New Childrens Book - Loui Saves The Earth

I'm very honored to share with you about a new children's book that was written by a fellow planet lover. It's called Loui Saves The Earth and was written by Alexandra Gnoske of Recycle Me Organic Clothing.

I knew about Alexandra's passion for the planet and her clothing business, but now she's showing her talent in the writing of children's books. Alexandra has taken her passion for nature and wildlife and turned it into an inspiring story with a simple message: children can make a difference for Planet Earth. As a native Chicagoan, she draws from her surroundings to create colorful pictures that will entertain and educate children of all ages.

Alexandra has many adventurous stories for Loui and Dusty to help the planet and hopes to inspire many superheroes for Planet Earth. Her blog features stories about simple things children are doing to help the planet. She is also writing a book about the environmental impact of clothing.

The book, Loui Saves The Earth, is currently available via Amazon.com, but may also be coming to a bookstore near you. I've got several children on my list, that will be receiving this inspiring book!

Putting An End To Paper Receipts

My colleagues over at SoftwareAdvice.com have recently posted a very interesting article and poll on their website. It addresses the impact that printed receipts have on society's paper consumption.

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.

Earth Day Giveaway - Making A Choice For The Environment

"Out of all those millions and millions of planets floating around there in space, this is our planet, this is our little one, so we just got to be aware of it and take care of it". - Paul McCartney

In honor of Earth Day and Earth Month, I am offering a giveaway of Shaklee's, Get Clean® Healthy Home Pack, along with a free Shaklee Membership and Free Shipping.* This is an extraordinary offer, with a value of over $100.00.

The Winning Entrant Will Be Making A Positive Change For The Environment, Themselves and Their Families
You and your family will reap the benefits of using safe, non-toxic and economical cleaning products that work! Also, you'll have peace of mind knowing that these products are from a 53 year old company that has been in continuous business, never changed it's name, never had a product recall, and offers a 100% money-back guarantee on all of it's products.

The Get Clean™ Healthy Home Pack contains all the products you need to start making your home cleaner for your family and the planet. With cleaning choices that are SAFE, POWERFUL, GREEN, and SMART, Get Clean is the safe alternative to traditional household cleaning products.

The Get Clean Healthy Home Pack contains:

Basic H2™ Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate, 16 oz. (1)
Basic H2™ Organic Super Cleaning Wipes, 35 Wipes (1)
Scour Off™ Heavy-Duty Paste, 9 oz. (1)
Dish Wash Concentrate, 16 oz. (1)
Fresh Laundry Concentrate HE Compatible, 32 oz. (Liquid) (1)
Soft Fabric Concentrate, 32 oz. (1)
Soft Fabric Dryer Sheets, 80 sheets (1)
Spray Bottles (3)
Windows and Mirrors (1)
All-Purpose (1)
Degreasing (1)
Laundry Measuring Scoop
Super Microfiber Window Cloth
Dropper for measuring Basic H2™ (1)

*The winning entrant will receive the Get Clean® Healthy Home Pack, Shaklee Membership and Free Shipping for this entry. Only, those who do not currently have a Shaklee Membership in their household/shipping address, are eligible to participate. Also, entrants must be at least 18 years old and have a U.S. shipping address. Entries will no longer be accepted after Tuesday, April 27, 2010.

The value of this giveaway is $116.90, not including any applicable sales tax for state in which you reside. (I will also pay the sales tax.) That being said, I'm asking those who would like to enter into this giveaway, to make at least one new environmental commitment to your normal routine, that will help your family and the planet. Also, I'm offering a free report that explains about many of the toxic exposures that your family is exposed to everyday.

To enter this Earth Day Giveaway, please do the following:

1) Follow my blog, Healthy At Home Healthy Planet;

2) Become a Fan on my Ask Liz First Fan Page;

3) Go to my Toxic Exposures Information site and order the Free Report;

4) Watch the below video and find at least one new habit/behavior that you can put into place. In your comments, please share what action you've decided on.

5) Also, in your comments, share which Shaklee product you are most interested in getting more information about, found on my website at http://www.sowing4health.com/

Celebrating Earth Day & Community Gardening

I've had the great pleasure to join in with a zealous group of people that are affiliated with the Four Rivers Community Garden & Next Chapter Food Pantry, in Ontario, Oregon. This week, they plan on celebrating the First Anniversary of the Community Garden on April 22nd, which is officially Earth Day.

I just love Earth Day. Actually, I wish everyday was "Earth Day" to everyone on the planet. Seriously, we shouldn't need a day set aside to raise awareness about environmental issues. But sadly, we do.

Someday, it won't be this way. Someday, (hopefully very soon), the majority of people on this planet will be constantly making positive changes in their lifestyle, to lower their carbon footprint.

What does being environmentally conscious mean to you? Does it mean anything to you? Last year, I posted a video link that shared people's perceptions and values regarding our beautiful planet.

No matter where you live, there will be activities this week in honor of Earth Day. Seek one or two of them out, you won't regret it. You'll probably learn a thing or two, PLUS you may just have a little "green & clean" fun !

Locally in the Ontario, Oregon area, I would be honored if you came by the Four Rivers Community Garden on the 22nd, between 4:30 & 6:30 pm. There will be a tour of the garden and some interactive planting going on. Also, I'll be there to share with folks about practical ways to be more environmentally conscious in the areas of recycling and avoiding toxins in commonly used househould products.

Four Rivers Community Garden
802 SW 5th Street
Ontario, OR 97914

If, you'd like a good chuckle, read this Earth Day reminiscent story that I found at www.ecoearth.com website. It's a classic!

Treasure Valley Bowl For The Cure Kicks Off

The 1st Annual Treasure Valley Bowl For The Cure continues through the weekend. Check out some video's from the event that is half way through. Also, it's not too late to come out and help them Strike Out Cancer and Spare A Life !!

Causes of ADHD & Conduct Disorders Exposed In New Study

The word is getting out and more people are starting to listen. There has been a "silent pandemic" by common daily exposures to children and even women yet to conceive children. These exposures greatly effect the potential for health related conditions such as Asthma and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

A peer-reviewed study was just released in January 2010, that validates what the EWG and other environmental groups have been beating their chests about for years. The study confirms that prenatal phthalate exposure is associated with childhood behavior and executive functioning.

Speaking plainly, the exposure to plastics, perfumes, shampoos, etc, can affect the neurodevelopment of children still in the mother's womb. No, not all babies are adversely affected, but the odds are increased for health conditions such as ADHD, depression, learning disorders, obesity and other health disorders.

I've talked about BPA (Bisphenol A) in previous posts and a recent article at the Environmental Working Group's website, provides more scientific explanations. Also, EWG's site shares a insightful information about the Kids-Safe Chemical Act.

Please take the time to look over these up-to-date resources about what current negative health exposures your children or future children are exposed to. The good news is, you can do something about it. Simply, by reducing and removing the exposures from your surroundings. Naturally, not everything can be removed, but your choice of cleaning products, personal care products, etc., is definitely a place to start.

In addition, it is very important that you have your voice be heard that it is time to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. A 30 year-old law, protecting companies and polluters, but not people and public health.

Start by signing a petition for the Kids-Safe Chemical Act. Also, become more educated about safer products for your family and the environment.

The information is all there for us, it's just depends what we're going to do with it.

Environmental Ethics Start With You

I define environmental ethics as doing what's right for the environment. And doing what's right, is painstakingly taking care of the only known inhabitable planet in the solar system. It means realizing that lifestyle and habits, have a direct effect on the planet's future.

What do I define as doing "what's right"? Obviously, there are a plethora of options from the basics of Reduce Reuse Recycle, to the complex processes of alternative energy, etc. "The sky's the limit", as they say. It just depends how high you desire to soar!

Recycling

There is more than enough information in every community and state, as well as online recycling resources. Besides setting aside an area at your home to store recyclables, the process of recycling is relatively painless. If, curbside recycling isn't available in your area, there are definitely other options in your community. A slight detour on your errand running day, can usually take care of getting the recyclables to the proper disposal facility.

Non-Toxic Cleaning

Not only is the use of non-toxic cleaning products beneficial to the planet, it's also proven to NOT be detrimental to your family's health. Actually, credible studies are being released fairly regularly regarding this issue. The word is finally out that about the fact that there are over 80,000 chemicals in household products that have never been tested for safety for humans or animals. It's really a simple transition to change over to safe cleaning products, and there are several that are less expensive than the toxic ones.

Energy Efficient Lighting

These might be a little more costly up front, but in the end, they buy earth more time and you also. The CFL and LED light options are getting better all the time. No longer is it necessary to sacrifice good lighting, in order to use a more environmentally efficient product. The facts speak for themselves, it's just a matter of educating yourself.

Take a look at your daily habits and activities. What changes can you make to improve your environmental ethics? Remember, the sky's the limit!!

Come soar with me....

Betsy Franz's Backyard Video

Nothing to be said, just watch and enjoy....



More of Betsy's great stuff can be seen on her blog, The Nature Lady.

Blueprints Aren't Leaving A Green Footprint

I was recently contacted by Houston Neal of SoftwareAdvice.com. He wanted to share with me, one of his heartfelt environmental concerns. This involves the production and printing of over 37 million, hard-copy blueprints, every year.

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.

Building Trust For Climate Change Means Action

I was the voice of many last Saturday night in Boise, when we stood in front of the Idaho State Capital, and voiced our passion for a Real Deal in Copenhagen. Now, a week later, I sit and ponder if our voices were even heard.

Honestly, I don't know the answers. But, I'm not naive enough, not to know, that there's a lot of 'special interest' involved in these discussions and decisions, (or lack thereof). In the meantime, I have to choose to believe that COP 15 was a launching pad for accelerating efforts and achievements, in dealing with global warming issues.

President Obama stated that there needs to be, "The building of trust between between developed and developing countries." That 'trust' cannot just be bought. It must also be demonstrated by action.

Rhetoric has to be replaced with action. And those actions, are necessary by everyone on this planet, as well as each and every country. Whether those citizens be from a developing or developed country, action is key.

A quote from an associate of mine, Antonio Bettencourt, in a recent LinkedIn discussion, voices my sentiments quite well:

"I suspect that the more aggressive actions we take, the more "moral authority" we will have in the world and the better we will be able to pressure other countries to step up to their obligations."

Also, as Gandhi said, "be the change you wish to see in the world". Another way to personalize this is: The more I change, the more I see I can do.

What will you do?