From Wikipedia: Universe
The Universe is most commonly defined as everything that physically exists: the entirety of space and time, all forms of matter, energy and momentum, and the physical laws and constants that govern them. However, the term "universe" may be used in slightly different contextual senses, denoting such concepts as the cosmos, the world or Nature.
One of my favorite resources, Wikipedia, tell us that Upcycling is the use of waste materials to provide useful products. (recycled or upcycled canvas hats and bags from PAZ Apparel) Ideally, it is a reinvestment in the environment and embodiment of the notion that while using resources one is also contributing to them and their value.
This is antithesis of the consume and waste concept in society. "Upcycling is the practice of taking something that is disposable and transforming it into something of greater use and value." The term upcycling was coined by William McDonough and Michael Braungart, authors of Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things.
So while the rest of the world is just catching on to the fact that recycling is critical to improving the welfare of the planet you and I can begin to think of ways we can upcycle more of the things we use in our lives.
In fact I've already turned a spent can of tomato soup into an urban pen holder complete with cork insert to blunt the tin sound as pens are deposited into their new digs.
Not sure what I'll do when I have another can of soup except maybe not have another can and instead make soup from scratch when my tomato plants mature. We shall see. At least this is one can that won't make it to the land fill anytime soon.
See what you can make with something you would ordinarily toss into the earth!
From Wikipedia: Philanthropy
Philanthropy is the act of donating money, goods, time, or effort to support a charitable cause, usually over an extended period of time and in regard to a defined objective. In a more fundamental sense, philanthropy may encompass any altruistic activity which is intended to promote good or improve human quality of life. Although philanthropists are often very wealthy, people may nevertheless perform philanthropic acts without possessing great wealth.
I was 9-years-old the last time I planted food. For years since I've been planting flowers each spring but this year I decided to use my flower containers for something that will nourish us not only emotionally but physically as well.
I went so crazy buying seeds that I ended up with a lot of tomato plants and not enough containers to put them into. So, I'm experimenting with plastic milk cartons. I'll let you know how they work out as the summer progresses.
So, then here's the challenge. Grow food. Herbs, lettuce, tomato's,carrots. What ever. Just grow food. In fact there are some amazing foods that have wonderful aromatic properties as well as foods that blossom and flower. No space is too small and the rewards will be worth the effort.
For about a month now we've been unplugging our major tech appliances every night. We won't know what the impact will be for another month or so but I suspect we are going to be pleased with the results.
Not only for the financial savings but knowing that we are not burning through a coal plant every time we go to sleep.
A terrific resource for measuring 'Stand By' power can be found at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory website where they summarize the amount of standby power consumed by our appliances when they are in the 'OFF' mode. I came across this website after reading this article in the New York Times.
It only takes a moment to unplug and we literally feel like we are making a real difference.
We're very excited to have been featured in the upcoming issue of Bridal Guide Magazine.
Clearly our recycled canvas hats and bags aren't just for women.....it seems men are environmentally aware too!
The Rainforest baseball cap is featured for its recycled canvas material and faux leather finish which is produced from sustainable plant matter found in the Amazon. More about our beginnings in the world of recycled fashion...
And check out 'This Next' which featured our Carpe Diem Australian Outback hat in a recent issue. This Next is a terrific resource for discovering new and unique items.
From Wikipedia: Epiphany
An epiphany is the sudden realization or comprehension of the essence or meaning of something. The term is used in either a philosophical or literal sense to signify that the claimant has "found the last piece of the puzzle and now sees the whole picture," or has new information or experience, often insignificant by itself, that illuminates a deeper or numinous foundational frame of reference. (numinous - the transcendent)
In just the past week I have noticed more and more buzz about recycling, re-purposing, salvaging, re-using and reducing. It's a very exciting thing to witness when you've spent much of your adult life wishing the mainstream would just 'get it'....and it seems like this whole idea of being responsible and actually caring for the planet that sustains us might just finally be sinking in.
We CAN live in a sustainable world if each of us would actually accept personal responsibility.
And to help us see the light, TLC (The Learning Channel/Discovery) is getting ready to launch an entire network of programming dedicated to all things 'green'. Planet Green.
One of the new programs, 'Wasted' shines the spotlight on a different family each week and helps them take steps to reduce their eco-footprint while teaching them how to live more responsibly and sustainably.
Maybe the days of watching twenty something spoiled brats romp around the big brother house 24/7 are nearly over.
One can only hope.
Have you seen the rather haunting Haagen Dazs commercial making the rounds??....well it convinced me to check out their website helpthehoneybees.com. They did a very nice job of getting the news out about the plight of the honey bee. Please have a look.
Growing up my mother would clean our windows using a simple water and vinegar solution. Then at some point in my life I stopped using vinegar and picked up the 'blue stuff'. Where did I go so wrong?
Add 2 tbls of vinegar to 1 gallon of water to make your own window cleaner. Then put the solution in a spray bottle and voila you have window clearer that cost a lot less than that blue stuff.
And instead of wasting paper towels to do the job switch to good old newspaper. You'll get super clean streak free windows in no time and be reusing a precious resource.
Thanks to 'The Daily Green' for reminding me of the 'good ol days'.
