12:46 p.m. - 2008-12-21

take a bite out of global warming

Do you choose organic food because you know you're protecting your family from potentially toxic chemicals? that's certainly one of my reasons. Lately I've added another to fight global warming.

What's the connection? The current food system, from seed to plate to landfill, is responsible for as much as one-third of the world's human-made greenhouse-gas emissions.

Livestock production alone, including factory farming and pasture-grazing animals, accounts for nearly one-fifth of all greenhouse-gas emissions - that's more than transportaiton. Move over Hummer, say hello to hamburger.

Organic farms emit less than half the carbon dioxide of conventional farms and use up to one-third less fossil fuel energy, in part because they're not dependent on petroleum-based pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. And organic agriculture creates and maintains healthy soil, helping the earth act like a sponge that absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. In fact, long-term studies at the Rodale Institute indicate that if we transitioned just 10,000 medium-size farms to organic production, it would be the carbon-saving equivalent of taking one million cars off the raod. Remember that the next time you're waffling over whether to spend that extra dollar on organic apples.

3 Climate Friendly Food Tips

1. EAT REAL FOOD. Products from trans fats, high-fructose corn syrup, and multisyllabic additives take enormous energy to create. Choose energy-efficient items: fresh, whole foods with minimal or no packaging.

2. ENJOY MEATLESS MEALS. Cut out the cheeseburgers entirely, or just cut back. Go meatless at least once a week. And, if you choose to eat meat and dairy, go for organic options from small scale family farms.

3. LIVE LA VIDA LOCAL. Minimize your "foodprint" by buying from locally stocked supermarkets and farmers' markets. Get personal with your produce by becoming a member of a community-supported agriculture program or by visiting a U-pick farm.

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9:27 p.m. - 2008-11-18

287

We all know pollution and toxins are bad for you. But THE ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP recently tested 10 Americans for 400 chemicals and traces of 287 of them showed up in their blood. This study, probably the deepest analysis of this issue, also discusses the most vulnerable demographic on the planet...newborns.

Please take a moment to watch the below presentation. It is both educational and entertaining.

Ken Cook speaking on the Health Plenary at Tides' Momentum 2008

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11:22 p.m. - 2008-09-28

every click counts

STONYFIELD YOGURT will donate $1 for every click to the ENVIRONMENTAL WORKGROUP to help protect you and your family from harmful chemicals in food. You'll also get a shoppers guide to pesticides in produce which lists the twelve fruits and vegetables with the most and least pesticides so you know which ones to buy organic.

The Environmental Working Group is a group that works to protect you and your family, especially babies, children and infants in the womb, to health problems contributed by a wide array of contaminants found in food and household products.

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11:05 p.m. - 2008-09-17

reconstructed clothing

Redewin, a new online eco-store that sells unique vintage and reconstructed clothing, just launched last week. It offers eco-conscious consumers a new option in shopping for stylish, one of a kind clothes, and it’s great destination for choosing green clothing.

All of the items on Redewin are created from used garments—they take button-ups, t-shirts, dresses, doilies, sweaters, jeans, etc, and stitch them together to create innovative, intriguing new fashion blends. The clothes are creative and singular—and they elevate the term ‘recycled clothing’ to new fashionable heights. The site features a wide range of items—from men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing lines to re-stitched pillows, everything gets the chic, reconstructed treatment at Redewin. And shopping online is a lot easier than making your own recycled clothing.

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8:54 a.m. - 2008-09-10

SOAP UP FOR A GOOD CAUSE

One With Nature has teamed up with Susan G. Komen for the Cure for Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October). For every Rose Petal Soap sold from their Dead Sea Mineral Soap collection, 10% of the sales will be donated to the cause. Wrapped in biodegradable artisanally designed packaging, this 100% vegetable based, mild exfoliating bar is infused with skin-nourishing Dead Sea Minerals. The soap is a triple-milled, contains 21 minerals, moisture rich shea butter and contains no artificial fragrances, colors nor animal ingredients. There are several other varieties in the Dead Sea Mineral Soap collection such as Lavender, Vanilla Oatmeal, Hemp, and Lemon Verbena.

One with Nature helps to fund research efforts and create public awareness with the non-profit environmental organization, FoEME (Friends of the Earth Middle East). It is the mission of this partnership, to help preserve the Dead Sea.

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2:36 p.m. - 2008-08-13

WILDAID

David Babaii and Kate Hudson have teamed up to launch a super inspirational line of eco-friendly hair products, DAVID BABAII FOR WILDAID. David Babaii for WildAid’s mission is to not only celebrate the remarkable beauty in nature–but help sustain it. To accomplish this, David Babaii and partner Kate Hudson have developed their line of products using an exclusive blend of exotic natural and renewable ingredients; rich Cupuacu butter from the South American Amazon, nutrient rich super volumizing volcanic ash from the Vanuatu islands of the South Pacific, Blue Algae, and Polynesian White Ginger (to name but a few).

David Babaii for WildAid’s products are free of sulfates, parabens, petrochemicals, and animal products. And of course, free from all animal testing. Even better, David Babaii for WildAid further supports the beauty in nature by donating ten percent of all profits to WILDAID, the global wildlife conservation organization, to help save our endangered animals.

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4:34 p.m. - 2008-08-09

THE AL GORE CHALLENGE

For those of you who don't already know, Al Gore gave an inspirational speech in D.C. on July 17th, challenging the world to make the changes necessary to save the environment. For those of you who missed it, here is a recap.

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