Some Good News Finally.

I just read this article about the status of the oil spill and on Friday BP claims they siphoned 255,000 gallons of oil from the leak, which is about what it had been leaking out for the past 47 days. This is great news, but I've always been one to be weary to news like this. I really hope these are the actual numbers that were taken from this project and not a product of big corporate analysis - or of the news for that matter. After all, the function of the media has never been to rid the evils of the world; only to persuade us to  except them.

Green Fun Fact?

I think so! Here it is:
It takes 60 percent less energy to manufacture paper from recycled stock than from virgin materials.
I know, mind blowing right?

It's Going To Be A Hot Summer..

All the more reason to start thinking of ways you can save energy while saving yourself from burning alive. You can, of course, use an energy efficient air cooler. Try to keep your cooling unit well maintained, while avoiding over cooling. Another great option, which is something I personally use, is to install a whole house fan. These are great for these brisk summer nights, extremely energy efficient as well.

Adopt Your Pets.

There are enough stray domestic animals roaming our streets, and us as consumers are only adding to those numbers! We need to stop going out to pet stores and buying thousand dollar pure bred rat dogs and march to the shelter. Help these animals in need and decrease the abundance of wild pets.

Wishful thinking?

I saw this video today of Obama claiming that we're going to end our dependence on fossil fuels. Let's just hope he's not all talk. Let's hope our president comes through and really changes things.

Poor Florida.

There is much fear that the oil spill is migrating to the shores of Florida. This is bad news for their environment as well as their economy; a great deal of Florida's revenue comes from their tourism, which includes their gorgeous beaches. If this things gets to DisneyWorld, it has become a personal vendetta!

Hairy Situation.

Donate your hair to the oil spill cleanup, your ocean needs it more than you do. That's right, your hair can help remove pounds of oil from the gulf coast. They have created these nets of hair that they toss into the oceans and it is great for absorbing the oil. I had actually read that thicker hair such as llama and sheep hair was their first target, but running out quickly they've now turned to human hair. You can find out more at this website about the matter. We can all help this mess disappear.

Old Jeans You Say?

Recycle. Old jeans= new shorts! Jean shorts are in, get with the times..

BBQ Season Is Here.

There are many green substitutes for bbq lighters you know. Simply find lighters that contain kerosene, naphtha or urea formaldehyde resin and you'll be doing wonders for the environment.

Flies!!

It's warming up, you know what that means.. flies!! Now there are some much environmentally friendly ways of dealing with these pests than a can of bug spray, you just have to be willing to give them a shot. There are simple things you can do like reduce the amount of garbage and potted plants you have in your household. You can also consider getting "green" fly traps, mint, or eucalyptus oil or many other options. Just let this varmints know you mean business.

Rid Yourself Of Dangerous Drugs!

Prescription drugs are a dangerous game, and the threat becomes greater after they expire. A common solution to this problem has always been to just simply dump them down the sink or toilet; now this creates a whole new problem all on its own. The plants that filter our water are not designed to strain out drugs, so all these pharmaceuticals are making their way into our waterways. You can only imagine what this is doing to our health..

The Great News Just Keeps On Coming.

How exciting is it that all these new updates about this wonderful oil spill keeps coming up! I just found out about 6 animals who's species have been put in serious danger by this disaster. These animals being brown pelicans, sea turtles, dolphins, shellfish & crabs, nesting & migrating shore birds, and north atlantice bluefin tuna. This thing needs to be taken care of already..

Mind & Body.

I was reading about 5 techniques to help you through that grueling exercise of yours. These are things to get you into a meditative state of mind. Breath in fresh ideas and exhale the negativity in your body as it tries to hold you back. Realease all toxins that promote the idea of quiting. Realization of letting your thoughts float freely can take your mind off of the task at hand. Focus in on the main goal and visualize the results you will acheive. Success trains both our mind and body to be ready for more physically and mentally demanding expectations of our environment.

Sketchy Water..

I was reading a safety article about the cleanliness of tap water. Some simply things they say to watch out for is a metallic taste, odd smelling, cloudy or rusty, and more. To see the whole list and some actions you can take to make your water safer, check out this article.

Top 10.

I found this article on the top 10 newly discovered species of 2009. There are some pretty insane discoveries on here, I would strongly suggest checking it out. I mean just look at this picture of the Psychedelic Frogfish they found!

Watch Your Planet Get Destroyed!

There is now a live feed of where millions of gallons of oil are leaking into your ocean. How awesome is this? Nothing like allowing people to view endless destruction of the place they live to put some serious political pressure on our hierarchy. Go check it out and help make the oil companies know you've had enough.

Trash?

Yes trash. We've heard it all before, converting garbage into energy, and we've used it in the past. There was always just one little problem: the abundance of mercury, dioxin and other toxins being emitted into our atmosphere! Well now there are over 400 plants throughout Europe that have fixed this problem. They've created filters to capture all these harsh toxins, making for a completely clean, smelly but clean, source of energy.

The New Wave In Natural Energy.

This is an exciting new technology that I actually just heard about, it's called Wave Energy. This is a system that get it's energy from, you guessed it, the constant movement of the oceans. While at this time the systems are quite costly, they do show a great amount of potential for energy saving. Let's keep our fingers crossed for this one!

Some Serious Solar Power.

There are some serious upgrades happening in the solar power industry, especially in Europe. They're building plants, inventing new technology, and helping reduce carbon emissions like mad men! Officials have said that the price for electricity will be cut in half in the near future with the help of the advancements in the solar field.

Float Along, The Wind Will Keep You Moving.

Cape Wind is the poster child for the future of wind farming. What is this Cape Wind you ask? Well let me know spit some knowledge at you.. Cape Wind is an offshore, about 5 miles to be exact, wind farm that catches all those cool breezes as they bounce off the chilled waters of the Atlantic. This has led to the proposal of many more offshore farms, and there are 4 projects currently in the works. Just how much energy will this create you say? Oh, just 2,500 megawatts of power. Need I say more?

Alternate Energy Is Coming!

After recent tragedies in the natural resource industries, (oil spill in the gulf coast and the coal mine explosion that killed 29 people last month) there now the loudest cry for change. We can't keep depending on these resources that are destroying this gorgeous planet we call home! I've been reading about what's next  to come and it is some pretty exciting stuff. I'll keep you posted all week long with some information about the future of energy..

Supa Cycle.

Here's a video I found of a Super Cycle Highway in London. How great to see such a push to get more cars off of the road in a major city! LA could definitely learn a thing or two..

Windex? Green?

Windex has released a new formula that is made of 99% natural ingredients! It's always good to see a company who makes cleaning products that can be very dangerous to take a drastic change for health and environmental reasons (not to mention it's no longer blue!).

Watch Out For These Guys!

I found this article on the 11 scariest fast food breakfast items. You might want to consider reading this, you'll probably second guess hitting the drive-thru before school.

This Oil Spill Is Just Getting Way To Out Of Hand..

With little to no progress on the containment off of the Gulf Coast, there's been many questions raised as far as the future of the United States energy policy. This tragedy obviously needs to be prevented from happening again, and you environmentalist would be happy about some of the drastic measures some are fighting to make. There's been a push to completely shut down off shore drilling for good. Although this would be great for the environment, we would have a much higher dependency on foreign oil. There's a lot to consider in this awful event, and it seems to be far from resolved.

Sorry For The Hiatus.

 I know all you loyal followers must have been dying without my (nearly) daily green tips, but I had myself a nice vacation in San Francisco. While I was there I saw a big difference in the attempt to go green by it's residence versus here in the LA area. Lot's of people on bikes, great transportation systems, and hybrids as far as the eye can see! I also have learned that SF is the 6th greenest city in the US. Yay for green vacations!

8 Health Foods Practically Anyone Can Grow!

 I found this article that is definitely worth checking out. It list 8 delicious vegetables that are great for you that you can easily grow at home. Something we should all be considering, (I know it sounds cliche) especially in these rough economic times. Plus you'll probably find yourself enjoying the foods more, seeing as how you put your own hard work into growing them yourself!

Don't Expose Your Children To The World Of Television!

There was a recent study put out that recorded a child's behavior at age 10 when exposed to TV between the ages of 2-4, the results are pretty shocking. Every weekly hour of watching TV cause a 7% drop in classroom attentiveness and math skills. The kids were 10% more overweight and consumed more snacks and soft drinks. And they were even 13% more likely to be bullied. I don't know about you, but that's enough reasons to unplug the hypnotizing box we call television!

Grab A Mate And Hit The Road.

Carpooling is such a simple and easy way to help reduce CO2 emissions, not too mention it's a major time and money saver!  Don't have someone to head out to work with? Well I got you covered! I just so happen to stumble across this website that helps you find people who are making the same commute as you. How awesome is that? Very, the correct answer is very awesome.

Hang Dry Your Laundry.

This is something so simple and can save up to 6% on your electric bill. Hang outdoors to get that extra fresh scent in your linens.

Offshore Oil Spill.

In case you haven't heard about this tragic oil spill 15 miles off the gulf coast, here's an article to bring you up to date. In census, an offshore oil rig exploded causes crude oil to be pumped in the ocean. How much you ask? Oh, just over 200,000 gallons a day. So really it's no biggy..

Super Foods= Super Health

This article gives a pretty good overview on some healthy choices that are called "super foods." These foods are usually very beneficial to your general health and can add some years for your time here on Earth. This is something everyone should check out for themselves.

A Visiually Epic Look At The Iceland Volcano.

This is a photograph I came across of the recent volcano eruption. I thought I would share this stunning look at the northern lights above. Simply beautiful.

A Really Interesting Article I Found.

This article is about the finding of a prehistoric fish in a Wisconsin lake. I find these kinds of things so interesting, just to think how many odd species there are out there. I mean we have only explored about 5% of the ocean floor! It's really sad that the thought should cross our mind that we may destroy this planet of ours before we really understand it. Just something I hope people really consider.

Happy Earth Day!

GREEN POWERS UNITE!!!

Kill The Weed, Man.

Enough with all those harsh chemicals that we put into our plants and atmosphere raginf for our bottles of weed killers. There are much greener solutions! You can use white vinegar, a strong saline (salt), lemon juice, or boiling water (yes water can kill your weeds!). Make sure you give these methods a try before playing with dangerous chemicals again.

The New Biodegradable Sun Chips Bags Come Out Tomorrow.

I saw one of these bags today, and let's just say you can't exactly eat them in a movie theater. These things are loud! I guess that's the price you gotta pay to save the Earth.

Sorry For The Delay (It's All For A Cause)

I've been partying down with the eco-friendliness at COACHELLA!! While I was there I noticed a big movement of going green happening. Whether it was bike powered DJ sets, recycling programs, or simply sign posted everywhere, it was all to bring green awareness.

For example, they have a program where you collect 10 plastic water bottles and receive 1 fresh ice cold purified water (which is just about the best thing when you're in the middle of the desert). Another option is to purchase a refillable Coachella water bottle and fill it up with fresh water for free. And the last option being to bring in an empty water bottle and refill it with some hose water, which is the method I chose.
No matter how you slice it, Coachella is making just a big impact in the green community as they are with music and arts.
                                        See you next year!
                             

Earth Day Is Coming Up..

Anyone got any plans yet?

Save Your Air From Your Fuel.

Did you know that burning one gallon of gas produces roughly 25 pounds of CO2? That's a lot for our ozone to carry you know. Keep those heavy feet off the pedal..

Hold The Fructose!!

In a year, the average American consumes close to their body weight in High Fructose Corn Syrup! There are many ways around eating HFCS though, just be sure to check labels and the more natural the food is, the better luck you will have. Try to avoid it by all means, it could be quite costly to your health.

The Most Delicious Chips Ever!

This is one of many reasons why I love Sun Chips..
(Try the Garden Salsa Flavor)

On Day Without Shoes.

Hope you all participated in TOMS shoe's One Day Without Shoes day yesterday! TOMS has been putting forth a great effort to bring the awareness of children throughout the world whom go shoeless, in term leading to many infection related deaths. Go TOMS Shoes!

The Earth, It Shakes.

It seems like there are large earthquakes happening just about everyday now. Don't be foolish, make sure you're prepared.. especially all you Californians like me. Here are some tips I found on the web to help you before, during and after a quake:

Safety Tips

• Have an earthquake readiness plan.
• Consult a professional to learn how to make your home sturdier, such as bolting bookcases to wall studs, installing strong latches on cupboards, and strapping the water heater to wall studs.
• Locate a place in each room of the house that you can go to in case of an earthquake. It should be a spot where nothing is likely to fall on you.
• Keep a supply of canned food, an up-to-date first aid kit, 3 gallons (11.4 liters) of water per person, dust masks and goggles, and a working battery-operated radio and flashlights.

• Know how to turn off your gas and water mains. 

 

If Shaking Begins

• Drop down; take cover under a desk or table and hold on.
• Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you're sure it's safe to exit.
• Stay away from bookcases or furniture that can fall on you.
• Stay away from windows. In a high-rise building, expect the fire alarms and sprinklers to go off during a quake.
• If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow.
• If you are outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, and power lines. Drop to the ground.
• If you are in a car, slow down and drive to a clear place. Stay in the car until the shaking stops.

Continuation On Hiking..

Make sure you are very careful while hiking, there are many threats and dangers on the trails. Not just for wild life, but plant life as well. I had a very severe allergic reaction to something and was hospitalized as a result (which is why you haven't heard from me in a couple of days). Everything is fine now, but be sure you know what you're getting yourself into and be prepared for anything. Let my mishap be a lesson to all!

It's Spring Time.

Spring time = gorgeous weather
Gorgeous weather = gorgeous days
Gorgeous days = HIKING!!!

So get off the couch and head to the nearest trail! There is so much just waiting to be explored, and a little outdoors never hurt anyone either!

Food Is the Solution!

Check out this article about what foods can help you with your health issues and how to make you healthier.

Have A Green Easter.

Almost all Easter Egg dyes contain Red 40, this can can be the root of some serious problems. Red 40 has been found to cause hyperactivity, aggressive behavior and inability to concentrate in children, and migraine and upset stomach in adults. So make sure you check the labels on the dye packing and keep your family safe this Easter!

Earth Hour.

In case you didn't hear, as many didn't, yesterday at 8:30 PM a large portion of our Earth went dark. Over 3,500 cities all across the world participated in shutting down their light sources for sixty minutes. This was done to bring global awareness to what being green is all about. Viva la revolution!

Recycle Old Stainless Steel.

You get $1.20 per pound!

A Little Off Topic..

Yes, this doesn't really have anything to do with being green.. But it's still awesome! I was on Yahoo! and saw this article, I immediately got super excited and decided to share with everyone. I suggest you read it, it's very interesting and exciting. To pretty much sum the article up: a billion new stars were discovered! I don't know about you, but I think that's pretty interesting. Space intrigues me just as much as our own planet does. And you're crazy if you don't feel the same.

Check Out This Green Site.

Looking for some legit green products? Well I've come across just the place! This website, Melaleuca.com, is something that my girlfriend uses and told me to blog about. It's a good thing I listened, this site is really cool. Not only is it a great outlet for green products, but also a way to earn some cash. That's right, you heard right.. If you get other people to sign up and they reference your account you get a percentage of what they spend! Just another reason to buy green.

Cleaning Products.. Dun Dun Dun!

Give this video a watch, it's filled with good information about hazardous cleaning products. Believe me, this is some good knowledge to have.

Clean Up Your Health.

On average there are over 200,000 reported case of exposure to hazardous cleaning products, most of which involving children 5 and under. There are ways to avoid this while saving some cash at the same time! Here's just an example of one:


Homemade furniture polish
1/4 cup white distilled vinegar or lemon juice
A few drops jojoba or olive oil
3 to 5 drops fragrant essential oil (optional)
When considering the right fragrance, choose an antiseptic essential oil. Sweet eucalyptus will give a clean summer scent. And if you want to give your cleaner an unlimited shelf life, opt for vinegar (lemon can turn rancid).

Shred On the Concrete, And Shred Some Pounds.

I've recently taken up cycling as a means of getting from point A to point B (within reason), and I couldn't feel any better. Not only am I making less of a carbon footprint by not driving nearly as much, but the health benefits make it even more worth it! Not to mention I used to throw about $50 a week into my gas tank, and now I maybe spend $10-$15. So there really aren't enough excuses not to replace that gas guzzler with those, soon to be toned up, super sexy legs of yours.

I was lucky enough to inherit a very legit road bike myself, but if you're looking to buy one there is an Eco Design series that Trek put out. These bikes are not only made of recycled material but are absolutely gorgeous rides, not too mention reasonably priced. So I would strongly advise taking a look at these.

Wow, This Is Absolutely Terrible.

I would strongly suggest watching this video. It will make you think twice the next time you're about to just toss a piece of trash where ever, instead of  walking 10 to a trash can.

Great Tips For Saving Gas..

Check out this video I found that offers a few tips to get you better gas mileage. It really is worth watching..

Slow Down, Breathe, and Take It All In.

I'm guilty of a heavy foot myself, but reducing your speed from 70 mph to 55 mph increases your fuel efficiency by up to 23 percent. And with summer coming up and gas pricing going up, we can all be a little greener.

Green Expo This Weekend!

My lovely girlfriend was handed a (very trippy) flyer at school for an upcoming event. She decided to share it with me and knew how excited I would be. The Green Expo is this Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. and is filled with events. The expo is 100% free, there are over 20 bands playing, and not to mention the greatest radio station in LA, 100.3 The Sound, will be there. Hope to see you there!

Natrual Style.

An often misconception is that buying organic products only applies to foods. Well prepare to have your mind blown cause BAM! Not only can you buy organic clothing, but you can buy pretty good looking organic clothes. So I think you really need to ask yourself; why wouldn't you want to look all sexy while saving the earth at the same time? Seems like a no brainer to me.

Well that's it for my organic section, stay tuned next week for an all new green topic!

Healthy Saving!

I was reading through some articles on Yahoo!, as I usually do as a learn'd tree hugger, and stumbled across this article. I feel like this is goes well with my theme of organic foods, and has some serious saving to offer. All the more reason to buy organic!

On the Organic Note..

This is a little video I found about how to tell if you're food is organic.

Buy Organic!

Organic farming consumes 37% less energy than conventional farming. Also in one year, an acre of organic crop soil will pull up to 7,000 pounds of CO2 from the atmosphere; which is more than half of the average vehicle's total emissions every year.

All the World is Mad.

Our Earth is being destroyed from it's long time residence (all 6.8 billion of us), and we're just sitting back and letting it happen. I've been a lover of nature all my life and have recently started to understand the amount of harm people, including myself, have been causing this place we call home. I've been trying to take steps to making myself more eco-friendly and hope to spread my enthusiasm on the subject. Not to mention in many cases, being green means saving some green.