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5 Benefits of Bamboo Bed Sheets

August 14, 2015 1

5 Benefits of Bamboo Bed Sheets Note from Sweet Greens: Meggie Haneckow

Bamboo bedding has incredible benefits for you and your family. Below are a few of the benefits that bamboo bed sheets and comforters provide.

1. Environmentally Friendly
Any bedding made from bamboo is environmentally friendly whether its bamboo bed sheets, bamboo comforters, or bamboo duvet covers. Bamboo is a grass that grows back on its own even after it is cut down. This means that it is a naturally renewable resource and using bamboo in textile production reduces our reliance on nonrenewable resources. Any changes that we can make to reduce our reliance on nonrenewable resources helps to protect the environment.

2. Hypoallergenic and Chemical Free
Organic bamboo bedding is naturally hypoallergenic and also chemical free. Truly organic bamboo bedding is never treated with chemicals in any step of its production. Even while it grows, bamboo isn’t treated with chemicals because it doesn’t need pesticides to protect it. During textile product companies avoid using harsh chemicals and dyes so the bamboo can keep all of its beneficial qualities.
The hypoallergenic and chemical free qualities of bamboo bed sheets make them a great option for infants and children. Buying bamboo crib sheets or twin size bamboo sheets can help relieve your children’s allergies so they can breathe easier and sleep through the night.

3. Antibacterial
In addition to being hypoallergenic and chemical free, another benefit of bamboo is that it is naturally antibacterial. This is because bamboo bed sheets and comforters wick excess moisture away from your bed at twice the rate of cotton, the fabric traditionally used in bedding. Less moisture means that bacteria can’t grow as easily as it can in traditional bedding, leaving your bed healthier than ever before.

4. Temperature Regulating
Since bamboo bed sheets and comforters wick moisture away, they reduce the presence of humidity in your bed. As we all know, humidity is the enemy in extreme temperatures. By eliminating humidity, bamboo bed sheets and comforters can keep you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter since the moisture isn’t aggravating the extreme temperatures.

5. Softer and More Comfortable
Bamboo bed sheets are also surprisingly soft. In fact, organic bamboo bedding is even softer than cotton. The threads of bamboo have almost a plush feel, making them extra soft and cozy. Bamboo bed sheets and comforters wrap you up in a cocoon of luxury and comfort, which makes your bed a haven from the hard-working world.

With all of these benefits, bamboo bed sheets are great addition to any home, which makes them the perfect gift.

To find the perfect bamboo bed sheets, bamboo comforters, and bamboo duvet covers, shop at Cozy Earth! Cozy Earth has the softest, most environmentally friendly bamboo bedding on the market today. With Cozy Earth bamboo sheets, you can sleep soundly knowing that you have the best bedding in the world.

Eco Families: 6 Green Activities to Enjoy as a Family Before the End of Summer

August 13, 2015 1

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Summer break is almost over and many parents may be wondering how to turn those last few days of summer into fun family memories. Summer is a great time to get out of the house and enjoy the weather, nature, and your local community as a family. And if you haven’t made as many summer memories as you would have liked – don’t fret, there is still time to get a couple of great summer activities in. Read on for 6 summer activities are sure to be educational and fun for all ages—and green to boot! Try to sneak a couple of these fun, bonding experiences in, before those school bells begin to chime!

  1. Nature Walk
    From hiking trails to beaches, just about every city and town across the US has a beautiful, accessible outdoor park or trail to enjoy. If kids can learn about the wildlife and flora in their environment beforehand and will be excited to spot local birds, animal prints, and native flowers. Because I live in Colorado where hiking in the afternoon and evening means possible run-ins with bears and thunderstorms, my favorite time of day to hit the trail is early morning—though there’s nothing like a balmy, summer evening walk through the neighborhood with my family.
  2. Visit a Farm
    Farms are rich educational resources for kids. Local farms give children the opportunity to learn about where their food comes and witness the amount of land, resources, and effort required to raise livestock and grow and harvest produce. Some farms allow children to meet goats, cows, and bunnies, and many CSA farms invite families to pick or dig their own fruits and veggies.
  3. Volunteer at a Community Garden
    Community gardens have popped up in many cities across the US and allow families to learn about plants and the local ecosystem while connecting with and serving members of their community.  Plus, gardening gives kids a much-needed chance to slow down and notice the little things.
  4. Botanic Gardens
    While your local botanic gardens offer beauty and educational information year-round, summer is a great time to bring little ones because most of the flowers will be in full bloom, green plants will be the most lush, and trees will be in flower or fruit. A visit to the botanic gardens is a delightful, relaxing experience for the senses and teaches families about native plants and the environment. Many botanic gardens offer both youth and adult classes, and provide ample outdoor space to sit and enjoy lunch or read a book.
  5. Geocaching
    Geocaching is a great activity for little adventurers to get out and explore their community. Geocaching is a real-world treasure hunt where participants follow clues and use GPS tracking to find hidden messages, toys, and souvenirs. When a geocache is found, the finder must leave a new object for the next seeker. Kids absolutely love the feeling of connection and excitement they get when they discover a tiny treasure hidden in plain sight in their community. Part of the creators’ mission is to maintain an open and welcoming community and forum for responsible stewardship of our lands—what a great message for kids! I recommend that an adult accompany school-aged kids on this activity since new and unfamiliar parts of your neighborhood or town will be explored.
  6. DIY Scavenger Hunt
    If a high-tech treasure hunt doesn’t appeal to you (or you’d just like a break from your smartphone for a day!), put together your own scavenger hunt. Route an area that you feel safe with your kids exploring and make a list of landmarks—both big and small—to be found. You can get really creative by adding clues or making a story whose plot is revealed as each item on the list is discovered. Scavenger hunts make for a great rainy-day game too—just pick out forgotten or hidden treasures at home!

These are only a handful of the many outdoor activities to enjoy with your family for the rest of the summer (don’t forget your kids’ regularly scheduled sports games and outdoor activities!). What eco-friendly and educational fun has your family enjoyed this summer?

Wine Is Sunlight Held Together By Water: Quivira Vineyards And Winery Review

July 31, 2015 5

To those of you who know me, this will be of no surprise, I love wine. I mean I really, really love wine. I am always looking for new organic and biodynamic wines that I haven’t tried before. Last night the mister and I enjoyed an evening wine tasting sponsored by Quivira Vineyards and Winery.

Quiveria provided us with a 2006 Zinfandel (Anderson Ranch, Dry Creek Valley) and 2008 Grenache Rose (Wine Creek Ranch, Dry Creek Valley). I would like to share what I loved about these wines and Quivira Winery – would you like to hear?

Quivira Vineyards is a small, family owned biodynamic and organic winery located in the heart of Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley and was founded in 1987. Through biodynamic and organic processes, they craft fabulous wines made from grapes grown on the estate’s vineyards. Biodynamic farming is a philosophy that treats a farm as a self sustaining system, that is responsible for creating and maintaining it’s individual health and vitality without external or unnatural additives.

Quivira’s artisan wines are produced in small lots, and from handpicked vineyards. They are committed to sustainable development and biodynamic farming. Quivira has been awarded certification through the Demeter Association. Products bearing the Demeter Association symbol has been grown by biodynamic agricultural methods according to very specific and rigorous standards.

Quivira’s sustainability practices include a creek restoration project to restore the Steelhead and Coho salmon population within Wine Creek, a small creek that runs through the Quivira estate. Also, to add to Quivira’s sustainability choices, it is a solar powered winery.

Now, let’s talk about the wines! The 2008 Grenache Rose was fully dry with hints of wild strawberries. It has a beautiful salmon-orange hue and was presented in a long elegant bottle. This would make an amazing holiday or hostess gift.

The 2006 Zinfandel was smooth, full bodied without being overbearing and had a fabulous mouth fill. It also had a beautiful rich color and excellent legs. Usually, I am partial to white wines, but this Zinfandel has won me over. It made it to my favorites list.

In a nutshell: Quivira Vineyards and Winery is focused on making the best wine possible, using sustainable farming practices and with as minimal impact to the land as possible. Now, that is something I can drink to. Cheers!

Give Quivira Wines a try and let me know what you think?

Have you tried biodynamic/organic wines? What are your favorites?

Green Choice Awards: Cast Your Vote

July 30, 2015 0

Have you been involved with an environmental nonprofit as a volunteer, a donor or a board member? Perhaps you have attended a rally or an event? April is Earth month, and this year there’s a great new way for you to make a difference for the environment – with just your opinion! Great Non-Profits (a Yelp and Zagat-like website for nonprofits) is providing a new way for us all to get involved with environmental causes: The Green Choice Awards.

The Green Choice Awards is a contest to identify the best environmental nonprofits out there, according to all the people who have actually experienced their work. By gathering and presenting the stories of real impact that these organizations had, they will be able to identify the ones that are doing a great job, and support them. The Green Choice Awards was launched April 1st and runs until April 15th, with the winners revealed on Earth Day. The small, medium, and large nonprofits who gather the most positive reviews will be declared winners and be covered in national media. All of you who post reviews of the winning organizations have the chance to win great green prizes, such as earth-friendly wines from Fetzer wineries, Whole Foods gift cards, a stay at Joie de Vivre hotels, and more. So log on and take a few minutes to share your views with the world – and change it for the better in the process!

Alarming Effects of Indoor Air Pollution

July 23, 2015 1

Alarming Effects of Indoor Air Pollution

Indoor air pollution can stem from a variety of causes, some of which may be surprising such as toiletries. Mainly, though, the quality of air indoors is the result of a push and pull between the ventilation system and pollutants found inside the house or building.

There are a lot of other contributing factors to indoor air pollution, and not many people are aware of just how dangerous such a condition at home can be. In fact, more than half of the deaths caused by exposure to air pollution can be attributed to indoor air pollution. Let’s take a look at its alarming effects.

Effects on Health
People spend a lot of their time indoors, and if the quality of air inside homes and office buildings is not good, it could have negative effects on health. Repeated exposure to indoor pollutants can lead to both immediate and long-term health concerns, particularly respiratory problems such as asthma. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2012 that 4.3 million people a year die prematurely from sickness and health problems that are attributable to household air pollution.

Effects on the Environment
In the poorest areas around the world, indoor air pollution is a silent but deadly tyrant. Largely generated by inefficient and poorly ventilated stoves that burn wood and other biomass fuels, it not only is responsible for the deaths of an estimated 1.6 million people a year, it also adds to the build-up of greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere which contributes to climate change. Furthermore, the continued use of biomass fuels exacerbates deforestation, which, in turn, can lead to loss of biodiversity and soil erosion among others.

Preventing Indoor Air Pollution
With the many dangers that indoor air pollution poses, it is imperative for everyone to find ways to minimize or completely obliterate harmful pollutants in the home. One way of doing this is by simply improving ventilation in the home. Using high quality air filters and changing them regularly ensures that the air you breathe indoors is clean and healthy.

Changing from solid fuels to cleaner technologies is another way. This not only greatly reduces indoor air pollution; it also minimizes environmental impacts of energy consumption as well as production in general.

Increasing public awareness of the effects that indoor air pollution has on both human health and the environment is a vital factor for change.

 

Full Disclosure: This post was sponsored post by Filterbuy.com

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