Navigation

Are you a Locavore? How Does Your Meal Impact the Environment?

May 19, 2010 3

When choosing the foods that your family consumes, do you purchase foods that are locally grown and produced? If not, have you considered, where your food comes from? How far it has to travel to reach your dinner table? Or, what type of impact that food will have on the environment or the health of your family?

Choosing to eat locally grown and produced foods can have a huge positive impact on your community, your health and the environment.

Why?

When you become a locavore (someone who eats locally grown and produced foods), you choose foods that are locally grown and produced from venues such as your local farmer’s markets, co-ops, CSA programs, local grocery stores, restaurants or by growing your own.

By becoming a locavore you avoid purchasing foods that are shipped long distances, consuming enormous amounts of fossil fuels and generating massive amounts of C02 emissions. Also, in order to transport foods long distances, it is often picked before it has ripened and then processed in factories to artificially ripen it with preservatives and irradiation. Neither of these processes are healthy for you or the environment.

When you choose to become a locavore, you have more control over the impact that your food has on the environment, your community and the health of your family.

Just think of the positive impact we could all have if, we gave up our huge lawns and planted a family food garden instead. Not only would our gardens grow but so would our relationship with the Earth and our communities.

Need more help becoming a locavore, you can get the Locavore app for your iPhone, which can help you find food that is in season where you live, find your local farmer’s market and much more.

Are you a locavore? How do you eat and live locally?

photo credit

Green Tips: Choose an Eco Friendly Sunscreen

May 18, 2010 0

sunscreenIs using sunscreen a part of your daily beauty regimen? If not, it definitely should be, since using sunscreen is essential for a healthy body. Sunscreen reduces the risk of cell carcinoma, so adding it your daily routine is a must. It is important to stay covered up as much as possible, stay out of direct sunlight during the hottest times of the day 10am – 4pm and take the time to visit Skin Deep to get current sunscreen ratings and find a great natural sunscreen that you protect your body without harming it.

Unfortunately, the higher the SPF on traditional sunscreens, the higher amount of chemicals that it contains.Ā Conventional sunscreens contains phthalates, diethanolamine and benzophenone oxybenzone, which are all harmful to your health. (See my completeĀ list of personal care product ingredients to avoid here.)Ā  Also, conventional sunscreen contaminates our water supply when we bathe and swim, thereforeĀ endangering the lives of our marine mammal friends.

YOUR TURN: Do you have a favorite natural sunscreen?Ā  How do you protect yourself from the sun?

Tour de Farmer’s Market

May 17, 2010 0

When we moved to Colorado, the first thing that we did was purchase bicycles. Having lived in the woods of Georgia, with no where to ride a bicycle, the idea of having bicycles again was exciting. Mr. Sweet Greens and I purchased mountain bikes. Mine is red, Yay! and a tag along for Eben. (If you haven’t seen a tag along, they are fantastic and perfect for little kids.) However, now that Eben is 9, he has his own bicycle and prefers to ride it or his scooter. Our family takes a lot of weekend bike rides that are lovely and this summer I plan to ride my bike everywhere.

I look forward to biking with Mr. Sweet Greens and Eben to the library, local farmer’s market, park and swimming pool. I am excited to ride home with my basket full of fresh flowers and bread from the farmers market, a stack of new books from the library or the collection of sticks that Eben has collected at the park. My baskets are large enough that I can also bring home a load of groceries. I can’t think of a better or more Earth friendly mode of transport in the summer (besides walking). Spending the day with the wind blowing through your hair and the trees whizzing by, this sounds fabulous to me.

Do you love riding your bicycle? Where are your favorite places to go? Do you ride alone or with your family or friends?

Have a Lovely Green Weekend + Looks Who’s Turning 9

May 14, 2010 0

Hello Everyone,

Eben’s 9th birthday is tomorrow! It is hard to believe that 9 years ago, I was giving birth to this fantastic little person. I feel very lucky to be the mother of such a wonderful, loving and creative child. Eben has made every single day since he was born an adventure. He says the most fantastic things, has an amazing sense of humor and is wise beyond his years. Eben, I hope you have a fabulous 9th birthday, I love you.

Since we are leaving to go on vacation for Eben’s 9th birthday tomorrow, Mr. Sweet Greens and I surprised him with a birthday celebration this morning. When he woke up, he found all of his gifts waiting for him on our living room coffee table. After he opened his gifts, Mr. Sweet Greens prepared a fantastic birthday brunch for us complete with organic German Pancakes and organic fruit and yogurt salad. Then, we sang “Happy Birthday” and surprised Eben again with his favorite dessert, cheesecake. I purchased four miniature cheesecakes from Whole Foods in raspberry, key lime, vanilla bean and chocolate mousse flavors. What a fantastic way to start the day, no?

Now, I am green cleaning our house and packing for our California adventure that starts early tomorrow, and by early I mean 4 am. I can’t wait to leave the cold Colorado weather and soak in the sunshine and beach in California. A huge thank you to my lovely mother and father in law for taking us on this fantastic getaway!

Our lovely friends will be here to take care of our pups, Lilly (English Bulldog) and Noodles (Pug). Isn’t it nice when your pets can stay in the comfort of their home, while you are gone on vacation?

How about you lovely readers, what are your weekend plans? Are you getting away for the weekend? Where are you going? Do you have any fun meals planned? Does it involve cheesecake? It should, don’t you think?
P.S. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, I will be recycling Sweet Greens’ posts from last Spring for your enjoyment. I look forward to chatting when I get back! Enjoy your weekend.

American Masters: The Doors: Support Your Local PBS Station

May 13, 2010 0

Are you or your children viewers of your local PBS station? Each month millions of people choose their local PBS station to watch inspiring local, national and international programming. There are engaging and essential programs for everyone in your family at PBS.

Last night, Mr. Sweet Greens and I watched “The Doors – When You’re Strange”. The program chronicles the creation of The Doors six studio albums. I am a huge fan of The Doors, having read every book ever written on them and Jim’s poetry books, all by the age of 13. I was always drawn to their chaos and committment to their artistic freedom. And Mr. Sweet Greens likes to remind me that he was a fan of The Doors when I was still in early elementary. So, when we came upon this program, by accident, we were both excited. The documentary created by Tom DiCillo and narrated by Johnny Depp gives a rare and intimate view into the lives of Jim, Ray, John and Robby. If you are a fan of The Doors, or if you have ever felt that you are a little strange, I highly recommend seeing it. Fantastic.

I also highly recommend supporting your local PBS station. As you are probably well aware your local PBS station relies on contributions to bring us a fantastic array of entertainment. You can donate here.

Older posts Newer posts