Water, Water...Nowhere? Part II

  As a follow on to my March post entitled Water, Water...Nowhere?, I wanted to share the Yes! Magazine's Summer 2010 Issue that highlights water solutions.  You can check out the latest here:  Water Solutions.  Very thought provoking information!

The Ugly Truth: The Hidden Dangers of Cosmetics with Annie Leonard

Whatever you may think, have heard, or otherwise believe about Annie Leonard, she makes some very important points about the safety or lack thereof of mainstream cosmetics that we use every day. Her basic premise is "Toxics in, Toxics out."  In the U.S., in particular, there are all sorts of bad nasties in the cosmetics and personal care products that most of us use every day.  Back in February, I wrote about the benefits of using natural products vs. the overly preservative and chemical-laden products in About Face! Lookin' Good the Natural Way.  And it seems that thanks to Ms. Leonard's work along with the tireless efforts of the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and many others, consumers are waking up to the hidden dangers in everyday products we buy and use.  

This is important.  Why?  Because our bodies absorb what we put in them, as well as what we put on them!  Not only do we harm the environment through the production and disposal of these products, but we harm ourselves.  

Consider this:  A woman who wears makeup every day can absorb up to 4 pounds, 6 ounces of cosmetics through her skin over the course of one year!  And that doesn't even count the chemicals, preservatives and compounds that exist in shampoos, conditioners, fragrances, deodorants, powders, etc.  Do we really need plasticizers in our shampoo or lead in our lipstick?  Scary stuff.

As always, in the spirit of eco-steps (taking small steps to help ourselves and our environment), I encourage you to read up on the ingredients in your makeup and personal care products.  Check the Safe Cosmetics Database for what's in your stuff and seek out natural, less harmful alternatives. 

Additionally, tell people.  Spread the word.  Take action and ask Congress to support the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.  It is through raising awareness and taking actions, however small, that we can influence companies to make safer products-- for us, for our environment, and for future generations to come.

Wanna Have More? Use Less!

In the spirit of eco-steps-- taking small steps toward conservation, being healthier, saving money and all that, I've been on somewhat of a minimalist kick of late.   I've been contemplating the notion that by using less of everything, that we can actually have more!  And if we apply that principle to just about every aspect of our lives, there will be more of everything to go around.  Here's where I am coming from:

Telecommuting Saves $10K Per Employee Yearly | Business | GreenBiz.com

Telecommuting Saves $10K Per Employee Yearly | Business | GreenBiz.com

SAN DIEGO, CA — Businesses that let 100 employees work half of their time from home can save more than $1 million a year according to Telework Research Network's (TRN) latest study of telework programs and their benefits.
TRN looked at more than 250 case studies, research papers and other documents on telework (also called telecommuting and workshifting), and combined that with interviews with companies, researchers and more to figure out how telecommuting benefits employers, employees, the environment and communities.

Jamie Oliver Speaks Out

Whatever your views, this is definitely food for thought (pun intended).  Borrowed from TED, Ideas Worth Spreading, which is an extremely interesting website full of very neat stuff.  I highly recommend checking it out!