The Church Saves The Planet!

It's about time!

This Wednesday will be celebrated by Billions of Christians worldwide as the begining of the season of Lent. The 40 days leading up to the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.

Just in time for this next season, the Washington Office of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), along with the National Council of Churches, has offered the “2010 Lenten Journey on Climate Justice.” This weekly devotional series will focus on the effects of climate change on health, economics, development, migration, and food security, with a special focus on climate justice for Holy Week. The series is intended as a supplement to last year’s "Creation Waits with Eager Longing" worship resources.

This series is intended for all people to look at what they can do to help God's creation thrive. It is afterall, all of our responsibilty to help the earth flourish by doing whatever we can NOT to poison it. So go ahead and take a look at what is suggesated. Don't feel overwhelmed if you cannot do everything, just do something.

Have a Great Day! Happy Lent...

SOLAR POWER - Safe and Effective!

You have definitely seen them. Solar panels on the roof tops of you neighbors home. This was a rarity 20 years ago, but is now taking the country by storm. You have seen this technology on other things as well, in fact I was introduced to solar technology through a calculator.

My first solar powered calculator was in my possession over 15 years ago. As long as you were in direct light, did not even need to be sunlight, it would work. No more dead batteries to worry about. The only down side, no light and it would not work. Solar has come a long way. In fact the solar panels on one's home is so technologically advanced that the power from the sun is stored in cells until it is needed. This can definitely same you a ton of money every year on electrical bills. Some estimates run as high as several thousand, depending on how much you actually pay now.

It's a good thing you will save a ton, because the price tag is not cheap for the panels. If you want solar power to run your average size home, lets say 1500 sq ft, then expect to shell out between 15-20k to get yourself fully functional. The good thing is that you do not have to go all or nothing. There are kits you can purchase that will allow you to get in slowly and step by step switch over various tasks.

The bottom line is that with time and new technology solar power is getting cheaper and who knows, in the next 10 years you may see everyone with solar power in there homes.

Homes are not the only thing going solar, however. You can get many regular items that will run on solar power. You can get solar powered cell phone chargers, solar powered bicycle lights, solar powered watches, etc. The list seems to be endless. If it uses a battery or electricity, it may be able to be powered with solar.

The great thing about solar is that it is a clean alternative to batteries and electricity. Make it an option for you whenever you are looking to buy something. It may well be worth it in the end.

10 Affordable Ways to Make Your Home Safer and Healthier

By Jeanie Lerche Davis
WebMD Feature provided in collaboration with Healthy Child Healthy World

Making your home healthier and greener doesn’t have to be expensive, or overwhelming. Just a few changes can improve the health of your home, everyone in it -- and the planet it sits on.

Some of these are easy fixes. Others challenge us to re-examine a lifetime of habits.

Avoiding or limiting exposure to toxic chemicals is at the top of every parent’s list. “Toxic chemicals are everywhere, so exposure is really difficult to avoid," says Sonya Lunder, MPH, a senior researcher with Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization that researches environmental issues. "But there are things people can do to be proactive."

Among the key toxins are lead and pesticides. Studies have linked overexposure to lead and pesticides with brain and central nervous system damage, behavior problems, asthma, cancer, and more.

So how can you cut down your exposure to these chemicals and other potential household risks? Here are the top 10 suggestions from WebMD's experts. (And in some cases, you'll even save money!)

1. Get house dust under control.

House dust aggravates allergies. It also contains more hazardous chemicals than you might think, including lead, fire retardants, pesticides, and other chemicals.

"It's nothing you can afford to take lightly," Lunder tells WebMD. "Even if these chemicals were used decades earlier in your home, they can still accumulate in your house dust today."

The solutions: The best -- and most expensive -- option is to replace wall-to-wall carpeting (a collector for dust and allergens) with wood, cork, tile, or non-vinyl linoleum. But if that’s not economically feasible, some old-fashioned elbow grease can help. Vacuum frequently -- meticulously getting into corners, along the floorboards, and moving furniture to get those dust bunnies.

Make sure your vacuum has strong suction and a HEPA filter so that dust and dirt go into the bag.

• Vacuum at least two times each week.
• Clean the vacuum bag and filter every time, so dust isn't spewed back into the air.

2. Kick nicotine addiction.

If you're still a smoker, it's time to kick it.

An estimated 40% of America's children are exposed to secondhand smoke at home -- and it's the biggest trigger of asthma in those children, says Philip Landrigan, MD, director of the Children's Environmental Health Center at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

And it’s an expensive habit. "You can save a lot of money if you're not smoking, not to speak of future health costs for you and your family," he tells WebMD.

A doctor, nurse, or mental health professional can help you tailor an approach to quitting smoking that best suits your needs. Set a quit date and stick to it.

3. Get your home tested.

Both lead paint and radon are serious hazards you can't afford to ignore. Lead poisoning is known to cause brain damage in a developing fetus and in young children if not treated. Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas.

The main source of lead is old paint and dust that forms when paint chips and erodes, Landrigan explains. Lead paint can be a problem in any home built before 1978, when lead paint was banned.

"In tough economic times, we have to make wise decisions with our money -- and a lead test is one of those," says Landrigan. "Lead poisoning is tragic, and it happens too often. We're not just talking about the big cities. Older homes everywhere may have lead paint."

• Check with your local health department about lead paint testing. A lab test of a paint chip runs from $20 to $50 per sample. You can also hire a certified professional to test your home, which will cost more.
• The Consumer Product Safety Commission has a safety alert on its web site about lead-based paint testing. It offers guidelines on reducing your exposure -- like covering walls with gypsum wallboard.

Colorless and odorless, radon gas comes from the natural breakdown of the soil and rock underneath your home. Any home can have a radon gas problem -- whether it's old or new, well-sealed or drafty, whether it has a basement or not.

Breathing air containing radon gas can cause lung cancer. In fact, it’s the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

• You can buy a $20 home radon test kit at most hardware and home stores.
• For more information, check the EPA's web site for "A Citizen's Guide to Radon."

4. Ditch pesticides.

Pesticides kill roaches, mice, ants, and lawn pests. But overexposure and chronic small exposures may put children at risk of a range of health problems, including asthma, learning disabilities, and problems with brain development.

These chemicals are expensive, too. "These pesticides are not cheap," says Landrigan. "You can easily spend a hundred bucks on one Saturday morning on them."

The problem is, "people don't see the damage the chemicals are doing to themselves and to their child," he tells WebMD. "It's silent, but nevertheless real damage."

Save money and promote health by focusing on prevention. Simple steps can keep roaches away -- like washing dishes very carefully, cleaning up all food residue, keeping food packages and containers tightly closed, and sealing any cracks that are a point of entry into your home. Landrigan has tested these methods in New York City apartment buildings, where roaches can seem firmly entrenched. "It's basic stuff, but it works," he says.

Instead of spraying herbicides on your lawn, "don't be so worried about weeds," says Landrigan. "Get used to a little imperfection. Rather than spraying, your time is better spent burning calories -- pulling weeds," he says.

You can learn about non-chemical, commonsense ways of reducing indoor and lawn/garden pests -- a concept called Integrated Pest Management. Look for the EPA's on-line booklet: "Citizen's Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety."

5. Be careful with plastic bottles and canned foods.

The safety of bisphenol A, a chemical found in polycarbonate plastics, is still being debated. These plastics are used in some water bottles and baby bottles.

Bisphenol A is also used in epoxy resins that line metal products like canned foods.

The FDA and the American Chemistry Council say bisphenol A is safe for use. However, another government report -- the National Toxicology Report -- found concern about effects on the brain, prostate gland, and behavior in fetuses, infants, and children. And one study found that adults with high levels of BPA in their urine were more likely to have a history of heart disease or diabetes, compared to people with low levels of BPA.

What can you do to limit exposure to BPA?

• Look for safer water or baby bottles -- either tempered glass bottles or plastic bottles made of cloudy plastics like polyethelene or polypropylene (recycling symbols 1, 2 or 5) are generally safe. Avoid those marked with a "7" or "PC."
• Don't microwave plastic food containers. Heat can break down plastic fibers.
• Don't microwave with cling wraps. Put food in a glass or ceramic dish and then cover with waxed paper or paper towels.
• Eat fewer canned foods.
• Use glass and ceramic containers to store or microwave foods.

6. Filter your tap water.

Filtered tap water may be a better choice of drinking water than bottled water. In a recent study, the Environmental Working Group tested 10 best-selling brands of bottled water. Researchers found mixtures of 38 contaminants, including bacteria, fertilizer, and industrial chemicals -- all at levels similar to those found in tap water.

Here's the catch: Tap water is regulated by the EPA, which requires yearly public reports identifying the contaminants found in local water sources. But bottled water is regulated by the FDA, which has no such requirement.

"But even if you live in a place where drinking water is considered good, there can still be trace amounts of chemicals that may be toxic," says Baker. Although your local water company filters tap water, it still comes through with contaminants -- including lead, chlorine, E. coli, pesticides. Simply filtering your tap water can remove lots of these pollutants.

A simple pitcher-type water filter may be all you need for very drinkable water, Baker advises. There are also filters that attach to a faucet or to the plumbing system. Consumer Reports has published a review of 27 water filters.

Filtering your tap water "is an easy thing to do -- you don't have to invest a lot of money in it," she says. "You just change the filters regularly. It's a 'better safe than sorry' approach." You’ll also cut down on waste in landfills by not buying – and then tossing – plastic bottles.

7. Temper the Teflon.

If you've got pots and pans with Teflon coating -- or other nonstick cookware – make sure you use them wisely. Perfluorinated (PFCs) chemicals are used to make these nonstick coatings, and the chemicals can accumulate in the body. The EPA lists PFOA (one type of PFCs used in Teflon) as a "likely human carcinogen," although there’s no evidence that Teflon-coated pans cause cancer.

DuPont and other companies have agreed, in response to government pressure, to eliminate use of PFOA by 2015. In the meantime, you can switch to other cookware now: stainless steel, anodized aluminum, copper-coated pans, cast iron, or enamel-coated iron. Silicone baking molds are also safe to use.

If you can’t do without your nonstick cookware – or if it’s too expensive to replace right away -- then follow safe cooking practices. Don’t preheat pans on high, and use the lowest temperature you can to cook food.

Two other places you'll find PFCs – in grease-resistant food packaging and as a stain-protection treatment. Reducing greasy packaged foods and fast foods in your diet (like microwave popcorn, French fries, and pizza) not only lowers your exposure, it’s also good for your heart.

If it's time to replace a big-ticket item like a sofa, say no to stain-protection treatments, advises Baker. "These add-ons cost money, and the health implications are not really known."

8. Wash your hands.

We hear this during cold and flu season -- frequent hand-washing keeps germs from getting passed around. But for young children, hand-washing is a good habit that can keep them from ingesting toxins like fire retardants in house dust. What your vacuum doesn't pick up, a toddler's hands will.

"Hand-washing may be boring, but it's really key to keeping stuff on a child's hands from getting into their mouths," says Lunder.

Another tip: Skip antibacterial soap, because some researchers believe that the quest for hyper-cleanliness may have led to weakened immune systems, and possibly to more cases of asthma and allergies. It’s also been speculated that these products may contribute to bacteria-resistant "super germs."

In fact, new research has also shown that triclosan -- the main ingredient in antibacterial soap, deodorants, toothpaste, mouthwash, cosmetics, fabrics and plastic kitchenware -- has the potential to affect sex hormones and interfere with the nervous system.

And studies show regular soap and water works just as well for killing germs. It’s about the process, not the product. Moisten hands, rub thoroughly with soap (getting backs of hands, between fingers, and around nail beds), and rinse. Singing the ABC’s while you do it will ensure you do it for an adequate amount of time (20 seconds). Be sure adults in your house wash their hands frequently, especially after coming indoors. Ask visitors to do the same.

9. Use non-toxic cleaning products.

The conventional cleaning supplies under your sink -- with their "warning" and "poison" labels -- contain a potent mix of chemicals.

"If you've ever mopped with ammonia, you know how your lungs constrict," says Lunder. "These chemicals have a very powerful effect on kids with asthma. You're polluting the indoor air when you don't need to." When washed down the drain, they also pollute rivers and lakes.

Look for "green" cleaners that don't contain chlorine or ammonia. Choose ones that say "petroleum-free," "biodegradable," or "phosphate-free."

Or make a cleaner yourself.

Home-brew suggestions:

• Use vinegar instead of bleach, baking soda to scrub your tiles, and hydrogen peroxide to remove stains.
• Vinegar also removes grease and soap buildup.
• Need a window cleaner? Try diluted lemon juice or vinegar. Use borax to inhibit mold growth, boost the cleaning power of soap or detergent, remove stains -- even kill cockroaches, when sugar is mixed in.

10. Eat organic, eat healthy.

When you eat organic food, you ingest fewer pesticides. You’re also helping protect the environment.

More pluses: Research shows that some organic food is more nutritious – organic fruits and vegetables have 25% higher levels of many nutrients than conventional produce.

However, organic produce can be 20% more expensive than conventional. Organic meats and dairy products might be three times the cost of conventional items.

Cut the cost of eating organic foods by:

• Buying in-season produce, which is plentiful and often cheaper at your local farmer's market.
• Selectively buy the produce that absorbs the most pesticide if not organic -- like berries, which soak up more pesticides than other fruit. You don't really need organic bananas, since they're protected by a peel.
• Buy organic for the foods you eat most often.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, aim for good health in the kitchen:

• Getting plenty of omega-3 fats – like those from fatty fish and walnuts -- when breastfeeding seems to protect the fetus' brain development from toxins, Lunder says. (Note: Some fish are high in contaminants like mercury or PCBs that can harm child development. Select safer seafoods, such as shrimp, canned light tuna, and salmon.)
• Iodine also helps offset negative effects from fire retardants, she adds. That's easy with a prenatal vitamin with iodine.

You could even try the taste of edible flowers -- like those that grow in your lawn, when you quit using pesticides. "Dandelions are salad in France," Landrigan says.

Merry Christmas!

I hope all is well with you and yours this holiday season.

The most important things in life are your family and loved ones. The best thing you can give them this season is a healthy home and a healthy YOU! It will all start with that person looking back at you in the mirror.

When you are cleaning up from all the holiday parties, meals and guests make it a goal to get rid of all those unhealthy cleaning products in your home. If you take one room at a time it will not seem so daunting a task. The easiest place to start is the kitchen, since that gets the most dirty during the holidays. Go ahead, take a look under the sink and see what you can find. Chances are you can find plenty of bad chemicals that you can replace with safe products that do just as good a job for you.

If we all do our part then this world will be a healthier place for everyone.

Have a great holiday season!!!

How to have a 'green' Christmas

An excellent article I found at: http://www.eartheasy.com/give_sustainchristmas.htm -you can see the full article there...

During the season of celebration we need to show extra care for the environment.

Christmas does not have to be a burden on the environment. With a little effort and imagination, we can reduce the environmental impact of the holiday season.
Here are some ideas to help celebrate the season while caring for the earth.

Buy Less

Some holiday gifts fill a practical need and need to be bought new. But many gifts are really gestures of thoughtfulness. You can give more while spending less.
• Not all gifts have to be store-bought. You can give more while spending less. you can give gifts that are personal and unique. Here's a page with some ideas: Tips for sustainable giving
• Simplify the 'gift-go-round'. Feeling overwhelmed by a gift list that's just too long? Here's an idea to help shorten your list and simplify the family gift-giving ritual:

Before the holiday season begins (Thanksgiving is a good time because the extended family is often together), put the names of all adult family members on separate slips of paper and put the slips in a hat. Take turns picking one name per adult - the name you pick is your gift recipient. Keep your chosen pick a secret, to help maintain an element of surprise.

Your gift list for the adults in your family has just been shortened to one! You can now focus on a special gift for the person whose name you picked, without the dificulty and expense of finding just the right gift for everyone.

If the family's not together on Thanksgiving, ask Grandma or someone else in the family to pick the names from the hat for everyone, by proxy. It works just as well. An agreed on spending limit will also help everyone from feeling they have to go overboard with a fabulous gift for the person whose name they chose.

Buy Smart - think 'green'

• look for locally made gifts - many gifts in today's marketplace come from halfway around the world, and the impact of transportation contributes significantly to greenhouse emissions and global warming. Local craft fairs and artisan shops are a good source for gifts that come without the added costs of transportation.
• choose gifts made from recycled sources - many individuals and small businesses have developed great products using recycled materials. Supporting these businesses helps reduce the waste stream while promoting the concept of making best use of available materials. Here are some examples for you to consider: Gifts from recycled materials
• give 'battery-free' gifts - According to the EPA, about 40% of all battery sales occur during the holiday season. Discarded batteries are an environmental hazard. Even rechargeable batteries find their way into the waste stream eventually. Here are a few examples of gifts that have less of an impact on the environment: Naturally-powered toys
• avoid children's toys that promote violence - there is too much violence in the world, and the new wave of video games for children is disturbing. Remember the theme of Christmas is "Peace of Earth". There are many toys and games that are fun, and nurture childrens creativity and sense of active play. Here are some examples: Educational toys and games
• 're-gifting' is OK - there is much discussion about etiquette behind the trend to 're-gift', that is, to pass on a gift you received but do not need. What's to discuss? Re-gifting makes perfect sense. If you receive something you really don't need, look for ways you can reuse this gift by passing it on to someone who can use it. Of course, re-gifting needs to be done with care so as not to offend the original giver, but keeping a gift you don't need is wasteful.

"A great way to teach children the spirit of giving (and simplifying) during the holidays is to ask them to pick 3 toys that they don't play with very much, and donate them to a homeless shelter, domestic violence shelter etc. I saw children bring toys in to the shelter I worked at year after year - it was a wonderful experience for everyone!" ........Lauren, New Hampshire

How to Go Green: Thanksgiving Day

[by Rachel Sarnoff]

With all the planning, cooking, and cleaning, the last thing you want to think about is greening your Thanksgiving, right? But this is the perfect time to reflect and reassess your holiday preparations with a nod to sustainability.

It's not as hard as you might think: Do you typically put a wreath on your door and a cut flower arrangement on your table? Try buying organic, or better yet, find living succulent wreaths for both. Is your centerpiece a turkey? Find a heritage breed, or consider a vegetarian alternative. Find out how to shop your local farmers' markets for your feast, and find recycled elements for your holiday decor.

We've broken it down to make Thanksgiving an easy, eco-friendly, and fun holiday for all involved. Follow our countdown and you can make an easy transition to a more sustainable holiday tradition. With extensive tips on menu planning, decorating, shopping, cleaning and more, we've got you covered from now 'til leftovers.

There can you find an heirloom turkey? Where are cranberries grown? How much food do Americans normally waste? We've got the answers and lots more questions about Thanksgiving in our quiz: Do You Give Thanks With Minimal Impact? Click on over to get started and learn tons of great green knowledge along the way.

full article:

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/thanksgiving-day/

Hair Coloring

Here are some tips for safer hair coloring products. They are not all perfect, but a good place to start. The main problem with hair dyes are ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, PPD (p-phenylenediamine), diaminobenzene and coal tar.

Developing safer hair coloring has been a challenge. We’ve given a range of products here. The safest ones are the all natural products, though they tend to not last as long. The products that many find give the best results still have small amounts of some toxic ingredients, but much less than the usual. PPD and peroxide are needed to open and penetrate the hair shaft and produce permanent color. Be wary of permanent products without them as they may rely on toxic ingredients such as mercury or lead.

Since many salons have not embraced safe hair coloring yet, we encourage you to see if they will use one of these products. Sometimes, something just needs to be brought to attention before it catches on…

Aveda
Aveda uses green tea extract as the oxidizer in their hair colorings. Colors vary from 93% to 99% naturally derived. You can visit one of their salons. Or if you are diligent, and knowledgeable, about salon hair color, you can order products on line.

Color Me Natural (Aubrey Organics)
This is a natural indigo, dark brown, henna based product.

EcoColors
EcoColors has a salon in Atlanta, but you can also buy their product online. They have low PPD, low ammonia and some peroxide. They also have a salon locator on their web site.

Herbatint (Herbavita)
You can buy this in many stores and it is a no ammonia, no alcohol, low peroxide and low PPD permanent dye. There is also a semi-permanent line that is PPD and peroxide free.

John Masters Organics Salon
New York City salon that uses only ammonia-free herbal and clay based products. Does not offer perms, relaxers or bleaches.

Light Mountain Natural Hair Color
This is a semipermanent henna product.

Naturcolor
This is ammonia free and low PPD permanent and semipermanent color.

Naturtint
Available in stores and online. It has no ammonia and is permanent.

Rainbow Henna
This is 100% organic and comes in a variety of colors. It is semipermanent and lasts up to about six weeks.

Surya Henna
Semipermanent Henna.

Susan Henry’s Natural Color Process
Ammonia free permanent hair colors. Available online.

Tocco Magico
This is an Italian product that is available in salons only.

Vegetal Color (Herbavita)
These colors have no ammonia, PPD or peroxide and are semipermanent, lasting only five to six washes.

Henna for Hair
A wesite community of henna users with real life pictures of results and do-it-yourself mixes.

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