ENVIRONMENT

2/8/2021 0 Comments

TIPS TO EAT SUSTAINABLY

Over the decade environmental awareness has blossomed, we now see more persons concerned about their environmental impart and what they can do to make a difference. Gen Z and others are especially aware of their impact and they tend to make decisions based on information available to help reduce their impact.

Over the years we have seen an increase in vegetarianism, natural foods, live foods, home gardening and an increased support of local farmers. We also noticed an increased demand for local farming produce during COVID-19, where more people saw the importance of eating what you grow and buying locally.

Eating Sustainably, while it is a popular term, there are extremely relevant bases for choosing to eat more sustainable:

Healthier foods for our bodies
Better for the environment

There are many ways you can be and eat more sustainably, we've outlined a few for you:

Be mindful and a conscious consumer when shopping for foods
Choose Climate-Friendly Foods (foods with lower carbon footprint, emissions)
- Eat lower on the food chain – more fruits, vegetables, and grains, and less red meat.
Buy organic
- organic farms don’t use chemical pesticides or fertilizers which severely impact the soil, air and water quality.
Reduce the amount of food you waste
- Elements such as water and energy went into the production of your food by disposing of the food, it will end up in landfills (or disposal sites) where methane (greenhouse gas) is released. This contributes to global warming
Eat Local
- Fewer emissions released to bring your food from farm to table
Eat more plants - vegetables, beans and nuts
Moderate your meat intake
Choose local or sustainably sourced seafood that is lower on the food chain (mussels, clams, squid).
- DO NOT EAT PARROT FISH
Look for fresh foods with the fewest processing steps.

Consider your food choices next time you decide to go shopping. Look at your options and be climate friendly when shopping.

0 Comments

2/2/2021 0 Comments

How does the food you eat impact the environment

Were you ever told to “eat up your vegetables” or “what you eat matters''? Bet you didn’t think these phrases mean more than simply eat healthier meals but they also contribute to a healthy environment. Globally food production accounts for 30% of greenhouse emissions.

The food choices we make daily have a huge impact on our environment. With a growing global population, the earth’s resources are under constant threat from our daily lives pollution, climate change to name a few. The choices we make add to an ever growing threat of food shortages and contributions to environmental threats like global warming. It’s time we start looking at the choices we make and understand how the food we eat impacts the environment.

It is very easy to overlook the environmental impact of our food because we are far removed, or maybe we just don’t know the processes taken to get the food from farm to our tables. Here are a few things to consider:

Food production
Processing
Transportation

All of these add up to huge environmental footprints, meaning they contribute heavily to energy, water and chemical usage.

Below we’ve created a list of foods that contribute to environmental impacts like high energy usage or high pollution:

1. Animals like cows, goats and sheep

Require fertilizer, irrigated water
They emit high levels of methane from the digestive systems and manure
Clearing land to raise animals contributes to deforestation and climate change

2. Seafood

Overfishing
Fishing fleets depend heavily on fossil fuels
Marine pollution
Coral reef decay

3. Food processing

Processing of foods require lots of energy

4. Importation of foods

Importation relies heavily on fossil fuels when transporting foods

With technological advancements and easy access to information, persons are more aware of the impacts their food has on the environment. Let's use this information to help us make better choices.

0 Comments

1/25/2021 0 Comments

10 eco-lifestyle tips

Want to live an eco-friendly lifestyle but not sure what to do? Here are a few tips to help you be the eco-giant you are meant to be.

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: sounds simple enough but whenever possible recycle plastic water bottles, newspapers, printing paper, glass, aluminum cans.

2. Go Local: support your local farmers and manufacturers. Support brand Jamaica!

3. Compost: Taking your food scraps, yard waste, used paper, dried leaves and more can make a beautiful compost pile. Helping your garden grow organically and, of course, its nature's way of recycling.

4. Transportation: take a hike, ride a bike, carpool. One of the leading causes of air pollution and carbon emissions is vehicles. Plan your daily routes carefully, this will help you get the most use from your gas mileage as well as help reduce your vehicle emissions.

5. Save Energy: Go ahead and turn off the lights when you leave a room (chances are the walls won't mind the darkness). Unplug appliances not in use, this will help save energy consumption while saving you a few bucks.

6. Green Products: Buying environmentally friendly cleaning products as well as cosmetics we are supporting the local green economy and keeping our homes and bodies free from harmful toxins.

7. Water: With a limited supply, water can be considered one of the planet's most precious resources. Conserving water helps reduce the strain on our local municipal water treatment plants and ensures there is enough for everyone.

8. Plant a Tree: Planting trees will help replace the millions we lose each year that are used to make paper products. Recycling as well as proper use of paper products will help preserve our forests and help us continue to breath clean air.

9. Protect Marine Life: Everyday millions of sea creations die from ingesting plastic bags and other garbage that has made its way into our oceans and waterways. Help clean up a local beach, park or waterway, sign up for September's Annual International Beach Cleanup.

10. Tell a friend: Go green with your friends, family and coworkers. Introduce them to a local environmental agency and educate them on their environmental impact on the Earth.

Help preserve our planet. By following these easy eco-lifestyle tips, you will be on your way to a greener, cleaner lifestyle.

0 Comments

1/25/2021 0 Comments

liveEcco journey

At the end of each year millions of people decide what resolutions they will embrace in the coming year. You may decide to lose weight, start saving, or start that business you’ve always wanted. Some make resolutions that last, other falter. This year we want to take you on a LiveECCO Journey.

2020 was a challenging year for many people. This year we want to make going green easier, we have created this monthly plan for you to help you on this journey.

This year let us take the small steps needed to ‘go green’ and help save the planet by working towards your ECCO-resolutions.

Over the next few months we will provide you with a guide that will help you on your way to your greenest year yet.

By following these simple, easy to do steps your LiveECCO Journey will be effortless. We have filled the LiveECCO Journey plan with tips and information to keep you motivated and informed. While helping you green clean your home, your community, and help save the planet, these steps will guide you in ways that will benefit your health and also help save you money.

You can start the journey at any point, any time, just start, you will thank yourself later.

This LiveGreen Journey is not simply about making changes in your life for ONE YEAR. It is a lifestyle change starting today, understanding why we need to make these changes, educating ourselves and learning how to sustain and protect our environment. We believe everyone will benefit from the suggestions we have provided.

Check back here weekly for new tips and features to help you on your LiveECCO Journey. Let's start with a breif look at 10 tips to help you start your journey.

==>> Click here 10 Eco-Lifestyle Tips

0 Comments

6/17/2020 0 Comments

Behind beauty: the ugly truth

Well here’s a surprise! A product is listed as “Organic” means that 95% of the ingredients are organically grown, while the remaining 5% may be non-organically produced ingredients. “Made with Organic Ingredients” means the product must be made with at least 70% organic ingredients, the remaining 30% may be non-organically produced ingredients. These terms therefore sometimes end up being used merely as marketing gimmicks. It is becoming more clear, as independent researchers test beauty products, that they promote issues that go deep beneath the skin’s surface.

While executing a beauty regime, steer clear of products listed with the following ingredients for your own health and preservation:

NAIL PRODUCTS

Dibutyl phthalate - adds flexibility and a moisturizing sheen, and helps dissolve other cosmetic ingredients. Dibutyl Phthalate is a reproductive and developmental toxin
Toluene - suspends the color and forms a smooth finish. It affects the central nervous system causing headaches, dizziness and fatigue. Toluene is suspected to affect reproductive and developmental health.
Formaldehyde - found in nail hardener. A known carcinogen and an irritant to the eyes, nose and throat, responsible for skin irritation and allergic rashes called dermatitis.

LIPSTICKS
Research suggests that a user can ingest approximately 4 pounds of lipstick in a lifetime. Synthetic dyes derived from aluminum (“Lakes colors”) and coal tar can be absorbed into our bodies and stored in our organs and fatty tissues.

Be on the lookout for these toxins on your lipstick labels:

Carmine - Used to produce a red coloring. Can cause allergic reactions.
FD & C colorings - believed to be carcinogenic.
Lanolin - from the oil glands of sheep responsible for allergic reactions and harmful to ingest if full of pesticide.
Petrolatum - from petroleum. It can cause allergic reactions and dry out lips, requiring the user to apply even more lipstick.

FOUNDATION
Conventional foundations are the third leading cause of contact dermatitis. Foundation made with synthetic ingredients can cause skin problems as it is usually worn on the skin for many hours.

Conventional foundations include coal tar colors and synthetic fragrances. They too may also contain lanolin.

Common harmful ingredients are:

Mineral oil - can block pores and promote cosmetic acne and black heads.
Propylene Glycol - a neurotoxin and skin sensitizer, TEA and 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol - often found together and when combined may cause the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines,
Parabens - commonly used hormone disrupting preservatives that may accumulate in body fat
Quaternium-15 - a germicide that may break down into formaldehyde a carcinogen and sensitizer

With all this information available, it is important that we read labels of our beauty products and stay clear of these toxic components. Multiple internet resources are available to check what you already have ensuring that it is in fact safe. People believe in beauty at all costs but we be informed about the real cost we pay when we “beautify”.

0 Comments

<<Previous

YOUR CART

HEALTH & WELLNESS

TIPS TO EAT SUSTAINABLY

How does the food you eat impact the environment

10 eco-lifestyle tips

liveEcco journey

Behind beauty: the ugly truth

Author

Archives

Categories