Share & Voice: the Big Daddy System

coconino.az.gov

I've always thought that it was all up to the mother to make sure their child is born healthy. No alcohol, no smoking, need of folate etc... until I came across an article called Big Daddy System. This article found that anything from pesticides to inhalations of  paints, to drinking or smoking habits, can contribute to that males future children's prenatal health. It has been shown that many abnormalities can occur from the father's way of living. I thought this was pretty interesting, because no one really thinks about how the father should act prior to conception, when in reality it is something that needs to be further cautioned. Toxins, cigarette smoke and other harmful substances are something that EVERYONE must be aware of, and keep in safe distance so not to harm not only the individuals, but their future offspring. If you're curious to hear more on this topic, please feel free to read further into the article provided. 

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 5: Final Weekly Review & Overall Project Reflection

1. This week my goal was to drink 64 oz. of tap water from my Nalgene 5 days/wk. I achieved this goal, but barely.

www.treehugger.com

2. I decided to increase my intake from 56oz to 64oz, and I definitely could tell the difference (even it only being 8 oz!). I didn't drink as much water as I should have in the beginning, so the last few days I needed to play catch-up and drink a lot more water than I am used to. This made me feel like it was more of a punishment than an enjoyable experience. I did succeed in continuing to carry my water bottle around with me everywhere, even though it is rather heavy and obnoxious to have on me all of the time. 
3. I felt very full at the times when I was forcing myself to drink more water, and definitely had to pee a lot more!! But I did feel very hydrated while I worked out this week, this makes me feel like it was all worthwhile. I usually have to take several breaks to drink water during workouts, and I felt that this need decreased significantly. 
4. I learned that no matter how difficult it may be to reach this goal, it really does benefit me in the end, and I need to start looking at the good aspect of things (hydration!) and keep a positive outlook on how it helps me out in the end.
5. I will keep my goal of 64 oz of water 5 days/wk because though I did reach it this week, it was a struggle to get there. I think that I need to slowly train myself into it.

OVERALL REFLECTION
1. My beginning SMART goal was to drink 64 oz. of tap water from my Nalgene 5 days a week. Throughout the weeks, I have gone back and forth between the amount being 64 oz. or 56 oz. of tap water 5 days/wk.
2. Buying a BPA-free water bottle in the beginning is was really helped me through. It would be difficult to measure how much you've actually drank without something to go by. Weekends got in my way when I didn't carry my water bottle with me, and ended up drinking other beverages instead of water. I am going to continue to bring my water bottle with me everywhere.
3. Benefits I've received from this project were more energy, more hydration and an overall feeling of cleanliness and health. I learned that I can change my behavior if I really feel that I am capable of doing so (self-efficacy!!). I pushed myself to do this, and now I feel like it's a part of my norm. I actually love water.
4. I feel like I've motivated people to drink more water, by showing all of the improvements I've made throughout this project. It's not an entirely difficult change, but it does wonders!!! Also, I haven't been purchasing disposable water bottles, so I have been saving energy simply by doing that. 
5. Yes, I plan on continuing this behavior. The pros definitely outweigh the cons, and I feel much better now that I have started this.
6. Keep motivating yourself, or find other's to join you. If you find yourself slacking, alter your techniques so that it fits with your lifestyle. The only way to achieve your goal is to keep pushing forward! Hopefully it will soon become a natural behavior. 




Blogged for the Eco-chic lifestyle change Week 5: Update and Reflection, Hosted by Amy@Amy In The Rain

Share & Voice: Greasecar Systems!!

system.tstc.edu

Just randomly searching up on some topics, and I came across this video/information on Greasecar Vegetable Fuel Systems, which consist of diesel vehicles that one started, can run on used vegetable oil! It is called "biodiesel" and can also fuel cars with animal fats, and used/recycled cooking oils. It is a non-petroleum renewable source, that produces much less greenhouse gases into our environment. Check out the video, and if you want to learn more google it, it's pretty interesting. 

Advocacy Project: Letter and Fact Sheet

December 6, 2010
Mike Opat
House of Representatives

300 S. 6th St.

A2400 Government Center

Minneapolis,  MN  55487-0241

Phone: 612-348-7881

VOTE YES ON: H.R. 3271: Green Routes to Work Act

Dear Mr. Opat, 

The proposed bill, H.R. 3271: Green Routes to Work Act, is in critical need of being passed. This bill works at finding better ways to improve commuting and transportation options. Our current forms of transportation are producing excessive greenhouse gas emissions and must be reduced. By passing this bill, we will be working towards a greener environment. The most recent updates on the amount of CO2 emissions shows that the United States is at the highest level over all other countries. This is an issue that is obviously affecting all americans, and providing greener ways of transportation for employees would be a great start to reducing this statistic. 

 Benefits will be provided to employees as an incentive to taking commuter vans to their destinations. With our depleting supply of oil, action must be taken on finding ways of slowing this process. Providing employees with transportation will promote other forms of green transportation for other situations as well. I think that this act is exactly what we need in order to pave a way towards saving our environment. Not only will it be saving our precious clean air, but it will save employees money usually spent on gasoline. It is a convenient alternative to commuting to work, and reduces the amount of unnecessary driving. 

Opponents of this bill might not want to pay taxes that goes towards funding these commuting programs.  Though taxes might have to increase a little, there are also benefits offered to those commuting responsibly. In addition, people will be saving money on gas spent traveling. 

We appreciate your support on developing a transit network in Minneapolis, and of smart public works projects. I see that you're very dedicated to making this environment green, and I encourage you to vote "yes" on H.R. 3271. 

FACTS ABOUT GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

Nation Master shows that the United States ranks number one in CO2 emission levels just above China.

• United States has 5,762,050 with China at 3,473,600. Almost double of what China produces.

Breathing Earth states that 1000 tonnes of CO2 is released every 5.3 seconds in the United States

• 19.22 tonnes/year per person

CO2 is naturally removed from the carbon cycle, but humans excess production of it is faster than what nature can remove.

Combustion of fossil fuels is the largest contributor of CO2 emissions.