We're Moving!

We have a special announcement for our readers this week.... 

For some time, we've been considering separating the topics that this blog covers, and starting a new blog specifically related to green and sustainable living, and we're proud to announce that it's finally LIVE!

This new site will bring you up-to-date news, tips, and articles to help you live a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable lifestyle - all in a current, easy-to-use format.

Check Out the New Site At www.sustainablelivingreport.com.

We also have a new Facebook page dedicated specifically to this topic - be sure to Like us to stay up to date on the most current sustainable living news!

We are also working on a separate blog on natural, holistic health, and this will contain information about detoxifying and reducing your toxic load, so if you're looking for those topics, stay tuned - we will post an update here when that site is ready. In the meantime, you can check out the new Facebook page on these topics at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Holistic-Health-Wire/396678870540002.

We've enjoyed sharing healthy and green living resources with you here over the years, and are excited to continue to do so in a more updated and regular format on the new site!

Come on over and check us out, and we'll see you there!
Rose.

How To Go Green In 2015

Many people start off the year with some lofty goals for how they will live a healthier lifestyle this year, and do more to help others as well as the planet. One great way to do that is to adopt an environmentally friendly, or "green" lifestyle. However, many people find the idea intimidating. Perhaps you think it takes someone special to live green, or maybe you believe it requires a certain personality type or income level. But in reality, green living is within everyone's reach.

This month, we will share some ideas for helping you live a cleaner, greener, healthier lifestyle in the year(s) ahead, starting with the 4 tips below.

Think Before You Buy

Eletrical wire reel used as an eco-design coffee table. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In our modern culture, it's tempting just to go out and buy something new, cheap, and (usually) plastic whenever we have a need. But used items are worth considering, either from second-hand stores, antique stores, or yard sales. And it might pay to look around your house for hidden treasures first.

For instance, you may decide you need a lemonade pitcher or a container for iced tea. Rather than getting a cheap plastic one, look around and see what you can reuse - maybe a glass juice container that you were going to throw away would work just fine.

Did you know it's considered "green" to buy pretty much anything second-hand? Clothing, furniture, lamps, appliances and so forth can all be purchased second-hand for a fraction of the cost, and it helps keep those items from being thrown away.

Shop Local for Food

If you've looked at the price of organic food, you might think you can't afford to go green with regard to the foods you eat. But you don't have to buy the expensive imported organic foods to be green; it's just as eco-friendly to buy locally-grown produce or foods that are produced near you.

Foods like honey, vegetables, fruits, breads, and meat can often be found at decent prices from local producers - and you're also supporting your local community (try a CSA for an even easier shopping experience). Organic whole grains and dried beans are still pretty cheap, and switching to those is a move in the green direction.

Plastic recycle logo. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Recycle

In addition to doing the usual "recycling thing," you can also look around and think of creative ways to recycle or reuse items around your home. For instance, use empty jars, cardboard tubes, and cereal boxes in crafts, or reuse plastic food tubs for storage (you could paint them or cover them with construction paper first if you want to pretty them up).

Look at yard sales and second-hand stores for your household needs - this is not only cheaper; it also means you're reusing (recycling) items that are already in circulation. Recycling means more than just shipping off your plastic, glass, and metal to the recycling center. It also involves reusing items to avoid buying new ones. That's budget-friendly for just about everyone!

Conserve Resources

From saving water, to reducing energy consumption via your heating and cooling system, to using blinds for passive solar heating and cooling, there are lots of things you can do to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint that not only don't cost you much money, but can even result in some significant savings!

Buy following these tips, at least some elements of the green lifestyle are within everyone's reach, and with just a few simple adjustments, you can live a healthier, cleaner lifestyle this year. Be sure to check back later this month for some more tips to help you live green in 2015.

One of our goals this year is to update our website to include even more helpful resources. Along with getting our little homestead going, we're going to be extra busy this year! For the time being, we are switching to a once-per-week posting schedule, so be sure to check back each Wednesday for more healthy green living tips.

Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas for Black Friday Shoppers

It's almost here! "Black Friday" is just around the corner, and millions of shoppers will hit the street (and web) this weekend to get great deals on gifts for the holidays. But why not "give green" this holiday season? Giving green is a great way to show your community that you really care. It can also inspire others to think eco-friendly as well. It's also unique. People can get a little tired of receiving toys, gift cards and kitchen wares every year. Giving a green gift is a great way to spice up your holiday gifting - and do a good deed at the same time!

So what are some green gifts you can give? Here are some ideas to consider when you hit the stores this weekend:

1. Soap Nuts

Green Will Soap Nuts on Amazon.com

Huh?? Yes, you read that right. Soap Nuts are tiny nuts that work more or less like soap. They come from the Sapindus tree, more commonly known as the soapberry tree. Just throw these nuts in your washing machine and they'll clean your clothes just as well as laundry detergent. They are safe, bio-degradable, and contain no harmful chemicals.

This gift is unique, saves people money on detergent and helps them adopt a green lifestyle with zero effort. It also is great for those who are sensitive to fragrances or chemical sudsing agents commonly found in commercial laundry detergents.

2. The Gift of Life

One fantastic gift you can give is seed packets. Before you buy these packets, take a walk through your friend's gardens. What kind of plants do they have? What colors do you think would do well in their garden?

Once you have a sense for what your friend might want, go online and buy a few different kinds of seeds you think they'll appreciate. You can also buy trees and shrubs, or gift certificates for companies that sell them. In a few years, you might just see your gift spreading its leaves in your friend's backyard!

Home-made chocolate chip cookies. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

3. Home Made Organic Food

Giving someone homemade organic chocolate chip cookies, or perhaps a raw vegan snack bar is a fantastic way to promote green culture while giving someone a gift they can really enjoy.

If you don't enjoy cooking, you can also buy many incredible eco-friendly snacks online.

4. Green Clothing

Did you know there's an entire sub-culture dedicated to creating dazzling clothing made entirely from eco-friendly materials? Some of the materials are recycled, others are bio-degradable, others are petrochemical-free.

Support these designers by purchasing from them this holiday. Make sure they look great and make sure you let whoever is receiving it know that they just received a green item. It makes a great dinner party story too!

5. Recycled Wine Glasses

What happens to glass that goes in the recycling bin? You see recycled paper and recycled plastic everywhere, but you seldom see labels for recycled glass.

Recycled glass looks and feels more or less exactly like normal glass. But by buying recycled glass, you support the recycling industry as well as giving your friend something unique. Recycled wine glasses come in all kinds of shapes and sizes.

There are a lot of incredible green and eco-friendly gifts out there, just waiting to be found. These gifts will wow your friends and family and bring a smile to their face, not just because of what they are but also because of their story. Give a green gift this holiday season, and you're giving to the environment as well!

3 Ways to Make Money from Homesteading

Did you know that you can take your homesteading lifestyle and actually build a business or career out of it? It’s true. There are many different ways that you can make money from homesteading. Let’s take a look at three of them. Who knows - you might turn your hobby farm into a full-fledged business!

1. Crafting and Home Goods

Many homesteaders find that they have more than enough materials to begin crafting. For example, if they are raising alpacas they find that they have extra yarn and might begin making clothing for friends and relatives.

They could just as easily begin selling the yarn or making items to order. Herbs can be made into essential oils, lotions, and even soap. For example, lavender plants make wonderful essential oils which can then be added to body products or sold as an oil.

2. Food Preparation and Preservation

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sue had an abundance of Brussels sprouts one year from her garden. She decided to pickle them. Her recipe was so popular that Sue began selling her pickled sprouts online and at local Farmer’s Markets.

Her business expanded and she now pickles and sells many different types of veggies. Other people have had great success with homemade salsas, jams, and sauces all made from the items they’ve grown in their garden.

3. Teaching
As an experienced homesteader, you can make money teaching other people how to homestead. It’s a growing trend and lifestyle choice. Teaching, online or in local workshops or seminars, gives you an opportunity to help others and earn some extra cash at the same time.

Homesteading provides many opportunities to improve your lifestyle. Making money from it is just one extra benefit to consider. And while homesteading is profitable, environmentally sound, and it helps you save money many people homestead just because they like it. Next week we’ll take a look at the reasons why homesteading is rewarding and fulfilling.

4 Reasons Why Homesteading Is Better for the Environment

You’re probably well aware of the financial benefits of homesteading. You may also be familiar with the positive lifestyle benefits. However, there are also numerous environmental benefits. Simply by planting a garden and growing your own food, you’re helping conserve the environment.

1. Conserving water – It’s true that gardening requires water. Your fruits and vegetables actually need quite a bit of water to survive. However, most homesteaders quickly realize that irrigation systems work best.

For example, you can install rainwater collection barrels and create a drip irrigation system that comes directly from the rainwater. Other people create grey water systems and hydroponic systems which reuse the water to keep the plant’s roots moist. It uses far less water than industrial farming and you know you’re eating clean and healthy plants.

The carbon footprint. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2. Smaller carbon footprint – When you grow your own fruits and veggies, you don’t have to drive to the supermarket to buy food that was shipped from another country. All of those transportation costs add up to a weighty carbon footprint. Homesteading means your produce department is in your back yard.

3. Alternative and sustainable energy – Many homesteaders embrace sustainable energy practices. For example, they might install a wind turbine or solar panels to help reduce some of their energy costs. And living off the grid also conserves fossil fuels and reduces emissions.

4. Biodiversity – Industrial farms plant fields and fields of the same genetically modified crop. From New England to southern California you’ll find the same soybeans, corn, and wheat. When you plant your own garden you’re helping to sustain plant diversity. You’re also helping keep the bees and other pollinators alive and healthy. Their survival is critical to biodiversity.

Homesteading can save money and it is a powerful way to reduce your carbon footprint and help improve our environment. It’s also a fulfilling and rewarding lifestyle. You might also be interested to learn that you can make money as a homesteader. Next time we’ll take a look at three ways you can make money homesteading.

The 3 Main Elements of Homesteading - Which Appeals Most to You?

While homesteading encompasses many skills and approaches, there are three common elements that most homesteaders practice. When beginning a homesteading lifestyle, it makes sense to choose one element and make it a priority.

Focus on improving your skills, systems, and practice. Integrate that element into your lifestyle and then expand on it by adding other lifestyle changes and homesteading skills. So what are these three main elements?

Growing strawberries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1. Gardening – The first and perhaps most readily adopted element of homesteading is gardening. Gardening is something that you can do on a small scale or you can convert your entire back yard into a garden. Small container gardens and raised garden beds are often a good way to go if you’re not sure you’ll have the time to tend to your garden.

You can always add more containers or raised beds as you become more comfortable. The most important thing to remember about homestead gardening is to grow what you eat. If you don’t like broccoli, don’t grow it. If you love strawberries, then that’s a perfect crop to start with. Utilize sustainable gardening practices to maximize your use of space and minimize your impact on the environment.

Preserved food in Mason jars (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2. Food preservation and preparation - The next component of homesteading is a natural progression from gardening. It’s the fine art of food preservation. We’re talking about canning, pickling, and making preserves. For example, let’s say that you love strawberries and your first year of gardening you had good success with your strawberry garden.

Your crop yielded a nice collection of strawberries and you enjoyed a few tasty desserts. This year you might triple your strawberry plants and instead of eating them all right away, or giving them away, you make strawberry preserves. You’ll now be able to enjoy your strawberries all year long. Learning to cook what you grow from scratch is more of an art than a science. Enjoy the process!

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

3. Animal husbandry – The third element of homesteading is animal husbandry, or raising animals. You might raise goats for goat milk and cheese. You could raise chickens for their eggs.

You can also venture into fish farms and aquaponics. This is a bigger step for some and you’ll have to check your local zoning ordinances to make sure it’s okay to raise livestock in your yard.

As you might suspect, when you begin homesteading there can be some significant financial benefits. In the next post next week, we’ll take a look at those benefits and provide some guidelines to help you save more money with homesteading.

Sustainable Living - Homesteading 101: Getting Started On the Path to Self-Reliance

We're back!  Many apologies for the lack of posts last week - after moving into our new house, we discovered our new internet service did not work, so we've had a couple of frustrating weeks, but we're finally back in action!

A popular topic that some readers have asked about lately is sustainable living, and the idea of homesteading is very trendy lately. Over the next couple of weeks, we will address this topic, so for those of you who have been interested in exploring homesteading, now is your chance to learn more! Our own attempt at homesteading begins now, as my husband and I settle into our new home on 5 acres, and try to figure out what we want to do with it all! I will keep you posted on our progress here and on our main New Holistic Living blog, as we install a geothermal system, water collection system, orchard, garden, chicken coop, and more over our first few years here on our little homestead.  :-)

So let's get started....

Do you have what it takes to live a life that is sustainable? Are you interested in becoming self-sufficient and relying on your own two hands to grow food and essentially live off the land? If that sounds intriguing, you might be a future homesteader.

What Is Homesteading and Why Is It Growing In Popularity?

Home farming: harvesting beans by hand.  Wikipedia)

Homesteading is the practice of growing your own food, raising animals for produce, and even providing your own energy. Some homesteaders also make their own clothing and strive to live completely dependent upon their own resources.

It’s a lifestyle choice. You don’t have to live in the country to be a homesteader. You also don’t need tons of land. You can grow some of your own food and provide your own energy even living in the city.  In fact, many urbanites raise chickens and grow food.

Why Do People Homestead?

Many people have made this lifestyle choice for a number of reasons. Raising your own food and practicing environmentally friendly farming is good for the planet. It’s sustainable. In fact, homesteaders often use rainwater and other water conservation practices to irrigate their crops.

Homesteading is also financially friendly. Imagine if you could get your eggs, dairy, and even some of your meat and produce from your own labors. You’d save money. You can also take advantage of renewable energy tax credits.

Finally, many people embrace homesteading because they find it to be a rewarding lifestyle. It’s true that food tastes better when you grow it yourself. And there’s tremendous pride in learning how to take care of yourself and live off the land.

Of course homesteading isn’t an all or nothing lifestyle. You can choose the pieces that appeal to you. You can start small or buy a farm and dive right in. Next time we’ll take a look at the three primary components of homesteading, so be sure to check back on Thursday.

Avoid These Common Chemicals to Stay Healthy & Live Cleaner & Greener!

Living a green life might not be easy, but it can be very beneficial. Changing everything you use - from makeup to pesticides - can be a huge sacrifice, but it will pay off in the end. You will be healthier and help out the environment as well. Today you will learn about some of the unhealthy chemicals which you find in everything from your cosmetics to garden pesticides. Then we will show you some healthier alternatives to these products.

Cosmetics (Photo credit: My Sight, as You See.)

When you look around your home at the products you have and use, you might not think there are too many harmful things there. But many of the common products we use every day contain ingredients which aren't good for us. Our soaps, deodorants, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, and even the cosmetics we use contain these potentially dangerous chemicals. Here's what you should look out for in them.

* Mineral oil (found in baby oil) - Mineral oil can clog your pores, prevent skin from breathing, and stop toxins from being eliminated from the skin. It can even steal vital vitamins and minerals from the body. In the worst case scenario, mineral oil has even been linked to diseases like pneumonia by weakening normal lung function.

* Sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate - These are found in many soaps. They remove moisture from the skin, irritate the skin, and can cause hair loss. Sodium lauryl sulfate which is found in many shampoos, soaps, and even mouth wash is also the same ingredient that's used to degrease car engines! Sodium laureth sulfate is usually mixed with a chemical known as dioxane which is a known carcinogen.

* Propylene glycol - This can cause liver and kidney damage. If it's in mouthwash with more than 25% alcohol, then it can even lead to throat cancer.

* Isopropyl alcohol - This kills germs, but be careful and use it sparingly in a well-ventilated area. If not this can cause inhalation poisoning.

* Flower/floral water - These are found in many unnatural soaps and are used to scent them. They can lead to allergies. Read the ingredient labels and check for natural hydrosols; those are the kind of fragrances that are usually okay to use.

* Paraffin wax - This is found in some candles. Paraffin wax is a by-product of petroleum. When burned, this puts toxins into the air which are bad for the lungs.

* Dyes and pigments - Watch out for FD&C and D&C dyes as these can be carcinogenic.

* Diethanolamine (DEA) - This is another known carcinogen.

* Aluminum - This is found in deodorants. It may cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Aluminum is also bad for the brain and has been linked to brain disorders like Alzheimer's.

Even common household furniture, electronics, toys, and baby bottles can contain harmful chemicals. There can be toxic flame retardants in your electronics, plastic toys can contain phthalate plasticizers and lead, and baby bottles can contain BPA. 

Phthalate plasticizers are used to make plastic more bendy and are often added to many household items such as hairspray, cosmetics, and wood finishes. They may cause reproductive problems, but this so far has only been found in lab animal studies. This is a difficult product to avoid as it's added to so many different things.

BPA is used to strengthen polycarbonate plastics. It has been shown to cause developmental disorders and thyroid problems. Most baby bottles are being made to not contain BPA, but you do have to look for BPA-free products.

NATURAL LAUNDRY PRODUCTS (Photo credit: live w mcs)

And of course pesticides and bug sprays can be harmful - as most people now know. However, you can find natural alternatives to many of your beloved household items that you might find you like even better. There are so many natural alternatives to everything out there, including pesticides and bug sprays. Make sure you read the labels of whatever you purchase and do lots of research on the products and their ingredients. 

There are many websites where you can check the toxicity of your favorite products and see if there are better alternatives to switch to. Try the EWG (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/) for everything you put on your skin. TheNaturalProductDirectory.com has categorized listings of makeup and skincare products, with safety ratings, customer reviews, detailed ingredient lists, and more.

HealthyStuff.org has a nice database for checking all sorts of household items including toys.

And of course, be sure to check out our website for a FREE report & home checklist with lots of helpful tips for avoiding/reducing chemicals throughout the home, and many alternative products that are safe to use instead! www.newholisticliving.com/toxic-load

You might not be able to remove all of the carcinogens in your life by switching to more natural products, but it's a start. You might find you really like these more natural products and you're spending less by not paying for the name, or they could require you to use less so the product will last longer. So go check those ingredient labels and see where you can alleviate some toxic health concerns in your day-to-day life - you, and the planet, will be healthier for it.

Kitchen Refit – Making Your Kitchen Greener

Are you thinking of going green in your kitchen? Maybe you have already gone green in your cooking or other lifestyle habits and want to extend that to the kitchen. Whatever your reasons, here are some ideas for ways you can make your kitchen green.

Remodel Your Kitchen

This is the big one! If you are able, this is a fabulous way to green your kitchen. Here are some things to look at when you remodel.

Compact fluorescent light bulb (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

* Lighting - When you remodel, you can arrange for more eco-friendly lighting. Skylights are ideal, but you can also make the most efficient use of energy-efficient lighting such as CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) or LEDs (light emitting diodes). And a remodel can also open up space and let in more light from the existing windows.

* Appliances - Replacing your old appliances with energy-efficient ones helps your green efforts. Before tossing out your old appliances, though, make sure they really are less efficient. If not, then it would be less wasteful and worthwhile to have them refurbished. If you do decide to discard your old appliances, donate them to Habitat for Humanity or other charitable organizations.

* Flooring - Choose natural, sustainable flooring material like cork, bamboo, mango wood, linoleum (not to be confused with synthetic vinyl flooring), or eucalyptus wood. Natural tiles are also good choices, as are tiles made from recycled rubber. Be sure to dispose of your old flooring responsibly - contact your solid waste authority to see if it can be recycled or donated. 

* Countertops - There are lots of green options for countertops. You can do mosaic tops on your existing counters, or replace them entirely with something eco-friendly like PaperStone or mango wood. Again, donate or recycle your old countertops.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

* Green Extras - If you remodel your kitchen, you can arrange to have a worm compost bin built right in, as well as convenient recycling containers.

Save Water

We use a lot of water in the kitchen. Go green by saving water in the kitchen - install low-flow aerators or faucets, pre-rinse your dishes in a sink full of water rather than under running water, and turn off the water when you are scrubbing pots and pans. If possible, use rain water to rinse dishes. And when you rinse vegetables and fruits, use a pan of water and then pour the water on your plants in your sustainable garden.

Save Energy

Little things can add up to make your kitchen greener. Even if you have energy-efficient appliances, that doesn't mean it's acceptable to waste. For example, don't hold the refrigerator door open, and don't open the oven when something is cooking inside. And last but not least, only run your dishwasher when it is full.

The Eternal Debate: Does Organic Living Require Supplements?

Welcome back! We hope you had a nice holiday weekend, and enjoyed the eco-friendly Easter tips we shared with  you last week. This week we're wrapping up with our "going organic" series with a couple more important topics for those wishing to live a healthier and greener lifestyle.

There’s an interesting trend happening in natural and organic living. People who tout the consumption of plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, also seem to consume a lot of supplements. I’ve had many people ask me about this. If you’re living a healthy lifestyle, why do you need supplements?

Dietary supplements, such as the vitamin B supplement show above, are typically sold in pill form. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

And it’s a very good question.

Many people living an organic lifestyle cite depleting soils, premature picking, cooking, processing and other factors as decreasing the nutritional value of our food. But here’s my take on it. If you’re eating healthfully, exercising regularly and unless you have specific health issues, supplementation may not be necessary - but it may improve your overall health, just depending on your specific needs.

Supplements are big business. Whether they’re synthetic or they’re natural (if you do take them, go natural), it’s a business that must convince the consumer they need their product.  It’s a decision that each person needs to make for themselves and it’s important to remember that having too much of certain vitamins and minerals can actually be harmful.

And more importantly, supplements can be very expensive and you need to decide carefully if they need to be in your budget.

Many people claim they’ve never felt better when taking a specific natural supplement for a specific purpose. That’s absolutely wonderful and if you’re getting the results you are looking for, more power to you. Just realize that some supplements can create dependence and even though they’re natural, can harm you.

Recently Dr. Oz shared some tips for considering supplements:

- Choose single ingredient supplements and just take the ones you need
- Do your research thoroughly
- Beware of trendy supplements

And here’s how I approach it:

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

- Eat more raw food: The more raw fruits and vegetables you eat, the more nutritional value you can pack in. Cooking strips food of vitamins and minerals, so while you may still eat the same amount of cooked food, you’re reducing the benefit you receive. If you can grow your own, or get them fresh and locally grown, that's even better, as the vitamin content of most fruits and vegetables tends to decline rather rapidly once they're picked.

- When you cook, eat real food, not pre-made processed food. Cooking your own food ensures you can use more wholesome ingredients and use cooking methods that retain the most nutritional value possible.

- Stay active. A lot of your health depends on being active and getting plenty of exercise. You can take all the vitamin supplements in the world, but you still need to get moving. Exercising gives you more energy and can give the same type of boosts that supplements can, but exercise is truly natural. Check out http://www.newholisticliving.com/exercise.html for some fun ways to exercise.

- Pay attention to your body. Eating and living healthy isn’t a foolproof way to stay healthy, unfortunately - it just improves your odds. So do pay attention to your body and seek medical advice, where needed.

- Sleep well. A lot of the reason many of us feel run down is because we simply don’t get enough sleep. Make it a priority and organize your day, giving yourself plenty of wind down time so you can get a proper night’s rest.

And finally, if you're concerned, you can get tested.  There are blood tests that you can get to ensure your body is getting enough vitamins and minerals. Go ahead and get one. You might be surprised that you’re as healthy as a horse. And if you’re not, then you'll know about it and you can take action on those findings. (Vitamin D is definitely one you'll want to ask about - the majority of people in the modern world are deficient in this vitamin, which is one of the most important for your health. The test for this is simple and inexpensive.)

Going Organic - Introducing Our Guest Post Series

I'm sure you've noticed the organic movement has really taken off over the past few years. Obviously we're big on the organic thing, as it's an integral part of avoiding and reducing toxins in your environment and in your body. So this month we're doing a little series on going organic, which I think you'll really enjoy.

The National Organic Program administers the Organic Seal to products that meet the requirements. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you’ve ever thought about going organic, you’ve probably had a few questions on your mind. What does organic really mean? How can it benefit you? And can it really be done on a budget? Well, I’ve enlisted a special guest to help shed some light on the topic for you this month, and her name is Grace Simpson. She’s very educated about organic food and the organic lifestyle in general, and is great at helping people get started with a more natural way of eating. Her philosophy is right in line with ours, so we're happy to have her!

Here is a brief intro to the series from Grace - I’ll let her introduce herself…

Hi, I’m Grace. I’ve been studying organic living since the USDA introduced national standards in 2002 and my family has been eating fully organic since about 2006. This subject means a lot to me because I want my family to have the healthiest meals possible.  A few other related subjects that I feel are important are our nation’s health, our wildlife and the sustainability of food production.

Even though certified organics have been around for a decade, I know there are still a lot of questions surrounding organic food. That’s why I am so happy to be here to talk about many of those concerns people have.

Here’s what you can expect in the next few posts:

- Why eating organic is important…to you and the world around you.
- How to introduce organics, even if you’re on a budget.
- What does organic really mean and are you really eating organic?
- We’ll also discuss issues surrounding meats and produce in more detail.
- Being your own source of organic foods.
- Do you need supplements?
We’re going to cover a lot, but remember, as you start consider the organic lifestyle; you don’t have to do this all at once. Just take it one step at a time adding healthier options slowly and keeping this great earth of ours in harmony.


Be sure to stay tuned for more in this series coming later this week!

Video - Interview with John Wargo: How Much of Your Body Is plastic?

 No, we're not referring to cosmetic surgery! This short video interview with author and professor, John Wargo, explains why so many people aren't aware of the potentially harmful effects of chemical exposure due to plastics in nearly all common household items. John's recent book, Green Intelligence: Creating Environments That Protect Human Health, is an interesting read, and you can check it out below. You can also find more information on reducing toxic products in your home, and lowering your toxic load at http://www.newholisticliving.com/toxicload.html.

Toxic Plastic in Your Body?
Listen to the whole interview: www.wnyc.org Yale University professor John Wargo discusses the impact of chemical exposures on women and children, and how, although people are growing more environmentally aware, there are still more than 80000 synthe...

Get Rid of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) In Your Home

You may have heard about VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds.  They’re essentially dangerous gases which are emitted from a variety of solids and liquids.  This article explores what VOCs can do to your health, where to find them, and how to avoid them.

VOCs and Your Health

Sources of volatile organic compounds. Source: http://www.epa.gov/air/emissions/voc.htm (Photo credit: Wikipedia)According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), VOCs can cause:

* Eye, nose, and throat irritation
* Headaches
* Loss of coordination
* Nausea
* Damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system
* Respiratory distress
* Cancer

Yes, VOCs cause a tremendous number of health issues and unfortunately, they aren’t just emitted when you’re exposed to them.  They can continue to emit toxic gasses for decades.  For example, paint is one item that emits VOCs and painted walls continue to emit these gasses for many years after the paint has first been applied.

Where Do VOCs Come From?

You might be surprised to find that a large number of items that emit VOCs are in your home already.  Common household VOC emitters include:

* Paints
* Paint strippers
* Solvents
* Wood preservatives
* Aerosol sprays
* Cleansers and disinfectants
* Moth repellents
* Air fresheners
* Petroleum fuels
* Hydraulic fluids
* Hobby supplies
* Dry-cleaned clothing
* Mattresses
* Varnished furniture
* Shower curtains
* The list goes on....

VOCs are the main contributor to indoor air pollution.  In fact, the EPA's Total Exposure Assessment Methodology found the most common organic pollutants are two to five times higher inside homes than outside.  The good news is that it’s fairly easy to avoid adding more VOCs into your home.  Use natural air fresheners like essential oils, or natural candles, rather than spray air fresheners.  And when painting or staining, use VOC-free or low VOC paint, and store fuels, adhesives and other VOC emitters outside in a well-ventilated area. (More helpful tips on this can be found here: http://www.newholisticliving.com/toxicload.html)

VOC emissions are one of the most dangerous contaminants inside your home.  They can cause serious health concerns and when thrown away, leech into our ground water and soil.  Start protecting yourself and your environment by avoiding all VOC-emitting products.  It’s the healthy and green way to go.

For a helpful and FREE checklist for identifying and reducing or eliminating toxins in your home, visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/toxicload.html.

Affordable Green Living Tips to Make Your Home Eco-Friendly

Here are some great and affordable tips to "green" your home and help improve both your health and the health of the world around you at the same time. While most people tend to think of "green living" as involving buying a bunch of expensive products, and therefore something that is too costly to attempt, in reality the opposite is often true.

Many or even most tips on living greener and being more eco-friendly are actually money-savers as well! This is a great article that gives some good info on various ways to make your home more environmentally friendly, while saving money at the same time.

Affordable Green Living Tips to Make Your Home Eco-Friendly
Any family can take steps toward green living with simple, affordable changes. Many eco-friendly home improvements require little if any money. ... Affordable Green Living Tips to Make Your Home Eco-Friendly ... some consumers think an environmentally friendly lifestyle is financially out of reach. Many small ways of going green make a positive impact on the environment and your health. Small, cost-effective green lifestyle changes add up to significant savings over time. ...
Publish Date: 10/24/2010 20:14
http://www.suite101.com/content/affordable-green-living-tips-to-make-your-home-eco-friendly-a300463


And remember to subscribe to our green living newsletter, and get your free checklist for ways to reduce toxins in your home!

Green Living Made Easy - Video

Here is a short video on energy (and money!) - saving tips that anyone can implement. You'd be surprised at how many easy ideas there are to reduce your impact and keep you healthier as well - and it's simple! (And of course you know I love the "eat local" tip! If you want some ideas on how to find great local foods, just visit our website at: http://www.newholisticliving.com/csa.html)

Green Living Made Easy - The Eco-Friendly Lifestyle
Go Green this week on Six Minute Style as host Susan Doherty walks you through your home, room by room, with simple steps designed to help you save the planet and your cash. Yes, green living is good for your wallet too!

Related articles on Green Living:

• LiveGreenFest to emphasize green practices (mysanantonio.com)
• Some Green Inspiration for Your Monday (greenyourdecor.com)

Finding Greener Cleaners

It wasn't so long ago that you didn't have a choice. If you wanted a clean house, you had to use a commercial cleaner that emitted horrible-smelling fumes and contained questionable chemicals. These bottles of wonder clean may have kept you from using a lot of good old-fashioned elbow grease and did a good job of cleaning, but at what price? These products that we've inhaled, absorbed through our skin, ingested through food prepared on these surfaces, and sent to our waterways all have poison control information on their labels.

Now we have greener choices in our cleaning products and our cleaning tools. Just check out your local supermarket and you'll see plenty of new products on the market that are better for you and better for the environment. (Many are even similarly priced to traditional chemical-based cleaning products, and work just as well.)

When trying to decide what new cleaning product to purchase you need to look first at the ingredients. Green products are proud to list all their ingredients and some go so far as to explain what the ingredients are and what they do. Plant-based is usually better for you than petroleum-based. If you're not sure what an ingredient is, look it up online and get the facts.

Image by EasyEcoBlog via FlickrLook for independent seals of approval, not at the products' self-proclamations of "all natural" or "fully biodegradable". Independent 3rd party seals such as the one by the EPA show that they've passed certain criteria regarding the environment and your health. (For some more tips, and recommendations for truly natural products, as well as a FREE greener home checklist for reducing other toxins in the home, visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/toxicload.html.)

As far as your cleaning tools go, you can go greener here too. Instead of using throw away paper towels to clean, get a package of cloth diapers. They do a good job of absorbing and will last a long, long time. Give old t-shirts a second life by using them for garage and outside jobs. Another option is to use microfiber multi-purpose kitchen cloths. Not only do they absorb a ton of liquids when cleaning up spills, but they can be used to dust furniture when dry. If you must use paper towels, choose a brand that uses recycled paper and is chlorine-free.

Green cleaners may or may not be more expensive than traditional commercial cleaners, but I believe they're a better choice all around. Don't decide on a cleaner based on price; take a look at the ingredients and then try it out. It may take a little testing to find the product that works best for you, but you'll find one and your environment will thank you.

Related articles on Green Cleaning Products

• Seek the fine print on household products touting 'green' credentials (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• How Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Works (brighthub.com)
• Green cleaning: There's the scrub (independent.co.uk)

13 Easy Green Living Tips for Everyone

Here is a great list of easy tips that anyone can implement, to keep both your environment and your body cleaner, greener, and healthier. Living green doesn't have to be difficult or expensive, and isn't limited to a particular race, income, or age -- anyone, anywhere can help keep our planet clean and healthy. These ideas are a great place to start!

Image by davesag via FlickrHealthy Green Living Tips
13 Easy Green Living Tips for Everyone To live green means to help our environment from the dangers that are destroying it. Green living starts with each of us. Here are just few easy tips to help you get started. 1. ...
Publish Date: 10/03/2010 13:03
http://www.begreenblogsite.com/be-green/healthy-green-living-tips/

Got more ideas of your own?  Feel free to share below. Also visit  http://www.newholisticliving.com/toxicload.html for more ideas, and to download a free checklist on reducing toxins in your home!

 

Related articles on Green Living Tips:

• 10 Green Living Tips Websites We Love (ecosalon.com)
• Live Green, Save Green(SM) Identifies Ways to Help Reduce Energy Bills During Summer Heat (prnewswire.com)
• Five Easy Tips to Start a Green Life Today (socyberty.com)

Easy Ways to Make your Home More Eco-Friendly

We all want to do our part to protect the environment, but without a large paycheck, that can be seem difficult, if not impossible. But doing your part doesn’t have to be hard. Small steps add up to a big difference -- you just have to know which ones to take.

Image via WikipediaHere are a few simple things you can do that will make a difference, and cost you nothing (or maybe even save you money):

1. Use less water. 

Saving water is all about small steps, here are a few that will help save big.
- Shut off the water while you brush your teeth
- Take showers that are a minute or two shorter
- Only flush the toilet when you need to
- Only run full loads of laundry and dishes
- Buy from sustainable producers. These are farmers, ranchers, and other producers that use techniques that pollute less and use less water. You can do some research online or ask at your local organic market to find these products. (For some good ideas on where to look, visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/csa.html)

2. Use less energy. 

Even if you don’t have the money to buy a hybrid car or convert your house to solar power, you can make a big difference with small changes.
- Buy energy efficient appliances.  They may be more expensive up front, but they make up for the increased cost over time via lower energy bills.
- Unplug chargers when you’re not using them.  Cell phone and other chargers use power even if there’s nothing attached to them.
- Put devices with remotes, like T.V.s, VCRs, and stereos, on a power strip and turn it off when you’re not using them.  These devices use a lot of power to run the remote receiver even when the device is off.
- Walk or ride your bike for short trips.
-  Buy local products. It takes energy to transport food and other products across the country. Buying local not only supports your local economy, it helps use less energy.

When it comes to saving energy and water, it’s a great idea to get the kids involved. You can even make it a game. Have them track how much water and electricity everyone is using. You can compete to see who uses the least water.  You can often count on your kids to help keep you on track when given the task.

3. Reuse.
 
Most of us know the three R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle, but when we work on conserving, we often leave reuse out of the picture. While you can often find tips on how to reuse common products from other people, what you need most is creativity. With a little thought there are many items around your home that can be reused – toilet paper holders can be used to sow seeds for the vegetable patch (or as collars to protect new seedlings -- see our gardening blog). And old yogurt containers can be cut into strips to make plant labels. Old food jars can be refilled with homemade foods or can make great impromptu vases.

4. Use environmentally friendly products.
 
When you go to the grocery store, you probably see more and more “natural” or “eco friendly” products every time.  There are generally two big problems with these products: 1. Just because they’re more natural than regular products doesn’t mean they’re entirely natural (see previous post). 2. They’re often expensive.

Image via WikipediaIf you want inexpensive, natural, safe products, why not just make them yourself? Vinegar is a great way to clean and disinfect glass and other surfaces. Need to remove stubborn stains? Just add some baking soda to your vinegar cleaner. Some quick searching online will lead you to hundreds of other natural safe home-made cleaning products. (You can also find other ideas for competitively priced truly natural and clean products on our website at http://www.newholisticliving.com/toxicload.html.)

We all knowing that going green means better for the environment, but it’s also better for you.  And surprisingly enough, conserving resources also helps save you money, which is something most of us are happy to live with.

Related Eco-Friendly Articles:

• Ideas for Reusing Spray Containers (brighthub.com)
• 20 Eco Friendly Tips for a Greener Planet (geteconow.com)