1. Join a green dating site. If meeting people the old-fashioned way (over an Old Fashioned, for example) isn’t really working for you, why not try modern dating in the online arena – with an eco-friendly twist? If you’re looking for someone that shares your views on dining at organic eateries, boycotting energy-guzzling movie theaters, and traveling via bicycle-built-for-two, then check out sites like Green Passions and Planet Earth Singles to find the eco-sweetie that’s digs your sustainable lifestyle.
2. Recycled paper love notes. If your honey insists on writing sweet nothings on non-recyclable greeting cards or penning odes to your beauty on dyed paper from a legal pad, perhaps it’s time to insist that this polluter save the sentiments for someone who doesn’t mind felling trees and polluting the planet in search of partnership. Or you could simply provide 100% PCW paper for the purpose.
3. Eco activities. You don’t have to plant a tree or throw yourself in the path of a whaling boat to convince your true love that saving the planet is fun and exciting. There are all kinds of activities for date night that don’t require you to sully your outfit or risk your life. For example, you could go for a picnic in the park, a sunset hike, or even an evening of star-gazing in the desert (check out the calendar at earthsky.org for upcoming meteor showers). Of course, more amorous activities could also be on the agenda.
4. Mood lighting. Who needs inefficient fluorescent or incandescent bulbs ruining a perfectly good night of romance? Skip these energy vampires and tap into something more primal with a few flickering candles. Organic, soy-based options made with sexy essential oils are definitely the way to get green when you and your honey opt for a steamy night in.
5. No mo’ birth control. Okay, hold the phone. This is absolutely not to say that the “family planning” method is your only option when you want to get romantic. For one thing, a lack of certain types of protection could leave you looking for affordable STD testing or an OB-GYN. No amount of green-cred is worth that hassle in your love life! But considering that the hormones in birth control pills are suspected of slipping into the water supply (via urine) and turning fish populations entirely female, and taking into account the many drawbacks of polyurethane (non-biodegradable) condoms, you may be at a loss as to how to proceed. Your greenest option (that still provides STD protection) is probably the latex condom. It will break down eventually (if not in water) and you can find fair-trade, vegan options from the French Letter Condom Company.

Holistic medicine acknowledges what powerful tools our brains are. Mental health affects the entire body just as much as it affects the mind. If a person is stuck in negative and depressed thoughts, the body will have a much harder time healing itself. Holistic doctors and other healthcare providers often develop a close, unique, and respectful relationship with each patient in a different way, according to what the patient most needs. In holistic healthcare, you’re never just a patient, a number, or an insurance claim. Often holistic doctors will help patients learn the benefits of meditation and encourage creative expression to help ease a person’s worried mind. Along with psychiatric care, they show patients other ways to help promote a happy and healthy mind since that’s the first step in overall health.

Holistic practices emphasize overall wellness and are more proactive versus reactive when it comes to taking care of our bodies. Many wellness doctors get licensed as chiropractors or massage therapists to then promote wellness in their clients. They understand the body’s ability to heal itself and promote that through touch, adjustments, and relaxation techniques. Most of these doctors will also encourage patients to start practicing yoga to promote a better immune system and a more energetic life and outlook. Holistic medicine benefits the body by not waiting for symptoms to show damage that’s already been done but rather to treat the body so it can prevent sickness and injury better on its own.

When sick, a person’s spirit can be easily diminished. Many doctors are hesitant to let spirituality enter the medical world because no matter how much good religion can accomplish for a patient, it can also be harmful. When a holistic doctor introduces spirituality it’s usually to help a patient learn to ease anxiety since excess stress and worry can’t be treated by traditional medicine and will exacerbate most medical conditions. Especially when dealing with patients with life threatening, terminal, or painful conditions or diseases, the ability to maintain positive thinking is essential to recovery. Spirituality in this context is meant to help soothe the mental anguish that comes from facing the unknown and possibly death.

By treating a person’s mind, body, and spirit all at once, holistic doctors give them the tools necessary to keep themselves healthier. A disease is rarely the cause of one specific thing or another, so treating the whole body, rather than prescribing medication for a single ailment, has endless benefits for a patient.

Not that you should quit your career in pharmaceutics or quit pursuing your degree in pharmacy informatics as these are still important parts of the healthcare industry. On the contrary, the more up to date you with all medicinal beliefs and philosophies, the greater number of people you’ll be able to help. Pharmacists have long been used as more than people to get medicine from and by expanding your knowledge base you only provide yourself a more fulfilling and lasting career.

Eco-friendly blinds can be eco-friendly in two ways: their material and through reducing your home’s energy costs. If you aim to be ultra eco-friendly, you’ll also want to look into how and where they were manufactured and if made from natural material, if that material was treated with any pesticides or fertilizer. Some window treatment materials and paints emit dangerous chemicals and toxins so check into any blinds you’re considering before making the purchase.

No matter what blinds you choose to replace your current treatments, make sure they’re made from a green material. If you have your heart set on wooden or wood-woven shades, bamboo has become a popular and stylish alternative material for wooden blinds. Bamboo grows rapidly, requires no replanting and doesn’t need fertilizer to produce mass quantities. If you can’t find any you like in bamboo, just check the labels of others to know whether or not they are sustainable or recycled material. Some other fast-growing materials include grasses, reeds, and palm. These days, there are tons of treatments made from alternative and sustainable materials available so you shouldn’t have much trouble finding blinds that suit your tastes, your budget, and that are eco-friendly.

To help reduce your home’s energy bill, window treatments play an important part. A more energy efficient option is honeycomb shades. Single-cell in design, they help block sunlight to keep your house cooler and will trap heat in at night to keep the house warmer. So matter what climate you live in, honeycomb shades will perform both heating and cooling through the cell design. You can get them in a variety of colors so you’ll also be able to choose just how much sunlight they block.

Fabric is another choice that will help you regulate your home’s temperature with less help from the heater or air conditioning unit. The heavier the fabric, the more heat they’ll trap so if you live in a warmer climate, you may want to choose a different option. If you live in a cooler climate, however, heavy fabric drapes will help you keep your house much warmer during the night and if you get enough sunshine in the day you can open them to let extra heat in through your windows.

Companies are working every day to improve and introduce sustainable products. There are other synthetic wood shades that some companies make that will look much like laminate wood flooring. Though they contain no wood, they match wood’s elegant and appealing look. Check your local blinds supermarket to find the different eco-friendly options they offer and of course, you can just about anything on the Internet.

It doesn’t take much of a budget or much time to renew your home’s feel, energy efficiency, and sustainability by replacing your window treatments. Plus, you’ll save even more money when you opt for blinds that will help reduce your home’s carbon footprint.

For starters, there is this issue of natural versus organic. And the latter is easy to spot for the simple fact that there is a legal definition for the term. A product cannot be labeled as organic unless it adheres to specific guidelines. Since organic foods are under the purview of the Department of Agriculture (USDA), companies that comply with their rules and regulations receive a “USDA Certified Organic” seal of approval that instantly tells consumers what they’re purchasing is definitely organic and has been verified by the USDA as coming from an approved and monitored facility.

Others may use the word “organic” in their packaging at their own peril (since there is a hefty fine if the government discovers that such organizations do not conform to set standards). In general, anything with less than 70% organic ingredients cannot be labeled as organic, although specific ingredients that are organic may be listed as such on the ingredients portion of the label. So when you’re trying to decipher labels of the organic variety, you can be fairly certain that what you’re seeing is accurate.

The term “natural”, on the other hand, is shady at best. There is no legal definition or parameters for this term, meaning virtually anyone can use it in any way they see fit on their product packaging. For example, Splenda is made with natural sugar (and the fact that it has been put through a gauntlet of processing to remove all the calories doesn’t change the fact that it once started its life as something natural, right?). You get the idea. It’s hard to trust the word natural on a label because the producers of such goods could have very different ideas than you about what the term means. Plus, even if all you’re getting is natural blueberries (for instance), with no additives or preservatives, there are still all the chemical fertilizers and pesticides to contend with, which don’t exactly come from nature.

Even if you opt to skip fast food, dining out, and pizza delivery in CA, NY, or wherever you happen to live in order to improve your health and the health of the planet, you need to understand that what you’re taking home might not be what you paid for. However, knowing what the labels say (and more importantly, what they mean) is a good step towards ensuring that the foods you consume are good for you and your family, and that they’re actually eco-friendly. So avoid naturals and support organics if you want to make major progress on the green front.

In truth, ideas like sustainability and recycling are a good fit for the military mentality. Certainly in times of war the government will throw money at the military as though it grew on trees. But with the economy currently in a tailspin, everyone is looking to save money. And considering that the government is funded by taxpayer dollars, making them answerable to the public, they’re always on the lookout for ways to cut costs while maintaining the safety and security of our troops at home and abroad. And it appears that one of the best ways to keep costs in check currently is through green initiatives.

One way that many branches of the military are saving is on energy usage. Lo and behold, alternative sources of energy are far less expensive than creating nuclear power or burning fossil fuels. Luckily for everyone, they’re also a lot better for the environment. With the military near the top of the list when it comes to consumer entities, the fact that they’re looking toward solar energy sources (in addition to other green options) to keep them powered up is heartening at the very least (and practically revolutionary when it comes to progress on the green living front).

The best of the rest (for once) is the Air Force, which ranks higher on the EPA’s list of green energy partners than the EPA itself. They’re also ahead of Google, which actually provides a fleet of electric vehicles for employees at their California headquarters. Of course, the Air Force is by far the largest entity of these three, so their efforts for change probably have the biggest overall impact. But they have actually exceeded the government mandate for green energy usage by getting 6% of their power from the sun, the wind, and geothermal sources. Incredibly, they even generate some amount of energy from waste products.

But that’s not all the military is doing. Some naval bases have converted to energy-saving lights and given up the use of most automobiles in favor of bicycles. And all of the branches of the military have begun to install solar panels on bases situated where sunshine is prevalent. Of course, we may not see such savings passed on to veterans and consumers (through lower VA home loan rates or reduced taxation, for example). But we will all benefit from a cleaner, greener planet. And the military is working hard to ensure that we have it.

The main ingredient in it is acetic acid, but it’s also filled with lots of vitamins, amino acids and mineral salts—a natural formula that our body loves for a myriad of reasons. When it comes to our beauty needs, here are five of them.

It is an effective acne astringent. Due to the fact that it is loaded with so many nutrients, for years, many people have hailed it as being a “wonder cure” for breakouts. There are some people that use it directly on the skin (after diluting it with distilled water), but due to its high acidic level, that is not advisable because it can either irritate or dry your skin out. It’s actually better to put a tablespoon into a glass of spring water and drink it. In the morning time is best.

It’s great for at home mani/pedis. We all love the pampering that comes with visiting a spa or nail salon. But, if money is a little tight and you need to do your nails at home, make sure to keep some apple cider vinegar nearby. Not only does it keep your skin super soft and smooth, but soaking your hands and feet in a tub of water with a cup of it poured in has been proven to also treat nasty fungal infections.

It treats dandruff and other scalp issues. Although dandruff is not a cause for alarm when it comes to our health, it can certainly be annoying; and if it’s a chronic case, it can also be a bit embarrassing. By rinsing your hair with a half apple cider vinegar/half distilled water solution, you can keep dandruff at bay. At the same time, this combination also works to stimulate the hair follicles, which helps your hair to grow.

It soothes sunburn. Summertime is the time of year when people are looking for immediate sunburn relief. Did you know that apple cider vinegar is one that’s not only cheap, but also long lasting in its results? If you have a few burns on your body, dip a cotton ball into a bottle of apple cider vinegar and apply it directly to the affected areas. Not only will it soothe the skin, but it also aids in preventing the itching and peeling that comes with having sunburns.

It removes age spots. As we age, we find ourselves wanting to do things that will help us to remain youthful looking. We may undergo eyelid surgery to get rid of the droopy appearance of sagging skin. We may have a chemical peel to erase some of our wrinkles. But if you want an inexpensive remedy, try using some apple cider vinegar on your age spots. By applying two tablespoons of it mixed with one tablespoon of fresh orange juice directly to your age spots, can cause them to fade in a matter of a couple of months. And all for under $2 a bottle!

However, even in spite of the heat waves that may be headed in our direction, there are easy ways that you can boost your home’s energy efficiency while keeping your bills fairly low. Are you wondering how to make that possible? Here are five tips.

Look for leaks. We’ve all had times when the air conditioning is been on high and yet it seems like the rooms in our homes are not cooling off nearly as quickly as they should. In many instances, this is because there is a leak within the house. This is why it’s a good idea to check your windows, doors and even your attic or basement to see if there are any leaks that need to be plugged up. (Make sure to check your air ducts as well. If they are leaking, there is some relatively inexpensive duct sealant that you can purchase at any home improvement store.)

Get new windows. Speaking of leaks, there are some that you can fix. Other times, it simply makes sense to make a brand new purchase. This is especially relevant when it comes to a lot of the older windows that are in our homes. Energy efficient windows may be a bit of an investment the first year, but they will more than pay for themselves over the following 2-3 summers. Just make sure that if you want to be eco-friendly, it’s best to purchase the ones made out of wood rather than aluminum.

Get a thermostat that you can program. These are pretty self-explanatory because there are thermostats that you can electronically preset. The cool thing about them (pun intended) is that they have been proven to save you about ten percent on your electricity bills, both in the summer and winter months.

Replace your central air units. There’s no way around the fact that this is not a cheap endeavor. Even if you finance it, you will need to be prepared to have several hundred dollars within your budget. However, what a lot of people don’t realize is that they are throwing money out of their windows (literally) due to the fact that their HVAC systems are seriously outdated. Newer ones are made to be more energy efficient and so if you plan on staying in your home for the next several years (and if you have a fixed rate remortgage house, you probably are), it’s an investment that’s well worth the initial sacrifice.

Plant more trees and shrubs around the house. This, by far, is both the cheapest and more aesthetic way to boost your home’s energy efficiency. Not only is greenery beautiful to look at, not only is it a natural way to keep toxins in the air at bay, but additional foliage is also a method to naturally block any infrared radiation that warms the house. And the cool thing about that is when the trees lose their leaves in the wintertime, the radiation is then able to warm the house once more. A win/win for either season!

For one thing, a working television can always find a new home. Some people can’t afford newer options (college students, for example) while others are looking for something cheap they can put in the garage or guest room. So a good place to start when it comes to getting rid of your old set is to see about how you can send it to a good home for continued usage. Even if you’re worried about the extra energy it will suck up (as opposed to newer electronics) it’s a lot better than sending it off to languish in the landfill. Also, depending on how old your set is, putting it in the trash could be illegal (since many electronics are considered hazardous waste, and cathode ray tube televisions, in particular, are known to contain lead).

In any case, you may consider contacting a local charitable organization to donate your television. They can sell it for cash value or pass it along to a needy individual. You could also see about taking it to a thrift store that will sell it for cheap to a new owner. Some pawn shops even take old electronics and you may see a few bucks out of the deal. And if your set is relatively new, fairly large, or otherwise desirable in some way, think about listing it with an online classified service (such as Craigslist) to see if you can get a bit more monetary return out of the deal. Or simply host a garage sale and throw it out on the lawn.

Now, if your set is not working or you simply don’t want to hassle with foisting it off on someone else, you can still find ways to recycle it. The easiest option is to contact your local trash service about a pickup or drop-off. In most cases you will be charged an additional disposal fee for this service, but if you can hold out for a while, many offer one or two dates each year when hazardous materials may be dropped off for free. While you might not make enough money on the sale of an old TV set to pay for your fiber optic upgrades or your new Sky Broadband connection, recycling your old set in favor of an energy-saving model will cut your carbon footprint and reduce your utility bill, saving your budget and the environment in the long run.

1. The Roots. These hip-hoppers might be best known of late as the Late Night band that backs up Jimmy Fallon, but before they landed this nightly gig they were just a band with a plan…to conserve and protect the planet. Like many eco-friendly bands, they opt for biodiesel fuel when they bus around on tour; they worked on a vegan campaign with PETA (Stop the Violence: Go Veg); and they started the “Feed Your Roots” campaign back in 2007 to encourage people to compost.
2. Dave Matthews Band. DMB tours extensively, and although they don’t use all the eco-friendly bells and whistles that some other bands employ, they do work with Reverb, a non-profit organization that helps bands and concert-goers to “work toward a sustainable future”. They also donate to green causes and encourage fans to volunteer at their events by offering them show passes in exchange for helping to set up “eco villages” with water, recycling centers, and information on environmentalism.



3. Maroon 5. Lead singer Adam Levine may woo the ladies with his Jagger-like moves, but the band has some groovy, green moves of their own. In addition to recycle bins, compostable cups, and biodiesel buses, they are another group that contracts with Reverb to encourage fans to carpool and conserve. They also offset their own carbon footprint by donating to eco-charities after tours.
4. Jack Johnson. He’s cute, he’s soulful, he makes children’s music on the side, and he surfs. Could this guy get any better? As a matter of fact, he could. He helped to found Kokua Hawai’i Foundation, a non-profit organization geared towards promoting environmental education for students, he encourages sustainable solutions through his activist group All At Once, and he has been known to donate profits from his tours to education in the arts and environmental pursuits. Sigh…he’s like a green dream.
5. Barenaked Ladies. These guys do it all when they’re on the road. Rather than going with the standard M&M and pizza diet that most bands adopt on tour, this musical act opts for organic vittles backstage, along with biodegradable supplies. And of course, their buses run on biodiesel. But they take it even a step further, seeking non-traditional ways to cut their impact on the environment. For example, they apparently recycle used guitar strings so that they can be made into jewelry (how about your own BNL necklace made from string strummed by Ed Robertson or Jim Creegan?). But wait, there’s more. They also package their CDs in totally recycled cases so that they continue to do less harm even after their concerts are over. They may not have done away with their plugged-in sets yet (you could still see everything from Marshall stacks to a hercules dj controller on stage) but they’ve definitely taken some major steps on behalf of the environment.