Natural and Sustainable

When it comes to earth-friendly options there are a lot out there to choose from. Names like pesticide-free, cage-free, natural, organic, earth-friendly, eco-friendly, etc. But when it comes to natural and organic a lot of people don’t know which way to turn.

We all want what’s best for ourselves and our family, but some of the names can be misleading when it comes to picking the right options. This post is going to into prospective the difference between the word “natural” and the word “organic.

Natural pretty much means that the product was products from something on earth that did not have a hand in making the products final natural state that has man-made synthetic products in it. This means that mean you are buying states it natural, meaning the cows were feed something natural in their diet and chemicals and other products weren’t used to alter that food. But, just because a lotion says “made with natural ingredients” doesn’t meant the rest of the ingredients list is okay.

Organic on the other hand, means something completely different. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates the use of the word organic on any substance and to guarantee it is 100% organic look for the USDA seal. Organic is anything and everything that is made or grown without the use of pesticides, chemicals or anything synthetic what so ever.

Of course organic is better for you over all, especially if it is approved by the USDA standards, but natural products can be a good thing as well. Natural eggs are a good choice as long as they are cage-free or free-range and natural meats are a better choice than regular meats by far.

The best way to know what you want to buy is to read the label. The label is the best indicator to tell you what exactly is natural and what is organic.

You maybe thinking, how can a further make my bathroom more eco-friendly without breaking the bank? There are ways you can save the environment and being forth a better eco-friendly and greener bathroom. Here are some easy ways to green your bathroom and still keep that wallet fat.

1. For shelving: Consider bamboo. It is a sustainable material, along with cork that can bring forth a natural tone into your bathroom. You can either get it unfinished, which is just beautiful, or get a painted shelf option. Make sure if you go painted, that it is painted with nontoxic paint through.

2. For toothbrushes: Go with a recycled plastic toothbrush or even a wood handle toothbrush. There are many options on the market now days that offer recycled material. My first post for Natural and Sustainable that gave options for a recycled toothbrushes. Read it here.

3. For towels: Look for towels that are either 100% organic cotton or even made from bamboo. You can even find ones on the market that are reclaimed from other materials as well. Just make sure they are thick and absorbent and don’t tear up the skin when you dry with them. Or find ones made from hemp such as the ones from Rawganique.

4. For the hamper: The Container Store offers a variety of recycled materials like bamboo, palm leaves and even grass. They also have handles to easily carry to the laundry room. They have a snag resistant interior so it doesn’t snag your most delicate clothing.

5. For a bath mat: Look for bath mats that have been reclaimed from other materials and give the utmost in absorbency. You can find ones that have been reclaimed from materials like flip slop sand other rugs from their past.

1. Plug your computer, fax machine, copier, scanner, TV, DVD player, and even your Ipod and phone chargers onto a power strip and then simply switch it off when you are not suing them.

2. Replace 10 incandescent bulbs in your home or office with CFLs. Carpool to the office; donate used gear and sporting goods and even well worn older shoes that are good condition as well.

3. Turn down your water heater, air-dry your dishes and even use rechargeable batteries when you can.

4. Replace your clogged car filter; recycle plastics, paper, metals and glass no matter what. Look for recycled products as well and keep them in circulation.

5. Remove your car’s roof rack when you aren’t using it, drink filtered tap water instead of water that has been bottled and BYOB, bring your own bottle to places and refill it. Eat vegetarian twice a week at your home or at the office. Turn off the lights with you leave a room and turn off the ceiling fan when you aren’t in a room as well. Bike to most of your in-town errands and walk to places close like a friend’s house, or the library.

6. Cut down on your car washing, and sweep your driveway off instead of using the hose to spray it. Accelerate your speed gradually in your car to help save gas as well. Use the cruise control on the interstate and open highways. Always drive the speed limit, it’s better to be late then over-use your gas and even get a ticket.

7. Take a Navy shower by turning off the water while you soap up. Shave in the sink and not in the shower to help save water as well. Don’t overfill the bathtub.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Use environmentally friendly insulation on your home. It will help cut your heating and cooling cost as well as helps with your impact on the earth as well.

The best way to change for a greener lifestyle is to eat more fruits and vegetables and it’s a healthy way for the body, as well. The Environmental Working Group estimates that you can significantly reduce your family’s exposure to pesticides, chemicals and other harmful toxins by as much as 90 percent by going organic. There is a category known as “the dirty dozen” that every family should eat organic anyway. Pesticides are used in great amount on these 12 fruits and vegetables and it’s a great practice to get into by taking a list of these foods when you grocery shop.

The Dirty Dozen:
• Apples
• Bell Peppers
• Celery
• Cherries
• Imported Grapes
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Pears
• Potatoes
• Raspberries
• Spinach
• Strawberries

Try this recipe to help get more veggies in you and your family’s diet.
Veggie Quesadillas
Serves: 4

1/2 medium red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1/2 cup cooked corn
1 cup refried beans
4 taco-size whole wheat tortillas
1 cup grated Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup steamed vegetables such as spinach, squash, zucchini, etc.
Salt and pepper to taste

Steam the bell pepper with 1/4 cup water in a large saucepan with a lid for 2 minutes. Add the corn and other vegetables, and refried beans, cooking on low until heated.

Arrange the filling on 2 tortillas. Sprinkle with cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Cover with remaining tortillas.

Arrange quesadillas on a nonstick baking sheet and bake at 400°F or until tortillas are golden, about 12 to 15 minutes.

To find out other ways to eat more “green” visit Earthly Eating here at 451 Press.

Also check out Local Harvest to find the “greenest” farms around in your own area.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Save water in more ways than one.
1. Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth to save 50 gallons a week per person.
2. Keep a water pitcher in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run.
3. Cut your showers to about five minutes or even less.

There is a claim that the diet children are eating, the typical American diet is exposing children to high amounts and sometimes sickening levels of pesticides. Many parents are going for the more organic approach with foods that their children are eating every day. Instead of allowing children to go to the corner shop to get a soda, bag of chips and a candy bar they are opting for the local farmers market and having them grab a locally grown options such as fruits and vegetables.

A common used agricultural pesticides called organophosphorus (OP) insecticides are known to have a negative neurological effect on the body and especially the body of young children and even some babies. In one 2003 study done by the University of Washington a group of 23 children ages 3 to 11 had their urine tested twice a day for 15 days. When the diet was switched to a more organic choice in food the levels of malathoin and chlorpyifos (OP insecticides that are used on fruits, vegetable and even wheat gardens) in their systems. (Source: Organic Gardening 2006)

The bottom line on this study proved that organic diets help reduce your child’s exposure to OP and other pesticides that can ultimately cause health issues later in their young life’s.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Now is the time of year to get your hands on berries, fruits and even certain amounts of veggies at the local farmers’ markets. If you over stock on the produce that is locally, organically, and naturally grown, can it, freeze it and even dry it to help with your winter local produce fix and to eat great and local all year long.

If you have ever picked up a product, be it an edible product or a body product, and scanned the ingredients list and wondered, “What is that?” Then this list may help you. I have always told as many people as I can, ‘If you can’t pronounce it, why put it on your body or take it into your body?’

Here is a list of the most common used labels that appear on almost all products carry now days.

1. Biodynamic: Also known as biodynamic agriculture and biodynamic farming. It is the ingredients that are not only grown organically but also harvested when they are believed to be most potent and at the peek of freshness.

2. Fragrance: When listed on packaging as “fragrance” can mean a proprietary blend of hundreds of chemicals and can be a way for companies to mask unhealthy toxins or toxic ingredients. It is also known to have companies add a fragrance to a certain blend of sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate
products and place them in this category.

3. Organic: In the United States products labeled “100 percent organic” are just that, while those labeled “certified organic” must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients. Make up and other cosmetics with at least 70 percent organic ingredients can use the world but not receive the USDA seal. Terms like “all-natural”, “cruelty-free” or “biodegradable” are not regulated.

4. Parabens: The FDA insists these synthetic preservatives are non toxic and very safe for anyone, there has been studies to show otherwise. These studies have raised suspicions that they are possibly carcinogens. There are many companies that steer away from these synthetic ingredients by using the alternatives such as, grapefruit seeds extract, vitamin E, and vitamin C.

5. Propylene Glycol: It is known as a moisture retainer (humectants), it can be derived naturally from plant glycerin and alcohol. But it is usually a synthetic petrochemical combo, which has been known to cause skin irritations and even in some e3czema and hives.

6. Sulfates: Used as a foaming agent in many, many products out on the market now. Is in everything from shampoos, hand soaps and even detergents for the laundry. Is can and well irritate the skin over time and it has been known to strip dyed hair.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Shut off your tap while you brush your teeth. If you are scrubbing for the dentist-advised two minutes, and leave the water running during the entire two minutes you spigot puts out the average three gallons per minute. You will save six gallons just by shutting off the water.

1. Witch Hazel: One fo the few natural remedies to get FDA approval for medicinal use. It’s used on small cuts and injuries, insect bites and muscle pain.

2. Arnica: From the sunflower family, arnica can relieve pain and inflammation from sore muscles, sprains, and bruises.

3. Eucalyptus Oil: Sprinkle a few drops of this essential oil on a lcoth and breathe it in to relieve symptoms of asthma, solds and respiratory problems.

4. Oscillococcinum: Many belive this homeopathic treatment reduces the severity of fever, chills, aches and pains.

• Organic Throat Lozenges: Use lozenges that soothe sore, scratchy throats and give you vitamin C and zine, without ingredients you don’t need. Try Organix by the makers of Cold-Eeze and Zand organic herbal lozenges.

• Aloe Vera Gel: A natural skin soother, aloe vera hydrates skin that’s dry and overexposed to the sun. Aubrey Organics has a bertified organic version.

• Calendula (marigold): This ointment, derived from marigold leaves, can help skin problems like burns, rashes, eczema and minor wounds. Try an ointment or gel version on diaper rash.

• Chamomile: A longtime popular herbal remedy, chamomile tea is famous for easing tummy troubles.

• Saline Mist: This inexpensive, drug-free spray helps relieve congestion from colds and allergies, and hydrates dry nasal passages.

• Mullein: Leaves from this flowering plant act as decongestant, relieving symptoms of asthma and bronchitis.

• Gripp-Heel: Dissolve these supplements on yoru tongue at the first symptons fo cold and flu. Click here for more information.

• Neti Pot: This gently-bottle-like pot natural flushes out nasal passages, helping to prevent sinus and other infections. Use twice a day during dry winter months and allergy season. Click here for a demo of how to use the Neti pot.

** Lynn Little has taken over writing for Mississippi State here at 451 Press. She even has posted an old college photo of herself. Lynn has been with 451 Press since June of 2007 and currently writes the SEO Dance blog. She is a great blogger and promises to bring the same energy and information to the Mississippi State blog as well. Read her welcome message here.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Weather permitting, take your exercise outdoors whenever you can. Be thankful for the wonderful world we live in and all it has to offer us by taking care of it.

61. Trade your home: If you trade your home with friends around the country you can enjoy vacations and stay for free.

62. Go camping, or rent a cabin: Don’t over look state parks and national forests, they are often less crowded and less expensive than you think.

63. Tray a local vacation: There are several things in your own town or even own state. Check out your states website and look what’s right in your own backyard.

64. Ask hotels about discounted distressed-traveler rates: If there is inclement weather you may get a discount.

65. There is no law against haggling with a hotel on the room rate: You never know if you don’t ask.

66. Make your vacation pay for you: If you volunteer or do a little helping out while you are on vacation you may get a room or even a cabin for free.

67. Buy food at local supermarkets when traveling: It’s much cheaper than eating at restaurants.

68. Choose a vehicle with fold down seats: If you are traveling and need a quick nap or to snooze for the evening and can’t find lodging, if you have a rental car with fold down seats you have an instant bed.

69. Definately choose used clothes for babies: Unless you receive them as a gift only buy new clothing for special occasions.

70. Trade babysitting time with other couples: This is a great one to use especially on short notices.

71. During the holidays, draw names for gift giving: Use this one for large families or even do a dirty santa or white elephant gift giving way.

72. Invoke a gift giving spending cap: This is a good one to use if you draw names.

73. Give homemade gift certificates: You can even make ones that they can redeem for summer tasks as well, such as mowing the lawn or helping plant a garden.

74. Donate to a good cause: The Heifer International is a great one to give as a gift instead of buying a gift. You can even get that money spent back when you get your taxes done at the end of the year.

75. Swallow you pride and except help when you need it.

**Lessa over at Big Brother Craze has the top ten Big Brother moments for your. And some are quite laughable. Read them here.**

*Natural and Sustianable Living Tip: Buy recycled toilet paper.

46. Campaign for a national health care system: If more and more people demand it, in the future the demand has to be met.

47. For the college bound, take some general classes at a state school ort community college where the tuition is lower: Even if you plan to take most of your classes a a more expensive college it’s a good idea to take the basics at a community college. Just check with the college you plan to go to after the community college to make sure the classes will transfer.

48. Attend an in-state college: Establish residency for a year or two beforehand, if you need to. You will save more money in the long run then just jumping right into a college.

49. Buy you college books online: Don’t give into the cost of the books at the college bookstore, they are there to make money for the college not help you out.

50. Watch for unique scholarship opportunities: Even the ones that help you gain help from other sources than cash. You may even get into opportunities where you get something for making the Dean’s List, or something similar.

51. Audit classes if need be: Especially in classes where you just want the knowledge not the credit.

52. For lessons, try bartering: Such as doing some work in photography in exchange for some dance lessons. Or sewing in exchange for some computer lessons.

53. Discontue your internet service and take advantage of a wireless “hotspot”: You can go in some towns to an internet cafe or even take advantage of someone else’s unsecure wireless. Even the smallest towns are now getting free wireless for residence.

54. Rediscover the radical notion of the library: You can get almost anything at a local library for free with a signed up membership and card. Even DVDs are at the local library.

55. Volunteer to usher: Get into plays, concerts and other events if you ask to volunteer and help out. All you have to do is ask.

56. Find low-cost fun in your local paper: Take full advantage of free concerts, events and even some movies.

57. When at a concert or movie, avoid buying anything to eat or drink while you are there: Some place will even let you bring in your own snacks or drinks.

58. Take turns entertaining with friends or neighbors: Potlucks and parties are a great way to entertain and get others involved.

59. Occasionally, go ahead and spend money: Spend money on things you know you will benefit from in the long run.

60. Volunteer: Organizations such as Willing Workers on Organic Farms

**JM over at Fiction Scribe has her “Thirteen Goals for Next Year”. Read her goals and while you’re there leave her a message and tell her your goals for 2008.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: If your shelves are overstuffed with books you’ve already read, check out BookMooch, a free service that help you trade books with others around the globe. You rack up points for each book you give away. Make a wish list and redee3m your points when a book you want becomes available. And here’s the cool thing: BookMooch has a list of charities it works with, so you can donate your points and shre in the literacy wealth with someone in need.

31. Do as Many Errands as Possible with Each Car Trip: Especially if they are around town. You will save a lot on gas.

32. Book any Airplane Trips Well in Advance: You will get the lowest possible fare.

33. Don’t go Into Stores Unless You Need Something: Always write up a shopping list. Most stores are designed to get you to buy things you don’t really need. The best thing I enjoy doing is window shopping. I can see what the stores carry without going in and I can also get birthday and Christmas present ideas that way as well.

34. Hit The End-Of-The Season Sales: When colder seasons hit, summer items will be on sale at the time and when hotter seasons hit, winter items will be on sale.

35. Before You Ship, Try Borrowing: Share large items with a family, friend or even a neighbor. Set up a borrowing co-op with your tools and large farm equipment, such as lawn mowers or Bushhog® tractors.

36. Try to Find it Used: If you shop yard sales, estate sales and thrift stores you may be able to find what you need and it probably will be ten times cheaper. Even though it’s used, it will be new to you.

37. When Buying New, Choose High-Quality, Durable Items: Think long term not quick and easy and cheaply mad. Even if the item cost more, if it last twice as long as it’s cheaper counter part then it will be worth the extra cost.

38. Instead of Shopping Scavenge: Watch the curbs are the end of a semister in a college town. If you live near a school, talk to the janitor the last day of school when the lockers are being cleaned out.

39. Buy Clothing Used Whenever Possible: You may have good luck finding clohtes at garage sales even too. Consignment shops are a great place to find well-made, and even some name-brand clothing.

40. Have a Clothing Exchange Party: It will be fun to trade clothes with friends and family and tell stories behind the clothing you are trading.

41. Try Sewing: Look for cheap material in thrift stores. Or if you get or are really good at sewing turn your outfits into something new.

42. Watch the Clearance Racks: Some stores may mark down even more off the price just to get it out of the store.

43. Ask a doctor or dentist if they have sliding scale fees: Some may even give you a break if you just ask.

44. Look for free or low-cost clinics: Maybe even a medical school. But be careful sometimes you get what you pay for.

45. Do preventive maintenance on your body: Exercise and eat well, try yoga for stress management and quit smoking or using tobacco chew products.

**Over at WWE Daily you can watch a tribute video to John Cena. Scooter has the whole scoop here.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Green Buy: Ship your next package in a recycled box from Used Cardboard Boxes. The online store rescues trash-bound boxes and packing materials and sells them at a discount, so you will save money and trees.

1. Buy Raw Ingredients: Instead of prepackaged foods, save on food bills, and your body will thank you for it in the long run.

2. Buy In Bulk: From a local health food store, or place bulk orders directly with mail0order companies.

3. Avoid The Middleman: Buy directly from the farmer. Look for farm stand, cummunity supported agriculture programs and farmers markets.

4. Eat Fruits and Vegetables In Season: They will be less expensive. If you buy them when they cheap, buy a lot and freeze or can whatever you can’t eat before they go out of season.

5. Keep Up With What’s in Your Refrigerator: Make sure nothing spoils. Once a week, make soup or casseroles to use up vegetables and other leftovers.

6. Calculate the Price of Food Per Pound: When you visit the supermarket do your math. Doing the math will help you spot the good deals.

7. Don’t Overeat: When you do, you are flushing money down the drain. When you are full, you’re full. Trust your own body.

8. Find a Live-In Elder Care Position: It not only helps someone stay out of a nursing home. Even if it is to help out around the yard, get involved in that.

9. Help Renovate a House: In exchange for lodging. It maybe the way you aquire your next home.

10. Become a Housesitter or Pet Sitter, For Short-Time boarding: Watching someone’s pet while they are out of the country is a great way to have room and board for a short-time.

11. For Longer-Term Stays, Become A Long-Term Caretaker of Property: Try Care Taker.org

12. Look Beyond Realtors’ Listings: Thumb through penny or nickle ads. A lot of great things are listed in those tiny papers.

13. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask: If you find a piece of land you really like talk to the owner and find out is they are willing to sell. Just by asking the price may be cheaper than you think.

14. Salvage Materials for Your New Home: Look for a house that’s being renovated and might let you take materials from the site. Look in the yellow pages for used building materials, or look for online groups such as Freecycle, or one I started entitled The Repurpose Foundation. Join The Repurpose Foundation’s Group here. Where people trade all kinds of unwanted items and find new purpose for them.

15. Never Skimp on Insulation or Good Windows: Build your home tight enough, and it will cost much less to heat. Even a wood stove will help on heating, but be sure to burn clean with what wood you use. (Source: NH 2007)

**Looking for the best deals on televisions? Over at Home Theaters blog here at 451 Press, Marc Klink has some ideas for you. Read which ones are the best deals here.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Use organic beauty products. If you have makeup in your cabinet that is not organic, use up what you have so there will be no waste, then as you run out of a product, replace it with an organic choice. An organic choice, most not only have better ingredients but put their products in recycled containers.

You can make your drinking water purer with a home filtration system of any kind. Your options vary from brand to brand. The main systems are ones that treat the water as the water enters your home and water filters that treat the water straight out of the tap. Here are some of the common forms of making your water more purer:

• CARBON FILTERS: Removes cholrine, disinfection by products, pesticides, radon. Reduces heavy metals including copper, lead, and mercury. Be certain to check model as all carbon filters do not preform the saem filtration benefits. There are countertop pitchers, faucet filters and under-the-sink models. They are generally low in cost and they retain minerals in the water as well that are very beneficial to your health.

• DISTILLATION: Removes bacteria and heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, copper, lead and mercury, arsenic, barium, fluoride, selenium and some sodium. There are countertop or whole house point-of-entry units, and some branda can be combined with carbon fiters. Without carbon filter additions, does not remove chlorine, chlorine byproducts or VOCs. The process removed all minerals, leaving behind acidic water.

• REVERSE OSMOSIS: Removes most disease-causeing bacteria, fluoride, nitrates, asbestos, metals including lead. There are under the counter versions that hit the water before it hits the tap. Without carbon filters, Reverse Osmosis filters fo not remove VOCs or chlorine. Removes all minerals resulting in acidic water.

**Want an extraordinary gift to give this year to someone on your Christmas list? Check out Making Swiss Cheese Candles over at Wax and Bubbles. Read how to make them by clicking here.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Next time you hear “Paper or plastic?” at the grocery store checkout, surprise them with your answer of neither. A reusable tote or wicker market basket is one step toward reducing plastic in the environment. We use 100 billion plastic bags a year. Breakdown time for thse bags is up to 1,000 years. The manufacture of paper bags produces greehouse gases the trees are not there to absorb, because they have been cut down to make the paper bags. Here are a list of stores that currently offer cloth bags for their customers.
1. Walmart. $1 for 1 bag.
2. Whole Foods. Offers a discount when you bring in your own cloth or canvas bag.
3. Fred Meyer. Offers cloth reuseable bags and offers $.05 off your bill for each bag used.
4. Kroger. Has the same policy as Fred Meyer due to the fact they are owned by the same company.

For a holiday brunch that helps nourish the planet, add these items to your grocery list:

• Wild American Shirmp: About 90% of shrimp sold in the U.S. is imported from countries with lax-or even no-existent-environemntal regulations for wild fisheries and farms. For more sustainable shrimp, choose one of the wild-caught American brands.

• Cage-Free Eggs: Look for local eggs labeled, “cage-free”, which certifies that they are not sourced from hens confined in battery cages-possibly “the most abused animals in all agribusiness”.

• Local Artisanal Cheese: Handcrafted from the purest and finest of ingredients, artisanal cheese let you support small-scale farms in the most indulgent manner. Find local cheesemakers at Local Harvest.

• Fair Trade Cocoa: Buying fair trade cocoa ensures that the farmers receive a fair price for their harvest, a crucial step toward ending poverty in developing mations. For a listing of stores and companies that offer fair trade cocoa visit Trans Fair USA.

• CSA-Sourced Produce: By subscribing to a CSA (which stands for “cummunity Supported Agriculture”), you will receive a weekly or montly basket of fruit and veggies straight from a local farm. Go to Local Harvest or Green People to find a CSA near you.

**Looking for gifts for the electronic-minded individual? Then over at Web Dev Notes, Deceth, has some great ideas for you. One suggestion is the 2MB memory card, by Kingston Technologies. Read more about the gifts by clicking here.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Eat only sustainably harvested fish to help protect the health of the oven. Go to Oceans Alive to learn more.

• CHLORINE: Prolonged exposure to these byproducts increases your risk of liver damage and cancer.

• FLUORIDE: Research has shown that prolonged exposure to excess fluoride (more than the standard level of 4 mg/L) may result in bone disease.

• LEAD: Children and pregnant women are most susceptible to lead-related health risks such as meurological damage, kidney, and liver problems, and development delays in children.

• RADON: Exposure to radon in drinking water and by inhaling the gas as it is released from the wayer during showers, washings, and laundering increases your cancer risk.

• VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS: VOCs are commonly found in fuels, colvents, cosmetics, drugs and dry cleaning solutions. Health effects vary from eye, respiratory, and skin irritation to risk of cancer depending on the VOC and length of exposure.

• PHARMACEUTICALS: The EPA is studying this more to assess the long term side effects as well as what treatment options may remove them from our water supplies.

• NITRATES: They pose immediate threats to newborns beacuse they interfere with the oxygen-carrying capacity of the child’s blood.

For more information to see if your drinking water si effected by any of these contaminates, go to Environmental Protection Agency.

**Does your pet have pests? Not sure what they might be? Over at My Freindly Pets, Susan Mead has a list of the common pests that every pet may encounter in their life time. The best prevention is prevention itself. Read more here.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Buy organic food, especially when it comes to milk, meat, fruits, and vegetables known as the “Dirty Dozen”.

Grass length is important to your lawn’s ability to ward off weeds, retain moisture, and develope strong roots. Cut grass to 2.5 to 3.5 inches tall and leave clippings to mulch back into the soil which will provide about 2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn per year, and elimnates the waste issue. Grasses will preform better when the entire root zone is saturated and allowed to dry between each watering. On an average, a lawn needs about one inch of water per week which soaks to about 6 inches. 30% of water consumed on the East Coast goes to watering lawns, doubling to 60% on the West Coast. Water is not the only thing consumed in great quantities. There are 10 times as much chemical pesticides per acre of farmland.

Non-toxic and natural corn gluten kills weed seedlings within days of application while adding nitrogen to your soil. You may also need to change you soil pH. Dandelions love a pH of about 7.5 while grass loves a pH of about 6.5. Add limke to lower the pH. So go organic, Conventioanl lawn care is largely responsible for the staggering statistics surrounding the lawn. You already know how to care for plants organically in your garden, so use this same idea when trying to build up a healthier lawn. Start with these techniques listed and you should enjoy a healthy lawn all summer and into the winter months.

For more information on how to achieve a healthy soil, visit Safe Lawns, this is a non-profit group, dedicated to bringing about an industry-wide change to organic lawn care through initiatives such as their organic lawn certification program and efforts to legislate natural lawn care on schools and campuses.

**Looking for a last minute Christmas gift for that someone who has everything already? Does that person have a puppy? Over at Home Zookeeper, Lynn Little offers the idea of giving a dog as a Christmas gift this year. I think it is a mighty fine idea. Read how to get your hands on one of these puppy gifts, by clicking here.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Bring your own mug or thermos to your coffee spot. Cutting down on paper waste in this manner is one way to live a more sustainable life style.