The many benefits of organic gardening are discussed on this NPR podcast. Organic gardening is safer for you and better for the earth! There are many ways to grow healthy and organic vegetables, plants, herbs and flowers. Listen to learn about natural fertilizers such as alfalfa meal, soft phosphate, and beneficial nematodes to easy tips like composting your grass clipping.
Fruit is a sweet treat! Calm your sweet tooth with a delicious fruit salad, or top your whole-grain cereal with bananas or berries. A little bit of fruit will add a whole lot of vitamins - and sweetness - to your diet.
Great news for health and eco-conscious dining! More restaurants are choosing to be eco-friendly. The Green Restaurant Association provides standards and certification for dining establishments who are following sustainable business practices. Strategies to ‘go green’ include; green roofs, solar energy, natural cleaning supplies, increased recycling practices, biodegradable take-out containers and energy efficient lighting. Owners who meet the standards are given the Green Restaurant Seal.
Restaurant Owners are also responding to the demand for greener and healthier dining options. Consumers are essentially ‘driving the new menus’ and as a result it’s getting easier to find restaurants serving organic, locally grown or vegetarian meals.
There is no need to hybernate your gardening hobby during the winter months. You can prepare for the warmer months or bring your garden indoors. Here are a few videos and options to get you going.
Change your margins for an effective and simple way to save paper in your home or office. Change your margins from the standard 1.25 setting to .75 on every document you print and save trees and money!
The founder of changethemargins.com started using this earth friendly idea to save money and then realized it is a great way to lessen your global footprint. If we all change our margins this will save many trees and natural resources.
Mambo Green Living Tips – In addition to ‘changing the margins’ use recycled paper and change your print quality to “draft†to consume less ink and toner! (you can even print “drafts†on the reverse side of a document to save more paper) More Green, Organic Living and Money Saving Tips From Mambo Sprouts Health E-News
Natural and Organic body care will be getting more visibility with the upcoming Soil Association Organic Skin Care and Beauty Awards this April. These awards are part of the Natural and Organic Products European Trade Show taking place on April 13th and 14th in London. The Soil Association is the first to act upon and demand regulation and safety testing of nanoparticles in health and beauty care items.
The number of Natural and Organic Product show visitors is up 65% in the last 4 years reflecting a growing interest and trend towards healthy eco-friendly beauty care and cosmetic products which are better for you and the planet. Natural skin product companies are offering healthy, plant based and herbal products in place of conventional ones containing chemicals that can harm your skin and can have negative health effects over time. Click here for more natural skin product info
Check out the January Mambo Sprouts Health E-News Natural and Organic Skin Care ‘Healthier for You and The Planet’ for The Latest Tips and Information on Natural, Organic and Eco-friendly Products. The issue features a link to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) SKIN Deep Guide to Safe Cosmetics, nutritious recipes, diet tips for healthier skin and recipes to create your own healthy skin care lotions at home.
We all know that taking steps to live green benefits the earth by lessening our global footprint but, living green also offers many health benefits. Whether you choose green environmentally friendly products or local, sustainable and organic food – healthier choices abound.
The Sierra Club shares tips and simple steps for going green in the New Year. Learn how to become more informed about healthy food choices, consumer habits, eco-travel options and more at the Sierra Club blog.
We all want to do our part to reduce emissions and our dependency on carbon fuels but many of us still do not own hybrid vehicles. Apart from buying a hybrid, there is other earth friendly ways to save gas and get around and reduce your carbon footprint. Here are some easy ways to go green and increase fuel efficiency for any vehicle.
In the season of ‘green’ what better ways to celebrate than to give gifts that have minimal environmental impact? Grist.com, a leading environmental news website shares 10 tips for a ‘Stuff Free’ Holiday.
Gift giving ideas and resource links include:
Adopt an endangered animal, teaching a skill, make plans to spend time together at a special event, get crafty, or give organic spirits. Click here for more great holiday gift ideas from grist
The season of giving is arriving soon, as is evident by the bustling shoppers at the malls.There are easy ways to make your shopping and gift giving less stressful and more environmentally friendly. According to the The Ecology Center, “Americans throw away an additional 5 million tons of trash - 25% more than usual - between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve.†The Ecology Center has come up with a simple holiday fact sheet that can help you to have a green holiday season.
Their handy fact sheet offers practical and easy tips to reduce your environmental impact this holiday season. Find ways to simplify the holiday season with thoughtful green gifts, even gifts that require no shopping!! They also feature gifts made from sustainable and natural components, online gift certificates, gifts of time, and easy ways to shop to reduce packaging waste.
“In general, choosing quality over quantity and thoughtfulness over expense can be a good way to ensure that human relationships rather than consumer purchases dominate your holiday experience.†The Ecology Center. Click here for the Ecology Center Holiday Fact Sheet
Become a member yourself of the Sierra Club at the special discounted year-end membership rate of $15 between now and December 31 and receive a Sierra Club Rucksack! Click here for more info or to become a member
Member and gift membership’s benefits include:
One Year subscription to Sierra magazine
Member’s only eco-travel opportunities
Automatic membership in your local chapter
Discounts on Sierra calendars, books and other merchandise.
Confused about how to buy toys which are safe, non-toxic, educational and “green” this holiday season? You’re in good company. With news of toxic toys containing lead and other harmful substances, small loose parts that pose health hazards, and the eco impact of toy production and disposal, it’s important to be informed to safeguard children and the environment.
For information on how to make safe, healthy, eco-friendly toy buying decisions, check out the Toy Shopper’s Guide and checklist at www.HealthyChild.org. Tips include avoiding toys which are made of PVC plastic, a possible health hazard, in favor of safer non-toxic environmentally friendly toys made from naturally finished or unfinished wood, all-natural, untreated fibers like cotton, hemp and wool with non-toxic dyes. For a more earth friendly choice, try to buy sustainable toy products made from organic and recycled materials.
Green Living: Antarctica Climate Change Orlando Bloom on Larry King Video.
Orlando Bloom visited Larry King and spoke about his recent trip to Antarctica. “Taking small steps to living greener helpsâ€, Orlando Bloom shares some easy tips to go green
Bloom’s cousin, photographer, Sebastian Copeland was also on Larry King, he spoke of his trip to Antarctica and his new book “Antarctica: The Global Warning”. The show featured photographs from this new book, these images are outstanding and shows visually the critical importance of each of us doing our part to help halt climate change. Book info and photographs here (enter site, click on gallery to see samples of the stunning photography
John Perry Founder of the group ‘The Compact’ is halfway through his yearlong agreement to buy nothing new. This is green living at its best – a pledge to reduce consumption, re-use and buy nothing (or very little) new.
While Pledgers are reducing consumption to keep their goods and packaging from landfills to make an environmental standpoint, many experience other benefits as well. Many ‘Compacters’, report more money to spend on organic food and more time to enjoy recreational activities. For details about the Compact, Click Here For The Sierra Club Blog
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Organically grown food is healthier according to a European study which tested the nutrition content of organic and conventionally grown food. Organically grown produce was shown to have up to 40% more antioxidants and more trace elements. Even more sustainable news is a recent report on organic milk indicating that it contains over 50% more antioxidants and healthy fatty acids. Read more here….
Shopping recently at Trader Joe’s, I came across “eco apples†right next to the organic apples I usually buy. While I regularly buy green (granny smith!) apples, I was less familiar with the “eco†green variety… Here is what the eco apple label information says:
Eco Apples…Born and Raised Here…
Eco apples are distributed by a non-profit organization based in Canton, MA (just south of Boston) that markets fresh produce from family farms in the Northeast and Southeast to supermarkets and customers throughout New England.
“Eco” apples, while not organic, are high quality produce with a “conscienceâ€. Since I was preparing the apples by peeling them to make a healthy seasonal apple crisp, I was less concerned that these apples were not organic (but I assumed due to the “eco†label that there is reduced pesticide used).
Red Tomato touts the motto: Fresh produce Fresh thinking . Want to know more, check out the Red Tomato website www.redtomato.org – and their mission – which goes well beyond tomatoes by the way!
Green Living News
Fenway Park, home of the 2007 American League Champion Boston Red Sox! (GO SOX) is about to go Green. Beyond the famous “green monster” wall at Fenway park, Larry Lucchino, President of the Red Sox team announced environmentally friendly changes to the ballpark planned for 2012 ranging from installing solar panels for some of the park’s energy, to recycling and supporting local and sustainable food vendors by making environmentally friendly food available in the concessions including more locally-grown organic produce.
The Red Sox will be working with the National Defense Resource Group (NDRC), a leading environmental group, on its green efforts. This “green” make-over will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Fenway ballpark (remember Babe Ruth!) in 2012. According to Lucchino, there is an opportunity to reach millions with a professional sports franchise with this green message. GO RED SOX! GO GREEN… Spread the word…
Please tell us what your local team or group is doing to become a little “greener†and eco-friendly by leaving a comment on here on the Mambo Sprouts Blog!
Give volunteer work a try. Lending your time and energy to a good cause can not only take your mind off your own troubles but give you a real sense of accomplishment.
Stay healthy and productive in the workplace- office with Mambo Sprouts and Aviva healthy workplace tips!
Stay hydrated
Eat healthy organic food and snacks
Eat Protein snacks to keep energy up and blood sugar level.
Clean your workplace (use natural cleaning products!)
Try full spectrum lighting
Remember to practice good desk ergonomics
Take breaks and stretch
For eye health take breaks and look away from computer monitor
Blink to reduce symptoms of computer monitor related dry eye.
If air quality is a problem consider a personal air purifier for your space.
Take a walk at lunch break
Start a walking or yoga club at the office
Try a short minute meditation to reduce stress and increase productivity.
This 6 minute audio relaxation program has been developed by California Department of Mental Health, and brought to you by LIFELINE International helping you make lifestyle changes toward better health, productivity and effectiveness.
At Drazil’s Restaurant, the presentation for all of dishes was really pretty. Everything from the plates to the silverware to the garnishes! We started with the triple salsa which was beautiful. In addition to the chips it was served with, they also gave us sliced veggies (including red carrots which I had never seen before!)
For my main course, I ordered a cheeseburger. I can honestly say it was the best cheeseburger I ever had! Grass fed beef served on a sprouted roll with fresh fruit. My husband is a vegetarian and had the vegetable ratatouille. He also ordered a glass of watermelon juice from their juice bar. Even baby Spencer got in on the fun and had some avocado. (We pretty much only feed him organic food.)
Finally for dessert we had the ice cream sundae. It had all sorts of fresh fruit and fresh fruit sauces over it. I have no idea what the fruits were, but the plate was empty when we were done!
Drazil’s Restaurant, an Ed Hitzel “Excellence Award” recipient, is a 100% organic restaurant located in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. The eclectic, seasonally changing menu has a little something for everyone. not only serving outstanding vegetarian and vegan fare, but also delicious organic steak, chicken, and wild caught fish to complete the menu.
Celebrate Organic Harvest Month in Your Community!
September is Organic Harvest Month all across North America – a time to celebrate all things organic including local organic food, agriculture, green living events and activities.
A NASA analysis states that there is nearly 50,000 square miles of turf in the USA. When you add up all of the water needed to care for lawns and the impact of chemical fertilizers, it is imperative that we change our lawn care habits to help with environmental and climate change issues.
Some simple green lawn care tips:
-avoid over watering
-use push mower
-mow high
-leave clippings on the lawn
-use corn gluten for weed control
-pull out weed by hand
-try spot weeding with a weed killing safe vinegar solution
-consider switching to draught resistant landscaping
-choose native plants and grasses
At Drazil’s Restaurant, the presentation for all of dishes was really pretty. Everything from the plates to the silverware to the garnishes! We started with the triple salsa which was beautiful. In addition to the chips it was served with, they also gave us sliced veggies (including red carrots which I had never seen before!)
For my main course, I ordered a cheeseburger. I can honestly say it was the best cheeseburger I ever had! Grass fed beef served on a sprouted roll with fresh fruit. My husband is a vegetarian and had the vegetable ratatouille. He also ordered a glass of watermelon juice from their juice bar. Even baby Spencer got in on the fun and had some avocado. (We pretty much only feed him organic food.)
Finally for dessert we had the ice cream sundae. It had all sorts of fresh fruit and fresh fruit sauces over it. I have no idea what the fruits were, but the plate was empty when we were done!
Drazil’s Restaurant, an Ed Hitzel “Excellence Award” recipient, is a 100% organic restaurant located in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. The eclectic, seasonally changing menu has a little something for everyone. not only serving outstanding vegetarian and vegan fare, but also delicious organic steak, chicken, and wild caught fish to complete the menu.
We know how important it is for kids to get their daily requirement of fresh fruit and vegetables, even though fruits are sweet and tasty some children resist eating them. Check out these easy tips and tasty recipes that’ll get our little ones to eat more fruits and vegetables. The ‘Almost Vegetarian Blog’ will help make fruits and veggies more appealing to even the pickiest of eaters.
Hello! Welcome to the Mambo Sprout's blog - a place where those who share a passion and knowledge about natural and organic and eco-friendly living can voice opinions, share ideas and tips on living a healthy and organic and "green" lifestyle. (Read More...)
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