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How To Make The Most of Earth Day

April 22, 2011 By deanne Leave a Comment
Have you been brainstorming ways to “go green” this Earth Day?  Maybe you’re looking for ideas to help you stay green throughout the month of April, the Spring season…or all year long!  If you want to do your part to clean up and protect the environment, but aren’t exactly sure how to start, you’re in the right place!
Earth Day is the perfect time to take a few small steps toward making positive and lasting improvements in your environmentally-friendly lifestyle!  April 22, 2011 will be the the 41st anniversary of Earth Day. Why not make this the year you go green?
In addition to turning off the lights as you leave the room and minimizing water use when you are washing dishes or brushing your teeth (oldies, but goodies!), here are a few “new” ideas for you this Earth Day:
Paying your bills online takes a huge burden off of our environment. If each household in the United States switched to paperless billing, 18 million trees would be saved every year.
Cutting back on the use of plastic bags is an easy task to accomplish.  Taking reusable bags to the store is simple and even trendy!  Reusable bags are now available in various colors and patterns, and many stores now have them available as an alternative to plastic or paper.
Your pets want to reduce their carbon footprint too!  Using biodegradable plastic bags for pet waste is another very simple switch you can make that will have a positive impact on the environment.
Minimizing personal vehicle use and using public transportation just a few times a week are both great ways to help our environment.  Walking, riding bikes, or taking the bus will help you to save on the cost of fuel and will reduce overall air pollution.  If you leave your car at home for two days of the week, you can cut back on greenhouse gas emissions by 1,600 pounds on average, per year.
Involve the whole family in your Earth Day activities and your “going green” resolutions!  Educating the next generation about environmental issues is a great way to spend some quality time with your kids.  Creating an “Earth Day, Every Day” activity chart is a great way to get kids interested in helping, and it will keep you on track, too.  Charting your family’s progress (keeping track of buying “green” products, riding bikes in place of driving, etc.) with a piece of poster-board, markers, and stickers will be motivating and rewarding for everyone. Making these quick, simple changes will be a great first step on your “green” pathway.
Make Earth Day 2011 YOUR time to go green!
Consulted Sites:
http://www.epa.gov/earthday/tips.htm
http://www.uniquelyyouwellness.com
http://grayslake.patch.com
Filed Under Featured, Go Green Tagged With earth day, earth week, eco-friendly, eco-friendly cleaners, green, recycle, reduce, reuse, save, save energy

Annie’s Homegrown: Deliciously Green

December 17, 2010 By deanne Leave a Comment

Annie’s Homegrown is a company which has been a part of the Green movement since it introduced ‘Shells & White Cheddar’ in 1989. Annie Withey is a mother of two and a farmer by trade who has always believed in sustaining our natural environment, and caring for the planet as we should also care for ourselves. When she started her company, her personal mantra became her business mantra: ‘Eat Responsibly. Act Responsibly.’ Offering only all-natural and organic foods and snacks, Annie’s provides healthy options for our bodies and for the planet.

Aside from producing delicious organic foods, Annie’s also meets several other markers of the Green movement:

  1. Annie’s uses only real ingredients—this action in itself supports over 75 family farms.
  2. Annie’s uses packaging that can be recycled 5 times before the fibers become too short to form paperboard.  All of the packaging used contains recycled material—the boxes containing ‘Bunny Grahams,’ ‘Cheddar Bunnies,’ and macaroni & cheese are made from 100% recycled paper fiber.
  3. Annie’s supports Eco Energy by giving money to NativeEnergy to offset her carbon footprint.  To offset emissions of carbon dioxide resulting from corporate headquarters, manufacturing facilities, the distribution warehouse and the mobile tour, Annie then provides funds to NativeEnergy who in turn builds wind farms.
  4. Annie’s offices in California rely completely on 100% recycled paper stock for their everyday use, and reusable packing material and boxes are also used.
  5. Last but not least, when Annie is on the road for her mobile tour her team uses forks and spoons made from bioplastics, and plates and cups made from sugarcane waste.

Annie’s passion for food, people and the planet has manifested in many great ways over the years. Annie’s gives back to the community not only by supporting numerous community and family farms, but also by providing ‘Sustainable Agriculture Scholarships’ and ‘Community Giving Programs’ which include specific programs to promote organic gardening in schools. To learn more about the positive impact Annie’s is making across the country, you can visit www.annies.com or www.nativeenergy.com for detailed information.

Filed Under Eco-Spotlight, Featured Tagged With Anne's Homegrown, bio-plastics, eco-friendly, environment, green, Green business, healthy, lifestyles, organic, organic food, planet, recycle, reuse

Tropical Getaway – Maine

June 10, 2010 By deanne Leave a Comment

Sebasco Harbor Resort

If you have been craving a little taste of the tropics, or the sound of crashing waves, then Sebasco Harbor Resort in Maine might be the perfect getaway for you. Sebasco Harbor Resort offers a variety of lodging options, and several amenities and activities for people of all ages. A romantic escape for two, a girls weekend at the spa or a family vacation can all be easily planned at the resort. Maine offers endless unique landscapes and beautiful scenic views—with Sebasco Harbor Resort located on over 550 acres of Maine’s Midcoast, including Casco Bay, you are sure to be impressed with the natural breathtaking views, as well as the many amenities and services offered by the resort.

Some of the highlights are the endless options for lodging. Guests can stay in the Main Lodge, the resort’s cozy cottages, the romantic lighthouse or in one of the Fairwinds Spa suites. The resort has received stellar reviews from guests all over the country, partly as a result of Sebasco Harbor Resort tailoring your vacation experience to meet your needs.

Dining at Sebasco Harbor Resort is guaranteed to be memorable and delicious, as the resort only utilizes the freshest locally grown ingredients. The menus at the more formal Pilot House and more casual Ledges Pub are both centered in regional American heirloom recipes, offering their guests a true Pure Maine experience. Don’t forget the camera for dinner at The Pilot House. It is the place to be to watch beautiful sunsets.

One of the biggest decisions to make at the resort is what to do! The choices of activities are endless with dips in their saltwater pool, boat tours on Casco Bay, a trip to the fitness center, spa and golf course. I

f you are looking for a great place to hold your next family reunion or business trip, Sebasco Harbor Resort can accommodate you and turn your getaway dreams into reality. With all of the different vacation packages the resort offers, you are sure to find something that suits you perfectly: The Golf Stay & Play, Lighthouse Romance, Family Gathering Getaway, Spa & Golf or The Mid-Week Bed, Breakfast & Golf Getaway are all options for you when planning your trip. Be sure to contact the resort well in advance to plan some of the specifics you’ll be desiring, as their scheduled amenities fill up quickly.

If you are looking for a fun and exciting tropical vacation, exploring all that Maine’s Sebasco Harbor Resort has to offer would be a perfect decision.

Check out Sebasco Harbor Resort’s website today, and start designing your amazing tropical Maine getaway!

http://www.sebasco.com/

Filed Under Featured, Local Tropics Tagged With bed and breakfast, destination, getaway, golf, Local, Maine, Sebasco Harbor Resort, tropical, tropics, vacation

Green Plants for the Office

May 13, 2010 By deanne 1 Comment

Adding plants to your office environment will help to greatly improve the quality of the air, reduce the amount of air pollutants and reduce stress levels. Plants provide points of focal interest and can be great conversation pieces as well. Browse the following list to see which plants are best for your particular office environment, and continue making your office green!

The 11 Best Plants for Your Green Office

English Ivy—This plant is easy to care for and has moderate watering needs. Once the top layer of soil is dry, it is time to water the plant. English Ivy is one of the best plants for absorbing air pollutants. Thriving best in consistent temperatures, this plant is great for indoor environments.

Boston Fern—Like the other plants listed here, Boston Ferns really work to improve air quality of indoor environments. This plant requires indirect sunlight, so an office with a window would be the best place for a Boston Fern. As it requires moderate to heavy watering, keep the soil of the plant moist at all times except for during the winter months when the plant will require less watering. Misting the plant throughout the week will help maintain its preferred humidity level, and will help the fern thrive.

Pothos—This plant can thrive in varying indoor environments and does well with different amounts of light. Pothos plants are easy to maintain and are characterized by heart-shaped leaves with blotchy white markings. This plant is great for an office with a window, or a cubicle with minimal natural light.

Snake Plant—Snake plants produce fairly tall, sword-like leaves and are a great choice for someone without a green thumb. This plant thrives in nearly any light condition and prefers to be thoroughly watered once every 7-10 days. Snake plants provide an excellent focal interest point and definitely make a statement in the office.

Dracaena (Corn Plant)—Is one of the best indoor plants for improving air quality and absorbing pollutants. This plant is extremely easy to care for and only needs to be watered once every 7-10 days. This plant thrives in low light, so if you are without natural light in your office environment, this plant is the one for you!

Rubber Plant—Characterized by thick, shiny, oval-shaped leaves, this plant can grow beautifully with minimal light. Rubber plants would also do well if placed 5-7 feet from a window if natural light is readily available. This plant needs to be thoroughly watered 1-2 times a week.

Peace Lily—Direct sunlight can damage the leaves of a Peace Lily, so an office with low natural light levels is a great environment for this plant. If you do have access to a natural light source, placing the plant 5-7 feet from a window is fine too. Peace Lily’s require heavy watering, but it is important to allow the soil to dry between waterings. Misting the plant will help it thrive, as it prefers high humidity. Peace Lily’s are beautiful plants that do well to improve air quality.

Cactus—This plant is a great conversation piece and does not require constant care. With proper watering based upon which species you choose, a cactus can be a unique addition to any office.

African Violet—This is a beautiful flowering plant that also requires indirect sunlight. Providing an African Violet with 8 hours of sunlight a day will yield the best results. This plant thrives with semi-moist soil conditions, so avoid thoroughly soaking the soil. It is also best to avoid getting water on the foliage, as this will create white spots on the leaves.

Bromeliad—Like a few other plants listed here, Bromeliads prefer warm temperatures meaning they can thrive indoors. This plant is a great choice if you are looking for something to fill window space. As opposed to watering this plant at the base, you would instead want to water the plant by filling the center of the stalk with warm water. This plant would make a beautiful addition to any space with an east or west-facing window.

Zebra Plant—This plant can thrive in bright, indirect sunlight and only needs to be watered once a week. The Zebra Plant produces beautiful foliage and flowers and does best when pruned so that new flowers can fully bloom. Misting the plant a couple of times a week will help maintain its preferred humidity level. With unique, bright yellow flowers this plant makes a great addition to any office.

If you have decided on more than one favorite indoor plant and want to add one to your home environment, be mindful of those that are toxic. Always monitor children and pets near any indoor plant, as some of them are poisonous when ingested. Incorporating plants into your office or home will further your commitment to green living, will add earth-friendly health benefits and will provide you with an aesthetically pleasant environment in general.

www.gardeningknowhow.com
www.houseplants-care.blogspot.com

Filed Under Featured, Go Green Tagged With Boston Fern, Dracaena, English Ivy, environment, green, green office, lifestyles, plant a tree, plant seeds, plants, Pothos, Snake Plant

What’s your Pet’s Carbon Pawprint?

April 19, 2010 By deanne Leave a Comment

Green Pets, Green Pet Products, Dog, Go GreenKeep Your Pets in Mind When Thinking Green

Green Pet Products, Inc. is a second-generation family owned business that was founded in 1947 as Green Products Company, offering innovative alternatives to the litter and bedding products for small pets that were available at that time.

The company originally used dehydrated alfalfa for certain feeds and then transformed their manufacturing facility in order to process corn cob products.  At the onset, Green Products Company created several different milled corn cob products for both industrial applications and pet uses.

The company had set goals and was determined to offer an odor-controlling, dust free pet bedding product and by 1994 they were able to do just that.  At that time, Green Pet Products, Inc. was founded as a spin-off company which would focus on the production of natural bedding and litters.

By using milled corn cob as the basis of the products, the company is able to provide bedding and litters that do not trigger respiratory discomforts or ailments.  The health and well-being of customers and their pets has always been a primary concern of Green Pet Products.  The company has been extremely successful in providing pet care products which work to preserve and sustain the environment.

Clean-N-Comfy® and Fresh Nest® are two of the pet care products offered by the company.  In addition to these, the PureLite® Process was introduced by the company in 2007; after extensive research, Green Pet Products was able to provide customers with litter that was truly innovative and cutting-edge in terms of being environmentally-friendly.  The PureLite® Process works by destroying mold spores in the litter and has proven itself as a leader in organic litters.

  • Fresh Nest® and Clean-N-Comfy® contain 100% non-toxic ingredients and materials.
  • Ingredients found in these products are commonly found in food, health and beauty-care products.
  • No chlorophyll is used in the products.
  • The PureLite® Process breaks down the formation of microbiological material and mold-forming elements commonly found in organic litters.
  • Fresh Nest® and Clean-N-Comfy® work by absorbing waste, emitting a naturally fresh scent, and by seeking out and breaking down ammonia.

Green Pet Products, Inc. is a company that has been ahead of the curve with regard to environmentally-friendly products and they continue to be an example of a company doing great things for the Green Movement today.

http://www.greenpet.com/

Filed Under Eco-Spotlight Tagged With alfalfa, carbon footprint, carbon pawprint, clean n comfy, corn cob products, dust free, eco-friendly, fresh nest, green, green pet products, green products company, natural bedding, natural litter, no chlorophyll, odor-controlling, pet bedding, pets, purelite

Top 10 Tips for Turning the Office Green!

March 10, 2010 By deanne 1 Comment

Making the smallest changes in your office will have a positive impact on the environment – as long as your changes are consistent across the board. Deciding to make eco-friendly changes and keeping everyone willing and involved in the green process at work, is the first and most important step. Take what you know about making your home environment green and extend it to your office space! Below are suggestions and tips for making important first steps to go green for any size company on any budget.

1. Watch Your Temperature

Using a programmable thermostat will greatly decrease the amount of wasted energy your office emits. Suggested temperatures are 68 degrees during the day and 55 degrees during non-business hours. Slight adjustments can be made depending on the climate, but consistency is the key.

2. Remember Your Computer

We all have one, so this is an easy fix. Your computer draws energy even when you’re not utilizing it in full-force. Use hibernation or sleep modes on your machine whenever possible, and invest in an energy-saving power-strip for use anytime you won’t be in the office. If something is plugged in, it’s drawing energy even when it is turned off.

3. Be Paperless

Whenever possible, use digital resources as opposed to printing a hard-copy. If you have something that needs to be printed, make sure to set double-sided print options on your computer and recycle the paper when you are finished. If your office does not have recycling bins set up for disposal of paper, look into programs such as the one offered by paperrecycles.org.

4. Start From Scraps

Using 100% recycled paper to begin with, will have your office making huge strides in leading the green game. Typical office workers use about 12,000 pieces of paper each year. Talk to your boss about using products endoresed by the National Green Pages: http://www.greenamericatoday.org/pubs/greenpages/.

5. Go Toward the Natural Light

It’s a great idea to rely on natural light whenever possible. Open the blinds and enjoy the view! Changing light fixtures may take a bit more legwork, especially if you do not own or manage your office space, but using Energy Star qualified bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs will save 75% of the energy that would otherwise be wasted. Making the switch to compact fluorescent bulbs will cut out wasted energy and will lower electric bills for the company at the same time. Visit www.energystar.gov for more information.

6. Get Cozy in the Car

Establish car pooling schedules if they are not already set up in your office. Communicate with co-workers and determine car pooling groups by location to avoid excessive driving times. Send out an email, ask around, make a new friend and buckle up! Commuting to and from work with a group as opposed to going solo will save on pollution, and save a little at the pump!

7. Be Fair

Offer Fair Trade and organic coffees and teas in the office. The National Green Pages, found at www.greenamericatoday.org provides several Fair Trade Certified products that can be used at the office and at home. Once your office has made the switch to Fair Trade products, you can sign up to be a member of Green America’s Fair Trade Alliance.

8. Reuse

Stock the office break room with odds and ends dishes and silverwear from home. This is a simple task, and everyone can pitch in to cut back on paper plates, plastic cups and plastic silverware.

9. Get a Better Coffee Buzz

Bring a coffee mug from home to use at the office. The U.S. produces approximately 195 million tons of trash in one year. Over 2 million tons of that trash consists of disposable plates and cups. Bringing in your own coffee cup might be the easiest tip on this list and it is a small change that will make a big difference.

10. Take a Deep Breath

Keeping a live plant on your desk will reduce your day-to-day stress level and defray toxins in the air simultaneously. That computer you link up to all day long gives off radiation and a live plant will absorb that too!

Check out these great resources:

http://www.usnews.com/money/business-economy/small-business/articles/2008/02/28/how-to-green-up-your-office.html

http://www.greenamericatoday.org/programs/shopunshop/buyinggreen/greenyouroffice.cfm

http://money.cnn.com/2007/12/04/news/economy/environment.fortune/index.htm

Filed Under Featured, Go Green Tagged With car pool, coffee, fabric refresher, fair trade, green office, recycle, reuse, save energy, work

Go Green for Spring Cleaning 2010

March 9, 2010 By deanne Leave a Comment

Go Green for Spring Cleaning 2010

Carribean Mist encourages you to participate in the Green movement all year long.  We would like to emphasize the importance of going Green during the kick-off of the Spring Cleaning season.  When the weather warms up and you get the urge to drag out a bucket of your old, toxic cleaning supplies, reach for this list of 10 “Go Green Spring Cleaning” tips that will save on the health and well-being of you, your family and the environment.

1.  Make the Switch:
Replace your existing cleaning supplies with Eco-friendly products.  This is a simple way to start off your Spring Cleaning project, and it will give you a great foundation for meeting the rest of your Green goals.

2.  Dispose Properly:
Once you have switched to Green cleaning products and supplies, make sure you properly dispose of the toxic chemical products you replaced.  Consult your waste management provider for different options they may have for you, or check the product labels.  Pouring chemical products down the drain, into the ground or trash is extremely hazardous.  When these chemicals enter the water supply, they often times are too strong to be filtered properly and will wind up in our drinking water.  Proper disposal is just as important to your Green efforts as making the switch to safer, healthier cleaners.

3.  Avoid Disposable Supplies:
Use and reuse microfiber sponges or cloths instead of paper towels.  Paper waste and cleaning items such as disposable mop heads and dusters have a negative impact on the environment, as they will sit in landfills and not break down.

4.  Donate:
As you are sorting through your belongings in your the attic, basement, garage and closets, be sure to start a pile for donation.  Reducing the amount of storage space you need will give you a more functional home environment, and donating will make someone else’s life greener in the process!  You can also cut up old sheets and towels that you pull out of the linen closet to be used as cleaning cloths.   Contact your local chapter of The American Red Cross (www.redcross.org) or The Salvation Army (www.salvationarmyus.org) to donate clothing and other household items.  Don’t forget to get a receipt for your taxes.

5.  Recycle:
After you have decided what to keep and what to donate, make sure you fill up the recycling bin!  Any discarded or unwanted items that can be recycled, should be.  Glass, newspapers, magazines and several plastic materials can be recycled, so make sure you double check to determine what can be saved from the trash pile.

6.  Line-Dry:
Hanging a clothesline in your laundry room, basement or in the backyard will greatly decrease energy usage generated by your home, and will also help you save on the cost of your monthly bills.

7.  Open a Window:
A quick, simple way to freshen the air inside your home is to open a few windows instead of using chemical-based air fresheners or plug-ins.  There may be skin and respiratory irritants in these types of products that children or people with allergies are especially sensitive to.  Opening windows to let in natural floral scents is a healthier option, and it’s free!

8.  Plant a Seed:
Planting fragrant flowers near your windows or keeping live plants and flowers in your home, are two simple ways to create natural air fresheners of your own.  Fresh flowers, dried flowers, cedar blocks or even an open box of baking soda can all be used as replacements for chemical-based air fresheners and aerosols.

9.  Cultivate a Seed:
Peace Lilies, Rubber Plants, Boston Ferns and English Ivy are all examples of plants that are easy to care for and provide you and your family with added benefits.  These specific houseplants actually improve the quality of air in your home and will absorb any lingering toxins.

10.  Back to Basics
Cut back or eliminate the use of anti-bacterial hand soap in your home.  Overuse of anti-bacterial soaps has lead to widespread cases of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.  Regular soap and water will work wonders on hands and cleanable surfaces throughout the house.  Vinegar, baking soda and essential oils are also great natural cleaners to have under the sink to use in a pinch, or to supplement your favorite Eco-friendly cleaning products.

Check out these other great resources:

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/spring-cleaning/spring-cleaning-tips.html

http://blog.sierratradingpost.com/eco-friendly-recycle-reuse-environment-earth-reduce/10-tips-for-green-spring-cleaning/

http://www.greenamericatoday.org/pubs/greenpages/greentips/march.cfm?notext=t

Filed Under Go Green Tagged With 2010, environment, fabric refresher, goals, green, line dry, natural cleaner, plant seeds, recycle, spring cleaning