Extensive Source of Information for all Things Organic

One of the most extensive collections of information for anything organic which I have found yet is at the Organic Consumers Association. They explain in their website that they are "an online and grassroots non-profit 501(c)3 public interest organization campaigning for health, justice, and sustainability. The OCA deals with crucial issues of food safety, industrial agriculture, genetic engineering, children's health, corporate accountability, Fair Trade, environmental sustainability and other key topics. We are the only organization in the US focused exclusively on promoting the views and interests of the nation's estimated 50 million organic and socially responsible consumers."

I strongly suggest to bookmark the Organic Consumers Association for easy reference. Better yet, become a subscriber, member or volunteer. This organization is such a wonderful source of information, leadership and support for you and I (the every day consumer) as well as grass roots programs, organic farmers and many others. Visit them here to start learning more.

Nicodemus Wilderness Project

The Nicodemus Wilderness Project is a nonprofit organization based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The goal is to inspire volunteers world wide to get involved in conservation activities such as litter removal, trail and wildlife habitat restoration, invasive plant removal and native tree planing in their area.

The project's main focus is on encouraging, inspiring and involving kids in these projects, especially at risk youth. By involving young people in conservation efforts, this program is helping to educate kids on environmental issues with hands on experience. This experience in turn can benefit those involved in countless ways.

The Nicodemus Wilderness Project is a great program which reaches out to people world wide. Visit their website via the link above to learn more.

350 Challenge

Some of you may have noticed the 350 challenge badge in the right hand column of this blog. This is from the Brighter Planet blog challenge. The challenge, was to get 350 bloggers to add their badge to their blogs, which would help to spread the word about what the Brighter Planet does. In return, they "offset" 350 lbs of carbon for every badge installed. They have surpassed their 350 blogger goal, but have decided to continue the program based upon its success.

Brighter Planet is a grass roots program to build wind turbines which will offset carbon emissions. The program raises money through a couple of different programs. Primarily is with a credit card rewards program. This works much like other credit card rewards, where each time the card is used, a certain portion of the money goes to the Brighter Planet, who uses the money to build wind turbines. There are other fund raising programs too.

Visit Brighter Planet to learn more or to participate in one of their programs.

Trouble With Feed

A quick note to my feed subscribers: While in the process of switching to the "Somethin' Green" title, which has been a larger project than I expected, I have noted a glitch in my Feedburner account. I don't think it is affecting the actual feed. If you have noted any problems, please report it by commenting to this post. Secondly, you should start to see the feed title appearing with the new name as of this post.

Thank you for sticking it out as I work through these changes!

The Green Community Movement

The movement is beginning, and I didn't even realize to what extent. This is one of the disadvantages of living outside of my country, I suppose. I do not witness these major changes first hand, alongside my fellow Americans. I'm viewing from afar, wondering what the future will hold for myself and my family upon our return.

A recent article on CNN entitled "Is America's Suburban Dream Collapsing into a Nightmare?" outlines one of the details which I touched on in the essay "A New Kind of Community, A Green Community" which has been published on Associated Content. What CNN Journalist Laura Farrar describes is nothing short of an exodus from the suburbs, and a return to the cities. People want communities where they have no need for a car.

It seems major changes are in the air. From what it sounds, American suburbans are leaving in the wake of foreclosures and leaving the suburbs abandoned. Crime is then moving into these empty homes which will drive out even more suburban residents.

It seems there are too many changes occurring back home that I can not keep up with them all. I am optimistic, although concerned. We are at a pivotal point in American history where we have the opportunity to change our infrastructure for the better. We are able to design smarter, more efficiently, with true community in mind, as described in "A New Kind of Community" (See article in a previous post). Lets not screw it up.

Water Saving Gardening Tip

Here's a great idea for anyone with potted plants. This website teaches you how to build a slow drip irrigation system for your plants using a recycled plastic bottle.

Gayla Sanders, (AKA Gayla Trail) maintains a website called You Grow Girl which is packed with information on urban gardening. This site is worthwhile to anyone interested in gardening and creativity.

College Textbooks

Are you, or do you know a college student? Check out Chegg textbook rentals. I have yet to try this company, but when my classes start up in the fall, I will give them a go and give you a full critique of their services.
So far, I think this is a great idea. At Chegg, you can rent a textbook as opposed to buying new ones or buying used from your campus book store. Buying from the campus store can be expensive. This company claims to save you money. The best part is that renting a book reduces the need for raw materials to make new ones. They will also plant a tree for every textbook ordered, in places all over the world. This is a great concept.
If you have experience with this company, please share your review by commenting here.

A New Kind of Community - The Green Community

A New Kind of Community- The Green Community
The Shift Toward Simple Green Living
Written By D. H. Lewandowski
Published By Associated Content

...However, we are beginning to see that we can't have it all. We are coming to terms with the fact that our habits are destroying the environment and making us ill. We are seeing that there is true beauty in simplicity, and that a major shift in the way we live can show us the light at the end of the tunnel. Out of need comes innovation...read full article

Breathing Earth Website

The Breathing Earth Website is an interesting place to gain a perspective on the impact we human beings have on the world. Breathing Earth was created by David Bleja, and uses world wide birth and death statistics alongside CO2 emissions data from every country in the world. The map's interactive features allow the user to see statistics from individual countries.

This is a worthwhile visit. Take a few moments to soak in the various data and how it impacts the environment. If you like this site, click on "about" and then "homesite" where you will find out more about David and his work.

Somethin' Green

More changes, the Good Monster Store is now called "Somethin' Green", please bear with me while I undergo these changes. Changing the name requires that I change locations, which is not usually recommended, but I feel it is still early enough to do so. The cost of changing locations will be rewarded by more traffic because the name fits the place much better. Any suggestions are welcome.

Please check back for updated links, Thank you.