Thursday, September 13, 2007

Green Sprouts Organic Baby & Family Fest!!

In case you're interested, or know others that would be:
http://www.redirectguide.com/GreenSprouts/

Green Sprouts Organic Baby & Family Fest
Saturday, September 22nd 10am - 6pm at Peninsula Park, Portland
Produced by ReDirect Guide


60+ Seminars/exhibitors/demonstrations
Play groups for kids
Organic foods
Maternity & children's clothing swap
Eco-clothing
Green Homes
Health & Fitness
Fun, Fun, FUN!!!

Check it out!

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Thinking Back and Thinking Forward....

Heavy Contemplation at the Anniversary of Katrina......


Since I don't and have not had cable for 14 years, I find PBS the best source for news and science programming.

Tonight was just such a great night for scientific/weather/earth watch with the NOVA program on Hurricane Katrina. A subject hard for me to handle but close to my heart, since I was born in south Louisiana, and raised on the west bank of New Orleans. I spent a lot of time growing up at Cafe DuMonde. I remember most fondly the New Orleans Was Museum, and no matter how many times I visited it, I was always riveted, especially with the Chamber of Horrors and the swinging pendulum!!! Oh, the things we remember!!

It's difficult for me to watch the programming around Katrina, yet, I'm fascinated and drawn to it as though if I learned something from watching it, I could DO something to go back and change it all! Ahh, the dreamer in me!!

If you are interested in the hurricane of all hurricanes, visit these links and watch it for yourself. It's all related to global warming, and it's not going to be getting better anytime immediately soon, so preparation is probably a good bet.

Hurricane Katrina

The Storm That Drowned a City

Dimming The Sun

New Orleans residents Protesting Bush's Visit!!


Also, Check out Voice of America photos of New Orleans before and after Katrina!

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Natural Cleaning: The power of baking soda, vinegar & lemon

This is fabulous!! I was just about to start making my own videos doing just such "challenges" as this! Yeah! No need to buy wasteful products full of dangerous chemicals ever again!!




Here are some recipes for all purpose cleaning: countertops, floors, walls, carpet and upholstery:
* Dissolve 4 tablespoons of baking soda in one quart of warm water
* Add 1/2 cup vinegar to warm water (between 1 cup and 1 quart)
* Combine 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap and 3/4 cup warm water. Shake to blend.
* For really big jobs, coming 1/4 cup liquid soap, 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 2 galls of warm water in a pail and stir to blend.

Worm Composting 101

WOW !! Here are some GREAT "how to" videos for you on setting up your own compost bin!!




PLEASE PLEASE COMPOST AT HOME!!!!


Sunday, July 29, 2007

Saturday, July 28, 2007

The Future Looks Scary....

Want to know how to order a pizza in 2010? Click the link and see. . . turn up the volume. . . listen closely. . . watch the pointer carefully!

Click here:

http://aclu.org/pizza/images/screen.swf

This is funny, but the scary part about it is that it's probably not too far away from being reality.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

The 11th Hour....




Friend,

I am writing to tell you about my new environmental film, “The 11th Hour.” The film documents the environmental crises we face and the solutions we must begin to implement.

Please take a look at the trailer here: http://www.11thhouraction.com/trailer

With the help of over fifty of the world's most prominent thinkers and activists, including reformer Mikhail Gorbachev, physicist Stephen Hawking, and Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai, “The 11th Hour” documents the grave problems facing the planet's life systems. Global warming, deforestation, mass species extinction, and depletion of the oceans' habitats are all addressed.

However, the most powerful element of “The 11th Hour” is not a portrait of a planet in crisis, but an offering of hope and solutions. The film ends with a call for restorative action through reshaping human activity.

“The 11th Hour” is opening on August 17th in New York and Los Angeles. On the 24th it opens in other cities, and in the following weeks across the country. It would be great if you could go see it and bring a friend. You can go to www.11thhouraction.com to get more information on the movie and when it will play near you.

We need the message of this movie to hit as far and wide as possible.

The hope is us. Let's begin.

Thank You,

Leonardo DiCaprio

Thursday, July 19, 2007

The time is here - Speaker Nancy Pelosi is bringing a critical energy
bill to the House floor for a vote any day now.

When it gets there, House will vote to add two vital components that
will increase our fuel efficiency and create more renewable electricity
to this forward-looking bill.

This marks a vital turning point in our nation's shift away from fossil
fuels. Now we need to make sure our lawmakers are on board.

I've sent a message to my Representative, asking them to vote YES on the
amendments, and I hope you'll join me.

It only takes a minute -- but it could change the future, for
generations to come. Just click on the link below!

Thanks!

http://action.lcv.org/campaign/house_energy_bill?rk=y7AWT6F14bs4W

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Urgent Attention is Required!!!

Dear activists, colleagues, and friends,
It's FOX Attacks time... again.

In March we all took on Fox and we beat them. Bad. The Nevada Fox-sponsored presidential debates were canceled when our videos showing Fox's distortions were spread far and wide. Local bloggers worked like crazy, activists around the country wrote and called, and MoveOn used their strategic strength and smarts to bring it all home.

Now Fox is at it again. The only surprise this time is the amount of time and energy they are putting into denying that the sun sets in the west. Okay, well not exactly, but pretty close. They are fighting the scientific truth of the climate crisis and are claiming it just isn't so! I'm not kidding. Take a look at the video evidence, you won't believe what you see. (Well, maybe you will)


http://foxattacks.com/?utm_source=rgemail




Seen enough? Now it's time to get to work. Join with us, the Sierra Club, and MoveOn to put an end to this propaganda and distortion by appealing to Fox's advertisers. Specifically, Home Depot. Why? Because Home Depot says they care about the environment. So we're giving them a chance to prove it by asking them to stop advertising on Fox until it changes its lies and distortions about the climate crisis.

Tell Home Depot to stop advertising on Fox! http://action.sierraclub.org/foxattacks
No responsible company claiming to support the environment should be advertising with a corporation that consistently deceives America about the climate crisis. Rupert Murdoch says he wants to "get their house in order." Let's help him along by applying pressure to his bank accounts.

Thank you for joining us in this next FOX ATTACKS battle.

Robert Greenwald, DJK, and the Brave New Films team

---
Brave New Films is located at 10510 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
and can be reached at info@bravenewfilms.org
.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Plastics and Cancer

Please circulate to all you know:
Johns Hopkins - Cancer News from Johns Hopkins


No plastic containers in microwaves

No water bottles in freezer

No plastic wrap in microwave

A dioxin chemical causes cancer, especially breast cancer.


Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze
your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the
plastic.


Recently, Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital, was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins
and how bad they are for us.


He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using
plastic containers...


This especially applies to foods that contain fat.


The combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases
dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body...


Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or
ceramic containers for heating food... You get the same results, only without
the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc.,
should be removed from the container and heated in something else.

Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just
safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc.

He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons...

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as
dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is
nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the
plastic wrap and drip into the food.

Cover food with a paper towel instead.

This article should be sent to anyone important in your life!

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Water Smarter - Think Like a Plant

Just as you release water vapor when you breathe, plants do too - it's called transpiration. Plant transpiration is an invisible process. Even though you can't see the water, it is going into the air. When plants transpire faster than water is replaced, they can wilt or die.

Soils constantly lose water through evaporation. Evaporation increases as the days get hotter and longer in the summer.

Evapotranspiration, or ET, is the combination of water lost through evaporation and from transpiration. Generally, the amount of water lost through ET is equal to the amount of water that must be replaced to maintain healthy growing conditions. The rate of ET is affected by the amount of sun and wind, the air temperature, and other variables.

Read more about this at www.conserveh20.org

Water Conservation for Kids

Visit the ConserveH20 website at www.conserveh20.org/kids for fun water conservation games and activities to play with your kids this summer!

Free Water-Wise Plant Guide!

Local nurseries are overflowing with beautiful trees, shrubs, and flowers, waiting to make your yard a sanctuary. In order to help gardeners identify plants that are water - efficient, a number of organizations from the Willamette Valley printed a guidebook. The new "Water - Efficient Plants of the Willamette Valley" Guidebook is a full - color, photo - rich resource for novice and experienced gardeners. To order your copy of the new guidebook, visit www.portlandonline.com/water/conservationkits or call them at 503-823-4527.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Upcoming Events in Nature Discoveries

A Midsummer Night's Celebration at Tryon Creek
Thursday June 21st, 7 to 9pm

Celebrate the longest day of the year with storytelling, activities and guided forest hikes at Tryon Creek State Natural Area. Free.

For more information, call (503) 636-4398 ext 109.


Oxbow Regional Park:

Fiddlin' in the park with Greg Clarke
Friday, July 6th, 8:30 - 9:30pm

Musician Greg Clarke brings us old-time tunes around the campfire. Enjoy the sounds of banjo, fiddle, mandolinl among the trees. It's a contagious performance sure to get your toes tapping!

Native American Stories
Saturday July 7th, 8:30 - 9:30 pm

Night is falling, the river is murmuring and the campfire beckons. Join us for an entrancing evening of stories with Northwest storyteller Ed Edmo.

Old-time bluegrass tunes

Friday, July 13th, 8:30 - 9:30pm

Bluegrass musicians Greg Stone and Lon Jones will play guitar and mandolin and sing old-time tunes around the campfire. Kick up your feet or just sit back and enjoy the music. With songs for all ages, this is a nice introduction to old-time music for kids.

Check out more family fun activities at Metro's page on Oxbow

Easy Green Cleaners Recipes

I am starting to make my own cleaners at home now!! I found some pretty easy recipes in The Green Scene, little mailer mag that goes out to homes here in the city, put out by Metro

Glass Cleaner:

Combine 1 quart warm water with 1/4 cup white vinegar or 2 tablespoons lemon juice. (use both vinegar and lemon if you want the cleaning abilities of vinegar with the scent of lemon!) For a pleasant scents, add a drop of two of essential oil...

Tub & Tile Cleaner:


1 2/3 cups baking soda
1/2 cup liquid soap
2 tablespoons vinegar
1/2 cup water
a few drops of essential oils (optional)

Mix soda and soap. Add water, then add vinegar. Store in a squirt-top bottle and shake before using. Rinse thoroughly to avoide leaving a residue.

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

A New America Lou Dobbs spotlights the NAFTA Super Highway a

And I thought we already HAD problems in this country! WOW, I guess not watching the news or reading the papers is a bad idea for me. I didn't realize the depth and scope of what is happening in my own country. And very sadly, it seems that there is no escape. Here I thought I was going to leave the country to escape! It's too late for that it seems....

People, make a stand!!! We have GOT to take our power back and make a stand. We are so screwed if we don't do something to stop this insanity. God help us.

Saturday, June 2, 2007

Product Review - Shampoo & Conditioner


When I'm not completely freaking out about what chemicals the government is letting us eat and put on our bodies, I'm doing my duty to test out so-called "natural" products and report on my findings!!

After trying a couple of brands from Trader Joes, I actually found something for my hair that I am now in love with! I'm really new to the product, and my hair is loving it! It has needed some serious love for a while now, most "natural" conditioners just not able to cut it for my particular type of hair. I decided to try Avalon Organic Botanicals Lavender Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner, and WOW, I have to say, I'm impressed!!

My hair is rather thick kind of like a horses' mane (wait a minute, I am a horse!!) and it's jaw-dropping amazing for me to be able to effortlessly bring a comb from crown down through my hair without a huge struggle and more than likely some swear words, and this conditioner also makes my hair really sleek and shiny! AND NO METHYL PARABENS!!!

This product actually has the CONSCIOUSNESS IN COSMETICS seal by Avalon themselves stating their pledge for all to see right on the front of the bottle that reads: Our Pledge, Your Assurance. Safe, effective, pro-organic, body care without artificial colors, synthetic fragrances or parabens, E U compliant. You can further research this company on their website www.avalonorganics.com

If you have a Trader Joe's near you, I can highly recommend this product, and it's possible you can find it at Natures, Wild Oats and other similar stores!

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Tainted Chinese products flood U.S. market

WASHINGTON, May 20 Tainted apples and toxic mushrooms were among 107 Chinese food imports detained at U.S. ports last month, it was reported Sunday.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration detained the imports, along with more than 1,000 Chinese shipments of tainted dietary supplements, toxic cosmetics and counterfeit medicines, the Washington Post reported.

The FDA found dried apples preserved with a cancer-causing chemical, frozen catfish with banned antibiotics, scallops and sardines coated with putrefying bacteria and mushrooms covered with illegal pesticides, the Post reported.

Federal inspection records show that China, for years, has flooded the United States with products unfit for human consumption and only a fraction of the products are believed to have been detected, the Post reported.

Consumer advocates and members of Congress are to renew their concerns during high-level trade talks with China in Washington this week, the Post said.



This article found at www.earthtimes.org Copyright 2007 by UPI

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Greener Homes & Gardens Show! This Weekend!

http://www.greenerhomesandgardens.com/about.htm

ONLY $3.00 ADMISSION!!! DON'T MISS THE SHOW!!!!


Welcome to the 2007 Greener Homes & Gardens Expo. Our 5th Annual sustainable home & garden show is designed to contribute to the tremendous momentum of public interest in green homes / building, sustainable landscaping / gardening, and alternative energy / biofuels. Additionally, we will feature two new exciting and timely pavilions:

The Biofuels/Alternative Vehicles Show: This pavilion is an expansion of last year's biofuel theme and will incorporate a greater variety of transportation options designed to reduce global warming, increase energy efficiency, and decrease dependency on fossil fuels.


New! The Self-Sustainability Forum: Preparedness, Self-Reliance & Relocalization
This new pavilion is focused on strengthening communities, self reliance, and preparedness. Concepts include neighborhood building, relocalization, food production & organic gardening, food preservation, alternative energy and modes of transportation, emergency readiness, rainwater collection, outdoor survival equipment global warming action, post carbon planning, and other related ideas.

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Living Green Expo This Weekend!!


Come to the first annual Living Green Expo, where you'll find information, ideas, resources, products and motivation for a more sustainable lifestyle. You can attend free workshops about solar power, green building and flooring options, volunteerism and a kid-friendly River Rangers program. You can even bring old electronics to recycle.

TriMet is a supporting sponsor of the two-day event, which is free with admission to OMSI.
Be sure to stop by the TriMet booth to get your free gift.
Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. both days. For more, visit KINK radio's website at kink.fm.
Hope to see you there!!!

Check It Out!

Check out the Better World Road Assistance Club and their
Kicking Asphault Newsletter!!