Digging Out After Christmas

Lots of digging out this week!

Today was the first day in about a week that we were able to get out and really drive around in the Seattle area.  I arrived in town on Friday the 19th to beat a snow storm, which basically poured about 2 feet of snow on the Pacific Northwest from Saturday, on and off through Christmas Day!

While we were digging out from the snow storm and hiking up and down the steep hill leading up to my parents’ house, I realized that there is a lot of digging this time of year.  We are trying to dig out of debt, save for college and pay bills on time.  I am also digging deep into my own priorities to decide what to focus on for the year 2009. Ever the optimist, I believe that the New Year holds much promise.  But I do have to make a plan to stay on track.

Many shoppers will be digging out after Christmas this year

Looking around the living room on Christmas morning at the mounds of gifts from relatives to our children, I thought to myself that we will also dig out from all the holiday spending and excess.  Our family was generous this year, and the haul of presents that my four kids received more than filled the trunk of one of our cars.

If that wasn’t enough, we went to the mall today and the sales announcements screamed from the windows:  Prices Slashed!  60% off of already reduced prices!  Spend more money that you don’t have!  Unfortunately, the consumers have to fill the role of the retail bailout package.  Count me out.  I have enough digging of my own to do.

Tomorrow, we drive back home to Oregon.  Normally a 6-hour drive, I expect it to take up to 8 hours because of the weather conditions.  We’ll be going slow to avoid accidents, and if it takes a little bit longer to arrive, better safe than sorry.  I don’t want to dig out from the side of the road.

I’m taking a similar approach with life in the coming months.  Steadily working on business, slowly making progress towards my goals.  Success does not come without hard work.  I’m determined not to crash and burn by being in a hurry to get there.   When we find ourselves digging - no matter whether its from too much spending or being in too big of a rush, its time to take it slow.  And enjoy the scenery along the way!

Screen Yo Body's unique solar powered sunscreen applicator

From the “what will they think of next files,” it was just too irresistible not to blog about the “Screen Yo Body” solar-powered sunscreen applicator.  No, I am not kidding.  That really is the name of the product, and as they say, “We’ve Got Your Back.”

Viewing the information at the official “Screen Yo Body” website, it appears that you simply walk up to the kiosk like the one shown to the left, insert your money and then hose yourself down with SPF 30 sunscreen.  No word on whether you can also check your tire pressure and clean your windows there….  I am starting to feel like an older vehicle model compared to the snazzy, younger convertibles on the beach.

Whoops - Screen Yo Body didn't have her back!

Funny name aside, Screen Yo Body looks like a very inventive product.  It is primarily designed for beaches and other outdoor places (parks, stadiums, etc.)  When you forget your sunblock, you won’t have to leave, or buy an expensive replacement bottle.  The company claims that its product can be safely applied without any need to rub it in, and that it will not harm your swimsuit or clothing.

Granted, its the middle of December, and most people in the Northern Hemisphere do not have to worry about sunscreen!  But the lucky few that will be traveling on vacation over the holidays (yours truly not included) may be fortunate enough to be able to use a solar powered sunscreen applicator on their trip! Currently, Screen Yo Body is found in 18 states across America.

In case you don’t have a “Screen Yo Body” solar powered sunscreen applicator near you, be sure to watch the following instructional video to apply sunscreen correctly:

I’ll be seeing you in May 2009… when the sun’s rays finally warm my area of the world enough to warrant sunscreen.  Be safe in the sun!

These ornaments look pretty Peachy Green to me....

Today is Christmas, and we wish you a Peachy Green, Merry day, no matter how (or if) you are celebrating. This time of year, I always feel introspective about the past year and the New Year just a week away.  What did I hope to achieve?  How can the next year be a better one?  Boy, I sure don’t know about you, but I am ready for 2008 to be over and 2009 to start!

One year ago, I was mourning the recent passing of my beloved grandfather and rejoicing at my sister’s news that she was finally (after 4 years of trying) expecting her second child. I doubt I will ever forget the Christmas of 2007 for many reasons.

This year, my oldest now knows about Santa Claus, and my twins are almost 6 years old and in kindergarten.  Where does time go?  What have I done with all my time? Again, the introspection.

The holidays can be a stressful time, no doubt.  This year, I have been working on learning to be “in the moment” more often and noticing when joy sneaks in unexpectedly.  Quite honestly, I am surprised at how often I feel pure happiness without even realizing it until hours later, when I relate a tale to my husband or a friend.  Later, I think to myself…. now, why didn’t I see how much fun I was having back then?

This really is a perfect time of year to slow down and enjoy life.  The kids are on break, work usually slows down a bit, and family gathers around.  I will be sitting with a huge cup of coffee watching my children rip open presents by the time you read this.  Smiling and enjoying every minute of it - in the minute!

Have you ever sang “Up on the Housetop” along with the Chipmunks and your kids?  It sounds crazy, but you cannot do so without belly laughing.  That is a sure way to start smiling!

Merry Christmas to all - and to all a good night - and an even better 2009!

Cheers to you and your loved ones!

If the holiday season is leaving you worn out, stressed out or just plain aggravated, take a deep breathe with me right now. Now take another.

Take a moment to stop all the running around and get peaceful. That’s a tall order, I know.

Just breathe. And watch this video.

Now go on…get back to work. Keep breathing. It will be over soon enough.

May you have a peaceful Christmas!

Trendy does not often mean eco-friendly

Are your clothes green?  Not literally, of course, unless you are a big fan of the Jolly Green Giant, but are you wearing eco-friendly clothing?  I have to admit that I am very, very particular about the clothes that I buy.  They have to meet the following standards:  (1) affordable price, (2) comfortable, breathable fabric, (3) durabilty; and (4) somewhat fashionable.  For these reasons, I have been somewhat resistant to the idea of crunchy, granola-like clothes.

On weekends, I practically live in my blue jeans.   I have never been much of a “sweats” girl.  Comfortably classic, some would say.  During the week, I often wear dry-clean only clothes for my office job.  I doubt very much that my blouses and skirts are eco-friendly clothing.

So what’s a girl to do?  Is there a happy medium for people that are concerned about the environment, and yet do not want to look and feel as if they are wearing plants?

In this video, the “Thread Heads” discover some great-looking eco-friendly clothing.  I was amazed to see some of the fashionable finds they came up with in Asheville, North Carolina:

Planet Blue is a boutique in Santa Monica, CA that carries eco-friendly products

So what, exactly, is eco-friendly clothing?  Do we need to go au natural, a la Adam and Eve?  Well, not unless you are on vacation at certain French beaches!  But seriously, this trend has come a long way in recent years, and it is not just limited to environmental activitists and college students.  I found some terrific buys at White Apricot, Common Fate, Natural Clothing Company, and in this article at Dominomag.com.

In general, eco-friendly clothing is that which is made with renewable fabrics, produced in an environmentally-sensitive way.  Organic cotton, bamboo, hemp and even recycled coconut shells are among a variety of sources.  On the other hand, silk, leather, nylon, and polyester are not.  If you are serious about wanting to protect the environment through your fashion sense, then you should also be sure to incorporate eco-friendly clothes-washing methods: line dry, use front-loading washing machine, and minimal, eco-friendly detergent.

Don’t forget your shoes in your eco-friendly clothing style!  Some major on-line retailers, including Zappos.com even direct you to shoes that are made with recycled material and/or renewable fabrics like hemp and bamboo.  Also check out Simpleshoes.com.

Even if you’re not conviced you would incorporate eco-friendly clothing into your closet yet, you can still minimize your impact on the environment by recycling old clothing into new pieces.  In grandma’s day, this meant taking dresses and converting the fabric into quilts or pillows.  Today, you can make a chic handbag from worn-out or unfashionable clothing:

Come on over to the green side!  The clothes are comfy (even more so than most synthetic fabrics) and easy on the environment.  Eco-friendly clothing is fashionable and hip.  Forget your nightmares of Birkenstocks and burlap.  I promise… it will look great on you!

Hemp is an eco-friendly fabric.

It’s as American as apple pie. George Washington and Tomas Jefferson both grew hemp on their plantations. Don’t ask me what else our forefathers were growing…

Hemp fabric and paper has a bad reputation. As if we might be tempted to try to roll up a hemp t-shirt and smoke it. The fact is, to get a buzz off of hemp you may have to eat somewhere in the range of three pounds of it. And it would be as if you ingested three poulds of fiber. Not the kind of buzz being sought, for sure.

Anyway, hemp is at the top of the list of eco-friendly fabrics and top designers (including Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klien) are using it in their most recent fashion lines.

It’s so much better than cotton. Did you know that cotton production accounts for 1/2 of the agricultural chemicals used in the US?

Hemp doesn’t need any.

Hemp has many diverse uses.

Are you thinking it’s all scratchy and irritating?

Not at all. It’s soft and can be used to create everything from top quality paper to linen quality clothing. It’s also a great alternative for home furnishings such as draperies, bedding and upholstery covers.

Here are my 7 Reasons to Buy Hemp:

1. More durable than cotton.

2 Requires NO pesticides. NONE! No pesticides to pollute the planet. No pesticides near your skin. Got it? NONE!

3. Betsy Ross made the first American Flag from it. True story.

4. It requires significantly less water and acerage to grow than cotton.

5. Hemp can be made to look white without the use of bleach. (Do you really want the residue of bleach on your skin?

6. Hemp can produce 7 times as much pulp for paper than trees. Cultivating hemp for paper instead of trees could literally save the rain forests! Timber can take 100 years to grow . Hemp has a 100 day lifespan and could be continuously productive without depleting or polluting the planet in any way. (These numbers are according to research done by our very own hemp flag waving government)

7. It makes you feel good. Aside from being soft on your skin, comfortable and breathable, wearing this eco-friendly fabric and knowing that nothing was harmed in its creation makes you feel good. All tingly and light.

So what’s the downside? Hemp’s got a bad image. And it cost’s twice what cotton costs. But that’s not hemps fault! It’s because of the legal limitations placed on growing hemp here in the U.S.

Organic Hemp Coat: Eco Fashion at it's best!

Although I like organic cotton, I think I’m going to make hemp the fabric of my life.

How about you? Would you be willing to give it a try?

Common…you know you want to. No one has to know. I won’t tell. There’s nothing to be afraid of, I swear! Everybody’s doing it!

A green cake for a green birthday party

So, I had to come up with an idea for a post today.  The day that just happens to be the 40th anniversary of my arrival on earth.  Now, I’m not asking for presents and I certainly don’t want to hear you sing “Happy Birthday.”  In some ways, I’d just as soon forget the whole celebration thing and pretend its not happening.  Last time I checked, I was 26.

Some people would say that 40 is over the hill.  I’m not buying that, but I am starting to realize that I’m not as “green” as I used to be.  At the same time, I am more “green” than ever before.

Actually, I’m now Peachy Green!

I checked the definitions of “green” at thefreedictionary.com.  Green is both a noun and an adjective, but unless you are talking about the color itself or salad greens, most often usage of “green” is descriptive:

1. Of the color green.

2. Abounding in or covered with green growth or foliage: the green woods.

3. Made with green or leafy vegetables: a green salad.

4. Characterized by mild or temperate weather: a green climate.

5. Youthful; vigorous: at the green age of 18.

6. Not mature or ripe; young: green tomatoes.

7. Brand-new; fresh.

8. Not yet fully processed, especially:

a. Not aged: green wood.

b. Not cured or tanned: green pelts.

9. Lacking training or experience. See Synonyms at young.

10.

a. Lacking sophistication or worldly experience; naive.

b. Easily duped or deceived; gullible.

11. Having a sickly or unhealthy pallor indicative of nausea or jealousy, for example.

12.

a. Beneficial to the environment: green recycling policies.

b. Favoring or supporting environmentalism: green legislators who strengthened pollution controls.

tr. & intr.v. greened, green·ing, greens

To make or become green.

So, while I may no longer be “brand new or fresh,” I am proud to say that I’m now “beneficial to the environment.”  And that is worth celebrating!

Recall how I asked that you not sing Happy Birthday to me?  Just do me a favor and laugh at the following video I found:

I promise I’ll save you a slice of green birthday cake!

Greenwashing

Do you have trouble determining what’s truly green and what’s not quite green?

Every company out there seems to be jumping on the green bandwagon, attempting to lure consumers and profit on the green trend. How can you tell if their claims are true? In my opinion, going green is not  a fad and the companies that are green washing their products are continuing to do harm to the environment and decieve the public.
Caring for the environment is becoming a way of life for many of us -as it should be! Your buying choices have an impact on the environment. We have to be extra careful when buying green building products, cleaning supplies and appliances. So when you are confused (like I often am) there are a few places you can go to get solid, accurate information.

Here at Peachy Green we always check our facts. Here are some sites that can help you in your efforts as well:

• Energy Star
• Forest STewardship
• Watersense
• EcoLogo
• GreenGuard

Where do you get your facts? We welcome any tips for finding out the truth about green washing!

Last minute green gifts require no wrapping paper!

Christmas is just days away… have you been waiting to finish your holiday shopping until the final moments?  If so, you’re not alone.  But no need to despair, fight crowds and traffic and worry about unused presents.  Here is the Peachy Green guide to last minute green gifts.  By donating to a special cause in your recipient’s name, you can both feel good about helping the environment and not adding to consumer waste.

Here, in no particular order are the top 5 last minute green gifts:

1.  Heifer International.  I first found out about this organization through my in-laws.  Each year they buy a sheep in the names of my children (all four of them), which goes to help a family in need in South America.  Be as generous as you want, and pick the animal of your choosing - gifts range from $30-$250 and up!

2.  Buy an acre of Amazon Rain forest.  Talk about a gift that is worth far more than the asking price!  For the mere cost of $15 (this is not a typo!) through Conservation International, you can protect an acre of rain forest from clearing.  Save animal habitats and help combat global warming.  Did you know that the clearing of tropical forests has a greater environmental impact that the operation of all cars, trucks and planes in the world?  That is truly frightening!

3.  Adopt a Polar Bear.  This one is especially near and dear to my heart, after having researched and written about the mighty bears who are now threatened species due to shrinking polar ice caps.  Through worldwildlife.org (WWF), you can contribute $50-$250 to the conservation of the polar bear.  You’ll even get a cute, plush toy to remind you of the generous environmental donation.

4.  Plant a tree in your recipient’s name.  Treepeople.com are the creative minds behind this unique, last minute green gift.  Spend between $25-$100 and receive a gift certificate for your loved one, good for a city tree or trees, to help the urban ecosystem.

5.  Donate to the Nature Conservancy.  This option gives you the greatest flexibility with price and environmental causes.  For as little as $10, you can make a donation to save coral reefs, help plant a billion trees in Brazil, or adopt an acre in Las Californias.

There are many worthy environmental organizations that are worth your donation.  Make this an especially special holiday season and a green New Year in 2009.  Choose one of these last minute green gifts and take a (carbon) load off your mind.

Happy Holidays!

Sunlight Under a Live Oak Tree

When I was very young, my grandmother began a family tradition of planting trees in her backyard for each of her grandchildren. She would take us out to our trees at least once a year (all dressed up) to compare growth and take a picture.

The evergreen tree she planted for me quickly towered over me. The last time I checked, it was enormous. I have not been able to bring myself to drive by her old house, in fear that the new owners cut it down.

She possessed an intense love of the natural world and shared it with her grandchildren daily. She loved to sit in the shade of a beautiful tree with a good book. To her, that was a great day. I agree.

Beneath the red canopy of a Japanese maple tree, Nan's favorite tree.

It has been more that a year since my dear grandmother died and I still think about ways to honor her memory. A friend (thank you Kathryn) sent me a beautiful site recently called Trees Instead and I just knew it was the perfect way to honor my grandmother.

Trees Instead allows you to plant and dedicate a tree in memory of a loved one. You could also purchase a bit of land to be preserved or send a Christmas card with the gift of a planted tree.

If you are looking for a beautiful eco-friendly gift this holiday season for the nature lover in your life, or for a green memorial for some one you have lost, I think this is a lovely idea.

If you have the space in your own yard, you could simply plant a tree yourself and dedicate it to your loved one. This isn’t practical here in New England during the winter!

Lineage