March 2009 - Posts

Eco Friendly
Thursday, March 12, 2009 9:45 AM



Origin of Earth Day

Earth Day is celebrated each year on April 22 by millions of people and national governments in approximately 175 countries. Rather than limiting the event to one day, most cities spend the entire week of April 22 celebrating Earth Day. There are actually two different observances for Earth Day. Both are held annually, one in the spring in the northern hemisphere, and one in the fall in the southern hemisphere. A global observance is held in the spring, April 22. 

 

In September 1969, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson announced at a conference in Seattle, Washington that there would be a nationwide demonstration on the environment. Nelson proposed this event to make the environment a national topic of discussion. During this time, Americans were not concerned about “going green” nor did they know the concept. People drove trucks with V8 engines filled with leaded gasoline. Air pollution was often accepted as the sweet smell of prosperity and factories gave off smoke and soot without fear of health risks. Gaylord Nelson’s Earth Day concept would soon change all this.

 

On April 22, 1970, millions of Americans began protesting for a healthier environment. People went out into the streets, parks and wherever else they could to get the word out. The national Earth Day coordinator, Denis Hayes, organized coast-to-coast rallies. Colleges and universities also organized protests against polluting the environment. Groups eventually united in order to fight for one cause—the environment. Protestors of oil spills, toxic dumps and the loss of wildlife, realized they shared a common value. The first Earth Day led to the founding of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species acts followed.

 

While one week is too short of a time to celebrate Earth Day, it is a good opportunity to promote a healthier way of life. We should be dedicated to improving the quality of our environment every day, all year long.

by Katie | with no comments
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Trend Setting
Sunday, March 01, 2009 12:14 AM

Wardrobe Staples 

Fashion can be wildly confusing. Everyone has their own opinion, personality and style, so finding a compromise can be difficult. Fashion magazines and television programs are no help—they’re filled with costume fashion that the average person could never wear or afford. Luckily, no matter who you are, there are some basic staples that every woman should have in her closet.

 

Jeans

You can't go anywhere without seeing someone in jeans, and as more companies change to a casual dress code, jeans are becoming commonplace in the office too. In most offices, tattered and torn jeans are frowned upon, so it's a good idea to invest in higher-quality brands. Spending a little more upfront will provide you with a pair of jeans that will last longer and save you money in the long run.

 

Little black dress

Every woman should have a little black dress in her closet. Since little-black-dress occasions are few, when shopping for the perfect dress look for a simple design that won’t soon go out of style. The little black dress is also a good wardrobe splurge. If you want your dress to last longer than one wedding or office party, go for a higher-quality dress. It will hold up better while it’s on as well as when it’s hanging in the closet.

 

Plain camisoles

Camisoles are a good example of clothing that should be found at a low price. In most cases, a very small portion of a camisole is usually seen, so it doesn't experience much wear and tear. Colorful camisoles also add a bit of flair to a simple sweater or shirt. When you get these at bargain prices you can buy one in every color to match your wardrobe!

 

Simple skirt

No matter what your shape, size or height, every woman should have a skirt in her wardrobe. Skirts do wonders with little effort and can dress up an outfit for the office to a casual night out with friends. You can get away with not spending a lot on a skirt if you won’t wear it very often. But, if skirts are a big part of your daily wardrobe, like jeans, you should spend a little more to get a higher quality, longer lasting construction.

 

Dress pants

Even if your office has gone completely casual, don't give away all your dress pants. Sometimes it's easy to forget that there are times when you might need them. Whether you wear dress pants all the time or occasionally, you might want to spend a little more for an improved look and fit. If they don't fit just right, you can spend a little more to have them tailored.

 

Cardigan

A cardigan is a must-have for those who work in an office. The temperature is always fluctuating, so be prepared. Unless you plan to take your cardigan home every night, go with a classic color and style—something that can be worn with everything. Actually, leaving a cardigan at the office is always best for those inevitable, unpredictable temperature changes.

 

What are your wardrobe staples?

by tinadh | with no comments
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Healthy Living
Sunday, March 01, 2009 12:12 AM

 

No time to fit in a workout? Some simple solutions to find time.

 

Finding time to workout during the day can be challenging. So where can you find those precious few minutes a day to exercise? With a bit of creativity, you can get the most out of your time!

  • Get up 30 minutes earlier twice a week to exercise. After you've adjusted to early morning workouts, simply add more days to your routine. Also jump on the treadmill or stationary bike while you watch the morning news or listen to the radio.
     
  • When at work or shopping, park a few blocks away and walk briskly to your destination. In addition, squeeze in a few 10-minute walks during the day. Don’t worry if you don't have time for a full workout. Shorter spurts of exercise spaced throughout the day are beneficial as well
     
  • Keep a pair of walking shoes at your desk and make the afternoon count—take a brisk walk during your lunch break.
     
  • Block off times for physical activity just as you would schedule an important meeting or appointment. Make sure your friends and family are aware of your commitment.
     
  • Forget the movies or the mall; go for a weekend bike ride, cross-country hike or dip in the pool.
     
  • Do strengthening exercises at home. Use inexpensive resistance bands in place of weights. Even try lifting plastic jugs filled with water or sand. Doing push-ups or squats using your body weight is also a great exercise.
     
  • Most importantly, running on empty is no way to face a busy day. Make sure you go to bed earlier to fully ensure that you're getting enough sleep. With these ideas, you shouldn’t have any problems fitting exercise into your daily routine.
by tinadh | with no comments
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Eco Friendly
Sunday, March 01, 2009 12:10 AM

Green Footprint

A common buzzword in green speak is ecological footprint. This term defines the fact that the earth can only repair or replace a finite amount of raw resources and environmental damage every year. This total is called biocapacity, and when it is exceeded, the extra demand is called overshoot. The unit of measurement associated with the ecological footprint is the global hectare(gh).

Overshoot has overwhelming results on the population such as depletion of resources, shortages, persistent air and water pollution. Ultimately, overshoot leads to climate change as the planet reacts to changes like increased greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere.

 

In order to determine the average footprint for a nation, the collective demands of that nation are divided by its population. Trade is accounted for by assigning the demand from goods and services to the country that consumed them, rather than the country that produced them. Therefore, the resulting footprint is a fair reflection of everything a country consumes as a whole.

 

According to the Global Footprint Network (GFN), as of 2005, the United States was overshooting planetary biocapacity by 23% annually. Each person can help to reduce overshoot and businesses can help reduce their ecological footprint by:

 

·  Educating their employees on green practices such as recycling, energy reduction, and green work-flow processes

·  Purchase green products that place less demand on the environment

·    Act as community leaders by participating in local green activities

·    Do a carbon footprint inventory for business activities and set practical reduction goals based on the results

 

Calculate your own carbon footprint here and tell us how you could reduce your own mark on the earth.

by tinadh | with no comments
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