It is no wonder when you consider that most homes contain toxin soaked carpeting, formaldehyde soaked particleboard, toxic household cleaning supplies, PVC, offgassing, dry cleaning, plastics and much more. If it was manufactured in a lab, odds are it is not good for you or your family. The short and long term dangers are compounded if you have children or pets.

The good news is that it is not terribly difficult or expensive to start greening your home. Gaiam has a nice article called 5 Easy and Cheap Ways to Green Your Home and the list includes:

1. Take your shoes off at the door to avoid tracking in lead, pesticides and other contaminants. The good news is, your home will stay much cleaner too.

2. Get rid of vinyl (PVC) which is commonly found in shower curtains, kids toys and backpacks. Look for the #3 or letters PVC. Why get rid of it?

“PVC frequently contains notorious phthalates to make it soft. According to the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition, these phthalates are known to cause liver and kidney damage, endocrine disruption, reproductive system damage and, possibly, cancer, and they can easily leach out of PVC. And finally, harder PVC often contains lead and cadmium, two heavy metals that have also been linked to a host of health issues, including cancers.” Gaiam.com

3. Switch to green cleaners because traditional household cleaners turn your indoor air and surfaces into toxic hazards. There are many green cleaners on the market today and they are a step in the right direction but making your own cleaners with vinegar, baking soda and salt is the most healthy, inexpensive, non-toxic and earth friendly way to clean your home.

4. Use indoor plants. They look great, are positive feng shui and yes they absorb toxins from the air. The best plants for toxic absorption are ficus, spider plants and English ivy.

5. Open your windows even if it is for a few minutes a day and yes, even in the winter. Even adding a little fresh air to the mix will help dilute the toxins in your household air.

If you are like many people you live life to the fullest and take each day as a new day. You take care of yourself and your children as best as you can.

What if I told you that your home may be filled with toxins that are harmful to you and your children? Many people have no clue about the dangers that are present in their homes and the effects of chemicals and toxins.

Americans suffer from more degenerate disease then ever before. There is a definite link between the “Epidemic of Degenerative Disease” and the increase in the development of synthetic ingredients used in personal care products and home care products.

Many people do not consider their home to be a toxic waste dump and the facts may surprise them. The average home today contains 62 toxic chemicals. That is more than a chemistry lab! More than 72,000 synthetic chemicals have been produced since World War II, and those are the same chemicals that have been found in many homes across the nation!

Here are some facts about products that are found in many homes.

• Bleach has been linked to reproductive problems in men and learning and behavioral problems in children.
• Everyday household cleaners are the number one cause of poisoning children.
• Behavioral problems have been linked to exposure to toxic chemicals and molds.
• Carpet cleaner solution is extremely toxic to children. The fumes given off by carpet cleaners can cause cancer and liver damage.
• Laundry detergents, household cleaners and pesticides have been linked to breast cancer.
• Glass cleaners often may contain ammonia. Fumes from ammonia can irritate skin, eyes, and respiratory system.
• Toilet Bowl Cleaners are one of the most dangerous cleaning products. Can contain chlorine and hydrochloric acid. Harmful to health simply by breathing during use.
• Formaldehyde, phenol, benzene and toluene are found in common household cleaners, cosmetics, beverages, fabrics and cigarette smoke. These chemicals are cancer causing and toxic to the immune system.
• An EPA study stated that the toxic chemicals in household cleaners are 3 times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air.

These are proven facts and back-up the real dangers in many products in our homes. If you use store bought window cleaner, disinfectants, carpet cleaners, make-up , degreasers or stain removers, you should be aware that all have been found to contain very dangerous chemicals and toxins. These toxins have been linked to cancer, immune system disorders, liver damage, and many other very common health issues many American’s face today.

So, what can people do to protect themselves and their families? Remove all toxic products from their homes! By removing those products and utilizing natural or organic made products, you will increase your chances of a healthy life and improve your health greatly!

About the Author:

Safe Wellness Products combines the best of science & nature come together to create healthy lives and toxin free homes! If you are concerned about you or your families health and wellness, we can help you create a more earth friendly home and eliminate toxins from your home! Visit http://www.safewellnessproducts.

Buy: The Healthy Home, An Attic to Basement Guide to Non-Toxic Living
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With all the latest news about pet foods causing deaths to our best friends, a lot of consumers are not sure what foods to use to keep them safe. Many folks have now turned to using “homemade”recipes. Their thinking is that it must be safe if it is “homemade”. Others are turning to so called “natural” and “organic” pet foods.

Making your own foods is a great way to be safe (with the right ingredients) but it also can be time consuming as well as expensive. You should also do your research as what should be in the foods you are creating. It may also be hard to find some of the ingredients to complete your recipes.

“Natural” pet foods a very tempting to consumers that think if it is has all “natural” ingredients, it must be safe for their beloved pets. The problem is that there are no federal guidelines to regulate what “natural” actually is. For example, animal byproducts, hair, blood, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and preservatives are commonly found in pet foods.

“Certified Organic” foods have been regulated by the Dept. of agriculture since 2002. Only those ingredients outlined by the strict regulations are allowed in the production of such foods. The “USDA” seal or third party seal is clearly visible on the package.

This does not mean that all the ingredients in the food are 100% organic. The law allows the wording “made with organic ingredients” can be used if the food contains at least 70% or more organic ingredients. Some companies use 100% organic ingredients, some do not.

So what does all this mean? Read the labels! Do not be fooled by the fancy marketing on the front of the package. You MUST read the fine print. After all keeping your pet safe is the top priority.

The easiest way to “be safe” when buying food is to purchase only the 100% organic varieties. Yes, you will pay more (up to twice the price of conventional foods) but our friends are worth it. It it also a lot less expensive than than the vet bill. If making your own food ask your vet or another expert resource before going it alone. When all is said and done, safe foods offer peace of mind for you, and good health for your pet.

by Rick Noble
About the Author: The sole purpose of this author’s writings is to teach proper, life saving nutrition for pets by educating their owners. You can get a free report on “preventing disease” for your dog by clicking the link below. http://honestrich.dogsecrets.hop.clickbank.net/

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I ask you to consider honoring Mother Earth everyday. We can not continue to take from our resources and never give back in return. There needs to be a balance in nature. We have moved so far away from living in harmony with nature. The foods that we eat no longer come from the local community. We drive when we can walk or bike. We make several trips when they could be minimized. We spray pesticides and bug killer like they do no harm. We consume to try to fulfill a deeper need…

Where will it stop? How much ’stuff’ do we truly need? How big do our homes need to really be? How many cars do we need? When will we begin to live in harmony with the earth that nurtures us? We in North America are perhaps spoiled and lazy and it is time to wake up and realize that you can make a difference in many ways. Be an example to your children and grandchildren.

You can help celebrate earth day every single day in so many small ways. If you will just do it. If you aren’t ready to move to the woods and live in a yurt with a composting toilet and no electricity like some of us that’s okay, but you can still make a difference! Here are a few ways to help you begin celebrating the earth each and everyday and you may just have fun doing it:

1. Join Freecycle. Freecycle can be found online at www.freecycle.org You can join your local group to give away things that you no longer need or get the items you need from others. It’s all free!

2. Shop at thrift stores. By buying second hand clothes and household goods you save the environment and help various causes. Finding a local thrift store in your community helps your local area too.

3. Bike, walk or take transit. Do you really need to drive three blocks to the market? Come on, you can use the exercise and may enjoy the moment by meeting a few folks along the way. And if it’s too far to walk or bike then try transit.

4. Buy local organic food, eat wild foods or grow a garden. Buying local organic food not only helps your community farmers but saves on the transportation of food and helps you by getting fresher and healthier food into your body…putting you in sync with the area of the earth that you live on. Growing your own garden is the best for those that are willing and even better is to eat ethically harvested wild foods.

5. Recycling is so easy these days. You can recycle just about anything. Be creative.

6. Plant trees. For all the trees we cut down…lets plant a few in their place. They help us breathe.

7. Have a green baby. Come on mamas use those cloth diapers and cloth baby wipes. They are so much easier then you may think with snaps and velcro. The money you will save is amazing and they are healthier for your baby as well as Mother Earth. Try elimination communication.

8. Use the library. Instead of buying more magazines and books use the library. There is interlibrary loan if they don’t have what you are looking for in your community. Just ask and they will help you out.

9. Hang your clothes on the line. There is nothing like the smell of fresh laundry coming off the line. You can turn it in to a totally zen moment when you are outside hanging the clothes. Saving on your electricity and enjoying the simplified life is not so bad.

10. Use cloth shopping bags. So, you probably think only granola, sandal wearing folks use cloth bags to go to the market…well, yeah some of us are but come on and join us. Those plastic bags can be easily replaced with creative cloth bags. Some places are even banning the plastic.

11. Use eco friendly cleaners. There are many eco cleaners that are found in your local health food stores or even your markets. However, you can easily make your own with some simple household goods such as vinegar and baking soda. Much better for you and the earth.

12. Make your home more energy efficient. Spend the extra money for making your home more energy efficient and it will pay off in the long run. Check out your area for possible tax incentives as well.

I could go on and on with ideas as I sit here, but you get the idea. You can all do something. So, if you don’t mind please do you part. We are all in this together and the sooner that we become cooperative and live in harmony with the earth and each other..the happier and healthier we will be. Celebrate earth day everyday by making a difference…in whatever way you choose.

Author: Lisa R. Marshall
About the author: Lisa R. Marshall is the facilitator of Path to Nature….honoring life through whole health, natural living, herbal healing, sacred celebrations & journeys. Path to Nature’s vision is to help people recognize their ability to empower themselves. She is a also a mother and doula. Lisa is a facilitator to those who want to make changes in their lives. Visit http://www.Pathtonature.org for further information or to contact the author.

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Planting your own vegetable garden also allows you to know exactly how healthy or dangerous the foods is that you are eating. Store bought produce for instance, is often grown on farms which use chemical fertilizers and poisonous pest control methods. Plants absorb whatever is put onto them or into their soil as they’re growing, so if you’re eating produce which has had chemicals and toxins used on it, those chemicals are also in the plant itself, and are being fed to your body.

When you grow your own vegetables in a home garden though, you can choose to use organic growing methods which are much safer for both the environment, you and your family.Growing a vegetable garden starts with planning. You’ll need to decide first what vegetables you plan to grow in your garden. If this is the first time you’re growing a vegetable garden, try to start small so you can get a feel for how much of each thing is needed as you become more experienced. A nice way to get started with your first vegetable garden is to select three to five of your families favorite vegetables and plant just those the first season.

Next you’ll need to decide where you will place your vegetable garden. You’ll need both plenty of space and plenty of sunlight to grow vegetables. Vegetables need at least five to six hours of full sunlight each day, so figure out where in your yard that much sun is available, then see if there is enough room there for the number of vegetables you intend to grow. If your vegetable garden will be small, you can probably choose a planting location which is only about three to four feet square.

Once you have chosen your location you can prepare the soil for your vegetable garden. You can create raised garden beds to plant your vegetables in if you’d like, and this will make preparation and care easier. If you’re planting in the ground though, you’ll need to turn the soil, remove all weeds, roots and large rocks, then mix some healthy compost into the soil so your vegetables will have the nutrition they need while growing.

After preparing the soil, you’ll need to make planting rows, or long mounds of soil, to plant your vegetables in. These rows should run east to west so they’ll get the best sun and water exposure. When you start planting seeds or starter plants, be sure to put those that will grow the tallest at the north side of your lot, so they won’t shade the smaller plants too much during the day. The smallest plants should go on the south side of your vegetable garden plot, and progressively taller ones should be planted across.

Author: Adam Fletcher
About the author:
Please visit my great new website Gardening With Adam It is a great resource for enthusiastic gardeners and will guide you through the whole gardening process.

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More and more tea varieties are available as organic. Every variety of tea, whether Black tea, Green tea, White tea, or Oolong tea, is cultivated in some regions under protocols of organic cultivation. This trend has much to do with a return to the source need which has taken the world by storm in the recent years.

Organic tea is grown following strict rules of organic cultivation, using only natural elements in the treatment of the soil, fertilization process and providing natural light instead of any artificial light source. It makes no use whatsoever of destructive chemicals, preferring to go the natural way and encouraging nature to provide for better crop cultivation. Chemicals are known to destroy not only the land where they are used, but also the surrounding ecosystem.

Organic cultivation of tea contributes to improved soil fertility. The use of natural fertilizers such as compost, natural organic matter and plants provide all the nutrients and elements needed by the soil to grow better crops. It has been noted that organically grown crops produce a better yield. Organic cultivation also makes use of natural methods of pest control such as little bugs and insects like the pest-controlling spider. Associated with traditional methods like crop rotation and mulching, a more eco-friendly cultivation is thus ensured.

The benefits of organic cultivation of tea also overlap onto the surrounding ecosystem and live habitat around the area. Wildlife is allowed to thrive, and there is less risk of pollution by harmful chemicals. The natural cultivation of the land means that nothing damaging makes its way into the water table, nor does the soil itself suffer from the use of artificial additives. Animals and human are thus protected, and are also provided with a better environment, free of harmful pesticides and other chemicals, some of which may pose serious heath hazards.

Organic tea is also said to retain most of its inherent benefits. Hand picked and processed the orthodox way, the teas carry a quality standard which is not attained by conventional tea manufacture.

Author: Mayoor Patel
About the author:
Mayoor Patel is the writer for the website OrganicTeaUniverse.com and Organic-tea.tea Please visit for information on all things concerned with Organic Tea

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The traditional wedding is expensive, extravagant, and elegant. The bride and groom will pay a large amount of money to create an elegant, romantic, and fairytale wedding. Today we are seeing increasing numbers environmentally conscious brides and grooms choosing green weddings.

Green weddings show the initiative, awareness and responsibility to take care of our environment. Green weddings are also known as environment friendly, or eco friendly weddings. A green wedding theme inspires the guests, relatives and friends to do their part to protect and care for the environment.

Green Wedding Ideas

Use a recycled wedding band. Fair trade stores, pawn shops and thrift stores may sell recycled gold for wedding bands. Antique shows, auctions, and shops may also carry some lovely wedding bands.

Arrive in style with a hybrid car. The hybrids use a fraction of fuel compared to conventional cars. Organize car pools for the guests. The car pool will take several cars off the road and pollutants out of the air. Set the wedding ceremony and wedding reception close together (or in the same location) so the guests do not have far to go for the next itinerary.

Ask for the print shop to use recycled paper for wedding invitation. Recycled paper and stationary is now widely available. For a paperless wedding invitation, the bride and groom may consider online wedding website.

Rent, or borrow the wedding dress from friends or relatives. Renting or borrowing the wedding dress allows the wedding dress to be reused or recycled. Sometimes you can find excellent deals on new or “like new” wedding dresses on eBay.

The quality of digital photography is often as good as a traditional film camera without the toxic hazards associated with film and developing. The wedding photographers can often get the same results with digital camera. Digital photography also allows the bride and groom to screen unwanted pictures and create an online wedding album.

Reuse the wedding flowers. The wedding flowers from the church may also be used at the wedding reception. Try to use wedding flowers that are available locally and seasonally to reduce fuel costs.

Try to use organic wedding flowers to reduce the use of pesticides.

Use dishes that are reusable and washable. If it is impossible to use reusable and washable plates, spoons and glasses, then easily biodegradable plates, spoons and glasses are an excellent alternative.

There are caterers who specialize in organic dishes. Using only organic ingredients, the chef or cook creates the appetizing dishes for the wedding reception to enjoy. The organic wines, spirits, champagne, beer, soft drinks and juices will quench the thirst of the guests.

Toss only biodegradable and bird friendly wedding favors such as paper, nuts, wheat and rice. The nuts, wheat and rice will feed the birds and squirrels.

Choose eco-travel for your honeymoon. The ecotourism is also known as ecological tourism. Experience the adventure local culture, wilderness, flora, and fauna. Ecotourism promotes recycle of biodegradable materials, efficient use of energy,conservation of water supply, reforestation, evalution of local culture, reduction of waste, education of ecosystem, reproduction of endangered species and reversal of global warming.

Author: Dennis Estrada
About the author: Dennis Estrada owns wedding advice & destination wedding traditions and destination wedding etiquette website.

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Investigate and organize your vacation using the internet:
Travel companies produce millions of thick glossy brochures each year for us to look through for inspiration. Rather than taking a pile of these from your travel agent, do your browsing online and only print out the pages you need.

Offset your carbon footprint when flying:
We’re not saying don’t travel but we are saying that you do it responsibly and this includes paying to offset the amount of carbon produced when you fly. Go to climatecare.org or carbonneutral.com for details.

Prepare your house:
Before you go away, make sure to turn off all your appliances. Don’t leave them on standby. Also remember to cancel your delivered newspapers to ensure your home is left empty and efficient.

Packing:
The heavier the plane the more fuel it will use so take care when packing - do you really need to take an iron or a hairdryer if they are able to be borrowed locally?

Babies and toddlers:
Leave the stroller at home and save the hassle and extra weight of transporting it by using a sling or backpack-style child carrier. Also take your own disposable diapers as it can be difficult to find environmentally-friendly ones overseas.

Accommodations:
Just as you would at home make sure that the lights, TVs, air conditioning etc. are turned off when not needed. And try to forego freshly laundered towels and sheets every day.

Sun care:
Use natural products or locally produced ones, natural and organic options are kinder to your skin and the environment.

Leisure time:
Where it is possible, try hiring a bicycle, or use public transport rather than hiring a car. If you must hire a car, join one of the carbon neutral schemes such as Avis and Alamo. Digital cameras are more eco-friendly than film-based ones and if you go diving remember it’s a case of look but don’t touch where the coral is concerned

Recycle, reuse, reduce:
Litter on beaches is one of the tourism industry’s biggest issues so make sure that you take all garbage away with you and recycle it whenever possible.

Do as the locals do:
Enrich your travel experience by supporting the local economy. Drink regional wine, beer and liquors and avoid imported international brands and their associated air miles.

Author: Evan Moss
About the author: Find cheaper travel insurance at AA Travel Insurance. Find a variety of different types of holiday insurance to suit whatever holiday arrangements you have met. Visit: http://www.aa-travelinsurance.com

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“Travelers seeking a hotel that leaves a minimal carbon imprint often end up in a place that falls short of their expectations. The problem is that in the United States, “we don’t have one single source that clearly defines what is or is not a green hotel,” Nor are there many guidebooks or comprehensive directories devoted to the subject.”

This article lists a few of the things to look for when shopping for a green hotel such as the hotel’s recycling program and their use of “green cleaners. An easier solution to doing this kind of research yourself is to find an eco-friendly hotel from some other guide or rating source.

Here are a few of the resources that we found in the article:

• Sustainable Travel International, based in Colorado, is one of the most reliable sources to search. Includes several hundred accommodations worldwide.
• Rainforest Alliance lists a few exemplary properties in Central America and the Caribbean.
• Green Hotels Association lists 350 properties, including hotels, lodges and B&Bs throughout the United States and in a dozen foreign countries. Some of the hotels listed have only modest environmental programs
• Environmentally Friendly Hotels contains links to more than 2,300 hotels worldwide, mostly in the United States and the tropics. The mix of environmental practices among properties ranges widely.

Click here to read the full article at washingtonpost.com

One of the most basic things you can do for the environment is to buy foods that are produced in environmentally sound ways. Unfortunately, this can be quite expensive and the foods can be hard to find.

The main reason this can seem to be so hard is that people often limit themselves to the grocery stores, where organic foods are priced significantly higher than other foods. But your local grocery store may not be the best choice. Find a local farmer’s market. Not all of the food there will be organically produced, but you can talk to the people there and find out. As an added environmental benefit, most of the food will be locally grown.

You can also try a food co-op. Joining a co-op means that you will get whatever is grown at the time, rather than choosing what you want, but the produce will be organically and locally grown. These are not available in all communities, but are well worth looking into. Another solution if you have the space, is to grow some of your own produce. The wonderful thing about having your own garden is that you choose exactly what goes into it. It’s also a great way to teach children about where food comes from. And of course it is a nice bit of exercise.

You may also be able to find a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program in your area. You can learn more about these programs at usda.gov and search for ones in your area.

Finding good, organically produced meats is generally more difficult, especially if you don’t want to pay too much extra. Some CSA programs do offer meat, but many will be strictly produce, and perhaps eggs. One of the solutions is to cut back on animal products. If you can eat vegetarian a couple times a week or even just once a week, you can save quite a bit of money, which can make buying the better stuff less painful. Going 100% vegetarian isn’t for everyone, but being partially vegetarian is a very realistic goal for most people.

You can also join a buying club or try buying in bulk on your own. These can get you great discounts on the foods you need. You will want to pay close attention to what you are actually paying to ensure that you are getting the best possible prices.

In some areas, going organic and/or local is easier than it is in other areas. I live in California, where all kinds of organic produce is available. Other states it is much harder and much more expensive.

Choosing more environmentally friendly food options is better for you, your family and the environment. Sometimes it can even be sufficiently friendly to the budget that you start running out of excuses to not go organic.

by Stephanie Foster
Stephanie Foster blogs at http://www.greensahm.com/ about trying to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Visit her blog for more ideas on how to help your home and family be more environmentally friendly.

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