Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Are you heat stressed this summer?

by Katy Green
http://www.shoptobegreen.com/




They say everyone experiences the winter blues but what about heat stress during the summer?
 According to National Institute on Aging, as temperatures and humidity rise across much of the U.S., people over the age of 65 are among the most vulnerable to heat stroke and heat exhaustion. The primary reasons is because the body’s ability to regulate temperature through blood circulation and sweat glands tends to decline with age.

Ice Sculptures melting by Brazilian Artist Nele Azevedo

If you are excessively overweight or have heart disease or high blood pressure, or take medications that may be affected by extreme heat, you are more likely to experience heat stress as well.

Heat stress can also be caused by working in hot environments. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, heat stress can result in a heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes. Workers at risk for heat stress include outdoor workers and workers in hot environments such as firefighters, bakery workers, farmers, construction workers, miners, boiler room workers, factory workers, and others.
We are not promoting Perrier ..we thought the picture captures how we feel.



Heat Stress Symptoms include: (for information on treating this symptoms, CLICK HERE)
  1. Heavy sweating
  2. Extreme weakness or fatigue
  3. Dizziness, confusion
  4. Nausea
  5. Clammy, moist skin
  6. Pale or flushed complexion
  7. Muscle cramps
  8. Slightly elevated body temperature
  9. Fast and shallow breathing


Melting clocks.
Melting Clocks

The sun's hot rays can also increase your risk for sunburn, breakouts, age spots, and irritation. For those of you that have super sensitive skin like rosacea, dermatitis, or acne, the heat is not the only threat to your skin's health. 

The best advice for reducing sunburn is to stay out of the sun especially when the sun rays are the brightest or when the tempeture reaches the highest peak between 12 noon to 5 pm. Of course the time frame will vary depending on where you live but you can usually gauge the right time frame.


Melting ice on the Cook Inlet Beach in Kenai -  BRAD SNEAD 
  Shoptobegreen.com suggests the following remedies to soothe your skin:
  • Stay hydrated by drinking water.
  • Reduce your intake of alcohol, iced coffee and soda because they do not hydrate you in the hot weather.
  • Wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin and try to stay indoors in a cool area.
  • To re-hydrate dehydrated cells and extract toxins and reduce sun spots and tighten pores, try all natural Solay Detox Face Mud Mask
Solay Detox Face Mud Mask
100% Vegan
  • Sun, smoke, pollution, and stress create skin-damaging oxidants and free radicals. Load up on antioxidant like stocked green tea extract, alpha-lipoic acid, vitamins B3 and E, and vitamin C ester. For more information on natural antioxidants or preparing your own skin potions, check out Dr. Weil at www.drweil.com.
  • Reduce Stress and take a cool bath. Hot water can damage and dry skin any season. Try Stress Relief Natural Bath Soak with Himalayan salt
     
    Stress Relief Natural Bath Soak with Himalayan salt
    Ingredients: Himalayan salt, Aluminum-free sodium bicarbonate, chamomile flower powder, apple cider vinegar, rooibus red tea powder extract, lilac oil, lemon oil.



    

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Trees Please!

by Katy Green
http://www.shoptobegreen.com/


Central Park in the Summer
 Literary Walk
Central Park Promenade
Ever wonder about the trees in your area or about the trees in your local public park? Do you wonder about the history of the park?  Well, I do!

I think about the vastness of Central Park and whenever I go for a picnic with my daughter or for a stroll with my friends I am thankful I have this wonderland of green in the middle of the concrete jungle.


Central Park in the Spring
Literary Walk
Central Park Promenade

According to Ecorazzi, author Edward Barnard and birdwatcher Ken Chaya have mapped almost all of the 20,000 trees in the Central Park! 

It took the duo two and a half years of work and many miles of walking to list all of the those trees. Their hard work resulted in a map “Central Park Entire.” Barnard decided to create this amazing map while writing his book New York City Trees!




Central Park in the Fall
Literary Walk

Central Park Promenade




Central Park in the Winter
Literary Walk
Central Park Promenade

Green History:

All pictures of Central Park in this www.shoptobegreen.com article are of the famous Central Park Mall Promenade featured in many film numerous times; aka Literary Walk located between 67th and 73rd street.

Did you know the mall was originally designed as formal promenade for the upper class!
The park is lined with Elm Trees. There are many statues of literary figures along the Mall, including Shakespeare, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns. Literary Walk is located in the middle of the park and you can access it via the B or C at 72nd street.
 
For more on the 400 national parks in the USA, check out The National Park Service site.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Waste not Want Not....don't throw your dollars away!

by Katy Green
www.shoptobegreen.com




Anytime there is a major holiday, I am reminded of the pollution that enters the air from all of the exhaust fumes from the cars buzzing everywhere.

Millions of people will travel by car this weekend to holiday at their favorite beach. A couple things you should before you pile into the car:
  • Energy Conservation: Not at home, turn off the lights, set the thermostat or central air to 75 degrees, plug out all appliances.
  • Reduce Eletric Consumption : Turn off TV's and computers or any electronic equipment. Turn of your power strip.
Did you know with a programmable thermostat you can save 10% on your cooling bills during the summer by adjusting the thermostat when you are sleeping or away.
  • Water Conservation: Turn down the water heater thermostat to 120° F. Turn off your automatic sprinkler.
  • Reduce Heat: Close heating vents and close doors to unused rooms.Close drapes and windows during sunny summer days and after sunset in cooler weather.
  • Remember to check your stove and confirm it is off. Also check your carbon monoxide monitor and make sure it is working.

Okay, now you are conserving energy and you on your way to the beach but before you jump in the water and frolic in the sand, please read Beach Ratings so that you can avoid the most polluted and the worst rated for health standards. 

Friday, June 17, 2011

Serene Green Bachelorette Party! Is that possible?

Katy Green
http://www.shoptobegreen.com/

 
I always say "anything is possible" and that is the mantra I live by daily.

 
Tis the season of Bachelorette mayhem and debauchery but what if your version of a pre-nuptial femme bash consists of something more subdued and organic.

 
If you're looking for cool earth friendly wedding, bridesmaid or engagement party gifts check us out at www.shoptobegreen.com

 
Outdoor Bachelorette Party
 
Well, you are not alone, join us as we explore the Serene Green Bachelorette Bash. For those of us traveling on a brown rice path to an alternative "off the grid" lifestyle then I think you will like my suggestions or for those of you that are experiencing a second or third walk down the aisle and the thought of crazed women at a male strip club makes you want to hurl then
I've got the answer:

  
5 Ideas for a Serene Green Bachelorette Bash!
(this is for whoever is planning the bachelorette party)

 
  • Outdoor Bachelorette Barbecue: Host your bash outdoors either in your backyard or at a park. Connecting with nature, laughing with friends and not using tons of electricity. Use natural light and or candles to light up at night for ambiance. Ask everyone to bring a dish.

    Beach Bachelorette Party
  • Beach Bachelorette Bonfire: Invite your gal pals to beach midday, soak up the suns rays and then build a bonfire and serve Organic Wine, Barbecue and Organic Greens. Looking for a beach close to you..click: East Coast Beaches or West Coast Beaches.

    
    Organic Spa Bachelorette Party
     Organic Spa Bachelorette Gathering: email everyone an invite to surrender to relaxation and rejuvenation. There a tons of green spas now and trade a gas guzzling limousine for a car pool. Green Spa Pick or Eco Spa Directory.
  • Outdoors Nut Bachelorette Extravaganza: Love the outdoors, nature and exercise, invite your nature buds for a "back to nature weekend" you can choose horseback riding, white water rafting or hiking a mountain and then a night book a cabin or lodge unless you want camp outdoors? I suggest booking a nice place with great amenities. Click here for Eco Cabins in the USA and beyond.

    Lounge Bachelorette Party
  • No Fuss Bachelorette Earth Friendly Shindig: The thought of organizing anything makes you queasy? I am speak to the Maid of Honor or Matron of Honor as well as the Bride if you are an independent woman....keep it low key and inexpensive by inviting everyone to dinner at a great restaurant that serves earth friendly food. Click for Organic Resturants in your area.
Earth Friendly Wedding and Honeymoon Suggestions:



 
Planning a wedding, check out Green Wedding Venues and Eco-Friendly Honeymoons.

 
Looking for vintage wedding favors, check out Victorian Wedding Favors, we give you great ideas for wedding favors that your guests will cherish for a lifetime.

 
Want favors instead of a mixer that will collect dust check out Eco Friendly Wedding Registry...waste not ..want not!