Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, but it's also the easiest to prevent with the proper protection.

Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are minerals that physically block ultraviolet (UV) rays from reaching your skin, as opposed to other sunscreens that use chemicals to absorb UV rays. Minerals are considered the best protection against sunburn because they block both UVB rays (which cause sunburns) and UVA rays (which cause skin aging and cancer). Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, don't always protect against UVA.

SPF is an FDA-regulated rating system that represents how long it will take for exposed skin to burn with the sunscreen applied. For example, if your unprotected skin usually burns in 10 minutes, a sunscreen with an SPF 15 would prevent a sunburn for 15 times that length of time, or 150 minutes. However, SPF only rates UVB rays, not skin damaging UVA rays. For that reason, never rely entirely on a sunscreen's SPF, and look for products that advertise "broad-spectrum protection," which means it protects against both types of rays.

The primary drawback to sunscreens with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide is that they can leave a white tint on your skin. To make the lotions transparent, manufacturers shrink titanium dioxide or zinc oxide particles down to nano-sized particles. Because smaller particles can act differently than larger particles when they enter the body, these nano-sized particles have been cause for concern: Research indicates that nanoparticles of titanium dioxide are small enough to bypass your body's "blood-brain barrier" (a natural defense against foreign substances in the bloodstream) and enter the brain where they can damage brain cells. Larger particles, however, are blocked by that barrier and don't pose this problem. Fortunately, a 2006 Australian government literature review on the topic found that neither titanium dioxide nor zinc oxide penetrate the skin deep enough to actually enter the bloodstream, and most scientific evidence supports the fact that nano-sized particles of these ingredients are often trapped in the outer layer of the skin and not absorbed (they should always be avoided when used in powders that may be inhaled). However, if you'd rather err on the side of safety, opt for sunscreens that use micronized ingredients (particles larger than 100 nm), which are mostly transparent but may still offer a slight tint.

Posted in: go green, sunscreen on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at at 7:27 PM 15 comments    

As I was browsing the internet for some good go-green tips I found this fun site, Eco-Quizzes!

You can take a quiz to find out if you're squeezing every mile out of your last gallon of gas. Great considering the skyrocketing of gas prices lately!

Another quiz lets you test your eco-anxiety. You can test your Eco-IQ. There are also quizzes for each part of your home, the laundry room, the kitchen, the bathroom, the bedroom,and the living room.

Take quizzes about which eco-celebrity you are, back to school, organic foods, and more!

Posted in: eco-friendly, go green on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at at 8:54 PM 16 comments    

Going green is a gradual process, make one tiny change each week, and you'll be an eco-savior before you know it!


Eco-Friendly Kabobs
Along with Labor Day and the Fourth of July, more Americans get a hankering for cookouts and weenie roasts on Memorial Day than any other day of the year. And whether the menu consists of burgers, bratwursts, T-bones or pork butt, Memorial Day is a big day for meat. With the livestock sector responsible for 18 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, more than the combined emissions of all forms of transportation, all those beef burgers add up to extra carbon in the atmosphere.

If you're among the millions of grilling enthusiasts firing up the barbie on Monday, consider a meal with a lower eco-impact. Because beef production releases three times more greenhouse gases than the production of chicken or fish, you'll make a big dent in your Memorial Day emissions by skipping the burgers and grilling up more chicken, fish and veggies instead.

If you must have red meat, purchase locally raised meat products that support small grass farms in your region and preserve green spaces that house biodiversity. And purchase less of it. Instead of serving an eight-ounce New York strip to each person, slice up two steaks and slide them on skewers with onions, green peppers and tomatoes for a delicious and eco-conscious meal that will probably save you money too.

This week's tip comes from The Green Guide

Technorati tags: eco-friendly, go green, kabobs

Posted in: eco-friendly, go green, kabobs on at at 8:48 PM 11 comments    

Kitchen Composting

* The average household produces more than 200 lbs of kitchen waste every year. Keep biodegradable materials out of your trash and garbage disposal, and give local landfills and water treatment plants a break.
* Compost recycles nutrients and organic matter, providing food for plants and the microorganisms that keep soil healthy. It also improves the water-retaining capacity of soil, so you can water less often.
* Most of what passes through your kitchen is compostable, including: vegetable scraps, fruit peelings, bread and cereals, grains and pasta, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, and even crushed eggshells. (Leave out animal-based and oily foods, which can cause odors and attract pests).

Wanna Try?

• Clean Air Gardening’s Indoor Kitchen Composter - Make finished compost directly in the pail using an anaerobic fermentation process. A built-in spigot releases moisture, eliminating odors ($70).
• Gardener’s Supply Company Worm Bin Factory – Bin and the red wiggler worms can handle a pound of kitchen scraps each week ($105, plus $35.95 for worms).
• Envirocycle Composter – Outdoor composting from Planet Natural lets you compost and tumble all kitchen and garden scraps ($163).
• Eco-Products’ MaxAir Kitchen Composter – Collect kitchen scraps in this odor-free container under the sink. When it’s full, take out the biodegradable bag and toss the whole thing in your outdoor compost bin ($15).
• Compost Guide – Everything you wanted to know about composting.

Tip brought to you by IdealBite

Technorati tags: compost, go green, weekly tip

Posted in: compost, go green, weekly tip on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at at 8:05 PM 9 comments    

You know me, I'm not really the preachy type.

But hey, it’s Earth Daytoday, right? So I’ve gathered a few useful pointers on how to keep your photographic habits from smacking the environment around too much. I'm firmly anti-smacking.
If you want some help cleaning up your act, I got ya covered. If not, that’s cool too.

I like you either way.

1: Go Digital

If you haven’t gone digital yet, it might be time to make the switch. Digital photography is easier on the landfills: less packaging, no used film cans in the trash. The film development process also involves toxic chemicals, and uses a tremendous amount of water and electricity.

Digital equipment may be more expensive in the short run, but you’ll eventually save money on film and processing.

2: Reuse Your Film Containers

Still shooting film? Don’t throw out your plastic film containers. Ritz Cameras accepts them for recycling at their stores.

Better yet, make stuff out of them! You can store tiny things in them: craft supplies, tiny screws, or your very own portable ant farm. Or go really green and use them to grow pocket plants!

3: Switch Batteries

Try using rechargeable batteries in your camera instead of ordinary ones. If you have a choice, pick lithium over nickel since it’s a bit less toxic. When your regular batteries die, don’t throw them out. There are lots of places that recycle them. Earth911 has loads of battery usage tips and a recycling location finder.

If your camera came with a custom rechargeable battery, charging it often may extend its life. Switching back and forth between 2 batteries can also keep them going longer. If you want more info, take a look at this article on extending your battery’s life.

4: Carry a Charge

Use a solar charger camera bag. It’s a regular camera bag, except for the solar panel on the top that charges your camera for you. It’s just so cool. Amazon has them for about $150.

5: Donate

Upgrading to a new camera? Donate your old one. The New Orleans Kid Camera Project and Picture Tomorrow both accept used cameras. Your local schools or after-school programs might also be able to use them.

6: Recycle

If you’ve completely busted your old camera, recycle that puppy. Staples stores accept used electronics for recycling, including cameras, cell phones and computers. They also take empty inkjet cartridges, so you don’t have to add those to the landfill either. Andrew Darlow’s article on Photojojo Uncut has buckets of good info.

7: Make Some Money

If you have a lot of stuff to donate or recycle, use it to make some money! Ecophones sponsors recycling fundraisers. They take cameras, cell phones, video games; you name it. Send in your boxes of junk electronics and they’ll send you a check.

It’s a great way to handle large recycling projects, say at your office or school. If you wanna get super-eco-hardcore, you can donate the check to an environmental charity. Whoa. Gnarly.

8: Switch Paper

GreenPix makes 100% post-consumer recycled inkjet paper. It’s available in matte finish, and comes in sizes from 4×6 all the way up to 24×36! Check out a review at Leafygreen.info, or buy it at Red River.

9: Reuse Unwanted Photos

If you’re using digital, only print the photos you really want. If you’re shooting film, don’t automatically get doubles. You can always print more of the ones you like.

If you have photos you don’t like, don’t throw them out. Write to-do lists on the back. Or write an address on the back, slap a stamp on them and send them as postcards. Cut them into fancy shapes and use them as gift tags. If you want to get exceptionally post-modern about it you can make them into a frame for another photo.

10: Use Your Camera For Good

If there’s a local environmental issue that really matters to you, take pictures of what’s going on. Call up whatever organization is fighting the problem and volunteer to take photos. They may need help getting the word out, and great pictures can make a big difference in raising awareness.

More Resources

• Recycling meets fashion: bracelets made out of discarded camera components. Yeah, they’re pricey, but we totally want one. (via Boing Boing)
• I heard Grist’s book Wake Up & Smell the Planet was funny, so I checked it out. And you know what? It is. Lots of tips on living green, plus some yukkity-yuk-yuk. I approve.

Technorati tags: Earth Day, green, photography, Green Photography

Tips provided by Photojojo.

Posted in: Earth Day, go green, green photography, photography basics on Sunday, April 20, 2008 at at 9:40 PM 12 comments    

Today's tip comes from Ideal Bite

Got a stink that won't let you unplug your nose?

The Bite

No need to "plug-it-in, plug-it-in." Instead, hit that stink with a stick: reed aromatherapy diffusers, which work like lightly-scented candles or air fresheners, but last longer and let you stick it to energy waste.

The Benefits

• Not "plugging it in." At about 2.1 watts, those plug-in deodorizers don't use tons of energy, but none is even better.
• Sticking to what's essential. Some of those air fresheners are kinda dirty, containing chems such as carcinogenic phthalates; most reed diffusers use only essential oils.
• The scents stick around. Diffusers last hundreds of hours - way longer than your average scented candle.
• Hitting rooms with the pretty stick. Plug-in fresheners don't always go with your décor, whereas natural reeds in a beautiful glass look good anywhere.

Wanna Try?

• Botura - great earthy floral scent with geranium and patchouli ($43).
• Dani Eco Diffuser - comes in six nature-inspired scents, such as clover and fresh fir, and its packaging is biodegradable ($30).
• Ilio Modern Air - made using sustainably grown rattan reeds; also in six fragrance choices, including clean- and sweet-smelling D'anjou Pear ($29).
• Method Aroma Sticks - choose from cut-grass or sweet-water scents; has darker reeds and a ceramic vase ($15).
• VI Reed & Cane Reeds - just reeds if you wanna create your own scent-and-bottle combo ($10-$16/100).
• DIY Bite: Mix 15-20 drops of your fave essential oil with 3 cups of H2O in a spray bottle to use as a room spritzer.

BANG FOR THE BITE

Technorati tags: go green, ideal bite, plug-ins

Posted in: go green, ideal bite, plug-ins on Friday, April 18, 2008 at at 11:40 AM 8 comments    

It's time for another "Go Green" tip for all you eco-conscious readers! This week's tip brought to you by iVillage!

Every year, we burn through an estimated 500 billion plastic bags worldwide, and most end up in landfills, in waterways, and floating in tree branches where the wind deposits them. Pretty. Fortunately, re-usable shopping bags have come a long way since cotton canvas and burlap. Tote your stuff home from the mall or the market (or even the beach) in Envirosax. They're compact and waterproof with reinforced seams, and each one holds about two plastic grocery bags' worth of items. Keep a lightweight five-pack of bright, beautiful bags in your trunk or glove box, and you'll never have to answer the old "paper or plastic" question again. And they're so pretty you'll want to use them for more than just toting your veggies home from the farmer's market. $35 for a pack of five at envirosax.com

Posted in: bags, envirosax, go green, ivillage, paper, plastic, tips on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at at 6:59 PM 9 comments    

Take a shorter shower. In doing so you will save water and the energy it takes to heat it which in turn reduces carbon dioxide emissions.

Posted in: go green, shower, tips on Friday, April 4, 2008 at at 8:24 PM 23 comments