Green Thinking Blog

Remember the dog in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas?  Max, that’s right.  That cute little puppy who carried such a big load for his owner.  Don’t you think he deserves something for all his hard work this Christmas? 

Your family pet brings so much joy throughout the year, and they have a big job acting as your confidant, counselor, and friend; don’t forget to get them a present this holiday season.  Remember our friends over at Leash We Can Do, the environmentally friendly pet company?  They have put together amazing green gift sets for any pet you love this holiday! 

Their gift basket with a gift card features natural, herbal doggie (or kitty) treats, a toy, a reusable tote, and  $5 gift certificate to LWCD!  This way your recipient could order a hemp collar, leash, or Bio Bags for doggie waste as an extra little bonus.

Leash We Can Do has offered our readers a special discount.  By entering the code  thinkgreen  at checkout, you will receive a 10% discount!!!!  At this rate, you can purchase presents for every pet in your family, your neighbor’s family, the local dog shelter, everyone!

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

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!

This last weekend took me to Ft. Lauderdale beach in sunny Florida. As I walked along the sandy shore I was stuck by a strange mound in the sand surrounded by construction tape.  Upon further observation, I discovered this mound was in fact an onshore incubator for sea turtles.  I said to myself, “Self, You have got to look into this further once you return home & get the scoop on these turtles.”  So. I did.

From what I have found out, in large part to Turtle Time, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to loggerhead sea turtles, is that from May until August every year these amazing creatures come ashore to lay their eggs.  The mama will dig a nest in the sand, usually about 18-22 inches deep and lay her eggs for a period of roughly two months.  When the little babies are born they are only 2 inches big and will eventually grow to be 250-400 pounds! 

So that is the easy part:  Get it on, lay some eggs, return to the sea.

The hard part comes when the babies hatch.  Sometimes they get confused with hotel lights, street lamps, car headlights, and instead of wandering off to sea and their destiny, they wander into the road and under your car tire. 

I saw signs all over the beach in Ft. Lauderdale warning tourists of the dimmed lights on streets and buildings to give the hatchlings every chance they have at surviving, and I truly thought it to be a great effort amongst the community to come together to help this endangered species. 

Tips from Turtle Time, Inc. about things you can do to help the turtles while you are on the beach:

• Do NOT shine lights on a nesting turtle! 
• Please don’t litter.  Plastic bags, balloons, soda can holders, etc. can be fatal if eaten by a turtle - or any animal for that matter.
• Close drapes or blinds after dark if your lights are visible to the beach, while this helps the turtles, this can help you too!  Create a little mood for yourself and a loved one, who knew turtles could be so romantic.

Another great resource:  Guided Turtle Walks.  While on vacation take in a little culture.  Many museums, aquariums, and community centers provide guided walks on the beach in hopes of witnessing this miracle of the sea turtle.  Ususally taking place between the hours of 9 pm - 1 am, but remember, do not bring your flashlights, and do not disturb the turtle - how would you like your business disturbed?