100 Mile Diet - blog, book, t.v. show - Join the Revolution !

"In 2005, Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon began a one-year experiment in local eating. Their 100-Mile Diet struck a deeper chord than anyone could have predicted, inspiring thousands of individuals, and even whole communities, to change the way they eat. Locally raised and produced food has been called “the new organic" — better tasting, better for the environment, better for local economies, and better for your health. From reviving the family farm to reconnecting with the seasons, the local foods movement is turning good eating into a revolution."

This revolution led to a television show called the 100 Mile Challenge on Food T.V. I caught the first episode last night and loved it !

"Throughout The 100 Mile Challenge, James and Alisa provide the families with expert information, tips, encouragement, corrections, and a series of challenges. The pair guides the 100-milers through the deep, personal transformations they will undergo in this "shared yet individual" experience. "

This 100 Mile Challenge takes place in Mission, British Columbia. "What better place to launch a transformational social experiment than a place called Mission? Why Mission? The search for the perfect town for The 100-Mile Challenge spanned the breadth of the Fraser Valley, a massive network of small towns and bedroom communities that covers some of the richest agricultural land in British Columbia.

Located 70 kilometres east of Vancouver, the town of Mission is nestled on a slope overlooking the mighty Fraser River, where several species of salmon swim and fishing enthusiasts can do battle with six-foot white sturgeon right under the Mission bridge. From rolling hills dotted with cows, to a manufacturing base that turns out $10 million yachts for wealthy American businessmen, Mission is a perfect petri dish of the modern-day push and pull between agricultural land and residential sprawl that faces Canadians daily. It's a struggle that affects all aspects of life, including what ends up on the dinner table, and where it comes from.

Mission is still home to commercial and hobby farmers who are no strangers to the arts of canning and preserving. Our 100-milers are going to need all the advice, support, and inspiration they can find to get them through the next 100 days."

Follow six local families on their 100 Mile Diet adventure on Sunday nights at 8pm on the Food Network.

SOURCE: http://www.100milediet.org/, http://100mile.foodtv.ca/

Is your Deodorant Recyclable? Only ONE Deodorant Stick is 100% Recyclable !

The ONLY 100% Recyclable Deodorant Stick !

I just switched to Tom's of Maine deodorant after I read an article about how many deodorant sticks are in landfills because they are not recyclable. So many people think that deodorant sticks are being recycled because they are plastic. They aren't because most are made with mixed plastics and have different components that are not able to be recycled.

Another product switched to a greener option on my quest for a greener life for my family. My husband noticed yesterday that there are new and different products in our house. I haven't told him my whole theory and practice this year. I simply answered that I am trying to make better choices for our family and our environment.

Green, Greener, Greenest Book by Lori Bongiorno - Book Review

Green, Greener, Greenest Book by Lori Bongiorno

I loved this book ! First off, this book was printed on 100% recycled paper and it is a great oatmeal color and a great size and feel. I know you can get books online, and I checked out this book from the library, however, I have added this to my TO BUY list. This is a reference book that I kept reading over and over and have checked out twice from the library.

"Looking to live a more eco-friendly life but don’t know where to start? Or have you already made changes but want to do more? Green, Greener, Greenest, by journalist Lori Bongiorno, offers a whole spectrum of environmentally conscious choices, because there is no one “right” way to be green. "

The book is laid out in chapters about types of products we use or items we use such as: Food, Beverages, Personal Care Products. Lori provides the latest information and education surrounding those topics and then concludes each chapter with your Green, Greener, and Greenest options.

Here's one example about Deodorant and Anti-Perspirants:

• Green = Avoid products containing parabens


• Green = Avoid antiperspirants which contain aluminum


• Greener = Try a natural brand of deodarant


• Greenest = Instead of convential products, try an alternative product like rock salt, a crystal product, or baking soda

Here's another example about Baby Diapers:

• Green = If you use disposables, empty contents into toliet before tossing soiled diapers. Untreated fecal matter can potentially contaminate ground water if it leaks from landfills. (I never knew this ! When I occasionally use paper diapers I know empty the contents before putting in the trash)


• Greener = If you go for disposables, try a a natural brand like Tushies, Seventh Generation, or Tendercare - all made without cholrine.


• Greenest = Use cloth diapers, there are all sorts of great diaper systems out there (I use primarily cloth and will write a future blog on this)

Check out this book from your local library, suggest that your local library purchase it if they haven't already, buy this book as a resource to More Green = More Life !

SOURCE: http://www.greengreenergreenest.com/, "Green, Greener, Greenest" Book by Lori Bongiorno

Be Green and Get Rid of Shaving Cream !

Get rid of shaving cream and use another product that is in every shower.

Part of being green is using less and consuming less. So, part of our More Green campaign in our house I will be looking for ways to eliminate or consolidate products.

I have eliminated shaving cream from my life. Guess what I use instead?

Hair Conditioner ! I wash my hair twice and always have more conditioner left over after the shampoo runs out. So, one day I was out of shaving cream and decided instead of borrowing my husband's that I would try my hair conditioner. It worked great ! You really just want to create a smooth environment to shave and it being a moisturizer is an added benefit.

What product in your house can you use for more than one purpose ?

California Baby - Green Baby - 2009.Feb.10

I have been using California Baby products for over 10 years now !

I started looking into various organic and sodium laurelth sulfate free products after the birth of my first child in 1998. I have very sensitive skin and my son does also. He was prone to eczema and would have outbreaks after eating certain items and after using certain products on him at bathtime. So, I began my quest to find something that wouldn't make my poor baby break out in these horrible itchy eczema patches.

Upon research, investigation, and recommendations I found out about California Baby and bought gift set of 2oz sizes of all of their products at a local health food store and have been hooked ever since. I now love their 17.5oz pump bottle of their combo hair and body wash in Calming. When you are washing the little ones it's nice to be able to pump out the hair and body wash with one hand, so I can keep the other on that slippery little sucker !

"California Baby products are free from common allergens such as milk, egg, peanut, walnut, cashew, almond and pecans, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat. California Baby products are also free of gluten and casein.NO Sulfates, DEA, Colors, Dyes, Synthetic Fragrances or Numbing Agents." To read more about their ingredients and what they do and don't have in their products, see the link below.

I am thrilled to see that now Target carries California Baby ! I love Target and shop their often and it is very convenient for me to pick it up when I am there. However, I do still support my local health foods store and continue to purchase California Baby from them when I am in buying vitamins.

SOURCE & MORE INFO:

http://www.californiababy.com/ingredients-faq.html

Washing Your Fruits and Veggies - Green Food - 2009.Feb.01.

Green Food.

Washing Your Fruits and Veggies.

Did you know that up to 20 pairs of hands could touch your fruit and vegetables from field to feeding your family? Think about all the food recalls on strawberries, spinach, tomatoes, and peanuts. Contaminants can build up while fruit and veggies are grown, harvested, transported, packed and sold. Washing in water alone will not remove all the bacteria, waxes, chemicals and pesticides.

According to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), you should wash raw fruits and vegetables very well before you peel, cut, eat, or cook with them.

#1 Wash your hands thoroughly before doing any food preparation.

#2 Wash down your counters and food preparation surfaces before your start.

#3 Wash your fruits and veggies before you do any meat preparation to avoid any cross contamination.

#4 Wash all fruits and vegetables, even the the package says they are pre-washed.

#5 Wash all parts of your fruits and vegetables, even if you don't plan on eating them. Bacteria can live on the rind of an orange, the skin of a cucumber, or the skin of a banana, for example. Though you may peel them away and toss them in the trash, the bacteria can be transferred from the outside of the fruit or vegetable to the knife you use to cut them, and then onto the parts you will be eating.

#6 Do not soak your fruits and veggies in water.

#7 Put your fruit or vegetables you are preparing in a colander and rinse.

#8 For fruit and veggies with a strong skin use a vegetable brush.

#9 Use cold water to wash your veggies

#10 If you want to use a commercial cleaner like: "Fit", "Veggie Wash" that is your choice and chose wisely and look at the ingredients. None are FDA or USDA approved and are currently being studied. I would look for an organic and natural wash.

SOURCES: http://www.umext.maine.edu/, http://www.nutrition.about.com/,

Green Works Floor Cleaner - Green Cleaning - 2009.Jan.28

Green Cleaning.

Green Works Floor Cleaner.

I decided as products run out at my house that I would try out a green alternative. So, my floor cleaner ran out and that is a staple in my house as I try to mop my floor every night before I go to bed since I have a crawler, walker, eat anything off the floor baby/toddler right now.


They call it "Dilutable Cleaner" and says that it is 99% natural made with essential oils, no phosphorus or bleach, a coconut based cleaning agent. I have not tried it yet, but have started with my pledge in 2009 to move our family to the world of green.


I will also be trying some green cleaning alternatives like: using baking soda that you sprinkle on your carpet before you vacuum to freshen it up and deodorize it, using white distilled vinegar to remove soap scum and as a fabric softner in the rinse cylce of my baby's cloth diapers (yes, I use cloth diapers and have a wonderful easy diaper pail free system I will put in a future post !).


A truly healthy environment starts with your home. Most ordinary household cleaners are locaed with chemicals that just can't be good for you and your family. Your home is where you live, breath, eat, and sleep !