Though Summer is approaching its end, it’s definitely not over yet and for many, temps are well up into the hundreds and the sun is beating down while we all try to pack all our remaining to-dos into what’s last of the season.  While many suggest staying out of the sun between prime hours (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) for those of us who enjoy all the outdoor activities that summer brings, that can be difficult - especially with all-day beach trips, fairs, vacation or just yard work.  It’s important to remember to stay protected both from potentially harmful rays and from toxic sunscreens.

Erbaviva recently sent me their SPF 15 to try out and I’ve been using it while on vacation these past few weeks.  It is hands-down one of my favorite sunscreens.  The scent is pleasant, doesn’t turn my skin a pasty white and rubs in nicely.  What’s nice is that this can be used by adults and kids alike so there’s no need to purchase separate products for different family members. Alike conventional sunscreens which use synthetic and toxic ingredients like oxybenzone, Erbaviva uses Titanium Dioxide to coat the sun and shields the suns rays.

What’s the big deal about oxybenzone you ask?  Last year The Center For Disease Control released a study citing the potentially harmful effects of this chemical.  Just check out a portion of the statement here:

CDC: Americans Carry ‘Body Burden’ of Toxic Sunscreen Chemical
CONTACT: EWG Public Affairs, (202) 667-6982
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, March 25, 2008

WASHINGTON, March 25 – The bodies of nearly all Americans are contaminated with a sunscreen chemical that has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). A companion study from the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine found that the same chemical is linked to low birth weight in baby girls whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy.  The chemical, oxybenzone, is widely used in sunscreens. Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) analysis of ingredient labels found that nearly 600 sunscreens sold in the U.S. contain oxybenzone, including products by Hawaiian Tropic, Coppertone, and Banana Boat. Although oxybenzone is most common in sunscreen, companies also use the toxic chemical in at least 567 other personal care products, including lip balm, lipstick, moisturizers and fragrance for women.
Oxybenzone was last reviewed for safety in the 1970’s but since then significant new evidence has been published on its toxicity and pervasive exposure. A recent review by the European Union found insufficient data to determine whether oxybenzone in sunscreen is safe for consumers.

“These studies are the latest in a long list of reasons the Food and Drug Administration must thoroughly review the safety of all chemicals used in sunscreens Americans use every day,” said Rebecca Sutton, a scientist with EWG. “FDA must do what it promised 30 years ago: Enact permanent, enforceable federal safety standards for sunscreens so consumers can get the best and safest sun protection.”

EWG research shows that 84 percent of 910 name-brand sunscreen products offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain ingredients, like oxybenzone, with significant safety concerns. These products are on the market because FDA has failed to finalize sunscreen safety standards that have been under development since 1979, but has instead issued a series of delays and revisions at the request of the personal care product industry. FDA issued a new draft of the standards last October under pressure from EWG, but continues to delay finalizing the standards at the behest of the regulated industry.

EWG is a nonprofit research organization based in Washington, DC that uses the power of information to protect human health and the environment. The group’s research on oxybenzone is available online at http://www.ewg.org/node/26212.

Are you getting ready for guests to land upon you, for the upcoming Labor Day weekend?  I am, and this past weekend I had a major yard cleanup day at my house.  Luckily, I had family who pitched in to help, because its no easy feat tackling a half acre.  Trim trees.  Check.  Pull weeds. Check.  Mow lawn.  Check.  And the list went on. Plant flowers in pots.  Check.  So after a long day in the sun, I sat on my steps (glad to be sitting) and grabbed a bag of Organic Miracle Gro Potting soil that I had picked up earlier in the day at my local home improvement store.  According to the bag its made of 100% organic material including compost, peat moss and manure and I feel better about using it than the conventional potting soil. It contains natural fertilizers that provide quick~release and slow~release feeding for up to 3 months.  Have you used it, and if so, what do you think??

Most of us know baking soda as an important ingredient to add to our “from scratch” recipes for cakes and cookies, but there is a secret life of baking soda that’s just as important. Last year, my mom gave me a book all about the wonders of baking soda and I was amazed to find so many uses for such an ordinary (and cheap) food item. With most of us trying to stretch our dollar a little further and finding alternatives to buying expensive products, the wealth of information within this book is well worth the money.

Starting with the history of baking soda, the book has everything from baking recipes to homemade cleaner recipes to use throughout the entire house. This book is full of ideas that you have probably never imagined could come from such an ordinary powder. I have nearly eliminated all store-bought cleaners from my home and have replaced them with unbelievably cheap and undeniably chemical-free alternatives that I can whip up in my kitchen thanks to this little book. This is truly a win-win situation for me!

Pop Quiz: Did you know that baking soda will put out a kitchen fire? Even better, your food will probably still be salvageable if it comes in contact with what you’ve got cooking!

Here are just a few of the uses for baking soda given in the book:

• Scouring Powder
• Drain Cleaner
• Automatic Dishwasher Powder
• Window Cleaner
• Wood Cleaner
• Carpet Cleaner
• Laundry Booster
• Hair Clarifying Product
• Bath Product
• Deodorant
• Contact Lens Solution
• Breath Freshener
• Antacid
• Bee Sting/Bug Bite Relief
• Burn Relief
• Cradle Cap Remedy
• Diaper Rash Neutralizer
• Arts & Crafts Ideas
• Animal Clean-Up
• Garden Uses

You’ll have to buy the book to get all of the details on how to make use baking soda in these various ways, but let me just tell you that there are many more ideas that could make your life easier, less expensive and more friendly to our environment just waiting to be used here. If you haven’t already discovered the wonders of baking soda for yourself, there’s no better time to make the switch to a non-toxic and affordable way of life with this informational book.

Summer is full of delicious foods, fun-filled vacations, outdoor BBQs, and warm days and nights. Along with all of the fun summer time activities comes the downside of this sunny time of year - one of those being mosquitoes. If you live near  water, you understand the annoyance that these little bugs bring to your life when you’re trying to do some outdoor living. It never ceases to amaze me how such a tiny bug can cause such a reaction in my skin, and I am always looking for ways to relieve the itching and swelling that their bites cause. This summer I looked no further than my (alternative) medicine cabinet to find my secret remedy for those unsightly bumps.  Tea tree oil (Melaleuca Alternafolia) has more uses than I can cover here, but it’s ability to squelch the itch of a bug bite is what’s impressing me lately.  To keep the itch at bay, I dab straight tea tree oil on any bite and the sting is diffused in usually less than a minute.  The good news! Tea tree oil also detracts mosquitoes (they hate the smell).  If you’re looking for a natural way to ward off and heal bites, give tea tree oil a tree (I’ve been using it since I was a kid)!

Did you know your favorite natural sunscreen brand may be already discontinued?!  Due to new recent European regulations that require SPF to be much higher than any mineral sunscreen could provide, brands like Dr. Hauschka and Weleda have decided to discontinue their sunscreen products rather than reformulate with synthetics.  A noble stance on their part, but disappointing nonetheless for those who love their favorite sun protection from these brands. 

There are conflicting opinions and many questions when it comes to the topic of “natural” sunscreens…”is Zinc Oxide better than Titanium Dioxide?”, “is that Titanium Dioxide coated with Dimethicone and is it safe?”, “what about nanoparticles?”….and on and on it goes.  Conventional sunscreens are often loaded with petrochemical, toxic junk and one has to wonder….are we getting cancer from the sun or from our sunscreen, or both? 

A juxtoposed fact is that Americans are severely Vitamin D deficient.  Like plants, we need sunshine, but we also need to use caution because skin cancer is also a big problem.  If you’re trying to wade through your options of safe, natural sunscreen, the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep website may be a good place to start since they try their best to rate products based on safety. 

The good news is that these regulations don’t affect U.S. brands like California Baby and Badger who both received very low marks in the Skin Deep database.  Erbaviva has also received some really great reviews.  Since Soleo is an Australian based brand, they won’t have to reformulate but word is they are currently experiencing stock issues; perhaps due to increased demand in light of the new European regulations.   

 So, if Dr. Hauschka, Weleda or Lavera are some of your favorite natural sunscreen brands, you’d better stock up before they’re gone! 

I’m not one who finds beauty in typical graffiti.  In fact, I mentally roll my eyes a little when its plastered on the outside of a perfectly good building, structure or train.  In my opinion, graffiti = boredom.

I make an exception for this though.  I love the inspiration behind it and I’m drawn to the way it looks on concrete in the midst of dried spray paint.  It brings beauty to the ugliness and makes me smile. So why does sustainable design team, Anna Garforth and Elly Stevens write in moss around the city?

 In their own words:

“It seems as if writing with moss, represents an unusual synthesis between advanced civilization and nature.  It is a chance for us to speak as individuals and artists, but also to be the spokesperson of organisms which have no voice in our world. We hope that not only the words will be noticed, but also the moss itself, put to the forefront through it’s sculpting, fashioned into a form we can understand.

We ask people to nourish each other, and nourish the ecosystem we inhabit.”

What do you think?  Fab or funky? 

Until now, there hasn’t been a channel dedicated to all things green & eco-friendly.  In collaberation with TreeHugger.com, Discovery launched Planet Green one month ago on June 4th.  On the air 24/7, you’ll find a wide variety of shows to help inspire you to live more consciously.  Offering a broad range of perspectives and ideas, all backgrounds and ages will be able to find something appealing.  

No matter what shade of green you are, learn how to reduce your carbon footprint on Wa$ted, follow the residents of Greensburg as they rebuild their town that was completely destroyed by a deadly tornado and how they are implementing eco-friendly design into their plans.  If you’re a bit (or a lot) star-struck, check out Hollywood Green as host Maria Menounos reports on how the stars are going green.  On location at Whole Foods Market, watch Emeril Lagasse whip up some healthy meals with local and organic foods on Emeril Green.  Hosted by Tom Bergeon (Dancing with the Stars host), each week Supper Club features a celebrity chef who cooks up a green meal for four green celebrity guests while they discuss latest happenings and controversies in the green movement.  If you’re into home design and renovation, tune into Renovation Nation, Greenovate or World’s Greenest Homes for some great inspiration and ideas. 

 To find out what channel it’s on in your area, click here. 

Summer offers an abundance of fresh fruits and veggies and I am a lover of salad, but not just your run-of-the-mill lettuce, tomato & carrot salad.  I like to load mine up with a ton of delicious and nutritious flavors, colors & shapes.  Something so important during these budget-crunching times is to know when you should buy organic.  The Environmental Working Group released a list, based on USDA studies, with the most to least pesticides found in produce to help consumers know what is more important to spend our money on.  It’s definitely best to buy organic whenever possible, but we don’t always have the option or the cash flow, so here are the top 5 “best & worst”: 

 Most Pesticides Found (in order)

1). Peaches (highest pesticide load!)
2). Apples
3). Sweet Bell Peppers
4). Celery
5). Nectarines

Top 5 Least Pesticides Found

1). Mango
2). Pineapples
3). Sweet Corn
4). Avocado
5). Onions (lowest pesticide load)

With this in mind, I’ll share with you one of my favorite salads.  Feel free to take this to your 4th of July bash this weekend…it’s sure to be a hit!  (Remember to buy local whenever possible…hit your local Farmer’s Market for some good deals on fresh finds):

California Summer Salad

1 head organic red leaf lettuce 

1 organic orange bell pepper

1 organic yellow bell pepper 

3 organic red tomatoes on the vine (according to the FDA, the ones on the vine weren’t found to contain salmonella and okay to eat)

1 cup snap peas (cut in half with ends snipped off)

1.5 cups shredded purple cabbage

1 cup organic shredded carrots

1/4 cup toasted slivered organic almonds

1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

2 organic avocados (sliced & served on the side so it doesn’t get mashed in the bowl with everything else)

Balsamic Vinegarette Dressing

1 cup Organic Olive Oil

1/2 cup Organic Balsamic Vinegar

3 organic garlic cloves (mashed in a garlic press)

2 Tbls. Organic dried basil

*Wisk together; add salt & pepper to taste.  

Serve in a beautiful bamboo salad bowl:

Oh, the dilemma…do you go for the cheap white or green plastic outdoor furniture that seems like easy maintenance but will get tossed around in high winds, likely crack and get “chalky” in the sun?  Do you opt for the real wood version that requires more maintenance and may splinter and fade?  Or should you get the metal set that will probably rust in a year or two?

What if you had another option that was virtually maintenance free, built to last  and was sustainable?  Well now you do!   Poly-Wood is made from recycled milk jugs, bottles and containers.  The heavy duty HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) plastic is formed to look and feel like real wood and then cut into slats that are used to build their chairs & tables assembled with rust-proof stainless steel screws.  (This same material is also used to build weather-resistent decks & benches as well).  The lightest chair weighs in at approximately 40 pounds, so you don’t have to worry about these blowing around in the wind.  They come in a variety of six bright summery colors and guaranteed not to fade.  With very minimal maintenance (wipe down with soap & water occasionally), these are built to last and resist outdoor elements.  Leave them in the yard, on a porch or even on the beach and they won’t fade, warp or lose their color. 

Poly-Wood Adirondack Chairs:

You have just one more week to prep for your 4th of July celebration…that day where family & friends gather together, eat too much food, play games or maybe just relax at the pool, park or beach in anticipation of the grand display later in the evening.  Lighting really sets the mood when you’re throwing a bash and what better way than to use the sun to power it; not to mention you won’t have to worry about the candles going out or unnecessarily using power to shed some light on your evening.  With a full charge these cool weather resistent, cordless, flame-resistent shoji lanterns will illuminate for 6-8 hours.  If you want to keep them up all summer, they have an automatic day/night sensor so when nightfall arrives, they’ll automatically turn on (or you have the option of manually turning them on or off).  They’re collapsible for easy storage and this set of three also comes in red, white & blue!