MyGreenHealth

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Bounty From The Sea

We are taking for granted the fact that the world is an ecosystem and that all of the parts come harmoniously to make the whole of the world that we know of. In most cases, it is the smallest parts of the planet that can make the biggest impact. For example, look at the bees and their very important function in pollinating the sources of foods we eat. Another thing to look at is the very small phytoplankton which plays a very critical role in the biodynamic world we live in.

Phytoplanktons are organisms which live in the ocean and belong to the plankton family. Using the naked eyes, it would be impossible to see them unless they are present in vast quantities and you can see a greenish tint to the water.

What makes phytoplankton is significant? Well, on the very simple reason that they generate oxygen. Of course, the full story is more complex than that. Accountable for more than half of the entire planet’s photosynthesis, these organisms convert sunshine into energy form. As they do half of the load compared with all of the terrestrial plant life, it is understandable to see their worth in generating half of all breathable oxygen.

So, they do half of all photosynthesis, but what does that mean for you? Put simply, they create the air you breathe as a by-product of their energy cycle. Phytoplankton cannot grow everywhere as these organisms are dependent on the presence of a diversity of minerals.

These important needed nutrients include nitrate, phosphate and iron. Some oceans have an incomplete number of these oxygen producers simply because the environment lacks the needed iron. Because of this understanding, experiments are conducted to enrich areas with iron in an effort to create more phytoplankton but the jury is still out.

As pliant as the Mother Earth is, the life that exists upon it is in more of an apprehensive position. It is time to be more mindful of the affects we impart onto the planet and how that, in turn, affects us both short-term and long-term.

The big role phytoplankton play is now being seriously studied by a lot of marine biologists and researchers. In the near future, we will see different applicable uses for marine phytoplankton as the exploration continues.

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Ford Escape Hybrid Car

With enormous media attention and a lot of funding for research and development, hybrid cars have been promoted as the green technology that could help save the Mother Earth. Of course, it also represents a big potential for profits as far as car makers are concerned. It’s no wonder why there’s an ongoing buzz on hybrid cars.

So what can we expect them to do? And what they actually do? The burning of fossil fuel like gasoline and diesel to power the millions of cars plying on the highways and byways of the world at any given minute is not only using up the available supply of crude oil, but also contributing to the pollution of the earth we live on and the very air we breathe.

The hybrid car has been presented as the great hope. We’ve hoped that this technology would enormously lessen the world’s consumption of fossil fuel. It is just unfortunate that it’s not working out very well according to plans.

The newer models of hybrid cars average about 31.4 MPG in city and 45 MPG on highways. That’s good, but it’s not good enough. We consumers want hybrid cars, but we also want all of the comforts that we’ve grown accustomed to. So the hybrid cars are being made heavier and heavier, and as a result the energy savings are becoming less and less. It is becoming like a tug of war kind of thing.

However, there’s hope. The researchers haven’t quit and gone home. As the technology becomes better and better, we can expect that the mileage will improve. Hybrid cars are powered by both gasoline and electricity. And as the price of gasoline continues to rise, the demand for hybrid cars is increasing. It’s the old supply-and-demand principle. If the demand for hybrid cars increases, more and more car manufacturers will produce them. And if necessity is the mother of invention, competition is certainly its closest and most attractive cousin.

Hybrid cars aren’t going to solve the whole problem. We need to find viable alternatives to burning fossil fuels to produce energy. Therefore, hybrid cars are at least a step in the correct course.

Aloe Vera

The history of herbal skin care started thousands of years ago where people were more attuned and more dependent from the natural power of Mother Earth. It was the time when only natural products were accessible for anybody.

In our modern times, we experienced the coming of many man-made synthetic skin care formulations which compete aggressively and almost killed the herbal based products. It was just an unfortunately that a lot of these natural formulas where never formally recorded for posterity and were handed down by word of mouth only through many generations and so only a small number of these were preserved.

Maybe what contributed greatly to the almost demise of natural products is our fast paced lives and the convenience as well as availability with which we can acquire just about any synthetically made items.

Today, there is a growing interest back to the natural products. And so big skin care makers are taking advantage of this natural trend by blending herbal preparations with other man-made chemical preparations and preservatives. In the name of profit and greed, these corporations are now capitalizing on the very industry which they sought to destroy in the past.

It is then good to hear that there are still a few who remain true to themselves and who continue in the pursuit of making natural products. Though I am not personally seeing a revolt against the cheaper mass-produced herbal skin care products in the coming days, I am optimistic that consumers would see the real value of the products they are buying and using.

Let’s talk about natural ingredients here. When we talk on skin care, one natural ingredient stands out above and that is aloe vera. Aloe vera is an exceptional skin moisturizer and likewise good for treating sunburn, cuts and other skin problems. Other essential natural ingredients are dandelion, chamomile, lime flowers and rosemary which could act as cleansers and whose effects are maximized especially in the presence of other effective herbs.

You should be aware of the many herbal antiseptic qualities of herbs like lavender, marigold, thyme and fennel. The utilization of lavender water and rose water have been effective for skin toning even from the past. Products with extracts of tea have also been found to be very helpful in the treatment of UV radiation from the sun.

You may have come around with herbal oil extracts such as tea tree, primrose and lavender. These are the most popular and traditionally used for different purposes through the ages. Some skin conditions can also be alleviated using oils extracted from plants.

One of the main reasons for the resurgence of herbal popularity is that there are few if any side effects. Plus if you are creative and have time you can prepare your own formulations at home.

We have to take good care of our skin most especially using the healing power of the Earth as it is the primary barrier against the entry of many diseases into our bodies.

His Royal Baldness

Definitely, nobody would like to experience the awkwardness and other problems associated with baldness or alopecia. It could never be denied that this is never a very comfortable experience to go through and this is the reason why a lot of men are looking for proven and natural ways to counter the same hair problem.

Our own hair forms a very important part of our facial appearance. In its absence, most men would be looking more mature than their true age. It is just unfortunate to know that millions of people are suffering from this problem.

One of the most common fall-outs is that you may be depressed or feel low about the problem. Well, I would say that is only normal. It could certainly have an effect on your emotions. And when a person is emotionally troubled, there is a big chance that it can also affect his work and relationships. As they are saying, what we do, what we utter and the way we act can be directly and indirectly connected to how we feel internally.

In the search for the answer to this hair problem, it is time to turn to the power of Mother Earth by going natural. I am presenting below some proven and practical tips to help anybody having some baldness problem.

Never use shampoo or conditioner laden with questionable man-made chemicals like propylene glycol which is an anti-freeze agent. Go with products having natural ingredients listed at the back of the package.

After shampooing, you can wash your hair using a good mix of sage tea and apple cider vinegar in equal proportion as this is known to clean and enhance the scalp as well as the hair strands.

In case you have an itchy scalp problem, you can concoct a blend of chamomile and catmint. I have tried this one and just after two washes my problem was already eliminated. Take note that scratching your head will most likely not help the problem. Instead this habit will just lead to feeble roots and consequently, possible hair loss.

Get the perennial hair’s best friend called aloe vera which is known the world over as very beneficial plant for both hair and skin. It is a major natural ingredient in so many skin care products and can definitely be of big help in the control of hair loss problem. Get it now from your garden. You can just cut the leaf to get the clear gel and use it unto your hair. Let it stay for the next one hour then rinse it off with water. My good friend suggested another good formula which is to mix aloe vera gel with both coconut milk and wheat germ oil. As hair rejuvenator, use it like you use your regular shampoo. You can also use coconut oil for massage.

Another natural ingredient which can help in the control of hair loss is licorice extract. You can mix it also with aloe vera for maximum effect. Women who are on the family way are however not recommended to use this formula.

For maximum hair growth, you can use tinctures of birch, horsetail, stinging nettle and rosemary. Just use any of these natural ingredients to massage on top of your scalp as they are good for enhancing blood circulation.

In your fight against baldness, you should never forget the importance of good and balanced diet. It is now proven that there is a verifiable link between hair loss and right diet. Living on a healthy diet is surely one of the best ways to encourage hair growth and prevent hair fall.

Always bulk up on vitamin C as it does support more collagen production. We all know that collagen is a vital part of your hair. I am sure you are already aware of where to get your daily dose of vitamin C. Delicious citrus fruits like oranges and lemons are especially loaded with vitamin C. Aside from vitamin C; make sure you are getting enough vitamin D as it can also encourage hair to grow. Another vitamin not to overlook is vitamin E. take it in supplement form or in liquid which can be massaged into your scalp. Vitamin E is a good agent for hair regrowth as well as preventing hair loss. Last but not the least; don’t forget your vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B5 to aid in the nourishment of your hair follicles.

So if you are having some worries that your hair is not on its healthy state as it should be, consider enlisting the help of so many natural ingredients available around. Aside from its proven effectiveness, going natural means there is absolutely nothing to worry about on possible side effects.

Power From The Sun

All the way from the past to the present modern world, fossil fuels played a very critical role in the American society and business. We are utilizing fossil fuels to warm our homes, run our cars, and generate our electricity. America’s hunger for fossil fuels is on the upswing significantly. Consequently, we are depleting our natural resources and gradually killing Mother Earth.

So we need alternative and it should be the green energy sources. Critics are pointing out that green energy sources are too difficult to generate. But we should understand that green energy technology is still in its infancy period. Presently, it is definitely harder to produce green energy compared to the traditional way of burning fossil fuels. However, there are now many different options when we talk about green energy. All we need to do is discover green energy sources that are feasible for each geographic area.

Available and viable green energy sources are solar, wind, wave, hydropower and geothermal. Note that these energy sources are not emitting harmful by-products or damage the environment and which are great turnarounds from fossil fuels.

Remember that coal frees carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. An individual coal producer will probably not cause visible damage but the problem is that there are more than 50,000 coal plants around the world and the figure is increasing.

Nuclear power seems a very option. Nuclear power could produce all our required energy. But nuclear power is also having some very dark problems. In producing energy, nuclear power creates waste called spent fuel rods. These rods have to go somewhere somehow. How many mountains or underground holes can we use with burying those spent fuel rods? And then there are nuclear accidents that nobody can guarantee will never happen again.

Green energy must be maintained. For instance, windmills are made up of mechanical parts subject to wear and tear and therefore must be replaced sometime. Corn to produce ethanol must be farmed. Biomass fuels calls for trash to be segregated and sorted. All of these options are far more attractive and economically feasible compared to fossil fuels. At the same time, green energy uses facilities that are economical to operate.

Above all, green sources got one big advantage which fossil fuels cannot contend with. Green energy is very much renewable. We could NEVER run out of green energy. Take for example the sun – its rays freely hit the earth for billions of years. Utilizing green energy sources has the great potential to wean America from dependence on fossil fuels.

While governments are only giving lip service on replacing fossil fuels and holding  global climate change summits or legislating laws and even telling us what to do to reduce the problems, the people needs viable alternatives. And alternatives should be green energy sources.

It is quite very easy to keep on talking on how alarmed we are on the environment. But all talks are nothing without doing anything concrete. It is time to demand that our energy should come from green and renewable sources. We the consumers are the king in the business world and once we are united in our voice all entities will listen.

The most viable alternative to fossil fuels is green energy. Of course, there are maintenance costs involved but green energy is renewable. We should already be walking the talk. We need action now!

It is now very much possible to produce home-made energy as technology on this area is already available in the market.

It is now time to decide whether we want to commit to a greener and harmonious planet or we carry on churning out toxins into our own environment.

We have the power – we got to choose well!

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Steel Reinforcement Rods

The green movement continues to be a hot topic most especially in the Western countries. As consumers are gradually demanding greener alternatives, many developers and constructors are turning their attention and focus to building products that contribute less impact on the ecosystem. And one of those building materials is recycled steel.

Steel was once heavily relied upon by railroads and manufacturing cars. Right now, it has swiftly grown as the favorite choice for building structures. In the United States there are many identified earthquake and forest fire prone areas like California and Hawaii. These areas could hugely benefit by using of using steel for their structures instead of the usual wood or timber.

Since steel weighs substantially less than timber, it is  quite economical to ship and stock up. When it comes to building, steel puts less stress on construction workers who usually have to carry arduous and uncomfortable pieces of wood. Pre-fabricated steel is generally prepared using the highest quality technologies involved so it is quite normal not to hit upon twist or knots like with wood products.

For those looking to help the Mother Earth, it would be comfortable to know that steel uses around 60% recycled content. It is also worth to mention that less waste is generated on steel’s manufacturing. And by the time that same steel is demolished, it can be reused or recycled easily.

In fact, steel is considered to be the most recycled material in the world. Any kind of steel can be recycled. One of the most remarkable environmental rewards for using steel is the possibility of recycling it into new products for virtually unlimited cycles. Recycled steel demands just 75% less power to manufacture compared to new steel. According to the steel industry experts, a ton of recycled steel saves 2500 lbs of iron ore, 1000 lbs of coal and 40 lbs of limestone. These figures are definitely attractive.

One of the top advantages of steel is that they are tremendously durable and will not warp, split or rot. In addition, steel never grows  mold and can easily resists wind, fire and insect invasions.

At the beginning, the use of steel can cost extra over lumber. However, over time the cost will be lower as steel lasts longer than wood or timber. Due steel’s potency and resistance to wind, fire and insects, insurance premiums on a steel building are much lower. In addition, steel is good for complicated designs making it as a favorite construction material for chief architects.

A structure built from steel can be more power effective and will require just minimal preservation. Steel is an ecologically mindful choice since it is fully recyclable.

Steel buildings are dependable and secure – the reasons why it is quickly becoming the number one choice for new building material.

Eco-Friendly Homes

The idea of preserving the environment or saving Mother Earth may seem like a gargantuan task which an individual may find impossible to accomplish.  Sure, we all want to share as we are all inhabitants of this only living planet Earth. Actually it is not so difficult to do our share. Here are some easy and simple ones that have the potential to create a big difference in the long run.

Save on water. Water is one of the contentious issues as its renewable sources are under attack of both abuse and development. Please be guided by the fact that billions of people on the planet lack access to clean drinking water everyday. Don’t waste water.

> While brushing your teeth, shut off the water and use a glass.

> Shorten your shower time even by just three minutes.

> Never flush the toilet unnecessarily.

> Maximize water by having laundry and dishes at full loads.

> Vote with your dollar by patronizing only producers or companies implementing water conservation techniques.

Lessen your energy consumption. While it is now fashionable to be using hybrid or green car or maybe putting up solar power at your rooftop, budgetary limitations may constraint you to do so. However, you can still make a huge difference especially if you do the things below on a consistent manner.

> Choose only appliances certified as green or energy efficient.  Though prices are already on a downward scale, it is still a little bit expensive but you can recoup the additional cost because you save on your electric bill.

> Chargers for any kind of gadget should be unplugged when not in use as unattached chargers are still sucking up power.

> Get the common remote devices on a power strip which can be easily turned off when not in use.

> Give yourself a good exercise by just walking or maybe using a bike for some short distance trips.

> Purchase locally made products as products coming from far off places consumed more energy for transportation. You are also helping maintain the vibrancy of the local economy which can benefit you later on.

Implement the three R’s.  We already know what these three R’s are: reduce, reuse and recycle. A study was conducted which determined the levels of activities of household according to the 3 R’s principles and it was found out that of the three, reuse received the lowest in terms of application. As a suggestion, reuse can be easily implemented with some creativity. Just look at your home because there are myriad of items that are candidates for reuse. For instance, you can resurrect toilet paper holders to sow pot for vegetable seeds. Or an old yogurt packaging container can be converted into strips for plant labels. Empty food jars are excellent new containers for other foods or probably as good vases for flowers. Ideas are generally unlimited here.

Go for green products. As what I said above, it is now more fashionable to go for green as consumers are now presented with dizzying array of choices – with labels like “natural” or “eco friendly” and similar messages plastered all over the grocery shelves. However, wise consumers should be alerted that not all products claiming to be green are really green and a lot of marketers are just taking advantage of the trend by jacking up their prices.

So if you don’t want to purchase those expensive “natural” products, the solution is to make them yourself. As a simple suggestion, vinegar is very good for cleaning and disinfecting glass, kitchen utensils and surfaces all over your home. Add baking soda to vinegar, and viola you have a good stain remover. If you want more information on this area, just go online and use the power of Google to search for more proven ideas.

There is no doubt that going green in your home and lifestyle can contribute a lot for a healthier and friendlier environment. When it comes to conservation, you are benefited the most as it means money saved for other needs.

We all deserve a happy and greener Earth!

Home-Made Beauty Recipes

Inspired by the effectiveness and power of nature, skin and hair care products are now sporting a new marketing message. Welcome to the natural club!  Since the industrial revolution, we have been victimizing our own bodies with toxic and hazardous chemicals – man-made chemicals that clog our pores and could cause diseases. If you are tired and sick of using toxic products, then let us go natural and organic as it is one of the biggest trends to ever hit the beauty industry.

Wherever you go shopping, stores and retailers are now pushing different brands and lines of natural-based cosmetics including skin care, hair care, facial care and make-up. As encouraging as this trend is, it is just unfortunate especially to an average consumers that in most cases the tag natural is now synonymous to being expensive. Though I believe that natural ingredients could be a little bit pricey, what I could not accept is the downright exploitation of this trend. As anybody could call his products as natural, there is no sure-fire mechanism that you get what you pay for.

So what is the solution? The answer is formulating our own beauty products at home. Don’t worry — based on my experience it is not that difficult at all. To guarantee that we get truly natural but inexpensive beauty products, we might as well make them ourselves.  I am sharing here some natural beauty recipes which can be quickly done anytime at home.

Beauty Recipes For Face

Start with this healthy tip: consuming whole foods like fruits and vegetables can supply your skin with nutrients for protection and rejuvenation. At the same, you can use these nutrients for external application.

Mixing crushed carrot, mashed avocado, and a beaten egg together with a few tablespoons of honey could be a great face mask as it supplies vitamins and minerals. The result is an improved tone and texture. Stir well, then apply, and let stay on your face for about 20 minutes, and then finally wash off with cool water.

After washing your face, you can apply shredded cucumber or as alternative you can use lemon juice to help in toning and firming the skin. This also closes the pores and eventually makes the skin looks great.

Beauty Recipes For The Hair

If you are spending money for high-end natural hair conditioner, here is a mixture that could save you money as well as effectively enhance your crowning glory.

This is just a very simple formula: mix egg yolk with a tablespoon of castor oil and apply to hair. Let stay on the hair for fifteen minutes and then rinse out. You may use as often as you want. The result is a healthy, vibrant and shiny hair. For additional natural enhancement for your hair, you can experiment adding eggs and other fresh herbs like aloe vera.

Beauty Recipes For Hand and Foot

It is now easy to have your own hand and foot cream using natural ingredients readily available in the grocery store. As your hands and feet require extra care, the nutrients from this formulation could greatly smoothen and boost these areas.

Make use of 1 cup of olive oil together with natural sea salt. To apply, just massage onto the hands and feet. Leave for around 10 minutes to let the nutrients enter the skin. Then rinse off the formula with warm water. You can expect a skin which is more alive and supple.

The natural trend is here to stay and is even expected to grow tremendously for the coming years. When consumers are discovering the power and the therapeutic properties of these ingredients from mother earth, there is no turning back.

Viva la natural!

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