Just how bad are pesticides?

Think they're not bad?  Think again...
Foodtrainers: Just how bad are pesticides?: "Last week EWG came out with their annual “dirty dozen” (and here’s a CBS segment on the subject I was interviewed for). The dirty dozen su..."

Being Green - What Does it Mean?

Being Green.  What does that really mean?  That phrase has really become quite the piece of marketing bait, catch-all phrase.  But what does it really mean?

Simply, being green means that you consider the impact on the environment before you act/spend/do.  

Now, there are several shades of green, to be sure.  Our light-hearted take: Light green: maybe all you do right now is recycle.  That's fine - every step forward is a step in the right direction.  Kelly green: You recycle, buy organic, you've switched out all your light bulbs and you're thinking about composting.  Tree-hugger: you do all of the above, buy shade grown- coffee, do Meatless Mondays, use a reel lawnmower, shop local, landscape for the local wildlife and on and on and on.

Is one any better than the other?  Depends on your point of view, but is the winner of a marathon any healthier or better than the 2nd or 3rd place runner?  She may be a little faster, but they all ran the race well.  We are of the very firm belief that every person can make a difference and that small steps made by each one of us can lead to big changes.  We all may be at a different point in the race, but we will all finish winners.

I Love Herb(s)

I love Herb...Herbs...imagine
a breathy "H" to make that
 seem funnier. A little culinary
humor never hurts. I happen to
like gardening.  It makes me feel
 relaxed and, oh yeah, I also like
getting my hands dirty!

Spring is  a great time to decide
 to dive into herb gardening.  It's
super-easy, pretty cheap to get
 started and can really enhance
the ambiance of your porch or patio.  Let's check out the  "why" & the
 "how" of herb gardening:

Why herbs?  They're good for you, tasty, smell nice, easy, look good in your yard/patio
and more cost effective to grow your own.   Herbs have many health benefits, perhaps
some arguably, but they have been known to help:

• symptoms of menopause
• arthritis
• asthma
• headaches
• allergies
• anxiety
• depression
• fatigue

The list is rather endless, not to mention the benefits to your food.  I can't tell you what
a kitchen diva I feel like when I go out to my patio and snip off fresh herbs to add to
 whatever I'm cooking.  I actually dry my herbs and save them for later, as well as give
them to friends as gifts(and they think that's really cool).  Fresh herbs make your food
taste so good - there is a big difference in the herbs in the store and the ones grown
by your hands in your yard/porch or window sill (yes, this is absolutely possible).

On to the how, in the condensed version:

Let's start small and then you can go crazy from there.  You will need:

• 3 pots, about 10-12" in diameter.  Terra cotta, plastic (preferably from recycled source), or the more expensive ceramic
• Potting soil, preferably organic.  You are growing something you will be eating; you don't want any contaminants in it
• 3 herbs of your choice, either seedlings (organic is better) or grow from seeds (this method is best started inside, like right now)

Your herbs, whether on a window sill, in the yard, or on your porch should be placed
in the South, Southeast or East direction to get the best light.  Western exposure is
 a strong light (too much sun) and can often be too harsh, but it's not a deal breaker.
Plant, place, water.  I could go on & on about particulars, but at this point, you would
 be doing yourself a favor by getting on an herb forum/get a book to get the best result
for whatever herbs you choose.  Water every few days, harvest often (after they have
grown to a decent size plant) and enjoy!  herb gardening is a great way to re-connect
with the earth, be healthy and save money. What more could an EcoChic want?

~Cathy Tiffany, Chief GreensKeeper, EcoChics Earthwear

Wear 100% Organic Cotton for You and the Planet

Many people believe that all clothes made from cotton, are natural and safe.  However, this isn’t true.  Maybe fifty years ago it was, because then the cotton-growing industry employed sustainable methods that didn’t hurt the environment or deplete natural resources.  They also weren’t using pesticides which can harm wildlife and the people wearing mass-produced cotton.  Cotton grown through today’s conventional methods takes up 3% of the world’s farmland but receives a whopping 25% of the global pesticide allocation! The chemicals in the pesticides sprayed on cotton were actually first manufactured as toxic gas used during the Second World War. They’ve long been associated with many forms of cancer – not exactly what you want to wear on your skin.

Organic cotton is grown through sustainable methods which doesn’t harm its’ growing environment.  In fact, this environmentally-friendly approach will actually help replenish the soil, making it more fertile and adding beneficial bio-diversity to the land.  Sustainable farming also leaves a smaller carbon footprint, which is better for the earth. For cotton to be called organic in the United States it has to meet strict regulations for both how it’s grown and shipped. Cotton fields have to be free of all pesticides for a minimum of three years and cotton carefully shipped to avoid cross-contamination.

Another benefit to organic clothing is its lifespan in your closet.  Conventionally grown cotton doesn’t last as long because their fibers start to break down after approximately 15 regular washes.  This is because the cotton fibers have been sprayed with pesticides, dyed, and softened. On the other hand, clothing made from organic cotton will last roughly 100 washes because its fibers are strong and unaltered.  It is healthier to wear organic cotton and more economical. 

Perhaps the best reason to buy organic cotton is the way it makes you feel.  Natural cotton is clean and pure against the skin, while allowing skin to breathe. Wearing organic cotton also makes people feel  empowered to be doing their part to help the environment and dressing with a greater purpose. Thanks to growing awareness of the benefits of organic cotton in the apparel industry, gone are the days of plain t-shirts.  Companies, like EcoChics Earthwear, are manufacturing stylish, 100% organic cotton T-shirts and other items which show you care about the world but are still a fashionable chick!  Eco-friendly clothing gives everyone the opportunity to help the planet and themselves by supporting sustainable farming, wearing pesticide-free material, and look great doing it.

To buy 100% organic cotton T’s and other apparel, visit www.2ecochics.com