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Frugal and Fabulous Foaming Fun

After watching a father load up on over 10 bottles of foaming hand soap at the grocers, I've decided to post one of my favorite homemade recipes. Next time you run out of foaming hand soap, rinse the dispenser out, pumping the water through a few times and try this recipe--you'll never buy soap at $4-5/bottle again!

Foaming Hand Soap

3 tablespoons liquid dish soap (phosphate free, biodegradable)

2/3 cup warm water

Gently mix soap and water and let stand 5-10 min.

Pour into reused foaming dispenser.

Do not shake.

*Add a drop or two of your favorite scented oil for custom fragrances.

If you want to make this process a little quicker, mark the soap line and the water line on your bottle and mix directly into the dispenser. Just be sure to gently swirl the soap and water together, and not shake it. (It works if you shake it, just not as well).

With a savings of over $4/bottle, you'll never buy hand soap again :D

You can do this with your shampoos as well to make hair washing easy, fun, and economical. You'll save on water as well--less soap, means less rinsing.

A great site for buying the foaming dispensers (such fun to make these for gifts) is http://www.bottlesandfoamers.com/cart/

My favorite site ever is ideal for the essential oils http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/aroma/ess.php (warning: if you take a look at their organic bulk herbs and spices--you'll never by spices at the grocer either!--But that's for another posting).


Post by Amy McKelvey

Green Tip: Your Healthy Holiday Kitchen

"Tis the season to be in the kitchen, whether you're hosting an event, heading for a potluck or cooking a traditional meal for your family. Whatever the reason, you're probably going to buy ingredients, cook, clean -- and enjoy some leftovers.

EWG makes it easy to prepare your holiday feasts with your family's environmental health in mind. Just follow these simple tips as you shop, cook, eat and clean" click here for full article

Post by Cleary Vaughan-Lee

GREEN TIP FOR THE MONTH

FALL: Tree Planting Time
More Trees Please…

"The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day."—U.S. Department of Agriculture

"Landscaping can reduce air conditioning costs by up to 50 percent, by shading the windows and walls of a home." — American Public Power Association

"If you plant a tree today on the west side of your home, in 5 years your energy bills should be 3% less. In 15 years the savings will be nearly 12%." —Dr. E. Greg McPherson, Center for Urban Forest Research

"A mature tree can often have an appraised value of between $1,000 and $10,000." —Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers

"One acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen. This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people."—U.S. Department of Agriculture

"There are about 60-to 200- million spaces along our city streets where trees could be planted. This translates to the potential to absorb 33 million more tons of CO2 every year, and saving $4 billion in energy costs."—National Wildlife Federation

"Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent and can save 20 - 50 percent in energy used for heating."—USDA Forest Service

"Trees can be a stimulus to economic development, attracting new business and tourism. Commercial retail areas are more attractive to shoppers, apartments rent more quickly, tenants stay longer, and space in a wooded setting is more valuable to sell or rent."—The Arbor Day Foundation

"The planting of trees means improved water quality, resulting in less runoff and erosion. This allows more recharging of the ground water supply. Wooded areas help prevent the transport of sediment and chemicals into streams."—USDA Forest Service

"In laboratory research, visual exposure to settings with trees has produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension."—Dr. Roger S. Ulrich Texas A&M University

I’m nuts about trees. Trees in your yard can shelter and feed many different types of wildlife. Trees can also reduce your heating and cooling costs, help clean the air, add beauty and color, provide shelter from the wind and the sun, and add value to your home—tree lined streets are always the most desirable. A good fruit tree can feed your family plus 5 more and they are ideal for jams, chutneys and sauces. Nut trees can make holiday liquors for everyone on your shopping list and provide nature’s best protein source. When was the last time that you climbed a tree?

For in the true nature of things,
if we rightly consider,
every green tree is far more glorious
than if it were made of gold and silver. ~
~ Martin Luther King ~

OK, so fortunately most folks don’t need to be convinced—trees are sublime! Planting a tree in your yard is a long-term commitment and there is a lot of planning and preparation involved. If you’ve been contemplating planting a tree, well heck, if even if you haven’t--Fall is the best time to do it.

When you plant a tree in the Fall, you’re taking advantage of favorable soil temperatures and moisture conditions that promote root growth. Did you know that tree roots grow anytime the soil temperature is 40 degrees or higher? Strong root growth will sustain your tree through its critical first year in your yard. Then when spring arrives, this expanded root system will support the tree and thrive during the surge of spring growth. In other words—if you plant a tree now, you’re giving it the BEST possible start and it will reward you ten-fold for many years to come.

How to Plant a Tree

While planting each of these different types of trees differs in the details, all trees eventually end up in a hole. But not any old hole will do.

• The most common mistake when planting a tree is a digging hole, which is both too deep and too narrow. Too deep and the roots don’t have access to sufficient oxygen to ensure proper growth. Too narrow and the root structure can’t expand sufficiently to nourish and properly anchor the tree.

• As a general rule, trees should be transplanted no deeper than the soil in which they were originally grown. The width of the hole should be at least 3 times the diameter of the root ball or container or the spread of the roots in the case of bare root trees. This will provide the tree with enough worked earth for its root structure to establish itself.

• When digging in poorly drained clay soil, it is important to avoid ‘glazing’. Glazing occurs when the sides and bottom of a hole become smoothed forming a barrier, through which water has difficulty passing. To break up the glaze, use a fork to work the bottom and drag the points along the sides of the completed hole. Also, raising the centre bottom of the hole slightly higher than the surrounding area. This allows water to disperse, reducing the possibility of water pooling in the planting zone.

Planting Balled and Burlapped Trees.

Balled and burlapped (B & B) trees, although best planted as soon as possible, can be stored for some time after purchase as long as the ball is kept moist and the tree stored in a shady area. B & B trees should always be lifted by the ball, never by the trunk. The burlap surrounding the ball of earth and roots should either be cut away completely (mandatory, in the case of synthetic or plastic burlap) or at least pulled back from the top third of the ball (in the case of natural burlap). Any string or twine should also be removed. Backfill soil (combinations of peat moss, composted manure, topsoil, etc.) is then placed in the hole surrounding the tree just to the height of the ball or slightly lower to allow for some settling. Be careful not to compress the back fill soil as this may prevent water from reaching the roots and the roots from expanding beyond the ball.

Planting Container Trees.

Container trees (though subject to greater heat and drying conditions than B and B) can also be stored for a brief period of time after purchase as long as the soil in the container is kept moist and the tree stored in a shady spot. The procedure for planting container trees is similar to that for B & B trees. In the case of metal or plastic containers, remove the container completely. In the case of fibre containers, tear the sides away.

Once carefully removed from the container, check the roots. If they are tightly compressed or ‘potbound’, use your fingers or a blunt instrument (to minimize root tearing) to carefully tease the fine roots away from the tight mass and then spread the roots prior to planting. In the case of extremely woody compacted roots, it may be necessary to use a spade to open up the bottom half of the root system. The root system is then pulled apart or ‘butterflied’ prior to planting. Loosening the root structure in this way is extremely important in the case of container plants. Failure to do so may result in the roots ‘girdling’ and killing the tree. At the very least, the roots will have difficulty expanding beyond the dimensions of the original container. To further assist this, lightly break up even the soil outside the planting zone. This allows roots that quickly move out of the planting zone to be more resilient as they anchor into existing surrounding soil conditions.

Once the tree is seated in the hole, the original soil is then back-filled into the hole to the soil level of the container. Again, remember not to overly compress the back-filled soil especially by tramping it with your feet. Compress gently using your hands instead.

Planting Bare-Rooted Trees.

Planting bare-rooted trees is a little different as there is no soil surrounding the roots. Most importantly, the time between purchase and planting is a more critical issue. Plant as soon as possible. When purchasing bare-rooted trees, inspect the roots to ensure that they are moist and have numerous lengths of fine root hairs (healthy). Care should be taken to ensure that the roots are kept moist in the period between purchase and planting. Prune broken or damaged roots but save as much of the root structure as you can.

To plant, first build a cone of earth in the centre of the hole around which to splay the roots. Make sure that when properly seated on this cone the tree is planted so that the ‘trunk flare’ is clearly visible and the ‘crown’, where the roots and top meet, is about two inches above the soil level. This is to allow for natural settling.

http://www.tree-planting.com

http://www.pacificopenspace.com/North_Coast_Native_Nursery

http://www.berkeleyhort.com/

http://www.mostlynatives.com/

http://www.baynatives.com/

O'Donnell's Fairfax Nursery
1700 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Fairfax, CA 94930 Tel: 415/453-0372
Wide variety of native plants, ranging from easy- to hard-to-find. Wild lilies, wild iris, beaked hazelnut, redtwig dogwood, wild honeysuckle, native willows, etc. Native seeds and bulbs.
http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/newsletter_fall09_fall_winter_feature.php

http://www.cnps.org/ California Native Plant Society

GREEN TIP FOR THE WEEK

GREEN TIP: Every Day Water Saving Tips

Ever wonder what to do with your child's small swimming pool filled with water at the end of the day? You can use it to water your plants in your garden. After a hot day, the children will also enjoy this simple task of watering the thirsty plants, and you will avoid mosquitoes sticking around at the same time!

Here are some useful water saving tips for the household:

-Check to make sure there are no water leaks in you household.
-Insulate your water pipes.
-Install low-flow, water saving showerheads, and avoid taking long showers.
-Fill a bottle or plastic bag with gravel and put it in your toilet tank to lesson the volume of water used with each flush.
-Wash only full loads in your clothes washer and dish washer.
-Don't leave the water running while brushing your teeth or shaving.
-Consider developing a greywater system to re-use shower, sink, and dish-water for garden irrigation or for use in toilets.
-Avoid over-watering your lawn. As a general rule, only water every 5-7 days in the summer and 10-14 days in the winter.
-Wash your fruits and vegetables in a bowl of water rather than under a running tap.
-Adjust your lawnmower to cut grass no shorter than three inches. Taller grass encourages deeper roots and shades the soil to reduce moisture loss.

Upcoming Events:
Saving Water/Creating Soil
Mill Valley Community Center, Mountain View Room
May 26, 2009 - 7pm-8:30pm
link to event: http://www.cityofmillvalley.org/index.aspx?recordid=447&page=34

Local websites:
http://www.watersavinghero.com/partners/marin_municipal_water_district.html
http://www.nmwd.com/conservation.php
http://www.marinwater.org/
http://www.sonoma.watersavingplants.com/default.php

BIOBAGS

GREEN TIP
Brought to you by the MdTL Green Committee
Did you know that MdTL uses Biobags instead of plastic garbage bags? Here’s why…
* Plastic bags are littering our landscape and putting toxic chemicals into our waterways.
Each year, an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide, which comes out to over one million per minute. Billions end up as litter each year. According to the EPA, over 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps are consumed in the U.S. alone each year. Plastic bags break down into small toxic bits that contaminate the ground and waterways. These toxic plastic bits enter the food chain when ingested by animals. And hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, whales and other marine mammals die every year from eating discarded plastic bags mistaken for food. Furthermore, plastic bags are a by-product of the petroleum industry, so our constant use of plastic bags has an impact on the cost of oil.
* Biocompostable, biodegradable, corn-based “Biobags” have less impact on the environment than plastic bags.
Biobags use no polyethylene in the production process and are made from biodegradable corn polymer, which is a renewable resource. The corn that is used is not of food grade, so it will not interfere with edible corn supplies or costs. Biobags are GMO free, and the inks and dyes for printing are soy-based. If disposed of in a compost bin, these bags will biodegrade in as little as 30-60 days in composting conditions.
* Make sure to compost your Biobags instead of placing them in the landfill!
This may come as a surprise, but when placed in a landfill, Biobags are actually worse for the environment than plastic bags. This is due to the anaerobic conditions in landfills (i.e. no air because the waste is buried), which causes methane gas to be created when the Biobags decompose. Methane gas is a far more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. So please be sure to dump the garbage from the Biobag into your waste receptacle, and then to place the Biobag in the compost!
* When possible, re-use your Biobags, or use your garbage cans without any liners at all!
Since Biobags are compostable, they will eventually start to break down when in contact with excessive moisture. But until it begins to break down, you can re-use your Biobag as long as possible. In some situations, a liner such as a Biobag makes for much more efficient cleaning, especially at large events or in industrial situations. But at home, consider using your garbage cans without any liners at all. Although Biobags will not affect the environment as strongly as plastic bags, it still takes fossil fuels to grow the “renewable” corn. The best way for us to reduce our use of any kind of bag, whether plastic or Biobag, is to reduce our garbage output!

ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTING

GREEN TIPS
(Brought to you by the MdTL Green Committee)
Based on recommendations from a PG&E audit and because it’s better for the environment, MdTL has installed energy efficient lighting fixtures and bulbs and is monitoring its lighting usage and here’s why…
* By just turning off the lights when you leave a room you substantially reduce your electric bill.
More than 20% of the electricity generated in the U.S. is used for lighting alone. Approximately half of this energy is wasted lighting empty rooms or as heat produced by inefficient bulbs and lighting fixtures. One quarter of the United States annual electric bill, $34 billion, comes from lighting.
* Eco-Friendly Lighting is better for the environment; the environmental benefits of switching to compact fluorescent lights are substantial with just one bulb saving 500lbs in coal and over 1300 pounds of carbon dioxide and 20 pounds of sulfur dioxide!
By purchasing energy efficient lighting products, energy consumption is minimized. This will reduce the release of harmful emissions by polluting power plants. Efficient lamps generate equal or greater amount of light as traditional incandescent bulbs while consuming much less energy and generating much less cost.
* Compact fluorescents use about 65% less energy than standard incandescent light bulbs and last 10-20 times longer and contrary to popular opinion can be recycled at any Home Depot or Elephant Pharmacy.
A 100W incandescent bulb will cost approximately 75 cents to purchase and last 750 hours. To use a lamp with this bulb for 3 years you will go through 6 bulbs ($4.50 total) and spend about $35 in electricity. On the other hand, to use that same lamp with a compact fluorescent for 3 years you will spend $11 on a bulb that will last almost 7 years. Additionally, you will spend only $8.00 on electricity throughout the initial 3 years. That is a total operating cost of $19.00 for a CFL, compared to $39.50 for an incandescent bulb. So, for spending a little more on the initial bulb you can save more than $20 on each lamp.
The environmental benefits of switching to compact fluorescent lights are substantial.
Using a single 20-watt compact fluorescent bulb instead of a 75-watt incandescent bulb saves over 550 kWh of electricity over its lifetime. If your electricity is produced from burning coal, using a CFL would save 500 pounds of coal that would release 1,300 pounds of carbon dioxide and 20 pounds of sulfur dioxide, and a variety of other harmful pollutants
* Incandescent lights bulbs are the worst offenders
Incandescent light bulbs are the most familiar type of light bulb used in almost all homes. This type of lighting, unfortunately, is also the most inefficient type of lighting. In an incandescent light bulb, electric current heats up a metal filament making it glow white-hot and give off light. The reason these bulbs waste energy is because only 5% of the electricity is actually used to produce light. The remaining 95% ends up as heat. During the summer this heat causes your cooling requirements to go up and makes your air conditioner work harder. During the winter the extra heat might seem like a bonus, but it is a very expensive way to pay for a little extra heat.
Safely cleaning up CFLs: www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf -
Sources: http://www.eco-lights.com, http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/lighting_daylighting/index.cfm/mytopic=12280
http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/energy-conservation-turn-off-lights-460107 http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/saving_energy/index.html

PLANTING HEIRLOOMS

GREEN TIP
(Brought to you by the MdTL Green Committee)

Did you know that MdTL just received a generous donation of organic Heirloom Tomato seeds from Gary Ibsen, Founder of the Carmel TomatoFest, to help our community get involved in growing our own food? The MdTL Green Committee will be giving out tomato starter plants to interested families during Earth Week!

Tips about home-grown Heirloom Tomatoes:

*An heirloom is generally considered to be a variety that has been passed down, through several generations of a family because of it's valued characteristics such as taste, resistance to pests and diseases and adaptations to specific growing conditions and climates

*In the past 40 years, we've lost many of our heirloom varieties, along with the many smaller family farms that supported heirlooms

* Tomatoes are high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, Potassium and tomatoes are one of the best sources for Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant which may help prevent prostate and some other forms of cancer, heart disease, and other serious diseases

*Having your kids eat tomatoes right off the vine - when they’re at their sweetest - is a great way to get kids hooked on this versatile, nutritional staple!

PLANTING FOR BEES

GREEN TIP
Brought to you by the MdTL Green Committee

Did you know that one of every three bites you took probably came from a plant pollinated
by wild pollinators? About 1/3 of our temperate vegetable, fruit, and nut crops, along with most ofour wildland flowers, depend on the pollinating services of bees.

Recent surveys (conducted in the early to mid 1990s) indicate that pollinators world-wide are declining.The cause for decline is habitat destruction brought about by human development.

Despite their occasional aggressive behavior, male bees of all species are stingless. One way to distinguish females from males is that, on a good day, females' legs, head, or bellies - depending on the species - are covered with bright blobs of yellow, purple, or white pollen. Females spend most of their time shimmying through pollen and sipping nectar from their favorite flowers, while males are frequently attending other business.

Some favorite native bee flowers: sunflowers, california poppy, sweetpea, borage, marigold, dandelion, and cosmos.

Stop by the Green Committee's table during Earth Week (April 20-24) and receive some sunflowers seeds or sunflower seedlings for planting in your home garden. We will be featuring bees and sunflowers one morning during Earth week and will provide more information about these pollinators as well as lots of local resources.

BUY LOCAL

Green Tip: Buy Local
(Brought to you by the MdTL Green Committee)

The MdTL Green Committee will be planning a week of fun filled activities
in preparation for Earth Week (April 20 - 24th). One activity will be a “buy local” table with information on all Marin Farmer’s Market locations and times, list of grocers who support local farms and seasonal vegetable/fruit calendar.


Did you know that MdTL is right around the corner from the biggest Farmer’s Market in Marin County?

Buying local has several advantages for you and your family, including:

* Fresher, better tasting food
Supermarket produce can spend as many as seven to fourteen days in transit before they arrive in the supermarket. Local food is fresher and tastes better than food shipped long distances. Local farmers can offer produce varieties bred for taste and freshness rather than for shipping and long shelf life.

* Connect with and strengthen our local community and economy
Buying local food keeps your dollars circulating in your community. Getting to know the farmers who grow your food builds relationships based on understanding and trust, the foundation of strong communities. There's never been a more critical time to support your farming neighbors. With each local food purchase, you ensure that more of your money spent on food goes to the farmer.

* Protect your family’s health by avoiding major food recalls and food scares
Knowing where your food comes from and how it is grown or raised enables you to choose safe food from farmers who avoid or reduce their use of chemicals, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, or genetically modified seed in their operations. You can buy food from local farmers you trust.

* Protect the environment and prevent overdevelopment
Food travels on average 1500-2500 miles from farm to table. Local food doesn't have to travel far. This reduces carbon dioxide emissions and packing materials. Buying local food also helps to make farming more profitable and selling farmland for development less attractive. When you buy local food, you vote with your food dollar.

RE-USABLE CLOTH NAPKINS

GREEN TIP
Brought to you by the MdTL Green Committee
Did you know that MdTL children bring re-usable cloth napkins for their lunches? Here’s why…
* Cloth napkins can have less impact on the environment than paper napkins.
Manufacture of a virgin paper napkin has a huge environmental impact, including deforestation, bleaching, packaging, shipping, stocking at a supermarket, and consumer transportation to and from the store. One hundred percent post-consumer recycled, chlorine-free paper napkins have less impact, but they can be expensive and they come wrapped in plastic packaging that will ultimately need to be transported to a landfill.
Cloth napkins can also have significant environmental impact, as conventional cotton production relies heavily on pesticides. Minimize your impact by using organic cotton or by choosing hemp or linen, which are more sustainable than conventional cotton.
* When using cloth napkins, you can further reduce your environmental impact by washing them in cold water with phosphate-free detergent or soap nuts, and line drying.
Only wash your napkins when soiled (most adults don’t really dirty a napkin after every meal). Consider using napkin rings so each family member can designate his or her napkin between meals. You can wash your soiled napkins in cold water with other laundry using eco-friendly laundry detergent or soap nuts, and do consider hanging the napkins to air dry.
* Purchase (or make) cloth napkins that your child can decorate with fabric paint!
What a fun project -- decorating napkins that the family will be using! You can find lovely and fun used cloth napkins at second hand stores, at flea markets, and on eBay. Or if you are so inclined, you can make your own napkins by cutting up old sheets, towels, etc., and hemming the edges.
* If you must have some paper napkins, 100 % recycled ones have far less environmental impact than virgin paper napkins.
Virgin fiber is derived directly from a tree. If every household in the United States replaced just one package of virgin fiber napkins with 100% recycled napkins, we could save a million trees. Also, less energy is used to recycle paper products than to create them from virgin material – each ton of 100% post-consumer recycled paper that displaces a ton of virgin fiber paper saves 7,000 gallons of water, 4,100 kilowatt hours of electricity and prevents 60 pounds of pollutants from entering the atmosphere! In addition, use of recycled products helps protect wildlife habitat, diverts useful items from landfills (which saves both space and money), and helps preserve the earth's natural beauty.

USE NON-TOXIC BIODEGRADABLE CLEANERS

GREEN TIPS
(Brought to you by the MdTL Green Committee)

*Toxic cleaners pose a direct threat to the health of our children and pollute our environment, destroying our waterways and precious ecosystems.
The products we use to clean our surroundings have an impact on our personal health and the environment. Household products can contain hazardous ingredients such as organic solvents and petroleum based chemicals which can release volatile organic compounds (VOC's) into your indoor air. Some ingredients in household cleaners are known to cause cancer in animals and are suspected human carcinogens. Inappropriate use, storage and disposal of these hazardous household substances may impact your personal health and the health of our environment.

Children are uniquely vulnerable to toxins because:

* pound for pound children take in more contaminants than adults

* they have certain behaviors like lying on the floor or hand-to-mouth behaviors which expose them to more toxins

* most schools are cleaned every day with industrial strength cleaners which leave behind residues

* researchers have found that early exposure to environmental toxins appear more likely to produce chronic disease than similar exposures encountered later in life

* many conventional cleaners contain asthmagens (asthma triggers)

Household hazardous products have a negative impact on our health and the environment in at least 3 ways:
Usage - When hazardous products are used in household cleaning, chemicals are released into the ground and wastewater stream which may contaminate our soil and groundwater. Their use may release toxic and hazardous vapors into the indoor air which can be inhaled. Contact with chemical solutions can be absorbed through the skin. Overall exposure can produce acute (immediate) or chronic (long term) health problems such as:
Headaches
Fatigue
Allergic Reactions
Chemical Sensitivity
Cardiac Damage
Nervous System Damage Burning Eyes
Skin Rashes
Runny Nose
Cancer
Respiratory Tract Irritant
Liver and Kidney Damage

Manufacture - The purchase of potentially hazardous products creates a demand for toxic chemicals which contributes to environmental pollution due to the development, manufacture and transportation of these chemicals.
Disposal - Hazardous chemicals present a problem to wastewater treatment facilities that may not have the ability to remove these chemicals. Most often, hazardous products are not disposed of properly and are land filled or incinerated. Individuals with septic systems that pour chemicals down the drain are introducing these chemicals directly into the soil and groundwater and kill the beneficial bacteria in septic systems that break down waste. Overall, improper disposal of hazardous and toxic household chemicals has a detrimental impact on our air, soil and drinking water quality.
*Using natural and homemade cleaners means that our children can work with us side by side. (If you think that your children won’t like cleaning just watch their eyes light up when they mix the vinegar and the baking soda: pretty cool indeed).
Here are some other key benefits of using natural and less toxic household products:
Super Concentrated - Products provide more uses per size than conventional products. This allows economical use, reduces packaging and reduces the impact on the environment of manufacturing and transportation of the product.
Environmentally Safe - Products are readily biodegradable, contain no known carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens or pollutants. Will not harm beneficial bacteria in septic systems. Containers are recyclable and/or have recycled plastic content to minimize solid waste generation.
Non-Toxic - Products contain no hazardous ingredients or fumes. These products are safe for workers, aquatic life, animals and families. More compatible with people that have chemical sensitivities and allergies.
Natural Ingredients - Products use the highest quality, naturally derived ingredients that do not deplete our non-renewable resources.
No Animal Testing - Products contain no animal ingredients and have not been tested on animals.
Performance Tested - Products work as well or better than conventional hazardous products.
The Environmental Health Foundation, in its book Toxic Turnaround, compiled a list of the top four chemical groups we should reject and eliminate.
These four are pesticides, toxic gases (such as chlorine and ammonia), heavy metals (such as lead and mercury), and volatile organic compounds (such as formaldehyde and solvents). These guidelines are an excellent starting point for us all.
Learning to clean from scratch—making homemade recipes—is rewarding and effective. Here are five basic natural cleaning agents:
Baking Soda:
A commonly available mineral full of many cleaning attributes, baking soda is made from soda ash, and is slightly alkaline (its pH is around 8.1; 7 is neutral). It neutralizes acid-based odors in water, and adsorbs odors from the air. Sprinkled on a damp sponge or cloth, baking soda can be used as a gentle non-abrasive cleanser for kitchen counter tops, sinks, bathtubs, ovens, and fiberglass. It will eliminate perspiration odors and even neutralize the smell of many chemicals if you add up to a cup per load to the laundry. It is a useful air freshener, and a fine carpet deodorizer.
Washing Soda:
A chemical neighbor of baking soda, washing soda (sodium carbonate) is much more strongly alkaline, with a pH around 11. It releases no harmful fumes and is far safer than a commercial solvent formula, but you should wear gloves when using it because it is caustic. Washing soda cuts grease, cleans petroleum oil, removes wax or lipstick, and neutralizes odors in the same way that baking soda does. Don’t use it on fiberglass, aluminum or waxed floors—unless you intend to remove the wax.

White Vinegar and Lemon Juice:
White vinegar and lemon juice are acidic—they neutralize alkaline substances such as scale from hard water. Acids dissolve gummy buildup, eat away tarnish, and remove dirt from wood surfaces.
Liquid Soaps and Detergent:
Liquid soaps and detergents are necessary for cutting grease, and they are not the same thing. Soap is made from fats and lye. Detergents are synthetic materials discovered and synthesized early in this century. Unlike soap, detergents are designed specifically so that they don’t react with hard water minerals and cause soap scum. If you have hard water, buy a biodegradable detergent without perfumes; if you have soft water you can use liquid soap (both are available in health food stores).
Mold Killers and Disinfectants:
For a substance to be registered by the EPA as a disinfectant it must go through extensive and expensive tests. EPA recommends simple soap to use as a disinfectant There are many essential oils, such as lavender, clove, and tea tree oil (an excellent natural fungicide), that are very antiseptic, as is grapefruit seed extract, even though they aren’t registered as such. Use one teaspoon of essential oil to 2 cups of water in a spray bottle (make sure to avoid eyes). A grapefruit seed extract spray can be made by adding 20 drops of extract to a quart of water.
Caution: It is still important to make sure that all homemade formulas are well-labeled, and out of the reach of children.

Sources:

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/five-basics-for-nontoxic-cleaning.html
http://www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm
http://www.ecocycle.org/hazwaste/recipes.cfm
http://www.womenshealth-naturalsolutions.com/Toxic%20Home.htm
http://www.naturalparenting.com.au/flex/childrens-health/7851/non-toxic-housecleaning-simple-safe-and-effective.cfm

WHY ORGANIC MILK?

GREEN TIPS

*Organic milk is healthier than conventional milk.
More Omega3 – Organic milk has 68% more Omega 3 fatty acids. Omega3 is an essential fatty acid which is required for healthy growth and its deficiency has been the reason of various health problems recently. Regular intake of Omega3 keeps you away from various diseases and helps you in reducing incidences of heart disease, inflammations (in skin diseases such as eczema), cancer, arthritis, etc.

More Vitamins - Research conducted by the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences and the University of Newcastle has shown that organic milk has higher concentration of vitamins such as Vitamin A and Vitamin E than conventional milk. Since organic cows graze on fresh grass and clover, the milk they produce has about 50% higher Vitamin E and 75% higher beta carotene.


More CLA - Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) increases metabolic rate, immunity to diseases and muscle growth. It also reduces abdominal fat, cholesterol, and allergic reactions. It is worth noting that human body cannot produce this substance and most of our CLA intake happens through the milk and milk products that we consume. Cows that are grazed on pastures produce 500% more CLA in their milk than cows that are fed fodder. This definitely calls for preference to organic milk over non-organic milk. Recent animal studies have shown that CLA is beneficial in cancer treatment and this has further increased people's interest in organic milk.

*More Antioxidants - Organic milk has two to three times higher concentration of antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin than non-organic milk. Lutein is extremely important for eye health and is effective in preventing numerous eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataract. Zeaxanthin is also important for good eye health. It protects the eye from UV damage and free radicals. It is very helpful in preventing cataract, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and macular degeneration.

*Organic milk is pesticide free

The issue of decreasing pesticide exposure in children continues to be an important reason for buying organic foods. Because of their fast-growing speedy metabolisms and less varied diets, infants and children are much more vulnerable to health and developmental damage from pesticides. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) published the 2nd Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals in 2003 detailing exposure data on 116 chemicals. This report documents that children had about two times the amount of several organophosphate pesticides in their body than that of adults. Even at the same levels as adults, children are more likely to be harmed by organophosphate pesticides. The 2003 report found that an average 6 to 11-year-old child is exposed to the organic pesticide chlorpyrifos at doses that are four times the amount the US Environmental Protection Agency considers "acceptable" for long-term exposure. The Pesticide Action Network of North America (PANNA) calls this Chemical Trespass.

*Organic milk is better for the environment and promotes sustainable agriculture
Excellent animal husbandry must be practiced with organic cattle. Animals have open pasture, plenty of walking area, fresh air, clean bedding, and humane milking and feeding conditions. Farmers are expected to develop nutrition and living condition management practices that sustain healthy animals and help prevent sickness. Crop rotation is integral to organic cropland management. The organic farmer must be a good environmental steward by preventing waste runoff. Organic farming is family farming; an ideal at its best.
*Organic Milk tastes better
Sources: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/09/organic_milk_re.php
http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-animal-products/organic-milk/health-benefits-of-organic-milk.html
http://www.clo-the-cow.com/
http://www.strausfamilycreamery.com/

SHARE THE RIDE

Green Tip: Carpooling
(Brought to you by the MdTL Green Committee)
Did you know that several MdTL families walk or bike to school/work to minimize
the use of their cars? Here are some useful facts/tips on carpooling:
1. Carpooling increases productivity. Multiple people in a car can decrease travel time, since carpooling allows the use of HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lanes in cities where they exist.
2. Carpooling decreases the number of drivers on the road. U.S. drivers wasted 4.2 billion hours sitting in traffic in 2005.
3. Carpooling decreases the amount of gas consumed. and allows families to save money.
With gas prices riding a friendly rocket through the roof, carpoolers can combat this problem by splitting gasoline costs and the amount of gas used. Depending on the number of people in the carpool group, this could cut costs by half or more.
4. Carpooling decreases car usage.
Less car usage means less maintenance, a longer car life and fewer repairs. Rotating drivers every month or so will enable every carpooler to benefit from this usage decrease.
5. Commute with Friends or make new friends in our MdTL community.
6. Protect the Environment
Less exhaust output also lowers the risk of people developing asthma.- A small car emits around .59 pounds of carbon dioxide per mile. A medium car emits around 1.1 pounds of carbon dioxide per mile. An SUV/4 wheel emits around 1.57 pounds of carbon dioxide per mile.

Leave sooner, drive slower, live longer. ~Author Unknown

TURN THE ENGINE OFF

GREEN TIP
Brought to you by the MdTL Green Committee
MdTL Encourages you to reduce car idling, and here’s why…
Let's spare the air at MdTL! Here is some useful information about car idling. Stopping unnecessary vehicle idling is one relatively easy way to help improve air quality and the respiratory and cardiovascular health of people in our communities. Children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution. They breathe faster than adults and inhale more air per pound of body weight.
-Idling does more damage to your engine, wastes more gas, and causes more pollution than shutting off the engine and starting it up again.
-The rule of thumb is, if your car is stopped for more than 10 or 15 seconds and you’re not in an active traffic lane, turn off your engine.
-Idling your vehicle for 10 minutes uses as much fuel as it takes to travel 5 miles, and wastes more than 27 gallons a year!
- Car exhaust, including exhaust from idling engines, is closely related to childhood asthma.
Here are a couple myths:
Myth: Idling is good for your engine.
Reality: An idling engine will leave soot deposits that can build up and cause oil contamination. This can damage engine components, including cylinders, spark plugs and exhaust systems.
Myth: Shutting off and restarting your vehicle is hard on the engine and uses more gas than if you leave it running.
Reality: Frequent restarting has little impact on engine components like the battery and the starter motor. Component wear caused by restarting the engine is estimated to add a minuscule $10 per year to the cost of driving.

PESTICIDE FREE PEST CONTROL

GREEN TIP
Brought to you by the MdTL Green Committee
Did you know that MdTL uses a pesticide-free pest control service? Here’s why…
* Ecologically minded pest control services employ a pest control strategy with minimal environmental impact.
Green pest control companies eliminate unnecessary pesticide use by focusing first on preventative and non-toxic strategies. The mission of such companies such is to successfully deal with pest issues while minimizing impact on humans and the environment. Thus they use no yard spraying, no organophosphates, no carbamates, no rodenticides (rodent poisons), no aerosol, and no harmful volatile solvents. MdTL uses a pest service called Bio-Pest, which complies with these standards.
* Sprays and poisons used in conventional pest control can be extremely harmful to the environment.
According to the EPA, American households use 80 million pounds of home and garden pesticides each year! These conventional chemicals can result in the unintentional demise of beneficial wildlife and insects, not just the intended pest target. Further environmental impact is caused by additional chemicals present in the formulation of the pesticide and by poisons packaged in aerosol cans. Rodenticides can cause accidental poisoning of children and/or pets. Ironically, the pest control technique can be more harmful than the original pest problem!
* Many preventative and non-chemical measures are successful in dealing with pest issues.
Prevention includes carefully sealing any possible pest entrance points in the structure, trimming trees away from the structure, encouraging good sanitation, and then regularly monitoring the site for signs of pest activity. Mechanical controls include trapping pests with a variety of methods (extra care should be taken when using bait-based pest control around small children and pets). Biological measures include tools such as synthetic pheromones, microscopic parasites, and predacious insects.
* There are non- or less-toxic chemicals and treatment strategies in situations where preventative measures have proven unsuccessful.
Herbal and plant sourced solutions are becoming increasingly available due to the current demand for green pest control. Some natural pest control products include clove oil, catnip, hedge apple, garlic, and bay leaves. Diatomaceous earth is also useful, as it is deadly to many pests but relatively harmless to humans. When more stringent measures are required, low-toxicity sprays and pesticides, and non-volatile baits, can be used in place of the more dangerous conventional pesticides. Furthermore, it is safer and actually more effective to spot-treat critical areas (such as access points) instead of broadcast spraying.

SAFE SUNSCREEN FOR THE FAMILY

(inspired by MdTL parent Melissa Parker)

With the first heat wave behind us and the warm weather ahead, choosing a safe sunscreen is essential. Most of the sunscreens out there are helping in the destruction of the coral reefs and fish populations. Please find below, information that can help you in choosing a safe sunscreen for you and your family.

Benzophenone (benzophenone-3), homosalate, and octy-methoxycinnamate (octinoxate): These chemicals are bad news because they have shown estrogenic activity in lab tests. Oxybenzone is aderivative of benzophenone and it is linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage. According to the CDC 97% of Americans are contaminated with this widely-used sunscreen ingredient.

Parabens (butyl-, ethyl-, methyl-, and propyl-): Parabens are common in sunscreens so avoiding them may prove difficult. They are preservatives that have estrogenic qualities. They have produced abnormal hormonal effects following on laboratory rodents, particularly male, resulting in decreased testosterone levels and other abnormalities. They have also been found to accumulate in the breast tissue of women with breast cancer.

In general, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are good choices as they scatter or reflect the sun’s rays rather than absorbing them. And since traditional formulations are not absorbed into the skin (thus the white streaks on the skin), there is less risk of the substance building up in your body.

Here is a helpful article about the analysis of sunscreens. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) based in Washington DC, has released an in-depth analysis of the safety and effectiveness of more than 700 brand name sunscreens on sale in the U.S. and other parts of the world. Here is is a link to view the entire article: http://www.news-medical.net/?id=26620

Here is a list of some of the safer sunscreens:

TruKid’s SunnyDays sunscreen - Safe and affordable.

California Baby SPF 30 + Sunblock Stick - No Fragrance - This is a non chemical sunscreen. It uses non-penetrating titanium dioxide (no nano particles) to protect against the sun. It is also made with organic & sustainably grown ingredients.

California Baby SPF 30 - This is specially for children.

California Baby SPF 30 + Bug Repellent - This is a good sunblock/bug repellent combo that is DEET free.

Badger Face & Body Sunblock SPF 30 - There was huge run on this sunscreen not long ago and you could hardly get it. It is known to be one of the safest sunscreens out there.

Miessence Organics Reflect Outdoor Balm SPF 15 - Very clean smelling and not sticky. It is also made by a great company with organic ingredients. It has added antioxidants and beta carotene to help nourish skin and protect it.

Lavera Baby and Children Sun Screen Lotion, SPF 30 - Contains organic peach seed, apricot seed oil and calendula and protects against UV A, B and C rays with waterproof protection.

Jason Natural - Sunbrellas Chemical Free Sun Block SPF30+ - Chemical, Fragrance and Paraben Free Complete UVA & UVB Protection Ideal for Sensitive Skin.

Dermalogica Ultra Sensitive Faceblock SPF 25 - Another chemical free sunblock using non-penetrating titanium dioxide. This has a hint of color…most likely to hide the streaky whiteness of the natural titanium dioxide.

Sunscreen SPF 30 by Soleo Organics - Made with Zinc Oxide, it provides 3 hours of water resistant protection without the use of chemical UV-absorbers or synthetic preservatives. This sunscreen is made with nano particles.

Also don’t forget your protective gear…so you won’t need sunscreen as much:

Legionnaire Hats - These hats for kids have flaps on either side that protect the face, head, and neck areas from getting burned. They are also made with UV protective fabric.

Sunday Afternoon’s Kid’s Play Hat UPF 45 - Made of lightweight water-resistant supplex fabric, blocks UVA and UVB rays, rated 45 UPF. Full veil covers back of neck, mesh panels for ventilation, down-sloped flexible brim shades face.

Baby Banz Sunglasses - 100% UV/UVA & UVB ray protection. You can also get a sunglasses/hat combo.

Also Frubi Shades.