Pets are family, so they can go green too!

Now, if you don't know me, my cat, Beanie, is my first born daughter. ;) I treat her as such, so naturally, I want the best for her so she can be healthy.

To keep it simple, I'll cover the 3 main areas that are in most need of an overhaul: Waste, Food & Accessories.

 I never realized how many chemicals are in traditional cat litter, not to mention how bad some of the more popular types are for the environment.

The most common types nowadays are bentonite clay and silica gel. Both types claim to clump harder but they leave more of a fine dust. Not only is silica dust CARCINOGENIC but it can bother people with asthma, as well as harm your pets in ways such as lung infections and urinary tract problems. Not the kind of stuff I want my princess Beanie exposed to. Silica and clay also don't biodegrade well. There has also been proof that bentonite clay, when it's licked off the fur and travels to the digestive tract, absorbs potassium which inhibits the absorption of dietary iron. Bad news.

Luckily, if you are a cat owner, you can avoid all that. Simply switch to a green option such as recycled newspaper pellets or corn fibers. In my experience, I found that the newspaper pellets were difficult to scoop and often times left a mushy clump. Recently, I have discovered this:



This stuff rocks! It's made from 100% natural corn fibers. It does the job- clumps easily, and the baking soda helps to eliminate odor. With regular scooping, our litter box goes for over a week without smell! I also find there is less litter tracked all over the house. Lastly, this stuff isn't all that much more expensive than it's crappy alternative ;)

Another way you can go green is switching your pets food! Did you know that organic options for both cats and dogs are now widely available? Yup. And wholistic pet food is the way to go! Most cat and dog foods are made with corn and grain and any good veterinarian will tell you that cats and dogs are not meant to eat those things! Wholistic foods are made without grains and corn product to ensure a healthy pet! Also, by feeding your pets organic, you ensure that they're not eating animal by-product, which is basically meat from animals that is deemed unfit for human consumption, so why would you want to feed dear Rufus that crap? Gross. I'm currently in the process of switching Beanie's food, but she seems to enjoy it much more! I've been told to expect a more active cat and one with a healthier coat, so let's see! :)

Lucky for you devoted pet lovers, there are also many green alternatives for your pet's gear as well. Main pet retailers such as PETCO and Petsmart are selling eco-friendly pet beds:
Pet Dreams Eco-Friendly Dog Bed- interior is made from recycled plastic bottles!

PETCO sells a brand of organic pet toys called SimplyFido:



Check them out: http://www.simplyfido.com/toy_collections.html



Hemp collars, organic cotton pet clothing, all-natural grooming products- you name it, they've got it! PETCO has even released their own brand called Planet Petco that produces products made from safe and non-toxic materials!

Turning your pets into little earth-loving greenies isn't so hard or expensive, all it takes is a little research and effort!

For more you can do to go green with your pets, visit:
Treehugger.com's "How To Go Green: Pets".

Irradiated spices- not the way to go !

Let's get right to the point. Most spices that are grown in other countries are being irradiated. What does this  mean? It means that they are being exposed to ionizing radiation in order to kill any insects, viruses, bacteria or microorganisms in them. While this may sound like a good thing, although these spices do not become radioactive, there are some inevitable chemical changes in this food. So are you really consuming paprika? Who knows. But its chemical make up says otherwise.

There are a few easy ways to avoid these frankenspices. The first and easiest is to buy organic! Organic foods, as a rule, cannot be exposed to any kind of radiation in the process of its production. Organic spices may cost more, but its well worth it! You can find organic spices at most grocery stores, with the best selection available at Whole Foods and Hannaford.

The other way to stay away from these irradiated spices is to start a spice garden! This is also good if you cannot find an organic option for a certain spice. An herb garden is easy to make!

All you need is:

- A windowsill that gets plenty of light
- seeds from spices and herbs of your choice
- soil (opt for organic soil, free of chemical fertilizers, and also one labeled for potting)
- small containers to plant in. You do not need to purchase little mini pots because you can use things around the house. Have an empty tuna can? Empty candle jar? Recycle, re-use!




I purchased little kits from the dollar spot at Target!



It's so easy. Just put a soil pellet in a bowl



Add water and watch the soil absorb it



Fluff soil with fork. Fill pot with soil. Press 5-6 seeds lightly into the soil. Label the container.



And there you have it! A cute little spice garden. Here's mine!



Just remember to water once a day! Don't over water!

So you see? Staying away from irradiated spices is easy!
Happy Gardening, greenies!

Do you have a baby? Read this article.

On Aol News today, they had this article posted. Please read. It's about the harmful chemicals found in a slew of baby gear & items. You may think most harmful chemicals have been taken off the market- you're dead wrong.

Harmful Chemicals & Carcinogens Hiding in Your Baby's Nursery

Comments on Food, Inc.- a film about the misdeeds of America's food industry

I don't even know where to start.
So, I watched a film called "Food, Inc" today on Netflix. I feel it is something everyone should watch.

It tells of what goes on behind closed doors in our meat and crop industries- the truth is frightening.

I'm actually a little afraid to say some things, being that there are laws in place to keep people from badmouthing certain products. Bet you didn't know that. Oh yeah, Oprah got sued for badmouthing hamburger meat; look it up. It's all in an attempt to keep consumers in the dark- consumers like you & I.

As common sense, what is supposed to be a cow's main source of nutrition? Grass. Did you know that most of the cattle in the US is fed a diet of corn and soybeans. This unnatural change in their diet can make acid-resistant E. coli in the stomach of these animals more common. Because this pathogen is not killed by the stomach acid, it poses a threat to anyone who consumes this meat. The meat industry knows this.....

and is doing  nothing.

The food production industry is fully aware of the past and possible future contamination of spinach, apple juice, and peanut butter, etc, from run off from these slaughterhouses.......

and does  nothing.

Not even an "I'm sorry" for  Barbara Kowalcyk, who's two year old son, Kevin, died after eating a hamburger tainted with e. coli while on vacation.

Decades ago, we had thousands of slaughterhouses- we now have only 13 in the US. This is dangerous because it places all the power in just a few huge company's hands. And these companies do not care about our health and the crap we are eating. Did you know in one package of ground beef there is meat from upwards of a thousand different cows? This makes the risk of spreading and consuming these diseases much higher.

One of the best quotes of this film:
"We're not really eating a tomato, we're eating the 'idea' of a tomato."
It's so true.

Take a look in your food cabinet. How many items contain some sort of soybean or corn product? Most of it. Maltodextrin, high fructose corn syrup, absorbic acid, lecithin, monosodium glutamate, sorbitol...... At last estimation, 93% of soybeans and 86% of corn grown in the US were genetically modified. A company called Monsanto owns the majority of these GM soybeans. Not only are we eating a diet rich in STARCHES, but we're eating food that has been chemically engineered and altered....

What does this mean for us? A sickly population.
We're eating things that our bodies are not meant to eat. Because of it, we can already see changes in our health. Obesity rates are at an all time high. One out of every three of our youth born after 2000 will contract type 2 diabetes....

Politicians and CEO's have fought to keep these foods unlabeled. You could be eating cloned meat. You're definitely eating genetically modified foods.... and they don't want you to know it. Because of cost & because they don't care as long as the optimal amount of money is in their pockets. Until we MAKE them care.

We have to stop this; for our planet and for our children.
YOU can make change. The consumer has more power than it perceives. Supply comes with demand. If we demand only the most wholesome and least processed foods, then that is what our food producers will have to supply.

What can you do?

-Protest.

-Buy locally grown foods from farmer's markets.

-Buy ORGANIC!

-Buy from companies who treat their workers, animals & products with respect.

-Most of all, STOP funding and purchasing from the companies who are feeding you these FRANKENFOODS.
(And you'd be surprised how many companies are, but to avoid possibly getting myself into trouble, I wont name drop, but you can easily research this)

For a printable Non-GMO Shopper's Guide:
http://truefoodnow.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/cfs-shoppers-guide.pdf

For more info, visit:
www.takepart.com/foodinc

Watch the trailer for Food, Inc. HERE!

Greener Cleaners- detox your home!

Sorry for the wait, readers. Blogger.com was down for a while. I intended this post to have tutorials but I am having some webcam issues. Perhaps in the future :/

Check the new logo, courtesy of my best friend, Brian Webb! What do you think?

And here it is, the long-awaited greener cleaner post:

In my opinion, overhauling your cleaning products is one of the biggest and most important steps to take in a green conversion. Most people don't know that scientists and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) have determined that the air in your home is 2-5 times more toxic than the fresh air outside. No wonder we all feel so crappy!

Why is it so? Cleaning products and household chemicals. Laundry detergents, glass cleaner, furniture polishes, disinfectants, carpet cleaners, air fresheners, bathroom and all-purpose cleaners. When used, they release small particles into the air. These particles then remain floating around the home for hours and sometimes days, leaving countless toxic chemicals to be inhaled by you and your family. Some chemicals leave residue on surfaces and are able to be absorbed through the skin with contact.

Luckily, there are many things you can do to detox your home. The first step is giving away or trashing all your cleaning products with toxic chemicals in them (which is most of them, ha ha.) Just be sure to dispose of them in a way that is not harmful to the environment (keep reacting chemicals separate, do not pour them down the drain, seal tightly and dispose of with the rest of your garbage, etc)  I'd list all the chemicals to look out for, but there's wayyyy too many. So to name a few:

*Ammonia- can cause chemical burns, cataracts, and damage to your corneas.

*Benzene- look for it in oven cleaners and furniture polishes- it is classified as a carcinogen and a hazardous air pollutant!

*Chlorine (yep. chlorine!)- found in bleach, dishwasher detergents, and tub/tile cleaners- Not only is chlorine highly reactive with other compounds (causing more unwanted effects), but it was used as a poison in World War I! What the HECK is it doing in our homes?! It can cause immune and reproductive system disorders as well. Chlorine is one of the most important pollutants to rid your home of!

*Crystalline Silica- found in all-purpose cleaners- It irritates the eyes, skin and lungs. And, oh, what a surprise. CARCINOGEN.

*Ethyl Cellosolve- hiding out in window cleaners- This nasty chemical is a neurotoxin, meaning it damages nerve tissue in the brain. Um, call me crazy, but I think our brain is pretty darn important!

*Butyl cellosolve- an ingredient in all-purpose cleaners- is known to damage bone marrow as well as cause damage to the liver and kidneys.

The scary thing here is that some chemicals used day to day in households throughout the nation are chemicals that are on lists involving toxic waste sites! These are materials you should keep far away from your home!

Next step on the list to home detoxification is....

OPEN THE WINDOWS! Fresh air never hurt anyone and it will help to flush out any toxic particles and leftovers floating around in the air of your home.

The last step is finding alternatives to cleaners. Luckily, this is easy and inexpensive! I went and looked up some recipes for DIY cleaners. Most of the recipes had a few main ingredients: water, baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice, and borax, all of which are wicked cheap! Borax, in case you don't know, is a white mineral used in making ceramics. As a perk, it serves as an antiseptic! As an even bigger perk, you can buy a big ol' box of it for just $2.99 at Target!

Here are the recipes I made and used!

All-Purpose Household Cleaner:

¼ c. baking soda
½ c. borax
½ c. vinegar
1 gal. water.

(if the smell of vinegar bothers you, you can swap it for lemon juice!)

Window Cleaner

2 tsp. vinegar
1 qt. warm water

(I found that the vinegar worked best in this case, so I do not recommend swapping for lemon juice in this recipe!)

Oven Cleaner

¼ c. baking soda
2 tbsp. salt
Hot water, as needed to make a thick paste. (for a better scrub!)
Let paste sit for 5 minutes, just be sure to keep mixture away from any hot spots!

(Get an extra scrubbing boost by using a green scrub pad!)

And as an easy disinfectant, just mix ¼ cup borax with ½ gallon hot water!

Lastly, many people don't understand how toxic air fresheners are. An easy alternative for this is to simmer cloves, orange peel or cinnamon sticks in water! You can also absorb odors by placing small bowls of 2-4 tablespoons of vinegar or baking soda around your home!

So you see? As easy as that! You are but 3 easy steps away from a healthier home environment for you and your family!

Breathe easy, folks!

Update on current projects.

Sorry about the lapse in entries, guys. With mother's day and wedding planning, I have been super busy!

Any who, I'd just like to keep you posted on some projects I'm working on.

I'm researching my next entry on greener cleaners; found some recipes and will be trying them out and giving reviews. I'm working on all that cleaning today, so that entry should be out soon! And as a little tid bit, making your own greener cleaners is CHEAPER than buying the toxic traditional cleaners! :)

Another project I'm currently working on is starting my own organic garden. Now, I live in a 3rd floor apartment, so I don't currently have access to actual land, but I have been looking into crops that are easily grown and kept in large pots and window planters, being that I have a huge porch! I know this will be useful to some of you busy mommies! It saves money and getting the kids involved will teach them vital life skills. I plan on beginning this project later in the week; already have all the materials, just making sure my technique is juuuust right ;)

I have also started a spice garden today; this will be an upcoming entry because I'm sure most of you are unaware that you're cooking with and consuming irradiated spices. I realize that not all spices are native to this area, so I will also give you some tips on what to look for when purchasing spices to ensure you're buying the healthiest stuff for you and yours :)

Lastly, I have a green pets entry in the workings. If any of you know me, Beanie, my cat, is my firstborn. ;) With small switches I've made, I have noticed huge differences in her coat, temperament, etc. I also found that more companies are producing green litter products, one of which I purchased and am trying out once this next litter box is ripe- very exciting!

Thanks for being patient, readers! I hope to have the greener cleaner entry out by tonight or tomorrow night the latest!

But while you're waiting- Comment and give me some feedback.
What kind of things would you like to learn about?
Is there anything you'd change about this blog?
And any other input in general.

Can't wait to hear from you!

My Vision

I believe that the success of a blog lies in honesty. In order to be completely honest for my readers, I plan on writing entries that have personal stuff in them where I share my hopes, fears, and dreams.

This is one of those entries.

I have a vision for this world; one that many have told me will never come true. I'm hoping I can prove them wrong.

The world as it is now is a mess. It is this way because no one cares or cares enough to fix it. Mankind, as a whole, is lazy. We'd rather take what is given to us than to fight for something better. We'd rather stand idle and complain about the current state of things than ever attempting to try and change them.

In the way of a green lifestyle, why do we have to GO green? Why can't everything and everyone just BE green? Known carcinogens are still on the market; foods irradiated and stripped of all their nutrients are being fed to us, our children, our pets. There shouldn't be "alternatives"; all of our food should be organic! Everything we eat should be pure and wholesome and not tampered with! We shouldn't have to be afraid of what our children are chewing on! What chemicals we're possibly putting on their skin! We are being POISONED every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every week of every month of every YEAR of our lives!! Why?! Why does it have to be this way? I could understand if we had no choice, but we have choices. We have everything we need to be healthy. With proven alternatives to these poisons and chemicals, WHY are they still available? And not only are they still available, but all the healthy and clean alternatives are in the minority!

I don't understand.

I just want Kellan to be healthy. I don't want him to have to struggle to bring his kids up green, as I am for him. I want Kellan to live in a healthy world that is at peace.

I think my biggest obstacle is that I want to make people care. I can't make them care, and it breaks my heart. I'm in shock how some people can not care. How people can walk by a polluted river without worrying about the wildlife. How some can see the destruction a nuclear accident can cause and not consider how their neighborhood would look, disintegrating before their eyes.

How can we read about how nitrates are known carcinogens and yet still purchase and consume bacon and lunch meats? How come we know that pesticides are toxic, yet we still feed these foods which are BATHED in them to our growing children? We are diapering our kids in fibers that are bleached, and soaked in chemicals which emit fumes KNOWN to cause and contribute to asthma! WE are making ourselves sick. WE are killing our future, in every sense of the word.

Why?
Because we don't care.
The people we trust to run our nation and supply our food and produce our necessities- they don't care.
Cost takes precedent over health.
I want to stop this.
I want to leave this earth knowing I did something to save it.
I want Kellan to breathe fresh air, to eat foods that aren't altering his DNA, to wear clothes that aren't full of chemicals that are absorbed through the skin, to drink clean water, to STOP contributing to this earth's demise.

There are enough things that people can die from- sickness, lack of food and water, inadequate clothing and shelter, natural disasters....
Why, oh why, do we have to kill ourselves? Each other?

My vision is a beautiful, wholesome planet. It's simple enough. It's better for us. We just have to WANT it.
As soon as everyone wants it, we can have it because we can make it that way.

Won't you help me?