A WEEK IN MAINE

Patrick and I are spending the week in Maine. We have internet service in some areas but not in others so we'll stay connected when possible.

I have been collecting pictures and info for future blog posts. Patrick is hoping to spot a Sooty Shearwater before we head home on Labor Day.

We spent All day Sunday and Monday morning in Ogunquit; we are now in Kennebunkport. We arrived here yesterday and tomorrow we will be on our way to Camden but before we settle there, we will visit Booth Bay Harbor along the way. While in Camden, we will be taking a boat trip to Monhegan Island. It might rain but I'm sure it will be a wonderful time anyway. After that, we're off to Bar Harbor where we'll do a lot of hiking in Acadia National Park, walk the downtown shopping area and we won't forget to sit lakeside at Jordan's Pondhouse, eating popovers a la mode.

You can be sure I will post more info and pictures on how Maine is one of the eco-friendliest states I've ever been to.

Toxic Sunscreens!!!

Summer is almost over but the sun still remains. We need to protect ourselves from harmful rays that could lead to skin cancer. I've been learning that some sunscreens, however, are false protection. They may create a barrier preventing UV rays from penetrating the skin but that "protective" barrier is being absorbed into our skin. So what, exactly, is being absorbed?

The following was found in an article from The Non-Toxic Times Newsletter from Seventh Generation:

• Benzophone,which is also called oxybenzone, dioxybenzophone, or benzophenome-3; and avobenzone, a.k.a. Parsol-1789, has been found to cause rashes in the occasional user. More importantly, it appears to mimic the hormone estrogen. In test-tube studies, breast cancer cells multiplied in the presence of benzophone, a fact that indicated estrogenic activity was occurring. In another study, scientists at the University of California at Riverside found that two-thirds of male turbot and sole fish living near a sewage outlet three miles from Huntington Beach, California, were growing ovarian tissue in their testes. Researchers said that the only cause they could “exclusively identify” was oxybenzone, which washed off sunbathers’ bodies in the shower, survived sewage treatment, and settled to the sea floor where it was consumed by the bottom-feeding fish. Such preliminary research suggests that benzophone has the potential to disrupt the human endocrine system. This is a worrisome finding because this chemical is more readily absorbed into the body than most other active sunscreen ingredients. In the environment, benzophone is also increasingly found in surface and groundwater. Scientists fear it may affect the liver and bone marrow of animals that ingest large amounts of benzophone-contaminated water.
• Avobenzone can also be absorbed by the body. According to research conducted at Oxford University, sunlight striking avobenzone becomes excited and reactive. In this state, its increased chemical energy results in the release of free radicals that can damage cellular DNA. Avobenzone has the additional disadvantage of degrading in sunlight and becoming ineffective after about an hour, meaning more must be applied.
• PABA and PABA esters are getting harder and harder to find in sunscreens. That’s a good thing because some 40% of the population is sensitive to PABA and experiences red itchy skin after contact. Research has also found that PABA and related compounds, like avobenzone, break down in the presence of sunlight to form free radicals that can harm DNA in the body’s cells. PABA has also been found to promote the creation of something called thymine dimers, a DNA defect that some of us lack the ability to repair. Ironically, people who cannot repair DNA dimers are more susceptible to skin cancer.
• Cinnamates may cause a host of problems. Octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC) is a suspected endocrine disruptor. According to the Green Guide, exposure to OMC has affected the development of the brain and reproductive organs in tests on laboratory rats. Some people may develop rashes after contact. And Norwegian researchers found that small concentrations of OMC added to an ethyl alcohol solution containing live mouse cells caused 40-50% of those cells to perish. When the solution was placed under a sun lamp to simulate the effects of sunshine, cell mortality increased further.
• Titanium dioxide and the familiar zinc oxide (remember all those lifeguards with white noses?), were once thought fairly safe. Although titanium dioxide has shown some phototoxicity (i.e. the ability to damage cells upon exposure to light), most formulations containing it coat this ingredient with materials that greatly reduce this potential. When used as a sunscreen under normal conditions, titanium dioxide has not displayed phototoxicity. Further, researchers say it’s much less likely than other active ingredients to be absorbed by the skin. Zinc oxide does not irritate the skin and has generally been considered quite safe. However, sunscreen manufacturers are increasingly replacing traditional forms of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in their products with nanoparticles of these substances. These nanoparticles are just one of the many new technologies emerging from the nascent field of nanotechnology, the science of making incredibly small things. A nano-meter is a billionth of a meter. Just how small is that? A human hair is 80,000 nanometers wide. DNA is about 3.5 nanometers across. When things get that small, they start to behave unpredictably. In fact, a 2004 report from the British Royal Society concluded that nanotech materials are notably different from anything that has ever been made before, and called for a precautionary approach to their use. And therein lies the point: since nanotechnology is still very much in its infancy, no one really yet knows how nanotech substances behave in the human body or in the environment. Their increasing use in consumer products like sunscreens essentially amounts to a nationwide experiment with unsuspecting users as guinea pigs. Because the FDA doesn’t require labeling for nanotech ingredients it can be difficult to know which sunscreens contain them (see below). This means that titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, once generally safe ingredients, can no longer automatically be considered so.
• Other ingredients used in sunscreens may produce unhealthy effects as well. For example, Diethanolamine and triethanolamine can combine with any nitrites present as preservatives or contaminants to form carcinogenic nitrosamines. Diethanolamine has also been found in tests of waterways around the country, which means it survives water treatment to become a pollutant. Paraben preservatives, which are present in virtually every sunscreen formula, have been implicated as potential endocrine disruptors.

So what should we do? Try to stick to sunscreens using zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Remember, there are other ways to protect your skin. Cover up with a hat and lightweight, breathable clothing and STAY IN THE SHADE whenever possible.

Hosting a Green Party

Today is Patrick's birthday so we had family over for pizza and dessert. We all had a great time and Patrick is happy with all his sweet treats. We had mini cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodles, I made a pecan pie and Patrick's sister-in-law, Bethann, brought over a gigantic chocolate eclair from Harold's New York Deli. Everything was delicious but I was left feeling guilty.

We served the food on plastic Solo plates and the drinks in plastic Solo cups. While we've decided to transition to reusable plates and cups, we still have quite a stash of disposables so what are we to do? We have to use up what we have at some point so why not now? Well, with each plate and cup that went into the garbage can, my guilt rose more and more. So tomorrow morning I will be digging out all those Solo products, rinsing them off and redistributing them to our recycling bin. Am I crazy? You may think so but I can't live with myself allowing all that plastic to end up sitting in a landfill for hundreds of years. Solo products are recyclable and though I will be using energy and water rinsing them off, a) they're not that dirty so it won't take much work and b) the water and energy used isn't as bad as the damage caused to the environment by not recycling the plastic.

Once our Solo supply is gone we'll be using recyclable, reusable plates that were made in the USA.

Eco-Friendly Manicures

Having lost my job, I've given up a few luxuries like getting my nails done on a regular basis. I don't mind doing my own nails except that I can't do it as quickly and neatly as my friend in the salon who's known me as a client for the past four to five years. I miss her no-nonesense efficiency. However, I have learned that some nail products are not all too great for our earth, not to mention our lungs.

Dibutyl Phthalate, formaldehyde and toluene have been linked to skin irritation in adults to birth defects in animals. According to "Beauty to Die For: The Cosmetic Consequence" by authorJudi Vance, toluene is thought to cause liver damage, skin irritation and respiratory tract irritation. Formaldehyde has been known to cause squamous cell cancer in the nostril following repeated inhalations.

So is there an alternative? There are some nail products that do not contain these ingredients. No Miss, Sante and L'Oreal Paris Jet-Set Quick Dry Nail Enamel, Sally Hansen and O.P.I. products are a few that you can look into for a safe and eco-friendly manicure.

Eco-Chic Weddings

I found this book long before Patrick and I were engaged. I knew we'd get married someday and I knew we would have an environmentally responsible wedding. So when I saw it in the bookstore, I just had to have it.

In her book, Emily Elizabeth Anderson shares ways to have a stylish, yet ecological, wedding. She suggests simple things such as skipping table cards and using seasonal flowers and more advanced tips such as hiring an organic caterer and using conflict-free jewelry, as opposed to "blood diamonds".

Eco-Chic Weddings is a must-have for any bride who cares about the earth. In fact, it is a must-have for anyone throwing a party, not just a wedding. The tips in Anderson's book ring true for any party planning. I will keep this book for a long, long time and make it a regular reference.

Green Honeymoon

Patrick and I are trying to decide where we'd like to take our honeymoon next year. We both love the idea of Australia. We figure it's such a huge, long journey that our honeymoon is probably the only time we'd consider going there. I just found some encouraging information that will make us feel good about vacationing down under.

It turns out that Sydney is one of the top 15 greenest cities in the world. All new houses have to show 40% less water and energy consumption than existing housing. Builders aim to use energy efficient materials with "Green Star Ratings" earned from the Green Building Council of Australia, which is headquartered in Sydney.

I would be delighted if we could find a way to take a green honeymoon. Maybe Sydney is an option.

One Full Week

I must apologize for not writing much this week. I've been flying high on cloud nine with our new engagement. We went to to see Alba Vineyards yesterday as a possible venue for our wedding. We loved it! It's very "us" from the good wine to the hilltop ceremony area surrounded by mountain views and grape vines almost as far as the eye can see. Now that I have my heart set on Alba, we have to get some estimates from caterers and tent-rental companies to figure out if we can, indeed, afford it. I'm very excited.

As this is a blog about being green I will share with you a few ways we're planning to make our wedding green.

1. We will not serve beef. To all you steak lovers, I'm sorry. In the past, I've always been one to choose the filet mignon but now that I'm more educated on the beef industry I cannot allow it at our wedding.

2. As few flowers as possible. We will be decorating with berries, candles, possibly even fruit. If we have any flowers it will be whatever is in season. I don't want my bouquet to come from five thousand miles away. It's a HUGE waste of energy for something that will die by the next day.

3. Organic, Shade-Grown Coffee. We are going to ask the caterer if we can provide our own coffee so we can serve organic, shade-grown coffee. We hope to educate our guests on the harm your average cup of joe can do.

I will continue to share some green wedding tips as we move along with our planning.

One of Alba's many breathtaking views

Day One

Today was my first full day as Patrick's fiance. I am in full planning mode. We haven't decided on a date yet but we know it'll either be next Spring or Fall...Summer will be too hot for the outdoor wedding we desire. If it's in the Spring, that's only 8-10 months away (depending on the date) so we need to scramble. How do we decide? It's tough. Planning a wedding is all about decisions (duh).

I am happy we accomplished something today. We have our wedding party set. We haven't asked anyone yet but we know who we want to do what. That made me feel a little better.

Next up we have to find a location. In our quest to have a green wedding, we want an outdoor ceremony and reception, if possible. We would love to have everything at Willowwood Arboretum but we're afraid they won't be able to accommodate our guest list. I left a message today and hope to hear back with an answer tomorrow. Please keep your fingers crossed for us. If you any ideas for a green venue in NJ, please let me know.

Willowwood being set up for a wedding

I'm Getting Married!

Patrick proposed to me this morning. We're both very excited and are planning a green wedding in either the Spring or the Fall of 2008. Please take a look at Patrick's blog to see our engagement story.

My Patio Garden

I'm very excited to report that I've already picked seven tomatoes, three jalapenos, one cucumber, three strawberries and tons of basil, parsley, chives, mint, rosmary, dill and thyme from my little patio garden. This goes to show that even the smallest areas can yeild a yummy, plentiful garden.

car vs. bus

Take a look at what a difference we can make if we use mass transit whenever possible. Thanks to TreeHugger for the awesome visual.

Biking Around the World

If you visit Europe, you could bike your way around like the locals do in cities such as Amsterdam and Antwerp. Now Paris is on the list. Velib, which means "free bike", is the city's new program to loosen the congestion and reduce pollution on the streets. Through Velib, more than 10,000 bikes will be situated every 900 feet around the city for a total of 750 stations. This is perfect for Paris's more than 230 miles of bicycle lanes.

According to FranceGuide, the official website of the French government tourist office, "To access the bikes, riders can select a one-day card for 1 euro, a weekly card for 5 euros or an annual card for 29 euros. After the purchase of an access card, riding for the first half-hour is free and a supplement of 1 euro will be charged for an additional half-hour, 2 euros for another 30-minutes and 4 euros for every addition half-hour after that. Example: a 25 minute trip = 0 euros, a 50 minute trip = 1 euro, an hour and 15-minute ride = 3 euros."

You can learn more at FranceGuide.