Recommended Reading 08/16/20

 

What a mug...

Mochi says it's reading time!

There is no better way to occupy your down time then by reading.  Instead of mindless scrolling through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram etc. read a book.  Exercise your mind, gain knowledge, learn something new and travel the world without leaving your couch.  Just remember to get up and move!  There has to be a balance.

Let's get started with the environment:

From Patagonia: Remember the Original Tree Huggers  

Stop making sense: Why it's time to get emotional about climate change.

What's up Facebook? when will it end? Abandoning drilling equipment?

Costa Rica Set to Eliminate all Single Use Plastic

In my field of work we utilize Lidar, travel to Honduras with Chris Fischer on the importance of why we should Lidar the whole Earth.

This is an image of Lidar scan of 500kv transmission line showing trees and brush which might impede power distribution.

Food and Recipes

How to make 2 ingredients oil-free Tortillas, from The Minimalist Baker.

Epic vegan BBQ tofu wings  from One Green Planet.

Ethiopian Spiced "Meat" Hummus Bowls from MBG

Raspberry Oat Crumble Bars from Center for Nutrition Studies.

Ikarian-style Sourdough Bread from Blue Zones.

Wellness and Exercise

10 Signs Your Liver Needs Some Love from Food Matters.

How Hydration Can Support Immunity from MBG.

Cancer Prevention and Treatment from Center for Nutrition Studies.

Training in Hot Weather may enhance fitness and performance from Trailrunner Magazine

Just Crazy

Do we really need this? Coffee infused Coca-cola.

Coca-cola secrets you never knew.

Is this how they are spending their time addressing climate change? U.S. .Energy Department

Stay Strong.

Have a great week.

Keep washing your hands.

Judd

Recommended Reading 05/16/20

Recommended Reading

Some of this month's reading suggestions obviously will relate to the Covid-19 crisis.  Many of you have experienced the virus either yourself, relatives or friends.  A few work-related colleagues have been infected with the virus and one's elderly father succumbed to complications arising from it.  Being considered an "essential worker", I was and will continue to be very safety oriented.  Consuming a plant-based diet and keeping my immune system as strong as possible is #1.  Here in Florida, the State has lifted "stay at home" restrictions, while trying to inform residents to be safe.  Encouraging CDC recommendations on wearing face masks, keeping 6' social distancing, etc.  Unfortunately, most are not doing that.  Retail/Grocery workers are definitely abiding by these rules, but only a small amount of residents are.  It's all or nothing!  I will be wearing a face covering and continuing safe clean practices indefinitely! Please be safe and do what we can to stop the spread, if not for yourself, for those who have compromised health issues. 

So let's get started:

ENVIRONMENTAL

We don't want to go "back to normal", we need to go forward and build a healthier and cleaner world.

From 350.org, "How We Build Back Better"

It's a start in the right direction: U.S. Renewables are Set to Generate More Electricity Than Coal For The First Time

Meet the new "Citizens of Costa Rica".  The country is a leader in environmental measures, planning to be carbon neutral by 2050, and currently gets 98% of its energy from renewable sources!

Positive consequences are happening because the Covid-19.  Air quality has improved dramatically worldwide, even in the U.S. Air Pollution Decreases Over Southwest U.S. 

Check out the "Tesla" of  electric boats at X Shore from Sweden.

WELLNESS

The world is realizing that factory farming is not sustainable.  The way people eat all around the world, is a major risk factor for pandemics: The Meat We Get From Factory Farms

With the "shortage"of meat in grocery stores, the demand for plant-based meat alternatives are skyrocketing, like The Impossible Burger and Beyond Meat Beast Burger.

Need to lower or maintain your Triglycerides? Try Red Quinoa.

Green tea consumption is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke.  But what about Cancer?

Establishing Healthy Habits during Social Distancing by Dr. Garth Davis

Go outside, breathe in nature.  Why You Should Walk More.

More powerful than antibiotics?  This has been used since ancient Grecian times.  Oregano Oil to the rescue!

VIDEOS

Five Kitchen Hacks from The Happy Pear

The Nantucket Project with Dr Zach Bush and Rich Roll

Have a great week.

Be kind.

Judd

Earth Day 2020

EARTH DAY 2020

This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.  In the Spring of 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson(D-Wisconsin) proposed a national "teach-in" after touring an oil spill devastation off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, which happened a year earlier in January of 1969.  As his idea blossomed, he set up an independent organization called Environmental Teach-In to handle the grass-roots movement which created "Earth Day".  On April 22,1970 more than 20 million Americans participated in the first awareness.  It worked, in December of 1970 the Environmental Protection Agency was created to tackle all environmental issues, including the Clean Air Act ,the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Needless to say, the EPA has changed leadership in this administration and most rules and regulations have been relaxed or removed, not to the benefit of the environment.  For a more in depth look at Earth Day please see The History of Earth Day. 

We must take care of our planet and its environment, human existence depends on it.  We have seen the effects of Coronavirus , with us having to be sequestered, the capabilities the planet can heal itself without us.  Just think what together the possibilities can be, living in harmony with nature.  

There is no planet "B"

Have a great week.

Be kind.

WASH YOUR HANDS.

Judd 

Sustainable/Eco Friendly Lifestyle

The world is changing very quickly and we are being bombarded everyday with many toxic chemicals in the food we eat, the cleaning products we use and even the air we breathe.  Thankfully some governments, businesses and individuals around the world are beginning to take actions to going more green.  From opting for alternative energies such as wind, hydro and solar power and switching to lower emission transportation uses, making life more environmentally friendly simply makes sense.  Denmark's wind power generates 140% of its electricity leaving enough to send to Germany, Sweden and Norway.  In Vancouver, B.C. its goal was to be entirely powered by clean energy by 2050- not just electricity, but transportation and heating as well.  The city adopted a goal of 50% sustainable mode share by 2020- half of all trips in the city would be taken by walking, biking or transit rather than autos.  They hit the target in 2015!  Watch the video here. 

We can decrease the amount of toxins we consume through eating, cleaning and
even through the air we breathe in our homes by making some small changes.

*Food Choices- Buy organic: apples, grapes, potatoes, spinach and cucumbers are very high in pesticide residues.  Some food with low pesticide residue are avocados, pineapples, organic corn, cabbage (a great probiotic), eggplant and cauliflower.  See the full list here.

*Cleaning Products-There are many natural products you can use for all the cleaning around the house.  By using these you have reduced the amount of toxins your body is exposed to. White vinegar with lemongrass or wild orange essential oil will clean all your counter tops, bathrooms and leave a clean fresh aroma throughout the house (mix equal parts white vinegar with water and add 10-20 drops of essential oil into a spray bottle).  You can use the same mixture in cleaning your toilets by pouring into and leaving it while you clean the rest of the bathroom.  Then brush and flush.

*Laundry- Ditch the dryer sheets!  Instead, use Woolzies, available online, at Whole Foods, Target etc.  These wool balls last for 1000's of loads and when used with a few drops of essential oil, make your clothes smell awesome, and with no toxins!

According to the author of The Brain Wash, here are the seven most common chemicals found in dryer sheets and their effect on the central nervous system:

1. Alpha-Terpineol causes central nervous system disorders. Can also cause loss of muscular coordination, central nervous system depression, and headache.

2. Benzyl Alcohol causes central nervous system disorders, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, central nervous system depression, and, in severe cases, death.

3. Camphor on the US EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Central nervous system stimulant, causes dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles, and convulsions.

4. Chloroform on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Neurotoxic and carcinogenic.

5. Ethyl Acetate on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Narcotic. May cause headaches and narcosis (stupor).

6. Linalool causes central nervous system disorders. Narcotic. In studies of animals, it caused ataxic gait (loss of muscular coordination), reduced spontaneous motor activity, and depression.

7. Pentane causes headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and loss of consciousness. Repeated inhalation of vapors causes central nervous system depression.

Those Woolzies are looking like a wise choice, aren't they?! 

*Air Cleaning- Houseplants( make sure they are pet-friendly) are one of the easiest ways to clean up the quality of the air we breathe in our homes.  Plants like Bromeliads, Dracaenas, Spider Plants and Jade Plants are the top "cleaners".  Removing up to 80% of toxins from the air.  Also by using an Essential Oil Diffuser instead of candles or air fresheners, you are reducing more toxins from the air you breathe. 

*Drink Water-And not from a plastic bottle!  Invest in a "Swell" bottle: they keep your water cold up to 24 hours and liquids hot for 12 hours.  They are beautifully crafted and have multiple design options available.  Kris wanted me to say that if there are any Lilly Pulitzer fans reading, you can purchase a Lilly Print Swell Bottle at your local Starbucks (if you're lucky enough to find them in stock), and beginning February 28, you can purchase them online at Starbucks.com.

We use ours every day!

If our day-to-day actions are more environmentally friendly we not only help the environment, but we can benefit financially, physically and mentally as well.

Have a great week.
Be kind.
Judd