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Archive for May, 2009

Over the past six days, while I have been spending an unfortunate amount of time at the hospital visiting my stepdad, I have also noticed an extraordinary amount of waste in every practice and every function.

hospital-signIt’s been mind-boggling (albeit nice and distracting too, to occasionally think about something else) but everything from all of the paper and disposable/single-use supplies, to unused but illuminated rooms, to plugged-in equipment with ’no one attached’, to the cafeteria (a haven for Styrofoam) all adds up.  While some of the waste is hazardous and toxic, I was surprised to discover that 85% of the waste that exits hospitals is actually non-infectious waste.  Now, there’s room for improvement …

U.S. Hospitals generate more than 2 million tons of solid waste per year… that’s 15 pounds of waste per patient every day. But I was also surprised to learn that 53% of the waste is actually paper!… now there’s an opportunity!  Additional percentages (between 15-17% each) exist for food and plastics.  Sounds like every hospital needs a big compost pile and a massive recycle bin! If the cafeterias alone would stop stocking Styrofoam and go back to reusable serveware and utensils, that savings alone would be amazing.hospital-building

I’m sure the other issues are a lot more complicated than I’m making them and someone will take a shot at me for not knowing what I’m talking about, but that’s okay.  Educate me.  Because the way I look at it, there are approximately 6,000 hospitals in the alone and that a whoooole lotta trash…

There aren’t simple ways to select green hospitals (and often, in emergencies, you don’t really care), but if you’re in the healthcare industry, there are so many ways you can begin helping to create greener changes and that will hopefully come soon.

For now, dad’s getting quality care and I’m absolutely at peace with letting them create his 15 pounds per day.

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Obviously, with my stepdad in the hospital in critical condition, I’m feeling quite a bit blue rather than ‘thinking green’… but in between hospital visits I have been finding time to keep up on some of my green reading and preoccupy myself.
bread-tabs
I read an article on Planet Green about “10 Surprising Reuses for Bread Tabs” and I admit it made me smile.  First of all, I never envisioned so many uses for these ridiculous little tabs!… “gunk scapers”, wine glass charms, electrical cord labels?  Pretty smart actually.

But it made me smile because this kind of thinking is actually the epitome of my stepdad, Ted.  He always manages to find new uses for everything.  In fact, the car he was driving wcoffee-canhen he had the accident was made almost entirely of salvaged and reused parts… a plastic Miller Lite bottle was even converted into an overflow reservoir for one of the engine fluids!  In his garage, coffee cans, pickle jars and plastic bottles are premium storage containers.  T-shirts that have taken a beating from all of his mechanical work and “building” are turned into his garage rags.  Milk jugs are turned into drip pans and the leather from an old jacket (that got torn) was given new life by becoming the seat of one of the motorcycles he built.

I woulmilk-jugd never tell him how “green” he really is, because he would probably deny it :) but sorry Dad… all this reusing is SO GREEN!

Today, take the time to find something that can be reused instead of thinking of it as trash.  Raise your “reusable”, give thanks that you have the ability to do so and send us another little prayer … Dad is still critical but we continue to hope and pray that he’ll soon be back on his feet to let the reusing continue…

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Last week I was wondering what I would write for Memorial Day and how I would take a “green” approach to this holiday.  Unfortunately, my post has taken a much unexpected twist…

mom_ted_kidsFriday evening my stepdad was in a horrible car accident when someone pulled out in front of him while he was driving the convertible Model-T he had restored.  He was ejected from the car and now lies in critical condition in an intensive care unit.  He suffered a severe laceration that stretches from his eye across to the back of his head, bleeding on the brain, a crushed spleen (that was removed) and a collapsed lung.  The most critical injury is now his lung because he suffers from underlying lung issues from all the years of hard work he put in at the local mill.

Ironically, it is Memorial Day and he is also a retired Navy man who paid his dues in Vietnam.  He is one of those guys with the roughest of exteriors but insides made of jello.  He would give anyone and everyone the shirt off his back… and at times, he has.  He would do anything for us, and he has.  He has been there for me for absolutely everything in my life since the day he entered, 26 years ago.

Today, I just ask for prayers.  If love could mend a body, he would be home right now.  Please keep him in your thoughts.  And this Memorial Day remember everyone who has touched your life and give thanks.  This world we live in is so fragile, but so are our individual lives.  Life would be unbearable without the loved ones who surround us.

Today’s post is written with love and admiration for Edward “Ted” Walsh… “Dad II”, “Papa Ted” and gentle soul… we love you immensely.

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My recent posts have been pretty serious… toxic mattresses, plastics overload, rainforests, genetically modified food, polluted oceans… today I’m just going to make a confession…

superheroI am The Great Public Lights Caper!

Yes, you heard it correctly…. I take a crazy and unusual pleasure in turning out public lights!  I absolutely can’t stand walking into a public restroom and realizing they are illuminated for absolutely no one.  You know exactly what I’m talking about.  Whether it’s a single restroom or a restroom with a dozen stalls, we’ve all walked in to see extraordinary amounts of lights blazing… and the room empty.

So what do I do?  When I leave, I turn them off.   I’ve “hit” libraries, museums, movie theaters, restaurants, small retailers and mega-stores.  I’ve even been known to shut down an entire Target restroom if I find a switch handy near the door.  Although, chances are someone in these heavily trafficked restrooms will walk-in meager minutes after I leave and turn them on again, I always feel compelled to shut them off.public-restrooms

I suppose I’m hoping it will have a trickle down effect.  Maybe the person that walks in after me will think they’re supposed to turn them off after THEY leave and a chain reaction will occur.  It reminds me of that old Faberge Shampoo commercial “… and they told two friends… and so on, and so on, and so on…”.

Maybe I’m just a bit crazy (yes, that’s likely!), but can you imagine the energy that would be saved if these lights were on only when they were needed.  I do, however, love walking into restrooms that have motion sensors so the lights only come on when someone enters.  Now THAT’S thinkin’!

But for now, I will continue to be The Great Public Lights Caper and hope that a little bit of my insanity catches on!  (What will YOU do the next time you leave a public restroom?… hmm, maybe you’ll think about this post, won’t you?!?) :)

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We’ve long been in the market for a mattress since our son is growing like a weed and, much to my dismay, he’s outgrown his toddler bed.  I’d never given much thought to mattresses aside from finding the most comforpoisontable choice, but I’m quickly learning that there is a whole lot more to the story.

I first recollected my dear friend, Kev, telling me how he began to feel sick and even experienced hallucinations the very first night he began sleeping on his Memory Foam mattress cover.  He described it as an all-over “un-well” feeling.  After a few days and nights of being sick, he removed the cover and all symptoms disappeared.  Needless to say, the mattress cover met the trash.

So I’ve been researching mattresses and the results are not good.  I’ve learned that beginning July 1, 2007, Federal Fire Retardant Regulations mandated mattress manufacturers to INCREASE the levels of toxic fire retardants, but DO NOT require them to list the ingredients in the contents! THAT is absurd… and certainly not without questions.

And what do these fire retardants contain?… boric acid, melamine, antimony and formaldehyde… all chemicals linked to cancer, and they just “upped our dosage!”.  Antimony alone causes heart muscle damage and a single dermal application has killed rabbits in laboratory tests.  (I don’t like animal testing, but that speaks volumes.)  Additional tests on Memory Foam mattresses even detected 61 chemical emissions and off-gassing from a single mattress.  All I can think about is my son’s precious body laying on these chemicals, night after night, and his little lungs inhaling those dangerous toxins.  Rest is supposed to rejuvenate us, not poison us!  But take a look.

I quickly realized that our only option was an organic mattress.  They’re made of pure organic wool, 100% organic cotton covers and 100% natural latex cores, providing even better fire retardancy than the chemicals… naturally!  We selected a mattress from Healthy Home Sleep Gallery, and although we paid more than the common mattress store brands, I have never second guessed this choice for the health and safety of our son. (They can ship anywhere in the US and if you mention Mom Goes Green, they offered to give an additional discount.)

My days with baby beds have sadly come and gone, but there are also great options for crib mattresses. The Natural Mat Company offers mattresses, as well as bedding and linensthenaturalmattcompany-135205-2, and their products are made with all natural and organic materials. They’re washable, breathable, anti-dust mite and naturally fire retardant too.  They are truly the most important and best products for baby when you consider how much time they actually spend sleeping (… you hope!)  And if I had that choice to make all over again, I would undoubtedly choose organic.  (Natural Mat products are available through Goore’s and you can also enter code: mggnm for a 10% discount!)

It’s shocking, maddening and ultimately very sad that we aren’t being protected from harsh and toxic chemicals that are literally being shoved under our noses as we sleep, so I made the choice to do what I can to protect our son by choosing organic.

Now, when our “big boy” is getting a good night’s rest, I can get a good night’s rest too.

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May
18
Posted by Doreen

“Do the zoo” and pay it forward.

martika-joOver the last few days our family enjoyed a weekend getaway that included a visit to the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium… and after already spending so much time at “our” zoo (the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo) and almost taking the animals for granted, I was again reminded that zoos are truly a treasure.

First, let me say that anyone who knows me knows that I detest circuses.  It breaks my heart to think about those poor animals being carted around the country, being confined and/or shackled, and then being forced to pTiger Escapesractice and perform for countless hours a day.  This is NOT the way to treat earth’s creatures.  Animals should not be forced to perform, and I’m especially moved by the heartbreaking circus-life of my beloved elephants!… it’s no wonder we hear periodic stories about one of them going berserk and trampling a trainer.  I would be angry too!  And as a result, I will never, ever support an animal circus.  (Please, the next time an animal circus comes to town, reconsider giving them your support and money.)

I used to feel a bit uneasy about zoos too, but I’ve since realized that legitimate zoos are really a blessing in that they allow us to educate ourselves, and see and experience amazing wildlife in ways that we would otherwise never know.  It’s also a sad reminder of how fragile their lives are when, this weekend, we noticed the scales that showed us each animal’s threat of extinction… there were far too many near the “danger” end of the scale.gorilla

I’m sharing these stories because I’m asking you to support zoos.  There are 218 AZA accredited zoos and aquariums in the US.  All are dedicated to excellence in animal care and welfare, conservation, education, and research that collectively inspire respect for animals and nature.  I think we need to feel grateful… so…

visit a zoo, donate to or become a member of a zoo, or buy a zoo membership for a gift, and you will have a hand in making a difference.  The animals have given so much, now it’s time to pay it forward to the animals… and say thanks!

(… and if you ever questioned whether animals really have a heart and soul, take a few moments to watch this… and just try NOT to smile!)

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May
15
Posted by Doreen

Our plastic planet…

star-stackerI have been on a “plastics kick” recently.  Not with overusing them or anything crazy like that, but just in the way that I’ve been thinking about them lately… a lot.

It’s a love/hate relationship.  They’re everywhere and they’re supposedly here to simplify and make products affordable.  They’re a part of our lives.  We can look in every corner of our homes and see unbelievable amounts of plastic. It’s inevitable.

But consider this…

  • Think about some of your favorite childhood toys… and all of the toys and trinkets you’ve ever purchased since childhood…
  • Think about every hairbrush, comb and toothbrush you’ve ever used…brushes
  • Think about the disposable serveware and utensils you purchased for a party you hosted or used at an event you attended…
  • Think about all the water bottles and beverages you bought while you ran errands…
  • Think about the thousands of plastic bags you’ve accepted…
  • Think about the buckets, containers, wastebaskets, pitchers, shower curtain liners and scrub brushes that you’ve throw away because they looked overused…
  • Think about the packaging of anything you have ever purchased…
  • Think about the electronics and appliances you’ve purchased and replaced for an upgrade…

Now think about this…

They STILL EXIST ON THE PLANET.  Every single piece of plastic ever manufactured is still here.  It has never gone away.

bucketThe idea of this is ovewhelming. I am clearly not without fault, because I’ve certainly used my fair share right along with you, but it is just astonishing to know that every plastic we have ever touched is STILL HERE… and they are polluting, poisoning and contaminating every landfill where they eventually come to rest.

It is simply inevitable that we will always use plastics, but every time I make a purchase I’m going to remember that statement and hopefully make better choices.

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Having just celebrated Mother’s Day it’s likely many of us got treated to at least one “dining out” meal over the weekend.

dinnerWe celebrated at one of my favorite local joints because I prefer to forgo the overabundant waste and excess of those overpriced Mother’s day buffets!  I was also sure NOT to walk away with any Styrofoam to-go containers and brought my own cup for my to-go java after our meal.

But aside from those two little eco-friendly tricks, what do we really know about the restaurants we frequent and if the prep of our food isn’t leaving an eco-UNfriendly footprint the size of Mount Everest?

I recently learned about Ruby Tuesday’s on-going initiatives and it’s so amazing to hear about a chain of more than 900 family-friendly restaurants making strides to be more environmentally-friendly as ruby-tuesdaywell.  From their supplies and paper products to packaging for their foods, they’re making a tremendous effort to cut down on the waste.  Other changes include using menus on recycled paper with soy inks, glass washers that use less water and soap, CFLs, better thermostat controls and low-flow water nozzles.  They have even enacted a policy that prohibits delivery trucks from idling in their parking lots.

Applause to you, Ruby Tuesday!  They have even developed a site, www.AGreenRuby.com, so guests can track all their changes and hear updates.

greenhouse-tavernAnd if you are lucky enough to live in Cleveland, you need to visit The Greenhouse Tavern – Ohio’s first certified green restaurant.  The Greenhouse Tavern combines organic and environmentally-friendly ingredients with a commitment to recycling, composting and alternate energy to serve you the greenest meal in the state!  I haven’t been there yet, but you better believe I will be soon!

On the other hand, there are plenty of times when a quick run for fast food becomes a necessity, especially with kids.  Greenopia has compiled a great list of fast food giants (and sogreenopiame of the growing chains) and rated them on their eco-friendliness, using their “4-leaf green rating system”.  Take a look, for those occasions when you need a quick bite, and you’ll feel better about making good choices.

Wherever we choose to eat, I like supporting restaurants that have standards and support my green values. Maybe you feel the same? After all, we are giving them our green, so it would be great to know which ones are “giving back” a little green too!

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May
11
Posted by Doreen

A green gift basket for the earth.

Inevitably, if you have children in school, there’s bound to be a fundraising event that means your child brings home the “ever-popular-request-for-donations”.

think-greenLast week our daughter’s school had their annual Spring Fest to raise money to support their land lab.  This area in front of their school has gardens, walking paths, trees and a pond and it’s an amazing little “earth” educational site for our kids.

So, guess what I received prior to the event?  You guessed it… that “ever-popular-request-for-donations”!  They were going to hold raffles to win gift baskets and needed families to donate items.  So, a few seconds of wearing my thinking-cap made me realize that this was an opportunity to make a green statement.

Our family put together a basket that included reusable bags, CFLs, a stainless steel reusable water bottle and green cleaners.  Instead of using an actual basket, we put it all inside a cardboard box wrapped it in brown paper and included shredded paper (all recyclable) for a little extra flair!  I think it looked pretty cute!mgg_basket

We completed our mission by including a paper that explained everything in the box and why they are important.  We were really proud of our creativity that really didn’t require any creativity at all.  To us they’re “no brainers”, but they sent a wonderful message and hopefully made an impact for everyone that took a look.

The next time you receive that “request”, consider the statement you can make too. And a basket like this would also make a great gift!

Little did I know my friend, Jasmina, would win the basket (and she’s already a fellow “eco-mama!), but it was rewarding to see all the other families interested in winning some “green” too!

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May
10
Posted by Doreen

Happy Mother’s Day!

mother-earthMom Goes Green just wants to wish every Mom on the planet a wonderful day!  Thank you for all you do!  Whether someone says it or not, your tireless efforts don’t go unnoticed!  From cooking, cleaning and caring for your family to doing what you can to “be green” and protect the planet, you make a difference!

I’m going to spend the day with my family, ENJOYING my family, and I hope all of you do the same.

And thank you to MOTHER EARTH too… for all you give US! This year I pledge to do everything I can to continue honoring you each and every day! :)

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