Bees are most often given a bad rap because they are considered a pest when we are enjoying our outdoor time. They sting and it hurts, but most bees are not harmful unless you have an allergy and the good that they do far outweigh the negatives.

Bees play a major role in pollinating many of our favorite produce foods and without them, those foods may simply go away. Bee populations are dwindling due to a condition known as Colony Collapse Disorder. More than 25% of the managed honey bee population has disappeared, in the United States alone, since 1990. More than $15 billion a year in U.S. crops are pollinated by bees (according to the National Resources Defense Council). Protecting our bee population is paramount to keeping American tables stocked with quality produce and to maintain our agricultural economy. Foods that are affected by the vanishing hives are apples, oranges, lemons, limes, onions, cucumbers, pumpkins, cantaloupes, carrots, avocados, almonds, blueberries, cherries, cranberries and so on…

 What is causing this collapse? Researchers think that there are many interwoven conditions that contribute to the lowest ever bee population in 50 years; Global warming, pesticide use, habitat loss and parasites.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated $20 million over the next five years for research but this will not be enough compared to the possible loss of crops that are affected each year. So far, no solution to this massive disappearance has been achieved. What needs to be done to help on our level; you can help keep these important pollinators healthy by attracting them to your garden.

• Put a small branch or a cork in your bird baths. That way if the honeybees fall in, they have something to climb out onto.
• If you leave to go on vacation, leave a hose on a very slow drip, so the bees have access to water.
• Do a daily check for honeybees caught in spider webs, so you can free them.
• Find out from your local nursery which plants the honeybees love, and plant some in your garden.
• Plant native species
• Avoid using pesticides
• Create the right environment
• You can keep hives.

Made from 100% natural products, Celestial Seasonings Green Tea is made of all that is good. Great flavor for good health, this Green Tea is smooth and satisfying. No strings, tags or staples, Celestial Seasonings’ unique pillow-style tea bag is made for the environmentally conscious and is not packaged in individual wrappers saving over 3.5 million pounds of waste from entering our landfills every year.

Serving over 1.6 billion cups of tea every year, Celestial Seasonings has been harvesting all-natural herbal teas since 1969.  All ingredients are grown around the world utilizing the philosophy of ethical trade practice, assuring fair market prices which spur local businesses, creating more jobs, empowering farmers and their communities.

Steeped in hot water (not boiling), you will experience the mild, delicately balanced taste and the healthy goodness that Celestial Seasonings aspires to create. For a special cold treat, try the iced tea recipe on the inside flap of the box, it is delicious.

Everyone knows about the ENERGY STAR rating that comes with household appliances, right? Well do you know what it means? ENERGY STAR is a governmental joint program with the Environmental Protection Agency. In 1992, the EPA introduced ENERGY STAR as a voluntary labeling program designed to promote energy efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In our business environs, ENERGY STAR has been a force behind more widespread use of innovations like more efficient lighting, power management systems for office equipment and low standby energy use.

As an example of the work it does, in one state, say, Pennsylvania, the ENERGY STAR qualified homes built in 2009 are equivalent to eliminating emissions from 772 vehicles, saving 4,668,300 lbs. of coal, planting 1,276 acres of trees and saving the environment of 9,155,475 lbs of carbon dioxide.

Taken from the most updated specification sheets, the number of qualified ENERGY STAR clothes washers is 478 and this includes almost all popular name brands such as; Whirlpool, Amana, Frigidaire, GE, Kenmore, Maytag and Speed Queen. It doesn’t stop there; ratings include categories of appliances like air conditioners, dehumidifiers, heat pumps, light bulbs, dishwashers, computers, etc….  The ENERGY STAR website features many tips on how to improve efficiency in your new home or with home improvements. You can take a virtual walk-through of an ENERGY STAR home and it will show you how to save energy and money in all areas. There are tips on how to select a contractor and downloads for maintaining your HVAC equipment and several other topics. Give the site a look and see how much information there is available to help you save energy and money!

I tried Origins Sunshine State  two weeks ago on vacation. I have to say that I liked it and will be buying more of it. It was an easy rub-in and smelled nice. I spent considerable amounts of time by the pool enjoying the sun and refreshing water. This sun screen did not fade and was not oily on my skin. It doesn’t leave a white-wash look to your face like some of the heavier zinc products. It contains mineral based products, vitamin E and Bisabolol, from Chamomile to soothe your sun exposed derma. With no harsh chemicals to react to, you skin will be soft, smooth and protected. Resistant to water and sweat, Origins is a great product that beckons you to try it out and do your part for our environment and yourself.

 Origins’  mission is to create quality natural skincare products using organic ingredients and 100% natural essential oils. It is their commitment to protect the planet.

Most of the processes used in bamboo-made products are not always green. Factories are using harsh chemicals to turn the bamboo into a soft enough fiber to form it. To turn the bamboo into planks, they must use toxic glues and formaldehyde. As popular as bamboo is, most production facilities exist in China and are not regulated. To boost yields the trees are fertilized and sprayed with pesticides which defeat the whole purpose. That is the not-so good stuff.

Some of the greenest bamboo doesn’t come from monoculture plantations but, rather, from award winning operations such as Madagascar Bamboo, which harvests naturally occurring plants from the edges of farms. (The farmers used to think of the bamboo as a valueless annoyance.) This provides cash for crops which is given back to the farmer locally; it decreases pressure on forests, conserves rare hardwoods and is a sustainable product. When selecting bamboo products such as natural wood flooring, make sure you are using a company that is regulated, is helping out the local farmer and that the manufacturer is committed to social and environmental responsibility.

Electric Clothes Dryers are detrimental to our environment. They leave off significant amounts of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere every day, over a ton a year per household! If you use them, synthetic dryer sheets are also full of petrochemicals that are emitted into our air. I found this website that is solely dedicated to drying your laundry on the line. Called LineDryIt.com, this site is based in Australia where line drying is still a prevalent way of life. They have many new alternatives to the old pole-in-the-ground laundry line like my grandmother used. Some are hide away products, and not so obtrusive for those who live in a tight space or don’t like the look of a traditional clothes line.

Burt’s Bees Peppermint Shower soap is 99.9% natural with the following ingredients; vegetable soap, glycerin, almond meal, rosemary oil, peppermint oil, rosemary leaves, peppermint leaves, comfrey leaves and calendula flowers. It is also NOT tested on animals. How much more natural can you get than that? I do recommend using it as it makes you feel very clean after you’ve showered and you know that you did your little part for our environment. Burt’s Bees products are in no-nonsense packaging and printed on recycled board containing 30% post-consumer waste.

By Dena Fritz

Energizer LED Rechargeable Flashlight

With our active lifestyle, we use flashlights for many purposes several times a week. We are always disappointed that our flashlights die out after just a few uses. It seems that just when we need them most, they fail us and leave us with frustration. On weekends, we are frequently away, to our boat on the Chesapeake or to our daughter’s cabin in the mountains. When we travel, we are always in need of a flashlight to turn the power on, or to row across a creek, or just to walk in the dark. After fruitless searches for the most economical and green way to light our path, I found this handy little tool that runs 8 hours on one charge and gives off a bright white Nichia LED light. It has two levels of luminescence and is very lightweight. The best part about it is that it plugs in the wall to be recharged and does not use costly wasteful batteries that harm our environment. We liked them so much, we bought two! We carry them with us every weekend in our luggage and upon arrival of wherever we go; we just plug them in to ensure that they are always fully charged. When we get home, we plug them back in and viola! We have charged up flashlights in case of an at-home emergency. This flashlight really fits our way of life and we wouldn’t want to be without them. Using them is responsible and cost effective.

Each year, over 3 billion dry-cell household batteries are purchased in the United States. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, consumer batteries contribute more mercury and cadmium to municipal solid waste than any other source. Long-term exposure to heavy metals can lead to serious health problems. Cadmium can cause lung, circulatory system, or reproductive system damage. Mercury can damage the brain, kidneys, or fetuses, as well as cause genetic, neurological, or psychological disorders. Cadmium, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, and zinc have each been linked to cancer, developmental disorders, and immune deficiency. So needless to say, the less we use them, the better and the better for our environment.

When it comes to being eco-friendly green and all-natural, it’s always best to make your own, whatever it is. Then you know exactly what the ingredients are and if you don’t like it, you can start new without spending a ton of money. I did some research on a product that I use every day and feel I couldn’t live without. Skin toner is a must have, at least in my bathroom and I look forward to the effects that it has on my face every day. I was just wondering…. Is there a recipe out there that I could make my own toner, save money, be green and have a natural product that is still good for my skin? Well, the answer is YES, I can! Below are some recipes that I found and some I put together myself after experimenting. Try it, you may like it.

• Green Tea Toner – 1 Cup of lemon and green tea, steep for an hour, cool completely. Put in a small recycled spray bottle and spritz your face. You can use it refrigerated for extra coolness! Gets rid of unwanted oils and keeps your face balanced. There are other variations for this recipe out there like adding vinegar or thyme. Will last a week in the refrigerator.
• Floral Water Toner – Add 1-3 drops of essential oil(s) to 8 oz. of floral water in a clean, sterile bottle. Shake to thoroughly blend the ingredients. Mist or splash it on your face after cleaning skin.
• Aloe Vera Toner – One tsp. of Aloe Vera gel, a tsp. of lemon juice, and a cup of water. Add 3 tsp. of rubbing alcohol if you have oily skin.
• Herbal Toner – 1 tsp. horsetail herb, 1 tsp. lavender flowers, 1 tsp. lemongrass leaves. Add herbs to ½ cup of water and stir in 4 tsp. witch hazel, 4 tsp. Aloe Vera gel and 2 tbsp. orange blossom water. Shake together and mist, pat or sponge on clean face.
• Green Tea and Chamomile Toner - 1 green tea bag, 1 chamomile tea bag. Steep tea for an hour in 1 cup of boiling water. Let cool, add 1 tsp. Aloe Vera gel and shake or stir. Use as a mist in a small spray bottle.