Green Daily

(Photo by 7th Generation)

I wish I could say that I'm clueless about why The Recycled Toilet Paper Debate keeps coming up, but let's face it -- we've had the "Eco-sandpaper Experience." Butts are tender and recycled paper can be rough!

Compounding the difficulty of finding a recycled TP solution is the challenge of finding a brand that meets the whole family's demands for softness, absorbency and cost, while being made with an environmentally-correct amount of post-consumer waste.

So why bother? There are plenty of compelling reasons for using recycled bathroom tissue. As the Natural Resources Defense Council says:

"If every household in the United States replaced just one roll of virgin fiber toilet paper (500 sheets) with 100% recycled ones, we could save 423,900 trees."

Just to do the math for you, when we cut down trees, we end up with more CO2 in the air, which equals climate change and melting polar caps and general mayhem. We need all the trees we can get.

At last it seems like technology is catching up with need. Recycled product choices have multiplied, and there are many recycled offerings that are both quilted and soft. Of course, the proof is in the wiping, so if you want to do your own comparison, take a look at:

• Seventh Generation -- 100% recycled, 80% post-consumer, quilted and surprisingly soft
• Trader Joe's -- 100% recycled, 80% post-consumer, and love that jumbo pack!
• Marcal Small Steps -- 100% recycled, minimum 60% post-consumer, 50 years of experience making recycled paper
• Scott Naturals -- 40% virgin fiber isn't great, but is better than 100% virgin fiber and you gotta start somewhere!
  

Got a bathroom favorite not on the list? Share in the comments!

If you're like me, you tend to zone out whenever somebody starts telling you about how they're like, totally into this new eastern philosophy thingie. However, dejunkifying your house, whether you think of it as an ancient art form or not, does actually produce some measurable results in your quality of life. For example, living clutter-free helps you keep things organized so you buy less junk and know exactly what you have, which is kinda green.

For those of us with a uncontrollable urge to avoid tap water at all costs -- even though numerous studies have shown that bottled water isn't any better -- there's a new brand concept out there for purchasing small quantities of supposedly pure water in a disposable container.

Boxed Water Is Better (that's the name of the company) provides consumers with yet another way to purchase what already flows freely from their tap. Are you picking up on my cynicism yet? Anyways, Boxed Water Is Better sells water in what are bascially recyclable milk cartons that can be flattened out to conserve space and thus lower their carbon footprint.

Another particularly eco-friendly aspect of drinking this boxed water is that BWIB donates 20% of their profits to the conservation of the two sources they consume: water and trees. On the other hand, drinking boxed water still creates a larger carbon footprint than drinking from the tap (transportation), creates waste (because not all of the cartons will be recycled), and it costs a lot more than the tap. I'm just saying.

[via CoolHunting]

It's that time of year when gardener's start digging up the earth and planting seeds. Burpee is one of the most well know seed suppliers in the United States. Their seeds are carried at home improvement giants like Home Depot and Lowes where one-stop shoppers can get all of their gardening supplies. Their wares are so prolific that a few have made their way into my garden. Because of this I was immediately taken aback when I started reading on gardening forums that Burpee was owned by GMO giant, Monsanto.

Monsanto has been acused of many things from trying to be the single global supplier of seeds to using humans as lab rats by feeding us genetically modified food (read about GMOs here and here). I am not a purist but I try to avoid genetically modified seeds the best that I can and when I read the rumors about Burpee, some red flags started to fly. I swore off the brand not only for the plants but also because I didn't want to be putting money into Monsanto's pockets wich purchases of gardening accessories.

Well, it turns out that Burpee IS NOT owned by Monsanto. In 2005 Monsanto bought vegetable seed company, Seminis Inc. who supplies some seeds to Burpee. This does little to asauge any fears about food safety as technically Monsanto does supply product to Burpee (even many organic seeds are tinted with GMOs). However, it's important to point out that Burpee is privately owned and operated by third generation seedsman, George Ball Jr. and I can buy peat pots without guilt.

If you are a faithful Burpee customer and have concerns about GMOs, tell them. However, it's good to know that there are already seed companies out there like Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds who are 100% commited to providing GMO-free seeds.

Yes, there are at least two things in that title that are almost entirely incomprehensible, yet true. First off, it's hard to imagine a world where hardcore vegan Heather Mills would agree to be a spokesperson for the unapologetic meat fetishists at BK. Secondly, Burger King is going to start offering a veggie burger? Weirdness abounds.

If you're looking for a third reason that this news is bizarre, it may be worth examining what BK wants with a somewhat publicly reviled ex-wife of a Beatle, stigmatized for being a selfish golddigger. Still, the $6M deal has reportedly already been signed, sealed, and delivered.

Obviously, money talks and $6M can buy a lot of cars and McMansions. Mills could certainly be criticized for her making a deal with the hamburger devils at BK by the vegan community, and she probably will get a fairly strong tongue lashing -- she's used to it. Reportedly, Mills is looking at the silver lining:

A friend told The People: "Heather is ecstatic. She believes she can change the eating habits of millions. She's also being paid a lot of money and the deal will help boost her standing."

[via Ecorazzi]

If you have trouble sleeping you might be tempted to reach for the medicine cabinet or even fall asleep in front of the television. Neither solution will give you the restorative type of sleep that you need in order to be at the top of your game. Sleep aids can become addictive and television can actually cause insomnia (not to mention waste energy if left on all night long).

Here are a few natural sleep tips to help you along:

The Dr. Hauschka brand is probably best known for their all natural, plant-based skincare and cosmetics -- everyone loves the Rose Body oil! Recently, they also added homeopathic healthcare to their offering.

Dr. Hauschka Holistic Home Remedies include treatments for common ailments, using biodynamic plants and other natural substances -- rather than chemically created medicines.

Nicotine, camomile and white birch charcoal are combined in Nicotiana Cramp Relief. The anti-inflammatory and healing properties of calendula make Calendula Wound Cleanser so effective. And Berberis Nose Balm, which soothes noses painfully chapped by late spring colds.

The ingredients are all natural, and apply time-tested folk medicine knowledge. The idea is that they support your body's natural ability to heal itself.

You can learn more about the homeopathic line, which also include treatments for menopause symptoms, urinary tract infections and varicose veins, as well as buy them, on the Dr. Hauschka site.

As if we all needed another reason to hate traffic jams. A study coming out of Germany's Institute of Epidemiology suggests that sitting in traffic not only wastes your precious time on planet earth, but it can increase your risk of a heart attack -- and not just from road rage. According to the research, subjects who experienced heart attacks were three times more likely to have been in traffic during the hour preceding their cardiac event. Coincidence? The scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum Muchen think not.

Welcome spring into your home with the scent of geranium. Mrs. Meyer's earth friendly cleaning products are on sale for 20% off their regular price. This sale only applies to the geranium scented products but as that's my favorite scent, I have no problem with that.

I've been using Mrs. Meyer's Surface Scrub in the bathroom and it's a nice product. I noticed that the brand also carries Automatic Dish Packs for the dishwasher so I might have to try those and perhaps an All Purpose Soap Bar so I can smell as fresh as a flower.

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day products are toxin free and made from naturally derived ingredients. Every product is biodegradable and has never, ever been tested on animals.

It's the dreaded lice diagnosis. Coupled with a desire to not douse your precious kid's head with pesticides.

What to do? As an alternative to standard chemical treatments, many parents are turning towards methods that utilize suffocation instead. One method, the Nuvo Method, comes from Dr. Dale Pearlman, in Menlo Park, CA. The Nuvo Method uses a common mild cleanser available in most drugstores, Cetaphil Cleanser.

In a nutshell, you apply the Cetaphil Cleanser to the hair and scalp and then distribute the lotion evenly with a comb. Use a hair dryer to dry the lotion in place, "shrink wrapping" the lice and cutting off their oxygen supply. Leave the dried lotion on the hair for eight hours and wash out with a regular shampoo.

According to Dr. Pearlman's site, the Nuvo method is superior to other non-toxic suffocation methods of treating lice because the lotion is dried on the hair and cannot be wiped off. In addition, the dried lotion cannot be seen in the hair, a huge plus.

See Dr. Pearlman's website for all of the details and specifics of the treatment. Sounds fabulous, and also way less gross than using mayonnaise.

You've gotta love the minor holidays. They help us to get through the party drought that begins after Mardi Gras and lingers on into the summer. And, even though it's really just an excuse to get wasted on exotically colered beer, or maybe because it's really nothing but an excuse to drink exotically colored beer, St. Patrick's Day can really help to get your ya-yas out.

It's also an opportunity to get a horrible hangover on beer that's chock full of our dirty old, petroleum-derived friend: Green No. 3. While green food dye may not be the main reason why those St. Patty's Day brewhahas are especially hard on you the next day (I'm guessing that's the Guinness), Green No. 3 has been linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer. In fact, the state of Maryland is considering a ban on the stuff. If you want to party with some green brews, you might want to try Chefmaster's all natural green food coloring instead.

[via Treehugger]

Tissues are really not the best things for the planet, and yet, they can be so hard to resist. They seem so clean, sterile, and convenient, and a nice big box of Kleenex or Puffs seems to become the only friend willing to cuddle with you on the couch when you're sick.

Fortunately, if you are concerned about the environmental impact of your sniffles, there are several alternatives, as well as some eco-friendly tissue choices.

When choosing toilet paper, tissue or paper towels, look for brands made with 100% post-consumer product. If this is nowhere to be found, check to see if any come from forests that are certified to be sustainable. At the very least, steer clear of the super soft and fluffy toilet papers.

If you choose to try out handkerchiefs, Green LA Girl has an excellent guide to purchasing them, from plain to cute to downright fancy, and Super Eco has great tips to help you care for them.

If you are trying to educate the little ones about the spread of germs and proper procedure, something like Sniffle Sleeve might be right up your alley! Of course, in a pinch, tying a hankie around your child's arm would do the trick.

Finally, if you're interested in preventing the sniffles, why not purchase a neti pot?

With growing concerns about our nation's food safety, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has taken steps to clean up the meat supply. Cattle that are non-ambulatory when entering a slaughterhouse (known as "downer" cows) are now to be humanely euthanized and removed from the food chain.

Previously, downer cows were allowed to enter the slaughterhouse if they previously passed USDA inspection. If they were injured or fell ill during the time following their last check-up, they were still allowed to be butchered and sold as food. These types of animals are more susceptible to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (or "made cow disease").

Due to massive beef recalls by Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing plant in California after video revealed injured and sick cows being abused and forced to stand to pass inspection, the USDA suggested closing this loophole in May of 2008. Vilsack has has now acted on the recommendation and has hopes that it will encourage consumer confidence in the beef industry.

Acai fruit products are everywhere, promising detoxification, anti-aging and the holy grail of supplement claims, weight loss. You've no doubt been inundated with ads for acai products, especially if you spend any time on the internets.

However, like many supplements, there is little evidence to back up many manufacturers' claims for acai, according to an article in the New York Times. While the acai berry does contain antioxidants, there are no solid studies showing specific anti-aging, weight or detox benefits. Even Oprah has had to put a disclaimer on her website, stating that she does not endorse any acai berry products, due to peripheral connections via her buddy Dr. Mehmet Oz. One researcher who performed a study on acai admitted that while the berry has good antioxidant levels, more studies are needed to back up other claims.

Since acai is probably just another berry, which is not a bad thing, you'll want to be aware of any possible hyped-up health claims. On the positive side, acai berry harvesting can provide a good source of income to farmers in the Amazon rainforest. For example, Sambazon (Saving and Managing the Brazilian Amazon), buys organic acai from 1,500 local families for use in their products, according to the Nature Conservancy. This helps provide a sustainable source of income for the farmers, while helping to preserve the forest.

Would you rather scald yourself, or allow harmful bacteria to grow in your water heater? Most energy conservation checklists will tell you that lowering your home's water heater to 120°F will help you safely shrink your home's ecological footprint. According to the health organizations in Canada, however, there may be one slight problem with this strategy. A deadly, warm water loving bacteria that causes pneumonia could possibly grow in your heater if you crank the thermostat down.

Legionella, named for an outbreak that killed 34 at an American Legion gathering in 1976, thrives in warm environments ranging from 77 - 113°F, especially in electric water heaters. At 122 - 133°F, Legionella can survive but not multiply. Why exactly do health organizations in Canada and the US disagree on this issue? It's hard to say. OSHA doesn't recommend setting heaters as high as 140°F, because of the risk of scalding children and the infirm. In Canada, most organizations warn against setting heaters below 140°F, because of the risk of Legionaire's disease. We've all been scalded with hot water, and it sucks -- but it's probably preferable to getting pneumonia. Don't you think?

[via Treehugger]