Hot New Solar Technology

Read more!

The Stimulus: What's In It For You?

There's been a lot of talk and build up of this stimulus package. What is it exactly? A combination of tax breaks, direct aid to the needy, and spending on various projects that will hopefully spawn job creation. In total, $787 Billion dollars will be signed into law today by President Obama. All tax breaks and benefits become effective immediately.

What's it in for the American people? Here's a quick breakdown of how you may benefit.


1. The unemployed may continue to see their benefits continue.
2. An extension or improvement in COBRA benefits, allowing for the continuation of health coverage after a layoff.
3. A Tax credit to individuals of $400, or $800 for couples filing jointly for 2009-2010.
4. AMT relief, with the exemption raised to $46,700 for individuals and $70,950 for couples.
5. First time home buyers receive a 10% tax credit on the purchase of a new home in 2009, up to $8000.
6. Plug in hybrid vehicle buyers will receive a $7500 tax credit.
7. Financial incentive to weatherize your home ( details coming soon).

Good news for power programs and the environment: there is lots of spending and tax breaks for energy investments and the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. Finally, a nod towards green!

All in all, a nice big package that hopefully has enough punch to jump start progress towards the future. Take full advantage of all these benefits and support the promotion of clean green technologies! Read more!

Is There Asbestos in Your Home?

There are hazards to consider when conducting green renovations or health home improvements for home and building owners. Among these is asbestos. While most asbestos products were banned in the late 1970’s by the Consumer Products Safety Commission and regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency thereafter, these materials still exist in nearly 80% of structures built prior to 1980.

Asbestos is particularly relevant when conducting energy efficiency renovations, as most asbestos products are found in insulation, duct work, piping, and other construction compounds. As these materials become older, they become brittle and even more hazardous. If they are disturbed, it is all the more likely that hazardous asbestos fibers can be released into the air. Inhaled asbestos fibers have been the principle cause for the rare and aggressive cancer, mesothelioma, as well as a host of other respiratory conditions.

Fortunately, there is help for those whose homes and buildings may contain this material. Asbestos abatement and consulting companies can indicate to you where and if asbestos products have become a health concern. These firms can then safely remove and dispose of these materials in adherence with state and federal regulations. Through simple precautions, asbestos cancer and other health conditions can be avoided as a result of asbestos exposure. We can create healthy homes and buildings, while staying healthy ourselves.

This article was written and presented by Jennifer Miller, Awareness and Outreach Coordinator for Mesothelioma.com Read more!

Green Kristine on the CW11 News!

Read more!

The Gilded Age Turns Green

Don't blink. The world we live in is an unprecendented state of flux. First off, our planet is in serious trouble. Ice sheets are melting quicker than originally predicted. Stronger than usual weather patterns have caused a disturbing series of damaging storms. Without immediate intervention, the future is unknown.

Next is the U.S. economy, which is crumbling before our very eyes. Thanks to corporate greed and regulation "lite" from our government agencies, Americans are likely to experience a rather unpleasant recession in the coming months and perhaps years. We, the taxpayers are now financing the bailout to the tune of $700 billion dollars. The bright light in this is the fact that we, the people will not lose everything and jump out of windows like in 1929.

Lastly is government. We have all had the great misfortune of living under a joke of leadership aka the Bush Administration, and the upcoming election is a very serious one. Both candidates look vastly different from where I'm sitting. The one that understands the importance of investing heavily in green technology rather than offshore and Alaskan drilling is the one who can solve a host of issues in one simple shot. It is imperative that we ban together and make the right choice.

Yes, the world is changing quickly, and we are headed back to basics. The Gilded Age of corporate greed, excessive lifestyles and lavish spending will slowly but surely come to a crawl. Over the next decade, I believe that we will witness a shift among corporate leaders towards global corporate responsibility. We have seen it already with T. Boone Pickens and he is just one of the first to emerge. With the failure of Lehman, Bear, Fannie, Freddie Mac, AIG and others, executive pay will be more closely scrutinized by shareholders, regulators and the press. At long last, corporate leadership will be held accountable and will earn a fair wage, not the lottery. Wall Street as we knew it last week, won't exist. The jury is still out in terms of what it will look like, but the huge bets, the huge amounts of leverage and the complete lack of regulation will be things of the past.

The current economic climate already negatively impacts families across our great country. Many jobs have been lost and consumer spending continues to decline rapidly. As a result, and purely by default, the main tenants of green living such as saving money, saving energy, reducing, reusing and others will be adopted. Consumers will look to cut corners, and by doing so will embrace green living more than ever. SUV's are being exchanged for smaller more fuel efficient vehicles, travel has been cut back and we (me too!) look to break out last season's fall handbag rather than buy a new one. Simple pleasures are back in style...a rainbow, a sunset, and an afternoon with your family. Count your blessings, not your cash.

Our new goverment leadership should be working for the people and leading us towards energy independence. This road will bring untold riches to our country in terms of jobs for both the white and the blue collars, the savings from being "off" foreign oil, and the ultimate benefit of seriously reducing greenhouse gases. The U.S. can and should be the world leader in green technology, and by doing so, help other nations adopt clean energy and ultimately, protect our planet. Read more!

World of Good by Ebay

Whenever I travel abroad, I usually like to buy a little something from the region to remind me of the trip when I get home. When I went to Greece, it was these leather sandals ( I called them Jesus sandals) or in St. Johns, it was a small sculpture made by a local artist. Usually it's something a little funky and indigenous to the region, although in Italy, I opt for Furla, Fendi and Ferragamo. Hey, I'm human and I'm female- what can you do.

Anyway, you don't have to travel all over the place to find special treasures from around the globe. Check out Ebay's own, A World of Good. World of Good.com connects the purchasing power of developed nations like ours with local artisans world wide. They offer products in just about every category imaginable and each purchase makes a positive impact to people, places, animals and of course, the Earth.

Looking for a Peruvian hand loomed alpaca shawl, a real Indian pashmina or a sparkly dog leash made of recycled materials? They've got that and then some. And talk about finding unique and unusual gifts too!

Visit A World of Good to find your treasure while helping to do a world of good to others. Read more!

Who are Today's Real Greenies?

Once you become involved in the green movement, it tends to do something to you. At least it did to me. It hypnotically lulls you into an obsessive state and suddenly, you find yourself weighing the green attributes and qualifications of just about everything that comes across your path. Thankfully, because this has been a great source of benefits for my family. The one exception? Shoes and bags, which I proudly maintain my original obsessive allegiance. My highly plausible argument is that the lifespan of quality goods is much longer than the "Made in China" equivalent, so you need to buy less overall. Case in point, I have a Gucci bag that is at least 10 years old and after lots of wear, it still looks as good as new.

In trying to determine who exactly might be listening to my rantings about green, I needed to learn who today's greenies are. Are they 95% ex-hippies from Sea Cliff and 5% the rest or what? Here is what I learned from my research:

Greenies are not just hippies who smoke pot regularly, tend to resists haircuts, sport tattered sandals and eat a diet of munchies. Although many are and they continue to smoke pot avidly. Not that I have any direct knowledge of these types of activities.

Greenies are not clueless and caught up in a sea of misinformation. On the contrary, I find them to be learned intellectuals. They are as passionate about the plight of the manatee as they are in the boudoir. Again, no direct info on this!

Not all greenies are full on-junkies; many opt for a "lighter shade" of green. In fact, some even drive SUVs and wear leather goods including the latest Tory Burch ballet flats, available this fall. They choose to adopt green principals in some respects, but it's not an overall lifestyle choice. ( While we applaud this groups efforts immensely, further introspection into their materialistic lives might be a good idea. After all, its a recession and shockingly, even Paris Hilton is cutting back.)

Based on several Green Drinks International meetings that I have attended, today's greenie is much younger than I would have originally imagined. Many college aged, 30 somethings and Facebook/social networking types are heavily involved in the movement.

And believe it or not, Seniors are the spoilers here. Recently, I met an older couple at a Green House Showcase event, and by the looks of them, it is quite possible that they were present at the signing of the Declaration of Independence. All kidding aside, they were very interested in all of our green features and planned to implement many of them in a new renovation of their seniors condo. Very surprising!

The bottom line is that the green movement is gaining momentum amongst the young and old alike, and whatever you can muster is a benefit to your long term health, the Earth and most importantly these days, your wallet. Peace out.

For more information about going green, contact us at Klivesgreen@gmail.com. Read more!

Confessions of a Green Junkie

I admit it. I'm a Green Junkie. That's me. I'm a chronic recycler and a solar freak plus I can kick some organic ass. I grow my own veggies, compost, sleep on organic bedding, use natural beauty products, and I even WORK in the industry, I'm so hooked. Every time I need to buy something...anything...be it food, clothing, a new car, towels, or even soap...I morph into an investigative environmental reporter, rushing to uncover the impurities and toxicity of the synthetic, and search for the most suitable, all-natural fossil fuel free replacement that keeps my indoor air quality high, my carbon footprint low and ultimately gets me to that green euphoric high....oh- oh- oh- yeaaaaahhhh! It's almost as good as sex.

In addition to being hooked on green consumer products, I can't get enough information about climate change and the ever changing duration of our earthly existence. This video is part of the reason why I'm hooked:



It wasn't always this way....I can think back to my days of over consuming at the local superstore, when I was bored and wanted to kill time. After scoping out a shopping cart, I would wander aisle after aisle, piling up my cart with as many sandals, housewares, and other miscellaneous crap I could get my hands on. ( A shop-a-holic high, you say? I see a trend here!) Heck, it felt damn good, yet it was a foul display of wastefulness.

Another memory of my former self was my frequent high-end corporate dinners in NYC when I would order a full course meal, only to nibble on a little of this and that, and proudly declare, "Yes, I'm done," when each course was clearly untouched. Just throw it right in the trash. What a totally spoiled bitch! I can barely stand myself thinking about it.

Like Gwyneth Paltrow, motherhood was the turning point that made me realize (duh) that most of the things we eat and live with in our homes are bad for us and need to be replaced. It was time to take inventory and make incremental changes that improved the quality of life for myself and my family. The more I learned, the more outraged and ultimately addicted I became.

We all have choices in life and we need to really make better ones. I do not condone burning bras, growing out your arm pit hair or trading in your Tory Burch flats for hemp sandals (PLEASE, not that last one!) But if we are having a new baby, we need to take a look at surrounding that newborn with the purest products that do the least environmental damage. Or if our car lease is up, we need to explore hybrids and clean diesels, or at least downsize our vehicle from mammoth to medium. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to find your new green identity that resides somewhere between a landlubber hippie and a spoiled bitch over consumer- AND make a real impact towards the future!

BOTTOM LINE: All kidding aside, the green movement is real and its now and we all better get on board before we vaporize this planet and future generations! Oh yyyeaaaahhhh. Read more!

Should I Use Pesticides on my Lawn? NO!

Jogging around the neighborhood is one of my favorite things to do. I get to listen to my music, in peace, just me and the road. I particularly enjoy the slide show of homes and manicured lawns as I trot by. On my route, I noticed a disturbing number of those mini flags that alert you to the presence of a recent pesticide spraying. Not just a few, a lot. I am completely amazed by this. How is it, that in this day and age, that people are more concerned about the look of their lawns than the impact of synthetic pesticide use on humans (especially children), plants and animals, and the environment? It's either ignorance- or ignorance in my book. Since the EPA and government continue to allow corporations to create and sell products that harm us in the name of $$, we have to take matters into our own hands. Here are a few key facts that should make you give up the flag, at last!

Fact: There is no registered pesticide that is safe. In the US, it is a violation of Federal law to state that a pesticide is safe. (Which means it's harmful, people!)

Fact: According to the Journal of National Cancer Institute-1987, children whose homes and garden have been treated with pesticides have 6.5 times greater risk for leukemia than children living in untreated environments.

Fact: Besides sensitivity and toxicity, other dangers to humans include decreased fertility, cancers, leukemia, asthma/allergies, low sperm count, genetic disorders and more.

Fact: Only 5% of sprayed pesticides reach their intended target - the rest drifts to unintended areas such as water or the air. ( Like on that swing set, or on your shoes, then in your house, where that baby is crawling on the floor!)

Fact: Pesticide use is one of the top pollutants of our water, it degrades our soil and it harms wildlife.

"Chemicals have replaced bacteria and viruses as the main threat to health. The diseases we're beginning to see as the major causes of death in the latter part of this century and into the 21st century are diseases of chemical origin." -- Dick Irwin, toxicologist at Texas A&M Universities

The proliferation of pesticide use has only occurred over the past 50 years, yet for centuries farmers used natural methods to protect their crops. Alternatives are available! Reach out to your local village, Chamber of Commerce or environmental non-profit to learn about organic methods to treat your lawn at home.

Some of the information in this post was found at the link below. For more information, go to http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/environment/RATE/pestfact.html

NOTE: When I say 'pesticides', I mean any poison meant to kill a certain target. These include insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Read more!

How Green Are U? Take the Earth Day Quiz

There are celebrations taking place across the globe today in honor of Mama Earth. Come and join us! More and more people are jumping on the green bandwagon and are learning how they can benefit themselves and the planet. What a perfect time for a little personal reflection. How can you personally can make a difference?

It could be something little. Like giving up paper towels, or planting trees, or recycling. Or it could be more like getting a more fuel effecient vehicle, maybe even a hybrid or installing solar panels. No matter how much or how little you do, there are many shades of green, and every little bit adds up.

So go for a fresh start and take inventory of how you live life! Take IDOG's Earth Day Quiz and get a few shades greener!


Answer the following questions. Each "yes" gets 1 point.

1. Do you drive to work and opt-out of mass transportation, if available?
2. Do you drive an SUV?
3. Do you own more than 1 SUV?
4. Does your home have more bedrooms than the amount of persons in your household?
5. Do you own a vacation home?
6. Do you travel a lot for work or pleasure? A lot meaning once a month + ?
7. Do you eat non-organic food? More than 50%?
8. Do you NOT recycle?
9. If a parent, do you use disposable diapers?
10.Do you drink bottled water?
11.Do you mainly shop at giant superstores like Walmart vs. local vendors?
12.Do you consume alcohol more than 5 days a week?
13.Have you NOT switched to compact fluorescent bulbs?
14.Do you keep your cell phone charger plugged in at all times?
15.Do you think global warming is a total crock?
16.Do you consume red meat?


Scoring Results
# of Yes'
12+ You are a disgrace to this planet! Reduce your consumption! Minimalism is in. You are caught up in the daily grind of material life and are clueless about the current state of affairs on this planet. I highly recommend you contact me directly for an intervention.

10+ You are attempting to make strides to get on with this green movement, but you have a long long way to go. Take a close look at your personal lifestyle, your home, your career and your family to determine areas of improvement. You need to learn about the benefits and detriments, so read this blog and visit our new Eco Shop at GreenKristine.com!!!

8-10 You are a semi respectable person, really striving to do the world and your family some good, well done, but you still need some work. Keep educating yourself about the products and ideas that can help you make a difference. IDOG can help!

4-8 You are a legitamite greenie!! Nice work!! Keep it up and don't get lazy. Your results will pay off with a higher quality of life.

1-4 You are a super star and should be commended!! Join clubs and organizations that will help spread the good word of going green and call me if you are looking for work!

In conclusion, I am here to help you achieve whatever green goals you have set for yourself. This blog and my new shopping website, GreenKristine.com, (coming soon!!)will arm you with all the information and products your need to get to whatever shade of green you want to be. Cheers! Read more!

Your Plastic Recycling Checklist

Are you throwing out perfectly good recyclable plastics? If you aren't recycling the following list, you are adding garbage to the landfill for nothin'.

While it's important to recycle your plastic, it's a little known fact that plastic containers are not recycled to make new containers, but to make other secondary materials. Consumers who recycle plastics think they may be helping to reduce the amount of plastic used and our reliance on petroleum, however, recycling will do little to stop production overall. Not to discourage you from recycling though! Many new items are being made from plastics like shoes and even clothing, so keep it up. But the best thing to do is to limit consumption by purchasing items with the least amount of packaging.

Depending on your municipality, you can recycle most items with a recycle symbol with a number in it, like the one shown above. Contact your town to find out how high of a number they will accept.

Items to recycle:
Prescription drug bottles
Vitamin and supplement bottles
Yogurt cups
Pudding cups
Sour Cream, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, cream cheese
Peanut butter and honey
Ketchup, mustard
Mouthwash
Shampoo and conditioner
Moisturizer bottles, skin care, nail polish remover, most skin/body care bottles
Some Tupperware type containers
Cleaning supply bottles
Dish washing and laundry detergents
Plant containers from the garden center

Plastic supermarket bags are NOT included on this list, but again, ask your town (NYC does). Also, you can check your local market to see if they will recycle the bags. Stop & Shop takes the bags back to allegedly recycle, however, I would highly recommend that you use reusable bags.

For more info on plastics and their strange little numbers, go to the following link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resin_identification_code Read more!

Calling All Greenies, Hippies, Enviros & Emos!

Seriously, folks, take a look at this and please help!

Climate change is an urgent issue that requires immediate solutions. That's why I've joined with Al Gore and others across the country and around the world who want to halt global warming.

We're on the verge of being over one million strong and I'm asking you to join us. Please click here today to become part of the solutions to global warming: http://wecansolveit.org/alliance

If leaders in business and government are going to make stopping climate change a priority, we need to send a loud message that we want action now. That's why I'm asking you to get involved today: http://wecansolveit.org/alliance

Together, we can stop global warming. Read more!

Boost your Kids' Immune Systems with Organic Veggies

Back in October, I wrote an article favorably reviewing Jessica Seinfeld's new cookbook Deceptively Delicious. This is the "Results" post, so to speak. In the book, Jessica describes how to puree veggies and hide them in your kid's food. While many people criticized the book saying that she copied someone else's idea, and she gave Oprah 21 pairs of Manolos Blahniks for promoting it, I say "Who gives a shit!" It works. I found it to be brilliant and implemented her, or whoever's strategies. The only difference was that I went purely organic. Now this was at a time when my daughter was NOT consuming many (or any I should say) veggies at all. She was in and out of school almost ever other week with one ailment or another, and she would take a tremendously long time to recover. After several months of constant pureeing, and a vitamin supplement to boot, the results are in. I am happy to report that she is rarely sick at all. In fact- and I hope I don't jinx myself, she hasn't been sick all year, even though stomach viruses have passed around, and the flu, and a million other weird preschool sicknesses. I am a true believer that the power of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, etc. from vegatables have strengthened her little growing body. ( OK now I'm really jinxing myself!) And you know what, it's really not that much extra work and I like it in my food too. We make a mean turkey, broccholi and mushroom burger!

As a side note, my daughter and myself DO NOT eat beef or beef byproducts as a result of, what I believe, is unacceptable meat processing standards and lax quality control by the USDA. The hormones, the antibiotics and heaven's knows what else. We will pass on the 'downer cow' burger, thanks!

If your kids get sick a lot, try this...it worked for me. Read more!

GM's Exec Announces "Global Warming is a Crock of S*&%"

Last month, General Motors announced their worst quarter in the companies entire history. By a thread, they cling to the #1 spot as top automaker. Am I smoking crack, or why haven't they produced a fleet of hybrids or some smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles so they can turn a profit? Is it because the Vice Chairman Bob Lutz was heard saying that global warming is "a total crock of s---?" Now there's an intelligent leader! This type of stupidity is reminiscent of the leaders of the sub prime mortgage industry, who continuously insisted on making unsound, ridiculous loans even when there was clear and present danger in the marketplace. Clearly, manufacturing more efficient vehicles has been working fantastically for Toyota, the#2 automaker, in terms of increased sales revenues AND benefits for the environment as well as consumers. Why is GM so reluctant to do the obvious? And why does their website proclaim that " they are leading the way to innovative energy solutions"? Not! A follower at best, and a very sluggish one at that.

Only 11 years after Toyota introduced the Prius, GM's Saturn division came out with a small hybrid line of vehicles this year, which is better than nothing. They get something like 22 city/25 highway which is not particularly good. Another item to ponder is quality and the safety. Historically, it hasn't been great for either.

And what's with the 6,000 lb 2008 Chevy Tahoe hybrid? GM's website says this vehicle gets "up to 20 MPG." Why "up to?" When you order it without 4 wheel drive, which no one does? Making a car that size as a hybrid is incredibly foolish. Wake up Detroit! One of the 3 R's is reduce, which means smaller.

Read more!

Pump Some Green Iron!

Yes, it's shockingly true! Even while working out, you could be over consuming and contributing to global warming. Below are the keys to greening your workout.

1. Wear organic breathable cotton. During workouts, your pores are opening up and coming as close to your skin as they ever could. Cotton contains high levels of pesticides, more so than some fruits and veggies. Nike makes plenty of soy and organic cotton workout clothes. http://www.nike.com/.

2. Give Yoga a try. Finding the right balance in life can sometimes be challenging. Yoga helps you to find inner peace and tranquility in your life. Plus it will kick your ass into shape fast.

3. Consider riding your bike or walking to the gym. If time allows. You can workout less at the gym, or just go anarobic. And you reduce your carbon footprint without your auto.

4. Take a class vs. using the treadmill or other energy consuming device. Studies show that treadmills and other motorized gym equipment, plus their accompanying entertainment stations, are major energy hogs. Classes are more fun anyway and they help keep things interesting in your workout routine.

5. Use a reusable water bottle. 80% of all plastic water bottles end up at the landfill and sadly, many gyms don't even recycle. How lame is that?! Invest in a good water bottle, preferably made from stainless steel (no plastic to leach into your water.) Try a Sigg Bottle from http://www.epicoutfit.com/.

Read more!

Green Shopping: An Oxymoron or True Benefit?

There has been a recent surge in the popularity of green shopping. Several online stores have emerged, none of which impressed us. So we at 'I Dream Of Greenie' have our own fabulous green shopping site in the works! Unfortunately, there has been some talk lately about how "green consumerism" is an oxymoron, because true greenies would simply consume less rather than buying more. While reducing ones consumption is one of the true cornerstones of environmentalism and the green movement, and I am all for it, the need for green goods still exists and will continue to exist. Here is my argument:

1. Green is going mainstream, finally. In the past, living green was reserved for hippie, all natural types and environmentalists. ( We have a deep love for both hippies and enviros btw.)Now the amount of "greenies" has multiplied 1000 fold. Mainstream greenies want to help and will do something, but they will not grossly modify their consumer behavior drastically. Not overnight, anyway. This group will be buying something, so it may as well be green.


2. The general public wants to make a contribution to help combat climate change. Human nature is to help. But what can they do? They are not big environemntal lawyers, nor do they sit on the board of the NRDC, or have the ability to testify at the Bali Conference or at Davos. They are Joe Q Public, and their contribution will be much smaller in measure. Perhaps they will use the services of OZOCAR company, a hybrid only car service in Manhattan vs. yellow cabs or buy organic chocolate or wine. So be it. They want to be counted. Let their contribution count.

3.Green products have very significant benefits OTHER than helping the environment. If I stop consuming bottled water, not only do I reduce the amount of waste in landfills, but I stop consuming water that has potentially has plastic leached into it. If I buy organic baby clothes, not only do I help prevent harmful chemicals in the soil and protect our planet, but my baby is not snuggled up in a cotton onesie that has presticides all over it (cotton has the highest concentration of pesticides vs. foods). If I insulate my home more, or buy compact fluorescent lightbulbs, not only am I consuming less energy which is good for the environment, I am saving money, which is a HUGE incentive. Going green has both monetary and health benefits associated with it and we need to acknowledge those benefits as valid and meaningful.

4. Joe Q Public does not want to sacrifice quality and style for the environment. And you don't have to! Top designers have answered the climate call, so to speak and have created beautiful ready to wear clothing, personal care products, hotels, home and garden products, makeup, toys, and the list goes on and on! Do I really have to wear 10 year old Berkenstocks and hand-me-down sweaters to care about climate change? I think not, and I belive that if you want to appeal to the masses, you need to have something that is beautiful and tasteful and compliments the identity of the wearer.

Intelligent people of the world understand that they are not reversing global warming by using Tom of Maine's toothpaste and wearing organic T-shirts. But each small action become part of a larger one that ultimately leads to a more responsible corporate environment, one that works with nature rather than against it. And that ultimately what its all about. Hey if our leaders can't get things under control, the world population can unite by spending our hard earned dollars on things that send a message and do some good.

For me, these arguments are super compelling and I can't wait to launch our fabulous eco shopping web destination, which will be chock full of info and products that can benefit the planet and its people, and to the naysayers I say "poo poo on you!" More details coming soon, stay tuned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Read more!

FDA Claims Cloned Animals Safe to Eat

Is it just me, or does the title to this article seem disturbing to you? A little bizarre? Unappetizing?

The photo is of Dolly, a stuffed replica of the first cloned animal in the world. Yummy! (Ick.)

As a self proclaimed "greenie", I have been delving into facts about the food we eat, and the more I learn, the more I become repulsed, especially by raw meat. Let alone cloned meat!

Can you imagine going to Morton's of Chicago, the famous steak house, and they bring over the presentation cart, and they offer you the Clone Rib eye?

On January 16Th, the papers reported that the FDA declared cloned animals and their progeny safe to eat, and now they can make their way to a supermarket near you.

I don't have any scientific evidence to support that drinking milk from a cloned cow or eating it will harm us in any way. But it seems to me that whenever the human race tries to take short cuts from natural evolution, things go awry. Didn't Europe ban genetically engineered crops? OK so cloned veggies are bad but live animals? No problem!

The question is now, will they even label it? How will we know what we are eating?

It seems to me that corporate America is so incredibly greedy that they would feed us anything for a buck. If you go to the market and pick up one of the most highly recognized food brands, you can see that the ingredients in the products are totally artificial and very bad for you, but they are used simply because they are cheap and us fat Americans will eat anything that tastes good.

What are the implications to our health and to our environment? The health piece is up for debate, and environmentally, doesn't cloning mean more cows and sheep and pigs, faster and faster? We know that cow poop produces enough methane to help climate change occur nicely, so why more? How many more do we need? Has demand increased dramatically or something?

But is cloning immoral too? If God didn't create it, who cares! We can make it ourselves? How do we know this won't lead to some freak doctor cloning babies for infertile couples next? We don't. Welcome to our world.

I highly recommend taking an particular interest in all the ingredients in the products you put in your mouth, and especially your kid's mouths. Cloning to me is not natural so don't do it. Read more!

Who Cares about Carbon Offsets?

Apparently, a lot of companies.

According to a recent article in the New York Times, individuals and corporations have spent over $54 million dollars last year on carbon offsets, which are credits towards tree planting, wind farm projects, solar plants, and other eco projects. This figure is likely to double next year, with the rising awareness and popularity of the "green" cause. Major corporations like GE, Bank of America, VW, and Dell offer offsets with the purchase of their products.

With the growing popularity, skeptics are beginning to ask questions. Who are these little known carbon offset companies? Is the money going to good use? Is this really offsetting carbon in the atmosphere? How is that measured? The FTC, which regulates advertising claims, recently began hearings on the "green markets", including offsets.

Companies like Terrapass.com and Carbonfund.org have been the benefactors of this new trend. You can visit their websites yourself and make your own determination. But one corporate sponsor takes it a step further. Gaiam Living, the eco retailer's management insists on visiting the actual site before donating a percentage of their profits. They want to see first hand how their dollars are put to work, and that it's completely legitimate.

Not a bad idea.

Unless you have the time and money to actually visit these companies, you might try other options. Plant your own trees instead. Invest your money directly into a green mutual fund or solar company's stock. Trade in your SUV for a hybrid model or Prius. Or simply sell your house and live in a turkey coop with no electric or running water like Burt's Bee's multi-millionaire co-founder, Burt. Uh, maybe not. Read more!

New Year's Resolutions - Get Green!

Happy New Year World!

I'm sure, like myself, many of you are thinking about ways to make the New Year much healthier and better than the last one. Maybe add some purpose to your life? Just kidding. So, I have put together a few suggestions that can be simple to implement yet meaningful to your health and to the planet! ( We had thunderstorms on New Years Day in New York, uh hello, not normal weather! Is this getting your attention?)

1. Go Organic. First of all, Americans are the fattest people on the planet because we are the richest. In reality, we don't need to buy or eat much of what we bring home, but we do so because its socially more acceptable than a nice drug or alcohol addiction! How about buying less and buying quality, such as organic? Start with staples like milk, eggs, tomato sauce, salad, things that you eat a lot of, and then move to veggies. And get off the processed food. It's not real!

2. Consume less. AKA "reduce." I mean this in every way. Think twice before buying meaningless nonsense that does nothing more than take up space. If you really don't need them, think again. And I'm not saying to trade your Manolos for Birkenstocks, grow out your underarm hair and live in a hippee commune! Just be smart about it. Being too materialistic is simply tacky anyway.

3. Recycle more. You would be surprised how many containers from the market can be recycled. It's not just about glass and bottles anymore. Plastic egg container, olive oil drums, crumbled Gorgonzola containers, even those dreaded plastic bags from the supermarket too. More detail coming soon.

4. Change those light bulbs. I have said it before and I'll say it again. Buy the compact fluorescent bulbs from my man Rob on EBay (Seller ID 6801goodbuy) - he has great deals- and change every light bulb in your house. They are much cheaper than they were last year and you will save $$ on your utilities too. This is a biggie!

5. Reconsider beef. Did you know that the methane gas that cows produce from their waste is more harmful to the environment than the carbon from automobiles!?? I know it sounds ludicrous, but it's true. Not only that, but meat processing is a major cause of e coli poisoning and its loaded with antibiotics and other harmful drugs. Do you ever wonder why we are getting those colds for longer and longer and why antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria are surfacing, and killing people? We eat food that contains antibiotics and our bodies are/have become resistant. I quit the stuff 6 months ago and don't miss it at all. More on this in future posts.

I hope someone on this planet will find this advice helpful and will take action because I would really like to see some snow in winter in New York. I'm not asking a lot here, greenies! Read more!

Recycle your Christmas Tree

Did you know that, according to the National Christmas Tree Association, there are between 30 and 35 million Christmas trees cut down each year? They plant another 56 million each each to make up for it, but imagine 30 million Christmas trees sitting in some landfill somewhere, taking up space and taking years to decompose. Not ideal.

The I Dream of Greenie alternative: recycling your tree, which is my plan this year. My neighboring town is offering this service. I just bring it to the designated location, and they mulch it up and use it for ground cover on city and Adopt-a-spot locations. Some municipalities actually pick up at your house- what a deal! You can also go to the National Christmas Tree Assocation and enter your zip code to find a location near you. Read more!