Allie’s Answers

After reading my articles about the no poo movement, a good friend of mine asked, “What’s wrong with using shampoo? Is there bad stuff in it?” I thought this was an excellent question. (more…)

rBGH, or recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone is a synthetic form of growth hormone injected into cows to increase growth rates and milk production. Manufactured by Monsanto, rBGH was introduced to the market in 1993 under the product name Posilac. rBGH is also referred to as rBST (recombinant Bovine Somatotropin). (more…)

Hemp is a touchy subject in this country. There’s an incorrect assumption that hemp and marijuana are the same thing. For the purpose of discussing hemp from an environmental perspective, let’s clear up some misinformation right off the bat. (more…)

Looking for something to do this weekend? The 11th Hour is opening in theatres across the country today.

Produced and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, The 11th Hour takes a look at the current environmental crisis and shows how we can turn things around.

According to the trailer, using existing technology, it is possible for us to decrease the human footprint on earth by 90%.

Check out the trailer here. Stick with the trailer and watch the whole thing. I love the way they talk about this crisis as an opportunity for us all to step up and make a difference.

Go see it, get inspired, and go green!

Photo © Warner Independent Pictures. No other uses are permitted without the prior written consent of owner. Use of the material in violation of the foregoing may result in civil and/or criminal penalties http://wip.warnerbros.com/

Sure, you hear a lot about conserving water. But if it’s been raining regularly where you live, what’s the big deal about running the sprinklers at mid-day or letting that drippy faucet go a few weeks before you get around to fixing it? (more…)

Looking for the perfect plastic bag substitute? Here are some fun options.

I’m in love with my Simple Green Toe Jute bag. It’s eco-chic and whimsical without crossing over into dirty hippie. And it’s 100% biodegradable, so when it’s past it’s prime, it won’t be hanging around forever with all of those plastic bags. (more…)

The other day we talked about the differences between the terms natural and organic, but there’s some variation in the way the term organic is used and which products qualify for the USDA Organic Seal.

You may have noticed that some foods are labeled 100% organic, while other foods are labeled simply organic or made with organic ingredients.  The terms related to the labeling of organic products are specific and regulated, so lets take a look at what they really mean. (more…)

I just finished watching Al Gore on Oprah this afternoon. I know it’s a rerun, but I hadn’t seen it the first time.

The average person is responsible for 94lbs of carbon dioxide a day. Here are five things Al Gore recommended doing to reduce your carbon dioxide consumption by 20%.

1. Switch to Compact Florescent Light Bulbs - if every household changed five light bulbs, it would be the equivalent of taking 1 million cars off the highway for the year
2. Use solar lights in your outside landscaping - no electricity = no CO2
3. Get a Programmable Thermostat - a difference of 2 degrees can make a difference of 9% over the course of a year
4. Change the filter in your air conditioner - a new, clean filter can knock 2% off of your yearly emissions
5. Get an insulating blanket for your water heater - this will cut emissions by 4.5%

I love these tips! They’re all simple, do-it-yourself things that won’t break the bank, but can make a big difference. Check out Oprah.com for a recap of the show if you missed it.

A lot of people use the terms natural and organic interchangeably. But, even though organic food is natural, not all natural food is organic. Let’s take a look at the difference. (more…)

During World War II, the US Government encouraged everyone to grow fruits, vegetables and herbs, as a way to supplement rationed food and make supplies for the troops go further. Branded as “Victory Gardens, ” the movement produced 9 to 10 million tons of food in yards, community plots, and rooftop gardens, and gave everyone an opportunity to participate in the war effort. (more…)