Pink in the am

Are Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs really a “Bright Idea”?

Amanda — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 17:00:52 +0000

OK, so we have begun adding green living solutions and products to our life and home. One recent small change we made was to replace all of our light bulbs with the Fluorescent ones. During this process of trying to understand what makes these a “green” choice, I discovered some amazing facts about them. Yes, they use less energy. Yes, they can last 1o times longer. And again yes, they can have a positive impact on the Earth! However, these lights contain a small amount of Mercury, a neurotoxin that can cause kidney and brain damage. Compact Fluorescent Lights contain about 5 milligrams of mercury, which is tiny but very dangerous.

If you break a CFL, please follow the Environmental Protection Agency’s cleanup protocol @ http://www.epa.gov/cfl/cflcleanup.html

My biggest question is do the pros out weigh all the cons? On one hand they save energy and reduce pollution, but with carelessness from the people who buy and use them, they are deadly on the other. These bulbs can get into landfills and waste water and cause air and water pollution if not properly disposed of. So all of the efforts the buyer made to make their home more efficient has now added complications for the environment we live in.

So, you are doing a good thing by changing to Compact Fluorescent Bulbs for the overall benefit, but in order to be fully responsible for yourself and for the Earth, you have to follow through by properly disposing of the bulbs. There are many retailers that will recycle your CFL’s. One option to find these locations is the go to www.earth911.com. You can find locations for just about anything you can think of to recycle. All you do is put in the item you want to recycle and a zip code and it will give you a list of contacts.

The Home Depot has a CFL recycling program that is available throughout the state of Alabama, along with other state locations.

Click here to find The Home Depot location near you.

Now that we have some basic information to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs, I am asking all of you to Please keep your eyes open and practice safe recycling!!! Human eye with the recycling emblem inside
File contains gradients

" data-image-caption="" data-large-file="https://pinkintheam.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/mc900437378.jpg?w=500" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-200" title="Human eye with the recycling emblem inside File contains gradients" src="https://pinkintheam.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/mc900437378.jpg?w=300&h=205" alt="" srcset="https://pinkintheam.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/mc900437378.jpg?w=126 126w, https://pinkintheam.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/mc900437378.jpg?w=252 252w, https://pinkintheam.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/mc900437378.jpg?w=150 150w" sizes="(max-width: 126px) 100vw, 126px" />

Fire in my feet

Amanda — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 01:42:26 +0000

Running? H mm? Me? Well yes, I have the fire in my feet now! What an amazing feeling that I have been missing out on for so long. Each time I would run, I would feel this overwhelming surge of emotion. Sometimes it would even bring tears to my eyes. Not from pain or exhaustion, but power! It was so exhilarating to feel the pavement beneath my feet as each one hit the ground with such force. To feel the sweat running down my forehead was motivation. The feeling of accomplishment as I ran back up to my driveway. My words can’t properly explain what I’ve been feeling when I run. My husband says it’s a “Runner’s High”. Well, it exists! There were days I was so pumped up with adrenaline I would continue in a fast paced sprint passed my house because I felt like I had more in me. Well I do!

I must go back to the beginning and explain how I got to this place. Making a promise to myself to implement some sort of fitness routine in my life, I chose running to start with. It’s easy, free, and you get a connection to the Earth when you run. At first all I could think about was how am I going to make this a weekly commitment in my life? So, I sat down and made a mental schedule and set my ultimate goal for running. I would begin with one day for the first week and add another day each week. My end goal was to be four days a week! I even questioned this goal and wondered if I would truly commit. Well, I had success! I am now running 1.5 miles four days a week! My initial goal was to just focus on the days I would run. I wasn’t concerned with my style, distance, or speed. I didn’t want to read a bunch of guides and tips to scare myself into giving up before I had even begun. So I didn’t. I feel it is now necessary to start reading up and make sure I am not mistakes so I can start a 5k training plan. Yep, that’s right. I am going to run in the XTERRA Trail Run Series at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham Alabama on May 21 at 7:30 a.m. http://www.xterraplanet.com/xduro/oakmtn.html.

Now, I have to focus on a Novice 5k training plan by Hal Higdon. The good news is, it actually begins at 1.5 miles. Well, that is what I am up to now. The days he suggests running are 4 days with 2 optional days of rest/run/walk. I have the days built into my daily schedule, now I have to start adding distance. I am confident in myself now to start this program and that I can finish this race! Wish me Luck!

Happy Earth Month 2011

Amanda — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:49:42 +0000

This year I am putting myself out there to make a difference. I am looking for ways a common individual can contribute to the Planet and acquire a “Green Lifestyle”. I want to find some easy solutions to help me and my family be more self-sustainable and Earth conscious for a brighter and cleaner future.

There are so many people who choose not to believe or take part in Green Living. They don’t believe in global warming or other environmental issues. Some question if all the “Eco Options” are valid. Well my question is this… Would you take part if you thought it would actually make a difference? Some of you may have said yes and some might not care or are too busy to start thinking about the subject. Well as a parent, I am choosing to have a voice for my son’s future. If what I can do now to make a small contribution to the earth has ANY impact on the future, I think I will choose to get involved.

My personal contribution for Earth Month is to educate myself in environmental issues, to get involved and volunteer on a local level, and to make everyday, Earth day.

Everyday I will…

Recycle
Bring my reusable grocery bags when shopping
Use a reusable water bottle
Conserve Water
Save Energy
Buy Local or organic
Compost my organic waste
Reuse or Re-purpose items
Purchase items from sustainable or recycled material
Make Earth Conscious Decisions!

My business contribution is to donate 20% of each candle sale during the month of April 2011 to the Alabama River Alliance. This group is committed to conserving and maintaining healthy drinking water in the state of Alabama.They currently are involved in the Alabama Water Agenda. Please check out their site and watch the video. http://www.alabamarivers.org/alliance-programs/alabama-water-agenda-1/alabama-water-agenda

a.m. in Alabama

" data-large-file="https://pinkintheam.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/aminalabama1.jpg?w=500" class="size-medium wp-image-117" title="aminalabama" src="https://pinkintheam.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/aminalabama1.jpg?w=300&h=211" alt="" width="300" height="211" srcset="https://pinkintheam.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/aminalabama1.jpg?w=300 300w, https://pinkintheam.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/aminalabama1.jpg?w=600 600w, https://pinkintheam.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/aminalabama1.jpg?w=150 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />

a.m. in Alabama An intoxicating bouquet of Gardenia, Magnolia, and Honeysuckle

Experience sensory awakening and fill your home with our Sunrise Collection. These unique and exotic aromas have been carefully selected to take you on a journey around the globe. Each fragrance will excite your nose and tempt your palate with tropical fruits and vibrant flowers, while your imagination takes you on a paradise vacation with a front row seat at Earth’s greatest everyday event.

OK, Here We Grow

Amanda — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 19:58:11 +0000

The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and trees are budding. It’s the season of growth upon us. As I welcome Spring this year, I will be starting a project that I have wanted for a long time now. An Organic Vegetable garden has been something on my list, but never attempted. My thoughts were could I do it and do I have the space for one? So I got up the courage and finally asked my DIY Husband to build me a raised garden bed. Sink or Swim right? Well, in less than an hour, he had put a 4×8 box in an unused corner of our yard. I was so excited to finally say I have a garden. I know it’s small, but everything in life starts with a beginning, and I need to start somewhere. Here are a few photos of the box.

My weekend project has been unfortunately delayed, because of this crazy weather we are having. One day it’s sunny and the next it drops into the 40’s with thunderstorms. Not much in the mood to garden. Hopefully, by next weekend, this bed will be ready. Also, I will be starting some of my crops from seed and then transplanting them into the bed when they are ready. Wish me luck on that one!

Good Luck with yours and Happy Growing!

Introducing Pink in the a.m. Blog

Amanda — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:12:02 +0000

Welcome! First, I would like to start out by saying Hello and thank you for showing interest in Pink in the a.m.

So…Here I am, writing a blog. Making my first post. Joining the Social Media Revolution. Placing all of my thoughts and opinions on a Global Platform for all to view. H mm? What will I say? Will you listen? Well I am not sure, and I hope you said yes. I want to use this blogging tool to educate myself in all the aspects that relate to a Healthy Lifestyle with consideration to the Earth. Hopefully, some of you readers will be searching as well and use my blog to acquire some helpful advice. I want to take some time to explain who I am and why I am choosing to do this.

My name is Amanda McCoy and I am the writer of this blog. The roles I play in life are a wife, a mother, and an entrepreneur. Being a massage therapist, I developed an unbelievable passion for fragrance, essential oils, candles, and skin treatments. Through this love affair of aroma, I decided to step out and start Pink in the a.m. Lifestyle Products. While developing my company, I wanted to choose resources and materials that were renewable, sustainable, and recycled. I wanted to create something that had a great foundation. Through this process, I have become more Earth aware than I ever thought I would. I have been making changes, but feel the need to find more alternatives to the way I live and work. Choosing to make a positive impact in all aspects of life. I am very excited to be entering a place of such growth and change in my life and work.

Which brings me to the subject of my blog. I am on a quest for Natural Living, Environmental Awareness, and Life’s Inspirations. I will be seeking out real life solutions and practical advice that I can live by and share with my readers. Some of my main topics that I will be learning about and discussing are:

FOOD: Learn about healthy eating habits and exercise. How to read labels. Why choose organic? Create a handmade pantry list. Canning. Utilizing local farms and markets and offer contact resources to other States.
PETS: What’s in your dog food? How to make homemade dog treats. Environmentally safe dog accessories. Topical Flea Medicine VS Herbal Flea Soap
GET INVOLVED: Resources on how to contribute to the Planet. What and Where to recycle. Buying local. Buying 2nd hand or re-purposing projects. Depletion of Natural Resources.
GROWTH: Expand my talents to “Become Handmade”. Start looking for organic ingredients and Company’s for my upcoming list of body products.

Enjoy my journey!