Universal health care with an emphasis on prevention, nutrition, and wellness promotion.

6. Energy independence and the conversion of US and global agriculture, transportation, and utilities to conservation practices and renewable energy.

Fair Use Notice: The material on this site is provided for educational and informational purposes. It may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. It is being made available in an effort to advance the understanding of scientific, environmental, economic, social justice and human rights issues etc. It is believed that this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have an interest in using the included information for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. The information on this site does not constitute legal or technical advice.

ANOTHER NOTE:

When I picture the production of organic products, I think of a small farm with the farmer, his wife & kids tending to the land. This is not true most of the time......... unless you go straight to the farm and buy locally grown.

Dr. Phil Howard, from Michigan State University, has written books on the matter, and has a GREAT website showing you which HUGE companies own the organic companies. Click here to see his charts on the Organic Industry Structure.

I was surprised to see that my beloved Earth's Best is owned by Heinz (which is based in my hometown of Pittsburgh, PA so I'm good with that!). Also, Kashi is owned by Kellogg's; Pepsi owns Naked Juice; General Mills owns Cascadian Farms; and Kraft owns Back to Nature.

It makes you think twice about buying some of those brands. My first thought is that these huge companies only do the bare minimal to squeek by obtaining an organic label.

BPA Free Bottles & Sippy Cups

2008-04-28T17:21:00.008-04:00

I was doing some research on BPA Free sippy cups this morning when I came across this great website. SafeMama.com is a MUST for those of us with infants or small children. It provides 'cheat sheets' that you can print and take with you to the store....... such a great idea! It's WONDERFUL that they did the leg work for us busy moms! Just click on the button below to link to their site!

Soap Nuts

2008-04-25T11:02:00.012-04:00

In my Mint Green Moms MySpace Group, someone asked about soap nuts. I had never even heard about them until this morning so I decided to research them.

I've been Googling soap nuts all morning, and I have to say that they sound AWESOME! They wash your clothes AND soften them, so you can eliminate fabric softeners. There are several companies you can order from, and you can also get them at Amazon.com. On Amazon, I found Lullwater Soap Nuts. For $19.99, you get a 1 lb bag - which they say is a maximum 150 loads. I currently use Seventh Generation laundry detergent, which I'm very happy with, but it's kind of costly - especially adding in the price of fabric softeners. I may have to try the soap nuts!

Here is a Lullwater Soap Nuts product description form Amazon:

"Lullwater Soap Nuts are shells from the fruit of the soap nut tree, Sapindus Mukorossi, grown in southeast Asia. The shells act as a natural substance that works to remove dirt and oils from white and colored fabrics, wool or silk. No chemicals added, which makes it beneficial for sensitive or allergenic skin. No fabric softener is necessary and colors are protected by the gentle process."

Here are some of the best soap nut websites I found:

www.ecohousekeeping.com/soapnuts.html

http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/166/1/Soapnuts---natures-detergent.html

http://www.smartplanet.com/reviews/household/10000865/images/soapods.htm

www.lullwaterbrands.com

www.maggiespureland.com

www.soapods.com

If anyone has used soap nuts, please let me know how you like them because I'm dying to try them, but I'd like to get some feedback first......... THANKS!

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!!!!

2008-04-22T08:58:00.004-04:00

Does anyone have any good Earth Day plans? I started by unplugging almost everything in my house. My daughters helped, and we talked about why it was important. We also made an Earth Day Plan for today: no TV; no lights on until dark; we’re going to work in our garden; PB & J for lunch & dinner on the grill - no electricity.......... just to name a few!

We also talked about being wasteful (leaving lights on or turning them on during the day; leaving the water running, etc). They were very insightful and thought of many other of their own habits they could change. I was so proud!

Here is my personal Earth Day Plan:

1. No TV - This is hard for me today because I have lots of good shows built up in my DVR to catch up on! PLUS....... today is the Pennsylvania primary and I'm dying to see how my girl Hillary does! I just love her, and I think she's our biggest environmental supporter with her 'green collar' jobs (I love that term). Though, I'm making no promises for my husband. He likes his 'wind down' TV time at night - especially if there's a Penguin playoff game tonight. LET'S GO PENS!

2. Starbucks - I took my own cup there this morning!

3. Computer - After I'm finished posting this, I will shut down my computer for the rest of the day.

4. Cooking - I will use no electricity! It's cereal for breakfast, PB & J for lunch, then and hot dogs and corn on the grill for dinner! Ummm........ that sounds really good actually!

5. Lights - We are not going to turn on a single light all day. The only exception will be my 4 year olds' night light tonight because she will freak out if it's not on.

6. Car - I do have a few errands to run today, but I will put them off until tomorrow. The only thing I have to do today is take my daughter to kindergarten. We live so close to the school that the buses won't pick her up. She is a walker/car rider. YES, I ADMIT IT........ normally I do drive her to and from school. I know! I'm sorry, but beside her, I have two other children and it's just easier! Now that the weather is nicer, I will walk as much as possible........ starting TODAY!

Cosmetic Safety Database

2008-04-09T11:55:00.000-04:00

My sister sent me the link to The Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database a few months ago, and I never got a chance to really look at it. Then, a friend reminded me of it today, so I decided to spend more time and read through as much of it as possible.

Have you seen this? I was shocked to see how many of my favorite products were deemed ’high hazard’! Even some of my natural and organic products were under the ’moderate hazard’ category. What an eye-opener! This country REALLY needs better laws and standards when it comes to putting labels - such as natural or organic - on products. It’s very frustrating........

Take time to browse through the different sections: Makeup, Skin Care, Hair Care, Eye Care, Nail Care, Baby Care, Oral Care & Fragrance.

I also thought the tabs at the top were interesting: Tips, FAQ's, Research, About & Press.

I know it's a very popular site, so most of you have probably already visited it. But if you haven't, PLEASE DO SO! You'll learn A LOT!

Click here to visit the site: Cosmetic Safety Database

Kudos to Target!

2008-04-07T10:49:00.004-04:00

One of my FAVORITE stores - Target - has been adding more and more organic and natural products to their store. This makes me SOOOOOO happy because it's one of my most frequent shopping spots!

Most of you may already know about their most popular non-toxic products - the Method brand. If you don't know about them...... it's worth your while to check them out! Anyway, I was at my Target this morning, and I did a little research while I was there...... just walking around and jotting down the new organic brands they have started to stock over the past few months (at my Target, anyway).

So, here are my recent Mint Green finds. Click on each brand to go to their websites.

1. Giovanni - First understand, I am EXTREMELY picky about shampoos & conditioners. My hair is long, thick and coarse underneath. I can use almost any shampoo, but I need a rich, heavy conditioner (like Redken's All Soft). I've tried MANY organic/natural conditioners (like Burt's Bee's, 365, Organix and J/A/S/O/N), and I have not been happy with a single one of them. THEN........ a few days ago, I bought the Giovanni Smooth as Silk Deeper Moisture Conditioner from Target. IT WORKED!!!!!!!! My hair feels soft and manageable and is lying so nicely....... I'm in love!!!!! And THAT is saying something!

Giovanni also makes products, which Target carries, such as lotions and soaps.

2. Avalon Organics - I like to use organic shampoos because they are free of sulfates, parabens (which has been shown to be a cancer-causing substance), and many other harsh ingredients. I recently purchased the Clarifying Shampoo by Avalon Organics and I'm really happy with it. I gets all of the build up out of my hair and leaves it, literally, squeaky clean!

Other Avalon Organics products include skin care items and soaps.

3. J/A/S/O/N - This is not my personal favorite, but I know a lot of people like this brand. I find that the shampoos are very sticky, and the conditioners just plain don't work. That's just my opinion!

4. Kiss My Face Obsessively Natural - Another line of hair care and skin care products. I haven't tried Kiss My Face yet, but it looks like a really great line!

5. Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps - This line is USDA Organic certified AND certified Fair Trade! Their products include: liquid and bar soaps, hair care, lotions, shaving gels and baby and sensitive skin care.

6. Alba - Hair care, skin care, bath & body, lip care and sun care. Looks like a good line of products, but a little more pricey.

7. Juice Organics - This line looks really cool. They have a 3-step organic skin care system: cleanse, treat and moisturize.

8. Weleda - This seems like a wonderful line, though I haven't tried it yet. They seem completely dedicated to the environment. In fact, their mission states, "In harmony with nature and the human being." Target only had one shelf of Weleda products, but I looked on their website and they offer A LOT, including: mother & baby, facial care, body oils, creams & lotions, deodorants, oral care, men's care, bath care, hair care and homeopathic ointments.

9. Organix - Shampoos and conditioners that smell AWESOME! But they, personally, don't work for me. They're actually not even with the organic/natural products (yet they claim to be, at least partially, organic). They're in the section of salon brands.

Go to the Cosmetic Safety Database to check the ratings on these and many other of your favorite products!

Cosmetic Bags

I found 4 new cosmetic bags at Target today! Two of them are made from recycled fabric (cotton), and the other two are made from recycled bottles (the bottles are broken down, then the pieces are made into fibers and spun into fabric!). I think this is great, and I may have to purchase one soon!

Cosmetics

Physicians Formula has always been one of my favorite lines of cosmetics. And I am now happy to say that they have a new line called Organic Wear!

The Organic Wear products are:

100% free of harsh chemicals

100% free of synthetic preservatives

100% free of parabens

100% free of GMO's (genetically modified organisms)

100% free of synthetic colors

100% free of synthetic fragrances

100% cruelty free

ALSO:

100% of the ingredients are of natural origin

15% of the ingredients are produced from organic farming

The packaging is also eco-friendly - it uses 93% less plastic than traditional compacts

Organic baby Stuff

Target is now starting to sell Gerber Organics infant clothing and blankets. They are VERY reasonably priced, and I'm excited to see more of this available in the stores! Where was this when my kids were babies????

Target also now carries Similac Organic Infant Formula. My children were all breastfed, but my little man needed to be supplemented at times (he ate more than I could produce!). I wish this was on the market last year......... what a great alternative for moms!

Target Brands

Archer Farms Organic - I've seen Archer Farms at Target before, but I'm now noticing that they have more and more USDA Certified Organic products being introduced - like cereal, oatmeal and cookies.

Home - This is the regular Target Brand for the home. I noticed they now sell Bamboo Sheets (which are actually only 40% bamboo..... the other 60% is cotton). They also sell Organic Sheets which are 100% cotton, and are certified by the Institute for Marketecology - whatever that means. Oh, I see...... this means that no harsh chemicals are used in the production of the sheets. So what! I want to know if they are made from organic cotton, and honestly, I'm VERY hesitant to buy either of these products unless they have some sort of organic seal on them.

So that's my Target rundown for today! I hope you can take something away from it!

Next research project......... the dreaded WalMart. I'm only going there to see what sort of organic and natural products they carry. I'm sorry to say it, but I HATE WalMart. It's always gross and dirty, and I don't care how good the prices are. I'd rather spend the extra pennies and shop at Target!

Green Driving

2008-04-03T15:04:00.000-04:00

I found this article on one of my favorite Green websites - MSN.COM. I thought it offered a lot of great advice, so I wanted to share it with you all. I know that it looks long & boring........ but I SWEAR you'll learn a lot if you read it! I sure did!

Green Driving - So You Can Get the Most Out of Every Gallon of Gas

No matter where you live and what you drive, you can maximize every gallon of fuel. Every gallon of fuel that you don't use saves you money and helps to reduce global warming.

Here's how you can start making a difference today:

Regular Servicing Is Important.
Keep your vehicle well-maintained with regular servicing to keep it operating at peak efficiency. An inefficient engine—with fouled spark plugs, for example—won't make optimum use of fuel. Be sure the air filter and the fuel filter are clean. Put in new ones if they're not. A new oxygen sensor alone can improve gas mileage by as much as 15 percent, according to AutoZone, a car parts store.

Don't forget little things like the air in your tires. Having tires inflated to the automaker's maximum recommended pressure can improve gas mileage by as much as 6 percent, while periodic wheel alignments can help improve fuel economy up to 10 percent, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Clean out that trunk, cargo area or pickup bed. Take out unneeded items that only add weight to your vehicle. Extra weight decreases gas mileage. According to AutoZone, every 200 pounds of unnecessary weight shaves one mile per gallon off your fuel mileage.

Be a Different Driver.
Change your driving style. Accelerate gradually, drive smoothly and with care and you could see as much as a 20 percent gain in fuel economy compared with what you'd get with an aggressive driving style, the EPA says. Skip those jackrabbit starts and sudden pedal-to-the-metal maneuvers if you want to save gas. Anticipate stops so you avoid sudden braking, and take a long view of the road ahead, coasting safely to an intersection in front of you where you see traffic stopped.

Don't speed. A car or truck moving at 55 miles an hour can get about 15 percent better fuel economy than the same car going 65 mph. Use your vehicle's navigation system, if you have one, in your travels to new locales. This can save you from getting lost and wasting gas.
Drive SmartDon't be idle too long. Don't waste fuel by sitting in that drive-thru lane at McDonald's or Taco Bell. Park and go inside instead. Don't let your vehicle idle as you wait outside the elementary school to pick up your children. Idling uses more fuel than turning the engine off, waiting for your youngsters and then restarting the engine.

When you're in slow city traffic, keep the air conditioner off, if possible. Roll down the windows and open the air vents to keep you and your riders comfortable. That air conditioner is a burden that uses fuel, and if you're tooling around town, you can see a "very slight" improvement in gas mileage by keeping it turned off, a Mercedes-Benz spokesman said.

Plan Ahead.
Combine your errands into one trip, rather than taking multiple trips from home. Organize your stops so they're near each other and so you don't retrace your path. You may even be able to park in one central spot and walk between some of your stops rather than driving and parking at each one. For large gatherings like family reunions and church picnics, organize a carpool. If the distance to these events is long, Budget Rent a Car Corp. suggests even renting a 15-person van to maximize fuel savings vs. driving a number of separate vehicles in these circumstances.

Plan your trips so you go out during less-congested times of day. When there's less traffic, you're more apt to be able to drive smoothly. Use navigation aids on the Internet or in your vehicle to keep from getting lost—and thus wasting fuel—when you're headed to a new, unknown location.

Weather Effects.
Note that road and weather conditions have a role, too, in the fuel economy of your vehicle. Driving into a 20-mph headwind can reduce fuel economy by as much as 6 percent. Driving up a mountain road with a 7 percent grade can cut fuel economy by as much as 25 percent. Driving on gravel and in slush and snow requires a bit more fuel, too.

Other Modes of Transport.
Look at alternative transportation options—even if it's just for one or two days a week. Walk, bicycle, carpool or take public transportation and leave your vehicle at home. The League of American Bicyclists, based in Washington D.C., notes that cycling to work not only saves on gas, it is an excellent cardiovascular workout. And in some cases, the league says, commuters actually arrive at their destination quicker on a bicycle than they would via congested auto roadways.

When you shop for a new vehicle, compare fuel economy. Bear in mind how bigger vehicles, bigger engines, four-wheel drive and lots of optional equipment can add to a vehicle's weight and, as a result, reduce its fuel efficiency. Even larger tires can have an effect. A tire with a larger "footprint" on the road that doesn't have a special rubber compound designed to improve fuel economy has more rolling resistance than a comparable smaller tire, and this can lower fuel economy.

You don't always have to avoid popular vehicles in order to save money at the gas pump. Some smaller trucks and sport-utility vehicles rank better in fuel economy than do some cars. For example, the Ford Ranger 2WD with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and manual transmission is the "most efficient standard pickup truck," according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It gets an estimated 24 miles a gallon in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, the EPA says, for a combined rating of 26 mpg.

Watch for New, High-Tech SolutionsCheck out the newest automotive technology. It's getting more mainstream with each passing year.

In spring 2002, Honda began selling its second gas-electric hybrid car in the U.S., the Civic Hybrid. It joined the Honda Insight, the first gas-electric hybrid car available in the United States, and Toyota Prius hybrid car, whose U.S. sales started in the 2001 model year, as very fuel-thrifty vehicles.

The Civic Hybrid is rated at 50 miles a gallon in combined city/highway fuel economy by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This was the first sedan already in production to be made available with a hybrid powertrain. It has since been followed by a number of passenger cars, including the Honda Accord Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid.

Ford Motor Co. introduced the first gas-electric hybrid sport-utility vehicle—the Escape Hybrid—in calendar 2004, and other automakers have added hybrid entries as well.
New technology efforts don't end there. Virtually all automakers are researching ways to build a commercially viable fuel-cell vehicle.

Even if you don't decide on a new-technology vehicle, you should carefully consider whether you really need a V6 or a V8 in your next car or truck. The National Automobile Dealers Association advises consumers to test drive models with various engines in a range of driving conditions to determine what fits them best, and to assess the tradeoffs.

Other Costs Affected.
Keep in mind you might pay a bit more for that next new car. Higher fuel prices in recent years have prompted many automakers to boost the price of delivering vehicles to dealerships. You see these higher trucking charges on the window sticker, on the "destination and delivery" line.

An Eye to the Future.
Think about how your fuel conservation efforts benefit the Earth and future generations.

Scientists say global warming and its projected disastrous effects on weather, rising sea levels and heat deaths are due, in part, to the burning of fossil fuels.

So, every gallon of gas you don't use can help ease global warming!

gDiapers - Why didn't I think of this?

2008-03-31T13:08:00.002-04:00

Have you seen these eco-friendly diapers by gDiapers? THEY LOOK AWESOME! If you have little ones still in diapers, check them out! Also, if any of you have tried them, please let us know what you think about them. I'd love to hear your opinions because I'm considering buying them for my 1 year old!

One more note...... as great as these diapers seem, they are pretty costly. If you know of any similar diaper products out there, PLEASE let us know!

This is the Starter Kit you can purchase at http://www.gdiapers.com/ - currently selling for $26.99.

The gDiapers.

Thanks,

Don't forget Earth Hour TONIGHT!!!!!!

2008-03-29T15:06:00.001-04:00

'Earth Hour' to Plunge Millions into Darkness
By Madeleine Coorey
Posted Thu Mar 27, 2008 10:57pm

NASA image of planet Earth in July 2007. Twenty-six cities around the world are set to turn off the lights at 0900 GMT in an effort to raise awareness about global warming.(AFP/NASA/File)SYDNEY (AFP) - Twenty-six major cities around the world are expected to turn off the lights on major landmarks, plunging millions of people into darkness to raise awareness about global warming, organisers said.

'Earth Hour' founder Andy Ridley said 371 cities, towns or local governments from Australia to Canada and even Fiji had signed up for the 60-minute shutdown at 9:00 GMT on March 29. "There are definitely 26 (cities) that we think, if it all goes to plan, we are going to see a major event of lights going off," he told AFP. Cities officially signed on include Chicago and San Francisco, Dublin, Manila, Bangkok, Copenhagen and Toronto, all of which will switch off lights on major landmarks and encourage businesses and homeowners to follow suit. Ridley said it was also likely that other major European cities such as Rome and London, and the South Korean capital Seoul, although not officially taking part, would turn off lights on some attractions or landmarks.

The initiative began in Sydney last year and has become a global event, sweeping across 35 countries this year. From 8:00 pm local time in Sydney, the energy-saving campaign will see harbourside icons such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House bathed only in moonlight, restaurant diners eat by candlelight and city skyscrapers turn off their neon signs. Organisers hope the initiative will encourage people to be more aware of their energy usage, knowing that producing electricity pollutes the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels which are contributing to global warming. But they are also aware that it will be just a small step in solving the problem.

Thank you, to my friend Karin, for this article!

Article from MSN.COM about organic foods

2008-03-26T14:55:00.000-04:00

LOOK FOR THIS SEAL!

Buy organic whenever possible. Here is an article from MSN.COM about the top 12 foods you should always buy organic:

1. BEEF - According to the Environmental Protection Agency, "meat contains higher levels of pesticides than any of the plant foods." Pesticides end up in the environment, then in the animal, and then in you. When you eating organic beef you’ll know exactly what is—and what isn’t—getting into your system.

2. MILK - The fat in dairy products is another haven for pesticides, antibiotics, and bovine growth hormones. These get passed on to you through commercial milk, cheese, and butter. Organic dairies do not use chemicals or growth hormones like rGBH or rbST.

3. COFFEE - Many of the beans you buy are grown in countries that don't regulate the use of chemicals and pesticides. Look for the Fair Trade Certified label on the coffee package or can; it will give you some assurance that chemicals and pesticides were not used on the plants. It will also mean that fair prices were paid for the end product in support of the farm that supplied the coffee, and that the farm workers are treated fairly.

4. PEACHES - Forty-five different pesticides are regularly applied to these delicately skinned fruits in conventional orchards. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: Watermelon, tangerines, oranges, and grapefruit.

5. APPLES - Scrubbing and peeling a fruit doesn't eliminate chemical residue completely so it's best to buy organic when it comes to apples. Organic apples taste sweeter than conventionally grown, too. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: Watermelon, bananas, and tangerines.

6. SWEET BELL PEPPERS - Peppers have thin skins that don't offer much of a barrier to pesticides. They're one of the most heavily sprayed vegetables out there and may be coated with nearly 40 commonly used pesticides meant to keep them insect-free. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: Green peas, broccoli, and cabbage.

7. CELERY - Celery has no protective skin, which makes it almost impossible to wash off the twenty-nine different chemicals that are used on conventional crops. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: Broccoli, radishes, and onions.

8. STRAWBERRIES - On average, strawberries receive a dose of up to 500 pounds of pesticides per acre. If you buy strawberries out of season, they're most likely imported from countries that use less-than-stringent regulations for pesticide use. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: Blueberries, kiwi, and pineapples.

9. LETTUCES - Leafy greens are frequently contaminated with what are considered the most potent pesticides used on food. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: Cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts.

10. GRAPES - Imported grapes run a much greater risk of contamination than those grown domestically. Vineyards can be sprayed with 35 different pesticides during different growth periods during the season and no amount of washing or peeling will eliminate contamination because of the grape's permeable thin skin. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: Blueberries, kiwi, and raspberries.

11. POTATOES - America's popular spud ranks highest for pesticide residue. It may also be tainted by fungicides added to the soil for growing. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: Eggplant, cabbage, and earthy mushrooms.

12. TOMATOES - The standard regimen of pesticides used on conventionally raised tomatoes numbers 30. Their easily punctured skins are no match for chemicals that will eventually permeate the whole tomato. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: Green peas, broccoli, and asparagus.

My Story

2008-03-26T13:56:00.002-04:00

My 3 little Mint Green inspiratons!

I will admit that, for most of my life, environmental, or “green” issues were rather unimportant to me. I selfishly assumed that nothing bad would ever happen in my lifetime and that people thousands of years from now would fix those problems. It wasn’t until I had children of my own that I realized I had to change my attitude.

My “Ah, Ha!” moment came to me in the spring of 2007. I am a stay-at-home mom to three wonderful children, so most of my days are spent cooking and cleaning. In March, I began to experience headaches......often. I new these headaches were linked to the bleach products I used in my bathrooms because that’s when they always started. But I was reluctant to give up my regular products because I am obsessive about having clean/sterile bathrooms. Plus, at the time, I didn’t realize that I had any other choices. So I continued to use the conventional products, and I tried everything to avoid the headaches: I opened all the windows in the house; I wore a mask over my nose and mouth; I even tried holding my breath while I cleaned really fast, then I would run out of the room every few seconds to get some fresh air! Nothing worked. It got to the point where I didn’t even let my children on the same floor I was cleaning because I was afraid for their health as well. This is when I knew something had to change.

It just so happens that around this same time, I met a new friend over MySpace. I was looking into jobs that I could do from my home, and she contacted me about a company that she works for. They sell natural, non-toxic household products. I was skeptical at first. I thought to myself: This sounds too good to be true...... it probably costs a fortune, and I’m not a tree-hugger! So, regrettably, I put it off.

A few months later, I was walking around my local Target when I noticed that they sell a line of non-toxic cleaning products: the Method brand. On a whim, I bought the Method Tub & Tile Cleaner. Later that week, I used it to clean my bathrooms.........NO HEADACHE! I was amazed and completely sold from that point on.

Since that time, I have done A LOT of research on everyday household products – everything from cleaning supplies and personal care items to grocery store food and even clothing. I am, by no means, a scientific expert, nor do I claim to be. I am simply a mom whom wants to raise my children in the safest, healthiest, and happiest environment that I can possibly provide. However, this is not an east task…especially if you work full time, or are crazy running around with your kids all day like me! So I’ve done the leg work for you. I will show you that you don’t have to buy an eco-mansion or install solar panels in your home to make a contribution to the environment. You’ll see that you can make a significant difference even if you just go a little green.......Mint Green!