Happy Belated Earth Day!

Yesterday I was away at meetings and then I had my French class until 9pm. By the time I got back to my empty home (Dave is away on a business trip and the cat has turned into a teenager who only graces me with his presence when he wants to be fed). Anyways, I got back so late and immediately crawled into bed for my seventh (or eighth I've lost count) viewing of Phantom of the Opera before falling asleep.

As a side note my head was about to explode after learning the use of the pronoun y in french class. I'm just impressed that I can say that I am going to the mall (Je vais aller au centre commercial). I really don't feel the need to learn to say I am going there (J'y vais). While it is shorter and easier to say I think I'll just stick with my longer version, k thx bai.

Anyways, back to topic at hand: every Earth Day I like to do a little something to better my footprint (somewhat like a green resolution). Last year it was installing bamboo floors instead of normal hard wood. That actually wasn't too difficult since the bamboo floors look pretty awesome (although more expensive).

This year I had 2 green resolutions.
1) Stop drinking out of plastic water bottles
2) Convert from plastic grocery store bags to re-usable bring your own bags.

I must admit my two newest resolutions haven't been difficult to implement only because I found such cute replacements.

For the water bottle I went with a Sigg aluminum bottle (no toxic plastic nalgene bottle for me). Not only is it super stylish (they have a million designs available) but it keeps my water colder longer and doesn't spill when tipped over (how it does that I have no idea. Magic). I highly recommend a Sigg water bottle to anyone who is looking for a cool new bottle. They even have cute designs for little kids which makes me want to give these out next Xmas as gifts. I have 3 so far (they keep adding cool new designs and I have to have just one more ...)



For the shopping bags I bought some cheap plain bags from greenbag.info ($1 each). As well as these super cute ones from GreenWorldBags.com. They are cute enough to not be boring but not too girly that my hubby wont use them when he goes grocery shopping.

My Pet Peeve: Organic Foods

I'm a big champion of the environment and all in favor of the reuse, reduce, recycle mentality. Yet I have one HUGE pet peeve that many across America seem to embrace and credit entirely too much. My absolute biggest pet peeve is when people claim that the only healthy way to go is with organic foods and that they taste so much better then conventionally grown products. The "taste better" claim is the one that really gets me because honestly there is nothing different about the actual taste of an organic apple versus an apple of the same variety that was grown conventionally.

I think my biggest pet peeve of it all is that people are not thinking for themselves. Like little lambs they are blindly following a popular way of thinking that has very little basis in fact. The one way that organic is slightly better for the environment is due to the fact that it does use less pesticides. But gone are the days when farmers over sprayed their crops. Today most conventional farmers turn to integrated pest management methods before looking at expensive pesticides. I know there are those who say that they prefer organic because of the lack of pesticide residues. I've taken quite a few pesticide courses in college and I can assure you that the amount of residue left on an orange is negligible. Plus the timing of the pesticide applications are mostly very early in the fruit growing season and have a lot of time to dissipate before harvest begins. Mushrooms are grown in fecal matter until they are picked and you don't hear people complaining about the poo-poo residues! I can guarantee that there is more poop left on a mushroom head then there is tebuconazole pesticide on a peach.

MSN had a great article that I think FINALLY dispelled many of the myths about organic food: Organic foods: Are they safer? More nutritious?

You're in a bit of a dilemma standing in front of the produce section of your local supermarket. In one hand, you're holding a conventionally grown Granny Smith apple. In your other hand, you have one that's been organically grown. Both apples are firm, shiny and green. Both provide vitamins and fiber, and both are free of fat, sodium and cholesterol.

The conventionally grown apple costs less and is a proven family favorite. But the organic apple has a label that says "USDA Organic." Does that mean it's better? Safer? More nutritious? Several differences between organic and nonorganic foods exist. Become a better informed consumer for your next trip to the supermarket.

Conventional vs. organic farming

The word "organic" refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat. Organic farming practices are designed to encourage soil and water conservation and reduce pollution. Farmers who grow organic produce and meat don't use conventional methods to fertilize, control weeds or prevent livestock disease. For example, rather than using chemical weedkillers, organic farmers conduct sophisticated crop rotations and spread mulch or manure to keep weeds at bay.

Here are other differences between conventional farming and organic farming:

Conventional farmers vs Organic farmers
Apply chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth. Apply natural fertilizers, such as manure or compost, to feed soil and plants.
Spray insecticides to reduce pests and disease. Use beneficial insects and birds, mating disruption or traps to reduce pests and disease.
Use chemical herbicides to manage weeds. Rotate crops, till, hand weed or mulch to manage weeds.
Give animals antibiotics, growth hormones and medications to prevent disease and spur growth. Give animals organic feed and allow them access to the outdoors. Use preventive measures — such as rotational grazing, a balanced diet and clean housing — to help minimize disease.

Organic or not? Check the label

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established an organic certification program that requires all organic foods to meet strict government standards. These standards regulate how such foods are grown, handled and processed. Any farmer or food manufacturer who labels and sells a product as organic must be USDA certified as meeting these standards. Only producers who sell less than $5,000 a year in organic foods are exempt from this certification.


Products certified 95 percent or more organic display this USDA sticker.

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If a food bears a USDA Organic label, it means it's produced and processed according to the USDA standards and that at least 95 percent of the food's ingredients are organically produced. The seal is voluntary, but many organic producers use it.

Products that are completely organic — such as fruits, vegetables, eggs or other single-ingredient foods — are labeled 100 percent organic and can carry a small USDA seal. Foods that have more than one ingredient, such as breakfast cereal, can use the USDA organic seal or the following wording on their package labels, depending on the number of organic ingredients:

100 percent organic. Products that are completely organic or made of all organic ingredients.
Organic. Products that are at least 95 percent organic.
Made with organic ingredients. These are products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients. The organic seal can't be used on these packages.
Foods containing less than 70 percent organic ingredients can't use the organic seal or the word "organic" on their product label. They can include the organic items in their ingredient list, however.

You may see other terms on food labels, such as "all-natural," "free-range" or "hormone-free." These descriptions may be important to you, but don't confuse them with the term "organic." Only those foods that are grown and processed according to USDA organic standards can be labeled organic.

Organic food: Buy or bypass?

Many factors may influence your decision to buy — or not buy — organic food. Consider these factors:

Nutrition. No conclusive evidence shows that organic food is more nutritious than is conventionally grown food. And the USDA — even though it certifies organic food — doesn't claim that these products are safer or more nutritious.
Quality and appearance. Organic foods meet the same quality and safety standards as conventional foods. The difference lies in how the food is produced, processed and handled. You may find that organic fruits and vegetables spoil faster because they aren't treated with waxes or preservatives. Also, expect less-than-perfect appearances in some organic produce — odd shapes, varying colors and perhaps smaller sizes. In most cases, however, organic foods look identical to their conventional counterparts.
Pesticides. Conventional growers use pesticides to protect their crops from molds, insects and diseases. When farmers spray pesticides, this can leave residue on produce. Some people buy organic food to limit their exposure to these residues. Most experts agree, however, that the amount of pesticides found on fruits and vegetables poses a very small health risk.
Environment. Some people buy organic food for environmental reasons. Organic farming practices are designed to benefit the environment by reducing pollution and conserving water and soil.
Cost. Most organic food costs more than conventional food products. Higher prices are due to more expensive farming practices, tighter government regulations and lower crop yields. Because organic farmers don't use herbicides or pesticides, many management tools that control weeds and pests are labor intensive. For example, organic growers may hand weed vegetables to control weeds, and you may end up paying more for these vegetables.
Taste. Some people say they can taste the difference between organic and nonorganic food. Others say they find no difference. Taste is a subjective and personal consideration, so decide for yourself. But whether you buy organic or not, finding the freshest foods available may have the biggest impact on taste.
Buying tips

Whether you're already a fan of organic foods or you just want to shop wisely and handle your food safely, consider these tips:

Buy fruits and vegetables in season to ensure the highest quality. Also, try to buy your produce the day it's delivered to market to ensure that you're buying the freshest food possible. Ask your grocer what day new produce arrives.
Read food labels carefully. Just because a product says it's organic or contains organic ingredients doesn't necessarily mean it's a healthier alternative. Some organic products may still be high in sugar, salt, fat or calories.
Don't confuse natural foods with organic foods. Only those products with the "USDA Organic" label have met USDA standards.
Wash all fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly with running water to reduce the amount of dirt and bacteria. If appropriate, use a small scrub brush — for example, before eating apples, potatoes, cucumbers or other produce in which you eat the outer skin.
If you're concerned about pesticides, peel your fruits and vegetables and trim outer leaves of leafy vegetables in addition to washing them thoroughly. Keep in mind that peeling your fruits and vegetables may also reduce the amount of nutrients and fiber. Some pesticide residue also collects in fat, so remove fat from meat and the skin from poultry and fish.

Bienvenidos

Hola. I've been boring, busy, and sick lately (in that exact order). To be honest nothing much is going on here in the land of sun, sand, and sea. With the upcoming close of escrow and home renovations, I made a pact with myself to get as much wedding stuff done as possible. In the last 3 weeks I've ordered the invites and thank you notes. That's it. I'm not sure where my motivation went but it's definitely not here. I also have a ton of house stuff to do too such as contact contractors so we can have the popcorn ceilings removed and I really haven't done that either.

Things I have done:

* Lost 17 pounds. My clothes fit so much better. WOO!

* Walked around the home and garden show with Dave. It was held at my very favorite venue ever. A racetrack set near the beach. It's wonderful to be walking around outside, with the sun on your back, and the ocean breeze upon your face.

* Went to geology training for work. Learned lots of cool stuff such as that Santa Barbara (SB) used to be located directly above San Diego (SD) but due to earthquakes over millions of years, the land was relocated 220 miles north and the LA basin was formed by the subsequent void left between the 2 cities. See this cool animation to see what I mean. (If you're not a Cali native, the red lines are all earthquake fault lines. The really big thick red line is our very active San Andreas Fault.)

* Convalesced. I got a nasty cold that has left me tired and snotty. What a lovely combo.

Wise Words

"In the end, we conserve only what we love.
We will love only what we understand.
We will understand only what we are taught."
- Baba Dioum, Senegalese ecologist

Glass Houses

Why is it that when I sleep in on the weekend I naturally wake up at 7:30 am feeling well refreshed. Yet, when my alarm goes off on the week days at 6:30 am (only one hour earlier). I feel like a mac truck has just run over me because I am so tired???

Anyways, since I'm a conservationist by trade (for those who don't know what I do, I plan conservation projects for a federal government agency) I always strive to use as many sustainable products in my everyday life as possible. My dream house would include bamboo floors which is easy to find these days since bamboo has become trendy. In addition, my dream house would also include recycled glass counter tops. These ones from Vetrazzo have me salivating at the mouth lately. Combine this with recycled glass tiles for a back splash, white cabinets, bamboo floors, and titanium appliances and you have a pretty sweet looking kitchen that is also good for the environment.





Great Article For More Info

A Fairytale

Once upon a time, the City of Los Angeles stole the water rights from a small California town. Thus turning a fertile valley into an arid desert. 100 years later, LA is trying to make amends. The end.