Tonsilectomy

I went to the Doctor's office last tuesday, and the doc told me that I need to get my tonsils out considering how many cases of Strep Throat I have had within the last few years. I was not too worried about it because I have had surgery before. When I was in 1st grade I had a lazy eye. I know. I got that fixed. In the 4th grade I had my ears pinned back because I looked a little bit like Dumbo the elephant. Looking back I think my ears were cute, and wouldn't mind if I didn't have the procedure done. None the less, got those fixed. More recently I had my wisdom teeth removed and suffered with a case of the chipmunks (big cheeks). Got that fixed. So I was not too scared about having my tonsils out. Until I youtubed it. Now I'm terrified! Have any of you gotten your tonsils out? I expect the obvious sore throat afterward, but is it worth it? I know this is a little bit different from my usual green blog, but I've figured out a way to incorporate my idea and give this post a green tint. I'm offering my removed tonsils anyone who has had their tonsils removed and wants a new, slightly worn set! Free of charge! How is that for recycling?

You said we could post about anything that we wanted! Here is a little holiday joy, featuring myself, my brother joe, and my three puppies, sammy, lucy, and gia.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

One little thing that I've done

Since I began my Green Blog, I have been trying my best to do this whole green thing. I've been faithfully trying, and one little thing that I have done is: I make my family recycle aluminum cans! On average, and I did the math, my family goes through about 3-12pk cases of pop (not soda) a week, I'd say. So I took an old garbage can and set it next to our usual one, this one intended for our pop cans. Before the weekend comes, I take the trashcan to the Greentree Recycling Center. Of coarse I've been doing more, but I'm saving them for a rainy blog day.

Celebs are doing it...

So it must be wierd...

On the other hand, Cracked.com featured an alternate post "The 7 Most Retarded Ways Celebrities Have Tried to Go Green". Though I do sincerely believe that going green is important in living a healthier lifestyle and promoting a more safe environment, some do take it to an extreme. Take these folks for instance...

#7. Paul McCartney Gets a Hybrid... Flown to Him by Private Jet
#6. Jennifer Aniston Brushes Her Teeth in the Shower
#5. Sheryl Crow Uses One Sheet of Toilet Paper Per Visit
#4. Woody Harrelson Has "Vegan" Clothes... Flown by Private Jet
#3. Coldplay Offsets Their Carbon Footprint Via Dead Trees
#2. Harrison Ford Waxes His Chest Hair to Save the Rain Forest
#1. Al Gore Holds Green Concerts, With Artists Flown by Private Jet

While some of these are obvious, if you don't quite understand why cracked.com thinks that a 2-minute shower is a bit ridiculous, then check out the website! The list will tell you about the problem and even why it could have been worse! Silly celebs.

Celebs are doing it...

So it must be cool!

During a visit to thedailygreen.com, I discovered the green carpet (green is the new red). This website features the "10 Hottest Green Celebs", and here they are!

1). Al Gore: Environmental Crusader
2). Brad Pitt: Green Builder
3). Leonardo DiCaprio: King of the (Green Celeb) World
4). Ed Begley Jr.: Inspector Eco
5). Hayden Panettiere: Junior Eco-Hero
6 & 7). Sheryl Crow and Laurie David: Increase Your Greenthusiasm
8). Daryl Hannah: Making a Splash
9). Robert Redford: The (Non-) Electric Horseman
10). Musicians: Rock-and-Roll's Enviro-Players: Radiohead, Pearl Jam, Incubus, Dave Matthews, and Styx

Textfest

Today's day and age relies heavily on technology, this includes relationships too. Unlike most of you, I am cell phone-less. It's not my choice though, my parents want to switch plans and since I am staying with a family share plan because I am still on the family share teet, I unfortunately have to wait this one out. I have to admit it is annoying when I don't have a phone on Tuesdays and Thursdays for my long commute to Greensburg, mainly a safety issue, but not having a phone is quite refreshing. Though I fondly remember my days of texting, text-fighting, and text-flirting, I can just simply turn to facebook! Texting can be dangerous. Think about it, it is almost if not already, becoming illegal in to text and drive some states. More importantly what if the person who you are texting mistakes the tone of you textvoice and suddenly sparks a vicious slew of hatetexts OMG? When my boyfriend and I first started dating, during dinner our phones would constantly ding, for me it was just default 4 and for him it was a much more annoying Monday night football theme. We turn our phones off while we're on a date now. It helps! There is a good side though, texting is all too easy, but not too easy because my parents can't do it yet. (Thank Goodness) If I text my Dad, I was always sure to get a phone call 2 minutes later. He claims it is because his thumbs are too big, he never admits to ignorance. Texting is extremely convenient now a days and I strongly believe that it should be kept that way. For short, simple, convenient text messages like "stop and get me a pint of Ben and Jerry's chocolate chip cookie dough on your way home!" What? Okay! So it wasn't that short, but you get the idea.

Cool Things To Do With Car Tires

According to an online statistics, in the United States 242 million tires are discarded each year. Less than 7% are recycled, 11% are burned for fuel, and 5% are exported. The leftover 78% are sent to landfills, stockpiled, or illegally dumped. There has to be something that we can do with these tires. First, if you don't want to recycle them on your own by doing something creative like a tire swing or a flower bed, contact a local tire supplier (such as Goodyear, NTB) and ask if they have a drop-off bin for your tires. From there, they can...

-Rubber products, like the soles of your Green Toe shoes from Simple Shoes

-On playgrounds. Ever wonder what the soft, squishy ground was made from?

-Athletic tracks

-Fuel

-Planters in a garden

Check out this website. I was amazed to see the things that they could do with tires, like

-Pottery

-Fountains and ponds

-Swings

-Retaining walls

-Countless ideas with gardening/planting

-Vertical gardening

and so many more...

Shoes!

While researching recycled products I came across shoes! In 2004, a company called Simple Shoes had an idea to use all natural materials to manufacture shoes. They created a line of shoes called the Green Toe collection, made from 100% natural materials. Their packaging is even eco-friendly too with no tags, biodegradable bags, and 100% post-consumer (remember that?) recycled boxes, and get this- BAMBOO linings which I was excited about. In 2007 they included recycled materials, like car tires or plastic bottles, into the production of these great shoes. Also, they use organic cotton which benefits the environment just as well as the farmers who grow it. Last year in 2008 Simple Shoes began incorporating other natural materials, like hemp, into their product, and other recycled materials such as innertubes and bicycle tires too. Pretty cool Simple shoes.

Shut Up!

The "Whatevah" handout that we received in class left out the latest flip on the word, which it whatev. Come on, if you're going to say it, at least finish the damn word!

Anyways (I know, right)... Phrases that I hate, hmm this one shouldn't be too hard.

I dated a boy that would tell me "do what you do." DUH! Needlest to say, that ended quickly. Next!

I like my friends, but I hate listening to their stories, especially if they're a bad storytellyer. I was listening to my friend blab to me about the endless dramatic going-ons in her life and here is what it sounded like, I will let you be the judge of when it gets annoying. "So then I called him back and he hung up on me and I called him back again and then he finally stayed on the phone long enough for me to say what I wanted to say and then he was like yadda yadda yadda blah blah blah..." You know which part irks me? The yadda yadda yadda blah blah blah part. Yes, she really said that, it wasn't me improvising to make her story shorter. I stayed on the phone this long to listen to your pointless story, at least let your story climax, entertain me! Right?

Though this one doesn't bother me when I hear people say it, I did find that it is a phrase often used. It's so simple and who would have thought, but "in the middle" is a phrase that I find myself and others saying constantly on a daily basis. It all started when I was trying to open my boyfriend's lock on his door, and the only way to do it was to slide the flap perfectly "in the middle", I couldn't do it and in his frustruation with me he yelled at me! He shouted "in the middle!" So after years of me making fun of him for it, it kind of caught on and we tally eachother with how many times we hear the phrase.

A Few Tips For Greener Computing

The more I blog about going green, the more I begin to notice my own bad habits that are not-so-green themselves. Blogging itself is done on the computer, which in our day and age seems like a necessity (the computer, not the blog). So since we are all oh so dependent on our Mac, here are a few things you can do to save a little energy.

Shut down your computer when you’re not using it! If that is asking too much then at least turn off your monitor when it’s not in use.

Don’t just use a screen saver, really turn the monitor off! Though it is called a screen saver, it is really still a power-user. Screen savers actually use a ton of energy!

Most computers now-a-days come with their own power saving features, utilize them.

Do you have a laptop? Well when you’re not using or charging it, don’t leave it plugged in. Even though your computer is idle, the plug socket isn’t. Unplug it!

If you don’t use it anymore, recycle it. Not just computers, but anything such as computers, ipods, and phone. Apple has a recycling program that even offers incentives when recycling an old computer to buy a new one. Interested? Take a peek!

Pumpkins

As the fall holidays, or fallidays, are fast approaching I thought I would offer a few ways to get the MOST use out of our favorite fall item... pumpkins.

Check out a local farm, because we love local, remember? For me, it would be Trax Farms! Their produce is right from their own fields, so local vendors usually offer more of a quality selection. Now we have the task of choosing a single pumpkin. Has to be a good color, no bruises, stem intact, nice shape, you get the idea! Now our options... We can most certainly carve it, bake with it, especially pumpkin pie, add salt and bake some pumpkin seeds, use the scraps in our compost piles (I live in the city so I don't have one, but I would just make sure to bake an extra large pumpkin pie so there were no scraps).

Here are a few great ideas on decorating, and getting the most out of your pumpkins. From sconces, to pancakes, to stew, this website offers many different ways to utilize your pumpkin this season. Take a look!

Has anyone carved pumpkins yet? Did you take pictures? Send them to me. I'll be sure to post!

A Few Tips To Celebrate Hallowgreen

Here are a few tips that may help you help your holiday, by making it greener instead of orange and black!

Make your own Halloween costume! I think homemade costumes are the best! Sorry cute sailor girl, my cavewoman costume is much better. Besides, what is in those plastic costumes anyways? If anyone would like to share their halloween costume, ideas, or stories please share!

Are you having a halloween party? Well, go to the local farmers' market to get some great decorations that are biodegradable, festive, and still support smaller local distributors.

Bob for apples! Remember that? Or atleast recylcle all of those alluminum Milwaukee's Best Beast Light cans, or those glass Mad Dog 20/20. I know, classy.

Organic, natural candies are delicious! Trust me.

If you're crafty, or if you're just interested, visit this site to discover fun ways to decorate with recycled items like; platic water bottles, pop cans, wheat, oranges, pinecones, scraps, marshmellows, popcorn, and old greeting cards. I appreciate this site because I am a craftaholic, but I can promise that you'll learn something new if you decide to check it out.

Our Lands are Full

Whether we are putting it out on the sidewalk once a week, walking it to the dumpster outside of Westmoreland Hall, or cleaning it up after raccoons tear through it and then taking it back out to the sidewalk, we all are guilty of contributing our garbage and waste to landfills. With the daily grind of life, we hardly think about where our trash is going, or what is being done with it. Well, it's filling up landfills (duh) and may be causing environmental problems.

I included this video, first because I don't think that the average college student youtubes landfills, and also to show the anatomy of a landfill, how it processes garbage, and the effects and outcome of building a landfill. Our trash is piling up, here's what is going on...

Atmospheric Emissions- Landfill gasses enter the atmosphere, effecting our ozone.

Water Emissions- Rainwater falls on the landfill and allows toxic chemicals to wash into water courses such as ditches nearby, or rivers and streams that are further away.

Landfill Fires, Decomposition, and Leakage are other problems that landfills face. So how do we resolve these issues? Well, we can begin by recycling! Recycling will reduce the amount of greenhouse gas that landfills let out into the atmosphere. I'm sure that everything I am writing, you've already learned in 4th grade science class. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle... Remember? It's simple and it will save our planet, so let's start!

Nabisco goes green!

While browsing the snack section of a local supermarket I discovered that I am not the only person who wants to save the environment, one cookiebox at a time. The National Biscuit Company does!

Nabisco, but how?

This Oreo Cakesters box is made from 100% recycled paperboard, and is also 12% smaller than its previous box. Don't worry kids, "The 12 Soft, Moist, Delicious Cakes Are Exactly The Same!"

Okay Nabisco, great, but does this really make a difference?

Yes! The 100% Recycled Paperboard website explains what paperboard is, how is it used, converted, broken down, how many trees and landfills we save by using it, and who uses it. If you don't feel like taking a look at the site, I'll highlight the facts...

First, there are 2 different types of paperboard; coated recycled paperboard (CRB) and uncoated recycled paperboard (URB). Our Cakesters box is an example of CRB. URB would be more like your $180.00 biology book.

-"North America recycles approximately 3.1 million tons of recovered fiber into CRB every year, with an additional 4.5 million tons of recovered fiber recycled into URB."

-"For every ton of virgin paperboard that is converted to CRB/URB, one ton of recovered fiber is kept out of municipal landfills. This, in turn, reduces the amount of methane created in the landfill and further decreases greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. "

-"14 Fourteen trees are saved for every converted ton."

-"By converting 250 tons of virgin paperboard to CRB, enough energy is saved to heat someone’s home for an entire year."

-"By converting 250 tons of virgin paperboard to 250 tons of CRB, the greenhouse gases that are prevented are equal to removing 54 cars from the road each year. "

-"By converting 250 tons of virgin paperboard to 250 tons of CRB, the waste water that is not produced each year is the equivalent to the amount of water in 7 seven Olympic-sized swimming pools."

-"By converting 250 tons of virgin paperboard to 250 tons of CRB, four hundred thousand pounds less solid waste is produced - enough to fill 15 garbage trucks each year."

Now I could copy and paste all night, but I feel that this is good enough evidence that a trend of eco-friendly packaging is emerging. I was surprised to discover how many companies are already using this type of packaging. Frito, General Mills, Giant Eagle, Gillette, Hewlett-Packard, Kelloggs, Kraft, Nordstrom, Rubbermaid, Russell Stover, and Xerox were just a few that I recognized on the, what seems like, endless list of companies that use recycled paperboard. Here's the list, do any companies look familiar to you?

Bamboo

Did you know that bamboo is an eco-friendly plant? In some, more tropical, parts of the world bamboo can even grow up to 1 meter/day. So, from flooring, to fencing, to furniture, bamboo is the greenest product on the market right now. I was bamboozled to discover just how many products are made from bamboo. If you're interested, check this out! Do you have any bamboo products in your home? I have to admit, even though I am endorsing bamboo, the only product that I do have is my little stick of bamboo in a vase with rocks, accompanied by it's three measely little leaves. Maybe one day I'll upgrade to bamboo floors, when I'm paying my own mortgage and not living with mom.

Taking Your First Steps

Don't really know how to go green? Well I call offer you a few easy changes that anyone can make. Here are some simple solutions that save energy, and may even save you a buck or two.

10. Unplug anything that glows, When you're not using it of coarse!
9. Recycle (duh) your electronics.
8. Your laptop emits far less energy then your desktop, so use that instead!
7. Buy produce from local farmers. (Baconpants even told us to!)
6. Spend less time mowing your lawn, let the grass grow a little. When you decide to mow the lawn, use a hand-powered lawn mower. No gas emissions and exercise!
5. Use Energy Effiicient appliances, like showerheads, washers, and dryers.
4. Speaking of Energy Efficient appliances, be efficient when using appliances.
3. Go to this site and see what bugs are good to have around!
2. Print on BOTH sides of the paper, save trees.
1. Drive less, ride a bike, break out your skates, carpool, take an E85 bus, protect our ozone!

You DON'T Have to Jump Off of a Bridge

So these protesters obviously got wind of my green blog and decided to show their dedication to green peace. These guys, GreenPeace USA decided to say "hello" to international leaders visiting Pittsburgh by repelling off of the West End Bridge. Eight protestors and one larger than life, or 80x30 ft, sign that read “Danger. Climate Destruction. Reduce CO2 emissions.” dangled from the bridge and then, after a couple hours, were raised and apprehended by police.

At first I thought these people went a little too far, but really their message got a lot of attention and that's just what they wanted to do. I do not promote jumping off of a bridge to show how green you are, infact I don't recommend jumping off of a bridge at all! I just thought you greenies would like to see some of the lengths people go to just to express their views on saving the world. I would recommend checking out their site to see what the fuss is all about!

"Let's Go Bucs. Let's Go Green."

We're not the only folks interested in "greening" themselves. Love 'em or hate 'em the Pittsburgh Pirates are putting forth their best effort to make our black and gold a little greener. By using biodegradeable utensils, napkins, and plates. Also, we'll be seeing more recycling going on at PNC Park. The office materials, like paper and light bulbs, will even be recycled and energy-efficient. Alright Buccos, though I was upset that you traded some of our only good players, atleast you know how to save some energy!

These are only a few examples of the small changes that we can make in our lives to make a big difference. So jump on this bandwagon (E85 Ethynol-feuled wagon, of coarse!) and for a small price, using recycled materials or even using a different type of light bulb can go a long way!

Life After People

"Welcome to Earth. Population zero."

Click me, I'm a video!

So I rented this movie the other night and was impressed by its cheesey graphics and not-so-happy ending. The movie is actually just a series done by the History Channel all compiled into one DVD. Life After People begins the first day after human existence. Nothing tragic happened to us, don't worry, we just mysteriously disappear. Spoiler alert! This documentary uses scientific fact to predict that in 10,000 years from the day that mankind vanishes from Earth, there will be little to no evidence that we ever existed. Scary!

I started to seriously doubt this documentary somewhere around 20 years post-human-existence. Scientist believe that earth would've already begun to take back what was hers and I thought, "Really? Everything that man had worked so hard for, all the the buildings, monuments, bridges, etc. are already beginning to crumble?" I didn't believe it, but it IS actually happening in one part of the world- Prypiat, Ukraine home of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster. Humans had abandon their entire lives to escape the effects of radioactivity. Radiation levels have plummeted, and wildlife has established itself a new home in what was once a thriving city. Already, there are tremendous signs of earth regenerating itself.

Earth is a beautiful place, it is our responsibility as human beings to take it upon ourselves and maintain its beauty. I highly recommend this documentary, it is available at redbox for $1.07!

Modern Technology Owes Ecology an Appology

I decided to blog about something that is important to all of us and that could spark an interest in most, Planet Earth. It is the world in which we live and it is such an unhealthy, one-sided relationship. If we don't change our bad habits soon, Earth is going to break up with us! In my green blog I can offer you tips, facts, and fun stories on the little, unordinary things that we all can do to keep this relationship alive! I'm not a greenpeace activist, tree-hugger, hippie, or anything of the sort, I just honestly belive that if we all contribute the littlest bit that we're bound to make a difference.


P.S. You can thank Mr. Alan M. Eddison for the title of this blog. It's a poem, he wrote it!

5 Things I Could Blog...

-Abraham Lincoln

Okay I know that it is super weird for a twenty-one-year-old girl to be a little bit obsessed with a president, but hey it's a niche! The only problem, not everyone would be as glamoured by our 16th president as I am.

-Healthy Habits in Everyday Living

Hopefully everyone could use a little "green" in their life, or diet!

-Movies

I love movies! Cliffhangers would promote conversation between us bloggers. Like in Point Break. Does Swayze drown? Does he live the rest of his days locked up in a jail cell? What happened!

-My Job

I thought that this would be an interesting topic because I always come home with an interesting story or two. The downside, they are usually stories about the restaraunt that make me want to pull my own hair and I'd rather write about something that makes me happy instead.

-My Personal List of "Goals That I Want to Accomplish in My Life"

For instance, I want to continue my reign as hula hoop champion. Currently 12-0. I know, it's impressive.

I Love...

As I stare at the computer screen thinking about what I love most in life, weighing the odds and trying to choose something perfect, it hit me. Actually I stepped on it. That "it" is a her, (don't worry it was just a little nudge) and I am talking about my two-and-a-half-year-old shih tzu Sammy! She is absolutely the most adorable best friend anybody could have. My mom and dad bought her for our other shih  tzu, Gia, to have a buddy. Later we add Lucy to the bunch. All three ladies are actually sisters just from different litters. Though, for now we're talking about Sammy. I'm definitely Sam's favorite person. Though she is affectionate towards everyone, she only listens to me. She's my little pal, she follows me around constantly, she cuddles, she gives you kisses if your sad, and if you're not, she's beautiful, energetic, fun-loving, loves to play, okay I can't really read her handwriting anymore..

I know that everyone loves their dog and thinks that theirs is the best, and that's okay! You obviously just haven't met Sam yet.