Organic Food | Organic Living| Green Living | Organic Authority

Brown Rice Pasta with asparagus shiitakes pesto

2011-08-16T08:55:00.001-07:00

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If you avoid traditional pasta because of the gluten, you have to try brown rice pasta. It has a delicious nutty flavor and is light (it doesn't make you feel overly full like traditional pasta). Recipe: http://l00kat.us/brown-rice-pasta/

Organic Whey Taste Test

2011-08-16T08:00:00.001-07:00

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Whey protein is known for its many super food like qualities. But ironically the trick is finding a healthy, high quality product thats delicious. Watch this blind taste test of three certified organic whey products to see which one comes out on top

Homemade Black Bean Burgers Recipe

2011-08-02T14:29:00.001-07:00

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These Homemade Black Bean burgers are such a great alternative to store bought veggie and vegan burgers. Prepackaged processed veggie/vegan burgers can be full of additives, preservatives and who knows what else! See Recipe: http://l00kat.us/black-bean-burger/

Fondue Mac and Cheese

2011-07-24T09:35:00.001-07:00

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Hungry for Mac and Cheese? Then you will love this Macaroni and Cheese with fondue cheese. See Recipe: http://l00kat.us/fondue-mac-a-cheese-recipe/

Organic Arugula Fava Bean Bruschetta Recipe

2011-07-22T09:12:00.001-07:00

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http://l00kat.us/bruschetta/ The pairing of these classic Italian ingredients, arugula, fava beans, and Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese makes this delicious bruschetta recipe a springtime treat!

Cream of Jerusalem Artichoke Soup

2011-04-22T12:50:00.001-07:00

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http://l00kat.us/coj/ If you like to grow your own fruits and veggies these are very easy to grow. They are drought tolerant and don't require a lot of water. Jerusalem Artichokes have a delicious nutty flavor that makes this soup come alive. Distributed by Tubemogul.

Organic Green Garlic & Broccoli Orzo Pasta

2011-04-18T17:57:00.001-07:00

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http://l00kat.us/orzo/ This is a delicious healthy recipe that ideally is prepared in the spring, when green garlic is at its peak at your local farmers market. If green garlic is out of season or you just can't find it, substitute with organic garlic. Distributed by Tubemogul.

Lobster Mac and Cheese

2011-04-16T00:22:00.001-07:00

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Lobster Mac N Cheese is one of my favorite winter dishes. It can get expensive in restaurants, so I like to make it at home for a treat. You can now buy just the lobster tail in stores if you don't want to deal with a whole live lobster. Distributed by Tubemogul.

Organic Scrambled Eggs With Black Truffle Oil & Avocado

2011-04-16T00:18:00.001-07:00

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If you have never tried eggs with truffles, you are in for a real treat. This recipe is simple, easy to make and full of flavor. Serve this dish for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner. Distributed by Tubemogul.

Organic Dates With Goat Cheese Wrapped In Prosciutto

2011-04-15T23:42:00.001-07:00

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These stuffed dates are a simple and easy appetizer that are absolutely delicious! The sweetness of the date paired with the creamy cheese and salty prosciutto are a party in your mouth! You can pull this recipe together in 15 minutes! Distributed by Tubemogul.

Gorgonzola Bruschetta

2011-04-15T22:14:00.001-07:00

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http://l00kat.us/gorbru/ This recipe is incredibly simple to prepare. It may take all of 15-20 minutes, if that. In the summer I add grilled stone fruit like peaches, nectarines, apricots or plums which add a wonderful contrast to the saltiness of the gorgonzola cheese Distributed by Tubemogul.

How to Make Almond Milk

2011-04-15T22:10:00.001-07:00

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http://l00kat.us/almilk/ Check out this video to learn how to make almond milk. It's super simple, and the organic almond milk is fresh and creamyit also has tons of protein and fiber! Distributed by Tubemogul.

How to Make Almond Milk

2010-06-24T12:53:00.001-07:00

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http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-food-recipes/spirits-and-drinks/organic-almond-milk-recipe.html Check out this healthy, simple recipe for fresh, creamy almond milk. It's delicious and good for you! Distributed by Tubemogul.

Scrambled Eggs with Black Truffle Ricotta Recipe

2010-06-07T16:27:00.001-07:00

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http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-food-recipes/breakfast/scrambled-eggs-with-black-truffle-oil-a-avocado.html If you have never tried eggs with truffles, you are in for a real treat. This recipe is simple, easy to make and full of flavor. Distributed by Tubemogul.

Grass Fed Beef Sandwiches Caramelized Onions Recipe

2010-06-04T17:45:00.001-07:00

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http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-food-recipes/sandwich/grass-fed-beef-sandwiches-with-caramelized-onions-horseradish-cream-a-arugula.html A great beef sandwich recipe with a twist! Distributed by Tubemogul.

Gordon Ramsay Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb Recipe

2010-05-12T11:38:00.001-07:00

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http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-food-recipes/main-courses/gordon-ramsays-herb-crusted-rack-of-lamb.html This rack of lamb recipe is delicious and simple. Distributed by Tubemogul.

Organic Strawberry Rose Geranium Ice Cream Recipe

2010-05-11T17:46:00.001-07:00

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http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-food-recipes/desserts/organic-strawberry-rose-geranium-ice-cream-drizzled-with-balsamic-vinegar.html New twist on an old classic strawberry ice cream recipe, your going to love it! Distributed by Tubemogul.

Morracon Preserved Lemons Recipe

2010-05-10T15:15:00.001-07:00

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http://www.organicauthority.com/oatv/recipes/moroccan-preserved-lemons.html Delicious Moroccan preserved lemons. These lemons are known as a "secret" ingredient amongst many chefs. They are a North African delicacy! Distributed by Tubemogul.

Organic Arrugula Fava Bean Crostini Recipe

2010-04-27T14:24:00.001-07:00

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Recipe: http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-food-recipes/appetizers/arugula-a-fava-bean-bruschetta.html The pairing of these ingredients, arugula, fava beans, and Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese makes this a delicious springtime bruschetta recipe! Distributed by Tubemogul.

Organic Strawberry Rhubarb Compote Recipe

2010-04-27T12:15:00.001-07:00

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http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-food-recipes/desserts/organic-strawberry-rhubarb-compote-with-streusel-topping.html This Organic Strawberry Rhubarb Compote with Streusel Topping is great for entertaining. It is easy to make and can be made ahead. Distributed by Tubemogul.

Homemade Organic Ricotta Cheese Recipe

2010-04-21T18:04:00.001-07:00

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http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-food-recipes/appetizers/homemade-organic-ricotta-cheese-served-with-black-truffle-oil.html This recipe is so easy and fun to make and it tastes delicious! Distributed by Tubemogul.

Organic Creme Fraiche Recipe

2010-04-20T14:39:00.001-07:00

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http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-food-recipes/sauces-condiments-dressings/laura-kleins-organic-cr-fraiche.html Making your own Creme Fraiche is easy with this recipe. Distributed by Tubemogul.

Roasted Organic Beet Salad Goat Cheese Recipe

2010-04-13T11:14:00.001-07:00

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http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-food-recipes/salads/roasted-organic-beet-salad-with-aged-goat-cheese.html This is a colorful and tasty salad recipe.

Lemon Herb Organic Quinoa Recipe

2010-04-12T17:36:00.001-07:00

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http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-food-recipes/vegetables-side-dishes/lemon-herb-quinoa.html Organic Quinoa recipe that is quick easy and so delicious.

Citrus Chicken Marinade Recipe

2010-04-05T15:32:00.001-07:00

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http://www.organicauthority.com/t/chicken/marinade/ Cooking chicken tonight? Give this fabulous organic citrus chicken marinade recipe a try.

Spicy Asian Salad Recipe

2010-04-02T11:29:00.001-07:00

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Hungry for a delicious healthy salad with an Asian flair? You will love this Spicy Asian Salad recipe. http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-food-recipes/salads/spicy-mango-asian-salad.html

Turkey Pot Pie Recipe

2010-03-25T14:32:00.001-07:00

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This Turkey Pot Pie recipe is great to make with your leftover turkey from the holidays! When you shop for your holiday dinner, go ahead and pick up the ingredients for this recipe so you have everything you need for this recipe.

Organic Turkey Stock

2010-03-16T21:57:00.001-07:00

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Organic Turkey Stock Recipe, that is easy to make and add so much depth to all your recipes that call for stock.

Worm Composting

2010-03-16T13:45:00.001-07:00

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See how easy it is to worm compost! We love it because we can keep adding to it daily all out extra table scraps. Here are some links to other composting recipies:

Brussels Sprouts Recipe With Shiitake Mushrooms

2010-03-12T10:39:00.001-08:00

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If your not a fan of Brussels sprouts then you will be with this delicious Brussels Sprouts Recipe With Shiitake Mushrooms.

Broccolini Spinach Soup Recipe

2010-03-08T17:17:00.001-08:00

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You have to try this amazing Broccolini Spinach Soup Recipe, it is so easy and tasty!

Organic Chicken Tips

2010-03-01T10:32:00.000-08:00

Chicken is a staple in cuisines from around the world, and it's no wonder why. Chicken is a delicious comfort food, and a lean, tasty alternative to red meat. If you feel like chicken tonight, check out these organic chicken tips and recipes to help you prepare the chicken safely, and for great recipe ideas from soups to chicken cacciatore.

When you buy organic, you don't have to worry about extra chemicals in your food. The Mayo Clinic says that to encourage unnaturally fast growth, conventional farmers feed their chickens antibiotics and preventive medicine to keep them from getting infections from living in cramped cages. For the healthiest and most flavorful dishes, go for organic chicken raised cage-free on organic feed that hasn't been treated with pesticides and herbicides. You'll never go back!

Make sure you look for the USDA Organic or 100% Organic labels on all your food, including chicken. These products are certified by the United State Department of Agriculture, and found to be free of pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, and growth hormones. Labels that say "100% Natural" or "All Natural" are not certified by the USDA, and food companies use these terms to cash in on the green living movement without actually having to do anything different, so watch out!

Some other things to think about: organic food is made without preservatives, so make sure you cook your chicken while it's still fresh. Prepare your chicken safely and minimize your risk of foodborne illness by washing your hands and utensils often. And when you cook chicken, make sure you're getting the most out of your bird. You can make great gravy with a pan reduction, and you can use a carcass for homemade chicken stock for soups. The possibilities are endless!

Rice Krispies vs Rice Crisp showdown

2010-02-12T03:17:00.001-08:00

Rice Krispies and Whole Foods 365 Organic Rice Crisps head to head, in a taste and price.

For more information on organic food and green living plus more videos visit www.OrganicAuthority.com

Homemade Apple Pie Recipe, Tarte Tatin

2010-02-11T13:20:00.001-08:00

Craving a homemade desert that will knock your socks off? Then you will love this Tarte Tatin recipe also known as apple pie.

For more information on organic food and green living plus more videos visit www.OrganicAuthority.com

Organic Cookie Review

2010-02-10T13:51:00.001-08:00

Organic Cookie Review and smack down, Laura puts Oreo against Newman's organic O's see how these organic cookies stand up to Oreos.

For more information on organic food and green living plus more videos visit www.OrganicAuthority.com

Organic Vodka Reviews

2010-02-09T07:43:00.001-08:00

Laura Klein compares three conventional vodkas against one organic vodka. Watch as she tastes and compares Blue Ice Organic Wheat Vodka to Blue Ice (non-organic), Kettle One and Sky Vodka.

For more information on organic food and green living plus more videos visit www.OrganicAuthority.com

Raw Organic Food

2010-02-06T02:55:00.001-08:00

Laura Klein and Rod Rotondi author of "Raw Food For Real People" and owner of Leaf Organics talk about Raw and Organic Food.

For more information on organic food and green living plus more videos visit www.OrganicAuthority.com

Brussel Sprouts With Shiitake Mushrooms And Crispy Shallots Recipe

2010-02-04T07:31:00.001-08:00

Brussel Sprouts With Shitake Mushrooms And Crispy Shallots Recipe

A fantastic Brussel Sprouts recipe that will keep you comming back for more. Watch Laura Klein make this amazing dish.

For more information on organic food and green living plus more videos visit www.OrganicAuthority.com

Organic Chocolate Reviews

2010-01-15T05:01:00.001-08:00

Organic Chocolate Reviews

If you love organic chocolate you need to watch this video to see what Laura thinks of 5 different organic chocolates. If you want more on Organic food and organic product reviews check out OrganicAuthority.com.

Organic Turkey Gravy Recipe

2010-01-15T04:26:00.001-08:00

Turkey Gravy

If your cooking up a turkey then you have to make this amazing turkey gravy with all the delicious juices that drip off the bird. You can find the Turkey Gravy Recipe and the video plus a lot of other great organic living tips.

Digestive Enzymes In Action

2010-01-13T02:14:00.001-08:00

Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzymes breakdown food so it can be used by our bodies as a source of nutrients and a source of energy. Every cell in our body relies on the raw materials provided to the body from digestive enzymes. In this video watch as Rose demonstrates how digestive enzymes breaks down oatmeal in a few minutes as she talks about the benefits of digestive enzymes and there important role in our health.
For more information on organic food and green living plus more videos visit www.OrganicAuthority.com

Wine and Cheese Tasting

2010-01-12T22:37:00.001-08:00

Wine and Cheese Tasting

This is a great video on wine and cheese tasting. It goes into how to do cheese tasting with a wine and other accompaniments. Laura Klein and Barrie Lynn "The Cheese Impresario" have a wine and cheese tasting. They explore the fantastic taste of Pleasant Ridge Reserve Cheese paired up with Frey organic wines and other accompaniments. Barrie Lynn also goes into cheese storage and how to taste using her cheese highway method. If you enjoy this video you can find more wine and cheese tasting information and organic food and living tips at www.organicauthority.com.

How To Cook Turkey - Part 1

2009-12-18T08:46:00.000-08:00

Part 1 of how to cook Turkey. Are you looking for Organic Turkey Recipes? Then we have a list of some amazingly delicious recipes that you are going to love to cook.

How To Cook Turkey - Part 3

2009-12-18T03:23:00.001-08:00

Part 2 of how to cook Turkey. Are you looking for Organic Turkey Recipes? Then we have a list of some amazingly delicious recipes that you are going to love to cook.

How To Cook Turkey - Part 2

2009-12-18T01:45:00.001-08:00

Part 2 of how to cook Turkey. Are you looking for Organic Turkey Recipes? Then we have a list of some amazingly delicious recipes that you are going to love to cook.

Worm Compost

2009-12-15T22:19:00.001-08:00

If you want to know how easy it is to worm compost then watch this video to find out.

salad dressing recipe

2009-12-10T20:52:00.001-08:00

Your going to love this quick and easy salad dressing recipe that you can make fast and save money, bonus it taste amazing.

Eliminate Water Waste — From Car Wash Products to Home Tips

2009-09-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

Water is an extremely important resource, and yet there is very little of it that is available to humans. In fact, although our earth is covered by a vast majority in H2O, only about 3 percent of it is fresh water. And of the 3 percent, only about one-third of it is available to humans—the rest is locked up (at least for now!) in ice caps around the globe. And of that 1 percent that is fresh and available to humans, much of it has already been contaminated by pollution or drained from aquifers, lakes, rivers, and streams.

It’s obvious that we must protect our water, but how do we do that as consumers? Here are some simple tips for saving water around your home—in your bathroom, your laundry room, your kitchen, and yes, even in your garage.

We need about 200 gallons of fresh water per person per day to water our collective lawn “crops.” You can reduce your impact by cutting back on the size of your lawn by planting hedges, trees, and shrubs, adding hardscape features to your landscape design such as stone walkways, brick patios, or retaining walls, or installing a porous patio.
Choose a low-water lawn species to reduce the amount of water used to keep it green. Native grasses are ideal since they have survived in the wild for centuries without human intervention.
Use smart watering methods, like drip irrigation and soaker hoses. Better yet, collect rainwater and use it to water everything outdoors.
Start saving water at your sinks by installing faucet aerators which can cut water consumption by 13 percent.
Install a low-flow showerhead to save between 15 and 20 gallons of water per shower!
Use a shower timer to cut the time you spend under the water—keep it to 5 minutes or less to be really water-conscious.
Fix leaks in your toilets to stop the 20 percent water leakage most homes experience.
Install dual flush toilets (the most efficient options around these days) to reduce water use there by 23-32 percent.
Use an Energy Star dishwasher which should be 41 percent more efficient in terms of energy consumption and uses 1,000 gallons less of water every year.
Reduce water and energy use in the laundry room by 18 to 25 gallons of water per load by using a Energy Star, front-loading washing machine.
Wash your car with a waterless car wash product to eliminate the 80 to 140 gallons of water people normally use to clean the outside of their vehicles. Laura Klein’s Waterless Car Wash system is both eco-friendly/nontoxic as well as water-saving, making it a really green choice.

These are some very practical, mostly inexpensive solutions to save water around your home. Implement them all and you’ll see a drastic reduction in the water you use every month!

Secret Green Car Detailing Products the Pros Use

2009-08-30T22:01:00.000-07:00

Keeping your car looking as beautiful as the day you drove it off the lot can be a full-time job if you’re not careful with your time. With so many different car detailing products on the market, knowing which ones to use where can seem a bit daunting, especially for the new car owner.

Most of the traditional car cleaning products on the market today are full of toxic and petrochemicals that are not healthy for you and your family to breathe, or for mother earth. With recent innovations in the cleaning products, non-toxic car cleaning products are now coming onto the market. A great example are Laura Klein's Green Car cleaning products.

Here are some simple tips for a car detailing regimen:

Exterior wash: weekly
Thorough detailing: monthly
Paint wax: 10-12 weeks
Wheels: monthly
Glass: weekly
Vacuum interior: twice monthly
Interior stain removal: monthly
Leather conditioning: monthly
Seal cleaning: monthly
Clean and preserve/protect cracks: monthly

That doesn’t seem too bad, now does it? But what if you’re going to do several car cleaning projects in one day? What order do you attempt the various tasks in?

As a general rule of thumb, this is the best order in which to be cleaning your vehicle when you’re working inside and out in a detailed manner:

Step 1: De-clutter
It's time to de-clutter the interior. That means removing all of the trash from the interior, and remember to recycle as much as you can.

Step 2: Vacuum
Remove the floor mats and vacuum. Using your vacuum’s crevice and upholstery tools, vacuum the floors and the crevices between the seats, console, dash, seats and vents. If you do this on a regular basis, the job will take you less than 5 minutes.

Step 3: Clean floor mats
Look over your floor mats and check for stains. Use your Laura Klein’s Green Car Carpet Spot Remover by spraying it on the stain, lightly scrub with a damp rag or scrub brush, and blot dry.

Step 4: Remove carpet and upholstery stains
Follow the same procedure that you used with the floor mats, check the interior carpeting and upholstery for stains and treat as necessary with Laura Klein's Green Car Carpet Spot Remover. For leather and vinyl seats, use Laura Klein’s Tire & Dashboard Cleaner instead.

Step 5: Clean interior panels
Spray your Laura Klein’s Green Car Tire & Dashboard Cleaner full-strength on the interior panels in your vehicle—the dashboard, steering wheel, center console, etc., and wipe clean with your microfiber cloths. It conditions, protects and restores natural suppleness and beauty to rubber, vinyl and leather. This highly concentrated formula gives long lasting protection & shine! It is a water- and plant-based cleaning product that is free of petroleum ingredients and harmful silicone oils. It does not leave a sticky residue, and there are no smelly fumes for you or your family to inhale. There are no harsh chemicals. Just environmentally friendly, easy green cleaning at its best!

Step 6: Wash exterior.
Use Laura Klein’s Green car Waterless Wash & Shine to get an easy, streak-free finish without water. It even works on bird poop. To clean and degrease your engine, use Laura Klein’s Green Car Cleaner Degreaser . When using products that require a hose move your car over your grass or a gravel area to prevent toxic runoff of heavy metals, oil, gas and more from going into the storm drains.

Step 7: Polish and wax paint finish.
With Laura Klein’s Green Car Wash & Wax Concentrate, you’ll get a beautiful finish to your car washing efforts. Plus, this product contains ingredients that will provide full-spectrum UVA and UVB protection for your car’s exterior finishes. Remember, when using products like these that require a hose move your car over your grass or a gravel area to prevent toxic runoff of heavy metals, oil, gas and more from going into the storm drains

Step 8: Clean nooks and crannies
Use a good interior cleaner that has a UVA/UVB protectant in it like Laura Klein’s Tire & Dashboard Cleaner. Use it to clean various nooks and crannies in your vehicle, including cup holders, crevices in and around your center console, dashboard displays, and so on.

Step 9: Clean windows and mirrors
Finish by cleaning your windows and mirrors with a good non-toxic streak-free formula. Most conventional window cleaners contain asthma triggers that can set off an asthma attack at any moment. Toxic chemical cleaners can also trigger allergies, which is another good reason to choose non-toxic cleaners. Laura Klein’s Green Car Glass & Mirror is an excellent non-toxic choice for sparkling streak-free windows and mirrors. Simply spray your windows and mirrors and shine dry using a dry microfiber cloth.

It’s a great idea to have a regular cleaning schedule for your vehicle in order to properly maintain it, inside and out. After all, it’s much easier to remove dirt and grime on a regular basis then have to scrub to clean surfaces with an accumulation of debris. This will help to keep your vehicle looking newer for longer, which ultimately helps to keep your vehicle’s residual value high as well. And we all want that!

Expert Advice for Green Auto Detailing Products and Tricks

2009-08-28T19:30:00.000-07:00

It’s that time again—time to work on turning your dirty vehicle into one that sparkles and shines. But taking your vehicle to a professional car detailing service center will cost you upwards of $100 every time, making this an expensive process most of us can’t afford these days. Becoming a DIY car cleaner is a simple way to save money without a lot of hassle.

So, whether you’re a seasoned car cleaner or are new to doing it yourself, you’ll benefit from these expert tips on using auto detailing products and processes to getting your car looking as stunning as the day you picked it out.

Choose green car cleaning products. Traditional car cleaning products can be full of toxic and petrochemicals that are simply unhealthy for you and the environment.

Always start with the interior of your car and move outward. That means start by removing floor mats, then vacuum and clean interior surfaces, then move to cleaning the exterior of your car.

Use cotton swabs and toothbrushes to get in the nooks and crannies to get the interior of your vehicle really clean.

To protect, condition, and restore natural suppleness and beauty to rubber, vinyl and leather, choose a non-toxic product that doesn't off-gas toxic chemicals. Laura Klein’s Green Car Tire & Dashboard Dressing is just the right product for the job. This highly concentrated formula gives long lasting protection & shine! It is a water and plant based cleaning product that is free of petroleum ingredients and harmful silicone oils. It does not leave a sticky residue, and there are no smelly fumes for you or your family to inhale. There are no harsh chemicals. Just environmentally friendly, easy green cleaning at its best!

Use a degreaser like Laura Klein’s Green Car Cleaner Degreaser to remove build-up of grease under the hood of your car. Spray it and your engine down, scrub with a brush or a cloth, and then wipe dry with a microfiber cloth. If you use a hose to rinse down your engine, move your car over your grass or a gravel area to prevent oils, heavy metals from flowing into storm drains.

Choose a waterless car wash product to clean your car. It will save you time, water and money on expensive car washes. All you do is simply spray it on a two foot square area of your car and wipe away the dirt and grime with one microfiber cloth, and polish and shine with a second. It will not scratch your car and even removes bird poop. However if you do have caked on mud and crud from 4x4ing, take your car to the professional wash where the water is recycled and use the waterless car wash product to maintain it. Laura Klein’s Green Car Waterless Wash & Shine is an excellent product.

Once your vehicle is clean, do a thorough check of the paint to see if there are any scratches or spots where the paint has been chipped. You’ll want to treat these areas with color-matched paint and then be sure to apply enough protectant to prevent these areas from wearing sooner than the rest of your finish. Apply a product like Laura Klein’s Green Car Wash & Wax Concentrate to provide your car’s exterior with full-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. Remember to move your product over a grassy or gravel area when using a hose to wash your car to prevent toxic runoff into storm drains.

Finish off your cleaning job with the other products in the Laura Klein Green Car line, including the Tire & Dashboard Cleaner, Carpet Spot Remover, and Glass & Mirror cleaner. Together, they make a truly green system for your eco-friendly car wash dreams.

A Greener Wash Wax for Safer Car Cleaning

2009-08-27T19:54:00.000-07:00

Protecting your car, truck, RV, or boat from enemies such as ultraviolet light, ozone damage, and inclement weather is important if you want your vehicle’s appearance to have a fresh, new look for a long time. You can accomplish this by applying a protecting finish to the interior and exterior surfaces of your vehicle to guard against damage from environmental elements as well as scratches, spills, and stains.

Unfortunately, many of the car cleaning waxes and sealants on the market today may actually be contributing to your car's damage, especially if they contain petroleum distillates as ingredients. Petroleum distillates are used in car care products because they dissolve waxes and silicones in order to make them spreadable. They will also cut through oily dirt, light grease, and help to lubricate your car’s surface to prevent scratching.

However, that’s not the whole story. What they haven’t told you is that if the petroleum distillates used in your car care products are not formulated properly, they can cause cracking of plastic, rubber, and vinyl. Additionally, when applied to the new generation of softer, water-based paints, the petroleum distillates can remove the sealant, leaving your paint vulnerable to the aging effects of the environment.

They can also dissolve the adhesive on the back of decals, striping, or lettering. Both 3M and Avery, makers of adhesive-backed striping and decals, have specifically recommended against using petroleum distillate-based products on their products.

Petroleum distillates also come with health hazards. They can cause eye irritation, respiratory irritation, and gastrointestinal irritation. And if you’re a green car owner, you’ll want to find an alternative to petroleum distillates since they’re obviously derived from crude oil.

Not all petroleum distillates will cause problems, however. There are different grades of petroleum distillates, but unfortunately, there is no way of know what type of petroleum distillate is used in any one product you may want to use on your vehicle. The only way to be safe, therefore, is to avoid petroleum distillates whenever possible.

Protect your vehicle with a greener, safer wash wax, like Laura Klein’s Green Car Wash & Wax Concentrate. This is a plant, water-based, nontoxic, biodegradable cleaner that is free of petroleum distillates and is safe for all vehicle surfaces, including plastics, rubber, vinyl, metal, paint, and more. Its proprietary blend of protective, wax-like coatings that work in all types of water providing UVA and UVB protection for full sun exposure.

Car Care Products for Cleaning Your Carpet

2009-08-26T20:05:00.000-07:00

The carpeting in your car can be one of the first things to start to look old and dated. A proper maintenance regimen and the right car care products will help keep your vehicle looking its best inside and out. We’ve got all of the tips and tricks you’ll need to keep your carpet looking just like new for years to come.

First, remember that preventative maintenance is the key to maintaining beautiful carpeting in your vehicle. Proper maintenance includes the following steps:

Keep the floor mats in your car to protect the carpeting beneath them.
Avoid direct contact between your shoes and carpeting on the side interior of your car as these spots are harder to clean.
Vacuum your carpeting on a regular basis to keep dirt and grime from being ground into the fibers.

Next, practice regular deep cleaning to lift deep dirt and grime out, and plump the fibers. Do this by taking the carpeting to the car wash on a regular basis and hosing the mats down thoroughly. You can then steam clean the interior carpet using the tools found at the car wash station.

But what do you do if your carpeting becomes stained? Keep a toolkit of effective environmentally friendly car care products on hand that will make it easier to avoid permanent stains on difficult-to-clean areas. Recommended products include Laura Klein’s Car Carpet Spot Remover is great at eradicating hard to remove oil and grime stains. Part of her Green Car care product line, this carpet cleaner is environmentally-friendly and highly effective and won't leave your car smelling like toxic chemicals.

To use this carpet cleaner, simply spray the product on the stain and then scrub with a damp rag or brush. You then simply blot the spot dry. This same car care product can be used on the floor mats, upholstery, and even on the carpeting in your home, making it both versatile and economical (you won’t have to buy other expensive carpet or upholstery cleaning products!).

Laura Klein’s Car Carpet Spot Remover has been recognized for safer chemistry by the EPA’s Designed for the Environment program because it is nontoxic, non-hazardous, completely biodegradable, and petrochemical-free. It is also free of harsh chemical fragrances and has never been tested on animals. The ingredient list includes natural substances such as coconut, pine, and citrus-based cleaning agents, purified water, and glucose-based sequestering agents, making it a back-to-nature alternative to potentially toxic carpet cleaning products commonly available today.

Use Eco-Friendly Car Cleaning Products for a Healthier Home

2009-08-26T00:48:00.000-07:00

Did you know that every time you wash your car in your driveway or at the curb that you could be washing toxic chemicals into the environment that are harmful to you, children, pets, and wildlife? These same chemical car cleaning products could then travel from your property into the environment, our water systems, and fresh water resources, causing health problems for humans and marine life alike.

The truth is that we don’t often think about where the dirt goes after it leaves our vehicles. Most, commercial car wash companies have to think about this issue since they are required to filter the water leaving their facilities, yet for consumers, there are no such regulations. There are nearly 30 million people in our country washing their cars at home every day, using between 80 and 140 gallons of water each that can then take with it the toxins that are so harmful for human and marine life alike.

So what is in our car cleaning products and water runoff that makes this such a concern? Well, there are many toxins to be concerned about when considering your regular vehicle vanity routine:

The soaps, waxes, degreasers, sprays, wipes, and polishes you use for cleaning your vehicle may contain non-biodegradable, hazardous detergents that are harmful to fish and other marine and wildlife. Detergents are surfactants that destroy a fish’s external mucus layer that protects them from parasites and bacteria. Fish that come into contact with water that contains 15 parts per million (ppm) or more of detergent will likely perish.

The National Water Research Institute (NWRI) has categorized car debris as a major source of heavy metals, grease, oil, and rubber that gets pulled into the environment and our water supplies. In fact, three-fifths of all samples of road runoff contain potential, confirmed, or severely toxic components.

Synthetic phenol-based surfactants (chemicals used to get cleaning supplies to rinse off easily with water) used in many car cleaning products have been labeled by the US Environmental Protection Agency as potential endocrine disrupters. As such, these can wreak havoc with natural reproduction systems in the fish colony, causing the population levels to decline.

Another potential car wash pollutant is benzene. This is a flammable solvent that is poisonous if ingested and therefore a danger for pets and children.

That’s just a quick summary of some of the dangerous substances that enter our waterways when we wash our cars and allow untreated water to run away into our storm water system.

You can do something about this problem by using a nontoxic, plant and water-based, waterless car wash system. This has two main benefits. First, it will eliminate the need for water, which means you won’t be releasing oil, grease, and other automobile fluids into the environment. Second, if you choose a natural, plant-based product, even when the rain washes your car, the substance will not cause environmental damage.

Laura Klein’s Green Car cleaning system is the perfect solution. All of the products in this line are water and plant-based and biodegradable, they are nontoxic, not caustic, and contain no petroleum solvents, phosphates, nitrates, enzymes, sulfates, or silicates. These are truly green car cleaning products.

Finish off your cleaning job with the other products in the Laura Klein Green Car line, including the Tire & Dashboard Cleaner, Carpet Spot Remover, and Glass & Mirror cleaner. Together, they make a truly green system for your eco-friendly car wash dreams.

What Makes Green Car Care Products Eco-Friendly?

2009-08-24T19:13:00.000-07:00

Until recently, car owners were faced with limited choices for getting their cars clean inside and out, most of which were not green options. None of the three most common choices were all that attractive for green car owners:

Professional auto detailing services: You’re certain to get a great job done when you take your vehicle in to be detailed by a professional team, but at what cost? These jobs can run upwards of $120 depending on what services you opt for. Plus, if you’re concerned about your health and the environment, you may not like the chemicals and toxic air fresheners used to get your car clean with these companies.

DIY car wash bays: Alternatively, you can take your car to the local vehicle washing bays to spray it down yourself or run it through a touchless system, but these commercial washing services use enormous quantities of water and again, questionable chemicals. It can also be costly, including your time, especially if you’re doing a thorough job on your own.

Wash car at home: While this is an economical solution, it involves dragging out the rags, hose, buckets, toxic cleaning products, which aren't healthy for you or the environment. Washing your car at home with a hose can consume up to 140 gallons of water with one wash. Not only do you pay for that water, but all of toxic chemicals, oil, gasoline, heavy metals are washed straight into storm drains. And, it can take several hours to get the job done when washing a car the old-fashioned way with a hose and a bucket and dry time.

Most green car drivers looking for an economical way to clean their vehicles feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. They either choose something that’s expensive with a few green attributes, or they do something inexpensive with fewer environmental benefits. There have been very few green car care products on the market until recently.

Thanks to some cutting edge technology and a real green spirit, the new Laura Klein’s Green Car care products will get the job done in a fraction of the time, with zero water waste, and without harming the planet. These car detailing products are biodegradable, made from plant- and water-based ingredients, and they’re non-toxic which makes them safe and healthy for you and the planet.

Laura Klein’s Green Car Waterless Wash & Shine is a truly amazing product. All you need is the spray bottle and two microfiber cloths. You simply spray the solution on a two-by-two foot square area on your car and wipe away the dirt and grime with the first microfiber cloth, then polish and shine with a second microfiber cloth (or use a clean section of the first cloth) and you're done! No pre-wetting or rinsing required. It will not scratch your car. It cleans and shines lightly to moderately soiled surfaces, lifting dirt and soil off surfaces for easy cleaning (they admit: their Green Car Waterless Wash and Shine isn't for caked on, four-wheeling dirt...its specialty is every day grime-fighting!). No water, no bucket, no hose, or messy clean up! One 32 oz bottle will give you 10-16 car washes per bottle (depending on the size of your car) and can literally save $100s a year in professional car washing fees (depending how much you spend of course).

Other products include, the Laura Klein Green Car Cleaning Kit that comes with the Waterless Wash & Shine, Tire & Dash Dressing, Glass & Mirror and two microfiber cloths. If buying a hybrid doesn't fit your budget, greening your car with Laura Klein’s Green Car Kit couldn't be easier.

Finish off your cleaning job with the other products in the Laura Klein Green Car line, including the Tire & Dashboard Cleaner, Carpet Spot Remover, and Glass & Mirror cleaner. Together, they make a truly green system for your eco-friendly car wash dreams.

Use a Waterless Car Wash to Cut H2O Waste

2009-08-23T21:08:00.000-07:00

It’s the perfect summer afternoon activity. Slather on some sunscreen, put on a pair of tattered old shorts and a grubby T-shirt, and head outside to spend some quality time with your car. As Americans, we love to keep our automobiles looking their best, and most of us prefer to add some spit and polish to the exterior of our cars and trucks right in our very own driveway. In fact, nearly 50 percent of us enjoy washing our cars curbside rather than at a commercial car wash. Some of us are even obsessive about keeping our cars looking perfect, falling into the “chronic car washer” category.

Yet while washing your car at home might seem like the greener option because you don’t have to expend energy driving to a commercial car wash, it can actually waste an enormous amount of water compared to the average gas station wash bay. In fact, according to the International car Wash Association, the average curbside car wash afternoon will cost you between 80 and 140 gallons of water! And with over 27 million home car washers in our country, the potential for environmental harm is pretty big.

So, what’s the alternative for a green car washer like you? Opt for a waterless car wash, of course! These eco-friendly car wash products will accomplish two important goals: they will eliminate the need to use water which will save you money and they will save you time you can quickly wash your car depending upon its size in 20-30 minutes vs an hour with a hose.

Laura Klein Green Car Waterless Wash & Shine allows you to wash any vehicle, motorcycle, boat, airplane without the use of water. It lifts dirt and soil off a lightly- or moderately-soiled vehicle with ease. It works by following these simple steps:

Leave the bulky pail, soapy water, and handfuls of rags in the garage—you won’t need them!
Take the Laura Klein Green Car Waterless Car Wash & Shine bottle and spray the product on your vehicle, one panel at a time (you can cover about 2 square feet of your car at a time).
Use a microfiber cloth to remove the wash and the dirt and grime along with it.
Using a fresh microfiber cloth, to polish and shine!

The Laura Klein Green Car Waterless Car Wash & Shine will not only help you save money on your utility bills and at the car wash, you’ll also be conserving water for the planet’s sake. Use the Laura Klein Green Car products with confidence, knowing that they are made from nontoxic ingredients. Finish off your cleaning job with the other products in the Laura Klein Green Car line, including the Tire & Dashboard Cleaner, Carpet Spot Remover, and Glass & Mirror cleaner. Together, they make a truly green system for your eco-friendly car wash dreams.

Finish off your cleaning job with the other products in the Laura Klein Green Car line, including the Tire & Dashboard Cleaner, Carpet Spot Remover, and Glass & Mirror cleaner. Together, they make a truly green system for your eco-friendly car wash dreams.

Having the Right Car Cleaning Supplies for a Perfect Finish

2009-08-21T20:16:00.000-07:00

Stocking your vehicle cleaning arsenal with all of the supplies that you’ll need for keeping every inch of your vehicle spick and span will make it easier to get the job done in less time. Having a well-stocked car cleaning kit that’s handy and ready to go makes for quick work, even if you’re on a tight schedule.

Your car cleaning supplies list might be quite long, especially if you use traditional car washing methods. For instance, it might contain the following products and tools:

Wash mitts
Two or three buckets
Cotton rags
Microfiber cloths
Cleaning brushes
Toothbrushes
Polish
Sealant
Car wash concentrate
Tire cleaner
Vinyl protectant
Interior cleaner
Glass cleaner
All purpose cleaner
Wax
Wax applicators
Wet-dry vacuum
Leather conditioner
Carpet shampoo
Newspaper (for polishing)
Hose and nozzle
Lambskin cloths

That’s a long list, and heaps of products. Not only is it costly to keep these car cleaning supplies and products topped up and in good working condition, it makes for a very high-maintenance car cleaning system. Gathering all of the supplies each car cleaning day and juggling them out to the driveway is time consuming and annoying.

If you want to simplify your car cleaning routine, you need to whittle down your list of car cleaning supplies. Today, there are car cleaning systems that significantly shorten the required number of cleaning supplies.

Many of these efficient car cleaning systems are also better for the environment. Take Laura Klein’s Green Car Cleaning Kit, for instance. It contains three cleaning products—Green Car Waterless Car Wash & Shine, Green Car Tire & Dash Dressing and Green Car Glass & Mirror—as well as two soft microfiber cloths to help you really take care of your vehicle.

This car cleaning kit can be used for cleaning cars, trucks, RVs, boats, and any other vehicle you’re looking after. The cleaning products work equally well in hard or soft, hot or cold water and require no special handling or storage requirements because they’re non-flammable, non-explosive, and non-fuming.

And while this cleaning kit may be simpler than the list above, it packs a great cleaning punch. Made with biodegradable, water-based, nontoxic ingredients, Laura Klein’s Green Car cleaning supplies will have you polishing and shining quickly, easily, and with no hazards to you, your family, or the planet.

Finish off your cleaning job with the other products in the Laura Klein Green Car line, including the Tire & Dashboard Cleaner, Carpet Spot Remover, and Glass & Mirror cleaner. Together, they make a truly green system for your eco-friendly car wash dreams.

How to Find Green Car Cleaning Products

2009-08-21T08:58:00.000-07:00

Green is all the rage today. Advertisers are telling us about their green products. Local and federal governments are pushing for greener technologies and clean energy. Organic food choices are becoming more readily available and more cost-effective. You name it, if it can be greened, it is being greened.

Amidst all of this talk about the environment, it can be hard to spot a truly green product in the crowd. Many companies make claims about the eco-friendly attributes about their wares, but few do anything to verify these claims.

So when it comes to buying green car cleaning products, what are you to do? Are there particular characteristics you can look for that would point you in the direction of a sincerely earth-friendly product? With this checklist, you’ll have no trouble spotting the real thing:

Biodegradable: First and foremost, the product should state that it has been tested by a third-party certifier to ensure that it will biodegrade in the environment within a certain period of time (less than 30 days would be ideal). This ensures that it won’t be persisting in the environment for an extended period of time.

Free of petroleum ingredients: By their very nature, petroleum-based products are not sustainable or renewable, and so you should avoid them whenever possible. They also tend to be laced with unhealthy properties.

Non-toxic ingredients: Many car cleaning products use toxic ingredients such as silicon, mineral spirits, and petroleum distillates that can cause both human and environmental illness. Look for options that have the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Design for the Environment (DfE) seal of approval to ensure that your auto detailing products have a low chemical risk and are made in an energy efficient fashion. Plant-based ingredients are also a great option.

Phosphate-free: Common in soaps, phosphates reduce oxygen levels when they enter waterways which encourages the growth of algae that in turn squelch all other marine life.

Waterless car cleaners: Choosing a waterless car cleaning system will help you do your own car cleaning without wasting the 140 gallons of water common to DIY car washers.

Reusables: You’ll also want to look for a car care system that don't require the use of disposable products that just add to landfill waste and cost you money. Microfiber clothes are a great option since they can be used hundreds of times without losing their effectiveness.

If you’re looking for green car cleaning products that meet all of these eco-friendly standards and more, look no further than Laura Klein’s Green Car cleaning system. With a product for every cleaning project, this system is eco-friendly, economical, and time-saving.

Finish off your cleaning job with the other products in the Laura Klein Green Car line, including the Tire & Dashboard Cleaner, Carpet Spot Remover, and Glass & Mirror cleaner. Together, they make a truly green system for your eco-friendly car wash dreams.

Washing Your Car More Sustainably

2009-06-17T07:54:00.001-07:00

With hose in hand and sponge in the bucket, you’re ready to get your car spick and span. But you may be washing toxic chemicals and too much water into your local waterway, adding to pollution and over-worked pumping stations. And you wouldn’t be alone. Nearly half of all Americans like to wash their cars at home. While this may be a cheaper option, it isn’t less costly for the planet.

Cultivating green living choices in your life doesn’t have to be hard, and how you wash your car is just another way to reduce your overall impact without much hassle. But why is this important? Well, because with the over 27 million car wash sessions that take place in the US every year, we’re adding polluted runoff to our rivers, lakes, and streams. The soaps and other cleaning agents you choose can contain acids, dyes, and ammonia, all of which can harm wildlife and harm human health, too.

More than that, washing your car in your driveway could mean that you’re adding toxic vehicle fluids to our fresh water sources. As you spray and sponge, things like oil, rust, grease, and residues from brakes and exhaust all run down the street and into the storm drains where they are taken into our drinking water supplies.

Additionally, most people washing their cars at home do so with much more water than they require. Every car wash at home could waste 100 gallons of water or more, which will tax your bank account as well as the planet.

There are better ways to wash your beauty. First, look for cleaning products that are nontoxic and those that have been tested for biodegradability. You want to choose soaps that are dye- and fragrance-free, and those that will biodegrade in the environment in days, not months or years.

Next, put down the hose and go waterless! Instead of running the water repeatedly over your car, most of which will get wasted, try waterless car cleaning supplies, like cleaners that you apply with soft and highly effective microfiber cloths. This is not only more effective than trying to spray off the dirt, it can also help you see where you may be having problems with your car (you’ll see rust, scratches, and nicks much better this way).

We’ve got a great line of waterless cleaning supplies for every nook and cranny of your car, including Waterless Car Wash & Shine, Glass & Mirror Cleaner, and Tire & Dash Dressing, all of which contain biodegradable ingredients (they break down in 7 days) that are free of synthetic fragrances and toxic chemicals. These low-VOC, petroleum-free options will also save you money ($90-162 per Green Car Kit), time (it’ll take you about 30 minutes to clean your car), and will add a layer of oprotection to your vehicle’s interior and exterior. It’s an all-around solution that will help you protect the earth while making it easier and cheaper for you to keep your car looking its best.

Lighten Up by Air-Drying your Laundry

2009-06-16T06:18:00.000-07:00

There’s no better time than the summer to develop this green living habit: air-drying your laundry! The sunshine, warm breezes and fresh air make hanging your laundry to dry in the great outdoors a fun and refreshing experience.

Not surprisingly, running the dryer in your laundry will be costing you energy with every use. In fact, the average American home will run up a $135 electricity bill for operating the dryer every year. Think of the money you could save by choosing a less-polluting method of getting your clothes dry!

One of the reasons dryers use relatively high amount of energy is because the industry isn’t really doing much to improve their efficiency. ENERGY STAR, a program by the US Environmental Protection Agency to spur energy efficiency improvements in American products, will certify all types of home appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators, but they do not certify dryers!

As a result, those who use their dryers exclusively for drying their laundry are contributing a relatively large amount of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere—over 2,000 pounds every year, on average.

Drying your laundry without your dryer is relatively simple. First, get yourself a sturdy drying rack. There are many models on the market today—from ceiling-hung options (to save space for indoors, and ideal for apartment-dwellers) to folding dryers that can be used indoor or outdoors to permanently-installed rotary dryers for outdoors only. Each one has advantages and disadvantages, so choose the model that’s right for your climate and your home.

Those living in dry climates will appreciate the added moisture that drying laundry indoors affords (this method is cheaper than running a humidifier!). But if you live in an already humid climate, you can speed the process of drying clothing indoors by putting your washing machine on the highest spin speed to squeeze as much water out of it as possible.

If you’re concerned about fading your laundry by hanging it in the sun, there’s an easy solution! Simply turn your clothing inside out to protect the exposed side of your fabrics from the fading effects of the sun.

Amazingly, if every US household chose to dry just one load of clothes without the dryer, we’d be able to save enough energy to close down 15 nuclear power plants! So get fresh and dry your clothes the lighter way—with only air.

Add to your Outdoor Wardrobe with Eco-Friendly Clothing

2009-06-15T04:53:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to hit the trails? Wanting to do some camping this summer? Outfit yourself with eco-friendly clothing that’s made from natural, renewable fibers that are less harmful to the planet. These textiles may also to help reduce odor and keep you cooler than conventional outdoor clothing options.

In the landscape of green living choices, opting out of conventionally-grown cotton is one important step to take. Although cotton is a natural fiber, growing cotton is far from green. Cotton is the most pesticide-intensive crop in the world. In fact, by weight a cotton T-shirt is 73 percent cotton and 27 percent chemicals and chemical residues! These pesticides flow into our waterways and wreak havoc on water ecosystems. They can create dead zones, which are areas in which nothing can grow, choking out all life. Growing cotton also requires heavy infusions of water—about 400 gallons per cotton T-shirt.

Synthetic fibers derived from petroleum byproducts (such as GORE-TEX, polyester, and lycra) are also unsustainable and non-renewable, given what they’re made from. They are also not biodegradable.

So, whether you’re in the market for a new T-shirt, looking for some hiking shorts, or in need of a good hat to protect you from the sun, there are greener alternatives. Here are some of the options available to outdoor enthusiasts:

Bamboo is a relatively new kid on the textile block. A very large grass, bamboo can grow up to 30 inches in a single day, making it a “rapidly renewable” fiber and very sustainable. It doesn’t require pesticide support, doesn’t need to be irrigated, and is virtually infinitely renewable. Plus, it helps to shore soil against erosion, retains water, and creates habitat for other wildlife and plant species. It is also really soft and has an internal “bamboo kun” which helps to control odor-creating bacterial and lower moisture levels, making it a great fiber for active people.
Hemp, used for decades by hippies and earth-conscious communities, is a great choice for many reasons. It produces more fiber per acre than cotton, requires little chemical support from pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides, and is natural like cotton. Hemp crops also help to boost the soil’s nutritional value and foster microbial life. It does, however, require a lot of water like cotton.
Organic cotton should be chemical-free, although it doesn’t solve the water consumption issue. Just be sure your organic clothing is from a reputable company that reports on how their clothing was made.
Soy, developed from the byproducts of the tofu, soybean oil, and soy milk industries (recycling!), soy fiber is another totally natural product. It has been called the vegetable cashmere because of its incredible softness, and it retains heat well and is easy to care for.
Wool is completely renewable and a great choice if you’re going to colder regions. You will, however, want to look for organic wool to ensure that the animals were treated humanely (although this is not guaranteed).

Get geared up with this summer with sustainable clothing, and have a good time enjoying nature.

Greener Cleaning for your Teeth

2009-06-12T06:18:00.000-07:00

How your brush your teeth might not be the biggest way you have an impact on the planet, but it’s another in the long list of green living choices you can make every day. If we each live to the ripe old age of 80 years, we contribute on average 300 toothbrushes over our lifetimes. That’s a lot of wasted plastic! Annually, we Americans add 50 million pounds worth of toothbrushes to landfills, most of which is non-biodegradeable plastic that just sits there for hundreds of years.

Or, your old toothbrush may make a trip to the ocean where it can choke wildlife, end up floating in the middle of the sea, or wash up on the beach where it’s not only unsightly, it’s a hazard for land animals. No one wants their romantic walk along the beach to be marred by the discovery of someone’s old teeth cleaning products!

We as consumers need to speak with our shopping dollars to signal to companies producing these products that we want greener options that don’t litter the planet. There are, thankfully, some green products on the market today that make it easier for you to brush more greenly. Try the following:

Recycled content: Some manufacturers have capitalized on the recycled plastic possibilities by producing entire toothbrushes that are made from recycled materials. Recycling rather than using virgin materials has three-fold benefits: it saves energy, saves water, and reduces the amount of waste going to the trash. Don’t worry, the bristles are usually made from new plastic. Radius and Recycline both carry recycled-content toothbrush options.
Replaceable heads: Some toothbrushes can now be found with heads that you replace when they’re worn out. This way, you reuse the handle over and over again, reducing the overall non-recyclable waste that you create. Eco-DenT, Radius, and Fuchs Ekotec have all developed options along these lines.
Biodegradable content: Another great option for greener teeth cleaning is to buy a toothbrush made from natural, biodegradable materials rather than plastic. A company called Acca Kappa makes a toothbrush from a cotton extract, which will apparently biodegrade in about six months!

And if you’re addicted to your electric toothbrush, you, too, can get a greener toothbrush by opting for one powered by the sun! Although still relatively untested these could reduce your energy consumption, and many come with replaceable heads, making them somewhat more eco-friendlier than conventional toothbrushes.

Enjoying the Fizz without the Pop: Organic sodas

2009-06-11T04:37:00.000-07:00

Stressing the importance of eating organic food goes well beyond potatoes and oranges. The health benefits and environmental upsides of organic food can also be found in things like fizzy sodas and tasty beverages.

Believe it or not, in 2004, realizing that the pesticide levels in their Coke and Pepsi products were so high in pesticides, Indian farmers who couldn’t afford conventional pesticides and herbicides started to spray their cotton and chilli crops with these soft drinks instead! That’s because the Indian Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) had released reports that Coca-Cola and Pepsi products contained unsafe levels of insecticides and pesticides, including lindane, DDT, chlorpyrifos, and malathion. The report detailed possible health problems associated with drinking these beverages, including nervous, immune, and reproductive system disorders, birth defects, and even cancer.

What followed was an uprising by consumers as they engaged in “smash-the-bottle” campaigns. Some states even banned the sale of these products either completely or partially throughout their regions. Although the two giant soft drink companies are fighting back, many people in India continue to choose other drinks.

While similar problems have not been documented in North America, the health problems associated with too much soda are well-documented. Sugary drinks like soda pop have been linked to obesity, diabetes, as well as gum and tooth disease, due in large part to the high concentration of high fructose corn syrup they commonly use. Additionally, soda contains a substance called sodium benzoate which can cause cell damage. Phosphates, which are also found in many sodas can contribute to higher rates of osteoporosis as well.

An occasional drink of conventional soda won’t kill you, but you can make better choices for your health by opting for organic and natural sodas. These alternatives will use things like cane sugar, fruit juices, and tantaric acid from grapes to replace other not-so-healthy ingredients. PepsiCo now produces Pepsi Raw (limited availability) and others are venturing into natural sodas (check labels for confirmation of claims!).

If your family can’t live without a fizzy drink now and then, consider making your own so that you can ensure you know what’s going into it. Soda-Club Fountain Jet makes a Home Soda Maker that is not only healthier for you, it will save you some money and cut your waste by 90 percent (you fill reusable bottles instead of disposable cans and bottles). Plus, you can make your own custom-designed sodas, which makes the process a whole lot of fun! Just be sure to pick up natural flavorings and sweeteners. Happy sipping!

Infuse your Life with Organic, Fair Trade Tea

2009-06-10T03:34:00.000-07:00

Coffee isn’t the only morning beverage that needs a green makeover. Many of the same social and environmental problems faced by java drinkers are also prevalent in the tea industry, making the choice of what tea you sip every day an important part of any green lifestyle. So add organic, fair trade tea to your organic food shopping list this year to make a difference for farmers and the planet, too.

Organic farming has many benefits, not only for the farmers, but also for the future generations of the communities dwelling there. Organic methods protect the soil and water against infiltration by cancer-causing pesticides and other chemicals so that many more generations can lead healthy lives. According to a National Cancer Institute report, farmers who use herbicides regularly were six times more likely to contract cancer than other people. Organic tea also ensures that soil erosion is prevented, water quality remains good, and biodiversity is preserved.

Biodynamic farming is another green method of getting delicious tea leaves without harm to the planet. The biodynamic method is a closed-loop one, requiring that no “outside” influences (like pesticides and herbicides) be used. Instead, these farmers make use of things like cover crops to improve soil health. They also employ homeopathic preparations (containing plants, animal manure extracts, minerals, and compost) to the soil, while following the natural rhythms of the cosmos to determine when to seed and when to harvest. In many ways, biodynamic is one step more serious about environmental-protection than USDA Certified Organic options. Demeter US is the certifying body for this type of gardening.

Like coffee drinkers, tea sippers are serious about flavor and the quality of their tea leaves. Here again, organic has the advantage since organic teas are said to have better flavor. The smell and taste of a delicious cup of organic green tea or mango berry tea is richer and deeper than conventional options.

Additionally, organic tea is often also fairly traded. The Fair Trade Federation, which helps to certify organic teas, ensures that farmers are given a fair wage (at least $1.26 per pound), that workplace safety laws are in place, and that families of farmers receive education and health care. It also helps to stimulate local economies so that they can develop self-sufficiency.

When shopping for your organic tea, look for a total of two labels: one for how the tea was grown, and one for how it was traded. Either the Demeter US label or the USDA Certified Organic will ensure your tea is grown in an earth-conscious fashion, and the Fair Trade logo will guarantee that farmers were treated fairly in the trade. Together, you’ll have a truly sustainable morning (or evening) fix.

Genetically-Modified Foods may Increase Rates of Food Allergies in Humans

2009-06-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

Genetically-modified (GM) food crops are a contentious issue for many. While some believe they will save humanity from pollution and disease associated with conventionally-grown foods, others question the wisdom of playing with the basic structure of our food, concerned that such meddling will have untold health consequences.

Although at this point, scientists are still unsure of the direct health repercussions of eating genetically modified organisms (GMOs), they are sure that GM foods can increase rates of allergic reactions. That’s because genes of common allergens are often combined with other plant food, potentially passing the allergen onto the newly created food. Allergic substances from the proteins found in eggs, fish and shellfish, peanuts, milk, wheat, and tree nuts—proteins that are the cause of more than 90 percent of food allergies—can be combined with new strains of corn, for instance, making this once innocuous food a potentially deadly food for those with allergies to these substances. The US Food and Drug Administration has attempted to address this issue by requiring that new GM organisms be free of any allergenic substances on the main allergen list.

Health issues aside, GM foods come with other consequences, most specifically for the environment. While some GMO produce will be able to better fend off specific pests and diseases, this tampering could threaten biodiversity. Of most concern is the possibility that the bioinsecticides may actually kill off beneficial insects. An insect resistant strain of corn called B.t. that was used first in 1999 is suspected of being lethal to monarch butterfly caterpillars.

Additionally, pests and weeds may become resistant to inbred bioinsecticides and biopesticides. This may inevitably increase the need for pesticides and herbicides instead of having the intended benefit of decreasing their use. Not only that, the genes of these modified food crops may spread, via wind and water, to non-GMO crops.

Whether we like it or not, the GMO-age is upon us. GM technology may be found in your corn, soybeans, papayas, zucchini, and tomatoes. The US is the biggest grower of GM crops with nearly 60 million hectares being cultivated with these seeds. You can avoid GM foods by choosing organic foods. If you’re not sure, the four-digit PLU Code on your produce will be preceded by a “9” if it is organic. If it is a GMO product, it will be preceded by an “8” instead.

Want more information on Organic Food tips and tricks? Sign up for the OrganicAuthority.com newsletter and get your free report How to Shop for Organic Foods on a Budget, brought to you by Laura Klein Green Living Expert.

Choose Humane Meat with Organic

2009-06-08T05:19:00.000-07:00

While the best thing you can do for the environment when it comes to your diet is to develop at least one meat-free day per week, you can also reduce your environmental footprint by increasing the quantity of organic food you eat, which also means choosing meat that has been raised organically. You’ll be ensuring that the animals raised for your meat are treated humanely, while also encouraging farming methods that lesson the damage done to the environment.

The meat industry effects the environment on so many levels—problems like soil and water pollution, climate change, deforestation, diseases, and more are all perpetuated by large-scale animal farms. Often called CAFOS for confined animal feeding operations, these factory farms are not only damaging to the environment, they are a den of cruelty for the animals.

Creatures who are raised for meat on large-scale farms are often confined in very tight spaces with little to no room to move around or lie down. They are deprived of fresh air and forbidden from doing what comes naturally to them—roaming in green pastures, taking care of their young, feeding in a free-range fashion, and resting when necessary. Instead, they lead lives of fear, pain, and misery. Those who consider eating a spiritual act (such as Hindus and Buddhists) also believe that when an animal lives and dies in fear, they pass along their negative emotions to those who eat them.

Conventionally-raised animals are also less healthy to eat. Through a process known as bioaccumulation, meat can contain 14 times more pesticides than plant-based foods. As animals eat plants filled with toxic chemicals like pesticides and herbicides, these chemicals get concentrated in their fatty tissue, making meat protein much less healthy than plant protein. In addition, according to the US Food and Drug Administration, every year there are at least 5,000 people with health problems attributable to the overuse of antibiotics in animal farming.

The US Department of Agriculture National Organic Program requires that organically-raised animals be hormone- and antibiotic-free, and that they receive only organic feed. This eliminates the problems associated with pesticide overdose, but doesn’t solve the issue of how the animals were treated. So if you care about animal cruelty, you’ll want to choose animal protein that comes from small-scale farms that allow their animals to roam freely and feed naturally.

You can often find this kind of meat at the farmer’s market or through a community supported agriculture (CSA) organization. Although “free range” and “natural” are unregulated terms, if you ask your farmer to see pictures of their animals and/or have them define for you how they were raised, you have a better chance of ensuring they were not ill-treated. Buying from vendors like these also ensures that you’re supporting your local economy.

Indulge with Chocolate that’s Eco-friendly and Better for You

2009-06-05T08:07:00.000-07:00

That slow melting of a luscious piece of chocolate after a long day of work is like getting away—treating yourself to a mini-indulgence that’s just for you. If you’re looking to augment your organic food diet, you’ll want to add this decadent treat to the list of ingredients you buy regularly from the organic counter. Organic chocolate is not only better for you, it can also come with environmental and social benefits, too.

The cocoa used to make chocolate is grown on the cacao tree, the growth of which requires the second largest infusion of chemical pesticides and herbicides in the world (the highest pesticide use crop is cotton, of course). These chemicals wreak havoc on the health of cocoa growers and chocolate eaters alike. Lindane is a common pesticides used in chocolate grown in West Africa where it increases the rates of cancer and hormone disruption of local farmers.

Your chocolate bar may also harm the societal health of the farmers who grow it. Poor farmers are often encouraged to chop down the old growth forests in their communities to make room for tree stands for growing chocolate. Losing these forests reduces the region’s biodiversity, water retention, climate regulation, flood protection, and more. Plus, the application of pesticides combined with monoculturing can deplete the soil of nutrients, leaving the local people with soil that won’t grow anything.

You would think this would be enough, but chocolate is also bought from these already-suffering farmers at unfair prices. They often receive only one penny for a chocolate bar that you would pay 60 cents for. Plus, in many cases farmers are forced to employ their children in order to keep costs down and make a decent living.

You can choose a better indulgence by looking for organic food chocolate that has also been fairly traded. Both the Fairtrade Labelling Organization International and the Rainforest Alliance ensure that their cocoa farmers are given a fair wage for their labor so look for their labels.

Rainforest Alliance also strongly encourages farmers to use organic farming methods to save money and protect their land. You can also look for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Certified Organic label to ensure it’s been grown without the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides. These farming methods will also protect ground water supplies and wildlife, and because it is often grown in the shade of the existing forest canopy, organic cacao protects the rainforest as well.

So next time you want to indulge, think about the farmers, the planet, and your own health—and choose organic and fair trade.

Drink Your Way to Better Health? Organic Beer and Wine

2009-06-04T00:07:00.000-07:00

Whether you’re getting married and looking for the best wine for your celebration or planning a quiet barbecue get-together with friends in your backyard and in need of a good beer, you may want to consider organic options for their health and environmental benefits. And like eating organic food, you may just find that imbibing these brews is tastier, too!

Like most conventionally-grown foods, the grapes for wine and the grains for beer are treated with loads of pesticides and herbicides to fend of insects and weeds. But these chemicals will also land up in your beverage. The hops, yeasts, and malted grains (wheat, corn, barley, and rice) used to make beer are all laced with agricultural chemicals. In a 2003 study by the US Food and Drug Administration , it was found that 17 percent of barley and 32 percent of wheat products sampled had pesticide residues (which have been linked to human health problems). The organic varieties, on the other hand, had less than 5 percent.

The production of wine tells a similar story. Grapes grown for the making of wine are treated with more chemicals than any other crop in California (the biggest grape-growing state in America). Biodynamic and organic wines, on the other hand, severely limit the use of these chemicals.

Although the US Environmental Protection Agency claims that the levels of pesticide residues in our food and drink are safe, there are those who believe more studies need to be done to determine the effects of combinations of so many chemicals on the human body.

Choosing organic beer and wine may be good for your health, but it is also no surprise that the earth will thank you, too. Chemicals used on conventional crops not only pollute our waterways, they can harm birds and kill other beneficial insects and plants in our landscapes.

So when shopping for beverages for your next event, big or little, check out organic options. If it is labeled 100% organic, that means it contains 100 percent organically-grown grains or grapes. An “Organic” label means that up to 5 percent of the ingredients can be conventionally grown, while 95 percent must be organic.

Biodynamic is another option, and although this label is not controlled by the USDA, it does signify a healthier, more sustainable product. Biodynamic farming is totally chemical-free like organic farming, but this approach is also closer to the land.

Responsible drinking isn’t just about avoiding driving drunk, it’s also about responsibility to your own body and to the planet. Plan your next party without the side of pesticides.

Develop a Green Diet with Sustainable Seafood

2009-06-03T00:52:00.000-07:00

It may be impossible to certify fish and seafood as “organic,” but that doesn’t mean it can’t be sustainable. Overfishing, fish farming, and other not-so-green ways of getting protein from the sea are contributing to declining healthfulness in both human bodies and marine ecosystems. So while you can’t put Certified Organic fish on your organic food to-do list, you can shop more sustainably when looking for food from the sea.

It is estimated that in the wild, a full 75 percent of all commercial fish stocks have been either fully exploited, overexploited, or depleted. This is due to several seriously destructive ways of getting fish from the sea. Of course, the first is overfishing, which is the process by which commercial fishing operations take more fish from the sea than the system can sustain. Over time, the population of reproducing adults declines to the point where the species can no longer replenish quickly enough. Eventually, commercial fishing operations shut down due to low populations with the potential of the species disappearing from the wild altogether.

Another major problem with conventional fishing is bottom trawling. Huge commercial fishing vessels drag massive nets behind their boats, which scrape the bottom of the ocean floors clean in an effort to get as much shrimp, flounder, rockfish, or cod as possible in one move. Unfortunately, along with these fish, the nets destroy coral reefs, which are the nurseries for all ocean life, and take with them bycatch.

Known in some places as “incidental catch,” bycatch is when the nets capture unwanted species such as turtles, dolphins, sharks, whales, and other marine mammals. These mammals can’t get away, and as a result, often drown. By the time they are brought up to the surface, they have died, and are simply discarded over the side of the boat.

We can help to stem the tide of these tragedies by choosing sustainably-caught fish and seafood. When shopping for your evening meal, look for line-caught fish. This means that the fish were caught selectively so that there is little to no bycatch.

There are a number of systems now available to help you make good fish choices. The Marine Stewardship Council Certification program ensures that fish is line-caught. The Environmental Defense Fund also has a Seafood and Sushi Selector To Go which helps you find sustainable seafood while at a restaurant or at the grocery store. Finally, the Seafood Choices Alliance has a Buying Seafood Guide which lists other certification systems.

Want more information on Organic Food tips and tricks? Sign up for the OrganicAuthority.com newsletter and get your free report How to Shop for Organic Foods on a Budget, brought to you by Laura Klein Green Living Expert.

Save thousands and reduce your carbon footprint with solar pool heating

2009-06-02T02:28:00.000-07:00

Have you ever calculated how much money you spend on heating and maintaining your pool every summer? If you haven’t, you really should. According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), the average homeowner spends upwards of $2,000 every year on pool heating and upkeep, making it one of the most expensive “appliances” in your home.

While we may not think of our pools when searching for ways to increase our green living habits, there are some big-impact things you can do to reduce the energy you consume to keep your pool warm and comfortable all summer long.

First, and most importantly, get a pool cover. While these may seem like a real pain, you’d be amazed at how effective they can be. Shockingly, even if you cover your pool for only half of the summer, you could cut your heating energy consumption by 50 percent! Any conventional pool cover will do the trick, but the best option around is a solar pool cover. These have pockets of air in them which insulate and pass the sun’s heat onto your pool water, further reducing heating costs.

Once you’ve got a cover, think about how you’re heating and pumping your pool water. A solar thermal water heater for your pool is probably one of the best solar investments around. In fact, the amount of money you save on heating your pool water in one year can almost pay for the solar water heating system—in one season! So the payback period on a solar water heater is very short.

A solar water heater comes with many parts, all of which absorb the sun’s energy as heat and pass it along to the water that’s circulated through the system. It usually includes tubing or piping made of dark rubber or copper, which is snaked through an insulated box and often covered with glass. You can install your solar water heater on your roof or anywhere on your property.

You can further reduce your pools operating expenses by choosing solar power to run your water pump. These little systems include a solar photovoltaic panel which collects solar energy and converts it to electricity, which is then used to run the pump.

Together, these three solar products for your pool—a solar pool cover, solar thermal water heater, and solar pool pump—could totally eliminate the regular energy costs for maintaining your pool, making your summer swim completely sustainable! Jump in, the water’s warm.

Go Native in your Garden this Summer

2009-06-01T03:48:00.000-07:00

Do you find yourself drawn to the bright colors, fragrant blooms, and interesting flower shapes as you walk down the aisles of your local greenhouse or garden center? We’ve all got different reasons for choosing the plants we do for our gardens. If you’re into green living, you’ll want to choose native, drought-resistant plants to help reduce your outdoor landscape’s impact on the environment. Doing so will save you money and make your job of maintaining your garden less time-consuming, too!

What are native plants? They are those species that grow wildly in your area and have done so for many decades or even centuries. Native plants require no irrigation, do not depend on anyone to get extra nutrients, fend off pests naturally, propagate without any help, and otherwise thrive without any outside human intervention. Native plants are also likely to be drought-tolerant, able to withstand the stress of occasional dry periods throughout the various seasons.

Unfortunately, though local nurseries carry an abundant supply of interesting and beautiful plant species, they don’t always stock the best native plants. And since the native species specific for your climate will be different from the ones best suited to my area, you have to do some research to find out what will work in your particular garden.

To determine what plants will work best for you, check out these resources:

Old Farmer’s Almanac Frost Chart will tell you the length of your growing season and may help you find out what plants are ideal for your garden.

Hardiness Zone Map by the Arbor Day Foundation will tell you your region’s overall rainfall, temperature patterns, and other important factors which influence what plants will grow in your area.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s Native Plant Database helps you search for species that thrive in your particular climate to find the ideal options for your landscape.

Virtual Plant Tags helps you see what plants work in particular growing conditions.

Since native plant species thrive so well on their own, choosing these varieties will mean less work for you—lower watering requirements, fewer applications of soil amendments (like organic fertilizers and compost), less weeding (they can fend them off on their own), and virtually no need for insecticides. That means you’ll have more time to sit back and relax, knowing you’ve cultivated an outdoor space that’s less toxic and safer for your family, friendlier to wildlife and beneficial insects, and generally more, well, native!

Out with Disposables and in with Reusables

2009-05-29T02:01:00.000-07:00

You may be planning a summer wedding, hosting a big birthday bash for your parents, or getting ready for a holiday celebration. Regardless of the occasion, an easy way to take green living into all of your events is to incorporate reusable dishes and cups rather than disposables.

An astounding 25 billion polystyrene cups are trashed in the US every year! Styrofoam plates and cups are awful things to have in our environment. They are made from petroleum by products, making the extraction of their base components totally unsustainable and non-renewable. Plus, they take hundreds of years (about 500) to break down in the landfill, can leech chemicals into the soil and water in the process, and if they’re incinerated, can add toxins to the air as well.

Plastics are no better. Also made from crude oil, these are equally non-biodegradable and non-renewable. In all, plastics make up around 11 percent of municipal landfill waste in the US. Plus, many plastic disposables end up on beaches and in the oceans, which can injure marine animal.

And then there’s paper, which takes up 35 percent of landfill space. Using paper for disposable dishes and cups is equally disturbing. Take trees for disposable products causes deforestation (which has enormous environmental implications) and when these are sent to the landfill, they contribute to climate change—as they decompose in an anaerobic (oxygen-deprived) environment, they generate methane gas, a greenhouse gas that is greater than 20 times more potent as a heat-trapper than carbon dioxide.

There are many ways to green-up your barbecue dish habits, including:

Durable Reusables: It may take a little more effort, but choosing reusable plates, cups, and cutlery for your next function will mean less waste is created and fewer resources are trashed after a single use. So pack some dishes for your next picnic, ask your caterer to only use china and real cutlery, and stock your kitchen with enough utensils for your next dinner party. Your dishwasher can do the clean-up for you, and in time, you’ll save a lot of money with this method as well!

Biodegradable: Whether you need containers to take food to the party or are looking for more eco-friendly reusable dishes, you can get even more eco-friendly by looking for pieces made from biodegradable materials such as bamboo, corn plastic, and even switchgrass (a North American perennial grass). Many of these can be used multiple (hundreds!) of times, but when you’re done with them, they can be composted.

Recycled-Content: The last best choice, this is the one you use when you can’t do without disposables for your next function but want to be a little more eco-friendly about your choice. Today, there are several brands now creating paper and/or plastic plates and cups made from recycled content.

An easy way to take green living into all of your events is to incorporate reusable dishes and cups rather than disposables. So ditch the traditional disposables and you’ll be on your way to creating a greener event in no time.

Choosing Organic Food for a Smaller Carbon Footprint

2009-05-26T22:12:00.000-07:00

“Just one 320-acre farm going organic equals 117 cars taken off of the road or 1,462,500 miles not driven!” That’s the conclusion of Chris Hill and Greg Bowman, contributors to the Rodale Institute’s NewFarm.org website which has been heavily involved in researching the impacts of conventional and organic farming.

Seems that buying organic food—be it oranges, carrots, soybeans, or lentils—can be an effective way of shrinking your carbon footprint and living green. That’s because organic farming is a powerful atmospheric scrubber. By cultivating diverse crops, organic crops are better able to sequester carbon. In otherwise, they serve as a carbon sink.

But why is growing organic food better at carbon sequestration than growing food conventionally with fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides? Over their 23-year comparison of organic and conventional corn-soybean farming systems, these were the conclusions gathered:

• Retention of organic matter: A general rule of thumb in farming is that the more organic matter is retained in the soil, the more carbon is sequestered. Organic farming generally makes use of animal manure and cover crops as a means of amending the soil; conventional farming on the other hand uses chemicals which deplete the organic matter found in soil. Pound for pound, organic farming adds rather than takes away soil organic matter and therefore helps to sequester carbon.

• Lower fuel consumption: Organic farming systems use about one third less fossil fuels compared to conventional cropping systems because of a lower dependence on heavy machinery. This lower dependence in fossil fuels results in fewer greenhouse gases expended to grow the same amount of food.

These two factors make for a great climate solution. In fact, if the US were to participate in the Kyoto protocol, it could meet 73% of its proposed targets by converting all 160 million acres of corn and soybean farmland to organic farming methods! That would be like taking nearly 60 million cars off the road.

So in addition to organic foods’ better flavor and higher nutrient content, organic food can help you lower your greenhouse gas emissions! Buying organic from the grocery store, therefore, is a great way to shrink your carbon footprint.

If you want to further enhance your environmental impact, grow your own organic food using, compost, natural fertilizers and soil amendments! This is a cost-effective way to get your daily nutrients and a fun activity for the whole family.

Protecting Little Bodies from the Poisons of Conventionally-Grown Foods

2009-05-25T23:07:00.000-07:00

You and your children may be ingesting up to 70 types of pesticide residues every single day, according to a report released by the Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA). These residues are classed in a group of toxic chemicals known as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and could potentially harm the health of you and your family. Buying organic food may help.

Exposure to persistent organic pollutants has been linked to several serious human health conditions, including certain cancers, suppression of the immune system, disruption of nervous and hormonal systems, and reproductive system damage. The highest exposures in our country are experienced by those living in the Southeast, with the lowest exposures in the Midwest of the country.

Although the use of chemicals that lead to these residues have been widely banned in many countries, including America, they have not been properly controlled in other countries, many of which provide the US with fresh produce. We are exposed to these chemicals when we eat food produced in other countries and through waterways and precipitation as POPs are carried around the globe through the natural water cycle.

But lest you think Americans are free of chemicals pesticides that can harm our health, think again. American crops are exposed to over 500 kinds of pesticides equal to greater than 50,000 tons annually. And the big shocker is that little more than one percent of these chemicals actually reach their intended targets! The rest gets washed away into the environment where they permeate our soil and water.

Exposure to pesticides and POPs is of particular concern for parents with young children. Children have higher metabolisms and lower body weights than adults, making them more susceptible to the effects of pesticide exposure. In fact, there are over 300,000 cases of pesticide poisoning in the US every year. Some studies suggest that pesticides can contribute to the incidence of Parkinson’s and Lou Gehrig’s diseases, too.

Beware! The fruits, veggies, and other foods with the highest levels of pesticides are:

Summer squash
Cantaloupe
Radishes
Spinach
Winter squash
Cucumbers
Butter
Meatloaf
Peanuts

Although buying organic food won’t be a sure-fire way of avoiding pesticides and POPs (virtually all foods are contaminated with POPs according to PANNA), it can go a long way to reducing your exposure. More importantly, it will signal to the government and the agriculture industry that you don’t support the use of conventional farming methods. Consumer choices speak volumes, so make yourself heard!

Organic Foods have Higher Nutrient Values

2009-05-25T04:55:00.000-07:00

The fruits and vegetables eaten by your parents and grandparents may have been healthier than the stuff you can buy at the grocery store today. Once again, it proves that eating organic food it not only good for the planet, it’s better for our bodies as well.

In a research study conducted at the Biochemical Institute at the University of Texas, Donald R. Davis uncovered some startling statistics when comparing produce analyzed in 1950 and similar produce analyzed in 1999 by the USDA. Here are the results:

• Lower nutrient quantity: Out of the 13 nutrients analyzed, six had declined over the 50 year period studied.
• Lower mineral quantity: Likewise, when three minerals were examined—iron, calcium, and phosphorous—they were found to be 9% to 16% lower in 1999 than in 1950.
• Lower protein quantity: Virtually all plant-based foods have some protein component, and those grown today are 6% lower on the scale.

In addition to these declines, produce in the 1950s was also higher in things like riboflavin and ascorbic acid (a precursor to vitamin C) by about 15%!

Studies like this have been repeated in other parts of the world, confirming what American scientists have found. This can be attributed to several factors, most of them dealing with big farm methods of growing fruits and vegetables.

For instance, in an effort to grow food larger and more quickly, conventional farmers heap on water and chemical fertilizers, but this can interfere with a plant’s ability to take up and create vitamins and minerals. It also reduces the nutrient density available to plants, which in turn reduces the nutrient value of these foods.

By contrast, organic farming doesn’t use these intensive chemicals, but rather organic matter to boost soil’s growing ability. By cultivating biologically living soil in which microorganisms can thrive, organic farming helps plants in their uptake of nutrients, which are then infused into our produce.

Our bodies require certain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to fight off infections, maintain healthy bones and muscles, and for mental and emotional wellbeing. So if you want to prevent disease and experience true vitality that enables you to enjoy being active for longer, choose organic foods. Freshly-grown organic fruits and vegetables available from a local farmer’s market, your everyday grocery store, or your own backyard, is a superior way to get your daily dose of macro and micronutrients necessary for a healthy body. Choosing organic food recipes is an excellent way to enjoy these delicious, seasonal organic foods!

Greener, Healthier Cleaning with Microfiber

2009-05-22T00:32:00.000-07:00

Hospitals around the world are turning to microfiber as a safe, effective way of cleaning virtually all surfaces in their facilities. Microfiber is now being recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency Report (Using Microfiber Mops in Hospitals) to cleanse bacteria-infected floors and surfaces as a means of cutting the spread of disease, reducing costs, and cutting pollution.

It’s now a widely-available, inexpensive, time-saving option for home-keepers as well, giving those looking for tips for green living an effective alternative for reducing waste and pollution as well.

Microfiber is a healthier way to clean

There are likely millions of germs in your home—bacteria and viruses that can make your family sick. While some chemicals like chlorine bleach can disinfect surfaces of these germs, they create secondary health threats like air pollution and poisoning risks.

Microfiber is a great way to get rid of bacteria with only water. Seems a bit fantastic, but microfiber is a highly technological fiber that can actually grab onto and trap germs, allowing you to clean one dirty surface after another without worrying about spreading throughout your home germs you may pick up.

Here’s how it works. Microfiber is made of an 80/20 blend of polyester and polyamide woven together. These fibers are 100 times smaller than a human hair and are split into wedge-shaped strands attached to a nylon core. Splitting the fibers creates a much larger surface area—up to 40 times larger than smooth-surfaced wool and cotton.

This split-strand nature of microfiber allows it to pick up and trap even the smallest particles of dust and bacteria, too. The narrow spaces between strands act like holding cells, grabbing onto debris and keeping it there until you rinse it out.

So microfiber helps to wipe up bacteria and other dirt from your home, but it further improves your family’s health by helping to reduce your dependence on toxic chemicals. Common cleaners, like bleach, toilet bowl cleaners, oven cleaners, furniture polishes, and drain openers can contribute to indoor air that is often 100 times more polluted than outdoor air. By using only water, microfiber reduces the number of these pollutants in your home.

Microfiber is a green cleaning solution

By cutting the number of chemicals used in your home, you’re well on your way to a greener lifestyle. But microfiber helps to further reduce your environmental impact by virtually eliminating one-use cleaning products.

In an average year, Americans will use the equivalent of a 68 mile long caravan of 18-wheeled semi-trucks worth of disposable cleaning products (think dusting clothes, wet pads, scrubbers, wipes, and paper towel). Microfiber can be used, washed, and dried hundreds of times, which means instead of buying disposables, you can reuse your stock of microfiber clothes numerous times.

And although you only use water when cleaning with microfiber, you use much less water than you would with regular mopping and cleaning. Microfiber has enormous absorption capabilities, allowing you to clean up with a fraction of the water you’d normally consume.

Microfiber is a cost-effective method of cleaning

A final perk of using microfiber: it’s cheaper! Without all those specialty cleaning products, wasted water, and disposable cleaning tools, your budget for cleaning will shrink dramatically, leaving more in the bank for other green living purchases, such as organic vegetables and eco-friendly clothing!

So buy your microfiber cloths today! The planet, your wallet, and your family will thank you.

Forget Hybrids—cut your carbon footprint by eating less meat!

2009-05-20T22:31:00.000-07:00

“It’s one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global.” That’s what a United Nations report concluded in 2006 when evaluating meat consumption worldwide.

In North America, we love our meat—whether it’s a lazy summer barbecue or a regular meat and potatoes meal. But if you’re looking for a high-impact green living idea, you should consider eating less meat since it can have a greater impact on your carbon footprint (for the good!) than switching from a gas-guzzler to a hybrid car.

As the greatest environmental threat of our time, climate change is one we can’t ignore, and your eating habits have an impact on this problem unrivaled by nearly all other sources of greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate change, as you’ve likely heard, is a serious environmental problem with many repercussions, and humans are the ones causing the problem. If we don’t slow climate change, we could be facing devastating consequences:

• Air pollution, hotter than average weather, and extreme weather events will negatively affect human health and could accelerate the spread of vector-borne diseases.
• An increase in droughts, floods, and severe storms will lead to crop failures and shortages in fresh water supplies.
• Glaciers will melt more rapidly, causing rising sea levels which will lead to land loss and the displacement of millions of people.
• Temperatures will increase more rapidly than plants and animals can adapt, causing numerous species to become extinct.

Those are the worst possible scenarios, but they are real, and your diet may be part of the problem.

How eating less meat will slow climate change

Of all of the green living changes you could make to your life, eating less meat (and dairy) may have the biggest bang for your buck—it’s more effective than buying food locally, eating organic, or driving a hybrid car. But why is this? Let me explain:

• Deforestation: Raising animals for meat results in the levelling of huge swaths of forests around the world. It is estimated that 55 acres of rainforest is required to produce one meal composed of meat protein (John Robbins, author of The Food Revolution). Trees are a major carbon sink (not to mention their many other environmental benefits), so cutting them down reduces the planet’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide.

• Agricultural greenhouse gas emissions: Eighty percent of all grain products grown in the US are used to feed livestock. Conventional farming methods involve large doses of petroleum-based chemicals (fertilizers and pesticides) as well as the operation of heavy machinery which burns a proportionately large amount of fuel, emitting a lot of carbon dioxide.

• Enteric fermentation: As ruminating animals (cows, sheep, goats, and buffalo) naturally digest their food, they produce a potent greenhouse gas: methane, which is more than 20 times more effective at trapping heat in our atmosphere than carbon dioxide. According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, eating meat is responsible for 37% of methane, 9% of all carbon dioxide, and 65% of nitrous oxide—all of which are greenhouse gases.

Of course, we like hybrid cars and organic food and happily encourage them. But a cheaper and more effective way to live a green lifestyle and cut your greenhouse gas emissions is to simply cut meat out of your diet at least one day every week. This would be like driving your car 1,000 fewer miles every year. And remember: not only are vegetarian organic food recipes creative and delicious, they’re healthier than meat-based meals, too!