Green Patchwork

I was just looking around online as usual when I found an interesting post at The Labratory and it’s titled “Robin Day on Good Design”. I think he has offered us something to think about and take to heart.

I would like to know how all of you define “green” as. There seem to be many opinions and ideas about the matter, but I would like to know what you think about it. I would appreciate your thoughts and words on the topic, and it would help me a out a bit with a school project too. Thanks.

As consumers, we work a lot and spend a lot and feel as though we don’t have much time for anything else. As a student I live quite frugally, but it fits my lifestyle and gives me more time for reading, crafting, snuggling with my sweetie, blogging, or spending time outdoors. I want to live with less so I don’t have to work more and my home is clutter-free.

I found others online with similar ideas, The Frugal Life and The Cheapskate Guide. Living with less does not always equal poverty. Life can be quite full and satisfying if your basic needs are met and your soul is nurtured.

The controversy over whether or not to ban plastic bags in Madison has reached the UW. Last week’s Badger Herald had an editorial about the possible ban and it generated some interesting comments. I think it would be great if stores stopped offering plastic bags and encouraged people to bring their own bags. Eventually people would get used to it and remember to always have bags with them or accept the fact that they might have to buy the bags they want to use. Bags are too plentiful, use way too many resources, are wasteful, and it annoys me to see them flying around in the wind or caught in a tree.

I bet this will be news to you as it was for me. There are massive floating patches of garbage in the Pacific Ocean weighing over 3 million tons that are killing marine wildlife and releasing toxins that enter the human food chain. Most of the garbage is plastic that is breaking up and falling to the ocean floor. Marine wildlife are being poisoned by either eating the plastic or being smothered by the plastic (that falls to the ocean floor). This problem is not easily resolvable since there is so much garbage and because it is breaking up into tiny pieces that is impossible to collect. Also, there is no one to be held accountable for the mass of garbage in the ocean.

Read The Daily Galaxy’s article titled “Are there really ‘continents’ of floating garbage?’ to learn more about this issue and what you can do to help.

I used to work at Whole Foods Market, 8 years to be exact, and while I was there I learned a lot about food, skincare, vitamins & supplements, and people. I started out as a cashier then to kitchen prep making salads and entrees and finally to Whole Body, the health and beauty section of the store. People came in asking for sleep remedies, internal cleanses, weight loss supplements, libido enhancers, and skincare products for problem skin.

Many years ago, I had dry skin because I used body soap to clean my face. This is not the best thing for dry, oily, or blemished skin and it will only make it worse. I also used body moisturizer on my face because it was dry. So I decided to buy a facial moisturizer, not just any generic moisturizer, but a natural moisturzer with real ingredients. Read the rest of this entry »

I just found an interesting site while surfing around, Be Green Shop Green. Its loaded with good information and its easy to read.

Last month we purchased an organic Vivetique cotton mattress from Satara Inc. here in Madison. We went the organic route because the mattresses that you buy in most stores have flame retardents and many other toxic chemicals. Check out Green Sage’s website for more information about the differences between natural mattresses and toxic mattresses ( what most people sleep on at night). Read the rest of this entry »

I just recently found this neat site, Sustainable Style Foundation, full of fashion, trends, designers, and new materials for the eco-aware. I found it while I was looking around online for possible internship opportunities for this summer. Well, I didn’t find any good internship leads, but I did find a ton of other information. I also found a 20 minute video called “The Story of Stuff”. After I found it I sent the link to all of my friends and family to help spread the word about the real cost of all the stuff out there. If everyone watched 20 minutes less t.v. or surfed online 20 minutes less then they would have enough time to fit the video in. Please give it a watch and pass it on.