What an experience!

Imagine yourself walking into a grocery store today as you catch the sweet aroma of the latest fruit that's in season. You then turn the corner down the first aisle to commence your shopping, using your keen hunter-gatherer skills to ensure you get everything on your list. All of a sudden, out of the corner of your eye you catch a glimpse of a curious little mountain of green that you've never seen before. You think to yourself, "What in the world is that?" As you step closer you realize that this little mountain is a beautiful display of the latest and greatest shopping tool you wish you’d seen before... a reusable grocery bag! If you haven't noticed yet, countless grocery stores are now taking an active role in protecting our sweet environment by providing you with a great alternative to the usual "plastic or paper" routine. The benefits are that you won't use more resources that go into manufacturing these bags, you'll decrease the amount of pollution, and your reusable bag will last you a lifetime. Perhaps you're hesitant because you don't want to be seen toting around a bag with a specific grocery store logo and it's really important that you're fashionable when you shop. Hey, why not shop consciously and look good doing it too? It's all good as long as the end result is accomplished, which is protecting the environment. Take a step towards that mountain and make your one-time purchase of a bag that will last you a lifetime, or visit one of the sites below that specialize in making environmentally friendly totes. After browsing through these sites you'll really see that there is a grand and diverse selection readily available to you when it comes to reusable grocery bags! www.bagsontherun.com shopshagbags.com bhappybags.com www.bagsofchange.com www.earthbags.com www.imorganic.com www.rawganique.com

Green on the inside...

It's been a while since we've talked about food, and I've only touched on it lightly. When it comes to food, being green on the inside is just as important as being green on the outside. If you don't know what that means, basically it's taking care of your body in the most healthful way possible by being conscientious of what kinds of foods you put into your body. Here's a list of some great super foods to get you started. Spinach It's low in calories and high in nutrients. Research has shown that spinach aids in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, some cancers and cardiovascular disease. You can easily integrate spinach into any one of your favorite salads. Walnuts They are an excellent source of protein, fiber and vitamin E. Walnuts are the only nuts that contain a significant amount of omega-3s, and are known for their high antioxidant activity. Eat them by the handful, toss them on salads, or try them in your next serving of cottage cheese. Honey It acts as an antioxidant, a substance that can prevent the effects of free radicals, which we're exposed to from environmental toxins such as tobacco smoke or radiation and which can contribute to disease. Honey also contains oligosaccharides, which increase the number of good bacteria in the colon. The color of honey is relevant: the darker the honey the more antioxidants it contains. Salmon This fish is FULL of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial fats that can improve heart health. Salmon is also protein-rich. Always choose wild over farmed salmon, which has been shown to contain elevated levels of contaminants and is artificially colored. Oats The fiber in oats lowers total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, or the bad type of cholesterol. Oats also contain plant chemicals that have antioxidant properties. Dark Chocolate This yummy treat is also a potent antioxidant and can help reduce blood pressure. Remember to keep your daily chocolate intake low, due to the fat and calories. Darker is better because processing strips chocolate of some of its health benefits. Blueberries Also high in levels of antioxidants, some research has shown blueberries can slow degenerative diseases associated with aging and improve motor skills, while other studies have shown the fruit to improve urinary tract health.

Bike, Bike, Bike!!!

Did you know that May is National Bike Month? The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) celebrates each year by biking as much as possible to promote the benefits of cycling, show us how much fun it can be, and show us how useful it can be to get around. Of course I mention this because it is such an environmentally sound means of transportation. You don't use any fuel except yourself and I know that you have plenty of energy to jump on a bike today. Lots of events take place around the week of May 12-16th and Friday the 16th, today, is Bike to Work day. I know that most of you are already wrapping up your day, but it's still May, so you can still celebrate. For a listing of events going on around the country please visit Bike Month Special Events. And for a little bit of history and 50 quick tips on how to celebrate this month please visit 50 Things for Bike Month.

It's Children's Day too!

We all know its Mother's Day this weekend and I can only reiterate to you some basic information when you buy those special gifts: shop local, organic, recycled and sustainable whether its flowers, makeup, cards or fancy lotions. We must also remember that this special day wouldn't exist if it weren't for our children and it's probably a good idea to start instilling some earth-friendly habits while they're young. If your child's school is nearby, have them walk or ride their bike to and from school. Not comfortable with that? The next easy solution is carpooling with other kids or taking the school bus if provided. Buy your children recycled school materials. Pack their lunches in reusable containers. Make gardening a family activity. Celebrate Mother Earth with your children this weekend!!!

This box is green!

As you stroll down the aisle in any store, grocery, toy, furniture or whatever it is, you'll notice that everything is packaged with endless amounts of plastic, cardboard, bubble wrap and twisty ties. There's no need for this extraneous waste when it's going to be immediately thrown out to a landfill! Sure, you can reuse the bubble wrap and such, but who does that besides those who ship things every day? When it comes to being creative on how to eliminate packaging in products, take a cue from the designers Marcel Krings and Sebastian Mϋhlhäuser. They've collaboratively created a set of room furniture that fits inside a box which they call Casulo. How? Check out the video below. Even better news is the fact that no tools are required for assembly, and you end up using every single part of the box when you're done! If you're interested in more details, check out their website at www.mein-casulo.de.