Monthly Archives: June 2011
Green Resolutions
| June 29, 2011 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Green Mom's Carnival |
This month the Green Mom’s Carnival wanted to talk about half year green resolutions. I think this is a fun idea since most of the resolutions we make in January never end up happening for whatever reason. These are really more goals than resolutions but it’s the same idea.
Use Less Plastic
This is always a goal. I look up to Beth of My Plastic-Free Life and how well she does with this. I don’t know if I will ever do as well as she does but I’m trying. I am buying less and less packaged food, which is a big help. I have been making homemade ice cream this summer instead of buying it pre-packaged. I also have learned to make some more snack foods like soft pretzels, which were quite yummy and not that hard to make. I even figured out how to make the chocolate syrup that hardens when you put it on ice cream. All of these homemade treats are better than the packaged foods and easier to make with less packaging. I have to say food is still were most of our plastic comes from but it’s much less than it used to be. It is our smallest recycling bin.
Waste Less Water
We are currently in a drought so I’m trying to use as much grey water for watering plants and such as possible. I also got a rain barrel and we have low flow shower heads and all of that kind of stuff. I’m still looking for other ways to reduce our water use. If you have good ideas let me know.
Those are really my big focuses right now. Do you have any current green goals? If so, how are they going?
This month’s carnival is hosted by Lynn at OrganicMania, the rest of the posts will be up soon so be sure to check them out.
An Environmentalist Nascar Driver and a Green Expo
| June 28, 2011 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Uncategorized |
I have written in the past about how the local cement plant is chairing a green committee, well with this committee they put on a green expo last week. I can’t say for sure if it was an oversight or if I was being snubbed but I tried a number of times for several months to try and ask questions about it but no one would reply to me. So between that fact and the fact that the cement plant was sponsoring the expo I decided that I couldn’t be apart of it.
I did however go to some of the events to check it all out, in part because this could end up being a regular event. On Thursday night was the keynote speeches. The speakers were the president of the local university, a Nascar driver , Oklahoma’s Secretary of Environment, and someone with the Chickasaw Nation (I can’t remember his name at the moment). I went into it expecting very little. I mean come on, a Nascar driver?! How is that green?
I have to say, I was surprised by how the night turned out. The president from the local university gave a good speech and gave some updates on what they were doing to help green the school and I was surprised to hear what all they are doing. They are installing solar panels which will make energy and serve as an electric car charging station and some other neat things. The school had bee lacking in this area so this is wonderful news.
I was not surprised by the updates from the Chickasaw Nation as I do keep up pretty well with what they are doing. They do have some great programs going on. I am sad that they will be jumping on the natural gas powered car bandwagon but this isn’t surprising since this is a gas and oil state.
Most would think that I would enjoy listening to Oklahoma’s Secretary of Environment, however you would be wrong. I went into it knowing I didn’t like his policies but hoped to be surprised. I wasn’t. He talked about the fact that Oklahoma is suing the EPA, yes you heard me right. He talked for a long time about how the EPA is wrong in trying to regulate what he called “regional haze”, which is sulfur dioxide, and that what they want to do won’t help anyway. And even went as far to talk about how hard the EPA is to work with. We had at least one person there from the EPA, I would love to hear what he thought of those comments.
He also brought up Sardis lake, a lake in Oklahoma that is in the middle of the water fights in the state. Oklahoma wants the water rights and is pretty much taking them but two local Native American tribes say they are on tribal land and therefore they own the water rights. It’s a big battle and one I’m guessing a lawyer would have told him not to talk about. One of the tribes in the fight is the Chickasaw Nation, which was the biggest sponsor of the event. So to say it was in poor taste is a major understatement.
I was fuming by the time he was done, and would have left if he had been the last speech. But I stayed to listen to Leilani Munter, a female Nascar driver and environmentalist. I can’t tell you how much I rolled my eyes at that idea. I thought there was no way you could be in such an un-green sport and still truly be an environmentalist. But I gave her a chance and wow, she is pretty amazing.
She knows and doesn’t try and hide the fact that her sport is not so great for the environment. She is trying to change the sport and the best way to do that, she believes, is from the inside. She already is trying to help by doing things like buying an acre of rain forest for every race she is in and things like that. When she isn’t racing she lobbies in DC for environmental groups and causes, she has gone to Japan with the makers of The Cove, she just raised money for the dolphins, she went to gulf right after the oil spill, and a number of other things. She is even a vegetarian and I’m sure that is hard at races. She has turned down big sponsors because they were green washed and didn’t hold her own values. She is reaching a group of people someone like me is not likely to reach. We need more like her to help bridge the gaps in the environmental movement.
Me and Leilani Munter
I was lucky enough to get to talk to Leilani for a few hours after her speech. She was invited to our local Green Drinks after the event and my mom, and some friends and I sat and talked to her about her career and all kinds of environmental issues. She is very down to earth and all of us fell in love with her. I think we could have talked several more hours if it hadn’t been 11 p.m. and she had a flight early in the morning. I hope to talk to her again and share more about her with all of you. If any of you are closet Nascar fans, now you can come out and follow Leilani. She is a reminder to be careful when judging anyone!
Yesterday I went to the expo itself. I got to meet the owner of a local store that carries cloth diapers and other green baby gear, talked to my friend at the Chickasaw Nation, and a few other green groups. I did get to network some but sadly many of the booths had little to nothing to do with the environment. Chesapeake Energy was there talking about how great natural gas was, which if you have watched GasLand or read studies about fracking fluids you know natural gas isn’t green. No one was at their booth or I would have asked them a few questions.
Holcim, the company that owns the local cement kiln, was there with a huge display about how green they are, I didn’t even stop there. Their logo was also on the reusable bag being given out at the expo, this was one of the things that kept me from having a booth. I didn’t want people to think I was a hypocrite by being apart of an event Holcim helped put on. There was a tree trimming place and some other things that just seemed odd.
The event has a lot of promise and there were things I enjoyed, like Leilani, but I hope there is more of an effort to make the event green, if there is one next year. It is the first year so you can’t expect it to be perfect. I do hope they bring Leilani back if they have one again. She was by far the highlight of the event.
It’s the Small Things- Being an activist
| June 23, 2011 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Green Living |
I’ve been an activist of sorts my whole life. At a very young age I reminded my dad that “we cycle.” And sometime before I was ten years old I went around my neighborhood collecting canned food for the local homeless shelter (without my parents knowing what I was doing, my mom was worried that the neighbors would think they weren’t feeding me and made sure I had told them what I was doing). It’s just who I am, it’s what drives me. Every time I learn of an injustice I feel a need to fix it. I often have to remind myself I can’t do it all.
While I LOVE being an activist and the fact that I’m able to translate that passion into a job, it’s not all great. Being an activist you will of course have people that don’t agree with what you are doing. While most are respectful, you will find those that aren’t. I’m very sensitive so it’s taking a lot of learning to not take it personally. Lately I felt a bit, um, snubbed by a group. I’m trying to think it was in oversight but it’s not likely. And I have a good idea why it happened and I do understand but it still can hurt if you let it. I’m just going to make the best of it.
When you are an activist you have to focus on the victories. When people tell me they changed a habit, because of me, I get all warm and fuzzy. Change is happening, maybe not always in the big ways we hope but it’s there. Some resent examples in my life include a friend that got a reusable straw, a friend that is putting a reusable bottle I give her to good use, that same friend is trying to buy more organic food, another friend (and my mom) have been trying out soap nuts, and so many more things that seem little but these things add up.
Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed and down about environmental activism? What makes you feel empowered again?
Healthier Soda
| June 22, 2011 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Green Living, Real Food, Recipe |
While a half gallon of chemical filled soda isn’t good for you, most of us want a soda as a treat sometimes. Don’t worry it can be healthier. Watch this cute video for some ideas.
Another great option, the one I use, is a SodaStream. It’s a great little machine that carbonates water for you and then you can add their syrups to it or the ingredients in the video or pretty much whatever you want. SodaStream is now selling several great natural syrups which have no dyes and use only real sugar. I really have enjoyed the ones I have tried. The machines use no power, the C02 containers are refilled so not wasted, and the plastic bottles are bpa-free and recyclable and some machines even use glass bottles.
So which ever option you choice, your family can have a healthier treat that is also more eco-friendly. Have you tried either of these ways of making homemade soda?
Fighting Diabetes with Soda & the Food Revolution Cancelled
| June 15, 2011 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Real Food |
To be honest I didn’t even know KFC sold half gallon size sodas. That alone is horrifying, but the fact that they have launched a campaign with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to “fight diabetes” is utterly baffling. If you haven’t heard, they are donating to JDRF for each of these huge sodas they sell.
It was just last year that KFC had a campaign with Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Buying a bucket of chicken to fight cancer was bad enough but isn’t this one even more mind blowing? Doesn’t everyone know large amounts of sugar can cause diabetes? And with up to 850 calories and 225 grams of sugar, this drink is a health problem waiting to happen.
Now juvenile diabetes is typically type 1 which isn’t caused by obesity. However, selling a product linked to type 2 diabetes to help fund research for type 1 diabetes, is still a bad PR choice. And getting back to the fact that I was surprised they sold this size to start with, shouldn’t a group fighting diabetes be pushing to stop these products from being sold and encouraging places to sell healthy foods?
If this wasn’t enough of a sign of how American’s relationship with food is going, Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution has been cancelled due to low ratings. This year’s premiere averaged 40% less viewers than season one. They will air the remaining episodes but it’s unlikely to be any following seasons. This is very upsetting to me, not only did I love this show, I saw a lot of people learning from the show.
What do you think about both of these stories?
A Rant About Litter
| June 11, 2011 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Waste |
I have always hated littering. My mom had always taught me it was very wrong and I took that lesson to heart. In 1st grade my school was releasing balloons for something and I told my teacher I wouldn’t do it because it was littering and they could kill animals. I don’t remember what my teacher said but she let me sit out. My friends thought I was weird, I guess that was an early sign of what my life would be like, ha.
The reasons this is all on my mind is, my husband and I are at a hotel right now and we walked by a lady smoking on the steps on our way out. When we got back there was a cigarette box sitting right where she had been. My husband put it in the trash but I really wish I know which room was her’s so I could put it in front of her door with a note that said “You dropped this. -Mother Earth” or my mom’s suggestion was “My mom taught me not to litter. Didn’t yours?” Surely it wouldn’t have been that hard to pick it up and throw it away on her way in. Of course then there is the fact that even people who normally wouldn’t litter seem to think cigarettes some how aren’t litter.
Since this post is just one large rant, I will share a funny littering story. My mom and I went to a green conference awhile ago and when we were leaving a lady, that was going to the same conference, was smoking. I saw her throw her butt on the ground so I went and picked it up and threw it away. I didn’t think she would see me but she had and was horrified. She felt so terrible. She said after she did it she felt guilty. I guessing that moment will be in her head next time she thinks about throwing her cigarette on the ground. I felt sorry that it made her feel bad but glad it will make her think in the future.
So what do you do when you see someone litter?
Green Picnic
| June 2, 2011 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Green Living |
Picnics used to always be a green activity but over the years disposable items have become popular for picnics. Why not go back to the way picnics used to be? Here are some great products you can use to have a fun picnic, while staying green.
These super cute baskets from Reisenthel are great for picnics. They come in many styles and colors and fold flat for easy storage.
Klean Kanteen reusable bottles are great for picnics. They are non-toxic, easy to care for, and durable.
LunchBots are not only great for storing your food but they can double as a dish to eat it in.
These GoToobs are great for packing just the right amount of your favorite condiments for your picnic. They are bpa-free and easy to use.
PeopleTowels are one of many great options for cloth napkins, for your picnic. They are made from organic cotton and are very soft.
To keep your food cold be sure to use a non-toxic ice pack, like these from Cryopak.
If you need utensils check out these great reusable utensils from To-Go Ware. They are made from bamboo and come in a great recycled carrying case.
Now that you know what to take your picnic in you just have to decide what food to pack. What are your favorite picnic foods?
Disclaimer: These products can all be found at Reuseit.com and while I was not paid for this post I am an affiliate for the site. I earn a small percent if you buy from them. This doesn’t effect my view on these products. Reuseit.com is a great store and these products are ones I really use or are on my wish-list.
Green Summer Fun
| June 1, 2011 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Green Living, Green Parenting |
It’s almost summer and it’s time to start thinking about the fun things we can do. Here are some green ideas.
Homemade Ice Cream
One of my favorite times to do during summer is make homemade ice cream. I LOVE homemade ice cream. I used to always ask for brownies and homemade ice cream for my birthday. A fun way to make homemade ice cream in an eco-friendly way is with a Play & Freeze ice cream ball. It is BPA-free and doesn’t require power, making it great for camping and other outdoor activities. Plus you get a little bit of exercise before eating the ice cream. And don’t worry, it’s much easier than the old crank style ice cream makers. Also check out these other fun summer treats.
Homemade Bubbles
1/4 cup liquid dishwashing detergent
3/4 cup cold water
5 drops of glycerin
You can even make your own bubble wands with things around the house.
Sidewalk Chalk
This sidewalk chalk paint is a fun different way to make sidewalk art. You just add water to the powder and your kids can make works of art that don’t need any clean up.
Pick Your Own
Picking your own berries or other produce can be a fun green summer activity. It also is a good way to get kids to try new foods. When kids feel like they had something to do with the food they are more likely to try it. Taking kids to farms is also a great way to help them connect to nature. You can find a pick your own farm here.
Start a Garden
A garden doesn’t have to be big or contain a lot of fun to help teach your kids about where their food comes to. And if you don’t have kids it’s still a great way to get some fresh produce and reduce your food footprint.
Check Out Local Events and Activities
Look for fun classes for both kids and yourself. Also be sure to visit fun sites like the park, zoos, and museums. There are likely all kinds of fun things to do close to home.
Protect Yourself
To help enjoy the summer be sure to protect yourself from the sun and bugs. You can find information on safer sunscreens in the Environmental Working Group’s sunscreen guide. For bug sprays check our local natural food stores for essential oil based bug sprays. One that I like is EcoSmart. You can also make your own bug spray. Also help keep bugs away by not having standing water if possible, keep the grass mowed, and plant things like marigolds which pests dislike.
These are just a few ideas for this summer. Be check back later this week for a green picnic guide. What are some of your favorite things to do during the summer?
Photo credits:
Sidewalk Paint-momandmycrafts
Garden-Sbocaj
