The Benefits of Going Green at Home
May 7, 2010 by Admin
Filed under Green Living
If you would like to enjoy the benefits of going green in your home, this can be a great start to saving money and conserving the environment at the same time. Our planet is at risk for instability due to the effects of global warming and immense pollution that occurs on a daily basis. This is a result of burning fossil fuels, industrialization, factory waste and other production factors.
Some tips to help you benefit from going green at home:
Your home is a place where you spend immense amounts of time and income, so it only makes sense to enable your home to become more cost efficient and environmental friendly. You can go green using a few ways such as insulating your home, using alternative forms of heating e.t.c
You need to make sure that your house is well insulated in order to conserve heat, especially in the cold winter months. You may find yourself using more heat and turning up your thermostat if you don’t have a well insulated house, this can result in a lot of money spent each month on the heating bill.
Many people also use too much water and this can result in an increase in the water bill. You can save so much on your water bill as well as reduce your water waste by doing things such as installing a cistern for your toilet, this can help you to reduce the gallons per flush. Especially in older toilet models, the gallons per flush can be quite high and this really makes a big difference !
You can invest in better lighting for your home by replacing your standard light bulbs and make your home more efficient in the long run. Many standard light bulbs are quite inefficient in their energy conservation. Many standard light bulbs also last for a shorter amount of time when compared to LED lights. You will find that although it may cost a few dollars more to purchase LED lights, they are much more cost efficient in the long run than many compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Also make sure to wash your clothing using cold water, not only will this make for cleaner clothing, but it is also much more efficient in conserving energy.
There are more tips and tricks to achieving a greener home, and you can do your research in order to find out the most suitable and cost effective method for your green lifestyle as well as your home. By making small changes, these changes can add up to significantly more in the future and you can also do your part in conserving and protecting the environment by going green!
Eco Clothing – Organic Baby Clothes
Eco conscious folks know that cotton production uses 25% of the world’s pesticides. That’s a lot of toxic chemicals used to produce a single cotton t-shirt. Not only are pesticides used on the production of cotton itself, but toxic dyes with heavy metal in them are used to treat the fabric. Even worse, the by-products of cotton production – called “gin trash” – is fed to livestock and thus enters our food chain.
The skin is the largest organ on the body – you will ingest these poisons right through your otherwise fashionable peice of clothing. This is why parents today are now turning to organic and eco-friendly baby clothing.
When buying organic baby products online, such as newborn baby hats, or when looking for organic newborn gifts, make sure that the label on the product does indeed say 100% organic. When buying textile products, check to ensure that the fabric is 100% organic cotton and does not have another textile blend. Avoid all blends that contain petroleum based fabrics such as rayon, nylon and polyester.
Eco Baby Rooms – Cute Bears and Beyond
New parents are keen on getting everything ready for their new baby’s arrival. For the eco conscious, it’s important to know what is in and around the baby’s room. There are several things to consider right down to what kind of paint is on the walls of the baby room.
A first step is to find out what kind of paint is already on the walls of the baby room. If it is “safe” or at least non-toxic paint, then that’s great. But if not, there are so many kinds and brands of eco friendly paint on the market today. A quick visit to your local paint store will give you the best idea on what’s available or even affordable for a mini-renovation. Just remember that the air the baby breathes every moment they are in the room can be potentially toxic because of the paint and products in the room. So be sure!
Once you know the paint is safe for baby, the next thing to consider is the bedding and furniture in the room. If you are buying new, there are several places online where you can find eco friendly baby products. Look for natural bedding products that aren’t loaded with toxic flame retardent. The very products that make mattresses flame retardent are extremely toxic – and you breathe them in every night. So for baby, be sure the mattress and bedding is safe.
Organic products are a sure bet. Organic bedding and wood based furnture that was grown without pesticides or toxic dies and glues added during processing is not so difficult to find these days. Again, a simple search online will reveal what is available and where you can find it locally.
Even when it comes to educational toys and teddy bears, you can make eco friendly choices. Natural organic wool, cotton or even bamboo is now being used to create many baby products. It’s just a matter of finding out what you can get locally, or buy it online. Find cute bears for the home and of course the baby’s room.
Avoid furniture that is made with plywood, particle board, or fiber board (MDF). It all has been extremely processed with toxic chemicals that your baby will breathe in and ingest on a daily basis. Look for natural wood products and even consider bamboo – the quickest growing wood in the world (which makes it highly desirable for sustainable living).
Once you’ve got your eco friendly baby products chosen and in place, you’ll have peace of mind. You’ll know for a fact that your baby is living in a safe and eco friendly environment because you did your homework and made it so.
Why Your Pet Should Go Organic
Pets serve a vital function in our everyday life as friends and companions. Caring for our pet should be a high priority in our lives. This includes regular checkups, maintaining their shots, and feeding them a healthy diet. As with humans, a first-rate diet is the most important element of your pets’ well-being.
Feeding your pet the healthiest diet entails providing the highest quality, organic diet available. Going organic may seem to be more costly but the benefits outweigh the cost. Organic diets help your dog or cat throughout their lives. They live longer, stay healthier, and are much more energetic and spirited. The food you feed your pet has a direct connection to their wellness and longevity.
Providing organic meals leads to shinier coats with fewer skin ailments, not as many bowel movements, less odor, and lower incidents of digestive problems. In the long term organic foods have been proven to prevent cancer, muscle degeneration, obesity, coronary disease, arteriosclerosis, lung and heart diseases and premature aging. An organic diet can also lessen the likelihood of diabetes. A high quality healthy diet can also boost your pet”s immune system saving you costly veterinarian bills.
I, personally, have seen the benefits of organic food for my pets. My ten year old dog used to suffer from severe allergies causing sneezing, runny nose, and skin ailments. He also, limped around and had very low energy. He literally went from one soft spot to the next. The vet told me it was just age and arthritis and gave me some pills. Soon after, our visit I began researching dog food and found that my dog’s food affected him as much as my food affected me. I then decided to try an organic pet food to see if it would help with his symptoms. I searched the web until I found a high quality organic dog food and I started him on it right away. I saw a difference in only two weeks. He had a shinier coat, his allergies were improving, and he was much more energetic. After a few months he became as lively as a five year old, bounding around and playful. He now spends his day playing with my three year old dog and the children. Oh, and I took him off his medicines.
Another benefit you can reap from serving organic pet food is not worrying each time you purchase dog or cat food whether the food will make your pet ill. Certified Organic food or “human grade” are terms certified by the FDA to only use organic ingredients, be free of hormones, antibiotics and to be free from cruelty to animals. (www.fda.gov) Words such as: all natural, wholesome, holistic, and organic (not certified organic) are examples of descriptions not regulated by the FDA.
The next time you go to purchase pet food just remember why your pet should go organic and then find a high quality certified organic dog or cat food that fits your needs.
Natural Organic Pet Treats
The ideal pet treat is made from whole foods that supplement your pet’s usual diet with nutrients he or she does not normally get. Healthy pet treats are free of allergens and contain only ingredients that are appropriate for the type of animal for which they are intended. The best natural treats are those in which real foods supply the nutrients. Although raw fruits and vegetables may not always be fully digestible by carnivores, the textures and smells of these treats can be an invaluable contribution to an animal’s pleasure. This in turn can benefit the animal’s well being via an enhanced immune system. Moreover, the gut bacteria, which are of crucial importance to a healthy immune system, will get a special boost from certain plant materials.
In most pet food treats, cheap, chemical-laden ingredients are processed with excessive heat, which render these treats little more than calorie-dense and nutrient-poor blobs. Baked treats made from white flours are a far cry from anything that most animals should eat. Most pet treats are composed of refined ingredients, which have been associated with chronic diseases among pets (e.g., obesity and diabetes). Some treats contain addictive ingredients, such as sugars, sweeteners, or refined salt, which are as unhealthy for animals as they are for people. The addictive properties of sugars, for example, have been amply demonstrated.
In general, the best natural pet treats are those that are USDA certified organic, which guarantees that no agricultural toxins are present in the food. USDA certified organic pet treats are verifiable free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), hormones, antibiotics, and other unhealthy synthetic additives. USDA organic certification also guarantees that no toxins are used during manufacture and that neither the treat nor its ingredients are sanitized using gamma irradiation or pesticides. The USDA organic seal and the name of the certifying agency are the only assurances you have that what you’re buying is organic because, in the case of pet foods, only organic certification warrants that a manufacturer’s organic claims are true.
Over-processing at high temperatures, as occurs during baking and most extrusion processes, may yield cute-looking treats, but certainly diminishes the nutritional qualities of even the best organic ingredients, and may even render some ingredients allergenic for your pet. Nevertheless, adorable shapes seem to have a big impact on consumer choices. The same is true of synthetically colored pet foods and treats. Of course, if animals were to choose, they’d probably go for any shape and color, as long as it tastes good and is generally healthy. Indeed, studies have shown that animals tend to choose organic foods over conventional varieties. If your pet can’t catch or choose his or her own treats, and you can’t provide fresh, natural treats, choose natural, USDA certified organic, whole food-based treats that are free of chemicals and have been treated with low or no heat. Your pet will be happy and that healthy diet will contribute to good psychological and physical health.
Eric Taylor has years of expertise on pet care and pet rearing. He writes on organic pet products, raw pet foods and pet treats that could be used as diet for your pets and ensure their health and wellness.