EarthMoment

If you haven’t already started shopping with reusable shopping bags then after reading this you really won’t have a reason not to. So here’s a little fun DIY project, don’t worry it’s super easy (and I don’t mean easy by Martha’s standards, I mean easy by my standards). You do need a sewing machine, but you can always borrow someone’s or visit your aunt to use hers. Other than that everyone should be able to scrounge up an old tee shirt they don’t wear anymore and a pair of scissors. Just sew the bottom of the tee closed, cut off the sleeves and cut the neck to make a bigger hole and ta da you’re done! See wasn’t that simple, and now you’ve repurposed an old tee shirt for a reusable shopping bag, how creative are you!

Just think, if you lived in San Francisco plastic bags wouldn’t even be an option, and if you do live in the city by the bay then thanks for setting the example!

GET INTO IT

Why not?

C’mon, save some dough and get rid of that old, stained tee shirt.

Bring it

To learn more about why you should bag the plastic bag read this article,

http://www.naturalhomemagazine.com
/2008-05-01/tote-bag-roundup.aspx

Not so guilty pleasure

If you can’t find a tee shirt to part with or you don’t know anyone with a sewing machine then here are a couple of decently price reusable bags to buy.

Mossimo Tote Bag for $16.99

http://www.earthmoment.com/product/1872
6270/Mossimo-Tote-Bag-Blue-with-Black-Trim

Natural Home magazine has a canvas bag for $9.95,

https://www.naturalhomemagazine.com/
shopping/detail.aspx?itemnumber=3040

Mother Earth News magazine has this heavy-duty bag made of recycled polypropylene for $20.00,

https://www.motherearthnews.com/
shopping/detail.aspx?itemnumber=3643

Utne Reader magazine has this 100% organic cotton canvas tote bag for $9.95,

https://www.utne.com/shopping/
detail.aspx?itemnumber=3042

Now that you’ve been inundated with a plethora of green news and information in conjunction with Earth day (which was yesterday), I’m sure you’re all just chomping at the bit to learn more. And for the few of you who have been inspired by the influx of green initiatives and thus have begun to seek out a new career on the green path, here is something to help you get started. Visit www.sustainablebusinesses.com to read about how companies are jumping into action and narrowing their focus on to the environment. Most importantly you can search for a green job by category or by region.

GET INTO IT

Why not?

Feel fulfilled knowing that your hard work is benefiting the environment and future generations, get a jump on your green job search today!

Bring it

Here’s a great example of a company pioneering the green movement in their industry, learn how they do it in this article.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Nature-Community/2006
-05-01/Ben-and-Jerrys-Climate-Change-Ambassadors.aspx

Not so guilty pleasure

Write your resume and cover letter on this new lap top.

Toshiba Techra M9 notebook

http://www.earthmoment.com/product/16234219/
Toshiba-Tecra-M9-Core-2-Duo-T7100-1.8-GHz-14.1-TFT

I’ve always wondered what is more eco-friendly; to dry your hands with an electric hand-dryer or with paper towels? I feel cleaner when I dry my hands with a paper towel; I’ve been told the motion of rubbing off the moisture with a towel does actually rid you of more germs. Who knows if that’s true but what I do know is that paper towels use trees, leave a big ‘ol mess in the bathroom (some people’s aim at the trash can is a little off) and I’m gonna assume most businesses don’t take the time to recycle used paper towels. So in that sense the hand-dryer is a better alternative for drying your hands. I’ve also read that the electricity a hand-dryer uses is about 1/3 the electricity needed to produce paper towels, so there ya have it, no need to sit and ponder your hand drying process anymore.

GET INTO IT

Why not?
Don’t reach for the paper towels.

Bring it
Learn all the riveting facts and every grueling detail of hand-driers in this article.
http://asumag.com/Washrooms/university_paper_trail/

Not so guilty pleasure
This is no hand-dryer but it’s the most high-tech hair blow dryer I’ve seen. It’s apparently equipped with state of the art Nano Silver Technology, that works to eliminate bacteria from appliances to promote a germ-free zone of protection for the health and safety of stylists and clients.

Chi Blow Dryer

http://www.earthmoment.com/product/7491391/CHI-Farouk-
Systems-Nano-Technology-Blow-Dryer-Model-GF3000N

Don’t wash your own car. That’s not a typo, I said “don’t” wash your own car. I know it’ll be hard for all you control freaks out there that have to bag your own groceries and what not but professional car washes often recycle and reuse rinse water. When you wash the car yourself your wasting a lot of water and sending gallons of soapy water to lakes, rivers etc. Commercial car washes use up to 100 percent less gallons of water, so now you have an excuse to be lazy!

GET INTO IT

Why not?
Wash your car at a professional car wash.

Bring it
Reusing home wastewater can be as easy as running a PVC pipe from the home to the garden.

Learn more in this article, Recycle Your Water Waste
http://www.motherearthnews.com/DIY/1976-07-01/
Recycle-Your-Waste-Water.aspx

Not so guilty pleasure
Now that the outside of the car is sparkling clean, give the inside that fresh smell with this auto air purifier that swivels to spread the aroma throughout your car.

Ionic Pro Auto Air Purifier
http://www.earthmoment.com/product/6282312

I was recently at the Monterey Bay aquarium in California where they were handing out little cards describing which seafood was ocean-friendly. The appropriately wallet-sized guide explains what kinds of fish you should choose to “support those fisheries and fish farms that are healthier for ocean wildlife and the environment.” Here’s a quick synopsis for y’all. A few of the fish that are abundant and caught or farmed in environmentally-friendly ways are; halibut, catfish, Alaskan salmon, tilapia, rainbow trout, white seabass, pink shrimp and albacore tuna. Some of the fish to avoid because they are caught or farmed in ways that harm other marine life or the environment are; Yellowfin and Bluefin tuna, Sea scallops, Atlantic salmon, shrimp, mahi mahi, Atlantic cod and king crab.

For more information on ocean-friendly seafood visit www.seafoodwatch.org.

Side note: A recent study done by Tufts University in Boston, found that people who had the highest concentration of DHA (a fatty acid found in fish) in their blood had an almost 50 percent reduction in their risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. And the American Heart Association suggests two servings of fish a week. So eat up!

GET INTO IT

Why not?
If someone told you there’s a way to get food that’s healthy, tasty and easy on the environment, would you check it out? To help you get started, here are 5 tips for trying fresh, local food. http://www.motherearthliving.com/issues/motherearthliving/
whole_foods/Tips-for-Finding-the-Best-Food_401-1.html

Bring it
You can enjoy better food and support local farmers by buying meat, eggs and produce in season.

Learn more in this article, Eat in Sync with the Seasons
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Whole-Foods-and-Cooking/
2007-08-01/Seasonal-Eating.aspx

Not so guilty pleasure
After you purchase some ocean-friendly fish from your local farmer’s market, throw it into this new George Foreman griller and broiler! Does anyone even remember him as boxer anymore since his new claim to fame as grill master?

George Foreman Grill
http://www.earthmoment.com/product/6283244