Shaklee
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Sharing Shaklee
I had to pass on this great info I got from my company shaklee. I love working for them and the amount of information on toxic house cleaners and helpful tips are super. I hope you find the information useful. Enjoy the read and visit Shaklee at
Go Green!
"Moms are the busiest people in the world, juggling family and career and handling just about everything from driving the kids to soccer practice to helping with homework to keeping the family healthy. Unfortunately for many moms, this juggling act leads to feelings of stress, sleep deprivation, poor food choices and inactivity, a combination that can add up to a lifetime of health challenges.Your family depends on you, so it' time for you to take care of yourself. Here's how.
Kick the Stress
Fifty percent of us experience stress every day. Mothers especially working mothers experience the greatest amount. Daily stress and anxiety wreak havoc with our sense of well-being and the impact of prolonged stress can have severe consequences on our health. In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates 75-90% of all visits to the doctors office are stress related. One key to good health is to keep levels of stress in check. Get started by: Identifying Your Stressors “ Whether it's marital problems, money issues, traffic or the piles of laundry, the first step to managing stress is knowing what's causing the most stress in your life. Once identified, you can begin to figure out how to overcome stress or manage it better.
Setting Priorities “ Take stock to determine what's really important and learn to say "no". This can be one of the biggest favours you can do for yourself.
Delegating Responsibilities “ You don't have to be "supermom" “ learn to ask for help and assign tasks to other family members.
Relaxing and Meditating Research has shown that taking time out of each day to relax and meditate can help reduce stress.
Taking Shaklee Stress Relief Complex, a botanical combination which includes a powerful stress reliever from green tea to help promote relaxation, alertness and concentration, and help relieve everyday stress in as little as 30 minutes.
For more information about the health impacts of stress
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get Enough Sleep
Emerging scientific evidence indicates that insufficient sleep can be harmful to our health. In a 2007 poll by the National Sleep Foundation, about two-thirds of women reported experiencing a sleep problem at least a few nights a week within the past month (46% reported this occurrence every night or almost every night).
Sleep Well and Re-energize. Maintain a regular bed and wake time schedule; establish a relaxing bedtime routine; and try not to eat a meal, drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages or exercise within a few hours of bedtime.
For daily support, take Shaklee Vitalizer, which delivers supercharged vitality and a broad-spectrum of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, anti-aging phytonutrients, omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics to build the foundation for a longer, healthier life.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eat Right
Good nutrition is essential to health and poor food choices contribute to health challenges including weight gain. Start by improving your diet by eating a variety of foods, choosing whole grains, beans and legumes and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Don't forget to include some lean protein from fish, chicken, soy and nonfat dairy and select heart-healthy omega-3 fats from fish, avocado and nuts. And stay away from fast food restaurants!
And if you're like most women struggling to maintain a healthy weight, try the Shaklee Cinch Inch Loss Plan. It's powered by leucine and designed to help you break the yo-yo dieting cycle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exercise
Sure, we all know that exercise is a healthy habit and it's never too late to start. Walking is a great activity for everyone. Start with a 10- or 15-minute walk, especially if you haven't been exercising regularly. Then do your best to be active every day.
For example: skip the elevator and take the stairs or park farther away from your destination. Or dance! Whatever gets you moving.
Set new goals every day and keep track of your progress by counting all of your steps with the Cinch Pedometer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Take a Timeout
with Friends
A landmark UCLA study suggests that hanging out with friends can actually counteract the kind of stress most women experience on a daily basis. When women engage in this 'tending or befriending' with children and other women, studies suggest that the hormone oxytocin is released, which further counters stress and produces a calming effect.
We always knew that friends made us feel good and now there is actual evidence that they are good for our health!
So the next time you need a lift-me-up or simply want to relax, call up your closest group of girlfriends for a fun gathering. And why not turn these gatherings into something that empower you to make a difference in the world? Contact your Shaklee Distributor to learn more about how to enjoy a healthier and better life. "
Go Green!
"Moms are the busiest people in the world, juggling family and career and handling just about everything from driving the kids to soccer practice to helping with homework to keeping the family healthy. Unfortunately for many moms, this juggling act leads to feelings of stress, sleep deprivation, poor food choices and inactivity, a combination that can add up to a lifetime of health challenges.Your family depends on you, so it' time for you to take care of yourself. Here's how.
Kick the Stress
Fifty percent of us experience stress every day. Mothers especially working mothers experience the greatest amount. Daily stress and anxiety wreak havoc with our sense of well-being and the impact of prolonged stress can have severe consequences on our health. In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates 75-90% of all visits to the doctors office are stress related. One key to good health is to keep levels of stress in check. Get started by: Identifying Your Stressors “ Whether it's marital problems, money issues, traffic or the piles of laundry, the first step to managing stress is knowing what's causing the most stress in your life. Once identified, you can begin to figure out how to overcome stress or manage it better.
Setting Priorities “ Take stock to determine what's really important and learn to say "no". This can be one of the biggest favours you can do for yourself.
Delegating Responsibilities “ You don't have to be "supermom" “ learn to ask for help and assign tasks to other family members.
Relaxing and Meditating Research has shown that taking time out of each day to relax and meditate can help reduce stress.
Taking Shaklee Stress Relief Complex, a botanical combination which includes a powerful stress reliever from green tea to help promote relaxation, alertness and concentration, and help relieve everyday stress in as little as 30 minutes.
For more information about the health impacts of stress
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get Enough Sleep
Emerging scientific evidence indicates that insufficient sleep can be harmful to our health. In a 2007 poll by the National Sleep Foundation, about two-thirds of women reported experiencing a sleep problem at least a few nights a week within the past month (46% reported this occurrence every night or almost every night).
Sleep Well and Re-energize. Maintain a regular bed and wake time schedule; establish a relaxing bedtime routine; and try not to eat a meal, drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages or exercise within a few hours of bedtime.
For daily support, take Shaklee Vitalizer, which delivers supercharged vitality and a broad-spectrum of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, anti-aging phytonutrients, omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics to build the foundation for a longer, healthier life.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eat Right
Good nutrition is essential to health and poor food choices contribute to health challenges including weight gain. Start by improving your diet by eating a variety of foods, choosing whole grains, beans and legumes and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Don't forget to include some lean protein from fish, chicken, soy and nonfat dairy and select heart-healthy omega-3 fats from fish, avocado and nuts. And stay away from fast food restaurants!
And if you're like most women struggling to maintain a healthy weight, try the Shaklee Cinch Inch Loss Plan. It's powered by leucine and designed to help you break the yo-yo dieting cycle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exercise
Sure, we all know that exercise is a healthy habit and it's never too late to start. Walking is a great activity for everyone. Start with a 10- or 15-minute walk, especially if you haven't been exercising regularly. Then do your best to be active every day.
For example: skip the elevator and take the stairs or park farther away from your destination. Or dance! Whatever gets you moving.
Set new goals every day and keep track of your progress by counting all of your steps with the Cinch Pedometer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Take a Timeout
with Friends
A landmark UCLA study suggests that hanging out with friends can actually counteract the kind of stress most women experience on a daily basis. When women engage in this 'tending or befriending' with children and other women, studies suggest that the hormone oxytocin is released, which further counters stress and produces a calming effect.
We always knew that friends made us feel good and now there is actual evidence that they are good for our health!
So the next time you need a lift-me-up or simply want to relax, call up your closest group of girlfriends for a fun gathering. And why not turn these gatherings into something that empower you to make a difference in the world? Contact your Shaklee Distributor to learn more about how to enjoy a healthier and better life. "
Friday, May 16, 2008
Great Green Web's! I found a real keeper!
HI Everyone, Our local paper just ran a super article on a web site called UNIS based at McGill unv. (Montreal). Though some of the info is directed at the surrounding area, most can be applied anywhere. They also have many links to other sites both Gov. and research types. I highly recommend that you have a visit if you have any questions about anything from.....skunks in your yard to fungus on your vegs, they cover everything! Below I have given you a little taste of the gems you will find. Hope you enjoy this site.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Top Ten Things You Can Do for Your Children
Walk or bike your kids to school, or if that's not feasible, go for frequent rides on weekends – a family that bikes together saves the planet together!
Keep them inside and out of the downtown core on smog-days (going for a car ride when there's a smog alert on is a big no-no!)
Make sure their toys are PVC-free – keep them from breathing in any potentially toxic plastic softeners.
Do not reward them with toys. Try to teach them that happiness doesn't comes from buying new things, and the planet does not need the resource extraction, chemical-pollution and landfill-clogging that comes with making, and eventually, discarding them.
Use natural or biodegradable shampoos, creams, and soaps. What you put on your young one's body is as important as what you put in it.
Choose organic foods whenever possible, so your children get a pesticide-, hormone-, and antibiotic-free diet.
Say no to high-fat, high-sugar, chemical-laden processed foods. There are plenty of natural alternatives, even for packaged kids' snacks.
Create a non-toxic nursery or kids' room full of earth-loving children's books.
Resist the urge to use landfill-clogging disposable diapers. If cloth is out of the question, using unbleached, chlorine-free, throw-away ones is a good alternative.
Teach them to love nature: take them to the park, on little hikes or picnics, or to a local nature center (i.e.: the La Fontaine Park, the Botanical Gardens, etc).
Top 5 Eating Habits to Heal the World
Support local growers, be it through farmer's markets, farm-fresh food box deliveries, or simply keeping your eye open for local labels at the grocery store.
Go vegetarian or reduce your daily meat and dairy intake – meat production uses up 20 times as much energy as growing grain.
Choose fair-trade coffee, sugar, chocolate, and anything else you can find fair-trade to be sure not to support "sweatshops in the fields".
Buy certified organic products to avoid pesticides and spare waterways, wildlife, and workers encounters with toxic pesticides.
Pass on resource-intensive, heavily-packaged, and heavily-processed fast food and junk food.
Top 5 Eco Packaging Suggestions
Choose recyclable glass.
Know your (plastic) numbers. If you're buying something packaged in plastic, check the bottom of the container for the number that tells you whether or not that type of plastic is recyclable in your area (ex: #1, #2). (See the City-by-City guide to learn what can be recycled in your city.) 6 Grades of Plastic
Buy dry: if you're picking up something like chicken broth, the powdered kind goes a lot further than the canned.
Buy in bulk, and bring your own containers.
Good things come in small packages. Often foods like cereals that come in smaller boxes contain the same amount of, say, mueslix, as the bigger boxes that are just full of air. Compare product weight to be sure.
Walk or bike your kids to school, or if that's not feasible, go for frequent rides on weekends – a family that bikes together saves the planet together!
Keep them inside and out of the downtown core on smog-days (going for a car ride when there's a smog alert on is a big no-no!)
Make sure their toys are PVC-free – keep them from breathing in any potentially toxic plastic softeners.
Do not reward them with toys. Try to teach them that happiness doesn't comes from buying new things, and the planet does not need the resource extraction, chemical-pollution and landfill-clogging that comes with making, and eventually, discarding them.
Use natural or biodegradable shampoos, creams, and soaps. What you put on your young one's body is as important as what you put in it.
Choose organic foods whenever possible, so your children get a pesticide-, hormone-, and antibiotic-free diet.
Say no to high-fat, high-sugar, chemical-laden processed foods. There are plenty of natural alternatives, even for packaged kids' snacks.
Create a non-toxic nursery or kids' room full of earth-loving children's books.
Resist the urge to use landfill-clogging disposable diapers. If cloth is out of the question, using unbleached, chlorine-free, throw-away ones is a good alternative.
Teach them to love nature: take them to the park, on little hikes or picnics, or to a local nature center (i.e.: the La Fontaine Park, the Botanical Gardens, etc).
Top 5 Eating Habits to Heal the World
Support local growers, be it through farmer's markets, farm-fresh food box deliveries, or simply keeping your eye open for local labels at the grocery store.
Go vegetarian or reduce your daily meat and dairy intake – meat production uses up 20 times as much energy as growing grain.
Choose fair-trade coffee, sugar, chocolate, and anything else you can find fair-trade to be sure not to support "sweatshops in the fields".
Buy certified organic products to avoid pesticides and spare waterways, wildlife, and workers encounters with toxic pesticides.
Pass on resource-intensive, heavily-packaged, and heavily-processed fast food and junk food.
Top 5 Eco Packaging Suggestions
Choose recyclable glass.
Know your (plastic) numbers. If you're buying something packaged in plastic, check the bottom of the container for the number that tells you whether or not that type of plastic is recyclable in your area (ex: #1, #2). (See the City-by-City guide to learn what can be recycled in your city.) 6 Grades of Plastic
Buy dry: if you're picking up something like chicken broth, the powdered kind goes a lot further than the canned.
Buy in bulk, and bring your own containers.
Good things come in small packages. Often foods like cereals that come in smaller boxes contain the same amount of, say, mueslix, as the bigger boxes that are just full of air. Compare product weight to be sure.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Here is another great little bit of info. I never would have thought that the paint colour you chose would affect your energy costs. I guess you do learn new this everyday.
How to be green
› Energy
It's easy to miss opportunities to go green in your own house. Small things like painting walls in lighter colors instead of dark can help to maintain light, reducing the amount of money and energy you spend on lighting. It's important to invest in good window panes and insulation as almost 15% of the energy you use for heating your home can dissipate through improperly sealed windows. Switching to more green friendly light bulbs is a smart choice -- a 60-watt incandescent bulb lasts about 750 hours, while a fluorescent bulb with 1/3 the wattage will generate the same amount of light and burn for 7,500 to 10,000 hours (over ten times as long as regular lights). Always remember to turn off all electronics like radios, televisions, and lights when you leave a room. For more information on energy savings in the home visit Hydro Quebec's Energy Wise site
Hope you enjoyed those tidbits of info. If you want to learn more please visit the site at http://unis.mcgill.ca/
Night
Visit Shaklee to learn how even big companies can be good for the enviroment.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
photo credit: Shelly StrazisHello everyone, well will looking out for someting interesting I found this site. Pretty interesting reading about this very green guy. Please visit the link below to read more and to learn more about him. He has several books out and is the editor of 'Country Home' mag. Hope you enjoy the rest of the artical.
While still on the Green train of thought here are some ideas to help clear the air in your house. House plants really cut down on dust,air toxins,and other comtaminites like mould and bacteria. Alison Ramsey wrote a great list of the best air cleaners around.
Bathroom: English Ivy removes airborn fecal particals and mould spores. ( poisions to kids and pets if injested)
Den: Philodenrons absorb formaldehyde and benzin emitted from fabric and glues in carpet backing.
Kitchen: Spider plants take in carbon monoxide from your gs range, plus nitrogen dioxide from tobacco and fossil fuels.
Coffe Table: Chrysanthemums and gerbar daises absorb toxins as well, keeping the air fresher and healthier.
http://www.dannyseo.com/about.html
"Environmental lifestyle expert Danny Seo calls his eco-friendly way of living Simply Green. Through his bestselling books, television programs, magazine columns, and his how-to lifestyle lectures, Danny Seo continues to share his creative ideas that has made him America's leading lifestyle authority on modern, eco-friendly living.
Born on Earth Day in 1977, Danny has championed on behalf of the natural biodiversity of our planet from a very young age. On his 12th birthday, he founded the organization Earth 2000 with just a few friends and $23. By his 18th birthday, he transformed the grassroots organization into the country's largest teenage activist charity spearheading worldwide campaigns on behalf of the environment.
Today, Danny, encourages America to live a greener lifestyle. His first lifestyle book Conscious Style Home (St. Martin's Press; 2001) chronicles his renovation of his parents' Green Hills, Pennsylvania home. Using easy-to-find eco-friendly materials, the beautifully photographed book received rave reviews in The New York Times, Elle, Food & Wine, Elle Decor, and USA Today, who raved "Say 'environment' to Danny Seo, and it's as if you've punched the word into the search engine Google: Out roars an avalanche of ideas and references that threatens to scramble your brain." "
Born on Earth Day in 1977, Danny has championed on behalf of the natural biodiversity of our planet from a very young age. On his 12th birthday, he founded the organization Earth 2000 with just a few friends and $23. By his 18th birthday, he transformed the grassroots organization into the country's largest teenage activist charity spearheading worldwide campaigns on behalf of the environment.
Today, Danny, encourages America to live a greener lifestyle. His first lifestyle book Conscious Style Home (St. Martin's Press; 2001) chronicles his renovation of his parents' Green Hills, Pennsylvania home. Using easy-to-find eco-friendly materials, the beautifully photographed book received rave reviews in The New York Times, Elle, Food & Wine, Elle Decor, and USA Today, who raved "Say 'environment' to Danny Seo, and it's as if you've punched the word into the search engine Google: Out roars an avalanche of ideas and references that threatens to scramble your brain." "
Monday, May 12, 2008
Bottled Water....Good? I think not.
Hello, Happy Mothers Day. Had a lovely day planting flowers in the garden with the family. We also went to visit the Mom's. So before we went to Hubbies Moms, we had to stop and buy her some bottled water. I disagree with the stuff. I understand it has a place when a natural disaster strikes and the need for clean drinking water is need to save lives. Well when we came home I searched for some info on the subject and found this. I will look for some more info in the coming days.To read the full article please go to CBC.ca:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2007/02/01/suzuki-water.html
"Buying bottled water is wrong, says Suzuki
Environmentalist launches national tour on green issues
Last Updated: Thursday, February 1, 2007 2:16 PM NT
CBC News
Canadians wanting to do something about the environment can start by drinking tap water, environmentalist David Suzuki says.
"Everywhere I go across Canada, I insist I be given tap water when I get up to speak," Suzuki told CBC News on Thursday.
David Suzuki says plastic water bottles generate waste and potential health hazards because of their chemical composition.(CBC)
"I think in Canada it's absolutely disgusting that people are so uncertain about their water that we buy it, paying more for bottled water than we do for gasoline."
Suzuki — who was in St. John's on Thursday to launch a cross-country speaking tour aimed at engaging people in politics, particularly environmental issues — said there is no good reason for Canadians to buy bottled water.
Moreover, he said it's destructive to import bottled water from producers in countries such as France.
"It's nuts to be shipping water all the way across the planet, and us — because we're so bloody wealthy — we're willing to pay for that water because it comes from France," he said in an interview.
"I don't believe for a minute that French water is better than Canadian water. I think that we've got to drink the water that comes out of our taps, and if we don't trust it, we ought to be raising hell about that."
Key environmental issues with bottled water, Suzuki said, are waste and uncertainty over the long-term health effects created by plastic.
"Not only does bottled water lead to unbelievable pollution — with old bottles lying all over the place — but plastic has chemicals in it," he said.
"Plastics are ubiquitous. I don't believe that plastics are not involved in a great deal of the health problems that we face today."
Last August, delegates to the United Church of Canada's general council voted to discourage the purchase of bottled water within its churches. The motion called on church members to advocate against the "privatization of water" and to support healthy local supplies of water."
Related
Internal Links
IN DEPTH: Bottled water
CBC Marketplace: What's in a label?
Plastic bottles leach chemicals into water: study
Saturday, May 10, 2008
A Candle For Burma.....
Hello,
I feel I had to share this email I received today. I will let the letter speak for it's self, for I cannot write. My mind hurts just thinking about this .....tragedy. Something MUST be done.
Dear friends,
Staggering new estimates suggest that 100,000 people may have died in Burma's terrible cyclone. Incredibly, the corrupt and brutal Burmese government has stopped most international aid at the borders and is impeding the relief effort.In under 24 hours, Avaaz members have donated over 690,000 Euros (over US$1 million--more than many governments!) to help Burma's monks provide the emergency relief, through their own networks and monasteries, that the government will not. We have already transferred three sets of funds, and we are working urgently to send more. Scroll down to see the email sent yesterday with all the details of how we can help, or click below to help us get over 1 million Euros (US$1.54m) today:https://secure.avaaz.org/en/burma_cyclone/19.php/?cl=88829088_________________________________________________________Dear friends,In the wake of a massive cyclone, a shocking 100,000 Burmese may be dead. More are missing. A million are homeless.But what's happening in Burma is not just a natural disaster--it's also a catastrophe of bad leadership.Burma's brutal and corrupt military junta failed to warn the people, failed to evacuate any areas, and suppressed freedom of communication so that Burmese people didn't know the storm was coming when the rest of the world did. Now the government is failing to respond to the disaster and obstructing international aid organizations.Humanitarian relief is urgently needed, but Burma's government could easily delay, divert or misuse any aid. Yesterday the International Burmese Monks Organization, including many leaders of the democracy protests last fall, launched a new effort to provide relief through Burma's powerful grass roots network of monasteries--the most trusted institutions in the country and currently the only source of housing and support in many devastated communities. Click below to help the Burmese people with a donation and see a video appeal to Avaaz from a leader of the monks:https://secure.avaaz.org/en/burma_cyclone/19.php/?cl=88829088Giving to the monks is a smart, fast way to get aid directly to Burma's people. Governments and international aid organizations are important, but face challenges--they may not be allowed into Burma, or they may be forced to provide aid according to the junta's rules. And most will have to spend large amounts of money just setting up operations in the country. The monks are already on the front lines of the aid effort--housing, feeding, and supporting the victims of the cyclone since the day it struck. The International Burmese Monks Organization will send money directly to each monastery through their own networks, bypassing regime controls.Last year, more than 800,000 of us around the world stood with the Burmese people as they rose up against the military dictatorship. The government lost no time then in dispatching its armies to ruthlessly crush the non-violent democracy movement--but now, as tens of thousands die, the junta's response is slow and threatens to divert precious aid into the corrupt regime's pockets.The monks are unlikely to receive aid from governments or large humanitarian organizations, but they have a stronger presence and trust among the Burmese people than both. If we all chip in a little bit, we can help them to make a big difference. Click here to donate:https://secure.avaaz.org/en/burma_cyclone/19.php/?cl=88829088With hope,Ricken, Ben, Graziela, Paul, Iain, Veronique, Pascal, Galit and the whole Avaaz teamPS: Here are some links to more information:For more information about Avaaz's work to support the Burmese people, click here:http://www.avaaz.org/en/burma_report_back For more information about the cyclone, the humanitarian crisis, and the political dimension, see these articles:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/PoliticsNation/IMD_issued_specific_and_precise_advisories_to_Myanmar_IMD/articleshow/3016493.cmshttp://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/05/08/myanmar/?iref=mpstoryviewhttp://www.irrawaddy.org/opinion_story.php?art_id=11836http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/world/asia/07aid.html?_r=1&oref=sloginhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7385205.stm
Please Pray for the people of Burma and lend your voice to......it Must Stop.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Green People of Canada
I was looking for some Green Canadians and this is the list I found...pretty impressive.....Go Green Canada!
(Mar 14, 2008) There are Canadians who are committed to greening our country and the world. We dubbed these environmental heroes our Deep Greens, part of our Green List compiled by Green Living Magazine.
Sheila Watt-Cloutier (The Voice of the North)Long-time advocate for the Inuit and the effect of climate change on their lives. In 2007, was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize based on her work. (Pictured above.)
(Mar 14, 2008) There are Canadians who are committed to greening our country and the world. We dubbed these environmental heroes our Deep Greens, part of our Green List compiled by Green Living Magazine.
Sheila Watt-Cloutier (The Voice of the North)Long-time advocate for the Inuit and the effect of climate change on their lives. In 2007, was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize based on her work. (Pictured above.)
Maude Barlow (The Water Warrior)Co-founder of The Blue Planet Project, which seeks to protect the world’s fresh water from the growing threats of trade and privatization.
Rosalie Bertell (The Public-Health Expert)One of the founders of the International Institute of Concern for Public Health, which has asssisted victims of industrial, technological and military contamination, from Chernobyl to Bhophal and beyond.
Louise Comeau (The Urban Climate-Changer)Helped establish the $250-million federal Green Municipal Funds. Now director for Canada and Climate Change at the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives.
Guy Dauncey (The Problem-Solver) Founder and president of the B.C. Sustainable Energy Association, and author of books including 2001’s Stormy Weather: 101 Solutions to Global Climate Change.
First Nations, Inuit and Metis (The Original Stewards) Have spent centuries living sustainably and honouring a commitment to future generations. Now fighting huge environmental/social issues.
Steven Guilbeault (The Voice of Quebec)Co-founder of Équiterre, a Quebec-based group that helps people make more environmental, socially driven decisions.
David Hughes (The Peak-Oiler)Has studied Canada’s energy supplies for over 30 years, and has worked to inform people about peak oil for over a decade, gathering some of the best hard data available and presenting it across the continent.
Elizabeth May (The Party Leader)
The Green List: Gone but not forgotten
The Green List: Baby Greens
The Green List: Media greens
The Green List: Green players
The Green List: Green business
Built the Sierra Club of Canada into a major environmental force. Now wants to "change the climate in Parliament" as the leader of the Green Party of Canada.
David Runnalls (The NGO Leader)President of the Winnipeg-based, globally recognized International Institute for Sustainable Development.
Percy Schmeiser (The Farmer)Decided to fight when his Saskatchewan canola fields were contaminated by multinational agro-chemical company Monsanto’s genetically modified canola, resulting in a nine-year legal battle that is ongoing.
Maurice Strong (The International Networker)One of the world’s leading environmentalists. Convened the Earth Summit, the first major meeting of global leaders about the environment in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. First executive director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
Dr. David Suzuki (The Icon)Award-winning environmental advocate, geneticist and broadcaster who, for the last 40 years, has brought environmental issues to the world’s attention. Read our interview with Dr. Suzuki.
Paul Watson (The Captain)Founder and president of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a non-profit, international marine-wildlife conservation organization.
Read more about green Canadians:Green business
This article is part of the Green List series.Click here to nominate your suggestions for the next Green List!Green players Media greenBaby GreensThe Originals
Jordy Gold, a sustainability consultant, created the Green List with additional research from Lee Schnaiberg, an environmental consultant.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Some to Think about...
Well here is something I read today that made me think. Love to hear what you think.
"(Jan 21, 2008) The Internet keeps us connected, helps us share information and reduces travel time. But it also has a big carbon footprint. It is estimated that globally it takes about 868 billion kWh of electricity per year to power.
That’s a whopping 14 power plants worth of energy and about three percent of all the energy consumption in the USA, which adds up to a lot of energy and a lot of CO2 emissions. The good news is there are green web hosting companies out there. Carbon offsetting a startThe more traditional companies like WebHostingBuzz and Host Papa use conventional energy but purchase carbon offsetting to balance energy usage. Green ISP/Green Webhost takes it one step further and powers all its offices with solar energy. It is also building Europe’s first solar powered data centre using power from California.For the greenest web pageB.C. based Solar Energy Host also offers web hosting powered by solar energy. The company has 120 solar panels and is 100 percent carbon free. "We use clean energy right from the source. The energy saved by our data center reduces about 9,071 kilograms (20,000 pounds) of CO2 per year," said President Aaron Handford. "If your website is currently sitting on a server powered by energy from the grid, then you are tied to a system where you can never be sure where that energy is coming from, possibly from the burning of coal or other greenhouse gas producing sources. "By going solar, the company also reduces 2.68 kilograms (5.9 lbs) of Nitrous Oxide (NOX/smog) per year and .20 kilograms (0.45 lbs) of Sulfur Dioxide (SO4/acid rain) per yearNot just the Internet According to Handford, there are two ways energy gets consumed. "One is by computers used to surf the web, and the other is the energy used to create and power its infrastructure -- like servers, power lines, associated PCs, routing infrastructure and phone networks."So while it’s important to find a green server, it also crucial for you to green your own computer. Hanford suggests always turning off the computer when it’s not in use and NOT using a screen saver when your computer is in sleep mode. Turn it all off
You can get some serious power savings just by turning off the equipment you won’t be using at night. Your computer and its peripherals are still drawing power even when you shut down your computer. (That black monitor is actually just in standby mode and it uses energy waiting for the PC to switch back on.) Power adaptors for phones, iPods and digital cameras also suck up energy even when not connected to the actual device. The simplest way to stop these energy vampires is to connect everything to a power strip that you can switch off. Techlogg did a test of how much energy could be saved by turning off your work computer at the end of the workday. Just by powering down and not leaving your computer in standby mode, you can go from using 140-watts down to around 8W per day. That adds up to saving 1,584 watt-hours every day, 578.1kilowatt-hours per year -- just for one PC.The modems we use to connect to the Internet are also energy guzzlers, particularly since they don’t have a standby mode. They manage to pull 8.5W of energy even when you’re not using it. Turning them off at night can add up to considerable savings as well -- Techlogg estimated at least 24.82 kilowatt-hours of energy per year per modem. Only good for the outdatedWhat about Blackle.com and other sites that save energy by displaying dark colour schemes to decrease power consumption? It turns out that dark coloured screens don’t save that much energy unless you have an old fashioned monitor. If you’re using a LCD display, the savings are minimal. What does save energy is keeping your computer clean of Spyware -- since all that snooping around eats up your computer’s processing power, making it slow and inefficient. You can also cut your power consumption in half by dropping your screen’s brightness and taking advantage of the built-in power management most computers have (including desktops). Optimize your computer’s operating system while saving energy. Deirdre Rowland is a media specialist and communications consultant. Her favourite projects are the ones that make the world a better place."
"(Jan 21, 2008) The Internet keeps us connected, helps us share information and reduces travel time. But it also has a big carbon footprint. It is estimated that globally it takes about 868 billion kWh of electricity per year to power.
That’s a whopping 14 power plants worth of energy and about three percent of all the energy consumption in the USA, which adds up to a lot of energy and a lot of CO2 emissions. The good news is there are green web hosting companies out there. Carbon offsetting a startThe more traditional companies like WebHostingBuzz and Host Papa use conventional energy but purchase carbon offsetting to balance energy usage. Green ISP/Green Webhost takes it one step further and powers all its offices with solar energy. It is also building Europe’s first solar powered data centre using power from California.For the greenest web pageB.C. based Solar Energy Host also offers web hosting powered by solar energy. The company has 120 solar panels and is 100 percent carbon free. "We use clean energy right from the source. The energy saved by our data center reduces about 9,071 kilograms (20,000 pounds) of CO2 per year," said President Aaron Handford. "If your website is currently sitting on a server powered by energy from the grid, then you are tied to a system where you can never be sure where that energy is coming from, possibly from the burning of coal or other greenhouse gas producing sources. "By going solar, the company also reduces 2.68 kilograms (5.9 lbs) of Nitrous Oxide (NOX/smog) per year and .20 kilograms (0.45 lbs) of Sulfur Dioxide (SO4/acid rain) per yearNot just the Internet According to Handford, there are two ways energy gets consumed. "One is by computers used to surf the web, and the other is the energy used to create and power its infrastructure -- like servers, power lines, associated PCs, routing infrastructure and phone networks."So while it’s important to find a green server, it also crucial for you to green your own computer. Hanford suggests always turning off the computer when it’s not in use and NOT using a screen saver when your computer is in sleep mode. Turn it all off
You can get some serious power savings just by turning off the equipment you won’t be using at night. Your computer and its peripherals are still drawing power even when you shut down your computer. (That black monitor is actually just in standby mode and it uses energy waiting for the PC to switch back on.) Power adaptors for phones, iPods and digital cameras also suck up energy even when not connected to the actual device. The simplest way to stop these energy vampires is to connect everything to a power strip that you can switch off. Techlogg did a test of how much energy could be saved by turning off your work computer at the end of the workday. Just by powering down and not leaving your computer in standby mode, you can go from using 140-watts down to around 8W per day. That adds up to saving 1,584 watt-hours every day, 578.1kilowatt-hours per year -- just for one PC.The modems we use to connect to the Internet are also energy guzzlers, particularly since they don’t have a standby mode. They manage to pull 8.5W of energy even when you’re not using it. Turning them off at night can add up to considerable savings as well -- Techlogg estimated at least 24.82 kilowatt-hours of energy per year per modem. Only good for the outdatedWhat about Blackle.com and other sites that save energy by displaying dark colour schemes to decrease power consumption? It turns out that dark coloured screens don’t save that much energy unless you have an old fashioned monitor. If you’re using a LCD display, the savings are minimal. What does save energy is keeping your computer clean of Spyware -- since all that snooping around eats up your computer’s processing power, making it slow and inefficient. You can also cut your power consumption in half by dropping your screen’s brightness and taking advantage of the built-in power management most computers have (including desktops). Optimize your computer’s operating system while saving energy. Deirdre Rowland is a media specialist and communications consultant. Her favourite projects are the ones that make the world a better place."
Read more at Green living online.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Sharing a Great blog!
I wanted to share this blog with you. It is packed full of some really SCARY facts and thing to do unstead. you can read more at greenlivingonline.com Hope you all have a great day tomorow!
(Mar 29, 2008) Is your house toxic because of the cleaning products you’re using?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning about early exposure to chemicals during childhood and one of the main sources is household cleaning products. Toxic Nation, an offshoot of Environmental Defence, has some helpful suggestions on how to clean out your house and find non-toxic alternatives. You can also learn more from the Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and Environment (CPCHE). Here’s a list of six household cleaners to avoid and alternatives to detox your home.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning about early exposure to chemicals during childhood and one of the main sources is household cleaning products. Toxic Nation, an offshoot of Environmental Defence, has some helpful suggestions on how to clean out your house and find non-toxic alternatives. You can also learn more from the Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and Environment (CPCHE). Here’s a list of six household cleaners to avoid and alternatives to detox your home.
1. Antibacterial cleanersIt may be safer to take your chances with the germs. These cleaners contain triclosan, a form of dioxin, linked with weakened immune systems, decreased fertility, hormone disruption and birth defects. There is also a danger of triclosan mixing with the chlorine in tap water to form the deadly chlorinated dioxins. Alternative: Regular soap, which kills 99.4 percent of germs. Antibacterial soap kills 99.6 percent.
2. Air freshenersAir fresheners actually stop you from smelling by coating nasal passages with an oil film or by releasing nerve deadening agents. One main ingredient, formaldehyde, is a carcinogen, causing allergic reactions, dermatitis, headaches, mucous membrane irritations, joint and chest pain, depression, fatigue, dizziness and immune dysfunction. Another main component, phenol, causes skin eruptions, cold sweats, convulsions, circulatory collapse and in extreme cases, coma. Alternative: Open the window or use an exhaust fan.
3. Dishwasher detergentDishwasher detergents are the number one cause of accidental child poisoning. They contain a dry form of highly concentrated chlorine that is poisonous and have been known to produce skin irritations or burns, and cause eye injuries and damage to other mucous membranes. Residue built up on dishes can transfer into your hot meal.
Breaking the mould
Life without the chemical BPA could prove a challenge
A LUSH interview
Green clean your rugs
Window cleaner martini anyone? Alternatives: Buy phosphate and chlorine free detergent.
Breaking the mould
Life without the chemical BPA could prove a challenge
A LUSH interview
Green clean your rugs
Window cleaner martini anyone? Alternatives: Buy phosphate and chlorine free detergent.
4. Oven cleanersAmong the most dangerous chemicals in households, these cleaners contain sodium hydroxide (a derivative of lye) so corrosive it can eat through the top layer of skin and cause severe tissue damage. It’s also caustic for eyes and lungs. Also contains benzene, toluene, xylene, methanol and ethylbenzene, which are all known carcinogens, damaging to the nervous system and unborn children. Residue can be released as toxic fumes into the air when the oven is heated. Alternative: Make a scrub of baking soda, salt and water paste.
5. Carpet and upholstery shampoo Designed to knock the stain out, they may also take you out as well. The main ingredient, perchlorethylene (the same one used in dry cleaning), is a known carcinogen, damaging to the liver, kidney and the nervous system. Ammonium hydroxide, another ingredient, is corrosive, extremely irritable to eyes, skin and respiratory passages. Fumes are carcinogenic and known to cause dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, loss of appetite and disorientation.Alternative: Use a mix of baking soda and water. Salt will take out wine or fruit stains. Club soda will remove lighter stains. Baking soda and cornstarch will deodorize.
6. Toilet, tub and tile bowl cleanersHighly toxic, bathroom cleaners are a source of many poisonings, particularly since they are used in small, often windowless spaces. Most contain hydrochloric acid (corrosive to skin and eyes, and damages kidneys and liver) or hypochlorite bleach (corrosive to eyes, skin and respiratory tract, and known to cause vomiting and pulmonary edema if inhaled). These cleaners also contain benzene, toluene, xylene, methanol and ethylbenzene, which are all known carcinogens that damage the nervous system and cause birth defects.)Alternative: Remove toilet bowl stains with pure vinegar. Dilute with water to remove soap scum. Washing soda or borax is also effective on tiles. Shelagh McNally is the editor of Green Living Online. After writing this article she stopped using all chemical cleaners in her home.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Green MothersDay Idea Plus Up dates
Great Mothers Day Gift IdeaI recieved my Green Living Online newsletter today and I wanted to share it with you. I think it's a great newsletter, try it out for yourself......it's free.
I have also added some new links for some really great sites plus the I hope to be adding a nother great source for Gardening.
Enjoy the read.
!!!Shaklee Update!!!!
Take Part in the Windfall Ecology FestivalParticipate in the Windfall Ecology Festival, taking place on June 7th and 8th, 2008, at Fairy Lake Park in Newmarket, Ontario. The environmental programs delivered by Windfall focus on actions we can take today in our own lives: in our homes, our businesses, our communities – to begin the transition to a sustainable future. Continuing its 7-year history of excellence, the Annual Windfall Ecology Festival is a showcase and celebration for green initiatives. Register a booth at the festival today for as little as $300! For more information, visit the festival’s website.
http://www.greenlivingonline.com/HomeGarden/after-the-flood/
(Apr 29, 2008) Gardening can take its toll on your back and knees. But smart companies are offering ergonomic tools that protect the body and make gardening fun again.
The Mecca for gardenersEvery gardener loves the grass roots company Gardener's Supply. This Vermont store was founded in 1983 by a handful of enthusiastic gardeners and offers plenty of advice from beginners to hard core veterans. It also sells plenty of time-saving tools designed to take the strain out of gardening:
Garden Hand: Even the best soil has the occasional rock. Remove stones from your garden without having to get down on your hands and knees using the Garden Hand. The seven hardened-steel tines cut through soil to grab stones as big as 11.4 cm (4.5 inches) big. It also does double duty as a tiller.
Trim without fatigue: Conventional shear and clippers can be hard on the hands. The Rechargeable Clip & Shear has interchangeable stainless steel blades: 15 cm (6")or 10 cm (4"). You push a button and go for 45 minutes on a full charge. The optional extension handle means you can trim without bending.
Get reel with your lawn: Gasoline mowers are bad for the environment as well as being noisy and smelly. Switch to something less nerve racking with a Manual Reel Mower. Its self-sharpening steel blades cut clean while the large wheels, foam covered handles and easy height adjustments make the machine a breeze to use. Cut your grass and your calories so both you and the lawn get healthy. NRG for no sweatRadius garden tools got our vote for the smoothest tools. Using something called the Natural Radius Grip (NRG), these tools lessen tension in the hands and wrists. Handles are made with a non-latex thermoplastic blades and the body with ultra lightweight aluminium/magnesium alloy. The bright colours ensure they will never get lost in the garden. The trowel, bulb trowel, weeder and cultivator are available in garden centres thoughout Canada and the USA.
Sowing success: preventing damping off
Get your houseplants ready for spring
Go heritage in your garden
Sowing Success: starting your seeds
Houseplants for cleaner indoor air Take it easyDon and Sheila Swartz started their website, Life with Ease, to sell products that can help prevent injuries. Their Expandable Rake has a rake head that extends from 17 cm (7") to 53cm (14") with a telescoping handle that adjusts from 88 cm (35") to 1.75 metres (69"). This means you can rake your lawn and under your shrubs at the same time without having to kneel or bend. Heat treated aluminium makes the rake lightweight and easy on the back. The Home Depot helpsThe Garden Rocker, sold by The Home Depot, reduces strain on your lower back and knees. Ergonomically designed, the curved base with a contoured seat provides a full range of motion so you can get to those plants comfortably without any twisting or straining. The Home Depot also stocks the Bionic Gardening Gloves. These high tech gloves, designed by an orthopaedic surgeon, improve grip strength and natural dexterity while reducing hand fatigue. Extra padding along the palm and special "motion zones" over the knuckles cushion the hands against tool handles and prevent blisters. Closures at the wrist provide even more support. Perfect for anyone with arthritic or weak hands. Shelagh McNally is the editor of green living online.
(Apr 29, 2008) Gardening can take its toll on your back and knees. But smart companies are offering ergonomic tools that protect the body and make gardening fun again.
The Mecca for gardenersEvery gardener loves the grass roots company Gardener's Supply. This Vermont store was founded in 1983 by a handful of enthusiastic gardeners and offers plenty of advice from beginners to hard core veterans. It also sells plenty of time-saving tools designed to take the strain out of gardening:
Garden Hand: Even the best soil has the occasional rock. Remove stones from your garden without having to get down on your hands and knees using the Garden Hand. The seven hardened-steel tines cut through soil to grab stones as big as 11.4 cm (4.5 inches) big. It also does double duty as a tiller.
Trim without fatigue: Conventional shear and clippers can be hard on the hands. The Rechargeable Clip & Shear has interchangeable stainless steel blades: 15 cm (6")or 10 cm (4"). You push a button and go for 45 minutes on a full charge. The optional extension handle means you can trim without bending.
Get reel with your lawn: Gasoline mowers are bad for the environment as well as being noisy and smelly. Switch to something less nerve racking with a Manual Reel Mower. Its self-sharpening steel blades cut clean while the large wheels, foam covered handles and easy height adjustments make the machine a breeze to use. Cut your grass and your calories so both you and the lawn get healthy. NRG for no sweatRadius garden tools got our vote for the smoothest tools. Using something called the Natural Radius Grip (NRG), these tools lessen tension in the hands and wrists. Handles are made with a non-latex thermoplastic blades and the body with ultra lightweight aluminium/magnesium alloy. The bright colours ensure they will never get lost in the garden. The trowel, bulb trowel, weeder and cultivator are available in garden centres thoughout Canada and the USA.
Sowing success: preventing damping off
Get your houseplants ready for spring
Go heritage in your garden
Sowing Success: starting your seeds
Houseplants for cleaner indoor air Take it easyDon and Sheila Swartz started their website, Life with Ease, to sell products that can help prevent injuries. Their Expandable Rake has a rake head that extends from 17 cm (7") to 53cm (14") with a telescoping handle that adjusts from 88 cm (35") to 1.75 metres (69"). This means you can rake your lawn and under your shrubs at the same time without having to kneel or bend. Heat treated aluminium makes the rake lightweight and easy on the back. The Home Depot helpsThe Garden Rocker, sold by The Home Depot, reduces strain on your lower back and knees. Ergonomically designed, the curved base with a contoured seat provides a full range of motion so you can get to those plants comfortably without any twisting or straining. The Home Depot also stocks the Bionic Gardening Gloves. These high tech gloves, designed by an orthopaedic surgeon, improve grip strength and natural dexterity while reducing hand fatigue. Extra padding along the palm and special "motion zones" over the knuckles cushion the hands against tool handles and prevent blisters. Closures at the wrist provide even more support. Perfect for anyone with arthritic or weak hands. Shelagh McNally is the editor of green living online.
Have a super day tomorrow.
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