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The Benefits of the Outdoors

It has been said that when one is deprived of their natural habitat they will experience a slight physical and psychological breakdown. Studies show that students whose classroom environment is close to a park, or trees, will likely do better on their tests and such. Elders who live near parks will also be more likely to live longer. A 2001 study, conducted by Frances Kuo and William Sullivan found that those who live in houses that have no immediate access to nature will experience more chaotic – and aggressive – behavior.

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“In our studies, people with less access to nature show relatively poor attention or cognitive function, poor management of major life issues, poor impulse control,” says Kuo. In a Norwegian study, victims of severe depression who took part in a horticulture program noticed reduced symptoms within 3 months. The effects of nature reach far beyond simply looking beautiful, for it brings upon an almost calming, or serene, effect on those who enjoy it. The absorption of vitamin D in the sun does no one harm – until, of course you walk into the house with lobster claws and a blood red chest, so be sure to apply sunscreen generously. Apparently, just the sight of natural landscapes ignite the area of the brain that promotes balance. Studies have shown that when exposed to images of mountains, rivers, beaches, etc, people will most likely observe feelings of ease and well-being.

Not only does being exposed to the natural world help one feel better mentally, but physically it can ease stress, blood-pressure, and anger. It impacts our abilities to pay attention and stay alert, and studies directed toward exercise have proved that those who walk on an outdoor track, for the most part, will walk at a brisker pace than those walking on an indoor track, or treadmill. This is why it remain at the utmost importance that we continue to hold high the integrity of our ecosystem, because without it, physically and psychologically we would begin to ‘break down’ and while the human species lives to adapt, we might never be the same if we didn’t have the outdoors at our disposal. If we had no place to go in order to ‘calm’ ourselves, or to get some fresh air or catch some rays, we might just go insane.

Sitting around for too long is detrimental to our health, and so is sitting in front of the boob tube or computer screen. I don’t want to undermine the advantages that technology has granted us within the past century; however, I do feel the need to stress the importance of exercise and fresh air. Walking around for an hour a day, through your neighborhood, through the park, or strolling down the beach can all do not only your body, but also your mind a lot of justice. Doing this can cross off both one’s need to experience the effects of nature while also fitting exercise into their daily routine. Neither of these two things can be a bad thing unless abused – and by abused I mean working out until you puke and staring into the sun for far too long – which, hopefully, many will have the sense not to do.

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Once again, people can all do their own part in keeping the environment clean if only by throwing away their own garbage, and not making it somebody else’ job to do. Don’t forget to experience the natural effects of latex, wool, and other various organic materials in your own bedroom by checking out CozyPure and the Organic Comfort Zone.

 

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Cuddle-Up Close

Sleeping alone can be liberating and all but sometimes its pretty nice to snuggle up with somebody. Most of us will have to use a pillow on most nights, wrapping their arms around the bag stuffed with latex or kapok or buckwheat, and that is fine. Perhaps two pillows might do even more justice in that you can stuff one between your bony knees to supply further comfort and warmth. Its easy to wrap your arms around a soft pillow, close your eyes, and drift out into space. Some of us just can’t fall asleep without imagining that someone else is there with them, like Ray Davies penned and Cher, The Pretenders, The Kinks, and Sia can all verify. You can also fall asleep with your pet, or at least attempt to. The thing about pets is that they’re unpredictable, making them viable to being easily distracted and perhaps running away from your outstretched arms at the first gust of wind or the sound of footsteps on the sidewalk outside, leaving you alone, once again.

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If you cuddle with your pillow, pet, or your partner, then spooning is universal. The thing about spooning is that you can do it with anything that you want. Granted that most times you will end up being the big spoon on most nights unless you really are cuddling with a person who won’t mind being the big spoon. However, all you have to do, when spooning someone – or something – is curl your body up against their own and wrap your arms around them and hold them. Talking is optional, and I would honestly rather talk to my pillow and keep my mouth shut when with a person to avoid screwing up the moment – but that’s just me. Spooning also promotes body heat and release endorphins.

Now here is one position that you can’t do with a pillow, you might do with a pet, and can definitely do with a person: face-to-face. This position is typically a romantic one, you know, the kind used for pillow talk and what not. All you have to do is lie down on your mattress and look straight into the eyes of the other person. Perhaps you can hold hands, perhaps your legs will be entwined, either way you’ll be sure to have an intimate time with your partner, whether its your pet or your lover. Remember to get comfortable, because if you aren’t comfortable, your partner won’t be either. The best way to get comfortable is to assure that you’re on the right bedding.

There is always the half-spoon, which can be executed by one person lying down face up with their arm stretch out beside them, with either their hand beneath their head or wrapped around the second person. Their partner proceeds to place their head on the others chest, most likely wrapping their own arm around the other person’s waist. Cuddling comes with its pitfalls – such as the occasional dead body part and face full of hair, but its benefits outweigh its cons in that it promotes good health, kills depression, and improves communication skills while also leaving one with a positive disposition.

 

 


eric-SAT-picEric is currently a student and part-time team member for Norfolk, VA based business Organic Comfort Zone, manufacturers of CozyPure organic bedding and mattress. For more information visit organiccomfortzone.com or cozypure.com or call 757.480.8500.

 

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Sleep Your Way to the Top

Ever wonder why your teenager is always moping around the house, lazy as ever, and seemingly distant? Maybe its because they are staying up all night texting and talking and crying and writing bad poetry instead of getting the sleep that they need. Not to discourage the social order of children and teens in this day and age – because lets face it, there will always be the social hierarchy no matter where you go – and not to discourage the making of the next Sylvia Plath – because lets face it, Lorde can’t take her place forever – but teens do need the most sleep out of all ages. Teen-hood is when our bodies are struggling through puberty and our brains are trying their damnedest to push past the constant pain of wishy-washy hormones. The fact that school begins before the break of dawn in most places does not help out the cause of our reckless youth at all – in fact, it could be making them more anxious, more reckless, more defiant.

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Parents – except not just parents because as a teen you are old enough to call some shots yourself – should be assuring, or at least recommending that their child get the proper amount of rest each night in order to perform their best the next day. Teens should be getting at least 8 1/2 hours of sleep each night (although 9 is ideal) but many don’t go to bed until one and wake up by six in the morning. Sure, I’m not saying that school schedules should be adjusted for those who do go to bed at one because they’re up all night socializing, that’s their own choice; however, a little slack granted upon those who try their hardest to sleep at least 7 hours a night should be rewarded, perhaps school can be adjusted to start a half an hour later, that’s a whole extra half an hour of sleep.

Also, it’s a treacherous thing to set that alarm clock for the earliest possible time and then press the snooze button five times after it has gone off. I used to think that this was a good idea, I would set my alarm for six and then press snooze until it was six thirty, I thought it would be the perfect way to ease me into my waking state. I was wrong. Doing this screws with your sleep cycle in odd ways. It makes one more groggy because in those five to ten minutes before your alarm rings again you might tread the thin line between sleep and consciousness, which is hurtful to a persons sleep-wake cycle when they are so rudely awakened once more by that more-than-annoying alarm clock (because even the radio can be a nuisance in the AM.) I now set my alarm for six thirty and press snooze only once before I force myself out from underneath the impeccable, insatiable, immaculate comfort that lies in the arms of my  wool comforter. I’m melting just thinking about it, if there is one thing that the stiff morning hours bring is the grief of waking up only to be thrust into the wild hallways of my high school (#thankGodforGraduation), which in turn reminds me to be thankful for all the small luxuries in my life (i.e. my wool comforter!)

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What a refreshing experience that a good nights sleep actually is. When I wake up after getting at least seven hours of sleep (because yes, with our busy schedules in this day and age, even I can’t be expected to always get the recommended eight hours of sleep – unless its a weekend.) And why do you have to go and make things so complicated by running yourself insane with sleep deprivation? Just turn off the lights and shut your eyes! Sure, I know you want to get caught up on your favorite TV show, and you will, in time. But watching TV before bed can be just as damaging to our sleep as anything else. The light that radiates from the TV screen/computer screen/smartphone/tablet/PSP screen is detrimental to our bodies natural production of melatonin, which aids in the process of falling asleep when necessary. My best advice is – if you’re tired, and it’s past eight, then it’s time for bed. And who can honestly resist the warm comfort that an organic  mattress entails? Who can escape the sweet seduction of a cuddle-ready mattress and other various natural bedding? Who needs a cuddle buddy when you have your La’Noodle pillow (because they don’t steal your blankets from you, and they won’t kick you in their sleep.)

So once again, I stress the fact that one must attain the proper rest in order to perform at their peak and take the world by storm.

As Arianna Huffington quotes that she “slept her way to the top,” quite literally, and there may not be any other way to get there.

Studies show that sleeping helps our brain process information quicker so that we can spend more quality time doing the things that need to be done. Even taking a short nap mid-day can help one think clearer. Instead of giving up sleep how about we give up other vices, such as that midnight margarita. I’m not trying to preach about giving up your social life and locking your doors every night at eight-o-clock because its bedtime. If its a weekend and your friends want you to go out, carpe diem, but when its time to work the best thing that you can do to get the best results is to clock in some quality sleep.

 

I saw these guys in concert the other night and thought that I might post this video (yes, I took my own videos but I also took them on my phone and the video is actually pretty good for the whole one pixle in it) because this song is so beautiful. Turn out all the lights, close your eyes, and drift away. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYs_mEiquy8

 

And remember to get the best sleep that you can each night so that one day you might be as talented as these guys, or any one else that you might aspire to be like when you grow up – because your always going to be growing up, don’t ever let age stop you from following your dreams.

 

 


eric-SAT-picEric is currently a student and part-time team member for Norfolk, VA based business Organic Comfort Zone, manufacturers of CozyPure organic bedding and mattress. For more information visit organiccomfortzone.com or cozypure.com or call 757.480.8500.

 

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When Choosing Your Latex Mattress

Before buying your next mattress you must keep some very important things in mind on your search. First of all, you have to wonder whether or not you are going to want – or need – to buy a new mattress, once again, within the next ten years. If the answer is yes, and you think that buying a mattress every ten years is a good idea, then you have been sleeping on the wrong mattress’ for far too long. If your bed starts to wear down within a couple of years, overcome by dust-mites and destroyed by time and erosion, then you are either a.) having TOO much fun on your mattress, or b.) your mattress plain sucks. Durability is a sure sign of whether or not you have succeeded in purchasing a quality bed – or anything for that matter, and lets face it, they just aren’t making things these days like they used to. In fact, many mattress’ these days are made so that they can break down in only a matter of years, and therefore the company can sell more product once the customer once again goes into the market.

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Believe me when I say that a mattress is not a product that you want to be looking for the cheapest version of. The thing about your bed is, that whether you like it or not, you are going to be spending up to one third of your entire life on it with your face pressed against the pillow, with your body matted to the cushion, so you are going to want to invest in something that is, I don’t know, worth the investment… Try looking for key words such as “quality” versus “cheap” and “organic” over “synthetic”. The reason you want to buy the best quality product is, of course, in case you didn’t see the word the first couple of times that I used it, because of the QUALITY! You don’t want to spend money on something that is going to break down because then you’ll just be spending money on money trying to find a product to replace it, so why not just bite the bullet and buy something that will last for years the first time around. Also, spending money on petroleum based products just sounds icky, especially in the case of your bedding which your face is pressed up on all night and your lungs inhaling the fibers around you.

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There are many different mattress’ to choose from, and in those mattress’ there are many things that you yourself can do in order to make it fit your own needs. You can order a triple layered mattress or you can order a core, its your choice. Ordering a mattress with more layers gives you the option to remove them if necessary, and ordering a core foundation gives you the option to order pieces to place on top of your mattress. Its good to keep your options open, on the bed, off the bed, in the bed, its always good to have options no matter which way you might spin it. “Zoning works by providing more density (firmness) where you need it most (center of the bed). We created lateral zones which are symmetrical so the head and foot are the same, and the shoulder and lower-leg zones are the same, with the large middle section in the center third of the mattress acting as the most expansive zone. This allows easy rotation of your mattress keeping the more critical zones in-tact (shoulder area and mid-section).”

A flame retardant mattress is a good mattress. Nowadays mattress’ must be manufactured to meet federal guidelines, which ensure that one’s mattress won’t, you know, burst into flames at any given moment (not that mattress’ are particularly known to spontaneously com bust or anything, but there is always the odd cigarette fire and what not.) Many people resort to meeting these guidelines by adding more chemicals to cancel out the other chemicals that will aid in igniting the fire. A popular method among natural latex bedding that is used to combat flames is the use of wool batting either in the latex itself or in the mattress casing. Also, the great thing about the use of organic cottons and wools in one’s bedding is that these components are good for wicking away moisture, which you might find will keep you from waking up in a puddle of your own sweat at night. These materials also enable air flow, unlike synthetic fibers they ‘breathe’ with your body.

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eric-SAT-picEric is currently a student and part-time team member for Norfolk, VA based business Organic Comfort Zone, manufacturers of CozyPure organic bedding and mattress. For more information visit organiccomfortzone.com or cozypure.com or call 757.480.8500.

 

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Take More Steps In The Healthy Direction

It takes dedication, perseverance, and above all, sacrifice in order to be the best and healthiest person that you can be. In the same way that it depends just as much as what you put on your plate in staying healthy and how much workout time that you clock in each day, there are other contributing factors such as sleep and stress relief can also have a large impact on your health. Never forget that being yourself is what drives your world and that the deeper you dig inside of yourself the more that you will find you are capable of.

To be healthy you must not only feel it in your own body, but also in your mind. Without confidence in yourself, and determination in what you are doing, the harder that it will be to become the healthiest that you can. Trying new and exciting things is a great way to keep you on your toes and an even better way to find out all that you are made of. Sometimes there is just nothing better than that adrenaline rush that you get the first time that you jump off of a cliff and into the water below, that spike in your blood pressure that jolts yours steady, beating heart into a whole new life cycle. Moving in for that kiss or finally letting someone with a strong impression on your life know exactly how you really feel – whether they be a good influence or a bad influence, the best thing to do sometimes is to get it off of your chest. You’ll realize that the more that you do this, the more that you let yourself go and stop caring what the world thinks, the freer that you will become. The happier your mind will be, and the healthier your entire being will become.

Stay active. I know you’ve heard it a million times, but getting off of your butt and actually moving is a great idea. Movement at any time of the day is really great, but a decent walk after a big meal or a fatty meal is ideal. This helps with the digestive process as well as speeding up one’s metabolism. A great way to blast fat, though, is to shoot for a High Intensity Interval Workout. These workouts, in which you go as hard as you can for thirty seconds to a minutes, and then rest for the same amount of time is excellent in boosting one’s metabolism and shredding fat quickly. Remember not to give up just because you do not notice results immediately (if results are what you are looking for ) because all of the best things in life are worth sweating for.

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Remembering to not only keep up with your fitness but to also track what goes inside of you is also a big part of maintaining health. Beefing up on fruits and vegetables has been burned into the minds of children all over the world, and yet these are the things that so many of us hate. I remember myself despising spinach in my youthful years, but that was because I despised steamed spinach. I had never been introduced to the spinach salad until my late tweenhood, and thus never knew what I was missing. It was like eating a salad with lettuce, only healthier. Don’t forget to introduce yourself and those around you to new recipes as much as you can. You will never know what kinds of foods you might love or hate until you actually try them, and even then, you might never know until you try it multiple times cooked different ways.

Drink plenty of fluids, and by that I mean water. Eliminating sodas and other sugary drinks from your diet will help reduce the risk of heart disease dramatically and can also have a slimming affect on the tummy. Drinking a bottle of water or two before any meal can significantly decrease the amount of calories consumed in one sitting due the the filling effect that the water can have on a person’s stomach. This is not to say that every small choice must be weighed drastically each time that they must be made. If you are going to a bar then of coarse you aren’t going to drink bottles upon bottles of water, but it also doesn’t imply that you must consume baskets upon baskets of cheese fries. Everything is good in moderation, including those sugary drinks and those beers and margaritas that you love to enjoy on the beach. These things only become a problem when a person becomes dependent upon them.

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Lastly you want to assure that you are not only getting the best sleep possible, but that you are sleeping in the best environment possible. This means turning down the lights, turning down the Nirvana, and creating a peaceful place that you can associate with rest, and comfort. A great way to assure that you are getting the healthiest sleep imaginable is by assuring that you are getting the greenest sleep possible. It’s hard enough to fall asleep with all the bustling and buzzing of today’s society, but adding in a toxic waste bin underneath your head at night is the worst part of it all. With all the chemicals pumped into our bedding these days it is hard to know which bed is worse for you. So why not choose which one is the best! Choose natural latex and enjoy the sleep of the Gods because you deserve it and your health can depend on it.

 

 


eric-SAT-picEric is currently a student and part-time team member for Norfolk, VA based business Organic Comfort Zone, manufacturers of CozyPure organic bedding and mattress. For more information visit organiccomfortzone.com or cozypure.com or call 757.480.8500.

 

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Remodeling the Green Way

Remodeling in a green light is on the rise in the United States. Many houses are even built in a green manor nowadays. If you are look good some good remodeling/decorating tips, look no further. Here are five tips to help you get started on your green home improvement project.

-Lots of open windows will bring in lots of natural light, which will help one cut down on electricity expenses and things of the sort. Not only is natural light green, but it is also beautiful, giving your bedroom/living room/whatever room and open feel, giving the impression of less clutter. Motes of dust swimming in the sunlight can even be considered elegant if looked at in the right angle. Polished surfaces such as hardwood floors or mirrors can also help introduce ample lighting into a room. Reflective glass tiling in one’s kitchen or bathroom is a great idea to incorporate light into your rooms, and the kitchen, above all, should receive ample light. After all, it is the heart of the home.

-Assure that your heating and air conditioning (among other essential living utilities) are of good quality. No need in spending extra money over time because your heating and air isn’t working the way it should be, no need to waste surplus energy that could be saved by checking your ventilation/insulation. Solar and wind energy is also very effective, if you can afford to install it. This is not to say that it does not come at a bargain, it’s just that you have to know where to look and whether or not you will have the means to do it.

-Keep a realistic budget in your sight at all times. There is no use in trying to do a whole bunch of big things that will run your wallet into the ground. Start small, begin with manageable things, DIY kind of things. Demolish those walls yourself, save money on contractors, this way you will have the savings to implement those solar panels or new windows with better insulation. It is all about how you spend your money, how far you can stretch your bargain, and how necessary some of your remodeling might be. Some things might need to be taken from your list in order to make room for others. This is OK! Going into a project expecting everything to get done on a budget that is only so big is never a good idea. Stretch your buck and save yourself.

-Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! I can not stress this enough. Remodeling, redecorating, whatever you are doing, it is always a great idea to reuse old things. Thrifts stores and antique shops are great places to find bargains that will make a great addition to your home. Be on the lookout for things all around your neighborhood – old driftwood, furniture, antiques, etc. – there are SO many things that you can do with things that have been lost or thrown away. Always keep in mind that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

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-Landscape with native plants. grow your vegetable garden with seasonal crops. Rotate your soil. Compost. Keeping your garden alive and well is important not only for the environment but also for the aesthetic of your home. Would you rather sit out on your porch overlooking a yard full of dried up grass and soil or a garden full of life, thriving. Not only will this help with your home’s aesthetic, but it might also give you something to be proud of, something to keep you entertained, and off of those drug infested street corners.

Don’t forget that a greener mattress is not only a good redecorating decision that will help aid the environment in the long run, it is also an investment in natural, organic comfort.

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eric-SAT-picEric is currently a student and part-time team member for Norfolk, VA based business Organic Comfort Zone, manufacturers of CozyPure organic bedding and mattress. For more information visit organiccomfortzone.com or cozypure.com or call 757.480.8500.

 

 

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Spring Into Green

Spring is FINALLY here! And so are all of the things that it entails: new life, new beginnings, and cleaning. That’s right, it’s finally time to de-clutter that mess that you call a house and make room for all of the new things that life might throw at you this year. Not all things will be good, and not all things will be bad, but of course you probably figured that as you rummaged through all of your 2013 paraphernalia, looking at the things that collected dust on your shelves as the year stormed by with all of it’s frigidness. However, now its finally time to scrap all of that old stuff and bring in some fresh air, its time to start a new.

The first thing that you must remember when spring cleaning is the age old motto: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Remember to reduce the amount of cleaning products being used because you might be surprised at how much one wipe can take when cleaning off counters and tables. Also, instead of using harmful deodorizers, instead open all of your windows, let the sun and fresh air sweep through your household, put the fan on, and let nature do the deodorizing. Recycle all of the old plastic and newspapers that you never got around to reading, no need to promote landfills when the materials can be used again. Also, don’t forget to purge your closet and give all of your old garments to a local thrift store. Reuse the things in your house that aren’t past their prime yet, this can promote environmental safety while also saving you a buck in the process. Restrain from using harmful chemicals when cleaning your house and remember to blast your jams as loud as they will go, you know, to bring in the good vibes, maaaannnnnn.

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Like a previous post, I’m going to put in the idea that biking or walking to work can be great for your overall fitness, wallet, and ecosystem. Carpooling or public transportation are both great, green options that can help one get to work (remember that with carpooling you can use the HOV lane!) If you’ve tried all of this and none of it works out in your favor, it might be time to trade in your old car for one that is better on gas, which is ultimately the greener choice anyways.

It’s spring time! What better time of year is there to start your fresh herb garden, or garden in general. Sure, there are some seeds that you should have planted back in October that would be blooming now, but don’t dwell on the past. it’s time to plant some of your other favorite plants, be it flowers, trees, grass (bamboo!), vegetables, or fruit. There is no better time to begin than now, when the breeze is cool but the sun is hot. Seize the beautiful day, we’ve gotten so few of them thus far this year. Don’t forget to begin composting if you haven’t already.

Now that you’ve been briefed on some fun ways to begin your spring cleaning go and try them out. Also, remember that there is no better way to clean out your dusty bedroom (with old mattress’ ridden with dust, etc.) than by going organic. CozyPure’s natural latex is dust mite resistant and last for years and years on end, no need to worry about having to replace it because it is musty and certainly no need to replace it because its old anytime soon.

 

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Green to Work

In this day and age people all over are looking for ways to be greener, and if you are reading this blog right now you have already taken one giant step in the right direction. However, being green can be more than buying non-GMO foods and recycling plastic water bottles. In the case of what you drive to and from work each day you can either choose to be green, or you can choose not to be. However, although it may seem expensive to spend money on cars such as the Prius or the Fusion (both of which are great for going green) there are many other ways to save money and live green on the way to work.

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First of all, if you can manage it and you want to stay in shape, it might be time to start biking or walking to work or to school. If the day is sunny and the weather nice, biking or walking is a great method of getting to work. it saves gas money, seeing as there is no gas involved in the process, and it’s great exercise too. Many people forget about the biking option because, of course, many people are too lazy to do it. This is not true in all cases, though. Some people don’t have the bike lanes in their city that promote safety for the bikers themselves. Some people live too far away from work and some people just don’t have time. That’s OK, there are other options.

Like I said in my first paragraph, the option to trade in your car for a car with better mileage, perhaps a Hybrid, would be a wonderful idea. However, it does not have to be a Hybrid, there are plenty of cars on the market that are much cheaper than Hybrids and still have excellent gas mileage. A car with 30 or more miles per gallon will typically save you money and help save the environment in the process. It’s not a bad idea to get a Hybrid, though, and in the end the gas savings that come from purchasing one will add up to be worth the amount of money that you spent on the car itself.

Another option is public transportation. If you live in a city where it is accessible and efficient then you should definitely go for this choice. It is typically cheaper than driving your own car to and from work everyday so long as you buy a pass that lasts for a month or a week. Public transportation includes anything ranging from the bus to the light rail to the subway. Most cities at least have a bus system that is capable of taking people where they need to go, so why not use it if you have it?

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You can carpool with someone who works with you or goes to school with you. Carpooling saves a person from having to use more gas than needed as long as a good friend or co-worker can help you out with a ride. There should be no problem with it so long as you’re comfortable with the person whom you are riding with. Work out some details with them and you will be green to go.

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Have a Green St. Patty’s Day!

As we know, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s day, and, as we know, St. Patrick’s day is just a week away. While the actual holiday is on a Monday, the parades and such will be held over weekend, which means endless partying for some, and trash, trash, and even more trash to be swallowed up by the sad streets that these parades and parties take place on. Despite being a holiday that thrives off of the drunken minds of those who celebrate it, we can all still find the time to throw away our surplus of empty beer bottles and our cans of confetti and streamers and beads. If we can’t pick up our trash and various other debris for ourselves or for our environment, we should at least do it for St. Patrick on his special day, and for all of the Irish.

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A day to worship Shamrocks and vodka shots, St. Patrick’s day, or should I say the day of its festivities, has much in store for those who celebrate it. The first rule of St. Patty’s day is that one must wear green or they’ll receive a pinch! However, as we dance around the crowded streets of the parades, we must not only try to wear green, but we must also be, we must also think green. What easier way to start being green than by simply placing your trash in the trashcan rather than throwing it aside as the rest of the worlds problem. That’s not very saintly, now is it?

You can also buy your St. Patrick’s day clothes from a thrift store or reuse old outfits. Buying used products reduces the trash that will be sent to a landfill while also saving you money on a great deal. Instead of using plastic bags to carry your goodies in, try using tote, or other multifunctional bags, that way you are saving the environment while also saving you a couple of cents per bag at the grocery store.  Plant something green, drink and eat organic foods, and do whatever else you can to reduce, reuse, and to recycle.

Spruce up the holiday with green beers and other kinds of ale. Have fun in going about your Saint Patrick’s day celebrations and remember that there could be no better way to celebrate the holiday than by going green in everything that you might do, no matter if it is sitting around the house all day or going out and enjoying all of the parades and the parties that come with the holiday in which everyone is celebrated as Irish.

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Eco-Tips Environment Green Living Healthy Lifestyles Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Natural Fibers Natural Home Organic Apparel & Textiles Organic Clothing Organic Comfort Organic Mattress & Bedding Renewable Energy Sleep Tips

Be Green: Start in Your Bedroom

If you are looking to live a “Greener’ lifestyle and save the world in the process, what better place is there to start than in your very own bedroom. Here are some Eco-Friendly tips that can help you keep your bedroom Green and save you money in the process. After all, we spend an average of 26 years of our lives sleeping, so make it comfortable.

-First of all, what better way to get in touch with your ‘Greener’ side than by sleeping on it. Change your bedding to organic materials that are natural and are not harmful for the environment. At the Organic Comfort Zone you can find a variety of comfortable bedding that is also natural and safe for Mother Earth. Some of our products include organic cotton sheets, la’noodle and kapok pillows, wool comforters, and latex mattress’.

-By turning off the air conditioner and turning the fan on at night you are not only saving yourself some money but you are also using much less energy. A fan can do the job of an air conditioner without making the air in the room feel uncomfortably cold. Also, if cold a night, use blankets to keep you warm and not heaters.

-In order to clean out your bedroom look to using a damp washcloth with some vinegar thrown into the mix to get the best results. This is an easy, green, and cheap solution to removing those dust balls from your shelf without exposing yourself and others (including the environment) to those harmful chemicals that are in some of the name brand products.

-Shopping at thrift stores for clothing and decorations can reduce landfill waste while also giving you a unique new article of clothing or decor. By the way, did I mention that thrift stores can save you a huge chunk of money, which is all the more reason to shop at them.

-When all that the day has brought has been said and done it might be a good idea to unplug and turn off all things electronic. Not only does this save a whole lot of energy, but it also keeps the user awake by emitting lights that tell the brain not to produce melatonin, and with their loud noises they are prone to make, and a multitude of other pesky things that might keep one awake at night. Just simply unplug or turn them all off and save energy, money, and time that might be spent on these devices.

-Use CFL’s vs regular light bulbs. These Compact Fluorescent bulbs can save you money because of their efficiency. Remember to turn off the lights when not in the room, though.

So go ahead and try out some of these tips, save the world and some cash in the process, and sleep tightly!