green Archives - MomStart

4 Easy Ways to Help Protect Our Oceans #DawnHelpsSaveWildlife

June 8, 2017 by Beeb 4 Comments

I am a Dawn Wildlife Ambassador; this is a partnered post.

I’ve lived walking distance from the beach for over 20 years, so the ocean holds a special place in my heart as one of my favorite sights. Today, June 8th marks World Ocean’s Day, a chance to celebrate and protect our precious oceans. In honor of this day, I had the privilege to interview marine scientist Dr. Ellen Prager about the environmental threats to our oceans – and the easy ways that we can all pitch in to help protect them.

What are some of the biggest environmental concerns for our oceans?

Our oceans are under siege. Human impacts have accumulated over decades and now, more than ever, we are seeing the consequences and it is horrible for the ocean and worse for us. My top five problems in the ocean today are climate change, pollution, overfishing and illegal fishing, loss of critical habitats, and invasive species.

Due primarily to the burning of fossil fuels, the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is increasing to a point unseen on Earth for millions of years and temperatures are warming at an unnatural and accelerated pace. Ninety percent of the excess heat has been taken up by the ocean and seawater temperatures are on the rise. Many animals in the ocean are adapted to a specific range of temperature and when change happens too fast they cannot adapt. Coral reefs are in real trouble. Coral bleaching due to prolonged high ocean temperatures has occurred throughout the world at an unprecedented level over that past few years, particularly in the Caribbean and on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Some corals may recover if conditions improve, but other corals cannot recover and widespread mortality is occurring. This is especially true if other factors such as pollution, overfishing, or invasive species make coral reefs less resilient and less able to cope with stress. Climate change is also causing the acidity of the ocean to increase due to more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere being absorbed into the ocean. This impacts biological functions in the ocean and in particular those organisms who have a shell or skeleton made of calcium carbonate. Other impacts related to climate change are the spread of dead zones, sea level rise, and changing ecology, especially in polar climates.

Pollution now impacts even the most remote parts of the ocean. From plastic to excess nutrients, sedimentation, sewage, oil, and other chemicals we are dumping our wastes into the ocean and causing harm to the very resources we so rely on for food, recreation, tourism, jobs, economic revenue, biotechnology, new pharmaceutical compounds, and more.

Overfishing and illegal fishing have and continue to decimate fish populations throughout the world. Along with this, we are losing critical habitats such as seagrass beds, mangroves, coral reefs, and kelp beds all of which often act as a nursery for young fish and are an important habitat for many species. And finally, non-native species are being transported or released into waters where they can outcompete native species and cause irreparable ecologic harm. The poster child for this in the Great Lakes has been the zebra mussel, while in Florida, the Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico it is the lionfish, which is native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Do you have any tips for what steps readers can take at home with their families to help conserve the oceans?

Your readers can definitely help to conserve and better protect the oceans. Making sure to dispose of their trash properly and recycle as much as possible is important as is reminding others to do the same. Reduce use of plastics as much as is realistic and conserve energy wherever possible. As a consumer and voter they also have power to help the ocean. Let your political representatives on a local, state, and national level know that the coasts and oceans are important and you want better investment and policies to protect the ocean. What you buy makes a difference as well. Choosing sustainable seafood choices promotes improved management of fisheries, The Safina Center and Monterey Bay Aquarium both have excellent programs and guides that you can find online with information on good, okay, and poor seafood choices.

Readers and their families can also support ocean conservation by going to aquariums, participating in beach clean-ups, and by supporting organizations that are working to help the oceans. Two excellent rescue organizations that DAWN supports are International Bird Rescue (https://www.bird-rescue.org) and The Marine Mammal Center (http://www.marinemammalcenter.org).

What are some good resources for further reading on this topic? Can you recommend any materials that parents can share with their children?

For reading for kids, of course I am biased, I’d highly recommend my fiction series for middle graders: Tristan Hunt and the Sea Guardians as it combines fun, fast-reading adventure and humor with learning about marine life and real-world ocean issues (Book 1 is The Shark Whisperer). The books can be found online (Amazon or others) or ordered through most book stores. I also have fun books for younger kids as well as popular science for a slightly older audience. My favorite book high school and above is Sex, Drugs, and Sea Slime: The Ocean’s Oddest Creatures and Why They Matter.

A few websites with good information:

http://safinacenter.org
https://www.montereybayaquarium.org
http://www.whoi.edu
http://oceanleadership.org
http://oceantoday.noaa.gov

Education focused:

http://web.vims.edu/bridge/?svr=1
http://www.marinecareers.net
http://www.sea.edu

For more ideas to help you celebrate World Ocean’s Day, be sure to visit the Dawn Saves Wildlife website and follow #DawnHelpsSaveWildlife on Facebook and Twitter.

Say Yes to Sustainable Palm Oil #GoodBadPalmOil

May 13, 2016 by Beeb 22 Comments

This blog post is sponsored by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. Although this post is sponsored, all opinions are my own.

I first began cooking with palm oil about 6 years ago, when I baked one of my famous blackberry pies using palm shortening. I’d never used a shortening quite like that before, so it was fun trying something different, and it made a very nice pie crust. I can count myself as a fan of palm shortening ever since that day!

But even if you’ve never baked with palm oil in shortening form, you have almost certainly used it. According to the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), over 50% of supermarket goods contain palm oil. From food items like chocolate, cookies and donuts to household goods such as detergents, cosmetics, and soap, palm oil is an extremely common ingredient. However, the RSPO also states that out of the 13.47 million tons of palm oil consumed globally, only 21% is certified as coming from sustainable sources.

The negative impact of palm oil is no joke: Unsustainable palm oil production is linked with the destruction of rainforests, creation of air pollution, endangering animal species, and causing human rights violations with forced and child labor. If you’re unfamiliar with the impact of palm oil, you can read more about this topic on The Guardian’s Palm Oil Debate page.

I’ve actually been aware of the issue of sustainability in palm oil since I tried that first recipe with palm shortening, because one of the things the product noted on its website was the fact that it was made using eco-friendly farming processes. The world is becoming more aware of the impact of palm oil production, and the RSPO is one of the organizations working on this issue. Founded in 2004, the RSPO is a collective of palm oil producers, consumer goods manufactures, investors, banks, and environmental/social NGOs such as the World Wildlife Fund. The goal of the organization is to work towards 100% sustainable palm oil by 2020.

This organization offers an RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil logo for products it has certified. While there is still a long way to go, you can click here to read the RSPO’s monthly progress report to see what has been achieved.

Palm oil production has the potential to be devastating – or positive. As with most matters of consumption and sustainability, it’s a big and complicated issue. But the good news is that we do have a choice. Producers have the choice to adopt more sustainable farming methods, but this will only happen if consumers create a demand by making the choice to buy “Good” products using eco-friendly palm oil, and speak out against the terrible practices from “Bad” palm oil that are harming both workers and the environment. There is a mountain to climb here, but awareness is the first step to making better and more sustainable choices.

For further information from the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, please visit GoodBadPalmOil.org. You can also learn more about the RSPO by following them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

Readers: Did you realize how much palm oil you consume? What are your thoughts on sustainable palm oil?

4 Small Everyday Things You Can Do To Help The Environment

December 11, 2015 by Momstart Leave a Comment

You don’t have to make major life changes to help the environment. If you want to find ways that you can help save the environment a little every day, try adding these four things to your life.

Carry a Reusable Bottle

Image via Flickr by kyle.leboeuf

Americans throw away about 35 billion plastic bottles each year. Even people who are committed to recycling plastic bottles usually end up putting some in the trash. Sometimes it’s just impossible to find a recycling receptacle. Plastic bottles not only take up space in landfills but also find their ways into waterways, where they can damage ecosystems. By carrying a reusable bottle, you eliminate the possibility that you will have to throw disposable bottles away.

Carrying your own bottle will also help you save money. If you buy one bottle of water per day, you’ll save over $300 within the first year of carrying a reusable option.

Ride a Bike More

Your daily commute adds a lot of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Even if you have a small car, a 10-mile round-trip commute five times per week will create nearly one ton of carbon dioxide. The bigger your vehicle is, the more emissions you can expect. Riding a bike, even just a few times a week, can significantly reduce your commute’s environmental impact.

You don’t have to restrict your cycling to your work commute, though. Choose to ride a bike when you need to travel to places within a couple of miles of your home. Cars are the best way to travel long distances, but they aren’t especially effective for short distances. Depending on where you live, you may find that your bike is actually a more convenient option, since you don’t have to fight traffic or look for a parking spot.

Telecommute

If biking isn’t a great option for your area, consider telecommuting to work a couple of times per week. Many employers find that they can save money by letting some staff members work from home. That may help explain why the number of telecommuters increased by 79 percent between 2005 and 2012.

Replace Your HVAC Filter

Replacing your HVAC filter when it is dirty will help your system operate more efficiently. When the filter gets dirty, your HVAC system’s blower has to struggle to keep your house warm or cool. By replacing the filter about once a month, you can reduce the amount of energy that your system uses.

It also helps to have annual maintenance performed on your HVAC system. Over time, HVAC components can start to degrade. That makes them less efficient, which forces the entire system to use more energy than necessary. Regular maintenance could potentially lower your utility bills enough that it pays for itself.

Small changes can add up quickly. By adopting these and other lifestyle changes, you can help lower the amount of energy that you use. As you use less natural gas, gasoline, and electricity, your overall carbon footprint will fall. You could even find that helping the environment saves you money.

How to Clean your Stainless Steel Appliances: Top 10 Natural Solutions

November 12, 2014 by Momstart 1 Comment

How to Clean your Stainless Steel Appliances: Our Top 10 Natural Solutions

Cleaning stainless steel home appliances is easier than you think whether you are removing stains, fingerprints, or other dirt. In fact you have some of the top 10 natural solutions already on your shelves at home. You may think these items are only for baking or cooking, but in reality they are also some of the best cleaning remedies you can ever find. It might be a little shocking to see what is on the list. You may not imagine how they can help, but they do.

Olive Oil
Club Soda
Vinegar
Baking Soda
Peroxide
Baby oil
Orange
Lemon
Sunflower Oil
Ketchup

You are probably extremely surprised by the above list. You might have thought of a few of these ingredients as cleaners, but not all of them. You may also have thought about natural cleaners sold in stores and found they don’t work. Try out just one of the ingredients on the list and you will be surprised at how well your appliance comes clean.

Ketchup is the oddest option mentioned and surprisingly very effective on steel, silver, copper and other metals. You take a little bit of catch and wipe it on your appliance with a sponge. It doesn’t need to be on long, just a few seconds before you rinse with water as you would with any cleaning ingredient. Your stainless steel will sparkle like it is new. Ketchup, the main ingredient as tomatoes, has some acidic properties and sugar. The combination is able to work on most grime left by fingerprint oils and dust to bring out the shine in your stain less steel.

While most of the products mentioned above can work alone like lemon and orange due to its acidic properties you also have some that need to be combined to work well.

For example peroxide and baking soda need to be combined together with ¼ peroxide, a couple table spoons of baking soda and the rest water for a cup of cleaner. The combination of peroxide and baking soda creates a natural reaction that is strong enough to remove all the grime.

You might wonder how oil, as there are two mentioned can be used to remove fingerprint oil and other dirt. It does boggle the mind a little, but nevertheless is effective. The properties in both oils take away fingerprint oil and then require a nice clean swipe with a little water and a soft rag. The stainless steel shines again while your fingerprints and dust are missing.

Vinegar can also be combined with items like lemon or baking soda to offer a nice, clean look for your stainless steel appliances. If you are not sold on these natural solutions there are certainly all natural cleaners sold in stores. However, take a look at the main natural ingredients and you will find they are very closely related to the items mentioned above.

You never want to leave any of the suggested ingredients on long. Acid can become damaging particularly lemon which is known to tarnish metals, so a quick clean with a rag and some water will help you make your appliances shine without damage.

Why Use A Glass Drinking Straw

October 18, 2014 by Momstart Leave a Comment

While I had braces I used a straw all the time. It was the easiest way to eat and drink. It wasn’t a difficult transition because I love drinking through straws anyway. Tribest has recently released new BPA-Free, glass straws. They are really nice because they come with a straw cleaner.

I’m no longer using straws because of my braces. I am now using them because I am making smoothies and juices and when you have a protein powder sometimes there is residue left inside the straw; making it difficult to get clean. The glass is much easier to clean in the dishwasher and if there is anything left just drag that straw cleaner though it and run it through the dishwasher again.

Concerns for the environment warrant special consideration for the choices we make every day. Each container we drink, eat or store food can make an impact on the ecology. Keeping in mind that only 20% of plastics produced make it to a recycling center, Tribest is introducing highest quality glass straws as a way to replace plastic straws. Made from borosilicate glass, these straws are made from the safest and strongest glass commercially available. They are dishwasher and microwave safe and comes with unprecedented lifetime guarantee — if it breaks, it will be repaired or replaced. Try ordering one today and elevate your drinking experience while helping the environment!

Tribest GlassDharma drinking straws are:

• 100% handmade in California

• Great for all hot or cold drinks

• Perfect for specialty drinks such as bubble teas, shakes and ice teas, and smoothies.

• Durable

• Kid-friendly and safe

• Elegantly green

• Guaranteed for a lifetime

Aveda’s Full Circle Recycling Program

July 9, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

I’m really getting into the green movement lately and when I found that Aveda one of my favorite brands is initiating such a profound recycling program I had to share it with you guys. If you like and use Aveda like I do check out how they are recycling and how you can join in the Full Circle Recycling Process.

The Full Circle recycling program is the latest step in the brand’s environmental commitment, seeking to take responsibility for all Aveda packaging in the U.S. Aveda continues to be mindful of its environmental footprint and paves the way in environmental leadership by:

· Minimizing packaging, maximizing the use of post-consumer recycled materials, using materials that can be and are recyclable and by designing packaging so that the individual parts can be separated for recycling.

· Building on the success of the Aveda Caps Program. In 2008, Aveda created the first bottle cap collection program of its kind in the continental U.S., helping to eliminate this type of plastic from landfills and waterways, and educate recyclers and municipalities about the need to accept #5 plastics at curbside—collecting more than 115 million plastic bottle caps. Newly molded 85% post consumer recycled content caps are now included on Aveda products such as Full Spectrum™ Hair Color and retail sample tubes due to the success of the Aveda Caps Program.

FULL CIRCLE RECYCLING PROCESS:

1. Check with your local recycler to determine what types of materials are accepted via curbside service. Municipal recycling programs vary on the types of items accepted in community programs.

2. Any Aveda packaging not accepted curbside, such as caps, makeup brushes, and various bottles, jars, tubes and pumps, can be brought into any Aveda Experience Center retail store in the United States and placed in the Full Circle recycling bin. Visit Aveda com/locator to find the Aveda Experience Center retail location nearest you.

3. Once full, the Full Circle recycling collection bin will be sent to Aveda’s recycling partner g2 revolution in Findlay, OH where items will be sorted by material category. And, g2 revolution ships all packages under UPS’ Carbon Neutral Program. Based upon the total volume of packages shipped, g2 revolution pays UPS to purchase certified vintage carbon offsets to balance out the emissions produced by the transportation of the shipments.

4. All materials will be recycled, reused or burned for energy recovery—with the intention of utilizing collected material to create new Aveda packaging or accessories.

AVEDA EXPERIENCE CENTERS ARE LOCATED IN:

AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA and WI.

Change Your Energy Usage and Win New Appliances with Ford My Energi Lifestyle

May 20, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

My husband and I just recently went electric/hybrid. We traded in our gas guzzling van in for an all electric Ford Focus and an Ford Fusion Hybrid and I’m LOVING the change. Going to the gas station gave me a heart attack because we were filling once or twice a week at $60 a punch. Sharing a car with my husband was ending up going to Redmond and back about twice a day if I wanted the car. (stay tuned for four different energy efficient car reviews) Since I’m so happy with my energy savings I want to find other ways to save energy and share them with you. Let’s all change our Lifestyle.

Ford and the MyEnergi Lifestyle^® initiative have kicked off the MyEnergi Lifestyle retrofit contest with Katie Couric on her syndicated talk show “Katie.” Homeowners can enter this national contest for a chance to win a package that includes a Ford C-MAX Energi –America’s most affordable plug-in hybrid vehicle, new Whirlpool brand appliances, a SunPower solar power system and other home products designed to bring energy-efficient living to a typical American family.

The contest is now open and runs through June 9, with the grand prize winner to be announced this summer.

Through the MyEnergi Lifestyle initiative, Ford is bringing together leaders in the home appliance, renewable energy and power management industries – including Eaton, SunPower and Whirlpool. Additional featured companies are semiconductor provider Infineon and Nest Labs.

WHY YOU SHOULD CHANGE YOUR APPLIANCES:

As Americans’ thirst for energy grows, recent advancements in technology make this the ideal time to demonstrate the benefits of optimizing a family’s energy footprint. Along with 729 gallons of gasoline and 122,000 cubic feet of natural gas, the average home in America uses more than 11,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity a year; in 1930, the figure was 500 kilowatt-hours. That’s an increase of 2,100 percent.

Home appliances have made huge gains in reducing energy usage. Today, the typical smart appliance, like a refrigerator, uses 70 percent less energy than one built in 1980.

P&G Everyday Effect: Our Children Are The Future

May 10, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

P&G has a program working to help our world. The “Everyday Effect” program and I’m trying to help them spread the word about their recent announcement of achieving zero manufacturing waste to landfill at 45 of their global facilities. Remember we are borrowing the world from our children, we need to make sure it’s around for them. To achieve this accomplishment, P&G committed to finding worth from much of the waste left over after recycling processes were complete at their facilities.

Very briefly, P&G created “worth from waste” in the following ways:

· Unusable fibers from recycled paper waste at a Charmin plant in Latin America are used to build low cost roof tiles to help provide homes for local families.

· Waste from making shampoos, like Pantene and Head and Shoulders, are used as fertilizer to convert industrial land into parks and green spaces in China.

· Materials that were once thrown away at the Always and Whisper plant in India are recycled into plastic soles to create low cost shoes.

To celebrate this achievement, P&G is now asking parents like us to share their stories on the everyday things they do to help minimize their environmental footprint on their Facebook page for the chance to be featured in their next P&G commercial. We recycle and have just gone electric. We purchased an all electric car and a hybrid. Now we will cut our gas bill by $250 a month at least!

P&G has created a content capsule (click here) that features a shareable 2-minute video about this initiative as well as other information you may find interesting. To access the video, click the link above and then select the first video entitled “Everyday Earth Day.”

To share your story with P&G for a chance to be featured in an upcoming commercial, you can visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PGEveryday/app_348857518541101

5 Top Trends to Make Your Home More Green Friendly

May 8, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

5 Top Trends to Make Your Home More Green Friendly

Guest Post: By Annie Davis

Washington D.C. hosts the Clean Energy Forum on American Leadership each year and many green visionaries tout the need for energy conservation but many of these leaders report the biggest efforts are being made by consumers and homeowners. Seattle was named the top green city in 2009 and here are ways to make your Emerald City home the greenest it can be.

1. Energy Efficient Water Systems

Image via Flickr roger_mommaerts

There are a number of ways to conserve water and use water more efficiently within your home. Beyond being green, these systems will help save on utility and water costs:

On-Demand hot water units
Storm water retention systems
Water catchment construction
Water purification and infiltration systems
Energy efficient and green plumbing choices

Residents seeking green plumbing Seattle are luckier than most due to the efforts on the part of local plumbers who are also committing to using environmentally friendly materials, installing water reuse systems and taking the time to become experts in on-demand hot water heaters to cut down on utility costs. Water is one of our most precious resources and installing these items in your home will drastically lower your carbon footprint.

2. Green Cleaning Solutions

It used to be one had to travel to a green-friendly specialty store to find cleaning products but these are now being sold in grocery stores, big box stores and home improvement centers. These solutions are free of toxins that can harm our bodies and the planet so be sure to put them on your shopping list.

Or, why not create some of your own cleaning products? There’s a reason baking soda can do everything from giving you a winning smile to cleaning auto parts—it’s safe and good for the environment. Mix baking soda with chemical free liquid soaps, vinegar, lemon juice and borax to save not only at the store but also to clean green.

3. Use "Green" Paint

Image via Flickr Vimages

Most paints are full of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Not only are these bad for the environment, they can be harmful to our lungs and sinuses. Most paint manufacturers have taken notice of the demand for green paint, especially in cities like Seattle.

Non-VOC paints come in a variety of colors and are as easy to use as traditional paint. Imagine painting without harmful fumes and still getting the desired effect?

4. Buy Energy Star Appliances

Energy Star appliances receive ratings from the government ensuring they utilize the lowest amount of energy possible. You can find all types of Energy Star rated appliances from refrigerators to dishwashers to washers and dryers. And, in some states, homeowners can receive rebates or tax incentives for buying Energy Star appliances.

5. Consider Bamboo Flooring

Image via Flickr planetc1

Unlike oak where trees can take up to 120 years to mature, bamboo can be harvested after three years. Healthy Home Plans suggests trying out environmentally friendly bamboo for flooring options and skipping other types of wood.

Bamboo floors come in a variety of non-VOC stains, are easily cleaned and their durability stacks up to common woods used in flooring.

Seattle residents are proud of the City’s efforts in gaining the top green city spot and most look for ways to follow suit. Trying some or all of these ideas are not only green, they’ll save money on utility costs.

By Annie Davis

Earth Day May Be Over, But Why Stop Being Green? #HormelFamily

April 27, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

My family has to recycle all the time, and my husband actually watched my feed the other day as I was tweeting an Earth Day Themed party. One of the things I said I wish we would do better was limit our paper products. We use a lot of napkins and a lot of paper plates, which doesn’t make sense knowing we have a perfectly good dishwasher, and washing machine. Plus both are high efficiency products. I know that Earth Day is over but why stop there?

Each year Hormel Foods strives to do their part in the conserving energy and reducing pollution. In 2011 they reduced their solid waste to landfills by 29 percent and completed 33 packaging reduction projects to reduce materials used by 4.2 million pounds! To learn more about these successes and many others please visit Hormel’s Goals. There are plenty of simple ways that you and your family can help out this year, including: 

Next time you want to enjoy a picnic, pack-up an eco-friendly basket with dishes from home instead of paper plates and plastic utensils. Enjoy a healthy spread with products that are known for their eco-friendly and sustainable packaging. One example is Hormel® Natural Choice® deli meats. Hormel® Natural Choice® deli meats comes in packaging made of 100 percent recycled material – making them the only national brand that features 100 percent recycled packaging. Just last month, Hormel® Natural Choice® launched their new line of Family Pack deli meats – perfect for feeding a large group and cutting down on your trips to the store.


Pack lunches in reusable containers instead of plastic zip-lock bags that can only be used once. Take it a step further by saving and using plastic containers from take-out meals.


Opt to receive bills and notices through email instead of by mail. Most banks and organizations offer a “paper-less” option, which will not only help cut down on wasted paper, but shorten your stack of mail that comes in every day.


Offer your support through a contribution to the Earth Day Network! Or check out the many opportunities to volunteer in your community.

What could you do to make a difference other than just celebrating Earth Day.