How To Avoid Using Plastic Straws

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I used to be an avid fan of plastic straws. I could not let a day pass by without using one or three of them. I even felt annoyed at restaurants that would refuse to give me one. Nonetheless, you could imagine my shame when I went to the 2019 Climate Change Conference and saw a video of a turtle in pain because of a straw that got stuck in its nose.

I know that I have painted a vivid and troubling picture in your head right now. That’s what I feel as well whenever I remember that footage. It makes me wince even more when I tie the video into my continuous usage of plastic straws in the past. I took advantage of this small privilege without thinking of where the plastic straws could end up after using them.

No one publicly shamed me for being a plastic straw fan. However, I did not want to wait for that to happen; I decided to stop using plastic straws from that day forward.

Now, did the change come effortlessly for me? It would be a lie to say yes when it honestly was not. I became attached to straws for years, to the extent that I would even bring one in case the restaurant won’t provide it. Still, I wanted to help prevent the extinction of marine and land animals and stop climate change from ruining everything for the future generation.

Try the following tips to be able to avoid using plastic straws.

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Get Paper Straws
The quickest way to get rid of plastic straws is by replacing them with paper ones. I understand its shortcomings, including going soggy when it stays in the beverage for more than 30 minutes. However, paper straws are not only biodegradable but also recyclable. There is a little chance of finding them intact in a body of water.

Stick To Metal Straws
Assuming you don’t mind having a reusable straw, you should get it in metal form. Such straws are typically made from stainless steel so that rust won’t be an issue. Aside from straight ones, you can find metal straws that either have a bendy end or are suitable for bubble tea.

Live Without Straws At All
Of course, you can always swear off using straws altogether. Doing so can ensure that you won’t be part of the problem anymore. Instead, you are among those people trying to protect animals from inhaling plastic straws (literally). In case it seems tricky, you may obtain a water bottle with a spout.

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Final Thoughts
As with any addiction, avoiding plastic straws is only challenging in the beginning. Every time you think of grabbing one and dunking it in your beverage, recall the footage of the poor turtle I mentioned above to remind you why you shouldn’t do that.

Maintaining Cleaner And Greener Homes Naturally

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If you were a housewife or simply a homeowner who is just as meticulous as me when it comes to cleaning their house, then you would understand me when I say that it takes more than just mopping the floors, wiping the furniture, and scrubbing the toilets. It’s true – there are always germs and bacteria hidden somewhere, even if you think everything in the house is clean. “There’s a range of chemicals that you can be exposed to in your home, generally at very low levels,” says Dr. Andrew Rooney, Ph.D., a toxicology and risk expert at NIH. There are harmful substances that can make our kids sick; chemicals that cause us to have allergic reactions and even heightened blood pressure.

And do you know where we get some of these substances? Yes, from the deodorizers, cleaning detergents, and other products that we use to make our homes look as tidy as can be. We must now learn to utilize the healthier and safer substitutes to these products – those that are natural and most probably just sitting right around your kitchen.

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Recyclable Containers And Food Wraps. If you use these instead of containers that are not paraben-free, you’re helping save the earth and your health as well. Phthalate, the chemical found in plastic food containers, slowly penetrate the food, especially when the container is heated. This may result in allergies, asthma, and hypertension. A wise reminder to always follow: please do not heat food in any kind of plastic but only in glass or china.

Orange Oil As Air Freshener. Perfumes and other fragrances that are used in air fresheners can commonly cause different endocrine problems, cancer, and environmental pollution. . “The vast majority of synthetic air fresheners emit significant amounts of terpene, a volatile organic compound that can react with naturally occurring ozone to create formaldehyde.” Natural health physician Dr. Ben Kim explains. But organic stores have now started to utilize orange oil to make into air fresheners. It is natural, it has a great scent, and you can make it at home.

 

Apple Cider Vinegar And Baking Soda For Cleaning Drains. “Baking soda can clean almost every surface of your home by itself,” says Dr. Steven A. Bolkan, director of research & development at Church & Dwight . The main ingredients in drain cleaners that we buy at the supermarket are sodium chloride, aluminum, and sodium hydroxide. These three are all linked to air pollution and are harmful to the planet and of course, to its inhabitants. Try using natural by first pouring some baking soda in the drain, followed by one-half cup of vinegar, preferably apple cider. After a few minutes, you can flush the drain with hot water. This combination is a strong and effective drain cleaner we can use twice or three times a week if we want.

Microfiber As Paper Towels. These types of cloth are effective kitchen counter cleaners, even without any other product. Microfibers act as solvents that loosen dirt particles and trap them in the fiber as they are sucked into it. If you look for a good quality microfiber cloth, then you can recycle it, and it should last relatively longer. It’s also better to use them instead of paper towels, which are not biodegradable and can add more harm to the environment.

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Baking Soda As A Stain Remover. More and more people have learned this technique now, adding a half-cup of baking soda to their laundry detergent to increase the power of the bleach that they’re using for their white shirts and dresses. Also, the baking soda can soften the water so one can use less detergent when doing their laundry.

These are only some of the many brilliant ways to use natural ingredients in cleaning, brushing, and keeping your homes safe and clean. You can experiment with whatever you have kept in your kitchen. It doesn’t necessarily need to be in the book. You just need to use natural, experiment with it, and see their amazing powers in helping save the planet and keep a cleaner and safer home. Aiding the environment also helps retain the benefits of nature for stress and anxiety for your mental health too.

 

Energy Sources We Can Use To Prevent Further Environmental Damage

 

For the past decades, the debate on environmental damage due to harmful gases pumped out of the air has been constant. Advocates have discussed the ways on how to prevent further destruction, and some of these ways have actually been implemented by law or simply by social awareness. These ways include recycling, proper trash segregation, and the use of alternative energy sources.

“When we speak of environmental violence, we are referring to the direct damage to the environment by humans, but also the violent response from the natural world as a result of human degradation of the environment and the violence humans do to one another because of their effects on the climate,” writes Bandy X. Lee M.D., M.Div.

This article will discuss the last and one of the most important ways to help keep our environment clean and healthy – alternative energy sources.

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Wind Power

This is not a new way to produce energy, as the early human beings hundreds of years ago used the capacity of the wind to send their ships to the oceans. They also used this to grind their grains, saw wood, and pump water. W

ind power is considered a clean and safe energy source because it doesn’t dues chemical process to produce power. Also, it has no harmful by-products, such as carbon dioxide, which causes water or air pollution. It’s a great energy source that has been very useful to people who are living in secluded parts of the country where power is hard to connect through wires. Plus, wind power is cheap and never runs out.

“Market forces are driving rapid growth in wind generation,” writes David Spence, Ph.D.

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Hydroelectric Power

Hydroelectricity means power generated from using water. Like wind power, this energy source is not new to early humans, as evidenced by the water wheels that people utilized to produce energy. Later on, hydroelectricity was also used for crop irrigations, water pumps, and textile mills. Currently, water turbines are now used to produce electricity. Hydroelectric power doesn’t produce harmful waste, just like the wind power, but the difference is that the former is more reliable, as its energy can be saved through a dam that holds water back and is released only when necessary. It requires a relatively large power plant, though, so it is not a cheap source to create. It also requires the dams to be built on rivers, slightly changing the ecosystem of the specific environment.

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Solar Power

This is simple. It uses the sun’s light to produce energy. People nowadays use solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity. This is done by utilizing solar panels or using the sun’s energy to let the sunlight go through the windows to increase the temperature of the building. S

unlight is said to be one of the best sources of energy for the future. Like the first two energy sources, solar power does not pollute the plants and the flowers. It is also very effective in providing light and heat through solar water heaters, solar ovens, the use of skylights, and solar home heaters.

“Plants and bacteria have been fueled by solar energy since life began on earth. Once a solar panel is installed, it may continue to produce electricity for many years with little additional cost in terms of carbon,” writes Nigel Barber Ph.D.

Biofuel

This large category has different inclusions, some of which are biodiesel ethanol, biomass, and methanol, among others. The fundamental process here is to utilize organic waste, usually from plants, as a source of fuel. Biodiesel is derived by combining soy or canola oil with alcohol, like ethanol. Then a substance is added to increase the speed of reaction between the oil and the alcohol. The process is referred to as the transesterification. Biodiesel is an ideal fuel to use because when it is burnt, it is still clean and can also be used in different diesel engines.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen has a large supply, and its clean-burning qualities have had scientists agree that it is one of the most popular fuels of the future. In fact, they, along with other environmentalists, are looking to use it as a solution to substituting fossil fuels without rapidly changing people’s dependence on their vehicles. It is non-carbon, and it doesn’t produce carbon dioxide when it is burned. Hydrogen is the most abundant component that is found in air, water, and every organic matter.

 

 

Why We Can’t Survive Without Clean Drinking Water

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It has been proven time and time again that human beings can live without food for three weeks, but they cannot live four days without water. Even though an individual continues breathing, he will eventually go into shock. This only goes to show that water is life, and without it, living would almost be impossible. Yet it is a painful truth that there are millions of people across the globe who have no means of accessing clean drinking water.

Proof Of Clean Water Deficiency

While the developing regions and countries have everything from state-of-the-art technology to fresh air and clean water, sadly, that is not what the rest of the world is experiencing. There continues to be insufficiency or lack of clean water sources in many, many countries. Here are some devastating facts about it.

  • For the past four years, over 63 million residents in India have been getting water from unclean sources.
  • In New York alone, there are more than 8 million people exposed to various toxins in the water that they drink. These toxins include viruses and bacteria.
  • In some areas of South Africa, water can be inaccessible for two straight days. This, unfortunately, occurs 60% of the time.

These facts now lead us to present a list of reasons why we deserve access and why we just can’t survive without clean drinking water.

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  • It Nourishes. Again, water is life. The government and other individuals who are in power need to understand that so that a law must be implemented soon for water to be accessible for everyone. A human being is composed of 60% water, which in itself is solid proof of how important water is to us. All human beings require proper hydration to function physiologically fully. Water enables blood to maintain its consistency so that it can flow smoothly and transport oxygen throughout all parts of the body.

“Water is critical to the balance of all the body’s systems, including the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys and muscles. Proper hydration is the bedrock for maintaining healthy blood flow, kidney function, salt/electrolyte balance and digestive functions,” says William W. Dexter, MD, FACSM, Director of the Sports Medicine Program at the Maine Medical Center Family Practice.

  • It Cleans. Sanitized and safe water helps clean the body from different toxins, such as those from bodily reactions, organ abnormalities, or the consumption of poisonous water. According to  Xiaoying Ying G. Hensel, M.D., “By drinking enough water, you keep your digestive track moving smoothly. It also helps reduce the burden on the kidneys and liver by flushing out waste products.”

 

  • It Aids In Food Production. Clean water is required to start and finish the process of food production. If the water used to nourish the crops is contaminated, then they will harbor bacteria and other bad substances that will eventually cause disease to those who will consume the produce. Thus, no clean food is produced without a clean and safe water source.

 

  • It Prevents Illness. Naturally, if we consume contaminated water from the crops that we take in or the water that we drink, we would develop various illnesses. Some of these illnesses are life-threatening, such as typhoid, hepatitis, and cholera, all of which are mainly due to consumption of contaminated water. There have been real-life stories that we have seen and heard about people living near factories and businesses that have contaminated their drinking water, and most of these have shown how much dirty water has affected the lives of its residents, including unborn babies. “If you’re well hydrated, your heart doesn’t have to work as hard,” said John Batson, M.D, a sports medicine physician. He also said that “it’s healthier to drink water while you’re exercising, and then when you’re done, eat a healthy snack like orange slices, bananas or a small handful of unsalted nuts.”
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  • Better Sanitation Equipment. If the water used to wash the dishes and utensils is toxic, then undoubtedly this will result in various diseases. We must then have access to clean water for cooking, cleaning our homes, and other responsibilities that we regularly do. Clean water produces overall good health.

 

 

Vegan Athletes: Impossible?

There has been an ongoing debate about whether or not a plant-based diet or veganism is ideal for athletes — whether single, married or with a family. A lot of people claim that it is completely impossible to become a vegan athlete since the body necessarily needs some vitamins and nutrients that can only be found on animal foods or by-products.

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On the other hand, several sports enthusiasts and athletes claim that they have not experienced any decline in performance after they shifted to a vegan diet. The question now is: Which between the two views is correct? In this article, we are going to explore the affirmative side of the issue that emphasizes the possibility of becoming a vegan athlete. Here are some of the things that you need to know which you can also find in kids health website:

Myth No. 1: It Decreases One’s Energy Levels

The most common misconception about veganism is that it will lead to depleted energy for people who are following it. This statement is incorrect because a plant-based diet tends to increase one’s consumption for fiber, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins.

While it is true that this form of diet can be low in vitamin B12 as well as in omega-3 fatty acids that are only found in meat, fish, dairy or eggs, athletes will not have a problem in increasing their energy levels. The reason behind this is because of the existence of other animal-free food alternatives that can supplement the lack of nutrients from animal food items. As such, it is safe to conclude that a plant-based diet, an athlete gets to have more energy that can help a lot in improving their performance.

 

Myth No. 2: It Is Difficult To Follow

A typical day for athletes necessarily involves long hours in the gym or a training area. They need to practice on a regular basis to be skilled in what they do and to train the body to reach its maximum potential. For this reason, many individuals are afraid that shifting to veganism can cause the athletes to fail in finding sustenance for their day-to-day training.

At the same time, they also claim that a plant-based diet is difficult to follow because most of the readily available food items contain ingredients that are sourced from animals. Clearly, this is another misconception because the truth is that vegetables and fruits are available everywhere. The reality is that there are already new establishments mainly dedicated to serving the vegan market. Aside from this, anyone can quickly prepare a vegan dish at the comforts of one’s own home. Plant-based recipes are now readily available too.

 

Myth No. 3: It Can Hinder Training

As already mentioned above, a plant-based diet does not result in depleted energy levels. Therefore, it cannot be said that veganism hinders training activities or plans for athletes. Many physically active individuals are now stronger than ever because of their vegan lifestyle. Clearly, veganism has not taken a toll in their life.

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 If you are going to look into the list of active athletes in the US, you will see that a large number of them are practicing veganism. You will be surprised to find out that they have become more energetic and powerful because they have chosen to eliminate meat from their diet. When this continues to happen, it will eventually lead to hindrance in their training.

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Tips For Vegan Athletes

Now that you are aware of the facts about veganism, it is time to consider it for your own good. Below are some tips that you need to know if you want to start practicing the plant-based diet:

  1. Take your time to understand more about veganism. Be sure to gather information about being a vegan so that you will know how to follow such a lifestyle correctly.
  2. Look for a friend or family member who has experience in being a vegan. Connect with this person and feel free to inquire about the things that you need to know. Remember that it is essential to be knowledgeable about the to-do and don’ts.
  3. Make your own food so that it will be easier on your part to stick to this diet. Do not be easily tempted with sweets and soft drinks. Be sure to resist unhealthy or natural foods that will only prevent you from not achieving your fitness goals.
  4. Consult with a medical doctor. Do not make any self-diagnosis because it can be dangerous for your health. Book an appointment to your psychiatrist today for a priority.
  5. Use positive reinforcement in practicing veganism. Whenever you have followed the plant-based diet for one complete month, find an effort to reward yourself. You deserve it since you did not let temptation bring you back to an unhealthy lifestyle.

You can also find more tips here: www.familyeducation.com.

Plant-based diet or veganism is fantastic, which is probably the reason why it has become so popular around the globe in these modern times.

 

Small Changes At Home That Make A Big Difference For The Environment 

Good news for Kermit the Frog: being green is in. At least we’re referring to being environmentally-conscious. As the condition of our environment continues to worsen, we feel more compelled to make significant lifestyle changes. People are turning to solar power, smart houses and green cars. 

 

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