Category Archives: bigo

10 Reasons to Support the MeatLess May Campaign (and How to Make a Success of It)

by CharmaiSpinks Posted on April 22, 2018

A lot of folks get that eating a plant-based diet is the most Earth-friendly and sustainable food choice. But as we all know, the chasm between knowledge and action can be huge.

In the case of eating less meat, it becomes even wider depending on where you grew up. In South Africa, for example, meat isn?t just something we eat, it?s woven into the fabric of our culture.

When you grow up eating meat, eggs and dairy, it can be hard to give those things up. Black coffee is gross and toast without scrambled eggs is, well, toast. And what about grilled cheese, how on earth are you supposed to survive without that childhood staple?

What is the MeatLess May Campaign?

If you?ve been toying with the idea of eating a plant-based diet, but haven?t been able to wrap your head around the idea of never eating another cheeseburger ever, the MeatLess May campaign is the perfect way to test the water.

Rather than have you quit all animal products outright for the month of May (gasp), it simply challenges you to commit to a more sustainable diet. You choose your ?dietary tribe? based on what you?re able to give up.

For example, meat lovers can opt for the Positive Pioneers tribe, which means you only give up meat, poultry and fish from Monday to Thursday. If you think you can do without meat, but not your morning cappuccino, then the Virtually Veggies tribe is for you.

For vegetarians, this is a great opportunity to quit eggs and dairy and eat 100 percent vegan. The Groovy Gardeners slogan says it all: if it grows in the ground, you can eat it.

10 Reasons to Try MeatLess May

Along with encouraging people to eat fewer animal products, the campaign also aims to raise awareness around the key issues affecting our planet. Ultimately, we are all responsible for the habitat we live in.

These are?10 compelling?reasons to support the MeatLess May campaign.

Raising animals for food requires massive amounts of land, food, energy, and water and causes immense animal suffering.
Animal agriculture is responsible for 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, more than the combined exhaust from all transportation.
People under 65 who eat a lot of meat, eggs and dairy are four times as likely to die from cancer or diabetes.
Pigs, cows, chickens, fish, and other animals raised at factory farms experience unimaginable cruelty.
Humane meat is a contradiction in terms.
Animal agriculture is the leading cause of species extinction, ocean dead zones, water pollution and habitat destruction.
For every pound of fish caught, five pounds of unintended marine species are caught and discarded as by-kill.
Animal agriculture increases acid rain.
Most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods.
Eating organic meat will not help you avoid contaminants.

Resources to Keep You on Track during MeatLess May (and beyond!)

We?ve all been there. Something gets you all fired up and raring to go, and then a day or two later you?re flailing. Inspiration is a wonderful thing, but you also need motivation to keep going when things get tough. As they usually do.

If you feel your motivation?flagging, these talks, movies, and books can help you remember why you’re?trying to cut back on (or cut out) animal products.

Talks

A Vegan Bodybuilding Experiment by Joshua Knox
The Secrets of Food Marketing by Kate Cooper
Why I?m a Weekday Vegetarian by Graham Hill

Movies

Cowspiracy by Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn
What The Health by Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn
The Secret Reason We Eat Meat by Dr. Melanie Joy [animated]

Books

8 Weeks to Optimum Health by Dr. Andrew Weil
The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner
Esther the Wonder Pig by Steve Jenkins, Derek Walter and Caprice Crane
You?re also welcome to download a free, no strings attached copy of my e-book: Eating a Plant-Based Diet for Beginners (and Curious Omnivores).

Eliminating animal products from your diet benefits you, the planet and of course, the animals. May is a little over a week away, so you?ve got plenty of time to get your head in the game.

Make the commitment to eat less meat for the month. You?ll find plenty of support and inspiration on the MeatLess May Facebook page and by following #meatlessmay on Instagram.

Related at Care2

A Guide to Plant-Based Milks
Why do Vegans Eat Meat and Cheese Alternatives?
10 Reasons the Meat and Dairy Industries are Unsustainable

Photo Credit: Thinkstock

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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10 Reasons to Support the MeatLess May Campaign (and How to Make a Success of It)

Posted in alo, bigo, FF, GE, LAI, LG, ONA, organic, oven, PUR, Ultima, Uncategorized | Tagged africa, andersen, bigo, books, dr-, food, inspiration, organic, people, plant, reasons, ultima | Comments Off

5 Reasons Why You Need to Give Up Plastic this Earth Day

by RoyceCosh9 Posted on April 22, 2018

With Earth Day on all of our minds, it?s a good time to start taking some tangible, quantifiable steps to reducing our environmental impact. Driving more eco-friendly cars, investing in solar power and shopping local are all fashionable (and of course, great steps!), but our favorite Earth Day resolution?this year is reducing your plastic consumption.

When you think about it, plastic is pretty much everywhere these days, from shipping materials to health food products. Here are five reasons you should give up (or at least greatly reduce) your plastic consumption:

It?s Accumulating in the Ocean

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch has been common knowledge among environmentalists for years, but recently, we collectively learned that this patch of plastic is even worse than we?d feared. The ?patch? is now estimated to be 4 to 16 times larger than originally thought, according to NPR.

In addition to recognizable items like water bottles, fishing supplies, plastic bags and buoys, the garbage patch is cluttered with tiny, nearly invisible plastic particles called microplastics, which are essentially the remnants of trash that?s already been broken down. Plastic is not a material that quickly and easily breaks down, so its memory remains in the ecosystem long after its usually short-lived human use has expired.

It?s Killing Wildlife

Speaking of the garbage patch, plastic that collects in forests and waterways is slowly killing countless animals. Turtles and birds have long been known to get trapped in plastic bags, soda rings and other plastic items, but that?s only the beginning. According to National Geographic, seabirds around the world are regularly consuming plastic ? and it?s slowly killing them.

It?s Responsible for a Huge Number of Carbon Emissions

About 6 percent of global oil consumption can be attributed to plastic use, according to Time for Change. And as we all know by now, oil production comes at a major price to the environment. Time for Change also points out that the production of plastic bags and bottles generates 6 kg CO2 per kg of plastic.

It Could Be Impacting Your Health

Most scientists agree that too much exposure to plastics can cause major health issues. The question is usually ?how much is too much??, but when you consider the risks, you may decide that you want to avoid plastic at all costs.

Plastics contain chemicals that mimic estrogen in the body, an activity called ?estrogenic activity.? The presence of synthetic estrogens has been linked to a number of different health concerns, including developmental and hormonal issues as well as many cancers.

It Could Impact the Health of Your Children and Grandchildren

Finally, those synthetic chemicals can wind up in the bodies of future generations. A huge study commissioned by the Environmental Working Group and Commonweal found an average of 200 industrial chemicals, a number of which are transferred from plastics, in the umbilical cord blood of newborns. If that isn?t enough to scare you away from plastics, I don?t know what is!

3 Ways a Zero Waste Lifestyle Can Improve Your Health
Finally Some Good News on Plastic Bags in Our Oceans
9 Ways to Cut Out Plastic That Will Help the Environment

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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5 Reasons Why You Need to Give Up Plastic this Earth Day

Posted in alo, bigo, eco-friendly, FF, GE, LAI, LG, ONA, PUR, solar, solar panels, solar power, Uncategorized | Tagged bigo, children, health, king, major, national, ocean, Plastic | Comments Off

My No-Nonsense Approach to Meal Planning

by ladonna3109 Posted on April 21, 2018

Did you know that between 25 and 40 percent of all food that is grown, transported and processed in the United States will never be eaten? I don’t know about you, but that’s extremely difficult for me to hear. How could we let that much food go to waste?

I first heard that statistic about two years ago when I was beginning to explore what it might mean to go zero waste. What I learned was that ? besides keeping reusables handy?and cutting plastic out of my life?? being more intentional with the?food that I buy and eat is a crucial part of keeping?that same food from becoming literal garbage.

Today, I use a very simple meal planning strategy to ensure I shop realistically, buy only what I’ll eat in a week, cook reasonable portions and actually eat the leftovers I save.?Here’s what you’ll need for this meal planning strategy:

1)?A?collection of your favorite recipes. This can be a cookbook, a full recipe box or a Pinterest board like this one.

2) A way to store or mark them.?Because I’m digital all the way, I use Pinterest to store chosen recipes. You may want sticky notes for a cookbook or an envelope for chosen recipes.

3)?Your calendar.?Digital or paper, you’ll want to have your calendar for the week in front of you. You could also use?a printable like this!

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Choose some recipes that sound yummy

Mark, pull or “pin” recipes that sound good to you from?your cookbook, recipe box or Pinterest boards. Set the recipes?aside as you go, and make sure you’re?selecting a variety of cuisines so you don’t get bored with your meals later on. You’ll want to have a week’s worth with wiggle room for leftovers ? so, approximately 4-5 dinners, 4-5 lunches and some fixings for breakfast.

As you can see, I’ve pinned a variety of options, from dinners to pancake breakfasts, to meals that will stretch easily across 2-3 days of eating ? that burrito bowl, for example.

Step 2: Fill in your calendar

Assuming you shop once a week and purchase?enough food to last you seven-ish days, plan out every meal from Sunday to Saturday using the recipes you’ve pulled for use. Make sure you build in intentional spaces for leftovers, as well as make a list of the snacks you’ll eat throughout. Here’s an example from my Google Sheets calendar:

As you can see, I’ve included a breakfast, lunch and dinner for every single day of the week. I’ve also left spaces marked “Leftovers” where I intend to re-eat the past evening’s dinner for lunch or for dinner again. No food goes to waste! The column labeled “Make Ahead” reminds me to meal prep in my free time, so I don’t get caught in a bind without a prepped ingredient later on (ex: mashed sweet potatoes that I’ll need for the quesadillas).

Step 3: Write out your grocery list

Now’s the time to return to your list of favorite recipes! Go through them one by one, adding ingredients you?know you need to your grocery list, which should be broken down by section (i.e. bakery, produce) for convenience.?Make sure you check your fridge and pantry! Too often we buy duplicates when we already have half of what we need already in the pantry. Have staples you need to restock? Mark them now.

Pro Tip: I save my grocery list to?an event titled “Go Grocery Shopping” in my Google Calendar (see photo above). Once I’ve created the event and set the time, I open the event and add my grocery list to the “Description” section in the details. It’s quick, easy and straightforward. No fancy apps required!

Step 4: Go shopping!

Pull out those reusable grocery bags and head to the store! Stick to your list, buy nothing extra (you probably won’t eat it) and then meal prep as soon as you’re able.?You’ll already have all the recipes you need pulled ahead of time! Want some tips on how to use leftover food scraps? This blog post is a great place to start.?

Do you meal plan? What other strategies do you use to cut down on your food waste?

7 Sneaky Plastic Items to Stop Using

by Bikor11 Posted on April 20, 2018

This Earth Day, reducing our plastic consumption is a huge step we can take toward making the planet a better place?and this huge step is actually comprised of several itty, bitty steps! Addressing this part of our lives doesn?t mean we have to immediately and completely shun plastic in all its forms (although, if you?d like to go cold turkey, have at it!).

By being more aware of the everyday situations wherein plastic can sneak into our lives, we can opt to be better prepared and to ultimately reduce how much plastic creation we are supporting.

1. Produce bags

These have an easy way of sneaking their way into our lives while grocery shopping. Even if we commit to not using them for firm fruits and veggies, it is hard to resist a plastic casing for delicate herbs and greens. However, arming ourselves with reusable (and washable) cotton or mesh bags for this purpose is a great step toward never having to use those wasteful plastic bags again.

2. Straws

The sneakiest! They show up in our restaurant and bar drinks without having to ask. Yet, remembering to ask for ?no straw, please? can be quickly learned. If you still like the feel of sipping through a straw, several glass and stainless steel versions exist (some with their own cloth bags for portability).

3. Items that could be purchased in bulk

Hungry for pistachios? Need some pine nuts for a new recipe? Most of these items (and more) can be found in bulk at health food stores and, more often nowadays, more mainstream grocers, as well. Bringing a cloth or mesh bag for nuts and grains (and then transferring to glassware at home) and even glassware for items like nut butters, maple syrup and olive oil (have an associate weigh your container first) are great Earth-friendly ways to reduce plastic waste and the demand for more plastic creation.

4. Bottles of water

It cannot be said enough: always have a water bottle with you! This will reduce temptation to buy water bottles or accept offers for one (?No thank you, I have my water bottle?).

5. Snack bags

Instead of storing snacks (or fridge leftovers) in little plastic bags that will probably be thrown away after one use, invest in some quality reusable packaging: cloth wraps, glassware, stainless steel boxes, etc.

6. Plastic tampon applicators

The only item on this list I?m sure is only used once and definitely thrown away, instead of recycled. Instead of relying on these, consider investing in a menstrual cup that can be used for years – less waste, less hassle and less moments of panic when you realize you don?t have any tampons on hand. If that doesn?t float your boat, several companies are now creating panties that absorb menstrual blood so tampons needn?t enter the equation.

7. Gifts from others

Surprises are wonderful, as are gifts from loved ones. Yet, those who may not be aware of our mission to make the world a plastic-free place may provide gifts chock full of the stuff. As meaningful dates approach, you can gently let your loved ones know that you would greatly appreciate spending time together to make new memories and, oh, by the way, you?re working on reducing your plastic consumption so there?s no need to gift anything with plastic ingredients.

7 Reusable Alternatives to Single-Use Plastic

by TiffanyJensen Posted on April 20, 2018

A brief history of the invention of plastics takes us all the way back to 1839, when a fellow by the name of Eduard Simon inadvertently discovered polystyrene. In 1909 Leo Hendrik Baekeland invented the first synthetic plastic.

Fast-forward to 2017 and a study released by Science Advances tallies up all the plastic ever made. It turns out humans have produced 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic since 1950.

If it was at least being put to good use, that number might not be quite so disturbing. Unfortunately, most plastic production is for single-use packaging.

To put it in perspective, in 2015 humans threw out 141 million metric tons of single-use plastic packaging – almost as much as was made that year.

The amount of plastic trash littering the earth is staggering. Stopping production of this environmentally-unfriendly substance isn?t going to happen, so the next best thing is to vote with your wallet and?choose reusable alternatives to single-use plastic.

1. Plastic Straws

Straw pollution is a huge problem. Edible straws?are one solution, but what if your local smoothie bar doesn?t stock the Lolistraw?

From steel and bamboo to glass and paper, there are plenty of eco-friendly alternatives to plastic straws. You could even go rogue and opt for no straw. You rebel, you.

2. Water Bottles

There are plenty of easy hacks to reduce your plastic consumption and one of them is to get yourself a reusable water bottle. Unlike its single-use plastic cousin, the forever alternative isn?t bad for your health.

3. Plastic Shopping Bags

It?s heartening to see the growing number of countries that have banned plastic bags.

Some, like South Africa, have imposed a tax as a way to discourage people from using them. The amount is far from prohibitive, but at least the major grocery chains have made reusable shopping bags cost-effective and easily available.

4. Take-Out Eating Utensils

Living sustainably isn?t just the domain of the eco-friendly nomad. There?s nothing wrong with carrying a reusable cutlery set with you even if you do have a permanent address. What if you forget your packed lunch or need to work late and order take-out?

5. Take-Out Coffee Cups

Along with plastic straws and water bottles, one of the easiest ways to avoid adding to the world?s growing trash problem is to quit?your morning cappuccino?habit.

I?m kidding. Everyone knows the day hasn?t started until the caffeine?s been had. Just get yourself a reusable coffee cup and you?re good to go.

6. Flip-Flops

Synonymous with summer and lazy days at the beach, the trusty flip-flop is a favorite with many people. They also pose a huge hazard to ocean life.

A better idea is to find an eco-friendly sandal that will last you more than one season.

7. Kids Toys

Although technically not single-use, the cheap gimmicky toys that come in Happy Meals (or lure little hands in the checkout aisle) might just as well be. Kids will whine like there?s no tomorrow until they get it and then toss it aside an hour later. Instead, buy them some?eco-friendly toys they?ll actually appreciate.

If you want to take another step to fight single-use plastic, sign this Care2 petition asking Starbucks to?ditch plastic straws.

Photo Credits: Thinkstock

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Originally posted here:

7 Reusable Alternatives to Single-Use Plastic

Posted in alo, bamboo, bigo, Citizen, eco-friendly, Everyone, FF, GE, LAI, LG, ONA, PUR, Uncategorized | Tagged earth, health, lai, Ona, plastic straws, reusable bottles, single, world | Comments Off

Here’s What Happens to a Plastic Bag After You Throw It Away

by Eldon9341hrlsbq Posted on April 20, 2018

Globally, we use more than?1 trillion plastic bags each year. Yeah, that’s A LOT of plastic. Even more shocking, only 1 percent of plastic bags actually get recycled in the US.

Plastic shopping bags are a huge environmental issue, mainly because they are so ubiquitous and there is a lot of?confusion around recycling them. The fact is, unless you are making a special effort to recycle your plastic bags at your local grocery store or drop-off location, your used bags are eventually ending up in one of 3 locations: the landfill, a tree by the highway or the ocean. And they’re not going away any time soon.

Here’s the timeline of what happens when you toss your plastic bags…

That day…

After a trip to the grocery store, you pull out a single bunch of bananas from a?plastic grocery bag. You stare at the bag?guiltily, wishing you had a better use for it, but your drawer is already overflowing with too many saved plastic bags as is. So you crumple the bag up, toss it in your trash, and forget about it.

A few days later…

You take out your trash and it gets collected. The garbage bag breaks open in the truck and all the contents spill out. Your plastic grocery?bag may?catch a breeze and blow off the truck, getting tangled in a high tree on the side of a busy road where it will cling for years to come. Otherwise, the bag makes its way to the landfill.

1 year later?

You?ve probably gained a wrinkle or two, maybe another gray hair, but that plastic bag you?ve tossed hasn?t changed all that much. At this point it has probably reached its home, one of 3 locations:

If the bag was in a tree, perhaps it fell, tattered, to the ground, where it was?eaten by an innocent?seagull. The plastic makes the bird?feel unnaturally full and causes it to starve to death. The body decomposes in a matter of weeks, but the plastic bag in its stomach remains behind, fully intact.
Your plastic bag may have?been?swept up in the breeze at the landfill and?end up near a waterway. A few hard rainfalls later, it is in a trickling stream en route to the ocean.
Perhaps the bag remains in the landfill, lifeless, perfectly preserved. In any scenario, it hasn’t?broken down at all.

20 years later…

If the bag was originally stuck in a tree, it finally decomposes after 20 years, thanks to photodegradation from solar UV light. Since bacteria do not eat plastic, it cannot biodegrade like a banana or a paper bag, which is why plastic?is extremely difficult to break down.
If it became an?ocean-dwelling bag, it likely remains?fairly intact, very slowly breaking down into smaller pieces of harmful microplastics, which are already?destroying our oceans. And just because it is in the ocean doesn’t mean it is not your problem. Small fish feed on these plastic pieces, larger fish feed on small fish and we feed on larger fish. So, effectively, that fish dinner you or your loved ones eat in 20 years might contain toxic microplastics from?your grocery bag. Ew.
In the landfill, rainfall causes water-soluble chemicals from the plastic to get carried away and leached into the ground. From there, these chemicals pollute the?water supply, poison local?farmland and harm local animal and plant life.

500 years later?

You?ve come and gone, and so have your great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandchildren (and their great-grandchildren, too). And finally, in some massive landfill, your grocery bag that held that single bunch of bananas has hopefully decomposed?although we can?t be sure, since plastic bags have only been around for about 50 years.

The process?may actually take over 1000 years, since plastic does not technically biodegrade and some types need?UV light to break down. So?it is possible that your grocery bag will be harming human health and the planet for the next 30?generations?to come. At least no one can say you didn’t leave your mark.

If your plastic bag ended up in the waterways, it is still floating around the ocean in the form of microplastics, killing sea life (if there still is any in 500 years) and further acidifying the ocean. The sad truth is that, in the ocean, plastics?may never fully break down, even in 1000 years.

Make a change!

Wow, that was bleak. But it doesn’t have to be that?way. Your humble actions today can make a huge difference for the next millennium!

While you cannot recycle plastic bags with your home recycling, they are fairly easy and convenient to recycle through a drop-off location. Just collect all of your plastic bags in a corner of your kitchen and bring them back to the grocery store, which should have a recycling drop-off?for them.?Find locations near you here. (Please do not try to recycle plastic bags in your home recycling. It causes major problems.) From there, the bags will be broken down into raw plastic pellets and get reused to create any number of useful products, from clothing to sunglasses to useful appliances. And hopefully those will get recycled or repurposed, and the cycle of good will continue.

Or, ideally, you can stop using plastic shopping bags altogether.

If you make one change this year to become greener, work on your plastic waste. Carry reusable bags with you to the grocery store so you don’t need plastic bags. Petition your local town to ban plastic bags from stores. Encourage more grocery stores?to offer recyclable boxes (leftover from their shipments) for people who forget their bags. These changes are small, easy and highly effective once they are widely implemented.

It’s all up to you. Go ahead, lead the plastic-free revolution in your town, in your country, in your planet.

?Related on Care2:

And 2018′s Dirtiest Produce Award Goes To…
8 Easiest Hacks to Reduce Your Plastic Consumption
A Guide to the Greenest Meal Delivery Kits Out There

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Taken from:

Here’s What Happens to a Plastic Bag After You Throw It Away

Posted in alo, bigo, Everyone, FF, GE, LAI, LG, ONA, PUR, solar, Uncategorized | Tagged decompose, king, leach, life-cycle, ocean, reduce, reuse, town, years | Comments Off

8 Easiest Hacks to Reduce Your Plastic Consumption

by RusselEuler Posted on April 18, 2018

Plastic is literally everywhere. Shopping bags, toothbrushes, backpacks, shoes, wrappers, you name it. Is it even possible to avoid all of it while enjoying a normal social life?

We all know that plastic is no good for the environment, but it can be a real challenge to get away from it.

Rather than sitting there with your head spinning, it?can be?less stressful?to just give in?everyone else uses plastic, why not me, too? ? ? ? ? ??

But reducing your plastic consumption doesn?t have to be an all-or-nothing endeavor. By shifting your daily habits slightly, you can keep a lot of single-use plastics out of our landfills, waterways and oceans.

Here are a handful of?habits to leave behind for a cleaner planet (and body).

1. Say no to plastic straws.

If there is a piece of plastic pollution that is entirely pointless, it is the plastic straw. The straw?doesn?t have a reasonable purpose. It is simply an unnecessary convenience that ends up painfully jammed in the noses of sea turtles.

And guess what–Americans use 500 million straws every single day! Do your environment a favor and refuse the straw. Just sip your drinks instead, like a regular human.

Of course, if you?re a major straw fanatic, you do have other options. Paper straws are growing in popularity, as are edible straws. And of course, there is the reusable metal, glass, or bamboo straw if you’re a true aficionado.

Let your straw be your passion, not an environmental inconvenience.

2. Abandon to-go cups and bottles.

Not only are plastic bottles and to-go cups horrible for the environment, but the chemicals that leach out of them are horrible for your health. But there’s an easy fix.

If you’re staying at a cafe, ask for a?glass?or mug. If you’re bringing your drink on the run, just bring a reusable bottle or thermos with you. It’s really not difficult once it becomes habitual.

Plus, many stores offer a small discount for customers who bring their own cups. Sure, it’s just a few cents, but it can add up over time, especially if you get a few iced coffees on the go?every day.

3. Stop buying single-use coffee pods.

Speaking of coffee, coffee pods are a big no-no. They are single-use and all plastic. Not only do these build up fast in landfills, but the chemicals in the plastic can leach into the hot water when you’re making your coffee. Ew.

But here’s the big issue: almost 1 out of every 3 Americans own a single-cup coffee machine, meaning pods aren’t going away anytime soon. Luckily?there is a?healthier option–reusable pods.

Buying a reusable pod isn?t expensive (even a plastic-free one), and you?ll no longer be restricted to the variety packs of manufacturers. You can fill your pod with the best direct trade, organic coffee you can find. It will be a lot fresher than the single use pods, too.

4. You don’t need plastic baggies or plasticwrap.

For years I felt guilty about buying and using non-recyclable plasticwrap and baggies. But then I discovered other solutions. Seriously, I?haven’t purchased plasticwrap for 4 years.

For one, try reusing the produce bags from the grocery store instead of buying plastic snack baggies. Ideally, you’d cut those produce bags out at some point, too, since they’re plastic, but for now we are taking baby steps.

For covering or storing food, in lieu of plasticwrap, try securing?parchment paper with a rubber band?or invest in sustainable and reusable wrap like Bee’s Wrap. They wraps are both reusable and way more environmentally sustainable.

People have existed for millennia without plasticwrap. We don’t need it now.

5. Watch out for your cotton swabs.

There are two types of cotton swabs: those with plastic handles and those with paper handles.

Neither can be recycled, so don’t even try. But believe it or not, cotton swabs with the cardboard handle can be composted, so opt for these if you have a compost bin. Even if you don’t compost, just stop buying the plastic ones.

If?anyone discovers cotton swabs that use 100 percent recycled materials in their handles, let us?know. Cotton swabs aren’t a very eco-friendly product, so use them only when necessary.

6. Choose solid personal care products.

Think of all the personal?products?you buy that come in plastic containers.

Reduce that number by buying more dry?items, like a bar of soap (rarely packed in plastic) instead of a liquid body wash. Or swap out your liquid laundry detergent in a plastic jug?for a box of?cardboard-clad powdered. Ladies, consider?tampons?without?the plastic applicator or even a reusable menstrual cup.

While this doesn’t work for all products, you can cut out some of the wasteful plastic packaging in your bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room by being a bit more aware of what you’re consuming.

7. Ditch disposable razors.

Not only are?disposable razors?not ideal for shaving, they are also pretty wasteful in the plastic department.

In the US, 200 billion plastic razors end up in the trash every year. Even if the plastic handle isn’t necessarily disposable,?the blades are loaded with plastic, and there is just no good way to recycle either when you’re done with them.

Do yourself a favor and invest in a metal safety razor. The handles range in price from $20 to $100+, but remember that it is a one-time purchase. It’s also a lot cheaper in the long run since the blades come in 100 packs for less than a Hamilton.

And of course, the shave is way better (for both men and women).

8. B.Y.O.B. (bring your own bag)

And, of course, always bring your own shopping bag. Plastic shopping bags are one of the biggest pollutants, and they are really challenging to recycle in a facility. They are small enough to fit on your keychain nowadays, so no excuses.

These are all really easy lifestyle habits to change, and they pay off environmentally in a big, big way. How are you going to reduce you plastic consumption this month? Share your goals with the community below. ? ??

Images via Thinkstock.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Continued here:

8 Easiest Hacks to Reduce Your Plastic Consumption

Posted in alo, bamboo, bigo, eco-friendly, Everyone, FF, GE, Hagen, Keurig, LAI, LG, ONA, organic, PUR, Thermos, Uncategorized | Tagged americans, convenience, Cup, eco-friendly tips, goals, green, keurig, major, plant, saran wrap, Thermos | Comments Off

Is TP Ruining the Health of Your Vagina?

by KathieArriola Posted on April 12, 2018

It?s never fun when something goes wrong in your vaginal area. Skin irritation, puffiness and even infections are fairly common, but figuring out what caused these issues can sometimes be a mystery. Once you?ve spoken to your doctor and ruled out any obvious concerns, you might want to take a look at your toilet paper.

Yes, toilet paper. This seemingly innocent part of our daily lives can actually have a negative impact on your vaginal health. And before you assume this is something you?ll just have to live with, rest assured there are safe and effective alternatives to toilet paper that your vagina will thank you for.

WHAT EXACTLY IS IN TOILET PAPER?

Most toilet paper starts out as trees that are ground up and processed into paper. But, it has to go through some intense chemical processing to make it so white and soft. First, the raw wood gets chipped and mixed with water and various chemicals to extract the fibers and make pulp. And if the toilet paper is being made from recycled paper, the paper is combined with water and processed to remove any staples or other debris as well as the ink.

The wet pulp is then bleached until all color is removed, and eventually dried to make the final toilet paper. Certain brands of toilet paper may also add formaldehyde or other additives for extra softness and absorbency, as well as lotion, wax, perfume, colored dyes or antibacterial chemicals to the final product.

Unfortunately, a lot of these production chemicals are considered trade secrets, and toilet paper manufacturing companies aren?t required to disclose exactly what they use. This makes it difficult to find out exactly what?s in your favorite toilet paper, but it?s going to be a mix of residual processing chemicals, bleaches and final additives.

HOW COULD TOILET PAPER BE AFFECTING YOUR VAGINA?

1. Microcuts

Keep in mind that toilet paper is made from trees. It?s been highly processed, but you?re still essentially wiping yourself with wood. You may have acutely felt this in some brands of TP that have rougher fiber pieces in them compared to others that are softer.

Not only can this be uncomfortable, it can also damage the tissues around your vulva. If you find you?re swollen or puffy, or have an infection, it could be from small abrasions and cuts caused by your toilet paper. Wiping too harshly can also make matters worse.

Try using some of the alternatives discussed below instead of TP for a few days and see if that helps. Also, dabbing with toilet paper when possible is gentler than fully wiping.

2. Vaginal Infections

Your vagina is naturally quite acidic. This is mainly to fight off any potentially harmful bacteria you may encounter. But, some of the additives in toilet paper can disrupt your pH balance and impair your vagina?s natural bacteria-fighting capabilities. That?s often how an infection takes hold, such as yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis.

To reduce your risks, avoid toilet paper that?s scented or has other obvious additives, and consider using ones that are hypoallergenic.

3. UTIs

This may be more of a technique issue rather than the fault of toilet paper itself. When you wipe from back to front, bacteria-laden fecal matter can be wiped forward up to your urethral opening. Here, bacteria can travel up your urethra into your bladder and potentially start a urinary tract infection. That?s why doctors always recommend to wipe from front to back, then dispose of your toilet paper and get a fresh piece for a second wipe.

4. Allergic Reactions

Some people may have allergies to one or more of the various dyes, perfumes and other chemicals added to TP. Allergies can show up as itching, dermatitis or other forms of skin irritation around your vulva and possibly anus.

Toilet papers that are softer, more absorbent and thicker often contain more additives to make them this way. Look for brands that are thinner, unscented and off-white. These often have less added chemicals and less potential for allergic reactions.

WHAT CAN YOU USE INSTEAD?

Toilet paper is not as necessary as we may think. Many countries throughout the world simply do not have or use toilet paper. And there?s also a serious environmental cost of producing TP. Aside from the chemicals and pollution created during processing, it?s estimated that about 27,000 trees are cut down every day just to make toilet paper. Around 50 percent of these trees come from virgin and old growth forests throughout the world.

You can help reduce this ecological impact and safe guard your health by using alternatives to toilet paper. These alternatives will also save you money because they?re more sustainable and you won?t have to continuously buy a disposable product.

1. Rinse with Water

If you?re used to toilet paper, switching to water might feel a bit weird at first. But washing with water is a very common practice in many countries. Also, people often find it actually gets you cleaner and is more hygienic than using TP. It?s also much gentler on your body and is chemical-free.

The easiest way to start is to get a bottle you can keep next to your toilet. You can buy a peri bottle or irrigation bottle at a pharmacy. A squeezable water bottle also works well. After using the toilet, simply spray yourself off instead of using TP. You can also pour a bit of water into your cupped hand and wash with your hand if needed. And, of course, wash your hands afterwards.

With a bit more expense, installing a bidet is also an excellent choice.

2. Reusable Cloths

If you still don?t feel clean enough after washing with water, or you?d simply like to dry off afterwards, consider adding reusable cloths to your routine. Also known as ?family cloths,? these are much softer on your skin than TP and don?t have the chemical residues and additives.

You can buy reusable diaper wipes, wash cloths or search for ?family cloths? online. A free option is to cut up old flannel sheets or pajamas, towels or baby blankets. Simply cut them into appropriate-sized squares with pinking shears, which will prevent fraying on the edges.

Make sure they don?t get flushed down the toilet by keeping a diaper bin or other sealed container next to your toilet to put them in. Then wash them in hot water when you have enough for a load in your washing machine.

Related at Care2

14 Things Compromising the Health of Your Vagina
8 Things Every Woman Should Know About Feminine Hygiene Products
3 Ways to ?Green? Your Period

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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Is TP Ruining the Health of Your Vagina?

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5 Ways Spending Time in Nature Benefits Your Brain

by AngleaBozeman Posted on April 12, 2018

Your brain doesn?t need an expensive supplement or trendy superfood to stay healthy. Research shows all you need to do is spend some time in nature. This can include many different natural environments, such as city parks, farms, beaches, wilderness areas or your home garden. The most important part is to find somewhere with as many living things and as little evidence of human presence as possible.

Although, this can be easier said than done. Over 50 percent of people now live in urban areas, which is estimated to rise to 70 percent by 2050. And urbanization is taking a toll on our brain function and mental health. City dwellers have a higher risk of depression, anxiety, mood disorders and schizophrenia compared to those who live in rural areas.

You owe it to yourself and your mental health to make a habit of spending time in nature. Take your dog for a walk in your local city park. Plan excursions to wilderness areas near your home. Or sit in your backyard and watch the birds for a while. You?ll be doing your brain a big favor.

HOW NATURE BENEFITS YOUR BRAIN

1. Boosts Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills

Not only are more of us living in urban areas, we?re also rapidly increasing our use of technology. Working on computers, checking cell phones and otherwise interacting with electronic devices is shown to place heavy demands on your brain?s ability to focus and process information.

Researchers at the University of London investigated the effects of nature to rebalance this technological drain on our cognitive abilities. They took a group of adults backpacking in the wilderness for 4 days where they were not allowed to use any technology whatsoever. They were asked to complete tasks that required creative thinking and complex problem solving before the trip, and again at the end. Their performance on the tasks improved by an impressive 50 percent after spending 4 tech-free days in nature.

2. Promotes Compassion and Generosity

Looking at a beautiful forest, beach or other natural scene gives many of us a sense of awe or wonder. And this sense of awe is shown to increase our feelings of caring and connectedness towards others.

In a series of studies, one research group found that when you experience awe, it increases your ethical decision-making abilities, generosity and positive social behaviors, such as being helpful and cooperative. Researchers suggest this is because awe often gives you a sense that you are a small part of something bigger, which seems to encourage a shift to caring about how you relate to others and your community rather than simply yourself.

3. Sharpens Mental Focus

A University of Michigan study asked participants to complete a memory test, go for a walk, then repeat the test again after they returned. One half of the group walked through a local arboretum and the other half walked down a busy city street. Those who had walked among the trees improved their performance on the memory test by almost 20 percent. Whereas, the city walkers had no noticeable improvement.

Researchers believe this is because being in a city requires your brain to process far more information compared to being in a natural setting. If you?re constantly being bombarded by city life, your brain essentially gets tired. Viewing nature gives your brain a chance to take a break, which allows it to come back to cognitively demanding tasks with renewed energy.

Interestingly, the study also found you don?t even need to enjoy your time in nature to benefit. The benefits were similar when participants walked outside on a warm summer day or a freezing day during winter. The only difference was that participants enjoyed the summer walks more than those in the depths of winter.

4. Stops Negative, Obsessive Thinking

Dwelling too much on things you feel are wrong with yourself or your life is not healthy. Habitually ruminating on negative thoughts like this is known to put you at risk for depression and other mental illnesses. It?s also been found to be much more common among those who live in cities. Although, simply taking a walk in your local city park is shown to combat this tendency.

In a recent study, participants reported their amount of rumination before and after a walk in a natural or an urban area. Those who walked for 90 minutes in nature reported a decrease in their negative thinking. They also had reduced activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex of the brain, an area related to mental illness. Those who walked through an urban area reported no reduction in rumination, and their brain scans also showed no improvement.

5. Helps ADHD

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobehavioral disorder of childhood. Symptoms often include an unusually high level of inattention, impulsivity and/or hyperactivity. A national study found that common after-school and weekend activities done in natural, outdoor environments may be effective in reducing these symptoms, such as simply reading in your backyard instead of inside. Researchers felt this could provide a widely available, free and non-pharmaceutical way to help those with ADHD.

Related on Care2

Why a Walk in the Woods Is Vital for Your Health: The Science Behind Forest Bathing
4 Ways to Reduce the Damage of Prolonged Sitting
7 Proven Health Benefits of Prayer

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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5 Ways Spending Time in Nature Benefits Your Brain

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5 Ways Spending Time in Nature Benefits Your Brain

by AngleaBozeman Posted on April 12, 2018

HOW NATURE BENEFITS YOUR BRAIN

1. Boosts Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills

2. Promotes Compassion and Generosity

3. Sharpens Mental Focus

4. Stops Negative, Obsessive Thinking

5. Helps ADHD

Related on Care2

Why a Walk in the Woods Is Vital for Your Health: The Science Behind Forest Bathing
4 Ways to Reduce the Damage of Prolonged Sitting
7 Proven Health Benefits of Prayer

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

View the original here:

5 Ways Spending Time in Nature Benefits Your Brain

Posted in alo, bigo, FF, GE, LAI, LG, ONA, oven, PUR, Uncategorized | Tagged cognitive, focus, health, home, nature & wildlife, Ona, Outdoors, oven, people, spirit, wellness | Comments Off

Category Archives: bigo

What is the MeatLess May Campaign?

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That day…

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Make a change!

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1. Say no to plastic straws.

2. Abandon to-go cups and bottles.

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WHAT EXACTLY IS IN TOILET PAPER?

HOW COULD TOILET PAPER BE AFFECTING YOUR VAGINA?

1. Microcuts

2. Vaginal Infections

3. UTIs

4. Allergic Reactions

WHAT CAN YOU USE INSTEAD?

1. Rinse with Water

2. Reusable Cloths

Related at Care2

Share this:

HOW NATURE BENEFITS YOUR BRAIN

1. Boosts Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills

2. Promotes Compassion and Generosity

3. Sharpens Mental Focus

4. Stops Negative, Obsessive Thinking

5. Helps ADHD

Related on Care2

Share this:

HOW NATURE BENEFITS YOUR BRAIN

1. Boosts Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills

2. Promotes Compassion and Generosity

3. Sharpens Mental Focus