July 20, 2011 / Issue 90

     

Mrs. Green's World 

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Greetings!

 

The Good, Green Scoop (Goop?) About Sunscreens

As promised and as reminded by so many of you, here is the information about what to look for in a GOOD sunscreen and just some general tips for minimizing your exposure to the sun. I honestly cannot thank all of you enough for your thoughtful comments and feedback.

 

Here's one suggestion from my friend Pamela Portwood who REALLY knows her stuff about what's good and what's not for your home, your health, and your body. She writes: "I suggest that you do the flip side of what to avoid and address what to look for in a sunscreen to find a non-toxic and effective product. Sunscreens are so difficult. I used to wear my sunscreen every single day everywhere because I had a melanoma almost 15 years ago. (People who have had melanomas are five times more likely to have another one than the population at large.) Last year I had a vitamin D deficiency, so I've started wearing sunscreen less rigorously to get some sunlight. It can be a catch-22, and a very important issue in the desert."

 

What is the BEST sunscreen? Honestly? Wearing a hat and a shirt! It's avoiding the sun. No chemicals to absorb through the skin, no questions about whether they work. Let's face it, not everyone is going to do that. But when you can't get away from exposing your skin to the sun or you are just one of those sun worshippers - at least you can educate yourself and find some sunscreens that are not filled with harmful chemicals! A couple of easy things to remember - ALL top rated sunscreens contain either zinc or titanium minerals to help cut the UVA exposure and NONE of them contain oxybenzone or Vitamin A. Those are actually easy to remember and if you don't think you can, I invite you to take a look at Environmental Working Group's 2011 Sunscreen Guide to read all about what's good for your health and what's not! Aubrey Organics; Eco Skin Care; and Loving Naturals are just a few that rank very high on the "safe" scale but EWG's extensive list is very thorough and there are many other safe products. It's all about being an informed consumer! Please remember to avoid sun screens that contain hazardous chemicals, which MANY of them do.

Now about some common sense sun protection measures - they are so simple and yet so important to your health!

Don't get burned. Red, sore, blistered (then peeling) skin is a clear sign you've gotten far too much sun. Sunburn increases skin cancer risk - keep your guard up! I so wish I had known this during those years oh-so-long ago as a sun worshipping teenager at the Jersey shore. But alas - I did not and I am just keeping my fingers crossed. I do know my risk is high from damage long ago so I am very vigilant about monitoring any suspicious spots.

Wear clothes. Shirts, hats, shorts and pants shield your skin from the sun's UV rays - and don't coat your skin with goop. A long-sleeved surf shirt is a good start. Throwing a towel over your legs at the pool, lake or beach is another good thing to do.

Woman under umbrella Find shade - or make it. Picnic under a tree, read beneath an umbrella, take a canopy to the beach. I can't imagine that I have to say this but keep your babies and grandbabies in the shade - They are so much more vulnerable because they literally don't have tanning pigments (melanin) to protect their skin. It's our job!

If you really want to get into the whole prevention thing: plan around the sun. If your schedule is flexible, go outdoors in early morning or late afternoon when the sun is lower in the sky. UV radiation peaks at midday, when the sun is directly overhead. Nothing ages your skin faster than sun exposure. Just think about how much money you might save on plastic surgery down the road if you take some measures from this point on.

And just another little tidbit that I learned the hard way! Wear sunglasses! Sunglasses are essential. They are not just a fashion accessory, sunglasses protect your eyes from UV radiation, a cause of cataracts. Make sure your sunglasses have UV protection! You never think it's going to happen to you but your chances of getting cataracts are more likely if you don't protect your eyes from the sun! Read between the lines...

Gardening Tips for Your Reading Pleasure!

Many gardeners prefer Organic Nutrients when growing for home food production. But an important tip here in Arizona: do not leave your Organics out in the heat! The microbiology that these nutrients contain may die in the summer's heat.

-- Brought to you by Sea of Green  

 

Big Request from Bottom of My Green Heart

Making a move from terrestrial radio to the Internet took vision, lots of planning, courage, tons of research and getting the support of our sponsors. We know we are early adopters and we know we are going to have to work continuously to grow our listener base. We accept the challenge and we need your help. You can listen anywhere you have Internet access - including from your iPhone, Droid or Blackberry. We bring our message to you in the most cutting edge way possible and you are only a click away every Saturday. (You can listen to podcasts of past shows too.) Please go to Mrs. Green's World at 12:00 p.m. every Saturday and listen live. Post it on your Facebook page? Love that! Tweet about it? Love that too! Tell a friend or two? Very appreciative if you are so moved! Let's bring the great messages shared by guests on Mrs. Green's World to the planet in a BIG way!  

 

Three Things You Should Know about Environmental Development Group (EDG) 

Once again - what's up with that THREE thing idea someone came up with? 

  1. EDG is a recognized INDUSTRY leader providing innovative, environmentally conscious and sustainable solutions to their clients to assist them with commercial and industrial facilities maintenance since 1998.
  2. EDG Fuels works with southwest regional power companies, commercial customers and fleets who choose to promote the use of biodiesel for vehicle fuel and for power production. The less foreign oil we use, the happier they are!
  3. EDG has another EDG: Enjoy Dining Green! This EDG works with community businesses to help them with the recycling of their used cooking oil. As part of that, they offer free oil collection service, free oil collection containers, and discounts on some of their other great "stop our dependency on foreign oil" services. What's not to love?
Upcoming Shows

Laurie David

July 23

Laurie David: Practically Green

Producer and author, Laurie David will share with us how living green can be done easily and with enjoyment - specifically talking about the wealth of information in her new book, The Family Dinner. Join us for a fun and educational conversation about the greenest room in the house, the kitchen! I honestly can't wait for this one. This show sponsored by The Fairfax Companies.

 

Jacquie Ottman

July 30

Jacquie Ottman: The New Rules of Green Marketing

Jacquie Ottman was working with Fortune 500 companies, government officials, Hollywood celebrities, educators and plain old consumers back when green was just a color. She knew the rules were changing so she wrote a book about the strategies needed to play by the new rules. She is a sought after speaker, an internationally known and well-respected author and consultant to organizations all over the globe. I will talk with Jacquie about her book The New Rules of Green Marketing and strategies, tools and inspiring ideas for sustainable branding. This show sponsored by The Fairfax Companies.

 

Ann Cooper

August 6

Ann Cooper: Renegade Lunch Lady

Ann's life's work? To transform how we feed our children in school each day, from highly processed to highly nourishing food - one school lunch at a time. Ann has formed a network of people throughout the United States and the world working to change the way our children are eating. They are challenging outdated school district spending policies, commodity-based food service organizations, political platforms that fail to mention child health and ultimately the USDA. Imagine - she wants our kids to have wholesome, nutritious, delicious food at school. OMG - another "I can't wait" for Mrs. Green. This show sponsored by The Fairfax Companies.  

 

August 13

Peter Dourlein - VP of Planning, Design & Construction, University of Arizona

This campus sustainability group has established the UA as a leader in designing and constructing buildings using strategies that reduce energy and water use and improve productivity and health benefits. We will hear from Peter about their impressive record as a leader and about EcoOps, a new UA-wide program of the Office of Sustainability that is open to employees, students, and alumni who want to help make the UA a more environmentally sustainable place to work, study and play.  Sounds like the PERFECT guest for Mrs. Green. This show sponsored by The Fairfax Companies.

 

Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff August 20
Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff - Healthy Child Healthy World
Honestly? I am at the point in my life that I believe almost every disease in the world is linked to some kind of environmental contaminants. Endless research would back up this bold statement. Get ready for Rachel to share some of that evidence linking everyday environmental contaminants to asthma, learning disabilities, obesity, cancer and more. The good news? Healthy Child translates the science and inspires parents and caregivers to create healthy environments where families can flourish. This powerful organization has ignited the movement that empowers parents to protect children from harmful chemicals. My heart is soaring already. This show sponsored by The Fairfax Companies.

   

Arizona Beef Council August 27

Andrew Kurth, Lauren Sheller, and Tiffany Hayes - Arizona Beef Council
I know where the beef IS. I want to know where it is coming from, what the cows are fed during their life time, how they are raised, and how they are killed. My journey as Mrs. Green has led me to find new meaning in the phrase "cruelty free." I admit to being a carnivore. I now eat less beef and I believe the beef industry can use some serious scrutiny. Hopefully, the folks from the Arizona Beef Council will have lots of answers. I know it will be an informative show.  

 

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Mrs. Green's World