Friday, November 13, 2009

Read 'n' Seed : 3rd Quarter of "Exposed"

Chapters and Pages
 Chapter 6, 7  Pages 105-178

Chapter 6: Rise and Fall of the Machine
Chapter 7:Chemical Revolution
Main Topics n My Opinion

     Chapter 6 mainly talked about the pros and cons of technology.  What do you do with a printer or old television that has become obsolete and is no longer of any use to you.  You can either throw it away with your regular trash, properly recycle it, or give it to someone who could fix it or take all the useful parts.  Most people just end up throwing them away and buying another cheap-o.  This has serious consequences.  Schapiro talks about how 50% of used cell phones, televisions, and other throw away electronics are shipped to landfills in countries like Taiwan and China.  When studies on drinking water in these countries were done they had 10,000-24,000 times the amounts of Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury in their drinking water.
     It goes to show how stuff that we do in our country is not only hurting the united states, but our old iPods, Blackberry, and desktop computers and poisoning innocent people in other countries around the world.
     Chapter 7 is based around a story.  A story of the European Union choosing 112 woman from all over Europe to have their blood tested for chemicals.  In sets of 3, a grandmother, mother, and daughter all living in the same area.  These woman all had their blood all looked at and the results were shocking!  The grandmothers (who have spent the most time alive) had the highest amounts, with the largest being 63 different compounds in their blood.  The worst part of this story is that the next highest were the grandaughters!  The highest found in the age group was not far behind the grandmothers, 59.  With the mothers in the middle having the lowest amounts, with their highest being 49.
     This showing that kids in Europe are exposed to many different types of chemicals at a young age.  The sad part is that most of them are coming from toys, or all of the new technology invented to keep them "busy" like computers, cell phones, iPods, Barbies.  All of these things are actually leaching chemicals into our surroundings and the sad part is there is no where to put it all!  The end of the chapter gives a little philosophy.  All the risks we take like driving a car, smoking, drinking, microwaving our food in a plastic containers, its all dangerous and the more and more we fall into a lifestyle that is completely manufactures the less healthy our lives are.
How this affects me...
It makes me feel a lot more conscious about what I buy.  Sometimes when I have to buy stuff like a desk for my room, or a new DVD player cuz my old one shit out I usually go for the cheaper one.  Well the last time I went out and got a DVD player I decided to get a nice and little more pricey one.  I figure if I'm gonna get one I might as well get one that will last.  Or instead of buying a new iPod the next time mine malfunctions I'll make sure I get everything looked at before I buy another one, and I'll make sure I recycle it properly if it does come down to disposing of it.  It's scary to me how many things we as humans expose ourselves to everyday.  I feel like there is going to be tremendous consequences for all of this in the not so distant future, and it worries me that the majority of the world isn't even aware of most of this information.

Thought this quote from Luke Ramsey fit pretty well, and I borrowed from my friend Gus over at his amazing peek/stare blog-

Luke Ramsey


"People keep taking about how we’re destroying the world and then they continue to destroy the world. Don’t worry about 2012. It’s not about destruction, it’s about a shift in consciousness and a rebirth of love and understanding. There will be less testosterone and more estrogen. These religious nuts got it all messed up. It’s not about Armageddon, it’s about change, because Mother Nature needs it. Humans think we’re smart. We think too much. We need to start feeling more. There’s too much focus on technology and the future. Yes, technology is amazing, but we need to focus more on the now and embrace natural wonders. Like how cool is it that when we get cut – our skin heals. Or how amazing it is that when we plant a seed and give it water – it grows. Get fascinated by the simple things. Watching NASA send a missile to the moon and then Twittering about it on a cell phone, just doesn’t seem all that evolved. Choose love and light, because it feels good."
 
see ya guys monday!
Pam

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Eco Chic Lifestyle Change: Week Six

My SMART Goal




My SMART goal for the past week of the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change project was:
"I will eat only 1 serving (1 serving=4 oz.) of red meat per week (seven days)"

Successes & Challenges
So this week decided I would wait until towards the end of the week to eat my serving of red meat for the week, or at least til' an opportunity arose.  Saturday I decided to go to Palisade because it was absolutely GORGEOUS on Saturday.  We stayed at my friends cabin outside of Silver Bay.  We decided to grill some cheeseburgers, and they were sooooo good.  So then Sunday my friend invited me over for dinner.  I asked her what she was making and she said chicken alfredo.  I told her oh perfect, because I can't eat red meat anymore this week.  I get there and she had decided to put BACON in the alfredo as well.  When I told her I wasn't supposed to have red meat, her response was " Pork is red meat?' lol.  So I ate it anyways, there wasn't too much bacon so I wouldn't count it as a full serving, but I still at more than 4 oz. in one week I'm sure.

Feelings

Kinda bummed I missed my goal again this week.  But I did not deliberately choose to eat the alfredo like I did the burger.  I felt more obligated to eat the alfredo since she had made it for me.

What I Learned
Not everyone around me is as of aware as their food and the process that actually goes in to making it.  Not all of my friends care what goes into their body, and it is my job to start educating them. :)


Plans for Next Week

For this upcoming week, I am keeping my SMART goal the same:
"I will eat only 1 serving (1 serving=4 oz.), or less, of red meat per week (7 days.)"

Pam. 

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 6 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy

A couple buddies and I hiking by a "secret spot" at Palisade Head on Lake Superior

 

Monday, November 9, 2009

Share and Voice: Cool Blog Award!

Share & Voice: Blog On Award





Last week I received an award from Ashley for my UMD Smoking Forum post. My post was about my experience attending the forum, and my views on the issue.

  This week I came across one and knew instantly it was award worthy.  Danielle for her blog about the Coca- Cola. I think she did a great job and deserves this award for educating people about Coke, and how people outside of our country or region feel about it. I had no idea about a lot of the stuff she wrote in the post.  So everyone GO READ IT! :)

 Award Instructions for the Award Winner(s)
  1. Leave a comment below so that I know you "picked up" the award.
  2. Within 1 week, create a Share and Voice post that says you've received the award and indicate who the award is from (be sure to hyperlink).
  3. Also indicate to whom you are going to pass on the award and why. Be sure to hyperlink the blogger (use main blog URL) and the blog title (use the specific URL for that blog post).
  4. Copy and paste these instructions at the bottom of your post.
  5. Publish the post.
  6. Visit each blogger you've awarded and leave a comment telling them they've won.
  7. Continue the process...

Advocacy Project: My Political Representatives

I live in Brandon, MN.  Which is located in Douglas County (nicknamed "Lake Country")

 

My President

Name: Barack Obama
Address: The White House

               1600 Pennsylvania Ave
               Washington, DC 20500
               Website: http://www.barackobama.com/ 
 
 
 
 
 
          State Representative

Name: Torrey Westrom
Address: 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
               Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
Phone #:  651-296-4929 



                        State Senate


 Name: Bill Ingebritsen
Address: 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
               State Office Building, Room 123
               St. Paul, MN 55155-1206
Phone #:  651.297.8063 
 
 
          U.S. Representative

Name: Collin Peterson
Address:2211 Rayburn HOB
             Washington, DC 20515
Phone #: (202) 225-2165
U.S. Senator

Name: Al Franken
Address: 320 Hart Senate Office Building
               Washington D.C. 20510
Phone Number: 651-221-1016
 
 
                                             
 
 
                                            Governor

Name: Tim Pawlenty
Address: 130 State Capitol
               75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
               St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone #:  (651) 296-3391 




 
 Douglas County has no Country Board  President.


Mayor
Name: Doug Johnson
Address: 115 Front Street (Old Brandon Communications Building)
               P. O. Box 137
               Brandon, MN 56315
Phone #: 320-524-2260
Website: http://www.brandonmn.com/CityofBrandon.htm 
(my town has 450 people, so not a very elaborate website!)



 
  

Friday, November 6, 2009

Reflections Post: Weeks 7 & 8

WELL!.... it has been a busy last few weeks.

Week.7.
We were assigned to do the EWG eye opener.  I evaluated my BareMinerals makeup.  It came back with a score of 3, so not too shabby.  But, there is always room for improvement. 
After awhile a guy from the American Lung Association to recruit us to go the the UMD Smoking Forum last wednesday.  We had a discussion about what we would say, if we were to attend.  SO.... I decided to go.
I am in favor of a smoke free campus.  I said my piece while I was there, you can read all about it on my Smoking Forum Post.
My Read n Seed quarter 2 was due last friday.  Definitely needs improvement.

Week.8.
So we got to learn all about Dr. V's favorite!.... Junking.  This is a pretty cool hobby I would like to get into.
I have all sorts of random crap that could probably go towards that kinda stuff.
Then we watched a documentary called Thirst.  It focused on a town who was trying to privatize its water supply.  I don't think that a company should be able to profit off of water.  That's like trying to sell air.  The coolest part about the vid was that the community all worked together to try and stop the evil mayor from going through with it.  It was really disappointing to see them get shot down over and over, but they never gave up.  I am gonna do a little research and see what happened in the end.

Til' Monday
Pam :)

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Eco Chic Lifestyle Change: Week Five


My SMART Goal



My SMART goal for the past week of the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change project was:
"I will eat only 1 serving (1 serving=4 oz.) of red meat per week (seven days)"

Successes & Challenges

I have been doing SO good.... up until this week. 

For my serving of the week I chose to get a Spicy Italian Sub at Subway.  I got a six inch.  It was delicious.  I hadn't had one in like months, and its always been my favorite.  Then a few days later I went out to eat with my roommates.  We went to Grandma's in Canal.  I was being a very good SMART Goal follower and order a buffalo chicken wrap.  My roommate ordered a Steak Cheese French, which if none of you have ever had its super good (if you like salty, greasy, cheesy stuff every once in awhile!)  So we got our food and my roommate decided she wasn't in the mood for steak.  She wanted to switch, I couldn't resist!
Feelings

I am pretty disappointed in myself that I didn't achieve my smart goal this week.  Lately I have been feeling much healthier eating mostly poultry and fish. 

What I Learned
I usually eat my serving of red meat like A.S.A.P. in the week.  For the following weeks I am not going to make it a plan to eat red meat.  I will wait for an opportunity to arise and if I don't eat any at all during the week, that's okay!
Plans for Next Week

For this upcoming week, I am keeping my SMART goal the same:
"I will eat only 1 serving (1 serving=4 oz.), or less, of red meat per week (7 days.)"

Pam. 

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 5 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy

Monday, November 2, 2009

Eye Opener: Junk On The Brain

1. antiques/antiquing- is shopping for an old collectible item
  • junk/junking- Junking is the retrieval of ordinarily discarded things and materials
  • flea market-a type of bazaar where inexpensive or secondhand goods are sold or bartered
  • thrift shop-Thrift stores are generally owned by a charity, and have secondhand goods for sale
  • upcycling- involves processing used materials into new products
  • resale shop-basically the same thing as a thrift shop, but items aren't always as old
2. Instead of us all going out and spending money on new products, we can sometimes find cool items that are already in the world, instead of creating more waste.
3.Goodwill, 700 Garfield Ave, Duluth MN
    http://www.goodwill.org/
   (218) 722-6351       
 4a)  I love this thing and it shows how a little paint can make anything sweet.




http://junkmarketstyle.com/item/17747/from-frumpy-to-fabulous

b.In the spirit of Christmas!  How original.
http://junkmarketstyle.com/item/17701/sea-glass-christmas-wreath












c.This table kicks ass!  Love the spring base.
http://junkmarketstyle.com/item/17516/steel-spring-table

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Share and Voice: Best Green Blog

So, now that we are all becoming so good at blogging..... I found a really good site to keep us all updated on our Green news.  The Green Blog.covers everything from Global Warming, Food choices, Vegetarianism, and lots lot more.  It basically searches out and finds award worthy blogs and features all of them on their website.  I really like this because its almost exactly like all of our blogs.  Most of them are usually devoted to certain things though.  Like eating locally, and the health of our oceans.
So I think this is a really cool way for all of us to dabble in a bit of everything GREEN and find all sorts of resources on becoming more eco-friendly.

See you guys monday,
Pam

Friday, October 30, 2009

Read 'n' Seed : 2nd Quarter of "Exposed"

Recap of 1st part:
So in the 1st quarter of the book the author mainly talked about the political points dealing with the toxic chemicals.  Also, how Europe is the main leader worldwide in going green in their industry.  The United States is lagging behind in Step forward to think ecologically.


2nd Quarter:
 The 2nd part of the book mainly focuses on all the chemicals in everyday products and all the different effects.  From certain lipstick to being carcinogenic to plastics causing infertility and male reproduction malfunctions.
There is a whole chapter devoted to Phthalates, which is a chemical that makes plastic flexible.  The stuff is in virtually everything around is and is linked to a lot of health problems going on in the U.S. today!


Conflicts:
This is an interesting book but it is hard to focus on it when I'm reading.  He uses a lot of really big words all the time and it makes it hard to just relax and read it.  But I'm trucking through!  Hopefully it gets a little more interesting, or at least he starts talking in layman's terms!

Pam

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Share and Voice: UMD Smoking Policy Forum

So, I decided to go to the forum,  I saw a few others there and was really proud of everything everyone in my class had to say.  Go ASHLEY!... she even got an applause from everyone. 
What I said: 
I stated that I am an ex-smoker but still have an occasional social cigarette in the appropriate setting.  I also stated I am in favor of a 100% smoke-free campus, but believe it needs to be enforced and not just based on honest, because honestly thats not working.  I then asked how anyone thinks that a designated smoking area is actually designated, because although the smokers (if they actually stay in their "area") may be in a place, but that doesn't mean the smoke is actually going to stay there.  And the fact that if people are standing outside smoking, or sitting in their cars smoking they are then coming into class, giving off 3rd hand smoke.  Which in recent years has also been proven harmful!


Conflicts:
One guy was making it very obvious that he thought it was his "right" to smoke.  Well with his right to smoke he is affecting other peoples right to NOT smoke, so he can go find a secluded are with an ashtray somewhere and smoke, where he's not gonna make everyone else breathe it in, thats what I think.

I had to leave a little early so if anyone could update me on what happened all in all that would be great!

Pam

Eco Chic Lifestyle Change: Week Four

My SMART Goal:
I will only eat 1 Four oz. serving of Red meat per week (seven days.)
Challenges:
This weekend I went to the cities for a wedding.  When I chose my meal 2 months ago I signed up for Filet Mignon.  So when my waitress came I asked her if I could change to vegetable ravioli.  That was hard because when my brother got his beef tenderloin I was VERY jealous haha.  But the vegetable ravioli was delicious.
My Serving for the week:
On Sunday morning I ate 2 pieces of bacon.  Even though that is probably one of the most processed red meats you can find it was DELICIOUS, and in extreme moderation I feel okay about it.... then I had a bite of my friend's cheeseburger at lunch.  So I doubt that is over 4 oz.
Upcoming week:
I hope to keep up the good work!

Pam


Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 4 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy.






Monday, October 26, 2009

Eye Opener: Environmental Working Group

AAAAAAHHHHH!
So I chose to do my evaluation on my foundation.  I use Bareminerals, which is a product of Bare Escentuals. Thinking that I would finally get a good report on something I do in my life, I was so wrong. 
This is how the company describes the product:
"It began with Bare Escentuals' introduction of our bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation. Made from 100% pure bareMinerals it’s free of preservatives, oil, fragrance, talc and other skin irritants. Millions of women who discovered bareMinerals have fallen in love with the look of beautifully bare skin. With bareMinerals, your search for the perfect foundation is over."
 So when I see this description I would have never guessed the results the Environmental Working Group gave me. 
This product contains ingredients that have been linked to Cancer, Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity, Allergens and immunotoxicity, along with a bunch of other crazy problems. 
I am pretty disappointed in how this site is laid out, and I kinda feel like I'm to dumb to actually process everything it says.  But the gist of it is that my foundation, on a scale of 1-10 has a score of 3 for being hazardous for these side effects.  3 might not seem like a big number but I don't know why I would put something with ANY sort of risk on my face.  I will definitely be shopping for some new foundation.
<------ apparently NOT!


Pam

Friday, October 23, 2009

Reflections Post: Weeks 5 & 6

WHAT WE DID!
So for week five we had to do an eye opener.  I did the tour of our food industry.  Then we watched a film about Genetically Modified Foods.  I then did a post about my first 7 days of my SMART Goal, (which is going wonderfully!)  My last post of the week was my first quarter of my Read 'n' Seed.
Week 6 we started out class with a good discussion, I love discussions because it makes me feel so much more involved in the class.  Then we watched a film by John Robbins about the Revolution of Food.  After which , we learned how to make a graphical header for our blog, which I had already done.
WHAT I LEARNED!
The tour of the food industry was a lot of stuff we've been learning about in class, but the way they had it laid out in a way that everything is connected, was really eye opening.  The only time I ever thought of food negatively before this class was when it had to do with my weight. Now that I realize food affects so much more than our body I have been making much more eco-friendly, and nutritious choices. 
The film about GMO's was also scary.  I think there should not be a patent on anything in nature.  Nature is called nature for a reason we don't have a whole lot of control over it, and therefore can't own it. 
So far my book Exposed is going really well. 
From the John Robbins film I took away so many disturbing images in my head.  The arthrosclerosis (when they pulled the fat out of an artery!), the blood with all the fat in it!, and a heart surrounded by fatty tissue.  I like how he views food as a healing thing.  It is so true that we need to watch what we eat so much closer than most of us do, it affects our bodies so much.
WHAT I'M GONNA DO!
All of the things I've been shown, and all that I have learned over the last few weeks just keep motivating me more and more to live a healthier lifestyle, not just for my body's sake but also for my surroundings.  I will voice my educated opinion about these topics, and make better choices when it comes to my own actions.

See you monday! 
Pam

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Eco Chic Lifestyle Change: Week Three


Week 3 of my Eco Chic Lifestyle Change!
Today is the beginning of my 3rd Week of only eating one 4 oz. serving of red meat per week, (every seven days.)
Challenges
None of my friends are being very helpful!  I have sunday night dinner with a bunch of friends sometimes and they are guys and wanna have like burgers or steak!  Ha can't do that!  But I have been preaching it up to them on how red meat is so bad, and why.
My serving for the week
So my friend turned 21 on last wednesday.  She works at Old Chicago so I took her there for her first legal drinks.  And we ordered her favorite pizza, which is a MEAT ME haha its got like sausage, salami, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, and green olives ;) haha not my choice!  I picked off some of the meat trying not to go over my serving.  I have no idea if I did go over.  I had two pieces of pizza Wednesday, then I ate a left over piece like Saturday evening, so I kinda feel like I cheated a little this week.
Goals for this upcoming week...
I am going to try my hardest to only eat one serving of red meat this week.  Its getting easier and easier to turn it down, and I feel so much better not eating it.  Not only health wise, but environmentally wise.

until next week!
Pam

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 3 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Share and Voice: Vitamin Water drinkers BEWARE!


So I remember when this stuff came out, I was still in high school.  Kelly Clarkson was doing commercials and talking about how awesome it was, and how good it made her feel!  I never really tried the stuff... I've probably bought it less than 10 times.  I like the 10 calorie lemonade one.  Then someone told me I might as well drink a soda when I was going to buy one!  I was so confused?!  This stuff is just water with vitamins added to it right?
...
NO!
1.  The first big no no I discovered about it is the renamed ingredient they use as a sweetener.... "Crystalline Fructose"! AKA HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP.  HFCS has been linked to obesity and insulin resistance.  It is allegedly one of the main causes of our obesity empidemic that is going on right now! This could be caused by the fact that it causes insulin resistance, and is linked to diabetes!       Crystalline Fructose is pretty much just refined and milled HFCS, and full bottle of VitaminWater contains around 30mg of the stuff.  You are not suppose have ANY HFCS in your diet, obviously this is almost impossible, its in a lot of todays products.  So don't be fooled by the fancy labeling!
2. They use vapor distilled water, and which is completely empty of anything including minerals,  then they add minerals back in.  But distilled water actually is used to pull out toxins out of your body, but also pull some nutrients.  So you might be getting some minerals, but your also losing nutrients at the same time, with distilled water.  I can't say for sure that this water does that, but supplements are only suggested for people who can't obtain enough of an essential vitamin or mineral from their diet of whole foods.
3. Its in a plastic bottle.  Which i'm not even fully going to go into... but studies on plastic bottles have proven  chemicals leaking into the bottle could mimic estrogen, and other chemicals linked to diabetes.
http://www.worldhealth.net/news/are_you_drinking_water_from_a_plastic_bo/
4. Finally, there aren't even that many fricken vitamins in it!

Nutrition Facts:
Serving Size 8 fl oz; Servings per Container 2.5
Calories 50
Total Fat 0g
Sodium 0mg
Total Carbohydrate 13g
Total Sugar 13g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 60%; vitamin B3 10%; vitamin B6 10%; vitamin B12 10%; vitamin B5 10%, Zinc 10% (got this from EmilyPlaysCello's blog The Truth about Vitamin water)


Calories in V8 100% Vegetable Juice

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 8 oz (224.0 g)

Amount Per Serving
Calories  50

Sodium 480mg
Total Carbohydrates 10.0g
Sugars 8.0g

Protein
2.0g

Vitamin A 40%

Vitamin C 120%
Calcium 4%

Iron 4%

 Now I'm no doctor and I'm not suggesting one is better than the other but the obvious thing is V8 packs more vitamins, no HFCS.  But it also contains sodium which can be bad in high amounts!

So i'm not trying to bash anyone and i'm sure i'll end up drinking the stuff sometime again, it probably is better than a coke, but the principle of the matter is that its advertised to be SO HEALTHY, and marketed that way, but its really not!

Pam

Monday, October 19, 2009

Share and Voice: Positively 3rd Street Bakery!


So my Share and voices have kinda been on a food kick lately!  But I just wanted to tell people about 3rd Street Bakery.... I live right next to it, and I am sitting in bed actually smelling it as I'm writing this!  The bakery uses almost all organic ingredients, and makes some of the most delicious baked goods I've ever had.  They are located on the corner of 12th Ave. and E. 3rd St.  If you are a big donut person you will definately be disappointed.  But they have amazing granola, cookies, bars, muffins, breads, bagels, and even pizza crusts!  They sell there products at a couple different places around townBlogger: Pam's Green Blog - Create Post.  One of them being the co-op.  They also sell local syrup and honey.  Couple of things I can't live with out from the bakery are the Godess Bar's, their granola ( so good in vanilla yogurt), and there THUNDER COOKIES... they are pretty much famous.  Check em' out!
http://positively3rdstreetbakery.com/home.html

Friday, October 16, 2009

Read 'n' Seed 2: First Quarter of "Exposed"


Well, I will start it off by saying I had no trouble findng my book!  Ha googled for an environmental book and this one had a lot of hits.  It was written by Mark Shapiro.  Mark has been an investigative journalist since before I was born!  He is a journalist for the Center of Investigative Reporting.  His whole career is based on searching out toxic things in everyday life.

The first 3 chapters of the book are mainly about our gov't and how we need to catch up to Europe and start banning certain chemicals.  One chapter is basically about how some of the biggest electonics companies in the U.S. are starting to adapt the the European Unions regulations on toxic chemicals.  Apparently the chemicals used in the a carcinogenic and dangerous when not disposed of properly.  So if we don't start to take those things out of our exports Europe will no longer purchase from us.  Asia is also on the green bandwagon by banning many chemicals and products.

Mark also attacks the U.S. Gov't stating that going green would not be bad for the economy.  Already proven by the European Union that going green creates jobs, adds to the market and is SAFE!  Comparing a European woman's cosmetic bag to someone in United states is completely differnt.  Certain cosmetics are also carcinogens and toxic.
So far he hasn't really gone into detail about any chemicals or certain products, but I think the first few chapters are giving a background for stuff.  So hopefully in the upcoming ones I can learn all about stuff I shouldn't be using!

Pam

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Share and Voice: Whole Foods Co-op


So for this share and voice, I just wanted to share with all of you (who don't already know) how wonderful Duluth's local Whole Food's Co-op is.  Located in central hillside, at 610 E. 4th St. it is easy to find, in an easy location, and has so many cool things to offer!
Becoming a member:
A membership to The Co-op is $100, the minimum down payment is $20.  You have a 2 year grace period to pay off the balance, and can also apply for a Fran Skinner Scholarship.  When you are a member you get monthly specials!  A say in how the business is operated, by your vote, and a BIG book of coupons.
Benefits of Shopping at the Co-op:
The Co-op pledges that at least $0.66 of every dollar you spend will stay in the Duluth area.  Which ties in with what we're learning about supporting your local businesses.  They offer USDA Organic, Vegan,  all natural products and many other types of health conscious products.
Other Cool Stuff:
One thing I thought was really nice is all the cool classes the place offers whether you want to take Yoga, learn how to start your own chicken coop, or cook Gluten-Free meals they offer sessions on just about everything.

Just thought I'd share that with you guys!

Pam

Eco Chic Lifestyle Change: Week Two

Overview:
So I've gone through one week with almost no red meat! YEY! ha I'm not gonna lie it has been a little challenging.  Most people think of red meat as just like steak and bacon.  But this week I've had to turn down pepperoni pizza, chili, ham and cheese omellette, pork egg rolls.  So many common foods have red meat in them!  The eye opener this week made me feel so much better about my SMART goal though.  Taking the food tour just showed me how detrimental red meat is to our world, and how it is effecting our environment, especially cattle!
Challenges: 

Eating at school definitely sucks!  With all the different hot options like spaghetti, hamburgers, pizza.  But I have been eating so much healthier, and also saving a lot of calories, and fat from the foods I choose to eat instead.  One thing I am concerned about is Iron.  I need to make sure I am getting enough Iron in my diet so find the vegetables that come packed with it will be a good project for this week.
My Red Meat choice of the week!:
For my serving last week I had tator tot hot dish.  We hadn't turned heat on and my roommate made it in the oven.  So good, and sooooooo worth it!
Haven't decided what I'm gonna have this upcoming week, maybe none at all(but probably some pizza! :))

See you all monday!
Pam

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 2 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Eye Opener: CSPI

Today I did the Eye Opener #1 for the CSPI, after touring our food supply I feel like I actually knew a little about all that stuff!  I have been getting into the effects that cattle and other livestock have on the environment.  This ties along good with my SMART goal of limiting my red meat servings to 1 per week. I've also been incorporating more organic foods into my diet to do my part to get the corporate farming crisis in America under control.  In high school I did a research paper titled "The Family Farm:Nearing Extinction".  There is SO MUCH information online about the dying family farm.  The subsidization of crops and farm products are making it almost impossible for small production farms to keep up with costs.