​We know that fish is good for our diet due to its high omega-3 fatty acid content and nutritious benefits. However, with all the “farmed” fish these days, one can’t help but wonder if they still provide the same benefits. It can be scary to know that a lot of the fish that we buy can now have high amounts of toxin and less amounts of protein that we expect. 

Since so many are looking to add fish to their diet, large amounts of fish are being taken from the sea and adopted to farmed fish instead. It is estimated that the sea will not be able to provide us with commercial fish by 2050. Those who are proponents of farmed fish will tell you that this method can sustain our eating habits and that the more we farm fish, that much less we have to worry about our supplies. 

However, fish such as salmon, rely on food that comes from other fish. They eat fish feed that is made from herring, sardines and others. So it might be surprising to find out that in order for one fish to land on your plate, it can take up to five times the amount of fish from the sea. 

The most popular farmed fish are carp, sea bass, cod, catfish, tilapia and salmon. These farmed fish are confined to cages full of thousands of others, which is a perfect breeding ground for parasites and nasty diseases. One of the most common parasites found in farmed fish is sea lice. These sea lice travel out of the farms and pollute our ecosystems as well, which is especially detrimental when the farm is located at the mouth of a river. In order to combat these sea lice, farmers are known to use pesticides in the fish feed, which the salmon (and later, we) ingest. 

Another nasty aspect of farmed fish is the fact that plenty of excrement is circulating amongst these small living spaces for the fish. This affects our ecosystem by causing destructive algal blooms. Research has found that more farmed salmon can have up to seven times the amount of PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) than its wild relatives. These fish consume a large number of toxins through fish food, which can be made from ingredients such as feces and genetically altered produce. In case you are wondering about PCBs, they are industrial chemicals that were manufactured from for around fifty years until 1979, when they were banned. PCBs have been shown to cause adverse health effects, including potential cancers, and negative effects on the immune, nervous and endocrine systems.

And to top all this, farmed fish also tend to have much less omega-3 than we expect from the wild due to their inability to eat right.

What is the importance of reusing packaging bottles and cans? In addition to reducing the pollution caused by petroleum and chemical products, recycling plastic containers also helps create new jobs for people who work in the recycling facilities. In the United States, more than 80% of bottles and cans are recycled. Some of the most common types of bottles and cans include polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride.

Reusing these containers allows the user to refill them at home or on the go. Refills can also be returned at any time. Improved washing and sorting technologies have made it possible to reuse packaging. Recyclables are also more valuable than ever with emerging markets. 
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A recent study found that PET bottles can be recycled for up to 25 times before they become damaged. Reusing such bottles, reduces the use of virgin polymer and landfill space. Further, reused and recycled bottles and cans help decrease the need for new virgin polymer production, which reduces waste and energy consumption. The data from this study show that this practice can result in a 27 per cent reduction in emissions over the life cycle of these materials.

Reusable packaging can also allow companies to use new technology to improve their operations. The benefits of reusing packaging are numerous for consumers and businesses. By minimizing waste, businesses can develop more sustainable business models, increase customer satisfaction, and improve their bottom line.

Reusing packaging bottles and cans is a vital part of a sustainable and circular economy. It reduces material requirements per filling cycle. It reduces the cost of production and 'production toll' on the environment. So, it is essential to make reusable packaging. 

In addition, as a consumer, you can save money by reducing the amount of packaging you use. Reusable packaging reduces the number of plastics in the waste stream. These reusable items are the best way to protect the environment. They also reduce your carbon footprint. So, reuse your glass bottles and cans, and save the environment and the planet. Once you understand the far reaching consequence of your daily actions- with the choice of products you use and the 'environmental waste' it creates, then you can choose to take a greener approach. This is an important aspect of Conscious Living. 

In addition to reducing pollution, reusing plastic bottles and cans also help reduce plastic pricing. Choose reusable bottles and cans that have been manufactured to meet recognized quality standards. These will be more environmentally friendly and reduce the amount of waste in the environment. If you are looking for reusable packaging, look for brands that use recycled plastic. They will ensure the quality of the materials used in their packaging.

It is essential to reduce the amount of plastic in the environment. Reusable and recyclable items help save resources by reducing pollution. Glass and some types of plastic bottles are great for reusing. There are many buzz-words that we all hear on a daily basis… BUT few people understand the grave repercussions of not doing anything to save the environment. Many other believe that governments and corporations need to do the required actions and that at an individual level there is not much they can do to create any meaningful contribution. That is not the case at all. 

When it comes to green living, every small bit helps and each one of us can make small changes to how we approach our daily product choices and make significant contributions towards a Green Earth. Once you truly understand the advantages and disadvantages of reusing your recyclable containers, you can easily reuse and repurpose them for other use around your household. 

This is still a new space and so true collaboration between corporations for green sustainable growth is still not a norm. But, it would be very helpful if corporations would take this collaborated route. Then once a company has perfected a reusable packaging design then they could share it with others to help the greater environment at large. Such companies could either receive a small fee from the other companies or receive a special environmental credit from the government in the form of social recognition and tax savings.
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Nature, mother earth, our planet is not just our residence, or a resource to take benefit, BUT it is the very space that allows us to exist and thrive. It is not just our duty but also our moral obligation to ensure that we do the best that we can to save our planet, by reducing our carbon footprint. Whatever small changes we can make, will still help in making long term strides towards a greener environment and a sustainable future.  

​Organic farming is a method of farming that implements techniques that are not harmful to the environment or to those working on the farm. It is the preferred greener approach to farming because it reduces our impact on nature and promotes natural growing methods. Organic farming monitors the production of fruits and vegetables closely and has a number of guidelines that must be followed.

The use of chemicals, such as in fertilizers and pesticides, is monitored and restricted to a certain amounts, while natural fertilizers and resources are meant to be used instead. Organic farming prohibits using GMO. It also encourages livestock to be kept in humane conditions that allow exposure to the outdoors and giving them healthy feed. Animals and plants that are used in organic farming should be selected by their ability to adapt to the local environment and their natural ability to combat diseases.

​In order to maintain and promote healthy soil, organic farming uses methods such as crop rotation, mulching, compost and recycling of various wastes such as crops and manure from animals. Instead of using heavy chemicals as pesticides and fertilizers, organic farming aims to keep weeds and pests at bay by using strong crops that are naturally resistant, selecting the best crops, rotating crops, cultivating in the best manner and using pesticides from a natural source instead.

A common misconception with organic farming is that farmers allow their crops to grow freely without much moderation. However, organic farming is actually a very complex procedure that requires a lot of skill and technique. It is a combination of traditional techniques and modern understanding in order to yield the best results. Organic farmers know that not every predator in their farm is detrimental, not every weed must be removed and that chemicals are the last resort to dealing with a problem. 

Farming does not have to be completely weed and pest free, because that simply shows that they do not want to live in that environment either. Therefore, why should we think it is okay to consume? Organic farming encourages farmers to be aware of the types of weeds and pests, moderate them and use them in beneficial ways when applicable. 

The benefits of organic farming are better for our planet than large scale farming because it does not harm the soil, regulates weeds and pests without causing damage to nature, does not contaminate water, encourages the use of natural resources and gives us nutritious end results.

​Genetically modified (GMO) foods can be found in practically all supermarkets these days. Over 85% of the United States corn and soy crops are said to be GMO foods, while up to 70% of processed items available in U.S supermarkets contain ingredients that are genetically modified. 
 
What GMO foods mean is that the food  has an are altered genetic DNA that is not naturally occurring in nature. These foods come from various organisms and are combined in various methods such as introducing a new gene to an organism. We call it GMO when the genetic makeup of an organism is altered in anyway. Some of the most common GMO foods aside from corn and soy include cotton and maize. These ingredients come in many snacks, breakfast options, baby foods and others.

​There are two different opinions when it comes to GMO foods. The U.S government states that GMO foods tend to be safer and can be helpful to those who are starving, whereas the EU prefers to keep their food natural and organic. The EU believes that GMO foods are detrimental to local farming and the risks are too great to ignore. 
 
The various risks associated with GMO foods include resistance to antibiotics, contamination, toxins in foods, altering nutritional content and possible effects on the environment. Since GMO foods are still in the early stages it is hard to tell what the consequences of these foods will have on our health. These foods have the possibility of creating entirely new types of bacteria that can severely affect our body. 
 
It is known that diverse genes are more healthy and strong, therefore those that are altered can have less capability of handling drought, handling fungus and bacteria as a natural option would. If we modify and reduce the diversity of genes then it could affect areas that rely on crops that are GMO. 
 
When we put GMO foods out into the world, they will affect seeds and create traits that were not there in the first place. Even though the GMO was designed in a lab, the way that it interacts with nature will have its own effect, such as killing out essential foods or resources. 
 
One of the pitches of the US government that advocates that use of GMO foods states that it is better for the future of global food supply. However, since the introduction of GMO there has been no particular leap in yield boost or reduction of the use of pesticides. GMOs need a large amount of chemicals such as herbicides, fungicides and pesticides, which will affect our water and food supply. 

When it comes to sustainability, packaging is the biggest contributor to waste in our lives. Proper packaging protects our items, particularly food products, and delivers quality goods with aesthetic appeal. Though packaging itself tends to get wasted. Once the product is removed from its package, or the food has been consumed, the rest of the packaging including the very product container, becomes a waste. According to the World Bank, more than 3.5 million tons of solid waste were produced in 2010 and that number is expected to double by 2025. Reusable packaging can be an easy, effective first step toward a greener future.

One way to save money and minimize waste is to reuse packaging. Many of us are not aware of this, but just our usual meals and drinks generate a lot of trash. Many people wrap or pack food individually or transport it in plastic containers or aluminum foil. You may have even been to a school cafeteria and seen the trashcan filling up quickly with empty milk cartons and wrappers. We need to think about what is good for the environment and for our wallets as we purchase products.

​Reuse reduces waste because new products require energy and materials to manufacture them. Reusing products reduces waste by minimizing resources and emissions. Reusing products means more money for the consumer. 

Reusing also reduces waste by encouraging individuals to have a sustainable mindset and carefully consider their daily actions to ensure they are green and sustainable. 

Because of this, people who follow green living principles tend to reuse products till their the very end of their lifecycle, i.e. derive maximum benefit and utilization from that product, instead of changing products and throw away half used packages to follow some fashion or diet trend! This also encourages people to purchase high-quality products which are manufactured with better sustainability methods rather than cheap goods produced in detrimental working condition with minimal to no consideration for environmental impact. This is particularly important when it comes to clothing. Excessive cultivation of cotton, deforestation for timber and incessant use of petroleum based products are all very harsh on our planet! 

Even corporations are starting to take more conscientious steps and implementing reusable, i.e. refillable packaging programs, where they are allow consumer to refill products.  

The benefits of reusable packaging go beyond economics. Reusable containers offer superior protection and reduce damage. They are also collapsible or nestable when empty. In addition to reduced costs, reusable containers can improve productivity. By preventing unsaleable product from going into landfills, they reduce the amount of resources needed to manufacture and ship replacement merchandise. This also helps reduce workplace injuries. When we think about reusable packaging, we can see why reuse is the right choice for our planet and our budget.

​At the very least, what each one of us can do is to reuse and repurpose the many food bottles and jars that we buy, to store other food items in the pantry. Some of them can also be repurposed by converting them into decorative household items or containers to keep knicks and knacks! There are many videos available on social media that show how we can reuse and repurpose all kinds of food packaging from milk gallon jars to jam bottles.

Consumers have been increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of the products they purchase, and they have been voting with their dollars. As a result, manufacturers are slowly moving towards sustainable options. Corporations now realize that environmentally responsible manufacturing, sourcing and logistics are imperative and are accordingly modifying their processes. Government agencies are also now focusing on the problem of packaging waste. Hopefully in the future, packaging will become smarter and more sustainable. Companies must adapt to meet consumer demands. So what should you do?

Once we truly see the merits of reusing product packaging and make a commitment to ourself that we will live conscientiously and in a green manner, then it is easy to take simple steps to move in that direction of sustainable living.

Our individual action may seem too small, but it surely goes a long way to contribute towards a greener planet. 

​Do you start your day with a hot cup of Java? I know- I love my cup of fresh brewed coffee, first thing in the morning. Though that seems like an absolute no-brainer to choose coffee based on its aroma and taste, it is important to look a bit deeper into how coffee beans are grown, harvested, processed, and brought to you in that familiar looking brown coffee beans, which you can then brew to make your morning cuppa! Once you are equipped with proper information then you can make the right choice that is not only good for you as an individual but also that is good for our planet. Read on…

Coffee is a beverage that is brewed from the beans of certain flowering plants. The coffee fruit contains the seeds, which are separated to make a stable raw product. This raw product is unroasted green coffee.

​But when we think of commercial coffee farms, then we need to consider how the green beans are separated from the fruit (called coffee cherries). There are various kinds of processing that need to be conducted to finally obtain the green coffee beans which are then be roasted to give us aromatic coffee.

Roasting coffee transforms the chemical and physical properties of green coffee beans into roasted coffee products. Roasting coffee produces the distinctive flavor by changing the taste of the beans. Unroasted beans have similar, if not greater, levels of acid, protein, sugars and caffeine to those that are roasted. However, they lack the flavor of roasted coffee beans because of the Maillard reaction and other chemical reactions that take place during roasting.

Coffee roasting includes several chemical transformations that contribute to the flavor, aroma, and body of the finished cup. Many of these reactions are sensitive to variations in temperature and length of exposure to heat. So, a small change in roasting technique can have a profound impact on profile.

Many conventionally grown coffee contain health-harming contaminants like Ochratoxin A, Acrylamide, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Yeast, and Pesticides. They can cause fatigue, brain fog, and other symptoms such as weakness and fatigue. Long-term health effects include cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Because of this, it is crucial to select high-quality coffee beans.

Organic coffee has the greatest appeal because it is grown and harvested naturally without any chemical additives or intervention. There are no pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides used in the agricultural process. If fertilizer is needed to help the coffee plants grow, then farmers use natural alternatives like compost and coffee pulp.

In addition, most organic coffee is grown the natural way – within the shade of lush forests (coffee plants love to grow in shade), providing a home for wild plants and animals, sustaining soil fertility, and keeping unique regional ecosystems alive.

Because of this Organic Coffee is not only healthier but is also a sustainable and green alternative. And to top this, most organic coffee cultivators are also Fair Trade partners- so you can be sure that your coffee beans are not sourced with blood, but that the workers have been paid fair wages and they have been provided humane work conditions.

Understanding the lifecycle that a coffee-cherry goes through to become the flavorful coffee bean that you can grind and brew a steaming cup, will help you to make wise choices for your morning beverage!

​Categories: 
Green Living   ,   Healthy Eating  and    Life Management

Keywords and Tags:
#greenliving #fairtradefoods #organicliving #wholisticliving #saveourplanet #sustainableliving #organiccoffee #fairtradecoffee  #earthfriendlyliving #SustainableLifestyle  #LiveConsciously

We are constantly bombarded with news about environmental issues, such as global warming and the humongous cost of our increasing carbon footprint! To ensure that we leave a habitable earth for future generations, it is important that we lead a sustainable lifestyle. 
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As there is growing awareness of the environmental impact of our daily actions, it is high time we seriously start working on reducing our carbon footprint. 

Reducing car trips and using public transportation whenever possible, is a good way to get started on this path. Walk (or bike) rather than drive to run errands is a great way to include some exercise along with reducing carbon consumption. Though walking/cycling is not always possible, particularly in tough weather conditions or in remote areas, where homes, stores and offices are located at long distances from each other.

In such instances, you can easily club various errands together to reduce the overall number of trips you need to make. This will not only reduce your carbon consumption but also save you time. Getting organized and systematically addressing chores like ‘running errands’ will improve your overall efficiency. As you start getting structured to lead a greener life, you will bring these new, improved habits to other areas of your life.
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Always remember that the best and surest way to reduce your carbon footprint is to make small changes at a time. This way, you will allow yourself some time to assimilate the new environmentally conscious way of life. Over time, a green way of living will become the ‘new normal’.

​Categories: 
Green Living   

Keywords and Tags:
#greenliving #CarbonFootPrint #wholisticliving #wholisticlifestyle #saveourplanet #sustainableliving #recycle #reduce #reuse #earthfriendlyliving #SustainableLifestyle  #LiveConsciously