My Little Environmentalist

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(This photo is copyrighted to me - Sabina DeShazo - please don't use without my permission- thanks)

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My youngest daughter Caitie considers herself to be quite the environmentalist. She even started a garbage club (with absolutely no prompting) at school and has many members who help pick up trash during recess. She is only 7 but knows all about the 3 R's as well as water conservation, and animal conservation. She really amazes me sometimes.

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She loves visiting kid and eco friendly websites in her quest to learn new things. One of them is EarthEco International. Recently, she learned all about protecting Wild Dolphins. I also think she has a small crush on one of the founders - Philippe Cousteau. I have to admit he is pretty cute! Philippe Cousteau is the twenty- six year-old son of Jan and Philippe Cousteau Sr., and the grandson of Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau. He is continuing the work of his father and grandfather by educating the public about environmental and conservation issues and inspiring people young and old to become better stewards of our water planet. Their motto is "Everything you do makes a difference". Very cool!!

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For more info visit EarthEco International. It is a nonprofit 501c3 organization that was founded in 2000 by siblings Philippe and Alexandra Cousteau in honor of their father Philippe Cousteau Sr., famous son of the legendary explorer Jacques Yves Cousteau. EarthEcho's programs are dedicated to a legacy of devotion to the conservation and restoration of the oceans.

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Out of the Loop

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My son Ben at his piano.

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I feel that I've been a bit out of the blogging loop lately - just too much going on around my house. School is nearing the end of the year for all my kids and my oldest son is leaving home to pursue further college and do some serious community service work. I can't imagine not seeing him each day - he has been a shining star since the day he was born.

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I'll be limiting myself to one or two posts per week until summer break is over in mid August. In the meantime I will still be visiting all my favorite blogs (you know who your are) and hoping to discover some new ones along the way.

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(These photos are copyrighted to me - Sabina DeShazo - please don't use them without my permission- thanks)

Mothers Day

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I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday!! Mine was filled with hugs, kisses, flowers, cards, gifts, food, music and my mom!!

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Friday's Photos - San Francisco Eco Idea House

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I just had to feature this home and all the wonderful things that make it too cool.

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Eco Design Goes Glam in San Francisco

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Most "green" homes are located far from city centers. In San Francisco, limited land availability and notorious red tape can make it especially hard to build with sustainable materials and renewable sources of energy. However, Robin Wilson's zero-net-energy home, in the heart of one of city's oldest neighborhoods, is lauded as one of the world's "greenest" residences. Nicknamed La Casa Verde, this Mission District dwelling gets power from the sun and wind, and was built with a laundry list of eco-friendly materials. It's one of the first U.S. homes to achieve certification through Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ratings. Outside, an ECO Paver permeable sidewalk allows rainwater to seep into the ground instead of flowing into sewer systems. The two-car garage includes a natural gas pump. The Skystream wind turbine from Southwest Windpower provides up to half of the home's energy. The backyard includes 4,000-gallon cisterns to collect rainwater, which flows into the home's toilets and laundry machine and could conserve as much as 21,000 gallons every year, according to the owner. Another system takes used, gray water from everything but the toilets for irrigation. And an intelligent irrigation system takes local weather data and soil conditions into consideration to deliver water when it's needed. A walkway along most of the upper level provides views of the neighborhood and the hills beyond. Some of the decking uses Trex, a composite of wood and recycled plastic. The walls contain soy-based spray foam insulation. Paints are low in toxic, volatile organic compounds that can pollute indoor air. Every appliance in the home meets Energy Star standards. Cabinetry uses no-added formaldehyde, recycled-wood fiberboard. Kitchen countertops include rice hulls, which would otherwise go to a landfill. There are also countertops of recycled glass vodka bottles. Drinking water is purified by an oxidizing filtration system.

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Just Amazing!!!

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(Information courtesy of CNET and Sunset Magazine. Photos by Thomas J. Story)

Simple Steps - Organics and Better Health

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Going green might seem overwhelming, but if we just take simple steps each day it gets easier as we go and the impact those simple steps can make are enormous. Check out the website below and consider taking one small step towards a better tomorrow.

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Simple Steps - Green Living by NRDC

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Organic Produce Might Pay Off in Better Health

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You might have to spend an extra buck or two to buy organic fruits and vegetables. Is it really worth the extra cost? Science suggests that it could be, especially when you consider what you’re NOT getting when you buy organic produce — pesticides. Government tests show that conventionally grown fruits and vegetables can retain up to 13 pesticides even after washing and cooking. And scientists have shown that children age 5 and under eat an average of 8 pesticides each day. Pesticides are toxic chemicals. They have been linked to childhood cancers, neurological damage, birth defects and prostate cancer. Children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of pesticides in food because they eat more of them relative to their body size. Yet the food in grocery stores today can contain pesticide residues that don't meet safety standards for children's health. You can take simple steps that will help keep you and your children safe from the harmful effects of pesticide residue on fruits and vegetables:
Eat more fruits and vegetables, but minimize your exposure to pesticides by buying organic produce—especially the dirty dozen that are most exposed to pesticides, which includes peaches, apples, strawberries, and spinach. Wash and rinse all fresh produce before you eat it. Buy locally grown produce whenever you can. Imported fruits (especially grapes) and vegetables may carry harmful pesticides that are not regulated in the same way as they are in the United States.

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You can get more information about organic food, national labeling standards and online organic food sellers from NRDC's Organic 101 fact sheet.

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(Above Photos Courtesy of Jupiter Images)

In the Garden

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No gardener goes out and says to their garden - give me some more vegetables and then maybe I'll water you - that's not how manifestation occurs. You tend the vegetables and water them and then the harvest comes.

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Take a stand on healthy eating, local, safe food, and environmental sustainability by growing your own food right in your lawn or garden.

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