Green Spot

Well, some of it is at least. No need to ask “Was it good for you?” after your meal either, if it’s made by companies such as Morningstar, Amy’s or Gardenburger, it’s most definitely fake meat, and contains no meat product. BUT, many ”meatless meats” aren’t totally organic and may contain unhealthy additives.

The recent Sierra Club Online Newsletter had a good article on which organic and strictly vegetarian “meatless meats” are better for consumption and are truly eco-friendly for the world and your body. Some “meatless meats” contain something called Hexane, which is a neurotoxin and air pollutant. To process grains used in these “meats”, factories tend to emit Hexane which has been known to cause skin and nervous system disorders in assembly-line workers at said factories.

Always ensure the package states “Organic” (containing at least 95% organic ingredients) or better yet, “100 Percent Organic” (no antibiotics, no hormones, no genetic alterations, no fertilizers, no pesticides). If it states “Made with Organic Ingredients”, that may just mean it is made of at least 70% organic ingredients but might not display the proper USDA organic logo on the packaging.

A lot of fake meat on the market is grain-based, or uses cultured soybean cake called Tempeh. Companies such as Field Roast or even Trader Joe’s markets offer meat alternatives that are all-organic and are healthy choices when trying to ingest protein and keep chemicals out of your body at the same time.

These days though, for the 3% of U.S. citizens that are vegetarian, it is tough to support that nutritional lifestyle and have options too. The below organic packaged good companies provide items for consumption throughout life and are available at most health food stores nationwide - but when in doubt, try some Tempeh:

• Arrowhead Mills
• Food For Life
• Barbara’s Bakery
• Nature’s Path
• Rice Dream
• EdenSoy
• Silk
• French Meadow Bakery
• Zen Bakery
• Tofutti
• Amy’s
• Tofurkey
• Earthbound Farms
• Yves
• Fantastic Foods
• Health Valley
• Imagine
• Health Best
• Ancient Harvest
• Nasoya
• Lightlife
• Rising Moon Organics
• Lundberg Family Farms
• Ecco Bella
• Westbrae
• Koyo
• Robert’s American Gormet
• Spectrum Naturals
• Muir Glen
• Earth Balance
• Dr. Oetker
• Sunspire

Good fake meat is good for you.

Post consumer materials can be found around the home in many places. The kitchen is one of many of these places and the list of home goods available that represent a change in our collective habits, mindsets and purchasing demand has increased exponentially since the first Earth Day decades ago.

Aside from the reusable bags that are used to transport groceries, and the day’s lunch and beverages, there are also the reusable canteens that act as receptacles for the necessary intake of water - both goods come from post-consumer material, and whether its stainless steel, organic cottons, or recycled PPP or PET, they are now staples in the modern, eco-friendly kitchen.

Recently Reynold’s Wrap® and Scott Tissue and Towel Papers have introduced new product lines that are made from post-consumer materials. The famous Reynolds Wrap® brand has gone a step further to offer its “100%” line to the world in a time where the Earth desperately needs some reduction in waste. This foil wrap line is made from, as the name says, 100% recycled aluminum, and is an innovative and brave step for the company. Scott® offers toilet paper, paper towels, moist wipes and more, at up to 60% of post-consumer recycled materials.

Although both companies should be commended for their efforts, and are leaders on the shelves of markets worldwide, it is possible to reuse towels and napkins in the kitchen and near the bathroom sink to reduce paper usage altogether. Not only would this save you money, but is a more eco-friendly choice in the long run. We do indeed support companies that make green products, and the intentions are good. Simple green solutions are all around us though, and rather than wrap leftovers or cover bowls in aluminum foil, reuse BPA-free tupperware to cut down on aluminum waste.

In conclusion, the home goods market and families around the world continue to think and live more progressively in an eco-driven consumer world. As this trend continues, the future may see a green home on every street, and cleaner neighborhoods for generations to come.

Reynold's "Green" Wrap: 100% Recycled Aluminum

Scott "Naturals" Tissue and Paper goods

Composting. You do it, we do it, everyone does it.

NO - not really, actually not enough people do it. MOST people don’t compost. We applaud you if you do! Why? ‘Cause its kind of a dirty little chore in which you place organic waste matter (usually plant or food waste) in a container in order to induce bacterial fermentation - that can enrich dirt to create nutrient-laced soil. Plants love the stuff. Metropolitan dwellers on the other hand, couldn’t be bothered with the idea of a countertop or next-to-home receptacle that can smell, attract fruit flies, or spontaneously combust.

Yes, it can explode. Left for to long without occasional stirring or plant feeding, compost can develop methane that heats up, and <BOOM> fire erupts. But that rarely happens, and if it does, usually only in larger piles.

Here are Types of composting:

• Backyard & Facility composting — If you have a yard or space and a balance of ‘browns’ (fallen leaves or straw) and ‘greens’ (grass clippings and food scraps - such as banana peels, coffee grounds and egg shells), you have all you need to make compost. Isn’t that exciting? Don’t all rush out at once…
• Worm composting (vermicomposting) — If you have a tiny yard or live in an apartment or have an abundance of food scraps, this type of composting is for you. Did you ever eat worms as a kid? If so, see a doctor, it could still be inside you having lots of worm babies.
• Grasscycling - If you have grass clippings and don’t want to use them in a compost pile you can leave them on the lawn to decompose, or gather it in a reusable garden sack with a draw string. There are many techniques and benefits - just don’t feed them to cows, the blades decompose fast and can make them sick. Nobody likes green milk!

10 good reasons why you should compost:

1. Yard and food waste make up 30% of the waste stream. Composting your kitchen and yard trimmings helps divert that waste from the landfill, waterways and water treatment facilities.
2. You will significantly reduce pest problems–and your use of pesticides.
3. Healthy plants from healthy soil look better, produce better and have a much greater ability to fight off pests and diseases.
4. Adding organic materials to the soil improves moisture retention.
5. Adding decomposed organic material to the soil feeds beneficial organisms.
6. Compost amends both sandy and clay soils.
7. Compost provides a balanced, slow–release source of nutrients that helps the soil hold nutrients long enough for plants to use them.
8. Composting saves money–you avoid the cost of buying soil conditioners, bagged manure etc.
9. Feeding your plants well will improve your own diet. Plants grown in depleted soils have a reduced nutrient content.
10. Home composting is a valuable tool in educating children about nature and the cycle of life.

Initial stages of composting is easier than how gross it looks.

Stir it up after gathering it for awhile, or it can get VERY hot.

Adding it to dirt creates a "super soil" that plants GROW wild over.

We’re all interested mostly in what matters to us. What does matter to us? We do. You matter to yourself. You, your life, and your inner circle of family, pets and friends are the most important things in your life. Care about the things that matter by ensuring you are knowledgeable about what you put in your body.

Let’s talk about food. In fact, present day food manufacturing isn’t exactly a sustainable solution for maintaining health. Tomorrow (April 21, 2010) on PBS, you can watch “Food Inc.”, the renowned documentary of food’s modern travesties. “Food Inc.” takes a hard look at genetically-modified foods, organic farming, big industry food manufacturing and is similar in tone to famous health food documentary titles like The Future of Food, Super Size Me, and the little known King Corn (which spends time looking at High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) - which itsef has been linked by many studies to increase body fat more so than most other food additives.

Nutritional experts such as Eric Schlosser, Rory Freedman, Kim Barnouin, and experienced farmers have a lot of good advice for people trying to maintain good health, good taste, and support good food in an imperfect society built to meet demand for bigger food made faster and cheaper - there are solutions and ways around factory-farmed food, and paths towards excellent health:

• drink decaffeinated green tea instead of coffee
• if you gotta drink wine, try for a wine without sulfites or a winery that is certified organic
• eat only whole grains that have not been bleached or stripped of their nutrients
• start your day with fruits for fiber and natural energy
• say “no” to natural sweeteners that contain aspartame (its been known to create formaldahyde in the body and there have been cases where arsenic was found in manufactured sweeteners) and choose natural stevia or agave nectar instead
• eat more wild caught fish, it has essential oils for the body and will ensure you eat less meat (half of all antibiotics sold in the USA are given to factory farmed animals)
• try and eat organic when possible, as a lot of non-organic meats, dairy, and eggs can contain pesticides
• studies have shown that diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and soy are less prone to cancer and heart disease

Take some time to think about the food you eat, watch “Food Inc.” and eat smarter for your very own simply green solution.

(All information derived from Demeter Certified Organics, MikSucks.com, GoVeg.com, Organic Consumer Assoc., California Cert. Organic Farmers, WholeFoodsMarket.com, Marin Organic and the movies mentioned above)

Shop Smart, Local and Organic at a Farmer's Market

Does your plumber carry a wrench that can make the Earth smile? Is plumbing even something you think about? Probably not, but if you’re a home owner, you pay bills - water, heating, power, and more. A green plumber and eco-friendly plumbing, heating and energy techniques can save you money, and yes, can lend a hand in saving our environment and energy waste.

His pipe is green

As part of a multi-national association, Green Plumbers USA®, with American headquarters in Sacramento, is an organization that helps to train plumbers in up-to-date water and energy efficiency technology. Accredited plumbers practice installation of:

• Tankless Water Heaters, which reduces energy waste by up to 40% by heating water only when needed
• High Efficiency Showerheads, which reduces water usage while maintaining proper pressure
• Aerating Faucets that also maintain accurate pressure but allow less water flow thereby eliminating an extra gallon per minute of water waste
• Basic Home Water Audits, a 50-point inspection and review of a home to solve energy and water loss, reduce monthly bills, and help your home become more eco-friendly
• High Efficiency Toilets, which use less water and can save up to 4,000 gallons a year!
• Solar Hot Water Systems that integrate solar paneling with your water heater, qualify for Federal, State and City tax credits (in most places) and save thousands of dollars and reduce energy waste

Sooner or later, Green Plumbing certification will be necessary as consumer and building code demands require more stringent plumbing, heating and in-home water alternatives that save money and provide better care for the world.

No green plumber's crack here...

It may help the Earth grow greener.

Let’s talk about poop - and an idea. Looking for a good book while you’re defecating? Do you require reading material while expelling fecal matter? Most of us do, and all of us poop. Yes, its a bit taboo to talk about, but it’s an important part of life, and occurs as part of our daily rituals, many times when you least expect it. But when you do expect it, why not help save the sewer system, and raise some crops at the same time. Kill two birds with one turd.

Use your poo to compost. Composting is a practice in which farmers or at-home gardeners mix decomposed plant, animal and other organic material to create a porous and nutrient-filled soil additive that helps plants grow, and maintains a healthy garden. Rather than let your waste go to waste so to speak, take a dump on your lawn utilize your stool in your compost practice. Yes, composting practices have taken a turn for the odd - Humanure. A gentleman by the name of Joseph Jenkins has written a nearly 300 page book on the subject, which has been translated into many languages, and even instruction videos for the not-so-faint at heart. You can even be a friend of Humanure on Facebook (while you’re at it, be our fan too!).

First, build yourself a little outhouse or compost toilet as seen below. Second, drop a deuce, go number two, a toozie, y’know, poop! Third, flush by tossing sawdust on top which neutralizes the odor and starts the composting process. The nutrients and water in your stool combine with organic plant or animal material (coffee grounds, egg shells and banana peels help too) to create fertilizer. Rather than have a waste treatment plant take up to a year to do this, you can do it in your own backyard - something the city of Austin, Texas, has approved for funding.

So what are you waiting for? Get the info above and help along your garden with a simply brown solution.

Compost Toilet

Very recently, the Environmental Protection Agency here in the U.S. had begun investigating Bisphenol A (BPA) and its use in many of the products we use as agents of eating, drinking and basic receptacle use such as baby bottles, plastic water bottles and more. The sister agency in Britain, has no such investigation underway, but may have to soon.

As this gets more coverage in the media, citizens may opt to start buying their goods frozen, freeze dried, or items such as soups from a box or paper carton. The canned goods it seems, leech BPA in to the food. They should start calling them “canned bads“. Over 40% of canned goods in Britain are lined with BPA to protect from food/metal corrosion, which makes sense, but now that new research is available, the plastics industry that distributes to food manufacturers, may need to rethink its strategy.

BPA has been linked to cancer, brain development stunting and other very serious maladies. The article linked above (‘The Independent’ from the UK) goes on to quote the large canned-food giant Heinz as saying:

“Although UK and European food authorities have stated that minute levels of BPA in can coatings are safe, Heinz remains committed to moving to alternatives [and] continues to advance research into alternative coatings in response to consumer opinion but safety remains our first priority before making any changes.”

Organizations that help to fight Breast Cancer have called for cans and tin drinks to be labeled if they do indeed contain BPA, but many large companies such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s in the UK maintain that the levels of BPA in plastic water bottles, tins and cans are safe. According to the article, they base their claims on research that is over a decade old.

Take our advice, fill a reusable canteen with tap water and buy your veggies or similar items that are typically canned, fresh, as often as you can. Treat your body like we treat the world, with a good and simply green solution.

Aluminum/Tin Cans Spew Forth BPA

Bisphenol-A (BPA), the plastic-hardening additive that leeches from containers such as water bottles in to our bodies and environment, is now under investigation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Although most studies concur that the leeching affects us negatively only when we are in infancy, as of the last few years, agency bodies such as the National Toxicology Program, the U.S. National Institute for Health, the Endocrine Society and many more have found links between BPA and brain development issues.

Found in nearly all plastics (but not our post-consumer PET, PPP or our other products), this component of plastic has been in plastics ranging from baby bottles, sporting goods, CDs, and dental fillings, to name a few, for the last 50 years. It is most commonly found by consumers in over-the-counter water bottles.

Here’s some advice: Now is a good time to get a Reusable Canteen.

The EPA suggest that 100 Million pounds of BPA are released in the ground and surrounding air each year. The agency will begin testing substitutes for BPA and looking at the chemical’s levels in our groundwater and more, but in the mean time, call on us to provide you, your friends, family and company for reusable bottles now.

Post-Consumer Reusable Canteens for Custom Printing (BPA Free!)

Going green incited a full revolution, more than a 180 degree turn - a 360 degree double-flip to say the least. We didn’t just go in another direction, but as a society we finally came to terms with our responsibility to the planet, and turned our lives around. Reuse, reduce, recycle and go green.

And drink.

Eco-friendliness has for some time now, found its way into your local mixologist’s hand in the form of 360 Degree Vodka. Not only is it quadruple distilled and filtered five times, but only organic grains, purified water and eco-friendly practices go into the manufacturing of this Russian favorite. The bottle is made of post-consumer material and the label printed with spy-based inks. You can find it in regular, cola or coffee flavored, and its 80-proof interior packs a punch. Support this American-made distillery and go green at the bar today!

WHITE COSMOPOLITAN RECIPE (A.K.A. Cosmo Blanco):

Shake all ingredients together with ice, and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

• 1 Shot of 360 Degree Vodka (Regular)
• 1 Shot of Cointreau
• 1.5 Shots of White Cranberry Juice & White Grape Juice
• 2 Lime wedges (squeezed fresh)

Eco-Friendly Libation

I know what you’re thinking. That sounds like a lot of dirty work right? Well get your mind out of the gutter into into an eco-friendly cereal bowl, because that’s what this is all about.

Three Sisters cereal is a fairly new product to hit the shelves exclusively at Whole Foods. From the ingredients, energy used to create and deliver, right down to the packaging, this company is helping make breakfast green across the USA.

The cereal and all manufacturing involved is created using renewable wind energy, and they’ve rid the typical ‘cereal box’ for a post-consumer cereal bag instead. Plus, they use all-natural, mostly organic ingredients.

The design isn’t all that bad as well, even The Dieline packaging design blog did a post on it. The logo is creative and depicts three spoons with womanly hairstyles at the head of each cute utensil. The bags themselves boast a simple farming landscape, which in its solid-colored simplicity, competes well against its breakfast-based competition.

These days its tough to find time for breakfast, but don’t let time get the best of you. Throw some cereal in a small tupperware container, put milk in one of our recycled stainless-steel canteens (it’ll keep the milk cold for hours!) and bring them to work. On one of your mandated morning breaks, pour some milk in the tupperware and viola! Breakfast is served, and you reduce waste by using the tupperware as a bowl.

Start your day right and open wide - its time to eat Three Sisters!

eco-friendly-breakfast