Make Earth Day Everyday!

Joanna Michaels


An average American produces about 4 pounds of garbage a day. That needs to stop if we want to live in a healthy environment. Did you know than certain products, like styrofoam, never decompose? Take charge of your environment on this Earth Day. Show your children how little changes can impact their environment. Teach them respect for nature and everything that surrounds us.

RECYCLE 
About half of the U.S. population has the advantage of curbside recycling for paper, aluminum, and plastic. Others do not have such a comfort, even though they may truly want to pitch in to preserves our resources. For those who want to recycle, but have no curbside recycling in their community, and for those who would like to recycle items such as motor oil, batteries, paint, light bulbs, cleaning supplies, toys and electronics, I would like to suggest Earth911.org as a resource. Earth911 provides info on where to recycle various items in your community or in its vicinity.

SHOP WISE TO REDUCE WASTE
At the store, select products with recyclable packaging. If you have to buy a packaged item, select one with the least unrecyclable packaging. 

MAKE A COMPOST PILE
Reduce your yard waste by making a compost pile. Did you know that the leaves of just one large tree might be worth the same as $50 of plant food? It's true! Leaves are even richer in minerals than manure. Composted leaves, or humus, benefit your yard in many ways. They reduce yard waste and improve the structure of your soil. Humus improves the soil’s water-holding ability, prevents soil from drying out too rapidly, and controls evaporation. Compost acts as a good fertilizer and effectively stimulates healthy root development. It is rich in nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Since it is so beneficial to your yard, why throw it out?

GO TO THE MOVIES!
Disney has released the film, Earth, today. For every ticket sold between April 22 and 28, a tree will be planted. Your ticket purchase will help replenish our quickly disappearing trees.

DONATE UNWANTED ITEMS
While spring-cleaning your house, you might find a number of unwanted items. Don’t throw them out! Instead, donate them to the Salvation Army, Purple Heart, soup kitchen, or a local shelter. 

MAKE A PROJECT
The best way to stimulate your children’s imagination is to engage them in a fun project that requires using items you already have. Items you can use for projects include old buttons, paper plates, egg cartons, and ice cream sticks. Use your imagination and have some fun! 

JOANNA MICHAELS Joanna has been a middle school science teacher for 8 years. She emphasizes ways to live an environmental friendly lifestyle in her classroom on a daily basis. For two years before she began teaching, Joanna lived "off the grid" with her husband and son. She says those two years were the hardest of her life, but also the most memorable and enjoyable. She hopes to return to that lifestyle after she receives her doctorate.

Does Organic Food Lower Your Risk of Cancer?

Joanna Michaels




Pesticides are chemicals used to eliminate or control insects, plants, fungi, animals, or microorganisms in order to protect food crops and other plants. Some pesticides have been classified as carcinogens. 



According to the National Cancer Institute, general studies of people with high exposures to pesticides, such as farmers, pesticide applicators, manufacturers, and crop dusters, have found high rates of blood and lymphatic system cancers; cancers of the lip, stomach, lung, brain, and prostate; as well as melanoma and other skin cancers. The general population may be exposed to low doses of pesticides from fruits and vegetables bought from the supermarket or from contaminated surface or ground water.

On the other hand, organically grown foods are not subjected to harmful substances used in conventional farming. They are also richer in nutrients, more flavorful, and promote a stronger immune system.

Read this guide to pesticides presented by the Environmental Working Group: Shopper's Guide to Pesticides

Organic Cotton: Why Bother?

Joanna Michaels

Did you know that natural cotton clothes might be the most toxic clothes you wear? Cotton represents about 40% of textile production in the world. About 30% of the pesticide and fertilizers produced worldwide gets sprayed or dusted on cotton, so your T-shirt made out of natural cotton may not be as natural as you might think. In fact, every T-shirt made of conventional cotton requires a quarter pound of harmful chemicals! 

Pesticides used to maintain cotton crops poison the earth and the people who tend to them. According to the USDA, about 50 million pounds of pesticides are used annually on cotton fields.

Consider 100% organic cotton -- it's healthy for you, your family, and the Earth. Organically raised cotton is produced without all the harsh chemicals mentioned above. More organic cotton means less harmful chemicals in our environment. Check out the websites below for amazing collections of environmentally friendly clothing and more.

Earth Wear 
Live Life Organics 
KidBean 
Organic Cotton Plus
Near Sea Naturals

JOANNA MICHAELS Joanna has been a middle school science teacher for 8 years. She emphasizes ways to live an environmental friendly lifestyle in her classroom on a daily basis. For two years before she began teaching, Joanna lived "off the grid" with her husband and son. She says those two years were the hardest of her life, but also the most memorable and enjoyable. She hopes to return to that lifestyle after she receives her doctorate.

Green Hygiene

What is the benefit of using organic bath and beauty products?

Well, for starters, your skin will not be harmed by harsh chemicals. Some cosmetics contain ingredients such as dietholamine, which is a known carcinogen. Others may contain hormone disruptors, lead, or mercury. Daily exposure to such chemicals may result in health problems later in life.

Using organic cosmetics will not pollute our waterways when these toxic compounds go down the drain when you wash your face.

If you care about your health and environment, try natural cosmetics, such as Burt’s Bees, a line of natural cosmetics for women, men, and children. They even have products for infants, such as baby shampoo and more. 

Or try Tom’s of Main, a selection of natural deodorants, toothpaste, mouthwash, and soap.

You can also find earth-friendly bath and beauty products at Whole Foods Market or possibly at your local health food store.

JOANNA MICHAELS Joanna has been a middle school science teacher for 8 years. She emphasizes ways to live an environmental friendly lifestyle in her classroom on a daily basis. For two years before she began teaching, Joanna lived "off the grid" with her husband and son. She says those two years were the hardest of her life, but also the most memorable and enjoyable. She hopes to return to that lifestyle after she receives her doctorate.

Gluten-free Nail Polish

Monika Pis, PhD, CPNP

If you have gluten sensitivity or Celiac disease, you should think twice before grabbing a bottle of a nail polish.

Most people are not aware that in most nail polishes, a hydrolyzed wheat protein is used as a binder. So, if you like to eat with hands or bite your nails, there is a big chance that you ingest chipped nail polish, thus gluten.

You can relax though, because there is a gluten-free option: Keeki Pure and Simple, a line of safe and organic nail care products created by two Michigan moms, Natalie Bauss and Katy Scheffler.

Keeki nail polish is water-based, contains no harsh chemicals, and is 100% biodegradable. Our testers determined that the nail polish is easy to apply and remove, and it is extremely durable if applied as directed by the manufacturer. It is important to blow dry the nails after the application of the top coat to help the nail polish adhere to the nails. If this step is skipped, the nail polish scratches and chips easily.

I highly recommend Keeki nail polish to all parents as many kids who wear nail polish might bite their nails and potentially expose themselves to harmful chemicals found in mainstream nail polishes. In addition, Keeki products contain no fumes and are safe for those with respiratory problems, such as asthma. Also, they are gluten-free what makes them very suitable for those with gluten sensitivity or Celiac disease.

Find out more at http://www.keekipureandsimple.com/

Make Your Own Fresh Air

Certain plants are proven to improve air quality in offices, work places, and our homes. Check this out!

According to a 15-year study by Greenspaces, certain plants will improve indoor air quality. In fact, these plants not only convert carbon dioxide into oxygen but also remove toxins, such as formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds, from indoor air!

These plants are areca palm, money plant, and mother-in-law’s tongue. The study showed that workers in the Greenspaces building reported increased productivity, 52% reduction in eye irritation, 24% decrease in headaches and 9% in asthma. For more information, please watch this video.



Areca palm converts carbon dioxide into oxygen during the day. Its leaves should be wiped daily to remove dust, and the plant should be placed outdoors every 3-4 months.

Mother-in-law’s tongue converts carbon dioxide into oxygen at night. Six to eight waist high plants are needed per person to improve the indoor air quality.

Money plant effectively converts carbon dioxide into oxygen and eliminates formaldehyde released from cigarette smoke and adhesives used in wooden furniture.

A team of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) researchers tested the effect of 12 houseplants on three pollutants known to be present in spacecrafts: benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. The same compounds are present in our homes and office buildings, as they are released from the furniture, office equipment, or certain building materials. According to NASA, the plants listed below are effective in removing specific indoor pollutants.



You can read about the summary of the NASA study here.

JOANNA MICHAELS Joanna has been a middle school science teacher for 8 years. She emphasizes ways to live an environmental friendly lifestyle in her classroom on a daily basis. For two years before she began teaching, Joanna lived "off the grid" with her husband and son. She says those two years were the hardest of her life, but also the most memorable and enjoyable. She hopes to return to that lifestyle after she receives her doctorate.