How can this be, you ask? Well, it’s because some forward-thinking entrepreneurs are setting their sights on being the “next step” in fixing a variety of problems in today’s food industry. They state that there mission is to be a different kind of grocery store, one that is responsible to the environment and community and one that facilitates a healthy lifestyle.

In their recent press release, in.gredients promises to be an alternative to supermarket-style shopping, featuring local, organic food products, offering cooking classes and gardening activities on site, and hosting a variety of community oriented events geared towards promoting healthy living.

Customers will bring their own reusable containers to hold their purchases or they can purchase compostable containers from the store. It’s bulk food buying at a higher level and it doesn’t get much more sustainable than this.

in.gredients is also searching for investors for this worthy venture, and I’m sure they won’t be searching for very long. This new style of bulk merchandising will hopefully very soon, become the norm as people continue to learn the value of sustainable living.

Almost half of everything that goes to our landfills is packaging and most of that packaging has been used only one time. I am very anxious to see this philosphy spread throughout the nation and eventually see package free, zero waste stores for all consumable products. It’s a no-brainer and it’s a win-win for everyone!

Recently, I have been involved in raising community awareness about the natural gas well drilling, known as hydro fracturing or “fracking” in my own Idaho community. In my opinion, common sense is being thrown to the wind, while big corporations try to buy their way into our backyards.

The same type of scenario is playing out across the country from me, on the Atlantic Coast. In this situation, deep sea canyons on the continental shelf are being threatened in the name of commerce. These undersea canyons house a multitude of marine life. But, their fate is in jeopardy, if competent regulations aren’t placed on commercial fisherman and the gas and oil companies.

Let me be clear, I am not opposed to the creation of jobs and industry. That’s something that is necessary and good. But, our country no longer has the luxury of misusing and abusing our natural resources. Conscientious, bi-partisan research must be utilized to establish the standards necessary to use our natural resources, while protecting them at the same time.

Please watch the below video, Oceans Oases with Philippe Cousteau. In it, he shares about the urgent need to protect the precious and mysterious underwater canyons and seamounts of the Atlantic Coast.

For more information you can also check out the NRDC’s (National Resources Defense Council) website.

For the edible items, try finding products grown and/or made locally in your area. Between the packaging materials and then the emissions given off by shipping them, it can add up to a lot of waste and pollution. Also, finding a local eatery to dine out at, is an excellent idea. Even if you end up paying a little more for a meal, think about the offsets for not driving very far.

In the aroma department, opt for natural candles made of soy or beeswax. And, if you want to be very creative, find a local person that blends essential oils and purchase a gift certificate for a custom fragrance blending for your beloved.

The Valentine card can be very eco-friendly, by creating and/or purchasing an online E-card. But, if you must present a tangible card, try making or buying one out of recycled materials.

Whatever twist you decide to put on the day, show your love for the one so dear, and the planet, in a eco-friendly way.

Here’s what they’re saying over at Rodale.com:

Why go plastic free? There are plenty of reasons to cut down. It’s made from either petroleum or natural gas, two nonrenewable resources extracted in ways that pollute our air and water. Plastic manufacturers add chemicals to certain types of plastics that can be highly toxic, like bisphenol A and phthalates. And very few types of plastic are widely recycled.

Rodale’s plastic-free ground rules:

1. No buying or acquiring new plastic.

2. No cooking with plastic or storing food in plastic.

3. Minimize all other plastic use.

Overall, I feel that I make a very conscious effort to avoid buying or improperly disposing of plastics. But, I know that there’s so much more that I can do, so I’m here for challenge & growth. I hope you’ll join me!

Plastic-Free February….bring it!

Well, guess what?……YOU ARE WRONG !!!

Do you purchase laundry detergent, all-purpose cleaners, disinfectants, dishwasher detergent? I would presume close to all of you answered, “Dah” !!

With a $115.00 purchase of Shaklee’s, Get Clean Starter Kit and $20.00 for their Basic G Concentrated Germicide, you’ll have the cleaning power that you’d get when spending over $3,400 at the check stand.

How can this be, you ask? Because Shaklee products are concentrated. Our 16 oz bottle of all-purpose cleaner, dilutes down into over 200 bottles of cleaner. And, the germicide dilutes down into over 64 gallons of product!

Don’t believe me still? I dare you to try Shaklee’s products. Not only do they work, but all products come with a 100% money-back guarantee. AND, an ever better reason, is that Shaklee’s Get Clean products are natural safe and proven effective.

For over 54 years, Shaklee has never had a product recall. Also, joining as a Member saves you 15% off retail prices, and there’s no minimum order requirements to be a Member.

For some facts & statistics, I’ve attached the following information:

Cost Comparison

Value Sheet

Which Products Do You Use

Surface Cleaning Guide

ALSO:  If, join as  a Member and order the Shaklee Get Clean Kit this month, you will receive a Cinch Sampler Kit for FREE. That an over $100.00 value!

It’s all here in black and white and green! Start saving today and enjoy the difference you’ll see every time you checkout at the check stand.

There are some very easy and low, to no-cost, actions that anyone can do in defense from the cold, blistery weather penetrating their home. I’m going to share 5 easy ones here with you now:

1) Caulking and weather-stripping are huge factors in helping keep the cold out. The US Dept of Energy estimates that 5 to 30% of energy usage/costs escape via areas that need weather-stripping or caulking.

2) Turning down the water heater is another often overlooked option. Most water heaters are set at 140 degrees. Moving that down to 120 degrees is said to reduce energy costs from 6% to 10%.

3) Run your ceiling fans in the counterclockwise direction. This pushes the warm air that stays  up by the ceiling, down the walls and back into the rooms.

4) For every degree that you lower your thermostat, you’ll save 1% to 3% of your energy consumption/expense.

5) Wear heavier clothes around the house and pull out an extra blanket out. A sweater alone can add 2 to 4 degrees of warmth.

Even these 5 easy fixes can make a significant reduction in energy consumption, which saves your pocketbook and helps the planet. For even more, I’ve listed below just a few of many websites that offer fantastic tips and resources:

EnergyStar

Idaho Power

U.S Department of Energy

P.S. And, don’t think that this extreme cold weather dismisses the theory of global warming. That’s a post for another day!

I have to be honest. I regularly use printed receipts for posting bank debit transactions to my check register and documenting purchases for tax purposes. And, for me personally, it would be a BIG sacrifice to go paperless! But, I truly feel it all boils down to learning a new behavior and knowing that the end result is worth it.

As stated in the Software Advice article, there are several environmental drawbacks to receipt/paper manufacturing. Deforestation, Co2 Emissions, Water & Oil consumption, and Trash are all factored into the manufacturing of the finished paper products. Additionally, there can be BPA exposure via some thermal paper receipts and credit card receipt products.

The folks over at allEtronic are a progressive company that are paving the way to providing digital receipts for everyone. You can set up a free online account to have your generated transactions sent to.

I realize this is all pretty new and will take quite sometime to be accepted by businesses and consumers. But, as mentioned in Software Advice’s article, paper manufacturing and usage is a huge environmental concern, and alternatives must be sought out.

Please jump over to the article at SoftwareAdvice.com and be sure to take their poll.

Until, I read Houston’s article on this subject, I didn’t have a clue regarding this topic. It excited me to think just how many more ways there are, to take positive steps, in reducing our carbon footprint.

It also saddened me a bit. This being, because it shows how much abundance this planet has had available to it, and the misuses that have been facilitated by it. We, as a society, come by most things pretty darn easily. But, the resources to create those things are dwindling away more rapidly, than they can be restored.

Houston’s article on the Construction Blog, talks about the huge amount of paper usage every year, just due to printing off blueprints. Then, it looks at the digital alternative, which means zero waste, and a green footprint for blueprints.

I really appreciate Houston Neal sharing this information with me. I hope that it raises an awareness in many of you, to look at other areas where your activities may be adversely affecting the environment. I know that it certainly has, for me.

Therefore, I just signed up for a great online greeting card program that is done all via internet. The selection of virtual cards for Christmas, birthday’s, thank you, etc, is quite significant. Plus, they are animated and very unique. I had never heard of this company until I received a card via a LinkedIn associate this week. The website is located at www.jacquielawson.com.

I am still going to have to put together a letter of sorts and probably mail it out to those, who are not connected to the internet. But, that will be a very small number. I may still need to put out an online Christmas letter with my Virtual Christmas Card, but that will be relatively easy.

Besides the savings in paper, postage, time, etc., the bigger picture is that I’ll be creating less waste. That’s my newest gift to this beautiful planet.

What will you be able to give to Earth for Christmas this year?

Here’s a winter card greeting to share with all of you: Winter Card