Though we have seen gas prices take a serious nose-dive the past 6 months (thank god!), they now seem to be slowly crawling back up again.  I ,for one, think if there are ways to keep that gas in my tank a little longer… I’m all for it!  I mean who wouldn’t want to save even a little on fuel costs?  Especially in the middle of this crazy economy…saving a little here and a little there will definitely add up over time!   

So when I came across an article from The Daily Green about saving 20% on fuel costs I thought…why not…let’s give it a try.  I figured it might be a good one to share with all of you as well.  Let me know how it goes!! 

Following these simple tips from the Consumer Federation of America could save you 20% or more on fuel costs -

A clean air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10%, and nearly one in four cars needs an air filter replacement – Cost Savings: 28 cents a gallon

Poor alignment not only causes tires to wear out more quickly, but also forces your engine to work harder, which can reduce fuel economy by as much as 10% – Cost Savings: 28 cents per gallon

More than one-quarter of vehicles have improperly inflated tires. The average under-inflation of 7.5 pounds causes a loss of 2.8% in fuel efficiency – Cost Savings: 8 cents per gallon

It is estimated that nearly 17% of cars on the road have broken or missing gas caps, which not only reduces gas mileage but may harm the environment – Cost Savings: 2 cents per gallon

 Slow down – For every 5 mph you reduce highway speed, you can reduce fuel consumption by 7% – Cost Savings: 19 cents, by reducing speed from 70 mph to 65 mph

For every 100 extra pounds carried around, your vehicle loses 1 to 2% in fuel efficiency – Cost Savings: 4 cents per gallon, per 100 pounds of weight removed

Besides causing pollution, idling wastes gas. If stopped for more than 30 seconds, turn off the engine, and don’t bother to ‘warm up’ your car before driving — it is not necessary – Cost Savings: 1 cent per gallon, for every two minutes you avoid idling

So good luck to everyone!  Here’s hoping it works for you!  At least it will help some of us slow down a little…which is always a good thing on our highways…and now maybe for our pockets as well!!

Happy Greening!

So here it is, August, and almost the end of summer when I said to myself…hey let’s write a little something about suncreens!  Go figure!!! 

However, seeing as most of the people who will read this live in California (and CA is almost always sunny and nice) then I guess this is a darn good idea to write about!! 

I came across an article in The Daily Green a while back (most of you know by now I LOVE that newsletter) about the state of unsafe sunscreens in our lives.  You and I and everyone else we know have been using some of the worst offenders basically since birth.  What I read startled me enough to send this info along to all you out there.  Take with it what you will!!

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) conducted a study on sunscreens in 2007 which they found fewer than 2 in 10 to be both safe and effective. Their 2008 results weren’t much different, and for some unknown reason the Food and Drug Administration has still yet to update its rules for allowable/safe ingredients, something that the Environmental Working Group has been pushing for since about 1978. They’re urging people to tell the FDA to get on the ball – if your interested go to EWG’s website and become a member…they’ll send you all sorts of awesome and much needed information.)

Let’s face it, summer is all about having fun in the sun without a care in the world…definitely true for all the kids out there on summer break!  They’re not concerned with sunburns and skin cancer…but it’s these early days of fun that lay the groundwork for futures to come.  So while they’re NOT thinking about it, it once again falls on us parents to make sure to slather em’ up and keep em’ protected!  And while we can’t tell our children that, of course, the best way to stay safe from solar rays is to stay in the shade or cover up (light, loose-fitting clothing works particularly well)…this is a very serious matter, since one in five Americans are now diagnosed with skin cancer. Although sunscreen is never perfect, it can help reduce burns and damage from UV light. What’s scary is that so many sunscreens also contain undesirable chemicals. The CDC found the sunscreen component oxybenzone in 97% of Americans tested. This is very worrisome to a lot people out there, since oxybenzone has been implicated in allergies, hormone disruption, cellular damage and low birth weight. The Environmental Working Group found oxybenzone in 600 U.S. sunscreens.  What?????

The EWG has updated its database of sunscreens, marking which it deems both safe and effective, and which it does not.  Out of the almost 1,000 sunscreens they initially studied they recommend 143, throw caution at 314 and want all to avoid 495 products.  In fact, when the EWG took a more in-depth look at 783 sunscreens available in the U.S., it determined that only 16% of sunscreens on the market are both safe and effective.  Only 125 blocked both UVA and UVB radiation, remained stable in sunlight and contained few if any ingredients that are known or suspected of being health hazards.  Scary stuff since sunscreen is supposed to protect all of us not create more problems!  Since I would like you all to come back and visit this blog sometime I’m not going to list them all for you.  However, you can if you would like (and possibly have a moment to breath in our very busy lives) take a look at the link below. 

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens2008/summary.php  

I will, however, list my top 10 favorites – all tried and true in my opinion…but once again it is only my opinion.  I will say to all of you out there though…go ahead…give it a try.  You just might find you’ll become a believer in all things green and organic!  And become safer to boot!!!

1.  UV Natural – Mother’s & Henry’s, www.uvnatural.com

2.  Aubrey Organics – Mother’s & Henry’s, www.aubrey-organics.com

3. California Baby – Henry’s, Mother’s, Target, www.californiababy.com

4. Dermalogica – Henry’s, www.dermstore.com

5. Kiss My Face – Mother’s, Henry’s, www.kissmyface.com

6. JASON Natural – Mother’s, Henry’s, www.jason-natural.com

7. Peter Thomas Roth – Henry’s, Mother’s, www.peterthomasroth.com

8. Dr. Brandt – www.dermstore.com

9. Badger – Henry’s, www.badgerbalm.com

10. Trukid Sunny Days Facestick Mineral Sunscreen – www.trukid.com

Hope everyone out there has a wonderful and safe summer’s end!

Happy Greening!!

So here goes…post #2!

I was perusing one of my favorite green newsletters the other day – The Daily Green - when I came upon an article from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution recommending 10 easy steps we all can take to send our kitchens headlong into the world of green.  Kitchens do seem to be the place to gather these days and let’s face it…we ALL love to eat!  Whether it’s a small intimate dinner party or a big loud BBQ (definitely my family!) it all starts in the kitchen.  This room also seems to be the place that falls more on moms shoulders to try and make some changes…being that it’s usually moms domain (no offense to those awesome men out there who love to cook!).  I’m sure you’ve all heard by now that buying and eating organic does make a huge difference both locally and environmentally – high quantities of gas being used to transport food miles and miles away to the overuse of pesticides, fertilizers and energy.  It may all seem completely overwhelming to someone who is just starting to think about it all – but like I had to remind myself…if you try it little by little eventually it will become habit and your habits will certainly leave a nice green footprint on our world…for generations to come!

Several of the things on the list below we’ve incorporated into our daily lives and have found them to be very easy.  Others I have to make an effort to remember that I don’t do it that  way anymore…I do it the green way!  While still others I have yet to try.  It does take some getting used to, some remembering…and again I think that may stem from the fact that we are so used to our world of convenience.  But hey…even a little green goes a long way…just always keep that somewhere in the back of your mind!   

The recommendations below are again from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution  on 10 easy ways to start decreasing your dietary footprint:

1. Ditch the Bottles

As my Uncle Dave says, “Best way to start being green? Drink tap water!”, -  Bottled water is pricey and uses a lot of fuel to transport, as well as to make and store all those bottles. Use what comes out of your tap instead because we have some of the best and cleanest water around.  However, if you feel the need you can always get a good filter to boost its purity.

2. Buy Local

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, most produce in the United States travels an average of 1,500 miles before being sold. Reduce all that shipping by rediscovering the fresh bounty of your surrounding area. Find farmers’ markets, co-ops and CSAs (community-supported agriculture projects) on any of these websites – www.farmernet.com , www.cafarmersmarkets.com or www.localharvest.org 

3. Dispose of Disposables

Instead of relying on single-use containers, get real dishes, and wash them.  The resources saved will really add up.  If you don’t feel like washing them one at a time (who really wants to do that!) use a dishwasher if you have one…just remember to wait until it’s full before you run it.  And if you can use a biodegradable, phosefate free soap.

4. Banish Excess Packaging

Buy things in larger sizes if you know you’ll use them. Try to select items that have less plastic and extra filler stuffed with them.

5. Bring Your Own Bags

Plastic and paper bags both take resources to produce and distribute, and usually end up as litter.  It took me a solid year to remember to ask for paper only and then another 6 months before I bought my own $.99 re-useable bags from Trader Joes.  Those bags now travel in my car so I have them whenever I do my shopping at the local farmer’s market or in a grocery store.  This might be one of the easier steps to incorporate into everyday life…once it’s habit!

6. Get a Green Thumb

Growing plants not only helps soak up excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but it can help clean toxins from the air and provide habitat (and food, though you may not want to hear that) for wildlife. And it reconnects you with nature!

7. Eat Less Meat

Factory farms are huge polluters, using loads of energy, and are very resource-intensive.  Making it a point to eat lower on the food chain more often will definitely make an impact.  Not only on your wallet but also on the environment.  If you are a meat lover and need your weekly dose of the red stuff El Toro Meats is one of my favorite local butcher shops.  They make it a point to buy all meats, poultry etc. from natural farms in the area.  This means they are fed an all natural vegetarian diet and are free to roam as they please.  Try their marinated carne asada…you won’t be disappointed!!

8. Use Your Appliances Wisely

Unplug unused devices like coffee pots and toaster ovens when not in use and pick Energy Star when it’s time to replace.  Some recommend an energy audit and say it’s easy to do yourself. 

9. Cook!

Plan meals ahead of time so you aren’t scrambling to pick up something convenient, which is likely to be less healthy and wrapped in more packaging. You can check out The Daily Green’s great coverage of delightful and easy green cuisine which they have every day.  I’ve tried several recipes and they rock!!!

10. Become Educated

Learn to save money and time by reducing waste and unneeded consumption, whether that’s water, energy, paper, food, travel and more.

So, once again, thank you to everyone who read this second post of mine!  I really appreciate the support! 

Make it a great day and happy greening to all!!

FYI – I have stumbled upon a company whose products are all natural (plant derived) and eco-friendly.  So far I LOVE everything I’ve tried.  If interested please email me at mamasgreengoodies@yahoo.com for more information.  Thanks!

And for what some might ask? 

With the hope in finding other mothers out there (like myself) who are thinking about jumping onto that green expressway with the sole purpose of making our community (and eventually world) a much greener, healthier and simpler place to be!  I wanted a place where I could go to write down thoughts, ideas and simple steps I have taken in my day to day life that might inspire other moms to do the same.  Do I think this will be an easy task?  Do I think I’ll be able to convert all moms I meet to the greener pastures of a Going Green life?  Definitely not!  But if I can help to motivate even one mom to start making small changes…then I have done the job I set out to do with this blog.  It all really does seem to start with a single idea from a single person who cares enough to see changes made.  The one mom who’s focus I may have helped shift might then feel the desire to go out into her community and show off her great green ideas to others.  It’s a chain reaction!  Slowly things may start to change.  We moms are a powerful group.  We have a lot to say.  Now, as a collective group, we just need to not be afraid to get out there and stand up for the things we believe in!    

You know, I have to admit, as excited as I am about all this I’m also a bit nervous!!  Will my family think I’m crazy?  Will my friends laugh at me?  Will I eventually feel like I am just one person not really making a difference at all?  Well, I’m sure all three will happen at one time or another…and you know what…I’m okay with that!  Because I have made a promise to myself that no matter how crazy things get or how overwhelmed I feel with the amount of information out there I want to pass along I will plow ahead into the wonderful world of green!  As a mother I feel it is my duty to give it my best shot for my family’s sake and the ones that will come after…because they are the ones that will forever truly matter!  

So now I’ve done it!  My very first post!!  I’ve jumped in with both of my rather average feet (I’m a 7 1/2) to hopefully make a big green splash in my community.  Whatever easy and interesting tips I come across and like I will pass along to all you moms out there…great green info including cool new products for us and our kids, which products are safe and which ones we should stay from, organic tips on anything from what you should and shouldn’t buy at stores, fresh local farmers markets, easy organic recipes and simple steps we can take at home to make our lives a little greener.  This is going to be a blast!!  Seriously, it’s not about beating ourselves up about the way we’ve been doing it – it’s about re-thinking the way we live in this world -not just as one but as many…as a whole.  We also need to remember we can’t judge on how much or how little someone is doing because I believe literally every little bit counts…and leaves a bright green footprint on our community, our Earth and most importantly our souls.

I wanted leave you all with this final thought.  I’m sure some of you have received this in your inbox before (like I have) but it really goes along with my thoughts and feelings these days on caring more, loving longer and trying to figure out how to go back to a simpler way of life without giving up our modern day conveniences…just not wasting so much with them.  It’s from George Carlin – hilarious comedian -which was emailed to me by an old friend of mine who I haven’t talked to in forever (which is something I must rectify) and I wanted to include in this post before I signed off.  I know it’s long but if you have a moment definitely worth the read!

GEORGE CARLIN

Isn’t it amazing that George Carlin – comedian of the 70′s and 80′s – could write something so very eloquent…and so very appropriate.

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete…

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.

Remember, to say, ‘I love you’ to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don’t send this to at least 8 people….Who cares?

George Carlin

I love the last line!  Seriously, who really cares if you send the next praying angel email you get to anyone!! 

So I say to all you moms (and anyone else who took the time to read this) out there…be healthy, be happy, be patient with our kids, give smiles and hugs out freely…because I believe doing this will add years to your life!

Happy Greening!!!

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