Formaldehyde - In Your Clothes?

Yet another example of toxins in our environment that the majority of us aren't at all aware of....  Not to use scare tactics, but I feel it is very important to educate ourselves on what we are exposed to on a daily basis, and how to reduce exposure as much as possible.

Of course manufacturers of clothing and other articles will dispute this, but then again, they have a vested interest in keeping you in the dark. Check out this very informative article from the Cancer Prevention Coalition, and make up your own mind:

foodconsumer.org - Unrecognized Dangers Of Formaldehyde (PR)
Unrecognized Dangers Of Formaldehyde Cancer Prevention Coalition CHICAGO, IL, January 10, 2011 --/WORLD-WIRE/-- The Cancer Prevention Coalition today is drawing public attention to a two page article in the New York Times, ...
Publish Date: 01/25/2011 17:16
http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Non-food/Environment/unrecognized_dangers_of_formaldehyde_0125110415.html

Keeping The Environment Safe From Harmful Chemicals

Think about recycling and maybe the first thing to pop into your head isn't damage that's done to the earth when we use products with harmful chemicals, but that's part of the cycle, too.  As well as reducing waste, recycling products and reusing what can be reused, protecting the earth from harm is all a part of the same cause.

Image via WikipediaIt's not something we set out to do, at the beginning of the day; the thought isn't, "Hmmm, how can I hurt the Earth today?"  It probably sounds something much more like, "Gee, I need to clean today, let me reach under the cupboard and see what I have," not realizing that whatever is done with the products I use to clean, once I've cleaned, can be harmful to not only the earth itself, but any living things that may come in contact with the wash off.  We live in a sterilized world, where the idea of a clean home, clean work place and clean where ever we take our children is the first order of business.  But we need to stop and think about what harm we may be doing in our quest for the cleanest living area. 

Is it worth a colony of ants to clean your kitchen floor with a harmful chemical, and that when you dump out the bucket that contains those chemicals, onto the ant hill, you risk wiping out the entire population?  Maybe you don't like ants, and that wasn't the best example, but you know what I mean.  We have a responsibility to the other creatures that share this Earth with us to not purposely do it, and them, harm.  We need to be mindful of what our actions are producing and how our actions affect all other living things.

There are so many options for safe-cleaning on the market today that you don't really have to look much further than your local grocery shelf.  Pay attention to the words that describe the items you are buying.  Do they contain the words, toxic, poisonous, or dangerous?  If they do, then keep reading the next product's ingredients, there is a better choice out there. (Try Earth Friendly, or 7th Generation for some good alternatives.)

Many synthetic chemicals are not easily broken down by natural processes after they have been used and may make their ways into the streams and lakes and have a disastrous affect on any forms of life that inhabit them. It will only take a little effort on the part of consumers to prevent these things from happening, but we must start somewhere.

Image via WikipediaWe need to be careful with the chemicals we have easy access to and become more responsible for what happens as the result of our choices.  It really isn't all that hard to make an informed choice and help the Earth; we certainly don't want to hurt it but being irresponsible with basic cleaning products can do just that; we can end up causing great harm to the planet on which we live.  Remember, it doesn't take much more than a little awareness to be an advocate for the health of the place we call home.

Be Smart.  Shop Smart.  Clean Smart.

For some suggestions for safe, truly natural cleaning products, check out earlier posts on this blog, or visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/toxicload.html. (You can also find a free checklist there for reducing other toxins in your home as well.)

Putting An End To Junk Mail

In an average week how much junk mail comes to your home?  For the average American family, with two adults and two children, they could probably weigh their junk mail at the end of any given week to equal the weight of a small animal.  An average American home can get items from; clearing houses, credit card offers, insurance offers, lottery offers, mortgage advertisements and promises of lowering monthly mortgage bills, college fliers from schools all over the United States, entries into contests that had never been entered in the first place, solicitations from charities and the ever present retail catalogs!

Image via WikipediaAlong with the simple fact that all of these items are unnecessary and annoying, the amount of waste they create is drowning the average American family in misused, unread paper.  How can this issue be dealt with and the waste be reduced, or never produced?

The answer to that question is, yes, there is something we can do to stop the madness of junk mail that litters our mail delivery every single day!  There are a couple of groups that can help, and they have all of the information needed to put an end to the junk mail that we are assaulted with in just a few easy steps and with the patience of a few weeks.

One way is to order a Junk Mail Reduction Kit online (usually around $15.00 or less).  Once you have purchased your kit, you simply sign on to the website provided and have the kit activated by clicking on the appropriate link.  It is as simple as entering your name and address and the names of any other people living at your house, even variations of a name that appears on junk mail can be added.

Image via WikipediaAnother good way is to register your name and the names of the others at your address with the Direct Marketing Association Mail Preference Service, which will remove the names from hundreds of mailing lists.  This service is a one time fee of $1.00 per name and along with monthly monitoring to ensure your name remains off of unsolicited mailing lists.  The option of having mail addressed to "resident," "occupant," or even "neighbor," can be done, too.  You can also request, when telemarketers call you, to be removed from both call and mailing lists. Certain companies you deal with, such as credit cards and other companies, also offer the option to be excluded from mailing lists, or from sharing your information with outside marketing companies (sometimes it's in the small print, but if you read closely, you can usually find a number to call and request this exclusion.)

Because the fact that conventional or "snail" mail isn't instantaneous, it will take a few weeks for things to get rolling but in a few short weeks you should receive customized pre-printed postcards to sign, stamp and mail in and your name will be removed from as many lists that have your name in their data base. 

Eventually all of the companies that have your name will be notified and the endless barrage of junk mail will cease.  If a piece of junk mail finds its way into your mailbox, simply sign in to your online account (if you got one of the kits) and have your name removed as quickly as possible.  Just imagine the impact of one house on one street in one town will make and why shouldn't it be YOUR house?

Resources:
  

Recycling To Keep Our Planet Healthy

We've all heard the warnings; acid rain, global warming, landfills without any room, and on and on.  We don't recycle because it's the "in" thing to do; we recycle because we don't have any other options if we plan to leave the planet in good shape for the generations to come. Neither is being responsible for the environment just throwing stuff in a bin, either....

Image via WikipediaWhen you think of recycling you should really think about the whole cycle; reduce, reuse and recycle.  Think about it; if you don't need it, don't get it.  If you have to get it, get something that can be used again and if you get something that needs to be recycled by the professionals, put it in the recycle bin.

These are easy concepts and yet there are still people out there who ignore the signs.  The signs aren't just the ones that bear the recycle logo, but the signs that the oceans are warming and the snow caps that were visible a few years ago are barely an outline as far up as you can see.  If you've seen the Al Gore movie, An Inconvenient Truth, you'll realize there's a pretty good chance that those of us a few miles inland from the coast will be looking at water-front property one day, without having to move.

We've been careless up to this point with the way we've treated the Earth and it's time to change; not just the way we do things but the way we think.  The days of brushing your teeth with the water running the whole time are over and if we want to stay with this forward motion, we can't go back.  We can't go back to Image via Wikipediathe days when we believed we had all the room in the world for our trashed "stuff."  The planet is getting full and we have to learn how to make less, use things more or find a way to reuse them again.

If you're traveling, use airlines that work with paperless ticketing (if you have to fly that is) and be sure to scope out hotels that are inline with the recycling idea.  Bring your own soaps and shampoos; leave the little bottles provided by the hotel for people who forget to bring their own.  Reuse your towels more than once and don't have the linens changed daily, let it go a day or two. 

Before you leave for a trip remember to turn down your thermostat and/or turn off the AC.  Unplug your electronics from the wall to stop possible leaking wattage while it's turned off.  Utilize power strips for plugging items in and turn off the whole strip when you're leaving the house. 

Use linen napkins that can be washed and reused instead of paper products, check your cleaning supplies for any that have the words dangerous, poisonous or hazardous and stop using them right now!  Whether it's through direct contact or drainage from a landfill, these chemicals are not healthy and have no business in our soil and our drinking water. (For some healthier and safer options, visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/toxicload.html, and you can also get a free checklist for making your home less toxic.)

Be mindful of what you do, pay attention to the items you buy and always check yourself to see if you really need it or if it comes in a package with less waste.  (Remember, it's not JUST about recycling - don't forget the "reduce" and "reuse" parts, which are just as important, if not more.) We can all do our part and we will make a huge difference.

Related articles on Recycling:

• How can I reuse or recycle plastic chopping boards? (recyclethis.co.uk)
• Tips for Recycling Old Computer Equipment (brighthub.com)
• How to Teach Your Kids to Recycle (brighthub.com)
• Resolving to Set Up an Efficient Recycling System (1800recycling.com)

Free Ways to Increase Your Gas Mileage

Companies are well aware that consumers are desperate to reduce their fuel consumption.  That is why the market has been flooded with products that supposedly increase your gas mileage significantly.  Let’s ignore the fact that none of these products’ claims have been proved by the Environmental Protection Agency for a minute.  It really does not matter either way, because the fact is that there are plenty of ways to increase your gas mileage without having to spend a dime!

Image by Abhi Here via FlickrIt is rather unfortunate that many of these extremely easy ways to increase gas mileage are still unknown by much of the general public.  The gas prices and their constant increases have caused the economy to sputter, and have put a lot of pressure on lower and middle class families.  It is important for these folks, along with everyone else that drives regularly, to know that they can save on their gas costs without making any extra financial investment!

Many of the methods for increasing gas mileage are quite simple.  For instance, did you know that having the proper level of air pressure in your tires can help you to save gas?  It is true!  Best of all, most gas stations and even car washes have free air machines that will help you to monitor and adjust your tire pressure according to whether it is a bit high or low.

You can also increase your gas mileage by avoiding certain things while driving.  For instance, you can avoid using the air conditioning system in your vehicle, since air conditioning makes your engine work harder, which in turn means that you use more gas.  At the same time, you can drive with the windows up on cold days, which will also improve your aerodynamics, and thus, your gas mileage.  Open windows increase drag, which causes resistance that your car must overcome, after all.

Image via WikipediaAnother great tip for increasing gas mileage without spending a penny is simply to slow down a bit on the highway.  If you stay at the speed limit for most highways (55 miles per hour), you will be operating your vehicle at right around the optimum speed for maximum fuel efficiency.  Any faster than that, and you will be sacrificing fuel efficiency to get to where you are going just a little bit earlier. (It is estimated that every additional 5mph over this speed costs you 10% of your fuel efficiency.)

You should avoid doing certain other things, as well, such as idling your engine while you run errands or buy items at the store.  It is always better for your gas mileage for you to turn off the engine when you are stopped, even if you are only going to be gone for a couple of minutes.  You are wasting gas if you leave your car running, since you have no need for it to be running when you are not going anywhere!  You also do not need to “warm your car up” in the winter, as the only way to truly warm an engine up is by driving.  If you want it to be warm inside when you get in, try to limit the amount of time you warm up the interior of the car, at least.

These are just a few of the free methods for increasing fuel efficiency.  Try these ideas, and see how well they work for you!

Related articles on Saving Gas:

• Tips Series: What Really Saves Gas & How Much? Six Common Gas-Saving Tips Tested (helpwithdebtnow.com)
• Energy Efficiency at Home and 'On the Go' Can Ease Pain of Cold Weather, Rising Gas Prices, Advises Alliance to Save Energy (prnewswire.com)
• Tips Series: 10 Gas Saving Tips Increase Your Mileage & Save You Money (helpwithdebtnow.com)
• 11 Ways to Save Gas (moneyning.com)

How to Organize a Car Pool to Reduce Gas Expenses

Today we are continuing our topic this week - ways to save gas (remember, saving gas not only saves you money, but also helps the environment, and the people who live in it!)

Image by Wildebeast1 via FlickrWho would not want to spend less money at their local gas station every week?  It would be hard to find someone who is not interested in conserving gas, but doing so is much harder than it would seem to be, at times.  One of the most obvious ways to reduce fuel expenses is to simply not drive, but for many people, that is really not feasible.  After all, most people have responsibilities that require them to be at specific places at certain times, and this in turn requires them to operate a motor vehicle to get there.

However, many people are not taking advantage of the somewhat popular practice of car pooling.  Car pooling has been around for years now, and while it has steadily increased in popularity, it still is not as widely used as it should be.  The reasons vary, as some people simply prefer to drive by themselves to and from places, and others do not know anyone that lives near them, or do not want to coordinate a regular car pool.  The reality is, however, if you want to save money on gas, there are few better ways to do so than by participating in a car pool.

Organizing a car pool can be fairly simple.  For instance, it can be as easy as posting a sign up at your work, or asking around to see if anyone who shares your place of employment lives near you.  If they live along your route to work, you can also simply pick them up every day, in exchange for a little monetary contribution towards the expense of gas.  This will not cause you any major inconvenience, but it will save you a lot of money spent on fueling up your car each week!

Image via WikipediaMany people only think of car pooling as a way to get to and from work, but there are many other times when a car pool is an equally great idea.  For instance, you can form a car pool with people that live near you for things such as going to the gym, shopping at the grocery store, or heading out to the mall.  If you are planning on taking a vacation, it can be a very expensive endeavor, especially if you will be driving.  However, if you pair up with a couple that you enjoy being around, you can all take one car and cut your gas costs literally in half!

It may not always be convenient to car pool, but the barriers are usually not that serious.  What you really have to consider is whether it is worth it to you to have the comfort of driving in silence and solitude, even if it means that you will pay the full cost of gas all by yourself.  Most people would rather have a little company, all while saving some money at the fuel pump.  That is why car pools continue to be a fairly common thing, even to this day.  If you have never tried car pooling before, give it a shot!  With gas prices being so high, there really has never been a better time than now to give car pooling a chance.  You never know, you may even enjoy the company and make a new friend or two!

Easy Methods of Saving Gas

Gas prices are a hot topic once again these days, as they have once again begun an upward climb.  Many drivers are understandably frustrated, as they are being squeezed hard by the high prices, and seem to have no way to make gas more affordable for themselves.  Since it may be foolish to expect a drop in gas prices anytime soon, one of the best ways to deal with the ridiculous price of gas is to look for whatever ways you can to reduce your gas usage.

Image via WikipediaMany of the best methods for reducing gas usage are also among the very easiest!  This is very fortunate for those who do not have mechanical expertise or extra money to invest in products that make exaggerated claims of increased fuel efficiency.  If you number yourself among the many that are growing tired of spreading themselves thin because of gas prices, take a look at some of these very simple and free ways to free yourself of some of the cost of gas.

Of course, it is obvious that when you do not drive your car, you use no fuel, which is easily the most affordable option of them all.  However, if your car stays parked at home, so do you!  (At least in areas with insufficient public transportation as well as walking friendly neighborhoods - which sadly, is most of America....) What are the alternatives when you have places to go and people to see?  Well, a car pool is a great option, if you can make it work.  Car pools have been around for years and are quite common.  With a car pool system, you can reduce your impact on the environment while you also reduce the impact of gas prices on your wallet!

Image by Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com via FlickrMost people think of car pools as a way to get to work, but if you know someone who lives near you that has other places to go, you can still car pool!  If you have to go to the mall, for instance, check and see if one of your neighbors wants to go, as well.  Maybe next time, they will return the favor.

Smart trip planning is another weapon that consumers have to fight the roaring albatross that is gas prices.  To swing this deadly blade and slay the beast, simply plan ahead when you go out to make sure that you consolidate all of your shopping and errand-running needs into one trip.  If you live in a small town and must take the highway to get shopping done, it is even more important to plan your trips well to avoid excess driving!

One big “no-no” that is easily avoided is leaving your car’s engine on when you are not going anywhere.  This can include when you run in quickly to the store or gas station, or when you are waiting for a friend to come outside so you can go somewhere together.  In most cases, it will make much more sense to simply turn your engine off.  If you are not currently moving, there is really no reason to have your engine on.

Finally, avoid having excess weight in your car when you are driving around.  This means that you do not want to leave items that you do not need in your car for long periods of time, particularly if they are somewhat heavy.  This also means that you probably want to make friends with very light people!  Well, that may not be true, but it is important to reduce the weight in your car, since every 100 pounds can cause you a loss of 1 or 2 percent of your fuel economy.

It is plain to see that increasing your vehicle’s fuel efficiency does not have to be a complicated or expensive process.  It is important to remember that there are alternatives to simply staying home and not driving if you want to save money on gas.  The trick is simply to be a bit smarter about where, when and how you drive.