Green Thinking Blog

Photo provided by MSN.com

Floatin’ to make a difference, Marcus Eriksen  & Joel Paschal made their way to Hawaii via a raft made of plastic bottles on a 2,600 mile, 3 month journey!  Pretty amazing!

These guys, and Anna Cummins, who performed land duties, make up Algalita Marine Research Foundation’s project called, “JUNK.” The trip was a demonstration to help the group on their goal of getting “single-use” plastics banned, or plastics that are unrecyclable. 

Along the way, a fish attached itself to the craft.  The guys let it tag along for 5 weeks in anticipation of eating it, but when they cut it open, it was full of plastic confetti.  If that didn’t justify their cause, I don’t know what would.

Check out the link above from MSN.com to read more of their grusome adventure for a grand cause.

I posted this blog at Laurel on Health Food today, and I think it’s equally important to Green Thinking readers. Check it out.

I read the October/November 2008 issue of Plenty Magazine today. If you haven’t heard about it, Plenty is a wonderful new magazine on all topics concerning the environment, living green, being eco-friendly, etc. I’ve only read two issues, but I love it so far.

In a great little article on Thanksgiving turkeys, Plenty talks about the problems with the broadbreasted turkeys most people eat on Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, they have been bred to have very large chests and fast growth rates. While it makes for nice, large birds to feast on during the holidays, this practice causes some horrible problems with the turkeys.

Here’s a quick summary on some of the issues:

• Unable to fly because they’re carrying too much weight
• Can get hypothyroidism due to lack of exercise and unnaturally fast growth
• Become wobbly because center of gravity is over the toes instead of the middle of the feet
• Farmers remove beaks so the turkeys don’t become cannibals in close cages and warehouses
• Breast muscle takes up about 25-30% of body weight (instead of 7% like in the past forty years)
• Can develop osteoarthritis and other joint diseases that disable the joints or other body parts
• Large breasts and short legs make the turkeys unable the mate so they are artificially inseminated

(Ref: Plenty Mag, Oct/Nov 2008, p. 26)

As you can see, it sounds like a horrible life for our turkeys. Plenty advises that we purchase a heritage turkey this year instead of the popular broadbreasted variety. A heritage turkey has natural mating, a long productive outdoor lifespan, and a slow growth rate. You can read more details on heritage turkeys at the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy site.

When you have the chance, eating organic meat is really the way to go. Most eco-experts will tell you that Americans need to eat less meat overall, but many people look forward to a big roast during the holidays. So if you have the option, why not go for meat that’s better for you and better for the environment? Check out Care2’s “Top 10 Eco-Friendly Reasons to Buy Organic Meat and Dairy” for more info.

So, how do you get an organic heritage turkey? Slow Food USA says you can email albc@albc-usa.org to locate suppliers in your area. You can also go to LocalHarvest.org and purchase organic and heritage turkeys online.

Drawing courtesy of Ben Smith

World Hoop Day took place August 8, 2008.  While we missed it this year, we will be prepared for next!   So, what did we miss exactly?  When you say hoop, how do you mean?  All of your questions have answers.  World Hoop Day is a non-profit organization that provides hula hoops to under privileged kids in areas of devastation. Instead of providing food like many other orgainziation, founder, Annie O’Keeffe concentrates on providing mental benefits that are both fun & provide exercise.

Founded in 2007, 10,000 hoops have been donated and $7,145 in money and hoop related gifts.  Check out their website and see how you can help “Hoop for Peace.”

While there are some great “green” cleaning products out on the market right now, you may want to consider some homemade, all natural cleaning with things you already have in the house. It’s a cheaper and healthier way to keep your home clean. There are a TON of homemade cleaning recipes out there if you Google search, but here are a few of the basics for easy access.

Drain Unclogger

You can use baking soda and vinegar to unclog any drain in your house. Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the drain and follow it with 1 cup of hot vinegar. It will bubble and steam, but don’t worry, that’s normal. Once the bubbles die down, pour hot water down the drain to clear it completely. This same mixture can be used as a toilet cleaner, but you don’t need a full cup of each. Just sprinkle a little baking soda and vinegar in and swish around with a cleaning brush. (Green Living Ideas)

Glass Cleaner

Mix equal parts vinegar and hot water in a spray bottle and you’ve got a wonderful glass cleaner. You can also use plain water with a few drops of mild dish soap. Use a squeegee or old newspaper instead of paper towels to avoid streaks and cut down on waste. (Martha Stewart)

Furniture Polish

For finished wood, mix 2 parts olive oil with 1 part lemon juice in a bowl to make the polish. Dip a soft, dry cloth into the mixture and rub into the wood (in the direction of the grain). Use a soft toothbrush if you need to get in small spaces or between grains. Wipe off excess with a clean cloth. For unfinished wood, add 1 teaspoon lemon oil to 1 cup of mineral oil for the polish and follow the same steps as above. (eHow)

Mold/Mildew Remover

Add 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil to 2 cups of water in a spray bottle and shake it to blend. Spray directly on mold or mildew in your shower, on your shower curtain, or even on a moldy ceiling. Do not rinse. Make sure the area is well ventilated because the tea tree oil smell is very strong. I’ve also read that you can sprinkle a couple drops of tea tree oil on any area where bugs like to come in. It will keep them away from that area. (care2)

Air/Fabric Freshener

Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a spray bottle of water. Spray anywhere to freshen up the air or make a room smell better.

Stain Remover/Metal Polisher

A wedge of lemon or fresh lemon juice can be used to get out any stain on a counter or to polish metal. Squirt lemon juice onto the stain and allow it to dry. A wedge of lemon is a great way to freshen up your sink too. Rub the lemon all over the metal in the sink. For tough stains, try sprinkling baking soda on the lemon before you begin. (CHEC)

Do you have any homemade cleaning recipes of your own? Share ‘em with us and we’ll post it on our site. Happy cleaning loves!

Each year Ocean Conservancy holds an International Coastal Cleanup. Last year 378,000 people in 76 countries picked up 6.08 million pounds of garbage from over 33,000 miles of coast. Unbelievable, right? The five items people bagged the most were cigarettes, bottle caps, bags, plastic bottles, and food wrappers or containers. Something tells me this year’s turnout will break records. (Ref: Women’s Health Mag, Sep. 2008, p. 30)

The 2008 International Coastal Cleanup day is September 20th. Click here to register yourself to clean up a a waterway near you. If you don’t live near a beach, don’t worry, because cleanups are also held at ponds, lakes, and rivers.

In the meantime, check out the 2007 Cleanup Report. You can look up your state or country and see exactly what kinds of things were picked up by volunteers.

Last night I was flipping through my first issue of Plenty Magazine (I mentioned it in my 4th of July post), and I saw an ad for World Water Monitoring Day (WWMD). Naturally, I had to find out more details. According to their colorful website, WWMD “is an international education and outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world by engaging citizens to conduct basic monitoring of their local water bodies.” WWMD is coordinated by the Water Environment Federation and the International Water Association.

On September 18th through October 18th, people all around the world take the initiative to test their local water bodies for quality factors such as temperature, acidity, clarity, and dissolved oxygen. One they get their results, the information is shared on the WWMD website.

So, how do you test the water? Well the easiest way is to buy one of the test kits offered for $13.00 (plus $7.20 U.S. shipping). You can order online or by phone with a credit card. The test kits can be used for a group of 5-10 people so you and your friends or family can split the cost.

What kind of water can you test? The test kits are designed for fresh water locations including bays, canals, creeks, ditches, drains, estuaries, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, oceans, rivers, springs, straights, streams, and wetlands. Wow, is anyone else amazed at all the different names of fresh water bodies?!

To get started, you can visit the Participate page on the website and follow the four easy steps:

1. Register your site.
2. Prepare your monitoring equipment.
3. Monitor your site.
4. Report your data.

If you’re like me, you’re wondering if using the test kit is hard. The WWMD site stresses that the test kit is easy for children and adults to use, so that’s a good sign. Visit the website and you’ll see smiling young faces that let us know that we can handle the job.

The data collected from 2005, 2006, and 2007 is also available for your review. Last year 46,000 people in 43 countries participated.

Lake Parón, Caraz, Peru

While at home this evening, I perused a book called A Little Green Book of Environmental Quotes and Comments.  Here is what I found:

A quote by Arch Buchwald, an author, stated in 1970.  How did he know what would happen back then?    (p. 89)

And Man created the plastic bag and tin and aluminum can and the cellophane wrapper and the paper plate, and this was good because Man could then take his automobile and buy all his food in one place and He could save that which was good to eat in the refrigerator and throw away what had no further use.  And soon the earth was covered with plastic bags and aluminum cans and paper plates and disposable bottles and there was nowhere to sit down or walk, and Man shook his head and cried: “Look at this Godawful mess.”

I also found a great lesson for us all.  Joseph Wood Krutch, a writer, was quoted in Time (p 97):

Don’t blow it - good planets are hard to find.

And Jacques Barzun, a historian, gives us hope from The House of Intellect in 1959 (p 87):

If civilization has risen from the Stone Age, it can rise again from the Wastepaper Age.

I believe Jacques also means we can rise from the Oil Age, the High Consumption Age, the Wasteful Age, the Ungrateful Age, we just need to try.

Thanks for reading…that equals trying.

I subscribe to Simple Shoes email updates, and I recommend you do too.  Today I received an interesting food for thought - about fish.  According to the email, an article in the journal, Science, has researchers predicting that fish will be obsolete by 2048. 

If you are anything like Laurel & I, we LOVE our seafood.  If we had a choice we would eat seafood everyday, but apparently, the idea of that happening is being threatened by unsustainable fishing practices. 

The Blue Ocean Institute has listed a guide of what fish are the most abundant and recommended for eating by the Marine Stewardship Council. 

The guide lists that Alaskan Salmon, Walleye Pollack, Sablefish, and Western Rock Lobster are among those certified as the best environmental choice.  These species are abundant and their fishing methods have little impact on their habitat or the environment.

On the other hand, farmed Atlantic Salmon, Snappers, Atlantic Halibut, Grouper, and Chilean Sea Bass are listed as having a variety of problems.  These species are either overfished, have poor management, or their farming methods cause a serious environmental impact.

Visit the MSC website to find out which fisheries are certified with safe practices, where to buy, and what to cook.  They also list delicious recipes, check out this one for MSC certified Halibut by Frosta (mmm):

Halibut fillets with Japanese mountain pepper and mango on rhubarb chutney

Serves 4

Ingredients

So, next time you go to the fish market, or the seafood counter, or out to dinner, do your research.  It could be one of your last delicious meals that has fish if practices don’t improve-and QUICK!

Last night I was trying to perform some simple arithmatic to figure out the cost per person from a trip I was just on.  Simple is the word to look at - it may have been simple when I was in 5th grade, but not now!  In fact, I couldn’t even remember how to begin a long division problem let alone come up with a wrong answer.  This got me thinking…

We are all very aware that keeping our body healthy is a imporant for our well being, and in turn, the world.  What we put into our system, whether or not we exercise, where we buy our food, all affects the world in which we live…but what about our brains?!  That affects the world too!

WebMD says that physical exercise is good for your brain as well.  Exercise will release happy feelings, aka dopamine that will help your mood, alertness, and feelings of well-being. 

ProHealth recommends Neurobics, a form of working the brain that helps it rewire itself.  According to the article, to be a neurobic exercise, it must involve one or more senses in a novel way, engage your attention, and add an unexpected element to a routine activity. Here are some of the tips they give:

• Smell something different in the morning than your routine coffee.  Try vanilla or peppermint for a change.  I think I will smell my new Sage Citrus Soy candle…mmmm
• Use a different hand for your morning routine.  If you are right handed, brush your teeth, brush your hair, and eat breakfast with your left hand.  Lefties, do the opposite.
• Learn Braille to determine your floor on the elevator.

Challenge:  Try these exercises at home!

2nd Challenge (mostly for Kate): Relearn long division!  Check out FreeMathWorksheets.net to create your own challenge, or enhance your skills.

You might remember one of our first posts on Green Thinking Blog was about a wonderful eco t-shirt company called Tees for Change (see Tees for Change are Lovely). To make way for their new Fall 2008 line, they have put six of the women’s organic t-shirts on sale for $20 each and all jewelry on sale for 25% off.

Tees for Change shirts are made from organic cotton or bamboo and each t-shirt sale plants a tree. Fabulous! Act quickly if you want a shirt on-sale, because they’re sure to sell out fast.

Click here to get to the shirts on sale. Click here to get to the on-sale jewelry. The sale ends August 31, 2008.