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The Great Outdoors 2012

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:36:00 +0000

I know there's a blizzard outside - at least in Chicago there is.


Female American Kestrel, our smallest falcon

But I can't help thinking about the great outdoors today. Because of the unusual weather this winter the bulbs are already popping through the soil and the birds are singing (well they were singing a couple of days ago). I even saw a female Kestrel setting up her nest by the church on Thursday. So I'm all worked up about getting ready for Spring - from planting seeds in the window box, to fixing up the strawberry patch, getting the outdoor compost going again, and planning my birding excursions for Spring Migration. Spring is on my mind...and getting outdoors!

(I had my hands in the worm compost the other day too - there's nothing like fresh soil to get your head into the mindset of Spring.)

I just finished this great book - "To See Every Bird on Earth" by Dan Koppel about his father's birding obsession. He was a big lister and saw over 7,000 different species of birds. Then I watched "The Big Year" with Steve Martin, Jack Black, and Owen Wilson all competing to see the most birds in one calendar year...I am so excited for Spring! If you you love birds and are all bundled up this weekend, pick up the book or movie, for some great entertainment and inspiration.

Me, I could never be a big lister - or competitive about birding. I love being outside so much but it puts me in a peaceful mood and I slow down for the moment. I can't imagine racing around and turning away from a bird once identified to chase another...although I do like seeing as many birds as I can. I enjoy a stillness, a oneness with nature.

Whether you can feel it or not, Spring is around the corner. So clean those trowels and get those starter seeds ready. The birds are already preparing! Get ready for the Great Outdoors.

The Kim and Alix Show: now on Facebook

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:26:00 +0000

I've had this friend for over 25 years. You may have seen her or heard about her in some of my posts. Kim, Kimberly, eco Vampire. She started out as my friend some time in 7th grade. Since then we've shared friendship, love, loss, births, weddings, failure, food, business, success and parenthood.

Alix and Kim and kids at Montrose Harbor, bird-watching.

Now we are sharing the other side of 40. We decided to start a Facebook page to share with others what we've learned and are still learning. It's called "The Kim and Alix Show" - which comes from the fun we have and how we share that fun with others where ever we go...(just ask anyone who had a booth next to us at any green event we attended over the last four years).

Life is joyous, constantly changing, and hopefully we are creating and growing as we all go along. Kim and I are learning new things almost everyday from life and each other. We really wanted to share that.

Just this past week we attended a mediation class at Solay Wellness in Skokie, hosted by Maggie Wilkins of One Heart. It was so much fun and we learned a lot so we are going back, February 12th for Maggie's workshop. What will we discover? I am so curious to find out. I'm sure you will be able to find out through our Facebook page.

What a grand adventure life is. Join us for some fun...and I'm sure some amazing recipes that are wonderfully healthy (as Kim is a total foodie!)...as we like to say "Think and Grow Happy!"

99 Days to The Gambia

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:41:00 +0000

When my employer at Spitfire Sunglass Design (USA) Inc. (Spitfire) told me I was invited to join OneSight at one of their global clinics this year I was in a state of disbelief. Their clinics for 2012 are in Chile, India, Thailand, The Gambia, South Africa, and Mexico.

OneSight Patient

If you knew me as a child, teenager, or college student you would know how much I wanted to go to Africa, how much I wanted to be like Jane Goodall and study wildlife in Africa. That was my plan in general since 4th grade - I thought I'd get a PhD. in Wildlife Biology and work in Africa.

Well, for those who knew me after college (and a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology), it's possible Africa and a PhD. in Wildlife Biology wasn't something they'd associate with me. After working on an amazing field study in the Great Plains, collecting prairie plants and counting prairie-dogs, I felt I was almost wasting my time, playing, enjoying myself as a scientist - and I couldn't see how I'd really be able to conserve wildlife and the places I loved.

Malachite Kingfisher in The Gambia

So I moved on to law school, where I thought I'd find a path with more power to help wildlife. I received a Juris Doctorate in Law with a focus on Environmental Law, but came directly back to Chicago after graduation for a sick family member. What happened next was unexpected - marriage to my 3rd grade crush and three children.

I don't regret any of my decisions. I let go of Africa. I never thought of it as a place to visit. I only wanted to go there as a scientist. I've been working for four years at Spitfire, enjoying the challenges of running a business, and enjoying the flexible hours (did I mention I have 3 kids?).

Some people ask, why aren't you doing something else, something bigger, something where you can use your degrees? (I have published a children's book, ran a small business for 3 years, and I do some writing and speaking - but I guess they mean a full time job).

Now I've received the coolest opportunity - not because of what I did personally either. My employer donated over 4,000 sunglasses/frames to OneSight in 2011. But she knows how I feel about Africa. And now I'm joining OneSight at a clinic in Africa. I'm scheduled to go to The Gambia in 99 days. I've applied for my first passport and already found out that The Gambia has some of the best birding anywhere (did I mention I love birding?).

Serekunda Market

What's amazing is this opportunity, not only to go to Africa, but to go with a purpose, to work, to help. That's very similar to my original goal I came up with decades ago. It's only for two weeks, but it's so much more. It's more than fulfilling a dream. It is, I feel, the very beginning of a dream being realized.

While I may continue to post on other green events, issues, and funny stories, my focus has turned to Africa and I hope you will join me over the next several months - on my journey as I prepare and then learn what I discover when I get there.

Alexandra Gnoske is a writer, blogger, author, and lover of nature.

Is the Weather too Cold for City Workers?

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:10:00 +0000

Well it's finally happened. The weather has taken its toll in Chicago.

For the last month workers have been tearing up my street to replace 100 year old sewer pipes. For the most part the weather has been mild. But recently we've had some extremely cold temperatures and several inches of snow, blizzard conditions.

This has proven to be too much for a few of the workers on my block. It may be days, even weeks before they thaw out! If you can identify these workers please let their families know they are here, on Bernard Street and hopefully they will be home soon.

Construction Snowpeople care of my Mom, who lives across the street from me.

Feel Revitalized with Solay Wellness

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:05:00 +0000

Have you ever visited the ocean and felt energized or gone deep inside a forest and felt you could breath easier? That is what is feels like when you walk into the new Solay Wellness Company (Solay) store on Main Street in Skokie. And there’s a reason why.

I visited with Isabella Samovsky, Owner and Founder of Solay (est. 2004), and she explained how pure mineral salt is important for health and wellness and how she decided to start her company seven years ago.

When Isabella saw her first natural salt lamps she was attracted to it immediately. Always interested in natural products and wellness, she brought her salt lamp home and decided this was a product and idea worth sharing.

Natural salt lamps help with all sorts of respiratory ailments from asthma to non-seasonal allergies. Most Solay salt lamps are made from the Himalayan salt beds from one of the oldest and purest mineral salt beds in the world. Their customers report improved breathing and immune system function, and an enhanced sense of well being from regular use.

I can attest to the immediate effects of Solay’s pure ionizing salt as my hay-fever symptoms stopped only a few minutes after I walked into the store. But today Solay is about more than salt lamps and that makes sense with Isabella’s sense of community and empowerment. Isabella has created Solay Lifestyle, an array of products made exclusively for Solay with pure ingredients and mineral salts for cooking, cleaning, beauty and health. She has also worked with artisans from around the world to bring additional products that share the same high quality and intentions as her salt lamps.

The storefront includes three spaces and offers more than products:

a retail space where you can sample and test products
a large community space for events, yoga, workshops, drum circles and more, and
the most amazing salt room with salt tiles on the floor. This room offers salt treatments from foot beds to whole body beds where you can relax, detox and energize with mineral salt crystals cut in special geometric shapes for the most beneficial results (I tried the foot bed and the effects where instantaneous).

Solay is more than great products - it’s an experience.

For information on upcoming events please visit the Solay Blog. Solay Wellness is located at 4819-21 W. Main Street in Skokie. They can be reached at 847.676.5571; 866.497.0274 or info@natural-salt-lamps.com.

Originally published for Mindful Metropolis.

Alexandra Gnoske is an Environmental Expert. She is the Author/Illustrator of "Loui Saves the Earth" and Founder of RECYCLE ME.

FOOD DAY 2011

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 03:09:00 +0000

Food Day is Monday, October 24, 2011. It is the first annual and is already gaining support from people and organizations all over the country.

What is FOOD DAY? It is an organization that seeks to bring together Americans from all walks of life to push for healthy, affordable food produced in a sustainable, humane way.

The 6 Food Day principles are:
1. Reduce diet-related disease by promoting safe, healthy food;
2. Support sustainable farms & limit subsidies to big agribusiness;
3. Expand access to food and alleviate hunger;
4. Protect the environment & animals by reforming factory farms;
5. Promote health by curbing junk-food marketing to kids;
6. Support fair conditions for food and farm workers.

Food Day was created by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). The Center is a consumer advocacy organization whose twin missions are to conduct innovative research and advocacy programs in health and nutrition, and to provide consumers with current, useful information about their health and well-being.

There are events happening all over the country. But why should you care about Food Day?

Currently is costs much less to feed your family a diet of junk food than one of whole foods, fruits, and vegetables (due in part to subsidies);
There is no law to label foods with GMO's;
Two-thirds of American adults and one-third of children are overweight or obese;
A healthy diet can lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and prevent everything from tooth decay and obesity to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer;
Just 10 percent of large farms rake in 74 percent of direct subsidies – with the top recipient getting $4.8 million in 2009. Most of that aid goes to growers of just five crops: corn, wheat, soybeans, cotton, and rice;
Over-fertilization of farm fields results in polluted rivers and streams, as well as "dead zones" as in the Gulf of Mexico and Chesapeake Bay.

Eating healthy and healthy farming should be a right, not a privilege.

You can learn more at a local Food Day event - participate, or even hold your own event.

Check out these local events:
Mindful Mouthfuls - October 22/23 in Elgin, IL
Find a Local Event

Alexandra Gnoske is an Environmental Expert. She is the Author/Illustrator of "Loui Saves the Earth" and Founder of RECYCLE ME.

Counting My Blessings - One Pumpkin at a Time

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 03:22:00 +0000

So Peace Day, Peace Week and Gandhi's birthday are over, but I'm still counting my blessings, big and small (a lot has been happening).

Something that may not seem like much has brought a lot of joy for me and my kids. Earlier in June we discovered a "volunteer" pumpkin plant in our little Chicago backyard.

Volunteer pumpkin plant spreading through our back yard.

It's a volunteer because we didn't intentionally plant it. It's origins probably come from an old Halloween pumpkin I threw in the garden to decompose a few years ago. Amazing how life is patient and persistent.

My kids and I would check on the plant regularly with anticipation. We didn't know what kind of pumpkins would show up. I thought they would be small since I usually put the large pumpkins in the front garden to decompose.

It took a while - and spread a lot - before we saw the first pumpkin take hold. We could tell it was going to be big. And it grew quite fast. We had a lot of fun checking on it and wandering around to see if anything else was growing - but no such luck.

Then one day the big round pumpkin started turning orange! That was a great day of excitement. Why? I don't know if I can really answer this - for me I just love the outdoors and I love to watch life happen. I'm not sure why the kids liked it so much. I suppose it's a little adventure in the backyard - I remember having lots of fun in my backyard as a kid - so why not?

About the same time we could see that two other pumpkins started to grow. Was it a miracle? (Did I mention I have 3 kids?). My son, 5 years old and the youngest, immediately proclaimed the big orange one was his. Fortunately for me - I had a pumpkin for each kid.

This Sunday I hacked down the large pumpkin vine that had taken over a third of my yard, growing over my tomatoes, knocking over my wildflowers. But it was time. We put the three large pumpkins out in front for Halloween. Not sure if I can bring myself to carve them.

Even luckier though - additional small blessings - my brother had volunteer pumpkins in his yard...about 20 or so, not miniature, but a smaller version. So to our delight we ended up with three more.

I don't know why it was such a thrill - but there is so much satisfaction in the experience of watching something grow, change, and come to fruition. A miniature life-cycle in my very own backyard. And to share that thrill with my kids, to watch them get excited about growing pumpkins, well, that is a big blessing to me. After all, what joy is there in life if you cannot share?

Peace - and so it continues

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 02:40:00 +0000

2nd-5th graders Riverview Int'l Academy, Lakeside, CA.

I learned something new last week. International Day of Peace, or Peace Day, is celebrated not only on September 21st, but continues until October 2nd, the birth date of Mahatma Gandhi. So you have several more days to join the world in focusing on peace!

I've been obsessing about peace this week. I check the International Day of Peace Facebook page every morning and every evening. I figured I can get my world news from there as people from all over the world are posting. And it's a great way to stay focused on peace. What a wonderful thing - connecting with people from around the world who share a similar goal of peace - the power of the internet and Facebook.

What do I think will happen by continuously checking the FB page? I'm not entirely sure.


Byron Bay Australia

I know that when I read the stories of peace, hope and love from around the world it makes me feel good. Then I am in a good mood and take that with me, to my family, to work...when I look at it at night I go to bed with a calm feeling in my heart. I am thinking of the stories and the faces.

But am I accomplishing anything?

On the one hand I am leading a healthier life. Stress kills - or at least weakens our immune system. I am hoping for something more then just a healthier life. I'd like to think that all my thoughts of peace are little vibrations I am sending out to the universe.

You know what it feels like when someone smiles at you, or holds the door, or does anything courteous - you feel better for a little while. It goes away. But if it keeps happening, people keep smiling and acknowledging you as a fellow human being, you keep feeling good, happy, and passing it on.

UN Chapel - International Day of Peace

So I'm hoping my new found obsession with peace is causing continuous vibrations of happiness, emanating out to the world around me, from the people I pass on the street, to the people I connect with online. Take a moment to create some peace in you and see what happens.

"May there be Peace between and within all People, Animals and Nature so that we live in balance, harmony and sacred interconnectedness with one another and with Gaia."

International Day of Peace, Harry Potter, and Star Wars

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 02:45:00 +0000

Wednesday, September 21st is the 29th International Day of Peace. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 and first celebrated as Peace Day in September 1982. In 2002 the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace. By creating the International Day of Peace, the UN devoted itself to worldwide peace and encouraged everyone to work in cooperation for this goal.

So what does that have to do with Harry Potter and Star Wars?

Picasso Dove of Peace

Well, I had an epiphany this weekend. After watching the new Blue Ray 'Star Wars' edition and finishing the 'Harry Potter' book series I was buzzing, thinking about how much I enjoyed both series and wondering about their messages.

They were both successful because of their message of peace? No - but maybe, kind of - sort of. It's in there, if you look close enough and it's tied to something else.

Choice - I thought. Choice.

There are many wonderful messages about growth, hope, love, faith, justice and peace in the many HP and SW books/movies. But what stood out the most to me was the gift, the freedom, of choice.

Anakin had a choice. His choice was based on fear even though he loved Padme and his mother. He chose the dark side and his choice had some dire consequences for him and those he loved. Luke had a choice. His choice to be a Jedi and stand up for freedom and justice was based on love...the love for his father and his friends. He was scared but his choice wasn't based in fear. Luke chose peace - in the end he didn't fight - and his choice had powerful and positive consequences. Harry, like Luke, was scared but brave and his choice was also based on love. Well, you know how that turned out (in case you don't I won't give it away but at one point he makes a very similar choice to Luke's and does not fight).

The choice of peace is just that, a choice. It may not be easy. Sometimes it may be scarey. And for sure you have to practice it to get better at it. But it is a choice with profound positive consequences. This is one of those amazing freedoms we have that no one can take away, but it is ours to give away.

This Peace Day take a moment to silence yourself with many others around the world and fill yourself with peace. It is your choice.

Alexandra Gnoske is an Environmental Expert. She is the Author/Illustrator of "Loui Saves the Earth" and Founder of RECYCLE ME.

Monarch-palooza or Something Like That

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 18:12:00 +0000

Last Sunday I took the kids to the North Park Nature Center (north side of Chicago) for Monarch-palooza, to see Monarchs being released for their long journey to over-winter in Mexico on the hillside of Sierra Chincua.

I guess with a name like 'Monarch-palooza' I expected they would be release dozens and dozens of butterflies, but they were releasing one every hour. However, they had a lot to teach us, so in the end I understood why it was one at a time.

First we went inside to look at all the live Monarchs in different stages of their life-cycle, and the staff explained how they take the silk and stick themselves upside down before making their chrysalis. It was great to be able to see them in their various stages to help the kids understand the process.

Common Milkweed growing in Chicago at Little Gompers

Then we went outside to see the milkweed. This is a most special plant because it is the only plant that Monarchs will lay their eggs on, so they are completely dependent on this plant for survival. The milkweed has a milky white liquid (hence the name) and it is toxic, making the Monarchs toxic and helping them avoid predators.

Milkweed plants have been eradicated from much of their native habitat due to development and farming. If you are interested in growing milkweed you can check with your local nursery or visit 'Live Monarch' to find out how to get native seeds free-paying only for postage.

Milkweed is easy to grow and native to the United States. What was really interesting was that all the insects that seem to like this plant end up with the same color scheme - orange and black.


Pointing out 6 legs to confirm Monarchs are indeed insects

Next the staff took a butterfly out of a large tent - they know the Monarchs are ready to fly and their wings are dried when they are flying around the tent. They showed us how to hold a butterfly to avoid damaging their delicate wings and how to identify male versus female (the bottom wings will have spot in the orange areas for a male, no spots for a female), and then they put a tiny sticker on the wing to help track the butterfly to that scientist can learn many important things about their migration all to make sure we continue to keep Monarchs alive and well with healthy populations.

This butterfly is a girl or female. Looking at the bottom wing.

We learned many things we didn't know: Monarchs will fly to Southern California and Florida and miss out on Mexico all together; no matter where a Monarch is, Texas, Arkansas, Illinois or Canada, once it is September they all know to head back south for the wintering grounds; Monarchs will go through 4 or 5 life cycles in one summer, migrating north, before the last generation heads back to Mexico.

Monarch-palooza inspired me. I am going to work on a butterfly and Monarch garden to make a little more habitat. I hope you can find a little space to help with Monarch habitat too.

My Fuzzy Tarantula: Stories from a Sustainable Mom

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 02:14:00 +0000

When I was 20 I walked outside with my 2 year old niece. She screamed and ran back inside. Shocked I stood there looking into the empty street wondering what she saw that was so frightening. It turned out to be a bee. She learned from her mom who doesn't like bees.

This stuck in my head and I filed it away only to be pulled out over ten years later under the file ‘I don’t want my girls to be petrified of bees (or other insects).’

When my girls were one and three we would have scavenger hunts, looking for plastic insects (yes, plastic) I would hide around the yard - bees, ants, butterflies, spiders, etc. We would finding real ones too. I would put rolly pollys (sow bugs), worms, lightning bugs, whatever I could catch, in my hands for them to see, touch, and maybe hold too. I love nature and wildlife and I wanted my kids to appreciate nature too.

Bella holding a tarantula at the Field Museum

We played the scavenger hunt at least once a week. The following spring I took my family, including my 9 year old niece to Members Night at the Field Museum in Chicago. I always like the insect room because the beetle collection is as beautiful as it is diverse.

We walked in and the first part is live bugs. Among them there was a tarantula and Madagascar hissing cockroaches. I wanted my niece to touch the tarantula. I knew I had to do it first so she would feel it was no big deal. It worked. (Aunt pressure can be as persuasive as peer pressure).

When we moved up a bit I turned around and there was my preschooler (with her father), trying to snuggle with the ‘fuzzy’ tarantula, almost rubbing her face on it. Well, mission accomplished! I will never forget that night (even though I forgot the camera) because my little preschool girl did not see that big hairy tarantula as a scary monster. A few years later and I got a picture of her holding one.

The point is, if you want your kids to do something, sustainable or otherwise, it is best learned through modeling.

You can find more anecdotes and information on raising a sustainable child in Alexandra Gnoske's upcoming book: 'How to Raise a Sustainable Child' coming out soon.

Back to Green Living Skills with Mary's Wholesome Living

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 21:58:00 +0000

Mary doing her thing

Written for Mindful Metropolis, August Mindful Business Matters Blog

Do you love the idea of growing your own fresh produce, making home made bread, blueberry preserves, kombucha tea and such – but you don’t live on a farm or know where to begin? Not to worry. We have a local gal who will have you living like a farm kid in the city in no time.

Mary Lydon Krystinak, founder and woman extraordinaire of Mary’s Wholesome Living Ltd., (MWL) teaches back to basic green living skills. She and her husband John always wanted to live on a farm and loved the idea of self-sufficiency, but life happened…career, family, etc. They still made sure they grew plenty of their own food and kept a small farm charm about their house.

Now Mary is on a mission to “provide practical education, real life experiences and helpful connections to live a more down-to-earth lifestyle.” She believes people want to know what’s in their food. Cooking from scratch gives you complete control over what you add or leave out (like pesticides). It is also a growing trend as the commitment to buying local food continues through CSA’s and farmers markets.

Upcoming Classes

September – All things tomatoes, salsas, marinara sauce, soup, etc

Canning is very environmentally friendly. Mary says glass jars can be used for years (she has some that are over 40 years old) and they need no additional energy for storage, with a shelf life of up to 2 years. She goes a step further and puts her scraps from canning into the compost or her worm bin to feed next years crop.

Mary’s Wholesome Living Classes are held around the suburbs, but are mostly often taught at the Two Mothers Foods’ kitchen in Naperville, Ill. The classes are all hands on learning and focus on what’s seasonal and include, but are not limited to, the following:

Canning
Pickling
Preserving
Cheese Making
Bread Making
Kombucha
Butter
Ghee
Gluten Free Baking
Composting
Worm Farming
Lasagna Gardening
Knitting

If you are interested in learning more or attending a class you can join MWL’s email list via wholesomemary@att.net or the website.

Alexandra Gnoske is an Environmental Expert. She is the Author/Illustrator of "Loui Saves the Earth" and Founder of RECYCLE ME.

Australia: Sick Turtle Appeal

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 02:33:00 +0000

I COPIED THIS FROM THE WWF GLOBAL WEBSITE BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO SHARE.

Great Barrier Reef crisis: turtles are sick and starving to death!

Please make a donation by September 30th to help our marine turtles

The extreme weather events in Queensland in January deposited a 'triple whammy' of pesticides, sediment and fresh water on sea grass along the Queensland coast. And now our beautiful marine turtles are being subjected to another killer, a deforming virus that causes large tumorous lesions.

These combined threats have caused the Great Barrier Reef's polluted sea grass to die-off across massive areas and thousands of sick, starving and injured turtles have begun to wash up on our Queensland beaches.

And the prognosis? It will get worse.

WWF is and will do everything within our power to preserve turtle populations. Your donation to our turtle crisis appeal before September 30th will be used immediately across 3 programs to protect our marine turtles.

Donate now to the Turtle Crisis Appeal

YOU CAN CONTACT WORLD WILDLIFE FUND IN AUSTRALIA TOLL FREE AT 1800 032 551

What's in a Plastic Bag?

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 04:31:00 +0000

That which we call a plastic bag by any other name would still be bad for the environment, for wildlife, for all of us.

plastic bags in tree

For all the controversy surrounding plastic bags you would think they've been around forever. I mean they are all over the world, in every ocean, stuck on animals, found inside animals. But no, the plastic bags we usually think about, plastic grocery bags, were first introduced to grocery stores to replace brown paper bags in 1977.1 That's only 34 years ago - less than a life time.

What is it?


plastic bag on coral reef

Plastic bags are made from polyethylene which comes from non-renewable resources: crude oil and natural gas.1 They are very durable and flexible, reasons why they are so attractive.

Polyethylene is created through polymerization of ethylene, by reacting monomer molecules together in a chemical reaction to form three-dimensional networks or polymer chains.2 Under the right conditions of temperature, pressure and catalysis, the double bond of the ethylene monomer opens up and many monomers link up to form long chains.

Will it Decompose?
Well plastic bags won't biodegrade. When we say something is 'biodegradable' that means microbial organisms can break it down (basically eat it), transform it, into basic organic matter. When it comes to polyethylene, or plastic bags, microbes can't turn it into organic matter because they don't recognize it as food and won't eat it.

According to The Good Human3 plastic bags will photodegrade, a process by which the ultraviolet radiation from the sun breaks an object down. However Scientists aren't sure the resulting synthetic granules completely decompose and the concern is the synthetic material will build up in the environment, becoming a part of the food chain with detrimental, exponential effects.

plastic bags in river

How Much is there?
While plastic bag production was in it's infancy 34 years ago, today people in the U.S. take home 100 billion every year (according to Worldwatch Institute). Only 0.6 percent get recycled, but there seems to be some dispute about this number, with others claiming up to 7 percent. Still, that's 93 billion plastic bags that end up in the garbage or litter. Even bags that go into the garbage or into recycling bins can easily blow out. And these numbers are just for the United States.

Where do Plastic Bags go?
We know that plastic bags have made their way around the world and back again. Wind and ocean currents carry the light-weight bags wherever they go.

Plastic bags go in garbage, landfills, trees, streets, alleys, yards, parks, drains, rivers, lakes, oceans...they find their way into every environment. They end up stuck on animals, strangling animals, getting eaten by animals, and eventually getting eaten by us.

plastic bag stuck on bird

Wonder what plastic bags will do to our bodies, our immune system, our reproductive system...

What can You do?
This is the most powerful question you can ask. The simplest answer is take your cloth bag with you everywhere and say no to plastic bags. While this may not seem like much, it really does make a big difference. This is a change in culture. It only took one generation to create a plastic bag crisis. It can easily be reversed. Your power is in your action.

The other answer to the question is 'a lot!' Many cities, and countries around the world have banned or restricted plastic bags (and even plastic bag production) - 25% of the world according to Wikipedia. Other places have issued a tax. You can work with others in your community to help create a ban. You can also join organizations like 'No More Plastic Bags Please' in San Diego to help clean up and bring awareness of the issue.

Some people and organizations have found ways to reuse or make new products out of plastic bags (like New Life for Old Bags in Chicago). While these efforts are important to deal with the current plastic bag waste, it is important going forward to use cloth bags and give up the plastic.

A little humor to lighten the serious mood

What if I end up with a plastic bag?
It happens! People drop stuff off for me in plastic bags. Buns, bread, frozen vegetables, products ordered through the mail, just about everything comes in plastic. You can find an organization that uses plastic to make new products; you can cut up your plastic so it doesn't have a ring or whole that can get caught on an animal should it accidentally end up in the environment; you can recycle it; if you are really crafty you can reuse it yourself (try knitting it into a matt).

In the end, it's up to you. Will you carry cloth bags? Will you carry your 5 items to the car when you forget a cloth bag? Will you buy a reusable bag when you forget your own? Will you take your cloth bags to stores beyond the supermarket? It's really simple and I hope you can see that you make a difference.

What one person can do

1. Source: packagingknowledge
2. Source: Wikipedia
3. Source: The Good Human

Alexandra Gnoske is an Environmental Expert, Owner of Recycle Me and the Author/Illustrator of 'Loui Saves the Earth.'

Would I Brainwash My Child on Purpose?

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 04:40:00 +0000

Last week I wrote about sharing my passion for green beans, fresh picked and eaten in the field. I mentioned that I shared my passion and described excitedly the memory I had of this experience to my then small children - and the result was they reacted the same way, did the same thing...picked the bean, broke it in two, took a big sniff, bit it, and mmmmm, 'this is awesome Mom!'

Wow - I felt like I brain washed them! Did they have any choice but to do what they did, feel what they felt? Let me just say I am not an advocate of brain-washing children.

I was uncomfortable when I went back and read my blog, wondering if I was somehow suggesting that brain washing is a good parenting technique. But then I began to wonder, what is brain washing? What is the difference in raising my kids to think a certain way - share my values - and brain washing?

I was relieved to find out that I'm not brain washing my kids. Brainwashing is when someone "systematically uses unethically manipulative methods to persuade others to conform to the wishes of the manipulator(s), often to the detriment of the person being manipulated" (according to Langone, Michael. "Cults: Questions and Answers". www.csj.org).

So sharing my values with my kids is not to their detriment and I'm not using unethical methods. I'm off the hook. Of course we all influence our children with our good and bad habits, values, actions, words...even when we hope they aren't paying attention.

It's good to be conscious of your actions because those kids, whether they are little or not, are influenced by us, their parents. That's just the way it is...even when they say they don't care, aren't listening, hate us, etc. That's actually when our behavior matters the most.

Why My Kids Love Fresh Picked Green Beans

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 04:29:00 +0000

My great uncle had a farm in Kenosha, Wisconsin and my family would help him on weekends. He sold the farm when I was very little but I will never forget the many sensations of picking green beans and eating them fresh and warm (and a little dirty) right in the field.

That memory never left me and it’s why, even though I grew up a city girl and my parents didn't grow food, I always wanted to. So when we bought our house the first thing I planted the next year was green beans.

I didn't realize how well I had described my personal experience of eating fresh picked green beans until my children picked ours. All three of them snapped the bean in half, smelled it, and took a bite...they all smiled, made little yummy noises, and declared how wonderful it was.

It was like I was watching myself out in that field years ago when I saw my children do exactly the same thing. But I realized what I had done. My memory was so strong and I was so passionate about it I must have described what I did and how I felt several times that summer while I tended to the green beans. My kids almost had no choice but to act the same way (a little scarey how well I had brain-washed them).

3 Berry Juice, our strawberries & raspberries, neighbors mulberries

Now we have cherry tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries, and yellow squash (little gourds too, but not for eating). My kids get excited about anything I bring in from the garden. But I'm even more excited because I know I'm sharing something special with them, my love of gardening and growing my own food.

I greatly increased the chances that they will grow their own food and flowers by sharing with them, especially when they were only toddlers and preschoolers. They understand that food grows from the soil; that water, sun and insects are a part of growing food; and they can do it.

Anything you want your kids to value or do, introduce it at an early age and let them see you doing it. Young children learn most from modeling. They copy their parents. My kids bird watch, drink water, and poke around the yard because that's what I do (I won't mention my bad habits they've copied).

I was lucky to have that farm, if only for a brief time. That was all it took. But you don't need a farm to instill the love of gardening. You just need a window, a pot, a seed and a model!

Composting: Just Do It!

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 05:45:00 +0000

So I'm a bit of a perfectionist. We've lived in the same house for 5 1/2 years, and for the first four I kept walking around the yard thinking, "What is the best compost set up for me?" I kept walking around and thinking about it, mulling it over, and walking around some more. I mean really - I needed to compost - as it was becoming apparent that a good portion of my garbage was food. So I kept thinking about it.

Compost Caddy

Finally my girlfriend walked up with a compost bin one day and said "just do it already!" (She had already given me a Compost Caddy to put my scraps inside indoors before transferring them outdoors....she's a really good friend!).

Yeah. So I started putting all of my yard scraps in this compost bin outside. And being paranoid, living in Chicago and a half block from the river I thought if I put food scraps in there I'd get rats - even though my girlfriend (who works at Green Home Experts) assured me I wouldn't. Still, I couldn't believe it. So in went the yard waste, but what to do with all the food waste?

It would be simple to get a worm bin. So that's not what I did of course. I started putting my food into the Compost Caddy (last August) and guess what? It filled up. Now what to do? Of course I figured it out. Take the outdoor garbage can, poke holes in the bottom to drain the compost tea, and set it up by the flowers so they can benefit while I make soil in the can!

My 'real' compost bin

The first night the raccoons got in there so I put some bricks in. That solved that problem. Being the excellent researcher I am, I researched nothing. So it was getting a nice sloppy goo. The nearby chrysanthemums seemed to love it. Winter came and I still kept filling it up. Amazingly the goo also shrunk down, and continued to do so. I realized at one point I should be putting some "browns" in there to balance out the nitrogen/carbon levels.

Finally, I was at a green social event and met Amber, one of the original Urban Worm Girls - yes, I really met her in person and she's very nice, even with all her celebrity. She said I might want to cap that garbage can and get back to the real compost bin. Definitely put in more paper and see if you can get soil to develop...and by the way, get a worm bin. This I can quote, "that's the fastest way to make soil."


My 'garbage can' composter

So what did I do? I capped that garbage can (after putting in more paper-like material of course). Yes, I'm determined it will yield me some soil, hopefully by next spring. But my food scraps were piling up again, and my real compost bin was hiding in the midst of a perennial jungle and looking like the leaning tower and I just couldn't get near it without a machete and a guide...so I bought another 32 gallon garbage can and started my experiment all over again. Opposite corner of the garden by my prized purple cone flowers. This time I'll add paper-ish or browns from the beginning! Yes, I'm doing it right - for me at least.

I'll get a worm bin soon...maybe next year.

What's Around the Corner?

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 03:46:00 +0000

I usually don't like to think about the new school year until about 24 hours before it starts, as my children are usually the first to go back - well before Labor Day - in the sweltering, humid days of August in Chicago.

But I've been thinking about the next school year for weeks now, for a few reasons, but mostly because I am determined this will be the greenest school year ever, not only for my family, but also for our school.

When my children started attending elementary school there was no Earth Day celebration and every once in a while someone would ask me, "what are you planning for Earth Day?" Of course, as a Green Business Owner that's usually my busiest time of year and I am no where near the school or available.

However, this past year we held our first Earth Day Celebration with the help of the 7th grade science class. It was a great event and I was really honored to work with and talk with all the students.

This year I am determined to have multiple events. And as these events take planning, I am thinking about them and about school.

I think the following events are great learning opportunities for children, and I thought I would share them with you as maybe you don't know about these special days and would at least want them on your calendar, so you can attend an event or plan one yourself!

Green Halloween (Sept/Oct)
Food Day (October 24)
America Recycles Day (November 15)
World Water Day (March 22)
Earth Day (April 22)

Beyond these events, I'm also interested in having a green school year. That inspired me to write a small article for the August issue of Mindful Metropolis on some simple ways to have a greener school year.

Do you know any other events everyone should know about? Please leave them in the comments.

Thanks for caring about the environment and each other!

The Lazy Summer

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 18:03:00 +0000

It's been a rather lazy summer for me. Instead of signing up for dozens of events and focusing on work, I took the family to the Grand Canyon and that started a downward spiral of doing as little as possible and enjoying myself, my family, and my house.

When we were at the Grand Canyon there was no wifi and my phone died so I was totally disconnected for a week. No Face, no updates, no twitter, no texting. Instead we had camping, cooking outdoors, hiking, birdwatching, amazing vistas, and serious road tripping. It brought me back to a time that seems like forever ago, before children, before the pressure to work, make deadlines, pay bills. A time when I lived off little and enjoyed life at my own pace.

But who am I kidding? It is all about perspective. At each stage of life you find pressure - things that seem so overwhelming and important at that time, that later look so insignificant. (Remember that pimple just before your High School year book picture? Thought you were going to die!).

BALANCE
A challenge many parents face is finding that elusive balance. Isn't working or pursuing your business goals - isn't that for the good of the family? Isn't it for you? So when people say you need to take time for yourself, isn't going off to events, networking, speaking, etc. for you?

I'm not going to pretend I have the answer. But I've decided this is the lazy summer. I've been playing with my kids, 'working' in my garden (one of my greatest joys), riding my bike to work and ditching my car, reading the 'Harry Potter' series with my kids, taking Zumba and getting back to running, visiting friends and going on dates with my husband.

My 3 kids aren't in camp. I like them to get bored because that's where imagination blossoms (as well as learning to get along, having time to do chores, and I really don't like the pressure of driving them around to meet camp schedules). Right now they are working on a Littlest Pet Shop video. I don't know if they'll pull it off, but they are having fun setting it up and they are happily working together.

Here's to having a wonderful, lazy summer - as lazy as you can be, anyway!

Wash Me Green: Where Green Washing is a Good Thing!

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 16:26:00 +0000

Have you ever thought about all the chemicals and water that go down the drain for a good car wash? Well Tanya Killian has. She didn't like how filthy the car washing process was and thought, "this could be better."

Four months after her inspired thought (in 2007) Killian launched "Wash Me Green," a top notch environmentally responsible cleaning service for cars and boats. Wash Me Green is the exclusive cleaning service for I-GO Cars, washing and detailing their entire fleet every two weeks. And fortunately for the rest of us, the service includes car washing and detailing for consumers.

WHAT IT IS

After Killian's initial thought she started researching and found no one else providing a green cleaning service in the industry. She found a chemist in Colorado who was making eco friendly automotive cleaning products for years in order to meet California Environmental Standards. What she ended up with was a quality car wash using less than a gallon of low pressure water per wash along with biodegradable and no foam detergents that results in no wastewater ever touching the Earth!

This is an amazing feat considering an at home car wash uses 10 gallons of water per minute, with all runoff going untreated into our water system. A typical commercial car wash uses over 11 gallons of water with a drainage system that typically treats the water before it enters our water stream.

SERVICES

Here is a few of the services provided by Wash Me Green:

Whitewall Tire Shine
Complete Detailing
Exterior Only Wash and Wax
Interior Detailing
Washme-Envigreen Complete Wash and Wax

HOW IT WORKS

You can drop off your car or even have it picked up and returned! Wash Me Green uses several locations around the city and is continually expanding. You can find them in Streeterville, The Loop, New Eastside, Near North, and Rogers Park.

You schedule your appointment through the website and choose your service.

Wash Me Green has several incentives and discounts, including specials for Hybrids and Fuel Efficient cars.

No matter if you wash your car once a week or once every six months, the way your car gets washed can make a huge difference for your environment. Everyone can use some Green Washing.

For more information and to schedule your appointment today visit Wash Me Green at http://www.washmegreen.com/.

Alexandra Gnoske is an Environmental Expert. She is the Author/Illustrator of "Loui Saves the Earth" and Founder of RECYCLE ME.

FIRST PUBLISHED IN MINDFUL BUSINESS MATTERS AT WWW.MINDFULMETROPOLIS.COM

Get some Green on your Roof!

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 02:47:00 +0000

Want to get more out of your space? Rooftopia, Chicago's full service Rooftop Gardening and Landscaping company, wants to show you how to do that and more with your rooftop.

Owners and operators Jenn Lassa and Marcin Matlakowski started Rooftopia in 2009. They are both passionate about the environment, love working outdoors and are motivated by the green revolution. Jenn says, "It was a natural progression that we take our skills and energy to the next level to achieve the most we can with our own business and inspire others to do the same."

Jenn is a Horticulturalist and Designer and Marcin is a Construction Expert and Designer. They work together year round to create the perfect garden design for your space, no matter how big or small.

Rooftop gardens have their own unique challenges, but many rewards. Initially the structural soundness of the roof and building has to be assessed. Jenn and Marcin will work with you from assessment, design, installation and maintenance. They won't leave you hanging!

What can you do with a rooftop space?

planter boxes - vegetable or native plant gardens
water features - collect water and reduce run-off
shade structures - help reduce "urban heat islands"
vertical green walls - provide beauty
patios, balconies, terrace - create additional recreational space

By creating a roof top garden you open up additional space to enjoy the outdoors, increase your buildings energy efficiency, reduce CO2, create habitat for beneficial insects and birds and prolong the life of your roof by 30 - 50 years.

Jenn frequently speaks on container gardens, raised beds and composting with worms. She will be teaching a 2 hour workshop on container/rooftop gardens at the Infinity Foundation on June 21st. "Our goal is to make under-utilized rooftops a place of inspiration for everyone," says Jenn.

For more information on turning your unused rooftop space into a an inspiration you can contact Rooftopia at 773-398-9486 or email info@rooftopia.com. You can learn more about Rooftopia at www.rooftopia.com.

Alexandra Gnoske is an Environmental Expert. She is the Author/Illustrator of "Loui Saves the Earth" and Founder of RECYCLE ME.

FIRST PUBLISHED IN MINDFUL METROPOLIS MINDFUL BUSINESS MATTERS BLOG 5/24/2011.

Memorial Day Events: How to Be a Superhero for Planet Earth!

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Sun, 29 May 2011 15:20:00 +0000

This Monday kids can find inspiration and empowerment at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum at the FREE workshop, "How to Be a Superhero for Planet Earth!" Register Here.

For kids from Kindergarten to 3rd grade, this workshop is a fun and interactive way to teach kids how they can make a difference for the planet through their everyday actions. They listen to a story, play games, and take home their own Action Plan to remind them how many ways they can make a difference and help the planet.

What's unique about this program is it focuses on what the children can do themselves. This isn't a project for parents with plans to create compost centers, rain gardens, or renewable energy systems at home.

Alexandra Gnoske, mother of three and Environmental Expert, designed "How to Be a Superhero for Planet Earth," so kids could be environmentalists with or without their parents. "We live in a busy time and parents aren't always available," says Gnoske. "I certainly can't do everything with my kids or have time for them to do all the things they are interested in."

So Gnoske devised a way for kids to do it on their own. Empower and inspire them. She shows them that no matter how young they are, their actions make a difference to the planet and wildlife and there are many things they can do without help. To reinforce this, she sends them home with an Action Plan and has them sign up for CLUB LOUI, a monthly newsletter aimed at kids and their families with an eco-tip of the month and information on eco friendly activities and sales in the Chicagoland area.

Well, admittedly most Kindergartners don't have email accounts and aren't tech savvy. But it's a start. We need this generation to get it, whether their parents do or not.

World Turtle Day - 2011

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Fri, 20 May 2011 04:20:00 +0000

You may not know it, but Monday, May 23rd, is World Turtle Day. And this isn't even the first year!

World Turtle Day began in 2000 by American Tortoise Rescue in an effort to bring attention to and educate people about turtles and tortoises. It is also a day to encourage people to help turtles and tortoises thrive and survive.

So how can you help?

No matter where in the world you live, your everyday actions are affecting turtles and tortoises. Everything you put on the land ends up in the water. So here are a few simple things you can do to help them "thrive and survive":

1. Cut up anything and everything with a circle or hole, before it goes in the recycling or garbage. Example; nets and bags for fruit, handles on plastic bags, six pack and multi pack plastic rings. We don't want these items to get caught on and hurt our turtles.

2. Recycle. Find a way to get your plastic into a recycling facility and out of the landfill where it is more likely to end up in a waterway.

3. Use reusable bags wherever you go! Don't just bring them to the grocery store, take them everywhere. In other words, give up the plastic bag. Even when you cut up plastic so it doesn't get caught on turtles, they still may eat plastic. It looks a lot like their food - jelly fish and squid.

4. Don't Litter! Most litter ends up in the water, and it eventually flows into the ocean.

5. Pick up litter. This can be messy so it's best to have some gloves. But sometimes you find yourself facing litter when it's not a planned pick up. Make sure you wash your hands. You are doing everyone a favor when you pick up litter.

Some Local Celebrations

1. Meet 14 different species of turtles at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago on Sunday, May 22nd.

2. Enjoy a discount on organic cotton produce bags at Peaceful Parlour in Geneva, IL to celebrate World Turtle Day!

Thank you for caring about turtles, tortoises, and everyone on the planet! You are a great example and more people will care because they see you care.

Simple Balance Holistic Center: Experience a little Heaven on Earth

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Mon, 16 May 2011 12:16:00 +0000

Would you like to experience a little heaven on earth? Dr. Jaena wants to help you do just that.

Dr. Jaena Stanley-Gonzaga is a Holistic and Transformation doctor, (with degrees and certifications in Human Cell Biology, Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Bioenergetic synchronization Technique, Psych-K, and Neurostructural Technique) who assists and teaches people how to heal themselves and master their lives. She is the owner and founder of Simple Balance Holistic Center in Elgin, Illinois.

Dr. Jaena's goals are simple:

1. Educate: Our mind and our ability to imagine creates our world.

2. Empower: We do matter and we can make a difference.

3. Create relationships: True wealth stems from pure and authentic relationships we create.

4. Create a community that is loving, supportive, and nurturing: This is the platform that is the catalyst for miracles and possibilities.

Dr. Jaena achieves these goals through workshops, classes and retreats. Her workshops include Spiritual Studies courses, Free Meditation workshops, Reiki Certification workshops, and yearly mind, body and spirit wellness programs.

She also offers monthly classes on The Art of Sustainable Living, Healing Mastery Intensives, Awaken Your Healing Nature and Inspiration Awareness Mastery Gatherings.

The Centers' first women's retreat is scheduled for June 4th and 5th. Registration is currently open and more transformational weekend retreats will be offered.

Dr. Jaena believes, "the more we can support each other and share each other's message to help make the world a better place, the more we can get our message out their in a bigger way which will automatically make our businesses thrive."

That is why she has included other like minded businesses to join her Center:

Fusion Mind Body Yoga Studio
Hear the Earth Store - green essentials and sustainable living
Eastern Groove Belly Dance

Her desire to create Simple Balance Holistic Center was inspired and she says, "My vision is to see the world embrace a conscious and proactive wellness lifestyle that creates a healthy and sustainable mind, body, spirit and planet. We are here to live and play out our purpose and passion with enthusiasm, humility and authenticity. I feel it is time to consciously create our heaven on earth within and without."

To find out more please visit their website at Simple-Balance.com and the Simple Balance Facebook Page. Look for Simple Balances new You Tube Channel, createheavennow.tv.

FIRST POSTED AT Mindful Metropolis Blog.

Alexandra Gnoske is an Environmental Expert. She is the Author/Illustrator of "Loui Saves the Earth" and Founder of RECYCLE ME.

Emerge and See: 2011 Chicago Green Festival

noreply@blogger.com (recycle me) — Sun, 08 May 2011 04:44:00 +0000

Today I was having tea with two creative and inspiring women to discuss our panel "Urban Green Living" for the Chicago Green Festival May 15th, at 3pm.

As conversations usually do, ours went in a different direction as we were discussing the timing of other panels. We talked about The 2012 Prophecy, a presentation by John Perkins, and what 2012 means. If you've been paying attention to Hollywood, 2012 means the end of the world.

I was talking to an 8th grade class last month and a student asked me,"Is it true? 2012?" I said, "What do you mean by 2012?" "You know," she said. "The end of the world." I told her and the class that every ending is a new beginning. You can chose to see the end, or you can chose to see the beginning.

My co-panelist Diane Ponder brought up the fact that when a group of people believe in something, they have the energy, the power, to make it happen - good or bad. And my other co-panelist Mimi Clayton said there are different ways of looking at the same thing. "Some people say 'emergency' and others say 'emerge and see!'"

The Chicago Green Festival, May 14th and 15th at McCormick Place, offers many different ways to 'emerge and see.' From national and international keynote speakers, to local folks making a big difference in your neighborhood, businesses to non-profits and everything in between. Chicago Green Festival is an event full of ideas, action, and inspiration. (See guide here.)

How do you perceive our future? A positive transformation into a new world of collaboration and harmony. Emerge and See.

Alexandra Gnoske is an Environmental Expert who inspires and empowers people to live healthy, safe and environmentally responsible lives through her work as a green business owner, author, writer and speaker.