Today I received this in my email inbox. I have been wanting to post about these issues, but hope that this email will make it easier to link directly to information and action.
Action Alert: Get Toxic Chemicals Out of Children's Products
Dear "Simply Authentic,"
Baby bottles contain a hidden danger. The chemical bisphenol A (BPA) is a developmental, neural and reproductive toxicant and is found in the majority of baby bottles on the market, not to mention many hard plastic water bottles and infant formula containers. Last week, the Canadian and U.S. governments issued warnings on the safety of BPA. Canada is now on the path to get BPA out of baby bottles and a recent report by the U.S. National Toxicology Program, found that BPA may play a role in a host of common health problems, including prostate cancer, breast cancer, and early puberty. Decades of research show that exposure to even small amounts of estrogenic chemicals (synthetic hormones that mimic estrogen) like BPA can affect babies at critical windows of development.
In the Oregon Environmental Council’s recent report, Pollution in People, we found bisphenol A in eight of the ten Oregonians tested for the presence of unwanted chemicals in their body. This coming legislative session we plan to introduce legislation that will reduce the use of toxins in products made for children. We also have a safer plastics wallet guide to help you to avoid potentially harmful plastics.
In the mean time, it is urgent that we capitalize on government's new interest in BPA and hold manufacturers accountable for safe products. Please tell baby bottle manufacturers that bisphenol A does not belong in baby bottles!
This petition will be delivered to the CEOs of leading baby bottle companies, along with a letter from several US environmental health organizations.
For more information about BPA and how you can reduce your exposure, visit our site and read this recent Washington Post article.
Thanks for all that you do!
Sincerely,
Program Director
Oregon Environmental Council
Monday, April 28, 2008
Tea Time
La Tea Dah over at Gracious Hospitality has been having a tea themed blog-a-thon about different tea subjects. This week has been about the types of tea that we enjoy drinking on a regular basis. Tea is great for us for many reasons. The health benefits (especially for green tea) have been shown to reduce risks for cancer, bad cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Tea has been found to enhance immunity and to aid in digestion as well. Plus I would argue that taking time for a relaxing cup of tea decreases stress and can increase social networks when indulged in amongst a group (as historically was the case).
In my family we have an on-going joke in regards to my father and his tea drinking habits. Not only does Dad drink the strongest, cheapest, and in my opinion, most awful flavored green tea (although its probably truer to the source of the actual tea leaf), he also has a habit of steeping his tea for an enormous amount of time. He believes that tea should be left to steep for 10 minutes and often forgets about his cup as it steeps/cools. This causes him to have to reheat the tea whenever he discovers it again in the kitchen and always causes us to have a good laugh.
I feel lucky to have in the Pacific Northwest several major tea companies and thus feel even more glad to be able to purchase my tea from local sources. Portland is the headquarters for both Tazo and Stash tea companies. Another favorite brand of tea is that of Yogi Tea, which is headquartered in Eugene, Oregon and often uses organic ingredients. Primarily I enjoy a good cup of English breakfast tea or chai tea mixed with a spoonful of brown sugar and a glunk of soy milk. I usually enjoy tea at least once or twice throughout the afternoon and evening. When I am desiring tea but am worried about sleep being inhibited due to caffeine, I drink a cup of decaffeinated regular Good Earth tea (via Santa Cruz, CA) with or without the added sugar/milk combo dependent upon mood.
One brand of tea that I found while studying abroad several years back in London is that of The London Cuppa. I was lucky to have two friends who went there the subsequent summer and picked up more boxes of it for me, however friends on recent trips have been unable to find it in many of the stores there. This tea, while definitely not local, is probably the best English breakfast tea I have ever had the pleasure of drinking. Although it is probably a good thing that I have had to ration supplies as the strength of this tea and the manner in which it coats both my cup and my teeth, leads me to wonder just how good it is for my body.
One additional thing that I love about both Good Earth and the Yogi tea brands are the quotes that they imprint on the tag connected to the tea bag. Often inspirational these quotes brighten my day almost as much as the tea does itself. Today's Yogi tea quote for your enjoyment and one that applies to postings on this blog, "Compassion has no limit. Kindness has no enemy."
In my family we have an on-going joke in regards to my father and his tea drinking habits. Not only does Dad drink the strongest, cheapest, and in my opinion, most awful flavored green tea (although its probably truer to the source of the actual tea leaf), he also has a habit of steeping his tea for an enormous amount of time. He believes that tea should be left to steep for 10 minutes and often forgets about his cup as it steeps/cools. This causes him to have to reheat the tea whenever he discovers it again in the kitchen and always causes us to have a good laugh.
I feel lucky to have in the Pacific Northwest several major tea companies and thus feel even more glad to be able to purchase my tea from local sources. Portland is the headquarters for both Tazo and Stash tea companies. Another favorite brand of tea is that of Yogi Tea, which is headquartered in Eugene, Oregon and often uses organic ingredients. Primarily I enjoy a good cup of English breakfast tea or chai tea mixed with a spoonful of brown sugar and a glunk of soy milk. I usually enjoy tea at least once or twice throughout the afternoon and evening. When I am desiring tea but am worried about sleep being inhibited due to caffeine, I drink a cup of decaffeinated regular Good Earth tea (via Santa Cruz, CA) with or without the added sugar/milk combo dependent upon mood.
One brand of tea that I found while studying abroad several years back in London is that of The London Cuppa. I was lucky to have two friends who went there the subsequent summer and picked up more boxes of it for me, however friends on recent trips have been unable to find it in many of the stores there. This tea, while definitely not local, is probably the best English breakfast tea I have ever had the pleasure of drinking. Although it is probably a good thing that I have had to ration supplies as the strength of this tea and the manner in which it coats both my cup and my teeth, leads me to wonder just how good it is for my body.
One additional thing that I love about both Good Earth and the Yogi tea brands are the quotes that they imprint on the tag connected to the tea bag. Often inspirational these quotes brighten my day almost as much as the tea does itself. Today's Yogi tea quote for your enjoyment and one that applies to postings on this blog, "Compassion has no limit. Kindness has no enemy."
Friday, April 25, 2008
Organizing for Filter Change!
Dear Readers,
Do you use Brita water filters to purify your tap water or know someone who does? Have you ever wondered what happens to all the used plastic filter cartridges at the end of their lives?
If you lived in Europe, you could take that filter to a drop-off location where it would be sent back to Brita for recycling. Unfortunately, here in North America, we have no options for recycling our Brita cartridges at all. Each plastic cartridge is either landfilled or incinerated, adding to the toxic waste that is already choking our planet.
That's why I have signed on to the Take Back The Filter campaign (http://www.takebackthefilter.org) to urge The Clorox Company, which owns Brita in North America, to redesign their filters and provide a way for us to recycle them, as is done in Europe. I urge you to join me!
Here's how you can help: Sign the Petition (http://www.gopetition.com/online/18444.html)
Send in your used filter cartridges: (http://takebackthefilter.org/2008/04/send-us-your-used-filters.html)
Read more about the issue: (http://www.takebackthefilter.org)
Forward this email to as many people as you know. This is a grassroots movement. If we don't speak up, who will?
Sincerely,
Simply Authentic
Do you use Brita water filters to purify your tap water or know someone who does? Have you ever wondered what happens to all the used plastic filter cartridges at the end of their lives?
If you lived in Europe, you could take that filter to a drop-off location where it would be sent back to Brita for recycling. Unfortunately, here in North America, we have no options for recycling our Brita cartridges at all. Each plastic cartridge is either landfilled or incinerated, adding to the toxic waste that is already choking our planet.
That's why I have signed on to the Take Back The Filter campaign (http://www.takebackthefilter.org) to urge The Clorox Company, which owns Brita in North America, to redesign their filters and provide a way for us to recycle them, as is done in Europe. I urge you to join me!
Here's how you can help: Sign the Petition (http://www.gopetition.com/online/18444.html)
Send in your used filter cartridges: (http://takebackthefilter.org/2008/04/send-us-your-used-filters.html)
Read more about the issue: (http://www.takebackthefilter.org)
Forward this email to as many people as you know. This is a grassroots movement. If we don't speak up, who will?
Sincerely,
Simply Authentic
Clutter Reduction
During April, Chile's been having a De-cluttering challenge. An interesting experience-primarily because I've realized what a de-cluttered life I try to live. One goal was getting rid of 3 cans of paint in my trunk, although I'm still deciding whether or not to get rid of them. An interesting component of the challenge have been Chile's thoughts about whether or not some stuff should really be turned away. This is especially relevant in our current times. The best way to have a de-cluttered life is to NOT bring more home and/or to have organizational systems for using it or passing it on. One of my pet peeves with organizational/decluttering/remodeling shows is the amount of stuff thrown out. Instead of throwing stuff away we should be finding ways to incorporate it into new uses or give it to someone who needs it. (Which this whole concept also ties into issues with our current industry that manufacture junk that no one actually needs and/or without any life years in them.)
In trying to figure out why clutter has not been as difficult for me, I have realized it's in part due to a) personality (I'm a closet control freak) b) upbringing (from 10 on my organized retired military father influenced me the most) and c) the organizational systems I have created. A week or two ago my sister and I had a conversation on this very topic. She mentioned wanting better organizational routine in her house, and she discovered just how anal-retentive I am about my own space. ;-)
Since I was a kid, I remember keeping all similar objects together and organizing my notebooks by subject. These traits have carried over into my adult life. I have always weeded out my closet every so often in order to pass on clothes that no longer fit and to use all objects that I have in there. But just how anally organized am I?
-Upon coming home I hang my coat up and put my shoes in the closet, change into slippers (warm & quieter for neighbors), drop my bag on "the bench," and empty my pockets onto the tray established for that purpose.
-At the end of each term, I go through my one organized 5 subject spiral notebook (now on grad term #10), recycle what is not needed, clip together materials by subject, and notes & books are placed in my wood chest. (This is until comprehensive exams are over, then 80% will be recycled and most books will be sold back.)
-All mail is opened the day it arrives. If it's junk, it's recycled in the lobby w/o coming upstairs. Bills are paid on the spot, put in the next day's mail, and statements are filed in the appropriate folder (w/ paid date, amount, & check #) in my financial file box. Personal mail is recycled or put for shredding. The 10x/yr magazine/newsletter each are put in a specific location to read later.
-My calendar is organized at the beginning of every year with family & friends bdays and anniversaries. Each term it's organized with every assignment, social event, and lecture. When something new comes up it's added to the wall and phone calendars. Bills not automatically deducted are circled on the calendar in case they arrive late.
-Before bed each night, I walk around my apartment and put things back where they belong. I wash all dishes for overnight drying, get coffee ready for the morning, and put out what needs to be worked on the next day.
-I routinely go through my email sent and inboxes to make sure what I hang onto is actually needed or is still current. My computer has established folders for different types of documents (ex school by term and subject, professional documents, pictures, music).
-When it comes to items, generally I only have items with an actual purpose. I try not to have multiples of the same item and to keep what I DO have at a minimum. I will stockpile some items like soap or TP, as these get used more frequently. Most items have a location where they belong and are grouped with other like items. When I get done using something, it goes back where it belongs OR it gets put back at night.
Since joining Chile's challenge I have gotten rid of a couple of things. I finally dropped off clothes for a friend of mine and I gave some art paint to my new artist neighbor. I will give some other art supplies to a friend's child and a couple other items will go to the church rummage sale. Still not sure about the wall paint.....
One additional reason that I am this organized goes back to a comment from an old coworker. He wanted to be a cop and had noticed that frequently cops pull over vehicles that are not well maintained-the reason being that the car can be a symbol of the state of the individual. In that moment I realized that for me, my surroundings and my being are an expression of myself to others. I want to have a home that is comfy and organized so that other people feel comfortable and can relax here. (Although I may seem overly anal, that's just me and doesn't adhere to others in my home. I still LIVE here-especially since the organization makes it easier to just live rather than to worry about it all. :-)) And since then I've also recognized that I feel calmer and more organized as a person when my surroundings are that way as well.
Just some insights....to each their own. Although I can't help but wonder how other people live? We all have our own routines....:-)
In trying to figure out why clutter has not been as difficult for me, I have realized it's in part due to a) personality (I'm a closet control freak) b) upbringing (from 10 on my organized retired military father influenced me the most) and c) the organizational systems I have created. A week or two ago my sister and I had a conversation on this very topic. She mentioned wanting better organizational routine in her house, and she discovered just how anal-retentive I am about my own space. ;-)
Since I was a kid, I remember keeping all similar objects together and organizing my notebooks by subject. These traits have carried over into my adult life. I have always weeded out my closet every so often in order to pass on clothes that no longer fit and to use all objects that I have in there. But just how anally organized am I?
-Upon coming home I hang my coat up and put my shoes in the closet, change into slippers (warm & quieter for neighbors), drop my bag on "the bench," and empty my pockets onto the tray established for that purpose.
-At the end of each term, I go through my one organized 5 subject spiral notebook (now on grad term #10), recycle what is not needed, clip together materials by subject, and notes & books are placed in my wood chest. (This is until comprehensive exams are over, then 80% will be recycled and most books will be sold back.)
-All mail is opened the day it arrives. If it's junk, it's recycled in the lobby w/o coming upstairs. Bills are paid on the spot, put in the next day's mail, and statements are filed in the appropriate folder (w/ paid date, amount, & check #) in my financial file box. Personal mail is recycled or put for shredding. The 10x/yr magazine/newsletter each are put in a specific location to read later.
-My calendar is organized at the beginning of every year with family & friends bdays and anniversaries. Each term it's organized with every assignment, social event, and lecture. When something new comes up it's added to the wall and phone calendars. Bills not automatically deducted are circled on the calendar in case they arrive late.
-Before bed each night, I walk around my apartment and put things back where they belong. I wash all dishes for overnight drying, get coffee ready for the morning, and put out what needs to be worked on the next day.
-I routinely go through my email sent and inboxes to make sure what I hang onto is actually needed or is still current. My computer has established folders for different types of documents (ex school by term and subject, professional documents, pictures, music).
-When it comes to items, generally I only have items with an actual purpose. I try not to have multiples of the same item and to keep what I DO have at a minimum. I will stockpile some items like soap or TP, as these get used more frequently. Most items have a location where they belong and are grouped with other like items. When I get done using something, it goes back where it belongs OR it gets put back at night.
Since joining Chile's challenge I have gotten rid of a couple of things. I finally dropped off clothes for a friend of mine and I gave some art paint to my new artist neighbor. I will give some other art supplies to a friend's child and a couple other items will go to the church rummage sale. Still not sure about the wall paint.....
One additional reason that I am this organized goes back to a comment from an old coworker. He wanted to be a cop and had noticed that frequently cops pull over vehicles that are not well maintained-the reason being that the car can be a symbol of the state of the individual. In that moment I realized that for me, my surroundings and my being are an expression of myself to others. I want to have a home that is comfy and organized so that other people feel comfortable and can relax here. (Although I may seem overly anal, that's just me and doesn't adhere to others in my home. I still LIVE here-especially since the organization makes it easier to just live rather than to worry about it all. :-)) And since then I've also recognized that I feel calmer and more organized as a person when my surroundings are that way as well.
Just some insights....to each their own. Although I can't help but wonder how other people live? We all have our own routines....:-)
Monday, April 21, 2008
A Thoughtful Post
http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/2008/04/its-not-just-a.html
No Impact Man couldn't have said it better. Thus for a wonderful post about the state of affairs and what needs to change...please spend part of your day reading what he had to say.
Hope you have a wonderful day!
P.S. I'm getting pretty tired of Obama and Clinton bashing each other. If they can't prove to society that they can get along in tough situations then I'm beginning to wonder if I really want either one of them to be my elected official...
No Impact Man couldn't have said it better. Thus for a wonderful post about the state of affairs and what needs to change...please spend part of your day reading what he had to say.
Hope you have a wonderful day!
P.S. I'm getting pretty tired of Obama and Clinton bashing each other. If they can't prove to society that they can get along in tough situations then I'm beginning to wonder if I really want either one of them to be my elected official...
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Community Building
Something I have written about before and am taking a class on this term is community. I went to a fantastic conference on Friday about health disparities in this region and one of the outcomes of the conference was the desire and ability to create community amongst diverse groups in order to reduce the health disparities found within many subgroups of our population. A recurring theme was that if one of us is unhealthy then we ALL are unhealthy. Community can be a descriptor for a variety of different groups based upon location, issues, or a defining characteristic. Yet how often do we daily engage in activities to build community?
This is a concept that was discussed Friday evening with a good friend of mine. I tend to view many of the current global, societal, and individual problems that we are all facing as a break down of community. When we began to focus more on individualism and being the one to get ahead, we also turned our backs on many of the pertinent values that kept us in a better check and balance system. We've stopped raising our children via a community. We've stopped working and helping others for the good of the community. We drive around in our isolated cars, work in our isolated cubicles, and live in our isolated houses for the most part. Often times we become so exhausted from the moments when we do work with others that we need a reprieve. Yet has living in a state of isolation really benefited the majority of individuals in our nation?
This weekend I have tried to take some steps toward living in better community. I met two other individuals in my apartment building--one of whom is my next door neighbor. I chatted with the newer neighbor down the hall. And what I discovered is that I live right next door to some pretty cool people. We may be very different individuals, but I feel much safer knowing the people in my wing while also having made two new friends. While talking to my sister yesterday, I stated that I felt like I hadn't done anything yesterday as all I'd really done was socialize with other people. She in response said, "Isn't that what matters in the end anyway?" Good point sister!
So even though I'm just now opening my books for the week, I have come to realize yet again how important community is for all of us in this nation and in this world. If we get to know others, we're able to give and receive help when needed. We're able to borrow cups of sugar, to carry a heavy box, or give a quick lift to someone in need. We're able to support those that are pregnant, be a shoulder to those who need one, and share in a moment of gut wrenching laughter. We're able to educate and validate one another. And we're able to create change at a time when it is so badly needed.
While we might not get along with everyone, the best way to make a difference for everyone is to make a difference for someone. Won't you get to know your neighbor? After all, it all comes down to the opening message from Friday by Professor Gibbs of Harvard, "It's about what's in your heart." So what IS in your heart?
This is a concept that was discussed Friday evening with a good friend of mine. I tend to view many of the current global, societal, and individual problems that we are all facing as a break down of community. When we began to focus more on individualism and being the one to get ahead, we also turned our backs on many of the pertinent values that kept us in a better check and balance system. We've stopped raising our children via a community. We've stopped working and helping others for the good of the community. We drive around in our isolated cars, work in our isolated cubicles, and live in our isolated houses for the most part. Often times we become so exhausted from the moments when we do work with others that we need a reprieve. Yet has living in a state of isolation really benefited the majority of individuals in our nation?
This weekend I have tried to take some steps toward living in better community. I met two other individuals in my apartment building--one of whom is my next door neighbor. I chatted with the newer neighbor down the hall. And what I discovered is that I live right next door to some pretty cool people. We may be very different individuals, but I feel much safer knowing the people in my wing while also having made two new friends. While talking to my sister yesterday, I stated that I felt like I hadn't done anything yesterday as all I'd really done was socialize with other people. She in response said, "Isn't that what matters in the end anyway?" Good point sister!
So even though I'm just now opening my books for the week, I have come to realize yet again how important community is for all of us in this nation and in this world. If we get to know others, we're able to give and receive help when needed. We're able to borrow cups of sugar, to carry a heavy box, or give a quick lift to someone in need. We're able to support those that are pregnant, be a shoulder to those who need one, and share in a moment of gut wrenching laughter. We're able to educate and validate one another. And we're able to create change at a time when it is so badly needed.
While we might not get along with everyone, the best way to make a difference for everyone is to make a difference for someone. Won't you get to know your neighbor? After all, it all comes down to the opening message from Friday by Professor Gibbs of Harvard, "It's about what's in your heart." So what IS in your heart?
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