Green Blog

Over the last ten years, bottled water sales have been steadily growing at an average rate of 7 - 8% each year. The amount of bottled water consumed globally has doubled in the period from 1997 to 2005.

Around 200 billion bottles of water are consumed every year. The biggest market by far is the USA, which makes up about 25% of worldwide sales.

Recently, there has been quite a backlash against bottled water. The main are of concern is the environmental impact of the bottles themselves. These are manufactured from Polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Although this is a material which can be recycled, the actual number of bottles which are recycled is estimated to be less than a quarter of the total.

The energy needed for the manufacture, shipping and eventual disposal of the plastic bottles is also a source for concern from an environmental perspective. In comparison with ordinary tap water, the carbon emissions generated by bottled water are greater by a factor of 5,000 times per litre.

In spite of the marketing of bottled water as healthy, there is no evidence to support the assertion that bottled water is, in developed countries, any better for your health than ordinary tap water. In fact, some bottled waters have been found to contain uranium and estrogenic chemicals. Most bottled waters contain sodium - which is not good for your blood pressure.

Likewise, when it comes to the taste of the water, there is little evidence to support the notion that bottled water is better than tap water. In the USA, a 2007 episode of Penn and Teller clearly demonstrated that restaurant diners couldn’t differentiate between water drawn from a hose at the back of the restaurant and bottled water. Over in the UK, London tap water (hardly famed for its flavor) came third in a blind taste test of 24 different varieties of water - some of which were expensive bottled brands.

The variation in cost between bottled and tap water will vary from brand to brand. However, as a rule, bottled water will cost several hundred times more per litre than ordinary tap water.

So, in terms of environmental impact, health, taste and cost, bottled water really doesn’t have a lot going for it. If you really dislike the taste of your tap water then you could always try some type of home filtration system. The cost will be greater than for tap water, but very much less than bottled water. If you go for a solution such as the Brita water filter jug then you will know that it’s better for the environment as all parts of the filters are recyclable.

When you’re at home, a home filtration system is ideal - but if you want to have something portable to drink when you’re out and about why not use a bottle which you can fill and refill before you leave. Irish designer Orla Kiely partnered with Brita to produce the “Wottle” - the world’s first designer reusable bottle, manufactured from 100% recycled materials. On the other hand, why not save even more money and do a bit of your own recycling by using and old Seven Up or Pepsi bottle?

Save money with a Brita filter jug - and check out Orla Kiely’s Wottle - it looks fantastic and is better for the environment.

More than ever before, people are paying attention to what they eat. Years ago, few people knew the words organic, natural, free range or hormone free in respect to food. They just did not give it a second thought. Now, however, people are taking these words to the store and coming home with different products. In addition, people now want to find these words when they dine out. For reasons of both budget and availability, it is important for the consumer to note that all organic foods are not equal in overall benefit.

According to the U.S.D.A, in order for any food to be labeled as “USDA organic” certain standards must be met. These standards are usually related to the growing, production or manufacturing process involved. A true organic food may have no ingredients that are synthetic such as pesticides or residue of fertilizers. At least 95% of what goes into an organic food must also be organic. Animals from which products are derived must never have been given growth hormones or antibiotics. If a food is labeled “Made with Organic Ingredients”, only 70% of the ingredients must be organic.

The quality of food grown at local farms is likely to be higher than that of food that has been grown thousands of miles away and thus handled more before it reaches the local markets. Shipping from long distances raises the chances of the food losing some of its best organic benefits in transit. Nutritionists are big proponents of buying organic in order to avoid the high pesticide levels in products that are grown or produced commercially.

Fruits grown commercially that have been shown to contain the higher amounts of pesticides are cherries, imported grapes, pears, strawberries and raspberries, apples, and peaches. Celery, potatoes, spinach, bell peppers, and hot peppers are vegetables that, when not grown organically, contain high pesticide levels. With this in mind, the smart decision would be to buy the organically grown versions of these products, despite the higher price.

The fruits found to contain the lowest levels of pesticides are pineapples, plantains, mangoes, bananas, watermelon, plums and kiwis. The vegetables found to contain the lowest levels of pesticides are cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, radishes, broccoli and onions. If on a tight budget, these foods provide a safer alternative when purchasing commercially produced products. Consumers should note that this is not the final word on the above products, but more a matter of the degrees of risk with these products versus those with higher pesticide levels.

It is easy to find tips online or elsewhere when looking for the best products in cookware or kitchen gadgets. Shopping for organic food usually requires a little more thought. The decision as to what organic foods to buy is a personal one based on individual tastes and budget. But the smart shopper should make a point of finding out what things have an effect on the quality of an organic product and what organic foods provide the best benefits. A choice to switch to organic should always be based on the facts.

Stan Dyer is a freelance writer and photographer based in Colorado. To have organic food and products delivered to your doorstep, visit http://www.OrganicFoodeStore.com.

Environmental awareness has awakened the sense in consumers to preserve the resources supplied by mother nature. What better consumable to start the earth saving project of organic farming with than growing of organic coffee beans?

The largest producers of organic coffee beans are located at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro on the African continent. Coffee trees grow abundantly under a tent formed by tall growing banana trees. This method of mixed planting is used to shield the coffee trees from harsh weather conditions while allowing the necessary amount of sunlight and rain to penetrate. The coffee trees are mulched and composted by mother nature via falling leaves from the coffee tree itself as well as that of the banana trees. Natural mulching and compost means natural moisture retention and high soil quality. For the organically certified farmers to comply with prescribed standards only natural, organic-based pesticides may be used.

The popularity of the coffee bean is astonishing as it is ranked second in terms of world trade with oil at the number one spot. These small green seeds have a retail market of an estimated Seventy Billion US Dollars. In the past, pricing of beans where haunted by significant drops and rises caused by super sensitivity to volatile conditions in the market. The impact of world recessions on bean prices have been eliminated by the fixing of minimum prices.

When harvest time arrives, ripe berries are plucked from the tree with care as the tree only yields an estimated 2.20 lbs beans per year. The berries are soaked in water to soften the outer pulp. Residual pulp is removed until the coffee beans are clearly visible. The beans are then left to dry in the sun. Dried beans are sacked and weighed. Specially designed areas are allocated for organic products in each country of origin. Beans are auctioned and shipped to various destinations across the world.

A downside to organic produce is the scarcity of the products. Organic foods have a tendency to be associated with higher prices to consumers due to the products’ steeper pricing in relation to conventional products. Prices are higher due to various direct and indirect influences such as low yields, higher labor requirements, business start-up financing and additional land needs.

Farmers of organic coffee beans have strict guidelines to following. The guidelines are prescribed by relevant Independent organic certifying organizations, Fair Trade and KNCU. These rules and regulations are drafted according to international supply standards. Compliance with these organizational requirements is a feather in the hat of the farmer as he or she knows the organic produce planted and cared for on his farm meets high international standard.

Farmers of organic coffee beans and their nations make a commitment to changing their lives for the better by taking positive actions in countries often labeled as third world. By participating in farming of organic coffee beans, these farmers are helping to build up their communities, establish better health care and education opportunities as well as creating brighter economic futures.

If you are looking at gaggia platinum vision you should start to think if you will use them at home. With every shiny new thing it may seem With a great idea but if you aren’t going to use them then dont buy. Home coffee machines

Starting with the moment when Elsie Shringley and Donald Watson used the word “vegan” for referring to the non-dairy veggies, this life style was taken to be truly uninteresting. Some of the unsympathetic vegetarians detached themselves from this movement. The quite act of veganism became a real health crazed conception. The diet of the vegans became all the more popular and particularly with countercultural organizations like those of the hippies, but still enjoyed its quite own exclusivity. With huge developments in the society, thousands of vegans now plan to erase that self righteous reputation and promote the act of veganism as a truly enjoyable and healthy life-style. This will further aid them drive the attention of more and more people, thus contributing overall to the practice of veganism and to a vegan globe.

The vegan way of living also tries to be changing from being associated to self sacrifice to being associated with fun. The persons looking forward to turn in to vegans are literally more attracted to the environmental, ethical and health advantages. This life style often requires going deep into understanding the plan more clearly. The vegan diet is usually a little complicated to follow and requires assist from the specialists and experienced vegans.

People attempt becoming vegans for reasons that does not just advantage the health. The main mission is to enjoy a cruelty free life. It has been believed by the vegans that by not using the animal products, the abundant plant foods are utilized more for consumption by the humans instead of livestock, contributing to a better world where people in poor countries do not die of famine.

Vegans restrain from using the animal products like dyes, glues, silk, leather, cosmetics, chemicals and wool. Trading the silk and wool clothing along with leather footwear for hemp in addition to Payless kicks used to be the greatest sacrifice by vegans. Today the vegan cloth designers offer the new aesthetic which is made particularly cruelty free and in a trendy style. Stella McCartney, the great fashion designer utilizes the imitation leather together with natural fibers to introduce her clothes.

A large number of people often inquire the reasons because of which one have to lead a vegan way of living.

The principal reason to have a vegan style of living is because of ethical factors that aid a individual to serve the world as a vegan. Enjoying an amazing vegan life helps reducing the query of various animal based products like fur, meat and eggs. Even the manufacturers producing these animal based items often feel guilty of their act but are then overpowered by the necessity to attain a living.

Some cruel acts that are practiced by a few non vegan people include having dirty and quite small cages for the animals. There are times as well when large amounts of animals like pigs and cows are shut in a single cage and that too with filthy living conditions, resulting in various health problems suffered by these animals and ultimately leading to their untimely deaths.

Another rationality why various vegans select to have their own way of living is for health advantages that the vegan diet can transmit. The vegan life style is superior for one’s body as compared to the non vegan one. Eating habits of various vegans are actually centered on consumption of the foods items that are calorie free and wealthy in nutrients and vitamins. The vegan life style can actually help any individual remain fit, well nourished and trim.

The proteins that are found in cheese, meat and other foods can likewise be included in the vegan life style through intake of the protein wealthy items like legumes and tofu. Even the Omega 3 fatty acids in fish can be utilized in the vegan lifestyle because these fatty acids occur in the flax seed naturally. The typical vegan diet is commonly more nutritionally affluent than the diet which revolves around intake of the fatty cheese and meats.

In short, veganism is the lifestyle that is particularly designed to pay respect to the living things. Vegans attempt really hard to respect sentiments of the animal race likewise. They do not use the animal bodies for their own self centered reasons. This simply means that they do not use the animal flesh, fur, honey, wax, fiber, cocoons, feathers, milk or eggs. The vegans likewise don’t use the organ systems of these animals for any kind of explore. They attempt their best to be into fruitful relationships with other living things of the globe and above all, they consider them as living beings and not just as any property.

If you want to find out more on vegetarian ethics you can visit the oldest vegetarian chat forums where you will join a group of enjoyable vegans, discuss how to cook raw vegan food and learn how to be healthy on a balanced vegetarian diet.

categories: vegan,vegetarian,animal,rights,lifestyle,life style,ethics,recipes,diet,nutrition,health,environment

About 95% of high blood pressure incidents have unknown causes, as admitted by medical people who have researched about it for decades. You can even have it without you knowing it, even if you think you are healthy. Because of this risk, you must constantly know your blood pressure and have it checked regularly.

Smoking and coffee raises your blood pressure temporarily, so if you are having your blood pressure taken, avoid drinking coffee or smoking at least 30 minutes before the reading. If you are a smoker, you should know this puts you at greater risk for developing high blood pressure than a non-smoker.

Other causes that increase your chances of getting high blood pressure include high cholesterol, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, other medical conditions, if you’re over 60 years old or of menopausal age. Fluctuations are normal when checking your blood pressure, and a one time reading of high blood pressure does not necessarily mean that you have it. When you constantly check your blood pressure and it gives a high reading every time, that is when you need to be alarmed. Sometimes other medications you are taking may influence your blood pressure.

There are changes in your lifestyle and diet that you can make to lower your risk of developing and even preventing high blood pressure. Below is a listed of these changes. The more you embrace these changes into your life, the more you lower your risk.

Limit alcohol to two drinks per day or even less

Maintain a healthy weight and lose weight if needed

Cut your fat intake to less than 30%

Limit added salt and be mindful of sodium content in prepared foods

Exercise regularly at a moderate level of intensity several times a week

Totally stop smoking

Be sure you get at least 1000 mg (milligrams) of calcium every day. Good sources are dairy products, broccoli, canned salmon, figs, tofu and kale

You also need 2500-3000 mg of potassium daily. Get that from fresh veggies and fruit, nuts and dairy products. Look for low fat brands of dairy products.

Get 350-400 mg of magnesium daily. You’ll find it in dark green veggies, whole grains, seafood, legumes, nuts, and soybeans.

Get a good night’s sleep. Inadequate sleep can actually raise your blood pressure even higher if you already have hypertension.

Relax more. Reduce the stress in your life, particularly if you have risk factors for high blood pressure. Consider taking up yoga or meditation to learn how to relax.

If you drink a lot of coffee (more than 2-4 cups) every day, consider cutting back or eliminating it altogether. It can help lower your blood pressure, but only slightly.

One more thing that you can do to lower your blood pressure is by utilizing my Natural High Blood Pressure Program. I developed this program to help you lower your readings naturally.

You only need to do a few simple exercises, and you only need a few minutes each day to do them. The program has been highly successful in lowering the blood pressure of hundreds of people safely and naturally.

Do you want to lower your blood pressure?? Christian Goodman the author of The Natural Blood Presure Program, has supported hundreds of folks to drop their blood pressure. Discover more and read more reports on how to lower high blood pressure here