MyNewsletterBuilder | Green Tips 07/2009 (Preview)

Many of us are beginning to look for a variety of indicators on our food and health supplements that help us to choose earth-friendly products or avoid purchasing those products that contain harmful chemicals and test their formulas on animals.

In some cases, we forget that the products we use for personal hygiene are just as important. Our skin and endocrine system absorbs what we put on our body, and this can adversely affect our overall health – not to mention the suffering of innocent creatures and the pollution created during the manufacturing process.

In reality, some of our favorite products contain some very toxic ingredients.

Petroleum based lotions and creams are made of, you guessed it, crude oil bases. These are either by-products of the refinement process or are used as the base for many products manufactured today. Petroleum is used in a large number of shampoos, body washes, lotions, and cosmetics – even the familiar baby oil, used to sooth and protect baby's skin from irritating rashes, is petroleum based. Although identified as “mineral oil” along with fragrance, this household staple has been around for generations. When used on the skin, these preparations block pores and can worsen conditions like psoriasis and eczema for people with sensitive skin.

Choose products with natural oil bases like coconut, olive, tea tree, or hemp oils instead. There are other alternatives as well, so do your homework when choosing your next bottle of moisturizer.

We’ve heard a lot about “green” jobs lately. But what is a green job, really?

Green jobs are considered to be any position that has to do with eco-friendly products and services. Some examples may be surprising, and almost any job, if done with the environment in mind, can be considered “green”. Some examples of industries with green positions could be: recycling operations, alternate (renewable/sustainable) energy sources, clean technology, construction via green building, organic farming, solar panel production and installation, bicycle repair, etc. If you are one of those entrepreneurs that we need, use your imagination and create your own niche.

By definition, green jobs are local job market area positions that support the local economy and reduce the need for using tremendous quantities of fossil fuels for transportation of materials or labor.

The hope for the future is that the creation of green jobs will equate to more employment opportunities for previously unemployed or underemployed people. These jobs will also help to boost local economies as they will keep more money in the community.

Some of the top 10 green jobs available now, and their average salaries:

1. Hydrologist: $51,080
2. Environmental Engineer: $50,000
3. Pest Control Technician: $30,500
4. Conservation Biologist: $52,480
5. Science Teacher: kindergarten, elementary, middle and secondary school teachers range from $41,400 to $45,920
6. Toxicologist: $79,500
7. Pollution Control Technician: $32,000
8. Fund-raising Director: $45,000
9. Ecologist: $68,950
10. Camp Counselor: $19,320

(Salary information taken from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

You don’t necessarily have to buy the latest, and sometimes expensive, detoxification concoctions at your local co-op market. Actually, these products can, in some cases, do more harm than good. Eating a well-balanced diet that contains a variety of fruits and vegetables can help you cleanse – and at the same time boost your overall health. With a bit of research and easy preparation at home, you can tailor the ingredients to cleanse your system and save a bit of money.

Many low calorie and low carbohydrate vegetables and fruits are some of your best choices. However, if clearing out man-made toxins like pesticides and herbicides is your goal, be sure to buy only organic produce. From these choices, you can prepare vegetables by steaming or eating them raw, and create tasty smoothies from organic fruits. For the omnivorous crowd, remember to choose only ethically raised/slaughtered and steroid/hormone free meat. In fact, beef that is grass-fed has a healthy balance of Omega 3 and 6 – in contrast to grain and corn fed beef that have a higher Omega 6 content and only negligible Omega 3 levels. Chicken is not the best choice of foods for detoxifying since there are some loopholes in the organic certification process.

Organic eggs are a relative bargain and much tastier than the generic product, and great to include in your post-detoxification diet.

As with everything else in the world of food, you’ll have to consider the issues and make your own decisions. Dropping sugar and junk food out of your detox diet will make a much bigger difference in your health than eating all-organic, however desirable that may be.

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In This Issue:

Greener Alternatives for Personal Hygiene

Green Economy – The New Dream Jobs

Detox with Food

Updates from My Office

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Quick Tips

To decrease fuel lost to evaporation, reduce the need for a/c, and stay more comfortable – park in the shade.

Eliminate the need for chlorine and other environment-harming chemicals by installing or converting your swimming pool to a natural pool. These mini-ecosystems are becoming more popular in Europe, and the trend is catching on here in the United States.

Save paper by not ordering photo doubles – this seems like a small thing but even with the popularity of digital photography, double prints are routinely ordered, even if not needed.

Search out pest control companies and products that use non-toxic methods for eliminating termites, fleas, roaches, and rodents. You can still keep your family and home safe with a variety of products and service companies committed to reducing toxins in our environment.