How Green Are Your Cosmetics?

Want to see how green your cosmetic bag is?
Check out these websites for useful information...


Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database: cosmeticsdatabase.com
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: www.safecosmetics.org
Teens for Safe cosemtics: www.teensforsafecosmetics.org

Then share with us your favorite green products!

When to buy organic

Always (highest pesticide residue)


apples
bell and hot peppers
carrots
celery
cherries
grapes (imported)
greenbeans
nectarines
peaches
pears
potatoes
red raspberries
spinach strawberries

Buy when you can:

apricots
blueberries
cantaloupe
grapes (domestic)
honeydew melons
oranges
collard green
cucumber
kale
lettuce
mushroom
sweet pototoe
turnip greens
winter squash

Okay to buy conventional:

asparagus
avocados
apple juice
bananas
broccoli
cauliflower
cabbage
sweet corn
kiwi
mangoes
orange juice
onions
papayas
pineapples
plums
sweet peas
tangerines
watermelon

Thank You

I've been trying to figure out the best way to thank the Facebook users who have so generously created birthday wishes that include raising funds for GreenPlanet. In the end I think spotlighting them on our blog here is the best and easiest (for me) way to manage it.

So today I'd like to thank:

Erick Alberto Guzman Alcantara
Josh Falco
Nikola Jocić
Elisabete Crespo

Thank you for helping us create a more sustainable world.

Water Neutral

So the new phrase in the sustainable living world is "water neutral". This phrase was first used in 2002 at the World Summit on Sustainable Development. The world is starting to not only recognize what they eat, where they shop, what they discard but now it is coming to realize how much water one consumes. Each day we all waste water and if we can become more aware of what and where we are wasting water, then we can be "water neutral". You can check out this site to help calculate how much water you are using and where you can cut back. You might be surprised at how much you are wasting and how much you can save. Sometimes the first step is just recognizing and becoming aware of a situation. So good luck to you as you become more "water neutral"!

10 Foods To Help Reduce Cancer

Researches have found that people who eat a better, healthier diet can reduce their risk of cancer by nearly 60%. Below is a list of foods that are known to help reduce cancer risk. Remember, that choosing the organic options in these foods will contain higher levels of antioxidants and the other compounds that are known to reduce the risk of cancer.

1. Garlic - Garlic contains a number of compounds that can protect against cancer, especially that of the skin, colon, and lungs.

2. Dark Leafy Greens - Dark greens are rich sources of antioxidants called carotenoids. These scavenge dangerous free radicals from the body before they can promote cancer growth.

3. Grapes - Grapes (and red wine) contain the chemical resveratrol, which is a very potent antioxidant that can prevent cell damage before it begins.

4. Green Tea - The flavonoids in green tea have been shown to slow or prevent the development of several types of cancer including colon, liver, breast, and prostate.

5. Tomatoes - The compound lycopene, (which is most easily absorbed from cooked tomatoes) has been shown to prevent prostate cancer, as well as cancer of the breast, lung, and stomach.

6. Blueberries - Of all the berries, blueberries are the richest in cancer fighting compounds. They are beneficial in the prevention of all types of cancer.

7. Flaxseeds - Flax contains lignans, which can have an antioxidant effect and block or suppress cancerous changes. The omega-3 fatty acids can also help protect against colon cancer.

8. Mushrooms - Many mushrooms contain compounds that can help the body fight cancer and build the immune system as well.

9. Cruciferous Vegetables - Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts contain strong antioxidants that may help decrease cancer risk.

10. Whole Grains - Whole grains contain a variety of anti-cancer compounds including antioxidants, fiber, and phytoestrogens. These can help decrease the risk of developing most types of cancer.

(List taken from www.eatdrinkbetter.com)