Navigation

Holiday Traveling? Can a Long Distance Trip be Eco-Friendly?

November 25, 2019 1

Eco-Friendly-FlightsNOTE: This post was written for me – thank you for supporting the companies that help keep Sweet Greens in business.
——————————————————————–

Like most families, the annual vacation is something we all look forward to – my family is super excited for our fall family trip later this month! With the holidays right around the corner, we will be traveling again to spend time with friends and family – like many of you! While most of our travels are done by car, your long distance trip may require you to fly to your vacation destination. Naturally, you may be concerned about flying and whether you will be undoing a year’s worth of good eco-friendly living with this one trip, while flying isn’t always the most eco-friendly option – it is something a necessity, so we have outlined 3 tips to help make your next flight to your vacation destination more eco-friendly.

1. Flying the Eco-Friendly Skies
Lowering emissions on a jumbo jet is no easy task, but the major airlines are trying to find new ways to lower emissions and make the skies a lot friendlier. First of all, airlines are exploring the use of biodiesel fuels as an alternative way of fueling flights. While there have been several successful flights with 100% biodiesel on board, bio diesel has a major drawback in that it freezes, thickening up like gravy. All is not lost, though; blending biodiesel with jet fuel generates a more environmentally-friendly fuel that won’t freeze up at 40,000 feet. While the fueling debate and experimentation continues, airlines are taking other steps to assist environmentally-savvy travelers, helping them to travel with peace of mind. Many airlines are using environmentally-conscious materials, both inside the plane and in the structure itself, to increase efficiency and decrease excess carbon output. Airlines are also adjusting flight patterns, improving the quality of landing procedures, and making it easier for planes to fly higher and faster. Hopefully as more time passes, flying the eco-friendly skies will become easier to do.

2. Off-Set Your Carbon Vacation Footprint
Even with all the advances that airlines are making, you have to acknowledge that, no matter where you go,  you will be in an aircraft producing greenhouse gases. Nearly ten percent of the greenhouse gases on earth are produced by aircraft. For the environmentally-conscious, this is a real problem; the solution for many is carbon off-setting. Carbon off-setting allows you to make up for the polluting emissions that your flight will be causing by having trees planted to restore balance in the environment. Many airlines, including American Airlines, are partnering with carbon off-setting companies to offer passengers a way to restore balance to the environment and still enjoy the vacation. Once you have your flight information, you can enter it into one of a number of websites that calculates flight mileage and total carbon emissions. Then, simply pay the desired amount to off-set the effects of your vacation footprint.

3. Look for Alternatives
Planning a family vacation that required you to fly to your destination means considering the effects that your trip would have on the environment. I recommend looking at alternatives to flying but, when a flight can’t be avoided, to do the research and try to make your trip as green as possible. After selecting your flight plan carefully, look for an airline that demonstrates a concern for the environment and a desire to improve their carbon footprint by increasing fuel efficiency and offering eco-friendly features such as carbon off-setting.

It is possible to travel the world and keep on saving the world in the process. All it takes is some savvy research and careful planning.

How to Make Your Workplace a Little Greener By 2020

November 20, 2019 0

Given the growing number of consumers who care about sustainability, it’s no wonder that many businesses are at least making an effort to go green. Not only can your actions help to mitigate the harmful effects of climate change, but you can also prove to customers that you care about the planet — and appeal to their inclinations in the process. What’s more, creating a more eco-friendly workplace doesn’t have to translate to a large sacrifice. In many cases, it can allow you to save some money without ever noticing a real difference during the workday. In others, it can bring your team together and make your business that much more profitable. But how exactly should you get started? Here are some basic tips that will make your work environment — and the environment at-large — a little greener by 2020.

Go Paperless When Possible

Did you know that China, Japan, and the United States account for 50% of the world’s total paper production? Although we depend largely on our technological devices, many offices still use a lot of paper in unnecessary ways. You might already be using shared drives and store files in the cloud, but if you’re printing out packets for a meeting or hanging memos up in the break room, you’re still not as eco-friendly as you could be. What’s more, you’re probably spending a lot on office supplies like paper, ink, paperclips, and staples. Encourage employees to think before printing and consider donating at least some of your printers and copiers to organizations in need. If you haven’t already, adopt digital sharing and storage measures that will allow you to cut down on paper usage overall. This minimal change might have less of an impact on your day than you might think; you’ll just need to create new habits to ensure everyone’s on the same (virtual) page.

Conserve Your Energy

Offices come with a lot of necessary overhead. Keeping the lights and the HVAC system running can translate to high costs for business owners. But you can mitigate those costs and reduce unnecessary waste by being smarter about how you use your energy. Switching to LED bulbs and unplugging lights, small appliances, and computers at the end of the day can do wonders for your energy expenditures. You’ll also want to pay close attention to the thermostat. While studies have found that productivity levels are highest when temperatures average 71.6 degrees, that’s a high level to reach during the winter. Be willing to compromise a bit with temperature settings and consider installing a smart thermostat to ensure that the building isn’t being heated or cooled after work is done for the day. Having employees bring in a sweater or a portable, handheld fan may be a sacrifice they’re willing to make to have a greener office in the long run.

Offer Remote Work Options

Telecommuting is becoming a more popular option for businesses across the country. Employees enjoy the flexibility of being able to work from home or from a nearby coffee shop, while employers benefit from decreased overhead. Workers are more productive, fewer work days are missed, and everyone obtains a more balanced life as a result. It’s also an excellent way to support green initiatives. Not only can you keep heating and electricity needs to a minimum with fewer people in the office on a given day, but you can also have a direct impact on emission reduction from commuting vehicles. In other words, you can brag about your sustainability and your employee perks — both of which may make you one of the top employers to beat in your area.

Eliminate Single Use Items

During company events, picking up paper plates and plastic utensils is an easy way to ensure everyone can join in. But this practice is incredibly wasteful, which puts a damper on the fun. Instead, invest in some communal mugs, cups, plates, and cutlery and recommend that employees bring some of these items in, too. Since Americans produce 4.4 pounds of trash every single day, eliminating at least some of these disposable items will cut down on your company’s waste (and need for trash collection!). If you really want to go the extra mile, float around the idea of starting a composting program. At the very least, make an effort to purchase disposable items (like coffee filters) that are made from recycled materials and ensure that your own recyclables don’t end up in landfills.

If it seems like these changes are too small to make a difference, remember that there are nearly 28 million small businesses in the U.S. alone. By making minimal adjustments, you can be part of a bigger impact and show your community how serious you are about protecting the planet. With your help, we can make the earth a little bit greener by the time the new year rolls around.

Green Your Thanksgiving: Our Organic Menu for the Big Day

November 15, 2019 4

The mister has finally decided on the menu for this years organic and Earth friendly Thanksgiving dinner. He has planned a meal that leaves me drooling, just reading it. He is a lovely cook and I can not wait to have my entire family with us for a nice Thanksgiving vacation.The mister is preparing the entire meal from scratch and he only uses the finest organic, natural, local and Earth friendly ingredients. Here is the menu, I will be sharing some of the recipe with you soon. If there is something that you want to recipe for immediately, leave me a comment or send me an email.

The Menu:
Appetizers:

* Organic Homemade French Onion Soup.

* Organic Homemade Rolls.
* Organic mixed salad with delicious yellow apple, Bermuda onion, sliced almond and a honey mustard vinaigrette. {This is a fave among the little ones}

Main Course:
* A free range organic Turkey roasted with organic oranges and fresh herbs.

* Orange and herb gravy.
* Organic mashed potatoes with sour cream and chives.
* A sweet Italian sausage stuffing with sage.
* Organic broccoli Le Gruyere Gratin.
* Organic apply and cranberry relish.
Dessert:
* Organic pumpkin cheesecake
* Organic Creme de Banana pie
* Homemade Organic French Vanilla Ice cream.
I can not wait, I love Thanksgiving and think this year will be exceptional.
What are you having for Thanksgiving dinner?

The FAQs About CBD: What You Need To Know

October 10, 2019 0
The FAQs About CBD: What You Need To Know

In recent months, CBD use among the general population has skyrocketed, with many claiming their use of the supplement as medical. Almost 62% of CBD users reported using CBD to treat a medical condition, with the top three medical conditions as pain, anxiety, and depression. Many claim that this one compound found in industrial hemp can treat a wide variety of conditions, but how true are those claims? What is the evidence supporting the use of CBD to treat chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and more?

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, otherwise known as CBD, is a compound naturally found in hemp. While hemp that is used for its CBD is technically related to marijuana and comes from the same plant family, the two are separated based on their THC levels. THC is the psychoactive chemical typically associated with marijuana; however, CBD products are under regulation that keeps THC levels under 0.3%. This prevents CBD products from having many of the undesirable effects associated with marijuana use. While hemp has been used historically to treat many medical conditions, nowadays research is underway to prove just how effective CBD is as modern-day medicine.

Is CBD organic?

As CBD comes from a natural plant, CBD products can be organic if created correctly. To determine whether or not CBD products are organic, we have to look at two steps of their production. The first is the growth of the hemp plant. In order to be considered organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A.) standards, the hemp needs to be grown without the use of genetically modified organisms, synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, ionizing radiation, or sewage sludge.

CBD products then need to be extracted and processed from organically grown hemp without the use of any synthetic chemical additives. As an increasing number of farmers in the U.S. are realizing the value of growing organic hemp, producers of CBD oil are ensuring their part of the process is organic as well. When you purchase CBD products, be sure to look for a “U.S.D.A certified organic” label that indicates the product meets organic standards. By using organic CBD, you can treat various medical conditions with a natural solution, rather than synthetic medications.

What can CBD treat?

While the overwhelming enthusiasm for CBD can make it seem like another new snake oil “miracle cure,” it’s actually been proven to have some success in medical trials. CBD has been shown to be helpful with some forms of chronic pain treatment, which will likely be highly beneficial for an aging Baby Boomer generation. By 2030, six out of 10 Baby Boomers will be managing a chronic condition, and for many, CBD will be a helpful supplement to other treatment plans. It won’t treat your case of the flu, but it has been proven an effective treatment for other ailments. Because CBD can be effective in some cases for pain management, it can also be involved in recovery from other procedures. For example, in Follicular Unit Strip Surgery, a strip of scalp from a non-balding area is surgically removed, and placed in incisions in balding area. While this is generally a lower-pain procedure, CBD can help during surgery recovery to limit pain.

CBD has also been shown to be effective as treatment options for some mental health conditions. Those suffering from anxiety, depression, PTSD, and schizophrenia may find relief through treatments involving CBD as part of a broader treatment plan. CBD has also found its strongest evidence in the treatment of several epileptic disorders, offering relief to many.

What can’t CBD treat?

Unfortunately, despite CBD’s many proven uses, there are those who claim the compound can treat more conditions than it’s been shown to. CBD does have many anti-inflammatory effects, as well as helping to potentially regulate blood pressure; however, that does not mean it’s approved for treating conditions that involve these issues. CBD is still being tested for use in a variety of conditions, so be sure to do your research before looking to use CBD oil as a treatment. For example, many claim that CBD has been helpful in regulating blood sugar. While this may sound like good news for the 4.1 million adults in the U.S. with pre-diabetes, there is no proof as of yet that CBD can be used in this manner.

CBD is a treatment option that’s rapidly growing in popularity, leading many people to praise the compound’s benefits. However, much research still needs to be done on the full extent of its healing capabilities. Before you add CBD oil to your daily routine, do some extra research to see if it will help your specific conditions.

3 Surprising Things That Could Be Causing Your Hair Loss and Natural Solutions To Prevent It

September 28, 2019 0
3 Surprising Things That Could Be Causing Your Hair Loss and Natural Solutions To Prevent It

Anyone can have pattern baldness if they have the genes for it. In fact, the average person loses anywhere between 50 to 100 hairs a day. But hair loss isn’t always a genetic problem.

There are many things you could be doing in your daily life to cause hair loss. From your workout regimen to new medication, here are a few surprising things that could be causing your hair to thin and all-natural solutions to preventing hair loss in the future.

The wrong hair products

Hair products that cause issues for your hair are nothing new. Product liability cases make up 5% of personal injury cases in the United States.

Many hair products contain toxic chemicals that don’t provide any long-term benefits for the health of your hair. The best way to prevent hair loss is to avoid products with these chemicals altogether, such as those with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). This is a chemical foaming agent often found in hand soaps that can irritate the eyes and skin.

Instead, invest in organic hair care products. You can determine which products are organic by paying attention to the ingredients on the bottle. Keep an eye out for products made with natural ingredients like shea butter, omega-3 fatty acids, and calendula to increase your hair’s protein production and keep it healthy.

Your workout regimen

With less than 5% of adults participating in 30 minutes of physical activity every day, it may seem like a cruel and unusual punishment for hair loss to be caused by working out. But it turns out that going hard at the gym for too long can actually be pretty bad for you.

Hair loss is only one of the potential problems you could be facing if you work out for more than a few hours every day. You could also be damaging some of 650 muscles in your body because you’re not giving them enough time to recover.

If you’re less of a gym rat and more of a gym gerbil, consider cutting a few hours of gym time every week.

You can also help prevent hair loss naturally by changing up your diet. As hair follicles are made of a protein called keratin, consider incorporating more protein into your diet with eggs, nuts, beans, peas, and low-fat dairy products. This additional protein can also give your tired muscles a much-needed boost. Diets with raw vegetables and herbs, like the Mediterranean diet, can also help prevent hair loss.

New medications

New medications can have a big impact on your body, including hair loss. Two types of hair loss are especially common with medications: anagen effluvium and telogen effluvium.

Anagem effluvium is common in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Telogen effluvium can occur within two to four months of taking a new medication. Talk to your doctor if you notice more hair loss than usual. Inquire about homeopathic solutions to your condition that are more in line with an all-natural lifestyle.

At home, you can also help give your hair a leg up by taking natural supplements that promote hair growth, such as ginseng. Even applying products such as coconut oil and olive oil directly to your scalp can provide an all-natural boost to your hair’s health. Remember to avoid hairstyles that pull at your scalp, like tight braids and ponytails, and chemical treatments that can damage your hair. If you want to dye your hair, ask your stylist about organic hair dyes that are free of harmful chemicals.

There are many things that can impact your health and your hair. Try out some of these eco-friendly tips for hair loss prevention today. If your hair loss persists, and especially if you’re experiencing other symptoms, be sure to talk to your doctor.

Older posts Newer posts