Learn from Nature: Business in a Down Economy

The natural world knows how to conserve in lean times. Why shouldn’t we practice the same?

Namib Desert beetle leverages the power of attraction.

If you think your budgets are tight, take a look at Namib desert beetle that must find water in one of the driest environments on earth, how the tardigrade can survive for years without water, or how cicadas manage to survive without direct access to critical nutrients for most of their lives.

Nature has the tightest budgets of all and still finds a way to manage and even thrive. Here is a sample of nature’s genius that can teach us a thing or two about dealing with scarce resources.

The Namibian Beetle lives in one of the driest deserts in the world. The Namib lives on the southwest coast of Africa. It collects all of the water it needs from ocean fog due to the unique surface of its back. Microscopic bumps with hydrophilic (water-attracting) tips and hydrophobic (water-repelling) sides cover its hardened forewings, which it aims at oncoming fog each morning. Water droplets materialize out of thin air on its back, then slide down channels into its awaiting mouth.

Relating it to business: Develop a tailored strategy to create an affinity with the resources you need to attract. For example, if you’re experiencing a lack in creative talent, take a look at your work environment and organizational policies and see whether it is conducive to creative thinking, experimentation and collaboration.

The whole is greater than the sum of the parts in the forest.

In wetter and mixed-species interior Douglas-fir forests, Douglas-fir and paper birch (Betula papyrifera) trees can be linked together by species-rich mycorrhizal networks. This fungal network serves as a pathway for the transfer below ground of carbon from deciduous trees to regenerating Douglas-fir seedlings nearby.

This is not a one-sided relationship, though. Douglas-fir support their birch neighbors in the spring and fall by sending back some of this carbon when the birch is without leaves. This back-and-forth (mutualism) flux of resources according to need may be one process that maintains forest diversity and stability.

Relating it to business: Manage stocks and flows through a linked professional network. Acknowledge the importance of collaborators to growing and thriving with you and build resilience as a community through cooperative resource management.

Symbiosis works for the Cicada so it doesn’t have to.

Cicadas have a symbiotic relationship with two species of specialized bacteria that live inside their cells and produce essential nutrients that the insect finds difficult to access in its regular diet while living underground. (The Cicada spends most of its life -- from two to 17 years -- underground before emerging en masse at regular intervals). While underground, cicadas feed solely on the sap of plant roots, the most nutrient-poor and unbalanced part of plants.

Relating it to business: Partner with a complementary product or service for your business instead of expanding beyond your core competency or acquiring such businesses. Acquisition is costly and often disrupts business coherence. Partnership, on the other hand, allows for intense cooperation without the costly overhead.

Tardigrades are at the ready.

The water bear, an arthropod also known as a tardigrade, lumbers across moist surfaces of mosses and lichens. But when those dry up, the water bear goes into a suspended state that could last anywhere from a few months to a century. The key is the sugar trehalose. As water becomes scarce, trehalose inside the water bear loses water. Instead of forming sharp-edged crystals that can damage DNA, membranes, and cells, the sugar transforms into a glassy state. This sugar-glass surrounds the water bear’s molecules, protecting them from high temperatures and also preventing chemical reactions and denaturation. All it takes to revive the water bear is water.

Relating it to business: Don’t lose track of the good ideas and relationships that you still haven't been able to put into action. Develop a system for recording these ideas. Keep them ready to spring to life when the right opportunity presents itself. Good ideas and relationships are an asset that can be cashed in when the moment is right.

Paper wasps avoid expensive materials.

The geometry of a honeycomb -- seen in such structures as wasp nests -- allows minimizing the amount and quality of the material used to reach minimal weight with maximum functionality. A honeycomb-shaped structure provides minimal density and relatively high out-of-plane compression properties and out-of-plane shear properties.The geometry does the work, not the quality of the material.

Relating it to business: The idea is to take low value or off-the-shelf assets and rearrange them is such a way that the emergent outcome is of higher value. Look for critical connections between your assets that are currently viewed as being of low value both internally and externally: Novel arrangements and coupling of undervalued products, services and even people can result in the discovery of new functions and services.

Health 101!

Hi Everyone! As you already know, we are trying our best to find everything eco friendly - from greening your workout, decluttering your home and taking small steps to make a difference, we have tackled them all! Today will be no different. Tell us what you think of these yummy vegan recipes - we're not saying you should cut all carnivorous cravings cold turkey, but why not attempt to have a non meat day say, once a week?

Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas with Ranchero Sauce

Don’t miss out on this Mexican chili sauce dish. The sauce has a kick, but if you want fire, add extra ancho chilis. This meal is filling, flavourful, and a great protein substitute for a meatless diet.

Ingredients

• 2 dried ancho chilis, stemmed and seeded
• 2 cups water
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• 5 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 cups organic vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
• 2 tablespoons no-salt-added tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 cups (8 ounces) preshredded reduced-fat 4-cheese Mexican-blend cheese, divided
• 3 thinly sliced green onions, divided
• Cooking spray
• 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas
• 6 tablespoons light sour cream

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. Combine chiles and 2 cups water in a saucepan; bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand 5 minutes. Drain chiles in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid.

3. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add onion; saute 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium; add garlic and salt. Cook 5 minutes or until golden, stirring occasionally. Add broth and next 3 ingredients (through cumin); cook 8 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally.

4. Pour onion mixture into a blender; add chilis and reserved liquid. Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in lid. Blend until smooth; stir in lime juice and red pepper.

5. Combine the beans, 1 cup cheese, and half the green onions in a bowl. Spread 1/2 cup sauce in the bottom of a 13 x 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray. Warm tortillas according to package directions. Spoon 3 tablespoons bean mixture down center of each tortilla; roll up. Place, seam-side down, in prepared dish. Pour remaining sauce over filled tortillas. Top with the remaining cheese. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Sprinkle with remaining green onions; serve with sour cream.

Orzo Salad with Spicy Buttermilk Dressing

This dish is fresh, creamy, and packed with fresh veggies. When the reviews rave this dish is “delicious,” “excellent,” and “a big hit,” why wouldn’t you put it on this week’s menu plan?

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked orzo
• 1 cup frozen whole-kernel corn, thawed and drained
• 12 cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, divided
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons light sour cream
• 2 tablespoons canola mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 peeled avocado, cut into 8 wedges
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Preparation

1. Cook orzo according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain and rinse; drain well. Place orzo, corn, and next 3 ingredients (through beans) in a large bowl; toss.

2. Combine buttermilk, 2 tablespoons cilantro, and next 8 ingredients (through garlic) in a small bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Drizzle over orzo mixture; toss. Top with avocado; garnish with remaining cilantro and parsley.

Curried Couscous with Broccoli and Feta

This dish collaborates Mediterranean and Indian flavors with a zesty curry, ginger flavor. Mix up your dinner menu this week with this tasty international dish.

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups water
• 1 cup uncooked couscous
• 1 1/2 cups small broccoli florets
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
• 1/3 cup shredded carrot
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup dry-roasted cashews, chopped
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1 teaspoon bottled minced fresh ginger
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
• 3/4 cup (3 ounces) crumbled feta cheese

Preparation

1. Bring 1 3/4 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan; gradually stir in couscous. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

2. While couscous stands, steam broccoli florets, covered, for 3 minutes or until tender.

3. Combine couscous, broccoli, onion, and next 10 ingredients (onion through chickpeas), tossing gently. Sprinkle with cheese.

Gemelli Salad with Green Beans, Pistachios, and Lemon-Thyme Vinaigrette

This recipe marries crisp green beans, heat from garlic and shallots, crunchiness of pistachios and the zest from lemons! Need we say more?

Ingredients

• 8 ounces uncooked gemelli (short twisted tube pasta)
• 1 cup (1 1/2-inch) cut haricots verts (about 4 ounces)
• 1/2 cup chopped shelled pistachios
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, divided
• 2 tablespoons grated lemon rind, divided
• 1 tablespoon minced shallots
• 2 tablespoons Champagne or white wine vinegar
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 ounce shaved fresh Parmesan cheese (about 1/3 cup)

Preparation

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Add haricots verts during the final 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and rinse pasta mixture under cold water; drain well.

2. Place the pasta mixture, pistachios, 1 tablespoon thyme, and 1 tablespoon lemon rind in a large bowl; toss gently to combine.

3. Combine remaining 1 tablespoon thyme, remaining 1 tablespoon lemon rind, shallots, Champagne or white wine vinegar, and garlic in a small bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Gradually add olive oil, stirring constantly with a whisk. Add salt and black pepper; stir with a whisk. Drizzle over pasta mixture, and toss gently to coat. Top each serving with Parmesan cheese.

Grilled Portobello, Bell Pepper, and Goat Cheese Sandwiches

Pungent goat cheese adds a creamy quality to this delicious and filling sandwich. Balsamic, garlic, and oil acts to transcend the main star of the sandwich – the portobello mushroom – to the next level.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, cut in half and seeded
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cut in half and seeded
• 4 (4-inch) portobello mushroom caps
• Cooking spray
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 (2-ounce) Kaiser rolls
• 1/2 cup (4 ounces) soft goat cheese

Preparation

1. Prepare grill to medium-high heat.

2. Combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and garlic in a large bowl. Add bell peppers and portobello mushrooms; toss gently to coat. Remove vegetables from vinegar mixture, and discard vinegar mixture.

3. Place bell peppers and mushrooms on a grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 4 minutes on each side. Remove vegetables from grill; cool slightly. Cut bell peppers into thin strips. Combine bell peppers, basil, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.

4. Cut rolls in half horizontally; spread cheese evenly over cut sides of rolls. Arrange 1 mushroom cap on bottom half of each roll; top each serving with about 1/3 cup bell pepper mixture and top half of roll.

5. Place sandwiches on grill rack coated with cooking spray. Place a cast-iron or other heavy skillet on top of sandwiches; press gently to flatten. Grill 3 minutes on each side or until bread is toasted (leave cast-iron skillet on sandwiches while they cook).

We hope you enjoy these recipes - let us know what your favorites are!

Eco Fabulous Beauty Products

From green-eyed monsters to green thumbs, the color green has been popping up in recent years to describe different ways of life - and, thanks to the change in the beauty industry, the color green can look good on everyone. Green cosmetics, that is. Here are some of the best eco-friendly beauty brands that will not only make you look and feel beautiful, but help the environment as well.

Aveda

When it comes to eco-friendly beauty brands, Aveda is a leader on the board. The company is well known for their nature-inspired products, which include hair care, skincare, makeup and even perfume. Aveda strives to connect beauty, environment and overall well-being into one existence while giving back to the world of beauty and the world as a whole. 90% of their essential oils and 89% of their raw organic ingredients are organic certified, assuring you that you are indeed getting an eco-friendly beauty product. The eco-friendly effort doesn’t stop with the product—it also goes into the product packaging. You’ll love the fact that Aveda’s beauty products are 100% post consumer recycled (and 100% of manufacturing energy comes from certified wind power.) Aveda is the first of its class in several green pioneering efforts and can be considered a poster child for a superb eco-friendly brand.

Burt’s Bees

Burt's Bees is committed to natural materials - from their 99% natural formulas (about half of their line is 100% natural), their Post Consumer Recycled (PCR) packaging, and their commitment to preserving animal and human rights with free-trade and fair working conditions. Burt's Bees' biggest goal is to be "the greenest personal care company on earth," which they're hoping to achieve by 2020 with a variety of initiatives - including becoming a carbon-free company that operates on 100% renewable energy. They want no waste in landfills, and they want their manufacturing facilities to be LEED certified. Burt’s Bees puts great effort in assuring that their packages are designed specifically to hold just enough product before it expires to avoid consumers throwing out half-used product.

Shiffa

If you’re familiar with Dubai, you know they have some amazing attractions—so it only makes sense that they are also responsible for an equally astonishing green cosmetics brand. Shiffa Dubai Skincare is a beauty brand focused on providing holistic skincare products (both organic and natural,) in the form of luxury cosmetics for face, body and hair. All awesome eco brands have a similar philosophy, which is to give back while being environmentally conscious. Along with this mentality, Shiffa also seeks to heal based on the principals of dermatology. The brand uses a variety of unique and beneficial natural ingredients: African shea butter, Lebanese orange blossoms and Egyptian jasmine.

Live Native

Live Native claims to produce some of the purest and most nutritious range of skincare products on the market today, and this just might be the case. With a strict promise to never include artificial coloring, preservatives, synthetic fragrances and many other less than natural ingredients in their products, all of Live Native’s ingredients are harvested without heat to assure that consumers are getting the beneficial nutrients that all natural occurring organisms carry.

Elemental Herbology

Elemental Herbology is an excellent example of an eco-friendly cosmetic brand that combines science with nature. High-performing bioactive ingredients meet plant oils that provide an abundance of vitamins, proteins and mineral extracts. This combination helps revitalize damaged skin and protect against harmful environmental aggressors and signs of aging.

Korres

Everything that they make - from their masks to their lip glosses, use only biodegradable ingredients. This means no mineral oils or silicones, recyclable packaging, and eco-friendly manufacturing practices such as using a steam generator to heat their facility, rather than electrical heating.

Tarte

Tarte’s line features wholesome, natural ingredients. Take their wildly popular cheek stain, for instance, which is a water-based formula with "Skinvigorating" ingredients like a T5 Super Fruit Complex (goji, acai, maracuja, acerola, and pomegranate) and mineral-derived pigments. No parabens, sulfates, phthalates, or petrochemicals.

Jane Iredale

Most of the lip colors from Jane Iredale are vegan and gluten-free. Their mineral makeup collection, in general, is designed to be as healthy as possible for your skin.

Yes to Carrots

This is a fantastic skincare line that's packed with organic fruits and veggies with no parabens, petroleum, SLS, and phthalates. They have four different lines: carrots to "nourish", cucumbers to "soothe," tomatoes to "clear," and blueberries for "age refresh."

Juice Beauty

Juice Beauty is committed to using certified organic ingredients, as well as applying their Eco Values to every aspect of production - including manufacturing with solar energy, packaging with recycled paper and soy ink, and supporting USDA certified organic farmers. Plus their products are as effective as they are healthy.

Earth Day doesn’t have to be just one day a year—especially not when you wear your skin 24/7. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder but nature is all around us. Take advantage with eco-friendly cosmetics that are just as amazing as they are healthy—for both you and the world you live in.

Our skin can absorb over 60% of what we put on it - that goes for moisturizers, foundations, even lipstick.

What is your skin absorbing?

Eco Friendly Getaways for the Eco Conscious Adventurer

New Year, new plans! If you’re looking to see more of the world while still doing your part for the planet, we just might have the answer. Yes, choosing your destination is very important, but so is deciding where you want to stay. Sometimes a hotel can be just as fascinating to explore. So wherever you book your get away, be sure to check into an eco-friendly hotel. Here are some of the most unique yet sustainable, dwellings that offer a comfortable, earthy and adventurous room for a night.

Whitepod - Switzerland

Awarded the 2005 World Prize for Sustainable Tourism, Whitepod sits in a private ski area in Switzerland where it encourages environmentalism with its 15 spacious pods. Each pod is furnished with beds (with organic bedding), bathrooms and wood stoves. The dome shaped tents are pitched on wooden platforms that are isolated from urban pollution and help minimize its affect on the environment through limiting daily water consumption and electricity, reducing waste production and using renewable resources. Guests can also experience winter activities like hiking, skiing and snow-shoeing. It’s also opened during warm weather, for those who don’t like snow. Now, this is a great way to spend 1,700 meters up in the Swiss Alps.

Bella Sky Comwell Hotel - Denmark

This Scandinavian hotel went above and beyond with its architecture to ensure the utmost sustainability. The Bella Sky Comwell Hotel in Denmark incorporates a dual-tower design, and not just for show. The architecture benefits the environment, as the angled windows are part of the hotel’s energy-efficiency. With 812 rooms, 30 conference rooms, bars, restaurants and spas, it surely lives up to guests expectations. The inside is just as remarkable as the outside. A vertical garden wall wraps around the lobby, which provides air filtration and moisture control. The hotel is very dedicated to the planet and hopes to not only give their guests a warm stay, but also influence and educate them about the environment.

Dasparkhotel - Germany

The Dasparkhotel in Germany isn’t your ordinary hotel, so don’t expect to be staying in an actual building. Each room is crafted from repurposed robust drain pipes; how awesome is that? Within each room, a double bed, a storage space, light and power are available. The rooms are located near a bicycle path and sits on an old purification plant, with only five suites are available. As if this place couldn’t get any cooler, they also offer a “pay as you wish” system, meaning customers leave whatever amount they can afford. Now, that’s customer service.

Cavallo Point - California

Cavallo Point in San Francisco, California provides a luxury lodge housed in Golden Gate National Parks. Named one of the “Top 10 New American Landmarks,” it received LEED Gold Certification for its design and architecture. The lodge re-used historic materials and green building elements to create this homey hotel. In addition, it maintained a beautiful landscape by restoring it with native plants. It also uses energy-efficient appliances and fixtures, along with water efficient showers and many other eco-friendly elements.

There are many other unique, eco-friendly hotels across the globe. So if these don’t fit your fancy, be sure to check out other hotels, motels, lodges and eco-resorts that are truly benefiting the planet.

One Small Step Towards the Green Life - A Leap for Mother Earth!

We have found a simple yet inspirational article on how to get your family into greening your lifestyle! Read on to see just how easy it really is.

Whether you’re a hard core green mama… or just starting out along the path to a more natural life, it helps to realize we’re coming from different places. What matters is that we are trying to live with a little less impact and show Mother Earth a little more love. Even if it’s just baby steps.

Mary O’Donohue shares her family’s green goals.

Fall is the time of year my husband and I focus on teaching our children – and reminding ourselves – about the importance of making and keeping commitments in our lives.

Throughout the season, we do simple exercises that help our kids understand what it means to be people who honor their commitments, and at the end of the month, we wrap up with a family commitment to protecting the environment.

Certainly the environmental challenges that face our world are huge, but the commitment we make isn’t meant to overwhelm our kids. Through baby steps, every positive change matters. So we focus on practical, concrete things we can do as a family of four to make things better.

You can do it, too! Sit down with your kids and brainstorm several specific ways you can do better environmentally in your own house. Or walk around the house with your kids and play detective! Where are the clues as to how your family can make a more positive impact on the planet? Take note of any ideas your kids suggest. As my son says, often kids come up with solutions where grown ups see obstacles.

Here are a few ideas my family came up with. I don’t necessarily think any of them are groundbreaking, but I can honestly tell you that we were not doing these simple things before we made a commitment to the environment. I truly believe that’s where we started to make a difference.

Here are some of the changes we made:

1. No more plastic bottles!

We now love using glass bottles with an outer sleeve that protects the bottles if they fall. We tote these along everywhere we go. I also bring these up to the kid’s rooms when they get thirsty at bedtime, because they’re safer than a glass of water that can get knocked down and break.

2. Turn off all lights when you’re not using them.

My son got so vigilant with this one that he left me sitting in the dark on more than one occasion!

3. Unplug cell phone chargers from the wall outlet when you’re not actually charging your phone.

4. Turn off the water when you’re brushing your teeth.

So simple, but isn’t it great that even a five year old brushing his teeth after breakfast every morning can start the day knowing he can do something good for the environment?

5. Turn off the TV.

If you must have screen time, make sure it’s off when you leave the room. Even better, use a power strip for TVs and other appliances, and turn it off at night and when you leave the house.

I know these are simple things. But when children grow up with an awareness that even small things they do make an impact, they realize that they are indeed powerful. Powerful enough to change the world for the better, one simple act at a time.

Mary O’Donohue is a mother of two and author of the children’s book, When You Say “Thank You,” Mean It.

In addition to writing, Mary is a successful television producer. Her experience includes having worked on The Today Show, Meet The Press, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

For more stories similar to this, check out www.greenchildmagazine.com!

A Healthier, Happier You!

You feel your best when you are rested and ready to face the day. So why not start this year by making some green changes in your bedroom?

It’s easy to overlook the bedroom when you’re trying to go green – what’s the point if you’re asleep in there the whole time anyway? But the bedroom is actually the place where we spend most of our time at home: in fact, you’ll spend about a third of your life in bed! And because getting a good night’s sleep is such an important part of any healthy lifestyle, we want to help you make greening your bedroom a priority. To get you started, here’s a list of five ways you can keep your bedroom safe, clean, and green.

1. Get comfortable

The quickest way to a good night’s sleep is to get comfortable, so take the time to find the right mattress and bedding to suit your needs. Try out an eco-friendly memory foam mattress or a more traditional boxspring topped with natural wool, both of which are made without plastics or fireproofing chemicals that release VOCs. It’s also worth it to invest in organic cotton sheets and pillows to keep yourself cool, comfortable, and allergy-free.

2. Be sustainable

Finding the right bed can be time-consuming and expensive, so you want to make sure you do it right. Look for wooden frames certified by the FSC as coming from sustainably managed forests, and also try to find frames made without VOC-releasing paints and polishes. Another important part of being sustainable is properly disposing of old mattresses – they take up huge amounts of space in landfills, so look in your area for companies that recycle mattresses or places that accept donations.

3. Improve the air quality

You spend eight hours a night breathing the air in your bedroom, which means you want to keep the air in there as clean as possible. An air purifier will remove toxic chemicals like VOCs and smoke as well as allergens that stuff up your nose and disrupt your sleep. You can also prevent VOC build-up by choosing natural carpeting and furniture that is made without the nasty synthetic chemicals found in pressed wood, carpet glue, or plastic fibers.

4. Use your nose

We all know how hard it can be to fall asleep, but before you run out to the pharmacy why not try a natural sleep aid? Aromatherapy candles and sprays use soothing herbs like lavender and chamomile to you put your mind at ease and help you drift off to sleep. Be sure to look for natural air fresheners that don’t release VOCs or phthalates and non-paraffin candles made from beeswax or vegetable waxes. You can also use essential oils to make your own soothing nighttime scents.

5. Clean green

Keep your bedroom clean using safe, natural green cleaning products. Eco-friendly carpet shampoos and natural wood polishes will keep toxic chemicals out of the air, and phosphate-free detergents will keep your sheets soft and clean without leaving behind toxic chemicals that can irritate your skin. It’s good for you and for the environment!

Green Batteries from a Plant

Recent research shows that Common Madder (Rubia tinctorum) can be used to produce rechargable, green batteries. Common Madder, a climbing plant native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean, is also known as Dyer's Madder because a red dye extracted from it has long been used to color cloth.

Purpurin which is extracted from madder root, is chemically lithiated for use as an organic cathode in batteries. The material was developed as a less expensive, easier-to-recycle alternative to cobalt oxide cathodes now used in lithium-ion batteries.

Scientists at Rice University and the City College of New York have discovered that the madder plant (Rubia tinctorum) is a good source of purpurin, an organic dye that can be turned into a highly effective, natural cathode for lithium-ion batteries. The plant has been used since ancient times to create dye for fabrics.

The discovery is the subject of a paper ("Lithium storage mechanisms in purpurin based organic lithium ion battery electrodes") appearing in Nature's online, open-access journal Scientific Reports.

According to lead author Arava Leela Mohana Reddy, a research scientist in the Rice lab of materials scientist Pulickel Ajayan, their team's research is creating environmentally friendly batteries that will solve many of the problems associated with the ordinary lithium-ion batteries widely in use today.

"Green batteries are the need of the hour, yet this topic hasn't really been addressed properly," Reddy said. "This is an area that needs immediate attention and sustained thrust, but you cannot discover sustainable technology overnight." He says the focus of the research community is currently still primarily on improving the features of conventional batteries. Issues such as sustainability and recyclability tend to get sidelined.

Though lithium-ion batteries are the standard, Reddy said, rechargeable units cost a lot to produce. "They're not environmentally friendly. They use cathodes of lithium cobalt oxide, which are very expensive. You have to mine the cobalt metal and manufacture the cathodes in a high-temperature environment.

"And then, recycling is a big issue," he said. "In 2010, almost 10 billion lithium-ion batteries had to be recycled, which uses a lot of energy. Extracting cobalt from the batteries is an expensive process." Eliminating cobalt would mean eliminating a hazardous material, allow batteries to be produced at room temperature, and greatly reduce the cost of recycling.

The team first discovered the special properties of purpurin while they were testing various organic molecules for the ability to electrochemically interact with lithium. Purpurin turned out to be the best at binding lithium ions. To add conductivity they added 20 percent carbon, and then built a half-battery cell with a capacity of 90 milliamp hours per gram after 50 charge/discharge cycles. As it turns out, such cathodes can be made at room temperature.

"It's a new mechanism we are proposing with this paper, and the chemistry is really simple," Reddy said. He suggested agricultural waste may be a source of purpurin, as may other suitable molecules, which makes the process even more economical.

But Reddy hopes to formulate completely green batteries. The team is looking for organic molecules suitable for a working prototype of a complete organic battery within a few years. "What we've come up with should lead to much more discussion in the scientific community about green batteries," he said.

For more current articles and environmental issues, visit www.macroevolution.net

Interior Design Predictions for the New Year

Community concern for the environment has increased dramatically over the past few years to the point where sustainable living has become a part of the rhetoric of everyday life. Going green has eased its way into the fabric of society in virtually every country in the world and indeed in businesses the world over. It's a natural progression that sustainable living has become a major trend within home design too, and why wouldn't it be considering it's healthier not only for the environment but also for our bodies and our wallets.

Sustainability design trends continue to evolve and with the new year just around the corner we can look forward to discovering fresh trends that will make a positive impact on our lives and the planet. Here are just a few of the many sustainable design trends that are predicted for 2013.

Great greenery

Forget imitation trees and flowers. In 2013 indoor gardens will be integrated into the interior design of the home with entire walls dedicated to vertical gardens. The odd pot plant here and there will be from days gone by and instead large expanses of greenery will clear the air of toxins with ease at the same time as offering a spectacular view right within your home. This is the perfect way to decorate your home and will be a trend that we see being embraced by many households with plenty of enthusiasm.

Creative carpets

The use of chemicals in the production of carpet is but one of the many issues that consumers face when considering green floor covering options. Not only do these chemicals cause potential hazards to the environment, many people are concerned as to the risks of these chemicals being released within the home. Despite all this, carpet in the home can be quite inviting and create a lovely warm aesthetic and hence why we'll see more eco-friendly options more and more in 2013. Manufacturer's know if they're to survive they must meet the consumer demand for floor coverings that deliver green gains and that match with interior design preferences. Organic carpets and even carpets constructed of recycled materials are coming to the fore along with a variety of alternative carpet materials that are considered more sustainable.

LED lighting

Although LED lights are not a new trend it's easy to see why they can be predicted to be one of 2013's sustainable design trends. LEDs have typically been incorporated into commercial settings but as demand has grown LEDs have become more affordable for the domestic market too. Cost is still a barrier when it comes to some LED light designs such as LEDs being used in under-counter lighting, however, we see 2013 as a year where manufacturer's will step up a level in terms of meeting consumer demand in this area. No matter what, consumers will focus on cutting their energy usage costs and LEDs are the perfect way to accomplish that.

The need for the world to embrace a more sustainable approach to modern living is growing ever strong and therefore there is little surprise that new trends continue to evolve. The influence of this green approach is being seen more and more in home design and this can only be seen as positive for the planet and all its inhabitants. Remember, it's consumers that are effecting the changes and trends we're seeing so keep pushing for, searching for and insisting on sustainable design options and we'll all be able to look forward to a brighter future.

Resolve to Go Green in 2013!

It’s that time of year when we look back at the past year and come up with a plan to make the New Year even better. Resolutions have been a part of our hopes and dreams each new year. But how many of us come up with our resolutions for all the right reasons? Resolutions are usually full of more hope than reason. Yet the more doable, attainable and inspirational the resolution, the more achievable it is. This way we accomplish something instead of nothing and are better off for it.

This new year let’s focus on resolutions that are not only possible but more importantly, green so as to inspire others.

1. Go Meat Free on a Monday every Monday.

Like so many who are not a Vegetarian, Vegan or a Raw Foodie it is understandable that after a lifetime of eating meat, it is difficult to stop. However, if it is a change that you wish to make for the long term, the process of giving up eating animals should be a slow but sure change.

Perhaps giving up meat is not a need or a want for you today, perhaps it will never be, fair enough. But if you want to do something that you believe will change the world, something life changing, and profound consider going meat free every Monday. We can each make a difference, and big or small – a difference is a difference.

2. Go Dairy Free.

Likewise, giving up all forms of dairy would not only be making a green change but also making a significant change to your health. The health benefits of a dairy-free diet are tried, true, proven and never-ending. This is another green resolution that will not only change your life, but that of countless, uncomfortable, suffering mother cows out there.

3. Be Conflict Free.

Well this one can apply to everyday living. But for 2013 we can simply commit to being more conscious about what we purchase, specifically when it comes to cell phones, tablets, laptops and other things similar.

There is actually a lot of sadness and violence involved in procuring some of the raw materials needed to manufacture these devices. More so to keep up with the demand we create. A new phone, tablet, and laptop is launched every week. And every week innocent women and children suffer directly because of it.

If we can simply commit to not upgrading our phones and other electronic devices in 2013 we can certainly bring some decrease however small to the violence affecting millions in the Congo today. We can do this just by focusing on what we really want and what we really need. A simple, green resolution that no doubt impacts so many lives, in such a positive way. Think about it.

4. Learn a Language.

If we change who we are in a positive way, we change the world around us in a positive way too. That is a fact few would attempt to deny.

Travelling brings a wealth of knowledge through experiences that can be gained in no other way. It changes you, and makes you more appreciative of where you came from, where other’s come from, and that the difference is what makes the world a better place.

Similarly learning another language allows you to connect with people on a more meaningful level. It allows you to do the things you otherwise could not, understand the things you once didn’t and be a more positive, accepting and confident human being. We change ourselves – we change the world.

Regardless of how many languages you already know, learning one more is a resolution we can all easily make, and one we should.

5. Read.

“It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it.” ~Oscar Wilde. Needless to say, reading anything changes you. To me each book is an opportunity to explore a different world and have my point of view changed. In fact, I regard knowledge as having more value than education per say. An educated mind is educated on a specific topic or two, while a knowledgeable mind is aware and usually tends to be more compassionate towards different opinions. A knowledgeable mind can entertain a new idea without having to accept it.

What’s important here is making a change in 2013 that will be green and better for you and thus those around you. Reading, and reading more of any and everything you can, will make 2013 even better than it is already going to be.

6. Re-use.

Without becoming a hoarder, it is good practice to find new re-uses for everything before we commit to throwing it out. Reducing and Recycling are already at the top of our minds on a daily basis, but it is evident that many of us are quick to throw things out, which in fact can be re-used in more ways than one.

Being creative, inspired and motivated to re-use things at least once before we throw them out can make a significant difference in the amount of waste and pollution we are responsible for. If we can commit to making a conscious effort to re-use in 2013 we can change the way next year will end. Eventually it all comes more naturally to us. Just as throwing the plastic bottle in the plastic recycling is a thoughtless act now. Soon we will be able to think of new and improved re-uses for everything we are about to throw out. Or at least that is the hope for the future.

7. Be a Green Monster.

If we make a resolution to me more eco-friendly and green in 2013, this would create a bigger, better green impact. From shopping to entertainment to vacationing, we can all opt for an eco friendlier, greener option. At least considering an eco option, is resolution enough, one that can and may inspire others to follow suit, and thus make it even more worthwhile.

8. Animal Compassion.

You can be a meat-eater and still be compassionate to other animals. Of course ideally you don’t eat meat products and are compassionate to all living things, but we will stick with the basics in an effort to move our way upward and onward.

Many of us own cats, dogs and other small animals whom we love as members of our family. Yet, when it comes to other animals, the regard for life and compassion towards them diminishes. Perhaps this is because of our upbringing, religious beliefs, or just lack of knowledge. For many it is difficult to view cows and pigs with the same level of respect. But why is that?

We were brought up in a way which has conditioned the majority to think a certain way towards certain things. In challenging the way we think we challenge the way we live, and the way we allow others to live.

Respect for every and any given life form brings with it an inner peace which is difficult to describe, or deny.

Compassion begins with awareness, and sometimes that is all that is ever needed as it paves the way to understanding and peace, every time.

9. Grow a Green Thumb.

Some have it, some don’t. But whether you plant a flower, a herb, or a tree, that one act of green-ness can change the future. Another small yet ever so significant resolution we can so easily commit to. If we each planted one tree in 2013 the world would indeed be greener and a better place to live in.

10. Conserve Water.

I think even as a child we were lectured on conserving water. But it is not until we are forced to live without water, do we realize how much water we use and how much we want water. More importantly how much of it we don’t actually need.

Even water is becoming a scarce resource as we use and abuse the natural elements of our earth.

Being aware of the millions of people who are forced to go without clean water on a daily basis, helps us to value what many of us have taken for granted for years. Let’s make an effort to be conscious and aware of how much water we need, want and use in 2013 and we can make an impact so profound that it will be beneficial to us for years and centuries to come.

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Giving the gift of Green!

For those of you who are still stuck wondering what to get your loved ones for Christmas, we have some eco friendly ideas that might make this year a bit more special!

Candles

While a candle can be the perfect holiday gift, the last thing you want is to breathe in or burn harmful, synthetic chemicals. Soy wax has become a popular substitute to crude oil-derived waxes for environmentally-conscious candle companies. They are easy to find online, and for our readers who are based here in Singapore, every Tangs store carries new eco friendly candles that double as skin moisturizer!

Wooden Toys

Wooden toys such as building blocks are making a comeback. They are a thoughtful present that sparks the creativity in every child! Note that wooden toys are also educational, and are very affordable.

Luggage and Bags

Looking to invest in some luggage for a loved one? Consider buying a bag made from recycled materials. First World Trash, an American-based company that makes all their products in Queens, NY, salvages materials like seatbelts and vinyl to make one-of-a-kind bags. Kitchen Supplies

With the demand for greener kitchens rapidly increasing, it has become easier a task to find eco friendly kitchenware. Although there are a number of eco-friendly materials to use in the kitchen, bamboo is quickly becoming a favorite for many green chefs. Bamboo can grow quickly without any fertilizers, and it releases 35% more oxygen into the air than similar trees. In addition, bamboo absorbs less liquid than other kinds of kitchen materials, so it may even be one of the more sanitary options.

Home Made Goods

Baking your own pies, cookies and cakes is a wonderful way to fill your homes (and family's tummies) with Christmas cheer! It also reduces the waste that would have come from used wrapping paper, ribbons and boxes that would have gotten thrown away.

Eco Friendly Cards

Majority of bookstores and shops now carry various holiday cards that are made from recycled paper. Whether you are sending them to family and friends across the seas, or using them to top off beautifully wrapped gifts, why not opt to send them your greetings the green way?

There are many other ways by which we can keep the holidays Earth friendly. If you're willing to make small efforts, this Christmas could be the start of a cleaner, greener world.

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Corporations Step into the Green!

H&M, the world's second largest fashion retailer will begin collecting used clothing in all of its markets next year to reduce the environmental impact of its products. Wanting to do good for the environment, H&M is offering their costumers a chance to discard their worn out and defective garments to aid in the reduction of the carbon footprint we leave behind.

Together with Spain's Zara, the Swedish brand was one of the first to copy the latest catwalk trends and then sell them for a fraction of the price.

However, the company has come under fire for fuelling an unsustainable, throwaway fashion culture and has sought to improve its image this year by marketing itself as a major buyer of organic cotton.

The new recycling initiative will be rolled out across the chain's 48 markets in February next year, in 1,500 of its 2,700 stores, including all outlets in the UK, US and Japan.

Customers will be given a voucher for each bag of used clothing handed in.

A pilot project in Switzerland last year had been successful, increasing customer awareness of the company's work on sustainability.

As these steps are taken, H&M aims to reduce the environmental imact of garments throughout the lifecycle and create a closed loop for textile fibres. We salute H&M for their efforts as we all begin to make changes for a greener world!

Enjoying A Green Christmas

Christmas time is a great time to enjoy beautiful colors and enjoy friends and family around your home. This year, why not add eco-friendly practices to many of your family rituals, décor and entertaining? Eco-friendly and natural décor will bring into your home an organic holiday touch, while preserving the festive nature of the season. Before you toss your live Christmas tree away, or you buy one more strand of holiday lights to adorn your home, here are 10 ways to enjoy an eco-friendly Christmas.

1.) Should I have a live Christmas tree: There is mixed information as to whether buying live Christmas trees are harmful to the environment. The majority of Christmas trees that are purchased at retail and home improvement stores are grown in tree farms. Therefore, they are not being cut down from nature’s surplus of trees.

2.) Decorate your home with natural décor: Add fruit, nuts, and pine cones to your holiday centerpiece or fireplace mantle to bring in rich color and an organic touch to your decorations. Simple ornaments strung with dried citrus, apples, pine cones and cinnamon sticks will look great on your Christmas tree.

3.) Recycle your live Christmas tree: When you’re done enjoying your tree for the holidays, take it to a recycling yard where they can be recycled for wood chips, and mulch for landscaping. This gives you peace of mind when enjoying throughout the holiday season. Many neighborhood waste collection agencies will have a plant clippings pickup for your home. Check with them to see if they recycle Christmas trees.

4.) Nontraditional foliage: Try decorating urns and planters with branches, berries, fruit, and straw to add a nontraditional twist on evergreen tree decorating. Large urns placed outside your front entryway of your home, or in a foyer or back porch can create natural grand entrances to your home.

5.) Eco-friendly Christmas cards: Giving away cards this year? Many greeting card manufacturers will print on recycled paper now at your request. Instead of mailing a physical card, why not send e-cards? Many people enjoy giving and receive electronic cards. E-cards are an inexpensive way to still send holiday greetings!

6.) DIY Christmas: Be creative this year and pull out your glue gun and knick knacks to make wreaths, garland and ornaments. Use old neck ties, shirts, yarn and seashells to adorn crafty projects this holiday season. Don’t have ideas? Ask your kids, they always have great ideas from school.

7.) Leave out the holiday green: Looking for a minimalist approach to Christmas? Try bringing in décor that uses holiday symbols without the real version. Christmas trees made from recycled cardboard, and snowflakes cut out from last year’s holiday greeting cards will bring the festive nature to your home, and keep the clean simple lines you are looking for.

8.) Conserve energy and resources: When the temperatures dip down lower this holiday season, use eco-friendly practices to lower your energy consumption. Lower the heat a few degrees at night, and when not in your home to lower energy bill. Use LED lights for decorating your home and keep lights on for a shorter period of time. Use newspaper and kids old doodle scrap pieces of paper wrapping gifts, and save money.

9.) Re-purpose your old décor: Do you have sleigh bells from last year that adorned a wreath that you don’t use anymore? Use them this year as an ornament to a garland or wreath on your home. Repurposing holiday décor items for this year will give your home a new look, and save you money!

10.) Give the gift of life: Trying to think of what to bring to a Christmas party, or what to give as a gift? Seeds and small trees to be planted in the ground are wonderful gifts that will grow for years to come. Many home improvement stores and home décor catalogs sell plant kits that are prepackaged for holiday gift giving!

Enjoy your holiday this season with eco-friendly ways to bring Christmas décor touches to your home. From decorating to giving gifts, the holiday shouldn’t mean giving up your Earth conscious lifestyle. Use these 10 tips for a wonderful Christmas holiday and see if you start new traditions for the years to come!

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Greening Your Kitchen

With all of the talk about global warming, carbon footprints and the often dire predictions associated with them, creating a greener, more eco-friendly home has finally become a more mainstream conversation. It can be difficult to visualize how small, individual changes can have much impact on such a problem of, quite literally, global proportions. But it’s those changes that really matter and many can happen right in your own kitchen.

In general, the process of growing food, getting it to the consumer, preparing it, eating it and disposing of what’s left can have an enormous impact on global warming. Who knew that we had the power to change something that has such a huge effect on the world we live in? With that in mind, here are some simple steps you can take to make that change happen today.

1. Save those scraps.
Instead of throwing away those left over vegetables, set them aside and freeze them for later. These scraps can be used to make a delicious vegetable stock for your favorite recipes.

2. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Reduce the number of disposable products you use. For example, replace paper napkins with cloth napkins at your table. Reuse products whenever possible. Aluminum foil can often be safely reused. (Never reuse foil that has been used for raw meat). Recycle paper, plastic and glass as much as possible. See how much you can reduce the amount of garbage you put out at the curb each week. You’d be surprised how easy it really is!

3. Drink Locally.
We’ve suspected this all along. The water in those plastic bottles really is no better than the water from your tap. Yet, we spend billions of dollars on bottled water and then those empty bottles are at best recycled and at worst thrown into the landfills, and those bottles will each take over 1,000 years to biodegrade.

4. Eliminate the Plastic.
Using plastic wrap to store and preserve food may be convenient but it’s a not an eco-friendly choice. Instead of reaching for the plastic wrap, start buying reusable containers to store food. Another tip: Use glass containers and your refrigerator will use less energy to keep the contents at a safe temperature.

5. Clean Green. Read those labels on your favorite cleaners. Avoid those that with harsh chemicals, bleach and phosphates. Instead, switch to more eco-friendly choices. Look for natural cleaning agents like baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and citrus oils. A good rule of thumb to use? If your home smells like a chemical plant after you’ve cleaned, chances are you’ve used products that are not only harmful to the environment but also harmful to your family’s health. Remember, real clean does not leave any traces of smell!

6. Keep the Fridge Stocked.
Your refrigerator will use less energy to keep its contents cool when it is near capacity.

7. Change the Bulbs
One of the easiest ways to green your home is to switch from incandescent to compact fluorescent bulbs. The compact fluorescent bulbs will use about 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer.

8. Look for the Energy Star
When you are in the market for a new appliance, look for a label that indicates its energy efficiency, proving that the product has been tested and approved – this ensures that you will pay less for a more effective electric appliance!

9. Precycle
Buy food in bulk whenever possible and opt for products with less packaging. Whenever possible, avoid single-serving prepackaged foods and instead create your own “single serving” and refrigerate or freeze them. Not only will you create less waste, you can prepare more healthful meals with less sodium and saturated fat. Another bonus: You have more control over food miles and where your food comes from.

10. Choose Local over Organic
Organic food choices are more available than ever and that’s a good thing. But if you have the choice between buying products from local farmers vs. organic products that were most likely trucked hundreds or thousands of miles, go local. In the long run, keeping our local farmers in business will keep us in tune with our communities and the source of our food. Bonus: That money will go to your local farmer who will, in turn, spend that money within your community. It’s a win-win!

Making a Comeback

Hi Friends! Today we are dishing out clever ideas to help common household items make a comeback instead of getting cast aside as rubbish. One of the best ways to avoid sending things to a landfill is to reuse them! Save the earth and be kind to your wallet. It's the best combination!

Carpet remnants: old carpets can easily be cut up into smaller reusable pieces. You can use a small mat for the garage or basement, line the bottom of pot and pan storage (it keeps the noise to a minumum) or even take a piece to line you doghouse!

Glass jars: these can be used to store leftover food, sauces, candies, cookies or transformed into a puggy bank! You can also get creative, decorate them and give them away as presents.

Corks: attach a cork to boat keys - if they end up in the water they will float! They also make great fish hook holders, as well as razor sharpeners (slide a dull blade through and get a few more uses our of the razor)!

Newspapers: old newspapers have a lot of uses around the house - you can line the bottom of your pet's cage with them, mix them under garden mulch to reduce the onset of weeds and even use them as wrapping paper! If you want to have a bit more fun, old newspapers also make for great paper mache crafts.

Shredded Paper: don't throw away all that shredded office paper! It can serve as packing material for storing or moving your breakable items and makes good kindling for a fire.

Tin Boxes: these make cute emergency kits to hold band aids, ontments, sewing kits and can even hold your change for the bus!

Toothbrushes: old toothrbrushes make good scrubbers - for those hard to reach corners in the bathroom tile, those stubborn clothing stains and the grime around your kitchen sink!

Styrofoam egg cartons: egg cartons make great storage options for odds and ends such as office supplies (thumbtacks, pins, paper clips) and even accessories like rings and cuff links!

Empty (and cleaned) pill bottles: these are another storage option - placing loose items such as beads, staple wire and string help keep the clutter at bay!

A Green Holiday

Hi Friends! Holiday cheer is in the air and soon we will be ushering in yet another new year. In lieu of all the getaway planning here are 5 beautiful, eco friendly holiday hotspots you will surely want to check out, and then check into!

Everyone has a dream of the perfect eco-friendly vacation. Whether you’re one for relaxing on the beach or prefer to adventure throughout a foreign city, ecotourism is a friendly way to travel and the options are truly are endless.

El Coco Loco – El Manzano Uno, Nicaragua

Offering surf and yoga packages, El Coco Loco is a community driven resort that aims to build awareness surrounding poverty in Nicaragua. They’re driven to be leaders in environmental sustainability and with a volunteer program that benefits local communities, they’re enhancing employment in Nicaragua with every tourist they meet!

Jean-Michel Cousteau Island Resort – Fiji

Five star luxury and award winning Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Resort is a taste of paradise. Named the World’s top eco-friendly resort, it combines the indulgences and relaxation of travel, with an education program dedicated to sustaining the Fijian ecosystem.

Kw’to:kw’e:hala Eco-Retreat – British Columbia, Canada

Nestled in the giant cedar forest of Hope, B.C. off the Coquihala River, this eco philosophy resort is the quintessential rustic retreat. Equipped with a self-sufficient organic garden and comprehensive (environmentally harmless) waste system, Kw’o:kw’e:hala is the perfect destination for a wilderness enthusiast!

Kalmar, Sweden

With a population of approximately 35,000 people, Kalmar has become one of Sweden’s most sustainable cities. On the coast of the Baltic Sea, Kalmar has adapted with green living and sustainable lifestyle by eliminating the need for fossil fuels, hoping to run completely on renewable energy by 2030.

Villa Pape -- Trigor, Croatia

For years Croatia has been a hotspot travel destination. In the heart of the Mediterranean, Villa Pape is shaping ecotourism with some of the best organizations in Europe. From a commitment to decreasing waste, utilizing energy effectively, and promoting local business, this resort is eco-friendly and fit for the whole family to enjoy.

Improving Your Indoor Air Quality

We tend to think of air pollution as something outside -- smog, ozone, or haze hanging in the air, especially in summer. But the truth is, the air inside homes, offices, and other buildings can be more polluted than the air outside. The air inside your home may be polluted by lead (in house dust), formaldehyde, fire-retardants, radon, even volatile chemicals from fragrances used in conventional cleaners. Some pollutants are tracked into the home. Some arrive via a new mattress or furniture, carpet cleaners, or a coat of paint on the walls.

In that mix, you'll also find microscopic dust mites -- a major allergen --plus mold and heaps of pet dander, even if you don't have pets! It's become what we call a community allergen. Pet owners carry it around on their clothes and shed it throughout the day.

Children, people with asthma, and the elderly may be especially sensitive to indoor pollutants, but other effects on health may appear years later, after repeated exposure.

Indoor allergens and irritants have become much more important in recent decades because we're spending more time indoors. And because modern homes are airtight, these irritants can't easily escape.

5 Simple Steps to Improve Indoor Air Quality

1. Keep your floors fresh.
• Suck it up. Chemicals and allergens can accumulate in household dust for decades. By using a vacuum with a HEPA filter you can reduce concentrations of lead in your home. You can also get rid of other toxins, like brominated fire-retardant chemicals (PBDEs) as well as allergens like pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. Using a vacuum cleaner that has strong suction, rotating brushes, and a HEPA filter ensures that dust and dirt won’t get blown back out in the exhaust. In high traffic areas, vacuum the same spot several times. Don't forget walls, carpet edges, and upholstered furniture, where dust accumulates. For best results, vacuum two or more times each week and wash out your filter regularly.
• Mop it up. Mopping picks up the dust that vacuuming leaves behind. You can skip the soaps and cleaners and just use plain water to capture any lingering dust or allergens. New microfiber mops (and dust cloths) reportedly capture more dust and dirt than traditional fibers and don’t require any cleaning solutions whatsoever.
• Keep it out. Put a large floor mat at every door.People track in all sorts of chemicals via the dirt on their shoes. A door mat reduces the amount of dirt, pesticides, and other pollutants from getting into your home. If the mat is big enough, even those who don't wipe their shoes will leave most pollutants on the mat -- not the floors in your home.

If you live in a home built before 1978, there's a good chance that lead paint still exists on your walls. But even in a newer home, you may face lead exposure -- from lead dust tracked in from outside. Lead dust can raise the risk of exposure for young children -- a serious problem that can damage the brain, central nervous system, and kidneys. Pesticides are also linked with brain damage in young children. Kids are vulnerable to higher exposures because they tend to get dust on their fingers and then put their fingers in their mouths.
To best protect your family, ask people to remove their shoes when entering your home. Keep house shoes, slippers, and socks near the door.

2. Keep a healthy level of humidity. Dust mites and mold love moisture. Keeping humidity around 30%-50% helps keep them and other allergens under control. A dehumidifier (and air conditioner during summer months) helps reduce moisture in indoor air and effectively controls allergens, Lang says. An air conditioner also reduces indoor pollen count -- another plus for allergy-sufferers.

More tips for dehumidifying your home:
• Use an exhaust fan or crack open a window when cooking, running the dishwasher, or bathing.
• Don't overwater houseplants.
• Vent the clothes dryer to the outside.
• Fix leaky plumbing to prevent moisture-loving mold.
• Empty drip pans in your window air conditioner and dehumidifier.

3. Make your home a no-smoking zone

Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals. Research shows that secondhand smoke increases a child's risk of developing ear and respiratory infections, asthma, cancer, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). For the smoker, this addiction causes cancer, breathing problems, heart attacks, and stroke.

If you want to stop smoking, support groups, nicotine-replacement therapy, and other medications can help. Find a method that works for you, get some support (friends, family, fellow quitters, counseling), and think positive. Focus on your reasons for quitting -- not on your cravings.

4. Test for radon. Whether you have a new or old home, you could have a radon problem. This colorless, odorless gas significantly raises the risk of lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground and into your home through cracks and holes in the foundation. Drafty homes, airtight homes, homes with or without a basement -- any home can potentially have a radon problem.

Granite countertops have also been linked to radon. While experts agree that most granite countertops emit some radon, the question is whether they do so at levels that can cause cancer. Testing is easy, inexpensive, and takes only a few minutes. If you discover a radon problem, there are simple ways to reduce levels of the gas that are not too costly. Even high radon levels can be reduced to acceptable levels. The Environmental Protection Agency offers a "Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction."

5. Smell good naturally.

You may associate that lemony or piney scent with a clean kitchen or clean clothes.But synthetic fragrances in laundry products and air fresheners emit dozens of different chemicals into the air. You won’t find their names on the product labels. Conventional laundry detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, and air fresheners in solid, spray, and oil form may all emit such gasses. In one study, a plug-in air freshener was found to emit 20 different volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including seven regulated as toxic or hazardous under U.S. federal laws. But these chemicals were not included on the label -- only the word "fragrance" is required to be listed. But the actual composition of the fragrance is considered a "trade secret."

Most fragrances are derived from petroleum products, and generally haven’t been tested to see if they have any significant adverse health effects in humans when they are inhaled. (Tests usually focus on whether a fragrance causes skin irritation.) Some that have been tested raise concern. Phthalates are a group of chemicals often used in fragrances and also used to soften plastics. Studies show that phthalates disrupt hormones in animals.What can you do?

• Look for fragrance-free or naturally-scented laundry products.
• Switch to mild cleaners that don't include artificial fragrances.
• Stop using aerosol sprays -- deodorants, hair sprays, carpet cleaners, furniture polish, and air fresheners.
• Let in fresh air. Open windows so toxic chemicals don't build up in your home. What if you or your child has pollen allergies? Then keep rooms ventilated with a filtered air- conditioning system.
• Use sliced lemons and baking soda to get a clean scent in the kitchen.
• Bring nature indoors. Any room is prettier with a fern, spider plant, or aloe vera. It’s also healthier. NASA research shows that indoor plants like these act as living air purifiers -- the foliage and roots work in tandem to absorb chemical pollutants released by synthetic materials. If you have kids or pets, make sure the plants aren’t poisonous if ingested.

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